You saw the flier on the front desk, you saw the ad in Yoga Journal, you heard your yoga buddy talking it up and now you're asking yourself whether or not it's time for that teacher training. Whether you want to teach or simply want to deepen your practice, teacher trainings can be an excelent opportunity to take your understanding of yoga to the next level. But how do you choose the right program for you? How do you know when you're ready? Read below to find out!
Why do you want to take a teacher training?
Ask yourself why you want to take a training. It is important to consider your motivations before you make the leap. I mean, it's a nice fantasy--waking up to meditate on your little pillow, walking to your first class of the day still smelling of incesnse, teaching a class full of happy faces, hearing and seeing how much you're helping to better people's lives, etc. But do you actually want to teach? Teaching is hard. It takes a lot of energy and patience. You have to touch people and some people smell and have skin problems and boogers and swet. You have to speak in front of groups of people which is one of the number one fears. You have to maintain your own practice and continue learning to become a better teacher (it's not just take a teacher training and you're set).
Do you expect to teach full or part time? Will you be able to find work? Based on a number of interviews and personal experience, yoga teachers start off at a much lower rate than they anticipated. When you're just starting, you might not be able to find any work at all or only volunteer jobs. It sucks but that could be your reality. Plus, it's performance-based. If your classes aren't making money, you won't be either. Yoga studios are businesses. Some new graduates get jobs and well paying jobs right off the bat, but that may not be you. Studios usually look for expereince and possibily someone who has completed a 500 hour teacher training. They may be looking for people who have een to INdia once or even a number of times. So, unless the style t=you are interested in is a niche market where you'll be the only teacher and no competition and in high demand, don;t quit your day job just yet.
Perhaps you'd just like to deepen your practice and understanding of yoga? Most 200 hour teacher trainings serve to get the students to the practice level of a teacher. If you really want to work on actually teaching, you'll have to continue your education after the 200 hours.
Are you ready to take a teacher training?
Some progrmas require participants to have a daily practice, or even a practice history of a certain minimum number fo years. SOme trainings require you to be a student of their school for a certain amount of time. Other trainings have physical requirements such as the ability to perfrom a handstand in the middle of the room. Still others have reading requirements. It's a good idea to inquire as to what the program you are interested in requires and get on it right of way. All that said, what is most important is a strong commitment to your own practice. You should be practicing (asana or other physical exercies) at least 4 times per week. You should me working on practicing the other limbs all the time. Don't know what the eight limbs are? Go get a copy of the Yoga Sutras, every teacher training requires you to read them anyway.
What style should you do your teacher training in?
This is a very important consideration. If you aren't already rooted in a particular tradition, start dropping into as many classes as you have time for, expecially those offered at the schools offerring trainings that you are interested in.
Some styles to check out:
(This is just a sampling of the many types if yoga out there)
In the tradition of Krishnamacharya
Ashtanga--Try both a led and a mysore class. Watch Ashtanga, NY. Visit ashtanga.com. Read Yoga Mala.
Vini--as taught by Desikachar. This is not the same as vinyasa yoga. Get the Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar.
Iyengar--Watch the Estes Park Iyengar Workshop DVDs. Pick up a copy of Light on Yoga.
Other traditions
Kundalini
Sivananda
Integral
"Second generation" styles
Vinyasa-Could be a mix of any of the above styles.
Includes Forrest, Power, Jivamukti, Laughing Lotus, Om, Siva Rea, Sean Corne, Yoga Works, Anusara, hatha.
My opinion? Either go with a teacher you love, a style you love, or go straight to the primary sources.
What should you look for in a training?
Length
Adjustments
Anatomy
Personal Practice
Practice Classes
Observed Teaching
Assisting
recommendations
Yoga Union-A lot of information. Vinyasa with a heavy emphasis on alignemnt
Ashtanga Yoga Shala-well rounded program. However, to be authorized you have to go to India.
Anusara Immersion-great way to dive in without commiting to a full program
Centered Yoga-go to thailand, immerse yourself for a month.
Laughing Lotus-have fun.
Jivamukti-be a crazy hippy eccentric.
