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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

Helping yoga teachers to stay connected to information, entrepreneur advice and a community of supportive yoga teachers and professionals.
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Now displaying: March, 2018
Mar 26, 2018

057: Feng Shui Your Yoga Space with Marina V. Umali

 

Shannon has invited designer Marina Umali to the show to answer some of the questions asked by many of you in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group about setting up your yoga spaces.

 

Marina is a New York State certified interior designer and Feng Shui practitioner. She studied architecture at Parsons School of Design and Interior Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She also practices yoga and has had the opportunity to visit many yoga studios.

 

Shannon and Marina discuss setting up your at-home or studio space keeping direction, colours, fabric choices, lighting and more in mind. Marina also shares with us when and how to clear the energy of objects and spaces for a more peaceful practice and how yin energy can be expressed through design choices you make.

 

Marina’s work is a blend of striking design and practical functionality and the power of intention and good energy flow. She believes that deep, lasting improvements to your environment create deep, lasting improvements in your life. Most recently, Marina became certified as a cruelty-free designer.



08:30 Marina’s journey to becoming an interior designer

 

11:10 Marina’s top Feng Shui tips: 1) no clutter 2) command position

 

13:50 Tips for clearing your clutter

 

14:45 Is there any direction that we should we be facing?

 

16:40 The relationship between Feng Shui and windows

 

17:35 Colours for yoga spaces

 

19:50 Organizing your yoga space within a room with various functions

 

21:10 Other Feng Shui tips: 1) room in the back of house with yin energy 2) natural materials, soothing colours 3) options for lighting

 

22:20 Marina’s recent cruelty-free certification

 

24:15 Feng Shui fabric suggestions

 

25:10 Tips on creating an altar space and clearing objects of past energy

 

27:55 Clearing your yoga space before practicing (at home or before teaching your class)

 

29:25 Clearing our minds before practicing yoga

 

31:35 Feng Shui for your electronics

 

33:30 Energy around your bed- the effect of books and storage

 

36:55 Marina’s experience with energy in yoga spaces she’s visited

 

37:45 A few more tips from Marina 1) use green cleaning products 2) paint with low VOCs 3) use inspirational quotes or graphics in your space

 

38:45 The energy of mirrors in yoga studios

 

39:30 How to work with Marina

 

40:35 Shannon’s final thoughts and her big takeaway


Marina's Website

 

Marina V Design Studio on Facebook

 

Marina V Design Studio on Instagram

 

Blog Post: How to Solve Health Problems with Feng Shui by Marina Umali

 

Accessible Yoga Conference in Toronto June 22nd-24th, 2018

 

Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training

 

Mama Nurture Teacher Training (RPYT)

 

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

 

Mar 19, 2018

056: Yoga and Menopause with Leslie Kazadi

Today Shannon has invited Leslie Kazadi to talk about yoga and menopause.  There can be a lot of shyness around discussing the profound physical, emotional and mental changes that menopause can bring. Leslie opens up about her own experience with menopause in a very honest way and how it led her to take it on as a special area of interest in relation to her yoga teachings.

 

There have been studies that have shown a promising correlation between yoga and the reduction of common menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep and mood disturbances, stress, and muscle and joint pain.  Leslie discusses these and other symptoms while revealing the increased health risks that accompany menopause. Also discussed is how yoga teachers can make their students more comfortable and what women experiencing menopausal symptoms need in their yoga practice.

 

Leslie has a wealth of education and experience to draw on. She is certified as yoga a therapist by the International Association of Yoga Therapists as well as a certified in massage and Thai massage therapist. Leslie also had the opportunity to study in India with the masters of Ashtanga and Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and BKS Iyengar which inspired her to take yoga teacher training in 2001.

 

Leslie has worked with adults of all ages with complex medical conditions. She is passionate about making yoga accessible to all including those with injuries and older adults. She feels working with those who “don’t think they can do yoga” especially fulfilling. Leslie believes in teaching in an approachable way that includes laughter and lightheartedness and holds the belief that truly being present is the greatest healer.

