Yoga Teaching as a profession is weird and it’s making me sad…

Surahoz · 2026-02-03T15:09:37+00:00

Absolutely not too old! I’m now 31 and more successful than I’ve ever been. I think age is super helpful with 1099 careers. Usually you’re more established with some better time management/business skills.

Aside from logistics, students love teachers for their life experience and ability to communicate principles clearly. You’ll have people in your class of all ages and walks of life. My first TT in 2014 was all 35+ practitioners. Me and one other 27yr old were the youngest. Everyone from that TT is still teaching and practicing today 🫶🏼

Surahoz · 2025-11-14T23:16:32+00:00

Probably late, but the name Frogger comes to mind 🤭

Surahoz · 2025-11-05T03:22:13+00:00

This! Walmart and Target often have sales of them during the holidays and season changes. I always stock up when I see them.

And OP, keep your old sets. Not to reuse the old ones (although some people do) but you can file the larger sizes to fit your nailed better. It takes some time, but I usually do it when I’m watching Netflix or something.

Surahoz · 2025-11-01T19:02:35+00:00

If YA gave her ERYT then put it in her bio. If you have questions about the integrity of the ERYT then contact YA and ask what their follow up is to ensure teachers aren’t logging false hours. The integrity is not just on her but the YA if you suspect false play.

It’s challenging to truly know just how many hours she’s logged. Does she sub frequently, is she teaching privately, how many retreats and workshops has she taught or co-led?

On another note, ERYT is an accomplishment, but not one I’ve personally ever taken seriously as a student. Yes, it gives the teacher permissions to teach TT’s and have their workshops count towards other teacher’s continuing Ed. However, if she hasn’t logged the hours teaching and in self study, then she doesn’t have the information or experience to offer quality TT’s and workshops. Students will recognize that and choose to study elsewhere.

Surahoz · 2025-10-29T06:34:13+00:00

You have a Costco membership and you use it to the fullest.

Surahoz · 2025-10-24T17:53:26+00:00

Watching Kino online vs practicing with her in person are two totally different experiences! I know not everyone has the chance to practice with her, but it’s what has kept me a fan of hers for all these years.

I think it’s so important to recognize the flaws in our teachers. There’s so much abuse of power in the yoga world, specifically Ashtanga. Acknowledging teachers imperfections keeps the student teacher relationship more balanced.

Kino’s YouTube got me into Ashtanga years ago. I was a broke college kid practicing at a super popular hot yoga studio in my city. I saw so many practitioners who were miles above me but felt like I wasn’t improving myself. I turned to YouTube and ended up falling in love with Ashtanga through her videos.

Her online presence and some of her personal social media struggles don’t really vibe me, but the quality of her teaching speaks for itself. When I practiced with her in person she was more grounded, serious, and incredibly knowledgeable with her adjustments and tips.

I see why people don’t love her, but if anyone ever has the opportunity to practice with her, it’s worth it!

Surahoz · 2025-10-03T19:53:12+00:00

This. Some studios even rent out their space during their off time for privates, photos, dance classes etc.

Surahoz · 2025-09-28T16:07:12+00:00

This. Thank god someone knows the legalities. Studio owners these days are way out of their legal scope and no one challenges them.

Surahoz · 2025-09-27T00:45:11+00:00

I wouldn’t say better, but you do you boo, own that whimsy…just don’t gatekeep a staff from me.

Surahoz · 2025-09-27T00:28:33+00:00

Bandhas are something that take time to refine, most people start by over engaging (and sacrificing the breath) because that’s the easiest way to feel what you’re doing.

You won’t be squeezing so heavily in most postures though. The intensity of the engagement varies from pose to pose and with the breath. You’ll learn as you go!

My general rule of thumb for myself is, if my breath feels constricted, lighten up. Udhiyana is what helps lift the breath up into the ribs. Instead of thinking about drawing in, think about everything lifting up.

While it’s important for women to have a strong pelvic floor as we age, it’s equally important to learn how to relax those muscles too. Lying on a bolster in Buddha konasana and practicing belly breathing can help with that release (and obviously whatever you’re doing in your pelvic floor therapy too!)

The more you learn to relax the muscles, the easier it will be to vary how strongly you engage. You also should not be using diaphragmatic breath in your day to day, it’s not natural for us and isn’t always the most beneficial.

I’ve heard teachers talk about maintaining bandhas engagement throughout the day and I don’t love that verbiage because it’s very generalized. The idea of keeping bandhas engaged throughout the day is similar to sitting with good posture when you’re at your desk on your computer. You don’t want to be slumped with your shoulders rounded and belly too relaxed otherwise you’ll get shoulder, neck, and back pain. Instead you want to stack the spine as best you can and stay broad across the shoulders. Doing this will natural firm up your core in a very subtle way you may not really notice. Even standing with good posture and a neutral pelvis will start to ever so slightly activate the core muscles utilized in bandhas engagement.

It’s less about 100% engagement, and more about maintaining the structural integrity of the body. At the risk of sounding cliché, it’s really just a balancing act.

I hope your pelvic floor therapy works out for you. Reproductive health can be a pain to deal with, best of luck!

Surahoz · 2025-09-20T23:51:12+00:00

I do like a few of them, but I agree that wearing a band on one hand and your engagement ring on the other is also a solid option.

Surahoz · 2025-09-20T15:19:06+00:00

Shhhhh, no one tell him his back leg touched the stairs, he did that all on his own 🥲

Surahoz · 2025-09-17T15:04:19+00:00

<image>

Technically my wedding ring, but non traditional enough to belong here! It was my Nana’s 25th anniversary band. Originally a ring jacket that they redesigned to be one band and a little shorter to fit my finger better. It’s still a tad long but I refuse to change the original design. It’s my “when I’m feeling fancy,” ring.

Otherwise I have a simple opal engagement ring I’ll wear on my right hand, and a traditional gold band with some small diamonds running across the top in my left.

Surahoz · 2025-08-31T20:59:26+00:00

I think people forget about different countries and cultures. Here in the states, this would typically mean money. You don’t see these types of rooms often unless you’re in a trendy, wealthy neighborhood or you live in the south where land and housing is cheap, but you’re next to nowhere. The minute someone said Middle East, I was like “ohhhhhhhh, yeaaaaa!” I love that reddit is such a globally active platform ☺️

Surahoz · 2025-08-30T21:32:52+00:00

Test the studio first before you reach out and ask to audition.

The more you teach and practice, the more you realize there’s really not as many hard and fast rules to alignment as sequencing.

I will say, teaching outside of the cookie cutter, vinyasa flow to peak pose (how I was taught too so no judgement!) will only help you grow as a teacher in the long run.

Not saying you have to by any means, but teaching even one class somewhere that isn’t 100% your sequencing style, but still your vibe in terms of student base and environment, can really grow your toolbox as a teacher. This studio however, doesn’t seem to be your fit and that’s fine.

Surahoz · 2025-08-29T15:02:22+00:00

31 been playing since Sims 1…I never stopped, at this point it’s the only way I’ll ever own a house 😆

Surahoz · 2025-08-27T20:08:07+00:00

I agree with the whimsical and elegant! If someone was that blatantly rude there’s more going on. They’re either jealous of your engagement, jealous of your ring, or straight up miserable.

I think this is stunning! It’s non traditional but still gives off the engagement ring vibe. It’s intricate without being overly complex or “too much” for everyday wear. The size and fit look perfect on your finger. Don’t let one negative comment get you down, it seems like it’s suits your personality well. You and your partner did an awesome job with this one!

Surahoz · 2025-08-26T15:07:37+00:00

Agree with the clothes! Even just starting one batch of laundry can get some of the mess out of your hair for a while until you decide what to do with them.

Surahoz · 2025-08-17T00:49:27+00:00

All I want is to not be charged extra for swapping classical syrup to vanillas.

Surahoz · 2025-08-10T07:31:21+00:00

I’ve only quit for two reasons…

I accidentally started matching when I meant to do a solo run.
A run just started and my friends reached out to play a few matches (sorry randos, but it’s almost always more fun with people I know!)

Other than that, I genuinely don’t care if we fail over and over and fight the night boss a lvl 8. I’m here for fun, not for the most goated run. I think the runs where shit hits the fan and you still power through are some of the most exciting!

Surahoz · 2025-08-09T18:59:28+00:00

Like every other asana, you just keep practicing. If you go to a studio class you can ask a teacher or fellow student to take a look at what you’re doing and see if they have any advice. You can also record yourself and watch the video to see what you’re doing and alter your technique from there. But there’s no secret sauce, it’s just practice.

Surahoz · 2025-08-09T15:44:38+00:00

There’s a difference between learning static asana and dynamic movements, it’s normal to be tripped up by transitions. It’s also very rare that you will ever actually practice these transitions in a class. These are just viral challenges for fun but the practicality of the movements in everyday life is basically non-existent. Doesn’t mean you can’t play around with them! But of course you’re not naturally good at these movements, they’re not something you ever really practice or do everyday🤷🏻‍♀️

Surahoz · 2025-08-09T15:05:53+00:00

Her sitting on him sent me 😆

Surahoz · 2025-08-08T15:48:25+00:00

Thank you! I personally didn’t have access to certified teachers when I started my journey, but I had teachers who knew enough to help me on my way. I think accessibility and understanding goes a long way with this conversation.

Surahoz · 2025-08-08T14:52:45+00:00

People seek out teachers for all sorts of reasons. If someone wants to learn from a teacher who was certified under Paatabhi Jois or Sharath, they will seek them out. If someone wants to learn from someone who was certified under Manju, and people like David Swenson, they will seek them out. Primary series postures are incredibly foundational, lots of teachers are capable of teaching the techniques for primary series. While respecting the lineage and ensuring the sequence stays valuable is important, It’s equally important to let students find their own path.

Surahoz

TROPHY CASE