Leadership and Yoga

In this episode of Leadership and Yoga, I sit down with Kino MacGregor, one of the most thoughtful voices in the yoga world, for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about practice, leadership, creativity, and impact through yoga. We talk about high standards and self-compassion, ritual and discipline, discernment in creativity, and how to work with failure without letting it turn into self-denigration. We explore lineage and tradition in Ashtanga yoga, the power of storytelling, and what makes an impactful yoga teacher.This conversation moves from a behind the scenes look at Kino’s daily rituals and decision-making to the deeply spiritual and big questions of, why are we here? If you’re a yoga teacher, leader, or lifelong student navigating devotion, creativity, and real human life, this one is for you.If you enjoyed this episode with Kino, please subscribe. Thank you! :) Try OfferingTree all-in-one business software for yoga teachers for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Kino’s website:https://kinoyoga.com/ Practice with Kino on Omstars:https://omstars.com/ Find Kino on instagram: @kinoyoga Find me on instagram: @shawnakru Opportunities to join my podcast LIVE for yoga teacher roundtable episodes:https://www.shawnakru.com/mailinglist  My website & contact:https://www.shawnakru.com/ Time Stamps:00:00 intro02:16 inspired by Kino’s story03:32 how did you realize you wanted to dedicate your life to yoga?07:25 when you were little, what did you dream of being when you grew up?12:30 do you remember your first ashtanga class?19:34 from a dream about Pattabhi Jois to traveling to India23:08 what is the essence of ashtanga yoga for you?24:12 the guru’s grace28:01 what characteristics of your teachers helped you the most?31:00 the ashtanga authorization process36:39 future of the teacher-student relationship in yoga38:29 staying rooted in service as a yoga teacher41:41 how can yoga be a tool for good in the world?44:07 different paths of change49:27 how do you prepare yourself to show up in the world to teach?51:47 what is your relationship with creativity?55:47 book recommendations? 01:00:00 tradition vs innovation 01:03:00 experiencing the transcendent 01:05:00 why do you think we’re here? 01:07:00 “let everything you do be an act of love” 01:12:00 the billboard question

This episode is for you if you haven’t started and don’t know how to spend your time to find the success you long for. In this intimate solo episode, I share the truth about finding my first “thread” of success in my mission, business, life, my podcast, and social media. It’s about finding that small, almost fragile feeling of something finally working, and how I learned to turn that single thread into real momentum.I talk about the lessons I wish I knew three years ago: why trying something 20 times matters more than chasing trends, how I learned to notice patterns without obsessing over perfection, and why my goals have to be close enough to touch. I break down the difference between meaningful creation and shiny-object noise, the power of setting specific focus time, and the art of resting deeply so the next idea can rise to the surface.Try OfferingTree for free, plus take advantage of the winter sale with my link here. (My sponsor)TEND ayurvedic self-care - 1st giveaway will be announced 12/14 on instagram! (My sponsor)https://www.tend.eco/Follow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created. Buy one, get one free, or get a copy for the whole family, 5 for $75. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ Monthly newsletter: https://www.shawnakru.com/mailinglist Time stamps:00:00 Intro 03:15 Finding Your Thread of Success10:16 Major Growth Takeaways20:28 Overcoming Victim Mindset24:26 Creating Meaningful Work27:48 Trying 20 Times Pattern Recognition33:31 Setting Realistic Goals37:20 The Power of Presence and Meditation48:10 Starting Over: Lessons Learned

In this episode, Dedica joins us for an inspiring conversation about presence, adaptation, and what it means to stop betraying yourself by learning to listen to and trust your inner voice. She shares her journey from injury to returning to a physical yoga practice, rebuilding self-trust, and discovering the power of keeping the promises you make to yourself. We also explore finding balance between momentum and rest, the connection between yoga and creativity, and how lived experience becomes our greatest teacher.Dedica’s Website: https://www.dedica.live/Follow Dedica on Instagram @dedicaThe January ChallengeTry OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Download your free SEO Checklist for yoga instructors & entrepreneursEnter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway. (My sponsor) https://artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruTime Stamps:00:00 intro01:16 offering tree 02:17 TEND giveaway05:05 what is something people don’t usually know about you?07:14 adaptation: getting injured & the healing process16:27 balancing momentum with intentional rest19:01 returning to the physical practice of yoga after injury24:10 yoga brings me back to myself 27:09 learning through experience vs over-intellectualizing 28:33 why motivates you to create?30:27 the relationship between yoga and creativity 36:49 how do you know which risks are worth taking?41:51 anxiety and enjoying the present 43:38 how can we step into our own dreams?46:00 persistence and the discipline of showing up as a new yoga teacher 50:50 the practice of discernment52:32 stop betraying yourself58:10 when you fall, be willing to begin again01:00:39 keep your promises to yourself: building trust with yourself01:02:41 what’s your greatest joy right now? biggest challenge? 01:03:50 what is your hope for the future of yoga?

This is what actually makes dreams come true. Join me for a magical, spontaneous, story-filled episode after traveling to Miami to interview legendary yoga teachers, Kino MacGregor and Jonah Kest. Embedded in this episode are teachings I’ve put into practice from Richard Rudd of the Gene Keys, Blu from the Deja Blu Podcast, Frederick Dodson of Levels of Energy and Dr. Joe Dispenza from Rewired. Try OfferingTree for free, plus take advantage of the winter sale with my link here. (My sponsor)Enter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway. (My sponsor)https://artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created. Buy one, get one free, or get a copy for the whole family, 5 for $75. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ Practice Rocket with my friend Ani in Miami:@anahatabyani Monthly newsletter: https://www.shawnakru.com/mailinglist Time stamps:00:00 intro04:00 walking from miracle to miracle06:30 dragonfly story10:00 writing my book16:00 giveaway & my sponsors update20:00 miami interview biz trip23:55 stare into my eyes26:00 stop expectations 29:36 it’s not manifestation, it’s synchronization33:30 it’s more fun to be someone else’s manifestation 

David Swenson, a veteran Ashtanga yoga teacher and author of influential works, shares captivating stories that blend humor and inspiration. He discusses the power of storytelling in teaching yoga, emphasizing the importance of following one's heart and embracing mistakes. David reflects on how yoga fosters confidence and calmness in the face of uncertainty. He offers insights on the journey of teaching, from early struggles and perseverance to finding purpose through connection and compassion in practice, culminating in a heartfelt message to be kinder to one another.

Poetic, deep inspiration for yoga teachers & those new to yoga. I read a collection of poems about why I fell in love with yoga, how practice becomes a ritual, and why teachers have the power to change the world. I share pieces about presence, impact, acceptance & growth, and finish with three poems that inspired me this month — including “Start Close In,” by David Whyte, and “The Invitation,” by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. Whether you teach or simply show up to your mat, this episode is an invitation to stay, with it all.Enter the signed copy of David Swenson’s book giveaway:https://www.shawnakru.com/giveaway Try OfferingTree for free, plus take advantage of the winter sale with my link here. (My sponsor)Enter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway. (My sponsor)https://artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created. Buy one, get one free, or get a copy for the whole family, 5 for $75. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ time stamps:00:00 intro - yoga can change the world07:30 giveaways! signed book & ayurveda self-care set11:40 part 1: love poems for yoga20:40 part 2: poems about yoga as a ritual27:00 part 3: poems about yoga changing the world36:00 part 4: acceptance & growth poems about yoga46:00 part 5: poems that inspire me

Inspired from a moment in an interview I did with Sri Dharma Mittra, I sat down to contemplate my life over coffee as I do most mornings. But on this particular morning, everything I’ve learned from Richard Rudd of the Gene Keys, Frederick Dodson of Levels of Energy and Parallel Universes of Self, and even some Dr. Joe Dispenza organized itself in my head in a new way. The result is the “thought experience” I have prepared for you today.Here’s a divine fractal theory I enjoy thinking about when I wonder why consciousness split itself to experience being human, and why life feels limiting—and what it really means about your power and purpose.Try OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Enter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway. (My sponsor)artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created, code BOGO for 2 journals (receive 2 for price of 1) code BOGOFAMILY for 5 journals for $75.Ritual of Writing Journal Time stamps:00:00 Intro01:00 Sri Dharma Mittra on mysteries03:50 my story of mystery07:30 mysterious money arriving just in time10:50 how to solve problems13:10 giveaway! TEND yourself & a friend15:00 sit back, relax, but also lean in17:00 staying in the energy19:20 THOUGHT EXPERIENCE START33:00 my downfall & recovery & surprise

In this episode, poet Meghan Bay reveals how writing poetry is a way to practice presence. She shares how creativity can be seen as a gift from the Creator and how to create space to invite in more creative ideas. Meghan also shares the importance of honoring every version of yourself as you grow and evolve, allowing your journey of transformation to be uniquely your own.Follow Meghan on Instagram: @meghan.bay And find her writing: Meghan’s SubstackEnter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway Try OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Download your free SEO Checklist for yoga instructors & entrepreneursFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruCome on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat Time Stamps:00:00 intro03:42 “the fool’s hunt” - poem by Meghan Bay05:24 How do you know when you’ve written something that’s really true?07:00 morning pages & digital journaling  08:53 Meghan's story: growing up Christian, moving to Australia, getting into writing16:04 letting yourself be seen: sharing on social media19:56 the process of writing a book: capturing poems when they arrive22:11 creativity as a gift from the Creator to help shape this world25:41 are you actually giving yourself what you need?27:31 morning routine & a meditation practice31:58 the discipline of a writing practice 33:06 creating space to invite creativity to land34:06 Meghan's mission: creating a space for people to expand into themselves36:10 let yourself move slowly, one small step at a time39:04: how can we shift from a focus on the outcome to a focus on presence?40:38 reality creation: fate or free will?42:46 sending love to past or future versions of yourself 43:53 why are we here?47:37 the path to transformation & liberation will be uniquely yours52:42 appreciating the contrast of emotions & experiences 54:46 qualities of an exceptional leader57:08 the billboard question

In this episode, I break down the four steps every yoga teacher needs to grow a business with moral ambition. Let's talk about why your mission is your most valuable business asset, why your systems determine your sustainability, how to face numbers, pricing, and fees without shrinking, and how “minimum viable structure” can change your whole life. I walk you through the ONE symbolic action you can take today—something you might look back on years from now as the exact moment everything began to change. If you’ve ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or “not business-minded enough,” this is for you. Your dream isn’t meant for someone richer, older, more experienced, or more confident. It’s meant for you—and the world needs what you're building. This episode includes a tour of OfferingTree, my sponsor. Try OfferingTree for free with my link here. (My sponsor)Follow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created, code POD for $33.Ritual of Writing Journal One spot left. Come on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat YouTube social media video I mentioned:https://youtu.be/h_yQswsXwhY?si=SXLofxnBfWuwziIO Time stamps:00:00 setting the mood07:50 animation10:00 luck is when opportunity meets preparation11:40 agenda for today & offeringtree15:47 part 1: how to make actual progress20:00 David Swenson example23:30 part 2: creating offers29:00 gene key 26 & divine pride31:00 part 3: money33:40 rates teaching yoga34:00 social media income38:00 courses and yoga retreats40:00 part 4: systems & offeringtree45:00 cost of systems & software 54:00 personal use & podcasting software55:00 take notes on students56:00 homework57:00 inspirational send off :)

This conversation with yoga teacher Eva Vriens explores embodiment, discerning gut feelings, teaching yoga in other languages, why there is no such thing as going backward, and much more!Find Eva on Instagram @eva.vri Sign up here to join the next Yoga Teacher RoundtableTry OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Download your free SEO Checklist for yoga instructors & entrepreneursFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruCome on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat Time Stamps:00:00 intro03:53 moving to Italy07:19 teaching yoga in other languages12:23 it’s exactly what makes you nervous that will bring the change you desire16:28 interpreting gut feelings: trusting what your body is telling you20:49 what did you want to be when you grew up?25:06 the magic of yoga as a return to self & to presence26:54 how was teaching your first yoga class?31:18 breakthroughs in teaching yoga34:29 retracing our steps can actually help us move forward35:59 how do you prepare yourself to teach?37:58 morning routine42:16 creating our realities43:53 how can we start to believe something different is possible for us?45:59 book recommendations?51:16 qualities of an exceptional leader?53:14 if you could chat with anyone over coffee or tea, who would you invite?57:16 the billboard question