30 Oct 2021 HYN Himalayan Yoga Academy
Yoga industry has been mushrooming significantly these days. You may have noticed that online yoga teacher training has taken the world by storm these recent years. This has been pretty convenient for people to pursue teaching yoga professionally, you just need a stable internet connection to get the benefits of face to face teachings. So, this article shows the benefits and drawbacks of online yoga teacher training courses.
I think we can all agree that 2020, and 2021 have been full of surprises and challenges. Adapting the situation every yoga studio has shifted their yoga teacher training programs to an online basis for the time being. There’s an emerging trend of online yoga teacher training. But, you may have doubts about their credibility. It’s understandable if you feel that way in the beginning.
Don’t worry we are here to respond to all the questions you may have and reassure you that they’re excellent alternatives to in-person training. No doubt, A yoga teacher training (YTT) course leads you towards the beautiful journey of yogic life. Your life will be positively transformed as well as you will find the way to ultimate happiness. It lets you share the benefits of asana practice, meditation, pranayama, shatkarmas, and many other important practices for living a mindful life with others.
To be a good yoga teacher , one must work upon oneself. Knowing about asanas , philosophies , history or doing a few sessions is not enough to be able to take this experience to others. A yoga teacher training course helps you deep dive into the whole yogic experience become a teacher yourself.
Is online yoga teacher training worth it?
It all depends on what you are seeking. It is surely a life-changing experience, also online teacher training benefits you in many ways. Such as it will deepen your knowledge, improve your abilities to have better control and alignment in postures, and sequences, and most importantly it will train you in such a way that you can help others to learn from you.
An online yoga program can be a highly valuable experience, but depending only on virtual sessions can affect students’ true learning. Online programs depend much on the teachers and structure of the online course to be successful and meaningful.
What should be considered when choosing an Online Yoga Teacher Training?
First you should know why you want to take the course. Online courses are designed for different levels so you have to analyze your level whether you are beginners or intermediate practitioner. And most importantly you have to make sure that the school providing the teacher training course has a experienced teachers.
Most of the online courses you’ll find on the internet are provided by established yoga academies, considering present situations, they have started to offer online programs too. But not all of them are legit. So, one way to know if you can trust the school is by asking about their years of experience in teaching as well as if they offer offline programs.
Last but not least, look for a program that includes the study of ancient texts, like the yoga sutras of Patanjali, and the Hatha yoga pradapika. All certified programs include and mandatory areas of study for anyone who wants to become an instructor.
What does an online yoga teacher training course feel like?
Online YTT is a budget friendly and time-efficiency with plenty of benefits, starting with the fact that you can access with any kind of device. Online yoga TTC are usually broad and thorough. They cover all the main aspects of regular teacher training and in person training sessions. Moreover, in some advanced programs, you get to do the whole course at your own pace and timing.
Even though the class is virtual, a student can feel the teacher’s influence by the way they conduct classes. Being able to ask questions, get live feedback, and more better guidance benefits more in the learning. No doubt in-person training is the best way to learn.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Online Yoga Teacher Training
Before it wasn’t always possible to do a YTT course online, this has changed since COVID-19. Online YTTs were a great help for many challenges like social distancing, and lockdowns. In this stressful time, online programs let people find a new way of living a balanced life. Also, yoga is considered a boon in this pandemic time as it teaches people to survive through these tough times. Best efforts are made to make online YTTC an all-inclusive experience. But, like everything, it has its benefits and drawbacks.
Benefits of Online Yoga Teacher Training
- It fits you in your busy schedule
Online yoga teacher training courses provide you with flexibility. Most people can’t drop everything in their lives to take a YTTC. Thus, online teacher training courses offer you flexibility so that you can easily fit into your already busy lifestyle. This works well for working people and those having families or other responsibilities.
2. More affordable
Honestly, a good YTT course can be expensive. The course fee is only one part of the expenses. Your travel and preparations for staying in the retreat or an ashram will have their costs. So, one of the main pros of OYTC is that it becomes less expensive. Plus, many online programs offer good discounts.
3. You can play it back
Online YTT course offers lifetime access to all the classes. But, in a live teacher training session you get to do each session only once. Also, you can get many tutorial videos from your seasoned teachers then you can use them in developing your own style and self practice.
4. Supports eco-friendly future
People are taking Online YTT courses from home so that there are lesser numbers of vehicles and lesser use of consumer goods and services during COVID-19 has greatly reduced carbon emissions.
Drawbacks of Online Yoga Teacher Training
- Same level of guidance is missing
You can understand your teacher’s guidance well and think that you are doing your asanas correctly. But you may need some help or adjustments from your teachers. It may also be easier to correct your postures when you see a student being adjusted up close. A teacher’s comments do not become less in seems online training. However, In online classes, guidance seems to get reduced in an online class.
2. Difficult to find focus, discipline, and community in online classes
We are all learning to build community online and we know it’s possible to make connections online. But it can be harder for some people to build and maintain connections online. In live YTTC, living and learning with other people create more disciplines and focus in a student. But, doing so in an online class is harder, especially for beginners.
3. Becomes less immersive
A yoga teacher training is a life-transforming experience where you dive deep into the yogic lifestyle. You not only practice asanas, meditation, pranayamas, and philosophies in training, but you will experience a change in your diet, your daily routine, and your habits. You connect with other friends and your teachers in a personal and interactive way as you live and breathe together. Online yoga teacher training can be good in many ways but seeing videos and practicing or sharing views is not as same as learning via a traditional, on-site course.
FAQs about Online Yoga teacher training
You might have different questions before joining online YTTC, So here are some questions and its answering you may be searching for:
- Can I still join online yoga teacher training courses as a beginner?
Yes, you can . you don’t need much experience to enter a yoga teacher training. The courses are available to cover everything from scratch, and you will be given proper guidance and support during your learning. You can interact with your teachers more deeply as whole the session is only for you. You just have to be physically and mentally healthy and ready to take the responsibility of following training.
2. Which styles of yoga can I learn?
First of all, research the online YTT classes for any style of yoga you want to learn. Every teacher has their expertise. So, there might be available online courses based on their learning. You can join more classical Hatha yoga programs. you may also like Vinyasa yoga, yin yoga, or kids or teens yoga.
3. Are all teacher training courses of the same duration?
No, they are not. The period of each course is based on the purpose of the course. Like- In the traditional Hatha yoga program, there are 200 and 300-hour programs. 200 hours course requires less time than a 300 hours course. In a 300-hour course, you have to go deeper in each topics which takes a bit longer time.
4. Will I receive an internationally recognized certificate?
For an international yoga teaching certificate, you must first complete an extensive course such as 200 hours or 300 hours YTTC. Such course required to attend on-site training to complete a certain duration of contact hours.
But, this has been changed since the pandemic crisis, Yoga Alliance registered school (RYS) members who’ve applied and met the qualifications requirement can offer virtual class hours ( pre-recorded and live) in lieu of live contact hours.
5. Will I be able to teach after completing a YTTC?
Yes, you will be able to teach once you complete your teacher training course. Many choose to pursue a higher training course once they finish their beginning level course prior to start a teaching career. It depends on how comfortable and prepared you feel.
Conclusion of Best Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal
What does yoga practice mean to you or how it can influence your life depends on many personal factors. For many people, the possibility to attain Online YTTC make it possible to learn yoga in the first place.
And while we all are concerned about pandemic crisis, its okay to go for online YTTC . The future will surely give us a chance for a in-site training and live sessions.