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This conversation highlights why anatomy matters for yoga teachers, how outdated cues and concepts can create confusion, and why understanding real human variation is essential for teaching safer, more empowering classes.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)

Connect with Olga:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@_olgamoves⁠⁠
• Website: ⁠⁠https://www.olgakay.yoga⁠⁠

Connect with Reika:

Join the online yoga studio for $20 for two weeks!

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Reika's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Reika's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  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: [email protected]

Get on the Waitlist for:

Ethical Yoga Retreat: Align with Purpose in Nicaragua 2026

Connect with Reika:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Reika's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  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 ⁠

• November 8th, Saturday,4 pm 2-4pm PST.
• Sliding-scale $10-60

Connect with Reika:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Reika's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Reika's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Reika's Website: ⁠www.reikay

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

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

Connect with Reika:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Reika's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  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

Connect with Reika:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Reika's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  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

Connect with Reika:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join 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 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:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join 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 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:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Reika's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  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: [email protected]

Reika's Resources:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Reika's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Reika's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Reika's website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