One thing that everyone will agree to is that it is much more difficult to get into yoga teacher training than yoga itself. You will find yoga schools and studios at every corner of the street, more so due to its recent growing popularity. However, finding a standard yoga teacher training school is not that easy, a good one even less so.
Moreover, for beginners, who have no idea what is good and what is not, the decisions and choices become even more difficult. They will often step into things first and realize their mistake later. Yet, it is the beginners that are most affected by such missteps. A bad experience to begin their journey of yoga teacher training with can taint their entire idea of the field. As such, it is important that people should know what to consider when choosing yoga teacher training for beginners.
200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training for Beginners
Most people choose to go with 200-hour yoga teacher training for beginners. This is because the Yoga Alliance has designed the course with a lot of thought. It includes all the aspects of yoga that the YA felt was necessary to be able to teach others yoga. It is the perfect yoga teacher training certification program for beginners to start their YTT journey with.
The Yoga Alliance timeline for the journey of aspiring yoga trainers also has the 200-hour YTTC as the first step. Moreover, whether you want to become a continuing education provider (YACEP), a teacher trainer or lead trainer, or a specialized yoga teacher, you will have to pass through this step first.
The 200-hour curriculum includes according to the new Yoga Alliance Core Curriculum standards includes:
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Techniques, Training, and Practice:
a. Asana – Historical context; poses specific to the lineage of the RYS — must include Sukhasana and savasana; complete sequencing (asana, pranayama, meditation) to achieve particular effect safely; shared anatomical and alignment principles plus contraindications.
b. Pranayama and Subtle Body – Historical context; effects of pranayama on anatomy and subtle body; complete sequencing of pranayama safely, including alternatives and adaptations; ujjayi, Nadi Shodhana, Kapalabhati, among others; koshas, kleshas, chakras, Nadis, and prana Vayus.
c. Meditation – Key meditation terms; meditation methods by lineage; ability to practice school’s chosen meditation practice; chanting, mantras, and mudras.
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Anatomy and Physiology
a. Anatomy – Skeletal system, including major bones; types of joints; major muscles involved in asana; types of muscle; contraction.
b. Physiology – Nervous system, including ‘fight, flight, freeze’ stress response, vagal theory, overall mind-body connection; cardiovascular/circulatory, endocrine, digestive systems as they relate to yoga practice; respiratory system, including muscles that affect breathing, involuntary vs voluntary breath, how air enters and leaves the body.
c. Biomechanics – Types of joint movements; joint stabilization; safe movement as it pertains to balancing, stretching, awareness, and physical limitations; contraindications, misalignments, adaptations.
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Yoga Humanities
a. History – Term ‘yoga’; school’s lineage, style, and methodology; dates and key ideas such as the Vedas, Vedanta, Hatha, Colonial, Modern.
b. Philosophy – Definition of yoga and key terms; the relationship between asana, pranayama, meditation per school’s approach; familiarity with major yogic texts (i.e., Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Hatha Yoga Pradipika); self-reflection on how philosophy relates to practice.
c. Ethics – Awareness of Yoga Sutras or similar yogic ethical precepts; relationship to Yoga Alliance Ethical Commitment including Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct, and Equity Position Statement; comprehension of and responsibility to increase equity in yoga; accountability measures; self-reflection on how yoga ethics relate to practice and teaching. -
Professional Essentials
a. Teaching Methodology – Sequencing; pace; environment cueing (verbal, visual, physical); class management.
b. Professional Development – Yoga-related professional organizations, including the Yoga Alliance credentialing process; Ethical Commitment, including Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct, and Equity Position Statement; Lifetime of learning and continuing education; general professionalism, including timeliness, consistency, cleanliness; marketing and promotion; liability insurance, waivers, invoicing.
c. Practicum (Practice Teaching) – Knowledge, skills, experience across 12 key competencies; mentorship component, including apprenticeship, feedback.
However, it’s important to remember that every school designs its 200-hour yoga training program for beginners using their own discretion. They will still use this syllabus as the basis but will tailor the course to meet their own requirements and demands.
Other Yoga Teacher Training Courses for Beginners
There are two other ways you can start your beginner yoga training. First, if committing to a 200-hour course is difficult you can start with the 100-hour yoga teacher training for beginners. It follows the 200-hour YTTC syllabus only. Basically, the 200 hours are divided into two 100-hour courses. You must complete the latter 100 hours of the course within a year.
If you are sure you want to become a yoga teacher trainer, you can also go directly for the 500-hour yoga teacher training for beginners. But it takes a much longer time and investment. Moreover, not everyone wants to make such a huge leap right away.
Short-Term or Long-Term
The short term 200-hour YTTC is a 4-6 week-long, intensive yoga course for beginners. Most people go for this due to the immersive nature of the course. For this, you stay in a residential centre to learn. In contrast, long-term courses are 3-4 months long and take place on select days of the week, usually weekends. Therefore, they are best for those with prior obligations, especially if they have jobs or families to look after.
In-Person or Online: How Important is the Yoga Alliance Certification
Notwithstanding the current situation, the Yoga Alliance does not recognize online yoga courses. Also, if you learn from a yoga school that does not have the RYS certification, you will not be able to register as an RYT. You will still be able to become a yoga trainer though, just not at an RYS. In this case, the drawback is that most recognized yoga schools are RYSs. Being an RYT increases your career scope greatly.
Where to Get Yoga Teacher Training for Beginners
You can either choose a local school or a foreign school. This is not a huge deal, especially if all the schools under consideration are reputable and international-level. However, you can take personal constraints or preferences under consideration when making a choice.
Choosing the Right School for Yoga Teacher Training for Beginners
Attending the right school is of the utmost importance when considering yoga teacher training for beginners. The first step is always the most important. If you are looking for an all-round good school for your yoga teacher training, Ilina Yoga is one of the top options you should consider.