As a teacher, I get asked this question a lot.

How do I choose the right teacher training and where do I even begin the search?

It can be a minefield out there. Deciding to embark on a teacher training (TT) is a big decision and there are many factors that contribute to finding the perfect match. Every decision is personal and there will be different priorities and considerations for us all. However, I think there are some fundamental questions and areas of thought that are universal and can help steer us in the right direction. I hope this serves as a starter guide to get the ball rolling…

So first thing first, get clear on your WHY.

Ask yourself “Why do I want to do a TT?” Is it to immerse yourself in practice, develop your understanding of asana, philosophy or anatomy? Is it to surround yourself with like-minded people? Is it because you want to teach? Are you a teacher already and you’re looking for the next course to further develop your skills?

Of course, it’s likely that your ‘why’ might change once you get started, and that’s OK. But I think getting clear on your ‘why’ is a really important first step and it will help guide you from here. For example, if it’s the philosophy that you love, then you want to make sure that the philosophy on the TT you’re considering is led by someone you feel is credible and that there is enough time dedicated to this area of study. If you’re a teacher and you’re looking for a further training to support a wider offering, then perhaps consider what part of your teaching you absolutely love and how you could explore it more. Is it working one-to-one, working with pregnant women or being with kids?

Use your why to get clear and let it inform your next steps.

Aside from your ‘why’, I believe there are 3 key areas that need to be taken into account.

The Teacher

I am always surprised when I hear from students or teachers that are looking at doing a TT but have never practised with the teacher. I believe a connection with the teacher is absolutely fundamental to how much you will get out of the course. Ultimately you will be learning principles and theories from someone and this comes from their own personal enquiry, but also the lineage that they have studied and trained with. An ashtanga TT may be vastly different from a TT which is led by a teacher who is inspired by Iyengar practice. So my first response to anyone considering a TT is to go and practise with the teacher you are considering studying with. Another suggestion is to see if you can speak to someone who has already done the training. What was their experience? What did they love and not love? How are they finding things now after graduating? Are they teaching and importantly, do they still feel supported by their teachers?

Going through a TT is physically very demanding but also it can be emotionally challenging and even intense. You need to be sure that your teacher is able to support you through this with sensitivity – it is often a life-changing process for many people and the student-teacher relationship is absolutely key. I feel so lucky that I was extremely supported by both of my teachers and I still am now. I am in touch with them both and have regular supervision. If the training is abroad, this can be trickier but perhaps consider a Skype session so you can ask these important questions.

The Style

What style of yoga are you already practising? Have you tried a number of different styles? Many people who are at the point of considering a teacher training have a regular practice and no doubt have found a style that resonates with them, but it can still be worth exploring different classes and styles if you haven’t before. This will help you get clear about the style of training you want to invest in. This really goes hand-in-hand with the teacher and probably if you feel a connection and sense of trust with the teacher, then it often comes down to their approach to teaching and their practice. ‘Yoga’ is such a broad term and the content, alignment principles, philosophies, attention to anatomy vary greatly in TTs around the world, so do your research as best as you can. Speak to teachers that you love. Where did they train? What is their lineage? It’s worth digging under the surface to see what’s informing the yoga on offer.

The Practicalities: Timings, location & investment

Are you on a sabbatical from work and have a dream of spending a few weeks in India?

Are you in a full time job and need to find a training that works around your 9am-5pm schedule?

Yoga trainings vary greatly in duration and there are locations all over the world offering them. The costs also vary greatly. Many TTs have payment options and early bird discounts, so it’s worth enquiring about this. You need to attain a minimum of 200 hours to teach. There are TTs that offer up to 500 hours and everything in between. A 200-hour training could be completed in an intensive training (normally 3-4 weeks) or spread over around 18 months. Two year trainings normally offer contact time of 350 hours and up. Think realistically about what you can commit to, given your current additional responsibilities – family, work etc. It’s important not to overstretch yourself in all areas (finances, timings etc) so again, reach out to a graduate of the training if possible. How did they find the workload? How did they manage the costs/schedule alongside their other commitments? First hand experience is always the best way to gain a deeper insight so that you can make an informed choice.

To help get you started, we have curated a roundup of trainings in different styles for both students and teachers. These courses are run over various time lengths, in various styles and locations. This guide is simply a starting point to help you on your journey to make an informed decision about this exciting chapter.

Lastly, once you think you’ve found a training that could be a good fit for you, the best advice I can give is to look at your support network. What support do you need from your loved ones in order to make this possible? Do you need to put in place any additional frameworks of support as you go through this process? A yoga teacher training can be a unique and profound experience. One of my teachers said to me in my interview ‘you won’t come out of this as the same person’ and she was right – it takes commitment and by nature it challenges us to work with our bodies and our psychological material which needs to be handled with care – by you and those closest to you. Know that embarking on a teacher training is a great gift to give yourself, that you might make friends for life and that you truly won’t be the same person when you finish but in the best kind of way.

I would love to hear about your TT experience and please feel free to share any further recommendations with us in the comments below.

Wishing you love and luck for this very exciting journey…