There are many kinds of yoga teacher training programs where you can get a basic 200-hour program, or a more comprehensive 500-hour yoga teacher training course. And then there are the various specialty yoga certifications and additional training that you may choose to pursue.

In getting started it’s important to find yoga teacher training that covers the basics, of teaching , not poses! To me, the most important aspect of a prospective yoga teacher training program is just how much emphasis is placed on how to teach others, rather than going through the same poses as you would in a regular yoga class.

With these standards in mind, it’s a good idea to feel things out with a prospective yoga teacher training program, by asking about the ways that learning to teach yoga are emphasized. For example, a fair question would be to state and then ask, ” I already know how to do hatha yoga, beyond practicing hatha yoga, how will your yoga teacher training course prepare me for teaching hatha yoga to others?”

Yoga Teacher Training Checklist

I can’t say it enough, the number one important thing about any yoga teacher training program is that it helps train you not only to perform expertly aligned positions, but it trains you to know how to best teach others.

Renowned yoga teacher training schools are not hard to find, it just takes a little asking around or online research. Another aspect to consider when thinking about taking on yoga teacher training, the level of success their past students have gone on to achieve, as well as what kind of professional network will become available to you upon successful completion of a yoga teacher training course. Some specialized types of yoga teacher training, may put you in a high demand market with many job options.

A good yoga teacher training program should:

• focus on teaching yoga, not just going through poses
• teach you how to talk to and connect with your class
• help you adjust to the demands of teaching yoga, while also focusing on developing your own personal power and ongoing interest and curiosity about yoga

Learning yoga should be about fun and self discovery above all else. You’ll know when you find the right yoag teacher training course, but better sooner than later. Don’t hesitate to call or email a prospective teacher training facility before traveling to see or study in person. This could save you a lot of time and goes a long way toward getting the right kind of yoga teacher training for your professional goals.

While there are specialty schools like such as the Bikram Teacher Training program in Mexico, or the Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training sessions in both New York and Tokyo, it’s best to start with a 200 or 500 hour yoga teacher training class that focus on teaching, and not any specific type or style of yoga. Then once you’ve gotten a certificate it will be a better time to take on learning the specifics of teaching specialized yoga styles.

After looking around and talking with people, a few organizations stood out. Yoga Teacher Training at CorePower Yoga offers very comprehensive study covering understanding the mechanics of asanas, and many practical aspects, while also offering personal, spiritual awakening experiences.

Or maybe cross training in yoga, ayurveda and meditation arts, while training to become a Yoga Alliance-affiliated yoga teacher. Yama Studio in Baltimore, MD offers courses in all of these areas, along with hands-on teacher training.

White Lotus yoga teacher training in California is highly renowned by many seeking basic yoga teacher certification, as well as many seeking advanced yoga teacher training. White Lotus offer retreats and other refresher teacher training classes.