On today’s unique episode Patricia Fasciotti shares her experience with a unique marketing strategy. The discussion transitions into a  consultation call with Shannon as she advises Patricia on how to move forward with social media marketing.   Patricia is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Yoga instructor, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Nutrition Coach all under the name The Wellness Concierge.   Patricia wants to expand her online offerings as she has found this teaching format a great fit for her life. Patricia is a mother of 2 kids and is looking for a work-life balance that will allow her the financial freedom to spend more time with her children.   Patricia’s multi-faceted approach to wellness is a gift to her clients and in order for her to reach those who could benefit from her services Patricia decided to offer a free 5-day Wellness Challenge to current and potential clients.   Patricia outlines to Shannon how she approached this marketing strategy and the benefits of offering this challenge and what she learned from it.   Patricia is a down-to-earth, warm personality who openly shares what has (and hasn’t) worked for her in this process. Shannon, through consultation, helps Patricia move through the fear of marketing herself further on social media platforms. 4:10 How Patricia got into yoga   08:00 Patricia’s online class membership- The Yoga Suite   09:35 The 5-day Wellness Challenge- a free offering that can be used to showcase your work to an audience   10:20 How her 5-day Challenge works   12:00 How Patricia prepared and marketed her 5 Day Challenge   14:45 Caution around creating Facebook ads   17:45 Patricia outlines Day 1 of Challenge and using Facebook Live   20:00 Patricia’s first Facebook Live video experience   21:50 Last day of 5 day Challenge- a time to celebrate and build excitement for an upcoming offering, offering prizes   24:30 Benefits of having a Facebook group page   **Consultation Call**   27:30 Patricia asks about her social media presence and marketing strategies moving forward   28:50 Shannon asks Patricia what feedback she’s gotten from her clients   30:10 Shannon asks if Patricia’s “Big Why” of her yoga offerings match with her clients’  “Big Why”   31:40 If there is fear behind your hesitation to build your online presence with advice to move through the fear   36:30 Shannon guides Patricia through fine-tuning her online yoga offerings   37:20 Advice on deciding on number of clients to take on- limit on group numbers allows for more individualized attention and raising price for membership is valid, builds loyalty   40:20 Look at your niche, ideal student and where your offerings have gained traction in the past   45:00 Setting goals around getting new clients   45:45 Recognizing and rewarding clients that are most engaged   48:15  Sharing your business offerings on your personal Facebook page   49:05 One-minute videos, the importance of relatability in videos   50:30 Setting a goal for putting videos on Youtube   52:55 Closing thoughts with Shannon Links   Patricia's Website- The Wellness Concierge   Patricia's Free Body Balanced 7-day Challenge   The Concierge Lounge Group on Facebook   The Yoga Suite- online membership program   Email: [email protected]   Patricia's Instagram   Mondays With Margo on Youtube   TCYT Podcast 031: Facebook Marketing with Amanda Bond   The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Follow The Connected Teacher on Youtube

    Today’s episode is unique in that instead of one featured guest we have seven!  Shannon reached out looking to answer a question asked on The Connected Teacher Facebook Group: What advice would you give your new teacher self?   Thoughtful and beautiful reflections were recorded by 7 yoga teachers who passed them on to Shannon so she could share with all of you while reflecting on her own experiences as a yoga teacher fresh out of yoga teacher training. What would you tell your new teacher self?   3:15 Betsy Brockett   4:45 Jamie Grollman   6:25 Kristina Kelly   9:25 Catherina Espinoza   10:55 Amanda Kingsmith   13:15 Lisa Zaehringer   15:30 Allie Bright   17:40 Shannon shares other advice from The Connected Yoga Teachers Facebook Group   Links   To get in touch with featured yoga teachers:   Betsy Brockett Betsy's Website Betsy's Instagram   Jamie Grollman Jamie's Website   Kristina Kelly Kristina's Website- Get Moving Fitness Balanced Breath Studio Facebook Page   Catherina Espinoza Catherina's Website- Tu Espacio Yoga Tu Espacio Yoga on Facebook   Amanda Kingsmith Amanda's Website- M.B.Om (Mastering the Business of Yoga) Mastering the Business of Yoga Instagram   Lisa Zeahringer Lisa's Website- Synchronicity Wellness Lisa on Facebook - Synchronicity Wellness   Allie Bright Allie's Website- Bright Java Bright Java on Instagram   The Connected Teacher Facebook Group   MamaNurture Yoga Teacher Training (RPYT)   Shannon's Consultation Services   Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity  

Trina Altman took a Kripalu yoga class at Brown University and became intrigued by the practice. She became a yoga teacher in 2008 igniting her desire to research anatomy and movement.   The culmination of the knowledge she obtained has allowed her be a multi-disciplinary teacher; borrowing from many kinds of movement practices. Trina is very much focused on balancing her practice and teaching to include strength training along with stretching.   Trina’s passion for movement has led her to create Pilates Deconstructed®, an innovative interdisciplinary approach that fosters an embodied understanding of Pilates and its relationship to modern movement science.   Along with her 500-hour yoga teacher training, she is a STOTT Pilates® certified instructor, leads teacher training in Yoga Tune Up®, the Roll Model® Method and Rx Series for Equinox locally and Internationally.   Trina has presented at Kripalu and multiple conferences such as the Yoga Alliance Leadership Conference. She teaches online classes which can be found on her website as well as in person in Los Angeles at Equinox  and The Moving Joint.   Trina’s teaching fosters body cognition and self-discovery that is firmly grounded in anatomical awareness. She builds bridges between the mystical and pragmatic and specializes in helping others to access their body’s tissues and their heart’s purpose. 9:25 Where Trina’s yoga journey began   11:45 How Trina began to consider the injuries that can be sustained while practising yoga   14:55 Importance of strength training   16:35 The danger of believing yoga is a fix-all   19:00 What does Trina’s balanced personal practice look like?   22:45 Trina’s concern about risk-prone movement in classes she’s attended   23:00 Trina’s experience with group classes (and taking a break from them)   25:25 Group class paradigm- pros and cons   27:20 What can teachers do in their own personal practice to build strength   29:40 How Trina teaches yoga (and how she takes from many different movement modalities)   32:10 What is the Feldenkrais method?   36:15 Trina’s online teaching offerings   38:30 How do we prevent injuries to our students?   40:10 Pilates- “the missing link”   44:05 Where you can find Trina in the upcoming months   44:20 Trina’s closing advice on preventing injury when teaching   47:25 “There is no one answer”   48:30 Group vs. private classes when it comes to yoga injuries   49:35 Four Principles of Teaching Movement: T.R.U.E.   T- total embodiment R- regress to progress U- understand underlayer E- creating an Environment of Safety   57:20 Shannon’s closing thoughts Links   Website: Trina Altman- Pilates Deconstructed® & Yoga Deconstructed® Embodied Anatomy Biomechanics   Trina Altman's Youtube Channel   Trina's Instagram   Trina's Yoga and Pilates Facebook Page   Mettaversity Course: Realigning Yoga: New Directions in Yoga Anatomy and Movement Research with Trina Altman   Yoga Deconstructed® Courses with Trina Altman Feldenkrais Method Wikipedia Article   Interoception Wikipedia Article   Proprioception Wikipedia Article New York Times Article: How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body by William J. Broad   Book: The Science of Yoga: The Risks and Rewards by William J. Broad   Relevant TCYT Episodes:   Podcast: 007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trista Zinn   Podcast: 32: Strengthen Your Yoga Practice with Kathryn Bruni-Young The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Page   Trevor Parks Yoga Playlists (can view if a member of The Connected Yoga Teacher FB Page)

Not #CrushingIt is Okay   Rachel East is a Certified Professional Coach and co-founder of Clarity on Fire with her business partner and best friend Kristen Walker.   Clarity on Fire Coaching was created based on Rachel and Kristen’s experiences with mind-numbing, unfulfilling work and their unwillingness to accept the status quo.   The coaching is geared towards millennials “who know what they don’t want but don’t know what they’d rather be doing”, which was how they felt coming out of college.   Rachel majored in Communications and Public Relations because she knew it was where she would flourish. When she graduated she gladly took a job she was offered as it was tough time economically (after the 2008 recession), and there was a lot of fear surrounding employment.   Rachel found her position as an Events and Promotions Co-ordinator wasn’t ultimately something she cared deeply about. In figuring out what she did want led her to pursue life coaching.  It encompassed many of her passions including self-development and therapy.   The Passion Profile Quiz that Clarity on Fire developed helps uncover your passion (the content) as well as how it can be expressed in your ideal working environment (the context).   Rachel coaches a lot of self-defined perfectionists that are feeling burnt out. There is a mindset in society that we need to be busy to be worthy. Almost everyone struggles with this notion which is why Rachel’s message is so important.   Have no fear if you like your free time, don’t want to build an empire, aren’t a huge fan of social media, or, as Rachel puts it, you don’t want to be a #girlboss or ‘crush it’. There are many ways to approach being a successful entrepreneur.   Rachel’s wrote her blog post Confession: I Have No Desire to be a #girlboss out of frustration when she was feeling burnt out. There was a strong response from people from various professional backgrounds.  She knew that she had hit on something that many felt but few articulated as it isn’t a prevalent societal attitude. Rachel and those who responded to her post discussed defining success and passion for yourself and adhering to your values to discover a working environment that will lead to personal fulfilment.   12:10 Rachel’s professional journey leading her to Clarity on FIre   15:25 Question from Julia, a member of The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group about passion and fulfilment   19:50 Quality vs. Quantity- how focusing on numbers can negatively impact your business and outlook   21:05 Re-defining what success means to you   23:55 Authenticity has a bigger impact than presenting an airbrushed image   24:55 Rachel’s blog post Confession: I Have No Desire to be a #girlboss and how it resonated with so many   28:15 How strong boundaries give you freedom as an entrepreneur   29:30 Business is one aspect of your life, avoid co-dependence. Our job and ourselves are two separate things.   33:15 How Rachel defines passion   35:15 Looking at your job as a journey, not a destination. The danger of grasping too tightly, resisting evolving, growing, or even pursuing a different career path.   39:00 Knowing the difference between the ‘fertile void’ and being afraid of putting yourself out there- fear vs. intuition.   43:05 The Passion Profile Quiz   44:40 Understanding your time and money values 52:05 Setting limits in your business to suit your personality   Links   Clarity On Fire Website   The Passion Profile Quiz   Blog Post: Confession: I Have No Desire to be a #girlboss by Rachel East   Instagram White on Rice   The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast  030: Rituals to Start and End Your Day with Puja Madan

Shannon is very excited to have her friend Shai Plonski on the podcast who also happens to be her very first Thai Yoga Massage teacher. Shannon and Shai know from experience that Thai Massage can enhance a yoga teacher’s offerings in a multitude of ways such as building a stronger bond with their students, strengthening their hands-on assists, and providing new workshop and revenue opportunities. Nowadays Shai is the best-selling author of Compassionate Touch: Giving Massage for Optimal Health, Thriving Relationships & Spiritual Awakening. But back in 2001, Shai came to realize that he was not content to work behind a desk and felt a calling to do something more meaningful, connected to Spirit, and with his hands. Working for a carnival for the summer to earn money for university had Shai working at a booth making wax molds of people’s hands. He has carried the feeling of this experience with him, having found the connection and trust he had to establish within seconds profound. The power of touch has been a major theme in Shai’s life ever since. Another seed was planted when Shai travelled to Asia. He was intrigued by the practice and was eventually exposed to Thai Massage when volunteering at the Omega Institute.  A teacher invited him to sit in on her class and he saw that the practice blended so many principles that mattered to him like connection, compassion, yoga, and the healing power of touch. Shai’s passion for sharing the practice with others over the past 15 years has led him to teach at some of the largest yoga centers in Toronto and around the world including upcoming courses at the Kripalu Center and 1440 Multiversity. He has also authored or co-authored 15 manuals and books on the practice of Thai massage, trained over 3300 practitioners and 100 teachers in this healing art and is the founder of the Still Light Centre.   [9:40] Shai's journey into Thai Yoga Massage   [15:05] Shai’s first exposure to Thai Massage through a workshop   [16:20] What makes Thai Yoga Massage unique?   [16:50] 3 Principles of Thai Yoga Massage   [17:25] Shai's brand new book - Compassionate Touch   [19:20] How Thai Yoga Massage can compliment your yoga business   [21:30] Metta - loving kindness and compassion   [23:55] Complementary to Yin, gentle and restorative yoga classes and yoga retreats   [27:05] Meditative nature of Thai Yoga Massage   [28:00] Still Light Centre teaching style   [30:50] How to learn Thai Yoga Massage   [37:50] How Shai got his name   [41:30] Bringing Thai Massage into your home   [43:35] Massage is a norm in some cultures and families Links   Still Light Centre Compassionate Touch: Giving Massage for Optimal Health, Thriving Relationships & Spiritual Awakening  by Shai Plonski Gentle Yoga with Thai Massage Assists  at Tone Studio, Owen Sound, Ontario The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Gratitude to Our Sponsor -- Schedulicity

