Yoga teacher training (YTT) programs can fulfill a number of objectives for individuals. It’s not always necessarily about learning to teach, but it’s also about just ‘learning’. Whether one learns about Yoga or realizes they are learning more about themselves. Yoga is often thought of as a journey of self-discovery and emancipation. Yoga teacher training can empower individuals to develop their own personal practice, embarking on their own individual journey or path, independent of yoga instructors and yoga studios. On the other hand, obviously YTTs can educate individuals on how to lead and guide others on a yogic journey.
Yoga teacher training is typically a vigorous regiment. While part-time options are available, should one decide to join a full-time program, the day often starts early in the morning and ends either late afternoon or early evening. Starting the day with meditation and pranayama sessions, students follow through with yoga practice, anatomy, philosophy and instruction sessions on pedagogy and class designs. Courses also cover various literature and suggest readings outside of class.
While students maneuver through the days, week by week, much time for reflection is offered. Asana classes help students focus on their physical development and reflect on the transformation their bodies are undergoing, which on its own can be a powerful experience. A healthy body can help one feel lighter and leads to greater happiness. Daily yoga practice in a group setting on its own brings forth discipline and harbors a sense of belonging and connection. Daily practice with the same group, on the same journey, certainly develops a sense of community and potentially life long bonds. It’s easy to become a part of a group that can become an ongoing support system.
Courses discussing philosophy allow students to learn about a structure and framework, that dive’s deeper into a system of values, beliefs and behavior, allowing for students to reflect profoundly on the path they develop as an individual for themselves. Naturally, reflective topics emerge, allowing students to evaluate and shift through personal experiences and emerge with a renewed or refreshed perspective on typical life practices. Discourse, discussions, literature reviews are a few of the ways yoga teacher training can help shape new perspectives.
Anatomy and Asana classes naturally teach students how to develop safe yoga practices. It’s empowering to learn the physical and healthy impacts the various asanas have on nurturing a healthy body, not to mention how to prevent injuries. Going beyond the surface of our physical body and viewing the bones, muscles and various bodily systems create a clear understanding of yoga in all its complete sense.
At the heart of yoga teacher training is the objective of how to put this all together either into a personal practice (that may be private) or into a class, should one embark on the journey or career path of a professional yoga teacher.
In summary here is a list of the importance of YTT and its benefits:
- Deepen your own knowledge of Yoga
- Enhance your own personal practice
- Become an independent yoga practitioner
- Become certified to teach
- Certified teachers develop their teaching skills further
- Find life coaches and mentors
- Become a mentor or life coach
- Join a compassionate and all accepting life support system
- Connect with learned and wise souls and become a part of an incredible community of yogis
- Learn about yourself