Yogaland Podcast

Our last episode of the year features answers to your burning questions. We talk about our favorite family moment of the year, our favorite books, Instagram accounts, which sporting event we'd go to if we could go anywhere, and what it means to us to be yogis.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we answer your burning questions! We discuss the benefits of long vs. short yoga practices, strengthening the piriformis, structuring cohesive flows for teachers, the role of counterposes in yoga practice, plus lots more!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode: Jason shares his intense week of tech challenges and how it triggers his ADHD. Andrea recounts a heartfelt compliment she received from a stranger and asks for some dream analysis. Plus, we share a quirky holiday fail and how Taylor Swift's Eras Tour reminded us of how important it is to take in positive media and messaging. PS: Mind Body Reset -- our online inner retreat -- is happening in February 2025. To learn more and sign up, go to: jasonyoga.com/resetSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: A short but effective meditation to help you find your place of natural, easy calm in the midst of busy, modern life. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On our third episode of Yoga-ish, we share both joyful and not-so-joyful stories of past Christmases and we offer ideas for navigating the holidays if you are just NOT FEELING it this year. We all have those years -- some more than others -- but it is truly part of being human. What if you treated yourself with compassion and endeavored to find your own pockets of joy, however/whatever they may be? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a heartfelt celebration of part-time yoga teachers!Too often, we hear part-time teachers being self-deprecating and implying that they don't feel like "real" yoga teachers.So, we put out a call on social media for part-time yoga teachers to share your stories -- we asked you why you teach part-time, what keeps you going, and what the challenges are. We culled through the responses and share the highlights in this episode. The stories are inspiring and converge on a simple, yet powerful, truth: Part-time teachers make an invaluable contribution to the yoga community.*********************************************If you'd like to read all of the part-time yoga teacher stories, go to yogaland.substack.comDon't forget! The early bird deadline for Jason's 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training is December 15th. Enroll before then and save $300. www.jasonyoga.com/200Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk about our trip to San Francisco, including flash flood warnings, Andrea's 10-year cancer check-up, and why it still feels like home. Plus, Jason shares his passion for Airpods and how they keep him sane. Andrea shares her best and worst Netflix Christmas romcoms. **********************************Don't miss our FIRST EVER Cyber Monday sale (which we're running til Wednesday, go figure). We're offering 20% off all of our continuing education courses including:Mind-Body ResetThe Art of Teaching BeginnersThe Art of Yoga SequencingEssential Guide to AnatomyPreventing & Managing Yoga InjuriesEnter code CYBERMONDAY20 at checkout! 🎄Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're introducing another weekly episode into your feed -- it's a less scripted, more casual conversation we're calling Yoga-ish. Just like it sounds, it will be about yoga, but not only about yoga. Because, as we always say, yoga isn’t just about poses; it’s a lens through which we view life. This week! We share Mike Tyson's unexpected wisdom, the quirky joys of our bedtime routine, what made (sort of) Jason cry last week, and how we're currently attempting to respond to the craziness of our social media feeds post-election.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Curious about online yoga teacher training? Our latest podcast explores how Jason crafted a seamless and interactive 200-hour program that brings the community together. 🧘‍♀️👥 Whether you’re a teacher or a student, learn how to thrive in an online setting.Jason shares insights into how he structured the program to address these challenges, including creating a sense of cohort among participants, utilizing small group breakout sessions, and developing methods to help students verbalize their practice experiences.He also touches on the importance of learning to teach yoga progressively, starting with self-observation and gradually moving to small group instructions.If you're teacher who's interested in developing your own online yoga teacher training or those considering enrolling in Jason’s upcoming course, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips for fostering engagement and developing teaching skills in a virtual environment.To find out more about the 200-hour training or to register go to: learn.jasonyoga.com/200If you register before December 15th, 2024 to get $300 off.For our show notes, go to: yogalandpodcast.com/episode272Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The morning after the US Presidential election last week, Jason woke up and had to teach his 300-hour teacher training students. As soon as he finished the call, he told me how difficult it was to stay focused on teach.Out of that experience came this podcast, where Jason shares two things: His own personal history with politics (and how it has always been separate from his yoga practice) as well as advice for teaching yoga during turbulent times.