Yoga Teacher Confidential: Secrets of Becoming a Great Yoga Teacher

Have you ever launched a project that didn’t go as planned? In this episode, I get honest about how my Plan a Month in an Hour workshop fell short—and how it inspired me to create something even better. I share what went wrong, the lessons I learned, and how listening to feedback led to my mentorship program: Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing, aka MMM. You’ll hear: • Why clear communication is...

Developing confidence on camera is essential for yoga teachers looking to grow their careers. Whether it’s creating short promotional videos or teaching full-length online classes, on-camera teaching can open up new opportunities for impact and income. But it can be intimidating to get started! In this episode, guest Jenni Rawlings and I explore how yoga teachers can improve their on-camera presen...

sequencing. With this approach, you’ll think big and small at the same time, creating balanced, engaging classes with ease. Chapters: 1. [00:00:00] Don’t Start at the Pose Level Why starting your planning with individual poses is like spinning your own thread—it’s inefficient and unnecessary. 2. [00:01:24] Get Granular: Think Through Planes of Movement How breaking poses into forward-back, side-to...

Want to become (almost) everyone’s favorite yoga teacher? The secret to thriving as a teacher is to specialize—teach your niche. When you focus on what you love, your enthusiasm shines, your confidence grows, and you connect deeply with your students. Chapters: 1. [00:00:00] Why Niche Teaching Matters Teaching a niche helps you stand out and serve your students better. 2. [00:01:00] Passion Shines...

What’s the best way to improve your yoga teaching? It’s using the tool you may be holding right now: your phone. It’s simple, free—and yes, a bit painful. In this episode, I walk you through how recording and reviewing your classes can help you identify areas for growth and fast-track your teaching improvement. Chapters: 1. [00:00:00] The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Teaching The uncomfortable b...

Feeling burnt out as a yoga teacher? You’re not alone. Teaching yoga is rewarding, but it can also be draining if we don’t care for ourselves. In this episode, I explore what burnout looks like, where it comes from, and, most importantly, how to manage it so you can find joy in teaching again. Chapters: 1. [00:00:00] Introduction to Burnout I explain why burnout is common among yoga teachers and h...

Your yoga class isn’t a monologue—it’s a conversation. While you only get to hear your side of it, your students hear both. Becoming a great yoga teacher means giving them the time and space to contribute their side of the conversation, even if it’s silent. In this episode, I explain how teaching yoga is about fostering connection—even when you can’t hear the other side of the dialogue. Chapters:...

What if your nerves are actually a good thing for your yoga teaching? When you shift your thinking to appreciate how much you care about yoga and your students, nerves can be a secret key to confident yoga teaching! Let's reframe nerves as an ally, not an obstacle. In this episode, I offer strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, defining your role as a yoga teacher, and finding confidenc...

Life as a yoga teacher can feel like a grind, but workshops can change that. Whether you’re a fresh graduate of your 200-hour training or a seasoned teacher, a workshop is a smart next choice for your yoga career. Leading a yoga workshop can elevate your teaching, solve your students’ problems, and build your confidence. Listen to hear: Why workshops are essential for building confidence and teach...

Life is hard—but how we show up for our students in difficult times can make all the difference. In this episode, I talk about ways to create a consistent, supportive space for yoga students during tough times—for them, or for us as teachers. Chapters: Introduction (0:00): Welcome to today’s episode, exploring how yoga teachers can support students during difficult times. Challenges of Showing Up...

Ever looked out during a yoga class and thought, “Why do my students look so disengaged? They must be hating this!” Good news: those blank faces are often a sign of deep connection—not disinterest. Let's have a frank conversation about the often misunderstood signals yoga teachers receive from their students during class. You'll hear why blank expressions, furrowed brows, and even sleepy...

Are you spending too much time planning each yoga class? Changing your approach could benefit both you and your students! You’ll feel more relaxed, your students will grow better, and the entire experience will be more fun for everyone involved. In this episode we explore the importance of consistency over variety when planning yoga classes. I'll walk you through some basics of exercise physi...

Did you know confidence as a yoga teacher is a skill you can build? It’s true—confidence isn’t an innate trait; it’s a skill developed over time, through practice, and by addressing the self-limiting beliefs that hold us back. In this episode I welcome Karen Fabian, an expert in helping yoga teachers identify and overcome the mental barriers that impact their teaching presence. If you’ve ever stru...

Could the very things that drew you to yoga be standing in your way as a teacher? In this episode, let's explore how the strengths that make you a natural fit for yoga can also become blind spots in your teaching. When you haven’t had to struggle with certain aspects of the practice, it can be harder to empathize with students who do. I have some stories and guidance on how to identify and wo...

Students come to group classes to be seen. One of the best ways to show you see them is to learn and use their names. From personal anecdotes to practical tips, I  explain how getting names right can enhance the student-teacher connection and create a more welcoming classroom experience. You’ll hear: • Why names matter in building connection in your yoga class • Practical strategies for learning a...

Are you unintentionally messing up by placing too much emphasis on yourself in class? Learn how to make your students the heroes of their own practice and watch your teaching career flourish. In this episode, I present the powerful shift in mindset that will revolutionize your yoga teaching career.  In this episode, you’ll learn: The misconception many yoga teachers have about their role in class...

In this episode, I recount a pivotal experience from my second-ever class that taught me to embrace her own teaching style without feeling the need to apologize for not being like others. This story is a reminder for all yoga teachers: you only have to be you. You’ll hear: • How one unexpected emergency subbing opportunity led to invaluable feedback • The pitfalls of over-apologizing as a yoga tea...

Sometimes students walk out of class—and rarely, if ever, is it about YOU. Let me tell you about the times I have walked out of classes and why it was never about the teacher. And I'll help you handle student walkouts in your own yoga classes with empathy and self-compassion. I have one story to tell you that will forever change your relationship to walkouts! Listen to hear: • Why students wa...

Coming October 15: Yoga Teacher Confidential with Sage Rountree, a podcast that pulls back the curtain on what goes on in the yoga classroom and how you can be the best yoga teacher possible for your students. Season 1 focuses on building confidence in the yoga classroom. We cover vanquishing imposter syndrome in the yoga studio, how to learn and use your students' names, how to be a great su...