In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by meditation teacher Cayce Howe, whose path has taken him from a curious seeker reading Siddhartha as a teen to a seasoned practitioner within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. With over 25 years of meditation experience, Cayce shares the deep insights he gained from living in retreat centers, including a full year in silent retreat and the profound shift that came from caring for a loved one in chronic pain.

We explore the challenges of balancing the sacredness of this work with the business/practicalities of teaching, what it means to live with intention, and the power of community in spiritual life. Cayce offers a grounded perspective on teaching meditation from a place of authenticity rather than commercialism and reflects on how his practice continues to evolve with service at the heart.

Connect with Cayce:

Instagram: @caycehowe

Insight LA: Sunday Sits

Upcoming course: Introduction to Awareness

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Accessible Yoga Training⁠⁠: August 10 & 17

In this episode of the Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by Amanda Martinez, a mindful movement facilitator, yoga teacher, somatics educator, and community builder. Amanda shares her unique path from working as a professional makeup artist in LA and becoming a yoga and mindfulness facilitator deeply rooted in accessibility and social justice.

We dive into how Amanda balances her many identities, the role of community in her teaching, and how the pandemic reshaped her perspective on wellness and connection. Amanda also speaks about her work with My Comunidad, a nonprofit dedicated to making yoga more accessible for historically excluded communities, and the importance of trauma-informed teaching.

Whether you're a yoga teacher, a creative, or someone navigating multiple callings, this conversation is full of wisdom on creating inclusive spaces, staying true to your voice, and defining success on your own terms.

Connect with Amanda:

Website: www.beyoutyintelligence.com

Instagram: @amandarose4209

My Comunidad: https://mycomunidad.org/

Instagram: @mycomunidad

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Accessible Yoga Training⁠: August 10 & 17

In this episode of The Full-Time Yoga Teacher Podcast, Reika sits down with Giana Gambino and Bradshaw Wish, co-founders of CAYA Yoga School and hosts of The Funny Thing About Yoga podcast. Based in Chicago and San Francisco, this dynamic duo has crafted a full-time teaching career that blends humor, joy, structure, self-inquiry, and self-care.

They dive deep into what it actually takes to teach yoga full-time, from managing burnout and setting boundaries, to creating an ideal teaching schedule and honoring teaching style that is true to thema . Giana and Bradshaw share how they balance teaching group classes to running international retreats, leading teacher trainings, hosting a podcast, and building a business that honors yoga’s roots while making space for laughter and growth.

Whether you’re an aspiring teacher or long-time practitioner, this conversation offers raw insight and inspiration on how to create a yoga career that’s authentic, balanced, and fully your own.

Connect with Giana & Bradshaw:

Giana's Instagram: @gianagambino

Bradshaw's Instagram: @bradshawwish

C.A.Y.A Yoga School

Funny Things About Yoga Podcast

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Accessible Yoga Training: August 10 & 17

In the final episode of this 4-part series, Reika and Allie G. explore the variety of hands-on assist techniques used in yoga, from tactile and verbal cues to the often-overlooked power of self-assists. They discuss how to empower students by fostering body awareness and how a skillful blend of touch and language can deepen the practice. Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned educator, this episode offers insight into the evolving art of adjustments, and why creating a safe, informed, and embodied learning space matters now more than ever.

Connect with Allie:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.hathamood.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@alienjg⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Free classes: on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this third episode of our series on hands-on assists, Allie and I dive into how adjustments in yoga have evolved, especially in the wake of the pandemic. We reflect on the shifting norms around touch, the influence of different yoga lineages, and the increasing awareness of the teacher-student power dynamic. From love and care to boundaries and consent, we explore how teachers can approach hands-on assists with more intention and nuance in today's yoga landscape.

Connect with Allie:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.hathamood.com⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠@alienjg⁠⁠⁠ 

Free classes: on ⁠⁠⁠Youtube ⁠⁠

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this second episode of our 4-part series on yoga adjustments, Reika sits down with fellow teacher Allie G. to explore what hands-on assists mean in today’s yoga world. We discuss our positive and negative expriences with hands-on-assist and the role of consent, and how their own teaching experiences have shaped their approach. Whether you’re a yoga teacher rethinking your use of touch or a curious student, this conversation unpacks the complexity of a topic that’s often glossed over.

