Full-Time Yoga Teacher

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]

113: The Teacher-Student Relationship in Yoga: Lessons from Desikachar with Chase Bossart

In this episode, I sit down with Chase Bossart to explore what it really means to practice and live yoga beyond the mat. Chase shares his journey from studying philosophy to becoming a longtime student of T.K.V. Desikachar, offering a rare glimpse into the depth of the teacher-student relationship. Through his years of study in India and ongoing practice, we talk about individualized teaching, humility, and why yoga is something that unfolds over a lifetime. This conversation touches on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the role of personal practice, and how real change happens through consistency, relationship, and time. It’s a grounded and honest look at what it means to walk the path of yoga in a deeper way. Connect with Chase: * Yoga Well Institute [https://www.yogawell.com/] * Instagram: @yogawellinstitute [https://www.instagram.com/yogawellinstitute/] * Podcast: Yoga Well Podcast [https://www.yogawell.com/podcast/] Connect with Reika: * ⁠⁠Apply for the Mentorship program⁠⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/mentorship2026] * ⁠Ethical Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat] * Website: ⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠ [www.reikayoga.com] * Instagram: ⁠⁠@reikayoga [www.instagram.com/reikayoga]

112: How a Physical Therapist Became a Yoga Teacher and Studio Owner with Brenna Barzenick

In this episode, I’m joined by Brenna Barzenick, yoga teacher, studio owner, and physical therapist with over 30 years of experience. Brenna shares her journey from traditional PT to yoga and how she now bridges both worlds of science and yoga. Brenna shares her journey from working in orthopedic physical therapy to discovering yoga later in life, and how that path eventually led her to become a SmartFlow teacher and co-owner of a thriving yoga studio in Louisiana. With a deep background in biomechanics and anatomy, she offers a grounded and refreshing perspective on movement, one that prioritizes longevity, accessibility, and presence over performance. Connect with Brenna: Instagram: @dptyoga [https://www.instagram.com/dptyoga/] Brenna & Britni's Studio: @downtwonyogala [https://www.instagram.com/downtownyogala/] Yoga Studio Website: https://hammondyoga.com [https://hammondyoga.com] Connect with Reika: * ⁠Apply for the Mentorship program⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/mentorship2026] * Ethical Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat] * Free Community Yoga in Costa Mesa [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ampere-hour-free-yoga-at-the-camp-tickets-1987164138431?aff=erellivmlt] * ⁠Social Media for Yoga Teachers Workshop⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/schedule/52318c77-4b91-44a6-ace2-2cb5971c82e3_1777150800] * Website: ⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠ [www.reikayoga.com] * Instagram: ⁠@reikayoga [www.instagram.com/reikayoga]

111: Why I Left Multiple Studios (And Cut My Classes in Half): A Conversation with Sunny from SunnysideYogalates

In this episode, Sunny returns to share how her teaching career has completely shifted, from teaching over a dozen classes a week to intentionally scaling back for a more sustainable and aligned life. We talk about the real process of valuing yourself as a yoga teacher, setting boundaries, and making difficult decisions around work and finances. Sunny also shares how her path has expanded beyond studio classes into events, collaborations, and community-driven opportunities, along with insights on social media, networking, and avoiding burnout. This is an honest conversation about redefining success and building a career that actually supports your well-being. 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: Apply for the Mentorship program [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/mentorship2026] Social Media for Yoga Teachers Workshop [https://www.reikayoga.com/schedule/52318c77-4b91-44a6-ace2-2cb5971c82e3_1777150800] Website: www.reikayoga.com [www.reikayoga.com] Instagram: @reikayoga [www.instagram.com/reikayoga]

110: Solo Episode: Real Talk on My Teaching Life Updates & Mistakes New Yoga Teachers Make

In this solo episode, I share a real-time update on my teaching life: what my current schedule looks like, the different streams of income that support my work as a full-time yoga teacher, and a continuing education program I’m in that’s been expanding how I see movement, pattern recognition, and teaching. In the second half of the episode, I answer two of the most common questions I hear from newer teachers in my mentorship progra: Am I over-cueing? and How do I learn to teach without demoing? I offer practical, experience-based insights on how to refine your voice, teach with more intention, and develop the skill of observing bodies in real time, so you can become a more adaptable, confident, and skillful teacher.  Reika's Ethical Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat] Advanced Hands-on-Assist workshop with Kallie: April 4th, Saturday 2-4pm PST In-person in Long Beach, CA Price: $35 ⁠⁠Register⁠⁠ [https://www.reikayoga.com/schedule/508da68d-40f6-4fb3-b0f4-e96381c84f99_1775336400] Connect with Reika: Instagram: ⁠@reikayoga⁠ [www.instagram.com/reikayoga] Website: ⁠www.reikayoga.com [www.reikayoga.com]