In Episode 37, I dive deep into the essential yet often uncomfortable topic of boundaries in yoga teaching. I share insights from over two decades of experience, covering:

• the teacher-student dynamic
• ethical considerations
• the tricky terrain of transference and projection

You’ll learn practical tips on maintaining professional and personal limits, communicating clearly, and recognizing when your boundaries are slipping. Most importantly, we’ll reframe boundaries not as barriers but as powerful containers that allow you to serve your students with clarity and care.

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. It's all at sagerountree.com.

The most transformative yoga moments I’ve had didn’t come in packed studios—they happened one-on-one. In this episode, we dive deep into how to craft meaningful, student-centered private yoga sessions. I walk you through welcoming students, providing tailored feedback, managing pacing and flow, adapting on the fly, and creating a safe, empowering space.

We’ll cover how to read subtle cues, when to pivot your plan, and how to conclude each session with clear next steps. Whether you’re new to private teaching or looking to deepen your approach, you’ll leave with actionable strategies to elevate your work and your students’ experience.

Want to keep evolving your private teaching? Join me in The Zone, our free teaching community, or explore deeper learning through my mentorships and courses.

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. It's all at sagerountree.com.

If you feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the idea of teaching a private yoga lesson, you’re not alone. In this episode, I walk you through the exact steps to prepare for a private session that’s safe, professional, and deeply personalized—whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth.

We cover how to create an effective intake process, use the 6-4-2 sequencing framework to build a tailored plan, and how to add meaningful value before and after the session. I also share strategies for choosing the right teaching environment, managing your nerves, and delivering a student-centered experience from start to finish.

This is your complete roadmap to feeling confident, capable, and prepared to serve your private clients with clarity and intention.

Links mentioned in this episode:

– Tally.so: https://tally.so

– Google Forms: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/

– Download templates for intake, lesson planning, and follow-up emails, learn the 6-4-2 sequencing framework, and join our free teacher community at comfortzoneyoga.com.

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. It's all at sagerountree.com.

The longer you teach, the more likely you’ll face a medical emergency in class. In this episode, we explore how to recognize and respond to serious situations like diabetic shock, cardiac events, and seizures—those rare but real class-stopping issues.

You’ll hear real-life stories from teachers who stayed calm, trusted their instincts, and took the right action at the right time. I’ll walk you through a practical checklist to prepare for emergencies, from updating your CPR certification to knowing your studio’s address and AED location. And most importantly, I’ll help you approach emergency preparedness with confidence instead of fear.

This episode is essential listening for every yoga teacher—especially if you’ve ever wondered what to do when something truly serious happens in class.

Read my article on this topic for Yoga Journal.

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. It's all at sagerountree.com.

Every yoga teacher encounters students whose behavior challenges their calm—talking during class, arriving late, doing their own thing, or just radiating resistance. In this episode, I share real-life stories from my two decades of teaching and offer compassionate, effective strategies to address common classroom disruptions without compromising your boundaries or your students’ dignity.

We’ll reframe “difficult students” into “challenging behaviors,” align our responses with yogic principles, and walk through specific examples—from strong odors to handstands in gentle yoga—and how to handle each with grace. You’ll learn when to intervene, how to do it kindly, and when to let things go for the greater good of the group.

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode gives you tools to stay steady, model equanimity, and protect the container of your class. Plus, get details about my upcoming free live call on “Handling the Unexpected” inside The Zone.

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. It's all at sagerountree.com.

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 each student personally, adjusting your cues to student needs, and embracing authenticity in every class you teach. Plus, I introduce my new Comfort Zone Yoga studio setup where I’ll be creating even more content to support your growth as a teacher.

You’ll learn:

• How to set the “table” for student success
• Why being present at the door matters
• How to accommodate different learning styles without hovering
• The value of post-class reflection (hello, hostess diary!)
• Why authenticity always trumps perfection

This episode is all about empowering you to create a warm, welcoming space where transformation can truly happen.

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. It's all at sagerountree.com.

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 nerves and dealing with difficult moments, we’ve built a foundation to support your teaching for the long haul.

I’ll revisit key lessons, like:

• Why you’re the guide, not the hero
• How to reframe student walkouts
• The power of learning names
• What blank expressions really mean
• Why consistency matters more than variety

Then, I share what’s coming next: a shift from a rigid seasonal format to a more fluid, responsive release schedule. I’ll still be touching on themes like classroom management, studio dynamics, and career growth—but now with the freedom to respond to your questions and insights in real time.

This episode marks a turning point, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have you along for the ride. Here’s to growing together in confidence, one class at a time.

* Scavenger hunt: if you're watching this on Spotify as a video podcast, you'll notice my "safe word" that I missed while editing—the first one to comment there with the correct word will win a prize!

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. It's all at sagerountree.com.

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 explain why being yourself isn’t just a cliché—it’s your greatest teaching asset. We’ll explore:

• Why imitation holds you back
• How to lean into your natural personality
• The difference between performance and presence
• How to develop signature cues and themes that reflect your life experience
• The liberating truth about not pleasing everyone

Whether you’re new to teaching or refining your seasoned voice, this episode offers real-world strategies to grow your confidence and deepen your impact.

If you’re ready to step into your full teaching potential, join me in the Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing Mentorship Program. Let’s teach from the inside out.

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. It's all at sagerountree.com.