I've been creating yoga video content since the DVD era—and I've made just about every mistake you can make along the way. From losing the rights to my own videos to stress-recording live classes while trying to serve paying students, my journey with video has been full of hard-won lessons.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on 20+ years of creating yoga videos. I'll share what worked, what didn't, and the one mistake I will never make again. Whether you're thinking about recording your first workshop video or building an entire online library, this episode will save you years of trial and error.

You'll learn my biggest regrets (hello, contract nightmares), the "two masters" problem of recording live classes, how to start with minimal equipment, and which platforms actually work for yoga teachers. I'll also share why I didn't pivot online during the pandemic—and why that decision was right for my studio.

Teaching yoga on video can be one of the most sustainable, scalable revenue streams for yoga teachers. But you need to know what you're getting into first. Let me help you avoid the mistakes that cost me time, money, and peace of mind.

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:

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

Most yoga teachers avoid watching themselves teach. The cringe factor is real. But self-assessment through video recording is the single most effective—and completely free—tool you have for evolving as a teacher.

In this episode, we're diving deep into the second E in my S.E.R.V.E. Method: Evolve Your Voice. I'm sharing the complete framework I teach in Module One of Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing—the multi-pass review system, reflection techniques, and advanced strategies that transform video self-assessment from a painful one-time exercise into a sustainable practice for continuous growth.

You'll learn how to set clear intentions before recording, use the structured observation system to identify both strengths and growth areas, close the loop with actionable next steps, and track your evolution over time. Plus, I'm sharing advanced techniques like embodied review (practicing along with your own recording) and linguistic analysis that reveal patterns you'd never notice just by watching.

This isn't about perfection—it's about becoming more fully, more skillfully, more authentically yourself in service of your students. If you're ready to commit to your evolution as a teacher, this episode will show you exactly how.

Resources mentioned:

• Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing mentorship at https://sagerountree.com/mentorship?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=e59_self_assessment
• The Professional Yoga Teacher's Handbook: https://amzn.to/3X7XknB
• Join the Zone free community at https://comfortzoneyoga.com/c/the-zone?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=e59_self_assessment
• Descript (affiliate): https://get.descript.com/ug54o2d6yfaq

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, my Yoga Class Prep Station membership, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at ...

After two decades of teaching yoga and training teachers, I've noticed something profound: some of my most meaningful moments happen when I visit the teacher trainees of my former students. These metaphorical grandchildren—students of my students—represent what Phase 5 of the Yoga Teacher Success Timeline is truly about.

Phase 5 isn't about age or years of experience. It's about the depth of your impact and your readiness to share what you've learned with the next generation of teachers. In this episode, I'm exploring the signs that you're entering this Mastery and Legacy Zone, from having significant recognition in your specialty to feeling teaching become effortless and joyful.

I'm also sharing what I've learned about the tricky ego dynamics that can emerge when people start looking to you as an expert, the responsibilities that come with holding master's knowledge while maintaining beginner's mind, and how your impact multiplies when you shift from being a great teacher to becoming a teacher of teachers.

Whether you're already in Phase 5 or steering toward it, this episode offers a vision of what's possible when your growth serves not just yourself, but everyone around you.After two decades of teaching yoga and training teachers, I've noticed something profound: some of my most meaningful moments happen when I visit the teacher trainees of my former students. These metaphorical grandchildren—students of my students—represent what Phase 5 of the Yoga Teacher Success Timeline is truly about.

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, my Yoga Class Prep Station membership, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at ...

There's a phase that happens before yoga teacher training even begins—a liminal space where you're no longer just a student, but you're not yet ready to call yourself a teacher. I call it Phase Zero.

Maybe you find yourself mentally teaching along during class, wondering why the teacher chose that particular sequence. Maybe people keep telling you that you should be a teacher, or you're naturally the one helping other students find their way. Maybe you feel called to share yoga with specific populations—your stressed coworkers, your athletic friends, your aging parents.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the eight signs of Phase Zero, why this awakening period is actually necessary, and how to navigate the doubts and fears that come up. I'm also sharing practical steps you can take right now to honor this calling and prepare thoughtfully for what comes next.

If you've been secretly wondering whether you could teach yoga, or if you're feeling drawn to teaching but aren't sure you're qualified, this episode will help you understand what you're experiencing and how to move forward with confidence.

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, my Yoga Class Prep Station membership, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at ...

In this episode, I explore what it really means to thrive as a yoga teacher. Phase Four of the Yoga Teacher Success Timeline—the Thriving Teacher Zone—is where teaching becomes intuitive, fulfilling, and sustainable.

I share the signs that you’ve reached this stage, from having loyal students and diversified income to teaching from intuition rather than fear. I also unpack how thriving doesn’t mean being overbooked or burned out—it means working with joy, confidence, and clarity.

You’ll hear stories from my own teaching career, including what it feels like to teach two classes at once to a football team, why setting boundaries is a hallmark of professional maturity, and how mentorship and legacy naturally emerge from years of consistent quality.

If you’re catching up on the Yoga Teacher Success Timeline, you can revisit:

• Episode 44: The Overview
• Episode 45: Phase One: The Post-YTT Overwhelm Zone
• Episode 50: Phase Two: The Identity Formation Zone

If you recognize yourself in this phase, now’s the time to refine your systems and deepen your influence. Inside Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing, we’ll work together to develop your signature sequences, strengthen your teaching voice, and help you mentor the next generation with confidence and grace.

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, my Yoga Class Prep Station membership, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at ...

Have you ever felt like your teaching has hit a plateau? In this episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential, I dive into Phase Three of the Yoga Teacher Success Timeline: the Professional Development Zone.

This is the stage where teaching starts to feel sustainable but can also begin to feel routine. I share the hallmarks of Phase Three, including confidence in delivery, steady students, and a desire to specialize or increase income—but also the risks of stagnation.

You’ll learn how to embrace plateaus as launching pads, take strategic risks, monetize your expertise, and market yourself authentically without feeling salesy. I’ll also walk you through actionable steps to help you build workshops, set pricing, and start developing passive income streams.

Whether you’re considering specialization, seeking better business systems, or looking for inspiration to take your teaching to the next level, this episode will help you strategically focus for long-term success.

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, my Yoga Class Prep Station membership, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at ...

After 52 weekly episodes—a full year of this show!—one truth has emerged: the teachers who struggle most are still practicing yoga while trying to teach it. In this anniversary episode, I explore the irony at the core of our profession: yoga is an inward practice, but teaching yoga demands we look outward.

I share my personal journey, the common struggles I see in teachers, and the shift that changes everything: moving from practitioner to teacher. You’ll learn practical ways to reframe your pre-class rituals, simplify sequencing, practice pausing, and redefine your success metrics.

By the end of this conversation, you’ll see why confidence doesn’t come from more certifications or perfecting your practice. It comes from service, from focusing fully on your students, and from letting go of the pressure to be perfect.

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, my Yoga Class Prep Station membership, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at ...

Emergencies happen in yoga class—and sometimes the emergency is mine. In this third installment of the series, I share practical steps for handling sudden illness, a coughing fit or lost voice, migraines, or a panic spike while I’m teaching. You’ll hear real stories, what I say to students in the moment, and how I decide whether to simplify, deputize help, or end early. The goal: care for myself so I can care for others, while modeling the self-management we teach.

This episode completes our three-part series on medical situations in class:

• E34: Medical Emergencies in Class, Part 1 — Class-Stopping Issues
• E40: Medical Emergencies in Class, Part 2 — Handling Minor Issues without Stopping Class
• E52: Part 3 — When the Emergency Is Yours (this episode)

Listen in for:

• A grounding reminder: it’s just yoga
• Quick triage questions to guide your next move
• Language to be transparent without oversharing
• Simple ways to keep students safe while you stabilize
• Why if/then planning helps you stay calm and professional

Emergencies are never easy, but with preparation and perspective, we can meet them with grace and keep our community safe.

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, my Yoga Class Prep Station membership, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at ...