I have narrowed down the choosing process to five simple questions that you should ask yourself while trying to decide on the right teacher-training course for yourself! Spiritual life Home offers one of the world’s best centers to retreat yourself in Rishikesh, India.
How long should my course be?
50-hour? 100-hour? Or 200-hour? These numbers determine the length of each yoga teacher-training course. Typically, most yogis start with a 200-hour course, and should you want to teach, most yoga studios require teachers to have a minimum of 200-hours YTT.
It is also possible to do a 200-hour program where you combine a 100-hour and 50-hour two program successively. Bear in mind though, that with more hours into the course, the longer the length of time you will have to spend. A 200-hour course is typically 20 to 30 days long.
What types of yoga should I teach?
What styles of yoga are you most interested in practicing and teaching? The most popular yoga teacher training teaches in the Hatha yoga tradition, but other styles are fast gaining popularity too. If you are into an athletic style of yoga, perhaps an Ashtanga yoga teacher training is most suitable for you. If you'd like to focus on awareness, breath and meditation, you might like to try a spiritual yoga teacher training.
Whichever types of yoga that you choose are sure to pick one that clearly resonates with you and your practice. It is important to choose a style of yoga that you are able to maintain in your daily practice.
Where should I go?
Once you've determined the type of yoga training course and the hours, the next thing to decide is the place where you will obtain your certification. You may want to choose to do it locally, but if you are interested in traveling abroad, there are some great destinations that offer a great yoga teacher training course in India.
For most yogis, India is still the more popular choice as a yoga teacher-training destination. With yoga schools situated in Dharamsala, Rishikesh and Kerala, there are many options you can from. Wherever in the world you choose, do remember to check your school's accreditation. Read reviews of past participants to find out what others have experienced.
How much should I spend?
With courses costing a hefty sum, it is important to consider whether or not you can afford the teacher training program that you are considering. Most, if not all yoga teacher training courses offer an all-inclusive package. This means, that along with tuition, the program covers accommodation, as well as food. However, the price of a program varies.
Why am I doing this?
Lastly, it is also important to consider your intentions for participating in a YTT course. Unlike a yoga retreat, a yoga teacher-training course is not leisurely and relaxing. For the most part, participants wake up early in the morning for practice and then lectures, and spend a lot of time studying. There will be limited time for sightseeing, although some programs do offer these activities. They are generally asked to observe a yogic way of life, which means adopting a vegan lifestyle and practicing meditation.
If your intentions are not aligned with these practices, sitting through such process day in and day out for weeks on the end may prove to be quite challenging and fruitless at the end.
