Andy when i hear people wordering its "EXPENSIVE" "why a Workshop costs more than 25 bugs" but 2 Cocktails cost more today, i cant believe that the people asking that....thank you for your great, radical and overall true opinion and words about our realy important work.
We will get there! I think a lot of this is because of how yoga teachers perceive themselves. Once you change your mindset from "price" to "value", you attract people that value what you have to offer.
Truth! As Kriyananda, one of my teachers said, "Money is the prana of the material world." One needs a healthy flow. There are many challenges in the current yoga paradigm to overcome imo; including a pervasive victim mentality, group think, attachment to authority (lineage) instead of use of discernment, and a misunderstanding of discernment vs. judgement to name a few. I see creating an abundant business as a spiritual endeavor of service and a personal journey of growth and authentic Being. Thanks Andy!
Been around hatha yoga for a long long time. Yoga studios to make profits classes were not enough so they started teacher training then it became “deepen your practice” rather than become a teacher….I knew they had over saturated the market. YA gave schools a framework so anyone could design a program and now I see online trainings... That makes me laugh. Mr. Iyengar made those who were serious and wanted to be a teacher come to Pune India and study with him along with the programs in SF and a few other places and that was it. It took years. And CVD scared people off. Rents go up. Insurance needs. Not enough students. Not enough classes. I can’t imagine doing online classes. The question is how do you fix the entire industry…and Yoga Journal Magazine is part of the machine. The yoga studio is an important little community for working on ourselves and sharing a sort of Satsang. At this time here in NYC now most studios are gone although some new ones are popping up so there is hope. In India by the govt mandate, kids are taught hatha and yoga nidra etc.
this is such an insightful comment. thanks for sharing this. in my opinion the industry will be the industry. this won't change. so i believe the solution is to empower teachers 🫶
Andy! You are someone who really truly cuts through the crap and sees the issues that yoga teachers face in the current global environment. Most importantly, you actually CARE about what is going on and your mission to genuinely help us yoga teachers is certainly an inspiring beam of light to inspire and actually guide yoga teachers in a direction of, not only financial growth, but also personal growth. Your input and perspectives add real value. Ongoing thanks & gratitude! (You greedy.... 😅... hilarious!) Reply
$4300 for YTT $250 to register with Yoga Alliance Money earned as a yoga teacher? $0 I just wanted to teach something I love, knowing I wouldn't be able to earn a real living doing it, but now I'm finding in having to create an audience on line just to have the opportunity to teach and IT'S SUCH A NEGATIVE SPACE it's made me question teaching at all...😢 Thank you for creating this, I felt like I was alone in feeling this way.
You 06:35 AM ANDDDYYYYY, that video of why ppl are making money is SO TRUE! I’ve been saying that since forever, ppl claim that my studio isn’t real yoga because it was successful & I so dislike Yoga Alliance they are daylight robbers! Thank you for saying as it is. This is my last tour so to speak, my parents were yogis, yes we hosted many teachers through out my childhood & yes, these sadhus or gurus were our doctors + advisors & i of course hated it then, i wanted the opposite. Such is life & now I have been teaching since 2009. The yoga business is dark, fear mongers and filled with double jointed, flexible idiots. 🤯 The more reason why I want to make this work for me & make RESTING sexy again 😎 Thx 😊 Nikki
I hear you. I had a personal experience some time ago, my least favourable experience to date. We are in this business to lift ppl up, YA isn’t part of that mission.
