The Day I said Yes to Yoga Teacher Training (and how it changed everything!)

In 2001, I said YES to Yoga Teacher Training. I had just moved to D.C. from San Francisco for work. I didn't know many people. I was lonely, questioning my decision to move, and seriously considering leaving.

And then one day, I spotted a sign at the front desk of the little yoga studio where I'd been taking classes.

"Yoga Teacher Training."

Something about it spoke to me. I didn't overthink it. I didn't go home and make a pros-and-cons list. I spontaneously signed up, right there at the front desk. And the moment I said YES, it felt like the universe started saying YES right back.

Things began falling into place in the most unexpected, wonderful ways. I met some of my very best friends in that training. The chosen family kind. The ones who are still part of my life more than two decades later.

And although I hadn't signed up to become a yoga teacher (I just loved yoga and wanted to learn more!), something shifted a few weeks into the program. I started offering little "practice classes" in my tiny Cleveland Park living room. We could squeeze in six yoga mats if we got creative, and I served everyone tea afterward. I loved every minute of it.

About halfway through the training, I did something I never could have imagined doing just a few months earlier. I gave notice at my job.

A job I liked. A job I was good at. A job that, if I'm being completely truthful, had me quietly asking myself:

"Is this it? Is this what I want to be doing in 5, 10, or 20 years?"

Before teacher training, I don't think I would have had the courage to leave. Looking back, I know it was the steady yoga practice, the self-inquiry, and the community I found in training that helped me get clear.

And I don't think those little "aha!" moments were coincidences.

I believe this kind of transformation is exactly what becomes possible when we give ourselves the time and space to look honestly at our lives.

To ask the harder questions. What's working? What's not? What do I want more of? What am I ready to let go of?

And perhaps most importantly, to be surrounded by people who encourage us, challenge us, and remind us of what's possible when we start believing in ourselves.

Here's the thing: I had SO many reasons to say NO.

I wasn't "good enough" at yoga. I didn't have the time. It was a big financial investment. I had no idea what I'd do with the training afterward.

And if I'm being honest, I wasn't entirely convinced I was worth that kind of investment in myself.

I'm so grateful I said yes anyway.

Many of you know what happened next.

Those little six-mat living room classes eventually grew into something I never could have imagined:
Flow Yoga Center.

And here we are, more than 22 years later. ❤️

Sometimes I wonder how different my life would be if I'd walked past that little sign. All of this is to say: if you've been thinking about yoga teacher training, even just a little, I encourage you to explore that curiosity.

You don't need to know whether you want to teach. You don't need to be able to do a handstand. And you certainly don't need to have everything figured out. Sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do is give yourself the opportunity to learn, grow, and see what unfolds.

Of course, where you train matters. A lot.

And having led teacher trainings at Flow since 2004, I've learned a few things about what makes a program truly worthwhile. So whether you're considering training with us or somewhere else, here are some questions I think everyone should ask before signing up.

10 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Yoga Teacher Training

Teacher training is a meaningful commitment of your time, energy, and money. And not all programs are created equal.

A great training should offer so much more than a certificate. It should give you a strong foundation, experienced teachers, thoughtful guidance, and a community that supports your growth.

Here's what I'd encourage you to look for:

1. What's the program's history and reputation?

How long has the school been offering teacher training? How many students have graduated? Where are those graduates now? Is there an application or conversation to make sure the program is a good fit for each student? Experience matters, and so does a school's commitment to the people it trains.

2. Who will actually be teaching you?

Get to know the lead teachers. How long have they been practicing and teaching? Where did they train? Who were their teachers? How many teacher trainings have they led?

And here's something people often forget to ask: Did the lead teachers develop the curriculum themselves, or are they teaching someone else's?

3. What does the training actually look like?

Will you spend most of your time with the lead teachers, or will the program be taught primarily by rotating guest instructors? Guest experts can add value, but there should also be continuity, mentorship, and a clear vision guiding the experience ideally led by senior teachers at the studio who get to know your name, your practice and be a consistent presence throughout the training.

4. What yoga traditions and philosophies inform the training?

Is the program grounded in a particular lineage or approach? Does it offer a thoughtful exploration of yoga's history, philosophy, and roots? Look for a program that goes beyond teaching poses and gives you a deeper understanding of the practice.

5. How does the training approach cultural appreciation, appropriation, and inclusion?

Yoga has deep cultural and spiritual roots. A responsible program should honor those roots while encouraging meaningful conversations about cultural appropriation, accessibility, diversity, and equity in the modern wellness world. These conversations matter.

6. What is the actual time commitment?

Ask about the schedule, required attendance, homework, practice teaching, and work outside of training weekends. What happens if you miss a session? Is there flexibility for real life? You want a program that takes your education seriously while recognizing that you have a life outside of training.

7. What happens after graduation?

Does the school stay connected with its graduates? Are there opportunities to practice teach, assist classes, receive mentorship, or eventually join the teaching team? Even if you don't plan to teach right away, it's wonderful to know there's a community and support system waiting for you afterward.

8. Is the school registered with Yoga Alliance?

Look for a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS 200) and make sure its curriculum meets the established 200-hour standards. You can also read reviews from previous trainees through Yoga Alliance. These can offer valuable insight into the quality of the experience.

9. Can you continue learning after the initial training?

Does the school offer advanced study, continuing education, workshops, or mentorship? A good 200-hour training should be the beginning of a lifelong learning journey, not the end.

10. Can you talk to people who've actually completed the program?

This might be the most valuable question of all. Ask graduates what they loved, what challenged them, and whether they'd choose the same training again.

And perhaps most importantly, ask them how the experience changed their relationship with yoga, themselves, or their lives.

One Last Thought...

When I signed up for teacher training back in 2001, I thought I was signing up to learn more about yoga. I had absolutely no idea I was signing up for a whole new chapter of my life. Not everyone who takes teacher training becomes a yoga teacher. And that's the beautiful thing about it. Some people discover a new career. Others find lifelong friends, deepen a practice they already love, or simply make space for themselves in a way they haven't in years. Whatever your reason, choose a program that feels right for you. Ask questions. Meet the teachers. Talk to graduates. Take your time.

And if you're curious about Flow's Training - we’d love meet you! We’re also happy to invite you to a complimentary class with one of our lead teachers so you can get a feel for the people and community behind the training. No pressure. No question too big or too small.

Because you never know where one little YES might lead.

With love,

Debra 💛
Founder, Flow Yoga Center