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On last week's episode, we talked about the importance of "putting yourself out there" as a yoga teacher. But most of us genuinely struggle to do this. So, today's episode struggles on embracing the vulnerability that naturally comes with teaching yoga. Jason shares his insights and stories to help you build resilience or, as he says, "become an empath with thick skin." Also, coming up! Jason's 100-hour module -- Shoulders, Neck, & Upper Back starts in just a few days. Get more info at: jasonyoga.com/300And if you are interested in becoming a yoga teacher, Jason's 200-hour is happening and now's the time to lock in the early bird price. Get more in here: jasonyoga.com/200Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's the good news: There are many different ways to build a sustainable career as a yoga teacher. The not so good news? There are so many different ways to spend your time and energy that it can be overwhelming. As yoga business owners ourselves, we feel this deeply. On this episode, we hone in on the most essential steps to take when building your yoga business.Reminders:Jason is starting his Shoulders, Neck, & Upper Back module soon! Go to jasonyoga.com/300 to learn more and enroll.Our 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training is open for enrollment. Join during this pre-training period and get $300 off plus immediate access to hundreds of hours of content! Go to jasonyoga.com/200 to learn more.For links and podcasts mentioned in this episode, go to the shownotes page: yogalandpodcast.com/episode341Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're considering doing a 200-hour yoga teacher training, this episode is a must-listen. Jason answers the most common questions to consider so that you select the right training for you. Listen to this episode to get the most out of your 200-hour teacher training experience! We talk about:How to find the right training for me?Should I do my training in-person? Online?Am I "advanced enough" in my practice to do a YTT?Will I leave teacher training knowing how to teach a whole class?What are the different educational components that make up a Yoga Alliance approved 200-hour?If I want to do an online training, what should I look for? How do I know it's high-quality?How much money on average do yoga teachers make?What is the best part about doing a yoga teacher training?Jason will be offering his online 200-hour yoga teacher training in January 2025. To learn more and to lock in the early bird price: jasonyoga.com/200Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling overwhelmed with sequencing is one of the biggest challenges that most teachers face. Even worse, it leads to burnout and lack of confidence. On this episode, Jason breaks down the 5 essential keys to help you focus your sequences, build confidence, and feel greater joy teaching your classes.Highlights:1:08 -- Yoga Sequencing Template8:45 -- The Importance of Consistency15:56 -- Anchor with Focal Points21:29 -- Simplify your Sequences26:44 -- Trust YourselfWe have tons of free sequencing content, including past podcasts, YouTube tutorials, and home practice sequences on our web site here: jasonyoga.com/blog/yoga-sequences/Jason also offers a self-paced online course, The Art of Yoga Sequencing, which you can learn about at: jasonyoga.com/sequencingSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you go through challenging times in life, does your usual yoga practice go out the window? For most of us, the answer is a begrudging, "yep." And yet, we need our yoga and meditation and self-care practices the most when life gets tough. On this episode, Jason and I chat about how we adapt our practice (and add to it), to help create the support, awareness, and safety we need to move through the inevitable hard patches of life.You can find shownotes with resources on this episode at: yogalandpodcast.com/episode337Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Gail Parker joins me on the podcast this week! Gail is a psychologist, yoga educator, and author of two companion books that center restorative yoga as a potent healing modality for ethnic and race-based trauma. These books are incredible and have taught me so much, which is why I wanted to share them with you. Here are a few things I learned from the books and this conversation with Gail:An understanding of what race-based trauma is, both from an historical perspective and from lived experience. How people who have experienced race-based trauma often feel like it's their fault (and how this is so often reinforced by society)The ways that restorative yoga works for race-based trauma: You are working with the nervous system not the traumatic event, which teaches you how to recognize relaxation, immobilize without fear, and supports feeling safe in stillness without hypervigilance.The benefits of understanding your nervous system and attempting to discern the difference between triggers and actual threatsWhen we attempt to learn about racism and race-based trauma, we can (hopefully) make our yoga spaces more welcoming and inclusive! Thank you for listening and go to the shownotes for Gail's books: yogalandpodcast.com/episode336Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason joins me on this episode, where we delve into the practice of letting go. We talk about the many instances where the concept of letting go appears in yoga philosophy, why it's beneficial, and what is required before we endeavor to let go. We also share our personal journeys toward cultivating emotional maturity, surrender, and resilience in the face of life's challenges.Highlights:02:37 The Art of Letting Go03:08 Core Strength and Yoga Philosophy10:48 The Concept of Surrender in Yoga16:13 Practical Applications of Letting Go22:42 The Importance of Inner Safety25:31 Exploring the Sensation of Safety in Yoga26:05 Meditation and Inner Resilience26:50 Community and Mindfulness28:20 The Mental Game in Yoga Poses31:43 Present Moment Awareness34:59 Letting Go of Future Worries37:44 Personal Stories of Letting Go43:24 Challenges of Aging and Physical LimitationsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this solo podcast, Jason shares a roadmap for making a sustainable living as a yoga teacher. He breaks down the importance of yoga teacher training in your career development, the importance of learning to teach higher ticket offerings, and the best ways to develop and maintain a consistent student base.Highlights:Internal success and contentmentThe role of yoga teacher trainingThe 4 aspects of making a livingYoga Teacher MindsetUnderstanding the Yoga EconomyDeveloping and Maintaining StudentsEmbracing Change & AdaptationTrain with Jason's Yoga Alliance accredited trainings! Enroll in his 300-Hour YTT: jasonyoga.com/300Hone your sequencing with Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing: jasonyoga.com/sequencingThe last yoga anatomy course you will need to take! Essential Yoga Anatomy: jasonyoga.com/anatomySupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason joins me on this episode to talk about the challenges of making a living as a yoga teacher and how he has managed those challenges over the past 30 years. There have been many twists and turns and even some failures. We give you a peek behind the curtain of his career, honing in on 6 pivotal moments and what Jason learned from them.Related to this episode! Next week Jason is hosting a webinar where he shares his roadmap how to make it as a yoga teacher. You can sign up for this free webinar at www.jasonyoga.com/webinarSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giana Gambino and Bradshaw Wish of CAYA Yoga School join me this week to talk all things yoga retreats! These two have come together to create a dream-team when it comes to retreats -- they offer several domestic and international retreats per year (look for their 2025 retreat in Italy) and they've honed their process. They generously share all of their secrets in this conversation. We cover:How they split the workload (and the payout)Planning itineraries vs. farming them outTheir marketing/sales calendarWhat goes into pricing (and what you might be forgetting)The food! (the thing participants often complain about the most)Funny retreat snafus and how they handled themWhy you should never put a charcuterie board out if Bradshaw is on retreat with youYou can get to know Giana and Bradshaw better on their podcast A Funny Thing About YogaI'll put links to their retreats and yoga school on the shownotes page here: yogalandpodcast.com/episode332Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how to improve your Camel Pose (Ustrasana) and help your students go deeper. This episode breaks down how to make the lower back, knees, and neck more comfortable in this posture. It also outlines the best cues to help everyone feel stronger, more flexible, and more comfortable in this backbend.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Practicing--and teaching--Down Dog the same way every time leads to diminishing returns and stale cues. This episode breaks down 5 ways to improve Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) to focus on opening your shoulders, opening your hips, stretching your hamstrings, stretching your calves and more. Perfect for yoga students and yoga teachers alike.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I love hearing how longtime yoga teachers make this career work. This week's guest, Erin Jorich, has figured out how to use her skillset as a yoga teacher and combine it with her love for dogs.Along with her dog, Wallace, Erin works part-time for Canine Inspired Change, an organization that brings dogs into schools, juvenile detention centers, and other settings to improve the well being and social emotional skills of the people there. On this episode, Erin talks about how her yoga skills are transferable to the dog therapy work she does: Her years of teaching yoga make it easy for her to communicate clearly and effectively with the dog/human "teams" she trains. Her trauma-informed yoga certification means she understands the importance of giving kids choice and agency when they're working with the dogs. Erin finds that splitting her time between Canine Inspired Change and working as a yoga teacher afford her balance and stability that she might not have if she chose one over the other. Most importantly, as the folks she works with gain a variety of skills -- from more confidence to self-compassion to self-regulation -- she gets to witness the healing power of dogs firsthand.