Is modern yoga broken?
Here’s something we don’t talk about enough: The yoga world is unregulated.
I mean completely unregulated. Anyone can teach yoga—no license, no governing body, no standardised education required. It’s a system where the quality of your experience can swing wildly from one teacher to the next.
Some teachers spend years training under highly skilled mentors. Others complete a weekend course and start leading classes on Monday. The result? An inconsistent, confusing experience for students that can sometimes cause more harm than good.
But the real cracks in the system? Those come from how the industry itself operates.
Class passes and studio survival.
Let’s talk about class passes. They’re convenient for students, sure. But for studio owners? They’re a race to the bottom.
Class passes have made yoga feel cheaper and more accessible, but they’ve also made it nearly impossible for studios to survive on class revenue alone. With rent, insurance, and teacher wages, the math just doesn’t add up.
So how do studios stay afloat?
They offer teacher training programs. Not because they’re passionate about growing the next generation of teachers (though some are)—but because it’s the only way to make the business sustainable.
And here’s the catch: Many of these trainings don’t have high entry requirements.
They’ll take anyone who can pay the fee, regardless of whether they’re ready for that next step. And while some trainings are phenomenal, others are little more than certificate mills churning out unqualified teachers who may never have even had a consistent home practice themselves.
It’s a cycle that feeds itself:
Unqualified teachers train new teachers.
New teachers, without proper mentorship, start teaching and eventually offer their own teacher trainings.
The quality of instruction keeps diminishing.
Where do we go from here?
Here’s the thing: There are still incredible teachers out there. But finding them requires a little more discernment.
Look for evidence-based education. Teachers who stay up to date with anatomy, movement science, and biomechanics tend to offer safer, more effective guidance.
Ask about their mentors. Who did they learn from? How long did they study?
Trust your intuition. If something feels off—or if a teacher makes you feel small, judged, or dependent on them—move on.
The good news? The power is in your hands. You don’t need to blindly follow anyone. Ask questions. Explore. Seek out teachers who inspire curiosity, not conformity.
Yoga is a lifelong practice of inquiry and discovery. It’s messy and imperfect—but when it’s done well, it’s magic.
What’s been your experience navigating the yoga world? I’d love to hear about it! Drop me a reply or let’s chat in class.
