A Yoga Teacher Training is an investment of both time and money. And there are a lot of training programs to choose from out there, so how do you decide which one is right for you?
We’ve narrowed down 5 important factors to consider when deciding where to enroll in a Yoga Teacher Training so you can choose a program that is both qualified and fits your personal needs.
#1: Curriculum
Before even beginning to research Yoga Teacher Training, write out a bulleted list of your expectations and goals:
- What do you want to know by the end of the program?
- What skills do you want to have?
- What length of time do you want or are you able to commit to (ie: weekend programs, intensives)?
- Do you want to become certified?
- Are you interested in an enrichment curriculum (you learn many styles and subjects and leave with a general understanding of them) or a focused curriculum (centered around a singular style, movement, or methodology resulting in a specific outcome.)
This will act as a handy checklist when reviewing a teacher training.
#2: Results Promised
Questions you should answer for each program you are researching:
- Does the training make a promise of the outcome or a guaranteed result?
- Is it Yoga Alliance registered or a certified Yoga teacher training?
- Will it enrich my personal yoga practice?
- Will it lead to a valuable job skill(s) (yoga or otherwise)?
- Will this program only enrich my yoga practice, or will it enrich my whole life? (career, relationships, community)
Look at what the teacher training is promising versus what you are looking to get out of your training. If you can’t find the answer to any of these questions – or specific ones you are looking for – just ask! Any quality program will have someone that is more than happy to help guide you to get the answers you need.
#3: Job Training
Being a successful yoga instructor involves more than just reciting poses. In today’s world, you have both in-person and virtual instruction, both of which require two different teaching approaches. You have to market yourself and understand how to build community (because students won’t just come to you – they first need to know you exist!) Even if you plan on working for a studio, you still have to have the skills to create and foster relationships with your students in order to have them continue to come back to your class.
And then the style of yoga – will the Teacher Training give you the foundational skills in a decentralized way that you will have the tools and knowledge to successfully teach a yoga class in any studio, regardless of the style or affiliation? Or is it a Training that will give you the training and skill to teach in a specific studio or style?
You also have to understand the business of yoga. Because in the end, that’s what it is. There are responsibilities and logistics you have to be aware of and understand how to navigate:
- How do you open a studio?
- What insurances do you need?
- How to build a team, or work within a team
If you are considering this as a potential career opportunity, be sure you choose a program that will prepare you to be successful as a yoga instructor, beyond just teaching a class.
#4: Logistics
Often overlooked, it’s important to understand the finances, the course schedule, and what is expected of you throughout the training. Look for these items when researching a program:
- Is there a contract agreement in place for the program to set the expectations for you and the teacher training?
- How is the curriculum delivered (in-person, virtually, self-paced), and does that fit with your style of learning?
- Is there a payment plan offered if you can’t pay in full?
These are just some of the logistics to compare, and items to include in your personal list of program requirements before you begin the search.
#5: Experience Levels of the Training Leaders
Do some digging into the leaders of the training and their background of education, teaching, and practicing:
- Do the leaders of the program stay in the learning themselves and continue to take trainings?
- How long has the training been in existence?
- What is their level of certification?
- What is the background or experience of the person that created the training curriculum?
Determine if the leader’s background and experience support the outcome you are looking for.
Now, it’s time to compare and decide
This investment is a life-empowering decision. When deciding on your program, be sure to check in with yourself to be sure you are basing your decisions on the desired outcome and quality of the program (use that handy checklist you made!) versus little wins such as the program with the lowest cost. Because your time is worth just as much, if not more, than what you are spending – so be sure you are investing in a program that will give you the results you are paying for.
These items mentioned above; curriculum, results promised, job training, logistics, and experience levels of the program leaders are just 5 of the key points to compare when deciding which Teacher Training program is right for you.
What’s next?
You can listen to Lisa Taylor, Owner and Founder of Evolution Power Yoga with over 5,000 hours of yoga training experience, speak on these 5 keys things to consider when choosing which training is right for you, here.
Ready to start your yoga teacher training search? You can learn about the Evolution Learning Institute and how our core 5 Teacher Training Programs tackle each of these key factors to assure a solid program and result here.
Interested in learning more? Schedule a call today to connect with the Evolution Learning Institute Program Manager, Ruby Lou, to learn more about how we address each of these 5 points with our training programs offered and what you can expect if you choose to enroll in one of our Teacher Training Programs
Happy Teacher Training hunting!