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dianne Bondy's web site declares in bold letters, "Yoga is for Every Body. No exceptions. You can do yoga." And she has devoted her teaching career to making sure this is the case. Over the past few decades, she has been proactive in creating yoga spaces that are empowering, inclusive, and equitable for all. I know Dianne from her playful and educational social media presence -- I had even more fun with her magnetic and charismatic presence in our talk. In our conversation she shares:How she became a self-proclaimed "accidental activist"Ideas for creating a more equitable classHow thinness is not equivalent to fitnessWeight-training, Pilates, and yoga as complements to each other, especially during menopauseHow being in diverse spaces helps us see more beautyBeing true to ourselves and our conditioning when it comes to body positivityTo learn more about Dianne, go to our shownotes page: https://yogalandpodcast.com/episode330Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susanna Harwood Rubin is back! Susanna was my guest on episode 165, and we continue our intimate conversation here. Our conversation runs the gamut (but somehow all ties together), ranging from her recent trip to her spiritual home in India, to living fully and joyfully with metastatic breast cancer, to her passion for teaching her own form of "embodied writing." Shownotes for this episode can be found at yogalandpodcast.com/episode329Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Holly Husler are an impressive yoga duo: Holly has gone from performing in a girl-band to singing healing mantras and becoming one of the UK’s leading crystal bowl sound healing trainers. Adam has taught classes, workshops and trainings in over 60 studios in over 20 countries, with a robust home schedule in London's leading studios. Together they are parents to a young son and co-hosts of the podcast, Honestly Unbalanced.On this episode, Jason and I catch up Adam and Holly to ask them the questions that folks often ask us: How do they balance their relationship while working and podcasting together? How has their practice changed and supported them as they've become new parents? How did Adam stumble and eventually find his voice as one of Instagram's funniest yoga reels creators? Plus, Holly shares all the goods on Sound Healing: How it works, why she started teaching it, and the empowering approach she takes when leading her online Sound Healing trainings.For links to Adam and Holly's trainings, Holly's album, and the interview Andrea did on Honestly Unbalanced, go to : yogalandpodcast.com/episode328Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I needed my yoga to find me, to comfort me -- not be another box to check off." An open and inquisitive conversation about navigating the challenges, grief, and joys of perimenopause and menopause -- and how to craft a yoga practice that meets you in the moment.For shownotes, go to yogalandpodcast.com/episode327Thank you for listening and for sharing the podcast with friends and students!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Jason and I talk about why a home practice is essential if you want to integrate yoga in your day to day life. We also offer our thoughts on what constitutes home practice so that you give yourself a break and focus on what's important -- getting on your mat! Our hope is that home practice can be the thing in your life that consistently feels like a respite, a refuge, a haven.We hope you enjoy this conversation where we talk through these 7 distinct reasons that developing a home practice is beneficial:It's so much easier to be consistentYou can focus on regions of the body that need more supportYou can use it as a supplement to your studio classes (or other forms of exercise)You get to practice the poses you loveYou get to spend more time on the poses you want to master but struggle withWe all need a daily dose of self-regulationFor yoga teachers, it's a way to get in touch with your own voice, creativity, and insightI've linked to five essential sequences on our shownotes page: yogalandpodcast.com/episode326Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take a deep breath and get ready to take notes for this one: Jason hones in on 5 of the most common mistakes yoga teachers make. They're so common, in fact, that there are a few Jason still has to be mindful of from time to time. This episode is packed with simple, straightforward ideas to help you teach more skillfully and with more confidence.