you asked

How does one know if they are ready to take on yoga teacher training? Is there a specific level of expertise that one should have? Does one need to have a dedicated daily yoga practice? - Kelly

three yogis answer

Kinndli's answer:

The thing is, you will NEVER feel ready! But you have to be up to something big in your life, and you will know when you get that feeling like you want to be at cause in your life and at cause in the world and really want make change. Logistically it doesn’t matter how long you have been practicing yoga, but a year is a good marker. What is more important is that you are beginning to understand your body and have an inquisitive nature. My biggest passion is facilitating teacher trainings and one of the biggest breakthroughs I see in my students is that awakening into what we call “The Inner Yes”! It comes from learning to trust your intuition and by doubting your doubts. Find a teacher that inspires you, doubt your doubts and just DO IT!! The time is now!

- Kinndli, lululemon Oakville ambassador

Grace's answer:

Dear Kelly,
If you feel you are being called to pursue a teacher training, you should certainly explore that opportunity. If you are feeling any resistance, you may just be experiencing a ‘fear’ related to a perception you may have about not being ‘able’ to do it.
Committing to a teacher-training program is certainly a significant investment of both time and money, and there many things one should consider before embarking on such a journey.

• Do you have the time? If not, your Yoga might become a source of stress and your training won't be enjoyable
• Do you actually plan to teach? If so, training is a must. If you just want to deepen your practice, workshops or retreats might be a better option
• Are you ready to take your own practice to a new level? Most trainings are physically intensive. If you're sick or injured, it's probably not the best time to embark on this journey.
• Are you ready to deal with some of your own personal demons? Yoga trainings have a way of bringing you face-to-face with your own fears and insecurities, which is wonderful and illuminating if you're ready and have the time to process everything that comes up.

In the end there is no easy formula for choosing the right training, and the best advice is to spend lots of time reflecting on what you need and asking questions of your own teachers. And if you can, take classes with many teachers to see what really moves you.
Ultimately, the decision to become a Yoga teacher is a highly personal one and different for everyone.
It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher will come. It is also said that the ideal teacher will come for each student, depending on the aspirations the seeker holds in his/her heart.

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador

Ted's answer:

One knows if they are ready to take on a teacher training if they are first ready to deepen their practice. I found that the journey of practicing and teaching yoga is an organic evolution. Your first teaching training is only the beginning of your education. Yoga is a lifelong journey and while a daily asana practice is incredibly beneficial it's not always possible. Yoga begins to permeate other areas in your life. You will find that you're doing yoga while you're running, biking or hanging around with your least favorite people!

- Ted, lululemon Malibu ambassador

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.