Yoga Teacher Confidential: Secrets of Becoming a Great Yoga Teacher
Episodes
90. Restorative Yoga That Actually Restores
16 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The first time I felt true parasympathetic rest, I was ten minutes into legs up the wall during a restorative workshop, and the entire outline for my ...
89. Effort and Ease—The Balancing Act You’re Already In
09 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve cued it a thousand times: “Find the balance between effort and ease.” In this episode I take Patanjali’s sthira sukham asanam (Yoga Sut...
88. The Three Gunas Explained—Yoga Philosophy You Can Actually Use
02 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Right now, three tracks are playing inside you. One is heavy—the energy that makes you hit snooze. One is wired—the one drafting tomorrow's c...
87. Summer-Proof Your Yoga Teaching
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you teach in any climate with real seasons, summer attendance has its own logic. The first beautiful spring day empties the studio. A July heat wav...
86. The Two Arrows—Why Your Suffering About Suffering Is the Real Problem
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You know the spiral. A student walks out of your class early, and by the time you reach your car, you've decided your classes are getting stale, ...
85. How to Teach Balance for Every Body
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had a student freeze in tree pose and apologize for wobbling? In this episode, I'm rethinking how we teach balance so every body in...
84. Why a Private Yoga Lesson Isn't a Smaller Group Class
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For over a decade I taught private yoga to Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams, and somewhere along the way I realized I'd been teaching privates wro...
83. Stop Reinventing Your Yoga Class Every Week: What Exercise Physiology Tells Us About Sequencing
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever spent hours creating a brand-new yoga sequence every week, only to wonder if your students even noticed the difference, this episo...
82. Studenthood Is the Bedrock of Your Teaching
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The best yoga teachers never stop being students—but the longer you teach, the harder that becomes. In this episode, Sage Rountree shares how sellin...
81. Inside the Comfort Zone Yoga 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training: A Guided Tour of Everything You Need to Know
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"Will I fit in?" In over a decade of personal conversations with prospective students, that question came up nearly every time. In this epis...
80. Why I Named It Comfort Zone Yoga
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"Get out of your comfort zone." It's practically a bumper sticker. But here's the definition I keep coming back to: the place wher...
79. Theming Your Yoga Classes without Overthinking
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Think about the last time you sat down to plan a themed yoga class. Did you freeze—staring at your notebook, wondering whether to use a Sanskrit con...
78. Yoga Nidra, the Koshas, and You
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I was teaching my regular Monday night balance class when I realized something: the centering I've been guiding for years—body, breath, mind, i...
77. Storytelling for Yoga Teachers with Sara Joelle
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Website copywriter Sara Joelle joins me to talk about something every yoga teacher needs—storytelling. Whether you're theming a class, writing ...
76. Why Every Yoga Teacher Needs a Newsletter (And How to Start One)
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever noticed how even your most loyal yoga students eventually drift away? Life happens—schedules change, people move—and without a way t...
75. Why Teaching Yoga Is Not Like Teaching Other Subjects
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A vivid dream about teaching Spinning brought me face to face with something I've known for years but never quite articulated: teaching yoga is f...
74. When It's NOT Your Choice: Losing a Class You Didn't Choose to Leave
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Classes end in a variety of ways. Last episode, we talked about choosing to drop a class on your own terms. But what happens when the decision isn&apo...
73. When to Drop a Class: How to Know It's Time to Walk Away
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I recently dropped a class I'd been teaching for nearly 23 years. Monday nights at 6 p.m.—since the literal day when the studio opened in 2004....
72. You Get Who You Get: Teaching Yoga to Unpredictable Audiences
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I was teaching a free yoga class at an outdoor gear store in Edmonton when a woman walked in with a toddler and an infant. Not a sleeping infant in a ...
71. What Yoga Teacher Sponsorships Really Look Like
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I once sat next to the drummer from Loverboy on a plane, and we realized our lives were almost identical-city to city, same performance, different cro...
70. The Planning-Confidence Cycle: Finding the Middle Path Between Overplanning and Winging It
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever spent three hours planning a sixty-minute yoga class—or shown up with nothing but vibes and hoped for the best—this episode is...
69. Applying the Service Mindset to Social Media (Minimalist Instagram for Yoga Teachers)
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Instagram can feel like a second job-especially when you became a yoga teacher to teach, not to perform online.In this episode, I share a simple refra...
68. Teaching at Gyms and YMCAs: The Best Training Ground for New Yoga Teachers
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When I started teaching yoga at the UNC Wellness Center, I had to complete hospital safety training about bloodborne pathogens and biohazard spills. I...
67. How to Approach a Yoga Studio for Your First Teaching Job
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most new yoga teachers approach studios completely wrong. They send generic emails, mention how much they need the work, and haven't taken a sing...
66. How We Can Work Together in 2026: Programs for Every Stage of Your Teaching Journey
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I've spent twenty years watching yoga teachers struggle with the same pattern. They finish their training, start teaching, and then something hap...
65. Teaching Meditation with Confidence—Gabrielle Harris on Authenticity and Finding Your Voice
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most yoga teachers feel secretly terrified about teaching meditation. You know how to cue a vinyasa, but when it comes to that moment where you ask st...
64. From Set Sequences to Lead Teacher: Lana Boone on Finding Confidence Through Framework
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Lana Boone first started teaching formats beyond her familiar Baptiste sequence, she was terrified. Today, she's the lead teacher at Yoga Si...
63. How I Chose My 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (And Why I'm Building a Better One)
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most 200-hour yoga teacher trainings teach you how to do yoga—but they don't teach you how to teach yoga. If you've been through a trainin...
62. Your Teaching Year in Review: Reflection and Intention Setting for 2026
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most yoga teachers end the year measuring what they didn't accomplish. The workshops they didn't lead, the certifications they didn't f...
61. Teaching Yoga When Friends and Family Show Up to Class
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The most awkward yoga class I ever taught? When my husband raised his hand mid-class like a third grader to ask if he was doing it right. If you'...
60. Teaching Yoga on Video—What I Learned the Hard Way
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I've been creating yoga video content since the DVD era—and I've made just about every mistake you can make along the way. From losing the...
59. Evolve Your Voice: The Power of Self-Assessment for Yoga Teachers
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most yoga teachers avoid watching themselves teach. The cringe factor is real. But self-assessment through video recording is the single most effectiv...
58. Phase 5: Mastery and Legacy—Teaching the Teachers Who Will Teach the Teachers
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After two decades of teaching yoga and training teachers, I've noticed something profound: some of my most meaningful moments happen when I visit...
57. The Call to Teach: What Happens Before You Even Know You Want to Be a Yoga Teacher
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's a phase that happens before yoga teacher training even begins—a liminal space where you're no longer just a student, but you'...
56. What Teaching Yin and Restorative Contributes to ALL Your Class Formats
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I used to think teaching yin and restorative yoga were niche skills—nice to have if you wanted to teach those specific classes, but not essential to...
55. Phase 4: How to Thrive as a Yoga Teacher—Confidence, Boundaries, and Legacy
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I explore what it really means to thrive as a yoga teacher. Phase Four of the Yoga Teacher Success Timeline—the Thriving Teacher Zo...
54. Phase 3 of the Yoga Teacher Success Timeline: Moving Beyond Teaching Plateaus and Building Your Yoga Career
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt like your teaching has hit a plateau? In this episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential, I dive into Phase Three of the Yoga Teacher Suc...
53. The Mindset Shift That Transforms Your Teaching
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After 52 weekly episodes—a full year of this show!—one truth has emerged: the teachers who struggle most are still practicing yoga while trying to...
52. Medical Emergencies in Class, Part 3: When the Emergency Is Yours
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emergencies happen in yoga class—and sometimes the emergency is mine. In this third installment of the series, I share practical steps for handling ...
51. The Truth About Leading Yoga Retreats with Amy Boerner
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leading a yoga retreat isn’t just a vacation with yoga—it’s a business, a service, and a deep commitment to your students. In this episode of Yo...
50. Phase Two of the Yoga Teacher Success Timeline: Finding Your Teaching Identity and Confidence
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Five years into teaching, I realized I was sounding just like one of my mentors—same words, same tone, same everything. It made me wonder: who am I ...
49. Space Management Secrets for Large Yoga Classes
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching yoga in a big space with dozens of students can be daunting—how do you connect with everyone and keep the class flowing? In this episode, I...
48. How to Plan Your Yoga Class Quickly and Easily with the Prep Station
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever found yourself spending hours on Sunday night scrolling Instagram for yoga class ideas, this episode is for you. I share the real str...
47. How to Find Private Clients Who Value Your Teaching
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching private yoga lessons can be one of the most rewarding parts of your teaching career—both financially and in the depth of connection you cre...
46. How to Build Community in Yoga Class—Before, During, and After
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes students keep coming back to your classes? It’s not just your cueing or sequencing—it’s the sense of connection you cultivate.In this...
45. How to Move Past YTT Overwhelm and Actually Feel Ready to Teach
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You finished your 200-hour training, certificate in hand . . . but your class plan is blank and your brain is fried. Sound familiar?In this episode, I...
44. The Yoga Teacher Success Timeline: Where You Are, What’s Next, and How to Move Forward
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I’ve been teaching for years and I still feel like I’m faking it.”If that sounds familiar, I'm here to reassure you: you’re not alone,...
43. Repetition Builds Confidence: Nyisha Rylander’s Journey Teaching Yoga on Kauai
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the secret to confidence wasn’t doing something new—but doing the same thing, over and over again?In this episode, I talk with Nyisha Ryla...
42. How to Use Music in Yoga Classes: Legal, Practical, and Energetic Tips
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you love crafting playlists or prefer teaching in silence, this episode helps you make thoughtful, legally sound, and energetically aware choi...
41. How to Teach Corporate Yoga Classes That Pay Well and Feel Great
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corporate yoga might just be the hidden gem of your teaching business. In this episode, I share everything you need to know to succeed in this unique ...
40. Handling Nosebleeds, Cramps, and Dizziness in Yoga Class: Minor Medical Emergencies with Grace
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As yoga teachers, we’re often prepared for the flow—but what about the unexpected? From nosebleeds and nausea to cramps and emotional releases, mi...
39. Teaching Yoga in Small Spaces: Maximize Every Inch
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NB: I fixed the audio glitch—thanks for listening to this better version!Tight rooms, big challenges—and even bigger opportunities!In this episode...
38. How to Sub Yoga Classes Without Apologizing or Losing Your Style
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My second-ever yoga class as a teacher is one I showed up to take but wound up subbing unexpectedly. I learned a lesson I’ve carried ever since: you...
37. Why Boundaries Make You a Better Yoga Teacher
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 37, I dive deep into the essential yet often uncomfortable topic of boundaries in yoga teaching. I share insights from over two decades of ...
36. Navigating Private Yoga Lessons: Personalized Teaching, Lasting Impact
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The most transformative yoga moments I’ve had didn’t come in packed studios—they happened one-on-one. In this episode, we dive deep into how to ...
35. How to Prepare for a Private Yoga Lesson (Even If You’re Nervous)
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the idea of teaching a private yoga lesson, you’re not alone. In this episode, I walk you through the exac...
34. How to Handle Medical Emergencies in Yoga Class: Life-Saving Preparation Every Teacher Needs
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The longer you teach, the more likely you’ll face a medical emergency in class. In this episode, we explore how to recognize and respond to serious ...
33. Managing Difficult Students Without Losing Your Cool
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every yoga teacher encounters students whose behavior challenges their calm—talking during class, arriving late, doing their own thing, or just radi...
32. How to Be a Gracious Host to Your Students: Elevate Your Teaching by Welcoming Connection
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential, I explore how thinking of yourself as a gracious host—not just an instructor—can deeply transfo...
31. Season 1 Recap: Building Confidence + What’s Next for Yoga Teacher Confidential
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m celebrating 31 episodes of Yoga Teacher Confidential by looking back at what we’ve covered in season 1—an entire season foc...
30. The Secret to Great Teaching: Finding Your Authentic Voice
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What sets apart a truly magnetic yoga teacher—the kind students will rearrange their lives to practice with? It’s not the perfect playlist or poet...
29. You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Effective: Building Confidence as a Yoga Teacher
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When I first began teaching yoga, I didn’t feel confident—and honestly, I still have my days. In this episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential, I’m ...
28. The Certification Myth: Why More Training Won’t Make You a Better Yoga Teacher
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you caught in the cycle of chasing certifications, thinking one more training will finally make you feel ready? You’re not alone. Many yoga teac...
27. Creating an Inclusive Classroom: How Consistency and Permission Build Student Confidence
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My first yoga class as a student was a disaster—I felt lost, uncomfortable, and unsure of what was allowed. It wasn’t the poses that overwhelmed m...
26. How to End Class So People Remember You
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The last five minutes of your yoga class might be just as crucial as the first. A strong closing helps students integrate their practice, transition b...
25. How to Start Class with Confidence: The First Five Minutes Matter Most
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The way you begin your yoga class determines everything that follows. In this episode, I break down how to create a welcoming environment, set clear e...
24. What If No One Shows Up? How to Handle Low Attendance with Confidence
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever walked into the studio, set up for class . . . and no one shows up? Or maybe just one student arrives, turning your group class into an ...
23. Confidence in Private Lessons: Overcome Fear and Thrive
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many yoga teachers avoid private lessons—not because they lack skill, but because they lack confidence. If you’ve ever felt unsure about pricing, ...
22. The Power of Feedback: How to Grow as a Yoga Teacher
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching yoga can be isolating, especially when feedback is scarce. But feedback is crucial for growth. In this episode, I explore why feedback is har...
21. Confident Theming: Teaching Yoga Beyond the Poses with Alexandra DeSiato
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can you theme your yoga classes with confidence? Theming is what transforms a sequence into an experience, leaving students inspired long after cl...
20. Confident Pricing: Charge What You’re Worth as a Yoga Teacher
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you undercharging for your yoga classes? Setting confident prices isn’t just about making more money—it’s about ensuring your students value...
19. Confident Demoing to Serve Your Students Best
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your yoga mat isn’t just a raft keeping you safe—it’s a tool for connecting with your students. In this episode, you'll learn how to balanc...
18. How I Turned a Workshop Flop into My Game-Changing Mentorship Program (MMM)
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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—...
17. How to Build Confidence on Camera with Jenni Rawlings
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Developing confidence on camera is essential for yoga teachers looking to grow their careers. Whether it’s creating short promotional videos or teac...
16. Class Planning Made Easy: Modular Sequencing for Confident Yoga Teachers
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
15. Teach Your Niche: How Specializing Makes You a Better Yoga Teacher
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
14. The Most Painful and Productive Way to Improve as a Yoga Teacher
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
13. Managing Burnout: Strategies for Sustainable Yoga Teaching
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
12. Teaching Yoga Is a Conversation: How to Truly Connect with Your Students
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 yog...
11. From Nerves to Confidence: Tackling Imposter Syndrome in Yoga Teaching
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
10. Why Every Yoga Teacher Should Lead Workshops (Even Beginners!)
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
9. Holding Space When Times Are Hard
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 cons...
8. Why Blank Expressions in Your Yoga Class Aren’t What You Think
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
7. Consistency Beats Variety in Yoga Class Sequencing
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
6. Building Confidence as a Yoga Teacher with Karen Fabian
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ti...
5. Are Your Strengths as a Practitioner Holding You Back as a Teacher?
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
4. The Importance of Learning Your Students' Names
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 pract...
3. When Students Walk Out of Class: It's Not About You
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
2. The Secret to Confidence as a Yoga Teacher: You Only Have to Be You
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
1. How Centering Your Students Transforms Your Teaching
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Season 1 Trailer
01 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...