Yesterday, I spent the afternoon teaching Teacher Training at Tranquil Space. As always, it was a fabulous experience and I left feeling exhilarated, exhausted and inspired. To me, there's nothing like a group of students who are hungry for more--who have chosen to study what they're studying because they truly love it-- and who have so much knowledge, experience, and wisdom to share with one another.
Working with this group of women yesterday (it was all women, which was also very powerful!) got me thinking about a question that I recently received from a reader. So today, I thought we would chat a bit about yoga teacher training, and specifically, some pointers for figuring out whether or not you're ready to dive in. Here's the question I received via email a few weeks ago: I had a question about the decision to start yoga teacher training. I have been thinking about doing it for probably five years now, but have yet to take the plunge. I practice regularly, but due to time (and money) constraints I mostly practice at home. I know that teacher training would be a great thing for me, but I am having trouble figuring out if I am advanced enough for it...I wanted to see if you had any words of wisdom on knowing when it is right. What a wonderful question, right!? How do you know when the time is right to enroll in a teacher training (TT) program? Although I think the answer definitely is a very individualized one, here are some things that I've learned about TT, both from working with teachers and being a teacher over the past couple of years... Practice "level:" Although I've already shared my thoughts on what it means to be an "Advanced" Yogi, and this label, "advanced," is definitely controversial in the yoga world, I do think that in order to enroll in teacher training you should have some level of comfort with the asanas, or feel comfortable in an intermediate or Level 2 class. This doesn't mean that you need to know how to do every arm balance, inversion, or "advanced pose," as I definitely didn't know these things when I did TT (and still cannot do many, many advanced poses and transitions!), but you should feel comfortable playing with some of the more advanced asanas, or at least pushing your edge and trying them. Desire to learn: More important than an "advanced" practice, in my mind, is the true hunger and desire to learn more about yoga. You have to want to try, to push, to learn, to experiment, to study, to devote your time and energy to practicing and teaching yoga. I think this makes one much better prepared to jump into such an intensive study of the subject, and eventually, makes one a much better teacher. When I enrolled in TT I couldn't do a headstand, most arm balances, or many of the more advanced inversions, but I had a hunger to learn everything, and that desire led to my learning how to teach and eventually do these poses over time (many of which I learned how to do during TT!). But to be clear, this desire to learn should be broader than just the asanas--it should also include other aspects of the practice, such as pranayama (breathwork), meditation, anatomy, philosophy, etc. Life situation: If you know that you want to do TT and have the time/finances/space in your life to do it now, do it NOW. I know lots of people who had been wanting to do TT for years, but kept putting it off because of one thing or another; then, when they finally do it, it's life changing and they wish they'd done it years ago. If it's something that you know you want to do eventually, but you can do it now, just do it, so that you don't end up feeling like you've wasted many years not following your dreams. I know this sounds cheesy, but if your life opens up a bit and you have space--just enough space to take the plunge and make it work--then do it. Studio/training program choice: Most importantly, you should find a program that is the perfect fit for you. If you have a studio or a teacher who teaches the way that you want to teach, try to take TT with them or at that studio. Every studio is different, every teacher is different, and every training program is different, so I strongly suggest finding out which teachers teach the bulk of the training that you're planning on taking, and then, if you haven't already, take their classes to be sure that they teach in a style that resonates with you. I know quite a few people who did their training somewhere without doing a lot of research into the program, and later, had to either take TT over again or augment their training with many other trainings in order to hone the skills needed to teach in the style in which they wanted to teach. Best to figure this out before you fork over a large sum of money and an even larger chunk of your life. Test the waters: If you're not 100% sure that teaching yoga is right for you, but really want to try it, enroll in a smaller TT first. This may mean doing a Level 1 training first (for example, at Tranquil Space we have a 33-hour Level 1 that is a pre-req for our Level 2), or a smaller training, like a Prenatal or Karma Kids training, to dip your toe in the water and see if you like teaching. Some people who think they'll love it take a Level 1 first, only to realize that teaching takes the enjoyment out of yoga for them. Doing a smaller training first allows you to check out the experience before making the huge commitment. Overall, I guess what I'm saying is TT = a big decision. But also, TT = amazing. As you know, it changed the entire course of my life and I am so thankful and happy that I did it. I know this isn't the case for everyone, but I think that if you have a true urge to do it and it doesn't go away, you should do it as soon as you have the space, energy, and schedule for it. I hope this is helpful! Makes me want to look into what training I'm going to do next... ;) {July 2015 Update} Want to learn more about teaching yoga once you graduate from teacher training? I've written an eBook all about it for you: HOW TO EARN A LIVING TEACHING YOGA: A BUSINESS GUIDE FOR YOGA TEACHERS
Lauren R.
3/18/2013 08:29:23 am
Thank you so much for this post! I just signed up to do 200-hour teacher training this summer after about a year of thinking it over. I'm so excited to get started, even though I'm a little scared about how I'm going to balance it with my full time job. But I figured that if I waited for the "perfect" time to do it, I won't EVER do it. Same goes for a lot of things in life, I guess?
Mary Catherine
3/21/2013 10:16:54 am
You're welcome! Glad you finally just signed up--yay!!! I know it will be amazing. Let me know how it goes! xo
Miranda
6/11/2013 02:51:37 pm
I'm only twenty years old but I would I want to do a yoga training course in bali or thailand. The only thing is... I'm nervous about teaching a class all by myself!
Ric
7/24/2013 06:08:53 am
immensely helpful!! Thank you for this. I am in the midst of this very "search" and you certainly raised some things I hadn't considered. namaste. :)
Gail
11/12/2013 01:01:23 am
Ric - If you're still looking I just came across this post: http://bit.ly/1hD0PKk and it got me interested in going to Costa Rica to study. The instructor there (Marianne Wells) is more than generous with her time in answering questions from students who are contemplating more study.
Lara_H
10/14/2013 05:12:36 am
I just stumbled upon your blog and this very post. This is something I have been thinking a lot about lately. I am very interested in everything yoga, and I dare to say that I have a fair enough knowledge about the subject in theory, both the spiritual and the physical. As a massage therapist, I also have studied anatomy which makes the subject even more interesting. I would love to teach yoga sometimes in the future.
Mary Catherine
12/11/2013 09:01:01 pm
Lara, somehow I just saw that I never responded to this comment! I'm so sorry! After reading what you have to say, I say GO FOR IT! Seriously! The physical asanas will come over time, but it's the passion for teaching, learning, and growing that allows you to be a great teacher. Also, it's good for students to see that teachers have physical limitations, too. If you want to do it, I say do it! Sign up! Thanks so much for this post. It's exactly what I needed to read right now! I'm starting my 200-hr teacher training tomorrow and admittedly, I'm terrified. It's intimidating walking in, knowing that some of the girls in the course have already been teaching yoga for years. I'm hoping that I'll be able to learn from them. I'm really excited about doing this, but keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to keep up!
Ffion
12/10/2013 12:28:18 pm
Thanks so much for this post & reading it today has given me another boost of confidence in taking the giant leap towards taking my YTT course. 12/11/2013 12:30:33 pm
Ffion - I know I can ahead some light on your "dilemma",…
Mary Catherine
12/11/2013 09:04:45 pm
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ffion! As I'm sure you would have guessed, I can't offer a ton of guidance, as I do think that it depends on what you're ready for, what feels right to you, what is the best fit for your personality/life. Marianne offers some good advice (from someone who has led both), and I know fabulous teachers who have done both and loved both.
Julie
3/7/2015 06:52:31 am
Hi Ffion,
Mary Catherine
3/9/2015 09:29:36 pm
Hi Julie,
Sami
12/18/2013 09:44:13 am
Hi i loved this post, I have only been practicing Yoga for about 2 years now. I still have great amounts to learn. I want to go and do a 200hr course because it has come up that i have the time and everything is right atm to do it. Though i don't know much on Theory i am learning everyday and trying to practice everyday also. I want to teach eventually though for my own knowledge and practice would TT be avaliable to someone in my position do you think? Because under 2 years is not very long i know
Cony
12/30/2013 04:51:28 am
I feel better reading this!
Emma
6/30/2014 09:52:45 am
Reading this has been really helpful, but at the same time I'm still stumped. I haven't been doing yoga for anywhere near as long as some of the other readers have been (possibly coming up to 6ish months) and I understand that this is a late post to the blog entry. But there isn't any harm in that is there ;).
Laura
7/3/2014 10:03:35 am
Thank you for this post! I've read through the comments as well and I feel so relieved to see that I'm not the only one who's nervous to get into teaching. Even so, I sometimes lose hope when I see other women do poses that I find so incredibly beyond me and think that I'm not ready to begin teacher training. I worry about many different things along that nature: maybe I don't have enough experience, I can't do a ton of inversions, maybe I'm too young to be starting this... but yoga has been my passion ever since I really got into 3 years ago and I've had TT as a long term goal ever since then. Teaching is where I feel most comfortable and I have lead friends and sports teams in yoga practices. The timing works out in my life and I'm hoping that I can use it as a way to pay my way through college and deepen my yoga practice but still these worries plague me. Part of me thinks that they all stem from my nervousness so someone please tell me I'm not too crazy for wanting to start TT as I'm in college? This has been a very helpful read. I am 61 and want to do YTT. I have done yoga and Pilates for years with physical limitations. I wonder about my age but I know that I'm a great teacher (I teach writing and caregiving) any thought on "too old" or physical limitations in teachers?
Julie H
8/10/2015 08:37:47 pm
I am extremely interested in attitudes toward older people doing TT - after following this conversation I have decided at 56 to start a semi intensive ( spread over 3 months)- I have about 2-3 yrs yoga practice can do many inversions but have some limitation with hip flexion- I have the interest , resources and time - quite nervous about being thrust into a room of much younger , super fit students but will keep in mind it is not just the asanas ! I am wondering how Dianne C went??
ana Lemus
8/9/2014 01:03:56 pm
hello my name is Ana, i am 21 years old. i have been practicing yoga for about a year and a half. i do a lot of the practice at home. i was wondering how long must one do yoga for, in order to take the step of taking a TT program?
Mary Catherine
3/9/2015 09:34:10 pm
Hi Ana! I know I'm quite late in getting back to you, but just wanted to include a quick response in case others have this question: 1/23/2015 01:17:50 am
Thanks so much for this post. You have no idea how much this helped me out. Keep up the awesome work here!
Mary Catherine
3/9/2015 09:26:20 pm
So glad you found it helpful, Nina! Good luck on your journey! xo
Thuong
4/6/2015 03:56:18 am
Thank you so much for this post. It really really help.
Victoria
4/15/2015 10:28:05 am
This was the only article I enjoyed to make me feel like considering teaching yoga. I'm still stuck, though. I've taken a class a few years ago and have tried to incorporate more yoga into my life. It's been a challenge for me. I'm just indecisive and stuck when it comes for the funds to pay for the course. Maybe I'm just scared. I have to push myself and remember my epiphanies. 4/20/2015 01:41:48 am
What a great post... exactly what I was looking for! I've been doing yoga for about 18 months now and I absolutely love it. At the end of this year I'll be turning 40 and therefore I want to do something totally amazing, so I'm planning on doing a TT course! I'm so excited, I can't wait! 5/14/2015 08:26:37 pm
I think I am ready to do yoga teacher training and teach a class.
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candice
1/3/2016 12:31:20 am
HI - Im just wondering if any of the people who were saying they were hesitant about starting the TT because of their limited experience have completed it and if they thought it was still useful, and if they have found employment? Ive been practicing vinyasa for almost 2 years a couple of times a week, although I haven't been able to practice for the last 4 months due to an injury. Ive recovered now and im starting to practice regularly again although my flexibility isn't what it was previously. Im keen to complete a TT this year, and would love to hear peoples experiences who were hesitant. thank you
Mary Catherine
1/3/2016 05:25:22 am
Hi Candice! I'm not sure if others will reply/are still following this post, but here's what I would say to you: if you are passionate about yoga, feel a true yearning to teach, and your desire to complete TT doesn't go away even after waiting it out, that probably means you should do it! I wouldn't suggest jumping right in, but think about it, research, talk to your teachers and ask them questions, and if your desire doesn't go away after doing all of this (or if it only grows), take a deeper look at that. Finding work as a teacher after training is a different story (and much more complicated depending on where you live and how you approach teaching after training), but taking a training is almost always life-changing. Hope this helps and good luck! xo
Katie
1/7/2016 07:01:05 am
Hey Candice, Im in a very similar situation to you and have only been doing yoga for about a year and a half. Ive started a UK foundation course which is for students who wish to deepen their knowledge but not necessarily go on to teach. This has most definitely made me realise that i wont to go for TT. Im definitely not as advanced as i feel i should be and need to lose weight but i literally cant get rid of the feeling that this is the course of life that i should be on - if it feels right (even if there is some worry and scare) i think you know in your heart if its the right thing. I think that even if i finish the TT course which ill hopefully start in May (ive been accepted to a TT course but meeting the teacher on Sunday to make sure its right for me! argh!) and decide at the end i dont want to teach, ill have still gained some incredible knowledge and strength both in body and mind. I wish you all the luck in the world! :-) 1/30/2016 09:32:21 am
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esther
7/17/2016 01:38:42 am
Hi Mary, 7/30/2016 04:34:33 am
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Charly
5/16/2017 05:22:08 pm
Hi, I have been searching for advice on how to start on a dream of becoming a yoga instructor if you are a beginner - and I am definitely new to yoga. I have been practicing aerobic for years but just started yoga. 5/23/2017 09:44:55 pm
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Pin
7/1/2017 10:14:18 pm
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HELLO!I'm Mary Catherine, a Cape Cod-based yoga teacher, painter, designer, writer, mom, and list-maker extraordinaire. My goal is to inspire you to start living a more creative, simple, joyful, + purposeful life.
{Learn more + read my story}
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