Preaching What You Practice – Becoming a Yoga Teacher
Yoga is garnering followers in large numbers across the world and consequently Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) is gaining momentum like never before. There is a growing number of aspiring practitioners from all over the globe, while thousands are opting to become yoga teachers themselves.
What is it that makes us look up at great yoga masters in awe? So much so, that we aspire to one day become teachers ourselves?
There is no better way to learn about the body, mind and soul than undergoing a yoga teacher training course.
Here at the Himalayan Yoga Institute, the teacher training encompasses practices that transform all of who you are and take you beyond your limited self, into your conscious Heart. This training is holistic and highly comprehensive, including deep healing and therapy for body and mind, so as to reveal the beautiful Self within.
When you practice yoga you get to observe your mind throughout the practice, the feelings that arise, how asanas work on your inner body, the glands and chakras and the subtle interplay of body and mind start to manifest. Moreover, the nada yoga (sound healing) conducted by Ganga Devi in her kirtan and bhajan sessions penetrates deeply into your subconscious mind clearing it of long-forgotten emotional pain, trauma and suffering. You may see yourself emerge from this training with a clear and bright vision for your future, as you are unclogging your body and mind of the toxic debris that has built up over time.
We take our yoga teacher training one step further and support you in becoming the best version of yourself. Every individual’s physical, mental and emotional composition is unique and different from others. Keeping that in mind we help you become confident and comfortable in who you are and remove any doubt that you will be successful in the pursuit of yoga. We offer opportunities to work with others and thereby awaken the inherent leadership qualities within you.
However, what is even more interesting is the journey of self-discovery that is experienced on a yoga teacher training.
The Journey Called Life
Our lives unfold via a process of decision-making that is well informed, if not over-analyzed and planned to death. From a young age, we’re taught to think of our future, what we want to do with our lives and we are instructed to pursue academic studies with that objective topmost in mind. We then go on to secure a position in the profession of our choosing. All this so that we are guaranteed a steady income that contributes to long-term security and material well-being.
Our society encourages us to build upon our strengths; to determine what we excel in, and then stick to that path. Are you good with numbers? Get into commerce. If good with people, then you’d make a great lawyer or manager or even a politician. Once we select our profession of choice, we often tend to settle for the long haul, and our identity becomes associated with what we’re ‘good’ at. With time, most of us set up permanent residence and settle in that comfort zone.
But, living in this manner means that we miss out on the multitude of benefits that result from taking risks, challenging ourselves, and pushing ourselves into uncharted territory.
Yoga and Self-Doubt
This ‘adventurous aspect’ is in no way a small part of yoga teacher training. It should not come as a surprise that of the many aspiring YTT students, only a few are comfortable at the outset with the idea of teaching asanas, fine-tuning physical cues, and imparting complex philosophy to a class of total strangers. During the course of the training, it is a given that students will start doubting themselves even more!
They may very well find themselves wondering what possessed them to commit to this rigorous programme only to realize how little they knew about yoga. Truth be told, not only is this a normal part of the process, it’s an excellent opportunity for self-growth!
For most practitioners, the journey from a devoted yoga-loving student to a confident yoga teacher can be a hugely transformational experience – one that continues well beyond the completion of your teacher training programme.
Bettering Oneself with Advanced Yoga
Yoga teacher training provides the ideal platform for one to rise beyond self-doubt. You will be in the company of experienced teachers and peers who have at one time or another all been through the same wringer as you, and are thus capable of supporting you in this journey of growth and self-empowerment.
Any hesitation or moments of self-doubt will only lead us to gently peel back the layers to arrive at true self-awareness. Awareness and realization of our strengths and weaknesses in this manner enable us for a lifetime of strength, balance, empathy and compassion towards ourselves and others. In the end, we realize that we are much more than the sum total of our parts – our job titles, our possessions, our hobbies… we human beings are all on a quest for self-knowledge and peace.
The Destination
Choosing the best Yoga Teacher Training Programme, suited specifically to your needs, can bring an incredible amount of unexpected benefits that can be truly life-changing. Learning yoga, whether to satisfy your own thirst for knowledge and understanding of the yogic process or for instructing others, is a noble pursuit. It will provide you with the tools and solutions to deal with the tumultuous and hectic way of modern life. Most importantly it will reconnect you with your innermost divine nature so you may more easily navigate your life’s journey through all the inevitable ups and downs.
For anyone to truly benefit from this awesome practice, it is essential that they receive the right guidance. You can’t learn yoga from books or videos. You need a guru or teacher who can offer you assistance with perfecting your practice with a consistent, customized and thorough practice.
Being the birthplace of yoga, India is one of the best destinations for a Yoga Teacher Training. India exudes an atmosphere of ancient yogis dedicating their lives to the pursuit of mastering body and mind, in order to reveal the deepest Self within. This special vibration can be felt in the air that you breathe, the sweet and abundant nature, and in the very lifestyle of the people of India. The experience of learning yoga in the land of yoga’s origin is quite unique and special.
At the Himalayan Yoga Institute, our teachers have not only honed their practice over a long period of time under the guidance of true yoga masters. They also understand that every individual practitioner is distinct and therefore requires a personalized mode of instruction. Hence we provide lots of personalized attention, individualized asana and meditation instruction as well as lifelong mentoring. As a result, our yoga teacher training programme imparts a holistic education and instills in you the refined qualities needed for becoming an excellent yoga practitioner and teacher.
Final Words
A yoga teacher training programme does not just lead to a qualification – it’s a significant step towards achieving a greater sense of purpose and balance in life. The skills that you learn will make you more resilient, adaptable and capable of weathering the different challenges that are an inevitable part of life.
