The Heart and Bones Podcast

Yoga Teacher Imposter Syndrome: Why You Feel Like a Fraud (And What to Do About It)

Feeling like a fraud at the front of your yoga class? You’re not alone. Imposter syndrome can happen to yoga teachers also!
In this episode, we unpack imposter syndrome for yoga teachers—where it comes from, how it shows up in class, and what to do when the inner critic gets loud. Brea and Ula have an open conversation about self doubt as yoga teachers.
We explore how to stay confident and authentic as a teacher, why “being professional” might be hurting your connection with students, and how to find your voice without faking it.
In this episode:
Imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a yoga teacher
The pressure to be perfect or “professional”
Why yoga teaching can feel feel isolating
Real talk on authenticity vs oversharing
Tools to soften self-judgment and reconnect with your teaching style
Want support becoming the kind of teacher you want to be?
Check out our Inspire Mentorship and our 200hr / 300hr Yoga Teacher Trainings:
Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program with Brea:
https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/inspired-yoga-teacher-mentorship/?utm_campaign=button_list_YogaTeacherMentorship&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio
Yoga Teacher Training with Brea and Heart and Bones Yoga:
https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-teacher-training-options/
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
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Yoga Teacher Confessions [Part 2]: Why Yoga Teachers Burn Out, The Truth About Teaching & Fitting In

What happens when you are the teacher… but still feel like an outsider in your own practice?
In Part 2 of this conversation, Ula and Brea get even more real. From being injured students in rigid classes, to struggling with the pressure to look a certain way on Instagram, this is a no-filter conversation on the systems, expectations, and social media traps that shape modern yoga.
We talk about:
Why being a flexible, able-bodied white woman shouldn’t be a yoga marketing strategy
The myth of the “perfect teacher” and the yoga voice we all faked at some point
How social media algorithms can undermine empathy and authenticity
Why building inclusive, values-led yoga spaces matters now more than ever
The burnout of the weekly class grind—and how to build a sustainable teaching path
🎧 If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t “yogi” enough, or that something in modern yoga just feels… off—you’re not alone. And you’re not wrong to question it.
💡 Want to build a teaching life that’s aligned with your values—not the algorithm?
Learn more about our Inspire Mentorship and our 200hr / 300hr Teacher Training:
Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program with Brea
Heart + Bones Yoga Teacher Training (200hr / 300hr)
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
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Yoga Teacher Confessions [Part 1]: Our Cringiest Moments, Mistakes, and What They Taught Us

If you’ve ever taught a class and thought, “What am I even doing?” — you’re not alone.
In our first episode together, Ula and Brea share their real, raw, and often hilarious stories from their early days of teaching yoga. From bringing a notebook to class to being completely unprepared for students with injuries, we’ve been there.
This is the behind-the-scenes mentorship talk we wish we had when we started.
We also explore how yoga in the West often misses the deeper teachings—and what it really means to create an inclusive class, one that supports all bodies, not just the flexible few.
👉 If you’re a new teacher, a seasoned one rethinking your approach, or just yoga-curious, you’ll feel seen in this one.
💡 Want support becoming the kind of teacher you want to be?
Check out our Inspire Mentorship and our 200hr / 300hr Yoga Teacher Trainings:
Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program with Brea
Yoga Teacher Training with Brea and Heart and Bones Yoga
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code:
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5 Things You Won't Learn in Your Yoga Teacher Training (But will make you a better teacher)

In your teacher training you learn so many different aspects of yoga but rarely do we talk about the things that actually make a good yoga teacher. This informative lesson will share the five most important aspects of being an effective and confident yoga teacher. You won't learn this in (most) teacher trainings and quite often will learn it the hard way so I'm here to give you a shortcut and help you be the best teacher you can be!
Looking for weekly inspiration and deeper yoga + movement knowledge? Whether you are a yoga teacher or student, Brea’s email is written to help you learn, grow, and connect with community: https://heartandbonesyoga.outgrow.us/General_list_Sign-Up
STUDY WITH HEART + BONES 🎓 200/300 Hour Online Teacher Training: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/modern-yogi-certification-course/
10 Hour Online Applied Anatomy for Yoga: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/essential-course-curious-people/
Want to watch the video? Find Brea on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PCuziHlrXAU?si=e_n_wDzsyasP3JDV

Yoga Teacher Hotline: Managing Disruptive Students, Navigating Medical Queries, and Mastering Anatomical Language

In this episode of the Yoga Teacher Hotline, Brea answers three submitted questions from yoga instructors:
Handling Students Who Deviate in Class: What should you do when a student consistently does their own thing during your class?
Responding to Medical and Health Inquiries: How can you address situations when students seek medical or health advice beyond your training?
Using Anatomical Language Confidently: How can you incorporate anatomical terms in your teaching without feeling unsure or distancing your students?
☎️ Submit your questions for Brea here : https://heartandbonesyoga.outgrow.us/yogateacherhotline
STUDY WITH HEART + BONES 🎓 200/300 Hour Online Teacher Training: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/modern-yogi-certification-course/
📕 10 Hour Online Applied Anatomy for Yoga: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/essential-course-curious-people/
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
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"Bulky girl summer" Embrace and build strength with Dr. Sarah Court and Laurel Beversdorf

What if strength training could revolutionize not just your fitness, but your entire approach to health and well-being? In this episode of the Heart and Bones podcast, Brea Johnson sits down with Sarah Court, a physical therapist, and Laurel Beversdorf, a yoga teacher and personal trainer, to explore the transformative power of building strength and lifting weights. 
What We Discuss:
Strength training is essential for physical health and well-being.
The power of being strong- challenge societal norms and stereotypes around strength training and embrace power and strength.
Integrating strength training with other movement practices, such as yoga, can create a well-rounded fitness routine.
Cultural conditioning often discourages women from lifting heavy weights, but it is important to prioritize physical health and well-being.
Strength training can increase bone density and muscle mass, leading to improved overall health and fitness. Find a coach or join a strength training program that focuses on progressive overload
Strength training is subjective, and what is heavy for one person may be different for another
Focus on your own progress and don't compare yourself to others
Strength training can increase confidence, improve body function, and empower you
Strength training can be fun, joyful, and inclusive, and it doesn't have to conform to traditional stereotypes
CONNECT WITH SARAH AND LAUREL
Website: https://movementlogictutorials.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials/
 
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/
About Laurel Beversdorf
Laurel Beversdorf, YACEP, E-RYT 500, is an international yoga educator and kettlebell specialist with an advanced certification from Living.Fit. Laurel is the creator of Yoga with Resistance Bands classes and trainings, Resistance Bands 101 with Yoga Journal, and Body of Knowledge anatomy and biomechanics workshops. She co-creates movement therapy tutorials with physical therapists and Pilates teachers for Movement Logic®.
Laurel also hosts weekly kettlebell and yoga classes in her virtual studio and has presented live yoga trainings and workshops at locations like Kripalu, YogaWorks, and studios all over the world. Her classes are multidisciplinary and blend strength training, rehabilitation practices, self-massage, and yoga. Laurel has written for Yoga Journal, Shut Up & Yoga, and the Tune Up Fitness blog. A Wisconsin native, she lives in NYC with her husband, daughter, and two cats.
About Dr. Sarah Court
Dr. Sarah Court is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and provides in person and online sessions that blend her decades of yoga, Pilates, and physical therapy experience. She's a co-founder of Movement Logic®, a series of continuing education tutorials that help movement teachers understand how to work with challenging clients while staying within their scope of practice. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, and after her experience with surgery and chemotherapy, she created a FREE online video exercise series for people going through, or recovering from cancer treatment, that progresses from simple yoga to lifting weights. Sarah lives in Los Angeles, and you can find her at sarahcourtdpt.com or on Instagram at @sarahcourtdpt.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Pronunciation
03:16 Introduction to Movement Logic
05:00 Sarah's Background and Approach
08:13 Empowering Women through Strength Training
16:37 The Limitations of Yoga Asana
20:59 The Importance of Strength Training for Women's Health
23:23 Addressing Bone Density and Muscle Loss
25:18 Reclaiming Power and Breaking Free from Conditioning
34:02 Increasing Tolerance and Resisting Binary Thinking
38:12 How to Incorporate Strength Training into Your Routine
41:05 The Importance of Coaching and Outside Help
45:32 Understanding Progressive Overload
49:21 The Pitfalls of Variety and the Need for Consistency
53:04 Redefining 'Heavy' and the Subjectivity of Strength
58:01 Strength Training as a Fun and Empowering Experience
01:03:09 Favourite Lifts: Calf Raises and Overhead Press
01:06:06 The Power of Positive Self-Talk and Inner Cheerleading
01:09:51 Inspiring Others and Celebrating Strength

Prioritizing Your Own Strength Journey with Dr. Marcia

What if strength training could transform not just your body, but your entire approach to life? Dr. Marcia, a physical therapist and powerlifting strong woman, shares her empowering journey on the Heart and Bones podcast. She challenges conventional views on fitness, revealing how strength training benefits everyone, including those with chronic illness and disabilities.
Dr. Marcia redefines strength training beyond traditional weightlifting, emphasizing that it can take many forms—from resistance bands to bodyweight exercises. "Strength training can mean anything... It's about what challenges you and helps you grow," she says. She also addresses common fears, like the myth of getting bulky, and highlights the functional benefits that enhance everyday life.
Marcia and Brea Johnson discuss the critical role of self-awareness and intuition in navigating fitness and healthcare. They encourage listeners to question societal narratives and prioritize their well-being. "Anyone you see for your health is being invited to share your journey. You have the right to ask questions and make decisions that feel right for you," Dr. Marcia emphasizes.
This conversation is a call to embrace your unique fitness journey, break free from limiting beliefs, and find strength in your own way.
About Dr. Marcia Darbouze
Dr. Marcia (she/they) is a doctor of physical therapy, Black spoonie, and powerlifting strongwoman. She is the owner of @MovewithMarcia which provides both free and affordable resources to help people move better through mobility exercises and yoga. Marcia also co-hosts the @DisabledGirlsWhoLift podcast. Find their links and more at DoctorMarcia.com.
PRACTICE WITH DR. MARCIA AT HEART + BONES
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Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:03 Dr. Marcia's Background and Experience
05:08 Dr. Marcia's Personal Experience with Strength Training
09:00 Managing Strength Training with Chronic Illness and Disability 13:30 Understanding Spoon Theory
18:22 The Importance of Strength Training in Physical Therapy
26:57 Resistance to Strength Training and Cultural Narratives
29:54 Setting the Vibe: The Importance of Strength Training and Movement
31:45 Challenging Societal Narratives and Limitations in Fitness
32:24 Recognizing the Physical Demands of Everyday Life
35:11 Navigating the Influence of Capitalism and Social Systems
36:05 Embracing Individualized Approaches to Fitness
37:30 Prioritizing Well-being and Autonomy in Movement and Fitness
 

Exploring Strength and Flexibility in Yoga with Jules Mitchell

What if yoga could build strength in ways you never imagined? Jules Mitchell, an expert in yoga biomechanics, explains that yoga involves both strength and flexibility, emphasizing the importance of the nervous system's role in strength development. Strength is not just about muscle size but also about coordination and motor unit recruitment. Yoga enhances body awareness and coordination, complementing traditional strength training. Flexibility and mobility are distinct, with mobility being more functional for specific tasks. Integrating yoga with strength training leads to a balanced and holistic approach to fitness and well-being. Yoga practitioners should embrace its diverse benefits, while yoga teachers should educate students holistically and foster inclusivity.
About Jules Mitchell
Jules Mitchell leads advanced continuing education programs in biomechanics for intellectually fearless yoga teachers. She helps them integrate principles of exercise science and applications of pain science into their classes. Jules is the author of Yoga Biomechanics: Stretching Redefined, a unique, evidence-based exploration into the complexities of tissue mechanics and the human body’s resilience and adaptability. She leads workshops and courses online and worldwide, runs a popular 300 hour yoga teacher training, frequently serves as guest faculty, and hosts a comprehensive mentoring program to support teachers in both education and business. Her passion is bringing the most useful and applicable research-based concepts into the yoga community, even when it invokes a discerning analysis of popular opinions. Jules lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her cat Pitbull.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julesyoga/
Website: https://www.julesmitchell.com/
 
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
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Start Here
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Context
02:28 Defining Strength and its Adaptations
11:07 Strength in Yoga: Challenging Binary Thinking
13:49 Inclusivity and Individual Needs in Strength Development
23:59 Taking a Holistic Approach to Strength in Yoga
24:54 The Nuanced Approach to Strength in Yoga
25:39 Navigating the Influence of Marketing and Capitalism
29:52 Embracing Curiosity, Uncertainty, and Self-Awareness
40:34 Selling Yoga Classes with Authenticity and Education
47:12 Moving Away from Rigid Guidelines in Strength

Redefining Strength through Yoga with Tejal Patel

Strength goes beyond the physical in yoga, encompassing mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. In this episode, Brea Johnson chats with Tejal Patel, a first-generation Indian American yoga teacher, writer, podcaster, and community organizer, about redefining strength through yoga. Tejal shares her insights on how yoga's deeper teachings can help us cultivate inner strength, resilience, and holistic well-being.
Tejal explains that true strength in yoga is not just about physical prowess but about handling life’s challenges with grace and compassion. They discuss the cultural influences on modern yoga practices in the West and the importance of reclaiming yoga's authentic roots. Tejal highlights the need for inclusivity and the value of trauma-informed and decolonized yoga practices.
The conversation is filled with powerful reflections on how to integrate yoga philosophy into daily life and the significance of inner experience over external appearance. Tejal offers practical tips for those looking to deepen their yoga practice, emphasizing the importance of restorative yoga and studying foundational texts like the Yoga Sutras.
About Tejal Patel
Tejal Patel (She/They) is a first-generation Indian American yoga teacher, writer, podcaster, and community organizer. She advocates for holistic yoga through a social justice lens, aiming to educate and activate students for collective action. Tejal is the founder of Tejal Yoga Studio, a South Asian teacher-led community focused on social justice and authentic spiritual practices. She's also a co-host of the Yoga is Dead podcast, known for sparking critical conversations about wellness, power, and privilege. Tejal’s insightful teachings and compassionate approach make her a favourite in our online studio.
Website: www.tejalyoga.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tejalyoga
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
Follow Brea on Instagram for tips and inspiration.
Chapters
00:00 Exploring the Meaning of Strength in Yoga
10:27 The Influence of Cultural Conditioning on Strength
14:08 Preserving the Original Teachings of Yoga
15:50 Unacknowledged Origins: Bro Science and Assimilation in Yoga
22:54 The Bias Towards White Men in Yoga Authority
26:09 Coexistence, Collaboration, and Appreciation in the Yoga Community
28:40 Decolonizing Yoga: Finding Holistic Approaches
34:44 Exploring Different Notions of Strength in Yoga
40:12 No Effort is Wasted: The Spiritual Path of Yoga
 

How Strength Training Can Transform Your Life with Amanda Ford

Strength is essential for handling life's challenges, especially as we age. In this episode, Brea Johnson chats with Amanda Ford, a strength and conditioning coach known as Movement Muse, about the importance of building strength and functionality. Amanda shares her journey from discovering her love for movement as a child to becoming a strength coach who focuses on helping those over 40. She highlights the necessity of self-directed movement practices and debunks common misconceptions about strength training.
Amanda explains that strength training is crucial for maintaining muscle mass and mobility, allowing us to confidently face life's adventures. She emphasizes starting with simple, accessible moves like squats and hinges for the lower body and pushing and pulling exercises for the upper body. Amanda's approach is about meeting yourself where you are and progressing at your own pace.
The conversation is filled with inspiring stories of clients who have regained their strength and improved their quality of life, demonstrating that it's never too late to start strength training. Whether you're lifting a 10-pound dumbbell or just beginning with bodyweight exercises, any effort to improve strength is significantly better than none. Join Amanda and Brea as they explore how strength training can enhance your life at any age.
About Amanda Ford
Amanda Ford (She/Her) is a strength coach, movement and yoga teacher based in Seattle. She's also a poet, artist and all-around amazing human being. Not to mention the best style when it comes to workout clothes. Amanda is a favourite teacher here in the online studio with her smart approach to functional strength training.
Website: https://movementmuse.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movement.muse/?hl=en
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/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Strength Training and Amanda Ford
08:07 Amanda's Personal Journey with Movement
19:27 Starting Small: Incorporating Strength Training into Your Routine 21:10 Addressing Misconceptions about Strength Training
25:13 Tailoring Strength Training to Individual Needs
27:03 Focus on Movement Patterns
27:52 Training Upper and Lower Body
29:26 The Body's Ability to Adapt
35:54 Any Effort is Significant
41:25 More is Not Better
45:31 Strength Training as a Non-Negotiable