Embarking on a yoga teacher training journey can be both an exciting and an intimidating adventure. One may go on to take up advanced yoga asanas and discover deeper dimensions of the asana’s connection to the body and mind. But it all starts with learning the basic foundational steps. Whether you are someone who wants to take up yoga teaching as a professional career or you simply want to enhance your yoga practice a 200 hours foundational program is effective in building the basics and allows you to grow on that.

Understanding Does a 200 Hours Yoga Teacher Training Encompass

A 200 hours YTT is the officially the first step in the yoga education system and it is recognized by the Yoga Alliance – a global regulatory body that states standards for yoga teaching on a global level. It is basically a structured and a comprehensive introduction to the yoga philosophy and practice of yogic postures and usually lasts for 4 to 8 weeks in a full time format.

What’s Included in a 200 Hour Yoga Course Curriculum

Asana practice and alignment

A 200 YTTC program often introduces the students to the four main pillars of yoga styles which is Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and the Vinyasa flow. The curriculum introduces the students to a wide range of poses from the traditional yoga styles to the modern variations and teaches the students the correct alignment for each pose so that they can benefit therapeutically from it rather than having contraindications.

Pranayama the yogic breath work techniques

Pranayam the yogic breath work is a major limb in yoga practice. Any asana when done only physically does not render complete benefits. So the teaching curricular includes intensive breath work techniques so that students can experience transformation and identify the various physiological and psychological benefits of breath work techniques in their practice.

Mindfulness and meditation

Since yoga is not just a physical exercise, it is a means of finding transformation mentally as well as spiritually, mindfulness and meditation become an essential part of all teacher training programs. Students get a chance to fall in guided meditations and cultivate self awareness and emotional balance. This not only helps promote better sleep quality and have a calm and composed mind, but it also promotes the feelings of loving kindness and patience which are essential qualities required in a teacher.

Ethics and Yoga philosophy

To truly understand the yoga phenomenon one must also understand what goes behind the postures. So students are introduced to wisdom texts in the form of Yoga philosophy that include Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita etc. to learn about the eight limbs of Yoga and cultivate moral codes and discipline.

Physiology & Anatomy

Physiology and anatomy are a key concept in the modern day yoga teacher training programs. The students are taught about the correct body alignment and are also taught about safe teaching and queuing techniques to conduct responsible classes for varied age groups and people from different medical backgrounds.

Teaching Methodology

Teaching methodology is where a student evolves into a teacher. So the programs emphasize on teaching the students about designing and sequencing their classes, the usage of energy demonstration and ethics in teaching to create positive and safe spaces for their students.

Is a 200 Hour Yoga Training Right for Beginners 

You learn from the foundations – The 200 hour yoga teacher training is perfect for beginners as it is the basic foundational step in the yoga journey it is the first official certification where students learn breathing alignment anatomy and other basics to start with

You build a strong practice – Yoga is all about practice. So whether it is in a foundational course or the journey from basic poses to advanced poses it requires one to be consistent in their practice

You gain confidence and awareness – Often beginners in yoga feel they are not ready to teach yet but in reality with consistent practice, right guidance and a positive community you can see transformative changes. this will develop the confidence and the awareness to be able to take full fledged classes on your own.

Get connected to a supportive community – While it is true that most of the students that you would be taking your training with would have come from different age groups and yoga experiences, yet there is a comfort in finding a like-minded community which is not only supporting but offers you a chance to build genuine connections whether personal or professional.

Tips for Beginners who are to join a 200 Hour YTTC 

• Be consistent in your practice. yoga for beginners, even 10 to 20 minutes make a difference.
• Have an open mind and be curious in your teacher training journey.
• Pack your major essentials for a comfortable experience.
• Be gentle with yourself yoga is about progress not perfection.

Conclusion

Any yoga teacher training journey is not about gaining certification but it is a journey to find yourself when you learn to be aware about your body movements and your breath work you find purpose and compassion for yourself. This course is especially beneficial for beginners who want to build a solid foundation. If you want to enrol in a 200 hours yoga teacher training in Goa, enrolling with AdiYogam School of Yoga based in Arambol in North Goa run under the guidance of expert Indian yoga master Bharat Ram ji can help you set a solid foundation on your yoga teacher training journey.