65. Teaching Meditation with Confidence—Gabrielle Harris on Authenticity and Finding Your Voice

Most yoga teachers feel secretly terrified about teaching meditation. You know how to cue a vinyasa, but when it comes to that moment where you ask students to sit still and turn inward, the panic sets in. Who am I to guide someone's meditation practice?In this conversation with Gabrielle Harris—author of Lessons in Meditation, The Language of Yin, and The Inspired Yoga Teacher—we unpack why teachers struggle with imposter syndrome and what to do about it. Gabrielle shares her evolution from hot power yoga to yin, how her daily writing practice informs her teaching, and why the simplest meditation techniques often go the deepest.We talk about the difference between mindfulness and meditation (yes, there is one), the Daoist principle of the middle way, and why your students came for the movement but are staying for the stillness. Gabrielle also shares the Navy Seals research on optimal meditation time—spoiler: it's only seven minutes.If you've ever wanted to bring more meditation into your classes but felt unsure where to start, this episode will give you permission to begin simply and trust what you already know.Resources:Gabrielle Harris: https://gabrielleharrisyoga.comGabrielle on Instagram: @gabrielleharrisyogaLessons in Meditation: https://amzn.to/4pJuo0VThe Inspired Yoga Teacher: https://amzn.to/4rDHU8bThe Language of Yin: https://amzn.to/4rDHU8bJoin the Comfort Zone Yoga 200-hour yoga teacher training—curriculum is open now and our live cohort runs September through November 2026. Be sure to tell your students who are interested in teaching, too!Read all about it here.Want to become (almost) everyone's favorite yoga teacher? Join Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development. I have a ton of Sage advice in there for you!For more insights, subscribe to Yoga Teacher Confidential, check out my YouTube channel, and follow me on socials:InstagramFacebookThreadsAnd come explore my mentorship program, Yoga Class Prep Station membership, continuing education and 200/300/500-hour teacher training programs, and my many books for yoga teachers. It's all at sagerountree.com....