The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

5-Day Content Creation Challenge

Define Your Yoga Niche Online Course

Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training

049: Grow Your Yoga Student Base [Part 1] with Shannon Crow 0

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Jan 29, 2018

049: Grow Your Yoga Student Base [Part 1] with Shannon Crow

On today’s episode, Shannon wants to help you with one of the most frequently asked questions: how do I get more students to come to my class?

In part 1 of this 2-part episode, Shannon will take you through the steps that helped her grow her student base. Beginning with asking what is your ideal yoga class size to being patient and consistent as you build your students’ trust, Shannon shares 6 areas to consider with six actionable steps.

Don’t feel overwhelmed by the actionable steps, just start with one this week and find out how it can work for you as you build your student base.

6:15 1) What is your ideal yoga class size?

Consider: How many students do you need to pay for your time, rent, fuel? After expenses how much profit would you like to make? How many students can fit comfortably in the space?

7:35 Action Item: Once you have the ideal number of students in your head choose 1 of the 2 ways to visualize this:

Sticky notes
Student sign-in sheet

Put it somewhere you can see every day

11:15 2) Registered sessions

If you’re concerned about having enough students to cover your space rental, registered sessions are a great way to know what your income and expenses are going into the session.

20:50 ACTION ITEM: Try running a registered session. See how it works for you, your student base and for the studio or rental space schedule

Offer something new and unique that you’re particularly passionate about.

A couple of examples: a 4-week beginner series or a 6-week back care yoga series.

22:00 3) Define Your Yoga Niche

ACTION ITEM: If you can define what your unique yoga is and who your ideal yoga student is then you already have done this work! If you feel stuck on either of those or if marketing and content creation is a challenge enrol in Define Your Yoga Niche: An Online Workshop or book a one-on-one Consultation Call with Shannon.

25:25 4) Create content that advertises and markets your yoga

26:10 ACTION ITEM: Do the (Free) 5-Day Content Creation Challenge

26:25 5) Classes to suit your students

Are your yoga classes accessible? Are the classes that will attract the community you live in?

28:50 ACTION ITEM: Find a way to check in with your students to see what kind of yoga they are looking for (email survey, phone call, talk with them at your next class).

If you don’t have students yet can you check in with people in your area? Attend some local classes to see what is popular, join or create a local Facebook group

Ask friends or ask on social media

Listen to Trevor Parks’ episode where Shannon asks Trevor a series of questions so he can define his ideal student

029: Creating Your About Me Page With Trevor Parks

30:25 6) Be patient and consistent

Keep showing up for yourself and keep showing up for students. Don’t get discouraged if your class sizes are smaller at the beginning.

ACTION ITEM: Keep showing up to teach

While being consistent, be careful of yoga teacher burnout. It’s okay to take some time off or occasionally ask for another teacher to sub your class.

001: How to Avoid Yoga Teacher Burnout with Erin Aquin

Links

The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group "Most Embarrassing Teaching Moment" thread- thanks to Joyce Slaughter for starting the discussion

The Connected Yoga Teacher FB Group "Looking for Music for Restorative Yoga" thread- thanks to Brittany Boersma who is most definitely not looking for cheesy spa music ;)

Shannon does NOT recommend Foundations by Kate Nash as a good yoga class song :)

001: How to Avoid Yoga Teacher Burnout with Erin Aquin

029: Creating Your About Me Page With Trevor Parks

Define Your Yoga Niche: An Online Workshop

5-Day Content Creation Challenge

Student sign-in sheet

048: Eating Disorder Education for Yoga Teachers with Tabitha Farrar 0

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Jan 22, 2018

Yoga Teacher Eating Disorder Education with Tabitha Farrar

On today’s episode, Shannon and Tabitha Farrar reflect on eating disorders, such as disordered eating and anorexia, and its relationship to the yoga world.

As Shannon notes, January is a busy time for yoga teachers. Many new students are influenced by the tradition of the New Year’s Resolution as a way to make a fresh start or establish new patterns (often eating better and exercising more), so eating disorder education is especially relevant at this time of year.

Tabitha Farrar is an eating disorder recovery coach who speaks and writes about effective and realistic recovery approaches for adults with restrictive eating disorders. Tabitha recovered from 10 years of severe anorexia and is passionate about helping adult sufferers find a sustainable recovery that works for them.

She is the author of Love Fat, numerous articles on eating disorders and the founder of 2 support forums. Tabitha is currently working on her second book, A Workbook for Anorexia Recovery. She also hosts The Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast and has founded Adult Eating Disorder Recovery (AEDR), a service that offers meal support and emotional support through text for those recovering from an eating disorder.

Tabitha shares her expertise to help dispel myths surrounding eating disorders. She also discusses symptoms of EDs, the seriousness of malnutrition, the danger of restrictive eating (such as cleanses and fasts), and what to do if you suspect a student suffers from an eating disorder.

3:45 Shannon’s Personal Wellness Goals for the New Year

4:55 Shannon’s thoughts on yoga and its relationship to eating disorders

7:40 Tabitha’s yoga journey

8:45 How Tabitha came to realize she had an eating disorder

10:25 What led Tabitha to her current career path- an eating disorder coach with a podcast Tabitha's Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

12:00 What Tabitha wishes people knew about eating disorders

13:30 Myth around the idea of anorexia being a desire for control when in fact it’s a ”negative state relief” - a behaviour that helps manage anxiety to a level that is tolerable.

14:40 Not always easy to recognize an eating disorder but some symptoms include:

extreme weight loss can be a sign but you don’t have to be underweight to have an eating disorder (even anorexia)
mental state deterioration
irritability
hoarding
possessiveness (acting as though you’re in a threatening environment)

16:50 Another symptom that is especially relevant to yoga is the compulsion to exercise

19:00 A study revealed eating disorders can stem from genetics if ancestors migrated in response to famine- in migration eat very little and quickly travel over vast distances “have to keep moving”

Article: Adapted to Flee Famine: Adding an Evolutionary Perspective on Anorexia Nervosa by Shan Guisinger PhD

20:40 Malnutrition is a medical emergency

21:15 Tabitha’s wish for less emphasis on nutrition believing that as nutritional science has gained prevalence in our society it has been more detrimental than helpful

23:10 The yoga community should treat the body as a living organism and not like a machine

23:45 What can yoga teachers do to empower their students whether they know their yoga students have an eating disorder or not- Tabitha reads an email she received with thoughts on yoga teachers and eating disorders

25:20 Detrimental effect of yoga marketing, social media- e.g. can set unrealistic standards in the mind of yoga students or can encourage students to come to yoga focusing on accepting their bodies not changing them

27:05 The changes in Tabitha’s teaching after educating herself about eating disorders

29:20 Yoga and meditation as a tool for eating disorder recovery

30:45 Breaking down eating disorder statistics by age and gender and looking beyond them- e.g. eating disorders in males are underreported

32:20 If you notice some symptoms of an eating disorder in a yoga student do you approach them?

35:10 Helpful to for yoga studio managers to have some education in eating disorders so teachers can come to them if they’re concerned about a student

36:00 Danger of diets, fasting, cleanses, vegetarianism, veganism (any restrictive eating) in general and especially when struggling with an eating disorder

39:10 Being aware of language around eating and the body as a yoga teacher- criticizing your body is normalized in society, often a bonding activity

42:20 Tabitha’s final words to yoga teachers

44:05 How to find Tabitha if you want to contact her

45:00 Shannon’s closing thoughts

“I want you to understand that eating disorders are genetically based mental illnesses. They are not a choice. They are not ‘caused by society’ (although they are complicated and aggravated by society in a serious way). They are not caused by bad parents or a ‘need to control’” -Tabitha Farrar

Links

Tabitha Farrar's Website

Instagram

Twitter @love_fat_

Podcast: Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast (also available on iTunes)

Book: Love Fat -Tabitha Farrar’s eating disorder recovery story

Tabitha’s Blog Posts: The danger of veganism and EDs

Article: Adapted to Flee Famine: Adding an Evolutionary Perspective on Anorexia Nervosa by Shan Guisinger PhD

Adapted to Flee Famine Website

Adult Eating Disorder Recovery (AEDR) Website

New Year's Resolutions Discussion on TCYT Facebook Group

Miranda's Student Numbers Question Discussion on TCYT Facebook Group

047: Downward Dog in Prenatal Yoga with Kim MacDonald-Heilandt and Shannon Crow 0

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Jan 15, 2018

Downward Dog in Prenatal Yoga with Kim MacDonald-Heildant and Shannon Crow

Shannon met Kim MacDonald-Heildant at a prenatal yoga teacher training and they bonded over their enthusiasm for this area of expertise. Leaving the training with even more questions, Shannon and Kim decided to join forces. They felt that while every teacher and training brought them valuable experience, they wanted to expand on what they learned to incorporate the research and experience they’ve gained since.

Shannon and Kim co-founded Mama Nurture to provide a 100-hour prenatal yoga teacher training (PYTT) that spends more time on all the wonderful aspects of prenatal that are often only touched on in PYTT (e.g. postnatal and fertility) while expanding on anatomy. Their website also provides great resources such as articles, breath practices and yoga sequences.

Kim was drawn to yoga as a self-care practice and became even more enthusiastic about the practice when she became pregnant. She enjoyed her pregnancies and the way yoga enhanced her experience. This positive relationship led her to enrol in a 200-hour YTT followed by a PYTT and is now a certified children’s and prenatal yoga teacher. She is also a mother of 2, a teacher, co-owner and director of Gibbons Park Montessori School as well as the founder of Live Laugh Breathe Yoga.

Shannon and Kim found that one of the most common questions from yoga teachers in prenatal training is: “Can I teach downward dog to pregnant yoga students?” There are many opinions about this. Shannon and Kim are going to share their opinions which they emphasize are not meant to be a definitive answer. In fact, through listening to each other they’ve switched positions!

As Shannon and Kim say: “No one yoga pose is good for everyone. No one yoga pose is bad for everyone.” They explore reasons why downward dog is on their caution list and offer alternative poses that can provide some of the same benefits.

7:20 Kim’s yoga journey

9:00 What inspired Kim and Shannon to create their own prenatal yoga teacher training

10:45 Kim’s thoughts on prenatal and downward dog

12:25 How Shannon and Kim ended up switching their positions on downward dog in prenatal yoga

13:35 Article written by Kim and Shannon

Can I Teach Downward Dog to Prenatal Yoga Students

14:10 Reasons Kim and Shannon caution, take out, or only offer downward dog as an option in their classes:

14:25 1) Unnecessary strain on the low back

15:45 2) Can cause or exacerbate heartburn and nausea

16:45 3) Most prenatal students are beginners and downward dog is not a beginner pose

18:30 4) Can irritate carpal tunnel which is common in pregnant women

19:20 5) It can cause baby to turn

20:40 6) Can increase round ligament pain

21:15 7) Can affect very low or high blood pressure

23:35 Kim and Shannon’s favourite pose for prenatal students- Puppy Pose

25:10 Kim and Shannon’s cueing for downward dog for a prenatal student that wants to attempt the pose

26:25 To stretch out the calf muscles- Modified Big Toe Pose

27:55 Bird Dog Pose

28:45 Legs Up the Wall

29:20 Half Forward Fold

30:50 Kim’s words of wisdom when it comes to incorporating Downward Dog- “Try to let go with what’s expected of you.” Observe your class, don’t be afraid to ask how it feels for your students, your students may do it because they feel like they should, not because it works for them

31:55 Kim and Shannon want to share their information and experience to help others make a more informed opinion about downward dog in prenatal- no absolute answer

33:15 Shannon’s closing thoughts- ask yourself what benefit do you want to gain from a pose?

Links

Gibbons Park Montessori School

MamaNurture Article: Can I Teach Downward Dog to Prenatal Yoga Students

PDF: 8 Contraindications for pregnant yoga students (to get the list sign up on the homepage)

TCYT Podcast 033: A New Perspective with Diastasis Recti with Sinead Dufour

Spinning Babies Website

Free Images Discussion on TCYT Facebook Group-A special thanks to Lindsey Larson for starting the discussion

046: Redefining Stretching with Jules Mitchell 0

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Jan 6, 2018

Redefining Stretching with Jules Mitchell

Jules Mitchell is “a student for life”. She is a massage therapist, yoga teacher and educator.

She holds a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Biomechanics from CSU Long Beach and teaches numerous workshops that combine the tradition of yoga (asana and pranayama) with her knowledge of biomechanics to educate teachers in a fun digestible way.

Jules practiced yoga for many years and at a certain point in her life felt the need to teach. The teacher training brought up so many questions for Jules that she says weren’t satisfactorily answered and realized she would have to turn to academics to answer them.

Jules came to realize and accept that there will always be a lot of questions that are unknown and one will always be learning. She tells her students at the beginning of her workshops that if they don’t leave there with more questions then she hasn’t done her job. Jules wants to impress upon yoga teachers the need to question more, the importance of scientific literacy, critical thinking and curiosity.

Shannon and Jules talk about how there are no bad poses, the importance of cueing (talking less and listening more), and questioning how poses are taught. Jules gives us an excellent example by discussing whether you keep your legs straight or bend them when performing a forward fold. Her explanation using scientific research illustrates the importance of science-informed teaching and the benefit of reading studies in a field that is ever-evolving.

Jules wants to help inform you to make your own choices as a yoga teacher, not to overwhelm you. She is working on an upcoming book tentatively titled Yoga Biomechanics: Redefining Stretching which moves far beyond what is generally understood about stretching. She explains the mechanical properties of connective tissue, the material science, the composition and architecture of tissue and emerging ideas and research along with yoga sequences. She hoping to release this information-packed book in 2018.

8:05 Jules' yoga teacher journey

10:15 An example of a question that Jules had that wasn’t answered satisfactorily in yoga teacher training

13:25 How Jules went outside the yoga teacher training for answers, but then brought information back to the yoga world

14:55 Jules' thoughts on stretching, range of motion and flexibility

17:15 Passive stretching, load and strengthening “strengthen to lengthen”

19:05 What does this look like for Jules as a yoga teacher?

“co-contraction” not so much focus on contracting some and relaxing others, how the muscles work together and how we don't need to work so hard to isolate them hopefully introducing adaptation

20:15 Restorative yoga and how it affects the tissues at a cellular level

22:25 How Jules uses research and at the same time works hard to avoid making huge assumptions

27:55 Language and cues that Jules uses now with more information- ask open-ended questions like ”How does it feel when your hand goes there?” How can we help people explore movement instead of making them afraid of it- say less, observe and let your students teach you.

30:20 Forward folds and hamstrings

Article: To Bend or Not to Bend (the Knees in a Forward Fold) by Jules Mitchell

33:05 Poses cannot be categorized as safe and not safe

36:40 How can we cue to enable students to pose the body as robust

39:10 What Jules feels is missing from yoga teacher training and importance of reading research studies using critical thinking

41:15 Social media and the pull Jules feels to answer questions there

42:50 Jules’ upcoming book: Yoga Biomechanics: Redefining Stretching

47:25 How to contact Jules

49:15 Shannon’s closing thoughts

Links

Jules Mitchell's Website

Book: Yoga Biomechanics: Redefining Stretching by Jules Mitchell in 2018

Article: To Bend or Not to Bend (the Knees in a Forward Fold) by Jules Mitchell

Article: Question Everything by Jules Mitchell

Jules Mitchell's Workshop Schedule

Jules Mitchell's Online Education

Jules Mitchell's Online Classes on Udaya.com

Online Course: Biomechanics of Yoga and Asana: Biomechanics, Posture & Performance with Jules Mitchell

Free Youtube Videos with Jules Mitchell

045: Creating Content with Shannon Crow 0

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Dec 30, 2017

045: Creating Content with Shannon Crow

Shannon is going solo today to share with you something that she is incredibly passionate about- content creation. Content creation includes Facebook and Instagram posts, newsletters and websites and even books. It allows your ideal client to get to know you and the services you offer.

As an entrepreneur, Shannon has learned much about content creation through trial and error. She understands how difficult to know where to start. As a yoga business consultant, she has worked with many yoga teachers looking to grow their businesses and has learned much about what has held them back. Shannon has found that many get stuck in the process of creating and/or sharing their content so if this sounds like you, just know you are not alone.

Having worked with Shannon I can attest to her love of content creation and her knowledge of many social media platforms. Her intense curiosity keeps her informed of any emerging content platforms as well which lends itself to another passion of hers- sharing her knowledge with others. This episode is packed with information and inspiration to help you get started on creating your own content.

