Meet our September Teacher of the Month, Casey Feicht. Casey is a passionate and empowering teacher of both Jivamukti and Kids Yoga. She believes that "When we practice yoga regularly we release fear, tap into love, and shine brightly." Read on to learn about Casey's inspiring journey, what brought her to yoga, and why she continues to practice and serve others as a yoga teacher.
When did you start practicing yoga?
I started practicing yoga in 1998, fifteen years ago in the bay area
in California at my local health club before studios existed. I was a
personal trainer and group fitness instructor and was hooked immediately
by the mental and emotional benefits of the practice.
What has yoga brought to your life?
Yoga has brought about a complete transformation. I suffered from
anxiety, an inability to deal with my emotions, and lots of fear. Yoga
was with me through active addiction, and gratefully a powerful tool
through recovery as well (I celebrated 11 years this summer). Yoga
allowed me to find peace, calm and serenity. I am so grateful!
Why did you become a yoga instructor?
I became and instructor because the practice of yoga had transformed
my life in such miraculous ways, that I was guided to teach others and share
the amazing gifts of this practice. Now I also believe it can change
the world, and that's why I love sharing yoga with new moms, babies, toddlers and
kids of all ages. I love doing teacher trainings as well, I feel the more yoga
teachers we have sharing these gifts with everyone, the more peaceful the
world will be!
What impact can a regular yoga practice have on a person's life?
I truly believe a regular yoga practice can not only transform your life, but allow
you to tap into amazing creativity, aspire to be a greater yoga, and really create
a ripple effect of greatness in the world. When we practice regularly we release
fear, tap into love, and shine brightly.
What advice would you give to someone that is just starting yoga?
I would recommend if you are new to yoga to listen to your body. Don't listen to
your thoughts, focus on your breath. I also recommend trying a variety of teachers
and styles and find out what works for you. Yoga teachers and styles are like vegetables, you like some, and you may not like others. But make sure you give them a worthy try and notice the judgements and criticism that come up ,and be curious as to where it comes from.
What is special about the style of yoga you teach?
Jivamukti is a vigorous practice and often thought of for more intermediate and advanced students, but I believe it's also great for beginners who are looking to measure their progress and be present in the process of growing and evolving.
It is authentic to yoga that began 5000 year ago. Jivamukti is a well balanced practice that focuses on cardio, strength, and flexibility, and still allows you to calm your mind and release stress, and connects you to the root and heart of the meaning of yoga = union (with all there is).
My speciality is also Kids Yoga. This ranges from 0-99! I teach mom and baby yoga, toddlers with their parents and Kids Yoga classes. Smiling, singing songs and playing games is so much fun, and I think more adults need this style of practice to release their inner child. I am so grateful to be one of the pioneers in the Kids Yoga Industry in the Colorado area, and am excited to be one on the first teacher training programs that offers a 95 hour Yoga Alliance certification as well. You will often hear me say "Namaste and Play!" at the end of these classes.
What is your favorite yoga posture to teach, and why?
I love to teach handstand to adults and kids. I find that people are intimidated by it, yet if they learn properly and continue to practice (I recommend a wall to start, and a partner/teacher) they can overcome so much fear, and find that they have strength they never knew that they had. It's an amazing pose to continually
practice to find alignment in the body and strength in the mind.
Please share some words of wisdom or advice for your yogadownload.com yoga students.
Yoga is a life long practice, whether its regular asana (poses) practice, meditation, orvsoul searching beginners mind. Whatever form your yoga practice takes, you will learn so much about yourself. This allows you to see how you show up in the world and how you want to inspire others to show up. We teach others how to treat us, and understanding yourself and looking inside is the best way to be present with others and bring your internal peace into the world to create world peace!
Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share?
“You teach best what you most need to learn.” - Richard Bach
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anais Nin
What do you like to do "off the mat"?
Off the mat, I love being with my daughter Grace, teaching Kids Yoga (we go off our mats a lot) snowboard, hike, be outside and travel. My desire is to do all of these things together, more and more each year.
Casey began her yoga practice in 1998 and teaching in 2000 with a 200 hour Certification with the White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA, and also completed a one month residential Jivamukti Certification in New York. Casey has taken several kids yoga trainings, as well as pilates, and prenatal yoga, group fitness classes and personal training, and loves sharing the gifts of yoga, health and fitness with people of all ages. Casey also sells discovery toys, great safe, lifetime guarantee, educational toys for children of all ages.
Casey Is also the creator of Kids Yoga Guide and is passionate about teaching kids yoga, training others to teach kids yoga, and serving the next generation. Visit KidsYogaGuide.com to get your Free online "Super Fun Kids Yoga Class".
Download or stream one of Casey's YogaDownload classes today!
Jivamukti 1
Jivamukti 2
