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

• The role that systems, structure, and social support play in teacher wellbeing

What's Coming Next

This episode is the first part of a larger conversation. In the next episode, I'll share practical systems and strategies that can help make yoga teaching more sustainable, including:

• A group class planning system

• A private client acquisition system

• A community engagement system

• A money management system

• A scheduling system

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the hidden demands of teaching yoga, I hope this conversation helps you feel seen, understood, and supported.

Resources Mentioned:

• Yoga for Cancer and Tari Prinster

• The Mentor Session Sangha

• Working Families Party

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