These three yoga poses require strength, stability, concentration as well as fluidity and grace. The poses Julie picks to support the challenging transitions focus on arm strength, stretching of the hamstrings and hip flexion. While she picks specific poses, you are able to utilize any poses that support those muscle actions to build the skill necessary to work with these asanas.
In our yoga practice, we always want to listen to our bodies – but challenging ourselves in an appropriate way that makes sense for our anatomy is a great way to explore the yoga practice more deeply.
We invite you to make any modifications or implement any variations you see fit for any portion of this practice! If you want to see more classes from Julie, be sure to follow our YouTube channel or download the YogaRenew app.
Here is Julie’s entire class:
Were you able to transition into 1? 2? All 3? No matter where your practice takes you, it’s right where you need to be!
Challenging Transitions Yoga Class Sequence
This intermediate/advanced Vinyasa practice focuses on mindful transitions. The class systematically warms up the shoulders, core, and outer hips to prepare for a peak sequence of advanced arm balances.
Warm Up (Puttering)
Happy Baby (Ananda Balasana)
Reclined IT Band Twists
Cat/Cow (Marjaryasana/Bitilasana) and Hovering Tabletop
Bhujapidasana is an arm balance that combines hip mobility, core strength, upper-body stability, and body awareness. While the pose can look intimidating at first, a thoughtful sequence can help students build the strength and mobility needed to approach it with greater confidence.
This weekâs class works progressively toward Bhujapidasana, preparing the wrists, shoulders, hips, hamstrings, and core while giving students opportunities to explore the physical actions behind the pose.
The sequence begins with foundational movements and gradually builds toward deeper hip opening and arm-balancing work before transitioning into a grounding cool-down.
The Focus: Bhujapidasana
The Sanskrit name Bhujapidasana can be translated as âshoulder-pressing pose.â Bhuja refers to the arm or shoulder, while pida means pressure or pressure applied and as we know, asana translates to posture or pose.
In Bhujapidasana, the thighs wrap around the upper arms while the hands press firmly into the mat and the feet lift away from the floor. The pose requires more than arm strength alone. Students need to create enough space in the hips to position the legs around the arms while simultaneously engaging the core and maintaining stability through the shoulders.
Key actions to emphasize:
Press firmly through the hands and fingertips.
Keep the shoulders stable rather than collapsing into the wrists.
Engage the core to help lift the feet.
Draw the thighs toward the upper arms.
Create space through the hips and inner thighs.
Keep the gaze steady and slightly forward.
Focus on lifting from the core rather than simply jumping into the pose.
Puttering (Warm Up)
1. Cat-Cow: Move through several rounds of Cat-Cow, coordinating movement with the breath. Use this transition to warm up the spine and begin connecting breath with movement.
2. Downward-Facing Dog: Move into Downward-Facing Dog and begin to warm the backs of the legs. Pedal through the feet and gradually work toward creating more length through the hamstrings and calves.
4. Malasana: Bring the feet wide and lower into Malasana, or Yogi Squat. This is an important preparation for Bhujapidasana because it introduces the deep hip flexion and external rotation that students will need for the peak pose. Encourage students to keep the chest lifted and explore the movement of the hips rather than forcing the knees outward.
5. Plank: Return to Plank to begin building upper-body and core strength. Focus on pressing the floor away and maintaining a strong, integrated line through the body.
6. Chaturanga Dandasana:Â Practice Chaturanga with control. This is an opportunity to reinforce the shoulder and arm strength needed for Bhujapidasana. Encourage students to prioritize stability and alignment rather than lowering as far as possible.
7. Child’s Pose: Take Child’s Pose as a brief reset. Allow the breath to slow before continuing into deeper hip and shoulder work.
8. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose):Â Move into Bhujangasana, or Cobra Pose, to open the front body and continue warming the spine. Keep the movement intentional and avoid relying solely on the arms to lift the chest.
Standing Sequence
1. Virabhadrasana II:Â Move into Warrior II to build strength through the legs and establish steady breath. Although Bhujapidasana is an arm balance, strong and mobile legs are essential to the overall sequence.
2. Utthita Parsvakonasana: Transition into Extended Side Angle. This pose begins to combine hip opening, lateral movement, and strength while encouraging students to maintain length through the torso.
3. Goddess Pose: Move into Goddess Pose for deeper work through the hips, inner thighs, and legs. This is another useful preparation for the deep hip flexion required to bring the legs around the upper arms in Bhujapidasana.
Balance & Twists
1. Vrksasana: Start your balancing round in Tree Pose to introduce balance and concentration. Use this moment to remind students that arm balances require the same qualities as standing balances: steadiness, focus, and a willingness to make small adjustments.
2. Virabhadrasana III:Â Move into Warrior III. This builds single-leg stability and core engagement while challenging students to maintain balance and control.
3. Ardha Matsyendrasana:Â Come down to the mat for a seated twist. Use the twist to create mobility through the spine while continuing to work with the hips.
4. Janu Sirsasana:Â Get a deeper stretch in the inner thigh with Janu Sirsasana. This is one of the deeper mobility poses in the sequence and provides valuable preparation for the hip and hamstring flexibility needed to position the legs in Bhujapidasana. Remind students that flexibility isn’t the goal. Encourage them to work within a range where they can maintain steady breathing and control.
5. Bakasana (Pre-Peak Prep Pose [Optional]): Introduce Crow Pose as the an arm-balance preparation pose. Tell students they can absolutely skip the option for crow. This gives students an opportunity to experience the relationship between hands, shoulders, core, and balance before attempting Bhujapidasana. Encourage students to shift forward gradually and use their fingertips as an important point of control.
6. Navasana (Boat Pose): This is a great exercise to further drive core strength. Just like Crow Pose, allow for the option to skip it completely or have them practice half boat if full Navasana is too much.
Peak Pose: Bhujapidasana or Shoulder-Pressing Pose
Bhujapidasana: Now bring the class to the peak pose.
From a standing position, place the hands on the mat and begin to lower the hips. Bring the legs around the upper arms, positioning the thighs as high as comfortably possible.
Press firmly through the hands, engage the core, and begin to lift the feet. For students working toward the full expression, the heels can eventually cross behind the body.
