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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: June, 2021
Jun 28, 2021

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

226: Questions to Ask Someone in Pain with Shelly Prosko

 

Description:

Many people start practicing yoga because of pain, to get relief or to recover from an injury. As yoga teachers, we are sure to encounter students who have some pain in their bodies when they come to our yoga classes. What are some questions we can ask them to be better able to help them? Shelly Prosko shares some questions rooted in empowerment, pain science and self compassion we can ask.

 

Shelly Prosko is a Canadian physiotherapist, yoga therapist, educator, author and pioneer of PhysioYoga. With over 22 years of experience integrating yoga into physiotherapy within a variety of specialty areas including helping people with chronic or persistent pain, pelvic health issues and professional burnout, Shelly is an expert in this field. Her current focus is on continuing education for other professionals in this area. In addition to this, Shelly has authored book chapters in yoga therapy and integrative rehabilitation textbooks and is the co-editor/author of the textbook Yoga and Science in Pain Care: Treating the Person in Pain. She maintains a clinical practice in Sylvan Lake, Canada and believes compassion is the foundation of pain care, healthcare and overall well-being.

 

Shelly explains why the questions we ask people who have pain are so important, and how that can influence their healing journey. She also has some insights about how we perceive pain and rest, and why having compassion is essential. This episode is a must-listen for every yoga teacher looking to learn more about pain science, compassion and helping people in pain.

 

Key Takeaways:

[7:22] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Shelly Prosko.

[10:32] What is the work that Shelly does and who does she do it for?

[12:08] When Shannon was dealing with a herniated disc, Shelly asked her some questions about her pain. They discuss the conversation they had regarding Shannon's injury.

[15:25] Many times, when someone tells us they are in pain, our immediate reaction may be to offer suggestions or advice, but this may not be helpful.

[16:11] Shelly shares a bit more about what she has learned about pain care and working with people in pain.

[22:23] Shannon and Shelly discuss the concept of trusting your body to heal itself.

[28:48] Shelly highlights that calming the system can have a profound impact on healing and recovery.

[30:53] Regression is as much a part of progression in the healing journey, and it is important for people to know that, and not discount the progress they have made.

[34:22] Shannon and Shelly discuss having inquiry around movement, and how yoga ties into that.

[40:34] It can be helpful to reframe resting for people who struggle to rest, and encourage them to engage in self-inquiry and self-reflection about the healing process.

[44:42] Shelly shares a bit about using compassionate language and being kind to yourself and others.

[52:33] Shelly highlights the fact that pain is not necessarily bad.

[58:04] Shannon reflects on this interview with Shelly and shares her biggest takeaways.

 

Key Takeaways from Shelly:

  1. What positions or movements bring you ease, peace or joy?
  2. The body is set up to progress towards healing.
  3. Regression is a normal thing in recovery and healing.
  4. Be curious as you move. Increase your movements without forcing.
  5. Detach from your expectations as much as possible.
  6. Can you reduce your cognitive load as you heal?
  7. We are all so unique. Ask individuals, "what do you think?"
  8. Speak with compassion to self.
  9. Pain is a normal human condition.
  10. Pain is not necessarily "bad" - including in a yoga class.

 

Links:

 

 

  • Pain science episodes

 

Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals.

 

Quotes from this episode:

"There's all sorts of things you can do that feel good, that feel easeful and peaceful and joyful. So do those instead of trying just to go straight to fixing." - Shelly

 

"The body is set up to always progress towards healing." - Shelly

 

"Calm the system down, and that in and of itself is really powerful for healing and for recovery." - Shelly

 

“The more we check in and be aware, then the more insight we have into our needs." - Shelly



Jun 21, 2021

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

225: Yoga for Hip Pain with Shannon Crow

 

Description:

Do you have students who come to you complaining of “hip pain”? Or have you experienced pain in the hips, lower back, abdomen or pelvic area yourself? Many people experience acute or persistent pain in their hip and pelvic area, and in this episode, Shannon Crow does a mini-training to address these pains.

 

Shannon has had personal experience with pelvic girdle pain, which she used to call “hip pain”, for over 20 years. In this time, she has worked in her own yoga practice, and with health care and medical professionals to address this pain, and has gained a wealth of information about the topic. She shares some questions that can be helpful to ask yoga students who are experiencing “hip pain” and talks about why the language we use is important in our experience of pain. Shannon also has some movements and exercises that can help alleviate and decrease pelvic girdle pain for you to try out in your own practice and with your students.

 

If you have ever experienced any sort of pain in your hip or pelvic area, or have students who are, this mini-training will be very helpful.

 

Key Takeaways:

[6:09] This episode is a mini-training on hip pain.

[6:45] Shannon starts with some questions and definitions. Have you experienced acute pain and persistent pain?

[8:50] What are some messages we have heard about the hips? What are some messages we have said?

[10:49] Where are your hips, and where are your hip joints?

[14:19] Why doesn't Shannon say hip pain to her students anymore? "Hip pain" or pelvic pain usually occurs in the sacroiliac joint (S.I. joint), the coccyx (tailbone), the pubic symphysis (pubic bone), the hip joint, and the entire pelvic area including the lower abdomen, the pelvis and perineum.

[16:07] Shannon clarifies that she doesn't go around correcting people on proper anatomical terms to use.

[17:59] Shannon talks about some of the cues yoga teachers use in relation to the hips.

[19:06] What are three important questions to ask your yoga students who come to you with hip or pelvic pain?

[21:16] As yoga teachers, it is not in our scope of practice to diagnose pain.

[22:52] It is important to understand that the pelvis is strong and stable.

[24:57] The language we use can make a huge difference in our experience with pain.

[25:57] What are some things we can do when experiencing pelvic girdle pain, and the pelvis is sensitive and protective?

[34:15] Shannon recommends trying out these movements in your own practice to see how it feels, and then you can incorporate it into your yoga classes.

[35:20] For a deep dive to learn more about these movements and why they work to decrease pain, check out the full training.

 

Things to Try for Pelvic Girdle Pain                       

  • Exhale on effort / exertion 
  • Space for Sitz bones
  • S Breath
  • Question Kegels
  • Rolling over
  • Side-to-side standing 
  • Walking backwards
  • Symmetrical Movements

 

Links:

 

  • Pelvic floor episodes

 

 

Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals.

 

Quotes from this episode:

"The key to serving your yoga students is to ask more questions. You do not need to know all of the answers."

 

“I feel it's very important as yoga teachers that we know our scope of practice, and that as we work alongside the health care team, we really know what our role is because we have an important role to play."

 

"It is not in our scope of practice to diagnose pain. This isn't our role as yoga educators."

 

“Understand that the pelvis is strong and stable."

 

Jun 14, 2021

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

224: 8 Yoga Business Lessons with Manu Molina de la Torre

 

Description:

Being a yoga entrepreneur can be tough. Our typical YTTs focus more on how to teach asana and yoga philosophy, but hardly cover anything about what it really means to run a sustainable yoga business. Manu Molina de la Torre has 8 important lessons to share about things he has learned in starting his yoga business.

 

Manu is a yoga teacher, a personal trainer and a coach in Andalusia, Spain. Manu found yoga as a teenager, and became a yoga teacher in 2010. After working for different yoga and fitness studios, Manu decided to start his own yoga business, only to find he lacked the business skills necessary. He invested in business training for himself, and realized that this knowledge could help other yoga teachers in their businesses too. Today, Manu helps yoga & wellness professionals take actionable steps toward their vision as entrepreneurs through 1:1 coaching calls, both online and in-person. He coaches in English and Spanish, and also hosts the Emprendedores del Yoga Podcast in Spanish.

 

In this interview, Manu shares his 8 biggest lessons and tips for yoga teachers on their entrepreneurial journey. He has some great insights that would be helpful for newer yoga teachers who are just getting started in their yoga business, as well as some things every yoga teacher should know regardless of where they are in their entrepreneurship journey.

 

Key Takeaways:

[7:29] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Manu Molina de la Torre.

[9:33] How did Manu get started on his yoga journey, and how did he start working with yoga teachers?

[17:25] In all of Manu's yoga teacher trainings and fitness trainings, there wasn't much taught about running a business.

[19:10] What is the first lesson Manu learned in business?

[22:27] What is a good amount to have saved up before starting on the journey of becoming a yoga entrepreneur?

[23:13] It's important to keep track of expenses and stay on top of your finances. Having a separate bank account, or tracking expenses on a spreadsheet can help.

[24:10] Manu's next tip is to niche down and to diversify your sources of income.

[27:09] How can a yoga teacher niche down and diversify at the same time?

[29:50] Niching down and specializing can feel hard and scary, but it is effective and worth it!

[31:17] Manu's third tip is to put yourself out there.

[34:57] Lesson #4: Be willing to listen to people's problems.

[40:05] Lesson #5 is to stay open to change.

[42:37] Manu's sixth lesson is about mindset. Reframe your mindset about mistakes - there are no mistakes, only lessons learned.

[46:41] The next lesson Manu shares is to just do it, despite the fear.

[50:21] The last lesson is the most important one - Educate yourself in different aspects of business.

[53:32] Shannon summarizes the eight lessons Manu has shared.

[54:11] Manu shares some of his final thoughts for yoga entrepreneurs.

[56:35] Find out more about Manu's work and connect with him via his website or on Instagram.

[58:51] What was your biggest takeaway from this interview, or something you've learned from your own business journey?

 

Links:

 

Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.

 

Quotes from this episode:

"It's really important to make sure that you have some savings or that you have some source of income." - Manu

 

"When I really started to work on niching down and I started to work on my messaging, I think everything was really, really clear." - Manu

 

"When you want to help everyone, you end up helping nobody." - Manu

 

"Talk to your people, tell them what you're doing." - Manu

Jun 7, 2021

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

223: Make Your Yoga Website Stand Out with Danbee Shin

 

Description:

Not too long ago, online yoga teachers were pretty rare and unique, but everyone has had to move their yoga online because of the pandemic. Now, it feels like being an online yoga teacher is so common. How can you make your yoga website stand out from the rest, and really make an impact in the online space? Danbee Shin has some tips. 

 

Danbee is a Web Designer and Copywriter who focuses on helping online coaches and teachers get more clients with their websites, so they can empower more people all around the world while doing work they love. Through simple, minimalist websites, Danbee produces high-converting web designs that help her clients grow their email lists, book out their calendars, sign new clients and hit their income goals.

 

Danbee shares more about some of the common mistakes people make, and some practical tips to avoid these mistakes. She also has some great insights about building your brand story, why pictures are so important, and action steps that you can implement right away to make your website stand out.

 

This is a super useful episode if you’ve been wanting to freshen up your website a bit, add something new, or get people signing up for your offerings on your website.

 

Key Takeaways:

[8:16] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Danbee Shin

[9:36] What does Danbee do and who does she do it for? How did she get started?

[10:40] How did the pandemic impact Danbee's business?

[11:21] What is the first thing to be aware of to stand out online?

[13:48] Danbee shares some examples of when using a story to capture a message is more effective.

[15:32] There are four big steps to figuring out your brand story.

[19:15] Shannon gives an update on Pelvic Health Professionals and the guest expert talk on PCOS.

[20:11] Danbee gives another example of a health coach and their brand story.

[23:10] What are some questions you can ask yourself to figure out your brand story?

[24:37] What is Danbee's response to yoga teachers who think that social media is all about inauthentic self-promotion?

[25:54] Does Danbee recommend written stories or videos?

[27:02] What are some other ways yoga teachers can stand out?

[28:59] Many yoga teachers often don't want to focus on the problem, and are hesitant to put wording related to the problems their clients may be experiencing on their website. What is Danbee's response to that?

[30:40] Does Danbee ask her clients to interview their favorite clients or does she do that for them, when working on their website?

[32:56] Danbee and Shannon discuss why it's not narcissistic to tell your story.

[34:40] Where in our websites should we focus on telling these stories?

[36:10] Should you list all of your qualifications and certifications on your website?

[38:01] It's important to include pictures of yourself to stand out!

[41:46] What tips does Danbee have for yoga teachers who want to update their website?

[43:36] Looking at other websites to get inspiration vs planning it out on paper - which does Danbee recommend?

[46:04] Danbee has some tips around writing copy for your website.

[48:30] Check out Danbee's free resource if you're putting your own website together!

[51:12] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Danbee. 

 

Links:

 

Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.

 

Quotes from this episode:

"One of the biggest mistakes I see my clients make before we start working together is they don't talk enough about themselves."

 

"One of the most powerful things you can do is tell stories about yourself and about your yoga teaching business."

 

"When you feel like you're talking about it way too much, that's probably the right amount of time to be talking about it out there. Because that's when people start remembering that story about you."

 

"Stories are so much stickier."

 

"I understand what my students are going through because I myself have gone through this."

 

"It's better to have the same picture on every single page than no picture."

 

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