5 Key Things to Consider before Beginning Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga is gaining popularity all around the world. As the popularity of a practice increases, the demand for teachers of that art also increases. Being a yoga instructor is a lucrative career in this era, where people are more diligent about physical fitness, mindfulness, etc. However, being knowledgeable in yoga practices is not enough to become a yoga instructor. You need proper training and certification. Achieving these is the aim of attending a yoga teacher training program. But there are some things that you should consider while choosing a Yoga teacher training program. 5 key things to consider before beginning yoga teacher training are discussed in this blog.

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Key Things to Consider Before Beginning Yoga Teacher Training: Introduction

Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that is helpful for physical, mental, and spiritual health. Learning yoga is one thing, becoming qualified enough to become an instructor requires a whole different level of passion and commitment. It is an enlightening and transformative experience. If you are passionate about helping others to transform their overall health, then becoming a yoga teacher is one of the best career choices for you. You can work at several places if you are a certified yoga instructor. Some of them are yoga studios, hotels, retreat centres, corporate programs, etc. But there are some things that one should know before thinking about joining a yoga teacher training program.

5 Key Things to Consider Before Beginning Yoga Teacher Training

As we discussed above, there are some key things to consider before beginning yoga teacher training.

Some of the key things to consider before beginning yoga teacher training are discussed below.

Accreditation

The school of your choice should be authentic to the lineage. Always look for schools that follow traditional yogic principles and have teachers who learned from experts. The best way to do this is to check whether the course has appropriate accreditation.

Verifying the credibility of the yoga teacher training program is the first step you must take. Yoga Alliance certification is very important to be recognised as a globally accepted good yoga teacher training program. Selecting a program with appropriate accreditations will ensure that the training you receive is of good quality and up to international standards. Some popular accreditations are listed below.

Always make sure that the Yoga teacher training you joining has appropriate accreditation.

Experience of Yoga Gurus

Just like academic teachings, Yoga teacher training also has levels of proficiency. And the expertise of yoga teachers in your yoga teacher training institution plays an important role in your development and learning journey. Look at the credentials of these instructors and ensure that they have sufficient qualifications and experience.

As we said above, there is a hierarchy in expertise when it comes to yoga gurus. We are trying to explain it briefly below.

Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT)

A CYT or a Certified Yoga Teacher is an instructor who has completed a holistic yoga teacher training syllabus. They also have a 200-hour certification from the yoga school they attended. This is exactly what the Entri Elevate platform is providing. They offer a 200-hour program with a span of 3 months. The course offers the following features.

• Online classes
• Malayalam/English languages
• In-person instruction
• Practical practice
• Zoom Live Classes
• 3 Offline Camps
• Online study materials
• Online Evaluation
• Teaching practice
• Recognised by Yoga Alliance

In addition to all of these, this course will also help you prepare for the YOGA WELLNESS INSTRUCTOR examination conducted by the Central Government AYUSH Ministry.

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Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)

RYT is different from CYT. An RYT is a yoga teacher with 200, 300 or 500 hours of yoga training. It is the highest and most prestigious certification offered by Yoga Alliance.  You can achieve this certification either by completing a 500-hour program or by attending a combination of a 200-hour and 300-hours program.

Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP)

You must continue your studies even after completing your RYT 500 certification. Yoga Alliance enforces the guideline that even after Registered Yoga Teacher-500 certification, one must continue their education. Yoga Alliance guidelines state that one should complete continuing education (CEUS) within three years after their qualification to stay registered. These courses are essential for keeping the trainers updated and polishing their yoga teaching skills. A YACEP is a Yoga Alliance Certified Continuing Education Provider. This title is only given to yoga instructors who are considered specialists in the field. A YACEP must hold an E-RYT certification to qualify. A YACEP is qualified to teach continuing education courses.

Training Format

In this era of internet revolution and online learning, many institutions offer several formats of yoga teacher training programs.

There is the offline teaching format, which is a conventional classroom where the teacher and students meet in a fixed setting for training and exchange of knowledge. This format has the following benefits.

• Hands-on learning
• Present-moment experiences
• Feedback

Then there are online classes. In such a setting, you can learn from anywhere at any time. This format will help you learn even if you are a person who doesn’t have yoga training institutes at a convenient distance from your residence. Or are you someone who hates long commutes to classes? If yes, then this is the best format for you, too. Or are you a student attending a regular course or a professional with an inflexible working schedule? Then you, too, can earn a new skill via an online format. The benefits of online classes are listed below.

• Live sessions
• Pre-recorded videos
• Doubt-clearing sessions with your teachers

The third type of class is the hybrid type. This is a format that combines the benefits of both online and offline classes.

Curriculum

You must review the curriculum of a program before joining it. A comprehensive yoga curriculum should have all the following things.

• Essential aspects of the chosen yoga style
• Asanas
• Meditation
• Pranayama
• Anatomy
• Adjustment and Alignment Techniques
• Yoga Philosophy
• teaching methodology
• Ethics

The curriculum should be designed in such a way that it balances teaching as well as personal practice.

Daily Schedule and Time Commitment

A good daily schedule is essential for helping you to integrate yogic principles into your daily life. This is important for promoting a holistic approach to training. You have to estimate how much time you have to commit to learning and hence whether to join a regular or part-time learning program.

Financial Aspects

Like any other training courses, Yoga teacher training courses also have programs that cost differently. Some are affordable but might have fewer benefits, while others offer many options and have a comprehensive curriculum but are expensive. Finding a yoga teacher training course that will meet most of your needed criteria, but at the same time is within your budget, is achievable.

You must make a list of conditions and find out which ones you prioritize the most. Then you can make a list of courses that you find good enough. Then compare the conditions you have to the options offered by each of the courses. You can give up less prioritized conditions if you cannot find a course with all of them.

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Some Other Factors to Consider While Joining Yoga Teacher Training

Above discussed are the key things to consider before beginning yoga teacher training. But there are some other factors that are as important as the ones discussed above. Some of them are mentioned below.

Location and Isolation, and Ambience

Location and ambience are very important. Remember to select a location that resonates with your personal preferences for a good learning experience. Opt for a silent and mentally uplifting location. Whether a serene spiritual space, accessibility of a yoga studio or the convenience of your own home, you can decide.

A conducive environment is essential for focusing on meditation, pranayama and overall growth during the training time. The right location and ambience aid the practice and lay the foundation for personal transformations. A peaceful and tranquil space will help you in introspection and hence to deeply connect with yourself and rejuvenate your soul.

Yoga Styles

There is many yoga styles present. So, it is important to do sufficient research and find out whether the institute you are aiming to join has the style of yoga that you trained in and hence wants to teach. There is Hathayoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Yin Yoga and many such styles to choose from. Find the style that is most suited for you before beginning the training.

Physical Level 

Your current physical training level and experience are important factors you should analyse before joining a yoga teacher training program. This is a program that requires consistent physical practice, and hence, full physical fitness is a non-negotiable prerequisite. You shouldn’t have recent injuries or medical conditions that can be aggravated by constant physical strain the long hours of yoga training can put your body through. You can even meet a mentor and discuss how physically demanding the curriculum of the course is. If you have an injury or any other physical limitations, then it should be discussed with your instructor, and the poses should be modified accordingly.

Personal Readiness and Commitment

This might seem unimportant and abstract when compared with other points. But you have to assess your readiness and commitment before joining a yoga teacher training program. Yoga teacher training is something that requires a high amount of dedication, self-discipline and willingness to dive deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of yoga. So, think about your present level of readiness and make sure that you are ready to completely immerse yourself in training without any distractions.

Future Support

Yoga is not something that you will finish learning or practising. So, it is very good if the institution of your choice offers post-training mentorship and guidance. Even when you are done with training, there might come instances where you need advice and mentorship from teachers with further experience. This is why the course of your choice must offer ongoing mentorship. This can be done via follow-up workshops, retreats, conferences or online sessions as per the policies of the said school. Attending such continuing education programs will help you to be a part of a community and receive the latest updates in the field and support from peers. It is also a good networking opportunity.

Class Size

Class size has a great impact on the learning experience in any course. This is more important in a program like yoga teacher training classes as yoga is something that needs great attention from the part of mentor to the disciple. You can choose a small, intimate group or a larger, more diverse setting. Both have their pros and cons. Let us look at the benefits of classes with a smaller number of students and classes with a greater number of students.

Smaller Class Size

The features of smaller classes are listed below.

• Students learning in a class of a smaller size often get more personalised attention. The mentors will offer more individual attention to students and hence correct alignments and provide tailored guidance.
• Smaller classes have the chance to form a closer community. This is because deeper connections and peer support are often found in smaller groups.
• There are more chances for hands-on practice. As there are lesser number of students, the mentors get more opportunities for giving direct feedback and adjustments.
• One con we could point out for a classroom having a smaller number of students is that there will be less diversity of perspectives, styles and teaching approaches.

Greater Class Size

The features of a classroom with a greater number of students are listed below.

• They offer a more diverse learning environment. This helps a trainee in understanding different body types, experiences and teaching methods.
• A larger classroom also offers a more energetic atmosphere. It could be more motivating and dynamic.
• A larger number of students in class also means more networking opportunities. You will get more chances to connect with more industry professionals and fellow trainees.
• A con of this case could be said that a student will receive less individual attention from their tutor. The mentors will not be able to correct the alignment or provide personal feedback to every student.

But how could we decide? Which type of class is better for us? You must consider the learning style you prefer more. Do you thrive in a close-knit setting or prefer a larger, interactive group? Then you should consider your learning goals. If you want intensive mentorship, a smaller class might be better. If you want broad exposure, a larger class could be ideal.

Reviews

You must read the online reviews of the program you are choosing. Or find an alumnus of the said platform and talk to them about their learning experience before joining. Reviews will provide us with a brief overview of the quality of training provided by the said institute and the authenticity of the certification given by them.

Language

The medium of instruction is a very important aspect that you must enquire about before joining a yoga teacher training course. When looking at the details of the course, pay attention to this. Some platforms have local Indian languages as their medium of instruction, but some others use solely English and aim for more international attention. Choose the one that suits your language potential.

Read the key things to consider before beginning yoga teacher training. Find the best course here!

Key Takeaways

Yoga teacher training is essential if you want to upgrade yourself from being just a yoga practitioner to a yoga instructor. It is essential to understand these key things to consider before beginning yoga teacher training. Selecting the right yoga teacher training program will help you have a fulfilling and transformative experience. So, consider all the key points and subpoints discussed in this blog before deciding to join a Yoga teacher training program.