Yoga is not just getting into postures for your fitness goals; it’s a way of life for many. We see the entire world talking about yoga these days, as the interest grows world wide, so does the want for practitioners to gain better and deeper understanding. Which leaves us with a question: What is Yoga Teacher Training?
Further ahead in this blog we will explore everything about yoga teacher training. All your how, why and whats will be answered. This guide has been carefully arranged to prepare you mentally, physically and materially in every way. Let’s get started on this!
What is Yoga Teacher Training?
Yoga teacher training is a structured program that provides aspiring teachers or already teaching instructors with necessary skills, techniques and knowledge to conduct, lead and design a safe and effective yoga class. These programs can be of minimum 27 days to maximum 2 – 3 months depending on the yoga school you choose, their schedule and teaching pace.
These are very comprehensive courses shedding light not only on yoga asanas and their correct alignments but also on topics like human anatomy and yogic philosophy. These courses are generally certified by Yoga Alliance USA. Yoga Alliance USA is a trusted non profit organization world wide that ensures high professional ethical standards to become a certified yoga instructor. To be certified students have to meet a certain criteria, they have to attend the class regularly to be able to give an exam towards the end of the entire course.
Most Yoga Teacher Training programs require a minimum of 200 hours of training, to be able to train further for 300 hours of training. Finally, completing 500 hours of training together. You can first go for 200 hours of training and then opt for 300 hours or you can directly do a 500 hours of course. Whatever suits your goals.
Am I Ready for Yoga Teacher Training?
Knowing if you are ready for yoga teacher training involves some self talk. Before enrolling for a course, ask yourself a few questions and set your intention right first.
- Set the intention right: To know if you are ready for yoga teacher training first set your intention right, ask yourself why do you want to become a yoga instructor to begin with? You can choose to train as a yoga teacher to deepen your own practice and understanding as well as to share your insight of this topic all around with people. Anything is fine, just know why you are doing what you are doing. Your primary motivation to opt for the training should be deepening your knowledge and elevating your own practice. Only then can we pass this on to the world. Setting the intention right will help you move on your path without confusion.
- Do I have consistent yoga practice?: You can choose to train as a yoga teacher with little self practice of a few months or with consistent regular yoga practice of a few years. Yoga teacher training is a program where you will be doing yoga for minimum 3 – 4 hours a day. Make sure that you do some physical exercise before joining, an hour or two of walking also works.
- Am I prepared for daily practice: Yoga teacher training can be transformative both mentally and physically. Be ready to push yourself out of your comfort zone; this will only help you grow and reach your maximum potential. Take every correction as constructive criticism and be open to new experiences and feedback.
How to Train as a Yoga Teacher?
Here are a few steps on how you can train as a yoga teacher.
- Research about your style of interest in yoga: Look for what style of yoga would you like to get trained for. Ashtanga, Hatha, Yin – yoga, Aerial yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Kundalini yoga etc Programs length and cost may vary according to the style you select to get trained for.
- Choose your school: There are a lot of yoga schools all over the world. Set your budget and research about the schools, check reviews, check their website thoroughly, know about their instructors, check their instagram page, shortlist a few schools and talk to their alumni to get a review. Make a few calls to shortlisted schools, compare rates, curriculum and quality of teaching. You can also let your intuition speak and just pick one where your heart calls for.
- Now book your seat in school: Once you have shortlisted and selected your school. Figure out what kind of accommodation you would like to stay in. Single room, twin sharing room a lot of schools also offer dorms. Once you have decided on that, reserve your seat for the program. Let them know your dietary requirements if any. Ask every question about everything you want to know before booking.
- Lastly, practice: Practice, practice and practice. You can train to become a yoga teacher but only your self practice can make you a good yoga teacher. Practicing will give you confidence and polish your skills.
How Does Yoga Teacher Training Work?
Yoga schools generally follow a structured curriculum and schedule throughout the course.
- Asana Practise: You will be taught perfect posture alignments. Keeping in mind the minute details like how much degree should your feet be placed, should your pelvic be opened or closed etc. You will be taught how you can align someone in different ways and how you can modify a certain posture catering to everyone’s personal physical capabilities using a bolster, belt or brick.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology: This is the most important subject to learn about as a yoga teacher. Only when we know the internal we can understand how performing a certain asana is affecting a body part. Learning this will help us understand how one can minus the possibilities of any potential injuries and how one can work with different bodies and their capabilities.
- Yoga Philosophy: You will learn the origin of yoga. Different yogic philosophies like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Krishna’s Karma Yoga concepts like how Buddhism is related to patanjali’s yoga sutras and other enlightening philosophical ideas you may not have discovered.
- Designing a Class: You will be guided how to design a yoga class, how to sequence, what postures to place where, when to go slow and then intensify gradually.
- Teaching Methodology: You will be trained, how to lead a yoga class effectively. How to put into action the class you designed. How to give cues to students to go into a certain posture.