6:05 Content creation didn’t always come easily for Shannon- was often scrambling

6:55 Content creation became a Monday Morning Task

What is content? It’s anything you are creating such as text, audio, or video or even a combination of the three. 2 examples of content: 1) A post on your Facebook page, perhaps you add an image 2) A book is an example of content created over a long period of time, even years.

8:25 When you feel stuck

Some of the common reasons you feel blocked:

Not feeling like enough of an expert
Everything has been done before
New technology needed to share like a mic for creating a video
Time for creating content- feeling like your schedule is packed planning classes, other part-time or full-time jobs and family
New to this (teaching and/or marketing) and not sure where to begin
Wanting things to be better or perfect before sharing - a lot of fear around creating videos and sharing images
No defined niche- harder to create posts without a strong point-of-view, they may feel like they don’t reflect your work
Afraid to put your opinions / photos / video / writing out there - a fear that what you share will be picked apart
Not sure which platform is best - at a standstill with indecision, or attempting to post on as many as you can when starting with one and doing it well
Looking for an immediate reaction from a post- posting an article you have been working on and barely anyone likes it or looks at it can be discouraging

14:55 Five Keys of Content Creation:

15:05 1. Consistency

Some examples of consistent content are a weekly podcast, Facebook posts that you can schedule, monthly or weekly newsletters. People count on it and are reminded of you and your offering. Make space for content creation- perhaps Monday Morning

16:40 2. What is the goal of your content?

Increase your email list? Get students to attend your class? Why are you sharing content? This key is often skipped, but it is the one that will give your content focus.

18:55 3. Quality content -- what content do you gravitate towards? I love useful information and actionable steps

21:20 Shawn’s 5 Content Tips

Come up with a plan
Don’t get stuck on one type of content
Focus on quality over quantity
Work with your interests and skills
Add some randomness to your content

23:20 4a. Create Content

Writer’s block? Write down your ideas in one place - mind map, scribble, draw it out - you will be surprised when you are working paper to pen how the brain will come up with different ideas. Ask where and when you write best.

24:20 Ideas for Content

Your offerings
Your calendar / schedule
Resources e.g. books, music, props, quotes, any content that you are taking in
Holidays & themes e.g. candlelight winter solstice yoga
Write authentically your experience as a student
Your experience as a yoga teacher or your personal story, written or video form for example
Self-care share
Your space where you teach or practice
Yoga e.g. poses, pranayama, meditation, mantra, mudra through video, audio, photos or info
Recipes e.g. yogi tea
Curate content that has resonated with you e.g. books, articles written by others

31:10 4b. Call to Action

Are you asking people to do something? If so is it all the time? Aim for 20% of the time
80 / 20 rule -Amanda Bond talked to us about this on TCYT 031: Facebook Marketing for Teachers. For every 5 posts on social media have 1 call to action so you’re not asking people to sign up for your class on every post and providing great content gives them a chance to get to know you

33:35 5. Schedule, Share and Repurpose Your Content

On your own platform or take an article on website and share on an online publication, make sure to check rules but can often share articles from other sites. Build up a bank- have the option of re-posting depending on the platform.

36:40 5 Keys to Content Creation re-cap

37:20 5 Day Content Creation Challenge

38:15 An actionable step you can take today to begin creating content

Write down 5 ideas for content creation and share one

Links

The Connected Yoga Facebook Group Thread: "To those who are not full-time yoga instructors, what is your other job?"

The Connected Yoga Teacher 5-Day Content Creation Challenge

Define Your Yoga Niche: An Online Workshop for Yoga Teachers

Shawn Radcliffe's Website

Shannon's Yogi Tea Recipe

044: Accounting for Yoga Teachers with Hannah Smolinski 0

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Dec 23, 2017

Accounting for Yoga Teachers with Hannah Smolinski

In part 4 of our 4-part Money Mini-series, we get accounting advice from Hannah Smolinski. Hannah and Shannon discuss accounting software, the difference between a bookkeeper, accountant and CFO, which expenses are deductible and much more to help you feel confident about the money side of your business.

Hannah has had an entrepreneurial spirit since grade school when she set up her first business making friendship bracelets. She loved counting her money, coming up with business strategies and even considering supply and demand.

So, it was no surprise she ended up working with numbers. Hannah studied accounting in her undergraduate studies and moved on to receive her Masters in Accounting at the University of Washington, followed by her CPA licence. After working in her field as an auditor and a chief financial officer of a small business, she felt the need to help people build their businesses up. Hannah decided to start her own business; BrightenUp Financial, a company that specializes in small business accounting and finance management.

As a takeaway from the Money Mini-Series, we hope tackling your money-related issues seems less overwhelming. When broken down into small steps financial mastery is within your grasp.

7:00 Hannah's journey into accounting and small business financial consulting

11:10 Accounting software recommendations

14:00 Difference between accountant, bookkeeper and a CPA

15:30 When to hire a bookkeeper

17:45 Having a business bank account is a must

20:30 What expenses are tax deductible?

36:35 What statement gives us a good idea of how our business is doing? Look your profit and loss statement and the difference between profit and revenue.

38:55 You can increase your profit in 2 ways- increase revenue or decrease your expenses

39:55 Keeping track of taxes you owe- ask for help from bookkeeper or accountant, or use an Estimated Tax form so you don’t end up having to pay more taxes than you can afford at the end of the year

43:00 Monthly check-in for your business

44:20 Cost of goods sold

48:40 How to work with Hannah

49:25 Shannon’s closing thoughts

Expenses you can usually write-off on your taxes :

Yoga teacher training and other courses related to your business
books
music
props
marketing
software
office supplies
custom labour (cleaner, accountant) - if specific to business
meals & entertainment
insurance
rent

Check with your tax professional about:

home studio
utilities
mileage & fuel
auto expense
cell phone
computer - listed as a business asset
gifts - check limit

Links

Accounting Software:

For the US: IRS Estimated Tax for Individual

Hannah's Website: BrightenUp Financial

Brighten Up Financial on Facebook

Resources from Brighten Up Financial -e-book, articles, links to helpful tools

Other Money Mini-Series Episodes:

041: Generating Profit with Natalie Eckdahl

042: Money Mindset with Geraldine Carter

043: Minimum Viable Income with Steph Crowder

043: Minimum Viable Income with Steph Crowder 0

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Dec 16, 2017

Have you thought about teaching yoga full-time but fear making ends meet? Steph Crowder, the Head of Member Success at Fizzle.co has created actionable steps to make possible what may seem like an impossible goal.

Fizzle is a community for creatives, makers and entrepreneurs. Steph began as a member and loved the platform so much she envisioned a role for herself within the company. She applied for a small job and worked her way up to her full-time position.

Steph also hosts the Courage and Clarity Podcast and co-hosts The Fizzle Show which allows her to share her passion for helping entrepreneurs reach their potential in an otherwise often solitary pursuit.

Steph shares with us the importance of calculating your Minimal Viable Income (or MVI) which is the minimum you need to make, per month, to make ends meet. If while building your business you can earn this number there’s a good chance you can transition from your primary job to teaching yoga full-time.

When Steph isn’t helping people pursue their business goals, she’s hanging out with her husband and one-year-old-daughter, sipping wine and decorating her new home in Louisville, Kentucky.

7:40 How Steph got started on her entrepreneurial journey

11:55 What is Minimal Viable Income?

14:15 Your MVI is highly individualized and is dictated by numerous variables

18:50 When can I teach yoga full time?

20:00 The power of having a number for your Minimal Viable Income

20:35 Actionable steps to determine your Minimal Viable Income:

1 Fixed and Variable Expenses- determining the difference between your fixed expenses like rent, mortgage, car insurance, etc. and variable expenses that are based on habits like entertainment, clothes, groceries

23:00 2 Trimming the Fat- looking at the numbers and where you can reduce, challenging yourself on the expenses

25:35 3 Getting Creative- go further and ask yourself the question like: do you need 2 cars, can you change your living situation, etc. - means to an end, changes aren’t forever

29:15 4 Do the Math

Do you have a cushion of savings
Business archetypes -different ways you can bring in income
Making a game plan to get the work you need to reach your MVI

34:15 4 strategies to consider if you need to hit your MVI quickly:

Consider 1:1 work
Hit your networks hard
Always ask for referrals
Consider a second source of income

40:30 Does the MVI apply to those working full-time teaching yoga and feel like they’re not making ends meet?

43:20 How to contact Steph

44:30 Shannon’s closing thoughts

Links

Steph’s email: steph@fizzle.co

The Fizzle Website

Steph's Website: Courage and Clarity- Fizzle to sign up for 5-week free trial

Free PDF from Steph: How to Afford an Entrepreneurial Lifestyle: A Comprehensive Guide to Minimum Viable Income

Courage and Clarity Podcast

Courage and Clarity on Facebook

Steph on Instagram

042: Money Mindset with Geraldine Carter 0

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Dec 9, 2017

042: Money Mindset with Geraldine Carter

Money Mini-Series Part 2 of 4

On part 2 of our 4-part Money Mindset Mini-series, Business Coach Geraldine Carter, founder of Focused Business Coaching, asks you to reflect to uncover your “money story”. Your money story comprises of messages you were given about money growing up, the emotions that arise when working through your finances, your comfort level around setting rates and much more.

Your story can manifest itself as money hang-ups such as avoiding financial matters, being paralyzed by anxiety when making business decisions, or believing that you’re unworthy of being paid for your services.

Geraldine Carter thrives on supporting entrepreneurs who are driven to make a positive change in the world while making a living. Geraldine has had first-hand experience as the co-founder of Climate Ride a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that organizes life-changing charitable events to raise awareness and support sustainability, active transportation, and environmental causes.

After travelling extensively and noticing the effect climate change has had on so many beautiful places around the world, Geraldine and her friend decided to create cycling events that bring awareness to climate change while raising money for charitable organizations. Climate Ride has grown to support 15 events around the world and is set to donate $750,000 to environmental and sustainable non-profits.

Geraldine breaks down the most important steps and tools needed to create a viable business. She emphasizes that it can be done simply so you are spending less time doing the books and more time doing what you love.

6:10 Geraldine’s relationship to yoga

8:30 Where do we begin addressing our money mindset hangups?

9:00 Notice your behaviours (often avoidance techniques) around money to find your “money story”

11:10 When it’s a good idea to hire someone to take care of your business finances

12:05 What should we be tracking when it comes to our bookkeeping? E.g. income, expenses, rates as they go up, how much it costs to put together workshops, etc.

12:55 Keep track of your time and energy- track how much energy you expend on various activities per hour- like creating workshops, teaching classes (including planning and travel time) to discover which activities have the highest value

15:45 Anxiety bubble around money is very common, it’s temporary and will decrease as you learn and use money management tools

16:20 How can you make your business more profitable? -start keeping track, being in service and being profitable- not either or. “You can be in service AND profitable. In fact, the more profitable you are the more you can be of service.”

18:00 How often should we be tracking our transactions?

19:20 Shannon shares her money mindset hangup and how she’s working on it

21:25 Almost everyone Geraldine has helped move through their anxiety around money has found that avoidance was much more painful than tackling the issue.

22:10 What keeps people from working dealing with their finances and how it interferes with your business growth

24:00 Setting your rates as a yoga teacher

25:50 Being conscious of giving free classes or lesser rates- is it a good idea?

28:20 Healthier ways to help those in need such as fundraising for karma passes, one-off scholarships, payment plans

30:15 Geraldine’s favourite tracking programs depending on volume: Excel (good for businesses starting out), Freshbooks, Quickbooks

32:15 Geraldine uses Apple Pages in PDF for invoicing “The simpler the better” Other options: Wave, Harvest, Quickbooks and many tracking programs also have an invoicing feature

33:00 MVP (Minimum Viable Product)- keep the bookkeeping and administration as simple as possible, you want to spend the least amount of time on this aspect, your service is what’s most important

35:00 Best way to help people with money mindset- programs (group or one-on-one) to help you stick with the process and breakthrough

36:00 Geraldine’s online and in-person course- next session in February 2018

36:25 How Geraldine got into this line of work

37:20 Geraldine’s work with Climate Ride was mentioned in Seth Godin’s Ted Talk

41:30 Shannon’s closing thoughts

Links

Geraldine's Web page- Focused Business Coaching

Course: Ditch Your Money Hang-ups with Geraldine Carter

Geraldine on Facebook

Focused Business Coaching on Facebook

Geraldine on LinkedIn

Geraldine on Google+

Climate Ride Website

YouTube Video: Ted Talk: The Tribes We Lead- Seth Godin

041: Generating Profit with Natalie Eckdahl 0

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

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Dec 2, 2017

Natalie Eckdahl, MBA, has been a guide, supporter and cheerleader for Shannon on her journey to create The Connected Yoga Teacher podcast. Shannon hired Natalie for her services as a business coach, feeling she could use some expert advice along with an accountability partner. This helped Shannon immensely when taking on her vision to build a platform for yoga teachers.

Natalie is a business coach, professional facilitator, keynote speaker and host of the Biz Chix Podcast which iTunes featured as a top New Business Podcast in March 2014. She has over 20 years of business experience and works with female entrepreneurs to build their businesses through money mindset and social media strategies, all while recognizing her clients’ family and individual goals.

This year Natalie successfully created and ran a Biz Chix Live Event, a 3-day Leadership Training for Women Entrepreneurs and has another set to run next November 2018.

If you struggle with charging for your services as a yoga teacher you are not alone. On this episode Natalie and Shannon discuss the importance of finding your niche, defining your services a charity, hobby or business and charging clients for your services accordingly with confidence. Also covered is the concept of “passive” and “active” income along with the pros and cons of both business styles and many more nuggets of wisdom.

06:10 Is your business a charity, a hobby or a business- all are valid but intention should be clear

10:05 Feeling conflicted about charging yoga students for a spiritual, healing practice

11:10 Offerings you don’t have to charge for (articles, podcasts, etc.) are great but don’t need to do that in order to justify charging clients- your competence justifies charging for your services

12:10 Take a moment to revisit childhood messages about money, confront them, do you still agree with messages? Maybe agreeing with them without conscious thought and it may be shaping your business

13:40 Challenging the idea of “passive income” (online videos, books, etc.) as a gold mine versus what Natalie calls “active income” (consultation work, teaching yoga classes, etc.)

21:05 The fear around finding your yoga niche and the benefits of doing so

23:50 Shannon’s niching down process

24:45 Creating a niche isn’t about excluding others

25:45 Natalie’s niching down process

28:50 Adjusting your brand to your newfound niche- Natalie calls our worry around this “The Spotlight Effect”

33:00 It’s okay not to serve everyone, specializing helps attract clients

35:30 Naming and marketing your classes to attract the clients you are seeking to serve

39:15 Niching down allows your network (friends and family, business associates, etc.) know who they can refer to you

39:55 Natalie’s top money mindset advice for small business owners- open a business bank account, get a bookkeeper, and more to build confidence as a business owner

45:05 How to get connect with Natalie

46:50 Shannon’s closing thoughts

Links

Natalie's Biz Chix Website

Podcast: Biz Chix 216: Small Business Reality- Is this a Business, Hobby or Charity?

Podcast: The Connected Yoga Teacher 005: Setting and Achieving Big Goals with Natalie Eckdahl

Podcast: Biz Chix 293: Where Are They Now? Updates with Christina Nicholson, Shannon Crow, Lilah Higgins, Julie Hefner, and Tara Lynn Foster

040: Grow Your Audience with a 5-Day Challenge with Patricia Fasciotti 0

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Nov 25, 2017

Patricia Fasciotti - Grow Your Audience with a 5-Day Challenge

On today’s unique episode Patricia Fasciotti shares her experience with a unique marketing strategy. The discussion transitions into a consultation call with Shannon as she advises Patricia on how to move forward with social media marketing.

Patricia is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Yoga instructor, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Nutrition Coach all under the name The Wellness Concierge.

Patricia wants to expand her online offerings as she has found this teaching format a great fit for her life. Patricia is a mother of 2 kids and is looking for a work-life balance that will allow her the financial freedom to spend more time with her children.

Patricia’s multi-faceted approach to wellness is a gift to her clients and in order for her to reach those who could benefit from her services Patricia decided to offer a free 5-day Wellness Challenge to current and potential clients.

Patricia outlines to Shannon how she approached this marketing strategy and the benefits of offering this challenge and what she learned from it.

Patricia is a down-to-earth, warm personality who openly shares what has (and hasn’t) worked for her in this process. Shannon, through consultation, helps Patricia move through the fear of marketing herself further on social media platforms.

