Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mado Hesselink
Information, support, and inspiration for yoga teachers. Topics include the business of yoga, teaching skills, philosophy, ethical and legal considerations, and more.
Many yoga retreat leaders have never attended a retreat as a guest. In this episode, I share 12 reasons why retreat leaders should prioritize experiencing a retreat from the other side. Some of these reasons are personal, such as forcing you to take a break, while others are more practical, like discovering your operational blind spots. Since finances are often a major hurdle, I also share three ways that retreat leaders can get discounts on other people’s retreats.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Why Leaders Skip Retreats
01:07 Leader vs Guest Reality
03:46 Reason 1: Self-Care Reset
04:08 Reason 2: Spot Blind Spots
05:20 Reason 3: Reinvigorate Your Practice
06:04 Reason 4: The Food
06:56 Reason 5: Stop Overstuffing Your Retreat Schedule
08:11 Reason 6: Retreat Yoga is Different From Home Yoga
09:09 Reason 7: Retreat Social Dynamics
10:02 Reason 8: Build Confidence & Calm
10:43 Reason 9: Market Research
12:45 Reason 10: Venue Research
13:06 Reason 11: Reduce Taxable Income
13:36 Reason 12: Force Yourself to Rest
14:42 Money Objections and Values
16:27 3 Ways to Get Discounted Retreats
21:09 Why Retreats Support a Sustainable Yoga Business
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Mado shares her top 5 tips for sequencing a 20 minute demo class to audition for a teaching position.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Why yoga studios ask for a 20 minute audition.
- How to do research for the teaching job you are hoping to get.
- What to focus on when you don’t have enough time to sequence a full class experience.
- Teaching techniques you can use in your demo and beyond.
- How to have a plan for if you start running out of time and can’t teach everything you prepared.
- How to show up as your best self - even when you’re nervous.
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Get a free downloadable cheat sheet based on this episode when you sign up for my email list.
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Dr. Crystal Frazee unpacks common myths and misconceptions about the breath that are frequently shared in yoga classes. In this episode, she shares the basics of breathing physiology that every yoga teacher should know - and how to apply that knowledge in a yoga setting. She advises teachers to drop the cue “deep breath,” prioritize quiet, effortless nasal breathing with lower rib expansion, emphasize the full breath cycle and pauses, offer opt-outs in group classes, and use gentle strategies such as slowed exhalations and brief breath holds to support CO2 tolerance and student self-observation. Listen to this episode to understand why these are best practices for teaching and cueing the breath in a yoga setting.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:46 Meet Dr Crystal Frazee
08:27 The difference between breathing and respiration
12:25 What most people get wrong about oxygen and CO2
18:22 What we can learn from watching a baby breathe
23:58 Nose vs Mouth Breathing
31:35 Hyperventilation & Why it Matters
34:13 Pranayama and Dysregulation
37:26 Breathing deeply: The biggest breathing myth in yoga
49:31 Breathing and Yoga Therapeutics
56:41 How to teach breathing in general public classes
01:07:51 Key Takeaways & Recap
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Crystal Frazee Website
Follow Dr. Crystal Frazee on Instagram @drcrystalfrazee
Follow Dr. Crystal Frazee on Facebook
Graduate School of Behavioral Health Sciences (where Crystal studied breathing mechanics)
Breathing assessment worksheet
- Note: This worksheet is laid out as a diagnostic tool; however, yoga teachers are not qualified to make diagnoses. If you download this worksheet, you agree to use it for your own education and as a tool to evaluate whether to refer a client or student to a clinician for diagnosis.
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
If you’re an anatomy nerd eager to share your enthusiasm for the human body with your students, you’ll love the insider tips and best practices we share in this conversation. Listen in to hear about the balance between clarity and accuracy, the importance of knowing your audience, and the potential pros and cons of incorporating anatomical concepts into asana classes. We also cover special considerations for teaching anatomy in yoga teacher training programs.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
02:51 Pros of including anatomy in yoga classes
04:36 Cons of including anatomy in yoga classes
05:47 Balancing anatomy in general classes
18:13 Considerations for teaching anatomy in teacher training
21:24 What it takes to be an excellent anatomy teacher
26:34 How to handle diagnostic questions
28:47 The most important aspects of anatomy for yoga teacher trainings
32:28 Dr. Libby Hinsley's anatomy training programs
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Why is learning anatomy so hard for yoga teachers? In this episode, we discuss the importance of becoming fluent in basic anatomy to accurately speak about the body in your yoga classes. We know anatomy can feel like a foreign language - that’s because it is! But fear not, we have the secret sauce to make it all stick. From our own adventures with anatomy to tips that'll make studying a breeze, this episode is the ultimate cheat sheet for all wannabe anatomy enthusiasts. Get ready to unleash your inner nerd and build a rock-solid anatomical foundation.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:09 Why yoga teachers need basic anatomy knowledge
02:02 Challenges and misconceptions in learning anatomy
03:32 The role of anatomy in your yoga classes
09:13 Our personal journeys in anatomy learning
13:10 Tips for yoga teachers to learn anatomy
18:36 The basics: bones, joints, and muscles
23:24 The importance of context and relevance
28:14 Advanced tips and continuous learning
35:52 Recommended anatomy education programs
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Learn to correct common misunderstandings about yoga. As teachers, we have an important role to play in improving the public perception of yoga. In this episode, you will learn the most common misconceptions that prevent people from trying yoga, why yoga is misunderstood in the wider culture, and what you can do about it as a yoga teacher.
Episode Highlights:
- 4 misunderstandings that make (some) people resistant to yoga
- Tips for sharing what yoga is really about
- How incorrect public perceptions of yoga spread and solidify
- Why hearing an objection about yoga is an opportunity and a gift
- Mini scripts to help you speak clearly about yoga
Episode Links & Resources
Thinking Fast & Slow - By Daniel Kahneman
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
What does it actually take to run a yoga teacher training? In this episode with Angela Hammond, founder of Main Street Yoga, we talk about the real behind-the-scenes of leading a 200-hour yoga teacher training. From curriculum design and Yoga Alliance requirements to navigating group dynamics and burnout, Angela shares what she’s learned over years of trial and error. Teacher trainings are a lot of work, yes—but also the most rewarding format for teaching.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Angela’s story
03:09 Opening a studio in a small town
05:15 Why start a teacher training
10:07 Building the curriculum
12:01 Refining through feedback
15:24 Schedule and teaching load
16:33 Anatomy teaching breakthrough
22:39 Online vs. In-Person
24:30 Advice for new trainers
28:36 How to know if you are ready
31:55 Final tips
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Main Street Yoga
Follow Main Street Yoga on Instagram @mainstreetyogafmt
Follow Main Street Yoga on Facebook
Follow Angela Hammond Yoga on YouTube @angelahammondyoga
Embodied Anatomy
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Physical demonstration is an important tool for teaching - so what do you do when an injury prevents you from being able to demonstrate? In this on-air coaching call with Juzbi Walia, we explore what it means to teach yoga with an injury, from rethinking asana beyond set sequences to developing more subtle, specific approaches to movement and instruction. What at first feels like a limitation can actually boost creativity, expand accessibility, and highlight the role of structure and community in long-term growth.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:10 Meet Juzbi: A yoga teacher returning to her hometown and grappling with an injury
09:26 Why teaching with limitations feels so hard - but can be a catalyst for growth
12:27 Reimagining Asana Practice
14:42 How to Build Community Through Access
18:06 Cultivating a Growth Mindset with Discernment
23:18 How to Challenge without Compromising Safety
27:44 The benefits of a One-on-One Teacher
31:14 Wrap-Up and Next Steps
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Follow Juzbi on Instagram @juzbiyoga
Follow Yoga With Juzbi on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Yoga teachers often begin their teaching journey expecting a flexible, meaningful, and low-stress career, but quickly find themselves overwhelmed by the realities of running a business. In this episode, we break down why the modern yoga teacher role feels so hard, from the pressures of social media to the many hats you’re required to wear when self-employed. This conversation unpacks the gap between the “dream” and the day-to-day, and what it actually takes to build a sustainable path as a yoga teacher today.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:41 Yoga teacher fantasy vs reality
02:57 How social media changed the game
07:21 Why it’s harder than ever to be a new yoga teacher
11:56 How to embody the multiple roles of the yoga teacher
12:53 Things that will help: Big Picture Routines
14:08 Things that will help: Task Management Habits
15:10 Things that will help: Coworking & Collaboration
16:00 Things that will help: Connection to Purpose, Joy, and your Personal Practice
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Peek behind the curtain of Anatomy Bites - the easiest and most enjoyable way for yoga teachers to learn anatomy. In this unusual episode, you’ll hear the audio portion of a live Q&A session led by Dr. Libby Hinsley, physical therapist and yoga teacher. Anatomy Bites is a 36-module program designed to give yoga teachers a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. You’ll also hear the story of how Anatomy Bites came to be and learn about what it’s like to be a member.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 The birth of Anatomy Bites
04:16 Dynamic vs. static movements for strengthening
06:41 The relationship between the low back and glutes in backbends
11:50 Foot and knee alignment in backbends
22:24 Foot placement in wide leg forward fold
30:20 Does it matter which side you roll towards in savasana?
33:41 Concentric vs eccentric movement
38:11 Torn labrum & chronic pain
52:11 Noise in neck movement
53:11 Spinal issues in yoga classes
01:06:14 Rounding the spine for older adults
01:10:51 Nerve sensations in Yin Yoga
01:13:27 Understanding fascia and its impact on movement
01:15:48 What to do with the shoulder blades in forearm plank
01:19:16 What it’s like inside Anatomy Bites
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
What are some ways to help a student with a hip labral tear? In this episode, Dr. Libby Hinsley explains how a labral tear can affect yoga asana practice and how to support students who have them while staying in your scope of practice.
Episode Highlights:
- What are labral tears and what are the symptoms?
- How labral tears are diagnosed - and why a true diagnosis can be problematic
- Treatment options for hip labral tears
- Connections between asana practice, hypermobility syndromes, and hip labral tear prevalence.
- How yoga asana can exacerbate the risk of hip labral tears.
- How yoga asana can support the healing of hip labral tears.
- Tips for teaching standing balance postures in a way that will benefit all your students, including those with labral tears.
Episode Links & Resources:
Visit Anatomy Bites
Libby Hinsley
Follow Libby Hinsley on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
Follow Libby Hinsley on Facebook
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Should we modify spinal flexion for osteoporosis? Osteoporosis affects approximately 20% of women over the age of 50 and increases the risk of bone fractures. In this episode, Dr. Libby Hinsley and I continue our 3-episode miniseries highlighting common medical conditions.
Episode Highlights:
- What is osteoporosis, how to treat it, and how to prevent it.
- Why many people don’t get diagnosed with osteoporosis until after they fracture a bone.
- The three most common locations for osteoporosis, and how this might affect a yoga practice.
- Whether or not to modify yoga practices for higher-risk students who do not have an osteoporosis diagnosis.
- How osteoporosis is different from other common medical conditions that are likely to show up in your yoga classes.
Episode Links & Resources:
Visit Anatomy Bites
Libby Hinsley
Follow Libby Hinsley on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
Follow Libby Hinsley on Facebook
Other Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Students often share scary-sounding diagnoses with their yoga teachers and expect us to know what they are - and how to modify for them. Today’s episode is the first of a miniseries about some of the most common conditions that will show up in a yoga classroom. Dr. Libby Hinsley demystifies the misleading diagnosis of “degenerative disc disease” - and shares the tools you will need as a yoga teacher to confidently help any student who tells you they have it.
Episode Highlights:
- How your back is like a Jelly Doughnut!
- What IS “degenerative disc” and what impact should it have on your practice?
- The relationship between bulging, slipped, and herniated discs (hint - one of these isn’t a real thing).
- The prevalence of spinal abnormalities - and how worried we should be if they show up on imaging.
- The relationship between degenerative disc disease and backbends.
- Nerve compression symptoms and how to modify for them.
Episode Links & Resources:
Visit Anatomy Bites
Libby Hinsley
Follow Libby Hinsley on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
Follow Libby Hinsley on Facebook
Other Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Yoga teachers often find themselves with a business model that leads straight to burnout. In this live coaching session, yoga teacher Amberly Kelley-Dotson opens up about the exhaustion of the one-on-one grind. Amberly is caught in a cycle of high-touch services and hidden, unpaid labor. In this episode, we work through a real-time restructuring of her business, moving away from the "passive income" fantasy and toward sustainable, concrete alternatives.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
02:51 Amberly’s journey from injury to therapeutic yoga
06:32 The unpaid labor of private practice
11:04 Packages and multiple levels of service
20:03 Marketing Without the Info Dump
24:55 Courses, Retreats, and Reusable Content
30:42 Next Steps & Wrap-Up
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Amble WellBeing
Follow Amberly Kelley-Dotson on Instagram @amblewellbeing
Follow Amberly Kelley-Dotson on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Basic misunderstandings about the human body can lead to yoga cues that have the opposite effect from what the teacher intended. In this episode, physical therapist and longtime yoga educator Dr. Ariele Foster breaks down why rigid alignment cues often fail our biology. Listen in to hear a nuanced discussion of the role of alignment in asana and how to bring more functional movement into your yoga classes.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:11 Meet Dr. Ariele Foster: From yoga enthusiast to physical therapist
11:08 Reconsidering the role of alignment
15:18 How alignment can either increase or decrease your options for movement.
22:58 How alignment can feed into kinesophobia
30:05 Functional movement vs. specialized movement
42:58 How to weave more functional movement into your classes
46:36 Conclusion and further resources
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Yoga Anatomy Academy
Yoga for 3D Hip Stability Course
Follow Yoga Anatomy Academy on Instagram @yogaanatomyacademy
Follow Yoga Anatomy Academy on Facebook
Wellilo Physical Therapy and Yoga
Follow Dr. Ariele Foster on Instagram @dr.ariele.foster
Follow Dr. Ariele Foster: Wellilo Physical Therapy + Yoga on Facebook
Here is a webinar on how to avoid injury that Dr. Ariele Foster would like to share with listeners.
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPip
If you feel super awkward as soon as the camera starts rolling, you’ll be able to relate to this on-air coaching call. Henrica shares her challenges in producing on-demand yoga videos that she feels are good enough to release to her students. Listen in for my advice on how to get started with creating and editing yoga videos when you’re struggling with perfectionism.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:41 From Corporate Life to Teaching Yoga in Multiple Languages
05:22 The Challenges of Creating an On-Demand Video Library
07:25 Technical Struggles and Solutions for Video Production
11:58 Bad Recordings and Failing Forward
15:09 The Pros and Cons of Recording Live Classes
18:30 Strategies for Using Video to Boost Retreat Registrations
28:48 The difference between good and perfect (this distinction is key for recovering perfectionists!)
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Henrica Yoga Algarve
Follow Henrica on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Yoga is a powerful tool, but it isn’t a complete physical solution. In this episode, physical therapist and yoga teacher Dr. Libby Hinsley introduces the concept of a "movement diet" as a framework for long-term physical sustainability and longevity. Over-relying on asana means missing out on essential movement "nutrients." Learn about the ‘macro-nutrients’ of the movement world, including where yoga shines and where it is limited. We share personal stories and practical advice for yoga-lovers who want to transition from a yoga-centric routine to a more comprehensive ‘diet’. Listen in for a clear-eyed look at what it takes to support your body for the long haul.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:07 The myth of yoga as a complete exercise
05:43 Yoga's role in a balanced movement diet
09:30 Strength, cardio, and mobility: The macronutrients
13:21 How much strength do we build when we practice yoga asana
21:38 Where we are now & our personal movement diet through the years
28:47 Tips for getting started with strength and cardio
36:32 Final thoughts and resources
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Bendy & Badass
Follow Libby Hinsley on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
Follow Libby Hinsley on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Can you honor the roots of yoga and still pay the bills? Join me for an on-air coaching call with yoga teacher Lorine Bamberg as we explore the intersection of spirituality and commerce. Lorine is committed to embodying yoga’s ethics but faces the very real challenge of protecting her own financial health. Together, we look at the evolving responsibilities of the modern teacher, from navigating fair pricing to balancing service with self-preservation. We also explore the complex role of social justice in practice: determining when to speak up and how to hold space for global issues with integrity.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:13 Lorine’s story: From gym rat to yoga mat
04:35 What it really takes to teach yoga full-time
07:04 Navigating the ethics of pricing and the tension between service and profit
21:40 Balancing leadership with humility as a teacher
24:23 When and how to address social issues in class
35:29 Yoga as a practice to reclaim agency
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Swaying Tree Yoga
Follow Lorine on Instagram @swayingtreeyoga
Follow Lorine on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
What happens when algorithms influence the public perception of yoga? Social media algorithms distort the public view of yoga and exacerbate a disconnect between yoga teachers and the people we aim to serve. In this candid discussion, Lily and I explore the challenges of teaching and practicing in the digital age. We question the viability of the "all levels" class and discuss the profound missed opportunities when yoga is 'sanitized' and divorced from the messy reality of life. Tune in for our perspective on how to use asana as a tool for cultivating deep self-understanding and agency.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:45 How social media platforms prioritize and amplify sexualized content
05:05 Why this type of content might be contributing to a decline in yoga class attendance
09:14 How the complex reality of a yoga practice is more beneficial than the sanitized version presented in the media and online
10:24 An honest look at whether a single group class can truly serve “all levels”
14:14 Options and free space as tools for accessibility
22:51 Why home practice is a crucial space for genuine learning and self-acceptance
26:13 How over-accommodating students based on assumptions can undermine their agency and stunt their growth
31:03 Yoga class as an immersive experience vs a structured place to learn
33:22 Advanced asana practice as a self-aware relationship with your body
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga
Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg
Follow Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Most people view "advanced asana" as a flashy, performance-based practice driven by natural talent and aesthetics. This common misconception can lead people to dismiss asana as just preparation for real yoga or treat it as a casual activity that everyone can do equally. In this episode, we explore what it means to advance as an asana practitioner and the benefits of a consistent and systematic approach.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
02:15 Defining Advanced Asana
08:33 Challenge vs. Intensity in Practice
16:22 The Role of Asana in a Sedentary Culture
19:50 Why Basic Postures can be Harder than Advanced Postures
26:27 Do Mirrors and Cameras Have a Place in Asana Practice?
32:11 The Role of Home Practice and Opportunities Online
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga
Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg
Follow Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Holly is a yoga teacher with physical limitations who has concerns about balancing her physical abilities with the needs of her students. Many of her students rely heavily on visual cues and she wonders whether she’s doing them a disservice by not being able to demonstrate everything she teaches. In this candid conversation, we explore the role of demonstration in yoga, the value of teaching with limitations, and the unspoken power dynamics between teachers and students.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:01 Holly's story of finding yoga and becoming a teacher
03:49 Specific physical limitations and how they impact students.
05:20 The balance of giving student students what they want vs what they need
08:44 Student agency - who chooses whom?
12:22 Vulnerability as a superpower
16:11 Students who refuse to modify or use props
21:08 Navigating studio expectations
30:03 Final thoughts and the need for representation in yoga classes
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Holly Williams
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Yoga teachers tend to find their way to teaching through passion - and that’s a beautiful thing. But passion can only take you so far: without strategy, the work you love can quickly become a hamster wheel that spins faster every year. In this episode, learn how to harness rituals and routines to bring more strategy to your business. We'll explore simple planning rituals to help you align your day-to-day actions with your values and goals.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:38 Why Big Picture Thinking is Not Intuitive
06:24 Daily Big Picture Thinking Rituals
07:57 Weekly Big Picture Thinking Rituals
14:44 Quarterly Big Picture Thinking Rituals
17:48 Yearly Big Picture Thinking Rituals
20:55 How The Rituals Overlap & Inform Each Other
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Teaching yoga is a high-stress career that most people think is a cakewalk. Shar’ron is an experienced yoga teacher who moved from Santa Cruz, California to Waco, Texas during the pandemic. Since then, she’s been managing professional isolation, perfectionism, and people pleasing—and it’s led to major burnout. Our conversation delves into themes around boundaries, over-identification with your healing journey, and making your own support network as we explore what it takes to find balance and sustainability on this path.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:59 Starting Over as a Seasoned Teacher
03:55 Burnout and Perimenopause
04:42 Challenges of Running a Micro Studio
07:43 Dealing with Difficult People
09:01 People Pleasing and Boundaries
22:24 Feeling Alone in Leadership
23:35 The Importance of Collaboration
24:49 Creating a Supportive Community
30:56 Addressing Burnout and Boundaries
31:36 Can you over-identify with your Healing Journey?
39:03 Control, surrender, and teaching yoga as a path of growth
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Follow Shar'ron on Instagram @myfunctionalyoga
Follow My Functional Yoga on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Libby and I had a shared identity crisis at the IAYT conference in 2023. In this episode, we explore the difference between yoga therapy and yoga teaching, our journey through the 'grandfathering' certification process, and why we decided to step away from calling ourselves yoga therapists.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:05 Yoga Therapy: Definitions and Misunderstandings
03:45 Yoga therapy trainings and certification
05:47 The Promise of Yoga Therapy
09:29 Are Yoga Therapy Programs worth the Investment?
15:01 Magical thinking and victim blaming
22:19 Community and inclusion
25:30 Misinformation and quality control
29:24 Recommended Yoga Therapy Programs
36:16 Concluding Thoughts on Yoga and Credentials
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsely
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
Follow Libby on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Despite the buzz around AI and social media, word of mouth is still the most powerful tool for building a community. In this episode, Suzanne Carver, a massage therapist, yoga teacher, and pelvic health educator, shares her journey of establishing a successful practice through grassroots and word-of-mouth methods. Suzanne discusses her experiences transitioning her practice from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Nashville, Tennessee, and the changing dynamics of client attention spans. Our conversation explores effective offline strategies, the importance of personal connections, and integrating technology like text messaging to stay top of mind with clients. Suzanne also shares insights on maintaining authenticity in client communications and the challenges of building a practice in a new city.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
04:47 Moving to a New Location as An Established Teacher
07:01 Why Social Media Isn’t Always the Answer
14:41 Personal Touch as SuperPower
16:08 Email vs. Text Messaging
24:07 Boundaries and Booking Strategies
28:03 The Power of Genuine Passion and Authentic Care
33:09 Visibility and Professional Photos
37:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Suzanne Carver
Follow Suzanne on Instagram @suzannecarver
Follow Suzanne on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Certain retreat destinations seem to simply sell themselves. Why does this happen and how can you use this information to sell your retreats more quickly and easily? In this conversation with Lily Dwyer Begg, we explain our theory of trending and bucket list retreat locations - and how she has used it to carefully curate her portfolio of retreat destinations. You’ll also hear about how to build retreats around personal values, and why a local home-cooked meal can be more meaningful than a luxury resort. If you're looking for your retreat location to offer more than just a beautiful backdrop, this episode will help you think more intentionally about where and how to host your next retreat.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Why location matters
00:54 Definitions: Trending vs. Bucket List Locations
01:33 How Social Media Influences Travel
02:18 Pros and Cons of Trending Locations for Retreats
05:22 Pros and Cons of Bucket List Locations for Retreats
09:51 Choosing the Right Location for Your Audience
11:18 Aligning Retreat Locations with Personal Values
17:04 Trending Locations in Asia
22:28 Trending Locations in Europe
27:49 Trending Locations in Africa
32:16 Trending Retreat Locations in the Caribbean
43:27 Future Retreat Destinations
49:18 Sources for to Keep Up with Travel Trends
53:09 Final Thoughts and Resources
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Episode 271: The Power of Place: How to Choose The Right Location for Your Yoga Retreat
Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga
Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg
Follow Lily on Facebook
Recommended Retreat Centers PDF
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Curious about the latest trends in wellness travel? Travel journalist Julie Alpine shares her insider view on the locations, themes, and experiences that are currently taking the travel world by storm. From swimming with otters in Scotland to exploring the Costa Rican jungle, we discuss what makes a location truly special for retreat leaders and attendees alike. Diving into travel trends for 2025, we cover what retreat hosts should look for when choosing a location, and how they can create unforgettable experiences. Tune in to get the inspiration you need to bring your dream retreat to life.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:15 Julie’s introduction to yoga and wellness
01:57 The intersection of wellness and travel
05:01 Why the ‘who’ is more important than the ‘where’
07:46 Hot trends in wellness travel in 2025
13:56 Up-and-coming wellness travel destinations
16:42 Exploring the elements in wellness travel
23:35 The role of genuine connection in travel
27:11 Conclusion and where to follow Julie
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Episode 271: The Power of Place: How to Choose The Right Location for Your Yoga Retreat
Follow Julie Alpine on Instagram @juliealpineofficial
Recommended Retreat Centers PDF
Retreat Roadmap
Thinking about leading a retreat in Bali? Tune in for this chat with yoga teacher and retreat leader Ali Temple who has been living in Bali for almost a year. Ali shares her experiences and insights about life in Bali, including the unique cultural rituals such as the Canang Sari daily offerings and the water purification ceremonies at Balinese water temples. We also cover practical tips for leading a yoga retreat in Bali, such as financial considerations, visa requirements, and must-do experiences on the island. Tune in to learn more about how to plan a successful and enriching yoga retreat in one of the world's most sought-after retreat destinations.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction to Bali's Unique Culture
03:09 Choosing Bali for Yoga Retreats
07:46 Cultural Practices and Spiritual Experiences
11:38 Financial Considerations for Retreats
16:41 Safety Tips and Local Insights
21:17 Must-Do Activities in Bali
26:01 Retreat Planning Challenges and Advice
28:34 Visa Considerations and Final Tips
30:55 Retreat Center Recommendations
32:56 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Episode 271: The Power of Place: How to Choose The Right Location for Your Yoga Retreat
Ali Temple Yoga
Follow Ali on Instagram @alitemplementor
Follow Ali on Spotify: Traveling Wellnesspreneur
Follow Ali on Threads
Email Ali Temple
Recommended Retreat Centers PDF
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Have you ever thought about leading a retreat in the birthplace of yoga? This week I’m joined by Jessica Lohrey to discuss the benefits and realities of leading yoga retreats in India. From understanding the culture, working with local guides, and creating space for authentic transformation during your retreat, Jessica shares practical advice, moving personal stories, and insider tips. Whether you're planning your first retreat or just thinking about it, this episode will inspire you to explore the possibilities of hosting in India.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction: India as a Teacher
01:41 First Trip to India and Initial Retreats
04:46 Why India (and which students tend to be drawn there)
08:50 Cultural Experiences and Challenges in India
13:11 Integrating Cultural Practices into Retreats
20:56 Recommended Locations and Experiences
23:45 Advice for First-Time Retreat Leaders
28:34 Logistics and Preparation for Retreats
34:12 Conclusion and Contact Information
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Episode 271: The Power of Place: How to Choose The Right Location for Your Yoga Retreat
Tree of India
Follow Jessica on Instagram @jessicalohreyyoga
Follow Tree of India on Instagram @treeofindia
Follow Tree of India on Facebook
Follow Tree of India on Youtube
Email Jessica Lohrey
India Yoga Retreat: Pros, Cons, and Tips PDF
Recommended Retreat Centers PDF
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Does your spirit crave to feel reconnected to the earth? To be surrounded by the Tramontana mountains and crystal clear waters? This week, I’m joined by retreat leader Dagmar Spremberg to talk about Mallorca, Spain. Originally overlooked as a party destination, Dagmar now calls Mallorca home and has seen its transformation into a high-end retreat paradise. Together we discuss locations like La Serrania, Son Sion, and Osa Major that offer refuge for those seeking relaxation, recharging, and a quiet connection with nature. If you’re drawn to natural beauty and calming energy, this episode explores what makes Mallorca the perfect destination for your future retreats.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
02:23 Falling in love with Mallorca
05:11 Types of retreats that would work best in Mallorca
06:19 Mallorca compared to other parts of Spain
08:53 Pros and cons of leading retreats in Spain
12:16 Recommended retreat centers
14:01 Tips for avoiding the crowd
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Episode 271: The Power of Place: How to Choose The Right Location for Your Yoga Retreat
Dagmar Spremberg Yoga
Follow Dagmar on Instagram @montezumayoga
Follow Dagmar on Facebook
Follow Dagmar on Youtube
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
If the idea of coastal sunsets and pasta under the stars is calling your name, a retreat in Italy might be your perfect destination. This week I’m joined by retreat leader Pedro Luna to talk about Italy as a location for hosting a retreat. Pedro has led multiple international retreats and shares two of his favorite retreat spots: Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreats and La Dogana in Tuscany. We discuss embracing the slow-paced Italian lifestyle, and his preference for working with local partners for renting venues. This episode gives insight into the financial, cultural, and logistical challenges that come with planning abroad. If you’ve been dreaming of hosting in Italy, this episode is full of practical tips.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:28 Starting a Yoga Retreat in Italy
02:12 Understanding Your Ideal Client
05:00 Finding Authentic Local Experiences
06:39 Working with Travel Partners
09:10 Financial Considerations for Italy Retreats
11:50 Challenges and Tips for First-Time Retreat Leaders
14:27 Recommended Retreat Centers in Italy
18:02 Final Advice and Contact Information
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Episode 271: The Power of Place: How to Choose The Right Location for Your Yoga Retreat
Next Level Yoga Community
Follow Pedro on Instagram @yogimemes
Contact Pedro Luna
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Clear turquoise waters, a slow-paced lifestyle, delectable food, and rich history are just a few of the features that make the Greek Islands an ideal place to lead yoga retreats. In this episode, my guest Lily Dwyer Begg and I reminisce about a retreat that she led (and I assisted) this past fall on the island of Amorgos. The conversation highlights unique elements of Greek culture and local experiences that can be integrated into a retreat. We also spill the tea on which Islands off the beaten tourist path are most highly recommended by the locals. Tune in to get the inside scoop on leading a yoga retreat in the Greek Islands.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
02:04 Why Greece? Personal Reflections
07:03 How to Integrate Greek Culture with Your Retreat
14:20 Financial Considerations for Retreats
21:43 Potential Challenges
24:49 Choosing a Greek Island
28:08 Retreat Centers and Recommendations
37:55 Final Thoughts and Reflections
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Episode 271: The Power of Place: How to Choose The Right Location for Your Yoga Retreat
Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga
Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg
Follow Lily on Facebook
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
If you’re considering a retreat in Mexico, tune in for inside tips from guest expert Nathania Stambouli who has led dozens of retreats there. You’ll hear about the unique aspects of different Mexican retreat locations and cultural experiences such as the Temazcal sweat lodge and Dia de los Muertos. We also explore practical considerations such as safety, tipping cultures, cash usage, and interfacing with the local population to support vendors and artisans.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction and welcome
01:01 Regions of Mexico that are ideal for retreats
02:31 Student demographics and preferences
04:19 Cultural insights and local interactions
08:04 Language and logistics
09:54 Financial considerations and tipping
16:21 Activities and cultural experiences
20:29 Potential challenges and opportunities
26:38 Recommended retreat centers
30:56 Final thoughts and advice for retreat leaders
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Episode 271: The Power of Place: How to Choose The Right Location for Your Yoga Retreat
SoulTribe Adventures
Follow Nathania on Instagram @soultribe.adventures
Follow Nathania on Facebook
Free Arm Balance Training
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Explore the diverse options for hosting yoga retreats in France with Corine Englander-Bombled, a seasoned yoga instructor who has lived in France for more than 20 years. Corine shares the unique appeal of various French retreat locations, from mountains to eco-villages to castles. She shares her personal journey, teaching experiences, and key tips for organizing successful retreats. Learn about the cultural nuances, financial considerations, and the importance of preparation and communication. Enjoy this detailed guide to retreats in France to inspire and inform your next adventure.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction to Retreats in France
01:55 Guest Introduction: Corine’s Journey
04:18 First Retreat Experiences
06:56 Running Retreats in France
12:28 Cultural and Practical Considerations
20:57 Recommended Retreat Locations
24:48 The Joy of Running Retreats
26:34 Advice for New Retreat Leaders
29:39 Conclusion and Contact Information
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Episode 271: The Power of Place: How to Choose The Right Location for Your Yoga Retreat
Sasa Roots
Studio Lotus 333
Follow Studio Lotus 333 on Instagram @studiolotus333
Follow Corine on Instagram @corine.sasaroots
Follow Corine on Facebook
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Thinking of offering a retreat in Costa Rica? Dagmar Spremberg is a retreat leader who lived in Costa Rica for over 20 years. In this episode, she shares her insider’s perspective to help you speed up your planning process and avoid rookie mistakes. Topics include selecting the best time of year, dealing with climate and local wildlife, and financial considerations.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction to the Series and Episode
01:51 Dagmar's Journey to Leading Retreats in Costa Rica
03:01 Types of Retreats and Locations in Costa Rica
07:36 Financial Considerations for Retreats in Costa Rica
09:40 Retreat Center Operations and Payments
12:42 Daily Life at a Costa Rican Retreat
15:20 Challenges and Tips for Leading Retreats in Costa Rica
18:03 The Impact of Leading Retreats
20:25 Advice for New Retreat Leaders
22:26 Conclusion and next steps
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Episode 271: The Power of Place: How to Choose The Right Location for Your Yoga Retreat
Dagmar Spremberg
Follow Dagmar on Instagram @montezumayoga
Follow Dagmar on Facebook
Follow Dagmar on Youtube
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
The right location can elevate a yoga retreat from excellent to unforgettable. In this episode, Mado and Lily explore the creative process of choosing a retreat location. They share real-world experiences and essential practicalities such as budgeting realistically, navigating contracts, understanding legal requirements, and site visits. Learn how to evaluate venue amenities, accessibility for all participants, the surrounding environment, and the overall atmosphere. This episode is packed with actionable advice for yoga retreat leaders but keeps the fun and joy of leading retreats front and center.
00:00 Introduction: The Impact of Location: How a thoughtful location choice impacts your retreat business over the long term
01:48 Key Considerations: Beyond the Instagram Photo: Go beyond the surface and learn essential factors most retreat planners overlook when choosing a location.
04:37 Balancing Costs & Value: Is Your Retreat Venue Worth It?: Learn how to strategically balance your budget with the value a location offers – and avoid overspending on things that don't matter.
08:08 The Key to Glowing Testimonials. How making bold decisions impacts the students you attract for a specific retreat - and their satisfaction with the experience.
11:37 The Location Selection Process: From Dream to Reality: We break down the exact steps to take, from initial brainstorming to narrowing down your top choices.
14:59 Contract Negotiation: Don't Sign Anything Until You've Heard This: Learn critical contract clauses you need to watch out for to protect yourself and your retreat.
18:22 Accessibility & Travel: Choosing a Do-able Retreat Location for your Students: Consider the budget, needs, and lifestyle of your students before choosing your retreat location.
23:18 Curating the Atmosphere: Setting the Stage for Transformation: Learn how to create an unforgettable atmosphere that aligns with your retreat theme.
27:09 Venue Evaluation: The Checklist You Can't Afford to Skip: Get an inside perspective on how experienced retreat leaders evaluate venues – including the hidden details that can make or break your retreat.
34:51 The Pros and Cons of Site Visits: When do you need them and how to adapt when they aren’t in the budget.
37:23 Final Tips & Encouragement: Your Dream Retreat is Within Reach: Leading retreats is incredibly rewarding and fun - enjoy these tips for getting started.
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Lily Dwyer Begg
Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg
Follow Lily on Facebook
Stream Lily on Soundcloud
Retreat Roadmap
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
This quick episode is a takedown of hustle culture. Hustle culture harms yoga teachers with promises of future happiness - while it drains us of the joy that’s available right now. In this episode, I share thoughts on finding appropriate challenges, the role of boundaries, the awkward phase of flow, and how to cultivate a mindset that fosters fulfillment now rather than someday in the future.
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Focus and Flow Course
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
High stakes, blurred boundaries, perfectionism, and burnout: no wonder yoga teachers have a hard time staying focused. In this week's episode, I explore ten reasons why maintaining focus is difficult; from social media distractions to the pressure of running a passion-driven business, and offer strategies such as time management, boundary-setting, and self-care. While these challenges are persistent, implementing thoughtful systems and routines can help reclaim creative energy and prevent burnout.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 The Struggle for Focus and Creative Energy
04:23 Reason 1: High Stakes
05:55 Reason 2: Over-Identification and Boundaries
07:14 Reason 3: Perfectionism and Procrastination
08:51 Reason 4: Multiple Hats and Fragmented Attention
12:24 Reason 5: Resource Constraints and Energy Drain
14:15 Reason 6: Burnout Culture
16:01 Reason 7: Social Media Distractions
17:04 Reason 8: Information Overload and Mental Clutter
19:05 Reason 9: Urgency vs. Importance
20:01 Reason 10: Straight Up Burnout
22:00 Conclusion: Reclaiming Your Creative Energy
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Got a yoga workshop coming up and want to brush up on your faciliation skills? No matter how well you know your topic, your workshop will flop if you don’t understand how to keep your students engaged. In this episode, I'll share the most common mistakes that workshop leaders make and how to avoid these pitfalls to teach better workshops.
Episode Highlights:
- Strategies to capture your students’ attention and engage them in the learning process
- Common presentation mistakes and how to turn them into strengths
- How to plan your workshops so that you cover what you promised AND leave enough time for closure at the end.
- How to make your workshop memorable so your students feel excited for your next event.
Want me to walk you step-by-step through planning, promoting, and presenting a yoga workshop? Check out Workshops that WOW
Curious about how to boost attendance at your workshop? In this episode, I offer simple strategies to help you create workshops without the worry of needing to cancel due to low attendance.
Episode Highlights:
- The two most important factors for healthy workshop attendance
- How to find out what topics your students will find appealing
- How to choose the right title for your workshop
- Four essential qualities for your workshop promotion
- How to make your workshops an easy ‘yes!’
- Considerations for working with a studio vs producing your own workshops
- When and how often to promote your workshop
- A powerful way to boost the effectiveness of your promotion
- Minimum numbers and when to cancel
Workshops that WOW
Need some ideas for your next yoga workshop? There are four basic types of yoga workshops that have a proven track record for consistently attracting students anywhere in the world. In this episode, Mado explains each type in detail including why you might choose one over plus examples of each type.
Want more examples? Download this list of 100 yoga workshop ideas broken down into the four categories when you sign up for Mado’s email list.
Episode highlights:
- The different kinds of yoga workshops and which ones tend to get a lot of registrations.
- How to decide which type of workshop is right for you.
- The best ways to promote the different types of workshops.
- Tips for collaborating with another person on a workshop.
Links & Resources
100 yoga workshop ideas freebie download
Learn the essential differences between yoga classes and yoga workshops and how understanding them can help improve your teaching and help your students see the value of both types of offerings.
Get a free download of 100 yoga workshop ideas
Episode highlights:
- How knowing the differences between weekly classes and workshops can help you market your classes more successfully.
- Side by side comparisons on the frequency, structure, and duration of classes, vs workshops
- Information-based vs experience-based workshops and why you’d want to offer one or the other.
- The unique opportunities workshops offer yoga teachers.
Sign up for Mado’s email list & get 100 yoga workshop ideas download
Are your words secretly sabotaging your students? Many yoga teachers unknowingly use language that creates limitations and fear in their students. This episode explores the subtle ways your words can impact your students' physical and mental experience of yoga. Learn to identify and eliminate fear-based cues, cultivate confidence through positive communication, and empower your students to embrace their unique abilities.
Episode Highlights:
01:25 How fear-based cues can hold your students back, while a focus on your students' strengths and unique abilities will help them progress more quickly.
06:02 How cultural norms influence our perception of discomfort and how to navigate
10:06 Common nocebic cues and learn how to avoid them.
17:59 Practical tools to cultivate confidence and help students own their practice.
21:26 How to handle common challenges and ethical dilemmas that arise in the yoga class setting.
31:09 How anatomical knowledge empowers you to release fear-based language while teaching with precision and confidence.
Links & Resources
Anatomy Bites Website
Libby’s Website
Bodies come in a beautiful variety of shapes and abilities - and this means they have different needs. So how can you provide a positive experience for unique individuals during a group class? Dr. Libby Hinsley is back on the podcast to discuss strategies for adapting your teaching for diverse bodies and abilities.
Episode Highlights:
- How to change your yoga sequence on the fly and still provide an excellent class
- Understanding anatomy and movement to uplevel your confidence teaching people with different physical abilities
- The key to accommodating multiple levels in your class
- Building blocks of human movement
- How to simplify and slow down so you (and your students) can savor practice
- The difference between “complicated” and “advanced
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Anatomy Bites
Episodes with Libby
Yoga & Self Massage
Q&A with Libby
Anatomy Myths
Hypermobility & Yoga
Self-care is essential for yoga teachers - but easier said than done. In the fast pace of modern culture, our role has partly become a cheerleader for self-care. Yet, many of us live with life circumstances that cause us to neglect our own self-care. In this week’s episode of the podcast I demystify the idea of self-care and offer a simple way of thinking about it that will help you understand how to implement it in your own life.
- A simple way of describing self-care from a yoga perspective.
- A review of the structure and function of the human nervous system and how it relates to self care.
- Why understanding the nervous system is helpful for yoga teachers.
- How the modern self-care movement oversimplifies self care and portrays it in a misleading and potentially harmful way.
- Additional ways to think about and practice self care that are more effective and accessible.
- How to talk about self care with your yoga students.
Centering your values when you set goals can help you create a sustainable, inspiring business. In this episode, you'll hear some of the structures I use personally to move forward in my business without compromising my principles.
Episode Highlights:
03:01 Finding the Sweet Spot: Logic & Intuition in Goal Setting
06:03 Why Knowing Your Values is Key for Choosing the right Goals
7:01 Values Check In Ritual
11:53 Goal Setting Step-by-step
12:33 Stuck in a Rut? Try This Unexpected Brainstorming Trick
14:15 From Dream to Reality: Scheduling Your Goals for Success
17:39 Goal-Setting Inspiration: Real-World Examples to Get You Started
24:19 How to Evaluate & Refine Your Goals
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Book Recommendations
The Artist’s Way
The 12 Week Year
Tag @yoga.teacher.resource on Instagram to celebrate your accomplishments!
This episode from 2019 was inspired by a facebook post I made on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group. I was having my own moment of doubt and decided to share in order to help normalize the experience for other teachers. The response was overwhelming! That post has gotten the most comments in the group so far. It made me realize that there is a need for yoga teachers to hear that they are not alone when they doubt and to understand where the doubt comes from and what to do about it.
Highlights* Why self-doubt is getting more and more prevalent among yoga teachers * The positive aspects of impostor syndrome * What to focus on in your teaching during moments of doubt * My personal process for self-care when I experience doubt
Yoga is a system of moral philosophy that has long been overlooked by Western scholars and appropriated by the fitness industry. Dr. Shyam Ranganathan, author of Yoga: Anticolonial Philosophy provides context for the dissonance between modern yoga and its roots. We discuss how to frame yoga practice authentically, how philosophy is the unifying force between varied practices, and why decolonization requires embracing discomfort.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Yoga and personal agency
05:53 The role of philosophy in understanding yoga
09:52 Challenges and rewards of yoga practice
15:34 The problem of modern yoga
22:15 Defining colonialism, philosophy, and ethics
26:12 Understanding Yoga: Capital Y vs. Small Y
28:27 Why embracing dissonance is key for decolonization
29:14 Philosophy's role in decolonization
31:26 The physical and emotional impact of philosophy
40:53 Teaching yoga in a capitalist society
46:32 Conclusion and further resources
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Yoga Philosophy
Book: Yoga: Anticolonial Philosophy
Yoga: Anticolonial Philosophy Study Group
Follow Dr. Shyam Ranganathan on Instagram @yogaphilosophy_com
Follow Dr. Shyam Ranganathan on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Many yoga teachers struggle to maintain their personal practice once they start teaching. In this episode, I explore the challenges yoga teachers face in maintaining their personal practice after transitioning into teaching. Consistent personal practice is crucial for embodied knowledge, confidence, and self-care. We all face obstacles to staying consistent like time management, life changes, and even burnout. Tune in to hear my perspective on how to overcome those obstacles and develop a sustainable personal yoga practice that nourishes your teaching and your life.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Why many yoga teachers struggle to maintain their personal practice
01:05 Why a personal practice is essential for yoga teachers
02:18 Defining a personal practice
03:29 Benefits of a personal practice for yoga teachers
05:42 What a personal practice looks like
11:14 Overcoming obstacles to a consistent practice
14:32 Motivation and discipline
17:16 Adapting your practice to life changes
18:21 Evolving with your practice
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Michelle Cassandra Johnson explores the kleshas—the five afflictions that cause suffering—within the framework of modern challenges ranging from racial injustice to climate change. Through personal stories, insights on yoga philosophy, and practical advice, Michelle offers a roadmap for understanding and addressing the root causes of suffering both individually and collectively. This conversation will inspire yoga practitioners and activists alike to engage deeply with their practice and strive for personal and social transformation.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction to the kleshas
2:10 Levity as sustenance for deep work
04:45 Why Michelle chose to write about the kleshas
06:55 A primer on the kleshas
14:36 How the kleshas confront our assumptions
16:32 Pain and the kleshas
24:35 The kleshas and social change
42:14 Teaching the kleshas in yoga
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Michelle Cassandra Johnson
Book: Illuminating Our True Nature
Illuminating Our True Nature Book Club
Illuminating Our True Nature Course: The Five Afflictions
Illuminating Our True Nature Gathering and Practice
Follow Michelle on Instagram @skillinaction
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
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In this Q&A style episode, I answer listener questions sent via social media and my website. Topics include managing expectations as a substitute instructor, creating body awareness in beginners, discomfort in studying anatomy, and building a sustainable business with corporate and private clients. Listen in to hear my thoughts on how much to explain your teaching style when you substitute teach, the best ways to help beginners, and how to build a clientele from the ground up.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction to the Q&A format
01:20 What to do when you substitute for classes that are very different from how you teach.
04:53 The best way to support new students who have been mostly sedentary
10:09 How to handle physical reactions to studying anatomy
14:54 How to build a clientele of private and corporate clients
23:57 How to encourage clients to commit to weekly or bi-weekly sessions
28:31 Conclusion and call for more questions
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Peek behind the curtain of Anatomy Bites - the easiest and most enjoyable way for yoga teachers to learn anatomy. In this unusual episode, you’ll hear the audio portion of a live Q&A session led by Dr. Libby Hinsley, physical therapist and yoga teacher. Anatomy Bites is a 36-module program designed to give yoga teachers a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. You’ll also hear the story of how Anatomy Bites came to be and learn about what it’s like to be a member.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 The birth of Anatomy Bites
04:16 Dynamic vs. static movements for strengthening
06:41 The relationship between the low back and glutes in backbends
11:50 Foot and knee alignment in backbends
22:24 Foot placement in wide leg forward fold
30:20 Does it matter which side you roll towards in savasana?
33:41 Concentric vs eccentric movement
38:11 Torn labrum & chronic pain
52:11 Noise in neck movement
53:11 Spinal issues in yoga classes
01:06:14 Rounding the spine for older adults
01:10:51 Nerve sensations in Yin Yoga
01:13:27 Understanding fascia and its impact on movement
01:15:48 What to do with the shoulder blades in forearm plank
01:19:16 What it’s like inside Anatomy Bites
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Marsha Banks-Harold is a yoga therapist who specializes in working with people impacted by trauma and/or living with special needs. In this inspiring conversation, she describes her journey from overworked engineer to yoga teacher and eventually a yoga therapist, studio owner, and founder of a non-profit. We dive into the differences between yoga teacher and yoga therapist, the importance of family and community, and her advice for yoga teachers with big dreams who are holding themselves back with self-doubt.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
03:06 Marsha Banks-Harold: engineer, yoga therapist, studio owner, and non-profit founder
04:21 How Marsha discovered yoga & decided to become a teacher
08:48 First teaching experience: adapting to students' needs
12:15 Differences between yoga teaching and yoga therapy
20:06 Building a vision: studio, school, and nonprofit
27:10 Obstacles in her path & how yoga helped
29:56 Family and community as a superpower
34:15 Why it’s important to share your vision
38:36 Marsha’s advice for yoga teachers struggling with doubt
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
PIES Fitness Yoga Studio
Follow Marsha Banks-Harold on Instagram @marshadbanksharold
Contact Marsha: piesfitness@gmail.com or 703-887-9574
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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What does it mean to take the seat of the teacher? Shawna Emerick is an experienced yoga teacher who finds herself feeling like a beginner again as she takes on a new mindfulness meditation certification program. In this relatable discussion, we talk about the very real discomfort that comes with teaching yoga - and how the fact that it never fully goes away is a good thing. Other topics explored include; intuitive and deliberate modes of thinking, the relationship between renunciation and boundaries, and the differences between being a teacher and being a mentor.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
02:10 The Role of a Teacher
03:57 Intuition vs. Deliberation
07:06 Why we need to slow down to speed up
14:22 Does teaching involve renunciation
22:03 How people pleasing harms both teachers and students
25:43 The difference between teaching and mentorship
31:02 The relationship between mentorship and therapy
34:47 Why discomfort as a teacher is not the problem
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Shawna Emerick
Follow Shawna on Instagram @shawnashakti
Listen to Shawna’s previous episode: How to Overcome Fear & Doubt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Yoga Alliance standards have changed again! In this episode, Kathy Humphrys describes the evolution and impact of Yoga Alliance standards, particularly the recent changes in training requirements. She also provides practical advice for yoga teachers aiming to become registered trainers with Yoga Alliance and shares strategies for successfully creating and delivering high-quality yoga training programs.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:10 Kathy’s journey from teacher to teacher trainer
04:08 Why Kathy decided to license Standards
08:08 Yoga Alliance classroom hours - what they mean and how they impact teacher trainings
12:54 Lead trainer requirements
15:38 What it takes to register a school with Yoga Alliance
18:00 Do these new standards help improve the quality of YTTs?
26:08 Immersions vs teacher trainings
29:19 The future of yoga teacher trainings
36:42 The Yoga Alliance Core Competencies
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Ambassador Yoga
Follow Ambassador Yoga on Instagram @yogatrainer.fasttrack
Yoga Alliance
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
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If you’re an anatomy nerd eager to share your enthusiasm for the human body with your students, you’ll love the insider tips and best practices we share in this conversation. Listen in to hear about the balance between clarity and accuracy, the importance of knowing your audience, and the potential pros and cons of incorporating anatomical concepts into asana classes. We also cover special considerations for teaching anatomy in yoga teacher training programs.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
02:51 Pros of including anatomy in yoga classes
04:36 Cons of including anatomy in yoga classes
05:47 Balancing anatomy in general classes
18:13 Considerations for teaching anatomy in teacher training
21:24 What it takes to be an excellent anatomy teacher
26:34 How to handle diagnostic questions
28:47 The most important aspects of anatomy for yoga teacher trainings
32:28 Dr. Libby Hinsley's anatomy training programs
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Why is learning anatomy so hard for yoga teachers? In this episode, we discuss the importance of becoming fluent in basic anatomy to accurately speak about the body in your yoga classes. We know anatomy can feel like a foreign language - that’s because it is! But fear not, we have the secret sauce to make it all stick. From our own adventures with anatomy to tips that'll make studying a breeze, this episode is the ultimate cheat sheet for all wanna-be anatomy enthusiasts. Get ready to unleash your inner nerd and build a rock-solid anatomical foundation.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:09 Why yoga teachers need basic anatomy knowledge
02:02 Challenges and misconceptions in learning anatomy
03:32 The role of anatomy in your yoga classes
09:13 Our personal journeys in anatomy learning
13:10 Tips for yoga teachers to learn anatomy
18:36 The basics: bones, joints, and muscles
23:24 The importance of context and relevance
28:14 Advanced tips and continuous learning
35:52 Recommended anatomy education programs
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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This bonus episode is a peek behind the curtain of 'Retreat Roadmap'. Listen to hear about each course module, plus a description of the time-saving resources that are included. I'll also explain your options for getting additional live group and one-to-one support. If you've been eyeing Retreat Roadmap and want an inside scoop on what to expect inside the program, this episode is for you.
Episode highlights include: 00:39 The experience that inspired us to create the Retreat Roadmap03:46 Course Overview and Structure05:21 Module 1: Big Picture Planning08:43 Module 2: Admin and Planning09:47 Module 3: Marketing Your Retreat11:06 Module 4: Planning Your Curriculum11:55 Module 5: Sustainable Retreat Leadership13:22 Special Offer and Pricing Details14:45 Mentorship Program Details20:41 Conclusion and Contact Information
Join Retreat Roadmap
Advance planning can make the difference between filling all rooms and canceling due to a lack of enrollment. In this episode, I chat with my Retreat Roadmap Collaborator, Lily Dwyer Begg, about all the benefits of giving yourself (and your students) plenty of lead time when planning a retreat.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:02 What changed when Lily increased her retreat timeline from 6 months to 12+ months
05:20 How to make your retreat more financially inclusive
07:31 How to help your students feel more relaxed during your retreat
09:09 Why a longer timeline allows your students to enjoy the retreat BEFORE it even starts
10:07 How a longer timeline gives you more options for where to offer retreats
15:11 Why a longer timeline will help you attract more participants (and earn more money)
16:39 How a compressed timeline skews your ability to judge the potential success of a retreat
22:00 How to stay in integrity when you preach self-care
24:42 Time objections and the best/worst times to lead & launch retreats
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Quiz: What kind of retreat is best for you?
Retreat Timing Guide
Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga
Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg
Retreat Roadmap Online Course
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
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Yoga retreats allow you to share yoga free from the distractions of daily life - while often earning far more than your usual weekly classes. There are four basic types of retreats to consider: day, camping, local, and international. In this episode, we cover the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is right for you. Packed with personal insights and practical tips, this dialogue aims to inspire yoga teachers to organize retreats, explaining the win/win dynamic for both student and teacher.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Why we love retreats and four types of retreats to consider leading
01:34 Retreat opportunities for students and teachers
13:24 Day Retreats: A low-risk way to dip your toes into leading retreats
19:33 Camping Retreats: An affordable option for nature lovers
27:03 Local Retreats: Gateway to a deeper practice
33:47 International Retreats: The easiest retreat to fill up and earn a profit
40:07 Conclusion: Choosing the right retreat for you
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Quiz: What kind of retreat is best for you?
Retreat Timing Guide
Episode 226: Yoga Retreat Fundamentals
Episode 233: How to Thrive as a Retreat Leader
Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga
Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg
The Ultimate Retreat Roadmap Online Course
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
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Teaching large groups can be intimidating! But it’s also fantastic for improving your teaching skills and boosting your confidence. This episode focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities involved in teaching large yoga groups. Learn to embrace the challenges of large-group instruction and develop your ability to offer high-quality instruction to groups of any size.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 The benefits of teaching larger groups
05:15 Why teaching large groups is so nerve-wracking
07:02 Why it’s important to keep your class plan simple in a larger group
09:33 How to encourage focus and engagement in a larger group
10:12 How to balance different personality types when it comes to student participation
12:04 How to manage student questions to avoid getting thrown off track
15:06 How to provide an intimate experience in a large group
17:14 Thoughts on physical touch in a large group
19:17 How to bring attention back to you after small group or partner work
21:06 The role of visual aids in a larger group
22:51 How to utilize assistants when teaching a larger group
24:54 How to learn your student’s names (even if you’re usually terrible with names)
26:52 How to facilitate connection between students in a larger group
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Over the past decade, there has been a welcome push towards a more inclusive approach to yoga. But what does that look like on a practical level? Jivana Heyman has been at the center of the accessible yoga movement as the founder of the Accessible Yoga Project and the author of The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga, Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body. In this episode, Jivana shares an anti-perfectionist approach to accessible yoga that centers the relationship between teacher and student. The conversation delves into insecurities and imposter syndrome, the interplay between teaching and personal growth, and the importance of ethics in guiding both personal and teaching practices.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 The philosophy of accessible yoga
01:48 Jivana’s early experiences with yoga
03:30 How yoga helps with emotional regulation
05:59 The impact of social media and information overload
08:43 How to deal with impostor syndrome
13:22 Teaching as a relationship
21:04 Inquiry on the ethics of teaching
27:50 The importance of meeting your students where they are and respecting their preferences
33:41 Perfectionism and people-pleasing
38:30 Kindness as a guiding principle for accessible yoga
42:15 Helping and fixing vs serving
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Accessible Yoga School
Access all of Jivana’s books here
Follow Jivana on Instagram @jivanaheyman
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Series classes deepen your relationship with your students, helps them commit to their practice, and provides financial stability for you as the teacher. Nyk Danu, a certified yoga therapist and business mentor, shares her insights on creating a sustainable yoga teaching business through a registered series. Listen in to hear practical advice on setting up your series, handling logistics like space rental and insurance, and filling your series classes. Nyk also touches on considerations for yoga studio owners thinking about transitioning to a registered series. If you value teacher-student connections, consistency in practice, and control over your teaching environment, this episode is for you!
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:52 Meet Nyk Danu: Yoga Misfit and Mentor
06:09 Why yoga classes shifted away from the registered series model
09:59 How to Start Your Own Registered Yoga Series
20:11 Finding the Perfect Space for Yoga Classes
22:04 Essential Tools for Running Yoga Series: Registration and Communication
24:40 Essential Policies for your Registered Series
28:21 Priority Registration for Existing Students
29:20 Starting Small with Class Registrations
30:15 Engaging Older Students with Simpler Technology
31:18 Handling Minimums and Cancellations
31:47 Leveraging Workshops to Fill Series
33:30 Setting Minimum Attendance Numbers
36:16 Choosing the Right Duration for Your Series
37:40 Make-up Classes and Free Sessions
40:09 Finding Your First Group of Students
46:02 Utilizing Email Lists for Growth
48:58 Transitioning Studios to Registered Series
50:14 The Benefits of Running Pre-registered Series
55:43 Concluding Thoughts and Resources
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Nyk Danu Yoga
Follow Nyk on Instagram @nykdanuyoga
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Yoga is for everyone, but when people of varied physical abilities show up in the same class it can be difficult to meet all their needs at the same time. In this episode, Mado and Libby offer a framework for understanding why your students might struggle with a particular asana and how to offer variations that provide a similar experience to people with different physical abilities.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Why teaching mixed ability yoga classes is harder than it needs to be
02:49 How to plan for an all levels class
03:35 Understanding progression and regression
04:46 Four reasons a pose might be challenging for a student
05:39 How to simplify yoga postures
07:14 Essential biomechanical principles for yoga
11:35 How gravity can impact asana
16:27 Why teaching simpler poses will help your students progress
21:50 How teaching one one-on-one will help you teach better group classes
23:16 A breakdown of Warrior 3 Pose
28:51 Moving vs static yoga postures
30:39 The role of creativity in yoga teaching
32:14 A breakdown of Triangle Pose
38:53 Why anatomy is a key skill for asana teachers
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Laura reached out for help to increase enrollment in her online classes. Despite her success in drawing people to her global retreats, she struggles to fill her online series and workshops. In this conversation, we discuss strategies to improve sign-ups for online offerings. Some of the ideas we consider include positioning online classes as 'extensions' of the retreat experiences, frequency and timing of communication, incentives for retreat participants, and the importance of urgency in online sign-ups. We then created a plan to convert her current library membership into something that might appeal to retreat participants.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
01:14 Laura's background and how she started leading retreats
03:40 How Laura’s retreat business survived the pandemic
05:23 Why & how to learn what motivates your students
12:19 The importance of urgency in marketing
13:59 Helping students bridge the gap between retreats and online classes
17:41 An idea to repurpose Laura’s membership to support retreat participants
18:42 How to create consistency with a constantly changing schedule
22:11 How to leverage moments of inspiration
22:42 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Laura Lakshmi
Follow Laura on Instagram @yogawithlauralakshmi
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Johanna is a new yoga teacher who struggles to lead her yoga class without physically practicing along with her students. Mado helps her unpack why she wants to develop this skill and provides simple strategies to build her ability to cue without practicing along with the class. Along the way, they explore internal vs external motivation and learning to trust your inner voice.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
02:17 Johanna's journey to becoming a yoga teacher
06:25 Why Johanna struggles to teach without practicing along
07:42 The conflict between internal and external motivation
12:22 How people pleasing harms and holds us back as yoga teachers
22:11 The paradox of being a beginner teacher
22:51 Why it’s important to embrace slow and steady growth
23:36 The danger of comparing yourself to people who are further along the path
25:56 What your students really want from you as a teacher
27:56 Helping your students vs pleasing them
28:19 The benefits of cueing without demonstrating
36:28 Comparison between yoga and fitness classes
38:10 Meeting your students where they are
39:11 Baby steps to develop your ability to cue without practicing
41:00 How & why to let your students peek behind the curtain
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Transitioning from in-person classes to online can shake up every aspect of your teaching. When Lily Dwyer Begg dove headfirst into this process, she found greater clarity in her voice and a blossoming creative potential in her teaching. In this episode, Lily shares advice for the art of teaching yoga online including demonstration, verbal cues, class planning, and how to substitute direct touch. She also reveals some of the challenges and opportunities that arose when she stopped teaching at studios and started running her own platform.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction
00:53 A comparison between teaching in person and online
08:35 The unexpected benefits of teaching online
10:29 The benefits of livestream classes (vs on-demand)
18:11 The business of teaching online
22:31 Things that don’t work well in online classes
29:37 Why it’s best to start with a single class vs a full schedule
31:24 The types of classes that tend to do well online
33:18 Different approaches to demonstrating in online classes
35:28 The art of verbal cueing and how to improve your cues
41:20 The role of touch in yoga and how to substitute touch online
49:15 Lily’s class planning process
54:35 Why the limits of teaching online are also the benefits
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga
Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyernbegg
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
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Learn the nuts and bolts of setting up an online yoga studio. Despite describing herself as a 'Luddite', Lily started teaching online when in-person classes shut down during COVID. She found that online teaching allowed her to teach fewer classes, increase her income, and boost her creativity. In this episode, she shares practical advice on optimizing audio and visual quality, choosing clothing for online classes, and using editing tools to refine recorded classes.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction to online teaching
01:02 How Lily transitioned to teaching online during COVID
03:19 How to adapt your teaching style for online classes
08:30 The business side of teaching online
11:13 How to set up for high-quality online classes
21:23 Why clothing matters when teaching online
25:14 Interactive vs passive teaching platforms
25:23 Audio setup for live streaming
27:36 The benefits of a multi-camera setup
32:26 How to get quality video with your phone.
40:34 Why you should tag your videos and add thumbnails
41:23 How to keep your editing simple
45:38 Unexpected gifts from online teaching
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga
Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyernbegg
Get a list of all the tech that Lily mentions in this episode
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Ever been told that hypermobile people shouldn’t practice yoga? Yoga is not bad for bendy people, but there are different considerations for people with hypermobile joints. Dr. Libby Hinsley, author of Yoga for Bendy People joins us to debunk some myths and talk about the ways that yoga is amazing for bendy people.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hypermobility basics - what does it actually mean to be bendy?
- Unique needs for bendy people in Asana practice
- Alternatives to passive stretching that work better for bendy people
- What yoga practice injuries are telling us
- Libby’s new book, Yoga for Bendy People
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Have you heard of “nocebic” language? Learn the way our brains react to expectations, why it’s important to notice fear based language and how to transform your words to empower your students.
Episode Highlights:
- How to help your students feel confident and inspired to be in charge of their bodies
- The importance of looking for what’s right instead of what’s wrong
- Scope of practice and boundaries in the yoga class setting
- Psychological and physiological power of messaging in yoga
- What you can do to nip fear based language in the bud
- How learning anatomy helps yoga teachers evaluate their cues and language
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Learn how to incorporate self-massage into your own yoga practice and your yoga classes to build awareness, familiarize yourself with sensation and guide your nervous system toward relaxation.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- What you need to know before bringing self-massage into your classes
- Sequencing and how to teach a class or workshop with therapy balls
- Risks, cautions and contraindications associated with self-massage
- The difference between intensity and pain
- Self-massage as a tool to learn anatomy
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Mado and Dr. Libby Hinsley, physical therapist and yoga therapist, address questions for yoga teachers who are curious about anatomy and biomechanics and how they apply to specific poses.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- The best approach for learning anatomy
- How to craft a class that is helpful for the variety of bodies that might show up
- The benefits and purposes of dynamic vs static poses
- Different perspectives on symmetry in sequencing.
- Should we always keep the shoulder blades squeezing in and down?
- Some thoughts on where common yoga cues originated and why upgrading our cues might be an act of liberation.
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Collaborating with other yoga teachers can be inspiring and fun - but it can also be a big disaster. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a collaboration successful, when you should partner with someone on a project, and how to choose the right person to collaborate with.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- A discussion of imposter syndrome, comparison, and motivations behind partnerships
- When and why choosing to collaborate on a project is a good idea
- Finding the right person to collaborate with
- How partnerships help facilitate productivity and growth in your business
- What makes partnerships successful
- Benefits of collaborating on digital/online projects specifically
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Dr. Libby Hinsley returns to the podcast to talk about joint hypermobility, how yoga affects bendy people differently from people with a more average range of motion, and how to best support those with hypermobile bodies in your yoga classes.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hallmarks of hypermobility
- Patterns in injured yogis and yoga teachers
- Things to pay attention to if you have a larger than normal range of motion at your joints
- How yoga can be useful to hypermobile people
- What interoception is and how it relates to hypermobility
- Elements of supportive yoga practice for hypermobility
- The game-changing benefits of self-massage
- What yoga teachers need to know about hypermobility
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
Downloadable cheat sheet for this episode
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Learn the significance of the psoas muscle and how yoga teachers can most effectively work with it in their classes.
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
5 Things You Should Know About The Psoas Major - Free Download
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Investigate some of the common myths and misconceptions people have about anatomy and yoga.
Episode Highlights:
- The myth of alignment and what is actually normal or average
- Benefits and limitations of alignment-based yoga
- Why doing a posture correctly according to formulas is not safe for everyone
- The myth of safety and the fragility of the human body
- How we can expect our practice to shift over the course of our lives
- Examining specific physical cues such as “bringing the shoulders back”
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
How do you bridge the gap between being qualified to teach yoga and teaching with confidence? Yoga teacher trainings are a deep dive into the practice and pedagogy of yoga, yet many graduates are thrown for a loop once they actually start teaching. In this episode, Sheri Fisher shares the five qualities that yoga teachers need to cultivate on their way to embodying leadership in the yoga classroom.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Differences between group fitness training and yoga teacher training
- Why the transition from teacher training to confident teacher is so challenging
- The five pillars of powerful teaching and how they come together to create your signature approach
- Cueing statements vs coaching statements and why both are important in a yoga class
- How to cultivate commitment as a teacher - and how to encourage commitment from your students.
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Root to Rise Yogis
Standing Room Only: How to be THAT Yoga Teacher
Follow Root to Rise Yogis on Instagram @roottoriseyogis
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Inversions inspire strong feelings. We love them, hate them, or we love/hate them - but how well do we understand them? While inversions are usually thought to be the domain of physically adept yoga practitioners, Kat Heagberg Rebar, author of Yoga Inversions, believes they can benefit anyone who wants a shift in perspective.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Defining inversions: Kat’s take on this ‘controversial’ question
- How Kat went from ‘too young yoga teacher’ to Editor-in-Chief of Yoga International - and handstand aficionado
- Why inversions can be difficult to teach and learn within the context of a yoga class
- The dirty little secret of yoga inversion ‘influencers’
- The role of body proportions in your inversion practice
- Inversions during menstruation and pregnancy
- Benefits of inversions: the myths and realities
- How cross-training in other modalities can help your inversion practice
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Kat Heagberg Yoga
Yoga Inversions: Your Guide to Going Upside Down
Follow Kat Heagberg Rebar on Instagram @katheagberglar
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Yoga and business make strange bedfellows. Leaning into that paradox is exactly what’s needed to thrive as a yoga teacher and business owner. Join me for a conversation with Ava Taylor, founder of YAMA Talent and author of Your Yoga Business, on what it takes to build an ethical and sustainable yoga business.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Why it’s important to keep things simple when building a yoga business
- How to build a yoga business that can withstand the test of time.
- Challenges and opportunities in the post-COVID yoga industry
- Why 100,000 followers do not equal 100,000 dollars
- How your yoga practice can (and should) influence your yoga business
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
YAMA Talent
Your Yoga Busines
Follow Ava Taylor on Instagram @avantaylor
Follow YAMA Talent on Instagram @yamatalent
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
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Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Becoming a parent is a rite of passage that will change your yoga practice forever. Sarah Ezrin was a dedicated yoga practitioner and long time teacher before having children blew her heart open, humbled her to the core, and turned her expectations about yoga practice upside down. This transition inspired her to write the book she wished she could read as a new parent: compassionate, irreverent, and steeped in the wisdom of yoga.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- How becoming a parent can make your yoga practice more honest
- An exploration of Maitressence or the transition into motherhood
- How Sarah manages screen use as a parent and yoga practitioner
- How yoga can help you desensitize and resensitize your nervous system
- The art of asking the right questions to help our children develop their intuition
- The advice Sarah wishes she could give the earlier version of herself
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Sarah Ezrin Yoga
The Yoga of Parenting: 10 Yoga-Based Practices to Help You Stay Grounded, Connect with Your Kids, and Be Kind to Yourself
Follow Sarah Ezrin on Instagram @sarahezrinyoga
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
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Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Breathing touches every system of the body, either directly or indirectly. It can be manipulated and shaped to adjust state, to change our perception of pain, to improve and enhance movement, and also to hasten deep restorative relaxation or amplify and excite. In this episode, Jill Miller describes the art and science of using breath as a tool for physical and emotional resilience.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Chemical and biomechanical aspects of breathing
- Overbreathing, underbreathing, and breath titration
- Why deliberate breathing is so effective for mood regulation
- 5 ingredients for parasympathetic activation
- How breath awareness supports compassion and community
- Why meditation and savasana can provoke anxiety in some people
- The relationship between the heart and the diaphragm
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Tune Up Fitness
BODY by BREATH: The Science and Practice of Physical and Emotional Resilience by Jill Miller
Follow Jill Miller on Instagram @thejillmiller
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Rituals are actions repeated with intention. According to Tracee Stanley, author of Radiant Rest and The Luminous Self, rituals are also powerful tools for knowing yourself more deeply. Join me for a candid conversation where Tracee shares personal experiences, observations, and ideas that led her to share deeply personal stories and sacred practices with the world inside her recently released book The Luminous Self.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- How Covid influenced The Luminous Self to become more personal, vulnerable, and mature than the book Tracee was originally inspired to write.
- How Tracee is working to transition from a vertical model of community to a horizontal or circular model.
- The role of community care and supportive relationships for creating sustainable transformation.
- How to craft an environment that supports growth.
- The responsibility for teachers to embody and digest their practices instead of treating them in an extractive manner.
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Tracee Stanley’s website
The Luminous Self
Follow Tracee Stanley on Instagram @tracee_stanley
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
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Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Everything in life is for your awakening. This core teaching of tantra yoga is what guides Todd Norian on his quest for whole-hearted self-acceptance. Todd is a musician, founder of Ashaya Yoga, a Kripalu Legacy faculty member, and the author of Tantra Yoga: Journey to Unbreakable Wholeness. In this week’s podcast, Todd shares stories and lessons from forty years as a yoga practitioner, teacher, and spiritual seeker.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Todd’s definition of spirituality and how it plays out in his everyday life.
- What Todd learned from being at the epicenter of two of yoga’s guru scandals (Kripalu and Anusara)
- Power dynamics and lines of spiritual development
- Why loving your lesser evolved parts is key to overcoming perfectionism
- Three essential questions to help you craft the life you want
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Ashaya Yoga
Tantra Yoga: Journey to Unbreakable Wholeness - A Memoir
Follow Ashaya Yoga on Instagram @ashayayoga
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
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There are trauma survivors in almost every yoga room - but you can’t necessarily tell who they are from the outside. In this first episode of a series on recently published yoga books, Lara Land, author of The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga, explains how yoga can support trauma survivors and describes how yoga teachers can help or hinder the process.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- An expanded definition of trauma
- Why yoga is so helpful for trauma survivors
- How yoga spaces can be harmful for trauma survivors
- The role of secondary trauma
- Three facets of safety and how they show up in yoga classes
- 10 ways to promote safety in your yoga class
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Lara Land Yoga website
Listen to Lara’s Podcast: Beyond Trauma
Three and a Half Acres Yoga website
Follow Lara Land on Instagram @laralandyoga
The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Yoga teachers often feel responsible to protect their students from injury during their classes. This is a big reason why many focus on guiding proper alignment during practice. But how much does alignment really protect students from injury? And are misunderstandings about safety, pain, and discomfort actually causing more harm to our students than good? In this must-listen episode, my guest Dr. Libby Hinsley sheds light on the relationship between alignment and safety.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Why yoga teachers tend to be so worried about safety
- Is practicing yoga actually risky for the average student?
- Which risks are real and which tend to be overblown
- Discomfort vs tissue damage
- Scope of practice and the yoga teachers’ responsibility
- Types of pain
- How our narratives around pain affect our experience of it
- Alignment vs progressive adaptation
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Yoga teachers are often asked to teach for free in the name of Karma Yoga. However, when this term is divorced from the context of yoga philosophy, it can be exploited and misused. In this episode, Mado explores the practice of Karma Yoga and some of the less obvious implications behind the decision of whether or not to teach for free.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- How the term Karma Yoga is commonly misused and a more accurate explanation of what it means.
- How Karma Yoga fits into the framework of the Purusharthas or the four aims of life.
- Three approaches to teaching yoga and how they relate to the Purusharthas.
- Pros and cons of each approach and how to choose which is best for you based on your circumstances.
- How teaching for free might help others or harm others - and ways to mitigate potential harm.
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Want to promote body autonomy in your classes but aren’t sure what that looks like? Featuring Dr. Libby Hinsley, this episode covers ways that yoga teachers may be unintentionally hindering body autonomy for their students and strategies for making your classes a self-empowering space for your students.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Why body autonomy is essential for yoga practice - and a revolutionary act that will help change the world for the better.
- How yoga teachers might accidentally interfere with body autonomy.
- Authority and power differential dynamics in yoga classes.
- Why hands-on assists should be approached with extreme caution - and alternative teaching methods that achieve the same goal.
- Inquiries to help you develop your own approach to body autonomy.
- The interplay between autonomy and perfectionism.
- The types of cues that are best for encouraging body autonomy (and what cues should be used more sparingly).
- How silence supports body autonomy.
- Why self-compassion is key for your growth as a teacher.
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Anatomy Bites
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Cari Moskow is a yoga teacher from Atlanta, GA who loves teaching workshops but feels overwhelmed by the task of promoting them. In this on-air coaching call, Cari and Mado talk through her intended audience and how to create simple systems for marketing her workshops that will be more efficient and effective.
Episode Highlights:
- Marketing on the fly vs. having a marketing plan.
- The value of having a system that includes a promotional calendar.
- What “batching” your work means and how to use this method for increasing efficiency in your promotion efforts.
- Narrowing down your niche so that your marketing can have more of an impact on the specific students you are wanting to attract to your workshops.
- How and why to use social media schedulers.
Episode Links & Resources:
Join Workshops that WOW
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Learn the essential differences between yoga classes and yoga workshops and how understanding them can help improve your teaching and help your students see the value of both types of offerings.
Episode highlights:
- How knowing the differences between weekly classes and workshops can help you market your classes more successfully.
- Side by side comparisons on the frequency, structure, and duration of classes, vs workshops
- Information-based vs experience-based workshops and why you’d want to offer one or the other.
- The unique opportunities workshops offer yoga teachers.
- How to name & price your workshops.
Episode Links & Resources:
Join Workshops that WOW
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Facilitation skills are essential for a memorable workshop. No matter how well you know your topic, your workshop will flop if you don’t understand how to keep your students engaged. Learn the different ways workshop presenters often go wrong and how to avoid these pitfalls to teach better workshops.
Episode Highlights:
- Four strategies to capture your students’ attention and engage them in the learning process
- Common presentation mistakes and how to turn them into strengths
- How to plan your workshops so that you cover what you promised and leave enough time for closure at the end.
- How to make your workshop memorable so your students feel excited for your next event.
Episode Links & Resources:
Podcast Episode 198 - Yoga Objections and How to Address Them
Join Workshops that WOW
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Curious about how to boost attendance at your workshop? In this episode, I offer simple strategies to help you create workshops without the worry of needing to cancel due to low attendance.
Episode Highlights:
- The two most important factors for healthy workshop attendance
- How to find out what topics your students will find appealing
- How to choose the right title for your workshop
- Four essential qualities for your workshop promotion
- How to make your workshops an easy ‘yes!’
- Considerations for working with a studio vs producing your own workshops
- When and how often to promote your workshop
- A powerful way to boost the effectiveness of your promotion
- Minimum numbers and when to cancel
Episode Links & Resources:
Join Workshops that WOW
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
The best workshops are interactive. They engage the student on multiple levels and with multiple senses. Learn strategies and considerations for leading interactive workshops in this episode.
Episode Highlights:
- The balance between moving vs lecturing in a workshop
- When visual aids and other assets are useful and when they are not
- Different types of workshops assets and how to decide which to use (if any)
- How grouping your students in different sized groups helps to create interaction
- Why we learn from other students in a group setting - and how to facilitate that as a teacher
Episode Links & Resources:
Join Workshops that WOW
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
There are four basic types of yoga workshops that have a proven track record for consistently attracting students anywhere in the world. In this episode, Mado explains each type in detail including why you might choose one over the other and the upsides and downsides each.
Episode Highlights:
- The different kinds of yoga workshops and which ones tend to get a lot of registrations.
- How to decide which type of workshop is right for you.
- The best ways to promote the different types of workshops.
- Tips for collaborating with another person on a workshop.
Episode Links & Resources:
Join Workshops that WOW
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Social media can be a great tool but it can also be a detriment to mental health. In this on-air coaching call, Kathy, a kid’s yoga teacher trainer shares her strategy for bypassing social media to reach her customers more directly.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- How to balance the benefits and the drawbacks of technology
- Old-school marketing strategies
- How & why to survey your students
- Offering more to existing students vs finding new students
- Why it’s important to think through the customer journey for your students
- How to create a membership from work you’ve already created
- Ways to build a membership without needing to promote all the time
- How to reduce time spent on customer service
- How much notice to provide when changing up your services
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Kathy Aruna Humphrys’ websites: Young Yoga Masters & Ambassador Yoga
Zoom
WordPress
If you'd like to be featured in an on-air coaching call, email your topic idea to mado@teachingyoga.net.
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn to bridge the gap between your social media following and your email subscribers with Mado in this on-air coaching call. Christy is a yoga teacher who teaches inclusive yoga for bigger bodies. She’s found an audience for her message on Instagram but isn’t sure how to translate that following into email subscribers and course sales.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Why Christy hated yoga the first time she tried it … and what convinced her to give it another shot.
- How to transition social media followers into email subscribers
- Ways to repurpose content you’ve already created for your emails
- Tips for using email to launch courses, events and workshops
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
ConvertKit Creator Marketing Platform
Follow Christy Calahan on Instagram @chubbylotusyoga
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
What do you (actually) need to invest in when you start a yoga business? Business owners are the target of a seemingly endless number of services trying to convince you that their product is essential for your success. In this episode, Mado helps you figure out what’s essential and what can wait.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Mistakes to avoid when investing in the early stages of your business
- The hidden downsides to free services
- What is entity formation and when should you do it?
- Why it’s crucial to create separation between business assets and personal assets and the inexpensive services that make it easy
- When to invest in a website and how to get started
- Three pieces of tech you need in order to send marketing emails
- The type of support that is worth the investment at different stages of your business
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Asana Business Management Tool
Previous YTR episodes on Email Marketing: Episode 16 & Episode 67
Which email marketing platforms have the best deliverability rates
Canva (sign up through this affiliate link to support the podcast at no cost to you)
Previous YTR episodes on Websites: Episode 5, Episode 220, Episode 221, Episode 222 & Episode 223
Learn more about the Impact Club
Previous YTR episode: Is Coaching Worth it for a New Yoga Teacher?
Yoga Teacher Resource - Recommended Resources
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Learn how to bring more peer support into your life. Sheri, John, and Allison are a group of yoga teachers that found each other online and have been supporting each other since the height of the pandemic. Mado also shares how she taps into peer support and what to look for when starting your own collaborations.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Why peer to peer support is so important, yet often overlooked
- Different ways to tap into peer support
- How to start and run a peer support group
- Best practices for collaborating with peers
- What to look for in your collaborative partners
- Potential pitfalls to avoid when engaging in a collaborative project
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Impact Club
Root to Rise Yoga Teacher Method - Sheri Fisher
Follow Root to Rise on social media @roottoriseyogis
Standing Room Only | How to be THAT Yoga Teacher - Sheri Fisher’s book
MBODY Yoga, MBODY.org & One Cake Wonder - John Cottrel
Yoga Teacher Conf - Allison Rissel
Gina Caputo
Libby Hinsley, Anatomy Bites & The Hypermobility Hub
Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga
Good Karma Works - Angela Sealy
OfferingTree
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Wish you knew how to lead yoga retreats that are stress free and well paid? In this episode, Mado & Lily draw from their upcoming online course Retreat Roadmap to share 3 key insights that will make the difference between your retreat feeling like an invigorating hike instead of a wild roller coaster ride. Whether you’re a seasoned retreat leader or a retreat leader wannabe, these tips will bolster your ability to create a profitable retreat business that thrives over the long term.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- How Covid cancellations inspired Lily to re-vamp her retreat policies and ended up as a win/win for her and her students.
- The two reasons your boundaries get violated - and how to respond to each
- How a clear and complete contract can build trust and connection with your students
- The four-step system that puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes to promoting your retreat.
- How to layer incentive strategies to double your retreat bookings.
- One key asset to bridge the gap between interest and commitment (you’re probably overlooking it)
- An overview of what’s included inside the Retreat Roadmap online course
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Previous YTR episode Yoga Retreat Fundamentals with Lily Dwyer Begg
Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
For the 5th Anniversary of this podcast, Mado shares what she would do differently if she had a do-over at several pivotal points in her teaching career.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Four simple habits to build as a new yoga teacher
- Some of the differences in being a new yoga teacher in 2005 vs today
- One thing I regret putting off for five years
- How to specialize when you have no idea about a niche
- How to make friends with social media
- What to focus on first if you’re looking to scale your business
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Anatomy Bites
Tell me what you would do differently at SpeakPipe
Previous podcast episode: How to Start, Nurture and Grow Your Email List
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Let’s talk about alignment. Some teachers center their entire teaching technique around alignment, while others argue that it does more harm than good and that students should be encouraged to explore asanas in a more open-ended way. In this episode, Mado shares how her own relationship to the concept of alignment has evolved over the past 20 years and her thoughts about how alignment can be both useful and potentially harmful.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Mado’s personal experience with alignment
- Definitions of alignment and how they have led to confusion in the yoga world.
- Common claims that yoga teachers make about alignment - and where they go wrong.
- How alignment might help prevent injury - and how it might contribute to injuries.
- The relationship between alignment and stress.
- Three components of alignment and how they can benefit your asana practice
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Anatomy Bites
Follow Jill Miller on Instagram
Tune Up Fitness (Jill Miller’s company)
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Yoga Nidra is an aspect of yoga that is accessible to a wide variety of people - including children. Rina Deshpande, author of Yoga Nidra Lullaby shares the practice of yoga nidra from a cultural, practical and neuroscientific perspective.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Rina’s experience with yoga as a child
- What is yoga nidra
- How devices impact our nervous system
- Neuroscience and different forms of rest
- A pocket version of yoga nidra
- A reading from Yoga Nidra Lullaby
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Follow Rina Deshpande on Instagram @rinathepoet
Follow Rina the Poet on Facebook
Rina Deshpande’s website
Yoga Nidra Lullaby, can be purchased here
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Is teaching online the right choice for you now that the pandemic is over? In this week’s on-air coaching call, Anna questions about teaching online. She lives in a small community and worries that she has already maxed out her student base. Is teaching online the answer or are there still untapped opportunities in person?
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- The pros and cons of teaching online
- When is teaching online a good option
- The big picture of how to make a yoga business sustainable
- Why is it so hard to charge for what we offer?
- How to raise your rates without making your classes inaccessible
- The “Winnie Mish List” exercise
- Whether or not to combine yoga with other modalities
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Being a yoga teacher is harder than it looks from the outside! All yoga teachers go through periods of time when they question their choices and consider quitting. If you can relate, listen to this episode to expand your perspective and feel confident in your decision.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Why quitting should always be on the table
- How to measure success as a yoga teacher
- The most common cause of yoga teacher burnout
- How capitalism influences our experience as yoga teachers
- When taking a break or quitting is a good idea
- How to approach a teaching career with staying power
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
How relevant are yoga’s ancient texts for the modern yoga practitioner? Chase Bossart shares insights on yoga philosophy, ancient texts, and the meaning of practice from his years as a private student of Mr. TKV Desikachar.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- The role of philosophy and yoga’s ancient texts for a modern practitioner
- How the traditional meaning and purpose of yoga practice differ from how it’s usually practiced today
- The paths of yoga and how they differ from yoga styles as we think of them today
- The main thing Chase believes is missing from modern yoga
- The economics of teaching & taking private yoga
- Why the Yoga Well Institute offers yoga practitioner training instead of teacher training
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Yoga Well Institute
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Is offering a yoga retreat in your future? Lily Dwyer Begg shares tips and practical strategies to help you avoid rookie mistakes and run your very first retreat like a pro.
Episode Highlights:
- Benefits of leading and attending retreats
- How to choose a location and retreat center
- How to plan for safety and avoid major mishaps
- Logistics for leading retreats when you have a family
- Tips for creating a sacred transformational container
- How to plan your curriculum and activities
- The one question to ask yourself before leading your first retreat
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
You can find Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg
Lily's website
Attend Lily’s upcoming retreat in Mexico with a $250 discount: use code MEXICOSUN at checkout. Visit: www.lilydwyerbeggyoga.com/retreats/mexicojoy
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
How do you know if you’re ready for a coach? With coaches for yoga teachers popping up all over the place, you might wonder whether or not coaching is worthwhile for a new teacher. Let’s dig beneath the marketing hype to understand what a coach actually does and how to decide whether or not you want one.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- What a coach can (and cannot) do
- How transformation happens
- How to decide whether or not you are ready for a coach
- Coaching vs education
- How to get the most from a coaching relationship
- Individual coaching vs group coaching
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Impact Club
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Even experienced yoga teachers struggle with self-doubt! In this on-air coaching call, long-time yoga teacher Elyce asks for permission to focus on growth in her business. This vulnerable and relatable conversation touches on raising prices, changing goals, taking risks, and trusting that growth is inevitable.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- How to interrupt stagnation
- Strategies for raising prices (when you haven’t done so recently)
- How much vulnerability to show your students
- Being a mean boss (to yourself)
- Integrating formulas + intuition
- How to make decisions in your business
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Ready to hire a web designer? Or on the fence about whether or not you are ready? In this final installment of the website miniseries, Angela and I unpack the ins and outs of hiring someone to create your website.
Episode Highlights:
- Is investing in a website right for you?
- Budget: what to expect in early 2023
- How to vet a designer
- Time investment for DIY vs using a developer
- The importance of branding and how it relates to your website
- How long does it take to have a website built by a professional?
- Managing expectations and the importance of communication
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Angela Sealy’s Website - Good Karma Works
Good Karma Works on Instagram
Good Karma Works on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Don’t speak tech? Every website you see is made up of multiple components and you need a basic understanding of them in order to make good decisions for your business. If tech speak sounds like Greek to you, this episode will help you understand what’s going on behind the scenes of your website. We’ll also go over the pros and cons of some of the most popular website platforms.
Episode Highlights:
- The difference between domains, hosting, and platforms
- The importance of choosing the right platform
- Pros and cons of each platform and are they right for you
- Which platform do we recommend for tech-phobic beginners
- Which platform do we recommend if you’re ambitious and want the room to grow
- How templates and themes fit into the website ecosystem
- The case for investing in a premium theme
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Wix
Squarespace
WordPress
OfferingTree
Elementor
Divi
Upwork
Fiverr
Angela Sealy’s Website - Good Karma Works
Good Karma Works on Instagram
Good Karma Works on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Now that you’ve created a website that looks good, the next question is how do you get people to visit? Angela and Mado explore different ways to approach getting traffic to your website and then converting that traffic to sales.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- What is a conversion and why is it important for your website?
- The first thing you need to do when creating a sales strategy for your website
- How to spend your time, energy, and money wisely when it comes to website traffic
- Strategies for website traffic that don’t require social media
- The importance of data and analytics
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Angela Sealy’s Website - Good Karma Works
Good Karma Works on Instagram
Good Karma Works on Facebook
LINKS & RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Do you feel website shame? Have you created a frankensite? Join Angela and Mado as they take a deep dive into some tips and tricks to make a website you can share with pride.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- What is website shame and how to avoid it
- Why making a template look good is harder than it seems
- How to manage expectations of your website
- The most important components of your website
- Simple Do’s and Don’ts to make a better website
- The last thing to do before you launch your website
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Angela Sealy’s Website - Good Karma Works
Good Karma Works on Instagram
Good Karma Works on Facebook
LINKS & RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
The episodes in this playlist delve into yoga's philosophical roots - and their relevance for today's yoga teacher. Have a listen to the playlist here.
The playlist consists of:
Ep 58: Lessons on Burnout and Spiritual Bypassing from The Bhagavad Gita w/ Kaya MindlinEp 62: Why do we Study the Yoga Sutras?Ep 65: Yoga Energetics w/ Kelly GoldenEp 97: Yoga's Internal Practices w/ Jerome SmithEp 134: Teaching and DharmaEp 141: Business & EthicsEp 181: The Yoga Sutras in 2022 w/ Jivana Heyman
LINKS & RESOURCES
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Kaya’s Bhagavad Gita Course
The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali: A Biography by David Gordon White
Jerome’s website mipsm.org
Sign up for Mado’s email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Learn more about the Impact Club
Learn about Jivana’s book Yoga Revolution
Accessible Yoga Association
Explore the ethics of charging for yoga classes plus practical considerations for how to price your classes & offerings including justice pricing models. Listen to the playlist here.
The playlist consists of:
Ep 28: Yoga & Money: An InquiryEp 30: How to Price Your OfferingsEp 129: Money, Purpose, & Freedom w/ Chioma NjokuEp 134: Teaching and DhamaEp 144: The Ethics of Charging for YogaEp 150: Sliding Scale Pricing Options w/ Nyk Danu
LINKS & RESOURCES
Take the interactive pricing for yoga teachers quiz
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado’s email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Chioma’s website The Mindful Bookkeeper
Find out more about my one on one coaching
The blog Nyk refers to in the episode about why sliding scale might be right for you: http://www.wortsandcunning.com/blog/sliding-scale
Become part of the Impact Club
What does it take to plan an excellent yoga class? How much planning is too much? This playlist will get you started with everything class planning and sequencing. You can listen to the playlist here.
The playlist consists of:
Ep 34: Plan Your Classes Like a Pro - Part 1Ep 35: Plan Your Classes Like a Pro - Part 2Ep 48: Sequencing Warm UpsEp 91: How to Sequence a 20 Minute Demo ClassEp 122: Planning Classes & Workshops w/ Nancy GersteinEp 158: Four Ways to Theme your ClassesEp 163: How to Adapt your Classes for Different Bodies w/ Libby Hinsley
LINKS & RESOURCES
Get a downloadable list of 100 yoga class themes when you sign up for my email list.
Get personalized help with your class planning by booking a strategy session.
Get a free downloadable cheat sheet based on this episode when you sign up for my email list.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook group to get advice from other teachers.
Anatomy Bites Membership
Yoga for Bendy People – the book
Learn the ins and outs of teaching in a workshop format. Listen to the playlist here.
The playlist consists of:
Ep 84: The Difference Between Classes & Workshops Ep 86: 4 Types of Successful Yoga Workshops Ep 87: How to Get the Word out About your Workshop Ep 206: How to Create Interactive Workshops Ep 207: How to Boost Workshop Attendance Ep 208: How to Teach Better Workshops
LINKS & RESOURCES
Workshops That WOW
The Impact Club
Freebie for listeners: Get a free download of 100 yoga workshop ideas when you sign up for Mado’s email list.
Learn how to talk about your work in a way that lands with the people you want to teach. Specialization or niche is one (often misunderstood) tool for clarifying your message. Have a listen to the playlist here.
The playlist consists of:
Ep 14: Find and Nurture your Ideal Yoga Students Ep 15: Choose a Niche that Aligns with your Passions, Values, & Aspirations Ep 77: Why New Students Don’t Return to your Class Ep 99: Why your Marketing Isn't Working & How to Fix It Ep 152: 2 Ingredients of Niche Ep 126: How to Name your Offering
LINKS & RESOURCES
The Impact Club membership
Book single strategy session with Mado
1 on 1 business coaching
Namaste In Nature
The way you think about your teaching and yourself makes an impact on your students. This playlist covers some of the more frequent ways yoga teachers struggle with mindset issues and how to address them from the perspective of yoga philosophy. Listen to the playlist here.
The playlist consists of:
Ep 32: On Being Nervous Ep 42: Self Doubt and Impostor Syndrome Ep 44: Building Confidence as a Yoga Teacher Ep 96: Taking Yourself Seriously as a Yoga Teacher Ep180: How to Overcome Fear & Doubt Ep 198: Yoga Objections & How to Address Them Ep 195: Teaching Yoga is a High Stress Career Ep 204: Authentic Teaching when Times get Tough
LINKS & RESOURCES
The Impact Club membership
Book single strategy session with Mado
1 on 1 business coaching
Thinking Fast & Slow – By Daniel Kahneman
Brush up on the basics of running a sustainable yoga business. This playlist is designed for yoga teachers who are new to business. You may be a very experienced teacher or also new to teaching. Enjoy this playlist that will get you up to speed on the beginning steps and foundational concepts of running a yoga business.
The playlist consists of:
Ep 43: Foundations of a Yoga Business Ep 56: Branding Basics for Yoga Teachers w/ Miranda Peterson Ep 132: 6 Steps to Launch your Yoga Business Ep 148: 5 Steps to Attract Clients on Social Media Ep 183: How to Start, Nurture, & Grow your Email List Ep 182: 3 Mistakes to Avoid as a New Business Owner
LINKS & RESOURCES
Join the Plan for 2023: 5 Day Challenge
Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for a clarity call with Mado
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Get the printable checklist that goes with Episode 132 plus Mado’s top 5 tips to building a successful yoga business
Sign up for Mado’s email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Mini Training Email Magic
Learn more about the Impact Club
As yoga teachers, we spend a lot of time guiding our students through moving their bodies. Knowledge of the human body is one of the best tools we have to help us give our students a positive movement experience. Enjoy this playlist of episodes designed to help you make sense of the human body as it relates to yoga asana.
LINKS & RESOURCES
Anatomy Bites Membership Yoga for Bendy People
Dr Crystal Frazee website Graduate School Of Behavioral Health Sciences Breathing Basics Handout Breathing assessment worksheet *note- this worksheet is laid out as a diagnostic tool, however yoga teachers are not qualified to make diagnoses. If you download this worksheet, you agree to use this for your own education and as a tool to evaluate whether or not to refer a client or student to a clinician for diagnosis.
5 Things You Should Know About the Psoas Major – Free Download
Have you ever wanted to write a book? Three years ago, Kate Lynch dropped a bombshell in an on-air coaching call: a publisher had invited her to write a book. In this episode we check back in with Kate about how things have progressed since her last episode.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- The steps Kate took to go from the “idea” stage to a finished product
- Types of accountability that helped Kate complete such a long term project
- The biggest factor that led to a massively successful yoga retreat after her first one didn’t go so well
- How Kate streamlined her content creation and centered it around her book
- Lessons learned from the book writing process, and what Kate would do differently next time
- Why niches are tools and not rules
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Healthy Happy Yoga - Kate’s website
Kate’s book - “Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents”
LINKS & RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Have you ever wanted to write a book? Three years ago, Kate Lynch dropped a bombshell in an on-air coaching call: a publisher had invited her to write a book. In this episode we check back in with Kate about how things have progressed since her last episode.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- The steps Kate took to go from the “idea” stage to a finished product
- Types of accountability that helped Kate complete such a long term project
- The biggest factor that led to a massively successful yoga retreat after her first one didn’t go so well
- How Kate streamlined her content creation and centered it around her book
- Lessons learned from the book writing process, and what Kate would do differently next time
- Why niches are tools and not rules
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Healthy Happy Yoga - Kate’s website
Kate’s book - “Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents”
LINKS & RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Have you ever wondered if you have created a niche that might be too narrow? Kate Lynch is a long time yoga practitioner, yoga teacher, and mother of a special needs child. While she has a lot of clarity about exactly who she wants to work with, she also has concerns that her niche is too specific and that it could make things difficult in terms of growing her yoga business. Listen to this on-air coaching call to find out what advice Mado offers about Kate’s niche and how to get over the fear of taking big steps.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- How having a narrow niche usually plays out in a fledgling business
- Dealing with fear and anxiety as it relates to business and making big decisions
- Overcoming the obstacle of asking for money for services in markets that are resistant or uninformed as to the value you offer
- The pros and cons of in-person or online options
- Strategizing and prioritizing larger projects like writing a book, blogging, podcasting, and planning retreats.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
What does it mean to live your yoga? In this episode, I share my journey from being primarily focused on asana to my current integrated approach to practice.
Episode Highlights:
- How and why I first started practicing yoga
- How teaching yoga contributed to my changing relationship with my personal practice
- What happened when the lineage I was studying exploded in scandal
- 3 ways of knowing from yoga philosophy & how that relates to your practice
- Two complementary approaches to living your yoga
- Three tips to make a living yoga practice more helpful
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Have you ever wished you could charge more for your time, take vacations, and focus your classes on the aspects of yoga you are most passionate about? Ashley Zuberi shares how she took control of her schedule and her income using a series class format.
Episode Highlights:
- How the pandemic changed the way Ashely teaches and why she’s sticking with her new format.
- Why taking vacations is important for long term sustainability.
- The difference between being an “educator” and an “instructor”.
- How to grow an online audience.
- Ashley’s 2 part formula for sustainable growth.
- The optimal length for series classes.
- How far ahead to market your series.
- The balance between marketing and teaching.
Episode Links & Resources:
Inhale Thrive website
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Want to make your yoga classes and studios more inclusive? We often talk about how to adapt for students with physical limitations or injuries, but what about people with different cultural backgrounds and beliefs? Dawn Rivers is the first BIPOC woman to own a yoga studio in Ohio, and she’s also a Christian. In today’s episode, she shares experiences from her personal yoga journey as well as insights around embracing cultural differences as a yoga professional.
Episode Highlights:
- Why yoga studios can sometimes feel exclusionary to BIPOC students, and tips for making your classes more inclusive.
- How Dawn’s former life as a librarian influences her yoga teaching.
- How Dawn balances the spirituality of yoga with her religious faith.
- How tropes and stereotypes show up in yoga classes and why they feel harmful to students.
- How active listening and conversation contribute to safer spaces.
Episode Links & Resources:
Dawn Rivers's website
Daybreak Yoga
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
Does gender matter when it comes to cueing? A podcast listener called in to ask if she should cue men differently around the hips and hamstrings. In addition to answering the specific question, Mado’s answer touches on how yoga teachers can best navigate the rapidly changing landscape of sex and gender.
Episode Highlights:
- Different definitions of the word man - and how they might impact a yoga practice.
- The value of recognizing & questioning assumptions
- Population trends vs individual variation
- How to adjust classes to be inclusive of different body types
- How to handle discussions about sensitive body parts
- How hormones may affect a yoga practice
- How socialization may affect a yoga practice
- What to focus on when it comes to inclusive cues
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe
What are some ways to help a student with a hip labral tear? In this episode, Dr. Libby Hinsley explains how a labral tear can affect yoga asana practice and how to support students who have them while staying in your scope of practice.
Episode Highlights:
- What are labral tears and what are the symptoms?
- How labral tears are diagnosed - and why a true diagnosis can be problematic
- Treatment options for hip labral tears
- Connections between asana practice, hypermobility syndromes, and hip labral tear prevalence.
- How yoga asana can exacerbate the risk of hip labral tears.
- How yoga asana can support the healing of hip labral tears.
- Tips for teaching standing balance postures in a way that will benefit all your students, including those with labral tears.
Episode Links & Resources:
Visit Anatomy Bites
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Should we modify spinal flexion for osteoporosis? Osteoporosis affects approximately 20% of women over the age of 50 and increases the risk of bone fractures. In this episode, Dr. Libby Hinsley and I continue our 3 part mini-series highlighting common medical conditions.
Episode Highlights:
- What is osteoporosis, how to treat it, and how to prevent it.
- Why many people don’t get diagnosed with osteoporosis until after they fracture a bone.
- The three most common locations for osteoporosis, and how this might affect a yoga practice.
- Whether or not to modify yoga practices for higher risk students who do not have an osteoporosis diagnosis.
- How osteoporosis is different from other common medical conditions that are likely to show up in your yoga classes.
Episode Links & Resources:
Visit Anatomy Bites
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Students often share scary sounding diagnoses with their yoga teachers and expect us to know what they are - and how to modify for them. Today’s episode is the first of a mini series about some of the most common conditions that will show up in a yoga classroom. Dr. Libby Hinsley demystifies the misleading diagnosis of “degenerative disc disease” - and shares the tools you will need as a yoga teacher to confidently help any student who tells you they have it.
Episode Highlights:
- How your back is like a Jelly Doughnut!
- What IS “degenerative disc” and what impact should it have on your practice?
- The relationship between bulging, slipped, and herniated discs (hint - one of these isn’t a real thing).
- The prevalence of spinal abnormalities - and how worried we should be if they show up on imaging.
- The relationship between degenerative disc disease and backbends.
- Nerve compression symptoms and how to modify for them.
Episode Links & Resources:
Visit Anatomy Bites
Other Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Impostor syndrome doesn’t have to hold you back. Nearly all of us experience paralyzing self-doubt at some point in our lives. In this week’s on air coaching call, we’ll explore ways to change our perspective and turn self-doubt into self-expansion.
Episode Highlights:
- Why impostor syndrome is not your enemy.
- How your practice can help you heal and transform self-doubt.
- What your “Internal Family System” has to do with impostor syndrome, and taking action in moments of doubt.
- How your shadow parts are trying to help you.
- When it’s time to talk to a therapist about going “down the rabbit hole”.
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Yoga Teacher Resource courses
Psychology Today
Are your ideas for teaching realistic? There is a lot to improve upon in the ways that yoga is currently offered. However, idealistic visions will eventually run into real world circumstances. In this on air coaching call, we explore Nev’s vision for teaching and brainstorm ways to reconcile the essence of it with what is sustainable given her circumstances.
Episode Highlights:
- Ideas for teaching yoga in a format that is deeper and more authentic than the usual drop in class format.
- The pros and cons of having a physical space to teach out of and considerations for renting vs buying.
- Qualities of sustainable micro-studios.
- How to reconcile your vision for teaching with the circumstances of your life.
- How to determine the financial viability of your yoga business idea.
- How to begin bringing your vision to life using a minimum viable offer.
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Facilitation skills are essential for a memorable workshop. No matter how well you know your topic, your workshop will flop if you don’t understand how to keep your students engaged. Learn the different ways workshop presenters often go wrong and how to avoid these pitfalls to teach better workshops.
Episode Highlights:
- Four strategies to capture your students’ attention and engage them in the learning process
- Common presentation mistakes and how to turn them into strengths
- How to plan your workshops so that you cover what you promised and leave enough time for closure at then end.
- How to make your workshop memorable so your students feel excited for your next event.
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Podcast Episode 198 - Yoga Objections and How to Address Them
Join Workshops that WOW
Curious about how to boost attendance at your workshop? In this episode I offer simple strategies to help you create workshops without the worry of needing to cancel due to low attendance.
Episode Highlights:
- The two most important factors for healthy workshop attendance
- How to find out what topics your students will find appealing
- How to choose the right title for your workshop
- Four essential qualities for your workshop promotion
- How to make your workshops an easy ‘yes!’
- Considerations for working with a studio vs producing your own workshops
- When and how often to promote your workshop
- A powerful way to boost the effectiveness of your promotion
- Minimum numbers and when to cancel
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Join Workshops that WOW
The best workshops are interactive. They engage the student on multiple levels and with multiple senses. In this episode, I’ll share some tips and strategies for leading interactive workshops.
Episode Highlights:
- The balance between moving vs lecturing in a workshop
- When visual aids and other assets are useful and when they are not
- Different types of workshops assets and how to decide which to use (if any)
- How grouping your students in different sized groups helps to create interaction
- Why we learn from other students in a group setting - and how to facilitate that as a teacher
Links & Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Ever wonder what programs to offer next or the best way to talk about your work? Market research is a powerful strategy that helps you tap into the minds and hearts of the people you are trying to help. This helps you create the right programs, at the right time, with the right messaging. The best way for yoga teachers to implement this strategy is to interview your current students.
Episode Highlights:
- Why talking about your work is challenging
- Why it’s important to find out your students wants and needs from their own perspectives
- Different methods of market research including pros and cons of each
- Key questions to help you learn what’s actually relevant to your teaching
- What to do with the answers after you get them
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast
When your personal life falls apart, how much should you share with your students? There’s a fine line between being authentic and oversharing. In this week’s episode, we discuss specific guidelines and benchmarks to help you navigate staying real when times get tough.
Episode Highlights:
- Why your teaching might actually improve during difficult times
- A simple test to help you decide whether or not to share your challenges with your students
- How to know if it’s time to take a break from teaching
- The difference between authenticity and oversharing
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Related Episodes
How to balance being real vs. being positive
How to Teach as the World Falls Apart
Burnout is real and it can show up for a multitude of reasons. Have a listen to this week’s podcast episode to learn why it might happen to a long time yoga teacher and how to turn things around when it happens.
Episode Highlights:
- Reasons you might be feeling sparkless and how to find your spark
- 3 Strategies to help reinvigorate your passion for teaching
- The hidden messages behind feeling blah about your teaching
- How your students can help you remember the why behind your offerings
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Have you had days where you feel like you want to throw in the towel and quit teaching yoga? You are not alone! Teaching yoga can be a stressful high demand career and burnout is a real possibility. Listen for strategies on what to do when you feel like giving up.
Episode Highlights:
- Reasons you feel defeated and think about giving up.
- 4 tools to use on those days you feel you can’t teach anymore
- How your personal practice can help.
- How testimonials can help.
- How to reconnect to your vision and purpose to re-ignite your passion for teaching
Links & Resources
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Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Leave me a message on Speak Pipe
How can we balance growing a business with life’s other responsibilities? Mado shares a bit about her story in creating the Yoga Teacher Resource and shares tips and strategies for hiring help to grow your business sustainably.
Episode Highlights:
- Balancing motherhood or a full time job and entrepreneurship
- How to find time to work on your business when you have other responsibilities
- How and when to hire help
- One avoidable mistake you can avoid when starting your business
- Strategies having more control over your time
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Ask a question for the podcast
Questioning your assumptions and conditionings around gender is not only important to those who are gender non conforming but it’s also a gift to yourself. Enjoy this discussion on rethinking gender with May Nicholson.
Episode Highlights:
- Language and behaviors that require conversations
- What brave space is and how to create it
- The use of affirming language
- The harm caused by a strict gender binary - and the benefits of questioning it, no matter how you identify
- How our culture will understand sex and gender in the future
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Leave a review on Itunes
Follow Maygen on Instagram @maygennicholson
Sign up for Maygen’s newsletter
Embrace Yoga's Roots by Susanna Barkataki
Follow Susanna on Instagram @susannabarkataki
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
Follow Alok on Instagram @alokvmenon
A Queer Dharma by Jacoby Ballard
Jacoby’s website
Follow Jacoby on Instagram @jacobyballard
Trans Yoga Project
www.transyogaproject.com
Follow Trans Yoga Project on Instagram @transyogaproject
Transgender Training Institute
Follow Transgender Training Institute on Instagram @trans_training_institute
Tristan Katz
Follow Tristan on Instagram @tristankatzcreative
Allé K
Follow Allé on Instagram @transyogateacher
Terra Anderson
Follow Terra on Instagram @embodyemerge
Check Your Privilege: Live Into the Work by Myisha Hill
Ever been told that hypermobile people shouldn’t practice yoga? Yoga is not bad for bendy people, but there are different considerations for people with hypermobile joints. Dr. Libby Hinsley, author of Yoga for Bendy People joins us to debunk some myths and talk about the ways that yoga is amazing for bendy people.
Episode Highlights:
- Hypermobility basics - what does it actually mean to be bendy?
- Unique needs for bendy people in Asana practice
- Alternatives to passive stretching that work better for bendy people
- What yoga practice injuries are telling us
- Libby’s new book, Yoga for Bendy People
Links & Resources
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Leave a review on Itunes
Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
Libby Hinsley’s website
Yoga for Bendy People - The Course
Learn to correct common misunderstandings about yoga. As teachers we have an important role to play in improving the public perception of yoga. In this episode, you will learn the most common misconceptions that prevent people from trying yoga, why yoga is misunderstood in the wider culture, and what you can do about it as a yoga teacher.
Episode Highlights:
- 4 misunderstandings that make (some) people resistant to yoga
- Tips for sharing what yoga is really about
- How incorrect public perceptions of yoga spread and solidify
- Why hearing an objection about yoga is an opportunity and a gift
- Mini scripts to help you speak clearly about yoga
Links & Resources
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Thinking Fast & Slow - By Daniel Kahneman
Learn how one yoga teacher built her business online during the pandemic with YouTube as her outreach strategy. Berenice Miles shares how she learned to stand out in the noise of the online yoga world, why consistency matters, and why it’s not too late to get started with YouTube.
Episode Highlights:
- How to connect with your students without people pleasing
- Mistakes to avoid when putting your content online
- Easy ways to improve video quality
- Channels for marketing your YouTube content
- The single most important strategy for making great yoga videos.
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Leave a review on Itunes
Berenice’s YouTube Channel
Berenice’s Website
Berenice’s Facebook Page
Berenice’s Facebook Group
Learn effective practices for creating consistency and sustainable motivation through accountability. This mini training will support you to take inspired but imperfect action toward your goals.
Episode Highlights:
- How to tell you if you need accountability
- The neurobiology and benefits of accountability
- Support structures for discipline, willpower and self control
- 2 main types accountability and 3 sub-types
- Best practices for peer accountability groups
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Leave a review on Itunes
Teaching yoga is an incredibly rewarding way to make a living. It’s also far more demanding and stressful than people imagine. If you often feel overwhelmed or stressed as a yoga teacher, you are not alone. In this episode, I’ll talk about the evolution of teaching yoga and why it has become a lot more stressful in the past decade. I’ll also share some thoughts about how to build a sustainable relationship with teaching that honors your values and the roots of yoga.
Episode Highlights:
- How our roles and expectations as yoga teachers have changed drastically over past decade (in both positive and detrimental ways.)
- How social media specifically has changed what yoga teachers expect of themselves.
- The rise of impostor syndrome and how to change your relationship to it.
- The many skill sets needed to thrive as a yoga teacher
- The evolution of teacher training and my vision for what might come next
Links & Resources
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Leave a review on Itunes
Focus & Flow
Attention and focus play a vital role in yoga teaching and practice - but they are increasingly scarce resources in today’s world. Whether or not you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, your ability to pay attention and focus falls somewhere on a spectrum. If you get distracted easily or need help prioritizing, meditation and simple changes in your environment can help.
Episode Highlights:
- Dharana, dhyana and managing sensory input
- The difference between attention and focus
- ADHD as a spectrum plus why I think the condition is over-represented among yoga teachers.
- Misconceptions about meditation that might prevent you from receiving the benefits of practice.
- Different types of meditation and how they train different types of focus.
Links & Resources
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Leave a review on Itunes
Focus & Flow
Skillfully prioritize your tasks to reduce overwhelm and build momentum towards your vision and goals. In this episode, you’ll learn a framework for deciding what to do in what order plus how to implement what you learn over the short and long term.
Episode Highlights:
- The difference between a task and a goal
- Which tasks to eliminate and why
- Vision, goals and values
- How to think of your yoga teaching as a business
- Procrastination and ADHD
- How to take control of your schedule, set boundaries and be more efficient
- Tips to build awareness and make more deliberate decisions
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Focus & Flow
Is your schedule unmanageable? Learn how to optimize your time to support your goals, growth, and wellbeing.
Episode Highlights:
- How to take advantage of your brain power when it’s fresh
- The number one thing to prioritize as a yoga teacher
- Why you need day(s) off with no teaching
- The key to accomplishing what’s most important
- How to organize your time for creativity and focus
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
When, Why & How to Hire a VA
Focus & Flow
How do the koshas relate to teaching yoga to people with back pain? Lillah Schwartz shares wisdom from her 40 plus years of teaching and advises an integrated, multi-layered approach.
Episode Highlights:
- Different paths to discovering imbalances in your body
- The koshas as entry points to attention and integration
- The damaging forces of modern culture and how to remedy them
- Why flexibility is not the primary goal of yoga
- The importance of pause and patience
- 4 steps to identify sensation in your practice and what it’s telling you
Links & Resources
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Leave a review on Itunes
Lillah’s website
Free resources from Lillah
Do you have a mixed relationship with social media? Hear Mado’s experience with taking a social media break and consider if you’d like to take a break of your own.
Episode Highlights:
- Where to start if you want to take a break from social
- What you’ll learn from your off screen time
- How to prepare for a social media break
- How to be present in your business without having to be live
- Conscious ways to replace social media
- My top 5 takeaways from choosing to abstain from social media for 30 days
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Link to sign up for social media hiatus cheatsheet
Focus & Flow
The Artist’s Way
Building your identity as a teacher takes time. In this episode Sarah Powers, creator of insight yoga, shares about her journey as a teacher, including the early days of yin yoga. Listen for inspiration to build a relationship with your practice so you can feel genuine confidence in your inner teacher.
Episode Highlights:
- Sarah’s journey into teaching, including the early days of yin yoga when very few people were interested in such a quiet practice.
- Patterns and rhythms for a practice
- How Advaita vedanta, buddhism, and daoism have influenced Sarah’s teaching
- Common misunderstandings about Yin yoga
- Practices to bridge the physical and spiritual
Links & Resources
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Leave a review on Itunes
Sarah’s website (books, retreats and more)
Thinking about a 300 hour teacher training? Listen in on this conversation about the purpose of a 300 hour YTT, who it’s for and what to consider when choosing a training.
Episode Highlights:
- How long to wait after taking a 200 hour training to take a 300
- The difference between a 200 hour and 300 hour training
- How to choose a 300 hour training
- What to expect from a 300 hour YTT
- Pros and cons of live vs on demand learning
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Healing comes when we turn toward our discomfort instead of away from it. Michelle Cassandra Johnson, author and social justice activist discusses the intersection of social justice and yoga and the importance of accepting emotional pain.
Episode Highlights:
- Barriers to dismantling racism and how to break them
- The hazard of bypassing and how to recognize it in yourself
- Ways that we can investigate the different layers of who we are
- How to accept imperfection
- Tools for approaching discomfort with openness
- Why your yoga practice is about checking IN not checking OUT
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Leave a review on Itunes
Michelle’s podcast
Michelle’s Website
Win a copy of Skill in Action
Have you heard of “nocebic” language? Learn the way our brains react to expectation, why it’s important to notice fear based language and how to transform your words to empower your students.
Episode Highlights:
- How to help your students feel confident and inspired to be in charge of their bodies.
- The importance of looking for what’s right instead of what’s wrong
- Scope of practice and boundaries in the yoga class setting
- Psychological and physiological power of messaging in yoga
- What you can do to nip fear based language in the bud
- How learning anatomy helps yoga teachers evaluate their cues and language
Links & Resources
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Leave a review on Itunes
Anatomy Bites
Libby’s Website
Are you a very experienced yoga teacher? Learn how to develop a long term strategy for your business that honors your decades of investment.
Episode Highlights:
- Why you need to know basic business strategy as a yoga teacher
- How business connects to yoga philosophy
- Different forms of help that can support your business
- How to create and organize a framework for your business
- Strategies to make sure your work receives the attention it deserves
- Why spending money can help you make money
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
3 Phases of Teaching Mastery
How to Make More Money Teaching Yoga - Part 1
How to Make More Money Teaching Yoga - Part 2
FLIGHT SCHOOL
Thinking Fast and Slow - by Daniel Kahneman
Are you an experienced yoga teacher? Learn how to optimize your time and energy so that you can earn more and transition to full time teaching (if that’s your goal).
Episode Highlights:
- How setting boundaries can reduce stress
- Opportunities and challenges you might find as an experienced yoga teacher
- The benefit of separating teaching, content creation and admin work
- How (& why) to raise your prices
- Tips for preserving more creativity and energy
- How to gather and analyze data to support decision making
- How specializing can help you earn more with your teaching
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
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Leave a review on Itunes
The 3 Stages of Teaching Mastery
How to Make More Money Teaching Yoga - Part 1
How to Make More Money Teaching Yoga - Part 3
Minimum hourly rate calculator
The difference between classes and workshops
Workshops that WOW
FLIGHT SCHOOL
Are you a fledgling yoga teacher? Learn what to focus on when you’re just starting out if you’re hoping to earn more with your teaching. Plus why fear, doubt and imposter syndrome aren’t necessarily a bad thing when you’re a new teacher.
Episode Highlights:
- Common worries of a beginner teacher and how to navigate them
- Challenges and opportunities you might find during the fledgling stage
- How to build confidence in your teaching
- Your #1 job as a fledgling yoga teacher
- 3 ways to increase your income when you first start teaching
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
How to Make More Money Teaching Yoga - Part 2
How to Make More Money Teaching Yoga - Part 3
3 Phases of Teaching Mastery
4 types of successful workshops
Minimum hourly rate calculator
Need a roadmap for your yoga business? Learn why I created FLIGHT SCHOOL and what you’ll learn in the program in this module by module walk through of the course.
Episode Highlights:
- Who Flight School is for and not for
- The highlights of what’s included in the course
- What results you can expect when you complete Flight School
- Ethical business and how it relates to yoga
- Questions you need to ask if you want to make a living teaching yoga
- Why I created this course and who can benefit most from it
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Join FLIGHT SCHOOL
Hire a virtual assistant to spend more time doing things you love. Learn how to know when you’re ready to hire a VA, why hiring help can improve the quality of your work and life, and how to find your first or next VA .
Episode Highlights:
- What qualities to look for when hiring a virtual assistant
- Common fears that might hinder your ability to hire a VA
- 3 places to look for VA applicants
- How to on-board and train your new VA
- Considerations for how & how much to pay your VA
- How productivity systems can free up your time and energy
- Organization, communication, payment & contracts
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Contact Juzbi for VA help
Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt
Get step by step guidance productivity tracking in Flight School
Asana Project Management System
Voxer
Novo Online Small Business Banking
Email is the most important way to communicate with your students. Learn how to use your list in a way that cultivates long term loyal clients, plus hear my top tips you can use right away to improve your emails.
Episode Highlights:
- Which yoga teachers need an email list and which ones don’t
- The email marketing platform I recommend
- How to make your emails land in inboxes rather than spam
- Why you need to test out your lead magnets and freebies
- How theming can help you write your emails
- Essential elements of an effective email
- Advanced email marketing and the nitty gritty of ConvertKit email marketing platform
- Quick tips for email marketing that you can implement right away
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Sign up for Email Magic
Sign up for ConvertKit and get 1000 free subscribers (instead of the 300 you get if you sign up without my link)
More resources from YTR
Mistakes are unavoidable and often eye opening. Yet, there are some mistakes you don’t have to make. Mado outlines 3 avoidable, high risk mistakes that could keep you from realizing the full potential of your business.
Episode Highlights:
- How to make peace with your mess ups
- 3 high risk business mistakes and how you can avoid them
- The truth about making profit as a new business
- Why copying more established business owners can do more harm than good
- How to hold on to joy as you develop your business
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Leave a review on Itunes
Learn how Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras fit into today’s world. Jivana Heyman, founder and director of the Accessible Yoga Association and author of “Accessible Yoga” and “Yoga Revolution”, shares his perspective on the paradox of a life of service and self care and how we can respect spirituality within professionalism.
Episode Highlights:
- How to practice yoga in a capitalist culture
- Tapas in the context of the human mind
- What you can learn from turning toward discomfort
- How to practice the 8 Limbs of Yoga as a householder
- Power, social justice and simple ways to be of service
- Jivana’s new book, Yoga Revolution
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Learn about Jivana’s new book
Accessible Yoga Training School
Accessible Yoga Association
How do you stay aligned with your truth when times get tough? In this on air coaching call, Mado supports Shawna to listen to her inner teacher as she works through fear and doubt that comes up during times of transition.
Episode Highlights:
- Why we all need to practice gratitude in hard times
- What to do when you hit burnout
- How to trust your inner knowing and believe in yourself
- The importance of holding space for the whole spectrum of emotions
-
1 trick to stop people pleasing
- The relationship between control and suffering
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on Itunes
Learn how to incorporate private lessons into your yoga business. Francesca Cervero shares practical tips and strategies for yoga teachers who want to find private clients and improve their one on one teaching skills.
Episode Highlights:
- The benefits of private lessons over group classes
- Who should consider bringing private lessons into their business model
- How Francesca built from her first client to teaching over 20 private clients per week.
- Creative ways of offering personalized support
- How to get skeptics to try yoga
- The #1 thing you need to do when you teach private lessons
- What to do at your first session with a new client
- Strategies to teach your students vocabulary about their physical experience
- Boundaries to identify before starting your private yoga business
- How to figure out what you want to focus on with your one on one students and signs to notice when someone is ready to move forward
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Leave a review on Itunes
Get access to Francesa’s video series on teaching private yoga
A Framework for the First Session with a Private Yoga Student
Francesca's Website
Episodes from Francesca’s Podcast
23: The Support / Challenge Matrix of Private Yoga Lessons
92: Planning And Progress In Private Lessons (Q+A!)
Taking a break from teaching can be scary. How will you stay in touch with your students and will they be waiting for you when you return? In this on-air coaching call Mado helps Cari Moskow create a plan for supporting her students while she’s on maternity leave and streamline her offerings along the way.
Episode Highlights:
- Why taking breaks is important
- Rites of passage and releasing control
- Structures for online memberships and how to promote them
- Why you shouldn’t compare your membership to Glo
- When and how to reevaluate your rates
- How to lighten your load AND keep your clients
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Prenatal Yoga episode with Deb Flashenberg
The perfect yoga teacher doesn’t exist. We may know this on one level and still try to perform the idea of a yoga teacher rather than embody our own truth. Dagmar Spremberg shares her story of moving from comparison and impostor syndrome to sharing her gifts with confidence.
Episode Highlights:
- How Dagmar learned to trust her intuition.
- Why it’s helpful to practice telling your story
- The importance of community and sufficient time in teacher training
- Balancing vulnerability and leadership while holding the seat of the teacher
- Why you need to separate your personal practice from your teaching practice
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
Dagmar’s website
@montezumayoga
Learn 5 common mistakes that might be blocking you from achieving your goals and 3 tips for implementation to improve your chances for follow through. Set yourself up for success by creating achievable goals with a clear, actionable plan.
Episode Highlights:
- How dreams, wishes and visions are different from goals
- What you may be overlooking when it comes to your goals
- Quarterly goal setting, time tracking and other tools to improve productivity
- The power of consistency and specificity
- How to measure the achievability of your goals
- Why your goal needs a due date
- One simple question that will help you determine if a goal is too vague
- Layers of accountability
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Sign up for Start 2022 with a Plan
Overcome Overwhelm and Get Focused - Podcast Episode
Values Driven Goal Setting - Podcast Episode
Asana - project management app
What if you explored creativity and passion without expectations? Sadie Nardini encourages yoga teachers to share their uniqueness, stop people pleasing, and find freedom in self reinvention.
