So you have decided to become a yoga teacher? Well, before you go for your training, it is important to prepare your body, mind, and spirit for this learning experience. Attending a yoga teacher training course has many benefits and can be life-changing. It’ll help you both in your personal and professional journey. You’ll see yourself progress, deepen your yoga practice, and learn more about yourself. Below, you’ll find our best tips to help you prepare for yoga teacher training.
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Practice yoga
If you decide to go on a yoga teacher course, you probably have some knowledge of yoga. This is good, and practicing yoga is probably the best thing you can do to prepare for yoga teacher training. In fact, you must work your asanas and prepare for the physical demands of intense practicing. At a yoga teacher training, you’ll practice yoga for hours and you really need to be physically equipped to handle those sessions.
Also, it’s good to know what kind of yoga you like practicing (and you’d like to teach) before your course. There are many different styles of yoga, such as Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini, or Ashtanga yoga for example. If you’re unsure what style is best for you, you can take classes in different styles at a studio. Or you can also follow youtube videos to find out what you like best.
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Research yoga teacher training courses
There are tons of yoga schools out there, and it can be overwhelming to choose the right training course. Before you decide on a course, ask questions to the organizers, talk to past students, and compare courses. You can read our ultimate guide to yoga teacher training before choosing your course.
To choose the best yoga teacher training for you, it needs to fit your needs and expectations. There are many other factors you should consider such as the style of yoga that’s being taught, the food served, or the price for example. The more you’ll know about the program you chose, the more prepared you’ll be to complete your training.
The location is also one of the most important factors to consider. Do you want full immersion in the yogic lifestyle? Then a yoga retreat in India is probably your best option. If you’re looking for a more tropical destination, you should consider Costa Rica or Bali, another great destination for yoga retreats.
Have clarity in your intention
Knowing exactly your intentions for taking this course is one of the best ways to prepare for yoga teacher training. You should have your own personal goals for attending a yoga teacher training course. If you want to do it, do it for yourself. Not for anyone else. This is very important to set your intentions before the course and to know why you are doing it. You should spend some time reflecting on your reasons for wanting to become a yoga teacher. To do this, you can get into the habit of journaling every day.
You can join a yoga teacher training course even if you do not want to become a yoga teacher. The most important is that you want to deepen your knowledge of yoga and learn more about yourself. Whether you want to use your certification to teach or not is actually not that important.
Take care of yourself
Yoga teacher training is pretty intense and if you’re going on a yoga teacher training retreat, you’ll need to be physically and mentally ready. Before your training, try to eat well, get in shape, and practice mindfulness. Try to sleep well and let your friends and family you are taking care of yourself.
Physical injuries can happen on yoga teacher training courses if you convince yourself that you must be able to maintain a certain posture in order to be a good teacher. You don’t. Everybody is different, learn at your own pace, and listen to your body. Yoga is not about being able to do a certain pose.
If you do get injured during your training, see it as an opportunity to learn a lesson and how to deal with it in case one of your future students with similar injuries.
Invest in tissues
Crying is often a big part of yoga teacher training. In fact, you’ll go through all sorts of emotions. Discomfort, fatigue, or the feeling of being overwhelmed are very common. But don’t worry, you won’t be alone. Your classmates will feel the same way! You’ll be guided by professional teachers who have gone through the same process before you.
We all have a tendency to avoid our emotions. During your training, you’ll have time to deal with all these repressed emotions. And it’s good to let it all flow. It’ll be beneficial for you and your training. Yoga teacher training provides a safe space for you to express your deepest feelings, secrets, and emotions.
Read yoga books
Usually, students who want to do yoga teacher training are familiar with the yoga poses and the practice of yoga. However, you should know that you’ll also have to learn some ethical guidelines of Yoga philosophy.
Yoga is not only about practicing daily. When you want to reach another level you need to focus on different aspects. It’s important to practice poses and breathing exercises, to meditate, to sing mantras and to read yoga books. It will help you understand more the concept of Yoga as a whole and the benefits for your mind and body.
We could recommend hundreds of books to read if you want to prepare for yoga teacher training. But, here are 4 interesting yoga books you can read :
- Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar
- Science of Yoga by Ann Swanson
- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
- Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy by Ray Long
You can also check out our list of the best books to read on a yoga retreat for more inspiration!
Learn how to use props
One of the best ways to prepare for yoga teacher training is to learn how to use props. We highly suggest you get used to as many types of equipment as possible. Learn how to use blocks, a belt, a bolster, and get your body used to it.
By doing so you’ll already have a personal experience with the yoga props. It’ll save you precious time during the yoga teacher training. You’ll be able to develop your skills faster and avoid small technical issues.
It’s also a great way to learn more. At first, you discover the equipment by yourself and you learn about it. So, when you start the yoga teacher training they can show you different ways to use your props.
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Embrace the not-knowing
When you start yoga teacher training you should know that you’re going to learn something new every day. While some days will seem to fly away others will drain you out of your energy. It’s important to understand that there is a lot of unknown in the schedule and that’s why you shouldn’t focus too much on getting 100% ready.
Of course, you should try some equipment, learn poses and read a bit before you start a yoga teacher training. But you should also leave some mystery. It’s actually some of the best moments and when you learn the most.
Yoga teacher training is a bit like life. Every day is about learning, experiencing, and growing. It’s through the unknown that you’ll learn the most. That’s why you should embrace it and enjoy every moment as well as every mistake that you will make during the course.
Pack the essentials
Packing is an important part of your journey. There are some essentials to pack that you shouldn’t forget if you want to make the best out of the yoga teacher training.
We made you a quick list with the main essentials you shouldn’t forget:
- Yoga mat and towel: having your own is always best because you know your equipment and you can keep it clean.
- Medication: If you are going abroad for your YTT, it’s always interesting to have some medication with you in case something happens.
- Snack, protein bars, granola bars: Bring a box with you and pack some snack bars. It can easily give you some quick energy after practicing and studying for a few hours.
- Insect repellent: If you go to another country the weather will probably be different than at home. If you want to avoid a bad bug experience, we highly suggest you bring a bug spray with you.
- Light clothes: You’ll be practicing yoga and studying all day. Depending on where you go, the weather can be really warm and sometimes humid. That’s why we recommend you to pack casual clothes.
- Kindle or book: We suggest you bring or download easy and quick books to read. Between an intensive session and a long day of study, it is always nice to relax your mind without thinking too much.
Read our post on what to pack for a yoga retreat for more info.
Prepare for an amazing experience
As you know, we recommend you to practice yoga for at least a year before attending to a yoga teacher training. If you already did so you know how impactful this activity is on your life.
Yoga teacher training can truly be a life-changing experience. It’ll bring help you deepen your yoga practice, but also change the way you think. You will see the world in a different way with more opportunities to grow.
After learning about yoga and yourself so much, practicing poses, meditation, and breathing exercises, your life will be totally different. If you’ve noticed a change in your life since you started practicing yoga, after this experience you’ll never be the same again.
Bottom line
Yoga teacher training is a truly unique experience you need to be prepared for. Before you book your course, make sure you practice yoga daily, take care of yourself, read yoga literature, and have clarity in your intentions.
Once you’ve chosen your course, contact your teachers to know what to expect and prepare yourself for an amazing experience! Were you well prepared before your yoga teacher training course? Let us know in the comments below!