5 Things to Think About When Choosing Your Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga is an intensive science that collectively works on the wellness of the mind, body, and spirit. While yoga can be practiced independently, much like any scientific form, to master it, it is important to seek proper guidance from a professional master or guru. A yoga teacher plays a significant role in shaping you as a vetted yoga practitioner. They guide you to perform safe and correct practices whether it is asana practice, pranayama, or meditation. They also guide our mind and spirit to understand the layers of yoga and imbibe those in day-to-day lifestyle. They help us evolve as a being and yogi. During yoga teacher training, both theory and practices are conducted in a balanced manner, all under the guidance of yoga masters and instructors. 

The Significance of Yoga Teacher Training

For the past few decades, yoga has been catching the eye of individuals as the go-to workout for de-stressing the mind and achieving age-defying physical benefits. To gain a serious understanding of yoga, its lifestyle, ethics and principles, yogis resort to yoga teacher training programs. Through certified yoga teacher training programs, they not only gain the benefits of the science for themselves, but also become eligible to spread the love of yoga as qualified yoga teachers across the globe. 

A yoga teacher training becomes the guide, the base, the foundation and the route to ultimate yogic experiences on both personal and professional levels. Let’s discuss the top things to consider when choosing a yoga TTC, preferably in India, the birth land of yoga. 

Top 5 Things to Think about When Choosing Your Yoga Teacher Training.

The program curriculum is the foremost important factor to consider while selecting a yoga teacher training program. It starts with deciding upon which style of yoga you wish to pursue professionally. Is it Hatha, Ashtanga, Hatha & Ashtanga? Is it Iyengar Yoga, Yin Yoga, Kundalini Yoga? If you have not tried various yoga styles then perhaps, taking trial classes at a studio might help. If you already know which style to pursue then it is time to look into the structure and elements of the chosen program to select which one is for you. 

Depending upon the time you have, you can consider logging into the hours accordingly. Yoga programs are based on hours of study and can be categorized into 100 hour, 200 hour, 300 hour, 500 hour, or even 1800 hour yoga teacher training courses. 

Next, look into the subjects taught. Ideally, it should have a combination of theory and practice sessions with subjects like Yoga Philosophy, Teaching Methodology, Asanas, Adjustment and Alignment, Yogic Anatomy, Pranayama, Meditation and so on. 

While going with a well-structured yoga teacher training program is good, the program can only become the best for you if you know what you want to achieve from that particular program. What do you wish to do once you complete the course? Do you want to pursue the career of a yoga teacher or are you doing this program for self-knowledge and wellbeing? It is important to communicate your goals to the faculty so they can guide you accordingly. 

Here, it is all about what you get at the end of the program. Is the program more focused on physical practice or is it more entwined towards spiritual practices or is it a combination of both on an equivalent level? Whether theory or practice, whether asana sessions or philosophy sessions, the outcomes can only be met if you are in sync with them as the methods of teachings are different for different institutions. Some institutes focus more on the physical practices while others on mental and spiritual upheaval. Look into the program delivery and processes and take a call accordingly.  

Accreditations and certifications are important if you wish to make a lucrative career as a yoga teacher and also for the reason if you wish to preach the style of yoga on a global scale. 

Make sure that whichever school or ashram you pick, it is internationally-accredited or registered with Yoga Certification Board (YCB). If you go with a Yoga Alliance certified program and schools then you can freely teach yoga across the globe without having to do any other course for validation. 

The location of study matters, whether you are going for a 200 hour yoga TTC or a 300 hour Yoga TTC or any other yoga program. Aspiring yogis often come to India to study yoga from its origin. If you are planning to do the same then there are certain places in India where the roots of yoga are preserved in its purest form to date. Choose from a 200 hour yoga teacher training in Kerala or an Ashtanga yoga teacher training in Rishikesh or a Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher training in Mysore, Goa, Pondicherry, etc. These places are the treasure troves of yogic knowledge and learning. Undergo the best yoga teacher training in Rishikesh at places like Yoga Vidya School etc.