Have you ever walked into the studio, set up for class . . . and no one shows up? Or maybe just one student arrives, turning your group class into an unintentional private lesson. It happens more than we admit, and it can feel discouraging—but it doesn’t have to be.

In this episode, I share how to reframe low attendance as an opportunity. Small classes (or even empty ones) can help you refine your teaching, build confidence, and prepare for future private lessons. Plus, I share stories from my own experience—including one that led to free legal advice!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why low attendance isn’t a reflection of your teaching

• How to embrace and maximize unintentional private lessons

• Ways to use empty class time for self-improvement

• The unexpected benefits of solo student classes

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• Bluesky
• Pinterest

And come explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

Many yoga teachers avoid private lessons—not because they lack skill, but because they lack confidence. If you’ve ever felt unsure about pricing, session structure, or meeting a student’s needs, this episode is for you. I share my journey from uncertainty to confidence, plus three essential steps to help you teach private lessons with ease.

Chapters & Timestamps:

[00:00] Overcoming the Fear of Teaching Private Lessons

[00:00:54] The Benefits of Private Yoga Lessons

[00:01:32] My Journey with Private Lessons

[00:04:36] Why You Should Offer Private Lessons

[00:05:44] Three Steps to Confident Private Lessons

[00:08:14] Bonus Tips for Adding Value

[00:09:13] Conclusion and Next Steps

🎓 Want to earn more teaching yoga? Join my FREE workshop, “How to Double Your Income Teaching Yoga to Athletes.” Learn strategies to attract dedicated clients & grow your business!

👉 Sign up now: Teaching Yoga to Athletes

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• Bluesky
• Pinterest

And come explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

Teaching yoga can be isolating, especially when feedback is scarce. But feedback is crucial for growth. In this episode, I explore why feedback is hard to get, how to collect it, and why peer feedback is the most valuable. Plus, I share an invitation to my Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing mentorship, where you’ll receive real, actionable feedback from a supportive community.

Join me and take your teaching to the next level. Learn more at sagerountree.com/mentorship!

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• Bluesky
• Pinterest

And come explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

How can you theme your yoga classes with confidence? Theming is what transforms a sequence into an experience, leaving students inspired long after class ends. But for many teachers, theming—especially when it involves yoga philosophy—can feel intimidating.

In this episode, my longtime collaborator Alexandra DeSiato joins me to share her expert insights on how to theme authentically, balance personal and universal themes, and engage students in a meaningful way. We also discuss our new book, Teaching Yoga Beyond the Poses, Volume 2, and why it’s a game-changer for yoga teachers looking for fresh inspiration.

Preorder the book!

📖 Teaching Yoga Beyond the Poses, Volume 2: https://amzn.to/47C9WXP

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• Bluesky
• Pinterest

And come explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

Are you undercharging for your yoga classes? Setting confident prices isn’t just about making more money—it’s about ensuring your students value your work. In this episode, I break down why undercharging hurts both you and your students, how to set rates that align with your worth, and practical strategies to help you feel confident when naming your price.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why undercharging can actually make teaching less fulfilling

• How to price private lessons, workshops, and corporate classes

• The 5-step process to determine your ideal rate

• How pricing impacts student commitment and engagement

• Real pricing examples and strategies to adjust your rates with confidence

💡 Bonus: Grab my Know Your Worth Guide and free training:

https://sagerountree.com/athletes?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=confident_pricing

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• Bluesky
• Pinterest

And come explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

Your yoga mat isn’t just a raft keeping you safe—it’s a tool for connecting with your students. In this episode, you'll learn how to balance demonstrating poses with stepping off the mat to observe and connect. Hear ways to create a more engaging, student-centered class, from beginner-friendly cues to trauma-sensitive strategies.

Whether you’re wondering when or even whether to demo, how to confidently observe, or how to create meaningful student connections, this episode has you covered.

Join me and Joe-Paul Naughton-Travers for “A Framework for Teaching Trauma-Sensitive Yoga” at Carrboro Yoga in May 2025: https://www.wellnessliving.com/rs/event/carolinayogacompany?k_business=130621&k_class_tab=33774&uid=0&id_class_tab=2

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• Bluesky
• Pinterest

And come explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

Have you ever launched a project that didn’t go as planned? In this episode, I get honest about how my Plan a Month in an Hour workshop fell short—and how it inspired me to create something even better. I share what went wrong, the lessons I learned, and how listening to feedback led to my new mentorship program: Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing.

You’ll hear:

• Why clear communication is key for workshops and classes

• How to shift from “winging it” to confident lesson planning

• How I learned that you want done-for-you resources (I should have known, so do I!)

• The exciting details of my new six-month mentorship program

Affirmation for this episode:

“There’s no failure, just feedback.”

👉 Learn more and join my newsletter for updates: sagerountree.com/newsletter
👉 Design workshops that sell out with confidence (avoid flops like mine): free five-day email course on workshops

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• Bluesky
• Pinterest

And come explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

Developing confidence on camera is essential for yoga teachers looking to grow their careers. Whether it’s creating short promotional videos or teaching full-length online classes, on-camera teaching can open up new opportunities for impact and income. But it can be intimidating to get started!

In this episode, guest Jenni Rawlings and I explore how yoga teachers can improve their on-camera presence. Jenni shares her journey from creating DVDs to managing her online platform and offers tips for building connection and community in asynchronous settings.

💡 Affirmation: “Your message is what matters.”

📌 Explore Jenni’s classes and continuing education:

https://www.jennirawlings.com

🎧 Listen to this episode and explore more at:

https://sagerountree.com/the-yoga-teacher-confidential-podcast-with-sage-rountree/

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• Bluesky
• Pinterest

And come explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.