Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

Philosophical and neurophysiological perspectives for people in pain - the last of a three part series on yoga and pain science with the editors of the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care. Marlysa is a physiotherapist, yoga therapist, Assistant Professor in Yoga Therapy and Integrative Health Sciences at Maryland University of Integrative Health, and holds an adjunct position at Emory University, where she teaches the integration of yoga and mindfulness into physical therapy practice in the DPT program. Stay tuned to the very end of the episode for a chance to win a copy of the book. All entries need to be submitted by midnight on Tuesday December 17th, 2019. Episode highlights: How yoga philosophy relates to pain care and what it offers for working with people in pain. Using scientific language vs. using the yoga language – how both are helpful and when to use them. Reductionist thinking as a tendency of scientific language and how yoga philosophy can counterbalance this tendency. How yoga teachers can be responsible in our relationship to science and communicating the many benefits of yoga to the public. What it means to approach yoga therapy top down or bottom up and examples of each Specific examples of how to bring yoga philosophy frameworks into your yoga classes and how it serves people in pain. Links & Resources Marlysa’s website Purchase the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes Enter the book giveaway on Instagram

Explore tangible and practical ways yoga teachers can think about pain in order to improve their teaching and support people in pain. Part two in a three-part series on yoga and pain is a conversation about specific yogic practices for people in pain. Guest Shelly Prosko is a physiotherapist, yoga therapist, educator and pioneer of PhysioYoga with over 20 years of experience integrating yoga into rehabilitation. Shelly is also one of the editors of the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care. Stay tuned to the very end of the episode for a chance to win a copy of the book. All entries need to be submitted by midnight on Tuesday December 17th, 2019. Episode highlights: Why it’s helpful for yoga teachers to understand pain. How yogic frameworks - the philosophy and other practices - can be applied to helping people with pain. This difference between awareness and mindfulness and why we need to know the distinction. The role of self compassion in pain and exploring the definition, different expressions, and stages of compassion. The koshas and how they relate to the experience of pain including one example of a practice for each of the 5 koshas. Join us again next week for part three of the series all about yoga philosophy and pain with Marlysa Sullivan. Links & Resources Purchase the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes

This week’s episode kicks off a series of conversations about yoga and pain science with the editors of the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care. The guest for part one in this three part series is Neil Pearson. Neil is a physiotherapist, yoga therapist, and Clinical Assistant Professor at University of British Columbia. Neil and Mado discuss the basics of pain science, the different ways we experience pain, how the yoga tradition views pain, and how this can be appealing to health care professionals. Listen to the very end of the episode for a chance to win a copy of Yoga and Science in Pain Care. All entries need to be submitted by midnight on Tuesday December 17th, 2019. Episode highlights: Defining pain and the ways we can begin to talk about such a multidimensional experience. The role of pain as protective mechanism from a pain science perspective. How yoga teachers can open a dialogue with health care professionals. What science says about being a part of a community and the effect it has on pain. Guidelines for yoga teachers who teach group classes to support and respond to students communicating some level of pain. Different relationships to pain as it related to wanting to achieve the more difficult/extreme asanas. How to learn more about pain science if you are interested in bringing it into your yoga teaching. Join me again next week for part two of the series where I talk to Shelly Prosko about the specific practices we can use to help people in pain who show up at our yoga classes. Links & Resources Neil’s website Pain Care U Lifemark First Five Steps Purchase the book, Yoga and Science in Pain Care Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes

Jill Phoenix wants to make the leap into teaching yoga full time but doesn’t want it to feel too much like work and wants to preserve her passion for yoga. She also dreams of traveling more. In this on-air coaching call, Mado helps Jill zoom out a bit and offers some different perspectives on teaching remotely and how she can realize her goal of teaching yoga as a career and traveling the world. Episode highlights: The value of a transition phase, what it is and how to use it to plan graduated, sustainable steps in the direction of your long term goal. How to market your brand new classes at new studios or locations. Different paths for how to make a living teaching yoga while traveling What it means to build your audience and create a platform for your offerings online. Tips for working in the yoga and wellness fields that go beyond teaching classes and workshops/retreats. Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes

Mado explores the sensitive relationship between yoga teachers and yoga studio owners and managers and how we can navigate these relationships with integrity. Episode highlights: The causes and the effects of placing restrictive policies around what yoga teachers can share with their students in class. Real stories and experiences of the yoga teacher and yoga studio dynamic. Considerations about boundaries, agreements, and contracts between teachers and studios. What it would actually look like for studios and teachers to have win/win relationships. Links & Resources Episode 23: Teacher centered yoga studio business model with Kaya Mindlin Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes

Mado shares how yoga teachers can discern who and what to believe when there are so many opposing perspectives being proclaimed with equal confidence online. If you’re wondering where to turn for reliable information and how to parse through the different perspectives to figure out what is right, tune in for this week’s episode. Episode highlights: The challenge of sifting through all of the confident and conflicting voices online. The importance of examining our own relationship to social media. Why content designed for social media is so compelling from a neuroscience perspective. How we can apply yoga philosophy to hold space for multiple conflicting truths. Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes

Mado shares reasons new students might not be coming back to your classes and solutions to help you attract the people who truly want what you are offering. This information in this episode will help yoga teachers build their class attendance faster and find their authentic voice as a yoga teacher. Episode highlights: Reasons people don’t come back that have nothing to do with you as a teacher The most common ways that yoga teachers make their students feel uncomfortable without realizing it and the quick fixes for this problem How to make sure that the advertising for your class is as accurate as possible The importance of naming your classes and considerations for choosing a class name How to talk to your regular students to get feedback on what they enjoy and get out of your classes Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes

Honing in on your niche is a powerful tool for reaching more people and making a bigger impact with your yoga teaching. However, many yoga teachers don’t truly understand why and how to choose their niche. In this episode, Mado explores this topic and the common mistakes that might be undermining your best intentions in choosing your specialty as a yoga teacher. Episode highlights: The benefits of specialization as a yoga teacher today Five common mistakes and misunderstandings about choosing a niche Being too broad vs. too narrow with your niche What to do when you want your classes to be inclusive but also target a specific group of people Tips for choosing a niche organically, how to listen for clues, and what questions to ask yourself Links & Resources Episode 58: Lessons on burnout and spiritual bypassing from The Bhagavad Gita Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes

Kate Lynch is a long time yoga practitioner, yoga teacher, and mother of a special needs child. While she has a lot of clarity about exactly who she wants to work with, she also has concerns that her niche is too specific and that it could make things difficult in terms of growing her yoga business. Listen to this on-air coaching call to find out what advice Mado offers about Kate’s niche, how to make more money as a yoga teacher, and getting over the fear of taking big steps. Episode highlights: How having a more narrow niche usually plays out in a fledgling business Dealing with fear and anxiety as it relates to business and making big decisions Overcoming the obstacle of asking for money for services in markets that are resistant or uninformed as to the value you offer The pros and cons of in-person or online options pros and cons Strategizing and prioritizing larger projects like writing a book, blogging, podcasting, and planning retreats. Links & Resources Schedule a Strategy Session with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes

Yoga teachers experience difficulties in life like anyone else but how much of our personal challenges should we bring into our classes? In this episode, Mado shares how we can find a balance between giving our students the positive experience they seek while also being honest about our personal struggles. Episode highlights: Using a dharma talk or introducing a topic or deeper teaching at the beginning of your classes The difference between oversharing and acknowledging challenges in your own life Three techniques you can use to discuss challenging topics in a yoga class so that it feels authentic without being self indulgent or burdening your students Specific examples of how to implement these three techniques Questions you can ask yourself when your feeling conflicted about whether or not to share an idea or challenge with your students Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes

Teacher’s teacher, Amy Ippoliti joins Mado for a conversation about the gifts and challenges of teaching yoga as a career. They discuss and dissect the many layers of what makes an effective yoga teacher and a successful yoga business. Episode highlights: How to cultivate a sustainable and fulfilling yoga teaching career for yourself Amy’s personal rituals and strategies for staying in a place of passion and inspiration and avoiding burnout Specific ways to help make sure you succeed in your business and balance all of the many priorities a yoga teacher might have How learning about business can help you serve your students better How to support new teachers and elevate the entire yoga community including the veteran teachers and yoga studios Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List 90monkeys.com Buy the Book: The Art and Business of Teaching Yoga

Angel Coughlin’s yoga studio is expanding. Along with this extra growth comes the increasing demands on her time and attention. In this on-air coaching call, Mado talks with Angel about ways she can balance her larger vision for her studio with the realities of running (and growing) a business and while continuing to being there for her yoga students who adore her. Mado also guides her with some actionable steps she can take and information about how best to utilize tools like email marketing and videos to essentially “scale” herself and communicate her vision more effectively. Episode highlights: What to do when there is a disconnect between what you know your message to be and what your students understand it to be. How to meet your students’ needs through a medium that reaches more people at once Using your email list as an opportunity to get the word out about your larger vision and message. Avenues for building your email list through partnerships. How to segment your email list and why. Differences between yoga studio email lists and independent yoga teachers Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Leslie Kaminoff is a straight talking yoga teacher who has been around long enough to have seen the tremendous shift in how yoga is practiced and perceived in the US. In this follow up to their previous conversation about the history and future of the Yoga Alliance, Leslie shares his background and yoga origin story. He and Mado also discuss the ways in which the birth of the fitness industry paved the way for what we in the west know yoga to be today. Episode Highlights: Leslie’s recommendations for people looking to work as a full-time yoga teacher Leslie’s personal yoga story How the rise of the fitness industry directly influenced yoga as we know it in the US Whether someone is or isn’t doing “real yoga” if they came to yoga through fitness Thoughts on the Yoga Alliance’s new standards The origin of the Leslie’s esutra email list and the original dialogue he started around the Yoga Alliance standards years ago Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List and Get 100 Yoga Class Themes Free Leslie Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy website Episode 46: Leslie Kaminoff on Teaching Standards and the Yoga Alliance Episode 60: Yoga Alliance CEO on their new standards with Shannon Roche Leslie’s public statement after new standards announced E-sutra post with original Yoga Alliance dialogue

Maintaining a consistent home yoga practice is one of the most common challenges for yoga teachers. In this episode, Mado shares the strategies she is currently using to re-establish the habit of home yoga practice after her recent travels. She also talks in detail about the science-based reasons why we struggle with our personal practice, even if we have a ton of integrity in other areas of our lives. Also included are some techniques you can easily implement to reclaim your personal practice. Episode Highlights: Mado’s definition of a home yoga practice The true value of home practice for yoga teachers Why maintaining a personal practice is such a challenge for teachers 5 steps you can take to establish or re-establish the habit of home practice Information and resources about the human brain and how it applies to having a consistent home practice Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List and Get 100 Yoga Class Themes Free The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Atomic Habits by James Clere The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal

Mado steps outside of her comfort zone to film a video series and then goes behind the scenes to share the lessons she learned while shooting the videos. If you’ve been thinking about creating videos of your own, this episode will help you get through the learning curve of using a new technology with less stress and more success. Episode Highlights: The thought process and intention behind the video series. The 5 main lessons I learned from the experience The things I plan to do differently in the future Equipment used to film the videos The process for editing and releasing the videos Stay tuned to the very end of the episode where I share one bonus lesson that applies to any project you might undertake for your business. Links & resources Get the video series sent to your inbox Sign up for the mastermind group Technology I recommend Neewer Ring Light Neewer Ring light; The cheaper version ATR USB 2100 Microphone

Introverts make fantastic yoga teachers, but we have a few extra challenges to face when it comes to building a following. New Zealand based yoga teacher Dayna Edge is wondering whether she should open her own yoga studio or focus more on private and corporate classes. She recently resigned from her administrative job and is now looking to pursue her passion and teach yoga full time. She wants to have access to a wider range of people she can work with than she had at her previous job, but she is new to the area and an introvert to boot. Episode Highlights: Building a student base as an independent teacher (and an introvert) Tips for teaching yoga when you move to a new city. Strategies for gaining corporate clients and how to market to that group of people. Specific action items for networking and building relationships in a local yoga community. What level of importance social media play in establishing a private, one-on-one yoga business. Links and Resources: Individual and group coaching with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Mado shares her experience with switching email marketing service providers, why she made the change from Mailchimp to Convert Kit, and her tips and recommendations for yoga teachers looking to begin using an email service as well as those who are ready to maximize their email marketing. Episode Highlights: Why and how yoga teachers might want to use email marketing Mailchimp’s limitations and reasons for switching to ConvertKit What the process of switching was like including migrating a contact list Mistakes Mado made along the way and what she wishes she I had done differently Recommendations for the less tech savvy yoga teachers Links and Resources: Individual and group coaching with Mado Episode 16 “Email Newsletters Are Dead, Long Live Email Marketing.” Episode 66 “Recent MailChimp Changes with Peter Akkies” Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Mailchimp is the most popular email marketing platform for yoga teachers. In this week’s episode, email marketing expert Peter Akkies joins Mado to talk about how Mailchimp’s recent changes to their platform will impact yoga teachers specifically. Episode highlights: Overview of email marketing, how it has changed, and what is currently trending and effective. How yoga teachers can utilize email marketing to grow their classes. What the recent changes to Mailchimp’s services mean for yoga teachers. Ideas for partnering with yoga studios in your marketing efforts. Email marketing tips for the less tech-savvy yoga teachers. The long term thinking needed for building your yoga business and how it applies to email marketing Alternatives to email marketing and why you might choose not to use email in your marketing efforts Tune in for next week’s episode for information on switching to another email provider if you’ve outgrown Mailchimp. Links and Resources Episode 16 “Email Newsletters Are Dead, Long Live Email Marketing.” Email Marketing for Yoga Teachers Course with Peter Akkies Book: The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Listen in on a practical and inspiring conversation about how yoga teachers can go beyond the physical in their teaching Kelly Golden, founder of virabhava yoga, shares how her teaching evolved in response to personal challenges and the surprising way her students responded when she changed her classes from hot power vinyasa to a more slow and subtle practice incorporating energetics. Episode highlights: Accessible definitions of prana and energetics. Why teaching about energy is a struggle for yoga teachers and also why it’s important. What it means to cultivate a relationship with prana. How understanding energy, and cultivating our tools of internal feeling and measurement, can help in terms of the long term benefit of our practice. Easy and practical ways to bring a relationship with prana into the classroom and share with our students. Practicing and teaching yoga from the perspective of energy as primary and how alignment and form can follow a direction of energy. Examples of teaching a movement in different ways to have different effects. Links and Resources: Small Group Coaching with Mado Pay What You Can purchase option for Kelly’s online program Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Allison is opening a yoga studio and came to Mado with questions about working with her staff of teachers and finding ways to feel more centered in her personal offering of yoga. Allison feels called to work with people with injuries and often finds herself connecting with physical therapists and chiropractors. She also expresses that she is unsure about calling herself an expert and yet she feels like she has sufficient training, even to the point of feeling a little “trained out” or tired of doing trainings right now. Listen in as Mado guides Allison through her questions and offers the following insights: Tips for marketing and naming your classes so that people are clear about who you help and how you help them. Ideas for reaching out to physical therapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists for finding people to work with. The value of personal connection over virtual connection for networking and building relationships with physical therapists and chiropractors. Developing a mentorship program as a studio owner to nurture relationships with teachers at the studio. What it means to be in a “questioning place” with your yoga teaching. What to do when you feel tired of yoga training and it feels aren’t really getting any new information. Links and Resources Strategy Sessions and Coaching with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Alex Haley, meditation teacher and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, joins Mado to discuss the intersection of mindfulness and technology and how those of us who are interested in wellness relate to technology and our tech-driven world. They also talk in-depth about how technology impacts our teaching of yoga and mindfulness, our students, and the people we love. If you have questions or concerns about meditation apps and online teaching or are interested in how technology is changing our culture, you will appreciate this episode. Insights shared in this episode: The benefits and limitations of meditation apps as well as current trends in apps. Alex’s recommended apps and how he chooses his recommendations. The differences between using meditation apps vs having a teacher and a community to learn with. The business side of apps and online educational platforms for yoga and meditation teachers. Advice for yoga teachers to make sure they are getting fairly compensated on the online platforms. How yoga teachers can prepare and educate themselves about apps and how to use the technology in a practical and balanced way. Citations Alex mentions in the episode: Mistretta, E. G., Davis, M. C., Temkit, M. H., Lorenz, C., Darby, B., & Stonnington, C. M. (2018). Resilience training for work-related stress among health care workers: results of a randomized clinical trial comparing in-person and smartphone-delivered interventions. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 60(6), 559-568. Adolph, K. E., & Hoch, J. E. (2019). Motor development: Embodied, embedded, enculturated, and enabling. Annual review of psychology, 70, 141-164. Links and Resources Fall group coaching mastermind program Offering Tree Website Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is considered standard reading in yoga teacher trainings all over the world and many scholars spend a lifetime studying the history and meaning behind this enigmatic text. This week’s episode is an exploration of why, as modern day teachers of primarily yoga posture practice, we study this ancient yogic text. Insights from this episode include: Why the yoga sutras has such a prominent place in modern postural yoga. The particular style, structure, and significance of the yoga sutras as a piece of Indian literature. recent theories and understandings about this enigmatic text. A comparison of the literary vs. the oral tradition of the yoga sutras How the yoga sutras are connected to modern yoga lineages such as Iyengar, Ashtanga, power yoga, and vinyasa yoga. Links and Resources Register for Teaching the Yoga Sutras Weekend with Mado September 7th & 8th (Early bird discount ends August 7th) The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali: A Biography by David Gordon White Recommended translations: Edwin Bryant (most comprehensive - current gold standard translation, but overwhelmingly long at 672 pages) Chip Hartranft (less comprehensive, but a bit more accessible) Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Yoga therapist and Science of Yoga author, Ann Swanson, shares insights on the intersection of science and yoga including: Why yoga as an integrated practice is uniquely positioned to make an impact on human wellness. Her struggles integrating science and spirituality - and why she now feels they are inseparable. How to weave spirituality into your classes in a subtle and accessible manner. How to evaluate stated benefits and contraindications of specific poses What she thinks about inversions during menstruation - and the exact thought process that led her to that conclusion. Links and Resources: Ann Swanson’s website Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Yoga Alliance CEO Shannon Roche joins Mado to discuss recently announced changes to their standards for entry level yoga teacher trainings. The conversation goes in-depth on topics of curriculum, anticipated outcomes, and even reactions to criticisms of Yoga Alliance as an organization. Since this episode is longer than normal, timestamps of the highlights and different topics addressed are included below so that you can jump to specific areas of interest: 00:02:50 Shannon’s personal definition of yoga and how she views the role and scope of Yoga Alliance’s participation in the larger yoga community. 00:06:38 Shannon’s personal history and experience with yoga and what led her to the position as CEO for Yoga Alliance. 00:11:08 A summary of the major changes and the motivation behind the 18 month long project. 00:21:23 Alternative pathways or “grandfathering” options for lead trainers who might not have the typical credentials but have the qualifications 00:24:11 Anticipated outcomes and who the changes will impact the most 00:27:43 The difference between a certifying entity and a credentialing agency and how they work together. 00:29:31 How Yoga Alliance is approaching their “PR problem” and reputational concerns. 00:39:24 Review panels, re-credentialing, and updates and improvements to the application process. 00:47:44 Curriculum changes. 00:59:02 How Yoga Alliance will continue to evaluate standards going forward 01:04:44 Critics of Yoga Alliance New RYS Standards Yoga Alliance Mission Statement Email Yoga Alliance Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Rose is a new yoga teacher. Unlike many teachers, she didn’t start teaching until age 55 and because of this she feels she needs to get some help honing in on her focus area and niche. In this on-air coaching call, Mado helps Rose get clear about who she feels called to teach yoga to, plus some beautifully simple ways she can improve her classes and get her confidence up as a new yoga teacher. Listen to hear some effective and easy to apply strategies for new yoga teachers such as: How to keep your center while teaching a yoga class no matter who shows up to your class. Clarifying your goals and intentions for teaching yoga in order to reach your specific student base. The importance of mentorship and community for yoga teachers. Why market research is essential for teachers who want to have an impact How to approach your students to ask for feedback. Ways to incorporate personal stories that your students will connect with that don’t come across as just “talking about yourself.” Links and Resources Episode 43: Foundations of a Yoga Business Schedule a coaching call with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most practical and accessible yogic texts. It is about yoga in action and how to apply the teachings of yoga to real life situations. But can these ancient teachings be helpful when dealing with modern issues such as burnout and spiritual bypassing? That is exactly what Kaya Mindlin and Mado Hesselink get into on this week’s episode of the podcast. They thoughtfully discuss the causes of burnout and spiritual bypassing and how the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita can be a much needed remedy. More in this episode: What makes the Bhagavad Gita different than other yoga texts. How burnout and spiritual bypassing are talked about in the Bhagavad Gita. A truly beautiful description of the teachings of vairagya (commonly translated as nonattachment). What modern yogis and yoga teachers can do to prevent burnout and spiritual bypassing. A simple and accessible way to practice the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and integrate them into your everyday life. How the lessons in the Bhagavad Gita apply to teaching yoga classes. Links and Resources Kaya’s Bhagavad Gita Course Yoga Sutras training with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Jules Mitchell is the author of Yoga Biomechanics, Stretching Redefined and a passionate educator dedicated to bringing a positive understanding of human movement to the yoga world. Discussed in this episode: Why she doesn’t view herself as a controversial figure despite acknowledging that her work pisses people off. Her desire to re-instill the passion in yoga teachers who feel jaded. Her mission to help yoga teachers work confidently with their students who are injured, concerned about injury, or have limiting beliefs about their bodies. The pose from yoga that she wishes all exercise modalities would adopt. Links and Resources Jules’ website Purchase Jule’s book for a 15% discount use code TRJM19 until June 30th Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Self promotion is a challenge for many yoga teachers. It feels counterintuitive and contrary to the tradition of service and spiritual practice we know and love. Even trying to wrap our head around the concept of branding, while also managing the day-to-day aspects of teaching yoga, can be a bit overwhelming. The purpose of today’s episode is to offer clarity and a grounded approach to branding for your yoga business. I am joined by one of my long time coaching clients, Miranda Peterson. Miranda is a yoga teacher and a digital marketing and branding expert. She understands the unique challenge of needing to stand out in an oversaturated market while also being true to your passion and your practice. We cover a lot of ground including: What is branding and how is this different from marketing, graphic design, and PR? Common mistakes yoga teachers make with their branding. How to decide whether to DIY or hire someone. Tips to get started and basic design principles. The #1 thing to consider when creating your personal brand. Links and Resources: Podcast episode on finding your niche Three steps to a sustainable and ethical yoga business with Joe Pace Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Miranda’s website Sign up for a clarity call with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

