New to yoga? Or a seasoned practitioner looking to deepen your practice and expand your knowledge with a 200-hour yoga teacher training course (YTTC)? No matter what your experience with yoga is, defining your objectives and purpose before starting your 200-hour yoga teacher training course will help you maximize your growth. Your goals will guide you through your journey, help you understand what to prioritize and trigger your presence of mind during the course. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of setting goals for your 200-hour yoga teacher training and provide practical tips on how to define your objectives effectively.

WHY SETTING GOALS MATTERS

Setting goals is like charting a course for your journey. It gives you direction, clarity, and motivation to stay focused on what you want to achieve. For your 200-hour yoga teacher training program, clear goals will help you:

1. Define your Purpose: Setting goals helps you identify why you’re pursuing this training. Whether it’s to deepen your personal practice, become a certified instructor, or simply explore the philosophy of yoga, defining your purpose will keep you aligned with your intentions throughout the program.
2. Measurable Progress: Goals provide benchmarks for measuring your progress. As you move through the 200-hour YTTC, you can track how close you are to achieving each goal, which gives you a sense of accomplishment and momentum.
3. Motivation and Accountability: Clear goals act as a source of motivation, especially during challenging moments. When you encounter challenges or self-doubt, reminding yourself of your goals can reignite your passion and commitment. Additionally, sharing your goals with others creates a sense of accountability, as you’ll have people who support and encourage you along the way.
4. Personal Growth and Development: Setting goals fosters personal growth and development. By challenging yourself to reach new heights, you’ll expand your capabilities, overcome limitations, and ultimately, emerge as a stronger, more confident individual as you become a registered yoga teacher (RYT).

HOW TO DEFINE YOUR OBJECTIVES

Now that we understand the importance of setting objectives for your 200-hour yoga teacher training, let’s explore how to define your objectives effectively:

1. Reflect on Your Why: Begin by reflecting on why you’ve chosen to pursue a RYT 200-hours yoga teacher. What inspired you to embark on this journey? Whether it’s a desire for self-improvement, a passion for yoga, or a calling to share your knowledge with others, clarifying your motivations will inform your goals.
2. Identify Your Strengths and Areas for Growth: Take stock of your current strengths and weaknesses in your yoga practice. What are you already good at? Where do you struggle? Maybe there are certain types of poses you can access easily (backbends, for example), but some categories are more challenging (perhaps forward bends or splits). Or, maybe sitting still in meditation is a challenge for you. Setting goals that leverage your strengths while addressing areas for growth will ensure a well-rounded experience.
3. Prioritize Your Goals: With limited time and resources, it’s essential to prioritize your goals. Focus on a few key objectives that align with your overarching purpose for undertaking the training. Trying to pursue too many goals at once can overwhelm and dilute your efforts. Maybe during your 200-hours YTTC you can aim to improve your asana and meditation practice, but grasping intricate concepts of anatomy and physiology or yoga philosophy might take you longer. That’s okay – give yourself the time and space to prioritize your goals and continue your path to achieve all of them over a period of time.
4. Stay Flexible and Adapt: While it’s essential to set clear goals, it’s equally important to remain flexible and adaptable. As you progress through the training, you may encounter unforeseen challenges or opportunities that require you to adjust your goals. Embrace these changes as part of the learning process and stay open to new possibilities.

SAMPLE GOALS FOR YOUR 200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

What kind of goals and objectives can you set for your yoga teacher training? Whether pursuing this online or in-person with a 200-hour yoga teacher training in Goa, India, yoga’s homeland, your objectives will be similar. Your objectives are personal to you and can be as simple or broad as you want them to be. Ultimately, the reason to set goals is to empower your growth. So, do not hesitate to think big or take as much time as you need. Here are a few simple examples:

1. To go deeper into yoga practices: Whether it is developing a dedicated meditation practice or accessing challenging asanas, deepening your yoga practice with committed, daily sessions is a significant objective to pursue.
2. To broaden your understanding of yoga philosophy: You may already have an introduction to yoga philosophy, but through a yoga teacher training course, you can expand your knowledge beyond physical practice.
3. Cultivate your teaching style and skills: In a 200-hour yoga teacher training course, you will get to teach a few sessions, giving you the necessary practice to cultivate and develop your teaching skills. You’ll get hands-on experience and live feedback from peers and students.
4. Explore different yoga styles: You may have been practicing one style of yoga, but might choose to pursue a yoga teacher training course is another style. Maybe your objective is to get exposure to various yoga styles, such as Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, Hatha, or Yin yoga, to broaden your repertoire and discover what resonates with you.
5. Connect with your community: Through a yoga teacher training course, you will get to meet like-minded folks and connect with a community of fellow-yogis, mentors and lifelong friends. These friendships can go a long way in fostering a supportive network.

Remember, your objectives should be reflective of your unique aspirations. Take the time to explore what matters most to you and craft goals that inspire and excite you. Setting clear goals is a vital step in maximizing your experience and growth during a 200-hour yoga teacher training program.

If you need help with gaining clarity on your objective or what course is right for you, reach out to us and we’ll be happy to guide you.