12 Ways to Make the Most of Your Yoga Teacher Training • Yoga Basics

Attending a yoga teacher training program demands a lot of effort physically, mentally, and emotionally. Many students start yoga teacher training (YTT) with big hopes but little planning. The students who get the most out of a YTT are not always the most flexible or the most experienced. They tend to be the ones who show up with a plan and a clear intention, stay focused, work hard, and stay engaged. They see the program as a once in a lifetime opportunity for self-discovery and inner growth.

From my experience attending and leading yoga teacher training programs, here are tips to make the most of your YTT.

Set a Clear and Realistic Intention (Sankalpa)

Sankalpa is the yogic approach to setting and following an intention. This is not the same as a goal. A goal is a destination; a sankalpa is a direction. Most yoga students arrive at teacher training not sure if they want to teach someday. Or if they do, they are unclear on what style or population they want to work with. While it’s unrealistic to think you will have all the answers or your path clearly laid out, the better direction you have, the better success you will have at attaining it.

So before your program starts, take some time to reflect on what you wish to get out of your YTT. Ask yourself some questions to formulate your intentions and goals. Do you see yourself teaching yoga? If so, what qualities do you want to bring to your classes? How do I want my yoga practice to evolve during and after this program? What aspects of the curriculum (philosophy, anatomy, meditation, teaching) am I most eager to explore? What fears or doubts do I have about this training? What does success in this training look like for me beyond certification?

Write your intentions down and take them with you. Revisit them throughout the training as a reminder of why you are here. The intensive nature of a YTT can change what you thought you wanted. Check in to see if your intentions need updating or refining as you move through the training.

Immerse Yourself in the Training

A good quality YTT will flood you with information. It’s typical to feel overwhelmed by this. It’s normal to check out to some degree to regulate your system. But the more you can engage with the coursework, physical practice, and community interactions, the richer your learning experience will be.

Here’s how to best immerse yourself:

• Show up: Don’t just attend; prepare by doing assigned readings and reflecting on previous lessons.
• Engage actively: Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share insights.
• Practice Tapas (yogic willpower): Commit to your practice and learning, even on tough days when your body is sore after too many sun salutations. Practicing daily discipline builds resilience and inner strength.
• Pace yourself: Mindfully use rest, play, and recreation to avoid burnout and process and integrate new information.

Attend Outside Classes

No single YTT covers every approach to yoga. Your lead teacher has a lineage, a vocabulary, a way of sequencing, and a unique approach to teaching yoga poses. Which is valuable but limiting. Taking classes from different teachers in different traditions offers benefits that no single program can provide. If your YTT is spaced out over several months, take advantage of the time between to check out other classes. If you are doing a month-long intensive, give yourself some time after you graduate to explore yoga classes out in the world.

Pay attention as a teacher as well as a student. Notice what resonates and what doesn’t. Watch how they handle beginners, how they use their voice, and how they build and structure their sequence. If you are curious about why or how they teach an asana, ask them after class!

Keep a Practice and Reflection Journal

Journaling is a great tool to help process your reactions and emotions. It can also be an amazing memento to document your transformation. It is also an opportunity to practice Svadhyaya (self-study), the fourth niyama in Patanjali’s eight-limbed path. A lot can come up during a yoga teacher training, and writing it down helps you track not just your practice but your inner shifts.

Begin with a daily practice journal. Note down your practice insights, challenges, and struggles. When something heavy or intense shows up, lean into that and write it all out. Resist the urge to edit. Instead, use your journal to purge your feelings and express where you are at in the now.

You may wish to go back to previous entries to take your Svadhyaya practice further. Look for patterns, shifts, and changes. Are there recurring challenges in my practice or teaching? How do I feel about my progress? Am I seeing any old habits or beliefs that hold back my progress?

Practice Self-Kindness and Compassion

It’s easy to beat yourself up and judge your shortcomings in a yoga teacher training program. Pressure, self-doubt, and comparison are common experiences in a YTT. Use this as an opportunity to practice kindness and compassion towards yourself.

Ahimsa (non-violence or non-harming) is a core philosophical principle in yoga. Practice viewing mistakes as information for improvement. Don’t aim for perfection; instead, look for good enough for now. Growth is a process filled with ups and downs.

Notice when negative thoughts arise and neutralize them using Patanjali’s practice of Pratipaksha Bhavana. When you notice a negative or harmful thought, quickly replace it with a positive thought. For example, swap out the negative thought, “I’m not good at this,” with: “I am learning and growing.” While not easy, it is a potent practice to promote inner peace and mental balance.

