Anxieties about becoming a yoga teacher?
Get over it with these easy steps!
It is pretty normal when you are on the verge of something new to feel anxious and juggle questions in your mind. Contemplating yoga teacher training is a big step and there might be a few of the following anxieties lurking on the back of your head.
- Am I ready to spend the money?
- How am I going to devote the time?
- Ready enough to take on the challenge?
- Will I resonate with my teacher?
- What about after the training? How can I have a successful yoga career or business?
Let’s look at each question:
Am I ready to spend the money?
Yoga teacher training requires a financial commitment. It’s important that you find a training that respects the financial investment you are making and that will do their best to honor that and to make sure you have a worthwhile investment. If your goal is to have a part-time or full time career that is related to yoga, then look for trainings that not only train you to be an incredible teacher, but also work with you on business planning and career strategies for new yoga teachers.
How am I going to devote the time?
Yoga teacher training requires a commitment of time. It can be helpful to find trainings that have smaller groups, or that integrate some online studies, in order to make your training more efficient and with a focus on getting you to the end. When teacher trainings get too big, individual students can sometimes fall through the cracks and finishing their requirements drags on. Find a training that is organized, smaller, and may incorporate the use of technology to ensure that you complete your training in a timely manner.
Am I ready enough to take on the challenge?
Some students worry that they need to have a perfect looking yoga practice before they can join teacher training. This is far from the truth. As a teacher, it is most important that you are able to communicate effectively with students, and that you understand how to provide a safe and effective yoga practice for all different types of bodies. Whether you can “do” a specific yoga posture or not is irrelevant. It’s most important that you learn how to explain step by step to your students the techniques for practicing postures in ways that are both safe and challenging, while creating an environment that provides a positive experience for everyone.
Will I resonate with my teacher?
Take some time to get to know your trainer’s style and personality. You can do this by attending their class, or by talking to them on the phone. Get to know the actual person who will train you, rather than the image or name recognition. When you feel a connection with your trainer, it will be easier to communicate with them about your hopes for your training.
What about after the training?
Look for trainings that focus on both the best practices in yoga teaching, as well as best practices for a successful yoga business or career. Also, check that your trainer will still be available to answer questions after the training is over, and that you will have resources that you can keep and refer back to whenever necessary.
In the end, being a yoga teacher or running a yoga business is a wonderful gift to the world and to yourself. Best wishes on your yoga journey!
Yoga is not about being better than anyone else. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself.
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