Choosing a yoga teacher training program can often be a difficult decision. Five years ago there were limited options and you often had to travel to complete a 200-hour program. Now that yoga has become increasingly more popular, there are many local options. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before signing up.

Do you resonate with the instructor?

It’s important to get a feel for the instructor's personality and teaching style. Make sure that what they have to offer is what you are looking for. We suggest taking at least a few of their classes prior to signing up for training. Ask to speak with them about the training if you have any questions.

Are you getting what you pay for?

Most foundational yoga teacher training programs are advertised as 200-hour programs. Do the math and determine how many hours you will be studying directly with an instructor. You will learn the most during these hours and it’s important that you don’t just choose the shortest program for convenience. The more hours you spend in training – the more experienced and knowledgeable you will be as an instructor.

Is the instructor using his or her own materials?

Ask to see the manual that will accompany the training. Look to see how much effort the instructor has put into creating their program. They should have created a manual that adheres to their own style of teaching; not using a generic teaching guide.

What is the anatomy portion of the program like?

While it may not seem important at first, it is. Teaching yoga requires knowledge related to muscles, common injuries, and injury prevention. Find out who will be teaching the anatomy portion of the program, what their history is and ask to see the manuals or materials for this portion of training. Make sure the anatomy instructor has an in-depth background studying anatomy. Compare with other programs you are interested in and discover what’s best for you.

My name is Aaron and I lead the Styles Yoga 200-hour training program at The Hot Yoga Spot. If you'd like to learn more about our program, click here send me an email.