⭐️ Join us in at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts for a morning of yoga to benefit Boston Children's Hospital! The event is April 28th. Join our Team Yogaland here: yogareachesout.org⭐️ For shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode325Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You might look at yoga teacher Brett Larkin, with her 500K YouTube followers and think it all came easily and naturally to her. Not so — over the course of a decade, Brett slowly but surely kept publishing videos while working full-time as a game developer job and mothering her two small boys.On this episode, Brett shares the details of how she overcame imposter syndrome with the help of her online yoga community and ultimately created a thriving online teacher training business.She also shares gems from her new book, Yoga Life: Habits, Poses, and Breathwork to Channel Joy, which helps you create a personalized practice that fits into the chaos of your daily life.Go check out the shownotes for links to all of Brett's work: yogalandpodcast.com/episode324Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you still vying for a decent time slot to teach at your local studio? According to Office Yoga founder Maryam Sharifzadeh, your efforts would be far better spent finding a few corporate teaching gigs. Consider this statistic from Sharifzadeh: In the US there is one yoga studio for every 10,000 businesses. That's a lot more premium time slots, with better pay and, in all likelihood, shorter classes!Sharifzadeh founded her business, Office Yoga, in 2014 and shares all the goods about how to go about teaching in the workplace, including:How to adapt to the time and sequencing constraints in a corporate environmentWhat to wear -- and what not to wear -- to your interviewHow to determine the learning objectives for each class and workplaceImportant ways to gain feedback and understand the inner-workings of the organizationThe most common way she finds corporate gigsThree things to considering when pricing your offeringsSharifzadeh's passion for office yoga is infectious -- as she puts it, people in offices need you, they want you, and they really appreciate the yoga.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason joins me this week to answer questions that have been asked during the group live calls of his online course about preventing yoga injuries. He talks through:Knee pain in Upward Bow (Wheel Pose) and Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)What causes sore hamstring attachments and whether or not to bend the knees to make this pain go awaySacroiliac pain that occurs in twistsSeveral different options for coping with sore wrists in Plank and Chaturanga!Jason will be teaching at LoveStory Yoga in San Francisco on March 29th, 2024 -- go to lovestoryyoga.com/workshops to register!Come see Jason and I at Gillette Stadium on April 28th, 2024 for the Yoga Reaches Out event benefitting Boston Children's Hospital. Register here: www.yogareachesout.orgThere's still time to join Jason's training, Better Way to Flow: Preventing & Managing Common Yoga Injuries. Join us here: learn.jasonyoga.com/injuriesSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than a decade ago, Sarah Gardner was a yoga teacher with a dream: She wanted to bring a thousand yogis together at Gillette Stadium in Boston to raise money for Boston Children's Hospital.Years before, Sarah's son had spent seven life-saving weeks in the NICU at Boston Children's. After experiencing the love, care, and devotion that the doctors and nurses gave to her family, Sarah knew she wanted to give back. She has spent more than a decade doing just that -- rallying the yoga community each spring to gather at Gillette Stadium to do yoga for a cause. To date, her organization, Yoga Reaches Out, has raised more than 4 million dollars for Boston Children's Hospital. The money raised helps fund the program Every Child Fund, which offers dog therapy and art therapy, helps families with food vouchers, hotel stays, vouchers, and more. Hear Sarah's inspiring story, including lessons she's learned along the way.PS: Jason and I are headlining this year's Yoga Reaches Out even on April 28th and we would love to see you there! You can find information about how to join here: www.yogareachesout.org If you can't be there in person but would like to donate, go to www.yogareachesout.org and type Team Yogaland in the search box.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the modern era of practicing yoga, we've come to terms with the reality that alignment alone is not the sole consideration when it comes to preventing yoga injuries. Today's episode draws from Jason's recent webinar, The Yoga Injury Matrix, and focuses on eight best practices for minimizing yoga injuries. The talk dives into the following ideas:Mindful, skillful alignmentPace, duration, and intensity are keyIntensification adjustments and their role in modern yogaWell-rounded sequencing mattersHelping your students prioritize self-regulationThe role of stabilization techniquesEmphasizing functional strength and active ROMThe body is a stress-distributing deviceTo listen to more podcasts we've done about specific yoga injuries, we've created a collection here: jasonyoga.com/yogaland-podcast/yoga-injuries/Or, learn more in Jason's newly updated online course Better Way to Flow: Preventing & Managing Common Yoga Injuries. Group calls start on March 18th! Or you can choose the self-paced option: www.jasonyoga.com/injuriesSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was such a delight to have Jivana Heyman back on the show to talk about his latest book, The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga. (You can listen to our first chat at yogalandpodcast.com/episode176). The episode explores: What it means to be more collaborative in your teaching, how being more collaborative could help break down traditional hierarchical power dynamics that have led to teacher-student abuses in the past, the importance of overcoming impostor syndrome (especially if you don't think you look the part of the "typical" yoga teacher), his love of asana because of how accessible it makes the spiritual practice of yoga, and the importance of de-stigmatizing chair and bed yoga.For shownotes, go to: yogalandpodcast.com/episode320Jason's 2024 training schedule is up! You can find it at jasonyoga.com/scheduleYou can support the podcast by joining my Substack community at yogaland.substack.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to a new season of Yogaland! Jason is my inaugural guest this season and our conversation focuses on the hips:What are the five compartments of the hip?Why is it important to strengthen them?How do you strengthen them in yoga?Jason lays it all out for you step-by-step. Take a listen and take notes!Also: Jason will be leading his Preventing Injuries online course very soon! Join the waitlist and we will send you all the details as soon as they become available: learn.jasonyoga.com/injuriesSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time of year is often so fraught with busyness, overwhelm, expectations, even loneliness that we forget the goal: To feel present, joyful, connected. Here are my thoughts on how to gather up all of the skills that you cultivate on your mat (and cushion) and utilize them to navigate the challenges of this time of year. Check out the shownotes fo rmore helpful episodes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode318Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So thrilled to have Daya Grant join me again on the podcast this week! You may remember Daya from episode 258 (This is Your Brain on Yoga). In her role as a mental performance coach, Daya utilizes tools from her background as a neuroscientist, athlete, and yogi. On this episode, Daya shares some of the fascinating research that shares in her online course, Mind-Flow Masterclass. She shares:Which mental performance tools she used to finish a half marathon (less than a year after giving birth to her second child!)How exercise upregulates BDNF and the ways this is beneficial for the brainHow exercising during high stress times can mediate our stress response and create more resilience for our future selfHow mantra and dristhi have been studied and shown to help settle the mindThe neuroscience of flow states and the four stages of flowSamadhi -- Daya and I have a similar interpretation on this for householders Check out more about Daya's offerings on the shownotes page: yogalandpodcast.com/episode317Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know what feels really terrible? Teaching yoga when you don't feel inspired. And yet, realistically, we all encounter dry spells in our own practice. This week's conversation with Jason will give you ideas for reigniting your inner spark and feeling inspired to practice again. If you'd like even more inspiration, join us in January for our newest online course, Mind-Body Reset! Get all the details here: learn.jasonyoga.com/resetSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back! This week we're talking through four life skills for every yoga teacher to master. These four skills are attributes that we work on in our own work and personal lives through our practice. They are also the four pillars around which our upcoming January program -- Mind-Body Reset -- is built. The four skills are:Self-compassion -- the skill of being an ally to yourself and accepting yourself, as you are.Self-awareness -- taking a look inward and acknowledging your areas of strength and your areas of challenge.Self-regulation -- understanding the science behind the different stress responses and learning what you need to do in your practice to have a balanced response to stress and adversity.Self-direction -- harness your creative energy, kick imposter syndrome to the curb, and embrace an entrepreneurial spirit.If you'd like to learn more about the program, go to learn.jasonyoga.com/reset and jump on the waitlist.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fall doesn't just mean pumpkin spice lattes. It means that you will likely start to hear a cacophony of sniffles and coughs when you're ordering said pumpkin spice latte -- or wherever you go. It's a great time to thinking about your yoga practice as a tool for building your resilience. Iyengar Yoga teacher Lisa Walford joins me this week to talk about her approach to immune health and how to use asana, pranayama, and meditation as part of your support system. Lisa also opens up about her own personal immune health challenges since she was diagnosed with HIV in 1985. This conversation was a beautiful reminder of the many ways that yoga can help us to heal when we start from a place of care and attention.About Lisa:Lisa Walford holds a Level III (formerly Intermediate Senior II) Iyengar teaching certificate and has been teaching yoga in Los Angeles since 1982. She continues her studies annually with the Iyengars, in Pune, India, and teaches worldwide. Lisa is the curriculum director for the Teacher Training Program at The Center for Yoga in Los Angeles. Previously, she co-created the Teacher Training Program at YogaWorks. She is on the advisory board of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and the Yoga Studies program at Loyola Marymount University. For shownotes