YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
SHOULD YOU DO A 200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING?
11 Questions to ask yourself before you enroll
Most people think a Yoga Teacher Training is only for those who want to become yoga teachers. The truth? Many people join because they want to deepen their practice, understand themselves better, gain confidence, learn anatomy, explore yoga philosophy or spend time doing something they love alongside like-minded people.
If you are considering a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, here are some of the questions worth asking yourself - and why we believe they matter. As a Yoga Alliance registered school, YOGABLOOM offers an English-language 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Basel city-center designed not only for aspiring teachers, but also for students wanting to deepen their relationship with yoga and become part of a supportive learning community.
Click below to jump to a specific section:
🔗 1. Why do a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training?
🔗 2. Do I need to become a yoga teacher after the training?
🔗 3. What will I actually learn in a 200-hour training?
🔗 4. How do I know if I am ready for a Yoga Teacher Training?
🔗 5. What makes a great Yoga Teacher Training?
🔗 6. Why who teaches the training matters more than the curriculum…
🔗 7. Why learning from a yoga studio owner matters…
🔗 8. Why learning different yoga styles makes you a better teacher…
🔗 9. What questions should I ask before choosing a training?
🔗 10. Why we created this training at YogaBloom…
🔗 11. Finally… are you curious? Why not take the first step?
Whether you're looking for a certified program, wondering about the cost of training or concerned about your skill level, we’ve got you covered (and if you still have questions, please write us). Let’s dive in!
WHY DO A 200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING?
We see that people want to join…
✔ To connect with like-minded people and create community
✔ To learn more about the body, anatomy and movement
✔ To understand yoga and how it supports the body
✔ To deepen your personal practice and go further than in a class or workshop
✔ To navigate a life transition
✔ To invest in personal growth
✔ To build confidence
✔ To help other people discover yoga and how amazing it feels to practice
✔ To become a yoga teacher
A 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training is rarely only about becoming a yoga teacher. While many people join with the goal of eventually teaching, others are simply curious to learn more deeply about yoga, movement, anatomy, philosophy or themselves.
For many students, the experience becomes a meaningful period of personal growth - an opportunity to step out of daily routines, reconnect with the body, build confidence and become part of a supportive community. The process of studying yoga in a deeper and more consistent way often creates shifts that extend far beyond the yoga mat.
DO I NEED TO BECOME A YOGA TEACHER AFTER THE TRAINING?
A slightly playful question - because the short answer is very definitely: no.
The longer answer, you can absolutely complete a Yoga Teacher Training without any intention of teaching yoga afterwards. Many people join simply because they want to deepen their practice, learn more about the body and movement, explore yoga philosophy or invest in personal growth.
In a regular 60 to 75-minute yoga class, there is often limited time to explore yoga posture specifics, anatomy, philosophy, breath or the deeper purpose behind the practice. A Yoga Teacher Training gives you the opportunity to look at yoga from a completely different perspective - not only as a student, but also through the eyes of a teacher.
During a Yoga Teacher Training, you get to ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.
You learn to understand yoga poses not only from an anatomical perspective, but also through the lens of breath, energy and individual experience. You begin to explore why certain movements feel different in different bodies, how to adapt practices to individual needs and how yoga can support both physical and mental wellbeing.
A Teacher Training is also a space to reflect, grow and become more curious about the practice. For many people, the experience becomes far more than an educational course - it becomes a journey of self-discovery, confidence-building and personal growth, with yoga as the guide.
WHAT WILL I ACTUALLY LEARN IN A 200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING?
A 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training includes much more than learning yoga poses. The training is designed to give you both a personal understanding of yoga and the skills needed to safely guide others.
Here is a general overview of what is typically included in a Yoga Alliance certified training:
Asana (yoga poses and alignment)
Anatomy and physiology
Breathwork (pranayama)
Meditation and mindfulness practices
Yoga philosophy and history
Teaching methodology and communication skills
Sequencing and class planning
Ethics and professional responsibility
Practice teaching and receiving feedback
Learning how to hold space and support different students
Alongside the educational content, many students also find that the structure of a Teacher Training naturally helps them develop a more consistent personal practice and a deeper connection to yoga in everyday life.
You can read our blog with a more in-depth outline of the YOGABLOOM 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training here.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M READY FOR A YOGA TEACHER TRAINING?
These are some of the most common questions people ask before joining a Teacher Training:
Am I flexible enough?
In our opinion, you do not need to be flexible to teach yoga. Yoga is not about achieving the “perfect” pose - it is about learning to work with and understand a unique human body. Often, people who have had to adapt the practice for their own bodies develop a deeper understanding of how to support and relate to a wider range of students.
Have I practiced long enough?
Having an established yoga practice is helpful. For example, it’s useful to be familiar with basic pose names and foundational sequences such as Sun Salutations. The more familiar you are with the practice, the easier it is to absorb and apply what you learn during the training. We generally recommend at least one year of ongoing (semi-consistent) practice.
Am I too old?
