Yoga Teacher Training Podcast: Learn Anatomy, Philosophy, Business and More

On today's episode I share the core of what I teach: Stirha Sukha Asana - and how working with polarity applies to yoga and everything we do - from breathing - to your heartbeat - to the cycles of nature.  This is integrated into my upcoming retreat: Mindful New Year - Jan 17-19 in Austin, TX or online. Learn more at http://www.mindfulnewyear.com

Today I get to interview Lisa Feder. Lisa is an experienced yoga teacher, MBA and author of "A Year of Mindful Wellness." We talked about how to avoid burnout - and an experienced that Lisa had recently of realizing her cup was empty and how she navigated that. We talk about the need for intentions and directing our attention to be focused. We discuss how the simple gratitude practice Lisa has been doing recently and how it's shifted her perspective of things, and how you can apply it too. I also share my own experience with Lisa and how something she said to me changed the way I approach my schedule.  You can follow Lisa on Instagram at @beingwellyoga. Her website is http://www.beingwellyoga.com. You can check out her next retreat here and purchase her book on Amazon here.  Get the full transcript of today's episode here.  Like this podcast? Leave a review. Want to learn more? Check out http://www.quietmind.yoga for the free  "Essential Guide to Yoga Teacher Training" - A PDF download with the 10 Core Competencies of Teaching Yoga.  Thanks for listening!

There is a new article from the BBC called “Yoga teachers risking serious hip problems” https://www.bbc.com/news/health-50181155 In today’s episode I read through the article and share the one piece missing from the article - specifically how to apply this article to your practice and prevent serious hip problems. If you enjoy this podcast leave an honest review and rating or join the Quietmind Community at http://www.quietmind.yoga  Want to plan your year to make time for your practice and what is most important to you? Jan 17th is the Mindful New Year retreat online or in Austin, TX where you will apply yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology to plan the year ahead in alignment with the seasons and personalized to your unique type (dosha) and your Vedic moon signs. Don't know these things? You will learn them at this retreat! http://www.mindfulnewyear.com

Want to build confidence in your practice? I'm hosting a free live training called 3 Mindset Shifts to Build Confidence in Teaching Yoga - register at http://www.quietmind.yoga/confidence In today's episode I start with the question of "what are the most essential, source texts of yoga?" - There have been so many books written, but where do they originate? Are most modern books on yoga derivative of these texts? What do they teach that has stood the test of time? I will share all about that in today's episode of the Yoga Teacher Training podcast.  Here are links to the texts I mentioned in this episode: The Upanishads: https://amzn.to/2HjNbx9 Bhagavad Gita: https://amzn.to/33Q0OO5 Yoga Sutra https://amzn.to/2HmVhVw Hatha Yoga Pradipika https://amzn.to/2ZlZPBH Want to help support this podcast? I earn a small commission when you buy from these Amazon links - no additional cost to you.  If you're enjoying this podcast, leave a review and share this podcast with someone you think might like it. Thanks for listening! Jeremy

There are more teacher trainings than ever. How can you know which one is best for you? In today's episode I'll share five essential factors to consider when choosing a Yoga Teacher Training. Having been a part of several trainings as both a student and teacher, I have learned that there are some things that can make all the difference in the quality of your training and your own personal growth. I'll share the lessons I've learned in this episode.  If you want a training that addresses all aspects I discuss here; from the curriculum, to the learning environment and resources to build your confidence in your practice and your teaching, check out the Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at  http://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt Thanks for listening!

In modern discussion of yoga there is a lot of conflict about what is or isn't yoga. Now we have so many permutations, and so many people claiming their yoga is more authentic, who should we listen to?  In this podcast I will go all the way back to the oldest written mention of the word yoga to explore it's definition and practice and how that applies to our modern, westernized approaches to yoga.  I'll dive into one of my favorite sources of yogic wisdom, the Upanishads. A treasure trove of incredible teachings that are as relevant now as they were 2000+ years ago.  Two of my favorite translation / commentaries on the Upanishads are this one by Eknath Eswaren and this one by Thomas Egenes. Both worth having in your library to review for years to come.  I also mentioned a great documentary you can check out HERE that shows what practices that modern yogis are doing that were also practiced by the yogis of 2000+ years ago  If you like learning yoga from the roots up then you will love the Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training. Doors open 9/9 and you can join the waiting list here. Can't make it this time? Next class will be in the Spring.  Enjoying this podcast? Leave a review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share this show with a friend.  Thanks for listening! Jeremy

Since I began teaching in 2011 I have noticed there is a pattern to how I have learned over the years. Once I noticed this pattern I asked other experienced teachers if they noticed it too. They did! I began applying it to how I learned going forward and it has helepd my practice stay interesting, engaging and evolving every year since. PHASE 1: Study the Fundamentals: You've likely heard "you don't know what you don't know." This is where you start. With a beginners mind, curious and open to new possibiliteis. Maybe you feel this way about anatomy, asana or breathwork. This is the time to find a mentor, learn the mindset, and see the big picture. Explore for a while, then decide where to dig deeper in phase 2, PHASE 2: Deepen Your Practice: Now that you have the basics down, you start thinking "Ok, i get it," but only intellectually. it takes lots of practice and repittion to myelinate your brain and build mind-muscle connection. In this phase you start having realizations, new perspectives. Satchidananda said "stop digging shallow wells, you have to dig deep to reach water." That is phase 2. Learn more and get your FREE GUIDE that walks you through each step at http://www.quietmind.yoga/3phases Thanks for listening! Jeremy

While creating my online Teacher Training I realized there is a need to have a clear structure and framework for how we approach practice.  This could be taking classes that interest you and learning pieces as you go. This could be studying a specific lineage and form of yoga. Both approaches have their pros and cons. I wanted you to have a way to assess your practice - regardless of the style you practice or how long you've been practicing. An assessment that is relevant to you at any level of experience, for as long as you practice. To create a clear structure, I wrote out everything that goes into yoga - from the postures, to anatomy, to breathwork and anything else you could think of. I combined similar topics and distilled it all down into as few categories as possible. The end result is a way to asses your practice I call the '10 Core Competencies of Teaching Yoga.'  In today's episode I share how this approach fits in with Samkhya philosophy - the origins of yoga. I also share what the 10 areas are and how you can assess yourself in these areas. Lastly, I share how you can continue to deepen your practice.  Take the free self assessment at http://www.quietmind.yoga/core10

See more at http://www.quietmind.yoga/resources Like anything, the more consistent your practice becomes, the more significant results you'll see: increased flexibility, strength, balance and equanimity of mind. Many of the advanced poses will come as a side effect of regular practice. Many of the day-to-day benefits of feeling less stressed and reactive will come as a side effect of regular practice. If we chase these goals directly it will likely lead to frustration and injury. Instead, we can focus on making it easy to have a consistent practice. Here are 5 things I've found to be helpful: You make it a routine - a time, a place, a stop and start. it could be a class or at home. The more automatic it is to get to practice, the less willpower needed.  You have support - You've likely heard you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Find peers who also practice yoga and it will become the new norm. You have a teacher you like - It's good to explore at first but once you find a teacher or two you like it is one less variable to decide on. A good teacher will have consistent classes or offerings for you to continue to deepen your practice.  You practice releasing judgments and expectations - Easier said than done, but one of the most demotivating things you can do is compare yourself - even to yourself. Every day is different, every practice is different. Yoga is about being with what arises without judgment. Any judgment is just a reminder to come back to being with this new experience.  You have a space that makes it easy to practice - If you practice at a study, make it easy to get there. If you practice at home have a space that is ideally just used for yoga with things that feel inspiring and motivating to practice. If it needs to be a multipurpose space, make it easy to move obstructions.

This is a special episode! Today I interview one of my mentors, Angie Knight. She has taught for 20+ years and we have worked together for the last 6 years. In the interview she shared some brilliant insights that you can apply right away. We discussed:  How to get into a receptive state of intuition and inspiration How do you distinguish between what is your intuition and what is your conditioning? A personal story of the synchronicities and intuition that lead me to Angie's class What blocks you from following your heart How to resolve cognitive dissonance Angie and I share limiting beliefs that we have had around money (and how my car fell apart!)  How to go stop unconsciously creating what you don't want Learn about Angie's event happening on July 27th in Austin where you can practice all of the above The importance of having a safe space to process your emotions What's "wrong" with you is actually your gift Flexing your 'faith muscles' 💪 Get the full transcript at http://www.quietmind.yoga/blog/tt2 Special Offer for listeners to this podcast: 20% OFF Angie's event "Time To Fly: Rising in Love" at https://www.angieknightyoga.com/timetofly use promo code FLASH20