Can I enroll in Yoga Teacher Training as a beginner?

Dec 6

Resting in a state of complete tranquility, drenched in perspiration, as a soothing lavender cloth gently adorns your brow... you are overcome with an extraordinary sense of bliss, gratitude, and love. As you gracefully stride towards the designated area to retrieve your belongings, a remarkable sensation accompanies each step. Your being is imbued with serenity and an unshakeable presence.

Later on that day, an advertisement catches your attention - an upcoming yoga teacher training program. Intriguing thoughts arise within you: "Could this be a divine sign? Is it a pivotal part of my life's journey?" However, the mind has a tendency to analyze and evaluate risks. Doubt surreptitiously creeps in, causing you to question your adequacy for embarking on the path of yoga teacher training.

Perhaps you conclude that teaching yoga is not your intention, but rather, you aspire to deepen your own practice. You ponder whether yoga teacher training would be suitable for someone like yourself who simply yearns to enhance their proficiency in yoga. If any aspect of this resonates with you, if you yearn to explore the realms of yoga teacher training and unravel its profound mysteries - rejoice! For you have arrived at the perfect destination.

Why choose Yoga Teacher Training?

There exist numerous motives to engage in a program for yoga teacher training. Below are some of the most prevalent reasons:

You aspire to cultivate greater presence in your life, and you acknowledge that regular practice of yoga contributes to achieving this goal.
You yearn to delve deeper into the origins of yoga - its history, philosophies, advantages, and more.
You aspire to obtain certification as a teacher, enabling you to impart the transformative power of yoga to others.

Regardless of your personal motivations, embarking on a yoga teacher training course can facilitate profound self-discovery. Yoga facilitates the identification and healing of emotional wounds. It encourages you to quiet the incessant chatter of the mind and awaken to the essence of your true being.

Is it possible for a beginner to engage in yoga teacher training?

Absolutely! The ability to perform advanced poses like handstands or splits is not a requirement to qualify for yoga teacher training. Furthermore, being an outgoing individual or comfortable speaking in front of a group of people is not necessary. Many individuals embark on yoga teacher training with no intention of actually teaching yoga. Instead, their main goal is to delve deeper into their personal yoga practice.

There are also those who aspire to teach but may lack the confidence and experience to lead a class. Yoga teacher training provides students with ample opportunities to practice guiding classes for their fellow trainees. These training sessions are conducted in safe spaces intentionally created to foster growth and skill development without judgment.

The sole prerequisite for embarking on yoga teacher training is a genuine curiosity to expand your knowledge of yoga and self-discovery.

What occurs during yoga teacher training?

The primary objective of most yoga teacher training programs is to assist students in obtaining certification from the internationally recognized organization, Yoga Alliance.

Opting for a program certified by Yoga Alliance grants it the status of a Registered Yoga School (RYS). Once all the requirements of the yoga teacher training program are fulfilled, individuals become eligible to register as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance.

Attaining RYT certification holds substantial significance if one aspires to teach yoga at a studio. The majority of yoga studios mandate this certification for their instructors.

Yoga Alliance offers various levels of RYT certification, starting with RYT-200. Additionally, there are further designations such as RYT-300 and RYT-500.

RYT-200 certification represents the swiftest route to becoming a certified yoga teacher, as it necessitates the minimum number of educational hours and training (a total of 200 hours).

Outlined below is Yoga Alliance's prescribed curriculum for a 200-hour yoga teacher training program:

75 hours dedicated to techniques, training, and practice, encompassing physical postures, breathwork, and meditation.
30 hours devoted to anatomy and physiology, including biomechanics.
30 hours focused on the study of yoga philosophy, lifestyle, and ethics.
20 hours allocated for practicum, which involves observing and assisting experienced yoga teachers.
10 hours dedicated to the exploration of teaching methodology, such as sequencing and class planning.
15 hours dedicated to professional development, which includes topics like business and marketing for yoga teachers.

Embarking on a yoga teacher training program offers an opportunity for deep personal growth, expanding one's knowledge and practice of yoga. It provides a solid foundation for aspiring yoga teachers through comprehensive instruction in various aspects of yoga, allowing them to confidently share their wisdom and guide others on their yogic journey.

Is it worth investing your time in yoga teacher training?

As previously mentioned, the initial level of yoga teacher training, which is certified by Yoga Alliance, typically involves approximately 200 hours of comprehensive training and education.

Different yoga schools adopt varying approaches when it comes to offering this training. Some schools condense the training into a short 8-week period, while others opt for a longer duration of around 6 months or more. Certain schools even limit the training to weekends, while others incorporate training sessions during weekdays as well.