How do we share the benefits of yoga with working class people in a way that doesn’t turn them off and is inclusive and welcoming? Topics covered in this on-air coaching call: How to become more skillful at communicating the benefits of yoga with anybody you meet. How to overcome the false or incomplete perceptions as portrayed by yoga magazines, advertisements, and social media. How to reach further into communities where yoga is not popular or is not understood. How to appeal to a working class student base . Ideas to grow your classes in these markets and how to think about advertising as a yoga teacher. Sign up for a strategy session with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Insights and surprises about yoga teachers and the yoga industry, glimpses behind the scenes of podcast production, and a vulnerable moment of self-revelation. This episode covers some of many lessons I’ve learned through producing this podcast for the past year including: The inspiration for starting this podcast - and how that initial spark has expanded into the main ways that I currently work with yoga teachers. Two common struggles that many yoga teachers face that surprised me The truth about a so-called saturated market - and how yoga teachers around the world are finding their own way to a sustainable yoga business. The hardest part about producing the podcast - and the part that was surprisingly easier than I expected. One ugly truth about myself and how it has been holding me back in my business (and my life) A peek behind the scenes of how I choose topics for the podcast, which episodes have been the most popular, and the single most downloaded episode of the entire year. How listening to myself on the podcast has revealed an aspect of my personality that is both a limitation and a superpower - and how yoga has helped me manage and come to terms with this particular challenge.

Are you curious or confused about non-compete contracts? Many yoga studios are now asking their teachers to sign a document stating that they won't open a competing studio or some even require that you not teach at another studio within a certain distance. In this episode I share my thoughts on non-compete contracts including: The evolution of non-compete contracts in the yoga space. The circumstances that need to be in place before I would sign one How enforceable are they? - and what would enforcement look like? What you should do if you are asked to sign one, but don't feel it is fair. Have you ever been asked to sign a non-compete? If so, what came of it? Come share your story on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group.

Many yoga teachers struggle with the concept of owning a business, because we associate businesses with an unbridled (and often unethical) pursuit of profit. On this week's podcast, Joe Pace (former marketing analyst and founder of Icewater yoga) shares how yoga teachers can take lessons from business analytics and yoga to create a career that is both ethical and sustainable. Joe shares plenty of practical information, but we also dive deep on a philosophical level. Some of the things you'll learn include: What yoga teachers should be measuring as part of their business strategy How to calculate the amount that it's reasonable to spend on acquiring a new customer/student. What it's like running an online yoga platform A system for applying principles from marketing analytics to an ethical yoga business. Links and Resources Icewater Yoga The Clutch Podcast

Even the most wonderful medicine can be harmful when applied inappropriately. While a daily home yoga practice can be nourishing and inspiring for many teachers, approaching it from a place of competition and lack is a recipe for injury and depletion. Inspired by an email I received from a fellow yoga teacher, today's episode explores the following questions: We try to make a yoga practice accessible for students, but what about the teacher? What does it mean if you are actually becoming less flexible rather than more flexible when you increase your frequency of practice? It feels like everyone tells me a yoga teacher must practice, but if I suspect my practice might be injuring me, should I stop? Do you need to be able to perform certain poses to be a good yoga teacher? Links and Resources: Schedule a coaching call with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get new episodes emailed to you weekly

What happened to your yoga practice when you became a teacher? Many yoga teachers are surprised by the way that the new role of teacher can actually derail their personal practice. That’s what happened to Brittany, a yoga teacher and digital marketer in Minneapolis. She went from feeling like yoga was her special refuge, to only practicing while she teaches. Now she feels lonely and lacks inspiration. In this coaching call we explore her priorities and make some choices around how she spends her time so that her cup will be full enough to share with her students. Why it’s imperative to think of yourself as a student of yoga first and a teacher second. How to organize your life around your personal practice instead of the other way around. The pros and cons of teaching in a yoga studio, vs gym or community center. How she can eventually combine her skills as a yoga teacher and digital marketing to create a sustainable business. Get on the waitlist for the group coaching/mastermind starting in the fall of 2019. Join the yoga teacher resource facebook group. Learn about scheduling your own strategy session with Mado.

Warm ups are an essential part of your yoga sequence - so how to you know if you are choosing the right poses? By listener request, I share my thoughts on the topic in this episode including: The two main purposes for warming up The kind of movement that is best for fulfilling these intentions How to choose warm up poses based on the more challenging poses you plan to teach later in the sequence. Why I think that most basic yoga poses are actually pretty complex - and how to prepare our students to get the most out of them. A simple guideline you can use for any class How to modify warm ups based on the population you teach Email subscribers also have access to three short videos of warm up sequences that I use personally. Subscribe now to get access to this and other bonus content.

If you’re trying to break into teaching, this episode will cover a whole bunch of ideas of how to do so. Whether you recently graduated from YTT, are still in YTT, have recently moved to a new location, or are planning to move soon - getting started is often the hardest part. Why a yoga studio might not be the best place to start teaching - and where to find the perfect first teaching gigs. How to build trust at a yoga studio where nobody knows you (yet). The reason I recommend teaching privates - even if you don't feel ready. How to start with the end in mind - why your reasons for teaching and your vision for the future should influence the environment in which you teach. Get on the waitlist for the group coaching/mastermind starting in the fall of 2019. Join the yoga teacher resource facebook group. Learn about working with me one on one.

