Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

Degenerative Disc Disease with Dr. Libby Hinsley

Students often share scary-sounding diagnoses with their yoga teachers and expect us to know what they are - and how to modify for them. Today’s episode is the first of a miniseries about some of the most common conditions that will show up in a yoga classroom. Dr. Libby Hinsley demystifies the misleading diagnosis of “degenerative disc disease” - and shares the tools you will need as a yoga teacher to confidently help any student who tells you they have it. 
 
Episode Highlights:
How your back is like a Jelly Doughnut!
What IS “degenerative disc” and what impact should it have on your practice?
The relationship between bulging, slipped, and herniated discs (hint - one of these isn’t a real thing).
The prevalence of spinal abnormalities - and how worried we should be if they show up on imaging.
The relationship between degenerative disc disease and backbends.
Nerve compression symptoms and how to modify for them.
 
Episode Links & Resources:
Visit Anatomy Bites
Libby Hinsley
Follow Libby Hinsley on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
Follow Libby Hinsley on Facebook
 
Other Resources:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes

Sustainable Service Packages and The Myth of Passive Income with Amberly Kelley-Dotson [On Air Coaching Call]

Yoga teachers often find themselves with a business model that leads straight to burnout. In this live coaching session, yoga teacher Amberly Kelley-Dotson opens up about the exhaustion of the one-on-one grind. Amberly is caught in a cycle of high-touch services and hidden, unpaid labor. In this episode, we work through a real-time restructuring of her business, moving away from the "passive income" fantasy and toward sustainable, concrete alternatives.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:02:51 Amberly’s journey from injury to therapeutic yoga06:32 The unpaid labor of private practice11:04 Packages and multiple levels of service20:03 Marketing Without the Info Dump24:55 Courses, Retreats, and Reusable Content30:42 Next Steps & Wrap-Up
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Amble WellBeing
Follow Amberly Kelley-Dotson on Instagram @amblewellbeing
Follow Amberly Kelley-Dotson on Facebook
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Alignment and Functional Movement with Dr. Ariele Foster

Basic misunderstandings about the human body can lead to yoga cues that have the opposite effect from what the teacher intended. In this episode, physical therapist and longtime yoga educator Dr. Ariele Foster breaks down why rigid alignment cues often fail our biology. Listen in to hear a nuanced discussion of the role of alignment in asana and how to bring more functional movement into your yoga classes.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:01:11 Meet Dr. Ariele Foster: From yoga enthusiast to physical therapist11:08 Reconsidering the role of alignment15:18 How alignment can either increase or decrease your options for movement.22:58 How alignment can feed into kinesophobia30:05 Functional movement vs. specialized movement42:58 How to weave more functional movement into your classes46:36 Conclusion and further resources
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Yoga Anatomy Academy
Yoga for 3D Hip Stability Course
Follow Yoga Anatomy Academy on Instagram @yogaanatomyacademy
Follow Yoga Anatomy Academy on Facebook
Wellilo Physical Therapy and Yoga
Follow Dr. Ariele Foster on Instagram @dr.ariele.foster
Follow Dr. Ariele Foster: Wellilo Physical Therapy + Yoga on Facebook
Here is a webinar on how to avoid injury that Dr. Ariele Foster would like to share with listeners.
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPip

Be Less Cringey on Camera with Henrica Vanderaa [On-Air Coaching Call]

If you feel super awkward as soon as the camera starts rolling, you’ll be able to relate to this on-air coaching call. Henrica shares her challenges in producing on-demand yoga videos that she feels are good enough to release to her students. Listen in for my advice on how to get started with creating and editing yoga videos when you’re struggling with perfectionism. 
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:00:41 From Corporate Life to Teaching Yoga in Multiple Languages05:22 The Challenges of Creating an On-Demand Video Library07:25 Technical Struggles and Solutions for Video Production11:58 Bad Recordings and Failing Forward15:09 The Pros and Cons of Recording Live Classes18:30 Strategies for Using Video to Boost Retreat Registrations28:48 The difference between good and perfect (this distinction is key for recovering perfectionists!)
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Henrica Yoga Algarve
Follow Henrica on Facebook
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Yoga, Longevity, and a Balanced Movement Diet with Dr Libby Hinsley

Yoga is a powerful tool, but it isn’t a complete physical solution. In this episode, physical therapist and yoga teacher Dr. Libby Hinsley introduces the concept of a "movement diet" as a framework for long-term physical sustainability and longevity. Over-relying on asana means missing out on essential movement "nutrients." Learn about the ‘macro-nutrients’ of the movement world, including where yoga shines and where it is limited. We share personal stories and practical advice for yoga-lovers who want to transition from a yoga-centric routine to a more comprehensive ‘diet’. Listen in for a clear-eyed look at what it takes to support your body for the long haul.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:01:07 The myth of yoga as a complete exercise05:43 Yoga's role in a balanced movement diet09:30 Strength, cardio, and mobility: The macronutrients13:21 How much strength do we build when we practice yoga asana21:38 Where we are now & our personal movement diet through the years28:47 Tips for getting started with strength and cardio36:32 Final thoughts and resources
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Libby Hinsley
Bendy & Badass
Follow Libby Hinsley on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt
Follow Libby Hinsley on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Pricing and Financial Sustainability with Lorine Bamberg [On Air Coaching Call]

Can you honor the roots of yoga and still pay the bills? Join me for an on-air coaching call with yoga teacher Lorine Bamberg as we explore the intersection of spirituality and commerce. Lorine is committed to embodying yoga’s ethics but faces the very real challenge of protecting her own financial health. Together, we look at the evolving responsibilities of the modern teacher, from navigating fair pricing to balancing service with self-preservation. We also explore the complex role of social justice in practice: determining when to speak up and how to hold space for global issues with integrity.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:01:13 Lorine’s story: From gym rat to yoga mat04:35 What it really takes to teach yoga full-time07:04 Navigating the ethics of pricing and the tension between service and profit21:40 Balancing leadership with humility as a teacher24:23 When and how to address social issues in class35:29 Yoga as a practice to reclaim agency
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Swaying Tree Yoga
Follow Lorine on Instagram @swayingtreeyoga
Follow Lorine on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Advanced Asana Part 2: Aesthetics, Access, and the Algorithm with Lily Dwyer Begg

What happens when algorithms influence the public perception of yoga? Social media algorithms distort the public view of yoga and exacerbate a disconnect between yoga teachers and the people we aim to serve. In this candid discussion, Lily and I explore the challenges of teaching and practicing in the digital age. We question the viability of the "all levels" class and discuss the profound missed opportunities when yoga is 'sanitized' and divorced from the messy reality of life. Tune in for our perspective on how to use asana as a tool for cultivating deep self-understanding and agency.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:01:45 How social media platforms prioritize and amplify sexualized content05:05 Why this type of content might be contributing to a decline in yoga class attendance09:14 How the complex reality of a yoga practice is more beneficial than the sanitized version presented in the media and online10:24 An honest look at whether a single group class can truly serve “all levels”14:14 Options and free space as tools for accessibility22:51 Why home practice is a crucial space for genuine learning and self-acceptance26:13 How over-accommodating students based on assumptions can undermine their agency and stunt their growth31:03 Yoga class as an immersive experience vs a structured place to learn 33:22 Advanced asana practice as a self-aware relationship with your body 
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:Lily Dwyer Begg YogaFollow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbeggFollow Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga on Facebook
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Advanced Asana Part 1: What's the Point? with Lily Dwyer Begg

Most people view "advanced asana" as a flashy, performance-based practice driven by natural talent and aesthetics. This common misconception can lead people to dismiss asana as just preparation for real yoga or treat it as a casual activity that everyone can do equally. In this episode, we explore what it means to advance as an asana practitioner and the benefits of a consistent and systematic approach.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:02:15 Defining Advanced Asana08:33 Challenge vs. Intensity in Practice16:22 The Role of Asana in a Sedentary Culture19:50 Why Basic Postures can be Harder than Advanced Postures26:27 Do Mirrors and Cameras Have a Place in Asana Practice?32:11 The Role of Home Practice and Opportunities Online
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:Lily Dwyer Begg YogaFollow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbeggFollow Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga on Facebook
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Teaching and Demonstrating with Physical Limitations with Holly Williams [On Air Coaching Call]

Holly is a yoga teacher with physical limitations who has concerns about balancing her physical abilities with the needs of her students. Many of her students rely heavily on visual cues and she wonders whether she’s doing them a disservice by not being able to demonstrate everything she teaches. In this candid conversation, we explore the role of demonstration in yoga, the value of teaching with limitations, and the unspoken power dynamics between teachers and students.
 
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:01:01 Holly's story of finding yoga and becoming a teacher03:49 Specific physical limitations and how they impact students.05:20 The balance of giving student students what they want vs what they need08:44 Student agency - who chooses whom?12:22 Vulnerability as a superpower16:11 Students who refuse to modify or use props21:08 Navigating studio expectations30:03 Final thoughts and the need for representation in yoga classes
 
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:Holly Williams
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Build a Resilient Business with Big Picture Thinking

Yoga teachers tend to find their way to teaching through passion - and that’s a beautiful thing. But passion can only take you so far: without strategy, the work you love can quickly become a hamster wheel that spins faster every year. In this episode, learn how to harness rituals and routines to bring more strategy to your business. We'll explore simple planning rituals to help you align your day-to-day actions with your values and goals.
 
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:00:38 Why Big Picture Thinking is Not Intuitive06:24 Daily Big Picture Thinking Rituals07:57 Weekly Big Picture Thinking Rituals14:44 Quarterly Big Picture Thinking Rituals17:48 Yearly Big Picture Thinking Rituals20:55 How The Rituals Overlap & Inform Each Other
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES:
Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list
Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
Learn more about the Impact Club
Leave a review on iTunes
Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe