What to Expect in 100/300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

1. www.theyogainstitute.org

2. WHAT TO EXPECT IN 100/300 HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

3. Thinking about enrolling in a yoga teacher training course, well one might be filled with both enthusiasm and host of questions. This anticipation is perfectly normal.  A yoga teacher training is a transformative journey on the personal as well as the professional front. This an overview of what The Yoga Institute has to offer and information that will help you to make the decision and answer some of the pertinent questions. Here are some helpful suggestions and real life testimonials that should help you along the way.

4. Lay the Groundwork. Self-assessment is a good idea. Start with what you require and what are you looking for in a teacher training course. Decide on a programme that will suit you. Go to our website for details and try to ask the recently passed out yoga students about how was their experience? How much theory is taught? What are the practical training classes like? Essential amenities like literature, library facilities or how long of commute does it take to reach the yoga classes? What is the yoga assessment like and how you can use the training in your daily life? What to expect in 100/300 hour yoga teacher training?

5. “In life doing one’s duty is essential. Duty towards self is important,” says Dr Hansaji J Yogendra -Director of The Yoga Institute she explains that do your duty but keeping in mind one important detail – that one should not overdo anything be it Yoga Asanas or be it the diet. “Yoga asana is what interest’s students initially but they slowly absorb that yoga is more than just asanas. Often I tell students please avoid overdoing asanas when practising on their own before or after the class. Moderation is the key.” • Dr. Hansaji further adds that students get to a real life experience by way of internship at various health camps (a very unique feature of TYI). They get first-hand knowledge about health issues, learn counselling etc.

6. Yoga is an experiential science it encourages self-inquiry. You might expect that memorising Sanskrit names and learning precise, methodical way to teach about let’s say demonstrating Sarvangasana, to your students. It is a different aspect that requires self-inquiry mode especially one should ask “Am I practising what I am teaching?” “Doing asana practice yourself is one thing and demonstrating to the students is a different experience altogether!” says Krishna, an experienced classical Yoga teacher who has been taking asana classes in Mumbai for the past several years.  She continues “Yoga life can teach you lots of lessons if you are willing to inquire and learn, and then you see it transforms you into a better teacher.” Some lessons that life teaches can be painful, but you need to have faith in this process of learning and growing. We are often stuck in our comfort zone and nothing wrong with having fears and doubts and even questioning things about lifelong learning.  We just need to have faith to carry on.

7. Luckily, you are not aware but we are already equipped to deal with most of the challenges life has to offer. SmtArmaiti Desai Dean of The Yoga Institute (TYI) and advisory committee member of the teacher training programmes at TYI, Santacruz-Mumbai, says, “You can evolve your way through the yoga teacher trainingwith the practice of yoga both off and on the mat. The important thing is to not shy away from sharing your own personal experiences; be alert and aware of what you are going through, and it will be remarkable if you could observe your transformation. Always keep in mind that no matter what experiences you are having, nothing is a mistake. Having faith in the larger picture is important. Life is uniting example- you at this very moment are here so that you can have this transformative experience and connect.”

8. Accept Tests with grace- Building the emotional and physical aspects through Yoga, are there, of course, including the intellectual challenges. Test-taking can cause anyone much anxiety, but to truly evolve you will learn to accept this part as one form of assessment, rather than a final declaration on your yoga teaching skills.  SmtArmaiti Desai, says, “We assess our students on different levels based on their progress as an individual, in-class participation as well as their assignments effort and most importantly their attitude. Sometimes few students will take an exam and not fare so well, but as long as they’re doing the work sincerely and making progress along the way; it’s not about the marks or percentages scored. It is all about the process of learning and developing over a period of time.”

9. Exams and tests are in place to convey to Yoga learners about what they have understood and what areas still need improvement; we are not looking to fail you. “Training is not all testing and introspection and boring theory. It was a wonderful part of the learning process and sharing the growth experience with like-minded students. When I was at The Yoga Institute I had the sweet experience of taking Yoga class every day, with the same people and this created familiarity, and bonding with classmates; something I have not experienced since my training,” says David a teacher in Brazil, and a graduate of The Yoga Institute.

10. “A kinship slowly develops, and cross-cultural difference creates a space of understanding and acceptance leaving the students to develop a deeper capacity for learning and accommodating”, says a current student John from the three months yoga teacher training programme.

11. Working closely with individuals from all walks of life and experiencing together a physical and mental transformation through the training course can be a definitive and life-altering experience. Your personal growth and transformation may happen very quickly, or it may kick in as the coursework advances, but you will learn acceptance in a big way.  Joel says, “When I joined I was disappointed because I wanted something instant. But in about three years after I finished my programme and started teaching; it hit me like a bullet and lucky for me a huge discovery of self. It’s a very personal and difficult feeling to describe, but it all just came at once; my life, perceptions and attitude had altered. It was like something really recalibrated in a big way.”

12. Whichever way you look at it, a yoga teacher training programme will bring you to a more profound connection with yourself and understanding about who you are will surely improve. The training process includes the yoga theory and practical sessions; yoga poses and about dealing with different limitations and contraindication about the yoga teaching and will ultimately lead you to being appreciative of what it actually means to teach and live yoga every day for the rest of your life. • Dr Hansaji J Yogendra with her vast knowledge and wealth of experience is always available to answer and clear all doubts that the students might have about life, problems, Yoga etc. She is the ultimate oracle that everyone seeks when in doubt or difficulty. • Now, that you have a clue about- What to expect in 100/300 hour yoga teacher training click on our website and register today.