Yes, absolutely. This is one of the most frequently asked questions prior to enrollment and it’s easier to answer than you might think.
No prior yoga experience is required to attend a 200 hour teacher training. The majority of the good schools in Rishikesh open their doors for all novices. In fact, every time you ask a group of people to come to their first day, you’ll find that a lot of students have only been practicing for a few months. Some people haven’t been to a proper Yoga class before.
What Actually Matters More Than Experience
It’s not about how advanced your practice is that schools are looking for. They seek sincerity, commitment, and interest in acquiring knowledge. The inexperienced, but hard working individual will always earn more out of training than the experienced practitioner who isn’t fully engaged.
A 200 hour YTT’s curriculum is structured to develop you from the start. Basic postures, alignment, breath awareness, philosophy is the starting point. All lessons are delivered progressively. So if you are not flexible on day one, don’t worry, that’s ok.
How Schools Support Beginners
The savvy educator understands how to operate with various levels in a single classroom. They provide adaptations, individual attention and make arrangements so no one is left behind. In addition, the training is immersive and you go through the training much faster than in weekly courses.
After just 4 weeks, most novices are really amazed by their transformation, not only physically, but also in their overall knowledge of yoga.
One Thing to Keep in Mind
It is always beneficial to start to do a bit of yoga 1 to 2 months before you begin your training session. It makes it easier for your body to adapt, and helps you get there a little bit more prepared. However, this is just a suggestion, not a must do thing.