 

7:20 Leslie’s yoga journey

 

10:30 Why Leslie wanted to work with people that weren’t typically drawn to yoga and her interest in anatomy

 

12:35 How Leslie came to turn her attention to yoga and menopause

 

13:55 The reluctance of women to talk about menopause, the disappointment felt by ageing

 

16:00 Leslie’s experience with menopause, common symptoms

 

19:10 Empower yourself with the knowledge to choose your yoga practice- when entering menopause your risk of heart attacks and osteoporosis skyrockets, digestive issues such as GERD and acid reflux

 

19:55 Outward changes that go along with menopause that are difficult for many to talk about or accept such as changes in the skin (such as elasticity), decreased muscle tone, weight gain -can be hard for yoga teachers whose physicality is on display

 

21:25 How you can help students experiencing menopausal symptoms more comfortable

 

23:45 What style of yoga is helpful for women going through menopause, a focus on strength and relaxation and on their participation in class but not being singled out

 

26:20 How yoga helps achieve a good night’s sleep, allowing yourself to schedule an extra hour of sleep (even temporarily)

 

28:30 Those who struggle with ageing and how this causes unnecessary pain

 

34:10 “The gift of ageing” and practising gratitude, how yoga philosophy can support this

 

37:05 The positive aspects of menopause: “Live the life you want to live now”

 

39:00 The importance of being authentic with your students, letting them know that you accept them as they are, and knowing you influence young women who are bombarded with messages about beauty

 

41:50 How to work with Leslie Kazadi and her passion for making sure yoga is accessible for all

 

44:25 Shannon and Leslie reflect on yoga teacher trainings

 

46:50 Shannon’s closing thoughts and takeaways (and a preview of upcoming episodes!)


Links

 

Leslie’s website- Alchemy Yoga Therapy

 

Leslie on Instagram

 

Leslie Kazadi Yoga Therapy on Facebook

 

Leslie on Twitter

 

Yogis Anonymous

 

What is GERD? Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)- from WebMD

 

Mind-body therapies for menopausal symptoms: a systematic review- A 2010 review of 21 papers from  the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

 

The Connected Teacher Facebook Group

 

Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training

 

Mama Nurture Teacher Training (RPYT)

 

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

Mar 12, 2018

055: Share Your Course Using Thinkific with Siddharth Bharath

 

Thinkific is an online course software platform based in Vancouver BC, Canada. CEO Greg Smith was searching for a way to put his LSAT course online in order to reach more students. He saw the need for an online course platform and along with his co-founders designed software that would allow course creators to easily add their content online.

 

On today’s episode, Shannon speaks with Siddharth Bharath, a marketer and VP of growth at Thinkific. Sid, who at the time was a marketing consultant, was looking for an online platform to host his courses. He really liked Thinkific as a course platform because it was easy to use. He decided to contact Greg Smith with some marketing ideas and Greg was impressed enough to ask Sid to join their team and has been with them since.

 

Shannon picks Siddharth’s brain asking him what technology is needed to create a course, how much financial investment is involved, how students and teachers can interact, marketing your course and more.

10:05 What led Sid to work for Thinkific

 

12:40 How Thinkific can help you run a course

 

14:45 The Thinkific plans so you can decide which financial investment works for you

 

15:55 Do you need a website needed to run a Thinkific course

 

16:50 What is the bare minimum technology needed to make a video

 

18:30 What tools are needed for good audio

 

19:55 Sid’s tips for creating a video

 

20:40 How Thinkific facilitates the interactivity between students and teachers

 

21:30 Yoga teachers who are producing courses with Thinkific

 

23:25 The Thinkific team and culture of kindness

 

25:30 The help available to Thinkific users

 

26:25 Sid’s tips for marketing a course

 

29:05 Videos as yoga class add-ons and how they can supplement your in-person classes

 

29:25 Payment options for your customers such as one-off, monthly payment plans

 

30:30 Sid’s last bit of advice: “Action beats perfection”

 

31:50 How to get in touch with Sid and Thinkific

 

32:15 Shannon’s wrap-up and key takeaways



Links

 

Email Sid: sid@thinkific.com

 

Thinkific Website

 

Thinkific on Facebook

 

Thinkific Blog Post: Best Equipment & Software For Creating Online Courses

 

Example Yoga Courses on Thinkific

 

The Bhakti Shop

 

Mako Mindfulness Membership

 

 

Related TCYT Podcast:

 

Ep 54: Launching a Podcast and Facebook Group

 

The Connected Teacher Facebook Group

 

Book a Consultation Call with Shannon

 

5-Day Content Creation Challenge

 

Define Your Yoga Niche Online Course

 

PDF: 5 Koshas

 

Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training

 

Mama Nurture Teacher Training (RPYT)

 

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

Mar 5, 2018

054: **Anniversary Episode ** Launching a Podcast and Facebook Group with Shannon Crow

 

Welcome to The Connected Yoga Teacher one-year anniversary episode! Episode 001 of The Connected Yoga Teacher was launched on February 24th, 2017 and here we are, just over one year later on episode 054.

Shannon’s vision to provide a platform for yoga teachers to connect between trainings has grown in a way that she could never have imagined. Always reading about and researching yoga topics, Shannon wanted to support other yoga teachers by sharing important and relevant information. She has invited a variety of guests to share valuable knowledge about a wide array of subject matters such as running a yoga business, pelvic health, eating disorders, yoga and social media, re-thinking stretching, and the importance of trauma-informed yoga.

Shannon provides a behind-the-scenes look at creating and maintaining The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group and the work put into the podcast each and every week. She also shares more about herself; her vulnerabilities and her view on making mistakes.

With much gratitude, we want to thank our listeners for taking this journey with us. Downloading the podcast and engaging with and supporting one another on The Connected Facebook Group keeps this community thriving.

Thank you also to The Connected Yoga Teacher team -- Rob, Laura, Samantha and every single listener.

2:25 Shannon’s journey that led her to the creating a podcast for yoga teachers and the fear that accompanied that

 

4:40 Brainstorming in her red journal and finding the common thread was wanting to help yoga teachers

 

5:10 Why Shannon thinks supporting other yoga teachers is so important

 

5:40 How Shannon got her ideas for topics- from yoga consulting, connecting with and interviewing experts, reading articles

 

6:40 The Connected Yoga Podcast team

 

9:55 If you’re interested in making a podcast or creating content

 

10:05 Some of the content Shannon wanted to include in the podcast and choosing her guest

 

11:05 The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group- creating and maintaining the group

 

12:05 Podcast listener and TCYT FB group member Barbara Peter’s question for Shannon: “Would you please do a podcast about everything you do behind the scenes to make everything in The Connected Yoga Teacher group page so wildly successful. Every minute detail. Hold nothing back.”

 

13:00 Naming the podcast and making the choice to avoid asking others to join, hoping to grow the group organically

 

14:20 July 2017 (5 months into the podcast)- 346 members, a solid foundation had been built with Shannon working hard to keep the members engaged

 

14:55 Nov 2017 (9 months into the podcast) -1000 members, great questions and content posted regularly by members

 

15:35 February 2018 (the one-year anniversary of the podcast)- over 2000 people (100 people added just this week!)

 

15:40 3 question set-up for those that want to join a group, post questions to start discussions, post questions on behalf of other teachers

 

16:55 The challenge of making a welcome post that you can pin to the top of the group page, the purpose of the welcome post and tagging people in the group

 

18:25 Shannon’s TCYT Facebook Group welcome post

 

20:40 Context of people’s posts when it’s in writing, in text, easy misunderstandings challenges in moderating the group

 

23:35 Online negativity and taking a look at your own reaction to posts, avoiding the knee-jerk reaction- “Can you say that in a more vulnerable way?”  

 

Related episode: 051: Yoga and (Anti-) Social Media with Carol Horton, PhD

 

24:50 Question from Shelly Prosko of Prosko Physio Yoga: “My question for you relates to compassion and sense of community and connection...What is one thing that you’ve failed at or made a mistake of you’re struggling with right now if you can get a little vulnerable if you feel comfortable…”

 

27:25 Shannon reflects her on making mistakes, owning up to them, embracing them, how her view of mistakes has changed over time

 

36:15 When Shannon thought she was ready to launch the podcast and what she still had to consider

 

Related Episode: 005: Set and Achieve Big Goals with Natalie Eckdahl

 

37:50 Steps needed make TCYT podcast

 

42:20 How Shannon got Schedulicity as a sponsor

 

44:30 Automation and engaging with guests and listeners through emails

 

46:40 Show notes and our desire to have a great summary, quotes, timestamps and links

 

47:50 How profit can be made through podcasts

 

48:40 Shannon’s began using Facebook Live as a way to engage her audience

 

49:30 Shannon’s Facebook Launch Party Event

 

51:40 TCYT downloads statistics

 

52:50 Shannon’s final thoughts and voicemail by TCYT podcast listener Haunani Drake

 

Contact us:

 

Email: info@theconnectedyogateacher

 

Voicemail: The Connected Yoga Teacher Website (click on the ‘Send Shannon a Voicemail’)



Links

 

Seth Godin’s Podcast 01: Akimbo- The Grand Opening- a great episode about launching a podcast

 

Dr. Kristin Neff’s website: Self-Compassion.org

 

Accessible Yoga Conference- June 22nd-24th, 2018 at the University of Toronto

 

Related TCYT Podcast Episodes:

 

051: Yoga and (Anti-) Social Media with Carol Horton, PhD

 

009: Kegels, Mula Bandha and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko

 

005: Set and Achieve Big Goals with Natalie Eckdahl

 

Facebook Live Show: The Connected Yoga Teacher

 

The Connected Teacher Facebook Group

 

The Connected Yoga Teacher Launch Party Facebook Event Page

 

The Connected Yoga Teacher Launch Party Facebook Event Video

 

Mama Nurture Teacher Training (RPYT)

 

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

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