Train to Teach, Your Way
Discover how to navigate your teacher training options, and why community is the ultimate foundation for your journey. By Emma Hitzelberger
Embarking on a 200-hour yoga teacher training is an exciting and transformative step. As the co-founder of London yoga and reformer pilates studio Yogarise, I have spent the last decade watching students take this leap. Whether your goal is to transition into a new career or simply deepen your own practice, finding a training that resonates is so vital. It is about discovering a space, team and programme that suits your lifestyle and where you can feel really supported.
We have honed our teacher training syllabus and faculty since 2016 to ensure that practical skills and a down-to-earth community remain at our core. We believe true growth happens when we learn alongside others, creating a supportive network of teacher friends that lasts long after graduation. Over the years, our graduates have gone on to build thriving, successful careers at London's top studios.
THE POWER OF THE FACULTY COLLECTIVE
Every training needs a steady anchor. At Yogarise, lead teachers Erin Prichard and Becky Farbstein bring years of dedication, good humour and experience to their courses. But because yoga is such a deeply layered tradition, the learning experience is enriched even further by drawing upon a team of specialised experts who are leaders in their respective fields.
Rather than relying on a single voice, our trainees benefit from a blend of distinct perspectives. The history of Sanskrit and the Yoga Sutras are untangled by Shamita Ray, an academic holding a Masters from SOAS University, while the nuances of Vedic chanting are guided by mindfulness specialist Deepti Sastry. Crucial practical modules, including the Asana Labs, Restorative yoga, and vital discussions on Cultural Appropriation, are guided by Rishin Paonaskar.
Making yoga truly inclusive is a core pillar of our ethos, which is why on our 12-month intake, Sally Connor leads a dedicated workshop on accessibility. Sally guides trainees on how to structure classes with modifications, ensuring every student feels welcome regardless of their level, background, or body type. Prenatal experts Tara Lee and Clare Daniell teach a vital module on how to integrate Pregnant and Postnatal students into your classes. And Richard Knight maps out the real-world business landscape of the UK wellness industry.
By learning from a diverse faculty team, trainees are given the freedom to explore varied perspectives on yoga, helping you discover which elements resonate most deeply with your own personal truth and authentic teaching style.
WHICH PACE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Because everyone learns and processes information differently, a training should offer pathways that fit into your existing life, responsibilities, and location.
For those who thrive on deep immersion and are ready to make a shift sooner rather than later, a hybrid intensive format offers an opportunity to step away from daily routines. The September - November 2026 intake features a 10-day intensive in Morocco, to truly immerse in nature and all that is yoga. Combined with online modules and weekend studio sessions back in London, it offers a balanced blend of travel, focused study, and practical studio practice.
For those balancing busy professional lives, family commitments, or travelling from outside London, a 12-month structure provides a bit of room to breathe. The March 2027 intake meets just one weekend a month in London over the course of a year. This pace allows you to assimilate the practice and learning, and return each month refreshed and ready for the next chapter.
THE GRADUATE LAUNCHPAD
One of the most rewarding aspects of a studio-based teacher training is the support network that surrounds you once you receive your certificate. Transitioning from being a trainee to working as a yoga teacher can feel like a big leap, which is where peer solidarity and practical experience become so important.
A studio community does not just celebrate your graduation; it provides a tangible bridge into the real world of teaching. At Yogarise, the six-month community teaching scheme invites graduates to step straight onto the live schedule to teach public, low-cost classes.
This provides real-world experience with a diverse community of students. It allows a new graduate to practise holding space safely, learn how to adapt to a room full of different bodies and abilities, teach hybrid online / in-person classes and get to know a studio environment. It is a supportive stepping stone to build a dedicated local following, pass studio auditions, and confidently launch a freelance teaching career.
A SPACE TO BELONG
Ultimately, a yoga teacher training is about so much more than just learning a sequence and doing the reading - it is about finding a space to belong. Whether you are deep-diving into a busy weekend of theory in the London studio, breaking down postures in an asana lab with your peers, or sharing a hard-earned meal under the Moroccan sun, the relationships you forge with your fellow students will become the true backbone of your journey.
They are the people who will cover your classes when you need a break, cheer you on during your final assessments, and remind you exactly why you fell in love with the practice in the first place.
When choosing your training, look for a course that matches your schedule, look for a faculty that inspires you, and above all, look for the warmth of a community that will support you every step of the way.
FROM TRAINEE TO STUDIO ROSTER: A GRADUATE INSIGHT
Pictured: Izzy is the founder of Wild Things Yoga, with fellow graduate Bea. You’ll find them teaching at Floorless, Dancing Family and Morph festivals this Summer.
We spoke to Izzy Bishai, a graduate of the Yogarise vinyasa 200hr programme to see how the course translates into the real world.
Q: What drew you to train with a studio-backed course?
“It was important for me to train somewhere that genuinely valued community and diversity. Coming from a mixed cultural background, and as a caregiver to a less able-bodied parent, I wanted to learn in a space where different perspectives, bodies and lived experiences were truly welcomed. I also loved learning from teachers who understood the realities of modern teaching and how to create inclusive, accessible and trauma-informed classes.”
Q: How did having a varied faculty impact your learning?
“It was amazing. We had dedicated teachers for anatomy, philosophy and chanting, which meant we were exposed to so many different perspectives and teaching styles. The diversity within the faculty really enriched the experience, with everyone bringing their own background, personality and expertise into the space, all within the warmth and support of a family-run studio.”
Q: Tell us about the six-month community teaching scheme.
“The scheme helped me step into teaching straight after graduating, offering a supportive space to find my voice while continuing to learn and grow. The studio guided me through both personal and professional challenges, building my confidence and experience. Most importantly, it gave me the chance to give back to the same community that has nurtured me through my yoga journey.”
Q: You successfully auditioned and are now on the permanent Yogarise roster. How did the training prepare you for that?
“The training encouraged me to teach authentically and trust that there is space for everyone and everybody in the industry. We also learned about life as a freelance yoga teacher, with guidance from the teachers on audition processes, which made them feel far less intimidating. They also supported us in learning how to teach intelligently in a real studio setting. Joining the schedule at the same studio where I trained feels like a real full-circle moment.”
Emma Hitzelberger is the co-founder of Yogarise (yogarise.london/training) Connect @yogariselondon or email: YTT@yogarise.london
Om Magazine
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