Yogaland Podcast

Today, I have an inspiring story to share with you that I think many of you will relate to.Erin Landsee is a yoga teacher and mom of three who had finally found a work-life balance that worked for her family--teaching yoga at a local college. Like so many, she found herself starting over when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. With little kids at home 24/7, it wasn't all smooth sailing. But with a little extra creativity and perseverance, Erin pivoted and made things work for her family. It sounds like it's better than ever!Listen in to find out how she shifted her business to make it work with her busy work-from-home life.I'd also love to hear from you! Do you have a story about how this pandemic has shaped your teaching? Email me at andrea@jasonyoga.com.Show notes: http://jasonyoga.com/podcast/episodebonus2 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today, Jason and I dive into the topic of leadership in the yoga community. People love their yoga teachers--so much! And while there’s a lot of good that comes from that, it can also set up an unbalanced power dynamic. We talk about the student-teacher power differential and some of the circumstances that put yoga teachers at risk of (knowingly or unknowingly) abusing their power.Then, we get into our thoughts about how to know when to trust a yoga teacher, some of the problems with blindly following a yoga lineage, and subtle (but powerful) ways yoga teachers can step down off the pedestal.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/episode220 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the world edges ever close to the one year mark of being in the midst of a pandemic, many of us are feeling weary. This week, Jason and I talk about resilience -- how it's been tested and how we tap into it using the tools from our yoga practice both on and off the mat. Hope it helps you tap into your own resilience during these challenging times.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode219 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After podcasting for 4 years, I want to feature YOUR voices--people who study with us. Today, I'm sharing a story from listener Elizabeth Brower, a yoga teacher from Oregon.I love how creative she has been with her teaching during this challenging time.I'd also love to hear from you! Do you have a story about how this pandemic has shaped your teaching? Email me at Andrea@jasonyoga.com. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We can all use a little more joy and creativity in our lives right now -- especially after months of teaching and taking online yoga classes. Chicago-based yoga teacher Bradshaw Wish is just the breath of fresh air we all need. It matters not that much of the world is going back into lockdown -- Bradshaw's annual Mariah Carey Christmas Flow must go on! We talk about this upcoming not-to-be missed event, how it came to be, and how creating space for joy and creativity is a deeply important part of Bradshaw's intention as a yoga teacher.Show notes: http://jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode218 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're getting into the spirit of Thanksgiving in Yogaland! This week, Jason and I are sharing the things we’re thankful for right now (yes, even in 2020!). We feel especially grateful for all of YOU! Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode217 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's guest, Susanna Barkataki, is the author of a new book on yoga's history and culture called Embrace Yoga's Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice. This book is a call for all who study yoga to take a deeper look at how we interact with Indian culture, how we use our privilege, and how we can advocate for more equity within the practice we love. Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode216 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Religious Studies professor Andrea Jain is back on the podcast -- this time to talk to Jason about her new book, "Peace Love Yoga: The Politics of Global Spiritualization." Jain's book explores the connection between global spirituality and neoliberalism. While Jain acknowledges that yoga is healthy practice, she's concerned by the ways in which modern yoga (she uses the U.S., Canada, and India as examples) has been commodified and packaged to encourage complacency (think: "good vibes only" culture) and often overshadows the action that's required to create a more equitable world. It’s an eye-opening interview hosted by Jason. (PS: To hear the previous interview with Andrea Jain focusing on her book "Selling Yoga," listen to episode 200)Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode215 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode scratches the surface of how to approach knee pain in yoga poses. Jason talks us through how he approaches knee pain in Pigeon Pose, Bridge Pose, and Virasana (or Vajrasana, which is sitting on your shins).Shownotes include a link to our blog: 3 Backbend Cues for Tweaky Knees & Hips. Visit yogalandpodcast.com/episode214 to check it out!You can also train with Jason next week in his newest online program: Better Way to Flow: Preventing + Managing Common Yoga Injuries: www.jasonyoga.com/injuries Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's episode, Jason talks with Portland yoga teacher Abby Kraai about her experience of teaching and practicing yoga with scoliosis. This episode is packed with practical info about how to help students with scoliosis approach different yoga poses, which postures that people with varying degrees of scoliosis might want to avoid, and where to go to learn more.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode213 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What do you do when a student comes to you hoping you can help them with an injury? Just what is appropriate or inappropriate? How can you help students heal while not overstepping into the realm of medical clinician? Find out on today's episode!Show notes: http://jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode212 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was once common practice for yoga teachers to start every class with a simple question: "Is anyone working with any injuries or medical conditions?" On this episode, Jason talks about the reasons that this question does -- and does not -- hold up. The goal isn't to tell teachers what to do, but to share the pros and cons so that you can make the decision for yourself.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode211 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Jason and I tackle yoga injuries, There may not be a way to completely prevent all injuries, but we're sharing some best practices that teachers and students can practice to minimize the risk.We cover a lot of ground, but here are a few top-level points:* Why there’s no one “right” way to approach any pose in order to prevent injury.* The four key things you should consider in regards to injury prevention* The types of hands-on adjustments that Jason advocates against* How to find equilibrium and balance in yoga posesShow notes: http://jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode210 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As yoga practitioners we all know that the body is amazingly complex -- and there is so much to learn when it comes to getting the body into those shapes we call yoga poses. But even though yoga postures are complicated, yoga sequencing doesn't have to be. On this episode, Jason explains his simple yet thorough approach to sequencing for twists and backbends.Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode209 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s been a while since we devoted an episode to answering listener questions, so that’s exactly what we’re doing this week. In this episode, Jason tackles a few of the questions that have been submitted recently such as:*Internal or external hip rotation in forward folds? (A simple question with a not-so-simple answer)*Does that upper arm bone externally rotate in Chaturanga?*Is passively stretching a muscle  or group of muscles (like the psoas and other hip flexors) that is both tight and weak a good idea? Or is there a better way to approach?*Any tips on floating from Uttanasana to sit and jumping through?Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode208 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I’ve received a lot of questions from white yogis recently about how we can be better allies to our BIPOC friends and studio owners in the community. My guest today, Dr. Jennifer Hutton, offers insightful guidance for this type of self-inquiry.Jennifer is a pediatric physical therapist from Nashville with a passion for nurturing children with developmental delays. She’s also become a leader in talking about anti-racism, and what it means to be an ally. She recently gave a webinar on the topic to 600 viewers and raised more than $10,000 for the National Association of Black Physical Therapists.On today’s episode, Jennifer shares her framework, which includes awakening, education, self-examination, and action. I’ve learned a ton from her and I hope you do, too! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Helping yoga teachers make a decent living is something Jason and I are both passionate about. So in this episode, Jason and I have a candid conversation about what it takes to have a successful yoga business--particularly, how to get noticed by potential students online. The big takeaways: Yes, it takes time and energy to grow a following online, but it is very doable, too. And there’s more good news! You don’t need as many “followers” as you might think in order to do what you love and grow a thriving business as a yoga teacher. Here’s a few other points we make in the episode:* Why Andrea says it’s time to shush any voices of self-doubt and put your “CEO pants” on so you can start making the online content your students want and need* One of the biggest misconceptions about yoga influencer teachers on social media -- their income might not be coming from teaching yoga classes* Advice on how to make authentic, genuine connections online with potential students.* A few do’s and don’ts for

If you've practiced yoga for awhile, it's likely that you've heard a sweeping generalization about alignment in a pose. Often these generalizations get passed around until they become cemented as absolute truths -- when in fact, they're really just true under certain conditions at certain times. Or they're simply myths. My guest today is Judith Hanson Lasater, who addresses all of this in her newest book, "Yoga Myths: What You Need to Learn and Unlearn for a Safe and Healthy Yoga Practice."Here are a few highlights from our conversation:* We talk about how she is handling shelter-in-place and how it's affected her teaching* Her thoughts on “right and wrong” in yoga and how she frames that conversation instead* 3 common cues you might hear in yoga class that she says are based on myths about the body* When it’s appropriate to question something that you’ve learned from your yoga teacher* Why she says the pelvis is everything!Show notes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode206 Support this show http://supporter.aca

My guest this week wears so many hats! She's a yoga and Bollywood dance teacher, studio owner (Aham Yoga in Redmond, WA), and a brand new yoga podcaster! (Her pod is called Let's Talk Yoga.)⁠⁠Arundhati hails from Southern India and moved to the states with her husband seven years ago. In her own words, "I've built a successful business as an immigrant, WOC yoga teacher with no business background, no Handstands -- just pure instinct and the free information I found on google. There are very few Indian, immigrant yoga teachers out there. And even fewer South Asian owned yoga studios."⁠⁠I loved connecting with her and hearing her story. I'm also grateful to her for sharing openly from her perspective as a South Asian woman -- how does she feel about the word Namaste at the end of class? What are the things that feel different in yoga spaces in the West? And what are some ways that she's been made to feel invisible in yoga rooms in the past? Thank you, Aru, for leading with such an open heart! Here are a fe

We’ve been giving a lot of tips for bringing your teaching online during the pandemic lately. This week, we talk through the challenges both teachers and students are going through. Then, we offer some thoughts and creative ideas (many of them from our students) on how to cope with those challenges. The challenges -- overcoming Zoom fatigue, the broken teacher-student “feedback loop,” the absence of manual adjustments, and the additional challenge of finding + retaining students. The solutions? Ideas for engaging yoga students and bringing back the sense of community we’re all craving right now, focusing on growth, innovation, and taking this time to plan classes. *Plus, we share our best advice for yoga students as they are navigating this new normalShow notes: http://jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode204SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORSBetabrand's dress pant yoga pants make work wear that's as functional, comfortable, and inspiring as your favorite workout gear--perfect for long work days or working from home. For a limi