So how much do you need to really know to offer a teacher training?
This is a great question – and one that is not to be taken lightly, especially when teacher trainings seem to be cropping up almost everywhere!
Here are five questions you should take to heart before you jump in.
What’s my intention?
Why do you want to create a teacher training?
Which of the following resonate:
- It’s my dream to share my passion for yoga with everyone
- I love teaching teachers
- It’s a great additional stream of revenue
- My students are asking for it
- I want to be on a beautiful retreat island for a month
- Everyone else is doing it, so shouldn’t I be, too?
While it’s not a problem if the idea of revenue or having a destination program is part of your “why,” unless teacher training and education is a core value in your heart, you won’t have enough gas in the tank to make it through. Have a heart to heart with yourself to get to the root of your intention. If you feel it in your heart that creating a teacher training is part of your mission as a teacher, then that’s a sign you’re headed in the right direction. (To go in-depth through this process, take my free online course, which includes everything you need to think about before you decide to create a training.)
How’s my energy?
Creating a teacher training – if you want to do it well – will take a lot of time, effort, and love. Is your “why” strong enough to see you through the the hard parts? Can you commit to taking the time that will be necessary to create a quality training (about 8-10 hours a week for four months to create a 200-hour). Do you have the bandwidth to commit, and are you willing to create space in your life to make this happen?
Is there a need?
Is there a need in your community for a teacher training?
Are students asking you, “when are you going to do this program?” Before you commit to creating a program, find out if it will serve your community. There may be other offerings (retreats, workshops, immersions) that are a better fit. Ask your students, put out a poll on social media, and get some feedback. Do some research in advance to see if there will be an audience. Now, we can never know for sure, a bit of due diligence can save your a lot of time and effort.
Am I ready?
Being a trainer doesn’t only require that you have expertise to share; trainers must also be role models for their students emotionally and professionally. Stepping into the seat of the teacher trainer requires that we look at our own habits (being late, procrastination, emotional reactivity), and be willing to do the work to elevate ourselves. While this is an enormously exciting opportunity for personal growth, it is not for the faint of heart. Said frankly, your own crap is going to come up. Are you ready to do the self-work to be a leader?
What’s in my way?
One of my teachers said, “if you’re asked to teach, then teach.”
We often don’t feel ready to take the leap to leadership. However, feeling ready and being ready are two different things. Fear is often a sign that we’re engaging in a process of self-discovery and growth. Drill down.
What’s really in your way to making the leap? If it’s fear and self-doubt, then it’s time to cast those aside and take a jump forward. We never “feel ready.” Leap and you will create your own net. After all, you’re here on the planet to grow, not just be comfortable!
Happy creating!
You can also check out my companion article, “What you need to think about before you create a teacher training.”
