Flip through any yoga magazine these days and you’re likely to be overwhelmed by the sheer number and variety of yoga teacher training programs. The skyrocketing popularity of the practice has created an unprecedented demand for yoga teachers, and a corresponding proliferation of teacher training programs. One look through a current Yoga Journal magazine and you’ll find everything from five-day intensives to two-year programs. You can choose from correspondence courses, weekly classes, and even intensive retreat-style programs in exotic tropical locales.

So you’ve decided you want to become a yoga teacher. Now what? How do you intelligently select from the mind-numbing array of programs available? Listed below are a few valuable steps that may help you in making this important decision.

1. Know Your Goals
First, be clear on why you want to become a yoga teacher. Consider the fact that being a yoga teacher is no small thing—it carries with it huge responsibility. With that said, let’s assume you’ve considered this, and determined that teaching yoga is indeed your calling. Ask yourself the following questions, and begin to formulate a checklist to help you select the best program for you:

  • What does being a yoga teacher mean to me?

  • Am I interested in teaching yoga as an authentically transformative spiritual practice or simply yoga-based exercise?

  • Am I doing this as job training or for my spiritual evolution or both?

  • What is it about yoga that has had the most profound influence
    on my life?

  • Do I feel drawn toward a particular style or aspect of the practice?

  • What are my expectations for yoga teacher training?

  • What course content do I feel is important?

  • What kind of relationship do I want with the teaching staff?

Another very important consideration is the depth of training you are seeking. Some training programs seem to value quick time to graduation over a thorough curriculum. Ask yourself this—If there was no recognized teaching credential awarded at the end of the program, would it still be worth my while?

2. Recognize the Facts
Despite the claims of many programs, yoga teacher training programs do not create yoga teachers. True teaching does not arise from attending a program, no matter how comprehensive; yoga teaching arises as a result of the experience of yoga. This experience is derived from a combination of practice and study. So regardless of how many facts, quotes, and teaching techniques are crammed into your head, it is the practice and corresponding experiences that make you a true teacher.

Thus yoga practitioners earnest in their desire to teach will dive deeply into their own practice, investing time in a thorough and well-constructed teacher training program. The best programs recognize this and are designed to lead student-teachers toward the experience of yoga, while simultaneously introducing yogic philosophy, anatomy, asana theory, and teaching techniques. While longer is not necessarily better, consider the fact that the incubation period for a well-qualified yoga teacher is much longer than the length of most programs.

Remember, yoga is a 5,000 year old tradition. It’s a science that people have devoted entire lifetimes to understanding. It’s a rich and profound journey. With this said, you have to ask yourself how deep your understanding can become as a result of a handful of weekend seminars.

3. Shop Around
By this time you should have a clear understanding of your own motivations and needs, and you can begin prioritizing your options. Make a list of the programs you are considering based on geography, program type, length, cost, and any other criteria important to you. Once you’ve accomplished this, it’s time to comparison shop. Below are some of the areas you’ll want to evaluate before making your choice.

Program Intention—

  • What is the program’s stated intention?

  • Does the program seem to have been well thought through?

  • Does it seem to be motivated by spiritual liberation, teaching yoga-based exercise, or simply making money?

Admission Requirements—

  • What are the admission criteria?

  • Is there a practice prerequisite?

  • How does the price compare with other programs?

Note: When comparing prices, make sure you are evaluating programs with the same number of hours of instruction. For example, a 200-hour program should be much less expensive than a 500-hour program. But also know that program hours vary wildly; one 500 hour program may involve many more hours than another. If in doubt, calculate the cost based on the per hour cost of instruction.

Course Curriculum—

  • What are the credentials of the course designer?

  • Does the program seem concerned with student development or simply running people through a course of study?

  • Is the course geared toward transformation or simply the imparting of intellectual knowledge?

  • Are mentoring opportunities an integral part of the program?

  • Is the curriculum rooted in an established tradition?

  • Does the course of study include all of the elements you feel a well-versed yoga teacher should be knowledgeable about?

  • What level of certification does the course provide you (200-hour, 500-hour, or more)?

  • Is the program recognized or sanctioned on a national level?

  • How does the course curriculum (including hours devoted to each topic) compare to other programs?

Teaching Staff—

  • Take classes from the course director and primary teaching staff.

  • Does the teaching style speak to you?

  • Are you comfortable with the teachers and their style?

  • How are students treated by teachers and staff?

  • Are these people you would like to emulate?

  • Spend time with whoever will be teaching the bulk of the classes.

  • Are the teachers and course director accessible, and genuinely interested in the students?

Studio Environment—

  • How does the studio feel?

  • What kind of people seem to be drawn to the studio?

Course Director—

For thousands of years, teachers have tested prospective students prior to accepting them, and at the same time prospective students have tested the teacher. This time-honored tradition protects both the teacher and the students. Getting to know your primary teacher is more important than any other single factor. Ask questions. Some questions to ask:

  • What is the goal of yoga?

  • How is this goal relevant to my everyday life?

  • If yoga is spiritual discipline, why so much focus on the body?

  • What is enlightenment?

  • How does performing physical postures bring about the enlightened state?

  • What are the major pitfalls that students must be alert to?

  • How can one make yoga accessible to persons with strong faiths in other traditions?

  • What is the role of the teacher?

  • What does the teacher impart that can’t be obtained through books or self study?

Be thoughtful with your questions and ponder the answers. Don’t just accept whatever is given and don’t be fooled by baseless spiritual rhetoric. Take notes, and ask more questions if the teacher’s answer isn’t clear. In many cases, the most obvious answer might not be the most mature answer, so think the answers through for your self. If you still don’t understand, ask more questions. Don’t be shy or intimidated. This is a test drive and you want to make sure you’re getting what you need.

In today’s fast-food culture influencing even the teaching of yoga and the training of yoga teachers, the wise and careful selection of a teacher training program is more important than ever. As with everything in life, there are no guarantees. But with a thoughtful approach and proper preparation, you will greatly increase the chances that your teacher training investment will be a richly rewarding experience.

4. Have Fun!