The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
304: How Are We Still here? with Rebecca Sebastian
Description:
Have you ever felt like you wanted to quit the yoga industry? You are not alone. Shannon Crow, host of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast, and Rebecca Sebastian, host of the Working in Yoga Podcast, chat about what it’s like to feel like quitting - and why they have stayed on and continued their work in this space.
Rebecca Sebastian has been teaching yoga for 20 years and working as a yoga therapist for a decade. She is also a yoga studio owner, yoga non-profit founder, and the host of the Working In Yoga podcast. She isn’t afraid to stand up for human rights and yoga – and she also isn’t afraid to discuss tough topics in the yoga industry.
Shannon and Rebecca discuss some of the big topics that have come up in the yoga industry in 2022. They talk about how yoga teachers are feeling isolated, competition in the industry, some toxic practices that have taken hold, and what we can do about it. They also explore what teaching yoga may look like in 2023, marketing for yoga teachers, how to build a better yoga industry going forward, and much more.
Key Takeaways:
[2:37] This episode was originally recorded for Rebecca Sebastian's podcast, Working in Yoga. Shannon and Rebecca discuss how they have continued in the work they do despite wanting to quit.
[5:29] With everything that has happened in the yoga industry in 2022, why are Rebecca and Shannon still here?
[9:05] Many yoga teachers feel isolated in this profession.
[11:47] Everyone in the yoga industry is trying to navigate building their business as best as they can but some things can create a toxic environment. How do Shannon and Rebecca deal with negative elements like diet culture in the industry.
[17:26] Rebecca encourages us to talk more about the benefits of yoga, like nervous system regulation.
[21:27] What is the yoga industry going to look like in 2023 in terms of virtual and in-person classes?
[29:26] Sadie Mardini responds to Rebecca's question about how yoga teachers and studios who had been online before the pandemic were impacted by everyone else moving online.
[31:15] Shannon pops in with a reminder to put yourself out there and to create your website if you don't have one!
[35:11] What does the competitiveness of the industry look like in 2022?
[37:54] Rebecca invites listeners to create a meet up to meet people in your local community.
[42:54] You can also find great communities of yoga teachers online to connect with.
[45:52] Shannon shares a tip for anyone running a Facebook group to moderate posts.
[48:39] Rebecca encourages us not to limit ourselves. The yoga's enough all on its own.
[49:26] Shannon and Rebecca discuss marketing in yoga.
[52:38] Rebecca and Shannon reflect on the things that made them think about quitting the yoga industry in 2022.
[58:42] There are some parallels between yoga and entrepreneurship.
[62:45] Does Rebecca think about building her business just to sell it? Shannon and Rebecca discuss what that could mean and how it might work.
[70:40] What is your retirement plan as a yoga teacher?
[71:46] Rebecca calls out how unsustainable the career path is in the yoga industry and shares some thoughts about how things can be done differently.
[76:52] The power dynamic in the yoga industry needs to be reexamined.
[81:12] What are Rebecca and Shannon hopeful and excited about for 2023?
[89:50] Shannon shares some final thoughts.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"We need to acknowledge this has been another hard year for us for our industry. Like, you're not alone." - Rebecca
"I think that makes our industry more powerful and more impactful overall when we're able to share stories with each other." - Rebecca
"The yoga's enough all on its own." - Rebecca
"How we sell what we're selling matters." - Rebecca
"Yoga in itself is a spiritual discipline that asks you to reevaluate and rethink literally every fiber of your being. Guess what entrepreneurship is?" - Rebecca
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
303: Ayurveda for Better Digestion with Mona Warner
Description:
Ayurveda is considered yoga’s sister science but it is still not widely understood in the yoga community. Why is there such a strong focus on digestion in Ayurveda and how does it tie in with yoga? Mona Warner shares her expertise on Ayurveda and digestion.
Mona is a warm and joyful educator who leads by example. Her depth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to the practices of Āyurveda and Yoga are evident in her classes. Mona offers deliberate and mindful practices, details on why certain things are done in certain ways, and a grounded sense of humor. She shares approaches to well-being for anyone who needs to learn. Mona has also authored several books, including her latest, Ayurveda's Three Pillars of Health.
Mona breaks down what Ayurveda is and how it intersects with yoga in a holistic sense. She explains why there is such a strong focus on digestion and Agni in Ayurveda and why routines and schedules are so important to digestion, and more. Mona also shares tips around improving digestion, about prana, and finding balance in our lives,
This is a rich conversation for anyone who’s keen to learn more about Ayurveda.
Key Takeaways:
[3:01] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Mona Warner.
[6:21] How did Mona get into working with Ayurveda?
[9:56] What is Ayurveda?
[12:40] Mona explains some things we need to understand about digestion and elimination from the perspective of Ayurveda.
[19:16] How does the body's Agni (and Ayurveda, from a broader perspective) tie in with yoga?
[26:42] Mona explains more about how Ayurveda and yoga both encourage people to move towards a balanced mind - and how this can help achieve health.
[30:16] Shannon shares an experience she recently had attending an online workshop.
[34:04] What are some routines and practices that can help improve digestion?
[36:50] Should everyone have the same routines or does it differ for each person?
[38:55] What are some things we need to be mindful of in terms of how we are pooping and what our bowel movements look like?
[42:36] What is something about digestion that Mona wishes everyone knew?
[44:08] What else are we digesting apart from food?
[51:08] How does Mona work with people now through the pandemic and how are they doing?
[54:27] Connect with Mona and learn more from her via her book and website.
[56:58] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this conversation with Mona.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"Ayurveda is this system that has created a whole bunch of different maps that lets us navigate the terrain of life."
"Ayurveda has the maps, the tools, and the ability to help us live a fruitful and a health-filled life."
