Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

Yoga Energetics with Kelly Golden

Listen in on a practical and  inspiring conversation about how yoga teachers can go beyond the physical in their teaching  Kelly Golden, founder of virabhava yoga, shares how her teaching evolved in response to personal challenges and the surprising way her students responded when she changed her classes from hot power vinyasa to a more slow and subtle practice incorporating energetics.  Episode highlights: Accessible definitions of prana and energetics.  Why teaching about energy is a struggle for yoga teachers and also why it’s important.  What it means to cultivate a relationship with prana. How understanding energy, and cultivating our tools of internal feeling and measurement, can help in terms of the long term benefit of our practice.  Easy and practical ways to bring a relationship with prana into the classroom and share with our students. Practicing and teaching yoga from the perspective of energy as primary and how alignment and form can follow a direction of energy.  Examples of teaching a movement in different ways to have different effects.   Links and Resources:  Small Group Coaching with Mado  Pay What You Can purchase option for Kelly’s online program  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group  Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable [On-Air Coaching Call]

Allison is opening a yoga studio and came to Mado with questions about working with her staff of teachers and finding ways to feel more centered in her personal offering of yoga.    Allison feels called to work with people with injuries and often finds herself connecting with physical therapists and chiropractors. She also expresses that she is unsure about calling herself an expert and yet she feels like she has sufficient training, even to the point of feeling a little “trained out” or tired of doing trainings right now.   Listen in as Mado guides Allison through her questions and offers the following insights: Tips for marketing and naming your classes so that people are clear about who you help and how you help them. Ideas for reaching out to physical therapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists for finding people to work with.  The value of personal connection over virtual connection for networking and building relationships with physical therapists and chiropractors.  Developing a mentorship program as a studio owner to nurture relationships with teachers at the studio.  What it means to be in a “questioning place” with your yoga teaching.   What to do when you feel tired of yoga training and it feels aren’t really getting any new information.    Links and Resources  Strategy Sessions and Coaching with Mado Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

How Technology is Changing Yoga with Alex Haley

Alex Haley, meditation teacher and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, joins Mado to discuss the intersection of mindfulness and technology and how those of us who are interested in wellness relate to technology and our tech-driven world. They also talk in-depth about how technology impacts our teaching of yoga and mindfulness, our students, and the people we love.  If you have questions or concerns about meditation apps and online teaching or are interested in how technology is changing our culture, you will appreciate this episode.  Insights shared in this episode: The benefits and limitations of meditation apps as well as current trends in apps.  Alex’s recommended apps and how he chooses his recommendations. The differences between using meditation apps vs having a teacher and a community to learn with. The business side of apps and online educational platforms for yoga and meditation teachers. Advice for yoga teachers to make sure they are getting fairly compensated on the online platforms. How yoga teachers can prepare and educate themselves about apps and how to use the technology in a practical and balanced way.   Citations Alex mentions in the episode: Mistretta, E. G., Davis, M. C., Temkit, M. H., Lorenz, C., Darby, B., & Stonnington, C. M. (2018). Resilience training for work-related stress among health care workers: results of a randomized clinical trial comparing in-person and smartphone-delivered interventions. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 60(6), 559-568. Adolph, K. E., & Hoch, J. E. (2019). Motor development: Embodied, embedded, enculturated, and enabling. Annual review of psychology, 70, 141-164.   Links and Resources  Fall group coaching mastermind program Offering Tree Website  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Why do we study the yoga sutras?

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is considered standard reading in yoga teacher trainings all over the world and many scholars spend a lifetime studying the history and meaning behind this enigmatic text. This week’s episode is an exploration of why, as modern day teachers of primarily yoga posture practice, we study this ancient yogic text.  Insights from this episode include: Why the yoga sutras has such a prominent place in modern postural yoga. The particular style, structure, and significance of the yoga sutras as a piece of Indian literature. recent theories and understandings about this enigmatic text. A comparison of the literary vs. the oral tradition of the yoga sutras  How the yoga sutras are connected to modern yoga lineages such as Iyengar, Ashtanga, power yoga, and vinyasa yoga.   Links and Resources  Register for Teaching the Yoga Sutras Weekend with Mado September 7th & 8th (Early bird discount ends August 7th) The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali: A Biography by David Gordon White Recommended translations: Edwin Bryant (most comprehensive - current gold standard translation, but overwhelmingly long at 672 pages) Chip Hartranft (less comprehensive, but a bit more accessible) Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Get on the Yoga Teacher Resource Email List

Science of yoga with Ann Swanson

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 on their new standards

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

A new yoga teacher finds her niche [On air coaching call]

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

Lessons on burnout and spiritual bypassing from The Bhagavad Gita with Kaya Mindlin

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

Movement Positivity with Jules Mitchell

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

Branding basics for yoga teachers

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