The Yoga Teacher Podcast

If you've been struggling to find yoga teaching work, whether you just finished your 200-hour, moved to a new city, or feel like there are more teachers than there are jobs—this one's for you. Brea Johnson, founder of Heart + Bones and a yoga teacher with over two decades of experience, shares the honest, practical strategies she wishes more teachers knew about. From her years owning a brick-and-mortar studio (and being the one doing the hiring), she knows exactly what gets a teacher noticed, and what doesn't. Found a creative way to build your teaching career that we didn't cover? Drop it in the comments—we'd love to hear it! What we cover: Why the yoga studio isn't always the best place to start — and what to do instead How to rent your own space and actually fill it (even when nobody knows you yet) The power of finding a niche to grow your classes faster Working with gyms, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and corporate offices What Brea looked for as a studio owner — and the things that almost guaranteed someone wouldn't get hired How to build relationships that open doors, even if you're introverted Why subbing is one of the most underrated ways to get your foot in the door BECOME A YOGA TEACHER WITH HEART + BONES 200hr & 300hr Online Yoga Teacher Training (anatomy-informed, accessible, and actually enjoyable): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ PRACTICE WITH US Try Heart + Bones Studio free for one month, use code: PODCASTMONTH https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ SAY HI ON SOCIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartandbonesyoga

You have classes to teach this week… and the inevitable happened. You’ve run out of ideas. Or maybe you’re just bored with what you’ve been teaching and want something new and exciting to share in class. If you’ve been teaching yoga for a while, this happens to all of us. In this video, Brea Johnson (founder of Heart + Bones Yoga) shares 5 simple ways yoga teachers can find inspiration again when they feel stuck, bored, or out of ideas for what to teach. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to teach great classes. Sometimes a small shift in focus can make familiar poses feel completely new again for both you and your students. In this video you’ll learn: What to remember when you feel bored teaching yoga How taking another teacher’s class can spark new inspiration Why continuing education helps refresh your teaching Simple ways to bring new life to familiar yoga sequences How a single movement focus can transform an entire class If you’re a yoga teacher looking for yoga class ideas, sequencing inspiration, or ways to stay inspired teaching, this video will help you refresh your classes without overcomplicating things. Try Heart and Bones Online Yoga Studio: Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/

As yoga teachers, we all want to say the “right” thing in class. The perfect cue. The one that lands in every body. But here’s the truth: there isn’t one cue that works for everyone. In this episode, Brea shares 3 universal cues for yoga teachers that support every body, every style, and every level. These are not rigid anatomical commands. They’re awareness-based cues that build autonomy, connection, and sustainable movement in your classes. If you’ve ever wondered: How do I cue for all bodies? How do I make my classes more accessible? How do I teach with confidence without over-talking? This is for you. With over two decades of teaching experience, Brea walks you through the shift from memorized, lineage-based scripting toward a more anatomy-informed, functional approach to yoga teaching. You’ll learn: Why there is no “one cue to rule them all” How to invite autonomy into your classes How to reduce hierarchy in your teaching Why awareness is the heart of yoga practice Simple cues that deepen connection without overwhelming your students These cues work in downward dog, trikonasana, warrior, standing poses, seated work, and beyond. They help you teach less and guide more. Modern Yoga Teacher Training: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Explore Heart + Bones Yoga Online Studio: Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Why does teaching yoga start to feel harder, more exhausting, or full of self-doubt? In this episode, Ula and Brea talk honestly about yoga teacher burnout, self-talk, and comparison. How pressure, perfectionism, and unrealistic expectations show up while teaching, not just online or off the mat. They unpack why so many yoga teachers internalize mistakes as personal failure, how social media and studio culture add invisible pressure, and why “something is wrong with me” becomes the default inner narrative—even for experienced teachers. This conversation covers: – Yoga teacher burnout and emotional exhaustion – Self-talk, comparison, and perfectionism – Teaching mistakes and fear of doing it wrong – Social media pressure in the yoga industry – When a studio or style isn’t the right fit – Learning to trust mistakes instead of fearing them Whether you’re a yoga teacher, studio owner, or someone who leads others, this episode offers a grounded look at teaching as a human, not a performance. Links: Try Heart and Bones Online Yoga Studio: Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ Modern Yoga Teacher Training : https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Ula’s Substack: https://avibrantmind.substack.com/

What does it actually mean to be a yoga teacher in 2026? In this episode, we break down the five things we believe every yoga teacher needs to hear right now. Not more pressure. Not more perfection. Not another trend to keep up with. We talk about nervous system literacy as the new alignment, why experience matters more than choreography, how teaching is shifting away from performance, and what sustainable teaching really looks like over the long term. This conversation is for teachers who feel the tired of trying to do it all, teachers who care deeply about their students, and teachers who want to keep teaching without burning themselves out. Inside this episode: • Nervous system first teaching • Invitational classrooms over top down authority • Experience over choreography • Why perfection is not the goal • Longevity as a real teaching skill Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Ula's Substack: https://avibrantmind.substack.com/ Try Heart and Bones Online Yoga Studio: Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Why the heck aren’t we feeling motivated, even when we want to change? And why do we keep picking arbitrary dates to overhaul our lives, as if motivation is something we can schedule? In this episode, Brea and Ula chat through why motivation is so often blamed when the real issue is friction. We explore how cultural conditioning, perfectionism, guilt, and unrealistic expectations quietly get in the way of change, and why “trying harder” rarely helps. This is a conversation about small shifts, seasonal rhythms, honest self-inquiry, and building practices that actually fit real lives. It’s for anyone who’s felt stuck, behind, or convinced they’re doing something wrong—and for teachers who want to create spaces that feel supportive instead of pressurized. PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/

