A Day in the Life of a Yoga Instructor

As Jasmine DeLeon crosses the threshold to the loft yoga studio on a Sunday in early February, she looks out over the full classroom. She sees the family of four who attend together every weekend as their bonding ritual. In the corner, a yoga devotee of more than 30 years is on hand to tend to mind and body. Tucked in the back, a first-time participant explores what yoga has to offer. DeLeon, a yoga teacher born and raised in Orangeville, feels called to serve the needs of everyone who finds their way to her class.

Given her obvious fitness level and a one-time desire to go into policing, border security or law, one might expect DeLeon’s style to be bold or rigorous – but her approach to this class at GoYoga Orangeville is soft, slow and soulful.

The vibe is in keeping with DeLeon’s history with the practice of yoga. “I had a health scare in university,” she says, adding that she graduated from the University of Guelph in criminal justice and public policy in 2021. “Yoga became an important part of how I managed chronic pain and anxiety. I was attending classes at Kala Yoga in Orangeville almost daily – and slowly rebuilt my relationship with my body,” she says. “After about a year of consistent practice, I signed up for their teacher training with my mom, which was so special to share together.”

She finished her teacher training at the end of 2022 and started teaching at GoYoga in the summer of 2023. She also offers private classes, and as with many businesses today, part of this work involves wooing new customers by creating content for her social media platforms.

“I didn’t plan on working in wellness at all, but my experiences completely shifted my path. I grew into a different version of myself, and it became clear that this is the work I want to be doing.”

Here’s how DeLeon works at building her career as a yoga teacher on Sundays.

6 A.M. DeLeon keeps a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends. After waking, she spends 30 minutes in bed meditating, reading, praying or doing gentle seated yoga. Some days, she’ll capture the first thoughts of the day in a journal entry.

6:30 A.M. DeLeon is training for a marathon, so she goes for a run at Island Lake.

7:30 A.M. It’s home for a shower and a breakfast centred on protein, such as eggs or a yogurt bowl. And lots of water. She packs what she needs for yoga class and the work that follows, including her mat, tripod for filming, spare clothes and a notebook.

8:30 A.M. DeLeon drives to GoYoga on Broadway in Orangeville. She’s the first to arrive for the day, so she unlocks the door, sets up lighting and music, and aligns her mat and the props at the front of the studio. She flips open her notebook to review her planned sequence for the class.

9 A.M. DeLeon welcomes participants as they trickle in. Unlike the peace of the studio upstairs, the downstairs reception area is full of chatter.

9:30 A.M. DeLeon begins the one-hour class with an eight-minute meditation, then moves into a slow, full-body flow that focuses on healthy movement. She might then proceed to a sun salutation, a sequence of poses that includes the forward fold and downward dog. She ends the class with savasana, a resting full-body pose that encourages relaxation and meditation.

DeLeon’s day job as clinic manager of The Wellness Lab, an Orangeville medical centre where naturopathic medicine is the primary focus, has taught her all too well that sitting at a computer all day takes a toll on bodies. Her class seeks to restore balance and increase mobility for those attending.

10:30 A.M. DeLeon gently rouses people and ends the class. “Most people look like they’ve had a weight lifted. You can feel the shift in the room – it’s beautiful to witness.”

10:45 A.M. Before leaving, DeLeon takes advantage of some free time in the upper studio to create content for her social media platforms by setting up her phone on a tripod to capture a pose or meditation.

“One of the biggest adjustments after launching my online business, By DeLeon, in 2024 was realizing how much content was required – and how much of it was focused on me,” she says. “That didn’t come naturally at first. I had to get used to taking up space, but I’ve grown more comfortable sharing my voice authentically.” DeLeon posts to social media two or three times a week and sends a newsletter monthly.

11:45 A.M. DeLeon is keen to edit the content she just captured, so she heads to an Orangeville café for a bite to eat while she works. This is the time she also might meet with a small business owner to plan a forthcoming event, such as yoga classes at Purple Owl Pilates or Valhaven Farm.

“I’m really excited for the walk/run club with Plant.ed café to return in the spring,” she says. “It was such a special offering last year – free to join, and about 15 to 30 people would show up on Monday evenings to walk or jog on the trails at Island Lake. We had all ages, strollers, even dogs! It was one of my favourite projects; we just love getting people together for movement, conversation and genuine connection.”

Making the transition from growing up in Orangeville to launching her own business in town has been a big shift, says DeLeon. “It was scary at first, but putting myself out there and networking opened so many doors. The business community has been incredibly supportive. I realized that people really want to see you win.”

She adds that she’s inspired by the Black women who have created thoughtfully safe and welcoming environments for Black people in Toronto. She hopes to build that same sense of belonging in her own work.

2 P.M. DeLeon heads home and gets ready for the week ahead, prepping meals and doing laundry. She plans for upcoming weeknight yoga classes, including her seasonal yoga series at The Wellness Lab, and attends to business needs such as answering emails, preparing for upcoming events and drafting her newsletter. Some weeks she teaches a private yoga class.

6:30 P.M. It’s time for dinner, which DeLeon has prepared alongside her mother. DeLeon lives at home with her parents and 24-year-old brother. Her dad is Jamaican, and her mom has learned how to make his favourite chicken curry. It’s a special time for the close-knit family.

10 P.M. Bedtime. It has been a busy day. “It takes a lot of energy to hold space for others,” DeLeon says. “Prioritizing intentional self-care is non-negotiable. It allows me to show up for my students grounded and present. I don’t take for granted the trust people place in me, and I’m grateful for the work I get to do in this community.”