Learning yoga is a transformation journey in itself, which requires passion, interest, and dedication. Yoga teacher training is one such opportunity to broaden your understanding of yoga and share its wisdom with others. It is a process of learning and evolving constantly in order to elevate your overall wellness.
The entire curriculum of the yoga teacher training program comprises daily asana sessions, breathing techniques, meditation, philosophy, teaching methodologies, alignment and adjustment, and class sequencing. All of these subjects are intensive and need proper preparedness of mind, body, and soul.
Yoga teacher training requires you to prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically, prior to enrolling yourself in the program. Since it is an ever-learning process, you need to follow some essential steps to become a yoga instructor. In this blog, you will be guided in order to prepare yourself for the yoga TTC program.
Assessing Personal Readiness
The first and foremost thing to do before joining a yoga teacher training program is asking yourself why you want to join it. Question yourself about the intentions you have and the reasons behind becoming a yoga teacher. Is it about deepening your personal practice or pursuing yoga professionally? This will provide you immense clarity about your journey and assist you to achieve your goals successfully.
Research about the curriculum of yoga teacher training and figure out if you have the physical and mental preparedness to join it. If not, then take some time in making your body familiar with the basic yoga activities before diving into the deeper aspects of yoga. The YTT course is quite intensive and requires proper stamina, self-awareness, and strength, both physically as well as mentally.
Establishing a Consistent Yoga Practice
It is clear that you should have basic awareness about the yoga practices before joining any certified course. Practicing yoga on a regular basis will help you understand the yogic aspects with clarity. Establish a routine that encourages you to build strength as well as flexibility in your body. Focus on being consistent and disciplined as it will help you during your training period. The more you practice before the program, the better you will engage yourself during the sessions.
Yoga is a vast concept consisting of different styles. Get insights about the various yoga styles and understand the benefits they provide to your overall well being. Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Yin are some important yoga styles that help you with building strength, flexibility, and mental clarity. Explore a variety of yoga styles, broaden your understanding, and then decide what aligns with your personal goals.
Deepening Knowledge of Philosophy
Yoga philosophy is the foundation and roots of every yoga style. Learning from ancient texts like Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Geeta, and Upnishads not only elevates your practices but also teaches you concepts of non-violence and truthfulness. Incorporating these teachings in life will encourage you to face tough circumstances with ease. If you want to pursue teaching yoga professionally, then these concepts will allow you to resonate with your students.
Enhancing Anatomy and Physiology Understanding
Anatomy and Physiology is extremely important to understand for every yoga practitioner. Human anatomy helps you in being aware about your own body. While practicing yoga regularly, you should be aware about the alignment of the asanas and how it is going to affect your body. With the help of this, you will be able to minimize injuries and practice safely with proper effectiveness. If you want to teach yoga, then learning about human anatomy is important for your sessions. You can provide a safe and supported space to your students, encouraging them to enhance their yogic practices.
Practicing Teaching Techniques
You cannot become a yoga instructor without developing the proper teaching skills. During your teacher training journey, focus on enhancing and refining your skills so that you are full of confidence as well as clarity when you start teaching yoga professionally. Practice your teaching skills with your family and friends or participate in the mock yoga classes to gain experience of a proper yoga class.
Elevate your communication skills, teaching methods, and sequencing of the class so that your students engage and resonate with you. Work on refining verbal cues during your training period and join the hands-on teaching practice sessions to get instant feedback. You should always welcome constructive advice on your teaching skills so that you can work on them effectively.
Strengthening Breathwork Skills
Synchronized breathing is an important part of yogic practices. Pranayama affects your mental as well as physical side of the yogic practices by opening your energy chakras and cultivating mindfulness within you. Learning to synchronize breath while performing a yoga asana compliments your practice in all the ways.
Prana itself means energy flow, so strengthening your breath allows you to remove any blockage from your body and mind and rejuvenate you completely. It also improves oxygen flow in your body which increases your overall stamina and increases your physical endurance. Once you have developed the skills of synchronized breathing along with yoga practices, you become a more effective and influential yoga teacher.
Developing a Meditation Practice
Meditation is also a crucial part of your yoga journey as it fosters mindfulness, enlightenment, and inner-peace. Regular practice of meditation assists you to focus on practices and teach efficiently to the students. If you are someone dealing with stress, anxiety or depression, then meditation sessions help you manage these symptoms and get rid of the negative feelings. Dedicate a fixed time for your meditation practice and gradually increase the time once you are habitual of it. Incorporate internal grounding and balance within you so that you teach the same to your students and support them to enhance their lifestyle.
Building Physical Endurance
Yoga teacher training is an intensive program and requires stamina and strength to practice the asanas. If you are physically unfit and still want to learn the advanced level styles, then you will not be able to perform them in the best ways. This is the reason why building physical endurance is essential before you begin with your training program. Even during your training period, make sure to focus on building strength, flexibility, and endurance for your overall well being.
Gathering Necessary Materials
Once you have enrolled in the yoga teacher training program, review the necessary materials list and get prepared. Pick up the reading books that have every information about yogic literature, ancient philosophical texts, and teaching methodologies that will make you an effective yoga teacher. You will be able to get familiarized with the program if you start reading beforehand. Make a necessary check-list of all the items that you need to bring for the program. These include comfortable clothes, first-aid kit, toiletries, notebook, etc.
Connecting with Future Classmates
Join the online group once you have enrolled for the teacher training program. There are many yoga schools that provide social media groups and community spaces for students who have joined their programs. Approach and connect with some like-minded individuals before the program starts in order to have some familiar faces in the class. This will also help you to foster a sense of purpose and support during your training and encourage you to practice with utmost confidence. Networking with the yoga instructors and fellow students lets you gain a new perspective of life and share experiences with each other.
Preparing Mentally and Emotionally
Along with the physical endurance, you also need to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. Have an open-minded approach to your teacher training sessions and always be willing for any learning opportunity. Be ready to face the challenges during the course and overcome them with ease for your overall growth. You should understand that yoga teacher training is not only a teaching goal but is also a journey for self-discovery and transformation. It is important to be patient and mentally as well as emotionally clear about your needs and goals.
Finalizing Logistics
Before traveling to your wellness destination and joining the program, double check everything and make sure that all the details about your program are clear. Recheck all the necessary documents and bookings, especially if you are traveling abroad. If there are any concerns about dietary restrictions due to health issues, make sure to communicate properly with the yoga school in advance.
Conclusion
These are some of the ways to prepare yourself for a yoga teacher training program. The entire journey of learning the aspects of yoga and teaching it to others involves a lot of self practice, discipline, and consistency. By spending some time in understanding your intentions and goals with yoga and working towards building a strong foundation for that, you can prepare yourself fully for your training program. Embrace the journey with a clear mind and open heart so that you become an effective yoga teacher as well as the best version of yourself.
