Start your yoga career now: Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher Training in London Begins September


Yoga Teacher Training Survival Tips
Anna Oldfield on 24 April, 2011 |

Anyone considering an intensive teacher training course will question whether it is physically possible to squeeze so much into so little time. A little bit of organisation goes a long way, and these tips from the experts will definitely make it easier.

Practice: You will be establishing a six-day a week practice, and it is important to be realistic about what you can do each day. Although a power yoga class once a week may leave you buzzing and energized, a very dynamic practice every day will simply lead to exhaustion.

A lot of people will be working at a computer all day, which makes for tired wrists by the evening - a factor to consider when planning your practice. Pacing yourself will help prevent injury, and even just a few sun salutations every day will work all of the major muscle groups. And remember, if you are ill or injured you can use yoga nidra ('yogic sleep' deep relaxation) CDs, or practise meditation.

Adapting your practice on days when you don't feel your best is a valuable lesson in how to make yoga accessible to future students. Similarly, listen to your body if you feel under the weather on a training day - if you're unable to participate with the group, discuss the option of a gentler individual practice or an observation with your teacher.

Explore: When you sign up to a teacher training course you embark on a life-changing journey. Use this time to explore changes to your individual practice and lifestyle as a whole. Trying out different styles and classes in your free time will give you lots of useful teaching ideas. See the experience as an adventure. You won’t want to integrate everything you experience into your daily life, but exposing yourself to as many new ideas and practices as possible is the only way to find out.

Connect: Intensive courses are journeys which throw you together with a varied group of people, and are a shared adventure. As soon as you voice a concern or discuss a difficulty with the group, you can guarantee that others will be facing the same issue. Together you can find the best way to keep on top of the course, as well as making life-long friendships. Connect with other teacher training graduates on the Yoga London Facebook page.

Share: Make sure your family and friends know that, although you may be temporarily less available, the course won't last forever. Getting them practising is a great way to get over the initial nerves and improve your teaching. It is really rewarding to share your new skills with those who are closest to you.

Nourish: Work out how meal times will work around your practice, and stock up on high energy snacks. Make sure that you adapt your diet to cope with the additional demands of your yoga training, and remember that a cup of coffee or an energy bar can make the difference between groggily dragging yourself through the practice or seizing each breath and challenging yourself.

One great idea is taking turns to prepare packed lunches for other trainees. This way you'll free up a bit of time in the evening or morning, save the hassle and expense of going to a cafe, and experience the delicious creations of your fellow yogis.

Study: Always carry your yoga books with you. There is even a pocket version of Patanjali's yoga sutras, so a traffic jam or delay on the underground can be a great moment for revision. Asana flashcards are a popular choice, and are very easy to make. Print off some pictures of the primary sequence and add their Sanskrit names, modifications, the muscle groups worked...whatever you find most beneficial. These are a great tool even after graduation!

Schedule: Work out how your daily practice and any homework for the course will fit in to your daily routine. Some creative planning and experimentation may be required, but once you find what works stick to it. Also, make yourself a schedule for completing written assignments as the deadlines will creep up.

Relax: Make the most of your time off. This doesn't necessarily mean activity packed weekends and big nights out. A break from training is also a chance to lie in or spend the day in your pyjamas. Training on top of full-time work can be a challenge, and it is not uncommon for trainees to use a few of their days off during the course. Finding ways to make room in your schedule, be it taking time off work, or not taking on so many responsibilities in other areas of your life, will certainly help keep you fresh and bright-eyed for the course.

Are you a graduate teacher with more great tips, or a future trainee with burning questions? The Yoga London Facebook page is a great place to share information