You are feeling the impulse to pursue and Advanced Yoga Teacher Training. How do you decide what program is best for you? Here are 4 important areas to consider and explore:
Are You Ready?
What is it that is calling you to deepen your study?
Do you have the time to dedicate to this study?
What is it that is calling to you? More anatomy, more philosophy, more lifestyle, more ‘how to teach’ or what else?
When you think about participating, do you get energized, or do you feel overwhelmed? Energy doesn’t lie – so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, spend time in reflection.
What Can You Afford?
Do you have the financial resources to make the commitment? AYTT is generally more expensive than 200hr YTT because it takes longer!
Do you have the time to dedicate to your learning? Advanced learning comes with deeper dives into many aspects of yoga. Be sure that you have the right support to make the commitment.
Does the program offer competitive tuition, early bird pricing, payment plans, or need-based sliding scale?
What Do You Want to Know More About?
What is your passion in yoga? Is it the human body potential? Do you love anatomy
and learning to do complex asana? Are you fascinated by the energetics of the practice? Perhaps philosophy and lifestyle are where your passion lies. Be sure that the program is well-rounded and that you are going to get what is important to you.
Spend some time considering:
About what part of the practice do I feel I need more exploration?
About what parts of teaching would I like to become more experienced and confident?
How can I become exceptional in my teaching?
Will this training help me uncover my potential?
Who Are the Facilitators?
Research the Facilitator(s). Do you know others who have trained with them? What do those people say about the experience?
Meet with the Facilitators. Have tea, a phone call or Zoom session. Listen to how they communicate with you. Do they listen to you? Do they hold space well?
If possible, take classes or private sessions with the Facilitators so you can learn their teaching style.
Do you feel appreciated and safe with the Facilitators? A gift facilitator will help you feel safe to explore and be vulnerable on the path of yoga. A mark of a good facilitator is that they appreciate you. You matter to them. They celebrate the human being you are in this moment. And are honored that you have chosen to entrust your study to them.
Do the Facilitators teach from their passion for yoga? Energetics matter when you’re committing to a lengthy course of study. If the Facilitator is not passionate about the subject, it will make it hard to be inspired and energized!
Do the Facilitators ‘live their yoga’ even when no one is looking? Unlike other courses of study, the Facilitator must live yoga. Yoga is a living tradition passed down for millennia, but it is living. The Facilitator(s) should live yoga because that is how the highest wisdom is cultivated. They can speak to the real-time, real-life expression of yoga. Life is hard at times, yoga is a path to live in fulfillment in the here and now.
Making the decision to pursue an Advanced course of study in yoga is very personal. Trust your heart to guide you. You will find the right path and the right teacher.
Peace and blessings,
Mary
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