Episode Details
Back to Episodes33. Managing Difficult Students Without Losing Your Cool
Description
Every yoga teacher encounters students whose behavior challenges their calm—talking during class, arriving late, doing their own thing, or just radiating resistance. In this episode, I share real-life stories from my two decades of teaching and offer compassionate, effective strategies to address common classroom disruptions without compromising your boundaries or your students’ dignity.
We’ll reframe “difficult students” into “challenging behaviors,” align our responses with yogic principles, and walk through specific examples—from strong odors to handstands in gentle yoga—and how to handle each with grace. You’ll learn when to intervene, how to do it kindly, and when to let things go for the greater good of the group.
Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode gives you tools to stay steady, model equanimity, and protect the container of your class. Plus, get details about my upcoming free live call on “Handling the Unexpected” inside The Zone.
September’s lesson plan in the Prep Station is Balance Play Trio. The recording is already waiting in the Movement Library, and I teach the plan live on Mondays, September 14, 21, and 28, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern, with 15 minutes afterward for your questions. Every class posts as a recording. It’s all part of the Yoga Class Prep Station, $39 a month.
Join us:
The next cohort of Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing Mentorship Membership—MMM, my six-month group mentorship for yoga teachers—starts in January 2027, and the wait list is open now. Doors open to the wait list first, in December, before anyone else hears about it. MMM is also the required half of the Comfort Zone Yoga 300-hour yoga teacher training.
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And come explore my mentorship program, Yoga Class Prep Station membership, continuing education and 200/300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at sagerountree.com.
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