Yogaland Podcast

“There’s more than one right.” This is something that Jason says often during his trainings. It applies to many different types of yoga postures (and many life circumstances, too!). For today’s episode, we’re talking about how it applies to backbending. Do you really have to keep your feet hip distance apart and parallel to each other? And what’s the risk of playing with different types of alignment?Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode240Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jason has recorded hundreds (if not thousands!) of hours of asana and lecture videos in the last few years. And yet, it might surprise you to learn that he’s still a little self conscious about how he looks on video.Everyone has insecurities—even yoga teachers who have been getting in front of students for decades. So, on today's episode we're talking about some of our insecurities. We hope the conversation helps you feel less alone if you've ever felt this way and inspires you to keep showing up for your students anyway.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode239Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On last week's episode Jason shared why consistency is key when it comes to class planning and sequencing. This week he shares how to actual implement a consistent class curriculum with four different approaches or templates to crafting great yoga classes that keep your students coming back. Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode238Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When it comes to sequencing, there are a few things that trip yoga teachers up time and time again. Jason’s back on the podcast today to talk about several of the mistakes he’s made himself through the years and how he’s shifted his approach to sequencing to overcome these challenges.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode237Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ninety minutes is a really long time to stand in front of a group and talk, no matter how much you know about the topic! That's why having a clear plan is key for yoga teachers. (Because, as Jason points out, if you don't have some sort of plan, you'll either go off on random tangents or run out of things to say.) Today, Jason shares how he plans his yoga class sequences so his students are engaged and learning something meaningful every time. Plus, he addresses one of the most common objections yoga teachers give for not planning (creativity) and why he believes having a structure actually gives teachers more room to be creative, not less.Show notes:.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode236 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What do you hope to teach your students when you teach yoga? Is it to make shapes with their bodies? How about your teacher trainees -- is it to memorize and repeat your sequences and study only with you? This week, Jason shares the foundational values that inform his educational style, namely helping students become clear, critical, and independent thinkers that value context and understand different perspectives.Teaching this way means that you welcome questions, you allow a diversity of opinions, you encourage students to -- gasp! -- have more than one teacher or modality, and yet you still hold a container for so that your teaching is clear and accessible. ⁠Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode235 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today, we return to Patanjali's Yoga Sutra and Jason shares three models for applying the eight-limb path to life -- The Step-by-Step Model, The Integrated Model, and The Single Limb Model. Plus, stay tuned until the end of the episode to hear 5th anniversary messages from listeners!Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode234 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Can you believe we've been podcasting about yoga for 5 years!? For this special anniversary episode of Yogaland, Jason and I reflect on lessons we’ve learned through the years and the things that have surprised us most about our podcasting. Thanks for being a part of the journey.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode233 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I'm so happy to have Sarah Kadel on the podcast today. Sarah is an Austin-based yoga teacher who is serving as a mentor teacher in Jason’s online advanced teacher training this year. I wanted to share her story with you because I think the world needs to hear her message about how yoga can be so helpful for those who have suffered with trauma in their lives. Sarah shares:* How yoga helped her understand and move past addiction* What the newest body of research says about the neurobiology of trauma* Helpful tips for yoga teachers who hope to make their classes trauma-informed or more friendly for students with all types of trauma* What to look for (and what to avoid) when you are looking for a trauma-informed yoga teacherShow notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode232 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today Jason and I are talking with Archna Mohan and Deepak Mohan, the hosts of the wonderful yoga podcast, Yoga, Chai, and a Dog, We touch on some of the things we have in common: podcasting, yoga, and what it's like to work with your spouse.We also ask a lot of questions about some areas where we differ. They share how yoga isn't something they "learned" growing up in India--it was just a part of their culture and a way of life. Deepak explains why he considers himself a non-yogi. And Archna talks about her background in the health and fitness industry and opens up about what it's like being a South Asian yoga teacher in the U.K.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode231 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last week Jason shared the foundational concepts of purusha and prakriti. Go back and listen if you haven't yet! This week, we continue to talk through foundational concepts that Patanjali presents in The Yoga Sutra -- citta, vrittis, and the gunas. Jason defines terms and paints a picture of how they all fit together. And we also talk about how much we personally believe that Patanjali applies to our own lives. Shownotes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode230 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today is the first in a series of episodes where Jason shares the underpinnings of Patanjali. Most yoga students have heard their teachers reference Patanjali and the text that he is known for, The Yoga Sutra. But rarely do teachers have time to unpack this seminal text. For this episode, Jason shares the foundational concepts of purusha and prakriti and the samkya philosophy that informs Patanjali's worldview. Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode229 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today, Jason shares his approach to the six cores in yoga -- the philosophical core, the traditional hatha yoga core, the respiratory core, the skeletal core, and the two muscular cores. Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode228 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I think of today’s guest, Tracee Stanley, as the queen of Yoga Nidra.n this episode, Tracee shares about this the practice of deep rest and why it is so healing. She also offers some suggestions for how to experience those benefits more fully--like taking your practice outdoors and getting in touch with nature. We talk about everything from how to drop into Yoga Nidra if you’re prone to anxiety to what it was like to teach to Oprah and Gayle. Shoe notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode227 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amber Karnes -- the founder of Body Positive Yoga and the co-creator of the Accessible Yoga Training -- is my guest this week! Amber shares her story of how yoga has helped her change her relationship to her body, from one that was punitive to one that's more accepting and present. Amber offers so much insight and guidance in this conversation including:- How body positivity is not a linear path with an endpoint -- it's closer to recovering from addiction in that you are always in recovery- Resources for a "weight neutral" approach to health- The fatphobia that we may be complicit in when we bash our own bodies- Why behaviors are more important than body size- The vital question to ask ourselves every time we consume media - The importance of doing body positive work while you are in communityI'm so grateful to Amber for sharing the years of research and work she's done in this space.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode226 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  

Today’s guest is Erin Jorich, a yoga teacher from Minnesota who is also serving as a mentor teacher in Jason’s 300-hour teacher training this year. I really enjoyed learning more about her path from an MTV-taught dancer in her college years to becoming the talented yoga teacher she is today.I also found her perspective on the positive aspects of teaching yoga online refreshing. We agree that there’s something authentic and real about practicing with people who are in the comfort of their own homes--whether their cameras are on or off!Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/episode225 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, my guest is U.K. based teacher, Adam Hocke. Adam -- like Jack Workman in episode 221 -- is serving as a mentor in Jason's current online teacher training program. Adam is such a talented teacher in his own right -- balancing thoughtful and precise vinyasa yoga with his unique brand of warmth and humor. Adam and I spoke about many things but the common thread was one of my very favorite topics: emotions. He shared how yoga helped him through devastating grief, how he endeavors to incorporate self-compassion into vinyasa classes, and how he surrendered his role as a theatrical showman to become a yoga teacher who holds space for his students to feel their feelings and experience their own yoga.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode224 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, I’m talking to Tara Stiles, co-founder (with her husband Michael Taylor) of Strala Yoga in NYC. We cover a lot in this interview -- from how she started sharing yoga on YouTube 12(!) years ago to Strala's humble beginnings in Michael's apartment, to how it has grown and evolved into a practice that integrates Tai Chi, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qigong. Equal parts artist and entrepreneur, Tara has carved her own path and followed her intuition to create a successful career and a vibrant community. Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode223 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Jason and I are talking about something I think every modern yoga teacher needs to embrace: The art of repurposing content! It can feel like a grind to create new content for every yoga class, every social media post, and every email. Luckily, you don't have to!I'll let you in on a little secret--no one will mind if you use the same concept or theme in several different ways across different platforms. Most won't even notice. By repurposing your yoga content, you’ll save precious time and energy, show up for your students, and give yourself space to keep creating, too.If you’ve ever felt burnt out or overwhelmed by all the different types of content you have to create as a yoga teacher, don’t miss this episode.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode222 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Happy New Year! I’m so excited to be back after a long holiday break!Today’s guest is Jack Workman. Jack took Jason’s advanced teacher training when he was just 15 years old, and now he’s a full-time teacher living in San Francisco. He talks about how he came to be interested in the practice at such a young age, why he decided to teach, and how this has shaped his life. We also talk about how Jack has adapted his teaching during the Covid 19. He jumped right in, embracing technology and starting his own YouTube channel.You won’t want to miss this special, timely interview.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode221 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.