Who are yoga teacher trainings for?

Yoga Teacher Training
Written By Shosita Chia

What really is Yoga Teacher Training? And who are they for?

A Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) course — well, reputable ones, anyway, are programmes designed for anyone will an interest in yoga beyond the mere physical motivation to keep fit. It will let you explore yoga truly, as it is really not possible to learn about yoga in most regular classes.

While normal classes focus primarily on physical practice, teacher trainings like the ones conducted at Mysore Breathing Room (which are Yoga Alliance certified) introduces students to all aspects of yoga, including:

  • Asana (postures)

  • Pranayama (breathwork)

  • Anatomy and physiology

  • Sequencing and movement principles

  • Various paths to yoga (raja, karma, bhakti, jnana)

  • Yoga philosophy (ancient texts interpreted in a way that is relevant to the world we live in today)

  • Teaching methodologies, techniques, finding your teaching voice


Generally, a good programme should typically be rather intensive and combine theoretical learning with practical experience, allowing students to understand both how yoga works and how to apply it in practice.

For those who want to teach, training programmes at MBR provides more than ample professional preparation - and our graduates are well regarded worldwide.

Why Yoga Teacher Trainings aren’t just for aspiring teachers..

Many People Take a Yoga Teacher Training (Without Wanting to Teach) … some reaons include …

1. To Deepen Their Personal Practice

One of the most powerful outcomes of a yoga teacher training is that it transforms how you practice.

Instead of simply following instructions, students learn:

  • Why poses are sequenced in certain ways

  • How breath connects to movement

  • What alignment principles protect the body

  • How different body types approach poses differently

Understanding these principles allows practitioners to move from mechanical repetition to intelligent practice.

Over time, this often leads to fewer injuries, greater awareness, and a more sustainable relationship with yoga.

2. To Understand the Science Behind Yoga

A quality yoga teacher training will include detailed study of anatomy and physiology.

Students learn about:

  • Skeletal and muscular systems

  • Movement mechanics

  • Breathing anatomy

  • Postural alignment

This knowledge helps practitioners understand what is happening inside their body during yoga practice.

It also helps them modify poses appropriately when dealing with injuries, tightness, or physical limitations.

For many students, this scientific understanding becomes one of the most valuable aspects of the training.

3. To Study Yoga Philosophy

Yoga is much more than exercise.

A comprehensive teacher training usually includes study of traditional texts such as:

  • Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

  • Bhagavad Gita

  • Hatha Yoga Pradipika

These teachings explore ideas about discipline, ethics, consciousness, and self-understanding.

Many students find that philosophy becomes one of the most transformative parts of the training.

Instead of seeing yoga purely as physical movement, they begin to understand it as a complete system for living.

4. To Experience Personal Transformation

Teacher trainings are immersive experiences.

Students often practice daily, study intensively, and spend weeks or months reflecting on their habits and patterns.

During this process, many people report:

  • Increased mental clarity

  • Greater self-awareness

  • Improved emotional resilience

  • Stronger discipline

This transformation happens not because students are preparing to teach—but because they are spending time deeply engaging with the practice.

5. To Develop Communication and Leadership Skills

Even if you never teach yoga professionally, teacher training builds useful life skills.

Students practice:

  • Public speaking

  • Clear communication

  • Demonstration and explanation

  • Understanding group dynamics

These skills can benefit people in many professions—from therapists and counsellors to managers and educators.

Many graduates say the training improved their ability to hold space for others, communicate clearly, and lead with confidence.

6. Learning from Experienced Teachers

Another key factor when choosing the best yoga teacher training in Singapore is the experience of the lead teacher.

For example, experienced teachers such as Sita Chia, founder of Mysore Breathing Room, have spent decades studying and teaching yoga across multiple traditions.

Her background includes:

  • Hatha yoga

  • Iyengar yoga (Senior Intermediate - Level 2)

  • Ashtanga yoga (Primary & Intermediate Series with Sharath Jois i.e., Level 2)

  • Ayurveda and yoga therapy

  • Sivananda yoga

She has taught workshops and trainings internationally, including in India, Singapore, Bali and Thailand, bringing together both traditional teachings and modern understanding of yoga practice.

Learning from teachers with extensive experience often makes a significant difference in the depth and authenticity of a training program.

What Makes the Best Yoga Teacher Training in Singapore?

If you are researching the best yoga teacher training Singapore, here are a few important factors to consider.

Depth of Curriculum

A strong program should include:

  • Asana alignment and biomechanics

  • Sequencing principles

  • Pranayama and breathwork

  • Yoga philosophy

  • Anatomy and physiology

A balanced curriculum ensures students develop both knowledge and practical skill.

Practical Teaching Experience

Good trainings allow students to practice teaching early and receive feedback.

This helps students develop confidence and refine their understanding of yoga practice.

In many programs, students gradually progress from short teaching exercises to full class sequencing.

Experienced Lead Teachers

A teacher training is only as strong as the teacher leading it.

Look for teachers who:

  • Have long-term practice experience

  • Continue studying with senior teachers

  • Teach regularly and internationally

  • Have experience guiding students through training programs

Philosophy and Ethics

The best trainings do not focus only on physical practice.

They explore the ethical and philosophical roots of yoga, helping students understand how yoga applies to daily life.

Do You Have to Teach After a Yoga Teacher Training?

The choice is yours. Whilst being technically equipped and qualified, you’d probably wanna teach some community classes first, and some donation-based classes (many of us do this to ease the pressure off the first few “public” classes we teach—if it’s donation based there’s less pressure)

Completing a yoga teacher training does not mean you must become a teacher.

Many graduates choose to:

  • Continue practicing more deeply

  • Share yoga informally with friends or family

  • Integrate yoga principles into their work or lifestyle

Some students discover during training that they do want to teach.

Others simply return to their practice with a deeper understanding and appreciation for yoga.

Both outcomes are perfectly valid.

Yoga Teacher Training Is Ultimately About Learning

At its core, yoga teacher training is not just about creating instructors.

It is about cultivating knowledgeable practitioners.

Students learn to observe the body, understand movement, explore philosophy, and apply yoga in daily life.

Whether you eventually teach or not, the experience often changes the way you see yoga forever.

And in that sense, the real purpose of yoga teacher training is not simply to produce teachers.

It is to help practitioners become lifelong students of yoga.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to become a yoga teacher after a yoga teacher training?

No. Many people join a yoga teacher training simply to deepen their personal practice, learn yoga philosophy, and understand anatomy and movement.

Is yoga teacher training suitable for beginners?

Most programs recommend that students have at least 6 months to 1 year of regular practice, but you do not need to be advanced or highly flexible.

What is the best yoga teacher training in Singapore?

The best yoga teacher training depends on several factors including the depth of the curriculum, the experience of the teachers, and the balance between philosophy, anatomy, and practical teaching experience. There’s no best, only the best for you. When choosing your course, look into the experience of the teacher, many teacher trainers in Singapore start leading teacher trainings immediately after obtaining their E-RYT500 certification — something I could not in good conscience advise.

How long is a yoga teacher training?

Most foundational trainings are 200 hours, typically completed over several weeks in an intensive format or several months in part-time programs.

Is Mysore Breathing Room Yoga Alliance (YA) accredited?

Yes, but Yoga Alliance is an industry minimum standard, and you shouldn’t choose a teacher training school based on this alone. Getting Yoga Alliance accredited is simply filling up some forms and paying them fees. Yes, they help bring some bare minimums to the industry, that’s a good thing, but beware of those schools that rely heavily on the fact that they have been accredited — if that’s all they are using to market their course, don’t expect much unless they are conducting teacher training on a pro bono basis (many teachers outside of Singapore conduct their first 3-6 teacher trainings FOC to gain experience).

Shosita Chia