Ask Questions and Seek Clarification

Most teachers in a YTT prefer questions to silence, because silence can mean someone is confused or not engaged with the topic. When your teacher explains a concept from the Yoga Sutras and something doesn’t land, raise your hand. When you can’t figure out why a yoga sequencing choice works, ask about the reasoning behind it.

Be smart and considerate with your approach. Ask specific questions rather than vague ones. For example, “What are common mistakes to avoid in twists?” lands better than “Can you go over twists again?” Or, “How does Tapas help build discipline during challenging practices?” is more specific than “Can you explain Tapas again?”

Be Willing to Unlearn Old Habits and Beliefs

You will show up at your yoga teacher training program with your existing habits and worldview. Everyone does. Your YTT will challenge many of your assumptions and preconceptions about the practice of yoga. It is your choice to stick to your guns and believe you know better than your teachers.

But if you can step into a place of curiosity and open-mindedness you are much more likely to grow and evolve, embrace new perspectives, and promote humility. These are all important skills that can help you excel at teaching yoga. This doesn’t mean accepting every word as truth, especially if it comes off as dogma. Check your ego, but trust your intuition.

As Aayush Sharma, Founder of Moola Yoga Rishikesh, explains, “In the quest of becoming a ‘good teacher’, it is important to be the best student. This student carries the flower of curiosity and is always open to learning continuously. They allow space for learning new ideas and tools that they can utilize to share the knowledge they have gained.”

Stay Present and Minimize Distractions

Your attention is your most valuable asset in a YTT. Allowing yourself to get distracted by phone notifications, social media, and texts reduces your ability to absorb the material and fully experience the training.

Strategies to minimize distractions:

• Set your phone on silent or do not disturb. Consider putting away your phone entirely during your sessions.
• Designate specific times for checking your phone. Instead of responding immediately to every notification, commit to a schedule for catching up on messages and social media.
• Create a distraction-free study space: find a quiet and calm environment to study in that is free from interruptions.
• Limit multitasking: focus on one task at a time during your training hours. Avoid mixing yoga study with unrelated work or personal tasks.

Prioritize Rest and Integration

YTT programs can be overwhelming and exhausting. Pay attention and honor how much rest and integration you need. On session breaks, pause, connect, and assess your internal state. Have a list of self-care options you can choose from. Here are a few examples: Go for a walk or sit somewhere quiet, get a massage, or process your thoughts and emotions with a fellow YTT student.

On your afternoons or days off, find activities that give you deep rest. A gentle yoga class, a long hike, or a nap can recharge your body, mind, and spirit to make you much more available for the next day’s material.

Respect the Yoga Tradition and the Local Environment

Exploring the history and context of modern yoga adds depth to your practice and teaching. By understanding yoga’s roots, you can be creative and innovative with your teaching while staying authentic and respectful to its tradition. When you honor this lineage, you can teach with integrity and adapt practices thoughtfully without diluting their essence.

If you are traveling for your training, approach the local customs and traditions with care and respect. For example, at an ashram or temple, cover your shoulders and knees (it’s a sign of respect). When you are mindful and follow local traditions, you demonstrate kindness, humility, respect and gratitude.

Explore Other Resources to Supplement Your Learning

While your YTT will give you a solid educational base, no single program can cover everything. Supplementing your learning with outside resources fills in the gaps. Exploring yoga websites, books, and podcasts can round out your education and give you more depth and understanding. If something in your YTT piques your interest, do a quick online search to explore what’s out there.

Online courses and video libraries can support your training between sessions, and after you graduate. Look for teachers who resonate with you and have the appropriate level of depth and knowledge that you are seeking. Don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone with teachers and topics outside of your tradition.

Use Technology Wisely

Digital tools can be a great help during a YTT. Apps like Otter.ai or Notigo let you capture lectures and discussions with features like auto-transcribing, searchable transcripts, and summaries. What is really cool is that you can convert your transcripts into learning tools like flashcards and short quizzes.

Because Yoga Teacher Trainings (YTTs) often involve vulnerable sharing, personal history, and specific trade secrets, get permission to record and use a note taking app. The best practice is to only record the technical lectures and not any practicum or circle sharing. Only share transcripts or clips with permission. Make sure the use of these tools does not replace showing up, practicing, and being fully present to learn.

Final Thoughts

Yoga teacher training is tough and challenging. The more you show up and engage physically, mentally, and emotionally, the greater the rewards will be. You can approach your YTT as a unique opportunity to see yourself as you truly are, or you can choose to coast through it with minimal effort. Regardless, the knowledge, tools, and personal connections you create in your YTT will stay with you for a lifetime.