You are never too old to practice or teach yoga. In fact, we believe yoga communities benefit from teachers of all ages and life experiences. Different bodies and different stages of life all deserve representation in yoga spaces.
Am I fit enough?
Yoga should be inclusive of all people - including all shapes, sizes, ages, abilities and backgrounds. A Yoga Teacher Training is not about being the fittest person in the room. Instead, strong teachers are those who understand how to adapt the practice and make it accessible to others.
What if I’m nervous speaking in front of people?
This is one of the most common fears people have before beginning a Teacher Training. It is our job to create a safe and supportive environment where you can gradually build confidence and practice teaching without fear of judgment.
A good Teacher Training should not break people down - it should help people grow. Over time, most students discover their own authentic teaching voice through practice, feedback and experience. And honestly, many experienced teachers still feel nervous before teaching classes. Nervousness does not mean you are not capable - it usually means you care.
WHAT MAKES A GREAT YOGA TEACHER TRAINING?
When choosing a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, there are a few key factors that can help you understand the depth and quality of the program…
Experience
Look at who is teaching the training. How many years have they been teaching yoga, and how many students have they guided? Experienced teachers bring depth, clarity and perspective that comes only with time.
Diversity of experience
It is also worth considering the range of experience within the teaching team. What are each teacher’s strengths and areas of focus? In a strong training, the faculty is not interchangeable - each teacher brings a distinct skill set, whether that is anatomy, alignment, philosophy, hands-on assists or embodied practice. Together, their perspectives complement and balance one another, offering a more complete learning experience than any single teaching style alone.
Beyond individual expertise, consider whether the teachers can work across different styles of yoga and adapt to different groups of students. Have they taught people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities? Strong trainings are grounded in adaptability, inclusivity and the ability to meet students where they are.
Mentorship
Ask yourself whether you will be known as an individual, or just another face in a large group. Meaningful trainings offer real mentorship, where teachers know your name and can support your personal development.
In our training, mentorship is ongoing and embedded into the community. Our four lead yoga teacher trainers are not occasional guest teachers - they are part of our regular weekly class schedule and actively present throughout your training journey. This means you will continue to see them outside of training weekends, allowing for consistent guidance, deeper relationships, and continuous support as you develop.
Practical teaching experience
A good training gives you opportunities to actually teach, not just observe or study theory. Practicing within a supportive community helps build confidence, develop your voice as a teacher, and prepare you for real-life teaching situations. Much of the practice teaching in our training takes place within the trainee group itself, creating a safe environment for feedback, experimentation, and growth.
Timing & integration
Consider whether the training allows enough time to truly absorb and integrate what you are learning. While some 200-hour trainings can be completed in just a few weeks, we believe meaningful learning takes time to settle and become embodied. At the same time, a training should be intensive enough to create momentum without completely taking over your life. Our 5-month format is designed to offer both depth and sustainability - immersive enough to support transformation, while still allowing space to reflect, practice and integrate along the way. Click here to find out more about our upcoming 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Basel.
WHY WHO TEACHES THE 200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING MATTERS MORE THAN THE CURRICULUM…
Most Yoga Teacher Trainings cover very similar topics. What truly shapes the quality of a training is not just what is taught, but who is teaching it. When choosing a training, it is worth looking closely at the teachers themselves:
How many years have they been teaching yoga?
Do they have experience mentoring and guiding new teachers?
Do they bring a practical understanding of what actually works in real classes?
What training and qualifications do they hold to support their role as teacher trainers?
Just as importantly, do they embody the interpersonal qualities that support a healthy learning environment - such as respect, empathy, patience, clear communication and genuine care for their students?
You may come across terms such as E-RYT 200 and E-RYT 500. These are Yoga Alliance designations that indicate a teacher has completed a certain level of training and meets specific standards to teach other teachers. However, these titles do not always reflect how many hours someone has personally taught, nor do they automatically indicate teaching quality - experienced teachers can have very different teaching journeys.
An E-RYT 200 has completed a 200-hour training and meets Yoga Alliance requirements to teach and train others. An E-RYT 500 has completed advanced training and meets the requirements for more advanced teaching designations, but this does not necessarily mean they have significantly more teaching hours than an E-RYT 200.
Importantly, these certifications alone do not determine whether someone is a good teacher. What matters just as much - if not more - is how you feel in their presence, both in class and in conversation, and whether their teaching resonates with you and supports your learning. Click on the accordions below to learn about our Teacher Trainers…
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Yoga found Emily quite some years ago and has remained a steady and meaningful part of her life ever since. After completing her 200-hour Teacher Training at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health (MA, USA) in 2008, and later relocating to Switzerland, her path gradually evolved from personal practice into teaching and, eventually, into training and mentoring future teachers.
Since 2017, Emily has been working as a Teacher Trainer, leading and developing multiple certification programs including the 200-Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training, the 95-Hour Kids Yoga Teacher Training and the Aerial Yoga Teacher Training. Her work as a trainer is rooted in a strong commitment to supporting others in their growth as teachers, while offering a clear and thoughtful foundation in both yoga philosophy and functional anatomy. She is particularly interested in helping trainees connect traditional yogic concepts with a modern, accessible and embodied teaching approach.
Emily completed her 300-hour advanced teacher training with Mark Stephens (CA, USA), further deepening her understanding of sequencing, anatomy-informed movement and intelligent class design. Her teaching style reflects this influence, combining structure with creativity and offering dynamic, modern Vinyasa sequencing that encourages exploration.
In addition to her work as a teacher and trainer, Emily has been a studio owner since 2022, where she continues to develop a community-focused space for yoga education and practice in Basel, Switzerland. Through both her studio and training programs, she is dedicated to creating environments where students and teachers alike can grow with curiosity, integrity and confidence.
For Emily, stepping onto the yoga mat remains a grounding and creative practice - a reminder of what feels meaningful, present and alive. In her classes and trainings, she seeks to weave together joy and playfulness with depth structure, and care, supporting others in discovering their own authentic expression of yoga.
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More coming soon!
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More coming soon!!
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Mahela is a passionate yoga instructor and teacher trainer with over eight years of international teaching experience across the U.S., Costa Rica, India, New Zealand and now Europe. Alongside her teaching, she has worked extensively in teacher training environments, supporting and mentoring new yoga teachers as they develop their voice, confidence and understanding of both practice and pedagogy.
She is known for her creative, flowing sequencing that blends strength and flexibility, while emphasizing intelligent alignment and mindful progression. Her approach to teaching and training is rooted in accessibility and clarity, helping students and trainees alike build sustainable, embodied practices.
In her role as a teacher trainer, Mahela focuses on guiding students to understand not only how to teach, but how to observe, adapt, and communicate yoga in a way that is responsive to different bodies and experiences. She places strong emphasis on presence, safe teaching practices and the ability to hold space with both structure and ease.
Across all of her offerings, she aims to create environments that feel grounding, uplifting, and light. Her intention is to support students in moving with ease, reconnecting with themselves and carrying a sense of balance, awareness and steadiness beyond the mat.
WHY LEARNING DIFFERENT YOGA STYLES MAKES YOU A BETTER TEACHER…
A great teacher learns to meet people where they are.
This is an important concept in yoga: there is no single “right” way to practice. Yoga is not one fixed shape or method - it is a system that adapts to different bodies, personalities, ages and life stages. What feels supportive for one person may not be appropriate for another, and a skilled teacher learns to recognize and respond to that.
When you are exposed to different styles of yoga, you begin to understand this more deeply. Each style offers a different perspective on the practice, and together they expand your understanding of how yoga can serve people in very different ways, including:
✔ Vinyasa Yoga
✔ Aerial Yoga
✔ Community Yoga (All-Ages)
✔ Family Yoga
✔ Kids Yoga
✔ Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga
✔ Yin & Restorative Yoga
✔ and More…
Rather than limiting your view of yoga to a single approach, this awareness helps you become more adaptable and more responsive as a teacher.
Our 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training is rooted in Vinyasa yoga, but it is foundational in nature. This means the focus is not only on sequencing or style, but on building a strong base of understanding that can be applied across different contexts and teaching environments. You learn principles that can support you in teaching a wide range of students, rather than being limited to one fixed expression of yoga.
WHY WE CREATED THIS TRAINING AT YOGABLOOM
This training grew out of lived experience - of attending yoga teacher trainings, of working within other training systems and of now holding space for teachers through our own niche programs at YOGABLOOM since 2022.
Over time, one thing has become very clear: a good yoga teacher training is not just about the curriculum. Most trainings cover similar material. What actually shapes a teacher is the environment they are held in - the people, the relationships, the consistency of mentorship and the sense of belonging within a community.
We created this 200-hour training because we wanted to offer something we felt was often missing: continuity, depth and real community. A space where students are not passed from one visiting teacher to another, but are instead guided by a consistent team who know them, see them and support their development over time.
The most important concept we believe a new teacher needs to understand is this: yoga is relational. It is not something you simply learn to perform… it is something you learn to share with real people. That requires presence, adaptability, humility and the ability to meet students where they are, not where we think they should be.
The kind of community we are creating is central to everything we do. It is not an add-on to the training, it is the foundation. We want students to feel held, known and supported as individuals, while also being part of something collective. A space where learning is shared, where questions are welcomed and where growth happens in relationship with others.
Having seen many different training formats - both as a student and a teacher - we have designed this training to reflect what we believe truly supports transformation: consistency, mentorship, embodied practice and a strong sense of community.
Ultimately, this is not just about becoming a yoga teacher. It is about learning how to hold space for others, while being held and supported yourself along the way.
FINALLY, ARE YOU CURIOUS? WHY NOT TAKE THE FIRST STEP…
If you are considering a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training and would like to explore whether YOGABLOOM is the right fit for you, we would love to connect. Book a discovery call with one of our trainers to learn more about the upcoming cohort, ask your questions and get a feel for the community behind the training.
There is no pressure - just a conversation.