Yoga Teacher Training Archives - Fever

Posts

What It Takes to Become a Yoga Teacher

December 22, 2025/0 Comments/in Featured, Yoga Teacher Training /by Shannon Austin

Most people assume becoming a yoga teacher begins with learning postures — and in many ways, it does. The body is where we first notice patterns: how we move, what we avoid, what we force, and what we soften. But the deeper work of teaching happens in the same place — within our own experience. Becoming a yoga teacher isn’t about perfecting poses; it’s about gaining the clarity, steadiness, and integrity to guide others through theirs.

The physical practice matters. The postures matter. Alignment matters. Breath matters. Anatomy matters. What happens in the body is not separate from what happens in the mind — it’s the gateway. And to teach yoga well, you have to be willing to step into a transformative process that begins on your mat and radiates outward into every part of your life.

⸻

1. Integrity in the Body Creates Integrity in the Self

One of the most surprising parts of yoga teacher training is realizing how deeply asana reveals the truth. Physical integrity — alignment, attention, presence — reflects inner integrity. The way we move is the way we think, and the way we think is the way we live. In training, postures are never just shapes; they’re mirrors.

To teach yoga is to understand how the body communicates: where there is effort, where there is avoidance, where there is collapse, where there is strength. You learn how to see bodies clearly and how to work with them skillfully — beginning with your own.

⸻

2. Inner Work Is Not Optional — It’s Central

Yoga teacher training is not simply an education in technique. It’s an unraveling. A looking inward. A widening of awareness.

The teachings ask us to see our samskaras — the habitual patterns and internal narratives that shape our experience. They ask us to examine where we’re stuck in our lives, because we can’t guide others through what we have not faced ourselves.

This work doesn’t require perfection. It requires honesty.

Teaching yoga isn’t about delivering a script. It’s about holding space with presence and humility — and that can only come from lived practice.

⸻

3. The Yamas and Niyamas Are Not Philosophy on the Side — They’re the Foundation

Ethics are not theoretical in yoga. They are embodied.

Ahimsa, satya, tapas, svadhyaya — these principles become deeply personal when you’re practicing, studying, and teaching.

They influence how we speak to students, how we speak to ourselves, how we set boundaries, how we show up, and how we care for the work.

Yoga without yamas and niyamas is simply exercise.

Yoga with them becomes a path.

⸻

4. Asana, Breath, and Sequencing Are Skills — and They Matter

Teacher training is not just reflection and philosophy.

There is craft to this work:

• intelligent sequencing

• understanding functional anatomy

• why postures progress the way they do

• how to breathe with purpose

• how to see misalignment

• how to build strength and expand capacity

Students may come to yoga seeking calm or mobility, but the structure beneath the experience matters.

A strong class looks effortless, but it is not accidental.

To teach yoga well, you learn to design experiences intentionally.

⸻

5. Teaching Begins With Listening

The best yoga teachers are not the ones with the most complicated poses — they are the ones who see their students clearly. To teach yoga is to cultivate presence. You learn to listen with your eyes, your hands, your voice, and your intuition.

You learn how to offer options without judgment.

You learn how to meet a room full of different bodies, different stories, and different nervous systems — all in the same hour.

This is work that requires empathy, awareness, and practice.

⸻

6. A Yoga Teacher Is Always a Student

Training does not deliver a final answer — it opens a doorway.

You leave with more curiosity than certainty.

More softness than rigidity.

More perspective than performance.

Becoming a yoga teacher is not the end of something, but the beginning of everything — a lifelong practice of learning, recommitting, and growing.

⸻

7. Who Yoga Teacher Training Is For

Yoga teacher training is for people who feel called to do meaningful work.

It’s for people who want to understand themselves more deeply.

It’s for people who know the physical practice is only one part of what yoga offers, and who want to learn how to share that in a way that is grounded and real.

It’s not about being perfect.

It’s about being awake.

⸻

If you’re feeling drawn to this work

Our Yoga Teacher Training program at Fever Yoga Cycle Strength is built to honor the whole spectrum of practice — asana, pranayama, philosophy, sequencing, anatomy, meditation, and the deep inner inquiry that makes the teaching authentic.

If you’re ready to step into the process, learn more here:

👉 Learn to Teach Yoga

7 Tips for Avoiding Common Yoga Injuries

April 13, 2019/in Preventing Yoga Injuries, Yoga /by Shannon Austin

Many yogis love the practice of yoga because it reduces the tightness in their necks, loosens their lower backs, and releases tension in their hips. But, like any kind of sport or activity, injuries can – and do – happen in yoga.

Some injuries occur due to overuse and inaccurate alignment on repeat. Others come about from thinking you’re more flexible than you really are. And sometimes, they’re a complete slip, accident, or fluke.

I have seven pieces of advice to help you avoid common yoga injuries. Because the most important thing is staying safe in your body.