Episode Highlights:
- The balance between doing what you love for yourself AND in service to your students
- ADHD in yoga practitioners and teachers
- What it was like to be one of the first yoga teachers with a YouTube Channel
- What Sadie would focus on now if they were just starting out
- Sadie’s story of coming out as non-binary and what they do about haters
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Sadie’s Instagram @sadienardinioffical
Sadie’s teaching and courses
Provide an equitable & inclusive practice space for your students. Victoria “Thor” Hutson shares her 5 pillar framework for accessible community oriented yoga classes.
Episode Highlights:
- The 8 limbs of yoga and their role in accessibility
- How to utilize intentions and themes to build community
- Empowerment through options
- Ways to dismantle hierarchy in a shared space
- The role conscious & inclusive language plays in your class
- Power dynamics and fostering healthy relationships in yoga
- Financial accessibility and sustainability in your business model
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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The Elegant Outlaw
Thor on Instagram @the.elegant.outlaw
Fresh Breath for Yoga Teachers Podcast
Mado’s Episode on Thor’s podcast
How to trust yourself even when it’s hard. Erika Belanger and Mado talk about navigating perfectionism, the balance between preparation & risk taking, and holding yourself accountable for your vision.
Episode Highlights:
- How skills from previous careers can transfer to teaching yoga
- Why sharing your personal experience in your teaching will help your students
- How to diversify your income streams
- Skills for organization and time management
- The importance of finding your bigger why
- Where yoga teachers get in their own way
- Untangling patterns of perfectionism and procrastination
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Erika’s website
Erika on Instagram @erika.belanger
On and Off your Mat Podcast
Mado’s episode on Erika’s podcast - Accessible Approach to Self-Care, with Mado Hesselink
Listen to your inner teacher. Tracee Stanley is a Hollywood producer turned teacher, writer, and guide who focuses primarily on the inner experience of yoga. In this episode, we receive wisdom from her 20+ years of study in the traditions of the Himalayan Masters and Sri Vidya Tantra and her perspective on weaving your practice into all aspects of your daily life.
Episode Highlights:
- Boundaries to protect your creative process
- The importance of community and sangha
- Methods for sharing your message outside of social media
- The true teachings of Tantra
- Harnessing teachings from nature and the divine feminine
- The physiological difference between sleeping and a restful practice
- Misconceptions about productivity
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Radiant Rest - Tracee’s book
Tracee’s Website
Examine the why and how behind movement. Lara Heimann, host of the redefining yoga podcast and founder of the LYT Method, shares intelligent approaches to alignment on and off the mat.
Episode Highlights:
- Dynamic ways to evolve your yoga practice and move it into your life
- Developmental sequencing to create new pathways for movement
- The biggest blind spot for yoga teachers
- Your brain’s role in movement
- How to develop your creativity muscle
- Bridging the gap between yoga, physical therapy and functional movement
- Definitions of physiology, kinesiology and neurology
- How to experience anatomy in action
Links & Resources
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Lara’s Website - LYT Yoga
Lara on Instagram @lara.heimann
Win a year of LYT Daily, Lara’s membership
Learn positive and proactive ways to honor yoga as a cultural practice with Susanna Barkataki, author of Embrace Yoga’s Roots.
Episode Highlights:
- How to become a leader in personal and social transformation
- Understanding the causes and conditions of oppression and practices to counter them
- Self inquiry, commitment to values and the lifestyle of engaged yoga
- Tools for yogic critical thinking
- Subtle practices of listening, awareness and inner consciousness
- The significance of studentship for better teaching
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
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Learn more about the Impact Club
‘What is Cultural Appropriation’ Episode
Susanna’s Website
Susanna’s Instagram - @susannabarkataki
Embrace Yoga’s Roots - Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice
Win a Copy of Susanna’s Book
Learn how to attract and retain loyal students. Mado helps yoga teacher, Aleks Middleton, create a plan for the future of her business by detailing integral structures that support student evolution and progress.
Episode Highlights:
- Offerings that will get your students excited about committing to their practice
- How to set expectations for your students
- The benefits of pre registered series over drop in classes
- How to build vacation time into your schedule
- Market research mindset and meeting customer needs
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Find freedom by sharing your unapologetic self. Reggie Hubbard, political activist and founder of Active Peace Yoga, describes how staying true to your values in your teaching will boost your self worth and confidence.
Episode Highlights:
- His journey from reactivity to responsiveness
- How to prioritize self care during times of stress and chaos
- Approaching yoga as a discipline vs an activity
- When to improv and when to adhere to a plan
- How to make peace with the fact that you’re not the right teacher for everyone
- The power of sharing your lived experience in your teaching
- How humor makes your classes more accessible
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Reggie’s Website - Active Peace Yoga
Reggie on Instagram @oreggieglobal
Find a business model that doesn’t lead to burnout. Candela asks Mado how to turn strangers into paying clients and build community with consistency in this on air coaching call.
Episode Highlights:
- Social media as a tool to build your clientele
- Using testimonials to grow your offerings
- Financial barriers vs lack of understanding
- The benefits of offering a group program vs one on one
- Visibility strategies and finding the right platform for you
- How hashtags work for visibility
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Work with Mado
Basic knowledge of the law can support your yoga business. Ashley Dunasta, lawyer & yoga teacher, breaks down important legal principles as the foundation for a safe and vibrant yoga and business practice.
Episode Highlights:
- Written agreements - what they mean, when you need them and why they’re so important
- Skillful negotiation as a tool to honor relationships
- Yoga business as an art and a science
- Safe entry into agreements and risk protection for yoga teachers
- Music licensing demystified
- Property rights for legal music use
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Creatives Learn Law website
Creatives Learn Law Instagram @creativeslearnlaw
Free Business Law Basics Workshop
Yoga, Self-Worth and the Law with Cory Sterling
Legal Considerations for teaching online
Time management as self care. Consider a yogic approach to productivity in this episode with Renee Clair and learn how to organize your life to spend more time doing what you love.
Episode Highlights:
- Strategies to free up time and mental energy
- The importance of non-accomplishing
- How to evaluate where your time is going
- Why you need to take 2 consecutive days off
- Realistic and kind boundary setting
- Prioritization to minimize distraction and increase focus
- The difference between a task and a project
- Reframing our ideas about time
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Renee’s website
Get Renee’s Time Blocking Guide
Renee’s Instagram - @theproductivewp
Yin yoga is incredibly popular, yet commonly misunderstood. In this episode, I ask Yin yoga teacher trainer Nyk Danu to help me clear up common misconceptions about yin yoga and find out where to start if you’re interested in teaching yin classes.
Episode Highlights:
- Yin as an antidote for our stressful modern culture
- Roots, history & philosophy of yin
- How you can benefit from yin yoga
- The major differences between yin and other styles of yoga
- Why it’s important to get specialized yin training
- The purpose of props in yin
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Nyk Danu’s Website
Asana is a tool to guide you toward a more fulfilling yoga practice. Dr. Libby Hinsley is back on the podcast to talk about the truth of creating an accessible yoga experience. You’ll learn how to meet your students’ expectations AND educate them about what really matters when it comes to yoga from a place of confidence and compassion.
Episode Highlights:
- How to change your yoga sequence on the fly and still provide an excellent class
- Understanding anatomy and movement to uplevel your confidence teaching people with different physical abilities
- The key to accommodating multiple levels in your class
- Building blocks of human movement
- How to simplify and slow down so you (and your students) can savor practice
- The difference between “complicated” and “advanced”
- Siddhis and the true purpose of yoga
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Anatomy Bites Waitlist
Episodes with Libby
Yoga & Self Massage
Q&A with Libby
Anatomy Myths
Hyper Mobility & Yoga
Find out what happens when you teach from your own inner wisdom and experience. Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D and yoga therapist, shares wisdom from her 50 years of teaching.
Episode Highlights:
- The beauty of remembering that you’re enough
- How to see our students with soft eyes
- Yoga poses as questions instead of answers
- How to help your students open to possibility
- Your #1 job as a yoga teacher
- Take home practices for tuning in before teaching
- How to find refuge whenever and wherever you want it
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Win a copy of Judith’s new book, Teaching Yoga with Intention: The Essential Guide to Skillful Hands-On Assists and Verbal Communication
Judith’s website and courses
Weigh the pros and cons of the most common types of offerings from both the perspective of teacher and student. In this episode, Mado goes over a basic framework for progressing the structure of your offerings and different formats for teaching and learning both online and in person.
Episode Highlights:
- The one offering I recommend that new yoga teachers try out (even if they don’t feel ready)
- When to shift from 1:1 to small group sessions
- How to know you are ready to lead teacher trainings
- The pros and cons of drop in classes - and their most effective use inside your business
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Integral Yoga Podcast
The 3 stages of teaching mastery episode
Teaching yoga as a second career? Learn why that matters and how you can leverage what you have done in the past to build your teaching business more quickly. In this on-air coaching call, Mado guides Gillian to learn from mistakes, open up to possibility, and use her business as an incubator for her own growth.
Episode Highlights:
- The challenge and reward of pivoting and beginning again
- How to cope with imposter syndrome and perfectionism
- Market research as a key to growing a business that’s in line with your values
- Creating simple structures to build community and accountability
- The benefit of taking imperfect action when starting from the ground up
- The reward of committing in advance, for your and your students
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
What separates a high quality teacher training from the many that are just ok? Mado and studio owner Arundhati Baitmangalkar talk about how to facilitate top tier 200 hour training and how to raise the bar for YTT standards throughout the world.
Episode Highlights:
- Innovative structures to support your students
- What to look for in a teacher training
- Insight on what your YTT did well and where it may have been lacking
- The difference between teaching yoga and embodying it
- Selling your training with clarity, honesty and professionalism
- Holding space for student anxiety in teacher training
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast
Arundhati on Instagram @arundhati.baitmangalkar
Arundhati’s studio
Themes can help you as a teacher and benefit your students at the same time. In this episode, you’ll learn about four ways to incorporate themes into your classes and gain insight on which will best fit your situation.
Episode Highlights:
- Inspiration for creating themes regularly
- How to make your personal stories feel relevant to your students
- The biggest benefit of adding a theme to your class
- The most common rhythms for creating new themes and why you might choose each one
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Downloadable list of 100 yoga class themes
Learn to run a yoga challenge step by step. Mado and her guest Amanda McKinney talk through the nuts and bolts of why you might want to create a challenge and how to do it in 5 simple steps.
Episode Highlights:
- What to consider before you decide to run a challenge
- The benefits of running a yoga challenge
- Free vs paid offerings and why paid offerings often attract more clients
- Tips for growing your email list
- How to approach a launch with less anxiety and more focus
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Amanda’s Instagram @amandamckinneyyoga
Amanda’s Yoga Challenge in a Box
Marketing Yoga with Confidence Podcast
Show Notes
Examine your relationship with tech and how it aligns with your vision for the future. Mado speaks with Avi Gordon, director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association, about how our yoga practice can directly influence our relationship with tech.
Episode Highlights:
- How to foster a healthy relationship with technology
- The most helpful attitude to take when dealing with tech challenges
- Habitual behavior vs higher thinking function
- The benefit of beginner’s mind
- Intention and conscious decision making
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Integral Yoga Podcast
Learn how to connect with people who have less access to yoga. Mado and Brandon Dawson-Jarvis talk about how to best communicate about yoga to underserved communities and people who don’t think of themselves as yoga practitioners, as well as how to challenge common misconceptions about yoga.
Episode Highlights:
- Simple ideas to get started sharing yoga with underserved communities
- The benefits of yoga for people who don’t see themselves represented in media depictions of yoga.
- Inspiring stories about the powers of a simple yoga practice
- The importance of representation in yoga
- Yoga for preventative mental health
Links & Resources
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Grove Campus - a company that organizes and executes community events and donation based yoga sessions.
Win one of Brandon’s Cork Yoga Mats
There are four basic types of yoga workshops that have a proven track record for consistently attracting students anywhere in the world. In this episode, Mado explains each type in detail including why you might choose one over the other and the upsides and downsides each.
Episode Highlights:
- The different kinds of yoga workshops and which ones tend to get a lot of registrations.
- How to decide which type of workshop is right for you.
- The best ways to promote the different types of workshops.
- Tips for collaborating with another person on a workshop.
This episode originally aired on January 2, 2020. Enjoy the replay!
Links & Resources
Freebie for listeners: Get a free download of 100 yoga workshop ideas when you sign up for Mado’s email list.
Sign up for Workshops that WOW
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Learn the essential differences between yoga classes and yoga workshops and how understanding them can help improve your teaching and help your students see the value of both types of offerings.
This episode originally aired December 9th, 2019. Enjoy the replay!
Episode highlights:
- How knowing the differences between weekly classes and workshops can help you market your classes more successfully.
- Side by side comparisons on the frequency, structure, and duration of classes, vs workshops
- Information-based vs experience-based workshops and why you’d want to offer one or the other.
- The unique opportunities workshops offer yoga teachers.
- How to name & price your workshops.
Links & Resources
Freebie for listeners: Get a free download of 100 yoga workshop ideas when you sign up for Mado’s email list.
Sign up for Workshops that WOW
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
If you struggle with pricing or are unsure about how to set prices for your teaching, this episode is a mini-training to help you set a minimum hourly rate.
This episode originally aired in Dec 6, 2018. Enjoy the replay!
Episode Highlights
- Why you should set a minimum hourly rate
- Whether or not to discount your rates for charity
- The 3 basic considerations to setting your hourly rate
- How to compare yoga teacher rates to massage therapist rates
- Some strategies for using your minimum hourly rate to price workshops
Links & Resources
Take the interactive pricing for yoga teachers quiz
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Mado shares reasons new students might not be coming back to your classes and solutions to help you attract the people who truly want what you are offering. This information in this episode will help yoga teachers build their class attendance faster and find their authentic voice as a yoga teacher.
This episode originally aired on October 31st, 2019 - enjoy the replay!
Episode highlights:
- Reasons people don’t come back that have nothing to do with you as a teacher
- The most common ways that yoga teachers make their students feel uncomfortable without realizing it and the quick fixes for this problem
- How to make sure that the advertising for your class is as accurate as possible
- The importance of naming your classes and considerations for choosing a class name
- How to talk to your regular students to get feedback on what they enjoy and get out of your classes
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Ever wonder what’s actually happening in the transition from downward facing dog to lunge? Why is it so challenging for some? Is it an essential transition to master? Listen to learn how you can help your students navigate this common movement while still offering them an empowering yoga class experience.
This episode originally aired on February 27th 2020, enjoy the replay!
Highlights from this episode:
- Understanding the mechanics of this particular movement and what is required of your body.
- Specific cues for that will help your students be successful.
- Why repetition of important cues is helpful to students.
- Building the poses and your cues progressively.
- Alternatives, modifications, and how to determine when they are appropriate.
- Strengthening movements that prepare your students for what it takes to step forward from down dog.
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Warm ups are an essential part of your yoga sequence - so how do you know if you are choosing the right poses? By listener request, I share my thoughts on the topic in this episode including:
- The two main purposes for warming up
- The kind of movement that is best for fulfilling these intentions
- How to choose warm up poses based on the more challenging poses you plan to teach later in the sequence.
- Why I think that most basic yoga poses are actually pretty complex - and how to prepare our students to get the most out of them.
- A simple guideline you can use for any class
- How to modify warm ups based on the population you teach
This episode originally aired April 11, 2019 - enjoy the replay!
Email subscribers also have access to three short videos of warm up sequences that I use personally. Subscribe now to get access to this and other bonus content.
Links & Resources
Join The Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Grace reached out for advice and support on gaining confidence as a yoga teacher. She's been teaching for a year and is afraid that her teacher training was sub-par, but doesn't have the funds to take another at the moment. She feels she should have enough experience by now to feel confident, so she wonders what the heck is going on?
This episode originally aired on March 14th, 2019 - enjoy the replay!
Episode Highlights
- The main source for confidence as a yoga teacher
- The biggest reason teachers lack confidence
- One powerful teaching from the yoga sutras
- How to interrupt the habitual thoughts that feed lack of confidence.
- Why more knowledge does not equal more confidence.
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join The Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Self care is essential for yoga teachers - but easier said than done. In the fast pace of modern culture, our role has partly become a cheerleader for self care. Yet, many of us live with life circumstances that cause us to neglect our own self-care. In this week’s episode of the podcast I demystify the idea of self care and offer a simple way of thinking about it that will help you understand how to implement it in your own life.
This episode originally aired May 30th, 2019 - enjoy the replay!
Episode Highlights
- A simple way of describing self-care from a yoga perspective.
- A review of the structure and function of the human nervous system and how it relates to self care.
- Why understanding the nervous system is helpful for yoga teachers.
- How the modern self-care movement oversimplifies self care and portrays it in a misleading and potentially harmful way.
- Additional ways to think about and practice self care that are more effective and accessible.
- How to talk about self care with your yoga students.
Links and Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join The Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Use the latest research in neuroscience to turn your personal practice from a resource intensive decision to a nourishing habit.
This episode originally aired on October 11th, 2018. Enjoy the replay!
Episode Highlights
- Why habit formation is a missing piece in most teacher trainings
- Destigmatizing the struggle to stay consistent and debunking the myth of the disciplined practitioner
- The three main components of a habit and how to manipulate them to create an effortlessly consistent personal practice
- 5 types of triggers how to strengthen their effect
- Ritual, accountability and small wins
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join The Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
The Power Of Habit by Charles Duhigg (Affiliate link)
Show Notes
Communication is a key skill for yoga teachers, studio owners, and anyone working in a leadership position inside a yoga business. In this on-air coaching call, Mado chats with yoga teacher and studio manager Emma Rabbit about personal and professional boundaries, client communication, and the myriad considerations for re-opening to in person yoga classes.
Episode Highlights:
- Balancing personal and client priorities
- The benefits of values based decision making
- Navigating differing opinions on in-person classes
- How to safely invite people back into the studio
- Professionalism in leadership roles
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join The Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Learn to put your values into action. Mado and Rach Junard discuss strategies to set boundaries, honor your values and cultivate self awareness in order to live an aligned life.
Episode Highlights:
- Quiet and stillness as a necessity for the modern world
- Transformative and restorative justice
- Accountability as kindness
- How to respectfully give and receive feedback
- The importance of honoring the roots of yoga
- Approaching your teaching with a beginners mind
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Rach’s instagram @rachdoes.yoga
Rach’s website
Show Notes
Decision making, perfectionism and niche. If you need guidance with defining who your teaching will benefit most and encouragement to get started, you’ll love this on-air coaching call.
Episode Highlights:
- Questions to ask yourself when choosing your niche
- Niche myths and realities
- How to set good boundaries for your business
- Conserving energy in decision making
- The value of ‘done’ over ‘perfect’
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
1 on 1 business coaching
Learn how to incorporate self-massage into your own yoga practice and your yoga classes to build awareness, familiarize yourself with sensation and guide your nervous system toward relaxation.
Episode Highlights:
- What you need to know before bringing self massage into your classes
- Sequencing and how to teach a class or workshop with therapy balls
- Risks, cautions and contraindications associated with self massage
- The difference between intensity and pain
- Self-massage as a tool to learn anatomy
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Get on the Anatomy Bites Waitlist
How can we make our classes financially accessible AND sustainable? In this conversation Mado & Nyk discuss different pricing models and how they can offer access to our classes, workshops, and events without devaluing our expertise and experience.
Episode Highlights:
- Inspiration and ideas for structuring your class pricing
- The difference between donation based classes and sliding scale
- Practical considerations for sliding scale pricing
- Myths about sliding scale pricing and what might surprise you
- Finding your pricing sweet spot through experimentation
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
The blog Nyk refers to in the episode about why sliding scale might be right for you: http://www.wortsandcunning.com/blog/sliding-scale
Become part of the Impact Club (sliding scale pricing)
Looking for deeper, more meaningful conversations on social media? Tune into this episode with Jeanette Sealy to learn all about Clubhouse, what makes it different from other social platforms and how it can help your yoga business. You’ll also get a sneak peak into an impromptu collaboration between Mado and Jeanette.
Episode Highlights:
- The benefits of using Clubhouse
- A walk through tour of the Clubhouse app
- Tips for hosting a Clubhouse room
- Ideas for connection, community building and collaboration
- The key to choosing compelling topics
- Strategies for targeting content to your desired audience
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Episode on phases of teaching
Mado & Jeanette’s Clubhouse discussion on online connections and collaborations on Thursday, April 29th 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT. Follow @mado on Clubhouse to be notified when the room opens.
Struggling to build a following on social media? Here are 5 clear steps to create interest and attract clients on social media, build trusting relationships with your potential clients and get started spreading the world about your offerings.
Episode Highlights:
- The best approach to finding your first students and clients
- Why niche is an essential step for finding new clients online
- How to decide which social media platform is right for you
- How understanding the algorithm can help you get better results
- The balance between sharing free helpful content and your paid offerings
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Social Media Pratyahara Episode
Instagram isn’t the right platform for everyone. Cora Geroux is an Instagram expert who has been rethinking her relationship with the platform and not because she hasn’t seen success there. Enjoy this discussion on strategies and best uses for Instagram and how to decide if Instagram is the right place for you.
Episode Highlights:
- How to decide if Instagram is the right platform for you
- What matters more than gaining followers
- The two most beneficial features of Instagram
- The most effective way to show up on Instagram
- Risks of relying on Instagram for your business
- How to incorporate Instagram into your business in a balanced way
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Cora’s Newsletter
Follow Cora on Instagram @corageroux
Tap into the benefits of social media without the digital overwhelm. Is there purpose behind your social media use or are you mindlessly scrolling? In this episode, Mado shares tips and advice for developing a healthy relationship with social media as a yoga teacher.
Episode Highlights:
- The problems and challenges of social media
- Why using social media is a choice, not a requirement
- Social media in the context of the yogic practice of pratyahara
- Why separating business and personal social media use is key
- The gift of concentration and deep work
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Incorporate somatics into your yoga classes to offer your students access to deeper relaxation and a better mind/body connection. In this episode Trina Altman shares the story of how she fell in love with somatic movement and offers advice for yoga teachers who want to incorporate somatic principles into their classes.
Episode Highlights:
- How somatics can make yoga more accessible for people with persistent pain or hyper/hypomobility
- The 3 types of somatic movements
- The importance of relaxation for better learning
- Aesthetic cueing vs inquiry based cueing
- What we can learn from the nervous system and how we can influence it
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Trina’s website - where you can buy Yoga Deconstructed
Yoga Deconstructed Giveaway Details
Mindful Movement - By Dr. Martha Eddy
Creative Sequencing with Somatics
Do you feel conflicted about charging money for your teaching? Melanie does and she reached out to me for an outside perspective. Her inner conflict about charging for yoga is keeping her stuck in a job that she dislikes, but she’s not sure how to shift it. In this conversation, we look at her beliefs from the outside and reframe the idea that charging for your time is a zero-sum situation.
Episode Highlights:
- What people are actually paying for when they sign up for your offerings
- The Purushartas (4 aims of life) and money
- What to consider when we choose our prices
- How charging more can sometimes benefit your students
- Equity based pricing structures
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Find out more about my one on one coaching
What’s the cost of avoiding your feelings? Taylor Wray opens up about facing fears as a form of self care, her journey through paralyzing perfectionism, and the hope we can provide by showing up imperfectly, in this honest conversation.
Episode Highlights:
- The dangers of putting yoga teachers on a pedestal
- Liberation through feeling fear and doing it anyway
- Practices to recognize and change your unhelpful thought patterns
- The power of taking action
- Tools for recovering perfectionists
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
The Yoga Teacher Circle Podcast
Mado’s episode on Taylor’s podcast - Imposter Syndrome and Prioritizing Your Personal Practice
Follow Taylor on Instagram @taylor_wrayyoga
Taylor's Website
Accessible yoga, teacher training standards, and red flags of high demand yoga styles are just a few of the topics we touch on in this wide ranging conversation with Yoga Where you Are authors Dianne Bondy and Kat Rebar (Heagberg).
Episode Highlights:
- How we can teach accessible classes that are still challenging
- Evolving definitions of spirituality
- How we can do better in the realm of training yoga teachers as a community
- What it was like to be part of a yoga cult
- How we can honor the roots of yoga in our classes
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Enter the “Yoga Where You Are” book giveaway
Purchase “Yoga Where You Are” from your local bookseller or use this website to support local bookstores
Dianne’s Website
@diannebondyyogaoffical - Follow Dianne on Instagram
Kat’s Website
@katheagberglar - Follow Kat on Instagram
Yoga International
What is the intersection between ethics and business? Learn how to run your business in a way that supports your ethics AND how your yoga practice can make you a better business owner in this mini-training with Mado.
Episode Highlights:
- The overlap between yoga principles and business
- The two reasons we’re most likely to compromise our values
- How yoga principles can make you a better business owner
- Sharing your values as a way to find the right customers
- The hidden dangers of people pleasing
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to support weekly ad-free podcast episodes and get bonus resources each month.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Join our community
Ethics, accountability, and yoga teacher training standards are a few of the topics Mado discusses with Dr. Christa Kuberry, Vice President of Standards for The Yoga Alliance. Whatever your stance on this sometimes controversial organization, you’ll likely appreciate hearing this inside perspective and high level discussion on the future of the yoga industry.
Episode Highlights:
- The history and controversy of the Yoga Alliance
- How Yoga Alliance has changed in the last few years
- Live vs digital learning in teacher training and the benefit of each
- Keeping community and connection in the online teaching space
- How science and research will make yoga more accessible
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to get the worksheet of behavior change concepts + access to training replays, the teaching yoga online checklist, and more.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Tell me your experience with Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance
Curious about what the future holds for yoga teachers? In this episode, Alex Klein and Alex Jaton, the founders of tech companies YogaTrail and Ubindi, join Mado to talk about the future of the yoga industry in 2021 and beyond.
Episode Highlights:
- Why the yoga business is so challenging in the first place.
- The silver lining of COVID’s impact on yoga business
- Insight on how to skillfully pivot into the new normal
- What role yoga studios will play in the new yoga world
- Why having a strong business model is essential for your success
- Advice for yoga teachers who are feeling nervous about teaching independently
Links & Resources
Sign up for the Yoga Teacher Resource email list to get access to Alex’s list of recommended reading.
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to get the worksheet of behavior change concepts + access to training replays, the teaching yoga online checklist, and more.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Yoga Trail - The World’s Largest Yoga Network
Use coupon code MADO for 50% off Ubindi yearly plan - Admin support for yoga teachers
Mado takes yoga teacher Chanel Sledge through a mini strategy session to work on her vision and help her create a system for sharing her message through online content.
Episode Highlights:
- Who to create content for if you’re not sure of your niche
- Why giving yourself permission to be yourself will attract your your ideal clients
- Time management strategies for yoga teachers
- The benefits of boundary setting in your business
- Why it’s important to create a sustainable business model
Links & Resources
Become a patron to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Anatomy Bites wait list
Get my help with your teaching or your yoga business
Get on the waitlist for Flight School
Follow @yoga.teacher.resource on Instagram!
Mado helps Julie find structure for her vision and clarity about what to do with the 100 yoga class sequences that she created over the pandemic.
Episode Highlights:
- How to build trust and inspire people to work with you
- Why simplicity is best and when to add in additional layers to your business
- The most common type of marketing and why it works well for yoga teachers
- Visibility strategies for getting in front of new audiences
- How to connect with other yoga teachers for collaboration
- Different stages of audience building
- How to broaden and expand your offerings in different formats
Links & Resources
Become a patron to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Anatomy Bites wait list
Get on the waitlist for Flight School
Join Julie's email list and download a FREE pdf with 10 beautifully crafted yoga sequences to inspire both your teaching and your personal practice.
Follow @yoga.teacher.resource on Instagram!
Mado and Libby Hinsley, physical therapist and yoga therapist, address questions for yoga teachers who are curious about anatomy and biomechanics and how they apply to specific poses.
Episode Highlights:
- The best approach for learning anatomy
- How to craft a class that is helpful for the variety of bodies that might show up
- The benefits and purposes of dynamic vs static poses
- Different perspectives on symmetry in sequencing.
- Should we always keep the shoulder blades squeezing in and down?
- Some thoughts on where common yoga cues originated and why upgrading our cues might be an act of liberation.
Links & Resources
Become a patron to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Get the printable checklist that goes with this episode plus Mado’s top 5 tips to building a successful yoga business
How to Improve Your Yoga Class Cues- free download
Join Anatomy Bites
Follow @yoga.teacher.resource on Instagram!
Behavior change researcher and meditation teacher Alex Haley shares insights about neuropsychology and behavioral psychology. Learn to tap into the power of behavior change to inspire your yoga students, get more benefit from your practice and build a more sustainable business.
Episode Highlights:
- Myths and misconceptions about behavior change
- Practical steps to stay motivated and cement new positive habits
- The magic of sharing a resonant moment
- How to make meditation and yoga practice less daunting
- The ripple effect of inspiring someone to connect with a positive emotion in a yoga class
- How to help your students avoid decision burnout and attend class more regularly
Links & Resources
Sign up for the Yoga Teacher Resource email list to get access to Alex’s list of recommended reading.
Become a patron of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast to get the worksheet of behavior change concepts + access to training replays, the teaching yoga online checklist, and more.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
How Technology is Changing Yoga with Alex Haley Episode 63
Offering Tree - All in one digital platform for wellness professionals
Yoga helps us reconnect with the deepest, unchanging aspects of ourselves. In this episode, Mado invites you to prioritize your values to remember, and love, who you really are.
Episode Highlights:
- Maslow’s hierarchy and how yoga fits into each stage
- Mado’s personal story of finding meaning and purpose through yoga
- The meaning of the word dharma from the hindu tradition
- Yoga and the fulfillment of The Purushartas (4 Goals of Life)
- Why running your own business can make your teaching more powerful
- The importance of keeping your values front and center
Links & Resources
Become a patron to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource
Learn systems and processes to help you focus your energy and achieve goals in alignment with your values.
Episode Highlights:
- The importance of checking in with your values on a regular basis
- How to direct your passion with focus and follow through
- How to move on from mistakes and use challenging events as catalyst for change
- Scheduling habits that will free up energy and mental space
- Ideas for specific, measurable, timely goals that will light a fire under you
- Why celebrating and savoring your successes set the stage for more
Get the printable checklist that goes with this episode plus Mado’s top 5 tips to building a successful yoga business
Links & Resources
Become a patron to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Get the printable checklist that goes with this episode plus Mado’s top 5 tips to building a successful yoga business
Book Recommendations
The Artist’s Way
The 12 Week Year
Tag @yoga.teacher.resource on Instagram to celebrate your accomplishments!
Owning a yoga business is not for the faint of heart. In this episode, Mado breaks down 6 steps that will help you be more organized and successful than 99% of yoga teachers out there. If you’re thinking about launching your own yoga business, or want to make sure your foundations are in place, this episode will be your roadmap to confidence.
Episode Highlights:
- What it means to own and run a business
- What you need to do to set your foundation as a business owner and entrepreneur
- How to plan and pace your business growth
- Financial and legal considerations for your yoga business
- The benefits and responsibilities of being a business owner vs contractor or employee
- Business ownership as an aspect of your yoga practice
- How to meet the needs of your students, grow your client base, network and make personal connections
Links & Resources
Become a patron to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Get the printable checklist that goes with this episode plus Mado’s top 5 tips to building a successful yoga business
Podcast Episodes:
Yoga, Self Worth and the Law with Cory Sterling
How to Price your Offerings
Money, purpose and freedom with Chioma Njoku
Yoga and Money: An Inquiry
Are you making these yoga niche mistakes?
[on air coaching] Is my niche too narrow?
[on air coaching] A new yoga teacher finds her niche
[on air coaching] choose a niche that aligns with your passions, values and aspirations
Mini Training Email Magic
Tag @yoga.teacher.resource on Instagram to celebrate your accomplishments!
Suggested Software:
Acuity
Offering Tree
Site Ground
Gestating, birthing, and parenting another human is one of the most profound yoga practices to be experienced. Listen to this in-depth conversation with Prenatal Yoga Center founder and director, Deb Flashenberg about yoga during pregnancy, birth, and parenting from both the personal and professional perspective. Rest assured, if a pregnant student walks into your yoga class, you can support them.
Episode Highlights:
- How to accept, surrender, and challenge yourself in your yoga practice during pregnancy
- The role of the psoas in pregnancy and birth
- Common misunderstandings about pregnancy and yoga
- Parenting as a yoga practice and how having a baby can change your approach to teaching
- How to create community, check in with your students and make them feel heard
- Advice for how to best serve pregnant students in mixed level classes
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Deb’s podcast Yoga | Birth | Babies - Mado’s episode will be airing soon
Find out more about Deb’s work on her website
Sophia has a vision to share the benefits of yoga with people who have experienced gender-based or domestic violence, but she feels stuck with how to talk about it and include/attract the right people. In this on-air coaching session, Mado helps her navigate some important choices and encourages her to start imperfectly.
Episode Highlights:
- How to approach the language around working with survivors of gender-based violence
- How certain language around your niche can unintentionally exclude people and what you can do about it.
- The leadership skill of making tough decisions
- How having self awareness as a yoga teacher helps you take action, learn as you go, and course correct
- The challenges and strengths of building a business as a shy or introverted person and how to work with what you have
- Strategies for creating a sense of community for online classes
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Transform and transcend the “broke yoga teacher” narrative by taking a closer look at some of the common misunderstandings yoga teachers have about yoga, money, and being of service.
Episode Highlights:
- The real reason yoga teachers struggle with money
- The number one mistake yoga teachers make when it comes to their money
- The relationship between money and happiness
- Pricing conversations and how to set your prices with confidence
- What yoga teachers can do about resistance they feel around looking at their finances
- The incredible opportunity that exists for yoga teachers with regards to the opportunity gap
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
How to Price Your Offerings podcast episode
Chioma’s website The Mindful Bookkeeper
Is your Facebook group feeling stagnant with little or no engagement from your members? Listen to this on-air coaching call to learn about optimizing and leveraging Facebook groups for your yoga business while providing incredible value for your students at the same time.
Episode Highlights:
- Tips for naming your Facebook group
- Getting clear on your goals and objectives for the group
- How understanding your niche fits in to your approach with your Facebook group
- What to think about if you want to attract new people to the Facebook group
- Reasons for people to engage and why they might not be engaging with the group
- Providing value vs purely marketing to your members
- How creating content schedules, commitments, and accountability helps a Facebook group thrive
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Zorayda Cocchi was at her wits end. When she switched to online teaching for Covid, her class numbers were so variable that she felt like giving up. Listen to this episode to hear the boundaries she set with her students and the phenomenal win/win results. We also discuss recommendations for growing her yoga business and attracting new students.
Episode Highlights:
- How boundaries and structures to make offerings more effective for both teachers AND students.
- How to name your classes to attract new students
- How to make referral programs more effective
- The importance of keeping the perspective of the potential student in mind
- What coaching and accountability looks like like and how it helps
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
How to Name Your Offering episode
Learn tips and strategies to help you choose a clear and compelling name for your yoga offerings. These techniques can be used for your weekly drop-in yoga classes, workshops, and even your online offerings.
Episode Highlights:
- 5 tips for naming your offering you can use right away
- The pros and cons of super clever names
- How to utilize keywords and SEO strategies
- Optimizing your offering’s subtitle
- Brainstorming techniques for finding the right name
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Learn the three stages most yoga teachers move through while developing their teaching skills. Identify which stage you’re currently in and get recommendations for what to focus on during each phase.
Episode Highlights:
- What defines yoga teaching mastery
- The 3 universal stages yoga teachers go through on their journey to mastery
- How to know what phase you’re in
- The key challenges for each phase
- How to approach and what to focus your energy on during each phase
- How the phases relate to your personal practice and yoga philosophy
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Collaborating with other yoga teachers can be inspiring and fun - but it can also be a big disaster. Get a behind the scenes look at what makes a collaboration successful, when you should partner with someone on a project, and how to choose the right person to collaborate with.
Episode Highlights:
- A discussion of imposter syndrome, comparison, and motivations behind partnerships
- When and why choosing to collaborate on a project is a good idea
- Finding the right person to collaborate with
- How partnerships help facilitate productivity and growth in your business
- What makes partnerships successful
- Benefits of collaborating on a digital/online projects specifically
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Anatomybites.com
Expand your definition of self-care and learn how understanding cue’s from our body plays an important role in creating sustainable self-care habits.
Episode Highlights:
- What it means to practice intuitive self care
- Examples of the different ways self care can look for different people
- The importance of making self care more accessible
- What “community care” is and how it supports self care
- Adapting our self-care to our ever-changing lives
- The role body literacy plays in intuitive self care
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Follow Tia on Instagram
The Masterful Art of Self Care website and podcast
Learn how to plan your yoga classes and workshops around a theme using a basic framework that you can adapt and make your own.
Episode Highlights:
- How lesson plans are helpful for new teachers
- Narrowing down your topic and simplifying the language
- The basic structure of a balanced yoga sequence
- The five parts to creating a lesson plan for yoga classes and workshops
- The main difference between a class and a workshop
- Advice for teaching the beginner student
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Ep 91: how to sequence a 90 minute demo class
Ep 34: Plan your classes like a pro part 1
Ep 35: Plan your classes like a pro part 2
Motivational Yoga website and book
Investigate some of the common myths and misconceptions people have about anatomy and yoga.
Episode Highlights:
- The myth of alignment and what is actually normal or average
- Benefits and limitations of alignment-based yoga
- Why doing a posture correctly according to formulas is not safe for everyone
- The myth of safety and the fragility of the human body
- How we can expect our practice to shift over the course of our lives
- Examining specific physical cues such as “bringing the shoulders back”
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Get free download from Libby about yoga class safety
Join Anatomy Bites
Learn what it means to create equitable spaces for Black, indigenous, people of color in the yoga community and how to help people who are underrepresented in the yoga space feel safe and welcome in your classes.
Episode Highlights:
- How the 8 Limbs of Yoga relate to practicing racial equity
- How white yoga teachers can make their classes more welcoming to people of color
- How to educate yourself about equity in a way that doesn’t burden people of color
- Examining our implicit biases and how does doing our own work helps create a welcoming space for all
- Understanding systems of oppression and dominant culture and the effect it can have on the yoga studio being more equitable and inclusive
- Miche’s advice for how to get started and where to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Listen to Episode #1 of the podcast
Follow Michele on Instagram @the_guardian_michele
Michele’s website michagnikripa.com
Rachel Cook, MBA joins Mado to talk about different business models and income streams for yoga teachers. Listen as they define what leveraged, passive, and scaled income streams are and what it looks like to put them into action.
Episode Highlights:
- When and why you would want to look at different income streams
- The definitions of leveraged, passive, and scaled income streams and examples of each
- How membership models fit in and how to make them successful
- Where specifically yoga teachers should start if they want to grow their business
- The value of creating a great one-to-one experience
- What you should have in place before creating an online course
- The math behind effective email lists
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Rachel’s website and podcast, Promote Yourself to CEO
In this on-air coaching call, Mado and Kelly explore business models for online memberships, a new take on email marketing strategy, and different ways she can support her online and in-person yoga business.
Episode Highlights:
- How to use a podcast to increase visibility and guide people to your other offerings
- Business models for online memberships
- How to structure your offerings for online memberships
- Overcoming the technology barrier
- Comparing some of the different types of online platforms for memberships and online courses
- A big picture email marketing strategy to keep in mind
- The intersection of yoga philosophy and business
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Strategy Sessions and Coaching with Mado
What does the law have to do with self-worth? Listen for a unique perspective on the purpose of the law and why yoga teachers need to understand the legal landscape around their vocation.
Stay tuned to the end for information on how to win a signed copy of Cory’s book, The Yoga Law Book.
Episode Highlights:
- The biggest misunderstanding yoga teachers have about the law
- Most important areas of law for yoga teachers to be aware
- The differences between a being an independent contractor and an employee
- How to understand written agreements with yoga studios, how to go about creating them and how to feel empowered to ask for changes to a contract
- A checklist of things to look for in a contract with a yoga studio
- Important changes to employment law in California and what it means for yoga teachers and studios
Links & Resources
Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Purchase The Yoga Law Book
Learn more about Cory and his legal services for yoga professionals
Explore the nuanced topic of cultural appropriation in this week’s podcast episode. Learn what it is, how to identify it, how it relates to yoga, and how we can use this information to ease the suffering and harm it can cause.
Episode Highlights:
- Defining cultural appropriation from both direct personal experience and a research/writing perspective
- What cultural appropriation in the yoga community looks like
- How to identify cultural appropriation when it is happening
- How cultural appropriation causes harm
- Intersectionality and representation in yoga
- Compassion, empathy, and conversations as tools for dealing with the issue of cultural appropriation
Links & Resources
Sign up for a training on Cultural Appropriation with Rina
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Aware of the Invisible: A Cultural Appropriation Yoga Training with Rina Deshpande
Libby Hinsley returns to the podcast to talk about joint hypermobility, how yoga affects bendy people differently from people with a more average range of motion, and how to best support those with hypermobile bodies in your yoga classes.
Episode Highlights:
- Hallmarks of hypermobility
- Patterns in injured yogis and yoga teachers
- Things to pay attention to if you have larger than normal range of motion at your joints
- How yoga can be useful to hypermobile people
- What interoception is and how it relates to hypermobility
- Elements of supportive yoga practice for hypermobility
- The game-changing benefits of self massage
- What yoga teachers need to know about hypermobility
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast to support ad-free episodes and receive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Episode 29: The Psoas Major in Yoga and Life
Downloadable cheat sheet for this episode
Join Anatomy Bites
Maria Kirsten joins Mado for a fascinating and dynamic conversation about mental health and yoga including specific ways yoga teachers can support the mental health of their students in their classes.
Episode Highlights:
- The stigma of mental health and normalizing the full spectrum of experiences
- How social media helps and hinders mental health
- A definition of mental health and signs that indicate a healthy mental state
- Yoga as a tool for resilience and crisis
- Skills yoga teachers need to facilitate an experience for your students that supports mental health
- How cultivating your skills as a yoga teacher can help support your own mental health
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content and opportunities
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Nichi Linder, like a lot of yoga teachers, is looking to create a balance between her full-time job, her family, teaching yoga classes, and doing more yoga training. Listen as Mado helps her hone in on some important considerations for time management and deciding where the best place for her to teach might be. They also discuss Nichi’s plans to complete an IAYT certification course and how that fits into her plans.
Episode Highlights:
- Teaching schedule recommendations for new teachers and for those who have kids
- The importance of having time management systems and boundaries that enforce them
- Developing weekly schedules to help you be efficient and effective
- Some pros and cons of teaching at a studio
- How to find a studio job that is a fit for you
- Information about Yoga Alliance and IAYT certifications
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content and opportunities
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Understanding Ayurveda helps yoga teachers and students access a more grounded presence both in their practice and their lives. This is especially true during times of change, uncertainty, and heightened anxiety. Chara Carruthers joins Mado on the podcast to talk about how the tools of ayurveda can help us to stay centered and maintain our self care long term. Listen to their in-depth conversation that spans topics such as how we can overcome tendencies towards comparisons and beliefs about what a yoga teacher “should” and “shouldn’t” be and the difference between engaging in self care vs. seeking comfort.
Episode Highlights:
- The importance of the seasons and understanding their effect on us
- Ayurveda as a tool for self care
- The connection between illness prevention and self love
- Defining our relationship and understanding of our Doshas
- What anxiety is in Ayurvedic terms
- How uncertainty and change effects immunity
- The benefits of having routines from an Ayurvedic perspective
- How to bring Ayurveda into your yoga classes
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content and opportunities
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Chara’s website, BlissBodyandSoul.com
Chara and Maria’s podcast, Live Like You Love Yourself
Positioning yourself as a leader in your specific field or niche is one of the most effective ways to grow your audience of enthusiastic and engaged followers online. This episode contains Mado’s tips for building your credibility along with building a following. Yoga teachers and anyone looking to build their audience can benefit from this tried and true information.
Episode Highlights:
- Building the “right audience” vs. building a “big audience”
- What it means to position yourself as an expert
- 7 tips you can put into action to build credibility
- Techniques for understanding your ideal customer
- What to do when you feel uncomfortable with self promotion
- The number one thing that will slow you down and block your momentum when building an audience online
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content and opportunities
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Foundations of a Yoga Business Online Course
Episode 99 Why your marketing isn’t working and how to fix it
Paige wants to create a sustainable and scalable business teaching yoga. In this on-air coaching call, she & Mado chat about her goals and vision for her yoga business. Together they think through different business models and how understanding the nuts and bolts can help set you up for success.
Episode Highlights:
- Thinking outside the traditional studio model for teaching yoga
- How to have more independence as a yoga teacher with retreats, teacher trainings, and workshops
- Building a business in person vs building a business online
- What teacher training business models actually look like
- Building your audience with your business plan in mind
- Planning the content of a retreat or workshop
- The importance of knowing your “why”
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content and opportunities
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
This episode is a collaboration with 25 yoga teachers who have come together to support and celebrate new yoga teachers. Listen as they share their personal experience and favorite advice for new teachers.
Episode Highlights:
- The importance of personal practice and self care for new teachers
- Expectations around making money in the beginning
- Advice on where to teach and who to teach when you’re starting out
- How to approach having an online presence and networking to grow your classes
- Why you must keep learning
- Tips for creating a great class experience for you students
- The “Yoga Teacher Sutras”
- What to do with nervousness
- How to handle making mistakes
Contributors:
https://www.groundandgrowyoga.com
http://www.aum.org/
SharonHolisticLiving.com
www.laurabaumannyoga.com
https://valarie-anderson.com/
www.omasisyoga.org
http://mollytoohey.com/
monicaroseyoga.com
www.dagmarspremberg.com
Weyogacenter.com
www.sacredspaceyogi.com
www.ceceyogini.com
https://radicallyeverafter.com/
https://www.sosupple.co.uk
http://www.taralaval.com
www.yogalvh.com
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content and opportunities
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
How do you teach yoga during a crisis? Whether the crisis is personal or political, local or universal, what is the best way to show up for your students? This episode contains advice for yoga teachers on how to teach classes and serve your students during times of turmoil.
Episode Highlights:
- 7 tips for teaching during a crisis.
- How crisis can bring greater purpose and clarity
- What to do if you feel overwhelmed, confused, or uninspired
- The crucial importance of self care for yoga teachers during a crisis
- How our brain responds to stress and trauma
- The relationship between discomfort and growth
- How to mitigate our personal blindspots
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content and online workshops
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
How to set up your own peer mastermind workshop
“5 Minute Relationship Repair” by Susan Campbell, PhD. and John Grey, PhD.
Layla Saad’s book “Me and White Supremacy”
More anti-racism resources (note - the links in this list are NOT affiliate links. They link to bookshop.com which donates a portion of sales to independent bookstores.)
Articles: 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
Books: Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad, White Fragility by Robin DeAngelo, How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Movies: 13th
Mado coaches Amber about whether or not she should begin teaching privates and how to get ready to add them to her yoga offerings.
Episode Highlights:
- Finding a balance with weekly group classes, family obligations, wanting to be of service, and building a sustainable business
- The connection between payment for service and being of service
- How to get started teaching private yoga lessons
- How to put people at ease if they are intimidated by or anxious about private lessons
- Pre Screening clients and preparing a space to see people one-on-one
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content and opportunities
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
If you are looking to create an online yoga course, this is the episode for you. Kelly McHugh, founder of Digital Yoga Academy, joins Mado to share helpful tips and strategies for launching online yoga courses. Kelly breaks down the steps you need to take in a simple and completely do-able way.
Episode Highlights
- Different ways yoga teachers can structure their business online
- Examples of different types of offers and topics
- The biggest mistakes people make when launching an online course and how yoga teachers can avoid them
- Concrete steps yoga teachers can take to build their online community
- A proven formula for making money teaching yoga online
- Kelly’s top tips for visibility online
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Digital Yoga Academy website
In this special anniversary episode, Mado answers lots of audience questions. She is joined by friends and former guests Amanda McKinney, Amanda Kingsmith, and Shannon Crow to celebrate two years of the Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast.
Some of the questions asked and answered:
- What does a day in the life look like for you?
- How do you balance your personal practice, professional development, and work with the demands of personal life?
- Do you ever worry about running out of podcast ideas?
- How did your yoga practice change when you got pregnant and how did you navigate that change?
- How did your point of view on how to practice asana change from when you started until today?
- How do you make yourself do something when you’re feeling depressed and anxious and having difficulty concentrating?
- What is your favorite and least favorite limb of yoga?
- I’m looking to start an online membership program for classes. How do I do that?
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content
Online workshop happening TOMORROW May 15th: How to teach philosophy in an asana class - without sounding preachy, boring, or clueless.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Marketing Yoga with Confidence with Amanda McKinney
Mastering the Business of Yoga with Amanda Kingsmith
The Connected Yoga Teacher with Shannon Crow
Is the online yoga world saturated? Author and host of the popular podcast, The Yogahealer Show, Cate Stillman joins Mado for a conversation about the unique world of online business and how yoga teachers can stand out and make money despite all of the free content out there.
Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a chance to win a copy of Cate’s new book, Master of You.
Episode highlights:
- Choosing your online platform
- Finding a teacher and the value of a student/mentor relationship
- How imposter syndrome might actually be a good sign
- Experimenting in your business
- The connection between yoga and business
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content
Upcoming online workshop: How to teach philosophy in an asana class - without sounding preachy, boring, or clueless.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Cate’s website, Yogahealer.com
In this on-air coaching call, Laura receives guidance on the foundations of growing an audience online. She and Mado cover a lot of ground including priority setting, conducting market research, email lists, and networking.
Episode highlights:
- How taking online trainings yourself can help you be a better online educator
- How understanding your ideal client can help determine the best price point for your online classes
- Tips for utilizing Facebook groups to connect directly with your target market
- Tech options and services for doing live streams with guests
- Specific techniques for capturing emails for your list
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for exclusive bonus content
Upcoming online workshop: How to teach philosophy in an asana class - without sounding preachy, boring, or clueless.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
If you aren’t teaching online (or even if you are) here are some ideas and actions you can take during this time of social isolation that will continue to move your yoga business forward.
Episode highlights:
- How to use this time to reinforce and reconnect to the foundations of your teaching business.
- What are the foundational pieces of success as a yoga teacher that you may have been avoiding (or didn’t know where to start).
- Creative ways to recommit and reconnect to yourself and your yoga practice
- How to prioritize what to work on in what order.
- Some ideas to reignite the spark of creativity if you’re feeling lost.
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for special bonus content to help you integrate and apply what you learn. Limited time benefits for yoga teachers mentioned in this episode:
- The Complete Guide to Market Research for Yoga Teachers
- Find Your Yoga Niche questionnaire
- 10 steps to build your yoga website download
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Why Your Marketing isn’t Working, and How to Fix It
Kristine Weber is a leading authority on the neuro-scientific benefits of slow, mindful movement. She joins Mado on the podcast for an in-depth conversation about what happens physiologically when you experience anxiety and the science behind why yoga is helpful for anxiety.
Episode highlights:
- How we experience and process trauma, our behavior, and when anxiety can show up.
- What is going on physically in the body when we experience anxiety.
- Opportunities to reach more people with the benefits of yoga and how to be more accessible to these people.
- The most important tools from yoga for managing anxiety
- How the Yamas and Niyamas help with anxiety
- The problem of using yoga for spiritual and emotional bypassing
- How to proceed if you are interested in using yoga practices for mental health benefits
Links & Resources
NEW! Become a patron of the yoga teacher resource podcast for extra trainings & content to help you integrate and apply what you learn. Join by Saturday, April 18th to get an invite to this special LIVE online training: How to Teach Philosophy in an asana class (without sounding preachy, boring, or clueless).
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Episode 99: Why your marketing isn’t working and how to fix it
Find Kristine at www.subtleyoga.com
Free eBook “Weather the Storm: A Subtle Yoga Guide for Building Resilience”
These are the headphones she talked about at the end of the episode. (Affiliate link - I’ll get a small credit if you purchase through this link.)
Cory Sterling, author of The Yoga Law Book, sheds light on important legal considerations and perspectives for online yoga teaching and how they differ from when you’re teaching in person.
Episode highlights:
- The elements of a good waiver of liability for online yoga classes.
- The legal issues emerging as online yoga teaching grows.
- Special considerations for yoga studio owners.
- Live Q & A with Facebook group members
- Whether classes offered free of charge require a waiver or disclaimer.
- A brief review of music licensing and whether to use music for online classes or not.
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
The Yoga Law Book: Legal Essentials For Yoga Professionals
YogaLegal.com
Are you doing everything you know how to do to market your yoga classes, workshops, and events but not getting the results you were hoping for? Listen to this episode to learn what you’re missing and how to make your marketing infinitely more effective.
Highlights from this episode:
- What it means to have clear and compelling marketing.
- The difference between a target market and a niche.
- How to conduct market research and why you really want to.
- A framework you can use for dialing in your marketing.
- 3 ways yoga teachers get tripped up in their marketing efforts and how to overcome them.
Links & Resources
100 Yoga Workshop Ideas & Workshops That Wow Online Course
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Have you ever had ‘problem’ students in your classes? This on-air coaching call covers how to maintain boundaries with students when they insist on testing them during class.
Highlights from this episode:
- Maintaining structure and boundaries while meeting the group dynamic.
- Whether jokes appropriate in a yoga class or not.
- How to set clear expectations around what the class experience will be.
- Appropriate times and ways to utilize partner exercises.
- How to offer a discussion portion of class in a fair and balanced way.
- What to do when an expert or someone with more knowledge than you comes to your class.
Links & Resources
Foundations of a Yoga Business group coaching
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Jerome Smith brings his authentic and down to earth approach to yoga and 30+ years of study in the Himalayan Tradition to this conversation with Mado about yoga’s internal practices and how to integrate them into your life.
Highlights from this episode:
- How to transition from external/body based practices to internal practices
- The value of self-guided home practice
- The four aspects of the mind
- What progressive meditation practice is and the different stages according to the Himalayan Tradition
- Advice on how to manage the stimulation you allow yourself to be exposed to in your daily life
- How to begin or re-commit to internal practices
Links & Resources
Foundations of a Yoga Business group coaching
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Jerome’s website mipsm.org
Yoga offers some essential tools for reducing anxiety and making skillful decisions. These are my thoughts on how yoga teachers can tap into their practice to be a positive force during this time of unprecedented uncertainty.
Faria had been feeling a shift in her mindset when she reached out to Mado for coaching. She was sensing it was time to stop treating yoga like a hobby and start taking her teaching career more seriously. But she didn’t know how exactly to do that. In this on-air coaching call, Faria talks about how her teaching has changed since completing the Foundations of a Yoga Business program and catches Mado up about what she’s working on now. They also discuss classroom issues, inviting students to take privates and helping her prepare for her 300 hour training.
Highlights from this episode:
- Why it’s okay to have more than one niche or sub-niche
- How to make your online content more powerful and effective by focusing on one type of person
- What to do when someone shows up that the class is not designed for and how to serve that individual without doing a disservice to the group
- Planning and sequencing for a wide range of students
- How to confidently invite students to have a deeper experience with you through workshops and privates
- How stepping out of your own personal comfort zone while teaching is an act of service
- What it means to take yourself and your yoga business seriously
Links & Resources
Foundations of a Yoga Business group coaching
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Michelle Marchildon joins Mado on the podcast to discuss how yoga teachers can incorporate themes into their classes in a way that feels authentic and inspiring.
Highlights from this episode:
- Michelle’s definition of a yoga class theme
- The part of theming that most yoga teachers struggle with and Michelle’s formula to help overcome it
- Different approaches to finding inspiration and how to stay inspired
- How to connect authentically with students
- What yoga teachers have to offer over yoga videos and how understanding this can help you and your students
- How to stay connected to your authentic voice as a yoga teacher
- Advice for people becoming new yoga teachers later in life
- Examples of specific exercises Michelle gives people to help them use theming authentically in their classes
Links & Resources
Foundations of a Yoga Business group coaching
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Michelle’s website, YogiMuse.com
Ever wonder what’s actually happening in the transition from downward facing dog to lunge? Why is it so challenging for some? Is it an essential transition to master? Listen to learn how you can help your students navigate this common movement while still offering them an empowering yoga class experience.
Highlights from this episode:
- Understanding the mechanics of this particular movement and what is required of your body.
- Specific cues for that will help your students be successful.
- Why repetition of important cues is helpful to students.
- Building the poses and your cues progressively.
- Alternatives, modifications, and how to determine when they are appropriate.
- Strengthening movements that prepare your students for what it takes to step forward from down dog.
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Shannon Crow is a yoga teacher who specializes in yoga for pelvic health and trains other yoga teachers to do the same. In her conversation with Mado, she shares the basics of what every yoga teacher should know about pelvic health, information for yoga teachers interested in focusing on pelvic health, and also how she built her one to one pelvic health consultation business.
Episode highlights:
- How the breath impacts our pelvic health.
- Why Kegels and Mula Bandha aren’t appropriate for all (or even most) yoga students.
- How to determine if a specific pose, practice, or exercise is safe for you if you have pelvic health issues.
- Why pelvic health is a fantastic niche for yoga teachers - and how to determine if it is right for you.
- How yoga teachers can work cooperatively with pelvic floor PTs - and how to initiate relationships that result in a steady stream of referrals.
Links & Resources
Pelvic Health Professionals Membership
Book a Consultation Call with Shannon
Foundations of a Yoga Business
Episode 6: How to succeed as a yoga teacher by focusing on cooperation over competition with Shannon Crow
Kim is in the process of opening a yoga studio in an up-and-coming neighborhood in New York City. While she waits for her permits and paperwork to go through, she takes the opportunity to get some one-on-one coaching from Mado about her unique vision. In addition to being in an owner/administrative role, Kim wants to be a practitioner at her own studio. Listen as Mado offers some reflections and strategies to help her be successful as a new yoga studio owner.
Episode highlights:
- How to be able to practice at the studio as the owner without getting overwhelmed by the day to day tasks and things that come up.
- Bringing a yoga mindset into the experience of opening a studio.
- Creating structure in your schedule so that you get time to recharge.
- Holding boundaries for ourselves in business and leadership roles.
- The importance of having a support person such as a manager or assistant and what skill sets to look for when hiring this person.
- How to communicate with employees and clients and maintain integrity around your relationships.
- Suggestions for sales and promotions that have proven to work well for yoga studios.
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes
Mado shares her top 5 tips for sequencing a 20 minute demo class to audition for a teaching position. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a special freebie for listeners.
Episode highlights:
- Why yoga studios ask for a 20 minute audition.
- How to do research for the teaching job you are hoping to get.
- What to focus on when you don’t have enough time to sequence a full class experience.
- Teaching techniques you can use in your demo and beyond.
- How to have a plan for if you start running out of time and can’t teach everything you prepared.
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get a free downloadable cheat sheet based on this episode when you sign up for my email list.
Health psychologist, Stanford University lecturer, and author Kelly McGonigal joins Mado for a closer look at understanding the science behind the Joy of Movement from the perspective of a yoga teacher and yoga practitioner. The two also discuss how yoga teachers can use the information provided by the science to improve their classes and bring more joy to their students.
Episode highlights:
- Kelly’s personal yoga story and what ultimately lead her to write the Joy of Movement.
- The therapeutic value of community and collective movement experiences.
- How teaching yoga can build your skill sets in many different ways that often extend beyond the yoga classroom.
- Understanding why it feels so good to do yoga in a group experience according to science.
- How to take this information and use it to structure your yoga classes and respond to your students in the moment.
- Specific techniques to enhance the synchrony of the group and the direct experience of the joy of moving with others.
- An introduction to the psychology of movement and how different postures affect our brain and mood.
- How to help people begin and commit to joyful movement in their lives.
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Get more info about Mado’s Masterclass at Brevard Yoga
Workshops that Wow online course waitlist
Purchase The Joy of Movement book
Amanda McKinney is a Marketing Coach with a passion for empowering yoga teachers to earn more money doing what they love. In this episode, Mado picks Amanda’s brain about the 3 steps you can take right now to get more people in your yoga classes.
Episode highlights:
- Approaches for brand new teachers as well as experienced teachers who are ready to niche down.
- What to do when you feel the pressure of building your yoga business.
- How to apply yoga philosophy to your business.
- Concrete steps to help get more people to attend your classes.
- Advice for introverts with regards to marketing in person.
- What it is really like to build and maintain your own website
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Amanda’s 5 Weeks to Confident Yoga Marketing course
Schedule a complimentary 30 min call with Mado
Miranda Peterson has had an impressive 2019: she more than tripled her yoga business revenue from the year before. But that’s not the only result she’s seen from hiring Mado as her coach and mentor. In this special episode, you get a behind the scenes glimpse of what it’s like to work with a coach long term including:
- The process and what happens when you narrow down your niche.
- Addressing major concerns and challenges head on with support.
- How having a coach helps with confidence both as a yoga teacher and business owner.
- The unique experience of having someone who intimately understands your business as a sounding board and to celebrate your wins with.
- Understanding what makes a coach the right coach for you.
- Exploring money mindset and our relationship with money as yoga teachers.
Tune in next week for a much requested topic: how to fill your classes with guest Amanda McKinney.
Links & Resources
Schedule a free 30 minute clarity call
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Cari Moskow is a yoga teacher from Atlanta, GA who loves teaching workshops, but feels overwhelmed by the task of promoting them. In this on-air coaching call, Cari and Mado talk through her intended audience and how to create simple systems for marketing her workshops that will be more efficient and effective.
Episode highlights:
- Marketing on the fly vs. having a marketing plan.
- The value of having a system that includes a promotional calendar.
- What “batching” your work means and how to use this method for increasing efficiency in your promotion efforts.
- Narrowing down your niche so that your marketing can have more of an impact on the specific students you are wanting to attract to your workshops.
- How and why to use social media schedulers.
Register for my upcoming LIVE masterclass: 3 Keys to a stellar yoga workshop masterclass
Links & Resources
Episode 84: The difference between yoga class and yoga workshop
Episode 85: How to choose a workshop topic
Episode 86: Four types of successful yoga workshops
There are four basic types of yoga workshops that have a proven track record for consistently attracting students anywhere in the world. In this episode, Mado explains each type in detail including why you might choose one over the other and the upsides and downsides each.