"Our Agni, our digestive fire, is the sun of our individual solar system or incarnation."
"For yoga, the traditional goal is enlightenment. For Ayurveda, the traditional goal is health."
"Ayurveda uses this idea of working with the mind through yoga techniques of mantra, meditation, etc. all the time because so many causative factors of disease actually start in the mind."
"Whether you like schedules or not, your biology does and your Agni does."
"It's important to recognize there's a difference between what you like and what is health-promoting and good for you."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
302: Yoga for Grief & Loss with Susan Andersen
Description:
Most people have personal experiences with loss in its many forms - loss of a loved one or pet, loss of a home or job or business, and even during COVID, the loss of normalcy. Grief is a normal part of loss but how can yoga support us in these times? Susan “Sue” Andersen shares her insights.
Sue works with people who have experienced loss and are grieving through yoga and movement. Meditation, mindfulness and breath work are key elements that Sue incorporates into her teaching to connect the physical to the spiritual practice. Her goal is to help students find their own practice and to enjoy all the benefits yoga brings.
Sue shares how she got into yoga and grief work after her son died, why yoga is a beneficial tool in navigating grief and loss, and how we can support our yoga students when they come to us with their grief. She also explains the role yoga can play in moving through self-blame and criticism, releasing emotions like anger, shame, and guilt, and why grief looks different for everyone.
This episode is a must-listen for every yoga teacher as we support people who will inevitably encounter loss and grief in their lives.
Key Takeaways:
[3:07] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Susan Andersen.
[6:43] What does Sue do and who does she do it for?
[7:14] How did Su get into doing this work?
[9:50] What is grief?
[14:42] Why is yoga effective for grief?
[17:21] What can yoga teachers do when a student expresses their loss and grief to them?
[19:50] What are some things that wouldn't be helpful when a student is dealing with grief?
[22:45] Shannon pops in to share some feedback from Carly, a yoga teacher who is using OfferingTree for her website.
[25:07] What are some of the differences between a regular yoga class and a specialty yoga class for grief?
[33:39] Does Sue talk about grief in her sessions? Is it helpful?
[36:35] What has Sue learned from her personal experience of grief that she wishes she had known at the beginning?
[39:20] What would Sue say to yoga teachers who are personally dealing with grief?
[41:16] Connect with Sue and learn more from her via her website and on YouTube.
[42:17] Sue gives a shout out to Paul Denniston of Grief Yoga.
[43:12] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"When we experience loss, we grieve."
"All the things that we talk about in these programs can help for any type of grief because it's releasing the emotion from the body."
"You can't fix something ... you want to just let that person know that you're there."
"In general, I don't think any of us rest enough. In particular, if you're holding a lot of grief or stress, you're probably resting even less."
"It is really important to let all of these emotions out and not hold anything in."
"Everybody's grief is different. Their timeline is different."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
301: Trauma and Business Ownership with Nicole Lewis-Keeber
Description:
Everyone goes through events and/or experiences that cause trauma, and they can have an impact on how we show up in and run our businesses. Yet, this isn’t something people often talk about. Nicole Lewis-Keeber shares their insights about navigating business ownership and trauma.
Nicole Lewis-Keeber is a business therapist and mindset coach for small business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work and a rich experience of working as a therapist. Nicole is also certified in Brené Brown’s The Daring Way™ and Dare To Lead™ methodologies and provides trainings and mentoring for those who want to become daring leaders. They have combined their experience as a therapist and training as a coach to offer therapeutic and business solutions.
Nicole explains how trauma ties into creating and running our own business, including what kind of trauma "counts", why starting a business involves diving into our "stuff", and why our “big why” is likely connected to childhood trauma. They also share more about the importance of therapy as an entrepreneur, dealing with burnout, and why we need to separate ourselves from our businesses. If you are keen to learn more about how to create a business you love, this is a must-listen.
Key Takeaways:
[3:35] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Nicole Lewis-Keeber.
[5:38] What does Nicole do and who do they do it for?
[6:47] Does everyone have childhood trauma?
[8:39] What does trauma have to do with business?
[10:04] How do we figure out the traumatic events in our childhoods that inform our deeper 'why', and what is the value of figuring that out?
[12:35] What are some examples of how our deeper 'why' tied to trauma can show up as entrepreneurs in the health and wellness space?
[15:33] How else can this show up in our businesses?
[20:02] Nicole shares some ways that we can start to help ourselves if we recognize that there were some traumatic events in our childhoods that may be playing out in our businesses.
[23:53] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor, OfferingTree.
[25:45] Shannon and Nicole discuss procrastination and how that ties in with everything else.
[28:05] What other things can we do in coming to terms with how our trauma influences our business?
[30:37] For yoga teachers, it can be more difficult to separate themselves from their business of teaching yoga because of how intertwined their lives can be to yoga. What are Nicole's thoughts on that?
[32:29] Nicole shares their thoughts on the discomfort that yoga teachers may have around bringing business into their work with yoga.
[35:46] Nicole shares how you can work with her if you are keen on getting more of their expert insight into how your traumas may be informing your business.
[37:35] What is something Nicole wishes entrepreneurs knew or understood as they're facing the daily challenges of running a business?
[39:18] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Nicole and encourages you to choose one thing that really resonated for you and implement that.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"I've not met anyone yet who hasn't had some kind of traumatic event in childhood that changed things for them."
"All the systems around us also can be very traumatic."
"A lot of the business schools and a lot of coaches would like you to believe that all you need is a sales plan, a marketing plan, business plan, but I totally believe that you need an emotional sustainability plan for your business."
"We start to modify ourselves and how we operate to try and feel safe because of those experiences and that changes how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible for us over time and how we value ourselves."
"Big T Trauma explodes, little T trauma erodes, but they are both strong enough to move a mountain."