January has a way of turning everything up to eleven: goals, pressure, expectations, and the belief that we’re supposed to become entirely new people overnight.

In this episode, Brea and Ula unpack why extreme challenges feel so seductive this time of year, and why so many of them leave us burned out, disconnected, or feeling like we’ve failed before we’ve even started. They talk about grind culture, wellness FOMO, and the noise of social media—and how all of it shows up not just in our minds, but in our bodies.

Rather than rejecting goals altogether, this conversation offers a different way in: one rooted in self-trust, nervous system awareness, and small, sustainable shifts. They explore why consistency beats intensity, why rest isn’t a reward you have to earn, and why real change doesn’t happen in isolation.

The episode closes with an invitation to approach January with more kindness, more curiosity, and a lot less pressure, plus a look at the Small Shifts Challenge as a way to practice this work together, in community.

Takeaways:

• January pressure isn’t personal, it’s cultural.
• Extreme challenges work for a few people, but often fail the rest of us.
• Grind culture has quietly shaped how we approach wellness and self-care.
• If it feels panicky or FOMO-driven, that’s information.
• Sustainable change comes from consistency, not intensity.
• Small habits build momentum without activating stress or shame.
• Rest isn’t laziness, it’s part of how we grow.
• We don’t change in isolation; community matters.
• Listening to your body is a skill you can practice.
• Kindness toward yourself makes habit-building possible.

PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES

Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH

Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

If you’ve been doubting yourself as a yoga teacher, it might not be about confidence at all. More often, it’s simply that you haven’t discovered what kind of teacher you actually are yet.

So let’s explore that together.

Brea walks you through the patterns we all fall into as teachers—how we plan our classes, how we cue, the pace we love, the people we feel most at home teaching—and helps you notice the strengths you already have (even the ones you haven’t recognized as strengths).

This gentle self-study is where clarity comes from.

And clarity is what builds real confidence.

Take the free “What Kind of Teacher Are You?” quiz: https://heartandbonesyoga.typeform.com/to/GOQ4lYss

Come back and share your type in the comments, we love hearing them!

What you’ll reflect on:

• Are you more intuitive or more structured when you plan?

• Do you cue with precision, imagery, or a mix of both?

• How do you learn and integrate yoga in your own body?

• What formats feel good for your nervous system?

• Who do you actually want to teach?

• How much teaching is the right amount for your life right now?

Heart + Bones supports yoga teachers in finding their voice, honouring their strengths, and teaching in sustainable ways that feel like you.

Want to go deeper?

Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/

PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES

Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH

Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Are yoga retreats really worth it, for teachers or students? brea and Ula share the truth about running yoga retreats: the money, the burnout, the logistics no one talks about, and what finally made us return after a six-year retreat break.

Whether you’re thinking about hosting your first yoga retreat or deciding if a Tuscany retreat is right for you, this conversation gives you an honest look behind the scenes.

We talk about why retreats aren’t vacations for teachers, how to structure a retreat people actually enjoy, and the hidden costs and “rigamarole” that often lead to burnout. We also share what made our recent Tuscany retreat so special—and why we decided to go back.

Have questions about running a yoga retreat? Drop them in the comments!

Heart and Bones Tuscany Yoga Retreat, April 2026: https://heartandbonesyoga.com/tuscany-yoga-retreat/

👉 Subscribe for more yoga teacher tips, anatomy-informed practices, and real conversations about the business of teaching yoga.

🔗 Want to go deeper?

Learn more about our anatomy-informed online yoga teacher trainings (200hr + 300hr): https://heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-certification-course/

Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/