At Radiant Hot Yoga, our teachers are the heart and soul of our community, guiding students with expertise, compassion, and inspiration. Each month, we recognize one exceptional instructor who goes above and beyond to create a transformative and supportive environment for our practitioners. Our Teacher of the Month section celebrates these dedicated professionals who bring passion, wisdom, and a personal touch to every class. Join us in honoring their contributions, learning about their unique teaching journeys, and appreciating the profound impact they have on our yoga family.
Meet a truly special soul who shines from the inside out. Sage is not only a world-renowned surfer but also a radiant presence within our community. Though young in years, Sage carries the wisdom and depth of an old soul. Over the past few years with the Radiant family, Sage has made a lasting impact on so many lives. We’re beyond grateful to have you as part of our journey—thank you for bringing your light, strength, and spirit to all that you do.
What inspired you to become a yoga teacher, and how did your journey begin?
I was inspired by the teachers at radiant to pursue teaching, the first time I heard about radiant my buddy asked me to join him for a 4pm class when I was 16. My older brother teaches hot yoga as well in San Diego and I had never been able to go cause I was too young.
So I thought why not give it a try, Skyler was teaching and I did my best to not leave the class because it was very challenging but after I knew I was on the right path. It felt like the class was tailored to what I needed to hear at that point in my life.
This was the first step into my journey as a yogi. Eventually yoga started to transform my life and save it. The intention to teach is to help others find a deeper connection with them selves to gain the higher experience I’ve found in my practice at radiant:
- I am healing
- I am healed
- I am healer
What do you find most rewarding about teaching yoga at Radiant?
The most rewarding thing about teaching yoga is the community of awesome people I get to spend time with.
Can you share a memorable teaching experience at Radiant Hot Yoga?
Most memorable teaching experience is hard but when students express their gratitude for my class who are dealing with personal situations. The feeling it gives me makes me melt because I once was that student who was struggling. Through vulnerability the best connections are made and it’s an honor to be there for someone in there hard times.
How do you incorporate the principles of yoga into your daily life outside the studio?
How you see and treat other people is how you see and treat yourself, what you put into the world is like a boomerang so do I my best to keep it positive. Embodying that energy at the studio and pouring into the cups of the people I love who haven’t or won’t try yoga but energy is contagious:) the first step to controlling your thoughts is controlling your breath, so through any anxiety or stress I experience in my life outside of the studio I am able to take some conscious breaths and recenter.
The number one cure to depression is physical movement so I take advantage of having my practice with me wherever I go. Like a prescription of breath, movement, meditation, and prayer I am able to process my emotions, I experience them rather than let them define who I am as person.
My favorite quote is “there is no chemical solution to a spiritual problem” through yoga I have gone deeper than my pains and found my purpose. My life is turning into a flow of letting go of my expectations to experience the present moment for what it is… A gift!
What advice would you give to someone who is considering beginning yoga?
If you are starting your yoga journey I would say to look at your practice gracefully. The master fails more times than the beginner ever tries. When you are in class you are alone in competition but never in company, Learn from those ahead of you and those behind you but never compare yourself to them. Because once you think your better than someone your better than no one.
If you must compare yourself to someone look at the person you were yesterday. If you start by doing what’s possible today eventually you’ll be doing what was impossible tomorrow.
How has the community at Radiant Hot Yoga influenced your teaching and your personal life?
The community at radiant inspires me to make deeper connections with my family and friends because for awhile it felt like a lot of my relationships weren’t as deep as they could be because I was avoiding a deeper connection with my self because it meant facing my demons. Once I found a deeper connection with my self I experienced it with the yogis at the studio. Then eventually the people in my life outside who were ready for that level of vulnerability. As far as teaching every class I take or conversation I have with the teachers and students influences the class I teach. There’s a collective awareness and I do my best to channel it.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of yoga?
When I’m not at the studio I’m surfing. When the waves are non existent I go to the gym everyday and spend time with my family and friends when I’m home. I love to travel I have friends all around the world at the best surf spots. I also love to fish, when my childhood friends are in town we go on trips to Cabo to go get off the grid and enjoy some time off the regular scheduled programming.
What do you feel is your soul’s calling, and how does teaching at Radiant Hot Yoga fulfill this?
My souls calling is being the change I want to see in the world and liberating others from their fears by facing mine. Through the outlets I have to express myself yoga fits in perfectly. Surfing is like yoga on water all the breath work, flexibility, and balance is crucial to be able to operate at the level I am pursuing.
My teaching is a reflection of my practice, I have been on verge of giving up my life in the past and I found a light at radiant. I want others to find that same light and let that transform their lives then hopefully they are able to do the same for the next person. It takes one match to burn a million trees, at radiant there’s days I get this déjà vu and feel like that one match:)
