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The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

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Now displaying: November, 2020
Nov 30, 2020

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

196: 4 Steps to Attract Yoga Students with Steph Crowder

 

Description:

Attracting yoga students to our yoga classes is something we could all use help with. We are also coming up to one of the biggest times for yoga students to sign up for classes - January. This is when people make their New Year resolutions and want to "get back to their routine" or "take care of their emotional and physical wellness". That’s why it’s so important for us to put our offers out there in front of all these people, and having a simple process can help you get started - Steph Crowder (she/her) has an easy and actionable 4-step process to share.

 

Steph Crowder is the Founder & CEO of Courage & Clarity, LLC. She's a former Sales Training Director of a giant tech company who struck out on her own to become a sales coach & business strategist, helping thousands of entrepreneurs across all industries. In 2017, she launched the Courage & Clarity Podcast and grew her business to 6 figures in 9 months. Steph focuses on teaching her clients to sell with ease by building a “small but mighty” community who can’t wait to buy from them through courses, and webinars.

 

Steph is adept at taking a concept like getting more yoga students and breaking it down into easy, actionable steps that you can put into practice immediately. Steph walks us through the 4 steps that will help us to go from an idea for our yoga offer to new registrations and real students. She also explains the biggest mistake that business owners make that keep customers walking right past their offers, and gives us some of her tips to overcome that.

 

If you’re aiming to get more students into your yoga classes in 2021 (or even today!), this is the episode to listen to!

 

Key Takeaways:

[6:23] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Steph Crowder.

[8:12] What is the work that Steph does and who does she do it for?

[11:40] Steph's four steps are covered in greater detail in her mini-training, Same Day Sales.

[13:27] What is the big mistake many business owners make that keep customers walking past their offers?

[16:18] Steph addresses the fact that this process requires some vulnerability.

[17:39] Instead of thinking of it as validating your idea, think of this process as co-creating your offer.

[18:52] Step 1: Identify your idea. It doesn't have to be something complex or difficult!

[22:55] What comes naturally to you that people are always asking you about? 

[24:21] Step 2: Locate your leads. Steph has a dirty Internet secret about where your leads are coming from.

[28:05] Don't think about this step as pitching your network. Think about it as opening up conversations.

[31:33] Step 3: Co-create your offer. Approach this from a place of curiosity.

[35:11] Shannon shares a few examples of how co-creating an offer has (and creating offers in a vacuum hasn't) worked for her.

[37:54] Shannon and Steph discuss why you should focus on uncovering the pain or pleasure point you are addressing in your co-creation conversations.

[38:33] Someone's willingness or unwillingness to pay is a reflection of how well they understand the transformation.

[39:27] Step 4: Tweak and book. Steph shares an example of how she used this in her own business.

[44:24] Do it scared! You don't need to have a perfect offer before you put it out there.

[44:53] What should you do if you follow these steps and you offer doesn't get the traction you're looking for?

[46:42] What does Steph recommend if you're sending emails and posting on social media but still not seeing students sign up?

[50:01] Check out Steph's podcast, The Courage & Clarity Podcast, to learn more from her.

[50:16] Steph has some tips for you around selling.

[52:31] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Steph.

 

Links:

 

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.

 

Quotes from this episode:

 

"The big mistake that most people make... is creating your offer in a vacuum." - Steph Crowder

 

"The core of the Same Day Sales Process is using real human beings, with real experiences, real problems, real desires to help you shape your offer." - Steph Crowder

 

"Every single person who's listening to this has innate talents and abilities that have been so ingrained in you, you totally don't realize they have value." - Steph Crowder

 

"Personal network is so overlooked!" - Steph Crowder

 

"Where are potential customers hiding in my everyday life that I'm not thinking about right now?" - Steph Crowder

 

"Once you open up the conversation, it is so much easier to get a customer, yes, but also to understand if they're not going to become a customer - why?" - Steph Crowder

 

Nov 23, 2020

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz

 

Description:

We can all agree that we want our yoga classes to be safe places for everybody. However, one group of marginalized people who are often not taken into consideration is the LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ community has historically been persecuted and has experienced violence, at the provincial or state, national, institutional and personal levels, which makes it all the more important for us to create and maintain safe and inclusive spaces for them in our classes. How can we bring awareness about them to our yoga spaces, and create inclusive safe spaces for them? 

 

Tristan Katz (they/them) has some insights to give us a better understanding of the LGBTQ community, based on their personal lived experience and their work in the space of equity-inclusion. 

 

Tristan is a business and marketing coach-consultant, web and graphic designer based in Portland, OR. Part of Tristan’s intention in their work is to support teachers, practitioners, studios, and spiritual communities seeking to facilitate safer, braver spaces. To this end, Tristan is currently studying with experts in the field to expand their equity-inclusion facilitation and education offerings, in addition to teaching workshops and trainings centered around queer identity and LGBTQ+ awareness with an anti-oppression and intersectional lens.

