Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

Planning your first yoga retreat? Let’s make sure the math actually works! In this episode, you’ll hear a real-life retreat planning conversation about pricing, minimum enrollment, deposits, cancellation policies, and how to make sure you’re paying yourself for all the work that goes into creating a retreat. We also talk about how to communicate the value you bring when the retreat center already offers yoga, Ayurveda, food, and other experiences. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:54 Is it OK to Run a Retreat Over the Holidays?02:48 Cancellation Terms with a Short Timeline04:19 What’s the optimal length for a retreat?05:13 Sustainable Approaches to Pricing11:25 The reality of minimum numbers16:40 How to communicate urgency without being salesy20:46 Deposits and Refunds25:38 Defining Your Value29:51 Curating Guest Experts34:19 Vetting Retreat Centers38:24 Wrap Up and Next Steps EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Retreat Roadmap Get on the priority registration list for Mado's Yoga + Hiking in the French Alps October 2027 (Registration opens September 2026) Monisha's Website Monisha's Instagram LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Many yoga retreat leaders have never attended a retreat as a guest. In this episode, I share 12 reasons why retreat leaders should prioritize experiencing a retreat from the other side. Some of these reasons are personal, such as forcing you to take a break, while others are more practical, like discovering your operational blind spots. Since finances are often a major hurdle, I also share three ways that retreat leaders can get discounts on other people’s retreats. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:00:00 Why Leaders Skip Retreats01:07 Leader vs Guest Reality03:46 Reason 1: Self-Care Reset04:08 Reason 2: Spot Blind Spots05:20 Reason 3: Reinvigorate Your Practice06:04 Reason 4: The Food06:56 Reason 5: Stop Overstuffing Your Retreat Schedule08:11 Reason 6: Retreat Yoga is Different From Home Yoga09:09 Reason 7: Retreat Social Dynamics10:02 Reason 8: Build Confidence & Calm10:43 Reason 9: Market Research12:45 Reason 10: Venue Research13:06 Reason 11: Reduce Taxable Income13:36 Reason 12: Force Yourself to Rest14:42 Money Objections and Values16:27 3 Ways to Get Discounted Retreats21:09 Why Retreats Support a Sustainable Yoga Business EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Retreat Roadmap LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Yoga is a powerful tool, but it isn’t a complete physical solution. In this episode, physical therapist and yoga teacher Dr. Libby Hinsley introduces the concept of a "movement diet" as a framework for long-term physical sustainability and longevity. Over-relying on asana means missing out on essential movement "nutrients." Learn about the ‘macro-nutrients’ of the movement world, including where yoga shines and where it is limited. We share personal stories and practical advice for yoga-lovers who want to transition from a yoga-centric routine to a more comprehensive ‘diet’. Listen in for a clear-eyed look at what it takes to support your body for the long haul. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:01:07 The myth of yoga as a complete exercise05:43 Yoga's role in a balanced movement diet09:30 Strength, cardio, and mobility: The macronutrients13:21 How much strength do we build when we practice yoga asana21:38 Where we are now & our personal movement diet through the years28:47 Tips for getting started with strength and cardio36:32 Final thoughts and resources EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Libby Hinsley Bendy & Badass Follow Libby Hinsley on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt Follow Libby Hinsley on Facebook LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

What happens when algorithms influence the public perception of yoga? Social media algorithms distort the public view of yoga and exacerbate a disconnect between yoga teachers and the people we aim to serve. In this candid discussion, Lily and I explore the challenges of teaching and practicing in the digital age. We question the viability of the "all levels" class and discuss the profound missed opportunities when yoga is 'sanitized' and divorced from the messy reality of life. Tune in for our perspective on how to use asana as a tool for cultivating deep self-understanding and agency. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:01:45 How social media platforms prioritize and amplify sexualized content05:05 Why this type of content might be contributing to a decline in yoga class attendance09:14 How the complex reality of a yoga practice is more beneficial than the sanitized version presented in the media and online10:24 An honest look at whether a single group class can truly serve “all levels”14:14 Options and free space as tools for accessibility22:51 Why home practice is a crucial space for genuine learning and self-acceptance26:13 How over-accommodating students based on assumptions can undermine their agency and stunt their growth31:03 Yoga class as an immersive experience vs a structured place to learn 33:22 Advanced asana practice as a self-aware relationship with your body EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:Lily Dwyer Begg YogaFollow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbeggFollow Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga on Facebook LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Holly is a yoga teacher with physical limitations who has concerns about balancing her physical abilities with the needs of her students. Many of her students rely heavily on visual cues and she wonders whether she’s doing them a disservice by not being able to demonstrate everything she teaches. In this candid conversation, we explore the role of demonstration in yoga, the value of teaching with limitations, and the unspoken power dynamics between teachers and students. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:01:01 Holly's story of finding yoga and becoming a teacher03:49 Specific physical limitations and how they impact students.05:20 The balance of giving student students what they want vs what they need08:44 Student agency - who chooses whom?12:22 Vulnerability as a superpower16:11 Students who refuse to modify or use props21:08 Navigating studio expectations30:03 Final thoughts and the need for representation in yoga classes EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:Holly Williams LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Teaching yoga is a high-stress career that most people think is a cakewalk. Shar’ron is an experienced yoga teacher who moved from Santa Cruz, California to Waco, Texas during the pandemic. Since then, she’s been managing professional isolation, perfectionism, and people pleasing—and it’s led to major burnout. Our conversation delves into themes around boundaries, over-identification with your healing journey, and making your own support network as we explore what it takes to find balance and sustainability on this path. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:01:59 Starting Over as a Seasoned Teacher03:55 Burnout and Perimenopause04:42 Challenges of Running a Micro Studio07:43 Dealing with Difficult People09:01 People Pleasing and Boundaries22:24 Feeling Alone in Leadership23:35 The Importance of Collaboration24:49 Creating a Supportive Community30:56 Addressing Burnout and Boundaries31:36 Can you over-identify with your Healing Journey?39:03 Control, surrender, and teaching yoga as a path of growth EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Follow Shar'ron on Instagram @myfunctionalyoga Follow My Functional Yoga on Facebook LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe