The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
271: Yoga and Bone Health with Barb Elias
Description:
About 10 million people above the age of 50 in the US have osteoporosis, and 43 million have low bone mass, putting them at risk for osteoporosis. What exactly is osteoporosis and how can we improve our bone health with yoga? Barb Elias (she/her) is an expert in Bone Health and Yoga, and she has some answers.
As someone who was diagnosed with low bone density herself, Barb has had to navigate her condition with her healthcare team and has learned much from the experience. Today, she teaches yoga to students with concerns about low bone density and pelvic health. In her classes, she weaves in all of the information she is learning to create a really unique yoga practice.
In this interview, Barb shares more about low bone density, osteopenia and osteoarthritis, who it can affect, and what she discovered in her own research. She explains some of the strength practices she has found to be effective for her and talks about the importance of rest in bone health. Find out how we can teach yoga in a way that is safe for these students and in a way that doesn’t promote fear around movement, but instead offers ways to strengthen.
Key Takeaways:
[3:22] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Barb Elias.
[6:42] How did Barb get into studying bone health and yoga?
[8:51] What did it feel like for Barb when she was diagnosed with low bone density?
[11:48] What did Barb discover in her research about movement, bone density, and how yoga could support her in this.
[17:17] What are some of the contributing factors for Barb's condition with low bone density?
[19:57] What are some strength practices that Barb has found to be effective that do not involve going to the gym?
[26:22] Shannon pops in with a quick message about creating a membership and how OfferingTree can support you in that.
[29:23] Why is rest important to bone health?
[33:33] What kind of progress did Barb see in the work she was doing personally to improve bone health?
[36:52] Barb shares some surprising statistics about common bone health diagnoses and how that has changed how she leads her classes.
[43:53] What are some changes Barb makes when doing a forward fold?
[47:12] What is Barb's advice to people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and think they shouldn't move out of fear of causing a microfracture?
[49:54] Find out more about Barb's work and connect with her via her website and check out some of the resources she mentioned .
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.
Quotes from this episode:
"The way our bodies process and use calcium relates to the energy cycle, to our breath. Every single time we take a breath, we use calcium. Calcium is part of the whole breathing complex."
"Parties that have strong muscles have strong bones because muscles or what reminds the bones to build and grow and remodel."
"The stronger I get in my body, The stronger I feel emotionally."
"Coming into menopause because of the changes in our hormones, for women especially, the degree of loss can really ramp up, up to 8% of our bones a year."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
270: Hypermobility & Yoga with Libby Hinsley
Description:
The yoga we see in magazines and online often depict a contortionist style of yoga and it can give people the idea that only flexible people can or should do yoga. But what comes first – are more flexible people drawn to yoga or does yoga make us more flexible? Where does hypermobility come into all of this? Libby Hinsley answers these questions and more.
Libby Hinsley (she/her) is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Certified Yoga Therapist. She has extensive experience with yoga and physical therapy and in her clinical practice, she specializes in treating hypermobility disorgers and yoga-related injuries. Libby also teaches about anatomy in her membership program, Anatomy Bites. Recently diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Libby has a new book coming out on the topic called Yoga for Bendy People.
In this interview, Libby explains more about hypermobility and how it can affect people with this condition. She also shares why people with hypermobility often have tight muscles, how they can benefit from yoga, and some steps they might take to recognize if they have this condition and get it diagnosed. Libby gives yoga teachers some tips on being mindful of their verbal cues and some other things to be aware of with regard to hypermobility in a yoga class.
Key Takeaways:
[4:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Libby Hinsley.
[6:40] What does Libby do and who does she do it for?
[8:19] What is hypermobility?
[10:02] Libby was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She explains what it is and how it differs from Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder.
[12:08] What are Libby's thoughts on the idea that bendy people should do yoga?
[13:54] Flexibility and hypermobility are two different terms that are often used interchangeably.
[15:31] Why do people with hypermobility often have tight muscles?
[19:40] Shannon and Libby discuss the common message people with hypermobility get around needing to strengthen their muscles.
[21:18] What should people who might be hypermobile do? Libby describes some of the common symptoms people might face with hypermobility.
[25:24] The prevalence of hypermobility may be around 20% of the population and this number may be overrepresented in yoga.
[29:16] Shannon shares some feedback from a yoga teacher who is using OfferingTree for her website.
[32:01] Libby shares some of the main aspects of her book on what yoga teachers should be aware of in working with hypermobile people.
[38:44] How does Libby approach her clients dealing with hypermobility to convince them to change the way they practice?
[41:10] What are some things Libby has learned in the process of writing the book that she wishes more people knew?
[47:45] Shannon reflects on what could be happening in yoga classes with very bendy people.
[49:33] Libby's book also helps people reflect on what our verbal cues are encouraging or emphasizing.
[50:37] Find out more about Libby, her work, and order her book via her website.
[52:05] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Libby.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.
Quotes from this episode:
"What we consider it means to be good at yoga is very much tied to an aesthetic that glorifies hypermobility and it's a problem."
"Everything about yoga so commonly pushes people to go as far as they can in a posture as if that's the goal and that is not going to be helpful for a hyper mobile person."
“Let's make the practice about the practitioner. Instead of trying to push this practitioner into this certain type of practice, let's just build a practice that is actually for this person, that's about this person and that really supports that person."
"Momentum is easy. That's not a problem. It's the control that's hard."
"I remind people your yoga practice is actually for you and that usually really kind of wakes people up a bit like, oh, you mean this isn't a performance for someone else."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
269: Yoga Philosophy & Colonialism with Shyam Ranganathan
Description:
As yoga teachers, we learn a little bit about yoga philosophy in our YTTs, but yoga philosophy is much more than just the 8 limbs, or the brief summary we may have come across in our studies. Dr. Shyam Ranganathan (he/him) is an expert in yoga philosophy and in this episode, he shares more about this topic, as well as how colonialism has influenced what we understand as yoga philosophy.
Dr. Shyam Ranganathan is the founder of Yoga Philosophy, and a field-changing researcher on the study and translation of philosophy, especially South Asian philosophy and Yoga. He holds an MA in South Asian Studies, and an MA and PhD in philosophy, and is a member of the Department of Philosophy, and York Center for Asian Research, York University, Toronto. Shyam is a translator of the Yoga Sūtra, and founded his organization, Yoga Philosophy, to provide support for those interested in answering the question - What makes something yoga?
Shyam explains how learning about philosophy helps us to get along and why not all opinions are equally good or right. He also shares more about how Europeans misunderstood things when they studied the communities they colonized and how that showed up in the yoga sutras and how they are translated. This continues to influence how yoga is taught and practiced in the world, today, especially in the West. He also gives us insight about the yamas and social justice, choices and responsibility, ahimsa, dharma, self-governing and Ishvara Pranidhana. This is a really rich conversation that all of us can learn from.
Key Takeaways:
[3:48] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Shyam Ranganathan.
[6:45] Shyam shares his pronouns and explains how to pronounce his name.
[7:36] What does Shyam do and who does he do it for?
[8:46] What got Shyam interested in the work of studying philosophy?
[10:48] Shyam was born in Toronto, yet felt that he didn't fit in. He talks a bit about that experience.
[13:00] Shyam believes that philosophy enabled him to get along with people without having to agree with them.
[15:06] There are several polarizing issues in the world right now. Shyam highlights the fact that just because we are okay with disagreement doesn't mean there are no right answers.
[16:07] Where did Shyam's journey with yoga philosophy start?
[22:14] Shyam clarifies the role and impact of colonization in the interpretation of yoga sutras.
[31:49] Shyam shares an example of the two different ways of relating to what you contemplate.
[37:00] Shannon and Shyam discuss the linguistic model of thought and how that has influenced different situations and scenarios in history and in the present day.
[40:26] Why is it not yoga when we go in and try to make other people conform to our systems?
[44:08] How does the idea of choice and responsibility connect to the eight limbs?
[49:18] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree.
[51:04] One of the three kriyas is ishvara pranidhana. Shyam unpacks what this really refers to.
[56:10] What are the other two kriyas?
[58:43] How is yoga connected to social justice? What do the niyamas have to do with social justice?
[64:48Shyam explains that fear is trauma and it's the result of a bad decision based on people's experiences.
[67:41] Where do the eight limbs of yoga fit in?
[72:21] What does Shyam mean when he talks about sovereignty?
[76:51] Find out more about Shyam and his work around yoga philosophy on his website.
[77:29] What is something in terms of yoga and philosophy that really has Shyam's interest right now?
[80:00] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Shyam. What were yours?
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"What I loved about philosophy immediately was that it was a way to get along with people without having to agree."
"Just because we're okay with disagreement doesn't mean that there are no right answers. Disagreement doesn't mean that everybody's opinion is equally good."
"The actual practice of yoga is something more basic and the eight limbs are there to help you practice. "
"After that colonial moment, people have to identify with imposed religious identities in order to find a place in a colonized world and that's where we are today."
"Whereas the external world (nature) can be explained in terms of causality, persons have to understand themselves in terms of choice and responsibility."
"When you meet up with people who advocate violence, you have to appreciate that that's a result of trauma."
"There's no yoga practice that isn't informed by trauma."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
268: Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault with Nikki Adams
Description:
Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual violence and may be upsetting for some listeners.
Sexual abuse is a huge crisis around the world, directly impacting a significant portion of the global population, and more broadly speaking, affecting everyone. Nikki Adams is on the podcast to share with us more about this topic and how yoga, particularly trauma informed yoga, can be an option and entry point for healing for survivors.
Nikki is a trauma-informed yoga teacher, and owner of Beauty for Ashes Wellness Cultivation. She helps survivors of childhood sexual abuse empower themselves to trust love and heal their bodies. Through wellness and yoga, Nikki creates an inspirational, safe space for survivors to naturally breakthrough the stigma of childhood sexual abuse. She draws on her own personal experiences and the healing techniques that have helped her in her healing journey to help others.
Nikki shares how yoga helped her as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and explains why all yoga teachers (and humans) need to be trauma-informed. She also offers advice on what poses help and what ones may be triggering, how to hold space with compassion for everyone, why giving choices and the language we use is so important, and how we can re-assessing our yoga spaces from a trauma-informed lens.
If you have ever taught a yoga class for humans, this episode is for you, because we have all experienced some form of trauma in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
[4:31] Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual violence and may be upsetting for some listeners.
[5:04] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Nikki Adams.
[7:30] Shannon gives thanks to OfferingTree for sponsoring the podcast and shares about a new article they posted!
[11:24] What does Nikki do and who does she do it for?
[11:44] How did Nikki realize that yoga fits really well in helping survivors of childhood sexual abuse?
[14:20] Nikki firmly believes that every yoga teacher should be trauma informed. What is the importance of that?
[16:00] How can yoga teachers respond if a student tells them that they are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse? What should they know in that moment?
[18:28] How does yoga help survivors of sexual abuse or trauma?
[20:35] What has Nikki learned through her work with survivors and using yoga as a way to heal?
[22:21] How did Nikki decide that she wanted to focus on serving survivors?
[25:50] How can survivors start to find healing through yoga?
[28:34] What does Nikki wish all yoga teachers understood?
[30:56] How can we hold space for the people coming into our yoga classes?
[32:07] How does Nikki work with groups of survivors and what does that look like?
[36:58] Find out more about Nikki and her work on Instagram and via her website.
[38:32] Shannon reflects on her conversation with Nikki.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"Being able to not have to speak about what happened to me and being able to process through my body - It was very important, a very important part of my healing journey and I wanted to share that with other survivors."
"Healing and starting the healing journey through yoga is possible."
"Start with yourselves. We've all been through something and maybe starting to use more gentle cues and think about how you want to be treated… Show yourself grace, show yourself compassion so that it can come out into your class."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
267: Thoughts on Belly Breathing with Shannon Crow
Description:
As human beings, we are always learning new information. Sometimes, this new information conflicts with our current beliefs or knowledge, so we need to be willing to dig in and explore this - and if we are wrong, to admit it and change our beliefs. This happened to Shannon Crow (she/her) with belly breathing.
You may have learned about the benefits of belly breathing in yoga class or yoga teacher training or even taught it to your students. However, it may not be the best practice for everyone. In this episode, Shannon reflects on how she came to change her views on belly breathing and how she now teaches breath to her students instead. She shares her own experiences as a yoga teacher and a yoga practitioner from what she has learned and then unlearned. If you have ever taught breathing in a yoga class, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
[3:14] Shannon introduces her topic for this episode and why she was inspired to share about it.
[4:58] Shannon shares a little about an upcoming online workshop she is hosting with OfferingTree.
[6:39] Shannon learned about belly breathing in yoga classes and in yoga teacher training. Eventually, she realized that what she knew or believed about belly breathing may not be correct.
[8:54] The more research Shannon did into belly breathing, the worse she felt for teaching it the way she was. She reflects on how she felt at that time.
[10:04] What happens when we take a breath? Where does the breath begin?
[13:24] What do we really mean when we say belly breathing?
[15:38] Some things associated with belly breathing can put additional pressure on the pelvic floor, and this may not be desirable for some people.
[20:46] We are always going to be learning new information, and as yoga teachers, we need to explore how we can move with grace to explain to our students why we have shifted certain things we teach.
[23:28] What are your thoughts on belly breathing? Share them with Shannon!
Chart that shows what happens when we breathe:
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
Quotes from this episode:
"The more research I did into this, the worst I felt for teaching the way I was teaching belly breathing."
"Something that we all need to embrace as yoga teachers is that we are responsible for how we're guiding our students."
"As long as I continue to listen and learn and grow as a human, I'm on the right track."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
266: Social Location, Power & Privilege with Raudhah Rahman
Description:
What is social location and what does it have to do with teaching yoga? Many of us don’t often think about our identities, how they intersect, and how they afford us privilege and shape our life experiences. In this episode, we learn more from Raudhah Rahman (she/her) about social location and how it is relevant to yoga teachers.
Raudhah Rahman describes herself as connecting people with their voices whether that's through web design, teacher training or a yoga class. As a yoga teacher, Raudhah practices disruption as a way of creating conditionas of wellness for all of us. She is a self-taught website designer whose business, Wellness + Websites, was born after she lost her job as a yoga studio assistant because of the pandemic. Her main focus is providing websites & branding services to folks who want to embrace all of their identities and share their value driven work with others.
Raudhah explains what social location is, and where we use this as yoga teachers. She also shares more about the importance of recognizing and questioning our privilege and the responsibility we have when we hold privilege. From a yoga philosophy lens, Raudhah sheds light on how the 8 limbs of yoga intersect with social location, how we can deal with mistakes when we make them, and continue to learn and grow.
Key Takeaways:
[3:46] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Raudhah Rahman.
[7:21] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree and to one of the podcast listeners.
[11:19] What does Raudhah do and who does she do it for? She shares her social location and how that led to the work that she does.
[16:27] What is social location?
[18:24] How does social location come into the yoga world and how can yoga teachers use it?
[24:26] What are Raudhah's thoughts on the pushback people sometimes have on discussing privilege or specific identities?
[30:59] What are some different identities we can think about when considering our social location?
[34:59] Citizenship is another element of the social location wheel that can play into a person's experience of the world.
[37:50] Shannon and Raudhah explore this idea of fighting for privilege vs. fighting for freedom.
[40:56] How can yoga teachers share these ideas or start to look at incorporating this into their messaging? It's not as simple as tacking on something to your website.
[46:16] Some of this work can feel shocking as we learn about things we didn't know but it is important to do. What are some tips that can help make this practice easier?
[54:34] What's the difference between being called in and someone just lashing out? How can we handle both?
[59:41] What are some other things that Raudhah wishes people knew about social location?
[63:00] Shannon chats with Raudhah about how she can ask podcast guests to introduce themselves with their social location.
[65:46] Shannon reflects on her takeaways from this conversation with Raudhah.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.
Quotes from this episode:
"Social location is a practice used to reflect on the groups you belong to because of your place of position and history and society." - Raudhah, quoting Michelle Johnson
[21:38] "If I don't begin to question that privilege that I have, because I've internalized it as normal, I may not realize the harm that I'm doing by normalizing certain actions I've taken or normalizing the actions that institutions have taken that marginalize those further away from power."
[23:45 - 23:53] "I think personal power really comes from disrupting the identities we've internalized."
[26:40 - 26:44] "Are we fighting for privilege? Or are we fighting for freedom?" - Raudhah quoting Alok
[49:49 - 50:00] "The way to practice is to start. And when you start, give yourself grace and start small."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
265: Teach LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Yoga with Gabi Parkham
Description:
We all want our yoga classes to be welcoming places for everybody, but sometimes, we unintentionally make some people feel excluded or unwelcome. One of those groups of people is the LGBTQIA+ community. Gabi Parkham shares how we can teach LGBTQIA+ inclusive yoga and create safer yoga spaces.
Gabi was born in Brighton (UK) and started practicing yoga during early childhood. She is passionate about finding equity and justice through yoga, consent in all aspects, and sharing yoga free from assumptions. Alongside teaching yoga, Gabi is an LGBTQIA+ equity educator and consultant helping yoga teachers and studios to make their classes more welcoming for the LGBTQIA+ community. Gabi runs regular online workshops about LGBTQIA+ "inclusion" and a 6 month online course for LGBTQIA+ yoga teachers to come together in community, learn from one another, and support each other. Gabi also co-founded Laviot, a social and supportive community LGBT+ Jewish non-binary people and women.
In this interview, Gabi explains what LGBTQIA+ means, the importance of sharing pronouns, and why creating spaces for this community is important. Gabi shares more about why it’s so important to get educated, then teach like there is a trans or non-binary person in your class all the time, and how to include that in marketing your classes. This is all part of a lifelong learning journey, and the work is always ongoing. Learn more about how to start creating safer, braver, and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ folks in your yoga class in this episode.
Key Takeaways:
[3:15] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Gabi Parkham.
[7:28] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree.
[12:43] Gabi introduces herself and gives her social location.
