The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
339: Personal and Business Check-In with Shannon Crow
Description:
Shannon Crow shares a personal and business update on this episode. She shares that she has been sitting with some deep grief in her life recently as well as how she has been spending time outside in her garden. Shannon also talks about the new stage of parenting she has entered and gives an update on her three children.
On the professional front, Shannon explains the missing piece she has discovered in Pelvic Health Professionals and what is new in that part of her business. There are some upcoming workshops and series so be sure to check that out. She also reflects on how she is eager for more in person time with her team and that she will be looking into how to create that going forward.
Key Takeaways:
[4:12] Shannon is giving a personal and business update in this episode but she has a question for you first - how are you?
[4:58] Shannon shares a personal update about what has been going on for her recently.
[8:50] On the work side, Shannon has an update about Pelvic Health Professionals.
[14:55] Shannon has been looking at the finances in her business as well, particularly around her spending on software.
[18:08] Shannon got to meet Crunch, the show notes writer for the podcast, for the first time a few weeks ago and it has prompted her reflection on getting more in-person time with the team.
[19:29] One software company that has been really supportive of Shannon in her business is OfferingTree.
Links:
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 175: Coping During a Crisis with Diane Liska
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 302: Yoga for Grief & Loss with Susan Andersen
Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
“Sometimes there are just huge struggles when you're running a small business.”
“For anyone who is dealing with just sadness or grief, I want you to know that you're not alone in this.”
“What are some of the software and website expenses that we could look at consolidating?”
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
338: Eating Disorder Informed Yoga with Jennifer Kreatsoulas
Description:
About 70 million people worldwide experience some form of an eating disorder in their lifetime. It is a serious condition and among the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid overdose, causing over 10,200 deaths annually. Its prevalence means we are likely to encounter students in our classes who deal with it or are recovering from it. So how can we be mindful of them in our classes? Jennifer Kreatsoulas PhD, C-IAYT, is an expert in this area and shares more about eating disorder informed yoga.
Jennifer is a certified yoga therapist specializing in eating disorders and body image. She is a sought-after international speaker and former host of Real Body Talk, an online interview talk show. Through her virtual school, Yoga for Eating Disorders, Jennifer offers individual yoga therapy, groups, classes, and continuing education and mentoring for professionals. Jennifer is also the author of Body Mindful Yoga and The Courageous Path to Healing. Her writing has been featured widely in print, broadcast, and online media.
Jennifer shares how yoga teachers can become eating disorder informed in how they guide classes. By managing our language, our expectations, and being mindful of our scope of practice as yoga teachers, we can create safer spaces for our students. Jennifer also dispels some of the myths around eating disorders and teaching yoga to this population, as well as 3 ways in which yoga can be a very helpful tool.
Key Takeaways:
[3:16] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jennifer Kreatsoulas.
[8:48] What does Jennifer do and who does she do it for?
[11:15] How and why is yoga helpful (or not helpful) for people dealing with or recovering from an eating disorder?
[14:51] Yoga can be a pathway to self-connection to help with recovery.
[20:20] What are some ways that yoga teachers can have respect and compassion for people going through eating disorders, especially since it's not something that can be identified by looking at someone?
[24:15] One way to change your language is to consider how we offer students a challenge in their yoga.
[26:00] Shannon pops in with a quick shout out to OfferingTree as an excellent option if you're looking to create a website for your yoga business.
[27:51] How does Jennifer recommend responding to someone who comes to yoga with the intention of wanting to change their body without shaming them?
[32:41] Shannon and Jennifer discuss what it means to stay within your scope of practice as a yoga teacher.
[36:34] What are some ways you can learn from Jennifer?
[42:42] Jennifer has a little gift for listeners in the form of a PFD that highlights ways you can make your yoga classes eating-disorder informed.
[43:37] Jennifer invites us to study the language of teachers who look different from you.
[45:12] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.
Links:
9 Ways to Make Your Yoga Classes Eating Disorder Informed (Free PDF)
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 293: Eating Disorder Recovery & Yoga with Vivian Selles
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 126: Body Mindful Yoga with Jennifer Kreatsoulas
Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Online Series with Sarah Garden
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"What is your intention for showing up on your mat or for any activity you're doing and just do that inquiry. And if it's based in any kind of guilt or shame or obsession, it's important to get support around that because that's never gonna lead us anywhere helpful in our lives."
"I see yoga as a pathway to that self connection. It's not a straight line and it doesn't always feel good and it's not always easy... I see this as a part of the journey."
"It's not your scope of practice to have to know people's trauma or to know if people have an eating disorder or whatever their diagnoses are,... but we can take responsibility for our language."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
337: Plantar Fasciitis & Yoga with Diana Zotos Florio
Description:
Plantar fasciitis is a common problem that 1 in 10 people will experience in their lifetime. As a yoga teacher, you are likely to encounter someone who is experiencing this painful condition in your yoga classes, or you may even have it yourself. Yoga can be a helpful tool to manage plantar fasciitis. Diana Zotos Florio shares some tips and tricks on how to deal with plantar fasciitis.
Diana is the founder of Threes Physiyoga, created to bridge the gap between physical therapy and yoga. She has a science Bachelors, a Masters in physical therapy and has been using yoga in her own life and to treat patients. Diana is driven by her purpose of helping people move and feel best in their bodies by empowering them with knowledge, tools and science-informed strategies in movement, mindfulness, connection and breathwork. She offers 1:1 sessions, has an online studio, and has also been teaching yoga teachers how to integrate physical therapy science into their practice and teaching.
