You find yourself loving yoga, practicing regularly, and thinking about it even when you are off the mat. What’s the next logical step? Doing a yoga teacher training and becoming a yoga teacher so you can share this goodness with the world, duh! 😉 Welcome to the club bb!

But wait — where do you even begin to pick a yoga teacher training that is right for you?

In a world of endless possibilities, I have created this as a resource to quiet the overwhelm in the process of choosing the right yoga teacher training program FOR YOU. I say for you in all caps because the YTT experience is a special and powerful one, and there are so many different things to consider when choosing one! My goal is to help you understand the main differences between programs, how to check if they are reputable, and easily narrow down a program that you feel good about investing your time, energy and money in. That way, you can simply focus on the excitement of this huge life decision you are making! 

The first step to getting started is figuring out what type of YTT is right for you. There are A LOT out there, so a good place to start is determining what level of certification you want to receive. Some programs are 200-, 300-, or 500-hour training certifications. 

The 200-hour training can be thought of as the foundation of all things yoga, and it’s also the basic requirement for teaching in most yoga studios. This training allows you to apply as a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance — which I will explain more about in a bit. In the 200-hour training, you will strengthen your own personal practice, dip your toe into some anatomy and yoga philosophy, along with learning the basics of teaching a class. The 300-hour training goes on top of the 200-hour program and goes way deeper.

You can choose to find a program that is solely a 200-hour training or one that combines both the 200- and 300-hour together. Obviously, together this gives you a 500-hour certificate! It is key to decide where you want to start and how much you want to take on in the beginning. A 200- training vs. a 500-hour training are two very different experiences. 

The next thing today attention to is the style of training, some are broad and some are focused on specific styles of yoga i.e.: Yin, Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Tantra, Trauma-informed, Kundalini, Kids… etc. And then of course, thanks to Covid and just a busy life in general, decide if online or in-person training is right for you. If an in person training is available to you check out your local studios, or maybe the idea of going on an adventure and training abroad is calling your name!

I did my first 2 yoga teacher trainings locally here in Los Angeles where I live, but in 2019 I did a training in Bali and it was MAGICAL! I actually vlogged most of my time in Bali so if you’re keen to take a peak at a day in the life at YTT in Bali click here! And let me just say, if you do decide you want to jet off to Bali for your YTT then definitely read my Bali Yoga Teacher Training Checklist post!

I also think a great way to choose a training is to connect with teachers you really vibe with and ask for their recommendation! If there are teachers you love practicing with and admire ask who they trained with! Most yoga teachers are happy to share their experiences. They will either recommend you to the programs they did or openly share wha they would’ve done different in choosing. Use your network! I share all about my different trainings here!

Okay, so at this point, you have a few programs narrowed down, but how do you find out which one is reputable?

Your first step is to see if the program is Yoga Alliance certified. According to Yoga Alliance recent numbers and stats they are,”… the largest nonprofit association representing the yoga community, with over 7,000 Registered Yoga Schools (RYS) and more than 100,000 Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT) as of April 2020.”

Think of the Yoga Alliance as the gold stamp of approval. By finding a program that is certified through them, you know the training you’ll have meets requirements to prepare you as a safe, ethical, and high-quality yoga teacher. 

A few things worth mentioning: consider your schedule, consider your budget, and decide on your intention for joining a YTT. You have to make sure the program you are teaching ALIGNS with you. Suppose it doesn’t fit in your schedule, your budget, or your path as a yoga teacher. In that case, you are likely to regret your decision along the line, and it’s quite a commitment, so there is no worse feeling than that! 

Here is a little cheat-sheet for you to use while you are deciding on the most perfect and magical YTT for you:

• Consider your schedule
  
  • 200-, 300-, or 500-hour program 
    
  • Online or in-person
    
    • If in person, where? Local or abroad?
      
  • Specific time commitments of the YTT — days of the week, times, etc.
    
• Consider your budget
  
  • On average programs can run from $1000-$3000 but can also go way up from there! 
    
  • Make sure it feels like the right investment for you. 
    
• Ensure your training is Yoga-Alliance Certified
  
• Evaluate the program, syllabus, and history of the programs you are considering.
  
  • Use your network! 
    
  • Read reviews on the internet. 
    
• Decide your intention and if the program aligns with the kind of yoga you want to teach. 
  
  • Follow your intuition! 
    

Choosing a Yoga Teacher Training can be overwhelming, but don’t let it stop this incredible goal you’ve decided to pursue! Take it one step at a time, use the cheat sheet, and remember the universe will help guide you to the exact yoga teacher training you are meant to be at. And in no time at all, you will blossom into the amazing yoga teacher I know each and every one of you are capable of becoming.

If you’re vibing with this post then definitely read my Tips For New Yoga Teachers post and give my Let’s Talk TEACHING YOGA 💗 podcast episode a listen for some extra yoga teacher goodness!