The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

Helping yoga teachers to stay connected to information, entrepreneur advice and a community of supportive yoga teachers and professionals.

397: How to Suck at Marketing with Brea Johnson 05/26/2025

397: How to Suck at Marketing with Brea Johnson The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 397: How to Suck at Marketing with Brea Johnson Description: Do you feel overwhelmed by marketing your yoga? It is something that many yoga teachers struggle with - especially when it feels like the world often prioritizes being polished over showing up authentically. Brea Johnson shares her insights about how to suck at marketing – and why that can work for your yoga business. Brea Johnson is the founder of Heart + Bones Yoga, a globally recognized online platform for anatomy-informed yoga, mobility and inclusive practices for both yoga teachers and everyday people. She has been teaching yoga, anatomy and movement since 2003 and regularly teaches workshops and trainings around the world. At Heart + Bones, Brea offers online yoga, education and teacher training where functional and inclusive practices are celebrated and encouraged. In this episode, Brea shares what inspired her to start talking about marketing and what we can do when we suck at it. She highlights some common marketing practices that do not align with her values and belief systems and how she navigates the changing social media and online marketing landscape. Brea and Shannon also discuss showing up honestly, imperfectly, and authentically, what motivates them to keep posting about topics that may bring pushback, and much more. If you feel like your marketing is not "enough" to make a meaningful impact, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: [1:59] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode, marketing, and her guest - Brea Johnson. [3:45] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree. [5:37] What does Brea do and who does she do it for? [8:07] What inspired Brea to start talking about marketing and what to do when we suck at it? [13:38] What are some things that Brea doesn't do in marketing because they don't align with her? [17:29] How does Brea turn things that irk her about the yoga world into playful content that educates? [20:46] How has social media shifted for Brea in the past few years? What are some new trends and changes she is noticing? [27:10] Shannon and Brea discuss how social media can be a place to let your authentic self shine through. [34:44] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor, OfferingTree. [36:08] What is Brea's advice for when your inner critic shows up to discourage you from marketing your yoga? [45:54] When we show up and share our values and opinions online, we might get back a lot of hate or pushback. How does Brea deal with that? [55:27] What keeps Brea posting about "controversial" topics or social justice issues? [58:42] Shannon and Brea discuss the importance of small actions, even when it feels like those actions may not be making a difference. [65:49] Learn more from Brea via her website and social media. [67:08] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Brea. Links: Heart + Bones Yoga on , , , Gratitude to our Sponsor, Quotes from this episode: "How do I promote what I share, what I do, how I know I can help people, and how my business can help people without falling into that trap of playing to the algorithm?" "There's something about the consistency and letting go of The so-called vanity metrics and seeing that more broad view of how social media can help connect us." "What is my why? Why am I even doing this? What is my who? Who am I helping? And what is my how? How am I helping?" "How can you show up in the way that works for you?" "This isn't about you. You've got to see the fear and the imposter syndrome and the insecurity and do it anyway.” /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/36718280

396: Yoga for Abortion Care with Sasha Sigel 05/05/2025

396: Yoga for Abortion Care with Sasha Sigel The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 396: Yoga for Abortion Care with Sasha Sigel Description: We live in a time when access to abortion care is increasingly under threat and attacks on reproductive health are intensifying. What does yoga have to do with abortion care and how can yoga teachers support people going through abortion care before, during, and after the process? Sasha Sigel shares her insights. Sasha Sigel is a pelvic floor yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, and abortion doula. Sasha is also a cofounder of a queer yoga collective called Be Queer Now, which offers virtual and in-person programming for the queer community. In her work, Sasha focuses on folks in the LGBTQIA+ community seeking pelvic health support as well as offering trauma-informed, gender-affirming practices. When Roe v Wade was overturned in 2022, she trained to be an abortion doula where she supports folks going through abortion care with accurate information and practical, emotional, and physical support. In this episode, Sasha shares more how how yoga intersects with reproductive justice and how we can lean on the foundational values of yoga to guide us in supporting people through their reproductive choices. Sasha also explains how yoga is more than just movement – it is a liberatory practice that can offer space for validation, rest, and healing, especially for those who've experienced abortion or miscarriage. Tune in to learn more about the barriers many people face when accessing care, how community doulas and yoga teachers can safely show up, and why normalizing abortion as a part of human healthcare is a crucial part of our work as compassionate spaceholders. Key Takeaways: [2:20] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor, OfferingTree. [2:46] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sasha Sigel. [4:51] What does Sasha do and who does she do it for? [8:37] What does abortion have to do with yoga? [10:03] What are some quick-bites that Sasha shares with people who may not have considered that abortion is healthcare? [15:43] How does yoga help people through the journey of abortion care? [21:42] How can yoga teachers support their students going through an abortion or post-abortion emotionally and with their language? [23:38] What are some words or phrases that are unhelpful to a person after abortion? What are some ways yoga teachers can reassure them? [27:51] What has Sasha's experience been with yoga offerings that support people who have received abortion care? [30:05] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree. [32:09] What is Sasha's advice about looking up information online and resources for people who live in a place where abortion care isn't available? [36:45] How does Sasha approach marketing her services as an abortion doula and making sure that people know support is available? [40:09] Does Sasha have to deal with online hate or misinformation? [41:32] Where does Sasha suggest a yoga teacher start if they are wanting to get more involved in offering abortion care and support?\ [45:06] What would Sasha say to someone who has gone through abortion care or are considering it? [47:24] Shannon shares a book that has resonated with her on the topic. [48:48] Learn more about Sasha and her work via her website or social media. [50:26] Sasha shares some final thoughts for yoga teachers about abortion care. [54:29] Shannon and Sasha discuss how people might think that certain things would never happen in their country or state and that's an assumption worth challenging. [56:52] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsor, Quotes from this episode: "Yoga is a liberatory practice and reproductive justice and healthcare is something that's under attack right now in terms of folks having agency over their own body." "Use non-assumptive, non-judgmental language. We don't know why this person got an abortion. We don't know what their experience was. So our main role is going to be listening to whatever information they do give us." "How people report their experience after an abortion is often mixed and complicated, but very seldom is the main emotion or experience regret." "This is not new. This is something that we have the right to, and our bodies have been doing since the beginning of humans being alive." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/36426890

395: Anticolonial Philosophy & Yoga with Shyam Ranganathan 04/21/2025

395: Anticolonial Philosophy & Yoga with Shyam Ranganathan The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 395: Anticolonial Philosophy & Yoga with Shyam Ranganathan Description: Yoga philosophy can sometimes feel overwhelming, inapplicable to the modern problems we face today, or just too abstract. Dr. Shyam Ranganathan, a repeat guest on the podcast, has a gift for breaking philosophy down in a way that we can relate to. Dr. Shyam Ranganathan is a philosopher, author, researcher, and leading voice in anti-colonial philosophy, as well as the founder of the Yoga Philosophy Institute. He specializes in the study and translation of philosophy, especially South Asian philosophy and Yoga. In his recent book, Yoga — AntiColonial Philosophy, Shyam explores yoga as a decolonial tradition and how we can reconnect to that legacy in our modern practice. In this episode, Shyam explains how colonialism shows up even in yoga philosophy, and how we can apply the practice of yoga and yoga philosophy to the many social justice issues we face in the world. He shares more about Ishvara Pranidhana (devotion to sovereignty), samskaras (rituals and practices), and how we might apply them to our daily lives to take back agency and practice yogic behavior. Tune into this conversation if you are seeking to be inspired by how philosophy can be a tool for liberation. Key Takeaways: [2:04] Shannon gives a shout-out to sponsor, OfferingTree. [3:08] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Dr. Shyam Ranganathan. [6:20] What does Shyam do and who does he do it for? [8:06] How did Shyam choose the title of his book, Yoga — AntiColonial Philosophy? [9:27] Why is it that yoga philosophy does not often give a platform to the voices of South Asian yoga teachers and authors? [13:35] Shyam reflects on how education is not really about learning but about training people to follow instructions. [16:39] How does the practice of yoga and yoga philosophy apply to the many social justice issues we are facing in the world? [21:40] Shyam explains the concept of Ishvara Pranidhana (devotion to sovereignty) in more concrete terms with some examples. [24:19] What is the practice to get out of being stuck in our own prejudices? [26:23] What are samskaras in yoga and how do they affect us? [29:55] Shyam shares how we can take back and redeploy our agency instead of getting stuck in loops and patterns. [31:58] Shannon pops in to give a shout-out of thanks to OfferingTree. [33:25] Simply practicing yoga is the easiest way to disrupt the harm of colonialism. [34:47] Shannon and Shyam discuss how challenging certain laws may be a part of resisting colonialism and is yogic behavior. [39:47] Shyam explains what he means by "the real philosophical practice is what one does where one already is in relationship to the people that are already in one's life." [44:51] What is a practice that can be a first baby step for someone who has not explored much of yoga philosophy? [46:57] What might the first moment of conscious thought look like when we are showing up as an ally for ourselves? Shyam talks about what the practice of yoga can look like in our daily lives. [51:31] Shannon and Shyam discuss the future of (de)colonization. [57:35] Shannon and Shyam chat about how he felt writing the book and how Shannon felt reading it. [58:49] Connect with Shyam via his website or on Instagram to learn more. [59:18] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsor, Quotes from this episode: "The fact that people do self-select in this way speaks to a kind of an actual fear of learning." "What we call education, especially in the West, is not really education. It's geared to getting us to follow instructions." "Every kind of bigotry or small-mindedness is part of just not being free from those past experiences." "What happens is we don't see our agency when we're in these patterns and loops because our agency is hidden by these patterns, but our agency is what's powering it. So we have to find a way to redeploy our agency." "You can't be working on your autonomy and also being colonized at the same time." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/36231040

394: A Pep Talk to Share Your Yoga with Shannon Crow 04/07/2025

394: A Pep Talk to Share Your Yoga with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 394: A Pep Talk to Share Your Yoga with Shannon Crow Description: Taking a big leap can feel scary and overwhelming, and you may be filled with doubt and hesitation. You may feel imposter syndrome creeping in, start procrastinating, or simply feel unable to take the first (or next) step. In this episode, Shannon shares her pep talk to motivate you (and herself) to make the leap. Shannon has been considering the idea of starting a farmer’s market for some time now, but is also struggling with taking the heap. She shares how she knew it was the right time to start taking baby steps towards making her dream a reality and what that might look like for you. Shannon also shares some advice on overcoming doubts and fears that creep in, explains why connection and collaboration can help move you forward, and tips to stay motivated and take action. If you are feeling nervous or overwhelmed and are procrastinating on launching something new in your yoga business, this is the perfect episode for you. Key Takeaways: [0:32] Shannon shares something she learned while working at M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Center. [8:15] Shannon gives a shout out to the podcast sponsor, OfferingTree. [9:42] The inspiration for this episode came from Shannon's own fears and hesitation. [13:58] How do you know when it's the right time to take a big leap or launch something new? [17:15] It can feel comfortable to stay in the dreaming, planning, and wishing stage, but when you're constantly thinking about it, it's time to start taking baby steps towards making it happen. [19:13] Once you have the motivation to do the thing, where do you start? [20:57] If it starts to feel overwhelming, think back to all the things you've already done to prepare for this moment. [24:36] If you are feeling overwhelmed about not having a website or not knowing how to set up the tech side of things, OfferingTree can be a great solution. [26:36] How can you deal with the fears and doubts that creep in? [31:31] Consider collaborating and building connections with others to help you along the journey. [33:10] Mark and celebrate your wins and successes along the way. [33:28] Are you launching something new? Share in the comments, the Facebook group, or send Shannon a voice message. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsor, Quotes from this episode: "I have ideas all the time. ... But when they really stick and they just keep coming back, that's when I know, OK, this is one that I really have to listen to." "When your message gets bigger than your fears, it's time." "Think back to what you've already done to prepare for this moment." "Because failure or being wrong on something is literally just feedback. It's just more learning so we can do better." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/36014480

