Leadership and Yoga

Let’s talk public speaking and procrastination, two big beautiful topics. Have you ever wondered why we sabotage ourselves before we even start public speaking? The voice is a powerful tool for healing, not performance. Pressure is really about worthiness, and your most embarrassing stories are actually your most valuable. The big idea: the stakes are high, not because you need to be perfect, but because your voice matters.Join my retreat:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat Get a copy of my guided journal for $33 with code POD33:https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ Find me on instagram:@shawnakruTime stamps:00:00 Intro01:50 You have to believe enough to try.03:30 Retreat tour.06:40 The storm: anxiety & public speaking.08:30 Feeling like you lose control.11:00 Familiarity beats fear.14:30 My failure story. 21:00 Approach avoidance: what it is & how to release it.27:00 Procrastination.32:45 The kid who “doesn’t care” & “it’s not cool to care.”38:00 Sound: 3 parts of the brain.41:30 Your voice as an instrument to get familiar with.43:30 Pressure46:00 On needing validation47:40 Embarrassing stories are gold49:00 The stakes are not high in the way you think they are.51:00 Recap

From dragonflies and water skis to the jungle meeting the sea, this immersive music filled poetic episode brings themes like trusting doubt, dropping into presence, and what it really means to “make it” without chasing outcomes. There’s Richard Rudd, 100-foot waves, and why some days need to be brilliantly bland. If you're into mindfulness, storytelling, nature metaphors, and spiritual discovery, this one’s a ride.10 spots only, my smallest retreat & my first solo retreat! ⁠https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreatTime stamps:00:00 intro01:30 retreat tour3:33 lean in4:45 the transformation of the dragonfly6:31 you have to throw the rope: water ski story9:30 stop fighting your doubt & start trusting your doubt11:20 the wind in our mind, how can we focus?12:20 when the roots are deep, we don’t fear the wind13:20 we don’t have to do anything for presence to return14:35 WHERE THE JUNGLE MEETS THE SEA 18:25 the 100 foot wave20:00 you feel so defeated that you begin to laugh21:20 I don’t believe in short cuts or life hacks23:17 when inspiration strikes26:15 we need days that are brilliantly bland27:40 “making it” means replacing operating from outcome to operating from presence30:17 Richard Rudd on being “sensible”31:20 paddle hard for the fork of the river that looks like glass33:20 the meaning of life 35:50 life through a fogged window vs. through your own eyes38:00 after notes & how i wrote this

In this episode, I’m getting honest about feeling let down, about resentment, and about what it actually takes to move through those feelings instead of shoving them down. This isn’t from a book; it’s from what I’ve been journaling about and processing these past few weeks. So hey if you are harboring hard feelings, feeling slighted, holding a grudge, carrying emotional baggage, nursing a wound, feeling wronged…. Let’s talk.Find Shawna on instagram:@shawnakruGet a copy of my guided journal:https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ Time stamps:00:00 Understanding Resentment08:37 Processing Emotions21:07 Lessons Learned from Letdowns43:43 Transforming Resentment into Gratitude

In this episode, I sat down with Hannah Singer and was absolutely blown away with how energized and inspired I was after soaking in every word. “Life is a wild taste test, and the real magic happens when we live in tune with who we truly are.”We talk about the slow art of self-discovery, the healing power of meditation, and how chronic pain often speaks the language of unspoken beliefs. Hannah shares how creating—especially self-publishing her book—became a personal homecoming. We explore what it means to create from a place of truth, and how knowing why you make something is just as important as the thing itself.There’s wisdom here about fear (it never really leaves), confidence (a skill you can build), and empowerment (something you already hold). Hannah also shares about how shaving her head shifted her story. This episode is about alignment, creativity, and living this wild, precious life with intention.Find Hannah on instagram:@growthof_mindHannah’s website: https://www.growthofmind.net/ Hannah’s book: Growth of MindFind Shawna on instagram:@shawnakruTime stamps: 00:00 setting the stage: the art of alignment  02:58 crafting a life of intention  06:07 the power of surrender and acceptance  09:01 journey to italy: a taste of life  12:05 healing through meditation and mindfulness  14:49 the creative process: writing and self-discovery  18:12 navigating pain: the mind-body connection  21:00 the journey of self-publishing  24:10 finding purpose: the why behind creativity  28:55 creating a personal connection through art  29:57 understanding confidence vs. empowerment  34:02 practicing confidence and embracing fear  37:56 reality creation: the power of belief  41:55 shifting internal narratives for external change  46:02 external changes: shaving my head as a metaphor  52:05 qualities of exceptional leadership  54:58 life-changing books and their impact  57:02 living a wild and precious life  

In this episode, I reflect on what it means to grow gently, to be present in the mess, and to let go of the need to be seen. I've learned that healing isn’t a finish line—it’s a quiet unfolding.I speak about the power of intention over perfection, and how true worth doesn’t come from achievements, but from simply being. I also discuss my back pain. Pain has taught me to listen more closely—to my body, my emotions, and the stories I’ve carried too long.Find me on instagram:@shawnakru Immersive special episodes:Limitless nature On the mountainThe oil I mention from Colibri Eco, now known as TEND, created by my dear friend Art:www.tend.eco Time stamps:00:00 the spontaneity of podcasting02:49 the pressure of consistency05:46 acceptance and presence09:08 the journey of self-discovery11:46 the balance of visibility and invisibility14:55 teaching through chaos24:07 embracing discomfort and change28:41 exploring pain and repressed emotions30:40 reimagining self and breaking patterns36:15 understanding pain: mind-body connection52:19 the journey of problem solving and healing

I’m here for you whether you want to amplify happiness or salvage a tiny spark. In this solo episode, I share seven key ideas around the pursuit of happiness, including why we may not truly know what brings us the most joy, and why using happiness as a metric can be limiting. Through stories like the housefly metaphor and reflections on intuition, expectations, and energy, I share insights on amplifying happiness, taking accountability, and letting go of blame. I discuss the role of patience, purpose, belief, and persistence—drawing on personal experiences, the 26th Gene Key, and lessons from unexpected places. This episode invites listeners to rethink happiness as a practice grounded in purpose, trust, and intentional action. Featuring Gene Keys by Richard Rudd. Find me on instagram:@shawnakruGet a copy of my guided journal. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ Time stamps:00:00 Intro 02:30 Amplify happiness or salvage a spark.05:50 ONE: You may not know what brings you most happiness.09:00 Instead of happiness as a metric.10:50 The house fly example.17:00 Happiness can begin at rock bottom.18:40 TWO: Let go of logic and stop doubting intuition.21:30 Expectations are the enemy of happiness.24:45 What if laughter was the legacy? 26th Gene Key.28:50 THREE: There’s more where that came from. 31:40 Time and happiness, impatience. 33:24 Uncle Paul35:15 FOUR: Stop blaming and take extreme accountability.41:00 Levels of energy and happiness. 43:40 FIVE: What you are able to believe, truly and fully, will be fulfilled. 45:30 How to escape a downward spiral.46:40 SIX: Do not expect the mind to be an organized organ. 49:50 For the Bland days.50:48 SEVEN: Have a purpose bigger than your happiness.52:40 Making money by mistake. Be, do, have. Not have, do, be. 56:20 Fearing failing to find happiness.

What if the heart grew arms? I sat down with Marie Belle Pérez Rivera, Ph.D., to talk about teaching and practicing yoga from the heart. In this rich conversation, Marie Belle invites us into the deeper layers of teaching yoga—where cueing becomes poetry, the koshas guide us, and yoga returns us to our quantum blueprint. She shares a behind-the-scenes look at her life of silence, strength, and leadership, reflecting on witnessing a school shooting and the delicate art of caring without needing others to share our opinion. We trace her journey through mindful movement, Ashtanga teacher training, and navigating the sometimes complex, sometimes territorial nature of the yoga world. Marie Belle speaks to the power of not flying the flag of any single tradition, embracing non-dualism, and practicing from the heart. Along the way, swe explores the teachings of Dharma Mittra, and Marie Belle reminds us: a year from now, you’ll wish you had started today.Find Marie Belle on instagram:@mariebelleprMarie Belle’s website:https://mariebellepr.com/ Find Shawna on instagram:@shawnakruTime stamps:00:00 Intro05:00 Teaching yoga like your really teaching06:30 Is she speaking to us in poetry?07:30 Koshas 11:00 What if the heart grew arms? 13:20 Yoga returns us to our quantum blueprint 14:30 Cueing students 16:30 Living in silence, BTS of Marie Belle’s life17:30 Media and witnessing a school shooting.18:50 You can care about things without demanding others have the same opinion as you.24:00 How Marie Belle found mindful movement.26:30 Ashtanga and going through her teacher training. 30:00 Quitting her job and hearing back from Harvard medical school. 36:50 Doubt and territorial nature of some in the yoga world.39:00 Ashtanga and authorization.42:00 Fundamental disagreement.44:15 A question asked to all masters. 45:00 Not flying the flag for any traditions and non-dualism: to define is to limit. 49:00 Dharma yoga and the teachings of Dharma Mittra. 52:00 A heart based practice. 54:40 Qualities of an exceptional leader. 58:00 Billboard message: A year from now, you’ll wish you started today. 

"Locks, keys & breaking free from the webs we weave." This is a special immersive solo with music and sound effects on the space between feeling stuck and finding freedom — the subtle shifts that help us unlock old patterns and step into light. We reflect on the webs we weave, the keys we already hold, and what it really means to move from stuck to soaring. This is how to love the process, and how that conjures up the very breakthroughs we long for. Find me on instagram:@shawnakru The other immersive special episodes:Limitless nature On the mountainTime stamps:00:00 Intro01:00 Unlock your own door05:00 Viktor Frankl06:50 The play at morning08:00 You are a force of nature10:40 Your moment in the sun11:40 Richard Rudd, 52nd Gene Key12:45 When I lost touch, my story15:50 Locks16:55 The farm, a rabbit out of a hat19:18 Static and hope is a cat22:10 See the walls for what they are

Today I sat down with David C. Kyle “Baba Rocket” in Austin, Texas. This is my 3rd interview with David, and it is a Q&A from teacher and student submissions. We talk about the craft of teaching Rocket yoga—from the importance of public speaking and scripting your classes, to handling embarrassing moments and finding physical balance. We get into David’s Ashtanga roots, the legacy of Larry Schultz and Pattabhi Jois, and why adjustments can be a tricky subject. We also talk about David’s background in dance, the infamous Rocket BBQ, crying in pigeon pose, and the man behind the curtain. We wrap it all up with rapid fire questions, touching on stress, anxiety, and fear.IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE WITH DAVID, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & DROP ME A RATING. Thank you!! Find David Kyle on instagram:@davidckyleThe Rocket website & training info:https://therocket.info/ Find Shawna on instagram: @shawnakruTime stamps:00:00 Intro04:00 Qualities a Rocket teacher should develop. 07:45 Acting? Public speaking as a teacher.10:25 Scripting exercise for you.15:10 Most embarrassing moment teaching.18:15 Teaching is like singing a song, you don’t stop. 19:53 How to stay balanced, physical balance. 25:25 On why Larry did not do physical adjustments and Pattabhi Jois.31:00 David’s Ashtanga background story.33:20 Pattahi Jois did not have good standing with adjustments, injuries & personal space. 36:50 Does teaching yoga run in David’s family? Kids thoughts on yoga?39:30 Career in dance?43:30 Was the Rocket BBQ your crazy invention? 49:45 Cried in pigeon pose? Or just from sitting next to Larry meditating? 52:00 Who is the man behind the curtain.55:50 A lot of people know you… 58:50 Stress and anxiety.59:55 Fear1:05:00 Rapid fire

everytime I make one of these freeform episodes, there's a part of me that feels incredibly vulnerable and excited. here's what happened when I doubted my episode on doubt so much that nothing came out. this is for those who are dreaming and trying to remind themselves why they should ride out the doubts.find me on instagram:@shawnakru00:00 Embracing Doubt: An Introduction02:57 The Journey of Self-Discovery05:50 Dancing with Doubt08:59 The Nature of Distraction and Energy11:52 The Cycle of Doubt and Inquiry15:05 Finding Freedom in Uncertainty18:06 The Beauty of Doubt21:05 Transforming Doubt into Inquiry24:01 Trusting in Your Doubt27:07 Visualizing Doubt as a Dance Partner29:47 Confronting Doubt with Courage33:15 Conclusion: Don't Let Doubt Steal the Show