Full-Time Yoga Teacher
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Welcome to the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast! I'm Reika, your host from Long Beach, California. Join me weekly for insightful conversations with everyday yoga teachers who've embraced the challenging journey of making yoga their full-time profession. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just starting, our episodes offer valuable insights, inspiration, and practical advice. Explore the diverse tapestry of the yoga world with us. Welcome to the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast!
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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 moreAdvanced Hands-on-Assist workshop with Kallie:April 4th, Saturday 2-4pm PSTIn-person in Long Beach, CAPrice: $35RegisterConnect with Reika:Instagram: @reikayogaWebsite: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika Shucart speaks with longtime yoga teacher and yoga therapist Rebecca Sebastian, the host of the podcast Working In Yoga. Rebecca shares her unconventional path from nonprofit fundraising into a 25-year career in the yoga industry, including becoming a yoga therapist, studio owner, nonprofit co-founder, and now a full-time media creator covering the realities of working in yoga. Together they discuss building a sustainable yoga career, the economics behind teaching yoga full-time, and why popularity on social media doesn’t necessarily translate to financial success. Rebecca also offers candid insights into yoga therapy training, studio ownership, and how yoga teachers can build a profitable career through workshops, referrals, and professional relationships rather than relying solely on group classes or online visibility.Connect with Rebecca:Podcast: Working in YogaMedia Company: Sunlight MediaReika's Nicaragua Yoga Retreat:Learn moreIntro to Meditation Workshop with Cayce:March 15th, Sunday 2-4pm PSTIn-person & on zoom (recording will be available)Price: Donation-based (min $20)RegisterCayce's Interview Podcast Episode 77Connect with Reika:Instagram: @reikayogaWebsite: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, host Reika Shucart sits down with Elizabeth Clark, a full-time yoga teacher, prenatal and postnatal yoga specialist, birth doula, and founder of Looma Birth. Elizabeth shares her decade-long journey of building a sustainable yoga career rooted in motherhood, birth work, and entrepreneurship. From becoming a yoga teacher in the same year she became a first-time mom to teaching yoga while navigating postpartum recovery, Elizabeth offers an honest look at what it means to grow alongside your work in the yoga industry.This conversation explores how Elizabeth carved out a niche in prenatal yoga and postnatal yoga, transitioned from studio teaching to running her own business, and ultimately launched Looma Birth. Elizabeth reflects on the realities of being a full-time yoga teacher, balancing family life, and evolving her business alongside motherhood. This episode is a must-listen for yoga teachers interested in the yoga business, yoga entrepreneurship, and creating a career that aligns with real life, especially for those curious about prenatal yoga, postnatal yoga, and long-term sustainability in the yoga industry.Connect with Elizabeth: Website: https://www.loomabirth.comIG: @loomabirthReika's Nicaragua Yoga Retreat:Learn moreIntro to Meditation Workshop with Cayce:March 15th, Sunday 2-4pm PSTIn-person & on zoom (recording will be available)Price: Donation-based (min $20)RegisterConnect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's Newsletter
In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika sits down with Lauren Cohen, a San Francisco-based yoga teacher and retreat leader, to talk honestly about what it takes to build a sustainable life in yoga.Lauren shares her journey from ballet and competitive figure skating to discovering yoga during a deeply challenging period in college, an experience that ultimately changed the course of her life. She reflects on transitioning from a corporate job into full-time teaching, navigating financial uncertainty, and learning to trust the path even without a perfect plan.Together, Reika and Lauren explore teaching through the pandemic, building and maintaining community, leading retreats, and the very real experience of burnout. They also discuss the importance of mentorship, continuing education, and why having a teacher matters, especially for long-term growth and longevity in teaching.This episode is a grounded, candid conversation for yoga teachers who are questioning sustainability, redefining success, and seeking a more aligned way forward in their teaching and life.Connect with Lauren: Website: https://www.laurencohenyoga.com/IG: @laurencohenyogaReika's Nicaragua Yoga Retreat:Find out moreConnect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's Newsletter
In this episode, Reika sits down with Aimee Echo, a yoga teacher and educator devoted to preserving the integrity of classical Yoga while making its tools accessible to modern practitioners. Aimee is the owner of Community Yoga Club, home of Ashtanga Yoga Long Beach, where she leads a daily Mysore-style program and offers Individual Yoga Therapy.Together, they explore what it means to remain a lifelong student of yoga, the humility required to stay in relationship with the practice, and why believing you’re “done” often marks the moment growth stops. Aimee reflects on her decades of study in the Krishnamacharya lineage, her experience weaving together Ashtanga and Yoga Therapy, and her perspective on holding tradition with care while meeting students where they are. This conversation speaks to the responsibility of teaching yoga in a way that is both deeply rooted and profoundly human.Connect with Aimee Echo:Website: https://www.aylb.org/Reika's Nicaragua Yoga Retreat:Find out moreConnect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's Newsletter