*Bonus Teaching cue:
âRather than trying to jump your feet off the floor, press the hands down and lift the center of your body up.â
This helps students understand that Bhujapidasana is an active engagement of the entire bodyânot simply an arm-strength exercise.
Wind Down
After the peak pose, transition slowly toward the floor.
1. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana: Bridge Pose helps open the front body and provides a counterpose after the compression and forward folding involved in the peak sequence.
2. Happy Baby: Move into Happy Baby to release the hips and inner thighs. Encourage students to let the lower back soften toward the mat.
3. Supine Twist: Take a gentle reclining twist on both sides. Allow the body to gradually settle after the stronger portions of class.
4. Savasana: Finish in Savasana. Give students enough time to absorb the practice and notice the effects of the sequence. Remind them that Savasana is where the work integrates.
Why This Sequence Works
Bhujapidasana asks students to combine several physical actions at once: deep hip flexion, hip mobility, upper-body strength, wrist stability, core engagement, and balance. This sequence approaches those requirements progressively.
The early portion of class warms the body and establishes strength through the hands, shoulders, and core. The standing sequence develops lower-body strength and balance. Core and arm strength exercises like Crow and Boat Pose then gives students a more direct introduction to arm balancing and total engagement before moving into Bhujapidasana.
The cool-down shifts the focus toward releasing the hips, spine, and front body before finishing with Savasana.
Teaching Tips for Bhujapidasana
1. Don’t make the arm balance the only goal: For many students, the preparation is the most valuable part of the practice. Encourage them to explore the actions of the pose even if their feet never lift.
2. Prioritize wrist and shoulder stability: Students should actively press through the hands rather than allowing the shoulders to collapse.
3. Use blocks when appropriate: Blocks can be helpful under the feet during preparation, giving students additional height and making it easier to experiment with the positioning of the legs.
4. Encourage patience with the hips: Bhujapidasana requires significant hip mobility. Avoid forcing the legs into position and encourage students to work progressively.
5. Keep the breath steady: Arm balances often create tension or apprehension. Remind students to breathe throughout the transition and peak pose.
Optional Class Theme (Dharma Talk)
The theme for this class is creating stability within challenge: Bhujapidasana asks students to do several things at once: stay grounded through the hands, create space through the hips, engage the core, and find balance in an unfamiliar position.
Rather than focusing only on whether the feet lift, invite students to notice what happens when they press down, engage, breathe, and trust the process. Remind your students that consistency and effort in practice is more important than getting into the full expression of the final shape.
The whole purpose of our Weekly Class Themes are to encourage yoga teachers to teach their students how to develop the strength, mobility, and awareness that allows them to explore their own version safely and intentionally.
For many of us, 24 hours in a day isnât enough time. We have to split our precious time between work, sleep, family, household chores, eating, and other errands and responsibilities. Unfortunately, this leaves little time to explore new opportunities, like learning more about yoga and becoming a yoga teacher. Chances are you havenât pursued it because of the amount of time you need to spend learning the craft and youâve gotten discouraged when you searched for yoga teacher training and were met with 6 to 10-weekend intensive training classes with 10-12 hour days of mandatory attendance… along with a hefty price tag.
Well, we are here to tell you that times have changed, and the crew at YogaRenew have broken that mold with our online yoga teacher trainings and workshops. If a yoga teacher training has been high up on your goals and aspirations list, we’re here to tell you… it’s time. If youâre ready to completely immerse yourself in the benefits of yoga and become certified to lead classes with confidence, you have come to the right place!
In a previous article, we discussed 6 reasons for doing a yoga teacher training program, and today we will be discussing the value of doing it online versus attending an in-person training.Â
Letâs dive in!Â
The Benefits of an Online Yoga Teacher Training
Accessibility
How many yoga studios are within an hourâs drive to you? How many of those offer certified teacher training courses? If you live in a small town, your chances are slim. Also with COVID restrictions and the way it has affected many businesses, you may not even be able to find a studio close by.Â
We created YogaRenew with the intention of making it accessible to as many people as possible.Â
Youâre able to take the classes on your own time and learn around your schedule, at your own pace. You donât have to cram them into a few weekend sessions at a yoga studio 2 hours away; you can practice and learn with intention and purpose. Youâll be able to take your time, watch and learn and watch again if you need to. So even though it is a rigorous certification, youâll be able to learn how you want to, whenever you want to.Â
Another perk? You have LIFETIME access to the courses and online yoga teacher training resources. So if you need a refresher down the line, itâs there, right at your fingertips.Â
Affordability
If the price of an in-person teacher training was keeping you from pursuing, weâve got you covered. In-person training often requires you to pay in full or in 2 or 3 parts over the training period. Right now, that is a hefty price to pay and one that you may not be able to afford to handle, along with your other bills and responsibilities.Â
With our program, you pay monthly, which breaks the training price down into manageable payments. We are in the business of helping people learn how to balance their bodies, minds, and souls, and the affordable monthly cost can bring you peace of mind.Â
Flexibility
There are numerous benefits of online training, and we have highlighted just a few of them today. These benefits are unique because you donât get them with in-person training. Our entire reason for creating this online training is to allow people to have accessible and affordable options for pursuing their goal of becoming a yoga teacher!Â
If youâre interested in learning more, itâs time to contact us. We are available to answer your questions and put you on the right track to the courses designed for your goals. Start learning with us, today!
The Benefits of an In-Person Yoga Teacher Training
Feedback IRL
Sometimes it’s more helpful to receive feedback in realtime so that what you learned is top of mind. Constructive feedback is often absorbed better in the moment rather than looking back on past work that you’ve submitted or revisiting an old question. It’s also beneficial to be in person to engage with your teachers and fellow students as you work through the practice or study materials. You can bounce ideas off each other and ask multiple related questions if they come up. Sometimes with digital learning, answers to questions can be prolonged and it may be difficult to remember why and what you asked!
Hands On Assists/Physicality
Yoga has a very physical component that is often best observed on real bodies. It is completely different to see a diagram or even a static image of a pose rather than someone physically doing the pose in front of you. It’s also way easier to see modifications and variations in real life versus an online setting.
