What is yoga teacher training like?

So, you’ve decided to grow your practice and perhaps start a career as a yoga teacher. You probably have hundreds of questions about what to expect from yoga teacher training (YTT). What is YTT like? What will I learn in YTT? What if I don’t feel prepared for YTT? Is taking YTT even worth it (spoiler: yes!).

In this article, we wanted to shed some light on these questions and hopefully help you clear some doubts.

Let’s dive straight into it!

What does yoga teacher training involve?

One of your first questions might be: what will I learn during my yoga teacher training course? Beyond just yoga and its poses, called asanas in Sanskrit, you’ll learn about a wide range of topics and disciplines. Here are some of them¹.

• The asanas

Evidently, you’ll learn all about the different asanas, or yoga poses and how to practice them correctly and efficiently. But also, more importantly, how to instruct and help people into them. This includes offering options and modifications for your students and explaining how each pose benefits the body and its energy system.

• Meditation techniques and practices

As you probably know, yoga goes hand-in-hand with meditation. Meditation is a way to train the mind to concentrate, be present and aware. This is a fundamental part of the yogi lifestyle and philosophy, which aims to achieve all-round physical, emotional, mental and spiritual stability.

• Pranayama techniques

Prana means life force or breath in Sanskrit; it is the very thing that keeps you alive. If we can control our breath, we can positively influence our body’s physiological responses — reducing stress, helping us to better manage our emotions, improving concentration, contributing to better sleep, etc². In your yoga teacher training program, you’ll learn about different pranayama techniques, how to teach them and how they benefit your overall health.

• Yogic philosophy and how to relate to it

Far more than a practice or a discipline, yoga is a lifestyle. Its main philosophy is the unison of mind, body and spirit. Therefore, it is essential to learn and apply yogic philosophy to our practices and daily life.

• Sanskrit, the history of yoga and its relevance to contemporary practices

Yoga has a rich, 5,000-year history intertwined with religion, philosophy, and exercise. It has undergone several changes and periods in its history. It is said that it wasn’t until 2,000 years ago that it became properly documented and followed. Then, in the 19th century, yoga was introduced in the west and became largely westernised3. To understand the extent of yoga and how it became what it is today, we must learn about the history and origins of this millenary practice. Another big part of the history of yoga is learning all the different terms used in Sanskrit and how they can be translated to the language you’ll be teaching in.

• Anatomy and physiology for yoga

Part of becoming a yoga teacher is learning about the structure of the human body (anatomy), so you can effectively teach the asanas and prevent injuries. You’ll also need to know about physiology, or how the body’s organs work together and are moved by energy.

• Teaching tips and practices

An obvious part of yoga teacher training is the teaching part. You’ll soon realise that practicing yoga and teaching it can be very different things. Teaching requires technique, know-how and humility, compassion and sensitivity to peoples’ emotions.

• Class planning and sequencing

Following our last point, you’ll also learn how to plan a class and prepare appropriate sequences for your students. Your classes must be properly structured, with a warm-up and cool down, and you’ll need to know how to introduce and explain the asanas clearly.

Following our last point, you’ll also learn how to plan a class and prepare appropriate sequences for your students. Your classes must be properly structured, with a warm-up and cool down, and you’ll need to know how to introduce and explain the asanas clearly.

Now that we’ve covered the theory part of yoga teacher training programs, let’s talk about the nitty-gritty. Nothing really prepares you for what you’ll feel and go through in your yoga teacher training. So, we’ve tried to sum up some main points and give you an insight into what really goes down when you embark on your YTT journey.

What to expect from yoga teacher training?

• Yoga teacher training is just the start of it

If there’s one thing you should know right now, it’s that your yoga teacher journey will not end once you get your hands on your teacher training certificate. Be aware that you’ll always be a student. You are embarking on a life-long journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

• Your life will change

You’ll go through some major life changes during and after your teacher training program. These could include change in perspective, mentality, diet, physical shape, purpose, aspirations and even social circles. You will evolve in ways you probably never thought you would, and as always in life, that means leaving behind older versions of you. Much like a crab leaving behind its shell or a snake shedding its skin, you’ll have to let go of old ways of thinking and living. You may even find yourself distancing from relationships that no longer help serve your new purpose.

• You will feel overwhelmed and perhaps unprepared

No number of books, videos or theoretical training can prepare you for the spiritual, mental and emotional changes you’ll experience during your yoga teacher training. In fact, no matter how much you’ve prepared beforehand, you’ll most likely be overwhelmed by the sheer amount and diversity of information you’ll have to take in. From the asanas and the science behind yoga to its history and Sanskrit, your brain will surely have its work cut out during the first weeks. You may also feel unprepared to teach yoga at first. Don’t worry. As you learn and as time passes, you’ll gain confidence in yourself and your abilities. Trust the process.

• You will push your mind and body to the limit

Even if you’re a dedicated yogi or yogini, you’ll definitely discover new limits with your yoga teacher training. It will be physically intense, and you’ll probably invest more time in the practice than ever. Yoga teacher training also involves breaking down mental barriers that you might not even realise you had. Allow yourself to change and evolve, and don’t be afraid of the challenges that are to come.

Phew! That was a lot. Whether you’re overwhelmed or comforted by all this information, we assure you that yoga teacher training is always worth it. At the very least, you’ll embark on a lifetime journey and learn and evolve in ways you probably never thought you would.

However, we know it doesn’t stop there. You may also be wondering what to do after your yoga teacher training course or what it’s actually like to be a yoga teacher. We’ve got you covered. Check out our other articles for all your YTT-related questions. And let us know in the comments below if you have any doubts.

Good luck and namaste!

References:

1. What is Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)? – Definition from Yogapedia. Yogapedia.com. (2018). Retrieved 2 May 2022, from https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/11149/yoga-teacher-training-ytt.
2. André, C. (2019). Proper Breathing Brings Better Health. Scientific American. Retrieved 2 May 2022, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/proper-breathing-brings-better-health/
3. A Brief History of Yoga | HFE. HFE. (2022). Retrieved 2 May 2022, from https://www.hfe.co.uk/yoga/careers/a-brief-history-of-yoga/.