Should You Choose Residential Or Non-Residential Yoga Teacher Training?
You can choose multiple paths to become a yoga teacher. There are a number of options available when you set up your mind and intention to learn yoga. You must have already typed the words, ‘Yoga teacher training near me’ multiple times in the search bar, and have landed on this page today. One of the most common routes that yoga enthusiasts are taking is the 200-hour YTTC route. It is a certified course that is offered by the registered schools.
The course is an intensive one and covers a month. It has an international certification. So, you are well-equipped to face the world, when you graduate from the school. You can look for a yoga teaching job in your country or abroad. Most basic yoga teacher training courses comprise Hatha Yoga or Ashtanga-Vinyasa at the most. After students complete the basic foundational course, they often go for other yoga forms. You can also follow the same pathway. However, there is one more confusion, which you may face here.
The two most important factors that drive the decision to join a course, are the location and duration. So, it mostly relates to Residential training and Non-residential training.
Non-Residential Yoga Teacher Training
If you are someone who has many other obligations, you may want to choose a non-residential yoga teacher training. That is why the phrase ‘Yoga teacher training near me’ is so common today on search engines. You may have to go to work, and one-month leave may not be possible. You may also have family duties and responsibilities towards your kids, if you have any. Many people fear staying away from home, for a long period of time as well. So, these are quite a few reasons why many yoga enthusiasts look for non-residential yoga courses.
In such a scenario, most enthusiasts generally take classes on weekends or alternate days of the week. The course extends a bit in such cases. It can take months or a year or two, to complete a yoga teacher training course. The subjects that are covered are mostly the same. However, you will get time to complete your daily tasks, attend to house chores, and also work full-time, along with the course. There are different timings for different batches as well, so that working professionals can also manage their schedules properly.
However, the problem with such courses is that, they are not immersive in nature. You fail to follow a stringent lifestyle like that of the ashrams. Your intentions and goals for learning yoga, might get mixed up with the daily activities and work tensions. Moreover, you may not be able to do self-practice every day. In such a scenario, you can choose the alternate mode. Let us find out how you can take charge of your life, fully.
Residential Yoga Teacher Training
You have to set aside at least a month for the 200-hours yoga teacher training course. Add the travel times as well. If you want to delve into yogic knowledge, and do not have work commitments, this is for you. It can also be a bit challenging, both mentally and physically. You have to devote your mind and time completely to the course. Few schools do not even allow students to carry their laptops. Many do not allow mobiles in the classrooms. The course will cover the A-Z of yoga, in its foundational category. You will learn about asanas, meditation, breathing, bandhas, mudras, and mantras. Additionally, you will also learn about the theoretical aspects of yoga. Yoga anatomy, physiology, and philosophical knowledge are imparted as a part of the course. You wake up early in the morning and are put on a simple diet. The day ends with sunset, wherein you get to engage yourself in satsangs and chanting sessions.
You will also be able to explore the holy sites and natural surroundings on yoga expeditions and excursions. So, now that you are somehow convinced that the residential program offers more benefits, you can find ways to accommodate or set aside a month for this life-changing event. But there is another big question now. Where?
How To Choose The Best Residential Yoga Teacher Training?
Most people are travelling to India for yoga TTC. You can also do the same. And why not? This is where yoga was born. So, you can expect to learn authentic yoga in registered schools in India. A Yoga Alliance school should do you good. You will also get that holiday feel. On off days, you can see the locations around your school. The residential training emulates the patterns of Gurukul. In such a setting, the students and teachers live together in the ashram. You will be required to follow a set routine for the entire tenure of the course. Each ashram has its own philosophy, so you can choose one that you sync with.
You should not expect luxuries while you stay at the ashram. Yogic life is very basic. You are supposed to enjoy the goodness of life and yogic activities in a simple environment. If you can imbibe the life at the ashram at its core, then only you can become a successful yogi. All students who are a part of this do not become teachers, though. There are quite a few who learn for self-development. You may also eye ‘Samadhi’. It is totally up to you.
So, you need to weigh the positives and negatives, before coming to a conclusion. You can choose a Yoga Alliance registered yoga school, to get international certification. It also opens up the possibilities to travel across the nation and abroad. You can land a teaching job anywhere. Moreover, you will make a lot of friends in the process. There are people who form lifelong relationships in this process.
Choose your yoga school with care, along with the right courses. After you complete the basic level, you can also go for 300 hours of yoga teacher training. It is another advanced course, which will educate you deeply.