When studying the “hands on assists” portion of your yoga teacher training, it’s helpful to try adjustments on your peers and have them adjust you. This is a great way to have experience with a variety of bodies and observe them in a way that feels tangible so you know exactly where to adjust someone.
Connections
We all make friends online, of course. But there is something so special about being in a room, sitting next to like-minded individuals all on the same journey in the same timeframe as you. It’s truly an indescribable feelingâanyone who’s taken an in-person yoga teacher training knows this.
Attending a training at a physical studio might also give you a greater opportunity to teach! If the teachers in the training are the owner/lead teachers of the studio, seeing your face repeatedly and how dedicated you are to a physical training where you have to show up on time, they may be inclined to offer you a place on the sub list! Being active on a sub list at a yoga studio often translates to a full time teaching position.
The Major Differences Summarized
In this episode of the YogaRenew Podcast, Kate & Patrick dive into one of the most debated topics in the yoga world: online yoga teacher trainings. Are they as valuable as in-person trainings? Do they dilute the experience, or can they actually offer something unique and powerful?
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If youâre a yoga teacher, youâve probably felt it: that hesitation before promoting a class, workshop, retreat, or teacher training. You know your offering is valuable, but talking about it can still feel awkward, repetitive, or even âtoo salesy.â Thatâs exactly what this episode of the YogaRenew Podcast explores.
In this conversation, Kate & Patrick explain how yoga teachers can market themselves in a way that feels authentic, service-driven, and aligned with their values. This post will highlight the key takeaways from the episode and share practical ideas you can use to promote your yoga business with confidence and humility.
Why marketing feels hard for yoga teachers
For many yoga teachers, marketing doesnât come naturally. Itâs often not the reason they got into teaching in the first place. Most teachers are drawn to yoga because they love the practice, the community, and the transformation it can bring to peopleâs lives.
Thatâs part of why promotion can feel uncomfortable. When youâre asking people to sign up for something, you may also feel like youâre asking them to spend money, take a chance on you, or hear about the same offer more than once.
Marketing in the yoga world is often tied to money, and money can bring up complicated feelings. But that doesnât mean teachers should avoid marketing altogether.
The mindset shift: youâre not selling something fake.
Youâre not selling something you donât believe in. If you teach yoga, chances are you genuinely believe your class, workshop, or retreat can help people. Youâre not pushing a product that doesnât work. Youâre offering an experience, a practice, or an education that has value.
That mindset shift makes a huge difference.
Instead of thinking:
âI feel bad promoting thisâ
âI donât want to annoy peopleâ
âI sound too salesyâ
Try thinking:
âI created something usefulâ
âThe right people need to hear about thisâ
âMy offer can genuinely help someoneâ
When marketing comes from clarity, service, and purpose, it becomes much easier to talk about your work.
Even fun offerings deserve promotion.
The conversation also points out that marketing doesnât only apply to serious or deeply transformational offerings–A handstand workshop, retreat, or playful event still deserves promotion. Part of helping people is helping them have joy, build confidence, and learn something new. If someone wants to learn handstands, they need to know your workshop exists. If you donât talk about it, the right people may never find it.
In other words: if your offering is good and you believe in it, itâs worth sharing.
When marketing starts to feel âickyâ
The episode also draws an important distinction: marketing feels worse when the intention behind it feels off. For example, if youâre promoting something only because you desperately need to fill spots, that energy can seep into the way you talk about it. But if youâre offering something authentic and valuable, then promotion feels more like an invitation than a pitch.
That doesnât mean you should never promote something multiple times. It just means you should check in with yourself:
Is this offer aligned with my values?
Do I believe in what Iâm sharing?
Am I communicating clearly, or just pushing for sales?
If the answer is yes, then repetition is not a bad thing. Itâs part of helping people discover your work.
Why repetition is necessary
A key marketing concept mentioned in the episode is that people usually need to see something multiple times before they take action. In fact, it often takes several exposures before a message really sticks. That means if you feel repetitive, your audience may simply be at the stage of noticing you.
This is especially important for yoga teachers promoting:
teacher trainings
retreats
workshops
online programs
special classes
You may feel like youâve said the same thing a lot, but many people still havenât seen it enough to act on it.
The takeaway: donât assume repetition is the enemy. Often, repetition is what gives people the chance to respond.
Marketing is not just selling â itâs connection
Another major point from the episode is that good marketing is not only about asking people to buy.
Itâs also about:
sharing useful content
answering questions
building trust
showing up consistently
offering value before asking for a sale
Thatâs especially true in the yoga world, where community and relationship matter so much. If youâre always showing up to help, teach, and engage, then promoting something doesnât feel like a sudden pivot. It feels like a natural extension of the relationship youâve already built.
What happens when you donât promote enough
When people donât hear about an offering enough, they may miss the chance to join â and even feel frustrated later that they never knew it existed. Thatâs a helpful reminder that marketing isnât just about getting sales. Itâs also about making sure the people who would benefit from your offering actually know it exists.
If someone would love your retreat, workshop, or training, they need a fair chance to discover it.
A better way to think about promoting your work
Instead of asking:
âHow do I sell this without being annoying?â
Try asking:
âHow do I clearly communicate something I believe in?â
That shift makes marketing less about pressure and more about service. Youâre not interrupting peopleâs lives for no reason. Youâre letting them know about an opportunity that could help them, inspire them, or bring them joy.
Key takeaways from this episode:
Marketing feels easier when you believe in your offering.
Yoga teachers are selling something real and useful.
Repetition is often necessary before people take action.
Marketing should be balanced with value, connection, and trust.
If you donât talk about your work, people may never find it.
Final thoughts
Marketing yourself as a yoga teacher doesnât have to feel icky. When you approach it as a form of service, connection, and honest communication, it becomes much easier to share what youâve created.
Your work matters. Your voice matters. And the right students wonât find you if you stay silent.
So, if youâve been holding back from promoting your classes, workshops, trainings, or retreats, consider this your reminder: itâs okay to talk about your work.
Youâre not being salesy. Youâre helping people find something valuable.
Over the last decade, yoga has grown from something people do in a studio or a quiet space at home into something they plan entire trips around.
