How to choose the right Yoga Teacher Training for you?
You may have been practicing yoga for a while and perhaps ready to do your yoga teacher training. That is great! I believe, doing a yoga teacher training program, even if you never intend to teach a day in your life, is one of the most amazing, life-transforming things you can do for yourself.
Having said that, it can be confusing with so many options for trainings out there, how do you even begin to decide which yoga teacher training program is right for you? How do you know if the one you are going to be invest a few thousand dollars in and about 200 hours of your precious time is going to pay off for you?
If you are unsure and want some light shed on your options, this post is for you. Below are some important things to consider narrowing down your search for the YTT programs that fit you best.
1. Yoga Alliance Certified
Yoga Alliance is the international governing body for yoga, they set the standard for yoga teaching curriculum that the teaching institutions must follow. If you think that you want to teach yoga at some point in your future, ensure that the training you choose is certified by the Yoga Alliance; otherwise, you may not qualify for insurance. Also check if the program is certified through Canadian Yoga Alliance or the International Yoga Alliance. The CYA certification allows you to teach in Canada only, the international Yoga Alliance allows you to travel and teach anywhere in the world. The 200-Hour Mind to Body Yoga Teacher Training program is registered with the international branch of Yoga Alliance.
2. Structure of Training
Consider how you learn the best, do you prefer an intensive format, or do you prefer spaced out schedule that helps you maintain a work life balance. For some, a retreat style training maybe a better fit if overload is not a concern for you, for others, doing their training in their hometown on evenings and weekends works best. You have to think this through before signing up for anything. You know you best, if you think life is going to distract you from your studies, you are better off getting out and away. If you are the kind who needs time to digest concepts, perhaps doing your teacher training over spaced out training format with breaks in between, will serve you better. Mind to Body Yoga Teacher Training in Mississauga is scheduled every other weekend, giving you a weekend in between to take care of other life matters or perhaps a break.
3. Curriculum
This is a very important consideration. Make sure the curriculum is listed in detail and you have clarity about what you are signing up for and what you are paying for. Training is required to include posture labs, methodology, anatomy, sequencing, history, philosophy, and more. Yoga is so much more than just postures, does the curriculum cover a well-rounded training, or is it only asana heavy. Does the teacher training program have a good amount of anatomy section? Anatomy may not appear like it’s a big deal when you are trying to learn how to sequence effectively as well as Sanskrit names for postures. A good understanding of human anatomy will transform your own practice based on your own body type and will also help you when you start teaching in public or private classes.
4. Program History
Do some research into the history of the studio with which you are considering doing your training. Is their program Government certified, do they issue tuition receipt for you to claim on your taxes? Some businesses may have been around for a while, but owners and trainers may have changed or may have had a high turnover. Do not assume just because the business is around for some time, it’s all good. If the business has new owners/trainer, the program could have changed as the experience of trainers has changed. Don’t assume that if a program is certified by the Yoga Alliance, it means top quality. Do a thorough background check on the studio, read reviews, talk to people who have been through the program, and get very familiar with your choice of studio.
5. Yoga Teacher Trainers
Lastly, do some research on the teacher trainers with whom you are thinking of studying. Consider what their background and experience in yoga. How many hours of yoga have they taught. What is their level of yoga education? An E-RYT500 will have 500 hours of training and thousands of hours of teaching experience. This information will help you decide if you want to work with them or not. Take some public yoga classes with the trainers who will be on your teacher training faculty to see if you connect with them and enjoy their teaching style.
The 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program at Mind to Body follows the guidelines set out by the Yoga Alliance, ensuring the highest educational standards of quality, integrity, and professionalism. We concentrate on providing exceptional training for all students. Our goal is to make the rich and profound practice of yoga accessible, inspiring, and enjoyable for everyone, while both honoring the traditions of yoga and playing a part in its evolution.
Whether you are an aspiring yoga teacher or interested in an in-depth study of yoga for personal development, this program will be one of the best four months of your life.
Are you ready to take the leap? We can guide you – bring your questions, curiosity, comments to our next scheduled information session on Thursday June 6 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Our next training runs from Sep 7 to Dec 15, 2019.