In this episode, I sit down with Jivana Heyman, founder of Accessible Yoga, to reflect on over 30 years of teaching, learning, and evolving within the yoga world.Jivana shares his journey into yoga, early influences from Integral Yoga, and how his experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to accessibility, service, and community. We explore the realities of teaching yoga beyond the poses, power dynamics in teacher-student relationships, the role of ego and feedback, emotional awareness, and what it really means to teach yoga as a form of service.Our conversation also touches on the evolution of Accessible Yoga as a nonprofit, financial accessibility in yoga education, lessons from leading 200-hour trainings, and the challenges teachers face as they navigate sustainability, self-awareness, and growth. Jivana offers honest reflections on creativity, collaboration, parenting, and staying connected to practice while teaching full-time.This episode is a grounded, insightful look at the heart of yoga teaching, and what it means to remain devoted to the practice over decades.Connect with Jivana:Website: http://www.jivanaheyman.com/Instagram: @jivanaheymanPodcast: Accessible Yoga PodcastReika's Nicaragua Yoga Retreat:Early-Bird Discount: Use code EARLYBIRD100Reika's Mentorship for Yoga Teachers:Mentorship 2026 ApplicationConnect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayoga
In this solo year-end episode, I reflect on 2025, a year shaped by endurance, teaching, travel, and honest observation.I share highlights from running my first marathon and first 50k ultra, leading a SmartFLOW 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, producing weekly podcast episodes, and guiding retreats in Nicaragua while preparing for what’s ahead in 2026. I also reflect on my pilgrimage on the Kumano Kodo in Japan and how walking, nature, and simplicity continue to inform my practice and teaching.In the second half of the episode, I share reflections on current trends in the yoga industry, from the fitnessization of yoga and the rise of hybrid classes to the disappearance of levels, lineage, and long-term mentorship. I explore what’s changing and what’s being valued.I close with what I’m looking forward to in 2026: continued training, upcoming retreats, teaching more YTTs, and staying devoted to the long path.Nicaragua Yoga Retreat with Reika:Early-Bird Discount: Use code EARLYBIRD100Reika's Mentorship for Yoga Teachers:Mentorship 2026 ApplicationConnect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayoga
In this episode, Reika sits down with Amanda Kingsmith: 500-hour RYT, yoga business coach, podcast host, author, world traveler, and mom of two, for an honest conversation about building a sustainable yoga career while living a nontraditional life. Amanda shares her journey from leaving a corporate job to teaching yoga full-time, launching Mastering the Business of Yoga, and eventually embracing online teaching and remote work as a way to support both her family and her creativity.Together, they explore the realities of the business of yoga, podcasting as a long-term project, and how motherhood reshapes priorities, energy, and ambition. Amanda also reflects on life in Mexico as an expat family, the evolution of online and hybrid yoga offerings, and why taking intentional breaks is sometimes essential for longevity. Connect with Amanda:WebsitePodcastInstagramEthical Yoga Retreat with Reika:Early-Bird Discount: Use code EARLYBIRD100Reika's Mentorship for Yoga Teachers:Mentorship 2026 ApplicationConnect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode, Reika interviews Francesca Cervero, a yoga teacher and mentor with over 20 years of experience teaching yoga and working one-on-one with students. Francesca shares her journey from dancer to full-time yoga teacher.Together, they explore the art and sustainability of yoga teaching, the role of mentorship and continuing education, and what it really takes to build a long-term yoga career. Francesca reflects on transitioning online, creating a mentorship community, balancing motherhood with teaching, and why private yoga offers a powerful, co-creative space for both teacher and student. This conversation is a grounded, honest look at teaching yoga as a craft, one that evolves with experience, curiosity, and care.Connect with Francesca:Website: https://www.francescacervero.com/Instagram: @francescacerveroReika's Mentorship:Mentorship 2026 ApplicationConnect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In this special 100th episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika reflects on the journey of creating the podcast over the past two years and the many lessons learned from interviewing over 65 yoga teachers from around the world. She shares an honest behind-the-scenes look at the realities of podcasting, including slow growth, unpaid labor, and what it truly takes to stay committed to a long-term project driven by passion rather than immediate results.Reika also weaves together the biggest themes that emerged across 100 episodes: what it really means to build a sustainable career as a yoga teacher, why group classes alone are rarely