Written by Joseph Berridge, Founder of Joga Yoga
To prepare for yoga teacher training in Bali, practise at least three times a week in the month before, shift your wake-up time earlier, read a little philosophy and Sanskrit, and sort your visa, payment and flights at home. Joga Yoga courses start on a Monday, so plan to land by the Saturday before.
How much yoga should you practise before teacher training?
Joga Yoga’s own guidance is about six months of consistent practice before you arrive, and at least three sessions a week in the month before the course. That comes straight from the school’s teacher training FAQ. Beginners are accepted. What the school asks is that you keep practising in the run-up.
Three sessions a week matters more than how advanced those sessions are. The course teaches Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and basic Ashtanga, so a mix of styles is better preparation than one hard class repeated. Try to include at least one 60 to 90 minute class a week. The main morning practice on the course runs for 90 minutes, and it helps to know how that length feels before day one.
If you are still building a routine, start with our beginner yoga guide and learn the sequence in our sun salutation guide, which comes up in most Hatha and Vinyasa classes. If you are unsure whether you are ready at all, read can beginners do yoga teacher training first.
A preparation timeline for the eight weeks before you arrive
Preparation works better spread over two months than crammed into the last week. The table lines up practice, study and admin by week, using the deadlines Joga publishes.
| When | Practice | Study | Admin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks out | Build toward three sessions a week. Try one early morning class so you know how your body feels at that hour. | Read a short introduction to the yamas and niyamas. Learn the poses in a sun salutation by name. | Check which visa fits a 21-day course. Book flights that land by the Saturday before the start date. |
| 6 to 7 weeks out | Add one longer class of 60 to 90 minutes each week. | Start a basic list of Sanskrit pose names. | The early bird price ends 45 days before the course starts. |
| 4 weeks out | Three sessions a week at minimum, as the school asks. Include one slow class such as Yin or restorative yoga. | Try simple breathwork, such as a few minutes of steady nasal breathing each day. | The remaining balance is due one month before the course starts. |
| Final week | Keep practising, but ease off anything that leaves you sore. You want to arrive fresh. | Stop studying. Rest counts as preparation. | Move your wake-up time earlier, confirm your airport pick-up, and pack. |
Dates and deadlines above come from Joga’s published FAQ. Fees on the course page are subject to an extra 5 percent VAT, and flights are not included, so budget for both.
What the daily schedule asks of your body
The published daily schedule starts at 06:30 and finishes at 17:30. On a full day it adds up to roughly four hours of physical practice and breathwork, plus chanting, meditation and two study blocks. That estimate counts the pranayama, the morning practice, the strength session and the evening Yin class.
| Time | Session | How to prepare for it |
|---|---|---|
| 06:30 to 07:00 | Pranayama and kriya | Wake up earlier in the weeks before. Practise a few minutes of breathwork on an empty stomach. |
| 07:00 to 08:30 | Hatha and Vinyasa practice | Take some 90-minute classes at home so the length is familiar. |
| 10:00 to 12:30 | Chanting, meditation, then philosophy, anatomy and Ayurveda | Practise sitting still for 10 to 15 minutes. Read a little philosophy so the terms are not new. |
| Afternoon | Teaching methodology and alignment, then stretching and strength | Practise saying simple cues out loud at home. It feels awkward at first, and that passes with repetition. |
| 16:30 to 17:30 | Yin yoga and evening meditation | Try a Yin class before you arrive. Long holds feel very different from flowing practice. |
There is a long break from 12:30 to 14:30 for lunch and rest. Saturday is a half day and Sunday is free. For a fuller picture of how the days feel, read what to expect at yoga teacher training in Bali.
What should you read before yoga teacher training?
You do not need to finish a reading list before you land. A light start on three topics makes the lectures easier to follow: philosophy, breathwork and Sanskrit names.
For philosophy, start with the yamas and niyamas, the ethical guidelines in the first two limbs of yoga, then read our yoga philosophy guide. For breathwork, our pranayama guide covers the basic techniques. For the language, our list of yoga Sanskrit terms helps with pose names you will hear every day.
Anatomy is taught on the course, so there is no need to study it in depth. Knowing the names of the major muscle groups and joints is enough of a head start.
Tell the school about injuries and allergies
The registration form asks whether you have any injuries or allergies. Answer it fully, even for something minor like a sore knee. Teachers can offer options in practice if they know in advance.
If you have a current injury, a health condition or you are pregnant, speak to your doctor or physiotherapist before you commit to a 21-day intensive. The course is physically demanding, and a clear answer from a professional is better than guessing.
Food matters too. The course page lists plant-based breakfasts and lunches. Dinner is not listed, so plan to buy it locally and budget for it. If you have a food allergy, say so on the form.
Admin to sort before you fly
Admin problems are much easier to fix from home than from Canggu. Check these before you fly.
| Item | What Joga publishes | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Start date | Every course starts on a Monday. A Balinese opening ceremony is held on the Sunday before. | Land by Saturday so you are settled for the ceremony. |
| Visa | The school offers help on request. | Read our travel and visa tips for Bali and check the official Indonesian eVisa site before you book flights. |
| Balance payment | Due one month before the course. Bank transfer, Wise and PayPal are accepted. | Set a reminder when you pay your deposit. |
| Deposit | Non-refundable, but transferable to another date within a year. | Pick dates you can commit to. Refunds are not offered. |
| Airport pick-up | Listed as complimentary on the course page. | Send your flight details once they are booked. |
For what to bring, from yoga clothes to cash and a local SIM, use our yoga teacher training packing list for Bali.
How to prepare your mind for teacher training
Past trainees talk less about poses and more about time and energy. In the r/YogaTeachers threads that rank for this question, one piece of advice repeats: make the training your main priority for those weeks. Others add protecting sleep and meals, and getting comfortable with Sanskrit early. These are reported experiences from a handful of forum threads, not a survey.
Clear your calendar as much as you can. Work emails and calls in the evening take energy you will need for the next 06:30 start. If you can, tell people at home that you will be slow to reply for three weeks.
Expect some days to feel harder than others. Teaching practice is the first time you lead a group, and our guide on how hard yoga teacher training is explains why students often find it the toughest part.
Frequently asked questions
How long should you do yoga before teacher training?
Joga Yoga suggests about six months of consistent practice, with at least three sessions a week in the month before the course. Other schools set their own requirements, so check with the one you choose.
Can a beginner prepare for yoga teacher training in Bali?
Yes. Joga accepts beginners and asks that you keep practising regularly before the start date. A steady routine of three classes a week in mixed styles is the most useful preparation.
When should you arrive in Bali for yoga teacher training?
Arrive by the Saturday before your start date. Joga courses begin on a Monday, and students are invited to a Balinese opening ceremony on the Sunday before.
Should you rest or practise hard in the week before teacher training?
Keep practising, but ease off anything that leaves you sore. The 21-day course starts with early mornings and daily practice, so arriving rested helps more than a final hard week.
Ready to book your 200-hour training in Bali?
Joga Yoga’s 200-hour course runs for 21 days in Canggu and starts on a Monday. Check the dates and packages, then register to hold your place.
Register for teacher training