393: Opening a Yoga Studio with Michael Jay 03/24/2025

393: Opening a Yoga Studio with Michael Jay The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 393: Opening a Yoga Studio with Michael Jay Description: Have you ever thought about opening a yoga studio? Perhaps you own a yoga studio and have been wondering how to take it to the next level. If you’ve ever had questions about owning or running a yoga studio, Michael Jay is the expert to talk to – and on this episode, he shares his insights. Known as the yoga biz champ, Michael Jay has over 26 years of experience in the yoga world. Michael has taught yoga, run a successful yoga studio, and now focuses on helping yoga studio owners thrive and build a profitable business. Dedicated to elevating yoga studios from mere survival to genuine thriving, Michael provides yoga studio owners with clear, actionable advice based on insights from his hands-on experience and Certified Business Consultant background. In this episode, Michael shares his journey to yoga and into the world of running a yoga business. He talks about what it takes to start and grow a studio and how he sold his own studio to a yoga teacher. Michael also gives tips on how yoga studios can create financial stability, the best strategies for marketing a yoga studio, and why being on ClassPass may not be such a great thing. He highlights the importance of community building and explains why planning ahead is essential for building a thriving yoga business. Whether you own a studio, are dreaming of opening one, or just need some tweaks for your own yoga business to make it more sustainable, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: [2:22] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Michael Jay. [3:44] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree. [6:06] What does Michael do and who does he do it for? [13:32] How did Michael transition from teaching yoga to running his own yoga studio? [21:13] Michael talks about how useful OfferingTree has been in helping him run his business. [25:05] If you are interested in checking out OfferingTree, use Shannon's discount code at offeringtree.com/shannon. [25:45] How important is a business mindset for running a yoga studio? [28:17] What are some things yoga teachers who are thinking about starting a yoga studio should consider to prepare themselves? [33:27] Offering a signature series can be a profitable way to run a yoga business. [35:50] If you're offering a yoga series, support it by doing some additional marketing with automated emails. [38:09] How many classes should be in a yoga series? [39:19] What are Michael's thoughts on using ClassPass in your yoga studio? [45:13] What would the ideal payment structure be for a yoga studio? [47:05] How can yoga studio owners figure out what the best times are for classes? [52:33] What are some things yoga studio owners could save themselves the headache of if they prepared in advance? [55:40] Michael shares some strategies for marketing yoga studios. [61:06] Learn more from Michael on his podcast, Yoga Biz Champ, or book a free chat with him. [65:38] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Michael. [69:12] Shannon shares a quick update about her recovery. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsor, Quotes from this episode: "If you're passionate about it, dial into your superpowers and get help on the things that you need help on." "You can run a very, very good business with a signature series." "The best way to do [email marketing] is: teach a class, and then create a follow-up email based on that class, and then you build your automation sequence ... as you go along." "Learn how to do a dedicated landing page for your series." "First of all, you need to know what your mission, vision, and values are." "There's never been a better time for an independent business, whether a solo practitioner or a studio." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/35823430

392: Concussion Recovery & Yoga with Shannon Crow 03/10/2025

392: Concussion Recovery & Yoga with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 392: Concussion Recovery & Yoga with Shannon Crow Description: As yoga teachers, we don’t often expect to become the student. Shannon Crow recently had a concussion and a health scare. As a result, she has had to shift from her role of yoga therapist to patient and student. She shares the unexpected challenges in her concussion recovery journey. In this episode, Shannon talks about how grateful she is for all the people who reached out after she shared that she had experienced a concussion and health scare. She reflects on her recovery journey, including how difficult it has been for her to step into the role of patient and student. Shannon also shares some of the things that have helped in her recovery journey, including her yoga practice with Ray Zott. This has been a challenging time for Shannon but has reminded her about the impact that yoga teachers can have on their students’ lives. Whether you're teaching or practicing yoga, this episode is a reminder of the power of patience, community, and showing up for one another. Key Takeaways: [1:49] Shannon is sharing an update on her concussion recovery journey in this episode and the role yoga has played. [3:37] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree. [4:39] Shannon gives thanks to everyone who reached out to her with well wishes after she shared about her concussion and health scare. [6:42] Shannon reflects on her experience being a student in healing and recovery this week. [9:13] Shannon shares more about her yoga experience in supporting her healing journey post-concussion. [12:05] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree and talks about how she uses it in her business. [13:48] Shannon's physiotherapist has reminded her that the process of healing can be frustrating but it's important to take it easy. [16:27] If you're teaching, you may not always realize how much of an impact you're making. [18:43] If you are going through your own healing journey, you are not alone. Links: Ray Zott’s Yoga Practice Gratitude to our Sponsor, Quotes from this episode: "You are moving forward, but there definitely are setbacks on that healing journey, especially with a concussion." "It's a huge reminder also of how profound the yoga practice can be when you're living through something that's so challenging." "What really stood out to me was the way the intention and the slow pace and matching that breath and movement can make such a deep impact." "If you're teaching, you may not always realize how much of an impact you're making." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/35585125

391: Yoga for Wheelchair Users with Rodrigo Souza 02/24/2025

391: Yoga for Wheelchair Users with Rodrigo Souza The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 391: Yoga for Wheelchair Users with Rodrigo Souza Description: How can we make yoga classes more inclusive and accessible to wheelchair users? What are some dos and don’ts when it comes to working with differently-abled people? Rodrigo Souza shares his insights and perspectives. Rodrigo Souza is the founder of Allihopa Yoga. After experiencing a life-changing spinal cord injury, Rodrigo turned his journey of recovery into a mission to make yoga accessible for all bodies. He shares adaptive yoga with people who have experienced trauma, loss, and disability while helping them find comfort, joy, mindfulness, and acceptance in their unique experiences. In this episode, Rodrigo invites us to consider the language we use and how to be more inclusive with the words we use. He also shares his personal experiences with disability and being a wheelchair user, while reminding us that mistakes are a normal part of learning to be more inclusive. Rodrigo provides tips on practical ways to create more welcoming yoga spaces as well as guidance on teaching yoga to wheelchair users. Whether you are seeking ways to adapt your yoga lessons to be more inclusive or simply want to challenge your assumptions, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Key Takeaways: [2:09] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree. [2:52] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Rodrigo Souza. [5:24] What does Rodrigo do and who does he do it for? [8:44] Shannon and Rodrigo discuss some of the terminology and language around people in wheelchairs. [10:58] What are some key things yoga teachers could change with their language? [14:24] Shannon shares a mistake she made when talking about a wheelchair user. [17:09] Rodrigo talks about the Golden Rule when it comes to working with wheelchair users. [19:31] It is important for us to diversify our friend circle, or at the very least, our social media feeds. [22:33] Rodrigo shares his experience tackling internalized ableism. [25:46] Shannon pops in with a few messages for listeners, including a shout out to sponsors, OfferingTree. [27:42] What has Rodrigo's experience been as a wheelchair user attending a regular yoga class? [30:21] Shannon and Rodrigo discuss how YTTs often tend to be rigid and not focused on inclusion, accessibility, and equity. [33:02] What are some variations of yoga poses that yoga teachers can offer to students who are wheelchair users? [40:16] What are some resources available to yoga teachers who want to make their yoga classes more accessible to wheelchair users? [42:10] Rodrigo is starting to write a book - he shares a little about some of the themes he will cover. [47:21] Rodrigo explains how yoga has helped him deal with pain. [51:24] Find out more about Rodrigo and learn from him via his website and social media. [53:07] Shannon shares some of her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Rodrigo. [55:56] Shannon shares a personal update. The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast turns 8! Links: Gratitude to our Sponsor, Quotes from this episode: "Mistakes are a step for us to learn." "I think a teacher should never feel sorry for the student. That is the wrong power dynamic you have in the room if you go that way." "Every mistake is a learning opportunity." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/35366520

390: Yoga for People with Limited Energy with Katie Blecker & Audrey 02/10/2025

390: Yoga for People with Limited Energy with Katie Blecker & Audrey The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 390: Yoga for People with Limited Energy with Katie Blecker & Audrey Description: People with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or other health conditions may have limited energy. As yoga teachers, what are some things we should know when teaching people with limited energy? What are some things that are helpful, and what should we avoid? Katie Blecker and Audrey share their insights as yoga teachers with limited energy. Katie Blecker is a yoga teacher, advocate, and visual artist. Her lived experience with complex chronic illness informs her worldview and inspires her passion for disability advocacy. In her work as a trauma-informed yoga facilitator both online and in-person, Katie focuses on supporting folks who live with chronic illness and pain, disability, and chronic stress using tools such as therapeutic asana, pranayama, and meditation. Audrey also is a yoga teacher and advocate whose experience with complex chronic illnesses informs her way of practising and teaching. As a disabled and neurodivergent person, her philosophy is that the practice will adapt to the person, not the other way around. Audrey devotes herself to sharing the transformational tools of yoga with other people so they too can find a practice that serves them, where community, access, and joy are centred. In this episode, Katie and Audrey share their personal journeys with chronic illness and how these experiences have shaped their inclusive teaching methodologies. They explain what "limited energy" means and how it differs from someone who is simply more tired than usual, and how their own conditions influence their work as yoga teachers. Katie and Audrey also highlight the importance of adapting yoga practices to individual needs, the role of community in fostering a supportive environment for those with chronic conditions, and how yoga teachers can best support people with limited energy. Key Takeaways: [2:20] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Katie Blecker and Audrey. [8:31] What work does Audrey do and who does she do it for? [10:21] What does Katie do and who does she do it for? [11:58] What are CFS and ME? Katie and Audrey share a little about these chronic conditions. [15:02] What are some things that Audrey has found unhelpful in a yoga class because it does not work well for someone with limited energy? [19:45] Having limited energy is not just about feeling more tired than usual. Katie explains the distinction. [23:55] What do yoga teachers who are working with people with limited energy need to know? [30:48] Shannon pops in to share a little about OfferingTree. [33:13] Katie invites us to take a step back and reflect on why we might feel the need to "fix" or "help" someone through yoga. [35:33] What are some of the benefits of yoga for people with limited energy? [42:15] How do Katie and Audrey show up for their work as yoga teachers as people with limited energy? [50:21] Find out more about Katie and Audrey's work via their websites and on Instagram. [54:33] How do Katie and Audrey speak up for social justice when they have limited energy? [63:13] Speaking up for social justice is not a sprint, it's a marathon, and it is important not to make it a competition. [70:08] Shannon shares her takeaways from this conversation with Katie and Audrey. [74:22] Shannon shares a quick personal update. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsor, Quotes from this episode: "Limited energy is like a profound absence of being able to create energy through the body. It's not being tired, it's a severe level of fatigue that can't really be recovered from on a day to day level. ... We start out with almost an impairment in energy on a daily basis." - Katie "First and foremost, remembering that our students are the experts in their own bodies and their own experiences." - Katie "Yoga will not heal or fix any anyone." - Audrey "It's important to look at all of the wonderful practices of yoga and not always focus on Asana and movement." - Audrey /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/35184305

389: Cultivating Self-Acceptance with Donna Noble 01/27/2025

389: Cultivating Self-Acceptance with Donna Noble The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 389: Cultivating Self-Acceptance with Donna Noble Description: Sometimes, we can be very hard on ourselves (or others). We may feel we need to change parts of ourselves, look or behave in certain ways, or have certain things in order to be better. How can we overcome this kind of thinking? Donna Noble shares her insights. Donna Noble is a yoga teacher and advocate for inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity in yoga. In her work, she is focused on disrupting the yoga and wellbeing space to make it more inclusive and diverse and is on a mission to create welcoming spaces for everyone—regardless of body type, background, or ability. She aims to bring people who feel unwelcome in mainstream yoga spaces to explore yoga and enjoy its benefits. Donna is also an author and wellbeing coach. In this episode, Donna shares her inspiring journey of using yoga to overcome personal challenges, including Bell’s palsy. She explains her philosophy on self-acceptance, the importance of gratitude in self-love, and the transformative power of mindfulness. Donna also offers some powerful insights about how we can go about addressing unconscious biases and fostering social justice in yoga. Key Takeaways: [0:20] Shannon reflects on some of the current crises we are experiencing. [3:05] Shannon shares a personal anecdote wondering why we are all so hard on ourselves at times. [4:49] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree! [5:28] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Donna Noble. [6:37] What does Donna do and who does she do it for? [7:55] What does Donna tell people who think they may be limited in some way so they can't do yoga? [9:34] What are Donna's thoughts on the topic of self-love? [11:19] What are some things that helped Donna in accepting her body and in her yoga practice? [14:52] What practices does Donna suggest for a person who is comparing themselves to others and beating themselves up? [20:29] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree. [21:47] Donna clarifies the difference between acknowledging the negative thoughts and working on changing them, and engaging in toxic positivity. [26:54] Shannon and Donna discuss the internal work that we need to do of looking at our biases and also why it's important not to invalidate other people's experiences even if they are not the same as yours. [31:59] Donna talks a little about her yoga journey and how and why she become body positive. [35:33] How did Donna move towards body positivity and self-acceptance? [38:49] Shannon pops in to share a note about the harm caused by Bikram (the person, not the yoga style). [40:09] Donna shares how yoga has impacted her life. [43:02] Shannon and Donna discuss how social justice is a part of yoga. [45:50] Shannon and Donna reflect on the relationship between self-love and ahimsa. [47:41] Check out Donna's book and her website to learn more about body positive yoga. [50:02] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Donna. Links: Donna Noble on Gratitude to our Sponsor, Quotes from this episode: "I see that so many people want to do yoga, but because of what the mainstream is saying, they don't think it's for them. So I try to debunk it as much as possible." "If you're doing yoga and you have a body, you have a yoga body." "If we can appreciate our bodies for all the things that it does for us without asking. We become accepting of ourselves and see that we are fine as we are." "A lot of us are out there fighting the good fight and creating the change, and sometimes we don't even realize the impact or the changes that we're making." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/35007180

388: Fertility Yoga with Sherry Longbottom 01/13/2025

388: Fertility Yoga with Sherry Longbottom The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 388: Fertility Yoga with Sherry Longbottom Description: Global fertility rates have dropped significantly over the past few decades. Many factors influence people’s desire and ability to conceive and bear children, such as stress, lifestyle, and societal shifts. For those wanting to have children but facing challenges, fertility yoga can help in their conception and pregnancy journey. Sherry Longbottom shares her insights about fertility yoga and its benefits. Sherry Longbottom is an author and yoga teacher specializing in fertility, prenatal, and baby and me yoga, with over 20 years of experience. Sherry offers online private and group classes as well as occasional studio pop-ups. She creates supportive spaces for individuals at every stage of their fertility and pregnancy journeys. In her classes, Sherry brings together fertility and prenatal yoga students in unique environment that allows all students to inspire and uplift one another, while supporting each other through the challenging times. In this episode, Sherry shares some of her recommendations for yoga teachers offering support to students on a fertility journey, including recommended poses and poses to avoid. She also offers tips and insights for yoga teachers on class design, pose modifications, and the importance of mindfulness. This conversation is a heartfelt exploration of how yoga can provide both physical and emotional support for those navigating fertility and pregnancy. Key Takeaways: [1:09] In this episode, Shannon and her guest will be talking about fertility and how yoga can help. [3:34] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor, OfferingTree. [3:56] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sherry Longbottom. [7:04] What is the work that Sherry does and who does she do it for? [11:08] What are some main things that yoga teachers might need to consider when deciding to offer 1:1 support for someone in the fertility journey vs. adding certain elements to a group class that might benefit them? [16:42] Does Sherry teach online or in person? [17:30] Shannon and Sherry discuss the external pressure that people often face when they are trying to conceive. [20:13] Sherry shares some tips on poses she recommends for people trying to conceive as well as some things to avoid. [23:23] What are some of Sherry's students' favorite poses in her classes? [25:51] When people have been on a fertility journey for a while, there can be a lot of fear that arises. How does Sherry support her students through that? [30:19] How does Sherry navigate both ends of the spectrum in a group setting focused on yoga for fertility i.e. someone getting pregnant vs. someone dealing with loss? [34:42] Shannon pops in to share a message about using OfferingTree to run your yoga business. [36:33] Sherry shares a little about her book about fertility yoga and the courses she offers for yoga teachers wanting to teach fertility yoga. [40:55] What are IVF and IUI? [43:43] Sherry shares more about the kinds of people who might undergo each procedure (IVF and IUI) that she sees in her classes. [46:16] How does Sherry facilitate community building in her yoga classes? [54:17] Connect with Sherry and learn more from her via her website or on social media. [56:00] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation. [65:08] Shannon shares a podcast she recently listened to about the topic of fertility. Links: Sherry Longbottom on and Gratitude to our Sponsor, Quotes from this episode: "Movement is great for your body." "Just having that supportive group of women is key." "There's a lot of things that are out of our control, but at least in this class, the women do feel like they're doing everything that they can do." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/34777445

387: The Five Kleshas with Michelle Cassandra Johnson 12/30/2024

387: The Five Kleshas with Michelle Cassandra Johnson The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 387: The Five Kleshas with Michelle Cassandra Johnson Description: What lies at the root of all human suffering? How can we relieve our suffering and that of others? According to the yoga sutras, our suffering comes from five root causes, the five kelshas, and there are practices we can do to alleviate suffering. Michelle Cassandra Johnson has studied this topic in-depth and shares her insights. Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an author and activist. She has been a racial equity educator for 25 years and is also a yoga teacher, spiritual teacher, and practitioner. Michelle works with people 1:1 and in group settings to help them connect to their intuitive abilities and supports them within intuitive healing practices. Her latest book, Illuminating Our True Nature: Yogic Practices for Personal and Collective Healing, was released in July 2024 and focuses on the kleshas. Michelle explains what the five kleshas are, and how we see them showing up in our lives with examples. She shares her reflections on our interconnectedness with each other, nature, and the earth as well as why we have become so disconnected. Michelle offers some practices to help us lessen suffering individually and collectively, and how we can avoid contributing to suffering through our actions. Key Takeaways: [4:01] Shannon gives a shout-out to the sponsors, OfferingTree, and her own 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training. [4:01] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Michelle Cassandra Johnson. [7:12] What does Michelle do and who does she do it for? [10:54] How does Michelle define the kleshas? [13:41] Michelle introduces the five different kleshas. [18:11] Can all human suffering be distilled into the five kleshas? [23:50] Shannon and Michelle discuss how interconnected we are, not just to each other but to nature and the earth as well. [28:34] Shannon pops in to share about a workshop that Billie Smith is running, hosted by sponsor, OfferingTree. [30:38] Is avoiding suffering contributing to suffering? [37:52] Shannon and Michelle reflect on their connection to the earth and being in relationship with nature. [44:26] Some people are unable to see the disconnect in between different areas of their lives. How can we navigate that? [50:16] What are the ways that we can reduce or relieve suffering? [56:19] Which of the kleshas is the most challenging to address and what is a practice that can help? [62:02] Learn more from Michelle via her website, where you can get access to her books, workshops, and other resources. [64:52] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Michelle. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsors, , and . Quotes from this episode: "This is illuminating our true nature which speaks to the fact that we are nature and that so many of us have been conditioned to be divorced from nature as if it doesn't exist within us." - Michelle " This path calls us to study the root causes of suffering so that we suffer less. And ultimately,... become liberated, but it's not just about my liberation, it's about everyone's liberation." - Michelle "Am I also contributing to suffering by thinking, I'll just avoid this." - Shannon "If we're going to take action, we need to do it from a steady and a grounded place." - Michelle "The path of yoga in so many ways is about us shedding our conditioning and at a minimum, interrogating our conditioning and then shedding what is not aligned with nature." - Michelle "We have to understand why we suffer and how we suffer. ... It's an ongoing practice and study and it's a muscle to build." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/34542430

386: Weaponization of Yoga with Sheena Sood 12/16/2024

386: Weaponization of Yoga with Sheena Sood The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 386: Weaponization of Yoga with Sheena Sood Description: How can something like yoga, that is meant to be peaceful and focused on meditation and breath, be weaponized? How has it been co-opted by the far-right, colonizer projects, and Zionists? How does this show up in our yoga spaces and what can we do to address it? Dr. Sheena Sood shares her insights. Dr. Sheena Sood (PhD) is a Philadelphia-based activist, educator, sociologist, and healing justice visionary of South Asian descent. She is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Delaware Valley University in Pennsylvania and has studied yoga at Kailash Tribal School of Yoga in India. Her current research project is about Omwashing Yoga: Weaponized Spirituality in India, Israel, and the US, where she investigates the growing incorporation of yoga and mindfulness by far-right law enforcement, military, and vigilante groups. Sheena is also curates “Decolonizing Yoga” workshops through frameworks that recognize yoga’s oppressive layers and liberatory potential and is the founder and creative director of Yoga Warrior Tales, an interactive adventure-based educational program that teaches children yoga and mindfulness through a social justice lens. Sheena shares her perspective on the situation in Palestine and the reactions in the yoga world after October 7. She explains why this response of “om-washing” is not unexpected, and how we as yoga practitioners, teachers, and studios can counter harmful narratives to support Palestine. Sheena also has some words of encouragement and motivation for those of us doing the work and feeling exhausted, so be sure to tune in for some powerful insights. Key Takeaways: [3:14] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsors, OfferingTree and her own 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training. [4:26] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sheena Sood. [11:29] What does Sheena do and who does she do it for? [14:13] How can something like yoga, that is meant to be relaxing and focuses on breath and meditation, be weaponized? What is om-washing? [22:50] Sheena shares her experience of learning about the history of Palestine and how that influenced her interactions with IDF/IOF soldiers in her yoga teacher training. [29:14] Sheena shares her reflections on the video that was circulating of people practicing yoga in support of Israel. [34:42] How is om-washing showing up at a micro level? How does the weaponization of yoga show up in our yoga spaces and studios? [45:22] Shannon pops in with a message about the sponsor, OfferingTree. [49:11] Shannon and Sheena discuss how change can actually be created - it's not by trying to be nice. [54:13] What is Sheena's advice for people who have been taking action but are feeling discouraged or unmotivated that their efforts are making a difference? [62:37] Shannon and Sheena reflect on some of the images they have seen of Israeli soldiers practicing yoga after bombing homes in Gaza. [66:45] Learn more from Sheena on social media or via her website. [69:42] Sheena shares some closing thoughts. [71:26] Shannon shares her reflections from this conversation with Sheena, as well as a personal update. Links: Sheena Sood on Instagram: , Previous Podcast Episodes Related to the Topic Gratitude to our Sponsors, , and . Quotes from this episode: "Om-washing is the term for how the global far right and these ethnostates and cultural institutions use yoga as propaganda to make themselves look peaceful or liberatory to the public. But in fact, it's disguising their violent agendas." "If I'm doing yoga according to the ethics that I want to live up to, then yoga invites me to reckon with the violence my ancestors and my relatives might be participating in." "One of the ways in which these yoga studios participate in om-washing is in these unfortunate ways in which they think they're trying to be well-intentioned and decolonial, but they actually are only just doing this diversity and inclusion approach that is not actually anti-colonial and that is not anti-imperial." "No oppressed and formally colonized society has ever won a struggle against their oppressor simply through nonviolent, peaceful resistance." "I just want to encourage folks to not numb yourself as we continue to see these images and think they can't get any worse. Continue to find ways to let your heart feel what it is that you're witnessing." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/34417230

385: When the Yoga Teacher Stumbles with Jivana Heyman 12/02/2024

385: When the Yoga Teacher Stumbles with Jivana Heyman The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 385: When the Yoga Teacher Stumbles with Jivana Heyman Description: Have you ever been deeply disappointed in a yoga teacher, mentor, or celebrity? You are not alone. It is a common experience that many yoga teachers and practitioners go through, but how should we react? In this episode, Jivana Heyman joins Shannon to discuss how they deal with their feelings of grief and disappointment caused by folks in the yoga world. Jivana Heyman is a teacher, author, and advocate, well-known in the yoga community. He is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an international non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to yoga teachings for people of all abilities and backgrounds. He has authored multiple books and brings decades of experience as an advocate and teacher to this conversation. Shannon and Jivana discuss the complex topic of navigating a path forward when yoga teachers or mentors disappoint us. Whether through actions that fall short of our expectations, problematic behavior, or situations where trust is broken, these experiences can be deeply personal and disheartening. Jivana draws on his years of experience in teaching and his commitment to fostering compassionate and ethical yoga communities to share some deep insights and thoughtful reflections on tackling these moments with grace, understanding, and authenticity. This episode promises to inspire and empower yoga teachers and practitioners alike to approach disappointment with wisdom and resilience. Key Takeaways: [0:12] Have you ever been deeply disappointed in a yoga teacher, mentor, or celebrity? Shannon and Jivana are discussing their feelings of grief and disappointment in connection with folks in the yoga world. [2:33] Shannon introduces herself and gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors - OfferingTree and her 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training. [5:51] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jivana Heyman. [10:05] What's the newest thing in Jivana's world right now with his work and personal life? [15:12] It is common to be disappointed by yoga teachers or celebrities that we are learning from. Jivana and Shannon reflect on their experiences. [19:40] Can we separate the teacher from the teachings? Is it possible to find a distinction between yoga and the people we learned from? [21:26] Shannon shares an experience she had with a yoga teacher with a sizeable following just before the US elections. [27:35] A second part of that interaction Shannon had is that they seemed to stop speaking up because of capitalism. Jivana shares his perspective on Shannon's reaction and disappointment. [30:18] At what point do we call people out or call them in for the harm they are causing and how do we do that? [32:26] Shannon pops in with a message about the sponsor, OfferingTree. [36:00] Someone reached out to Shannon about wanting to call out a teacher they've been studying with who has said nothing about Palestine but has spoken up about other world events. What is the best way to navigate these situations? [42:43] What is Jivana's advice to a yoga teacher who is observing that their teachers or yoga celebrities they follow are not speaking up about the issues that are important to them? [47:46] It can feel like it takes a lot of energy to work in community. How should we approach this task of overcoming our differences to work towards a common goal? [55:14] Yoga doesn't always feel good. It's not the goal of a yoga practice to leave us in a "blissed out" state. [57:57] What would Jivana say to the yoga celebrity who is listening and having people ask them about not speaking up about social justice causes? [59:24] What would Jivana tell yoga teachers who feel like they are not doing enough right now? [65:48] What is Jivana's next book (his fourth) about? [66:34] What are some practices Jivana is using now for grieving the destruction that is happening to the earth and around the world? [71:51] Shannon shares some of the actions that she is taking to fight back against oppressive systems in the world. [73:17] Connect with and learn from Jivana via his website or Instagram. [74:26] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Jivana. Links: Previous Podcast Episodes with Jivana Heyman Gratitude to our Sponsors, , and . Quotes from this episode: "You know, we're all human, we're all trying our best." - Jivana "Where we always get stuck in life is the expectations. .... the expectation is what causes our suffering." - Jivana "Non-attachment is just freedom, that's what this is. Freedom from desire, freedom from being focused on the outcome." - Jivana "When you're giving someone feedback or criticism, try to be as nice as you can about it because we're mostly really insecure people." - Jivana "Direct communication is more effective with people." - Jivana "Don't let your emotions decide your life for you. Don't let emotions make the decision." - Jivana "We all have a lot of power in small ways that we don't recognize." - Jivana /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/34207260

384: Yoga for Election Grief with Shannon Crow 11/18/2024

384: Yoga for Election Grief with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 384: Yoga for Election Grief with Shannon Crow Description: Many people have shared that they are feeling numb, sad, scared, shocked, and powerless in light of the recent US election results. Shannon Crow has experienced similar feelings and shares her experience in the aftermath of the election results. Shannon relates an interaction she had with a yoga teacher that prompted her to turn inward and reflect and invites us to do the same. She also invites listeners who support Trump to reach out to have a conversation – in these divisive times, Shannon highlights the importance of remaining open to alternative perspectives, finding common ground, and still showing up to do the work we are here to do. If you are feeling grief, helplessness, despair, or fear, Shannon shares some inspiring and uplifting words from her community, as well as her strategies for continuing to move forward through this time. Regardless of where you live, where you are in the election cycle, or who is/has been elected to office, this episode can help you ground into the important things. Key Takeaways: [0:48] This episode was inspired by some powerful messages from friends and colleagues who were feeling so many emotions after the results of the US elections were announced. [3:15] Shannon introduces herself and gives a shout-out of thanks to the sponsors, OfferingTree and Shannon's 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training. [7:15] Shannon shares how she felt in the aftermath of the elections in the United States. [12:02] Shannon shares an anecdote of an interaction with a yoga teacher related to the elections in the US. [16:08] Shannon understands and empathizes with people who have fears about living in a country and a world where Trump is the President of the US. She seeks to hear from people who voted for him about their perspectives. [19:00] Shannon explains why the US elections are so relevant to her as a Canadian (and all of us) -- and why we should care about cultures and events in other countries outside our own. [24:49] Having someone like Trump voted in makes Shannon look inward and reflect on what part of her she needs to work on. [26:45] Shannon shares a bit about OfferingTree. [28:26] Some things have helped Shannon in the moment of despair she was feeling when she learned the news that Trump had been elected. [35:07] Next week on the podcast, Shannon will be holding some people accountable for their (in)action. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsors, , and . Quotes from this episode: "This episode was inspired by some powerful messages from friends and colleagues who were feeling so many emotions." "We talk yoga on this podcast and we talk politics because politics is part of yoga." "Education is the foundational strength of a country." "We need to ask what's underneath this if we really want to build safer communities for everyone." "Having someone like Trump elected in the US definitely does make me ask a lot more questions, but it also makes me look inward." "Do the work that you are here to do." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/33955357

383: Gift Certificate Policies & Questions with Shannon Crow 10/28/2024

383: Gift Certificate Policies & Questions with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 383: Gift Certificate Policies & Questions with Shannon Crow Description: What are the policies in your yoga business around gift certificates? If you don’t have them in place, this episode is the perfect starting point to get started thinking about creating some policies about gift certificates and more in your yoga business. Shannon shares a question that was asked in the Connected Yoga Teacher Group on Facebook about gift certificates. A member asked about whether they should honor an expired gift certificate given out during a silent auction or offer an alternative that shows compassion for the buyer’s circumstances. Shannon shares the feedback on the post and what the original poster decided to do. She also invites us to consider the policies we have in place in our yoga business, not just about gift certificates but in other areas as well. Shannon then shares a response she received on speaking up for social justice causes and other injustices. What can we do when it feels like our actions can’t make a difference? Tune in to be inspired by Shannon’s response. Key Takeaways: [0:10] This episode touches on two topics - the importance of community and support, and gift certificate policies. [3:46] Shannon gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors, OfferingTree and two of Shannon's trainings focused on yoga for pelvic health. [6:17] Have you joined the Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group yet? It is a wonderful and supportive community of over 12,000 members and yoga teachers from around the world! [7:13] Recently, a yoga teacher asked a question about policies around gift certificates and vouchers - holding a boundary around an expired voucher vs. offering a more compassionate alternative that benefits both parties. [11:24] Did you know that you can create gift cards and discount codes through OfferingTree? [13:23] It would be a great idea to review your policies about gift certificates before giving them out at a silent auction. Shannon shares what the original poster decided to do based on feedback from the community. [15:35] Some countries may have laws about expiration dates on gift certificates. It can be a good idea to consider some of the policies you have in place in your yoga business regarding gift certificates, as well as other areas. [18:15] Shannon shares a little about a response and a question that she received from a yoga teacher in a small rural community in the US about speaking up on social justice issues. [25:38] Keen to work with Shannon? Sign up for her email list to stay in the loop about her latest coaching offerings. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsors, , and . Quotes from this episode: "It would be so great to really review policies about gift certificates before giving them out." "We can't think of every policy that we'll have for everything in our business, but we might want to consider some of the policies." "What is the work that you're doing and is it helping the community in some way?" "As a collective, just like the aster flowers, we can make a tremendous difference together." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/33639347

382: Having Tough Conversations with Rebecca Sebastian 10/07/2024

382: Having Tough Conversations with Rebecca Sebastian The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 382: Having Tough Conversations with Rebecca Sebastian Description: Many yoga teachers are trying to navigate having tough conversations with their colleagues, friends, and families about many issues going on in the world today - from the genocide in Palestine to racism, from misogyny to cultural appropriation, and much more. These conversations are difficult but so important. Rebecca Sebastian joins Shannon Crow in this episode to discuss having tough conversations. Rebecca Sebastian is a long-time yoga teacher and 11-year yoga therapist. She owns an accessible and inclusivity-focused yoga studio and apothecary in Davenport, Iowa, called Sunlight Yoga + Apothecary, and is the host of the Working In Yoga Podcast. Rebecca is a passionate writer on yoga topics and she participates and loves all things yoga and the yoga industry. She believes that through writing and communication, we can all lift each other up and share what lights us up with the world. This episode came about because of a hard conversation between Rebecca and Shannon as friends when they realized that they were on the same journey but not on the same page about some things. They decided to share what it’s like to have difficult conversations with people you care about and are in relationship with, and how they have been navigating these chats. If you have been struggling with having tough conversations with people around you, you are not alone. Key Takeaways: [3:00] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsors - OfferingTree and Shannon's 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training. [4:56] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Rebecca Sebastian. This episode is more of a conversation between friends talking about what it's like to have hard conversations with each other than a typical podcast episode. [16:25] Rebecca invites us to give ourselves (and our former selves) and each other grace when having difficult conversations. [18:29] There are many different issues that yoga teachers could be having tough conversations about these days. Does this belong in yoga? [25:53] What are Rebecca's thoughts on yoga teachers who don't want to talk about "politics" in their classes? Shannon and Rebecca discuss the importance of consent in having hard conversations. [30:19] How should/can yoga teachers respond when yoga students bring tough conversations into yoga spaces? [36:38] Rebecca and Shannon discuss holding space for tough conversations and how they react when there are differences in fundamental beliefs or their moral compasses. [40:20] Shannon reflects on how she is reacting to witnessing the genocide in Palestine, which can feel like "too much" for some people. Rebecca shares her perspective. [46:08] It can be difficult to know how to respond when people who care about you give you unhelpful "advice". [48:58] Shannon pops in to share a message about OfferingTree. [51:27] Shannon and Rebecca diverge in their opinions about how they show up for the issues that matter on social media. [56:20] What has Shannon's experience on social media been like since October 7th? [61:20] Rebecca and Shannon discuss the shaming and "infighting" that tends to occur in social justice spaces. [64:53] What are some actions that are effective in supporting the causes we care about, like Palestine? [68:26] Rebecca talks about protesting as a strategy to effect change. [72:13 - 72:17] "I feel like we can struggle and care at the same time." [74:06] Shannon and Rebecca talk about the fact that many people are simply unaware of what is happening in Gaza and Palestine, but also that some people choose not to see it. [77:15] When it comes to difficult conversations, there are a lot of things to consider. What is Rebecca's advice to people who want to do the hard work but don't know where to start? [83:24] Shannon reflects on her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Rebecca. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsors, , and . Quotes from this episode: "I think we learn a lot from private conversations through friends about tough things." - Shannon "After those [tough] conversations you're like, wow, our friendship is way stronger, but on the flip side of it, when it starts to go sideways, it also can mean the end of a friendship." - Shannon "One of the best things about being able to have hard conversations with friends is that if you truly have respect [and a] friendship connection, the stakes feel a little bit lower because you ... can practice having hard conversations with people who are gonna be still in relationship with you at the end of those hard conversations." - Rebecca "To have conversations that are difficult, all parties should consent to that conversation." - Rebecca "How do we hold space for difficult conversations if we don't want to be in them?" - Rebecca "Every change is a long game. It is always a long game." - Rebecca "I also know that I show up for the work in my own community and that's my priority." - Rebecca "I can't care about everything, I can't. Otherwise I'm not gonna show up for the things that matter to me." - Rebecca /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/33333827

381: Making Yoga More Inclusive with Billie Smith 09/23/2024

381: Making Yoga More Inclusive with Billie Smith The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 381: Making Yoga More Inclusive with Billie Smith Description: How can we make yoga more inclusive? How do we make movement more accessible by adopting a different approach to yoga poses instead of a one-size-fits-all approach? What does it mean to teach in an anti-diet, queer-affirming way? Billie Smith shares their insights. Billie is a queer yoga/movement teacher, trauma/abuse/ED survivor who is disrupting the norm and going against the grain. They are dedicated to eliminating diet-culture, spiritual-bypassing and other excluding narratives from the yoga spaces they create, and helping their students learn to check in with how they feel instead of how they look. Through group classes, one-on-one sessions, and workshops, Billie leads with an open heart and strives to hold safe, inclusive space for folks seeking to move their bodies for emotional health, increase mobility and strength, and feel good in their body for longer. In this episode, Billie shares how they ended up doing work to combat diet culture messages and how they help people start checking in and listening to their bodies. They also share deep insights about letting go of control as teachers and how we can better empower our students to make the decisions that are best for them and their bodies in the moment. Billie also shares some tips on how we can create more inclusive yoga spaces and reflects on how social justice ties in with yoga. Key Takeaways: [0:07] Shannon briefly shares why she is so excited about this podcast! [3:53] Shannon gives a shout-out to the sponsors, OfferingTree and Shannon's 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training. [6:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Billie Smith. [12:59] What does Billie do and who do they do it for? [16:27] What led Billie to start on this journey of making sure their yoga spaces are inclusive and against diet culture? [21:33] Shannon and Billie discuss the common perception in yoga classes that the teacher knows the student's body better than they do. [24:12] One thing we can do as teachers is really reflect on what is the goal of each pose, and consider how else we can achieve the same benefits without the pose having to look a certain way. [26:49] Why is it such a gift when a student approaches a teacher thinking that the teacher knows more, but the teacher uses the opportunity to invite the student into a moment of self-inquiry? [30:49] Sometimes, we may have trouble letting go of control of what our students should be doing in our classes. What is Billie's advice to the teacher who may feel upset that a student is not following their lead? [36:58] Shannon pops in with a message of thanks for OfferingTree. [39:14] How can we make our classes more inclusive and accessible even if we don't have the lived experience? [46:48] What are Billie's thoughts that anything to do with social justice is out of our scope of practice as yoga teachers? [51:19] Get in touch with Billie via their website or check out their podcast, Rebel Movement Podcast. [54:13] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this episode. [56:48] What's next on the podcast? Links: Gratitude to our Sponsors, , and . Quotes from this episode: "The more I learned, the more I didn't want to go back to teaching in ways that I learned were not feeling very inclusive." "There are so many ways of adjusting how we approach postures that are not blaming the body for things that the body didn't do wrong." "If you think of it more of as an experiment, it's giving the student the power to make the choices about what feels best. It's sending the message that there's nothing wrong with their body. And it's also not a big deal if the posture is not fitting." "The thing that's gonna make the most impact is the actions rather than the words." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/33152412

380: Yoga for Stress Management with Radhika Mukhija 09/09/2024

380: Yoga for Stress Management with Radhika Mukhija The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 380: Yoga for Stress Management with Radhika Mukhija Description: We all live incredibly stressful lives, dealing with pressure from work, families, friends, and the political climate, on top of multiple crises around the world. It can all add up and leave us feeling stressed, burned out, exhausted, and overwhelmed. How can yoga and Ayurveda help us manage this stress? Radhika Mukhija is the founder of Holistic Prana. For over a decade, she has guided women on a regenerative journey to wellness, helping them connect with their innate wisdom, embody their true selves, and create fulfilling lives. With experience in health, life, and executive coaching, Radhika merges ancient and modern science to create a holistic approach that blends ancient wisdom with clinical sensibilities, including neuroscience and biohacking. Radhika shares how her mother’s cancer diagnosis inspired her to embark on this journey. She explains how she defines stress, the symptoms of chronic stress, and how yoga and Ayurveda can be useful tools to alleviate this stress. Shannon and Radhika also discuss creating consistent routines and rituals to nurture ourselves, finding balance, the role food plays in our well-being, dealing with “un-yogic” feelings like rage and frustration, and more. Key Takeaways: [0:21] Shannon shares something she recently re-learned. [3:51] Shannon gives a shout-out to the sponsors, OfferingTree and Shannon's 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training. [7:20] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Radhika Mukhija. [11:07] What does Radhika do and who does she do it for? [11:50] What got Radhika started in doing this work? [16:23] There are many different types of stress we experience. How does Radhika define stress? [20:03] How does stress manifest or show up? What are the signs we might be experiencing chronic stress? [22:49] How can we balance everything that is going on in the world - social justice movements, the after-effects of the pandemic, bearing witness to a genocide - on top of all the stresses of daily life? [28:11] What are some of the practices that Radhika shares to help people return to a place of restoration, peace, and balance? [32:29] Shannon pops in with a quick note about creating memberships and how OfferingTree can support you in that! [35:10] How can we distinguish between unplugging or going inward as a form of self-care to be able to be effective out in the world, versus something that is just ignoring things that are stressful? [48:04] How does Radhika introduce new practices to people knowing that they need to check in with themselves about what they need and people often don't like to be told what to do? [53:14] Connect with Radhika via Instagram or learn more from her via her courses and upcoming book! [58:07] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Radhika. [64:18] Join the Facebook group to become part of a supportive community of yoga teachers and do leave a review for the podcast too! [65:39] Shannon shares a message from a podcast listener. Links: Eating Disorders Education and Anti-Diet Podcasts Gratitude to our Sponsors, , and . Quotes from this episode: "There's good stress and bad stress." "How do we just shut the noise of what people are telling us to do or what the books are asking us to do and how do we really get in tune with our inner wisdom?" "How do we balance all of this? We need to begin with ourselves and what we can control... it has to come from a place where we, not just our body, but our mind is in a state of balance and homeostasis." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/32953712

379: Chakras with Indu Arora 08/19/2024

379: Chakras with Indu Arora The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 379: Chakras with Indu Arora Description: Chakras are a part of yoga, but a lot of us in the yoga world are not familiar with it. We may feel uncomfortable discussing chakras or may have a very limited understanding. In this episode, Indu Arora shares her expertise and insights about chakras. Indu Arora is the founder and Director of Yog Sadhna. She is a yoga and Ayurveda teacher, mentor, and author, based out of the USA. Indu has been sharing simple, effective, practical, and grounded ways of living life through Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Meditation, and Ayurveda since 1999. She also offers in-person and virtual training sessions that focus on a holistic approach where body and mind are integrated with the inner Self. Indu explains what chakras are, how they are related to yoga, the different texts in the yoga tradition that talk about chakras, and how we can access this information. Indu also clears up some common misconceptions about the chakras, and shares her personal experience in learning about and experiencing chakras. If you feel like teaching chakras is challenging, Indu has some tips on how we can make chakras more accessible and beginner-friendly, and so much more. Key Takeaways: [3:10] Shannon gives a shout-out to sponsors, OfferingTree and Shannon's 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training. [5:35] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Indu Arora. [9:06] How should we pronounce the word "chakras"? [9:58] What are chakras? [13:26] Indu explains a little bit more about where the idea of color and qualities of chakras comes from. [18:42] What are some texts to learn more about chakras? [25:50] How would Indu explain chakras to someone completely new to the idea? [30:21] Shannon pops in to share some big news from OfferingTree. [32:28] Shannon and Indu discuss why teaching or sharing about the chakras can feel like a challenge. Indu explains another way to visualize the chakras. [41:18] How has learning about or experiencing chakras impacted Indu's life and yoga practice? [51:39] Learn more from Indu on her Instagram, her website, and her trainings. [55:55] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this episode. [57:35] Hang out with Shannon in real-time in Pelvic Health Professionals. [58:55] Shannon gives a personal update about an incident that occurred a few weeks ago. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsors, , and . Quotes from this episode: "Because what happens is when we learn one thing a certain way, we also get fixated by that certain way." "Don't use knowledge just for verbal karate. Let there be a reason you have learned things a certain way." "It's so important... to keep our mind open that there is more and we don't need to know everything that is more, but we need to keep space for more." "One of the most important teachings in yoga is vairagya, let go, detach. So you have to have the courage to let go because there is more." "The goal of yoga is yoga. Let's not forget that." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/32617322

378: Embodied Leadership with Sumaya K. Owens 08/05/2024

378: Embodied Leadership with Sumaya K. Owens The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 378: Embodied Leadership with Sumaya K. Owens Description: Being a leader is challenging. From making tough decisions to guiding others, it demands a lot from us and it can be difficult to make the right choices. As yoga teachers, how can we ethically show up as leaders while also being aware of our own power and privilege? Sumaya K. Owens shares their insights. Sumaya K. Owens is the founder of Present Moment Media where they help uplift the voices of changemakers by using content marketing as a tool for social & cultural impact. Sumaya has nearly 20 years of professional experience in the health and wellness field and is a trauma-informed yoga teacher and ayurvedic health coach. They currently teach weekly virtual yoga classes for Burmese students living in a military coup in Bago, Myanmar, as well as offer workshops, trainings, and retreats on mindfulness, stress management, and trauma-informed practices for business and nonprofit leaders. As a community leader, Sumaya serves as the DEI Co-Chai for the local chapter of AIGA Asheville, and the lead organizer for the Embodied Leadership Meetup in Asheville. In this episode, Sumaya explains what embodied leadership means, why it is so important for leaders to check in with their bodies when making decisions, and some tools to integrate this into our leadership playbooks. Sumaya also talks about how to show up for hard conversations and how to balance speaking up for causes we care about while being mindful of the impact we have on our followers and students. Shannon and Sumaya also discuss the need for a supportive community and community care, particularly in these divisive and polarizing times. Key Takeaways: [3:16] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals. [5:52] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sumaya K. Owens. [8:05] What does Sumaya do and who do they do it for? [9:13] How did Sumaya get into their line of work? [11:00] What does embodied leadership mean? [12:22] Working in the health and wellness space doesn't necessarily mean that the job is relaxing or stress-free. Sumaya explains why it is important for leaders to check in with their physical bodies when making big decisions. [17:09] What advice does Sumaya have for leaders who might feel like they are struggling to be embodied leaders? [20:25] What does it mean to have privilege and power? [24:01] What defines a leader? [25:52] Shannon reflects that the yoga world has been largely silent in the face of many injustices happening around the world, most noticeably with regards to Palestine. What are Sumaya's thoughts on this? [31:40] We may not be able to stay up to date with all the injustices and news events that are taking place around the world, but we can hold space for one another with compassion and love. [34:43] How can yoga teachers balance wanting to keep their posts on social media positive and helpful, while still sharing about causes they care about that may be triggering or upsetting to others? [39:03] Shannon pops in to share some exciting news from OfferingTree. [41:26] What is lacking in the conversation around embodied leadership in the yoga world? [46:21] What are some of Sumaya's favorite resources to learn about nonviolent communication? [48:40] What advice does Sumaya have for yoga teachers who may be thinking about starting a support group for other yoga teachers and entrepreneurs in their area to learn about and practice embodied leadership? [51:32] How can we get into a more embodied state when it comes to making big decisions in our businesses?\ [55:12] Find out more about Sumaya and their work on social media and join their Facebook group. [59:05] Sumaya shares a few concluding thoughts about community care. [61:07] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Sumaya. [62:40] Shannon talks about some of the guest expert calls in Pelvic Health Professionals Links: Sumaya K. Owens on and Gratitude to our Sponsors, , , and . Quotes from this episode: "Embodied leadership is the practice of turning your attention towards the physical body and sensations while in a position of power or privilege." "As a leader, I am in a position of power. I am in a position of privilege and it is my responsibility to be incredibly aware of how I'm using that for the benefit of others." "Every yoga teacher is a leader. ... The whole context of being a teacher means that your students are looking to you for guidance, they're looking to you for support, and that puts you in a position of power." "As embodied leaders, it's also a responsibility to show up in the community and be calm and compassionate and caring, human beings who take care of each other and know how to have hard conversations without lashing out at each other, without blaming each other." "What feels really important to me is that as yoga teachers and as leaders that we have values and that we know what they are and that we stand up for what we believe in and especially if it's something that's really aligned with our brand or our organization, our vision for the business or nonprofit that we run." "One of the best things that we can do as leaders is know when we don't have all the answers and ask for help because that means we'll be more effective in the work that we're doing." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/32424792

377: Cultivating Contentment with Mary Flaherty 07/22/2024

377: Cultivating Contentment with Mary Flaherty The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 377: Cultivating Contentment with Mary Flaherty Description: Amid so many negative things currently happening in the world, it can feel challenging to remain positive and be content with ourselves and our lives. How do we cultivate contentment? Is it possible? Is it important? What are some scientifically proven strategies we can adopt to navigate the ups and downs of life? Mary Flaherty shares more. Mary Flaherty has over 30 years of experience as a psychologist and is a highly experienced university lecturer and curriculum developer. She has worked in Australia, Japan, Ireland, and the U.K and is also a researcher with published findings reported in TIME magazine. Her specific fields of interest include positive psychology, sleep, stress and anxiety management, meditation/mindfulness, and yoga. Mary has also been a yoga teacher for over 20 years. In this episode, Mary shares more about her background, why she started studying contentment, and how it is different from happiness. She also talks about her new book "Keys to Contentment - from Science, Monks and My Mother", sharing practical tips about how to be content and manage challenging situations. Mary explains some aspects of how the brain works that might help us when life is hard and highlights why being positive is so important. Key Takeaways: [2:30] Stand a chance to win one of two copies of Mary Flaherty's book in this episode's giveaway! [3:40] Shannon gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals. [5:42] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Mary Flaherty. [10:18] What inspired Mary to write a book about contentment and the science behind it? [13:47] Why did Mary decide to include her mother in talking about the keys to contentment? [21:53] What are some scientifically proven strategies that help with contentment? [35:53] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree. [37:56] How do we find Santosha in these challenging times we are living through? How do we balance being positive and grateful while holding space for what's happening to others around us? [42:20] Mary highlights why it is so important for us to become aware of our cognitive biases. [46:00] What is our role as yoga teachers when our students share with us the struggles they are facing? [52:54] What are some other things Mary hopes people would know about leading a more contented life? [63:03] Shannon and Mary discuss how useful it can be to slow down and notice the details of life. [65:08] Get your copy of Mary's book on Amazon, Kindle, Audible, and iTunes. Connect with her on Instagram as well. [66:08] What is one small thing you can try if you feel like you are far from reaching contentment? [67:16] Shannon reflects on her conversation with Mary. [71:22] Shannon shares about some of the guest expert calls available in Pelvic Health Professionals. [74:05] Shannon relates an experience she had recently that has been weighing on her. Links: Mary Flaherty on , , and ) Gratitude to our Sponsors, , , and . Quotes from this episode: "Contentment really is the idea of internal balance." "Contentment is sustainable again through the storms of life, it endures in difficulty." "Nurture those social connections because they really will help us to be more content, to be less anxious, to be happier." "The only way we can counteract cruelty is not with cruelty. It's with care." "Yoga is a wonderful tool, especially when life offers us very challenging circumstances." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/32233412

376: Collective Care Over Individualistic Self-Care with Muna Shakour 07/08/2024

376: Collective Care Over Individualistic Self-Care with Muna Shakour The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 376: Collective Care Over Individualistic Self-Care with Muna Shakour Description: The massacre and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza have been going on for months now, and other genocide emergencies are simultaneously taking place around the world. Yet, many (especially in the health and wellness industry), still refuse to speak up, choosing instead to prioritize their safety and comfort over the need for liberation and freedom for all oppressed people. Muna Shakour shares her perspective as a Palestinian with family in the West Bank about shifting from focusing on self-care to looking at collective care. Muna Shakour is a personal development coach who accidentally became an activist after the events in Gaza started. Her coaching practice has evolved over the years, from a Parenting Coach for parents of children 8 years and younger to coaching small business owners and coaches on how to grow their businesses and personal brands online to attract their ideal clients. Muna also offers corporate training focused on self-reflection and developing soft skills for leadership. Since October 7, Muna has been actively speaking out against the atrocities happening in Gaza and Palestine, sharing information and drawing attention to the situation there. Muna talks about her work before October 7, 2023 and how she gets nervous about talking about her “work” now. She highlights the relationship we have with all people, the earth, and all creatures, and why we need to focus on caring for the collective “we” instead of focusing solely on self-care for “me”. Muna shares very honestly about the emotions she is experiencing and how that influences her decisions in who to connect with, hire, and support. She also offers some suggestions about how to navigate working for a company that won’t allow you to speak up and how to continue running your online business alongside speaking up for peace and justice. Key Takeaways: [3:29] Shannon gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals. [6:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Muna Shakour. [10:35] What does Muna do and who does she do it for? She shares more about her professional journey and how she "accidentally" became an activist. [21:04] Shannon and Muna discuss what it has been like for them to encounter people in the wellness world who say they don't have the capacity to care about everything, especially when they have been increasingly involved in social justice movements in the past few years. [28:35] A lot of us have been feeling a lot of anger and grief. We need to find productive ways to channel that energy. [31:23] How can we be more careful with who we choose to work with and where we give our money to ensure that our values are aligned? [37:48] Shannon pops in to share a little bit about OfferingTree. [40:06] What are Muna's thoughts on when someone says something online that is harmful or hurtful, but it's because they still have some learning to do? [44:39] Muna shares a little about what it's like being a Palestinian and having to avoid mentioning her identity for various reasons. [47:09] We can use our privilege to start speaking up about Palestine and exercise our empathy to imagine what must be like for Palestinians. [53:19] In the health and wellness space, a lot of people try hard not to post political things. Shannon and Muna discuss how they're changing people's minds about this stance. [58:11] Muna shares her dream of people mobilizing en masse to demand change. [63:33] Palestine has become a measure of what we will stand for and what we will not allow. [66:44] What would Muna say to a yoga teacher who has not spoken up till now and is wondering how to do so now? [73:33] We have to speak out even louder because we have privilege and clout that others don't. [80:40] Shannon shares some of her reflections from this conversation with Muna. [81:59] Shannon talks about some of the upcoming events in Pelvic Health Professionals and upcoming episodes of the podcast. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsors, , , and . Quotes from this episode: "Because the focus was so much on the self, we lost that feeling of community and the good of the collective versus the individual." "There's always a relationship between us and nature and the universe and earth and the world and people." "This is the future. The future is you're not following just for the advice. You're following the person, their personal brand, of course, with all of the marketing, but the values of this person and it needs to shine through." "I imagine if I'm a mom there, how would I want people on the outside to be?" "My personal opinion is you can still do work and talk about Palestine and they can even both be done at the same time." "What will you stand for and what will you not allow?" "This whole idea of the separateness is what's hurting us all. We have to remember that we are connected and relationships are the most important thing." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/32007367

375: Why Marketing is Different Now with Tristan Katz & Brooke Monaghan 06/24/2024

375: Why Marketing is Different Now with Tristan Katz & Brooke Monaghan The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 375: Why Marketing is Different Now with Tristan Katz & Brooke Monaghan Description: How do we market our work in times of collective distress and unrest? How can we show up for our business, our audience, and ourselves in a way that is aligned with our values? Two incredible entrepreneurs in the online space share more about how to navigate being a business owner in our current context - Brooke Monaghan and Tristan Katz. Brooke Monaghan is the founder of Fruition Growth Network, a collaborative platform providing accessible, quality support to self-employed folks and bringing people together to find power in community. Brooke acts as a trusted advisor to founders and leaders who value impact, integrity, and relationships and are on a mission to set things straight in their industry. Her work focuses on the intersection of wellbeing and bottom line, guiding do-gooder lifestyle business owners to intentionally design profitable businesses around their values and their desired lifestyle. Tristan Katz is a writer, educator, digital strategist, and equity-inclusion facilitator. They specialize in content marketing strategies for justice-focused leaders and queer-trans Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) training and consulting. Tristan’s intention is to share this work with an anti-oppression and intersectional lens. Tristan was named one of Yoga Journal’s 2021 Game Changers and he is proud to have spent several years serving on the Board of Directors at Accessible Yoga before the non-profit dissolved in early 2024. Brooke and Tristan explain how marketing has changed since the early days of online business and why values matter so much to customers now. They also address using AI in marketing, how to change our strategies when it comes to marketing, and why following a cookie-cutter marketing plan probably isn’t going to work for your yoga business – as well as what you can do instead. Key Takeaways: [3:04] Shannon gives a shout-out of thanks to sponsors OfferingTree, Summer Biz Camp, and Pelvic Health Professionals. [7:05] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Tristan Katz and Brooke Monaghan. [10:54] What do Tristan and Brooke do and who do they do it for? [14:44] Tristan and Brooke have a podcast together - be sure to check out Reimagining Online Business. [15:58] A lot of yoga teachers are feeling like they don't know how to market to students in the current environment. Brooke shares some of the trends in marketing in 2024. [20:44] Tristan reflects on how new the internet is in the human experience and how that influences and impacts us as business owners and humans. [28:06] Brooke explains that many of us in the online business space have lost sight of doing business with people. Strategies that work for more established business owners may not work for us. [31:50] Tristan contextualizes Brooke's perspective for how it could apply to yoga teachers. [36:00] Shannon pops in with a message about OfferingTree. [37:46] What are some ways to really connect with people in our audience? Brooke suggests experimenting with being real with your audience and tuning into your intuition. [42:02] Tristan brings up the fact that all businesses are struggling right now, and marketing to people is simply not as easy as it used to be. [45:51] It's a lot easier to be consistent when you're not trying to force yourself to do it the right way and you're allowing yourself to show up and be real. [46:47] We can pay attention to trends, but in a loose, non-attached way, and instead try to make them our own or put our own spin on them. [48:31] Shannon and Brooke reflect on how they feel being marketed to, as consumers. [49:49] Tristan highlights how important it is now for yoga teachers to find their niche - find what really sets them apart from others [52:47] Shannon talks about how she is showing up in her business, talking both about topics related to running a yoga business but also what is currently going on in the world. [54:09] Marketing assets can be useful, but we also need content that has a finger on the pulse on how your audience is feeling or what they are experiencing.. [56:01] What advice do Brooke and Tristan have for yoga teachers when it feels like they just can't show up? [62:00] Don't gaslight yourself into thinking you should figure out a way to do something when you don't have the capacity to do it or have the money to invest. [64:46] Learn more about how to repurpose content and get access to other trainings and workshops on the Fruition Growth Network. [65:57] When people are trying to sell you strategies or pathways to success, we have to be discerning. [70:14] Brooke and Tristan share some final closing thoughts. [72:12] Shannon shares her reflections from this conversation with Brooke and Tristan. [80:13] Shannon talks about the latest call in the Pelvic Health Professionals membership site that you can listen to and some upcoming calls. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsors, , , and . Quotes from this episode: "Consumers right now are looking to see companies' values to make their buying decisions." - Brooke "For those of us who are values-led business owners, right now is an opportunity to lead with that more than ever." - Brooke "We have to overcome the fear of speaking because we have to show up as humans in our work to reach humans who are tired of the internet." - Tristan "The most strategic thing that you can do right now is think critically about who your people are." - Brooke "If I'm grieving and angry or whatever it is, I'm sure other people are probably too. How can we bring that approach into our businesses and our marketing?" - Tristan "We are in a moment of experimentation and trying to figure things out." - Brooke "It's a lot easier to be consistent when you're not trying to force yourself to do it the right way and you're allowing yourself to show up and be real." - Brooke "What I'm saying is we do need marketing assets. We also need so much more than marketing assets." - Tristan /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/31812927

374: Teaching Yoga to Busy Parents with Naomi Gottlieb-Miller 06/10/2024

374: Teaching Yoga to Busy Parents with Naomi Gottlieb-Miller The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 374: Teaching Yoga to Busy Parents with Naomi Gottlieb-Miller Description: How can busy parents find time for yoga in the midst of all the things they are juggling? How can yoga teachers make yoga more accessible to parents who are facing time scarcity? Naomi Gottlieb-Miller shares how her yoga practice changed when she became a parent and how she now uses this knowledge to share yoga with other parents. Naomi is a mover, a maker, and a mom of 3 kids. She has been teaching yoga and movement since 2005 and is known for classes that are creative, playful, and strong. Naomi specializes in teaching short classes that pack a punch, making sure you can easily squeeze your daily movement into whatever pockets in your day you happen to have. On her website, Naomi offers classes that are 5 to 30 minutes to ensure busy parents (and anyone else short of time) can incorporate movement into their day, no matter what. Naomi opens up about how her yoga practice changed drastically when she became a parent, and how that inspired her to teach much shorter classes online which can be just as good or even better than longer yoga classes! She shares how she has found success in her yoga business offering shorter classes, and highlights the importance of removing barriers that keep people from coming to yoga. Shannon and Naomi also discuss how we don’t all have the same amount of time, the high expectations we put on ourselves as parents and as yoga teachers, the double standards society sometimes puts on parents, and more. Whether you are a parent who struggles to find time for your movement practice on top of your hectic schedule or you work with parents who tell you they don’t have time for yoga, this is a great episode. Key Takeaways: [0:37] Shannon introduces the topic for this episode - yoga and parenthood. [3:43] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree, Summer Biz Camp, and Pelvic Health Professionals. [7:20] Claire Holloway, a member of Pelvic Health Professionals, shares a little about her experience in the membership. [10:11] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Naomi Gottlieb-Miller. [12:26] What does Naomi do and who does she do it for? [18:15] Shannon reflects on her own parenting journey and how time felt scarce for her when her children were young. [20:42] It can be hard for moms or parents to shake off societal expectations. [26:39] What is Naomi's advice to yoga teachers who are struggling to find time for their own practice, and what can that self-practice look like? [32:21] Naomi offers a 5-minute practice for an entire month. [34:06] Taking away expectations and limiting your daily practice can make it feel more accessible. [34:38] Shannon pops in to share a little about OfferingTree. [36:09] What is one thing a busy parent or parent with an overstimulated nervous system could do to get started? [40:04] What are some of Naomi's recommendations for people who are feeling low on energy and need motivation? [46:07] How does Naomi charge for her classes, considering that they are relatively short? [49:13] Naomi highlights that longer classes can be a barrier for many parents who simply don't have the time or resources to make that commitment. [52:21] Shannon and Naomi discuss why people might feel hesitant about shorter classes. [58:28] Get in touch with Naomi and learn more from her via her website and social media channels. [59:32] Shannon reflects on how Naomi has been showing up and speaking up for peace in these difficult times, and her own process of dealing with grief after witnessing horrific news from Gaza. [66:14] Shannon shares some details of upcoming calls inside Pelvic Health Professionals. Links: Naomi Gottlieb-Miller on , , and Gratitude to our Sponsors, , , and . Quotes from this episode: "Whatever I am doing for myself to move is good. It does not have to be 60 minutes or 30 minutes or even 10 minutes. It can be really short. And if that makes my body feel good, that is enough." "Another thing that can be so hard actually, is that if our expectations for our practice are really high, ...we're never going to get anything done." "Why are we putting value judgments on the length of time?" "Your home practice does not need to look like the classes that you teach. Your home practice should look like what you need." "We just need to reframe what we think is necessary for both home practice and what we teach." "Motivation is fickle." "We want to assign so much more power to yoga and to movement because we want things to be miracle fixes." "I don't necessarily think that a 15-minute practice means that you're rushing things." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/31655007

373: Yoga Philosophy for Parenthood with Claire Holloway 05/27/2024

373: Yoga Philosophy for Parenthood with Claire Holloway The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 373: Yoga Philosophy for Parenthood with Claire Holloway Description: How can yoga philosophy support people in their parenthood or caregiving journey? Are the ancient yogic teachings still applicable to modern life? Claire Holloway shares insights about how we can tap into the wisdom of yoga philosophy to guide our actions as we navigate this phase of life. Claire is the founder of The Centre of Bright Beginnings. She offers yoga, corrective exercise, and educational support for those embarking upon or moving through the journey of matresence – conception, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. Her work supports not only those identifying as mothers but also parents, caregivers, and parents-to-be. She studies and shares yoga through the lens of her personal experiences of becoming and being a mother. In this episode, Claire reflects on her own postpartum journey and the challenges she faced that led her to do the work she does now. She breaks down how we can apply the teachings of ancient yoga philosophy to life today as parents, and shares practical tips on integrating yoga philosophy into our day-to-day activities. Claire also shares how we can moderate our energy as parents when so much of it goes to our children, how to avoid comparing ourselves with the “perfect parents” on social media, the many decisions that are connected to parenting and birthing, and more. This is such a rich discussion for anyone who is a parent, future parent, caregiver, or if you support or know parents in your life. Key Takeaways: [0:06] This episode is about how yoga philosophy can support you as a parent or in some other capacity as a caregiver. [3:41] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals - and Shannon has some big news about Pelvic Health Professionals. [9:11] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Claire Holloway. [13:25] What is the work that Claire does and who does she do it for? [17:02] What was Claire's postpartum journey like and what inspired her to focus on this time with parents? [21:44] Things have changed a lot since yoga philosophy was written. How does it still apply to parenting today? [25:44] How does Claire start to bring in yoga philosophy when talking to brand new parents? [30:57] With social media, it is easy to compare ourselves to others and feel like we're not living a perfect life or being perfect parents. Shannon and Claire discuss how yoga philosophy can support us in those times. [37:22] What other parts of yoga philosophy have supported Claire in her own parenting journey? [41:09] What are some of the challenges new parents are facing now? [48:15] Shannon and Claire discuss tapas and how that can show up in parenting. [50:52] Birth trauma can be a big part of the parenting experience. How does Claire help people navigate that? [55:46] Many new parents deal with a sense of isolation, even more so when they feel they are not living up to societal ideals. Claire speaks a little to this point. [57:27] Learn more about Claire and her work via her website. [61:03] Shannon reflects on her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Claire. [62:47] Shannon shares some of the upcoming calls inside Pelvic Health Professionals, as well as how things are changing with the membership. [67:12] Link - Shulamit episode [68:18] Link - Claire's post Links: Claire Holloway on and Previous Episodes on Yoga Philosophy (Discount Code: 30offclaire) Gratitude to our Sponsors, and . Quotes from this episode: "It's just highlighting that there never is pro-balance and that we can stop beating ourselves up for not actually achieving much... Even that simple awareness can bring more compassion to ourselves. " "The more out of control things feel, the more we cling to whatever we feel that we can control." "One of the really underlying themes is about um taking the right action as opposed to stopping and not acting because of the fear." "Yoga is about the opposite of that, about coming back from separation and isolation towards connection and community and unity." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/31454822

372: Grow a Private Yoga Business with Dominique Gauthier 05/13/2024

372: Grow a Private Yoga Business with Dominique Gauthier The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 372: Grow a Private Yoga Business with Dominique Gauthier Description: Wondering how you can teach more one-on-one yoga? Curious if it is possible to turn 1:1 yoga classes into a full time business? Teaching yoga 1:1 and growing a yoga business teaching private yoga classes is not something that is covered in yoga teacher trainings but is so important! Dominique Gauthier shares how she has built a successful yoga business with 1:1; sessions. Dominique is a highly skilled and passionate yoga teacher, personal trainer, core & pelvic floor specialist. She is the owner of Body Mind Fitness based in London (Lambeth) Ontario. Dominique is dedicated to helping clients of all ages and fitness levels achieve their health and wellness goals, with a comprehensive approach to fitness that focuses on building strength, increasing flexibility, and improving overall health and well-being. She is a certified Core and Pelvic Floor Specialist, helping clients overcome common issues related to core and pelvic floor dysfunction, and works with clients in-person and virtually in private sessions and personalized small group classes for clients all over the world. Dominique explains how she is able to make a living teaching only yoga. She shares how she advertises online to get new students, what her schedule is like, and how she teaches both in-person and online private yoga. Dominique also highlights how she managed the transition and why moving from teaching group classes to private yoga is not a quick shift. If you’ve been wanting to add more 1:1 yoga classes to your schedule, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: [0:06] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode - teaching 1:1 yoga. [3:58] Shannon introduces herself and gives a shout out to the podcast sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals. [8:42] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Dominique Gauthier. [12:27] What does Dominique do and who does she do it for? [15:28] Dominique shares more about how teaching one-on-one yoga is her main source of income. [17:04] What was Dominique's process of marketing when she made the transition from teaching group classes to focusing on 1:1 classes? [21:43] Dominique still offers consultation calls to potential students who might be interested in her services. [24:24] Does Dominique teach 1:1 online or in person? [24:48] Dominique explains how she structures working with 1:1 student, from the time they book a consultation call. [27:38] If you're looking for an all-in-one software option, OfferingTree is the solution! [30:36] Shannon and Dominique discuss the pricing of her 1:1 classes. [31:11] What is Dominique's advice for a yoga teacher who is looking to make the switch to teaching more 1:1 yoga in their business? [34:23] Dominique and Shannon share some inspiring anecdotes about why they do they work that they do. [36:15] How does Dominique manage scheduling her 1:1 yoga sessions? [39:21] There are ebbs and flows and busy periods and slow periods, even with teaching 1:1 yoga. Dominique reflects on how she manages these ups and downs in her yoga business. [41:03] Find out more about Dominique and her work at her website and on social media. [42:23] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Dominique. [44:58] Shannon shares a review from a member of Pelvic Health Professionals. [46:52] Check out the upcoming live calls in Pelvic Health Professionals. Links: Dominique Gauthier on and Previous Episodes on Private Yoga (Get a free month using the code Connected2024) Gratitude to our Sponsors, and . Quotes from this episode: "I really shied away from the idea of talking about 1 to 1 services and possibly part of that was a little bit of imposter syndrome." "I find that especially as an entrepreneur, people want to know who you are as a person and that way they might trust you." "For the most part, I try to give them that face-to-face, putting a face to a name. And I think it shows that you're going the extra mile for them." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/31260482

371: Organizing a Yoga Retreat with Checka Antifonario 04/29/2024

371: Organizing a Yoga Retreat with Checka Antifonario The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 371: Organizing a Yoga Retreat with Checka Antifonario Description: Have you thought about hosting a yoga retreat for a day, a week-end or longer? Retreats are a great way for yoga teachers to provide a new, more immersive experience to their students but planning and executing a yoga retreat can be challenging. Checka Antifonario shares her thoughts as an experienced retreat planner and host. Checka Antifonario is the founder of Yogaway, and she has been guiding yoga and mindfulness classes, workshops and retreats since 2008. She is deeply committed to maintaining a welcoming, inclusive, and grounded space for practice and community. When Checka is not teaching near home or online through her digital platform Anyday Yogaway, she journeys throughout the United States and abroad, leading weekend and week-long retreats. Checka also supports yoga teachers through her mentorship program for new or evolving Yoga teachers, as well as an in-depth retreat planner training. Off of the mat, she is passionate about being in nature and spending time with her dogs, goats and family! Checka shares insights about the fundamentals of planning and organizing a yoga retreat. She gives tips on how to choose a venue for the retreat, the ideal group size, and things to consider when pricing the retreat. Checka also offers an insider view of how to organize a retreat schedule as well as how to build community among the participants of the retreat. If you have been contemplating hosting a retreat but aren’t sure how to get started, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: [3:23] This episode is made possible by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals. [5:25] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Checka Antifonario. [9:54] What does Checka do and who does she do it for? [12:06] What is step 1 when it comes to planning a retreat? [16:19] What are some tips Checka would give to a yoga teacher who needs to clarify their driving force for hosting a retreat? [20:10] How long should a retreat be, especially for the first retreat that you host? [23:42] What are some elements we might consider when planning the retreat schedule? [27:07] What kind of group size should we be aiming for? What should the ratio of leaders or teachers to people attending the retreat be like?\ [30:09] Shannon pops in with a quick tip about how OfferingTree can support you in hosting retreats in your community or around the world! [32:12] Checka and Shannon discuss pricing for retreats. There can be a big difference in costs between hosting your retreat at a retreat center vs self-hosting a retreat!\ [38:07] Checka shares some of her experience in terms of managing logistics, coordinating with retreat centers, and handling insurance. [40:41] What are some hiccups that we could run into while planning and hosting a retreat? [46:30] How can we form community and connections while we are on a retreat? [52:14] Learn more about hosting yoga retreats from Checka by connecting with her via her website or on social media. [53:04] Checka shares some final thoughts for yoga teachers who are feeling inspired to plan a retreat. [55:36] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Checka about hosting retreats. [59:00] Shannon shares a review about the yoga series with Tyler Arnason in Pelvic Health Professionals. [60:18] Check out all the different yoga series available in Pelvic Health Professionals with a free month of membership! [62:27] Shannon shares some final reflections about yoga and social justice. Links: Checka Antifonario on and (Get a free month using the code Connected2024) Gratitude to our Sponsors, and . Quotes from this episode: "Just finding your own most authentic way toward building community because that's really the foundational piece that will make offering and running retreats so much less intimidating [and] a little smoother when you get to that process." "What is your mission with the retreat?" "Where I'm going to pour my passion and love and energy is where things are going to thrive, and with retreats, I think that's really, really true." "Group size is very important because I do believe it affects the dynamic of things quite a bit." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/30987278

370: Is Email Marketing Dead? with Meg Sangimino 04/15/2024

370: Is Email Marketing Dead? with Meg Sangimino The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 370: Is Email Marketing Dead? with Meg Sangimino Description: Many of us are struggling with overflowing email inboxes and receive ever more emails daily. In this context, is email marketing still a relevant tool that can help your yoga business? How can yoga teachers use email marketing effectively? Meg Sangimino some insights. Meg Sangimino is a yoga teacher and business expert. Her expertise is in helping wellness professionals implement sustainable business strategies. With a background in project engineering and a passion for wellness, Meg is your go-to for implementing essential (and efficient) systems that underlie a business that nourishes, supports, and fulfills the lifestyle that you want without spinning your wheels on social media or having constant technology headaches. If you don’t already have an email list, you may be wondering where to start. Meg shares tips for effective lead magnets and freebies, and explains why email marketing doesn’t have to be cringe-inducing. She also gives some ideas about what to email your list, suggestions on how often to email them, and trends when it comes to effective email marketing for yoga teachers. Key Takeaways: [3:16] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals. [5:10] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Meg Sangimino. [9:39] What does Meg do and who does she do it for? [10:18] Why do people cringe when they think about email marketing? [11:20] There is a lot of value in the content yoga teachers create to market themselves, and sometimes they may not realize that. [13:25] People go to social media for a different purpose than their email inboxes. [15:55] How can yoga teachers get started with email marketing? [19:23] If you have a freebie or lead magnet and nobody is signing up for your list, you could have two problems: 1) nobody is seeing it, 2) nobody wants it. [23:11] Do not be discouraged if you put something out and it doesn't get the response you hope for! [24:47] Shannon reflects on the freebies she has in her own business. [25:15] You may get people who unsubscribe from your list, and that's okay! [26:25] What is Meg's advice to yoga teachers who feel like they wouldn't like to receive multiple emails about an offer, so feel uncomfortable sending emails to their list? [28:11] What kinds of freebies are working in the yoga space and what are some trends that Meg has observed in email marketing? [32:17] What should yoga teachers write in their emails? [34:35] How often does Meg recommend including a call to action in you emails? [35:42] How often should yoga teachers email their list? [37:11] It's important to continue supporting your list even when you are not selling anything! [38:08] What is something Meg wishes she would have known when starting email marketing? [40:50] Shannon pops in to share about OfferingTree, a great all-in-one software option especially for email marketing! [45:07] Shannon and Meg discuss the popular options for email marketing platforms. [49:01] Shannon reflects on her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Meg. [50:47] Shannon shares some of the upcoming guest calls inside Pelvic Health Professionals. [53:32] Shannon gives a special shout out to yoga teachers who have been and continue to speak out for humanity and Palestine. Links: Previous Episodes on Email Marketing Gratitude to our Sponsors, and . Quotes from this episode: "For listeners who are feeling drained and a little bit bogged down by social media, email marketing is a really, really solid alternative." "Those of us in the wellness industry tend to be very averse to marketing ourselves." "The fact that people are picky with who they give their email to is why email marketing is so effective." "The more time we invest in growing that list, the more warm leads we have, the more we can promote when we actually have something to promote." "We first have to be the consumer that we want to attract." "The trend that I'm seeing is shorter and simpler are getting more downloads or more subscribers." "Your tool for bringing people onto your email list, whether that's a freebie or something different, should be aligned with what you're going to offer them." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/30790523

369: Struggling to Write Content is Normal with Billie Smith 04/01/2024

369: Struggling to Write Content is Normal with Billie Smith The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 369: Struggling to Write Content is Normal with Billie Smith Description: If you have ever sat staring at your blinking cursor and wondered how to write an email, social media caption, or blog post for your yoga business when more important things are happening in your personal life or the world – you are not alone. Billie Smith recently faced this same struggle and decided to share their honest thoughts instead of their usual messaging. Billie Smith is a queer advocate, trauma, abuse, and eating disorder survivor, who is shaking up the status quo and challenging conventional narratives in the wellness industry. They believe in discarding harmful ideologies like diet culture and spiritual bypassing, and are dedicated to creating spaces where individuals can authentically connect with themselves, free from judgment and expectation. Billie's approach to movement is all about empowerment, helping students tune into how they feel rather than how they look. With over 600 hours of training and a commitment to inclusivity, Billie's classes, workshops, and one-on-one sessions provide a safe space for those seeking to reclaim their bodies and their narratives. In this episode, originally shared as an email to Billie’s subscribers and then as an audio on their podcast, the Rebel Movement Podcast, Billie shares openly about their experience struggling to write an email about topics related to their yoga business while also grappling with other challenges. They talk about how difficult it can feel to hold multiple truths, balance self care and social justice work, and reflect on showing up authentically. Writing content can be hard when we are faced with balancing work, personal life, and tragedies in the world - if you are struggling because of this, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: [3:07] This episode is sponsored by Pelvic Health Professionals. [4:14] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Billie Smith. [7:30] Billie shares a little about a newsletter that they sent out on 14 February and their process of writing it. [14:40] Shannon pops in to talk about a recent call with Mary Reddinger inside Pelvic Health Professionals. [16:17] Listen to a short snippet from Mary Reddinger about how she gets the bulk of her private yoga students. Get access to the full interview by joining the Pelvic Health Professionals membership. [18:13] Billy highlights that it can feel difficult for us to hold all the things that are happening in the world and in our personal lives - what we are experiencing is not normal. [21:12] We are all struggling to find balance lately. [24:47] If you are using your platform to talk about Gaza or Palestine, unfortunately it is a risk. [27:53] Billie talks about the importance of standing up for your values and staying true to them even in difficult times. [31:02] It is important to take care of yourself even as you do social justice work. [32:28] Shannon reflects on her own personal experience of speaking up about the harm taking place in Gaza right now. [36:01] There are so many people who say they want peace and freedom for all people but are afraid to speak up. But we can make a huge difference if we all speak up. [39:29] Do leave a review for the podcast and come hang out in real time with Shannon in the Pelvic Health Professionals membership! Links: Billie Smith on , , , , and Gratitude to our Sponsor, . Quotes from this episode: "Invalidating your own struggles is not gonna give you any more energy to help change the world." "It's ok if you don't feel rage every single second of the day because like how are you supposed to do all your stuff if you do?" "There's a struggle to find balance lately." "[If] you've been having that feeling of doubting yourself or doubting, what is even the point of doing this anymore? I would just encourage you to check in with it and not take it as a sign that you're doing anything wrong in your life." "I don't want my business to negate its values to make money. I don't want to sacrifice my values for profit." "Find the balance between taking care of yourself and then doing social justice work." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/30604643

368: Moving to a New City & Marketing with Jennie MacGoy 03/25/2024

368: Moving to a New City & Marketing with Jennie MacGoy The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 368: Moving to a New City & Marketing with Jennie MacGoy Description: Have you recently moved or are you struggling to grow your yoga business? Have you been posting on social media and not seeing that time convert to students? Have you been thinking about switching your niche or taking a break? Jennie MacGoy has navigated a cross-country move and shares how she found success marketing her yoga business in a new city. Jennie MacGoy opened her first yoga studio in Virginia in 2017 but moved to Southern California in 2021. Since making the move, Jennie has continued to teach gentle and chair yoga and movement to seniors in retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, and memory care communities while also working 1:1 with older adults. Jennie strongly believes that older adults can live their best lives through physical activity, stress reduction, cognitive exercise, and social engagement and incorporates all of these into her yoga classes. In this episode, Jennie shares her challenging journey of rebuilding her yoga business from scratch in a new city and neighborhood. She openly talks about the struggles she faced, how she overcame them, and what really worked for her in terms of marketing her yoga business. Learn about pivoting in your yoga business and alternative options for marketing in this inspiring conversation with Jennie. Key Takeaways: [2:41] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals. [4:55] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jennie MacGoy. [8:37] What is the work that Jennie does and who does she do it for? [10:24] What was it like when Jennie moved? What did she learn immediately and what advice does she have for other yoga teachers who may be navigating a move? [13:02] What worked and what didn't work for Jennie when she moved? [17:31] Jennie had to decide if she still wanted to teach yoga when things weren't working out for her. [18:42] Jennie was not marketing on Instagram or Facebook. She explains how she marketed her services to her target audience. [21:38] What kind of offerings is Jennie focusing on in her business? [26:49] What are some things Jennie has learned from working with the population of older adults and/or people with dementia? [30:36] Jennie reflects on what she gets out of teaching a mixed class of people with different abilities. [34:09] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree. [37:45] What is the population that Jennie works with in private sessions? [39:05] Jennie had to make a big shift to continue her yoga business when she moved to a new city. [41:11] Jennie volunteered with some organizations as a way of expanding her local network after she moved. [45:27] What is something Jennie wishes she would have known sooner when she moved to her new location? [48:17] We all struggle with different things at different moments in our business. [52:26] Connect with Jennie via her website. [53:50] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Jennie. [58:36] Shannon shares a personal update about how it has been to stand up for things she believes in. Links: Gratitude to our Sponsors, and . Quotes from this episode: "One of the most important lessons that I learned was to be willing to pivot, ... be flexible." "Words are so important and something that I have always been passionate about, but it comes really into play in these classes where you have people of differing abilities." "It was a total mind shift in how it was all word of mouth." "Don't underestimate the value of reaching out." /episode/index/show/theconnectedyogateacher/id/30512763

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

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