118: Is It Yoga, Fitness, or Both? | Navigating the Politics of the Yoga Industry (Part 1)

118: Is It Yoga, Fitness, or Both? | Navigating the Politics of the Yoga Industry (Part 1)

In this first episode of our three-part series, Navigating the Politics of the Yoga Industry, Sunny and I dive into a question that has become increasingly relevant in today's yoga world: What's the difference between teaching yoga and teaching fitness? As yoga continues to blend with strength training, sculpt, Pilates, and other movement modalities, the lines can become blurry. We share our own journeys, one of us intentionally separating yoga from fitness, the other trying to integrate the two, and discuss how those experiences shaped our teaching. This isn't about deciding who's right or wrong. It's an honest conversation about how the changing landscape of the yoga industry influences teacher identity, student expectations, studio culture, and even our careers. Together we explore: * Where yoga ends and fitness begins, or if that line even exists. * Why student expectations can shape the classes we teach. * How studio culture, capitalism, and class attendance influence teaching opportunities. * The challenge of staying authentic while making a living as a yoga teacher. * Questions every teacher can ask themselves about their own teaching path. We hope this conversation offers new perspectives and sparks thoughtful reflection. We'd love to hear your thoughts after listening. What resonated with you? Where do you stand on the conversation? Share your reflections with us, we're excited to continue the discussion. Connect with Sunny: * YouTube: ⁠ @sunnysideyogalates ⁠ [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC5glBOLKftydHPp4ObgA7_A] * Website: ⁠https://www.healingwithsunny.org/⁠ [https://www.healingwithsunny.org/] * Instagram: ⁠@sunnysideyogalates [www.instagram.com/sunnysideyogalates] Connect with Reika: * Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.reikayoga.com] * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠ [www.instagram.com/reikayoga] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethical Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat] (Use code: ALIGN300 for $300 off)

117: Beyond Group Classes: Tara Alperin on Evolving Your Yoga Career

In this episode, I sit down with yoga teacher, mentor, and educator Tara Alperin to explore what it really looks like to build a long-term career in yoga. From her beginnings as a competitive figure skater and dancer to teaching over 20 yoga classes a week in New York City, Tara shares how each chapter of her journey shaped the teacher and mentor she is today. We also talk about the realities of making a living as a yoga teacher, how the industry has changed since the pandemic, moving to a new city and rebuilding your teaching career, and why she believes teaching group classes isn't the only path to a sustainable yoga career. Tara's perspective on helping teachers discover their unique gifts. We dive into confidence, imposter syndrome, mentorship, and how yoga teachers can build careers that are both impactful and financially sustainable. Connect with Tara: Website: https://www.tesniyogateachertraining.com/ [https://www.tesniyogateachertraining.com/] Instagram: @tesniyoga [https://www.instagram.com/tesniyoga/] Connect with Reika: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethical Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat] (Use code: ALIGN300 for $300 off) * Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.reikayoga.com] * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠ [www.instagram.com/reikayoga]

116: What It Takes to Flourish as a Full-Time Yoga Teacher with Nyk Danu

In this episode, I sit down with yoga therapist, yin yoga teacher, and teacher trainer Nyk Danu, who has been teaching since 2004. Nyk shares her unlikely path from hairstylist to full-time yoga teacher and how injuries and a growing interest in Buddhism led her to yoga. We also talk about her studies with Paul Grilley, the value of mentorship and apprenticeship, and how yoga teachers can flourish in this career path. Nyk also opens up about the realities of building a sustainable yoga career. She shares how she transitioned away from gyms and studios to running her own registered series, the business lessons that helped her move beyond burnout, and what it was like rebuilding her career after moving across the country and navigating the challenges of the pandemic. We discuss specialization, marketing with integrity, multiple income streams, and why she is passionate about helping yoga teachers create businesses that allow them to truly flourish. Connect with Nyk: * Website: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/ [https://nykdanu.com/teachers/] * Instagram: @nykdanuyoga [https://www.instagram.com/nykdanuyoga/] * Podcast: Yin Yoga Podcast [https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/yin-yoga-podcast/] * Weekly Free Yoga teachers co-working sessions  [https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19572410&appointmentType=54258493⁠] * Monthly Q&A session where teachers can ask me anything about their business  [https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19572410&appointmentType=54257254⁠] Connect with Reika: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethical Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat] (Use code: ALIGN300 for $300 off) * Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.reikayoga.com] * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga [www.instagram.com/reikayoga] * Join her newsletter

115: Yoga en Español & the Power of Knowing Your Why with Klaudia Paletta

In this episode, I sit down with Klaudia Paletta, founder of Pink Means Go, bilingual wellness facilitator, and yoga teacher dedicated to making yoga more accessible to Latinx communities. Klaudia shares her journey from retail management to full-time yoga teaching, how teaching her grandmother during the pandemic inspired her work, and how she has built community-centered wellness programs through bilingual yoga, chair yoga, retreats, and grant-funded initiatives. We also discuss creating inclusive spaces, thinking beyond the traditional studio model, navigating grants and partnerships, and why staying connected to your "why" is essential for building a sustainable career in yoga. Whether you're a yoga teacher, wellness professional, or someone passionate about community impact, this conversation is filled with inspiration and practical insights for creating meaningful work that serves others. Connect with Klaudia: Website: https://www.pinkmeansgo.com [https://www.pinkmeansgo.com] Instagram: @pinkmeansgo [https://www.instagram.com/pinkmeansgo] Connect with Reika: * ⁠⁠⁠Ethical Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat] (Use code: ALIGN300 for $300 off) * ⁠Pelvic Floor Workshop for Yoga Teachers⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/schedule/3ee17695-a300-4bd8-aa1c-139f6ce0f9de_1780779600] (June 6th, Saturday 2-4pm pst) * Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.reikayoga.com] * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga [www.instagram.com/reikayoga]

114: From Tokyo to LA with Maria Wada: Dance, Identity & Living in Harmony Through Yoga

In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika sits down with Maria Wada to explore her journey from growing up in Japan and Mexico to becoming a professional dancer in Los Angeles, performing with artists like Britney Spears and Taylor Swift. Maria shares the emotional highs and challenges of the entertainment industry, how yoga helped her reconnect to herself beyond external validation, and her transition from dance into teaching yoga full-time. Together, they discuss identity, self-worth, retreats, community building, and what it means to live yoga and be a yoga teacher. Connect with Maria: Instagram: @mariawadayoga [https://www.instagram.com/mariawadayoga/] Website: https://www.mariawada.com [https://www.mariawada.com/] Retreat: Living in Harmony Nicaragua [https://www.mariawada.com/nicaragua-yoga-retreat-aug-2026-living-in-harmony] Connect with Reika: * ⁠⁠Ethical Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua⁠⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat] * Pelvic Floor Workshop for Yoga Teachers [https://www.reikayoga.com/schedule/3ee17695-a300-4bd8-aa1c-139f6ce0f9de_1780779600] * Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠ [www.reikayoga.com] * Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga [www.instagram.com/reikayoga]