New freebie for listeners: Get a free download of 100 yoga workshop ideas when you sign up for Mado’s email list.
Episode highlights:
- The different kinds of yoga workshops and which ones tend to get a lot of registrations.
- How to decide which type of workshop is right for you.
- The best ways to promote the different types of workshops.
- Tips for collaborating with another person on a workshop.
Links & Resources
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: 3 Keys to a phenomenal yoga workshop masterclass
Episode 84: The difference between yoga class and yoga workshop
Episode 85: How to choose a workshop topic
Chasity Burleson is a brand new yoga studio owner in Asheville, NC looking for guidance in creating workshops to help her students go a little deeper with yoga philosophy. Listen as she gains both clarity and strategy in this on-air coaching call with Mado.
New freebie for listeners: Get a free download of 100 yoga workshop ideas when you sign up for Mado’s email list.
Episode highlights:
- How to validate your workshop idea.
- How to choose a name for your workshop.
- Examples of effective structures for posture workshops.
- Ways to structure the actual workshop content.
Links & Resources
Get the brand new 100 yoga workshop ideas download
Learn the essential differences between yoga classes and yoga workshops and how understanding them can help improve your teaching and help your students see the value of both types of offerings.
New freebie for listeners: Get a free download of 100 yoga workshop ideas when you sign up for Mado’s email list.
Episode highlights:
- How knowing the differences between weekly classes and workshops can help you market your classes more successfully.
- Side by side comparisons on the frequency, structure, and duration of classes, vs workshops
- Information-based vs experience-based workshops and why you’d want to offer one or the other.
- The unique opportunities workshops offer yoga teachers.
- How to name & price your workshops.
Links & Resources
Sign up for Mado’s email list & get 100 yoga workshop ideas download
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Philosophical and neurophysiological perspectives for people in pain - the last of a three part series on yoga and pain science with the editors of the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care.
Marlysa is a physiotherapist, yoga therapist, Assistant Professor in Yoga Therapy and Integrative Health Sciences at Maryland University of Integrative Health, and holds an adjunct position at Emory University, where she teaches the integration of yoga and mindfulness into physical therapy practice in the DPT program.
Stay tuned to the very end of the episode for a chance to win a copy of the book. All entries need to be submitted by midnight on Tuesday December 17th, 2019.
Episode highlights:
- How yoga philosophy relates to pain care and what it offers for working with people in pain.
- Using scientific language vs. using the yoga language – how both are helpful and when to use them.
- Reductionist thinking as a tendency of scientific language and how yoga philosophy can counterbalance this tendency.
- How yoga teachers can be responsible in our relationship to science and communicating the many benefits of yoga to the public.
- What it means to approach yoga therapy top down or bottom up and examples of each
- Specific examples of how to bring yoga philosophy frameworks into your yoga classes and how it serves people in pain.
Links & Resources
Marlysa’s website
Purchase the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Enter the book giveaway on Instagram
Explore tangible and practical ways yoga teachers can think about pain in order to improve their teaching and support people in pain.
Part two in a three-part series on yoga and pain is a conversation about specific yogic practices for people in pain. Guest Shelly Prosko is a physiotherapist, yoga therapist, educator and pioneer of PhysioYoga with over 20 years of experience integrating yoga into rehabilitation. Shelly is also one of the editors of the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care. Stay tuned to the very end of the episode for a chance to win a copy of the book. All entries need to be submitted by midnight on Tuesday December 17th, 2019.
Episode highlights:
- Why it’s helpful for yoga teachers to understand pain.
- How yogic frameworks - the philosophy and other practices - can be applied to helping people with pain.
- This difference between awareness and mindfulness and why we need to know the distinction.
- The role of self compassion in pain and exploring the definition, different expressions, and stages of compassion.
- The koshas and how they relate to the experience of pain including one example of a practice for each of the 5 koshas.
Join us again next week for part three of the series all about yoga philosophy and pain with Marlysa Sullivan.
Links & Resources
Purchase the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
This week’s episode kicks off a series of conversations about yoga and pain science with the editors of the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care. The guest for part one in this three part series is Neil Pearson. Neil is a physiotherapist, yoga therapist, and Clinical Assistant Professor at University of British Columbia. Neil and Mado discuss the basics of pain science, the different ways we experience pain, how the yoga tradition views pain, and how this can be appealing to health care professionals.
Listen to the very end of the episode for a chance to win a copy of Yoga and Science in Pain Care. All entries need to be submitted by midnight on Tuesday December 17th, 2019.
Episode highlights:
- Defining pain and the ways we can begin to talk about such a multidimensional experience.
- The role of pain as protective mechanism from a pain science perspective.
- How yoga teachers can open a dialogue with health care professionals.
- What science says about being a part of a community and the effect it has on pain.
- Guidelines for yoga teachers who teach group classes to support and respond to students communicating some level of pain.
- Different relationships to pain as it related to wanting to achieve the more difficult/extreme asanas.
- How to learn more about pain science if you are interested in bringing it into your yoga teaching.
Join me again next week for part two of the series where I talk to Shelly Prosko about the specific practices we can use to help people in pain who show up at our yoga classes.
Links & Resources
Neil’s website Pain Care U
Lifemark First Five Steps
Purchase the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Jill Phoenix wants to make the leap into teaching yoga full time but doesn’t want it to feel too much like work and wants to preserve her passion for yoga. She also dreams of traveling more. In this on-air coaching call, Mado helps Jill zoom out a bit and offers some different perspectives on teaching remotely and how she can realize her goal of teaching yoga as a career and traveling the world.
Episode highlights:
- The value of a transition phase, what it is and how to use it to plan graduated, sustainable steps in the direction of your long term goal.
- How to market your brand new classes at new studios or locations.
- Different paths for how to make a living teaching yoga while traveling
- What it means to build your audience and create a platform for your offerings online.
- Tips for working in the yoga and wellness fields that go beyond teaching classes and workshops/retreats.
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Mado explores the sensitive relationship between yoga teachers and yoga studio owners and managers and how we can navigate these relationships with integrity.
Episode highlights:
- The causes and the effects of placing restrictive policies around what yoga teachers can share with their students in class.
- Real stories and experiences of the yoga teacher and yoga studio dynamic.
- Considerations about boundaries, agreements, and contracts between teachers and studios.
- What it would actually look like for studios and teachers to have win/win relationships.
Links & Resources
Episode 23: Teacher centered yoga studio business model
with Kaya Mindlin
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Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Mado shares how yoga teachers can discern who and what to believe when there are so many opposing perspectives being proclaimed with equal confidence online. If you’re wondering where to turn for reliable information and how to parse through the different perspectives to figure out what is right, tune in for this week’s episode.
Episode highlights:
- The challenge of sifting through all of the confident and conflicting voices online.
- The importance of examining our own relationship to social media.
- Why content designed for social media is so compelling from a neuroscience perspective.
- How we can apply yoga philosophy to hold space for multiple conflicting truths.
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Mado shares reasons new students might not be coming back to your classes and solutions to help you attract the people who truly want what you are offering. This information in this episode will help yoga teachers build their class attendance faster and find their authentic voice as a yoga teacher.
Episode highlights:
- Reasons people don’t come back that have nothing to do with you as a teacher
- The most common ways that yoga teachers make their students feel uncomfortable without realizing it and the quick fixes for this problem
- How to make sure that the advertising for your class is as accurate as possible
- The importance of naming your classes and considerations for choosing a class name
- How to talk to your regular students to get feedback on what they enjoy and get out of your classes
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Honing in on your niche is a powerful tool for reaching more people and making a bigger impact with your yoga teaching. However, many yoga teachers don’t truly understand why and how to choose their niche. In this episode, Mado explores this topic and the common mistakes that might be undermining your best intentions in choosing your specialty as a yoga teacher.
Episode highlights:
- The benefits of specialization as a yoga teacher today
- Five common mistakes and misunderstandings about choosing a niche
- Being too broad vs. too narrow with your niche
- What to do when you want your classes to be inclusive but also target a specific group of people
- Tips for choosing a niche organically, how to listen for clues, and what questions to ask yourself
Links & Resources
Episode 58: Lessons on burnout and spiritual bypassing from The Bhagavad Gita
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Kate Lynch is a long time yoga practitioner, yoga teacher, and mother of a special needs child. While she has a lot of clarity about exactly who she wants to work with, she also has concerns that her niche is too specific and that it could make things difficult in terms of growing her yoga business. Listen to this on-air coaching call to find out what advice Mado offers about Kate’s niche, how to make more money as a yoga teacher, and getting over the fear of taking big steps.
Episode highlights:
- How having a more narrow niche usually plays out in a fledgling business
- Dealing with fear and anxiety as it relates to business and making big decisions
- Overcoming the obstacle of asking for money for services in markets that are resistant or uninformed as to the value you offer
- The pros and cons of in-person or online options pros and cons
- Strategizing and prioritizing larger projects like writing a book, blogging, podcasting, and planning retreats.
Links & Resources
Schedule a Strategy Session with Mado
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Yoga teachers experience difficulties in life like anyone else but how much of our personal challenges should we bring into our classes? In this episode, Mado shares how we can find a balance between giving our students the positive experience they seek while also being honest about our personal struggles.
Episode highlights:
- Using a dharma talk or introducing a topic or deeper teaching at the beginning of your classes
- The difference between oversharing and acknowledging challenges in your own life
- Three techniques you can use to discuss challenging topics in a yoga class so that it feels authentic without being self indulgent or burdening your students
- Specific examples of how to implement these three techniques
- Questions you can ask yourself when your feeling conflicted about whether or not to share an idea or challenge with your students
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes
Teacher’s teacher, Amy Ippoliti joins Mado for a conversation about the gifts and challenges of teaching yoga as a career. They discuss and dissect the many layers of what makes an effective yoga teacher and a successful yoga business.
Episode highlights:
- How to cultivate a sustainable and fulfilling yoga teaching career for yourself
- Amy’s personal rituals and strategies for staying in a place of passion and inspiration and avoiding burnout
- Specific ways to help make sure you succeed in your business and balance all of the many priorities a yoga teacher might have
- How learning about business can help you serve your students better
- How to support new teachers and elevate the entire yoga community including the veteran teachers and yoga studios
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
90monkeys.com
Buy the Book: The Art and Business of Teaching Yoga
Angel Coughlin’s yoga studio is expanding. Along with this extra growth comes the increasing demands on her time and attention. In this on-air coaching call, Mado talks with Angel about ways she can balance her larger vision for her studio with the realities of running (and growing) a business and while continuing to being there for her yoga students who adore her. Mado also guides her with some actionable steps she can take and information about how best to utilize tools like email marketing and videos to essentially “scale” herself and communicate her vision more effectively.
Episode highlights:
- What to do when there is a disconnect between what you know your message to be and what your students understand it to be.
- How to meet your students’ needs through a medium that reaches more people at once
- Using your email list as an opportunity to get the word out about your larger vision and message.
- Avenues for building your email list through partnerships.
- How to segment your email list and why.
- Differences between yoga studio email lists and independent yoga teachers
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Leslie Kaminoff is a straight talking yoga teacher who has been around long enough to have seen the tremendous shift in how yoga is practiced and perceived in the US. In this follow up to their previous conversation about the history and future of the Yoga Alliance, Leslie shares his background and yoga origin story. He and Mado also discuss the ways in which the birth of the fitness industry paved the way for what we in the west know yoga to be today.
Episode Highlights:
- Leslie’s recommendations for people looking to work as a full-time yoga teacher
- Leslie’s personal yoga story
- How the rise of the fitness industry directly influenced yoga as we know it in the US
- Whether someone is or isn’t doing “real yoga” if they came to yoga through fitness
- Thoughts on the Yoga Alliance’s new standards
- The origin of the Leslie’s esutra email list and the original dialogue he started around the Yoga Alliance standards years ago
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List and Get 100 Yoga Class Themes Free
Leslie Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy website
Episode 46: Leslie Kaminoff on Teaching Standards and the Yoga Alliance
Episode 60: Yoga Alliance CEO on their new standards with Shannon Roche
Leslie’s public statement after new standards announced
E-sutra post with original Yoga Alliance dialogue
Maintaining a consistent home yoga practice is one of the most common challenges for yoga teachers. In this episode, Mado shares the strategies she is currently using to re-establish the habit of home yoga practice after her recent travels. She also talks in detail about the science-based reasons why we struggle with our personal practice, even if we have a ton of integrity in other areas of our lives. Also included are some techniques you can easily implement to reclaim your personal practice.
Episode Highlights:
- Mado’s definition of a home yoga practice
- The true value of home practice for yoga teachers
- Why maintaining a personal practice is such a challenge for teachers
- 5 steps you can take to establish or re-establish the habit of home practice
- Information and resources about the human brain and how it applies to having a consistent home practice
Links & Resources
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List and Get 100 Yoga Class Themes Free
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Atomic Habits by James Clere
The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal
Mado steps outside of her comfort zone to film a video series and then goes behind the scenes to share the lessons she learned while shooting the videos. If you’ve been thinking about creating videos of your own, this episode will help you get through the learning curve of using a new technology with less stress and more success.
Episode Highlights:
- The thought process and intention behind the video series.
- The 5 main lessons I learned from the experience
- The things I plan to do differently in the future
- Equipment used to film the videos
- The process for editing and releasing the videos
Stay tuned to the very end of the episode where I share one bonus lesson that applies to any project you might undertake for your business.
Links & resources
Get the video series sent to your inbox
Sign up for the mastermind group
Technology I recommend
Neewer Ring Light
Neewer Ring light; The cheaper version
ATR USB 2100 Microphone
Introverts make fantastic yoga teachers, but we have a few extra challenges to face when it comes to building a following.
New Zealand based yoga teacher Dayna Edge is wondering whether she should open her own yoga studio or focus more on private and corporate classes. She recently resigned from her administrative job and is now looking to pursue her passion and teach yoga full time. She wants to have access to a wider range of people she can work with than she had at her previous job, but she is new to the area and an introvert to boot.
Episode Highlights:
- Building a student base as an independent teacher (and an introvert)
- Tips for teaching yoga when you move to a new city.
- Strategies for gaining corporate clients and how to market to that group of people.
- Specific action items for networking and building relationships in a local yoga community.
- What level of importance social media play in establishing a private, one-on-one yoga business.
Links and Resources:
Individual and group coaching with Mado
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Mado shares her experience with switching email marketing service providers, why she made the change from Mailchimp to Convert Kit, and her tips and recommendations for yoga teachers looking to begin using an email service as well as those who are ready to maximize their email marketing.
Episode Highlights:
- Why and how yoga teachers might want to use email marketing
- Mailchimp’s limitations and reasons for switching to ConvertKit
- What the process of switching was like including migrating a contact list
- Mistakes Mado made along the way and what she wishes she I had done differently
- Recommendations for the less tech savvy yoga teachers
Links and Resources:
Individual and group coaching with Mado
Episode 16 “Email Newsletters Are Dead, Long Live Email Marketing.”
Episode 66 “Recent MailChimp Changes with Peter Akkies”
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Mailchimp is the most popular email marketing platform for yoga teachers. In this week’s episode, email marketing expert Peter Akkies joins Mado to talk about how Mailchimp’s recent changes to their platform will impact yoga teachers specifically.
Episode highlights:
- Overview of email marketing, how it has changed, and what is currently trending and effective.
- How yoga teachers can utilize email marketing to grow their classes.
- What the recent changes to Mailchimp’s services mean for yoga teachers.
- Ideas for partnering with yoga studios in your marketing efforts.
- Email marketing tips for the less tech-savvy yoga teachers.
- The long term thinking needed for building your yoga business and how it applies to email marketing
- Alternatives to email marketing and why you might choose not to use email in your marketing efforts
Tune in for next week’s episode for information on switching to another email provider if you’ve outgrown Mailchimp.
Links and Resources
Episode 16 “Email Newsletters Are Dead, Long Live Email Marketing.”
Email Marketing for Yoga Teachers Course with Peter Akkies
Book: The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Listen in on a practical and inspiring conversation about how yoga teachers can go beyond the physical in their teaching
Kelly Golden, founder of virabhava yoga, shares how her teaching evolved in response to personal challenges and the surprising way her students responded when she changed her classes from hot power vinyasa to a more slow and subtle practice incorporating energetics.
Episode highlights:
- Accessible definitions of prana and energetics.
- Why teaching about energy is a struggle for yoga teachers and also why it’s important.
- What it means to cultivate a relationship with prana.
- How understanding energy, and cultivating our tools of internal feeling and measurement, can help in terms of the long term benefit of our practice.
- Easy and practical ways to bring a relationship with prana into the classroom and share with our students.
- Practicing and teaching yoga from the perspective of energy as primary and how alignment and form can follow a direction of energy.
- Examples of teaching a movement in different ways to have different effects.
Links and Resources:
Small Group Coaching with Mado
Pay What You Can purchase option for Kelly’s online program
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Allison is opening a yoga studio and came to Mado with questions about working with her staff of teachers and finding ways to feel more centered in her personal offering of yoga.
Allison feels called to work with people with injuries and often finds herself connecting with physical therapists and chiropractors. She also expresses that she is unsure about calling herself an expert and yet she feels like she has sufficient training, even to the point of feeling a little “trained out” or tired of doing trainings right now.
Listen in as Mado guides Allison through her questions and offers the following insights:
- Tips for marketing and naming your classes so that people are clear about who you help and how you help them.
- Ideas for reaching out to physical therapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists for finding people to work with.
- The value of personal connection over virtual connection for networking and building relationships with physical therapists and chiropractors.
- Developing a mentorship program as a studio owner to nurture relationships with teachers at the studio.
- What it means to be in a “questioning place” with your yoga teaching.
- What to do when you feel tired of yoga training and it feels aren’t really getting any new information.
Links and Resources
Strategy Sessions and Coaching with Mado
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Alex Haley, meditation teacher and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, joins Mado to discuss the intersection of mindfulness and technology and how those of us who are interested in wellness relate to technology and our tech-driven world. They also talk in-depth about how technology impacts our teaching of yoga and mindfulness, our students, and the people we love.
If you have questions or concerns about meditation apps and online teaching or are interested in how technology is changing our culture, you will appreciate this episode.
Insights shared in this episode:
- The benefits and limitations of meditation apps as well as current trends in apps.
- Alex’s recommended apps and how he chooses his recommendations.
- The differences between using meditation apps vs having a teacher and a community to learn with.
- The business side of apps and online educational platforms for yoga and meditation teachers.
- Advice for yoga teachers to make sure they are getting fairly compensated on the online platforms.
- How yoga teachers can prepare and educate themselves about apps and how to use the technology in a practical and balanced way.
Citations Alex mentions in the episode:
Mistretta, E. G., Davis, M. C., Temkit, M. H., Lorenz, C., Darby, B., & Stonnington, C. M. (2018). Resilience training for work-related stress among health care workers: results of a randomized clinical trial comparing in-person and smartphone-delivered interventions. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 60(6), 559-568.
Adolph, K. E., & Hoch, J. E. (2019). Motor development: Embodied, embedded, enculturated, and enabling. Annual review of psychology, 70, 141-164.
Links and Resources
Fall group coaching mastermind program
Offering Tree Website
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is considered standard reading in yoga teacher trainings all over the world and many scholars spend a lifetime studying the history and meaning behind this enigmatic text. This week’s episode is an exploration of why, as modern day teachers of primarily yoga posture practice, we study this ancient yogic text.
Insights from this episode include:
- Why the yoga sutras has such a prominent place in modern postural yoga.
- The particular style, structure, and significance of the yoga sutras as a piece of Indian literature.
- recent theories and understandings about this enigmatic text.
- A comparison of the literary vs. the oral tradition of the yoga sutras
- How the yoga sutras are connected to modern yoga lineages such as Iyengar, Ashtanga, power yoga, and vinyasa yoga.
Links and Resources
Register for Teaching the Yoga Sutras Weekend with Mado September 7th & 8th (Early bird discount ends August 7th)
The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali: A Biography by David Gordon White
Recommended translations:
Edwin Bryant (most comprehensive - current gold standard translation, but overwhelmingly long at 672 pages)
Chip Hartranft (less comprehensive, but a bit more accessible)
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Yoga therapist and Science of Yoga author, Ann Swanson, shares insights on the intersection of science and yoga including:
- Why yoga as an integrated practice is uniquely positioned to make an impact on human wellness.
- Her struggles integrating science and spirituality - and why she now feels they are inseparable.
- How to weave spirituality into your classes in a subtle and accessible manner.
- How to evaluate stated benefits and contraindications of specific poses
- What she thinks about inversions during menstruation - and the exact thought process that led her to that conclusion.
Links and Resources:
Ann Swanson’s website
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Yoga Alliance CEO Shannon Roche joins Mado to discuss recently announced changes to their standards for entry level yoga teacher trainings. The conversation goes in-depth on topics of curriculum, anticipated outcomes, and even reactions to criticisms of Yoga Alliance as an organization.
Since this episode is longer than normal, timestamps of the highlights and different topics addressed are included below so that you can jump to specific areas of interest:
00:02:50 Shannon’s personal definition of yoga and how she views the role and scope of Yoga Alliance’s participation in the larger yoga community.
00:06:38 Shannon’s personal history and experience with yoga and what led her to the position as CEO for Yoga Alliance.
00:11:08 A summary of the major changes and the motivation behind the 18 month long project.
00:21:23 Alternative pathways or “grandfathering” options for lead trainers who might not have the typical credentials but have the qualifications
00:24:11 Anticipated outcomes and who the changes will impact the most
00:27:43 The difference between a certifying entity and a credentialing agency and how they work together.
00:29:31 How Yoga Alliance is approaching their “PR problem” and reputational concerns.
00:39:24 Review panels, re-credentialing, and updates and improvements to the application process.
00:47:44 Curriculum changes.
00:59:02 How Yoga Alliance will continue to evaluate standards going forward
01:04:44 Critics of Yoga Alliance
New RYS Standards
Yoga Alliance Mission Statement
Email Yoga Alliance
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Rose is a new yoga teacher. Unlike many teachers, she didn’t start teaching until age 55 and because of this she feels she needs to get some help honing in on her focus area and niche. In this on-air coaching call, Mado helps Rose get clear about who she feels called to teach yoga to, plus some beautifully simple ways she can improve her classes and get her confidence up as a new yoga teacher.
Listen to hear some effective and easy to apply strategies for new yoga teachers such as:
-
How to keep your center while teaching a yoga class no matter who shows up to your class.
-
Clarifying your goals and intentions for teaching yoga in order to reach your specific student base.
- The importance of mentorship and community for yoga teachers.
- Why market research is essential for teachers who want to have an impact
- How to approach your students to ask for feedback.
- Ways to incorporate personal stories that your students will connect with that don’t come across as just “talking about yourself.”
Links and Resources
Episode 43: Foundations of a Yoga Business
Schedule a coaching call with Mado
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most practical and accessible yogic texts. It is about yoga in action and how to apply the teachings of yoga to real life situations. But can these ancient teachings be helpful when dealing with modern issues such as burnout and spiritual bypassing?
That is exactly what Kaya Mindlin and Mado Hesselink get into on this week’s episode of the podcast. They thoughtfully discuss the causes of burnout and spiritual bypassing and how the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita can be a much needed remedy.
More in this episode:
What makes the Bhagavad Gita different than other yoga texts.
- How burnout and spiritual bypassing are talked about in the Bhagavad Gita.
- A truly beautiful description of the teachings of vairagya (commonly translated as nonattachment).
- What modern yogis and yoga teachers can do to prevent burnout and spiritual bypassing.
- A simple and accessible way to practice the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and integrate them into your everyday life.
- How the lessons in the Bhagavad Gita apply to teaching yoga classes.
Links and Resources
Kaya’s Bhagavad Gita Course
Yoga Sutras training with Mado
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Jules Mitchell is the author of Yoga Biomechanics, Stretching Redefined and a passionate educator dedicated to bringing a positive understanding of human movement to the yoga world.
Discussed in this episode:
- Why she doesn’t view herself as a controversial figure despite acknowledging that her work pisses people off.
- Her desire to re-instill the passion in yoga teachers who feel jaded.
- Her mission to help yoga teachers work confidently with their students who are injured, concerned about injury, or have limiting beliefs about their bodies.
- The pose from yoga that she wishes all exercise modalities would adopt.
Links and Resources
Jules’ website
Purchase Jule’s book for a 15% discount use code TRJM19 until June 30th
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Self promotion is a challenge for many yoga teachers. It feels counterintuitive and contrary to the tradition of service and spiritual practice we know and love. Even trying to wrap our head around the concept of branding, while also managing the day-to-day aspects of teaching yoga, can be a bit overwhelming. The purpose of today’s episode is to offer clarity and a grounded approach to branding for your yoga business.
I am joined by one of my long time coaching clients, Miranda Peterson. Miranda is a yoga teacher and a digital marketing and branding expert. She understands the unique challenge of needing to stand out in an oversaturated market while also being true to your passion and your practice.
We cover a lot of ground including:
- What is branding and how is this different from marketing, graphic design, and PR?
- Common mistakes yoga teachers make with their branding.
- How to decide whether to DIY or hire someone.
- Tips to get started and basic design principles.
- The #1 thing to consider when creating your personal brand.
Links and Resources:
Podcast episode on finding your niche
Three steps to a sustainable and ethical yoga business with Joe Pace
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Miranda’s website
Sign up for a clarity call with Mado
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
How do we share the benefits of yoga with working class people in a way that doesn’t turn them off and is inclusive and welcoming?
Topics covered in this on-air coaching call:
- How to become more skillful at communicating the benefits of yoga with anybody you meet.
- How to overcome the false or incomplete perceptions as portrayed by yoga magazines, advertisements, and social media.
- How to reach further into communities where yoga is not popular or is not understood.
- How to appeal to a working class student base .
- Ideas to grow your classes in these markets and how to think about advertising as a yoga teacher.
Sign up for a strategy session with Mado
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Insights and surprises about yoga teachers and the yoga industry, glimpses behind the scenes of podcast production, and a vulnerable moment of self-revelation.
This episode covers some of many lessons I’ve learned through producing this podcast for the past year including:
- The inspiration for starting this podcast - and how that initial spark has expanded into the main ways that I currently work with yoga teachers.
- Two common struggles that many yoga teachers face that surprised me
- The truth about a so-called saturated market - and how yoga teachers around the world are finding their own way to a sustainable yoga business.
- The hardest part about producing the podcast - and the part that was surprisingly easier than I expected.
- One ugly truth about myself and how it has been holding me back in my business (and my life)
- A peek behind the scenes of how I choose topics for the podcast, which episodes have been the most popular, and the single most downloaded episode of the entire year.
- How listening to myself on the podcast has revealed an aspect of my personality that is both a limitation and a superpower - and how yoga has helped me manage and come to terms with this particular challenge.
Are you curious or confused about non-compete contracts? Many yoga studios are now asking their teachers to sign a document stating that they won't open a competing studio or some even require that you not teach at another studio within a certain distance. In this episode I share my thoughts on non-compete contracts including:
- The evolution of non-compete contracts in the yoga space.
- The circumstances that need to be in place before I would sign one
- How enforceable are they? - and what would enforcement look like?
- What you should do if you are asked to sign one, but don't feel it is fair.
Have you ever been asked to sign a non-compete? If so, what came of it? Come share your story on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group.
Many yoga teachers struggle with the concept of owning a business, because we associate businesses with an unbridled (and often unethical) pursuit of profit. On this week's podcast, Joe Pace (former marketing analyst and founder of Icewater yoga) shares how yoga teachers can take lessons from business analytics and yoga to create a career that is both ethical and sustainable.
Joe shares plenty of practical information, but we also dive deep on a philosophical level. Some of the things you'll learn include:
- What yoga teachers should be measuring as part of their business strategy
- How to calculate the amount that it's reasonable to spend on acquiring a new customer/student.
- What it's like running an online yoga platform
- A system for applying principles from marketing analytics to an ethical yoga business.
Links and Resources
Icewater Yoga
The Clutch Podcast
Even the most wonderful medicine can be harmful when applied inappropriately. While a daily home yoga practice can be nourishing and inspiring for many teachers, approaching it from a place of competition and lack is a recipe for injury and depletion.
Inspired by an email I received from a fellow yoga teacher, today's episode explores the following questions:
- We try to make a yoga practice accessible for students, but what about the teacher?
- What does it mean if you are actually becoming less flexible rather than more flexible when you increase your frequency of practice?
- It feels like everyone tells me a yoga teacher must practice, but if I suspect my practice might be injuring me, should I stop?
- Do you need to be able to perform certain poses to be a good yoga teacher?
Links and Resources:
- Schedule a coaching call with Mado
- Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
- Get new episodes emailed to you weekly
What happened to your yoga practice when you became a teacher? Many yoga teachers are surprised by the way that the new role of teacher can actually derail their personal practice.
That’s what happened to Brittany, a yoga teacher and digital marketer in Minneapolis. She went from feeling like yoga was her special refuge, to only practicing while she teaches. Now she feels lonely and lacks inspiration. In this coaching call we explore her priorities and make some choices around how she spends her time so that her cup will be full enough to share with her students.
- Why it’s imperative to think of yourself as a student of yoga first and a teacher second.
- How to organize your life around your personal practice instead of the other way around.
- The pros and cons of teaching in a yoga studio, vs gym or community center.
- How she can eventually combine her skills as a yoga teacher and digital marketing to create a sustainable business.
Get on the waitlist for the group coaching/mastermind starting in the fall of 2019.
Join the yoga teacher resource facebook group.
Learn about scheduling your own strategy session with Mado.
Warm ups are an essential part of your yoga sequence - so how to you know if you are choosing the right poses? By listener request, I share my thoughts on the topic in this episode including:
- The two main purposes for warming up
- The kind of movement that is best for fulfilling these intentions
- How to choose warm up poses based on the more challenging poses you plan to teach later in the sequence.
- Why I think that most basic yoga poses are actually pretty complex - and how to prepare our students to get the most out of them.
- A simple guideline you can use for any class
- How to modify warm ups based on the population you teach
Email subscribers also have access to three short videos of warm up sequences that I use personally. Subscribe now to get access to this and other bonus content.
If you’re trying to break into teaching, this episode will cover a whole bunch of ideas of how to do so. Whether you recently graduated from YTT, are still in YTT, have recently moved to a new location, or are planning to move soon - getting started is often the hardest part.
- Why a yoga studio might not be the best place to start teaching - and where to find the perfect first teaching gigs.
- How to build trust at a yoga studio where nobody knows you (yet).
- The reason I recommend teaching privates - even if you don't feel ready.
- How to start with the end in mind - why your reasons for teaching and your vision for the future should influence the environment in which you teach.
Get on the waitlist for the group coaching/mastermind starting in the fall of 2019.
Join the yoga teacher resource facebook group.
Learn about working with me one on one.
Author of Yoga Anatomy and long time teacher Leslie Kaminoff shares his insider's perspective on the history and future of the Yoga Alliance and the forces influencing teaching standards in the yoga industry.
Some of the topics we cover:
-->What the yoga world was like when the Yoga Alliance got started and the thought processes behind their initial policies.
-->How yoga evolved from a fringe activity into an industry - and how the concerns around teaching standards changed with that evolution.
-->What Leslie thinks the Yoga Alliance has done right... and several ways he thinks they have mistepped in the past
-->Leslie’s top priority and reason for participating in the Yoga Alliance advisory committee
-->The important element that Leslie believes Yoga Alliance is missing in their structure
-->Leslie’s hope for the future of the Yoga Alliance and the industry as a whole
Katie Yandrick is a college professor and yoga teacher who wants to bring yoga and movement to people who don’t realize yoga is for them: body shape/size, economic background, varying abilities, race, and ethnicity – She wants the diversity that exists in her community to also exist in her yoga clients.
Katie reached out to me for help on how to speak to those people to get them to try her classes and then also once they are in class.
Some questions we dive into include:
What does accessible language really mean?
Is it possible to speak to everyone who doesn't currently see themselves as yogis at the same time?
Within the diversity of her community, what do the students Katie connects with most deeply have in common?
How can we talk about yoga with people who think they know what it means, but are completely off base?
Links and resources:
Schedule your own coaching call with Mado
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List
Grace reached out for advice and support on gaining confidence as a yoga teacher. She's been teaching for a year and is afraid that her teacher training was sub-par, but doesn't have the funds to take another at the moment. She feels she should have enough experience by now to feel confident, so she wonders what the heck is going on?
- The main source for confidence as a yoga teacher
- The biggest reason teachers lack confidence
- One powerful teaching from the yoga sutras
- How to interrupt the habitual thoughts that feed lack of confidence.
- Why more knowledge does not equal more confidence.
Sign up for Mado's email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn the often neglected first steps to creating a sustainable and profitable yoga business.
As most yoga teachers do not have business training, we end up really lost when it comes to creating a business around our yoga teaching. It's easy to waste a lot of time and energy on things that ultimately don't matter unless you have your foundations in place.
This episode covers the foundational steps that will make sure your yoga business is solid from the beginning. If you follow the advice in this episode, you will set yourself apart from most yoga teachers who either don't know to do these things or don't realize how important they are.
If you want personalized help in implementing these steps, based on your unique situation I would love to help in a strategy session or coaching package.
We all experience moments of self doubt and sometimes feel like an impostor - as though we are not really qualified to take the seat of the teacher and lead others in yoga. In this episode you'll hear why I think this is actually a good thing and how you can continue to serve your students no matter how you are personally feeling on a given day.
Please join the yoga teacher resource facebook group for a community of supportive teachers. We lift each other up with guidance, reflection, and encouragement.
When Allison signed up for an on-air coaching call, she thought she wanted help with narrowing her focus and keeping her classes interesting - but the byproduct of that work was to optimize her teaching schedule and hone back in the reasons she loves teaching in the first place.
- Why excellent teaching is always about coming back to your intention.
- The deeper reasons that your cues feel stale - and what to do about it.
- How to structure your class schedule to be a win-win for you and your students.
- How to use progressive sequencing to help your students understand the ‘whys’ behind your cues.
- The purpose and place of a cue in your classes - and why cueing should not replace teaching.
- The reason you might consider teaching privates before you ‘feel ready’ and how to get private students to give you helpful feedback.
I have a limited number of spaces to work with yoga teachers intensively over the next three months. If you would like to be considered for a spot, please sign up for a free clarity call to make sure we are a good fit to work together.
Learn what is really happening in your body when you stretch and how to use this information in your classes and personal practice.
Trigger point therapist and yoga teacher Cat Matlock takes us on a tour of the human muscular system and the way it interacts with the nervous system.
Highlights: * The key sensory organ that resides in your muscles and regulates your ability to stretch. * The reason you cannot do yoga specifically for your muscles or specifically for your fascia. * The difference between tone and tension - and how this impacts your ability to stretch a muscle. * Why the stretch reflex actually does the opposite of what it sounds like. * Techniques for stretching that honor the way your muscles actually work.
Links and Resources If you have loved the last three episodes on anatomy with Mado, Ferris Fakhoury, and Cat Matlock - we would love to have you join us for an in-person training in Asheville, NC. Register for the anatomy series - March 10-April 7
FreeBody Trigger Point Therapy Clinic
Book a strategy session with Mado
Do you (really) understand the relationship between stretching and strengthening? Yoga teacher and physical therapist Ferris Fakhoury sets us straight about the relationship between these two concepts. (Hint - they aren’t opposites).
She also drops wisdom about:
- Changes in our understanding about the human body that are happening in both the PT and yoga worlds.
- How to determine healthy and unhealthy movement patterns in yoga
- Why she believes that beginners are best served by starting out with private sessions.
- Her thoughts on the purpose of training flexibility
- How our verbal cues impact the way our students feel about their bodies and their poses.
Helpful Links:
Register for the anatomy series with Mado, Ferris, and Cat - March 10-April 7
Anjali Hot Yoga
Book a strategy session with Mado
Is knowing anatomy really important for being a great yoga teacher?
Many of the yoga teachers I talk to believe that anatomy is their biggest learning opportunity for becoming a better yoga teacher. It's the number one topic I hear people wish was covered more thoroughly in their teacher training. But... I think most yoga teachers misunderstand the purpose and place of studying anatomy.
Listen to this episode to hear:
- A bit about my journey from alignment based yoga teacher to anatomy based yoga teacher to...?
- The more accurate definition of anatomy that helps to place it into proper context.
- The related topics of study that might be more important for yoga teachers and movement professionals.
- Why I hope this episode becomes outdated as soon as possible.
I also share about an upcoming training for yoga teachers that I am collaborating on with two brilliant colleagues who are also upcoming guests on the podcast (keep your eyes peeled the next few weeks for more anatomy related episodes).
PS - The new year is bringing many new clients my way and I am very grateful. I am 3/4 of the way to capacity for working with yoga teachers on a regular basis. Would you like to take one of my final spaces?
Jill Miller had a hip replacement a little over a year ago. In this episode she shares new insights that she realized in the past few weeks about the factors that contributed to severe degeneration of her hip and the inevitability of a hip replacement.
She also covers:
- The unique approach her surgeon took (and an overview of the more traditional approaches)
- The upgrades in hip replacement hardware made in the past few years (and why, as teachers, we should assume student have the old hardware unless we know for sure).
- Movement contraindications for both old and new hardware.
- The movement patterns and specific poses that she believes contributed to her hip's degeneration.
- The one question to ask any student who discloses an injury.
Jill also opens up with her signature vulnerability and candor about what it was like going into surgery and what the hardest part of the healing process has been for her.
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Tune Up Fitness
Yoga Tune Up® Training
Functional Anatomy for Yoga Teachers
This episode is kicking off a series of podcasts that focus on anatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics in honor of a series of classes on the same topics that I am offering in the Asheville, NC area beginning in March.
This 5-week series (Sundays 11-2:30, beginning March 10) is co-taught with physical therapist Ferris Fakhoury and Trigger Point Therapist Cat Matlock. We have distilled the essentials of human movement that are most important for yoga teachers to understand and are excited to present it in a way that is specifically relevant for yoga teachers.
Early bird rate of $325 is available until February 27th, but having three teachers for a small group is a unique opportunity to get individual attention and it may fill before then. Register today.
Is sales a dirty word in yoga?
It is certainly not what we signed up to do when we became yoga teachers.
In this episode, my guest Amanda Kingsmith makes the case that sales are a necessary part of being a yoga teacher, that they don't have to feel slimy, and that they can actually be a catalyst for personal growth.
Our conversation also dives into:
-->What Amanda learned working on the sales floor at Lululemon
-->The difference between convincing and offering
-->The inner work that is the first step to getting better at sales - and making them feel more comfortable.
-->How to make sales feel like service.
Inspired Action
After you listen to the episode, Amanda invites you to sit down with a journal and brainstorm on the following four questions:
- What does success mean to me?
- What is one thing I really want to do with my teaching or business?
- What is one thing that is holding me back right now?
- What is my relationship to money?
Links and Resources
Yoga Podcasts
MBOM podcast
Connected Yoga Teacher podcast
Yoga Business Coaches
Work with Amanda
Work with Shannon
Work with Mado
Podcast episodes mentioned:
Episode 6: Succeed as a yoga teacher by focusing on cooperation over competition with Mado and Shannon Crow
Episode 8: Teaching yoga full time vs part time with Mado
Learn to create a yoga class plan that is easily searchable and repeatable.
In the second episode of this two part series I will build on the information from last week, so make sure to listen to part one first. Some of the topics I cover include:
- how often to change up your plan
- the most common ways to structure your plans
- how to create a system to make it easy to reuse your class plans
- adapting the same plan for different populations.
- why your plan doesn't need to be perfect
Links and Resources
Get a downloadable list of 100 yoga class themes when you sign up for my email list.
Get personalized help with your class planning by booking a strategy session.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook group to get advice from other teachers.
Learn tips and techniques for planning your classes to keep you focused, effective, and inspired.
Part one of this series focuses on the nuts and bolts of how to create a plan that has enough structure to be helpful, but enough flexibility to be adaptable to unexpected circumstances. Topics covered include:
- The difference between a sequence, a theme, and a class plan.
- Why it's important to treat your plan like a tool, not like a rule.
- A simple trick to energize any theme that feels one-dimensional or incomplete.
- How to structure your plan to help you make decisions on the fly in response to your students.
- How to approach planning a 60 minute class vs a 90 minute class vs a workshop.
Tips and practical advice for your own meditation practice and how to share it with your students.
In this episode, Kelly Smith from Yoga for You online shares practical and down to earth advice about practicing and teaching meditation, including:
- The best time of day to meditate
- How to choose a meditation position
- What to do if you tend to fall asleep during meditation
She also shares ideas for teaching meditation such as:
- How to talk to your students about meditation in a way that meets them where they are at.
- The simplest way to introduce meditation into your classes.
- Some ideas for formatting a meditation workshop or series.
She and I also discuss the placement of meditation within the 8 limbs of yoga and how both of us use meditation to manage our anxiety.
Listen to the end of the episode for a discount to her online meditation trainings.
If you feel nervous before teaching - you are not alone. Feeling nervous is something that happens to everyone, yet somehow we tent to think we are the only ones who feel that way! In this episode, I will share my personal ideas, feelings, and strategies around how to handle getting nervous about your teaching.
- What being nervous really means
- Why it's actually a good thing
- What to do when you feel so nervous you think it might affect the quality of your teaching.
- Internal and external strategies for dealing with extreme nervousness.
Alexandria Crow shares insights on how yoga teachers can use social media in a way that is both ethical and effective.
Highlights * Benefits and pitfalls of social media for yoga teachers * Alex’s elevator pitch * How to decide which social media channels to use * How to create content to post on social media * How to measure your success on social media
Invitation for Inspired Action Create your elevator pitch and share it on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group!
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
Alex’s Website
If you struggle with pricing or are unsure about how to set prices for your teaching, this episode is a mini-training to help you set a minimum hourly rate.
Physical therapist and yoga teacher Libby Hinsley discusses the significance of the psoas muscle and how yoga teachers can most effectively work with it in their classes.
Highlights * The primary role of the psoas muscle (it’s probably not what you think) * Symptoms of psoas dysfunction * Two reasons why modern humans have more problems with the psoas than our ancestors * How the psoas shapes the body * Two neuromuscular principles for supporting the psoas to lengthen * A formula for working with the psoas in yoga classes * The problem with most anatomical cues and what you can do instead
Invitation for Inspired Action Write a sequence using Libby’s psoas love formula. Who is your audience? Will they benefit from indirect strengthening or can you target the psoas major muscles directly?
Share it on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group!
Email subscribers get a bonus download:
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
Gil Hedley anatomical dissection videos
Libby's website
Join Anatomy Bites
5 Things You Should Know About The Psoas Major - Free Download
Is it ethical to charge for yoga?
Highlights * What yoga teachers are selling (it's not yoga) * Why free yoga may not be in the best interest of the student. * Why money causes so many people to behave unethically - and why yoga teachers are far from immune. * How to make better decisions around money. * Lessons from ancient yogic texts such as the yoga sutras and the Bhagavad Gita.
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
Kaya Mindlin's Instagram (she does Sakskrit Saturday tutorials)
Learn how to market your offerings in a way that is both honest and effective - and avoid the most common marketing pitfalls along the way.
Highlights * The evolution of the ‘yoga industry’ in the past few decades * Why most yoga teachers think of marketing in backwards - and how turning that thinking around can transform their relationship to marketing * The weird reason I used to be afraid of marketing - and how I got over myself * How (and why) to depersonalize the results of your marketing * One powerful assignment to get you started with effective marketing.
Invitation for Inspired Action Set up tea or phone calls with 5 of your most dedicated students. Determine what they appreciate about your classes, what need they feel it fulfills, and what challenges or frustrates them in their practice. Pay attention to the language they use and the things they care about. Once you have had your first conversation, please come onto the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group and tell us what you learned.
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
Bernie Clark shares how you can use knowledge of anatomical variation to make your yoga classes more inclusive and supportive of long term optimal health for your students.
Highlights * The most important anatomical concepts that yoga teachers often get wrong. * The most important question for yoga teachers and students to ask themselves about asana. * How to know if you should study anatomy as a yoga teacher. * The anti-fragility curve and what it means for yoga teachers * Common poses to avoid teaching in a mixed group * Three principles of intelligent strengthening for the spine
Invitation for Inspired Action Ask your students “What are you feeling?”
Enter to win Bernie’s two most recent books: Your Body Your Yoga and Your Spine Your Yoga.
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
Bernie’s Website
Purchase Bernie’s books on Amazon:
Learn strategies for thriving as a yoga teacher when you live in a rural and/or seasonal area in this on-air coaching session with Valarie Anderson.
Highlights * How to approach the concept of niche when you live in a very small town. * How to talk about yoga with people who only have had a very limited exposure to it and may feel skeptical about it. * How to structure your class offerings when you live in a place with huge seasonal changes in weather and/or population. * How to get over feeling awkward when you tell people about your classes. * Plus - listen in as Valarie surprises Mado by already having a ready made niche with a ton of demand right under her nose.
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
An innovative yoga studio business model that is designed to center the needs of yoga teachers and support them to make a living as a teacher.
Highlights ~ Why Kaya chose this business model
~ The three prongs of a yoga studio ~ the students, the studio, the teachers and whether all three can "win"
~ Who this kind of model is for and who it isn't for
~ Why running a studio as simply as possible is good for resolving the "good girl" syndrome of perfectionism and overdoing
Invitation for Inspired Action Have you thought about starting your own studio? Let us know on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group!
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
Mado shares how you can use the latest research in neuroscience to turn your personal practice from a resource intensive decision to a nourishing habit.
Highlights * Why habit formation is a missing piece in most teacher trainings * The three main components of a habit and how to manipulate them to create an effortlessly consistent personal practice * 5 types of triggers how to strengthen their effect * Ritual, accountability and small wins
Invitation for Inspired Action Look for an accountability partner on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group!
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
The Power Of Habit by Charles Duhigg (Affiliate link)
The queen of alignment and grandmother of yoga in Asheville shares some wisdom about functional anatomy and the best way for yoga teachers to use her book “Healing Our Backs with Yoga”.
Highlights * The difference between positive pain and negative pain. * How to use the image of a clock face to guide your students into optimal core alignment and activation. * How to work progressively to heal back pain, including what goals to prioritize in what order. * The best way for yoga teachers to get started using the sequences in Lillah's book.
Invitation for Inspired Action Pick one of the sequences from Healing our Backs with Yoga and practice it three days in a row. Share your results on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group!
Links and Resources Enter to win a copy of Lillah's book on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group.
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
Mado helps a college writing professor with a passion for yoga nidra refine her niche, develop signature offerings, and create a strategy for attracting private clients. They also dive into practices to help overcome mindset issues when feeling resistant to promotion and marketing.
Highlights
- How to set your own standards expectations for the structure of your teaching - no matter what the yoga community is like where you live.
- How to work backwards when you create your events so that they practically sell themselves.
- A powerful practice for overcoming resistance to marketing and promotion.
- Two new stories you can tell yourself about marketing and promotion.
Links and Resources Sign up for a strategy session with Mado
Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
Upgrade your cue-ability with this mini training on language with Laurel Beversdorf.
Highlights * Why language is so important in the context of teaching movement and even more so when teaching yoga * How to use language to support your intention for teaching * 4 different types of cues you can use in your classes and why you might choose each one * Why watching your students reactions to your instructions is the most important part of cueing
Invitation for Inspired Action Share it on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group!
Email subscribers get a bonus download:
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
Mado shares her personal practice for using mindful awareness to stop engaging in behaviors that are self-sabotaging or self-destructive.
Highlights * Why yoga teachers engage in the same self-destructive patterns as everyone else * The major reason why we engage in behavior that we know is unhealthy * The two steps to diffusing the power of our uncomfortable feelings * The reason that resistance to feeling is more painful than the feeling itself * Some examples of how I use this practice in my personal life
Invitation for Inspired Action What is your go-to self-soothing behavior that you use to avoid uncomfortable feelings? It is so helpful to own that pattern and bring it into the light of day. You are invited to share with us on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group.
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future.
Learn everything you need to know to make your first yoga video. Jess Rose shares the inside scoop of what it takes to make a high quality yoga video your first try.
Highlights * The equipment you really need to make a yoga video and tips for keeping your equipment costs down. * The most important things to know BEFORE you start creating your video. * The 3 most compelling reasons for yoga teachers to take the plunge and make a video. * The pros and cons of recording your audio separately from your video. * The biggest mistakes yoga teachers make when creating their first yoga video and how to avoid them. * Tips to overcome self-consciousness so that your personality shines through your video.
Invitation for Inspired Action Make your first yoga video and share it on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group!
Email subscribers get a bonus download: One Week to Your First Yoga Video. This download breaks down the steps needed to make your first yoga video into actionable and achievable milestones so that you can stay on track and produce your first yoga video in a relaxed and realistic time frame without getting sidetracked or overwhelmed.
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Jess Rose
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to the 7 step action plan and bonus content for other episodes, both past and future.
Still sending your email list a long boring newsletter filled with all the different events you have coming up? Or do you rarely send one at all? If so, you need this mini training on how to fully tap into of the power of email marketing for yoga teachers.
Highlights * Understand the mindset issues that prevent a lot of yoga teachers from creating an email list, growing their list, or tapping into the potential of their list and how to overcome them. * Why your email list is the most powerful tool at your disposal to increase the number of people who attend your classes, workshops, and events. * The most common mistakes that yoga teachers make when sending emails to their list. * The reasons your email list is more valuable and potentially more effective than social media. * The differences between the old (less effective) version of email marketing and current best practices. * Strategies for building your email list and how to focus on attracting quality subscribers (ie - people who are more likely to end up signing up for your events).
Invitation for Inspired Action Sign up for an email service provider if you don’t already have one. Then jot down some ideas for a lead magnet that you could use to motivate people to sign up. Share your ideas on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group for feedback.
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Email Marketing Services
These are all reputable companies who will stay on top of emerging laws and make sure your email marketing complies with them. They also have a good track record for helping your emails make it into the inbox of your subscribers. These are affiliate links, which means if you click through my link and sign up for a paid plan I will get a small commission.
MailChimp This is the service I currently use, however I do not necessarily recommend it above the others. I think it is pretty intuitive and has a generous free plan but if you imagine you will grow an online component to your business the other service providers listed below are considered to be more robust.
Convertkit is known for being really flexible and easy to use. If you think you’ll outgrow mailchimp, but want to make sure that you’re not getting in over your head, convertkit may be a good choice.
Aweber has been the gold standard for email marketing for a long time. As a large and established business their reputation and delivery rates are rock solid.
On-air coaching calls provide real world examples of how to apply the topics of previous episodes. Hearing several examples will help you apply the concepts from last week’s episode (find and nurture your ideal yoga student) to your own situation.
Highlights * Karin has been teaching yoga for 10 years and works full time in the healthcare field. She would like for her niche to focus on teaching self-care as a non-negotiable rather than a luxury, but she’s not sure what population to focus on. * Francine is working with a business coach who is trying to help her generate more revenue. She’s a bit overwhelmed with different options and wants to find a way to make her teaching sustainable so that she doesn’t burn out in the quest for revenue. * Miranda is a digital media marketing expert and also a yoga teacher. Her company Namaste In Nature takes women who are looking for fun, safe, and healthy things to do in the Asheville, NC area on guided and curated yoga hikes. Miranda shares how even though her education is in marketing and she completely understands the benefits of niche, she had a hard time doing it herself because she was too close to the business. She also provides insight about what it’s like to work with a coach and the shifts she made in her business once she narrowed down her niche.
Invitation for Inspired Action Share the current version of your niche on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Increase your impact as a yoga teacher, reduce the time and energy you spend on marketing, support your personal practice, increase your confidence as a teacher, and promote a sense of cooperation and community with other yoga teachers by taking this one key step in your yoga business.
Highlights * 6 compelling reasons for yoga teachers to get clear on their ideal yoga student. * Why some yoga teachers end up turning off their ideal students without even realizing it. * Common myths and fears about niche plus realities and solutions * The two most important things you need to find out about your ideal yoga student * The (more effective) alternative to trying to please everyone. * 3 strategies for validating what you think you know about your ideal student - and how to use what you discover to help your ideal students feel understood and nurtured.
Invitation for Inspired Action Write down who your ideal student is and how you help them. Then please come to the yoga teacher resource private facebook group to share or ask for feedback.
Links and Resources Want personalized help to select or refine your niche? Book single strategy session with Mado.
In this episode Kristine shares the benefits of slowing down your yoga practice and how the latest research in neurobiology overlaps with a traditional definition of yoga to explain why it works.
Highlights * A definition of yoga that is grounded in tradition yet fully relevant to modern life * The evolution of research in the health and wellness sphere * Why the yoga market is actually not saturated, contrary to popular belief * How we can take advantage of our body’s natural drive for homeostasis to build resilience * Why “the pause is just as important as the pose”
Invitation to Inspired Action Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Subtle Yoga (Kristine’s website, visit to get free download on the benefits of slow yoga)
Enlightenment Now (book Mado recommended in the episode)
Mado shares some basic principles of how to take care of your wrists in a yoga class setting.
Highlights * Two major factors in how much load your wrists can handle * The main reason that so many yoga students experience wrist pain * My favorite modifications to allow students to participate in classes while still protecting sensitive wrists. (Bonus video download for subscribers) * The exercises that I do regularly to support strength, mobility, and adaptability in my wrists.
Invitation for Inspired Action Subscribe to my email list to watch the video showing my favorite wrist exercises and try them out! Then Let me know what you think on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group.
In this episode Trina Altman shares her thoughts on injury prevention and how she see yoga & Pilates evolving from a “top down” lineage based approach towards a more personalized and “bottom up” approach.
We also talk about:
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Why Momentum Fest (interdisciplinary Pilates conference) was such a life changing experience for her.
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How to approach learning anatomy, kinesiology, biomechanics & exercise science principles by following your passions.
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Why it’s important for yoga teachers to take private sessions in other movement modalities.
and more...
For complete show notes including link and tips on how to approach teaching private sessions visit the post for this episode.
In this episode, I share the process that I use to help me decide what the most important actions are to move me towards my goals with integrity.
Highlights * My biggest challenge in being self-employed. * The difference between vision and goals * Why choosing a specific population to focus on teaching can provide clarity and momentum * Questions to help you create a vision that inspires you * How to choose a well formed goal - and consistently take action until it is completed
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Download the Vision and Goals Worksheet (companion to this episode)
Get on the waitlist for the Yoga Teacher Accountability Groups
Margaret shares important things yoga teachers should know about addiction and recovery, what we can do to support our students who are struggling with these issues, and simple techniques for helping all our students build resilience.
Highlights * An inclusive definition for addiction. * The different forms addiction may take and who is at risk. * How yoga can help those suffering from addiction * How addiction and trauma are related * CRM community resiliency model (how to return to resiliency) * Margaret’s advice for yoga teachers in how to support people in addiction and recovery * Signs of stress and signs of recovery
Invitation for Inspired ActionTechniques we invite you try in your classes: 1. Offer pauses to check in 2. Cue interoceptive awareness (locate and track sensations inside as they shift). Ask the question “What are you feeling on the inside right now?” 3. Use a countdown in challenging poses to help people learn to tolerate discomfort
Links and Resources The Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Margaret’s Website
Many yoga teachers dream of making their entire living from teaching yoga, but is the reality of that idea really so appealing? In this episode, Mado breaks down the nitty gritty of what it takes to be a full time yoga teacher and also a few reasons you might want to stick to part time.
Highlights * The reasons yoga teachers go full time and why some prefer part time. * The realities of being an entrepreneur. * The conflict between practicing yoga and teaching yoga as a business. * The dangers along the path of being a full time yoga teacher. * The reasons I choose to be a yoga entrepreneur anyway. * 4 questions to ponder in deciding whether or not full time is for you.
Links and Resources The Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Schedule a strategy session with Mado
Dr Crystal Frazee, physical therapist and yoga teacher, shares the essentials of what she believes every yoga teacher should know about the physiology of breathing. This includes why we breath, how we breath, and how to properly teach breathing to our students.
Highlights * Introduce foundational respiratory mechanics and physiology * translate the anatomy and science to common pranayama practices * apply pain science and knowledge of the stress response to help people relieve pain through breathing practices * learn the habit loop and why it's important when teaching breathing practices * gain confidence that you are teaching safe, sound pranayama practices that heal and don't harm
Links and Resources The Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Crystal’s Website
Graduate School Of Behavioral Health Sciences (where Crystal studied breathing mechanics)
Breathing Basics Handout
Breathing assessment worksheet *note- this worksheet is laid out as a diagnostic tool, however yoga teachers are not qualified to make diagnoses. If you download this worksheet, you agree to use this for your own education and as a tool to evaluate whether or not to refer a client or student to a clinician for diagnosis.
Breathing assessment worksheet
*note- this worksheet is laid out as a diagnostic tool, however yoga teachers are not qualified to make diagnoses. If you download this worksheet, you agree to use this for your own education and as a tool to evaluate whether or not to refer a client or student to a clinician for diagnosis.
Mado and Shannon Crow talk about competition among yoga teaches. They share how and why yoga teachers can use yogic principles to guide their actions, especially when faced with the challenges of competition, jealousy, and scarcity.
Highlights * The brahmaviharas and how they guide our interactions with others * Why yoga teachers benefit from a specific niche * What do do when a feeling of competition or envy comes up * The hidden benefits of jealousy
Links and Resources The Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
The Connected Yoga Teacher - Shannon’s Website
Mado draws on her former roles as freelance web designer and web project manager to help you decide whether or not you really need a website as a yoga teacher. She will share the potential benefits and possible pitfalls to creating and managing your own website, the most essential features to include on a yoga teacher website, and the top 3 mistakes yoga teachers make when creating their first website.
Highlights * My background in web design * Which yoga teachers do not need a website at all * Why the rest of you need a website * Who can (and should) get away with a super minimalist website * Essential components of a super minimalist website * What you need to do BEFORE you invest in a more complex website * 4 basic choices for creating your website
Links and Resources *please note that some of these may be affiliate links, which means that if you sign up with them I may make a small commission. This does not change your cost and helps support the podcast.
Some reputable website hosts
HostGator
BlueHost
Free DIY wordpress website training
Jennifer O’Sullivan spent 5 years as the hiring manager for an urban yoga studio in the DC metropolitan area. In this episode she shares insider tips and tricks for getting noticed and getting hired. We also dive into the world of the yoga studio business model and what it’s like on the other end.
Highlights Understanding the yoga studio marketplace and why being professional and putting best foot forward matters
- Market pressures on yoga studio
- Saturation of teachers
- If you want a career teaching yoga, you have to treat it that way
- Studio owners/hiring managers are very busy, they wear many hats, and manage many right and left-brain tasks that aren’t common in other businesses.
The thought process that owners and teacher managers go through when they receive a teaching inquiry:
- Is this person a good fit?
- Is this person qualified to teach what they say they can teach?
- When is this person available?
How the process generally works, keeping in mind that all studios are a bit different
- You inquire, hopefully not too much back and forth b/c you provided all the relevant info up front.
- You will likely be invited to audition or if you are already teaching somewhere the hiring person my came to your class (don’t expect this!)
- Initially you are likely to be invited to join the sub list which gets you in the door for openings when they come up. Usually studios fill class spots from within.
Inspired Action:
Get your Resume updated (or make your first draft if you don’t have one yet). Download our bonus printable checklist to make sure yours is on point.
Links and Resources Jennifer’s Website
Join the conversation on the private Facebook group for this podcast
Bonus: YTR Printable Resume Checklist
Mado and Anna have a conversation about how to make ethics from the yamas and niyamas a part of your daily yoga practice.
Highlights * Ethics are the foundation of a stable & consistent yoga practice.
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Reframing Ethics:
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Reframing the Yamas/Niyamas can lead to deeper understanding.
- Yamas/Niyamas are key to mental health.
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Ethical frameworks bring empowerment.
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Ethics of Yoga over a Lifetime of Practice:
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Our understanding and application of ethics changes over time.
- Deepening our understand of ethics can guide us through uncertain times.
- The practice of welcoming states of confusion as opportunities can be very helpful in moving through them.
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- “Grow through what we go through.”
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A clear understanding of ethics is the key to opening the door to greater happiness through clear comprehension.
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Compassion is Key:
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Compassion practice is Ahimsa, or non-violence.
- As we grow, we can suffer from harsh self-criticism and criticism from and for others.
- Self Compassion and Compassion towards others are equally as important as you begin the practice of yoga.
- As we begin to practice, we integrate all the parts of ourselves, and a strong guiding framework is key to lead us through the times we lose our way.
Personal Reflection Questions:
- How do I practice ethical standards in my life?
- How has ethics played a role in my teaching so far?
- Do I consciously practice compassion in my life?
Links and Resources Refresher overview of the yamas and niyamas
Download for the extended version of Anna’s compassion meditation.
Tara Brach
David Foster Wallace 'This is Water'
Strategies to stay fresh and inspired - and what to do if they don’t work. Highlights * A mindset shift to help you think about this topic in a new way and hopefully ease any anxiety you might have around it. * The two key techniques for keeping your teaching fresh and inspired. * What to do if these techniques stop working.
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource private facebook group.
Self-inquiry/gut check questions to ask yourself:
- How many days per week are you getting on your mat? How many days would you ideally like to be practicing?
- On a scale of one to 10 on average how inspired do you feel during your personal practice?
- Which of the ideas to revitalize your practice sound fun or interesting to you?
- Write down at least ONE idea that sounds fun or inspiring to you.
- As an option post your practice plan for the week on the private facebook group for this podcast. If you haven’t joined yet, go to teachingyoga.net and click the join our community tab.
Mado is interviewed by life coach Michelle Ashley as she shares her inspiration and intention for this podcast.
Highlights * How Mado first started practicing yoga and her surprising first yoga teacher * How Mado almost got derailed from becoming a yoga teacher * The project that inspired Mado to start this podcast * Mado’s advice for new yoga teachers * Plans for future episodes
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource private facebook group.
Michelle’s website
A quick introduction to the concept of the Yoga Teacher Resource podcast.
Highlights The Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast was created to help yoga teachers
- Build their knowledge
- Connect to other teachers
- Hear new perspectives
- Stay inspired to practice and to teach
Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource private facebook group.