It is advisable to explore the schools that capture your interest and ascertain whether their scheduling aligns with your availability.

Moreover, take a moment to reflect on how you would utilize those 200 hours if you were not engaged in yoga teacher training. Would you have to sacrifice something significant? Or could you potentially allocate those hours by reducing your time spent on social media or watching television? If you're anything like me, you may realize that you invest more time in these activities than you care to admit.

The underlying point here is to assess the value of yoga and education in your life, and to ensure that you are genuinely comfortable with dedicating the required amount of time to complete the training.

Is Yoga Teacher Training worth the cost?

In contemporary times, the price tag for in-person yoga teacher training programs typically hovers around $2,500 or even more.

There are alternative options that come at a lower cost, but it's important to note that they may not possess the same level of thoroughness and comprehensive education if they lack certification from Yoga Alliance. The adherence to standards set by this authoritative governing organization plays a significant role in ensuring a rigorous and robust curriculum.

It is crucial to consider how you will finance your yoga teacher training. Do you have the necessary funds readily available, or will you need to diligently save in order to embark on this transformative journey? Perhaps you can contemplate reducing expenses in other areas of your life. Additionally, it would be beneficial to inquire whether the yoga school you are considering offers a flexible payment plan option, as many schools do.

Take a moment to reflect on whether you are comfortable with the financial commitment involved in pursuing this path. It is essential to assess whether you are willing to make any necessary sacrifices in terms of other expenditures in order to fully embrace the opportunities that await you on this transformative journey.

Is Yoga Teacher Training worth the investment?

In contemporary times, the price tag for in-person yoga teacher training programs typically hovers around $3-5k or even more.

Is the endeavor of undertaking yoga teacher training truly worth the exertion and dedication?

Embarking on the path of yoga teacher training demands a considerable amount of energy, encompassing not only physical stamina, but also mental and emotional fortitude.

Mental energy will be expended as you immerse yourself in the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. The depths of yoga's history and philosophy will be explored, allowing you to derive deeper significance from your own practice. Moreover, this understanding will illuminate the physical and energetic processes that transpire within you while practicing yoga.

Anatomy and teaching methodologies will also become subjects of your study. This invaluable knowledge will serve to safeguard your well-being during your personal yoga practice, minimizing the risk of injury. Furthermore, it will empower you to craft seamless and harmonious yoga sequences, effortlessly flowing from one posture to the next.

Naturally, all these acquired skills and wisdom will greatly enhance your efficacy as a yoga teacher, should you choose to pursue such a path. The investment of energy and effort in yoga teacher training will undoubtedly bear abundant fruits, enabling you to guide others on their own transformative journeys through the realm of yoga.

In the realm of yoga, a daily investment of physical energy is required. This holds true for the vast majority of yoga teacher training programs. Each day, you will be called upon to engage in the practice of yoga, whether it be through personal endeavors or within the company of others.

During in-person training sessions, it is customary to partake in multiple yoga sessions. Conversely, on days when physical gatherings are not scheduled, you will be expected to embark on your own personal practice or seek out a yoga class elsewhere. The intention is to cultivate a consistent and dedicated approach to the art of yoga.

As a result of this immersive experience, you will likely emerge from yoga teacher training with an enhanced connection to your own physical embodiment. Your body awareness will become more refined, permeating through not only your yoga practice but also your everyday activities.

However, it is important to recognize that the demanding nature of this training can be taxing. It is crucial to honor the needs of your body and embrace the nurturing aspect of yoga, particularly when fatigue sets in and additional rest is required.

This particular facet of yoga teacher training possesses transformative potential. It serves as an opportunity to acknowledge and respect your body's signals for rest, both on a physical and emotional level. By doing so, you embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-care.

Furthermore, the pursuit of yoga teacher training extends beyond the physical realm. It necessitates an investment of emotional energy in order to confront and overcome limiting beliefs and past experiences.

The physical practice of yoga has a unique ability to bring forth suppressed emotional trauma that resides deep within. It acts as a mirror, reflecting these inner scars and offering an invitation for release and healing.

At times, this newfound awareness may arise suddenly during your practice, catching you off guard while engaged in a pose. In these moments, you are faced with the opportunity to delve deeper into your emotional landscape and navigate through any obstacles that may arise.

Ultimately, yoga teacher training is a holistic journey that encompasses both the physical and emotional realms. It invites you to explore the depths of your being, fostering growth, transformation, and a profound connection with yourself and the practice of yoga.

Jessica Molina