Diana explains what plantar fasciitis is, the common symptoms that someone with plantar fasciitis might experience, and the role of a yoga teacher when a student approaches them with this condition. She also shares some exercises that can help address the root causes of this inflammatory condition and how to manage it. Diana and Shannon also discuss the benefits of barefoot walking, balance poses, calf stretching and more.
Key Takeaways:
[3:59] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Diana Zotos Florio.
[6:34] What does Diana do and who does she do it for
[8:15] What is plantar fasciitis?
[10:47] What does plantar fasciitis feel like for people who experience it?
[12:51] If someone has plantar fasciitis (or pain in their feet), who might a yoga teacher refer them to?
[13:55] What do physiotherapists do to help people with plantar fasciitis?
[17:33] Diana explains what "load" means in the context of plantar fasciitis.
[20:04] Shannon pops in to share a question from a podcast listener about booking software and how OfferingTree can support you if you have the same question!
[23:14] What are some things in yoga that can help someone with plantar fasciitis?
[27:42] How can you try out ball rolling at home to manage plantar fasciitis?
[30:50] Diana explains more about the "tripod foot".
[34:10] Shannon and Diana discuss going barefoot.
[36:03] What are some frustrating myths or misinformation that Diana has encountered about plantar fasciitis?
[38:10] What can people do if they're experiencing pain in their feet first thing in the morning? Diana also shares some other tips and tricks.
[40:43] Connect with Diana and learn more from her via her website and on Instagram!
[41:33] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.
Links:
Plantar Fasciitis Stretches to Ease Heel Pain - Threes Physiyoga
Foot Injury Support + Protection : Help for Plantar Fasciitis
Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain 7-Week Series with Sarah Garden
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 336: Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain with Sarah Garden
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"Being barefoot is one of the best things you can do for any foot injury."
"If you have plantar fasciitis or fasciosis for a long time, over time, your balance of proprioception can decrease just because of disuse."
"Inherently, people don't want to do that. They wanna kind of get the band aid, quick fix and move on. And I think that's just human nature."
"Especially as we age and we move less, it's really important to move."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
336: Yoga for Endo and Pelvic Pain with Sarah Garden
Description:
About 190 million girls, women, and people with uteruses of reproductive age worldwide are affected by endometriosis (“endo”). A chronic disease that produces severe, life-impacting pain and other symptoms, endo is still not very well understood. There is no known cure and treatment is often aimed at managing symptoms. Sarah Garden shares how yoga can help endometriosis and pelvic pain.
Sarah is the Director of Bodhi Tree Yoga Therapy and the full time Pain Educator and Yoga Therapist at The Chronic Pain Clinic in Regina, Saskatchewan Canada. Sarah has taught throughout North America and also offers classes and courses on Yoga International. She has been actively working in the field of yoga therapy for over 20 years. Her practice focuses on chronic pain, chronic pelvic pain, and the role yoga can play in treating nociplastic pain and central sensitization.
Sarah shares more about her own long journey with endo and why she started specializing in yoga therapy for chronic pain and endometriosis. She explains the symptoms that accompany endometriosis and what we know about this disease, as well as why yoga is helpful. Sarah also gives other strategies for coping with endo and pelvic pain. Tune in to this episode to learn more about endo and pelvic pain, plus get the details about Sarah’s upcoming 7-week yoga series.
Key Takeaways:
[3:15] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sarah Garden
[8:21] Where did Sarah's journey with endometriosis begin and why did she get interested in this area?
[11:02] What is endometriosis?
[13:34] If you are keen to learn more about endometriosis, there are some great resources (recordings of calls with experts) inside Pelvic Health Professionals, as well as an upcoming 7-week series with Sarah herself!
[14:56] How can yoga help endometriosis?
[22:01] Yoga can help bring more awareness to what is going on in your body and brain and that can be helpful too.
[27:24] What is one thing Sarah wishes she would have known about persistent pain?
[33:34] Getting curious and keeping the nervous system calm and steady is one way to approach pain and movement.
[34:34] How does Sarah approach the conversation with people who have chronic pain to try new movements or to help them down regulate their nervous system?
[39:54] Shannon pops in to share a conversation she recently had with a yoga teacher about how she is using OfferingTree in her business.
[45:08] Sarah has an upcoming 7-week series to learn more about yoga for endometriosis. What does she want people to know about this series?
[51:08] Endometriosis can be really difficult to diagnose because it presents in many different ways.
[54:42] Sarah reflects on how her work is impacting people everywhere.
[56:15] Shannon shares some of her takeaways from this conversation with Sarah.
Links:
7-Week Yoga Series with Sarah Garden
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 325: Stress of Teaching Yoga with Sarah Garden
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"Yoga has this really incredible capacity to down regulate or provide us with tools to help us down regulate our nervous system provided we're working with it in a way that's accessible to people with pain."
"Once we've worked on and developed that awareness, we then have the capacity to start to regulate what we need to regulate or re-regulate what we need to regulate."
"What the evidence shows us is that education alone is actually really helpful."
"There's a lot we can do with self management and a lot we can teach people for self management as well."