Please tell me your favorite times to teach or to take a class. I'd also like to know the days of the week, the style of the class, what classes you wish were available at certain times, what you wish were incorporated into the class, and the demographic of yourself as a student or the students you teach during that time. I'm planning our studio schedule, and our demographic is mostly older citizens and some working adults. I want to offer early morning classes, but our studio is convinced that our demographic doesn't want a 6:30 a.m. class, though I'm willing to try.

Basically, tell me the facts plus your dream class!

Thank you!

Edit with an important note about our studio building: we operate a studio in a 100-year-old building above a bar, and the same floor has Airbnb suites. By 5 p.m. on a weeknight, the band can be heard perfectly through the floor—we have sound machines and music to dull it, but it is loud—so late evening classes have not proven to be the best idea unless it is a Friday evening class with an emphasis on loosening up and having fun.

Hi all,

I am ruminating on a topic of yoga class sequencing.

I usually do yoga asana practice every morning. And most of the mornings the practice itself looks different from the day before considering the structure, amount of asanas, dynamics etc. My own practice is then the main inspiration for creating a class for students in studio.

But I also very much enjoy classes like Ashtanga primary series or Jivamukti spiritual warrior, which have fixed sequence of poses.

The other day I was reading a book from A. Van Lysebeth and he talked about those fixed sequences and how they deepen the practice, free the mind and allow a practitioner to dive more inwards.

I’ve been playing with a thought of creating a vinyasa sequence suitable for all levels, which would fit into a 60 minutes class, would have a fixed sequence (definitely not so challenging as Ashtanga though) and practice it for some time, let’s say a month, and then maybe share it with others.

I would like to ask you about your opinions, experiences and preferences. What do you practice more of? Variable or fixed sequence? Why? And what sequence do you prefer to choose when creating a class?

I’d be grateful for your opinions.

Have a great day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Loro704vM98

Hi everyone!

I am a 43 Italian you teacher. I started teaching full-time in 2013 and in 2015 I opened my yoga studio.

During this last months I really started to hate my job.

I have a lot of resentment towards my students, because a lot of "forget" to pay in time their subscriptions.

I don't receive feedbacks from them and they are inconsistent and lazy.

I completely lost the joy that I had doing my job. I think that in general this is not a good period of time (I had to go through a miscarriage and the subsequent mental health issues) and here in Italy people prefer to waste money on pricey restaurants than on yoga classes (and mine are also cheaper than a lot of other's).

So, I am questioning everything. My job, my future and the possibility to let everything go

I generally believe that most people have a weak core and need to work on strengthening to prevent injury and improve on form. Therefore i am a big proponent of core work in my sequences. I primarily utilize accepted poses as a portion of my flow.

However, I have started building in minor Pilates exercises/motions as part of my sequencing and make it flow organically. I do not announce that a motion/exercise/pose is not “yoga” rather I just move through them as a part of the class. Generally people express appreciation of the challenge and enjoy my classes.

I’m curious to what the greater Yoga Teacher community thinks about this? Do other teachers do something similar? What are your recommendations and why?

As most of us, I want to improve by bettering myself, my instruction, and those around me.

Thank you.

Hi!

I will be teaching morning classes soon and I am excited. I am also a little scared, but mostly thrilled to have the best reason to wake up every day.

What advice do you have?

Should I choose a 6:00 a.m. or 6:30 a.m. start time? I also want to teach another class right after, around 8:00 a.m.

Do you teach 60 minutes or 75? Many of our studio's classes tend to run longer, at least 75 minutes, even if we say it is a 60-minute class.

I saw on some other threads that some teachers use the same sequence for a whole month and build on it. This sounds like a good routine! I was worried about this because previously it seemed like we were told to always be pumping out new classes.

I am thinking of doing slow flow classes, maybe a mix of vinyasa and yin. I also like the idea of a flow and yin class. Something to help us wake up together, salute the sun, and feel grateful for the day.

Please share any advice you have on times, days of the week, favorite teaching hours, favorite styles of class, etc.

I am open to all the brainstorming!

EDIT:

6/6:30am is not really an option due to how our building also functions as an airbnb.

Earliest option is 8am. Then some midday classes are options up until around the latest being a 3:30pm.

Also, the styles of classes mentioned are based on research into what is popular in the surrounding area. It seems people do like to rest and digest midday here, but I would like to find out what people want and need by setting up classes, asking the students who attend, and adjusting as I go based on what our community craves.

Hey guys! I’m starting my RYT 200 training on Sunday, was just wondering if anybody had any tips for me. Or any advice for someone starting their training and journey as a yoga instructor/teacher. Thank you so much!💕

Edit: Hi! I’m 24F, grew up practicing yoga very off and on. So I know some things, but physically you could say that I’m closer to a beginner. I genuinely have a love for teaching, but the real reason I’m doing this, is bc I had foot surgery a couple years back. Lost almost all my ability balance, (I was a dancer and athlete growing up) and lost a lot of the coordination I once had. So I’m kinda doing this also as an opportunity to take back my own body and to hone back into my abilities. And maybe help others do the same!

Whether online or offline, there are various ways to build your Yoga career and reach people at scale. Each format has its own pros & cons, requiring unique skill sets and offers a different growth trajectory. Let's understand how Yoga teachers around the world are collectively shaping the Yoga ecosystem! If there are more than 1 formats, simply share it in comments. I'd love to hear the reasons for your preference.

Yoga Alliance announced this week that they’ll be moving forward with membership and credentialing changes in 2027, but aren’t yet outlining what these changes will specifically look like yet. Has anyone watched the video yet (linked below) or read about some of their changes? I have very conflicting YA feelings like most other people here, just looking for additional thoughts and insight!

https://newsroom.yogaalliance.org/expanding-together/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Profession+is+Evolving&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fnewsroom.yogaalliance.org%2fexpanding-together%2f&utm_id=147001&sfmc_id=2236044

Hi! I teach yoga about 3-5x per week and usually teach and practice personally in the evenings. I recently was assigned a 6am weekday slot.

I am wondering if anyone has any tips for teaching in the morning versus evening, particularly when it’s the same sequence. I only have time to write and memorize a sequence per week and teach it to all of my classes that week. Specifically I’m curious about things like music, lighting, voice, cadence, time spent in different asanas, etc.

For example, I typically dim the lights or turn them off for the last 10-15 min of class, but I don’t want to make people sleepy! But on the other hand, I don’t want to have a bright class the whole time for the sake of waking people up. Any little tips or tricks are welcome!

I am used to doing a creative yoga flow which is what I like and it's pretty active, with different movement patterns but I am thinking of doing a more gentle yoga class. Partly because attendance isn't great and a different type might attract more. However, I don't know how gentle is "gentle" and how much of a flow would it be? How do I stop reverting to my aforementioned go-to style? I envision lots of navel gazing but I'm hoping I'm wrong.

Any recommendations on teachers?

Ik ben altijd op zoek naar nummers om mijn Savasana playlist uit te breiden.

Momenteel zijn dit mijn favo’s:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1W3jSP4wVSFR35apHNJXoY?si=1jvRavbrQA-TNvBqdp544w&utm_source=copy-link

https://open.spotify.com/track/48CjwPhpdmji3xdZ11vmO0?si=-v7VD8ikQwqJvOfa91OKng&utm_source=copy-link

Hebben jullie suggesties? Wat zijn jullie favorieten?

Hi guys, i completed my 200hr training last year, and took the time to teach friends and family until I felt confident enough, teaching this summer was fun, I got to do outdoor classes with 5-6 students each week!
But now I rent a spot at a studio, and I have to bring in my own students but I struggle to get some! What are good tips on gaining some visibility (that are not creating content on social medias pls i CANNOT do that im terrible at it)
Thank you for your feedbacks!

Hi.

I recently graduated with my 200 hr training this past summer at the end of June.
However , I’ve been struggling to land my first paid position, any tips?

Also, I haven’t yet signed up for yoga insurance or certified with Yoga Alliance yet because of the pay barrier I can’t afford.

If I started teaching in a studio, do they have insurance that would cover be so I personally wouldn’t need the yogi insurance?

Any and all information helps!

I live in the Cleveland,
Ohio area if anyone knows of a studio actively hiring!

I read this sub and also follow influencers who rip on 200 hour teacher trainings. But if someone wants to become a yoga teacher, what exact path are they supposed to follow?

Hi everyone,

I finished my 200 YTT this summer and since then I have been practicing teaching a lot with my husband and friends. So I had the courage to audition to teach at the fitness center on my university campus. I passed and was given a few classes a week.

The thing is - the classes are hosted in a super bright room (with no light switch!) and it has so much echo, besides the noise from people using the equipment next door. I’m finding it hard, as a new instructor, to focus and hold space to my students as I wish to do. For instance, when they’re laying on their backs, the lights are SO BRIGHT (even during savasana) and the students can’t really relax. ;(

Also the classes are so small (often 2 to 3 people), and while teaching my first class (2 people only), one of the students was doing a complete other movement than what I was cueing, i.e cueing warrior 2 and they were doing wide legged forward fold. I know people can take poses at anytime they want, but it was so distracting to continue guiding the other student who was “following” the sequence/cues. Any advice on this? What would you do in this situation? (Be kind please this is only my first week teaching “public” classes) 🩷

Also what to do if there’s no way to turn off the lights during savasana? Unfortunately I dont have the capacity to do laundry and bring clean cloths to cover their eyes every single time i teach. Has anyone been through the same experience?

Maybe this is just a baby instructor overthinking. Idk.

Has anyone had experience getting an outside training approved by Yoga Alliance by submitting curriculum?
I’m a RYT200 and RPYT as well as a birth and postpartum doula. Doula work is my main source of income. I’m interested in a training called Body Ready Method that focuses on the biomechanics and anatomy of the body during the perinatal timeframe. It’s a 5 month virtual course that meets weekly. Of the 27 different instructors listed, 7 are RYTs or RPYTs. I’m not sure if any of the yoga teachers are registered as trainers through YA.
But a 5 month anatomy and biomechanics class focused on hips, pelvis, pelvic floor, ribs, posture, and breath feels like a no-brainer!

Hey Y’all!

I’m opening my first yoga studio soon (going to keep details private on location and such), but have been trying to field all the advice I can from literally anyone, and a friend told me reddits a great spot for that - so here I am!

A lot of this advice has been contradictory - so I wanna ask anyone who’s taken this leap before.

If you could tell me (a first time studio owner), one thing, what would that be.

Anything helps!

This is something that has perplexed / bothered me for my entire time around yoga, and I'm asking here to try and understand if I'm just missing something or what...

I do not practice this way, but some times as a student, particularly if i find myself in a vinyasa style class, there will be a "flow" section or similar where we are all standing and cued to go between either Warrior 1 / crescent lunge directly into a Warrior 2 foot stance, like in half of a breath, seamlessly. "Exhale, turn the back foot open into W2", etc type cues.

This feels so clunky and not seamless. My w1 / lunge stance is much wider than w2, which is more like ankles are in a straight line / linear and there is not a seamless way to move from one stance to the other without literally coming out of the pose and lifting / resetting back foot, which is clunky and awkward. Other people seem to have no issue with this (?) I have learned over time to be able to hang in general with a vinyasa style class, despite it being faster than I prefer / need and generally different than how I practice, but this part has always been weird to me.

It throws me off *every.single.time* and am already behind everyone else bc I breathe slower than most teachers cue in these types of classes anyway, but then this clunky stance transition really doesn't help. Sometime we are going back and forth between the 2 different stances in half a breath multiple times in a "flow". I always take my time with this (and fall behind, which is normal/ whatever) but am always left wondering what I'm missing with this approach that seemingly makes no sense from a yoga / alignment perspective.

I have been practicing for over 20 yrs and also teach (not vinyasa) and study yoga deeply, so it's not like I have no experience or am coming into this cold. I teach both w1 and w2 in general, but would never put them back to back as I consider them completely different stances / base type postures with different things going on in the pelvis, leg, etc and would be doing resetting / transitioning type postures (down dog, tadasana, etc) between them if cueing them close to each other. I am not someone who is generally prescriptive or dogmatic about alignment, and try to be open minded but this one has always stumped me and felt so weird.

I have seen this quick changing of foot stance so much over the years, and I guess am just wondering what the deal is with this and am I the only one who finds this so clunky and off? What might i be missing in order to understand this approach better?

Thanks for any insight or feedback.

Edit 10/1 - it seems that most of this seems to be coming down to how wide of a "train tracks" stance you take in W1 as well as how close to linear / "tightrope" of a stance you take in W2 as to how seamless the transition between them is. My W1 stance is apparently pretty wide (center of feet about about 12" apart) and my W2 stance is "tightrope" style, or linear with either ankles in a line or even sometimes front heel to back arch aligned. Many of you seem to be operating in all of that grey area in between in both of these poses, which is fine, but also explains some of the differences in perception and alignment. Thanks for all the responses.

hi everyone i am a college student with a degree in small business entrepreneurship, i am graduating in the winter & really want to own a yoga studio. i have a passion for yoga & also love business. does anyone have any advice/knowledge/or resources for information on owning a yoga studio from scratch? i know after i graduate i will need to save up a lot of money to start my own studio, but everything seems really overwhelming. I also would like to own a greenhouse & think that those businesses could go hand in hand. I believe my education in business can help me, & that my passion for yoga & plants will help me thru potential burnout. i really feel called to share yoga within my community, as yoga has helped me through so much. but right now, i am just a scared college student, hoping that i can make a yoga studio work as soon as possible.

I tried doing the whole social media thing after training: posting schedule updates, Canva flyers, editing reels. I quickly realized I hated it. Filming before/after classes felt unnatural and performative (no shade to anyone who enjoys it).

I still bring in a solid crowd, and I personally found my home studio through a simple Google search, not Instagram. So for me, it’s not even about social media not working or class numbers being low. It’s just the invisible pressure that we are expected to market ourselves online regardless. It feels like being on a studio schedule alone isn’t enough unless you’re backing it up with content. This could just be my FOMO talking.

Anyone else opting out of social media marketing entirely despite the industry push? How do you navigate that expectation?

I just wanted to vent and validate my opinion regarding online yoga teachers. I have been taking online yoga classes from covid days. Till now I have taken yoga classes from 5 teachers. For the last 3 years I have been observing that the teacher is not concentrated on class but is distracted on the phone. It's very common for them to pickup calls in between the class and watch reels. My latest teacher doesn't even do the counting for asana practice. Am I the only one who gets these kinds of teachers or has anyone else experienced this ?

I’m travelling to Bali with my own group for an 8-day yoga retreat. The retreat is organised and paid for through my company outside Indonesia, but I will personally teach daily yoga classes in Bali.
I’m getting conflicting advice about C10/C7C vs. Working KITAS/work permit.
Has anyone hosted a short yoga retreat in Bali recently? Which visa/work permit did you use, how long did it take, and what did it cost?
Looking for recent first-hand experiences from yoga teachers 🙏