The decision to do a yoga teacher training is often the beginning of a deep, transformative journey. Looking back, there are some things I would do differently to make the process even more enriching – and some things I would do again in exactly the same way. Here I share my experiences in the hope that they can help you to be more aware of your own journey.
What I would do differently
Journaling from the start
I wish I had started writing down my thoughts, feelings and experiences earlier! Journaling is an incredibly valuable tool for deepening what you have learned, making it easier to deal with fears and self-doubt and capturing the small, meaningful moments. Yoga teacher training is an intense time full of new insights – why not keep a personal journal to guide you through this phase?
Don’t hesitate so long
I spent far too much time thinking about whether I should really do the training. Is my practice good enough? Am I ready? Today I know that there is no perfect time. If the call for more knowledge and depth reaches you, then follow it!
A more relaxed view of my inexperience
For a long time, I saw my relative inexperience in yoga as an obstacle. But you know what? That’s complete nonsense. You don’t have to be a long-time yogi to start a yoga teacher training course. It’s often the training that opens up the space to dive deeper into your own practice – and every beginner is welcome.
Being less critical of my own practice
In the beginning, I felt like my practice had to meet certain standards: a minimum duration, a perfect posture, a certain pace. But the most important thing is not how long or how “perfectly” you practice, but that you do it at all. Yoga is a process, not an achievement.
What I would do again
Make friends
One of the most enriching aspects of my yoga teacher training was the contact with the other participants. We came from very different walks of life, but we were united by a deep love of yoga. Approaching each other in an open and friendly way created friendships that have lasted far beyond the training period.
Fully immerse myself
The training is much more than just the classroom sessions. I immersed myself completely in the subject: Reading books, watching movies, listening to podcasts. This “immersion” made the experience so much more intense and took my understanding of yoga to a whole new level.
Enjoy the journey to the fullest
The yoga teacher training is a very special time – and I am grateful that I consciously enjoyed it. I will never forget the anticipation of each training weekend, learning together and the many little moments that made this journey so special. There were also trips to the movies or relaxed evenings with tea, which brought us together as a group.
Conclusion
Looking back, I can see that my yoga teacher training not only enriched my practice, but also my life. Yes, there were uncertainties and things I would do differently in hindsight. But ultimately, it was a journey full of learning, growing and connecting. My biggest piece of advice? Listen to your heart and enjoy every minute – because this time is a gift.
Do you have any questions about yoga teacher training or would you like to share your own experiences? I look forward to hearing from you! 😊
