In this episode, I had the honor of speaking again with the legendary Judith Hanson Lasater, who shared reflections on her 53 years of teaching yoga. We explored how her teaching has transformed over the decades, from an athletic focus to a holistic, life-centered approach. Judith shared her belief that true yoga extends beyond the mat and is woven into daily life, where being present and compassionate are at the heart of the practice. We talked about challenges like burnout and the importance of self-renewal, especially for yoga teachers today. Judith’s wisdom and insights on being “the bucket, not the water” remind us that teaching yoga is not about pushing students, but guiding them to connect with their own inner wisdom. Her philosophy and stories are sure to inspire both new and experienced yoga practitioners.

Episode Highlights:

• Judith’s evolution in teaching yoga over the past five decades.
• Experiences with feelings of overwhelm and burnout in Judith’s teaching career.
• How modern, digital life impacts yoga teachers’ fatigue and well-being.
• Key qualities that yoga teachers should cultivate.
• Judith’s approach to handling emotions, such as anger or irritation.
• The story behind how Judith began teaching yoga and her first class.
• Judith’s philosophy of being “the bucket, not the water” as a teacher.
• Core practices Judith believes are essential for students and teachers to incorporate.

Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January)
Free upcoming workshop: “Queuing for Yoga Teachers – From Gross to Subtle” (November 14, 10 a.m. PT)
Join our mailing list
Find all the resources mentioned in this episode
Connect with us on Instagram