When people ask, I usually say I’ve been practicing yoga for 14 years. That’s true — I took my first class at 15, and since that initial experience with Cindy, yoga has been a steady part of my life. We’ve had ups and downs, but yoga has been the backbone of my physical and mental health since my teenage years.
Still, I often feel like my true practice is only beginning.
For a few years I toyed with the idea of enrolling in Yoga Teacher Training. It wasn’t about becoming a full-time instructor — it was an internal itch: a desire to deepen my practice, explore the spiritual side of yoga, and learn fundamentals many seasoned practitioners never encounter. I kept postponing it for various reasons, time being the biggest obstacle.
The first certification level is a 200-hour course. Two hundred hours is significant, and I kept inventing excuses. Then one late fall day in 2017, while lying in shavasana after a beautiful class, it hit me: now is the time. There is never a perfect moment; there will always be something else demanding attention. If something calls to your heart, you make space for it.
I left class and saw a table to my right with pamphlets for a 200-hour YTT program. I took it as a sign and submitted my application that same evening.
Most people won’t decide that quickly, and I understand why. If I’d waited, another year and another set of excuses would have shown up. In hindsight there were a thousand reasons why timing could have been terrible — and a thousand reasons it was perfect. The truth is, committing 200 hours to anything is challenging, and it requires intention.
I signed up and counted down to the early February start date, not knowing exactly what to expect. I hadn’t met our primary teacher or taken her classes, but I loved The Pad Studios, where I usually practiced, and that familiarity felt important. So I dove in.
I kept most of the experience private. I mentioned teacher training on Instagram and a podcast, but I chose not to chronicle the lead-up or the course itself. I wanted to avoid expectations and to respect the privacy of my fellow trainees and my own. Training is an intimate process, and I wanted to feel safe in the container we created. I’m deeply grateful for the community we formed — more on that later.
The program I chose ran seven weekends over three months, plus homework, twice-weekly in-studio practice, teacher shadowing and various assignments. There was also a significant teaching component, which I’ll address below.
Over those three months I learned more about yoga than I expected, and even more about life. When I say my yoga practice has just begun, I mean yoga extends far beyond the physical asanas. It’s a way of life. This training taught me to integrate yoga principles into relationships, wedding planning, business decisions — essentially every hour of my day. On the first day our teacher told us: while you think you signed up for yoga teacher training, you actually signed up for life training. I couldn’t agree more.
I don’t want to set rigid expectations about what teacher training will be like, but I do want to share what I learned. I hope these reflections help anyone considering training, whether it nudges you forward or helps you decide it’s not for you. Either way, here are the key takeaways from my experience.
Pick Your Program
There are many programs available, each with its own style and schedule. I’m a vibes person: I chose a course at a studio where I already felt comfortable and appreciated the timeline. That might not be the right choice for everyone. Before committing, consider the program’s timeline, location, instructors and certifications. Some schools offer short intensives that complete quickly, while others provide destination retreats. Attend info sessions and gather details so you can choose a program that fits your life and intentions.
For example, my 2018 intention was “rooted,” so I wanted a local program in San Francisco and couldn’t take a month off work. Those practical factors shaped my decision.
Set Aside Time
Once I decided, I immediately blocked off training weekends in my calendar. I made YTT a priority, which meant skipping events and rearranging plans. I also reserved the twice-weekly studio sessions to prevent other commitments from taking those slots. If you treat the training as essential and schedule accordingly, you’ll be able to give it the attention it needs.
You Don’t Need to Be an Expert Yogi
This fear worried me at first. I practice inversions, but balancing upside-down still scares me. You don’t need to be an expert to enroll — just don’t sign up if you’ve never tried yoga at all. My cohort included students at many levels, which was enriching. Some people are naturally bendier or stronger, and that’s neither better nor worse. Training is about growth, not comparison.
Yoga Is More Than Physical Activity
This was my biggest revelation. The physical poses are only one of yoga’s eight limbs. The course exposed me to breathwork, meditation, ethical teachings and the broader spiritual framework of yoga. Discovering these elements transformed how I practice and live. I’m excited to share more about these teachings as I continue learning.
Be Open
Becoming open-minded became my informal motto. I got the most out of training by entering without expectations and by staying receptive, even to ideas that didn’t immediately resonate. In the final week, my classmates and I reflected on how our openness shaped the experience. Resistance is normal, but often what you resist most reveals where you can grow the most. Stay curious and try practices even if they feel unfamiliar at first.
This guide is intended as a helpful overview for anyone exploring yoga teacher training. If you have questions about the specific program I completed (Embody Truth with Dana Damara), feel free to message me — I’m happy to share my perspective.
To the incredible women who shared this journey: I am forever grateful. You made the experience meaningful, and I couldn’t have asked for a more loving, supportive group.
And what will I do with my certification? Start teaching, of course. While I won’t be leading regular studio classes right away, I’ll be sharing more yoga posts and videos on The Healthy Maven and hosting events in San Francisco and beyond. If you want updates on upcoming yoga offerings, consider joining the events list to stay informed. I can’t wait to share this new knowledge with you.