- Self Practice: It is very important to do self practice. This will help you observe yourself and clear your doubts.
Is Online Yoga Teacher Training Legit?
Online schools have taken over the internet. We can learn anything anywhere. But is it possible to get quality yoga teacher training online? Let’s understand.
- Quality: Not all Yoga Schools provide quality yoga teacher training online. Yoga can be learnt online but only if the teachers are reliable, committed and completely attentive.
- Internet Issues: Online learning is good but you need to make sure you have glitch free internet connection to make sure you miss nothing taught through. You can ask the school to provide you with recorded lectures just in case you miss anything.
- Learn at your own pace: Online teacher training can be extremely convenient, you can learn from anywhere, anytime (If the sessions are recorded).
- Lack of in person experience: There’s a difference in online and offline learning. Offline learning opens you up to other students, gives you a learning environment where you can learn from each other, share conversations and build connections. The teacher can give you personal assistance and correct you immediately.
In summary, while online yoga teacher training can be valid, it’s important to choose very wisely and be conscious of its limitations while choosing.
Is Yoga Teacher Training Worth It?
Yes, without any doubt investing your time, money and efforts for Yoga Teacher Training is definitely worth it. It is going to transform you in multiple ways. Even if you do not consider teaching yoga in future this training is for sure going to open up your horizons.
- Refine your practise: Yoga teacher training puts you into a habit of practicing yoga daily. You gain a better understanding of asanas and your body. You get to know perfect alignments. Along with this you learn yogic cleansing practices, various pranayama techniques and meditation.
- Boost Confidence: Learning in a complete new space and environment with new people from diverse backgrounds can boost your confidence. Pushing yourself to perform new asanas daily and following the school schedule daily can also play a role in gaining confidence. During the course you will also be asked to conduct a 90 minute yoga class which again is a confidence booster.
- Build Connections With Like Minded People: A teacher training can leave you with life long friendships with like minded individuals who hold the same passion for yoga as you do. Eating, studying and practicing with the same group of people can foster meaningful bonds.
- Professional Opportunities: Teacher training will provide you a certificate after which you will become a certified yoga teacher. This enables you to teach yoga all around the world anywhere you want. You can conduct your retreats, workshops, take private sessions or open up a studio.
After taking everything into account, yoga teacher training is only an investment. It contributes to overall personal as well as professional growth.
How to Prepare for Yoga Teacher Training?
Here are some tips to prepare yourself completely mentally, physically and materially before starting your yoga teacher training.
- Mental Preparation
Keep an open mind. Be ready to push your limits, you can do more than you think you can. Always be curious. Don’t be afraid to ask any kind of question. No matter how silly you think the question is, ask it! Don’t worry about people judging you, you are here to learn and you are learning to get your questions answered.
Understand everyone’s body is different, we all have different capabilities and build. Don’t compare your journey with anyone. Be patient and gentle with yourself.
- Physical Preparation
It is good to have some regular asana practice, good physical strength and flexibility before joining the course. This will make your learning smooth and easy. You will be able to focus on holding the posture and moving the body the way the teacher instructs.
Avoid junk food and eat good nutritious food that can fill every body of your cell with energy. Keep your body clean internally. This will not only help you with your asana practice but also your pranayama and meditation practice.
- Material Preparation
Get comfortable clothes for your practice. If you sweat a lot, consider getting quick dry yoga clothes which won’t make you uncomfortable during your practice.
A Lot of schools provide yoga mats but carrying your personal yoga mat is always a plus. Not all schools take care of hygiene and provide mats used by the students before. So carrying your own mat is always beneficial, you can carry it anywhere outside your school as well.
If you journal you can carry your journal to document your experiences along the journey.
Are you ready to transform your life and take your practice one step further?
Join us and become a member of the Arogya School Family. We have something for everyone. You can choose from our diverse offerings like Kundalini Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Sound Healing, Acro Yoga and so much more. If you are someone not looking for complete teacher training you can choose to come spend a few days at our retreat and rejuvenate yourself with the power of yoga and meditation at our serene setting.
Book yourself a self transforming journey today! Whether it’s a month-long teacher training course or a few days of retreat, we promise everyone a profound journey inside as well as outside.
To sum everything up for you
Yoga teacher training is an enriching meaningful journey turning you inwards. Everyday of slow living, clean eating, practicing yoga, pranayama and meditation holds the power to greatly transform your life. Whether you choose an offline or online program, ensure it aligns with your learning goals and caters to everything you seek. Yoga is not just about perfecting some asanas; it’s a holistic practice all together that can transform your life in infinite ways.
If you’re fascinated by the concept of somatic yoga and how it works with mind and body to foster complete awareness and movement check out our blog on Somatic Yoga for better comprehension and understanding.
The world of yoga is waiting for you—are you ready to step onto the mat as a teacher?
Are you ready to elevate yourself as a Yogi? The world of yoga is waiting for you.