Thank you for your video; I agree with much of what you say. I am a teacher with over 30 years of practice and study in yoga. After many years of personal practice, I trained in Iyengar Yoga and Yoga Therapy. To even begin teacher training, I had to practice at the yoga school at least three times a week for three years. The teacher training itself lasted three months, attending daily classes, including weekends. Later, I trained with well-known Vinyasa Flow teachers like Shiva Rea and Ana Forrest, accumulating over 1,000 hours of additional training, including in Yin Yoga, Yoga Anatomy, and Neuroscience. However, there's one point I'd like to add that I feel is often overlooked: the quality of teacher training and the saturation of the market that is occurring because of this. The rise of inexpensive or short-term yoga teacher training programs some of them online has flooded the market with underprepared instructors as a result. While many people are genuinely seeking yoga to improve their health or heal, the confusion caused by the lack of depth in some teacher trainings leads to students becoming disillusioned, injured, or even giving up on the practice entirely. This is especially problematic for those seeking yoga as a tool for nervous system regulation or emotional healing. The physical aspect of yoga is what attracts most people-movement is inherently healing, and many experience positive changes after practicing. But yoga is more than just a physical practice; it’s a spiritual path with multiple layers that go beyond flexibility or strength. Unfortunately, many teachers don't have the understanding of anatomy or the subtleties of the practice to guide students in a way that prevents injury or promotes true healing. This lack of depth is what leads to confusion and frustration for students who want to learn yoga for its true benefits. Another challenge I see is that yoga studios often struggle to retain students. They’re faced with the pressures of attracting new clients, which often means catering to the trend of showcasing physically impressive postures-sometimes at the expense of educating students on the deeper aspects of the practice. Yoga has become a sort of fitness trend, with an emphasis on body image-whether it's perfect poses or the latest yoga leggings-which often reinforces the idea that yoga is about acrobatics or appearance rather than personal growth or inner peace. The ego of both students and teachers can get caught up in these physical ideals. It’s hard for some teachers, especially those with great flexibility or strength, to communicate that yoga isn’t about how much you can bend or twist. This ego-driven focus can sometimes hinder the true essence of the practice, which is about connection, presence, and alignment with one's deeper self. On a personal note, I am one of those teachers who has been terribly impacted by the sudden growth of online training and online teaching. The explosion of online courses and the sheer volume of new, younger teachers entering the market has shifted the landscape in ways that are hard to ignore. Many of these new teachers start offering classes and even take over established studio spaces without fully understanding the depth of the practice or the importance of learning from experienced, senior teachers. This lack of regard for the wisdom that seasoned teachers bring to the table is disheartening. It’s important for new teachers to respect and learn from those of us who have dedicated decades to this work-only then can they begin to understand the depth and responsibility of teaching yoga, beyond just offering poses in a class. It’s important that we as teachers remember that yoga, when practiced correctly, is much more than just movement. It's a transformative practice that requires wisdom, patience, and understanding-qualities that come from a commitment to lifelong learning, not just quick certifications or following trends.
Yuuup, I’ve been saying a few of these points for years.. very well put and thank you for bringing light to this topic/ issue. Let’s trump the big pharma industry-! Health is First Wealth
Brilliant video. I’ve sadly lost friends bc of my non ‘traditional’ form of teaching. The shaming is for real. Btw, you’re a yoga teacher in my eyes. 👍🏻
Yes. When you say that ancient Yogis just like monks, were being taken care of by their local communities...now, not only do we dedicate our lives to caring for others, but we need to struggle, too??? I say : have 1 or 2 side gigs to support you while you figure out who you are and what you want as a yoga teacher ❤ patience, wisdom and strength
You are spot on about the Pharma companies. there is a lot of dilution in the practice especially in the Western world like sugar coating and make the practice easier not necessarily practice right. Secondly some teachers don't care about the practice. they lack that passion and it shows in their teaching. the list is long. making money is fine but the goal should be their craft, if they are true to their craft, money will come.
Andy when i hear people wordering its "EXPENSIVE" "why a Workshop costs more than 25 bugs" but 2 Cocktails cost more today, i cant believe that the people asking that....thank you for your great, radical and overall true opinion and words about our realy important work.
We will get there! I think a lot of this is because of how yoga teachers perceive themselves. Once you change your mindset from "price" to "value", you attract people that value what you have to offer.
Truth! As Kriyananda, one of my teachers said, "Money is the prana of the material world." One needs a healthy flow. There are many challenges in the current yoga paradigm to overcome imo; including a pervasive victim mentality, group think, attachment to authority (lineage) instead of use of discernment, and a misunderstanding of discernment vs. judgement to name a few. I see creating an abundant business as a spiritual endeavor of service and a personal journey of growth and authentic Being. Thanks Andy!
thanks doug! 🙏
The yoga machine needs some yoga! Thanks for your work to help us thrive Andy :)
Always brotha!
Thank you Andy,
always inspiring your point of view
🙏
Thank you very much :-)
Another great video! Thanks Andy for empowering us 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Thank you Debs!!
Been around hatha yoga for a long long time. Yoga studios to make profits classes were not enough so they started teacher training then it became “deepen your practice” rather than become a teacher….I knew they had over saturated the market. YA gave schools a framework so anyone could design a program and now I see online trainings... That makes me laugh. Mr. Iyengar made those who were serious and wanted to be a teacher come to Pune India and study with him along with the programs in SF and a few other places and that was it. It took years. And CVD scared people off. Rents go up. Insurance needs. Not enough students. Not enough classes. I can’t imagine doing online classes. The question is how do you fix the entire industry…and Yoga Journal Magazine is part of the machine. The yoga studio is an important little community for working on ourselves and sharing a sort of Satsang. At this time here in NYC now most studios are gone although some new ones are popping up so there is hope. In India by the govt mandate, kids are taught hatha and yoga nidra etc.
this is such an insightful comment. thanks for sharing this. in my opinion the industry will be the industry. this won't change. so i believe the solution is to empower teachers 🫶
Andy! You are someone who really truly cuts through the crap and sees the issues that yoga teachers face in the current global environment. Most importantly, you actually CARE about what is going on and your mission to genuinely help us yoga teachers is certainly an inspiring beam of light to inspire and actually guide yoga teachers in a direction of, not only financial growth, but also personal growth. Your input and perspectives add real value. Ongoing thanks & gratitude! (You greedy.... 😅... hilarious!)
Reply
thank you for saying that. i try haha!
$4300 for YTT
$250 to register with Yoga Alliance
Money earned as a yoga teacher? $0
I just wanted to teach something I love, knowing I wouldn't be able to earn a real living doing it, but now I'm finding in having to create an audience on line just to have the opportunity to teach and IT'S SUCH A NEGATIVE SPACE it's made me question teaching at all...😢
Thank you for creating this, I felt like I was alone in feeling this way.
thank you for sharing! 🙏
You
06:35 AM
ANDDDYYYYY, that video of why ppl are making money is SO TRUE!
I’ve been saying that since forever, ppl claim that my studio isn’t real yoga because it was successful & I so dislike Yoga Alliance they are daylight robbers!
Thank you for saying as it is.
This is my last tour so to speak, my parents were yogis, yes we hosted many teachers through out my childhood & yes, these sadhus or gurus were our doctors + advisors & i of course hated it then, i wanted the opposite. Such is life & now I have been teaching since 2009.
The yoga business is dark, fear mongers and filled with double jointed, flexible idiots. 🤯
The more reason why I want to make this work for me & make RESTING sexy again 😎
Thx 😊
Nikki
Thank you for the kind words Nikki! I personally don't dislike Yoga Alliance... I just think people should be aware of their biz model 😅
I hear you.
I had a personal experience some time ago, my least favourable experience to date. We are in this business to lift ppl up, YA isn’t part of that mission.
This is so true. The right education is key. Thanks for clearing this up 🙏
Thank you for your video; I agree with much of what you say. I am a teacher with over 30 years of practice and study in yoga. After many years of personal practice, I trained in Iyengar Yoga and Yoga Therapy. To even begin teacher training, I had to practice at the yoga school at least three times a week for three years. The teacher training itself lasted three months, attending daily classes, including weekends. Later, I trained with well-known Vinyasa Flow teachers like Shiva Rea and Ana Forrest, accumulating over 1,000 hours of additional training, including in Yin Yoga, Yoga Anatomy, and Neuroscience.
However, there's one point I'd like to add that I feel is often overlooked: the quality of teacher training and the saturation of the market that is occurring because of this. The rise of inexpensive or short-term yoga teacher training programs some of them online has flooded the market with underprepared instructors as a result. While many people are genuinely seeking yoga to improve their health or heal, the confusion caused by the lack of depth in some teacher trainings leads to students becoming disillusioned, injured, or even giving up on the practice entirely. This is especially problematic for those seeking yoga as a tool for nervous system regulation or emotional healing.
The physical aspect of yoga is what attracts most people-movement is inherently healing, and many experience positive changes after practicing. But yoga is more than just a physical practice; it’s a spiritual path with multiple layers that go beyond flexibility or strength. Unfortunately, many teachers don't have the understanding of anatomy or the subtleties of the practice to guide students in a way that prevents injury or promotes true healing. This lack of depth is what leads to confusion and frustration for students who want to learn yoga for its true benefits.
Another challenge I see is that yoga studios often struggle to retain students. They’re faced with the pressures of attracting new clients, which often means catering to the trend of showcasing physically impressive postures-sometimes at the expense of educating students on the deeper aspects of the practice. Yoga has become a sort of fitness trend, with an emphasis on body image-whether it's perfect poses or the latest yoga leggings-which often reinforces the idea that yoga is about acrobatics or appearance rather than personal growth or inner peace.
The ego of both students and teachers can get caught up in these physical ideals. It’s hard for some teachers, especially those with great flexibility or strength, to communicate that yoga isn’t about how much you can bend or twist. This ego-driven focus can sometimes hinder the true essence of the practice, which is about connection, presence, and alignment with one's deeper self.
On a personal note, I am one of those teachers who has been terribly impacted by the sudden growth of online training and online teaching. The explosion of online courses and the sheer volume of new, younger teachers entering the market has shifted the landscape in ways that are hard to ignore. Many of these new teachers start offering classes and even take over established studio spaces without fully understanding the depth of the practice or the importance of learning from experienced, senior teachers. This lack of regard for the wisdom that seasoned teachers bring to the table is disheartening. It’s important for new teachers to respect and learn from those of us who have dedicated decades to this work-only then can they begin to understand the depth and responsibility of teaching yoga, beyond just offering poses in a class.
It’s important that we as teachers remember that yoga, when practiced correctly, is much more than just movement. It's a transformative practice that requires wisdom, patience, and understanding-qualities that come from a commitment to lifelong learning, not just quick certifications or following trends.
Thank you for contributing this deep insight. It means a lot that you watched this video and took the time to reflect, process, and share. Thank you 🙏
Mic drop - truly. On all points. Thank you 🙏
thanks for watching all the way until the mic drop haha ... but actually no mic drop. the work begins where this video ends 🙂
I love this!! Thank you for sharing!
thank you for watching! 🙂🙏
true Words 100%. i appreciate that alot
Thank you!
Yuuup, I’ve been saying a few of these points for years.. very well put and thank you for bringing light to this topic/ issue.
Let’s trump the big pharma industry-! Health is First Wealth
yes!! it's us against big pharma yall 🫶😄
Brilliant video. I’ve sadly lost friends bc of my non ‘traditional’ form of teaching. The shaming is for real. Btw, you’re a yoga teacher in my eyes. 👍🏻
wow that has got to be the best compliment ever. thank you!!! 🫶
This video is so spot on. Thanks for this.
I'm glad it resonated with you.
All you say is so true. I had to change all my practice because of these facts
Really? How?
Inspired. Thank you 🙏🏼
Thanks for watching!
❤awesome speech 🙏
Yes. When you say that ancient Yogis just like monks, were being taken care of by their local communities...now, not only do we dedicate our lives to caring for others, but we need to struggle, too??? I say : have 1 or 2 side gigs to support you while you figure out who you are and what you want as a yoga teacher ❤ patience, wisdom and strength
Hey! I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Can you elaborate? 🙂
That was really helpful, thanks 🙏🏼
Glad it was helpful!
I managed a yoga studio in CT from 2017-2018 and was getting paid $1,500 a month.
Ouch! Yeah that's nuts.
You are spot on about the Pharma companies. there is a lot of dilution in the practice especially in the Western world like sugar coating and make the practice easier not necessarily practice right. Secondly some teachers don't care about the practice. they lack that passion and it shows in their teaching. the list is long. making money is fine but the goal should be their craft, if they are true to their craft, money will come.
Andy, you are fucking brilliant! I loved every single second of this. Seriously, EVERY single yoga teacher needs to watch this.
thank you! not sure about brilliant. haha! i know many teachers feel this way about yoga alliance but i felt like somebody had to bring it up.
i'm gonna luanch OMBODHI
let's go!!!!
👌🧘♀️💫
How do (female) yoga teachers make money? Lets be honest, by marrying a rich guy, divorcing him or bank of mum and dad...
award for dumbest comment goes to.... this guy 🤣