The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
102 Yoga Studio: Mission Statements & Core Values with Steve Hart
Description:
What does your yoga business stand for? Who are you serving? And what do you hope to achieve? Steve Hart, founder of Riffs Studio, joins Shannon in the second of this 5-part mini-series, Yoga Studio Business 101, to share more, not just about mission statements and core values, but also pricing, memberships, marketing and the business of running a successful yoga business.
Steve Hart started Riffs Studio, a unique music and yoga studio in 2012, and offers a full-service yoga program with beginner to advanced classes in a variety of disciplines, with live music. Steve didn’t always have it all figured out - he shares some of his struggles in finding a structure that worked, and why having his mission statement and core values made the journey all the easier.
Shannon and Steve dive into the nitty gritty details of what it takes to build and run a successful yoga business - from establishing a membership system that works to managing teachers and paying them fairly, from marketing techniques and strategies to the importance of ensuring the team buys into the core values and mission of the business - they talk about it all.
Whether you’re a yoga studio owner or a yoga teacher working with yoga studios, this episode will shed some light on the intricacies of running a yoga business, and how to bring the different aspects of your yoga business in alignment with each other.
Key Takeaways:
[6:17] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Steve Hart.
[8:08] Where did Steve's yoga journey begin?
[12:15] Steve explains more about how yoga was a part of his music store when he first started out, and how it has evolved since.
[13:25] What shifted for Steve that brought everything about his music and yoga studio into alignment?
[17:12] What systems did Steve have in place and what did he shift to that had the biggest impact on his business?
[18:43] How does the membership system work in Steve's studio? He takes us through the process of going from new student to studio member.
[21:36] How does Steve ensure that his membership model for the yoga studio is profitable for the business?
[24:10] What does Steve pay his yoga teachers as their flat rate per class?
[26:09] How many teachers work at Steve's studio, and how many classes does the studio offer? Steve elaborates on the schedule he runs.
[27:22] When did Steve decide to add in the idea of a well-defined mission statement and core values to the running of his yoga studio business?
[29:29] How does Steve convey his mission statement and core values to new hires as he on-boards them?
[30:25] Steve shares more about how he conducts the quarterly review of the core values and mission statement with his team.
[32:05] What does Steve's team look like now, and how has it grown from when he first opened?
[34:31] What are Steve's mission statement and core values?
[35:54] What were some of the key things Steve has learned along the way in his journey as a yoga studio owner?
[38:25] Good marketing is key to spreading the word about the good service that you provide.
[39:26] Where should yoga business owners start investing, in terms of marketing? What has the marketing that has been the most helpful for Steve's studio.
[42:45] Steve explains why it is important to surround yourself with different types of people.
[44:37] Steve works with yoga teachers and yoga studios in a consultant's role. He elaborates more on what he does how it aligns with his mission.
[45:34] Get in touch with Steve via email to find out more about his work and how he can help you in your yoga business.
[46:21] Steve leaves us with some final advice.
[47:59] What do you think that you could use from this interview in your own yoga business? Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"My first impression of yoga was actually pretty negative. I didn't really like it all that much!"
"I fell in love with yoga and I saw the impact that it had in my life, and the impact it was having on others around me."
"I really, at that point, fully believed in what we were selling, and I think that was probably the most important thing."
"My job is to bring people in the door, as the yoga studio."
"There's so many people around, and there's so many potential new students around that at any given time during the day, there's enough students to make a class profitable."
"This mission statement / core values probably, first and foremost, above anything else, I think is the hands down most important thing that needs to be defined, sooner rather than later, in any company."
"Providing a good service doesn't really matter if you don't have good marketing."
"Providing a good service without good marketing won't get you very far."
“Focus on teaching great classes and connecting to people.”
“Being a teacher, I think you focus on teaching. Being a yoga studio, that's when I think the marketing becomes a really important thing.”
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
101: What I Learned as a Yoga Studio Manager with Shannon Crow
Description:
What does it really take to run a successful yoga studio business? Join Shannon in the first of this 5-part mini-series, Yoga Studio Business 101, to find out more about the different aspects of building and running a yoga studio business.
Shannon shares what she has learned as a yoga studio manager, and in the next four episodes, brings on four other experts to share more about creating a mission statement, hiring and training a team, the legal aspects and insurance aspects of running a yoga studio business.
Shannon has had years of experience as a teacher working at yoga studios, and as a manager ensuring the smooth running of yoga studios, before she moved into the consulting space. On this episode, she shares her six biggest takeaways from her time managing for yoga studios:
If you are the owner of a yoga studio, or dream of becoming one someday, or if you’re an independent yoga teacher who wants to build a yoga business - there are lots of great insights for you in this mini-series!
Key Takeaways:
[2:13] This is the first of a 5-part mini-series, Yoga Studio Business 101.
[7:21] Shannon has learned a lot about running a yoga studio business by working at and managing for yoga studios.
[9:35] How can you set prices with confidence? Why is that so important for a yoga studio? Shannon breaks down the money mindset issues behind setting prices.
[14:50] Shannon shares some strategies to build your confidence in setting your prices.
[22:01] Consider doing registered sessions instead of drop-in classes. It's all about the commitment that comes with it.
[24:30] Regular, consistent communication matters. Why?
[27:18] Attention to the numbers and the data is powerful. What kind of data do you need, and how can it help you run a better yoga business?
[30:51] Always value community over competition. Shannon shares some insights about the fear that drives competition, and how to overcome it.
[34:08] Yoga teachers are the brand of the yoga studio. Shannon illustrates why, with a personal anecdote of how one of her yoga studios went from zero profit to profitable overnight.
[39:43] Connect with Shannon and other yoga teachers at various events and training sessions coming up.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"Everything hinges on that teacher. The teacher needs to make enough money so that they can continue to sustain those yoga classes."
"The sustainability of a yoga business really hinges on if we can maintain those professional relationships and maintain our hires of yoga teachers."
"Lowering the price and having a good deal isn't always what gives us value."
"What is holding you back with your prices and your confidence around setting prices?"
"Your ideal yoga students know your value."
"Regular, consistent communication matters."
"Your personality is really your brand, and students connect to teachers."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
100: Cultivating a Community of Professional Peers with Linda Sparrowe
Description:
How can we, as yoga teachers, build and maintain a professional peer community? Whether it’s taking ownership of our yoga, overcoming isolation, or dealing with the competition we feel as yoga teachers - we have all faced these challenges. Linda Sparrow shares some of her insights about these difficult and uncomfortable topics.
Linda Sparrowe is a writer, editor, speaker and mentor in the holistic healing arena, who has over 20 years of experience. She is the former editor-in-chief of Yoga International and editor of Yoga Journal, as well as the author of several books and contributor to various online offerings in the yoga space. She teaches vinyasa yoga and yin yoga classes and workshops nationwide.
What does it take to cultivate a community of professional peers among yoga teachers? Shannon and Linda tackle some of the issues impacting our community of yoga professionals, including social media scolding in the yoga community, making yoga accessible through language, dealing with Impostor Syndrome and supporting others within the community.
If you believe that yoga is all about the connections you make, or if you’re struggling with the idea of building a community while keeping your voice, or if you’re feeling isolated as a yoga professional, this episode is just what you need to hear.
Key Takeaways:
[2:40] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Linda Sparrowe.
[4:30] What first brought Linda to yoga?
[7:34] Yoga can help people feel more connected to themselves, even when they don't set it as an intention for their practice.
[8:37] Linda often feels that she doesn't know enough.
[9:27] Linda explains what drove her to discuss the 8 limbs in relation to the concept of having a community of professional peers.
[13:08] When the community engages in social media scolding, we are not honoring the teachings of yoga.
[15:16] Linda shares some examples of how we have deviated from the teachings of yoga.
[20:12] Linda explores the idea of sympathetic joy, and that feelings are not mutually exclusive.
[23:15] What is the difference between feelings and emotions?
[24:20] We don't have a community that is predisposed to connect, and not judge.
[25:58] What would Linda suggest for yoga teachers to do to build that supportive community and get together?
[26:53] How does Linda address the concerns of yoga teachers who view each other as competition?
[31:09] Why is fierce competition and lack of community so prevalent among yoga teachers?
[35:05] Shannon and Linda discuss their own struggles with wanting to push for their way of teaching.
[38:29] Yoga should never be about getting better - it's about uncovering the beauty of your soul.
[41:51] Shannon voices her challenge in standing with what she believes in but at the same time not tearing others down or going against yoga principles. Linda shares some insights to this difficult question.
[49:53] How does Linda deal with situations where she disagrees with the teachings of other yoga teachers?
[50:59] How can we build community and still have a voice?
[53:54] Community in an unhealthy way looks like a cult. How can yoga teachers be mindful in the way they build community?
[58:49] What does Linda suggest for yoga teachers who are feeling isolated and that they're not part of a community?
[1:02:47] What is the bigger picture of building a supportive peer community of yoga professionals?
[1:06:30] Shannon has a question for you - what can we do as yoga teachers? How can we build community?
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"I actually hated yoga the first time I took it."
"One of the reasons that I am so committed to yoga as a holistic practice is because I came at it from a meditative practice."
"I just don't know how to practice what I don't live."
"What is it that we are doing as a collective that is causing such pain and such separation and such a rift in the trust that our students have put in us?"
"How can we come together, not to scold one another and have a whole set of rules...but how can we support each other even those people who have caused the suffering?"
"We're not even honoring what it means to be connected. We're not even honoring that your suffering is mine, and my joy is yours. We're not honoring that."
"In order to rise up, what's happening is that we're squashing other people down."
"Just concentrate on your game. Just concentrate on your gifts. What is it that you are giving your students?"
"We don't have a community that is predisposed to connect, and predisposed to not judge."
"You are stronger together than you would ever be by yourself."
"Don't allow the intelligence of the mind override the intelligence of the body. Your body knows." - Linda, quoting Iyengar
"Don't put yourself out as the expert at the expense of someone else."
"We should use social media in a way that is actually compassionate and productive."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
099: Branding Your Yoga Website with Kali Edwards
Description:
Have you been wanting to design and launch a professional website for your yoga business but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you are struggling with clarifying and communicating your brand and message on your website. Kali Edwards, founder of June Mango LLC, is just the expert you need to hear from about how to establish and showcase your brand on your website.
Kali has always had the urge to create. She pursued Fine Arts in college, then had a career as an agency art director. Today, she runs her own business working with entrepreneurs to create gorgeous branding and website designs. With her Go Live in 5 Process, she helps business owners design and launch their websites in 5 days (or less).
When it comes to branding, designing a website and conveying your message, the key is to focus on your audience. Kali shares more insights about the different aspects to consider when creating your website, and how you can plan and create copy for your website.
If you have been struggling with setting up a website for your business, or if you're thinking about rebranding or updating your website - this episode is a must-listen. Kali has so many tips and strategies that you can implement immediately, and a special resource for listeners!
Key Takeaways:
[3:22] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Kali Edwards.
[4:57] What got Kali started on her journey of websites and branding?
[6:14] Kali speaks to her experience of feeling constricted in her previous job with regard to being able to pursue her creative flow.
[7:50] What does Kali's work space look like?
[9:06] Shannon and Kali discuss how her own website clearly reflects her personality and brand in the design and messaging.
[10:40] Where would Kali suggest people start when it comes to planning out their website?
[12:53] One of the things people struggle with most with their website is the copy, and talking about themselves.
[14:32] Kali explains why it's so important for you to know who your ideal clients are, and to get super specific with the details.
[16:19] Explaining how you can help people is not bragging.
[18:45] How can people clarify their message and brand? Kali shares a short fill-in-the-blank exercise that can help.
[22:03] What other aspects really stump people when it comes to branding?
[24:45] How does Kali approach rebranding and updating websites?
[27:25] Why is a minimalist, condensed approach better?
[31:05] In terms of images, more important than the colors themselves, is the vibe that the visuals convey.
[33:29] What services does Kali offer her clients?
[34:16] Get in touch with Kali via her website or Instagram.
[35:04] Kali has some final words for people who are feeling stuck in their branding.
[36:06] Shannon shares some of her key takeaways - which of Kali's tips are you going to be putting into action? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"Everybody has kind of a drive that really motivates them to even get up in the morning, and mine has always been beauty."
"Less is more. You can be really clear and concise at the same time."
"I always like to think of gathering content as the first piece of the puzzle."
"Who is it exactly that you are trying to attract?"
"People need to know that you're the expert in what you do, in order to trust you."
"You have control over how your audience moves through your site."
"Especially when it comes to websites, they're really a living, breathing thing. So websites really should be getting updated pretty often."
"You don't have to necessarily start over because you've shifted a little bit."
"Thinking about that emotional connection that your yoga expertise has with your clients - that's really going to be the key to helping you put all the pieces of the puzzle together."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
098: Many Layers of Fascia with Gil Hedley
Description:
How often have we said that we can’t do certain movements because of old age? What if that’s not a result of old age, but “fuzz” - a by-product of not enough movement in our bodies? Gil Hedley of The Fuzz Speech fame joins Shannon to bring the concepts of fascia, anatomy, movement and scar tissue to a whole new light.
Gil is a Rolfer, an author, and a strong proponent of encouraging somanauts to explore Inner Space a.k.a. the wonders of the human form. He became a Certified Rolfer at the Rolf Institute in Boulder, CO in the early ‘90s, and has also studied massage and tai chi. He has since developed an integral approach to the study of human anatomy, and published a number of books including The Integral Anatomy Series.
Our bodies receive a lot of flak for not being perfect or adhering to societal standards - Gil encourages us to approach our bodies from a place of appreciation and fascination instead. Whether it’s fat cells, scar tissue or any other perceived imperfection in our bodies, approaching it with appreciation is the key to understanding what’s going on inside our bodies.
Gil takes us through the three different layers of fascia, the key role of movement, massage, and grounding in our well-being, and why scar tissue is good and beneficial, in this incredibly enlightening episode. If you’ve ever wondered about the human form or movement or just need a push to appreciate your body more, this episode is sure to be an eye-opener.
Key Takeaways:
[5:06] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Gil Hedley.
[6:09] What started Gil's journey into fascia and understanding the human body?
[6:47] What does the word "somanaut" mean?
[8:47] How does Gil wish people understood fascia?
[11:53] There's nothing wrong with noticing differences, but it must be done with the heart to remain connected.
[13:53] Gil explains more about the superficial layer of fascia, not just thinking about it in the head space, but also integrating the heart space.
[17:47] How are intuition and superficial fascia related?
[23:06] Gil dives into the next level of fascia - the perifascia.
[29:36] What are some methods that can help reintroduce slipperiness between tissues?
[34:21] How does grounding help fascia?
[36:17] What is the third layer of fascia - deep fascia?
[38:09] What happens to fascia when there is an injury?
[40:30] What can be done to heal scar tissue and improve the fascia?
[43:58] What are some of Gil's questions about fascia that remain unanswered?
[45:31] Shannon and Gil discuss the need to balance between movement and relaxation.
[49:15] What does massage offer the body that movement can't?
[52:02] Our bodies tend to fall into certain limiting movements. How can you invite new movement into your life?
[55:39] Check out more of Gil's videos and courses on his website.
[56:31] Shannon shares her key takeaways and would love for you to do the same.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"A somanaut is someone who navigates the body, who sails the inner seas."
"For movers, fascia is key. If you, I feel, have no conception of what's going on inside your body, it's a little trickier to embody what's going on inside your body."
"You've got one body, many textures, differential movement, without any separation."
"I always invite people when they're wanting to learn about the gift of the body, to start with a place of appreciation."
"Our superficial fascia, we can approach it from a place of appreciation."
"Scars are good. Scars are a blessing. Scars represent our healing function."
"If you want to move differently, you have to move out differently."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
097: Focusing In On Your Niche [Consultation Call] with Susan Hopkinson
Description:
Do you have trouble finding your niche and communicating your unique offering as a yoga teacher to your audience? The niche work that you do in your business is an ongoing process, and it can be difficult to clarify that in your messaging. On this consultation call, Shannon guides Susan Hopkinson through some of her struggles in this area.
Susan Hopkinson is a writer, mother, and yoga therapist. She started practicing yoga in 1985 and became a yoga teacher in 1998. As a yoga therapist who has studied with teachers from all over the world, including Europe, India and North America, Susan believes in teaching people, not poses. On top of writing and teaching yoga, she also offers retreats in both Europe and India.
With such a wide array of services, Susan grapples communicating her niche to her audience. After teaching group classes for over 20 years, she finds her calling in teaching more 1:1 yoga therapy, but isn’t sure of how to convey that to her students. Shannon helps Susan identify some key strategies that will help her focus more on her niche - from updating her website to content creation for her newsletter, to becoming more active on social media.
This episode is full of great tips on how to effectively market your niche to your audience, and to make sure that people know about your unique offering as a yoga teacher. Whether you’re looking for ideas on how best to clarify your message or strategies for sharing content on different channels, this episode is sure to give you some ideas.
Key Takeaways:
[4:40] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Susan Hopkinson.
[6:29] Who does Susan work with, and what kind of work does she do with them?
[8:51] How would Susan define the work that she does?
[11:14] Susan explains more about her move away from group yoga classes to more individualized attention to the student.
[12:26] How is Susan finding students to work within her niche?
[14:53] Susan struggles with the guilt of not teaching group classes anymore. Shannon and Susan walk through her difficulties overcoming that guilt, and how best to tackle that.
[19:34] Susan's website does not immediately showcase her key value proposition. Shannon has some ideas on how she can niche down.
[22:12] What questions was Susan being asked in relation to the 1:1 work she wants to offer? Shannon and Susan discuss how that could fuel the content she was creating in her newsletter.
[26:09] Susan shares how she is using her newsletter to drive traffic to her website through the content she creates.
[29:08] How is Susan sharing content on social media channels? Shannon gives Susan some "homework" to up her game on social media.
[34:53] Susan and Shannon work through her calendar to create a more cohesive calendar that makes sense to her work style, commitments, and financial needs.
[40:20] Susan and Shannon talk through Susan's clientele and brainstorm ideas on booking clients, and some mindset issues associated with that.
[45:30] Susan touches on her challenge with offering yoga therapy - that if you're doing your job, the client will not be coming back.
[50:24] You need to create original content for social media. Shannon shares some ideas for creating original content with Susan.
[53:44] Video gets higher engagement than anything. Susan and Shannon work through if this medium would be a good fit for her.
[55:30] Shannon has some advice for Susan on picking the right season for each of her offerings.
[59:29] Get in touch with Susan via her website to book a session.
[1:01:33] Shannon suggests some activities you can try if you're looking to niche down and clarify your offering.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"90% of the time, I'm not working with postural yoga. I'm working with yoga around mindset, around focus, around working with mudra, working with mantra, working with all the different aspects of yoga that are a little bit more obscure nowadays." - Susan
"I get a lot of people coming that are the wrong people." - Susan
"We want to know immediately when we get to your homepage who you work for, and what you offer them." - Shannon
"Most of the time, it's that people have no idea what you do offer." - Shannon
"I try to keep my business in line with my yoga." - Susan
"The way I look at it is if you have repeat clients, it's because you're not doing your job. So it's kind of like you put yourself out of your own market." - Susan
"Video gets higher engagement than anything." - Shannon
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
096: How to Create a Yoga Practice Habit with Matt Kowald
Description:
How can you form a yoga practice habit? Do you want to do more in your yoga practice but find it hard to form a routine around it? Perhaps you’ve formed an unwanted habit you’d like to remove. Matt Kowald, co-author and co-founder of Yogis Journal, joins Shannon to discuss what it takes to create and maintain a yoga practice habit.
Matt is a varsity wrestler originally from Australia who now lives in Canada. His athletic life sparked an interest into habits, routines and journaling, and he began his yoga practice in 2013. Matt is a personal trainer and yoga teacher who has studied exercise, sport and rehabilitation science, and is currently studying kinesiology at Brock University.
The Yogis Journal is a beautiful journal rooted in the 8 limbs, with the intention of helping people create meaningful rituals and habits around yoga. Matt and Shannon dive into the intricacies of what it takes to form and maintain routines and habits, particularly around your yoga practice. Matt also has some great insights about self-love, following through on goals, and the science behind it all.
If you have been wanting to add in a new habit, or if you help yoga students with their at-home yoga practice, this episode is full of incredible tips and tricks. Stay tuned to the end of the episode to find out about the amazing offer Matt has for listeners, and Shannon has a gift for three lucky listeners as well!
Key Takeaways:
[4:16] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Matt Kowald.
[6:01] Shannon shares her experiences using the Yogis Journal in her yoga practice.
[8:59] What got Matt interested in the work of helping people with their habits around yoga?
[9:58] Matt is from Australia but moved to Canada. What brought him to Canada?
[10:59] What got Matt into yoga?
[11:32] How did Matt carve out the time for all his activities, university and designing the Yogis Journal?
[12:40] Coffee is a trigger for Matt to be more creative in the morning. How does that work?
[13:59] How can we build a habit of doing yoga daily? Matt explains the idea behind hot and cold triggers.
[17:04] What is Matt's suggestion for overcoming habits that have been formed that aren't very positive?
[20:27] What are Matt's thoughts on using a reward system as a motivator?
[21:51] The most important part is setting up a small step. Shannon and Matt discuss why even a small step in the right direction is a good thing.
[24:05] How can we cope with our perfectionist tendencies, or when we fall away from our daily practice?
[26:17] In terms of daily practice, how long does it take to form a habit?
[29:07] What's the best time of day to set up a habit?
[30:32] What is the best way to approach incorporating a yoga habit in our lives?
[32:11] Shannon and Matt talk through some of her own struggles with maintaining a daily yoga practice.
[34:32] What other tips has Matt learned through the years about forming habits?
[36:14] What is Matt's advice to people who feel that they want to make all the changes, all at once?
[39:12] Everyone sets goals for the New Year, but hardly anyone follows through on them. How can we come back to starting our habits again?
[42:12] What motivated Matt to create the Yogis Journal?
[45:47] Matt explains how he uses his own Yogis Journal as a trigger for himself.
[47:45] What other advice does Matt have for yoga teachers struggling with their practice or helping others set up their own practice?
[49:30] Check out Yogis Journal at the website, and do email Matt if you have any questions.
[50:33] Share your thoughts about this episode, your struggles with your personal practice and any other key takeaways with Shannon.
[53:31] Shannon is giving away three Yogis Journals - find out how you can participate in this giveaway!
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"Using the Yogis Journal is just a really fast way to be intentional and mindful about my day." - Shannon
"I initially discovered yoga trying to obviously become flexible for martial arts and wrestling, because it's really hard on your body, so yoga was that perfect... yin to yang." - Matt
"That's what a habit is. It's just a behavior that becomes automatic, and then we do that so that we can do other tasks, more complex." - Matt
"A hot trigger is something that reminds you to do the behavior when you need to do it." - Matt
"The biggest thing is to come from a place of self-love." - Matt
"If you want to make it a habit, consistency is important. Consistency over volume." - Matt
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
095: Making a CEO Business Plan with Shannon Crow
Description:
Do you feel like the CEO of your yoga business now? If you don’t, you’re not alone. It is easy to get caught up in doing the “Worker Bee” activities and lose focus of the “Queen Bee” activities you should be doing to keep your business going and growing.
On this episode, Shannon shares some things she has been doing in her own business over the past few weeks in terms of planning. Taking time off to align her vision with what she really loves to do, and her core values has helped her in her business. She has some insights and tips that will help you look at your business with intention, and mindfully.
Shannon takes you through the steps in this CEO planning process that can help you plan for the future, both personally and professionally. She guides you through each step, from meditation to setting goals, and how these steps relate to your yoga business.
This episode is for anyone who feels like they have a million and one ideas and directions they would like to go in, all at the same time, or anyone who always says 'YES' to commitments but struggles to fit that into their actual schedule. If you're looking to plan a better year, a better month, or are just assessing the state of your business at the end of the year, this episode will definitely make an impact on you.
Key Takeaways:
[6:22] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity.
[7:03] Do you feel like the CEO of your yoga business right now? Do you feel like the “Queen Bee” or the “Worker Bee” in your business?
[8:09] Shannon gives thanks to a few people who have influenced the work that she has done over the years.
[9:20] Your inner teacher is the best guide for you. Connect with your inner teacher, however you need to do it.
[10:41] Shannon shares a personal story about how simple CEO planning can be, and how effective it is when added to your routine.
[13:50] Shannon shares her steps for CEO planning.
[15:10] Step 1: Meditate. Notice the thoughts that are coming in.
[17:28] Step 2: Practice free-flow writing. Don't restrict your thoughts and let them all flow out.
[20:06] Step 3: Become a scientist and analyse the data.
[22:29] Step 4: Create a Santosha page and another page that is the opposite of a Santosha page.
[25:48] Step 5: Write out your 4 areas of importance.
[29:33] Step 6: Focus on one thing.
[31:58] Step 7: Set measurable goals, systems, and habits.
[37:27] Share your own discoveries with this exercise with Shannon, and let her know if you would like to know about more systems!
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from Shannon Crow:
"I've learned that when I take some CEO time where I create a plan for my yoga business, it makes a huge difference."
"Your inner teacher is the best guide for you."
"Your inner teacher knows what you need and what your yoga business needs."
"Let's just really acknowledge that this kind of work takes some bravery. We're digging in and we're uncovering things, and sometimes it's the tough work."
"How were you a rock star in 2018?"
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
Ep 94: Instagram Content Strategy and Stories with Tyler McCall
Description:
Are you on Instagram? How are you using Instagram as a yoga teacher to market and grow your yoga business with intention? Tyler McCall, social media marketer, strategist, and coach for creatives joins Shannon on this episode to tell you how you can be using Instagram to generate profit, not just popularity, in your business.
Tyler has 10 years of experience working as a community organizer and also in the non-profit marketing and management world. He shifted into focusing on Instagram in 2015, and has since coached hundreds of entrepreneurs, and managed dozens of Instagram accounts.
We sometimes over-complicate things and get so caught up in collecting likes and followers, that we forget that we should be focusing on generating profit, not popularity, with Instagram. Tyler helps to demystify Instagram and shares how you too can become a rock star at using Instagram to tell captivating stories, build relationships and convert followers to fans, and make a profit.
If you're struggling with knowing how to use Instagram as a tool to grow your yoga business, here’s a tip: it's all about being intentional. Find out more about creating an Instagram content strategy with intention with Tyler!
Key Takeaways:
[4:35] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Tyler McCall.
[6:13] How did Tyler get started in creating strategy for Instagram?
[9:56] Tyler always puts text over his Instagram stories. Why does he do that?
[13:14] What is a content strategy on Instagram?
[15:10] Tyler takes us through creating a strategy.
[17:24] Shannon and Tyler discuss an example of how to apply this strategy for yoga teachers.
[20:25] How can yoga teachers approach Instagram stories? Tyler shares two questions that can help guide your process.
[26:34] What is Tyler's advice to people who are worried about not being "perfect" for an Instagram story?
[28:57] Tyler has a tip on how to create a good story.
[31:05] How many parts of a story should you post?
[33:15] The general rule for Instagram is to answer all DMs. How can you manage that?
[36:00] Shannon shares her experience with someone who did a video reply to her DM. Tyler speaks to why the different modes of communication on Instagram can help you grow your business.
[38:00] Tyler doesn't encourage people to outsource Instagram. Why not?
[39:55] Shannon and Tyler discuss sharing other people's posts or content on your own Instagram page.
[41:18] How does Tyler work with clients and how can you find out more about him?
[43:40] Tyler shares some final do's and don'ts for Instagram.
[47:00] Shannon shares her key takeaways and would love for you to do the same - leave a comment in the Show Notes, or start a conversation in the Facebook group!
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from Tyler McCall:
"A lot of us who are marketing online are not creating fully accessible content for people who consume content differently."
"What I found is that by adding captions to the screen, I'm able to maintain a higher retention rate because ... nearly half of Instagram stories users are not watching with the sound on."
"It all starts with a complete understanding of who you're trying to attract on Instagram."
"If you are using Instagram as a business owner, the goal is profitability."
"The goal is not popularity, the goal is to have a profitable business."
"You are the secret ingredient to your success in business and online in your marketing."
"Your job is to pay attention to your people and what they want to hear from you."
"Show up. Show up as you."
"Don't let your dashes turn into dots!"
"That responding [to DMs] is so important, because that's really where you build the trust and build that relationship with your followers."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
Ep 093: How to Build a Home Studio with Jo Stewart and Rane Bowen
Description:
Have you thought of building a home-based studio? What does it really take to get a home yoga studio up and running? What are the challenges you might face, and the biggest pros? Jo Stewart and Rane Bowen are yoga teachers who not only had a home studio, but also built a new one, and on this episode, they reveal the nitty, gritty details of what it takes.
Jo has been teaching yoga for over ten years, and has completed over 2000 hours of teacher training. Rane is a newer yoga teacher, who got into teaching yoga after being diagnosed with stomach cancer and having his stomach removed in 2015. Rane is originally from New Zealand, but moved to Australia, where he and Jo live, teach yoga and host a podcast together.
Jo and Rane share their experiences in setting up their first home studio, and their process in recently building a new one. They dive into how they engage their followers on social media, and how they showcase their studio to generate publicity and grow their business. From the financial aspect of running a home studio, to the props you need, and even the challenges that come with setting boundaries - Jo, Rane and Shannon examine the intricacies of a yoga home studio.
If you’ve ever wondered about how to build and maintain not only a yoga studio but also your own personal yoga practice, this episode with Jo and Rane is sure to give you some deep insights and actionable steps.
Key Takeaways:
[5:19] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Jo Stewart and Rane Bowen
[7:02] What got Jo and Rane started in yoga? What was their first yoga class like?
[10:01] What led Jo and Rane to start the podcast?
[12:21] Why did Jo and Rane decide to open a yoga studio?
[13:17] Jo talks about their journey of opening their yoga studio, and now recently re-doing the space.
[15:31] Jo shares some of her fears, concerns and joys around starting from scratch to rebuild the home studio.
[18:03] What are the challenges of having your own space vs teaching at other spaces?
[21:03] How many people can Jo and Rane's home space accommodate?
[21:41] What are some of the big pros of having your own space?
[23:50] Jo speaks to the financial aspects of setting up and running a home studio.
[25:57] Rane shares more about his other gigs in addition to teaching yoga.
[29:13] What are some of the things that really make a good space?
[34:02] What are some of the essential props necessary for a home studio?
[36:41] How many other teachers use the space?
[38:57] Jo highlights some of her success with print advertising and getting the word out about the studio.
[43:00] Shannon and Jo walk through the process from a students' perspective.
[44:07] What are some policies or rules they've had to establish for their space?
[47:02] How does Jo keep in touch with students in between classes?
[48:24] One-on-one vs. group classes. Jo breaks down the makeup of the classes she teaches.
[49:47] What do Jo and Rane see in the future for their business?
[52:42] What advice do Jo and Rane have for other people who are working together as couples?
[55:31] Jo and Rane share some advice for yoga teachers.
[57:39] What are some things that help in their own practice?
[59:42] Jo and Rane leave us with some final thoughts for teachers who are doubting themselves or feeling isolated.
[1:04:12] Get in touch with Jo and Rane via their website, Facebook group, and on social media!
[1:04:51] Shannon would love to hear from you - do reach out to connect with her virtually or in person!
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"Yoga just kinda got me out of that tortured artist paradigm. It really helped me creatively, but also just mentally and emotionally - I just got so many benefits from it." - Jo
"I never liked the idea of signing a lease, and having a whole lot of financial pressure on me as new business was growing, so always just made sense to me to do it at home!" - Jo
"You don't want to leave all of your promotion and stuff till the end. Get started early! Share your vision, share your ideas!" - Jo
"If you are not putting a load of energy into your home space, you don't often get a lot of people coming." - Jo
"It's almost like you're just going and hanging out with some people, and sharing some stuff that you really enjoy doing with them." - Rane
"We're a body-positive studio, we're really inclusive, and we really wanted to show different ages, different body types, just like yoga is for everyone." - Jo
"If you want to work on your self-love, and just feeling good about yourself - that's what this practice is for!" - Jo
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
Ep 92: Accessible Yoga Language with Kesse, Chantel and Katie
As yoga teachers, we’d all like to reach as many people as possible with our practice and share yoga with them. However, what we may not realize is that we may be inadvertently be excluding or even offending people - through something as simple (but powerful) as our language.
I met Chantel Ehler, Katie Juelson and Kesse Hodge at the Accessible Yoga Conference in Toronto last summer. I immediately knew they would be the best people to have a discussion about accessible yoga language, and delve into some uncomfortable areas surrounding the topic.
Language can be a very powerful tool for empowering people, but it can also instill fear, be hurtful, or downright offensive. My three guests share insights about the kind of language it takes to create safe spaces for people to be vulnerable. We touch on topics like using gendered pronouns, inclusive rather than exclusive language, and how to ask people about what they’re going through and build relationships with them.
We’re all going to make mistakes along the way. Even I had some fear around doing this episode, and sharing some of my vulnerable experiences. The key is to remember that every interaction is an opportunity to learn and grow.
If you’ve ever struggled with presenting yoga with accessible language, or worried about offending someone because of something you’ve said, this episode is going to be such an eye-opener.
About the Guests:
Chantel, founder of Amara Vidya Yoga in Ontario, Canada, began teaching yoga in 2002, and was the location manager for the Accessible Yoga Conference in June 2018.
Katie has been a yoga teacher for 5 years, and currently works with Canada's National Para-soccer team and with other community programs. She focuses on sharing yoga with people who have cognitive and developmental disabilities. Chantel and Katie also recently co-founded Yoga Service and Accessibility Canada. Kesse is a self-professed fat, atheist, agender, spoonie (person living with chronic illness/ pain) who specializes in teaching adaptive, mix-level yoga to all humans. They are the founder of Change Yoga, the Director of Inclusion and Communications at Rooted Yoga, and have over 15 years of experience in the field.
Key Takeaways:
[5:00] Shannon introduces her three guests for this episode - Chantel Ehler, Katie Juelson, and Kesse Hodge.
[8:08] Language is very important in empowering students. What kind of language is not as empowering, unhelpful or downright offensive? Chantel shares her thoughts.
[11:19] Katie addresses language that is empowering vs not so helpful in the area of disability.
[12:46] Shannon shares a personal anecdote from her experience with a paraplegic in her class.
[13:33] Katie gives some tips on the cues that can be used in a yoga class.
[15:25] Kesse gives their take on how every opportunity interacting with students is an opportunity to learn and to grow.
[19:29] Emotional safety is a crucial part of creating a safe space for your yoga students. Kesse elaborates more on that idea, sharing some personal anecdotes.
[25:20] Language can exclude people who may benefit from whatever is being offered, be it yoga, or assistance, or anything else- being conscious, deliberate and inclusive can help with this.
[29:26] What are the after-effects of the damage that is inadvertently done through language, and how can they be addressed?
[34:25] Katie raises the importance of community relationships in the healing journey.
[00:36:30] Shannon and Katie discuss the issues with saying that people with disabilities are inspiring.
[39:45] What's the deal with using gendered pronouns to refer to people? Kesse and Chantel share their thoughts on how best to approach this.
[49:25] Asking is the best way to educate yourself. Is it ever offensive to ask about disability, or what someone is going through, or even what pronoun they prefer?
[55:14] Listeners, we'd love to hear your experiences and how you've learned to change something you say.
[56:40] What were some of Shannon's key takeaways from this discussion? We'd love for you to hear yours too - share them in the show notes!
[59:40] Shannon has a special bonus for you!
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from this episode:
"Someone's going to find something offensive in anything." - Chantel
"Where I think the disconnect is, is how to address it when you've noticed something's going on." - Chantel
"Language is an extremely powerful tool, and it can really empower someone's sense of pride, identity, purpose." - Katie
"Put the person before the impairment." - Katie
"We think that our normal is everybody else's normal .... but [realize] that that's just absolutely not the case." - Kesse
"I didn't like that I was essentially complicit in hurting somebody without my knowledge." - Kesse
"Once you say something, you can't un-say it. And the person can't un-hear it. And the damage that can be done, is done." - Kesse
"You're asking these people to come and be vulnerable, and you have a responsibility to make that space as safe as possible." - Kesse
"The person who's chosen to not say anything, is the person that is the most exposed to harm." - Chantel
"Inclusion grows with relationship." - Chantel
"If we are not getting to know the student, we won't know how to include them." - Chantel
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
Ep 091: 100 Conversations with Yoga Teachers with Mado Hesselink
Description:
What would it be like to talk to 100 yoga teachers and find out what their challenges are, and what they've learned so far? When Mado Hesselink decided she wanted to increase the work she was doing with yoga teachers, she did just that and personally interviewed 100 yoga teachers - this episode is all about what she learned from those conversations.
Mado has been teaching yoga since 2005, and training yoga teachers since 2010. She is the creator of Yoga Teacher Resource, and teaches at yoga teacher trainings around the southeastern US. After some big life changes, Mado felt the need to change things up in her business. Her discussion with her Fairy Godmother Business Coach helped her find her niche, create a lead magnet, and inspired her 100-Conversations project.
As yoga teachers, we may all feel our struggles and challenges are individual, and we are alone in our experiences. Mado’s conversations with yoga teachers young and old, full-time and part-time, and from all walks of life revealed certain similarities. From the pressures of being a yoga teacher, to finding the delicate balance between your own personal yoga practice vs teaching yoga, to the challenges facing entrepreneurs in the yoga space - Shannon and Mado discuss it all.
