Leading Through Quality Instruction
We were the very first hot yoga studio in West Michigan. Together with our students, we’ve been learning, refining, and innovating movement and mindfulness since 2010. And we’re so glad you’re here for it!
Because of our deep love of yoga and education – and our need for well-trained teachers, we developed an intimate and focused curriculum to train and support our teachers’ growth. We quickly became a Yoga Alliance certified training program, and opened up our program to anyone who wants to take a deep dive into their practice.
Funky Buddha’s Teacher Training Program was created in 2013. And, now, this program is not just for yogis desiring to become teachers, but also for those who want to deepen their practice and learn from within. Working within the Yoga Alliance certification framework and adult learning theory, our team has built upon our shared experience practicing under world-renowned yogis to create a beautifully crafted Teacher Training Program all our own.
11 years later, we’ve trained hundreds of yogis and have grown to become the regional leader in yoga teacher training. Whether you feel called to teach or simply want a way to deepen your practice, there’s a place for you in the Funky Buddha Teacher Training Program.
We love having a platform to share our growth, knowledge, and experiential wisdom with you. We know that you’ll see it, too, as our training program teleports you into a new level within yourself.
Developed by Us, to Develop You
Personally developed by our long-time Yoga Director, Larissa Link, Funky Buddha’s Teacher Training Program is a carefully and obsessively designed yoga education, focused on deepening a teacher’s yoga practice first, and then giving them the tools to teach that practice effectively.
Even better, we’re proud our curriculum exceeds Yoga Alliance and industry standards. We include communication training that you can take with you into relationships, both personal and professional, as well as deep dives into yourself via the Yoga Sutras. Teachers – and all humans – need tools that work, and students deserve the best of what we can give them.
Ready to Go?
Please reach out to larissa@yogahothouse.com if you have any questions about training, what to expect, or are ready to get started.
What We Believe
We value growth above all else. That’s why our guiding vision statement is “Cultivating Growth Through Practice.” This statement is a direct reflection of the environment we envision for ourselves and our students. It is an environment that prioritizes and normalizes the ebbs and flows, as well as the pains and gains inherent to practice. So, how does this manifest in our Teacher Training?
- Science-based: Our teaching is based on science, the wisdom of the yoga system and philosophy, and personal experience wherever possible.
- Free will: We will not recommend any religious, organizational, political, or nutritional affiliations, nor will we offer personal opinions unrelated to the 8 Limbs of yoga, Buddhist psychology, or the system of yoga in our teaching.
- Practice-focused: There is no “right” or “one” way to practice yoga. A student’s individual results are not up to us; we teach the practice, not the results.
- Growth mindset: We are committed to creating and growing our accessible and professional environment every single day. Growth through practice and Know better, do better.
- Clear boundaries: Clear and professional boundaries create optimal conditions for staff and student growth.
- Kind words: We believe in being impeccable with our words and encourage intentional and kind speech.
- Invested in feedback: Candid and constructive feedback are essential to overall growth, quality, and supporting our professional development.
- Balance: Striking the balance between process (clarity and consistency) and fun (novelty and play) will make our organization long-lasting and sustainable.
Finally, we believe that the benefits of a regular hot yoga practice sell themselves. We believe students who commit to regular Funky Buddha Yoga practice will experience transformative growth in body, mind, and spirit, whatever that means to each individual.
The Funky Buddha seeks to be an organization that supports this transformative process from the moment a student walks through our doors, to the moment they exit. We believe that being this kind of organization begins by delivering consistent, fun yet professional, friendly, accessible, high-quality programming, and classes that our community of student will want to experience over and over.
What’s Included?
- Tailored training: A high quality, Yoga Alliance certified training, tailored to you and your cohort.
- Communication skills: Tons of communication skills that will benefit you whether you choose to teach or are taking the training to enhance your practice.
- Yoga education: A rich understanding of the system, history, and philosophy of yoga along with a deep dive into the physical and mental practices of yoga.
- Practice teaching: Practical application of teaching skills and teaching practice.
- Support: Optional 1:1 and group practice and support available between training weekends and access to support community. (We see so many beautiful friendships flourish in our training groups.)
- Membership: An unlimited 9-month membership is included with your teacher training from October 25th thru June 22nd.
- Guided journal: A workbook written by our guiding teacher, Larissa Link, designed specifically for your optimal learning, as well as a journal and other fun swag surprises.
- Unlimited benefits: We’ve heard from many past trainees: as you awaken your own inner teacher, there are more benefits than what we could possibly list.
A Couple of Details
We take these classes to heart, and we expect you to, too. We require the following:
- Four books as pre-reading; find them at a local bookstore or online: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, Teaching Yoga by Donna Farhi, Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews, and The Yoga Sutras of Patajali of which there are many translations, but we recommend the versions from Sri Swami Satchitananda (excellent story orientation) or Edwin Bryant, PhD (this one is great if you want to dive deep into the Sanskrit.) You can also find free versions of the sutras here (by Swami Vivekananda) or here (by Chip Hartranft.)
- Up to 20 hours of monthly homework during your six-month training period
- Participation in-person at our Grand Rapids’ locations
Schedule
Funky Buddha Yoga’s 2024-25 200hr Yoga Teacher Training schedule is as follows:
Friday: 6-9p | Saturday: 8a-6:30p | Sunday: 8a-4p
-
Oct 25-27
-
Nov 1-3
-
Dec 6 – 3 hrs, required
-
6-9p, virtual option for attendance
-
-
Jan 10-12
-
Jan 24-26
-
Feb 21-23
-
March 28-30
-
April 25-27
-
May 16-18
-
June 13th
-
optional 4 hr block for individual coaching, 5-9p
-
-
June 20-22 (22nd, graduation!)
Each weekend consists of 21.5 hours total, plus 3hrs in December, and 4hrs in June, for a total of 200.5 hours of training.
Cost
Full tuition for this course is $3,900. Look out for our Early Bird Special, running until August 31st, 2024, to receive $400 off your training. May not be combined with other offers.
Curious about scholarship opportunities? Check out our community offering!
Your Teacher
Larissa Link,
Yoga Director
Larissa believes teaching well is all about communication. Studying mindfulness, personality, problem solving, and the science behind why we interact and communication the way we do gets her up in the morning. She thrives on teaching yoga because, to her, it is the intersection of all these interests.
Her Education
- Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT500)
- Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP)
- 1,000+ hours of training in yoga, mindfulness, meditation, anatomy, and body-movement mechanics
- 17+ years teaching and training in multiple fields
- 10+ years of teaching yoga and 9+ years of training yoga teachers
- Studied yoga with some of the greats, including Baron Baptiste, Stacy Dockins, Philip Urso, Kathryn Budig, and Jason Crandell
- Studied meditation and mindfulness with leaders like Sharon Sarlzberg, Rodney Smith, Mark Coleman, Christopher Germer, Kristen Neff, Dan Siegel, and Rick Hanson
