The popularity of yoga has expanded dramatically in recent decades and is still growing! Thanks to the modern approach to yoga teaching it has been possible for a large number of people to understand the importance of yoga. Many have taken the next step to train to be yoga teachers and shape their way of life around yoga, making it more than just a physical practice. There are a lot of yoga teacher training programs around the world where you can learn to teach yoga. While aspiring to be a yoga teacher, there are certain things to expect from yoga teacher training.
Yoga teacher training programs give you skills and prepare you to be a teacher. Although merely taking the training does not make you a great yoga teacher, it certainly helps and an increasing number of studios now require a training certification to teach. Yoga teacher training offers you a better understanding of yoga and lifestyle. You will also learn about the pedagogic skills which you will need as a teacher. Let’s find out more about the things to expect from yoga teacher training. Be it a 200-hour, 300-hour, or 500 hour teacher training course, you can expect some common aspects.
1. Meet Like-minded People
When you go to a yoga teacher training program, the other trainees often share your goals and motivations. One of the greatest things to expect from yoga teacher training is meeting and building a network of like-minded people. As people aspiring to be yoga teachers, you all share many common interests. You will live, eat, practice, and grow together for a month or more. A sacred bond will develop among the trainees that will help each other grow as to-be yoga teachers. It is a great experience to be part of the community.
2. Better Understanding of Yoga Science
Yoga Teacher Training Students learning in an open field.
Once you enroll in the training program, many things about yoga will become clear. Spending time immersing yourself in a yogic lifestyle gives you a better and deeper understanding of yoga beyond just the physical realm. You will logically understand that yoga is about a holistic world view and lifestyle. Even if you think you know a lot about yoga, there will be a lot of things during the training that you will find strange and new. As you spend time with these novel aspects of yoga, you will start to see how they fit into the overall system.
3. Learn the original names of the Asanas
Dr. Chintamani Gautam and students following their graduation.
The name is not important. You may call it whatever you like to call but knowing the original name adds to the beauty of something. Likewise, the Sanskrit names of the yoga asanas have a different charm. You will feel the magic of calling a common back bend Bhujangasana instead of simply Cobra. Yoga teacher training programs teach you these Sanskrit names. It will be a fun and hugely rewarding experience.
4. Grow stronger physically, mentally and emotionally
Dr. Chintamani Gautam with beautiful teacher training trainees.
Everyday practice of yoga asana, pranayama, and philosophy for a month or so will help you a lot to grow stronger. Practicing together with peers will keep you motivated to be better than yourself every day. More importantly, you will grow as a better person. You will find yourself more stable, flexible, balanced, and stronger in your physical body. Likewise, your mental and emotional life will also be inspired and expand wider.
5. Come out as a teacher but may not feel ready to teach yet
Dr. Chintamani Gautam teaching yoga to teacher training students.
People certainly join the yoga teacher training seeking the knowledge necessary to be a yoga teacher. But it is also true that not everyone who takes the yoga teacher training becomes a yoga teacher. People have different choices for sure. But even the ones looking forward to teaching yoga once they finish the training also may not feel ready yet. You will surely be certified as a teacher but your inner being keeps telling you to learn and grow more before you start teaching. The training also gives you insight into how deep and wide yoga is. If you feel the same way, you are not alone. Many people go through this stage before being great yoga teachers.
These common things to expect from a yoga teacher training certainly help you grow as a person, a yogi, and a teacher. When you know more, you can teach better. Thus, yoga teacher training is a basic step to prepare you as a yoga teacher so that you can spread the love of yoga.
Are you ready to grow in the yoga teacher training program? Plan, choose and set off on the yogic adventure of life. You will certainly love it
