When I started practicing in 2002, there wasnt a yoga studio on every corner. Yoga hadn’t quite hit the granola standard yet (when its not just for hippies anymore). Practice in general was still counterculture, with lineage-based yoga studios having been established for a decade or two. It wasnt yet seen from a consumerist athleisure lens. This was at a time when traditional yoga studios had begun to propagate naturally into smaller studios— organic growth that allowed up-and-coming teachers to enter full time teaching, inside their own four walls. It was a time before the big boxes, the local chains, and venture capital from Wall Street. Yes, at one time, independent yoga studios were owned by people who had made exotic journeys and devoted insane…

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to nearly every industry, and the yoga world was no exception. Almost overnight, yoga studios were forced to close their doors, and teachers and students alike had to adapt to new ways of practicing. The pandemic accelerated changes in how yoga is taught and consumed, from the rapid rise of online classes to the reimagining of yoga spaces and teaching models. While the setbacks were significant—particularly for independent teachers and studios—the post-pandemic landscape also presents opportunities for transformation and growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep flaws in the yoga industry, from unsustainable business models to the growing commercialization of the practice. This collection of essays explores the rise, collapse, and potential rebirth of the industry, offering solutions focused on sustainability, equity, and community. By addressing long-standing challenges, we have the chance to rebuild an industry that honors yoga’s spiritual roots while supporting teachers, students, and studios alike.

The first time I realized that I had something to learn from pole dancers was when I was teaching contortion at a pole dancing studio in exchange for private lessons on the Lyra (aerial hoop– it went fine). Some students I knew were nursing sore wrists, but the pole fitness enthusiasts who were also exotic dancers professionally seemed to be able to do twice the amount of stuff with half the prep. I guess if your money depends on you being able to hold on to a pole, you’re gonna take good care of your wrists. That wasn’t the only thing I learned about money from strippers, though. This article was inspired by a podcast I listened to called “The Economics of Everyday Things”– its…

RuPaul’s Drag Race has had an incredible impact on the queer community in the United States, turning hardworking performance artists into household names with niche celebrity status. comes inevitable scrutiny and challenges.This dynamic reminds me of the issues within the Ashtanga yoga system, particularly around authorization, certification, and the balance between a marketplace driven by profit and power versus being a learning organization.

Today’s post intertwines the wisdom of my mentor, Kristen Krash, with my work as a mysore style Ashtanga Yoga teacher. Kristen, an inspiring figure in both my life and in her groundbreaking work regenerating a cloud forest in Ecuador, offers profound insights into the interconnectedness of all things.  Kristen’s article “Why those big-tree planting projects fail. And why ours is succeeding”  is a story of resilience, regeneration, and the intricate tapestry of community building— all in a forest environ. The gist of it is that it takes more than a bunch of big trees to make a forest. I see parallels between Kristen’s observations about forest regeneration and the nurturing environment of a Mysore yoga community. I believe these insight offers a unique perspective on how…

How can we break free from authoritarian educational constraints while fostering a learning environment that values autonomy, embraces diverse knowledge sources, and turns doubt into curiosity? That’s what I attempt to explore. Join me as I offer innovative solutions for overcoming dependency on leaders, welcoming unexpected wisdom, and transforming skepticism into a journey of discovery.