[15:22] What does Gabi do and who does she do it for?
[19:16] Why is it important for yoga teachers to have LGBTQIA+ awareness?
[23:30] How does Gabi handle conversations about setting limits on offerings dedicated to LGBTQIA+ people?
[25:02] What does LGBTQIA+ stand for?
[27:07] Gabi isn't too keen on this wording. She explains why.
[28:29] How can we center the voices and experiences of people who have historically been marginalized?
[30:35] Shannon and Gabi explore what the world could be like if cisgender and/or heterosexual people took the time to explore their own gender and sexual identity and expression.
[33:40] What are Gabi's thoughts on pronouns?
[38:23] How can yoga teachers make it evident that they've been doing the work to learn about creating safer spaces for people in the LGBTQIA+ community?
[43:18] Gabi shares some examples of language that we can use and some steps we can take to make spaces more welcoming.
[49:15] Gabi and Shannon discuss a little about the use of masculine and feminine in the yoga setting, and why it's so important to be clear about what we mean with certain words we use.
[54:21] Gabi shares some final thoughts around creating braver and safer yoga spaces.
[57:01] Where can yoga teachers learn more from Gabi or other resources?
[60:44] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.
Quotes from this episode:
"We want our classes to be welcoming and inclusive and as safe as possible."
"What I really would rather do is shift the focus and center the marginalized voices center the people who have been historically marginalized and minority sized"
"Learning about other people's experiences is a great place to start."
"Start teaching your class as if there is always a queer person, a trans person, a non-binary person in the room"
"Again, it's not easy, it's really hard to change this language and it takes practice and time and you will mess up and that's okay."
"Just because that's their intention doesn't mean that people inherently feel safe coming in."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
264: Solve the Problem for Your Students with Danait Berhe
Description:
As a yoga teacher, do you think of yourself as a problem solver? In fact, our yoga offerings are solving a problem for our students, and we need to talk about what problem we’re solving to attract our dream students! In this episode with Danait Berhe, learn more about why it’s important to talk about the problems you solve, and how it ties in with your messaging.
Danait is the founder and messaging strategist of The Asmara Agency. With her award-winning full-service agency, Danait helps mission-driven companies craft compelling business, brand, and messaging strategies. She brings a unique perspective to her clients, integrating her background in analytical research, marketing, and branding to help her clients soar their profit and their impact. The Asmara Agency is also committed to making sure that more women, especially Black women, enter the world of entrepreneurship and not only survive, but build brands they can leverage as an asset in order to build + create generational wealth.
Yoga teachers are often hesitant to talk about problems in their messaging, but Danait explains how you can do so with empathy instead of agitation, and without having to resort to sleazy sales tactics. She shares how we can think about our yoga offerings as solving problems for people, the importance of finding a niche and getting specific about who you help and how, and more.
If you’ve been struggling with getting clarity on your message, this interview with Danait is a must-listen!
Key Takeaways:
[2:38] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Danait Berhe
[8:27] Shannon and Danait share a little about the sponsor, OfferingTree, and how they got connected because of it!
[10:04] What does Danait do and who does she do it for?
[11:20] What do people most often struggle with when they try to create their website or share their message in some way?
[14:39] A lot of yoga teachers don't want to focus on the problem. How does Danait address that?
[21:31] Shannon shares an exciting message from OfferingTree.
[23:06] How can yoga teachers talk about the problem they solve in an authentic way, without seeming to be poking the problem more?
[28:36] What can yoga teachers do if they are struggling with their message? Danait has three questions to ask yourself to get clear on your message.
[35:47] You have to keep sharing over and over again, not just once and be done with it.
[39:54 - 39:54] Asking questions and getting to know your audience is a great way to get content ideas, but also to find people.
[40:58] The length of time it takes for someone to decide to buy something from you depends on the price of the offer.
[41:30] A quick message from Allison from the Yoga Teacher Conf.
[43:29] Timing is everything when it comes to promoting and selling an offer.
[46:45] What are some things that might make the process easier for yoga teachers who are putting together their website?
[53:29] It's important to get extremely specific with what you do and who you help, and why.
[56:40] What is your approach to yoga? Talking about your process helps to build trust.
[59:35] Danait helps a live listener get clear on her message.
[63:33] Find out more about Danait's work on Instagram or check out her website.
[65:48] Messaging is something that is always evolving and changing. That's normal.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.
Quotes from this episode:
"Pricing can be solved by determining what is the problem we're solving and then how, how big of a problem is it for someone to pay and what are they willing to pay for that."
"What things do they need to know for them to be able to see that I am at the solution to that problem?"
"I believe that there is an empathetic approach to being able to solve problems without necessarily poking at the problem."
"We just want to call attention to the problem and then paint the picture of what's possible for them."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
263: Optimizing Your YouTube Videos with Victoria Levitan
Description:
Are you using YouTube as a way to get people to sign up for your offerings? YouTube is a powerful search engine, and with the right strategy, you could be growing your audience, getting new students, and really leveraging this platform to increase your visibility. Youtube and Video Coach Victoria Levitan tells us all about how to set up and optimize YouTube videos for your yoga business.
Victoria has over 4 years of video marketing experience, and currently teaches small business owners how to create videos, use Youtube to grow their business, and what to say on camera so that it converts their viewers. She aspires to help people film videos that cultivate human connection and stand out with ease.
Victoria explains why yoga teachers should be on YouTube, and how to get started - beginning with how to set up your own channel on YouTube! She also shares tips on setting up lighting, what to include in the video description, and how to get people to go from watching your video to signing up for your offering. Victoria has some advice on including a call to action in your videos, and promoting the video after you’ve created it!
If you are new to YouTube and have been wondering how it could fit into your marketing strategy, or are looking to jump back into creating optimized videos on YouTube, this episode is made for you!
Key Takeaways:
[3:53] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Victoria Levitan.
[8:38] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor, OfferingTree.
[9:49] What does Victoria do and who does she do it for?
[10:32] What would Victoria say to someone just starting out with YouTube?
[12:12] Why is YouTube a powerful tool for yoga teachers to try to get students?
[14:47] How can yoga teachers start their YouTube channel? Victoria walks us through the steps.
[16:59] What are some lighting options for yoga teachers when natural lighting is not an option?
[19:34] What is Victoria's recommendation for the video description on YouTube? What is most important there?
[21:33] What are Victoria's tips for having good audio?
[21:55] What does Victoria think that yoga teachers could be doing to really get people to watch their Youtube video and then sign up for a paid offering?
[24:09] How often should you be talking about your paid offerings on YouTube?
[24:50] What are some calls to action that Victoria finds to be effective in building a business?
[26:04] What other things convert people from watching a free YouTube video to signing up for something?
[27:41] When recording a video, is it better to record on Zoom and upload it to YouTube or record directly in YouTube?
[28:37] Setting up a YouTube channel and figuring out the tech of recording, editing, and uploading videos can be really overwhelming. What are some of Victoria's tips for people who are just starting out?
[30:45] What is Victoria's preferred editor for editing videos?
[31:51] Victoria shares more tips on getting people to move from watching the video to signing up for something.
[33:20] How can yoga teachers figure out what keywords to use in their YouTube videos?
[33:57] How important is it to put a legal disclaimer in a YouTube video, especially when leading movement and breath?
[35:16] How often does Victoria end up copying part of her video description for each video?
[36:11] What should yoga teachers know about artwork for YouTube?
[37:48] How can yoga teachers check to see what's working with their videos on YouTube?
[39:19] How important is it to regularly put out content on YouTube?
[40:11] Shannon and Victoria discuss batch filming and scheduling as an option to get consistent with creating content for YouTube.
[41:26] How long should YouTube videos be?
[42:53] Shannon shares about the upcoming Yoga Teacher Conf. There's also going to be a virtual option!
[44:24] What are Victoria's suggestions for music that can be used in YouTube videos?
[45:27] How can yoga teachers create a paywall on YouTube so only certain students can see our videos?
[47:51] How can yoga teachers get more views on YouTube videos?
[51:45] How should yoga teachers think about their YouTube strategy?
[55:17] How can you get your YouTube channel monetized?
[57:21] Victoria shares some final tips for people feeling like putting out videos regularly is a challenge.
[59:14] How do YouTube ads work?
[60:43] Find out more about Victoria and her work at her website.
[61:37] Shannon reflects on how The Connected Yoga Teacher Channel has grown in the last few years.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.
Quotes from this episode:
"From a more strategic level, YouTube ultimately is a search engine...uploading to YouTube is going to help grow your search engine optimization. "
"You want to start with a call to action at the beginning section of your video."
"You should promote your videos more than once because it goes back to that repetition. People need to hear it or see it a couple of times before they realize, oh, I should probably check this out."
"I think people really enjoy and resonate sometimes with the less polished versions of videos."
"You have to look at Youtube and video in a way that will work for your business."
"We've got to fully optimize what you already have created and give your audience the time to take action on it."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
262: Run a Successful Yoga Membership with Allie Van Fossen
Description:
How can yoga teachers successfully leverage the membership model in their business? In this episode, Shannon chats with Allie Van Fossen about how she built and grew her membership to 1000 members, and what it really takes to manage a membership fo that size.
Allie leads the Body Mind Soul Studio, an online yoga studio that helps people leverage a holistic yoga practice to create transformation in their lives, both on & off the mat. Her mission is to empower yoga students with on-the-mat tools so they can confidently lead an off-the-mat wholesome, fulfilling life. At Body Mind Soul Studio, Allisson offers quarterly courses, weekly live events, and a variety of yoga classes and teachings, all via a yoga membership program.
Allie shares the nitty-gritty details about what it really means to run a yoga membership. She candidly shares about the challenges in her latest launch and how she dealt with them, as well as her strategy to retain members. Allie explains how she uses YouTube as her main marketing platform, and gives us some great tips on what elements to include in our membership program, and how to decide what to charge.
If you've been thinking about starting a membership or if you have a membership and are thinking about how to improve it, this interview with Allie Van Fossen is going to help you along this journey.
Key Takeaways:
[3:17] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Allie Van Fossen.
[6:20] Did you know that OfferingTree makes it really easy to set up membership sites? Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor OfferingTree.
[9:11] What does Allie do and who does she do it for?
[10:20] Allie has a large following on YouTube, as well as a large membership. What was the process like building these platforms?
[14:15] Allie shares some of the things she loves about YouTube.
[17:08] For many yoga teachers, YouTube may feel like more of a challenge than Instagram. For Allie, it's the opposite.
[18:51] What is Allie's membership like?
[21:34] What do Allie's members have access to within the membership?
[25:35] For many yoga teachers teaching online right now, sign ups are lower than they have been for the past couple of years.
[27:07] The Yoga Teacher Conf is coming up soon, 22-24 April in Denver, Colorado. Shannon shares some details about the event.
[29:07] Allie recently had a launch that didn't go as planned. What happened and what was that like?
[33:48] What were some of the reasons why Allie's most recent launch saw only 50% of the usual rates?
[35:32] From a different perspective, people are also in an in-between zone and may not be emotionally in the right place.
[38:46] The third thing that contributed to Allie's disappointing launch was a collection of smaller factors.
[41:02] Allie's next launch is coming up in spring, and she's prepared for it.
[44:27] What does Allie's team do to help retention in the membership?
[51:39] Allie shares some of her tips for starting a membership.
[54:00] What is Allie's advice for people who are new to the idea of having a membership?
[59:34] Find out more about Allie and the work she does by visiting her website.
[62:41] Shannon shares her key takeaway from this interview with Allie.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.
Quotes from this episode:
“YouTube is the primary traffic source that feeds our other revenue streams and I love it."
"It's been a massive learning lesson and ... being an entrepreneur, just putting yourself out there, letting yourself be seen and heard and be so visible, really requires you to go through your own metamorphosis."
"I started the membership really out of that desire to go deeper with my community."
"You can spend a lot of money getting people in the door, but then if they all leave just as quickly, you've got this really broken, leaky system."
"People say they want one thing, but they actually need something else."
"I'm finally embracing that entrepreneurship is experimentation and it can be joyous and fun, even when you've got tens of thousands of dollars invested."
"Go inward, connect with what has worked for you and been most moving for your own yoga journey as a student and let that be your springboard for creativity."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
261: How to Grow Your Network with Allison Rissel
Description:
You might have heard the saying ‘your network is your net worth’, and there’s no denying that building your network is important as a yoga business owner - both to get new students, and to deal with feelings of loneliness and isolation. But it can feel like a challenge to grow your network, if you’re in a new community, or in the virtual space, or even just because you’re introverted. Allison Rissel has just the tips on how you can grow your network in this episode.
Allison is the founder of the Yoga Teacher Conf, the ONLY conference just for yoga teachers. The Yoga Teacher Conf helps elevate, educate and inspire yoga teachers around the globe through affordable continuing education, community support and connection. Allison is passionate about helping yoga teachers become professional and powerful leaders, and you can really see this in all the work that she does to help bring yoga teachers together, as well as her work as an event planner for yoga teachers.
Whether you’ve recently moved and are wondering how to get a job teaching yoga in a new town, or perhaps you want to meet other yoga teachers or studio owners and grow your online network - Allison shares so many great tips and tricks in this interview. She also talks about how to manage the discomfort that can arise from being in a new social setting, and how to build meaningful connections online. Tune in to find out more!
Key Takeaways:
[4:51] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Allison Rissel.
[10:08] What does Allison do and who does she do it for?
[11:22] What was Allison's first reaction when Shannon said she wanted to interview her about networking?
[13:07] What is Allison's advice for people who may be feeling like connecting with others is not that easy?
[16:50] For many people, even those who love connecting with others, being in a new social setting can feel uncomfortable. How does Allison deal with that discomfort?
[21:28] Allison shares a little about the Yoga Teacher Conf, happening April 22 to 24 in Denver, CO.
[24:28] How can getting caught up in the details of going to the event impact us at an event?
[26:28] What are some of the measures in place at the Yoga Teacher Conf to ensure the safety of event attendees?
[30:25] How can yoga teachers build their networks at events like these?
[32:47] Shannon is doing a whole-day workshop with Amanda McKinney at the Yoga Teacher Conf.
[34:25] What are Allison's tips for yoga teachers who are looking for ways to network online?
[38:55] Shannon shares how she has connected with people on social media just by asking a simple question.
[40:46] Shannon and Allison discuss some options for finding your biz bestie.
[42:57] Allison shares some of her tips for yoga teachers who are in a new town and are looking to connect with people in their own community.
[46:25] Shannon and Allison chat about what their experience at the Yoga Teacher Conf is going to be like.
[47:48] Shannon is curious about how introverts feel at networking events and how they deal with it.
[49:50] Allison shares some details about the pricing and rates to attend Yoga Teacher Conf.
[51:08] Shannon reflects on her takeaways from this conversation with Allison.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.
Quotes from this episode:
"Over the last year, what I've learned is actually [my network] is so intrinsic to everything I do."
"The best way to break the ice is to give a compliment."
"Often we think of networking as promoting ourselves and that's not what it is at all. Networking is about building a relationship, it's about listening to the other person, learning about them, and then telling them briefly maybe about yourself and finding ways that you can work together."
"Most people want to just genuinely connect with someone."
"I think we've all realized that we actually need to build online networks."
"Often I think of social media as talking at people but we can actually still really listen on social media."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
260: I Feel so Alone as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Crow
Description:
As a yoga teacher, do you feel alone or isolated? If you do, remember that you are not alone in this experience – and that there are ways to counter this loneliness and isolation. In this episode, Shannon Crow (she/her) shares more about her own experience feeling alone as a yoga teacher, as well as how she managed to overcome these feelings.
Shannon Crow is the Founder of Pelvic Health Professionals, as well as the host of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast and community, which is celebrating its fifth year of podcasting this episode. Shannon became a yoga teacher in 2006, and she shared what it was like for her as a new yoga teacher losing that sense of community she had experienced during her Yoga Teacher Training. Shannon shares some of the common reasons why yoga teachers may feel isolated in their career, as well as helpful tips to deal with these causes of isolation. As someone who has built and nurtured a supportive community of over 11,000 yoga teachers, Shannon also shares her tips on how to find or create such a community for yourself.
This episode is perfect for anyone who has struggled with feeling alone as a yoga teacher, and will surely help you find and build a supportive community for yourself.
Key Takeaways:
[2:51] The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast is celebrating 5 years of podcasting with this episode!
[4:48] Being a yoga teacher can feel very isolating, and it's normal to feel alone!
[8:36] Shannon reflects on her experience when she became a yoga teacher in 2006.
[11:23] Shannon gives a shout out to Offering Tree, sponsor of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast.
[13:35] Why does it feel so isolating to be a yoga teacher?
[15:51] The key to dealing with "competition" from other yoga teachers is to find your niche and specialize to serve a select group of people.
[16:36] Another reason why yoga teachers can feel isolated is imposter syndrome.
[18:59] Being a yoga teacher can be isolating because it is mostly solitary work, especially since the pandemic began. That's why finding or creating a community is so important.
[23:53] Having a supportive community around you can also help promote each other in the work you do and lift each other up.
[28:16] How can we form connections with others and grow our network?
[31:41] What happens when yoga teachers don't have a supportive community around them?
[33:09] Where can we find these communities?
[35:44] Shannon shares some of her tips for creating a community and strengthening a community you are a part of.
[41:49] What are your thoughts around building community?
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.
Quotes from this episode:
"The next time that you go to sign up for a yoga teacher training, [ask yourself]: Are you doing it because you need the knowledge and the skills and the information or are you doing it because you want to be back in with community?"
"All of us at some point experienced imposter syndrome, even if it's just for a short moment when we go to put a workshop or a course together and we think, ‘oh my gosh, who am I to teach this?’."
Alone a youth runs fast, with an elder slow, but together they go far. - Luo Proverb
"Don't reinvent the wheel. Look at other communities for inspiration."
"What's the big ‘why’ for your group that makes it unique?"
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
BONUS: Yoga Teacher Conf April 2022 with Allison Rissel
Description:
The Yoga Teacher Conf is happening 22nd April to 24th April, 2022, in Denver, Colorado! It's an in-person conference with over 40 different classes over the three days. There are also pre-conference workshops and other activities lined up to help elevate, educate and inspire yoga teachers from all around the country.
In this bonus episode, Shannon chats with Allison Rissel, organizer of the Yoga Teacher Conf to get more details about the event. Allison shares more about the activity line up, rates, and what's included in the ticket price, as well as the different themes planned for the conference. There will also be pre-conference workshops for people who are traveling in early, or who want to learn more about a particular topic, including a workshop Shannon is hosting with Amanda McKinney - Scattered to Clarity Workshop: Setting Your Business Goals for 2022. Early bird registration ends on March 4th, so get your tickets soon to enjoy the early bird rates!
See you at Yoga Teacher Conf!
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree.
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
259: Yoga in Schools with Crunch Ranjani
Description:
Should yoga be taught in schools? Recently an Alabama law banned yoga in schools and, inspired by a discussion in our Facebook group, our team member and resident writer Crunch Ranjani (she/her) wrote a fantastic article exploring all the elements of this debate. In this episode, she talks all about her process in creating the article, her research and her personal experience as a South Asian born to a Hindu family.
Crunch is a content creator for purpose-driven health and wellness professionals. She believes that we need more diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities - so she loves working with business owners who do too. She helps them create valuable content that makes a positive impact in the world so that they have more time and energy to create change in their communities.
Crunch helps us to understand all the elements of the conversation around yoga and religion, including whether Sanskrit is a religious language, the connection between Hinduism and yoga, and why dividing out parts of yoga to make them more palatable to a white audience is harmful.
This is an open and honest conversation about cultural appropriation, the importance of having these discussions as yoga teachers and of understanding how our actions can be harmful to the tradition of yoga, and to the South Asian yoga teachers and students in our communities.
If you have wanted to learn more about cultural appropriation in yoga, or if you are new to this conversation and want to understand more, this is a great episode to understand the nuances of this important topic.
Key Takeaways:
[4:45] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Crunch Ranjani.
[8:37] What is the work that Crunch does, and who does she do it for?
[10:04] What did it feel like to write an article on yoga in schools?
[11:39] Is the ban on yoga in Alabama schools still in place, and why is it there?
[12:55] What highlights about yoga in religion came up during Crunch’s research?
[13:34] Crunch explains some of the links between Hinduism and yoga.
[15:45] When this thread was posted in our Facebook group, there was a lot of discussion around why Yoga might be connected to Hinduism, and understanding more about how cultural appropriation has worked. Crunch talks more about that.
[18:32] Shannon pops in with some ways that our sponsor OfferingTree can help support your yoga business, especially with time zones and Zoom links.
[20:28] One of the things that was put forward in the Alabama bill was to allow yoga in schools but to ban using Sanskrit. How did Crunch feel about that?
[21:01] Crunch shares which other languages are connected to religions and why it feels like a double standard.
[22:12] Is there a separation between church and state in all US states or just Alabama?
[25:41] Why is it that yoga is not allowed? Is it based in fear and if so, why?
[28:10] If we allow some parts of yoga to be taught, could that be seen as progress? [32:55] Crunch explains why separating out parts of the practice of yoga is harmful.
[34:57] Why could the practice of gifting statues of Hindu or Deities as part of our yoga practice also be harmful?
[36:08] Crunch shares a great analogy on how we can and do change behavior when someone feels harmed or hurt by our actions.
[37:24] Shannon pops in with a quick message from Allison of the Yoga Teacher Conf to hear more about the social justice sessions that are taking place at the Conf.
[39:13] How does Crunch feel about the article now it is out in the world and what would she like readers to take from it?
[40:02] Please leave comments below the article, beneath this podcast episode or in the Facebook group to share your takeaways on this topic.
[40:48] To find out more about Crunch’s work, or to hire her, you can find her through her website, or message or follow Crunch on Instagram.
“It seemed to be that a lot of people were conflating yoga with religion because it has historically Hindu roots.” Crunch Ranjani
“The whole idea that Alabama is legislating certain aspects of what parts of yoga are ok in schools, and what parts are not, is what is really problematic about this whole bill.” Crunch Ranjani
“To me, it seems really strange that you can say that a language is religious or not religious, because to me language is a way to communicate with people, it is not necessarily religious in and of itself.” Crunch Ranjani
“This is not progress, it is a form of cultural appropriation.” Crunch Ranjani
“If you are not sharing yoga in all of it’s forms, why are you even calling it yoga?” Crunch Ranjani
“Who does this law benefit, and who does it harm?” Crunch Ranjani
“Should we not consider this pain and this harm over the benefits that white people will get from practicing a simplified version of yoga?” Crunch Ranjani
“Maybe it is worth questioning personally, for anyone that feels that fear - what exactly are you afraid of?” Crunch Ranjani
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
258: What Does Science Say About Yoga?
Description:
We all know about the benefits of yoga, but maybe we’ve wondered about the science behind it all. In this episode, Dr. Mary Flaherty shares the knowledge she has gained from reading thousands of research papers about the effectiveness of yoga, answering the question – Does yoga work?
Mary is a psychologist, researcher, academic and yoga teacher, and the author of Does Yoga Work: Answers from Science. Mary has been teaching yoga for over 20 years, and practicing for many more. With almost 40 years of academic and research experience working in universities in Australia, Japan, U.K., Ireland, and Singapore, Mary’s parallel interests in yoga and science come together in this book which answers some of our most common questions in an easy-to-understand way.
Mary shares some of the salient pieces of information that have come up in her research, including what science has to say about inversions during menstruation, yoga and fertility, the measurable impact of yoga on individuals, societies, and communities, and more. Mary also elaborates on the importance of having a healthy skepticism, and bringing an open and critical mind to any research or information shared about yoga.
This is a great interview for anyone who has ever wondered whether yoga has been backed up by scientific studies!
Key Takeaways:
[4:25] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Mary Flaherty.
[5:41] Shannon is giving away three copies of Mary's book, Does Yoga Work?
[8:01] What is the work that Mary does and who does she do it for?
[10:10] What was Mary's inspiration for writing the book Does Yoga Work?
[11:39] What is the overall answer to the question "does yoga work?".
[16:52] Mary talks about her experience sifting through thousands of research papers and also reading through meta studies.
[18:13] Defining yoga is difficult, but the research seems to point to the fact that yoga that integrates different elements (like pranayama and meditation) is consistently superior to yoga that focuses solely on asana.
[20:38] Shannon pops in with a quick message from Allison of the Yoga Teacher Conf about staying up to date with professional development for yoga teachers.
[22:20] How can we develop a healthy skepticism?
[23:34] Mary highlights two interesting pieces of information she came across in her research relating to inversions during menstruation and yoga's impact on fertility.
[26:59] It's important to learn from different sources, and keep an open mind.
[29:35] There are some aspects of yoga that science isn't able to measure yet, such as the subtle body, spiritual experiences, and self fulfillment.
[34:37] Shannon gives a shout out to Offering Tree's amazing customer support team!
[36:15] Mary wrote her book to be really accessible and digestible for the average person.
[40:16] Mary shares more about her experience writing the book.
[46:23] Get Mary's book and find out more about her work via her website.
[51:43] Leave a comment on the show notes page to stand a chance to win a copy of Mary's book!
[53:26] If you would like to learn more from Mary, join the Pelvic Health Professionals membership site!
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.
Quotes from this episode:
"The way that the research was presented, it wasn't just tests on psychological measures ...subjective measures, but also physiological measures like at the molecular level, at a cellular level, we could see changes in hormones, all towards the positive."
"Scientific research shows that yoga is not just good for us as individuals, but at a broader level for society."
"The thing that I found running through a lot of studies was that the sense of community that yoga created was wonderful."
“In terms of effectiveness from the scientific research, when pranayama and meditation are integrated with the asana practice, the effect was much much more superior. "
"We should question the science. We should question everything. Science is just one way to know the truth."
"Knowing about the science behind yoga gives us more confidence when we talk to students."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
257: Meet OfferingTree with Alex & Eddie
Description:
OfferingTree is a company that is dedicated to helping yoga teachers build their yoga business and supporting them as they grow and serve more people. An all-in-one platform which provides a website, scheduling, payment processing, email marketing, online video / course hosting, memberships/packages and more, OfferingTree also shares monthly educational webinars, a weekly blog with extensive tips and resources, and other training opportunities. In this episode, Shannon chats with Eddie Arpin and Alex Haley, two of the co-founders of OfferingTree.
Eddie is the CEO of OfferingTree and works on a little bit of every part of the business. His background is in engineering, and has a passion for staying physically and mindfully fit. Alex is one of the co-founders of OfferingTree, and also teaches meditation retreats at meditation centers throughout the United States. His background is in law, business, and the wellness industry. Alex knows first-hand the complexity and struggles of professionals within the health and wellness industry, particularly around the overwhelm of managing a business while being present for his clients.
Eddie and Alex share more about how OfferingTree was born out of discussions about the challenges health and wellness professionals face in running their business. They also talk about some of OfferingTree’s guiding principles, why collaborating and communicating with their users is so important, and how OfferingTree is set to grow in the future. Tune in to find out more about this amazing company and how they’re supporting yoga teachers in their businesses online.
Key Takeaways:
[5:50] Shannon shares a little about OfferingTree, the sponsor of this episode, and introduces her guests, Eddie Arpin and Alex Haley.
[9:16] How did Alex and Eddie come together to start OfferingTree?
[11:00] OfferingTree was born from a problem Alex was having at a yoga studio he worked at.
[12:26] What else were Eddie and Alex juggling in terms of OfferingTree?
[15:05] Alex and Eddie are trying to grow the OfferingTree community. How are they going about that?
[17:32] Part of how the OfferingTree community has grown is through partnerships.
[20:04] What were some situations when the obstacles in their way seemed too much?
[24:54] Alex shares more about the vision he had for OfferingTree before it was created.
[27:38] How has Eddie's initial vision for OfferingTree changed with the reality of what has been happening?
[29:54] If you are thinking about signing up for OfferingTree, Shannon has a discount code for you!
[31:40] OfferingTree also provides its audience with educational content. Alex explains why they decided to include this.
[34:43] What are some of the features that are in the works for OfferingTree?
[37:25] Listeners - Leave a comment about what features you'd like to see from OfferingTree, or reach out to the OfferingTree team directly!
[38:35] Alex and Eddie reflect on their experience working with so many yoga teachers and share something that has surprised them.
[42:59] Allison from the Yoga Teacher Conf has a message to share with you.
[44:19] Eddie shares a bit about how the OfferingTree team is growing.
[48:04] Shannon shares some closing thoughts.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Yoga Teacher Conf.
Quotes from this episode:
"We thought we could make their lives a lot easier and kind of decrease the burnout with OfferingTree, so that was sort of the main focus for the software." - Eddie
"We are perfectly imperfect. We are always a work in progress and I really like to remind myself that the origin story for OfferingTree is so connected to how we operate." - Alex
"We understand that so much of practice, life, and work is relational." - Alex
"Creating that sense of community has helped us tremendously and it's something that was maybe a little bit surprising, but we're reflecting back on it, [and] we're just really grateful for it." - Eddie
"How do we look at ourselves and how do we value our efforts and energy and our time?" - Alex
"It's the founding team right there at support@offeringtree.com." - Alex
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
256: Switching to a Rental Studio Model with Tammy Fulton
Description:
Your yoga business can change over time, but making shifts in business can be scary and challenging - and also rewarding. In this episode, Tammy Fulton shares more about her experience making two big shifts in her yoga studio business, and how that has impacted her, her business, teachers at her studio, and their students.
Tammy has been doing yoga since 1997, and is currently the owner of Yoga Sublime Studio and the Sublime School of Yoga. Her studio is housed in a building over 100 years old that she and her husband purchased 6 years ago. Tammy is a E-RYT 200 registered yoga teacher and Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with Yoga Alliance. She currently teaches Meditation, Gentle Flow, Restorative, Hatha & Yin Yoga with a focus on yoga and meditation for stress reduction & healthy aging, as well as co-leads a RYT 200 Teacher Training at her studio.
Tammy made the decision to shift to a rental model for her yoga studio at the start of the pandemic. She reflects on why she had to make the shift in her business and her process of sharing this change with teachers and clients at the studio. Tammy also transitioned from class passes to registered sessions. These two changes have made a huge difference for Tammy in her life and business, and she shares how the changes have positively impacted teachers and students at the studio as well.
Key Takeaways:
[6:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Tammy Fulton
[9:15] Shannon gives a shout out to OfferingTree.
[10:58] Tammy reflects on her conversation with Shannon in March 2020.
[12:40] Tammy shares a bit about her journey to starting a yoga studio and her studio model at that time.
[15:20] What made Tammy decide to switch to a rental model for her studio?
[16:48] How did Tammy approach the conversation with her yoga teachers around the change?
[19:14] How does Tammy feel about how the switch has played out for her yoga business?
[20:19] Tammy also transitioned to a registered series format for her classes and this has produced many benefits for her, her teachers, and the students.
[21:29] What is the system Tammy currently has in place for her rental model?
[23:10] How has this shift impacted Tammy's income, now that she doesn't have to market for other teachers at her studio?
[25:32] What are some things Tammy learned along the way in making the switch to the rental model?
[27:16] Now that Tammy is running a rental model for the studio, how are things for her in terms of workload?
[29:25] What is a baby step Tammy recommends for yoga teachers looking to create more balance in their life?
[32:26] Did Tammy face any pushback from students at the studio when she implemented the changes?
[34:13] What does Tammy have in mind for her future as a yoga teacher?
[35:22] Find out more about Tammy and the classes she has to offer by visiting her website.
[35:43] Shannon shares her takeaways from this interview with Tammy.
[38:10] Shannon is offering a new group program. Get the details in the link below.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor, Offering Tree.
Quotes from this episode:
"I almost had to grieve this decision myself first before I could go to my teachers." - Tammy
"We feel that our students are more committed, that they're getting more out of [the classes] because they are committing." - Tammy
"I know that any income I make isn't subsidizing anything else." - Tammy
"Switching to that rental model made all the difference. Everyone was then generating more income with less headaches." - Shannon
“That's the kind of student I want. Somebody who values what I do and is prepared to pay." - Tammy
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
255: Creating a Niche Online Course with Laura Fowler Massie
Description:
A lot of yoga teachers experience doubt and hesitancy around picking a niche, but it can work wonders for your yoga business. In this episode, Laura Fowler Massie shares how she created a niche online course and successfully marketed it during the pandemic.
Laura has been a yoga practitioner for over thirty years, the owner of Yoga Chelsea, and creator of Calm Kids Yoga. She became a yoga teacher in 2008 and took specialty training so she could offer Slow Mindful Yoga, Yoga for Pelvic Health, Yoga Nidra, and Children's Yoga. Laura is also an Early Childhood Educator with a BA in Psychology and a Masters degree in Education. Just before the pandemic, Laura created and launched a specialized in-person course designed specifically for Early Childhood Educators, but she had to shift gears when the lockdowns began.
Laura explains how she dealt with having to shift her offering from in-person to online because of the pandemic. Despite the change, her course has been very successful and allowed her business to grow. Laura shares how she reached her target audience to market her niche offering, and how she leveraged a free Facebook group to grow her audience. She also talk about what helped her on the tougher days, why showing up consistently is important, as well as a lot of the fears and objections people have around niching down.
This is a great episode for anyone who has been hesitating about picking a niche.
Key Takeaways:
[3:22] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Laura Fowler Massie.
[6:24] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.
[10:14] What does Laura do and who does she do it for?
[10:58] How did Laura decide to combine yoga and early childhood education?
[14:09] How did Laura market her offering and who did she market in order to get such a great turnout?
[16:29] How did Laura deal with the fear that most people have around niching down, that they will have fewer people to market to?
[19:30] Laura shares some of her marketing strategies to really promote her niche offering.
[22:28] Marketing can be tough, and some channels can be successful while others fail. What are some things that helped Laura on those tougher days?
[23:47] Laura has stayed consistent in putting out free content to her Facebook group as a way to market her offering and grow her audience.
[25:06] Laura shares more about the business coaches she has worked with and learned from.
[27:35] Does Laura also share her Facebook Live videos to YouTube?
[30:27] When does Laura's next training start? She shares a little more about how her course is structured.
[34:54] How did Laura come up with the wording and messaging that allowed her to connect with early childhood educators?
[37:46] Connect with Laura via her website and her Facebook group.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor, Offering Tree.
Quotes from this episode:
“I always had it in my mind that I was going to turn this into an online offering because it would just make it so much more available for people."
“I use my professional expertise to really market myself as a subject matter expert."
"Start before you're ready. Done is better than perfect. And everything is figureoutable".
"I feel like also word of mouth, even in the internet world during a pandemic, it still is wonderful advertising."
"You have to speak in the language of your target audience."
"I feel like I was being sincere and honest by really responding to what the people were saying they needed from me and they were interested in learning about."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
254: 3 Must-Have Legal Agreements with Erika Kullberg
Description:
Wondering if you need to have a Privacy Policy or Terms & Conditions page on your website? Perhaps you’re interested in preventing people from stealing content you created online, such as a course, curriculum, or PDF. In this episode, Erika Kullberg answers all of these questions and more
Erika Kullberg is the founder of Plug and Law, a company that provides online businesses and entrepreneurs affordable legal services, and an award-winning attorney who has been featured in publications like CNBC, U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider and the Washington Post. She has years of experience in corporate law and represented Fortune 500 companies prior to founding Plug & Law. Today, she shares useful tips, tricks, and hacks online to help people make more money and save more money, and has over 6 million followers across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Erika explains what are the three must-have legal agreements for any business owner - Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, and a Disclaimer, and why they’re so important. She also shares how yoga teachers can protect their intellectual property through Trademarks, Copyrights & Patents, as well as some things to take note of when signing contracts, such as non-compete and non-solicitation clauses.
Erika shares all this legal information in a way that’s easy to understand and apply, so this is the perfect episode for anyone who has been wondering about the legal aspects of running a yoga business.
Key Takeaways:
[5:24] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Erika Kullberg.
[7:38] Shannon highlights some that Offering Tree specifically offers yoga teachers. offeringtree.com/shannon
[9:53] What does Erika do and who does she do it for?
[11:20] Erika and her husband recently decided to become digital nomads!
[12:38] What is the terms and conditions document, and what is a privacy policy? Why do yoga teachers need them?
[18:16] What are some common mistakes or things that online businesses overlook?
[19:56] Erika offers templates that yoga teachers can use on their websites. She shares more about how these templates work.
[21:08] Are Erika's templates ready for yoga teachers to use or do they need to be checked by a lawyer?
[22:13] What are Erika's thoughts on using clearer language in these legal documents, rather than legal language?
[23:20] How often should you update these three documents on your website?
[24:35] Erika recommends keeping a log of your terms and conditions, privacy policy and disclaimer to keep track of the changes you have made.
[25:13] When does a yoga teacher need to set up an LLC? What is an LLC and how does it protect yoga business owners?
[28:17] What are some considerations to keep in mind around non-compete and non-solicitation clauses in contracts?
[31:08] As a yoga teacher at a studio, you are a contract worker. Keep this in mind when signing any contract with non-compete clauses!
[32:36] Shannon shares her personal experience with non-solicitation clauses in contracts.
[33:37] How can yoga teachers protect themselves when it comes to people stealing their ideas from online courses or PDFs? Erika shares more about copyrights, patents, and trademarks as ways to protect intellectual property.
[37:32] How can yoga teachers prove when they created something?
[38:28] When is it helpful to have a trademark? How can yoga teachers go about getting something trademarked?
[40:32] What's the difference between registering a business with a certain name and registering a trademark?
[41:41] Erika has some final thoughts around legal considerations for online businesses.
[43:16] Erika shares some of her services that yoga teachers may be interested in.
[44:23] Learn more about Erika and her work via her website, and check out her YouTube channel for personal finance tips!
[45:52] Is it necessary for every yoga business to include a disclaimer?
[47:12] Shannon shares her takeaways from this interview.
[49:07] Shannon gives a shout out to a listener who left a review.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsor, Offering Tree.
Quotes from this episode:
"The privacy policy is not only essential for your website, but it's also required by law."
"These terms and conditions are going to lay out all of these rules for your website so that there's no ambiguity."
"A disclaimer basically states what you are and are not responsible for."
"[Legal agreements are] to take care of our yoga students as well as ourselves." - Shannon
"Make sure when you are signing an agreement, you understand every single word because these are legally binding."
"Also remember that everything is negotiable. If you're not happy with the terms that they want you to sign, push back on them."
"Prior to signing, that's when you're in the greatest position of power to speak up."
"If it is something that's very important to your brand, it's best to register your trademark earlier rather than later."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
253: Reflect & Plan [Part 4] with Shannon Crow
Description:
At the end of every year, Shannon has a personal practice of reflection and planning. In this episode, Shannon shares her process of goal setting. She explains the SMART goals framework she uses, and why she only chooses 1-3 goals to focus on for a 90-day stretch. Shannon also reveals her tips and tricks to help her stay motivated in accomplishing her goals, and how she actually reaches her goals. This episode is part of a series, and an excellent guide to return to every time you need to take stock and review how things are going in your yoga business.
Key Takeaways:
[4:53] Shannon recaps the first three parts of the reflect and plan framework she has been sharing.
[6:00] Don't be afraid to take this framework and adapt it to what fits you!
[8:28] Choose 1-3 goals to focus on for the next 90 days.
[10:44] Shannon uses the SMART goals framework to set her goals. She explains what this means.
[15:08] Define if your goals are habit goals or achievement goals, and which area of importance it fits into. Also outline the benefits of this goal, and the small steps you will take to complete the goal.
[18:50] The magic step to reaching your goals is to get it on your calendar!
[22:31] Something that helps Shannon in reaching goals is trying not to break a streak, and having accountability.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, Pelvic Health Professionals and Offering Tree.
Quotes from this episode:
"Make this fit your life and your beliefs and whatever suits you."
"A habit goal is something that you do daily or on a regular basis, whereas an achievement goal is something that you finish."
"The magic step is getting it on your calendar."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
252: Reflect & Plan [Part 3] with Shannon Crow
Description:
At the end of every year, Shannon has a personal practice of reflection and planning. In this episode, Shannon encourages you to think about what you would like to be doing with your time, as a way to direct your energy and focus. She also shares her five-year framework that acts as a guiding compass for her life. By focusing on the four areas of importance - health and wellness, relationships and community purpose, work, and finances - Shannon finds that she has more direction. This episode is part of a series, and an excellent guide to return to every time you need to take stock and review how things are going in your yoga business.
Key Takeaways:
[3:25] What do you want to spend your time doing this year?
[5:35] Shannon reviews Part 1 and 2 of her framework for reflecting and planning.
[7:25] Shannon sends gratitude to Schedulicity.
[9:34] Shannon shares her journal prompt for this episode. She encourages you to think about what you would rather be doing instead with your time. What are the things that excite you and you want to dedicate your time and energy to?
[14:14] Shannon has been using this framework for years, and is shocked by how things have turned out!
[15:14] Shannon sets the scenario for this activity. How will your life be in 5 years from now in these four areas of importance: health and wellness, relationships and community purpose, work, and finances?
[17:00] Shannon shares some examples from her four areas of importance.
[20:28] Part 4 of this series will be all about setting goals.
[21:23] Shannon ends off with a few reminders.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity (Coupon:cyt2months), and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).
Quotes from this episode:
"What do you want to spend your time doing this year?"
"Time is our most precious resource."
“Don't forget to aim high. Dream big. Be as specific as you can.”
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
251: Reflect & Plan [Part 2] with Shannon Crow & Jivana Heyman
Description:
At the end of every year, Shannon has a personal practice of reflecting on how her year has been. In this episode, she shares more about reflecting on what didn’t work and letting that go. In her practice, Shannon has tried to include elements of non-attachment and letting go, and turned to Jivana Heyman with her questions about incorporating yoga philosophy and Sanskrit into her framework.
Shannon and Jivana discuss different elements of non-attachment mentioned in yoga texts, and how we can respectfully incorporate these teachings into our lives and daily practice. Shannon also offers a guided reflection practice with some questions to contemplate and journal on things we need to let go and release. This episode is part of a series, and an excellent guide to return to every time you need to take stock and review how things are going in your yoga business.
Key Takeaways:
[4:36] This episode is part two in a series about reflecting and planning in your yoga business.
[6:21] Part one of this exercise was looking at what went well and finding moments of contentment. Part two focuses on what didn't work and letting that go.
[9:49] Shannon shares what she has learned from reading yoga texts about non-attachment and letting go.
[11:25] Sponsor Schedulicity shares the hot tip of the week.
[12:13] Shannon learned about Vairāgya from Jivana Heyman. She also wanted to make sure she wasn't appropriating yoga in trying to include these elements in her reflection and planning.
[14:52] An important part of reflecting is to think about what we are distracted by and that's pulling us off course.
[16:58] Shannon is doing a giveaway of one of Jivana's books!
[17:31] Vairāgya is really about looking at what we want to reach for or make space for. Shannon has a small exercise to illustrate this principle.
[19:08] Shannon encourages you to make a list of things you would like to clear out and let go of or release and create space.
[22:40] Shannon talks about the continuation of learning that we are all doing.
[24:32] This framework can act as your map and your compass all wrapped into one.
[28:01] If we climb every single mountain alone, we would never get anywhere.
[28:10] Shannon shares some journal prompts to guide your reflection.
[30:30] Shannon introduces Jivana and shares more about why she reached out to him for this conversation.
[32:58] How can we respectfully integrate yoga into what we are doing?
[36:45] Jivana shares some of his thoughts on non-attachment.
[37:52] Shannon reflects on how the idea that yoga is the opposite of capitalism has played out in her own journaling and reflection this year.
[39:02] Non-attachment is about analyzing our desires.
[43:36] Non-attachment doesn't mean having non-attachment to the things going on in the world because it's too painful. Jivana explains more about this.
[46:08] Shannon and Jivana discuss her conundrum around integrating yoga and Sanskrit into her reflection framework.
[54:07] Shannon has three gifts for listeners!
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity (Coupon:cyt2months), and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).
Quotes from this episode:
"What would you like to let go of next year or next month or next quarter? What is no longer serving you?" - Shannon
"We are not looking at how to escape every moment of discomfort or bad emotion." - Shannon
"This whole framework, what we're doing, is like your map and your compass all wrapped into one." - Shannon
"This whole framework, what we're doing is like your map and your compass all wrapped into one." - Shannon
"How can we apply monastic ancient teachings to our lives now? How do we do that in a respectful way?" - Jivana Heyman
"In the West, we tend to identify with the mind so much that we don't even know what it means to identify with spirit." - Jivana Heyman
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
250: Reflect & Plan with Shannon Crow
Description:
At the end of every year, Shannon has a personal practice of reflecting on how her year has been. In this episode, she shares how she cultivated this practice and how she has incorporated elements of yoga and yoga philosophy into this practice. She speaks about the element of santosha, contentment, that she has brought into her reflection practice this year. In this guided reflection practice, Shannon invites us to contemplate some questions to assess our year in terms of contentment. This episode is part of a series, and an excellent guide to return to every time you need to take stock and review how things are going in your yoga business.
Key Takeaways:
[4:22] Shannon shares a little bit of background on her process in putting together this episode.
[5:35] This is a great series to return to every time you need to take stock and review how things are going in your yoga business.
[6:34] Shannon likes to do her reflections with pen and paper. She has recorded a special guided practice to help you with your reflection to focus on moments of contentment.
[9:09] Schedulicity shares the hot tip of the week.
[10:07] What can you do to bring yourself to the present moment? As we reflect on the past year to find the moments of contentment, remember to let go of certain outcomes.
[12:42] Notice anything around you that offers you comfort, and take a moment to appreciate yourself for taking this time as a gift to yourself and everyone around you.
[13:52] Shannon shares some guiding questions to direct your reflection on contentment.
[15:29] Shannon shares something she learned from doing this practice this year.
[17:14] How did this reflection go for you? How are you feeling after creating this list?
[17:52] Be sure to get the accompanying PDF for this episode.
[18:43] Shannon shares a review from a member of Pelvic Health Professionals.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).
Quotes from this episode:
"What would bring me into this present moment right now?"
"Let yourself color outside the lines today and to do something differently."
"When did you find inner peace this year? When did you give something your best? When did you lose track of time? When did you let go of the outcome? When did you feel compassion? When did you look at something and feel satisfaction? When did you feel successful? When did you embrace who you are? When did you honor your limits?"
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
249: Yoga for Older Grownups with Maria Kirsten
Description:
Have you considered teaching older grownups as your niche in yoga? Many yoga teachers have not, and may feel some fear or apprehension when it comes to teaching people in older bodies. In this episode, Maria Kirsten sheds some light on what teaching yoga to older grownups can be like.
Maria Kirsten was a yoga therapist working mainly with pain and mental health, and offered yoga classes to grownups and older grownups in her community. She also taught teacher trainings about how to support older grownups and regarding general mental health. For Maria, the focus was always on intelligent movement that reconnects people to the joy of being alive in their bodies, and helping people connect with the intuitive wisdom of the body, and nurturing their innate capacity to heal through simple, joyful movement.
Maria shares openly about what inspired her to start teaching yoga for older grownups and how her classes are structured. Maria addresses the fear and caution that some yoga teachers may feel when it comes to teaching older bodies, and gives advice on things to avoid in a yoga class with older people. She explains the mental health benefit yoga can have, and also talks about some of the words that can be triggering for older grown ups.
This interview was so valuable in understanding what teaching yoga to older grownups can be like and how to approach teaching this group of people.
Note: This interview was conducted in January 2021, and Maria passed away back April 2021. The information she shared was invaluable, and we are glad to be able to share this interview with you now.
Key Takeaways:
[5:08] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Maria Kirsten.
[10:24] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity and a listener who left a review.
[15:33] How did Maria come up with the name Yoga for Grown Ups?
[17:21] What is the age range for grownups vs. older grownups?
[18:55] What does Maria usually teach in classes for older grownups?
[20:10] Shannon and Maria discuss some of the fears and lack of confidence older people have, particularly around falling.
[22:40] Maria shares a little more about some of the education she does for her students about what's happening in their bodies and their movements.
[25:55] How does Maria use chairs in her yoga classes?
[27:50] Sit to stand and stand to sit is an important movement, and not all of us do it correctly!
[29:59] Shannon shares more about the S breath and claw fingers to engage the pelvic floor.
[31:01] What are some things that Maria does not do with older grown ups?
[34:19] The thing is not to be scared of older people.
[36:09] What are some things Maria has learned about teaching yoga for older grown ups?
[38:15] What are some conditions that yoga teachers working with bodies with more experience on Earth should be aware of?
[42:01] Yoga for older grownups also has mental health benefits.
[43:01] Maria explains a bit about her experience with cancer.
[44:00] Do Maria's older grownups do online yoga?
[45:58] What are the restrictions on yoga classes in Australia?
[48:06] Maria also has a Yoga for Older Grownups training online.
[51:01] Shannon reflects on a mistake she made with naming a class for older people.
[53:07] Certain words can be triggering for older people and we need to be mindful of that.
[54:22] Shannon and Maria discuss the idea that mental health is a spectrum, and something that needs to be cultivated and built.
[58:13] When it comes to mental health and aging, we need to consider what a sustainable practice is.
[59:51] Learn more about Maria's work by visiting her website.
[61:26] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Maria.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).
Quotes from this episode:
"The biggest risk for falling is fear of falling."
"The thing is not to be scared of older people. If you give them the education and tell them what you're doing and why then they can make educated choices about what options they'll take or when they'll rest and then they feel really empowered."
"Don't underestimate what people are getting [out of your yoga class]."
"Only you know when enough is enough or too much is too much."
"Mental health is a spectrum and the thing that people don't understand, I think, about mental health, is that they don't just get it for free. People are really shocked when mental health isn't fantastic all the time."
"As teachers were trying to empower people in the class, but we're also trying to empower them to do home practice because as soon as they practice on their own at home, everything changes."
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
248: Ayurveda is All About Self-Care with Chara Caruthers
Description:
As yoga teachers, we can forget that we need to take care of ourselves too. Burnout and exhaustion are common occurrences among yoga teachers, especially now, which is why self-care is so important. Chara Caruthers is on the podcast to talk about how ayurveda and self-care are intertwined for yoga teachers.
Chara Caruthers is a registered yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist who has been practicing yoga since 1993. She is a wellness coach, registered ayurvedic practitioner with AAPNA and professional member of National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). As the founder of Bliss Body & Soul, Chara offers ayurveda courses, workshops, and an ayurvedic living community. Chara also hosts the Live Like You Love Yourself Podcast, where she shares more about how to live, age, parent, and just be more vibrantly engaged in the process of “growing up” in a way that feels balanced, authentic, graceful and juicy.
What is the role of ayurveda in self-care? Chara explains that we are each a unique individual, and accordingly our self-care needs differ according to who we are, how we are, and the environments we are in. She shares tips for tuning in to our inner selves, why self-care is essential especially when we’re busy, and so much more.
If you’ve wanted to know more about how to integrate Ayurveda into your own practice, or are needing to integrate self-care into your life, this is a great episode for you.
Key Takeaways:
[2:51] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Chara Caruthers.
[8:12] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity and a listener who left a review!
[12:04] What is the work that Chara does and who does she do it for?
[13:14] How does ayurveda connect to self-care?
[14:44] How does self-care change depending on your doshas and the seasons?
[18:28] Where can we start to find information about ourselves and how we are?
[22:16] What are some ayurveda self-care tips for yoga teachers on days that are overwhelming?
[26:04] What does Chara's personal practice look like, and what are the expectations she has for herself?
[30:39] What are Chara's thoughts for a yoga teacher who thinks they don't have time or are too busy for self-care?
[35:19] As yoga teachers, we model the way for others, including with our own self-care.
[40:10] Shannon and Chara discuss why it is so important for people to have their own regular practice before training to become yoga teachers.
[46:54] Many of us are wanting to go out and do something about everything we're seeing in the world, but we can't do that unless we take care of ourselves first.
[51:48] Things that require mental energy and mental work can also be tiring. As yoga teachers who are trying to hold space for everyone who comes to you, it is all the more important to practice self-care for yourself.
[54:33] What are some things that have helped Chara in her self-care journey?
[57:29] Chara shares more about how she works with yoga teachers in the ayurveda space.
[63:17] Find out more about Chara and her work on her website and her podcast.
[64:18] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview, and invites you to share your self-care tips and tricks.
Links:
Gratitude to our Sponsors, Schedulicity, and Pelvic Health Professionals (Coupon: Connected2021).
Quotes from this episode:
"Ayurveda is really about living longer. It's a system of health and wellness that focuses on longevity and so when you think about it in that sense, you realize ayurveda is all about self-care."
"What your body wants us to understand is that the way that we actually care for ourselves is by understanding who we are and how we operate."
"What's going on out in the world is also going on inside of us."
"Ayurveda wants us to know who we are and to know how we are so that we can make smarter choices for the things that we engage with, whether that be food or people or environments or yoga."
"We have this responsibility first and foremost to make really smart choices for ourselves. And that it starts with tuning into where we are and how we are."
"If we're not going to take care of ourselves, our bodies, our minds, who will?"
"Rest is going to look different for everybody, and so I think we have that responsibility to tune in to what rest actually feels like, what it actually is for each of us."