An ashram education
Preparing for an authentic yoga teacher training: a guide for new students.
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Stepping into a yoga teacher training — especially one rooted in the discipline and ashram life — can feel overwhelming at first. The structure, the silence, the spiritual depth, it's a lot to take in. But no one arrives fully prepared. Every teacher, no matter how accomplished, began as a student navigating the same questions and uncertainties you might be right now. The key lies in approaching the experience with openness and a willingness to learn and adapt. With the right preparation, this unfamiliar environment can become a place for deep personal growth. The following five tips offer a practical starting point for any one ready to take that first step.
1. Begin aligning your daily habits
Begin aligning your daily habits A yoga teacher training at an ashram requires a shift in routine. To make that transition smoother, start introducing some basic lifestyle changes now: move toward a lighter, more sattvic diet (ideally vegetarian), begin waking up earlier and build a consistent sleep schedule. Regular movement, even simple stretches or walks will also help prepare your body for long days of physical practice. Even if you commit to just one daily change, this shift will help you step into your training from a place of balance and discipline.
2. Read, research, and familiarise yourself
There is a lot to learn and take in on a yoga teacher training. Having a basic understanding of what to expect will help you feel more confident and at ease from the start.
Spend some time reading about what yoga teacher training involves, both the curriculum and the lived experience of students who’ve been through it. Look into the particular ashram or school you'll be attending: what their daily schedule is like, what to pack, and what they provide. Having this insight ahead of time takes the edge off the unknown. It also prepares you for the academic side of training, where reading and study will become part of your daily routine.
3. Let go of comparison.
You’ll likely be training alongside people with a wide range of experience. Some will be new to yoga, others may already be teaching. It's easy to compare — especially early on — but doing so rarely serves your growth. The goal isn’t to be the best in the room, but to understand yourself more fully and move with greater awareness. Trust that your growth will happen naturally, and remember that the ashram is a community where you’ll learn from others and support each other along the way.
4. Take it seriously, but stay open.
Training to become a yoga teacher is a significant commitment — physically, mentally and emotionally. It's important to arrive with focus and respect for the process. But don’t let that turn into fear or self-doubt. Worrying about whether you’ll be ‘good enough’ or ‘ready’ is part of the process for most of us. Let those thoughts come and go, without giving them too much weight. You’re not expected to be perfect. You’re expected to learn.
5. See it as a journey, not just a certification
This is more than a course, it’s a lived experience. While the structure of the training will take you from one milestone to the next, the real learning often happens in the quiet moments in between: in shared meals, silent mornings, or moments of challenge on the mat. Whether your goal is to teach or simply to grow as a practitioner, remember that there’s no final destination in yoga. Let yourself be changed by the experience, and allow your understanding to evolve with time. Yoga doesn’t begin on the mat or in the classroom — it begins with how you show up in daily life. Start now. Move with intention. Pay attention to the details. These small shifts create the foundation for a deeper, more meaningful experience.
Dr. Ram Jain, PhD (Yoga) is the founder of Arhanta Yoga Ashrams and Arhanta Yoga Online Academy. Find out more at: arhantayoga.org
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
