How Long Should You Do Yoga Before Teacher Training?

The Honest Answer: You Don’t Need Any Experience

One of the most common questions women ask before enrolling in a Yoga Teacher Training program is:

• “How long should I practice yoga before I start teacher training?”

The short answer?

• Zero.

• None. You don’t need any prior yoga experience to begin.

That may surprise you, especially if you’ve seen schools online saying you need months or years of practice first. But at Lotus River Wellness (LRW), we know the truth: Yoga Teacher Training is for anyone, anytime, especially beginners.

The length of time you’ve practiced has nothing to do with your ability to learn, grow, and become an incredible teacher.

Let’s break down why.

Yoga Teacher Training Isn’t About Perfection — It’s About Intention

So many women hold themselves back because they believe:

• “I’m not flexible enough.”

• “I need to be more advanced first.”

• “I should practice for a year before I join.”

But none of that is true.

The most important qualification for yoga teacher training is not how long you’ve practiced…

…it’s why you’re practicing.

At LRW, the women who thrive most are those who show up with:

• Intention

• Curiosity

• Humility

• Openness

• A desire to understand the practice

• A desire to grow

• A willingness to be led

• And the courage to begin

Experience helps. Intention transforms.

How Much Yoga Experience Do You Really Need?

As much as you feel is necessary.

Some women like to take a few classes before they enroll. Some like to follow a YouTube flow or do gentle stretching at home. Some don’t do anything at all, they just jump in.

And that’s completely valid.

You can start LRW with:

• zero classes

• zero yoga vocabulary

• zero poses memorized

• zero knowledge of philosophy

• zero experience with meditation or breathwork

Nothing disqualifies you.

Why LRW Welcomes Beginners

Because yoga isn’t a performance. It’s not reserved for the flexible, the experienced, the “naturals,” or the super-athletic.

Yoga is a practice for:

• Caregivers

• Mothers

• Women healing from trauma

• Women who lost themselves in a hard season

• Women needing a portable, meaningful career

• Women rebuilding confidence

• Women longing for structure and mindfulness

And yes, military spouses are particularly aligned with this.

Their schedules, their stress, their seasons of life, beginners absolutely thrive in this structure.

At LRW, we teach in a way that is:

• Accessible

• Supportive

• Slow-paced when needed

• Immersive when desired

• Trauma-aware

• Culturally respectful

• And deeply community-centered

This is why women with zero yoga background succeed beautifully in our 200hr YTT.

Real Stories From LRW Students

1. The Woman Who Had Never Taken a Yoga Class

   She came into LRW with no experience, no flexibility, and no confidence. She graduated with her certificate, completed her teaching hours, registered with Yoga Alliance, and now teaches gentle classes that women adore. Her strength? Intention, not experience.

   
   

2. The Military Spouse & Caregiver Seeking Healing

   She joined after years of caring for her household during deployments and caring for her wounded or ill spouse. She needed something that was hers. Yoga became that lifeline. Her teaching style today is grounded, compassionate, and deeply intuitive, not because of years of practice, but because of her lived experience.

Both began as beginners. Both became beautiful teachers.

If You’re Waiting Until You “Feel Ready”…

You’ll Wait Forever

You don’t need:

• to fold in half

• to touch your toes

• to master downward dog

• to know Sanskrit

• to memorize poses...

You need:

• confidence

• the willingness to build it.

Because confidence doesn’t come before YTT. It comes from YTT.

At LRW, that’s exactly what we teach.

Why You’re Ready Now

You’re ready if you:

• Want to grow

• Want structure

• Want a portable career

• Want deeper meaning in your day

• Want a practice that supports your nervous system

• Want a community of grounded, supportive women

• Want to learn yoga the right way

• Want to teach someday, or simply want a deeper personal practice

If you feel drawn to this, then you’re ready. You don’t need more time on the mat, you need the courage to begin.

Final Answer: How Long Should You Practice Before YTT?

As long as you want, or not at all.

Some women practice for months. Some for years. And many come in as complete beginners.

You can start now. You are ready now.

And LRW is ready for you.