What Qualifications Are Needed to Begin Yoga Teacher Training?

This question comes up constantly, especially from adults returning to school, military spouses navigating career transitions, and people who assume yoga teacher training requires a certain “type” of student.

Here’s the clear, honest answer:

You do not need to be flexible, advanced, spiritual, young, thin, or already teaching to begin yoga teacher training.

But you do need a few foundational qualifications, most of which are about readiness, not performance.

Let’s break this down.

To begin a reputable 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT), you generally need:

• A consistent personal yoga practice

• Physical and mental readiness to learn

• Emotional maturity and self-responsibility

• The ability to commit time and effort

• A willingness to study, not just move

That’s it.

There are no formal prerequisites like degrees, certifications, or fitness benchmarks.

1. A Consistent Personal Yoga Practice (But Not an Advanced One)

   1. Most YTT programs, including LRW, expect that you have:

      1. Practiced yoga regularly for at least 6–12 months

      2. Taken classes with multiple teachers or styles

      3. Some familiarity with basic poses and class structure

   2. What this does not mean:

      1. You do not need to “master” poses

      2. You do not need to be able to bind, invert, or sit cross-legged comfortably

      3. You do not need to practice daily

At LRW, we look for relationship with practice, not physical achievement.

2. Physical Readiness (At Any Age or Body Type)

   1. Yoga teacher training is not a physical audition, but it is a physical education program.

   2. You should be able to:

      1. Participate in gentle to moderate movement

      2. Modify for injuries or limitations

      3. Listen to your body and communicate needs

   3. We regularly train:

      1. Students in their 40s, 50s, and 60s

      2. Students with injuries, chronic pain, or limited mobility

      3. Students who do not fit stereotypical yoga imagery

Yoga teacher training is about learning how bodies work, not pushing them.

3. Emotional Maturity and Self-Awareness

   1. This is one of the most important and least discussed qualifications.

   2. YTT involves:

      1. Self-reflection

      2. Personal growth

      3. Feedback and evaluation

      4. Exposure to philosophy, ethics, and subtle body concepts

   3. You do not need to have everything “figured out,” but you do need:

      1. Emotional regulation

      2. Accountability

      3. Respect for boundaries

      4. The ability to receive constructive feedback

At LRW, this matters deeply, especially given the trauma-adjacent populations many graduates serve.

4. A Willingness to Study (Not Just Practice)

   1. Yoga teacher training is an educational program, not a workout series.

   2. Expect:

      1. Anatomy and physiology

      2. Philosophy and ethics

      3. Teaching methodology

      4. Cueing, sequencing, and class design

      5. Reading, writing, and reflection assignments

   3. If you are open to learning and asking questions, you are qualified.

   4. If you are looking only for physical practice, YTT may not be the right container.

5. Time Commitment and Follow-Through

   1. Most 200-hour programs require:

      1. Several months of consistent engagement

      2. Weekly coursework or live sessions

      3. Practice teaching and assignments

      4. A final exam or practicum

At LRW, we emphasize completion and integration, not rushing.

You do not need unlimited free time, but you do need reliability.

What You Do Not Need to Begin YTT

Let’s clear up the most common myths.

You do not need:

• A fitness background

• Teaching experience

• A spiritual belief system

• A certain body type

• A certain age

• Prior certifications

Many LRW graduates started with:

• Zero teaching experience

• Career backgrounds in education, healthcare, military life, or caregiving

• A desire for meaningful, portable work, not performance

LRW Admissions Perspective

At Lotus River Wellness, we look for students who are:

• Teach-able

• Responsible

• Curious

• Aligned with ethical teaching

• Ready to grow personally and professionally

We do not look for perfection.

We look for readiness.

This is especially important for military spouses, who often underestimate their qualifications while carrying extraordinary life experience.

If you have:

• A genuine relationship with yoga

• The ability to commit and show up

• Curiosity about learning and teaching responsibly

Then you are already qualified to begin yoga teacher training.

Yoga teachers are trained, not born.