How Much Experience Do I Need Before Taking Yoga Teacher Training?
Invariably, when supporting our students’ enrollment process into yoga teacher training, the question arises: “How long should I have been taking yoga classes before I’m ready to embark on a full training?”
And, for many students, regardless of how many hours of practice they have acquired:“Are my skills advanced enough? How will my poses compare to the other students’?”
Additionally, inquiries like: “I’m out of practice/shape right now, but I’m wanting an experience like this. Can I confidently enroll?” “Do I need to be able to do a head/handstand in order to take this course, because I cannot?”
We admire and appreciate self-reflection as a necessary part of the research and planning that goes into the decision to invest time and resources into an interpersonal growth program like a teacher training experience. We have even considered whether a “prerequisite” amount of personal practice should be required.
Yet, time and time again, as I sit with these questions in the interest of the heartfelt practitioner, whom I hope to guide with integrity through their unique enrollment process, I come to the same answer: Who am I to decide when someone else’s level of or experience, and inspiration, is adequate preparation for them? Why would I possibly set a rule around this? Still, a standard, flexible recommendation could be helpful. I think you will find Samadhi Yoga Denver yoga teacher training to be much like many of our class offerings, in that we welcome everyone wherever they are in their yogic journey–their presence if proof they are ready.
So, can a person decide to take teacher training, and be ready for such a course, after taking a couple classes on YouTube? Stranger things have happened, sure. And post-pandemic, students who have only practiced along with teachers online were not uncommon. Yet, I would advise such a soul to please take several in person classes with us and at other Denver yoga studios they’re drawn to. Take a moment to connect with teachers and ask about their experience with teacher training, especially the ones who participate in the training, if possible.
If one commits early, they can take advantage of the unlimited Sangha Membership that is included with tuition. And, ideally even get a head start on reading (discounted retail is another member perk)!
You can also run through an internal checklist:
Do the cues of yoga poses come naturally and resonate in my body and mind?
How do I feel after a yoga class?
Am I comfortable sitting, listening and philosophizing for hours on end, in addition to pushing my physical body in lengthy asana sessions?
Can I be ok with not being the most “advanced” student in the room?
Do I find myself wanting to know more…all I can learn about yoga?
Can I show dedicated studentship even when I inevitably get tired?
Your answers, along with writing lists of the pros and cons of this endeavor will help you to determine your readiness.
I often advise students to answer the application questions when leaning toward signing up, even if not 100% decided. Why? Because the energy cultivated in the process of considering, reflecting and stating your experience, motivations and intentions, in writing, can only bring you closer to accomplishing any goal (or further from, for the time being, and that’s ok too).
In short, only YOU will know when the time is right for you to take training. We’ve seen students succeed in our program, both who have been diligent yogis for years, and others who are profoundly moved soon upon finding yoga to dive into deep study quickly.
We will do our best to individually help your process along, while simultaneously trusting your innate intuition and knowledge of Self to direct you to a training experience when the pieces all fall into place for you.
To learn more about our upcoming Denver yoga teacher training programs, click here.
-Emelia