Yoga is one of the fastest growing businesses in the wellness and fitness industries, clearly proven by the seemingly never-ending selection of studios and newly graduated yoga teachers. We all have heard, seen, and probably tried yoga at this point. The practice strengthens the body and provides a great outlet for emotional release

As you chalk up hours on the mat, you may start thinking: what’s next? And for many, teacher training may come to mind. Some dip their toes in yoga teacher training to further their knowledge or to try to turn this hobby into a career.

In Singapore alone, you’ll find tons of yoga studios that offer the classic 200-hour course. Overseas, you’ll find even more.

Before you jump in head first, consider your motivations for taking up teacher training and how you should go about choosing a course. To help you along, we gathered tips from experts Dada Premamayananda, Sectorial Office Secretary of Ananda Marga in South East Asia, Pure Yoga teachers Daria Soloveychik, Louise Tham and Kristin Khor, as well as Alo Yogi Josh Kramer.

Who should take a yoga teacher training course?

People take yoga training courses for a multitude of reasons. First, – the most obvious – they want to be a yoga teacher. Some also take it to further their personal yoga knowledge or practice. There are also medical workers who may take the meditative and physical aspects of the practice to help their patients and clients.

“Whether you want to become a yoga teacher or simply expand your knowledge and skill set, a yoga teacher training is worth looking into,” says Josh Kramer. To find the best course for you, think about what you want to get out of it and pinpoint the yoga style that you enjoy most.

What qualities should you possess before taking this step?

“Interested applicants do not need to have any minimum requirement or prior yoga experience as this course is open to everyone from all walks of life,” Dada told Shape, and that anyone who is interested and curious can have a successful learning experience.

Pure Yoga teachers agree, saying that “dedication to the practice, humbleness, eagerness to learn, and an open mind” are key to a fruitful experience. Having said that, it will be better if candidates have at least six months of practice so they can transform and develop a deeper understanding of yoga. Aspiring yoga teachers or passionate students alike are welcome to learn and develop their personal practice.

What type of training courses are there?

In a course, you typically learn about both the physical and mental practice, with various teachers there to teach different modules. Josh Kramer said, “To find the right training, think about what you want to get out of it, find the style of yoga that most interests you, decide how much time you want to commit.”

If you are passionate about hatha, aerial or ashtanga, you can look for a teacher training course that hones in on your preferred style.

The duration of courses can vary from hours to years. Short-term immersion workshops can help to be a stepping stone, but to be a certified teacher, you would require a 200-hour teacher training course. After that, you can move onto the 300-hour course and 500-hour course.

At Ananda Marga, its certificate and diploma courses also delve into science, philosophy, anatomy and classic texts, offering a combination of physical, mental, social and spiritual perspectives to students.

At traditional schools like Iyengar Yoga, there are long courses that last anywhere from one to three years. Think about how much you want to commit, then research and ask around to find out about different courses.

What are the hallmarks of a good yoga teacher training course?

The experts agree that the community greatly affects the yoga teacher training course. This means, you need to look at the class size, the background of your mentors and credibility of the school. Yoga teacher training courses should bring people together and build confidence while giving you the tools you need to share yoga in a safe and honest way with future students.

How much will a training course cost?

Courses usually cost anywhere from $1500 to $5000. It depends on location, studio, and teacher. Price does not determine quality, and it’s best to choose the brand and instructor that have the same values as you.

This story was originally published on Shape.