Is YTT a Scam?
Yoga? A scam?
Storytime:
A couple years back someone mentioned in passing that there were yoga studios in downtown Chicago operating their 200hr teacher trainings almost like pyramid schemes, booking them to the brim with anyone interested who could pay the hefty tuition, doling out certificates upon payment and setting loose a bunch of underqualified yoga teachers into an already oversaturated market. These studio owners couldn't care less what happened to graduates of their program aferwards because the studio had already made its money and moved on. And with the growing popularity of yoga, especially now with it blowing up on social media, there's always a fresh batch of students ready to get certified.
When I heard this, it grossed me out and I didn't want to believe it. Dishonesty like that is so counterproductive to the practice itself, I couldn't imagine how a yoga studio would be so blatant in ripping people off. That being said, I'm not naive, and I'd actually just stayed up a few weeks earlier watching a late night expose on Bikram Choudry, so I mean, if someone could do what he did, I guess what's to stop a studio from pushing people through their YTT???
Moving on, some time passed and as I got closer to my own 200hr training, I started researching more about YTTs in general and sought out information about people's YTT experiences on Reddit. This only caused more cynicism, these tales of egotistical studio owners preaching "their" yoga and only their yoga, trainings packed with 50+ students apiece, or programs that gave students zero experience actually teaching before handing out certificates.
At this point I was reeling. My nights were spent in anxiety wondering is YTT a scam? And also, is YTT (even a legit YTT) worth the price tag? This ish be cray.
Still, I was passionate about getting certified to teach. So when everything lined up for me financially to take my teacher training, I was careful to apply at studios that felt authentic. Because yes, I'd confirmed by then that suspect YTTs do indeed exist. In my experience, they're not nearly as common as the internet would make them seem (curse the vocal minority, am I right?), but I'd be lying if I said I didn't come across one or two in my research, and that's just within a 30 mile radius from Chicago.
Luckily, the studio I eventually chose keeps their training classes small, requires over 25 hours of in-studio work (observing, practicing, teaching, assisting) before graduation, and assigns weekly practical work where students teach to their classmates every session to receive individualized feedback from peers and instructors. Tons of reading was assigned to our group, as the history, philosophy, and anatomy are huge components of the 200hr program. There's a significant focus on meditation and pranayama in addition to the poses. I could go on and on in praise about my personal YTT experience, but that's an entirely different blog post altogether. Moral of the story is there was no scamming going on at my home studio, bless us all!
Seriously, though. If you want to avoid problems with your prospective YTT, do your research. I know it's tempting, the desire to share the practice with others once you fall in love with it yourself. But I promise the time spent finding the right YTT will be worth it! These programs are expensive for starters, and they take a whole lot of dedication. You'll likely be a whole new human when you finish the program and that can be scary. You want your time and money spent in a studio that feels comfortable and inviting, and that will help you meet your goals as a yoga teacher. Finding the right studio takes effort, so don't be afraid to shop around, meet with studio owners, and ask lots of questions until you find the right program!
So...to answer the first big question posed here earlier, no. I don't think YTT is a scam. At least not inherently. Just be careful!
As for the answer to my second question, is YTT worth it?.....
For me, YTT was totally worth it, but that's because I put my entire being into it and stuck it out through all the craziness and stress, no matter how intense it got. I stayed focused even if I wanted to slack, even if others were slacking around me. I remembered my reason for wanting to share yoga in the first place anytime I let silly drama or surface level annoyances distract me. My story is not everyone's story, and even in my very small training, we were all there for different reasons, a factor that ultimately makes the value of the program itself unique for each individual. Some of my classmates didn't even take YTT to teach, but rather to heal internally and re-discover their own bodies.
Asking whether YTT is "worth it" is a question that cannot be answered, unfortunately, by anyone other than you.
Know what your goals are. Do your research. Focus on your purpose, your reason "why." If you're in connection with your heart and spirit as you make your way through your YTT journey, trust that everything will work out for you! SUCH a yoga teacher answer, I know, but honestly cliches exist for a reason so I will cheaply defer to one and send you all on your way: trust your path. It will never lead you astray.
XO
Jess
Storytime:
A couple years back someone mentioned in passing that there were yoga studios in downtown Chicago operating their 200hr teacher trainings almost like pyramid schemes, booking them to the brim with anyone interested who could pay the hefty tuition, doling out certificates upon payment and setting loose a bunch of underqualified yoga teachers into an already oversaturated market. These studio owners couldn't care less what happened to graduates of their program aferwards because the studio had already made its money and moved on. And with the growing popularity of yoga, especially now with it blowing up on social media, there's always a fresh batch of students ready to get certified.
When I heard this, it grossed me out and I didn't want to believe it. Dishonesty like that is so counterproductive to the practice itself, I couldn't imagine how a yoga studio would be so blatant in ripping people off. That being said, I'm not naive, and I'd actually just stayed up a few weeks earlier watching a late night expose on Bikram Choudry, so I mean, if someone could do what he did, I guess what's to stop a studio from pushing people through their YTT???
Moving on, some time passed and as I got closer to my own 200hr training, I started researching more about YTTs in general and sought out information about people's YTT experiences on Reddit. This only caused more cynicism, these tales of egotistical studio owners preaching "their" yoga and only their yoga, trainings packed with 50+ students apiece, or programs that gave students zero experience actually teaching before handing out certificates.
At this point I was reeling. My nights were spent in anxiety wondering is YTT a scam? And also, is YTT (even a legit YTT) worth the price tag? This ish be cray.
Still, I was passionate about getting certified to teach. So when everything lined up for me financially to take my teacher training, I was careful to apply at studios that felt authentic. Because yes, I'd confirmed by then that suspect YTTs do indeed exist. In my experience, they're not nearly as common as the internet would make them seem (curse the vocal minority, am I right?), but I'd be lying if I said I didn't come across one or two in my research, and that's just within a 30 mile radius from Chicago.
Luckily, the studio I eventually chose keeps their training classes small, requires over 25 hours of in-studio work (observing, practicing, teaching, assisting) before graduation, and assigns weekly practical work where students teach to their classmates every session to receive individualized feedback from peers and instructors. Tons of reading was assigned to our group, as the history, philosophy, and anatomy are huge components of the 200hr program. There's a significant focus on meditation and pranayama in addition to the poses. I could go on and on in praise about my personal YTT experience, but that's an entirely different blog post altogether. Moral of the story is there was no scamming going on at my home studio, bless us all!
Seriously, though. If you want to avoid problems with your prospective YTT, do your research. I know it's tempting, the desire to share the practice with others once you fall in love with it yourself. But I promise the time spent finding the right YTT will be worth it! These programs are expensive for starters, and they take a whole lot of dedication. You'll likely be a whole new human when you finish the program and that can be scary. You want your time and money spent in a studio that feels comfortable and inviting, and that will help you meet your goals as a yoga teacher. Finding the right studio takes effort, so don't be afraid to shop around, meet with studio owners, and ask lots of questions until you find the right program!
So...to answer the first big question posed here earlier, no. I don't think YTT is a scam. At least not inherently. Just be careful!
As for the answer to my second question, is YTT worth it?.....
For me, YTT was totally worth it, but that's because I put my entire being into it and stuck it out through all the craziness and stress, no matter how intense it got. I stayed focused even if I wanted to slack, even if others were slacking around me. I remembered my reason for wanting to share yoga in the first place anytime I let silly drama or surface level annoyances distract me. My story is not everyone's story, and even in my very small training, we were all there for different reasons, a factor that ultimately makes the value of the program itself unique for each individual. Some of my classmates didn't even take YTT to teach, but rather to heal internally and re-discover their own bodies.
Asking whether YTT is "worth it" is a question that cannot be answered, unfortunately, by anyone other than you.
Know what your goals are. Do your research. Focus on your purpose, your reason "why." If you're in connection with your heart and spirit as you make your way through your YTT journey, trust that everything will work out for you! SUCH a yoga teacher answer, I know, but honestly cliches exist for a reason so I will cheaply defer to one and send you all on your way: trust your path. It will never lead you astray.
XO
Jess
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