How To Choose A Yoga Teacher Training

It’s a big decision when you make the choice to attend a yoga teacher training.  A lot of thought, inquiry, and contemplation typically goes into the choice. Yoga teacher trainings can be expensive and require a great amount of time and commitment. Another factor may be if you want or need to become certified through Yoga Alliance; not all schools and trainings are certified by Yoga Alliance. Unfortunately, one also must consider the cost. I think most people would love to do an intensive six weeks in Costa Rica or India to receive their 200 hour certification, but that may not be feasible for everyone. Fortunately, so many other options exist.

First, what’s your purpose in choosing to participate in a training? What do you want to get out of it? Do you want to teach yoga? Are you looking to deepen your understanding of yoga as a practice? Would you like to experience self-discovery and personal or spiritual growth? Most yoga teacher trainings can fulfill all of these goals. It becomes an individual choice to determine the right path for you.

What is your focus? What do you want to get out of attending a yoga teacher training? According to Amy R., “Teacher training has provided a safe space to practice being me, that all this practice is, is to make progress, to be careful in the ‘ask’ because it did change my life. I didn’t know that when I made the ‘ask’ what I was ‘asking.’.. but then I sat with my dilemma and decided I did have the courage to do my thang and I was able to do so with love.” 

Second, what style, type, or tradition would you like to study? You may already be immersing yourself in a type of yoga through a specific teacher, classes, workshops, retreats, and reading yoga texts. Continuing your yoga education in this tradition may be the correct fit for you or you may choose to explore other traditions and styles to better understand the variety of options. Ali Z. stated, “It is important to me to feel connected to the teacher, and I had established resonance before committing to the training. The decision to pursue my training was based on the prior experience I had with the teachers. Follow your heart, and trust that it will lead you to the next open door.”

If you plan to teach yoga, ask yourself some additional questions. What populations would you like to teach? Beginners? Advanced practitioners? Seniors? Children? Athletes? What locations would you like to teach at? Yoga studio? Gym? Health Care Facilities? Retreat centers? Would you like to teach group classes or private sessions? Renae A. responded, “I did not want to teach a class that could unintentionally lead students to injure themselves. I wanted to learn to guide students through a gentler class with more awareness of what is safe for their unique bodies.”

Third, the practicalities of the training and how they best fit into your lifestyle. I asked several yoga teachers what they did for their 200 hour teacher training. A majority of the individuals completed a local teacher training with meetings one weekend a month with a duration of 6-8 months. One person chose a destination training on the east coast composed of intensive sessions. Also available, you can find virtual trainings, live and self-paced. In addition, even live trainings may have a virtual component. Several hours of self-study or homework and reading in between modules typically supplement the live or recorded time necessary for a yoga teacher training. If you plan on teaching, does the school offer teaching opportunities? Is there a cohort, or can individuals join modules at any time? How large or small will your cohort be?

Finally, once you go down a path in yoga education, you may desire to continue learning. A 200 hour yoga teacher training could just be the beginning. Obviously, you may not choose to do more, but inquire what the 200 hour training includes. There is always further study in a 500 hour training or 1000 hour training, even within one school. At some point you may choose to change your course of study in a different style/type/tradition. Schools may offer a bridge program if you switch traditions from one program to another. The possibilities are endless. Many teachers and yogis remain in training for a lifetime, affectionately called TT infinity.

Nicole Warner, C-IAYT, E-RYT, YACEP, is a certified Somayoga therapist currently teaching in Alexandria, MN. A dancer and choreographer, she has taught yoga for 20+ years. She is a proponent of plant-based cooking and is a certified “Forks Over Knives” cook.  She recently created BranchWellbeing.com as a landing space for healthy living.