Beyond the Yoga Hustle 4: Why It's So Hard to Stand Out as a Yoga Teacher (And What To Do About It)

June 18, 2026

In today's yoga industry, standing out can feel harder than ever. More teachers. More studios. More online options. More competition for attention. But what if the problem isn't that there are too many yoga teachers? What if the real problem is that too many teachers are saying the same things? In this episode, I’m exploring why traditional niche advice often falls short, why generic marketing is making teachers increasingly forgettable, and what actually makes students remember and connect with a teacher.

Watch the free trainings here: mid-year realignment training here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/videos

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

BONUS: What ’Living Namaste’ Means and Why It Matters

June 15, 2026

Guest Jeremy Engels joins podcast host Amy McDonald to talk about ‘Living Namaste’, what it means and how it can make a difference, taking Yoga into the world for equality and the wellbeing of all and how to stay inspired and true to your values as a studio owner.

Follow Jeremy’s work here: https://jeremydavidengels.com or Instagram @jeremy_david_engels

Sign up for the free mid-year realignment training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/realign

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Beyond the Yoga Hustle 3: Why So Many Yoga Teachers Are Burnt Out (And What To Do About It)

June 11, 2026

Yoga teachers don't usually burn out from teaching. We burn out from the marketing, admin, travel, content creation, and all the other jobs we're expected to do alongside it. In this episode, I unpack why burnout is so common in our industry and what it might take to build a business that doesn't leave you exhausted.

Sign up for the free mid-year realignment training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/realign

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Beyond the Yoga Hustle 2: Why Marketing Yourself as a Yoga Teacher Feels So Hard (And What To Do About It)

June 4, 2026

If marketing yourself as a Yoga teacher feels uncomfortable, awkward, or somehow at odds with your values, you’re not alone. In this episode, I unpack why so many Yoga teachers struggle with visibility and self-promotion, what’s actually getting in the way, and the practical shifts that can make marketing feel more authentic and effective. Plus, I share what’s actually working right now when it comes to attracting students and growing a sustainable Yoga business.

Sign up for the free mid-year realignment training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/realign

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

[Patreon Teaser] Beyond the Yoga Hustle: Why You’re Still Struggling Financially as a Yoga Teacher (And What To Do About It)

May 28, 2026

If you’re teaching regularly but still not feeling financially stable, this episode is going to land. I’m breaking down the real reasons so many yoga teachers stay stuck in inconsistent income, from over-reliance on studio work to missing structural pieces in their business model, and what actually needs to change. Most importantly, I share practical, grounded steps you can take to start shifting from hustle and guesswork into a more sustainable way of working.

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Come experience ashram life with me (and my newest retreat offering)

May 21, 2026

In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind my brand new Ashram Retreat happening this October at the Yoga Association of Victoria Ashram in the Wombat Forest. I talk about my own experiences in ashrams, the difference between practicing Yoga and truly living it, and why immersion, simplicity, and community can be so deeply transformative. We also explore the impact of constant stimulation on the nervous system and why so many of us are craving more depth and sincerity in our practice right now. Plus, I share all the details about the retreat itself, including the optional bonus business intensive for yoga teachers.

Check out all the details here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Saguna vs Nirguna: Structured vs Intuitive Launches

May 14, 2026

In this episode, I explore the yogic concepts of saguna and nirguna as two very different approaches to launching and selling your offers: structured strategy versus intuitive flow. I unpack the specific strengths and pitfalls of both styles, and why neither is inherently “better” than the other. We also talk about how experience helps us move from needing rigid structure into deeper self-trust and discernment. If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a better plan or simply more trust in yourself, this episode is for you.

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCE

Frawley, David (2009) Inner Tantric Yoga: Working with the Universal Shakti, Motilal Banarsidass International, Delhi

[Patreon Teaser] Sales Krama for More Ease in Business

May 7, 2026

If your yoga offers feel a bit random or disconnected, this episode is your nudge to rethink the pathway. I’m talking about krama, the idea of intelligent sequencing, and how your workshops, trainings, and retreats should actually build on each other, not sit in isolation. I share practical ways to make your offers align thematically, attract the same people, and naturally lead into what’s next. Plus, how to follow up in a way that feels like guidance, not a sales pitch. If you want the full episode, please sign up for Patreon!

Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Svādhyāya, Eric Carmen and a Sunbeam of a Human

April 30, 2026

I recently met someone who asked me to define my spirituality. What is Svādhyāya and are you making time for it? In this episode I’m reflecting on what ‘spirituality’ is, how to grow and learn about the self in a non-obsessive way and why I think Eric Carmen has an important lesson for us in allowing for expansive moments in class. Enjoy!

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCES

Bryant, Edwin F (2009)The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, North Point Press, New York

Lee, Jenny (2016) True Yoga: Practicing with the Yoga Sutras forHappiness and Spiritual Fulfilment, Llewellyn Publications, Woodbury

Leventhal, Les (2014) Two Lifestyles, One Lifetime, Yoga with Les, Ubud

Wallis, Christopher, D (2023), Near Enemies of the Truth: Avoid the Pitfalls of the Spiritual Life and Become Radically Free, Wonderwell, Los Angeles

3 Tips to Grow Your Studio Classes

April 23, 2026

If you’re teaching in studios and quietly wondering why your classes aren’t fuller, this one’s for you. I’m sharing three shifts I see make a real difference: making it ridiculously easy to book, being intentional (not reckless) with Meta ads, and actually building your own brand alongside studio work. It’s honest, practical, and the kind of conversation that moves you from ‘This is interesting’ to ‘OK, I’m actually doing something about it.’

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Shakuni and 5 Ways to Check Yourself

April 16, 2026

Today we’re visiting the Mahabharata, and specifically talking about an influential and very discrete villain. How do we spot people that talk a big spiritual game but actually conduct themselves very badly? What can we learn from these people? Then I finish with 5 grounded, real-life ways to practice discernment, not just with others, but within ourselves. This is where the work actually gets interesting.

Learn more about my counselling service here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/counselling

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCE:

Pattanaik, Devdutt (2010) Jaya: an Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata, Penguin, Delhi

Patanjali and Egg on My Beard

April 9, 2026

In this episode, inspired by what would have been Ram Dass’s 95th birthday, I share a very human moment of ending up with a little egg on my beard in a business connection that was not what it seemed. Using Ram Dass’s famous article as a jumping-off point, we explore how to navigate misalignment with honesty and grace. I’m also dipping into the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2.8 and what it teaches about aversion, and the temptation to shut down or harden after things go sideways. This is a conversation about staying open, taking the lesson, and remembering that not every path is meant to be walked together forever.

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCES:

Bryant, Edwin F (2009) The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, North Point Press, New York

Finger, Alan and Newton, Wendy (2018) Tantra of the Yoga Sutras, Shambhala, Boulder

Goldberg, Philip (2010) American Veda: How Indian Spirituality Changed the West, Three Rivers Press, New York

‘Egg on My Beard’ https://www.kashiashram.com/egg_on_my_beard.pdf accessed 7 April 2026

The Oceans of Yoga

April 2, 2026

This week I’m joined for an inspiring conversation with Amy Landry. A beacon for those craving a connection to tradition and timeless wisdom, Amy Landry is a registered senior yoga teacher, ayurvedic practitioner, mentor, odissi dancer, podcast host, author of The Ocean of Yoga, facilitator of the Study Yoga summit, and founder of the online Shruti School of Yoga. I’ve devoured her book and found great solace and inspiration in its pages. Get yourself a copy!

Book - https://amyelandry.com/oceanofyoga/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amyelandry/

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

The Joys and Perils of Being a Sādhaka in Business

March 26, 2026

The ‘modern Yoga industrial complex’ is FUCK!ING wild, man! So much so that it’s easy to forget why we even teach Yoga anymore! In this episode I’m reading from some of the books that always bring me solace when I’ve lost my mooring in Yogaland or am feeling disappointed by people who talk a big Yoga game but conduct themselves terribly. I hope it’s useful.

Join me tomorrow for my new free training ‘Remember Why You Began’ here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/remember

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCES:

Farhi, Donna (2006) Teaching Yoga: Exploring the Teacher-Student Relationship, Random House, London

Feuerstein, Georg (2011) The Path to Yoga: an Essential Guide to its Principles and Practices, Random House, London

Landry, Amy (2026) The Ocean of Yoga: A Complete Guide to Living the Teachings, Tradition, and Practice, Shambhala, Boston

Lowenstein MD, Keith G. (2021) Kriya Yoga for Self-Discovery, Inner Traditions, Rochester

Stone, Michael (2009) Yoga for a World Out of Balance, Shambhala, Boston

Is Your Yoga Really for EVERY Body?

March 23, 2026

In this very special interview I’m joined by Jennie Rose to talk about her work as ‘The Adaptive Yogi’. Through her classes, retreats, and teacher trainings, Jennie helps yoga teachers feel more confident adapting yoga for real people and real bodies. She is the creator of The Adaptive Yogi Teacher Training, which teaches practical, compassionate approaches to making yoga truly inclusive.

Learn more about Jenn’s training here: https://www.theadaptiveyogi.co.nz/teacher-training

Join me next week for my new free training ‘Remember Why You Began’ here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/remember

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

The Krishna Principle: Charisma as a Yoga Business Skill

March 12, 2026

Krishna is our go-to charismatic guy, and i think he has a lot to teach us on this front. Charisma in yoga teaching is not about ego or performance. At its best, it is about authentic presence. When a teacher is fully engaged, enthusiastic and genuine, students feel it. And when students feel something meaningful in a class, they come back.

Learn about coaching here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coaching

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

The Leap, the Webinar and Remembering Your Strength

March 5, 2026

Webinars can be a powerful part of your marketing strategy, especially if you have high ticket or virtual offers. In this episode I’ll talk more about when webinars might work for you, how to make them work really well and how Hanuman might be your unlikely webinar champion!

Learn about coaching here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coaching

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Pashu, Vira & Divya Bhavas for Compassionate Biz Growth

February 26, 2026

In this episode, I explore how the traditional framework of pashu, vira and divya bhavas can offer a surprisingly practical template for business growth and development. We look at how these stages show up in pricing, visibility, decision-making and leadership — from survival and imitation, through courageous action, to integrated authority. If you’ve ever wondered why certain growth edges feel uncomfortable (or inevitable), this lens may help you understand exactly where you are and what’s required next. Enjoy!

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCE

Paramahamsa Prajnanaanda (2006) Jnana Sankalini Tantra, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi

Ahalyā and Becoming More Visible in Your Yoga Biz

February 19, 2026

Enjoy the replay of Day 1 of my free Pancha Kanyas training happening this week. If you’d like to watch the remaining 4 days—either as replays of live—you can sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/myths

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

An Egg, a Parrot and My Biggest Business Failure Ever

February 12, 2026

Have you had an ‘epic fail’ in your Yoga business? Have you put in so much thought, planning, taken bold action, involved your family and friends… and its tanked anyway? So have I an so has Siva. I’ll share both our stories in this episode.

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Reference

Charan Das, Nityanand (2024) Shiva: The Hidden Side of the Master of the Universe, Penguin Ananda, Gurugram

Abundant Yoga Teacher Podcasts