for this episode, got to yogalandpodcast.com/episode314Thank you, as always for listening and sharing. If you'd like get regular updates from us, join our mailing list at jasonyoga.com/newsletterSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inversions can be fun, empowering, and strength-building -- if they are introduced thoughtfully and systematically. On this episode, Jason walks through how to introduce four key inversions to beginners: Handstand, Forearm Balance, Headstand, and Shoulderstand. He shares the building blocks that will create a blueprint for each pose, keeping them safe and beneficial. We have companion sequences for these poses on our website! Find them on the shownotes page here: yogalandpodcast.com/episode313Jason has also created a tutorial on his Youtube channel so that you can see the variations he refers to in the episode. Check it out here: youtube.com/@JasonCrandellYogaSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carving out a place for yourself as a yoga teacher is no easy task. It was such a treat to have multi-hyphenate Neeti Narula on the show to hear how she has done it. Neeti is an NYC-based yoga and meditation teacher, as well as a mother of two, a contributor at Yoga Journal and now, a freshly minted contributor on the lifestyle platform, Melissa Wood Health.Neeti shares so many helpful gems on this episode including:How yoga came into her life and helped her begin to heal from lossThe thing that surprised her most when she left investment banking to become a yoga teacherHow the pandemic helped her reassess her teaching schedule and pursue other avenues to share yogaHow intuition and persistence have led to the biggest leaps in her careerThe necessity of being willing to fail as she pursued opportunities in her teaching careerHow she pitched Melissa Williams Health and what she will be sharing there.You can now take classes with Neeti Narula on Melissa Wood Health !Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we continue on with our series for beginners (and those teaching beginners): Our focus is the best arm balances for beginners. Arm balances are typically poses that beginners really enjoy playing around with, because they offer shapes that we don't typically do in other disciplines (unless you're a gymnast or a pro skateboarder). Arm balances can build stability, balance, strength, mobility. They're also aesthetically beautiful and novel -- unless you're a gymast or a pro skateboarder, you won't likely encounter shapes like these in your daily life. So, they're fun! And fun is truly valuable in life and in yoga. A little bit about what we mean by "best" -- these are families of arm balances that are accessible and emphasize stability and strength. They are poses that can be broken down into steps so that you feel your confidence grow as you progress. As with anything in life, we want to offer ourselves or our students just enough challenge, but not too much. That's what these families of poses do.To get some sequences where you can work on the arm balances mentioned in this episode, go to the shownotes page here: yogalandpodcast.com/podcast/episode311Also: We're closing early bird registration for Jason's 200-Hour Online Teacher Training this Saturday! You can learn more and enroll at learn.jasonyoga.com/200Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Modern life is not great for your back -- sitting in chairs tightens the hip flexors, which can lead to a chain reaction that stresses the low back. When we type at a computer, we typically roll the shoulders forward or hunch the upper back. And looking at our phones constantly can lead to the dreaded and painful "tech neck." -- chair sitting, typing, and looking at our phones. Simple backbends are a fantastic antidote. But which backbends are most beneficial for beginners and why? Jason shares his thoughts on this episode. We talk about:Prone backbends like Locust Pose, Medium-Sized Cobra, and SphinxKneeling backbends like Cobra and New School AnjaneyasanaReclined backbends like Bridge Pose and Lying over a blockLearn the best approaches and modifications for these poses. And find lots of sequences to help you practice them by going to the shownotes page here: jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode310 *******************************************************************************************TWO ANNOUNCEMENTSEarly bird registration for Jason's 200-Hour YTT is open! Go join today and save $300! jasonyoga.com/200If you're thinking about training but want to learn more, Jason is leading a free webinar that will walk you through his 200-hour online YTT. You can register here: jasonyoga.com/webinar*******************************************************************************************Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason joins me on this week's episode to talk about how yoga teacher training goes beyond skill acquisition and can become a catalyst for self-transformation. We just hosted a webinar on the topic last week and we enjoyed it so much we thought we'd re-record the episode especially for the podcast.This is a fun episode if you're considering YTT or if you've already done a YTT and you'd like to reminisce about all the ways that learning this discipline deepens your understanding of yourself and changes hows you move through the