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Yoga Teacher Confidential: Secrets of Becoming a Great Yoga Teacher

Yoga Teacher Confidential: Secrets of Becoming a Great Yoga Teacher

By: Sage Rountree
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About this listen

Yoga Teacher Confidential is your backstage pass to the unspoken truths of being a yoga teacher. Sage Rountree, PhD, E-RYT500, dives into the real challenges and rewards of teaching yoga, offering expert advice and secrets to help you build confidence, connect with your students, and teach with authenticity. Sage draws on her two decades of experience teaching yoga, running a studio, and training teachers to share practical insights you can use right away. You'll also hear advice from her books, including Teaching Yoga Beyond the Poses, The Art of Yoga Sequencing, and The Professional Yoga Teacher's Handbook. Whether you’re navigating imposter syndrome, mastering classroom presence, or refining your skills to teach specialized niches like athletes, this podcast empowers you to lead your classes with clarity, grace, and ease.

© 2025 Yoga Teacher Confidential: Secrets of Becoming a Great Yoga Teacher
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Episodes
  • 43. Repetition Builds Confidence: Nyisha Rylander’s Journey Teaching Yoga on Kauai
    Jul 22 2025

    What if the secret to confidence wasn’t doing something new—but doing the same thing, over and over again?

    In this episode, I talk with Nyisha Rylander, who teaches yoga in three very different contexts on the island of Kauai: at a local gym with regular students, at resorts with one-time guests, and online as part of her health coaching business. You’ll hear how she used one master sequence—what she calls her “resort yoga”—as a template that built her fluency and freed up her attention for her students.

    We talk about how her planning process has evolved, how she overcame the impulse to change everything all the time, and what finally clicked to help her feel like a real teacher instead of just an instructor.

    You’ll also hear how being part of my mentorship program, Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing (MMM), gave her structure, inspiration, and access to a community of fellow teachers walking the same path.

    If you’re a new teacher, a part-time teacher, or someone transitioning between platforms, this conversation will remind you that confidence comes not from complexity—but from clarity and consistency.

    In this episode:

    • How Nyisha moved from cosmetology to yoga teaching in a pandemic pivot
    • What changed when she taught the same class repeatedly to new students
    • How she built a personal practice library and online video platform
    • The value of vignettes, structure, and learning to trust your memory
    • How MMM gave her tools and support for sustainable growth
    • Why repetition isn’t just okay—it’s the path to creative, embodied teaching

    Links:

    • Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing (MMM): https://sagerountree.com/mentorship
    • Nyisha’s website: https://nyishayogakauai.com
    • Nyisha's podcast: Sacred Souls

    Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

    For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Threads
    • Bluesky
    • Pinterest

    And come explore my mentorship program, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at sagerountree.com.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • 42. How to Use Music in Yoga Classes: Legal, Practical, and Energetic Tips
    Jul 15 2025

    Whether you love crafting playlists or prefer teaching in silence, this episode helps you make thoughtful, legally sound, and energetically aware choices about music in yoga classes. I walk you through:

    • the legal requirements most teachers overlook
    • nuts-and-bolts tech tips to avoid disruption
    • and the nuanced ways sound shapes student experience.

    You’ll also get guiding principles and practical options for building your confidence and versatility—so your class can thrive with or without music.

    Links mentioned:

    • YogiTunes
    • Epidemic Sound
    • Creative Commons

    Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

    For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Threads
    • Bluesky
    • Pinterest

    And come explore my mentorship program, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at sagerountree.com.

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • 41. How to Teach Corporate Yoga Classes That Pay Well and Feel Great
    Jul 8 2025

    Corporate yoga might just be the hidden gem of your teaching business. In this episode, I share everything you need to know to succeed in this unique environment—from landing gigs to crafting office-friendly sequences.

    You’ll learn how to approach HR and wellness directors, price your sessions with confidence, and teach diverse groups who may never have stepped foot in a studio. I break down exactly how to adapt your teaching whether your students are in skirts or in steel-toed boots—and why the CEO might be your student.

    We also explore logistical tips to make your classes smooth and professional, how to build your credibility with documentation and feedback, and why teaching in corporate settings can help you evolve into a more confident, versatile teacher.

    Whether you’re seeking a more stable income stream or looking to expand your reach beyond the studio, corporate classes offer tremendous growth potential when approached strategically.

    Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

    For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Threads
    • Bluesky
    • Pinterest

    And come explore my mentorship program, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at sagerountree.com.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins

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