Embarking on a yoga teacher training (YTT) journey is an exciting step, whether you dream of teaching or simply want to deepen your practice. With so many programs available, it can feel overwhelming to choose the right one and make the most of your learning experience. 

Here’s a guide to help you make an informed decision and ensure your training experience is rewarding and aligned with your goals.

1. Clarify Your Intentions
Before you start searching, ask yourself:

• Why do I want to take a yoga teacher training course?
• Am I looking to teach, or to deepen my personal practice?
• What style of yoga resonates with me most?

Understanding your motivation will help you filter programs that best fit your needs.

2. Research the Program’s Accreditation and Reputation

• Is the course accredited by a recognized yoga organization (such as Yoga Alliance)?
  • RYS (Registered Yoga School), 
    RYS 200: School is approved to offer a 200-hour teacher training. 
    RYS 300: School is approved to offer a 300-hour advanced teacher training.
• What do past students say about their experience? (Look for reviews and testimonials.)
• How long has the school or teacher been offering YTT programs?

Accreditation ensures a certain standard of curriculum and teaching, while reviews offer real-world insights.

3. Evaluate the Curriculum

• What topics are covered? (e.g., anatomy, philosophy, teaching methodology, practicum)
• How many hours are dedicated to each subject?
• Does the curriculum align with your interests and goals?

A well-rounded curriculum should balance physical practice, theory, and teaching skills.

4. Meet the Teachers

• Who are the lead instructors?
• What are their backgrounds, experience, and teaching styles?
• Are you able to attend a class or workshop with them before committing?
• Are the educators a RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) affiliated with the Yoga Alliance or another professional organization. 
  • RYT 200: Completed a 200-hour Yoga Alliance–approved teacher training. This is the foundational level for teaching yoga.
    RYT 500: Completed a 500-hour Yoga Alliance–approved training, or a 200-hour training plus an additional 300-hour advanced training.
    E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher): Indicates teaching experience in addition to training.
    E-RYT 200: Completed a 200-hour training and has taught at least 1,000 hours over a minimum of two years.
    E-RYT 500: Completed a 500-hour training and has taught at least 2,000 hours over a minimum of four years.

Connecting with your teachers beforehand can help you gauge if their approach resonates with you.

5. Consider the Format and Schedule

• Is the training full-time, part-time, in-person, online, or a hybrid? 
  • Why In-Person Yoga Teacher Training Is Often Better Than Online
    Hands-On Learning and Immediate Feedback In-person courses allow you to receive real-time corrections and adjustments from experienced teachers. This helps you refine your alignment, technique, and teaching skills in ways that are difficult to replicate online.
    Deeper Connection and CommunityBeing physically present with your peers and instructors fosters a sense of community and support. You can share experiences, ask questions, and build lasting relationships that enhance your learning journey.
    Immersive ExperienceIn-person trainings often provide a focused, distraction-free environment. This immersion helps you absorb the material more deeply and stay engaged throughout the course.
    Practice Teaching with Real StudentsYou’ll have the opportunity to practice teaching in front of a live group, receive feedback, and observe others. This builds confidence and prepares you for real-world teaching situations.
    Access to Physical Adjustments and Demonstrations Teachers can demonstrate poses and offer hands-on adjustments, which are essential for understanding proper alignment and safety—especially for beginners.
    Accountability and MotivationAttending classes in person helps you stay accountable and motivated. The structure of a physical classroom makes it easier to stay on track and complete the program.
    Immediate Answers to QuestionsYou can ask questions and get answers right away, rather than waiting for email responses or online forum replies.
    In Summary: While online courses offer flexibility and convenience, in-person yoga teacher training provides a richer, more interactive, and supportive learning environment. It’s especially valuable for those who thrive on hands-on learning, personal connection, and real-time feedback.
• Does the schedule fit your lifestyle and commitments?
• How much time is required outside of class for homework or practice?

Make sure you have the time necessary to be fully present for your course and additional time set aside to study. ​

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.”~Amit Ray, Om Chanting and Meditation

“Prana” is the one life force that permeates all living things and in fact all matter. This is also known as “Maha Prana” or ``great prana. In the human body, this universal energy of the prana has been observed to move in specific ways in specific regions in the body, regulating and controlling physical and mental function. The word vayu translates as "wind," connoting an all-pervading movement. The root ‘va’ means “that which flows” – and so a vayu is a vehicle for activities and experiences within the body, or a “force” that moves throughout the system controlling functions such as digestion, respiration, nerve impulses act. Prana in more simple terms is associated with the movements and energy of our breathing. Prana is more than the breath as it really encompass the energy we derive from our breathing as our life force. 

