What Should You Look For in a 200hr YTT?

What Should You Look For in a 200hr YTT?

When you feel the call to dive into a 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, it can feel SO exciting! But then you start researching your options, and the sheer magnitude of choices can feel overwhelming. I got curious about what it feels like to look for a 200 Hour Yoga Training these days, and ran across this blog post about crucial things to consider when choosing a YTT. I thought it would be interesting to put Vira Bhava Yoga to the test, and turns out, we passed! If you are curious if our training might be right for you, read on!

How do you know what yoga teacher training right for you?

1. Experienced Teacher(s): VBY teachers are the best of the best. They have studied extensively, (and often come from a diverse background of experience), they are dedicated practitioners who prioritize their own learning to support YOU, and they are great communicators, supporters, and leaders. Meet some of our teachers here.

2. Matching Yoga Style(s): At VBY, we primarily teach Tantra Yoga (and no, that doesn't mean sex...). What it does mean is that we teach you how to practice Yoga from the inside out. We do this by teaching you how to trust your inner knowing, honor your individual voice, and deepen your personal practice. Tantra is a way of life. We explore it through the physical practice (asana), as well as meditation, pranayama, and study.

3. Shared Meaning of Practice: We believe that what we practice & share is only as impactful as it is meaningful. That means we are committed to finding the ways that Yoga integrates into the life that you live- as you are, right now. We NEVER seek perfection, but rather value experience and exploration as the foundation of the skills you are learning.

4. Yoga Alliance Certification: Yep, we've got a few!

5. In-Depth Study of Essential Topics: In our 200hr Online YTT, we do more than introduce you to the foundational philosophies of Yoga. We dive deeply into learning & understanding the keystones of modern practice. In our training, we explore the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, Tantric philosophy, Sanskrit studies, and provide a strong foundation in Yoga Energetics (our favorite topic, and something you won't find in many other trainings!)

6. Stellar Reviews: Yeah, we've got a few of theese too...

7. Reasonable Class Size: Our training cohorts average around 15 students, and are never more than 20. Small enough to create an intimate community and provide each student with individualized guidance & support, yet big enough for a variety of perspectives & experiences to be shared!

8. Appropriate Location: Our Yoga Teacher Training programs are 100% Online! That means you can study with us in your living room, on the beach, or wherever YOU are!

P.S. Online doesn't mean alone! Not only do we meet a minimum of once a month as a large group, each VBY student is paired with a qualified mentor (& VBY graduate) to provide personalized guidance & support throughout your training and beyond. We love our mentors.

My time at VBY changed my life. Or, more correctly, guided and empowered me toward changing my OWN life.  I was looking for community, personal development, and a system of support like never before for the unprecedented times. I registered within a week of the start date after reading one of Kelly Golden's social media posts. I just knew. I received everything I was looking for at the time and so, so much more than I ever knew I needed. The facilitators guided the entire program with strength and grace. For having never met in person, I feel to this day that I have a deeper relationship with some of my fellow participants than I have felt with many people I've known throughout my life - that's the level of engagement and community VBY builds. Kelly and Kelsey are relentless, committed, inspiring, gentle, funny, approachable, and more adjectives than could ever do them justice. As a team, they are a force of nature. The content throughout the program is expertly laid-out (as far as timeline, manageability, and cohesion/progression of content material. it builds on itself intuitively.) It is both highly philosophical and applicable to daily life - something for both the high-brow scholar AND your average yoga instructor.

What you will find with VBY is not simply a certification path, a course with objectives to complete, no... you will find a movement. A mission. A family.

~ Katie W.

2020 VBY Graduate & VBY Ambassador