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Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

Mado Hesselink 338 Episodes Sep 24, 2026

A podcast designed for yoga teachers, covering the practical side of building and running a yoga business. It also explores teaching methodologies, anatomy, philosophy, and the ethical and legal responsibilities of instructors. The show offers guidance and resources for both new and experienced yoga educators.

Episodes

Beyond 500 Hours: Andrew Tanner on Competency-Based Standards and the American Yoga Council
Beyond 500 Hours: Andrew Tanner on Competency-Based Standards and the American Yoga Council Sep 24, 2026 2037 Are 200 and 500 hour designations meaningful, or are they just gatekeeping? Andrew Tanner, CEO of American Yoga Council, is uniquely qualified to speak on the topic; his past includes owning multiple studios, leading Kripalu School of Yoga and Ayurveda, a stint as a Yoga Alliance board member, and later leading its Standards Review project. Andrew describes founding the American Yoga Council as a
First Time Retreat Math: Pricing, Deposits, and Minimums with Monisha
First Time Retreat Math: Pricing, Deposits, and Minimums with Monisha Aug 27, 2026 2395 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
Vetting Venues: Questions First-Time Retreat Leaders Forget to Ask
Vetting Venues: Questions First-Time Retreat Leaders Forget to Ask Aug 13, 2026 1165 Dreaming of leading your first yoga retreat? Save yourself time and potential headaches by following this two-step retreat center vetting process that covers everything from communication red flags to the fine print on cancellations. In this episode, you’ll hear exactly how I narrow down my options for retreat venues, compare apples to apples, and read between the lines to find the best venue for
12 Reasons Every Retreat Leader Needs to be a Guest Too
12 Reasons Every Retreat Leader Needs to be a Guest Too Jul 30, 2026 1483 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 w
How to Sequence a 20 Minute Demo Class
How to Sequence a 20 Minute Demo Class Jul 16, 2026 745 Mado shares her top 5 tips for sequencing a 20 minute demo class to audition for a teaching position.   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Why yoga studios ask for a 20 minute audition. How to do research for the teaching job you are hoping to get.  What to focus on when you don’t have enough time to sequence a full class experience.  Teaching techniques you can use in your demo and beyond. How to have a plan f
Breathing Myths and Misconceptions with Dr Crystal Frazee
Breathing Myths and Misconceptions with Dr Crystal Frazee Jul 2, 2026 4451 Dr. Crystal Frazee unpacks common myths and misconceptions about the breath that are frequently shared in yoga classes. In this episode, she shares the basics of breathing physiology that every yoga teacher should know - and how to apply that knowledge in a yoga setting. She advises teachers to drop the cue “deep breath,” prioritize quiet, effortless nasal breathing with lower rib expansion, empha
Tips for Teaching Anatomy with Dr. Libby Hinsley
Tips for Teaching Anatomy with Dr. Libby Hinsley Jun 18, 2026 2120 If you’re an anatomy nerd eager to share your enthusiasm for the human body with your students, you’ll love the insider tips and best practices we share in this conversation. Listen in to hear about the balance between clarity and accuracy, the importance of knowing your audience, and the potential pros and cons of incorporating anatomical concepts into asana classes. We also cover special conside
Tips for Learning Anatomy with Dr. Libby Hinsley
Tips for Learning Anatomy with Dr. Libby Hinsley Jun 4, 2026 2323 Why is learning anatomy so hard for yoga teachers? In this episode, we discuss the importance of becoming fluent in basic anatomy to accurately speak about the body in your yoga classes. We know anatomy can feel like a foreign language - that’s because it is! But fear not, we have the secret sauce to make it all stick. From our own adventures with anatomy to tips that'll make studying a breeze, th
Yoga’s PR Problem (and how you can help)
Yoga’s PR Problem (and how you can help) May 21, 2026 1110 Learn to correct common misunderstandings about yoga. As teachers, we have an important role to play in improving the public perception of yoga. In this episode, you will learn the most common misconceptions that prevent people from trying yoga, why yoga is misunderstood in the wider culture, and what you can do about it as a yoga teacher.   Episode Highlights:  4 misunderstandings that make (som
So You Want to Run a Teacher Training? with Angela Hammond
So You Want to Run a Teacher Training? with Angela Hammond May 7, 2026 2024 What does it actually take to run a yoga teacher training? In this episode with Angela Hammond, founder of Main Street Yoga, we talk about the real behind-the-scenes of leading a 200-hour yoga teacher training. From curriculum design and Yoga Alliance requirements to navigating group dynamics and burnout, Angela shares what she’s learned over years of trial and error. Teacher trainings are a lot o
Teaching With an Injury with Juzbi Walia [On-Air Coaching Call]
Teaching With an Injury with Juzbi Walia [On-Air Coaching Call] Apr 23, 2026 1951 Physical demonstration is an important tool for teaching - so what do you do when an injury prevents you from being able to demonstrate? In this on-air coaching call with Juzbi Walia, we explore what it means to teach yoga with an injury, from rethinking asana beyond set sequences to developing more subtle, specific approaches to movement and instruction. What at first feels like a limitation can
Why Running a Yoga Business Feels so Hard (and things that will help)
Why Running a Yoga Business Feels so Hard (and things that will help) Apr 9, 2026 1012 Yoga teachers often begin their teaching journey expecting a flexible, meaningful, and low-stress career, but quickly find themselves overwhelmed by the realities of running a business. In this episode, we break down why the modern yoga teacher role feels so hard, from the pressures of social media to the many hats you’re required to wear when self-employed. This conversation unpacks the gap betwe

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