In this episode, I sit down with Jivana Heyman, founder of Accessible Yoga, to reflect on over 30 years of teaching, learning, and evolving within the yoga world.
Jivana shares his journey into yoga, early influences from Integral Yoga, and how his experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to accessibility, service, and community. We explore the realities of teaching yoga beyond the poses, power dynamics in teacher-student relationships, the role of ego and feedback, emotional awareness, and what it really means to teach yoga as a form of service.
Our conversation also touches on the evolution of Accessible Yoga as a nonprofit, financial accessibility in yoga education, lessons from leading 200-hour trainings, and the challenges teachers face as they navigate sustainability, self-awareness, and growth. Jivana offers honest reflections on creativity, collaboration, parenting, and staying connected to practice while teaching full-time.
This episode is a grounded, insightful look at the heart of yoga teaching, and what it means to remain devoted to the practice over decades.
Connect with Jivana:
Website: http://www.jivanaheyman.com/
Instagram: @jivanaheyman
Podcast: Accessible Yoga Podcast
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In this solo year-end episode, I reflect on 2025, a year shaped by endurance, teaching, travel, and honest observation.
I share highlights from running my first marathon and first 50k ultra, leading a SmartFLOW 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, producing weekly podcast episodes, and guiding retreats in Nicaragua while preparing for what’s ahead in 2026. I also reflect on my pilgrimage on the Kumano Kodo in Japan and how walking, nature, and simplicity continue to inform my practice and teaching.
In the second half of the episode, I share reflections on current trends in the yoga industry, from the fitnessization of yoga and the rise of hybrid classes to the disappearance of levels, lineage, and long-term mentorship. I explore what’s changing and what’s being valued.
I close with what I’m looking forward to in 2026: continued training, upcoming retreats, teaching more YTTs, and staying devoted to the long path.
Nicaragua Yoga Retreat with Reika:
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In this episode, Reika sits down with Amanda Kingsmith: 500-hour RYT, yoga business coach, podcast host, author, world traveler, and mom of two, for an honest conversation about building a sustainable yoga career while living a nontraditional life. Amanda shares her journey from leaving a corporate job to teaching yoga full-time, launching Mastering the Business of Yoga, and eventually embracing online teaching and remote work as a way to support both her family and her creativity.
Together, they explore the realities of the business of yoga, podcasting as a long-term project, and how motherhood reshapes priorities, energy, and ambition. Amanda also reflects on life in Mexico as an expat family, the evolution of online and hybrid yoga offerings, and why taking intentional breaks is sometimes essential for longevity.
Connect with Amanda:
Ethical Yoga Retreat with Reika:
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Reika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode, Reika interviews Francesca Cervero, a yoga teacher and mentor with over 20 years of experience teaching yoga and working one-on-one with students. Francesca shares her journey from dancer to full-time yoga teacher.
Together, they explore the art and sustainability of yoga teaching, the role of mentorship and continuing education, and what it really takes to build a long-term yoga career. Francesca reflects on transitioning online, creating a mentorship community, balancing motherhood with teaching, and why private yoga offers a powerful, co-creative space for both teacher and student. This conversation is a grounded, honest look at teaching yoga as a craft, one that evolves with experience, curiosity, and care.
Connect with Francesca:
Website: https://www.francescacervero.com/
Instagram: @francescacervero
Reika's Mentorship:
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Reika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In this special 100th episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika reflects on the journey of creating the podcast over the past two years and the many lessons learned from interviewing over 65 yoga teachers from around the world. She shares an honest behind-the-scenes look at the realities of podcasting, including slow growth, unpaid labor, and what it truly takes to stay committed to a long-term project driven by passion rather than immediate results.
Reika also weaves together the biggest themes that emerged across 100 episodes: what it really means to build a sustainable career as a yoga teacher, why group classes alone are rarely enough, the inevitability of burnout, and the importance of diversifying income streams. She speaks on how the yoga industry is evolving, the rise of hybrid offerings, and the necessity for teachers to adapt while staying rooted in their values.
This solo episode is both a celebration and an honest check-in for anyone navigating the full-time yoga path.
Resources:
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In the final episode of this anatomy mini-series, Reika and Olga dive into the importance of understanding movement patterns and what they reveal about how the body truly functions. They explore why there is no one “correct” alignment for every body, how anatomical differences shape the way we move, and how yoga cues can either support or limit healthy movement if we’re not careful.
This conversation also expands beyond the yoga mat to address an important question: Is yoga asana alone enough for a well-rounded movement life? Together, they discuss the role of strength training, cross-training, and varied movement in maintaining long-term physical and mental health. They touch on how yoga fits into a broader “movement diet,” the importance of community, and why continuing education is essential for yoga teachers who want to serve their students responsibly.
Resources:
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Reika's Instagram: @reikayoga
Reika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In this second of the anatomy mini-series, Reika and Olga dive into one of the most important and most overlooked topics in yoga education: anatomical variation. They explore how differences in bone structure, joint shape, and movement capacity influence every student’s experience on the mat.
This conversation breaks down why flexibility isn’t just about stretching more, why some poses feel accessible for one person and impossible for another, and how understanding variation can completely shift the way yoga teachers approach sequencing. Reika and Olga discuss how anatomy-informed teaching leads to more inclusive, compassionate, and effective classes and how empowering students to explore their own bodies can deepen their practice in meaningful ways.
Whether you're a yoga teacher or a curious practitioner, this episode will help you rethink the way you see bodies, movement, and the purpose of yoga itself.
Resources:
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In this first episode of our three-part mini-series on anatomy for yoga teachers, Reika and Olga dive into their personal journeys of learning anatomy, starting from their early experiences in 200-hour trainings to the continuing education programs that helped everything finally “click.” They reflect on what was missing in their initial anatomy education, what sparked their fascination with functional movement, and how ongoing study has transformed the way they teach.
This conversation highlights why anatomy matters for yoga teachers, how outdated cues and concepts can create confusion, and why understanding real human variation is essential for teaching safer, more empowering classes. Reika and Olga also share the trainings, courses, and teachers they recommend for anyone wanting to deepen their knowledge and stay current with evolving research in movement and anatomy.
Previous podcast episodes with Olga:
Episode 12: Interview with Olga
4-Part Series on Creative Sequencing (Episode 53-56)
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Connect with Reika:
Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!
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Reika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode, Reika sits down with Jo of Organic Adaptive to reflect on their shared experience organizing and leading the Ethical Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua. Together, they revisit the planning process, from developing a clear theme to balancing structure with free time, and share what it truly takes to bring a meaningful retreat to life.
Reika and Jo discuss the value of collaboration, communication, and organization behind the scenes, as well as the importance of ethics and community in retreat work. This conversation offers a transparent look at the joys, lessons, and challenges of leading yoga retreats that are rooted in purpose, integrity, and connection.
Whether you’re a yoga teacher dreaming of hosting your own retreat or someone curious about what goes into creating an intentional group experience, this episode provides grounded insight and heartfelt reflection on the art of retreat facilitation.
Connect with Jo:
Email: jo@organicadaptive.com
Get on the Waitlist for:
Ethical Yoga Retreat: Align with Purpose in Nicaragua 2026
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Reika's Instagram: @reikayoga
Reika's Website: www.reikay
In this episode, Reika sits down with Mado Hesselink, yoga teacher, mentor, and host of The Yoga Teacher Resource podcast, to explore what it truly means to build a sustainable and fulfilling yoga career. Mado shares her journey from teaching group classes to mentoring yoga teachers worldwide through her online courses and community. Together, they discuss the realities of the yoga industry, balancing passion with business and creating meaningful relationships with students. This conversation is a grounded and inspiring reminder that sustainability in teaching comes from both heart and strategy.
Connect with Mado:
Website: https://teachingyoga.net/
Instagram: @yoga.teacher.resource
Podcast: Yoga Teacher Resource
Map Your Year 5-Day Strategy Sessions
Upcoming Workshop:
Yoga Meets Physical Therapy: Strength, Stability, and Safety for the Hypermobile Body
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In this episode, Reika sits down with Debbie Livingston, yoga teacher, ultra runner, coach, mother, and lifelong advocate for mindful movement. Debbie shares how she discovered yoga and trail running during college and how both practices have remained beautifully intertwined throughout her life.
With over two decades of experience in fitness, yoga, and coaching, Debbie reflects on the importance of listening to the body, cross-training for longevity, and finding balance between family, work, and passion.
✨ Topics we explore:
The intersection of yoga and trail running
Balancing career, motherhood, and athletic pursuits
Mindful movement and longevity in sport
Coaching philosophy and community connection
Connect with Debbie:
Website: https://debbielivingston.com/
Instagram: @trailrunningmom
Upcoming Workshop:
Yoga Meets Physical Therapy: Strength, Stability, and Safety for the Hypermobile Body
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Reika's Website: www.reikayoga.com
In Part Three of the Intelligent Sequencing for Vinyasa Yoga mini-series, Reika and Karen explore the power of consistency in yoga sequencing and how it supports both teachers and students. They discuss why predictability can actually create a deeper sense of safety, embodiment, and connection, rather than stifling creativity.
This conversation dives into how a consistent framework allows teachers to layer in creative variations with clarity and intention. Reika and Karen also touch on how sequencing can help “wake students up” to their own bodies, rather than lead them to check out of their experience.
Upcoming Workshop:
Intelligent Sequencing for Yoga Teachers
October 25th, Saturday 2-4 pm PST
In-person @Long Beach & Livestreamed
Connect with Karen:
Instagram: @sodiumsoul
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Reika's Instagram: @reikayoga
Reika's
In Part Two of the Intentional Sequencing for Vinyasa Yoga mini-series, Reika and Karen dive into one of the most common challenges yoga teachers face: doing too much in a sequence. They unpack the pressure many new teachers feel to prove their creativity through complex flows and explore why simplicity often creates a more impactful experience for students.
Through candid conversation and personal teaching reflections, they discuss how intentionality can help narrow the focus of a class, why students only absorb a fraction of what’s offered, and how repetition and restraint can lead to deeper engagement. Reika and Karen also explore the balance between being a teacher and a choreographer, and how embracing simplicity allows both teachers and students to truly be in the practice rather than perform it.
Upcoming Workshop:
Intelligent Sequencing for Yoga Teachers
October 25th, Saturday 2-4 pm PST
In-person @Long Beach & Livestreamed
Connect with Karen:
Instagram: @sodiumsoul
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Reika's Instagram: @reikayoga
Reika's website: www.reikayoga.com
In this first episode of our mini-series on Intelligent Sequencing, Reika sits down with Karen to explore what it really means to design a thoughtful yoga class. They unpack the concept of sequencing as the “why” behind each pose, and how teachers can intentionally prepare and unravel the body throughout a practice. From the role of vinyasa krama in building toward peak poses to the importance of a complete cool down, this conversation highlights how sequencing can transform a student’s experience. Whether you’re a yoga teacher looking to refine your craft or a student curious about what goes into a well-designed class, this episode will give you insight into the art and purpose of intentional sequencing.
Upcoming Workshop:
Intelligent Sequencing for Yoga Teachers
October 25th, Saturday 2-4 pm PST
In-person @Long Beach & Livestreamed
Connect with Karen:
Instagram: @sodiumsoul
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Reika's Instagram: @reikayoga
Reika's website: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika sits down with Danielle Neathery, yoga studio owner, recovery yoga teacher, and ultra trail runner, to explore her unique journey from engineering to full-time yoga. Danielle shares how she stepped into studio ownership through an unexpected opportunity, the lessons she’s learned teaching in recovery centers, and how the pandemic has affected her business..
We also dive into her passion for ultra running and the ways yoga supports her training, mental health, and overall balance. From navigating the challenges of running a studio to finding strength and meditation on the trails, Danielle opens up about what success means to her: cultivating peace and contentment in both work and life.
This conversation is a must-listen for yoga teachers balancing multiple roles, studio owners navigating business realities, and anyone curious about the intersection of yoga, recovery, and endurance sports.
Connect with Danielle:
Instagram: @dln1010
Studio's Instagram: @tententruthyoga
Studio's website: https://tententruth.com/
Reika's Resources:
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Reika's Instagram: @reikayoga
Reika's website: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika sits down with Karol De Souza, a yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and mother whose journey has taken her from a childhood shaped by meditation and mindfulness to building a thriving six-figure hybrid yoga business.
Karol shares how her bold decision to leave the corporate world and embrace a nomadic lifestyle. From traveling and teaching yoga across the globe to eventually settling in Portugal, Karol opens up about the challenges of financial stress, redefining her purpose, and the resilience it took to transition from low-paid studio classes to leading international retreats and creating online offerings.
We also dive into how Karol grew her business during the pandemic, harnessed social media authentically, and built a global community that allows her to work from anywhere in the world. She reflects on the balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship, the power of retreats in transforming lives, and why success is about more than numbers; it’s about finding fulfillment and alignment.
Whether you’re a yoga teacher seeking inspiration to break free from burnout, an entrepreneur navigating the online space, or someone curious about balancing passion, family, and business, this conversation offers practical insights and soulful encouragement from Karol’s journey.
Connect with Karol:
Website: https://www.kdsyoga.com/
Instagram: @karol_de_souza
Reika's Resources:
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Reika's Instagram: @reikayoga
Reika's website: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode, I sit down with AJ White-Graff, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, E-RYT 500, a physical therapist, experienced yoga teacher, and anatomy educator based in Long Beach, California. With over a decade of experience in yoga and fitness, AJ brings a unique perspective on bridging yoga and physical therapy.
AJ shares their journey from being a multi-sport athlete and dancer to discovering yoga through injury recovery, eventually becoming a full-time yoga teacher and later pursuing a career in physical therapy. We talk about the challenges of being a full-time yoga teacher, why anatomy knowledge is essential for yoga teachers, and how AJ integrates physical therapy with yoga to make movement safe, accessible, and empowering, especially for yoga teachers.
This conversation is full of insights for yoga teachers, physical therapists, and anyone passionate about movement education, injury recovery, and lifelong learning.
Connect with A.J.:
Instagram: @aj.wt.pt
Email: ajwhitegraff@gmail.com
Reika's Resources:
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Reika's Instagram: @reikayoga
Reika's website: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika sits down with Jordan Norman, founder of Ivy Wild Wellness, to explore her journey from the corporate tech world to a nomadic lifestyle as a full-time yoga teacher and wellness entrepreneur. Jordan shares how yoga first entered her life through movement and discipline, and how it later became a foundation for personal growth, teaching, and business building.
We dive into the realities of transitioning from corporate life to teaching yoga full-time, finding creative opportunities in corporate wellness, teaching online yoga and retreats. Jordan also reflects on her time living in Costa Rica, where she has been able to deepen her practice, connect with community, and expand her offerings.
A passionate fertility awareness educator, Jordan opens up about the importance of body literacy, understanding the menstrual cycle, and integrating these teachings into her wellness business.
Whether you’re a yoga teacher, wellness entrepreneur, or simply curious about blending business with mindful living, this conversation is full of wisdom on following your path and building a practice, and life, that feels aligned.
Connect with Jordan:
Website: www.ivywildwellness.com
Instagram: @adventuresofjordannorman & @ivywildwomen
Reika's Resources:
Subscribe to Reika's Newsletter
Reika's Instagram: @reikayoga
Reika's website: www.reikayoga.com
In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika sits down with Steve Szakal, an ultra runner, full-time yoga teacher, to explore the powerful intersection of yoga and endurance running.
Steve shares how he went from feeling unhealthy and burnt out from years of manual labor to transforming his life through running and hot yoga. What started with a two-mile run grew into a passion for marathons, ultras, and a dedicated yoga practice. Along the way, Steve discovered how yoga philosophy, and mindfulness deeply inform his running, and vice versa.
Together, they discuss the physical and mental challenges of ultra running, and the intersection of ultra running and yoga history and philosophy. Steve also reflects on his transition to full-time yoga teaching, the role of Ghosh Yoga and his teachers in shaping his path, and how living simply allows him to pursue both passions with joy and clarity.
Whether you’re a yoga teacher, a runner, or someone curious about how two seemingly different disciplines complement one another, this conversation is filled with wisdom and inspiration.
Connect with Steve:
Instagram: @run2805project
Email: Szakal2805@hotmail.com
Podcasts that Steve was a guest on:
Reika's Resources:
In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika sits down with Lily Dwyer Begg, a seasoned yoga teacher with over two decades of practice and full-time teaching since 2006. Lily shares her unique journey from professional dancer to yoga teacher, navigating multiple relocations, motherhood, and the ever-changing landscape of the yoga industry.
From shifting online during the pandemic to running transformative retreats, Lily emphasizes the importance of community, diversification, and defining success on your own terms. She opens up about the challenges of starting fresh in new cities, balancing personal growth with financial sustainability, and setting clear boundaries in teaching spaces.
This honest and inspiring conversation offers valuable insight for yoga teachers seeking longevity, fulfillment, and resilience in their careers.
Connect with Lily:
Website: https://www.lilydwyerbeggyoga.com/
Instagram: @lilydwyerbegg
Reika's Resources: