How to Prepare for a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training

Thinking About Doing a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training? Here’s How to Prepare!

A yoga student practicing hands-on adjustment and taking notes, preparing for their 200-hour yoga teacher training. — Preparing for a 200-hour yoga teacher training involves more than just self practice. A well-rounded approach includes practice, study, and reflection.

So, you have decided to enrol in a 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTT) - exciting times ahead! Whether you are doing an online yoga teacher training, in-person training in Scotland or India, or a hybrid YTT that combines both, you might be wondering… how do I prepare for this?

Do you need to be able to do handstands? Memorise every Sanskrit name for poses? Or read an entire library of ancient yoga texts?

Absolutely not.

A 200-hour yoga teacher training in Scotland, the UK, or online is not about how flexible you are but about how open you are to learning.

This training will challenge you physically, mentally, and emotionally, but with the right preparation, you can make the most of this experience.

So, let’s talk about how to prepare for a 200-hour yoga teacher training - what to do before, during, and after to ensure you are fully ready to embark on this transformative journey.

1. Start With a Strong Personal Practice

If you are enrolling in a 200-hour yoga teacher training in Edinburgh, Scotland, or online, one of the best ways to prepare is to build consistency in your practice.

Now, this does not mean you need to be doing advanced poses. Instead, focus on:

✅ Practising at least 3-4 times a week to build strength and familiarity with postures.

✅ Exploring different styles (Hatha, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Creative Vinyasa, Restorative, Yin) to understand what resonates with you.

✅ Holding postures longer to build endurance and body awareness.

The more you practise before training, the easier it will be to absorb adjustments, learn sequencing, and feel comfortable on your mat.

2. Get Comfortable With Sitting Still and Meditation

A 200-hour yoga teacher training is not just about movement - it is also about learning to sit in stillness.

Many students struggle with longer meditation sessions or sitting cross-legged for extended periods. If you are not used to it, start now by:

🧘 Practising short meditations (5-10 minutes a day)

🧘 Using props like cushions or yoga blocks to support your posture

🧘 Trying guided meditations to help calm the mind

The more you get comfortable being with yourself in stillness, the easier it will be to embrace the deeper aspects of yoga during your training.

3. Read a Few Key Yoga Texts (But Do Not Overwhelm Yourself!)

Many students ask, “Do I need to read the Yoga Sutras or Bhagavad Gita before my training?”

While your 200-hour yoga teacher training in Scotland or the UK will cover yoga philosophy, it helps to familiarise yourself with the foundational texts beforehand.

A few great places to start:

📖 The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Understanding the Eight Limbs of Yoga

📖The Bhagavad Gita - Exploring the concepts of Dharma, Karma, and detachment

📖The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Learning about the origins of physical yoga practice

You do not need to study these deeply before training, but a little background knowledge will help you engage more with the discussions during your course.

4. Work on Your Flexibility - Mentally, Not Just Physically

Many people assume that preparing for a 200-hour yoga teacher training in Edinburgh, online, or in-person means becoming more physically flexible.

But the most important flexibility is in your mindset.

Yoga teacher training will challenge your ego, break down old patterns, and encourage deep self-reflection.

Prepare yourself by:

🌱 Letting go of perfectionism - You do not need to “nail” every pose.

🌱 Being open to feedback - Adjustments and corrections are part of learning.

🌱 Releasing self-doubt - You do not need to be the “best” student to succeed.

The more open you are to learning, unlearning, and evolving, the richer your training experience will be.

5. Strengthen Your Understanding of Basic Anatomy

Yoga teacher training includes an anatomy module where you learn about the muscles, joints, and body mechanics involved in yoga.

To make this section less overwhelming, start with the basics:

✔ Learn the major muscle groups (hamstrings, quadriceps, spine, core).

✔ Understand how the breath connects to movement (diaphragmatic breathing).

✔ Observe how your own body moves - which poses feel strong, which feel restricted?

If you are doing an online yoga teacher training, consider watching short anatomy videos to help you visualise the concepts.

6. Develop a Journaling Practice

Your 200-hour yoga teacher training will bring up a lot - physical exhaustion, emotional releases, mental breakthroughs.

A journaling practice can help you:

📔 Process what you are learning

📔 Track your personal growth

📔 Reflect on philosophy discussions and insights

Start now by jotting down:

✅ Why do I want to do this yoga teacher training?

✅ What areas of yoga am I most excited to explore?

✅ What personal challenges do I hope yoga will help me overcome?

This will help anchor your intentions and give you a clear starting point when training begins.

7. Prepare for the Time Commitment (It Is Intense!)

A 200-hour yoga teacher training - whether online, in Scotland, or in India - is a significant time commitment.

Before you start, make sure to:

📅 Clear your schedule - Reduce extra commitments during training.

📅 Communicate with family and friends - Let them know you will be immersed in your studies.

📅 Create a dedicated study space - Especially important for online yoga teacher training students.

A well-prepared mindset makes a world of difference in staying focused and making the most of your training.

8. Find the Right Yoga Teacher Training for You

Not all 200-hour yoga teacher training courses are created equal. Some schools focus too much on asana, while others offer a well-rounded education covering philosophy, anatomy, and meditation.

At The Yoga Nerds, we focus on:

✅ A balanced curriculum covering asana, breathwork, philosophy, and teaching methodology.

✅ Affordable yoga teacher training in Scotland and the UK for those seeking high-quality education.

✅ Online, in-person, and hybrid options so you can choose what works best for your lifestyle.

✅ Hybrid yoga teacher training with an in-person immersion in Goa for those wanting an authentic learning experience.

✅ Continuing education programmes in collaboration with Yoga with Kassandra.

Choosing the right school shapes your experience and growth - so make sure you find one that aligns with your values.

Preparing for a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training

Preparing for a 200-hour yoga teacher training in Scotland, the UK, India, or online is about more than just physical readiness.

It is about:

✨ Committing to your practice

✨ Embracing yoga beyond just asana

✨ Staying open to learning and transformation

✨ Choosing the right school that supports your growth

If you are looking for an affordable yoga teacher training in Scotland, an online yoga teacher training, or a 200-hour yoga teacher training in Edinburgh or Goa, explore The Yoga Nerds.