I did it, I signed up for a 300 hour yoga teacher training (YTT)! This means when I graduate, I’ll be able to register as a 500 hour registered yoga teacher! I searched for a 300 hour YTT program for years. Local, out of state, and overseas. Then, I got married and had 2 kids so that dream was set aside. Several months ago, I saw ads on Facebook for online teacher trainings at the yoga studio My Vinyasa Practice (MVP). I almost signed up but I backed out at the time because I wasn’t sure if I’d have to the time do it and it was not Yoga Alliance (YA) approved at the time. We can have a YA discussion/debate in the future, but I wanted a YA program at the time.
WHY YTT NOW? Covid-19! Due to the pandemic, many studios had no choice but to move their YTTs online, which means YA created provisions to allow students to get their 200 and 300 hour YTTs completed ONLINE until December! Since I have little ones that I take care of all day, I can’t be gone for 8+ hour days or go away for weekends. This is my only chance to earn a YA approved 300 YTT. Though we aren’t meeting as a group in person (no one is), there are daily Zoom meetings, we have an assigned mentor, and a Facebook group. I feel very supported. The workload is heavy; it’s no walk in the park just because it’s online!
IS ONLINE YTT THE WAY TO GO? I admit, I used to be a yoga snob. I got my 200 hour YTT in a studio, paid $2500 for it, and never considered online programs. After reading positive reviews about MVP in various Facebook yoga groups, I realized the Universe showed me the MVP ads for a reason (or the algorithm knows me too well). Once I signed up, I was scared but excited for the journey when I saw how rich the curriculum was and how connected we would be!
TO THOSE WHO SAY NO TO ONLINE YTT: I am aware there are studios, teachers, and students who will never agree with an online YTT.
- Is it because of MONEY? A 300 hour YTT costs $3000-$4000+. I paid a lot less. The owner of MVP is passionate about accessible, affordable traditional yoga. Just because it costs less doesn’t mean I’m learning less. In fact, the wide assortment of training videos and recorded workshops gives me access to much more than I’d get in a live setting!
- Is it because the trainee isn’t doing hands on-training? We practice teaching sequences via zoom and we are watching other trainees practice teach. That means we get feedback and can give feedback, which is important for teachers in training! I also have to teach 20 hours of karma yoga so I’ll get plenty of practice before earning my certification! Speaking of hands-on, due to the pandemic and more awareness of trauma informed teaching, many teachers are probably not going to do hands-on assists or adjustments anymore.
- For those who say, “Would you trust a medical doctor who trained online?” Guess what, those 2020 medical residents and nursing students had to learn online during the pandemic too! 😉 Furthermore, your yoga teacher isn’t performing heart surgery, they are there to teach YOGA for $20-$40. I’m a RN, so I have some thoughts on that comparison!
BENEFITS OF ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
- I can go at my own pace. I study before the kids wake up and after they go to bed.
- The lectures and videos are mine to keep forever so I can review at any time!
- Costs are lower than in-person studio trainings. Yoga isn’t the most affordable or accessible form of movement.
- I pay attention a lot more because I can take my time absorbing the material and I don’t have to hold anyone else back.
- As stated before, the support is AMAZING. Daily zoom meetings and recorded live workshops on the weekends is a DREAM for a yoga teacher in training.
- Community! I’m going through this training with yoga teachers who live all around the world!
- This is more of a shoutout. The owner of MVP embraces diversity, I can’t say the same for a lot of studios here! I want my money to go to a teacher/studio owner who’s an ally.
I am in awe at that fact that I’m pursing a big time yoga goal right now! I never thought I’d have the opportunity to earn my 300 YTT until years down the road, so I have a lot of gratitude in my heart right now and hope I can share the gift of yoga soon.
Would you consider taking an online teacher training or fitness certification?
