Yogaland Podcast

After 30 years of yoga, we’ve discovered which poses, myths, and cues actually hold you back.Here’s what to let go — and what to focus on instead for a stronger, more sustainable practice.Over three decades of yoga practice, we’ve seen trends, techniques, and teaching cues come and go. In this episode, we share the poses we approach differently now, the myths we no longer believe, and the verbal cues we’ve retired for good. From letting go of “going to your edge” in every pose, to embracing strength training, to rethinking old alignment rules, we reflect on what truly supports longevity, strength, and enjoyment in yoga practice. Whether you’re a yoga teacher or a dedicated student, you’ll find insight, perspective, and a few laughs from our 30 years on the mat.You can find shownotes here: yogalandpodcast.com/episode364Don't miss! Module II of Jason's 300-Hour YTT August 20th -- Register here: jasonyoga.com/300Join the waitlist for our 200 hour! Enrollment opens soon: jasonyoga.com/200Considering YTT and have questions? Check out our honest guide, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About YTT here: https://jasonyoga.com/yoga-teacher-training Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teaching yoga isn’t about impressing your students—it’s about supporting them. On this episode, Jason shares 5 things to keep in mind if you're a yoga teacher (especially in the first five years). His ideas will help you feel grounded, confident, and inspired as you build your yoga teaching career.Heads up: Module II of Jason's 300-hour YTT is come up in two week! This is the core + spine module but it's also the module where he does a deep dive into the yoga philosophy of Patanjali. You can get all the info & register here: jasonyoga.com/300 It's all online for maximum flexbility; you can begin the lectures and classes as soon as you register! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week my guest is Philadelphia-based yoga teacher, Matthew Shaw. Matthew joined the Jason Crandell Yoga Method team as our Lead Teacher Training Mentor this year and has been a longtime student of Jason's.What I didn't know until a few weeks ago is that Matthew spent 20 years in a previous life as a successful opera singer, performing on major stages across Europe—including Germany, Austria, and Hungary.In this conversation, Matthew shares how, in the second half of his career, just as he was really taking off, anxiety and depression decided to tag along. He talks openly about imposter syndrome, how he found solace through yoga and Western meds (you know I love my meds so I'm here for it!) and how his whole journey lead him to where he is today.We spend the second half of the conversation focused on retreats, why they are so vital, and how he creates intentional, supportive spaces for his students to both adventure and reset.We talk about:Why success didn’t solve his self-doubt—in fact, it made it worseThe cultural pressures of perfectionism in classical performanceHis transition to becoming a yoga teacher and community builderThe joy he finds leading yoga retreats around the worldWhy retreats offer so much more than a temporary escape—and how they can ripple outward to impact our daily livesYou can find shownotes here: yogalandpodcast.com/episode362We've got two YTT events coming up! Module II of Jason's 300-hour begins August 20th. You can get all of the details and join us here: jasonyoga.com/300And if you are considering becoming a yoga teacher, join our 200-hour waitlist! I will send you details and interesting content as well as details about the training. Get all the info here: jasonyoga.com/200 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by yoga teacher and global mindfulness facilitator Josh Blatter. We talk about his teaching journey—from the yoga studio to his work with Peace on Purpose, a program that supports United Nations staff working in some of the most high-pressure environments in the world.Josh shares:Why questioning long-held beliefs is vital for yoga teachersStudying in the Viniyoga lineage and the individualized approach to yogaWhat it was like to study at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in ChennaiHow Vedic Chant is a powerful part of his personal practice -- and how challenging it is to learnPeace on Purpose and his recent trips to Bangladesh and PakistanHow Josh teaches in high-stress environments and how cultural sensitivity shapes the workAdvice for yoga teachers on staying inspired, grounded, and financially afloatA guiding principle for sustainable teaching and caregiving (this one's a huge lightbulb moment for me!)Thank you, as always, for listening and sharing the podcast.If you'd like to keep up with us, subscribe to our newsletter at: jasonyoga.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, we dive deep into 5 of the most common yoga cues—offering clearer, more effective alternatives that enhance both understanding and practice.Whether you’re a yoga teacher seeking to improve your verbal communication or a dedicated practitioner eager to refine your alignment, this episode will help you:✔️ Clarify common cues like “lift your kneecaps” and “tuck your tailbone”✔️ Understand why some cues aren’t landing and how to adjust them✔️ Enhance your students’ experience with precise, actionable languageJoin us as we unpack and rephrase cues that are technically correct but can be made more accessible and impactful.ABOUT OUR ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/anatomy✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/300✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course:https://learn.jasonyoga.com/beginners✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course:https://learn.jasonyoga.com/sequencing✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jason dives deep into one of the most overlooked — and often overwhelming — skills in yoga teaching: verbal communication. Whether you're a new teacher still getting comfortable saying anything aloud, or a seasoned instructor trying to say less with more impact, this conversation is full of practical insights.You’ll learn how to refine your voice, distill your message, and create space for your students to absorb and respond.Highlights from the episode include:Why saying less often helps students learn moreThe #1 mistake yoga teachers make with verbal cues (and how to fix it)What Jason learned from Andrea’s editorial red pen ✏️How to pair your cues with your sequence (and why this skill takes time to develop)What “over-teaching” looks like and how to avoid itMinimizing jargon (and when it's okay to use it)Managing up-speak and down-speak for clarity and confidenceUsing story, metaphor, and analogy to keep teaching engagingThe hardest skill of all: being yourself, even while giving commands👉 Learn more about Jason’s 200-hour YTT and 300-hour YTT. Module Two of the 300-hour starts in early August! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if everything you’ve learned about pranayama tells only half the story?In this episode, Jason Crandell breaks down the two radically different approaches to pranayama found in traditional Hatha Yoga and Patanjali’s Raja Yoga. These lineages share a goal—liberation through practice—but their breathwork techniques, underlying philosophies, and mechanisms of transformation couldn’t be more different.Whether you’re a yoga teacher, a teacher-in-training, or a student curious about the deeper roots of breathwork, this talk will help you understand: • Why pranayama in the Hatha Yoga tradition focuses on energy, purification, and awakening Kundalini • Why Patanjali’s approach to pranayama emphasizes stillness, subtlety, and inner quiet • How each tradition views the purpose of pranayama in relation to the mind, body, and spirit • What these differences mean for your breathwork practice and teaching todayThis lecture is excerpted from Jason’s online Pranayama Teacher Training, a comprehensive course that combines modern science and traditional wisdom to help yoga teachers build confidence in teaching breathwork.🧘‍♂️ Learn more about Jason’s Pranayama Teacher Training here: jasonyoga.com/breathwork🔍 Key Topics Covered: • Pranayama in Hatha Yoga vs. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra • The role of kundalini, nadis, and chakras in traditional breathwork • Patanjali’s model of liberation through stillness of mind • The purpose of breath control (pranayama) in classical yoga • How to apply these insights in modern yoga classes and teacher trainingsABOUT JASON AND HIS ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:✅ Train to become a yoga teacher with Jason's 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training: jasonyoga.com/200✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: jasonyoga.com/300✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: jasonyoga.com/anatomy✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course: jasonyoga.com/beginners✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course: jasonyoga.com/sequencing✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're happy to be back with Yoga(ish)! On this episode, we reflect on Autism Acceptance Month. We talk about internalized ableism, ADHD, the power of special interests, and how creating the right environment can unlock learning and joy for neurodivergent kids. Plus: a very passionate review of our current comedy obsession (I Think You Should Leave).CHAPTERS01:05 Autism Awareness Month01:30 Love on the Spectrum: A Heartwarming Show03:54 Personal Reflections on Neurodivergence13:27 Understanding Autism and Support Needs15:55 Challenges and Misconceptions in Neurodivergence23:00 Navigating Social Interactions with Neurodivergent Individuals24:06 Controversial Views on Autism by RFK Jr.30:36 Personal Reflections on Political Statements and Neurodiversity34:13 Challenges and Rewards of Homeschooling40:54 Comedy Recommendations and Personal Humor46:50 Closing Remarks and Call to ActionABOUT JASON AND HIS ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/anatomy✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/300✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course:https://learn.jasonyoga.com/beginners✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course:https://learn.jasonyoga.com/sequencing✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join experienced yoga teacher Jason Crandell as he shares five powerful lessons from yoga philosophy. He dives into Abhyasa and Vairagya, teaching the balance of effort and letting go to reduce perfectionism. Jason emphasizes the importance of Svadhyaya, encouraging self-study to discover your unique teaching purpose or Dharma. He highlights Ahimsa, stressing self-compassion for teachers facing frustration, and introduces Pratipaksha Bhavanam, a tool to reframe negative thoughts and combat self-doubt.

Discover the art of finding your unique voice as a yoga teacher and how it evolves through life experiences. Unpack the importance of authenticity and overcoming common hurdles like self-doubt and burnout. Learn how passions and lifelong learning shape your teaching style, and why diversified teaching formats can stave off fatigue. Jason shares his personal journey and insights on the delicate balance between pleasing students and staying true to oneself, making this a compelling guide for both new and seasoned instructors.