Connect with Allie:

Website: ⁠⁠www.hathamood.com⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠@alienjg⁠⁠ 

Free classes: on ⁠⁠Youtube ⁠

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this first episode of our 4-part series on yoga adjustments, Reika sits down with fellow teacher Allie G. to explore what hands-on assists mean in today’s yoga world. They discuss the evolving language around “adjustments,” the role of consent, and how their own teaching experiences have shaped their approach. Whether you’re a yoga teacher rethinking your use of touch or a curious student, this conversation unpacks the complexity of a topic that’s often glossed over.

You’ll also hear what’s coming up in future episodes—from the different types of hands-on techniques to how our understanding of adjustments has shifted over time.

Connect with Allie:

Website: ⁠www.hathamood.com⁠

IG: ⁠@alienjg⁠ 

Free classes: on ⁠Youtube

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Decolonized History of Yoga Workshop (5/17, Sat 2-4pm pst)

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this solo episode, I’m sharing the three foundational pillars that I believe every impactful yoga teacher builds their career on — and they might not be what you think.

Whether you're just starting out or years into your teaching journey, this episode is here to help you reflect, refocus, and recommit to your path. I talk about:

• Why teaching a lot (quantity) matters more than being “ready”

• How consistency builds trust, referrals, and longevity

• Why continuing education is non-negotiable if you want to grow

I’m also sharing personal stories, honest truths about the industry, and practical tips for new teachers looking to gain experience outside of studios.

This is the pep talk, reminder, and reality check I wish someone had given me when I first started. 🎧

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentorship Program for Yoga Teachers⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat⁠⁠⁠

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Karen Fabian—yoga teacher, podcast host, author, and founder of Bare Bones Yoga. Karen shares her inspiring journey from a career in the corporate world to teaching yoga full-time. We talk about the evolution of teacher training in the early 2000s, the realities of building a sustainable yoga business, and how Karen’s background in anatomy and rehabilitative medicine shaped her approach to teaching. She also opens up about the impact of the pandemic, shifting to online teaching, and the lessons she’s learned about creating a resilient career. Whether you’re a new or experienced teacher, Karen’s insights into business-building, diversifying income, and staying connected to your purpose will leave you motivated and refreshed.

Connect with Karen:

Webiste: https://barebonesyoga.com/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@barebonesyoga

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barebonesyoga/reels/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenFabian

Karen’s Freebies

https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/the-5-day-confidence-challenge/

https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/the-bare-bones-yoga-guide-to-incredible-yoga-teaching/

https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/free-guide-steps-to-confident-teaching/

https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/how-to-build-a-yoga-sequence-lead-page/

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Mentorship Program for Yoga Teachers⁠⁠⁠

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat⁠⁠

In this week’s episode, Reika sits down with Jenny Link—yoga therapist, educator, and founding member of the Integrative Collective—for an inspiring conversation about bridging yoga with healthcare and mental wellness.

Jenny shares her journey from working as an athletic trainer to stepping fully into the world of yoga therapy, and how her background continues to shape the way she teaches and supports others. Together, they explore the evolution of therapeutic yoga, the impact of the pandemic on teaching, and how Jenny’s work today integrates individualized care, education, and community support.

If you're a yoga teacher looking to explore a more therapeutic, integrative path—or you're curious about how yoga can truly meet people where they are—this episode is a must-listen.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Jenny’s transition from sports medicine to yoga

• Teaching during the pandemic and the shifts that followed

• The Threes Physiyoga Method and its impact on teacher education

• The value of therapeutic yoga for injury prevention and mental health

• Building community and finding your unique path as a yoga teacher

  
  

Connect with Jenny:

Website: yogalinkllc.com

Instagram: @yogalink.19

Connect with Reika:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reikayoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.reikayoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Mentorship Program for Yoga Teachers⁠⁠

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reikayoga.com/pages/retreat⁠