Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

The myth of stretching vs strengthening

Do you (really) understand the relationship between stretching and strengthening? Yoga teacher and physical therapist Ferris Fakhoury sets us straight about the relationship between these two concepts. (Hint - they aren’t opposites). She also drops wisdom about: Changes in our understanding about the human body that are happening in both the PT and yoga worlds. How to determine healthy and unhealthy movement patterns in yoga Why she believes that beginners are best served by starting out with private sessions. Her thoughts on the purpose of training flexibility How our verbal cues impact the way our students feel about their bodies and their poses. Helpful Links: Register for the anatomy series with Mado, Ferris, and Cat - March 10-April 7 Anjali Hot Yoga Book a strategy session with Mado

The Truth About Anatomy

Is knowing anatomy really important for being a great yoga teacher?  Many of the yoga teachers I talk to believe that anatomy is their biggest learning opportunity for becoming a better yoga teacher. It's the number one topic I hear people wish was covered more thoroughly in their teacher training. But... I think most yoga teachers misunderstand the purpose and place of studying anatomy. Listen to this episode to hear: A bit about my journey from alignment based yoga teacher to anatomy based yoga teacher to...? The more accurate definition of anatomy that helps to place it into proper context.  The related topics of study that might be more important for yoga teachers and movement professionals. Why I hope this episode becomes outdated as soon as possible. I also share about an upcoming training for yoga teachers that I am collaborating on with two brilliant colleagues who are also upcoming guests on the podcast (keep your eyes peeled the next few weeks for more anatomy related episodes).  PS - The new year is bringing many new clients my way and I am very grateful. I am 3/4 of the way to capacity for working with yoga teachers on a regular basis. Would you like to take one of my final spaces?   

Jill Miller on getting a hip replacement - and what yoga teachers need to know about their students with bionic hips

Jill Miller had a hip replacement a little over a year ago. In this episode she shares new insights that she realized in the past few weeks about the factors that contributed to severe degeneration of her hip and the inevitability of a hip replacement.  She also covers: The unique approach her surgeon took (and an overview of the more traditional approaches) The upgrades in hip replacement hardware made in the past few years (and why, as teachers, we should assume student have the old hardware unless we know for sure). Movement contraindications for both old and new hardware. The movement patterns and specific poses that she believes contributed to her hip's degeneration. The one question to ask any student who discloses an injury. Jill also opens up with her signature vulnerability and candor about what it was like going into surgery and what the hardest part of the healing process has been for her.  Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook GroupTune Up Fitness Yoga Tune Up® TrainingFunctional Anatomy for Yoga Teachers This episode is kicking off a series of podcasts that focus on anatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics in honor of a series of classes on the same topics that I am offering in the Asheville, NC area beginning in March. This 5-week series (Sundays 11-2:30, beginning March 10) is co-taught with physical therapist Ferris Fakhoury and Trigger Point Therapist Cat Matlock. We have distilled the essentials of human movement that are most important for yoga teachers to understand and are excited to present it in a way that is specifically relevant for yoga teachers. Early bird rate of $325 is available until February 27th, but having three teachers for a small group is a unique opportunity to get individual attention and it may fill before then. Register today. 

Sales for Yoga Teachers

Is sales a dirty word in yoga? It is certainly not what we signed up to do when we became yoga teachers.  In this episode, my guest Amanda Kingsmith makes the case that sales are a necessary part of being a yoga teacher, that they don't have to feel slimy, and that they can actually be a catalyst for personal growth.  Our conversation also dives into: -->What Amanda learned working on the sales floor at Lululemon -->The difference between convincing and offering -->The inner work that is the first step to getting better at sales - and making them feel more comfortable. -->How to make sales feel like service.  Inspired Action After you listen to the episode, Amanda invites you to sit down with a journal and brainstorm on the following four questions: What does success mean to me? What is one thing I really want to do with my teaching or business? What is one thing that is holding me back right now? What is my relationship to money? Links and Resources Yoga Podcasts MBOM podcastConnected Yoga Teacher podcast Yoga Business Coaches Work with AmandaWork with ShannonWork with Mado Podcast episodes mentioned: Episode 6: Succeed as a yoga teacher by focusing on cooperation over competition with Mado and Shannon Crow Episode 8: Teaching yoga full time vs part time with Mado

Plan Your Classes Like a Pro Part 2

Learn to create a yoga class plan that is easily searchable and repeatable. In the second episode of this two part series I will build on the information from last week, so make sure to listen to part one first. Some of the topics I cover include: how often to change up your plan the most common ways to structure your plans how to create a system to make it easy to reuse your class plans adapting the same plan for different populations. why your plan doesn't need to be perfect  Links and Resources Get a downloadable list of 100 yoga class themes when you sign up for my email list. Get personalized help with your class planning by booking a strategy session.  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook group to get advice from other teachers.  

Plan Your Classes Like a Pro Part 1

Learn tips and techniques for planning your classes to keep you focused, effective, and inspired.  Part one of this series focuses on the nuts and bolts of how to create a plan that has enough structure to be helpful, but enough flexibility to be adaptable to unexpected circumstances. Topics covered include: The difference between a sequence, a theme, and a class plan. Why it's important to treat your plan like a tool, not like a rule. A simple trick to energize any theme that feels one-dimensional or incomplete. How to structure your plan to help you make decisions on the fly in response to your students. How to approach planning a 60 minute class vs a 90 minute class vs a workshop.   

Practicing and Teaching Meditation with Kelly Smith

Tips and practical advice for your own meditation practice and how to share it with your students. In this episode, Kelly Smith from Yoga for You online shares practical and down to earth advice about practicing and teaching meditation, including: The best time of day to meditate How to choose a meditation position What to do if you tend to fall asleep during meditation She also shares ideas for teaching meditation such as: How to talk to your students about meditation in a way that meets them where they are at.  The simplest way to introduce meditation into your classes.  Some ideas for formatting a meditation workshop or series. She and I also discuss the placement of meditation within the 8 limbs of yoga and how both of us use meditation to manage our anxiety.  Listen to the end of the episode for a discount to her online meditation trainings.     

On Being Nervous

If you feel nervous before teaching - you are not alone. Feeling nervous is something that happens to everyone, yet somehow we tent to think we are the only ones who feel that way! In this episode, I will share my personal ideas, feelings, and strategies around how to handle getting nervous about your teaching.  What being nervous really means Why it's actually a good thing What to do when you feel so nervous you think it might affect the quality of your teaching. Internal and external strategies for dealing with extreme nervousness.

Ethical Use of Social Media

Alexandria Crow shares insights on how yoga teachers can use social media in a way that is both ethical and effective. Highlights Benefits and pitfalls of social media for yoga teachers Alex’s elevator pitch How to decide which social media channels to use How to create content to post on social media How to measure your success on social media   Invitation for Inspired Action Create your elevator pitch and share it on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group!   Links and Resources Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Email list to get access to bonus content for all episodes, both past and future. Alex’s Website

How to Price Your Offerings

If you struggle with pricing or are unsure about how to set prices for your teaching, this episode is a mini-training to help you set a minimum hourly rate.