
Yoga Teacher Confessions [Part 2]: Why Yoga Teachers Burn Out, The Truth About Teaching & Fitting In
The Yoga Teacher PodcastShow Notes
What happens when you are the teacher… but still feel like an outsider in your own practice? In Part 2 of this conversation, Ula and Brea get even more real. From being injured students in rigid classes, to struggling with the pressure to look a certain way on Instagram, this is a no-filter conversation on the systems, expectations, and social media traps that shape modern yoga. We talk about:
Why being a flexible, able-bodied white woman shouldn’t be a yoga marketing strategy The myth of the “perfect teacher” and the yoga voice we all faked at some point How social media algorithms can undermine empathy and authenticity Why building inclusive, values-led yoga spaces matters now more than ever The burnout of the weekly class grind—and how to build a sustainable teaching path
🎧 If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t “yogi” enough, or that something in modern yoga just feels… off—you’re not alone. And you’re not wrong to question it. 💡 Want to build a teaching life that’s aligned with your values—not the algorithm? Learn more about our Inspire Mentorship and our 200hr / 300hr Teacher Training: Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program with Brea Heart + Bones Yoga Teacher Training (200hr / 300hr) PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here
More from The Yoga Teacher Podcast
Are backbends in yoga actually doing what you think they are? In this episode, Brea breaks down the functional anatomy of the spine in backbends and why traditional aesthetic cues might be doing more harm than good. Learn how to refine your cueing to create safer, stronger, and more empowering backbends for your students! Prefer to watch this?This episode was recorded as a video! Head over to YouTube to watch the full breakdown, visual demonstrations: https://youtu.be/Rfrm1oBTgAo?si=7a7IYsAs8OL5Dwzh GET FREE YOGA TEACHER TIPS IN YOUR INBOX:Sign up for our weekly Yoga Teacher Tips Newsletter for actionable advice, anatomical insights, and teaching inspiration delivered straight to your inbox: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/yogateachertips/ Take yoga teacher training with Brea at Heart and Bones Yoga, learn more: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Try Heart and Bones Online Yoga Studio: Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/
Are you micromanaging the knees in your yoga classes? So many traditional yoga cues tell us to keep the knee over the ankle or micro-bend the joint—but the truth is, the knees aren't as fragile as we often think! When we take a step back and look at global movement, building stability in the feet, ankles, and hips is what actually protects the knees and builds long-term strength. In this episode, we’re unpacking a more functional, evidence-informed approach to knee alignment, handling knee pain in class, and helping your students move with confidence. Connect with Heart Bones Yoga and sign up for the weekly Yoga Teacher Tips newsletter for practical tips, anatomy insights, and sequencing inspiration delivered straight to your inbox! 📬👇 🔗 SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER & RESOURCES: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/yogateachertips/ Learn more about teacher trainings at with Brea at Heart and Bones: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/
When students ask to "work on their hips" in class, default passive stretches like pigeon pose or static lunges aren't always the best answer. We go over the 4 essential shifts every yoga teacher can make to move beyond generic "hip openers". Learn how applied movement variety, active mobility, and understanding individual bone diversity can help you teach safer, more inclusive, and more impactful classes! Sign up for the Yoga Teacher Tips newsletter: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/yogateachertips/ In this episode I cover:• Why applied hip movement matters for cueing and pose selection• Moving beyond default passive stretching into functional mobility and strength• Why "tight hips" are often a brain perception, and how movement variety helps• Honouring individual skeletal differences and letting go of aesthetic alignment Resources & Links: Become a yoga teacher with Heart and Bones online yoga 200hr and 300hr yoga teacher training: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here.
Is yoga teacher training actually hard? 👀 As always, we go into the nuance of it all, including imposter syndrome and perfectionism to physical worries and the inevitable "messy middle." This isn’t just about Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) because let’s be real, a lot of this is also life. Whether you're researching your first 200-hour YTT, struggling halfway through a program, or already a teacher navigating self-doubt, this episode goes over why the hardest part of YTT is often getting out of our own way—and how the practice of yoga helps us work through it. IN THIS EPISODE:• The surprising mental and emotional challenges of YTT• Why "imposter syndrome" and perfectionism spike during training• How to handle the middle-of-the-training burn out or desire to quit• Physical vs. mental demands: Do you need to do advanced poses to teach?• Shifting from rigid "discipline" to genuine commitment
Are you spending hours planning your yoga classes only to feel overwhelmed when you actually start teaching? In this short episode, I'm sharing 5 common reasons why yoga teachers overcomplicate their sequences and how you can simplify your process for a better experience for both you and your students. We'll cover everything from finding a clear class focus to the power of the "pause" in transitions. Teaching yoga doesn't have to be a stressful multitasking feat, you can learn how to read the room and adapt your sequence to the real people in front of you. Free Resource: Join the Yoga Teacher Tips newsletter for one actionable teaching tip every week: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/yogateachertips/ Become a yoga teacher with Heart and Bones online yoga 200hr and 300hr yoga teacher training: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/