There comes a time in the devoted yogi’s life that one begins to contemplate doing a yoga teacher training (YTT for short). The idea can certainly be daunting, and you may even be confronted by feelings of self-doubt, apprehension, and worry (all of which are normal!). Let me assure you, there is absolutely nothing to be worried about. On the contrary, a yoga teacher training can be a beautifully transformative experience in which you are given the opportunity to dive deeply into yogic philosophy and practice, anatomy, all while developing your own teaching style and voice. However, there are so many yoga teacher trainings being offered nowadays, that sometimes it can all feel a bit confusing. So here is my ultimate guide to selecting the right training for you.
The first thing you must consider before choosing a YTT is both the style and number of hours you would like to complete. Generally speaking, most yoga teachers begin with a 200-hour certification, which are usually offered in Hatha, Vinyasa, or Ashtanga yoga. I would suggest choosing the style which resonates with you the most. Many teachers over the years add to this qualification with “mini” trainings (such as a 50-hour yin yoga or an adjustments course). The 200-hour training provides you with a solid foundation to feel (hopefully) confident to plan and lead a class with ease. You are expected to do a fair amount of extra reading outside of class, so you should also be prepared for that.
This leads on to the ultimate question you should ask yourself: am I ready to complete a training? YTTs are so accessible nowadays and there are no real prerequisites to enrol onto a course (so long as you can pay the fees, anyone is accepted!). The days are long and intense (especially if you are completely a training squeezed into just a few weeks) which can take a physical and mental toll. I do not think there is a set amount of time that you should be practicing for beforehand, so long as you have a pretty solid and regular practice you will be fine.
So once deciding on the type of course and whether you are ready, you should probably start researching a training centre. It is easier if you know which country you would like to train in. YTTs are offered across the globe, with many people flocking to Asia to feel closer to the “source” of yoga. Personally, I knew that I wanted to train in Thailand because I had visited the year prior to the training and fell in love with Koh Phangan, a small hippy island in the south of the country. However, a lot of people also train in places like Bali in Indonesia, Rishikesh in India, or Kathmandu in Nepal, because these areas are rich in yogic culture. These places are also saturated with YTTs so there is a lot to choose from. The main thing you should really consider is whether the training’s values align with your own. So read their courses, take on board online reviews, stalk their socials, and maybe even get some opinions from previous students. I’m a big believer in following your gut intuition, so I think if you feel it’s the right fit for you, then go for it.
Finally, do some research on the teachers who are leading programme. This is something I wish I had done, but luckily enough I had a set of amazing teachers. Ultimately the teachers are one of the biggest parts of the experience as they will be guiding you through this wonderful journey. So find a course in which the teachers inspire you, as ultimately their teaching style will probably rub off on your own!
To sum up, completing a yoga teacher training in 2024 has never been so accessible and I think this is such a wonderful thing as the world needs more yoga. Whether you want to turn yoga teaching into a full-time business, or purely immerse yourself in a yogic lifestyle for a month, I can’t give you any reason not to complete a training. Just ensure you are truly ready for the experience and try to remain open to the journey!
PS: I did my training at La Casa Shambala in Koh Phangan Thailand, and I cannot recommend them highly enough
All course details can be found on their website: