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If there’s anything that your yoga practice teaches you, it’s that expectations are pretty much an equation for disappointment. As the things you’re still working on show up for you on your mat, the most helpful response looks something like simply taking note of how you’d like to approach things. Not in a shaming way but simply a let-me-do-differently-when-I-encounter-this-again sort of way.
That’s how we’re intending the following list of things related to yoga that we’d like to see more or less of in the months ahead. It’s simply straight talk related to what we observe in yoga studios, teacher trainings, and other spaces and what we hear from students, teachers, and studio owners.
Some of the things that need to change are unequivocal, such as making yoga accessible and affordable. Others are more of a let-me-be-more-considerate-of-others sorta things. And some are just silly. But rather than a holier-than thou or do-this-or-else sorta approach, it’s more a yoga-related riff on the book from years ago that explains how you pretty much learn everything you need to know about life in kindergarten. These things are actually that simple. But sometimes we overlook simple unless it’s brought to our attention.
In the words of Maya Angelou, “When you know better, do better.” So consider the following a simple awareness of how we could all make a conscious effort to think and act in ways that are more aligned with the actual intent of yoga. As we learn better, we can better implement more of yoga in our practice, our teaching, and our approach to life.
What We’re Asking to See More of in 2025
Manufacturers releasing water bottles that don’t clang when you accidentally knock them over when stretching in Savasana.
More comedic riffs on the everyday things that happen in yoga class so we understand that these things happen. (Are you following Bradshaw Wish on IG yet? If not, you need to do something about that.)
Teachers understanding they don’t need to create an entirely new sequence for each class.
Yoga studio boutiques selling apparel in ALL sizes.
Students recognizing that their practice looks and feels different each day.
Newly recorded episodes of the Yoga is Dead podcast.
Work meetings that begin with a minute of silence while everyone takes time for a long slow breath out. Perhaps you start to initiate this at your company. You’ll be surprised how that changes the vibe.
Classes for beginners to yoga taught by experienced teachers who are truly equipped to support those snew to yoga.
Understanding that you can meditate to hip-hop music if that’s your jam.
Studios hosting clothing swaps to help previously loved pieces of clothing come back into use.
Yoga studio managers paying attention to juuuuuust how infrequently those folded blankets are laundered.
Students knowing it’s okay to take a little longer than everyone else to make it through a vinyasa sequence.
Allowing ample time in class for Savasana.
People understanding that incorporating a little Ayurvedic wisdom, which is the ancient sister science to yoga, into life can change your life.
Yoga teacher trainings whose marketing materials accurately depict the reality of teaching yoga to potential enrollees.
Brainstorming about what each of us can do to make yoga more affordable to everyone.
Students feeling at ease wearing inexpensive attire during yoga rather than feeling the need to look a certain way. (Faded concert t-shirt, anyone?)
More diverse and inclusive teaching staff at yoga studios.
Beginner yoga classes taught only by experienced teachers who are capable of supporting beginners.
Understanding that the way you show up to yoga is the way you show up to life. If you want to change something, start small and start on your mat.
WHAT WE’RE ASKING TO SEE LESS OF IN 2025
Can we just…not?
Promoting the narrative and practice of yoga as a high-intensity cardio workout. Yoga, as codified over 5,000 years ago, was designed to still the fluctuations of the mind. Continuously reshaping the practice into something that dilutes or diminishes this core intention is unnecessary and misrepresents its true purpose. —Jana Long
Automatically equating yoga with extreme flexibility. Too often, yoga is misunderstood as the passionate pursuit of hypermobility or turning the body into a pretzel. —Eoin Flynn
Oversharing when teaching class and your students are held hostage.
Leaving (noisily) before or during Savasana.
Assuming a yoga retreat will magically change your life.
Using your cell phone during class.—Stephanie Acosta
Giving any fucks about what’s happening on the mat alongside of or in front of or behind you.
Behaving badly when the front desk person or teacher enforces a policy, such as not entering class more than 10 minutes after the start.—Stephanie Acosta
Writing bitchy comments on social media posts correcting someone as to “the right” way to cue a pose or sequence a transition.
Acting, thinking, or talking as though you are spiritually superior to anyone else.
Gossiping about students or teachers.
Anonymous ClassPass reviews that trash teachers based on their appearance or playlistt rather than the teaching.
Puppy yoga. Goat yoga. Flamingo yoga. Llama yoga. Cat yoga. Chicken yoga. (You can see where we’re going with this…)
Yoga teachers, meditation leaders, and sound practitioners referring to themselves as “healers.” Let’s instead remind students that they, too, play an active role in the change taking place.
Slapping the mat on the floor when others are trying to take in the quiet before class.
Preaching about or giving lip-service to the other limbs of yoga unless you actually attempt to practice them.
Pointing fingers at someone else’s physical practice and saying, “That’s not yoga.”
