Lessons From the Mat: What Teaching Yoga in 2024 Taught Me
Jordanna Campbell | JAN 1, 2025
Introduction
As 2024 comes to a close, I have of course been reflecting on the year—on the highs, the challenges, and the lessons I’ve learned in relation to being a yoga teacher and this will help me to chart the direction of 2025. Get ready for an even BOLDER version of myself.

What I Loved About Teaching Yoga in 2024
One-day retreats have been the highlight of my year. I hosted three, all of which were full, and the energy of these days has been nothing short of incredible. What I love most is the trust and investment participants bring—they’re people who already understand the benefits of yoga and come ready to deepen their practice.
Collaboration has also been a source of joy and inspiration. For the first time, I worked with my sister, Lara, whose expertise as a hypnotherapist added an entirely new dimension to these retreats. The first retreat of the year included a sound bath, which sparked a future collaboration I’m excited to explore. These partnerships remind me of the power of shared creativity and how much richer the experience becomes when we combine our strengths.
Beyond the retreats, my daily morning Zoom yoga classes have been a constant source of light. They’ve deepened my own practice, particularly my meditation by creating an early morning space before the day begins. It’s a quiet, grounding ritual that anchors my mornings and sets the tone for the day.
Perhaps one of the things I love most about teaching is that I get to show up as myself—completely and unapologetically. I don’t have to pretend to know everything or act like I have all the answers. I don’t have to be a better person than I am or present myself as some kind of guru. I can teach from an honest, grounded place, and it's being myself that connects me to my students.
Finally, there are those beautiful, spontaneous moments in my in-person classes when people laugh together—sometimes at themselves, sometimes with each other. Those moments of connection and shared joy are just as important as the asanas. They’re a reminder of why I love what I do.
Pure Magic on the Mat
My own word, deepen, came to life on the mat this year. Having my own teacher and committing to my personal practice has profoundly influenced my teaching.
Two moments stand out as pure magic: teaching the chakras for the first time and leading a five-week handstand series. Guiding people of all levels through something as advanced as handstands felt transformational. Watching my students’ progress—and their trust in the process—was nothing short of magical.
And then there are the everyday moments: looking around at my yoga community and seeing their growth, their presence, their energy. That’s magic too.
Challenges I Faced
With growth comes challenges. My community has expanded this year, which I’m so grateful for, but it’s also brought pressure. I’ve struggled with wanting to please everyone—balancing different preferences, constantly creating new material, and resisting the urge to repeat themes even though I know repetition is key to mastery.
This pressure is self-imposed, and I’ve learned that I need to let go of it. Boldly trusting my instincts will be my focus for 2025.
Lessons Learned
Another important lesson this year has been learning not to take things personally. Losing a yogi is always hard—it’s natural to wonder if I did something wrong or if I could have done more to keep them coming. But I’ve started to reframe these moments as part of their journey rather than a reflection on me.
There’s a quote that resonates deeply with this idea: “What is for you will not go past you.” It’s a reminder to trust the flow of life and the connections I build through teaching. Some students will stay for years, while others might only pass through for a season, and that’s okay. Every interaction has value, and my role is to show up fully for whoever walks through the door.
What I’m Ready to Leave Behind
I’m ready to stop letting financial concerns dictate my teaching choices. Yoga is my business, my passion, my social life, and my hobby—all intertwined. In 2025, I want to focus on teaching what I love in the way I love, trusting that the right opportunities and support will follow.
What I’ll Carry Into 2025
The joy and energy I feel after a one-day retreat are something I’ll hold onto. So is the sense of community from my daily morning Zoom classes. These moments remind me why I do what I do.
Gratitude
Above all, I’m grateful for the trust and support of my yoga community. Their openness to experimenting and trying new things gives me the freedom to grow as a teacher—and in turn, helps them grow too.
Jordanna Campbell | JAN 1, 2025
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