4:10 How Patricia got into yoga

08:00 Patricia’s online class membership- The Yoga Suite

09:35 The 5-day Wellness Challenge- a free offering that can be used to showcase your work to an audience

10:20 How her 5-day Challenge works

12:00 How Patricia prepared and marketed her 5 Day Challenge

14:45 Caution around creating Facebook ads

17:45 Patricia outlines Day 1 of Challenge and using Facebook Live

20:00 Patricia’s first Facebook Live video experience

21:50 Last day of 5 day Challenge- a time to celebrate and build excitement for an upcoming offering, offering prizes

24:30 Benefits of having a Facebook group page

**Consultation Call**

27:30 Patricia asks about her social media presence and marketing strategies moving forward

28:50 Shannon asks Patricia what feedback she’s gotten from her clients

30:10 Shannon asks if Patricia’s “Big Why” of her yoga offerings match with her clients’ “Big Why”

31:40 If there is fear behind your hesitation to build your online presence with advice to move through the fear

36:30 Shannon guides Patricia through fine-tuning her online yoga offerings

37:20 Advice on deciding on number of clients to take on- limit on group numbers allows for more individualized attention and raising price for membership is valid, builds loyalty

40:20 Look at your niche, ideal student and where your offerings have gained traction in the past

45:00 Setting goals around getting new clients

45:45 Recognizing and rewarding clients that are most engaged

48:15 Sharing your business offerings on your personal Facebook page

49:05 One-minute videos, the importance of relatability in videos

50:30 Setting a goal for putting videos on Youtube

52:55 Closing thoughts with Shannon

Links

Patricia's Website- The Wellness Concierge

Patricia's Free Body Balanced 7-day Challenge

The Concierge Lounge Group on Facebook

The Yoga Suite- online membership program

Email: patriciafasciotti@gmail.com

Patricia's Instagram

Mondays With Margo on Youtube

TCYT Podcast 031: Facebook Marketing with Amanda Bond

039: Advice for New Yoga Teachers 0

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Nov 18, 2017

Today’s episode is unique in that instead of one featured guest we have seven! Shannon reached out looking to answer a question asked on The Connected Teacher Facebook Group: What advice would you give your new teacher self?

Thoughtful and beautiful reflections were recorded by 7 yoga teachers who passed them on to Shannon so she could share with all of you while reflecting on her own experiences as a yoga teacher fresh out of yoga teacher training. What would you tell your new teacher self?

3:15 Betsy Brockett

4:45 Jamie Grollman

6:25 Kristina Kelly

9:25 Catherina Espinoza

10:55 Amanda Kingsmith

13:15 Lisa Zaehringer

15:30 Allie Bright

17:40 Shannon shares other advice from The Connected Yoga Teachers Facebook Group

Links

To get in touch with featured yoga teachers:

Betsy Brockett

Betsy's Website

Betsy's Instagram

Jamie Grollman

Jamie's Website

Kristina Kelly

Kristina's Website- Get Moving Fitness

Balanced Breath Studio Facebook Page

Catherina Espinoza

Catherina's Website- Tu Espacio Yoga

Tu Espacio Yoga on Facebook

Amanda Kingsmith

Amanda's Website- M.B.Om (Mastering the Business of Yoga)

Mastering the Business of Yoga Instagram

Lisa Zeahringer

Lisa's Website- Synchronicity Wellness

Lisa on Facebook - Synchronicity Wellness

Allie Bright

Allie's Website- Bright Java

Bright Java on Instagram

Shannon's Consultation Services

MamaNurture Yoga Teacher Training (RPYT)

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

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038: Preventing Injuries in Yoga with Trina Altman 0

Nov 11, 2017

Trina Altman took a Kripalu yoga class at Brown University and became intrigued by the practice. She became a yoga teacher in 2008 igniting her desire to research anatomy and movement.

The culmination of the knowledge she obtained has allowed her be a multi-disciplinary teacher; borrowing from many kinds of movement practices. Trina is very much focused on balancing her practice and teaching to include strength training along with stretching.

Trina’s passion for movement has led her to create Pilates Deconstructed®, an innovative interdisciplinary approach that fosters an embodied understanding of Pilates and its relationship to modern movement science.

Along with her 500-hour yoga teacher training, she is a STOTT Pilates® certified instructor, leads teacher training in Yoga Tune Up®, the Roll Model® Method and Rx Series for Equinox locally and Internationally.

Trina has presented at Kripalu and multiple conferences such as the Yoga Alliance Leadership Conference. She teaches online classes which can be found on her website as well as in person in Los Angeles at Equinox and The Moving Joint.

Trina’s teaching fosters body cognition and self-discovery that is firmly grounded in anatomical awareness. She builds bridges between the mystical and pragmatic and specializes in helping others to access their body’s tissues and their heart’s purpose.

9:25 Where Trina’s yoga journey began

11:45 How Trina began to consider the injuries that can be sustained while practising yoga

14:55 Importance of strength training

16:35 The danger of believing yoga is a fix-all

19:00 What does Trina’s balanced personal practice look like?

22:45 Trina’s concern about risk-prone movement in classes she’s attended

23:00 Trina’s experience with group classes (and taking a break from them)

25:25 Group class paradigm- pros and cons

27:20 What can teachers do in their own personal practice to build strength

29:40 How Trina teaches yoga (and how she takes from many different movement modalities)

32:10 What is the Feldenkrais method?

36:15 Trina’s online teaching offerings

38:30 How do we prevent injuries to our students?

40:10 Pilates- “the missing link”

44:05 Where you can find Trina in the upcoming months

44:20 Trina’s closing advice on preventing injury when teaching

47:25 “There is no one answer”

48:30 Group vs. private classes when it comes to yoga injuries

49:35 Four Principles of Teaching Movement: T.R.U.E.

T- total embodiment

R- regress to progress

U- understand underlayer

E- creating an Environment of Safety

57:20 Shannon’s closing thoughts

Links

Website: Trina Altman- Pilates Deconstructed® & Yoga Deconstructed® Embodied Anatomy Biomechanics

Trina Altman's Youtube Channel

Trina's Instagram

Trina's Yoga and Pilates Facebook Page

Mettaversity Course: Realigning Yoga: New Directions in Yoga Anatomy and Movement Research with Trina Altman

Yoga Deconstructed® Courses with Trina Altman

Feldenkrais Method Wikipedia Article

Interoception Wikipedia Article

Proprioception Wikipedia Article

New York Times Article: How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body by William J. Broad

Book: The Science of Yoga: The Risks and Rewards by William J. Broad

Relevant TCYT Episodes:

Podcast: 007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trista Zinn

Podcast: 32: Strengthen Your Yoga Practice with Kathryn Bruni-Young

The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Page

Trevor Parks Yoga Playlists (can view if a member of The Connected Yoga Teacher FB Page)

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037: Not #CrushingIt is Okay with Rachel East 0

Nov 4, 2017

Not #CrushingIt is Okay

Rachel East is a Certified Professional Coach and co-founder of Clarity on Fire with her business partner and best friend Kristen Walker.

Clarity on Fire Coaching was created based on Rachel and Kristen’s experiences with mind-numbing, unfulfilling work and their unwillingness to accept the status quo.

The coaching is geared towards millennials “who know what they don’t want but don’t know what they’d rather be doing”, which was how they felt coming out of college.

Rachel majored in Communications and Public Relations because she knew it was where she would flourish. When she graduated she gladly took a job she was offered as it was tough time economically (after the 2008 recession), and there was a lot of fear surrounding employment.

Rachel found her position as an Events and Promotions Co-ordinator wasn’t ultimately something she cared deeply about. In figuring out what she did want led her to pursue life coaching. It encompassed many of her passions including self-development and therapy.

The Passion Profile Quiz that Clarity on Fire developed helps uncover your passion (the content) as well as how it can be expressed in your ideal working environment (the context).

Rachel coaches a lot of self-defined perfectionists that are feeling burnt out. There is a mindset in society that we need to be busy to be worthy. Almost everyone struggles with this notion which is why Rachel’s message is so important.

Have no fear if you like your free time, don’t want to build an empire, aren’t a huge fan of social media, or, as Rachel puts it, you don’t want to be a #girlboss or ‘crush it’. There are many ways to approach being a successful entrepreneur.

Rachel’s wrote her blog post Confession: I Have No Desire to be a #girlboss out of frustration when she was feeling burnt out. There was a strong response from people from various professional backgrounds. She knew that she had hit on something that many felt but few articulated as it isn’t a prevalent societal attitude. Rachel and those who responded to her post discussed defining success and passion for yourself and adhering to your values to discover a working environment that will lead to personal fulfilment.

