The Most Common Mistakes People Make During Their Yoga Teacher Training

A yoga teacher training course is not just a professional stream but a deep and transformative journey of discipline, self-introspection, and comprehensive growth. Whether you are someone who is looking to enhance their professional skills with yoga teaching abilities or you just want to deepen your personal practice, there are some common mistakes that you can avoid during your yoga teacher training. Most of the time, people, students, unintentionally mistake yoga to be solely a fitness regime, and they end up doing yoga postures the wrong way and get used to a wrong alignment, which could do more harm than good, especially when it comes to a yoga TTC. Here are some essential YTT tips that will help you look out for and eliminate the common mistakes in your yoga teacher training journey.

Believing alignment is one size fits all

Alignment is a core aspect of yoga. Often students’ mistake in believing that alignment is a one size that fits all. But in reality, everybody is structured differently based on mobility, strength, flexibility, and injuries. So, what may work for one yoga practitioner might not work for another. Therefore, it is important to consider the body’s unique structure rather than depending upon the textbook alignment of yoga alignments. As proficient yoga teachers, you should be able to support diverse bodies and adapt the yoga poses to suit their body and flexibility, so that they can reap the maximum benefit without causing any harm to the practitioner.

Overlooking the importance of breath work

It is often seen that when students come for yoga teacher training courses, they try to focus dominantly on the physical practice or the yoga asanas alone. But, it is important to understand that even though the yoga asanas are a core aspect of a yoga teacher training course, they are only one limb of the eight-limbed path of yoga. Pranayama is an essential pillar of yoga, and mastering physical postures without Pranayama is non-negotiable. It is important to focus on that is Pranayama (breath work), yogic philosophy (yogic sutras, yamas, and niyamas), as well as dhyana (meditation). Embracing the holistic nature of yoga can help students deeply connect with the asanas (physical postures) and understand how their body, as well as their mind, behaves and reacts in a certain posture. Yoga is not just about sweating out in a particular backbend or about perfecting a handstand; it encompasses the spiritual, therapeutic, and philosophical aspects that come as a package.

Underestimating the comprehensiveness of the course

When yoga enthusiasts’ sign up for a 100-hour or a 200-hour yoga teacher training course, it is important to understand that such courses are not just about learning certain yoga asanas or getting a certification. Such courses are way more intense and comprehensive than the students come prepared for. It includes knowing first-hand about Pranayama, meditation, ethics, correct alignment, techniques, anatomy, and Sanskrit terminologies, all in a few weeks. And in addition to all this learning, they have to practice teaching so that they can educate others efficiently in the future.

Skipping meals

When people join teacher training courses, they get overwhelmed by their daily schedule between the early morning practice to theory classes, and evening workshops, and neglect their balanced nutrition or depend more on stimulants like coffee or other forms of liquids. It is important to understand that skipping meals or not feeding the body proportionately can result in a lack of physical and mental stamina. It is therefore important to eat satvik (balanced foods), which are locally sourced, so that you stay nourished and energized. What you eat not only physically replenishes you, but it also feeds your prana.

Comparing your journey with others

Everyone has a different backstory, and each person’s journey is unique. When one compares their progress and journey with others, they fall into a trap of comparison, which can lead to self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy about one’s own self. It is important to understand that every student is flexible and capable at different levels, and yoga is a personal journey where everyone starts at a different level and progressively grows at their own pace.

Avoiding inquisitiveness regarding the program & practice

Curiosity is a good sign for both the teacher as well as the student. When enrolled in such teacher training courses, you should not hesitate or shy away from the fear of judgment, as this will lead to confusion. Not only will avoiding questions regarding the program and practice result in misunderstandings, but it will also limit your learning. Therefore, you should ask questions and engage in discussions with your fellow students as well as your instructors to enhance your learning and gain in-depth knowledge about what you have enrolled for.

Avoiding teaching practice

Teaching yoga is pretty different from practicing yoga. Generally, the students enrolled in the course either hesitate to lead the sessions, feel shy, or feel that they are not yet ready to conduct sessions. But the whole point of such courses is to give you an environment that is safe and supportive so that you can make your mistakes, receive feedback, and refine your style and instructional abilities. After all, teaching is a skill that you build with practice.

Thinking certification means you’re ready to start immediately

Yes, the yoga teacher training courses are about giving you certification, guaranteeing your credibility and professionalism, and YTT is a big achievement, but at the same time, it is necessary to understand that as new yoga teachers, you cannot be ready to run packed classes as soon as you get your certification. Efficient teaching comes with time, experience, and patience. Rushing to take up classes without continued learning and practice can be insufficient both for you as a teacher and your students. As teachers, your confidence, communication, and skills will evolve and enhance with time, proving that you as good teachers.

YTT is not a yoga holiday; therefore, it requires consistency

One of the most common mistakes students make is considering courses such as wellness retreats or yoga vacations. Yes, these courses are fun, and they allow you to be in serene settings like beaches or ashrams, or mountains, but the purpose of the course is for you to gain a deep introspection about your yoga journey alongside gaining professional yoga teaching skills. Therefore, you should be consistent with your practice and prioritize discipline and regularity to allow true transformation to unfold.

Conclusion

Yoga teacher training courses can be a powerful tool in your yoga journey. They bring together knowledge, transformation and offer you skills that will help you grow professionally in the realm of yoga and the fitness industry. Being aware of these common mistakes can give you an etch and help you absorb your training efficiently.

Yoga teacher training courses in goa offered by AdiYogam under the mentorship of traditional yoga masters like Bharat Ram, help students avoid such mistakes and smoothly navigate the teacher training experience with grace and intention.