New data from BookRetreats.com‘sState of Retreats 2026 Reportâbuilt on a decade of platform insights and a survey of 1,040 U.S. travelersâfound that 78% are interested in joining a yoga retreat in the next 12 months, with searches up 15% year over year.
That kind of growth means more students will be thinking about retreats, and more teachers will have the chance to lead them. But the numbers underneath show why people are going, what they want when they get there, and what that asks of the teachers who guide them. Here’s what stood out in the report.
Students are coming to the mat for their minds
Stress relief has now overtaken flexibility as the top reason Americans practice yoga, cited by 51% according to Yoga Alliance. And the same shift shows up the moment people start planning a retreat.
When BookRetreats.com asked what draws travelers to a yoga retreat, the leading motivations were:
Mental health and wellbeing â 56%
Physical gains like strength and flexibility â 48%
Recovery from burnout and stress â 43%
Deeper spirituality â 27%
Healing physical pain or injury â 21%
Clarity on life decisions â 18%
Looking deeper, 50% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials point to burnout and stress recovery, against just 20% of Boomers.
For a generation that grew up online, the mat has become one of the few places the noise stops, and retreats are where theyâre going to heal or improve their well-being long term. Teaching to that is a different skill from cueing a strong flow.
One style won’t serve every student
When students arrive worn down, the practice they need shifts. Restorative and slow styles are now the most in demand: a third of retreat-goers (33%) want a Restorative Yoga retreat, about double the interest in Vinyasa or Hot Yoga, and demand for nervous-system reset retreats has climbed 105% year over year.
With dozens of styles now taught worldwide, students want options: 40% are after a mixed-style retreat, and 42% want yoga paired with something else, from breathwork and sound healing to Pilates or surfing.
For a teacher, this is really a case for range. The teachers who can lead a strong flow and hold a genuinely restful, restorative practice are the ones who can meet a room where no two people need the same thing.
Retreats are becoming more diverse and more creative
More and more, a retreat is a chance to return to something life has crowded out.
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. travelers (65%) now want a retreat built around a creative pursuit or a new skill, rising to 73% of Gen Z and 70% of Millennials. Alongside yoga, they want to cook, write, paint, or simply be outside, the kinds of slow, absorbing activities that get lost in a full calendar.
This trend is widening what a retreat can be. The skill or passion you hold outside of yogaâa love of food, a background in art, a way with wordsâcan weave right into your teaching, offering people a deeper, more restorative experience.
Community is part of the appeal
People are increasingly turning to retreats to feel connected. 42% of U.S. travelers say work and daily life leave them too stretched to connect with others, and as many as 91% are now interested in retreats built around relationships or community.
Solo retreats still lead the way. More than a third of travelers want a solo retreat, and women continue to drive much of that. Even then, most are going in search of connection: they say they’re motivated by meeting other cultures and reconnecting with themselves.
Couples retreats are the fastest-growing category of all, up 26% year over yearâmore than four times the pace of soloâwith 30% of connection-minded travelers keen to go as a pair.
This trend is a reminder that the practice is only part of what you offer on the mat. The way you greet people at the door or help a circle of strangers soften toward each other shapes the whole experience.
How students are finding and planning retreats
Whether you’re dreaming of leading a retreat one day or already planning your first, it helps to know how students find and choose them now.
Word of mouth still leads overall, with 46% finding retreats through friends and family. For Gen Z, that’s been overtaken by social media, with Instagram (55%), TikTok (52%), YouTube (42%), and Facebook (39%) all ahead of personal recommendations.
Others lean on the experts, with a third of all U.S. travelers turning to travel booking platforms like BookRetreats.com to compare options and find something vetted thatâs right for them.
AI has entered the picture too. Only 16% of travelers say they’d avoid it for retreat planning altogether. The rest use it to research destinations (62%), find local experiences (47%), and compare flights (41%).
Top trending retreat destinations
According to internal search data from BookRetreats.com, more travelers are finding value in rising hotspots or taking long-haul flights to explore the latest wellness trends.
Albania is the top trending yoga destination in 2026, with interest up 203%âmore than Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam combined.
As yoga retreats expand beyond the mat into fitness, nature, and adventure, Albania has the terrain to match. Another draw is its calm. With a fraction of the crowds of the Mediterraneanâs busier coasts, Albania appeals to travelers chasing rest and quiet.
Mexico (+183%) follows, a Pacific surf-and-yoga hub with deep ancestral roots, and Japan (+173%) comes third, where forest bathing and onsen culture are a part of daily life.
Right now, a retreat is one of the most rewarding ways to meet yoga beyond the studio walls. If you’re a student, it might be the trip that shows you how much further your practice can go when you give it real time and space. And if you’re a teacher, it could be the moment you stop imagining leading one and actually begin.
Are you curious about turning your love for yoga into a full-time career? Maybe you’ve wondered what it really takes to leave a traditional job and build a thriving yoga business. In this post, Iâll share a deeply personal storyâmy own journey from a first awkward yoga class to becoming a full-time instructor and entrepreneur. Whether you’re just starting out or considering taking the leap, my story offers inspiration, practical insights, and the real hustle behind making yoga your profession.
Having spent years teaching high school, navigating medical and financial crises, and working multiple side gigs, I finally found clarity on how to turn my passion into a sustainable career. This isnât a quick tale; it’s a realistic look at the struggles, the growth, and the unwavering commitment needed to thrive as a wellness entrepreneur. So, if you’re ready to learn what it truly takes to turn yoga into more than just a hobby, keep reading or watch the full podcast interview, here:
How My Yoga Journey Began: From Awkward First Steps to Lasting Passion
I vividly remember my first yoga classâat a 24-hour fitness in New Jerseyâby complete chance. I was 23, navigating recovery from a collapsed lung that flipped my life upside down. Back then, I saw yoga as gentle stretching, nothing more. I was out of shape and weak, barely able to touch my toes, but I was desperate to find stability, both physically and emotionally.
Despite feeling like a fish out of waterâa disaster in my first classâI experienced something powerful during Shavasana. The teacherâs focus on breath and grounding brought tears to my eyes. It was the first time I felt that my body, which had betrayed me, was whispering back control. That moment planted the seed. I became curious, wanted to learn more, but my initial efforts were limited to on-demand videos and sporadic gym classes.
Over the next couple of years, I began regularly practicing at gyms, inspired by teachers like Susie, who incorporated physical challenge and spiritual elements. Though I was still wildly unflexible and physically unprepared, I started to notice small progressâtouching my toes, holding a plank longer, finding balance. Each small victory fueled my curiosity and confidence.
Transitioning from Hobbyist to Dedicated Student and Teacher
A fun assist in a packed class in our Hoboken, NJ headquarters
Progress was slow but steady. I was captivated not just by the physical practice but also by the philosophy and emotional depth teachers like Susie shared. I started exploring local studios, inspired by glimpses of what a dedicated yoga practice could be. I was working full-time as a high school English teacher, yet yoga was becoming a core part of my life.
In 2013, I moved to Hoboken, got married, and immersed myself in the yoga community at Devotion, where I was introduced to a more spiritual and transformational approach. I practiced regularly, attended teacher trainings, and volunteered extensivelyâworking the front desk, assisting community classes, and growing my skills.
During this period, several key realizations emerged: I realized I loved teaching yoga, appreciated the community, and saw potential for a new careerâif only I had a model to follow. I didnât see many full-time yoga teachers with families or those earning a sustainable salary. Most were studio owners or women with flexible schedules, not necessarily supporting a household full time.
That gap became a motivator for my journey.
The Leap: From Side Hustle to Full-Time Yoga Teacher
Entrepreneur Kate!
By 2015, I was juggling my teaching job, freelance marketing, social media freelancing, and teaching yoga at multiple studios. I was working 70 hours a weekâteaching, marketing, front desk, community buildingâall with a burning desire to make yoga my main profession.
A key turning point came during a meditation challenge in 2014, when I vividly saw a bolt of insight: âTeach yoga.â It felt like a lightning strike, a clear calling after years of searching. I knew I had to make that leap, but the financial reality was daunting. I was deep in medical debt, had no significant savings, and was skeptical about the risks.
Yet, I also realized Iâd already overcome the lowest pointâmy lung collapse and bankruptcy-like debtâand was capable of hustle, resilience, and self-reliance. My husband, recognizing my unhappiness, supported my decision. I resigned from my teaching job at the end of that school year, took a two-week trip to Italy, and then immediately began building my yoga career.
I signed up for a teacher training at Devotion, paying on a payment plan, and committed fully. I took on freelance marketing projects, worked at the studio front desk, and started teaching community classes right away. My goal wasnât to jump into full-time teaching immediately but to build a foundation while diversifying my income.
Building a Sustainable Career: The Hustle and Growth
Here I am giving one of my students an assist in Child’s Pose at a beach studio in NJ!
The first year was a marathonâteaching 70 hours a week, working freelance jobs, and volunteering. I absorbed everything I couldâlearning sales, marketing, client connection, and class sequencing. I understood that becoming a full-time yoga teacher wasnât just about skills but about creating a sustainable business model.
I worked tirelessly, often teaching multiple classes a day, juggling side projects, and staying creative with marketing. Most importantly, I focused on consistency. My 300-hour teacher training gave me much-needed confidence. It allowed me to teach with clarity and regularity, seeing how students progressed and how to structure classes that generate repeat visits.
Over time, I started teaching at more studios, hosting private clients, and diversifying income streamsâmoving from side gigs to part-time, and eventually full-time, to support myself.
Key Lessons for Aspiring Teachers
Resilience and Hustle Are Non-Negotiable: Building a full-time yoga career takes relentless effort, especially in the beginning. The side jobs, volunteer work, and long hours are part of the process.
Learn the Business Side: Gaining marketing, sales, and branding skills is critical. No one will do it for youâyour ability to promote and grow your practice impacts your success.
Create a Sustainable Model: Multiple income streamsâprivate sessions, studio teaching, online classes, or entrepreneurshipâoffer stability.
Your Path is Unique: Most successful teachers do not follow a straight line. Embrace the hustle, learn from others, but carve your own way.
This chart illustrates estimated income over time based on common growth trajectories for yoga teachers who expand into: online offerings, teacher trainings, memberships, retreats, and digital products.
Final Thoughts: Transitioning from Teacher to Wellness Entrepreneur
My story is a testament to patience, persistence, and passion. It often looks seamless on social media or from the outside, but behind the scenes is a lot of hustleâlong hours, financial risks, and personal growth.
If you’re considering turning your yoga hobby into a career, remember that success isnât overnight. It’s built through years of dedication, learning all facets of the business, and staying true to your purpose.
The most powerful takeaway? You can craft a full-time career supporting your passion for yoga. It requires courage, hard work, and a commitment to continuous growth.
Want to learn more about building your yoga business? Keep exploring, stay consistent, and rememberâyour journey is unique and valuable… and we may be launching a course very soon! đ
FAQ: Turning Yoga Into a Career
How long does it take to become a full-time yoga teacher?
It varies greatly depending on your hours, community, and business knowledge, but most find it takes 3-5 years of dedication to transition from hobbyist to full-time instructor.
Do I need a particular certification to teach yoga professionally?
While a 200-hour certification is the minimum, many successful teachers invest in advanced training (like the 300-hour) to deepen their expertise and confidence.
How do I make a sustainable income as a yoga teacher?
Diversify your income streamsâoffer private lessons, workshops, online classes, and consider business skills like marketing and branding. Building an email list and social media presence also helps.
Is it possible to leave a stable job and support a family as a full-time yoga teacher?
Yes. It requires careful planning, multiple income streams, and a solid business foundation, but many teachers successfully support families while doing what they love.
One-Sentence Summary:
Discover how perseverance, business savvy, and a passion for yoga transformed my side gigs into a successful full-time wellness career, and learn how you can do the same.
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As a new yoga teacher, it can feel overwhelming as you begin to teach your own classes. You could be experiencing a variety of emotions across the spectrum as you enter into this new chapter of your life. Teaching yoga, and teaching in general, could be brand new for you. New things tend to push us outside of our comfort zone and with that could come a level of discomfort, learning, and growth. What follows though could be a fulfilling career sharing a practice you love. Here are some tips as you navigate through the beginning stages of being a yoga teacher.
1. Keep tending to your own practice
This is the first tip because it is so important. Your learning does not stop after a yoga teacher training. As humans we are meant to continue to evolve, which means that our level of growth and therefore our teachings should evolve and deepen as we do the same.
Yoga is meant to guide us through the layers of our being to realize the true self. If we do not continue through the study, practice, and application of yoga (all 8 limbs) our teachings will become monotonous.
Furthermore, our well of inspiration will most likely dry up. Tending to your own practice both with teachers, coaches, mentors, peers, and on your own will keep the learning, growing, and giving going.
Do not shy away from sub opportunities. Most new yoga teachers start by subbing classes. This is helpful for you as the teacher to practice what you learned in your 200 hour yoga teacher training and to connect with the studioâs clientele.
Subbing a yoga class for another teacher is also beneficial for the owners/managers of the studio to see if you are a good fit for their community as a teacher. It’s an opportunity for the clients of that particular studio to begin to get to know you (you will need people to attend your class once you are a regular teacher on the schedule).
While subbing a class can bring up a plethora of emotions, it generally cannot be avoided. It is helpful and actually necessary for all parties involved. It helps you gain your footing as a credible teacher and grow the community you wish to teach in, whether that’s online or in person.
3. Continue to practice your teaching skills
Just because you have finished your teacher training does not mean that you should stop teaching to your family, friends, co-workers and anyone who you have the ability to teach!
Teaching is a skill like any other, and when you stop practicing, that skill can be forgotten. I recommend trying to find sub opportunities as soon as you’ve finished your ytt if you intend to seriously teach. This might not happen right away, so it’s integral to continue being dedicated to your own practice. Even if you are actively subbing classes, it may not be frequent or consistent enough, so continuing to practice is a must!
4. Remind yourself that itâs okay to make mistakes
Youâre not perfect and that is okay! In fact, it may just be the very reason the right people find you.
The first few times you teach a yoga class, you might forget part of your sequence, you might mess up the rights and lefts, your music may stop in the middle of class, or you may not say a cue as clearly as you wished. Remind yourself that it is all part of the process. Every single person makes mistakes in all fields. I can assure you that most yoga teachers have done all of the above, even those with experience. Mistakes are how we learn and in fact, how we get better.
5. Accept that you are a beginner
It could be easy to wish that you were years down the line having gotten over the nerves of being a new teacher with a flourishing clientele and career. But wishing you were somewhere else other than where you are now is a waste of time. You can envision it and accept that you are a beginner. Why not choose to be grounded in where you are right now? Stepping into this and owning this will help you teach from an authentic place at any point in your teaching career.
Everyone is a beginner at some point, and if you’re lucky you get to continue being a beginner at things all throughout your life. This simple fact is what allows you to stay humble as you move along your teaching journey. As you continue to teach classes with authenticity and realize you are just starting out, your classes will feel genuine and attract the people meant for you.
These 5 tips will help you teach with ease!
If you can remember all of these tips as you step into yoga teaching, you can almost guarantee a flourishing career and passion. Teaching yoga is truly a gift and the practice finds the right people with their heart in it. Make sure your students can always feel your presence and as long as you lead classes being your authentic self you can never go wrong.
Good luck!
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This week’s peak pose is Eka Hasta Bhujasana, or Elephant’s Trunk Pose. Challenging yet fun, this pose allows you to find play in your yoga practice. In the Northern Hemisphere, we are just about rounding out the final month of summer – warm days and long daylight will soon start to taper off. But we can always turn to our yoga practice to keep the momentum and playfulness of summer alive!
Let’s explore. đż
Puttering Poses
You can start slow but strong – incorporating poses like Chaturanga and even plank in the beginning of class with help students find stability and strength in holding themselves up.
Here are a few poses you can put in the beginning section of class:
Reclined figure four
Lizard lunge, emphasizing the same arm of the leg that’s forward to reach under the thigh and grab the ankle
Three-legged dog
Low lunge twist
Standing Poses
This is the portion of class where students get comfortable standing on their own two feet. Simple yet strong poses go a long way! Start them off with a couple of classics and then you can get creative.
Here are a few poses we recommend:
Peaceful warrior
Extended side angle
Wide legged forward fold (this can turn into Skandasana or any variation of grabbing behind the ankles to have the thighs over the arms)
Balance & Twists
Working on balancing poses can be challenging, and twists allows the body and spine to mobilize. Start them off with simple balancing poses and then have them work through the twists, eventually making their way to the ground for a variation of Marichyasana A.
Here are poses we recommend for this portion of class:
Chair
Chair twist
Marichyasana A
Lolasana (prep for the full pose, have them use blocks under their hands and lift themselves up a couple of times)
Peak Pose: Eka Hasta Bhujasana
This pose can be so fun and there are steps along the way where students can experience their efforts. Have them try it with blocks underneath their hands and make sure they practice slinging their leg over their arm while seated.
Eka Hasta Bhujasana (Elephant Trunk Pose)
Wind Down
Your cool down or wind down portion of class should be just as intentional as the beginning portion of class and should stay true to the actions you are trying to reinforce throughout class. In the wind down portion of class, you can either keep students moving in the same direction or incorporate some opposite movement to help them stretch out.
Here’s what we recommend for a cool down for Eka Hasta Bhujasana:
Bridge or supported bridge pose with a block under the sacrum
Supine twist
Happy baby
Savasana
Always be sure to leave your students with enough time in Savasana to not only integrate what they’ve learned in the practice but to allow the thoughts to quiet and mind to soften. This is always, as we say, the most important part of class.
We hope you enjoy it! See you on the mat.
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If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s really possible to turn a love of yoga into a meaningful career, you’re not alone. It’s one of the questions we hear most often from aspiring yoga teachers and students considering a yoga teacher training.
Many people imagine that successful yoga teachers have practiced since childhood, always knew they wanted to teach, or somehow stumbled into the “perfect” opportunity. In reality, the path is rarely linear.
For YogaRenew Co-Director Patrick Franco, becoming a full-time yoga teacher wasn’t part of a carefully crafted career plan. It began with curiosity, a search for purpose, and one unexpected college yoga class that would change the direction of his life forever.
On this episode of the YogaRenew Podcast, Patrick sits down with Co-Director Kate Lombardo to share the story behind his yoga journeyâfrom curious college student to studio owner, teacher trainer, and educator who has helped train thousands of yoga teachers around the world.
Whether you’re considering a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, wondering if you could teach yoga professionally, or simply looking for inspiration on your own yoga path, Patrick’s story is a reminder that every teacher starts as a student.
The First Yoga Class That Changed Everything
Like many people in their late teens and early twenties, Patrick found himself asking life’s bigger questions,
“What am I supposed to do? What career should I pursue? What gives life meaning?”
While many of his peers were focused on choosing majors or planning careers, Patrick found himself increasingly interested in spirituality, meditation, and personal growth. Those questions eventually led him to enroll in a college yoga classânot because he planned to become a yoga teacher, but because yoga seemed like another avenue to better understand himself.
Unlike many modern yoga classes that focus primarily on movement, this college course introduced students to multiple aspects of yoga. Each week explored a different topic, including:
This yogic experience really touched Patrick in a special way. Beyond the physical aspects of yoga being good for stretching and moving your body, Patrick experienced it as a complete system for personal development.
Then came the class that truly shifted everything.
During the asana portion of the course, an Ashtanga yoga teacher guided students through several rounds of Surya Namaskar A (Sun Salutation A). It wasn’t an advanced practice, but it left an unforgettable impression.
“After just a few Sun Salutations, I felt completely transformed.”
This would be the experience that shifted everything for Patrick and laid the groundwork in his yoga career for years to come.
Finding Yoga as More Than Exercise
One of the biggest misconceptions about yoga is that people begin practicing because they’re looking for flexibility or fitness. While those benefits certainly exist, many long-term practitioners discover something much deeper. For Patrick, yoga became a way to explore questions about purpose, identity, and self-awareness. Even after finishing the college course, yoga stayed on his mind.
Like many college students, however, money was tight. Studio memberships weren’t always realistic, so his practice became largely self-guided. He attended one memorable Mysore-style Ashtanga class, purchased yoga books, and practiced at home using Rodney Yee DVDs.
This is when he learned one of the most valuable lessons any aspiring yoga teacher can learn:
Consistency matters far more than perfection.
You don’t need the perfect studio, the perfect schedule, or the perfect circumstances to begin building a meaningful yoga practice. Showing upâeven imperfectlyâis often enough.
Why Great Teachers Matter More Than Great Studios
After graduating from college, Patrick accepted a full-time position as a city planner. For many people, this might have marked the end of their yoga journey. For him, it was the beginning. With a steady income for the first time, he finally had the opportunity to practice in a yoga studio regularly.
But then there was one obstacle…
Like many men entering yoga at the time, Patrick felt intimidated walking into a studio. Taking matters into his own hands, he decided to buy his girlfriendâwho would later become his wifeâa yoga gift certificate for Christmas. The gift was partially for herâŚbut mostly so they could attend together, making Patrick feel more comfortable.
This studio experience would become another turning point. Although he found himself in a room filled primarily with women decades older than him, none of that ultimately mattered. What stood out wasn’t the demographic. It was the teacher.
Patrick credits his first consistent teacher, Liz, with shaping the course of his yoga career. Her welcoming nature, depth of knowledge, kindness, and encouragement kept him returning week after week. Years later, that same teacher would officiate his weddingâa testament to the lasting relationships that yoga communities often create.
This is a powerful reminder that students rarely remember every pose you teach. They remember how you made them feel. Great yoga teachers don’t simply deliver well-sequenced classesâthey create spaces where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired.
When a Teacher Sees Something in You
As Patrick continued practicing, his teacher began lending him books, encouraging his curiosity, and recommending workshops. Eventually, she offered a suggestion that would completely change the trajectory of his career. She told him he should consider doing a yoga teacher training.
At the time, Patrick wasn’t planning to become a professional yoga teacher. Like many future instructors, he initially viewed teacher training as an opportunity to deepen his personal practice rather than prepare for a new career.
But sometimes the people around us recognize our potential before we recognize it ourselves.
That encouragement eventually led Patrick to Laughing Lotus in New York City, where he enrolled in his first 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Trainingâa decision that would ultimately transform both his career and his life…
Listen to the full Podcast episode, here:
In Part 2, Kate will tell her story on how she became a Co-Director of YogaRenew alongside Patrick after years of a strong business relationship together!
If youâre about to teach your first yoga class and your stomach is in knots, youâre not alone. Almost every new teacher wonders some version of the same thing: Am I ready? What if I mess up? What if people donât like my class? In this post, weâll break down why imposter syndrome shows up, whatâs actually normal about it, and how to build real confidence without pretending to be someone youâre not.
Why Imposter Syndrome Is So Common for New Yoga Teachers
Imposter syndrome can feel deeply personal, but for new yoga teachers, it usually has a very simple explanation: youâre new. If youâve never taught a class before, then you are, by definition, still learning how to do it. That doesnât mean youâre unqualified. It means youâre in the beginner stage of something meaningful.
That distinction matters because a lot of teachers blame themselves for nervousness. They think it means theyâre not cut out for teaching. But nerves are often just a sign that you care and that youâre doing something unfamiliar. Public speaking is one of the most common fears people have, and yoga teaching asks you to do that while also sequencing movement, holding space, and staying present. Of course it feels intense at first.
The good news is that this stage does not last forever. You do not need to wait until you feel completely ready. You need to understand that readiness and nervousness can exist at the same time.
The biggest shift is recognizing that feeling like an imposter is not always a problem to fix. Sometimes it is simply proof that youâre stepping into something new. Thatâs normal. And once you stop fighting that fact, you can focus on what actually helps: preparation, simplicity, and repetition.
It also helps to separate different kinds of nerves. Sometimes youâre nervous because you donât yet trust your teaching skills. Other times, youâre nervous because youâre worried about being judged. Those are not the same thing.
If the concern is, âI donât know how to teach this yet,â thatâs a skill gap. If the concern is, âWill people like me?â thatâs a confidence or ego issue. Both are real, but they need different responses. The first calls for practice and study. The second calls for perspective.
