Chicago Yoga Teacher Training

It’s a good idea to get to know the studio, the students that attend there and the teachers. Even if you don’t plan to teach or continue practicing there, this will be very illustrative of what to expect. Many studios hire from within their own program, so take note of the yoga instructors who guide your practice. Also, the vibes that you get in the studio will usually carry over into the training they offer.

Many studios that have several locations offer the same scripted teacher training and therefore produce consistent classes for that studio line. This can be appealing to some instructors and students, but often it can feel very limiting over time. It can also inhibit your opportunities as a teacher anywhere but there. If this idea is appealing to you and your practice or style, then a program at a gym or studio franchise may be your choice. But if you are looking for something that will help you find a unique voice and style that is all your own while being grounded in traditional yogic philosophy and anatomy, then a non-franchised boutique studio may be the right choice for you.

If the answer is no, take their classes before registering for their teacher training. Two-Hundred hours is a long time to spend with them, so make sure you are comfortable with their style, their energy, their moral compass and their knowledge.

Many “200-Hour” trainings don’t actually meet for 200 hours. While some of those 200 Hours can be a self-study, reading, additional yoga classes, etc, be sure you are getting the hands-on instruction and interaction that you seek. If you are simply looking for a certification, then a speedy training may be your choice to just get it done. If you are looking to learn, understand, discuss and experience (and if you are paying for 200 hours of it), then be sure you choose a program that can fulfill that requirement. And make sure it’s done in a way that gives you time to digest, experience and incorporate what you are learning without rushing through it.

This may or may not be important to you. But here are some points to consider when understanding why this can make a difference. Yoga Alliance is the governing body of yoga – meaning, they hold studios and instructors accountable in their training, in their teaching and in their continuing education. In their words, “Yoga Alliance fosters and supports the high quality, safe, accessible, and equitable teaching of yoga.” So, when a teacher is certified through Yoga Alliance, that comes with standards, a code of conduct, and the knowledge that their training was robust and well rounded. Yoga Alliance has strict standards for training, ensuring that the rich history and philosophy of yoga is understood, as well as the anatomy to keep students safe and the ethics behind the intimate contact of a yoga class; not just learning to teach a pose or a sequence. So, when a school is registered with Yoga Alliance, that means their training meets these standards, and upon completion of the training you are eligible to register and get certified with Yoga Alliance. Many studios and gyms require this certification for the reasons stated above.