The name ‘yoga teacher training’ implies that you will go through this training and become a yoga teacher at the end of 9 weeks. In some ways, I’m not sure if teacher training is the most appropriate name, but let’s not get into semantic circles. When I enrolled in my 200 hour teacher training, it took a lot of self-coaching to set reasonable expectations that I did not have to teach at the end. It was a black and white situation – either become a certified yoga teacher or there was no point.
That black and white thinking disappeared and was replaced with a beautiful, colorful mural of positive thoughts, feelings, and experiences. At the end of the program, I realized I was not just a yoga teacher; I was and am a teacher of myself and a more confident person.
Yoga is not solely about the physical asana. There is so much more that the practice offers on a spiritual and holistic level. You may think you’re becoming a yoga teacher. Think again. You’re becoming a mentor to yourself. You’re watering a version of yourself that is confident and aware of your energy and how that affects you and others.
And this is the label that I like to use with myself. Before I thought, ‘It’d be cool to be a yoga teacher!’ Now, I think, ‘I am confident and I have the ability to inspire others to grow their confidence & build self-awareness in their physical and mental body.’ A much healthier way of labeling oneself.
My hope is that you feel inspired after reading this to enroll in YTT. It’s more than becoming a ‘yoga teacher.’ You will become a mentor to yourself, to others, and a confident one at that.