Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers

Yoga has evolved into a practice of performance. It's become more about the depth of a pose, the complexity of a sequence, or how much a student can practice asana. Yoga was never meant to be a performance. It has always been intended to cultivate a relationship between one's body, mind, and awareness.

In this episode, we explore how you can shift from helping students “do” yoga to helping them experience it. You’ll learn ...

When you first start teaching yoga, you’re told to "own the room!" To have a plan, know your sequence, and be the authority at the front of the room. But what happens when your sense of authority starts to feel restrictive? When your carefully crafted sequence doesn’t match the energy or needs of the students in class that day?

In this episode, we explore what it means to shift from teaching with authority to teaching with...

We've all been there... we cue something that makes perfect sense in our own minds… but a student doesn’t quite understand. Maybe your students look confused, or move in completely different directions. It’s not that your cue was bad; it’s that language doesn’t always translate directly into movement.

In this episode, we’re unpacking why verbal cues alone aren’t enough and how different learning styles, nervous system states, a...

Warrior 2 is one of the most recognizable poses in yoga, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we take a deeper look at why this seemingly simple posture can feel so different from one student to the next. From hip structure and ankle mobility to past injuries, nervous system responses, and trust in the body, we uncover the many factors that shape a student’s experience in this foundational pose.

We'll c...

In this episode, we’re talking about one of yoga’s most persistent myths: that there’s such a thing as perfect alignment. Many of us were taught that safety and skill are determined by how closely a student’s alignment matches the positioning that you saw in a picture. However, modern understanding of anatomy, pain science, and the nervous system tells us a very different story.

Alignment looks and feels different for every student....

Every yoga teacher knows this feeling, I know I do from time to time... It's the moment you prepare to teach and realize you don’t feel fully prepared. Maybe the energy of the room is different than you expected, a student comes with an injury you weren’t planning for, or the sequence you created suddenly doesn’t feel right for the students in the yoga room. In this episode, we explore what to do when you feel uncertain and ho...

Working smarter is not about “doing more.” Thinking this way is the mentality that keeps so many yoga teachers right on the edge of burnout. Instead of adding more classes or constantly creating brand new sequences every week, we’ll explore how to design a sustainable teaching ecosystem for 2026. One that supports your energy, honors your nervous system, and deepens your impact with students.

Discover how to plan your teaching year ...

Feeling drained or uninspired in your teaching? You’re not alone. In this episode, we explore why burnout happens for yoga teachers, how nervous system dysregulation contributes to it, and what you can do to reconnect to your practice, your students, and your purpose. Learn how to recognize the signs of burnout, set boundaries without guilt, and restore your energy through nervous system care. Whether you’re feeling depleted or jus...

In this episode, let's explore how to identify your class’s true purpose. Including the physical, functional, and nervous system outcomes you intend for your students to experience. We’ll discuss how to move from creativity-based sequencing to need-based sequencing, how to plan for injuries and limitations, and why simplicity and clarity often make the most powerful classes.

This episode will help you stop doubting your choices...

In this episode, we explore two of the most common myths that get in your way when it comes to creating effective sequences. If you believe that every class must be brand new to keep students engaged, or that sequencing should revolve around what feels good in your own body, well, that's just not true! 

We'll examine why constant novelty is not only unrealistic but also counterproductive for student learning and nervous sy...

This 100th episode isn’t about me, milestones, or fancy numbers. It’s about you, the teacher who continues to show up, learn, and support your students in your classes, even on the days when it feels challenging. In this episode, I'll reflect on what it really means to hold space as the yoga teacher: the courage it takes, the doubts that often arise, and the quiet impact you make in the lives of your students.

Let's revisi...

We all want to create classes that feel safe, supportive, and empowering for every student who joins. But how confident are you that your sequences truly support different bodies, different types of injuries, and physical limitations in students' bodies?

In this episode, I'll explore the art of intentional sequencing, the kind that considers anatomy, the nervous system, and each student’s unique movement experience. Rather...

In this final episode of the series, I’ll discuss the unique challenges of the shoulders: the balance between mobility and stability, the high volume of weight-bearing in vinyasa flows, and the nervous system’s role in amplifying or quieting pain.

I’ll continue to explain how shoulder pain shows up in different yoga class formats, from repetitive transitions in vinyasa, to prop-heavy Iyengar setups, to restorative postures that need...

In this second episode of our pain-focused series, I'll explore what it really means to support students with sensitive knees across a few different yoga class formats.

I’ll discuss how weight-bearing in vinyas, alignment expectations in Iyengar, deep/long holds in yin, and prop use in restorative can either aggravate or alleviate a student's knee discomfort. You’ll learn why:

• knee pain is rarely just about the knees th...

Hip pain is one of the most common conditions yoga students have, and for many teachers, it can feel overwhelming to know how to help without making things worse. 

In this episode, listen as I explain why all hip pain isn’t the same, how the anatomy of the hip joint (the femoral head and acetabulum) influences a student’s range of motion, and how nervous system regulation is just as important as physical modification.

This conversati...

One of the hardest things for yoga teachers is knowing what to say when students mention pain. The language we use can either empower our students or unintentionally create fear that makes them feel fragile or unsafe in their own bodies.

In this episode, I explore how to talk about pain in yoga classes without reinforcing fear-based narratives. You’ll learn why traditional alignment cues like “never round your spine” or “don’t let y...

As yoga teachers, we often feel pressure to be endlessly creative in our sequencing, transitions, and class themes. But when a student walks into class with an injury or persistent pain, creativity isn’t what they need most. They need you to be confident about how you're going to teach them!

In this episode, I break down why confidence (not flashy sequencing or the “perfect” peak pose) is an important foundation for teaching st...

Do you feel overwhelmed by the thought of learning anatomy as a yoga teacher? You’re not alone. I'm sure you know the importance of understanding anatomy, but at the same time, it feels complicated, time-consuming, and intimidating. 

In this episode, I'll dissect the reasons why learning anatomy often feels overwhelming and how it doesn’t have to be this way. I’ll walk you through the most common 'thought barriers&apo...

Not all yoga injuries happen in a single moment. Many develop slowly, over time, from repeated movements or sustained positions. These are known as repetitive stress injuries, and they are some of the most common injuries students have because of their yoga practice.

In this episode, you'll hear why repetitive stress injuries are not always known to you or the student. I'll also remind you why adding variety to your sequen...