1. Know the difference between sensation and pain

Best practice is to leave your ego at the door. Try not to compare your flexibility, your strength, or your body in general to that of your neighbor. Everyone’s body is different, which means that the “perfect pose” may not be possible for you – right now, or ever. That’s okay. We’re here to guide you toward your best possible expression. But if anything ever starts feeling uncomfortable, please listen to your body and back off.

2. Get the green light from your doc if you have any pre-existing injuries

If you’re new to yoga and have any pre-existing injuries, please talk to your doctor or physical therapist for guidance first. While we instructors are trained in anatomy and are skilled in helping students avoid new injuries, we don’t know what aches and pains you might be dealing with already. Discuss which postures or movements might be risky based on your current or ongoing limitations.

3. Chat with your instructor before or after class

That being said, we also want to hear from you – about existing injuries or any new pains you’re noticing. When we know what’s going on with your body, we can help cue modifications to help you avoid doing more injury to yourself. While we try our best to move around the studio and help students adjust during class, we can’t always make it to everyone. We warmly welcome you to chat with us before or after class, so we can help you protect your body.

4. Gently stretch tight areas

Stretching and other dynamic movements should always be done mindfully and gently. Take your time loosening tight areas – especially during the beginning of class or when you’re practicing outside of our heated studio. It’s natural to feel some resistance, but you should be able to tell the difference between that and pain. Overstretching will only ever set you back by worsening existing injuries or leading to muscle tears.

5. Regular strength training

If you know you’re weaker in certain parts of your body – say, glutes or hamstrings – try to build strength there gradually. This helps you reduce putting too much pressure on other body parts as they try to compensate. Focus on regular cardiovascular or resistance-training exercises several times per week to build up the strength you need to stay safe in the yoga studio.

6. Use props for support

You know those blocks and straps at the back of our yoga studio? Yes, we really do want you to grab one of each for every class. Blocks can easily bring your mat closer to you if you don’t reach the floor in a certain bend or twist. They relieve pressure on your precious hamstrings. A rolled-up blanket or towel placed under your knee or hip is another great way to protect vulnerable parts of your body. Props are not something to be ashamed of. In fact, some of the strongest yogis are those who rely on their props to support them when they need it.

7. Consider trying various styles of yoga

Beyond the physical injuries, you might immediately think of, certain vigorous styles are not meant for beginners. Ease your way into the yoga practice by attending some of our restorative yoga, warm (not as hot) classes or even our yin yoga classes, which move at a slower pace. Learn the foundations of yoga from our experienced teachers, and read up on how to prepare your body for the Power Vinyasa Classes. Choose the appropriate class for your skill level and work your way up.

—

Next week, we’ll dive deeper into some of the most common yoga injuries, teaching you practical ways to avoid falling victim to them yourself.

In the meantime, I hope you take these tips to heart. It’s easy to forget that the ancient practice is about so much more than contorting your body into unique, impressive physical shapes. But at the end of the day, no one wants to lose out on days or weeks of yoga practice because they’re nursing an injury that could have been avoidable.

Think You Can Teach Yoga? Get Certified.

January 19, 2019/in Yoga Teacher Training /by Shannon Austin

5 Questions to Ask When Considering a Yoga Teacher Training Program

Whether you’ve decided you want to teach yoga or simply dig deeper into your own practice, it’s often daunting to sift between yoga styles and teaching methods to decide where to complete your teacher training. That’s why we’ve pulled together five questions to consider when selecting the best teacher training program for you.

1. Is the yoga teacher program Yoga Alliance Certified?

As the international governing body for yoga, the Yoga Alliance sets the standard for teacher training programs. If you hope to teach yoga at some point in your future, make sure you look for this certification – otherwise you won’t qualify for insurance. We know, insurance doesn’t feel very yogic, but this certification basically says you’ve got a stamp of approval to teach yoga.

2. What is the yoga teacher training schedule like?

All teacher training programs start out with 200 hours. Some are immersion classes – meaning you’re cramming the entire program into two weeks. These make it quite difficult to retain the information or get enough practice before teaching. At Fever, our program is extended over 3.5 months to help ensure you have the depth of knowledge and experience needed before beginning to teach. As a bonus, this type of program is perfect for people leading busy lives with work or family commitments.

3. How does the yoga program teach anatomy?

At first, this may not seem like the biggest deal when you’re trying to memorize all the Sanskrit names for postures or figuring out how to properly sequence. But anatomy is huge!! You must understand alignment and muscular engagement before you become a yoga guide. A solid understanding of human anatomy will enable you to bring a high level of consciousness to your teaching as well as prevent injury. Make sure the program you select has a strong focus on anatomy. Fever offers 11 modules in anatomy training in relation to yoga.