Author of Yoga Anatomy and long time teacher Leslie Kaminoff shares his insider's perspective on the history and future of the Yoga Alliance and the forces influencing teaching standards in the yoga industry. Some of the topics we cover: -->What the yoga world was like when the Yoga Alliance got started and the thought processes behind their initial policies. -->How yoga evolved from a fringe activity into an industry - and how the concerns around teaching standards changed with that evolution. -->What Leslie thinks the Yoga Alliance has done right... and several ways he thinks they have mistepped in the past -->Leslie’s top priority and reason for participating in the Yoga Alliance advisory committee -->The important element that Leslie believes Yoga Alliance is missing in their structure -->Leslie’s hope for the future of the Yoga Alliance and the industry as a whole

Katie Yandrick is a college professor and yoga teacher who wants to bring yoga and movement to people who don’t realize yoga is for them: body shape/size, economic background, varying abilities, race, and ethnicity – She wants the diversity that exists in her community to also exist in her yoga clients. Katie reached out to me for help on how to speak to those people to get them to try her classes and then also once they are in class. Some questions we dive into include: What does accessible language really mean? Is it possible to speak to everyone who doesn't currently see themselves as yogis at the same time? Within the diversity of her community, what do the students Katie connects with most deeply have in common? How can we talk about yoga with people who think they know what it means, but are completely off base? Links and resources: Schedule your own coaching call with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Grace reached out for advice and support on gaining confidence as a yoga teacher. She's been teaching for a year and is afraid that her teacher training was sub-par, but doesn't have the funds to take another at the moment. She feels she should have enough experience by now to feel confident, so she wonders what the heck is going on? The main source for confidence as a yoga teacher The biggest reason teachers lack confidence One powerful teaching from the yoga sutras How to interrupt the habitual thoughts that feed lack of confidence. Why more knowledge does not equal more confidence. Sign up for Mado's email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn the often neglected first steps to creating a sustainable and profitable yoga business. As most yoga teachers do not have business training, we end up really lost when it comes to creating a business around our yoga teaching. It's easy to waste a lot of time and energy on things that ultimately don't matter unless you have your foundations in place. This episode covers the foundational steps that will make sure your yoga business is solid from the beginning. If you follow the advice in this episode, you will set yourself apart from most yoga teachers who either don't know to do these things or don't realize how important they are. If you want personalized help in implementing these steps, based on your unique situation I would love to help in a strategy session or coaching package.

We all experience moments of self doubt and sometimes feel like an impostor - as though we are not really qualified to take the seat of the teacher and lead others in yoga. In this episode you'll hear why I think this is actually a good thing and how you can continue to serve your students no matter how you are personally feeling on a given day. Please join the yoga teacher resource facebook group for a community of supportive teachers. We lift each other up with guidance, reflection, and encouragement.

When Allison signed up for an on-air coaching call, she thought she wanted help with narrowing her focus and keeping her classes interesting - but the byproduct of that work was to optimize her teaching schedule and hone back in the reasons she loves teaching in the first place. Why excellent teaching is always about coming back to your intention. The deeper reasons that your cues feel stale - and what to do about it. How to structure your class schedule to be a win-win for you and your students. How to use progressive sequencing to help your students understand the ‘whys’ behind your cues. The purpose and place of a cue in your classes - and why cueing should not replace teaching. The reason you might consider teaching privates before you ‘feel ready’ and how to get private students to give you helpful feedback. I have a limited number of spaces to work with yoga teachers intensively over the next three months. If you would like to be considered for a spot, please sign up for a free clarity call to make sure we are a good fit to work together.

Learn what is really happening in your body when you stretch and how to use this information in your classes and personal practice. Trigger point therapist and yoga teacher Cat Matlock takes us on a tour of the human muscular system and the way it interacts with the nervous system. Highlights: The key sensory organ that resides in your muscles and regulates your ability to stretch. The reason you cannot do yoga specifically for your muscles or specifically for your fascia. The difference between tone and tension - and how this impacts your ability to stretch a muscle. Why the stretch reflex actually does the opposite of what it sounds like. Techniques for stretching that honor the way your muscles actually work. Links and Resources If you have loved the last three episodes on anatomy with Mado, Ferris Fakhoury, and Cat Matlock - we would love to have you join us for an in-person training in Asheville, NC. Register for the anatomy series - March 10-April 7 FreeBody Trigger Point Therapy Clinic Book a strategy session with Mado

Do you (really) understand the relationship between stretching and strengthening? Yoga teacher and physical therapist Ferris Fakhoury sets us straight about the relationship between these two concepts. (Hint - they aren’t opposites). She also drops wisdom about: Changes in our understanding about the human body that are happening in both the PT and yoga worlds. How to determine healthy and unhealthy movement patterns in yoga Why she believes that beginners are best served by starting out with private sessions. Her thoughts on the purpose of training flexibility How our verbal cues impact the way our students feel about their bodies and their poses. Helpful Links: Register for the anatomy series with Mado, Ferris, and Cat - March 10-April 7 Anjali Hot Yoga Book a strategy session with Mado

Is knowing anatomy really important for being a great yoga teacher? Many of the yoga teachers I talk to believe that anatomy is their biggest learning opportunity for becoming a better yoga teacher. It's the number one topic I hear people wish was covered more thoroughly in their teacher training. But... I think most yoga teachers misunderstand the purpose and place of studying anatomy. Listen to this episode to hear: A bit about my journey from alignment based yoga teacher to anatomy based yoga teacher to...? The more accurate definition of anatomy that helps to place it into proper context. The related topics of study that might be more important for yoga teachers and movement professionals. Why I hope this episode becomes outdated as soon as possible. I also share about an upcoming training for yoga teachers that I am collaborating on with two brilliant colleagues who are also upcoming guests on the podcast (keep your eyes peeled the next few weeks for more anatomy related episodes). PS - The new year is bringing many new clients my way and I am very grateful. I am 3/4 of the way to capacity for working with yoga teachers on a regular basis. Would you like to take one of my final spaces?

Jill Miller had a hip replacement a little over a year ago. In this episode she shares new insights that she realized in the past few weeks about the factors that contributed to severe degeneration of her hip and the inevitability of a hip replacement. She also covers: The unique approach her surgeon took (and an overview of the more traditional approaches) The upgrades in hip replacement hardware made in the past few years (and why, as teachers, we should assume student have the old hardware unless we know for sure). Movement contraindications for both old and new hardware. The movement patterns and specific poses that she believes contributed to her hip's degeneration. The one question to ask any student who discloses an injury. Jill also opens up with her signature vulnerability and candor about what it was like going into surgery and what the hardest part of the healing process has been for her. Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Tune Up Fitness Yoga Tune Up® Training Functional Anatomy for Yoga Teachers This episode is kicking off a series of podcasts that focus on anatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics in honor of a series of classes on the same topics that I am offering in the Asheville, NC area beginning in March. This 5-week series (Sundays 11-2:30, beginning March 10) is co-taught with physical therapist Ferris Fakhoury and Trigger Point Therapist Cat Matlock. We have distilled the essentials of human movement that are most important for yoga teachers to understand and are excited to present it in a way that is specifically relevant for yoga teachers. Early bird rate of $325 is available until February 27th, but having three teachers for a small group is a unique opportunity to get individual attention and it may fill before then. Register today.

Is sales a dirty word in yoga? It is certainly not what we signed up to do when we became yoga teachers. In this episode, my guest Amanda Kingsmith makes the case that sales are a necessary part of being a yoga teacher, that they don't have to feel slimy, and that they can actually be a catalyst for personal growth. Our conversation also dives into: -->What Amanda learned working on the sales floor at Lululemon -->The difference between convincing and offering -->The inner work that is the first step to getting better at sales - and making them feel more comfortable. -->How to make sales feel like service. Inspired Action After you listen to the episode, Amanda invites you to sit down with a journal and brainstorm on the following four questions: What does success mean to me? What is one thing I really want to do with my teaching or business? What is one thing that is holding me back right now? What is my relationship to money? Links and Resources Yoga Podcasts MBOM podcast Connected Yoga Teacher podcast Yoga Business Coaches Work with Amanda Work with Shannon Work with Mado Podcast episodes mentioned: Episode 6: Succeed as a yoga teacher by focusing on cooperation over competition with Mado and Shannon Crow Episode 8: Teaching yoga full time vs part time with Mado

Learn to create a yoga class plan that is easily searchable and repeatable. In the second episode of this two part series I will build on the information from last week, so make sure to listen to part one first. Some of the topics I cover include: how often to change up your plan the most common ways to structure your plans how to create a system to make it easy to reuse your class plans adapting the same plan for different populations. why your plan doesn't need to be perfect Links and Resources Get a downloadable list of 100 yoga class themes when you sign up for my email list. Get personalized help with your class planning by booking a strategy session. Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook group to get advice from other teachers.

Learn tips and techniques for planning your classes to keep you focused, effective, and inspired. Part one of this series focuses on the nuts and bolts of how to create a plan that has enough structure to be helpful, but enough flexibility to be adaptable to unexpected circumstances. Topics covered include: The difference between a sequence, a theme, and a class plan. Why it's important to treat your plan like a tool, not like a rule. A simple trick to energize any theme that feels one-dimensional or incomplete. How to structure your plan to help you make decisions on the fly in response to your students. How to approach planning a 60 minute class vs a 90 minute class vs a workshop.

Tips and practical advice for your own meditation practice and how to share it with your students. In this episode, Kelly Smith from Yoga for You online shares practical and down to earth advice about practicing and teaching meditation, including: The best time of day to meditate How to choose a meditation position What to do if you tend to fall asleep during meditation She also shares ideas for teaching meditation such as: How to talk to your students about meditation in a way that meets them where they are at. The simplest way to introduce meditation into your classes. Some ideas for formatting a meditation workshop or series. She and I also discuss the placement of meditation within the 8 limbs of yoga and how both of us use meditation to manage our anxiety. Listen to the end of the episode for a discount to her online meditation trainings.