How to Prepare for A Yoga Teacher Training Course

Are you planning on becoming a certified Yoga Teacher or join a YTTC (Yoga Teacher Training Course) in order to deepen your self-practice?

You may have asked yourself how to best prepare for a course at Pratham Yoga or other Yoga schools – here some tips on how you can prepare for this transformative experience:

1. Establish a daily self-practice at least a month before the course begins. This can be really helpful in order to get used to the regularity of Movement in Asana.
2. Join regular Drop in classes in your area or online, it will prepare and open your body for the course. Most students come with a minimum of 1-2 years of experience.
3. Start a practice journal in which you note down your observations during practice. This can provide you some interesting insights in your practice journey but also some mental patterns that may show up.
4. Set an intention. Before joining a YTTC sit down consciously and set an intension for the course. You can write that in your Yoga Journal and later after the course look back and see how your journey has unfolded.
5. You may read Yoga related books if you like. You will really learn everything relevant in the course and also get books and a course manual. A book many enjoy is for example “The autobiography of a Yogi” by , or
6. Keep an open mind – This is probably the most important advice of all. Open your heart to a different country, culture and energy – Mother India –  and try to dive into it with all senses. Different cultures and ways of learning are often unusual in the beginning, but after a few days, if you keep your mind open, all is going to settle in and starts to form an amazing experience with unforgettable memories
7. Try reducing caffeine, cigarettes and alcohol a few weeks before the training starts, so you won’t be distracted with any unpleasant symptoms while the course. Most students either stop or reduce smoking while the course, which is a great opportunity to create a new habit. We don’t expect you to quit, but suggest reducing as much as it feels possible for you.
8. If you eat meat regularly, try reducing meat too. In India all Yoga schools serve vegetarian / vegan diet. At Pratham Yoga we serve special Yogi food which is delicious and nutritious, just perfect for the practice. Most people don’t miss meat at all and are stunned by the variety of dishes we serve.
9. Try waking up early at 5.30 or 6 AM already 2 weeks before the course begins to get used to the rhythm.
10. Check travel regulations on time to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
11. Buy a nice journal only for your TTC, and use it regularly while the course. This can be really helpful and supportive to work through some challenges you may face and of course to write down the best memories of this once in a lifetime journey!
12. If you like buy a Yoga towel or Travel mat which you can use on top of provided mats to get a more personal feeling while traveling.
13. If possible spend some time in the area you join the course to adjust to the climate. Depending from the climate zone you travel from, it can take a few days to get used to a new climate zone. It may be easier to adjust if you arrive already a few days earlier at the place you joint the course at. (!Be careful 2022 eVisa regulations don’t give so much room to explore before and after the course.) Many of our students state that coming directly from their country to our Yoga school was the most pleasant experience they could have ♥

Author: Carolin Dutt, Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga Teacher, Prenatal Yoga Teacher Trainer, Ayurveda And Yoga practitioner

IG: @theessenceislove