Yoga Teacher Confidential: Secrets of Becoming a Great Yoga Teacher
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.
Episodes
33 episodes
32. How to Be a Gracious Host to Your Students: Elevate Your Teaching by Welcoming Connection
In today’s episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential, I explore how thinking of yourself as a gracious host—not just an instructor—can deeply transform your students’ experience. I share actionable tips like preparing your space, greeting e...
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Episode 32
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10:09
31. Season 1 Recap: Building Confidence + What’s Next for Yoga Teacher Confidential
In this episode, I’m celebrating 31 episodes of Yoga Teacher Confidential by looking back at what we’ve covered in season 1—an entire season focused on building confidence as a yoga teacher. From centering your students to handling ner...
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Episode 31
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9:34
30. The Secret to Great Teaching: Finding Your Authentic Voice
What sets apart a truly magnetic yoga teacher—the kind students will rearrange their lives to practice with? It’s not the perfect playlist or poetic cueing. It’s authenticity.In this episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential, I expla...
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Episode 30
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19:08
29. You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Effective: Building Confidence as a Yoga Teacher
When I first began teaching yoga, I didn’t feel confident—and honestly, I still have my days. In this episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential, I’m sharing how confidence is built, not born. You’ll hear the awkward story of my second-ever ...
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Episode 29
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8:43
28. The Certification Myth: Why More Training Won’t Make You a Better Yoga Teacher
Are you caught in the cycle of chasing certifications, thinking one more training will finally make you feel ready? You’re not alone. Many yoga teachers—new and experienced—fall into the trap of believing that more hours, credentials, and certi...
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Episode 28
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22:11
27. Creating an Inclusive Classroom: How Consistency and Permission Build Student Confidence
My first yoga class as a student was a disaster—I felt lost, uncomfortable, and unsure of what was allowed. It wasn’t the poses that overwhelmed me—it was the uncertainty. Can I leave if I need to? What if I can’t do a pose? Where’s the bathroo...
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Episode 27
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15:05
26. How to End Class So People Remember You
The last five minutes of your yoga class might be just as crucial as the first. A strong closing helps students integrate their practice, transition back to daily life, and remember their experience in a meaningful way.Let’s break down t...
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Episode 26
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19:07
25. How to Start Class with Confidence: The First Five Minutes Matter Most
The way you begin your yoga class determines everything that follows. In this episode, I break down how to create a welcoming environment, set clear expectations, and guide students into a focused and engaged practice. From greeting students to...
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Episode 25
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16:21
24. What If No One Shows Up? How to Handle Low Attendance with Confidence
Have you ever walked into the studio, set up for class . . . and no one shows up? Or maybe just one student arrives, turning your group class into an unintentional private lesson. It happens more than we admit, and it can feel discouraging—but ...
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Episode 24
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9:44
23. Confidence in Private Lessons: Overcome Fear and Thrive
Many yoga teachers avoid private lessons—not because they lack skill, but because they lack confidence. If you’ve ever felt unsure about pricing, session structure, or meeting a student’s needs, this episode is for you. I share my journey from ...
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Episode 23
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9:53
22. The Power of Feedback: How to Grow as a Yoga Teacher
Teaching yoga can be isolating, especially when feedback is scarce. But feedback is crucial for growth. In this episode, I explore why feedback is hard to get, how to collect it, and why peer feedback is the most valuable. Plus, I share an invi...
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Episode 22
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10:56
21. Confident Theming: Teaching Yoga Beyond the Poses with Alexandra DeSiato
How can you theme your yoga classes with confidence? Theming is what transforms a sequence into an experience, leaving students inspired long after class ends. But for many teachers, theming—especially when it involves yoga philosophy—can feel ...
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Episode 21
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33:34
20. Confident Pricing: Charge What You’re Worth as a Yoga Teacher
Are you undercharging for your yoga classes? Setting confident prices isn’t just about making more money—it’s about ensuring your students value your work. In this episode, I break down why undercharging hurts both you and your students, how to...
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Episode 20
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16:56
19. Confident Demoing to Serve Your Students Best
Your yoga mat isn’t just a raft keeping you safe—it’s a tool for connecting with your students. In this episode, you'll learn how to balance demonstrating poses with stepping off the mat to observe and connect. Hear ways to create a more engagi...
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Episode 19
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12:27
18. How I Turned a Workshop Flop into a Game-Changing Program
Have you ever launched a project that didn’t go as planned? In this episode, I get honest about how my Plan a Month in an Hour workshop fell short—and how it inspired me to create something even better. I share what went wrong, the lessons I le...
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Episode 18
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15:57
17. How to Build Confidence on Camera with Jenni Rawlings
Developing confidence on camera is essential for yoga teachers looking to grow their careers. Whether it’s creating short promotional videos or teaching full-length online classes, on-camera teaching can open up new opportunities for impact and...
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Episode 17
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27:43
16. Class Planning Made Easy: Modular Sequencing for Confident Yoga Teachers
sequencing. With this approach, you’ll think big and small at the same time, creating balanced, engaging classes with ease.Chapters:1.[00:00:00] Don’t Start at the Pose LevelWhy starting your planning with indivi...
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Episode 16
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15:02
15. Teach Your Niche: How Specializing Makes You a Better Yoga Teacher
Want to become (almost) everyone’s favorite yoga teacher? The secret to thriving as a teacher is to specialize—teach your niche. When you focus on what you love, your enthusiasm shines, your confidence grows, and you connect deeply with your st...
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Episode 15
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10:06
14. The Most Painful and Productive Way to Improve as a Yoga Teacher
What’s the best way to improve your yoga teaching? It’s using the tool you may be holding right now: your phone. It’s simple, free—and yes, a bit painful. In this episode, I walk you through how recording and reviewing your classes can help you...
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Episode 14
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12:05
13. Managing Burnout: Strategies for Sustainable Yoga Teaching
Feeling burnt out as a yoga teacher? You’re not alone. Teaching yoga is rewarding, but it can also be draining if we don’t care for ourselves. In this episode, I explore what burnout looks like, where it comes from, and, most importantly, how t...
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Episode 13
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19:13
12. Teaching Yoga Is a Conversation: How to Truly Connect with Your Students
Your yoga class isn’t a monologue—it’s a conversation. While you only get to hear your side of it, your students hear both. Becoming a great yoga teacher means giving them the time and space to contribute their side of the conversation, even if...
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Episode 12
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8:36
11. From Nerves to Confidence: Tackling Imposter Syndrome in Yoga Teaching
What if your nerves are actually a good thing for your yoga teaching? When you shift your thinking to appreciate how much you care about yoga and your students, nerves can be a secret key to confident yoga teaching!Let's refram...
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Episode 11
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18:31
10. Why Every Yoga Teacher Should Lead Workshops (Even Beginners!)
Life as a yoga teacher can feel like a grind, but workshops can change that.Whether you’re a fresh graduate of your 200-hour training or a seasoned teacher, a workshop is a smart next choice for your yoga career. Leading a yoga wo...
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Episode 10
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19:16
9. Holding Space When Times Are Hard
Life is hard—but how we show up for our students in difficult times can make all the difference. In this episode, I talk about ways to create a consistent, supportive space for yoga students during tough times—for them, or for us as teac...
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Episode 9
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22:09
8. Why Blank Expressions in Your Yoga Class Aren’t What You Think
Ever looked out during a yoga class and thought, “Why do my students look so disengaged? They must be hating this!” Good news: those blank faces are often a sign of deep connection—not disinterest.Let's have a frank conversation about th...
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Episode 8
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8:56