5 reasons to do a yoga teacher training (even if you don’t want to teach)

There’s one question we hear more than any other:

“I’m not sure I want to teach. Should I still do a yoga teacher training?”

Short answer: yes. A YTT gives you the tools to teach if you ever want to. But it’s just as much for anyone who wants to understand yoga more deeply than a drop-in class allows. You don’t need to be flexible. You don’t need to be “ready”. You just need to be curious.

1. You finally get time for your own practice

The training is built on a simple idea: you get better at yoga by doing yoga. So yes, you’ll move, breathe and sit still. A lot.

On top of the training hours, you get a free membership for yum’s regular classes. It runs from the day you book until the last day of the training. That means you get to know the studio, the teachers and your fellow students before day one, so it won’t feel like the first day of school.

2. You understand what you’re doing on the mat

Why do we stand like that in Warrior II? What actually happens when you slow your breath down? And what’s all that philosophy about?

The training gives you the answers: anatomy that makes sense in your own body, breathwork, meditation and yoga philosophy. We explain the philosophy so you can use it on a Tuesday afternoon, not just on a mountaintop. You won’t turn into a guru. You’ll just know yourself and your practice a lot better.

Think of it as a spring clean for body and mind. The training takes up space in your calendar, and yes, it takes some planning. In return you get a really good excuse to prioritise sleep, good food and time for yourself. Balance, not perfection.

3. A group you won’t forget

At yum you join a group of 7–15 people. Everything is taught in English, and the group is usually a mix of Copenhageners and people who’ve moved here. What you have in common is that you want to learn more about yoga. Most of you will also like good food.

The studio is by the water in Sydhavnen, with the café right next door. It’s a pretty good spot to talk hips and philosophy afterwards.

4. A foundation to build on, whatever you choose

A 200-hour training is the classic starting point in the yoga world. What you do with it afterwards is up to you. Some people, for example:

• teach in studios, gyms or privately
• bring yoga into the job they already have, for example as a manager, teacher or therapist
• go on to further training, such as a 300-hour YTT or yoga therapy
• start something of their own in the wellness world
• or use it “just” for their own practice, which is completely fine

If you’re curious about earning money from yoga, the training includes a business module with Julia Ehni. She shares experience and methods for making a full or partial income from yoga.

After the training you can stay at yum with an alumni membership. It costs DKK 379/month if you’re under 30 and DKK 439/month if you’re 30+, for up to 24 months.

5. You learn to be okay with not knowing it all

If you’re thinking “this sounds good, but I don’t know…”, that’s completely fine. Simply considering a YTT is a reason to slow down. You get to check in with what you need and accept where you are right now.

Isabella, who has been part of yum, did her 200-hour training back in 2013, at a time when she was questioning most things in her life. The biggest thing she took away wasn’t a perfect handstand. It was learning to stay calm in the middle of not knowing.

Maybe that’s the most useful thing yoga teaches you: staying calm when you don’t know exactly how things will work out. You can use that a long way off the mat.

How a yoga teacher training fits into your life

There are two trainings in 2027:

• Winter/Spring 2027: 16 January–2 May 2027. Weekends only, so it fits around work or studies. See the winter training
• Summer Intensive 2027: 3 July–15 August 2027. Shorter and more intensive. See the summer intensive

Both are 200-hour Vinyasa, Yoga Alliance RYS®200, and taught in English. You can read about both on yoga teacher training in Copenhagen.

FAQ