Yoga teacher training is mandatory for those who are interested to make a career as a yoga instructor. It is important to prepare yourself physically and mentally before going for the teacher training.
Yoga teacher training course lets you dive deeper into the physical alignments of the body. It makes you comfortable in your skin and restores your self-confidence. It boosts your confidence allowing you in teaching yoga to a group or take private classes.
Yoga Teacher Training – Ways to Prepare for Yoga Teacher Training
You might be confused, whether you are ready for yoga teacher training or not? There are many ways to prepare for yoga teacher training out of which some are mentioned below.
1. Begin the path of self-inquiry
It may be surprising for you that you spend more time thinking of your practice and development instead of learning to teach. Self-inquiry can either bring positive or negative feelings in your mind. It is important to confront yourself in order to change. Asking and questioning the importance of every asana helps you learn.
2. Set your intentions for the course
It is important to have your own personal goals besides fulfilling the requirements of yoga training. It is important for your success and well-being as a teacher. It is good to spend time analyzing the reasons why you want to teach yoga. Follow the notes in your journal, it will become your spiritual guide and remind you of your priorities.
3. Prepare to be transformed
Your journey begins from the first day of yoga teacher training course. You experience and see the world with a new vision. It makes you more accepting towards all types of adjustments and possibilities. It is a part of yogic life.
4. Build a support system
Before starting your yoga training, it is important to tell your family and friends about the same. They should have an idea that you are going to become part of a life-changing and rigorous experience. Explain to them about your expectations from the program and make them understand how they can help you move forward with it.
5. Take a tour of the school
If you are experiencing anxiety or nervousness, or even curiosity, ask the organizer of your program whether you can visit institute or do a video tour before the program starts. You can even convince them to let you talk to one of the present students.
This will help you in understanding the environment of the class beforehand. When you know what to expect, you will not be anxious. Remember, there are time zone and other constraints, ask them for an appointment.
6. Talk to recent yoga teacher training graduates
Reach out to those people who have recently completed their yoga teacher training program. It will be valuable for you if someone can answer your questions related to yoga TTC.
Every program is different, lead teachers and trainers might come and go but speaking to a graduate will provide you with a correct overview. It will help you determine whether the program is right for you or not.
7. Study yoga philosophy
Most of the students who are beginning their yoga teacher training have a good knowledge about asana or physical aspect of yoga. But, there are many other features of yoga like Yamas and Niyamas (ethical observances and guidelines) or pranayama (breathing techniques) which will be covered in your training.
Take out some time to study yoga philosophy in advance and broaden your view of yoga. Most of the yoga teacher training use Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali Yoga Sutra as the foundation scriptures, which have many translations.
8. Practice, Practice, Practice
One of the best ways to prepare for a yoga TTC is to continue with your own practice. Self-practice will prepare you for the physical demands of a full day yoga practice. It will teach you to add modifications according to your needs.
Personal practice is important to connect with your breath, gain self-discipline, become familiar with your body. Personal practice brings changes in yourself, you can be an example for your students.
9. Look after yourself
Yoga teacher training courses are a mixture various physical asanas. If you are bringing your body from sitting position to a yoga posture, be kind and mindful. You might get injured if you are doing a posture beyond your capabilities.
Remember that you are at the beginning and the best learners are those who can pass on their wisdom and experience to others. If you are injured during your initial practice, you can research and learn about it. Later, you can help the students you will be teaching if they get injured.
10. Attend variety of yoga classes
There is no alternative for experience. A yoga teacher training course can last for weeks or months. It is important to take out time from your busy schedule to practice with various teachers personally under their esteemed guidance.
You will develop your own teaching instincts besides expanding your personal practice. Knowing which student to push, which one to relax at what point makes you a good teacher.
11. Prepare for changes in your Life
Yoga teacher training is not about learning perfect alignment of asanas. While asanas help you grow and change, you have to be prepared for emotional and spiritual changes as well. The way you handle your relations might change during and after the yoga training experience.
