How to choose a yoga teacher training program

Are you planning to become a yoga teacher? If that’s the case, then you should start by choosing the right yoga teacher training program. The best way to practice teaching yoga is by learning from a yoga school that’s not only Yoga Alliance-certified but can mold you into a skillful and effective yoga instructor.

Remember, yoga is not just an exercise—it is an activity that will improve and nurture one’s physical, mental, and spiritual health. It deserves to be taught and passed on by people who know and understand the craft. To successfully master the teaching style of yoga, you should know that it’s more than just becoming a registered yoga teacher.

Many yoga studios around the world offer yoga teacher training programs. How can you know which one is the best? Read on to find out.

What is Yoga Teacher Training?

Yoga teacher training refers to the program where people learn and master the art of teaching yoga classes. This 200-hour teacher training ends up with you getting a Yoga Alliance certification. Yoga Alliance is a professional organization for yoga teachers worldwide and accredits yoga teacher trainings offered by yoga schools.

This curriculum allows you to have a deep dive into the teaching methodology of yoga. Everything about yoga will be taught including its history, philosophy, and its many different styles. Becoming a certified yoga teacher will enable you to join a yoga studio as an official yoga instructor or even start your own personal practice. You can start a yoga business of your own—as long as you complete your training and obtain the necessary knowledge and experience.

Tips on choosing the best Yoga Teacher Training Program

“Which registered yoga school can help me teach yoga best?”

“Does the yoga teacher training cost vary?”

“Should I learn all the yoga styles or master just one?”

“How many students can I teach once I start my teaching practice?”

These questions (and more) may be in your head right now. Choosing a yoga teacher training program can do that for you. Fortunately, some ways can help you in deciding where to obtain your yoga education.

Here are notable tips in choosing the right yoga instructor training program:

Be a curious cat—ask many questions

Asking questions, in the beginning, can avoid surprises or disappointments in the end. It’s important to gather all the necessary information so that you know what to expect. Being inquisitive is a good characteristic in a person that wants to become a good teacher.

If you are yoga school-hopping, the best thing you can do is to pose as many questions as you can. Ask them about their offered curriculum—if it will meet the goals of your training or deepen your knowledge about yoga. Find out if they’re training-focused, allowing aspiring yoga instructors to learn first-hand and not just by burying themselves in books or manuals. Also, find out about their rates because the price of yoga training may or may not fit your budget.

Asking questions does not make you nosey or overbearing. It helps build your anticipation and make a proper decision on where to gain the best teaching experience. Being too passive will slow down your chances of becoming an effective yoga teacher.

Don’t make decisions solely based on Yoga Alliance

Yoga Alliance is a well-respected organization that accredits yoga teacher training programs but that doesn’t mean you should make decisions based on it alone. Yoga Alliance may set the standards but it’s the yoga schools that provide the curriculum and teachings. The quality of teaching depends on how the yoga school hones and develops the skills of its students.

Also, being a registered yoga teacher with a YA certification is good; but that doesn’t make you an effective yoga instructor. If you truly want to master yoga practice and provide a good learning style for your future students, choose the school with the best yoga instructor course in Singapore.

Get to know the teacher trainer

Whoever leads the teacher training classes has a huge impact on your progress. Learn more about the lead instructor and assess them carefully. Find out about their experience, credibility, and other factors that can help you determine whether or not they’re the right fit to give you the right yoga teacher training.

Yoga may be a relaxing workout but teaching it requires substantial experience and certain traits. Join the instructor’s classes and observe the way they give instructions or interact with their students. Or you can simply interview their past students and find out how they are from their point of view. For instance, instructors must be commanding but patient. People generally don’t have the same levels of understanding so leading classes can be a daunting task. A good yoga instructor knows how to guide their students in learning the different styles of yoga, specifically the execution of the poses.

Find out more about the curriculum

A standard yoga teacher training is a 200-hour program. But knowing that isn’t enough—you must find out about the entirety of the curriculum. Learn more about the modules, course materials, and overall structure of the program. This way, you can have a glimpse of what’s in store for you.

If you are eyeing a particular yoga style to master, learning more about the yoga course Singapore will help you. While most programs do, find out if the teacher training in your yoga studio of choice includes teaching philosophy and various physical postures and styles of yoga such as Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Hot Yoga, and many more. There’s also the master of knowing how to teach the usage of yoga props such as the yoga mat, yoga blocks, yoga wheel, etc. Furthermore, find out about the yoga teachers that the school had produced and see if they were able to teach yoga effectively.

Consider your options—compare yoga schools

Take your time to weigh your options and compare your choices of schools. There are plenty of yoga studios that offer teacher training programs and choosing the best could be overwhelming. This is why you should call, send emails, and ask around about the factors you need to take into consideration.

You have to check the facilities of the yoga schools you are eyeing, including their provided lead teachers and whether or not their 200-hour instructor program is substantial and extensive. To practice yoga is one thing, but to master teaching philosophy, history, and the actual practice of yoga needs to be done right. That is only possible if you learn from the right institution. Who knows—if you become a yoga teacher you might end up leading yoga classes under the same school.

Trust your gut

Instincts don’t just protect you from danger, they save you from wasting time, money, and effort too. Know when to listen to your gut when it comes to choosing yoga teacher trainings. You must learn from your environment and the people who came before you but in the end—it’s you who’s going to decide. You need to have proper analysis and discernment before coming up with a final decision.

Dreaming of starting your own practice? Join our Yoga Teacher Training today!

Here at Sweatbox, we aim to help aspiring yoga instructors fully grasp the context of yoga and apply it in their lives. Yoga life is life-changing and we’d like to continue spreading its positive effects among the local community. We provide many trainings that can help develop your teaching skills.

If you want to begin your yoga teacher training Singapore, feel free to get in touch with us!