167: We Don't Want AI Yoga with Cyndi Lee
I am so honored to be joined on the podcast by my teacher Cyndi Lee. As a senior yoga teacher, author, and Buddhist chaplain—Cyndi talks to us about what’s being gained, lost, and misunderstood as artificial intelligence enters yoga, writing, and teaching spaces.
Cyndi reflects on her five decades of practice and teaching. As the founder of Om Yoga Center in New York City, a global hub for yogis from 1998 to 2012, she has witnessed firsthand how yoga has shifted under the pressures of capitalism, scalability, and speed.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
a discussion of two growing trends: students using AI as a “yoga teacher” and yoga teachers using AI for emails, sequencing, and social media
why Cyndi chooses not to use AI in her writing or teaching
why lineage is vital—not as rigidity or hierarchy, but as continuity, care, and accountability
a hopeful message for yoga teachers about the fast changes in our word
Learn More From Cyndi:
Follow Cyndi on Substack: Drip, Drip, Drip
OfferingTree is a proud sponsor of this episode and I am honored to be an affiliate. Visit OfferingTree at www.offeringtree.com/mentor and you’ll get 50% off your first three months (or 15% off any annual plan). OfferingTree supports me with each sign-up and I’m proud to be supported by a public benefit company whose mission is to further wellness access and education for everyone.
If you've ever felt like building a successful yoga career means becoming an influencer, constantly creating content, or perfecting your personal brand, this episode is for you.
Today I'm sharing a different perspective—one that's rooted in the way I believe sustainable yoga careers are actually built. While marketing and visibility have their place, the longest-lasting teaching careers aren't created through algorithms or viral moments. They're built through relationships, trust, referrals, collaboration, and genuine participation in community.