I said "YES" to Yoga Teacher Training in 2001.
I just moved to D.C. from San Francisco for work. I didn't know too many people. I felt lonely. I was starting to question the move & considering leaving.
And then I saw a sign at the local yoga studio where I was taking classes.
It said "Yoga Teacher Training.
I said yes. And, the moment I did - the universe started to say yes right back to me-- everything started to fall into place in the most unexpected perfect ways.
I met my best friends in the training. The "chosen family" kind I'll have forever.
And, though I didn't take the training to teach (I just loved yoga & wanted to learn more about it!), a few weeks in something inside shifted & I began to offer "practice classes" in my tiny living room in Cleveland Park. We could squeeze in 6 mats & I served tea afterward.
About halfway through the training, I gave notice at my job. A job I liked. A job I was good at. A job where I often asked myself...."is this it? Is this the job I want to be doing in 5, 10, 20+ years? A job that before the training I would have never had the guts to leave.
Looking back, I know it was the steady yoga practice we did so often in the training that helped me get clear. I know these “ah -ha” moments were not by chance or coincidence...transformation is exactly what happens when we take the time to check into our lives using yoga & our steady practice as a lens for inquiry. Change for the better is possible when we take a good and honest look at our current situations, ask (and answer) the tough questions including what is working and more importantly, what is not working. Change also becomes possible when we feel the encouraging support of a good community of fellow trainees & program leaders cheering us on and holding us accountable.
There were SO MANY REASONS that I could have said NO. So many excuses- from me not being good enough at yoga, to the investment, and all the unknowns in between. I actually doubted the value of investing in myself. I'm so glad I did.
Many of you know the rest & the beginning of the next part of this story.....a story that brought forth Flow Yoga Center ;). We are now in our 16th year!
All of this is to say....if you're curious Teacher Training, or want to take free class w/ any of the lead teachers. Now is the time. No question is too big or small.
If you’ve been considering training - here are a few inquiries we recommend to assess the strength of the program. Remember - any teacher training worth of your time and investment should be led with utmost integrity, depth, and the highest standards.
How long has the program been around? Does the program “accept” everyone that applies or is there an interview/vetting process? How many “teachers” have graduated from the program? Where are they currently teaching?
Who are the teachers leading the training - and what are their experience/credentials. Did they write the curriculum? Who are their teachers? Where did they do their training? How many trainings have they led?
What is the specific format of the training? Is it led by the main teacher or mostly guest teachers?
Is the training based on a system of yoga? Who is the leader of the system?
How does the training address cultural appropriation and the social injustices that can be found in the current world of wellness?
What is the expectation for your attendance and workload outside of the training? How do they handle missed sessions?
What kind of support will you get upon completion of the program?
Is the program associated with the Yoga Alliance? Make sure you compare the Yoga Alliance criteria to the training schedule to assess if the syllabus is actually meeting the standards including the full 200 hours. You can also take a look at Yoga Alliance reviews - each trainee is asked to rate & remark on the training upon graduation.
Does the school have advanced trainings to explore, like a 300 hour training and continuing education credits if you would like to further your studies?
Finally, make sure you talk to program graduates to help give you insight on their training experience.
Taking training is a big decision - and a big investment so take the time you need to make sure it is a good fit for you. If you find the right one, it may just change your life too!