Nearly 30 years after teaching her first class, Dr. Desi Bartlett still approaches yoga with the curiosity of a student. Her work spans teaching, research, writing, and entrepreneurship, but at the center of it all is one simple intention: helping people feel at home in their own bodies. Below, she reflects on the lessons she’s learned, the evolution of teaching, and why authenticity will always matter more than performance.
What first inspired you to become a yoga teacher?
I fell in love with how yoga helped me feel at home in my own body. That feeling of safety, strength, and connection was so profound that I wanted to share it with others as an act of seva, selfless service. Nearly 30 years later, that purpose is still what brings me to the mat.
How has your personal practice changed over the years, and how has that shaped the way you teach today?
My practice is always changing and evolving; currently I share a mix of modern science and the ancient technology of yoga. For example if I am teaching yoga nidra, I will explain what the current research shows, and how we are impacted by journeying through the layers of self (the koshas).
Was there a defining moment that changed the way you teach or see yourself as a teacher?
Working with women through every stage of life has transformed me as a teacher. Teaching fertility yoga cultivated compassion. Prenatal yoga taught me profound respect for the body. Mommy & Me yoga reminded me not to take myself too seriously; babies are excellent teachers of humility! And supporting women through perimenopause has deepened my trust in the incredible wisdom of the body. Every class I teach carries echoes of those lessons.
You've built a career that spans teaching, writing, online education, and entrepreneurship. What have been the biggest lessons in growing a business that still feels authentic to you?
One of the biggest lessons in growing my business has been trusting in the right timing for all projects. There have been times that I knew in my heart that a product, practice, or book could be of service, but have had to wait for the right timing for production, the market, etc… Patience and timing continue to be a lesson that I apply. If you believe in what you are doing, but keep meeting a wall of “no’s,” remember that the right time might be in a year, or even in a decade. Don’t lose hope. Use the extra time to iterate, improve, and prepare for when opportunity presents itself.
Many yoga teachers dream of turning their passion into a sustainable career. What advice would you give someone who is just beginning that journey?
Assuming that a new teacher is taking several teacher trainings and honing their craft, I would highly suggest taking a few marketing and business classes. Rather than guess about what might work on social media, take the time to learn about effective messaging, so that your love and passion for sharing the practice can be well received. When you come from a place of service and integrity, sharing that message will help you attract the right mentors, students, and work opportunities.
Teaching has evolved so much over the years, especially with the rise of social media and online education. How have you adapted while staying true to your values?
Social media is an incredible way to share yoga with people all over the world, but it also asks us to be intentional. Before I post anything, I ask myself, "Why am I sharing this?" Is it to educate, inspire, connect, or simply bring someone a smile? When the intention is clear, the content becomes much more meaningful.
What do you know about teaching today that you wish you’d known when you taught your very first class?
Many years ago I was very nervous about teaching a yoga class in Spanish, which is my second language. Someone dear to me said, "Everyone in the room wants you to succeed." I've never forgotten those words. Most students aren't looking for perfection; they're hoping you'll help them feel better than they did when they walked in. That's a much easier audience to teach.
What keeps you inspired to keep learning and growing as both a teacher and a student?
The more that I learn, the more that I realize there is to learn. I completed my doctoral research last year in Kinesiology (exercise science), and examined the impact of yoga on perimenopausal symptoms. As a student and teacher, each phase of life brings a universe of new lessons.
What is one lesson your students have taught you that you'll carry with you forever?
Never assume you know what's happening in someone else's experience. I once taught a meditation to a woman who appeared completely stoic. Later she shared that she'd reconnected with the birth of each of her five children. It reminded me that the most meaningful transformations often happen quietly. Our role isn't to measure someone's experience; it's simply to hold space for it.
What advice do you have for teachers with pre-class anxiety?
After 30 years of teaching, I can share that nerves are simply a sign that you care. Before class, try extending your exhale, inhaling for a count of 4 and exhaling for a count of 6, to signal safety to your nervous system. Then shift the question in your mind from “Will they like me?” to “How can I serve?” Anxiety lives in self-focus, and it dissolves in service. And if only two people show up, teach those two people with your whole heart. Every great teacher started by learning to be fully present, and to adapt the sequence when needed. We teach people, not poses, so listen deeply to the amazing humans who have taken the time to learn from you.
If you could leave every yoga teacher with one piece of wisdom, what would it be?
Teach from your practice, not your performance. Your students will remember far more about how you made them feel than whether your cueing was perfect. Lead with authenticity, continue to be a student yourself, and trust that your love for the practice is your greatest qualification.
Desi x Manduka Playlist
Practice with Desi
Join Dr. Desi Bartlett for a 10-minute peace, calm and restorative practice.
About Desi
Dr. Desi Bartlett has spent over 30 years teaching health and wellness, approaching movement as a lifelong practice rather than a passing trend. She holds a doctorate in exercise science, a master's degree in corporate fitness, and a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, along with advanced certifications in yoga, personal training, and prenatal and postnatal fitness. As a continuing education provider through Yoga Alliance, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers, she brings the same rigor to training other teachers that she brings to her own practice.
Desi has worked with the U.S. Navy and organizations including Manduka, Equinox, YogaWorks, Mattel, and ConsumerTrack, and continues to speak internationally on movement and women's health. She is the creator of The BodyMind Workout™, a recognized IDEA Fitness Leader, and leads retreats and online programming for practitioners at every stage of life.
Known for grounding her teaching in lived experience, Desi meets people where they are and guides them toward strength, ease, and confidence in their bodies.
Learn more at desibartlett.com and follow her on Instagram @mothersintolivingfit & @thebodymindworkout .
Upcoming retreats and events:
- Nourish Retreat in Tuscany, Italy | November 4th - November 8th 2026
- New perimenopausal media coming out this fall with Glo.com
- CEU trainings available for instructors online through IDEA and FitFixNow.com
- New app coming soon!
Partner With Manduka
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