Anyone done yoga teacher training?

[Chava]

Just wondering if any of you have done yoga teacher training and how it's worked in your life. I don't feel like I can afford training (actually leaning towards Pilates, but have looked into yoga training often too). The training isn't cheap. Do you find yourself teaching at all? Classes? Privates? Or was the training worth it as sort of commitment to your self and taking care of yourself? I'm kind of looking at it that way, just a commitment to being still and strong, and goal-oriented (all hard for me).

I'd also just like the challenge. Something NEW, something to study, something mind-body integrative and intensive, something to get excited about and look forward to. I need something and this seems to make sense.

Anyway, if there's a chance anyone has similar experience to share, let me know if it was worth it to you to do the expensive training. Thanks

 

[joeylittle]

Paging @Kefira to the thread...
Teaching Certification

 

[Kefira]

Haha. Thanks for the page @joeylittle. I would have missed it. And by now everyone must know how much I love to talk, so that would have been a shame ;)

I did a month long intensive training for the 200 Hour Cert in July. I did it partly to be able to teach and partly to be better able to do. Because let's face it, it's really hard to stick to a practice when you don't understand the practice well enough to just get on your mat and come up with what to do that day. Classes/videos are nice, but it's so much more approachable when you're able to walk yourself through your flow for the day.

I found personally that it was one of the most difficult but rewarding things I could have done. I would NOT recommend doing an intensive (this was a month of about 14 hour days, 3-4 of which were asana practice in one for or another) unless your practice is very solid already and you want a serious 'oh-my-god-what-am-I-doing-here' sort of challenge. I stayed at an ashram for a month beforehand, so I already had the immersion coming in, but everyone was sore and in total information overload the whole time. I'm an into the fire, go big or go home sort of person so this worked for me, but we had a few people have minor breakdowns (literally, one girl ran screaming across the field outside) and have to leave. Even in a program over a longer time, it's hard work and a lot to learn.

I find I have a much stronger body connection having learned all of the proper alignment, and oh my goodness asana breakthroughs are just the best. I've got a couple good party tricks now :D. I also chose a program with an emphasis upon the spiritual components of the art, so I gained a lot of meditation/breathing techniques as well as some chants. Regardless if the program is Yoga Alliance certified (which I'd STRONGLY recommend for later credibility) you'll be learning yoga but also studying the Sutras and learning about the wisdom of the tradition at least some. You also get a built in group of pretty cool people in your class and a close bond with them while you go through the process together. So all good things.

I have been teaching some: I'm doing a restorative yoga workshop nearby in January and I sub for a studio in the area. I also have taught privately some. I read people really well, so once I have moved and am marketing myself more that will be one of my focuses. It's hard to get your foot in the door at a studio with only a 200 training, much easier with a 500 but it's doable. I haven't really looked for any substantial employment with it yet but will be in May and will also be planning to finish more specialized training within the next couple of years.

That's what I can think of now, happy to answer any questions though. It's been a lovely crazy journey so far.
I hope whatever you decide that it is absolutely perfect for you
Namaste

 

[Chava]

Thanks @Kefira , lots of good things to consider. In my head, I've thought intensive would be great...get it all done fast. But I know it would be a horrible route for me. I think I'd have to research a bit and make sure I could do training with some limitations (certain joints are too hyper-mobile and there are certain poses or moves that are NOT good for me....but so many others that are very good). Good luck getting yourself established after your move!

 

[Kefira]

In my experience with my program and other people who I have talked to who have trained elsewhere, I wouldn't worry too much about limitations. Everyone is at a different place and acceptance of our bodies where they're at is a bit part of what yoga's about. I have a spinal issue from my abuse that prevents me from doing poses with compression on the neck, and certain poses are difficult due to other old injuries. It actually ended up being a good thing, because I could be the model for how to modify poses, and once I got in that role I was always asking how to modify based on other people I know with their own limitations. Let's be realistic: not everyone you teach is going to be ultra flexible and fit. And being able to safely teach, adapt, and assist the positions is far more important than being able to do them yourself.

It was difficult at times, because I'm just never going to be able to stand on my head. But I also have strength in poses other people ignore, because those are MY challenging poses that work in my body and I work to excel at.

Personally I would make inquiries as to whether they have physical requirements for the teachers they train. My program didn't. At all. Personally I think it's good to have some limitations and some experience modifying poses, because you'll have to teach your students to be okay when they have something that doesn't work for them, but also when someone is injured and has to modify their practice it can be devastating for people who are really serious about their practice. It's really good to have the empathy and the experience on that.

 

[Chava]

Personally I would make inquiries as to whether they have physical requirements for the teachers they train

that helps...yes, good question. Thanks again!

 

[Chava]

p.s. I've outlined some goals to meet on my own before dropping $ on major training. I'm a bit impulsive and like to make big decisions on whims sometimes :woot::wacky::whistling:. But I have to say, that hasn't always been bad either because I usually don't back down. I think it's my way of not over-thinking (plus my impulsivity)...like how I just kick my own ass. But I'm trying a more balanced process. I sh#t away a lot of money last year on things I thought would be "LIFE-CHANGING." :woot::woot::woot::banghead::poop::O_o:Something like yoga training would be...but I'm cautious of that rush to fix everything or find a cure-all.