Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

When students push boundaries in class [on-air coaching call]

Have you ever had ‘problem’ students in your classes? This on-air coaching call covers how to maintain boundaries with students when they insist on testing them during class.   Highlights from this episode: Maintaining structure and boundaries while meeting the group dynamic.  Whether jokes appropriate in a yoga class or not.  How to set clear expectations around what the class experience will be.  Appropriate times and ways to utilize partner exercises.    How to offer a discussion portion of class in a fair and balanced way.  What to do when an expert or someone with more knowledge than you comes to your class. Links & Resources Foundations of a Yoga Business group coaching Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes

Yoga’s internal practices with Jerome Smith

Jerome Smith brings his authentic and down to earth approach to yoga and 30+ years of study in the Himalayan Tradition to this conversation with Mado about yoga’s internal practices and how to integrate them into your life.  Highlights from this episode: How to transition from external/body based practices to internal practices The value of self-guided home practice  The four aspects of the mind What progressive meditation practice is and the different stages according to the Himalayan Tradition Advice on how to manage the stimulation you allow yourself to be exposed to in your daily life  How to begin or re-commit to internal practices    Links & Resources Foundations of a Yoga Business group coaching Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes Jerome’s website mipsm.org       

How can yoga teachers respond to the Covid19 crisis?

Yoga offers some essential tools for reducing anxiety and making skillful decisions. These are my thoughts on how yoga teachers can tap into their practice to be a positive force during this time of unprecedented uncertainty.

Taking yourself seriously as a yoga teacher (on-air coaching call)

Faria had been feeling a shift in her mindset when she reached out to Mado for coaching. She was sensing it was time to stop treating yoga like a hobby and start taking her teaching career more seriously. But she didn’t know how exactly to do that. In this on-air coaching call, Faria talks about how her teaching has changed since completing the Foundations of a Yoga Business program and catches Mado up about what she’s working on now. They also discuss classroom issues, inviting students to take privates and helping her prepare for her 300 hour training.  Highlights from this episode: Why it’s okay to have more than one niche or sub-niche How to make your online content more powerful and effective by focusing on one type of person  What to do when someone shows up that the class is not designed for and how to serve that individual without doing a disservice to the group Planning and sequencing for a wide range of students How to confidently invite students to have a deeper experience with you through workshops and privates  How stepping out of your own personal comfort zone while teaching is an act of service  What it means to take yourself and your yoga business seriously  Links & Resources Foundations of a Yoga Business group coaching Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes

Inspired Yoga Class Themes with Michelle Marchildon

Michelle Marchildon joins Mado on the podcast to discuss how yoga teachers can incorporate themes into their classes in a way that feels authentic and inspiring. Highlights from this episode: Michelle’s definition of a yoga class theme The part of theming that most yoga teachers struggle with and Michelle’s formula to help overcome it Different approaches to finding inspiration and how to stay inspired How to connect authentically with students  What yoga teachers have to offer over yoga videos and how understanding this can help you and your students  How to stay connected to your authentic voice as a yoga teacher  Advice for people becoming new yoga teachers later in life  Examples of specific exercises Michelle gives people to help them use theming authentically in their classes   Links & Resources Foundations of a Yoga Business group coaching Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes Michelle’s website, YogiMuse.com

Why students struggle to step forward from down dog

Ever wonder what’s actually happening in the transition from downward facing dog to lunge? Why is it so challenging for some? Is it an essential transition to master?  Listen to learn how you can help your students navigate this common movement while still offering them an empowering yoga class experience. Highlights from this episode: Understanding the mechanics of this particular movement and what is required of your body.  Specific cues for that will help your students be successful. Why repetition of important cues is helpful to students. Building the poses and your cues progressively. Alternatives, modifications, and how to determine when they are appropriate. Strengthening movements that prepare your students for what it takes to step forward from down dog. Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes

Shannon Crow on Pelvic Health

Shannon Crow is a yoga teacher who specializes in yoga for pelvic health and trains other yoga teachers to do the same. In her conversation with Mado, she shares the basics of what every yoga teacher should know about pelvic health, information for yoga teachers interested in focusing on pelvic health, and also how she built her one to one pelvic health consultation business. Episode highlights: How the breath impacts our pelvic health. Why Kegels and Mula Bandha aren’t appropriate for all (or even most) yoga students. How to determine if a specific pose, practice, or exercise is safe for you if you have pelvic health issues.  Why pelvic health is a fantastic niche for yoga teachers - and how to determine if it is right for you. How yoga teachers can work cooperatively with pelvic floor PTs - and how to initiate relationships that result in a steady stream of referrals.    Links & Resources Pelvic Health Professionals Membership Book a Consultation Call with Shannon Foundations of a Yoga Business Episode 6: How to succeed as a yoga teacher by focusing on cooperation over competition with Shannon Crow

Staying centered while opening a yoga studio [on-air coaching call]

Kim is in the process of opening a yoga studio in an up-and-coming neighborhood in New York City. While she waits for her permits and paperwork to go through, she takes the opportunity to get some one-on-one coaching from Mado about her unique vision. In addition to being in an owner/administrative role, Kim wants to be a practitioner at her own studio. Listen as Mado offers some reflections and strategies to help her be successful as a new yoga studio owner.   Episode highlights:  How to be able to practice at the studio as the owner without getting overwhelmed by the day to day tasks and things that come up.  Bringing a yoga mindset into the experience of opening a studio. Creating structure in your schedule so that you get time to recharge.  Holding boundaries for ourselves in business and leadership roles. The importance of having a support person such as a manager or assistant and what skill sets to look for when hiring this person.  How to communicate with employees and clients and maintain integrity around your relationships. Suggestions for sales and promotions that have proven to work well for yoga studios. Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for Mado's email list and get a free download of 100 yoga class themes

How to sequence a 20 minute demo class

Mado shares her top 5 tips for sequencing a 20 minute demo class to audition for a teaching position. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a special freebie for listeners. Episode highlights:  Why yoga studios ask for a 20 minute audition. How to do research for the teaching job you are hoping to get.  What to focus on when you don’t have enough time to sequence a full class experience.  Teaching techniques you can use in your demo and beyond. How to have a plan for if you start running out of time and can’t teach everything you prepared. Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get a free downloadable cheat sheet based on this episode when you sign up for my email list.

Kelly McGonigal on the Joy of Movement

Health psychologist, Stanford University lecturer, and author Kelly McGonigal joins Mado for a  closer look at understanding the science behind the Joy of Movement from the perspective of a yoga teacher and yoga practitioner. The two also discuss how yoga teachers can use the information provided by the science to improve their classes and bring more joy to their students.  Episode highlights:  Kelly’s personal yoga story and what ultimately lead her to write the Joy of Movement. The therapeutic value of community and collective movement experiences.  How teaching yoga can build your skill sets in many different ways that often extend beyond the yoga classroom. Understanding why it feels so good to do yoga in a group experience according to science.  How to take this information and use it to structure your yoga classes and respond to your students in the moment.  Specific techniques to enhance the synchrony of the group and the direct experience of the joy of moving with others.  An introduction to the psychology of movement and how different postures affect our brain and mood.  How to help people begin and commit to joyful movement in their lives. Links & Resources Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Sign up for the email list and get 100 yoga class themes  Get more info about Mado’s Masterclass at Brevard Yoga Workshops that Wow online course waitlist  Purchase The Joy of Movement book