Yoga has been my guiding light – nurturing my mind, body, and spirit. Throughout my journey, I’ve come across countless individuals who, like me, found solace and transformation in this ancient practice.
As I ventured further into the world of Yoga, the thought of becoming a Yoga teacher crossed my mind. However, doubts clouded my excitement – “Can a beginner like me do a Yoga Teacher Training?” If you find yourself asking the same question, fear not! In this blog post, I’ll share my personal insights of how I became a yoga teacher as a beginner.
Signs that You Should do a Yoga Teacher Training as a Beginner
1. You’re Passionate or Curious About Yoga
When I first thought about becoming a Yoga teacher, I wasn’t experienced at all. In fact, my practice consisted of occasional classes and some at-home sessions (looking at you, Yoga With Adriene). I did, however, love how I felt during and after Yoga classes. My logic was that if I felt this good after one session, how amazing must the teacher feel who practices every day?! I was also curious to know whether I would be able to get into all those fancy poses.
When I signed up for my training, I didn’t know whether I would succeed or make a complete ass out of myself. It turned out, though, that Yoga Teacher Training isn’t solely reserved for advanced yogis.
In fact, each of the 30 women that were doing the training with me was a complete beginner (we just happened to be a bunch of women who signed up for this training – men were absolutely welcome). So, if you’re curious to dive deeper into the world of yoga or just love how yoga makes you feel – you are sure to gain a lot of benefit from doing your teacher training.
2. You Have a Beginner’s Mindset
As I embarked on my Yoga Teacher Training, I quickly realized that having a beginner’s mindset was a tremendous advantage. My limited experience allowed me to approach the training with an open heart and a willingness to learn without preconceived notions.
A beginner’s mindset enables you to absorb knowledge like a sponge, unburdened by the weight of expectations. It invites you to embrace each new concept with wonder and enthusiasm, allowing you to grow exponentially as a student and future teacher.
3. You Have Self-Compassion
As a beginner, you can have so much fun during your training – if you allow it. During my training, there were many students who took their training very seriously.
Even though I did too, I kept a lot of room to laugh at myself when I face planted, or to shrug it off when I couldn’t get into a pose. As long as you don’t beat yourself up when you just can’t quite get it, you will absolutely succeed in your training.
4. You Love Learning a New Skill
If you’re anything like me, you’re diving head-first into learning everything there is to know about a topic that interests you. In the world of yoga, this is a very beneficial trait to have. Yoga teacher training is not just about doing yoga flows all day long. You’ll be learning about anatomy, physiology, history, philosophy, and mantras.
You need to be open and willing to learn about concepts that you might not be familiar with. If you’re thinking, “Oh no – I’m the worst student!” don’t worry. The majority of your marks will come from the practical section of your training. So, even if you suck at studying, you’ll still pass with flying colours.
What to Expect From Your Yoga Teacher Training as a Beginner
1. Make Sure Your Training is The Right Fit
Choosing the right Yoga Teacher Training program is crucial, especially for a beginner. Seek out training programs that explicitly welcome students of all levels and backgrounds. A supportive and inclusive environment can make all the difference in your journey.
Look for a program with experienced and compassionate teachers who prioritize individual growth and provide ample guidance and support throughout the training. Remember, finding the right fit is essential, so take your time and trust your intuition when selecting a program.
2. Embrace the Learning Curve
I’ll be honest, when I first arrived at my training, I was nervous and quite overwhelmed by all the new information. But as time passed and I realised that no one else had a clue of what was going on either, I relaxed. While it’s natural to have concerns about the challenges ahead, it’s crucial to embrace the learning curve.
As a beginner, you’ll be exposed to new concepts, philosophies, and teaching methodologies. Expect to encounter unfamiliar postures, Sanskrit terminology, and anatomy lessons. Instead of being overwhelmed, view these as opportunities to expand your knowledge and deepen your understanding of Yoga’s rich heritage.
3. Have a Personal Practice Outside of Class Time
Yoga is a personal journey, and it’s crucial that you take some alone-time to really dive into what you’ve been learning. Play around with the poses you’ve been learning or do some extra research on some of the interesting yoga topics.
This really doesn’t have to be overly complicated. You’ll be doing a lot of yoga as it is, so simply take 10 to 15 minutes every day to sit with yourself and reflect on what you’ve learned.
4. Pay Special Attention to the Details
To be a great yoga teacher, you need to offer classes that you would love to join. And to do that, you need to pay close attention to the details of what you like about other teachers’ classes. I looooooved this one teacher we had – she was so well-spoken and had this calm presence. Every time she was teaching a class during our training, I nailed the most difficult poses.
Her clear explanations, gentleness, yet no nonsense attitude made me feel willing and able to step out of my comfort zone. I had another teacher who was incredibly silly and who had this way of taking all seriousness out of the class. Our bellies ached during his classes and we felt so uplifted afterwards.
So, take notes on what characteristics you enjoy about your teachers and their classes. I’m not saying you should a be copycat. I am saying, however, that you can aspire toward facilitating the same quality of classes that your amazing teacher facilitated for you.
5. Lean on Your Community
One of the most beautiful aspects of a Yoga Teacher Training is the community it fosters. As a beginner, being part of a supportive group of like-minded individuals can be incredibly uplifting. The shared experiences, challenges, and breakthroughs create an atmosphere of camaraderie and understanding.
Embrace the community aspect of the training, for it will provide you with a safe space to express yourself, ask questions, and grow together with fellow trainees. There were many times where I could do certain poses, while my fellow students could do different poses. By helping each other and explaining how we’re able to do what we do, each of us can grow and learn more quickly than if we didn’t have each other’s help.
6. Stay Humble
Just because you have your certificate, does not mean you are a hot-shot yoga teacher. You need to keep practicing and continuously immerse yourself in the classes and workshops of other teachers to ensure that you continue to learn and expand.
When I came back from my training, I had all the intention to practice multiple hours every day. However, weeks went by where I didn’t even look at my mat. And when I sat down for a practice, I felt like a beginner again. Yoga is not like riding a bike. It’s way more of a “use it or lose it” kind of thing. Keep practicing, even if just a few minutes a day and you will continue to become an extraordinary teacher.
Conclusion
As I look back on my Yoga Teacher Training journey, I’m filled with gratitude for the growth, transformation, and empowerment it offered me. The answer to whether a beginner can do a Yoga Teacher Training is a resounding “yes!”
Embrace your passion, cultivate a beginner’s mindset, and find a training program that aligns with your goals. Embrace the learning curve and nurture your personal practice, drawing inspiration from the community around you. Above all, emphasize self-compassion, for it is the key to unlocking the true potential that lies within you.
