Questions to Ask Before Joining Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga has been a profound source of transformation in my life, offering both sanctuary and growth. Choosing to embark on my first teacher training in 2018 was one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made.​

If you’re considering this journey, know that you’re not alone. Every budding teacher begins with questions, doubts, and a sense of wonder about what lies ahead. But with the right training, support, and intention, you can blossom—not just as a teacher, but as a human. Here are five questions to ask as you consider this path:

1. What is my "why" for pursuing this journey?

Like any meaningful endeavor, yoga teacher training is both a gift and a challenge. It offers deep rewards, but it also invites us to step beyond the familiar. Time and again, I have found that true growth—both as a yoga teacher and generally as a human—emerges in moments of discomfort.

People embark on this path for many reasons: to find their voice, to deepen their practice, to share something that has transformed them. What is yours? Knowing your “why” becomes an anchor on the days when doubt creeps in or exhaustion sets in.

2. How does this training prepare me for the reality of teaching in today's world?

In a world that often feels dysregulated, simply turning on the news can be overwhelming. While yoga teachers are not therapists, we do have a responsibility to hold space with care. A well-rounded yoga teacher training should provide foundational knowledge of the nervous system, trauma-sensitive language, and an understanding of antiracism—ensuring that teachers create spaces where all students feel seen and respected.

3. What does this training cover beyond asana?

While asana is a vital part of the practice, it is just one piece of a much larger whole. A truly comprehensive teacher training will explore all eight limbs of yoga, weaving in philosophy, history, meditation, and an awareness of yoga’s cultural roots—including the impact of colonization. Learning to honor and teach yoga in an informed, respectful way is essential to becoming a skillful, well-rounded teacher.

4. How does this training prepare me for the business side of teaching?

Should I create a S Corp or a LLC? What kind of liability insurance do I need? How do I land my first teaching job? These were just a few of the questions running through my mind when I first got certified in 2018. A great yoga teacher training doesn’t just teach yoga—it also prepares you for the realities of being a yoga professional, covering topics like legal considerations, marketing, business ethics, and how to get started in the industry.

5. How is the material taught?

Some people thrive in lecture-based learning, but I’ve always learned best through experience. One of the reasons I chose Asheville Yoga Center’s teacher training is its commitment to offering a variety of learning styles:

  1. Presentational: Dharma talks, lectures, storytelling
  2. Interactive: Q&A, partner exercises, practice teaching
  3. Experiential: Learning through movement and direct application

If you’re considering teacher training, ask yourself: How do you learn best? Does the program you’re drawn to align with that?

Interested in Yoga Teacher Training?

If you're thinking about becoming a yoga teacher, I’d love to connect with you.

Whether you have questions about the process or simply need encouragement, please reach out.

You can email me at grace@youryoga.com or book a call with me through the link below.

About the Author

Hello! I’m Grace (she/her), AYC’s Yoga Trainings Ambassador.

My journey with movement began at the age of three through dance, and by fifteen, I discovered my passion for holding space for others to move creatively while assisting children’s dance classes. I became a 200-hour RYT at 18 and have been teaching yoga in a variety of settings since. I am deeply committed to fostering a compassionate and inclusive environment where every participant feels empowered to cultivate self-respect and a deeper connection with their body.

In 2019, I incorporated Yoga With Grace, LLC, marrying my passions for yoga and business. Over the past six years, I’ve gained hands-on experience in yoga business operations, recruiting and managing external partners, multimedia marketing strategy, sales, and navigating contracts and business law. I am particularly passionate about trauma-informed business practices and integrating mindfulness into professional spaces to create more ethical, sustainable, and community-centered businesses.

My yoga teacher training includes a 200-hour LifePower Yoga Teacher Training (2018), Dr. Jennifer Kreatsoulas’ Yoga for Eating Disorders Teacher Training and Mentoring Group (2023), several trauma informed yoga trainings (2022, 2023) and Oxygen Advantage’s Advanced Training with Tiger Bye (2024). Currently, I’m enrolled in another 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher training programs at Asheville Yoga Center, where I continue deepening my knowledge and practice. 

Off the mat, you can find me practicing aerial arts, spending time in nature, climbing, dancing, and eating sourdough bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of enrolling in a yoga teacher training program?
Yoga teacher training deepens your personal practice, expands your understanding of yoga philosophy, anatomy, and subtle energy, and empowers you to share the teachings with others. It’s a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth.

What should I consider before choosing a yoga teacher training course?
Consider the lineage, faculty experience, schedule, curriculum, and whether the program resonates with your values and goals. It’s important to find a training that feels both inspiring and supportive.

What teaching methods are used during the training?
Trainings typically blend lectures, practice teaching, group discussion, self-study, and embodied experience. These methods support learning through doing, reflecting, and integrating.

How long does a typical yoga teacher training program take to complete?
A 200-hour program can range from a few intensive weeks to several months, depending on the format. Many programs offer flexible options to accommodate different lifestyles and learning preferences.

Does yoga teacher training include topics beyond asana practice?
Yes—teacher training explores yoga philosophy, ethics, anatomy, pranayama, meditation, subtle body theory, and the art of teaching. It’s a holistic immersion into the full spectrum of yogic wisdom.

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