4 Tips for Choosing Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Programs
4 Tips for Choosing Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Programs
After completing your RYT200 training, you meet the minimum requirements to start your own personal yoga practice. However, many yoga instructors discover that the 200-hour yoga training program is not enough to help them stand out and decide it is wise to invest in an advanced yoga teacher training program.
If you feel like you want to continue your yoga teacher training, go deeper into your craft, and set yourself apart from other yoga teachers, then it might be time to find the right advanced yoga teacher training course for you. You will also want to ensure you choose a yoga accreditation program that you will enjoy because you are likely to be spending 100 to 300 hours to reach your goals.
To help you find the best advanced yoga teacher training courses, Prema Yoga Institute has put together some helpful hints and tips on what to look for in a continuing education program for yoga instructors.
1. Double Check Certifications and Accreditations
The first thing you need to do when looking into advanced yoga teacher training is ensure the training course is certified by the Yoga Alliance. There are many wonderful non-accredited yoga teacher training courses out there, but the benefits of Yoga Alliance accredited courses will prove helpful down the road.
You should also investigate the certifications and memberships held by the teachers at your program. This can help you get an idea of their experience, specialties, and philosophy of yoga.
For example, Prema Yoga Institute lists all of its faculty bios on its Faculty page. Give the faculty bios a read and research the instructors online to see if you think they would be a good fit for you. Often, accredited yoga instructors will have free videos for you to watch – this is a great way to get a feel for an instructor before you commit to a yoga teacher training course.
2. Narrow Down Your Teaching Focus
Before you can find the perfect yoga teacher training course for you, you must know what you want out of your yoga teacher training. Do you want to be a better teacher in a specific area? Learn more about the history of yoga? Or maybe you’re looking to level-up your spiritual growth.
Whatever your goals, one of the best ways to find the right advanced yoga teacher training program is to look at the yoga courses’ outline or syllabus. While the 200-hour RYT pretty much covers the general basics, as you get into advanced yoga training, things tend to be a bit more niche.
By checking out the yoga training program’s curriculum, you can get a better idea of what you will be focusing on. Some advanced yoga programs spend a lot of time on anatomy and posture, some go deep into the history and philosophy of yoga, and other programs are all about spirituality and healing.
Ask yourself who your ideal client is and how you can use advanced yoga training to help them. Once you discover a group you would enjoy serving, your niche may become clearer.
Remember to take your time. You may go down several different paths before narrowing down your niche and that is okay. Enjoy exploring your skills and passions as a yoga instructor.
3. Consider Whether You Prefer In-Person or Online Advanced Yoga Training Courses
This is a big question to ask yourself when looking for an advanced yoga teacher training course, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and the rise of online courses. Is it important to you to be able to go to an in-person yoga class with a hands-on teacher? Or does an online yoga training format work better for you?
Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for this question, so it really depends on your preferences and schedule. If you’re the type of person who wants a hands-on, intense yoga training experience, a yoga retreat might be the right choice for you. But if you want to go at your own pace in your own space (or if you are practicing social distancing), online yoga training courses might be a better fit. Additionally, some yoga training courses are available both online and locally.
One thing is certain, online yoga courses have recently been elevated to a whole new level due to remote learning necessities. It may be wise to consider taking full advantage of these online yoga teacher training courses while they are available.
4. Ask the Right Questions
Before you choose an advanced yoga teacher training program, do some background research and make sure to ask the right questions. Some questions to try and answer:
What teachers do they work with? Are these teachers experienced in aspects of yoga I want to learn more about?
What do other students have to say about this program? Are there reviews or testimonials I can check out?
Is there a way to contact the program with questions before investing in their courses?
Never be afraid to contact a program in advance. A good program will be willing to answer your questions before you invest in their advanced yoga training courses.
Finding the Best Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Programs
These days, there are so many advanced yoga teacher training programs out there that it can be tough to know which one is the right choice. But if you use these tips and tricks, you should be able to find the perfect program for you.
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Currently, Prema Yoga Institute is offering online study options for ALL of our yoga trainings in 2021. PYI has a variety of programs with a focus in therapeutic yoga and aging bodies. Should we be able to study together in person in late 2021, you can choose the online option of live study, or join us in person at our studio in New York city.
We hope you’ll consider Prema Yoga Institute for your online advanced yoga training program. We’re an accredited program based in New York city, teaching students around the globe through online classes. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you advance your yoga practice and teaching!