enough, the inevitability of burnout, and the importance of diversifying income streams. She speaks on how the yoga industry is evolving, the rise of hybrid offerings, and the necessity for teachers to adapt while staying rooted in their values.This solo episode is both a celebration and an honest check-in for anyone navigating the full-time yoga path. Resources:Mentorship 2026 ApplicationConnect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In the final episode of this anatomy mini-series, Reika and Olga dive into the importance of understanding movement patterns and what they reveal about how the body truly functions. They explore why there is no one “correct” alignment for every body, how anatomical differences shape the way we move, and how yoga cues can either support or limit healthy movement if we’re not careful.This conversation also expands beyond the yoga mat to address an important question: Is yoga asana alone enough for a well-rounded movement life? Together, they discuss the role of strength training, cross-training, and varied movement in maintaining long-term physical and mental health. They touch on how yoga fits into a broader “movement diet,” the importance of community, and why continuing education is essential for yoga teachers who want to serve their students responsibly.Resources:Mentorship 2026 ApplicationWorkshop: Busting Yoga Alignment Myths with Thomas. December 8th, Saturday 2-4pm pst.Connect with Olga: Instagram: @_olgamovesWebsite: https://www.olgakay.yoga Connect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In this second of the anatomy mini-series, Reika and Olga dive into one of the most important and most overlooked topics in yoga education: anatomical variation. They explore how differences in bone structure, joint shape, and movement capacity influence every student’s experience on the mat.This conversation breaks down why flexibility isn’t just about stretching more, why some poses feel accessible for one person and impossible for another, and how understanding variation can completely shift the way yoga teachers approach sequencing. Reika and Olga discuss how anatomy-informed teaching leads to more inclusive, compassionate, and effective classes and how empowering students to explore their own bodies can deepen their practice in meaningful ways.Whether you're a yoga teacher or a curious practitioner, this episode will help you rethink the way you see bodies, movement, and the purpose of yoga itself.Resources:Paul Grilly's Website with BonesBusting Yoga Alignment Myths with Thomas. December 8th, Saturday 2-4pm pst.Connect with Olga: Instagram: @_olgamovesWebsite: https://www.olgakay.yoga Connect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In this first episode of our three-part mini-series on anatomy for yoga teachers, Reika and Olga dive into their personal journeys of learning anatomy, starting from their early experiences in 200-hour trainings to the continuing education programs that helped everything finally “click.” They reflect on what was missing in their initial anatomy education, what sparked their fascination with functional movement, and how ongoing study has transformed the way they teach.This conversation highlights why anatomy matters for yoga teachers, how outdated cues and concepts can create confusion, and why understanding real human variation is essential for teaching safer, more empowering classes. Reika and Olga also share the trainings, courses, and teachers they recommend for anyone wanting to deepen their knowledge and stay current with evolving research in movement and anatomy.Previous podcast episodes with Olga:Episode 12: Interview with Olga4-Part Series on Creative Sequencing (Episode 53-56)Connect with Olga: Instagram: @_olgamovesWebsite: https://www.olgakay.yoga Connect with Reika:Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode, Reika sits down with Jo of Organic Adaptive to reflect on their shared experience organizing and leading the Ethical Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua. Together, they revisit the planning process, from developing a clear theme to balancing structure with free time, and share what it truly takes to bring a meaningful retreat to life.Reika and Jo discuss the value of collaboration, communication, and organization behind the scenes, as well as the importance of ethics and community in retreat work. This conversation offers a transparent look at the joys, lessons, and challenges of leading yoga retreats that are rooted in purpose, integrity, and connection.Whether you’re a yoga teacher dreaming of hosting your own retreat or someone curious about what goes into creating an intentional group experience, this episode provides grounded insight and heartfelt reflection on the art of retreat facilitation.Connect with Jo:Email: jo@organicadaptive.comGet on the Waitlist for:Ethical Yoga Retreat: Align with Purpose in Nicaragua 2026Connect with Reika:Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's Website: www.reikay
In this episode, Reika sits down with Mado Hesselink, yoga teacher, mentor, and host of The Yoga Teacher Resource podcast, to explore what it truly means to build a sustainable and fulfilling yoga career. Mado shares her journey from teaching group classes to mentoring yoga teachers worldwide through her online courses and community. Together, they discuss the realities of the yoga industry, balancing passion with business and creating meaningful relationships with students. This conversation is a grounded and inspiring reminder that sustainability in teaching comes from both heart and strategy.Connect with Mado:Website: https://teachingyoga.net/Instagram: @yoga.teacher.resourcePodcast: Yoga Teacher ResourceMap Your Year 5-Day Strategy SessionsUpcoming Workshop:Yoga Meets Physical Therapy: Strength, Stability, and Safety for the Hypermobile Body November 8th, Saturday,4 pm 2-4pm PST. Sliding-scale $10-60Connect with Reika:Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's Website: www.reikay