Remember that 200 hour isnt the end all. You'll finish your program either over confident or completely lost. Just remember that you teach what you know, focus on your own practice, and keep learning!
Did I miss anything? Do you have any other advice or feedback? Let me know!
Why do you want to take a teacher training?
Ask yourself why you want to take a training. It is important to consider your motivations before you make the leap. I mean, it's a nice fantasy--waking up to meditate on your little pillow, walking to your first class of the day still smelling of incesnse, teaching a class full of happy faces, hearing and seeing how much you're helping to better people's lives, etc. But do you actually want to teach? Teaching is hard. It takes a lot of energy and patience. You have to touch people and some people smell and have skin problems and boogers and swet. You have to speak in front of groups of people which is one of the number one fears. You have to maintain your own practice and continue learning to become a better teacher (it's not just take a teacher training and you're set).
Do you expect to teach full or part time? Will you be able to find work? Based on a number of interviews and personal experience, yoga teachers start off at a much lower rate than they anticipated. When you're just starting, you might not be able to find any work at all or only volunteer jobs. It sucks but that could be your reality. Plus, it's performance-based. If your classes aren't making money, you won't be either. Yoga studios are businesses. Some new graduates get jobs and well paying jobs right off the bat, but that may not be you. Studios usually look for expereince and possibily someone who has completed a 500 hour teacher training. They may be looking for people who have een to INdia once or even a number of times. So, unless the style t=you are interested in is a niche market where you'll be the only teacher and no competition and in high demand, don;t quit your day job just yet.
Perhaps you'd just like to deepen your practice and understanding of yoga? Most 200 hour teacher trainings serve to get the students to the practice level of a teacher. If you really want to work on actually teaching, you'll have to continue your education after the 200 hours.
Are you ready to take a teacher training?
Some progrmas require participants to have a daily practice, or even a practice history of a certain minimum number fo years. SOme trainings require you to be a student of their school for a certain amount of time. Other trainings have physical requirements such as the ability to perfrom a handstand in the middle of the room. Still others have reading requirements. It's a good idea to inquire as to what the program you are interested in requires and get on it right of way. All that said, what is most important is a strong commitment to your own practice. You should be practicing (asana or other physical exercies) at least 4 times per week. You should me working on practicing the other limbs all the time. Don't know what the eight limbs are? Go get a copy of the Yoga Sutras, every teacher training requires you to read them anyway.
What style should you do your teacher training in?
This is a very important consideration. If you aren't already rooted in a particular tradition, start dropping into as many classes as you have time for, expecially those offered at the schools offerring trainings that you are interested in.
Some styles to check out:
(This is just a sampling of the many types if yoga out there)
In the tradition of Krishnamacharya
Ashtanga--Try both a led and a mysore class. Watch Ashtanga, NY. Visit ashtanga.com. Read Yoga Mala.
Vini--as taught by Desikachar. This is not the same as vinyasa yoga. Get the Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar.
Iyengar--Watch the Estes Park Iyengar Workshop DVDs. Pick up a copy of Light on Yoga.
Other traditions
Kundalini
Sivananda
Integral
"Second generation" styles
Vinyasa-Could be a mix of any of the above styles.
Includes Forrest, Power, Jivamukti, Laughing Lotus, Om, Siva Rea, Sean Corne, Yoga Works, Anusara, hatha.
My opinion? Either go with a teacher you love, a style you love, or go straight to the primary sources.
What should you look for in a training?
Length
Adjustments
Anatomy
Personal Practice
Practice Classes
Observed Teaching
Assisting
recommendations
Yoga Union-A lot of information. Vinyasa with a heavy emphasis on alignemnt
Ashtanga Yoga Shala-well rounded program. However, to be authorized you have to go to India.
Anusara Immersion-great way to dive in without commiting to a full program
Centered Yoga-go to thailand, immerse yourself for a month.
Laughing Lotus-have fun.
Jivamukti-be a crazy hippy eccentric.
Remember that 200 hour isnt the end all. You'll finish your program either over confident or completely lost. Just remember that you teach what you know, focus on your own practice, and keep learning!
Did I miss anything? Do you have any other advice or feedback? Let me know!
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