We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teresa Undurraga a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Teresa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

Over 12 years ago I had just completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training and got added to the sub list at a large gym. That morning, I received a call asking if I could cover for an instructor who was out sick. My instinct was to decline since I hadn’t taught an in-person public class since graduating. However, I gathered all my courage and decided to take on the challenge.

As I stepped into the studio, I was taken aback by how spacious it was. Gradually, students began to filter in, and soon enough, I had about 25 pairs of eyes on me. My nerves were palpable, and I could feel my voice trembling. I reminded myself to relax and trust in my knowledge; I knew more than I thought. I kept repeating to myself, “Just don’t mess up your right and left sides!”

Once the first five minutes passed, I finally settled in and ended up teaching a pretty solid first yoga class. That experience is one I will always remember.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I began practicing yoga as a hobby after college while living in Japan, where the practice felt very different from what I had experienced in the West. The emphasis was less on poses and more on breath and meditation. Over time, I noticed my upper-body strength increasing and, more importantly, a deeper internal shift taking place.

When I eventually moved back to New York, I found myself practicing vinyasa with a senior teacher who truly changed my life. As life continued to unfold, I landed in Saint Louis—unemployed and no longer interested in returning to the tech world. On a leap of faith, I enrolled in a 200-hour yoga teacher training to see where it might lead. I’ve been teaching ever since.

My teaching style leans toward strong, active classes with an emphasis on vinyasa, Buti yoga, and dynamic movement, though I also offer gentler options a few times a week. My favorite classes are energetic, challenging, and set to an amazing playlist. What I believe students appreciate most is the connection they build with their breath and bodies—and the realization of just how strong they truly are.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Yes—I took a leap and turned my hobby into my career. While many people experience burnout and only teach yoga for a short time, I’ve found it to be a great fit, especially schedule-wise. I teach during the day while my kids are at school, which allows me to spend my afternoons with them. When I go on vacation, I truly get a break from teaching so I feel fresh when I return.

I love connecting with my students and helping them feel better in their bodies. Yoga gives me space to be creative—playing music, designing unique classes, and exploring new ideas. The studios I teach at encourage that creativity and give me the freedom to offer specialty classes that really let my creative juices flow.

I also help with yoga teacher trainings, which I find incredibly rewarding. I love spending time with people who want to deepen their yoga knowledge or learn how to teach others. And as I get older, I can continue teaching—some instructors even teach well into their 90s! It’s a beautiful way to keep the body healthy and the mind at peace.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I believe the most effective strategy is to genuinely connect with your students. Ask them questions, take the time to know who they are, build relationships, and show that you truly care. Allow yourself to be vulnerable with them as well. Sharing both positive and challenging moments helps create meaningful connections.

One day, while discussing ahimsa—nonviolence—I shared a poem related to the topic and found myself overcome with emotion. My instinct was to suppress it and maintain control, but I realized that doing the opposite was far more powerful. Being authentic—with yourself and with others—matters. Afterward, students thanked me for being honest and vulnerable. The more human you allow yourself to be, the stronger the connections become.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yogabyteresa.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tete_undu/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teteyoga
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tmu201

Image Credits

I took these photos myself.