You can hardly wait to sign up for yoga teacher training.
It’s all you’ve been able to think about!
Yet there’s a flock of extremely nervous butterflies twirling around in your stomach hoping you’ll choose the right one. The proper studio. The right teachers. The correct course. The teacher training that leaves you feeling qualified and fully equipped to lead others through a class — safely.
On the flip side, choosing the wrong training would mean a waste of your time, money, and a robbery of your good faith. A jungle of crap emotions you don’t want to step in to. My trip to that said jungle is exactly why I wanted to write this post, for you to skip that trip altogether; I hope.
So how do you know which yoga teacher training is the right one, AND right for you?
There are six things you need to know before investing a penny into anyone’s yoga teacher training.
No matter how good it’s made to sound.
Do the studio and teachers align with your values and yoga-style?
Often the studio owner is the one who instructs teacher training, so it’s essential to know if their teaching and yoga style aligns with yours. Do you both speak the same language when it comes to life, yoga, and rhythm in class? Are the authentic or being a “guru”? How are you treated? How are other students treated? What classes and workshops do they schedule?
Some places are more focused on providing a “puppies-kittens-and-rainbows experience,” versus giving students tangible results in every style of class offered. Which style they follow will be evident and roll over into their teacher training.
Discover if the studio practices what they preach. Listen to interactions between staff and clients. Are classes experience or instruction-based? Review their marketing, and ask others about their knowledge and thoughts of the studio.
What does their yoga teacher training curriculum cover?
Anyone with a 200RYT Certification can create and instruct a yoga teacher training. The accrediting body, Yoga Alliance, has standard guidelines, but the instructor ultimately dictates what material is essential for passing the/their teacher training.
Find out what their yoga teacher training curriculum covers as far as techniques, methodology, anatomy, philosophy, and practicum. Including the instructing teacher/s qualifications.
Next, compare their curriculum with the curriculum of other local studios, and those in adjacent cities or states – just as you would a degree from varying colleges. This will reveal which studio seeks to provide the most value, and which might not cover an area you wish to focus on.
What will be your total cost of investment in their training?
Now it’s time to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. Protect your investment. We may feel timid when it comes to inquiring about cost, but in this case, it matters.
Being surprised with the unmentioned costs after investing a couple of thousand dollars is infuriating (it happened to me and classmates). You need to know all the fees involved in their training – this including any books, additional classes, workshops, travel, etc.
Once you have a total, compare costs across two to three studios. What’s included in the total price of teacher training? Are there additional materials or classes you’ll have to pay for later? Which yoga training is worth the value, and which is not?
Yoga Teacher Training Reviews exist. What do past students have to say?
The Yoga Alliance provides yoga teacher training reviews and feedback from past trainees who have taken 200-500hr training. Type in the school name for reviews to populate.
Reviews provide us an in-depth insight into a school’s culture and training based on past experiences. This may help you ultimately decide which training may fit your individual needs. Especially if you’re aiming to teach a particular style or have a specific focus (cancer, kids, prenatal, etc.)
Look at the reviews objectively. Are the negative comments more emotional, or do they seemingly hold valid points? Do the positive reviews seem to be glazing over anything?
Would the yoga teacher training you’re considering leave you feeling prepared to teach?
Your goal is to either become a yoga instructor or dive deeper into yoga for personal enrichment. Either way, you want to gain the proper training in order to feel equipped to teach, study, be well versed in anatomy for safety, and gain confidence in the facets of yoga to share with your students.
Picture yourself after graduating from the training in question.
Would you feel prepared to teach yoga to a class or a loved one? Would you think an area of study was missed? Did this training leave you fulfilled in your quest?
Is a studio asking you to sign a contract to teach?
Upon completing your 200HR you’re ready to teach; if you choose! Many studios provide graduating students the opportunity to teach at the studio where they received their teacher training. Provided you’re equally a fit, it’s a win-win for studios to keep the teachers they produce.
If a studio asks for you to sign a non-compete, for your sake, I highly suggest you take time to think about it, weighing out the pros and cons. In my ignorance, I was enthusiastic about teaching and signed a non-compete that only allowed me to teach at the studio where I received my training. If and when I chose to quit, it would remain in effect for a year after the quit date, unless I received “permission” to teach elsewhere even on a donation basis.
If you desire to earn an income as a yoga teacher, a non-compete contract is a detriment. It’s impossible to make a living on 2-3 classes a week. To me, it goes against the actual teaching of yoga and I truly believe is a fear-based tactic. Look into other businesses and studios in search of yoga instructors who provide teaching freedom.
Call local non-profits, the hospitals, charities, other yoga studios, art galleries, outdoor malls, the library, treatment centers, therapist offices, schools, churches, fitness gyms, cafes, local restaurants, and even dance studios to find out if they would like to offer yoga to their people. Those that say yes might surprise you!
There is a multitude of places where you can teach simultaneously to earn a decent part or full-time wage and gain a butt load of experience while doing so. If teaching is your dream and your desired career, don’t let anything deter you now!
Putting it all together
Imagine arriving for your first day of yoga teacher training.
You won’t be sitting in class with nervous butterflies wondering if you made the right choice.
Because you did your homework, you’ll be clear-headed and ready to absorb all the information during class. You interviewed the studio and their program to make sure they were a fit for you.
Now imagine finally being able to teach yoga to a loved one or an entire class.
Having taken the time to ensure you would receive the training you wanted, has allowed you to confidently lead others through a yoga session or class.
That’s the experience you want, and it’s the experience you should find and receive.
Find the teacher training that will light your heart on fire!
Interview them by following the five steps above and then choose the yoga teacher training that best suits your style and heart.
Life is life, and perhaps it is part of the journey to awakening, but my hope is to empower the outcome for anyone seeking to help others through yoga by completing a YTT.
May your journey be fruitful, and may you go on to realize the dreams and desires inside.
If this post helped you in any way, please continue to share it with those you know, also considering yoga teacher training.
Namaste yogi,
Looking for training in Fort Wayne, Indiana?
Head here to read about my top recommendations for yoga teacher training facilities in Fort Wayne, Indiana. These local women are doing some fantastic things in our community!
