Choosing a Yoga Teacher Training*
*Adapted from an article by Mark Stevens

Congratulations on your decision to become a yoga professional. Now what? The next step is to choose a yoga teacher training (YTT) program. Who you are, your personal and yoga experience, and your intention for this path are important so you can select a program that best supports your needs and interests.

YTT Formats

Most yoga teacher training programs have the following formats:

• Intensive immersions such as a 30 day intensive
• Multi weekends – for example one weekend a month for six months or
• Long term study – perhaps one weekend a month for several years

A month long training is ideal for those who need to concentrate their studies in a brief time period and who have the financial/resources to do so. This format may be challenging for students who prefer to fully assimilate new information, skills, and knowledge gradually and who may not possess the physical stamina to immerse the body in many hours of daily yoga a day for 30 continuous days.

Multi-weekend programs work well for those who have full time jobs and family responsibilities. This format is very valuable as you can absorb and fully assimilate the material over six months. During this time you can develop a daily practice; build relationships with your peers, and go more deeply into yogic and meditation studies.

Long-term study is of course part of every devoted teacher's lifestyle: the learning never ends. Long-term teacher training programs, in which certification may take at least three years, may lead to deeper knowledge and understanding of all the essential teaching tools and methods.

Next Step: Research

Research and compare the teacher training programs that you find most interesting and that match your time, financial and other personal considerations. Ask these questions:

• What is the curriculum? Ask to review the YTT manual. What are the required readings? What is the philosophical foundation? Do you resonate with the curriculum?
• Who are the trainers? What is their background and experience in training yoga teachers? How many years of consistent experience do they have training teachers? How many years did they practice, study, and train before becoming a teacher? How long did they teach, and in what settings, before qualifying to train others how to teach? How many teachers have they trained? When was the YTT developed? Is the training Yoga Alliance registered? Does the yoga teacher training exceed Yoga Alliance standards?
• Does the training teach you to teach students of all abilities and ages and health conditions? Or is the training geared only towards a physical practice or teaching younger/flexible students?
• What are the academic and professional credentials of the anatomy and physiology instructor? Does that instructor embrace yoga as a personal practice? Is the anatomy instruction focused towards the western medical system (anatomy & physiology) or does it encompass mind-body sciences and world medical systems?
• What do prior participants have to say about the program? Directly ask past participants to tell you about their experience.

Finally, at the very minimum, a credible, comprehensive yoga teacher-training program offers the following:

• A meaningful exploration of the roots of yoga, its philosophical branches, its systems, ethics, lifestyle practices, and modern contexts.
• A thorough exploration of asana, including their alignment principles, energetic actions, modifications, use of props, variations, verbal and hands-on cues, risks, contra-indications, and benefits.
• Training and practical experience in class planning, pose progression, class sequencing; and learning to teach students with injuries, illnesses, and other conditions including pregnancy.
• Study, refinement, and deepening your own practice through the eight limbs of yoga.
• A solid foundation of mind-body sciences (not only anatomy-physiology) which incorporates a review of the latest scientific research regarding the mind-body connection.
• The opportunity to broaden your knowledge of business mastery and understand marketing communications in the real and virtual.
• A solid foundation in meditation practices, and the foundational teachings and philosophy of the Buddha.
• Extensive opportunities for progressively more challenging practical experience teaching asana and entire classes.
• Opportunities for apprenticing with experienced teachers.
• Guidance in finding your niche as a teacher and getting started in the profession.
• Community building and the cultivation of a non-competitive, friendly setting.

Our Promise

On graduation day you will know Yoga and meditation in your bones, heart, mind, and spirit. You will feel ready to teach any student (whether they are 20, 40, or 80 years old). You will teach safely, with authenticity, intelligence, and integrity. Our 200-hour+ Classical Yoga teacher training is comprehensive, noncompetitive, safe, and friendly.

To Learn More

Here are three ways to contact us to learn more:

• Telephone:
  239-498-0222
• Email:
  director@flayogainstitute.com
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Choosing a Yoga Teacher Training