In this episode, Reika sits down with Debbie Livingston, yoga teacher, ultra runner, coach, mother, and lifelong advocate for mindful movement. Debbie shares how she discovered yoga and trail running during college and how both practices have remained beautifully intertwined throughout her life.With over two decades of experience in fitness, yoga, and coaching, Debbie reflects on the importance of listening to the body, cross-training for longevity, and finding balance between family, work, and passion. ✨ Topics we explore:The intersection of yoga and trail runningBalancing career, motherhood, and athletic pursuitsMindful movement and longevity in sportCoaching philosophy and community connectionListening to your body and honoring restConnect with Debbie:Website: https://debbielivingston.com/Instagram: @trailrunningmomUpcoming Workshop:Yoga Meets Physical Therapy: Strength, Stability, and Safety for the Hypermobile Body November 8th, Saturday,4 pm 2-4pm PST. Sliding-scale $10-60Connect with Reika:Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In Part Three of the Intelligent Sequencing for Vinyasa Yoga mini-series, Reika and Karen explore the power of consistency in yoga sequencing and how it supports both teachers and students. They discuss why predictability can actually create a deeper sense of safety, embodiment, and connection, rather than stifling creativity.This conversation dives into how a consistent framework allows teachers to layer in creative variations with clarity and intention. Reika and Karen also touch on how sequencing can help “wake students up” to their own bodies, rather than lead them to check out of their experience.Upcoming Workshop:Intelligent Sequencing for Yoga TeachersOctober 25th, Saturday 2-4 pm PSTIn-person @Long Beach & LivestreamedConnect with Karen:Instagram: @sodiumsoulConnect with Reika:Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's
In Part Two of the Intentional Sequencing for Vinyasa Yoga mini-series, Reika and Karen dive into one of the most common challenges yoga teachers face: doing too much in a sequence. They unpack the pressure many new teachers feel to prove their creativity through complex flows and explore why simplicity often creates a more impactful experience for students.Through candid conversation and personal teaching reflections, they discuss how intentionality can help narrow the focus of a class, why students only absorb a fraction of what’s offered, and how repetition and restraint can lead to deeper engagement. Reika and Karen also explore the balance between being a teacher and a choreographer, and how embracing simplicity allows both teachers and students to truly be in the practice rather than perform it.Upcoming Workshop:Intelligent Sequencing for Yoga TeachersOctober 25th, Saturday 2-4 pm PSTIn-person @Long Beach & LivestreamedConnect with Karen:Instagram: @sodiumsoulConnect with Reika:Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's website: www.reikayoga.com
In this first episode of our mini-series on Intelligent Sequencing, Reika sits down with Karen to explore what it really means to design a thoughtful yoga class. They unpack the concept of sequencing as the “why” behind each pose, and how teachers can intentionally prepare and unravel the body throughout a practice. From the role of vinyasa krama in building toward peak poses to the importance of a complete cool down, this conversation highlights how sequencing can transform a student’s experience. Whether you’re a yoga teacher looking to refine your craft or a student curious about what goes into a well-designed class, this episode will give you insight into the art and purpose of intentional sequencing.Upcoming Workshop:Intelligent Sequencing for Yoga TeachersOctober 25th, Saturday 2-4 pm PSTIn-person @Long Beach & LivestreamedConnect with Karen:Instagram: @sodiumsoulConnect with Reika:Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's website: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika sits down with Danielle Neathery, yoga studio owner, recovery yoga teacher, and ultra trail runner, to explore her unique journey from engineering to full-time yoga. Danielle shares how she stepped into studio ownership through an unexpected opportunity, the lessons she’s learned teaching in recovery centers, and how the pandemic has affected her business..We also dive into her passion for ultra running and the ways yoga supports her training, mental health, and overall balance. From navigating the challenges of running a studio to finding strength and meditation on the trails, Danielle opens up about what success means to her: cultivating peace and contentment in both work and life.This conversation is a must-listen for yoga teachers balancing multiple roles, studio owners navigating business realities, and anyone curious about the intersection of yoga, recovery, and endurance sports.Connect with Danielle: Instagram: @dln1010Studio's Instagram: @tententruthyogaStudio's website: https://tententruth.com/Reika's Resources:Join Reika's NewsletterReika's Instagram: @reikayogaReika's website: www.reikayoga.com
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