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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

398: Closing This Chapter with Rebecca Sebastian

Description: Change is a natural part of every process and sometimes, that means ending things and stepping away. For the Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast, it is almost time to close this chapter - this is the second-last episode of the podcast. Rebecca Sebastian joins Shannon Crow in this episode to reflect on the process of making big shifts and transitions in business.

Rebecca Sebastian is a long-time yoga teacher and 11-year yoga therapist. She formerly owned an accessible and inclusivity-focused yoga studio which she recently sold, and is the host of the Working In Yoga Podcast. Rebecca is a passionate writer on yoga topics and she participates and loves all things yoga and the yoga industry. She believes that through writing and communication, we can all lift each other up and share what lights us up with the world.

In this episode, Shannon and Rebecca talk about the big shifts each of them are making in their yoga businesses. They share their process, their reflections, and the challenges that have accompanied each of them in this journey. Shannon and Rebecca also discuss how they have navigated the complexities of making the decision to “break up” with their business and what has sustained and supported them through the process.

Key Takeaways: [0:05] Shannon makes a big announcement about the podcast: This is the 2nd last episode of the podcast.

[3:14] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor - OfferingTree.

[3:42] Shannon checks in with Rebecca Sebastian, her guest for this episode.

[5:23] Shannon talks about the decision to officially end the podcast and how it happened.

[6:33] Rebecca shares a little bit of context and her own update of the big changes in her business.

[8:56] What are some of the feelings that came up for Rebecca when she was thinking about closing her studio?

[12:38] Rebecca and Shannon discuss some of the challenges of being an entrepreneur.

[17:56] What is Rebecca working on now? What has been her process since selling the studio?

[20:30] Rebecca and Shannon share the goals they had when they started their yoga-related businesses and how it has been to transition away.

[25:11] Shannon and Rebecca reflect on some of the hard things that guided them in making the decision to "break up" with their businesses.

[30:17] If you are doing the work of changing the world, the first step is to lean into your community, especially when you're feeling despair.

[32:28] Quitting something, even if it's ultimately the right decision, is hard and complicated.

[33:49] Shannon shares a quick message about the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[36:45] It's not breaking up with everything -- it's choosing what's in alignment with you.

[40:34] Rebecca and Shannon discuss the idea of taking care of self.

[41:32] How are Rebecca and Shannon feeling in this moment, in the middle of their shifts in business?

[50:02] Shannon and Rebecca share some of their thoughts and reflections about the closing of this chapter.

[59:05] Shannon shares some final, closing thoughts.

Links: * Rebecca Sebastian * Rebecca Sebastian on Instagram * Working in Yoga Podcast with Rebecca Sebastian * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 382: Having Tough Conversations with Rebecca Sebastian * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 304: How Are We Still here? with Rebecca Sebastian * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 297: Yoga Philosophy & Business with Rebecca Sebastian * Creativity, Inc., by Edwin Catmull and Amy Wallace * Jivana Heyman * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "How do you quit something when it's going well? [There are] lots of complicated feelings." - Shannon

"Breaking up with things is hard." - Rebecca

"You just don't have to do the same thing forever, and if you have the skills of entrepreneurship, you can build whatever business you want to." - Rebecca

"The first step is to lean into your community, especially when you're feeling despair." - Rebecca

"Some people get caught up in the idea that they have to justify ending something." - Rebecca

"Building something and having it be a thing that people appreciate is so humbling and gratifying, and it's also ... time for me to build something different." - Rebecca

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397: How to Suck at Marketing with Brea Johnson

Description: Do you feel overwhelmed by marketing your yoga? It is something that many yoga teachers struggle with - especially when it feels like the world often prioritizes being polished over showing up authentically. Brea Johnson shares her insights about how to suck at marketing – and why that can work for your yoga business.

Brea Johnson is the founder of Heart + Bones Yoga, a globally recognized online platform for anatomy-informed yoga, mobility and inclusive practices for both yoga teachers and everyday people. She has been teaching yoga, anatomy and movement since 2003 and regularly teaches workshops and trainings around the world. At Heart + Bones, Brea offers online yoga, education and teacher training where functional and inclusive practices are celebrated and encouraged.

In this episode, Brea shares what inspired her to start talking about marketing and what we can do when we suck at it. She highlights some common marketing practices that do not align with her values and belief systems and how she navigates the changing social media and online marketing landscape. Brea and Shannon also discuss showing up honestly, imperfectly, and authentically, what motivates them to keep posting about topics that may bring pushback, and much more.

If you feel like your marketing is not "enough" to make a meaningful impact, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways: [1:59] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode, marketing, and her guest - Brea Johnson.

[3:45] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree.

[5:37] What does Brea do and who does she do it for?

[8:07] What inspired Brea to start talking about marketing and what to do when we suck at it?

[13:38] What are some things that Brea doesn't do in marketing because they don't align with her?

[17:29] How does Brea turn things that irk her about the yoga world into playful content that educates?

[20:46] How has social media shifted for Brea in the past few years? What are some new trends and changes she is noticing?

[27:10] Shannon and Brea discuss how social media can be a place to let your authentic self shine through.

[34:44] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[36:08] What is Brea's advice for when your inner critic shows up to discourage you from marketing your yoga?

[45:54] When we show up and share our values and opinions online, we might get back a lot of hate or pushback. How does Brea deal with that?

[55:27] What keeps Brea posting about "controversial" topics or social justice issues?

[58:42] Shannon and Brea discuss the importance of small actions, even when it feels like those actions may not be making a difference.

[65:49] Learn more from Brea via her website and social media.

[67:08] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Brea.

Links: * Brea Johnson, Heart + Bones Yoga * Heart + Bones Yoga on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 078: Creating an Online Yoga Studio with Brea Johnson * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 375: Why Marketing is Different Now with Tristan Katz & Brooke Monaghan - The Connected Yoga Teacher * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "How do I promote what I share, what I do, how I know I can help people, and how my business can help people without falling into that trap of playing to the algorithm?"

"There's something about the consistency and letting go of The so-called vanity metrics and seeing that more broad view of how social media can help connect us."

"What is my why? Why am I even doing this? What is my who? Who am I helping? And what is my how? How am I helping?"

"How can you show up in the way that works for you?"

"This isn't about you. You've got to see the fear and the imposter syndrome and the insecurity and do it anyway.”

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396: Yoga for Abortion Care with Sasha Sigel

Description: We live in a time when access to abortion care is increasingly under threat and attacks on reproductive health are intensifying. What does yoga have to do with abortion care and how can yoga teachers support people going through abortion care before, during, and after the process? Sasha Sigel shares her insights.

Sasha Sigel is a pelvic floor yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, and abortion doula. Sasha is also a cofounder of a queer yoga collective called Be Queer Now, which offers virtual and in-person programming for the queer community. In her work, Sasha focuses on folks in the LGBTQIA+ community seeking pelvic health support as well as offering trauma-informed, gender-affirming practices. When Roe v Wade was overturned in 2022, she trained to be an abortion doula where she supports folks going through abortion care with accurate information and practical, emotional, and physical support.

In this episode, Sasha shares more how how yoga intersects with reproductive justice and how we can lean on the foundational values of yoga to guide us in supporting people through their reproductive choices. Sasha also explains how yoga is more than just movement – it is a liberatory practice that can offer space for validation, rest, and healing, especially for those who've experienced abortion or miscarriage. Tune in to learn more about the barriers many people face when accessing care, how community doulas and yoga teachers can safely show up, and why normalizing abortion as a part of human healthcare is a crucial part of our work as compassionate spaceholders.

Key Takeaways: [2:20] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[2:46] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sasha Sigel.

[4:51] What does Sasha do and who does she do it for?

[8:37] What does abortion have to do with yoga?

[10:03] What are some quick-bites that Sasha shares with people who may not have considered that abortion is healthcare?

[15:43] How does yoga help people through the journey of abortion care?

[21:42] How can yoga teachers support their students going through an abortion or post-abortion emotionally and with their language?

[23:38] What are some words or phrases that are unhelpful to a person after abortion? What are some ways yoga teachers can reassure them?

[27:51] What has Sasha's experience been with yoga offerings that support people who have received abortion care?

[30:05] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree.

[32:09] What is Sasha's advice about looking up information online and resources for people who live in a place where abortion care isn't available?

[36:45] How does Sasha approach marketing her services as an abortion doula and making sure that people know support is available?

[40:09] Does Sasha have to deal with online hate or misinformation?

[41:32] Where does Sasha suggest a yoga teacher start if they are wanting to get more involved in offering abortion care and support?\

[45:06] What would Sasha say to someone who has gone through abortion care or are considering it?

[47:24] Shannon shares a book that has resonated with her on the topic.

[48:48] Learn more about Sasha and her work via her website or social media.

[50:26] Sasha shares some final thoughts for yoga teachers about abortion care.

[54:29] Shannon and Sasha discuss how people might think that certain things would never happen in their country or state and that's an assumption worth challenging.

[56:52] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.

Links: * Sasha Sigel * Sasha Sigel on Instagram * Aborsh — A podcast about abortion in Canada * Guttmacher Institute * Center for Reproductive Rights * Signal * DuckDuckGo * Shout Your Abortion * AbortionFinder.org * New York Abortion Access Fund * National Network of Abortion Funds * The Great Simplification Podcast - Jeremy Grantham: “The Baby Bust: How The Toxicity Crisis Could Cause the Next Economic Crash” * Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings * Looking for Jane, by Heather Marshall * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "Yoga is a liberatory practice and reproductive justice and healthcare is something that's under attack right now in terms of folks having agency over their own body."

"Use non-assumptive, non-judgmental language. We don't know why this person got an abortion. We don't know what their experience was. So our main role is going to be listening to whatever information they do give us."

"How people report their experience after an abortion is often mixed and complicated, but very seldom is the main emotion or experience regret."

"This is not new. This is something that we have the right to, and our bodies have been doing since the beginning of humans being alive."

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395: Anticolonial Philosophy & Yoga with Shyam Ranganathan

Description: Yoga philosophy can sometimes feel overwhelming, inapplicable to the modern problems we face today, or just too abstract. Dr. Shyam Ranganathan, a repeat guest on the podcast, has a gift for breaking philosophy down in a way that we can relate to.

Dr. Shyam Ranganathan is a philosopher, author, researcher, and leading voice in anti-colonial philosophy, as well as the founder of the Yoga Philosophy Institute. He specializes in the study and translation of philosophy, especially South Asian philosophy and Yoga. In his recent book, Yoga — AntiColonial Philosophy, Shyam explores yoga as a decolonial tradition and how we can reconnect to that legacy in our modern practice.

In this episode, Shyam explains how colonialism shows up even in yoga philosophy, and how we can apply the practice of yoga and yoga philosophy to the many social justice issues we face in the world. He shares more about Ishvara Pranidhana (devotion to sovereignty), samskaras (rituals and practices), and how we might apply them to our daily lives to take back agency and practice yogic behavior. Tune into this conversation if you are seeking to be inspired by how philosophy can be a tool for liberation.

Key Takeaways: [2:04] Shannon gives a shout-out to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[3:08] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Dr. Shyam Ranganathan.

[6:20] What does Shyam do and who does he do it for?

[8:06] How did Shyam choose the title of his book, Yoga — AntiColonial Philosophy?

[9:27] Why is it that yoga philosophy does not often give a platform to the voices of South Asian yoga teachers and authors?

[13:35] Shyam reflects on how education is not really about learning but about training people to follow instructions.

[16:39] How does the practice of yoga and yoga philosophy apply to the many social justice issues we are facing in the world?

[21:40] Shyam explains the concept of Ishvara Pranidhana (devotion to sovereignty) in more concrete terms with some examples.

[24:19] What is the practice to get out of being stuck in our own prejudices?

[26:23] What are samskaras in yoga and how do they affect us?

[29:55] Shyam shares how we can take back and redeploy our agency instead of getting stuck in loops and patterns.

[31:58] Shannon pops in to give a shout-out of thanks to OfferingTree.

[33:25] Simply practicing yoga is the easiest way to disrupt the harm of colonialism.

[34:47] Shannon and Shyam discuss how challenging certain laws may be a part of resisting colonialism and is yogic behavior.

[39:47] Shyam explains what he means by "the real philosophical practice is what one does where one already is in relationship to the people that are already in one's life."

[44:51] What is a practice that can be a first baby step for someone who has not explored much of yoga philosophy?

[46:57] What might the first moment of conscious thought look like when we are showing up as an ally for ourselves? Shyam talks about what the practice of yoga can look like in our daily lives.

[51:31] Shannon and Shyam discuss the future of (de)colonization.

[57:35] Shannon and Shyam chat about how he felt writing the book and how Shannon felt reading it.

[58:49] Connect with Shyam via his website or on Instagram to learn more.

[59:18] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.

Links: * Dr. Shyam Ranganathan * Dr. Shyam Ranganathan on Instagram * Yoga AntiColonial Philosophy by Dr. Shyam Ranganathan * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 269: Yoga Philosophy and Colonialism with Shyam Ranganathan * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "The fact that people do self-select in this way speaks to a kind of an actual fear of learning."

"What we call education, especially in the West, is not really education. It's geared to getting us to follow instructions."

"Every kind of bigotry or small-mindedness is part of just not being free from those past experiences."

"What happens is we don't see our agency when we're in these patterns and loops because our agency is hidden by these patterns, but our agency is what's powering it. So we have to find a way to redeploy our agency."

"You can't be working on your autonomy and also being colonized at the same time."

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394: A Pep Talk to Share Your Yoga with Shannon Crow

Description: Taking a big leap can feel scary and overwhelming, and you may be filled with doubt and hesitation. You may feel imposter syndrome creeping in, start procrastinating, or simply feel unable to take the first (or next) step. In this episode, Shannon shares her pep talk to motivate you (and herself) to make the leap.

Shannon has been considering the idea of starting a farmer’s market for some time now, but is also struggling with taking the heap. She shares how she knew it was the right time to start taking baby steps towards making her dream a reality and what that might look like for you. Shannon also shares some advice on overcoming doubts and fears that creep in, explains why connection and collaboration can help move you forward, and tips to stay motivated and take action.

If you are feeling nervous or overwhelmed and are procrastinating on launching something new in your yoga business, this is the perfect episode for you.

Key Takeaways: [0:32] Shannon shares something she learned while working at M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Center.

[8:15] Shannon gives a shout out to the podcast sponsor, OfferingTree.

[9:42] The inspiration for this episode came from Shannon's own fears and hesitation.

[13:58] How do you know when it's the right time to take a big leap or launch something new?

[17:15] It can feel comfortable to stay in the dreaming, planning, and wishing stage, but when you're constantly thinking about it, it's time to start taking baby steps towards making it happen.

[19:13] Once you have the motivation to do the thing, where do you start?

[20:57] If it starts to feel overwhelming, think back to all the things you've already done to prepare for this moment.

[24:36] If you are feeling overwhelmed about not having a website or not knowing how to set up the tech side of things, OfferingTree can be a great solution.

[26:36] How can you deal with the fears and doubts that creep in?

[31:31] Consider collaborating and building connections with others to help you along the journey.

[33:10] Mark and celebrate your wins and successes along the way.

[33:28] Are you launching something new? Share in the comments, the Facebook group, or send Shannon a voice message.

Links: * M'Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre * Bannock Recipe * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 319: Do I Need Another Yoga Training? with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 392: Concussion Recovery & Yoga with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "I have ideas all the time. ... But when they really stick and they just keep coming back, that's when I know, OK, this is one that I really have to listen to."

"When your message gets bigger than your fears, it's time."

"Think back to what you've already done to prepare for this moment."

"Because failure or being wrong on something is literally just feedback. It's just more learning so we can do better."

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393: Opening a Yoga Studio with Michael Jay

Description: Have you ever thought about opening a yoga studio? Perhaps you own a yoga studio and have been wondering how to take it to the next level. If you’ve ever had questions about owning or running a yoga studio, Michael Jay is the expert to talk to – and on this episode, he shares his insights.

Known as the yoga biz champ, Michael Jay has over 26 years of experience in the yoga world. Michael has taught yoga, run a successful yoga studio, and now focuses on helping yoga studio owners thrive and build a profitable business. Dedicated to elevating yoga studios from mere survival to genuine thriving, Michael provides yoga studio owners with clear, actionable advice based on insights from his hands-on experience and Certified Business Consultant background.

In this episode, Michael shares his journey to yoga and into the world of running a yoga business. He talks about what it takes to start and grow a studio and how he sold his own studio to a yoga teacher. Michael also gives tips on how yoga studios can create financial stability, the best strategies for marketing a yoga studio, and why being on ClassPass may not be such a great thing. He highlights the importance of community building and explains why planning ahead is essential for building a thriving yoga business. Whether you own a studio, are dreaming of opening one, or just need some tweaks for your own yoga business to make it more sustainable, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways: [2:22] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Michael Jay.

[3:44] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree.

[6:06] What does Michael do and who does he do it for?

[13:32] How did Michael transition from teaching yoga to running his own yoga studio?

[21:13] Michael talks about how useful OfferingTree has been in helping him run his business.

[25:05] If you are interested in checking out OfferingTree, use Shannon's discount code at offeringtree.com/shannon.

[25:45] How important is a business mindset for running a yoga studio?

[28:17] What are some things yoga teachers who are thinking about starting a yoga studio should consider to prepare themselves?

[33:27] Offering a signature series can be a profitable way to run a yoga business.

[35:50] If you're offering a yoga series, support it by doing some additional marketing with automated emails.

[38:09] How many classes should be in a yoga series?

[39:19] What are Michael's thoughts on using ClassPass in your yoga studio?

[45:13] What would the ideal payment structure be for a yoga studio?

[47:05] How can yoga studio owners figure out what the best times are for classes?

[52:33] What are some things yoga studio owners could save themselves the headache of if they prepared in advance?

[55:40] Michael shares some strategies for marketing yoga studios.

[61:06] Learn more from Michael on his podcast, Yoga Biz Champ, or book a free chat with him.

[65:38] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Michael.

[69:12] Shannon shares a quick update about her recovery.

Links: * Michael Jay * Yoga Biz Champ Podcast * Book a call with Michael Jay * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 277: Yoga and Land Acknowledgement with Jessica Barudin & Emmy Chahal * How I Broke Up with ClassPass - Sarah Morgan Red Sun Yoga Yoga Biz Champ with Michael Jay * Michael Jay on OfferingTree. * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 392: Concussion Recovery & Yoga with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "If you're passionate about it, dial into your superpowers and get help on the things that you need help on."

"You can run a very, very good business with a signature series."

"The best way to do [email marketing] is: teach a class, and then create a follow-up email based on that class, and then you build your automation sequence ... as you go along."

"Learn how to do a dedicated landing page for your series."

"First of all, you need to know what your mission, vision, and values are."

"There's never been a better time for an independent business, whether a solo practitioner or a studio."

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392: Concussion Recovery & Yoga with Shannon Crow

Description: As yoga teachers, we don’t often expect to become the student. Shannon Crow recently had a concussion and a health scare. As a result, she has had to shift from her role of yoga therapist to patient and student. She shares the unexpected challenges in her concussion recovery journey.

In this episode, Shannon talks about how grateful she is for all the people who reached out after she shared that she had experienced a concussion and health scare. She reflects on her recovery journey, including how difficult it has been for her to step into the role of patient and student. Shannon also shares some of the things that have helped in her recovery journey, including her yoga practice with Ray Zott.

This has been a challenging time for Shannon but has reminded her about the impact that yoga teachers can have on their students’ lives. Whether you're teaching or practicing yoga, this episode is a reminder of the power of patience, community, and showing up for one another.

Key Takeaways: [1:49] Shannon is sharing an update on her concussion recovery journey in this episode and the role yoga has played.

[3:37] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree.

[4:39] Shannon gives thanks to everyone who reached out to her with well wishes after she shared about her concussion and health scare.

[6:42] Shannon reflects on her experience being a student in healing and recovery this week.

[9:13] Shannon shares more about her yoga experience in supporting her healing journey post-concussion.

[12:05] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree and talks about how she uses it in her business.

[13:48] Shannon's physiotherapist has reminded her that the process of healing can be frustrating but it's important to take it easy.

[16:27] If you're teaching, you may not always realize how much of an impact you're making.

[18:43] If you are going through your own healing journey, you are not alone.

Links: * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 391: Yoga for Wheelchair Users with Rodrigo Souza * Proactive Physio Plus (Owen Sound, Canada) * Ray Zott * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Ray Zott’s Yoga Practice

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "You are moving forward, but there definitely are setbacks on that healing journey, especially with a concussion."

"It's a huge reminder also of how profound the yoga practice can be when you're living through something that's so challenging."

"What really stood out to me was the way the intention and the slow pace and matching that breath and movement can make such a deep impact."

"If you're teaching, you may not always realize how much of an impact you're making."

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391: Yoga for Wheelchair Users with Rodrigo Souza

Description: How can we make yoga classes more inclusive and accessible to wheelchair users? What are some dos and don’ts when it comes to working with differently-abled people? Rodrigo Souza shares his insights and perspectives.

Rodrigo Souza is the founder of Allihopa Yoga. After experiencing a life-changing spinal cord injury, Rodrigo turned his journey of recovery into a mission to make yoga accessible for all bodies. He shares adaptive yoga with people who have experienced trauma, loss, and disability while helping them find comfort, joy, mindfulness, and acceptance in their unique experiences.

In this episode, Rodrigo invites us to consider the language we use and how to be more inclusive with the words we use. He also shares his personal experiences with disability and being a wheelchair user, while reminding us that mistakes are a normal part of learning to be more inclusive. Rodrigo provides tips on practical ways to create more welcoming yoga spaces as well as guidance on teaching yoga to wheelchair users.

Whether you are seeking ways to adapt your yoga lessons to be more inclusive or simply want to challenge your assumptions, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Key Takeaways: [2:09] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[2:52] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Rodrigo Souza.

[5:24] What does Rodrigo do and who does he do it for?

[8:44] Shannon and Rodrigo discuss some of the terminology and language around people in wheelchairs.

[10:58] What are some key things yoga teachers could change with their language?

[14:24] Shannon shares a mistake she made when talking about a wheelchair user.

[17:09] Rodrigo talks about the Golden Rule when it comes to working with wheelchair users.

[19:31] It is important for us to diversify our friend circle, or at the very least, our social media feeds.

[22:33] Rodrigo shares his experience tackling internalized ableism.

[25:46] Shannon pops in with a few messages for listeners, including a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTree.

[27:42] What has Rodrigo's experience been as a wheelchair user attending a regular yoga class?

[30:21] Shannon and Rodrigo discuss how YTTs often tend to be rigid and not focused on inclusion, accessibility, and equity.

[33:02] What are some variations of yoga poses that yoga teachers can offer to students who are wheelchair users?

[40:16] What are some resources available to yoga teachers who want to make their yoga classes more accessible to wheelchair users?

[42:10] Rodrigo is starting to write a book - he shares a little about some of the themes he will cover.

[47:21] Rodrigo explains how yoga has helped him deal with pain.

[51:24] Find out more about Rodrigo and learn from him via his website and social media.

[53:07] Shannon shares some of her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Rodrigo.

[55:56] Shannon shares a personal update. The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast turns 8!

Links: * Rodrigo Souza, Allihopa Yoga * Rodrigo Souza on Instagram * Accessible Yoga Ambassador & Mentorship Program * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 365: How to Teach Accessible Yoga with Jivana Heyman * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 092: Accessible Yoga Begins with Language with Elliot Kesse, Chantel Ehler and Katie Juelson * The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga (Podcast Series) * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 289: Limb Difference and Yoga with Melissa D'Errico * Nemahsis * Nemahsis says her label dropped her for her pro-Palestinian stance | CBC Arts * Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga - Resources by The Connected Yoga Teacher * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "Mistakes are a step for us to learn."

"I think a teacher should never feel sorry for the student. That is the wrong power dynamic you have in the room if you go that way."

"Every mistake is a learning opportunity."

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390: Yoga for People with Limited Energy with Katie Blecker & Audrey

Description: People with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or other health conditions may have limited energy. As yoga teachers, what are some things we should know when teaching people with limited energy? What are some things that are helpful, and what should we avoid? Katie Blecker and Audrey share their insights as yoga teachers with limited energy.

Katie Blecker is a yoga teacher, advocate, and visual artist. Her lived experience with complex chronic illness informs her worldview and inspires her passion for disability advocacy. In her work as a trauma-informed yoga facilitator both online and in-person, Katie focuses on supporting folks who live with chronic illness and pain, disability, and chronic stress using tools such as therapeutic asana, pranayama, and meditation.

Audrey also is a yoga teacher and advocate whose experience with complex chronic illnesses informs her way of practising and teaching. As a disabled and neurodivergent person, her philosophy is that the practice will adapt to the person, not the other way around. Audrey devotes herself to sharing the transformational tools of yoga with other people so they too can find a practice that serves them, where community, access, and joy are centred.

In this episode, Katie and Audrey share their personal journeys with chronic illness and how these experiences have shaped their inclusive teaching methodologies. They explain what "limited energy" means and how it differs from someone who is simply more tired than usual, and how their own conditions influence their work as yoga teachers. Katie and Audrey also highlight the importance of adapting yoga practices to individual needs, the role of community in fostering a supportive environment for those with chronic conditions, and how yoga teachers can best support people with limited energy.

Key Takeaways: [2:20] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Katie Blecker and Audrey.

[8:31] What work does Audrey do and who does she do it for?

[10:21] What does Katie do and who does she do it for?

[11:58] What are CFS and ME? Katie and Audrey share a little about these chronic conditions.

[15:02] What are some things that Audrey has found unhelpful in a yoga class because it does not work well for someone with limited energy?

[19:45] Having limited energy is not just about feeling more tired than usual. Katie explains the distinction.

[23:55] What do yoga teachers who are working with people with limited energy need to know?

[30:48] Shannon pops in to share a little about OfferingTree.

[33:13] Katie invites us to take a step back and reflect on why we might feel the need to "fix" or "help" someone through yoga.

[35:33] What are some of the benefits of yoga for people with limited energy?

[42:15] How do Katie and Audrey show up for their work as yoga teachers as people with limited energy?

[50:21] Find out more about Katie and Audrey's work via their websites and on Instagram.

[54:33] How do Katie and Audrey speak up for social justice when they have limited energy?

[63:13] Speaking up for social justice is not a sprint, it's a marathon, and it is important not to make it a competition.

[70:08] Shannon shares her takeaways from this conversation with Katie and Audrey.

[74:22] Shannon shares a quick personal update.

Links: * Audrey * Audrey on Instagram * Katie Blecker * Katie Blecker on Instagram * Yoga for People with Limited Energy 5-week Series * Cozy Yoga Winter Series * Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga - Resources by The Connected Yoga Teacher * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "Limited energy is like a profound absence of being able to create energy through the body. It's not being tired, it's a severe level of fatigue that can't really be recovered from on a day to day level. ... We start out with almost an impairment in energy on a daily basis." - Katie

"First and foremost, remembering that our students are the experts in their own bodies and their own experiences." - Katie

"Yoga will not heal or fix any anyone." - Audrey

"It's important to look at all of the wonderful practices of yoga and not always focus on Asana and movement." - Audrey

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389: Cultivating Self-Acceptance with Donna Noble

Description: Sometimes, we can be very hard on ourselves (or others). We may feel we need to change parts of ourselves, look or behave in certain ways, or have certain things in order to be better. How can we overcome this kind of thinking? Donna Noble shares her insights.

Donna Noble is a yoga teacher and advocate for inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity in yoga. In her work, she is focused on disrupting the yoga and wellbeing space to make it more inclusive and diverse and is on a mission to create welcoming spaces for everyone—regardless of body type, background, or ability. She aims to bring people who feel unwelcome in mainstream yoga spaces to explore yoga and enjoy its benefits. Donna is also an author and wellbeing coach.

In this episode, Donna shares her inspiring journey of using yoga to overcome personal challenges, including Bell’s palsy. She explains her philosophy on self-acceptance, the importance of gratitude in self-love, and the transformative power of mindfulness. Donna also offers some powerful insights about how we can go about addressing unconscious biases and fostering social justice in yoga.

Key Takeaways: [0:20] Shannon reflects on some of the current crises we are experiencing.

[3:05] Shannon shares a personal anecdote wondering why we are all so hard on ourselves at times.

[4:49] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree!

[5:28] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Donna Noble.

[6:37] What does Donna do and who does she do it for?

[7:55] What does Donna tell people who think they may be limited in some way so they can't do yoga?

[9:34] What are Donna's thoughts on the topic of self-love?

[11:19] What are some things that helped Donna in accepting her body and in her yoga practice?

[14:52] What practices does Donna suggest for a person who is comparing themselves to others and beating themselves up?

[20:29] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree.

[21:47] Donna clarifies the difference between acknowledging the negative thoughts and working on changing them, and engaging in toxic positivity.

[26:54] Shannon and Donna discuss the internal work that we need to do of looking at our biases and also why it's important not to invalidate other people's experiences even if they are not the same as yours.

[31:59] Donna talks a little about her yoga journey and how and why she become body positive.

[35:33] How did Donna move towards body positivity and self-acceptance?

[38:49] Shannon pops in to share a note about the harm caused by Bikram (the person, not the yoga style).

[40:09] Donna shares how yoga has impacted her life.

[43:02] Shannon and Donna discuss how social justice is a part of yoga.

[45:50] Shannon and Donna reflect on the relationship between self-love and ahimsa.

[47:41] Check out Donna's book and her website to learn more about body positive yoga.

[50:02] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Donna.

Links: * Donna Noble * Donna Noble on Instagram * Teaching Body Positive Yoga by Donna Noble * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 312: We Stand With Survivors with Rebecca Sebastian & Colin Hall * Ecosia * Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga - Resources by The Connected Yoga Teacher * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "I see that so many people want to do yoga, but because of what the mainstream is saying, they don't think it's for them. So I try to debunk it as much as possible."

"If you're doing yoga and you have a body, you have a yoga body."

"If we can appreciate our bodies for all the things that it does for us without asking. We become accepting of ourselves and see that we are fine as we are."

"A lot of us are out there fighting the good fight and creating the change, and sometimes we don't even realize the impact or the changes that we're making."

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388: Fertility Yoga with Sherry Longbottom

Description: Global fertility rates have dropped significantly over the past few decades. Many factors influence people’s desire and ability to conceive and bear children, such as stress, lifestyle, and societal shifts. For those wanting to have children but facing challenges, fertility yoga can help in their conception and pregnancy journey. Sherry Longbottom shares her insights about fertility yoga and its benefits.

Sherry Longbottom is an author and yoga teacher specializing in fertility, prenatal, and baby and me yoga, with over 20 years of experience. Sherry offers online private and group classes as well as occasional studio pop-ups. She creates supportive spaces for individuals at every stage of their fertility and pregnancy journeys. In her classes, Sherry brings together fertility and prenatal yoga students in unique environment that allows all students to inspire and uplift one another, while supporting each other through the challenging times.

In this episode, Sherry shares some of her recommendations for yoga teachers offering support to students on a fertility journey, including recommended poses and poses to avoid. She also offers tips and insights for yoga teachers on class design, pose modifications, and the importance of mindfulness. This conversation is a heartfelt exploration of how yoga can provide both physical and emotional support for those navigating fertility and pregnancy.

Key Takeaways: [1:09] In this episode, Shannon and her guest will be talking about fertility and how yoga can help.

[3:34] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[3:56] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sherry Longbottom.

[7:04] What is the work that Sherry does and who does she do it for?

[11:08] What are some main things that yoga teachers might need to consider when deciding to offer 1:1 support for someone in the fertility journey vs. adding certain elements to a group class that might benefit them?

[16:42] Does Sherry teach online or in person?

[17:30] Shannon and Sherry discuss the external pressure that people often face when they are trying to conceive.

[20:13] Sherry shares some tips on poses she recommends for people trying to conceive as well as some things to avoid.

[23:23] What are some of Sherry's students' favorite poses in her classes?

[25:51] When people have been on a fertility journey for a while, there can be a lot of fear that arises. How does Sherry support her students through that?

[30:19] How does Sherry navigate both ends of the spectrum in a group setting focused on yoga for fertility i.e. someone getting pregnant vs. someone dealing with loss?

[34:42] Shannon pops in to share a message about using OfferingTree to run your yoga business.

[36:33] Sherry shares a little about her book about fertility yoga and the courses she offers for yoga teachers wanting to teach fertility yoga.

[40:55] What are IVF and IUI?

[43:43] Sherry shares more about the kinds of people who might undergo each procedure (IVF and IUI) that she sees in her classes.

[46:16] How does Sherry facilitate community building in her yoga classes?

[54:17] Connect with Sherry and learn more from her via her website or on social media.

[56:00] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.

[65:08] Shannon shares a podcast she recently listened to about the topic of fertility.

Links: * Sherry Longbottom * Sherry Longbottom on Facebook and Instagram * OfferingTree Facebook Group * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 284: Beyond Pronouns and Pride Month with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 265: Teach LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Yoga with Gabi Parkham * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 217: Yoga of Trans* Affirmation with Avery Kalapa & Maygen Nicholson * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 246: Anger, Forgiveness & Self-Care with Jacoby Ballard * The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens Podcast Episode 155: Jeremy Grantham: “The Baby Bust: How The Toxicity Crisis Could Cause the Next Economic Crash” * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree

Quotes from this episode: "Movement is great for your body."

"Just having that supportive group of women is key."

"There's a lot of things that are out of our control, but at least in this class, the women do feel like they're doing everything that they can do."

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387: The Five Kleshas with Michelle Cassandra Johnson

Description: What lies at the root of all human suffering? How can we relieve our suffering and that of others? According to the yoga sutras, our suffering comes from five root causes, the five kelshas, and there are practices we can do to alleviate suffering. Michelle Cassandra Johnson has studied this topic in-depth and shares her insights.

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an author and activist. She has been a racial equity educator for 25 years and is also a yoga teacher, spiritual teacher, and practitioner. Michelle works with people 1:1 and in group settings to help them connect to their intuitive abilities and supports them within intuitive healing practices. Her latest book, Illuminating Our True Nature: Yogic Practices for Personal and Collective Healing, was released in July 2024 and focuses on the kleshas.

Michelle explains what the five kleshas are, and how we see them showing up in our lives with examples. She shares her reflections on our interconnectedness with each other, nature, and the earth as well as why we have become so disconnected. Michelle offers some practices to help us lessen suffering individually and collectively, and how we can avoid contributing to suffering through our actions.

Key Takeaways: [4:01] Shannon gives a shout-out to the sponsors, OfferingTree, and her own 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training.

[4:01] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Michelle Cassandra Johnson.

[7:12] What does Michelle do and who does she do it for?

[10:54] How does Michelle define the kleshas?

[13:41] Michelle introduces the five different kleshas.

[18:11] Can all human suffering be distilled into the five kleshas?

[23:50] Shannon and Michelle discuss how interconnected we are, not just to each other but to nature and the earth as well.

[28:34] Shannon pops in to share about a workshop that Billie Smith is running, hosted by sponsor, OfferingTree.

[30:38] Is avoiding suffering contributing to suffering?

[37:52] Shannon and Michelle reflect on their connection to the earth and being in relationship with nature.

[44:26] Some people are unable to see the disconnect in between different areas of their lives. How can we navigate that?

[50:16] What are the ways that we can reduce or relieve suffering?

[56:19] Which of the kleshas is the most challenging to address and what is a practice that can help?

[62:02] Learn more from Michelle via her website, where you can get access to her books, workshops, and other resources.

[64:52] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Michelle.

Links: * Michelle Cassandra Johnson * Illuminating Our True Nature, by Michelle Cassandra Johnson * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode BONUS: Anti-Racism & Yoga with Michelle Johnson * OfferingTree Webinar: Queer Inclusive Teaching with Billie Smith and Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 5 Koshas Series: Annamaya Kosha * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 073: 8 Limbs of Yoga [Part 1] with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 074: 8 Limbs of Yoga [Part 2] with Jennie Lee * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 385: When the Yoga Teacher Stumbles with Jivana Heyman * Yoga for Pelvic Health 3-Hour On Demand Workshop with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.

Quotes from this episode: "This is illuminating our true nature which speaks to the fact that we are nature and that so many of us have been conditioned to be divorced from nature as if it doesn't exist within us." - Michelle

" This path calls us to study the root causes of suffering so that we suffer less. And ultimately,... become liberated, but it's not just about my liberation, it's about everyone's liberation." - Michelle

"Am I also contributing to suffering by thinking, I'll just avoid this." - Shannon

"If we're going to take action, we need to do it from a steady and a grounded place." - Michelle

"The path of yoga in so many ways is about us shedding our conditioning and at a minimum, interrogating our conditioning and then shedding what is not aligned with nature." - Michelle

"We have to understand why we suffer and how we suffer. ... It's an ongoing practice and study and it's a muscle to build."

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386: Weaponization of Yoga with Sheena Sood

Description: How can something like yoga, that is meant to be peaceful and focused on meditation and breath, be weaponized? How has it been co-opted by the far-right, colonizer projects, and Zionists? How does this show up in our yoga spaces and what can we do to address it? Dr. Sheena Sood shares her insights.

Dr. Sheena Sood (PhD) is a Philadelphia-based activist, educator, sociologist, and healing justice visionary of South Asian descent. She is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Delaware Valley University in Pennsylvania and has studied yoga at Kailash Tribal School of Yoga in India. Her current research project is about Omwashing Yoga: Weaponized Spirituality in India, Israel, and the US, where she investigates the growing incorporation of yoga and mindfulness by far-right law enforcement, military, and vigilante groups. Sheena is also curates “Decolonizing Yoga” workshops through frameworks that recognize yoga’s oppressive layers and liberatory potential and is the founder and creative director of Yoga Warrior Tales, an interactive adventure-based educational program that teaches children yoga and mindfulness through a social justice lens.

Sheena shares her perspective on the situation in Palestine and the reactions in the yoga world after October 7. She explains why this response of “om-washing” is not unexpected, and how we as yoga practitioners, teachers, and studios can counter harmful narratives to support Palestine. Sheena also has some words of encouragement and motivation for those of us doing the work and feeling exhausted, so be sure to tune in for some powerful insights.

Key Takeaways: [3:14] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsors, OfferingTree and her own 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training.

[4:26] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sheena Sood.

[11:29] What does Sheena do and who does she do it for?

[14:13] How can something like yoga, that is meant to be relaxing and focuses on breath and meditation, be weaponized? What is om-washing?

[22:50] Sheena shares her experience of learning about the history of Palestine and how that influenced her interactions with IDF/IOF soldiers in her yoga teacher training.

[29:14] Sheena shares her reflections on the video that was circulating of people practicing yoga in support of Israel.

[34:42] How is om-washing showing up at a micro level? How does the weaponization of yoga show up in our yoga spaces and studios?

[45:22] Shannon pops in with a message about the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[49:11] Shannon and Sheena discuss how change can actually be created - it's not by trying to be nice.

[54:13] What is Sheena's advice for people who have been taking action but are feeling discouraged or unmotivated that their efforts are making a difference?

[62:37] Shannon and Sheena reflect on some of the images they have seen of Israeli soldiers practicing yoga after bombing homes in Gaza.

[66:45] Learn more from Sheena on social media or via her website.

[69:42] Sheena shares some closing thoughts.

[71:26] Shannon shares her reflections from this conversation with Sheena, as well as a personal update.

Links: * Sheena Sood * Sheena Sood on Instagram: @sheena_shining, @yogawarriortales * Yogis For Palestine * Sign the Yogis for Palestine Solidarity Statement * Previous Podcast Episodes Related to the Topic + 385: When the Yoga Teacher Stumbles with Jivana Heyman + 382: Having Tough Conversations with Rebecca Sebastian + 376: Collective Care Over Individualistic Self-Care with Muna Shakour + 369: Struggling to Write Content is Normal with Billie Smith + 362: Yoga in Times of War & Violence with Molly Nixon + Yoga for Peace with Shannon Crow [BONUS EPISODE] + 356: How Silence Feels for a Yoga Student with Suzanne Miller + 359: Ahimsa in Times of Conflict with Rula Wardeh

• La La Lil Jidar
• Queer Inclusive Teaching with Billie Smith + Shannon Crow
• Yogis for Palestine Merchandise (T-shirts)
• Aniqa Anwar
• ABCD Yogi - Om-washing and Zionism on YouTube
• Southampton Olive Oil Company
• Move with Billie - Inclusivity Workshops
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 3-Hour On Demand Workshop with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.

Quotes from this episode: "Om-washing is the term for how the global far right and these ethnostates and cultural institutions use yoga as propaganda to make themselves look peaceful or liberatory to the public. But in fact, it's disguising their violent agendas."

"If I'm doing yoga according to the ethics that I want to live up to, then yoga invites me to reckon with the violence my ancestors and my relatives might be participating in."

"One of the ways in which these yoga studios participate in om-washing is in these unfortunate ways in which they think they're trying to be well-intentioned and decolonial, but they actually are only just doing this diversity and inclusion approach that is not actually anti-colonial and that is not anti-imperial."

"No oppressed and formally colonized society has ever won a struggle against their oppressor simply through nonviolent, peaceful resistance."

"I just want to encourage folks to not numb yourself as we continue to see these images and think they can't get any worse. Continue to find ways to let your heart feel what it is that you're witnessing."

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385: When the Yoga Teacher Stumbles with Jivana Heyman

Description: Have you ever been deeply disappointed in a yoga teacher, mentor, or celebrity? You are not alone. It is a common experience that many yoga teachers and practitioners go through, but how should we react? In this episode, Jivana Heyman joins Shannon to discuss how they deal with their feelings of grief and disappointment caused by folks in the yoga world.

Jivana Heyman is a teacher, author, and advocate, well-known in the yoga community. He is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an international non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to yoga teachings for people of all abilities and backgrounds. He has authored multiple books and brings decades of experience as an advocate and teacher to this conversation.

Shannon and Jivana discuss the complex topic of navigating a path forward when yoga teachers or mentors disappoint us. Whether through actions that fall short of our expectations, problematic behavior, or situations where trust is broken, these experiences can be deeply personal and disheartening. Jivana draws on his years of experience in teaching and his commitment to fostering compassionate and ethical yoga communities to share some deep insights and thoughtful reflections on tackling these moments with grace, understanding, and authenticity.

This episode promises to inspire and empower yoga teachers and practitioners alike to approach disappointment with wisdom and resilience.

Key Takeaways: [0:12] Have you ever been deeply disappointed in a yoga teacher, mentor, or celebrity? Shannon and Jivana are discussing their feelings of grief and disappointment in connection with folks in the yoga world.

[2:33] Shannon introduces herself and gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors - OfferingTree and her 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training.

[5:51] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jivana Heyman.

[10:05] What's the newest thing in Jivana's world right now with his work and personal life?

[15:12] It is common to be disappointed by yoga teachers or celebrities that we are learning from. Jivana and Shannon reflect on their experiences.

[19:40] Can we separate the teacher from the teachings? Is it possible to find a distinction between yoga and the people we learned from?

[21:26] Shannon shares an experience she had with a yoga teacher with a sizeable following just before the US elections.

[27:35] A second part of that interaction Shannon had is that they seemed to stop speaking up because of capitalism. Jivana shares his perspective on Shannon's reaction and disappointment.

[30:18] At what point do we call people out or call them in for the harm they are causing and how do we do that?

[32:26] Shannon pops in with a message about the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[36:00] Someone reached out to Shannon about wanting to call out a teacher they've been studying with who has said nothing about Palestine but has spoken up about other world events. What is the best way to navigate these situations?

[42:43] What is Jivana's advice to a yoga teacher who is observing that their teachers or yoga celebrities they follow are not speaking up about the issues that are important to them?

[47:46] It can feel like it takes a lot of energy to work in community. How should we approach this task of overcoming our differences to work towards a common goal?

[55:14] Yoga doesn't always feel good. It's not the goal of a yoga practice to leave us in a "blissed out" state.

[57:57] What would Jivana say to the yoga celebrity who is listening and having people ask them about not speaking up about social justice causes?

[59:24] What would Jivana tell yoga teachers who feel like they are not doing enough right now?

[65:48] What is Jivana's next book (his fourth) about?

[66:34] What are some practices Jivana is using now for grieving the destruction that is happening to the earth and around the world?

[71:51] Shannon shares some of the actions that she is taking to fight back against oppressive systems in the world.

[73:17] Connect with and learn from Jivana via his website or Instagram.

[74:26] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Jivana.

Links: * Jivana Heyman * Jivana Heyman on Instagram * Previous Podcast Episodes with Jivana Heyman + 365: How to Teach Accessible Yoga with Jivana Heyman + 321: Accessible Yoga & Pelvic Health with Jivana Heyman + 273: Yoga is a Revolution with Jivana Heyman + 251: Reflect & Plan [Part 2] with Shannon Crow & Jivana Heyman + 209: Online Yoga Teacher Training with Jivana Heyman + 138: Accessible Yoga Beyond Asana with Jivana Heyman

• Inclusive Yoga: Creating Community Through Accessibility (OfferingTree)
• Zel Amanzi on Instagram
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 3-Hour On Demand Workshop with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.

Quotes from this episode: "You know, we're all human, we're all trying our best." - Jivana

"Where we always get stuck in life is the expectations. .... the expectation is what causes our suffering." - Jivana

"Non-attachment is just freedom, that's what this is. Freedom from desire, freedom from being focused on the outcome." - Jivana

"When you're giving someone feedback or criticism, try to be as nice as you can about it because we're mostly really insecure people." - Jivana

"Direct communication is more effective with people." - Jivana

"Don't let your emotions decide your life for you. Don't let emotions make the decision." - Jivana

"We all have a lot of power in small ways that we don't recognize." - Jivana

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384: Yoga for Election Grief with Shannon Crow

Description: Many people have shared that they are feeling numb, sad, scared, shocked, and powerless in light of the recent US election results. Shannon Crow has experienced similar feelings and shares her experience in the aftermath of the election results.

Shannon relates an interaction she had with a yoga teacher that prompted her to turn inward and reflect and invites us to do the same. She also invites listeners who support Trump to reach out to have a conversation – in these divisive times, Shannon highlights the importance of remaining open to alternative perspectives, finding common ground, and still showing up to do the work we are here to do.

If you are feeling grief, helplessness, despair, or fear, Shannon shares some inspiring and uplifting words from her community, as well as her strategies for continuing to move forward through this time.

Regardless of where you live, where you are in the election cycle, or who is/has been elected to office, this episode can help you ground into the important things.

Key Takeaways: [0:48] This episode was inspired by some powerful messages from friends and colleagues who were feeling so many emotions after the results of the US elections were announced.

[3:15] Shannon introduces herself and gives a shout-out of thanks to the sponsors, OfferingTree and Shannon's 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training.

[7:15] Shannon shares how she felt in the aftermath of the elections in the United States.

[12:02] Shannon shares an anecdote of an interaction with a yoga teacher related to the elections in the US.

[16:08] Shannon understands and empathizes with people who have fears about living in a country and a world where Trump is the President of the US. She seeks to hear from people who voted for him about their perspectives.

[19:00] Shannon explains why the US elections are so relevant to her as a Canadian (and all of us) -- and why we should care about cultures and events in other countries outside our own.

[24:49] Having someone like Trump voted in makes Shannon look inward and reflect on what part of her she needs to work on.

[26:45] Shannon shares a bit about OfferingTree.

[28:26] Some things have helped Shannon in the moment of despair she was feeling when she learned the news that Trump had been elected.

[35:07] Next week on the podcast, Shannon will be holding some people accountable for their (in)action.

Links: * Some Related Connected Yoga Teacher Podcasts + 323: Finding Support in Yoga Philosophy with Sunita Patil + 269: Yoga Philosophy and Colonialism with Shyam Ranganathan + 382: Having Tough Conversations with Rebecca Sebastian + 356: How Silence Feels for a Yoga Student with Suzanne Miller + 359: Ahimsa in Times of Conflict with Rula Wardeh + 362: Yoga in Times of War & Violence with Molly Nixon + Yoga for Peace with Shannon Crow [BONUS EPISODE] + 273: Yoga is a Revolution with Jivana Heyman + 203: Do Politics Belong in Yoga? with Chara Caruthers & Maria Kirsten

• Post by Jezz Chung on Instagram
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 3-Hour On Demand Workshop with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.

Quotes from this episode: "This episode was inspired by some powerful messages from friends and colleagues who were feeling so many emotions."

"We talk yoga on this podcast and we talk politics because politics is part of yoga."

"Education is the foundational strength of a country."

"We need to ask what's underneath this if we really want to build safer communities for everyone."

"Having someone like Trump elected in the US definitely does make me ask a lot more questions, but it also makes me look inward."

"Do the work that you are here to do."

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383: Gift Certificate Policies & Questions with Shannon Crow

Description: What are the policies in your yoga business around gift certificates? If you don’t have them in place, this episode is the perfect starting point to get started thinking about creating some policies about gift certificates and more in your yoga business.

Shannon shares a question that was asked in the Connected Yoga Teacher Group on Facebook about gift certificates. A member asked about whether they should honor an expired gift certificate given out during a silent auction or offer an alternative that shows compassion for the buyer’s circumstances. Shannon shares the feedback on the post and what the original poster decided to do. She also invites us to consider the policies we have in place in our yoga business, not just about gift certificates but in other areas as well.

Shannon then shares a response she received on speaking up for social justice causes and other injustices. What can we do when it feels like our actions can’t make a difference? Tune in to be inspired by Shannon’s response.

Key Takeaways: [0:10] This episode touches on two topics - the importance of community and support, and gift certificate policies.

[3:46] Shannon gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors, OfferingTree and two of Shannon's trainings focused on yoga for pelvic health.

[6:17] Have you joined the Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group yet? It is a wonderful and supportive community of over 12,000 members and yoga teachers from around the world!

[7:13] Recently, a yoga teacher asked a question about policies around gift certificates and vouchers - holding a boundary around an expired voucher vs. offering a more compassionate alternative that benefits both parties.

[11:24] Did you know that you can create gift cards and discount codes through OfferingTree?

[13:23] It would be a great idea to review your policies about gift certificates before giving them out at a silent auction. Shannon shares what the original poster decided to do based on feedback from the community.

[15:35] Some countries may have laws about expiration dates on gift certificates. It can be a good idea to consider some of the policies you have in place in your yoga business regarding gift certificates, as well as other areas.

[18:15] Shannon shares a little about a response and a question that she received from a yoga teacher in a small rural community in the US about speaking up on social justice issues.

[25:38] Keen to work with Shannon? Sign up for her email list to stay in the loop about her latest coaching offerings.

Links: * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Gift Certificate for Silent Auction Facebook Post * Question About Non-expiring Gift Certificates Facebook Group * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 254: Must-Have Legal Agreements with Erika Kullberg * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 382: Having Tough Conversations with Rebecca Sebastian * Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga (Podcasts & Articles) Resource * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team * Shannon Crow on Instagram

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.

Quotes from this episode: "It would be so great to really review policies about gift certificates before giving them out."

"We can't think of every policy that we'll have for everything in our business, but we might want to consider some of the policies."

"What is the work that you're doing and is it helping the community in some way?"

"As a collective, just like the aster flowers, we can make a tremendous difference together."

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382: Having Tough Conversations with Rebecca Sebastian

Description: Many yoga teachers are trying to navigate having tough conversations with their colleagues, friends, and families about many issues going on in the world today - from the genocide in Palestine to racism, from misogyny to cultural appropriation, and much more. These conversations are difficult but so important. Rebecca Sebastian joins Shannon Crow in this episode to discuss having tough conversations.

Rebecca Sebastian is a long-time yoga teacher and 11-year yoga therapist. She owns an accessible and inclusivity-focused yoga studio and apothecary in Davenport, Iowa, called Sunlight Yoga + Apothecary, and is the host of the Working In Yoga Podcast. Rebecca is a passionate writer on yoga topics and she participates and loves all things yoga and the yoga industry. She believes that through writing and communication, we can all lift each other up and share what lights us up with the world.

This episode came about because of a hard conversation between Rebecca and Shannon as friends when they realized that they were on the same journey but not on the same page about some things. They decided to share what it’s like to have difficult conversations with people you care about and are in relationship with, and how they have been navigating these chats. If you have been struggling with having tough conversations with people around you, you are not alone.

Key Takeaways: [3:00] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsors - OfferingTree and Shannon's 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training.

[4:56] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Rebecca Sebastian. This episode is more of a conversation between friends talking about what it's like to have hard conversations with each other than a typical podcast episode.

[16:25] Rebecca invites us to give ourselves (and our former selves) and each other grace when having difficult conversations.

[18:29] There are many different issues that yoga teachers could be having tough conversations about these days. Does this belong in yoga?

[25:53] What are Rebecca's thoughts on yoga teachers who don't want to talk about "politics" in their classes? Shannon and Rebecca discuss the importance of consent in having hard conversations.

[30:19] How should/can yoga teachers respond when yoga students bring tough conversations into yoga spaces?

[36:38] Rebecca and Shannon discuss holding space for tough conversations and how they react when there are differences in fundamental beliefs or their moral compasses.

[40:20] Shannon reflects on how she is reacting to witnessing the genocide in Palestine, which can feel like "too much" for some people. Rebecca shares her perspective.

[46:08] It can be difficult to know how to respond when people who care about you give you unhelpful "advice".

[48:58] Shannon pops in to share a message about OfferingTree.

[51:27] Shannon and Rebecca diverge in their opinions about how they show up for the issues that matter on social media.

[56:20] What has Shannon's experience on social media been like since October 7th?

[61:20] Rebecca and Shannon discuss the shaming and "infighting" that tends to occur in social justice spaces.

[64:53] What are some actions that are effective in supporting the causes we care about, like Palestine?

[68:26] Rebecca talks about protesting as a strategy to effect change.

[72:13 - 72:17] "I feel like we can struggle and care at the same time."

[74:06] Shannon and Rebecca talk about the fact that many people are simply unaware of what is happening in Gaza and Palestine, but also that some people choose not to see it.

[77:15] When it comes to difficult conversations, there are a lot of things to consider. What is Rebecca's advice to people who want to do the hard work but don't know where to start?

[83:24] Shannon reflects on her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Rebecca.

Links: * Rebecca Sebastian * Rebecca Sebastian on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 312: We Stand with Survivors with Rebecca Sebastian & Colin Hall * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 304: How Are We Still here? with Rebecca Sebastian * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 297: Yoga Philosophy & Business with Rebecca Sebastian * The Future Of Yoga Therapy on Facebook (Facebook Post) * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 356: How Silence Feels for a Yoga Student with Suzanne Miller * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 375: Why Marketing is Different Now with Tristan Katz & Brooke Monaghan * Values as Luxury Goods and Political Polarization * Do Politics Belong in Yoga? by Naomi Gottlieb-Miller on Substack * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 361: Connect to Nature & Your Roots with Tracee Stanley * Eyes of Gaza by Plestia Alaqad (Pre-Order) * Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga (Podcasts & Articles) Resource * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.

Quotes from this episode: "I think we learn a lot from private conversations through friends about tough things." - Shannon

"After those [tough] conversations you're like, wow, our friendship is way stronger, but on the flip side of it, when it starts to go sideways, it also can mean the end of a friendship." - Shannon

"One of the best things about being able to have hard conversations with friends is that if you truly have respect [and a] friendship connection, the stakes feel a little bit lower because you ... can practice having hard conversations with people who are gonna be still in relationship with you at the end of those hard conversations." - Rebecca

"To have conversations that are difficult, all parties should consent to that conversation." - Rebecca

"How do we hold space for difficult conversations if we don't want to be in them?" - Rebecca

"Every change is a long game. It is always a long game." - Rebecca

"I also know that I show up for the work in my own community and that's my priority." - Rebecca

"I can't care about everything, I can't. Otherwise I'm not gonna show up for the things that matter to me." - Rebecca

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381: Making Yoga More Inclusive with Billie Smith

Description: How can we make yoga more inclusive? How do we make movement more accessible by adopting a different approach to yoga poses instead of a one-size-fits-all approach? What does it mean to teach in an anti-diet, queer-affirming way? Billie Smith shares their insights.

Billie is a queer yoga/movement teacher, trauma/abuse/ED survivor who is disrupting the norm and going against the grain. They are dedicated to eliminating diet-culture, spiritual-bypassing and other excluding narratives from the yoga spaces they create, and helping their students learn to check in with how they feel instead of how they look. Through group classes, one-on-one sessions, and workshops, Billie leads with an open heart and strives to hold safe, inclusive space for folks seeking to move their bodies for emotional health, increase mobility and strength, and feel good in their body for longer.

In this episode, Billie shares how they ended up doing work to combat diet culture messages and how they help people start checking in and listening to their bodies. They also share deep insights about letting go of control as teachers and how we can better empower our students to make the decisions that are best for them and their bodies in the moment. Billie also shares some tips on how we can create more inclusive yoga spaces and reflects on how social justice ties in with yoga.

Key Takeaways: [0:07] Shannon briefly shares why she is so excited about this podcast!

[3:53] Shannon gives a shout-out to the sponsors, OfferingTree and Shannon's 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training.

[6:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Billie Smith.

[12:59] What does Billie do and who do they do it for?

[16:27] What led Billie to start on this journey of making sure their yoga spaces are inclusive and against diet culture?

[21:33] Shannon and Billie discuss the common perception in yoga classes that the teacher knows the student's body better than they do.

[24:12] One thing we can do as teachers is really reflect on what is the goal of each pose, and consider how else we can achieve the same benefits without the pose having to look a certain way.

[26:49] Why is it such a gift when a student approaches a teacher thinking that the teacher knows more, but the teacher uses the opportunity to invite the student into a moment of self-inquiry?

[30:49] Sometimes, we may have trouble letting go of control of what our students should be doing in our classes. What is Billie's advice to the teacher who may feel upset that a student is not following their lead?

[36:58] Shannon pops in with a message of thanks for OfferingTree.

[39:14] How can we make our classes more inclusive and accessible even if we don't have the lived experience?

[46:48] What are Billie's thoughts that anything to do with social justice is out of our scope of practice as yoga teachers?

[51:19] Get in touch with Billie via their website or check out their podcast, Rebel Movement Podcast.

[54:13] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this episode.

[56:48] What's next on the podcast?

Links: * Billie Smith, Move with Billie * Rebel Movement Podcast with Billie Smith * Billie Smith on Instagram * Move with Billie - Anti-diet Workshop * Instagram Post by Billie Smith: 4 Diet culture messages in yoga and movement, and how to reframe them * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 265: Teach LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Yoga with Gabi Parkham * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 199: Creating Inclusive Yoga Spaces Erin Ajayi * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 108: Inclusive Language for Prenatal Yoga with Shannon Crow * Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga (Podcasts & Articles) Resource * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 369: Struggling to Write Content is Normal with Billie Smith * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 307: Taking Diet-Culture Out of Ayurveda with Diane Finlayson * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 292: Taking Diet Culture out of Yoga with Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey * Rainbow Registered (Canada) * Aubrey Gordon - Maintenance PHase * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 284: Beyond Pronouns and Pride Month with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 219: Yoga for Abundant Bodies with Dianne Bondy * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.

Quotes from this episode: "The more I learned, the more I didn't want to go back to teaching in ways that I learned were not feeling very inclusive."

"There are so many ways of adjusting how we approach postures that are not blaming the body for things that the body didn't do wrong."

"If you think of it more of as an experiment, it's giving the student the power to make the choices about what feels best. It's sending the message that there's nothing wrong with their body. And it's also not a big deal if the posture is not fitting."

"The thing that's gonna make the most impact is the actions rather than the words."

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380: Yoga for Stress Management with Radhika Mukhija

Description: We all live incredibly stressful lives, dealing with pressure from work, families, friends, and the political climate, on top of multiple crises around the world. It can all add up and leave us feeling stressed, burned out, exhausted, and overwhelmed. How can yoga and Ayurveda help us manage this stress?

Radhika Mukhija is the founder of Holistic Prana. For over a decade, she has guided women on a regenerative journey to wellness, helping them connect with their innate wisdom, embody their true selves, and create fulfilling lives. With experience in health, life, and executive coaching, Radhika merges ancient and modern science to create a holistic approach that blends ancient wisdom with clinical sensibilities, including neuroscience and biohacking.

Radhika shares how her mother’s cancer diagnosis inspired her to embark on this journey. She explains how she defines stress, the symptoms of chronic stress, and how yoga and Ayurveda can be useful tools to alleviate this stress. Shannon and Radhika also discuss creating consistent routines and rituals to nurture ourselves, finding balance, the role food plays in our well-being, dealing with “un-yogic” feelings like rage and frustration, and more.

Key Takeaways: [0:21] Shannon shares something she recently re-learned.

[3:51] Shannon gives a shout-out to the sponsors, OfferingTree and Shannon's 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training.

[7:20] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Radhika Mukhija.

[11:07] What does Radhika do and who does she do it for?

[11:50] What got Radhika started in doing this work?

[16:23] There are many different types of stress we experience. How does Radhika define stress?

[20:03] How does stress manifest or show up? What are the signs we might be experiencing chronic stress?

[22:49] How can we balance everything that is going on in the world - social justice movements, the after-effects of the pandemic, bearing witness to a genocide - on top of all the stresses of daily life?

[28:11] What are some of the practices that Radhika shares to help people return to a place of restoration, peace, and balance?

[32:29] Shannon pops in with a quick note about creating memberships and how OfferingTree can support you in that!

[35:10] How can we distinguish between unplugging or going inward as a form of self-care to be able to be effective out in the world, versus something that is just ignoring things that are stressful?

[48:04] How does Radhika introduce new practices to people knowing that they need to check in with themselves about what they need and people often don't like to be told what to do?

[53:14] Connect with Radhika via Instagram or learn more from her via her courses and upcoming book!

[58:07] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Radhika.

[64:18] Join the Facebook group to become part of a supportive community of yoga teachers and do leave a review for the podcast too!

[65:39] Shannon shares a message from a podcast listener.

Links: * Radhika Mukhija * Radhika Mukhija on Instagram

Practical Embodiment - Self-Paced Online Seasonal Living Course

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 360: Nature Meditations with Ray Zott
• Ray Zott’s Website

• Ray Zott on Instagram

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 309: Four Seasons of Business with Shannon Crow

• Eating Disorders Education and Anti-Diet Podcasts
• 048: Eating Disorder Education for Yoga Teachers with Tabitha Farrar
• 348: Yoga for Eating Disorder Recovery with Abbey Morris
• 218: Body Positive Yoga with Gillian McCollum
• 293: Eating Disorder Recovery & Yoga with Vivian Selles
• 338: Eating Disorder Informed Yoga with Jennifer Kreatsoulas
• 292: Taking Diet Culture out of Yoga with Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey
• 067: Yoga for Every Body with Amber Karnes

• 219: Yoga for Abundant Bodies with Dianne Bondy

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 369: Struggling to Write Content is Normal with Billie Smith

• Move with Billie - Anti-diet Workshop
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 375: Why Marketing is Different Now with Tristan Katz & Brooke Monaghan
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 376: Collective Care Over Individualistic Self-Care with Muna Shakour
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 377: Cultivating Contentment with Mary Flaherty
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.

Quotes from this episode: "There's good stress and bad stress."

"How do we just shut the noise of what people are telling us to do or what the books are asking us to do and how do we really get in tune with our inner wisdom?"

"How do we balance all of this? We need to begin with ourselves and what we can control... it has to come from a place where we, not just our body, but our mind is in a state of balance and homeostasis."

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379: Chakras with Indu Arora

Description: Chakras are a part of yoga, but a lot of us in the yoga world are not familiar with it. We may feel uncomfortable discussing chakras or may have a very limited understanding. In this episode, Indu Arora shares her expertise and insights about chakras.

Indu Arora is the founder and Director of Yog Sadhna. She is a yoga and Ayurveda teacher, mentor, and author, based out of the USA. Indu has been sharing simple, effective, practical, and grounded ways of living life through Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Meditation, and Ayurveda since 1999. She also offers in-person and virtual training sessions that focus on a holistic approach where body and mind are integrated with the inner Self.

Indu explains what chakras are, how they are related to yoga, the different texts in the yoga tradition that talk about chakras, and how we can access this information. Indu also clears up some common misconceptions about the chakras, and shares her personal experience in learning about and experiencing chakras. If you feel like teaching chakras is challenging, Indu has some tips on how we can make chakras more accessible and beginner-friendly, and so much more.

Key Takeaways: [3:10] Shannon gives a shout-out to sponsors, OfferingTree and Shannon's 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training.

[5:35] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Indu Arora.

[9:06] How should we pronounce the word "chakras"?

[9:58] What are chakras?

[13:26] Indu explains a little bit more about where the idea of color and qualities of chakras comes from.

[18:42] What are some texts to learn more about chakras?

[25:50] How would Indu explain chakras to someone completely new to the idea?

[30:21] Shannon pops in to share some big news from OfferingTree.

[32:28] Shannon and Indu discuss why teaching or sharing about the chakras can feel like a challenge. Indu explains another way to visualize the chakras.

[41:18] How has learning about or experiencing chakras impacted Indu's life and yoga practice?

[51:39] Learn more from Indu on her Instagram, her website, and her trainings.

[55:55] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this episode.

[57:35] Hang out with Shannon in real-time in Pelvic Health Professionals.

[58:55] Shannon gives a personal update about an incident that occurred a few weeks ago.

Links: * Indu Arora * Indu Arora on Instagram * Indu Arora's Resource Library * Laya Yoga of Chakras * Upcoming Trainings with Indu Arora * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 288: Shavasana (śavāsana) with Indu Arora * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 377: Cultivating Contentment with Mary Flaherty * Facebook Post by Shannon Crow about sharing misinformation * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.

Quotes from this episode: "Because what happens is when we learn one thing a certain way, we also get fixated by that certain way."

"Don't use knowledge just for verbal karate. Let there be a reason you have learned things a certain way."

"It's so important... to keep our mind open that there is more and we don't need to know everything that is more, but we need to keep space for more."

"One of the most important teachings in yoga is vairagya, let go, detach. So you have to have the courage to let go because there is more."

"The goal of yoga is yoga. Let's not forget that."

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378: Embodied Leadership with Sumaya K. Owens

Description: Being a leader is challenging. From making tough decisions to guiding others, it demands a lot from us and it can be difficult to make the right choices. As yoga teachers, how can we ethically show up as leaders while also being aware of our own power and privilege? Sumaya K. Owens shares their insights.

Sumaya K. Owens is the founder of Present Moment Media where they help uplift the voices of changemakers by using content marketing as a tool for social & cultural impact. Sumaya has nearly 20 years of professional experience in the health and wellness field and is a trauma-informed yoga teacher and ayurvedic health coach. They currently teach weekly virtual yoga classes for Burmese students living in a military coup in Bago, Myanmar, as well as offer workshops, trainings, and retreats on mindfulness, stress management, and trauma-informed practices for business and nonprofit leaders. As a community leader, Sumaya serves as the DEI Co-Chai for the local chapter of AIGA Asheville, and the lead organizer for the Embodied Leadership Meetup in Asheville.

In this episode, Sumaya explains what embodied leadership means, why it is so important for leaders to check in with their bodies when making decisions, and some tools to integrate this into our leadership playbooks. Sumaya also talks about how to show up for hard conversations and how to balance speaking up for causes we care about while being mindful of the impact we have on our followers and students. Shannon and Sumaya also discuss the need for a supportive community and community care, particularly in these divisive and polarizing times.

Key Takeaways: [3:16] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[5:52] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sumaya K. Owens.

[8:05] What does Sumaya do and who do they do it for?

[9:13] How did Sumaya get into their line of work?

[11:00] What does embodied leadership mean?

[12:22] Working in the health and wellness space doesn't necessarily mean that the job is relaxing or stress-free. Sumaya explains why it is important for leaders to check in with their physical bodies when making big decisions.

[17:09] What advice does Sumaya have for leaders who might feel like they are struggling to be embodied leaders?

[20:25] What does it mean to have privilege and power?

[24:01] What defines a leader?

[25:52] Shannon reflects that the yoga world has been largely silent in the face of many injustices happening around the world, most noticeably with regards to Palestine. What are Sumaya's thoughts on this?

[31:40] We may not be able to stay up to date with all the injustices and news events that are taking place around the world, but we can hold space for one another with compassion and love.

[34:43] How can yoga teachers balance wanting to keep their posts on social media positive and helpful, while still sharing about causes they care about that may be triggering or upsetting to others?

[39:03] Shannon pops in to share some exciting news from OfferingTree.

[41:26] What is lacking in the conversation around embodied leadership in the yoga world?

[46:21] What are some of Sumaya's favorite resources to learn about nonviolent communication?

[48:40] What advice does Sumaya have for yoga teachers who may be thinking about starting a support group for other yoga teachers and entrepreneurs in their area to learn about and practice embodied leadership?

[51:32] How can we get into a more embodied state when it comes to making big decisions in our businesses?\

[55:12] Find out more about Sumaya and their work on social media and join their Facebook group.

[59:05] Sumaya shares a few concluding thoughts about community care.

[61:07] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Sumaya.

[62:40] Shannon talks about some of the guest expert calls in Pelvic Health Professionals

Links: * Sumaya K. Owens, Present Moment Media * Sumaya K. Owens on Instagram and Facebook * Holistic Digital Marketing Strategies Facebook Group * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 376: Collective Care Over Individualistic Self-Care with Muna Shakour * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 266: Social Location, Power & Privilege with Raudhah Rahman * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 362: Yoga in Times of War & Violence with Molly Nixon * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 100: Cultivating a Community of Professional Peers with Linda Sparrowe * 310: How To Create a Yoga Routine with Shannon The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode Crow * Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, by Marshall Rosenberg * The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hanh * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, Summer Biz Camp, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Embodied leadership is the practice of turning your attention towards the physical body and sensations while in a position of power or privilege."

"As a leader, I am in a position of power. I am in a position of privilege and it is my responsibility to be incredibly aware of how I'm using that for the benefit of others."

"Every yoga teacher is a leader. ... The whole context of being a teacher means that your students are looking to you for guidance, they're looking to you for support, and that puts you in a position of power."

"As embodied leaders, it's also a responsibility to show up in the community and be calm and compassionate and caring, human beings who take care of each other and know how to have hard conversations without lashing out at each other, without blaming each other."

"What feels really important to me is that as yoga teachers and as leaders that we have values and that we know what they are and that we stand up for what we believe in and especially if it's something that's really aligned with our brand or our organization, our vision for the business or nonprofit that we run."

"One of the best things that we can do as leaders is know when we don't have all the answers and ask for help because that means we'll be more effective in the work that we're doing."

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377: Cultivating Contentment with Mary Flaherty

Description: Amid so many negative things currently happening in the world, it can feel challenging to remain positive and be content with ourselves and our lives. How do we cultivate contentment? Is it possible? Is it important? What are some scientifically proven strategies we can adopt to navigate the ups and downs of life? Mary Flaherty shares more.

Mary Flaherty has over 30 years of experience as a psychologist and is a highly experienced university lecturer and curriculum developer. She has worked in Australia, Japan, Ireland, and the U.K and is also a researcher with published findings reported in TIME magazine. Her specific fields of interest include positive psychology, sleep, stress and anxiety management, meditation/mindfulness, and yoga. Mary has also been a yoga teacher for over 20 years.

In this episode, Mary shares more about her background, why she started studying contentment, and how it is different from happiness. She also talks about her new book "Keys to Contentment - from Science, Monks and My Mother", sharing practical tips about how to be content and manage challenging situations. Mary explains some aspects of how the brain works that might help us when life is hard and highlights why being positive is so important.

Key Takeaways: [2:30] Stand a chance to win one of two copies of Mary Flaherty's book in this episode's giveaway!

[3:40] Shannon gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[5:42] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Mary Flaherty.

[10:18] What inspired Mary to write a book about contentment and the science behind it?

[13:47] Why did Mary decide to include her mother in talking about the keys to contentment?

[21:53] What are some scientifically proven strategies that help with contentment?

[35:53] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree.

[37:56] How do we find Santosha in these challenging times we are living through? How do we balance being positive and grateful while holding space for what's happening to others around us?

[42:20] Mary highlights why it is so important for us to become aware of our cognitive biases.

[46:00] What is our role as yoga teachers when our students share with us the struggles they are facing?

[52:54] What are some other things Mary hopes people would know about leading a more contented life?

[63:03] Shannon and Mary discuss how useful it can be to slow down and notice the details of life.

[65:08] Get your copy of Mary's book on Amazon, Kindle, Audible, and iTunes. Connect with her on Instagram as well.

[66:08] What is one small thing you can try if you feel like you are far from reaching contentment?

[67:16] Shannon reflects on her conversation with Mary.

[71:22] Shannon shares about some of the guest expert calls available in Pelvic Health Professionals.

[74:05] Shannon relates an experience she had recently that has been weighing on her.

Links: * Mary Flaherty on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn * Keys to a Contented Life: From Science, Monks & My Mother, by Dr. Mary Flaherty * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 258: What Does Science Say About Yoga? with Mary Flaherty * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 123: Habits for Health & Business with James Clear * 311: A Small Seed of Personal Practice with Shannon The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode Crow * 310: How To Create a Yoga Routine with Shannon The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode Crow * Canada Land Podcast * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 376: Collective Care Over Individualistic Self-Care with Muna Shakour * Ashley Oliver (@YogaAndMahogany on Instagram) * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, Summer Biz Camp, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Contentment really is the idea of internal balance."

"Contentment is sustainable again through the storms of life, it endures in difficulty."

"Nurture those social connections because they really will help us to be more content, to be less anxious, to be happier."

"The only way we can counteract cruelty is not with cruelty. It's with care."

"Yoga is a wonderful tool, especially when life offers us very challenging circumstances."

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376: Collective Care Over Individualistic Self-Care with Muna Shakour

Description: The massacre and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza have been going on for months now, and other genocide emergencies are simultaneously taking place around the world. Yet, many (especially in the health and wellness industry), still refuse to speak up, choosing instead to prioritize their safety and comfort over the need for liberation and freedom for all oppressed people. Muna Shakour shares her perspective as a Palestinian with family in the West Bank about shifting from focusing on self-care to looking at collective care.

Muna Shakour is a personal development coach who accidentally became an activist after the events in Gaza started. Her coaching practice has evolved over the years, from a Parenting Coach for parents of children 8 years and younger to coaching small business owners and coaches on how to grow their businesses and personal brands online to attract their ideal clients. Muna also offers corporate training focused on self-reflection and developing soft skills for leadership. Since October 7, Muna has been actively speaking out against the atrocities happening in Gaza and Palestine, sharing information and drawing attention to the situation there.

Muna talks about her work before October 7, 2023 and how she gets nervous about talking about her “work” now. She highlights the relationship we have with all people, the earth, and all creatures, and why we need to focus on caring for the collective “we” instead of focusing solely on self-care for “me”. Muna shares very honestly about the emotions she is experiencing and how that influences her decisions in who to connect with, hire, and support. She also offers some suggestions about how to navigate working for a company that won’t allow you to speak up and how to continue running your online business alongside speaking up for peace and justice.

Key Takeaways: [3:29] Shannon gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[6:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Muna Shakour.

[10:35] What does Muna do and who does she do it for? She shares more about her professional journey and how she "accidentally" became an activist.

[21:04] Shannon and Muna discuss what it has been like for them to encounter people in the wellness world who say they don't have the capacity to care about everything, especially when they have been increasingly involved in social justice movements in the past few years.

[28:35] A lot of us have been feeling a lot of anger and grief. We need to find productive ways to channel that energy.

[31:23] How can we be more careful with who we choose to work with and where we give our money to ensure that our values are aligned?

[37:48] Shannon pops in to share a little bit about OfferingTree.

[40:06] What are Muna's thoughts on when someone says something online that is harmful or hurtful, but it's because they still have some learning to do?

[44:39] Muna shares a little about what it's like being a Palestinian and having to avoid mentioning her identity for various reasons.

[47:09] We can use our privilege to start speaking up about Palestine and exercise our empathy to imagine what must be like for Palestinians.

[53:19] In the health and wellness space, a lot of people try hard not to post political things. Shannon and Muna discuss how they're changing people's minds about this stance.

[58:11] Muna shares her dream of people mobilizing en masse to demand change.

[63:33] Palestine has become a measure of what we will stand for and what we will not allow.

[66:44] What would Muna say to a yoga teacher who has not spoken up till now and is wondering how to do so now?

[73:33] We have to speak out even louder because we have privilege and clout that others don't.

[80:40] Shannon shares some of her reflections from this conversation with Muna.

[81:59] Shannon talks about some of the upcoming events in Pelvic Health Professionals and upcoming episodes of the podcast.

Links: * Muna Shakour * Muna Shakour on Instagram * Gabor Mate * Teal Swan * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, Summer Biz Camp, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Because the focus was so much on the self, we lost that feeling of community and the good of the collective versus the individual."

"There's always a relationship between us and nature and the universe and earth and the world and people."

"This is the future. The future is you're not following just for the advice. You're following the person, their personal brand, of course, with all of the marketing, but the values of this person and it needs to shine through."

"I imagine if I'm a mom there, how would I want people on the outside to be?"

"My personal opinion is you can still do work and talk about Palestine and they can even both be done at the same time."

"What will you stand for and what will you not allow?"

"This whole idea of the separateness is what's hurting us all. We have to remember that we are connected and relationships are the most important thing."

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375: Why Marketing is Different Now with Tristan Katz & Brooke Monaghan

Description: How do we market our work in times of collective distress and unrest? How can we show up for our business, our audience, and ourselves in a way that is aligned with our values? Two incredible entrepreneurs in the online space share more about how to navigate being a business owner in our current context - Brooke Monaghan and Tristan Katz.

Brooke Monaghan is the founder of Fruition Growth Network, a collaborative platform providing accessible, quality support to self-employed folks and bringing people together to find power in community. Brooke acts as a trusted advisor to founders and leaders who value impact, integrity, and relationships and are on a mission to set things straight in their industry. Her work focuses on the intersection of wellbeing and bottom line, guiding do-gooder lifestyle business owners to intentionally design profitable businesses around their values and their desired lifestyle.

Tristan Katz is a writer, educator, digital strategist, and equity-inclusion facilitator. They specialize in content marketing strategies for justice-focused leaders and queer-trans Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) training and consulting. Tristan’s intention is to share this work with an anti-oppression and intersectional lens. Tristan was named one of Yoga Journal’s 2021 Game Changers and he is proud to have spent several years serving on the Board of Directors at Accessible Yoga before the non-profit dissolved in early 2024.

Brooke and Tristan explain how marketing has changed since the early days of online business and why values matter so much to customers now. They also address using AI in marketing, how to change our strategies when it comes to marketing, and why following a cookie-cutter marketing plan probably isn’t going to work for your yoga business – as well as what you can do instead.

Key Takeaways: [3:04] Shannon gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree, Summer Biz Camp, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[7:05] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Tristan Katz and Brooke Monaghan.

[10:54] What do Tristan and Brooke do and who do they do it for?

[14:44] Tristan and Brooke have a podcast together - be sure to check out Reimagining Online Business.

[15:58] A lot of yoga teachers are feeling like they don't know how to market to students in the current environment. Brooke shares some of the trends in marketing in 2024.

[20:44] Tristan reflects on how new the internet is in the human experience and how that influences and impacts us as business owners and humans.

[28:06] Brooke explains that many of us in the online business space have lost sight of doing business with people. Strategies that work for more established business owners may not work for us.

[31:50] Tristan contextualizes Brooke's perspective for how it could apply to yoga teachers.

[36:00] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree.

[37:46] What are some ways to really connect with people in our audience? Brooke suggests experimenting with being real with your audience and tuning into your intuition.

[42:02] Tristan brings up the fact that all businesses are struggling right now, and marketing to people is simply not as easy as it used to be.

[45:51] It's a lot easier to be consistent when you're not trying to force yourself to do it the right way and you're allowing yourself to show up and be real.

[46:47] We can pay attention to trends, but in a loose, non-attached way, and instead try to make them our own or put our own spin on them.

[48:31] Shannon and Brooke reflect on how they feel being marketed to, as consumers.

[49:49] Tristan highlights how important it is now for yoga teachers to find their niche - find what really sets them apart from others

[52:47] Shannon talks about how she is showing up in her business, talking both about topics related to running a yoga business but also what is currently going on in the world.

[54:09] Marketing assets can be useful, but we also need content that has a finger on the pulse on how your audience is feeling or what they are experiencing..

[56:01] What advice do Brooke and Tristan have for yoga teachers when it feels like they just can't show up?

[62:00] Don't gaslight yourself into thinking you should figure out a way to do something when you don't have the capacity to do it or have the money to invest.

[64:46] Learn more about how to repurpose content and get access to other trainings and workshops on the Fruition Growth Network.

[65:57] When people are trying to sell you strategies or pathways to success, we have to be discerning.

[70:14] Brooke and Tristan share some final closing thoughts.

[72:12] Shannon shares her reflections from this conversation with Brooke and Tristan.

[80:13] Shannon talks about the latest call in the Pelvic Health Professionals membership site that you can listen to and some upcoming calls.

Links: * Brooke Monaghan * Brooke Monaghan on Instagram * Tristan Katz * Tristan Katz on Instagram * Reimagining Online Business Podcast by Brooke Monaghan and Tristan Katz * Michelle Cassandra Johnson * Fruition Growth Network * Summer Biz Camp * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, Summer Biz Camp, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Consumers right now are looking to see companies' values to make their buying decisions." - Brooke

"For those of us who are values-led business owners, right now is an opportunity to lead with that more than ever." - Brooke

"We have to overcome the fear of speaking because we have to show up as humans in our work to reach humans who are tired of the internet." - Tristan

"The most strategic thing that you can do right now is think critically about who your people are." - Brooke

"If I'm grieving and angry or whatever it is, I'm sure other people are probably too. How can we bring that approach into our businesses and our marketing?" - Tristan

"We are in a moment of experimentation and trying to figure things out." - Brooke

"It's a lot easier to be consistent when you're not trying to force yourself to do it the right way and you're allowing yourself to show up and be real." - Brooke

"What I'm saying is we do need marketing assets. We also need so much more than marketing assets." - Tristan

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374: Teaching Yoga to Busy Parents with Naomi Gottlieb-Miller

Description: How can busy parents find time for yoga in the midst of all the things they are juggling? How can yoga teachers make yoga more accessible to parents who are facing time scarcity? Naomi Gottlieb-Miller shares how her yoga practice changed when she became a parent and how she now uses this knowledge to share yoga with other parents.

Naomi is a mover, a maker, and a mom of 3 kids. She has been teaching yoga and movement since 2005 and is known for classes that are creative, playful, and strong. Naomi specializes in teaching short classes that pack a punch, making sure you can easily squeeze your daily movement into whatever pockets in your day you happen to have. On her website, Naomi offers classes that are 5 to 30 minutes to ensure busy parents (and anyone else short of time) can incorporate movement into their day, no matter what.

Naomi opens up about how her yoga practice changed drastically when she became a parent, and how that inspired her to teach much shorter classes online which can be just as good or even better than longer yoga classes! She shares how she has found success in her yoga business offering shorter classes, and highlights the importance of removing barriers that keep people from coming to yoga. Shannon and Naomi also discuss how we don’t all have the same amount of time, the high expectations we put on ourselves as parents and as yoga teachers, the double standards society sometimes puts on parents, and more.

Whether you are a parent who struggles to find time for your movement practice on top of your hectic schedule or you work with parents who tell you they don’t have time for yoga, this is a great episode.

Key Takeaways: [0:37] Shannon introduces the topic for this episode - yoga and parenthood.

[3:43] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree, Summer Biz Camp, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[7:20] Claire Holloway, a member of Pelvic Health Professionals, shares a little about her experience in the membership.

[10:11] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Naomi Gottlieb-Miller.

[12:26] What does Naomi do and who does she do it for?

[18:15] Shannon reflects on her own parenting journey and how time felt scarce for her when her children were young.

[20:42] It can be hard for moms or parents to shake off societal expectations.

[26:39] What is Naomi's advice to yoga teachers who are struggling to find time for their own practice, and what can that self-practice look like?

[32:21] Naomi offers a 5-minute practice for an entire month.

[34:06] Taking away expectations and limiting your daily practice can make it feel more accessible.

[34:38] Shannon pops in to share a little about OfferingTree.

[36:09] What is one thing a busy parent or parent with an overstimulated nervous system could do to get started?

[40:04] What are some of Naomi's recommendations for people who are feeling low on energy and need motivation?

[46:07] How does Naomi charge for her classes, considering that they are relatively short?

[49:13] Naomi highlights that longer classes can be a barrier for many parents who simply don't have the time or resources to make that commitment.

[52:21] Shannon and Naomi discuss why people might feel hesitant about shorter classes.

[58:28] Get in touch with Naomi and learn more from her via her website and social media channels.

[59:32] Shannon reflects on how Naomi has been showing up and speaking up for peace in these difficult times, and her own process of dealing with grief after witnessing horrific news from Gaza.

[66:14] Shannon shares some details of upcoming calls inside Pelvic Health Professionals.

Links: * Naomi Gottlieb-Miller, Conscious Healthy Mama * Naomi Gottlieb-Miller on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 373: Yoga Philosophy for Parenthood with Claire Holloway * Summer Biz Camp * Sasha Heron, Host of the Grief Cafe * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, Summer Biz Camp, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Whatever I am doing for myself to move is good. It does not have to be 60 minutes or 30 minutes or even 10 minutes. It can be really short. And if that makes my body feel good, that is enough."

"Another thing that can be so hard actually, is that if our expectations for our practice are really high, ...we're never going to get anything done."

"Why are we putting value judgments on the length of time?"

"Your home practice does not need to look like the classes that you teach. Your home practice should look like what you need."

"We just need to reframe what we think is necessary for both home practice and what we teach."

"Motivation is fickle."

"We want to assign so much more power to yoga and to movement because we want things to be miracle fixes."

"I don't necessarily think that a 15-minute practice means that you're rushing things."

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373: Yoga Philosophy for Parenthood with Claire Holloway

Description: How can yoga philosophy support people in their parenthood or caregiving journey? Are the ancient yogic teachings still applicable to modern life? Claire Holloway shares insights about how we can tap into the wisdom of yoga philosophy to guide our actions as we navigate this phase of life.

Claire is the founder of The Centre of Bright Beginnings. She offers yoga, corrective exercise, and educational support for those embarking upon or moving through the journey of matresence – conception, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. Her work supports not only those identifying as mothers but also parents, caregivers, and parents-to-be. She studies and shares yoga through the lens of her personal experiences of becoming and being a mother.

In this episode, Claire reflects on her own postpartum journey and the challenges she faced that led her to do the work she does now. She breaks down how we can apply the teachings of ancient yoga philosophy to life today as parents, and shares practical tips on integrating yoga philosophy into our day-to-day activities. Claire also shares how we can moderate our energy as parents when so much of it goes to our children, how to avoid comparing ourselves with the “perfect parents” on social media, the many decisions that are connected to parenting and birthing, and more.

This is such a rich discussion for anyone who is a parent, future parent, caregiver, or if you support or know parents in your life.

Key Takeaways: [0:06] This episode is about how yoga philosophy can support you as a parent or in some other capacity as a caregiver.

[3:41] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals - and Shannon has some big news about Pelvic Health Professionals.

[9:11] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Claire Holloway.

[13:25] What is the work that Claire does and who does she do it for?

[17:02] What was Claire's postpartum journey like and what inspired her to focus on this time with parents?

[21:44] Things have changed a lot since yoga philosophy was written. How does it still apply to parenting today?

[25:44] How does Claire start to bring in yoga philosophy when talking to brand new parents?

[30:57] With social media, it is easy to compare ourselves to others and feel like we're not living a perfect life or being perfect parents. Shannon and Claire discuss how yoga philosophy can support us in those times.

[37:22] What other parts of yoga philosophy have supported Claire in her own parenting journey?

[41:09] What are some of the challenges new parents are facing now?

[48:15] Shannon and Claire discuss tapas and how that can show up in parenting.

[50:52] Birth trauma can be a big part of the parenting experience. How does Claire help people navigate that?

[55:46] Many new parents deal with a sense of isolation, even more so when they feel they are not living up to societal ideals. Claire speaks a little to this point.

[57:27] Learn more about Claire and her work via her website.

[61:03] Shannon reflects on her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Claire.

[62:47] Shannon shares some of the upcoming calls inside Pelvic Health Professionals, as well as how things are changing with the membership.

[67:12] Link - Shulamit episode

[68:18] Link - Claire's post

Links: * Claire Holloway, The Centre of Bright Beginnings * Claire Holloway on Facebook and Instagram * Previous Episodes on Yoga Philosophy + 323: Finding Support in Yoga Philosophy with Sunita Patil + 297: Yoga Philosophy & Business with Rebecca Sebastian + 269: Yoga Philosophy and Colonialism with Shyam Ranganathan

• COPE: Centre of Perinatal Excellence
• Practical Yoga Philosophy for Parenthood Program
• Practical Yoga Philosophy for Parenthood Online Course (Discount Code: 30offclaire)
• Bliss Baby Yoga
• Claire’s Instagram Post about Palestine
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "It's just highlighting that there never is pro-balance and that we can stop beating ourselves up for not actually achieving much... Even that simple awareness can bring more compassion to ourselves. "

"The more out of control things feel, the more we cling to whatever we feel that we can control."

"One of the really underlying themes is about um taking the right action as opposed to stopping and not acting because of the fear."

"Yoga is about the opposite of that, about coming back from separation and isolation towards connection and community and unity."

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372: Grow a Private Yoga Business with Dominique Gauthier

Description: Wondering how you can teach more one-on-one yoga? Curious if it is possible to turn 1:1 yoga classes into a full time business? Teaching yoga 1:1 and growing a yoga business teaching private yoga classes is not something that is covered in yoga teacher trainings but is so important! Dominique Gauthier shares how she has built a successful yoga business with 1:1; sessions.

Dominique is a highly skilled and passionate yoga teacher, personal trainer, core & pelvic floor specialist. She is the owner of Body Mind Fitness based in London (Lambeth) Ontario. Dominique is dedicated to helping clients of all ages and fitness levels achieve their health and wellness goals, with a comprehensive approach to fitness that focuses on building strength, increasing flexibility, and improving overall health and well-being. She is a certified Core and Pelvic Floor Specialist, helping clients overcome common issues related to core and pelvic floor dysfunction, and works with clients in-person and virtually in private sessions and personalized small group classes for clients all over the world.

Dominique explains how she is able to make a living teaching only yoga. She shares how she advertises online to get new students, what her schedule is like, and how she teaches both in-person and online private yoga. Dominique also highlights how she managed the transition and why moving from teaching group classes to private yoga is not a quick shift. If you’ve been wanting to add more 1:1 yoga classes to your schedule, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways: [0:06] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode - teaching 1:1 yoga.

[3:58] Shannon introduces herself and gives a shout out to the podcast sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[8:42] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Dominique Gauthier.

[12:27] What does Dominique do and who does she do it for?

[15:28] Dominique shares more about how teaching one-on-one yoga is her main source of income.

[17:04] What was Dominique's process of marketing when she made the transition from teaching group classes to focusing on 1:1 classes?

[21:43] Dominique still offers consultation calls to potential students who might be interested in her services.

[24:24] Does Dominique teach 1:1 online or in person?

[24:48] Dominique explains how she structures working with 1:1 student, from the time they book a consultation call.

[27:38] If you're looking for an all-in-one software option, OfferingTree is the solution!

[30:36] Shannon and Dominique discuss the pricing of her 1:1 classes.

[31:11] What is Dominique's advice for a yoga teacher who is looking to make the switch to teaching more 1:1 yoga in their business?

[34:23] Dominique and Shannon share some inspiring anecdotes about why they do they work that they do.

[36:15] How does Dominique manage scheduling her 1:1 yoga sessions?

[39:21] There are ebbs and flows and busy periods and slow periods, even with teaching 1:1 yoga. Dominique reflects on how she manages these ups and downs in her yoga business.

[41:03] Find out more about Dominique and her work at her website and on social media.

[42:23] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Dominique.

[44:58] Shannon shares a review from a member of Pelvic Health Professionals.

[46:52] Check out the upcoming live calls in Pelvic Health Professionals.

Links: * Dominique Gauthier * Dominique Gauthier on Facebook and Instagram * Previous Episodes on Private Yoga + 363: Build a Full-Time Yoga Career with Mary Reddinger + 206: Get More Private Yoga Clients with Megan Spears + 132: Marketing to Increase Private Bookings with Amanda Mays [Consultation Call] + 131: How I Structure Private Yoga with Shannon Crow + 130: Make a Profit Teaching Private Yoga with Emily Sussell + 120: Teach Private Yoga Online with Yael Oppenheim + 081: Set Up to Teach Private Yoga [Consultation Call] with Stephanie Brunson + 014: Build Your Private Yoga Business with Kate Connell Potts

• Healers for Palestine - @HealersForJustice on Instagram
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals (Get a free month using the code Connected2024)

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "I really shied away from the idea of talking about 1 to 1 services and possibly part of that was a little bit of imposter syndrome."

"I find that especially as an entrepreneur, people want to know who you are as a person and that way they might trust you."

"For the most part, I try to give them that face-to-face, putting a face to a name. And I think it shows that you're going the extra mile for them."

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371: Organizing a Yoga Retreat with Checka Antifonario

Description: Have you thought about hosting a yoga retreat for a day, a week-end or longer? Retreats are a great way for yoga teachers to provide a new, more immersive experience to their students but planning and executing a yoga retreat can be challenging. Checka Antifonario shares her thoughts as an experienced retreat planner and host.

Checka Antifonario is the founder of Yogaway, and she has been guiding yoga and mindfulness classes, workshops and retreats since 2008. She is deeply committed to maintaining a welcoming, inclusive, and grounded space for practice and community. When Checka is not teaching near home or online through her digital platform Anyday Yogaway, she journeys throughout the United States and abroad, leading weekend and week-long retreats. Checka also supports yoga teachers through her mentorship program for new or evolving Yoga teachers, as well as an in-depth retreat planner training. Off of the mat, she is passionate about being in nature and spending time with her dogs, goats and family!

Checka shares insights about the fundamentals of planning and organizing a yoga retreat. She gives tips on how to choose a venue for the retreat, the ideal group size, and things to consider when pricing the retreat. Checka also offers an insider view of how to organize a retreat schedule as well as how to build community among the participants of the retreat. If you have been contemplating hosting a retreat but aren’t sure how to get started, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways: [3:23] This episode is made possible by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[5:25] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Checka Antifonario.

[9:54] What does Checka do and who does she do it for?

[12:06] What is step 1 when it comes to planning a retreat?

[16:19] What are some tips Checka would give to a yoga teacher who needs to clarify their driving force for hosting a retreat?

[20:10] How long should a retreat be, especially for the first retreat that you host?

[23:42] What are some elements we might consider when planning the retreat schedule?

[27:07] What kind of group size should we be aiming for? What should the ratio of leaders or teachers to people attending the retreat be like?\

[30:09] Shannon pops in with a quick tip about how OfferingTree can support you in hosting retreats in your community or around the world!

[32:12] Checka and Shannon discuss pricing for retreats. There can be a big difference in costs between hosting your retreat at a retreat center vs self-hosting a retreat!\

[38:07] Checka shares some of her experience in terms of managing logistics, coordinating with retreat centers, and handling insurance.

[40:41] What are some hiccups that we could run into while planning and hosting a retreat?

[46:30] How can we form community and connections while we are on a retreat?

[52:14] Learn more about hosting yoga retreats from Checka by connecting with her via her website or on social media.

[53:04] Checka shares some final thoughts for yoga teachers who are feeling inspired to plan a retreat.

[55:36] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Checka about hosting retreats.

[59:00] Shannon shares a review about the yoga series with Tyler Arnason in Pelvic Health Professionals.

[60:18] Check out all the different yoga series available in Pelvic Health Professionals with a free month of membership!

[62:27] Shannon shares some final reflections about yoga and social justice.

Links: * Checka Antifonario * Checka Antifonario on Facebook and Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 287: Insurance for International Yoga with Beth McVeigh & Joe Fagan * Yoga for Humankind on Instagram (@yogaforhumankind) * Tender Warrior Co. on Instagram * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals (Get a free month using the code Connected2024)

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Just finding your own most authentic way toward building community because that's really the foundational piece that will make offering and running retreats so much less intimidating [and] a little smoother when you get to that process."

"What is your mission with the retreat?"

"Where I'm going to pour my passion and love and energy is where things are going to thrive, and with retreats, I think that's really, really true."

"Group size is very important because I do believe it affects the dynamic of things quite a bit."

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370: Is Email Marketing Dead? with Meg Sangimino

Description: Many of us are struggling with overflowing email inboxes and receive ever more emails daily. In this context, is email marketing still a relevant tool that can help your yoga business? How can yoga teachers use email marketing effectively? Meg Sangimino some insights.

Meg Sangimino is a yoga teacher and business expert. Her expertise is in helping wellness professionals implement sustainable business strategies. With a background in project engineering and a passion for wellness, Meg is your go-to for implementing essential (and efficient) systems that underlie a business that nourishes, supports, and fulfills the lifestyle that you want without spinning your wheels on social media or having constant technology headaches.

If you don’t already have an email list, you may be wondering where to start. Meg shares tips for effective lead magnets and freebies, and explains why email marketing doesn’t have to be cringe-inducing. She also gives some ideas about what to email your list, suggestions on how often to email them, and trends when it comes to effective email marketing for yoga teachers.

Key Takeaways: [3:16] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[5:10] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Meg Sangimino.

[9:39] What does Meg do and who does she do it for?

[10:18] Why do people cringe when they think about email marketing?

[11:20] There is a lot of value in the content yoga teachers create to market themselves, and sometimes they may not realize that.

[13:25] People go to social media for a different purpose than their email inboxes.

[15:55] How can yoga teachers get started with email marketing?

[19:23] If you have a freebie or lead magnet and nobody is signing up for your list, you could have two problems: 1) nobody is seeing it, 2) nobody wants it.

[23:11] Do not be discouraged if you put something out and it doesn't get the response you hope for!

[24:47] Shannon reflects on the freebies she has in her own business.

[25:15] You may get people who unsubscribe from your list, and that's okay!

[26:25] What is Meg's advice to yoga teachers who feel like they wouldn't like to receive multiple emails about an offer, so feel uncomfortable sending emails to their list?

[28:11] What kinds of freebies are working in the yoga space and what are some trends that Meg has observed in email marketing?

[32:17] What should yoga teachers write in their emails?

[34:35] How often does Meg recommend including a call to action in you emails?

[35:42] How often should yoga teachers email their list?

[37:11] It's important to continue supporting your list even when you are not selling anything!

[38:08] What is something Meg wishes she would have known when starting email marketing?

[40:50] Shannon pops in to share about OfferingTree, a great all-in-one software option especially for email marketing!

[45:07] Shannon and Meg discuss the popular options for email marketing platforms.

[49:01] Shannon reflects on her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Meg.

[50:47] Shannon shares some of the upcoming guest calls inside Pelvic Health Professionals.

[53:32] Shannon gives a special shout out to yoga teachers who have been and continue to speak out for humanity and Palestine.

Links: * Meg Sangimino * The YogaBiz Podcast by Meg Sangimino * Previous Episodes on Email Marketing + 176: Email Marketing Strategy with Jessica Stansberry + 139: Grow Your Yoga Business via Email with Tarzan Kay + 072: Email & Content Strategy [Consultation Call] with Kristen Boyle + The Connected Yoga Teacher Live Show: Episode 9: Create and Grow Your Yoga Student Email List

• Podse.io
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 369: Struggling to Write Content is Normal with Billie Smith
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "For listeners who are feeling drained and a little bit bogged down by social media, email marketing is a really, really solid alternative."

"Those of us in the wellness industry tend to be very averse to marketing ourselves."

"The fact that people are picky with who they give their email to is why email marketing is so effective."

"The more time we invest in growing that list, the more warm leads we have, the more we can promote when we actually have something to promote."

"We first have to be the consumer that we want to attract."

"The trend that I'm seeing is shorter and simpler are getting more downloads or more subscribers."

"Your tool for bringing people onto your email list, whether that's a freebie or something different, should be aligned with what you're going to offer them."

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369: Struggling to Write Content is Normal with Billie Smith

Description: If you have ever sat staring at your blinking cursor and wondered how to write an email, social media caption, or blog post for your yoga business when more important things are happening in your personal life or the world – you are not alone. Billie Smith recently faced this same struggle and decided to share their honest thoughts instead of their usual messaging.

Billie Smith is a queer advocate, trauma, abuse, and eating disorder survivor, who is shaking up the status quo and challenging conventional narratives in the wellness industry. They believe in discarding harmful ideologies like diet culture and spiritual bypassing, and are dedicated to creating spaces where individuals can authentically connect with themselves, free from judgment and expectation. Billie's approach to movement is all about empowerment, helping students tune into how they feel rather than how they look. With over 600 hours of training and a commitment to inclusivity, Billie's classes, workshops, and one-on-one sessions provide a safe space for those seeking to reclaim their bodies and their narratives.

In this episode, originally shared as an email to Billie’s subscribers and then as an audio on their podcast, the Rebel Movement Podcast, Billie shares openly about their experience struggling to write an email about topics related to their yoga business while also grappling with other challenges. They talk about how difficult it can feel to hold multiple truths, balance self care and social justice work, and reflect on showing up authentically.

Writing content can be hard when we are faced with balancing work, personal life, and tragedies in the world - if you are struggling because of this, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways: [3:07] This episode is sponsored by Pelvic Health Professionals.

[4:14] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Billie Smith.

[7:30] Billie shares a little about a newsletter that they sent out on 14 February and their process of writing it.

[14:40] Shannon pops in to talk about a recent call with Mary Reddinger inside Pelvic Health Professionals.

[16:17] Listen to a short snippet from Mary Reddinger about how she gets the bulk of her private yoga students. Get access to the full interview by joining the Pelvic Health Professionals membership.

[18:13] Billy highlights that it can feel difficult for us to hold all the things that are happening in the world and in our personal lives - what we are experiencing is not normal.

[21:12] We are all struggling to find balance lately.

[24:47] If you are using your platform to talk about Gaza or Palestine, unfortunately it is a risk.

[27:53] Billie talks about the importance of standing up for your values and staying true to them even in difficult times.

[31:02] It is important to take care of yourself even as you do social justice work.

[32:28] Shannon reflects on her own personal experience of speaking up about the harm taking place in Gaza right now.

[36:01] There are so many people who say they want peace and freedom for all people but are afraid to speak up. But we can make a huge difference if we all speak up.

[39:29] Do leave a review for the podcast and come hang out in real time with Shannon in the Pelvic Health Professionals membership!

Links: * Billie Smith, Move With Billie * Rebel Movement Podcast with Billie Smith * Billie Smith on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Spotify * Shannon's Viral Reel * Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Support the podcast * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsor, Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Invalidating your own struggles is not gonna give you any more energy to help change the world."

"It's ok if you don't feel rage every single second of the day because like how are you supposed to do all your stuff if you do?"

"There's a struggle to find balance lately."

"[If] you've been having that feeling of doubting yourself or doubting, what is even the point of doing this anymore? I would just encourage you to check in with it and not take it as a sign that you're doing anything wrong in your life."

"I don't want my business to negate its values to make money. I don't want to sacrifice my values for profit."

"Find the balance between taking care of yourself and then doing social justice work."

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368: Moving to a New City & Marketing with Jennie MacGoy

Description: Have you recently moved or are you struggling to grow your yoga business? Have you been posting on social media and not seeing that time convert to students? Have you been thinking about switching your niche or taking a break? Jennie MacGoy has navigated a cross-country move and shares how she found success marketing her yoga business in a new city.

Jennie MacGoy opened her first yoga studio in Virginia in 2017 but moved to Southern California in 2021. Since making the move, Jennie has continued to teach gentle and chair yoga and movement to seniors in retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, and memory care communities while also working 1:1 with older adults. Jennie strongly believes that older adults can live their best lives through physical activity, stress reduction, cognitive exercise, and social engagement and incorporates all of these into her yoga classes.

In this episode, Jennie shares her challenging journey of rebuilding her yoga business from scratch in a new city and neighborhood. She openly talks about the struggles she faced, how she overcame them, and what really worked for her in terms of marketing her yoga business. Learn about pivoting in your yoga business and alternative options for marketing in this inspiring conversation with Jennie.

Key Takeaways: [2:41] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[4:55] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jennie MacGoy.

[8:37] What is the work that Jennie does and who does she do it for?

[10:24] What was it like when Jennie moved? What did she learn immediately and what advice does she have for other yoga teachers who may be navigating a move?

[13:02] What worked and what didn't work for Jennie when she moved?

[17:31] Jennie had to decide if she still wanted to teach yoga when things weren't working out for her.

[18:42] Jennie was not marketing on Instagram or Facebook. She explains how she marketed her services to her target audience.

[21:38] What kind of offerings is Jennie focusing on in her business?

[26:49] What are some things Jennie has learned from working with the population of older adults and/or people with dementia?

[30:36] Jennie reflects on what she gets out of teaching a mixed class of people with different abilities.

[34:09] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[37:45] What is the population that Jennie works with in private sessions?

[39:05] Jennie had to make a big shift to continue her yoga business when she moved to a new city.

[41:11] Jennie volunteered with some organizations as a way of expanding her local network after she moved.

[45:27] What is something Jennie wishes she would have known sooner when she moved to her new location?

[48:17] We all struggle with different things at different moments in our business.

[52:26] Connect with Jennie via her website.

[53:50] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Jennie.

[58:36] Shannon shares a personal update about how it has been to stand up for things she believes in.

Links: * Jennie MacGoy * Jennie MacGoy on LinkedIn * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 161: Get Your Yoga Online in 48 Hours with Jennie MacGoy * Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Support the podcast * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "One of the most important lessons that I learned was to be willing to pivot, ... be flexible."

"Words are so important and something that I have always been passionate about, but it comes really into play in these classes where you have people of differing abilities."

"It was a total mind shift in how it was all word of mouth."

"Don't underestimate the value of reaching out."

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367: Money Matters & Budgeting with Jenifer Parker

Description: How do you feel about budgeting and money as a yoga teacher? What is your system for tracking income and expenses – is it working? How can you decrease your expenses and/or increase your income? These are some questions Jennifer Parker answers in this insightful money conversation.

Jenifer Parker has been a yoga teacher for more than 21 years and is a qualified instructor in 4 lineages: Kripalu, Sivananda, Krishnamacharya, and Thai Yoga. She meets students where they are, teaching a traditional, integrated approach. In general she teaches within the Krishnamacharya lineage, but offers a unique insight into the similarities and differences in practice across lineages. Currently, she offers private lessons, corporate and private group classes, and a few public community classes in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa (Wellington, New Zealand).

In this episode, Shannon and Jennifer dive deeper into money matters and budgeting for yoga teachers. Jennifer explains how to get consistent with our budgeting, how to adapt it to our needs and our yoga business, and why it’s so important for yoga teachers. She also shares some ideas on how to make more money as a yoga teacher and tackles some big mindset blocks yoga teachers may face when it comes to money issues.

Key Takeaways: [0:28] Shannon takes a moment to recognize the harm that is taking place in Palestine right now.

[4:13] Shannon briefly talks about her topic and guest for the episode.

[5:15] Shannon introduces herself and gives a shout out to the sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[8:47] Kathleen Pratt shares a little about the ongoing online yoga series, Nourish Your Nervous System.

[10:13] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jennifer Parker.

[15:49] What does Jennifer do and who does she do it for?

[18:36] Jennifer shares a little about where she is located.

[19:44] Why is Jennifer so passionate about talking about money in relation to teaching yoga and being a yoga teacher?

[25:47] What are Jennifer's thoughts on budgets?

[32:04] What kind of tools does Jennifer use when it comes to creating a budget?

[34:08] What actions does Jennifer take when she's looking at her budget every week?

[37:26] Jennifer shares some tips that can help with the mindset part of creating and following a budget.

[40:34] What are some ideas for yoga teachers to make more money?

[46:49] Having a clear goal in mind will help you move in the right direction.

[48:23] Shannon pops in to give a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[51:21] What are some other ideas for making money within yoga?

[58:17] Jennifer recommends talking to your landlord about subdividing the physical space you are using for yoga classes if the rent has gone up.

[62:23] We have to get comfortable talking about money!

[0:00] undefined

[63:18] Jennifer's advice is to tap into your networks.

[74:37] Shannon shares some reflection questions you can journal on.

[75:37 - 75:50] Questions:

[78:42] Shannon shares an audio message from a podcast listener.

[81:11] Support the podcast by making a donation or signing up for one of the offerings!

Links: * Jennifer Parker * Previous Podcast Episodes on Money + 366: Get Okay with Making Money with Chioma Njoku + 330: Connect with Your Money with Shannon Crow + 295: Make Money Teaching Yoga with Betty Welsh + 280: Get Paid as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Simmons + 141: Let’s Talk Money with Katie Brauer + 042: Money Mindset with Geraldine Carter + 154: Bookkeeping for Yoga Teachers with Kelly Christian + 329: Why Separate Bank Accounts? with Shannon Crow

• Mint: Budget Tracker & Planner
• Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Support the podcast
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Reflection & Journaling Questions: * How can we navigate the often unpredictable landscape of income and expenses while staying true to the practice of yoga and the purpose of our work? * How do you personally approach budgeting as a yoga teacher? * Have you found success in tracking your income before your expenses, and if so, how has it impacted your financial stability? * What methods have you used to increase your income beyond teaching classes? * Do you prefer using budgeting apps or spreadsheets, and why? * How often do you check your bank statements, and what insights have you gained from this practice? * In what ways do you see parallels between budgeting and yoga, particularly in terms of consistency and adaptability? * Have you been able to build a buffer of savings, and if so, what strategies have helped you achieve this? * When do you think it's appropriate for yoga teachers to consider taking on part-time work, and how can one navigate the potential stigma associated with it? * Have you ever negotiated rent for your teaching space, or explored alternative venues? What advice would you offer to others in similar situations? * Lastly, how do you harness the power of your network and student referrals to grow your yoga community and increase your teaching opportunities?

Quotes from this episode: "It's OK to make income teaching yoga.'

"It's really helpful if people can actually sit down and look at the numbers and then make for themselves a clear decision. Is this something that I want to do full time all the time or is it something that I just wanna do sometimes?"

"Let's talk about different ways of approaching the financials of this business that are based in living our values rather than just ‘I made a beautiful abundance collage and the universe will take care of me’."

"The first step of budgeting is: what are my costs?"

"The budget will work for you if it works the way you work."

"If you're in a place where you can say I'm not gonna be too proud, all of a sudden now there's infinite opportunity."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

366: Get Okay with Making Money with Chioma Njoku

Description: Is making money yoga-like? How is making money aligned with the principles of yoga? How do you balance making money as a yoga teacher with keeping your offerings financially accessible to people? Chioma Njoku shares her insights on these questions and more.

Chioma is the owner and Chief Mindful Operator at the Mindful Bookkeeper, and host of the Cheers to Your Prosperity podcast. By integrating the lessons she has learned from her own financial struggles and her professional experience as an Accountant of 18 years and Financial Coach, Chioma helps entrepreneurs and small business owners keep more of their hard-earned money in the bank without sacrificing the things that make life enjoyable.

In this episode, Chioma dives into the nitty gritty details of the money and finances aspect of running a yoga business. She talks about how bookkeeping software can help us with our finances, how to track payment fees, how to check your financial reports with intention, and why creating money practices is like practicing yoga. Tune in for Chioma’s tips on how to be consistent with money and shift your money mindset.

Key Takeaways: [2:23] This episode is powered by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[3:58] Kathleen Pratt shares a little about the upcoming yoga series: Nourish Your Nervous System.

[5:12] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Chioma Njoku.

[9:49] What does Chioma do and who does she do it for?

[10:42] What does it look like when Chioma works with someone?

[12:47] Chioma addresses the idea that making money is yoga. It's okay to make money.

[15:24] How can yoga teachers balance the need to get paid with keeping their yoga classes accessible to people with limited funds?

[17:54] Chioma shares a little about the saviorism she encountered in 2020, when people invited her to attend their yoga classes for free because she is Black.

[21:09] Chioma talks about bookkeeping and what that means for yoga businesses.

[22:11] How often should we be looking at our money?

[24:34] What's a good starting point for yoga teachers who are not tracking their income or their expenses?

[29:06] Shannon pops in to share a great article that Sinead from the Connected Yoga Teacher Team wrote for OfferingTree.

[31:02] Shannon and Chioma chat about different software that is available for bookkeeping and tracking income and expenses.

[33:25] How does Chioma recommend yoga teachers look at their reports?

[35:18] What are some things yoga teachers can do to cut their expenses or increase their income?

[39:34] What are some other roadblocks yoga teachers often run into around mindset?

[42:57] How can yoga teachers work on their money mindset and get comfortable with money?

[46:33] Chioma shares some final thoughts for yoga teachers around money and running their own yoga business.

[47:56] Check out Chioma's podcast to learn more, and visit her website to connect.

[49:19] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Chioma.

Links: * Chioma Njoku * Cheers to Your Prosperity Podcast * Previous Podcast Episodes on Money + 330: Connect with Your Money with Shannon Crow + 295: Make Money Teaching Yoga with Betty Welsh + 280: Get Paid as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Simmons + 141: Let’s Talk Money with Katie Brauer + 042: Money Mindset with Geraldine Carter + 154: Bookkeeping for Yoga Teachers with Kelly Christian + 329: Why Separate Bank Accounts? with Shannon Crow

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 305: Kicked Out of Yoga [Part 2] with Chioma Njoku
• Quickbooks
• Xero
• Freshbooks
• Paypal
• Stripe
• How to Keep Customers Coming Back and Build a Loyal Base by Sinead O'Connor for OfferingTree
• HubDoc
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 318: Questions to Ask Before Any YTT with Shannon Crow
• Get Rich, Lucky Bitch by Denise-Duffield Thomas
• You Are a Badass At Making Money, by Jen Sincero
• Profit First, by Mike Michalowicz
• Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Support the podcast
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "What we can do is offer our service and give them the opportunity to rise, to come to us, to take a class. Believe me, when someone gets something out of something, ... we will invest, we'll figure it out." - Chioma

"It's not our job to save them. We can present our service. It's up to them to say yes or no." - Chioma

"You are in business. Doing your bookkeeping is important to your business." - Chioma

"It's more of just getting into the habit of looking at that report and what it is to me, it's setting expectations for your business." - Chioma

"It's good to have conversations and questions about your money because there are little ways that you can save money." - Shannon

"Let's try not to discount a service. We're teaching people to not value yoga." - Chioma

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365: How to Teach Accessible Yoga with Jivana Heyman

Description: How can we make yoga more accessible? From financial accessibility to the language we use in teaching, from offering modifications to supporting students who don’t follow our lesson plans, making yoga accessible encompasses many different things. Jivana Heyman shares his insights.

Making yoga accessible is at the core of the work Jivana does. He is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an international non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings for people of all abilities and backgrounds. He is also an author, and his latest book, The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga, was recently released (listen in to find out how you can enter to win a copy!).

In this episode, Jivana shares how we communicate yoga has evolved over the years, although yoga philosophy remains unchanged, and how accessibility is a part of that. He also talks about figuring things out as new teachers, overcoming imposter syndrome and why maybe a little bit of imposter syndrome is not a bad thing, and many other aspects of making yoga accessible, including how to maintain a yoga practice even when we don’t have time!

Key Takeaways: [3:52] This episode is powered by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[4:52] Kathleen Pratt shares a little about the upcoming yoga series: Nourish Your Nervous System.

[5:58] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jivana Heyman.

[10:05] What is the work that Jivana does and who does he do it for?

[11:15] How can yoga teachers find that balance between being paid for their work enough to make a living and making sure people can access their classes financially?

[13:56] Pay-what-you-can models and tiered pricing models are some options to increase financial accessibility.

[15:36] What are some other main things Jivana covers in his new book?

[18:43] Shannon and Jivana discuss the idea that there is one best/correct way of doing a pose in yoga. This is not true!

[20:13] The general public has a very different idea of what yoga is than how it can actually be practiced.

[24:30] What are some new things Jivana has learned recently about making yoga more accessible?

[27:31] How does Jivana address situations in his classes where a student gives another student a hands-on assist?

[30:20] Jivana is giving away two of his books! Leave a comment in the show notes to stand a chance to win a copy!

[30:40] Are you signed up for the OfferingTree newsletter? They offer a free workshop or webinar every month for teachers!

[31:53] It can sometimes feel that as we learn more about making yoga accessible, there is always yet more to learn.

[34:36] Yoga has remained the same for millennia but how we interpret, communicate, and share it with people has changed and evolved over time.

[38:40] How yoga is taught has evolved over time but the yoga philosophy has not.

[42:13] It can be tempting to want our yoga practice to be perfect, like we experience at a yoga retreat, but how can we apply yoga to our real day-to-day?

[46:38] What are some tools we can use to bring yoga into our lives?

[50:28] Shannon and Jivana discuss other ways we can bring yoga into our busy lives.

[53:50] We can hold opposing things as true at the same time.

[56:05] Jivana shares the ABCs of yoga: Agency, Boundaries, Collaboration.

[62:27] How does Jivana handle situations where students don't do what everyone else is doing?

[68:08] Many yoga teachers deal with imposter syndrome. Jivana addresses this.

[74:08] Join the giveaway for Jivana's books by leaving a comment and find out more about his work and the books at his website and on Instagram.

[75:43] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this episode.

[79:08] Shannon shares some of the upcoming events in Pelvic Health Professionals, including Nourish Your Nervous System.

Links: * Jivana Heyman, Accessible Yoga School * Jivana Heyman * Jivana Heyman on Instagram * The Teacher's Guide To Accessible Yoga, by Jivana Heyman * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 364: 7 Years of Podcasting with Shannon Crow * Shannon's Family Maple Syrup * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 321: Accessible Yoga & Pelvic Health with Jivana Heyman * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 273: Yoga is a Revolution with Jivana Heyman * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 251: Reflect & Plan [Part 2] with Shannon Crow & Jivana Heyman * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 209: Online Yoga Teacher Training with Jivana Heyman * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 138: Accessible Yoga Beyond Asana with Jivana Heyman * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 357: Pay-What-You-Can is Working with Shannon Crow * Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Support the podcast * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Mostly the studio model doesn't really work for making yoga accessible."

"I just don't think advanced yoga is advanced asana anymore. That's not the point."

"As a yoga teacher, you're not simply just channeling the teachings in a pure way, you have to be interpreting them."

"The question is, how do you make them resonant and applicable to this moment for your students who are in front of you today?"

"I don't think yoga practice is just about my personal enlightenment or the goal of becoming that. Rather, it's about becoming of service to the world and to others."

"I would say a little bit of imposter syndrome is actually healthier than too much ego."

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364: 7 Years of Podcasting with Shannon Crow

Description: It has been 7 years of podcasts on the Connected Yoga Teacher podcast with Shannon Crow. While it is a time of celebrating the consistency and the amazing connections that have come from the podcast, Shannon shares some of her reflections about her recent situation, both personal and on a broader scale.

Shannon has been dealing with emotional heaviness, sadness, and heartbreak, on top of a cold. She shares how current events like what’s happening in Gaza have been affecting her emotions, especially because of the silence of many people in the health and wellness world. She talks about some things that are helping her through this time and how she is working through the anger and emotions she is feeling. Shannon also invites us to explore how we can start seeing the connections between us and how we can support ourselves as we navigate these challenging times.

Key Takeaways: [0:02] It's the 7th year anniversary of the Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast!

[4:23] This episode is supported by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals, but you can chip in to keep the podcast going too!

[7:05] Kathleen Pratt shares a little about the upcoming Yoga Series she is hosting in Pelvic Health Professionals - Nourish Your Nervous System.

[9:26] Shannon guides a short breath exercise.

[10:22] Shannon checks in with herself. In addition to dealing with a cold she has been feeling some heaviness, sadness, and heartbreak.

[15:14] Shannon has also been feeling angry about the silence from many people in the health and wellness world.

[18:13] One thing that has made a difference for Shannon is seeing the yoga teachers who are speaking up and supporting the Palestinian cause.

[21:06] Shannon talks about some ways she is working on processing her anger.

[25:10] Shannon shares two messages that have held her and kept her steady.

[27:39] Shannon gives a shout out to Jivana Heyman's upcoming collaboration with OfferingTree - Chair Yoga is Real Yoga.

[29:22] Shannon reads another message she received after sharing Rula's episode.

[34:14] How can we start seeing the connections between us?

[37:08] The upcoming yoga series, Nourish Your Nervous System, is a great course for anyone who has been feeling stressed.

[38:33] Shannon shares some other upcoming events and offerings you can check out.

Links: * Support the podcast * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 277: Yoga and Land Acknowledgement with Jessica Barudin & Emmy Chahal * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 361: Connect to Nature and Your Roots with Tracee Stanley * OfferingTree Webinar - Chair Yoga is Real Yoga: Integrating Chairs into Your Classes with Jivana Heyman * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast: Yoga for Peace with Shannon Crow [BONUS EPISODE] * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 359: Ahimsa in Times of Conflict with Rula Wardeh * Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "I am so grateful to those of you who listen to multiple episodes. It's really a complete honor and the podcast exists because of you."

"I want to be able to speak up against harm and oppression because I feel like that's part of yoga."

"We can speak up and make mistakes and be in community."

"In society, we are not taught to get comfortable with anger."

"I am just so grateful when I see a comment on a post that we've made or a podcast that we've done or a message in support of the work that we're doing here on the podcast."

"In these connections, we realize how connected we really are."

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363: Build a Full-Time Yoga Career with Mary Reddinger

Description: Teaching private yoga is a topic that often comes among yoga teachers. Questions like about finding and retaining private students, the difference between group classes and private sessions, and how to make sure private students are getting what they need are common. Mary Reddinger shares her insights.

Mary is a full-time yoga teacher and mother to two boys, ages 9 and 5. Mary has practiced yoga on and off for many years, but integrated it into her life after her first pregnancy when she started really seeing the benefits of yoga. Mary also shares a little about her journey to working with perinatal students – she currently teaches prenatal yoga, postnatal yoga and private lessons. In addition to her yoga teacher training, Mary has also studied under Francesca Cervero about The Science of the Private Lesson.

In this episode, Mary gives us a detailed look at her full-time yoga career as a private yoga teacher. She shares how she got started teaching private yoga lessons, what helped her retain her students, how she structures classes with private students and how she manages her schedule as a mother and yoga teacher. Tune in to learn all about the art of teaching private yoga lessons.

Key Takeaways: [0:17] Hang out with this episode's guest, Mary Reddinger, in Pelvic Health Professionals!

[3:08] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals!

[3:44] Check out the upcoming yoga series with Kathleen Pratt - Nourish Your Nervous System.

[6:16] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Mary Reddinger.

[10:53] What does Mary do and who does she do it for?

[11:55] How did Mary build up her private classes as her main business? How did private students find her?

[14:37] What challenges did Mary face after she completed her yoga teacher training in teaching 1:1?

[16:43] What did Mary find were the best ways to get the initial few students booked?

[17:44] How has Mary managed client retention after the initial set of sessions with a student?

[21:49] Does Mary do mostly online or in-person classes?

[22:47] What makes Mary's private sessions different from the group classes?

[26:02] Shannon pops in to share some exciting news about OfferingTree.

[27:59] Does Mary take notes when she is teaching 1:1?

[29:13] Mary explains why she goes to the student's home rather than having them come to her or meeting at a studio.

[34:00] What kind of responses or feedback does Mary get from her students about private sessions?

[38:03] How does Mary manage her schedule and find balance between teaching yoga and showing up for her family?

[43:06] Find out more about Mary and her work via her website.

[43:06] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Mary.

[50:15] If you would like to support the podcast, do leave a review or make a financial contribution!

Links: * Mary Reddinger * Previous Podcast Episodes about Private Yoga: + 206: Get More Private Yoga Clients with Megan Spears + 132: Marketing to Increase Private Bookings with Amanda Mays [Consultation Call] + 131: How I Structure Private Yoga with Shannon Crow + 130: Make a Profit Teaching Private Yoga with Emily Sussell + 120: Teach Private Yoga Online with Yael Oppenheim + 081: Set Up to Teach Private Yoga [Consultation Call] with Stephanie Brunson + 014: Build Your Private Yoga Business with Kate Connell Potts

• Francesca Cervero
• Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Support the podcast
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "The number one thing I have done to create a full schedule of private students is to tell people that I am a private yoga teacher."

"A lot of yoga teachers do not share that private sessions are something they offer."

"Really the first year of working with a new private student, it's about building your relationship with them and it's about building trust."

"Part of yoga as a practice is noticing what comes up when we are distracted and then what do we need to do to come back."

"In terms of what we're teaching, you can truly make a yoga practice that serves that student that day in the body and the mind they are showing up with that day."

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362: Yoga in Times of War & Violence with Molly Nixon

Description: Over 110 million individuals have been forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. As yoga teachers, we might be seeing people who are refugees in our yoga classes — and we need to know how we can support them, even if we don’t know their status. Molly Nixon shares her perspective and experience about how yoga can support us in times of war & violence.

Molly Nixon is the Director and Trainer for Yoga Mandala Project, a grassroots initiative cultivating a community of care among refugees and those serving them around the world while providing tools to support mental-health through yoga and other embodied modalities. As a trauma-informed yoga teacher and teacher trainer, Molly believes yoga is an effective way to support the well-being of refugee communities, and can help to foster dignity, compassion and a sense of a shared humanity. She has spent the past eight years weaving together her passions for yoga, travel and service in the heart of the humanitarian sector while co-creating sustainable projects in Greece, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq.

In this episode, Molly shares her experience of losing her closest friend to violence in the Middle East and how yoga not only supported her in dealing with the grief and trauma in that moment, but also moved her to bring the healing tools of yoga to refugees, genocide survivors, and aid workers. She explains how supporting refugee communities is part of yoga and how we can help, even if we don’t have plans to move to a refugee community and start teaching yoga. Tune in to find out how you can support the work of the Yoga Mandala Project and more.

Key Takeaways: [0:07] This episode goes beyond just teaching yoga in refugee communities.

[4:54] Shannon introduces herself and gives a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[7:32] Kathleen Pratt shares about the upcoming yoga series in Pelvic Health Professionals: Nourish Your Nervous System

[8:50] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Molly Nixon.

[10:45] What does Molly do and who does she do it for?

[12:12] What does it look like when Molly goes to a refugee camp?

[14:11] Molly shares a little about how she started doing this work.

[16:09] Yoga supported Molly through the grief and trauma of losing her friend to violence in Syria.

[16:58] How did Molly deal with people in her life who were discouraging her from doing this work?

[18:42] Molly provides some context about how yoga teachers partner with the Yoga Mandala Project.

[23:20] Connections can be really powerful. Molly shares a little about why connection is a part of the mission of Yoga Mandala Project.

[26:44] In light of what is happening in Gaza, Palestine, what is Molly's response to people who are saying that we should be focusing more on the hostages instead of what the people of Gaza are experiencing?

[30:50] How is all of this related to yoga?

[33:30] Shannon pops in with a quick message about OfferingTree - especially if you dread updating or working on your website!

[34:53] How can you sign up for a trauma-informed training? How relevant is it to yoga teachers?

[39:08] Shannon and Molly discuss what people who are menstruating in Gaza are going through now with no access to menstruation products.

[41:15] What would Molly say to someone who says all this information about Gaza is triggering?

[46:39] What was one thing from yoga that helped Molly in the aftermath of her friend being taken?

[50:42] Connect with Molly via the Yoga Mandala Project website or email.

[52:45] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Molly.

[54:58] Come hang out in real time in the Pelvic Health Professionals membership!

Links: * Molly Nixon, Yoga Mandala Project * Email Molly Nixon * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode: Yoga for Peace with Shannon Crow [BONUS EPISODE] * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 359: Ahimsa in Times of Conflict with Rula Wardeh * Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals * Stephanie Jain - Inner Landscapes Yoga * Stephanie Jain on Instagram * Meet the Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "The intention behind our work is to create ... community and a culture of care among those experiencing war and violence."

"For me, it really comes down to looking at the intentions of yoga and offering that and making it accessible to people experiencing stress and other impacts of trauma."

"There's all sorts of ways to make a difference even if you can't be on the ground in a refugee camp."

"I think connection is the only way forward for humanity."

"Yoga is not about gymnastics on the yoga mat. It's about living these, living the Yamas and the Niyamas."

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361: Connect to Nature & Your Roots with Tracee Stanley

Description: What is our relationship with nature? How do we connect to our roots and our ancestors? Why is all of this important and relevant to yoga? Tracee Stanley shares her insights.

Tracee Stanley is the author of Radiant Rest: Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation and Awakened Clarity and The Luminous Self: Sacred Yogic Practices & Rituals to Remember Who You Are. She is also the founder of Empowered Life Circle, a sacred community and portal of practices, rituals, and Tantric teachings. Tracee is devoted to sharing the wisdom of yoga nidra, rest, meditation, self-inquiry, nature as a teacher, and ancestor reverence.

In this episode, Tracee talks about her journey in seeking a place beyond all sorrow through yoga, and how this is different from turning inward and blocking out external suffering of others. She also shares her perspective on our relationship to nature, how to change it into one of reciprocity and cultivate a real connection through rituals. Tracee also explains our deep connection to our ancestors and how we can tap into their wisdom and learn from them through our practice.

Key Takeaways: [1:10] A snippet from this interview with Tracee Stanley about how nature can help us, our loved ones, and our communities.

[1:42] Shannon expresses gratitude to Tracee for not shying away from some tough questions and gives a brief introduction to herself and her work.

[6:10] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Tracee Stanley.

[8:28] What does Tracee do and who does she do it for?

[11:59] Tracee shares a little about turning inward to find this place beyond sorrow, and how it is different from simply ignoring what is going on in the world.

[14:50] What is the place that is beyond all sorrows?

[16:23] How does getting out in nature help people come back to themselves?

[19:21] What are some of the rituals and practices to start connecting with and being in a reciprocal relationship with nature?

[21:27] Shannon reflects on how her relationship with her garden has changed since 2020.

[27:11] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree.

[28:38] Tracee talks a little about our connection to our ancestors.

[32:05] Tracee shares her experience of connecting to her ancestral realm.

[36:22] Shannon talks about looking up her own settler ancestry. Tracee reflects back some insights about this process of reclaiming our roots.

[41:09] What are some of the rituals that Tracee does now that help her?

[44:35] Check out Tracee's book on her website.

[45:06] Tracee has some final words of advice for people who are feeling worn out.

[46:28] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Tracee.

[48:39] What's coming up in Pelvic Health Professionals and the podcast?

Links: * Tracee Stanley * Radiant Rest: Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation & Awakened Clarity by Tracee Stanley * THE LUMINOUS SELF: Sacred Yogic Practices and Rituals to Remember Who You Are, by Tracee Stanley * Empowered Life Circle * Ancestry.com * Yoga During a Pelvic Cancer Diagnosis: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her) * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "If we know that we can also touch into a place that can be revealed to us through stillness and practice. That to me is very hopeful because it becomes an inner resource that we can always go to."

"One of the things that happens when we want to look away and pretend it's not happening is that we're not acknowledging this idea that we are all connected."

"We actually, as human beings, have to take this respite of rest at some point, whether it's seasonal or whether it's during the day or whether it's because the cycle of the news has carried us to a place where we need to take a moment or a day to rest or more than one or two days. But we have to listen."

"Can we, instead of resisting this cold, resisting this time of fallowness, can we welcome the beauty that the snow brings and the cold brings?"

"For most of us, I think that has been lost or forgotten or we feel that it's not important. And yet all of the prayers of our ancestors, all of their memories, all of their knowledge is living in our DNA and it's part of who we are."

"I can't tell anybody what to do. This is why practice is so important because practice, when we get still and silent and we rest, gives us the answer of what is ours to do."

"It really doesn't have to be big, but one little increment of movement in a positive direction can be so helpful."

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What is our relationship with nature? How do we connect to our roots and our ancestors? Why is all of this important and relevant to yoga? Tracee Stanley (she/her) addresses these questions and shares insights about rituals we can practice to go deeper.

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360: Nature Meditations with Ray Zott

Description: Meditation does not have to be just sitting down and being still. There are other ways to meditate, including being out in and connecting with nature. Ray Zott (she/her/they) talks about how nature offers her a sustainable mediation practice and how she helps others meditate in nature too.

Ray is a yoga therapist whose greatest joy in their work is connecting people to nature. She has worked as a park ranger for 12 seasons in a variety of national parks and is currently also building out a retreat center in Costa Rica. In their work, Ray supports all kinds of folks through yoga therapy, nature, and boundary work.

In this episode, Ray shares more about how she discovered this unique niche for her yoga therapy work after her experience supporting her husband through his traumatic brain injury. They explain why connecting to and with nature can be the perfect meditation, especially for those who find it difficult to sit still, and offer ways to find connection to nature even if we live in cities or urban settings. Shannon and Ray also discuss the healing powers of nature, spiritual meanings we can find from being out in nature, and how we can turn to nature for lessons and guidance in difficult times.

Key Takeaways: [2:02] This podcast is made possible by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[4:25] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Ray Zott.

[7:09] Ray share's a little bit about her morning routine.

[8:24] What is the work that Ray does and who do they do it for?

[11:02] How did Ray's work with being in nature and nature meditation start?

[14:01] What does meditation in nature look like?

[16:18] What are some guidelines Ray offers for meditating in nature?

[18:32] Shannon and Ray discuss where inspiration for their yoga practice and yoga therapy comes from.

[21:10] What are some ways we might find connection with nature if we live in a city or suburban area?

[26:37] Shannon pops in to share some of the struggles she is having with her Wordpress website, and why she prefers OfferingTree.

[29:31] Shannon has recently been feeling an immense gratitude for her life right now, while also experiencing guilt about what is happening in Gaza. How does Ray deal with this?

[32:45] Shannon has been turning to nature to help her deal with a lot of grief.

[36:49] We can learn a lot from nature and we don't have to know all the tree names or plant names.

[39:25] Shannon and Ray discuss finding spiritual meaning in nature.

[41:24] How else does the practice of connecting with nature impact Ray or the people she works with?

[47:02] Ray and Shannon contemplate whether part of the healing power of nature comes from how we experienced it in our childhoods.

[48:22] Check out Ray's podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

[50:58] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Ray.

[56:25] Hang out online in real time with Shannon in Pelvic Health Professionals.

Links: * Ray Zott * Ray Zott on Instagram * Peace in the Parks Podcast with Ray Zott * Discord: Yoga Teachers For Change * OfferingTree User Group on Facebook * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 137: Yoga and Brain Injuries with Ann Green * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 309: Four Seasons of Business with Shannon Crow * Books by adrienne maree brown * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 359: Ahimsa in Times of Conflict with Rula Wardeh * Yoga During a Pelvic Cancer Diagnosis: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her) * Book Club for a Free Palestine on Instagram * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "I use nature and meditation as a way to practice. And that's sustainable for me."

"I feel like my relationship to nature has changed so much and that it's just being in it, just being present for it."

"All nature is sacred. All nature is holy, whether it's the dandelion growing out of the crack in the sidewalk or the ornamental tree in the yard. It's all so beautiful and important."

"Wherever we are in the world, we can tap into nature."

"The more we turn to nature, the more we will get clarity on our part and our roles and how we participate and how we heal our communities who are turning to us."

255

How can we meditate in nature? Ray Zott (she/her/they) shares how to connect with nature as a way to meditate, why it can be a more sustainable practice than sitting still, and ways we can learn from and be supported by nature in difficult times.

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359: Ahimsa in Times of Conflict with Rula Wardeh

Description: One of the most important yoga teachings is ahimsa, usually translated as non-violence or non-harming. How do we practice this in times of conflict like the one we are witnessing now in Gaza, Palestine? What can we do to make a difference? Rula Wardeh shares her perspective on the obligations we all have to show up during times like these.

Rula is a Palestinian yoga teacher, who studied yoga in Canada. She lives in Jordan, an hour away from the Occupied Territory of West Bank, Palestine. She has family and friends in Gaza and her yoga students are all Palestinian. Rula introduced Yin Yoga to Jordan in 2012 and she now leads a unique Yin Yoga immersion course in Jordan & Cairo. Rula is also one of the directors and founding members of the NGO Yoga Mandala Project which provides refugee communities in Jordan with psychosocial Yoga and trauma related sessions.

In this conversation, Rula shares what her experience has been like holding space for Palestininans as Gaza continues to be bombarded and held under siege by Israel. She speaks about yoga activism, how she draws on the teachings of yoga and the 8 limbs for support as she continues to speak up for ceasefire in Palestine, and what yoga teachers can do in these times to make a difference.

If you have been wondering how you can show up and practice ahimsa as a yoga teacher in times of conflict, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways: [2:05] This podcast is sponsored by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[2:55] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Rula Wardeh. This episode originally aired as a live conversation in December 2023.

[5:22] What does Rula do as a yoga teacher?

[8:16] Shannon shares some context about the 1948 Nakba in Palestine.

[10:38] Rula shares how she started serving the population of urban refugees.

[13:03] How has it felt for Rula to hold space for Palestinians or people who have family in Palestine? What has she learned from the experience?

[21:08] Rula speaks to her experience of yoga activism: How do we implement what we have learned and what we teach in yoga?

[25:26] We can start feeling disconnected from what is happening in Gaza when we only focus on the numbers. We need to also focus on the individual, personal stories coming out of Gaza.

[28:55] What can people do when it feels to dysregulating to look at the news?

[32:38] Rula explains how we can practice ahimsa in times of conflict.

[36:17] We can draw on teachings from the eight limbs of yoga to guide us in how we should show up in times of conflict.

[41:18] Shannon shares a comment from a live listener: How we feel is quite frankly irrelevant in the face of people being murdered. We should not be centering our feelings, especially not on social media.

[41:58] How can you seek out the real truth and not fall into the trap of confirmation bias?

[44:00] Watch the rest of this full interview with Rula on YouTube.

[44:35] People are not their religion, their culture, or their government. We need to be mindful of conflating those.

[46:47] What should we do if we're afraid to speak up or if we spoke up and got attacked?

[50:10] Shannon reflects on her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Rula.

[56:29] Hang out live with Shannon inside Pelvic Health Professionals.

Links: * Rula Wardeh on Instagram * Rula Wardeh (Website) * Ahimsa in Times of Conflict with Rula Wardeh (Full Video on YouTube) * Wiser World Podcast: Palestininan-Israeli Conflict 101 - Part 1 * The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017 by Rashid Khalidi * Updates from/about Gaza (Non-exhaustive list) + @wizard_bisan1 + @motaz_azaiza + @byplestia + @wael_eldahdouh + @sbeih.jpg + @eye.on.palestine + @letstalkpalestine + @gazangirl + @jewishvoiceforpeace/

• Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)
• Yoga During a Pelvic Cancer Diagnosis: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her)
• Discord: Yoga Teachers For Change
• Book Club for a Free Palestine on Instagram
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "At the end of the day, we know this as yoga teachers - that we are all connected." - Shannon

"Anger was an agitation, [it] was asking us for action more than sitting down on the mat." - Rula

"That's the dilemma. It's not about us. Why am I taking care of myself right now?" - Rula

"How can we do less violence?" - Rula

"By your silence, you're hurting. You're doing more himsa than ahimsa."

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358: Community and Communication with Shannon Crow

Description: Many yoga teachers are dealing with tiredness, overwhelm, sadness, and many other difficult emotions as we navigate living through the active genocide taking place in Palestine. Community and communication can be a good solution to dealing with these heavy emotions and the challenges of consistently showing up for causes we care about.

In this episode, Shannon reflects on what has been helping her as she faces some of these big emotions. She shares how being out in nature, doing yoga, and meditating has been helpful to get clarity and different perspectives.

It is also easier to keep going when you have community to support you in doing the work. Shannon talks about the different places she has found community, including a Discord server called Yoga Teachers for Change. In times like these, community and communication are what we can lean on and draw strength from.

Key Takeaways: [5:09] Shannon reflects on how community and communication have come up for her recently.

[8:07] Many yoga teachers that Shannon has spoken to have shared feeling many heavy and deep emotions. Shannon shares what helps her get through those tough days.

[10:17] Shannon shares her experience of drawing inspiration from nature.

[12:34] Shannon pops in to share a complaint she has about Wordpress, and why she prefers OfferingTree instead.

[15:31] Shannon reflects on the clarity and different perspectives that sometimes become available when you spend time in nature, do yoga, or meditate.

[17:36] Shannon shares more about the Discord server called Yoga Teachers for Change.

[19:11] With a collective community, you can lean on each other for support and take it in turns to keep the torch burning.

[23:15] Shannon has also talked about the importance of community in a previous episode with Linda Sparrowe.

[24:49] Shannon highlights some other community initiatives that you might be interested in.

[27:40] Keen to hang out with Shannon in real time? Check out the Yoga for Pelvic Cancer series with Tyla Arnason.

Links: * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 357: Pay-What-You-Can is Working with Shannon Crow * Yoga During a Pelvic Cancer Diagnosis: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her) * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 347: Yoga in the Cancer Community with Tyla Arnason * Ray Zott on Instagram * Peace in the Parks Podcast * Shannon Crow, E-RYT on Instagram: "Snow Sun and Hope Thanks to @brainbow_resilience" * Discord: Yoga Teachers For Change * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 356: How Silence Feels for a Yoga Student with Suzanne Miller * Mikaela Loach on Instagram: "mantra for 2024: when times get tough we don’t give up, we get organised." * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 100: Cultivating a Community of Professional Peers with Linda Sparrowe * Book Club for a Free Palestine on Instagram * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "What I know is that in my heart, I'm going to keep living in this world that I know is the world that I want to be a part of where we are all connected and we can make a difference."

"Look for the people who are up for communicating right now, who are talking about this, who feel safe to talk about it, who can take this on."

"I know that many yoga teachers care about this deeply and are searching for that community. And it's a nice feeling."

"I could feel in that moment that what I really needed to focus on was community and communication and the connections were really the answer."

"How can you find and/or create community for yourself or for others in your community, a community that's going to support you or maybe you are creating a community that's going to support others?"

"If you've been feeling isolated and alone, you're not alone."

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357: Pay-What-You-Can is Working with Shannon Crow

Description: Have you tried using the pay-what-you-can model in your yoga business? Shannon recently implemented this model for an upcoming yoga series in Pelvic Health Professionals and was amazed that it has worked!

In this episode, Shannon shares more about why she decided to implement the pay-what-you-can model for the Yoga During a Pelvic Cancer Diagnosis: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason. She talks about how setting it up with OfferingTree was so easy and the best part - that they’ve already met the minimum required to pay the guest teacher and not lose money, even without extensive marketing!

Pay-what-you-can for yoga teachers can be an option. It is one way we can disrupt systems that are not serving us and our communities. Shannon invites you to consider how you could implement this in your yoga business or disrupt harmful systems in other ways.

Key Takeaways: [4:14] One of the offers Shannon is sharing now is Tyla Arnason's Yoga for Pelvic Cancer workshop. It operates on the pay-what-you-can model and it's working!

[7:32] Even with minimum marketing, Shannon has been able to get enough signups to meet the minimum required to pay the guest teacher!

[9:35] Shannon shares how easy it was to set up the pay-what-you-can model with OfferingTree.

[11:10] Shannon reflects on how she has approached pricing in her yoga business and the recommendations she has given yoga teachers in consultations too.

[14:22] What questions do you have about the pay-what-you-can model?

[14:55] Shannon shares some ways you can hang out in real time.

[17:07] Crunch, who does the show notes for the podcast (hi!) is hosting some workshops around travel for inner work. Check them out!

Links: * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 347: Yoga in the Cancer Community with Tyla Arnason * Yoga During a Pelvic Cancer Diagnosis: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her) * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 341: Online Learning Pro Tips with Emily Light * Yoga Teachers for Change on Discord - Join the Yoga Teachers for Change Discord Server! * Crunch Ranjani’s Website * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "We decided to try something we've never done before with a full yoga series. We made it pay-what-you-can and I am so amazed with how it's working."

"What can we do in our own business to really start to disrupt these systems that don't feel great?"

"What if we make our offerings more accessible while we still get paid so we can keep doing this work?"

"I hope that you are finding moments of joy and peace as we move into this new year together."

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356: How Silence Feels for a Yoga Student with Suzanne Miller

Description: Since October 7 2023, Israel has been retaliating to the attack by Hamas by indiscriminately bombing Gaza, resulting in thousands of Palestinians being killed, many more injured, and almost the entire population of Gaza being displaced. In light of this genocide, how are yoga teachers reacting? How are they holding space for their students? Suzanne Miller is a long-time yoga student who shares her experience, particularly about the silence from yoga teachers in this situation.

Suzanne has been practicing yoga as a student since around 2000. She has taken classes of different yoga lineages and currently practices at a studio that does vinyasa flow in a hot room. She is a lawyer and works in-house at a US-based global corporation. Suzanne is also a single mom and occasionally teaches law school at nighttime.

In this conversation, Suzanne shares more about her experience going into yoga classes where the teacher was simply not acknowledging what is happening in Gaza, Palestine right now. She speaks about her feelings of disconnection and why this interaction felt more jarring and isolating in a yoga space. Shannon and Suzanne discuss what yoga teachers could do to hold space for their students, how our yoga practice can give us tools to navigate these challenging situations and conversations, and why it is so important for us to be having these difficult conversations.

Key Takeaways: [2:47] Shannon shares that the upcoming Yoga for Pelvic Cancer series with Tyla Arnason is on a pay-what-you-can model -- and it's working!

[5:51] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Suzanne Miller.

[7:49] Suzanne shares a little about who she is.

[9:23] Shannon provides a little context about the situation between Israel and Gaza. Suzanne shares how it feels for her as a yoga student going to classes now.

[15:24] Suzanne did not share with her yoga teachers the disconnection she is experiencing and reflects on how it is a result of her "encoding" as a white woman.

[17:32] Shannon invites Suzanne to consider how the interaction with her yoga teacher differs from a similar interaction that could happen at the grocery store.

[20:46] Shannon and Suzanne discuss the things that could happen if yoga teachers started addressing the genocide in Gaza in their classes.

[27:00] How would yoga teachers know how to navigate this?

[28:28] How does Suzanne feel about yoga teachers who say they don't want to talk about politics or war in their classes?

[31:22] Doing all of this difficult, uncomfortable, challenging work is easier when it is done in community.

[33:32] Shannon and Suzanne discuss how yoga philosophy is weaved in (or not) into the typical yoga classes.

[36:04] Shannon pops in to share a little about OfferingTree, how she uses it in her own business, and how they are aligned with Shannon's values.

[40:56] Yoga teachers don't often bring yoga philosophy into their typical classes, so what are some things that they could say to help their students feel seen in their classes?

[45:47] Suzanne shares a little about bringing yoga into law spaces. Small actions can have a huge impact!

[49:15] What if people did more yoga or brought more yoga teachings into their lives? What if people exercised more compassion and empathy? What if there were more love?

[54:38] Shannon and Suzanne discuss inclusivity and making yoga spaces feel welcoming to everyone, and the importance of speaking up.

[60:41] Shannon and Suzanne reflect on the history of their own settler colonial states.

[65:05] This is a flashpoint for yoga teachers who are hungry to mobilize their practice, to put their yoga in action.

[67:08] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.

Links: * Bisan on IG - Instagram (@wizard_bisan1) * How to Have Hard Conversations with Chani Nicholas, Mazal Masoud Etedgi & Esther Farmer * Live with Rula - Ahimsa in Times of Conflict with Rula Wardeh * UN General Assembly votes for a ceasefire (and talks about how this is in fact a genocide) - Dec 12, 2023 - * 200 and 300-hour YTT with Susanna Barkataki - Embody Yoga's Roots * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 318: Questions to Ask Before Any YTT with Shannon Crow * Your Talking Points Guide: Israel-Palestine - By Bo Forbes (Substack) * Yoga for Pelvic Cancer: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her) * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Even in times of great difficulty of my life, I feel like I can show up at a yoga class, not even talk to other people, but practice in community."

"It has been very surreal to show up [to yoga classes] in the middle of a genocide. And no one's talking about it."

"This is all from a place of empathy and yet also we, we need to do better."

"That's the whole purpose of yoga for me is to meet discomfort with breath and awareness."

"Any time we're turning away from suffering, is that because we're just unable to sit with that discomfort? And if so, yoga is a wonderful way to practice that."

"I think the solution is going to be in community."

"If you can put your ankle behind your ear, but you're a jerk off the mat, you're not practicing yoga."

"I really do think that the small tiny conversations that we have and the tiny things that we say as yoga teachers and humans can make a big difference." - Shannon

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355: A Quick Niche Quiz with Shannon Crow

Description: Shannon Crow continues the theme of Niche November by sharing a quick niche quiz she has created to help you figure out what yoga niche you want to be serving! In this short quiz, Shannon goes through a list of “would you rather” questions that can help you get more clarity about what kind of yoga you want to teach.

In this series of 14 questions, Shannon invites you to consider your preferences when it comes to 1:1 vs group classes, the age range and gender of your students, the style of yoga, location of your classes, and even class size. All these questions will guide to to uncover the kind of yoga offerings you feel most aligned creating, and will help you in your niching down and specializing journey.

If you have been needing help to figure out your niche or yoga specialty or have been wondering how to build a yoga business that suits how you want to work, this episode is for you! Get the downloadable PDF from the links!

Key Takeaways: [2:01] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[3:21] Shannon has a niche quiz for you! Answer these questions as authentically and honestly as you can!

[7:18] Shannon pops in to share a little about OfferingTree.

[8:59] Shannon continues with her list of questions for this niche quiz.

[12:35] If you need additional support with finding and defining your niche, book a consultation call with Shannon!

Links: * Niche Questions for Yoga Teachers * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 354: Do I Need to Specialize with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 284: Beyond Pronouns and Pride Month with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 101: What I Learned as a Yoga Studio Manager with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 262: Run a Successful Yoga Membership with Allie Van Fossen * Yoga for Pelvic Cancer: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her) * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "How can I help right now if you're thinking about specializing and niching down?"

"I hope these questions get you to a place where you can really figure out what is your ideal yoga that you want to teach."

“All of these questions can help you to define your niche. You might be left with more questions. And that's ok.”

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354: Do I Need to Specialize with Shannon Crow

Description: Shannon Crow continues the theme of Niche November. In this episode, Shannon explores the question that everyone asks when it comes to niching down and finding a yoga specialty: do I need to specialize?

Shannon shares a quick quiz she has created to help you figure out whether you need to niche down in your yoga business. She goes through a list of true-false questions that can help you get more clarity about whether you should be thinking about niching down or if you don’t need to right now!.

Shannon invites you to consider whether you are comfortable referring students who are not a fit to other yoga teachers, if your ideal students can easily find you, whether you’re making money and have a schedule you love, and more. All these questions will guide you to figure out if niching down in your yoga business is something you need now.

Get the downloadable PDF from the links!

Key Takeaways: [1:30] Shannon gives a shoutout of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[2:35] Shannon niche and specialty has been pelvic health for almost 10 years, as well as niching down!

[3:22] Is niching down something you need to be doing? Do you need to specialize? Shannon has some true-false questions that can help you answer that.

[5:36] Shannon pops in to share a little about OfferingTree.

[7:35] Shannon continues with the second half of the quiz to help you figure out if you should specialize.

[10:15] If you answered ‘false’ to any of these statements, you might want to think about niching down!

[11:40] What are your questions about niching down? Share them on the website or in the Facebook group!

[12:47] Shannon shares a few ways you can hang out in real time.

Links: * Niche Questions for Yoga Teachers * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 353: Is Age a Yoga Niche? with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 347: Yoga in the Cancer Community with Tyla Arnason * Yoga for Pelvic Cancer: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her) * Work with Shannon * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Today's question is really about, Do I need to specialize? Do I need to niche down?"

"If you are already loving how things are set up on your calendar,...And on top of that, if you're making a great income for the work that you're doing, you may not need to specialize and niche down."

"If you answered ‘false’ to any of these statements, you might want to think about niching down. It might be time for you to do that again."

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[BONUS] Yoga for Peace with Shannon Crow

Description: What place does yoga have in the context of the ongoing situation between Israel and Palestine, particularly in light of the current lethal bombardment and blockade in Gaza? What responsibility do yoga teachers have to advocate for a ceasefire, liberation and freedom of all peoples, and peace in the region? Shannon Crow tackles these big questions in a vulnerable and open live video.

Shannon is nervous about addressing what is happening in Gaza right now, but a recent interaction with a member of the community has prompted her to share her thoughts. She reflects on how we can apply the teachings of yoga and yoga philosophy, particularly the aspect of ahimsa, non-harm to the current situation. Shannon invites us to consider our own positions, why it is necessary to speak up rather than remaining silent, and how we can use our yoga to amplify compassion.

There is complex historical context at play here, and people who have ties to Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, and Palestinian communities are being affected, so it is important to keep that in mind as we navigate this situation. We are all interconnected. However, we must also speak up against harm when we see it and Shannon invites us to consider: What action can we take today that embodies the teachings of yoga?

Key Takeaways: [1:47] A Connected Yoga Teacher messaged Shannon on Instagram to respond to a question she had asked on her Stories: How are yoga teachers and students feeling now? This question is in light of the current situation in Palestine.

[5:18] In the discussion that followed, Jim asked Shannon a question that gave her pause: Why do the other conflicts going on in the world right now not deserve our action, our compassion, our urgency?

[8:55] Jim had also written that he sees his role as expanding people's awareness and hopefully their compassion.

[10:15] Shannon brings up the idea of scope of practice, staying in our lane, and niche work. Yet, one aspect of yoga is also ahimsa - non-harm and speaking up when you see harm.

[12:49] Shannon shares her personal experience as someone who is speaking up and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza now.

[15:05] In the midst of this, Shannon has experienced some moments of hope and excitement.

[19:36] Shannon addresses how yoga students may be feeling coming to their classes and what might support them in this time.

[24:15] Anyone who is not speaking out to call for a ceasefire is being counted in the group that doesn't want a ceasefire. Shannon reflects on and share some of the conversations she has had with others on this issue.

[30:44] Shannon has also been speaking with her therapist about everything that is going on in Palestine.

[33:50] What is an action that you can take right now that embodies the teachings of yoga?

[37:24] Shannon shares some of the things she is doing in her business.

Links: * Live Podcast on Instagram * TLC Starfish Foundation: Starfish Story * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 269: Yoga Philosophy and Colonialism with Shyam Ranganathan * Tristan Katz * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 23 Tristan Katz * Yoga for Pelvic Cancer: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her) * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Crunch Ranjani on Instagram * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "I was also feeling on edge about it, like something was really not feeling settled in me about it. So I've learned over the years and by making many mistakes, that this is when I need to pause and reflect."

"Why does that [the conflict in Sudan and other parts of the world] not deserve our action, our compassion, our urgency?"

"How do we address all of the suffering in the world?" - Shannon

"What ethical theory would justify cutting off food, water, fuel and bombing trapped people to the order of 12,000 and counting in response to the killing of 1200 [and] the abduction of 240?"

"There isn't just one genocide happening right now or one war or one conflict. And there's a lot going on in our own countries and our own communities. There's a lot that we can be doing right now to help the suffering of others."

"You might assume that everyone wants peace and a cease fire. But there are a few people who don't. And when people say nothing, they start to get lumped into that group."

"The safety of Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, Palestinian and really all of us, all people, all of our safety is intertwined. So more violence is never the answer."

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353: Is Age a Yoga Niche? with Shannon Crow

Description: Shannon Crow continues the theme of Niche November by answering a question that two people asked in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group - is age a yoga niche? Shout out to Barbara and Beatrix for posting their questions!

Shannon shares her insights about niching down. She invites you to consider if there is even a need for you to niche down at this time. She has a helpful PDF to guide your niching process too. Shannon also shares her thoughts about using age as a niche factor and how to showcase your niche on your website and social media. She also reiterates that you don’t need a website or a prominent social media presence to niche down!

If you have been wondering about niching down, specializing in yoga, or how to communicate that with your dream audience, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways: [3:26] Shannon is responding to two comments in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group that really stood out to her. Both comments talk about age as a yoga niche.

[4:59] Shannon reviews Barbara's website. Is her niche of teaching mostly students over 60 immediately apparent?

[6:39] Is age a small enough niche or should there be additional niching factors? Shannon has a helpful resource with questions to guide your niche work!

[9:45] Another comment was left by Beatrix who is interested in niching down to chair yoga. Shannon shares some of her thoughts around defining this niche.

[13:55] Shannon pops in to share a little about OfferingTree.

[15:25] It's not necessary to have a website or social media to define your niche and grow your yoga business in that niche!

[16:35] Shannon highlights a big reason to find a niche and specialize!

[19:03] Shannon wraps up with a straightforward answer to the question: Can age be a yoga niche?

Links: * Niche Questions for Yoga Teachers * Barbara’s Website and Facebook Page * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 315: Let's Talk Time Off with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 144: Get More Website Visitors with SEO with Meg Casebolt * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 295: Make Money Teaching Yoga with Betty Welsh * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 345: Try a Month of This Niche with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 352: How to Niche with No Website with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 070: Yoga for Seniors? with Shannon Crow * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 249: Yoga for Older Grownups with Maria Kirsten * Yoga for Pelvic Cancer: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her) * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Do you need to specialize or niche down right now?"

"What does the ideal yoga look like that you want to be teaching?"

"One of the big reasons that we niche down and specialize is we want our marketing to be a little simpler and we also want to see an increase in yoga students or our income."

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352: How to Niche with No Website with Shannon Crow

Description: Shannon Crow continues the theme of Niche November by tackling a question many yoga teachers have struggled with - how do you niche down and specialize without a website?

In this episode, Shannon answers a question from a podcast listener and community member, Amy who has been trying to niche down for the past three years. Shannon does some sleuthing to uncover Amy’s niche and shares some tips about establishing a niche in your yoga business. Shannon also gives some advice on content ideas, why trying out a niche for a whole month is a good start, and where to market yourself if you don’t have a website!

Tune in for some valuable tips if you have been thinking about niching down and specializing in your yoga business but have been putting it off because you don’t know how to do it without a website!

Key Takeaways: [4:03] This episode is all about how to niche down and specialize without having a website. She shares a question from a podcast listener, Amy.

[7:48] Shannon shares that she tried to discover Amy's niche by looking on Google and checking out her social media pages, and discovered something interesting.

[11:35] If you don't have a website, you should be marketing where your ideal clients are hanging out. Shannon shares some tips on what kind of content to post.

[14:59] Shannon pops in with a reminder that if you're looking for an easy way to create a website for your yoga business, you should check out OfferingTree.

[16:29] Whatever platform you're choosing to market your niche on, try it out consistently for a month, at least!

[20:46] Shannon shares some details about where you can hang out with her in real time and a short personal update.

Links: * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 349: Yoga Niche Success Story with Christine Jaureguiberry * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 345: Try a Month of This Niche with Shannon Crow * Yoga for Pelvic Cancer: 6-Week Online Series with Tyla Arnason (she/her) * The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 273: Yoga is a Revolution with Jivana Heyman * Dr. Gabor Maté on Israel/Palestine - October 28, 2023 * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "Do not feel like you're going to get to this place where, ok, all of the niche work is done."

"You do not need a website to start niching down and specializing."

"It is going to feel repetitive. I know it is. I know it so well. But trust me, there are so many ways to talk about [your niche] that if you're already excited to do it, you'll be able to continue it past the month."

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351: Water Yoga with Christa Fairbrother

Description: Water yoga (or aqua yoga) may not be widely known but it is a unique variation of yoga that has some amazing benefits. Christa Fairbrother shares her expertise on this uncommon variety of yoga.

Christa is an internationally recognized aqua yoga coach and trainer who makes yoga accessible through yoga in the water. She is passionate about helping people start an aqua yoga practice and she trains movement professionals to offer aqua yoga in their communities. Christa is also an internationally recognized expert in water yoga and published author of Water Yoga.

In this episode, Christa explains what exactly water yoga is and how it differs from traditional yoga that is done on land. She also talks about the science of immersion in water and the additional or different benefits that water yoga offers. Christa shares more about how water yoga can be a more accessible form of yoga for many people, especially those who deal with pain or are concerned about their strength.

Dive into this interesting conversation to learn more about water yoga and how we can support people through different mediums to get the benefits of yoga.

Key Takeaways: [3:42] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Christa Fairbrother.

[6:56] What does Christa do and who does she do it for?

[9:16] What got Christa started in teaching water yoga?

[11:14] What are some common questions people have about water yoga?

[12:36] Was there ever a moment when Christa felt hesitant or unsure about her niche in water yoga?

[14:47] What are the benefits of doing yoga in the water?

[18:53] What are some things people can try if they don't have an aqua yoga class in their community but they have access to a pool?

[21:06] Shannon pops in to share a conversation she had with Sara Villamil who uses OfferingTree in her yoga business.

[23:30] Where can yoga teachers learn more about teaching aqua yoga?

[25:41] What are some things that hold people back from attending water yoga classes?

[27:56] Christa highlights some of the benefits people find from doing yoga in the water.

[30:12] Christa shares a bit more about how she teaches and the tranings and courses she offers.

[31:40] Do you need to know how to swim to teach aqua yoga or be trained as a lifeguard?

[33:35] Christa often works with yoga teachers where there is nobody else doing aqua yoga in their communities. How has she tackled the challenge of marketing and growing her own classes in a community that doesn't know about aqua yoga?

[35:18] Where can you get in touch with Christa and learn more about her work?

[38:06] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview with Christa.

Links: * Christa Fairbrother * Christa Fairbrother on Facebook and Instagram * Water Yoga, by Christa Fairbrother (Code: WY20) * Waterproof Guides & Other Resources for Water Yoga by Christa Fairbrother * Sara Villamil * Six Week Series with Tyla Arnason Pelvic cancer * Email Shannon * Consultation Call with Shannon * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "A lot of people who live with chronic pain or with arthritis, their joints are uncomfortable and the fact that you suddenly don't weigh as much, literally takes a load off."

"Whatever poses you like, try those first."

"The barrier is fear of the water and it's really important to acknowledge that because not a lot of people had swimming lessons, they might have had a traumatic experience even if they got swim lessons."

"They're building so much body awareness, so much balance."

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350: Yoga for Autism & Special Needs with Shawnee Thornton Hardy

Description: Autism spectrum disorder affects about 1 in 100 children globally yet there is still a lot of misconception and misunderstanding about people with autism and other special needs. Shawnee Thornton Hardy shares more about how yoga can support people in this community.

Shawnee is the Founder of Asanas for Autism and Special Needs and the Founder/Director of Yoga Therapy for Youth Certification Program. She has worked with children and adults with autism and individuals with diverse needs for almost 3 decades, specializing in working with children and adults with significant cognitive and language delays, sensory processing challenges, significant behavior challenges and trauma histories. Her goal is to bring the experience of yoga and somatic practices to all individuals no matter their differences or challenges. Shawnee is also a published author – and will be giving away three copies of her book!

In this episode, Shawnee shares more about the children and teenagers that she works with, what their challenges may be, and how yoga can help. She explains some yoga practices that can help with anger and anxiety and how to bring calm when a class or student has high energy. Shawnee also highlights why it’s so important to treat each child as an individual and to let go of our preconceived ideas about them or their special needs label.

Key Takeaways: [3:40] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Shawnee Thornton Hardy

[7:12] What does Shawnee do and who does she do it for?

[9:01] What inspired Shawnee to do this work?

[10:33] What are some of the labels that get placed on children Shawnee works with?

[14:15] What are some basic things a teacher who encounters a young person with complex needs in their class should know?

[17:33] What trainings does Shawnee recommend for a yoga teacher who is starting out on this journey of supporting someone with special needs?

[20:37] What are some of the benefits of yoga for young people in this community? Shawnee shares some anecdotes from her experience.

[25:35] Shannon and Shawnee discuss how useful it is even for adults to be able to practice self-awareness.

[28:35] Many adults today have grown up in environments where we were encouraged not to express our negative feelings like anger or sadness.

[29:50] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[31:38] What are some practices that can help for children who are feeling a lot of anxiety or worry?

[34:14] What does Shawnee do when chaos breaks out in her classes?

[37:16] What is something that Shawnee wishes yoga teachers who are supporting children with complex needs knew earlier?

[42:02] Shannon and Shawnee discuss the importance of caring for each child as an individual and not assuming that we know everything about them because we know their diagnosis.

[45:25] Shawnee is giving away three books! Shannon shares the details of the giveaway.

[46:14] How did Shawnee end up writing her books?

[49:41] Shawnee reflects on how important leaning into celebration and joy is, and how that is part of her inner child work.

[56:26] Shannon shares some of her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Shawnee.

Links: * Shawnee Thornton Hardy * Shawnee Thornton Hardy on Facebook and Instagram * Yoga Therapy for Children and Teens with Complex Needs by Shawnee Thornton Hardy * Yoga for Autism and Special Needs Teacher Training by Shawnee Thornton Hardy * Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals * Shannon Crow on Instagram * The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group * Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "[Labels] can be helpful to understand a diagnosis that a child or teen may have because we can have a sense of what some of their challenges or complications may be. But then once we know the label, we go deeper beneath and just look at that child or teen as just a human being and get to know their specific not only challenges but also strengths and their individual ways of navigating the world."

"How can we ground ourselves in the sense of helping this individual child or human, whoever is in front of us, feel a sense of belonging?"

"When we have kids that are in a dysregulated state, they're not in a learning space."

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349: Yoga Niche Success Story with Christine Jaureguiberry

Description: Niching down is a tried-and-tested method to grow your yoga business while allowing you to focus only on the things you love sharing. A guest from almost 5 years ago is back on the podcast to share her success story with niching down.

Christine Jaureguiberry specializes in teaching Yoga for those who live with Scoliosis. She is the founder of Move with Scoliosis, born from her love of yoga and her own personal journey with living with scoliosis. Apart from her Shine membership, a support community with yoga and pilates practices for those living with scoliosis, Christine also offers workshops for yoga teachers who would like to support their students with scoliosis and/or spinal fusion. She also has a thriving YouTube following and is in the process of writing a book.

In this episode, Christine shares an update about her business since the previous episode. She explains where she is in her business now and how she has grown her yoga business by focusing on her niche. She talks about running a niche membership, how she grew her YouTube channel to over 30,000 subscribers, as well as the roadblocks and challenges she had to overcome in order to get there.

Key Takeaways: [3:04] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Christine Jaureguiberry.

[6:49] What does Christine do and who does she do it for?

[7:55] Alongside her YouTube channel and a book she is writing, Christine also has a membership offering.

[9:47] What kind of struggle was Christine experiencing in 2017 that made her decide she needed to niche down?

[13:26] What were some of the challenges Christine had in niching down?

[16:10] Why is Christine still looking at ways to let more things go, even though she has picked her niche?

[20:33] It's a common misconception that when you niche down, you have to immediately let go of everything that isn't within that niche.

[20:59] Shannon pops in with a quick note about creating and hosting a membership site, which you can easily do on OfferingTree!

[22:40] Does Christine now feel like an expert in movement for scoliosis?

[26:29] We can't predict how our interests and inclinations may change or what our niche may be in a few years from now!

[27:52] Sometimes we need a little external help to get started on our niche journey, and sometimes we just need to do one small thing at a time.

[29:58] What are some roadblock that have come up for Christine as she navigates refining her niche?

[32:12] What does Christine do in those tough times?

[33:53] Christine has gotten help from her Virtual Assistant in her business.

[37:18] Christine recognizes that she has different interests and may get pulled in different directions along the way, but she has found a way to harness that energy in her niche.

[39:34] What advice would Christine offer a yoga teacher who is just starting out?

[44:06] What are the benefits Christine sees in her yoga business now that she has really established her niche well?

[46:34] How has Christine shifted her marketing efforts now that she has refined her niche?

[48:54] Christine has also added Pilates to her offerings, even as she niched down in who she wants to serve.

[52:30] Christine shares some of the ways you can connect with her.

[53:48] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Christine.

Links: * Christine Jaureguiberry * Previous Episodes about Niching Down + Specializing & Niching Down Podcasts & Articles + 345: Try a Month of This Niche with Shannon Crow + 343: Niche Yoga Marketing with Sarah Karsten [Consultation Call] + 324: Niches & Yoga Business Chat with Sunita Patil & Shannon Crow + 255: Creating a Niche Online Course with Laura Fowler Massie + 112: Niche Down to Market Your Yoga with Amanda McKinney + 106: Defining My Yoga Business Niche with Shannon Crow + 097: Focusing In On Your Niche [Consultation Call] with Susan Hopkinson

• Elizabeth Gilbert: Don't Chase Your Passion And Maybe You'll Find It (Hummingbird Talk)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 166: When & How to Hire a VA (virtual assistant) with Sandra Booker
• The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth about Extraordinary Results a book by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 347: Yoga in the Cancer Community with Tyla Arnason
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "One of them was as a yoga teacher to let people down. I think that was kind of a big thing... they really need me, what's going to happen if I don't teach that class? And there was a huge resistance around this." - Christine

"Niche work doesn't end." - Shannon

"Another one of my challenges was to fully commit to this work that I was doing because ... I have got many interests and there's lots of different projects that excite me." - Christine

"It's just a process that you have to kind of go through over and over again and think of all the things that you do and what is it that you actually want to do?" - Christine

"Sometimes the things don't happen obviously overnight and maybe not as quickly as we want them to happen. So we do have to stick with it, which I think is really hard, which is difficult at times." - Christine

"If you commit to that journey and stay consistent with it, you will get there, you will get somewhere." - Christine

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348: Yoga for Eating Disorder Recovery with Abbey Morris

Description: Eating disorders are a group of serious health conditions that affect about 70 million people worldwide. Yoga can be a helpful tool for people dealing with eating disorders or in recovery from them. Abbey Morris shares her personal journey and how yoga can support people in eating disorder recovery.

Abbey is a Mindfulness & Meditation Instructor, Sound Healer, and Ayurvedic Yoga specialist. At her studio, she hosts unique public yoga and meditation classes, educational workshops and retreats and works 1:1 with clients on their healing journey through these various modalities. Abbey’s speciality is in working with folks on the journey to recovery from eating disorders/disordered eating and working on a more loving relationship with oneself.

In this episode, Abbey shares the details of her own journey with disordered eating, as well as how yoga and Ayurveda have been a supportive, healing, and nurturing space for her through her recovery. She also highlights how she now works with others in recovery from eating disorders, including offering a series of yoga classes without any movement practice! Abbey explains the ways yoga teachers can support their students through recovery or dealing with an eating disorder through their cues, language, and more.

Key Takeaways: [1:58] Shannon shares what sparked inspiration for this episode.

[4:50] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Abbey Morris.

[7:36] What does Abbey do and who does she do it for?

[12:40] How did yoga help Abbey in recovering from her eating disorder?

[23:01] Abbey talks about her journey of being reintroduced to Ayurveda.

[33:05] Shannon pops in with a message about a 5-day website boot camp hosted by OfferingTree.

[34:14] Did Abbey's yoga teachers or yoga teacher trainers know that she was dealing with an eating disorder?

[37:37] Having an awareness that our students may be dealing with an eating disorder or in recovery from it is important! What are some things yoga teachers may be doing that are not helpful to this population?

[46:29] Abbey has a yoga offering that does not involve any movement. She shares more about that.

[56:04] Where can yoga teachers learn more about supporting students who are dealing with eating disorders or in recovery.

[62:05] Shannon reflects on her key takeaways from this conversation.

Links: * Yoga by Abbey - Abbey Morris * Yoga for Eating Disorders Program: Everything Yoga Without The Mat * Previous Episodes about Eating Disorders & Diet Culture + 338: Eating Disorder Informed Yoga with Jennifer Kreatsoulas + 293: Eating Disorder Recovery & Yoga with Vivian Selles + 048: Eating Disorder Education for Yoga Teachers with Tabitha Farrar + 126: Body Mindful Yoga with Jennifer Kreatsoulas + 292: Taking Diet Culture out of Yoga with Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey + 307: Taking Diet-Culture Out of Ayurveda with Diane Finlayson

• Yoga for Eating Disorders (Jennifer Kreatsoulas)
• The 5 Day Wellness Website Bootcamp - OfferingTree
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode: "I finally let go of the pressure and the perfectionist attitude and the pushing and the going deeper or going harder or, you know, staying just a little bit longer. All of that was replaced with gratitude for just being in a body that could move."

"I was reminded that I am no different than all of these other moving parts around me in nature."

"Rather than it being so complicated as navigating digestion and nutrition can feel, it all became quite simple. And I realized that we are the ones that make it so complicated. Diet culture is the one that makes it so complicated."

"Ayurveda gave me a lot of agency and it transformed the way that I view nourishment and my body altogether."

"Nourishment is so much more than calories and what a disgrace it is to think that that's all it is."

"This goes to the idea of yoga being a practice and not a performance."

"If we only show up on our mats, when we're feeling like a million percent, then how is yoga supposed to help us through life?"

"Everyone's recovery is very different and yoga in your recovery can also look very different as well depending on what you're ready for and what resonates with you."

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347: Yoga in the Cancer Community with Tyla Arnason

Description:

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, responsible for nearly 1 in 6 (almost 10 million) deaths in 2020. Millions more are diagnosed and survive cancer annually. As yoga teachers, we may have someone in our class who is from the cancer community or we may be interested in learning more about how we can better support someone dealing with cancer. Tyla Arnason is an expert in this area and has some insights about teaching yoga in the cancer community.

Tyla is an accomplished yoga therapist who has been named a Top Ten Yoga Instructor in Calgary. She has spent the last 15 years working in partnership with the University of Calgary's Health & Wellness Lab in developing protocols used in programming for the cancer community and the research they supported. Tyla supports those with cancer, care teams, and yoga instructors through her specialized yoga therapy protocols, classes, and trainings. She describes herself as a movement optimist, and her philosophy is that with classes tailored to the individual, yoga can be made accessible to everyone and all students can become more confident movers.

Tyla answers some questions yoga teachers often have, including: "How do I keep a student with cancer safe in a yoga class?" and “How can I gain the confidence to work with people from the cancer community?”. She also addresses specific questions about supporting students with different types of cancers, students who use compression garments, the impacts of post treatment meds, and much more.

Key Takeaways:

[3:11] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Tyla Arnason.

[7:24] What does Tyla do and who does she do it for?

[9:59] What got Tyla into doing her work in the cancer community?

[11:13] What are some things Tyla wishes she would have known about working with someone who has a cancer diagnosis?

[14:31] What are some things a yoga teacher could say if a student shares that they have/had cancer?

[17:47] What are some things yoga teachers need to know about keeping students with a cancer diagnosis safe in their class?

[21:04] What does the training for yoga teachers who want to get a basic knowledge about working with the cancer community look like?

[22:42] What are some key things Tyla covers with yoga teachers in a training specific to cancer?

[26:03] Tyla shares some examples of how she might modify some yoga poses to cater to students with different needs.

[30:17] Shannon pops in to share a little about a recent Q&A session with Eddie of OfferingTree.

[31:47] What is neuropathy and what kind of modifications are available for people dealing with that?

[36:41] How does Tyla respond when people tell her they can't do yoga or are not allowed to do yoga?

[44:10] Communicating and working with the healthcare team can be extremely helpful in supporting someone with a cancer diagnosis.

[48:18] What does Tyla recommend if a yoga teacher gets a cancer diagnosis?

[52:27] Where can you connect with Tyla and learn more from her?

[56:55] Shannon shares some of her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Tyla.

Links:

• Tyla Arnason
• Tyla Arnason on Facebook
• Yoga Thrive
• The Yoga Effect
• OfferingTree Live Q&A with Eddie Arpin & Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher YouTube Channel
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"I was never too overly confident and so that allowed me to stay humble and to stay curious and to really recognize that I was not a cancer expert."

"Specifically to cancer, I think that what teachers really want to understand is that every single diagnosis is different."

"Sometimes yoga teachers, we could do ourselves a service by sitting for a moment and really considering what information do I need to gather in this moment? Because we don't need every single answer."

"You have to really be able to change things quickly on the fly."

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346: Nāda Yoga with Rishima Bahadoorsingh

Description:

Yoga is not just about asana - sound is also an important part of yoga, and this is called Nāda Yoga. Rishima Bahadoorsingh is a yoga teacher who focuses on teaching this element of yoga and she shares her insights about Nāda Yoga in this episode.

Rishima has been immersed in the tradition of yoga since birth, practicing it as a way of life in her family. She began singing spiritual Indian songs in the temple traditions of bhajans, kirtan and other devotional styles at a young age and also studied classical Raga. In 2016, she found a deep with Nāda Yoga—the Yoga of Sound. Rishima teaches locally and internationally online in Spanish and English, and her goal as a teacher is to make the intricacies and beauty of classical Raga and traditional bhajans accessible to all, and to spark love within ourselves through sound.

Rishima explains the three Nāda Yoga that she practices and teaches - Mantra, Raga and Kirtan/Bhajan. She talks about the differences between mantras and affirmations, how Sanskrit ties into to Nāda Yoga, what Raga is and how it is useful in meditation. Rishima also addresses some common questions like if you need to know Sanskrit to practice Nāda Yoga, how to deal with people who are uncomfortable with chanting or singing in Sanskrit (or other languages), and where to start learning about Nāda Yoga.

Key Takeaways:

[2:56] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Rishima Bahadoorsingh

[6:01] What does Rishima do and who does she do it for?

[6:45] Why does Rishima say that she is not a yoga teacher?

[8:10] There are many ways to practice yoga that do not involve physical movement.

[9:17] What are the three parts that make up Nāda Yoga?

[12:14] What's the difference between a mantra and an affirmation?

[15:18] Rishima clarifies that mantras within the Yogic tradition would most likely be in Sanskrit.

[16:35] The second element of Nāda Yoga is Raga. Rishima shares some examples of what it is and how it is used.

[19:57] Raga is an excellent tool for meditation.

[22:19] Rishima explains a little more about the silence needed for meditation.

[23:51] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree.

[25:26] Listening to the sounds can be just as powerful as singing or sounding them.

[27:20] The third part of Nāda Yoga is Bhajan or Kirtan.

[28:32] Some people may feel uncomfortable with Sanskrit or a different language.

[31:46] Where can yoga teachers start learning about Nāda Yoga if they have never experienced it or learned about it before?

[34:49] Where can yoga teachers learn more from Rishima?

[35:53] Rishima shares some closing thoughts on Nāda Yoga.

[37:27] Rishima does Nāda Yoga in Spanish and English!

[39:06] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.

Links:

• Rishima Bahadoorsingh
• Rishima Bahadoorsingh on Facebook
• Rishima’s Mantras and Audio Courses
• Ray of Light Music 108 Facebook Group
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 241: Bhakti Yoga & Kirtan with Kamini Natarajan
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 242: Mantra & Chanting with Melissa Shah
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"I feel like I do yoga as my life. It's not something separate from my life."

"When you sing [Raga], you become a nada yogi, one who practices the yoga of sound."

"With mantra and yogic practice in general, it's about repetition - the more you do it, the more benefits you will experience."

"Singing in another language doesn't mean you're converting to a different religion."

Summary:

Nāda Yoga is the Yoga of Sound. Rishima Bahdoorsingh (she/her) shares the three aspects of Nāda Yoga she teaches and practices, how to incorporate Mantra and Raga into your yoga practice, why affirmations aren’t Mantras, teaching Bhajan/Kirtan and more.

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345: Try a Month of This Niche with Shannon Crow

Description:

Niching down and picking a niche to focus on as a yoga teacher is one of Shannon’s favorite things to talk about. However, it can feel overwhelming and seem like there is a lot of planning and work to do before niching down. In this episode, Shannon Crow shares her tips for you to pick a niche and niche down.

Shannon shares a few anecdotes around niching down that can help you see that it really doesn’t have to be a big deal or a complicated process. Many yoga teachers are often hesitant or feel nervous about picking a niche because they feel like they have to do it forever or they have to be an expert in that area - but this is not true!

Shannon also gives some ideas about what might be a niche you could pick and clear steps you can take today to start sharing that niche with your audience.This episode is perfect if you’ve been wanting to niche down but don’t know where to start.

Key Takeaways:

[2:56] Shannon loves to talk about niching down but it can feel like an overwhelming amount of planning and work goes into it.

[3:30] Shannon shares an anecdote about how a couple of people have reached out to her about gardening.

[5:35] It can make you nervous to pick a niche or specialty!

[6:32] Shannon shares a first baby step you can take to niche down - choose a niche for a month.

[11:34] Shannon pops in with a quick message about an upcoming live call with OfferingTree.

[13:24] You can do a lot of niche work, and you can do more! Shannon shares a personal reflection about how niche work is showing up for her now.

[16:10] What niche will you take on for a month?

[17:34] Shannon shares some ways for you to connect with her in real time.

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 343: Niche Yoga Marketing with Sarah Karsten [Consultation Call]
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 337: Plantar Fasciitis and Yoga with Diana Zotos Florio
• OfferingTree Live Q&A Call on Oct 12, 2023
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"I love to talk about niching down and specializing as a yoga teacher, but I also know that when I talk about this, it can feel like an overwhelming amount of planning and work goes into Niching down."

"People get to know you for whatever you're talking about, and then at some point, they often will ask questions."

"If you do want to stand out, you work on your niche or your specialty."

"You do not have to choose something that you are the expert in and this isn't something that's going to be forever."

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344: Grief, Breaks and a Birthday with Shannon Crow

Description:

Shannon has been navigating grief and some heavy personal issues recently. She has received a lot of support, kind words, and messages from listeners. In this episode, she reads an email she received from a listener.

Shannon first talks about the grief she has been experiencing and the things that are helping and holding her through this time. She shares the email from a podcast listener and how it made her feel. Shannon reveals that she thought about quitting and even considered selling the podcast and Pelvic Health Professionals recently and the decision she made in the end.

P.S. It is Shannon’s birthday and the best virtual gift you could give her is a podcast review!

Key Takeaways:

[3:34] Shannon is sharing an email from a listener on this episode.

[4:11] Shannon shares a little about the grief she is experiencing and how she is finding comfort at this time.

[8:53] Shannon gives an update about OfferingTree.

[10:49] Shannon reads an email she received from a listener about the thing she shared in Episodes 339 and 340.

[13:38] Shannon reflects on how reading this email made her feel.

[15:42] It's Shannon's 47th birthday today!

[17:20] Shannon shares a big update about how she was considering quitting and even thought about selling the podcast or Pelvic Health Professionals.

[19:42] There are some ways you can hang out with Shannon in real time!

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 339: Personal and Business Check in with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 340: Personal and Business Check in [Part 2] with Shannon Crow
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden (Discount Code: Podcast50)
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

“I like them to see how it's not that hard to take a piece of lawn and turn it into a place where you can grow food."

"I really think that when more and more people have time outside. It can impact us emotionally, physically in a good way and also it can impact the earth we're standing on in a really positive way, the more that people are outside."

"What is the minimum that I need to do today to kind of keep things going and how can I ask for help with the rest that still is on my list?"

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343: Niche Yoga Marketing with Sarah Karsten [Consultation Call]

Description:

Marketing your yoga can be easier when you find your niche. How do you discover what you want to specialize in, and once you do, how do you market it effectively? In this live consultation call with Sarah Karsten, Shannon Crow guides her through niche yoga marketing.

Sarah Karsten is a yoga teacher based out of Strathmore, Alberta, Canada. She discovered the transformative power of yoga about a decade ago when seeking a change in the world of fitness. Sarah is passionate about creating a supportive community for individuals who are seeking pain relief, stress management, and overall well-being.

In this consultation call, Shannon asks questions to help uncover the niche Sarah wants to explore and her ideal working schedule. Together, they craft a marketing outline to let students know about her offerings and to expand her reach to new audiences. Shannon also shares helpful tips on where to get content ideas for marketing Sarah’s new niche and how to deal with imposter syndrome and overwhelm.

If you are wanting to niche down and market your yoga to get more right-fit students and fill your classes, this is the episode for you.

Key Takeaways:

[2:51] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode which is a live consultation call - Sarah Karsten.

[6:30] What does Sarah do and who does she do it for?

[7:17] What would Sarah's ideal teaching schedule look like?

[8:44] Shannon and Sarah dig into her specific niche as a yoga teacher.

[11:53] Sarah explores why she feels hesitant and awkward about saying she's a yoga teacher.

[14:43] There may be feelings of imposter syndrome to deal with when niching down.

[19:27] Shannon and Sarah discuss her marketing efforts and how she can reach more people.

[26:53] Shannon shares a little about OfferingTree.

[28:37] Shannon and Sarah talk about how to market her online offerings.

[30:41] Shannon offers some tips about how to speak to Sarah's niche audience.

[33:08] What kind of content is Sarah usually sharing with her audience in terms of email marketing?

[40:35] Shannon guide Sarah to find a rhythm that feels doable and sustainable for her in terms of sending out content to her audience.

[46:49] It can be helpful to set aside time in your calendar to create content if you are struggling to find the time to do it.

[48:43] What hesitations does Sarah have about implementing some of these suggestions?

[52:17] Shannon shares some places Sarah can get content ideas.

[55:49] Overwhelm is a very real part of being a yoga entrepreneur. Shannon shares some advice on tackling that.

[64:39] Shannon reflects on this consultation call with Sarah.

Links:

• Sarah Karsten
• Sarah Karsten on Instagram
• Sign up for a Consultation Call with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 065: Create Your Ideal Yoga Schedule with Shannon Crow
• OfferingTree User Group on Facebook
• Dr. Shanté Cofield | Maestro: Brand Strategy + Online Business
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 225: Yoga for Hip Pain with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 295: Make Money Teaching Yoga with Betty Welsh
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden (Discount Code: Podcast50)
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Even when I first started teaching, I felt awkward to say I was a yoga teacher... And so that's already come easier. So I think it will get easier the more I talk about it." - Sarah

"You're the best person if you're passionate about it." - Shannon

"Remember why you're doing it. Also, remember that you're doing it to help people." - Shannon

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342: The Yoga of Parenting with Sarah Ezrin

Description:

Parenting can be really challenging, but yoga can be a useful toolkit for parents and people supporting parents. Sarah Ezrin, author of The Yoga of Parenting Book, has some insights on how yoga can help with the struggles of parenting.

Sarah Ezrin is an author, freelance writer, yoga educator, and content creator based in the Bay Area. She writes extensively on the subjects of yoga, parenting, and mental health, often interweaving these themes, and she is a regular contributor for a variety of popular publications. Her recently-published new book is The Yoga of Parenting: Ten Yoga-Based Practices to Help You Stay Grounded, Connect with Your Kids, and Be Kind to Yourself.

Sarah talks about her why for doing this work and what inspired her to write this book on yoga and parenting. She also shares the two articles that really resonated with people over the years, and how her book is different from other parenting books that can feel really overwhelming to parents. Sarah and Shannon discuss being a present parent, feeling guilty about taking time for yourself, and how to deal with unsolicited parenting advice.

Whether you’re currently in the thick of parenting, are a new parent, or past the “active parenting” stage with older children or supporting parents in yoga classes, Sarah’s tips about the yoga of parenting will definitely be useful.

Key Takeaways:

[3:18] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sarah Ezrin.

[7:43] There's a special book draw you can enter to win one of Sarah's books!

[9:05] Sarah talks about her why and what gets her out of bed in the morning.

[11:08] What are some pieces of content Sarah has created that have really resonated with people?

[14:19] What motivated Sarah to start writing this book that connects yoga to parenting?

[18:29] What are some ways that yoga can help in parenting moments?

[22:38] Even as adults, we have moments of dysregulation.

[24:02] How did Sarah organize her book for parents and how does she hope people will use it?

[26:20] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree - a software that saves her time, money, and headaches!

[27:27] What were some parts of the book that were challenging for Sarah to write?

[30:45] Shannon and Sarah discuss how overwhelming it can be to write a book, particularly about topics as huge as yoga and parenting.

[34:21] What are some things that Sarah has learned while writing the book that have positively impacted how she parents?

[35:51] Shannon shares her personal experience of receiving unwanted parenting advice.

[40:21] What tips does Sarah have for a parent who feels like they don't have time to meditate or do yoga?

[44:06] Sarah addresses the guilt that parents often experience about taking time for themselves.

[49:02] Where can you get a copy of Sarah's book and connect with her?

[51:38] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Sarah and gives the details of the book giveaway!

Links:

• Sarah Ezrin
• The Yoga of Parenting: Ten Yoga-Based Practices to Help You Stay Grounded, Connect with Your Kids, and Be Kind to Yourself, by Sarah Ezrin
• Sarah Ezrin on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden (Discount Code: Podcast50)
• Anxiety in Marriage article
• Article embarrassing moments as yoga teachers article
• Atlas of the Heart, by Brene Brown
• Cribsheet, by Emily Oster
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"What really gets me out of bed are the people that feel seen and heard by my work."

"I just felt there was a lack of parenting books that were normalizing making mistakes."

"All of us are the best parents for our Children. We are the best expert on our child."

"The more I think I know, the less I know and the less I need to know."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

341: Online Learning Pro Tips with Emily Light

Description:

Online courses, trainings, and memberships are wonderful to improve people’s access to educational materials regardless of where they are physically, but becomes up to each individual to complete them on their own. How can we make the most of online learning without becoming overwhelmed? Emily Light shares her tips.

Emily is a yoga therapist who specializes in the nervous system and pelvic health. She runs her own private practice where she see clients 1:1 and also offers live stream online classes. Emily has her own membership site with an on-demand library of yoga classes. She is also an active member of Pelvic Health Professionals and has created a schedule to stay on top of the online learning here.

Emily shares how she set a learning schedule so that she could actually use the membership full of content that she signed up for. She talks about how she finds time to do her online learning, how she takes notes, and what else makes it easier for her to commit and complete her online learning activities. Emily has some great tips about managing online learning effectively, so if you've ever bought a course or paid for a membership and struggled with finishing it or getting the most out of it, this interview is going to be so useful.

Key Takeaways:

[1:26] Shannon shares a discount code for an upcoming event by Pelvic Health Professionals and gives a shout out to OfferingTree.

[5:01] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Emily Light.

[6:50] What does Emily do and who does she do it for?

[8:38] How does Emily tackle all the material available in Pelvic Health Professionals?

[10:49] Emily also references the notes provided in Pelvic Health Professionals to create her own notes.

[13:33] Especially with online memberships, the amount of content available to members can feel overwhelming. How does Emily deal with that?

[15:26] What are some baby steps yoga teachers can take if they are feeling like there is a lot of information and they don't have much time to consume it?

[18:52] What are some of Emily's tips for using her notes about what she's learned in Pelvic Health Professionals to create her own content?

[21:45] Shannon and Emily exchange tips on how they manage their online courses and learning platforms.

[23:56] Another big aspect of online courses and memberships is the time investment required. How does Emily help her members with time management?

[26:57] Shannon and Emily discuss their thoughts about the cadence of emails to members and how often they send emails.

[31:04] As a business owner, it is often helpful to have feedback from someone outside the business about what could be improved or changed.

[32:10] Shannon pops in to share a special podcast listener coupon code for OfferingTree.

[33:58] What has Emily's experience of Pelvic Health Professionals been?

[37:34] If you are keen to learn more from Emily, check out her website.

[38:47] Emily shares a little about her donation model live stream classes.

[42:31] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Emily.

Links:

• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden (Discount Code: Podcast50)
• Airtable
• LastPass
• Webinars with fitness & wellness thought leaders by OfferingTree
• Webinar: 5 Key Metrics for Success with Kristin Abel
• Webinar: Turn Your Website Into An Experience with Caitlin
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Writing helps me organize new concepts in my mind."

"I definitely saw [the amount of content available] as something I needed to personally create some structure around because otherwise it was going to be untouched."

"I am a big fan of scheduling. I have got to get that on my calendar or it is not gonna happen."

"I'm skillful at transforming overwhelm into excitement with just a little bit of structure."

"It feels really nice to have that personal relationship in an online environment."

"I'm learning stuff for clients that aren't pelvic health clients in the Pelvic health professionals."

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340: Personal and Business Check-In [Part 2] with Shannon Crow

Description:

Shannon Crow shares more personal and business updates on this episode. She reflects that the grief she has been dealing with has been impacting her and some of the things that have been helping her through it, including messages from listeners.She also talks about the exchange student she will be hosting in her home soon and some of the activities she has been engaging in to be more “in-person”.

On the professional front, Shannon reveals that she was recently thinking about quitting her business and the podcast. She notes that she needs to take some of her own advice and lean on her team more while cutting back on things that are not essential to the business. Do share your recommendations for Shannon as she navigates this challenging season of life.

Key Takeaways:

[2:46] In this episode, Shannon is sharing more personal and business updates. First, she invites you to take a moment to check in with yourself.

[4:45] Shannon is in a season of grief now. She shares some things that are keeping her going, including messages from listeners. She shares a couple of messages listeners have left.

[12:44] "Meet up" with Shannon online at the yoga series by Sarah Garden.

[16:28] Shannon talks about why she loves using OfferingTree in her business.

[17:38] Shannon shares a personal update about the exchange student she will be hosting in her home!

[18:47] Shannon and her partner Sean have taken on a hiking challenge this year.

[20:34] Shannon has been missing doing in-person activities. She talks about how she is trying to incorporate more of that in her life.

[22:19] Recently, Shannon got very close to quitting her job and the podcast. She shares how she is going to address this feeling.

[28:48] What recommendations do you have for Shannon as she navigates this season of life and business?

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 175: Coping During a Crisis with Diane Liska
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 302: Yoga for Grief & Loss with Susan Andersen
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden (Discount Code: Podcast50)
• Bruce Trail Conservancy
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Meet The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Podcast Episodes Mentioned:
• 336: Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain with Sarah Garden
• 325: Stress of Teaching Yoga with Sarah Garden
• 304: How Are We Still here? with Rebecca Sebastian - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 166: When & How to Hire a VA (virtual assistant) with Sandra Booker
• 167: How to Make a Recruiting Plan with Reneé Clair - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 103: Hiring and Nurturing Your Team with Shelli Warren - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 315: Let's Talk Time Off with Shannon Crow
• 001: Avoid Yoga Teacher Burnout with Erin Aquin
• 328: Self-Connection for Yoga Teachers with Tess Jewell-Larsen
• 314: Plan Your Breaks with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 248: Ayurveda is All About Self-Care with Chara Caruthers
• 308: Time to Rest and Refuel with Shannon Crow
• 174: Time for a Break with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 316: Holidays, Vacation & CEO Days with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Even though I logically know these things [that I need to take a break and lean on my team more], it feels like sometimes it's not the easiest thing to do."

"[I need to] listen to my gut on this and in this season that I'm in and to really notice and this is where I think that yoga really serves me."

"On my list of things I need to do right now is ask for support and help."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

339: Personal and Business Check-In with Shannon Crow

Description:

Shannon Crow shares a personal and business update on this episode. She shares that she has been sitting with some deep grief in her life recently as well as how she has been spending time outside in her garden. Shannon also talks about the new stage of parenting she has entered and gives an update on her three children.

On the professional front, Shannon explains the missing piece she has discovered in Pelvic Health Professionals and what is new in that part of her business. There are some upcoming workshops and series so be sure to check that out. She also reflects on how she is eager for more in person time with her team and that she will be looking into how to create that going forward.

Key Takeaways:

[4:12] Shannon is giving a personal and business update in this episode but she has a question for you first - how are you?

[4:58] Shannon shares a personal update about what has been going on for her recently.

[8:50] On the work side, Shannon has an update about Pelvic Health Professionals.

[14:55] Shannon has been looking at the finances in her business as well, particularly around her spending on software.

[18:08] Shannon got to meet Crunch, the show notes writer for the podcast, for the first time a few weeks ago and it has prompted her reflection on getting more in-person time with the team.

[19:29] One software company that has been really supportive of Shannon in her business is OfferingTree.

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 175: Coping During a Crisis with Diane Liska
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 302: Yoga for Grief & Loss with Susan Andersen
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden
• Balance Flow Yoga 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Meet The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

“Sometimes there are just huge struggles when you're running a small business.”

“For anyone who is dealing with just sadness or grief, I want you to know that you're not alone in this.”

“What are some of the software and website expenses that we could look at consolidating?”

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338: Eating Disorder Informed Yoga with Jennifer Kreatsoulas

Description:

About 70 million people worldwide experience some form of an eating disorder in their lifetime. It is a serious condition and among the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid overdose, causing over 10,200 deaths annually. Its prevalence means we are likely to encounter students in our classes who deal with it or are recovering from it. So how can we be mindful of them in our classes? Jennifer Kreatsoulas PhD, C-IAYT, is an expert in this area and shares more about eating disorder informed yoga.

Jennifer is a certified yoga therapist specializing in eating disorders and body image. She is a sought-after international speaker and former host of Real Body Talk, an online interview talk show. Through her virtual school, Yoga for Eating Disorders, Jennifer offers individual yoga therapy, groups, classes, and continuing education and mentoring for professionals. Jennifer is also the author of Body Mindful Yoga and The Courageous Path to Healing. Her writing has been featured widely in print, broadcast, and online media.

Jennifer shares how yoga teachers can become eating disorder informed in how they guide classes. By managing our language, our expectations, and being mindful of our scope of practice as yoga teachers, we can create safer spaces for our students. Jennifer also dispels some of the myths around eating disorders and teaching yoga to this population, as well as 3 ways in which yoga can be a very helpful tool.

Key Takeaways:

[3:16] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jennifer Kreatsoulas.

[8:48] What does Jennifer do and who does she do it for?

[11:15] How and why is yoga helpful (or not helpful) for people dealing with or recovering from an eating disorder?

[14:51] Yoga can be a pathway to self-connection to help with recovery.

[20:20] What are some ways that yoga teachers can have respect and compassion for people going through eating disorders, especially since it's not something that can be identified by looking at someone?

[24:15] One way to change your language is to consider how we offer students a challenge in their yoga.

[26:00] Shannon pops in with a quick shout out to OfferingTree as an excellent option if you're looking to create a website for your yoga business.

[27:51] How does Jennifer recommend responding to someone who comes to yoga with the intention of wanting to change their body without shaming them?

[32:41] Shannon and Jennifer discuss what it means to stay within your scope of practice as a yoga teacher.

[36:34] What are some ways you can learn from Jennifer?

[42:42] Jennifer has a little gift for listeners in the form of a PFD that highlights ways you can make your yoga classes eating-disorder informed.

[43:37] Jennifer invites us to study the language of teachers who look different from you.

[45:12] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.

Links:

• Jennifer Kreatsoulas
• 9 Ways to Make Your Yoga Classes Eating Disorder Informed (Free PDF)
• Free Weekly Support Group
• Yoga for Eating Disorders Community Facebook Group
• Yoga and Eating Disorders Mentoring Group
• Is Your Yoga Class Eating Disorder Informed?
• Obituary information for Geoffrey Webster
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 293: Eating Disorder Recovery & Yoga with Vivian Selles
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 048: Eating Disorder Education for Yoga Teachers with Tabitha Farrar
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 126: Body Mindful Yoga with Jennifer Kreatsoulas
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 307: Taking Diet-Culture Out of Ayurveda with Diane Finlayson
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 292: Taking Diet Culture out of Yoga with Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Meet The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"What is your intention for showing up on your mat or for any activity you're doing and just do that inquiry. And if it's based in any kind of guilt or shame or obsession, it's important to get support around that because that's never gonna lead us anywhere helpful in our lives."

"I see yoga as a pathway to that self connection. It's not a straight line and it doesn't always feel good and it's not always easy... I see this as a part of the journey."

"It's not your scope of practice to have to know people's trauma or to know if people have an eating disorder or whatever their diagnoses are,... but we can take responsibility for our language."

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337: Plantar Fasciitis & Yoga with Diana Zodos Florio

Description:

Plantar fasciitis is a common problem that 1 in 10 people will experience in their lifetime. As a yoga teacher, you are likely to encounter someone who is experiencing this painful condition in your yoga classes, or you may even have it yourself. Yoga can be a helpful tool to manage plantar fasciitis. Diana Zodos Florio shares some tips and tricks on how to deal with plantar fasciitis.

Diana is the founder of Threes Physiyoga, created to bridge the gap between physical therapy and yoga. She has a science Bachelors, a Masters in physical therapy and has been using yoga in her own life and to treat patients. Diana is driven by her purpose of helping people move and feel best in their bodies by empowering them with knowledge, tools and science-informed strategies in movement, mindfulness, connection and breathwork. She offers 1:1 sessions, has an online studio, and has also been teaching yoga teachers how to integrate physical therapy science into their practice and teaching.

Diana explains what plantar fasciitis is, the common symptoms that someone with plantar fasciitis might experience, and the role of a yoga teacher when a student approaches them with this condition. She also shares some exercises that can help address the root causes of this inflammatory condition and how to manage it. Diana and Shannon also discuss the benefits of barefoot walking, balance poses, calf stretching and more.

Key Takeaways:

[3:59] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Diana Zodos Florio.

[6:34] What does Diana do and who does she do it for

[8:15] What is plantar fasciitis?

[10:47] What does plantar fasciitis feel like for people who experience it?

[12:51] If someone has plantar fasciitis (or pain in their feet), who might a yoga teacher refer them to?

[13:55] What do physiotherapists do to help people with plantar fasciitis?

[17:33] Diana explains what "load" means in the context of plantar fasciitis.

[20:04] Shannon pops in to share a question from a podcast listener about booking software and how OfferingTree can support you if you have the same question!

[23:14] What are some things in yoga that can help someone with plantar fasciitis?

[27:42] How can you try out ball rolling at home to manage plantar fasciitis?

[30:50] Diana explains more about the "tripod foot".

[34:10] Shannon and Diana discuss going barefoot.

[36:03] What are some frustrating myths or misinformation that Diana has encountered about plantar fasciitis?

[38:10] What can people do if they're experiencing pain in their feet first thing in the morning? Diana also shares some other tips and tricks.

[40:43] Connect with Diana and learn more from her via her website and on Instagram!

[41:33] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.

Links:

• Diana Zodos Florio, Threes Physiyoga
• Diana Zodos Florio on Instagram
• Plantar Fasciitis Stretches to Ease Heel Pain - Threes Physiyoga
• Foot Injury Support + Protection : Help for Plantar Fasciitis
• Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Series with Sarah Garden
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 336: Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain with Sarah Garden
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Meet The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Being barefoot is one of the best things you can do for any foot injury."

"If you have plantar fasciitis or fasciosis for a long time, over time, your balance of proprioception can decrease just because of disuse."

"Inherently, people don't want to do that. They wanna kind of get the band aid, quick fix and move on. And I think that's just human nature."

"Especially as we age and we move less, it's really important to move."

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336: Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain with Sarah Garden

Description:

About 190 million girls, women, and people with uteruses of reproductive age worldwide are affected by endometriosis (“endo”). A chronic disease that produces severe, life-impacting pain and other symptoms, endo is still not very well understood. There is no known cure and treatment is often aimed at managing symptoms. Sarah Garden shares how yoga can help endometriosis and pelvic pain.

Sarah is the Director of Bodhi Tree Yoga Therapy and the full time Pain Educator and Yoga Therapist at The Chronic Pain Clinic in Regina, Saskatchewan Canada. Sarah has taught throughout North America and also offers classes and courses on Yoga International. She has been actively working in the field of yoga therapy for over 20 years. Her practice focuses on chronic pain, chronic pelvic pain, and the role yoga can play in treating nociplastic pain and central sensitization.

Sarah shares more about her own long journey with endo and why she started specializing in yoga therapy for chronic pain and endometriosis. She explains the symptoms that accompany endometriosis and what we know about this disease, as well as why yoga is helpful. Sarah also gives other strategies for coping with endo and pelvic pain. Tune in to this episode to learn more about endo and pelvic pain, plus get the details about Sarah’s upcoming 7-week yoga series.

Key Takeaways:

[3:15] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sarah Garden

[8:21] Where did Sarah's journey with endometriosis begin and why did she get interested in this area?

[11:02] What is endometriosis?

[13:34] If you are keen to learn more about endometriosis, there are some great resources (recordings of calls with experts) inside Pelvic Health Professionals, as well as an upcoming 7-week series with Sarah herself!

[14:56] How can yoga help endometriosis?

[22:01] Yoga can help bring more awareness to what is going on in your body and brain and that can be helpful too.

[27:24] What is one thing Sarah wishes she would have known about persistent pain?

[33:34] Getting curious and keeping the nervous system calm and steady is one way to approach pain and movement.

[34:34] How does Sarah approach the conversation with people who have chronic pain to try new movements or to help them down regulate their nervous system?

[39:54] Shannon pops in to share a conversation she recently had with a yoga teacher about how she is using OfferingTree in her business.

[45:08] Sarah has an upcoming 7-week series to learn more about yoga for endometriosis. What does she want people to know about this series?

[51:08] Endometriosis can be really difficult to diagnose because it presents in many different ways.

[54:42] Sarah reflects on how her work is impacting people everywhere.

[56:15] Shannon shares some of her takeaways from this conversation with Sarah.

Links:

• Sarah Garden, Bodhi Tree Yoga
• Sarah Garden on Instagram and Facebook
• 7-Week Yoga Series with Sarah Garden
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 325: Stress of Teaching Yoga with Sarah Garden
• Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
• Endometriosis & Pelvic Health with Jill Mueller
• Endometriosis Surgery with Dr. Mathew Leonardi
• Monica Mansfield
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Yoga has this really incredible capacity to down regulate or provide us with tools to help us down regulate our nervous system provided we're working with it in a way that's accessible to people with pain."

"Once we've worked on and developed that awareness, we then have the capacity to start to regulate what we need to regulate or re-regulate what we need to regulate."

"What the evidence shows us is that education alone is actually really helpful."

"There's a lot we can do with self management and a lot we can teach people for self management as well."

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335: Black Lives Matter is Yoga with Danielle Tridenti

Description:

Black Lives Matter (BLM) was formed ten years ago, and while many people jumped on the bandwagon and pledged their support for the cause a few years ago in light of the murder of George Floyd, it seems like BLM is getting “less popular”. It is important to continue this conversation about BLM and explore how it relates to yoga. Danielle Tridenti shares their experience in showing up as an ally for the cause.

Danielle is a facilitator of yoga, an embodiment coach, and an equity + inclusion group facilitator/consultant, who believes that cellular and personal change informs and affects institutional, collective, and cultural change. They have over 5000 hours of training in yoga, somatics, trauma informed care, anti-racism, equity + inclusion, as well as 20 years of experience in teaching and group facilitation, and 10 years as a mental health clinician and social worker. Currently, Danielle offers individual and group experiences, education/training, coaching, and consulting centered around embodying equity, LGTBQIA2S+ affirmation and inclusion, and solidarity with a trauma informed, intersectional, anti-racist, anti-patriarchal, and anti-oppression framework to individuals and organizations.

Recently, a student in Danielle’s class asked Danielle to remove their BLM shirt. Danielle shares more about how they handled that situation with the student and the studio they were teaching at, as well as their thoughts on why yoga is political. Danielle also explains why BLM and showing up as an ally is part of yoga. And discusses privilege, creating “safe spaces” in yoga, and how ahimsa (non-violence) ties into all of this.

Key Takeaways:

[2:39] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Danielle Tridenti.

[8:12] What does Danielle do and who do they do it for?

[11:17] Recently, a yoga student attending Danielle's class asked them to remove their Black Lives Matter t-shirt. Danielle recounts the experience.

[16:21] How did Danielle follow up after the incident? What kind of reaction did the studio she was teaching at have after this incident?

[19:57] Why is Black Lives Matter yoga?

[26:47] What is Danielle's reaction to people who complain about how these discussions always feel "in your face" or that we are still having these conversations.

[34:34] Shannon pops in with a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree

[37:01] What are some of the actions that people can take to support Black Lives Matter and create a world that is equal and just?

[43:01] What are some other resources yoga teachers can use to get educated and learn more about this topic?

[48:39] Learn more from Danielle by connecting with them on Instagram.

[49:28] Shannon shares some of her key takeaways from this conversation with Danielle.

Links:

• Danielle Tridenti
• Dr. Bettina Love
• Michelle Cassandra Johnson
• Resmaa Menakem
• Susana Barkataki
• Are We Free Yet? by Tina Strawn
• Lara Rod Owens
• Octavia Raheem
• Tristan Katz
• Jacoby Ballard
• Related Podcast Episodes:
• 203: Do Politics Belong in Yoga? with Chara Caruthers & Maria Kirsten
• 199: Creating Inclusive Yoga Spaces Erin Ajayi
• 189: Your Movement Science is Racist with Jesal Parikh
• BONUS: Anti-Racism & Yoga with Michelle Johnson
• 273: Yoga is a Revolution with Jivana Heyman
• 266: Social Location, Power & Privilege with Raudhah Rahman
• 231: Conscious Marketing with Tristan Katz
• 230: Anti-Oppression Yoga with Pooja Virani
• 246: Anger, Forgiveness & Self-Care with Jacoby Ballard
• 276: Caring for Yoga's South Asian Roots with Susanna Barkataki

• 334: Many Shades of Brown in Yoga with Anjali Rao

• Shannon Crow on Instagram

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"It's not my [Black Lives Matter] shirt that was making her uncomfortable, right? It was her beliefs that were causing this discomfort."

"The bigger issue is exercising your white supremacy and your racism."

"I believe that in teaching, I can leverage my privilege and practice co-conspiratorship and take a stand and take risks for folks who are historically erased and marginalized and oppressed and invisible and killed."

"Picking what you want and leaving what you don't - that's very privileged too."

"The bottom line is, if any of us are harmed, we're all harmed. We're all impacted. This is not a passive practice. It's an active practice."

"People who have marginalized identities can't just leave the oppression behind. It's just not possible."

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334: Many Shades of Brown in Yoga with Anjali Rao

Description:

Conversations around race and identity in yoga, especially South Asian identities and the experience of South Asians in the West, tend to be uncomfortable. However, it is still important to give voice to the South Asian experience in yoga and to also talk about how yoga has been shaped by colonialism, capitalism and the Western interpretation of yoga as well as caste, religion, and race. Anjali Rao shares her insights about her experience of being brown in modern yoga.

Anjali is a South Asian yoga educator and practitioner who explores histories obscured by patriarchal and colonial narratives. She integrates yoga history and philosophy with storytelling, imagery, and poetry.

Anjali highlights that our identity is composed of different parts, which is why it’s important for discussions of this topic to be nuanced. She also emphasizes that South Asians are not a monolith and that our lived experience is influenced by our different identities. Anjali provides a summary of the history of yoga, and provides her perspective on how we can embody ahimsa, what social justice has to do with yoga, and much more.

Key Takeaways:

[6:03] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Anjali Rao.

[10:17] What is the work that Anjali does and who does she do it for?

[12:41] What are yoga teachers missing in the story of how yoga got to be where it is now?

[18:23] What is Anjali's response to people who try to counter bringing attention to our different identities by saying that we are all humans walking this earth and we are all yoga teachers?

[20:59] What makes being a brown yoga teacher so difficult and complex right now?

[25:36] Anjali shares her perspective on why it's okay to say "namaste" at the end of a yoga class.

[28:02] Shannon pops in to share a short anecdote of how OfferingTree has helped her to schedule guests on the podcast.

[30:09] How can yoga teachers start doing the work so that they are not simply doing certain actions as a token gesture but rather going deeper than that?

[36:14] Anjali shares a brief summary of the history of yoga.

[42:34] How did yoga end up in the West in the way that it is shared today? Anjali talks a little about colonialism and the other factors that led to shaping the practice of yoga in the west.

[49:16] Shannon and Anjali discuss how we have lost a lot of the essence of yoga in our modern yoga studios.

[52:50] What are some baby steps people can take to do this work of liberation and opposing harmful systems?

[57:54] Anjali invites us to start normalizing saying we don't know something or that we made a mistake.

[60:08] Learn more from Anjali via her podcast.

[62:37] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.

Links:

• Anjali Rao
• The Love of Yoga Podcast with Anjali Rao
• Reflecting on the Trauma of Caste by Anjali Rao
• Caley Patrick Nadjiwon Doran - Anishinaabe Interpretive Guide
• Cape Croker Park website
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 184: Is Yoga Cultural Appropriation? with Shailla Vaidya
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 220: Alternatives to Namaste with Shannon Crow
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"I think the nuances of who we are are lost in the dominant narrative of yoga."

"We don't have to shout out in that sense, but we have to know who we are and come from that space of self awareness and discernment."

"We're all human beings, but we have completely lived different lived experiences."

"We are really not tapping into the potential of yoga, not only for ourselves, but for really creating a community of compassionate, courageous people who can speak against harmful oppressive systems."

"There is so much potential in yoga as a practice of liberation, not only for the self, but for the collective."

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333: Does Yoga Lineage Matter? with Kim Weeks

Description:

Many of us have learned, practiced, and taught yoga for years, but we are often unaware of our yoga lineage. What exactly is yoga lineage and why does it matter? Should we be teaching yoga without understanding the history of that lineage of yoga? How can we be more mindful of this in teaching yoga and communicating it with our yoga students? Kim Weeks shares her insights.

Kim has over 20 years of teaching, training, running businesses, and consulting in the yoga and mindfulness industry. In 2019, Kim began working closely with Dr. Sat Bir S. Khalsa, Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School to create The Yoga Lineage Series for Yoga Alliance. Today, she continues that work on her podcast The Weeks Well podcast, which is about the modern practice of being your best self in your mind, breath, body, and brain.

Kim shares more about her yoga journey that led her to the work she does today, why knowing the origins of our yoga lineages is so important, and how to go about learning about our yoga lineages. She also shares her insights around the fear of discussing this topic and why it’s important to keep having these conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[2:41] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Kim Weeks

[6:06] Shannon shares a little about the yoga lineage she did her first yoga teacher training course in and some of her feelings around it.

[10:30] What does Kim do and who does she do it for?

[12:28] Was it scary for Kim to start her work around yoga lineages? She explains how she got started doing this work.

[20:37] Kim shares another reason why she wasn't afraid to start sharing about yoga lineages.

[22:41] Understanding yoga lineage is key to embracing the practice as a discipline sustainably over time.

[24:03] Kim shares some of her insights about the power dynamic in yoga contributing to fear around this topic.

[32:13] Shannon pops in with a shout out to Crunch's new offering.

[37:10] Why is Kim so passionate about people knowing their yoga lineage? Why does it matter if it's all yoga?

[46:38] How can yoga teachers find out about their yoga lineage?

[50:28] It can be uncomfortable when you start researching and discover the abuses of power that may have existed in your lineage of yoga. How can yoga teachers approach these conversations?

[60:04] Learn more about the yoga lineages from the series that Kim did for Yoga Alliance (paywalled), as well as from Kim's website and podcast.

[72:11] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Kim.

Links:

• Kim Weeks
• Weeks Well Podcast by Kim Weeks
• Healing and leading through connection, with Shannon Crow - Weeks Well Podcast
• Premka: White Bird in a Golden Cage: My Life with Yogi Bhajan Book by Pamela Saharah Dyson
• Report on Misconduct Allegations by An Olive Branch
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 312: We Stand with Survivors with Rebecca Sebastian
• Crunch Ranjani
• Crunch Ranjani on Instagram
• Crunch Ranjani on Substack
• Boat the Bruce (Cruises in the Bruce Peninsula with Captain Colton)
• Thought as medicine in yoga, with Doug Keller - Weeks Well Podcast
• Yoga Posters (Created by Karoline and Frank Neville-Hamilton)
• Yoga Lineages on Yoga Alliance
• ‌Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"There's a lot of aspects of modern yoga that aren't sustainable over time because there's some super harmful things that have gotten kind of absorbed down through the patriarchy."

"[What] you might be also getting at when you ask about the fear, ...is the power dynamics and the abuses that have flowed through so many of these lineages."

"Lineage matters because it's like a map."

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332: 5 Pillars of Powerful Teaching with Sheri Fisher & Lori Holden

Description:

Yoga teachers are often seeking ways to feel more comfortable, confident, and effective in their work teaching and as yoga professionals. Sheri Fisher and Lori Holden share the five pillars of powerful teaching to help us become better yoga teachers and professionals.

Sheri is an experienced yoga teacher who helps yoga teachers build confidence to bridge the gap between their Yoga Teacher Training and teaching extraordinary classes with ease and grace. Through professional coaching and group facilitation, she helps executives build their leadership bench, promote teamwork, and develop strategic plans to meet their organization’s mission. Lori has been practicing yoga since 2007 and is a connoisseur of truly inspiring yoga teachers. Lori is an adoption coach and expert in the complexities of adoption. She applies the principles of yoga in parenting her own two young adults (one with special needs), a lifelong journey that requires balance, flexibility, strength, and stability, and helps others to do the same.

Sheri and Lori share more about their new book Standing Room Only: How to be THAT Yoga Teacher, The 5 Pillars of Powerful Teaching from the Root to Rise Yoga Teaching Method. The book focuses on how to connect with your authentic inner teacher through Communication, Character, Connection, Commitment, and Consideration and Sheri and Lori share more about each of these pillars.

Two lucky podcast listeners will also get to win a copy of the book, so be sure to listen till the end to find out how to enter the draw!

Key Takeaways:

[2:14] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Sheri Fisher and Lori Holden.

[6:43] What is the work that Sheri does and who does she do it for?

[8:08] What does Lori do and who does she do it for?

[9:41] Does being a powerful teacher have to do with your personality and who you are as a person, or is it something that can be changed? What is some pushback Sheri has encountered on that?

[11:01] How does Lori see these five elements apply to other aspects of life beyond yoga teaching?

[14:14] The first pillar of powerful teaching is communication. How can yoga teachers improve our communication?

[17:13] It is so important to have compassion for yourself when you make mistakes, because that is how we learn.

[18:57] The second pillar of powerful teaching is character. How does this show up?

[23:57] The third pillar of powerful teaching is connection and it is like the heart of the five pillars. Sheri explains more.

[25:57] As someone who attends yoga classes, Lori shares her perspective on the importance of connection.

[27:35] What are some tips Lori and Sheri have for bringing people back for the practice?

[28:27] Shannon pops in to share a phone conversation she had this week.

[32:27] The fourth pillar of powerful teaching is commitment.

[35:57] Part of the commitment piece is also your commitment to marketing and selling your services as a yoga teacher.

[41:17] The last pillar of powerful teaching is consideration.

[45:59] What is some feedback Lori and Sheri have received about the book and were there any surprises for them in doing the research for it?

[49:24] Get your copy of the book via the website RootToRiseYogis.com.

[50:10] Enter the draw to win one of two copies of the book!

[51:17] Learn more and connect with Sheri and Lori via their websites and social media pages.

[52:42] Shannon shares some of her big takeaways from this conversation with Lori and Sheri.

Links:

• Root to Rise Yogis, Sheri Fisher and Lori Holden
• Root to Rise Yogis on Instagram and Facebook
• Standing Room Only: How to be THAT Yoga Teacher, by Sheri Fisher with Lori Holden
• Lori Holden
• Adoption: The Long View Podcast, hosted by Lori Holden
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 326: Teach Yoga with Confidence with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 327: Working with Teaching Anxiety [Consultation Call] with Lindsay McMurray
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 058: Confidence and Self-Promotion with Julie Zuzak
• Boat the Bruce (Cruises in the Bruce Peninsula with Captain Colton)
• ‌Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"We all come with our own gifts and our own experiences and then ... it's up to us with how we pull all that together and express that as yoga teachers." - Sheri

"Am I showing up with my own confidence, with my own gifts, with my own awareness? That's when you become that yoga teacher. And that's what's magnetic." - Lori

"Character is the one that’s taking the class beyond just an exercise class and creating a yoga experience." - Sheri

"Our teaching becomes an expression of who we are and where we are on our yoga journey." - Sheri

"It's not sales, it's being helpful." - Sheri

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331: Exploring Nature Through Asana with Alison Zak

Description:

Spending time in nature can be a part of your yoga practice, but how can you find a deeper connection to nature through asana? Alison Zak is passionate about this topic and joins Shannon in this episode to share her perspective on how we can understand, respect, and learn from nature through our yoga practice.

Alison is an author, yoga teacher, wildlife conservationist, and (a self-described) animal. She loves to encourage her students to find connection with themselves, their fellow human and beyond-human beings, and with nature through yoga.

Alison shares how we can use our yoga practice to honor nature and connect with other beings and why it is so important to seek connection with other animals. She also shares a little more about how we can take inspiration from nature for our yoga teaching and personal practice. Alison offers some practical advice for finding your authentic teaching voice and also has a special surprise for one lucky podcast listener!

Key Takeaways:

[0:00] There's a book giveaway in this episode!

[0:48] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[3:44] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Alison Zak.

[6:18] What does Alison do and who does she do it for?

[9:14] Why is it important to bring in the connection between yoga and nature and animals? What benefits does it offer?

[13:16] Many people experience fear or cognitive dissonance when dealing with different animals. Alison shares an example.

[14:49] Alison gives some examples of how she thinks about and reflects on different animals while doing her own yoga practice.

[18:28] What are Alison's reflections on pigeon pose?

[22:44] How does Alison find that connection to animals in her yoga?

[26:45] Not everyone has the same access to nature to observe animals and wildlife. What does Alison recommend in those situations?

[30:39] Shannon has some news from the team at OfferingTree.

[32:11] What inspired Alison to share the book and who is it geared towards?

[35:18] What are some events Alison put together to promote the book?

[36:19] Some people may feel hesitant about making animal noises. Why is that, and how can we work with that?

[44:00] What was the most enlightening or hardest thing for Alison about writing a book?

[48:42] Alison is giving one of her books away to a podcast listener!

[49:20] What is one thing Alison wishes yoga teachers knew about connecting more with nature?

[50:02] Stay in touch with Alison via social media or her website.

[51:11] Shannon shares her biggest takeaway from this conversation with Alison.

Links:

• ‌Alison Zak
• Alison Zak on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn
• ‌Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"How many hundreds or thousands of times have yoga practitioners and teachers practiced cobra pose? So many. But rarely ever [do they] think about the animal that it's named after."

"We can just get curious about what that animal's life is like and how they perceive the world. And then, that is the thing that helps us to just realize how connected we are to other beings."

"I hope that that connection that we feel with other animals through a yoga practice, for example, leads to treating them with more compassion in our interactions with real live animals that we share the planet with."

"Writing is a really healing process."

"I will go back to the importance of knowing that we are also animals. We're not separate from the pigeon or the cobra or the scorpion. When we connect with these other animals, we are connecting with ourselves because we're all interconnected."

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330: Connect with Your Money with Shannon Crow

Description:

Many yoga entrepreneurs are uncomfortable with their money, but connecting with your money is one of the keys to running a successful business. In this episode, Shannon Crow talks about why connecting with your money is so important and how to do it.

Shannon shares some of the activities she does to connect with her money including Finance Fridays check-in with her income and expenses, daily money check-ins and tracking her revenue and expenses. She also has some suggestions on how you can start connecting with your money too.

If you're a yoga teacher who wants to make more income and profit, or if you're feeling like you're spending too much or not getting ahead, this episode is specifically for you.

Key Takeaways:

[1:54] This episode is powered by OfferingTree.

[2:23] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode - connecting with your money.

[4:11] Part of connecting with your money is knowing where your money is going and how it is being spent.

[5:02] Shannon shares how OfferingTree allows her to keep track of her income.

[6:16] Shannon shares her strategy for looking at her business finances.

[7:44] Two things Shannon does on Finance Fridays are paying her bills and looking over the transactions that happened that week.

[8:50] Shannon's plan going forward is to add in a daily money check-in.

[10:27] Shannon also suggests starting to track your income and expenses if you don't already do that.

[14:03] Start by looking at your money and finances at least once a week, if you rarely do!

[14:35] Shannon invites you to consider some steps you can take to connect with your money.

Links:

• ‌Thread about having separate bank accounts on the Connected Yoga Teacher Group on Facebook
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 329: Why Separate Bank Accounts? with Shannon Crow
• What Expenses Can I Claim as a Yoga Teacher? - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 280: Get Paid as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Simmons
• ‌Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"You need to know how that hard earned cash is being spent."

"Wherever you're landing today, know that we are on this journey together, tackling our money mindset as yoga teachers and entrepreneurs and taking more of a look at the numbers."

"The two main things that I do on [Finance Fridays] are paying all my bills and looking at all the transactions that happened over that week."

"Make sure you're tracking your business expenses."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

329: Why Separate Bank Accounts? with Shannon Crow

Description:

Do you have a separate bank account for your yoga business? It is such an important part of starting and growing a business that many yoga teachers overlook or do not prioritize!

In this episode, Shannon Crow shares seven reasons why you should have a separate bank account for your yoga business. She touches on taxes, being more professional in your business, and even the mindset shifts that come with having a business bank account. Shannon also has some homework for you to start getting your yoga business finances on the right track.

If you have been putting off opening a bank account for your yoga business, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:

[1:52] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode - Why you need separate bank accounts for your yoga business.

[4:01] Having a separate bank account for your yoga business can make a world of difference to your business.

[5:43] Having a separate bank account makes tax time so much easier.

[7:26] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree.

[9:28] If you have a separate bank account for your yoga business, you can build your business credit score.

[9:56] The third reason to have a separate bank account is in case you plan to sell your business in the future.

[11:29] Another reason to start a separate bank account is in case you get audited.

[12:22] Shannon shares a clip from Hannah Smolinski (an accounting professional) about why it's so important to have a business bank account from the start.

[13:40] Having a business bank account helps you shift into the mindset of being a business owner and makes it easier to see how well your business is doing.

[14:58] A separate bank account makes it easier for you to track your income and expenses.

[15:32] If you want to be seen as a professional and have people take your yoga business seriously, a separate bank account can help.

[16:43] Shannon invites you to set up a bank account for your yoga business if you do not already have one!

[17:47] Shannon has bonus homework for you - to implement Profit First in your business.

[18:40] Shannon shares some insights about the topics she has been covering in the podcast this year.

[21:32] What other questions do you have about being a yoga teacher or yoga business owner? Share them with Shannon!

[22:40] Interested in hanging out with Shannon in real time? She shares some upcoming calls in Pelvic Health Professionals where you can do that!

Links:

• ‌Thread about having separate bank accounts on the Connected Yoga Teacher Group on Facebook
• Podcast episodes and Resources mentioned:
• What Expenses Can I Claim as a Yoga Teacher? - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 104: Legal Answers for Your Yoga Business with Saerin Ally Cho - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 254: 3 Must-Have Legal Agreements with Erika Kullberg - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 154: Bookkeeping for Yoga Teachers with Kelly Christian - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 044: Accounting for Yoga Teachers with Hannah Smolinski - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 280: Get Paid as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Simmons
• ‌308: Time to Rest and Refuel with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 309: Four Seasons of Business with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 310: How To Create a Yoga Routine with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 311: A Small Seed of Personal Practice with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 314: Plan Your Breaks with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 315: Let's Talk Time Off with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 316: Holidays, Vacation & CEO Days with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 318: Questions to Ask Before Any YTT with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• 319: Do I Need Another Yoga Training? with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher

• 320: What to Pack for a YTT with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher

• Book a Consultation Call with Shannon

• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

“I have seen the difference in my own business and [having a separate bank account] is one of the top things I suggest to yoga teachers, especially when they're working with money mindset stuff.”

“Ask yourself, are you building your business to possibly sell it someday?”

“I really like that idea of thinking about your business as its own entity and its own organism, if you will. Because when you separate it out, you're starting to say, “OK, this is important, this is different from my personal”.

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

328: Self-Connection for Yoga Teachers with Tess Jewell-Larsen

Description:

Stress, burnout, and overwhelm is a common occurrence among yoga teachers. It can be difficult to show up for yourself in the same way that you show up for your yoga students. Tess Jewell-Larsen shares how self-connection can be a helpful strategy to combat these feelings.

Tess Jewell-Larsen is a yoga therapist in training, a certified mindfulness coach, and an experienced yoga teacher. She has a deep understanding of the challenges and struggles that come with burnout, having personally experienced the negative effects of stress and anxiety herself. Through extensive study and personal experience, Tess has gathered a toolkit of techniques that help others dealing with stress, anxiety, and burnout.

In this episode, Tess shares her own personal journey with stress, overwhelm, and burnout and how yoga helped in her own healing. She offers tips and strategies for yoga teachers to deal with these feelings and highlights why self-connection is such an important part of the healing process. Tune in to find out more about Tess’s 10-minute method for stepping out of burnout and to find self-connection.

Key Takeaways:

[1:27] This week's guest, Tess, shares what Pelvic Health Professionals is all about.

[1:27] This episode is powered by OfferingTree.

[4:42] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Tess Jewell-Larsen.

[7:36] What is the work that Tess does and who does she do it for?

[9:28] What got Tess started on the journey of helping people with stress and burnout?

[12:34] How did Tess recognize that she needed to do something about the stress and burnout that she was experiencing? Was there resistance she felt in dealing with it?

[16:39] What are some small steps people can start taking to address their burnout?

[19:02] Tess shares her 10 minute method for stepping out of burnout.

[22:14] How can yoga teachers incorporate the 10 minute method into their yoga classes for their students?

[24:07] What advice does Tess have for yoga teachers who are showing up for themselves very differently than they are for their yoga students?

[27:59] What does Tess think about building in time off?

[30:27] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[32:11] What would Tess say to the yoga teacher who feels so stressed out and overwhelmed that they can't even begin to do anything apart from scroll social media or zone out in front of the TV?

[35:16] Even with daily habits that allow us to give back to ourselves, it can be a struggle sometimes. Tess and Shannon share some tips on what to do in those situations.

[41:55] Connect with Tess via her websites or on social media to learn more about overcoming stress and burnout.

[43:19] Tess shares more about her freebie - a mini-ebook!

[44:33] Shannon shares her takeaways from this call with Tess.

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 326: Teach Yoga with Confidence with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 327: Working with Teaching Anxiety [Consultation Call] with Lindsay McMurray
• Tess Jewell Larsen
• Tytoni Yoga
• Tess Jewell Larsen on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
• 10-Minute Method: Stepping Out of Burnout (Freebie)
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"It all starts with you, communicating with yourself. It all starts with your own relationship with yourself."

"It's all about creating that conversation, that loving relationship with myself, with yourself of like, ok, what do I need? How can I give that to myself?"

"It's ok to have a range of emotions. I think that it's ok to not be ok, but it's important to know that we can give back to ourselves."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

327: Working with Teaching Anxiety [Consultation Call] with Lindsay McMurray

Description:

Anxiety about teaching yoga and not feeling confident about getting up in front of a class of students is normal. Lindsay McMurray was struggling with teaching anxiety and posted in the Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group asking for advice. This consultation call with Shannon Crow is a result of that.

Lindsay McMurray is a certified yoga teacher who is also trained in the Yoga for 12 Step Recovery program. She is currently gooing through her 300-hr YTT with plans to become a yoga therapist. Lindsay has been practicing yoga since she was 12 years old and has supported her through many personal challenges, including eating disorders, and drug and alcohol addictions.

In this consultation call, Shannon and Lindsay discuss her fear and anxiety about teaching yoga. Shannon shares from her own personal experience and offers suggestions about strategies Lindsay could try out to address those feelings. If you have ever felt nervous to teach or if you are feeling scared to put something new out into the world, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:

[4:08] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode, Lindsay McMurray, who joins her for a consultation call.

[9:29] Lindsay posted a question in the Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group about getting confident in teaching yoga which prompted this call.

[11:54] How have things changed for Lindsay based on the comments on her post? What has she found useful?

[13:33] Shannon and Lindsay discuss her training programs and her experience in teaching during these programs.

[15:48] Lindsay shares how her past experiences, anxiety, and feelings of self-worth are tied into her ability to teach yoga.

[16:44] Shannon talks about the importance of how we support people with their mental health.

[18:25] Has there been a moment for Lindsay in her teaching career that she felt everything was working?

[20:26] Shannon invites Lindsay to reflect on what the benefits are for students walking out of her classes.

[25:03] Shannon asks Lindsay if it's possible for her to teach now and together they explore the options of what that could look like.

[28:01] There's nothing to be ashamed of with regards to feeling anxiety or feeling nervous to teach.

[28:54] Lindsay shares some insights about her anxiety around teaching yoga.

[31:19] Shannon pops in to share about an exciting free webinar by OfferingTree.

[34:11] Shannon shares something that has helped her with her teaching anxiety.

[34:46] Shannon shares about the anxiety she felt before starting the podcast and Lindsay talks about her fears about teaching at the treatment center.

[39:07] Lindsay shares her "big why" for doing this work.

[42:08] Shannon helps Lindsay put into action her plan to teach at a recovery center and reduce the amount of time she spends planning her classes.

[47:56] The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group community has been an amazing resource for Lindsay.

[53:07] Shannon shares some of her takeaways from this conversation with Lindsay.

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 326: Teach Yoga with Confidence with Shannon Crow
• Facebook Post about Teaching Anxiety
• Saugeen Chief Shares Optimism About Upcoming Tourism Season At Sauble Beach
• OfferingTree Webinars
• Common Mistakes on DIY Websites (and How to Avoid Them) - OfferingTree Webinar
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 284: Beyond Pronouns and Pride Month with Shannon Crow
• Previous Consultation Calls
• • 002: Reconnect With Your Yoga Practice with Nina Andic [Consultation Call]
  • 018: Get Creative with Your Yoga Cues [Consultation Call] with Brittany Alred
  • 029: Creating Your About Me Page with Trevor Parks [Consultation Call]
  • 040: Grow Your Audience with a 5-Day Challenge with Patricia Fasciotti [Consultation Call]
  • 059: Market Your Yoga Teacher Training with Ashley Hagen [Consultation Call]
  • 072: Email & Content Strategy [Consultation Call] with Kristen Boyle
  • 081: Set-Up to Teach Private Yoga [Consultation Call] with Stephanie Brunson
  • 097: Focusing In On Your Niche [Consultation Call] with Susan Hopkinson
  • 132: Marketing to Increase Private Bookings with Amanda Mays [Consultation Call]
  • 178: Tired of Social Media? [Consultation Call] with Devon Pelto
  • 198: Share Your Yoga Specialty with Megan Mulrine [Consultation Call]
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"The more I do it, the more comfortable I get." - Lindsay

"It sounds like you're putting a ton of pressure on yourself to deliver this perfect class." - Shannon

"You don't realize how much we don't tune into these sensations in our bodies in the way that we feel physically and yoga provides that." - Lindsay

"There's nothing to be ashamed of with regards to feeling that anxiety or feeling nervous to teach." - Shannon

"My best yoga class experiences are when I don't even notice the teacher, like I forget the teachers there." - Lindsay

"I think the power is going to be in sharing your story, in saying, here's how yoga helped me." - Shannon

"Keep doing just one tiny thing when things feel scary or things feel overwhelming." - Shannon

"It's a huge myth that you have to reinvent the wheel every time you teach a yoga class." - Shannon

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

326: Teach Yoga with Confidence with Shannon Crow

Description:

If you are a new (or not-so-new) yoga teacher who is feeling nervous or anxious about teaching yoga to a class full of students, you are not alone! This is a feeling many yoga teachers face and is one of the biggest challenges you have to overcome to teach yoga.

In this episode, Shannon Crow reflects on her experience with fear and self-doubt as a new yoga teacher and the steps she took to overcome her anxiety and build up her confidence around teaching yoga. She shares her list of 15 things that have helped her through moments of self-doubt.

Tune in to learn more about how you too can start teaching yoga confidently.

Key Takeaways:

[1:30] Shannon introduces the topic for this episode - teaching yoga with confidence.

[4:54] Shannon shares her own experience with fear and self doubt on her journey as a yoga teacher.

[8:39] Shannon shares a lesser-known feature of OfferingTree.

[12:02] Do not feel like you need another yoga teacher training before you can start teaching.

[13:09] Your own experience with yoga is a tremendous source of information and ideas!

[15:24] Teach more. You build confidence by doing. Shannon shares some tips to make this process easier.

[0:00] undefined

[17:31] Remind yourself of why you are teaching yoga.

[19:08] Be on time and be prepared.

[20:56] Consider how you use demos in your class.

[22:19] Start your students from a place where you can find a moment to breathe and center yourself.

[23:18] Do not be afraid of repeating a class over and over again!

[24:44] Making mistakes is a part of the process. Learn to embrace them.

[25:29] Be okay with silence and don't be a cookie-cutter teacher!

[26:40] Remember that your students want to be there with you.

[27:01] Ask for and be open to receiving feedback.

[29:47] See the value in the questions your students are asking - don't make yourself feel like a failure because of it.

[32:04] If this episode was helpful, be sure to leave a review!

Links:

• Facebook Post about Teaching Anxiety
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 214: Yoga Class Bloopers with Shannon and Sinead
• OfferingTree User Group on Facebook
• The Curious Case of the Overqualified and Under-Confident Yoga Teacher, by Barrie Riseman
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 283: Teach Yoga with Demos with Francesca Cervero
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko (Code: BALANCE)

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Start teaching right now and learn as you go."

"It's by being a student that we deepen our teaching. A student of our craft, of course, but perhaps more importantly, a student of ourselves." - Shannon quoting Barrie Riseman

"Please do not feel like you have to plan an entire new class each time you teach."

"We all make mistakes as humans and then they can learn from us and see how we deal with that."

"You can really show up with confidence when it's you."

"Share the yoga that you feel connected to."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

325: Stress of Teaching Yoga with Sarah Garden

Description:

There is a common misconception among non-yoga teachers that teaching yoga is stress-free. However, this is not true! Teaching yoga and running a yoga business can be extremely challenging and stressful and we need to be able to deal with it. Sarah Garden shares her experience from years working in the yoga industry.

Sarah Garden is the Director of Bodhi Tree Yoga Therapy and the full time Pain Educator and Yoga Therapist at The Chronic Pain Clinic in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Sarah has been actively working in the field of yoga therapy for over 20 years and taught classes across North America and on Yoga International.

In this conversation, Sarah highlights the difference between practicing yoga and teaching yoga, and why teaching is so much more stressful than most people imagine it. She shares some of the symptoms you may notice if you are deregulated and her tips on how to incorporate your personal practice back into your life as a yoga teacher. Tune in to learn how you can do your own check in and manage the stress of teaching yoga.

Key Takeaways:

[1:16] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sarah Garden.

[4:35] What does Sarah do?

[6:17] Sarah shares a little about her experience as possibly the first yoga therapist in Saskatchewan.

[8:48] Being a yoga teacher and running a yoga studio is tough. What keeps Sarah going?

[14:20] There's an assumption that teaching yoga will be just as relaxing and calming as practicing it, but that's not the case. Why is teaching yoga so different from practicing yoga?

[19:32] We need yoga in order to keep teaching yoga but it can be hard to fit in your own personal practice around your teaching schedule.

[20:44] Shannon pops in with a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[23:15] What is Sarah's advice to yoga teachers who have fallen away from their own practice and think they can't fit it in on top of all the other demands of being a yoga teacher?

[25:14] What are some symptoms of a deregulated nervous system?

[30:43] It may not be easy to tell when you are regulated or deregulated. Sarah shares some advice on how to discover that self-awareness.

[37:05] Sarah shares a quick check in that you can do to assess how regulated you are.

[42:45] People have the idea that a yoga practice has to be something big, but that's not necessarily true.

[44:38] Learn more and connect with Sarah via email and social media.

[45:55] Shannon shares her takeaways from this interview with Sarah.

Links:

• Sarah Garden, Bodhi Tree Yoga
• Email Sarah Garden - sarah@bodhitreeyoga.com
• Sarah Garden on Instagram and Facebook
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 304: How Are We Still here? with Rebecca Sebastian
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko (Code: BALANCE)

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"It's not just like the work that I do going in to teach the class, but it's all this preparation."

"The way the yoga industry runs is it's hard to make a living as a yoga teacher. You have to teach a lot."

"Full-time teaching isn't often financially sustainable, nor is it energetically sustainable. And so, what do we do to do that? I think we have to fall back on our own practice."

"Checking in with body tension patterns is a really nice way to notice if you're feeling deregulated, [and] checking in with your emotional regulations."

"Relaxation or finding greater ease in your body isn't a process of addition, it's always a process of subtraction. We're doing work that we don't need to be doing."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

324: Niches & Yoga Business Chat with Sunita Patil & Shannon Crow

Description:

It can feel challenging to find your place as a yoga teacher in the yoga industry. That’s where finding your niche can be helpful in standing out and serving your dream students. In this episode, Shannon Crow and Sunita Patil discuss niching down in your yoga business. This episode was recorded for the Meditation, Yoga & Stuff with Sunita Podcast.

Sunita has over 30 years of experience in the personal practice of yoga. Over the past 20 years, she has taught thousands of students in Australia, USA, and India. Sunita has studied Yoga and Meditation, Sanskrit, Ayurveda, and the Vedas and Upanishads with teachers from around the world. Today, she offers mentoring sessions, group sessions, talks, workshops to bring the wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda into day-to-day life.

Shannon and Sunita discuss why finding a niche is important for yoga teachers, their own individual journeys discovering their niches, and how you can figure out your own niche. Shannon also highlights some of the myths around niching down and shares some tips for overwhelmed yoga teachers.

Key Takeaways:

[1:27] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sunita Patel. This episode was recorded for Sunita's podcast, Meditation, Yoga & Stuff with Sunita.

[3:14] Sunita opens the podcast and Shannon introduces herself.

[4:47] Many yoga teachers struggle to find their footing in the yoga industry. Shannon shares her journey of how she discovered what worked for her and her suggestions that can help yoga teachers.

[9:29] How can yoga teachers find their niche?

[12:57] Sunita shares her struggles with finding her niche.

[16:42] Shannon highlights that there's a little bit of a myth about finding your niche. It's not just that you figure out your niche and that's it. There's more to it!

[18:26] Finding your niche can be a lot about experimentation and taking stock of what's working and what isn't.

[22:13] Sunita shares her perspective on why she hosts her podcast.

[25:11] Shannon explains how she got interested in the topic of pelvic health and explains a little about the pelvic floor.

[29:53] Sunita and Shannon discuss how there is a lot of taboo and shame associated with talking about the pelvic floor and how yoga can help.

[33:14] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor OfferingTree.

[35:02] How did the Connected Yoga Teacher come about and how has it evolved?

[39:21] Starting a yoga business can be a lot with many moving parts and things to consider. What are some of Shannon's tips for yoga teachers who may be feeling overwhelmed?

[43:56] Everything changes really fast, especially with marketing.

[46:29] Shannon shares her contact details and how to join the Facebook group.

[49:24] Shannon shares some final closing thoughts and information.

Links:

• Sunita Patil
• Meditation, Yoga & Stuff with Sunita Podcast
• Sunita Patil on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 323: Finding Support in Yoga Philosophy with Sunita Patil
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 084: Yoga for Scoliosis with Christine Jaureguiberry
• Reflect & Plan Framework - The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 250: Reflect & Plan [Part 1] with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• Hypopressive Technique - The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trista Zinn
• Mula Bandha - The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 009: Kegels, Mula Bandha and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko
• Teaching Online Resources
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 139: Grow Your Yoga Business via Email with Tarzan KayTarzan Kay
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko (Code: BALANCE)

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"What helps me … is focusing on: How can I help people? How can I share and how can I just invite people if it feels like a good fit?" - Shannon

"Niche work is not easy." - Shannon

"There's a myth that entrepreneurs and yoga teachers just like get to a point where they have it all figured out." - Shannon

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

323: Finding Support in Yoga Philosophy with Sunita Patil

Description:

Yoga philosophy is an important part of yoga. Yet, interpreting and applying those principles to our modern lives can be difficult. So how can we find support for our yoga practice in the sutras and yoga philosophy? Sunita Patil has some insights.

Sunita has over 30 years of experience in the personal practice of yoga. Over the past 20 years, she has taught thousands of students in Australia, USA, and India. Sunita has studied Yoga and Meditation, Sanskrit, Ayurveda, and the Vedas and Upanishads with teachers from around the world. Today, she offers mentoring sessions, group sessions, talks, workshops to bring the wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda into day-to-day life.

Sunita explains about how we can make yoga, yoga philosophy, and the teachings from the sutras simple and adaptable to our daily life, and what the true essence of yoga philosophy is. Shannon and Sunita also discuss self-care for yoga teachers, how to maintain peace and calm in our hectic lives, and so much more.

Key Takeaways:

[2:32] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sunita Patel.

[5:02] What does Sunita do and who does she do it for?

[7:36] How can yoga philosophy support yoga teachers?

[16:14] What are Sunita's thoughts on the different translations or interpretations of yoga philosophy out there?

[20:10] Sunita talks a little bit about the first principle of yoga.

[24:58] What are some of Sunita's takeaways from the character of Arjuna in the Gita?

[26:37] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[28:26] What are some of Sunita's ideas of how to incorporate yoga into our daily lives?

[34:39] What are some things that Sunita does to bring calm and ease to her life?

[43:12] Sunita shares some inspiration from yoga philosophy for yoga teachers who might be feeling that life is a lot right now.

[53:01] Get in touch with Sunita via her website and social media.

[54:19] Shannon shares her biggest takeaway from this conversation with Sunita.

Links:

• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko (Code: BALANCE)
• Sunita Patil
• Sunita Patil on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 297: Yoga Philosophy & Business with Rebecca Sebastian
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 269: Yoga Philosophy and Colonialism with Shyam Ranganathan
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 142: Living the Sutras with Kelly DiNardo
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 243: What Yoga Texts Should I Read? with Chase Bossart
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"With the yoga philosophy, it's basically coming back to stillness."

"My always intention is how can I make it simple to adapt to my life, this modern life?"

"This is the beauty of yoga like you can adapt it according to your need."

"As we grow in the practice, we will change the practice."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

322: The Creative Cycle with Wenlin Tan

Description:

Feeling stuck, procrastinating, and facing a day when you don’t want to do the work that is ahead of you as an entrepreneur are all normal parts of life and business. How can we understand these phases and move with them? Wenlin Tan shares insights about the creative cycle and how we can work with it instead of against it.

Wenlin Tan is a Qigong and Yoga Teacher Trainer, women’s health & well-being specialist, growth consultant and curious human. She specializes in supporting female yoga teachers, healers and changemakers to optimize their well-being and impact in the world by aligning with the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Eastern Philosophy, Qigong, yoga and psychology.

In this episode, Wenlin explains the creative cycle and how it ties into the common challenges many entrepreneurs face such as resistance and procrastination. She shares some tools that we can use to overcome these challenges and reminds us that our ideas are not ours and we are merely vessels bringing them to the world. This is a deeply insightful conversation that can bring perspective to how we show up in our work in the world.

Key Takeaways:

[2:43] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Wenlin Tan.

[5:30] What does Wenlin do and who does she do it for?

[6:18] Wenlin explains a little about what the creativity cycle is.

[9:10] What are some common challenges that understanding the creative cycle can help with?

[12:51] We can often get stuck in trying to focus on planting new seeds (ideas) rather than doing the work of moving one seed (idea) through an entire cycle. How do we know what are "good seeds" to focus on?

[16:29] The seeds do not belong to us - we are merely vessels for them. It's important not to take our "failures" personally.

[17:42] The creative cycle can be related to the menstrual cycle, and it applies even for people who don't menstruate.

[27:53] Shannon pops in with a word of thanks to sponsor OfferingTree.

[29:36] What are the elements associated with the creative cycle?

[36:35] What is the biggest struggle Wenlin sees among yoga teachers and other creatives?

[41:00] What are some tools that Wenlin finds useful when you are experiencing resistance?

[44:02] Wenlin shares some of the ways she finds the balance between tasks she is excited about and tasks she does not enjoy.

[46:47] Learn more about Wenlin and her work via her website and social media.

[49:50] Wenlin has a message for listeners.

[54:39] Shannon shares some of her biggest takeaways from this conversation.

[57:54] Hang out with Shannon in real time at the Balance Flow Yoga series with Shelly Prosko

Links:

• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko (Code: BALANCE)
• Wenlin Tan
• Wenlin Tan on Facebook and Instagram
• What is the Creative Cycle? By Wenlin Tan
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 309: Four Seasons of Business with Shannon Crow
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"The idea that things are linear is actually not true. The idea of growth and businesses, how we expand is actually cyclical."

"Before even thinking about what seed to get attached to or what seed is a really good seed is to remember that none of the seeds really belong to us."

"We can practice this cycle, but we cannot force creativity."

"Growth is not linear. Work is not linear. Life is not linear. And more importantly, your path, your cycle, your strengths, your challenges will be different from someone else's."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

321: Accessible Yoga & Pelvic Health with Jivana Heyman

Description:

Why is pelvic health important and how can we make it more accessible in our yoga classes? In this episode, which first aired on the Accessible Yoga Podcast hosted by Jivana Heyman, Shannon Crow appears as the special guest to talk about pelvic health and making it accessible.

Jivana Heyman is the founder and director of the Accessible Yoga Association, an international non-profit organization devoted to making yoga teachings more accessible. He is also the author of Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion and Accessible Yoga: Poses & Practices for Every Body.

Jivana and Shannon kick off this episode by discussing their shared love for supporting and connecting yoga teachers to each other and to information and their messy process of learning. Shannon then shares more about why she started Pelvic Health Professionals, the role of gendered language in discussing pelvic health, and how it plays a part in yoga. They also discuss trauma, fear–based language vs clear contraindications, what it really means to engage the pelvic floor, the core, and the difference between weak and relaxed pelvic floor. Tune in to learn more about how to share about this important topic with your students in a way that is accessible to all!

Key Takeaways:

[1:39] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jivana Heyman. This podcast episode was originally recorded for the Accessible Yoga podcast.

[4:18] Jivana introduces Shannon and she tells listeners a little more about herself.

[8:26] Being open to new information and learning is so important, and it can be a messy process.

[10:36] Shannon invites experts in pelvic health to share information with other professionals. Is she intimidated by the expertise others bring to the table in her membership community?

[13:09] Pelvic health is often seen as a gendered topic that applies more to cis-gender women or people who are giving birth.

[14:49] How does Shannon help the people she works with connect with their pelvic floor without gendered language?

[16:37] Jivana voices his frustration that there are a lot of gender assumptions in yoga spaces as well.

[20:14] If you are keen to learn more about gendered language, Shannon has a coupon code for you.

[21:08] What could it look like if yoga teachers started exploring how to remove gendered language from their classes?

[23:20] Jivana and Shannon discuss how anatomical terms should be used in trauma-informed teaching.

[26:13] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[28:10] What are some specific things yoga teachers could be saying to help yoga students understand more about pelvic health within the context of a yoga class?

[31:27] Jivana highlights contraindications in yoga and the pushback against that in the yoga community. Shannon offers some tips on how to avoid fear-based language.

[38:36] Shannon shares how she provides yoga cues without using fear-based language.

[41:41] It's common for yoga teachers to cue engagement of the pelvic floor or core. Shannon explains why this may not be a useful cue and how to cue this engagement instead.

[47:05] What is the connection between the breath and the pelvic floor?

[51:30] Being aware and staying within your scope of practice as a yoga teacher is very important.

[53:38] Shannon shares some final thoughts around being subtle in your practice and questioning everything we come across.

[60:00] Have more questions about pelvic health? Send Shannon an email or a voice note, or join Pelvic Health Professionals to learn from experts!

Links:

• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko (Code: BALANCE)
• Jivana Heyman
• Accessible Yoga
• Accessible Yoga Podcast
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 138: Accessible Yoga Beyond Asana with Jivana Heyman
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 273: Yoga is a Revolution with Jivana Heyman
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 251: Self-Reflect and Plan [Part 2] with Shannon Crow and Jivana Heyman
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 284: Beyond Pronouns and Pride Month with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 033: A New Perspective on Diastasis Recti with Dr. Sinead Dufour
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 267: Thoughts on Belly Breathing with Shannon Crow
• Accessible Yoga Community on Facebook
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Every single human is walking around with a pelvis, with a pelvic floor." - Shannon

"I think it's really important that we start to talk about pelvic health and take out the gendered language." - Shannon

"We all need to be more conscious with our words, especially if you're in the position of teacher or any kind of authority." - Jivana

"We forget sometimes that if you're calling yourself a teacher, then your job is to educate." - Jivana

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How resilient is your heart right now and do you feel like you’re in a space to cultivate more joy? My all-star special guest today is Dr. Eva Selhub and she’s simplifying how to cultivate joy through resilience. No matter what hard season you’re going through right now, she shares the secrets to shift your mindset now, so you can get back to center and back to finding your joy faster.

Here’s how.

My all-star special guest today is Dr. Eva Selhub and she’s simplifying how to cultivate joy through resilience.

We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:

• How she defines the concept of ‘resilience,’ especially for entrepreneurs and small business owners
• Like a high performance athlete who trains their muscles, how to build your resilience through mindset work
• What the 6 pillars of resiliency are and a deep dive into how to practice ‘emotional equilibrium’
• How to avoid the ‘victim’s mindset’ when things seem to be spiraling out of control
• …and ultimately, we talked about stress. It’s inevitable, right? So, how to use stress to our advantage in business and in our lives the next time it happens.

Q: Are you ready to cultivate more joy in your life? If yes, this one is for you.

It’s time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all links mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/eva-selhub-cultivate-joy-through-resilience-all-star

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

320: What to Pack for a YTT with Shannon Crow

Description:

Once you are signed up for a yoga teacher training (YTT) program, what should you pack to bring with you? This is a common question among yoga teachers. Shannon Crow did a survey in the Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group to find out what people recommend!

Tune in to this episode to find out what are some must-haves, some nice-to-haves and to get Shannon’s full list of what she packs for a YTT! This is the perfect episode to listen to if you are wondering what you need to bring for your next YTT.

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] Shannon Crow introduces the topic for this episode - what to take with you to a yoga teacher training.

[4:25] First few items on Shannon's list are a yoga mat and props.

[5:19] Some yoga teachers bring a yoga mat cleaner but Shannon advises against it. She explains why.

[7:10] Shawls, scarves, and layers of clothing are all useful items to add to your packing list for a YTT.

[8:37] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[11:22] Shannon always packs writing instruments to attend a yoga teacher training.

[13:10] Shannon shares some other personal items you may want to include in your packing list like deodorant, snacks, water bottles, and tissues.

[15:52] Cell phones can be a useful tool to capture parts of your learning experience at the YTT, and a large tote bag to hold all your belongings is handy too!

[17:11] Don't forget to bring an open mind and your critical thinking skills!

[18:20] You might want to bring along a towel and your yoga business cards as well!

[19:46] What are some of your essentials to bring to a yoga teacher training? Share them in the comments!

What to Bring to a YTT:

• Yoga Mat
• Blocks
• Yoga Belt
• Blanket
• Bolster
• Eye Pillow
• Meditation Cushion
• Yoga Mat Cleaner (without essential oils if possible)
• Shawl or Scarf
• Layers of (or extra) Clothing
• Notebook, Journal and/or Clipboard
• Coloured Pencils, Markers, Pens or Crayons
• Deodorant
• Snacks, Food & Drinks
• Water Bottle
• Kleenex
• Phone & Charger
• Large Tote Bag
• An Open Mind AND Critical Thinking Skills
• Hand Towel and/or Mat Towel
• Business Cards

Links:

• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko (Code: BALANCE)
• Yoga Teacher Training Question Facebook Thread in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Article - Doodling: Listening with a Pencil
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 318: Questions to Ask Before Any YTT with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 319: Do I Need Another Yoga Training? with Shannon Crow
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

“Don't forget to bring an open mind.”

“Be ok with questioning and asking for information that supports something that is said in class.”

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

319: Do I Need Another Yoga Training? with Shannon Crow

Description:

It is a common trend among yoga teachers to take one yoga teacher training (YTT) program after another. But is it really necessary and when should you consider taking another YTT? Shannon Crow explores some of the main reasons yoga teachers sign up for YTTs.

There are several reasons why yoga teachers take YTTs. Continuing education is important, but for many yoga teachers, it is often a case of wanting to get more students, make more income, be offered more teaching opportunities, and deepen their expertise in a speciality. Shannon dives into why a YTT may not be the right course of action in some cases, and when it does add value. She also touches on the pyramid scheme of YTTs and some things to watch out for before signing up.

This is the perfect episode to listen to if you are considering signing up for another YTT - give this a listen and ask yourself if you really need another yoga training or if there’s something else that would help you achieve the results you are looking for instead.

Key Takeaways:

[2:25] It's common for yoga teachers to take many yoga trainings, but this may not be necessary!

[4:44] Do you really need another yoga teacher training right now? Shannon shares a question she asked in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group.

[6:15] Shannon explores the first reason people have for signing up for another YTT - to get more students in their classes or increase their income - and what you could do instead.

[8:22] Another reason yoga teachers cite for taking another YTT is they want to be recognized as more of an expert or they want more teaching opportunities.

[10:00] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[12:36] Yoga teachers often take a YTT to upgrade their skills or education to teach specific styles of yoga or a specific population.

[13:27] There are also yoga teachers who sign up for YTTs for the community it offers.

[13:51] What if you waited to make some profit and then use that profit to invest in your next yoga teacher training or continuing education course?

[14:52] Shannon addresses something she has observed in the yoga industry - pressuring yoga teachers to "invest" in continuing education, mentorship, or coaching.

[17:26] You can wait to make a profit in your yoga business first before signing up for the next course or training.

Links:

• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko (Code: BALANCE)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 318: Questions to Ask Before Any YTT with Shannon Crow
• Yoga Teacher Training Question Facebook Thread in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 295: Make Money Teaching Yoga with Betty Welsh
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 187: How to Choose a Yoga Teacher Training with Cecily Milne
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 280: Get Paid as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Simmons
• Email Shannon Crow
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Are your students who are signing up going to know that you took this other teacher training?"

"You could take all the training in the world. But if you're not telling people about that niche, that is not going to move the needle for you in terms of being recognized as an expert or getting more teaching opportunities."

"What would it feel like if you waited to make some profit and then use that profit to invest in your next yoga teacher training or continuing education course?"

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

318: Questions to Ask Before Any YTT with Shannon Crow

Description:

Continuing education is an important part of your professional development as a yoga teacher but with a multitude of yoga teacher training (YTT) programs available, it is important to pick the right one. Shannon Crow shares some of the questions she asks before signing up for a YTT.

Shannon has had the experience of going from one YTT to the next and this is something that you may experience if you are a newer yoga teacher. While it is important to build the necessary skills to teach, we need to also be aware of where we are investing our time, energy, and money.

Shannon recommends asking questions about the YTT before signing up. Some things to consider include the accessibility and inclusion of the program, the yoga school’s stance on cultural appropriation, and their values. She also invites you to ask questions about the lead trainers’ experience, their position on medicine and science, religion and spirituality and anything else that may be important for you. The important thing is to ensure that the yoga teacher training you choose is aligned with your values.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] Continuing education is an important part of your professional development as a yoga teacher but there are some hard truths we should be aware of before signing up for the next yoga teacher training.

[2:31] Shannon shares her personal experience with yoga teacher trainings and continuing education.

[7:14] Shannon shares some questions she would ask if she were signing up for a yoga teacher training today.

[10:13] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[12:30] Shannon talks about how she ended up in a yoga teacher training where the lead teacher talked about aliens instead of yoga sutras!

[13:33] Some other questions Shannon would ask include their yoga philosophy for the trainings and scope of practice.

[14:28] Shannon highlights some other questions you might be interested in asking a yoga school or yoga teacher training program before you sign up.

[16:29] It can also be helpful to ask to speak with past graduates and lead trainers of a yoga teacher training to see if it is a good fit for you.

[19:21] It's important to ensure that the yoga teacher training you choose is aligned with your values.

Questions to Ask Before Any Yoga Teacher Training

• Do you teach how to make yoga accessible?
• What are your thoughts on cultural appropriation?
• Do you have a diverse group of teachers?
• How are you paying your teachers and assistants?
• What do you do to protect students from abuse of power?
• Can I look over your ethics, values, and philosophy statements?
• What are your thoughts on social justice?
• Do you and your teachers share their pronouns?
• Is your business model built on training more and more yoga teachers?
• What is your diversity, equity and inclusion policy?
• Does your yoga school encourage referrals to medical professionals or do you think science isn’t real?
• Are you going to talk about your belief in aliens instead of the yoga sutras during lecture?
• What yoga texts do you refer to for yoga philosophy?
• May I see the bibliography section of your manual?
• What do you teach about scope of practice?
• How do you ensure that all trainers and teachers are not talking about food and nutrition?
• What is your policy on scholarships, payment plans and refunds?
• What are your thoughts on religion and spirituality with regards to yoga?
• What is the schedule like in this YTT? Will I be reaching the point of exhaustion?
• Do you believe in “breaking people down” emotionally or physically in a YTT?
• Has your yoga lineage had any reported (or unreported) abuse?
• Do you have training with regards to trauma and is this incorporated into your YTT?
• How can I talk with past graduates and lead trainers of your YTT?
• How many YTTs have you led and how long have you been teaching yoga?
• What does your YTT offer with regards to business education?
• Where can I view the syllabus for the training?
• How many contact hours are in the training?
• How much practice teach time is in the training?

Links:

• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 312: We Stand with Survivors with Rebecca Sebastian & Colin Hall
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Looking back now, I feel like it was part of a weird culty pyramid scheme."

"If I was going to sign up for a yoga teacher training today, I would be asking a lot of questions."

"Make sure you're in a training where you can ask questions and question what is being taught in that moment."

"Make sure really that the yoga teacher training that you choose is in alignment with your values."

"Do not be afraid to ask a lot of questions before you sign up and you invest your time and your money. And also don't be afraid to speak up while you're there."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

317: Balance Flow Yoga with Shelly Prosko

Description:

As we age, our balance reaction changes, our strength decreases, and our general mobility is reduced. This can put us at greater risk of falls. Movement is a great tool to help prevent falls, improve balance, and also reduce the risk of injuries. In this episode, Shelly Prosko shares more about her new offer - Balance Flow Yoga - designed to address these common concerns.

Why is balance so important for yoga teachers, yoga students, and people who are interested in pelvic health? Shelly explains how she came to offer Balance Flow Yoga and why it is such a relevant topic for everyone. This offer is created in such a way that yoga teachers would be able to experience it and then go on to share it in their community - why was this such an essential part of how this program is structured and what’s covered in the program? Shelly answers these questions and more.

Tune in to learn more about Balance Flow Yoga and how you can join the upcoming training sessions with Shelly Prosko!

Key Takeaways:

[1:13] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[2:29] Shannon welcomes returning guest Shelly Prosko to the podcast.

[2:29] What is the work that Shelly does?

[4:26] How did the idea for Balance Flow Yoga come about?

[7:36] How has Shelly been sharing Balance Flow Yoga out in her community?

[9:16] Why did Shelly think that it was important for yoga teachers to be able to share this in their community?

[16:39] Shannon pops in with a quick message about OfferingTree.

[18:15] Shelly talks about some of the things they cover in terms of the balance aspect in her course.

[19:13] Balance Flow Yoga also has a connection to the pelvic floor.

[22:14] Shannon shares the details of the upcoming Balance Flow Yoga course.

[23:01] Who should attend and what should you bring when you sign up?

[25:11] Get the early bird pricing if you sign up by the end of March!

[25:56] Sign up for Balance Flow Yoga with Shelly Prosko on the Pelvic Health Professionals website.

Links:

• Shelly Prosko
• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

“"We have evidence that shows movement is really good to help prevent falls, to help improve our balance and also reduce the risk of injuries."

"It's wonderful to be able to translate the research... and then to actually offer that in the community for everybody."

"Our world just kind of gets smaller and smaller and we do less and less because we're afraid to fall. And then that causes it, it perpetuates the cycle."

"We can look at different meditative practices and different breathing practices that can not only help us with our movement but also with the emotions of confidence and self compassion."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

316: Holidays, Vacation & CEO Days with Shannon Crow

Description:

Do you plan out your vacation days, holidays, and CEO days? Do you schedule them into your calendar to ensure you have no-work days to look forward to? If you don’t already do this, this episode is for you!

It can feel uncomfortable to take time off work, or even impossible but we need to find a balance. Shannon shares how she has managed to take time off for holidays and vacations even as a single mother of three young children and encourages you to reflect on the time you would like to take off in your yoga business. She also talks about the importance of taking CEO days in your business to plan and move forward. Listen in for tips on how to plan for vacations and holidays in your business, especially if you feel like you don't have time to take time off from work!

Key Takeaways:

[1:25] Shannon continues the theme of the last few podcast episodes in talking about taking breaks, time off, and vacations.

[4:01] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[6:56] To help plan out her vacations and time off from work, Shannon recommends looking at a big annual calendar to see the year at a glance.

[8:29] Ask yourself: How many days off a year do you want to take for a vacation, staycation, or just to not work?

[10:25] Shannon invites you to reflect on a number for the amount of time you would like to take off working and to notice what comes up for you.

[11:53] You can plan for time off and give yourself the flexibility to change things if needed.

[12:54] Add your vacation time to your calendar. Then mark off the holidays that you want to take off work too. Include state and country holidays, but also think about if there are special days (birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations) you want to be off work too!

[13:33] Shannon uses OfferingTree to help her to plan her vacations, holidays, and time off.

[15:00] CEO days are planning times for you to look at data from your business and your goals and make big plans.

[18:27] Shannon shares some other resources that may be helpful to you as you plan out your vacations, time off, and CEO planning days.

[19:56] Hang out with Shannon in real-time!

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 314: Plan Your Breaks with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 315: Let's Talk Time Off with Shannon Crow
• Steph Crowder (Year on the Wall)
• Google Calendar
• People in These Countries Get The Most Paid Vacation Days | World Economic Forum
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 166: When & How to Hire a VA (virtual assistant) with Sandra Booker
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 308: Time to Rest and Refuel with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 309: Four Seasons of Business with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 310: How To Create a Yoga Routine with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 311: A Small Seed of Personal Practice with Shannon Crow
• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"How many days off a year do you want to take for vacation or a staycation?"

"The important thing is that you are adding some vacation time to your calendar."

"CEO planning time is where you get to look at the data from your business and your big goals and dreams and ideas and you get to plan big."

"I want to see you really sustain yourself and be in this and enjoying your life outside of work."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

315: Let's Talk Time Off with Shannon Crow

Description:

Apart from taking breaks in your work day, it is also important to take time off from work. Whether that’s vacations, time away from teaching yoga, or time off for personal development or your mental health and wellbeing, this is a critical element of not getting burnt out. Shannon Crow shares insights from our very own Connected Yoga Teachers.

Shannon reads comments from different yoga teachers in the Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group about how and when they take time off. Everyone’s situation is unique and what works for one person may not for others. Tune in to hear how different yoga business owners are working time off into their schedule and use this episode as an inspiration for you to take more time off work too!

Key Takeaways:

[1:02] This week's episode will focus on taking time off, especially when you're feeling overworked and stretched to your limit.

[1:48] Have you heard about the 4-day work week? Shannon shares some findings from the largest trial of the 4-day work week.

[3:25] Shannon plans her time off and then fits her work time in.

[5:33] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[7:07] Shannon recently asked yoga teachers in the Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group about their thoughts on taking time off.

[8:35] Shannon reads a reply from Erin Olsson.

[10:59] Shannon shares some comments from Jennifer Parker about how taking time off has evolved for her, and Rebecca Sebastian's comment about how Jennifer inspired her.

[14:42] Shannon reads a comment from Nathan Shiva retiring early to follow his passion - yoga.

[15:51] Before reading a few more shares from yoga teachers, Shannon answers a question she often gets about how to create an online studio membership. OfferingTree is a great option to check out!

[17:07] Charisma Whitefeather commented on the post that she takes about 50 days off a year!

[17:42] If you feel like it's impossible for you to take that many days off, Shannon invites you to explore how you can start taking action to make that a reality.

[18:58] Some yoga teachers shared their less-than-ideal situation with taking time off.

[21:59] Another yoga teacher, Sarah Garden, commented that most yoga teachers who live off their yoga income alone work too much.

[24:10] Shannon reads another comment shared by Barbara Germershausen.

[26:24] Everyone has a unique situation - not everyone's 24 hours looks the same.

[28:11] Shannon gives us a sneak peek into the upcoming episodes and some exciting real-time events!

Links:

• How a 4-Day Workweek Could Boost Your Mental Health - Healthline
• Working a four-day week boosts employee wellbeing while preserving productivity, major six-month trial finds - Science Daily
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 314: Plan Your Breaks with Shannon Crow
• Post about taking time off in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group
• Erin Olsson, Elements Yoga
• Jennifer Parker
• Rebecca Sebastian
• Nathan Shiva
• Kundalini Yoga with Charisma Whitefeather
• Kat Heagberg Rebar
• Sarah Garden
• Barbara Germershausen
• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

“Time off has a really positive impact for employees for sure, but also for companies.”

"What I actually do is plan my time off and then fit my work time in."

"Let's start small and slow if that feels like a good fit for you."

"What would be the baby step to make [your dream time off] possible?"

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I’m willing to bet you’ve either heard someone mention “The 5 Love Languages” recently, or you’ve read the book, or you’ve given the book as a wedding gift to a beloved friend. This book has taken the world by storm, remaining on the New York Times bestseller list consistently since 2009!

My guest, Dr Gary Chapman, shares his brilliant framework for understanding how people give and receive love and appreciation. Dr Gary Chapman is the author of The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts® and many other books.

In this episode, you will learn: * More about the 5 Love Languages: * + Words of Affirmation + Quality Time + Receiving Gifts + Acts of Service + Physical Touch * How you can tell which your primary love language is * Why it’s important to ‘keep our love tank full’ * What couples can do when they are drifting apart * What some couples believe about marriage and relationships that simply isn’t true * How you can share the love languages with a partner who has a different belief system * How you can apply these principles at work and in your family

Dr. Chapman is an absolute delight. He’s funny, down-to-earth and shares so much wisdom in this all-star episode recorded back in 2018. I hope it brings a smile to your face, and offers you a compass to help navigate tricky relationships this season.

I can only hope that I’ll be this bright, warm and full of sparkle at age 81 like he is.

DoTheThing Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/gary-chapman-how-to-simplify-the-5-love-languages-all-star

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

314: Plan Your Breaks with Shannon Crow

Description:

Taking breaks as an entrepreneur and yoga business owner is important, yet difficult to do. It can be easy to dive into your work and forget about taking time off until you hit burnout or start to resent your schedule and even the work you do! Planning your breaks into your schedule can be helpful.

Shannon Crow shares a series of journaling prompts that you can use to reflect on what your ideal week would look like, as well as to include breaks into your work schedule. Using these journal prompts, take some time to write your responses and see what comes up for you. Then, start getting creative on how you can implement this into your life.

This episode is perfect for anyone who is serious about taking breaks from work and is keen to take action to create their ideal schedule!

Key Takeaways:

[0:56] Taking breaks as an entrepreneur and yoga business owner is important, yet difficult!

[2:32] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTreel and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[3:56] Sometimes, we are in a season where we don't get time off.

[6:25] This podcast is an actionable podcast, so go get your paper and pen or somewhere to write!

[8:33] Shannon has some journaling prompts for you if you are serious about taking time off.

[15:59] Take your time with these questions and make your responses as detailed as possible.

[16:26] How can you set up reminders for yourself about the important things as you set up your work schedule?

[16:56] Shannon shares a tip that has worked very well for her to manage her schedule.

[18:17] Join the conversation about taking time off in the Connected Yoga Teachers Facebook group and share your ideal week with Shannon!

[19:05] If you want to connect with Shannon in real time, there are some fun ways to do that!

Journal Prompts

1. On an ideal work day, I feel…
2. I can easily get my meaningful work done between the hours of _____ to _____.
3. An ideal start to my day feels…
4. Before I start work for the day, I want to…
5. The next one is my lunch break is _____ hours.
6. Between work, I take _____ minute breaks where I…
7. At the end of my workday, I feel…
8. To close my workday, I do these three things.
9. Before I move into "after work" time, I…
10. In my average work week, I have _____ days off.
11. Is there anything else that you want to feel or outline to have your ideal work week?

Links:

• Balance Flow Yoga: 7-Week Online Series with Shelly Prosko
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

“It can be so easy to focus on the work and forget about time off until you hit burnout."

"We want to build a schedule that is not only sustainable but is also your dream schedule because that's why you became an entrepreneur."

"Notice with compassion what feelings start to come up as you outline your work hours."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

313: 6 Years of Podcasting with Shannon Crow

Description:

Shannon is celebrating six years of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast! Thank you, dear listener, for your continued support of the podcast through the years. Shannon reflects on her journey in the past six years of podcasting and shares her gratitude for the team, sponsors, and people around her who have helped keep the podcast going.

Keeping a podcast going for six years is no small feat. Shannon also shares some of the tools she uses to keep organized and how she has managed to never run out of content ideas! Tune in to hear some of Shannon’s lessons learned from podcasting.

Key Takeaways:

[0:57] Shannon is celebrating six years of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast!

[2:18] Shannon thanks you, the listener, for your continued support of the podcast.

[3:55] Shannon gives a shout out to the team that helps create the podcast each and every week.

[7:02] Special thanks to the sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[8:37] How does it feel to be podcasting for six years?

[9:31] Shannon has a spreadsheet where she keeps track of every single podcast episode. It shows every single topic that was covered and the guests who have come on the podcast. Shannon reflects on this.

[11:08] One thing that keeps Shannon going on the tough days is thinking about how she helps yoga teachers. She keeps the podcast organized with Trello.

[13:05] For Shannon, a huge part of being able to come up with content for the podcast has been focusing on her niche.

[14:58] How can you apply to be a guest on the podcast?

[16:47] Shannon has a quick message for you about OfferingTree.

[19:03] Shannon is grateful to be in a place where it feels like the work she does is the right fit.

[20:24] Shannon shares her gratitude for other people who have helped her keep the podcast going by supporting her.

[22:28] Shannon has learned some big lessons from her podcasting journey.

[23:32] Shannon summarizes her six-year podcasting journey.

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Trello
• Apply to be a podcast guest
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"If you are looking at a big project, don't look at all the what ifs and where that might lead. Don't let that hold you back or scare you."

"Podcasting is not about having all the answers, it is about listening."

" I am incredibly grateful and a lot of that gratitude is to you because you are here listening and supporting the podcast and you're the reason for the podcast."

"If you have an idea, what is one small baby step that you could do towards that idea today?”

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

312: We Stand with Survivors with Rebecca Sebastian & Colin Hall

Description:

We must not be afraid to speak up when we see harm taking place in the yoga world - that is part of yoga. Recently, there was recent news that Bikram Choudhury was scheduled to teach in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. If you are unaware of this, there are some resources you can use to learn more about why this is problematic and why it is upsetting many people in the yoga world.

In this episode, Shannon Crow is joined by Rebecca Sebastian and Colin Hall to discuss this recent event. They share what actions they and others in the yoga community took to put pressure on the organizers and hotel to stop the event from happening and what additional actions we can take to bring Bikram to justice.

Bikram will no longer present at the event as he was originally scheduled to but there is still more to be done to hold him accountable for his actions and the abuse he inflicted on women in his yoga classes and trainings. Tune in to find out more about what you can do and how we can collectively disrupt the sexual assault and harm that occurs in yoga spaces.

Key Takeaways:

[0:00] Shannon reads a note to the survivors.

[3:39] This podcast interview was recorded live with Rebecca Sebastian and Colin Hall to discuss the recent news of Bikram Choudhury teaching in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

[5:14] Shannon shares some resources where you can read more about the current situation.

[7:10] Shannon gives thanks to the sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[8:43] There has been a recent wave of effort to keep Bikram out of Canada, and it has worked but there are many more questions arising from this situation.

[13:36] Colin Hall, Rebecca Sebastian, and Shannon Crow introduce themselves.

[16:09] Rebecca and Colin share some resources where you can get the backstory of what happened with Bikram.

[18:59] Colin started investigating who was behind bringing Bikram to Canada.

[22:27] Rebecca shares some of her tips on how to make movement happen, especially when dealing with non-profits.

[24:31] Shannon shares that there are survivors of abuse from Bikram who are being threatened by organizers of this event.

[27:11] Is this water under the bridge? Is this something that happened and we should all move on? Colin explains why not.

[29:20] Josh Cooper joins the call to share his experience in speaking directly with the GM of the hotel where the event was set to take place.

[32:04] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[33:11 - 33:12] Rebecca has some action steps that you can take if you are in the US.

[35:10] Colin explains some of the actions that he and other Canadian yoga teachers took to stop Bikram from teaching yoga in Canada and what actions you can take now.

[39:45] How can we decrease sexual assault and harm caused by the power imbalance in yoga?

[43:19] Shannon and Rebecca share their thoughts on why people might still be signing up for Bikram's trainings and what we can do about it.

[49:18] Not everyone, even in the yoga world, is aware of Bikram and what he did.

[52:05] How do we separate the yoga that we do from the people and the harm they caused?

[57:42] When people get together and organize, you can get results.

[60:16] Rebecca shares some resources for people who have experienced sexual assault.

[61:03] Shannon shares some takeaways and upcoming events you can join.

Links:

• Hotline for Women Against Violence Against Women in Canada - (877) 392 7583
• National Sexual Assault Hotline (USA) - 800 656 4673
• Rainn.org
• Rebecca Sebastian on Instagram
• Colin Hall on Instagram
• Josh Cooper on Instagram
• Online Protestors Express Outrage in Response to Bikram Choudhury’s Scheduled Classes in Canada, Article by Sarah Herrington and Renee Marie Schettler for Yoga Journal
• Controversial Bikram yoga founder's planned Vancouver workshops raising flags, Article by Sarah Grochowski for Vancouver Sun
• Organizers say controversial Bikram Yoga event will be "rescheduled", Article by Megan Devlin for Daily Hive
• Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani Podcast Episode: ‎Bikram Yoga and the Abuse of Power w/ Mandeep Kaur Sandhu
• Hell-Bent: Obsession, Pain, and the Search for Something Like Transcendence in Competitive Yoga Benjamin Lorr
• Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator, Netflix Documentary
• LA County Courthouse
• Department of Justice Reports
• Change.org petition
• Vancouver Board of Tourism
• Vancouver CBC
• OfferingTree User Group on Facebook
• Canada Yoga Sports Federation
• Alison Henry of Bikram Yoga Gardom Lake
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"How do we stop the abuse of power that is so prevalent in the yoga world?" - Shannon

"The truth is that we will get more impact by following the money." - Rebecca

"So many people are coming into our practices with that vulnerability piece." - Rebecca

"When people get together and organize, you get results." - Colin Hall

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

311: A Small Seed of Personal Practice with Shannon Crow

Description:

Your personal yoga practice doesn’t have to be long and complicated. It can be short and simple. You can start with a small seed and grow your personal practice from there. The important part is taking the time daily to do something that feels helpful and nurturing to you.

In this episode, Shannon Crow invites you to take a few minutes to do this short personal practice with her. If you have been wanting to start a short personal yoga routine but feel overwhelmed or like you don’t have time, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

[2:19] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode - planting the first seeds of a personal practice.

[5:56] Shannon thanks the sponsors of the podcast, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[9:03] Are you doing something daily that feels helpful and nurturing just for you?

[10:22] Shannon invites you to find a comfortable spot to start your personal practice right now.

[11:24] Check in with yourself to see what you need in this moment.

[12:05] Shannon shares the poem The Cleverness of Seeds, by Pat Brisson.

[14:11] Shannon reads an email she received from the author of the poem, Pat Brisson.

[15:50] This is an example of a very short personal practice.

[16:45] Shannon has some resources that might be helpful as you explore building your own personal practice.

[17:44] Do you have a short personal practice? Share it with Shannon!

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 308: Time to Rest and Refuel with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 309: Four Seasons of Business with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 310: How To Create a Yoga Routine with Shannon Crow
• The Cleverness of Seeds, by Pat Brisson
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 002: Reconnect With Your Yoga Practice with Nina Andic [Consultation Call]
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 030: Rituals to Start and End Your Day with Puja Madan
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 096: How to Create a Yoga Practice Habit with Matt Kowald
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 114: Compassion Fatigue with Diane Liska
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 123: Habits for Health & Business with James Clear
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 164: Deepen Your Yoga Practice with Barrie Risman
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 200: Practice, Parenting & Perfectionism with Judith Hanson Lasater & Lizzie Lasater
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 274: Self-Care for Caregivers with Jo Bregnard -
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Are you doing something daily that feels helpful and nurturing just for you?"

"Check in and see: What do I need in this moment?"

“Sometimes we're starting with something that's way too complicated when we're trying to add in a personal practice. So I hope this illustrates how short it can be, how simple it can be.”

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

310: How To Create a Yoga Routine with Shannon Crow

Description:

Many yoga teachers started teaching yoga because they experienced the benefits of it for themselves and wanted to share it with others. However, once they start teaching and dive into running a yoga business, it can feel challenging to maintain a consistent personal yoga practice.

In this episode, Shannon Crow explores the reasons yoga teachers often give for not creating a self-care practice that feels nurturing to them, and what the benefits are of cultivating that personal practice. She shares her tips and strategies that have helped her form habits around her personal yoga routine and explains why falling away from our practice is normal - and how to get back to it. If you have been wanting to start a yoga routine for yourself, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

[1:41] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode - how to create and maintain a personal yoga practice.

[3:17] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[4:40] What is holding you back from creating a self-care practice that is nurturing for you?

[6:22] You are not alone if you have fallen away from your personal yoga practice.

[9:15] Why is having a personal practice so important?

[10:34] Shannon invites you to consider the intention of your personal practice as well as what your dream personal practice looks like.

[12:03] If creating a personal practice feels impossible to you right now, Shannon encourages you to dig into why that is.

[12:33] You don't need to choose movement as a part of your personal practice if it doesn't feel good to you.

[14:28] You can try out your chosen practice for a set amount of time to see how it feels to you.

[16:29] Shannon pops in to share how she is personally using OfferingTree to book podcast guests.

[18:18] Why is creating a routine around our personal practice so important?

[20:01] Shannon shares some tips and strategies to make it easier to start and maintain a habit.

[23:34] How can we get back to our personal practice when life throws us off track?

[27:06] How do you build a personal practice and stick to it? What are your tips and ideas? Share them!

[27:56] Shannon shares ways that you can connect with her in real time.

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 308: Time to Rest and Refuel with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 309: Four Seasons of Business with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 096: How to Create a Yoga Practice Habit with Matt Kowald
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 123: Habits for Health & Business with James Clear
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 253: Reflect and Plan [Part 4] with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 053: Yoga Mentors and Lineage with Chase Bossart
• Email Shannon Crow
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"What is holding you back from creating a self care practice that is nurturing for you?"

"Your personal practice is an amazing source of fuel for your life and business. It's like a promise that you make to yourself."

"Don't wait for the someday of it. Build your ideal personal practice and you'll slowly see that your ideal schedule will also build out of that."

"Similarity and routine really brings us comfort as humans and it really helps us to build it into being a habit."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

309: Four Seasons of Business with Shannon Crow

Description:

Just like in nature, we go through different seasons in our business and in life. Each season is characterized by different rhythms and needs, and no one season lasts forever. How can we embrace these changing seasons and get the most out of each season instead of fighting it?

In this episode, Shannon Crow shares more about the four different seasons you may encounter in your business. She explains what you may be feeling in winter, spring, summer, and fall/autumn, as well as how you can adapt your business activities to match the seasons. Shannon also reminds us that your season in business may be impacted by things outside your control and that other people may be in different seasons from you. Tune in to find out how to work with the seasons and find balance in your business.

Key Takeaways:

[2:18] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode - the four seasons of business.

[2:29] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

[5:34] What season of life or business are you in now? This may not align with the seasons of nature or the seasons of the people around you, and may be impacted by things outside your control.

[8:09] As there are four seasons in nature, there are also four seasons in business.

[8:23] Shannon outlines some of the things that you might experience in a winter season of your business.

[11:54] Avoid looking at other people who may be in a different season in their business and comparing yourself to them.

[13:42] What can a spring season bring for your business?

[16:28] Shannon shares how she is using OfferingTree in her business.

[18:13] Summer is the season of growth and thriving in your business.

[22:22] Fall is the season of harvest. It is also a time to clean up and get ready for the next growing season.

[24:41] Fall is also a great time to save up.

[26:01] What have you noticed about the seasons of business or life that you're experiencing or have experienced?

[27:35] Connect with Shannon in real time in the Pelvic Health Professionals membership site.

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 308: Time to Rest and Refuel with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 065: Create Your Ideal Yoga Schedule with Shannon Crow
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Seasons always change and there's a way to embrace it and get the most out of it instead of fighting against it."

"Winter is an amazing time to evaluate what's working, to check in on what's draining you, and let go of what is no longer a good fit."

"[Spring] is all about possibility and potential new growth."

"Fall is also a great time to save up."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

308: Time to Rest and Refuel with Shannon Crow

Description:

As yoga teachers, we all know that we cannot pour from an empty cup. We cannot give to others or connect with others, nor do our most creative and meaningful work when we're feeling exhausted, drained, and depleted. That’s why it’s important to take time to rest and refuel when things feel tough and overwhelming.

In this episode, Shannon Crow shares some of her strategies for finding time to rest and recharge every day and why rest is so important for us. However, rest isn’t just about sleeping and there are different kinds of rest we need. Shannon invites you to consider: What would it look like for you today if rest and refuel time was your top priority?

Key Takeaways:

[1:16] Shannon introduces the topic for this episode - taking time to rest and refuel.

[1:41] Shannon shares an update from sponsor, OfferingTree.

[4:32] What can you do in this moment that would bring you ease and comfort as you listen?

[5:52] Check in with yourself to see what emotions are here for you at this moment.

[7:13] Shannon shares why noticing your emotions is a key part of resting and refueling.

[9:47] Shannon shares a little about her own journey in finding time to rest and refuel.

[15:23] Yoga teachers and entrepreneurs often ask Shannon how she's gotten to a place where she's been podcasting for almost 6 years and working for herself for 18 years.

[15:23] We can often have our inner critic kick in. It is important to notice when this happens.

[16:30] When she's going through a tough time, Shannon asks herself two questions. 1) How am I feeling?, 2) What baby steps can I take to bring more ease and comfort in this tough moment?

[18:56] We can find ways to fit rest and restoration into our daily lives.

[21:29] What would that look like for you today if rest and refuel time was your top priority?

[24:00] Shannon shares what's upcoming on the podcast.

Links:

• Tess Jewell-Larson, Tytoni Yoga
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 304: How Are We Still here? with Rebecca Sebastian
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow
• The real reason why we are tired and what to do about it | Saundra Dalton-Smith | TEDxAtlanta
• Quote by Brandon Kyle Goodman, Author of You Gotta be You, posted by Michael James Schneider (@blksmth)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 300: Celebrating 300 Episodes! with Shannon Crow
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

“What could you do in this moment that would bring you ease and comfort?”

“Acknowledge those feelings, it's okay to not be okay.” - Tess Jewell-Larson

“We can't just depend on sleep to restore us.”

“What would that look like for you today if rest and refuel time was your top priority?”

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

307: Taking Diet-Culture Out of Ayurveda with Diane Finlayson

Description:

One of the harmful messages that we get in the broader health and wellness industry and in the yoga world is arounddiet culture. How does it show up in Ayurveda as well, and what can we do about it? Diane Finlayson shares her insights.

Diane Finlayson has been educating yoga teachers, therapists, ayurvedic and meditation facilitators for the past 20 years. Diane recently retired from her service at MUIH (Maryland University of Integrative Health) as the Department Chair for Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda. Prior to that, Diane had 3 yoga studios and ran YTT 200/300 Ayurveda trainings as well as meditation facilitator trainings for 15 years. Diane also serves the recovery community in her private practice.

Diane explains what Ayurveda is and how colonization has affected Ayurveda. She highlights the differences in practice between North America and India, and the scope of practice of different practitioners in the industry and what to be aware of before working with someone in Ayurveda. Diane also shares more about the ways in which diet culture can show up, what she does when she sees it online, and how people interested in adopting Ayurvedic practices can learn and integrate them in their lives more safely.

Key Takeaways:

[3:14] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Diane Finlayson.

[7:29] What does Diane do and who does she do it for?

[8:06] How does Diane feel about all the changes in her life at this time, especially around retirement?

[9:29] What is Ayurveda? Diane shares a little about the history of Ayurveda and the impact colonization had on it.

[14:28] Diane explains how Ayurveda is shared and consumed in North America.

[16:05] The scope of practice in Ayurveda around talking to people about food is really blurred. Diane explains how you can be aware of what you're getting into and how to check the credentials of a practitioner.

[19:41] Diane highlights some of the different levels of practitioners you might encounter and what they might offer.

[22:23] What is orthorexia?

[27:08] What are some things Diane wishes yoga teachers knew about orthorexia?

[30:06] Shannon pops in to share some news about OfferingTree.

[33:19] What are Diane's thoughts about how we talk about the food that we're putting into our own bodies?

[37:55] What was it like for Diane deciding which of her teacher's recommendations to follow?

[41:01] Whether you're teaching yoga or sharing Ayurveda, how can you encourage agency with our students?

[44:58] Shannon reflects that in a lot of our relationships as yoga teachers or Ayurveda practitioners, the other person may be looking for you to tell them what to do.

[45:43] Rather than approaching with an attitude of understanding and certainty, try keeping curiosity at the forefront.

[47:01] Where does Diane recommend going to learn more about Ayurveda?

[49:46] What is something that has really impacted Diane or the people she works with?

[53:14] Connect with Diane on social media to continue this conversation.

[53:55] What does Diane do when she sees harmful comments or perspectives shared online?

[56:31] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this episode.

[58:50] Please leave the podcast a review on iTunes!

[60:03] Hang out with Shannon in real-time online in the Pelvic Health Professionals membership.

Links:

• Diane Finlayson on LinkedIn
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 292 with Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 303: Ayurveda for Better Digestion with Mona Warner
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 248: Ayurveda is All About Self-Care with Chara Caruthers
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 128: Ayurveda, Doshas & Yoga with Angela Glaz
• National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA)
• Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America
• The Love of Yoga Podcast with Anjali Rao
• The Love of Yoga Podcast with Anjali Rao Episode 01. The Trauma of Caste with Thenmozhi Soundararajan
• The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning, by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham
• The Ayurvedic Institute
• Himalayan Institute
• Arsha Vidya Gurukulam
• College of Ayurveda in California
• California College of Ayurveda
• Dr. Sunil Joshi
• David Frawley
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• OfferingTree on Instagram
• OfferingTree on Facebook

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Diet culture has already put so many rules and weirdness in place on individuals that [orthorexia] is just one more flavor of eating disorder that can take hold."

"When a person can be curious and mindful about their lived experience, they can, in my opinion, better care for themselves because they have a deeper connection to self."

"It's about understanding how this digestive system we have operates and being able to support it in doing its job."

"I think people create a lot of more suffering for themselves than they need."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

306: Is There More Room for Online Yoga? with Sadie Nardini

Description:

If you have ever had the thought that “everyone is teaching yoga online, why should I add to the mix?” or felt like “someone else has already done what I want to do, why should I even bother”, you are not alone. Sadie Nardini answers the question that many yoga teachers are asking these days - is there more room for online yoga?

Sadie Nardini is the founder of Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga®, an anatomy-enhanced yoga style, and The Yoga Shred®, a joint-safer HIIT + Yoga fitness style, designed to help people get stronger more safely, without wasting time or energy. She is a top online yoga and fitness course creator with a thriving online subscription studio: The Fit & Fierce Club. She translates her years of technical knowledge into success tools that are easy to understand and implement. Sadie is also the lead singer of the rock band Sadie & The Tribe.

As someone who was teaching yoga online long before the pandemic started, Sadie has a lot of experience in the online space. She shares her opinions about whether there is really room in the yoga world for more online yoga especially now that a lot of yoga teachers and studios have moved online because of the pandemic. Spoiler alert - there’s PLENTY of room for everyone. Sadie also explains why it’s so important to show up as yourself, regardless of how you look or how young or flexible you are (or aren’t) and how this can make your marketing online unique. She shares tips on how to tap into your creativity, how to stay consistent in your marketing, and more!

Key Takeaways:

[0:51] Shannon invites listeners to thank OfferingTree for sponsoring this podcast for a full year by creating a post on social media.

[3:28] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sadie Nardini.

[8:46] Who is Sadie and what does she do?

[12:00] Sadie shares how she discovered her own style and uniqueness as a yoga teacher.

[14:46] As a surprise for Rebecca Sebastian (Ep. 304), Shannon invited her to join this call with Sadie.

[19:10] What would Sadie say to a yoga teacher who believes that there is no room for them to teach yoga online, especially since the pandemic?

[20:35] How can yoga teachers market themselves online without having to leverage their sad stories or trauma?

[25:28] How does Sadie plan her marketing so that she is consistently offering people value in some way?

[28:51] Sadie recently made a shift in the audience she was connecting with. What was that experience like?

[34:10] Shannon highlights the fact that people do want to learn from teachers who are older or have experienced pain or mobility issues because they bring that experience to their classes.

[36:40] There is a shift happening in the yoga industry as the first real generation of women yoga teachers are aging - how do they navigate continuing their careers?

[40:54] Shannon pops in to share a little about OfferingTree and how it has helped her run her business more efficiently.

[42:40] How can yoga teachers recognize their gifts and know that they have something unique and important to share online?

[45:39] Sadie shares some insights about how to practice yoga so that it doesn't have a negative impact on our bodies in the future.

[50:16] What tips does Sadie have for a yoga teacher who is just starting out and doesn't have the same level of support?

[55:42] What strategies does Sadie use to open the lines of communication with her audience online?

[58:28] What are some things that Sadie does to foster her creativity?

[62:35] You need to sit with yourself to get the inspiration and creativity from within.

[65:50] What are your biggest takeaways from this conversation with Sadie?

Links:

• Sadie Nardini
• Sadie Nardini on Instagram
• The Fit & Fierce Club
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 304: How Are We Still Here? with Rebecca Sebastian
• Hey Marvelous
• Hannah Uiri
• Canva
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• OfferingTree on Instagram
• OfferingTree on Facebook

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"It was me realizing I wasn't being true to myself and just deciding to do something I wasn't seeing out there and I think that's where my success came from."

"Everyone has something unique to offer."

"If you don't go [online] you have a 100% chance of failure. And if you do go on there, the percentage is way less."

"It's deeply scary to change anything. Even if you know it might be for the best."

"If you're not in the business of serving other people and helping them, then go get a job that pays you better."

"Generating content from your passionate inner core is really important because it's just shinier energetically."

"When we get together, we rise together."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

305: Kicked Out of Yoga [Part 2] with Chioma Njoku

Description:

Learning and unlearning is part of our journey as yoga teachers and as humans. In Episode 275, Shannon shared stories from people who had been kicked out of yoga class or made to feel unwelcome in yoga spaces. Chioma Njoku, podcast listener, shared a response to this episode, featured here.

Chioma is the owner and Chief Mindful Operator at the Mindful Bookkeeper. She is also the host of the Cheers to Your Prosperity podcast. Using the lessons she has learned from her own financial struggles, her professional experience as an accountant for over 18 years, and Financial Coach, Chioma helps entrepreneurs and small business owners keep more of their hard-earned money in the bank without sacrificing the things that make life enjoyable.

In her response, Chioma reflects on how she may have contributed to making her yoga classes feel unwelcoming to some people because of what and how she was taught. She also shares a personal experience where she was kicked out of a yoga class. It is brave and vulnerable and we can all learn a lot from this to do better as yoga teachers and make the yoga world a more welcoming space for everyone.

Key Takeaways:

[3:28] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Chioma Njoku.

[6:50] Chioma shares a response to the podcast episode about being kicked out of a yoga class.

[11:52] Shannon pops to share a resource that has helped her book her podcast interviews.

[13:54] Chioma shares the incident that got her kicked out of a yoga studio.

[18:06] Shannon invites you to share your thoughts about this topic or anything else in the yoga world.

[20:37] Shannon shares some ways you can connect with her and continue learning forward.

Links:

• Chioma Njoku, The Mindful Bookkeeper
• Chioma Njoku on Instagram
• Cheers to Your Prosperity Podcast with Chioma Njoku
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 304: How Are We Still Here? with Rebecca Sebastian
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 275: Kicked Out of a Yoga Class?! with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 279: Bowel Health and Yoga with Shannon Crow
• M.B.Om Podcast
• Pelvic Health Resources
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"I understand that everything I just said in terms of what I was taught is foolish because your practice is your practice."

"Not many people are willing to speak to some of the unfortunate things of the industry, but in understanding some of the shadows of any industry, specifically this industry that's overall intended to be good, it helps those of us who do teach yoga."

"Sometimes we do have to take the negative feedback, the neutral feedback along with the positive feedback to really make this a much better situation."

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304: How Are We Still here? with Rebecca Sebastian

Description:

Have you ever felt like you wanted to quit the yoga industry? You are not alone. Shannon Crow, host of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast, and Rebecca Sebastian, host of the Working in Yoga Podcast, chat about what it’s like to feel like quitting - and why they have stayed on and continued their work in this space.

Rebecca Sebastian has been teaching yoga for 20 years and working as a yoga therapist for a decade. She is also a yoga studio owner, yoga non-profit founder, and the host of the Working In Yoga podcast. She isn’t afraid to stand up for human rights and yoga – and she also isn’t afraid to discuss tough topics in the yoga industry.

Shannon and Rebecca discuss some of the big topics that have come up in the yoga industry in 2022. They talk about how yoga teachers are feeling isolated, competition in the industry, some toxic practices that have taken hold, and what we can do about it. They also explore what teaching yoga may look like in 2023, marketing for yoga teachers, how to build a better yoga industry going forward, and much more.

Key Takeaways:

[2:37] This episode was originally recorded for Rebecca Sebastian's podcast, Working in Yoga. Shannon and Rebecca discuss how they have continued in the work they do despite wanting to quit.

[5:29] With everything that has happened in the yoga industry in 2022, why are Rebecca and Shannon still here?

[9:05] Many yoga teachers feel isolated in this profession.

[11:47] Everyone in the yoga industry is trying to navigate building their business as best as they can but some things can create a toxic environment. How do Shannon and Rebecca deal with negative elements like diet culture in the industry.

[17:26] Rebecca encourages us to talk more about the benefits of yoga, like nervous system regulation.

[21:27] What is the yoga industry going to look like in 2023 in terms of virtual and in-person classes?

[29:26] Sadie Mardini responds to Rebecca's question about how yoga teachers and studios who had been online before the pandemic were impacted by everyone else moving online.

[31:15] Shannon pops in with a reminder to put yourself out there and to create your website if you don't have one!

[35:11] What does the competitiveness of the industry look like in 2022?

[37:54] Rebecca invites listeners to create a meet up to meet people in your local community.

[42:54] You can also find great communities of yoga teachers online to connect with.

[45:52] Shannon shares a tip for anyone running a Facebook group to moderate posts.

[48:39] Rebecca encourages us not to limit ourselves. The yoga's enough all on its own.

[49:26] Shannon and Rebecca discuss marketing in yoga.

[52:38] Rebecca and Shannon reflect on the things that made them think about quitting the yoga industry in 2022.

[58:42] There are some parallels between yoga and entrepreneurship.

[62:45] Does Rebecca think about building her business just to sell it? Shannon and Rebecca discuss what that could mean and how it might work.

[70:40] What is your retirement plan as a yoga teacher?

[71:46] Rebecca calls out how unsustainable the career path is in the yoga industry and shares some thoughts about how things can be done differently.

[76:52] The power dynamic in the yoga industry needs to be reexamined.

[81:12] What are Rebecca and Shannon hopeful and excited about for 2023?

[89:50] Shannon shares some final thoughts.

Links:

• Rebecca Sebastian
• Rebecca Sebastian Yoga
• Rebecca Sebastian on Instagram
• Working in Yoga Podcast with Rebecca Sebastian
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 297: Yoga Philosophy & Business with Rebecca Sebastian - Kristine Weber, Subtle Yoga
• Diane Liska
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 114: Compassion Fatigue with Diane Liska
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 175: Coping During a Crisis with Diane Liska
• Michelle Lyons
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 279: Bowel Health and Yoga with Shannon Crow
• Sadie Nardini
• Jivana Heyman
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 094: Instagram Content Strategy and Stories with Tyler McCall
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 301: Trauma and Business Ownership with Nicole Lewis Keeber
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"We need to acknowledge this has been another hard year for us for our industry. Like, you're not alone." - Rebecca

"I think that makes our industry more powerful and more impactful overall when we're able to share stories with each other." - Rebecca

"The yoga's enough all on its own." - Rebecca

"How we sell what we're selling matters." - Rebecca

"Yoga in itself is a spiritual discipline that asks you to reevaluate and rethink literally every fiber of your being. Guess what entrepreneurship is?" - Rebecca

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303: Ayurveda for Better Digestion with Mona Warner

Description:

Ayurveda is considered yoga’s sister science but it is still not widely understood in the yoga community. Why is there such a strong focus on digestion in Ayurveda and how does it tie in with yoga? Mona Warner shares her expertise on Ayurveda and digestion.

Mona is a warm and joyful educator who leads by example. Her depth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to the practices of Āyurveda and Yoga are evident in her classes. Mona offers deliberate and mindful practices, details on why certain things are done in certain ways, and a grounded sense of humor. She shares approaches to well-being for anyone who needs to learn. Mona has also authored several books, including her latest, Ayurveda's Three Pillars of Health.

Mona breaks down what Ayurveda is and how it intersects with yoga in a holistic sense. She explains why there is such a strong focus on digestion and Agni in Ayurveda and why routines and schedules are so important to digestion, and more. Mona also shares tips around improving digestion, about prana, and finding balance in our lives,

This is a rich conversation for anyone who’s keen to learn more about Ayurveda.

Key Takeaways:

[3:01] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Mona Warner.

[6:21] How did Mona get into working with Ayurveda?

[9:56] What is Ayurveda?

[12:40] Mona explains some things we need to understand about digestion and elimination from the perspective of Ayurveda.

[19:16] How does the body's Agni (and Ayurveda, from a broader perspective) tie in with yoga?

[26:42] Mona explains more about how Ayurveda and yoga both encourage people to move towards a balanced mind - and how this can help achieve health.

[30:16] Shannon shares an experience she recently had attending an online workshop.

[34:04] What are some routines and practices that can help improve digestion?

[36:50] Should everyone have the same routines or does it differ for each person?

[38:55] What are some things we need to be mindful of in terms of how we are pooping and what our bowel movements look like?

[42:36] What is something about digestion that Mona wishes everyone knew?

[44:08] What else are we digesting apart from food?

[51:08] How does Mona work with people now through the pandemic and how are they doing?

[54:27] Connect with Mona and learn more from her via her book and website.

[56:58] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this conversation with Mona.

Links:

• Mona Warner
• Ayurveda's Three Pillars of Health, by Mona Warner
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 128: Ayurveda, Doshas & Yoga with Angela Glaz
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 248: Ayurveda is All About Self-Care with Chara Caruthers
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 279: Bowel Health and Yoga with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 293: Eating Disorder Recovery & Yoga with Vivian Selles
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 292: Taking Diet Culture out of Yoga with Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 048: Eating Disorder Education for Yoga Teachers with Tabitha Farrar
• From Pain To Possibility with Susi Hately Episode #85: Brain, Belly and Bowels with Mona Warner
• Bristol Stool Chart
• Meet The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Ayurveda is this system that has created a whole bunch of different maps that lets us navigate the terrain of life."

"Ayurveda has the maps, the tools, and the ability to help us live a fruitful and a health-filled life."

"Our Agni, our digestive fire, is the sun of our individual solar system or incarnation."

"For yoga, the traditional goal is enlightenment. For Ayurveda, the traditional goal is health."

"Ayurveda uses this idea of working with the mind through yoga techniques of mantra, meditation, etc. all the time because so many causative factors of disease actually start in the mind."

"Whether you like schedules or not, your biology does and your Agni does."

"It's important to recognize there's a difference between what you like and what is health-promoting and good for you."

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302: Yoga for Grief & Loss with Susan Andersen

Description:

Most people have personal experiences with loss in its many forms - loss of a loved one or pet, loss of a home or job or business, and even during COVID, the loss of normalcy. Grief is a normal part of loss but how can yoga support us in these times? Susan “Sue” Andersen shares her insights.

Sue works with people who have experienced loss and are grieving through yoga and movement. Meditation, mindfulness and breath work are key elements that Sue incorporates into her teaching to connect the physical to the spiritual practice. Her goal is to help students find their own practice and to enjoy all the benefits yoga brings.

Sue shares how she got into yoga and grief work after her son died, why yoga is a beneficial tool in navigating grief and loss, and how we can support our yoga students when they come to us with their grief. She also explains the role yoga can play in moving through self-blame and criticism, releasing emotions like anger, shame, and guilt, and why grief looks different for everyone.

This episode is a must-listen for every yoga teacher as we support people who will inevitably encounter loss and grief in their lives.

Key Takeaways:

[3:07] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Susan Andersen.

[6:43] What does Sue do and who does she do it for?

[7:14] How did Su get into doing this work?

[9:50] What is grief?

[14:42] Why is yoga effective for grief?

[17:21] What can yoga teachers do when a student expresses their loss and grief to them?

[19:50] What are some things that wouldn't be helpful when a student is dealing with grief?

[22:45] Shannon pops in to share some feedback from Carly, a yoga teacher who is using OfferingTree for her website.

[25:07] What are some of the differences between a regular yoga class and a specialty yoga class for grief?

[33:39] Does Sue talk about grief in her sessions? Is it helpful?

[36:35] What has Sue learned from her personal experience of grief that she wishes she had known at the beginning?

[39:20] What would Sue say to yoga teachers who are personally dealing with grief?

[41:16] Connect with Sue and learn more from her via her website and on YouTube.

[42:17] Sue gives a shout out to Paul Denniston of Grief Yoga.

[43:12] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview.

Links:

• Sue Andersen
• Classes & Workshops by Sue Andersen
• Sue Andersen on YouTube
• Carly Baumann, radicalrestyoga.com
• Paul Denniston, Grief Yoga
• All There Is with Anderson Cooper
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"When we experience loss, we grieve."

"All the things that we talk about in these programs can help for any type of grief because it's releasing the emotion from the body."

"You can't fix something ... you want to just let that person know that you're there."

"In general, I don't think any of us rest enough. In particular, if you're holding a lot of grief or stress, you're probably resting even less."

"It is really important to let all of these emotions out and not hold anything in."

"Everybody's grief is different. Their timeline is different."

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301: Trauma and Business Ownership with Nicole Lewis-Keeber

Description:

Everyone goes through events and/or experiences that cause trauma, and they can have an impact on how we show up in and run our businesses. Yet, this isn’t something people often talk about. Nicole Lewis-Keeber shares their insights about navigating business ownership and trauma.

Nicole Lewis-Keeber is a business therapist and mindset coach for small business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work and a rich experience of working as a therapist. Nicole is also certified in Brené Brown’s The Daring Way™ and Dare To Lead™ methodologies and provides trainings and mentoring for those who want to become daring leaders. They have combined their experience as a therapist and training as a coach to offer therapeutic and business solutions.

Nicole explains how trauma ties into creating and running our own business, including what kind of trauma "counts", why starting a business involves diving into our "stuff", and why our “big why” is likely connected to childhood trauma. They also share more about the importance of therapy as an entrepreneur, dealing with burnout, and why we need to separate ourselves from our businesses. If you are keen to learn more about how to create a business you love, this is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

[3:35] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Nicole Lewis-Keeber.

[5:38] What does Nicole do and who do they do it for?

[6:47] Does everyone have childhood trauma?

[8:39] What does trauma have to do with business?

[10:04] How do we figure out the traumatic events in our childhoods that inform our deeper 'why', and what is the value of figuring that out?

[12:35] What are some examples of how our deeper 'why' tied to trauma can show up as entrepreneurs in the health and wellness space?

[15:33] How else can this show up in our businesses?

[20:02] Nicole shares some ways that we can start to help ourselves if we recognize that there were some traumatic events in our childhoods that may be playing out in our businesses.

[23:53] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[25:45] Shannon and Nicole discuss procrastination and how that ties in with everything else.

[28:05] What other things can we do in coming to terms with how our trauma influences our business?

[30:37] For yoga teachers, it can be more difficult to separate themselves from their business of teaching yoga because of how intertwined their lives can be to yoga. What are Nicole's thoughts on that?

[32:29] Nicole shares their thoughts on the discomfort that yoga teachers may have around bringing business into their work with yoga.

[35:46] Nicole shares how you can work with her if you are keen on getting more of their expert insight into how your traumas may be informing your business.

[37:35] What is something Nicole wishes entrepreneurs knew or understood as they're facing the daily challenges of running a business?

[39:18] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Nicole and encourages you to choose one thing that really resonated for you and implement that.

Links:

• Nicole Lewis-Keeber
• The Three Whys
• How to Love Your Business
• Do No Harm Program
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 299: Yoga for Menopause with Niamh Daly
• 5 Surprising Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Procrastinate! by Nicole Lewis-Keeber on Medium
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"I've not met anyone yet who hasn't had some kind of traumatic event in childhood that changed things for them."

"All the systems around us also can be very traumatic."

"A lot of the business schools and a lot of coaches would like you to believe that all you need is a sales plan, a marketing plan, business plan, but I totally believe that you need an emotional sustainability plan for your business."

"We start to modify ourselves and how we operate to try and feel safe because of those experiences and that changes how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible for us over time and how we value ourselves."

"Big T Trauma explodes, little T trauma erodes, but they are both strong enough to move a mountain."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

300: Celebrating 300 Episodes! with Shannon Crow

Description:

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast celebrates 300 episodes! In this milestone episode, host Shannon Crow talks about some of the things that have helped her stay consistent with putting out the podcast and answers some questions from listeners!

We are so grateful for your support through these 300 episodes and look forward to bringing you more episodes that will help you stay connected to the information and inspiration that will support you as you build your yoga business!

Key Takeaways:

[2:25] Shannon celebrates 300 episodes of the podcast!

[4:15] Aruna sent in the first question. What was the first thing Shannon outsourced to help her stay consistent and get to 300 episodes and what would she never let go of?

[11:30] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree and shares a conversation she had with a fellow yoga teacher, Sarah Villamil, about her experience with OfferingTree.

[14:45] Renee has another question for Shannon. What were the top three things that Shannon has learned from all her guests?

[25:54] What are the top three things you have learned from this podcast?

[30:59] Thank you dear listener for all your support through these 300 episodes!

Links:

• Apply to be a guest on the podcast
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 039: Advice for New Yoga Teachers
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 296: Can Science & Spirituality Co-Exist? with Stevie Inghram
• Leave us a review -- ‎The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast on Apple Podcasts
• Aruna Kathy Humphrys
• Renee Clair
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 299: Yoga for Menopause with Niamh Daly

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Two things have helped me get to this point of 300 episodes. That is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. And also letting my message be louder than my doubts and my fears."

"If there is something that you're doing over and over again and you're not getting a lot of joy out of it and it's an automated task, that is something to look at to pass on to someone else."

"Communicate and listen to understand, not to be understood."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

300: Celebrating 300 Episodes! with Shannon Crow

Description:

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast celebrates 300 episodes! In this milestone episode, host Shannon Crow talks about some of the things that have helped her stay consistent with putting out the podcast and answers some questions from listeners!

We are so grateful for your support through these 300 episodes and look forward to bringing you more episodes that will help you stay connected to the information and inspiration that will support you as you build your yoga business!

Key Takeaways:

[2:25] Shannon celebrates 300 episodes of the podcast!

[4:15] Aruna sent in the first question. What was the first thing Shannon outsourced to help her stay consistent and get to 300 episodes and what would she never let go of?

[11:30] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree and shares a conversation she had with a fellow yoga teacher, Sarah Villamil, about her experience with OfferingTree.

[14:45] Renee has another question for Shannon. What were the top three things that Shannon has learned from all her guests?

[25:54] What are the top three things you have learned from this podcast?

[30:59] Thank you dear listener for all your support through these 300 episodes!

Links:

• Apply to be a guest on the podcast
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 039: Advice for New Yoga Teachers
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 296: Can Science & Spirituality Co-Exist? with Stevie Inghram
• Leave us a review -- ‎The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast on Apple Podcasts
• Aruna Kathy Humphrys
• Renee Clair
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 299: Yoga for Menopause with Niamh Daly

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Two things have helped me get to this point of 300 episodes. That is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. And also letting my message be louder than my doubts and my fears."

"If there is something that you're doing over and over again and you're not getting a lot of joy out of it and it's an automated task, that is something to look at to pass on to someone else."

"Communicate and listen to understand, not to be understood."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

299: Yoga for Menopause with Niamh Daly

Description:

About half the world’s population experiences menopause at some point in their lives, yet it is still not very well understood and people at this stage of their life may not get the support they need. Niamh Daly fills in some of the gaps we may have in our understanding and knowledge of menopause.

Niamh teaches and supports women in navigating life changes, especially menopause, whether medically, surgically, prematurely or naturally induced, through adapted yoga and nutrition. She trains yoga teachers worldwide to understand menopause and the stages immediately preceding, and after, and how much support they can give through additions to, and enhancements of the canon of yoga.

As yoga teachers who are working with people who are in this peri, menopausal, menopause, postmenopausal phase, we need to understand how we can better support them. Niamh explains the fluctuating nature of peri-menopause, how nutrition and exercise requirements may change for people at this stage, and why yoga is beneficial for them. She also questions why prenatal yoga and pregnancy is covered in many YTTs but not any of the menopausal stages, despite that being something more relevant and applicable to many people.

Key Takeaways:

[3:29] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Niamh Daly.

[7:53] What does Niamh do and who does she do it for?

[10:52] How do we know when we or our students are in the perimenopause stage? Niamh explains that there is actually a stage before perimenopause that isn't often talked about.

[16:50] People in the late reproductive stage can have symptoms that mimic perimenopause or even conditions related to thyroid function. How can people get a definitive answer about what is really causing the changes in their body?

[19:58] Shannon pops in with a snippet of a conversation she had with Ashley Hagen about OfferingTree.

[23:51] How does yoga help with perimenopause?

[30:29] Shannon and Niamh discuss the research supporting the idea that yoga is beneficial for menopause.

[32:17] There is a huge lack of education around this topic despite the fact that half the population goes through menopause and a large number of yoga teachers are also in this demographic.

[33:38] Where can yoga teachers learn more about yoga for menopause and how to better serve this segment of the population?

[38:03] Niamh shares a bit more about health at every size and how that impacts perimenopause.

[43:02] Language is also a big part of the education that Niamh offers.

[44:36] Reach out to Niamh to connect and learn more.

[45:52] Continue the conversation! Shannon shares some of her key takeaways - what are yours?

Links:

• Niamh Daly
• Niamh Daly on Instagram
• Certificate in Teaching Yoga for the Stages of Menopause - Yinstinct Yoga Greystones Wicklow. Teacher training with Niamh Daly
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 212: Menopause Myths and Facts with Shirley Weir
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 056: Yoga and Menopause with Leslie Kazadi
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 271: Yoga and Bone Health with Barb Elias
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 258: What Does Science Say About Yoga? with Mary Flaherty
• Dr Annice Mukherjee
• Gil Hedley
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"There has been research in yoga for serotonin, yoga for oxytocin, yoga for bones, yoga for heart health, yoga for brain health, yoga for sleep, all of which coming together, create a very convincing pool of evidence to support the use of yoga to help women through menopause."

"Women spend more time in the perimenopausal transition and post menopausal then they do pregnant and yet there are no first line yoga teacher trainings that really even mention menopause in the training."

"I'm really in the business of trying to help women befriend their changes and their body through menopause and beyond and before menopause."

"We need to learn to embrace the changes because otherwise, we're fighting ourselves till the day we die."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

298: Photo Shoot Stories (Listener Emails) with Shannon Crow

Description:

When Shannon sent out an email about Episode 294 with Gabriela Fearn about how to plan a yoga photo shoot, she received a lot of emails from listeners! It is such a highlight to get emails from listeners sharing their experiences. Shannon reads some of the stories Connected Yoga Teachers have shared with her about their experiences doing photoshoots for their businesses.

Have a listen if you are feeling alone and isolated as a yoga entrepreneur and connect with the wonderful community of Connected Yoga Teachers in the Facebook group as well.

Key Takeaways:

[3:54] Shannon invites you to share your questions, thoughts, and comments about the podcast. There are a few ways you can do this!

[5:37] Shannon received a lot of emails from listeners about episode 294 - How to Plan a Yoga Photo Shoot with Gabriela Fearn.

[5:37] Shannon shares some tips to get better engagement from her community in emails.

[8:24] Shannon shares Beth's email reply about photoshoots.

[10:40] Jenay writes about her experience with photoshoots.

[12:04] Shannon pops in with a bit of news and a shout out of thanks to OfferingTree.

[14:32] Reneé Clair, who was a guest on the podcast in episode 167, wrote in about her photoshoot experience not doing yoga poses.

[16:03] Another listener, Helen, did a photoshoot in a park with a photographer who offered a unique arrangement.

[18:01] The last email is from Gail. Shannon and Gail have both used the same photographer and had similar experiences.

[21:14] Hang out with Shannon on a live call in Pelvic Health Professionals!

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 294: How to Plan a Yoga Photo Shoot with Gabriela Fearn
• ActiveCampaign
• Beth Tascione, thisisyourbliss.com
• Jenay, Lake Tahoe Yoga
• Reneé Clair, The Productive WellnessPreneur
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 167: How to Make a Recruiting Plan with Reneé Clair
• Helen, Camomile Lawn
• Gail Grossman
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

“I let go of fancy or challenging poses and played. She was able to capture these sweet, inward-focused moments of me practicing.” - Email from Beth

“It's not the poses that were important but, rather, the energy depicted.” - Email from Jenay

“I felt more confident though when not striking a "pose" - yoga pose that is!” - Email from Renee

“I think you need someone to have a sense of who you are to bring out the best.” - Email from Gail

“The photographer talked about how a fancy camera was not needed. That anyone could do this work – with an iPhone and some imagination on how to capture the shots.” - Shannon

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297: Yoga Philosophy & Business with Rebecca Sebastian

Description:

As yoga teachers, we can feel like making money and running a yoga business is out of alignment with yoga and the philosophy of yoga. This can cause us to struggle with marketing and charging for our services. Why does this happen and how can we overcome it? Rebecca Sebastian shares her insights.

Rebecca Sebastian has been teaching yoga for 20 years and working as a yoga therapist for a decade. She is also a yoga studio owner, yoga non-profit Founder, and the host of the Working In Yoga podcast. She isn’t afraid to stand up for human rights and yoga - and she also isn’t afraid to talk about making money as a yoga teacher.

In this conversation, Rebecca shares her thoughts on why yoga teachers are struggling to make money and be okay with making money, and why we all need to double our prices (today). She explains why making our offerings more accessible doesn’t necessarily mean lowering the price and how we can help increase access to yoga while still making a sustainable living. Rebecca gives tips on what to do when you don’t feel comfortable “selling” yoga and explains how yoga philosophy fits in with running a yoga business.

If you are struggling to make money as a yoga teacher and feeling like marketing and business isn’t in alignment with yoga, this episode is a great pep talk.

Key Takeaways:

[0:38] sponsors - OT, PHP

[2:45] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Rebecca Sebastian

[7:41] What does Rebecca do and who does she do it for?

[8:30] Why do yoga teachers struggle to make money and feel comfortable making money?

[11:25] Other than doubling our prices, how can we as yoga teachers reconcile how we view yoga philosophy and making a sustainable living with yoga?

[16:33] Rebecca speaks about why many people have relationships with money that are rooted in shame and guilt.

[18:31] We put a lot of judgements on wealth, but that doesn't necessarily have to be the way - we are positioned to radically redistribute wealth.

[21:38] Rebecca reflects on how some of the conversations we may be having around cultural appropriation and whitewashing in the yoga world may not be shifting the needle but merely adding shame to the conversation. We need to have these conversations and find ways to make a sustainable living in alignment with the teachings of yoga.

[23:02] How does Rebecca help yoga teachers with pricing?

[26:59] Shannon pops in with a shout out of thanks to the team at Offering Tree.

[29:15] Shannon and Rebecca discuss some other ways to determine pricing for yoga offerings.

[31:34] Rebecca invites us to unpack any of our thoughts that are laced with shame and guilt around money.

[32:45] What advice does Rebecca have for yoga teachers who are feeling resistant to marketing and the business side of teaching yoga?

[35:25] What are some resources that Rebecca recommends for unpacking money stuff?

[37:30] How can we tackle that competitive mindset that may come up?

[40:37] What does Rebecca wish yoga teachers knew about how yoga philosophy goes well with business?

[44:21] What final thoughts does Rebecca have for yoga teachers as they start to get comfortable with unpacking money stuff and increasing their rates?

[48:49] Connect with Rebecca and learn more from her on social media or via email.

[50:02] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this conversation with Rebecca.

Links:

• Rebecca Sebastian
• Rebecca Sebastian Yoga
• Rebecca Sebastian on Instagram
• Email Rebecca Sebastian
• Rebecca Sebastian Yoga on Medium
• Podcast: Working In Yoga
• Quad Cities Yoga Foundation
• High End Hippie (Discount Code: Connected15)
• beYogi Webinar Series: Uncover Your Confidence As A New Entrepreneur by Amanda McKinney
• [The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 143: Should I Start a Non-Profit? with Jessica Kinsey
• Mindset by Carol Dweck
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 269: Yoga Philosophy and Colonialism with Shyam Ranganathan
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 273: Yoga is a Revolution with Jivana Heyman
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 243: What Yoga Texts Should I Read? with Chase Bossart
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 288: Shavasana (śavāsana) with Indu Arora
• Ladies Get Paid, by Claire Wasserman
• We Should All Be Millionaires, by Rachel Rodgers
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 292: Taking Diet Culture out of Yoga with Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey
• Yoga for Pelvic Health: 3.5-Hour Online Workshop with Shannon
• “Blurred Lines: The Harmful Intersection of Diet Culture & Yoga” Workshop with Jessica and Elyssa
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"We've taken it to the point where it's not okay to want a sustainable living and that's just silliness... It's okay to make money as a yoga professional."

"The truth of the matter is that if you want to be of service, you have to make enough money to not be the person who needs help."

"If good humans have conscious moral effort to make money and do good with it, we can change how this works."

"Yoga is this amazing tradition, the spiritual discipline - stop selling it. Sell something else and charge a premium price for it."

"I want you to find your humans and I want you to charge them enough money for you to make a living."

"I believe that you can make money and create impact and do good things. It's not an either/or, it can be a both/and."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

296: Can Science & Spirituality Co-Exist? with Stevie Inghram

Description:

There has always been some friction between science and spirituality. Some people may even think they are polar opposites that cannot co-exist. Stevie Inghram shares some of their insights about the integration of science and spirituality and their intersection with modern medicine & holistic health/medicine.

Stevie Inghram is a Queer & Trans Feminine Yoga Therapist who holds a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy and has been teaching yoga for over a decade. As a Yoga Therapist, Stevie’s primary work is focused on healing the trauma that is so pervasive in the queer and transgender communities. Stevie also hosts a podcast called Queer Story Time via Instagram that is focused on sharing stories from the gender and sexually expansive (GSE) communities and advocates for expanding GSE competencies in healthcare training programs. Stevie teaches GSE competencies at several Yoga Therapy Training programs and is writing on the topic for Yoga Therapy Today while also being a passionate advocate for science & evidence-informed practice in the holistic medicine world. They are a strong believer that a middle ground can truly be found, one that simultaneously respects the scientific method and cares for the whole-person.

Stevie shares more about their background and how they came to be passionate about both science and spirituality. He explains how science and spirituality are both human endeavors of discovery, and why people think we have to choose between them. Stevie also shares their thoughts on spiritual bypassing in yoga, what feels toxic in yoga spaces, and how we can nurture our spirituality while also promoting science. If you have been wondering how you can practice and communicate your yoga while still leaning towards science and combating misinformation.

Key Takeaways:

[2:45] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Stevie Inghram.

[5:35] What does Stevie do and who do they do it for?

[7:13] Stevie is studying to be a naturopathic doctor. They share a little more about it.

[9:05] When did Stevie's yoga journey begin?

[11:26] What are Stevie's thoughts on the idea that you can either follow science or spirituality but not both?

[16:10] It's possible that we will never have the science to explain some of what happens in yoga. How does Stevie balance that in their own teaching, practice, and life?

[20:48] Shannon started leaning heavily into science since the pandemic because she was trying to shift the pendulum in the yoga world. Did Stevie have a similar experience?

[25:04] Spiritual bypassing is something Shannon has noticed in the yoga world. What does it look like and what are some examples of it?

[31:48] Shannon pops in to give a shout out of thanks to sponsor, Offering Tree.

[33:37] How can we nurture the spirituality side of things even as we hold on to science?

[42:09] It can get very tiring to constantly talk about science, and that's when we can ask ourselves "is this causing me suffering?"

[44:47] What is Stevie's advice for someone who encounters misinformation or anti-science sentiment being spread in a yoga context?

[54:58] Learn more from Stevie and find out more about their work on Instagram and Tiktok.

Links:

• Stevie Inghram
• Stevie Inghram on Instagram @FutureNMDyogi
• Stevie Inghram on TikTok
• Stevie Inghram on Instagram @queertransthriving
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 292: Taking Diet Culture out of Yoga with Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey
• Yoga for Pelvic Health: 3.5-Hour Online Workshop with Shannon
• “Blurred Lines: The Harmful Intersection of Diet Culture & Yoga” Workshop with Jessica and Elyssa
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"So much in this world is divisive and divided and I don't think that it is beneficial to any of us as yogis to be continuing to propagate this idea that science and spirituality are separate. They're really not.”

“Science and spirituality are both human endeavors of discovery."

"The thing that science and spirituality share in common is um they're both Systems of Discovery."

“The reality is spirituality creates meaning and value and connection in people's lives. And the truth of the matter is we don't need science to explain that to us."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

295: Make Money Teaching Yoga with Betty Welsh

Description:

How can yoga teachers make money? Particularly if they don’t have an online presence, is it possible to build a profitable and sustainable yoga business? Betty Welsh has done just that and is on the podcast to share her journey.

Betty Welsh is a certified yoga teacher and Thai Massage practitioner. She and her husband Barrie live on the water in a small community outside of Owen Sound. This is where Betty connected with Shannon who was teaching yoga classes at that time. Betty is artistic, full of stories and passionate about sharing yoga with her local community. It is evident how much care Betty gives to her friends, family, and yoga students.

Betty shares more about how she finds students in her local community without having a website, Facebook page, email list, or any other online presence or marketing strategy. She explains how she gets new students to come to her classes and why getting students to register has been a powerful tool for that consistency. It is inspirational to listen to Betty’s journey of growing her offerings and expanding her classes to build a sustainable yoga business that provides a consistent income - and you are sure to take away some ideas you can use in your yoga business too.

Key Takeaways:

[3:39] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Betty Welsh.

[7:30] Betty doesn't have an online presence yet runs a successful yoga business. She shares a little about her journey.

[9:12] What made Betty want to move to her home studio?

[10:23] Betty finds new students in her community through in-person techniques.

[11:45] Betty has a paint and wallpaper business that she's been running for over 37 years. How did she build that business?

[12:26] How did Betty's regular students find out about her?

[13:39] Betty teaches 7-9 classes each week and makes a steady income doing that.

[15:54] Shannon shares an update about Betty's businesses since this episode was recorded.

[17:20] How does teaching in the church (where Betty could have more students) compare to teaching out of her home studio?

[18:23] What is Betty's advice to yoga teachers who don't want to have an online presence for their yoga business?

[20:37] Betty sends text messages to people who may be interested in her upcoming classes!

[21:59] What does Betty recommend for yoga teachers who may be a little shy about talking to people in person about yoga?

[23:14] Betty tries to make her offering special in a way.

[24:44] How does Betty run the financial parts of her business?

[26:21] Shannon shares some words from a Connected Yoga Teacher who uses OfferingTree.

[30:22] Where did Betty's entrepreneurial spirit come from?

[31:07] What are some things that could help newer yoga teachers in terms of running a yoga business?

[34:27] Betty shares a story about her mother when she was young.

[36:22] What was Betty's first yoga class like?

[37:16] How does Betty prepare her class plans?

[41:05] Shannon shares her takeaways from this conversation with Betty.

Links:

• Yoga for Pelvic Health: 3.5-Hour Online Workshop with Shannon
• “Blurred Lines: The Harmful Intersection of Diet Culture & Yoga” Workshop with Jessica and Elyssa
• Thread in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group about OfferingTree vs Momence
• Kerri Zelman
• Kelly Lynn Dregely
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Just [in] conversations I have with people, it comes up that I'm a yoga teacher. And so it's just being known."

"It's just not being afraid to talk about what you do."

"If they show a little bit of interest, sometimes they need a little bit of a reminder that we had a conversation and I'm not afraid to do that."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

294: How to Plan a Yoga Photo Shoot with Gabriela Fearn

Description:

We all know the power of good images for websites and social media, but many yoga teachers don't know where to start when it comes to taking photos for their yoga business. How can you capture who you are as a yoga teacher? What kind of photos connect you with your ideal yoga students? What should you wear? Where is the best place for a photo shoot? Gabriela (aka. Gabby) Fearn has some recommendations.

Gabby Fearn is a portrait photographer, doula and yoga teacher with over 10 years of experience who is based in Sydney, Australia. Through the years Gabby has photographed many yoga studios and teachers and she ensures a stress-free experience by guiding her clients through the process every step of the way while capturing authentic and sincere photos.

Gabby explains the pros and cons of indoor vs outdoor photo shoots, why having a plan is helpful and how to plan for a photo shoot, considerations around props, music, hair and makeup and more. Gabby also shares why using just stock photos isn’t a great idea and why you shouldn’t wait till you “look better” or can “do better yoga” to take some professional photos. This is a practical episode where you will walk away with a list of takeaways to help you book, plan and carry out a yoga photo shoot that makes marketing easier.

Key Takeaways:

[3:29] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Gabriela (Gabby) Fearn.

[5:53] What does Gabby do and who does she do it for?

[7:18] Gabby is half-Colombian, half-Canadian who lives in Australia. She shares a little about how the weather impacts her work as a photographer.

[9:25] How do you choose a location for a photo shoot? Gabby highlights some of the pros and cons of indoor vs outdoor shoots.

[13:33] What should yoga teachers wear in their photo shoot?

[16:04] Gabby shares some suggestions about outfits for yoga teachers in a photo shoot.

[18:02] Planning the photo shoot in advance is key to getting the most out of it. Gabby shares some essential questions to guide your planning.

[19:06] Shannon pops in to share about OfferingTree which allows yoga teachers to easily set up a website.

[21:03] Gabby highlights some of the types of photographs you might need as a yoga teacher.

[23:15] Gabby recommends using Pinterest to refine your vision but avoid trying to copy these pictures because you are likely to be disappointed.

[25:03] What are some things that can help ease the awkwardness of having your photos taken?

[27:39] What are some things yoga teachers should bring along to a photo shoot?

[30:14] What does Gabby recommend for hair and makeup for a photo shoot?

[34:26] Gabby shares some tips about the photos you might choose for different parts of your website.

[36:27] Shannon and Gabby discuss the role of stock photos in marketing for yoga teachers.

[38:17] What are some other things yoga teachers should keep in mind as they plan their yoga photo shoot?

[40:30] It's really important for your photos to reflect the kind of yoga you offer and what your students are looking for.

[41:53] Find out more about Gabby's work on her website and connect with her on Instagram.

[46:03] Gabby's final tip is to take a bath at the end of a photo shoot!

[46:30] Shannon shares her takeaways from this conversation with Gabby.

Links:

• Gabriela Fearn
• Gabriela Fearn on Instagram
• “Blurred Lines: The Harmful Intersection of Diet Culture & Yoga” Workshop with Jessica and Elyssa
• Yoga for Pelvic Health: 3.5-Hour Online Workshop with Shannon
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Planning your session is key to getting the most out of it and making the most of your time."

"It's really important to think about your personal style and what you wear when you practice."

"Do I need a list of poses to bring with me to our session? I would say yes, it does really help."

"I want you to embrace who you are and we'll end up with beautiful photos of you no matter what."

"You want your photos to reflect you."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

293: Eating Disorder Recovery & Yoga with Vivian Selles

Description:

Eating disorders are a serious condition that can even be life threatening or fatal in some cases yet we may not always recognize that someone is experiencing an eating disorder. Globally, 9% of the world population are affected by eating disorders and this number is increasing each year. How can yoga teachers support people with eating disorders? Vivian Selles has some insights.

Vivian is an experienced registered yoga teacher and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (ERYT-200/YACEP). She teaches full-time in eating disorder recovery centers in Charlotte, NC, and uses her practice and teachings to cultivate positive change in the yoga community. As a yoga teacher, her intention is to create and hold safer, accessible spaces for people to connect to the practice and show up as they are. Vivian has also co-founded a local yoga coalition for equality.

Vivian explains why yoga teachers should avoid talking about how much or what to eat, and how this can feed into harmful diet culture. Vivian also shares many useful and practical tips around the language we use in our yoga classes, including how to avoid cues that may demonize certain body parts, excluding competitive and comparison language, as well as how we can make our language and cues more invitational and open-ended for students. Vivian highlights our scope of practice as yoga teachers in supporting people in eating disorder recovery and how having a referral team can help too.

Key Takeaways:

[4:38] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Vivian Selles.

[8:10] What does Vivian do and who does she do it for?

[10:39] What is diet culture?

[11:16] Dominant culture equates thinness with being healthy. How does this show up in yoga classes?

[13:20] Shannon and Vivian discuss cues and language that we use in yoga spaces that could demonize certain body parts.

[15:12] What does Vivian wish all yoga teachers knew going into a yoga class?

[17:46] Vivian highlights some specific language she avoids and some of her preferred cueing options.

[21:52] A lot of this starts with us doing our own internal work.

[31:04] Messages you might get in the yoga world around what you should eat, how you should move, what you should look like, etc do not align with yoga philosophy.

[34:19] Shannon pops in with a question from a member of the Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group about OfferingTree.

[37:24] How does Vivian focus on yoga philosophy when teaching yoga?

[44:07] If you are interested in learning more, Vivian has some resources to recommend.

[48:52] Who are some other people who can offer support and are crucial for people in recovery?

[53:09] Our students can also become our teachers.

[58:11] Learn more about Vivian and connect with her via her website and social media.

[59:58] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this conversation with Vivian.

Links:

• Vivian Selles
• Vivian Selles on Instagram
• Vivian Selles on Twitter
• “Blurred Lines: The Harmful Intersection of Diet Culture & Yoga” Workshop with Jessica and Elyssa
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 292: Diet Culture and Yoga with Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 048: Eating Disorder Education for Yoga Teachers with Tabitha Farrar
• Health at Every Size, by Linda Bacon
• Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach, by by Evelyn Tribole M.S. R.D. and Elyse Resch M.S. R.D. F.A.D.A.
• Rolf Gates, 8 Limb Path of Yoga
• Self Care Matters: A Revolutionary’s Approach, by Anana Johari Harris Parris
• Body Mindful Yoga by Jennifer Kreatsoulas
• Yoga and Eating Disorders, by Carolyn Costin
• Jennifer Kreatsoulas
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon
• Yoga for Eating Disorders Community on Facebook
• Yoga for Eating Disorders Montgomery County PA Yoga Therapy
• Getting Started as A New Yoga Teacher with Shannon Crow - OfferingTree Webinar
• Yoga for Pelvic Health: 3.5-Hour Online Workshop with Shannon
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Diet culture is a system of beliefs that upholds a paradigm that equates thinness with being healthy and more morally virtuous."

"Considering your own internal experience is a starting point in terms of how we can be empathetic towards others."

"I exclude a lot of language that encourages perfection or encourages competition."

"How are my internal belief systems upholding diet culture?"

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

292: Diet Culture and Yoga with Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey

Description:

Diet culture is becoming more and more pervasive in the yoga world. It can show up in hidden and deliberate ways, and it is causing harm to our yoga students and it can be dangerous. Elyssa Toomey and Jessica Grosman are experts at the intersection of yoga, food, diet, and nutrition and have insights to share on the topic.

Elyssa Toomey is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Supervisor (CEDS-S), Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). She is an experienced anti-diet, Health at Every Size informed, weight-inclusive eating disorder dietitian who is passionate about helping people develop a peaceful relationship with food and their body. Elyssa specializes in helping clients heal from chronic dieting, disordered eating and eating disorders through 1:1 consultations and ongoing group and individual clinical supervision and case consultation.

Jessica Grosman is an Anti-Diet Registered Dietitian, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Weight-Inclusive Health Practitioner and Yoga Teacher. Her mission is to help people get comfortable and connected with their own body through food and yoga. Jessica believes that all people have the right to health, regardless of size or medical condition. As both a Registered Dietitian and a Yoga Teacher, Jessica is qualified to address and educate on the topic of diet culture in yoga.

Elyssa and Jessica share their take on how yoga teachers may be contributing to diet/wellness culture in yoga spaces, how we can identify harmful behaviors, and what we can do about it. They also give tips on how to create safer spaces for all bodies and to use yoga as a way to foster connection between body, mind, and breath. Elyssa and Jessica offer guidance on the role of yoga teachers in disrupting diet culture and when it is appropriate for us to refer our students for professional help.

Key Takeaways:

[2:09] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Jessica Grosman & Elyssa Toomey.

[6:27] What do Jessica and Elyssa do and who do they do it for?

[8:57] Where does diet culture show up in the yoga world and yoga spaces?

[12:35] Jessica shares some examples of how yoga teachers may be perpetuating diet culture.

[16:10] Jessica and Elyssa encourage us to question what we mean when we say "health" or "healthy".

[18:53] How can yoga teachers who are not trained to speak about food, diet, or nutrition handle questions from students that buy into diet culture?

[21:09] Jessica highlights the fact that anybody and everybody can practice yoga and yoga goes beyond asana.

[22:05] Elyssa and Jessica are putting together a workshop about yoga and diet culture - Blurred Lines: The Harmful Intersection of Diet Culture & Yoga.

[25:21] We are all bombarded with diet culture messages from a very young age, so it can be difficult for us to break away from these thoughts.

[27:53] What can we do when we see or encounter harmful messages in yoga spaces or online?

[31:14] Social media can be dangerous in terms of the negative influence it can have but it is also possible to uplift and highlight the work of people doing beneficial things,

[33:27] Jessica and Elyssa share their thoughts around how we can create safer spaces for all students.

[36:44] We also need to pay attention to the language that we use when cueing poses or variations and modifications.

[38:34] Shannon pops in to share a quick teaching tip.

[41:54] What should yoga teachers do if they have students who may need to seek professional help?

[48:17] Jessica and Elyssa leave us with some final thoughts around diet culture in yoga.

[51:21] Find out more about Jessica and Elyssa on their websites or connect with them on social media.

[53:53] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Jessica and Elyssa.

Links:

• Jessica Grosman
• Jessica Grosman on Instagram
• Elyssa Toomey on Instagram
• “Blurred Lines: The Harmful Intersection of Diet Culture & Yoga” Workshop with Jessica and Elyssa
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 048: Eating Disorder Education for Yoga Teachers with Tabitha Farrar
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 275: Kicked Out of a Yoga Class!? with Shannon Crow
• Getting Started as A New Yoga Teacher with Shannon Crow - OfferingTree Webinar
• Yoga for Pelvic Health: 3.5-Hour Online Workshop with Shannon
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Diet culture is a piece of this overall wellness culture... It is so pervasive, it's in everything that we do." - Elyssa

"As teachers, there is this level of respect that our students have for us or they're looking to us for direction, not only the physical direction of where to place your feet on the mat, but also sort of that bigger life direction." - Elyssa

"The scope of practice for a yoga teacher does not include anything related to food, diet or nutrition." - Jessica

"Our bodies are to be lived in and not looked at." - Elyssa

"Our worth as individuals has nothing to do with our weight and has nothing to do with our size." - Elyssa

"Anybody can have an opinion about any subject but opinions are not facts and opinions are not knowledge." - Jessica

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

291: Better Balance with Susi Hately

Description:

Keeping their balance is something we may have noticed that older adults may find challenging, or something that we may ourselves have felt we need to improve as we age. How can yoga help with this? Susi Hately shares insights from her experience working with people on their balance.

Susi Hately is the founder of Functional Synergy and she helps people reveal and heal their human potential regardless of their age or condition. She also helps yoga teachers, yoga therapists and health care providers hone their talent and become excellent practitioners. Susi also teaches people, often over 50, 60 and 70 years of age, how to get out of pain and handle other symptoms that accompany aging. Susi combines her formal training in Kinesiology and deep knowledge of yoga to foster the magic of recovery and healing so that they can live well, with strength and ease, and better balance.

Susi shares how she was inspired to get into this line of work by her father who improved his balance and mobility through yoga. She outlines the key elements that contribute to balance and highlights the importance of asking students why they want to improve their balance. Susi also talks about joint mobility, rest, breath and breathing all impact balance, and tips to help our students (and ourselves!) maintain and improve balance as we get older.

Key Takeaways:

[2:27] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Susi Hately.

[5:06] What is the work that Susi does and who does she do it for?

[6:46] What got Susi interested in talking about balance?

[8:38] How did Susi's father get interested in yoga at the age of 79?

[9:30] What about yoga helps people improve their balance?

[11:13] What are the first steps Susi takes when someone specifically wants to improve their balance?

[12:50] How does Susi cater to people who may be fearful about their balance?

[14:34] What are some things Susi loves to share with students who want to work on their balance?

[16:33] What are some cues yoga teachers could be more mindful around when it comes to breathing?

[18:38] What does rest have to do with balance?

[20:57] What are Susi's thoughts on guiding people to the practice of yoga when they need to down regulate their nervous system?

[23:12] What kind of homework does Susi give her students to improve their balance?

[26:22] What are some movements related to balance that we take for granted that we can practice in a yoga class?

[30:13] Closing the eyes can be an important part of training people in their balance. How does Susi address students who may feel embarrassed or afraid of fumbling or falling over with their eyes closed?

[33:22] Shannon pops in with a quick message about the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[36:01 - 36:01] Susi highlights the fact that our bodies can change at any age and people can regain some of the mobility and ability that they may have lost.

[39:30] Why do people believe that they are destined to lose their mobility and ability to perform certain actions?

[44:00] Susi leaves us with some final things to remember as we work with students or work on our own balance.

[44:39] Find out more about Susi and her work at her website and check out her YouTube channel too.

[45:25] Shannon shares her key takeaway from this conversation with Susi.

[50:00] Shannon shares some upcoming offerings.

Links:

• Susi Hately
• Susi Hately on YouTube
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 288: Shavasana (śavāsana) with Indu Arora
• Caroline do-in-yoga.de
• Getting Started as A New Yoga Teacher with Shannon Crow - OfferingTree Webinar
• “Blurred Lines: The Harmful Intersection of Diet Culture & Yoga” Workshop with Jessica and Elyssa
• Yoga for Pelvic Health: 3.5-Hour Online Workshop with Shannon
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"The key components are what's going on in your inner ear, your stimulus system, what's going on visually as well as what's going on developmentally, like your motor control patterns and how your body moves."

"Rest and breathing are important to balance."

"The key is how can we help a system down regulate and have a system become too that restful state.... If we can settle and connect and be at ease, we'll find that the balance is a lot better."

"When you have the correct stimulus, all sorts of things can shift."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

290: Best Microphones for Online Yoga with Ashley Hagen

Description:

Many yoga teachers are teaching online these days and one thing is extremely important for online classes - sound quality. Having a good quality microphone can really help, but with so many options available, which do you choose without breaking your budget? Ashley Hagen has some advice for you in this episode.

Ashley Hagen is a yoga teacher, yoga teacher trainer, yoga studio owner, and business coach. She gets excited about all the things that support an online teacher or studio -- systems, software, and the technology needed to make it all run smoothly. Since moving into the online space, Ashley has become an expert in building an online yoga business - including what mics to use to teach online, on Zoom, and out in big outdoor spaces.

Ashley gives her recommendations on best mics for yoga teachers teaching online, suggestions to improve your sound quality as you are leading classes, and how to navigate some of the complex technology related to getting set up for Zoom and online classes. Ashley also shares how OfferingTree has been a useful resource for her and why she recommends it to yoga teachers, as well as how you can build confidence to teach online.

Key Takeaways:

[2:24] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Ashley Hagen.

[6:11] What is the work that Ashley does and who does she do it for?

[7:14] Did Ashley's business take off with the pandemic?

[8:32] What microphone does Ashley recommend for yoga teachers who want to teach online?

[11:50] Ashley has done a video comparing a whole bunch of different microphones that yoga teachers use. She shares a little about that.

[14:29] Shannon had a problem with adjusting the volume on her Rode microphone so she reached out to Ashley. Ashley explains how she set up her Rode mic to work.

[18:46] How can you play music on Zoom and still use a wireless mic?

[20:49] Ashley shares some tips on what to wear while teaching online so that your clothes don't interfere with the mic, and how to wear your mic.

[23:33] What are some mishaps Ashley has had while teaching online that she has learned from?

[26:10] If you're having problems with your mic, you might want to check the cables first!

[28:16] Ashley has some tips if you are teaching yoga outdoors.

[29:22] How does Ashley handle recording and editing her videos?

[32:00] Ashley has a quick tip about the kind of content you could be sharing on YouTube.

[32:46] Ashley shares her experience with using OfferingTree for her business.

[36:18] Would Ashley recommend OfferingTree for yoga teachers who are just getting started?

[40:04] What are Ashley's thoughts on yoga teachers not getting their offerings out first.

[41:56] Ashley shares some advice for yoga teachers who are feeling uncertain about whether they can teach online yoga.

[43:30] Learn more from Ashley through her website and connect with her on social media!

[44:14] Ashley outlines the information you can find in her PDF guide!

[45:09] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Ashley.

[46:12] Shannon did a little mic test to show the difference in sound for her between the Blue Yeti mic, her Airpods, and the Rode Wireless Go.

[49:39] Shannon highlights some of her key takeaways from this chat with Ashley.

Links:

• Ashley Hagen
• Ashley Hagen on YouTube
• Microphone for Online Yoga Teaching [Playlist]
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 059: Market Your Yoga Teacher Training with Ashley Hagen [Consultation Call]
• Free Training Build A Yoga Business From Home In 2022
• The Ultimate Guide to Online Yoga Teaching by Ashley Hagen
• Rode Wireless Go
• Airpods
• Blue Yeti
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 239: Connecting in Divisive Times with Sinéad O’Connor
• Getting Started as A New Yoga Teacher with Shannon Crow - OfferingTree Webinar
• “Blurred Lines: The Harmful Intersection of Diet Culture & Yoga” Workshop with Jessica and Elyssa
• 3.5 hour training yoga for pelvic health training
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"If that's the case for you where you ever feel like your mics are going bad, first check the cables."

"[One tip is] it's using a microphone for outdoor yoga to amplify your voice with a speaker."

"I wouldn't call myself an audio expert or a technology expert, but I'm a step or two ahead of people because I test things out. So I'm able to answer some questions."

"Yoga studios don't get students before they open their storefront. They open a studio first and then they get the students. It's kind of the same thing. You've got to open your virtual studio before you get people in the doors."

"Yoga studios don't get students before they open their storefront. They open a studio first and then they get the students. You've got to open your virtual studio before you get people in the doors."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

289: Limb Difference and Yoga with Melissa D'Errico

Description:

Many more people live with limb differences than we might realize. However, we are not taught as yoga teachers how to serve people with limb differences when they come into our classes or create more welcoming and comfortable spaces for them. Melissa D’Errico has some advice and insights to share.

Melissa D’Errico has had a lifelong love of movement. She started dance classes at a young age, and eventually found her way to yoga, earning multiple certifications in yoga in different modalities such as pre-natal yoga, yin yoga, yoga dance, and other forms of yoga. Melissa also offers healing energy work through Reiki. She currently teaches at the Yoga Center of Deerfield Beach, the Meditate School of Mindfulness and at Beyond Transformation and supports the Lucky Fin Project, nonprofit organization working to raise awareness and celebrate children and individuals born with symbrachydactyly or other limb differences (upper, lower, congenital, and amputee).

Melissa shares her story of being born with a limb difference and how that never stopped her from doing anything she felt called to. Melissa also shared some valuable insights around the language that we use around people with limb differences as well as what we as yoga teachers need to know when someone with a limb difference attends our classes.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about people with limb differences and how we can better serve them in our classes.

Key Takeaways:

[2:15] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Melissa D'Errico.

[5:15] What has Melissa's yoga journey been like? What is the work she currently does?

[7:17] Shannon and Melissa discuss her experience with yoga dance.

[9:26] Melissa lives in a body with a limb difference. She shares more about her experience.

[14:59] What should yoga teachers do when someone with a limb difference comes into their class?

[19:11] Melissa shares some insight about dealing with "uncomfortable moments" in a yoga class.

[20:34] What are some things around language and cues that Melissa would like yoga teachers to know and use?

[22:29] Shannon highlights some re-education she experienced at the Accessible Yoga Conference.

[25:18] Shannon shares a little about the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[27:43] What does Melissa say to people who have a limb difference that they were not born with and are feeling like it's a disability for them?

[30:54] What made Melissa stop calling her limb difference a birth defect?

[34:14] What are some things from yoga and yoga philosophy that Melissa has learned and applies to her life?

[35:16] Learn more about Melissa or join an online class with her!

[38:11] How does Melissa make her busy schedule work?

[40:25] Melissa shares some final thoughts about teaching students with a limb difference.

[41:06] Being a "helicopter yoga teacher" isn't helpful. Melissa explains more.

[42:24] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this episode.

[49:52] Shannon highlights some of her upcoming events and trainings.

Links:

• Melissa D’Errico
• Melissa D’Errico on Instagram (Personal), Instagram (Professional), Facebook
• Yoga Center of Deerfield Beach
• Meditate: School of Mindfulness
• Beyond Transformation
• Marsha Danzig
• Lucky Fin Project
• About Megha | Let Your Yoga Dance
• 7 Reasons to Stop Calling Disabled People Inspirational, by Erin Tatum for Everyday Feminism
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 092: Accessible Yoga Begins with Language with Elliot Kesse, Chantel Ehler and Katie Juelson - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 116: Pain Language with Shelly Prosko (Part 1)
• 3 hr Training
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 270: Hypermobility & Yoga with Libby Hinsley
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Accessible Yoga Training Online, September 12th-28th
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"I teach yoga with a limb difference."

"You probably feel more uncomfortable than the person with a limb difference."

"We already know everything we need to know, we just need to remember."

"You got this... just lead with your heart, teach with your heart, the true yoga is in your heart and it'll all work out."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

288: Shavasana (śavāsana) with Indu Arora

Description:

Shavasana (śavāsana) is the final resting pose of almost every yoga practice but how much do we really know about and understand it? We may think of it as being a pose of resting or relaxation to cool off after a vigorous asana practice but it is much more than that. Indu Arora shares more.

Indu Arora considers herself a lifelong student and has spent the last 2 decades of her life studying, thinking and sharing Yoga and Ayurveda. She is a renowned author of SOMA - 100 Heritage Recipes for Self-Care, Yoga - Ancient Heritage, Tomorrow’s Vision, and Mudra: The Sacred Secret. She is a firm believer that “yoga is not to be learnt and done but explored and realized” and embodies this in her own life and practice. Indu travels extensively within the United States, Canada, Europe and India to teach and speak on Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Ayurveda and Mudras and her unique gift is in making Yoga and Ayurveda a practice which is equally useful for beginners as well as for seasoned seekers.

In this interview, we learn the correct Sanskrit pronunciation of Shavasana (and other asana!) and explore why the Sanskrit pronunciation is so important. Indu shares insights on what we are missing about Shavasana and the true purpose of this pose - as a preparation for death. Indu also answers some common questions we often encounter about Shavasana, such as how long it should be, and if it is okay to fall asleep during Shavasana. Indu offers some deep reflective questions for us to contemplate around why we practice yoga and how we can find, share, and face the truth through yoga. This is a great episode to listen to before your next yoga practice or before you do shavasana.

Key Takeaways:

[3:48] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Indu Arora.

[8:06] What does Indu do and who does she do it for?

[9:24] Indu believes that “Yoga is not to be learnt and done but explored and realized.” What does this mean?

[13:07] When did Indu's journey with yoga start?

[17:58] What is the Sanskrit pronunciation of Shavasana? Indu explains why pronunciation matters.

[24:32] If you are interested in learning more about asana names and meanings, check out Indu's book, Yoga - Ancient Heritage, Tomorrow’s Vision.

[25:38] What does Shavasana mean and what are we missing about it?

[31:36] Shannon pops in with a message about the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[35:33] People have some resistance in thinking about death and dying. How can we approach teaching about Shavasana and deal with that resistance?

[40:20] What elements could yoga teachers incorporate to build more of a practice like this?

[42:34] Indu invites us to consider why we are practicing yoga each time we do it, and to ask ourselves if we are becoming robotic in our approach.

[45:17] How long does Shavasana need to be? Does it always need to be at the end?

[53:13] Learn more from Indu and connect with her via her website, and social media.

[55:09] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Indu.

Links:

• Indu Arora
• Indu Arora on Instagram
• Morning and Evening Routines for Everyday Health and Well-Being
• Yoga - Ancient Heritage Tomorrow's Vision, by Indu Arora
• Mudra: The Sacred Secret, by Indu Arora
• SOMA - 100 Heritage Recipes for Self-Care, by Indu Arora
• S​havasana, Article by Indu Arora
• Upcoming Trainings and Events by Indu Arora
• Rest Unlocked: Yoga Practices for Better Sleep - Training at Kripalu
• Loom
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Accessible Yoga Training Online, September 12th-28th
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Yoga is not to be done, it is to be explored and realized. It is a state of being, it is a state of mind, it is a state of emotions, it is a state of breath, all of this."

"What is the purpose of yoga and why are you sharing and why are you studying about it? And why are you thinking about it? Do not lose that focus."

"It is a rehearsal for death."

"Shavasana is the practice of Pratyahara, it's a conscious letting go."

"Yoga is not a feel-good practice, it is a face-the-truth practice."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

287: Insurance for International Yoga with Beth McVeigh & Joe Fagan

Description:

Many yoga teachers have been curious about insurance for yoga teachers teaching abroad and teaching online to international students - particularly in light of the COVID pandemic. What kind of coverage do you need? Do you need people to sign a waiver? What happens if you can’t control who watches your videos? Beth McVeigh and Joe Fagan have the answers to these questions and more.

Beth is a Commercial Insurance Manager specializing in insurance for Complementary Health practitioners and Studio, Clinic and Spa owners based in Canada. Along with her experienced and knowledgeable team of insurance advisors, Beth helps clients navigate the insurance coverage they need for their practice. Joe Fagan is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Beyogi. He helps to create relationships within the yoga community to generate exposure for all involved. Joe is a US-based insurance provider for yoga teachers.

Beth and Joe share more about what kind of insurance yoga teachers need when teaching online to international students, sharing yoga on shared platforms, or if they are traveling to teach in-person and abroad. They also explain the legal considerations yoga teachers should be mindful of when it comes to waivers and COVID, and how to navigate getting insurance if you’re planning to relocate and teach yoga in another country.

Disclaimer: The material presented in this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please consult with your local insurance agent for specific advice or services needed.

Key Takeaways:

[2:27] Shannon introduces the topic for this episode, which was inspired by questions and comments from the Connected Yoga Teacher community.

[4:36] Shannon has a few announcements about upcoming events and trainings.

[8:04] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Beth McVeigh and Joe Fagan.

[11:17] What is yoga insurance and what gets Joe and Beth excited about helping yoga teachers with their insurance?

[13:52] Why is it important for yoga teachers to have insurance, and what gets Beth excited about her work?

[15:16] What are some considerations with teaching yoga online? Is there a difference between live classes and pre-recorded classes, and does it make a difference who signs up?

[18:42] What can yoga teachers do if they are not able to keep track of who is watching their videos online? Beth and Joe explain how insurance works for yoga teachers going outside their country of coverage.

[24:02] Beth clarifies how it would work if a yoga teacher who has international web-based consulting coverage posts a video on Instagram and someone from a different country watches it and gets hurt as a result.

[25:37] It is hard to provide blanket statements about which specific situations are covered and which aren't, so it would be best to check with your local advisor for any specific cases you are concerned about.

[27:21] What should yoga teachers be aware of if they are planning to travel to another country to host a yoga teacher training or retreat?

[29:22] If a yoga teacher is planning to relocate to another country, should they look into insurance before traveling or should they wait to get to their new location?

[31:17] Shannon pops in with a quick note about the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[33:44] What are the steps a yoga teacher should take if they are planning to go away for a whole year to teach yoga abroad? How is it different if they're relocating?

[37:14] What are some other things yoga teachers should know about teaching online to people outside their country?

[41:02] What has changed with waivers because of Covid?

[48:09] Joe offers his clients a template of a waiver when they enroll into his program as well as other helpful resources available on the website.

[50:45] If you are based in Canada and you work with Beth and her team, you will have 24/7 access to a group of lawyers.

[53:30] If you are in the US, find out more about getting yoga teacher insurance with BeYogi and in Canada, do check in with Beth for your best options!

[55:00] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview.

Links:

• Beth McVeigh, INeedAPolicy.com
• Joe Fagan, Beyogi
• Insurance for Yoga Teachers - The Connected Yoga Teacher
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 105: Insurance for Yoga Teachers with Beth McVeigh
• Covid-Proof Legal Essentials for Yogis in 2021 - Beyogi
• Post-COVID Legal Essentials Checklist for Yoga Teachers - Beyogi
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Yoga insurance or liability insurance for yoga instructors, it's ultimately all designed for protection." - Joe Fagan

"We are definitely heading into a new age of claims, so it's good to make sure that [yoga teachers are] properly covered for it."

"It's very crucial to any type of online environment to have some type of disclaimer or waiver that can be signed before admitting somebody into that." - Joe

"It's always a good idea - whatever event you're doing, if it's outside of your normal scope of practice - to talk to an agent." - Joe

"Make sure that we know every single detail of your business structure because that's the only way that we can properly make sure that you're insured." - Beth

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

286: Yoga Around the World with Lily Allen-Duenas

Description:

Have you ever wanted to teach yoga around the world but weren’t sure where to get started? Perhaps you have wondered how the yoga community differs from country to country. Lily Allen-Duenas shares her insights as a yoga teacher who travels the world and also as a podcaster who has interacted with yoga teachers and students from all around the globe.

Lily Allen-Duenas is an international yoga and meditation instructor, a holistic health and wellness coach, and a Reiki master healer. She strives to help people reduce their emotional overload, and find balance, breath, and space for self-care. Lily is the founder of the Wild Yoga Tribe and the host of the Wild Yoga Tribe podcast. She has taught yoga classes and wellness workshops all over the world.

In this episode, Lily shares some of her tips for getting started with teaching yoga while traveling the world and the different things she has learned about different cultures in different countries. Lily offers suggestions on how to find and secure yoga jobs abroad and what to look out for to avoid scams. As a writer and marketer, Lily also has some great strategies around her podcast marketing strategy and navigating social media.

Key Takeaways:

[1:11] Shannon shares one of the resources she is learning from about social justice.

[4:07] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Lily Allen-Duenas

[7:34] What does Lily do and who does she do it for?

[10:17] What are some differences Lily has observed in talking with yoga teachers around the world?

[12:06] What is something surprising that Lily has learned about different cultures as she interviews different yoga teachers?

[15:54] Interacting with people from different cultures or backgrounds can challenge out preconceived notions.

[17:37] What is Lily's advice for people who want to travel and teach yoga? How can they do that?

[24:06] Lily walks us through some of her podcast marketing strategies.

[29:24] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree.

[31:33] What are Lily's tips for staying on track with her marketing strategy for her podcast?

[35:16] Lily shares her biggest tips to make marketing on Instagram easier for yoga teachers.

[40:28] Shannon and Lily discuss having boundaries on social media and showing up authentically.

[47:01] Find out more about Lily and her work via her podcast, website, and social media.

[51:52] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this episode as well as some other resources for listeners.

Links:

• Lily Allen-Duenas
• Wild Yoga Tribe
• Lily Allen-Duenas on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Insight Timer, YouTube
• Wild Yoga Tribe Podcast
• Canada Land
• Wild Yoga Tribe Podcast Episode #23 – Yoga and Pelvic Health – Yoga in Canada with Shannon Crow
• So You Want to Start a Podcast: Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Building a Community That Will Listen by Kristen Meinzer
• Zencastr
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 119: Travel and Teach Yoga with Eva Hamilton
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 064: Getting Hired by a Yoga Studio with Kristen Sweeney
• Mental Health & Yoga Summit by Dr. Lauren Tober
• Mental Health Aware Yoga Teacher Training with Dr. Lauren Tober
• Accessible Yoga Training with Jivana Heyman
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"How do I find work and especially if I want to do it in a different country, it can seem really difficult."

"I think we're in a smaller world than we've ever been in before and ... I just love the possibilities."

“[For marketing,] I think it's important to have that routine and the rhythm and then of course to do it in a way that feels mission aligned."

"Sharing anything and everything you can think of related to your niche and then doing that in a way that really serves your audience will help of course grow the community."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

285: Mental Health Aware Yoga with Dr. Lauren Tober

Description:

Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness and 1 in 3 Canadians will be affected by a mental illness during their lifetime. Globally, there is an upward trend in the number of people living with and impacted by mental health conditions. This means we may have students in our classes with mental health conditions that we don’t know about. How can we best support these students within our scope of practice? Dr. Lauren Tober shares more.

Dr Lauren Tober is a Clinical Psychologist, Yoga Teacher and certified iRest Meditation Teacher with a passion for health, healing, happiness and awakening. She is the founder of Awake Psychology, an online Australia-wide psychology practice, the Centre for Mind Body Wellness in Mullumbimby (Australia) and teaches Yoga Teachers around the world about mental health with the Mental Health Aware Yoga training. Lauren has also created several acclaimed online courses, and her work has been featured in many publications.

Lauren explains what is and isn’t in our scope of practice as yoga teachers when it comes to mental health, and how we can support people with mental health conditions without overstepping our boundaries. Lauren also offers tips on what to do when someone cries in a yoga class, how to create a safe container in a yoga class that may have students with mental health issues we don’t know about, and how we can support students outside of yoga.

Key Takeaways:

[2:13] Shannon shares a book she is learning a lot from - One Native Life by Richard Wagamese.

[4:44] Shannon has a few announcements to share about upcoming events and offerings.

[8:16] Shannon introduces the guest for this episode - Dr. Lauren Tober.

[11:36] What does Lauren do and who does she do it for?

[13:23 - 13:24] Lauren reminds us that we may not know when our students are going through mental health challenges.

[15:55] What lies within the scope of practice for yoga teachers when it comes to helping people with their mental health?

[18:41] Lauren works with yoga teachers around mental health to give them enough information to help their students.

[21:17] It is common for people to break down and cry in yoga classes. What should yoga teachers do in that moment?

[26:34] What might Lauren say to someone who cried during the yoga class to check in with them at the end of the class?

[27:39] What should yoga teachers do if students start to open up about their struggles or mental health challenges?

[30:06] Lauren recommends having a list of professionals you can refer people to - e.g. doctors, naturopaths, psychologists.

[34:13] What is something related to mental health challenges that Lauren wishes yoga teachers knew.

[38:12] What are Lauren's thoughts on using touch in a yoga class?

[43:49] Shannon pops in with a warning about strong language.

[45:12] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor OfferingTree.

[48:42] There is a common misconception among yoga teachers that if you do enough yoga, you don't need any mental health support. Lauren shares her thoughts on this.

[54:01] Find out more about Lauren and her work on her website and check out her special website around yoga for mental health.

[56:09] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview.

Links:

• Dr. Lauren Tober
• Mental Health Aware Yoga
• Mental Health & Yoga Summit
• Introduction To Yoga + Mental Health Training
• One Native Life by Richard Wagamese
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 268: Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault with Nikki Adams
• Consent Tokens
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 267: Thoughts on Belly Breathing with Shannon Crow
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"We don't necessarily know someone is going through stuff, [or] going through some mental health challenges."

"You need to really get clear on what your scope of practice is and make sure you stay within that and if you feel tempted to do some counseling or offer massage or whatever it is, … go and get some training in that area so you can broaden your scope of practice and include that in your offering."

"Yoga has an amazing role to play in terms of supporting mental wellness and supporting people who are going through mental health challenges."

"Supporting somebody going through mental health challenges is creating a space where someone can come and feel safe. "

"To be present with someone else, from one human being to another human being, to be really present is such a gift."

"Having conversations about consent and touch is really powerful."

View Details

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

285: Mental Health Aware Yoga with Dr. Lauren Tober

Description:

Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness and 1 in 3 Canadians will be affected by a mental illness during their lifetime. Globally, there is an upward trend in the number of people living with and impacted by mental health conditions. This means we may have students in our classes with mental health conditions that we don’t know about. How can we best support these students within our scope of practice? Dr. Lauren Tober shares more.

Dr Lauren Tober is a Clinical Psychologist, Yoga Teacher and certified iRest Meditation Teacher with a passion for health, healing, happiness and awakening. She is the founder of Awake Psychology, an online Australia-wide psychology practice, the Centre for Mind Body Wellness in Mullumbimby (Australia) and teaches Yoga Teachers around the world about mental health with the Mental Health Aware Yoga training. Lauren has also created several acclaimed online courses, and her work has been featured in many publications.

Lauren explains what is and isn’t in our scope of practice as yoga teachers when it comes to mental health, and how we can support people with mental health conditions without overstepping our boundaries. Lauren also offers tips on what to do when someone cries in a yoga class, how to create a safe container in a yoga class that may have students with mental health issues we don’t know about, and how we can support students outside of yoga.

Key Takeaways:

[2:13] Shannon shares a book she is learning a lot from - One Native Life by Richard Wagamese.

[4:44] Shannon has a few announcements to share about upcoming events and offerings.

[8:16] Shannon introduces the guest for this episode - Dr. Lauren Tober.

[11:36] What does Lauren do and who does she do it for?

[13:23 - 13:24] Lauren reminds us that we may not know when our students are going through mental health challenges.

[15:55] What lies within the scope of practice for yoga teachers when it comes to helping people with their mental health?

[18:41] Lauren works with yoga teachers around mental health to give them enough information to help their students.

[21:17] It is common for people to break down and cry in yoga classes. What should yoga teachers do in that moment?

[26:34] What might Lauren say to someone who cried during the yoga class to check in with them at the end of the class?

[27:39] What should yoga teachers do if students start to open up about their struggles or mental health challenges?

[30:06] Lauren recommends having a list of professionals you can refer people to - e.g. doctors, naturopaths, psychologists.

[34:13] What is something related to mental health challenges that Lauren wishes yoga teachers knew.

[38:12] What are Lauren's thoughts on using touch in a yoga class?

[43:49] Shannon pops in with a warning about strong language.

[45:12] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor OfferingTree.

[48:42] There is a common misconception among yoga teachers that if you do enough yoga, you don't need any mental health support. Lauren shares her thoughts on this.

[54:01] Find out more about Lauren and her work on her website and check out her special website around yoga for mental health.

[56:09] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview.

Links:

• Dr. Lauren Tober
• Mental Health Aware Yoga
• Mental Health & Yoga Summit
• Introduction To Yoga + Mental Health Training
• One Native Life by Richard Wagamese
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 268: Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault with Nikki Adams
• Consent Tokens
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 267: Thoughts on Belly Breathing with Shannon Crow
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"We don't necessarily know someone is going through stuff, [or] going through some mental health challenges."

"You need to really get clear on what your scope of practice is and make sure you stay within that and if you feel tempted to do some counseling or offer massage or whatever it is, … go and get some training in that area so you can broaden your scope of practice and include that in your offering."

"Yoga has an amazing role to play in terms of supporting mental wellness and supporting people who are going through mental health challenges."

"Supporting somebody going through mental health challenges is creating a space where someone can come and feel safe. "

"To be present with someone else, from one human being to another human being, to be really present is such a gift."

"Having conversations about consent and touch is really powerful."

View Details

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

284: Beyond Pronouns and Pride Month with Shannon Crow

Description:

How can we make our yoga classes more inclusive and accessible? The truth is, sometimes we can mess up and make mistakes even when we try to create safer spaces in our yoga classes. We may cause harm without realizing it - that’s why it is a huge gift when someone points out how we are causing harm.

The work of continuous learning goes beyond simply using the right pronouns and extends far beyond Pride month. These are complex and nuanced issues - we have to strive to continuously educate ourselves. In this episode, Shannon Crow shares the email from a listener that inspired this conversation as well as resources for you if you are keen to continue learning how to create safer, more accessible yoga spaces for people in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Key Takeaways:

[3:24] Shannon shares a book she has been enjoying and learning from recently.

[6:56] This episode was inspired by a brave email sent by a podcast listener in response to Episode 275 about being kicked out of yoga class.

[9:00] Shannon shares the email from the listener.

[10:44] Even when we want to create safe spaces, we may not succeed. We may also cause harm to others and it is a huge gift when they communicate that with us.

[11:58] Our continuous learning journey goes beyond Pride month.

[13:03] We can spread our learning and collaboration requests out to span the entire year, instead of just in Pride month.

[14:12 Shannon has some resources for you if you want to create an inclusive yoga space in all months of the year, not just in June.

[20:54 - 20:59] Shannon shares what OfferingTree is putting together for yoga studios.

[22:43] Shannon highlights some of the podcast episodes listeners can learn from as well as trainings available.

[27:50] We can all learn from each other if we're willing to share and be vulnerable about where we messed up.

Links:

• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga Resource Page
• Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 275: Kicked Out of a Yoga Class!? with Shannon Crow
• Pelvic Health Professionals (Code: listenersgift284)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 276: Caring for Yoga's South Asian Roots with Susanna Barkataki
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 277: Yoga and Land Acknowledgement with Jessica Barudin & Emmy Chahal
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 278: Religion & Cultural Respect in Yoga with Emmy Chahal
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 269: Yoga Philosophy and Colonialism with Shyam Ranganathan
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

• Resources to Guide Learning:

• • Transgender Competency Training with Tobias Wiggins (2-hr training)
  • Embodied Consent with Megan Peterson
  • Trans Pregnancy with Jacoby Ballard
  • Gender Affirming Language with Avery Kalapa
  • Gender Affirming Surgery with Dr. Christi Butler
  • 265: Teach LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Yoga with Gabi Parkham
  • 231: Conscious Marketing with Tristan Katz - The Connected Yoga Teacher
  • Conscious Marketing for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz
  • 195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz
  • 217: The Yoga of Trans* Affirmation with Avery Kalapa & Maygen Nicholson
  • 246: Anger, Forgiveness & Self-Care with Jacoby Ballard - The Connected Yoga Teacher
  • 108: Inclusive Language for Prenatal Yoga with Shannon Crow
  • 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow - The Connected Yoga Teacher

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"This continuous learning journey, I really think this goes beyond Pride Month."

"Please don't be the business that sticks a pride flag on their website in june only to then take it down and forget all about the social justice issue the rest of the year."

"It is very nuanced and it's like we don't know what we don't know and in the meantime we might be causing harm."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

283: Teach Yoga Without Demos with Francesca Cervero

Description:

Do you demonstrate yoga asanas when you teach? Do you wish you could do fewer demos in a class but don’t know how? How can we start doing that in our classes? Francesca Cervero explains how she teaches yoga without demos and how other yoga teachers can too.

Francesca Cervero has been teaching yoga full-time since 2005. Inspired by her foundational training at OM Yoga Center, the years she spent as a dancer, and subsequently in physical therapy, Francesca’s teaching is also influenced by her love of Buddhist teachings and a constant curiosity about anatomy and biomechanics. Francesca offers private 1:1 yoga classes, mentors yoga teachers in The Science of the Private Lesson™, hosts the podcast The Mentor Sessions: Support & Strategy for Yoga Teachers, and is the founder of the adjoining community, The Mentor Sessions Sangha.

Francesca explains the benefits of teaching without demos and how we can start to teach without doing demos in yoga classes. She shares her tips like sitting on your hands while teaching and how to cue effectively as well as how to ease the transition if you currently rely on demos to teach. Francesca also shares how she counters pushback like “people are visual learners” and what to do when accessibility is a factor and we need to share demos.

Key Takeaways:

[2:13] Shannon shares a podcast she is learning from.

[6:13] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Francesca Cervero.

[10:05] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[12:48] What does Francesca do and who does she do it for?

[14:18] What does Francesca do in terms of demonstrations vs no demonstrations as she is teaching.

[16:43] What are some of the benefits of not doing demos?

[19:58] You might feel inclined to demonstrate because you're feeling nervous. Francesca addresses this and shares some tips that can help.

[25:16] The only way to gain the skills to teach without demonstrating is to practice them.

[27:29] Recording yourself teaching with just your voice can be a helpful technique to get better at teaching without demonstrating.

[30:40] How does Francesca deal with that awkward moment when people in the class are waiting to see a demonstration because that's what they've become used to?

[36:15] Teaching without demonstrating isn't black-and-white. The key is to focus on the student and what cues might help them.

[40:14] Shannon and Francesca discuss the difference between teaching yoga and doing yoga for your own practice.

[41:26] What can yoga teachers do when they're teaching online and their students want to have their video off?

[49:02] Find out more about Francesca and how to work with her via her podcast, mentor sessions, and her community.

[49:34] Francesca addresses two scenarios that yoga teachers may have questions about - teaching beginners without demos and teaching in situations with a language barrier or to people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

[53:01] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview with Francesca.

Links:

• Francesca Cervero
• Francesca Cervero on Instagram
• Francesca Cervero's Podcast
• Stillness + Movement Virtual Yoga Studio
• The Mentor Sessions Sangha
• Aborsh Podcast
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 281: Yoga Teaching Tips with Gabrielle Harris
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 282: What's Missing? Yoga Class Notes with Kathryn Anne Flynn
• Rosemary Donnelly, Midlife Yoga and Wellness.
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Yoga for Pelvic Health 6-Week Series with Shannon Crow
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"It's obviously not sustainable to need to constantly use our body to share information about movement."

"When we exclusively use our body to share information about movement, I think that it puts the emphasis or the focus on the aesthetic of the shape rather than the experience or the potential benefit, which will look radically different person to person."

"I prefer teaching with my words because I think it places the emphasis for the student more on what they're experiencing as opposed to what their body looks like."

"The only way to gain the skills to teach without demonstrating is to practice them."

"The real heart of teaching is in relationship. If you can't see them, then that's not there."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

282: What's Missing? Yoga Class Notes with Kathryn Anne Flynn

Description:

Have you ever been to a yoga class and noticed that something is missing? Perhaps it was the cues given, or the postures practices, or even the sequence of the class. There are certain key elements that we need to have to make a well-rounded yoga class and we might be missing some of them! Kathryn Anne Flynn shares her expertise on this topic and how we can make our classes more accessible to all.

Kathryn Anne Flynn is a teacher and student of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and psychotherapy in Ottawa, Canada. She is known for weaving together her fields of study and practice tools to meet life with a compassionate presence. Students of many generations call her their teacher and they are drawn to her inclusivity and authenticity. Kathryn is also the host of the Intelligent Edge Yoga Podcast, author of Teach Kind, Clear Yoga, and offers online practices as well as trainings, workshops, and retreats.

Kathryn shares her insights about some of the key elements missing from yoga classes (especially with newer teachers) such as silence, little joint care, and music and playlists, and gives us tips on how we can effectively incorporate these into our yoga classes to become better teachers and create a better environment for our yoga students. This is a really motivating episode to get inspiration about how to improve on your classes and create a better environment for our yoga students.

Key Takeaways:

[0:00] Shannon addresses the recent US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade.

[1:45] This episode is also sponsored by the Accessible Yoga Continuing Education Program.

[8:33] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Kathryn Anne Flynn.

[11:55] You can win one of Kathryn's books simply by leaving a comment in the show notes!

[13:04] What does Kathryn do and who does she do it for?

[14:37] What got Kathryn interested in her work around psychotherapy and trauma therapy, from being a yoga educator?

[17:29] Kathryn is the author of Teach Kind, Clear Yoga. What was her motivation for writing the book and what feedback has she received about it?

[19:31] There are often trends in things that are missing from new yoga teachers' classes. Kathryn reflects on how she made this observation.

[22:14] A reminder for people going through their yoga teacher training: Teaching yoga is never going to be as hard as it is in your training.

[24:01] Something that is often missing even from experienced teachers' classes is silence.

[26:09] Another element often missing in yoga classes is little joint care.

[28:53] There is value in simplicity and repetition.

[32:33] A tip for new teachers - if you are nervous when teaching yoga, you can use music to support your teaching and create atmosphere in your classes.

[33:54] Shannon pops in to share a conversation she had with Sara Villamil about OfferingTree.

[36:11] Is music essential to a yoga class or can we teach without it? Shannon and Kathyrn share their perspectives.

[43:07] Kathryn shares some tips around what to consider when sequencing your yoga class.

[48:33] You can bring creativity into sequencing your yoga classes.

[50:16] Kathryn developed her own personal style of yoga because of the communities she worked with and paying attention to their needs.

[53:05] Kathryn highlights two types of postures that are often missing from yoga classes.

[59:30] What are some final thoughts Kathryn has for a yoga teacher who is feeling like something is missing from their class?

[60:39] Get Kathryn's book and connect with her via her website and social media.

[62:24] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Kathryn.

Links:

• Kathryn Anne Flynn
• Kathryn Anne Flynn on Instagram and Facebook
• Intelligent Edge Yoga Podcast
• Teach Kind, Clear Yoga by Kathryn Anne Flynn
• Accessible Yoga Continuing Education Program
• Accessible Yoga Podcast
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 281: Yoga Teaching Tips with Gabrielle Harris
• Diane Liska
• Sara Villamil
• Self-Awakening Yoga, by Don Stapleton
• Aborsh Podcast
• Intelligent Edge Yoga Podcast - Yoga Playlists: The Effects of Music on Practice and the Practicalities of Teaching to Music on Apple and Spotify
• Balance Cushion
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 268: Yoga for Surviors of Sexual Assault with Nikki Adams
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Accessible Yoga Continuing Education Program.

Quotes from this episode:

"Teaching yoga is never going to be as hard as it is in your training."

"Reviewing your teaching can remain uncomfortable and it's worth it."

"If you design your classes in a way that folks are safe doing the practice, you can have faith in the resilience of the human body - which means you can have faith in the potency of silence and restrain yourself to offer more space because people need silence so badly if their lives are super busy and loud."

"I think it's important to be able to teach and practice both with and without [music]. It's just another tool that you need to know how and when to apply it."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

281: Yoga Teaching Tips with Gabrielle Harris

Description:

Whether you’re fresh out of a yoga teacher training or have been teaching yoga for years, there is always something new to learn about becoming a better teacher. Gabrielle Harris shares actionable tips for yoga teachers that you can start implementing in your classes and using right away.

Gabrielle describes herself as a writer at heart and a yogi in mind and body. Her aim is to inspire students and teachers from all disciplines to keep falling in love with yoga each new day. Gabrielle has over 1000 hours of training in various disciplines and traditions, and through her written work and yoga classes reminds us to start living a full life through the toolbox of yoga. She is also the author of The Language of Yin and The Inspired Yoga Teacher.

Gabrielle talks about her journey in writing these two books, how to teach yoga to beginners, and why language is so important and powerful in yoga. Gabrielle also shares her thoughts on what makes a good yoga teacher and why our job is to watch, listen and observe, rather than centering ourselves in our teaching. She offers some tips on the different types of cues we might use, how to practice nonviolent communication, and encourages us to reflect on our responsibility as yoga teachers.

Key Takeaways:

[0:00] Shannon addresses the recent US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade.

[2:30] This episode is also sponsored by the Accessible Yoga Continuing Education Program.

[5:58] Shannon shares one of the resources she has been learning from - Buffy on CBC.

[9:06] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Gabrielle Harris.

[12:31] What does Gabrielle do and who does she do it for?

[13:11] Gabrielle shares more about the two books she has written.

[14:24] What has helped Gabrielle get through the long process of writing books and teaching yoga?

[15:26] Gabrielle has teaching experience outside of yoga. She explains how that has shaped how she teaches yoga.

[18:07] How can yoga teachers cut out the fluff and get to the very essential parts of yoga when teaching beginners?

[19:53] How does Gabrielle apply what she learned in teaching a language to a yoga teacher training?

[23:15] It can be tempting to try to fill space with words, but it is important to be intentional instead.

[25:14] How can we practice self-editing?

[27:05] Why do we often feel the need to fill silence with words?

[30:02] As yoga teachers, sharing parts of your life can be very powerful, but only under certain circumstances. It can be useful to become the listener instead.

[33:22] What are some things that can help improve our teaching technique?

[35:43] Timing and pace are also very important for a yoga class.

[38:37] Shannon pops in with an update about OfferingTree, sponsor of the podcast.

[41:30] How can yoga teachers manage the timing of their flow and sequence?

[44:03] Gabrielle shares some tips around different types of cues you can give in a yoga class and examples of what that may look like.

[49:44] Using questions in teaching is a great technique to center the students instead of the teacher.

[52:15] How does Gabrielle handle questions from students who ask where they should be feeling a pose or how to be experiencing a movement?

[56:21] Gabrielle shares some thoughts around the responsibility we have as yoga teachers.

[59:58] What does Gabrielle wish she had known as a newer teacher?

[61:04] Find out more about Gabrielle and her work by checking out her work and the links below.

[62:46] You can win a copy of one of Gabrielle's books!

[65:27] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview with Gabrielle.

Links:

• Gabrielle Harris
• Gabrielle Harris on Instagram and Facebook
• Books by Gabrielle Harris
• Accessible Yoga Continuing Education Program
• Accessible Yoga Podcast
• Buffy Podcast
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 275: Kicked Out of a Yoga Class?! with Shannon Crow
• Lindsay Hobbs, Topaz Editing & Literary
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Accessible Yoga Continuing Education Program.

Quotes from this episode:

"It is much more difficult to be precise and concise and essential." - Gabrielle

"If you want to know what the essence of what you're trying to teach is, you need to go back to what your intention is for that class." - Gabrielle

"There's different types of cueing and there's a place for all of them." - Gabrielle

"I want the teachers out there to assume that everything that we're saying, everything that we do in a yoga class has a propensity to change or to harm or to heal." - Gabrielle

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

280: Get Paid as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Simmons

Description:

As yoga business owners, we may feel conflicted around making money and getting paid for sharing yoga and helping others. However, being able to get paid for the work that you do ensures that you will be able to continue serving others with your yoga. So how do you make sure that you can pay yourself a consistent salary? Shannon Simmons shares how to organize your finances and get paid consistently as a yoga teacher.

Shannon is the founder and CEO of Fit For Profit. Her goal is to remove the stress that wellness business owners often feel around finances, by helping them implement simple systems around money management. By helping them create financial systems in their business that allow them to pay themselves a consistent salary, Shannon enables them to worry less about paying bills and focus on building a sustainable business.

In this episode, Shannon S. addresses some of the concerns yoga entrepreneurs have around making money and getting paid, and encourages us to shift our mindset and thinking about our businesses. She explains how the Profit First system helps yoga teachers make a profit in their business and build a more sustainable business that is able to deal with emergency expenses and taxes while paying yourself a consistent salary. If you are ready to start making profits in your yoga business, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

[0:00] Shannon addresses the recent US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade.

[3:54] Shannon shares some of the resources she has been learning from.

[6:09] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Shannon Simmons.

[12:12] What does Shannon S. do and who does she do it for?

[13:19] What is the Profit First system of accounting?

[15:15] Setting up multiple bank accounts can be a challenge! What are Shannon S's thoughts around that?

[16:07] Shannon S. has a list of banks she recommends for people wanting to implement Profit First.

[16:31] How does Profit First differ from the typical way of managing finances in a business?

[20:04] Apart from the account for profit, what are the other accounts we should have in this system?

[22:04] Paying yourself as the owner is separate from your profit! Shannon S. explains further.

[24:09] How does Shannon S. respond to wellness professionals or yoga teachers who think that they shouldn't be making their business about profit?

[25:48] What are some of Shannon S.'s tips to implement the Profit First system?

[27:29] Shannon S. recommends raising your rates annually.

[31:15] Get your bank statement and start looking at all your expenses. Which ones can you reduce?

[33:09] Shannon C. and Shannon S. discuss how useful it can be to have someone on your team to have eyes on your finances.

[33:59] If you only have one account for income and expenses, Shannon S. recommends making the transfers every time you get a deposit. How often should you pay yourself profits?

[36:20] What happens to the other half of the profits that you don't pay to yourself?

[37:29] Shannon C. pops in with tip about using OfferingTree for memberships.

[40:27] Many yoga teachers and entrepreneurs don't have a separate business bank account and they aren't paying attention to their finances! Shannon S. shares some tips on that.

[43:45] Don't wait till it's time to do your taxes to figure out if you made a profit or not!

[44:52] What are some of the roadblocks that come up for entrepreneurs?

[47:10] Shannon S. shares some percentages that people can start off at to implement Profit First in their business.

[50:42] What are some tips to get to being able to pay ourselves a salary of 50% of revenue?

[53:45] Get support from Shannon S. in setting up Profit First for your business. Connect with her via her website.

[58:17] What is your biggest takeaway? What action step will you be taking from this interview? Shannon C. shares how she's applying insights from this interview to her business.

Links:

• Shannon Simmons, Fit for Profit
• Profit First Friendly Banks
• Profit First Instant Assessment
• Podvoices.help
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 279: Bowel Health and Yoga with Shannon Crow
• How to Create a Sustainable Yoga Business Using the Profit First Method Conversation with Mike Michalowicz, Amanda McKinney's Podcast
• Seven Truths with Tanya Talaga
• Profit First, by Mike Michalowicz
• Dave Ramsey’s Envelope System Explained
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 043: Minimum Viable Income with Steph Crowder
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"You are your own best employees. So you need to be paying yourself as if you were an employee." - Shannon S.

"The only way to help people is to be profitable and the only way that you can truly be profitable is if you're really helping people." - Shannon S.

"If you have any resistance to five [bank accounts], you don't have to do five. Just start with one. That's the very basic process to get started." - Shannon S.

"Most people aren't profitable before they implement Profit First. That's the dirty little secret." - Shannon S.

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

279: Bowel Health and Yoga with Shannon Crow

Description:

Bowel health and function is an essential part of our lives, yet something we don’t discuss often. We all (hopefully) have bowel movements regularly and if we are not, it can impact our pelvic organs, pelvic floor and overall health. Yet, conversations about pooping are not normalized and we avoid talking about this topic! Why?

In this episode, Shannon Crow, host of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast and founder of Pelvic Health Professionals explores the topic of bowel health. She explains how yoga and bowel health are connected and some of the common things that can go wrong with our bowel health and function. Shannon also shares snippets of a live call from the Pelvic Health Professionals membership with Michelle Lyons, a physiotherapist, yoga, pilates and mindfulness teacher, and nutrition and health coach specializing in pelvic health with a whole-person approach.

This episode is a must-listen for everyone - because bowel health and function affects us all!

Key Takeaways:

[4:38] Shannon's getting personal on this episode to talk about a topic not many people are comfortable with - poop!

[5:52] How are yoga and bowel health connected? Shannon shares a clip from an interview with Michelle Lyons who spoke about bowel health in Pelvic Health Professionals.

[11:01] Shannon invites you to bring your awareness to your bowel health in your next yoga session. She walks us through a couple of yoga poses to help with that.

[13:32] The kind of toilet you use may impact your bowel health. Shannon shares some tips on how to bring ease to pooping.

[15:13] Shannon pops in with a conversation with a fellow connected yoga teacher about OfferingTree.

[17:56] The breath can have a huge impact on bowel health!

[19:00] Hormonal changes can impact bowel health and bowel function as well.

[22:59] Yoga helps with stress management and brings people into a state of rest and digest. This can impact bowel health positively.

[23:54] Michelle covered a lot of different aspects of bowel health and function inside Pelvic Health Professionals!

[26:34] Shannon highlights some of the upcoming topics for calls in Pelvic Health Professionals.

[28:52] We need to normalize talking about bowel health!

Links:

• Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon Code: listenersgift279)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 276: Caring for Yoga’s South Asian Roots with Susanna Barkataki
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 277: Yoga and Land Acknowledgement with Jessica Barudin & Emmy Chahal
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 278: Religion & Cultural Respect in Yoga with Emmy Chahal
• Sara Villamil
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"One of the ways that yoga can really help is by bringing attention to the breath. And we know that breathing is absolutely essential for good pelvic floor muscle function." - Michelle

"Yoga and breathing and mindfulness and gentle movement in general, all of these have the ability to tone the vagus nerve." - Michelle

"Good bowel health is really when you don't have to think about it." - Michelle

"Generally bowel dysfunction, we can break down into three categories: either you can't keep stuff in, you can't get stuff out, or it hurts." - Michelle

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

278: Religion & Cultural Respect in Yoga with Emmy Chahal

Description:

How are yoga and religion connected? Why do some people, depending on their religion, feel like yoga is evil? What does spiritual bypassing look like and why is it harmful? These are the challenging questions Emmy Chahal tackles in this episode.

Emmy Chahal is a trauma informed yoga teacher, bodyworker/energy healer and workshop facilitator based on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Territory (in the place now known as Vancouver). Emmy works at the crossroads of business, social justice, and spirituality. Emmy has experience of more than 19 years of steady yoga and meditation practice, and over 10 years of teaching. She integrates her educational background in Cultural Studies, and Gender and Women’s Studies to offer tailored workshops for workplaces around wellness topics, cultural education for yoga teachers and practitioners on topics like cultural awareness, ancestral healing, and uncolonizing yoga, as well as intuitive healing sessions. Emmy also offers mentorship for yoga teachers and semi-private or family yoga classes.

There’s no denying that yoga and religion intersect at some points - yet they are different. Emmy explains how colonization shaped our understanding of religion, the impact of that, and why it is important to learn about other faiths and belief systems to avoid causing harm and violence. Emmy also shares more about how yoga can strengthen your faith practice, and how to be respectful of other cultures we partake in while also learning about and connecting to our own culture. This is a rich discussion answering a question many yoga teachers and practitioners have no doubt encountered - is yoga religion?

Key Takeaways:

[3:28] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Emmy Chahal.

[8:20] What does Emmy do and who does she do it for?

[11:16] How do yoga and religion intersect and how are they different and similar?

[15:05] Shannon and Emmy discuss how people in North America may not have had the experience of interfaith exploration or learning about other faiths different from their own.

[18:03] Emmy shares her thoughts on the idea that yoga is not religion and addresses the idea that people have that yoga is against their religion.

[22:46] How are things like colonization and residential schools tied to yoga and religion?

[28:10] Shannon reflects on her ancestors' history.

[29:08] Understanding your ancestry and history can help you avoid something Emmy calls "hungry ghost syndrome".

[34:27] Learning about whose land you are on and the history of that land can be a healing practice.

[35:18] Emmy shares her experience of a Kundalini awakening.

[38:08] Shannon shares a short conversation she had with Sara Villamil about OfferingTree.

[40:31] What are Emmy's thoughts on Christian yoga?

[44:45] Yoga is a great system to have difficult conversations through.

[46:14] There is a lot of ignorance about the history of yoga and lack of cultural awareness among yoga teachers, particularly white yoga teachers in the west.

[48:23] What actions can yoga teachers take to make a difference in how yoga is treated?

[54:07] Do not turn to South Asian yoga teachers and expect them to tell you what to do.

[54:52] Research your ancestors and learn about your own spiritual, embodiment, and earth-based practices.

[55:26] Is yoga religion?

[60:14] Emmy has found that yoga can help people in their faith practice.

[63:18] Find out more about Emmy's work and learn more from her via her website.

[66:08] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this episode with Emmy.

Links:

• Emmy Chahal
• Emmy Chahal on Instagram
• Cultural Respect & Religion in Yoga (Live Video with Emmy Chahal)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 276: Caring for Yoga’s South Asian Roots with Susanna Barkataki
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 277: Yoga and Land Acknowledgement with Jessica Barudin & Emmy Chahal
• Pulxaneeks, Indigenous Relations Consultation
• Sara Villamil
• Yoga is Dead Podcast
• Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Yoga became a way of connecting to a collective consciousness, but also connecting to our own personal spirituality."

"[Yoga] is a mind body spirit practice and that it can help you in your faith practice."

"Yoga is about union. It's about finding that connection between your mind, body and heart and really connecting to yourself."

"There are really interesting links between yoga and Christianity that if we dig deeper, we could see some deep connections about the mystical quality."

"There has been a denial of the roots of yoga and this is something so common in the yoga industry. ... Something is lost here because we're not recognizing, we're not acknowledging where the practice comes from."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

277: Yoga and Land Acknowledgement with Jessica Barudin & Emmy Chahal

Description:

What are land acknowledgements? Who needs to do them, and why? How is it relevant to yoga, and how does this fit into the larger context of deepening our connection to the lands we occupy? Jessica Barudin and Emmy Chahal answer these questions and more in this episode.

Jessica Barudin (she/her) is Kwakwaka'wakw, a member of the 'Namgis First Nation living in Alert Bay, BC. She is a proud mother, Sundancer, yoga student, and trauma-informed yoga teacher. Jessica is the co-founder of Cedar and Gold, and collaborates with Nations and organizations across Turtle Island. Additionally, she is completing her doctoral studies focusing on developing a culturally-rooted, trauma-informed yoga for First Nations women and two-spirit folks. Jessica's classes weave in Indigenous embodied practices and teachings as well as honors Yoga's roots through sound, mudra, and a variety of forms made accessible for all bodies.

Emmy Chahal is a trauma informed yoga teacher, bodyworker/energy healer and workshop facilitator based on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Territory (in the place now known as Vancouver). Emmy works at the crossroads of business, social justice, and spirituality. Emmy has experience of more than 19 years of steady yoga and meditation practice, and over 10 years of teaching. She integrates her educational background in Cultural Studies, and Gender and Women’s Studies to offer tailored workshops for workplaces around wellness topics, cultural education for yoga teachers and practitioners on topics like cultural awareness, ancestral healing, and uncolonizing yoga, as well as intuitive healing sessions. Emmy also offers mentorship for yoga teachers and semi-private or family yoga classes.

Land acknowledgment is just a tiny but important step within a much larger journey. Emmy and Jessica share why emotions like pain, guilt, fear, and anger are high for everyone with this topic and how we can deal with them. They also explain why deepening our connections to the land we inhabit is important and how we can learn about and honor different traditions, including yoga and indigenous healing traditions.

Key Takeaways:

[3:14] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Jessica Barudin and Emmy Chahal

[11:26] What do Jessica and Emmy do?

[15:07] Shannon shares why she was nervous about approaching the topic of land acknowledgements.

[17:12] Why is it important to share land acknowledgements and who needs to be doing it?

[23:23] Many people may start to feel defensive when talking about land acknowledgements. Why is that, and what can we do instead?

[29:20] Jessica highlights the importance of continuing these conversations even as we may feel hesitant or uncomfortable about them, and how we can move forward from there.

[32:54] How can we strengthen this practice of giving land acknowledgements beyond just paying lip service? Where can we start with this, especially if it may feel uncomfortable?

[37:38] Shannon shares a clip of a short conversation she had with a yoga teacher about OfferingTree.

[43:13] Jessica shares some insights about her particular geographical location and the history and connection she has to the land.

[50:38] There may be no easy way to wrap up land acknowledgement and lineage acknowledgment into one or two sentences that encompass the entire history.

[54:36] One key thing Emmy would like to see is people of European descent remembering their ancestors and going back to their earth-based embodiment and spiritual practices.

[56:44] How has yoga helped indigenous communities? There is a lot of cross cultural learning, rather than blending or merging traditions and systems.

[65:02] Jessica and Emmy share more about how you can work with and learn from them.

[70:46] Shannon shares her reflections and takeaways from this discussion with Jessica and Emmy.

Links:

• Jessica Barudin
• Jessica Barudin on Instagram
• Emmy Chahal
• Emmy Chahal on Instagram
• Robin DiAngelo and Resmaa Menakem: In Conversation, On Being with Krista Tippett
• Sara Villamil
• Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Land Acknowledgments - I feel like it's the tip of the iceberg. It's one tiny tiny gesture that is an invitation for people to really look at their complacency, complicity in colonialism." - Emmy

"Emotions are always part of this conversation and I think it's really important to be gentle with yourself and forgiving and to sit with the complexity and the pain and the guilt and all of that." - Emmy

"When we acknowledge the land, is it just a token gesture or is it something that we're deepening our relationships with where we are and what time in history." - Jessica

“It has to be heartfelt and it has to be honest and it has to point towards deeper action." - Emmy

"When people tell me they're nervous or they're scared or hesitant to say the wrong thing, I always take that as a good sign. That means that you care, and have the courage to make mistakes and try and try again. I think that's really important." - Emmy

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276: Caring for Yoga's South Asian Roots with Susanna Barkataki

Description:

A topic the yoga community has been quite hesitant to approach is that of caring for yoga’s south Asian roots and re-centering South Asian yoga teachers and practitioners. In this episode, Susanna Barkataki shares her insights on why this is important and how to do it well.

Susanna Barkataki is an Indian yoga practitioner in the Shankaracharya tradition. Her work is dedicated to supporting practitioners to lead with equity, diversity and yogic values while growing thriving practices and businesses with confidence. As the founder of Ignite Yoga and Wellness Institute, Susanna runs Yoga Teacher Training programs and offers other trainings and courses designed to create a fully inclusive and diverse yoga community. Susanna is also the author of Embrace Yoga’s Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice, and a renowned speaker and trainer on topics like diversity, accessibility, inclusivity, and equity (DAIE).

Susanna shares more about yoga’s roots and how it has changed and evolved over time, the two criteria for cultural appropriation, and the current practice of yoga in white communities around the world. She explains why it is important to re-center South Asian yoga teachers (and teachings), and guides us to finding our own answers about whether white yoga teachers should be teaching yoga and how to do so in a way that uplifts the yoga community.

Key Takeaways:

[2:21] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Susanna Barkataki.

[6:16] Susanna shares a little about her background and how she came to do the work that she does.

[9:37] Shannon and Susanna discuss what her parents went through as a mixed race couple in the 70s and how those experiences shaped Susanna.

[14:27] What does Susanna have to say to yoga teachers who are just starting to learn about cultural appropriation?

[19:01] Susanna outlines the two criteria for cultural appropriation to be present.

[23:00] Susanna explains a little about using the term South Asian yoga teachers or practitioners to refer to the people from the lands where yoga originated.

[27:54] Why is it important to center South Asian yoga teachers if yoga doesn't belong to anyone and has moved around and spread to different parts of the world?

[34:22] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[36:21] Susanna shares a story from Indian mythology about why only understanding or focusing on one part of yoga is insufficient.

[39:47] Shannon speaks to the fear that white yoga teachers may have around re-centering South Asian yoga teachers. What actually happens when we re-center South Asian yoga teachers? Why and how should we do that?

[50:09] What are the benefits of collaborating with others and lifting others up, even if they do similar work to you?

[53:43] Shannon and Susanna discuss how being in a position of privilege is not actually beneficial to the people at the top of the hierarchy either.

[58:09] Should white yoga teachers even be teaching yoga?

[62:31] Susanna shares her final thoughts around caring for yoga's roots.

[65:08] Find out more about Susanna and her work via her website and on Instagram.

[67:06] Shannon reflects on her conversation with Susanna and shares her key takeaways.

Links:

• Susanna Barkataki
• Ignite Yoga & Wellness Institute
• Embrace Yoga’s Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice, by Susanna Barkataki
• Embrace Yoga's Roots Workbook
• Susanna Barkataki on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast BONUS: Anti-Racism & Yoga with Michelle Johnson
• Carly Baumann, Radical Rest Yoga
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Post by OfferingTree

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"There's so much to this practice and being a humble student is a great place to start, even if you're already a teacher."

"There is a diversity in this tradition [yoga] and an openness and kind of an agreement to disagree civilly and to have a different perspective from one another but to be on this path together."

"Should you be profiting from this practice that comes from a people who have been held down oppressed, marginalized and not centered?"

"When we look at power and balance, we can utilize our power when and where we have it to continue to empower ourselves, but also to lift up others."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

275: Kicked Out of a Yoga Class!? with Shannon Crow

Description:

Have you ever been kicked out of a yoga class, or made to feel unwelcome, excluded, or shamed? It may feel shocking to hear if you have never had this experience, but sadly this is something many people in The Connected Yoga Teacher community have experienced.

In this episode, Shannon shares comments from members of The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook community describing their experiences when they were kicked out of a yoga class, or felt uncomfortable, ashamed, and rejected from the class, both because of yoga teachers and other students.

This episode invites us to consider how we are showing up in our yoga classes and in the world with empathy, compassion, and understanding – and encourages us to think about how we can disrupt harm when we encounter it to create safer and more welcoming yoga spaces for everyone.

Key Takeaways:

[2:55] Shannon explains the topic for this episode - how we don't want our yoga classes to go and how we don't want yoga students to feel.

[4:25] Shannon shares the inspiration for this episode - the experience of Shannon's friends who were kicked out of a yoga class based on their gender.

[7:50] One of the things that people shared was not being allowed to leave or drink water or modify something in a yoga class.

[14:05] Shannon shares an audio message from Aarti about not feeling welcome or feeling excluded from yoga.

[19:19] Shannon invites us to think about Aarti's experience and to reflect on our own actions in yoga spaces.

[20:42] Shannon shares experiences from yoga teachers who have been turned away from yoga or discouraged from practicing it because of their size or age.

[22:35] Shannon shares a comment from community members who felt unwelcome for needing visual cues or modifications in a yoga class.

[25:23] Shannon shares an article Sinead wrote for OfferingTree.

[28:02] A community member shares two stories of not feeling welcome in a yoga class.

[33:17] Shannon reads a comment from a community member about their experience with non-attachment.

[35:35] Clique behaviors is another common theme that has made people feel unwelcome at yoga classes or studios.

[38:16] Trigger Warning: The next section of this podcast deals with sensitive topics like intimate partner violence and sexual assault.

[38:45] We may also make people feel unwelcome based on things we cannot see or know about them or their experiences. Shannon shares a comment and an audio clip from a community member talking about survivors of intimate partner violence.

[44:39] Shannon shares a comment and a clip from a male community member who felt unwelcome in his class of all women.

[50:10] We have no idea what people are dealing with as they walk into a yoga class with us, which is why it is important to have empathy, understanding, and compassion for others.

[50:42] Shannon shares a few more comments from people who have felt excluded in yoga classes.

[56:21] Shannon invites us to call out harmful practices we may encounter and reflect on our own practices as well.

Links:

• Original Facebook Thread
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 265: Teach LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Yoga with Gabi Parkham
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 181: Grow an Online Yoga Business with Nikki Naab-Levy
• Rebecca C
• Jennifer Downing: Instagram and Website
• Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga Resources
• This Woman Shared Her Awful Experience Getting Body Shamed And Judged At A Yoga Studio And Thousands Of People Are Sharing Similar Experiences, Buzzfeed Article
• Yves Cedano: Website and Instagram
• Tiffany on Instagram
• 6 Easy-to-Implement Tips for Fantastic Client Retention, By Sinead O’Connor for OfferingTree
• Cindy Beers
• Yoga for Mental Health Program, Omega Institute
• Eleonora Cordovani
• Nikki Desalvo, Survivor-Led Movement
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 268: Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault with Nikki Adams
• Michael Symon
• Elaine: Facebook and Website
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"How often do people not feel safe or included in a yoga class due to gender?” - Shannon

"Why are we not allowing students or yoga teachers, yoga practitioners to modify?" - Shannon

"Why do we feel the need to control other bodies instead of letting them choose what they want to be doing, and not only choose what they want to be doing, choosing what they need to be doing?" - Shannon

"When we just pull out a tiny piece [of a culture] and place it on merchandise for sale or change the meaning, that's cultural appropriation. That's harmful." - Aarti

"We can learn from this, we can definitely take a look at how we are showing up to teach yoga to share yoga and look with a bit of self compassion and reflection as well." - Shannon

"We have no idea what people are dealing with as they walk into a yoga class with us." - Shannon

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

274: Self-Care for Caregivers with Jo Bregnard

Description:

One of the things every yoga entrepreneur needs is self-care. As yoga teachers, we are caregivers in some form. To care for others, we need to care for ourselves first. If you are thinking you don’t have time for self-care, or don’t like bubble baths or spas, this interview with Jo Bregnard will shed new light on the idea of self-care.

Jo Bregnard offers self-care for caregivers through online movement and mindfulness classes, retreats in Vermont, and free selfcare resources. Jo became a yoga teacher in 2014, after a personal journey with caring for others, and then needing to be cared for. Through her experiences, Jo found ways to incorporate bite-sized self-care practices into her life from the different modalities she has studied over the years. Today, she helps other caregivers cultivate their own self-care practice and sustain themselves in the work they do.

In this episode, Jo shares her personal story of caregiving and receiving care, the difference between a sprint versus long-term care, and how yoga teachers are caregivers too. Jo explains what self-care can look like for different people and how to find time for self-care in our busy schedules and hectic lives. Jo also offers suggestions on how to take a retreat for self-care when you can't travel and more.

Whether you’re in a caregiving role or not, this episode is a perfect reminder for us about the importance of self-care and how we can carve time out for it.

Key Takeaways:

[2:32] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jo Bregnard.

[6:18] What does Jo do and who does she do it for?

[7:07] What is Jo's response to people who say they don't have time for self-care?

[8:06] What led Jo to start doing the work that she does?

[14:13] Jo addresses the shame or guilt that people may feel at not being able to do a dedicated hour of yoga practice instead of a quick breathing technique.

[16:17] Why is it so important for us to refill our tanks through self-care?

[18:41] If you are wanting to build a self-care practice but are struggling, Jo has some tips for you.

[23:01] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree.

[25:00] It can be easy and tempting to jump right into doing things when you first wake up in the morning, but it is immensely beneficial to take a few minutes for yourself first.

[26:58] What are some things that Jo recommends for yoga teachers who are in the midst of a sprint to work in some self-care?

[28:38] When we're talking about self-care to other people and doing it for ourselves, how can we ensure it is accessible?

[33:29] Jo offers a five-day mini self-care retreat. She shares how it works.

[35:43] Jo shares some final thoughts for caregivers.

[37:32] Shannon invites you to share a short self-care practice.

Links:

• Jo Bregnard
• 5-Day Self-care Mini Retreat
• Jo Bregnard's Studio
• Jo Bregnard on Facebook and Instagram
• Writing A Blog Post? Use These 6 Strategies to Captivate & Attract Clients! by Crunch Ranjani for OfferingTree
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"At some point, you have to start refilling your own well in order to have enough to share with everybody else."

"What can I do and build [self-care] right into my day?"

"Your body knows how to take care of itself."

"The thing that I learned from the people that I work with is hey, we still need connection."

"You have permission for those quiet moments and to slow down. you have permission to take care of yourself too."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

273: Yoga is a Revolution with Jivana Heyman

Description:

What is the ultimate goal with your yoga practice? How does yoga tie in with social justice and activism? How is yoga a revolution? Jivana Heyman is back on the podcast to answer these questions and to share more about his new book, Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion.

Jivana Heyman, is the founder and director of the Accessible Yoga Association, an international non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings. Through his work with Accessible Yoga, Jivana offers conferences, community forums, a podcast, and a popular ambassador program. He is also the co-founder of the Accessible Yoga Training School, and the author of Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body.

In this episode, Jivana explains his perspective on how yoga relates to social justice, and how our personal practice of yoga helps us show up and serve. Jivana and Shannon also discuss the power dynamic in teacher-student relationships, why we struggle with failure and how we can normalize it, what to do when the world feels overwhelming, and more.

Tune in to also find out how to win one of two copies of Jivana’s book as well!

Key Takeaways:

[4:28] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jivana Heyman

[8:35] What was it like for Jivana to write his second book?

[10:51] What does yoga have to do with social justice and activism?

[14:29] Shannon and Jivana invite you to consider what is the goal of your own practice.

[17:19] What are Jivana's thoughts on how some people view speaking out as unbecoming or not aligned with being a yoga teacher or the teachings of yoga?

[22:05] A live listener, Jessica, shares that for them, the ultimate goal of yoga is connection.

[24:06] Another listener shares about how yoga has helped them with patience and building community.

[27:07] Shannon and Jivana discuss a personal experience he shared in the book about how he dealt with his yoga teacher being accused of abuse.

[33:45] Shannon pops in with a message about a new update from OfferingTree.

[35:51] Jivana explains what he means by 'my liberation is tied to yours'.

[42:04] If we're all connected, we need to work on our connections to people we disagree with as well.

[47:51] Jivana talks about failure as a practice, and the impact of our internal self-talk on ourselves.

[51:40] Shannon shares some comments from listeners.

[54:09] Going back to the theme of failure, Jivana reflects on how we should approach failure.

[55:58] What is the rainbow mind?

[59:11] How does building your personal practice tie in with being able to deal with the world when it feels overwhelming?

[63:29] How can you support someone in your life right now?

[66:37] Jivana's new book is available for purchase and Shannon is also giving away two copies to listeners!

Links:

• Jivana Heyman
• Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage and Compassion by Jivana Heyman
• Accessible Yoga Association
• Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body By Jivana Heyman
• Yoga Revolution Podcast
• The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Devi
• Post-Lineage Yoga, by Theodora Wildcroft
• Live with Jivana (full interview) - Yoga Revolution with Jivana Heyman
• Live with Wolf Terry - Ahimsa in Action with Wolf Terry
• Theo Wildcroft - Yoga with Theo Wildcroft
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

“I’ve always always really found those connections between yoga and social justice and I wanted to share them.” - Jivana

“To me, social justice is wanting justice for others, actually just having compassion for others and caring about other people other than myself. To me that's directly aligned with the yoga teachings.” - Jivana

“What do you think the ultimate goal for you is with your own practice?” - Shannon Crow

"We are all intimately connected, and that's the point of yoga actually is to find those connections." - Jivana

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

272: Mental Health for Entrepreneurs with Shulamit Ber Levtov

Description:

Building a yoga business and being an entrepreneur in general can be stressful and it can take a toll on our mental health. Despite the benefits of being able to set our own schedules and having more flexibility, many entrepreneurs deal with feelings of anxiety and isolation - things not often talked about. Shulamit Ber Levtov (she/her) is an expert in this area and shares more about mental health for entrepreneurs in this podcast.

Shulamit is the Entrepreneur’s Therapist and co-founder of the Business Therapy Centre. She helps women-identified entrepreneurs uplift their mindset and pilot their emotions so they can overcome the anxiety and isolation of running a business, using both coaching and therapeutic tools. With over 27 years experience as an entrepreneur and more than 20 years of professional experience supporting women's mental health and personal growth, Shulamit is an expert at helping entrepreneurs with this. As a licensed trauma therapist, retired Yoga teacher, trauma survivor and award-winning entrepreneur, Shulamit brings a unique perspective and approach to supporting women in business.

In this interview, Shulamit talks about the importance of truth-telling around stress, trauma and mental health. She also shares why we are stronger with support, where to find that support, and how yoga and meditation can amplify (but not replace) therapy. Shulamit also explains why some advice we may commonly hear (like "relax" or "take a breath") may not be helpful for some, especially trauma survivors, and why having structures can be helpful for our nervous system instead.

This is a great episode for any entrepreneur and for humans dealing with the stresses of navigating life in general.

Key Takeaways:

[2:49] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Shulamit Ber Levtov.

[7:06] What does Shulamit do and who does she do it for?

[7:53] Anxiety and isolation are common feelings entrepreneurs may have to deal with. Shulamit explains why talking about these experiences truthfully is helpful.

[11:33] How much should we normalize sharing about mental health and sharing the personal aspects of ourselves?

[16:01] Shulamit explains more about the nuances about sharing about the process and transition vs the details of an incident or difficult moment.

[16:57] It can feel really tough to ask for or seek out professional help like therapy. Remember - we are stronger with support!

[22:11] There is a myth that if you're doing yoga properly, you won't need therapy. What are Shulamit's thoughts on that?

[23:56] What other things does Shulamit wish that entrepreneurs and yoga teachers knew about caring for their mental health when they're struggling?

[29:47] Shannon pops in to share a bit of news about a new OfferingTree update.

[32:44] What is Shulamit's recommendation when we are dealing with moments of anxiety?

[38:49] Shulamit highlights the fact that taking a deep breath may actually cause more anxiety in trauma survivors.

[43:00] Structure helps the nervous system. It helps us trust and when we can trust, then we can relax.

[43:16] Shulamit reminds us that being an entrepreneur is hard and there's nothing wrong with you if you feel isolated and anxious.

[44:24] Find out more about Shulamit and her work via her website and Instagram.

[46:16] Shannon reflects on her conversation with Shulamit.

[48:40] Shannon gives an update on Yoga Teacher Conf that she attended recently.

Links:

• Therapy for Women Entrepreneurs with Shulamit Ber Levtov
• Shulamit Ber Levtov on Instagram
• Shulamit Ber Levtov on Facebook
• Shulamit Ber Levtov on LinkedIn
• Shulamit Ber Levtov on YouTube
• Even the Best Meditators Have Old Wounds to Heal Meditation/Psychology - Jack Kornfield
• Online Entrepreneur Support Group for Women
• 6 factors of mental health vulnerability for women entrepreneurs -
• Staying Sane Series - Discover Support for Staying Sane as a Entrepreneur
• 2020 Mom, a national maternal mental health non-profit organization
• Yoga Teacher Conf
• OfferingTree New Feature (More Control Over Refunds)
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"I think truth telling is really important, especially around mental health because of the stigma that's associated."

"We are stronger with support."

"It's also important to bring in discernment around what kind of support and where do I ask."

"The antidote to isolation is to find a wide variety of different kinds of support and to use your discernment around what support is best for when."

"Structure helps the nervous system. It helps us trust and when we can trust, then we can relax."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

271: Yoga and Bone Health with Barb Elias

Description:

About 10 million people above the age of 50 in the US have osteoporosis, and 43 million have low bone mass, putting them at risk for osteoporosis. What exactly is osteoporosis and how can we improve our bone health with yoga? Barb Elias (she/her) is an expert in Bone Health and Yoga, and she has some answers.

As someone who was diagnosed with low bone density herself, Barb has had to navigate her condition with her healthcare team and has learned much from the experience. Today, she teaches yoga to students with concerns about low bone density and pelvic health. In her classes, she weaves in all of the information she is learning to create a really unique yoga practice.

In this interview, Barb shares more about low bone density, osteopenia and osteoarthritis, who it can affect, and what she discovered in her own research. She explains some of the strength practices she has found to be effective for her and talks about the importance of rest in bone health. Find out how we can teach yoga in a way that is safe for these students and in a way that doesn’t promote fear around movement, but instead offers ways to strengthen.

Key Takeaways:

[3:22] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Barb Elias.

[6:42] How did Barb get into studying bone health and yoga?

[8:51] What did it feel like for Barb when she was diagnosed with low bone density?

[11:48] What did Barb discover in her research about movement, bone density, and how yoga could support her in this.

[17:17] What are some of the contributing factors for Barb's condition with low bone density?

[19:57] What are some strength practices that Barb has found to be effective that do not involve going to the gym?

[26:22] Shannon pops in with a quick message about creating a membership and how OfferingTree can support you in that.

[29:23] Why is rest important to bone health?

[33:33] What kind of progress did Barb see in the work she was doing personally to improve bone health?

[36:52] Barb shares some surprising statistics about common bone health diagnoses and how that has changed how she leads her classes.

[43:53] What are some changes Barb makes when doing a forward fold?

[47:12] What is Barb's advice to people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and think they shouldn't move out of fear of causing a microfracture?

[49:54] Find out more about Barb's work and connect with her via her website and check out some of the resources she mentioned .

Links:

• Barb Elias
• Margaret Martin, Physiotherapist in Ottawa Ontario Canada
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 212: Menopause Myths and Facts with Shirley Weir
• Osteoporosis Canada
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"The way our bodies process and use calcium relates to the energy cycle, to our breath. Every single time we take a breath, we use calcium. Calcium is part of the whole breathing complex."

"Parties that have strong muscles have strong bones because muscles or what reminds the bones to build and grow and remodel."

"The stronger I get in my body, The stronger I feel emotionally."

"Coming into menopause because of the changes in our hormones, for women especially, the degree of loss can really ramp up, up to 8% of our bones a year."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

270: Hypermobility & Yoga with Libby Hinsley

Description:

The yoga we see in magazines and online often depict a contortionist style of yoga and it can give people the idea that only flexible people can or should do yoga. But what comes first – are more flexible people drawn to yoga or does yoga make us more flexible? Where does hypermobility come into all of this? Libby Hinsley answers these questions and more.

Libby Hinsley (she/her) is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Certified Yoga Therapist. She has extensive experience with yoga and physical therapy and in her clinical practice, she specializes in treating hypermobility disorgers and yoga-related injuries. Libby also teaches about anatomy in her membership program, Anatomy Bites. Recently diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Libby has a new book coming out on the topic called Yoga for Bendy People.

In this interview, Libby explains more about hypermobility and how it can affect people with this condition. She also shares why people with hypermobility often have tight muscles, how they can benefit from yoga, and some steps they might take to recognize if they have this condition and get it diagnosed. Libby gives yoga teachers some tips on being mindful of their verbal cues and some other things to be aware of with regard to hypermobility in a yoga class.

Key Takeaways:

[4:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Libby Hinsley.

[6:40] What does Libby do and who does she do it for?

[8:19] What is hypermobility?

[10:02] Libby was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She explains what it is and how it differs from Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder.

[12:08] What are Libby's thoughts on the idea that bendy people should do yoga?

[13:54] Flexibility and hypermobility are two different terms that are often used interchangeably.

[15:31] Why do people with hypermobility often have tight muscles?

[19:40] Shannon and Libby discuss the common message people with hypermobility get around needing to strengthen their muscles.

[21:18] What should people who might be hypermobile do? Libby describes some of the common symptoms people might face with hypermobility.

[25:24] The prevalence of hypermobility may be around 20% of the population and this number may be overrepresented in yoga.

[29:16] Shannon shares some feedback from a yoga teacher who is using OfferingTree for her website.

[32:01] Libby shares some of the main aspects of her book on what yoga teachers should be aware of in working with hypermobile people.

[38:44] How does Libby approach her clients dealing with hypermobility to convince them to change the way they practice?

[41:10] What are some things Libby has learned in the process of writing the book that she wishes more people knew?

[47:45] Shannon reflects on what could be happening in yoga classes with very bendy people.

[49:33] Libby's book also helps people reflect on what our verbal cues are encouraging or emphasizing.

[50:37] Find out more about Libby, her work, and order her book via her website.

[52:05] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Libby.

Links:

• Libby Hinsley
• Libby Hinsley on Instagram
• Anatomy Bites
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 266: Social Location, Power & Privilege with Raudhah Rahman
• Sat Dharam Kaur
• Carly's Website on OfferingTree - Radical Rest Yoga
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"What we consider it means to be good at yoga is very much tied to an aesthetic that glorifies hypermobility and it's a problem."

"Everything about yoga so commonly pushes people to go as far as they can in a posture as if that's the goal and that is not going to be helpful for a hyper mobile person."

“Let's make the practice about the practitioner. Instead of trying to push this practitioner into this certain type of practice, let's just build a practice that is actually for this person, that's about this person and that really supports that person."

"Momentum is easy. That's not a problem. It's the control that's hard."

"I remind people your yoga practice is actually for you and that usually really kind of wakes people up a bit like, oh, you mean this isn't a performance for someone else."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

269: Yoga Philosophy & Colonialism with Shyam Ranganathan

Description:

As yoga teachers, we learn a little bit about yoga philosophy in our YTTs, but yoga philosophy is much more than just the 8 limbs, or the brief summary we may have come across in our studies. Dr. Shyam Ranganathan (he/him) is an expert in yoga philosophy and in this episode, he shares more about this topic, as well as how colonialism has influenced what we understand as yoga philosophy.

Dr. Shyam Ranganathan is the founder of Yoga Philosophy, and a field-changing researcher on the study and translation of philosophy, especially South Asian philosophy and Yoga. He holds an MA in South Asian Studies, and an MA and PhD in philosophy, and is a member of the Department of Philosophy, and York Center for Asian Research, York University, Toronto. Shyam is a translator of the Yoga Sūtra, and founded his organization, Yoga Philosophy, to provide support for those interested in answering the question - What makes something yoga?

Shyam explains how learning about philosophy helps us to get along and why not all opinions are equally good or right. He also shares more about how Europeans misunderstood things when they studied the communities they colonized and how that showed up in the yoga sutras and how they are translated. This continues to influence how yoga is taught and practiced in the world, today, especially in the West. He also gives us insight about the yamas and social justice, choices and responsibility, ahimsa, dharma, self-governing and Ishvara Pranidhana. This is a really rich conversation that all of us can learn from.

Key Takeaways:

[3:48] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Shyam Ranganathan.

[6:45] Shyam shares his pronouns and explains how to pronounce his name.

[7:36] What does Shyam do and who does he do it for?

[8:46] What got Shyam interested in the work of studying philosophy?

[10:48] Shyam was born in Toronto, yet felt that he didn't fit in. He talks a bit about that experience.

[13:00] Shyam believes that philosophy enabled him to get along with people without having to agree with them.

[15:06] There are several polarizing issues in the world right now. Shyam highlights the fact that just because we are okay with disagreement doesn't mean there are no right answers.

[16:07] Where did Shyam's journey with yoga philosophy start?

[22:14] Shyam clarifies the role and impact of colonization in the interpretation of yoga sutras.

[31:49] Shyam shares an example of the two different ways of relating to what you contemplate.

[37:00] Shannon and Shyam discuss the linguistic model of thought and how that has influenced different situations and scenarios in history and in the present day.

[40:26] Why is it not yoga when we go in and try to make other people conform to our systems?

[44:08] How does the idea of choice and responsibility connect to the eight limbs?

[49:18] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree.

[51:04] One of the three kriyas is ishvara pranidhana. Shyam unpacks what this really refers to.

[56:10] What are the other two kriyas?

[58:43] How is yoga connected to social justice? What do the niyamas have to do with social justice?

[64:48Shyam explains that fear is trauma and it's the result of a bad decision based on people's experiences.

[67:41] Where do the eight limbs of yoga fit in?

[72:21] What does Shyam mean when he talks about sovereignty?

[76:51] Find out more about Shyam and his work around yoga philosophy on his website.

[77:29] What is something in terms of yoga and philosophy that really has Shyam's interest right now?

[80:00] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Shyam. What were yours?

Links:

• Dr. Shyam Ranganathan, Yoga Philosophy
• Dr. Shyam Ranganathan on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 266: Social Location, Power & Privilege with Raudhah Rahman
• Teaching Yoga in Schools: Examining the Issues Raised by the Alabama Bill
• Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"What I loved about philosophy immediately was that it was a way to get along with people without having to agree."

"Just because we're okay with disagreement doesn't mean that there are no right answers. Disagreement doesn't mean that everybody's opinion is equally good."

"The actual practice of yoga is something more basic and the eight limbs are there to help you practice. "

"After that colonial moment, people have to identify with imposed religious identities in order to find a place in a colonized world and that's where we are today."

"Whereas the external world (nature) can be explained in terms of causality, persons have to understand themselves in terms of choice and responsibility."

"When you meet up with people who advocate violence, you have to appreciate that that's a result of trauma."

"There's no yoga practice that isn't informed by trauma."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

268: Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault with Nikki Adams

Description:

Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual violence and may be upsetting for some listeners.

Sexual abuse is a huge crisis around the world, directly impacting a significant portion of the global population, and more broadly speaking, affecting everyone. Nikki Adams is on the podcast to share with us more about this topic and how yoga, particularly trauma informed yoga, can be an option and entry point for healing for survivors.

Nikki is a trauma-informed yoga teacher, and owner of Beauty for Ashes Wellness Cultivation. She helps survivors of childhood sexual abuse empower themselves to trust love and heal their bodies. Through wellness and yoga, Nikki creates an inspirational, safe space for survivors to naturally breakthrough the stigma of childhood sexual abuse. She draws on her own personal experiences and the healing techniques that have helped her in her healing journey to help others.

Nikki shares how yoga helped her as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and explains why all yoga teachers (and humans) need to be trauma-informed. She also offers advice on what poses help and what ones may be triggering, how to hold space with compassion for everyone, why giving choices and the language we use is so important, and how we can re-assessing our yoga spaces from a trauma-informed lens.

If you have ever taught a yoga class for humans, this episode is for you, because we have all experienced some form of trauma in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

[4:31] Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual violence and may be upsetting for some listeners.

[5:04] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Nikki Adams.

[7:30] Shannon gives thanks to OfferingTree for sponsoring the podcast and shares about a new article they posted!

[11:24] What does Nikki do and who does she do it for?

[11:44] How did Nikki realize that yoga fits really well in helping survivors of childhood sexual abuse?

[14:20] Nikki firmly believes that every yoga teacher should be trauma informed. What is the importance of that?

[16:00] How can yoga teachers respond if a student tells them that they are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse? What should they know in that moment?

[18:28] How does yoga help survivors of sexual abuse or trauma?

[20:35] What has Nikki learned through her work with survivors and using yoga as a way to heal?

[22:21] How did Nikki decide that she wanted to focus on serving survivors?

[25:50] How can survivors start to find healing through yoga?

[28:34] What does Nikki wish all yoga teachers understood?

[30:56] How can we hold space for the people coming into our yoga classes?

[32:07] How does Nikki work with groups of survivors and what does that look like?

[36:58] Find out more about Nikki and her work on Instagram and via her website.

[38:32] Shannon reflects on her conversation with Nikki.

Links:

• Nikki Adams
• Nikki Adams on Instagram
• Cultivate your ashes into Beauty 6 Week Yoga Program
• Shop Nikki’s Merchandise
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 266: Social Location, Power & Privilege with Raudhah Rahman
• Bored of the Same Old Yoga Studio Model? Consider these alternatives by OfferingTree
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 163: Collective Yoga Studio Model with Jenifer Parker
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 256: Switching to a Rental Studio Model with Tammy Fulton
• theconnectedyogateacher.com/213
• Zabie Yamasaki
• Yoga Teacher Conf
• Yoga Teacher Conf Live Stream (Code: SHANNONCROW)
• Scattered to Clarity Workshop
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"Being able to not have to speak about what happened to me and being able to process through my body - It was very important, a very important part of my healing journey and I wanted to share that with other survivors."

"Healing and starting the healing journey through yoga is possible."

"Start with yourselves. We've all been through something and maybe starting to use more gentle cues and think about how you want to be treated… Show yourself grace, show yourself compassion so that it can come out into your class."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

267: Thoughts on Belly Breathing with Shannon Crow

Description:

As human beings, we are always learning new information. Sometimes, this new information conflicts with our current beliefs or knowledge, so we need to be willing to dig in and explore this - and if we are wrong, to admit it and change our beliefs. This happened to Shannon Crow (she/her) with belly breathing.

You may have learned about the benefits of belly breathing in yoga class or yoga teacher training or even taught it to your students. However, it may not be the best practice for everyone. In this episode, Shannon reflects on how she came to change her views on belly breathing and how she now teaches breath to her students instead. She shares her own experiences as a yoga teacher and a yoga practitioner from what she has learned and then unlearned. If you have ever taught breathing in a yoga class, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

[3:14] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode and why she was inspired to share about it.

[4:58] Shannon shares a little about an upcoming online workshop she is hosting with OfferingTree.

[6:39] Shannon learned about belly breathing in yoga classes and in yoga teacher training. Eventually, she realized that what she knew or believed about belly breathing may not be correct.

[8:54] The more research Shannon did into belly breathing, the worse she felt for teaching it the way she was. She reflects on how she felt at that time.

[10:04] What happens when we take a breath? Where does the breath begin?

[13:24] What do we really mean when we say belly breathing?

[15:38] Some things associated with belly breathing can put additional pressure on the pelvic floor, and this may not be desirable for some people.

[20:46] We are always going to be learning new information, and as yoga teachers, we need to explore how we can move with grace to explain to our students why we have shifted certain things we teach.

[23:28] What are your thoughts on belly breathing? Share them with Shannon!

Chart that shows what happens when we breathe:

Links:

• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow
• New Thoughts on Belly Breathing, by Shannon Crow (Article)
• OfferingTree Webinar: Clarify Your Offering with Shannon Crow
• What’s Up ‘Down There’? by Shannon Crow for Health Journal
• Trista Zinn
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 069: Yoga with Pelvic Organ Prolapse with Dr. Sarah Duvall
• Yoga Teacher Conf
• Yoga Teacher Conf Live Stream (Code: SHANNONCROW)
• Scattered to Clarity Workshop
• Native Land Digital
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"The more research I did into this, the worst I felt for teaching the way I was teaching belly breathing."

"Something that we all need to embrace as yoga teachers is that we are responsible for how we're guiding our students."

"As long as I continue to listen and learn and grow as a human, I'm on the right track."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

266: Social Location, Power & Privilege with Raudhah Rahman

Description:

What is social location and what does it have to do with teaching yoga? Many of us don’t often think about our identities, how they intersect, and how they afford us privilege and shape our life experiences. In this episode, we learn more from Raudhah Rahman (she/her) about social location and how it is relevant to yoga teachers.

Raudhah Rahman describes herself as connecting people with their voices whether that's through web design, teacher training or a yoga class. As a yoga teacher, Raudhah practices disruption as a way of creating conditionas of wellness for all of us. She is a self-taught website designer whose business, Wellness + Websites, was born after she lost her job as a yoga studio assistant because of the pandemic. Her main focus is providing websites & branding services to folks who want to embrace all of their identities and share their value driven work with others.

Raudhah explains what social location is, and where we use this as yoga teachers. She also shares more about the importance of recognizing and questioning our privilege and the responsibility we have when we hold privilege. From a yoga philosophy lens, Raudhah sheds light on how the 8 limbs of yoga intersect with social location, how we can deal with mistakes when we make them, and continue to learn and grow.

Key Takeaways:

[3:46] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Raudhah Rahman.

[7:21] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree and to one of the podcast listeners.

[11:19] What does Raudhah do and who does she do it for? She shares her social location and how that led to the work that she does.

[16:27] What is social location?

[18:24] How does social location come into the yoga world and how can yoga teachers use it?

[24:26] What are Raudhah's thoughts on the pushback people sometimes have on discussing privilege or specific identities?

[30:59] What are some different identities we can think about when considering our social location?

[34:59] Citizenship is another element of the social location wheel that can play into a person's experience of the world.

[37:50] Shannon and Raudhah explore this idea of fighting for privilege vs. fighting for freedom.

[40:56] How can yoga teachers share these ideas or start to look at incorporating this into their messaging? It's not as simple as tacking on something to your website.

[46:16] Some of this work can feel shocking as we learn about things we didn't know but it is important to do. What are some tips that can help make this practice easier?

[54:34] What's the difference between being called in and someone just lashing out? How can we handle both?

[59:41] What are some other things that Raudhah wishes people knew about social location?

[63:00] Shannon chats with Raudhah about how she can ask podcast guests to introduce themselves with their social location.

[65:46] Shannon reflects on her takeaways from this conversation with Raudhah.

Links:

• Raudhah Rahman
• What is social location? and why is it important when it comes to “identity” in brand identity.
• Yoga Coalition for Equality Charlotte
• OfferingTree Office Hours with Alex and Shannon
• Michelle Johnson, Skill in Action
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 231: Conscious Marketing with Tristan Katz
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 217: The Yoga of Trans* Affirmation with Avery Kalapa & Maygen Nicholson
• Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga Resource Page - Podcasts & Articles
• Tristan Katz
• Yoga Teacher Conf
• Yoga Teacher Conf Live Stream (Code: SHANNONCROW)
• Scattered to Clarity Workshop
• Native Land Digital
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Social location is a practice used to reflect on the groups you belong to because of your place of position and history and society." - Raudhah, quoting Michelle Johnson

[21:38] "If I don't begin to question that privilege that I have, because I've internalized it as normal, I may not realize the harm that I'm doing by normalizing certain actions I've taken or normalizing the actions that institutions have taken that marginalize those further away from power."

[23:45 - 23:53] "I think personal power really comes from disrupting the identities we've internalized."

[26:40 - 26:44] "Are we fighting for privilege? Or are we fighting for freedom?" - Raudhah quoting Alok

[49:49 - 50:00] "The way to practice is to start. And when you start, give yourself grace and start small."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

265: Teach LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Yoga with Gabi Parkham

Description:

We all want our yoga classes to be welcoming places for everybody, but sometimes, we unintentionally make some people feel excluded or unwelcome. One of those groups of people is the LGBTQIA+ community. Gabi Parkham shares how we can teach LGBTQIA+ inclusive yoga and create safer yoga spaces.

Gabi was born in Brighton (UK) and started practicing yoga during early childhood. She is passionate about finding equity and justice through yoga, consent in all aspects, and sharing yoga free from assumptions. Alongside teaching yoga, Gabi is an LGBTQIA+ equity educator and consultant helping yoga teachers and studios to make their classes more welcoming for the LGBTQIA+ community. Gabi runs regular online workshops about LGBTQIA+ "inclusion" and a 6 month online course for LGBTQIA+ yoga teachers to come together in community, learn from one another, and support each other. Gabi also co-founded Laviot, a social and supportive community LGBT+ Jewish non-binary people and women.

In this interview, Gabi explains what LGBTQIA+ means, the importance of sharing pronouns, and why creating spaces for this community is important. Gabi shares more about why it’s so important to get educated, then teach like there is a trans or non-binary person in your class all the time, and how to include that in marketing your classes. This is all part of a lifelong learning journey, and the work is always ongoing. Learn more about how to start creating safer, braver, and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ folks in your yoga class in this episode.

Key Takeaways:

[3:15] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Gabi Parkham.

[7:28] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree.

[12:43] Gabi introduces herself and gives her social location.

[15:22] What does Gabi do and who does she do it for?

[19:16] Why is it important for yoga teachers to have LGBTQIA+ awareness?

[23:30] How does Gabi handle conversations about setting limits on offerings dedicated to LGBTQIA+ people?

[25:02] What does LGBTQIA+ stand for?

[27:07] Gabi isn't too keen on this wording. She explains why.

[28:29] How can we center the voices and experiences of people who have historically been marginalized?

[30:35] Shannon and Gabi explore what the world could be like if cisgender and/or heterosexual people took the time to explore their own gender and sexual identity and expression.

[33:40] What are Gabi's thoughts on pronouns?

[38:23] How can yoga teachers make it evident that they've been doing the work to learn about creating safer spaces for people in the LGBTQIA+ community?

[43:18] Gabi shares some examples of language that we can use and some steps we can take to make spaces more welcoming.

[49:15] Gabi and Shannon discuss a little about the use of masculine and feminine in the yoga setting, and why it's so important to be clear about what we mean with certain words we use.

[54:21] Gabi shares some final thoughts around creating braver and safer yoga spaces.

[57:01] Where can yoga teachers learn more from Gabi or other resources?

[60:44] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview.

Links:

• Gabi Parkham
• Gabi Parkham on Instagram
• Welcoming LGBT+ People in General & Pregnancy Yoga
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 217: The Yoga of Trans* Affirmation with Avery Kalapa & Maygen Nicholson
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 231: Conscious Marketing with Tristan Katz
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow
• Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga Resource Page - Podcasts & Articles
• OfferingTree Office Hours with Alex and Shannon
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 232: Five Steps to Effective Content
• The Transgender Issue by Shon Faye
• Trans Yoga Project
• Amber Karnes
• Yoga Teacher Conf
• Yoga Teacher Conf Live Stream (Code: SHANNONCROW)
• Scattered to Clarity Workshop
• Native Land Digital
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Who else to learn from:
• • Tristan Katz, Tristan Katz Creative
  • Avery Kalapa, Yoga With Avery
  • Maygen Nicholson
  • Pooja Virani
  • Anjali Rao, Yoganjali, San Francisco Yoga Teacher
  • Alle K, Trans Yoga Teacher

Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.

Quotes from this episode:

"We want our classes to be welcoming and inclusive and as safe as possible."

"What I really would rather do is shift the focus and center the marginalized voices center the people who have been historically marginalized and minority sized"

"Learning about other people's experiences is a great place to start."

"Start teaching your class as if there is always a queer person, a trans person, a non-binary person in the room"

"Again, it's not easy, it's really hard to change this language and it takes practice and time and you will mess up and that's okay."

"Just because that's their intention doesn't mean that people inherently feel safe coming in."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

264: Solve the Problem for Your Students with Danait Berhe

Description:

As a yoga teacher, do you think of yourself as a problem solver? In fact, our yoga offerings are solving a problem for our students, and we need to talk about what problem we’re solving to attract our dream students! In this episode with Danait Berhe, learn more about why it’s important to talk about the problems you solve, and how it ties in with your messaging.

Danait is the founder and messaging strategist of The Asmara Agency. With her award-winning full-service agency, Danait helps mission-driven companies craft compelling business, brand, and messaging strategies. She brings a unique perspective to her clients, integrating her background in analytical research, marketing, and branding to help her clients soar their profit and their impact. The Asmara Agency is also committed to making sure that more women, especially Black women, enter the world of entrepreneurship and not only survive, but build brands they can leverage as an asset in order to build + create generational wealth.

Yoga teachers are often hesitant to talk about problems in their messaging, but Danait explains how you can do so with empathy instead of agitation, and without having to resort to sleazy sales tactics. She shares how we can think about our yoga offerings as solving problems for people, the importance of finding a niche and getting specific about who you help and how, and more.

If you’ve been struggling with getting clarity on your message, this interview with Danait is a must-listen!

Key Takeaways:

[2:38] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Danait Berhe

[8:27] Shannon and Danait share a little about the sponsor, OfferingTree, and how they got connected because of it!

[10:04] What does Danait do and who does she do it for?

[11:20] What do people most often struggle with when they try to create their website or share their message in some way?

[14:39] A lot of yoga teachers don't want to focus on the problem. How does Danait address that?

[21:31] Shannon shares an exciting message from OfferingTree.

[23:06] How can yoga teachers talk about the problem they solve in an authentic way, without seeming to be poking the problem more?

[28:36] What can yoga teachers do if they are struggling with their message? Danait has three questions to ask yourself to get clear on your message.

[35:47] You have to keep sharing over and over again, not just once and be done with it.

[39:54 - 39:54] Asking questions and getting to know your audience is a great way to get content ideas, but also to find people.

[40:58] The length of time it takes for someone to decide to buy something from you depends on the price of the offer.

[41:30] A quick message from Allison from the Yoga Teacher Conf.

[43:29] Timing is everything when it comes to promoting and selling an offer.

[46:45] What are some things that might make the process easier for yoga teachers who are putting together their website?

[53:29] It's important to get extremely specific with what you do and who you help, and why.

[56:40] What is your approach to yoga? Talking about your process helps to build trust.

[59:35] Danait helps a live listener get clear on her message.

[63:33] Find out more about Danait's work on Instagram or check out her website.

[65:48] Messaging is something that is always evolving and changing. That's normal.

Links:

• Danait Berhe, The Asmara Agency
• Danait Berhe on Instagram
• Native Land Digital
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.

Quotes from this episode:

"Pricing can be solved by determining what is the problem we're solving and then how, how big of a problem is it for someone to pay and what are they willing to pay for that."

"What things do they need to know for them to be able to see that I am at the solution to that problem?"

"I believe that there is an empathetic approach to being able to solve problems without necessarily poking at the problem."

"We just want to call attention to the problem and then paint the picture of what's possible for them."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

263: Optimizing Your YouTube Videos with Victoria Levitan

Description:

Are you using YouTube as a way to get people to sign up for your offerings? YouTube is a powerful search engine, and with the right strategy, you could be growing your audience, getting new students, and really leveraging this platform to increase your visibility. Youtube and Video Coach Victoria Levitan tells us all about how to set up and optimize YouTube videos for your yoga business.

Victoria has over 4 years of video marketing experience, and currently teaches small business owners how to create videos, use Youtube to grow their business, and what to say on camera so that it converts their viewers. She aspires to help people film videos that cultivate human connection and stand out with ease.

Victoria explains why yoga teachers should be on YouTube, and how to get started - beginning with how to set up your own channel on YouTube! She also shares tips on setting up lighting, what to include in the video description, and how to get people to go from watching your video to signing up for your offering. Victoria has some advice on including a call to action in your videos, and promoting the video after you’ve created it!

If you are new to YouTube and have been wondering how it could fit into your marketing strategy, or are looking to jump back into creating optimized videos on YouTube, this episode is made for you!

Key Takeaways:

[3:53] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Victoria Levitan.

[8:38] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[9:49] What does Victoria do and who does she do it for?

[10:32] What would Victoria say to someone just starting out with YouTube?

[12:12] Why is YouTube a powerful tool for yoga teachers to try to get students?

[14:47] How can yoga teachers start their YouTube channel? Victoria walks us through the steps.

[16:59] What are some lighting options for yoga teachers when natural lighting is not an option?

[19:34] What is Victoria's recommendation for the video description on YouTube? What is most important there?

[21:33] What are Victoria's tips for having good audio?

[21:55] What does Victoria think that yoga teachers could be doing to really get people to watch their Youtube video and then sign up for a paid offering?

[24:09] How often should you be talking about your paid offerings on YouTube?

[24:50] What are some calls to action that Victoria finds to be effective in building a business?

[26:04] What other things convert people from watching a free YouTube video to signing up for something?

[27:41] When recording a video, is it better to record on Zoom and upload it to YouTube or record directly in YouTube?

[28:37] Setting up a YouTube channel and figuring out the tech of recording, editing, and uploading videos can be really overwhelming. What are some of Victoria's tips for people who are just starting out?

[30:45] What is Victoria's preferred editor for editing videos?

[31:51] Victoria shares more tips on getting people to move from watching the video to signing up for something.

[33:20] How can yoga teachers figure out what keywords to use in their YouTube videos?

[33:57] How important is it to put a legal disclaimer in a YouTube video, especially when leading movement and breath?

[35:16] How often does Victoria end up copying part of her video description for each video?

[36:11] What should yoga teachers know about artwork for YouTube?

[37:48] How can yoga teachers check to see what's working with their videos on YouTube?

[39:19] How important is it to regularly put out content on YouTube?

[40:11] Shannon and Victoria discuss batch filming and scheduling as an option to get consistent with creating content for YouTube.

[41:26] How long should YouTube videos be?

[42:53] Shannon shares about the upcoming Yoga Teacher Conf. There's also going to be a virtual option!

[44:24] What are Victoria's suggestions for music that can be used in YouTube videos?

[45:27] How can yoga teachers create a paywall on YouTube so only certain students can see our videos?

[47:51] How can yoga teachers get more views on YouTube videos?

[51:45] How should yoga teachers think about their YouTube strategy?

[55:17] How can you get your YouTube channel monetized?

[57:21] Victoria shares some final tips for people feeling like putting out videos regularly is a challenge.

[59:14] How do YouTube ads work?

[60:43] Find out more about Victoria and her work at her website.

[61:37] Shannon reflects on how The Connected Yoga Teacher Channel has grown in the last few years.

Links:

• Victoria Levitan
• Victoria Levitan on YouTube
• YouTube Channel Audit
• YouTube Jumpstart Guide
• Optimizing Your YouTube Videos (Live Video)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episodes about Video
• • 179: Get Confident with Video with Alicia Berruti
  • 088: Creating Professional Yoga Videos with Kira Sloane
  • 086: Live Video for Yoga Teachers with Ian Gray
  • 205: Tech Guide for Online Yoga with Dominique Gauthier
  • 181: Grow an Online Yoga Business with Nikki Naab-Levy
• Hardware for Teaching Yoga Online Written by Crunch Ranjani
• [19:05] Link - Shannon's lights
• [30:45] Link - iMovie
• DaVinci Resolve
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episodes about Legal Issues
• • 254: 3 Must-Have Legal Agreements with Erika Kullberg
  • 104: Legal Answers for Your Yoga Business with Saerin Ally Cho
• Canva
• Yoga Teacher Conf Virtual
• Epidemic Sound
• TubeBuddy
• Yoga for Pelvic Health Course
• Native Land Digital
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• OfferingTree Feature - Client and Contact Notes

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.

Quotes from this episode:

"From a more strategic level, YouTube ultimately is a search engine...uploading to YouTube is going to help grow your search engine optimization. "

"You want to start with a call to action at the beginning section of your video."

"You should promote your videos more than once because it goes back to that repetition. People need to hear it or see it a couple of times before they realize, oh, I should probably check this out."

"I think people really enjoy and resonate sometimes with the less polished versions of videos."

"You have to look at Youtube and video in a way that will work for your business."

"We've got to fully optimize what you already have created and give your audience the time to take action on it."

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262: Run a Successful Yoga Membership with Allie Van Fossen

Description:

How can yoga teachers successfully leverage the membership model in their business? In this episode, Shannon chats with Allie Van Fossen about how she built and grew her membership to 1000 members, and what it really takes to manage a membership fo that size.

Allie leads the Body Mind Soul Studio, an online yoga studio that helps people leverage a holistic yoga practice to create transformation in their lives, both on & off the mat. Her mission is to empower yoga students with on-the-mat tools so they can confidently lead an off-the-mat wholesome, fulfilling life. At Body Mind Soul Studio, Allisson offers quarterly courses, weekly live events, and a variety of yoga classes and teachings, all via a yoga membership program.

Allie shares the nitty-gritty details about what it really means to run a yoga membership. She candidly shares about the challenges in her latest launch and how she dealt with them, as well as her strategy to retain members. Allie explains how she uses YouTube as her main marketing platform, and gives us some great tips on what elements to include in our membership program, and how to decide what to charge.

If you've been thinking about starting a membership or if you have a membership and are thinking about how to improve it, this interview with Allie Van Fossen is going to help you along this journey.

Key Takeaways:

[3:17] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Allie Van Fossen.

[6:20] Did you know that OfferingTree makes it really easy to set up membership sites? Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor OfferingTree.

[9:11] What does Allie do and who does she do it for?

[10:20] Allie has a large following on YouTube, as well as a large membership. What was the process like building these platforms?

[14:15] Allie shares some of the things she loves about YouTube.

[17:08] For many yoga teachers, YouTube may feel like more of a challenge than Instagram. For Allie, it's the opposite.

[18:51] What is Allie's membership like?

[21:34] What do Allie's members have access to within the membership?

[25:35] For many yoga teachers teaching online right now, sign ups are lower than they have been for the past couple of years.

[27:07] The Yoga Teacher Conf is coming up soon, 22-24 April in Denver, Colorado. Shannon shares some details about the event.

[29:07] Allie recently had a launch that didn't go as planned. What happened and what was that like?

[33:48] What were some of the reasons why Allie's most recent launch saw only 50% of the usual rates?

[35:32] From a different perspective, people are also in an in-between zone and may not be emotionally in the right place.

[38:46] The third thing that contributed to Allie's disappointing launch was a collection of smaller factors.

[41:02] Allie's next launch is coming up in spring, and she's prepared for it.

[44:27] What does Allie's team do to help retention in the membership?

[51:39] Allie shares some of her tips for starting a membership.

[54:00] What is Allie's advice for people who are new to the idea of having a membership?

[59:34] Find out more about Allie and the work she does by visiting her website.

[62:41] Shannon shares her key takeaway from this interview with Allie.

Links:

• Allie Van Fossen
• Allie Van Fossen on YouTube
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 150: Start a Membership Site with Amanda McKinney
• Hosting a Yoga Membership Site (Article Written by Crunch Ranjani)
• Creating a Yoga Membership - Q&A with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode BONUS: Yoga Teacher Conf April 2022 with Allison Rissel
• Glo
• Yoga International
• Membership Academy with Callie and Mike
• Stu McLaren Tribe
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 218: Body Positive Yoga with Gillian McCollum
• Native Land Digital
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• OfferingTree Feature - Client and Contact Notes

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.

Quotes from this episode:

“YouTube is the primary traffic source that feeds our other revenue streams and I love it."

"It's been a massive learning lesson and ... being an entrepreneur, just putting yourself out there, letting yourself be seen and heard and be so visible, really requires you to go through your own metamorphosis."

"I started the membership really out of that desire to go deeper with my community."

"You can spend a lot of money getting people in the door, but then if they all leave just as quickly, you've got this really broken, leaky system."

"People say they want one thing, but they actually need something else."

"I'm finally embracing that entrepreneurship is experimentation and it can be joyous and fun, even when you've got tens of thousands of dollars invested."

"Go inward, connect with what has worked for you and been most moving for your own yoga journey as a student and let that be your springboard for creativity."

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261: How to Grow Your Network with Allison Rissel

Description:

You might have heard the saying ‘your network is your net worth’, and there’s no denying that building your network is important as a yoga business owner - both to get new students, and to deal with feelings of loneliness and isolation. But it can feel like a challenge to grow your network, if you’re in a new community, or in the virtual space, or even just because you’re introverted. Allison Rissel has just the tips on how you can grow your network in this episode.

Allison is the founder of the Yoga Teacher Conf, the ONLY conference just for yoga teachers. The Yoga Teacher Conf helps elevate, educate and inspire yoga teachers around the globe through affordable continuing education, community support and connection. Allison is passionate about helping yoga teachers become professional and powerful leaders, and you can really see this in all the work that she does to help bring yoga teachers together, as well as her work as an event planner for yoga teachers.

Whether you’ve recently moved and are wondering how to get a job teaching yoga in a new town, or perhaps you want to meet other yoga teachers or studio owners and grow your online network - Allison shares so many great tips and tricks in this interview. She also talks about how to manage the discomfort that can arise from being in a new social setting, and how to build meaningful connections online. Tune in to find out more!

Key Takeaways:

[4:51] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Allison Rissel.

[10:08] What does Allison do and who does she do it for?

[11:22] What was Allison's first reaction when Shannon said she wanted to interview her about networking?

[13:07] What is Allison's advice for people who may be feeling like connecting with others is not that easy?

[16:50] For many people, even those who love connecting with others, being in a new social setting can feel uncomfortable. How does Allison deal with that discomfort?

[21:28] Allison shares a little about the Yoga Teacher Conf, happening April 22 to 24 in Denver, CO.

[24:28] How can getting caught up in the details of going to the event impact us at an event?

[26:28] What are some of the measures in place at the Yoga Teacher Conf to ensure the safety of event attendees?

[30:25] How can yoga teachers build their networks at events like these?

[32:47] Shannon is doing a whole-day workshop with Amanda McKinney at the Yoga Teacher Conf.

[34:25] What are Allison's tips for yoga teachers who are looking for ways to network online?

[38:55] Shannon shares how she has connected with people on social media just by asking a simple question.

[40:46] Shannon and Allison discuss some options for finding your biz bestie.

[42:57] Allison shares some of her tips for yoga teachers who are in a new town and are looking to connect with people in their own community.

[46:25] Shannon and Allison chat about what their experience at the Yoga Teacher Conf is going to be like.

[47:48] Shannon is curious about how introverts feel at networking events and how they deal with it.

[49:50] Allison shares some details about the pricing and rates to attend Yoga Teacher Conf.

[51:08] Shannon reflects on her takeaways from this conversation with Allison.

Links:

• Allison Rissel
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 260: I Feel so Alone as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 177: How to Connect (aka Network) with Natalie Eckdahl
• Register for Scattered to Clarity Workshop
• Clifton Strengthsfinder
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 244: Create & Share Audio Recordings with Claire Villarreal
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 227: Is Pain During Yoga Okay? with Neil Pearson
• Native Land Digital
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• OfferingTree Feature - Client and Contact Notes

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.

Quotes from this episode:

"Over the last year, what I've learned is actually [my network] is so intrinsic to everything I do."

"The best way to break the ice is to give a compliment."

"Often we think of networking as promoting ourselves and that's not what it is at all. Networking is about building a relationship, it's about listening to the other person, learning about them, and then telling them briefly maybe about yourself and finding ways that you can work together."

"Most people want to just genuinely connect with someone."

"I think we've all realized that we actually need to build online networks."

"Often I think of social media as talking at people but we can actually still really listen on social media."

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260: I Feel so Alone as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Crow

Description:

As a yoga teacher, do you feel alone or isolated? If you do, remember that you are not alone in this experience – and that there are ways to counter this loneliness and isolation. In this episode, Shannon Crow (she/her) shares more about her own experience feeling alone as a yoga teacher, as well as how she managed to overcome these feelings.

Shannon Crow is the Founder of Pelvic Health Professionals, as well as the host of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast and community, which is celebrating its fifth year of podcasting this episode. Shannon became a yoga teacher in 2006, and she shared what it was like for her as a new yoga teacher losing that sense of community she had experienced during her Yoga Teacher Training. Shannon shares some of the common reasons why yoga teachers may feel isolated in their career, as well as helpful tips to deal with these causes of isolation. As someone who has built and nurtured a supportive community of over 11,000 yoga teachers, Shannon also shares her tips on how to find or create such a community for yourself.

This episode is perfect for anyone who has struggled with feeling alone as a yoga teacher, and will surely help you find and build a supportive community for yourself.

Key Takeaways:

[2:51] The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast is celebrating 5 years of podcasting with this episode!

[4:48] Being a yoga teacher can feel very isolating, and it's normal to feel alone!

[8:36] Shannon reflects on her experience when she became a yoga teacher in 2006.

[11:23] Shannon gives a shout out to Offering Tree, sponsor of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast.

[13:35] Why does it feel so isolating to be a yoga teacher?

[15:51] The key to dealing with "competition" from other yoga teachers is to find your niche and specialize to serve a select group of people.

[16:36] Another reason why yoga teachers can feel isolated is imposter syndrome.

[18:59] Being a yoga teacher can be isolating because it is mostly solitary work, especially since the pandemic began. That's why finding or creating a community is so important.

[23:53] Having a supportive community around you can also help promote each other in the work you do and lift each other up.

[28:16] How can we form connections with others and grow our network?

[31:41] What happens when yoga teachers don't have a supportive community around them?

[33:09] Where can we find these communities?

[35:44] Shannon shares some of her tips for creating a community and strengthening a community you are a part of.

[41:49] What are your thoughts around building community?

Links:

• Specializing & Niching Down Resources
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 250: Reflect & Plan [Part 1] with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 177: How to Connect (aka Network) with Natalie Eckdahl
• Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga Resources
• OfferingTree User Group on Facebook
• Native Land Digital
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.

Quotes from this episode:

"The next time that you go to sign up for a yoga teacher training, [ask yourself]: Are you doing it because you need the knowledge and the skills and the information or are you doing it because you want to be back in with community?"

"All of us at some point experienced imposter syndrome, even if it's just for a short moment when we go to put a workshop or a course together and we think, ‘oh my gosh, who am I to teach this?’."

Alone a youth runs fast, with an elder slow, but together they go far. - Luo Proverb

"Don't reinvent the wheel. Look at other communities for inspiration."

"What's the big ‘why’ for your group that makes it unique?"

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BONUS: Yoga Teacher Conf April 2022 with Allison Rissel

Description:

The Yoga Teacher Conf is happening 22nd April to 24th April, 2022, in Denver, Colorado! It's an in-person conference with over 40 different classes over the three days. There are also pre-conference workshops and other activities lined up to help elevate, educate and inspire yoga teachers from all around the country.

In this bonus episode, Shannon chats with Allison Rissel, organizer of the Yoga Teacher Conf to get more details about the event. Allison shares more about the activity line up, rates, and what's included in the ticket price, as well as the different themes planned for the conference. There will also be pre-conference workshops for people who are traveling in early, or who want to learn more about a particular topic, including a workshop Shannon is hosting with Amanda McKinney - Scattered to Clarity Workshop: Setting Your Business Goals for 2022. Early bird registration ends on March 4th, so get your tickets soon to enjoy the early bird rates!

See you at Yoga Teacher Conf!

Links:

• Yoga Teacher Conf
• Momence App
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree.

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259: Yoga in Schools with Crunch Ranjani

Description:

Should yoga be taught in schools? Recently an Alabama law banned yoga in schools and, inspired by a discussion in our Facebook group, our team member and resident writer Crunch Ranjani (she/her) wrote a fantastic article exploring all the elements of this debate. In this episode, she talks all about her process in creating the article, her research and her personal experience as a South Asian born to a Hindu family.

Crunch is a content creator for purpose-driven health and wellness professionals. She believes that we need more diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities - so she loves working with business owners who do too. She helps them create valuable content that makes a positive impact in the world so that they have more time and energy to create change in their communities.

Crunch helps us to understand all the elements of the conversation around yoga and religion, including whether Sanskrit is a religious language, the connection between Hinduism and yoga, and why dividing out parts of yoga to make them more palatable to a white audience is harmful.

This is an open and honest conversation about cultural appropriation, the importance of having these discussions as yoga teachers and of understanding how our actions can be harmful to the tradition of yoga, and to the South Asian yoga teachers and students in our communities.

If you have wanted to learn more about cultural appropriation in yoga, or if you are new to this conversation and want to understand more, this is a great episode to understand the nuances of this important topic.

Key Takeaways:

[4:45] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Crunch Ranjani.

[8:37] What is the work that Crunch does, and who does she do it for?

[10:04] What did it feel like to write an article on yoga in schools?

[11:39] Is the ban on yoga in Alabama schools still in place, and why is it there?

[12:55] What highlights about yoga in religion came up during Crunch’s research?

[13:34] Crunch explains some of the links between Hinduism and yoga.

[15:45] When this thread was posted in our Facebook group, there was a lot of discussion around why Yoga might be connected to Hinduism, and understanding more about how cultural appropriation has worked. Crunch talks more about that.

[18:32] Shannon pops in with some ways that our sponsor OfferingTree can help support your yoga business, especially with time zones and Zoom links.

[20:28] One of the things that was put forward in the Alabama bill was to allow yoga in schools but to ban using Sanskrit. How did Crunch feel about that?

[21:01] Crunch shares which other languages are connected to religions and why it feels like a double standard.

[22:12] Is there a separation between church and state in all US states or just Alabama?

[25:41] Why is it that yoga is not allowed? Is it based in fear and if so, why?

[28:10] If we allow some parts of yoga to be taught, could that be seen as progress? [32:55] Crunch explains why separating out parts of the practice of yoga is harmful.

[34:57] Why could the practice of gifting statues of Hindu or Deities as part of our yoga practice also be harmful?

[36:08] Crunch shares a great analogy on how we can and do change behavior when someone feels harmed or hurt by our actions.

[37:24] Shannon pops in with a quick message from Allison of the Yoga Teacher Conf to hear more about the social justice sessions that are taking place at the Conf.

[39:13] How does Crunch feel about the article now it is out in the world and what would she like readers to take from it?

[40:02] Please leave comments below the article, beneath this podcast episode or in the Facebook group to share your takeaways on this topic.

[40:48] To find out more about Crunch’s work, or to hire her, you can find her through her website, or message or follow Crunch on Instagram.

“It seemed to be that a lot of people were conflating yoga with religion because it has historically Hindu roots.” Crunch Ranjani

“The whole idea that Alabama is legislating certain aspects of what parts of yoga are ok in schools, and what parts are not, is what is really problematic about this whole bill.” Crunch Ranjani

“To me, it seems really strange that you can say that a language is religious or not religious, because to me language is a way to communicate with people, it is not necessarily religious in and of itself.” Crunch Ranjani

“This is not progress, it is a form of cultural appropriation.” Crunch Ranjani

“If you are not sharing yoga in all of it’s forms, why are you even calling it yoga?” Crunch Ranjani

“Who does this law benefit, and who does it harm?” Crunch Ranjani

“Should we not consider this pain and this harm over the benefits that white people will get from practicing a simplified version of yoga?” Crunch Ranjani

“Maybe it is worth questioning personally, for anyone that feels that fear - what exactly are you afraid of?” Crunch Ranjani

Links:

• Article - Teaching Yoga in Schools
• View Crunch’s Other Articles
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Crunch Ranjani
• Episode 184: Is Yoga Cultural Appropriation with Dr Shailla Vaidya
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Yoga is Dead Podcast
• Find Crunch on Instagram
• Yoga Teacher Conf

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf

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258: What Does Science Say About Yoga?

Description:

We all know about the benefits of yoga, but maybe we’ve wondered about the science behind it all. In this episode, Dr. Mary Flaherty shares the knowledge she has gained from reading thousands of research papers about the effectiveness of yoga, answering the question – Does yoga work?

Mary is a psychologist, researcher, academic and yoga teacher, and the author of Does Yoga Work: Answers from Science. Mary has been teaching yoga for over 20 years, and practicing for many more. With almost 40 years of academic and research experience working in universities in Australia, Japan, U.K., Ireland, and Singapore, Mary’s parallel interests in yoga and science come together in this book which answers some of our most common questions in an easy-to-understand way.

Mary shares some of the salient pieces of information that have come up in her research, including what science has to say about inversions during menstruation, yoga and fertility, the measurable impact of yoga on individuals, societies, and communities, and more. Mary also elaborates on the importance of having a healthy skepticism, and bringing an open and critical mind to any research or information shared about yoga.

This is a great interview for anyone who has ever wondered whether yoga has been backed up by scientific studies!

Key Takeaways:

[4:25] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Mary Flaherty.

[5:41] Shannon is giving away three copies of Mary's book, Does Yoga Work?

[8:01] What is the work that Mary does and who does she do it for?

[10:10] What was Mary's inspiration for writing the book Does Yoga Work?

[11:39] What is the overall answer to the question "does yoga work?".

[16:52] Mary talks about her experience sifting through thousands of research papers and also reading through meta studies.

[18:13] Defining yoga is difficult, but the research seems to point to the fact that yoga that integrates different elements (like pranayama and meditation) is consistently superior to yoga that focuses solely on asana.

[20:38] Shannon pops in with a quick message from Allison of the Yoga Teacher Conf about staying up to date with professional development for yoga teachers.

[22:20] How can we develop a healthy skepticism?

[23:34] Mary highlights two interesting pieces of information she came across in her research relating to inversions during menstruation and yoga's impact on fertility.

[26:59] It's important to learn from different sources, and keep an open mind.

[29:35] There are some aspects of yoga that science isn't able to measure yet, such as the subtle body, spiritual experiences, and self fulfillment.

[34:37] Shannon gives a shout out to Offering Tree's amazing customer support team!

[36:15] Mary wrote her book to be really accessible and digestible for the average person.

[40:16] Mary shares more about her experience writing the book.

[46:23] Get Mary's book and find out more about her work via her website.

[51:43] Leave a comment on the show notes page to stand a chance to win a copy of Mary's book!

[53:26] If you would like to learn more from Mary, join the Pelvic Health Professionals membership site!

Links:

• Mary Flaherty
• Does Yoga Work? by Mary Flaherty
• ¿Funciona el Yoga? Respuestas de la ciencia, by Mary Flaherty (Spanish)
• OfferingTree User Group on Facebook
• Native Land Digital
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.

Quotes from this episode:

"The way that the research was presented, it wasn't just tests on psychological measures ...subjective measures, but also physiological measures like at the molecular level, at a cellular level, we could see changes in hormones, all towards the positive."

"Scientific research shows that yoga is not just good for us as individuals, but at a broader level for society."

"The thing that I found running through a lot of studies was that the sense of community that yoga created was wonderful."

“In terms of effectiveness from the scientific research, when pranayama and meditation are integrated with the asana practice, the effect was much much more superior. "

"We should question the science. We should question everything. Science is just one way to know the truth."

"Knowing about the science behind yoga gives us more confidence when we talk to students."

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257: Meet OfferingTree with Alex & Eddie

Description:

OfferingTree is a company that is dedicated to helping yoga teachers build their yoga business and supporting them as they grow and serve more people. An all-in-one platform which provides a website, scheduling, payment processing, email marketing, online video / course hosting, memberships/packages and more, OfferingTree also shares monthly educational webinars, a weekly blog with extensive tips and resources, and other training opportunities. In this episode, Shannon chats with Eddie Arpin and Alex Haley, two of the co-founders of OfferingTree.

Eddie is the CEO of OfferingTree and works on a little bit of every part of the business. His background is in engineering, and has a passion for staying physically and mindfully fit. Alex is one of the co-founders of OfferingTree, and also teaches meditation retreats at meditation centers throughout the United States. His background is in law, business, and the wellness industry. Alex knows first-hand the complexity and struggles of professionals within the health and wellness industry, particularly around the overwhelm of managing a business while being present for his clients.

Eddie and Alex share more about how OfferingTree was born out of discussions about the challenges health and wellness professionals face in running their business. They also talk about some of OfferingTree’s guiding principles, why collaborating and communicating with their users is so important, and how OfferingTree is set to grow in the future. Tune in to find out more about this amazing company and how they’re supporting yoga teachers in their businesses online.

Key Takeaways:

[5:50] Shannon shares a little about OfferingTree, the sponsor of this episode, and introduces her guests, Eddie Arpin and Alex Haley.

[9:16] How did Alex and Eddie come together to start OfferingTree?

[11:00] OfferingTree was born from a problem Alex was having at a yoga studio he worked at.

[12:26] What else were Eddie and Alex juggling in terms of OfferingTree?

[15:05] Alex and Eddie are trying to grow the OfferingTree community. How are they going about that?

[17:32] Part of how the OfferingTree community has grown is through partnerships.

[20:04] What were some situations when the obstacles in their way seemed too much?

[24:54] Alex shares more about the vision he had for OfferingTree before it was created.

[27:38] How has Eddie's initial vision for OfferingTree changed with the reality of what has been happening?

[29:54] If you are thinking about signing up for OfferingTree, Shannon has a discount code for you!

[31:40] OfferingTree also provides its audience with educational content. Alex explains why they decided to include this.

[34:43] What are some of the features that are in the works for OfferingTree?

[37:25] Listeners - Leave a comment about what features you'd like to see from OfferingTree, or reach out to the OfferingTree team directly!

[38:35] Alex and Eddie reflect on their experience working with so many yoga teachers and share something that has surprised them.

[42:59] Allison from the Yoga Teacher Conf has a message to share with you.

[44:19] Eddie shares a bit about how the OfferingTree team is growing.

[48:04] Shannon shares some closing thoughts.

Links:

• OfferingTree
• OfferingTree on Facebook
• OfferingTree User Group on Facebook
• Email OfferingTree
• Native Land Digital
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Yoga Teacher Conf 2022
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.

Quotes from this episode:

"We thought we could make their lives a lot easier and kind of decrease the burnout with OfferingTree, so that was sort of the main focus for the software." - Eddie

"We are perfectly imperfect. We are always a work in progress and I really like to remind myself that the origin story for OfferingTree is so connected to how we operate." - Alex

"We understand that so much of practice, life, and work is relational." - Alex

"Creating that sense of community has helped us tremendously and it's something that was maybe a little bit surprising, but we're reflecting back on it, [and] we're just really grateful for it." - Eddie

"How do we look at ourselves and how do we value our efforts and energy and our time?" - Alex

"It's the founding team right there at support@offeringtree.com." - Alex

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256: Switching to a Rental Studio Model with Tammy Fulton

Description:

Your yoga business can change over time, but making shifts in business can be scary and challenging - and also rewarding. In this episode, Tammy Fulton shares more about her experience making two big shifts in her yoga studio business, and how that has impacted her, her business, teachers at her studio, and their students.

Tammy has been doing yoga since 1997, and is currently the owner of Yoga Sublime Studio and the Sublime School of Yoga. Her studio is housed in a building over 100 years old that she and her husband purchased 6 years ago. Tammy is a E-RYT 200 registered yoga teacher and Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with Yoga Alliance. She currently teaches Meditation, Gentle Flow, Restorative, Hatha & Yin Yoga with a focus on yoga and meditation for stress reduction & healthy aging, as well as co-leads a RYT 200 Teacher Training at her studio.

Tammy made the decision to shift to a rental model for her yoga studio at the start of the pandemic. She reflects on why she had to make the shift in her business and her process of sharing this change with teachers and clients at the studio. Tammy also transitioned from class passes to registered sessions. These two changes have made a huge difference for Tammy in her life and business, and she shares how the changes have positively impacted teachers and students at the studio as well.

Key Takeaways:

[6:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Tammy Fulton

[9:15] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree.

[10:58] Tammy reflects on her conversation with Shannon in March 2020.

[12:40] Tammy shares a bit about her journey to starting a yoga studio and her studio model at that time.

[15:20] What made Tammy decide to switch to a rental model for her studio?

[16:48] How did Tammy approach the conversation with her yoga teachers around the change?

[19:14] How does Tammy feel about how the switch has played out for her yoga business?

[20:19] Tammy also transitioned to a registered series format for her classes and this has produced many benefits for her, her teachers, and the students.

[21:29] What is the system Tammy currently has in place for her rental model?

[23:10] How has this shift impacted Tammy's income, now that she doesn't have to market for other teachers at her studio?

[25:32] What are some things Tammy learned along the way in making the switch to the rental model?

[27:16] Now that Tammy is running a rental model for the studio, how are things for her in terms of workload?

[29:25] What is a baby step Tammy recommends for yoga teachers looking to create more balance in their life?

[32:26] Did Tammy face any pushback from students at the studio when she implemented the changes?

[34:13] What does Tammy have in mind for her future as a yoga teacher?

[35:22] Find out more about Tammy and the classes she has to offer by visiting her website.

[35:43] Shannon shares her takeaways from this interview with Tammy.

[38:10] Shannon is offering a new group program. Get the details in the link below.

Links:

• Yoga Sublime Studio, Tammy Fulton
• Group Coaching Program
• Native Land Digital
• Discussion about Group Coaching in the Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Yoga Teacher Conf 2022
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, Offering Tree.

Quotes from this episode:

"I almost had to grieve this decision myself first before I could go to my teachers." - Tammy

"We feel that our students are more committed, that they're getting more out of [the classes] because they are committing." - Tammy

"I know that any income I make isn't subsidizing anything else." - Tammy

"Switching to that rental model made all the difference. Everyone was then generating more income with less headaches." - Shannon

“That's the kind of student I want. Somebody who values what I do and is prepared to pay." - Tammy

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

255: Creating a Niche Online Course with Laura Fowler Massie

Description:

A lot of yoga teachers experience doubt and hesitancy around picking a niche, but it can work wonders for your yoga business. In this episode, Laura Fowler Massie shares how she created a niche online course and successfully marketed it during the pandemic.

Laura has been a yoga practitioner for over thirty years, the owner of Yoga Chelsea, and creator of Calm Kids Yoga. She became a yoga teacher in 2008 and took specialty training so she could offer Slow Mindful Yoga, Yoga for Pelvic Health, Yoga Nidra, and Children's Yoga. ​Laura is also an Early Childhood Educator with a BA in Psychology and a Masters degree in Education. Just before the pandemic, Laura created and launched a specialized in-person course designed specifically for Early Childhood Educators, but she had to shift gears when the lockdowns began.

Laura explains how she dealt with having to shift her offering from in-person to online because of the pandemic. Despite the change, her course has been very successful and allowed her business to grow. Laura shares how she reached her target audience to market her niche offering, and how she leveraged a free Facebook group to grow her audience. She also talk about what helped her on the tougher days, why showing up consistently is important, as well as a lot of the fears and objections people have around niching down.

This is a great episode for anyone who has been hesitating about picking a niche.

Key Takeaways:

[3:22] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Laura Fowler Massie.

[6:24] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.

[10:14] What does Laura do and who does she do it for?

[10:58] How did Laura decide to combine yoga and early childhood education?

[14:09] How did Laura market her offering and who did she market in order to get such a great turnout?

[16:29] How did Laura deal with the fear that most people have around niching down, that they will have fewer people to market to?

[19:30] Laura shares some of her marketing strategies to really promote her niche offering.

[22:28] Marketing can be tough, and some channels can be successful while others fail. What are some things that helped Laura on those tougher days?

[23:47] Laura has stayed consistent in putting out free content to her Facebook group as a way to market her offering and grow her audience.

[25:06] Laura shares more about the business coaches she has worked with and learned from.

[27:35] Does Laura also share her Facebook Live videos to YouTube?

[30:27] When does Laura's next training start? She shares a little more about how her course is structured.

[34:54] How did Laura come up with the wording and messaging that allowed her to connect with early childhood educators?

[37:46] Connect with Laura via her website and her Facebook group.

Links:

• Laura Fowler Massie, Yoga Chelsea
• Laura Fowler Massie, Calm Kids Yoga
• Calm Kids Yoga for Early Childhood Educators Facebook Group
• Learn to Teach Yoga to Young Children Course (10% Discount Code: CYT10)
• Children’s Yoga Teacher Mini-Training: Calm Down Strategies for Reducing Anxiety (10% Discount Code: CYT10)
• Learn to Teach Simple Meditations to Young Children Course (10% Discount Code: CYT10)
• Niching Down Resources
• Emily Sussell - Make a Profit Teaching Private Yoga
• Amanda McKinney - Discount codes for Amanda’s offerings
• Live interview with Victoria Levitan (YouTube)
• StreamYard
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trista Zinn
• Yoga Teacher Conf 2022
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, Offering Tree.

Quotes from this episode:

“I always had it in my mind that I was going to turn this into an online offering because it would just make it so much more available for people."

“I use my professional expertise to really market myself as a subject matter expert."

"Start before you're ready. Done is better than perfect. And everything is figureoutable".

"I feel like also word of mouth, even in the internet world during a pandemic, it still is wonderful advertising."

"You have to speak in the language of your target audience."

"I feel like I was being sincere and honest by really responding to what the people were saying they needed from me and they were interested in learning about."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

254: 3 Must-Have Legal Agreements with Erika Kullberg

Description:

Wondering if you need to have a Privacy Policy or Terms & Conditions page on your website? Perhaps you’re interested in preventing people from stealing content you created online, such as a course, curriculum, or PDF. In this episode, Erika Kullberg answers all of these questions and more

Erika Kullberg is the founder of Plug and Law, a company that provides online businesses and entrepreneurs affordable legal services, and an award-winning attorney who has been featured in publications like CNBC, U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider and the Washington Post. She has years of experience in corporate law and represented Fortune 500 companies prior to founding Plug & Law. Today, she shares useful tips, tricks, and hacks online to help people make more money and save more money, and has over 6 million followers across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Erika explains what are the three must-have legal agreements for any business owner - Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, and a Disclaimer, and why they’re so important. She also shares how yoga teachers can protect their intellectual property through Trademarks, Copyrights & Patents, as well as some things to take note of when signing contracts, such as non-compete and non-solicitation clauses.

Erika shares all this legal information in a way that’s easy to understand and apply, so this is the perfect episode for anyone who has been wondering about the legal aspects of running a yoga business.

Key Takeaways:

[5:24] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Erika Kullberg.

[7:38] Shannon highlights some that Offering Tree specifically offers yoga teachers. offeringtree.com/shannon

[9:53] What does Erika do and who does she do it for?

[11:20] Erika and her husband recently decided to become digital nomads!

[12:38] What is the terms and conditions document, and what is a privacy policy? Why do yoga teachers need them?

[18:16] What are some common mistakes or things that online businesses overlook?

[19:56] Erika offers templates that yoga teachers can use on their websites. She shares more about how these templates work.

[21:08] Are Erika's templates ready for yoga teachers to use or do they need to be checked by a lawyer?

[22:13] What are Erika's thoughts on using clearer language in these legal documents, rather than legal language?

[23:20] How often should you update these three documents on your website?

[24:35] Erika recommends keeping a log of your terms and conditions, privacy policy and disclaimer to keep track of the changes you have made.

[25:13] When does a yoga teacher need to set up an LLC? What is an LLC and how does it protect yoga business owners?

[28:17] What are some considerations to keep in mind around non-compete and non-solicitation clauses in contracts?

[31:08] As a yoga teacher at a studio, you are a contract worker. Keep this in mind when signing any contract with non-compete clauses!

[32:36] Shannon shares her personal experience with non-solicitation clauses in contracts.

[33:37] How can yoga teachers protect themselves when it comes to people stealing their ideas from online courses or PDFs? Erika shares more about copyrights, patents, and trademarks as ways to protect intellectual property.

[37:32] How can yoga teachers prove when they created something?

[38:28] When is it helpful to have a trademark? How can yoga teachers go about getting something trademarked?

[40:32] What's the difference between registering a business with a certain name and registering a trademark?

[41:41] Erika has some final thoughts around legal considerations for online businesses.

[43:16] Erika shares some of her services that yoga teachers may be interested in.

[44:23] Learn more about Erika and her work via her website, and check out her YouTube channel for personal finance tips!

[45:52] Is it necessary for every yoga business to include a disclaimer?

[47:12] Shannon shares her takeaways from this interview.

[49:07] Shannon gives a shout out to a listener who left a review.

Links:

• Erika Kullberg, Plug and Law
• Erika Kullberg on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 044: Accounting for Yoga Teachers with Hannah Smolinski
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 154: Bookkeeping for Yoga Teachers with Kelly Christian
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 104: Legal Answers for Your Yoga Business with Saerin Ally Cho
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 105: Insurance for Yoga Teachers with Beth McVeigh
• What Expenses Can I Claim As A Yoga Teacher?
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsor, Offering Tree.

Quotes from this episode:

"The privacy policy is not only essential for your website, but it's also required by law."

"These terms and conditions are going to lay out all of these rules for your website so that there's no ambiguity."

"A disclaimer basically states what you are and are not responsible for."

"[Legal agreements are] to take care of our yoga students as well as ourselves." - Shannon

"Make sure when you are signing an agreement, you understand every single word because these are legally binding."

"Also remember that everything is negotiable. If you're not happy with the terms that they want you to sign, push back on them."

"Prior to signing, that's when you're in the greatest position of power to speak up."

"If it is something that's very important to your brand, it's best to register your trademark earlier rather than later."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

253: Reflect & Plan [Part 4] with Shannon Crow

Description:

At the end of every year, Shannon has a personal practice of reflection and planning. In this episode, Shannon shares her process of goal setting. She explains the SMART goals framework she uses, and why she only chooses 1-3 goals to focus on for a 90-day stretch. Shannon also reveals her tips and tricks to help her stay motivated in accomplishing her goals, and how she actually reaches her goals. This episode is part of a series, and an excellent guide to return to every time you need to take stock and review how things are going in your yoga business.

Key Takeaways:

[4:53] Shannon recaps the first three parts of the reflect and plan framework she has been sharing.

[6:00] Don't be afraid to take this framework and adapt it to what fits you!

[8:28] Choose 1-3 goals to focus on for the next 90 days.

[10:44] Shannon uses the SMART goals framework to set her goals. She explains what this means.

[15:08] Define if your goals are habit goals or achievement goals, and which area of importance it fits into. Also outline the benefits of this goal, and the small steps you will take to complete the goal.

[18:50] The magic step to reaching your goals is to get it on your calendar!

[22:31] Something that helps Shannon in reaching goals is trying not to break a streak, and having accountability.

Links:

• PDF
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 250: Reflect & Plan with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 251: Reflect & Plan [Part 2] with Shannon Crow & Jivana Heyman
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 252: Reflect & Plan [Part 3] with Shannon Crow
• Year on the Wall Calendar by Steph Crowder
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 183: How to Plan a productive week with Shawn Radcliffe
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 122: Productivity for Yoga Teachers with Amber De La Garza
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 065: Create Your Ideal Yoga Schedule with Shannon Crow
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Pelvic Health Professionals and Offering Tree.

Quotes from this episode:

"Make this fit your life and your beliefs and whatever suits you."

"A habit goal is something that you do daily or on a regular basis, whereas an achievement goal is something that you finish."

"The magic step is getting it on your calendar."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

252: Reflect & Plan [Part 3] with Shannon Crow

Description:

At the end of every year, Shannon has a personal practice of reflection and planning. In this episode, Shannon encourages you to think about what you would like to be doing with your time, as a way to direct your energy and focus. She also shares her five-year framework that acts as a guiding compass for her life. By focusing on the four areas of importance - health and wellness, relationships and community purpose, work, and finances - Shannon finds that she has more direction. This episode is part of a series, and an excellent guide to return to every time you need to take stock and review how things are going in your yoga business.

Key Takeaways:

[3:25] What do you want to spend your time doing this year?

[5:35] Shannon reviews Part 1 and 2 of her framework for reflecting and planning.

[7:25] Shannon sends gratitude to Schedulicity.

[9:34] Shannon shares her journal prompt for this episode. She encourages you to think about what you would rather be doing instead with your time. What are the things that excite you and you want to dedicate your time and energy to?

[14:14] Shannon has been using this framework for years, and is shocked by how things have turned out!

[15:14] Shannon sets the scenario for this activity. How will your life be in 5 years from now in these four areas of importance: health and wellness, relationships and community purpose, work, and finances?

[17:00] Shannon shares some examples from her four areas of importance.

[20:28] Part 4 of this series will be all about setting goals.

[21:23] Shannon ends off with a few reminders.

Links:

• PDF
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 250: Reflect & Plan with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 251: Reflect & Plan [Part 2] with Shannon Crow & Jivana Heyman
• Will It Fly?, by Pat Flynn
• 20+ Phrases to Close Your Yoga Classes
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 220: Alternatives to Namaste with Shannon Crow
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity (Coupon:cyt2months), and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).

Quotes from this episode:

"What do you want to spend your time doing this year?"

"Time is our most precious resource."

“Don't forget to aim high. Dream big. Be as specific as you can.”

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

251: Reflect & Plan [Part 2] with Shannon Crow & Jivana Heyman

Description:

At the end of every year, Shannon has a personal practice of reflecting on how her year has been. In this episode, she shares more about reflecting on what didn’t work and letting that go. In her practice, Shannon has tried to include elements of non-attachment and letting go, and turned to Jivana Heyman with her questions about incorporating yoga philosophy and Sanskrit into her framework.

Shannon and Jivana discuss different elements of non-attachment mentioned in yoga texts, and how we can respectfully incorporate these teachings into our lives and daily practice. Shannon also offers a guided reflection practice with some questions to contemplate and journal on things we need to let go and release. This episode is part of a series, and an excellent guide to return to every time you need to take stock and review how things are going in your yoga business.

Key Takeaways:

[4:36] This episode is part two in a series about reflecting and planning in your yoga business.

[6:21] Part one of this exercise was looking at what went well and finding moments of contentment. Part two focuses on what didn't work and letting that go.

[9:49] Shannon shares what she has learned from reading yoga texts about non-attachment and letting go.

[11:25] Sponsor Schedulicity shares the hot tip of the week.

[12:13] Shannon learned about Vairāgya from Jivana Heyman. She also wanted to make sure she wasn't appropriating yoga in trying to include these elements in her reflection and planning.

[14:52] An important part of reflecting is to think about what we are distracted by and that's pulling us off course.

[16:58] Shannon is doing a giveaway of one of Jivana's books!

[17:31] Vairāgya is really about looking at what we want to reach for or make space for. Shannon has a small exercise to illustrate this principle.

[19:08] Shannon encourages you to make a list of things you would like to clear out and let go of or release and create space.

[22:40] Shannon talks about the continuation of learning that we are all doing.

[24:32] This framework can act as your map and your compass all wrapped into one.

[28:01] If we climb every single mountain alone, we would never get anywhere.

[28:10] Shannon shares some journal prompts to guide your reflection.

[30:30] Shannon introduces Jivana and shares more about why she reached out to him for this conversation.

[32:58] How can we respectfully integrate yoga into what we are doing?

[36:45] Jivana shares some of his thoughts on non-attachment.

[37:52] Shannon reflects on how the idea that yoga is the opposite of capitalism has played out in her own journaling and reflection this year.

[39:02] Non-attachment is about analyzing our desires.

[43:36] Non-attachment doesn't mean having non-attachment to the things going on in the world because it's too painful. Jivana explains more about this.

[46:08] Shannon and Jivana discuss her conundrum around integrating yoga and Sanskrit into her reflection framework.

[54:07] Shannon has three gifts for listeners!

Links:

• PDF
• Jivana Heyman
• Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage and Compassion, by Jivana Heyman
• Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body, By Jivana Heyman
• A Queer Dharma, by Jacoby Ballard
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 209: Online Yoga Teacher Training with Jivana Heyman
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 138: Accessible Yoga Beyond Asana with Jivana Heyman
• Shyam Ranganathan Yoga Sutras
• Swami Dayananda
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity (Coupon:cyt2months), and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).

Quotes from this episode:

"What would you like to let go of next year or next month or next quarter? What is no longer serving you?" - Shannon

"We are not looking at how to escape every moment of discomfort or bad emotion." - Shannon

"This whole framework, what we're doing, is like your map and your compass all wrapped into one." - Shannon

"This whole framework, what we're doing is like your map and your compass all wrapped into one." - Shannon

"How can we apply monastic ancient teachings to our lives now? How do we do that in a respectful way?" - Jivana Heyman

"In the West, we tend to identify with the mind so much that we don't even know what it means to identify with spirit." - Jivana Heyman

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

250: Reflect & Plan with Shannon Crow

Description:

At the end of every year, Shannon has a personal practice of reflecting on how her year has been. In this episode, she shares how she cultivated this practice and how she has incorporated elements of yoga and yoga philosophy into this practice. She speaks about the element of santosha, contentment, that she has brought into her reflection practice this year. In this guided reflection practice, Shannon invites us to contemplate some questions to assess our year in terms of contentment. This episode is part of a series, and an excellent guide to return to every time you need to take stock and review how things are going in your yoga business.

Key Takeaways:

[4:22] Shannon shares a little bit of background on her process in putting together this episode.

[5:35] This is a great series to return to every time you need to take stock and review how things are going in your yoga business.

[6:34] Shannon likes to do her reflections with pen and paper. She has recorded a special guided practice to help you with your reflection to focus on moments of contentment.

[9:09] Schedulicity shares the hot tip of the week.

[10:07] What can you do to bring yourself to the present moment? As we reflect on the past year to find the moments of contentment, remember to let go of certain outcomes.

[12:42] Notice anything around you that offers you comfort, and take a moment to appreciate yourself for taking this time as a gift to yourself and everyone around you.

[13:52] Shannon shares some guiding questions to direct your reflection on contentment.

[15:29] Shannon shares something she learned from doing this practice this year.

[17:14] How did this reflection go for you? How are you feeling after creating this list?

[17:52] Be sure to get the accompanying PDF for this episode.

[18:43] Shannon shares a review from a member of Pelvic Health Professionals.

Links:

• PDF
• Steph Crowder
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).

Quotes from this episode:

"What would bring me into this present moment right now?"

"Let yourself color outside the lines today and to do something differently."

"When did you find inner peace this year? When did you give something your best? When did you lose track of time? When did you let go of the outcome? When did you feel compassion? When did you look at something and feel satisfaction? When did you feel successful? When did you embrace who you are? When did you honor your limits?"

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

249: Yoga for Older Grownups with Maria Kirsten

Description:

Have you considered teaching older grownups as your niche in yoga? Many yoga teachers have not, and may feel some fear or apprehension when it comes to teaching people in older bodies. In this episode, Maria Kirsten sheds some light on what teaching yoga to older grownups can be like.

Maria Kirsten was a yoga therapist working mainly with pain and mental health, and offered yoga classes to grownups and older grownups in her community. She also taught teacher trainings about how to support older grownups and regarding general mental health. For Maria, the focus was always on intelligent movement that reconnects people to the joy of being alive in their bodies, and helping people connect with the intuitive wisdom of the body, and nurturing their innate capacity to heal through simple, joyful movement.

Maria shares openly about what inspired her to start teaching yoga for older grownups and how her classes are structured. Maria addresses the fear and caution that some yoga teachers may feel when it comes to teaching older bodies, and gives advice on things to avoid in a yoga class with older people. She explains the mental health benefit yoga can have, and also talks about some of the words that can be triggering for older grown ups.

This interview was so valuable in understanding what teaching yoga to older grownups can be like and how to approach teaching this group of people.

Note: This interview was conducted in January 2021, and Maria passed away back April 2021. The information she shared was invaluable, and we are glad to be able to share this interview with you now.

Key Takeaways:

[5:08] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Maria Kirsten.

[10:24] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity and a listener who left a review.

[15:33] How did Maria come up with the name Yoga for Grown Ups?

[17:21] What is the age range for grownups vs. older grownups?

[18:55] What does Maria usually teach in classes for older grownups?

[20:10] Shannon and Maria discuss some of the fears and lack of confidence older people have, particularly around falling.

[22:40] Maria shares a little more about some of the education she does for her students about what's happening in their bodies and their movements.

[25:55] How does Maria use chairs in her yoga classes?

[27:50] Sit to stand and stand to sit is an important movement, and not all of us do it correctly!

[29:59] Shannon shares more about the S breath and claw fingers to engage the pelvic floor.

[31:01] What are some things that Maria does not do with older grown ups?

[34:19] The thing is not to be scared of older people.

[36:09] What are some things Maria has learned about teaching yoga for older grown ups?

[38:15] What are some conditions that yoga teachers working with bodies with more experience on Earth should be aware of?

[42:01] Yoga for older grownups also has mental health benefits.

[43:01] Maria explains a bit about her experience with cancer.

[44:00] Do Maria's older grownups do online yoga?

[45:58] What are the restrictions on yoga classes in Australia?

[48:06] Maria also has a Yoga for Older Grownups training online.

[51:01] Shannon reflects on a mistake she made with naming a class for older people.

[53:07] Certain words can be triggering for older people and we need to be mindful of that.

[54:22] Shannon and Maria discuss the idea that mental health is a spectrum, and something that needs to be cultivated and built.

[58:13] When it comes to mental health and aging, we need to consider what a sustainable practice is.

[59:51] Learn more about Maria's work by visiting her website.

[61:26] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Maria.

Links:

• Maria Kristen, Yoga for Grownups
• Maria's Courses
• Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimerer
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 203: Do Politics Belong in Yoga? with Chara Caruthers & Maria Kirsten
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 173: Social Justice, Politics & Yoga with Chara Caruthers & Maria Kirsten
• Live Like You Love Yourself Podcast
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 246: Anger, Forgiveness & Self-Care with Jacoby Ballard
• Stephanie Maxwell, thepregnantpelvis.net
• Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, by Atul Gawande
• Theo Wildcroft
• Yoga for Pelvic Health Training
• Dynamic Aging: Simple Exercises for Whole Body Mobility, by Katy Bowman, Joan Virginia Allen, Shelah M. Wilgus, et al.
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 070: Yoga for Seniors? with Shannon Crow
• Yoga Classes for Seniors Is Age Nothing but a Number?
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow
• Mindfulness Daily with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach on Sounds True
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).

Quotes from this episode:

"The biggest risk for falling is fear of falling."

"The thing is not to be scared of older people. If you give them the education and tell them what you're doing and why then they can make educated choices about what options they'll take or when they'll rest and then they feel really empowered."

"Don't underestimate what people are getting [out of your yoga class]."

"Only you know when enough is enough or too much is too much."

"Mental health is a spectrum and the thing that people don't understand, I think, about mental health, is that they don't just get it for free. People are really shocked when mental health isn't fantastic all the time."

"As teachers were trying to empower people in the class, but we're also trying to empower them to do home practice because as soon as they practice on their own at home, everything changes."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

248: Ayurveda is All About Self-Care with Chara Caruthers

Description:

As yoga teachers, we can forget that we need to take care of ourselves too. Burnout and exhaustion are common occurrences among yoga teachers, especially now, which is why self-care is so important. Chara Caruthers is on the podcast to talk about how ayurveda and self-care are intertwined for yoga teachers.

Chara Caruthers is a registered yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist who has been practicing yoga since 1993. She is a wellness coach, registered ayurvedic practitioner with AAPNA and professional member of National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). As the founder of Bliss Body & Soul, Chara offers ayurveda courses, workshops, and an ayurvedic living community. Chara also hosts the Live Like You Love Yourself Podcast, where she shares more about how to live, age, parent, and just be more vibrantly engaged in the process of “growing up” in a way that feels balanced, authentic, graceful and juicy.

What is the role of ayurveda in self-care? Chara explains that we are each a unique individual, and accordingly our self-care needs differ according to who we are, how we are, and the environments we are in. She shares tips for tuning in to our inner selves, why self-care is essential especially when we’re busy, and so much more.

If you’ve wanted to know more about how to integrate Ayurveda into your own practice, or are needing to integrate self-care into your life, this is a great episode for you.

Key Takeaways:

[2:51] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Chara Caruthers.

[8:12] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity and a listener who left a review!

[12:04] What is the work that Chara does and who does she do it for?

[13:14] How does ayurveda connect to self-care?

[14:44] How does self-care change depending on your doshas and the seasons?

[18:28] Where can we start to find information about ourselves and how we are?

[22:16] What are some ayurveda self-care tips for yoga teachers on days that are overwhelming?

[26:04] What does Chara's personal practice look like, and what are the expectations she has for herself?

[30:39] What are Chara's thoughts for a yoga teacher who thinks they don't have time or are too busy for self-care?

[35:19] As yoga teachers, we model the way for others, including with our own self-care.

[40:10] Shannon and Chara discuss why it is so important for people to have their own regular practice before training to become yoga teachers.

[46:54] Many of us are wanting to go out and do something about everything we're seeing in the world, but we can't do that unless we take care of ourselves first.

[51:48] Things that require mental energy and mental work can also be tiring. As yoga teachers who are trying to hold space for everyone who comes to you, it is all the more important to practice self-care for yourself.

[54:33] What are some things that have helped Chara in her self-care journey?

[57:29] Chara shares more about how she works with yoga teachers in the ayurveda space.

[63:17] Find out more about Chara and her work on her website and her podcast.

[64:18] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview, and invites you to share your self-care tips and tricks.

Links:

• Chara Caruthers
• Live Like You Love Yourself Podcast
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 203: Do Politics Belong in Yoga? with Chara Caruthers & Maria Kirsten
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 173: Social Justice, Politics & Yoga with Chara Caruthers and Maria Kirsten
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).

Quotes from this episode:

"Ayurveda is really about living longer. It's a system of health and wellness that focuses on longevity and so when you think about it in that sense, you realize ayurveda is all about self-care."

"What your body wants us to understand is that the way that we actually care for ourselves is by understanding who we are and how we operate."

"What's going on out in the world is also going on inside of us."

"Ayurveda wants us to know who we are and to know how we are so that we can make smarter choices for the things that we engage with, whether that be food or people or environments or yoga."

"We have this responsibility first and foremost to make really smart choices for ourselves. And that it starts with tuning into where we are and how we are."

"If we're not going to take care of ourselves, our bodies, our minds, who will?"

"Rest is going to look different for everybody, and so I think we have that responsibility to tune in to what rest actually feels like, what it actually is for each of us."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

247: Being Wrong is Part of Learning with Shannon Crow

Description:

We all make mistakes. We all get things wrong, and say or do the wrong things at times. It is a part of being a yoga teacher, parent, coworker, friend, colleague, family member, partner, and every other role that we play. Being wrong is a part of learning and growing. In this episode, Shannon shares more from her experience about when she was wrong about some things and how she learned from these mistakes.

Staying stuck in previous knowledge and not learning from our mistakes doesn’t help anybody. Shannon draws on her own experiences as a yoga teacher, a teacher trainer, and as a podcaster to share some mistakes she has made and how she learned from them. She also shares how we can respond to the harm and hurt we may have caused, and how to receive feedback from others about our mistakes.

Being wrong is normal. What we need to do is learn and grow from our mistakes. This episode is a great reminder to all of us to normalize being wrong and about how we can do better.

Key Takeaways:

[3:43] Being wrong is a part of being a yoga teacher.

[7:47] We need to normalize being wrong.

[9:49] What would you do when you are in a position of having caused harm?

[10:48] Shannon shares an example of a mistake that happened recently within the Pelvic Health Professionals community.

[13:52] Shannon shares a personal example of how if we stay stuck in previous knowledge and stop learning, we will not be serving our students.

[16:23] Would you like to hear a podcast on what Shannon has learned about breath through the years?

[16:52] Shannon shares another example of when she learned to do better because she didn't have the information before.

[19:54] Shannon recalls how she started learning more to do better.

[22:04] We need to get comfortable with making mistakes and being wrong, but also with having more questions than answers.

[25:12] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity.

[27:01] Getting feedback is part of learning from our mistakes.

[32:25] Receiving feedback can be really uncomfortable, and this is normal.

[33:04] When someone comes forward to share the hurt or harm you have caused with your words or actions, how can you respond? Shannon shares an example from her experience and reflects on her process of learning from feedback.

[41:13] We are all wrong sometimes, whether as yoga teachers, parents, coworkers, friends, colleagues, family members, partners, and all the different roles we play.

[42:58] How can we turn to the teachings of yoga in moments when we receive feedback and feel upset or defensive?

Links:

• Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimerer
• History.com
• History of Handwashing
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trista Zinn
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 033: A New Perspective on Diastasis Recti with Dr. Sinead Dufour
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 108: Inclusive Language for Prenatal Yoga with Shannon Crow
• Anti-Oppression, Inclusion and Accessibility in Yoga Resources
• Thread in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group about Pelvic Health Information
• Shannon Crow on Instagram
• Jacoby Ballard
• A Queer Dharma: by Jacoby Ballard
• A Queer Dharma, by Jacoby Ballard - North Atlantic Books (Use code 'connected' for 30% discount and free shipping)
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).

Quotes from this episode:

"We can't know everything about gardening or teaching yoga and really the best way to learn is to jump in and do the thing and learn as we go."

"Telling others that you don't know the answer to something or admitting that you were wrong is not a weakness. It is not showing that you don't know things. It takes a lot of strength and courage."

"If we stay stuck in previous knowledge, if we stop learning, we will not be serving our students."

"The thing that I hope we get really comfortable with as yoga teachers is not only making mistakes and being wrong, but also ending up with way more questions than answers. "

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

246: Anger, Forgiveness & Self-Care with Jacoby Ballard

Description:

Anger is a very human emotion that almost all of us experience, but society often encourages us to suppress it. Yet, dismissing, denying, or suppressing anger can cause it to spill out in the wrong way and unintentionally harm others. In this episode, Jacoby Ballard shares more about how anger, forgiveness, and self-care tie in together.

Jacoby Ballard is a social justice educator and yoga teacher with 20 year of experience. Since 2006, Jacoby has taught Queer and Trans Yoga, a space for queer folks to unfurl and cultivate resilience, and in 2008, they co-founded Third Root Community Health Center in Brooklyn to work at the nexus of healing and social justice. They lead workshops, retreats, teacher trainings, teach at conferences, and run a mentorship program specifically for yoga teachers, in addition to consulting in the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) space. Jacoby is also the author of a new book, A Queer Dharma: Yoga and Meditations for Liberation, released in 2021.

When we feel anger, we may think it is out of line with being ‘yogic’. Jacoby addresses this perception and explains how we can begin to understand and process the anger that we may feel. They share tips for calming the nervous system, strategies to integrate what’s going on in the world into your own practice, and how our daily practice can help up show up in the work that we do. Jacoby also shares more about their new book and what they have learned from the experience of writing it.

This is a remarkable episode that will speak to anyone who is feeling tired, worn down, angry, struggling to forgive or to be forgiven, or feeling ready to take on new challenges and wanting to gather their energy.

Key Takeaways:

[3:40] Shannon does a little check in with you.

[6:42] Check out Jacoby's book and join the book launch party!

[9:12] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity.

[11:09] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jacoby Ballard.

[13:31] What does Jacoby do and who do they do it for?

[15:34] We may experience anger when looking at the injustices in the world, but this can feel like it's not in line with yoga. What are Jacoby's thoughts on that?

[18:15] What are some healthy ways to discharge anger and calm the nervous system?

[20:54] Society often encourages us to suppress anger and big emotions. How can we encourage healthy expression of this?

[23:43] What are some things we can do when we feel like we can't receive someone's message because of their anger?

[25:52] How does Jacoby integrate what's happening in the world into their own practice?

[28:50] Jacoby talks about how their daily practice and routines really enables them to show up in the work they do.

[31:07] What does Jacoby's self practice look like?

[34:54] Jacoby reads an excerpt from their book.

[37:12] Jacoby shares their experience of writing the book.

[39:27] What are some other examples of anger coming up that we should care about?

[39:27] What are some issues that Jacoby cares deeply about in the yoga world?

[40:31] Jacoby and Shannon discuss the question of 200hr yoga teacher trainings.

[42:42] As humans, we are going to feel harm and we are going to harm others.

[45:43] Jacoby shares their experience of teaching about compassion in a prison.

[50:59] Jacoby leaves us with a concluding message for yoga teachers.

Links:

• Jacoby Ballard
• A Queer Dharma: by Jacoby Ballard
• A Queer Dharma, by Jacoby Ballard - North Atlantic Books (Use code 'connected' for 30% discount and free shipping)
• Resonance Membership Program with Jacoby Ballard
• Birthing Papa: A Yogi’s Path to Parenthood
• Pelvic Health Professionals Guest Speakers
• Kelly McGonigal
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).

Quotes from this episode:

"Anger is a very human emotion and if we dismiss it, or deny it, or oppress it then it's going to come out in all the wrong places and probably all over those that we care about most in our lives."

"If we don't look at the anger first, then we can't get to the heartbreak, the fear, or the exhaustion. And if we can't get there, then we can't heal, we can't get to the other side."

"Having the daily practices allows me to be grounded in myself, remember my commitment, remember my purpose, and then turn back towards whatever is calling my attention on a given day."

"I must create boundaries that protect me from internalizing harm while practicing compassion that allows me to remain sensitive to suffering around the world."

"Anger tells us, pay attention! Anger gives us the energy to do something, for something precious is being killed, injured, threatened, tarnished, taken, abused, polluted, appropriated or harmed."

"Working with feedback, inviting feedback and working with it really conscientiously is so important in so many yoga dharma spaces."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

245: Share Your Yoga on Insight Timer with Liza Colpa

Description:

For many yoga teachers now, building your unique yoga business includes figuring out how to teach yoga online. While Zoom classes and audio recordings are options, you can also consider Insight Timer as another avenue to grow your yoga business. Liza Colpa is on the podcast to share more about her experience with Insight Timer, as well as some useful information to help you get started.

Liza came to yoga as a teenager, and after ten years of practice, went on to become a yoga teacher. Today, Liza teaches yoga and meditation, and recently set up her independent and online business. She focuses on creating meditation and yoga video content for people who believe in the power of yoga and meditation as tools to improve their lives. She currently offers meditations and 1:1 coaching through Insight Timer, as well as uses Insight Timer for live classes, and online courses.

Being on Insight Timer has allowed Liza to have a well-paying career as a yoga teacher. She shares how she got started on the platform, and her tips to continue growing her audience. Liza gives her recommendations on equipment and software you can use to get started, how to get paid, and how Insight Timer can complement your yoga business. If you are looking for a new platform to grow your yoga business and become a successful, well-paid yoga teacher, this episode on Insight Timer is for you.

Key Takeaways:

[4:38] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Liza Colpa.

[7:31] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity and a listener who left a review!

[11:27] What is the work that Liza does and who does she do it for?

[12:36] What prompted Liza to move onto Insight Timer?

[14:17] Some yoga teachers have tried applying to be on Insight Timer but they haven't received any response. What are Liza's thoughts on this?

[16:42] What equipment does Liza recommend to get started on Insight Timer?

[18:02] What editing software does Liza suggest?

[19:19] Does Liza only share pre-recorded videos or does she also do live classes?

[20:50] How does scheduling work on Insight Timer?

[21:54] Shannon and Liza discuss how payments and getting paid works on Insight Timer.

[24:56] What are the rules around promoting your own offerings on Insight Timer?

[26:34] What kind of tech support or training is available for yoga teachers looking to get started?

[27:54] What is something Liza wishes she had known when she started using Insight Timer?

[30:26] Liza shares more about doing courses on Insight Timer.

[31:54] What are some of Liza's offerings available on Insight Timer?

[35:47] How did Liza cultivate an audience on Insight Timer?

[38:08] Find out more about Liza and her work on Insight Timer, and check out her website too.

[39:50] Are you on Insight Timer? Share with us so we can connect with you!

Links:

• Liza Colpa
• Liza Colpa on Insight Timer
• Manifesting a Happier & Healthier Life with Liza Colpa (10 day Course)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 244: Create & Share Audio Recordings with Claire Villarreal
• Teaching Yoga Online Resources
• GarageBand for Mac
• iMovie
• Logic
• Teaching Yoga Online: Audio, Video and Lighting
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"I truly believe that we've entered into a stage of quality content being really desired by these platforms."

"As a content creator and yoga teacher and meditation teacher you are learning, sometimes as you go."

"The tools are there. It's just a matter of being like, how do I get bold and confident and just say out loud, I'm a yoga teacher, this is my career, this is my business and every single donation that you give me, goes straight to me and thank you for supporting me and helping me support you and being a patron of my craft."

"That's the hardest part for a content creator is just to simply do it just to record just to hit post."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

244: Create & Share Audio Recordings with Claire Villarreal

Description:

The pandemic has forced most yoga teachers to teach yoga online, but a less common alternative (or addition!) to videos is audio recordings. A lot of yoga teachers think doing audio recordings is difficult, but this isn’t the case. Claire Villarreal has a wealth of experience in creating audio recordings, and she shares all her expertise on this episode.

Claire works to adapt traditional Buddhist teachings for the demands of modern life, particularly focusing on guided meditations. She began meditating daily in 1997 in the Theravada and Vajrayāna traditions, and she has traveled to study and meditate in traditional settings around the world. She is the former Programs Director for Dawn Mountain Center for Tibetan Buddhism and former board member for Compassionate Houston. Currently, Claire contributes to a GenX dharma teachers community, and she is funded by the Hemera Foundation to write and podcast about what Tibetan teachings on reincarnation can teach us about living well.

Claire explains how you can record good quality audio using only your phone and a set of earbuds, as well as the software you can use to transcribe a meditation, how to edit and store your audio, what format to save it in and more technical details. This episode is for you if you want to create audio recordings for your students to take home or as a freebie to build your email list - it is a quick and easy starting place to explore if audio recordings are the right fit for your yoga business.

Key Takeaways:

[4:28] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Claire Villarreal.

[7:14] Shannon gives a shoutout to Schedulicity.

[11:55] What does Claire do and who does she do it for?

[13:01] A lot of people think that creating audio recordings is too difficult, but it's not!

[14:01] What is the quickest way to get started doing audio recording with our phones?

[15:01] Audio recordings can also be helpful in situations where visuals aren't the best way to convey the message.

[15:42] How should the microphone be set up for the best audio quality?

[17:36] What is the best way to edit audio to make it sound good?

[20:31] Shannon pops in with an update on the episode on closed captions for Zoom with Landon Stacy and to talk about the transcription tool she uses.

[24:07] What does Claire recommend doing with the transcript of your audio recording?

[26:03] Claire recommends recording a live session or training you are doing and using the transcript of that as a starting point for a script you can read.

[26:56] Claire shares some tips around where to record.

[28:40] Claire talks about her process of recording and what she does after she has recorded her audio.

[30:54] Tip: If possible, record in a wav format rather than mp3 format.

[33:27] Claire makes a note about recording directly to your computer vs. to your phone and transferring to the computer.

[35:57] Audacity is a good option for audio editing software that you can use to clean up the audio recording.

[37:17] Claire describes the three main functions she performs using her audio editing software.

[39:04] Shannon shares some of her tips from her experience of recording podcasts.

[40:23] How can we achieve a meditation quality in our audio recordings?

[42:38] Claire shares a little about teaching on Insight Timer.

[48:04] Check out the next episode for more information about using Insight Timer in your yoga business.

[48:43] Insight Timer presents a huge opportunity for yoga teachers.

[49:28] How can we stop our audio recordings from turning off automatically?

[52:52] Claire shares some final thoughts about creating and sharing audio recordings.

[54:14] Connect with Claire via her website and check out her podcast!

[55:05] Are you going to start using audio recordings in your yoga business? Let us know in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group!

Links:

• Claire Villarreal
• Dharmapreneurs - Mini Course
• Letting Grow Podcast
• Teaching Yoga Online Resources
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 205: Tech Guide for Online Yoga with Dominique Gauthier
• Otter.ai
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 229: Closed Captioning for Zoom Yoga with Landen Stacy
• Podse.io
• RecForge Pro
• Zoom H4N Pro Recorder
• Hardware for Teaching Yoga Online - Audio, Video & Lighting
• Audacity
• GarageBand for Mac
• Insight Timer
• Anchor
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

“[Creating audio recordings] is way more accessible than people think."

"It'll probably take recording some test recordings a few times to get your setup right. But once you have your setup the way you want it, it's pretty easy to just go back in and record another episode."

"You have to figure out the right relationship between the microphone and your mouth."

"If possible, it's great to record in a wav format instead of MP3."

"Experimentation is the heart of finding your audio sound."

"How you're feeling comes across so clearly in your voice."

"I think it is better to put stuff out there and get feedback and grow than to hold back because you think you're not good enough."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

243: What Yoga Texts Should I Read? with Chase Bossart

Description:

Many yoga teachers are eager learners and always seeking to expand their knowledge about yoga. However the multitude of texts (and their various translations) available can feel overwhelming and daunting to approach. In this episode, Chase Bossart shares his recommendations and expertise around some of the must-read yoga texts.

Chase Bossart is the Director of the Yoga Well Institute, an organization dedicated to yoga, meditation, and holistic health in the tradition of Viniyoga. Chase studied under the tutelage of TKV Desikachar, son of Krishnamacharya who is often described as the father of modern yoga.

Chase shares his insights on how to take the yoga sutras into challenging times, the three fundamental texts he suggests yoga teachers read, and why these are so important for yoga teachers as a foundation in their practice and their teaching. Chase also explains why having a teacher to guide you in your study of the texts can be helpful, and whether yoga teachers need to know Sanskrit and all of the texts to practice or teach yoga. Shannon and Chase also discuss cultural appropriation, how and why yoga has changed so much in its practice in the East vs. West, and much more.

If you have ever wondered what texts you should read to deepen your knowledge of yoga and yoga philosophy, or how the teachings of yoga apply to our daily lives, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

[4:25] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Chase Bossart.

[6:37] Shannon gives a shoutout to Schedulicity.

[7:47] Shannon reads a review from a listener.

[11:25] This interview was recorded on the 20th of January, Inauguration Day in the US. Shannon and Chase discuss the state of things in the US at the moment.

[13:03] How have the yoga sutras held Chase through the challenges we have faced recently?

[19:20] What are the main texts that Chase recommends that yoga teachers read?

[22:14] Chase explains a little more about the Yogasūtra, and Haṭhayoga Pradīpika.

[25:26] These texts are not easy to read or understand. Chase talks about the traditional way that people would go about learning these texts.

[28:40] Not everyone can live with and learn these texts under the tutelage of a teacher. What can they do instead?

[34:12] Chase shares his recommendations on how yoga teachers can approach these texts.

[37:37] Does studying with one teacher mean that we are automatically limiting ourselves to just one person's ideas?

[39:08] Chase shares more about the three texts he recommends for yoga teachers.

[46:09] Context is not well understood in yoga.

[47:33] What is Chase's reaction to someone who just wants to practice yoga and believes that yoga's teachings will come through to them in their practice, without reading the texts?

[53:53] What are Chase's thoughts on bringing yoga from the East to the West? Shannon and Chase discuss the topic of cultural appropriation in yoga.

[60:27] Where should yoga teachers who want to study yoga texts start?

Links:

• Chase Bossart, Yoga Well Institute
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 053: Yoga Mentors and Lineage with Chase Bossart
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 242: Mantra & Chanting with Melissa Shah
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 232: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 1]
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• Yoga Bodies, Yoga Minds by Chase Bossart
• The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice, by T. K. V. Desikachar
• Religiousness in Yoga: Lectures on Theory and Practice, by T. K. V. Desikachar, John Ross Carter, and Mary Louise Skelton
• What are We Seeking?, by Martyn Neal and T. K. V. Desikachar
• In Search of Mind, by T. K. V. Desikachar
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"The yoga sutras are very clear that you don't have a lot of influence over what happens."

“Do what you need to do to maintain your equanimity because that is the determining factor in how you respond, and how you respond is going to determine what happens to you next.”

"I think it's so important that people take time to become familiar with yoga as a path, yoga as a way of interacting with the world."

"Yoga, like cooking, is experiential knowledge. Like music or dance. It's not just something that you know, it's something you do."

"It's important to build a foundation before we add lots of stories."

"Another part of difficulty in yoga is that context is not well understood."

"We should be, at least, having a fundamental idea of what is yoga as a practice and as a life philosophy, rather than just what is yoga as an exercise class or some huff and puff."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

242: Mantra & Chanting with Melissa Shah

Description:

As a white yoga practitioner who may have trouble with Sanskrit pronunciations, you may have wondered how to approach using mantra in your practice. You may have wondered - What if I can't pronounce the words correctly? Does pronunciation matter? When is it acceptable to use mantra or Sanskrit chants in my classes? Melissa Shah has answers to these questions and more.

Melissa works to make yoga accessible through yoga therapy, mentoring yoga teachers, and mantra, which she has practiced since childhood. She is passionate about bringing yoga and Ayurveda back to its roots, and reclaiming representation within the wellness community. Currently, Melissa works individually with clients offering yoga therapy in the Viniyoga tradition and offers weekly community chanting and pranayama classes.

Melissa sheds light on what exactly mantra is, and talks about the benefits and importance of mantra in yoga. She also shares her perspective on getting the pronunciations right when saying mantras, and how we can navigate incorporating mantra into our practice and classes in a way that is mindful, respectful and intentional.

Key Takeaways:

[4:55] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Melissa Shah.

[6:52] Check out the hot tip of the week from Schedulicity.

[9:37] Where did Melissa's yoga journey begin? When did she start practicing mantra and chanting?

[13:01] Did Melissa ever have a period of time where she rejected yoga, having started at such a young age?

[16:38] What is the definition of mantra?

[19:02] Are mantras always in Sanskrit or can they be in English?

[21:03] What's the difference between kirtan and mantra?

[25:46] How should yoga teachers approach the pronunciation of Sanskrit words in mantra?

[30:38] What is the science behind mantra?

[35:36] Where the tongue lands in the mouth has an impact on the body. Melissa explains more about this in relation to mantra.

[41:28] How does Melissa approach people who may feel uncomfortable with chanting and mantras, or like it collides with their beliefs or religion?

[45:10] Learn more about mantra and chanting from Melissa at her classes, and also check out some resources she has available on her website.

[47:13] Melissa closes the interview with a chant.

Links:

• Melissa Shah
• Melissa Shah’s Online Class Schedule
• Find Your Breath Online - Membership and Online Library
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 240: Pelvic Health for Everyone with Shannon Crow
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 241: Bhakti Yoga & Kirtan with Kamini Natarajan
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• Conscious Marketing for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals.

Quotes from this episode:

"What kind of intended effect do you want the mantra to have?"

"Depending on where the individual you're working with this at and what they'll connect to the most, you can give them other kinds of sounds."

"When you're in a position of power, especially as a white person in a wellness space, when you're in a position of power like that, what you do, other people model."

"It means something when you don't put in the effort. It's a micro aggression and it does mean something and it does cause harm."

"I wouldn't say that not being able to pronounce something the perfect way is an excuse for not using it at all."

"You don't necessarily have to know what the mantra means to get its benefit."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

241: Bhakti Yoga & Kirtan with Kamini Natarajan

Description:

Not many people in North America practice bhakti yoga and kirtan or even associate it with the stereotypical images of yoga portrayed on social media. In fact, for many people sitting and chanting do not fit into their idea of what yoga is and its purpose. Kamini Natarajan, kirtan and raga singer and bhakti teacher for over two decades to share more.

Kamini Natarajan comes from a family of bhakti practitioners, and started learning Indian classical music at the age of six. She has undergone rigorous training with acclaimed teachers and musicians in India, and today, she teaches Indian classical music and kirtans, as well as performs at events both in person and online, and records her own music.

What is bhakti yoga? What is kirtan? What are the benefits we can get from them? Kamini explains all this and more. She also explains how we can be respectful of Indian culture and heritage, while still incorporating kirtans and bhakti yoga into our own practices. She answers the “whys” and “hows” about Bhakti Yoga and the deep spiritual relationship that exists between Classical Indian music, chanting and how it relates to our daily lives.

Key Takeaways:

[7:38] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Kamini Natarajan.

[11:17] What is the work that Kamini does and who does she do it for?

[12:27] Where did Kamini's journey with kirtan and bhakti yoga begin?

[16:04] What is a bhajan? Kamini explains how it differs from a kirtan.

[18:25] Kirtans in North America are often led by people from North America. What are Kamini's thoughts on someone not of the Indian culture learning and sharing kirtans?

[23:37] What are some things Kamini wishes yoga teachers would know to appreciate the culture and understand it better before bringing kirtans into their yoga classes?

[25:53] Not a lot of people practice bhakti yoga in North America, and have very differing concepts of what yoga is.

[30:04] How would Kamini explain the concept of Bhakti yoga to someone who had no idea about what it is?

[34:17] Kamini is also a raga singer. What is raga?

[36:38] What are the benefits of bhakti yoga?

[40:08] Is bhakti yoga something that can be done on your own? Is it something that we can do virtually?

[43:09] Where does Kamini suggest people get started if they are interested in bhakti yoga, singing and chanting?

[48:23] How does Kamini manage singing kirtans early in the morning when everyone else is asleep?

[51:27] Did Kamini have a rebellious period as a teenager when she tried to rebel against what her mother was doing?

[52:22] Is yoga philosophy incorporated into bhakti yoga? How did bhakti yoga originate?

[57:35] Find out more about Kamini and her work on her website.

Links:

• Kamini Natarajan
• Music and Kirtan Blog
• Indian Ragas For Kirtans Ebook By Kamini Natarajan
• Kamini Natarajan on Instagram
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 227: Is Pain During Yoga Okay? with Neil Pearson
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity, Pelvic Health Professionals and the Accessible Yoga Conference.

Quotes from this episode:

"The kirtans here, they are of course, very, very, very simplified and sometimes, I would say, diluted down versions of what we hear back in India."

"Bhakti yoga is about finding your own path, your own spiritual path, your own journey."

“If somebody is really deep into their own bhakti and spiritual journey, that is, I think, what matters the most.”

"Try to learn from the sources to the best that you can."

"A lot of people get mixed up, they get caught up so much in the physical aspect and the exercise aspect of yoga that they don't even know about all of these other forms of yoga."

"With devotion comes letting go."

“When we talk about devotion, we talk about surrender. We talk about not thinking about ourselves, giving up on the importance that we give to ourselves in certain ways.”

"I really always encourage my students as well as people who come to attend my kirtan events to come up with their own melody for a lot of these simple mantras and chants."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

240: Pelvic Health for Everyone with Shannon Crow

Description:

What is pelvic health and who is it for? Many people think of pelvic health as being related to childbirth, or people assigned female at birth, or getting older in a female body - but this is not true! Everyone has a pelvis, and a pelvic floor, and it is important for all of us to understand it better.

In this episode, Shannon Crow explains more about what pelvic health is and who it is for. She explains the basics around the form and anatomy of the pelvic floor, as well as its key functions in the body. She also highlights some of the common pelvic health issues people face, as well as shares some statistics on why pelvic health is something we should all know about.

If you are a yoga teacher who is teaching people who have a pelvis, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

[4:02] In this episode, Shannon is talking about pelvic health - what it is, and who it's for.

[6:28] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity.

[7:53] Everyone should know more about pelvic health.

[8:18] Many people think of pelvic health as being related to childbirth, people assigned female at birth, or getting older in a female body but this is not true!

[9:20] There tends to be shame and embarrassment around talking about pelvic health issues.

[10:45] Pelvic health issues are extremely common!

[12:33] The first step towards improving pelvic floor starts with understanding how the pelvic floor works.

[13:42] What is the pelvic floor, and where is it?

[15:34] The pelvic floor has three layers.

[17:16] What does the pelvic floor do? Two of its key functions are support and sphincteric.

[18:59] The pelvic floor also contributes to sexual function and stability

[20:23] The pelvic floor acts as a sump pump as well.

[21:14] One of the pelvic floor’s roles is to guard and protect.

[23:13] Shannon shares some statistics around pelvic health.

[24:37] If you would like to learn more about pelvic health, Pelvic Health Professionals is a great place to learn from experts and other professionals.

[28:15] Shannon gives a shout out to the Accessible Yoga Conference - she will be leading a panel on building community!

[29:59] Shannon summarizes her answers to the questions "What is pelvic health?" and "Who is pelvic health for?"

Links:

• Pelvic Health is for Everyone
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Pelvic Health Resources - Podcasts, Videos & Articles
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 225: Yoga for Hip Pain with Shannon Crow
• Yoga for Pain Resources - Podcasts & Articles
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 129: Pelvic Floor 101 with Marie-Josée Forget

Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity, Pelvic Health Professionals and the Accessible Yoga Conference.

Quotes from this episode:

"Whether we're assigned male or female at birth, whether we're non-binary or non-gender conforming, that really has nothing to do with pelvic health because everyone on the planet has a pelvis and a pelvic floor."

"One of the first steps towards improving our pelvic health is just understanding how the pelvic floor works."

"Once you start to understand how the pelvis works, you can be a real benefit to your yoga student."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

239: Connecting in Divisive Times with Sinéad O'Connor

Description:

These are divisive times, both online in yoga communities and beyond that. Some people are for the vaccine, some people are against it, some people have questions and are uncertain about their stance. Yet, these divisions are the opposite of what yoga is about. This podcast is all about connections, and we need to be mindful about how we can extend care to ourselves, those around us, as well as the planet and every living creature.

In this episode, Sinéad O’Connor talks from her perspective as someone with an underlying health condition living through the pandemic. Sinéad is a member of The Connected Yoga Teacher team, a yoga teacher, and active mother of three energetic boys who enjoys camping and hiking. She is also someone who lives with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic kidney disease, and is in Stage 3 of renal failure.

Sinéad shares a post she recently wrote about living with this disease during a pandemic, especially on how it is a privilege to be able to question the healthcare offered to us as healthy, able-bodied people. Shannon concludes by urging us to reflect on how we can practice care or ahimsa for someone else -- that doesn’t involve trying to change their behaviour or views?

Key Takeaways:

[5:00] We are seeing many divisions in the yoga world right now.

[7:45] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sinéad O'Connor.

[8:35] Sinéad shares a little bit about herself and her condition, polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

[9:30] Sinéad recently wrote a post on Facebook about living with this disease in light of the COVID situation.

[13:01] If you would like to support Sinéad’s fundraiser, two things you can do are to give a donation, or share Sinéad’s post to share her story with the world.

[13:32] Shannon has a few questions for us to reflect on.

Links:

• Sinéad O'Connor
• Sinéad O’Connor on Instagram
• Sinéad ’s Fundraiser
• Pelvic Health Professionals
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Original Post by Sinéad
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 237: Scope of Practice with Drew Hume
• Ahimsa in Action with Wolf Terry
• Facebook Thread about Self Care
• Post about Social Location by Raudhah Rahman

Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and the Accessible Yoga Conference.

Quotes from this episode:

"Not everybody understands what it's like to live with an underlying health condition in a pandemic."- Sinéad

"Like millions of people living with underlying health conditions, I don't have the privilege of questioning the healthcare I'm being offered. That privilege is only afforded to the healthy, the able bodied, the people that once stayed home to protect us." - Sinéad

"What does care for someone in my community look like without trying to change their views or their behavior?" - Shannon

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

238: How to Host a Yoga Challenge with Amanda McKinney

Description:

One of the main questions that is often asked in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group is “How do I get more students to sign up for my classes?” A common and effective way that you might build your yoga student roster, your email list or a Facebook group is by hosting a yoga challenge. Amanda McKinney has a lot of experience in hosting challenges, and she joins Shannon Crow in this episode to share her 10 step process to successfully host a yoga challenge.

Amanda McKinney is a marketing coach who is passionate about helping yoga teachers find the tools and the confidence within themselves to build a thriving yoga business. She couples her background in marketing and years of experience in the corporate world with her knowledge and love of yoga to help yoga teachers create sustainable businesses they enjoy through the Marketing Yoga with Confidence podcast, online courses and the Thrive membership program.

Yoga challenges can come in all shapes and forms. Amanda explains what a yoga challenge really is, and how it can help grow your yoga business. She also outlines her tried-and-tested 10 step program to help you put together a successful yoga challenge. Whether you’ve been running challenges for years, or have never done a challenge with your audience, you’re sure to get some useful tips to ensure your next challenge is a huge success.

Key Takeaways:

[3:06] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Amanda McKinney.

[4:25] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity.

[8:52] What is a yoga challenge, and why or when would we use one?

[11:27] Challenges can range from 3 days to a month long!

[12:32] Challenges are great because they can kickstart engagement in your community, and they are shareable!

[14:53] Step 1: Decide on the topic you want to focus on.

[15:32] Amanda shares her thoughts on having a yoga teacher training be the paid offering at the end of a challenge.

[16:49] If you're planning to promote classes at a yoga studio at the end of a challenge, be sure to check in with the studio about running the challenge!

[17:42] Step 2: Map out the details of the challenge like the dates, the goals, how you're going to deliver it.

[23:59] Step 3: Outline all of the content.

[27:04] Step 4: Create a pre-challenge to-do list.

[31:03] Step 5: Write out a "during the challenge" to-do list.

[38:37] Step 6: Get everything you've planned onto your calendar.

[41:06] Step 7: Actually do the work, and follow the plan you've created!

[43:37] Step 8: Promote your challenge.

[45:04] Step 9: Host your challenge.

[47:29] Step 10: Invite people to the paid offering.

[50:41] Amanda has prepared all the resources to get your own challenge off the ground with Yoga Challenge in a Box - check it out.

[56:04] Will you be running a yoga challenge soon? Tell us all about it in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group!

[57:08] Shannon leaves us with an action step for this episode.

How to Host a Yoga Challenge with Amanda McKinney

Pre-Challenge - What's the goal? What do you want people to do at the end of this? Be on your email list? Join your Facebook group? Sign up for your paid offering?

1. Decide your topic
2. Decide your details
3. Outline the content
4. Write the pre-challenge to-do list
5. Write the "during the challenge" to-do list
6. Get everything on the calendar
7. Do the work - follow the plan
8. Promote your challenge
9. Host your challenge
10. Invite people to the paid offering

Links:

• Amanda McKinney
• Amanda McKinney on Instagram
• Amanda McKinney’s Offers on The Connected Yoga Teacher website
• Yoga Challenge in a Box
• Thrive Membership
• Confident Yoga Marketing Online Course
• Hosting a Yoga Challenge with Amanda McKinney Live Video
• Big Bear Bald Eagle Nest Live Stream
• Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS)
• The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
• Native-Land.ca

Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and the Accessible Yoga Conference.

Quotes from this episode:

"A challenge is something where you walk your students through small, tiny steps to either give them some relief to solve a problem or to give them the experience of working with you."

"The health of your email list is a direct indication of the health of your business."

"We make it so complicated, but it actually needs to be so simple... You want people to think about, how can I take this action, whatever that action is, in 15 minutes or less a day."

"Once you run a challenge one time, 90% of the work is done for you. All you have to do, even if it's a different challenge, is use what you've already done and adapt it."

"If it's scheduled, it will happen."

"If you're creating this amazing party, people have to be invited to it or they don't know what's happening."

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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

237: Scope of Practice & Compassion with Drew Hume

Description:

There is a lot of fear, misconceptions and misinformation about the COVID vaccine being shared in online spaces. As yoga teachers, what lies within our scope of practice when it comes to talking about vaccination, and how can we approach this topic with compassion? Shannon Crow and Drew Hume discuss a recent post by Gil Hedley in the broader context of conversations happening in the yoga community around vaccination and related topics.

Drew Hume is Founder & Director at Navina, where he and his team offer training and certifications in Thai yoga therapy. Drew’s background is in Human Biology, and he holds a degree in Applied Science of Human Biology. While not specifically an expert in virology, public health and in vaccines, he has studied all of those topics to a degree at the university level. As a trained yoga instructor, Drew also teaches certain courses to yoga instructors specifically in anatomy, physiology and also in manual therapy.

In this honest and open conversation, Shannon and Drew discuss the harms caused by comparing vaccination to non-related, unequivalent events, and how we can react when we encounter misinformation or falsehoods online. They also explore whether requirements and policies put into place about vaccination are a form of coercion, what truly is within our scope of practice as yoga teachers, and dispel some of the myths around being “healthy” as sufficient protection against COVID. These are tough conversations and difficult decisions - we invite you to approach them with compassion.

Key Takeaways:

[2:26] This week's episode is a recent live episode with Drew Hume.

[4:47] Shannon opens the interview by sharing her stance on vaccination against COVID, and shares how we can approach these difficult and uncomfortable conversations.

[5:47] Drew introduces himself and his background.

[6:45] Shannon and Drew are having this conversation in light of a recent post by Gil Hedley, and in the broader context of conversations happening in the yoga community around vaccination and related topics.

[8:53] One of the things mentioned in the post was a comparison of the vaccine to the Holocaust, intersex surgery and circumcision. Why is that harmful?

[15:55] Drew brings up the idea of informed consent in the context of the vaccine.

[18:29] Are some of the policies being put into place, like vaccine passports and requiring proof of vaccination to participate in certain activities, a form of coercion?

[23:43] Shannon and Drew explore the idea of scope of practice. Who are the experts we should be listening to, and how can we find that expert information to guide our choices?

[29:25] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity.

[30:55] What should we do if we see misinformation being posted or shared?

[34:47] Shannon addresses some dangerous misinformation about the vaccine. A common misconception is that the vaccine is not FDA approved. Drew debunks this myth.

[37:19] Another fear-based statement is that people are dying from the vaccine, not COVID. Drew addresses this untruthful statement.

[38:08] Shannon and Drew discuss another common comment that a healthy body and immune system is an alternative to vaccination.

[40:33] The pandemic has brought to light how our society has normalized the idea and verbalization that chronically ill or disabled people's lives don't matter.

[44:30] Shannon brings up the confusion around vaccinated people wearing mask, and the importance placed on being "healthy".

[47:52] To what extent is a fully vaccinated yoga class safe?

[50:16] Shannon and Drew explore concerns around disclosing health and medical information.

[51:54] A listener shares their fears about not being able to visit with elderly parents for fear of breakthrough infections.

[53:26] A listener asks: How are children being affected in all of this, because they can't be vaccinated?

[55:05] Drew addresses a final point about relying on our immune systems and appropriate supplementation.

[56:33] This is a very divisive topic and we may be faced with tough conversations and difficult decisions as we navigate this situation. Shannon and Drew discuss approaching with compassion and openness, and really being aware of the nuances in this complex time.

[59:04] Find out more about Drew, his work, and bees in Costa Rica on Instagram and Facebook.

[60:22] Shannon shares her reflections and takeaways from this interview.