world.PS: Early bird registration for Jason's 200-Hour Online YTT is open! Get all the details here: jasonyoga.com/200Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's conversation is with Alison Zak, who recently published her first book, "Wild Asana: Animals, Yoga, and Connecting Our Practice to the Natural World." Zak's unique nature memoir artfully weaves together her personal stories, ecological context, and yoga asana. Her book is a moving and urgent call for us to remember our connection to the natural world. As Zak says, "We're more alike than different from even the animals that might seem quite different from ourselves, like a scorpion or a fish."Wild Asana is the next selection for the Yogaland Book Club, which I host on my Substack. You can sign up for the book club: yogaland.substack.com and Alison will join us on October 24th. Other announcements: Jason and I are hosting a webinar this Thursday, August 31st on the topic of Yoga Teacher Training as Self-Transformation. You can register for this free live webinar here: jasonyoga.com/webinarHe'll leave some time at the end for questions and a brief overview of his upcoming online 200-hour teacher training program.You can access all of this info and more on the shownotes page: yogalandpodcast.com/episode308If you enjoy the podcast, don't forget to Subscribe and share it with friends, colleagues, your cat, your cat's colleagues. Just checking to see if you're still reading. Sharing really does help get the word out, so, my sincerest thanks.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s something about fall that just feels like back to school time for me, even as an adult. Jason’s 200-hour YTT is coming up October 24th, so we thought we’d review what to look for if you’re thinking about going back to yoga school! We talk through the importance of adapting asana to modern knowledge and safety standards, the significance of understanding yoga anatomy in a functional context, and prioritizing strength and stability in practice. We also tough on the need for a thorough understanding of yoga philosophy, and some of the foundational texts to look for on the syllabus.More highlights from the interview:Sequencing is a critical aspect of teacher training. In a 200-hour YTT, learning a few set sequences can be incredibly helpful.Immersive and repetitive practice teaching is essential for building confidence as a yoga teacher. Jason shares how he structures it and the advantages of practice teaching on Zoom.YTTs that offer specialized training in a specific area of yoga are a plus! These skills can enhance a teacher's expertise and marketability.A lead trainer who is stable, compassionate, and mentally/emotionally composed will help you navigate personal growth during your yoga journey.Join Jason for a free webinar August 31st! The focus is on the psycho-emotional benefits of teacher training. You can register for Yoga Teacher Training as Self-Transformation at www.jasonyoga.com/webinar Attendees will receive a code for $50 off the early bird price of the training.Andrea just announced her next Yogaland Book Club pick -- Wild Asana, by Alison Zak. This gorgeous book by a wildlife conservationist combines yoga, science and memoir. Join the Yogaland community at yogaland.substack.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On our live episode two weeks ago, we answered the question, ‘Is this thing that we’re doing still yoga?’ Jason shared five principles that make even the most modern practices a yoga practice. On this episode, we will walk through how yoga teachers can bring these principles to life in their teaching.Here are some of the ideas we talk through:Reflecting on whether classes still have liberatory qualities, inviting students to grow beyond self-limiting beliefs and identifications.Introducing intentional theming or recommended readings to enhance students' understanding of yoga philosophy and its application.Incorporating abhyasa (effort) and vairagya (letting go) -- balancing striving with non-attachment to outcomes in the practice.Encouraging students to focus on specific skills to enhance the transformational aspect of yoga.Inviting students to cultivate self-awareness by observing their self-talk, patterns of reactivity, and responses to discomfort during practice.For shownotes, visit www.yogalandpodcast.com/episode306Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As many of yoga know, Sally Kempton was hugely influential to me. She was an expert guide, a loving presence, and a creative inspiration. She passed away on July 10th and has been on my mind constantly since then. I put together this episode to honor and remember her with my friend, the former editor-in-chief of Yoga Journal, Kaitlin Quistgaard. We had a lot of fun sharing stories and memories of Sally.The second part of this episode features my favorite episode that I did with Sally a few years ago: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly of the Ego.I hope you enjoy it. If you have any stories about Sally that you'd like to share, send me a voice note! You can DM it to me on Instagram (@andreaferretti) or email it to me at [email protected] put links to other past episodes with Sally and other useful resources from her on the shownotes page: yogalandpodcast.com/episode305Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.