January has a way of turning everything up to eleven: goals, pressure, expectations, and the belief that we’re supposed to become entirely new people overnight. In this episode, Brea and Ula unpack why extreme challenges feel so seductive this time of year, and why so many of them leave us burned out, disconnected, or feeling like we’ve failed before we’ve even started. They talk about grind culture, wellness FOMO, and the noise of social media—and how all of it shows up not just in our minds, but in our bodies. Rather than rejecting goals altogether, this conversation offers a different way in: one rooted in self-trust, nervous system awareness, and small, sustainable shifts. They explore why consistency beats intensity, why rest isn’t a reward you have to earn, and why real change doesn’t happen in isolation. The episode closes with an invitation to approach January with more kindness, more curiosity, and a lot less pressure, plus a look at the Small Shifts Challenge as a way to practice this work together, in community. Takeaways: January pressure isn’t personal, it’s cultural. Extreme challenges work for a few people, but often fail the rest of us. Grind culture has quietly shaped how we approach wellness and self-care. If it feels panicky or FOMO-driven, that’s information. Sustainable change comes from consistency, not intensity. Small habits build momentum without activating stress or shame. Rest isn’t laziness, it’s part of how we grow. We don’t change in isolation; community matters. Listening to your body is a skill you can practice. Kindness toward yourself makes habit-building possible. PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

If you’ve been doubting yourself as a yoga teacher, it might not be about confidence at all. More often, it’s simply that you haven’t discovered what kind of teacher you actually are yet. So let’s explore that together. Brea walks you through the patterns we all fall into as teachers—how we plan our classes, how we cue, the pace we love, the people we feel most at home teaching—and helps you notice the strengths you already have (even the ones you haven’t recognized as strengths). This gentle self-study is where clarity comes from. And clarity is what builds real confidence. Take the free “What Kind of Teacher Are You?” quiz: https://heartandbonesyoga.typeform.com/to/GOQ4lYss Come back and share your type in the comments, we love hearing them! What you’ll reflect on: • Are you more intuitive or more structured when you plan? • Do you cue with precision, imagery, or a mix of both? • How do you learn and integrate yoga in your own body? • What formats feel good for your nervous system? • Who do you actually want to teach? • How much teaching is the right amount for your life right now? Heart + Bones supports yoga teachers in finding their voice, honouring their strengths, and teaching in sustainable ways that feel like you. Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Are yoga retreats really worth it, for teachers or students? brea and Ula share the truth about running yoga retreats: the money, the burnout, the logistics no one talks about, and what finally made us return after a six-year retreat break. Whether you’re thinking about hosting your first yoga retreat or deciding if a Tuscany retreat is right for you, this conversation gives you an honest look behind the scenes. We talk about why retreats aren’t vacations for teachers, how to structure a retreat people actually enjoy, and the hidden costs and “rigamarole” that often lead to burnout. We also share what made our recent Tuscany retreat so special—and why we decided to go back. Have questions about running a yoga retreat? Drop them in the comments! Heart and Bones Tuscany Yoga Retreat, April 2026: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/tuscany-yoga-retreat/ 👉 Subscribe for more yoga teacher tips, anatomy-informed practices, and real conversations about the business of teaching yoga. 🔗 Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

If you’ve ever been told to “just calm down”, or felt pressure to be constantly relaxed to support your nervous system, this episode is for you. In this honest, practical conversation, we break down what your nervous system actually is, how stress really works (yes, including cortisol), why “being calm” is NOT the goal, and what regulation looks like in real life for yoga teachers and students. We cover: Why the nervous system is more than a buzzword Cortisol, stress, and why your body adapts (even when you don’t notice) What it feels like to move with your nervous system in mind How to support your students’ nervous systems in class Why tiny daily actions (not perfection) make the biggest change What we’ve personally learned about burnout, busy seasons, and rest Whether you’re a yoga teacher or a student, this episode gives you practical, realistic tools to support your nervous system, without needing an hour a day, a perfect routine, or a “calm girl era.” Join for $1 for 30 days of Heart + Bones Online Yoga Studio, use code PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ Your nervous system will thank you. Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Ula aka ‪@avibrantmind‬ on youtube Substack: https://avibrantmind.substack.com/ Main Account: https://www.instagram.com/avibrantmind/ Book Account: https://www.instagram.com/libri_ursae/   Books Ula mentioned: Burnout: https://www.burnoutbook.net/ The Anxious Generation: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book