This episode from 2019 was inspired by a facebook post I made on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group. I was having my own moment of doubt and decided to share in order to help normalize the experience for other teachers. The response was overwhelming! That post has gotten the most comments in the group so far. It made me realize that there is a need for yoga teachers to hear that they are not alone when they doubt and to understand where the doubt comes from and what to do about it. 

• Why self-doubt is getting more and more prevalent among yoga teachers
• The positive aspects of impostor syndrome
• What to focus on in your teaching during moments of doubt
• My personal process for self-care when I experience doubt

Yoga is a system of moral philosophy that has long been overlooked by Western scholars and appropriated by the fitness industry. Dr. Shyam Ranganathan, author of Yoga: Anticolonial Philosophy provides context for the dissonance between modern yoga and its roots. We discuss how to frame yoga practice authentically, how philosophy is the unifying force between varied practices, and why decolonization requires embracing discomfort.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 Yoga and personal agency

05:53 The role of philosophy in understanding yoga

09:52 Challenges and rewards of yoga practice

15:34 The problem of modern yoga

22:15 Defining colonialism, philosophy, and ethics

26:12 Understanding Yoga: Capital Y vs. Small Y

28:27 Why embracing dissonance is key for decolonization

29:14 Philosophy's role in decolonization

31:26 The physical and emotional impact of philosophy

40:53 Teaching yoga in a capitalist society

46:32 Conclusion and further resources

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Yoga Philosophy

Book: Yoga: Anticolonial Philosophy

Yoga: Anticolonial Philosophy Study Group

Follow Dr. Shyam Ranganathan on Instagram @yogaphilosophy_com

Follow Dr. Shyam Ranganathan on Facebook

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn more about the Impact Club

Leave a review on iTunes

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Many yoga teachers struggle to maintain their personal practice once they start teaching. In this episode, I explore the challenges yoga teachers face in maintaining their personal practice after transitioning into teaching. Consistent personal practice is crucial for embodied knowledge, confidence, and self-care. We all face obstacles to staying consistent like time management, life changes, and even burnout. Tune in to hear my perspective on how to overcome those obstacles and develop a sustainable personal yoga practice that nourishes your teaching and your life.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 Why many yoga teachers struggle to maintain their personal practice

01:05 Why a personal practice is essential for yoga teachers

02:18 Defining a personal practice

03:29 Benefits of a personal practice for yoga teachers

05:42 What a personal practice looks like

11:14 Overcoming obstacles to a consistent practice

14:32 Motivation and discipline

17:16 Adapting your practice to life changes

18:21 Evolving with your practice

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn more about the Impact Club

Leave a review on iTunes

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Michelle Cassandra Johnson explores the kleshas—the five afflictions that cause suffering—within the framework of modern challenges ranging from racial injustice to climate change. Through personal stories, insights on yoga philosophy, and practical advice, Michelle offers a roadmap for understanding and addressing the root causes of suffering both individually and collectively. This conversation will inspire yoga practitioners and activists alike to engage deeply with their practice and strive for personal and social transformation.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 Introduction to the kleshas

2:10 Levity as sustenance for deep work

04:45 Why Michelle chose to write about the kleshas

06:55 A primer on the kleshas

14:36 How the kleshas confront our assumptions

16:32 Pain and the kleshas

24:35 The kleshas and social change

42:14 Teaching the kleshas in yoga

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Michelle Cassandra Johnson

Book: Illuminating Our True Nature

Illuminating Our True Nature Book Club

Illuminating Our True Nature Course: The Five Afflictions

Illuminating Our True Nature Gathering and Practice

Follow Michelle on Instagram @skillinaction

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn more about the Impact Club

Leave a review on iTunes

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

In this Q&A style episode, I answer listener questions sent via social media and my website. Topics include managing expectations as a substitute instructor, creating body awareness in beginners, discomfort in studying anatomy, and building a sustainable business with corporate and private clients. Listen in to hear my thoughts on how much to explain your teaching style when you substitute teach, the best ways to help beginners, and how to build a clientele from the ground up. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 Introduction to the Q&A format

01:20 What to do when you substitute for classes that are very different from how you teach.

04:53 The best way to support new students who have been mostly sedentary

10:09 How to handle physical reactions to studying anatomy

14:54 How to build a clientele of private and corporate clients

23:57 How to encourage clients to commit to weekly or bi-weekly sessions

28:31 Conclusion and call for more questions

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn more about the Impact Club

Leave a review on iTunes

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Peek behind the curtain of Anatomy Bites - the easiest and most enjoyable way for yoga teachers to learn anatomy. In this unusual episode, you’ll hear the audio portion of a live Q&A session led by Dr. Libby Hinsley, physical therapist and yoga teacher. Anatomy Bites is a 36-module program designed to give yoga teachers a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. You’ll also hear the story of how Anatomy Bites came to be and learn about what it’s like to be a member.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 The birth of Anatomy Bites

04:16 Dynamic vs. static movements for strengthening

06:41 The relationship between the low back and glutes in backbends

11:50 Foot and knee alignment in backbends

22:24 Foot placement in wide leg forward fold

30:20 Does it matter which side you roll towards in savasana?

33:41 Concentric vs eccentric movement

38:11 Torn labrum & chronic pain

52:11 Noise in neck movement

53:11 Spinal issues in yoga classes

01:06:14 Rounding the spine for older adults

01:10:51 Nerve sensations in Yin Yoga

01:13:27 Understanding fascia and its impact on movement

01:15:48 What to do with the shoulder blades in forearm plank

01:19:16 What it’s like inside Anatomy Bites

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Libby Hinsley

Anatomy Bites

Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy

Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn more about the Impact Club

Leave a review on iTunes

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Marsha Banks-Harold is a yoga therapist who specializes in working with people impacted by trauma and/or living with special needs. In this inspiring conversation, she describes her journey from overworked engineer to yoga teacher and eventually a yoga therapist, studio owner, and founder of a non-profit. We dive into the differences between yoga teacher and yoga therapist, the importance of family and community, and her advice for yoga teachers with big dreams who are holding themselves back with self-doubt.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

03:06 Marsha Banks-Harold: engineer, yoga therapist, studio owner, and non-profit founder

04:21 How Marsha discovered yoga & decided to become a teacher

08:48 First teaching experience: adapting to students' needs

12:15 Differences between yoga teaching and yoga therapy

20:06 Building a vision: studio, school, and nonprofit

27:10 Obstacles in her path & how yoga helped

29:56 Family and community as a superpower

34:15 Why it’s important to share your vision

38:36 Marsha’s advice for yoga teachers struggling with doubt

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

PIES Fitness Yoga Studio

Follow Marsha Banks-Harold on Instagram @marshadbanksharold

Contact Marsha: [email protected] or 703-887-9574 

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn more about the Impact Club

Leave a review on iTunes

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

What does it mean to take the seat of the teacher? Shawna Emerick is an experienced yoga teacher who finds herself feeling like a beginner again as she takes on a new mindfulness meditation certification program. In this relatable discussion, we talk about the very real discomfort that comes with teaching yoga - and how the fact that it never fully goes away is a good thing. Other topics explored include; intuitive and deliberate modes of thinking, the relationship between renunciation and boundaries, and the differences between being a teacher and being a mentor.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

02:10 The Role of a Teacher

03:57 Intuition vs. Deliberation

07:06 Why we need to slow down to speed up

14:22 Does teaching involve renunciation

22:03 How people pleasing harms both teachers and students

25:43 The difference between teaching and mentorship

31:02 The relationship between mentorship and therapy

34:47 Why discomfort as a teacher is not the problem

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Shawna Emerick

Follow Shawna on Instagram @shawnashakti

Listen to Shawna’s previous episode: How to Overcome Fear & Doubt

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn more about the Impact Club

Leave a review on iTunes

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Yoga Alliance standards have changed again! In this episode, Kathy Humphrys describes the evolution and impact of Yoga Alliance standards, particularly the recent changes in training requirements. She also provides practical advice for yoga teachers aiming to become registered trainers with Yoga Alliance and shares strategies for successfully creating and delivering high-quality yoga training programs.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

01:10 Kathy’s journey from teacher to teacher trainer

04:08 Why Kathy decided to license Standards

08:08 Yoga Alliance classroom hours - what they mean and how they impact teacher trainings

12:54 Lead trainer requirements

15:38 What it takes to register a school with Yoga Alliance

18:00 Do these new standards help improve the quality of YTTs?

26:08 Immersions vs teacher trainings

29:19 The future of yoga teacher trainings

36:42 The Yoga Alliance Core Competencies

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Ambassador Yoga

Follow Ambassador Yoga on Instagram @yogatrainer.fasttrack

Yoga Alliance

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn more about the Impact Club

Leave a review on iTunes

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

If you’re an anatomy nerd eager to share your enthusiasm for the human body with your students, you’ll love the insider tips and best practices we share in this conversation. Listen in to hear about the balance between clarity and accuracy, the importance of knowing your audience, and the potential pros and cons of incorporating anatomical concepts into asana classes. We also cover special considerations for teaching anatomy in yoga teacher training programs.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

02:51 Pros of including anatomy in yoga classes

04:36 Cons of including anatomy in yoga classes

05:47 Balancing anatomy in general classes

18:13 Considerations for teaching anatomy in teacher training

21:24 What it takes to be an excellent anatomy teacher

26:34 How to handle diagnostic questions

28:47 The most important aspects of anatomy for yoga teacher trainings

32:28 Dr. Libby Hinsley's anatomy training programs

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Libby Hinsley

Anatomy Bites

Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy

Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn more about the Impact Club

Leave a review on iTunes

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Why is learning anatomy so hard for yoga teachers? In this episode, we discuss the importance of becoming fluent in basic anatomy to accurately speak about the body in your yoga classes. We know anatomy can feel like a foreign language - that’s because it is! But fear not, we have the secret sauce to make it all stick. From our own adventures with anatomy to tips that'll make studying a breeze, this episode is the ultimate cheat sheet for all wanna-be anatomy enthusiasts. Get ready to unleash your inner nerd and build a rock-solid anatomical foundation.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

01:09 Why yoga teachers need basic anatomy knowledge

02:02 Challenges and misconceptions in learning anatomy

03:32 The role of anatomy in your yoga classes

09:13 Our personal journeys in anatomy learning

13:10 Tips for yoga teachers to learn anatomy

18:36 The basics: bones, joints, and muscles

23:24 The importance of context and relevance

28:14 Advanced tips and continuous learning

35:52 Recommended anatomy education programs

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Libby Hinsley

Anatomy Bites

Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy

Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource 

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list

Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group

Learn more about the Impact Club

Leave a review on iTunes

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakP