142 Female Hormones, Immune System, and Exercise: Research Roundup
Yoga Medicine
Today, hosts Tiffany and Katja discuss current research on female hormones, the immune system, and exercise. Both the female hormones as well as the immune function are intricate systems – bringing them together adds even more complexity! In this episode, we try to boil down the immune system and inflammatory response and explore recent research that sheds light on the relationship between the menstrual cycle, immune responses and exercise. We also discuss the nuances of inflammatory processes, individualised responses, and potential implications for peri- and post-menopause. Listen in as we...
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141 Pitfalls of Private Yoga (and How to Avoid Them): Community Conversations with Elena Cheung
Yoga Medicine
Teaching private yoga can be enormously fulfilling, but it also has the potential to create a whole new set of challenges for teachers. In this episode, host Rachel Land speaks with returning guest Elena Cheung about the pitfalls of private yoga sessions and some potential ways to avoid them. We discuss how to set student expectations early, manage anxiety regarding that first session, and offer tips on setting boundaries, taking payment, and setting cancellation policies. Listen in to learn how to navigate the pitfalls of private yoga like a pro, and find your niche. — Show Notes: ...
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140 Game-Changing Hands-On Assists: Teachers' Series
Yoga Medicine
Today hosts Tiffany and Rachel dive into the muddy waters of hands-on assists. We discuss their complicated history, the different types of hands-on assists, and debate their pros and cons. We also talk about the importance of clear communication and consent, and alternatives you could employ instead. Listen in to hear how truly game-changing assists might be the ones that students find their way to on their own. — Show Notes: Differing attitudes toward hands-on assists over time [1:11] The case for hands-on assists, different types, asking for consent [4:13] Can a teacher know how a...
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139 Experiencing Menopause - Research Roundup
Yoga Medicine
There are still plenty of questions about the experience of the transitional phases of our lives. Today, hosts Tiffany and Katja discuss recent research that seeks to shed light on the menopausal transition. Experience of menopause is highly variable from person to person, so in this episode, we explore common symptom clusters identified in the research as well as the phenomenon of “not feeling like myself” in perimenopause. We also talk about how midlife can pose a challenge to one’s self-image and discuss how fatigue and emotional volatility may impact a woman’s day-to-day in this...
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138 Yoga During Pregnancy: Community Conversations with Allie Geer
Yoga Medicine
Today’s episode dives into the vital topic of yoga during pregnancy and beyond. Host Rachel connects with Allie Geer, a Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist and Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapist whose specialties include pre- and post-natal yoga. In this episode, we discuss what it looks like to create space for both mother and baby in yoga classes, plus the impact of changes in circulation, centre of gravity, and soft tissue laxity. Listen in to learn what to keep in mind when practicing yoga during and after pregnancy, the vital importance of community, and how teachers can help pregnant...
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137 Funk'tional Nutrition: Expert Insights with Erin Holt
Yoga Medicine
An estimated 50 million Americans live with an autoimmune disorder, and women are twice as likely to be affected as men. Yet diagnosis and treatment can be challenging when taking a solely Western medical approach. Today’s guest is The Functional Nutritionist, Erin Holt. She has dedicated her life to helping those with autoimmune disorders find their way back to full health, taking a research-based whole-person approach. In this episode, we discuss the major triggers of autoimmune disorders and the current limitations of Western medicine. Listen to learn the key role a multi-disciplinary...
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136 Yoga Nidra: Community Conversations with Caroline Wybar
Yoga Medicine
Most of us have heard of, and even practiced, Yoga Nidra. But it holds a certain mystique that means we might not know as much about it as we think. Today, host Rachel dives into this topic with returning guest and 1000-hr Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist Caroline Wybar. Caroline unpacks some of the misconceptions around Yoga Nidra and offers her tips for both students and teachers of this guided relaxation practice. Listen in for more on Caroline’s upcoming Online Yoga Nidra Teacher Training, to learn about relaxation-induced anxiety and hear tips for staying awake during Yoga Nidra…...
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135 Yoga as Personalized Medicine?!: Research Roundup
Yoga Medicine
As both yoga teachers and practitioners, it is important to understand how to take general instruction and use it to cater to your personal needs. In this episode, hosts Tiffany and Katja talk about recent research on personalized medicine and training, discuss how wearables and data collection play into individualized training programs, and relate current research findings to personalized yoga approaches. Listen to this episode to learn about the history and trends of individualised medicine and training, how to know which data to collect, why body awareness is important in individualisation,...
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134 ADHD & Yoga: Community Conversations with Emily Mariola
Yoga Medicine
What is it about yoga that makes such a significant difference in well-being for people with ADHD? Today, host Rachel invites guest Emily Mariola to help answer that question. Emily is a Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist and studio owner who recently completed her 1000-hr research project on Yoga for ADHD. In this episode, Emily shares yoga practices that help those with ADHD learn to self-regulate both on and off the mat—from asana, to breath work, meditation, and use of drishti. She also encourages yoga teachers and practitioners to view disruptive behavior with more compassion....
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133 Yoga & Rheumatoid Arthritis: Expert Insights with Dr Nikki Tugnet FRACP
Yoga Medicine
Today host Rachel dives deep into Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) with returning guest Dr. Nikki Tugnet FRACP. We discuss common symptoms, what distinguishes RA from other inflammatory and auto-immune conditions, the role Western medicine can play, and – most importantly – how yoga can help. Listen in to learn how yoga teachers best serve students with RA, how to sneak more mindfulness and body awareness into your classes, and the vital importance of making space for rest. — Show Notes: The background on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [2:22] Common symptoms [10:50] Uncontrolled RA versus remission...
info_outlineConversations on how to secure opportunities to teach yoga are much more common than those on when we should NOT teach, so today hosts Tiffany and Rachel explore a handful of scenarios where you may need to step back from the role of teacher—whether that is just for today or over the longer term.
In this episode, we discuss whether it’s ever ok for a teacher to simply “go through the motions” and what it means to truly show up for students. We also talk about schedule sustainability and the value of teaching what is meaningful to you.
Listen in to learn when yoga teachers should not teach.
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Show Notes:
- Recognizing privilege in the choice to not work [1:54]
- When you’re contagious [3:01]
- When you can’t reliably stay in the room [5:28]
- When you can’t truly show up for your students [8:58]
- Is there a time to permanently stop teaching a person or class [18:44]
- Energy management and sustainable teaching schedules [21:27]
- Moving on when you’ve taught all you can [31:22]
- When ethical limits are breached [34:55]
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Links Mentioned:
- Yoga Journal articles:
You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-130.
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