Frequently Asked Questions about: Teacher Training

Q: What is a typical day in the training like?

You begin your day with a 2-2.5 hour asana practice each training day (except for the Anatomy Weekend), and as the program progresses you will also have a pranayama and meditation practice at the top of class. The asana practice will focus on a specific type of posture(s) (e.g. inversions), and will let you experience how to sequence a class to effectively, and creatively prepare the body for your peak pose(e.g Sirsasana, Headstand).

You will have a short break after practice. You will have a discussion about the day’s practice focusing on the sequencing method. You will then have a lecture/discussion class about the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and of the history of Yoga until your lunch break. After lunch (typically a 30-minute break), you will look at the anatomy components important to the type of posture(s) you practiced in the morning (e.g. looking at the shoulder girdle and spine for inversions). You will then discuss the Asana Points for inversions detailing the benefits and contraindications of the postures, as well as the specific alignment details. You will have a posture lab, which is looking at different students bodies in the posture (e.g. Sirsasana) to practice your assessment skills.

You will also learn all of the hands-on adjustments for those postures studied in the morning, and do a little practice teaching. This is an example schedule that will vary depending on the needs of the training group, the training schedule, the studio availability, and material to be covered.

 

Q: How advanced in my yoga practice do I need to be to do this training?

The YogaWorks Teacher Training programs include a vigorous two-hour asana practice. We strongly recommend that applicants have one year of consistent asana practice (i.e. three days a week), and be practicing in a level 2, or higher class consistently. If you are new to yoga, this would not be an appropriate program to participate in. You will not benefit from learning yoga basics while simultaneously learning how to teach. That being said, if you have a regular yoga practice, you may be more ready than you think.

We are looking for our trainees with a solid foundation in the basic and fundamental yoga postures. To be accepted into our training programs, you will need to get a signature of approval from an approved teacher, or a letter of recommendation from your regular teacher. This teacher will observe your practice and watch to see that you understand the basics and have the ability to hear and respond to instructions. An advanced practitioner is not a person who can move deep into advanced postures. An advanced practitioner is someone who comes to the mat with a level of maturity, a willingness to learn and an understanding of the limits of their own body. 

Keep in mind this program is not only for aspiring teachers, but people who want to deepen their practice. 

 

Q: How many students are in the training? What is the typical age-range of students in the training?

We typically have 15 to 30 individuals in our trainings. Students generally range in age from 20 to 65 years of age.

 

Q: If I am applying from abroad, do I need a letter of recommendation? Do you help secure visas and housing?

You will still need to supply a letter of recommendation to complete your application. Unfortunately, we cannot secure you a student visa, or housing, but we are more than happy to provide you with housing resources (e.g. Craigslist, etc.). 

Q: What if I miss a class?  
To obtain a diploma and letter of completion you must attend 100% of the classes to comply with Yoga Alliance requirements. However, we understand that you may not be able to foresee every conflict, so we have devised the following procedures if you must miss a class. We also understand that you may need to leave class early, and this will be handled on a case-by-case basis.