Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

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.

The Psoas Major in Yoga and in Life

Physical therapist and yoga teacher Libby Hinsley discusses the significance of the psoas muscle and how yoga teachers can most effectively work with it in their classes. Highlights The primary role of the psoas muscle (it’s probably not what you think) Symptoms of psoas dysfunction Two reasons why modern humans have more problems with the psoas than our ancestors How the psoas shapes the body Two neuromuscular principles for supporting the psoas to lengthen A formula for working with the psoas in yoga classes The problem with most anatomical cues and what you can do instead   Invitation for Inspired Action Write a sequence using Libby’s psoas love formula. Who is your audience? Will they benefit from indirect strengthening or can you target the psoas major muscles directly?   Share it on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group! Email subscribers get a bonus download: 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. Gil Hedley anatomical dissection videos Libby's website Join Anatomy Bites 5 Things You Should Know About The Psoas Major - Free Download

Yoga and Money: an Inquiry

Is it ethical to charge for yoga? Highlights What yoga teachers are selling (it's not yoga) Why free yoga may not be in the best interest of the student. Why money causes so many people to behave unethically - and why yoga teachers are far from immune. How to make better decisions around money. Lessons from ancient yogic texts such as the yoga sutras and the Bhagavad Gita.   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. Kaya Mindlin's Instagram (she does Sakskrit Saturday tutorials)

Teaching at a Yoga Festival or Conference with Anastasia Shevchenko

How I Learned to Love Marketing

Learn how to market your offerings in a way that is both honest and effective - and avoid the most common marketing pitfalls along the way. Highlights The evolution of the ‘yoga industry’ in the past few decades Why most yoga teachers think of marketing in backwards - and how turning that thinking around can transform their relationship to marketing The weird reason I used to be afraid of marketing - and how I got over myself How (and why) to depersonalize the results of your marketing One powerful assignment to get you started with effective marketing. Invitation for Inspired Action Set up tea or phone calls with 5 of your most dedicated students. Determine what they appreciate about your classes, what need they feel it fulfills, and what challenges or frustrates them in their practice. Pay attention to the language they use and the things they care about. Once you have had your first conversation, please come onto the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group  and tell us what you learned.   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.

Bernie Clark on Your Spine, Your Yoga

Bernie Clark shares how you can use knowledge of anatomical variation to make your yoga classes more inclusive and supportive of long term optimal health for your students. Highlights The most important anatomical concepts that yoga teachers often get wrong. The most important question for yoga teachers and students to ask themselves about asana. How to know if you should study anatomy as a yoga teacher. The anti-fragility curve and what it means for yoga teachers Common poses to avoid teaching in a mixed group Three principles of intelligent strengthening for the spine Invitation for Inspired Action Ask your students “What are you feeling?” Enter to win Bernie’s two most recent books: Your Body Your Yoga and Your Spine Your Yoga. 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. Bernie’s WebsitePurchase Bernie’s books on Amazon: