BEND Hot Yoga offers unique immersive Yoga Teacher Training programs

Those who practice yoga in Prescott have likely heard of or taken a class at BEND Hot Yoga. In its two studio spaces at 434 W. Goodwin Street, BEND offers a comprehensive collection of more than 45 classes per week, including Hot Yoga, Non-Heated Yoga, Yoga for Beginners, Yoga for Seniors, Aerial Yoga, Pilates, Hot HIIT, and more. Since 2012, the team at BEND has proudly provided wellness, support, and strength to the Prescott community. Team members are passionate about cultivating the highest quality, safest, and cleanest space for their diverse and dynamic schedule of classes.

A regular yoga practice increases strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular health in addition to reducing pain and inflammation and improving posture.  Yoga can also help reduce stress and anxiety, increase mindfulness and self-awareness, and promote overall well-being. With its myriad mental and physical benefits, it’s no secret that the popularity of yoga has soared over the past few years. That popularity generates a growing demand for Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) programs – an arena where yoga practitioners can learn to teach yoga.

For years, BEND Hot Yoga has offered an in-person Yoga Teacher Training program designed for individuals who are looking to deepen their yoga practice and share their love of yoga with others. However, in recent enrollment years there’s been a palpable increase in interest for “online” YTTs.  While on the surface, an online YTT may seem convenient or more affordable, there are several reasons why it is not the best option for aspiring yoga teachers. When investing in a YTT program, it is important to weigh the benefits of an in-person program against the drawbacks of an online program.

In BEND’s unique in-person YTT, students inhabit a fully immersive and personalized learning experience that online training simply cannot match. Throughout the YTT program, students receive real-time feedback and correction from BEND’s expert facilitators, Julie Munro and Rachel Peters, which is crucial for learning the physical aspects and absorbing the spiritual wisdom of yoga. With an online YTT, students are unable to receive individualized attention or hands-on guidance, making it nearly impossible to correct any errors in form, technique, or understanding.

BEND’s YTT takes place over nine weekends, spread out over five months.  This schedule allows the participant to dive into the training without having to leave their regular routines and responsibilities behind. In-person YTT weekends become a divine time to fully disconnect from the outside world, providing a learning atmosphere free from the distractions of work, family, and other obligations which can interrupt online training

Throughout BEND’s YTT, students are provided space, support, and encouragement for yoga education, personal evolution, and transformation of their practice. Participants gain a valuable understanding of advanced techniques in postures, breathing, and meditation, as well as yoga philosophy, teaching methodology, and the science of Ayurveda. Additionally, they acquire the confidence to teach yoga to people from diverse levels, abilities, and backgrounds. Students learn and practice together, resulting in the emergence of student-turned-teacher moments that are difficult to replicate in an online training environment.

BEND’s YTT allows for a deeper sense of belonging and connection as participants become part of a group of likeminded individuals on the same path of knowledge and self-improvement. This can lead to lifelong friendships and a supportive network of colleagues in the yoga industry. BEND keeps YTT class sizes intimate so each individual receives personal attention, ensuring they develop a thorough understanding of yoga postures, alignment, anatomy, and sequencing. While online YTTs can offer virtual communities, they just don’t have the same level of connection and bonding as BEND’s in-person program.

Choosing an in-person training at BEND is an investment in one’s personal and professional yoga lifestyle. With the opportunity to receive a globally recognized credential as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) through Yoga Alliance, graduates will have the skills and knowledge necessary to teach yoga in a variety of settings and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. The broad curriculum at BEND ensures that one will be fully prepared to succeed as a yoga teacher and make a positive difference in the world.

If you are considering becoming a yoga teacher, an in-person YTT can be a transformative and rewarding experience. With expert facilitators, a comprehensive curriculum, an immersive environment, a supportive community, and the opportunity for personal and professional growth, BEND’s YTT provides a wealth of benefits that simply cannot be duplicated by an online program. For those who want to fully commit to the practice of yoga and become a skilled and confident teacher, an in-person YTT at BEND Hot Yoga is the way to go. Enrollment for BEND’s 2024 YTT will open in the fall.

BEND Hot Yoga’s YTT has limited enrollment space, and early registration is recommended. The 2023 YTT program will commence in May 2023, and the 2024 YTT dates will be announced in the fall.  To learn more and to apply early, visit BEND at www.bendhotyogaprescott.com/YTT-FAQ.