admin Choosing a teacher training program is an investment in yourself that yields lifelong physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual transformation. As such, the program you select ultimately contributes to the direction of your growth.
I urge you to go beyond “surface factors” in order to explore the depths of each program. Consider these elements before choosing a yoga training program.
Mission & Vision
What is the mission and vision of the program? Does the heart of the program align with your spirit or mission?
Lead Trainer
Yoga Alliance requires each program to have a designated trainer. There may or may not be co-trainers. Who is the main trainer? How long has your lead trainer taught yoga? How long has the lead trainer been a teacher trainer? Does the yoga work for the teacher and lead trainer?
Program History
How long has this program contributed to the world of yoga? History is important – certain programs have been offering yoga teacher training for a long time.
Yoga Alliance Approval & Certification
Does Yoga Alliance approve of the program? How can you get certified in the program from student to teacher on the way? Yoga Alliance requires that you complete 180 contact hours. How many non-contact hours are needed outside the program to achieve certification?
Learning and Teaching Styles
What type of learning is being emphasized? What is the paradigm for teaching methodology? Is it survival learning or sacred learning? Is this a non-authoritarian or authoritarian system?
Curriculum and Syllabus
Does the syllabus and curriculum meet the standards set by Yoga Alliance? What is the emphasis on physical and non-physical aspects of yoga? How do you teach proper alignment? Does physical alignment lead only to physical alignment, or does it also include energetic alignment?
Self-Study
How can the program help you deepen your self-awareness by using conscious inquiry? What is the role of the teacher in this process?
Community
Is the program a safe place for its students to learn? Does the program provide a safe space for learning that is both strong and supportive? You will be taught to “hold space” for others in a healthy manner. What is the number of students in training, and will that suit your learning style?
Communication
What is the emphasis on Communication Skills? Does the method fit with how you plan to live your life? Are they using Nonviolent Communication or another similar method?
Although there will never be a perfect time for self-study to take place, do you feel that the logistics of the program (e.g., cost, location schedule, syllabus, etc.) work well for you? Is the program residential (e.g., destination-based) or local?
In light of your current circumstances, are you willing to invest in yourself and be present for the program? How long is the program? What is the cost? Scholarships are available.
My advice is based on experience. In the past ten years, I have founded my yoga school, Alchemy of Yoga. The training program took me five years to create. Adult learning was nothing new to me because my corporate specialty was Training and Development. I am proud to have offered sacred education systematically and comprehensively to more than 20 graduating classes.
Many yoga schools have the same level of expertise. Choose wisely.
In today’s social media-driven, competitive yoga world, it’s important to consider the substance of a YTT over its style. If you are one of the 37 million Americans who practice yoga (according to Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance), make your decision based on experience, depth, and heart. You can find a program to suit your needs.
