It’s 2017 and the world is definitely not short of Yoga instructors or teacher training courses, that’s for sure. So where does one begin to look when exploring the wide world of Yoga. Firstly ask yourself this; if you were interested in learning Traditional Chinese dance, would you visit Australia to take a course? Seems a little disconnected right? Perhaps it makes more sense to journey to the heart of Yoga, the spiritual magnet, the Motherland herself – Rishikesh, INDIA.
Ok, so Rishikesh sounds wonderful. You’ve done some research and you’re mesmerized at the sight of the city at the foothills of the Himalayas and right beside the holy Gange River. The next question is how do you find the right school for you? Now days it’s easy to jump straight onto Google and search “Best yoga schools for TTC in India” that’s definitely going to give you several options. Or perhaps you can take the gamble like the good old days. Book your one-way ticket, pack your bags and embrace the process of the Yogic journey to truly begin before you even leave your home country. Show up open minded, take a few different classes, ask around and see what best fits for you and your needs on your personal journey, keeping in mind everyone’s different.
If you’re sneaking away from work for a short period of time and only planning a small stay in Rishikesh without the luxury to explore before your course, don’t fear! In Rishikesh you will find many schools offering short courses. Those who have flashy websites and appealing prices may not be the best choice for you, be smart and read people’s feedback, their experiences and follow your intuition (that’s the key). Now, you’ve visited a few schools but the question still stands what school to commit to? Although Yoga is Yoga and you will gain experience and knowledge wherever you decide, there are so many “types” of Yoga nowadays so be sure to research what you’re getting yourself into. Ask yourself, why am I embarking on this teaching journey? There are many reasons why people decide to dive into a TTC. Some people in your course will have never practiced Yoga in their lifetime yet some will be experienced practitioners. If you are considering a career change and think that a 200hour course will guarantee you the qualifications and ticket to teach, I hate to burst your bubble, it’s not that easy. Teaching requires time and experience. Understanding what you are teaching is the first step so be sure to really connect with your practice and understand the way in which your body, soul and mind work before choosing a course.
There are many courses available to choose from in Rishikesh alone. Each week there is a new influx of foreigners coming to take a teacher training course. For those interested in a very internal practice maybe Yin Yoga is for you? Interested in more of a powerful practice, perhaps Ashtanga is the way to go? Are you intrigued by a traditional format, Hatha could work best for you. Ultimately the choice is yours and all will be beneficial in the long run but take time to research before you find yourself knee deep in back bends. It’s like going to a new hairdresser… you kind of want to see a haircut before you let the scissors get close to your head. Research and experience the teachers offering the courses, feel a connection with your teacher, after all you will become a protégé of their works… Goodluck!
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