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. šæ
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’re trying to balance teaching yoga with a full-time job, this is the episode for you! A lot of yoga teachers do not teach full time, and that doesn’t make them any less of a teacher. In fact, for many people, part-time teaching is the most sustainable way to stay connected to the practice while keeping the stability of a regular career.
In this post, we’ve woven together Kate & Patrick’s discussion from The YogaRenew Podcast into an easily digestible blog format so you can snag the major takeaways!
Yoga teacher giving a hands-on assist while teaching a class
Why Part-Time Yoga Teaching is a Valid Career Path
One of the biggest ideas from this conversation is simple: you do not have to teach yoga full time to be a real yoga teacher. That pressure often comes from social media, where the āidealā yoga career can look like endless free time, beach sequences, and a fully flexible schedule. But that version of teaching is not the only version that counts.
For many teachers, the reality is different. You may love your job, value the paycheck, and still want to teach yoga because it fulfills you. That is not a compromise. It is a choice. And for a lot of people, it is the wiser choice.
There is also a financial reality that is easy to ignore when you first fall in love with teaching. Yoga can become a meaningful and rewarding career, but it is rarely the most stable or lucrative path at the beginning. If you have a full-time job with benefits, a predictable paycheck, and a career you actually enjoy, you are not āless committedā because you keep it. You may simply be building a more balanced life by also teaching yoga.
The key shift is to stop asking whether part-time teaching is enough. Instead, ask whether it works for your life, your energy, and your goals.
Protect Your Own Practice First
If you’re teaching while working full time, the first thing to protect is your own practice. This was one of the strongest takeaways from the transcript: the more you teach, the easier it is to forget that you also need to be a student. That matters more than people think. If you spend all your time planning classes, showing up for students, and managing work responsibilities, you can burn out fast. Teaching yoga without regularly practicing yoga for yourself can start to feel draining instead of nourishing.
A good rule of thumb is to set aside at least one time each week that is just for you as a student. That might mean taking a class, practicing at home, or attending a workshop where you are not in teacher mode. The point is not perfection – it’s maintaining a relationship with the practice that is separate from your role as an instructor.
A realistic teaching load
If you have a full-time job, two regular classes per week often ends up being a sweet spot. That gives you enough room to prepare thoughtfully, teach well, and still keep space for your own life.
Once you start stacking three, four, or five classes a week on top of a full-time job, the balance shifts quickly. You lose time for your own practice, recovery, and even basic rest. And if one of those classes falls on a weekend, you may suddenly feel like you’re working six days a week. That does not mean you can never take on more. It means you should be honest about what you can sustain for the long term.
Choose Commitments You Can Actually Honor
Part-time teaching can feel flexible, but it still requires real commitment. Once you say yes to a class, your students and the studio are counting on you. That is true whether you teach once a week or every day. This is especially important with weekend classes. Weekend time is often the most valuable teaching time – classes are busier, and they can help you build a following. In some studios, weekends are also more lucrative. But that convenience comes with a tradeoff.
If you take a Saturday morning class, you are not just committing to one class. You are also committing to protecting your Friday night, getting enough sleep, and being available consistently. If your schedule already includes a demanding weekday job, you need to think carefully about whether you can really honor that commitment.
Here is a simple way to decide whether a class fits your life:
Look at the full commitment, not just the class time. Add in prep, commuting, playlist planning, and recovery time.
Check your calendar for the next two months. If you already know you will need to sub often, the schedule may be too tight.
Ask whether this class helps or hurts your sustainability. A class should support your teaching journey, not make you resent it.
Be honest with studios and students. Reliability matters. If you cannot consistently show up, it may not be the right class to take.
This is one of the most practical lessons in the conversation: teaching part time is still real work. Treat it that way, and you will build more trust, both with others and with yourself.
Grow Beyond Weekly Classes Without Overloading Yourself
If you are passionate about teaching, you do not have to cap your growth at regular group classes. One of the smartest ways to expand as a part-time teacher is to add offerings that are meaningful but not weekly.
Think workshops, teacher trainings, retreats, or special events. These can give you a chance to deepen your teaching without creating a schedule that takes over your week. They also let you explore topics you care about more deeply, which can make you a stronger teacher overall.
Why this approach works:
Weekly classes are repetitive by nature. They are important, but they can also become tiring if they are the only thing you do. A workshop or monthly offering adds variety and keeps your teaching fresh.
For example, you might teach two weekly classes and then lead one workshop a month. Or you might join a teacher training for a short season each year. Another option is leading a retreat once a year, if your full-time job allows you to take vacation time.
These formats can also help you build your reputation without requiring constant availability. They are often easier to fit around a career, family, or personal schedule than adding more weekly classes.
The temptation is to keep saying yes because you love the work. But more opportunities are not always better opportunities. If the extra commitment steals your ability to rest, practice, or work well in your day job, it can backfire.
A better question is: does this opportunity deepen my teaching or simply fill my calendar? If it deepens your teaching, supports your energy, and fits your life, it may be worth saying yes. If it just adds pressure, it may be time to pass.
Make the Transition Only When It Feels Natural
For some teachers, part-time teaching is a long-term arrangement. For others, it becomes the bridge to a full-time career. The important thing is that the transition happens naturally, not out of panic.
One useful detail from the transcript is that a strong part-time foundation can make a future move into full-time teaching much smoother. When you already have a regular student base, a few teaching opportunities in place, and experience beyond just weekly classes, you are not starting from zero.
That can look like:
Two consistent weekly classes
Occasional workshops
Involvement in teacher training
A special event or retreat once a year
If those pieces are already in place, then going full time is less of a leap and more of a next step. You are not trying to build everything at once. You are simply expanding what is already working.
That said, you may never want to make that transition. And that is completely fine. A part-time teaching path can be a long-term career, a side passion, or a meaningful chapter of your life. There is no rule that says it has to become something else.
This is where a lot of teachers get stuck: they think part-time means temporary. It does not. It can be a sustainable, successful, and deeply fulfilling way to teach for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you be a real yoga teacher if you only teach part time?
Yes. Teaching part time does not make you less legitimate. If you are showing up for students, continuing your practice, and teaching with care, you are a yoga teacher.
How many classes a week should a part-time yoga teacher take?
For many teachers with a full-time job, two regular classes per week is a sustainable place to start. Some teachers can handle more, but only if they still have time for practice, rest, and preparation.
Should I take weekend yoga classes if I work Monday through Friday?
Only if you can truly protect that commitment. Weekend classes can be rewarding, but they also take away from your rest time and may require changes to your social schedule.
What if I want to teach more than just group classes?
That is a great next step. Workshops, teacher trainings, and retreats are all ways to expand your teaching without overloading your weekly calendar.
How do I know if Iām ready to go full time?
You may be ready when teaching opportunities feel steady, your student base is growing, and the shift feels natural rather than desperate. If your part-time work already has momentum, the transition may be smoother.
Closing Sentiments on How to Balance Teaching Yoga + A Full Time Job
Balancing teaching yoga with a full-time job is not about doing everything. It is about choosing the right things and protecting your energy along the way. If you stay connected to your own practice, keep your schedule realistic, and take on opportunities you can truly honor, part-time teaching can be both fulfilling and sustainable.
The biggest takeaway is that you do not need to choose between being a ārealā yoga teacher and having a stable career. You can do both. And for many people, that balance is exactly what makes the practice last.
If you want to keep exploring the path, look at how your current schedule supports your energy, not just your ambition. And if you’re interested in going deeper, listen to the full conversation:
One-Sentence Summary
You can build a sustainable yoga teaching path alongside a full-time job by protecting your own practice, choosing commitments carefully, and growing beyond weekly classes only when it truly fits your life.
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If youāre about to teach your first yoga class and your stomach is in knots, youāre not alone. Almost every new teacher wonders some version of the same thing: Am I ready? What if I mess up? What if people donāt like my class? In this post, weāll break down why imposter syndrome shows up, whatās actually normal about it, and how to build real confidence without pretending to be someone youāre 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: youāre new. If youāve never taught a class before, then you are, by definition, still learning how to do it. That doesnāt mean youāre unqualified. It means youāre in the beginner stage of something meaningful.
That distinction matters because a lot of teachers blame themselves for nervousness. They think it means theyāre not cut out for teaching. But nerves are often just a sign that you care and that youāre 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 youāre stepping into something new. Thatās 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 youāre nervous because you donāt yet trust your teaching skills. Other times, youāre nervous because youāre worried about being judged. Those are not the same thing.
If the concern is, āI donāt know how to teach this yet,ā thatās a skill gap. If the concern is, āWill people like me?ā thatās 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 youāre 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 youāre 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 donāt practice, teaching philosophy they havenāt integrated, or borrowing a style that doesnāt 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 donāt need to copy the teacher who inspired you, and you donāt need to include every modality thatās popular right now. If you love anatomy, teach through anatomy. If you love gentle, grounding classes, lean into that. If youāre 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 youāve just learned. Thatās 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 youāve become interested in somatic work, sound, or astrology, you can explore those subjects as a student without immediately making them part of your teaching. Thereās 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. Thatās 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 shouldnāt. At the start of your career, you may only feel ready to teach accessible poses, gentle flows, or beginner-friendly classes. Thatās not a limitation. Itās 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 thatās 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 donāt have to wait for the āperfectā 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 thatās honest and sustainable for you.
Youāre 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 youāre 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. Thatās 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 childās 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. Itās extremely common, especially if youāre 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 canāt do them perfectly?
Not necessarily. Itās 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 Iām nervous every time I teach?
Thatās still normal for many teachers, even experienced ones. The goal isnāt to become fearless – itās 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 elseās 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. Thatās what makes a class land. If youāre 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!
The first time I ever saw a teacher teach Bird of Paradise in a yoga class I almost thought it was a joke.
Wait, you want me to do a bind, hip opener, and hamstring stretch at the same time AND while standing on one foot?!
I had to apply a serious sense of humor to my practice when I first started working on this pose because there was a lot of falling and feeling more like a bird fall out of itās nest than a bird in paradise.
The key to teaching this is building each of the components ā the hip opening, binding, and balance ā throughout your class, and making sure that you offer instruction on a step-by-step entrance into the pose so students can stop along the way. A strap is also hugely helpful!
Puttering/Warm-Up:
Child’s Pose
Lizard Lunge (with your back knee down)
Supported Pyramid Pose (using blocks + back heel up)
Wide Yogi Squat
Forward Fold (with clasped hands behind your back)
Standing Poses:
Warrior 2
Triangle Pose (build it from the ground up)
Extended Side Angle (with your hand inside of your ankle)
Half Moon Pose (with a half bind with your top arm)
Balance Pose:
Tree Pose (also build from the ground up)
Twist Pose:
Low Lunge Twist
Peak Pose: Bird of Paradise
Wind Down Poses:
Seated Twist
Bound Angle Pose
Happy Baby
Savasana
Give it a try and let us know how it goes! To catch a few video clips of this sequence in action follow @kate.lombardo and @yogarenewĀ on Instagram.
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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, Iāll share a deeply personal storyāmy 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 isnāt 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 classāat a 24-hour fitness in New Jerseyāby 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 waterāa disaster in my first classāI experienced something powerful during Shavasana. The teacherās 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 progressātouching 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 extensivelyāworking 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 careerāif only I had a model to follow. I didnāt 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 weekāteaching, marketing, front desk, community buildingāall 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: āTeach yoga.ā 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 Iād already overcome the lowest pointāmy lung collapse and bankruptcy-like debtāand 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 wasnāt 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 marathonāteaching 70 hours a week, working freelance jobs, and volunteering. I absorbed everything I couldālearning sales, marketing, client connection, and class sequencing. I understood that becoming a full-time yoga teacher wasnāt 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 streamsāmoving 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 youāyour ability to promote and grow your practice impacts your success.
Create a Sustainable Model: Multiple income streamsāprivate sessions, studio teaching, online classes, or entrepreneurshipāoffer 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 hustleālong hours, financial risks, and personal growth.
If you’re considering turning your yoga hobby into a career, remember that success isnāt 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 rememberāyour journey is unique and valuable… and we may be launching a course very soon! š
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 streamsāoffer 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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A hybrid yoga teacher training can offer a practical middle ground between a fully online certification and spending several consecutive weeks or months at a fully in-person training.
Before choosing any course, however, it helps to understand what separates a genuinely effective hybrid training from one that merely offers a convenient schedule.
What Makes a Good Hybrid Yoga Teacher Training?
A strong hybrid yoga teacher training should do four things well:
Align with your goals
Have enough face-to-face time for practical learning
Include repeated teaching practice and useful feedback
Clearly explain its certification, schedule and graduation requirements
Align Your Training & Goals
You may be surprised at how many students are passionate about yoga and attend a training without the intention of ever teaching. Goals will vary from person to person. The question is: what are you looking to get out of a hybrid yoga teacher training? Is there a specific style of yoga youāre looking to teach? Are you looking to pursue your passion in greater depth? Are you drawn to specific aspects of the practice? Thereās some variance in how schools handle training so youāll want to find one that aligns with these goals.
Another consideration is location. Are you looking to do a hybrid training locally or do you intend to travel? Places like Bali, Thailand or Costa Rica have become really popular destinations for teacher trainings. For some students, location is just as important as the training itself. If this sounds like you, look for a school that doesnāt rely on location as its main selling point. A beautiful location wonāt make up for a poor training experience, and thereās plenty of great schools in beautiful locations.
All Yoga Training is a great school providing hybrid yoga teacher training in Bali. Its program combines YogaRenewās online Anatomy and Philosophy programs with a 12-day practical immersion conducted by All Yogaās team at their beachfront location in Nusa Lembongan.
In-Person Curriculum Considerations
One big consideration is how the school balances their curriculum between online and in-person. If youāre looking to learn certain subjects in-person, then youāll want to ensure your training teaches those in-person.
Anatomy, physiology, philosophy, history, and ethics are usually handled online in hybrid training curriculums. Other subjects split between online and in-person can vary quite a bit from school to school.
In-person training components will often focus on areas like:
Asana practice & technique
Pranayama & meditation
Practice teaching
Verbal, visual and physical cueing
Observing different bodies
Props & Modifications
Sequencing for a specific purpose
Managing timing and class energy
Receiving and applying feedback
Developing a clear teaching voice
Are there specific areas youād prefer to learn during your in-person visit? If so, make sure you qualify that prior to enrolling.
Prioritize Repeated Teaching Practice
Many prospective students concentrate on how much asana, anatomy or philosophy a curriculum includes. Those subjects matter, but they donāt automatically prepare you to lead a class.
The real test is how often you will teach.
Some considerations:
Will I teach individual poses?
Will I lead short sequences?
Will I teach a complete class?
Who will observe me?
Will I receive individual feedback?
Can I teach again after receiving feedback?
How will my teaching ability be assessed?
A single final teaching assessment is not enough.
A better learning cycle looks like this:
Prepare a short teaching assignment.
Teach it to a group.
Receive specific feedback.
Adjust the language or sequence.
Teach again.
Reflect on what improved.
Useful feedback should be practical. āBe more confidentā doesnāt tell a trainee what to change. Guidance on pacing, cue length, observation, sequencing or voice projection does.
Current Yoga Alliance standards also emphasize demonstrated competence, teaching methodology, practicum, mentorship and feedback rather than graduating students solely because they completed the required material.
The term āself-pacedā can describe anything from a polished educational platform to a collection of long video recordings.
Before enrolling, ask to see a sample lesson or platform demonstration.
A good online component should include:
A logical order of study
Focused lessons rather than unnecessarily long videos
Clear explanations
Captions or transcripts
Quizzes or knowledge checks
Downloadable notes or resources
Progress tracking
Access across common devices
A clear way to ask questions
Transparent completion requirements
Accountability matters as well.
Another consideration is whether you gain lifetime access to the online material. Having material that you can revisit down the road is indispensable.
You should also find out whether the online modules must be completed before the in-person immersion. Completing theoretical work beforehand can make the live experience more valuable, but some students need flexibility when joining at shorter notice.
Verify the Certification Carefully
āCertified,ā āregistered,ā āapprovedā and āaccreditedā are frequently used as though they mean the same thing. They do not always describe the same relationship.
Before paying a deposit, ask:
What certificate will I receive?
Which school issues it?
Is this exact course registered under the schoolās current credentials?
What must I complete before graduating?
Are there attendance or assessment requirements?
Can graduates apply for the professional registration they want?
Are there separate registration or membership fees?
Yoga Alliance currently permits Registered Yoga Schools to deliver programs in person, through distance learning or through a mixture of both. Its standards still require schools to cover defined educational categories and assess traineesā knowledge, skills and experience before issuing a certificate.
Check the current official directory rather than relying solely on a logo displayed on a schoolās website.
Understand the Intensity of the Immersion
A shorter residential period is easier to fit around work or family responsibilities, but it may be more concentrated than a longer course.
Request a typical daily schedule before enrolling. Look at:
Starting and finishing times
Number of physical practices per day
Length of lectures and workshops
Practice-teaching hours
Meal and recovery breaks
Rest days
Evening assignments
Attendance requirements
Policies for illness or missed sessions
Donāt confuse a shorter course with an easier course. A 10- to 14-day immersion can involve long and physically demanding days.
A responsible program should be intensive without treating exhaustion as proof of commitment.
Research Who Will Actually Teach You
A school may advertise a long list of impressive teachers, but not every person on the faculty page will necessarily spend substantial time with your cohort.
Look beyond biographies and ask:
Who is the lead trainer?
Which subjects does each teacher teach?
Who supervises teaching practice?
Who provides individual feedback?
Will the advertised faculty be present throughout the course?
Who answers questions during online study?
Do specialist teachers have relevant expertise?
A gifted asana teacher is not automatically qualified to teach anatomy. Likewise, a guest lecturer who delivers one session should not be presented as though they provide ongoing mentorship.
The quality of a teacher training depends heavily on access to experienced educators, not simply recognizable names.
Consider Class Size and Trainer Access
Small classes can provide more opportunities to ask questions, teach and receive feedback. But the number of students should be considered alongside the number of active trainers.
A group of 20 students with several present and engaged educators may receive better support than a smaller group managed almost entirely by one person.
Ask how the school organizes:
Individual feedback
Pose observation
Partner work
Practice teaching
Assessments
Mentoring
Questions outside class hours
When a school promises personal guidance, its staffing and timetable should make that promise realistic.
Compare the Total Commitment, Not Just Tuition
Hybrid yoga teacher training can reduce the amount of time spent away from home, but it isnāt automatically inexpensive. If youāre looking to travel for training, there are some other expenses youāll want to consider.
Your total cost may include:
Tuition
Flights
Airport and boat transfers
Accommodation
Meals
Travel insurance
Visa costs
Required books
Course materials
Payment-processing fees
Extra nights before or after training
Lost income or annual leave
Check exactly what the advertised price includes. A more expensive course may include accommodation or materials that cost extra elsewhere. A low tuition fee may look less attractive once all necessary expenses are added.
Read the cancellation, transfer and refund policies carefully before booking travel.
Decide Whether Hybrid Learning Fits You
A hybrid yoga teacher training may suit you when:
You cannot take several consecutive weeks away
You learn theoretical material well online
You are comfortable studying independently
You still want substantial face-to-face practice
You value travel and an immersive group experience
You can manage an intensive residential schedule
A different format may be better when:
You struggle to finish self-paced courses
You prefer live discussion for every subject
You need more time between practical sessions
You want a longer residential experience
You cannot manage long training days
You want all 200 hours delivered in person
Hybrid is not automatically better than fully online or fully in person. Its advantage comes from using each learning environment for the subjects it teaches best.
Red Flags to Notice Before Enrolling
Be cautious when a school:
Cannot explain how online and in-person learning are divided
Gives little time to observed teaching practice
Focuses more on the destination than the curriculum
Is vague about certification
Will not identify the trainers
Offers no support during online study
Promises that every graduate will feel completely confident
Has unclear assessment requirements
Uses constant urgency to pressure students
Refuses to share a sample schedule
Calls a short retreat a complete practical immersion
Makes inconsistent claims about prices, hours or inclusions
Clear information before enrollment is often a good indication of how organized the training will be after you arrive.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Course
Use the same questions when comparing schools:
Which subjects are online?
Which subjects are taught in person?
Why was the curriculum divided that way?
How often will I practice teaching?
Who observes and assesses my teaching?
Will I receive individual feedback?
How many students and trainers are in each cohort?
Can I view a sample online lesson?
When must the online modules be completed?
What support is available during online study?
What qualification will I receive?
What must I do to graduate?
What is included in the tuition?
What additional costs should I expect?
What support is available after the course?
Pay attention to how the school answers. Specific, direct responses are more useful than polished promises.
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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 journeyāfrom 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 classānot 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 upāeven imperfectlyāis 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 girlfriendāwho would later become his wifeāa yoga gift certificate for Christmas. The gift was partially for herā¦but 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 weddingāa 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 classesāthey 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 Trainingāa 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!
In the age of digital options for almost anything, it only makes sense that people would evaluate the pros and cons of each (an in-person ytt and online ytt). Whether or not to actually enroll in an online yoga teacher training program matters now more than ever because the option is still there
How YogaRenew Has Experienced Both Worlds
Yoga Directors Kate Lombardo and Patrick Franco brought decades of yoga teaching experience when they joined YogaRenew. While already being an established online yoga teacher training company, they decided to also open a physical headquarters where students could meet their digital instructors IRL to seek guidance, get tips on teaching and ask any questions they had.
The Biggest Misconceptions About Online Yoga Teacher Training
The biggest misconceptions about online yoga teacher trainings is that the learning is compromised. We can confidently stand by the fact that since Yoga Alliance became the governing body to accredit yoga schools based on consistency in learning materials that digital trainings have become equal to, if not more in-depth than in-person/in-studio yoga teacher trainings.
The Real Limitations of Learning Yoga Online
There are a few drawbacks to online learning for the physical yoga asana portion of the practice. It can be difficult to go through a training that focuses so heavily on the body without being able to observe bodies in real life. This includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:
Hands-on Assists
Physical adjustments are one of the few teaching skills that simply can’t be fully learned through video instruction alone. Safe and effective hands-on assists require an understanding of anatomy, clear communication, consent, and the ability to feel how a student’s body responds in real time.
While an online yoga teacher training can teach the principles behind assistingāincluding when an assist is appropriate, why it works, and when it should be avoidedāthe physical experience of offering adjustments comes with practice. Many teachers continue developing this skill by teaching community classes, assisting experienced instructors, or attending continuing education workshops after completing their certification.
Practice Teaching
Teaching yoga is a skill that improves every time you step in front of students. While online teacher trainings often include teaching assignments, recorded practice classes, and instructor feedback, they can’t completely replicate the experience of managing the energy of a live room.
Learning to project your voice, adjust your pacing, respond to unexpected situations, and read the needs of a group develops naturally through repetition. Fortunately, these are skills that continue to grow long after your 200-hour yoga teacher training is complete. Most experienced teachers will tell you that their greatest growth happened during their first several months of actually teaching classes.
Personal Alignment Refinement
One of the biggest advantages of attending an in-person yoga class is receiving immediate visual feedback from an experienced teacher. Small alignment adjustments can sometimes be easier to notice when someone is observing your movement from multiple angles in real time.
That said, online learning has come a long way. Multiple camera angles, video submissions, personalized instructor feedback, and detailed anatomy education help students develop a strong understanding of alignment principles. Rather than relying solely on memorizing the “correct” shape of a pose, students learn why alignment cues matter and how to adapt them for different bodiesāan approach that ultimately creates more thoughtful and inclusive teachers.
Where Online Yoga Teacher Training Actually Excels
Anatomy
Anatomy is a complex subject, and having the freedom to pause lectures, replay demonstrations, review diagrams, and revisit difficult concepts often leads to deeper understanding than trying to absorb everything during a live weekend training.
Rather than rushing through muscles, joints, movement patterns, and biomechanics, students can take the time to truly understand how the body works.
Yoga Philosophy
Yoga philosophy often requires reflection more than memorization. Concepts from the Yoga Sutras, the Eight Limbs of Yoga, the Bhagavad Gita, and other traditional teachings become much more meaningful when students have the opportunity to read, journal, revisit lectures, and absorb the material over time.
Online yoga teacher training creates space for this deeper learning. Instead of quickly moving from lecture to lecture, students can spend time considering how philosophical teachings relate to both their personal practice and their future teaching style.
Learning at Your Own Pace
Self-paced learning removes the pressure of trying to keep up with an entire class. Students can spend extra time on anatomy, revisit sequencing modules before teaching, or review philosophy whenever they need a refresher. Instead of learning everything in a single intensive month or weekend format, knowledge has the opportunity to build gradually, leading to better long-term retention.
For busy professionals, parents, caregivers, and anyone balancing multiple responsibilities, this flexibility makes earning a yoga teacher certification far more realistic.
Can You Build Community in an Online Yoga Teacher Training?
YogaRenew students have found such a strong community through networks like the Facebook Group, YouTube channel, Instagram and other social platforms. The digital world allows for people from all over the world to connect. By connecting through these networks, students build a strong community where they can discuss yoga, teaching, cueing, and even more intimate topics like incorporating yoga philosophy and the principles of the practice into their everyday lives. Some can make the argument that an online community feels easier to establish than an in-person community.
Is Online Yoga Teacher Training Recognized?
Yes. Online yoga teacher trainings have widely been accepted by Yoga Alliance, an accreditation company that vets online yoga schools based on required pillars of content and the consistency in the learning materials. In fact, since 2022, Yoga Alliance has permanently allowed Registered Yoga Schools (RYSs) to offer 200-hour yoga teacher training and other certification programs fully online, provided they meet the organization’s educational standards and curriculum requirements.
For prospective teachers, this means you can earn a high-quality online yoga teacher training certification from a registered school and become eligible to register with Yoga Alliance after successfully completing your program.
When choosing an online yoga school, look for one that offers:
Comprehensive anatomy, philosophy, sequencing, and teaching methodology
Practice teaching opportunities and instructor feedback
Lifetime or extended access to course materials for continued learning
Ongoing support before and after graduation
The quality of your education depends far more on the school you choose than whether the training takes place online or in person.
Does an Online Yoga Teacher Training Produce Great Teachers?
A comprehensive online yoga teacher training provides the knowledge and framework needed to teach safe, thoughtful, and effective classes. As you begin teaching, you’ll naturally refine your cueing, classroom presence, sequencing, and communication with every class you lead.
Great yoga teachers continue learning long after they receive their certification by:
Teaching classes consistently
Receiving feedback from students and mentors
Attending workshops and continuing education courses
Deepening their understanding of yoga anatomy and philosophy
Refining their sequencing and teaching style over time
The best teachers aren’t created by a specific formatāthey’re created through a commitment to lifelong learning. An excellent online yoga teacher training provides the foundation, while teaching experience builds confidence and expertise.
Who Should Choose Online Training?
An online yoga teacher training is an excellent choice for students who value flexibility, affordability, and the ability to learn at their own pace. It allows you to build a strong educational foundation without putting your career, family, or other responsibilities on hold.
Online training may be the right fit if you:
Have a busy work or family schedule
Prefer self-paced learning
Want the ability to replay lessons and review material
Learn best by studying independently
Don’t live near a reputable yoga teacher training program
Want to save on travel, lodging, and commuting expenses
Enjoy taking detailed notes and revisiting course content over time
Plan to continue your education through workshops and teaching experience after graduation
Who Might Prefer In-Person?
While online yoga teacher training offers tremendous flexibility, some students simply thrive in a traditional classroom environment. If you learn best through face-to-face interaction and hands-on experiences, an in-person program may feel more natural.
You might prefer an in-person yoga teacher training if you:
Learn best through live discussion and immediate feedback
Want regular opportunities for hands-on assists and partner work
Enjoy practicing with the same group throughout your training
Prefer structured schedules with fixed class times
Value being immersed in a studio community
Want frequent in-person practice teaching opportunities
Feel more motivated by classroom accountability
Why Hybrid Learning May Be the Future
Hybrid learning gives students the ability to tailor their academic experience to fit their specific needs. This is why hybrid learning is the future of academic and physical learning. There are so many benefits to hybrid learning, namely that it combines the pros of both learning in-person and digitally. In today’s landscape, almost everything is digital – so when you can combine that with the element of human touch and in-person interaction, you get a well-rounded learning experience.
Watch what Kate & Patrick have to say on the topic:
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a core text in yoga philosophy. You really cannot avoid attending a yoga class or moving through a yoga teacher training without coming in contact with The Yoga Sutras. This is because the text is meant to help us alleviate suffering.
As human beings living here on planet earth, we all have a body and we all have a mind. With this comes suffering, attachments, pain, loss, sadness, and so much more. We experience the beautiful and the breathtaking things in live, but we also experience the opposite.
Yoga Sutra 1.1 is the opening verse of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. It really provides the groundwork for the entire text. It reads, “Atha yoga-anushasanam,” which can be translated as “Now, the teachings of yoga begin.” or āNow begins the teaching of yoga.ā The key word is ānow.ā Itās all happening in this very moment and itās right here in the present.
The word “Atha” in Sanskrit is said to signify a new beginning, so itās an opportunity to let go of whatever was in the past and whatever is attaching you to something that isnāt serving you.
Yoga Sutra 1.1 also suggests that change begins within. We live in a world where we are bombarded with advertisements to buy things that will make us happy. This specific sutra suggests, in its immediacy of using ānowā that we donāt need to wait for something to change us. We have it all within ourselves.
Peak Pose: Extended Side Angle (Utthita Parsvakonasana)
Utthita Parsvakonasana is a pose that really requires your full attention. Itās almost impossible (for me, at least!), to be in this pose and think about a to-do list or worry about what Iām cooking for dinner. Itās a pose that really requires strength, full body awareness, openness, and the ability to breath through it all. This pose gives you the opportunity to elongate parts of your body as you inhale and to engage other parts of your body as you exhale.
Supporting Pose #1: Gate Pose (Parighasana)
This pose helps open the inner thighs and to also help each side waist find length. A common issue that Iāve seen with this pose is that students tend to collapse the ribs onto the thigh. Instead of releasing the rips or the waist down to the top of the thigh, itās important to think about elongating and lengthening..
How to:
Stand with your legs wide, facing the long edge of your mat.
Bring your hands to the ground or blocks if you canāt reach the ground and then bring one knee at a time to the ground so youāre kneeling.
Extend your right leg to the right with your foot down, your toes facing the long edge of the mat (the same direction your chest is facing) and try to keep the pinky edge of your foot on the mat,
Reach your arms up and begin to tilt to the right. Bring your right hand to your leg and extend your left arm high overhead. As you inhale, lengthen your right side body. As you exhale, try to turn your bottom right ribs to the sky.
Supporting Pose #2: Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)
This pose will help you become aware of your back leg and also the alignment of your front leg over the front ankle. Itās a powerful and open pose that may also help you find space in your upper body.
How to:
From Downward Facing Dog, step your right foot forward to a low lunge.
Turn your back heel down and circle your arms up as you turn your belly and your heart to face the long side of your mat.
Extend your arms away from your heart and try your best to have your right arm in line with your right shoulder and your left arm in line with your left.
Look over your right shoulder, but stay aware of your back arm. Inhale as you reach your arms away from each other and as you exhale, press into the outer edge of your back foot. .
This pose really helps find the extension in the side body. You donāt already realize how much length and space you have until you approach this pose! It also offers opportunities to find more length each time you breath in and to let go of tension as you breathe out.
How to:
From Warrior II, lengthen both legs by engaging your thighs.
Reach your arms away from each other and lower your right hand down to your right shin.
Move your right hip back in space towards your left foot to create even more space in your right side body.
Press your right hand into your right shin as you glide your right hip towards the back of your mat.
Reach your arms away from each other as you inhale. Draw your shoulder blades together as you exhale.
Peak Pose: Extended Side Angle (Utthita Parsvakonasana)
How to:
From Warrior II, deliver your right forearm onto the top of your right thigh with your palm facing upwards.
Bring your left arm overhead to frame your ear and think about your left arm reaching away from your left foot.
As you breathe in, press your forearm into the top of your thigh and as you breathe out, glide your right sitting bone underneath you.
You may bring your right hand to the mat or to a block. Otherwise, keep your forearm on your thigh to maintain the space in your right side body,
If it feels okay, turn your gaze up to your left hand.
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A mantra is a word or phrase that is repeated to invoke a positive mind-body response throughout a period of time. They can be said quietly internally, chanted, hummed or sang out loud, singularly or with a group.
Mantras are commonly used in the yoga practice, often through meditation or Kirtans (a call-and-response style spiritual practice where people chant mantras or hymns, often led by Bhakti yogis and can be accompanied by instruments like the harmonium).
Since they are considered a widely popular spiritual practice, they can often be found on platforms like Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram and other social platforms. Mantras can be incorporated into everyday life and used whenever needed throughout daily life or in trying or desperate times.
Hinduism.Ā a word or formula, as from the Veda, chanted or sung as an incantation or prayer.
an often repeated word, formula, or phrase, often a truism.
“If I hear the āless is moreā mantra one more time, I’ll scream.”
Mantras can also be defined in the Yoga Sutras as, “a tool for the mind.” Patanjaliās primary definition of a mantra focuses on the sacred syllable OM (also called Pranava), which serves as the verbal representation of the Supreme Consciousness or the Divine.
What is a daily mantra?
A daily mantra is a word or phrase that is repeated daily to enhance your overall mental state or reach spiritual enlightenment. Many Bhakti yogis consider chanting to be the ultimate path to enlightenment and will often utilize mantras in songs or hymns to dance to, offering praise to the divine.
Daily mantras have also gained traction in the wellness community as a way to boost confidence, increase self-worth and find ways to connect with a higher power. Incorporating a daily mantra into your life has several benefits, including:
A deeper understanding of your own spirituality and connection to a higher power
Increased mental clarity, focus and consistency
Recognizing limiting beliefs and overcoming them through the power of repetition of a positive phrase
Ā Enhanced view of the self; a deeper understanding of wants and desires and how to transmute them into something good for the soul
What’s the difference between a mantra and an affirmation?
Mantras and affirmations are virtually the same except for their tense and spiritual subtext. A mantra is energy or a sentiment you wish to invite or call in whereas an affirmation is something you say with the belief that it is already true. Both can be used to manifest certain feelings, emotions or mental states and both have the ability to create space for a positive impact on an individual’s daily life.
Daily mantras
Here are 5 daily mantras that can be cycled through at any point in time.
Om (the sound of the universe)
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti (peace)
Om Namah Shivaya (I bow to Shiva, the Hindu goddess)
The present moment is all that matters
I focus on the good in life and the good in life is revealed to me
Daily affirmations
Here are 5 daily affirmations that can be cycled through at any point in time.
I am safe
I am free
I am confident
I am stronger than any obstacle before me
I have the ability to create the life I desire
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