As we close out the year, how do we, as yoga teachers, gauge our progress? How can we assess our success?

Today, host Rachel and returning guest Elena Cheung share their answers to these questions. We discuss why one-dimensional metrics like ratings, reviews, student numbers, online likes, and follows are so appealing, as well as the complexities of teaching that they fail to capture.

Listen to this episode to learn how to balance your interests and values with the needs of your students, and how to meaningfully reflect on your work as a yoga teacher.

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• Complexities that ratings & reviews don't express [3:32]
• From "teacher knows best" to "the customer is always right"? [10:20]
• Navigating changing student tastes with integrity [13:06]
• The space that teaching experience creates around feedback [21:46]
• Why "objective" metrics appeal, and what they miss [26:12]
• How to gauge success as a yoga teacher [33:05]
• Final takeaways [47:27]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Previous Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episodes:
  • 74: Yoga for All
  • 141: Pitfalls of Private Yoga (and How to Avoid Them)
• The Art of Teaching Impactful Group Classes Online Course
• Connect with Elena Cheung:

Instagram | Elena Shapeshifts | The Way Softness Moves | Yoga Medicine® Online Guest Teacher

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-153.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

A common misconception is that all yoga teacher trainings are the same, but that's not the case. Every program varies in its style, priorities, and methods, making it crucial to do your research to ensure your teacher training is a good fit for you.

In this short clip from Episode 103: Teacher Training Myths, host Rachel and fellow teacher trainer Dana Diament discuss how different trainings vary and key things to bear in mind before you sign up. They also share details of the Yoga Medicine® Online 200HR Teacher Training 2026 intake, and a deep discount is available right now.

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• Teacher trainers vary in focus and communication style [1:50]
• Programs vary in their focus and assessments [4:37]
• Prepare to be out of your comfort zone [6:57]
• The satisfaction of completing yoga teacher training [10:33]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Yoga Medicine® 200HR Yoga Teacher Training
• Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 103: Teacher Training Myths

You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-152.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

When the yoga landscape is changing and trends are constantly shifting, how do we find our place as teachers? How do we balance feeling purposeful and fulfilled with making a sustainable living?

This episode is for people who are new to teaching yoga, those who have been teaching for decades, and everyone in between. Hosts Tiffany and Rachel discuss four phases of teaching and the potential pitfalls and pathways of each stage.

Listen in to hear what reflections and actions could take you from feeling stuck to a place where you thrive.

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• Phase 1: Starting out – just do it [2:36]
• Phase 2: Curious about what lights you up [9:30]
• Where teachers get stuck in this phase [12:44]
• Phase 3: Invest in your speciality [19:28]
• Navigating imposter syndrome [22:02]
• The value of teaching one-on-one [26:33]
• Sharing your expertise through writing [29:14]
• Phase 4: Staying inspired, open to self-growth and reinvention [30:57]
• Final takeaways [42:42]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Yoga Medicine® 200HR Teacher Training
• Yoga Medicine® 500HR Teacher Training

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-151.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

High achievers in business, sport, and life in general can benefit hugely from yoga practice. However, the very traits that lead to success in their field can bring up unique challenges when brought to the mat.

Today, host Katja speaks with Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist Katharina Claeys about teaching yoga to high achievers. Katharina is an educator, speaker, and consultant with a focus on building resilience and nervous system regulation, as well as women's health.

Listen to this episode to learn why setting realistic expectations, being flexible in your teaching approach, and managing the moments of transition into class are so important when working with high achievers.

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• Traits of high achievers on and off the mat [2:47]
• Which high achievers seek yoga for support? [6:29]
• Establish "the why" and set clear expectations [10:27]
• Working with perfectionism and over-efforting [15:26]
• Be ready with a range of techniques [17:19]
• Doorway affirmations, tapping into physical senses [27:05]
• Work with the person, not the profession [31:49]
• Match your student's energy [34:17]
• Tips for teachers: self-care, scheduling, community, mentors [40:28]
• Get started teaching yoga to high achievers [45:22]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Online Burnout Resilience Program
• Previous Yoga Medicine Podcast Episode:
  • Episode 146: Hustle Culture Meets Wellness Sphere
• Connect with Katharina Claeys & Resilience Yoga:

Katharina Claeys | Instagram | LinkedIn

You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-150.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

A major barrier for many people interested in yoga teacher training is the assumption that it is only for certain kinds of people—whether that's deep and spiritual, energetic and outgoing, irresistibly charismatic, or highly skilled at yoga postures.

In this short excerpt from Episode 103, Teacher Training Myths, host Rachel and fellow teacher trainer Dana Diament share that the truth is that teaching yoga is as much about holding space for students to be themselves as it is about instructing yoga poses and practices.

They also share details of the Yoga Medicine Online 200-hour Teacher Training 2026 intake and a deep discount available right now.

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• Myths about who YTT is for [2:12]
• Find your own voice, range, and teaching style [4:12]
• Learning to communicate with groups, as yourself [10:10]
• Teaching as holding space [13:00]

—

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Yoga Medicine® 200HR Yoga Teacher Training
• Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 103: Teacher Training Myths

You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-149.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

Today's guest calls traumatic brain injury (TBI) "a silent epidemic", describing a common yet complex injury that, for many, presents with chronic symptoms.

In this episode, host Rachel Land speaks with expert guest Dr. Kyla Pearce, Senior Director of Programs, Research & Operations for the LoveYourBrain Foundation – a national nonprofit that delivers evidence-based holistic health programs for the brain injury community.

Because individual experiences of TBI vary widely, it can be a daunting thing to work with as a yoga teacher. Dr. Pearce talks about the under-appreciated importance of social support and the delicate balance of giving students agency without creating overwhelm. She also offers best practices for movement and breath work, and discusses the power of visualization.

Listen in to learn how to use yoga as a healing modality for traumatic brain injuries.

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• Defining Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) [3:38]
• Surprising causes of brain injury [5:28]
• Common symptoms of brain injury [6:21]
• The mission of the LoveYourBrain Foundation [12:45]
• Evidence-based research outcomes [17:14]
• Yoga for brain injury versus other trauma [19:29]
• Challenges for yoga students with TBI (and their teachers) [24:50]
• Balancing student agency and simplicity [33:23]
• Suggested practices [39:57]
• "Cognitive preparation" cueing [45:00]
• Preferred meditation and breath work techniques [47:32]
• How to know when students need up-regulation [55:23]
• Summing up, final takeaways [58:18]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Learn more about LoveYourBrain's certification-level yoga teacher trainings, resources, and research-backed holistic health programs for TBI/concussion
• Learn more about LoveYourBrain Yoga for Traumatic Brain Injury, Level 1 & Level 2, 20-hr online training for yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and people in the brain injury community
• Learn more about LoveYourBrain Yoga for Health Professionals, 20-hr online training for clinicians
• Previous Yoga Medicine Podcast Episodes:
  • Episode 47: Concussion Care with Dr. Daya Grant
  • Episode 30: Trauma Informed Yoga with Dr. Ann Bortz
• Yoga for Concussions Online Course with Dr. Daya Grant

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-147.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes, or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

Today hosts Katja and Tiffany introduce some recent research on an always-interesting topic: the place where hustle culture meets the wellness sphere. In this episode, we discuss how these two fields influence each other, how this relationship has shifted recently, and how yoga teachers can navigate the hustle.

Listen in to learn about the origins of hustle culture, how it shows up in the wellness space today, and how yoga can help to adapt to recent challenges and changes that have been perhaps expedited by the recent pandemic.

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• Origins of hustle culture [1:44]
• Recent trends: moving beyond hustle culture [4:46]
• How the realms of hustle culture and wellness interact [10:31]
• Reconciling work as a yoga teacher with capitalism [21:23]
• Recent changes and challenges [26:50]
• Advice for people entering the yoga teacher space [28:57]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Hustle Culture Meets Wellness Sphere References Doc
• Connect with Katja Bartsch:

Facebook | Instagram | Kalamana Yoga | Yoga Medicine® Online Guest Teacher

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-146.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.