The Mentor Sessions

Today on the podcast we get to learn from the wisdom of Lara Benusis, a pioneer in translating yoga into hospital environments. She was the first full time yoga instructor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where she developed their in-hospital and outpatient wellness offerings. A certified yoga instructor since 1996, Lara is currently an advanced masters student in Applied Physiology at Columbia University and is focused on exploring the efficacy and mechanisms of exercise and yoga on the survivorship of cancer. On this episode you'll hear about the research she has been doing on yoga within the cancer community including how are those studies designed, how they implemented and what are they are finding out. You also hear: Some of the most surprising research Lara has come across so far. Some things to keep in mind when teaching yoga in a clinical setting. How yoga teachers can take care of themselves to ensure a long career. Listen in to hear all about Lara is bringing yoga into a clinical, medical setting!

I heard my friend Anna say, "telling students to love their body is not enough...." and I responded with, "please be a guest on the podcast so we can talk about this!" I wanted to ask her, "How can yoga teachers better support their students to be in a loving relationship with their body?" Anna Guest-Jelley is the founder of Curvy Yoga, an online yoga studio and teacher training center that helps people of all sizes find true acceptance and freedom, both on and off the mat. Anna is the author of Curvy Yoga: Love Yourself & Your Body a Little More Each Day and the co-editor of Yoga and Body Image: 25 Personal Stories About Beauty, Bravery & Loving Your Body. In today's podcast episode Anna and I talk about: What Real Body Love looks like for her right now. Anna's favorite practical ways to take care of herself. How Anna's yoga practice changed her relationship with her body. How teaching yoga changed her relationship with her body in a different way. The kind of language that's important to keep in mind to make sure group yoga classes are inclusive for people in all bodies. Find out more about Anna at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram!

If you don't already know my good friend Diana Zotos I am so excited for you to meet her! Diana is a physical therapist and yoga teacher. In 2006 Diana began her 7 year career at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC, spending those years treating anyone from inpatient joint replacement patients to professional marathon runners. She completed her yoga teacher training at OM Yoga in 2010. Diana is also co-founder and co-director of Threes Physiyoga Method™ (TPM). TPM is dedicated to teaching yoga teachers applied anatomy and kinesiology, and bridging the gap through advanced teacher training between yoga teachers and the healthcare industry. TPM also educates physical therapists and other medical professionals on the benefits and integration of yoga practices into traditional western medicine. In today's episode we decided to focus on the basics of women's pelvic floor health and how that relates to yoga practice and yoga teaching. You'll hear: How the alignment of the feet and legs affect the pelvic floor. What teachers and students can do if they think they might have issues with their pelvic floor musculature. When, how and why hip pain or lower back pain originate with issues in the pelvic floor. Some things pregnant women and postpartum mamas can do to keep their pelvic floor healthy. And so much more! Learn more about Diana and Threes Physiyoga at their website, check out all their upcoming workshops, events, and advanced teacher training on their events page and follow them on social media on facebook and instagram.

I've got another solo episode for you today and we are going to talk about what I call, The Myth of the Ideal Private Yoga Client... I'll tell you all about this phenomenon, where it came from, the good intentions of the online marketing coaches who teach it, and the negative affect I see it having on the yoga world. Part of the reason people who teach online marketing are so heavily invested in this idea is because the better you know who you're selling to, the more specific your marketing can be-- so the thinking goes. While this holds some truth, i think the usefulness of this thinking is quite limited and in this episode I'll tell you why. I'll also give you some really good news...you don't have to wait for Perfect for You Clients to finally show up. I'll show you how you can love the clients you already have. :) Resources Mentioned in this Episode:My training, The Science of the Private Lesson™ Online

It's just you and I again on the podcast today! We are going to dive deeper into a topic I have mentioned several times on this podcast: The Support/Challenge Matrix of Private Yoga Lessons. I hear all the time from teachers who are overwhelmed with all the possibility that comes with teaching private yoga. There are so many things to think about! I want to help you drop into your intuition in a grounded way so I created a framework to use as you assess your students and figure out what they need. These are not diagnostics tools, because as yoga teachers it is outside of our scope of practice to diagnose or treat our students. That said, it most certainly is within the scope of our practice to teach a individualized practice that helps our students come into balance and that is what I'll teach you how to do in today's episode. In today's episode we will talk about the four elements that might be included in every private yoga lesson: physical support physical challenge emotional support and emotional challenge I'll share: why I think these elements are all important to address how to assess what is going on with your student on physical and emotional levels specific examples of all these elements, and ideas for ways to bring them into the practice why I take a hard stance against a lot of chatting in a private yoga lesson what to do if a practice is challenging for physical AND emotional reasons what is possible for both you and your students when you are able to support meaningful change in their lives

I am so excited about today's topic! We are going to talk about confidence and what you can do to become a more confident yoga teacher. I wanted to talk about this because several months ago I asked my community what they were struggling with and overwhelmingly people answered that lacking confidence was their biggest struggle as a teacher. And of course, that's not a yoga teacher thing. That's a human thing. It makes sense to me, also, that those feelings are amplified when we take on a role as a teacher. As a yoga teacher you stand at the front of a room full of people who are looking to you for guidance with their yoga practice and it is SO MUCH to take on, right?? In today's episode are going to unpack why we all struggle with a lack of confidence AND I've got some specific advice to share including seven different ways to be a more confident yoga teacher!

On today's newest podcast episode it is just you and I! I am excited to connect with you 1x1 and answer a question I get asked all the time! "What is the best way to teach someone who is skeptical or unsure about yoga?" I get asked this question frequently because this is something I have done quite a bit of! In my private practice in New York City I ended up with a schedule full of clients who were interested in the benefits they felt were possible with a yoga practice, but felt uncomfortable going to a yoga studio. There are many different reasons that people could feel uncomfortable going to a yoga studio. The students I worked with most often were people who thought they would find weird new age stuff or a conflicting religious practice in a yoga studio, so that kept them away from yoga until they met with me for private yoga lessons. In brief: We need to be able to Meet Our Students Where They Are and offer them practices that are immediately useful in ways that are totally accessible to them. Today's episode will offer some ideas about how to integrate these ideas into your teaching right away. I'll give you an example, step by step, of what a session with a Yoga Skeptic might look like. You'll also hear a detailed story about a Yoga Skeptic I taught who's practice changed dramatically in the years I taught him!

Today you're going to hear a live, unedited 1x1 mentoring session! I have been planning to do an episode like this since I started producing this show and this is the first opportunity I 've had to finally record one! I love connecting with teachers in 1x1 mentor sessions because I get to listen deeply and troubleshoot solutions to their biggest challenges. I wanted to record a 1x1 mentoring session (like the ones I have with people in my online training and in my Virtual Mentoring Program) with someone that I hadn't worked with previously. I'm so excited to invite onto the show today Sarah Kowalski, a yoga teacher from Philadelphia. Sarah has been teaching since 2014 and each week she teaches five group classes and two private clients. Sarah loves teaching private lessons because she is able to tailor the practice directly to her students needs. She's starting to wonder how she could better help the students in her group classes in a more specific way without throwing out her carefully crafted plan every week. In today's session we talked: about how to teach better open level group classes how to know what to teach and when to teach it how to create a framework for your classes when the studio you teach at doesn't specify the curriculum that should be taught how to really teach within the context of a vinyasa flow class I think this conversation will be sooo useful for all you teachers who teach open level group classes and are wondering how you could do that more skillfully.

This is a favorite, and quite personal episode for me. Today we are talking about integrating spiritual teachings into asana classes. This is a personal favorite because this is one of the parts of my teaching that has changed most dramatically since I began teaching in 2005. When I was a new teacher most of my yoga practice focused on movement and asana, and I didn't have much experience in a mature spiritual practice. As a new teacher at OM Yoga Center I began to study buddhism and while the teachings resonated very deeply with me, I wasn't ready to share them from the teacher's seat for a long time. I think this is common! I know that many new teachers are moved and inspired by the spiritual teachings of yoga but are unsure how to interweave those teachings in a movement based practice. Today we'll talk about my journey on my spiritual path, and when and how I integrate my secular buddhist studies into my asana classes. I'll share some guides to help you find and settle into a spiritual practice that will come through in your asana teaching in a natural and authentic way. Resources mentioned in this episode: My teacher training, The Science of the Private Lesson™ How To Choose a Guru with JP Sears Serena's studio in Chicago, Room to BreatheMy teacher, Ethan NichternMy teacher, Sara Avant StoverMy teacher, Tara Brach

I have such a treat for you!! On today's episode I have the honor of interviewing my main teacher from my very first teacher training back in 2005, Jennifer Brilliant! Since 1989 Jennifer has taught all levels of group and private yoga classes and lead countless special workshops. Jennifer was the Director of OM Yoga Center's Teacher Training programs and under her eye, dozens of graduates became OM-certified yoga teachers, including me! She has recently completed her IAYT certification, and she is here to share her vast wisdom with us all. In this episode you'll hear: How Jennifer differentiates between a private yoga teacher and a yoga therapist. Examples and stories from the wide range of different conditions Jennifer has worked with and the kinds of evolution she has seen in those students. What she recommends for teachers if you have a student that has a challenging issue to work with. How she keeps herself inspired in her teaching, even after all these years.

Today you get to meet my friend Ariana Rabinovitch. She is the host of he Yoga & Beyond Podcast, co-authored the Exposing Yoga Myths book series and founded the Yoga Research and Beyond membership site. This membership site offers yoga teachers easy access to published research on yoga and movement. They explain the research in plain English and show us how to translate that research into our teaching practice. It's an amazing resource for teachers and I can't wait for you to hear all about it! In today's episode you'll hear: Why Ariana feels passionate about yoga and movement based research. All about the research studies and the super smart team of people translating the studies into actionable teaching ideas. Why should research matter to yoga teachers? How diving into the research has changed Ariana's teaching. The most surprising research they have some across so far! Check out The Yoga Research and Beyond membership site right here!

I am so excited to share this powerful conversation with you. While many yoga studios proclaim that "Everyone is Welcome!" in their classes, in today's episode we ask, " Are we actually teaching our classes in a way that supports that message?". My friend Amber Karnes is whip smart, a powerful advocate and a seasoned yoga teacher. We didn't hold back on any difficult or taboo topics in this episode on Creating Truly Inclusive Yoga Spaces. In this episode: The difference between saying "everyone is welcome" and actually creating an accommodating space. How to modify foundational poses to make them more accessible. Examples of specific language Amber recommends teachers avoid in their group classes and what you can say instead. What to expect when teaching larger bodies. The best ways to level and name classes and the problem we see with All Levels classes. How we can disrupt the cycle of a non-diverse pool teachers. How I realized I could be contributing more to the diverse yoga culture I want to support. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Amber's Website Pose breakdowns and modifications Yoga For All training For Teachers Body Positive Clubhouse - yoga & self-acceptance membership site Body Positive Rebellion - free 7-day crash course in kicking diet culture to the curb and embracing your body Amber on Facebook Amber on Instagram Amber on YouTube Amber on Yoga International

This is a very special, unusual episode! While most of the episodes you'll find here at The Mentor Sessions are either interviews with friends and teachers of mine, or short teachings that I offer myself, today we're doing something different. I'm going to take you on a trip with me for an intimate, inside view of my life and teaching for an entire week! It certainly feels vulnerable to share myself in this way, but I've learned so much from the mentors that I've been able to observe up close, both in their teaching and personal lives, and I want to pay that kind of offering forward. So while you can't be in the room with me while I teach {although this limited time video series is pretty darn close} in this episode I'll give you all the intimate details of my teaching life, and you'll hear... all about my daily habits and routines that help me keep up my energy AND stay grounded with a busy teaching schedule what I'm excited to teach in my group classes right now the parts of my life and schedule I struggle with the most all about how I met each of my private clients and a bit about what I do with each of them Come on over to my Facebook group, let me know how this episode landed with you and what questions it brings up!

Today I am going to answer one of the questions other teachers ask me most frequently: How do you encourage your students to commit to a home yoga practice? I have tried almost every option out there, and I've landed on a way that I think works best. It must be working because every single one of my private clients has a home yoga practice they do most days AND (huge bonus) it requires ZERO extra work on my part! In today's episode my co-host Serena and I will share some success stories and talk about all the ways we like support and inspire a student's home practice without making it feeling like one more thing on their to do list. Also in this episode: why I let the student guide me to the point where I offer support in their home practice the ways I personally enjoy practicing at home our best guided relaxation tips why presenting these practices as soft place to land is what makes the biggest difference

I am so excited about today's episode because I get to bring you the wisdom of the founder of my own teaching lineage (OM Yoga) , Cyndi Lee! Cyndi is the first female Western yoga teacher to fully integrate yoga asana and Tibetan Buddhism in her practice and teaching. In 1998, she founded OM Yoga Center in NYC, and that is where I took my first YTT in 2005. In this interview we talk about what makes a good teacher, how to continue to evolve as teachers and what we can learn from the Buddhist principle of Threefold Logic: working with the ground, the path and the fruition. Cyndi recently became a formally trained Buddhist Chaplain under the guidance of Roshi Joan Halifax and much of her work there centers around using yoga and meditation as resiliency practices. We talked about what it's like to find refuge in our bodies, no matter the circumstances, and how we can offer that kind of teaching to our students. In this episode we also talked about: how some teaching principles are universal, no matter what you are teaching Cyndi gives some advice for teachers who want to deepen their teaching skills what it takes to have confidence in your teaching having a growth mindset vs a fixed mindset taking refuge in a body that has a lot of pain Trainings, Retreats and Online Workshops with Cyndi: Cyndi's WebsiteVery Special Teachers Retreat in New MexicoOnline Restorative Teacher TrainingMeditation Teacher Training coming summer 2018

If you don't already know her, I am so excited to introduce you to my friend Brea Johnson from Heart + Bones Yoga. Brea has been a yoga teacher for over 15 years and is also a certified Restorative Exercise teacher. She has the wisdom of someone who has been teaching for many many years and a friendliness that makes her teachings super accessible. :) Brea feels that integrating functional movement is essential for a life long yoga practice for both you and your students and in this episode we'll give you lots of ways to make your movement practice sustainable for the long term. More in this episode: CrossFit and yoga? Can they coexist? The 4 Pillars of the Sustainable Yoga Practice How Brea puts together her sequences {Hint: It's less about sequence and more about intention} How we both feel about interweaving spiritual practice with a movement practice Why adaptability is important How to integrate new things into your teaching without getting overwhelmed Tools for teachers who want to add sustainability practices to their classes Check out Brea's website here and find her on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube! Also, Brea has just launched a brand new online Sustainable Yoga Studio! With monthly or yearly memberships you can take yoga classes with Brea from anywhere in the world and experience a progressive approach to yoga that focuses on kind movements, supportive sequences, and playful yet challenging ways of moving. It is a great resource for teachers if you need a little sustainable movement inspiration! Also, make sure to check out teachprivateyoga.com to get a 3 part video series that will help you teach better private lessons!

Is all discomfort good? Is all discomfort bad? What is the "right" way to teach any given asana? How do we offer the version of a pose or practice that will be most beneficial to our students right now? Being able to answer these questions with confidence comes from a depth of understanding of what I call The Yoga of Discernment. I don't think there is any magic in an "ideal form" of asana, and I think that every person will find benefit in a slightly different variation of a pose. As teachers we are charged with helping our students find the version of the pose that is ideal for them right now. How the heck do we do that?? There are so many physical and emotional benefits possible for every single pose and in my opinion, there is no resource that could explain them all! I know that is overwhelming to think about.... But! There is hope, I promise. It is possible have something useful + helpful to offer your students, even if it isn't hard and fast rules about the most "ideal" alignment. Listen to this episode to learn: What is The Yoga of Discernment? Why is this important for us? What is important to teach our students, if it isn't a very specific set of alignment principles. The problems I see with the "do whatever feels good" mentality. What I'm doing with a current student in chronic pain. Why studying anatomy is like putting up elfa shelving in your closet. How to start teaching the Yoga of Discernment right away. And after you've listened to the episode, pop over here and let me know how it landed with you!

A deep study of anatomy will change the way you teach. It is empowering, clarifying and facicating! For example, let's talk about Warrior 2 alignment. :) Specifically, I want to talk about that front knee and how on many of our students it drifts towards, and sometimes past, the big toe. What do you suggest your students do when you see that? Do you have a sense of why that might be happening? Whether you have a few ideas, but you'd like some more suggestions about what to doORYou are 100% sure you know the one reason that happens and exactly what to do about itOR You have no idea why someone's knee might be doing that in Warrior 2 ...then I've got something for you. In today's episode I'm chatting with my friend and teacher Jason Ray Brown. Jason is a long time yoga teacher and the creator of Anatomy Studies for Yoga Teachers. It is a year long anatomy course that I took in 2010 and it had a HUGE impact on my teaching! In this episode you'll hear: All about warrior two leg architecture, several reasons why a student's knee might drift toward the midline and what to do about it What to look for in tadasana to get an idea of imbalances in strength Many options for shifting alignment and sequencing to best help our students What Jason sees at the traditional benefits of vinyasa yoga practice A discussion of pushing and pulling motions and how to incorporate both in an asana class The online version of the Anatomy Studies for Yoga Teachers training starts very soon, and if you use my name {francesca] as a discount code you get 10% off the whole training! Resources Anatomy Studies for Yoga Teachers Jason Ray Brown

The practice and study of yoga is so vast that the more we all continue to study and teach, the more this question seems to loom taller and taller: what exactly is the job of a yoga instructor? To process this out loud with me, I invited my friend Jules Mitchell for a chat. Jules has been teaching yoga for a decade, but her knowledge base doesn't end there. Jules holds a Masters in Biomechanics, is a certified massage therapist, and is currently writing a book about it all. Through carefully chosen language, a deep understand of body mechanics, and a patience and wisdom that only comes from experience, Jules shows us how a roadmap for how we might continue to evolve as teachers. Today, Jules and I will tackle the tough questions, ask plenty of our own, and talk a little shop. If you are feeling stuck in your teaching, or ready for some fresh inspiration, this episode is for you. More in this episode: Jules talks about her initial training, and what brought her to study biomechanics and other disciplines. What her movement practice looks like when she's on the road. We talk all about Jules' book, Yoga Biomechanics: Redefining Stretching. Jules gives us a definition of biomechanics and we talk about how it should impact our yoga teaching. Jules and I dig into the importance of the specificity of language and offering open-ended questions. We breakdown the distinctions between yoga therapists and yoga teachers. Connect with Jules online here.

When you teach yoga classes {group or private} how much are you demonstrating poses? If you have been hanging out in my world for a while you may know that I mostly advocate for a style of teaching that relies on language to convey important information, including subtle movements, instead of relying on the use of our body to teach. Do I think demonstrating a physical concept is always bad? Of course not! Are there sometimes totally valid reasons to use your own body, or another student's body, to clarify a movement concept. Absolutely! I also think that teaching without demonstrating is an extremely important skill to cultivate and I want to tell you why! In this episode I'll cover: Some of the reasons, both conscious and unconscious, that teachers prefer to demonstrate when they teach asana. The many benefits for you and your students of teaching without demonstrating. Why teaching our students to connect language and movement is a worthwhile endeavor. Tools and practices to help you use your voice more often in your yoga teaching and your body less. In the spirit of Shades of Grey, some of the good reasons I see TO demonstrate or practice with our students.

Anatomy studies can be a powerful tool in the yoga teacher's utility belt, but I know many of us don't know where to start or how to apply it to a teaching practice. There is so much to learn and it can feel overwhelming! Today I'm excited to introduce you to my friend Dr. Ariele Foster, a yoga instructor for 16 years and a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Dr. Foster is passionate about making yoga anatomy accessible to everyone, which is why she started the Yoga Anatomy Academy. Ariele's deep understanding of the human body enables her to integrate movement and medicine into one practice and she offers us all some nuggets of wisdom we can take into our teaching right away. In general, I think we all hope to support our clients and students with compassion and discernment. Supporting your teaching with knowledge of anatomy is an important part of that equation. Also in this episode: Ariele shares her unusual journey to yoga teaching and why the practice supports physical therapy so well. Placing a priority on strengthening over flexibility. Learn the 10 Principles of Anatomy Informed Yoga. Should yoga teachers be learning anatomy? Ariele and I discuss what is helpful for instructors to know. Teaching discernment to our students is difficult but worthwhile. We break down yoga poses and how to take some of the weight off of your overworked joints. Website and Social Media Links Yoga Anatomy Academy WebsiteYoga Anatomy Academy on Facebook Yoga Anatomy Academy on Instagram Giveaways! 10 Principles of Anatomy Informed Yoga DownloadSmart Sequencing for Naginyasana Download

In our initial yoga teacher trainings we learn how to teach safe and effective group classes, but what do we do when only one person shows up to class?? Or how do we teach a new student who requests a 1x1 lesson? The truth is, teaching yoga in a 1×1 setting in a way that is both accessible and meaningful for the student AND sustainable for you, the teacher, requires a unique skill set that is not taught in regular yoga teacher trainings Luckily, there is a simple set of tools that, combined with your teacher's intuition, will make your private sessions enjoyable for you and useful for your client. In this episode I'll share my four step process to help you teach better private lessons. In addition, I'll share with you concrete examples from my own teaching to help you troubleshoot with some of your trickier clients. It's an info-packed episode today, so go ahead and dive in. Also in this episode: I share what I think are the biggest differences between a group class and a private class. We talk about how to help a private client self-assess their needs. We'll talk about why it is important to know the intended benefits of each pose, and how to teach that discernment to your client. Questions? Ideas? Join the conversation in my Facebook Group!

Kathryn Bruni-Young is the founder of the Mindful Strength method of teaching and one of my favorite teaching inspirations. Kathryn has been teaching for 11 years, and while her roots are in traditional yoga practices and teaching, more recently she has become a proponent of incorporating strength training into her movement practice. She also wants to empower and equip teachers to begin to move into more strength training in a way that feels authentic and refreshing. I am so excited for you to learn about this unique way of teaching movement, and I know you will be ready to unlock your own inner strength once we are done! More to learn in this episode: Kathryn shares her teaching lineage and how it has evolved over the past 11 years. What happens when you move away from teaching strict old-school asana and into more types of varied movement. How strength training fuels our confidence. Why well rounded mobility increases your stability. Kathryn's advice to teachers who want to begin introducing strength training into their practice. Incorporating pushing and pulling motion in your yoga mat practice. Important Links: For exercises, inspiration, and teacher resources, follow Kathryn on Instagram and Facebook. Check out Kathryn's online home at her website here. Kathryn's teacher Ida Portal can be found here.

Do you have Schedule Drama? I certainly do sometimes! As yoga teachers most of us are freelancers, which means we run our own small business whether we realize it or not. We piece together a teaching schedule and a business and a life one random class at a time. If you feel like your schedule is overwhelming or disorganized or changing all the time, I'll tell ya…I think most of us feel like that. There is a cyclical nature to this work, so there are busy seasons and slow seasons, and change is a constant possibility when you teach at many locations or work with several private clients. Impermanence is the only constant for EVERYONE, but in our work, the unsteadiness is heightened and exaggerated. And in a field of work that REQUIRES we are well rested & well fed, grounded & focused, AND have time for our own spiritual practice, an unpredictable schedule can be a real detriment to doing good work. Having a relatively consistent schedule is an absolute blessing, but it is HARD to create for ourselves, right? Today, I want to give you some of my tools to help you organize your teaching schedule and face some of the more difficult challenges of working with inconsistent private clients. Let's dive into the details! More to learn in this episode: Shifting into a consistent schedule is difficult, but not impossible. Having an ideal teaching schedule gives you a goal to work towards. My formula to help you decide when to keep classes and when to drop them. A pep talk to inspire you to keep that class you love that doesn't have that many students in it. Diving into the case of the "chronic rescheduler." Meeting your student where they are to elevate their commitment to the practice. A "Keep This Class" Formula - each class must meet 4 out of the 8 criteria below: This class is incredibly challenging to teach and I am learning so much. I love the students in this class. This class pays well. I love the material I get to teach in this class. I am making good contacts for potential private clients and workshop participants. I love the studio space and owners of the studio. This class is a seva offering that fills my heart. This class is in a place and at a time that is easy and not draining to get to.

Welcome back, everyone! Today, I am excited to bring to you the wisdom, experience, and enthusiasm of my friend Trina Altman. Trina is a certified Yoga and Pilates instructor who is passionate about varied movement. Rather than rigidly adhering to one school of movement, Trina was unable to unlock the potential of her own body by combining the tenets of both Yoga and Pilates, and she brings an embodied and wise awareness to movement of all kinds. She has taken her years of experience and transformed them into online courses that you can take at home, called Yoga Deconstructed and Pilates Deconstructed. As we chat this week, Trina and I will discuss her journey to finding a mode of movement that worked for her body, and how she turned that into a teaching practice for private clients and group classes. Trina will also explain the types of movement that she tries to incorporate into her classes, and why static poses are not your friend! I think her perspective is great for teachers who feel a little confined by one type of yoga, and are ready to explore the wide world of varied movement. You'll leave with more than a little bit of wisdom, I assure you! More from this info-packed episode: Trina shares the studio and the teachers that shaped her own teaching practice. From Yoga to Pilates—how Trina decided to pursue her second certification. Varied movement and mindful movement classes that Trina really enjoys. Breaking down the little pieces of movement to teach the skills we need to move better. Common pitfalls to combat as a teacher. Diving into sensory feedback methods. A breakdown of movement deconstruction. Ways that you can experience a class with Trina, even if you aren't in L.A. Resources:Follow Trina on Social Media—you won't be disappointed! Instagram: @TrinaAltman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trina.altman https://trinaaltman.com/ Please join us for a post episode hangout in my online community for yoga teachers!

Welcome to the second episode of The Mentor Sessions Podcast. Today's show is going to address why teaching yoga can feel so scary. {!!} As a teacher, it can often feel like there is a great deal of pressure to know everything. And while in-depth study is incredibly important, I also want to release you from some of the know everything pressure that can make it impossible to be present for your teaching. I will share some of my own experiences and guiding principles so that you might go into your next class a brighter and more confident version of yourself! Also in this episode: Why a lack of confidence can come from a dependence on our learned knowledge. I share the maps that I have studied that inform my practice. Some advice for coming to a settled place in the midst of big, unanswerable questions. The benefits of holding a space for inquiry with your students. Common teacher responses to the all the Shades of Grey that is at the heart of teaching yoga. The kinds of cues I give in my yoga classes that teach discernment, presence and awareness. Join the Post-Episode hangout on Elevate, my facebook community for yoga teachers!

Hello and welcome to The Mentor Sessions! I'm your host, Francesca Cervero and I'm here to offer my fellow yoga teachers two things: Nourishing support to help you feel more confident in your teaching Realistic strategy to help you find more clarity on your career path I am excited today to be interviewed by my friend and business coach, Rachel Cook. Rachel is the founder of RachelCook.com, and she was instrumental in helping my teaching practice grow into what it is today. I cannot think of a better person to help me kick off this podcast! In this interview, I'll share a little bit about myself, my business, and the work that I do every day. I approach my teaching and business with a sense of openness and curiosity and nothing brings me more fulfillment than sharing what I have learned with other teachers. This podcast serves to share what I know, encourage all my fellow yoga teachers, and build confidence in one another as we go on our yoga teaching journeys together. I am excited to begin with you! Also in this episode: I share the story of my early teaching life and my transition to private teaching. I talk about what private teaching yoga teaching is really about {hint: it's always about looking at the whole person} An inside look into how I organize my days. I'll share the nitty gritty of how I take care of myself in the midst of growing a thriving business. Why I started my podcast, and what I am planning to share! Please join us for a post episode hangout in my online community for yoga teachers!