33. Managing Difficult Students Without Losing Your Cool

Yoga Teacher Confidential: Secrets of Becoming a Great Yoga Teacher

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.

Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Get in the Zone at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you—let's chat there!

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Chapters

1. Introduction: Facing Challenging Student Behaviors (00:00:00)

2. Understanding Challenging Behaviors (00:01:29)

3. Managing Your Reactions (00:03:29)

4. Practical Strategies for Common Issues (00:06:00)

5. Setting Boundaries with Compassion (00:09:38)