 

Conversations around creating such inclusive spaces for people in the LGBTQ commmunity can be uncomfortable, and we may not always know how to approach this topic. Tristan speaks openly and honestly to share more about the experiences people in this community have, and how we can do better. They give us a breakdown of common terms, cues and language; what we as yoga teachers can do to be more aware and inclusive in our classes, and what to do when we mess up, which is something that will inevitably happen.

 

For anyone looking to learn more about how to create more inclusive spaces in their yoga classes, this episode is a must-listen.

 

Key Takeaways:

[10:18] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Tristan Katz.

[12:28] Where did Tristan's yoga journey begin and how did it lead them to the work that they do now?

[18:28] Tristan defines some terms they have used as well as appropriate language to use to create inclusive spaces.

[25:26] What is Tristan's response to yoga teachers who may be worried that introducing pronouns in their yoga classes may cause their students discomfort?

[29:45] Tristan explains a little more about trans identity and the gender binary.

[31:51] When asking for someone's pronouns, avoid saying "preferred pronouns". Tristan shares why.

[34:20] Shannon and Tristan discuss how to approach people who have multiple pronouns e.g. she/ they.

[38:52] Grammar is not an issue when using they/them pronouns for individuals! It is an argument that is rooted in transphobia. 

[40:49] Some cues and language in yoga classes tend to be gendered. How does Tristan help yoga teachers navigate this?

[44:31] Tristan shares how they consciously and intentionally focus on acknowledging that everyone's experiences are different and being sensitive to that.

[46:34] How do niches that focus exclusively on one particular gender feel to non-binary people?

[51:02] If you offer inclusivity trainings, or have taken one that you appreciated, please share it in the comments.

[52:02] What are Tristan's thoughts on how to express ourselves such that everyone feels included and safe?

[57:01] Societal systems and structures impact all of us differently, depending on our identities, but that doesn't mean we can't all be part of different movements to dismantle these toxic structures.

[59:17] Shannon shares some of her experiences with creating inclusive spaces in the world.

[1:01:21] Apart from their work with equity-inclusion, Tristan is also a digital strategist who supports yoga teachers in their businesses.

[1:03:18] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Tristan.

 

Links:

 

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.

.

 

Quotes from this episode:

 

"We all make assumptions based on appearances, but we can't know the truth of somebody's life experience or identity based on appearances." - Tristan

 

"There is this level of toxicity that's in dominant culture that we often can bring into this yoga space unconsciously or consciously." - Tristan

 

"When we're witnessing others' discomfort around that conversation, it's an opportunity for us to model and educate and inform." - Tristan

 

"Gender is a much more nuanced conversation than we've all been taught." - Tristan

 

"We can't just make these vast assumptions and generalizations. We're potentially putting people into sympathetic arousal when we do." - Tristan

 

"Anytime you gender something, you're excluding some people in the room, you're potentially triggering other people in the room." - Tristan

 

Nov 16, 2020

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

194: Bladder 101 for Yoga Teachers

 

Description:

An issue that may be embarrassing and isolating, but which nonetheless affects 300 million people worldwide, including many of our yoga students is urinary incontinence. While this is a common issue that many people struggle with, it is not normal and it is not something you just have to live with.

 

In working with many students who deal with urinary incontinence, Shannon has found that yoga can be so beneficial. Yoga helps not just through its connection to the nervous system, movement and breath, but by also creating awareness and education around how the bladder actually works, understanding our pelvic floor, and ensuring our pelvic health.

 

Shannon shares more about the three types of incontinence, some of the misconceptions around incontinence, as well as the ways in which yoga can help address incontinence. She also has some tips on giving your yoga students osme basic information about the bladder. If you or your students are struggling with urinary incontinence, this episode is a great introduction, with many resources linked below.

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:56] Urinary incontinence affects 300 million people worldwide, but it is not normal.

[2:41] Yoga can be beneficial for people dealing with urinary incontinence in many ways.

[6:25] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity and a reviewer!

[8:45] There are three categories of urinary incontinence - stress incontinence, urge incontinence and mixed incontinence.

[11:57] What is the role of the nervous system in incontinence and how can yoga help?

[13:03] Shannon addresses the misconception that Kegels is the answer to all urinary incontinence.

[14:57] If you decide to start talking about the bladder in one of your yoga classes, Shannon recommends having the contact details of pelvic health PTs in your area to share with your students.

[15:34] Alignment and posture can also play a part in addressing bladder issues.

[18:08] Yoga practice also works on strengthening, and this can be helpful for people dealing with urinary incontinence.

[19:00] As yoga teachers, something we bring to our yoga students that can help them with their bladder health is awareness.

[21:38] There are so many benefits that you are already sharing with your yoga students to help them with their urinary incontinence without you realizing it.

[24:09] If you are dealing with urinary incontinence, you are not alone.

 

Links:

 

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals

.

 

Quotes from this episode:

 

"Our nerves and our spine, and the nerve that radiate from the spine have a real connection with the bladder." - Shannon

 

"Oftentimes, the misconception is that if you're experiencing urinary incontinence, the answer is Kegels." - Shannon

 

"Another important thing that we bring to our yoga students that can help them with their bladder health is awareness." - Shannon

 

Nov 9, 2020

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

193: Pelvic Symmetry Sequence with Shannon Crow

 

Description:

Pelvic girdle pain is extremely common, affecting one in 5 pregnant people, and can continue postpartum. In this episode, Shannon shares a pelvic symmetry sequence she learned years ago to address the pelvic girdle pain from her pregnancies. Adapted from Cecile Rost, PT and Dr. Sinead Dufour, Physiotherapist, Shannon has shared this sequence with hundreds of people who say it makes a huge difference. 

 

Besides helping alleviate pelvic girdle pain, this sequence is useful in helping keep the pelvis in symmetrical alignment, to treat low back pain, or when you are having issues with your sciatica or sacroiliac joints. Whether you are looking for relief from your own pelvic girdle pain or you would like to share this sequence with students dealing with this issue, this sequence can be a valuable addition to your arsenal.

 

Key Takeaways:

[3:32] Shannon discovered this pelvic symmetry sequence to alleviate the pelvic girdle pain she was having.

[5:08] If you are dealing with any pelvic girdle pain, it is beneficial to consult with a healthcare professional specialized in it.

[5:52] Special thanks to Cecile Rost, Dr. Sinead Dufour, and Sue Pearson.

[6:38] Hundreds of yoga students have said that this pelvic symmetry sequence has made a huge difference in their lives.

[8:50] Shannon gives a shoutout to Schedulicity and a reviewer.

[10:52] Shannon leads the pelvic symmetry sequence.

[18:52] Shannon recommends trying this flow three times through.

[19:18] If you try this sequence out or share it with someone, do let Shannon know by tagging her, or share your feedback about the sequence.

[20:51] Shannon shares something else she has noticed about this sequence.

 

Links:

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals

.

 

Quotes from this episode:

 

"If you are dealing with any pelvic girdle pain, I cannot say enough how beneficial it is to go and see a PT." - Shannon

 

"I have shared this sequence with hundreds of yoga students who say this has made a huge difference in their lives." - Shannon

 

"We know that pelvic girdle pain is extremely common." - Shannon



Nov 2, 2020

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

192: Everyone Has a Pelvic Floor with Shannon Crow

 

Description:

Was the pelvic floor ever covered in any of your yoga teacher training, anatomy courses, or if you have had children, as a part of pre- and post-natal education? Yet, the pelvis is one of the most important parts of our bodies, and also a very misunderstood and often neglected part of the body. 

 

People often relate pelvic health and function to women, childbearing, or other similar functions, but the truth is, whether you are male, female, non-binary or any other gender, you have a pelvic floor! As with any other body part, it is important for us to know what this part of our body does for us, and how we can protect and ensure it is healthy and working well. In fact, pelvic health is very much related to how the body moves, and so many things that our everyday bodies are dealing with are also related to pelvic health.

 

How does this impact us as yoga teachers and yoga practitioners? Shannon shares more about the five superpowers of the pelvic floor and helps us understand its importance in our movement, and general well-being. She also highlights some of the common pelvic health issues you may encounter, as well as how yoga can help.

 

Whether you’re passionate about all things pelvic health like Shannon, or just talking about your pelvic makes you uncomfortable, this episode is a great place to start learning about a body part we all have - the pelvic floor.

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:42] The pelvis is an important part of our bodies but is often misunderstood, or neglected.

[4:35] Pelvic health is related to many other issues we may be having in our bodies.

[7:18] Shannon gives a shoutout to a reviewer and to Schedulicity.

[10:26] Have you learned about the pelvic floor in YTTs, anatomy classes, or pre- and post-natal education?

[14:03] How does language influence our perception of pelvic health?

[15:32] What are the 5 superpowers of the pelvic floor? Stabilize, Support, Sexual, Sphincteric, Sump Pump.

[18:08] Having a strong core four is important for movement and healthy living. What are some issues that can come up as a result of the core four not working together in synergy?

[21:50] How common is it to encounter someone in our yoga classes experiencing issues related to pelvic health?

[25:04] Pelvic health issues often need to be addressed by a team of professionals working together.

[26:08] Shannon shares a short practice to become more connected with your pelvic floor.

 

Links:

 

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals

.

 

Quotes from this episode:

 

"So many things that our everyday bodies are dealing with also relate to pelvic health." - Shannon

 

"It's really important to think about the pelvic floor in terms of being able to engage, but also being able to release and relax and let go." - Shannon

 

"Having a strong core is so important for moving and healthy living." - Shannon

 

"When we're looking at holding tension in something like the pelvic floor, in a group of muscles anywhere in the body, yoga is an amazing way to release tension." - Shannon

 

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