Every yoga teacher encounters students whose behavior challenges their calm—talking during class, arriving late, doing their own thing, or just radiating resistance. In this episode, I share real-life stories from my two decades of teaching and offer compassionate, effective strategies to address common classroom disruptions without compromising your boundaries or your students’ dignity.

We’ll reframe “difficult students” into “challenging behaviors,” align our responses with yogic principles, and walk through specific examples—from strong odors to handstands in gentle yoga—and how to handle each with grace. You’ll learn when to intervene, how to do it kindly, and when to let things go for the greater good of the group.

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode gives you tools to stay steady, model equanimity, and protect the container of your class. Plus, get details about my upcoming free live call on “Handling the Unexpected” inside The Zone.

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 mentorship program, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

In today’s episode of Yoga Teacher Confidential, I explore how thinking of yourself as a gracious host—not just an instructor—can deeply transform your students’ experience. I share actionable tips like preparing your space, greeting each student personally, adjusting your cues to student needs, and embracing authenticity in every class you teach. Plus, I introduce my new Comfort Zone Yoga studio setup where I’ll be creating even more content to support your growth as a teacher.

You’ll learn:

• How to set the “table” for student success
• Why being present at the door matters
• How to accommodate different learning styles without hovering
• The value of post-class reflection (hello, hostess diary!)
• Why authenticity always trumps perfection

This episode is all about empowering you to create a warm, welcoming space where transformation can truly happen.

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 mentorship program, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.

In this episode, I’m celebrating 31 episodes of Yoga Teacher Confidential by looking back at what we’ve covered in season 1—an entire season focused on building confidence as a yoga teacher. From centering your students to handling nerves and dealing with difficult moments, we’ve built a foundation to support your teaching for the long haul.

I’ll revisit key lessons, like:

• Why you’re the guide, not the hero
• How to reframe student walkouts
• The power of learning names
• What blank expressions really mean
• Why consistency matters more than variety

Then, I share what’s coming next: a shift from a rigid seasonal format to a more fluid, responsive release schedule. I’ll still be touching on themes like classroom management, studio dynamics, and career growth—but now with the freedom to respond to your questions and insights in real time.

This episode marks a turning point, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have you along for the ride. Here’s to growing together in confidence, one class at a time.

* Scavenger hunt: if you're watching this on Spotify as a video podcast, you'll notice my "safe word" that I missed while editing—the first one to comment there with the correct word will win a prize!

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 mentorship program, continuing education workshops and 300/500-hour teacher training programs. It's all at sagerountree.com.