The Yoga Teacher Podcast

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/

Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop, breathe, and give yourself a moment. This short guided meditation is a gentle reminder to pause and reconnect with your own practice, whether you’re a yoga teacher, or simply someone who could use five minutes of calm. In just a few breaths, you’ll soften your shoulders, relax your belly, and return to the steady rhythm of your body. A simple reset you can come back to anytime. Want to keep nurturing your personal practice? Heart + Bones Yoga makes it easy, with accessible, anatomy-informed classes and programs, and yes, more calming moments like this practice. Try Heart + Bones online yoga one month for just $1: with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Many yoga teachers wonder: Do I need to follow a lineage or stick to one style to be a “real” teacher? In this episode we explore the truth about yoga lineage vs yoga style, how colonialism and capitalism shaped modern yoga, and why charismatic leaders can create both inspiration and red flags. You’ll learn: • What “lineage” actually means in yoga • How styles like Ashtanga, Iyengar & Yin evolved • The business side of yoga teacher training (and cult dynamics to watch for) • Practical steps to grow beyond your 200-hour training with confidence Whether you’re choosing a YTT, feeling boxed in by your training, or curious about the business of yoga, this conversation will give you tools to teach inclusively, sustainably, and with confidence. Learn more about Heart + Bones Yoga Teacher Training (200hr & 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/modern-yogi-certification-course/ Join our online yoga studio for Move + Learn classes for $1 this month using the code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ Submit your wildest yoga teacher stories for an upcoming episode: https://heartandbonesyoga.ac-page.com/podcast-question-submissions 👉 Subscribe for more yoga teacher tips, anatomy-informed practices, and real conversations about the business of teaching yoga. Ula's Substack: https://avibrantmind.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

Being a yoga teacher today means more than creating class sequences—it’s about evolving your teaching and your yoga business. In this episode of The Yoga Teacher Podcast, Brea Johnson and Ula examine what it really takes to adapt, grow, and build a sustainable path as a teacher. We talk about: How to know if you’re actually growing as a teacher or just repeating the same year over and over. Why “boring” yoga sequencing can be more supportive than flashy flows. The business side of teaching yoga—and how to stop playing small. How to embrace your authentic, weird, wonderful self (instead of becoming another “boring grey yoga teacher”). Practical skills yoga teachers must evolve: inclusivity, personal practice, and community. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your teaching or wondered how to make your yoga business sustainable, this conversation is for you. 👉 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/modern-yogi-certification-course/ Try Heart + Bones Studio for $1 this month using the code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ Submit your wildest yoga teacher stories for an upcoming episode: https://heartandbonesyoga.ac-page.com/podcast-question-submissions Ula's Substack: https://avibrantmind.substack.com/

Many yoga teachers think sequencing needs to be exciting, complex, and creative every time. But here’s the truth: simple yoga sequencing is often the most effective, and the classes your students actually love. In this video, Brea Johnson of Heart + Bones Yoga breaks down why “boring” sequences work, and how to balance consistency with just enough novelty. You’ll learn: – Why overcomplicating yoga sequencing can hold your students back – How simple sequences support nervous system regulation and progress – Practical tips for confident, anatomy-informed class planning These yoga teacher tips will help you trust the power of simple, inclusive sequencing and feel more confident in your teaching. 🔗 Want to go deeper? Submit your wildest yoga teacher stories for an upcoming episode: https://heartandbonesyoga.ac-page.com/podcast-question-submissions Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/modern-yogi-certification-course/ Try Heart + Bones Studio for $1 this month using the code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

What do experienced yoga teachers do differently after 20+ years in the practice? In this episode, we explore how teaching yoga evolves—especially when you start to question rigid alignment cues, romanticized yoga lineages, and performance-based teaching. Join Brea Johnson and Ula for a candid conversation on what it means to lead inclusive, anatomy-informed, and sustainable yoga classes—without falling into old patterns or culty dynamics. Whether you're a new yoga teacher or a long-time practitioner, this episode helps you reflect on what actually supports your students (and yourself). Join the next free training: How to Teach Inclusive Yoga Classes Aug 20th 2025: https://heartandbonesyoga.ac-page.com/how-to-teach-inclusive-yoga-classes-workshop Explore our online yoga teacher resources + trainings: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/modern-yogi-certification-course/ Try Heart + Bones Studio for $1 this month using the code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ Submit your story for our podcast: https://heartandbonesyoga.ac-page.com/podcast-question-submissions