The first step is to select a school. With so many schools to choose from you need to be careful which school you choose. The school’s focus on traditional techniques and ancient philosophies should be paramount when considering an online school. Your lead teacher trainer doesn’t need to have a PhD, but they should be well versed in Yoga philosophy as well as asana, pranayama, pratyahara, and states of meditation. Above all else, your trainers should have an established practice of physical and psychological yoga. This translates to having a strong practice that includes meditation.
The second step is to review the curriculum and see if the content speaks to you. Any online training should offer a 30-day money-back guarantee where you have the opportunity to view and experience the training content without risk. This shows that the yoga school is transparent and committed to its mission of education.Â
The third step is to ask questions. Ask to speak to the lead trainers or to students who have completed training. Make a list of the things you want to take away from your training experience and ask if the trainers think their training will meet your expectations. It’s important to have these conversations upfront before you start your online yoga teacher training program.Â
The fourth step is to read reviews (with a grain of salt). I say that even though our reviews are almost all 5 stars because I understand how reviews work. Yoga Alliance reviews are the most transparent. They really do give you an accurate picture of how training is perceived by other students. Google reviews are hit or miss. Some are extremely accurate, authentic, and heartfelt whereas others are spam and a nuisance to the business owner and patrons alike. When you look at reviews, don’t look at the rating, but read the review itself. If someone leaves a five-star review without a comment, throw it out. Consumers need to substantiate their opinion if they are wanting their reviews to be taken seriously.Â
The fifth step is to register and start training. Now that you’ve selected an online yoga teacher training that is right for you you can purchase it and begin the process. Make sure you understand the certification requirements upfront, and that you are familiar with the ways you reach out for help. Adult learning puts a lot of emphasis on the learner to follow up with the instructors and make sure that requirements are met, so it’s important to know where everything is located.Â
As you move through training try to stay involved. Join social media groups, if social media is your thing, and connect with other students in live lectures if they are offered. The more you can engage and interact with your classmates the more you will get from the experience. If you’re lucky enough to find an online yoga teacher training that has a local studio for you to visit, try and take advantage of it. Online yoga teacher training is convenient, but nothing compares to being in a community inside a studio.Â
Now that you’ve become a yoga teacher, it’s time to start teaching yoga. It’s not uncommon for new yoga teachers to have imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is a psychological perception that the title or role you are seeking to fill is outside of your reach or beyond your qualifications. Ultimately, teachers who experience imposter syndrome feel like they aren’t good at teaching and that they can’t or shouldn’t teach. This simply is not true; it’s a classic misunderstanding.
You’ve put in a lot of work to become a yoga teacher. You’ve learned about the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and you’ve learned about the Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, and Pratyahara. You’ve practiced, refined, and developed the ability to read students’ bodies so that you can help them with proprioceptive awareness. You know you learned things in training because your practice grew and you can feel a difference in your own body. So how do you convince yourself that you know what you’re doing?Â
First, you have to identify the judgments that you’ve placed on yourself. Why do you think you’re not good enough? What about teaching yoga is so special that you can’t do it? That is the first hurdle you have to jump, and once you do you can promptly forgive yourself for buying into that misbelief. Ultimately, we buy into belief systems, BS (yep, see what I did?), and that BS is what weighs us down and holds us back. When we can see that the judgment of not being good enough is a coping mechanism that is protecting us from stepping out of our comfort zone then we can forgive ourselves for buying into the BS and affirm our wholeness and self-worth.
You are good enough to teach a yoga class. You are actually good enough to do anything you want! So, teaching a yoga class is just the tip of the iceberg. This little technique, Compassionate Self Forgiveness, is the most transformative tool in the entire world. I thank my teacher for it every single day (and, I learned it in yoga teacher training, btw). Compassionate Self Forgiveness helps us to reframe our misperception and affirm our new understanding so that we can truly step into our potential. If teaching yoga is what you want to do, embrace it with your whole heart and don’t let a limiting belief hold you back.
Once you’ve slain your limiting beliefs, turn your attention to your playlists. Get creative and develop playlists that inspire you to sequence. If you’re a vinyasa teacher you might enjoy sequencing with music. Some vinyasa yoga teachers love sequencing with music. In fact, some teachers are so inspired by their yoga playlists that they build entire workshops around them. Creating a playlist is a creative way to break the ice and spark inspiration.Â
Now you can develop your sequence. Again, if you’re a vinyasa yoga teacher then you can sequence a vinyasa yoga class. If you’re a Hatha yoga teacher you might want to sequence around a particular pose. Vinyasa sequences can be fun and lyrical. Tummee is a great sequencing tool if you like to sequence Vinyasa yoga sequences or Hatha yoga sequences. It’s great for visual learners who want to see images in poses. Some teachers prefer to sequence vinyasa yoga sequences shorthand, and some teachers prefer to sequence vinyasa in the moment. Whatever your preferred style, you’ll have an easier time sequencing your yoga class once you’ve determined your music selection.Â
The next step is to teach! This is the scariest step for some new teachers, but it certainly is the most rewarding. Here are some times to help make the process less intimidating.
Start class in standing, seated, or supine positions with the gaze softened to the nose or floor. This takes the focus off of you and turns the student’s focus inward.
If you demonstrate while teaching, mirror only when seated. If you’re standing and your mat is perpendicular to the student’s mats they will not be confused by what side you’re taking.
If you do not demonstrate while you teach, walk the room and find your way to the middle or mid-back of the room when you are changing sides. This way you’re looking at the back of students so you don’t get your sides confused.
Offer options, but not too many options. Offering an option is great, but offering five options for one pose is overkill. Keep it simple.
Turn the lights down during savasana, but not off. Light can take people out of a relaxed state, so softening the lights can be helpful. If you can’t dim the lights you can turn them off IF there is another light source in the room. Turning the lights completely off can be disorienting during savasana.Â
Ultimately, you have everything you need to be a great yoga teacher whether you train in person or online. Online yoga teacher training has become a viable and sustainable option for many. It provides people with an affordable option that is flexible and meets people where they are. Although in-person yoga teacher training definitely has its bonuses, online yoga teacher training is a fantastic way to become a yoga teacher online.