One of the most overlooked skills in yoga teaching isn’t sequencing, cueing, or even anatomy. It’s the art of setting and maintaining clear, healthy boundaries.
In Episode 37 of Yoga Teacher Confidential, we dive deep into why boundaries aren’t just about protecting your time—they’re about creating a container for meaningful connection and transformation.
Drawing from my 20+ years of teaching and owning a studio, I share stories, strategies, and affirmations that will help you approach boundaries with clarity, confidence, and compassion. I hope you’ll listen!
You’re the Guide, Not the Hero
Let’s start with a crucial mindset shift: you are the guide, not the hero of your students’ yoga journeys.
When we overextend ourselves—answering texts late at night, bending policies, or feeling personally responsible for a student’s progress—we risk two things:
- Burning ourselves out
- Robbing students of their own agency
Remember, you’re there to hold space, not to save. Just like Yoda didn’t go on Luke’s mission and Gandalf didn’t fight Frodo’s battles, you can offer wisdom and support without carrying the weight of your students’ journeys.
Ethical Boundaries Start with Physical Space
Ethical touch is one of the clearest boundaries in yoga teaching. This should go without saying, but:
- Always ask for consent before offering hands-on assists.
- Ensure touch is purposeful, professional, and consent-based—no exceptions.
But boundaries go beyond the physical. They also include the emotional and psychological spaces we navigate with students. In private moments after class, students might share intimate details or seek advice beyond your scope. Compassionate listening is essential, but so is knowing when to refer to qualified professionals.
Digital and Personal Boundaries: Be Intentional
How much do you share about your personal life with students?
This varies by teacher, but the key is intention.
Ask yourself:
- Am I sharing to serve my students’ growth?
- Or am I seeking validation, connection, or comfort for myself?
Set conscious guidelines about what you will and won’t discuss, both in person and online. It’s useful to do this before you need to enforce it! For example, I choose to keep my family life and political opinions off the table but will share struggles from my personal practice if it serves the class.
On social media, it’s helpful to keep separate professional and personal accounts and to set clear expectations on when and how students can reach you.
Managing Your Time: Clear Start, Clear Finish
Yoga teachers often underestimate the importance of time boundaries.
- When does class actually end?
- How available are you before and after class?
It’s tempting to linger and chat, especially when students seek advice or connection. But remember: your time and energy are limited.
You could always say, “I have five minutes right now. Would you like to explore this briefly, or should we schedule a private session to go deeper?”
This approach respects both your limits and your students’ needs—while opening the door for deeper, more focused work.
Recognizing Transference and Projection
Here’s where things get subtle.
Transference is when a student projects feelings onto you that stem from past relationships—seeing you as a parental figure, a savior, or even an adversary. Projection happens when students assume you feel things you may not (for example, that you’re judging them, when in fact they’re judging themselves).
The key here is awareness. When you notice a dynamic that feels emotionally charged or out of proportion, step back, ground yourself, and re-center in your professional role.
This isn’t about diagnosing or fixing the dynamic—it’s about maintaining appropriate boundaries and not getting pulled into emotional drama.
Practical Tools for Communicating Boundaries
Setting boundaries doesn’t have to feel cold or rigid. In fact, clarity is one of the kindest things you can offer.
Here are a few tips:
- Frame boundaries positively: Instead of “I don’t answer texts after 7 p.m.,” try “I respond to messages during business hours, typically within 24 hours.”
- Use “I” statements: Instead of “You’re taking too much time,” say “I need to wrap up now for my next commitment.”
- Be consistent: Avoid making exceptions that set new expectations or precedents. If you choose to make a one-time exception, name it clearly to prevent confusion.
Internal Boundaries Matter, Too
Boundaries aren’t just external. Sometimes, the expectations you place on yourself as a teacher are the most draining of all.
If you’re feeling resentful, over-obligated, or emotionally exhausted, ask:
- Am I expecting myself to be endlessly available or perfectly patient?
- Am I carrying responsibilities that aren’t mine to hold?
Releasing these unrealistic internal demands is a powerful act of self-care—and makes you a more sustainable, effective teacher.
Reflection
Take a moment to reflect:
- Where are your boundaries strongest?
- Where might you need to shore them up?
- How can you communicate your limits with warmth and clarity?
If you’re feeling unsure, remember: you don’t have to figure this out alone.
Join Us in The Zone
In my free community, The Zone, we talk about topics like this every month. You can bring your tricky teaching questions, share your experiences, and get support from a circle of peers who understand the unique challenges of yoga teaching.
Join The Zone here and connect with a supportive, thoughtful community.
Final Takeaway
Boundaries are not barriers. They are the banks of the river that allow your energy, wisdom, and care to flow in a meaningful direction.
By holding clear boundaries, you’re not limiting your impact—you’re making it more sustainable, focused, and transformational.
