6 Things to Know Before You Do Your Yoga Teacher Training
Introduction:
Have you been thinking about taking a leap towards your dream of becoming a Yoga Teacher? Deciding to do your Yoga Teacher Training is a big decision that requires money, time and lots of effort. I embarked on this incredible journey of self-discovery last year and it was one of the most transformative experiences I’ve ever gone through. This post will give you some clarity of what to know and expect from you YTT.
Note: I completed my 200 Hour Multi-Style YTT in Bali over a period of 3 weeks. Some things in my post are specific to an abroad YTT and may differ to those who decide to do their YTT locally over a longer time period.
1. You Need to Find the Perfect YTT for You
There is a lot to consider when picking your YTT and making sure it is the perfect one for you.
What are you hoping to achieve with your YTT? Are you doing this to be qualified to teach or to improve your personal practice?
What style(s) of yoga are you interested in?
Do you want to complete it online, abroad or locally? If abroad, where do you want to go?
What is your budget?
Check out my other blog post How to Find The Perfect Yoga Teacher Training for You for more information to help you answer these questions.
2. It is Challenging
This is not a retreat and a relaxing experience. It is physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually challenging. If you decide to do your YTT abroad it is usually completed in 20-25 days. The days will be long with very little free time throughout the day. My day began at 5:00 am and ended around 7:00 pm everyday.
Physically Challenging:
Most schools have around 2 physical asana classes a day. Depending on the style you take, these may be very physically demanding. You need to be prepared for doing hours of yoga per day. And take into account if you do your YTT in a hot country it will make the classes that much more intense.
Emotionally Challenging:
Hours of meditation, pranayama, physical practices and overall life reflection during your YTT are bound to bring up emotions. Luckily, these are all healthy ways to help process your feelings and it’s important we work through our emotions to grow. Just be aware that unexpected emotions may arise throughout this process.
Mentally Challenging:
Being in and out of class all day, very early mornings, intense physical practices and little personal time can take its toll. You may feel mentally drained and exhausted some days. Luckily, you will be surrounded by lovely people who are going through this journey with you! Your peers and teachers are great people to talk to and can help you when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Spiritually Challenging:
You will be learning a lot of deep rooted philosophy and be faced with new spiritual concepts on the daily. Yoga is rooted in Hinduism which you may or may not be familiar with already. My YTT was in Bali so I learned about Buddhist philosophy as well. You may be a deeply spiritual person and not be at all, both are completely valid. But prepare for lots of spiritual reflection.
3. YTT is Way More than Learning the Poses
Of course you will take physical asana classes and alignment classes to learn about the postures but that is hardly all you’ll be doing. Yoga’s main goal is to bring us to meditation, we use the physical asanas to prepare our body for meditation. The poses are not the goal, they lead us to this goal. Whether you know this or or not. Be aware there’s way more to what you’ll be learning than how to do the perfect headstand. If your current yoga practice is just a physical practice I’d recommend doing some research on the philosophy to be sure this is something you are up for learning.
4. You Won’t Resonate with Everything You Learn
Yoga is an ancient practice and with that comes lots of history. You may learn concepts you don’t believe or that do not resonate for you. You don’t need to change your spiritual beliefs and realign yourself to think in a different way. It’s also important not to judge others’ beliefs as everyone is entitled to believe whatever they want. Be open but, take things with a grain of salt. Take whatever resonates and leave the rest.
5. It Will Make You Feel like a Beginner
You will have your mind blown everyday. It’s crazy how much I learned in each and every class on a daily basis. I thought I had a good foundational knowledge at least on the physical aspects of yoga. But, seriously everyday in my alignment I had to relearn something I was doing wrong in a pose. It is a humbling experience to say the least.
It’s important to go to your YTT without an ego thinking you already know everything, even if you know a lot and have been praticing for years. It’s actually a concept in Zen Buddhism to have a Beginner’s mind which generally refers to being open and eager to learn new things. Go into your YTT willing to learn about everything, even things you may consider yourself an expert in!
6. You Won’t Learn Everything
You could study yoga for your entire life and never know everything about it. I left my YTT feeling like I had scratched the surface in all there is to know about yoga. Which isn’t a bad thing because it left me hungry to learn more. But, know that you aren’t going to leave as this all wise being who figured out the meaning of life. There is always more to learn which is a beautiful thing.
Conclusion
Your YTT will be such a fulfilling experience and I’m so excited for you! Just remember:
You need to find the perfect YTT for you (click here for my other blog post How to Find The Perfect Yoga Teacher Training for You).
Your YTT will be challenging but, aren’t the best things in life the things we work really hard for?
Your YTT is way more than learning poses. Be prepared to learn about philosophy, history and the spiritual beliefs behind yoga.
You will learn things that don’t resonate with you and that’s okay. Take what resonates and leave the rest.
You will feel like a beginner, so have a beginner’s mind and be open to learning new things.
You won’t learn everything, this is a lifelong journey of learning which is a beautiful thing.
I hope this has helped prepare you for this big step you are taking and I wish you the best of luck on your journey!
