The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
100: Cultivating a Community of Professional Peers with Linda Sparrowe
Description:
How can we, as yoga teachers, build and maintain a professional peer community? Whether it’s taking ownership of our yoga, overcoming isolation, or dealing with the competition we feel as yoga teachers - we have all faced these challenges. Linda Sparrow shares some of her insights about these difficult and uncomfortable topics.
Linda Sparrowe is a writer, editor, speaker and mentor in the holistic healing arena, who has over 20 years of experience. She is the former editor-in-chief of Yoga International and editor of Yoga Journal, as well as the author of several books and contributor to various online offerings in the yoga space. She teaches vinyasa yoga and yin yoga classes and workshops nationwide.
What does it take to cultivate a community of professional peers among yoga teachers? Shannon and Linda tackle some of the issues impacting our community of yoga professionals, including social media scolding in the yoga community, making yoga accessible through language, dealing with Impostor Syndrome and supporting others within the community.
If you believe that yoga is all about the connections you make, or if you’re struggling with the idea of building a community while keeping your voice, or if you’re feeling isolated as a yoga professional, this episode is just what you need to hear.
Key Takeaways:
[2:40] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Linda Sparrowe.
[4:30] What first brought Linda to yoga?
[7:34] Yoga can help people feel more connected to themselves, even when they don't set it as an intention for their practice.
[8:37] Linda often feels that she doesn't know enough.
[9:27] Linda explains what drove her to discuss the 8 limbs in relation to the concept of having a community of professional peers.
[13:08] When the community engages in social media scolding, we are not honoring the teachings of yoga.
[15:16] Linda shares some examples of how we have deviated from the teachings of yoga.
[20:12] Linda explores the idea of sympathetic joy, and that feelings are not mutually exclusive.
[23:15] What is the difference between feelings and emotions?
[24:20] We don't have a community that is predisposed to connect, and not judge.
[25:58] What would Linda suggest for yoga teachers to do to build that supportive community and get together?
[26:53] How does Linda address the concerns of yoga teachers who view each other as competition?
[31:09] Why is fierce competition and lack of community so prevalent among yoga teachers?
[35:05] Shannon and Linda discuss their own struggles with wanting to push for their way of teaching.
[38:29] Yoga should never be about getting better - it's about uncovering the beauty of your soul.
[41:51] Shannon voices her challenge in standing with what she believes in but at the same time not tearing others down or going against yoga principles. Linda shares some insights to this difficult question.
[49:53] How does Linda deal with situations where she disagrees with the teachings of other yoga teachers?
[50:59] How can we build community and still have a voice?
[53:54] Community in an unhealthy way looks like a cult. How can yoga teachers be mindful in the way they build community?
[58:49] What does Linda suggest for yoga teachers who are feeling isolated and that they're not part of a community?
[1:02:47] What is the bigger picture of building a supportive peer community of yoga professionals?
[1:06:30] Shannon has a question for you - what can we do as yoga teachers? How can we build community?
Links:
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Quotes from this episode:
"I actually hated yoga the first time I took it."
"One of the reasons that I am so committed to yoga as a holistic practice is because I came at it from a meditative practice."
"I just don't know how to practice what I don't live."
"What is it that we are doing as a collective that is causing such pain and such separation and such a rift in the trust that our students have put in us?"
"How can we come together, not to scold one another and have a whole set of rules...but how can we support each other even those people who have caused the suffering?"
"We're not even honoring what it means to be connected. We're not even honoring that your suffering is mine, and my joy is yours. We're not honoring that."
"In order to rise up, what's happening is that we're squashing other people down."
"Just concentrate on your game. Just concentrate on your gifts. What is it that you are giving your students?"
"We don't have a community that is predisposed to connect, and predisposed to not judge."
"You are stronger together than you would ever be by yourself."
"Don't allow the intelligence of the mind override the intelligence of the body. Your body knows." - Linda, quoting Iyengar
"Don't put yourself out as the expert at the expense of someone else."
"We should use social media in a way that is actually compassionate and productive."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
099: Branding Your Yoga Website with Kali Edwards
Description:
Have you been wanting to design and launch a professional website for your yoga business but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you are struggling with clarifying and communicating your brand and message on your website. Kali Edwards, founder of June Mango LLC, is just the expert you need to hear from about how to establish and showcase your brand on your website.
Kali has always had the urge to create. She pursued Fine Arts in college, then had a career as an agency art director. Today, she runs her own business working with entrepreneurs to create gorgeous branding and website designs. With her Go Live in 5 Process, she helps business owners design and launch their websites in 5 days (or less).
When it comes to branding, designing a website and conveying your message, the key is to focus on your audience. Kali shares more insights about the different aspects to consider when creating your website, and how you can plan and create copy for your website.
If you have been struggling with setting up a website for your business, or if you're thinking about rebranding or updating your website - this episode is a must-listen. Kali has so many tips and strategies that you can implement immediately, and a special resource for listeners!
Key Takeaways:
[3:22] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Kali Edwards.
[4:57] What got Kali started on her journey of websites and branding?
[6:14] Kali speaks to her experience of feeling constricted in her previous job with regard to being able to pursue her creative flow.
[7:50] What does Kali's work space look like?
[9:06] Shannon and Kali discuss how her own website clearly reflects her personality and brand in the design and messaging.
[10:40] Where would Kali suggest people start when it comes to planning out their website?
[12:53] One of the things people struggle with most with their website is the copy, and talking about themselves.
[14:32] Kali explains why it's so important for you to know who your ideal clients are, and to get super specific with the details.
[16:19] Explaining how you can help people is not bragging.
[18:45] How can people clarify their message and brand? Kali shares a short fill-in-the-blank exercise that can help.
[22:03] What other aspects really stump people when it comes to branding?
[24:45] How does Kali approach rebranding and updating websites?
[27:25] Why is a minimalist, condensed approach better?
[31:05] In terms of images, more important than the colors themselves, is the vibe that the visuals convey.
[33:29] What services does Kali offer her clients?
[34:16] Get in touch with Kali via her website or Instagram.
[35:04] Kali has some final words for people who are feeling stuck in their branding.
[36:06] Shannon shares some of her key takeaways - which of Kali's tips are you going to be putting into action? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"Everybody has kind of a drive that really motivates them to even get up in the morning, and mine has always been beauty."
"Less is more. You can be really clear and concise at the same time."
"I always like to think of gathering content as the first piece of the puzzle."
"Who is it exactly that you are trying to attract?"
"People need to know that you're the expert in what you do, in order to trust you."
"You have control over how your audience moves through your site."
"Especially when it comes to websites, they're really a living, breathing thing. So websites really should be getting updated pretty often."
"You don't have to necessarily start over because you've shifted a little bit."
"Thinking about that emotional connection that your yoga expertise has with your clients - that's really going to be the key to helping you put all the pieces of the puzzle together."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
098: Many Layers of Fascia with Gil Hedley
Description:
How often have we said that we can’t do certain movements because of old age? What if that’s not a result of old age, but “fuzz” - a by-product of not enough movement in our bodies? Gil Hedley of The Fuzz Speech fame joins Shannon to bring the concepts of fascia, anatomy, movement and scar tissue to a whole new light.
Gil is a Rolfer, an author, and a strong proponent of encouraging somanauts to explore Inner Space a.k.a. the wonders of the human form. He became a Certified Rolfer at the Rolf Institute in Boulder, CO in the early ‘90s, and has also studied massage and tai chi. He has since developed an integral approach to the study of human anatomy, and published a number of books including The Integral Anatomy Series.
Our bodies receive a lot of flak for not being perfect or adhering to societal standards - Gil encourages us to approach our bodies from a place of appreciation and fascination instead. Whether it’s fat cells, scar tissue or any other perceived imperfection in our bodies, approaching it with appreciation is the key to understanding what’s going on inside our bodies.
Gil takes us through the three different layers of fascia, the key role of movement, massage, and grounding in our well-being, and why scar tissue is good and beneficial, in this incredibly enlightening episode. If you’ve ever wondered about the human form or movement or just need a push to appreciate your body more, this episode is sure to be an eye-opener.
Key Takeaways:
[5:06] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Gil Hedley.
[6:09] What started Gil's journey into fascia and understanding the human body?
[6:47] What does the word "somanaut" mean?
[8:47] How does Gil wish people understood fascia?
[11:53] There's nothing wrong with noticing differences, but it must be done with the heart to remain connected.
[13:53] Gil explains more about the superficial layer of fascia, not just thinking about it in the head space, but also integrating the heart space.
[17:47] How are intuition and superficial fascia related?
[23:06] Gil dives into the next level of fascia - the perifascia.
[29:36] What are some methods that can help reintroduce slipperiness between tissues?
[34:21] How does grounding help fascia?
[36:17] What is the third layer of fascia - deep fascia?
[38:09] What happens to fascia when there is an injury?
[40:30] What can be done to heal scar tissue and improve the fascia?
[43:58] What are some of Gil's questions about fascia that remain unanswered?
[45:31] Shannon and Gil discuss the need to balance between movement and relaxation.
[49:15] What does massage offer the body that movement can't?
[52:02] Our bodies tend to fall into certain limiting movements. How can you invite new movement into your life?
[55:39] Check out more of Gil's videos and courses on his website.
[56:31] Shannon shares her key takeaways and would love for you to do the same.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"A somanaut is someone who navigates the body, who sails the inner seas."
"For movers, fascia is key. If you, I feel, have no conception of what's going on inside your body, it's a little trickier to embody what's going on inside your body."
"You've got one body, many textures, differential movement, without any separation."
"I always invite people when they're wanting to learn about the gift of the body, to start with a place of appreciation."
"Our superficial fascia, we can approach it from a place of appreciation."
"Scars are good. Scars are a blessing. Scars represent our healing function."
"If you want to move differently, you have to move out differently."