The larger idea of prana is placed into five subcategories.

1. Udana Vayu “that which carries upward”
2. Prana Vayu “forward moving air”
3. Samana Vayu “the balancing air”
4. Apana Vayu “the air that moves away”
5. Vayana Vayu “outward moving air, air of circulation”

This model gives us a representation of our energy circulation

Udana Vayu “that which carries upward”
It rules the region of the throat and head,and is seated specifically in the throat. It also rules muscle function and strength in the extremities as well as the sensory function of the eyes, ears and nose. The energy and movement of Udana is particularly stimulated by Jalandhara Bandha. Ether or space is the element associated with this vayu.

Prana Vayu “forward moving air”
This is the energy of life force. This is the propulsive energy that sets things into motion and its vital energy supplies the positive energy for all the other vayus. The energy known as prana vayu governs the region from the abdomen or diaphragm to the base of the throat, corresponding to Jalandhara bandha (see bandhas). The “seat” of the prana vayu is the heart, and this vayu ensures that the heart goes on beating. It is associated with the element of air.

Samana Vayu “the balancing air”
Located primarily in the region between the navel and the heart (solar plexus), and its seat is said to be in the navel. It is the controlling power of the metabolism or “digestive fire” and the functioning of the digestive organs and glands. Samana vayu is associated with the element of fire.

Apana Vayu “the air that moves away”
This is the energy of elimination. The dominant energy of Apana vayu is a downward and outward movement. Its energy moves primarily in the lower abdomen from the navel to the floor of the pelvis. Apana is the aspect of the prana that governs the ability to eject or eliminate what is not needed to the system. Apana vayu is associated with the element of earth. The seat of the apana vayu is in the core of the pelvis, and it governs from the navel to the perineum, corresponding to the area in which we practice Mula bandha. Prana and Apana  vayu can have both a downward movement in the body as well as an upward movement* within its primary region.

Vayana Vayu “outward moving air, air of circulation”
This vayu pervades the whole body, and is a coordinating, connecting force. It has no specific seat, but rather coordinates all the powers such as sensory awareness, and runs through the whole network of the 72,000 nadis or passageways of prana in the body, connecting the functions of the nerves, veins, muscles and joints and circulates nutrients and energy. Its function is cohesive and is associated with the element of water. Vayana vayu is fundamental to making one feel and function as an integrated whole.

Pay attention to each region as you breath. Notice where you feel your breath travel easily or where you may feel resistance. We can work to balance the flow of the five winds with yoga asanas, and pranayamas to increase the health of our body and mind. 

Learn more with Chris Loebsack

Upcoming Course: 
Boundless Breath: The Power of Pranayama
January 8-10th, 2025 

The standing forward fold position also know as uttanasana is one of the foundational postures of yoga. The pose name uttanasana comes from the Sanskrit root "ut", which translates as powerful or intense, and "tan" which means to stretch or lengthen. While we often refer to the pose by it's shape, the forward fold, its actual meaning is "intense pose". For anyone with tighter hamstrings, they can certainly feel the sensations in the back of the thighs lives up to the name. Although many people feel the stretch strongly in the back of the thigh, this  position when practiced with proper alignment and attention stretches the entire back body line from the soles of the feet, up through the calves, the infamous hamstrings, the glutes, muscles of the back, and lengthens the neck. 

The Sanskrit word uttanasana comprises ut, which means “intense,” “powerful,” or “deliberate,” and the verb tan, meaning to “stretch,” “extend,” or “lengthen.” Uttanasana is a stretch of the entire back body

You do not have to touch the floor to do the pose! Start where ever you are and do a little bit at a time to build up your flexibility. While it is OK to put some effort into the position and feel some stretch sensations, avoid overdoing it. It is better to do a little bit at a time over a long period of time with consistency so that we may increase mobility gains while avoiding injury. 

Note: This pose is not recommended for people with low back problems without the guidance of an experienced yoga teacher.

Parsvakonsasna or the side angle posture is a foundational standing posture. The lower portion of the pose is set up the same as the often more familiar posture virabhadrasana b or Warrior 2. This posture functions as a hip and shoulder opener, strength builder, and a powerful spinal opener. It also creates space for the internal organs while stretching the fascia of the shoulders and belly. 

Although there is a lean to the side, strictly speaking, side angle is not a side bend. Instead the upper side of the waistline contracts to keep the sides of the torso even. It strengthens the obliques when properly executed. You may still feel some intense side body stretch within the strength as the arm reaches alongside the ear where the lat stretch occurs. Modifications may be made if there is excessive tightness in the shoulders or and injury in the area as well as different variations to accommodate tightness in the hips.