It is important to take your time when choosing a yoga instructor training program for a number of reasons; it is a sizable expense, and a school that does not live up to your expectations might not prepare you to teach very well. Ideally, one of the best ways to find the best yoga instructor training is to take a number of classes at different locations, and find the one in which you feel most comfortable, and in which teacher is most effective. This is because many yoga studios offer teacher training in addition to regular classes. You will also want to consider factors such as price, the schedule of the program, and if the program offers both 200 and 500 hour RYT certifications.
Everyone starting out with yoga instructor training will need to first start with a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) training program, followed by a 500 hour certification if desired. If you want to complete all your training in the same place, you will want to be sure the studio offers 500 hour instruction as well. In addition, consider the schedule of the program. Some teacher training programs will allow students to just meet on weekends, but others will require students to attend class during the week as well. Though cost is also a concern, it is more important to find the type of school and instructor you want, even if it is a bit more expensive.
When you are choosing yoga instructor training, you will want to consider the types of things you want to learn and teach. For instance, if you want to teach a specific style of yoga such as Bikram yoga or Ashtanga yoga, among others, you will want to find a program that offers instruction in these styles. You will also want to choose a program that doesn't just offer instruction in poses, but in effective teaching methods as well. Safety discussions or other special considerations, such as prenatal yoga, might also be important.
There are a number of ways to obtain this information. Taking classes at the studio, discussing the program with students who have completed it, and asking the instructors questions are all ways to learn about the yoga instructor training. Instructors should be happy to discuss the program with you and answer any questions; if they are not, it is probably a good idea to keep looking until you find a place where you feel comfortable and at home. Yoga teacher training typically requires a great deal of personal exploration and challenge, so it is important to find a program that is a good fit.
