The Yoga Teacher Podcast

Brea Johnson
  • 5.0 (21)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Whether it’s anatomy, exploring yoga teaching tips, or dissecting superficial yoga narratives, this is the podcast for yoga teachers who care deeply about their craft and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Brea Johnson, founder of Heart & Bones Yoga, a globally recognized online platform for anatomy-informed yoga and inclusive practices for both yoga teachers and everyday people, interviews experts, shares crucial insights from unlearning harmful cues, to culty dynamics in wellness spaces, to making your classes more inclusive, trauma-aware, and actually helpful. With two decades of experience (and plenty of mistakes), Brea brings honesty, nuance, and a healthy dose of spice to conversations about what it really means to teach yoga in today’s world, no matter if you're a new yoga teacher or have been teaching fo years.

  1. 5D AGO

    Is "Listen to Your Body" a Bad Yoga Cue? (The Nuance of Autonomy)

    Is "Listen to Your Body" actually helpful, or is it just confusing for your students? In this episode, Brea, Founder of Heart and Bones Yoga, chats with Ula about the nuance of one of the most common cues in the yoga world. While we want to offer autonomous experiences, "listening to your body" can be tricky when our "normal" is actually a pattern of unconscious postural habits or even tension. In this video, you’ll learn: Why "listen to your body" can backfire for students with deep-seated habits. The "Goldilocks" method: Using polarities to help students find their middle ground. How to support hypermobile students who might be "guarding" or tense without realizing it. Real-world examples of using props (like the "festival chair" moment!) to create ease. A sneak peek into our upcoming Lab Series on nervous system-supportive cueing. Curious about the Lab? Our first Lab is now live, Nervous System 101 for Yoga Teacher: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/nervoussystem101/ BECOME A YOGA TEACHER WITH HEART + BONES 200hr & 300hr Online Yoga Teacher Training: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ PRACTICE WITH US Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH SAY HI ON SOCIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartandbonesyoga YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YogaTeacherTips

    22 min

  2. APR 10

    Nervous System Supportive Yoga: What It Actually Means

    Is your yoga class actually "nervous system supportive," or is it just slow? In this episode, Brea and Ula chat about what it really means to support the nervous system when teaching actual humans in real classes. We move beyond the "everything should be chill" marketing myth and explore how proprioception, interoception, and even intensity play a role in building true resilience. In this episode, we discuss: The "Nervous System" Zeitgeist: Why every yoga class is technically a nervous system class. Proprioception vs. Interoception: Understanding how we sense our bodies from the inside out. The Anxiety of "Calming" Cues: How rigid breathing counts can actually trigger a stress response. The Social Nervous System: Creating a safe container where students feel seen and supported. Building Capacity: Why challenging poses like balance and chair pose are vital for nervous system resilience. NEW: The Yoga Teacher Lab We’re launching a new series for teachers at Heart and Bones Online Studio! Our first deep dive is the Nervous System, featuring a "Director's Cut" breakdown of real classes with Brea Johnson. Learn More https://heartandbonesyoga.com/nervoussystem101/ Did you know we have a yoga teacher dedicated youtube channel? Learn with Brea: https://www.youtube.com/@YogaTeacherTips Learn More:   BECOME A YOGA TEACHER WITH HEART + BONES 200hr & 300hr Online Yoga Teacher Training (anatomy-informed, accessible, and actually enjoyable): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/   PRACTICE WITH US Try Heart + Bones Studio free for one month, use code: youtubelove https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

    26 min

  3. MAR 24

    How to Find Yoga Teaching Jobs (That Aren't at a Yoga Studio)

    If you've been struggling to find yoga teaching work, whether you just finished your 200-hour, moved to a new city, or feel like there are more teachers than there are jobs—this one's for you. Brea Johnson, founder of Heart + Bones and a yoga teacher with over two decades of experience, shares the honest, practical strategies she wishes more teachers knew about. From her years owning a brick-and-mortar studio (and being the one doing the hiring), she knows exactly what gets a teacher noticed, and what doesn't. Found a creative way to build your teaching career that we didn't cover? Drop it in the comments—we'd love to hear it! What we cover: Why the yoga studio isn't always the best place to start — and what to do instead How to rent your own space and actually fill it (even when nobody knows you yet) The power of finding a niche to grow your classes faster Working with gyms, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and corporate offices What Brea looked for as a studio owner — and the things that almost guaranteed someone wouldn't get hired How to build relationships that open doors, even if you're introverted Why subbing is one of the most underrated ways to get your foot in the door BECOME A YOGA TEACHER WITH HEART + BONES 200hr & 300hr Online Yoga Teacher Training (anatomy-informed, accessible, and actually enjoyable): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ PRACTICE WITH US Try Heart + Bones Studio free for one month, use code: PODCASTMONTH https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ SAY HI ON SOCIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartandbonesyoga

    15 min

  4. MAR 10

    Uninspired?! Try these 5 things when teaching yoga.

    You have classes to teach this week… and the inevitable happened. You’ve run out of ideas. Or maybe you’re just bored with what you’ve been teaching and want something new and exciting to share in class. If you’ve been teaching yoga for a while, this happens to all of us. In this video, Brea Johnson (founder of Heart + Bones Yoga) shares 5 simple ways yoga teachers can find inspiration again when they feel stuck, bored, or out of ideas for what to teach. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to teach great classes. Sometimes a small shift in focus can make familiar poses feel completely new again for both you and your students. In this video you’ll learn: What to remember when you feel bored teaching yoga How taking another teacher’s class can spark new inspiration Why continuing education helps refresh your teaching Simple ways to bring new life to familiar yoga sequences How a single movement focus can transform an entire class If you’re a yoga teacher looking for yoga class ideas, sequencing inspiration, or ways to stay inspired teaching, this video will help you refresh your classes without overcomplicating things. Try Heart and Bones Online Yoga Studio: Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/

    8 min

  5. FEB 24

    Inclusive Yoga Cueing, How to Teach Every Body Type

    As yoga teachers, we all want to say the “right” thing in class. The perfect cue. The one that lands in every body. But here’s the truth: there isn’t one cue that works for everyone. In this episode, Brea shares 3 universal cues for yoga teachers that support every body, every style, and every level. These are not rigid anatomical commands. They’re awareness-based cues that build autonomy, connection, and sustainable movement in your classes. If you’ve ever wondered: How do I cue for all bodies? How do I make my classes more accessible? How do I teach with confidence without over-talking? This is for you. With over two decades of teaching experience, Brea walks you through the shift from memorized, lineage-based scripting toward a more anatomy-informed, functional approach to yoga teaching. You’ll learn: Why there is no “one cue to rule them all” How to invite autonomy into your classes How to reduce hierarchy in your teaching Why awareness is the heart of yoga practice Simple cues that deepen connection without overwhelming your students These cues work in downward dog, trikonasana, warrior, standing poses, seated work, and beyond. They help you teach less and guide more. Modern Yoga Teacher Training: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Explore Heart + Bones Yoga Online Studio: Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

    10 min

  6. FEB 10

    Yoga Teacher Burnout: Why Teaching Feels So Hard Now

    Why does teaching yoga start to feel harder, more exhausting, or full of self-doubt? In this episode, Ula and Brea talk honestly about yoga teacher burnout, self-talk, and comparison. How pressure, perfectionism, and unrealistic expectations show up while teaching, not just online or off the mat. They unpack why so many yoga teachers internalize mistakes as personal failure, how social media and studio culture add invisible pressure, and why “something is wrong with me” becomes the default inner narrative—even for experienced teachers. This conversation covers: – Yoga teacher burnout and emotional exhaustion – Self-talk, comparison, and perfectionism – Teaching mistakes and fear of doing it wrong – Social media pressure in the yoga industry – When a studio or style isn’t the right fit – Learning to trust mistakes instead of fearing them Whether you’re a yoga teacher, studio owner, or someone who leads others, this episode offers a grounded look at teaching as a human, not a performance. Links: Try Heart and Bones Online Yoga Studio: Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/ Modern Yoga Teacher Training : https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Ula’s Substack: https://avibrantmind.substack.com/

    24 min

  7. JAN 27

    5 Things Every Yoga Teacher Needs to Hear in 2026

    What does it actually mean to be a yoga teacher in 2026? In this episode, we break down the five things we believe every yoga teacher needs to hear right now. Not more pressure. Not more perfection. Not another trend to keep up with. We talk about nervous system literacy as the new alignment, why experience matters more than choreography, how teaching is shifting away from performance, and what sustainable teaching really looks like over the long term. This conversation is for teachers who feel the tired of trying to do it all, teachers who care deeply about their students, and teachers who want to keep teaching without burning themselves out. Inside this episode: • Nervous system first teaching • Invitational classrooms over top down authority • Experience over choreography • Why perfection is not the goal • Longevity as a real teaching skill Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/ Ula's Substack: https://avibrantmind.substack.com/ Try Heart and Bones Online Yoga Studio: Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

    34 min

  8. JAN 13

    The Problem Isn’t Motivation, It’s Friction

    Why the heck aren’t we feeling motivated, even when we want to change? And why do we keep picking arbitrary dates to overhaul our lives, as if motivation is something we can schedule? In this episode, Brea and Ula chat through why motivation is so often blamed when the real issue is friction. We explore how cultural conditioning, perfectionism, guilt, and unrealistic expectations quietly get in the way of change, and why “trying harder” rarely helps. This is a conversation about small shifts, seasonal rhythms, honest self-inquiry, and building practices that actually fit real lives. It’s for anyone who’s felt stuck, behind, or convinced they’re doing something wrong—and for teachers who want to create spaces that feel supportive instead of pressurized. PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here Want to go deeper? Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/

    40 min
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Whether it’s anatomy, exploring yoga teaching tips, or dissecting superficial yoga narratives, this is the podcast for yoga teachers who care deeply about their craft and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Brea Johnson, founder of Heart & Bones Yoga, a globally recognized online platform for anatomy-informed yoga and inclusive practices for both yoga teachers and everyday people, interviews experts, shares crucial insights from unlearning harmful cues, to culty dynamics in wellness spaces, to making your classes more inclusive, trauma-aware, and actually helpful. With two decades of experience (and plenty of mistakes), Brea brings honesty, nuance, and a healthy dose of spice to conversations about what it really means to teach yoga in today’s world, no matter if you're a new yoga teacher or have been teaching fo years.

Information

  • Creator
    Brea Johnson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Yoga Teacher Podcast

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