Some of you may know that for over a year now, I’ve been conducting Fitflow Yoga trainings in Tulum for an international audience. For over a year now, I’ve been conducting Fitflow Yoga trainings in Tulum for an international audience. This experience has given me a deeper understanding of how cultural and economic differences influence not only how yoga is taught but also how it’s practiced. Teaching yoga can look very different depending on these factors. I realized this more clearly when I began working with students from diverse backgrounds. However, I believe this difference is not due to individual personalities, but rather the cultural and economic contexts they come from.For example In Turkey, teaching yoga often involves much more than yoga itself. You may find yourself expected to be a therapist, a parent, or even a confidant. Many people who start yoga also need therapy but don’t pursue it—therapy is either stigmatized, considered taboo, or simply unaffordable. Yoga, on the other hand, is much more accessible and less expensive, which makes it an alternative for many. While I’m all for making yoga accessible, this dynamic often leads people to see yoga as a substitute for therapy. For yoga teachers who struggle to set boundaries or have financial concerns, this can quickly erode personal space and balance.

I always tell trainee teachers: You are not a parent, a therapist, or a life coach—you are a yoga teacher. Teach yoga, and only yoga. However, in Turkey, setting boundaries can often be misinterpreted as being cold or arrogant. Instead of focusing on the yoga practice, students may come to offload their complaints about life, expecting you to take on the role of a therapist. They leave feeling lighter, while the teacher is left drained. And of course, raising session fees isn’t an option because everything in Turkey is already expensive—except yoga, which is expected to remain cheap.

This is how yoga instructors, trapped by economic struggles, often feel compelled to take on multiple roles. Students dissatisfied with one teacher can simply find another at a lower price, leading to a proliferation of yoga instructors who also claim to offer therapy or trauma healing—all at yoga-class prices. This creates a chaotic environment where boundaries blur, and both yoga and therapy lose their integrity.

Abroad, the dynamic is different. People from economically stable countries seek yoga because they want yoga. If they need therapy, they go to a therapist—because they can afford to. They don’t project their personal issues onto the teacher or treat the class as a therapy session. As a result, I don’t have to deal with personal grievances or take on anyone’s emotional baggage.

For those pursuing yoga teaching: If you want to offer therapy, get trained in therapy. Being a yoga instructor doesn’t mean you must meet every need of your students. Focus on teaching yoga, meditation, and breathwork—your actual scope of practice.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a place to vent your personal problems, Fitflow Yoga trainings aren’t the right fit for you. Consider therapy instead. Yoga is a complementary practice, not a substitute for professional mental health care.

Yoga teachers also need peace and inner balance. If we are to support others, we must first protect our own well-being. This means drawing clear boundaries, especially in one-on-one or small-group settings. Sometimes, the most helpful thing you can do for a student is to redirect them to therapy. And if they resist, the only option left is to set your boundaries firmly and decline to work with them.

Teaching yoga in countries where unhappiness and limitations dominate daily life is challenging—but learning to set boundaries is crucial for preserving your own well-being as a teacher. Stay well and take care of yourselves.