You’ve made a big decision: you’re going to become a yoga teacher! Congratulations! Now the question is, what should you pack? What should you put in your suitcase for yoga teacher training? This list is based on my experience of yoga teacher training in Bali. In a hot and humid climate, it may vary slightly depending on the destination. I wish I’d had this list when I was preparing for my four-week stay in Ubud a few months ago. I’m going to share with you the things that schools don’t always tell you but which I found very useful.
Before going any further, don’t forget to find me on Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube.
If you are planning to take a yoga teacher training course at House of Om like me, you can get a 5% discount with this link. If the link does not work (it is different for each school), you can send me a message via the contact section of my blog or on Instagram.
Your mat
The first thing you’ll need to take care of for your yoga teacher training is your mat. You can also decide to buy one on site or borrow one from the school. Be aware that they usually have a limited number of mats, so check this information before making your decision. Personally, I really recommend bringing your own for one simple reason: you’ll feel more comfortable with a mat you know and trust.
It may seem a little dramatic, but the training is intense and involves testing and exploring new poses. If you lose your grip during practice, you lose your concentration and you could even injure yourself. I brought my B Halfmoon mat, which is a Canadian brand. They also have a travel version if you’re looking for a lighter option. I highly recommend them, I bought my first mat from them in 2017 and it lasted me years. I only changed it a few months ago to treat myself to a new mat for my trip to Bali. With this link, you can enjoy a 15% discount on their entire website. They also have a base in Europe and deliver easily to France (they even have their only store in the world in Biarritz!).
Why do I love B Halfmoon? The grip of the mat, especially when you sweat. I was originally looking for a mat that wouldn’t slip when I did yoga in parks in Toronto during the summer. Since then, I’ve used it in parks, for hot yoga, and in Bali: it’s flawless.
Enough yoga clothes
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you to pack yoga clothes for a yoga teacher training course. But I wanted to give you a little more detail. I planned on one outfit per day. I bought a few locally (hello Indigo Luna, I also have a 10% online discount for you) and still had to do laundry. You literally live in yoga clothes, so plan on several options for flexibility. I also highly recommend shorts, because it’s hot… very hot! If you’re not comfortable in shorts, be sure to choose breathable fabrics so you don’t overheat. I would still take a sweater or a light jacket. Not because it’s cold, but because sometimes mornings or evenings can be a bit cooler. You can find all my yoga outfits here.
A tablet
My initial plan was to write everything by hand. To have a beautiful notebook full of notes. To keep it as a precious treasure representing such a special time. Reality caught up with me pretty quickly. After the second day, I changed my mind and switched to the iPad. You’re going to take a lot of notes, and it’s much easier on a tablet: going back, changing colors, highlighting, copying and pasting to save time, adding notes later, and using the search function to easily find words in your notes. If you’re unsure and can afford it, get both. That way you’ll have the option to see what works best for you. I have a paper-effect screen protector on my iPad, which made writing a little more pleasant.
A tripod
So I know that coming from a content creator, you’re thinking: obviously, you have to live with a tripod attached to your arm. The truth is, even if you’re not a content creator or very active on social media, being able to film your practice will help you document your progress. It will also allow you to watch your posture and make adjustments if necessary.
For me personally, when I create a yoga sequence, I often go with the inspiration of the moment. I let myself be guided by what my body wants, by what feels good to me. If I have to stop every minute to take notes, it breaks the flow of creativity that comes over me. With the tripod, I can experiment and let myself be guided by my desires without the pressure of having to remember everything. I’ve been using this tripod since 2023. It has seen sun and snow (last week we had over 50 cm of snow in Toronto, and the tripod stood firmly in the snow without any problems). It does the job perfectly.
Comfortable shoes
Let’s be honest, you’ll spend most of your time barefoot on your carpet. But you’ll still need shoes to get around campus: from your room to the classroom, to the dining hall, etc. I was there at the beginning of the rainy season, so I recommend shoes that are easy to clean and dry. I brought sandals from Bombas, a great brand that donates a portion of each purchase to charities. But you can bring any pair of shoes that are easy to clean and lightweight to help with the weight of your suitcase (I can’t be the only one who always struggles to stay under the 23kg limit).
Mosquito repellent spray
One more thing to pack in your suitcase for your yoga teacher training: mosquito repellent. The school provides it during classes, but I recommend always having some in your bag, just to be on the safe side. If you’re lucky like me, your classmates will attract the mosquitoes and you won’t get bitten. If you’re more of a mosquito magnet, it’s best to bring your own! I found a natural one that smells nice, here’s the link.
Electrolytes
You’ll sweat more than usual, even in places you’ve never sweated before. And above all, all the water is filtered and doesn’t contain the necessary minerals. That’s why you’ll be peeing all the time… yes, glamorous. I really recommend bringing your own electrolytes. I took several packets of Liquid I.V. because they’re my favourites. I’ve tried other brands but never liked the taste. Between a new environment, an intense pace, and different food, it can really help!
Protein bars
This may not apply to everyone, depending on your diet. During training, we followed a vegetarian diet, and on some days it was a little more difficult for me to get my protein intake. I was really glad to have a few Barebells bars in my suitcase for those days when I needed a little boost. This brand is fabulous because their bars taste like a delicious snack, with added protein. I promise I’m not being paid to say this, haha! I was shocked, yes shocked, by how good they tasted. As with electrolytes, I tried a bunch of different brands, and these are by far my favorite.
A raincoat and a waterproof bag
If you’re doing your yoga teacher training during the rainy season, be prepared to protect your belongings. With a waterproof bag (I brought the one I use for paddleboarding), you can protect your notebook, tablet, phone, etc. on the way to class. It’s always good to have one at home anyway if you do outdoor activities. For a raincoat, I would recommend one that rolls up easily. Something that doesn’t take up much space, so you can easily carry it in your bag.
I hope this list of things to pack for your yoga teacher training will help you prepare for your trip with peace of mind. It’s a unique experience. I’m planning more articles to help you prepare, so feel free to send me your questions on Instagram!
Have a wonderful experience!