Talk to fellow students and yoga gurus about the challenges you are facing. It gives you a healthy self-acceptance which can help you sail through the changes.
12. Start a journal
Most of the programs in yoga TTC require you to keep a journal to record your experiences and learning. Even if your school gives printed notes, start your yoga journal, it will help you process your journey as a yoga teacher.
Take out some time every day and write the questions which come to your mind or jot down something about your yoga practice. Through this, you will begin developing insights throughout the teacher training experience.
Writing down things will help you in processing your feelings about this important experience. It will give you a deep and meaningful memoir of this experience.
13. Take a “Yogamoon”
When new parents welcome their new one to the world, they go on the last vacation before his or her arrival. It is known as “Babymoon”. Similarly, your yoga training is going to be intense and life-changing. Take a break from work and life responsibilities before it actually begins. Consider it as a “Yogamoon”.
Yoga teacher training is not only a step towards a new career but it completely transforms you emotionally, spiritually and physically. Taking out some time for yourself before the actual training will prepare you for what is to come, you will gain more value and insight for an upcoming yoga teacher training course experience.
14. Cleanse and detox
It is important to be in the best physical shape before the course begins. It is important to stay away from all the junk foods and at the same time you should add vitamin water, berries, juices and smoothies.
It will boost your immune system and kick-start your metabolism. Do not skip meals if you want to build your energy levels. Start eating smart with a breakfast of hot oats or fruits.
Aim for three nutritious meals in a day and focus on vegetables, fruits and super grains. Beans and pulses are healthy substitutes for meats, these substitutes are easier to digest.
The above-mentioned points are a must in a yoga teacher training checklist otherwise your training will remain incomplete.
Tips for Yoga Teacher Training
It is important to know these yoga teacher training tips before you actually start the practice. These tips might help you a lot while you are doing the yoga teacher training course.
1. Make sure your training is certified by Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance is an international non-profit association representing yoga community. It has set a curriculum and teaching instructions for a professional yoga teacher training program. If you are planning to teach yoga in future, it is important to ensure that you have a yoga certification from Yoga Alliance or any other reputed certification.
2. Choose training duration and location wisely
For some people, checking out their everyday life and then going for a retreat style yoga teacher training helps them focus on learning. For others, doing their training in hometown on evenings and weekends is one of the best options. It is important to think about this before signing up for the teacher training course.
If you think that life is going to take you away from your studies, you will think of getting away. If you want time to digest concepts and go away, it is better to go for a teacher training course with a long period of time with breaks in between sessions.
You should make up your mind and go to Rishikesh, India, the yoga capital of the world. There is no better place to learn yoga than Rishikesh. The only challenge between you and training in Rishikesh is your own mindset.
3. Look into how they teach anatomy
The yoga teacher training program you are going to take should have a strong anatomy teacher. A good understanding of human anatomy will transform your practice into something which is good for your body and gives you consciousness while giving public and private classes. Anatomy will help you in the long run.
4. Study the history of program
It is important to do some research about the history of the company before doing the training. You might find many schools who have been taking teacher training program for years and can deliver very strong programs. The program, even if it is certified by Yoga Alliance, may not be of a top quality.
Talk to the people who have gone to the program, read the reviews and become familiar with the school of your choice.
5. Evaluate course syllabus
Every yoga training has an allotted number of hours for anatomy, history, philosophy and posture labs. But all the YTT courses emphasize on different areas and bring their style to the program.
If you want to go into deep study of yoga asana, then do not go for a spiritually focused program. If you love discussing Yoga Sutras, then the anatomy-focused program might not be for you.
Study the curriculum and ask how many hours are dedicated to a specific aspect even if it is not advertised.
6. Research on the Instructors
Check the teacher trainers under whom you are planning to study. Look at how long they have been teaching, under whom they have received their training and from how long they have been doing yoga teacher training. It is important that you connect with them and enjoy their teaching style.
Benefits of Yoga Teacher Training
There are many advantages of doing yoga teacher training courses besides physical and mental fitness. Some benefits of doing a yoga teacher training course are:
1. Professionalism, health, and happiness
Yoga teacher training improves your health by removing all kinds of worries and stresses from your life. Once all the stresses and worries are removed, you experience happiness from your heart. Yoga teacher training brings professionalism in your life. It gives you discipline and punctuality which is required in your life.
1. Learn some skills
Whether you want to become self-employed or need additional training hours, having RYT can help you. There are yoga teacher training certification for beginners as well. Once you get an international certification, you can find new students, earn additional training hours and start your own studio.
After becoming a yoga teacher, you have a freedom of self – employment as well as flexibility for teaching both nationally and internationally.
2. Explore your spirituality
Yoga relaxes your mind and helps in listening to our true self. This awareness lets you live a conscious lifestyle and you can focus on the important matters. We become very connected to people despite sharing different beliefs. You can reflect on yourself and devote yourself to self-discovery through the yoga teacher training courses.
3. Challenge yourself physically and mentally
When you deepen your physical practice with components like chanting, meditation and restorative asana you become flexible both mentally and physically. You get a balanced lifestyle when you explore all the eight limbs of yoga.
4. New friends
One of the gifts of participating in a yoga teacher training is a vast community of participants you come across. Two complete strangers support and show up for each other through growth process and learning. Participants bond very well and stay connected even after the training gets completed and become friends for life.
5. Changes worldview
Yoga brings positive changes to the way you view your life. Asanas are important because if mind and body are still, it makes you more focused. Yoga teacher training lets you explore yoga from all angles.
Increased awareness will let you see a negative and positive aspect of your behavior, relationships and other aspects of your life. This helps you change a lot. This awareness leads to personal growth.
Yoga practice teaches you humility, discipline and makes you alert and open to what life has to offer you. It gives you self-control and composure. It trains and heals you for the change you want in your life.
6. Become a teacher
Once you complete your yoga teacher training course, you are eligible to become a teacher. This can help you in developing a teaching style which is mindful and authentic. As a teacher, you not only give back to the students but can also open school in a region with no school giving access to those who do not have access to yoga.
7. Boosts life skills
Yoga teacher training gives you skills which can be used throughout your life. These skills can enhance your life. You are trained to lead, gain confidence and learn improved communication skills.
You have more meaningful relationships and a sense of compassion because you develop sympathy towards human beings. You also build a yoga community which helps you in understanding important aspects of yoga teaching.
Scope of Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga teacher training offers great career opportunities. This training can help you become a yoga teacher in the near future. The career options which can be pursued after the completion of yoga teacher training are:
- Yoga Therapist
- Yoga Manager
- Yoga Aerobic Instructor
- Yoga Practitioner
- Yoga Specialist
- Yoga Teacher
- Research Officer – Yoga and Naturopathy
- Publication Officer (Yoga)
- Yoga Consultant
- Yoga Adviser
- Yoga Instructor
Conclusion
Yoga teacher training is mandatory to have a stable career as a yoga teacher in the near future. It empowers you with credibility and facilities like insurance. If you are interested in becoming a yoga teacher, then yoga teacher training course should be your first step. It is also important to carry a notebook for yoga teacher training.
Yoga helps in connecting mind, soul and body. It lets you live a stress- free and relaxed life. Start yoga practice today in order to experience an amazing transformation in your lifestyle.
There are many institutes which give yoga teacher training in Rishikesh. IYMS Rishikesh gives you an authentic yoga training as the teachings are directly taken from Vedas. The courses of the school are certified by Yoga Alliance and you are trained with experienced gurus. Some other facilities of the school include free airport pick and drop facility, weekly excursion trips, private accommodation and vegetarian/vegan food.
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