The other side of yoga: authenticity vs reality

Yoga isn’t all “namaste and love.” Behind the calm studio walls, the polished Insta posts and the softly lit spaces, there’s a reality that isn’t spoken aloud too much. And since I started teaching, I’ve noticed little contradictions; moments that feel both enlightening and frustrating, rewarding and confusing.

My betrayal list

Since I started teaching, I’ve noticed dissonances between what the yogic philosophy teaches us and what we experience when we teach in studios. For instance, a full class doesn’t always reflect the value of our teaching… until attendance drops and numbers and some unspoken targets suddenly seem to matter. Contracts might feel like a formality… until you ask about employment conditions and other policies.

These contradictions are not failures per se. They’re what happens when spirituality meets business KPIs. Awareness of them doesn’t diminish my love for yoga; it simply reminds me that teaching is both a personal calling and a professional endeavor. And so, if you’re considering to embark on this journey, you better gear up.

Still I show up

Despite all of this, I return to the teaching mat, again and again. I guide and I hold space because something bigger moves me. Please don’t read bitterness in these lines and slides. It’s actually awareness. Teaching yoga is, above all, a personal calling. But it’s also a business. And while I prefer to focus on the bigger picture, it’s also important to keep it real. Which sometimes implies “deinfluencing” and sharing the other side of the coin.

This awareness isn’t bitterness. It’s clarity. It’s understanding the delicate balance between staying true to the essence of yoga and navigating the realities of making it a sustainable path. Every class, every student, every small challenge teaches me something… not only about teaching yoga, but about showing up in general.

Partly the problem… partly the solution!

The more I teach, the more I ask myself: how can I contribute to keeping yoga’s essence alive while making it sustainably work? How can I honor my calling without losing sight of the practicalities? How can I teach with authenticity while acknowledging that running classes, organizing events, and managing administration are also part of the journey?

These reflections have made me more conscious of my intentions, my energy, and the way I structure my teaching life. I’ve learned to celebrate full classes without attachment, to approach administrative work with presence, and to stay committed even when attendance or feedback fluctuates. Most importantly, I’ve realized that the magic of teaching yoga isn’t in perfection, it’s in showing up, again and again, with awareness and heart.

Did anything surprise you?

If this resonates, I invite you to pause and reflect on your own journey. Whether you’re a teacher or a practitioner, we all face contradictions in our practices, expectations, and daily lives. Let’s hold space for each other, share experiences, and remind ourselves that yoga isn’t just a class or a sequence of postures—it’s a continuous practice of presence, awareness, and authenticity.

Because teaching yoga, like life, is about embracing the full spectrum; the highs and lows, the easy days and the complicated ones. And in that embrace, we find the true essence of the practice: connection, awareness, and presence… on and off the mat.