Every year I open up registrations for my BWY Yoga Teacher Training in London and online. I invite my students to introductory sessions and talk about the course. And you know what? One of the most common things I hear is: “I don’t feel ready yet!”
I am all too familiar with this feeling!
Every time I take a new course or even do something new, this feeling that I won’t be good enough, or I’ll be out of my depth, sneaks up on me. Over the years I’ve learned that this feeling might be trying to keep me safe, but if I listened to it I would never grow.
I honestly wouldn’t have done half the things I’ve done if I’d waited until I felt ready—including becoming a Yoga Teacher!
Myth 1: A Yoga Teacher Must Know How to Do Advanced Postures
This might come as a surprise to you, but the truth is you do not need to be super flexible or strong. You do not need to be able to do a headstand, splits, or anything near it.
The emphasis on any good quality yoga teacher training course should be about learning to teach yoga to real everyday people. This means learning about basic alignment principles in the basic yoga postures. Also learning how to modify postures to make your classes accessible to all.
You probably only need to worry about advanced postures if you’re planning on coaching the next team for the Yoga Olympics!
Myth 2: A Yoga Teacher Must Be Young, Beautiful, Vegan and Wear Trendy Yoga Gear
You can become a successful yoga teacher at absolutely any age. On my courses I’ve had students from their early 20s to late 60s.
Probably your body size or appearance is way more important to you than any of your potential yoga students.
You’ll also be pleased to know that as a yoga teacher you can wear whatever you like! I teach wearing jogging bottoms and a woolly jumper on a regular basis. But you can wear yoga gear if you like—anything goes.
Regarding diet, I’m vegetarian myself, but just so you know, they had real sausage rolls at the British Wheel of Yoga Course Tutors meeting last time!
Myth 3: Becoming a Yoga Teacher Means You Need to Become a Different Person
This is a big one.
Coming from a background in professional dance, I grew up with a host of teachers who were way up there on the pedestal. They were like royalty, they were unapproachable. They held in their hands (what felt like at the time) the power to ‘make or break’ you!
In contrast to this, one of my first yoga teachers was just a normal lady (thank goodness!). She was friendly, kind and down to earth. She spoke to me in exactly the same way in a yoga class as she would whilst having a cup of tea together. She was just her very normal self.
It was this—and her unconditionally positive support in my practice—that had an incredible impact on my life and inspired me to teach in the way I do.
So the truth is, to become a good yoga teacher, you don’t need to put on a performance as a perfect Yoga Guru. You can be your usual friendly self and let the Yoga do the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yoga Teacher Training
Honestly, no! This is probably the question I get asked the most. You don’t need to be able to touch your toes, do a headstand, or have been practicing yoga for years. Here’s the thing—on our BWY Yoga Teacher Training, you won’t be learning to teach advanced asanas. You’ll be learning to teach normal people in everyday life. The focus is on making the basic yoga postures accessible to everyone. That’s what good teaching is really about!
My British Wheel of Yoga accredited teacher training runs over 14 months, meeting approximately 2-3 Saturdays per month. Once a month we meet in person in London, and the rest of the sessions are online. This gives you time to absorb the material, practice teaching, and let everything sink in without feeling overwhelmed. It’s designed to fit around real life—because most of my students have jobs, families, and other commitments.
It’s both! My course is a hybrid yoga teacher training in London and online, which means you’ll experience a mix of both. We meet once a month in person in London (which is brilliant for hands-on adjustments and building community), and the rest of the sessions—around 1-2 Saturdays per month—are online so you can join from your living room in your comfy clothes.
Many of my students actually join from outside London—across the UK and beyond—because this format gives them the flexibility to study from home while still getting that essential in-person experience once a month. You’ll get the best of both worlds!
You’ll receive the 300-hour Level 4 certificate from the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY). Level 4 is validated by Ofqual, the UK educational framework—it’s the same level as the first year of a degree. This is actually the highest yoga teaching qualification available in the UK. It’s nationally recognized and means you can teach pretty much anywhere—studios, gyms, community centers, or set up your own classes. It also meets insurance requirements, which is essential if you want to teach professionally. Basically, it’s the real deal!
Absolutely! Not everyone who does yoga teacher training goes on to teach classes, and that’s completely fine. Some people do it to deepen their own practice, some want to understand the philosophy better, and some just love learning. That said, there is an aspect of teaching practice in the course, so you will do some teaching as part of your learning. But there’s no pressure to become a professional teacher afterwards—the training is valuable whatever you decide to do with it.
I promise you won’t be! I’ve had students from their early 20s to late 60s on my courses. There’s always a lovely mix of ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Actually, that diversity is one of the things people love most about the training—you get to learn from each other as well as from me. Age really is just a number when it comes to becoming a yoga teacher.
Ready to Start Your Yoga Teacher Training?
If you’re interested in Yoga Teacher Training in London or online, and you’ve been waiting to feel “ready”—this is your sign that you already are.
Check out my upcoming BWY Yoga Teacher Training
Join us for an introductory session and see if it feels right for you. No pedestals, no pressure, just real yoga for real people.