Do the Work First: Preparation Reduces Panic
One of the best ways to calm imposter syndrome is to actually prepare. Not in a perfectionist, overcomplicated way – just enough so that you know what youâre teaching and why. A prepared teacher is usually a calmer teacher.
This is especially important for new yoga teachers because the temptation is often to create something impressive. You might feel pressure to be original, inventive, or endlessly creative. But early on, that pressure can backfire. When you try to teach beyond your experience, you usually feel less grounded, not more.
Instead, keep your focus narrow. Teach what you know. Build around sequences, poses, and themes you understand well enough to explain clearly and safely. If you know how to teach a strong warrior sequence, teach that. If youâre comfortable with gentle flow, teach that. Confidence grows when your content matches your current level of experience.
Listen to the full episode:
Kate & Patrick explain how new teachers often get into trouble when they try to do too much too soon. That might mean attempting advanced poses they donât practice, teaching philosophy they havenât integrated, or borrowing a style that doesnât fit their voice. Simplicity is not a weakness. It is often the most professional thing you can do.
A practical prep checklist for your first few classes
Before teaching, make sure you have:
A sequence you can explain without reading every line
Poses you can demonstrate or cue clearly
A theme that feels authentic to you
A backup plan if the room has different energy than expected
A few key cues you can return to if you lose your place. You do not need a flawless script. You need enough structure to stay steady when your nerves show up.
Confidence Comes From Teaching What You Actually Know
A recurring theme in the conversation is authenticity. New teachers often assume confidence comes from sounding polished or teaching something complicated. In reality, confidence comes from teaching from your own experience.
That means you donât need to copy the teacher who inspired you, and you donât need to include every modality thatâs popular right now. If you love anatomy, teach through anatomy. If you love gentle, grounding classes, lean into that. If youâre drawn to philosophy, bring that into your cues and themes. You are not supposed to be everything to everyone.
This matters because yoga training can make you feel like you have to prove yourself. You learn anatomy, alignment, philosophy, subtle body concepts, and more – all while being expected to teach back what youâve just learned. Thatâs a lot. But you do not have to turn every piece of information into your teaching voice.
The stronger approach is to let your learning inform your practice without forcing it into every class. For example, if youâve become interested in somatic work, sound, or astrology, you can explore those subjects as a student without immediately making them part of your teaching. Thereâs no rule that says you have to teach everything you love.
Why authenticity builds trust
Students can usually tell when a teacher is trying too hard to be impressive. They can also tell when a teacher is grounded in what they know. That groundedness is what creates trust.
People come back not because you perform, but because they feel something real in the room. When you teach from your own experience, you give students something they can actually connect with. Thatâs much more powerful than trying to be a version of another teacher.
Let Your Teaching Evolve With You
Another major takeaway is that your teaching does not have to stay the same forever. In fact, it shouldnât. At the start of your career, you may only feel ready to teach accessible poses, gentle flows, or beginner-friendly classes. Thatâs not a limitation. Itâs a starting point. As your personal practice deepens, your teaching naturally expands with it. Over time, you may become more confident with advanced poses, stronger sequencing, or more nuanced themes.
That growth is part of the job. You are not failing if your classes change. You are developing.
Early on, a teacher may be best suited to a beginner audience because thatâs where their own practice is. Years later, the same teacher might be ready to guide more advanced students – and also more aware of how to keep things simple and accessible. Growth can move in both directions at once. You can become more skilled and more streamlined.
This also means you donât have to wait for the âperfectâ moment to begin. If you are drawn to teaching beginner classes right now, then teach beginner classes. If you are drawn to a specific style, start there. Students will find you through the version of teaching thatâs honest and sustainable for you.
Youâre not behind if your path looks simple
Some new teachers think they need to be more advanced, more creative, or more specialized to be legitimate. But that mindset can push you away from the kind of teaching youâre actually good at. The truth is that some of the best teachers start simple and stay simple for a long time. Simple does not mean shallow. It means clear, focused, and teachable. And those qualities matter far more than trying to sound sophisticated.
What to Do When the Nerves Hit Before Class
Even experienced teachers still get nervous. The difference is that they have tools to work with the nerves instead of assuming they should disappear. Thatâs the mindset worth building early.
One of the best tools is breath. Another is slowing down. When anxiety kicks in, many teachers speed up – they talk faster, cue more, and try to outrun the feeling. But that usually makes the nervousness worse. A more effective response is to pause, take a few breaths, and let your body settle.
Pro tip: If you notice yourself getting too fast or too loud, stop and guide the class into a resting shape like childâs pose or downward dog. Take three breaths together. That small reset can ground both you and your students.
You can guide your students into child’s pose whenever you need a second to regroup and remember your sequence
Frequently Asked Questions
Is imposter syndrome normal for new yoga teachers?
Yes. Itâs extremely common, especially if youâre teaching your first few classes or transitioning from student to teacher. A lot of what feels like imposter syndrome is simply beginner discomfort.
How do I become more confident teaching yoga?
Confidence grows from repetition, preparation, and teaching what you actually know. The more you practice sequencing, cueing, and leading class, the less intimidating it becomes.
Should I teach advanced poses if I canât do them perfectly?
Not necessarily. Itâs better to teach poses you understand well enough to explain clearly and safely. You can always expand your teaching as your practice develops.
What if Iâm nervous every time I teach?
Thatâs still normal for many teachers, even experienced ones. The goal isnât to become fearless – itâs to learn how to stay steady, breathe, and keep going when nerves show up.
How do I find my teaching style?
Start by paying attention to what you naturally love teaching and what feels sustainable. Your teaching style should reflect your experience, interests, and voice – not someone elseâs version of success.
The main message is simple: nerves are normal, and you do not need to wait for perfect confidence before you teach. When you prepare well, teach what you know, and stay authentic, students can feel that steadiness. Thatâs what makes a class land. If youâre just starting out, focus on clarity over creativity and consistency over performance. And when the nervousness shows up, breathe, slow down, and keep going. Watch or listen to the full episode wherever you stream your podcasts!
One style won’t serve every student
Right now, a retreat is one of the most rewarding ways to meet yoga beyond the studio walls. If you’re a student, it might be the trip that shows you how much further your practice can go when you give it real time and space. And if you’re a teacher, it could be the moment you stop imagining leading one and actually begin.