If you’ve ever wondered what wisdom and insight you could get from talking to 100 other yoga teachers, wonder no more. Mado’s done the legwork so you don’t have to - just sit back and enjoy the great nuggets in this episode.
Key Takeaways:
[5:44] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Mado Hesselink.
[6:36] What inspired Mado to start working on the project of talking to 100 yoga teachers? She shares how her Fairy Godmother Business Coach helped her along her journey of finding her niche.
[9:39] Mado reveals how she applied the concept of a lead magnet to her business and some tips for you to do the same!
[13:27] Why did Mado decide to talk to 100 yoga teachers?
[15:40] What made Mado pick the number 100?
[16:07] How did Mado spread the word about her project, and how did she select the yoga teachers she would connect with?
[18:59] How did Mado pick the questions she asked the yoga teachers?
[23:24] Mado shares some of the responses she received that surprised, intrigued and stuck with her.
[30:02] What are Mado's suggestions for someone considering taking a 200-hr?
[31:07] From her conversations, what are some of the takeaways that have impacted Mado as a yoga teacher?
[34:51] How can yoga teachers market yoga better?
[39:15] Yoga teachers care so much and put so much pressure on themselves to inspire and challenge their students. Mado and Shannon discuss this in relation to drop-in classes vs. registered sessions.
[43:35] Mado highlights the tension that exists between yoga studio owner, yoga teacher and yoga student.
[48:41] Get in touch with Mado via her website to get access to her podcast, 100 Yoga Class Themes download and other resources!
[49:14] Shannon wraps up with her key takeaways from this episode.
Links:
Mado Hesselink, Yoga Teacher Resource
The Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 088: Creating Professional Yoga Videos with Kira Sloane
Map to connect with other yoga teachers
Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast Episode 8: [Reality Check] Teaching yoga full time vs part time.
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 061: Too Many Yoga Teachers with Kimma Stark
Accessible Yoga Conference, Toronto
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 090: Teaching Baby & Me Yoga with Shannon Crow
One-on-One Coaching with Mado Hesselink
One-on-One Consultation with Shannon Crow
The Yoga Conference and Show, Toronto March 2019
Mama Nurture Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training, November 2019
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from Mado Hesselink:
"Who do you feel most energized when you're teaching?"
"They can look at their content that they already have out there and see what's really resonating with people."
"I just want to get a sense of what is out there. What are the concerns, what are the dreams? What's the environment, the content that people are teaching in, to help me figure out how I can be of service."
"The happiest yoga teachers that I spoke with are not trying to make a living teaching."
"For me, the inherent conflicts and the murkiness of being an entrepreneur in the yoga space is actually really exciting, and keeps me more engaged."
"I learn best through teaching."
"As popular as yoga is, there is still a lot of misinformation about what yoga is."
"I want us to do a better job of marketing yoga to the public, for their own benefit!"
"We make money for what's important to us, what we really find valuable."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
Ep 090: Teaching Baby and Me Yoga with Shannon Crow
Description:
How can a yoga niche help to grow a profitable and sustainable yoga business? In this episode, Shannon shares about a popular area of yoga - Baby and Me yoga, and how this can be a niche to build your yoga business.
Very often, postnatal parents are wanting to get back to yoga and bring baby along, but adult yoga classes aren’t the right place for them. Having crawling / crying / curious babies in the room, new parents adjusting to new routines, and parents developing that bond with their babies - these are all things that play into the flow and rhythm of a yoga class. Baby and Me yoga classes are designed to take all these and more into consideration.
Shannon shares how she structured her classes and the different elements she incorporates into her classes, keeping both baby and parent in mind. She also highlights other considerations when it comes to Baby and Me yoga, including timing of classes, the spaces in which you conduct these classes, and why she chose the name “Baby and Me yoga” instead of other variations out there.
This episode is perfect for anyone who teaches prenatal or postnatal students and for people who want to find their yoga niche.
Key Takeaways:
[6:34] How did Shannon get into teaching Baby and Me yoga?
[8:37] Why does Shannon call her class "Baby and Me" yoga? Shannon shares some insight into her personal journey as a new mom.
[12:12] What might you see in a student that is coming to a yoga class postnatally?
[16:20] Shannon shares a little about maternity leave, and why supporting new parents is so important.
[20:11] Timing is also important when it comes to Baby and Me yoga. When can new parents start coming to Baby and Me yoga?
[22:04] Where will you be teaching Baby and Me yoga?
[23:32] Baby and Me yoga is very different from traditional yoga classes with adults. Shannon has some tips and tricks for you.
[28:32] If you'd like to learn more about the elements Shannon includes in her Baby and Me yoga class, you can attend the MamaNuture Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training or check out the Online Course that goes into more detail about this.
[29:20] What are the 8 elements that Shannon includes in Baby and Me yoga?
[30:19] Shannon dives into the element of songs and sounds.
[32:54] Shannon's second element is infant massage. How does that tie into Baby and Me yoga?
[36:03] Element #3 is musical movement. Music is as important as movement in a child's development.
[39:20] Shannon incorporates sign language in her Baby and Me yoga classes. She has some tips on how best to do it.
[44:21] #5: Baby poses - the key to this is to really follow baby's lead.
[47:55] Community time is another element of Shannon's Baby and Me yoga classes. She highlights why this is an important part of the class.
[50:39] The next element is independent practice, and how that helps parents reconnect with themselves.
[51:54] Baby and me breath is the final element. Shannon shares an example of a practice she uses.
[55:00] Shannon ends with her final insights about yoga and how it can help parents and babies.
[57:46] What is your one takeaway from this episode about teaching to postnatal parents? Share your thoughts!
Links:
Mama Nurture Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training
Online Course on Baby and Me Yoga
The Genius of Natural Childhood, by Sally Goddard Blythe
Itsy Bitsy Yoga, by Helen Garabedian
Baby Om: Yoga for Mothers and Babies by Laura Staton and Sarah Perron
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from Shannon Crow:
"Your baby doesn't come with an owner's manual, and you have to figure out what that little human needs."
"Sometimes we're feeling shame or ashamed of what we need as parents when it comes to work."
"Be careful about judging, others for sure, but also yourself."
"Touch between parent and baby is another form of communication. It's a really clear and concrete way to express love."
"This Baby and Me yoga class is a really great place to practice and learn together."
"You're not only dealing with parents, you're also dealing with what baby needs."
"Baby and me yoga offers parents a gentle practice to reconnect with body and breath. In this time, they can bond with baby, and also connect to other parents.”
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
Ep 089: Yoga for Stress Management with Courtney Butler-Robinson
Description:
You can’t deny it - we live in a stressful world. Everyone knows yoga is useful when it comes to stress management, but Courtney Butler-Robinson has focused her practice exclusively around dealing with stress and more specifically, heart health.
Courtney has had a long and illustrious career in the field of yoga. She’s been practicing for nearly 40 years, training yoga teachers for 20, and a certified yoga therapist for over 10 years (including being one of the first yoga therapists to be recognized by the International Association of Yoga Therapists). She is the owner and director of Balance Yoga and Wellness, a registered yoga school, and works as a stress management specialist, particularly in relation to reversing heart disease.
Stress is something everyone deals with, but Courtney highlights its connection to heart disease, and how her part in Dr. Dean Ornish’s lifestyle medicine practice is helping to heal patients. She provides insight into how yoga can be a part of the medical world, and why love, support, gratitude, and joy are some of the key ingredients to a long and healthy life.
If you’ve always wondered how to reach the medical world through your yoga teaching, or how to incorporate stress management in your yoga training, this episode is definitely one you need hear.
Key Takeaways:
[1:04] One lucky listener stands a chance to win a prize this week!
[3:45] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Courtney Butler-Robinson.
[6:15] How did Courtney's yoga journey start? When did she get into yoga, and what brought her to it?
[7:39] What pushed Courtney to start working in yoga for stress management?
[9:49] Courtney shares a little about the work that Dr. Dean Ornish does.
[12:31] How is Courtney's class different from the average yoga class in its approach towards stress management?
[16:03] Courtney describes a typical day in the life of one of her clients.
[17:45] What are some of the most common issues people are dealing with when they come to see Courtney?
[20:16] What does a "prescription" entail? Courtney outlines some of the differences between her current work and her work in private practice.
[22:33] Courtney gives some recommendations when it comes to keeping your heart healthy.
[25:25] Courtney highlights the importance of gratitude in heart health.
[28:06] What has Courtney learned through her 10 years of training teachers?
[31:19] How can yoga teachers move into the medical side of things?
[33:49] Courtney has some advice for yoga teachers with students looking to improve their heart health or reduce stress in their lives.
[35:58] Shannon and Courtney discuss whether overall stress and anxiety levels are going up in society.
[41:16] Find out more about Courtney, the work she does and more through her website, and on social media.
[42:12] Courtney's book, The Mud and the Lotus, is a guide and a workbook for yoga teachers.
[48:58] Shannon shares how she connected with Courtney, and how you can use this method to connect with others.
[53:10] What is your biggest takeaway from this episode? Shannon would love to hear from you!
Links:
The Mud and the Lotus, by Courtney Butler-Robinson
Courtney Butler-Robinson on Facebook
Courtney Butler-Robinson on Instagram
Courtney Butler-Robinson on YouTube
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Ep 088: Creating Professional Yoga Videos with
Kira Sloane
Dr. Dean Ornish - Lifestyle Medicine
Learn more about Relaxation Response
Learn more about Oxytocin and the Heart
Learn more about the Elizabeth Blackburn Studies
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Quotes from Courtney Butler-Robinson:
"When I started teaching, it was because of illness."
"I work in the field of lifestyle medicine."
"We actually reverse disease without any kind of major medical intervention. It's diet, exercise, yoga, meditation and love and support."
"The point of stress management yoga is to keep the body in a relaxation response from beginning to end."
"Movement helps to increase artery flexibility. It helps reduce lymphatic congestion in your system. ... Keep moving!"
"What I've learned personally is... that my inner wisdom knows better than listening to everything."
"I care more about your heart for service than your headstand."
"I would just encourage people to find who you are as a yoga teacher, and to be that. And to have confidence in that, because there are the people out there that need what you have to offer."
"With the 9 weeks of the program, depression rates are down 60%."
"Taking care of yourself, and loving yourself and being kind to yourself, is more a matter of quality of life... than it is about whether you live or die.”
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
088: Creating Professional Yoga Videos with Kira Sloane
Description:
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could connect with your yoga students in the comfort of their own home? With Yoga Anytime, Kira Sloane not only teaches yoga online but also helps other yoga teachers share their yoga online.
Kira was drawn to teaching yoga from her very first savasana. After being diagnosed with endometriosis in 1995, she turned to yoga to find relief for her pain and immediately wanted to share the sense of well-being she experienced with others. Today, Kira works for yoga to spread the healing she has experienced in her own practice by making videos and offering online yoga courses.
Videos are a great tool for reaching a large audience, but all that can backfire if your videos are not professional and well done. Kira reveals what she has learned from creating over 2000 yoga videos - from what kind of clothing works for the camera, to how to focus on your viewer beyond the lens, and why doing yoga on videos is ultimately all about connection and relationships, both with your audience and yourself.
Whether you’re already a veteran at making yoga videos, or a newbie to the scene, you’re sure to get some great tips and insights about what it takes to make a truly great, professional yoga video.
To see all of the links and notes for this episode (including timestamps)
- visit https://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/88
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
Ep 087: Yoga for Fertility with Beth Heller
The journey of infertility is a difficult one. Beth Heller joins Shannon on this episode to share her own story and experiences with infertility, and how that led her to become the co-founder and co-director of Pulling Down the Moon.
Beth is a mother and a yoga teacher whose niche and passion is yoga for fertility. She has a degree in human nutrition and spent 4 years working as a nutrition researcher. She found her way to yoga while going through high stress, infertility, a miscarriage, and the stillbirth of her daughter at 38 weeks. In these experiences, she found the true value of yoga and wanted to share how yoga helped her regain her period and get pregnant, and how it held and supported her through loss.
In 2002, Beth founded Pulling Down the Moon with Tami Quinn, where she now teaches yoga in classes and one-on-one instruction, with a focus on yoga for fertility, prenatal yoga, and yoga to people at the age and stage of pregnancy. She is also a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Beth shares her insight about how yoga helps improve fertility, and how she has helped women through their fertility journey in her practice, particularly by creating a supportive space in her studio. Shannon and Beth also discuss the benefits of online classes in breaking down barriers for some people, and how yoga teachers can fully support women or couples going through loss, miscarriage or fertility difficulties.
An open, honest and heartfelt conversation, this episode great for any yoga teacher working with people dealing with fertility, and pregnancy, and interested in finding out more about discovering your niche in yoga.
To see all of the links and notes for this episode (including timestamps)
- visit https://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/87
Live video is taking the online world by storm, and it’s not a trend is going away soon. How can yoga teachers get on board and harness the power of video? Ian Gray of Seriously Social has tips, strategies, and advice on how you can use live video as a yoga teacher to share video content.
Ian is a man of many talents. Not only is he an international speaker, trainer, teacher, web developer and consultant who specializes in live video, he is also a husband, father of two, professional singer and self-professed geek. Through his company Seriously Social, and his weekly Facebook Live video show, The Free Range Social Show, Ian helps business owners and entrepreneurs use live video to build and expand their businesses.
Doing a live video can seem incredibly scary, but feeling nervous is a very natural response. Ian shares some of his own personal experiences getting started with live video, and his strategies to get over your fear. He also reveals the three main barriers people have when it comes to doing live video, and how you can break through them. He explains why consistency and having a group to lean on for support can make all the difference in getting on board with live video. Ian also breaks down the different live video platforms, and how they can be used to reach your target audience.
If you’re interested in sharing video content but aren’t sure how to get started, this episode is just for you.
To see all of the links and notes for this episode (including timestamps) - visit theconnectedyogateacher.com/86
085: A Discussion About Hands-On Assists with Amanda Kingsmith and Shannon Crow
Do you offer your students hands-on assists or adjustments or do you steer clear of touch in a yoga class?
Amanda Kingsmith invited Shannon back on the M.B.OM podcast to talk about hands-on assists (sometimes called adjustments).
Amanda is a yoga teacher with a business studies background. She works 1:1 with yoga teachers and hosts two podcasts - one about travel and the other for yoga teachers. She is an enthusiastic world traveler when she is not at home in Alberta, Canada.
084: Yoga for Scoliosis with Christine Jaureguiberry
Christine Jaureguiberry has niched down over the years as a yoga teacher. She now works mostly with individuals who have scoliosis. This is fueled by her own love of yoga. At the age of five, Christine was diagnosed with structural scoliosis. Her parents first put her in ballet. As she grew, she stayed active, but in her teen years, her pain started to increase.
Christine spent a lot of time visiting physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors. She wanted them to “fix” her, but instead found that the effects from the treatments wouldn’t last long
After Christine’s first yoga class (a Sivananda class in 2004), she noticed that she felt much better. Yoga made Christine feel better and she finally felt like she was in control of her own well-being.
It was after becoming a mother of two that Christine decided the timing was right to take her yoga teacher training.
Now Christine works mainly with individuals who are experiencing back pain, scoliosis or other back-related conditions. She loves to empower people so they can live pain-free. She teaches alignment and posture, bearing in mind the unique bodies and shapes. Christine makes yoga accessible to everyone.
5:34 - Meet Christine Jaureguiberry, who was diagnosed with structural scoliosis at the age of five. Christine shares her journey to yoga and how that motivated her to become a yoga teacher.
11:03 - What might a yoga student with scoliosis look like in a yoga class? Adam’s Forward Bend: a technique to determine if someone has scoliosis
12:20 - Definition of scoliosis: Scoliosis is a lateral (side-to-side) curve in the spine, usually combined with a rotation of the vertebrae.
14:18 - Difference between structural scoliosis versus functional scoliosis
“80 - 90% of people have some sort of functional scoliosis” - Christine Jaureguiberry
16:08 - Christine shares how she is one of the 70% of individuals with an idiopathic cause (meaning the cause of her scoliosis is not known).
17:16 - Why it is important to diagnose scoliosis in children and teens. In most countries, it is rare to have scoliosis screening, but Christine was lucky to be living in Germany where screening was done.
18:48 - As yoga teachers, diagnosing scoliosis (or anything) is out of our scope of practice, but Christine shares how if we are teaching children’s yoga - we can tell parents if we notice something that could be checked by their healthcare provider
20:09 - How diagnosis before puberty can actually correct scoliosis
21:15 - Yoga poses, considerations, and cues that Christine offers to students who are dealing with scoliosis. She talks about how she gradually works with a framework that offers poses involve:
24:30 - Study by Dr. Loren Fishman on side plank for scoliosis and how you may get students in your classes referring to this study
25:44 - Christine shares how she feels about adjustments (hands-on assists) when working with students with scoliosis and how she sustained an injury from one in her yoga teacher training.
32:38 - How a yoga teacher can guide students with scoliosis, who may not know what is “straight”, “centre” or “balanced” in their body
33:10 - Poses that Christine has removed to her own yoga practice (shoulder stand)
34:50 - Things to consider when someone has spinal fusion or Herrington rods (*Herrington rods are not done now, but students over 35 years old may have them)
36:36 - Why lying on the back may not be comfortable for those who have scoliosis and how to modify for comfort
“Go with the sensations that your student is feeling, rather than what you think looks straight or even.” - Christine Jaureguiberry
38:45 - How Christine feels about 1:1 versus group classes and how she prefers to work with individuals with scoliosis
40:03 - What Christine wishes all yoga teachers knew when working with yoga students who have scoliosis
“It’s not about the pose, it’s about how you practice the pose.” - Christine Jaureguiberry
41:55 - How to work 1:1 with Christine (yoga students and teachers)
Christine’s Facebook Group: Yoga for Scoliosis Community (for both students with scoliosis and yoga teachers working with students who have scoliosis)
Christine’s website - Work 1:1 with Christine - online or in-person (yoga or mentorship)
If you would like to offer a birthday gift to Shannon:
Christine’s online course for yoga teachers -- Introduction to Teaching Yoga for Scoliosis: How to teach yoga safely for students with scoliosis
10% discount code for Christine's course (for our podcast listeners)
Episode 29: Creating Your About Me Page with Trevor Parks [Consultation Call]
The Connected Teacher Facebook Group
Apply for the Online Group Program for Yoga Teachers
Book a Consultation Call with Shannon
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
083: Instagram for Yoga Teachers with Daniel McIntire
As a yoga teacher have you thought about creating an Instagram account? Do you already have an Instagram presence and wonder if you’re on the right path? Have you thought about creating a separate account for your yoga business? Today’s guest, Daniel McIntire, the founder of Influncrrs helps to answer these and many more questions about Instagram.
Daniel McIntire knew yoga was right for him the first time he tried it. It took him over 3 years to consider teaching but when he did his 200 YTT it was another great fit. He began by teaching part-time and expanded into full-time teaching when he quit his corporate job in 2016. He taught several classes a week to sustain a living but found in time that he was getting burnt out.
Daniel has happily found a place for yoga in his life- as a hobby. He has found his current niche as the creator and owner of Influncrrs by following his passion for incorporating his yoga practice into his online presence. As he expanded his skills in this area, he was able to help others market events on Snapchat and Instagram. Daniel came to realize that he felt most passionate about and excelled in guiding clients through expanding their business through Instagram. When working with his clients focuses on a couple of key goals 1) to increase traffic to their Instagram account and 2) encourage public engagement and feedback.
Daniel shares many gems including the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to posting, the value of public engagement in the comments section, and his 3 key components to a good post.
7:05 Daniel’s yoga journey
12:00 How Daniel started sharing his yoga on Instagram and then turning that into a career
16:35 How often Daniel recommends posting- quality over quantity
19:55 How Daniel prepares his Instagram posts- gives himself 30 minutes in a quiet space and reflects on the subject of the post
21:45 Daniel on captions and the opportunity it affords to connect with your words, along with your photo
22:25 The Importance of interacting with your audience by replying to comments- Daniel checks in daily
23:20 Shannon asks Daniel whether she should have a personal account and a separate business account
27:35 Daniel on Instagram Stories and cautions putting out too many stories and how they can be beneficial for showing another side of yourself
30:55 Shannon asks for advice on engaging her followers with her podcast-related posts
34:00 Daniel’s helps his client to draw out what they have to offer and talks about the importance of clients creating their own content
34:55 On Daniel’s realization that engagement is more valuable than followers
35:25 How Daniel helps his clients 1) get traffic to their account 2) get more engagement with their content (such as a free e-book) which helps clients create a list of leads, discover their niche, and develop a long-term strategy
37:25 Daniel’s feeling that there is so much misinformation about social media engagement and that it is simpler than is perceived
39:35 The best way to connect with Daniel and request a free week of consultation
42:30 Linktree- allows you to share more than one link on Instagram
43:30 Shannon’s wrap-up and key takeaways
Links
Daniel's Business on Instagram @nfluncrrs
Daniel's partner Courtney on Instagram @courtrandyoga
Shannon's Instagram Account @shannon_crow_yoga
Influncrrs E-Guide: Win on Instagram
Fuel Yoga Workouts in Portland, OR
The Connected Teacher Facebook Group
Follow The Connected Teacher on YouTube
Book a Consultation Call with Shannon
To Contact our virtual assistant Samantha Scott for website design help and more:
Tech Crazy Va: Website Design, System Efficiencies & Virtual Assistant Services
7-Steps to Link Schedulicity to your Instagram account
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
082: Yoga and Fibromyalgia with Pamela Crane
We are so grateful to welcome Pamela Crane, a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapist (IAYT) who is currently working towards her Masters in Yoga Therapy at Maryland University of Integrative Health. She is a Yoga Alliance 200 RYT, a Reiki 1 and 2 practitioner, and a member of the National Dance Education Association (NDEO).
On today’s episode, Shannon asks Pamela to speak to her experience with Fibromyalgia- as a sufferer and as a yoga therapist. As a lifelong dancer, Pamela was devastated when the pain of Fibromyalgia changed her life. In addition to the condition, she dealt with chronic pain, anxiety, and depression for years and credits yoga as a major factor in her path toward healing.
Pamela wants to share the benefits of yoga with others and as a yoga therapist has worked with those suffering from Fibromyalgia, dancers, and most recently those who work in corporate environments by providing workshops on stress reduction.
Pamela and Shannon discuss Pamela’s personal experience with this condition, how to balance the yin and yang of physical activity, how yoga teachers can support their students with Fibromyalgia and much more.
6:50 Pamela’s first yoga class
9:10 Pamela describes how yoga “saved her life”
12:35 How Fibromyalgia wasn’t understood until the later 2000s and suffers previous to this time weren’t validated and made to feel it was psychological
13:05 Pamela’s definition of Fibromyalgia and her experience with the condition
17:10 How Pamela has been able to manage her pain
19:20 Pamela expands on how it feels to suffer from the condition and the sufferer's relationship to pain
20:40 How practicing gratitude and forgiveness has helped Pamela
22:00 Practicing mindfulness and meditation
22:55 How to support a new student who suffers from Fibromyalgia and the importance of keeping in mind that yoga teachers can’t diagnose or treat people, rather support the student to find their own healing
25:35 How meditation, restorative yoga, or yin vs. yang might not be the answer for every sufferer will work- listen to the individual
26:55 How aerobic activity can benefit those with Fibromyalgia, the importance of not pushing too hard and how yoga can facilitate those activities
29:10 Pamela’s personal experience with finding balance with physical activities
33:50 As a yoga teacher when planning classes “less is more” and checking in with students after class (even a day or two later)
35:45 What Pamela likes to include in her yoga classes: constructive rest, sitali and viloma breath, loving-kindness meditation
42:15 Pamela’s work as a yoga therapist for stress management workshops in corporate settings
43:55 On Pamela’s love of helping those who may not believe yoga is right for them and guiding them towards a style that may work
45:30 Pamela’s belief that stress, in her own case, was a major factor in developing Fibromyalgia
47:20 When Pamela will receive her Masters in Yoga Therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health and her advice on choosing a school if you aspire to become a yoga therapist
50:40 How to reach Pamela and her work with clients online and in-person
53:00 Shannon’s closing thoughts and key takeaways, including her own experience with “less is more”
Links
Pamela’s Website: Crane Yoga Therapy
Jump-start your 2019: 6-Week Group Program for Yoga Entrepreneurs
Metta Meditation by Shannon Crow
The Connected Teacher Facebook Group
Book a Consultation Call with Shannon
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
081: Set-Up to Teach Private Yoga [Consultation Call] with Stephanie Brunson
Do you or have you considered teaching private yoga classes as a way to set up or grow a yoga business? If so, this episode is for you!
Shannon shares a consultation call with the kind permission of Stephanie Brunson. Stephanie has been teaching yoga for 10 years and has recently come to the realization that teaching students one-on-one is a viable option for her. She is excited at the prospect of changing focus but is asking where to start with her new endeavor.
Stephanie turned to The Connect Yoga Teacher Facebook group and asked:
Can anyone help me with setting up in home yoga lessons? I have been teaching now for almost 10 years and have recently been asked to teach private sessions. I don’t even know where to begin. Liability, waivers, session goals sheets, session pricing? Packages or partner lessons? Any help or advice is appreciated.
With her experience as a consultant to yoga teachers and teaching private yoga classes Shannon guides Stephanie through some key considerations along with some of the benefits, she has found teaching one-on-one. Shannon also sends Stephanie off with some concrete steps as she moves toward her goals.
10:20 Stephanie’s question to The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
11:10 Stephanie’s struggle to set her prices and to articulate what she is offering
11:50 The mindset around private yoga versus other one-on-one teaching situations (such as piano lessons) and the benefit of teaching private yoga classes
17:40 Your first session with your client- bring a liability and waiver form to help with intake and asking your client to do some movement for assessment (while avoiding diagnosing conditions)
21:40 Thinking about working with a client as part of their team (even if their team hasn’t been established yet) and on keeping clear boundaries with your scope of practice
26:20 Asking your client what their goals are and on meeting them where they are and keeping track of their progress
28:30 Designing package rates
30:35 Shannon walks Stephanie through what to consider when setting her rates
34:05 Considering safety and liability issues when going to your client’s home or holding the session in your home
35:55 Considering prices for a session with 2 or more people (semi-private)
37:00 Marketing and advertising and the benefit of word-of-mouth
39:50 Creating social media posts that address potential clients fears and special needs or perhaps offering specialized services (such as couples yoga or yoga for back pain)
44:15 Stephanie asks about online one-on-one sessions
46:30 Stephanie considers good places to advertise to target her audience
48:40 Scheduling your clients and organizing your schedule and thinking ahead to create seasonal specials
51:15 Stephanie’s realization that there is a market for private yoga
52:00 The joy Shannon has found working with clients one-on-one
52:55 Shannon sets up Stephanie’s first steps for advertising and guidance with growing her private yoga business
56:00 Shannon’s key takeaways:
Do they have any conditions? How does it affect them (symptoms)
Their stress levels- at work and at home
Pain levels on a scale from 1-10
Ask clients to do some movements to assess
Make sure to have a notepad
Pick one actionable item and share with Shannon. It can be something from the list or something else that works for you.
Links
Group Program for Yoga Teachers
The Connected Yoga Teacher Editable Student Waiver Form
The Connected Teacher Facebook Group
Follow The Connected Teacher on YouTube
Book a Consultation Call with Shannon
Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training September 22nd and 23rd, 2018
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
080: Yoga and Endometriosis [Part 2] with Dustienne Miller
In part 2 of our 2-part series on endometriosis, Shannon asked yoga teacher and physical therapist Dustienne Miller to share her knowledge and experience working with clients with this chronic illness.
Dustienne feels strongly endometriosis is underdiagnosed and that there is much more to be understood in this area of women’s health. It is now recognized that 1 in 10 women struggle with this chronic illness. Dustienne also wants all women to trust their intuition when determining the severity of their pain and to know that period pain should never be debilitating.
Dustienne began studying to become a physiotherapist in 1994 and began practicing yoga while doing musical theater in New York City as a way to warm up. She continued practicing yoga at home and decided to pursue yoga teacher training at Kripalu. Dustienne came to realize as a yoga teacher and a physiotherapist specializing in pelvic health, that these disciplines complemented each other beautifully. She began to integrate yoga into physical therapy home programs and saw the difference yoga made to her clients suffering from endometriosis.
Dustienne details for us how pranayama and asana can ease the symptoms of endometriosis. She describes the connection between pranayama and the pelvic floor and her way of leading clients through asana in a progressive fashion to minimize overextending themselves.
6:20 Dustienne’s yoga and physical therapy journey
8:50 Dustienne describes endometriosis
10:40 Symptoms of endometriosis
12:20 What Dustienne has heard from her clients suffering from endometriosis
13:20 Are the endo flare-ups in sync with the menstrual cycle?
15:40 Pain management- the importance of teaching strategies in order to allow sufferers to have ownership over managing the flares
How yoga can benefit those with endometriosis:
16:25 Pranayama- a daily practice can help with the prominence of the parasympathetic nervous system to be more dominant which can lessen the pain
17:30 Relationship between pranayama and the pelvic floor and the importance of lengthening the spine to optimize the pranayama-pelvic floor connection
20:55 Asana- a gentle yoga program can mobilize the tissues and the muscles that are attaching to both the pelvis and the thorax
22:15 Yoga poses to approach with caution extensions and cause rebound pain
24:40 Is there a pain level where one should avoid asana and Dustienne’s hope that students will feel that for themselves
27:40 The benefit of child’s pose, goddess pose, banana pose, standing half-moon, supine twist (to help with rotation through the spine) and their variations
32:55 Dustienne’s love for restorative yoga, that it is “real” yoga
33:55 Additional advice from Dustienne and on reconditioning the body to have a different response to pain to help lessen it (softening the belly, table pose letting belly hang)
36:05 Other treatments Dustienne recommends for endometriosis
38:20 How endometriosis can be diagnosed and how treatment options are evolving as research into this illness expands
40:25 Misconceptions around endometriosis, how raising awareness is helping e.g. through social media campaign #1in10
42:10 Importance of listening to intuition- don’t push yourself
42:55 Shannon’s closing thoughts and wrap-up and on “curating your team”
Links
Dustienne’s summary page of resources
Dustienne’s website: Your Pace Yoga
Related TCYT Episodes:
079: Yoga and Endometriosis [Part 1] with Kimberly Castello
007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trista Zinn
008: Core Breath and Pelvic Health with Kim Vopni
009: Kegels, Mula Bandha, and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko
033: A New Perspective on Diastasis Recti with Sinead Dufour
073: The 8 Limbs of Yoga [Part 1] with Shannon Crow
074: The 8 Limbs of Yoga [Part 2] with Jennie Lee
Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training September 22nd and 23rd, 2018
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
079: Yoga and Endometriosis with Kimberly Castello [Part 1]
In part 1 of a 2-part series on endometriosis, we welcome Kimberly Castello, a certified Yoga Therapist who completed her Clinical Internship with the Simms Mann Venice Family Clinic in Los Angeles, California. Kimberly specializes in developing chronic pain management programs for individuals, hospitals, and clinics.
Kimberly tried yoga when a friend recommended it to her, knowing that as a dancer she had a love for movement. She shares that she fell in love with yoga as soon as she hit the mat and soon after pursued yoga teacher training. Her curiosity and devotion to yoga have only grown stronger and her passion for teaching has been enhanced through her life experiences.
At the age of 27, Kimberly fell ill, finding herself plagued by fatigue. She also had bladder issues and persistent pelvic pain. Kimberly describes how she and the many doctors she saw were stumped by her symptoms. Eventually, asking to be tested for mononucleosis (with the results coming back positive), she believed that to be the answer to her mysterious symptoms. Nonetheless, the severity of her symptoms continued and worsened. Kimberly describes the grueling process that eventually led to being diagnosed with Endometriosis many years later.
Kimberly generously shares her experience in order to bring awareness and validate other women’s experience with this crippling disorder. Endometriosis has been long been overlooked and is far more common than was believed. There has been very little research done in this area of women’s health, with doctors writing the symptoms off as menstrual pain with the attitude of “suck it up”. Kimberly defines the condition, how it is a lifelong struggle and her approach to managing what she describes as an autoimmune disease. She also openly shares the grief, depression, and isolation she encountered while coping with the diagnosis that shifted the course of her life.
6:20 Shannon defines endometriosis
8:30 Kimberly’s yoga journey
10:00 Kimberley’s mysterious illness
16:50 Kimberley’s surgery for endometriosis and her decision to pass on medication that would have put her into early menopause
18:00 The connection between mononucleosis and endometriosis and how endometriosis is an autoimmune disease
19:10 How Kimberley defines endometriosis and the symptoms that accompany the condition
21:50 The lack of education around endometriosis and developments in this area
23:15 Kimberley’s long road to being diagnosed with endometriosis
25:10 How endometriosis feels
27:25 Kimberley describes some symptoms she experienced and how it can begin and progress differently in every woman
30:00 Kimberley’s experience with weight gain as a symptom of endometriosis and her struggle to accept this change in her body
31:25 Accepting that this systemic illness would affect her for the rest of her life and that she’d have to “work 10 times harder than the average person works to do the simplest things” and the struggle to process the grief
32:45 How Kimberley is coping with the illness now and what has she found helpful in managing the disorder e.g. diet, focusing on what she can do rather than what she can’t do, managing her expectations
37:35 The importance of practicing restorative yoga
38:50 Kimberly’s choice to share her story
40:20 Helping herself and others find acceptance that their life won’t look the way they imagined
41:55 Kimberly on finding acceptance, patience, and kindness for herself through yoga
43:55 Kimberly’s advice on coping for those who have been newly diagnosed
46:00 Suggested poses and breathing practices for symptom relief
49:10 “What can you do to give yourself what you need in the moment?” How this advice to her students has begun to spill over into Kimberly’s life and how it applies to those with endometriosis
52:20 Kimberly explains “endo belly”
54:40 Kimberly’s decision to wean herself off medications (under the guidance of a doctor) and eating, breath work and yoga for her body and the importance of taking time to rest when she’s tired
59:25 Can restorative yoga help to prevent inflammation when brought on by stress and the benefit of “self-talk”
1:02:50 Keeping things in balance- in life and in our yoga practice
1:04:00 What services Kimberly offers and her philosophy of “meeting people where they are”
1:06:00 Shannon’s wrap-up and key takeaways
Links
Kimberly’s Email: info@kimberlycastelloyoga.com
Kimberly’s Website: Kimberly Castello Yoga
Kimberly Castello Yoga on Facebook
The Connected Teacher Facebook Group
Follow The Connected Teacher on Youtube
Book a Consultation Call with Shannon
Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training September 22nd and 23rd, 2018
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
078: Creating an Online Studio with Brea Johnson
Brea Johnson has over 16 years of yoga teaching under her belt and has recently ventured into the world of online teaching. Finding herself tired of the class grind she refined what and how she teaches and in doing, so she was able to define her niche. In shifting her focus, she also found herself turning to a more sustainable approach to yoga by bringing in movement education and research to enhance her yoga teaching. This approach has attracted an international audience which inspired Brea to offer online classes and teacher trainings.
With an open and authentic spirit, Brea shares her experience with creating and offering online content. She shares how teaching in this format works for her lifestyle and how she loves being able to dive deeper into teaching and being able to cover more details through her online offerings that she isn’t able to cover in her weekly class.
There are, of course, many challenges. Shannon also shares her experience with her online offerings and dispels the myth that online teaching can provide a comfortable passive income when it is, in fact, an ongoing process.
Brea and Shannon also discuss online platforms to host your videos, equipment suggestions, and Brea’s method of offering online memberships. An episode filled with great advice, Brea sums it up best: “The first step is to be bold enough to put yourself out there.”
5:30 What moved Brea to teach online
7:20 What led Brea to define her niche and her “ yoga existential crisis”
11:20 What Brea found the most challenging aspect of offering online classes
12:40 How Brea’s online class membership works; library of classes, filters to help students find a class that works for them e.g. focused on a certain area of the body, energy level
15:50 On how she found the perfect time to shift her focus
17:00 How often Brea adds new classes to her online collection
19:15 The choice to hire professionals to film DIY and Brea’s experience filming the classes herself and equipment she uses
21:00 Brea’s suggestion on choosing a wireless mic
24:00 Other video making advice; the camera, lighting, shooting the video
30:10 Brea’s editing process and the editing program she uses
31:35 Brea’s approach to keeping in touch with her clients and offering classes and on her choice to teach without notes
32:55 Which platform Brea uses to host her classes online
35:35 Brea’s online YTT offering and the importance of teaching movement teacher trainings
42:35 On Brea’s rebellious nature
43:20 Shannon and Brea discuss the accessibility of online classes and trainings such as reaching an international audience, and focusing on “How can I provide online classes?” rather than simply “Can it be done?”
46:15 How to reach Brea and access her free content and how pleased she is when those access her free online content
48:30 The importance of seeing a diversity of ages in our yoga teachers in online content
53:05 Shannon’s final thoughts and her experience putting herself out there online, feeling vulnerable, and her advice to you if you’re thinking of offering online courses
Links
Email Brea: brea@heartandbonesyoga.com
Brea’s Website: Heart and Bones Yoga
Hearts and Bones Yoga on Instagram
The Connected Teacher Facebook Group
Follow The Connected Teacher on YouTube
Book a Consultation Call with Shannon
Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training September 22nd and 23rd, 2018
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity