Deciding on Yoga Teacher Training? Ask Yourself These 3 Questions

There’s a saying that’s often inaccurately attributed to the Buddha, likely because of the wisdom it imparts: 

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” 

The origin of these words is unclear, but the message is relevant to those who are considering whether now is the time to begin a yoga teacher training journey. While it would be nice to say you’ll just know when the time’s right, the decision isn’t always that easy. If you’re trying to make up your mind on whether or not to go forward with yoga teacher training, ask yourself these questions:

What do I want to get out of a yoga teacher training program?

There’s a common misconception that you should only go through teacher training if you want to teach yoga. While you can’t teach yoga without completing teacher training, you can complete teacher training if you don’t have plans to teach yoga. Practitioners with a love for the practice who want to go deeper – both physically and philosophically – come out of teacher training with the knowledge and tools to take their practice to a level that wasn’t previously possible. And you never know; you might end up feeling the urge to share yoga with others when your training is complete.

Do I have the time and energy to commit to a 200-hour training?

This is a realistic consideration before beginning a teacher training program. At Uptown Yoga, our program is designed to give you time to complete certain elements at your own pace, and our modules are scheduled on weekends to meet the needs of trainees with other obligations during the week. No matter where you complete your teacher training, it’s important to know that the process does require both your time and your energy. And while going deeper into your practice will feed you, it’s necessary to have the time and space – mentally, emotionally, and physically – to accept the changes that happen over the course of those 200 hours.

Am I open to growth?

Whether your goal is to teach yoga or not, teacher training, much like the practice of yoga itself, is a transformative process. Each experiences shifts in different ways, but throughout the 200 hours, unexpected changes are bound to come up. If your mind and body are prepared and open to experiencing growth, consider yourself prepared to begin your journey. 

Take time to think through your answers to these questions as you make your decision. Your instructors are also a great resource if you need to talk to someone who’s gone through the process personally. But ultimately, the choice is yours to make, and only you will know if you’re ready to begin the life-changing process that is yoga teacher training. Reach out to our owner, Jennifer Chitwood, at jen@uptownyoga.com with any questions you have about our program.