Yogaland Podcast

Jason is back and he's sharing just a few of the values he hopes to pass onto his teacher training graduates. We talk about -- how do you develop a strong, personal point of view without minimizing others' points of view? And is yoga a discipline that changes over time -- are we allowed to revise? For shownotes and a full blog post go to: yogalandpodcast.com/episode68 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MC Yogi is a well-known performing artist -- and perhaps one of the only rappers to write lyrics about Hanuman and Ganesha? -- and is married to artist Amanda Giacomini who I interviewed on episode 45. Together, they've owned and been the primary teachers at the Point Reyes Yoga Studio in Point Reyes, CA. On this episode, we talk about MC Yogi's his new book, Spiritual Graffiti, which tells the story of how discovering yoga helped him overcome his troubled youth and brought his artistry to life. Thanks to MC Yogi for allowing us to use his music for this episode. For shownotes and a link to order his book: yogalandpodcast.com/episode67 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jessica Berger Gross is the author of the beautiful, moving, hopeful memoir, Estranged: Leaving Family & Finding Home. Jessica was raised in a seemingly typical middle class family in Long Island. But behind the scenes she suffered physical abuse from her father. She made the decision in her late twenties to stop communicating with her parents not knowing that the decision would become permanent. Now, 17 years later she's written a memoir that Elle Magazine included in their guide to the "best books of summer," and that Glamour called "gripping." Jessica was first introduced to yoga in high school and immersed herself in the practice after the estrangement. She practiced many different styles -- Jivamukti, Baptiste, vinyasa -- before settling on Iyengar as her chosen path. We talk about how yoga helped her reclaim her body, how it informs her choices now that she's a mom, and how it kept her sane and inspired during the writing of this book. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode66/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lizzie Lasater teaches the pleasure of deceleration through Restorative yoga workshops and digital trainings. Lizzie is the daughter of venerated yoga teacher Judith Hanson Lasater, so I was keen to pick her brain about how yoga was (successfully! without rejection!) passed onto her. Lizzie also offers great tips for incorporating Restorative Yoga into everyday life. And, as she's witnessed both of her parents growing older and benefitting from lifelong yoga and meditation practice, Lizzie talks about the importance of taking the longview with asana practice.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode65/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Judith Hanson Lasater Ph.D., physical therapist, has been teaching yoga since 1971. Judith has written nine books and is one of the founders of Yoga Journal Magazine. I had many opportunities to interview Judith during my decade as an editor there, but this interview was so refreshingly different for me because I got to ask her whatever I wanted! She shared how she found yoga, the importance of following your intuition, and her tips for learning to communicate clearly. I have the utmost respect for Judith -- her body of work, her insight, her compassion and care for her students all shine through in this interview.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode64/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kino MacGregor is an Ashtanga yogi in the lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and is the co-owner of the Miami Life Center in Miami Beach, Florida. Kino also has a new book out called Yogi Assignment, where she shares 30 days of "assignments" to help you bring the philosophy of yoga into everyday life. Kino talked to me about the surprising story of meeting her teacher for the first time, what it's like to be trolled online, and how the yoga practice "ferments" with time. You can practice with Kino online on her new channel, Omstars.com. Yogalandstories question this week: What's one valuable way that your yoga practice has been of benefit to the people around you? Please submit your story on Instagram with a photo of yourself using the hashtag #yogalandstories and I'll pick one to feature on my feed. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode63 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special bonus episode, Jason and I answer your questions that came up during the summer series. Thanks, as always, for sending in your questions. It helps us plan episodes!We talk about why the cue to keep the feet parallel in Wheel Pose came about (and is it really necessary?), I offer some help for hurting knees, ideas for strengthening the "pull muscles," and Locust Pose alternatives during pregnancy.Shownotes: yogalandpodast.com/epsiode62/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I first met Jaimal Yogis when he was a young, up-and-coming journalist, a long-time spiritual seeker, and a surfer. These days he can award-winning writer, three-time book author, and father of three boys under the age of five to his bio. He is such a wonderful writer and his new book, All Our Waves Are Water is one of the best examples of relating deep meditation practice to the pains and beauty of every day life I have ever read. I am in love with this book and I'm so happy to share this interview with you.Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode61/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm tired of the stale, depressing exercise and yoga advice for the "older set." It too often characterizes people over 50 as weak, unfit, and fragile. There are now plenty of yogis who have been practicing for decades and are approaching their 50s, 60s, & 70s. Do you think they're taking it easy? Nope. Neither do I. Desiree Rumbaugh and Michelle Marchildon confirm that I am right! (And who doesn't like to be right?) They're the co-authors of the book -- Fearless After Fifty: How to Thrive With Grace, Grit, and Yoga. Their book doesn't sugarcoat the aging process -- there are fears that come, there is loss. But it's equally practical about the strength and wisdom that come with years of experience being on this planet and in this practice. It's inspiring and fun to listen to them and hear their perspectives about the process that -- if we're lucky -- we will all get to experience.shownotes -- including videos from michelle & desiree's book! yogalandpodcast.com/episode60/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Nemer is the co-founder of AcroYoga and has spent the past decade on the road spreading the practice around the world. Acro is a beautiful, vibrant, playful practice and it's an amazing practice for developing trust, confidence, and communication. Check out the gorgeous AcroYoga flash mob on the shownotes page: yogalandpodcast.com/episode59/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.