Choosing a 200 Hour YTT can feel overwhelming.

• There are hundreds of options.

• They all look pretty much the same on paper.

• You’re about to invest 200 hours of your life.

• And hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

I’ve signed up for the 'wrong' YTT more than once. I’m grateful for every single one of my teacher trainings, but if I’d known what to look for, I could have saved money and weeks of vacation days.

To help you choose the right YTT, I created a simple 5-step framework:

1. Set your budget: Decide your upper limit for the ideal YTT. Then, ignore price as a quality indicator. 2. Pick your format: Consider the four main formats—local studio, retreat center, online with group, or self-paced online. Cross off at least two that don’t fit your life. 3. Make a shortlist: Find 5–10 programs that match your price range and preferred format. 4. Research and narrow to 3: Look for quality indicators to separate strong programs from mediocre ones. For example, check if the lead teacher has at least 5 years of experience. 5. Practice with your top 3 teachers: Take a class, watch a video, or join a workshop. Trust your gut about who you want to spend 200 hours with.

The full article breaks down each step with specifics on what to look for and what to avoid.

I hope this helps you find the right YTT for you!