What does it really take to make a living as a yoga professional, and who is looking out for the people doing this work? I’m joined by Andrew Tanner, CEO of the American Yoga Council and co-founder of the Berkshire Yoga Festival, for a candid conversation about the changing landscape of the yoga industry. Andrew shares his experience working with Yoga Alliance, why he decided to build a different kind of professional organization, and how the American Yoga Council is approaching teacher credentials through competencies rather than a one-size-fits-all standard. We also explore the role of social media, the next generation of yoga leadership, cultural appropriation, and why local communities need to have a voice in shaping the profession.
We get into some big questions around the future of yoga organizations, including Yoga Alliance’s revised standards for 2027, the proposed exam and ethics attestation, and whether yoga can or should ever be standardized. Andrew also explains the support American Yoga Council is developing for teachers and studio owners, from business coaching and health insurance to a give-back model that aims to support mentors, training schools, and experienced yoga professionals in the long term. We talk about building a sustainable yoga career through teaching, private clients, specialization, and teacher training. Whether you’re a yoga teacher, studio owner, or simply interested in where the industry is headed, I hope this conversation helps you look at the available options with curiosity, ask thoughtful questions, and get involved in shaping the future of yoga.
Andrew Tanner is the CEO of American Yoga Council, Co-Founder of Berkshire Yoga Festival, and a Taoist Yoga & Meditation teacher of 20+ years. He co-wrote “So You Want to Open a Yoga Studio” in 2012 and has consulted thousands of yoga teachers, yoga therapists, studios, organizations, and tech companies on how to make a living doing what they love. His work centers on creating a healthier yoga eco-system which means higher pay for teachers, better run businesses, and better yoga program delivery models to bring yoga to more people everywhere.