The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 236: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 5]   Description: Have you ever felt stuck when it comes to creating content for your yoga business? Maybe you feel like you don’t know what to post, or how to share about your unique yoga offering. In this 5-part mini-training, Shannon Crow walks us through a 5 step process to create effective content.   The last step to creating effective content easily is the PLAN to share, schedule and repurpose the content you are creating. Shannon talks more about how to create content in batches, scheduling tools that can help you get ahead in content creation, and how she maps out her content. She also has some tips on repurposing content, so be sure to tune in!   Key Takeaways: [2:52] In this episode, Shannon is diving into the last step of the 5-step process to make content creation easy and effective. [4:02] Shannon recaps the first four steps to creating effective content. [5:22] Listen to the hot tip of the week from Schedulicity. [6:46] Shannon reminds us that the yoga and content we share are unique! [9:09] It's okay to do a B- job with these action steps! The important thing is to take action. [10:03] Once you're in the content creation mode, think of how you can schedule out your content. Shannon shares her experience with batching and scheduling, and how that works for her. [11:06] Shannon recommends Facebook Business Suite to help with scheduling. [12:06] Shannon explains how she maps out her content. [12:39] Once you've figured out a set of content for one platform, consider sharing it on other platforms. [14:13] Pay attention to how you write your content, and keep it all in one place! [15:51] Shannon shares the action step for this episode.   Links: Pelvic Health Professionals The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 232: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 1] The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 233: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 2] The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 234: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 3] The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 235: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 4] Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS) Social Media Strategy (Live Podcast with Shannon Crow) Facebook Business Suite The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Email Shannon - [email protected] Shannon Crow on Instagram   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Conscious Marketing for Yoga Teachers Training with Tristan Katz.   Quotes from this episode: "Your yoga and your content that you share are unique. No one can copy or steal it."   "Remember to keep coming back to [content creation] like you would a yoga pose that you're really working on and it will get easier."   "Go ahead and repeat yourself over and over again."   "What can you repurpose and what can you repeat?"

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 235: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 4]   Description: Have you ever felt stuck when it comes to creating content for your yoga business? Maybe you feel like you don’t know what to post, or how to share about your unique yoga offering. In this 5-part mini-training, Shannon Crow walks us through a 5 step process to create effective content.   Step 4 is where this content creation process gets juicy. Shannon explores the HOW of content creation and encourages you to think about how you will show up. Video, audio, text, images - these are some ways you can show up. You just have to pick one to start. Shannon has some great brainstorming questions to inspire you to create content, and two very simple tips that can make a huge difference in creating effective content.   Key Takeaways: [2:36] This episode is all about Step 4 of Shannon's content creation process! [3:51] Shannon recaps the first three steps of this process. [5:44] Step 4 is about answering the question HOW - video, text, audio or images? [7:35] The action step for this episode is to choose one (only one!) way to share content. How are you going to show up? [8:31] Shannon shares some tips on how to stay on top of content ideas. [10:35] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor, Schedulicity. [12:46] Need some inspiration for your content? Shannon shares some ideas to get you started. [20:59] If you're struggling with consistency, Shannon has some insights on consistency vs. quality. [22:07] Two more tips for effective content creation - split up your content, and include a call to action! [23:30] Shannon shares thanks, and highlights the action step for this week.   Content Ideas: Your Big Why - What is your next big yoga offering? Share yoga resources Ask your students for questions What holidays are coming up? Or days of awareness that your students might be interested in? Your own experience with yoga What does self-care look like to you? What is your specialty or niche? What yoga poses, breath practices, meditation techniques, mantras or mudras do you love or hate or what ones help with a specific struggle that you or your students are dealing with? What do you hear people complaining about? Share a favourite recipe or life hack Don’t be afraid to take a stand   Links: Pelvic Health Professionals The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 232: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 1] The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 233: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 2] The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 234: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 3] Social Media Strategy (Live Podcast with Shannon Crow) Schedulicity (Coupon Code: CYT2MONTHS) The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 048: Eating Disorder Education for Yoga Teachers with Tabitha Farrar The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 126: Body Mindful Yoga with Jennifer Kreatsoulas The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 219: Yoga for Abundant Bodies with Dianne Bondy The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 031: Facebook Marketing for Yoga Teachers with Amanda Bond The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Conscious Marketing for Yoga Teachers Training with Tristan Katz.   Quotes from this episode: “Where do you feel comfortable right now?”   “The key right now is to only choose one thing, one way that you are going to share right now.”   “Another key piece of this is to keep all of your content ideas - the brainstorming, the planning, all of the ideas - in one location."   “Where would you be able to start with this without any hesitation?”   “Do not be afraid to stand out.”   “Yoga teachers need to create consistent content to get to their best quality content.”

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 234: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 3]   Description: Have you ever felt stuck when it comes to creating content for your yoga business? Maybe you feel like you don’t know what to post, or how to share about your unique yoga offering. In this 5-part mini-training, Shannon Crow walks us through a 5 step process to create effective content.   Once you figure out when and why you are creating content, the third step is to figure out WHERE. There are a multitude of content channels available to us these days, from social media, to our websites, to podcasts, and more - but to get started, you just have to pick one. Shannon shares two questions to ask yourself to determine the best content channel for you, and highlights some of the most powerful content channels we may be overlooking!   Key Takeaways: [2:40] Shannon is covering Step 3 of the five-step miniseries on creating effective content [3:48] Shannon recaps Steps 1 and 2 of her process. [4:31] Step 3 is all about figuring out where to share your content. [5:32] To figure out where you should be posting, there are two questions you should ask yourself. [8:04] Shannon highlights some of the channels we might be overlooking to share our content. [11:26] Social media is often the channel we think of when we think about where to share our content. [12:41] Looking at the list of channels available to share your content can feel overwhelming, but you just have to choose one. [13:39] Shannon shares a small pep talk if you're experiencing some imposter syndrome. [16:16] Shannon gives thanks and shares the Schedulicity hot tip of the week.  [17:33] Shannon recaps the action step for this episode.   Content Channels: NETWORK Friends & Family Introduce your specialty not just "yoga teacher"  Referrals Business cards  Local News  In-Person Presentations  YTT                 EMAIL Weekly/bi-weekly or monthly newsletter  Freebie  Nurture Sequence    WEBSITE Your Own Website  Featured Guest Articles SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook  Instagram  Tik Tok  Snapchat  LinkedIn  SEARCH ENGINES Google Ads YouTube Pinterest BOOK Print / e-book PODCAST   Links: Pelvic Health Professionals The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 232: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 1] The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 233: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 2] The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 177: How to Connect (aka Network) with Natalie Eckdahl The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Conscious Marketing for Yoga Teachers Training with Tristan Katz.   Quotes from this episode: "What is the most effective place for me to share my content so that people see it, are interested, feel connected to it and sign up if it's a good fit?"   "What platform is your ideal yoga student already using?"   “Remember we are only choosing one thing, and that one thing is going to make all the difference.”

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 233: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 2]   Description: Have you ever felt stuck when it comes to creating content for your yoga business? Maybe you feel like you don’t know what to post, or how to share about your unique yoga offering. In this 5-part mini-training, Shannon Crow walks us through a 5 step process to create effective content.   Creating content can be fun, but what’s the real reason you’re actually creating content? The second step of creating effective content  is figuring out the WHY - why are you creating content? Without understanding why you are doing it, your content will not be aligned with your goals, and you probably will not achieve the results you are hoping for. Shannon explains more about this step in the content creation process and shares an action step for you to get started!   Key Takeaways: [2:23] In this episode, Shannon is diving into Step 2 of her content creation process! [3:30] Shannon does a quick recap of Step 1 - When. [4:53] Step 2 is all about answering the big WHY. Why are you creating content? [8:20] No matter what our goals are in our yoga business, we still need to make a profit. [10:10] What would help you generate more profit right now? [13:44] You are not alone in this! [14:22] Action step: Create a visual for your next offering that you’d like to promote. [20:36] Check out the Schedulicity hot tip of the week. [21:51] Shannon highlights the action step for you to do right now!   Reasons Why Yoga Teachers Are Creating Content: Grow their business Grow their email list Get more yoga students  Increasing profit Build a community Share yoga with more people Gain more followers on social media Become known as an expert Be part of a healthcare team -- gain referrals Sell courses, online classes or a product Get hired by a yoga studio Become a famous yoga teacher Easily fill a retreat, workshop, Yoga Teacher Training or event   Links: Wiki How - How to Drive Manual (with Pictures) Pelvic Health Professionals The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 232: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 1] Episodes on Money Mindset The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 11: Setting Prices and Defining Your Value as a Yoga Teacher with Tracey Eccleston The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 41: Generating Profit with Natalie Eckdahl The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 42: Money Mindset with Geraldine Carter The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 43: Minimum Viable Income with Steph Crowder The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 141: Let’s Talk Money with Katie Brauer The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 231: Conscious Marketing with Tristan Katz The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 180: Sticky Note Secret for More Students with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Conscious Marketing for Yoga Teachers Training with Tristan Katz.   Quotes from this episode: “Why are you creating content? It cannot be just for the fun of it!"   "What do you want your business or your life to feel like in the near future?"   "Ask yourself two questions. 'What is the impact that this offering is going to make to those who sign up?' And, 'Who could I invite next?'"  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 232: Five Steps to Effective Content with Shannon Crow [Part 1]   Description: Have you ever felt stuck when it comes to creating content for your yoga business? Maybe you feel like you don’t know what to post, or how to share about your unique yoga offering. In this 5-part mini-training, Shannon Crow walks us through a 5 step process to create effective content.   Content is anything that you are creating or sharing to build your business. There are several different types of content that you can think about creating, but before trying to dive right into writing an article or recording a video, the first step is to figure out WHEN. Shannon explains more about this step in the content creation process and shares an action step for you to get started!   Key Takeaways: [5:04] Creating content is the quickest and easiest way to showcase what makes your yoga unique. [6:22] Step 1 of the content creation process is WHEN. [7:36] Look at your calendar and see when you have time to create content. [8:57] Being consistent with content is key! [9:57] Choose a weekly time and day to create content. [11:24] Do a trial to see which time and day works best for you. [14:03] Find an accountability partner to tell about your content creation commitment. [15:14] Action Step: Set the time to create content, and tell someone about it. [16:08] Shannon gives thanks! [18:25] Schedulicity shares the hot tip of the week. [19:43] Shannon highlights the action step for this episode.   Types of Content You Can Create: Articles Audio Video Social media posts Emails   Links: The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 231: Conscious Marketing with Tristan Katz The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 122: Productivity for Yoga Teachers with Amber De La Garza The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 045: Creating Content with Shannon Crow  The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Conscious Marketing for Yoga Teachers Training with Tristan Katz.   Quotes from this episode: "All of us need to work to show what makes our yoga unique compared to all the other yoga options out there."   "Content [is] anything that you are creating or sharing to build your business."   "Do you want to grow your yoga business and do you want more people signing up for your offerings?"   "As you work this muscle, as you create content, it's actually going to get easier."

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 231: Conscious Marketing with Tristan Katz   Description: More and more yoga teachers are digging into how to take their yoga off the mat and continue anti-oppression and social justice work in the world. But how can you reflect this in your marketing, and do it in a way that is genuine and authentic? Tristan Katz has some insights about how to be more conscious in your marketing as a yoga teacher.   Tristan Katz is a writer, educator, and digital strategist who offers business and marketing mentorship programs, web and graphic design services, as well as workshops and trainings centered around queer identity and transgender awareness with an anti-oppression and intersectional lens. Tristan also co-hosts the podcast, ALL THE F*CK IN with Lauren Roberts, where they talk about business and entrepreneurship with the radical perspective that we don’t have to choose between social justice values and being successful. Tristan also sits on the Board of Directors at Accessible Yoga. Through their work, Tristan supports those who seek to grow while staying aligned with the practices of yoga, equity, diversity, and inclusivity.   Tristan shares more about conscious marketing and how we can connect with our audience in an authentic way that doesn't feel forced or icky. They also explain how to find the balance between being compassionate about things happening in the world, and promoting your offerings that can help people, and why taking a stand and showcasing your values and beliefs is important, despite the negative reactions you may get.   If you've been doing some work around anti oppression and inclusion, and if you're really wanting to reflect that in your marketing and share your message in a genuine way, this conversation is a must-listen.   Key Takeaways: [9:43] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Tristan Katz. [11:38] What is the work that Tristan does and who do they do it for? [12:56] What are Tristan's thoughts on marketing? [15:36] Combining marketing with social justice and anti-oppression can feel uncomfortable for a lot of us. Tristan shares some of their thoughts around that. [21:49] Putting ourselves out there and taking a stand can draw some negative responses. Why would we put ourselves in that position? [27:50] How can we add what we're learning to our marketing messages? [34:42] How does Tristan approach certain feelings that may come up around not wanting to share about the news or other important topics? [37:11] Marketing is all about taking an intimate interpersonal relationship and expanding on it for our community. [39:38] How can we find a balance between being compassionate for the things people are going through and putting our offerings out there? [43:49] Tristan highlights the need to do work that is not merely performative or superficial virtue signaling. [46:55] There is no one sentence that you can put on your website to show that you care about social issues. The work goes much deeper than that. [52:16] Shannon and Tristan discuss the training they have put together for yoga teachers. [53:34] What are your key takeaways from this interview?   Links: Tristan Katz All The F*ck In Podcast Events and Workshops by Tristan Katz Tristan Katz on Instagram The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 230: Anti-Oppression Yoga with Pooja Virani Anti-Oppression and Inclusion Resources Monica Cadena on Instagram The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Shannon Crow on Instagram Accessible Yoga Conference   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Conscious Marketing for Yoga Teachers Training with Tristan Katz.   Quotes from this episode: "How do we take up space in ways that are mindful and aligned with our practice, with our personalities, with our personal values?"   "How can we offer something meaningful in our marketing that makes a point of connection, and that builds a relationship with people?"   "Silence is no longer okay. Avoiding the conversation is no longer okay."   "I think that we need to stop pretending that things are normal when they're not normal, and that's step one."   "This is about cultivating community and connection and aligning ourselves with what matters in the practice of yoga."

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 230: Anti-Oppression Yoga with Pooja Virani   Description: The term “anti-oppression” can make some of us feel uncomfortable, and we may want to shy away from talking about it, but that is exactly what makes this such an important conversation. This is part of the work of bringing our yoga into our lives and the world, and Pooja Virani has some insights about anti-oppression yoga.   Pooja Virani is a Pain-Free Movement Specialist and Social Justice Consultant on a mission to spread joy, foster equality, and help people reach their highest potential. Pooja is certified in Kripalu Yoga & Meditation, Kids’ Yoga, and Acroyoga, and specializes in Rehabilitative Yoga for Injury Prevention & Pain Relief, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Yoga, and Social Justice Education for Yoga Teachers, Community Leaders, and Businesses. She believes in "yoga for everyone" and aims to make yoga accessible and inclusive to all people – regardless of their race, age, gender, sexuality, previous experience, or ability.   Pooja talks to us about what privilege is and the different kinds of privilege that exist, what oppression means in the context of yoga, and how it differs from cultural appropriation, and she has some great examples to really highlight these differences. Pooja also explains how we can move toward creating safer, more diverse and equitable yoga spaces.   This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to learn more about creating safe, inclusive and accessible spaces for everyone.   Key Takeaways: [10:32] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Pooja Virani. [12:25] What is the work that Pooja does and who does she do it for? [13:42] How did Pooja choose the name "Pain Free Movement Specialist" to describe what she does? [16:30] Pooja used to hate yoga. She shares more about her experiences being teased and mocked for her culture, and how it influenced her. [18:52] How did Pooja feel in her yoga classes in college? [20:34] Now, as a yoga teacher who practices and shares yoga in North America, what are Pooja's thoughts and feelings about it? [22:25] How does Pooja define privilege? [24:33] How does Pooja define oppression? [25:48] How does oppression show up in yoga spaces? [27:54] Shannon and Pooja discuss the idea that yoga is not religion. [34:06] As a white person, should you still be teaching and practicing yoga? [36:43] Shannon reflects on what it means to create safe, inclusive spaces. [38:23] Is it appropriate to give and receive gifts of religious idols like Ganesh? [43:18] Is it okay to say namaste in a yoga class? [48:32] Pooja shares an example of how namaste has been taken out of context. [51:40] Our usage of words evolves over time - it is important to keep this in mind. [53:16] Pooja shares some final thoughts around cultural appropriation and further resources. [55:52] Learn more about Pooja and her work via her website, and be sure to check out the free resource list she has compiled. [58:10] What are your key takeaways from this interview?   Links: Pooja Virani Pooja Virani on Instagram and Facebook Workshops and Trainings by Pooja Virani Accessible Yoga Conference Conscious Marketing for Yoga Teachers Training with Tristan Katz Anti-Oppression and Inclusion Resources Why I Don't Say Namaste, by Pooja Virani Susana Barkataki Savira Gupta Embrace Yoga's Roots, by Susana Barkataki Embrace Yoga's Roots Online Course Namaste - 60+ Options for Confidently Ending Your Yoga Class  Free Resource List for Privilege and Oppression The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode: "Yoga has always seemed a way towards freedom."   "Just because you have privilege doesn't mean that someone has never oppressed you."   "Why I say that we all have the ability to oppress others is because we all have agency in our lives."   “When it gets to this point where this thing came from India and I'm the only South Asian everywhere I look, that's pointing to the fact that there's been a systemic exploitation of that culture."   "We have the responsibility to figure out ‘what are we teaching?’ and ‘why are we teaching it?’."   "Our use of language is evolving out of respect. That's the way it should evolve."

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 229: Closed Captioning for Zoom Yoga with Landen Stacy   Description: Do you have closed captions or live transcription enabled for your Zoom classes? It is something small that you can do in just a few minutes, which really makes a huge difference to a lot of people. Landen Stacy how you can make your Zoom classes more accessible by adding closed captions to them.    Landen Stacy is the owner of Emerald Yoga Studio located in Pembroke, Massachusetts. Landen discovered yoga in high school and has continued his yoga journey since then, eventually going on to complete his YTT at the studio he now owns.  Landen loves teaching and the ability to create accessible classes in his studio, and aims to create the yoga studio he always wishes he had - one that is accessible, inclusive, welcoming and safe for everyone.   What do you need to add closed captions to Zoom? Why are closed captions important? What are the pros and cons of different transcription settings? Landen answers these questions and more, including other ways in which he makes yoga classes at his studio more accessible to people.   If you are looking for ways to improve your student experience and create more welcoming and accessible yoga spaces, both online and in-person, this episode is a must listen.    Key Takeaways: [8:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Landen Stacy. [9:41] Landen shares a bit about his yoga journey, and how he decided to do closed captioning. [12:10] What was the teaching situation where Landen lives? [12:32] Some students specifically take Landen's classes because his classes have closed captions. [14:58] What are the benefits of adding closed captions to your Zoom classes? [16:35] What are the requirements on Zoom to enable closed captions? [17:45] Get the step-by-step instructions on how to enable closed captions on Zoom via the links in the show notes! [18:28] What are the pros and cons of different transcription settings? [21:36] Check out the transcription tool that Shannon uses - Podse.io. [23:06] Landen and Shannon discuss how useful it is to be able to add closed captions and live transcriptions to Zoom calls. [24:20] How does Landen communicate the availability of closed captions to the students attending his classes? [26:46] How has Landen's experience been owning a yoga studio through the pandemic? [28:26] What are some ways Landen makes classes in his studio more accessible? [31:52] Landen shares some final thoughts from his own yoga journey. [34:56] Find out more about Landen's work and his studio by visiting his website or connect with him over email. [35:58] What are your takeaways from this interview?    Links: Landen Stacy, Emerald Yoga Studio Email Landen Stacy The Connected Yoga Teacher on YouTube Closed Captioning for Online Yoga with Landen Stacy Article Closed Captioning on Zoom PDF Guide The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 228: How to Personalize Zoom Yoga with Arundhati Baitmangalkar Zoom Podse.io   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training.   Quotes from this episode: "I love the ability to create accessible classes in my studio."   "I think I'm trying to create the studio that I always wish that I had."   "It's such a small thing that you can do, that really helps a lot of people."   "[Closed captioning] is good for a whole plethora of people who are looking for that extra layer of being able to understand."   "Just having this virtual option has really opened doors so much."  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 228: How to Personalize Zoom Yoga with Arundhati Baitmangalkar   Description: Are you teaching yoga online and wondering how to make your classes more personalized, create more connection with your students, and continue building that sense of community - from behind a screen? Arundhati Baitmangalkar has some insights about how to personalize yoga classes on Zoom, and create connections with students in yoga teacher trainings.   Arundhati is the founder of Aham Yoga, a full-service yoga studio, and Bollyworks, a part-time Bollywood dance studio, in Redmond, WA. Born and raised in India, Arundhati came to yoga after nearly a decade of teaching dance, and started teaching yoga in 2006. She is trained in vinyasa and hatha styles of yoga from renowned yoga masters, and is one of the leading yoga teachers in her area. Arundhati represents a great balance of classical and modern yoga, and in addition to yoga classes, she offers yoga teacher trainings and workshops. She also runs a blog, YouTube channel, hosts the Let's Talk Yoga podcast, and was voted one of the top 20 yoga teachers of color to watch out for in 2020 by YogaWalla.   Shannon and Arundhati discuss some simple strategies to connect and engage with students, like using their names and letting them ask questions. Arundhati also shares some tips on how to create the best experience possible for your YTT students, and the tools she uses to enhance teaching online.   If you’re teaching any of your yoga classes online, this podcast is full of useful info on how to give your students a personalized experience even on Zoom.   Key Takeaways: [8:07] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Arundhati Baitmangalkar [10:39] What is the work that Arundhati does and who does she do it for? [11:45] What helps to feel like we have a connection with our students when we are teaching online? [12:58] Arundhati makes it a point to acknowledge every person in her class by name, and encourages questions in her classes. [17:13] One thing many yoga teachers struggle with is seeing their students on Zoom, either because they don't want to turn on their cameras, or have poor placement of their cameras. What are Arundhati's tips around this? [21:27] Shannon shares a struggle she has been having recently with leading yoga teacher training. [27:22] Shannon and Arundhati discuss some of the elements students would get from an in-person class that are missing from the online environment, and how to cater to that. [29:05] Breakout rooms in Zoom are a good tool to do activities in smaller groups. Arundhati explains how she uses them in her yoga teacher trainings. [31:31] How does Arundhati instruct people to get help from her when they are in a breakout room session? [34:00] Shannon shares something that has worked really well for her in leading online sessions. [35:57] What kind of comments has Arundhati received from students about Zoom classes and being tired of being on screens and Zoom? [39:18] Arundhati explains why she puts more energy into serving the students she has now, instead of trying to convince people who are resistant to having Zoom classes, and how she keeps students interested in coming back to classes. [41:37] What are some things Arundhati has learned along the way from teaching yoga online? [44:55] Arundhati reflects on what going with the flow is like for her. [46:35] Find out more about Arundhati and the work she does by visiting her website and following her on Instagram. [47:29] How did Arundhati ensure that her trainees in yoga teacher trainings got teaching practice? [49:59] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview.   Key Takeaways: Acknowledge everyone by name (before and after class) Encourage students to unmute and ask questions during class Leave time at the end of class to ask questions Send personal messages (type in chat to just that person) to a few students each class Log in, and then sit like you would in a studio Use breakout rooms Zoom fatigue is real - try out themes / exciting class titles, focus on the students who are there with you   Links: Arundhati Baitmangalkar, Aham Yoga Arundhati Baitmangalkar on Instagram and YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast Bollyworks Pelvic Health Professionals The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training.   Quotes from this episode: "Understand that teaching in person and teaching online are two completely different experiences."   "[For online YTTs], make sure your spaces are well-lit, make sure you can provide multiple angles if possible."   "I tell the trainees and even the students who come to class, you have to take more responsibility for your practice."   "When we plan these trainings, we have to keep extra time for those breakout rooms because I feel like that's where you really get your hands-on experience."   "It's about accepting the moment, even if that moment is unpleasant."  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 227: Is Pain During Yoga Okay? with Neil Pearson   Description: As yoga teachers, we may have guided students to avoid all movements that cause any amount of pain, particularly for students who may be dealing with injuries or issues in their bodies. However, is this necessary and is pain always a bad thing? Neil Pearson sheds light on what pain science has to say about pain, and how to approach pain in yoga.   Neil Pearson is a physiotherapist, yoga therapist, educator and author. He is also the Founder of Pain Care Aware, a yoga mentorship program that focuses on a pain-informed approach to teaching yoga, and Pain Care U, which offers practical, effective, non-pharmacological pain care for people living in pain. Additionally, Niel provides education to PTs, MDs, and yoga therapists, as well as serves as a consultant to Canada's largest rehab clinic group and pain advocacy groups. He focuses on teaching about pain science, the lived experience of pain, and the intersection of pain science and yoga, with the goal of helping people living in pain and assisting others with the same desire to serve.   Neil answers some common questions around pain during yoga, including whether sharp pain is okay, how and when we can know that it is safe to explore the edges of pain, and if pain is really just all in our heads. If you are experiencing pain, or have students with pain, this is a powerful interview to listen to.   Key Takeaways: [7:54] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Neil Pearson. [9:19] Neil talks about the idea that pain is a taboo topic. [10:59] What is the work that Neil does and who does he do it for? [12:24] How did Neil start integrating pain science into his work? [17:19] What should yoga teachers do for people who are feeling pain? [22:56] Many times in yoga classes, we encourage students not to do things that cause pain. What are Neil's thoughts on that? [32:05] Neil talks more about the common belief that discomfort is okay, but sharp pain is not okay. [34:24] Shannon and Neil discuss how determining causes of pain can be frustrating because it is influenced by many factors and is very changeable. [38:38] Neil and Shannon discuss her experience recovering from a herniated disc recently, and how each person is an expert in their pain. [44:18] As yoga teachers, how can we know if pain is caused by tissue damage? Neil explains the buffer between pain and damage, and how we can tap into that. [46:23] Neil shares a bit more about movement guidelines, and how we can pay attention to four alarm systems in our bodies to know if a movement is safe. [50:50] Neil talks about his work teaching people about pain science and the new training for yoga teachers around pain. [53:48] Neil shares his hope that this training will help yoga teachers give people a different lived experience around pain.   Links: Neil Pearson Is Pain OK in Yoga? with Neil Pearson Live Video on YouTube Yoga, Neuroplasticity and Pain: New Hope for Self-Empowerment and Healing (Discount code for 15% off: CONNECTEDPCA15) Pain Care Aware The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 225: Yoga for Hip Pain with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 226: Questions to Ask Someone in Pain with Shelly Prosko Pain Resources The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 207: Biopsychosocial Model & Yoga with Carolyn Vandyken   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals.   Quotes from this episode: "It's almost like pain has become a taboo topic and/or word within yoga." - Neil   "We have these beliefs about pain and those beliefs lead us to do certain behaviors. And it's also our society and our health care system [which have] beliefs about pain." - Neil   "Just because we have thoughts about pain, we have beliefs about pain, but we never question them, we never get curious about them." - Neil   "What we want to do is recognize is that we have options." - Neil   "Pain is a complex, multi faceted thing. It's not just about tissue damage there are other things involved in it." - Neil   "You can use any aspect of your existence to change any aspect of your existence." - Neil   "It's okay to provoke the symptoms if you feel at the end that the benefits of what you did outweigh the consequences." - Neil

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 226: Questions to Ask Someone in Pain with Shelly Prosko   Description: Many people start practicing yoga because of pain, to get relief or to recover from an injury. As yoga teachers, we are sure to encounter students who have some pain in their bodies when they come to our yoga classes. What are some questions we can ask them to be better able to help them? Shelly Prosko shares some questions rooted in empowerment, pain science and self compassion we can ask.   Shelly Prosko is a Canadian physiotherapist, yoga therapist, educator, author and pioneer of PhysioYoga. With over 22 years of experience integrating yoga into physiotherapy within a variety of specialty areas including helping people with chronic or persistent pain, pelvic health issues and professional burnout, Shelly is an expert in this field. Her current focus is on continuing education for other professionals in this area. In addition to this, Shelly has authored book chapters in yoga therapy and integrative rehabilitation textbooks and is the co-editor/author of the textbook Yoga and Science in Pain Care: Treating the Person in Pain. She maintains a clinical practice in Sylvan Lake, Canada and believes compassion is the foundation of pain care, healthcare and overall well-being.   Shelly explains why the questions we ask people who have pain are so important, and how that can influence their healing journey. She also has some insights about how we perceive pain and rest, and why having compassion is essential. This episode is a must-listen for every yoga teacher looking to learn more about pain science, compassion and helping people in pain.   Key Takeaways: [7:22] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Shelly Prosko. [10:32] What is the work that Shelly does and who does she do it for? [12:08] When Shannon was dealing with a herniated disc, Shelly asked her some questions about her pain. They discuss the conversation they had regarding Shannon's injury. [15:25] Many times, when someone tells us they are in pain, our immediate reaction may be to offer suggestions or advice, but this may not be helpful. [16:11] Shelly shares a bit more about what she has learned about pain care and working with people in pain. [22:23] Shannon and Shelly discuss the concept of trusting your body to heal itself. [28:48] Shelly highlights that calming the system can have a profound impact on healing and recovery. [30:53] Regression is as much a part of progression in the healing journey, and it is important for people to know that, and not discount the progress they have made. [34:22] Shannon and Shelly discuss having inquiry around movement, and how yoga ties into that. [40:34] It can be helpful to reframe resting for people who struggle to rest, and encourage them to engage in self-inquiry and self-reflection about the healing process. [44:42] Shelly shares a bit about using compassionate language and being kind to yourself and others. [52:33] Shelly highlights the fact that pain is not necessarily bad. [58:04] Shannon reflects on this interview with Shelly and shares her biggest takeaways.   Key Takeaways from Shelly: What positions or movements bring you ease, peace or joy? The body is set up to progress towards healing. Regression is a normal thing in recovery and healing. Be curious as you move. Increase your movements without forcing. Detach from your expectations as much as possible. Can you reduce your cognitive load as you heal? We are all so unique. Ask individuals, "what do you think?" Speak with compassion to self. Pain is a normal human condition. Pain is not necessarily "bad" - including in a yoga class.   Links: Shelly Prosko Yoga and Science in Pain Care: Treating the Person in Pain, by Neil Pearson, Shelly Prosko and and Marlysa Sullivan Yoga, Neuroplasticity and Pain: New Hope for Self-Empowerment and Healing (Discount code for 15% off: CONNECTEDPCA15) Pain Care Aware The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 225: Yoga for Hip Pain with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 116: Pain Language with Shelly Prosko (Part 1) The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 117: Pain Language with Shelly Prosko (Part 2)   The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 009: Kegels, Mula Bandha and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko   Pain science episodes   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals.   Quotes from this episode: "There's all sorts of things you can do that feel good, that feel easeful and peaceful and joyful. So do those instead of trying just to go straight to fixing." - Shelly   "The body is set up to always progress towards healing." - Shelly   "Calm the system down, and that in and of itself is really powerful for healing and for recovery." - Shelly   “The more we check in and be aware, then the more insight we have into our needs." - Shelly

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 225: Yoga for Hip Pain with Shannon Crow   Description: Do you have students who come to you complaining of “hip pain”? Or have you experienced pain in the hips, lower back, abdomen or pelvic area yourself? Many people experience acute or persistent pain in their hip and pelvic area, and in this episode, Shannon Crow does a mini-training to address these pains.   Shannon has had personal experience with pelvic girdle pain, which she used to call “hip pain”, for over 20 years. In this time, she has worked in her own yoga practice, and with health care and medical professionals to address this pain, and has gained a wealth of information about the topic. She shares some questions that can be helpful to ask yoga students who are experiencing “hip pain” and talks about why the language we use is important in our experience of pain. Shannon also has some movements and exercises that can help alleviate and decrease pelvic girdle pain for you to try out in your own practice and with your students.   If you have ever experienced any sort of pain in your hip or pelvic area, or have students who are, this mini-training will be very helpful.   Key Takeaways: [6:09] This episode is a mini-training on hip pain. [6:45] Shannon starts with some questions and definitions. Have you experienced acute pain and persistent pain? [8:50] What are some messages we have heard about the hips? What are some messages we have said? [10:49] Where are your hips, and where are your hip joints? [14:19] Why doesn't Shannon say hip pain to her students anymore? "Hip pain" or pelvic pain usually occurs in the sacroiliac joint (S.I. joint), the coccyx (tailbone), the pubic symphysis (pubic bone), the hip joint, and the entire pelvic area including the lower abdomen, the pelvis and perineum. [16:07] Shannon clarifies that she doesn't go around correcting people on proper anatomical terms to use. [17:59] Shannon talks about some of the cues yoga teachers use in relation to the hips. [19:06] What are three important questions to ask your yoga students who come to you with hip or pelvic pain? [21:16] As yoga teachers, it is not in our scope of practice to diagnose pain. [22:52] It is important to understand that the pelvis is strong and stable. [24:57] The language we use can make a huge difference in our experience with pain. [25:57] What are some things we can do when experiencing pelvic girdle pain, and the pelvis is sensitive and protective? [34:15] Shannon recommends trying out these movements in your own practice to see how it feels, and then you can incorporate it into your yoga classes. [35:20] For a deep dive to learn more about these movements and why they work to decrease pain, check out the full training.   Things to Try for Pelvic Girdle Pain                        Exhale on effort / exertion  Space for Sitz bones S Breath Question Kegels Rolling over Side-to-side standing  Walking backwards Symmetrical Movements   Links: Full Training: Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain Pain science episodes Cueing Hips in Yoga - Facebook Thread The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 073: 8 Limbs of Yoga [Part 1] with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 075: Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain with Dr. Sinead Dufour Reducing Pelvic Girdle Pain In Daily Life by Shannon Crow for Yoga Anytime   The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 009: Kegels, Mula Bandha and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko Pelvic floor episodes The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 193: Pelvic Symmetry Sequence with Shannon Crow     Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals.   Quotes from this episode: "The key to serving your yoga students is to ask more questions. You do not need to know all of the answers."   “I feel it's very important as yoga teachers that we know our scope of practice, and that as we work alongside the health care team, we really know what our role is because we have an important role to play."   "It is not in our scope of practice to diagnose pain. This isn't our role as yoga educators."   “Understand that the pelvis is strong and stable."  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 224: 8 Yoga Business Lessons with Manu Molina de la Torre   Description: Being a yoga entrepreneur can be tough. Our typical YTTs focus more on how to teach asana and yoga philosophy, but hardly cover anything about what it really means to run a sustainable yoga business. Manu Molina de la Torre has 8 important lessons to share about things he has learned in starting his yoga business.   Manu is a yoga teacher, a personal trainer and a coach in Andalusia, Spain. Manu found yoga as a teenager, and became a yoga teacher in 2010. After working for different yoga and fitness studios, Manu decided to start his own yoga business, only to find he lacked the business skills necessary. He invested in business training for himself, and realized that this knowledge could help other yoga teachers in their businesses too. Today, Manu helps yoga & wellness professionals take actionable steps toward their vision as entrepreneurs through 1:1 coaching calls, both online and in-person. He coaches in English and Spanish, and also hosts the Emprendedores del Yoga Podcast in Spanish.   In this interview, Manu shares his 8 biggest lessons and tips for yoga teachers on their entrepreneurial journey. He has some great insights that would be helpful for newer yoga teachers who are just getting started in their yoga business, as well as some things every yoga teacher should know regardless of where they are in their entrepreneurship journey.   Key Takeaways: [7:29] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Manu Molina de la Torre. [9:33] How did Manu get started on his yoga journey, and how did he start working with yoga teachers? [17:25] In all of Manu's yoga teacher trainings and fitness trainings, there wasn't much taught about running a business. [19:10] What is the first lesson Manu learned in business? [22:27] What is a good amount to have saved up before starting on the journey of becoming a yoga entrepreneur? [23:13] It's important to keep track of expenses and stay on top of your finances. Having a separate bank account, or tracking expenses on a spreadsheet can help. [24:10] Manu's next tip is to niche down and to diversify your sources of income. [27:09] How can a yoga teacher niche down and diversify at the same time? [29:50] Niching down and specializing can feel hard and scary, but it is effective and worth it! [31:17] Manu's third tip is to put yourself out there. [34:57] Lesson #4: Be willing to listen to people's problems. [40:05] Lesson #5 is to stay open to change. [42:37] Manu's sixth lesson is about mindset. Reframe your mindset about mistakes - there are no mistakes, only lessons learned. [46:41] The next lesson Manu shares is to just do it, despite the fear. [50:21] The last lesson is the most important one - Educate yourself in different aspects of business. [53:32] Shannon summarizes the eight lessons Manu has shared. [54:11] Manu shares some of his final thoughts for yoga entrepreneurs. [56:35] Find out more about Manu's work and connect with him via his website or on Instagram. [58:51] What was your biggest takeaway from this interview, or something you've learned from your own business journey?   Links:  Manu Molina de la Torre Manu Molina de la Torre on Instagram Emprendedores de Yoga Podcast The Connected  Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 043: Minimum Viable Income with Steph Crowder How to Cue and Demo at the Same Time while Teaching Yoga Online with Manu Molina de la Torre   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode: "It's really important to make sure that you have some savings or that you have some source of income." - Manu   "When I really started to work on niching down and I started to work on my messaging, I think everything was really, really clear." - Manu   "When you want to help everyone, you end up helping nobody." - Manu   "Talk to your people, tell them what you're doing." - Manu

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 223: Make Your Yoga Website Stand Out with Danbee Shin   Description: Not too long ago, online yoga teachers were pretty rare and unique, but everyone has had to move their yoga online because of the pandemic. Now, it feels like being an online yoga teacher is so common. How can you make your yoga website stand out from the rest, and really make an impact in the online space? Danbee Shin has some tips.    Danbee is a Web Designer and Copywriter who focuses on helping online coaches and teachers get more clients with their websites, so they can empower more people all around the world while doing work they love. Through simple, minimalist websites, Danbee produces high-converting web designs that help her clients grow their email lists, book out their calendars, sign new clients and hit their income goals.   Danbee shares more about some of the common mistakes people make, and some practical tips to avoid these mistakes. She also has some great insights about building your brand story, why pictures are so important, and action steps that you can implement right away to make your website stand out.   This is a super useful episode if you’ve been wanting to freshen up your website a bit, add something new, or get people signing up for your offerings on your website.   Key Takeaways: [8:16] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Danbee Shin [9:36] What does Danbee do and who does she do it for? How did she get started? [10:40] How did the pandemic impact Danbee's business? [11:21] What is the first thing to be aware of to stand out online? [13:48] Danbee shares some examples of when using a story to capture a message is more effective. [15:32] There are four big steps to figuring out your brand story. [19:15] Shannon gives an update on Pelvic Health Professionals and the guest expert talk on PCOS. [20:11] Danbee gives another example of a health coach and their brand story. [23:10] What are some questions you can ask yourself to figure out your brand story? [24:37] What is Danbee's response to yoga teachers who think that social media is all about inauthentic self-promotion? [25:54] Does Danbee recommend written stories or videos? [27:02] What are some other ways yoga teachers can stand out? [28:59] Many yoga teachers often don't want to focus on the problem, and are hesitant to put wording related to the problems their clients may be experiencing on their website. What is Danbee's response to that? [30:40] Does Danbee ask her clients to interview their favorite clients or does she do that for them, when working on their website? [32:56] Danbee and Shannon discuss why it's not narcissistic to tell your story. [34:40] Where in our websites should we focus on telling these stories? [36:10] Should you list all of your qualifications and certifications on your website? [38:01] It's important to include pictures of yourself to stand out! [41:46] What tips does Danbee have for yoga teachers who want to update their website? [43:36] Looking at other websites to get inspiration vs planning it out on paper - which does Danbee recommend? [46:04] Danbee has some tips around writing copy for your website. [48:30] Check out Danbee's free resource if you're putting your own website together! [51:12] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Danbee.    Links: Danbee Shin Website Homepage Checklist How to Stand Out with Danbee Shin - Live Interview The Connected  Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 222: How to Craft a Great Sales Page with Sarah Guilliot Pelvic Health Professionals The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Running a Yoga Business Resource Page Niching Down Resource Page   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode: "One of the biggest mistakes I see my clients make before we start working together is they don't talk enough about themselves."   "One of the most powerful things you can do is tell stories about yourself and about your yoga teaching business."   "When you feel like you're talking about it way too much, that's probably the right amount of time to be talking about it out there. Because that's when people start remembering that story about you."   "Stories are so much stickier."   "I understand what my students are going through because I myself have gone through this."   "It's better to have the same picture on every single page than no picture."  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 222: How to Craft a Great Sales Page with Sarah Guilliot   Description: Do you have a sales page to promote your yoga offerings? An important part of sharing the work that you are doing with the world, is marketing and selling - and there are ways to do it without being salesy! Sarah Guilliot has some tips on how to craft a great sales page so that you can share your offerings with the people they are designed to help.   Sarah Guilliot is the founder of Sarah Design and expert on Sales Pages. She worked as a professional designer in the corporate world for 20 years, before switching gears to focus her energy on helping coaches, course creators, and podcasters create amazing sales pages for their launches. Today, Sarah works 1:1 with clients to create customized and unique sales pages that truly reflect the quality of their expertise and drive more sales.   From the words and images to use, to the mistakes to avoid - Sarah breaks down what exactly makes a sales page great. She also shares her checklist of things you should include in your sales page, as well as how you can get inspiration for your sales page from other websites and your own students.   This is a great episode for every yoga teacher with a website - it will definitely help you refine your sales and shop pages so that you can get more students in your classes, retreats, trainings and more!   Key Takeaways: [8:24] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sarah Guilliot. [9:21] How did Sarah get into creating sales pages for websites? [10:34] What is a sales page? [12:59] Yoga teachers might create sales pages for higher ticket items like a yoga teacher training that they offer. [14:25] What is the goal of a sales page? [16:38] Yoga teachers worry about being slimy and salesy on their sales pages. Sarah has some advice around getting into the right mindset for creating a sales page. [19:28] What are some of the mistakes people make with their sales pages? What are some considerations to keep in mind? [22:16] How many images should you be using for your sales page?  [26:43] You could also show short videos of what your actual class will be like. [27:46] Sarah shares a checklist of things to consider when creating a sales page. [34:46] If you would like to see Sarah explain some sales page examples, check out the live video interview (link below). [35:16] What are some of Sarah's suggestions in terms of looking at other websites to help us design our own? [36:47] Get in touch with Sarah via her website to do a one-day design intensive for your sales page. [38:19] Some sales pages don't have an option to return to the main website. What are the benefits of that? [41:26] What are your key takeaways from this interview?   Sales Page Checklist: Title or tagline (what's included or talking to transformation) Images or videos showing what this experience will look like Dreamy statement (bullet point problems - focus on the solution) Promise statement (what you are going to get - benefits) Photos or something that shows what they get Social proof (testimonials) Bio or about you section Details (specifics of what they get) Who this is for / not for Reassurance (refund policy) FAQ section Call to action (sprinkled through page) Video Tips: Call to Action button -- instead of saying "sign up now" -- other ideas   Links: Sarah Guilliot Sarah Guilliot on Instagram and Facebook How to Craft a Great Sales Page with Sarah Guilliot - Live Interview Marketing Your Yoga Resource Page Offering Tree Pelvic Health Professionals The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Sukhasana Chair (Code: TCYT10).   Quotes from this episode:   “Make sure your language and your plan for how you're selling to people aligns with what feels good to you.” - Sarah   "Try not to use too many words. Keep your headlines short and punchy. Small paragraphs, and bullet points are your friend." - Sarah   "Try and find ways to use pictures as much as you can, and also try to find pictures that really represent the experience that you in particular offer." - Sarah

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 221: Choosing to Teach Online Yoga with Colin Hall   Description: Teaching yoga online is not something most of us want to do, and for many people around the world where lockdowns are still in effect or are in place again after being briefly lifted, they don’t really have an option. However, despite being able to teach yoga in person, Colin Hall decided to close his yoga studio and offer virtual classes instead.   Colin is the co-director of Bodhi Tree Yoga and Bodhi Tree Yoga College in Regina, Saskatchewan, which he opened with his wife Sarah in 2004. Colin contributes to the yoga world both through teaching and writing, and his podcast The History of Yoga on Yoga International. In addition to his regular classes at the Bodhi Tree, Colin gives workshops and teacher trainings on asana and yoga philosophy. Apart from his work with yoga, Colin is also a lecturer at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada, where he teaches courses on yoga, religion, and sociology.   In Saskatchewan, there were no restrictions put into place about in-person yoga, but in December 2020, Colin chose to teach online yoga instead of continuing with in-person classes. He shares more about how and why he made this decision, and the reactions in his community. Shannon and Colin also discuss yoga philosophy and our moral responsibility as yoga teachers to the people around us.   This is a great episode to listen to if you’re wondering if you should go back to teaching in-person yoga in the present climate, and some considerations to keep in mind.   Key Takeaways: [7:31] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Colin Hall. [9:05] What does Colin do and who does he do it for? [11:26] What made Colin decide to open a yoga studio? [13:09] In December of 2020, Colin decided to close his yoga studio even though there were no official requirements to do so. What was that like for Colin? [18:00] How have things been since Colin decided to close his yoga studio? [23:52] Shannon shares a little about her preferred brand of shampoo and conditioner, High End Hippie. [25:13] What are the restrictions like in Saskatchewan at the time of recording? [28:55] How has yoga helped Colin in making tough decisions for his yoga business, and as a person living through a pandemic? [30:18] Colin has never had a job till now! [35:41] What is Colin's plan going forward with the studio? [39:22] How can we look at the philosophy of yoga with regards to the choices we are making now? [42:19] How are we connected to other yoga teachers and studios? How does our competitive nature come into play here? [48:43] What does Colin suggest for yoga teachers who are faced with hard decisions in their business? [54:31] We have a moral responsibility to our communities to keep everyone safe, not just as yoga teachers, but as human beings.  [57:53] Check out Colin's online yoga classes via his website, and his courses on Yoga International. [61:38] There are two live interviews per month for you to check out via YouTube or the Facebook group.   Links: Colin Hall - Bodhi Tree Yoga The Yoga History Podcast with Colin Hall Colin Hall on Yoga International Colin Hall’s Announcement on Facebook Teaching Yoga Online Resource Page Pelvic Health Professionals High End Hippie (Coupon Code: Connected15) Sask. businesses' reactions to new COVID-19 restrictions range from full support to questioning Post by Sarah Aspell Open Letter by Sarah Aspell Closing Down A Yoga Studio During COVID-19 with Colin Hall The Connected Yoga Teacher on YouTube The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Podse.io - Transcription Tool   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode: "I think that sometimes there's a very wide gulf that exists in between what you're allowed to do and what you should do.” - Colin   "It's very easy to lose perspective. It is really, really easy to think that what's happening now is this new reality that is going to last forever and you are screwed." - Colin   “I feel like my plan is to just continue kind of scrapping away and hopefully at some point come out on the other side of this thing." - Colin   "Your actions as an individual, what you perceive of as your freedom to do whatever you want, is intimately connected with the lives of so many other people around you." - Colin   "Anything you do that creates harm in the universe is harming you." - Colin

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 220: Alternatives to Namaste with Shannon Crow   Description: How do you close out your yoga classes? Many yoga teachers say “namaste” to end a yoga class, but maybe you’ve learned more about cultural appropriation in yoga and the teachings of yoga, and are no longer comfortable using “namaste” to end a class. Or, maybe your usual closing is starting to feel stale and repetitive, after repeating it a couple of dozen times a week.    Thanks to yoga teachers in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group, we’ve compiled some alternative ways for you to end your yoga classes. For the full list of alternative phrases and closings, check out the article 20+ Ways to Close Your Yoga Classes, or the two Facebook threads in the links below.   Key Takeaways: [2:28] How do you close out your yoga class? [4:19] Allison shares Schedulicity's hot tip of the week. [5:45] What are some alternatives we can say to close out our yoga classes? [6:49] Expressing gratitude is a favorite among yoga teachers to close their yoga classes. [8:12]  Sharing an uplifting message or affirmation is another way to end a yoga class. [9:21] Another way to close out the class is to bring the focus back to breath.  [11:01] Shannon used to close her yoga classes by saying "namaste" but has chosen to change how she ends classes as she has learned more about cultural appropriation and the teachings of yoga. [11:40] Caroline Holmes, one of the teachers in our Facebook group, shared a unique way to end virtual yoga classes - by asking students to close the class. [13:54] How do you end your yoga classes, and what are the unique words you use to close out a class?   Links: The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 184: Is Yoga Cultural Appropriation? with Shailla Vaidya Discussion thread started by Erika Record-Sparks  Discussion thread started by Patala Flow Yoga 20+ Phrases to Close Your Yoga Classes   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode: “One favorite inside of The Connected Yoga Teacher group was sharing gratitude, expressing gratitude in giving thanks.” - Shannon   “I used to close my class with “namaste” in place of “thank you”, and I switched it out as I got to learn more about cultural appropriation and about the teachings of yoga.” - Shannon   “Caroline Holme shared that she uses the closing of her class as a time to build and strengthen the relationship with and between her students by allowing the students to close the class.” - Shannon

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 219: Yoga for Abundant Bodies with Dianne Bondy   Description: In recent times, yoga has become a very exclusionary practice that’s limited to the privileged few - wealthy, thin, young, flexible, white and able-bodied people. However, yoga has benefits for people in all bodies, regardless of shape, size, age, ethnicity or ability. In this episode, Dianne Bondy shares more about how we can be more inclusive in yoga spaces towards people in larger bodies.   Dianne Bondy is Founder of Dianne Bondy Yoga, and a firm believer that Self-Love is a Revolutionary Act. She is a speaker, social justice activist, author, accessible yoga teacher, and the leader of the Yoga For All movement. For more than twenty years, Dianne Bondy has been empowering students to come to the mat as they are, educating teachers on the need for inclusivity in yoga and how to bring that into their classes, and leading systematic change within the yoga industrial complex. Dianne is also the author of the international best selling book, Yoga For Everyone: 50 Poses for Every Type of Body and co-author of Yoga Where You Are: Customize Your Practice for Your Body + Your Life.   Dianne shares some really important insights about the harm we can cause with our words by inadvertently using offensive terms when referring to people in abundant bodies in our yoga classes, or other yoga spaces. She explains how to be more mindful of the words we use and choose, and how to ensure that we hold space for the bigger people in our classes in a way that is respectful, welcoming and non-judgmental. Dianne also has tips on what to do when students who aren't aware come into our yoga spaces and cause harm.   This episode is an excellent complement to episode 218 on body positive yoga, and is a must listen for every yoga teacher who wants to create inclusive and safe yoga spaces.   Key Takeaways: [6:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Dianne Bondy. [8:17] Dianne shares a bit more about her latest book, Yoga Where You Are, as well as her previous book, Yoga For Everyone. [10:52] What is the work that Dianne does? [12:06] What are Dianne's thoughts on using words like "obese" and "overweight" in yoga spaces? [15:27] We are used to hearing such language on the news, or being used by medical professionals, and we think this language is acceptable. Dianne talks about the impact the language medical professionals use has. [20:04] Shannon and Dianne discuss using the word "fat" to describe people in larger bodies. [22:40] Language is so powerful in our interactions with other people. [23:30] How else can we think about making someone feel welcome and safe in our yoga space when they come in in an abundant body? [27:05] How can yoga teachers address other students who may not be contributing to a safe and inclusive space for people in abundant bodies? [30:43] What tips does Dianne have to call out unkind comments about people in larger bodies that we may encounter? [33:00] How can we take the "food and diet" language out of yoga? [38:54] Find out more about Dianne's work on her website, and on Instagram. [41:25] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview.   Links: The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Dianne Bondy Yoga for Everyone Yoga For All Training Yoga Where You Are: Customize Your Practice for Your Body + Your Life, by Dianne Bondy and Kat Heagberg Yoga For Everyone: 50 Poses for Every Type of Body, by Dianne Bondy The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 210: The Future of Yoga with Amber Karnes NEDA NEDIC Health at Every Size, by Lindo Bacon The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 218: Body Positive Yoga with Gillian McCollum   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode: "We don't get to determine who is overweight and who isn't. We don't get to determine who is healthy and who isn't. We don't get to determine who is obese and who isn't." - Dianne "Your intention doesn't matter as much as your impact in these spaces." - Dianne   "[Larger people] is one of the groups of people in the world that we get to openly discriminate against, and language is one of the number one ways we discriminate." - Dianne   "Language has the power to elevate. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to connect. But on the flip side of it, it has the power to shame and humiliate and other people. So we need to decide - How are we going to use the power of language?" - Dianne   "The struggle is part of the practice. It's not called yoga perfect, it's called yoga practice." - Dianne   "Everybody's body is doing the best that it can. Can we not just celebrate that?" - Dianne

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 218: Body Positive Yoga with Gillian McCollum   Description: Body positivity as a social movement has been gaining traction in recent years. In yoga, we aim to empower individuals regardless of their physical weight or size, and focus on accepting all bodies, regardless of their physical ability, their size, their gender, their race, their appearance, as well as challenge the ways in which society presents and views the physical body - all elements of body positive yoga. Gillian McCollum shares more about body positive yoga, and how we can adopt a more accessible approach in our classes.   Gillian is an anti-diet food and body freedom coach and body positive yoga teacher. She came to yoga as a way to cope and find peace and freedom with food and her body, and since 2017, has been helping people get off the diet roller coaster and start feeling good in their bodies. Gillian describes her mission as helping women find lasting peace and freedom with food and their body. Through her group and private coaching sessions as well as Body Positive Yoga, Gillian aims to create spaces where all bodies are celebrated and respected, and to be particularly supportive for those who struggle with body confidence and self-acceptance.   What exactly is body positive yoga? What does it entail? Gillian McCollum answers these questions, and more. She explains why body positive yoga is a way to create accessibility in yoga, and shares what it means to create truly inclusive and accessible spaces for our yoga students. Gillian also highlights some of the challenges and mindset issues that we may have around sharing body positive yoga, and how we can start sharing more accessible yoga in our classes.   This episode pairs really well with next week's episode about body positive yoga and how to approach yoga students with abundant bodies in our classes, so be sure to tune in next week as well.   Key Takeaways: [6:33] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Gillian McCollum. [7:44] What does Gillian do and who does she do it for? [8:59] There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about the yoga world in terms of what yoga practitioners need to look like, or certain practices they have to follow. Gillian highlights a few of them. [11:46] What does body positive yoga mean? [16:36] Do people who teach body positive yoga have to be in a larger body or teach people in larger bodies? [18:30] What are some trainings on accessibility that Gillian recommends for teachers? [23:46] Having a sample class is a great way to increase accessibility for people who may feel hesitant about trying yoga for the first time. How does Gillian offer sample classes? [27:23] What is Gillian's response to yoga teachers who are reluctant to do videos because they think they don't look the part of a yoga teacher? [32:51] What is the reaction that Gillian gets when she shares videos of herself? [36:43] Shannon challenges yoga teachers offering 200hr Yoga Teacher Trainings to think about how accessibility can be included in these trainings. [37:47] What does Gillian think needs to be included in a 200hr Yoga Teacher Training about accessibility? [39:04] Shannon and Gillian discuss how making yoga accessible should come first, and everything else comes after that. [42:07] Yoga looks different for different people in different bodies, and even on different days, and we need to honor that. [44:02] Gillian highlights some of the misconceptions and preconceived notions that people bring to yoga. [45:39] How can you work with Gillian? [50:45] What is Gillian's advice to yoga teachers who may feel afraid to put videos out? [54:56] Your imperfections and flaws are what make you inviting, and welcoming - not your perfection. [57:09] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Gillian.   Links: The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Gillian McCollum Gillian McCollum on Instagram Yoga for All Training by Amber Karnes and Dianne Bondy Amber Karnes Jessamyn Stanley Dianne Bondy What is Body Positive Yoga? by Gillian McCollum   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode: "I have students and coaching clients who are terrified to even enter the space because they feel like it's just not for them." - Gillian   "To feel shame around your body isn't exclusive to people in bigger bodies." - Gillian   "If this is the posture or the pose or this is the part of the body or this is the theme for today's class, how can I take that and make access, make it accessible for these folks with these different injuries or conditions or whatever it might be and you're only limited by your imagination." - Gillian   "Rather than feeling the yoga, we're seeing the yoga and that can be really distracting." - Gillian   "We have to see things to believe it and see things to give ourselves permission." - Gillian   "It not only shows people that you don't have to fit the stereotype to practice yoga, but it gives other people the permission." - Gillian   "[Accessibility] needs to be the culture, not a component." - Gillian   "You've maybe been doing yoga for years or your whole life, but you've never done yoga in this moment. " - Gillian   "Your message is bigger than yourself and your body." - Gillian

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 217: The Yoga of Trans* Affirmation with Avery Kalapa & Maygen Nicholson   Description: The trans and gender non-binary community is one that has often been marginalized and made to feel unwelcome in many places, including yoga spaces and communities. Back in March 2021, a prominent podcaster and yoga teacher, J Brown, released an episode that contained some harmful, inaccurate and hurtful content around gender and trans people (trigger warning: transphobia). However, an important part of yoga is ahimsa (not harming others and non-violence). In line with that, and with the aim of sharing the correct information about this group of people who are often misunderstood and misrepresented, this podcast episode focuses on sharing insights from people from this community.   Avery Kalapa (they/them) is a yoga teacher, community weaver, organizer, and educator with 20 years experience. They hold special certification in Yoga for the Pelvic Floor, which they completed in 2014. Avery's approach is rooted in anti-oppression, and they focus on yoga for inner healing and collective liberation. They love creating healing spaces that cherish and center queer & trans folks, that don't require assimilation. In addition to that, Avery is involved in various yoga equity projects, such as ABQ Queer Trans Community Yoga.   Maygen Nicholson (she/they) is both a former yoga teacher and dancer. Maygen has seen the Queer and Trans exclusion and discrimination in both yoga and dance spaces. This is what led them to educate within these industries to create access, equity, and inclusion for their LGBTQIA+ siblings. Maygen believes that the systems that harm all marginalized people actually harm us all, and they specialize in LGBTQIA+ inclusion and validation education with the aim of helping liberate hearts and minds free of biases and beliefs that inevitably hold us back from our true, authentic selves.   In this open, and honest conversation Avery and Maygen share more about what it means for yoga teachers to create anti-oppression, inclusive yoga spaces, and how to create such spaces. They also explore the resistance cis people have toward trans and gender non-conforming people that shows up in their interactions, the impact of these interactions, and how we as yoga teachers can learn together and do better moving forward.   Key Takeaways: [4:19] Shannon shares about the open letter she wrote to J Brown. [6:49] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Avery Kalapa and Maygen Nicholson. [9:28] Shannon reads the open letter she sent to J Brown. [13:23] Avery leads an opening for the podcast. [19:00] Maygen and Avery introduce themselves and the work that they do. [23:37] How can yoga teachers create anti-oppression, inclusive yoga spaces? [27:59] Avery highlights that anti-oppression work isn't separate from yoga. [31:53] There is some sort of awkwardness that happens when cis people are around gender non-conforming people. Avery explains the need for people to shift and change how they are showing up. [35:22] Why does this awkwardness exist in interactions between cis and gender non-conforming or trans people? [38:41] Avery speaks to why cis people may have resistance to letting go of the false idea that gender is strictly binary. [47:49] What are Maygen's thoughts on the J Brown podcast episode? [55:41] We need to move beyond acceptance into something much more than that. Avery touches on the idea of the false sense of scarcity that we hold. [1:02:28] Where can we learn more about the difference between biological sex and gender? [1:07:03] Avery opens up the conversation about how we can approach people's bodies in yoga. [1:11:34] Find out more Maygen and Avery's offerings in the links below. [1:19:38] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this episode.   Links: Avery Kalapa Avery Kalapa on Instagram Pelvic Floor Workshop Hosted by Avery Kalapa (For Everyone) Pelvic Floor Workshop Hosted by Avery Kalapa (For Trans and Non Binary Folks) A Yogic Invitation to Do Better: Transphobia + J Brown’s Yoga Talks Podcast by Avery Kalapa Workshops by Avery Kalapa 1:1 Mentoring with Avery Kalapa Maygen Nicholson Maygen Nicholson on Instagram Workshops by Maygen Nicholson Patreon Liberate Learning Community All of Maygen Nicholson’s Offerings Open Letter to J Brown  The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz Pelvic Health Professionals J Brown Yoga Talks Podcast Episode: Katchie Ananda - "Gender Spectrum and Biological Sex" (Trigger Warning: Transphobia) Alberquerqy Queer Trans Community Yoga  Yoga Journal  Yoga International Sonali Fiske Julia Serano Dr. Karen Tang  Dr. Karen Tang on Instagram Schuyler Bailar Dr Tang explains! Biological sex vs Gender? Are there "two genders"? Caster Semenya Live with Susanna Barkataki [Part 1]  Live with Susanna Barkataki [Part 2]  Trans Yoga Project Trans Justice Funding Project Trans Gender Resource Center of New Mexico    Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Sketching Yoga Sequences with Eva-Lotta Lamm Workshop.   Quotes from this episode: "It's really important that we are acknowledging where we have privilege and where we are marginalized, so it just really informs how we show up in this work, and also how we show up for ourselves in this work." - Maygen   "Biases are inherent in all of us. Transphobia lives in all of us. These are conditionings we have been taught that have been passed down to us. It is deep internal work to release all of these things that hold us back from being able to love others fully, but also to be able to fully love ourselves." - Maygen   "Anti-oppression work isn't separate from yoga." - Avery   "We don't always realize the ways that we uphold those norms that say some people belong and some people don't." - Avery   "On some form, you're going to have to check your biases for the rest of your life." - Maygen   "What do cis people really have to lose if trans people are cherished?" - Avery   "There's room for everyone in the gender justice extravaganza. You might not get to be the big star of the show if you're cis, but there's room for all of us in this process." - Avery  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 216: Corporate Yoga [Part 2] with Samantha Harrison   Description: Is corporate yoga still relevant now that many businesses have moved online because of the pandemic? Absolutely! What’s more - there are even more opportunities available for yoga teachers in this space. In Part 2 of this series on teaching corporate yoga, Samantha Harrison shares how being virtual has changed the corporate yoga space.   Samantha Harrison is the founder of Samantha Harrison Yoga and the creator of the Online Corporate Yoga Teacher Training. Samantha found yoga as a burned out, stressed out pre-med student, and realized that her true calling was to help her fellow over-achievers and time-crunched professionals experience the benefits of yoga on and off the mat. Today, Samantha is a full-time corporate and private yoga teacher in Greenville, NC and also leads an annual 200-HR YTT. To help other yoga teachers offer corporate yoga as well, Samantha has consolidated all her knowledge into a practical, action-oriented training - the Online Corporate Yoga Teacher Training.   What is it like to bring yoga to the various business spaces in your community, not just in-person but also to the broader corporate community online? Samantha shares her experiences in adapting her business to the COVID-19 pandemic measures, and how moving online has opened up new opportunities for her. She also shares the different types of offerings for coroporate yoga, including one she didn't think would exist until the pandemic hit. Samantha also talks about her corporate yoga teacher training which includes email templates, how to create contracts, how to teach, and marketing to businesses.   This episode is perfect for yoga teachers looking for ideas to expand their offerings into their community or businesses around the world.   Key Takeaways: [10:50] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Samantha Harrison. [12:27] What does Samantha do and who does she do it for? [13:13] How has COVID-19 changed the corporate yoga landscape? [14:59] Is Samantha still working with corporate clients in person? [16:06] What are some things that Samantha is doing differently in her in-person yoga classes from before the pandemic? [18:15] Samantha shares a little about the opportunities that have opened up as a result of the pandemic. [19:05] What is Samantha's setup for her virtual classes?  [20:03] How does Samantha balance classes where she has students in-person and online at the same time? [20:48] What is Samantha's policy for students who miss classes? [21:21] Samantha shares how she discovered a new offering for corporate clients during the pandemic. [23:35] Why are companies drawn to hiring yoga teachers to teach their employees? [24:45] What is the training that Samantha has put together for yoga teachers who want to get into the space of teaching corporate yoga? [27:17] How does Samantha help yoga teachers in her training reach out to businesses and get started with teaching corporate yoga? [28:18] Samantha also covers pricing as a part of the course. [29:00] Does corporate yoga refer specifically to a certain number of employees or does it include any business? [29:49] Samantha shares a bit about her mini-training and the coupon code to get a discount on her training. [:31:27] Shannon and Samantha discuss the budget that companies have for wellness programs. [32:06] What is it like to live in an area where there isn't a lot of yoga around, and how does this impact teaching corporate yoga? [33:02] Samantha's yoga teacher training includes a section on marketing. How and why did she decide to include this section? [36:50] Shannon shares her biggest takeaway from this episode.   Links: Samantha Harrison  Samantha Harrison on Instagram The Online Yoga Teacher Training (Promo Code: SHANNON) Free Mini-Training with Samantha Harrison The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 215: Corporate Yoga [Part 1] with Samantha Harrison Corporate Yoga & Changes Since COVID-19 with Samantha Harrison (Live Video) The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 126: Body Mindful Yoga with Jennifer Kreatsoulas The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 137: Yoga and Brain Injuries with Ann Green   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Sketching Yoga Sequences with Eva-Lotta Lamm Workshop.   Quotes from this episode: "We've actually seen an increase in participation in some situations because people don't have to drive, people don't have to worry about location." - Samantha   "Everyone's used to being virtual and doing so much on Zoom anyway that what used to be a barrier, is now an opportunity." - Samantha   "Now, the options are endless in a way." - Samantha   "You can't wait to feel confident to do something. Taking action is how you get confident." - Samantha  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 215: Corporate Yoga [Part 1] with Samantha Harrison   Description: If you have been teaching yoga for a while and are wondering how you can start teaching corporate yoga, and how you can get in front of different businesses, especially now that a lot of businesses have moved online - Samantha Harrison has the answers for you.   Samantha Harrison is the founder of Samantha Harrison Yoga and the creator of the Online Corporate Yoga Teacher Training. Samantha found yoga as a burned out, stressed out pre-med student, and realized that her true calling was to help her fellow over-achievers and time-crunched professionals experience the benefits of yoga on and off the mat. Today, Samantha is a full-time corporate and private yoga teacher in Greenville, NC and also leads an annual 200-HR YTT. To help other yoga teachers offer corporate yoga as well, Samantha has consolidated all her knowledge into a practical, action-oriented training - the Online Corporate Yoga Teacher Training.   Teaching corporate yoga is not like teaching at a yoga studio or a gym. Samantha highlights some of the biggest differences to keep in mind when teaching corporate yoga, as well as how yoga teachers can get into this space. Shannon and Samantha also dig into what to charge, what to do when things don’t go according to plan and the rest of the nitty-gritty details of offering corporate yoga.   This episode is perfect for anyone wanting to get into the corporate space teaching yoga, and Samantha has just the tips you need to get started.   Key Takeaways: [11:05] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Samantha Harrison. [12:42] How did Samantha choose corporate yoga as her specialty? [14:14] A lot of Samantha's initial clients were through relationships she had developed over time. [14:38] Samantha shares a bit more about how her classes are organized. [15:34] A big part of our marketing really boils down to communication and having interactions with people. [17:00] How many classes does Samantha teach per week? She shares more about how she runs her business. [18:28] What are some of the biggest differences between teaching yoga in a corporate setting vs. in a studio? [21:20] What is the biggest pain point that people in offices have that yoga helps them with? [23:28] How does Samantha recommend yoga teachers set up relationships with people leading organizations? [26:01] What is the payment structure for corporate yoga? [27:45] How does Samantha price her offerings? [33:13] Samantha has a few tips on how to make teaching corporate yoga work. [35:12] Samantha explains what she offers in the Online Corporate Yoga Teacher Training. [40:26] Shannon shares some of her biggest takeaways from this interview with Samantha.   Links: Samantha Harrison  Samantha Harrison on Instagram The Online Yoga Teacher Training (Promo Code: SHANNON) Free Mini-Training with Samantha Harrison Guide to Teaching Corporate Yoga PDF The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 200: Practice, Parenting & Perfectionism with Judith Hanson Lasater & Lizzie Lasater Reitmans How Much Should I Charge for Online Yoga? Sketching Yoga Sequences with Eva-Lotta Lamm Workshop The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Sukhasana Chair (Promo Code: TCYT10).   Quotes from this episode: "When the head of the organization, the President, or someone in the executive office sees the value in it, that makes a huge difference." ~ Samantha Harris   "It's helpful for yoga teachers to just always have in mind 'How can I be helpful to someone?'." - Samantha   "You just always have to be ready to improvise." - Samantha

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 214: Yoga Class Bloopers with Shannon & Sinead   Description: As yoga teachers, we’ve all had those moments while teaching a class. When we get our left and right mixed up, or our brain thinks of something to say but our mouth gets it all wrong, or you get completely confused with your sequence, or any other number of awkward, embarrassing, and often absolutely hilarious “bloopers” - it’s all a part of the teaching experience!   On this episode, Shannon and Sinead O’Connor read out some of the funny stories and anecdotes Connected Yoga Teachers from The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group shared. They also share a few of their own personal stories of embarrassing and strange things that have happened in their yoga classes.   If you’re in need of a good laugh, this episode is for you.   Special thanks to Mary Donovan for posting the original thread that sparked all these comments, and to all the Connected Yoga Teachers who shared their stories!   Key Takeaways: [:17] Happy (belated) April Fool's day! [1:44] Shannon is hosting a workshop about Pelvic Girdle Pain. [3:19] Shout out to Mary Donovan who inspired this episode, and Sinead O'Connor, member of The Connected Yoga Teacher podcast team for joining Shannon on the episode! [4:45] We've all had funny moments in our yoga classes. Shannon and Sinead read out some of the "bloopers" yoga teachers have shared in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook group. [17:35] Sinead shares an embarrassing moment she had from teaching online. [18:59] Shannon shares a few of the weirdest moments she's experienced in a yoga class. [21:58] Send in your stories! We'd love to hear them! [23:04] Connect with Sinead via Instagram to find out more about her yoga offerings.  [23:38] Want to learn how to draw yoga sequences? Sign up for the training by Eva-Lotta Lamm!   Links: Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain Workshop Pelvic Health Professionals Sinead O'Connor on Instagram Original "Bloopers" Thread in The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Sketching Yoga Sequences with Eva-Lotta Lamm Workshop   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "We hope that you get to laugh along with us!" - Shannon   "We're laughing together on this!" - Shannon  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 213: Work Life Balance with Dawn Vason   Description: Almost everybody struggles with work-life balance. We have so many things to do in our yoga business, our personal life, our community and more, in addition to dealing with a pandemic. We may find ourselves wondering if work-life balance is a myth and an unattainable goal. Should we even be striving for balance in our lives? Dawn Vason tells us we should, and how to achieve it in this podcast episode.   Dawn Vason is a mindset and manifestation coach and yoga teacher. After some personal challenges, Dawn turned to holistic study and discovered the power of healthy habits and plant based remedies. In order to share what she had learned with others, she created JaviWellness: Holistic Health and Plant Based Solutions. As a success and self-care coach at Holistically Whole: Wealth & Wellness Coaching for Women, Dawn empowers and equips women to balance life and business while practicing good self care. In addition to her business ventures, Dawn is also a mother of four children whom she homeschools.   Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Dawn has some practical tips around planning time for both life and work. She also shares her insights about how to build a business while raising a family, particularly in this time of working from home and homeschooling. Shannon and Dawn open up about dealing with parenting (or other) guilt, and explore what it takes to really balance work, your business, parenting, and all the different pieces that make up your life. Hint: Balance is not a destination, it’s a journey!   If you have been wondering how you can feel less worried, and more calm and organized in life, this episode is for you.    Key Takeaways: [10:40] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Dawn Vason. [12:31] What is the work that Dawn does and who does she do it for? [14:20] Dawn shares a little about her family and some of the challenges that have brought her to where she is today. [15:42] Is it possible to find work-life balance? [18:15] What are some of the things that have helped Dawn manage her life? [24:20] Dawn elaborates on the idea of having systems over goals. [27:42] Shannon and Dawn explore how we can use systems to reach our goals with the example of growing an email list. [31:39] How can we use systems to find balance in our lives? [41:25] A lot of us feel guilt around our actions and inactions. What are some of Dawn's tips to deal with that guilt? [44:30] Shannon highlights how important mindfulness is for her in helping to ease the guilt. Dawn has some tips around self-talk that can help. [48:48] Knowing what "enough" is can be super powerful, but we think we haven't done enough, it can hinder our progress. Dawn speaks to this. [52:05] What are some small steps we can take to move toward creating a self-care routine? [56:23] What helps Dawn come back to balance amidst juggling all the different parts of her life? [58:49] Find out more about Dawn and the work that she does via her website and social media. [1:00:38] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview.   Links: Dawn Vason Javi Wellness Community Coaching Membership with Dawn Vason on Patreon Dawn Vason on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook Finding Work-Life Balance with Dawn Vason (Live Video) The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 190: How to Create Guided Meditations with Kelly Smith Self-Talk Habits, by Dawn Vason Other Freebies from Dawn Vason Morning Pages Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain Workshop Sketching Yoga Sequences with Eva-Lotta Lamm Workshop   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "I do believe that we always need to seek balance." - Dawn   "Balance is achievable, but it's a constant give-and-take for it." - Dawn   "It has to be systems over schedules and goals." - Dawn   "Allow yourself grace to find what works for you." - Dawn   "You are enough. Everything that you need is within you." - Dawn   "All of the things that we say we don't have time for - those are the things you need to make time for." - Dawn  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 212: Menopause Myths and Facts with Shirley Weir   Description: A topic some people might not feel comfortable talking about is menopause, yet this is something that concerns not just people who menstruate (about half the world’s population!) Chances are, even people who don't menstruate live with or support people who do. However, a lot of menstruating people often start perimenopause and reach menopause with no idea about the changes their bodies are undergoing and how to deal with them. Shirley Weir, Menopause Chick, is ready to bust some of the common myths surrounding menopause and share the facts about this “taboo” topic.   Shirley Weir first began experiencing symptoms related to perimenopause more than 10 years ago, and was unable to find answers to her questions. Feeling confused, overwhelmed and alone, she realized other people must be struggling with the same issues, and launched MenopauseChicks.com to empower people to talk openly about perimenopause and menopause, to navigate midlife health information, and to connect to health professionals in this area. Since then, Shirley has spoken at conferences internationally, received awards for her work, and been featured widely in publications. She also authored MOKITA: How to Navigate Perimenopause with Confidence & Ease, which reached #1 on Amazon.ca in women’s health.    Did you know that menopause is only one day? Shirley shares the difference between perimenopause and menopause, and what is “normal” or common and what’s not during perimenopause leading up to menopause. She also shares useful information when to talk to your doctor, and about how to educate yourself in case your healthcare team isn't up to date with research in perimenopause. Shirley and Shannon discuss how yoga can be helpful in bringing relief to people experiencing symptoms and some of the things to be aware around perimenopause and menopause as yoga teachers.   Key Takeaways: [8:05] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Shirley Weir. [9:30] A note on gender-neutral language in this topic, and why this topic is not just for women. [11:36] How did Shirley get into the work of highlighting information around menopause? [15:43] Shirley shares a lot of great information about menopause in her Facebook Group. [18:07] What is menopause? What is perimenopause? [24:09] When does perimenopause start? [26:39] Shirley touches on the topic of hot flashes and the symptoms during perimenopause, and how we as a society deal with them. [30:40] We can't blame the medical system for the lack of information around perimenopause and menopause. [31:45] What are some of the myths around perimenopause and menopause that yoga teachers need to be aware of? [35:30] The message that women are often told is that this will get better with time. Shirley challenges this message. [40:47] When it comes to perimenopause and menopause, your healthcare professional may not always have all the answers. [45:27] Shirley shares some other things to note that could empower yoga teachers in working with perimenopausal people. [49:04] Do changes in hormones play a part in our happiness? [50:27] What does Shirley say to support people who are struggling in this phase of life? [55:01] Learn more about Shirley's work on social media and her Facebook group. [55:29] Shirley shares more about her book, MOKITA. [59:10] Shannon shares some of her key takeaways from this interview.   Links: Shirley Weir, Menopause Chicks Shirley Weir on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Menopause Chicks Private Facebook Group MOKITA: How to Navigate Perimenopause with Confidence & Ease, by Shirley Weir The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team Pelvic Health Professionals Sick Boy Podcast Episode: Menopause Chicks with Shirley Weir The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 056: Yoga and Menopause with Leslie Kazadi The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 079: Yoga and Endometriosis [Part 1] with Kimberly Castello The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 080: Yoga & Endometriosis [Part 2] with Dustienne Miller Study on happiness Life's Third Act, TED Talk by Jane Fonda The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode: 195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain Workshop Sketching Yoga Sequences with Eva-Lotta Lamm Workshop   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "Menopause is one day. It's the 12th month anniversary of your final period." ~ Shirley Weir   "Stress significantly impacts female hormones." ~ Shirley Weir   "Perimenopause and menopause are not medical conditions. They're phases of life." ~ Shirley Weir   "There's a lot of innuendo around women's health that we are meant to suffer." ~ Shirley Weir

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 211: How to Draw Yoga Stick Figures with Eva-Lotta Lamm   Description: As a yoga teacher, how do you plan your classes? When it comes to planning the actual sequences, poses, and themes, do you go with the flow with little or no planning, or have a mental plan, or refer to detailed notes? In this episode, Eva-Lotta Lamm shares another technique you can use to plan yoga classes - drawing out yoga sequences. The best part is you don’t have to be good at drawing or have artistic talents; you only need to be able to draw stick figures!   Eva-Lotta Lamm is an independent Designer, Visual Thinking Expert and Trainer and yoga teacher. She helps companies to visualise complex problems to see things from new perspectives, and teaches teams and individuals to be more visual in their thinking, communication and collaboration. Eva-Lotta’s illustrations have been published in several books, and she is also the author of Yoganotes – Sketching Yoga Stick Figures. Eva-Lotta used sketching and visual notes extensively during her own yoga teacher training in India, and eventually, combined her love for yoga and her profession as a designer to create products that help yoga practitioners and yoga teachers to learn, structure and teach yoga with visual tools.   Eva-Lotta shares more about the unique system for drawing yoga stick figures she created, and breaks down how she teaches other people to draw their own yoga stick figures and adapt them to their own needs. Shannon and Eva-Lotta also discuss the benefits of sketching, as well as why drawing and visual tools can be a great addition to your toolkit as a yoga teacher. Eva-Lotta even shares how she self-published a book on yoga.   Listen to the end of the episode to find out how you can participate in a giveaway of Eva-Lotta’s personalized books for two listeners!   Key Takeaways: [10:00] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Eva-Lotta Lamm. [12:24] What does Eva-Lotta do and who does she do it for? [14:07] Eva-Lotta shares more about her work in helping people visualize complex problems to see them from a new perspective. [16:34] How does Eva-Lotta teach yoga teachers to use drawings in planning their yoga sequences? [18:00] Eva-Lotta shares some of her tips and tricks for drawing out complex yoga sequences with stick figures. [20:20] What other tools does Eva-Lotta use to guide her plans for yoga sequences? [22:25] Eva-Lotta's drawings have noses to show direction! She shares how detailed her drawings can get. [24:34] What are some pointers Eva-Lotta has for yoga teachers who want to get started drawing sequences? [30:04] How did Eva-Lotta find her niche in teaching yoga teachers to draw stick figures? [34:13] What is Eva-Lotta's work in the yoga world now? [38:13] Eva-Lotta is excited about what else can come from the intersection of her work with design and drawing and yoga. [40:34] How did Eva-Lotta self-publish her book? [45:13] Check out Eva-Lotta's book on her website. [47:53] Shannon and Eva-Lotta are doing a giveaway! [49:29] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview.   Links: Eva-Lotta Lam Yoganotes – Sketching Yoga Stick Figures, by Eva-Lotta Lamm Eva-Lotta Shop Sketching Yoga Sequences with Eva-Lotta Workshop Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain Workshop Pelvic Health Professionals Kindle Direct Publishing (via Amazon) Lulu Print-on-Demand IngramSpark VLB (Germany)   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode: "I teach yoga teachers to draw so that they can plan their sequences even when they don't have any artistic talent or they think they can't draw at all." - Eva-Lotta   "If you look at sketching as a communication and thinking tool, then I like to compare it to learning how to write." - Eva-Lotta   "My goal is to teach people how to draw like writing so that they can write their own stories and their own flows and whatever their creativity wants to express." - Eva-Lotta   "Images and words are like best friends. ... They both have different strengths and weaknesses, and you want to use them in combination because then they are truly wonderful together." - Eva-Lotta  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 210: The Future of Yoga with Amber Karnes   Description: The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down, and the yoga industry has changed dramatically. Studios have closed, some permanently, classes and YTTs are online, and for many of us in-person classes and trainings are not possible. All of these changes have a lot of yoga teachers asking - What does the future look like for yoga? And what does that mean for yoga teachers? Amber Karnes shares some insights.   Amber Karnes is the Founder of  Body Positive Yoga and the creator of the Body Positive Clubhouse. She is a big proponent of the Health At Every Size approach to wellness, focusing on joyful movement, intuitive eating, and self-care. Amber is also the co-creator of the Yoga for All Teacher Training with Dianne Bondy, and she also leads trainings for Accessible Yoga. In her work, Amber is dedicated diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and helping empower people live life without shame or apology.   With yoga classes and teacher trainings being moved online, what will happen when the pandemic ends, and people can be together in person again? Amber shares her thoughts on how being online has shifted expectations around yoga, and talks more about how this shift has made yoga more accessible for some people. She also highlights some of the barriers that marginalized populations may face at an in-person studio. Shannona and Amber discuss what online classes are lacking and how we can address those shortcomings, as well as what yoga teachers can do to create community in online yoga classes.   If you are looking for insights and perspectives on how to navigate the current situation, as well as explore ideas around what it really means to teach yoga, this interview is sure to inspire you and give you tools to move forward in a productive and meaningful way.   Key Takeaways: [3:41] COVID-19 has changed the way we share yoga. This episode explores what the future holds for yoga and yoga teachers. [6:48] Shannon gives a shout out to sponsor Schedulicity and reads a review from a listener. Have you left a review yet? [10:05] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Amber Karnes. [11:43] Shannon does a check-in with Amber. [13:43] What is helping Amber get through the upheaval in the world these days? [16:54] What is the future of being a yoga teacher? [23:42] Yoga has become more accessible to people because it is now being shared online. Amber shares more about the accessibility of yoga, fitness and movement practices in this time. [32:15] How has moving yoga online impacted some groups of people like children and less tech-savvy seniors? [35:54] What are Amber's thoughts around new yoga teachers getting certified to teach yoga online and going on to teach classes online, and only working in the online space? [38:00] We have an opportunity to reset the expectations around what a yoga class looks like, and to really examine what it means to teach Yoga. [43:59] There are thoughtful ways to change and tweak how we teach yoga to give the responsibility back to the student to listen to their bodies. [47:49] Teaching yoga online can feel lacking in community. How can we create connections and community online in creative ways? [53:48] Amber shares some thoughts around what could really help yoga teachers right now. [59:51] Shannon reflects on how important it is to center yourself around your "why". [1:00:35] Will Amber ever run for office? [1:02:09] Find out more about Amber and her work via the links below. [1:03:59] How does Amber deal with the pressure of having a large audience? [1:06:33] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this interview.   Links: Amber Karnes, Body Positive Yoga Amber Karnes on Instagram and Facebook Accessible Yoga Training Accessible Yoga Conference Body Positive Clubhouse Yoga for All Teacher Training with Dianne Bondy ALIGN Mastermind Program The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 209: Online Yoga Teacher Training with Jivana Heyman What Does the Future Hold for Yoga Teachers? Live with Amber Karnes Michelle Cassandra Johnson What is the future of 200-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings? - Post by Amber Karnes on Facebook Francesca Savero The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 203: Do Politics Belong in Yoga? with Chara Caruthers & Maria Kirsten The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Pelvic Health Professionals   Gratitude to our Sponsors Schedulicity and Sukhasana Chair (Code: TCYT10).   Quotes from this episode:   "I think a lot of folks are going to change the way that they are practicing yoga in community going forward." - Amber   "This moment is a unique opportunity for us to be imaginative, as both yoga practitioners and teachers of how we can reset some of the expectations around 'What is a yoga class?'." - Amber   "We can look at what the opportunities are coming out of this to create classrooms and teaching spaces and community spaces that are more equitable for all of us." - Amber   "When we approach [teaching online], we have to start to approach it as if it were a viable alternative and sometimes, a preferred alternative for some of our students." - Amber   "With accessibility, the question that I like to encourage teachers to ask is 'Where does the power live right now?'." - Amber   "Yoga is a personal practice that we do in community." - Amber  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 209: Online Yoga Teacher Training with Jivana Heyman   Description: One of the things yoga teachers all around the world have had to navigate recently is the shift to sharing yoga online because of the coronavirus pandemic. A lot of yoga teacher trainings have also moved online, as well as conferences, seminars and other aspects of continuing education for yoga teachers. Like teaching yoga online, they come with their own set of challenges, and Jivana Heyman shares more about his experience moving everything online.   Jivana is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an international non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to yoga teachings. Jivana is also the co-founder of the Accessible Yoga Training School, and the author of Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body. As a yoga teacher, Jivana has specialized in teaching yoga to people with disabilities with an emphasis on community building and social engagement.    As a result of the pandemic, Jivana had to move everything he was working on to an online format, including the entire Accessible Yoga Conference and his yoga teacher trainings. This was a big undertaking, and Jivana talks about how this transition went - what went well and what did not, how he managed the tech element of this transition, and most importantly, how he retained the quality of it all when he moved to the online format.   Key Takeaways: [5:24] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jivana Heyman. [7:58] Jivana is working on his second book. What are some of his tips for yoga teachers trying to write a book or manual? [9:48] In 2020, Jivana moved the Accessible Yoga Conference and his yoga teacher trainings online. Which offering did Jivana move online first? [11:55] Would Jivana continue with offering trainings online if the pandemic ended tomorrow? [14:03] How is Jivana dealing with missing interaction with people? [16:16] What technology is Jivana using for the conference and his trainings online? [18:23] How does Jivana deal with accountability and watching people teach when the training is online? [22:52] Props are an important part of accessible yoga. How does Jivana deal with attendees having the props necessary? [25:06] Has Jivana included aspects of how to teach online in the training? [26:56] How has Jivana managed the sound and tech for all of the presenters and teacher trainers he has been dealing with in the conference and trainings?  [29:08] Jivana speaks about the challenges of accessibility. [32:29] Jivana shares how to caption for accessibility on images in social media. [34:59] In terms of accessibility, being online has helped Jivana reach more people who could not attend in person events. [38:32] Digital access can also be an issue when people don't have access to the internet, a computer or have the time to be online. [40:45] What are Jivana's tip for using different props for students who can't get down to the floor? [48:53] Jivana share a bit about the Accessible Yoga Community on Facebook. [53:28] What is Jivana's new book about? [56:59] Where can you find out more about Jivana and his work? [59:45] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview.   Links: Jivana Heyman Jivana Heyman on Instagram Accessible Yoga Training Accessible Yoga Conference Accesible Yoga Podcast The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 138: Accessible Yoga Beyond Asana with Jivana Heyman Next training - affiliate link Accessible Yoga Community Facebook Community Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body, by Jivana Heyman Shambhala Publications Amber Karnes Race & Equity in Yoga: Disruption As a Practice - Training by Kelly Palmer Kajabi Zoom Moving Everything Online with Jivana Heyman - Live Video Samsung Lavalier Mic Otter.ai Vimeo Rev.com Yoga Journal Chair Yoga 101 with Jivana Heyman Bed / Chair Yoga with Jivana Heyman on Yoga International Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Pelvic Health Professionals   Teaching Yoga Online Episodes: 161: Get Your Yoga Online in 48 Hours with Jennie MacGoy 165: Offer Online Yoga Masterclass with Shannon Crow & Amanda McKinney 120: Teach Private Yoga Online with Yael Oppenheim 078: Creating an Online Yoga Studio with Brea Johnson 006: Teaching Online Yoga with Rosslyn Kemerer 181: Grow an Online Yoga Business with Nikki Naab-Levy 205: Tech Guide for Online Yoga with Dominique Gauthier 204: What to Charge for Online Yoga with Shannon Crow   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode: "What I miss the most is that at the trainings, I got to watch people meet each other and form bonds and communities." - Jivana   "It's more tiring to teach online." - Jivana   "What's amazing about being online is that we have international groups all the time." - Jivana   "For our community, participating in online classes can actually be really beneficial." - Jivana   "Being online is more accessible generally." - Jivana

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 208: Four Years of Podcasting with Shannon Crow   Description: The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast is celebrating its fourth anniversary! In this special episode, host Shannon Crow answers questions inspired by listeners and members of The Connected Yoga Teacher community.    Shannon opens up about her inspiration for starting the podcast and what her journey has been like through the years of podcasting. She also shares a behind-the-scenes look at getting sponsorship for the podcast, and her advice on how to handle companies who approaching you with sponsorship offers. Shannon gets really vulnerable and shares some of the mistakes she made along the way, her thoughts on the community of Connected Yoga Teachers, and gives us a sneak preview of some projects she has in the pipeline.   For anyone who’s wanted to get a glimpse behind the curtain of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast, this is the episode for you.   Key Takeaways: [1:20] The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast is celebrating its fourth anniversary! [2:52] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor of the podcast - Schedulicity. [4:33] Shannon thanks YOU for listening to the podcast! [6:40] Shannon reflects on the previous podcast anniversary episode. [9:39] If you still have questions for Shannon, send her a voicemail! [10:12] How did Shannon decide to start podcasting, and what was her journey to starting a podcast? [13:32] Shannon talks about her experiences in niching down, choosing a specialty and moving online. [19:50] There have been some huge challenges that have come up in Shannon's business recently. [21:33] How did Shannon get a sponsor for the podcast? [29:06] Shannon has some tips about if you're getting approached to get sponsored. [34:48] Think about also highlighting your own paid offerings when putting out free content. [35:42] What are some of the mistakes that Shannon has made? [39:16] What is Shannon's underlying "big Why" for starting the podcast and Facebook group? [44:19] What's next for Shannon? [50:55] Shannon shares some of her final thoughts and reflections on yoga today.   Links: Shannon Crow on Instagram The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 160: Milestones of My Yoga Business Blue Ocean Strategy, by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne  The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 095: Making a CEO Business Plan with Shannon Crow Natalie Eckdahl Pelvic Health Professionals Sukhasana Chair (Code: TCYT10) High End Hippie (Shampoo Bars) Offering Tree The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 147: Core Strength Myths & Cues with Lauren Ohayon What Does the Future Hold for Yoga Teachers? Live Show with Amber Karnes Kelly Christian The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 154: Bookkeeping for Yoga Teachers with Kelly Christian   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "I wanted yoga teachers to see that collaborating together, supporting each other as professionals could really bring us all forward." - Shannon Crow   "How can you create the blue ocean for yourself?" - Shannon Crow   "If you start focusing on what you're really interested in, what you're really good at, and what people are really asking you for, it will evolve. Your niche will come out of that!" - Shannon Crow   "If you want to create yoga offerings for a population that cannot pay, look for a company that can." - Shannon Crow  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 207: Biopsychosocial Model & Yoga with Carolyn Vandyken   Description: Many people come to yoga to seek relief for a specific pain or to regain strength and mobility after recovering from an injury. The biopsychosocial model of care is a great way to look at how we’re using yoga to help our students. By adopting a whole-person approach to health and wellness, the biopsychosocial framework gives us a more holistic approach in regard to pain, function and movement. Carolyn Vandyken, expert in the biopsychosocial model, shares more about what the model is and how it applies to yoga.   Carolyn Vandyken is one of the Co-Founders of Reframe Rehab. She has practiced in orthopaedics and pelvic health for the past 33 years, and has been heavily involved in post-graduate pelvic health education, and research in lumbopelvic pain. She speaks at numerous international conferences and has written extensively on the topics of pelvic health, orthopaedics and pain science for the past twelve years. Carolyn’s mission in her practice is to break down the silos in clinical practice between musculoskeletal pain, pelvic pain, pain neuroscience education, and psychology by providing learning opportunities from the world's leading clinical educators on these topics.   Why do we need to understand the science of pain, and how can we use this understanding to better help our yoga students? Carolyn breaks down some of the elements of the science of pain, and the best steps for yoga teachers to take when a student approaches with a specific pain. Shannon and Carolyn also discuss the language we use related to pain, and how to look for other specialized healthcare professionals who can help support students who are coming to us with pain and injuries.   Key Takeaways: [16:26] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode Carolyn Vandyken. [17:52] What is the biopsychosocial framework? [19:41] We don't often consider the social aspect of things. Carolyn and Shannon discuss how COVID-19 has made more people consider the importance of social factors in wellbeing. [20:18] What is the work that Carolyn does and how did she get started in this area? [26:31] Pain is all in the brain, but how can we communicate that without coming across as saying "it's all in your head"? Carolyn explains more about the science of pain. [34:31] What are some things that yoga teachers can do to help a student who approaches them with pain? [38:45] Shannon often refers people to PTs or physiotherapists for persistent pain. How does she manage that? [42:15] Asking questions is a powerful tool to help people look inward and reflect on what can help their pain. [46:05] Why does Carolyn recommend yoga and taichi for people with persistent pain? [53:55] How can language and messaging influence the pain experience? [1:00:02] Carolyn shares some additional perspectives for yoga teachers around the biopsychosocial framework and pain. [1:05:29] If you have been dealing with persistent pain, Carolyn has some tips for you. [1:09:24] Find out more about Carolyn's work and how to work with her via her website, where you can also sign up for courses. [1:14:09] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview.   Links: Carolyn Vandyken,Reframe Rehab Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain, by Carolyn Vandyken Yoga for Pelvic Health Training Email - [email protected] Pelvic Health Professionals Resource Page Debbie Patterson, Pain Solutions Pelvic Health Solutions Peter O'Sullivan   Related Podcast Episodes: 116: Pain Language with Shelly Prosko (Part 1) 117: Pain Language with Shelly Prosko (Part 2) 017: Yoga for Chronic Pain with Julia Khafizov 012: Sciatic Pain and Yoga with Joanne Pineau 075: Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain with Dr. Sinead Dufour 133: Yoga for Painful Sex with Casie Danenhauer 077: Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder Syndrome) with Helena Spears   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals.   Quotes from this episode: "Pain is an output of the brain, so if it's an output of the brain we have to consider all the potential inputs if we're going to help our clients change that experience." - Carolyn   "The social isolation of COVID for a lot of people has been a real challenge." - Carolyn   "Really, our bodies heal themselves." - Carolyn   "Pain is a brain thing. The brain creates pain to protect us." - Carolyn   "Everybody's pain is real. ... Pain is always personal." - Carolyn   "Pain is sensory and emotional." - Carolyn   "We can't just look at tissue health when we consider pain, we have to look much broader at everything that is going on in that person's life." - Carolyn   "1 in 4 people, after they have an acute injury, even though the tissues have healed, go on to have persistent pain." - Carolyn   "The more variability we have in our mapping options, the less likely we are to have pain." - Carolyn  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 206: Get More Private Yoga Clients with Megan Spears   Description: A common question among yoga teachers is “How can I get more private yoga clients?”. Many of us feel like we lack the confidence and knowledge to teach private yoga, but that shouldn’t stop us from diving in. In this episode, Megan Spears shares how she felt the same, but eventually took the plunge and grew her private yoga business from 0 students to 15 per week.   Megan Spears is a Private Yoga and Movement Coach based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Megan began practicing yoga in 2005, and teaching in 2014. In addition to the E-RYT 500hr Yoga Teacher Training, Megan is also trained in Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy, Functional Yoga, Radiance Sutras Meditation, and other specializations. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors in Health Promotion and Exercise Science at Oklahoma State University. Megan describes her mission as empowering athletes, yoga beginners, and those recovering from an injury to be strong in their practice, and she focuses on helping co-create a practice with her clients that truly fits and enhances their lifestyle.   Despite having the same fears and mindset issues around teaching private yoga when she first started, Megan decided to push ahead with 1:1 sessions. She shares how she gained the confidence and knowledge to teach 1:1, and how she transitioned from group classes to private yoga. Megan also reveals her strategy for dealing with no-shows and cancellations for private bookings, as well as her unique marketing strategy to get new private clients, while looking after her existing clients.   If you have been thinking about shifting to teaching private yoga, or are just wondering what you can do to get more new private clients, this is a great episode.   Key Takeaways: [9:15] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Megan Spears. [11:07] What does Megan do and who does she do it for? [11:50] When did Megan make the switch from teaching group classes to 1:1 sessions? [13:50] Why did Megan feel unprepared to teach 1:1 yoga and what helped her prepare? [16:20] What is different about teaching private yoga compared to group classes? [17:22] How did Megan go from one private client a week to 15? [19:40] What does Megan's yoga offering look like now? [21:19] How does Megan deal with people who do one private session with her and never follow up? [22:35] Does Megan do in-person or online classes? What was it like before COVID? [23:25] How does Megan deal with teaching online? [28:40] What is Megan's process with new clients? [31:08] How does Megan remember to do follow ups with her students? [32:15] The doors are open to Pelvic Health Professionals! [32:54] What makes Megan's 1:1 sessions unique? [34:30] Megan explains a bit more about how she shares content with her audience. [36:16] Does Megan do postural analysis with her clients? [38:55] When transitioning from group classes to private, how did Megan deal with the pushback from students who either don't want to do private or don't want to pay? [40:47] How does Megan deal with mindset issues around charging more for private yoga sessions? [44:09] A listener asks - I get a lot of inquiry about private yoga but nobody has actually followed through with it. I have also had some last minute cancellations or no-shows. How do you deal with this? [46:33] What is Megan's cancellation policy? [47:53] The videos that Megan shares on her social media is what prompts some people to reach out to her. Megan talks about her current marketing strategy. [51:38] What was Megan's marketing plan when she was building her private yoga business? [52:55] How often does Megan email her list? [54:26] What does Megan suggest to yoga teachers who are thinking about bringing in more 1:1 students? [56:03] Many yoga teachers may think they don't have all the answers for their students when teaching 1:1. What is Megan's response to that? [58:05] Find out more about Megan and her work via her website, email or Instagram. [59:17] Shannon shares some of her key takeaways from this interview.   Links: Megan Spears Megan Spears on Instagram The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 130: Make a Profit Teaching Private Yoga with Emily Sussell The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 120: Teach Private Yoga Online with Yael Oppenheim The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 014: Build Your Private Yoga Practice with Kate Connell Potts The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 081: Set Up to Teach Private Yoga [Consultation Call] with Stephanie Brunson The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 132: Marketing to Increase Private Bookings with Amanda Mays The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Live Video: How to Grow a Private Yoga Business with Megan Spears Francesca Cervero Zoom Loom Amanda McKinney Pelvic Health Professionals   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and The Sukhasana Chair (Code: TCYT10).   Quotes from this episode:   "There's more conversation and more adaptation within a private session." - Megan   "Because I made it known that I was a private yoga teacher and that I was taking on private clients, ... I could be top of mind." - Megan   "Generally speaking, I would say the first session is maybe 1/3 conversational intake, the second third movement, and then questions." - Megan   "A really helpful part of being an individual or private yoga teacher is creating content for the client that relays something that they learned in the session, and that content can be shared widely." - Megan   "I continued to teach a variety of group classes while hosting my private students as well so that there were options for people." - Megan  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 205: Tech Guide for Online Yoga with Dominique Gauthier   Description: The pandemic has forced all of us to adapt and change how we share yoga with our students, and for many of us, that has been a shift to teaching yoga online. Figuring out the tech and equipment to teach online has been a steep learning curve for many of us. In this episode, Dominique Gauthier shares some of her tips and tricks for sharing yoga online.   Dominique Gauthier is a personal trainer and yoga teacher, as well as the Founder of Body Mind Fitness. She is a core and pelvic floor specialist who works with clients to provide specialized training to manage and prevent symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, improve overall pelvic health and allow them to lead an active lifestyle. Dominique’s passion is helping women build and reclaim their strength and confidence from the inside out with movement, education and a body positive sustainable approach.   Shifting to teaching online can be pretty overwhelming, particularly if you’re not “tech-inclined”. Dominique opens up about the challenges she faced as a teacher and some of the struggles of her students in getting set up for online yoga, and shares the things she learned along the way. Dominique has also figured out how to stream her classes to Zoom and YouTube at the time, and if you have to teach hybrid classes (a mix of online and in-person classes) - Dominique also has some strategies to create the best experience for your students.   If you have been looking for ways to streamline your tech for teaching yoga online, or are looking for some tips on how to manage hybrid classes, this episode is for you.   Key Takeaways: [8:39] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Dominique Gauthier. [10:01] What has Dominique's experience in the Pelvic Health Professionals membership been like? [13:16] Dominique shares how challenged she felt with having to teach yoga both online and in-person at the same time, with additional restrictions for COVID-19. [15:36] What has Dominique's set up with for her tech to teach online? [17:36] Dominique shares some of her initial struggles with uploading videos to YouTube and the burnout she experienced. [21:38] Dominique highlights her priorities when teaching online. [23:48] How did Dominique adapt when people started returning to in-person classes and she had to teach hybrid sessions? [28:23] Use what you have first! [29:20] Dominique highlights some considerations to keep in mind when purchasing a camera. [32:57] Dominique summarizes her tech set up. [35:49] How does Dominique care for her Zoom students so they don't feel left out in hybrid classes? [38:01] Dominique shares some words of encouragement. [42:10] Check out Dominique's website for some inspiration. [43:11] How did Dominique ease her students into using Zoom? [44:26] When given a choice between in-person and Zoom sessions, what were most of Dominique's students picking? [45:39] What is Dominique working on adding to her tech for teaching yoga online? [46:53] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Dominique.   Links: Dominique Gauthier, Mind Body Fitness The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 181: Grow an Online Yoga Business with Nikki Naab-Levy The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 161: Get Your Yoga Online in 48 Hours with Jennie MacGoy The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 165: Offer Online Yoga Masterclass with Shannon Crow & Amanda McKinney Teach Yoga Online Masterclass Series Article The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Pelvic Health Professionals Streamline the Tech of Teaching Online Yoga with Dominique Guathier - Full Video on YouTube The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 202: Yoga and Masks with Clare Kelley Pixel Microphone LED Lights Canon Camera Sony A6000 Ecamm OBS Streamlabs Dongle Zoom StreamYard Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "Online isn't going anywhere. I don't think ever." - Dominique   "I have cried so much during these learning curves." - Dominique   "Use what you have first! Try that as much as you possibly can before you go out and purchase something." - Shannon   "We are our own toughest critics... but our clients, our students are so forgiving." - Dominique   "If you're going to get into online teaching, now's the time to do it." - Dominique  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 204: What to Charge for Online Yoga with Shannon Crow   Description: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many yoga teachers have moved their offerings online. With this shift from in-person to virtual yoga classes, a question that often came up is – how much should I charge for online yoga classes?   To answer this question, Shannon Crow shares her thoughts and insights around the factors to consider, not just when pricing online yoga classes but in-person classes, workshops, courses or other offerings. Shannon explains more about perceived value in pricing, the hidden costs of running a yoga business, and how undercharging for your yoga classes can impact the whole yoga industry. She also digs into money mindset issues that we may face, and shares some tips to challenge these restrictions we may place on ourselves.   If you have beens struggling with figuring out what to charge for your yoga offerings, this episode is a great starting point.   Key Takeaways: [:53] Many yoga teachers reached out with questions around pricing their online yoga classes when the pandemic first hit. [1:41] Before you ask how much to charge for online yoga, consider how much you're charging for in-person yoga. [2:41] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity. [4:44] How do you choose a price for your yoga classes? Remember that perceived value is a big factor in your pricing! [5:46] A good starting point to decide on a price for your yoga classes could be the prices other similar service providers charge. [6:38] What are the hidden costs of teaching yoga? [9:10] Money mindset can be a challenge for many of us. [12:08] What impact does undercharging have on the yoga industry? [13:05] Focus on your niche, and consider what it feels like to be receiving services. [14:53] Take into consideration all of the factors before pricing your yoga classes. [16:48] Please remember to increase your rates! [17:06] You can create your yoga business in the way that you want and that is aligned with your beliefs and values.   Links: How Much Should I Charge for Online Yoga? Wine Study Shows Price Influences Perception The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Related Podcast Episodes:  Teaching Yoga Online 161: Get Your Yoga Online in 48 Hours with Jennie MacGoy 165: Offer Online Yoga Masterclass with Shannon Crow & Amanda McKinney 120: Teach Private Yoga Online with Yael Oppenheim 078: Creating an Online Yoga Studio with Brea Johnson 006: Teaching Online Yoga with Rosslyn Kemerer 181: Grow an Online Yoga Business with Nikki Naab-Levy Pricing 130: Make a Profit Teaching Private Yoga with Emily Sussell 014: Build Your Private Yoga Business with Kate Connell Potts 141: Let’s Talk Money with Katie Brauer 101: What I Learned as a Yoga Studio Manager with Shannon Crow 042: Money Mindset with Geraldine Carter Growing Your Yoga Business 049: Grow Your Yoga Student Base [Part 1] with Shannon Crow 050: Grow Your Yoga Student Base [Part 2] with Shannon Crow 180: Sticky Note Secret for More Students with Shannon Crow Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "One hour in front of your students is not the same as an hourly wage job. This is not just one hour of your time." - Shannon Crow   "I want yoga teachers to be viewed as professionals." - Shannon Crow   "Take into consideration all of the factors that are part of this pricing." - Shannon Crow  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 203: Do Politics Belong in Yoga? with Chara Caruthers & Maria Kirsten   Description: Politics can be a sensitive and divisive topic, and we may avoid talking about it even with our most trusted friends and family because it is often controversial or uncomfortable to talk about. However, in light of the current political and social landscape, it is important for us to be aware, informed, and engaged - and our yoga can influence that. Chara Caruthers and Maria Kirsten are back on the podcast to share their insights about yoga and politics, and how to navigate the current political and social climate through the lens of yoga.   Chara Caruthers is a registered yoga teacher (Yoga Alliance E RYT-500) and certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) who has been practicing yoga since 1993. She is the founder of Bliss Body & Soul, where she offers ayurveda Courses, workshops, and an Ayurvedic living Community, in addition to her work as a wellness coach. Maria Kirsten has been teaching accessible yoga to grownups and beginners since 2000. She is the founder of Yoga for Grownups, and is committed to principles of inclusion and to making yoga safe and accessible for everyone. Maria also does work in the area of yoga for mental health and yoga therapy. Together, Chara and Maria host the Live Like You Love Yourself Podcast, where they discuss how to live, age, parent, and “grow up” in a way that feels balanced and authentic.   How does your yoga inform your politics? Chara and Maria share their insights about where yoga and politics intersect sometimes in some surprising ways, and how the foundations and philosophies of yoga really ties in to all aspects of our lives. In these tumultuous times where we still have to continue in life with yoga classes to teach, and people looking towards us as community leaders and for guidance, Chara and Maria shed light on how we can find a balance between yoga and politics.   Key Takeaways: [5:25] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Chara Caruthers and Maria Kirsten. [6:59] What is the work that Maria and Chara do? [9:55] Shannon shares a bit of context for the interview. [11:31] Where do Chara and Maria live and how do they vote? [13:48] How do politics, voting and yoga go together? [21:01] Chara and Maria share more about ahimsa, yamas and niyamas and how they tie into our relation to others and ourselves. [24:11] How are Chara and Maria bringing these topics into their classes? [29:21] Where does the discomfort come from for yoga teachers who are trying not to be political? [35:02] Politics can wind us up a bit. How do we find the balance between taking action but also taking a pause? [43:27] Why is it sometimes difficult to engage in productive conversations with people who have different perspectives from us? [46:00] How can you stay informed without getting overly triggered, particularly by social media or the news? [51:07] Check out the Live Like You Love Yourself Podcast to hear more from Chara and Maria. [51:28] What is Yogins United? [53:15] Conversations are a powerful medium to share ideas. [55:39] Chara and Maria share some closing thoughts.   Links: Chara Caruthers Maria Kirsten Live Like You Love Yourself Podcast The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 173: Social Justice, Politics & Yoga with Chara Caruthers and Maria Kirsten The Daily Podcast The Newsworthy Podcast CBC The Conversation (Australia) Yogins United   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode: "I think yoga has a huge role in politics because it empowers people to sense what's right and good and safe and comfortable and what sits well with them." - Maria   "For me, my yoga has been a reminder of the way that I want to be in the world." - Chara   "Being human is a practice, and as part of that practice we have to be willing to engage with the world around us because it defines who we are and who we can be." - Chara   "It is our responsibility to ourselves and to our communities who we are a part of, who we are in constant relationship with, to take action, to be in action." - Chara  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 202: Yoga and Masks with Clare Kelley   Description: One of the things we’ve had to adapt to recently in our yoga businesses is the COVID-19 pandemic. As public spaces like our yoga studios open up again and we transition back into in-person yoga classes, you may be wondering about how to approach using masks in your classes. Clare Kelley shares her expertise in this area and clears up some of the doubts and confusion around using masks in yoga, as well as how public health relates to yoga from a broader perspective.   Clare Kelley is the Founder and Director of Wild Wisdom, a platform that exists at the intersection of science, movement, nature, and lived experience. Clare has completed her graduate studies in both public health and health research and program design, monitoring, and evaluation, and has over 8 years of experience working as a health consultant. Clare’s work is helping people connect to their nature and the nature around them for the health of both. Via her Patreon, Clare shares live movement classes and nature therapy walks, meditations and visualizations, movement and relaxation videos, public health explainers, essays, and more.   Clare addresses the confusion about wearing masks at the start of the pandemic, and explains why best practices have evolved over time. She also shares insights about mask usage and safe distancing in yoga classes, and four types of risks involved. Clare tackles some misconceptions about mask-wearing, transmission of the virus and gives us some tips about how we can reduce risk as yoga teachers.   This episode is a useful resource to give you the information you need on this topic so that you can be empowered to make the right choices for you, your yoga business, and your yoga students.   Key Takeaways: [6:31] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Clare Kelley. [8:11] What does Clare do and who does she do it for? How does public health and masks fit into her scope of work? [10:08] Clare explains how public health differs from medicine, and how it ties to individual efforts and actions such as wearing a mask. [13:05] What is health science?  [16:29] There have been different messages around masks and best practices in relation to the pandemic. Clare explains why information has been constantly changing. [21:40] Clare explains more about how the virus spreads and how mask-wearing can help reduce transmission. [28:46] How important is mask-wearing in a yoga class? Clare explains the risk factors at play. [33:00] Is it dangerous to wear a mask all the time because it limits oxygen to the brain? [37:35] What is the distance we should be maintaining with other people? [40:16] Clare shares more about the Swiss cheese model. [44:57] What is Clare opting to do for her yoga classes? [49:17] Clare talks about four concepts of risk. [51:45] What do we say to people who are denying the pandemic? [55:02] What is aerosol spread? [58:19] Clare explains why it is important to create a sense of collaborative community. [59:32] What are the Clare's recommendations for yoga classes with regard to safe distancing measures and mask-wearing? [1:06:45] Find out more about Clare's work via Patreon. [1:08:37] Clare addresses a question from The Connected Yoga Teacher Group - Why am I still getting sick if I took all the precautions? [1:11:12] What will 2021 look like? [1:18:04] Shannon shares some of her biggest takeaways from this interview with Clare, and gives a personal update.   Links: Clare Kelley on Patreon The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Totally Under Control How coronavirus spread from one member to 87% of the singers at a Washington choir practice Yoga Alliance Resource Site for COVID-19 Sukhasana Chair (Code: TCYT10)   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "Our own individual efforts protect us, but also how we look at health individually affects the community." - Clare   "No death is better than some death. Less death is better than more death. Less illness is better than more illness." - Clare   "This is a time to err on the side of caution. The masks are only one aspect of the mitigation of the risk. They're not perfect." - Clare  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 201: Leaning Into Hope Happy New Year with Shannon Crow   Description: Happy New Year, Connected Yoga Teachers!   What a year 2020 has been for all of us, as people, as yoga teachers and as business owners. All of us have been profoundly impacted by everything that 2020 has brought. At a business level, we’ve had to completely reimagine our yoga businesses - by moving classes online, or dealing with teaching physically distanced yoga with restrictions in place. Some of us have faced closure of our yoga studios, or have fewer students. On a personal level, we may have had to deal with the loss of loved ones, social isolation, worries around finances, and the general anxiety and stress that comes with living through a year like 2020.   It’s been a tough year. But Connected Yoga Teachers, if you are listening to this episode, it means that you’ve made it through everything 2020 has thrown your way, and survived. And that is something definitely worth celebrating.   In this episode, Shannon shares an email from Gretchen Schutte. In her email, Gretchen shared a bit about some of her struggles in 2020, but more importantly, she took the time to share and celebrate what she has accomplished, despite everything.   What are you celebrating about 2020?   Key Takeaways: [:12] Happy New Year! [:40] What a year 2020 has been. Shannon reflects on 2020, and all the things that have happened. [3:43] A shout out to the sponsor of the podcast, Schedulicity. [5:27] Shannon shares a side note from Crunch. [7:29] Gretchen Schutte sent Shannon an email towards the end of 2020 about her struggles and achievements for the year. [10:25] Gretchen's email inspired Shannon to look at what she has achieved. What are some of the things you can celebrate about 2020? [13:54] Go beyond looking at traditional accomplishments, and acknowledge all of the things you have been able to do. Celebrate that strength!   Links: Crunch on Instagram Gretchen Schutte   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "Surviving the pandemic and the crapshow that was 2020 is achievement enough for this year." - Crunch   "We all win the award for making it through 2020." - Shannon   "Despite all of the challenges, I'm still growing and moving forward." - Gretchen

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 200: Practice, Parenting & Perfectionism with Judith Hanson Lasater & Lizzie Lasater   Description: We’re celebrating 200 episodes of the Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast! On this episode, mother-daughter duo, Judith Hanson Lasater and Lizzie Lasater, share more about their yoga journey, parenting, and running a yoga business.    Judith, Ph.d. and physical therapist, is a well known figure in the yoga world, and one of the leading yoga teachers in the US. She has been teaching yoga for 50 years, helped found a nationally-known yoga teacher training program in San Francisco, CA, which has trained thousands of teachers since 1975, and collaborated with other yoga teachers to start the Yoga Journal magazine. Judith has authored 10 books, including her latest: Yoga Myths -  What You Need to Learn and Unlearn for a Safe and Healthy Yoga Practice, and specializes in restorative yoga.    Judith has three children, and one of them is Lizzie Lasater, who is a mother of twins, and also a yoga teacher in her own right. Lizzie learned yoga from her mother, and now teaches restorative yoga teacher training globally via her virtual platform. In addition to sharing her work through live online events, curated digital trainings and her Sunday Savasana Series newsletter, Lizzie also has a heartfelt spirit jewelry collection. Together, Judith and Lizzie share a variety of courses such as Living Your Yoga, Yoga Myths, Savasana Intensive and more on their combined online platform - lasater.yoga.   In this interview, Lizzie shares her insights about what it was like growing up with a yoga teacher for a Mom, and how that has influenced her in journey of teaching yoga and running a yoga business. Judith and Lizzie discuss “being enlightened”, how yoga translates into their daily lives, and holding boundaries. They also talk about their own personal experiences with parenting, and why we all struggle with the idea of perfectionism and not being able to be “perfect parents”.   This is an incredible interview about how yoga relates to parenting, perfectionism and your own practice - from the unique perspective of a mother-daughter team.   Key Takeaways: [10:29] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode - Judith Hanson Lasater and Lizzie Lasater. [12:38] For Judith, what does it feel like to have been teaching yoga for 50 years, and what does she see in the yoga world now? [15:51] Lizzie shares a bit about how growing up with yoga all around influenced her to become a yoga teacher. [17:55] Did Judith's children ever rebel and move away from yoga? She shares how she held space for her children apart from yoga. [21:22] Lizzie talks about what it was like to grow up with a yoga teacher as a parent, the feelings she encountered as a teenager, and how that has influenced her own parenting style. [25:36] What is it like for Judith and Lizzie to work together as yoga teachers now? [31:06] Judith shares her perspectives on the idea of "becoming more enlightened" through the practice of yoga. [36:12] Lizzie reflects on her working relationship with her mother and the boundaries she holds with each of the roles she has with Judith. [37:40] Judith explains how setting and holding boundaries spills into the teaching of yoga and personal relationships. [42:48] It is important to remember not to hold ourselves up to the standards of the yamas and the niyamas, or some sort of perfection. [47:53] Do parents now face more pressure to be perfect? [50:45] Shannon, Lizzie and Judith reflect on what it's like to parent their children. [55:12] How much of Judith's experience in the yoga world has been translated into her latest book, Yoga Myths? [57:01] What are Lizzie's thoughts on teaching yoga for a shorter time and reading Judith's book? [01:00:25] Judith explains why cueing is not a practice she recommends, and what she suggests instead. [1:03:23] How will moving yoga teacher training online impact the level of yoga? [1:10:14] Lizzie shares some thoughts around impermanence, and Judith shares a short poem to end off. [1:15:25] Find out more about Judith and Lizzie's work via their websites. [1:17:19] What is your biggest takeaway that you will implement?   Links: Judith Hanson Lasater Judith Hanson Lasater on Instagram and Facebook Lizzie Lasater Lasater.yoga Yoga Journal Books by Judith Hanson Lasater Lizzie Lasater on YouTube Lizzie Lasater's Instagram Post   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Sukhasana Chair.   Quotes from this episode:   "Yoga is a life-changing, soul-changing, body-changing practice, but its power is predicated upon choice and intention." - Judith Hanson Lasater   "What is the point of this practice on the mat, this pranayama, this meditation, if it has no effect in the world?" - Judith Hanson Lasater   "The most important question to begin with is not 'What am I going to teach?'. The most important question is 'What is going to be the relationship I have with my students?'." - Judith Hanson Lasater   "I'm finding that [parenting] is so much more full mind-body-spirit than any of the books I read led me to believe." - Lizzie Lasater  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 199: Creating Inclusive Yoga Spaces with Erin Ajayi   Description: As yoga teachers, many of us have the intention of creating inclusive yoga spaces. However, we may not know what that looks like or feels like from the perspective of a BIPOC yoga student. Erin Ajayi joins Shannon in this episode to experience her own experience of being a yoga student of color (from the perspective of a Black woman).   Erin Ajayi is the Senior Director of Development at I Live Here I Give Here, a nonprofit organization with the mission to make Central Texas the most generous community in the nation. Erin is also a part-time yoga teacher who has taught in studio spaces, and college and university spaces. Erin came to yoga as a result of a running injury but since then, her relationship with yoga has evolved. Today, Erin teaches restorative yoga "to help her students show up to the moments in their lives."   Erin also opens up about some of the adverse personal experiences she has had within the yoga world and shares some deep insights about how mainstream yoga perpetuates exclusion, or even racism. She also has some suggestions on what inclusive practices studios and practitioners can adopt as alternatives, and how yoga teachers and studios can hold space and give voice to this marginalized group within our community.   Key Takeaways: [6:02] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Erin Ajayi. [7:37] What was Erin's yoga journey and how did she get into teaching yoga? [10:20] How did Erin and her mom do yoga together? [11:10] What is the work that Erin does now, and who does she do it for? [12:51] How does Erin feel about the fact that the world is finally waking up to the idea of creating inclusive spaces for BIPOC? [15:15] What are some of the things Erin wishes yoga teachers were more aware of? [18:31] How can we be more inclusive in our greetings to our students to make everyone, across the board, feel welcome. [20:28] Shannon and Erin discuss the defensiveness that yoga teachers may feel when confronted with anecdotes of BIPOC being othered. [23:36] How can we invite more Black people and other vulnerable populations into our yoga classes? [26:59] People are becoming more conscious of representation and the current global situation has opened up possibilities to connect with people of all different backgrounds, modalities, etc. [29:15] How can we connect with people from marginalized groups in an authentic way? [33:28] What are some other instances in which Erin felt uncomfortable as a Black yoga student? [36:46] Shannon wonders if giving a discount to BIPOC would help draw them in to events or festivals or studios. [40:21] There is no quick fix to this situation. Erin shares some strategies for yoga teachers to create more inclusive spaces. [43:19] Erin has some other suggestions of things that yoga teachers and studios can consider. [46:12] Erin shares some final thoughts around creating inclusive spaces for yoga students.  [49:32] Check out the resources Erin recommended to Shannon in her original email in the links below.   Links: Erin Ajayi I Live Here, I Give Here The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 092: Accessible Yoga Begins with Language with Kesse Hodge, Chantel Ehler and Katie Juelson  The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 138: Accessible Yoga Beyond Asana with Jivana Heyman  The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 108: Inclusive Language for Prenatal Yoga with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 146: How to Empower Your Yoga Students with Yonnie Fung The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 189: Your Movement Science is Racist with Jesal Parikh The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 173: Social Justice, Politics & Yoga with Chara Caruthers and Maria Kirsten The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode BONUS: Anti-Racism & Yoga with Michelle Johnson The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz Yoga with Adriene on YouTube Black Yoga Teachers Alliance Amplify Colectivo  Yoga for Black Lives Satya Yoga Co-Op  Yoga In Color - Grow Your Lovespace Brown Sugar: Yoga for Folks of Color Black Girl in Om More Black Men Embracing Yoga to Ease Emotional Stress Black Male Yoga Initiative  Shannon Crow on Instagram   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "With yoga teachers, that relationship that they're building with students is really important." - Erin   "I know the importance of representation in advertising and in literature." - Erin   "If you're having trouble attracting a diverse student population, there's an opportunity to do the deeper reflection and start to think - where can I have representation in other areas?" - Erin   "Don't start with the assumption that Black people or people of color need a discount to attend your yoga class." - Erin  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 198: Share Your Yoga Specialty with Megan Mulrine [Consultation Call]   Description: Specialization is an ongoing process, and times of change and uncertainty can be just the push you need to niche down and specialize in something that really lights you up.    Megan Mulrine is the founder of Yogatrotter and a yoga instructor who has trained more than 600 yoga teachers in 200 and 300hr YTT programs in Bali. Through her years of practicing and teaching yoga, and discovering more about Buddist meditation, Hindu philosophy and the history of yoga, Megan discovered her passion for Hindu mythology as it relates to Yoga. She has studied Hindu epics like the Mahabarata and the Ramayana) and shares these stories with her classes to deepen their understanding of the history, legends and culture contained within the yoga asanas.   When travel restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic forced Megan to close down her in-person Yoga Teacher Trainings, she quickly put up an online training. It sold well at first but has started to slow and Megan is now worried about being able to sustain her yoga business while supporting her team of teachers as much as possible.   In this consultation call, Shannon helps Megan peel back the layers of her business by digging into where her true passion lies and how she can specialize to share her passion with more people. Shannon also advises her on how to build a sustainable business that serves her audience, while also supporting her lifestyle and finances.   If you have been thinking about creating a more sustainable yoga business, and questioning whether specialization and niching down is the way to go in the midst of all the uncertainty, give this episode a listen.   Key Takeaways: [5:44] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Megan Mulrine. [7:15] What does Megan need most help with in her yoga business? She shares her biggest challenges as a result of the pandemic. [8:58] Who is Megan's audience? When was she planning to host the next 200-hr training (if COVID hadn't happened)? Shannon digs into some of the details about Megan's offerings and her plan for her business. [12:38] When Megan first switched to online courses, they were selling well but her numbers have dropped off since. Are people getting tired of being on their computers so much? [15:29] Which specialty would Megan choose if money was not a consideration? [17:29] As important as picking a specialty is making sure that people know about your specialty. [20:01] Megan struggles with sharing what she does and her specialty with her audience. Shannon coaches her on how to phrase her offering. [22:53] Shannon advises Megan on how best to repel people who would not be a fit for her offering but also attract people who would be interested. [26:40] Shannon shares some strategies with Megan on how to build her audience. [30:22] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity. [32:05] Is there a "freebie" in your yoga business that you should be monetizing into a paid offering? Listen to Megan talk about her "freebie" that Shannon recommends repackaging into a paid offering. [34:33] When you love what you're doing, showing up and doing the work for free can feel easy, but that doesn't mean we should. Megan and Shannon discuss a bit about her money mindset. [36:41] Shannon shares some ideas for Megan to showcase her community and build deeper connections even virtually. [39:54] Shannon recommends that Megan figure out her minimum viable income and how much she wants to make financially -- and why she should do that. [44:32] What happens when yoga teachers fail to see the unique gifts that they have and share them with others? [46:42] Shannon and Megan do some brainstorming around what her freebie should be and how she can put out a call to action more often to monetize. [50:25] Megan offers her training in a rolling sign ups format, but isn't seeing a high number of completions. Would having a fixed start and end date add accountability and be more effective from a marketing perspective? [1:00:06] Shannon and Megan discuss more ideas for her content to show up more in search engines. [1:02:41] Find out more about Megan and her offerings via her website or Instagram. [1:03:42] What were your key takeaways from this consultation call?   Links: Megan Mulrine, Yogatrotter Megan Mulrine on Instagram The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 112: Niche Down to Market Your Yoga with Amanda McKinney The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 106: Defining My Yoga Business Niche with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 097: Focusing In On Your Niche [Consultation Call] with Susan Hopkinson The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 187: How to Choose a Yoga Teacher Training with Cecily Milne The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 043: Minimum Viable Income with Steph Crowder Pelvic Health Professionals Blue Ocean Strategy, by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "You find the specialty and those people will find you." - Shannon   "The more niche you make your offering, and the more people hear about that niche, the more people will gravitate toward you." - Shannon   "When people don't pay, they don't show up." - Shannon   "I want our yoga teachers to be making loads of money, because they really support amazing things when they do." - Shannon  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 197: How to Keep Your Studio Open with Nicole Blackwood   Description: In the middle of all the COVID-19 pandemic closures, one group of people in the yoga teacher community has been particularly affected - studio owners. On top of figuring out how to transition to virtual classes and serve their yoga students online, they also have to deal with the challenges that come with having a physical space. Nicole Blackwood is a yoga teacher and studio owner of Embody Yoga & Wellness, who has managed to keep her studio open this year despite the pandemic, and this episode is a replay of the live interview on how she managed to do it.   Nicole began teaching yoga in 2014, with a deep desire to teach yoga classes to those who felt like the practice may be out of their reach. Eventually, she opened her own boutique yoga studio in St. John's, Canada, to create a space that provides options for all bodies, and that allow people to experience the benefits of yoga regardless of age, physical condition, or experience level. Nicole focuses on offering a warm and intimate refuge for her students to focus on their wellbeing. Her studio offers a variety of yoga classes and her specialty is yoga to support fertility.   In this interview, Nicole really opens up about how she has managed to overcome the challenges of keeping her yoga studio open through the pandemic. She shares the story of how she realized she might need to close her yoga studio, and how setting a goal of the number of yoga students needed to stay open helped her reach her target. Nicole also talks about her marketing efforts in attracting studios, and how she has been managing her studio now that in-person classes are allowed but with certain restrictions in place.   If you have been toying with the idea of closing your studio, or even dropping one of your yoga classes, this episode is sure to be an inspiration for you.   Key Takeaways: [6:58] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Nicole Blackwood. [8:45] Where did Nicole's yoga journey begin? [11:59] How did Nicole decide to open a yoga studio? [15:18] When COVID hit, Nicole pivoted to move her studio online. However, she was eventually faced with the decision of whether to close the studio. Nicole shares more about that experience. [18:37] What did the realization that she might have to close her yoga studio feel like to Nicole? [20:48] What were some of the numbers that Nicole looked that to make the decision about closing her yoga studio? [24:25] Nicole shares more about the business model for her studio, and how she arrived at the number of 124 students to break even. [27:17] How did Nicole manage to attract 124 students to register? She reveals her marketing strategy to hit her goal in time for her deadline. [34:26] Nicole had been emailing her mailing list once a month prior to this latest launch, but she had to drastically increase the number of times she emailed them to hit her numbers. Why did she feel so resistant to sending more emails? [37:44] How has Nicole set up her yoga classes to take into consideration online and in-person classes? [41:08] When will Nicole start marketing again for the sessions which start in the new year? [43:19] What would Nicole do differently for the next round of sessions? [44:20] Nicole shares more about some of her niche offerings. [49:41] Nicole has some final thoughts around what it's like to run your own business. [53:33] Where does Nicole store her videos? [55:55] Shannon shares some of her key takeaways from this interview with Nicole.   Links: Nicole Blackwood, Embody Yoga & Wellness studio Original Facebook Live Vimeo The Connected Yoga Teachers Facebook Group   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals.   Quotes from this episode:   "It wasn't until [Shannon] made me try and visualize what it would be like if I didn't have a studio, did I realize how much I didn't want to to lose this space." ~ Nicole   "I had to really realize - how many students do I need to be able to pay myself and break even as a studio?" ~ Nicole   "When you send an email, generally you see sales if there's a call to action that relates to sales." - Shannon   "It really makes a difference when we keep that connection going with our email list." - Shannon  

You are invited to the Yoga Teacher Conf happening on December 14, 2020. Shannon Crow is one of the many presenters that will be there. Let's hang out online and talk about how you can create your dream yoga business. http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/yoga-teacher-conf

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 196: 4 Steps to Attract Yoga Students with Steph Crowder   Description: Attracting yoga students to our yoga classes is something we could all use help with. We are also coming up to one of the biggest times for yoga students to sign up for classes - January. This is when people make their New Year resolutions and want to "get back to their routine" or "take care of their emotional and physical wellness". That’s why it’s so important for us to put our offers out there in front of all these people, and having a simple process can help you get started - Steph Crowder (she/her) has an easy and actionable 4-step process to share.   Steph Crowder is the Founder & CEO of Courage & Clarity, LLC. She's a former Sales Training Director of a giant tech company who struck out on her own to become a sales coach & business strategist, helping thousands of entrepreneurs across all industries. In 2017, she launched the Courage & Clarity Podcast and grew her business to 6 figures in 9 months. Steph focuses on teaching her clients to sell with ease by building a “small but mighty” community who can’t wait to buy from them through courses, and webinars.   Steph is adept at taking a concept like getting more yoga students and breaking it down into easy, actionable steps that you can put into practice immediately. Steph walks us through the 4 steps that will help us to go from an idea for our yoga offer to new registrations and real students. She also explains the biggest mistake that business owners make that keep customers walking right past their offers, and gives us some of her tips to overcome that.   If you’re aiming to get more students into your yoga classes in 2021 (or even today!), this is the episode to listen to!   Key Takeaways: [6:23] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Steph Crowder. [8:12] What is the work that Steph does and who does she do it for? [11:40] Steph's four steps are covered in greater detail in her mini-training, Same Day Sales. [13:27] What is the big mistake many business owners make that keep customers walking past their offers? [16:18] Steph addresses the fact that this process requires some vulnerability. [17:39] Instead of thinking of it as validating your idea, think of this process as co-creating your offer. [18:52] Step 1: Identify your idea. It doesn't have to be something complex or difficult! [22:55] What comes naturally to you that people are always asking you about?  [24:21] Step 2: Locate your leads. Steph has a dirty Internet secret about where your leads are coming from. [28:05] Don't think about this step as pitching your network. Think about it as opening up conversations. [31:33] Step 3: Co-create your offer. Approach this from a place of curiosity. [35:11] Shannon shares a few examples of how co-creating an offer has (and creating offers in a vacuum hasn't) worked for her. [37:54] Shannon and Steph discuss why you should focus on uncovering the pain or pleasure point you are addressing in your co-creation conversations. [38:33] Someone's willingness or unwillingness to pay is a reflection of how well they understand the transformation. [39:27] Step 4: Tweak and book. Steph shares an example of how she used this in her own business. [44:24] Do it scared! You don't need to have a perfect offer before you put it out there. [44:53] What should you do if you follow these steps and you offer doesn't get the traction you're looking for? [46:42] What does Steph recommend if you're sending emails and posting on social media but still not seeing students sign up? [50:01] Check out Steph's podcast, The Courage & Clarity Podcast, to learn more from her. [50:16] Steph has some tips for you around selling. [52:31] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Steph.   Links: Steph Crowder, Courage & Clarity Courage & Clarity Podcast Crickets to Customers Same Day Sales Mini-Training The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 180: Sticky Note Secret for More Students with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 162: Fill Your Yoga Workshop with Mado Hesselink The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 049: Grow Your Yoga Student Base [Part 1] with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 050: Grow Your Yoga Student Base [Part 2] with Shannon Crow Fill Your Classes 3-day Challenge with Amanda McKinney The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 043: Minimum Viable Income with Steph Crowder The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 177: How to Connect (aka Network) with Natalie Eckdahl Year on the Wall with Steph Crowder The Connected Yoga Teachers Facebook Group Pelvic Health Professionals   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity.   Quotes from this episode:   "The big mistake that most people make... is creating your offer in a vacuum." - Steph Crowder   "The core of the Same Day Sales Process is using real human beings, with real experiences, real problems, real desires to help you shape your offer." - Steph Crowder   "Every single person who's listening to this has innate talents and abilities that have been so ingrained in you, you totally don't realize they have value." - Steph Crowder   "Personal network is so overlooked!" - Steph Crowder   "Where are potential customers hiding in my everyday life that I'm not thinking about right now?" - Steph Crowder   "Once you open up the conversation, it is so much easier to get a customer, yes, but also to understand if they're not going to become a customer - why?" - Steph Crowder  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 195: LGBTQ Awareness for Yoga Teachers with Tristan Katz   Description: We can all agree that we want our yoga classes to be safe places for everybody. However, one group of marginalized people who are often not taken into consideration is the LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ community has historically been persecuted and has experienced violence, at the provincial or state, national, institutional and personal levels, which makes it all the more important for us to create and maintain safe and inclusive spaces for them in our classes. How can we bring awareness about them to our yoga spaces, and create inclusive safe spaces for them?    Tristan Katz (they/them) has some insights to give us a better understanding of the LGBTQ community, based on their personal lived experience and their work in the space of equity-inclusion.    Tristan is a business and marketing coach-consultant, web and graphic designer based in Portland, OR. Part of Tristan’s intention in their work is to support teachers, practitioners, studios, and spiritual communities seeking to facilitate safer, braver spaces. To this end, Tristan is currently studying with experts in the field to expand their equity-inclusion facilitation and education offerings, in addition to teaching workshops and trainings centered around queer identity and LGBTQ+ awareness with an anti-oppression and intersectional lens.   Conversations around creating such inclusive spaces for people in the LGBTQ commmunity can be uncomfortable, and we may not always know how to approach this topic. Tristan speaks openly and honestly to share more about the experiences people in this community have, and how we can do better. They give us a breakdown of common terms, cues and language; what we as yoga teachers can do to be more aware and inclusive in our classes, and what to do when we mess up, which is something that will inevitably happen.   For anyone looking to learn more about how to create more inclusive spaces in their yoga classes, this episode is a must-listen.   Key Takeaways: [10:18] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Tristan Katz. [12:28] Where did Tristan's yoga journey begin and how did it lead them to the work that they do now? [18:28] Tristan defines some terms they have used as well as appropriate language to use to create inclusive spaces. [25:26] What is Tristan's response to yoga teachers who may be worried that introducing pronouns in their yoga classes may cause their students discomfort? [29:45] Tristan explains a little more about trans identity and the gender binary. [31:51] When asking for someone's pronouns, avoid saying "preferred pronouns". Tristan shares why. [34:20] Shannon and Tristan discuss how to approach people who have multiple pronouns e.g. she/ they. [38:52] Grammar is not an issue when using they/them pronouns for individuals! It is an argument that is rooted in transphobia.  [40:49] Some cues and language in yoga classes tend to be gendered. How does Tristan help yoga teachers navigate this? [44:31] Tristan shares how they consciously and intentionally focus on acknowledging that everyone's experiences are different and being sensitive to that. [46:34] How do niches that focus exclusively on one particular gender feel to non-binary people? [51:02] If you offer inclusivity trainings, or have taken one that you appreciated, please share it in the comments. [52:02] What are Tristan's thoughts on how to express ourselves such that everyone feels included and safe? [57:01] Societal systems and structures impact all of us differently, depending on our identities, but that doesn't mean we can't all be part of different movements to dismantle these toxic structures. [59:17] Shannon shares some of her experiences with creating inclusive spaces in the world. [1:01:21] Apart from their work with equity-inclusion, Tristan is also a digital strategist who supports yoga teachers in their businesses. [1:03:18] Shannon shares her key takeaways from this interview with Tristan.   Links: Tristan Katz LGBTQ Awareness: For Yoga Teachers, by Tristan Katz LGBTQ Equity-Inclusion: Actionable Steps for Yoga Teachers, by Tristan Katz Inclusivity Trainings by Tristan The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 092: Accessible Yoga Begins with Language with Kesse Hodge, Chantel Ehler and Katie Juelson The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 138: Accessible Yoga Beyond Asana with Jivana Heyman The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 108: Inclusive Language for Prenatal Yoga with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 146: How to Empower Your Yoga Students with Yonnie Fung The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 189: Your Movement Science is Racist with Jesal Parikh The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 173: Social Justice, Politics & Yoga with Chara Caruthers and Maria Kirsten The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Bonus Episode: Anti-Racism & Yoga with Michelle Johnson Trans Yoga Project Trans Yoga Project (Patreon) Pelvic Health Professionals   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity. .   Quotes from this episode:   "We all make assumptions based on appearances, but we can't know the truth of somebody's life experience or identity based on appearances." - Tristan   "There is this level of toxicity that's in dominant culture that we often can bring into this yoga space unconsciously or consciously." - Tristan   "When we're witnessing others' discomfort around that conversation, it's an opportunity for us to model and educate and inform." - Tristan   "Gender is a much more nuanced conversation than we've all been taught." - Tristan   "We can't just make these vast assumptions and generalizations. We're potentially putting people into sympathetic arousal when we do." - Tristan   "Anytime you gender something, you're excluding some people in the room, you're potentially triggering other people in the room." - Tristan  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 194: Bladder 101 for Yoga Teachers   Description: An issue that may be embarrassing and isolating, but which nonetheless affects 300 million people worldwide, including many of our yoga students is urinary incontinence. While this is a common issue that many people struggle with, it is not normal and it is not something you just have to live with.   In working with many students who deal with urinary incontinence, Shannon has found that yoga can be so beneficial. Yoga helps not just through its connection to the nervous system, movement and breath, but by also creating awareness and education around how the bladder actually works, understanding our pelvic floor, and ensuring our pelvic health.   Shannon shares more about the three types of incontinence, some of the misconceptions around incontinence, as well as the ways in which yoga can help address incontinence. She also has some tips on giving your yoga students osme basic information about the bladder. If you or your students are struggling with urinary incontinence, this episode is a great introduction, with many resources linked below.   Key Takeaways: [1:56] Urinary incontinence affects 300 million people worldwide, but it is not normal. [2:41] Yoga can be beneficial for people dealing with urinary incontinence in many ways. [6:25] Shannon gives a shout out to Schedulicity and a reviewer! [8:45] There are three categories of urinary incontinence - stress incontinence, urge incontinence and mixed incontinence. [11:57] What is the role of the nervous system in incontinence and how can yoga help? [13:03] Shannon addresses the misconception that Kegels is the answer to all urinary incontinence. [14:57] If you decide to start talking about the bladder in one of your yoga classes, Shannon recommends having the contact details of pelvic health PTs in your area to share with your students. [15:34] Alignment and posture can also play a part in addressing bladder issues. [18:08] Yoga practice also works on strengthening, and this can be helpful for people dealing with urinary incontinence. [19:00] As yoga teachers, something we bring to our yoga students that can help them with their bladder health is awareness. [21:38] There are so many benefits that you are already sharing with your yoga students to help them with their urinary incontinence without you realizing it. [24:09] If you are dealing with urinary incontinence, you are not alone.   Links: A Group-Based Yoga Therapy Intervention for Urinary Incontinence in Women: A Pilot Randomized Trial How Yoga Can Help with Urinary Incontinence, by Shannon Crow for Yoga Anytime  Coupon code for YA 30 days The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 176: Email Marketing Strategy with Jessica Stansberry Pelvic Health Resources Understanding and Treating Incontinence: What Causes Urinary Incontinence and How to Regain Bladder Control, by Sarah Haag The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 193: Pelvic Symmetry Sequence with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 147: Core Strength Myths & Cues with Lauren Ohayon The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 075: Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain with Dr. Sinead Dufou The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 77: Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder Syndrome) with Helena Spears The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 148: Stress Incontinence and Yoga with Melissa Dessaulles The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 151: Male Pelvic Health & Yoga with Dr. Susie Gronski The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 009: Kegels, Mula Bandha and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 129: Pelvic Floor 101   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals .   Quotes from this episode:   "Our nerves and our spine, and the nerve that radiate from the spine have a real connection with the bladder." - Shannon   "Oftentimes, the misconception is that if you're experiencing urinary incontinence, the answer is Kegels." - Shannon   "Another important thing that we bring to our yoga students that can help them with their bladder health is awareness." - Shannon  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 193: Pelvic Symmetry Sequence with Shannon Crow   Description: Pelvic girdle pain is extremely common, affecting one in 5 pregnant people, and can continue postpartum. In this episode, Shannon shares a pelvic symmetry sequence she learned years ago to address the pelvic girdle pain from her pregnancies. Adapted from Cecile Rost, PT and Dr. Sinead Dufour, Physiotherapist, Shannon has shared this sequence with hundreds of people who say it makes a huge difference.    Besides helping alleviate pelvic girdle pain, this sequence is useful in helping keep the pelvis in symmetrical alignment, to treat low back pain, or when you are having issues with your sciatica or sacroiliac joints. Whether you are looking for relief from your own pelvic girdle pain or you would like to share this sequence with students dealing with this issue, this sequence can be a valuable addition to your arsenal.   Key Takeaways: [3:32] Shannon discovered this pelvic symmetry sequence to alleviate the pelvic girdle pain she was having. [5:08] If you are dealing with any pelvic girdle pain, it is beneficial to consult with a healthcare professional specialized in it. [5:52] Special thanks to Cecile Rost, Dr. Sinead Dufour, and Sue Pearson. [6:38] Hundreds of yoga students have said that this pelvic symmetry sequence has made a huge difference in their lives. [8:50] Shannon gives a shoutout to Schedulicity and a reviewer. [10:52] Shannon leads the pelvic symmetry sequence. [18:52] Shannon recommends trying this flow three times through. [19:18] If you try this sequence out or share it with someone, do let Shannon know by tagging her, or share your feedback about the sequence. [20:51] Shannon shares something else she has noticed about this sequence.   Links: Pelvic Health Resources Pelvic Symmetry Sequence The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 075: Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain with Dr. Sinead Dufour Find a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist (Canada) Find a Pelvic Health Professional (Global) Relieving Pelvic Pain During and After Pregnancy, by Cecile Rost Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals .   Quotes from this episode:   "If you are dealing with any pelvic girdle pain, I cannot say enough how beneficial it is to go and see a PT." - Shannon   "I have shared this sequence with hundreds of yoga students who say this has made a huge difference in their lives." - Shannon   "We know that pelvic girdle pain is extremely common." - Shannon

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 192: Everyone Has a Pelvic Floor with Shannon Crow   Description: Was the pelvic floor ever covered in any of your yoga teacher training, anatomy courses, or if you have had children, as a part of pre- and post-natal education? Yet, the pelvis is one of the most important parts of our bodies, and also a very misunderstood and often neglected part of the body.    People often relate pelvic health and function to women, childbearing, or other similar functions, but the truth is, whether you are male, female, non-binary or any other gender, you have a pelvic floor! As with any other body part, it is important for us to know what this part of our body does for us, and how we can protect and ensure it is healthy and working well. In fact, pelvic health is very much related to how the body moves, and so many things that our everyday bodies are dealing with are also related to pelvic health.   How does this impact us as yoga teachers and yoga practitioners? Shannon shares more about the five superpowers of the pelvic floor and helps us understand its importance in our movement, and general well-being. She also highlights some of the common pelvic health issues you may encounter, as well as how yoga can help.   Whether you’re passionate about all things pelvic health like Shannon, or just talking about your pelvic makes you uncomfortable, this episode is a great place to start learning about a body part we all have - the pelvic floor.   Key Takeaways: [1:42] The pelvis is an important part of our bodies but is often misunderstood, or neglected. [4:35] Pelvic health is related to many other issues we may be having in our bodies. [7:18] Shannon gives a shoutout to a reviewer and to Schedulicity. [10:26] Have you learned about the pelvic floor in YTTs, anatomy classes, or pre- and post-natal education? [14:03] How does language influence our perception of pelvic health? [15:32] What are the 5 superpowers of the pelvic floor? Stabilize, Support, Sexual, Sphincteric, Sump Pump. [18:08] Having a strong core four is important for movement and healthy living. What are some issues that can come up as a result of the core four not working together in synergy? [21:50] How common is it to encounter someone in our yoga classes experiencing issues related to pelvic health? [25:04] Pelvic health issues often need to be addressed by a team of professionals working together. [26:08] Shannon shares a short practice to become more connected with your pelvic floor.   Links: The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 129: Pelvic Floor 101 with Marie-Josée Forget 1:1 Consultation with Shannon The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 009: Kegels, Mula Bandha and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 151: Male Pelvic Health & Yoga with Dr. Susie Gronski The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 147: Core Strength Myths & Cues with Lauren Ohayon The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 075: Yoga for Pelvic Girdle Pain with Dr. Sinead Dufour The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 069: Yoga with Pelvic Organ Prolapse with Dr. Sarah Duvall Try Yoga Before Drugs to Relieve Back Pain, by Kira Sloane for Yoga Anytime The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 134: Pelvic Health for Pregnancy & Beyond with Julie Wiebe The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 169: Integrating Pelvic Health into Yoga with Shannon Crow & Mado Hesselink  The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 121: Yoga for Pelvic Health with Shannon Crow   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals .   Quotes from this episode:   "So many things that our everyday bodies are dealing with also relate to pelvic health." - Shannon   "It's really important to think about the pelvic floor in terms of being able to engage, but also being able to release and relax and let go." - Shannon   "Having a strong core is so important for moving and healthy living." - Shannon   "When we're looking at holding tension in something like the pelvic floor, in a group of muscles anywhere in the body, yoga is an amazing way to release tension." - Shannon  

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 191: Self-Care Tips to Fuel Your Business with Shunta Grant   Description: With everything that’s been going on this year, life can feel quite overwhelming. It can be easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you need to “do it all” or you may be wondering "How can I ever get all of this done?". You may be setting some unrealistic expectations and put additional (unnecessary) pressure on yourself. This is exactly when you need to be taking time for self-care, just when it seems to be at the bottom of the priority list. Shunta Grant, an expert in helping women live life (and build businesses) on the OTHER side of busy, is on the podcast to explain why.   Shunta Grant is the Creator of the Best Today™ Brand, owner of Because of Zoe Designs, and host of the Business, Life & Joy podcast. She helps women clarify their needs and desires, and guides them toward their vision for the future with simple, actionable steps. Her unique frameworks have transformed hundreds of women from busy and overworked, to proactive, focused and intentional business owners, leaders and team members.   Having a routine for self-care and your business, can help to deal with some of the overwhelm, stress and tension you may be experiencing in these times. Shunta talks to us about why it’s so important to prioritize self-care especially when it feels like things are out of control, and shares some of her tips, tricks and strategies to create and stick to realistic routines that will help you achieve the life you want to live.   Key Takeaways: [7:47] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Shunta Grant. [9:53] What does Shunta do and who does she do it for? [10:42] Shunta runs multiple businesses in addition to managing her two children at home, all in 3 days of work a week. [11:48] Where should people start if they're feeling like something in their routine needs to change? [13:43] What can we do when something goes wrong and throws our entire routine off? [16:11] Shunta and Shannon talk through an example of a hypothetical situation where someone feels their mornings are crazy and that throws off their whole day. [18:40] How does Shunta take time for herself even when she has young children? [19:55] Set an intention for your morning and for the day ahead. [20:40] How does Shunta deal with things happening unexpectedly? [22:27] How does Shunta set up routines with her business, work and other commitments? [24:25] How often does Shunta set goals for her business and personal life? [25:53] What does Shunta hear from her audience in terms of how the Best Today Guide and Right Now Routine have helped them? [30:43] What are some of Shunta's tips to trim some of the extra things out of her business? [32:28] Shunta shares some strategies on how you can stick to your routines. [35:38] Sundays are a good day to preview the week and get ready for things that are upcoming. [39:22] What are some of the routines that Shunta maintains in her personal life? [42:03] How important is a daily routine and what helps us to stick to those routines? [44:29] Shunta has some tips and tricks for setting a routine that works. [47:21] Find out more about the Right Now Routine and the Best Today Guide at the website. [48:05] Shannon shares some of her key takeaways.   Links: Shunta Grant Shunta Grant on Instagram Best Today Guide (Planner) Right Now Routine Vision & Values for Business Owners Business, Life & Joy Podcast 2021 Planning Party The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 043: Minimum Viable Income with Steph Crowder 1:1 Consultation with Shannon   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals .   Quotes from this episode:   "There's a reason why you are experiencing everything you are experiencing, both good and the not-good." - Shunta Grant   "Let's identify the stuff that you don't like and let's cut out the thing that keeps causing it to continuously happen." - Shunta Grant   "Creativity comes from rest and play." - Shunta Grant   "Everybody needs routine and structure. It's not just for people with children, it's not just for married people, it's not just for people in the city, it's not just for people in the suburbs. It's for everyone who desires to have this peace and calm in their lives." - Shunta Grant   "A little bit of proactivity will add the peace and the time you're looking for." - Shunta Grant   "It's really training your brain to think about what you actually need to get done, and get out of the habit of just doing stuff." - Shunta Grant   

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 190: How to Create Guided Meditations with Kelly Smith   Description: In most typical or mainstream yoga class settings, an aspect of yoga that doesn’t get too much attention is meditation. Many of us have encountered students complaining that they don't have time to meditate, or people who really struggle with laying still and quieting their minds - perhaps that’s even something you have struggled with. There’s where guided meditations can be helpful, and Kelly Smith has some tips and insights for us on the topic.   Kelly Smith is a meditation teacher, yoga teacher trainer, and the founder of Yoga For You, a location independent yoga and meditation school. She also hosts the Mindful in Minutes podcast, where she shares her personal guided meditations. By focusing on the less physical yoga practices like meditation, yoga nidra, restorative yoga and mindful flows, Kelly helps people find their true selves and begin living the joyful life they deserve through mentorship, private sessions, teacher trainings and online courses.   Kelly shares some of the benefits of meditation, and highlights some of the differences between guided imagery, guided meditations and Savasana. She has tips on how to write guided meditations, and the nitty gritty details of how to record a meditation and share it online. Kelly also tackles some of the common misconceptions around meditation, and why it’s so important to meet your students where they are in their meditation journey.   If you’ve been wondering how to get students interested in meditation, how to create your own guided meditation practice, or how to get those meditations online, this interview with Kelly is a great starting point.   Key Takeaways: [8:07] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Kelly Smith. [9:33] Where did Kelly's journey with yoga begin? [12:53] What are three things Kelly would highlight to people that want to skip out on Savasana? [15:09] Shannon and Kelly discuss why it's so important to meet students where they're at when it comes to meditation. [17:38] How long do you need to meditate to get the benefits of meditation? [20:11] What does Kelly offer now in terms of meditation? [21:37] What is the difference between some of the common forms of mediation like guided meditation, guided imagery and Savasana? [26:19] Where can we start if we decide to write our own guided meditations? What are some steps to follow? [27:55] Kelly walks through an example of what writing your own guided meditation could look like. [33:44] What has Kelly learned along the way in creating and writing meditations? [39:48] Kelly recommends keeping a big document as your Idea Parking Lot, and a separate document to record descriptive words and images. [42:09] How can you record and share guided meditations or guided Savasanas for your students to take home? [44:20] Find out more about Kelly's work at her website. [46:13] Shannon shares her key takeaways for this episode.   Links: 2021 Planning Party Kelly Smith, Yoga for You Mindful in Minutes Podcast How Meditation Can Reshape Our Brains: Sara Lazar at TEDxCambridge 2011 GarageBand Audacity Masterclass with Kelly - Ins & Outs of Recording guided meditations Staples   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity and Pelvic Health Professionals .   Quotes from this episode:   "No one ever educated me on the benefits or why we do Savasana." - Kelly   "There's this common misconception that meditation is kind of like doing nothing. If that's what people think, then we haven't done our job in educating our students." - Kelly   "The science shows us that anywhere from 8 to 12 minutes a day is enough to get the neurological and physiological benefits of meditation." - Kelly   "We start by writing the guided meditation by thinking about how the story that we're telling is going to end." - Kelly