Everyone should be encouraged to do a teacher's training course if they're serious students of yoga. It's a wonderful experience, and it would definately help you to develop a home practice. Don't allow yourself to be discouraged by someone else's negativity or their own personal challenges. It's too bad that your relationship with your teacher has disintegrated. I tell my students they should all become yoga teachers!!!
Sivananda has a wonderful 4-week residential program at the ashram in Val Morin, Quebec (or others internationally). Of all the local programs, the only one I would recommend is Nitya's in Kensington Market. He occasionally takes a group to India as well.