1. Is the teacher training organized by the resort or retreat center or by the school? If the former, know that they typically hire yoga teachers to teach the training for a fee. This can produce mixed results depending on the quality of the teacher, experience in training other teachers, and knowledge about the resort or location. If organized by the school or teacher, they pay the resort for use of the facility and book the rooms and typically have a greater interest in satisfactory outcomes.
2. How long does it take to travel to the location? If more than 4 time zones away, you may experience jet lag. Allow yourself to arrive early to the location, or at least the time zone in order to rest and adjust. You can push through fatigue the first few days, but your optimal learning may be compromised if you are weary from travel.
3. Know the seasonal weather patterns where you’re headed. If more rainy season, will you practice under a dry roof? And, is the roof made of a material where the sound of pouring rain is so loud that even the teachers voice with a microphone is a sound you cannot hear.
4. Are you staying onsite, or offsite? It makes a big difference as people often underestimate traffic or road conditions with a daily commute. Has the teacher stayed at the resort before? Do you have photos of the rooms and yoga shala? Are there online reviews of the location? Are other activities available or even possible? Does the location offer reliable wi-fi that is free?
5. How much time can you commit to a training? Many are convinced the longer timeframe trainings are best. Not so fast, as they often have excursions at an extra cost, a dispersed group of students that go in different directions on off days or daily downtime, or the typical distractions that often arise from a lot of downtime. Some attendees of 30 day programs are reluctant to admit they want to get back to their lives, or the offsite distractions got in the way of learning. Just because it ia a 30 day program in Bali, Thailand, or India doesn’t qualify a training as a quality one. But if done right it can be a wonderful investment of time and money. In choosing a longer term destination training, ask questions on the daily itinerary and any extra costs that may be added after the fact. This also goes back to your goals. If traveling, experiencing new sights and people, and finding yourself are your primary goals – then maybe longer term training is best for you. Longer time does not equal a better educational experience.
Fourteen days of teacher training with a focused approach to each day, fully immersed in studies and related activities may work best for you and your schedule.
Learn More with me at any one of my training retreats throughout the year in Costa Rica, Bali, Spain, Mexico.
XOMarianne
