VIKASA GRADUATE STORIES
Every year at Vikasa we certify around 200 yoga teachers, either in our Foundation 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, or in our 300hr Advanced Yoga teacher Training. Our graduates continue to inspire us as they bundle up all the wisdom, lessons and practices they gained through their time at Vikasa, and take yoga out into the world in their own unique way. Our graduates are running yoga studios, offering retreats and workshops, teaching at global events and festivals, providing private yoga classes or have their own digital yoga studio platforms.
Each month we are excited to feature one of our graduates in a ‘where are they now’ series so that you too can witness their ongoing transformation and get an idea of where a Vikasa Yoga Training can take you.
This month we introduce you to Justin. Scroll down to read more about Justin’s journey and how yoga continues to shape his daily life.
When did you do your Vikasa teacher training?
My initial experience with Vikasa YTT was the online 200-hour program, which I completed in November 2021. My first in-person training was a 300-hour YTT in November 2022. My last training at Vikasa was with Alex for his 300-hour HYA YTT in October 2023.
What drew you to Vikasa in the first place, and how did the experience of being here shape you personally or professionally?
My introduction to Vikasa was through Rama. When he let me know, he was collaborating with Vikasa I decided to try the online programan to see if the Vikasa style resonated. After the first online class with Kosta, I knew it was going to be a good fit. All of the trainings have positively transformed my personal practice and teaching capacity. The biggest takeaway was my new confidence in teaching beyond just asana. After the trainings, I began teaching pranayama, kriyas, meditation, and philosophy. I now model most of my classes from my trainings and teach a Vikasa style classes as well.
What are you up to now? Whether it’s teaching, creating, traveling, or something else entirely!
I’ve been teaching yoga full time for the past 9 years, and I see myself teaching yoga for the rest of my life in some capacity. I mainly teach Hatha/vinyasa classes in studios around South Florida, but I also teach workshops, retreats, and a 200-hour YTT. My focus is moving towards the subtle practices, so I have been attending more meditation and philosophy trainings.
You bring a lot of passion and heart into your practice. What helps you stay connected to your purpose as a teacher?
I find it very easy to be passionate about teaching because I love the practices. The best part about developing my own personal practice is that it translates to my development as a teacher. As long as I continue to pursue what I love I can improve my craft and have a bigger impact in my community.
You’ve found a powerful way to fuse yoga and CrossFit—two seemingly different worlds. What inspired that integration, and how do you see them complementing each other in your own practice and teaching?
I came to CrossFit in 2020 when I had a nagging injury and my physical therapist suggested I incorporate resistance training. CrossFit helped make resistance training fun and now it is a regular part of my physical routine. I have also recently started coaching CrossFit and I have been able to utilize much of my anatomy training from Vikasa to help make me be a more knowledgeable coach. I find they complement each other wonderfully; CrossFit fills in the gaps of strength and cardio, that is hard to achieve with asana. CrossFit has helped me become a better asana teacher by learning approaches from gymnast and Olympic lifters.
You’ve led some retreats—what has that experience been like for you, and do you have any advice for other teachers who feel called to do the same?
I have taught three retreats, and they were all wonderful experiences. They are lots of work to plan and execute but extremely rewarding. The ability to connect with students in a non-formal setting allows for a transmission of the practices in a deep and meaningful way. After I attended multiple retreats, I was able format my own retreat with workshops/classes that resonated with me the most. Before teaching a retreat, I suggest attending a few retreats from trusted teachers and model what worked the best.
Find Justin at-
Online– @JustinLYogi
Studios – South Florida: Gro yoga & Wellness, Yoga Factory, Las Olas Yoga
Inspired to take the next step of your yoga journey?
If you’re ready to take the leap from student to teacher, or deepen your existing yoga practice and teaching skills, join us at Vikasa for a Yoga Teacher Training. We offer our 200hr and 300hr training several times a year. You can also join us for a shorter 100hr Yin Yoga training, or 100hr Refresh Yoga training once per year.
Check our training page here for all upcoming dates and details.
If becoming a successful yoga teacher is a goal or dream of yours- we’re here to support you to ensure that becomes a reality.