Enrolling in a Yoga teacher training course can not only be an exciting but also an intimidating experience and adventure. Such training courses are not just about receiving a certification but it’s rather a very personal and transformative experience that can shape you mentally, physically, as well as spiritually. Whether you are a beginner in yoga who just wants to try out learning yoga the correct way or you are a regular practitioner in yoga who wants to take up professional yoga teacher training skills to shape their career.
This journey demands time, commitment and dedication. So before you make the decision to sign up for the course and start your journey, it is important to take a pause and consider these following few questions to ensure that you are on the path of your goals and you can stay committed throughout the journey.
Find your WHY before enrolling in YTT Courses
Finding purpose before enrolling in any endeavour is paramount because unless you understand the reason you will not be motivated enough to show up every day. Since the journey of yoga is demanding, both on physical and on mental levels, it is important to identify your reason. Whether it is that you want to heal from a certain trauma or you want to explore the ancient yoga philosophy or you want to build a career in sharing your yoga knowledge or simply to enhance your yoga practice. Identifying your why will shape your experience entirely. When your why is clear you gain clarity in your motivation and hence do justice to yourself.
Are you ready for the physical, mental and emotional commitment?
Yoga teacher training courses are generally demanding, intensive and immersive. Students are expected to engage in long practice hours, study yoga philosophy, wake up early mornings to follow the yoga schools routine and most importantly watch the emotional rollout over the course. So it is important to ask yourself whether you are ready to commit physically, mentally and emotionally to the process. As a yoga teacher training course in Goa will require you to have self-discipline and structure, and most importantly the willingness to learn.
What yoga style resonates your style and yoga goals?
Yoga has a variety of styles for people to choose from and since every style is unique and different from another. So it is important that you understand your yoga goals, flexibility levels and pick a style that matches with you. For instance picking Hatha yoga is best for beginners and it is the foundation of all yoga styles which also helps in fixing alignment and postures. Going for Ashtanga Yoga will help you learn structured series and movement. Choosing Vinyasa will help you get accustomed to fluid and breath based flow movements etc. So researching the yoga styles will help you find your natural rhythm and allow you to enjoy yoga to the fullest.
Which yoga destination to choose for your training
The next question is deciding where do you want to train yourself. Location has a huge impact on your entire training experience. It not only inspires you but is also crucial in planning your entire travel structure. For instance, if you are someone who enjoys mountains, going to Rishikesh also popularly known as the Yoga capital of India could be ideal. But if you are someone who wants to enjoy practicing yoga on beautiful beaches with the rising sunset against the gurgle of the waves choosing a 200 hour yoga ttc in Goa can be an ideal choice.
Is your Yoga School Yoga Alliance certified?
If you’re enrolling in a certain yoga teacher training course with the purpose of being able to teach professionally, especially on a global stage, you should ensure that the yoga school you are registering with is Yoga Alliance certified. Since being a graduate from a Yoga Alliance registered course will allow you to register as a RYT - Registered Yoga Teacher. This gives you opportunities to share your yoga knowledge globally and across platforms such as yoga schools, studios, Wellness centers, online classes etc. Therefore choosing a school that is accredited and guarantees authenticity and credibility is important.
Who are your instructors and what is their background and experience
Since the guru or the instructor is one of the most important aspects of the yoga teacher training, researching about them is absolutely important. The instructors will not only help in teaching you the correct way of performing yoga, but will also shape your entire yoga journey. So researching about what is their background, how many years of experience do they have, what are the yoga styles that they particularly specialize in, and is there anything else that constitutes their offerings. For instance many yoga instructors also offer guided meditations along with asana practice in the training.
What's your budget and what can be covered in it
The yoga teacher training courses vary depending upon the location, duration and the facilities offered by the school. So researching in detail about the cost of the course with an estimated rough expenditure you would be needing in the place that your yoga school is located at and does it match with your budget is important. It is true that an expensive course does not necessarily mean high quality education, but the quality of the training should not be compromised just because of the cost factor. So it is important to make a roughly estimated account of your budget.
Conclusion
Yoga teacher training courses are not just lessons on learning or teaching yoga, but rather it is a journey which truly transforms one. People join as students and leave as eligible and certified teachers who shall be sharing their yoga knowledge with the world, conducting classes and dealing with a variety of yoga students. So when you ask the right questions and understand your purpose, you gain clarity in your goals and the clarity allows you to enjoy or practice with a free mind.
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