177: The Hidden Emotional and Physical Labor of Yoga Teaching

As yoga teachers, we spend a lot of time talking about teaching techniques, sequencing, cueing, and professional growth. But there's another side of this work that often goes unnamed: the hidden labor of teaching yoga.

In this episode, I explore the physical, emotional, mental, and administrative work that happens behind the scenes of a yoga teaching career. From building a business one class at a time to managing finances, marketing, commuting, continuing education, and emotional boundaries, much of the work that sustains a teaching career is invisible to students—and often unacknowledged within the industry itself.

My goal isn't to complain about the profession or discourage new teachers. Instead, I want to name some of the uniquely challenging aspects of yoga teaching so that if you've struggled with them, you know you're not alone.

I also share why I believe sustainable yoga teaching is possible, what has helped me maintain a full-time career in yoga for more than two decades, and the three essential ingredients I believe every teacher needs to thrive long-term.

In this episode, you'll hear: Why yoga teachers are essentially automatically entrepreneurs

The hidden administrative work of managing taxes, finances, insurance, and policies

Why networking and relationship-building require patience and resilience

How commuting, class planning, and continuing education add to a teacher's workload

The importance of energetic boundaries and why yoga teachers often lack adequate support systems

The pressure many teachers feel to be constantly available

Why loving yoga and loving teaching yoga are not the same thing

What makes a long-term yoga teaching career sustainable