How to Choose a 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program
Embarking on a 300-hour yoga teacher training program is a significant step for any dedicated yogi or yoga teacher looking to deepen their practice and knowledge. With a wide array of options available, choosing the right training can be a challenging decision. This blog will guide you through the essential factors to consider when selecting your 300-hour yoga training, helping you make an informed choice that aligns with your goals, preferences, and needs.
Define Your Goals and Objectives
The first step in choosing a 300-hour yoga training program is to clarify your goals and objectives. Why are you pursuing advanced yoga education? Do you want to enhance your personal practice, become a certified yoga teacher with advanced credentials, specialize in a specific style or aspect of yoga, or simply deepen your knowledge and understanding of yoga? Defining your goals will help you narrow down your options and find a program that aligns with your aspirations.
Whether you know your goals going into training or just want to explore what is possible - reach out to us to set up a discovery call to help you align your objectives.
Accreditation and Certification
Ensure that the training program is accredited by a recognized yoga alliance or governing body. Accreditation ensures that the program adheres to established standards, including curriculum, teaching methodologies, and ethical guidelines. It also assures that your certification will be globally recognized, making it easier to find teaching opportunities or advance your career.
Research the Curriculum
Look into the curriculum of the 300-hour yoga training. A well-rounded program should cover a wide range of topics, including advanced asana practice, anatomy, philosophy, meditation, pranayama, and teaching methodology. Consider your own strengths and weaknesses and choose a program that addresses your specific areas of interest and growth.
Brittany and I bring together training and experience in a wide array of style of yoga. We partner together to create a diverse curriculum for our trainees. Want a break down of our Advanced Leadership and Yoga Teacher Training curriculum? Click HERE to learn more!
Experienced Instructors
The quality of your education depends significantly on the expertise of the instructors. Research the qualifications and experience of the lead trainers and visiting faculty. It's essential to learn from experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate teachers who can guide you effectively on your yoga journey. Take note of how many lifetime classes your facilitators have taught, how many yoga trainings they have led, and their commitment to their own continued learning. It is super important that your facilitators are committed to learning as much as they are to leading. Read an excerpt from our lead trainers bios below!
Brittany Hopkins is an E-RYT 500 Yoga Alliance accredited yoga teacher training facilitator and certified Baptiste Power Yoga instructor. She has 1,200 hours of training, has taught over 4,000 hours of yoga and is the founder/owner of Container Collective Yoga, now called Red Lotus Yoga in Lakewood, CO since 2014. Before opening her studio Brittany was a professional dancer/teacher and traveled/lived around the world.
Cat Wetenkamp is an E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor and YACEP through Yoga Alliance. She currently serves as the General Manager & Yoga Director at TruFusion Colorado and Owner of Kintsugi Yoga. Cat has taught over 3500 hours of yoga, facilitated nine 200 hour yoga teacher trainings and two 300 hour yoga teacher trainings. She spearheaded TruFusion's partnership with Yoga on the Rocks, and has been featured as a teacher twice with sold out class of over 2000 students. Cat works with the Denver Broncos football team and individual players weekly teaching yoga for athletic recovery. Above all, Cat loves being a student. She has completed 1000+ hours of training in Vinyasa, Power, Aerial, Himalayan Kriya, Meditation, Yin, Sculpt & Trauma Informed Yoga.
Teaching Methodology
The teaching methodology of the program is crucial. Look for a program that not only provides theoretical knowledge but also focuses on hands-on teaching experience. Practical teaching opportunities, peer feedback, and mentorship can help you become a more confident and skilled yoga instructor. Ideally your training is able to give you tangible skills to be successful outside of your training program.
In our 300 Hour Advanced Leadership and Yoga Training, we build in opportunities for our participants to design both classes and workshops that they can utilize outside of the training setting. Many of our past participants are currently leading the workshop they designed within training at studios across Denver or on retreats. During training, they received valuable feedback on how to design, facilitate and market their offerings so they could be successful in a real world setting.
Style and Approach
Yoga is incredibly diverse, with numerous styles and approaches. Consider the style that resonates with you the most, whether it's Vinyasa, Hatha, Kriya, Yin, or another. Different programs may specialize in specific styles or combine multiple approaches. Choose a program that aligns with your preferences and goals.
Our 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program focuses primarily on Power, Vinyasa, and Kriya Yoga. You will gain valuable skills to innovate your teaching in all three modalities. Kriya yoga in particular is a very unique style that will make your teaching really stand out. Check out our program HERE.
Reviews and Testimonials
Read reviews and testimonials from previous participants of the 300-hour yoga training program. This can give you valuable insights into the quality of the training, the experiences of past students, and the overall reputation of the school or organization.
Brittany and I are so grateful for the testimonies our our participants - you can read a few below and we are happy to send you more!
“I can't recommend this training enough! I came in to this training one person and left another. Brittany and Cat both bring so many unique gifts to the table. Brittany's ability to weave the lessons of yoga into our journey really keep the lessons of yoga alive throughout this training. Learning the difference between leading and teaching has been so impactful in my growth as a yoga teacher. Cat really helped me push past a lot of limiting ideas of who I thought I was as a teacher; being able to weave stories throughout a yoga class was something I would have said is just not for me going into this training. Now I feel as though I can present in almost any style with enough preparation. Being taught to read bodies has helped me design and deliver more customized classes, that really cater to my particular students' needs. If you felt like your 200-hour YTT just scratched the surface of knowledge and you want to deepen your practice or your teaching: take this training.”
“This 300-hour program changed my life and helped me grow as a teacher so much. I didn't know what to expect but it was so much more than I imagined. I loved the special attention to inclusiveness. The workshops dedicated to minority groups and trauma-informed yoga were eye-opening and helpful. I felt so prepared to pay special attention to how this shows up in my teaching.
This training was hard, so hard and I am forever grateful for the impact it has had on me. The special attention to detail in every training weekend showed! Both Cat and Brittany brought so much experience, knowledge, patience, humility and kindness to the table. “
Cost and Financial Considerations
Consider your budget when choosing a program. The cost of 300-hour yoga teacher training programs can vary significantly. Keep in mind that a higher price doesn't always equate to better quality, so balance your budget with the other factors mentioned here. Ask the facilitators of the program you are considering what their past participants are up to now.
Brittany and I are so proud of our graduates for their accomplishments after completing this training. Here are a few accomplishments we want to shout out!!
We have had three past participants chosen to teach at Yoga on the Rocks to sold out classes of over 2000 students
Two graduates step into leadership positions at studios in Denver
One participant is regularly featured on TV programs for bilingual yoga
Multiple graduates facilitating 200 hour yoga teacher training programs and leading sold out workshops
Multiple graduates are leading both domestic and international yoga retreats.
