Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

Yoga therapist and Science of Yoga author, Ann Swanson, shares insights on the intersection of science and yoga including: Why yoga as an integrated practice is uniquely positioned to make an impact on human wellness. Her struggles integrating science and spirituality - and why she now feels they are inseparable.  How to weave spirituality into your classes in a subtle and accessible manner. How to evaluate stated benefits and contraindications of specific poses What she thinks about inversions during menstruation - and the exact thought process that led her to that conclusion.  Links and Resources:  Ann Swanson’s website Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Yoga Alliance CEO Shannon Roche joins Mado to discuss recently announced changes to their standards for entry level yoga teacher trainings. The conversation goes in-depth on topics of curriculum, anticipated outcomes, and even reactions to criticisms of Yoga Alliance as an organization.    Since this episode is longer than normal, timestamps of the highlights and different topics addressed are included below so that you can jump to specific areas of interest:    00:02:50 Shannon’s personal definition of yoga and how she views the role and scope of Yoga Alliance’s participation in the larger yoga community. 00:06:38 Shannon’s personal history and experience with yoga and what led her to the position as CEO for Yoga Alliance. 00:11:08 A summary of the major changes and the motivation behind the 18 month long project. 00:21:23 Alternative pathways or “grandfathering” options for lead trainers who might not have the typical credentials but have the qualifications  00:24:11 Anticipated outcomes and who the changes will impact the most  00:27:43 The difference between a certifying entity and a credentialing agency and how they work together. 00:29:31 How Yoga Alliance is approaching their “PR problem” and reputational concerns. 00:39:24 Review panels, re-credentialing, and updates and improvements to the application process.  00:47:44 Curriculum changes. 00:59:02 How Yoga Alliance will continue to evaluate standards going forward  01:04:44 Critics of Yoga Alliance   New RYS Standards Yoga Alliance Mission Statement  Email Yoga Alliance Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Rose is a new yoga teacher. Unlike many teachers, she didn’t start teaching until age 55 and because of this she feels she needs to get some help honing in on her focus area and niche. In this on-air coaching call, Mado helps Rose get clear about who she feels called to teach yoga to, plus some beautifully simple ways she can improve her classes and get her confidence up as a new yoga teacher.    Listen to hear some effective and easy to apply strategies for new yoga teachers such as:    How to keep your center while teaching a yoga class no matter who shows up to your class. Clarifying your goals and intentions for teaching yoga in order to reach your specific student base.  The importance of mentorship and community for yoga teachers.  Why market research is essential for teachers who want to have an impact How to approach your students to ask for feedback.  Ways to incorporate personal stories that your students will connect with that don’t come across as just “talking about yourself.”    Links and Resources    Episode 43: Foundations of a Yoga Business Schedule a coaching call with Mado  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most practical and accessible yogic texts. It is about yoga in action and how to apply the teachings of yoga to real life situations. But can these ancient teachings be helpful when dealing with modern issues such as burnout and spiritual bypassing? That is exactly what Kaya Mindlin and Mado Hesselink get into on this week’s episode of the podcast. They thoughtfully discuss the causes of burnout and spiritual bypassing and how the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita can be a much needed remedy. More in this episode: What makes the Bhagavad Gita different than other yoga texts. How burnout and spiritual bypassing are talked about in the Bhagavad Gita. A truly beautiful description of the teachings of vairagya (commonly translated as nonattachment). What modern yogis and yoga teachers can do to prevent burnout and spiritual bypassing. A simple and accessible way to practice the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and integrate them into your everyday life. How the lessons in the Bhagavad Gita apply to teaching yoga classes. Links and Resources Kaya’s Bhagavad Gita Course Yoga Sutras training with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Jules Mitchell is the author of Yoga Biomechanics, Stretching Redefined and a passionate educator dedicated to bringing a positive understanding of human movement to the yoga world. Discussed in this episode: Why she doesn’t view herself as a controversial figure despite acknowledging that her work pisses people off. Her desire to re-instill the passion in yoga teachers who feel jaded. Her mission to help yoga teachers work confidently with their students who are injured, concerned about injury, or have limiting beliefs about their bodies. The pose from yoga that she wishes all exercise modalities would adopt.   Links and Resources Jules’ website Purchase Jule’s book for a 15% discount use code TRJM19 until June 30th Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Self promotion is a challenge for many yoga teachers. It feels counterintuitive and contrary to the tradition of service and spiritual practice we know and love. Even trying to wrap our head around the concept of branding, while also managing the day-to-day aspects of teaching yoga, can be a bit overwhelming. The purpose of today’s episode is to offer clarity and a grounded approach to branding for your yoga business. I am joined by one of my long time coaching clients, Miranda Peterson. Miranda is a yoga teacher and a digital marketing and branding expert. She understands the unique challenge of needing to stand out in an oversaturated market while also being true to your passion and your practice. We cover a lot of ground including: What is branding and how is this different from marketing, graphic design, and PR? Common mistakes yoga teachers make with their branding. How to decide whether to DIY or hire someone. Tips to get started and basic design principles. The #1 thing to consider when creating your personal brand. Links and Resources: Podcast episode on finding your niche Three steps to a sustainable and ethical yoga business with Joe Pace Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Miranda’s website Sign up for a clarity call with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

How do we share the benefits of yoga with working class people in a way that doesn’t turn them off and is inclusive and welcoming? Topics covered in this on-air coaching call: How to become more skillful at communicating the benefits of yoga with anybody you meet. How to overcome the false or incomplete perceptions as portrayed by yoga magazines, advertisements, and social media. How to reach further into communities where yoga is not popular or is not understood. How to appeal to a working class student base . Ideas to grow your classes in these markets and how to think about advertising as a yoga teacher. Sign up for a strategy session with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Insights and surprises about yoga teachers and the yoga industry, glimpses behind the scenes of podcast production, and a vulnerable moment of self-revelation. This episode covers some of many lessons I’ve learned through producing this podcast for the past year including: The inspiration for starting this podcast - and how that initial spark has expanded into the main ways that I currently work with yoga teachers. Two common struggles that many yoga teachers face that surprised me The truth about a so-called saturated market - and how yoga teachers around the world are finding their own way to a sustainable yoga business. The hardest part about producing the podcast - and the part that was surprisingly easier than I expected. One ugly truth about myself and how it has been holding me back in my business (and my life) A peek behind the scenes of how I choose topics for the podcast, which episodes have been the most popular, and the single most downloaded episode of the entire year. How listening to myself on the podcast has revealed an aspect of my personality that is both a limitation and a superpower - and how yoga has helped me manage and come to terms with this particular challenge.

Are you curious or confused about non-compete contracts? Many yoga studios are now asking their teachers to sign a document stating that they won't open a competing studio or some even require that you not teach at another studio within a certain distance. In this episode I share my thoughts on non-compete contracts including: The evolution of non-compete contracts in the yoga space. The circumstances that need to be in place before I would sign one How enforceable are they? - and what would enforcement look like? What you should do if you are asked to sign one, but don't feel it is fair.  Have you ever been asked to sign a non-compete? If so, what came of it? Come share your story on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group.

Many yoga teachers struggle with the concept of owning a business, because we associate businesses with an unbridled (and often unethical) pursuit of profit. On this week's podcast, Joe Pace (former marketing analyst and founder of Icewater yoga) shares how yoga teachers can take lessons from business analytics and yoga to create a career that is both ethical and sustainable.  Joe shares plenty of practical information, but we also dive deep on a philosophical level. Some of the things you'll learn include: What yoga teachers should be measuring as part of their business strategy How to calculate the amount that it's reasonable to spend on acquiring a new customer/student. What it's like running an online yoga platform A system for applying principles from marketing analytics to an ethical yoga business.  Links and Resources Icewater Yoga The Clutch Podcast