12:10 Rachel’s professional journey leading her to Clarity on FIre

15:25 Question from Julia, a member of The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group about passion and fulfilment

19:50 Quality vs. Quantity- how focusing on numbers can negatively impact your business and outlook

21:05 Re-defining what success means to you

23:55 Authenticity has a bigger impact than presenting an airbrushed image

24:55 Rachel’s blog post Confession: I Have No Desire to be a #girlboss and how it resonated with so many

28:15 How strong boundaries give you freedom as an entrepreneur

29:30 Business is one aspect of your life, avoid co-dependence. Our job and ourselves are two separate things.

33:15 How Rachel defines passion

35:15 Looking at your job as a journey, not a destination. The danger of grasping too tightly, resisting evolving, growing, or even pursuing a different career path.

39:00 Knowing the difference between the ‘fertile void’ and being afraid of putting yourself out there- fear vs. intuition.

43:05 The Passion Profile Quiz

44:40 Understanding your time and money values

52:05 Setting limits in your business to suit your personality

Links

Clarity On Fire Website

The Passion Profile Quiz

Blog Post: Confession: I Have No Desire to be a #girlboss by Rachel East

Instagram White on Rice

036: Thai Yoga Massage with Shai Plonski 0

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 030: Rituals to Start and End Your Day with Puja Madan

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Oct 28, 2017

Shannon is very excited to have her friend Shai Plonski on the podcast who also happens to be her very first Thai Yoga Massage teacher.

Shannon and Shai know from experience that Thai Massage can enhance a yoga teacher’s
offerings in a multitude of ways such as building a stronger bond with their students, strengthening their hands-on assists, and providing new workshop and revenue opportunities.

Nowadays Shai is the best-selling author of Compassionate Touch: Giving Massage for Optimal Health, Thriving Relationships & Spiritual Awakening. But back in 2001, Shai came to realize that he was not content to work behind a desk and felt a calling to do something more meaningful, connected to Spirit, and with his hands.

Working for a carnival for the summer to earn money for university had Shai working at a booth making wax molds of people’s hands. He has carried the feeling of this experience with him,
having found the connection and trust he had to establish within seconds profound. The power of touch has been a major theme in Shai’s life ever since.

Another seed was planted when Shai travelled to Asia. He was intrigued by the practice and was eventually exposed to Thai Massage when volunteering at the Omega Institute. A teacher
invited him to sit in on her class and he saw that the practice blended so many principles that mattered to him like connection, compassion, yoga, and the healing power of touch.

Shai’s passion for sharing the practice with others over the past 15 years has led him to teach at some of the largest yoga centers in Toronto and around the world including upcoming courses at
the Kripalu Center and 1440 Multiversity.

He has also authored or co-authored 15 manuals and books on the practice of Thai massage, trained over 3300 practitioners and 100 teachers in this healing art and is the founder of the Still Light Centre.

[9:40] Shai's journey into Thai Yoga Massage

[15:05] Shai’s first exposure to Thai Massage through a workshop

[16:20] What makes Thai Yoga Massage unique?

[16:50] 3 Principles of Thai Yoga Massage

[17:25] Shai's brand new book - Compassionate Touch

[19:20] How Thai Yoga Massage can compliment your yoga business

[21:30] Metta - loving kindness and compassion

[23:55] Complementary to Yin, gentle and restorative yoga classes and yoga retreats

[27:05] Meditative nature of Thai Yoga Massage

[28:00] Still Light Centre teaching style

[30:50] How to learn Thai Yoga Massage

[37:50] How Shai got his name

[41:30] Bringing Thai Massage into your home

[43:35] Massage is a norm in some cultures and families

Links

Still Light Centre

Compassionate Touch: Giving Massage for Optimal Health, Thriving Relationships & Spiritual Awakening by Shai Plonski

Gentle Yoga with Thai Massage Assists at Tone Studio, Owen Sound, Ontario

035: Crowdfunding a Yoga Teacher Training with Maxine Iharosy 0

Gratitude to Our Sponsor -- Schedulicity

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Oct 21, 2017

The prospect of yoga teacher training in a warm climate in the middle of winter sounds amazing to most of us. Maxine Iharosy thought so too when she was offered a spot in the Shakti Initiation: All Women’s Leadership Training. She was lit up by the possibility.

However, taking stock of her finances led her to feel she had to decline the offer.

One of the program’s teachers told her not to give up on the opportunity and mentioned that other students in the past have used crowdfunding in order to attend. At first, Maxine felt there was no way she would feel comfortable asking others for money but through the guidance of Robin ( her mentor in this process), she realized that attending this program could benefit her AND her community.

Maxine realized that through leadership training, teachings, and insight into another part of the world, what would benefit her could benefit her others. She would be asking for a gift (financial help), and in exchange would bring back renewed energy and passion for teaching and insight into another culture.

Maxine is a wonderfully community-minded, spiritually connected being with a passion for travel, the outdoors, and teaching yoga that connects her life experiences, readings and storytelling to the practice.

As her role as the Tone Studio manager comes to a close, her focus will be shifting towards more personal offerings for classes, private sessions and workshops with the vision of bringing some of her greatest passions together- nature, community and yoga with Inner Wilderness Yoga.

Maxine also serves as an administrator and teacher for the Sarana Institute, which is committed to bringing mindful and self-compassion training to others. This summer Maxine was part of the team that offered The Young Adult Program to Sarana Springs in Chatsworth, Ontario. The program gave young adults (aged 18-30) the chance to connect with nature, mindfulness, and learn leadership skills.

Maxine is so grateful for all those who supported her through the crowdfunding process. It increased her awareness of the interconnectedness between student and teacher and teacher and community and wholeheartedly recommends this process if you are willing to be vulnerable and do the hard emotional, physical, and spiritual work.

7:00 The beginning of Maxine’s crowdfunding journey

9:10 The giving and receiving aspect of Maxine’s experience- the teacher/student balance

10:55 What allowed Maxine to ask for help- the mindset she adopted in order to ask, confronting self-doubt and pride and looking to where the root of those feelings are coming from

12:30 Asking herself: Who am I to ask for money? How will my training benefit others? Acknowledgment that yoga isn’t as validated as other health-related professions in society or even sometimes in the mind of the teacher.

14:00 Practical aspects Maxine’s crowdfunding process

16:25 The gifts Maxine offered her contributors based on the amount of the donation

17:25 How Maxine emotionally processed the donations

19:00 Did Maxine have a backup plan if her goal wasn’t met- the power of intention and belief

20:25 How she felt when she met her goal- fears and questions and the most difficult point of her journey to Bali

23:00 Processing (still) the financial and emotional support she received

23:30 The hard prep work for attending the Women’s Leadership Training and the work while attending the training

24:35 Feedback from supporters when Maxine returned home

26:15 How it built relationships with her supporters and students outside of her yoga classes

27:00 The clarity crowdfunding and training brought to her life and her feelings of responsibility to the community

28:25 The ‘hats’ Maxine wears in her work life

29:35 Maxine’s teaching style

30:30 Sarana Institute Young Adult Program

31:20 Vision for her personal yoga offerings with Inner Wilderness

33:20 Advice to those considering crowdfunding

35:55 Keeping in touch with your contributors

38:00 Shannon’s closing thoughts

Links:

Maxine's Indigogo Campaign Platform

Shakti Initiation: All Women’s Leadership Training

Maxine’s Website: Inner WIlderness Yoga

Sarana Institute

Sarana's Young Adult Program

Blog Post: "Comparison of Crowdfunding Websites" by Inc.com

Gratitude to Our Sponsor -- Schedulicity

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034: Embracing Your Yoga Business with Amanda Kingsmith 0

Oct 14, 2017

Have you struggled with the business side of yoga? Most yoga teachers do, fearing that selling themselves is ‘icky’ or maybe not in line with the principles of yoga.

Amanda Kingsmith works with yoga teachers to break through these financial blocks. As a yoga teacher with a business studies background, she is the perfect coach for those struggling with their money mindsets, business terminology, and seeing the worth of their services.

Amanda is an enthusiastic world traveller who is keen on avoiding the tough Alberta winters. She has travelled to over 50 countries and 6 continents. From her first yoga teacher training in Bali, she was hooked. When she began teaching she struggled to shape her yoga business to make a living (despite her business background) and wondered if maybe others were struggling too.

This led Amanda to create the M.B.OM (Mastering the Business of Yoga) podcast, which has 60 + episodes to its name. She decided she would ask those whose businesses she admired her many questions. Instead of asking them out for coffee, she decided to produce a podcast and share the wisdom she gleaned with others.

Amanda also coaches yoga teachers in business matters and writes with a passion. Check out some of her writing on M.B.OM and on her own website.

9:15 Amanda’s yoga journey

11:25 Mastering the Business of Yoga (M.B.OM) Podcast

14:40 Struggles Amanda hears most often

14:55 Letting go of what you think you “should” do

15:20 Being intentional with your business and what you want from your YTT, what do you want out of this yoga career, try many things but at the end of the day do what feels right and makes you happy

16:40 Meditate, journal or reflect in a way that works for you. Consider the many paths there are to choose from, some that may have never been travelled.

17:20 Do you need yoga to be a business?

18:40 Mixing business with yoga; an often uncomfortable aspect for yoga teachers. Do you consider what you do a business? Work on reframing your perspective on selling your services in order to move away from unsavoury sales stereotypes

20:00 “Sales funnel”- putting yourself out there and what you have to offer (newsletters, social media, etc.) in a way that is low pressure and encourages your clients to access your services

23:05 Reframing business terms for the yoga industry, learning what they mean and how they can help you run your business with an understanding that you can work in the yoga industry using ethical business practices and that honours karmic and yogic principles

24:15 How can yoga teachers work towards a healthy money mindset? How to work as a full-time yoga teacher, for example, and live a comfortable way and feel good about making income from yoga.

26:15 Being afraid to charge enough money for your classes can leave you feeling burnt out and resentful.

28:55 What are the most powerful marketing tools for yoga teachers?

-websites

-newsletters

-social media

-posters

-business cards (carry your card and perhaps others for referrals)

-speaking/ networking

44:15 What does Amanda wish she knew as a new yoga teacher? What is imposter syndrome? The danger of comparing yourself to others.

46:35 How to work with Amanda

Links

M.B.OM Website

Amanda's Personal Website

The World Wanderers Podcast

Courage and Clarity with Steph Podcast

The Yoga Lounge Website

TCYT 021: Refine Your Core Message with Carol Cox

033: A New Perspective on Diastasis Recti with Dr. Sinead Dufour 0

Gratitude to Our Sponsor -- Schedulicity

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Oct 7, 2017

Shannon met Dr. Sinead Dufour at a pelvic health workshop for yoga teachers as part of the MamaNurture prenatal yoga teacher training. It was through Sinead that Shannon discovered she had Diastasis. Shannon talks about how some of the yoga poses done after she gave birth were contributing to her condition.

Diastasis is not widely understood in prenatal and postnatal health. It has been falsely understood as the separation of the abdominal muscles (it is even implied in the name) when it is actually the overstraining or damaging of the linea alba tissue.

It was after giving birth to her twins that Sinead discovered significant gaps and misconceptions in the health care system and fitness community that left women without the tools needed to take care of the pelvic health. She felt strongly that she needed to be part of the solution.

Sinead has been a practising physiotherapist for about 15 years, with a PhD in Primary Health Care. Her extensive studies also include training in obstetrics and urogynecology. She is a professor in the Health and Science department at McMaster University and is the Director of Pelvic Health at The Womb.

Among this episode’s points of discussion are: the role the linea alba plays in Diastasis, Dr. Sinead Dufour’s leadership in up-and-coming research on DRA to establish common practice principles, and what can be done to prevent this condition.

8:55 Sinead's journey to becoming a leading Pelvic Health expert

10:50 What is Diastasis? A common misconception about Diastasis.

Diastasis or Diastasis Recti Abdominus (DRA)

12:25 Linea alba’s role in pregnancy and Diastasis

15:30 New study by top 22 Diastasis experts in Canada in order to establish practice principles experts can agree on

18:10 Delphi Process with 3 phases setting the practice principles

20:45 Diastasis related to manometric pressure system

manometric pressure system- the pressure system modulated by the core four, inclusive of the linea alba and the glottis (think the concept of intra-abdominal pressure)

19:10 Dr. Sinead’s research study

20:10 What experts are saying: what is Diastasis and how should we manage it?

23:00 Prenatal - how can we prevent Diastasis?

Avoid exercises that concentrically engage the superficial abdominal muscles such as crunches and sit-ups
Emphasis on facilitating optimal co-activation of the deep inner unit
Ensuring the core 4 are working together: pelvic floor, diaphragm, transversus abdominis and multifidus
Working synergistically
Promoting effective, tension free diaphragmatic breathing
More focus on diaphragmatic breath with ease -- less extended belly breathing and more rib cage breath
Emphasizing postures that reduce excessive strained intra-abdominal pressure
Avoid plank pose while pregnant or straining on the toilet,(especially with breath holding).

25:15 Importance of continuous breath

28:45 Encouraging students, not to breath hold (and why they may be doing so)

31:00 Empowering language - What can students do instead of what can't it do

32:15 Listen to the body - pain or struggling in a pose

33:05 Intrapartum (during childbirth) considerations

Continuous breath - no Valsalva breath
Avoiding a back lying position when possible

37:35 Prenatal yoga teachers are the ones who can advocate, inform and empower those who are susceptible to diastasis or other pelvic health issues

38:25 When to refer a yoga student to a pelvic floor physiotherapist

40:00 Postpartum (4th trimester) - "critical healing period"

Abstain from exercises that concentrically engage the superficial abdominal muscles
Promote exercises that are not the same action as a crunch
Every body is unique and so each person needs something different
Watch for doming or invagination at linea alba during exercise

5.Optimal load transfer at linea alba

45:25 Later diastasis- watch out for doming or invagination (reverse doming)

46:10 Front loading poses: bird dog, plank - when can we do these?

47:30 Any incontinence issues - because Diastasis is a pelvic floor dysfunction

48:50 How yoga can help with the internal pressure system and nervous system

49:55 Autonomic nervous system tension affects the connective and visceral tissue

50:45 Benefits of a yin yoga style

51:40 Fertility yoga series at The Womb

52:50 Increased inter-recti distance is normal in pregnancy

53:45 Diastasis has nothing to do with the inter-recti distance (the width between the rectus abdominis muscles)

57:20 How to test for Diastasis at home

58:40 How a yoga teacher can help assess linea alba during a pelvic floor contraction

1:00:25 Another Diastasis assessment- digital pelvic floor contraction (highlights how integrated the linea alba is with the pelvic floor)

1:01:25 Yoga teachers are in a great position to get ahead of the curve to spread new information discovered through research (before it will be widely taught)

1:05:50 Inter-recti distance as an assessment needs to be thrown out- as people get better and more functional the distance can actually increase proving that inter-recti is meaningless

1:06:55 The general preface statement that will be published in their research document

1:08:50 Preface statement for assessment of DRA

1:10:10 How to work with Dr. Sinead Dufour

Links

The Womb

Find a Canadian Pelvic Health Specialist

Mama Nurture

Relevant TCYT Episodes:

007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trisha Zinn

008: Core Breath and Pelvic Health with Kim Vopni

009: Kegals, Mula Banda and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko

032: Strengthen Your Yoga Practice with Kathryn Bruni-Young 0

Gratitude to Our Sponsor -- Schedulicity

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Sep 30, 2017

Kathryn Bruni-Young is a mover, educator and creator. She grew up studying yoga with her mother (Diane Bruni) which organically shifted into teaching yoga classes and workshops together.

Kathryn Bruni-Young has been a yoga and movement teacher for the last 10 years. She suffered from repetitive strain injuries and turned to physiotherapists, personal trainers and other experts from other movement disciplines to create her own teaching style.

Inspired by all she gained from her strength training education. Kathryn founded the Mindful Strength Center, (formerly known as the Cornwall Yoga Studio). Mindful Strength blends strength, mobility and mindfulness. Kathryn leads teacher training, online courses, and workshops throughout Canada and Europe.

Kathryn is being drawn to the world of Trauma Training and has been influenced by those doing research in this field. She is truly a woman with many facets who is excited to share all she has learned to enrich the lives of others.

7:45 Kathryn's Yoga Journey

10:00 Benefits of strength training

12:05 Balance of flexibility and strength training

15:15 Do we need to go to the gym? “Sensory sensitivity”

17:55 Examples of strength training at home

19:00 How to modify push-ups

20:15 Does Kathryn still call herself a yoga teacher?

22:05 Rotator cuff injury

25:30 Kathryn's library of IG posts

26:50 Strength training for repetitive strain-totally different movement

28:25 Muscles and fascia and their response to load

28:55 Variety of strength training options

29:45 How should a yoga teacher start incorporating strength training into their lives?

31:20 How to find a strengthening mentor, even as a kickstart to your training

31:50 Working on your own using YouTube videos, books starting with simple movements

32:45 Working with various professionals (physios, trainers, etc.) even a couple of times to get the ball rolling, get some basic information

33:25 Importance of having variety in strength training so it is well-rounded and balanced so you’re not doing repetitive movement in this area

33:55 Practice movement on your own before incorporating it into your classes

35:00 How to work with Kathryn- new online courses available

37:40 Kathryn's mindful strength class layout

41:55 How to add strengthening to a more traditional yoga class

44:45 What she calls her classes and how her students reacted to the introduction of strength training into her yoga classes- key slowly building strength into the class

50:10 Your unique yoga offering cannot be replicated

51:05 Her first certified training with Ito Portal -not beginner friendly but lots of great insight

52:00 Trauma training (somatic experiencing) in the strength building field-

53:20 Kathryn's Yoga Teacher Training offerings and an Online Mindful Teacher Training is in the works!

Links

Kathryn's Website

Kathryn on Instagram

Yoga Journal Article: The Future of Yoga: 15 Millennial Yoga Teachers to Watch

Trauma Healing Training founded by Peter Levine

Trauma Center at Justice Resort Institute founded by Bessel Van Der Kolt

Life coach - Barb Elias

Personal trainer - Miranda Smit

Gratitude to our sponsor Schedulicity

Download this Episode

031: Facebook Marketing for Yoga Teachers with Amanda Bond 0

Sep 23, 2017

Amanda Bond, “Bond” as she is known, is an expert when it comes to Facebook ads. With a fiery, authentic spirit she guides her clients so they can get the most of this marketing tool. Always an entrepreneur at heart, she started her career as a social media manager and has taken on such positions as the VP of marketing for The Toronto Yoga Conference and Show.

Bond chose to take the wealth of knowledge she gained in her over 12 years of experience in corporate sales and marketing to focus on ad marketing creating her business The Ad Strategist.

Bond’s down-to-earth manner simplifies the sometimes overwhelming task of marketing yourself on Facebook. In this episode she breaks down the elements of creating an ad and shares such wisdom as: money doesn’t necessarily mean more results, the difference between your personal and business Facebook page (it’s an important distinction), and the recommended percentage of sales based posts to non-sales based posts that focus on your message.

5:20 Amanda's journey

7:10 Connection to Toronto Yoga Show

8:40 What to do before spending anything on Facebook ads

11:45 Sharing yourself vs. selling yourself- sharing what you do, what journey you’re on, who you are

12:50 What percentage of posts should have a call to action (sales) and what percentage should be about sharing your message? How telling stories about your clients and directing your services to a specific client can bring more sales

17:20 Difference between personal Facebook profile and yoga business page? What you can include on each page without signalling to Facebook you are selling yourself on your personal page.

19:20 How do you get people to like your Facebook page? Consistency and refinement of your message as you go will attract loyal followers.

21:05 Bond’s first Facebook ad expenditure

21:40 Keep in mind we are not our businesses, that we don’t become that product or service.

23:15 First step when we are ready to advertise on Facebook and why boosting is not THE answer and referring to the Facebook marketing platform “Facebook Blueprint”

25:00 3 Cs Framework that Amanda and her team use

CONNECT - how do you get people to know, like, and trust your brand
CONVERT - asking for a micro-commitment (subscribe to email list example, newsletter,subscribe to podcast, etc.) - enters them into sales process, they give up something of value- like time, their email which allows you to see them more often, they will see you in a storytelling capacity and it will enable you to guide them toward a purchase
CLOSE - "close the sale" - where they become a customer by purchasing a service or product

27:35 Overcoming the objections that our customers have when they buy from you

28:20 What are the benefits your audience will miss out on if you are not selling your product or service?

32:20 Meet your audience at the beginner level

33:35 What stories are powerful to share the benefits of yoga e.g. transformation stories, encourage them to be a curious beginner, don’t have to be perfect

34:35 Being vulnerable and relatable - show up as yourself, encourages them to be human because you present yourself that way, put yourself out there consistently not constantly, “a messy journey of consistent action”

36:05 Facebook live is scary! Remember that you have a piece of knowledge, a nugget of wisdom to share with others, being fearful prevents you from sharing knowledge with those who would benefit

37:50 What Amanda would do with Facebook if she was a full-time yoga teacher:

Journal publicly about life, journey, as messy as it is
Look to improve what I know about the tech side and business side (even a few minutes every day)
Create connection with those you admire, reach out to them, “be a sponge” to discover your own voice

39:30 How to work with Amanda- changing gears to work with those getting started in their businesses that don’t necessarily have a big ad budget

Links

Bond’s Website: The Ad Strategist

The Ad Strategist on Facebook

Facebook Blueprint

The Toronto Yoga Conference and Show

The Connected Yoga Teacher YouTube channel

Download this Episode

030: Rituals to Start and End Your Day with Puja Madan 0

Sep 16, 2017

Puja Madan was living in India on a 12+ year ritual journey with yoga and meditation when in 2009, she felt intense abdominal pain while attending a yoga class. Following up with a doctor, she discovered that she had a large fibroid tumour. Puja says this was her “aha moment”. Her medical issue was a catalyst for change as Puja determined her work life was less than fulfilling. Feeling drawn to another path, she moved from India to the US. She went from using her MBA to work for tech startups to creating her own coaching business.

With warmth and humour, Puja shares her vision to teach women in leadership positions. She wants women to know that they hold value beyond what they accomplish in a tangible form. Puja wants women to stop measuring themselves against the expectations of society in order to nurture and appreciate their complex selves. Puja believes that beginning and end of day rituals can be a powerful means of honouring your many facets.

As Puja says on her Puja's Wild Radiant Woman Website: "I spark the unseen potential and feminine power of visionary women to be the change agents the world so desperately needs.” She believes strongly in a balance of yin and yang energy in leadership positions and is pleased to see the old values and systems designed for men are evolving to incorporate feminine values such as mindfulness and collaboration.

Puja is currently living in Orlando, Florida, holding in-person retreats and playshops. She also coaches women from around the world via Skype and does talks, inspiring many. Additionally, she is the bestselling co-author of Unleash Your Inner Magnificence and 365 Ways to Connect with Your Soul and the author of articles in several publications such as MindBodyGreen, The Huffington Post, and ElephantJournal.

8:10 Puja's yoga story

11:10 Embracing a new value system as entrepreneurs based on mindfulness, collaboration, and self-care

15:30 Rituals and mindfulness while you grow your business- personal energy and boundaries are deeply rooted in

17:00 Start of day self-care ritual

Every being is made of 4 rooms: step into your 4 Rooms each day to at least air them

Physical e.g. smoothies, quick workout
Mental e.g. gratitude, thinking about priorities
Emotional e.g. text a friend, connecting one person to another
Spiritual e.g. meditate, nature, pets, connected to something bigger than you

Setting intentions for the day: a word or phrase that guides you that you can return to

19:15 Daily word / intention / mantra, Puja likes to do it right after meditation, awareness to it and

Today's top priorities- top 3 things and do these first

22:30 If you feel like you don't have time to fit in self-care- where are you leaking energy non-revenue generating activities, 23 minutes to come back in zone, it is possible to re-organize your business and personal priorities to create more time

25:10 How a personal practice can impact our relationships - at home and at work

26:55 End of day rituals:

Clear the desk
Make a list to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments
Meditation for closure of day
Set intention for tomorrow

Reducing forms of clutter- emails, computer desktop, etc.

34:05 How to connect with Puja

34:55 Middle of workday - regular check-ins: Are you feeling grounded? Holding onto any stress?

35:25 Running a yoga business with the entrepreneur mindset, seperate mindset from teaching yoga.

“Be the change you want to see in the world” -Ghandi

Links

Gratitude to Our Sponsor Schedulicity

Puja's Wild Radiant Woman Website

Puja on Facebook

Puja on Instagram

Puja on Twitter

To purchase Puja’s books: Unleash Your Inner Magnificence and 365 Ways to Connect with Your Soul