4. How does the yoga teacher training program balance the subjects it teaches?

Each training course devotes a minimum number of hours to subjects like posture, anatomy and philosophy, but each course also emphasizes different areas and brings its own style. What matters most to you? Spiritual training, a focus on alignment, or ample time to practice teach? Pick a program that speaks your language. If you’re looking for emphasis on ALL of these things, you should definitely consider our program. We hit all the bases necessary to take your practice and your skills to the next level.

5. What are the instructors like?

Your studio instructors will be a large part of your training, from their knowledge to their personality to their years of experience teaching. Take some time to research the teachers at various studios, read reviews, and take public classes from them. Make sure you feel that the teachers are incredibly knowledgeable in the field of yoga and can guide beginners and seasoned practitioners through a safe and thorough experience.

Fever | Yoga Cycle Strength offers a 200 hr Yoga Teaching Training Program

You’ll learn about human anatomy, including posture, integrated movement and the prevention of common injuries. You’ll study philosophy, including the eight limbs, and the Sanskrit language. You’ll practice sequencing, incorporating meditation, classical yoga, vinyasa breath & movement, and the use of props. Additionally, you’ll receive unlimited support for the duration of the program.

Make sure to register early for a special early-bird discount. For more information about our course visit our Teacher Training Page. If you have questions, please call: (616) 805-3603 or email: a dmin@feverycs.com

3 Reasons to Become a Yoga Teacher in Grand Rapids

December 30, 2017/in Featured, Yoga Teacher Training /by Shannon Austin

If you’re feeling drawn to yoga teacher training, you’re not alone. Across Grand Rapids, more and more students are stepping beyond weekly practice and into the deeper study of yoga — not just to learn the postures, but to understand themselves, build community, and share what yoga has given them.

Becoming a yoga teacher isn’t about mastering poses or performing flexibility. It’s about stepping into a practice that strengthens the body, sharpens the mind, supports nervous system health, and opens the door to personal transformation. And when you do that work in a city like Grand Rapids — a city full of movement, art, growth, and connection — the experience becomes even more meaningful.

If you’re wondering why now, and why here, below are three reasons to pursue yoga teacher training in Grand Rapids.

⸻

Reason #1: Yoga Teacher Training Deepens Your Practice From the Inside Out

Most students enter teacher training expecting to learn posture names, anatomy, and sequencing — and yes, you will. But what surprises people most is how the training changes their relationship with their own practice.

Asana becomes more than movement.

Breath becomes more than breath.

Awareness becomes the center of everything.

Training teaches you to feel the difference between effort and strain, strength and force, balance and collapse. You learn how your body organizes itself, where you hold tension, and how patterns in movement mirror patterns in thought and emotion.

That internal clarity is one of the most valuable reasons to become a yoga teacher. You don’t just become more confident in poses — you become more connected to yourself.

⸻

Reason #2: Yoga Teaching Builds Real Community in Grand Rapids

Yoga isn’t practiced in isolation. Grand Rapids has a uniquely strong yoga community — small enough to feel personal, big enough to create momentum. New teachers quickly find themselves surrounded by students, mentors, peers, and opportunities to teach.

Teaching yoga is collaborative.

Teachers support each other.

Students are loyal, curious, and engaged.

Becoming a yoga teacher in Grand Rapids isn’t just about stepping into a profession — it’s about joining a community. You meet people who share your values, your passion, your curiosity, and your desire to make a difference.

And if you choose to teach, you have the chance to support others in their practice — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Teaching becomes a way of giving back to the city you live in.

⸻

Reason #3: Teaching Yoga Is a Path of Growth — Personally and Professionally

Yoga teaching is not limited to studios or full-time careers. Many teachers integrate the practice into their existing professions:

• healthcare

• fitness

• bodywork

• education

• corporate wellness

• counseling

• athletics

• leadership

• personal development

Some teach weekly classes.

Some teach at multiple studios.

Some lead workshops.

Some build their own businesses.

Yoga teaching creates possibilities — both internal and external. You gain confidence, presence, clarity, communication skills, and the ability to guide others through meaningful change.

And whether you teach publicly or not, the training itself transforms the way you move through the world.

⸻

A Final Note: You Don’t Have to Know Whether You’ll Teach

One of the most common questions people ask is:

“Do I need to want to teach to take yoga teacher training?”

The answer is simple:

No.

Many people enter training for personal growth — and discover the desire to teach later.

Many enter planning to teach — and feel drawn inward instead.

Both paths are welcome.

What matters is that you feel called to go deeper.

⸻

If You’re Ready to Explore Teaching in Grand Rapids

Our Yoga Teacher Training at Fever Yoga Cycle Strength is designed to honor the whole practice:

asana, breath, anatomy, sequencing, philosophy, meditation, and the inner work that makes yoga teaching real.

If you’re curious about the next step, learn more here:

👉 www.feverycs.com/teacher-training/

Grand Rapids needs more teachers who are grounded, present, and connected.

If that’s you — we’d love to support you.