Are You Ready to Evolve?

Yoga Teacher Training is a life changing experience because it gives you the opportunity to study the Self and share your gifts through the vessel of light and love that you are. 

• Sarah Stevenson

We are so excited and grateful to introduce you to Sarah Stevenson, YACEP, ERYT 200, RPYT, RCYT, and the Founder of Mindful Educational Services LLC. 

Oh and if that mouthful wasn’t enough, she is all near completion of a 200 Hour Yoga Therapy Certificate through Breathing Deeply Yoga. 

Whew!

Now why do you need to know this woman?

Well, if you are a yoga practitioner – TAKE HER CLASS! She is truly amazing and deeply devoted to offering up an experience that transcends “poses”.

If you are seeking to become a yoga teacher, we highly recommend you connect with Sarah and learn more about the EVOLVE training that she is leading at Karma Barre and Yoga in Spring Lake, NJ. 

We recently had the chance to sit down with Sarah for an interview about her life (on and off the mat), the Evolve training, and all the other interesting things that tend to pop up when two yogis sit down with lots of time for connection. 

Read on, and follow up with Karma Barre if you need more info for EVOLVE!

Hi Sarah! How long have you been yoga-ing? What brought you to the mat?

Yoga found me, just about 15 years ago. It’s that simple. I accidentally stumbled into a class at NJ Fitness Shop in Belmar, NJ. I didn’t want to take the class as I thought I was showing up for some fitness training class. I had read the class schedule wrong. I was completely out of my comfort zone, but completely in my comfort zone at the same time. That first yoga class left me with a feeling that’s really hard to describe, but it’s that feeling that brings me back to the mat. Every. Single. Time.

What got you hooked? 

I understood that Yoga would always be a part of my life. I found a new and refreshing way to understand, respect, and honor my body. I found a deeper connection with my soul self as well as a deeper spiritual connection to my faith.  Sometimes one can never describe why yoga has “hooked” them. It’s just a feeling and it’s a feeling that, once discovered, you know you cannot live without. 

Tell us about what life looked before yoga.Who are you? Where did you come from? 

I was raised on a 70 acre farm in upstate, NY. I grew up riding horses competitively and running on a Nationally ranked High School Cross Country team. I went to college on scholarship for indoor and outdoor track and Cross Country. While there I studied Psychology and Elementary Education. I was a first grade teacher over the course of three years in NY, DE, and NJ. I resigned from my teaching position at Freehold Township School District in 2003 when I had my first child. I am mother to five children ages 16,13, 10, and 4 year old twins. My husband is a college painting professor at Mercer County College in West Windsor, NJ. I owned a Yoga Studio in Point Pleasant, NJ for almost three years. I am also the author of The Affirmative Classroom, a series of 40 Mindful Mini-lessons for K through 8 students. I work closely with four local school districts where I bring Breath, Yoga, and Meditation to the schools via professional development workshops and grade level assemblies.

Wow! Amazing! Have you ever run a YTT before?

Yes! I have graduated 18 yoga teachers from my teacher training school.

Where did you do your training? 

I’ve done a few! Here are the details (yes, Sarah wrote them out for us): ERYT 200 (One Yoga, East Windsor NJ), RPYT (Yoga Birthright, Lambertville NJ), RCYT (Radiant Child Yoga), Near completion of 200 Hour Yoga Therapy Certificate through Breathing Deeply Yoga.

Tell me about Karma Barre. What inspired you to bring a training to their space?

There is something so warm and inviting at Karma Barre. Real people with a real dedication to their practice. I live my life based on energy as much as possible. The energetic component to the space at Karma Barre is unique. It’s sweet, inviting, and gentle. Yoga training should never be presented as pretentious or only for a select few. Yoga training should be open to every soul at every level. Karma Barre exudes this type of energy. 

How many hours of practice teaching are included in the Evolve Training? 

The training is set up in such a way that students will be teaching and practicing throughout the entirety of the training. Students will be practicing teaching sequences, giving cues, and practicing adjustments with classmates.  A 45 minute practice teaching opporutnity will take place in the middle of the training. And a 75 minute final practice teaching will be assessed by the lead instructor at the end of the training. 

Is there required reading? What is it? 

The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice

Adele, Deborah

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Satchidananda, Sri Swami

The Bhagavad Gita (Translated into English prose with an Introduction by Kashinath Trimbak Telang)

Vyasa

How many students will you take in the training? 

We will take a maximum of 12 students. 

What type of yoga do you teach? Practice? Is it the same? 

I teach Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Yin, Gentle, Childrens, and Prenatal. However, I find that my personal practice resonates mainly with Hatha and Gentle. 

How many teachers will lead the training? Is there one teacher who is primary?

I’m leading the training, alongside two wonderful co-teachers, Margo Teicher, E-RYT and Danny Petrone, RYT. 

How would you describe the style of yoga your students will be learning?

During this training, the students will be led through the design of a Hatha sequenced class based on the energetic component of the Chakra Energy System. Students will become familiar with the varying styles of yoga, but Hatha will be the emphasis for class design.

What do you envision the teacher training experience going to be like?

I have led four Yoga Teacher training groups. As in Yogi language, each group of students has it’s own “Kula.” Kula is translated as a “tribe” or a “community.” This 6 month journey takes place with like-minded people coming together to practice through asana, breath, meditation, and deep soul reflection. The participants form bonds that encourage group discussions and an environment where critical thinking based on class topics will take place. This training is work. It’s personal work, it’s spiritual work, it’s work that will change your life.

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For more info on the training, please contact Karma Barre.

This article was created to support our amazing partner studio, Karma Barre in Spring Lake, NJ.