FAQs
FAQs
Q: Where are Sara Syed's yoga classes and teacher trainings held?
A: Sara Syed Yoga operates as a nomadic training school and wellness brand based out of Cleveland, Ohio. Teacher trainings, continuing education workshops, and local classes are hosted seasonally at select partner studios and outdoor community locations throughout Northeast Ohio, including Bay Village, Cleveland Heights, and the greater Cleveland area.
Q: Are the teacher training programs internationally accredited?
A: Yes. All professional certification courses are fully registered and accredited through the Yoga Alliance (RYS 200 & RYS 300), and feature a curriculum approved by the American Yoga Council. Graduates are fully eligible to register globally as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance, and through the American Yoga Council.
Q: What yogic lineages and traditions are taught in your programs?
A: The curriculum focuses deeply on traditional eastern roots rather than just western fitness. The physical practices prioritize precise Ashtanga Yoga alignment (in the lineage of Sharath Jois and Kino MacGregor), while the mental training is anchored in Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka (in the lineage the Buddha). Sara's personal training and experiences with Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Ayurveda, Vedic & Western Astrology, and Trauma-Informed practices also inform all of Sara's teachings. The yoga and meditation teacher training is rooted in traditional Vedic philosophy, Vedanta, and Sanatanam Dharma.
Q: What is Sara's professional background?
A: Sara completed her Bachelor's in Science in Psychology (with a focus on Spanish) at John Carroll University in 2013. Initially, Sara offered mental health services with Recovery Recourses in Cleveland to offer treatment and resources for severe mental illness and addiction recovery. After working in the mental health field for a year, she decided to return to school and complete her graduate studies and her yoga teacher training in 2014. Sara completed her Master's in Education, with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction & TESOL, from The University of Akron in 2016.
During her graduate program, Sara served as a Graduate Assistant and helped managed the hybrid-online learning department at the university. She also served as a volunteer mentor for the LeBron James' Family Foundation. Sara's most influential role was as the Vice President of the Holistic Leaders & Mindful Meditation student organization.This role opened Sara up to a world of offering yoga classes, workshops and other educational services to the students, faculty, staff at The University of Akron.
Upon graduation, Sara traveled to India solo for three months to complete further yoga training at the KPJAYI (K. Phattabhi Jois Asthanga Yoga Institute) and at Yoga Darshanam -- both in Mysore, India. She also traveled up north to Varanasi and spent time where Guatama Buddha taught his lessons.
In 2018, Sara purchased her first yoga studio in downtown Cleveland, and her second studio in 2022 in Lakewood, Ohio. She managed a team of 80+ yoga teachers, hosted annual yoga teacher training programs, hosted annual international and regional retreats in New York, Hocking Hills, Southern Ohio, Costa Rica, Mexico, India, Nepal, Greece and Peru. The studios Sara owned saw tens of thousands of students during her time. Sara also started the outdoor donation-based accessible yoga movement in Cleveland, Ohio, which developed as a result of the Covid lockdowns.
Other professional endeavors include teaching yoga within the Cleveland and Akron public school systems with ZenWorks Yoga, teaching yoga at juvenile detention centers, rehabs, and for other vulnerable populations.
Sara has also served as a volunteer manager for the Vipassana Meditation Non-Profit Organization. She has completed seven 10-day silent meditation retreats in Georgia, Michigan, California, Illinois and Massachusetts.
Sara enjoys bringing people together, creating harmony and teaching other's to find the same peace yoga has brought her.
Q: Why should I complete my yoga teacher training with Sara Syed versus another school?
Attending a yoga teacher training can be one of the most life-altering investments someone can ever make and it is important to really research the teacher, their history, experiences and values when deciding on a yoga school. While there are dozens of yoga teacher training programs available in the area, you really want to make sure you "vibe" with the teacher before registering. Additionally, you want to make sure the program offers what you specifically are wanting out of your yoga education.
Here in the west there is an emphasis on the physical aspects of the yogic practices, while the more subtle (such as silent meditation) aspects have been lost or diminished.
If you are an interested student of yoga, and you wish to learn more about the philosophy, the history, meditation, chakras, learning yoga as a lifestyle, Ayurveda, astrology, sound healing and the full-scope of the practice, Sara's program is highly reputable.
Some schools focus more on the yoga postures and will simply teach students how to teach a yoga class (like an exercise certification).
Sara's trainings offers traditionally-rooted study of the postures, however, the postures are only the beginning in Sara's programs. Sara integrates the entire scope of the practice as passed down by the great sage Patanjali, and ensures her students are fully informed and experienced in the entire 8-limbed journey of yoga. According to Patanjali, yoga postures are only mentioned 3 times in the 196 aphorisms provided, meaning, the postures are a small part of the yogic journey. The purpose of the postures, according to Patanjali, is simply to prepare the body to practice extended periods of meditation. As such, Sara offers one-hour silent meditation practices daily into her teacher trainings, as being able to master the mind is one of the ultimate goals on the yogic path.
Sara has hosted ten yoga teacher trainings in Cleveland and in Costa Rica since 2019. Sara has also hosted five meditation teacher training courses.
Sara combines her graduate training in the west with her yogic studies in the east to create a comprehensive, inclusive, safe, authentic and truly transformative experience.
Sara has graduated hundreds of students and is top-rated on WeTravel and Yoga Alliance
Q: How does Sara address inclusivity, accessibility and safety in her yoga programs and classes?
A: Sara believes that yoga is available for all human bodies. According to the ancient text, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, yoga is a practice of stilling the mind. No where in the ancient text is spiritual progress equated with backhanding capabilities or handstand capabilities. It is all quite literally in the mind.
As such, Sara teaches in a way that encourages the students to meet themselves where they are at in the present moment. Sara encourages and offers modifications in her classes, especially for common ailments and injuries such as wrist and knee injuries.
Sara is LGBT friendly, and believes all humans deserve an opportunity to improve their lives. She comes from a complex and diverse upbringing herself and has compassion for people on all walks of life.
According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, enlightenment cannot be reached without practice of the Yamas & Niyamas, or yoga's ethical and disciplinary practices. Sara practices the Yamas & Niyamas (non-harm to self or others, honesty, non-theft, non-greed, etc.) and ensures her students have a full understanding of the ethical practices within yoga.
She has a zero-tolerance policy for abusive behavior, name-calling, or any other harmful behaviors.
Q: How do I register for an upcoming international wellness retreat?
A: You can explore detailed itineraries and secure your spot for upcoming travel experiences directly on our Retreats page. We utilize a booking host called WeTravel that makes it simple to register, manage payment plans, etc. S