Yogaland Podcast

When I have Jason on the show, we talk a lot about postures and technique, so I thought it would be interesting to talk yoga philosophy on the podcast this week. I asked Jason to share his favorite yoga books (that are not focused on the physical practice). These are just a few of his favorites, spanning yoga philosophy, Buddhist philosophy, and neuroscience.You can find links to all of the books mentioned in the episode on the show notes page: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode117SHOUT-OUT TO OUR SPONSORS1. I love cooking but even I get tired of the grind day after day. One thing that’s helped me immensely is Sunbasket meal delivery service — they offer organic produce and clean ingredients and many different types of meal plans. Their food is so delicious and I LOVE how creative they are! Go to sunbasket.com/yogaland to get $35 off your first order.2. LOLA is a female-founded company offering 100organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners. For every purchase, LOLA donates feminine care products to homeless shelters across the U.S. For 40% off all subscriptions, visit mylola.com and enter the code YOGALAND when you subscribe.3. Truth: I am not a perfume gal. They’re usually too cloying for me and I don’t trust that the ingredients are safe. But I’m in love with the scents created by Skylar Body. They’re vegan and never tested on animals. And they’re free of parabens, phthalates, and other potentially harmful chemicals and they smell so amazing. To see which scent you like best, you can try the Skylar sample palette with free shipping plus earn a $20 credit towards your next full-sized perfume purchase, visit Skylar.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claire Missingham is back on the podcast this week, and we're talking about how she's been using yoga and other natural healing modalities to manage a recent diagnosis of an autoimmune disease.She tells us:*How the grief of losing a yoga teacher in her community to suicide led her to start running, learn to swim (as an adult), and compete in marathons and triathalons*How she became diagnosed with Lupus, and how she manages it through food, adaptogenic herbs, and other natural methods of healing*Why she takes a freezing cold shower every morning before her yoga practice and wears a bikini in the snow!*What herbs she found to be most helpful in her healing, travel, and daily life and why she says they're worth every penny (Plus, she offers a fewtips for stretching your dollar when buying and using herbs)*How her diagnosis has impacted her asana practice and her thoughts on how yoga is always changing to meet her where she isShow notes (and Claire's smoothie recipe) at: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode116SHOUT-OUT TO OUR SPONSORS1. I love cooking but even I get tired of the grind day after day. One thing that’s helped me immensely is Sunbasket meal delivery service -- they offer organic produce and clean ingredients and many different types of meal plans. Their food is so delicious and I LOVE how creative they are! Go to sunbasket.com/yogaland to get $35 off your first order.2. LOLA is a female-founded company offering 100organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners. For every purchase, LOLA donates feminine care products to homeless shelters across the U.S. For 40% off all subscriptions, visit mylola.com and enter the code YOGALAND when you subscribe.3. Truth: I am not a perfume gal. They're usually too cloying for me and I don't trust that the ingredients are safe. But I'm in love with the scents created by Skylar Body. They're vegan and never tested on animals. And they're free of parabens, phthalates, and other potentially harmful chemicals and they smell so amazing. To see which scent you like best, you can try the Skylar sample palette with free shipping plus earn a $20 credit towards your next full-sized perfume purchase, visit Skylar.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, I'm joined by yoga teacher and holistic health coach Rosie Acosta. Rosie shares her personal story of growing up in East L.A. in the 90s where chaos and violence surrounded her daily. By the time she was a teen, she'd been arrested, she was physically unhealthy, and she didn't see much of a future for herself. And yet, here she is now, living a bright, fulfilled life. Her story is inspiring and speaks to the power of the human spirit and the power of a dedicated yoga practice. ✨ "The minute I walked into that [yoga] room, I felt like I was home." ✨Rosie shares:- How one of the biggest mistakes of her life as a teen was actually a catalyst for positive change- The internal conflict of wanting to create a better life for herself while knowing that he family feared losing her if she "got out"- How growing up with instability created a deep internal craving for stability- How she juggled several jobs and explored different paths before finding the right fit with yoga- Her advice for finding the right yoga teacher for youThis interview is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt the odds are against them. I just love Rosie, and I know you will, too!Shownotes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode115SHOUT-OUT TO OUR SPONSORS1. I love cooking but even I get tired of the grind day after day. One thing that’s helped me immensely is Sunbasket meal delivery service -- they offer organic produce and clean ingredients and many different types of meal plans. Their food is so delicious and I LOVE how creative they are! Go to sunbasket.com/yogaland to get $35 off your first order.2. LOLA is a female-founded company offering 100organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners. For every purchase, LOLA donates feminine care products to homeless shelters across the U.S. For 40% off all subscriptions, visit mylola.com and enter the code YOGALAND when you subscribe.3. Truth: I am not a perfume gal. They're usually too cloying for me and I don't trust that the ingredients are safe. But I'm in love with the scents created by Skylar Body. They're vegan and never tested on animals. And they're free of parabens, phthalates, and other potentially harmful chemicals and they smell so amazing. To see which scent you like best, you can try the Skylar sample palette with free shipping plus earn a $20 credit towards your next full-sized perfume purchase, visit Skylar.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I've been thinking a lot about ego lately. I've been talking to Jason's teacher trainees about social media strategy and putting yourself out there. And yet, I personally feel like social media brings out the most immature aspects of my ego. I thought it would be a good refresher for all of us to think about what yoga teaches us about the ego.This week, Sally Kempton and I talk about the purpose of the ego, misunderstandings around it (no, you don't ever annihilate your ego -- if you did, you probably wouldn't shower or pay your bills on time), and how to approach it from a yogic perspective. We get into how our ego is potentially affected by social media, and Sally offers helpful, practical self-inquiry techniques to help you relax your ego when it's triggered.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode114SHOUT-OUT TO OUR SPONSORS1. I love cooking but even I get tired of the grind day after day. One thing that’s helped me immensely is Sunbasket meal delivery service -- they offer organic produce and clean ingredients and many different types of meal plans. Their food is so delicious and I LOVE how creative they are! Go to sunbasket.com/yogaland to get $35 off your first order.2. LOLA is a female-founded company offering 100organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners. For every purchase, LOLA donates feminine care products to homeless shelters across the U.S. For 40% off all subscriptions, visit mylola.com and enter the code YOGALAND when you subscribe.3. Truth: I am not a perfume gal. They're usually too cloying for me and I don't trust that the ingredients are safe. But I'm in love with the scents created by Skylar Body. They're vegan and never tested on animals. And they're free of parabens, phthalates, and other potentially harmful chemicals and they smell so amazing. To see which scent you like best, you can try the Skylar sample palette with free shipping plus earn a $20 credit towards your next full-sized perfume purchase, visit Skylar.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lot of people come to yoga to help them balance some of the activities they do on a daily basis. After all, yoga is a great antidote to sitting in a chair, looking at a computer or iPhone screen, and other things sedentary people do.But you might not realize that if you're an avid yogi who practices daily, it can be helpful to add other types of movement into your routine to counterbalance the effects of the yoga asanas.That's what today's guest, longtime vinyasa yoga teacher and CrossFit trainer Debbie Steingesser, came to realize after she suffered a hip injury that required physical therapy and strength training to heal.This week, I talk to Debbie about how strength training has changed her practice--and her life!We talk about:*How a hip injury led Debbie to physical therapy and eventually CrossFit and how that experience changed her view on what yoga could do for her*What is CrossFit is and how can it be a complementary practice for yoga students*How the benefits of cross training go beyond the physicalShow notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode113SHOUT-OUT TO OUR SPONSORS1. I love cooking but even I get tired of the grind day after day. One thing that’s helped me immensely is Sunbasket meal delivery service -- they offer organic produce and clean ingredients and many different types of meal plans. Their food is so delicious and I LOVE how creative they are! Go to sunbasket.com/yogaland to get $35 off your first order.2. LOLA is a female-founded company offering 100organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners. For every purchase, LOLA donates feminine care products to homeless shelters across the U.S. For 40% off all subscriptions, visit mylola.com and enter the code YOGALAND when you subscribe.3. Truth: I am not a perfume gal. They're usually too cloying for me and I don't trust that the ingredients are safe. But I'm in love with the scents created by Skylar Body. They're vegan and never tested on animals. And they're free of parabens, phthalates, and other potentially harmful chemicals and they smell so amazing. To see which scent you like best, you can try the Skylar sample palette with free shipping plus earn a $20 credit towards your next full-sized perfume purchase, visit Skylar.com/yogaland.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast, we talk to our favorite Ayurvedic expert, Niika Quistgard, all about how to use principles from Ayurveda to bring our bodies back into balance in the heat of summer.She shares:* How to adapt your lifestyle during pitta season--we get into how to approach your yoga practice, meditation, breathing techniques, and which foods to eat (and avoid) during Pitta season* A few specific poses and practices that are calming for Pitta* The one thing that's even more important than you dominant Ayurvedic constitution. (It's all about balance, baby!)* What Niika means when she talks about taking "self-leadership" on your yoga mat and in your life*BONUS: Enjoy the soothing sounds of nature throughout this interview as Niika is talking to us outdoors among some particularly melodious birds.Show notes: http://jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode112 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've gotten several questions from listeners about how to find the right balance between working hard and surrendering during yoga postures. How to find that elusive balance of two seemingly conflicting ideals, whether on our yoga mats or in our lives, leaves many of us scratching our heads.Like so many things in yoga, the answer is complicated. But in this episode, Jason and I share some of our insights and do our best to tackle the question.Here's what we cover:* What Patanjali wrote about the idea of effort and ease in The Yoga Sutra and how Jason interprets it* What Joel Kramer meant by "playing the edge" in yoga postures and how Jason and I approach the concept* Practical advice for when to work hard and when to back off* How to tell whether physical limitations are in the structure of the joint or the soft tissueShow notes: http://jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode111 SHOUT-OUT TO OUR SPONSORS1. I love cooking but even I get tired of the grind day after day. One thing that’s helped me immensely is Sunbasket meal delivery service -- they offer organic produce and clean ingredients and many different types of meal plans. Their food is so delicious and I LOVE how creative they are! Go to sunbasket.com/yogaland to get $35 off your first order.2. LOLA is a female-founded company offering 100organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners. For every purchase, LOLA donates feminine care products to homeless shelters across the U.S. For 40% off all subscriptions, visit mylola.com and enter the code YOGALAND when you subscribe.3. Truth: I am not a perfume gal. They're usually too cloying for me and I don't trust that the ingredients are safe. But I'm in love with the scents created by Skylar Body. They're vegan and never tested on animals. And they're free of parabens, phthalates, and other potentially harmful chemicals and they smell so amazing. To see which scent you like best, you can try the Skylar sample palette with free shipping plus earn a $20 credit towards your next full-sized perfume purchase, visit Skylar.com/yogaland.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Jason and I are live from Detroit Yoga Lab answering student questions about some of the most common yoga injuries, how to prevent and avoid them. Bonus banter: Find out why Jason has a black eye - unsurprisingly, it's not from yoga or a bar fight. And learn what Jason's three favorite bands are.(Our regular listeners will not be surprised to hear that Salabhasana (Locust Pose) come up a time or two.)Here's what we discuss:* Alternative poses for Warrior I and II for practitioners with SI joint pain* Best poses and modifications for hamstring overstretch issues* Which movements during an asana practice could cause excess shoulder and neck tension and which counter poses or practices can students do to find relief* Have we demonized Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose)? Plus, how to transition from Plank to the floor in a way that's less likely to cause injuryShow notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode110 SHOUT-OUT TO OUR SPONSORS1. I love cooking but even I get tired of the grind day after day. One thing that’s helped me immensely is Sunbasket meal delivery service -- they offer organic produce and clean ingredients and many different types of meal plans. Their food is so delicious and I LOVE how creative they are! Go to sunbasket.com/yogaland to get $35 off your first order.2. Care/Of is a new online vitamin company that is devoted to personalization and authenticity in its sourcing. Set your health goals, take their quiz, and they’ll give you vitamin, mineral, and adaptogen recommendations. They also include sourcing information and studies to give you background on your choices. I’ve had fun trying them out! Visit takecareof.com and use offer code YOGALAND at checkout for 25% off your first month of vitamins.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I put together this episode after the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. The loss of both of these talented, successfully, beloved people in one week was tragic. A few days after it happened, I read two great stories that talked about how important it is to tell our stories about getting through depression. When the news media focuses on a suicide and how it happens, it can lead to contagion. But when people tell their personal stories of getting through depression or suicidal thoughts or attempts, it helps people in the midst of a crisis see that they can survive.In that spirit, I offer up the things I've learned from surviving depression, as well as how I got through it. I hope it helps you or someone you love. I'm posting links to the two articles mentioned on the shownotes page, which you can find here: yogalandpodcast.com/bonusepisode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you remember the first time you did your favorite pose? Was it true love the first time you took the shape? Or did it take a few tries (or maybe even years!?) to appreciate it?A few weeks ago, I shared on Instagram that when I first started practicing Side Angle Pose, I thought it was a total snooze and now it's one of my favorite poses. I asked if anyone else has had this experience with a pose and got a resounding yes. For me, the process of appreciating Side Angle Pose represents the way the practice fuels growth and contentment: I used to need a big pose to capture my attention, but now the simpler shapes can bring me to a place of focused attention, awareness, and absorption.It also shows the beauty of a long-term, sustainable practice -- you change over time and your practice can change, too. This week, Jason and I unpack all of this -- the poses we once overlooked, as well as the poses we used to long for that don't hold much weight anymore. And I share some of the (awesome) comments you all left on the 'gram. And bonus: Jason also talks about his approach to drishti (or gaze).We'd love to hear from you and the poses you've grown to love -- post them on Instagram and use the hashtag #yogalandstories so we can find you!Check out the shownotes page for links to pose breakdowns for some of the poses mentioned in the episode: yogalandpodcast.com/episode109 SHOUT-OUT TO OUR SPONSORS1. I love cooking but even I get tired of the grind day after day. One thing that’s helped me immensely is Sunbasket meal delivery service -- they offer organic produce and clean ingredients and many different types of meal plans. Their food is so delicious and I LOVE how creative they are! Go to sunbasket.com/yogaland to get $35 off your first order.2. Storyworth makes it easy and fun for loved ones to tell their stories. Simply purchase a subscription for someone you love and each week Storyworth will send them a question about their life. After a year, stories are bound in a beautiful book. For $20 off, visit storyworth.com/yogaland when you subscribe.3. Care/Of is a new online vitamin company that is devoted to personalization and authenticity in its sourcing. Set your health goals, take their quiz, and they’ll give you vitamin, mineral, and adaptogen recommendations. They also include sourcing information and studies to give you background on your choices. I’ve had fun trying them out! Visit takecareof.com and use offer code YOGALAND at checkout for 25% off your first month of vitamins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.