Ever looked out during a yoga class and thought, “Why do my students look so disengaged? They must be hating this!” Good news: those blank faces are often a sign of deep connection—not disinterest.

In this episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential, Sage Rountree sheds light on the often misunderstood signals yoga teachers receive from their students during class. Discover why blank expressions, furrowed brows, and even sleepy faces could be indicators of a truly engaged, introspective practice. Sage shares her own teaching experiences and valuable insights to help you embrace the quiet, counterintuitive signs of a successful yoga class, freeing yourself from the need to entertain or seek outward validation. Learn to recognize that true connection in yoga is often subtle and inward.

You’ll hear how:

• Students’ expressions in yoga often don’t reflect disengagement; they signal deep personal connection.

• In yoga, unlike in academic or high-intensity fitness classes, students don’t need to actively respond or engage with the instructor.

• Quiet faces, even sleepy ones, often mean students are having an inward experience, processing their practice.

• Focusing on your students’ journey rather than outward engagement frees you from the need to entertain and reinforces your role as a guide rather than the center of attention.

For more, visit Sage’s site: sagerountree.com.

Help me reach and help more yoga teachers like you by following the show and leaving a rating or review on Apple and Spotify!

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Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

Are you spending too much time planning each yoga class? Changing your approach could benefit both you and your students! You’ll feel more relaxed, your students will grow better, and the entire experience will be more fun for everyone involved.

In this episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential, Sage Rountree explores the importance of consistency over variety when planning yoga classes. Sage offers insights from exercise physiology to demonstrate how consistent sequencing not only enhances learning but also deepens students’ connection to the practice. Plus, she shares practical ways to simplify class planning, keeping it fresh without losing the grounding benefits of a consistent container.

You'll Learn:

• Why too much variety can hinder student growth and engagement

• How exercise physiology principles, like specificity and progressive overload, apply to yoga teaching

• Ways to shift focus from your own performance to student-centered teaching, so you feel more confident in your yoga class and your students feel more consistent

• Practical strategies to build consistency while reducing class prep time

• Benefits of a more consistent class structure for students’ nervous systems and learning

Tune in to learn how a few small adjustments can elevate your teaching, build your students’ confidence, and save you time.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Art of Yoga Sequencing

• The Athlete’s Guide to Recovery (2nd edition)

• Yoga Journal article on common yoga teaching mistakes: https://www.yogajournal.com/teach/yoga-sequences/

• Download Sage’s Greatest Hits Lesson Plan

Help me reach more yoga teachers like you by following the show and leaving a rating or review on Apple and Spotify!

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

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• Pinterest

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

Did you know confidence as a yoga teacher is a skill you can build? It’s true—confidence isn’t an innate trait; it’s a skill developed over time, through practice, and by addressing the self-limiting beliefs that hold us back. In this episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential with Sage Rountree, I welcome Karen Fabian, an expert in helping yoga teachers identify and overcome the mental barriers that impact their teaching presence. If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome or worried about “getting it right” in front of your students, this conversation offers practical strategies to empower you as a teacher.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Confidence-Building Practices: Karen shares insights into how yoga teachers can cultivate genuine confidence in the classroom, focusing on mindset shifts rather than just memorizing sequences.
2. Recognizing and Addressing Imposter Syndrome: Imposter syndrome is a common experience for yoga teachers, and Karen explains how to recognize when it arises and how to reframe those limiting beliefs.
3. Teaching from What You Know vs. What You’re Told: Teaching authentically from what you know rather than repeating what others have said can significantly boost confidence and resonate better with your students.
4. Simple Techniques to Cultivate Growth: From creating a “signature sequence” to practicing small mindset shifts, Karen offers specific techniques for developing a growth mindset in yoga teaching.

Key Takeaways:

• Confidence is a mindset that you can train through self-reflection, practice, and reframing negative beliefs.
• Mindset affects everything—from how you sequence your classes to how you respond when things don’t go as planned.
• Teach from what you know rather than trying to replicate someone else’s style; this authenticity connects more deeply with students. (Remember: as we covered in S1E2, you’re not Bryan!)
• Reflecting on imposter syndrome and self-doubt can be the first step to transforming these beliefs into sources of strength.

Listen to this episode to develop authentic confidence as a yoga teacher. Karen Fabian brings over 20 years of experience cultivating confidence in the classroom. Her suggestions will help you shed limiting beliefs and teach from a place of authenticity and presence.

Resources:

• Karen’s podcast, Conversations for Yoga Teachers
• Karen’s website, Bare Bones Yoga
• Karen on Instagram: @barebonesyoga
• Sage’s website

Help me reach more yoga teachers like you by following the show and leaving a rating or review on Apple and Spotify!

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

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• Pinterest

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Explore my continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.