I'm not the type of yoga teacher that will...

carolefrey
Sep 24
4 min read

Plus, what you can expect in my classes

Yoga is a personal journey, and every teacher brings their own approach. Over my years of studying yogic teachings, I’ve learned what truly supports growth, presence, and self-discovery — and what can sometimes get in the way.

This is what I don’t do as a teacher, and what you can expect in my classes…

Play Music So Loud You Can’t Do The True Work

Yoga is about turning inward, yet so often classes turn into sensory overload. Blasting music so you “can’t focus on anything else” is a false sense of Pratyahara (sense-withdrawl) as it’s just covering up the inner noise with outer noise. It creates distraction rather than depth.

The ancient practices give us subtler, and more powerful, tools for this: pranayama (breath control), drishti (gaze), and mantra (sound vibration). These are techniques that cultivate true focus, regulate the nervous system, and support clarity of mind.

In my classes, you’ll hear vibey electronic music in the background. Its purpose is to add subtle energy, not to overpower. The practice is not about losing yourself in sound — it’s about finding yourself through self-study and awareness.

Tell You “You Can Do Whatever You Want”

Humans want to be comfortable — and comfort usually means repeating the same patterns over and over. But growth doesn’t come from staying comfortable. In yoga, we call this Tapas — it literally means “heat.” Tapas is the effort, discipline, and inner fire that allow transformation to happen. It’s different for each of us, and here’s the kicker: your tapas is typically the very thing you don’t want to do.

That might mean finding stillness, slowing your transitions down, holding plank, or choosing to stay with your breath instead of your thoughts. Yup… you probably have an idea of what this is for you.

Now — don’t get me wrong. I will always hold space for you to take care of yourself. That looks like taking variations of a posture, tending to injuries, or honoring where your energy is on any given day. That’s self-awareness, not avoidance.

Yoga is a system that is meant to be respected, and doesn’t need to be recreated. The practice may not look the same for everyone, but the intention and integrity behind it are the same.

Focus on Creative Sequencing

Modern yoga often becomes a contest: which class burns the most calories, which sequence is the most entertaining, which flow leaves you collapsed in child's pose first. Creativity has its place, but when it becomes the sole focus, and intelligence is left behind, we risk injury, overstimulation, or missing yoga's true aim.

The Yoga Sutras remind us that practice should be Sthira Sukham Asanam — steady and easeful. This principle encourages stability, presence, and ease within the body and mind, providing the foundation for everything that follows.

Building on this, Vinyasa Krama, “wise progression”, comes from the Samkhya tradition and provides a structured framework for sequencing. It guides us through the phases of practice, from preparing the body for movement to supporting pranayama, meditation, and mantra. Each step intentionally builds on the last, helping us reach our potential, propel us forward in our practice and daily life, and truly thrive.

That’s why my classes aren’t about spectacle. They’re about progression with purpose — thoughtfully crafted to help you thrive, not just survive (let’s be honest, some high-intensity or “hot power” classes just leave us feeling like we survived, and I want more than that — I want you to truly thrive). By integrating the wisdom of the Yoga Sutras and the structure of Vinyasa Krama, we create a practice that is both intelligent and transformative.

Move So Fast That You Don’t Have Time to Breathe, Arrive, or Experience

We live in an over-stimulated, over-scheduled society, and sometimes yoga classes unintentionally mimic that pace. Let’s remember yoga isn’t about depletion — it’s about restoration, presence, and integration.

In my classes, you’ll have time: time to breathe fully (five-count inhales and exhales), to arrive in each posture, and to experience yourself completely. And yes, it can be terrifying to face ourselves: our weaknesses, fears, doubts, and more. But this yoga practice also gives you the courage, strength, and inner power to meet it all.

And let’s be real — we want to feel it all. We want to experience it all. We want to cultivate strength in body, mind, and emotion, creating a sense of stability that brings deep, lasting calm. This happens when we slow down, focusing on strength and grace rather than just momentum.

And if you’re someone who craves a real challenge — one that engages every layer of your being, not just the physical — this style of class, that gives you time, is for you.

So here's the deal:

You may thoroughly enjoy my classes and the journey they take you on — or they may not be for you.

My aim is ultimately to help you navigate life more skillfully, awaken the power and potential you already have inside, build courage that enables you to pursue your purpose (dharma), and to simply experience what it means to be human — without shortcuts or inner-work, without ignoring the darkness, challenges, and obstacles we will inevitably face — and with the deep understanding that we can handle it all. Love and fear, joy and sadness, light and dark, pain and pleasure.

We’ve got this, because we have ourselves through this practice.

Upcoming Retreats: