I know the feeling – like, me, maybe you’ve been exercising yoga for a while – maybe it’s even changed your life, and now you (like me) want to push the commitment up a notch. Time seems right to involve yourself in more than what is possible in 90-minute sessions and the workshop – and teacher teaching seems to be to be the next logical phase.
I’ll be the first to confess that yoga teacher coaching (YTT) was one of the most growth-filled, treatment, with positive encounters in my life- I just wish I’d been ready for what actually happened after I got my certification.
If teaching isn’t an intention, then go forward and skip this post. If you are like me, you might want to take pay attention too.
Here is my record of the things I wish I’d known when I made the choice to become a yoga instructor (as well as a few guidelines if you consider getting into a yoga training course):
1. Have some encounter exercising yoga (pro tip: yoga is more than asana). I thought this was obvious, and then lately joined a conference for an exercise I am considering. A person was certified who had only taken a few of sessions. Again-if getting it with no intention to teach right away, this doesn’t apply to you.
2. Get an instructor you like and regard, and who has a life outside that of yoga. Preferably, this instructor shows their mistakes every now and again and can talk from experience. Even more importantly, this person can accept the mistake when they get it wrong.
Perhaps you’ve found your instructor, and they begin talking about the next coaching. Let’s add some crucial thinking: YTT is yoga teachers’ bread and butter. I will be willing to bet that often, the teachers are not actually dedicated to whether or not we ever become an instructor. This is another reason it is important to have a real relationship with an instructor before making the decision: research with someone who recognizes the value you will provide to an instructor and uncover that value with the proper tools.
3. Yoga is many things; if you choose to educate, one of what exactly yoga will become is a business. Find out how much of it is devoted to teaching how to get around the business part of educating yoga. There is a lot more to educating yoga for an income.
Which brings me to my next tip:
4. Make sure there are ways in place to support new instructors. That might be mentoring with a knowledgeable instructor. It might mean opportunities to practice-teach and get reviews. If there is no sign that you will be supported after you graduate, I say run.
5. Don’t stop your day job. Ever. You might not begin teaching right away. The day might come where you can teach just very well, but until that happens, you will probably need something, at least, and part-time keep you going.