The Yoga Teacher Podcast

January has a way of turning everything up to eleven: goals, pressure, expectations, and the belief that we’re supposed to become entirely new people overnight. In this episode, Brea and Ula unpack why extreme challenges feel so seductive this time of year, and why so many of them leave us burned out, disconnected, or feeling like we’ve failed before we’ve even started. They talk about grind culture, wellness FOMO, and the noise of social media—and how all of it shows up not just in our minds, but in our bodies. Rather than rejecting goals altogether, this conversation offers a different way in: one rooted in self-trust, nervous system awareness, and small, sustainable shifts. They explore why consistency beats intensity, why rest isn’t a reward you have to earn, and why real change doesn’t happen in isolation. The episode closes with an invitation to approach January with more kindness, more curiosity, and a lot less pressure, plus a look at the Small Shifts Challenge as a way to practice this work together, in community. Takeaways: January pressure isn’t personal, it’s cultural. Extreme challenges work for a few people, but often fail the rest of us. Grind culture has quietly shaped how we approach wellness and self-care. If it feels panicky or FOMO-driven, that’s information. Sustainable change comes from consistency, not intensity. Small habits build momentum without activating stress or shame. Rest isn’t laziness, it’s part of how we grow. We don’t change in isolation; community matters. Listening to your body is a skill you can practice. Kindness toward yourself makes habit-building possible. 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: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

If you’ve been doubting yourself as a yoga teacher, it might not be about confidence at all. More often, it’s simply that you haven’t discovered what kind of teacher you actually are yet. So let’s explore that together. Brea walks you through the patterns we all fall into as teachers—how we plan our classes, how we cue, the pace we love, the people we feel most at home teaching—and helps you notice the strengths you already have (even the ones you haven’t recognized as strengths). This gentle self-study is where clarity comes from. And clarity is what builds real confidence. Take the free “What Kind of Teacher Are You?” quiz: https://heartandbonesyoga.typeform.com/to/GOQ4lYss Come back and share your type in the comments, we love hearing them! What you’ll reflect on: • Are you more intuitive or more structured when you plan? • Do you cue with precision, imagery, or a mix of both? • How do you learn and integrate yoga in your own body? • What formats feel good for your nervous system? • Who do you actually want to teach? • How much teaching is the right amount for your life right now? Heart + Bones supports yoga teachers in finding their voice, honouring their strengths, and teaching in sustainable ways that feel like you. Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ 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: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Are yoga retreats really worth it, for teachers or students? brea and Ula share the truth about running yoga retreats: the money, the burnout, the logistics no one talks about, and what finally made us return after a six-year retreat break. Whether you’re thinking about hosting your first yoga retreat or deciding if a Tuscany retreat is right for you, this conversation gives you an honest look behind the scenes. We talk about why retreats aren’t vacations for teachers, how to structure a retreat people actually enjoy, and the hidden costs and “rigamarole” that often lead to burnout. We also share what made our recent Tuscany retreat so special—and why we decided to go back. Have questions about running a yoga retreat? Drop them in the comments! Heart and Bones Tuscany Yoga Retreat, April 2026: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/tuscany-yoga-retreat/ 👉 Subscribe for more yoga teacher tips, anatomy-informed practices, and real conversations about the business of teaching yoga. 🔗 Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): 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: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

If you’ve ever been told to “just calm down”, or felt pressure to be constantly relaxed to support your nervous system, this episode is for you. In this honest, practical conversation, we break down what your nervous system actually is, how stress really works (yes, including cortisol), why “being calm” is NOT the goal, and what regulation looks like in real life for yoga teachers and students. We cover: Why the nervous system is more than a buzzword Cortisol, stress, and why your body adapts (even when you don’t notice) What it feels like to move with your nervous system in mind How to support your students’ nervous systems in class Why tiny daily actions (not perfection) make the biggest change What we’ve personally learned about burnout, busy seasons, and rest Whether you’re a yoga teacher or a student, this episode gives you practical, realistic tools to support your nervous system, without needing an hour a day, a perfect routine, or a “calm girl era.” Join for $1 for 30 days of Heart + Bones Online Yoga Studio, use code PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ Your nervous system will thank you. Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Ula aka ‪@avibrantmind‬ on youtube Substack: https://avibrantmind.substack.com/ Main Account: https://www.instagram.com/avibrantmind/ Book Account: https://www.instagram.com/libri_ursae/   Books Ula mentioned: Burnout: https://www.burnoutbook.net/ The Anxious Generation: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book

This episode is a little different from what we normally do. Usually you hear Brea, or the two of us together, exploring a topic in depth. Today, we’re offering you a guided experience rather than a conversation. Think of this as an opportunity to pause. Instead of listening to us talk, you get ten minutes that are fully for you, a chance to reset your nervous system and reconnect with your body. And if you’re a yoga teacher, there’s something here for you too. Practicing with other teachers is one of the simplest ways to spark inspiration, and this guided body scan might give you ideas for how to bring a moment of grounding into your own classes. What to expect: Gentle guidance through each area of the body Breath awareness to calm the nervous system Gratitude practice to close your session 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: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Yoga teachers: if you’re tired of posting reels and wondering why followers don’t turn into students, this video is for you. In this conversation we share why we’ve shifted from Instagram to YouTube and podcasting, how long-form content supports a sustainable teaching business, and what “community” really means for online yoga in 2025. In this video you’ll learn: Why Instagram’s content model started working against us How YouTube rewards longevity and community over rapid clicks What platform strategy looks like for a yoga teacher-business How to pick the right platform (and let go of the rest) 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: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/   Ula's Substack

What did you get wrong as a new yoga teacher? Brea looks back on 20+ years—“yoga voice,” prescriptive cueing, and the Pinterest-quote myth that “the poses you don’t like are the ones you need.” We unpack why those didn’t serve students, how to shift to action cues, what to do with feedback (good and bad), and how to find your voice without micromanaging bodies. In this episode you’ll learn: Why “yoga voice” happens—and how to sound like you The problem with prescriptive, micromanaging cues Action cues that protect autonomy and land better in real bodies Hypermobility, proprioception, and why “where should I feel this?” backfires Handling feedback + clarifying your why as a teacher Evolving your teaching without losing the heart of yoga Resources + next steps: Subscribe for more yoga teacher tips, anatomy-informed practices, and real conversations about the business of teaching yoga. Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): 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: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Are you still using old alignment cues that don’t land? Or worse, confuse and micromanage your students? In this episode, Ula and Brea (Heart + Bones Yoga) share the yoga cues we retired and exactly what we say instead. You’ll learn how to swap vague or prescriptive language for clear action cues that improve safety, agency, and accessibility—especially for students with hypermobility or different body histories. What you’ll learn Common yoga cues to retire (e.g., micromanaging and “you should feel it here” language) How to replace them with action cues that create real engagement Why cueing outcomes beats forcing shapes—and how that supports inclusivity Tips for beginners and experienced teachers to update their cue library A kinder teaching mindset: experiment, observe, and keep learning If you’re a yoga teacher who wants classes that are safer, clearer, and more inclusive, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more Yoga Teacher Tips, and check out Heart + Bones Yoga for anatomy-informed classes and trainings. Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Try Heart + Bones Studio for $1 this month using the code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Every yoga teacher has those moments, your mind goes blank in class, you forget your cue, or your words don’t land. It’s normal, it happens to everyone, and it doesn’t make you a bad teacher. In this video, Brea Johnson of Heart + Bones Yoga shares simple, practical strategies for what to do when you don’t know what to say while teaching yoga. Whether you’re a new teacher or have been teaching for years, these tips will help you stay calm, professional, and connected to your students. You’ll learn: • Why forgetting cues is a normal part of teaching • How pausing the class can reset you and your students • Why “less is more” with verbal cues • How to come back to the breath when you lose your words • The power of reflective cues over micromanaging • A simple way to keep your confidence when mistakes happen Want more support? Explore our anatomy-informed yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Try Heart + Bones Studio for $1 this month with code PODCASTMONTH: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Every yoga teacher has those days when you don’t want to teach. Maybe life feels overwhelming, maybe you’re exhausted, or maybe you’re just not in the mood. What do you do when you still need to show up for your students? In this video, Brea Johnson of Heart + Bones Yoga shares practical tips and mindset shifts for those inevitable times when teaching feels like too much. You’ll learn: • How to balance professionalism with authenticity • What to do if something big is happening in your life • Why presence in teaching can actually reset your energy • A practical class-starting tip that eases pressure on you and your students • How to adjust your energy dial without faking it • A pep talk to save for the next time you don’t want to teach Want more support? Explore our anatomy-informed yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Try Heart + Bones Studio for $1 this month with code podcastmonth Start here: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/