The prospect of yoga teacher training in a warm climate in the middle of winter sounds amazing to most of us. Maxine Iharosy thought so too when she was offered a spot in the Shakti Initiation: All Women’s Leadership Training. She was lit up by the possibility. However, taking stock of her finances led her to feel she had to decline the offer. One of the program’s teachers told her not to give up on the opportunity and mentioned that other students in the past have used crowdfunding in order to attend. At first, Maxine felt there was no way she would feel comfortable asking others for money but through the guidance of Robin ( her mentor in this process), she realized that attending this program could benefit her AND her community. Maxine realized that through leadership training, teachings, and insight into another part of the world, what would benefit her could benefit her others. She would be asking for a gift (financial help), and in exchange would bring back renewed energy and passion for teaching and insight into another culture. Maxine is a wonderfully community-minded, spiritually connected being with a passion for travel, the outdoors, and teaching yoga that connects her life experiences, readings and storytelling to the practice.  As her role as the Tone Studio manager comes to a close, her focus will be shifting towards more personal offerings for classes, private sessions and workshops with the vision of bringing some of her greatest passions together- nature, community and yoga with Inner Wilderness Yoga. Maxine also serves as an administrator and teacher for the Sarana Institute, which is committed to bringing mindful and self-compassion training to others. This summer Maxine was part of the team that offered The Young Adult Program to Sarana Springs in Chatsworth, Ontario. The program gave young adults (aged 18-30) the chance to connect with nature, mindfulness, and learn leadership skills. Maxine is so grateful for all those who supported her through the crowdfunding process. It increased her awareness of the interconnectedness between student and teacher and teacher and community and wholeheartedly recommends this process if you are willing to be vulnerable and do the hard emotional, physical, and spiritual work.   7:00 The beginning of Maxine’s crowdfunding journey   9:10 The giving and receiving aspect of Maxine’s experience- the teacher/student balance   10:55 What allowed Maxine to ask for help- the mindset she adopted in order to ask, confronting self-doubt and pride and looking to where the root of those feelings are coming from   12:30 Asking herself:  Who am I to ask for money? How will my training benefit others? Acknowledgment that yoga isn’t as validated as other health-related professions in society or even sometimes in the mind of the teacher.   14:00 Practical aspects Maxine’s crowdfunding process   16:25 The gifts Maxine offered her contributors based on the amount of the donation   17:25 How Maxine emotionally processed the donations   19:00 Did Maxine have a backup plan if her goal wasn’t met- the power of intention and belief   20:25 How she felt when she met her goal- fears and questions and the most difficult point of her journey to Bali   23:00 Processing (still) the financial and emotional support she received   23:30 The hard prep work for attending the Women’s Leadership Training and the work while attending the training   24:35 Feedback from supporters when Maxine returned home   26:15 How it built relationships with her supporters and students outside of her yoga classes   27:00 The clarity crowdfunding and training brought to her life and her feelings of responsibility to the community   28:25 The ‘hats’ Maxine wears in her work life   29:35 Maxine’s teaching style   30:30 Sarana Institute Young Adult Program   31:20 Vision for her personal yoga offerings with Inner Wilderness     33:20 Advice to those considering crowdfunding   35:55 Keeping in touch with your contributors   38:00 Shannon’s closing thoughts     Links:   Maxine's Indigogo Campaign Platform   Shakti Initiation: All Women’s Leadership Training   Maxine’s Website: Inner WIlderness Yoga   Sarana Institute   Sarana's Young Adult Program   Blog Post: "Comparison of Crowdfunding Websites" by Inc.com   Gratitude to Our Sponsor -- Schedulicity

Have you struggled with the business side of yoga? Most yoga teachers do, fearing that selling themselves is ‘icky’ or maybe not in line with the principles of yoga.   Amanda Kingsmith works with yoga teachers to break through these financial blocks. As a yoga teacher with a business studies background, she is the perfect coach for those struggling with their money mindsets, business terminology, and seeing the worth of their services.   Amanda is an enthusiastic world traveller who is keen on avoiding the tough Alberta winters. She has travelled to over 50 countries and 6 continents. From her first yoga teacher training in Bali, she was hooked. When she began teaching she struggled to shape her yoga business to make a living (despite her business background) and wondered if maybe others were struggling too.   This led Amanda to create the M.B.OM (Mastering the Business of Yoga) podcast, which has 60 + episodes to its name. She decided she would ask those whose businesses she admired her many questions. Instead of asking them out for coffee, she decided to produce a podcast and share the wisdom she gleaned with others.   Amanda also coaches yoga teachers in business matters and writes with a passion. Check out some of her writing on M.B.OM and on her own website.   9:15 Amanda’s yoga journey   11:25 Mastering the Business of Yoga (M.B.OM) Podcast   14:40 Struggles Amanda hears most often   14:55 Letting go of what you think you “should” do   15:20 Being intentional with your business and what you want from your YTT, what do you want out of this yoga career, try many things but at the end of the day do what feels right and makes you happy   16:40 Meditate, journal or reflect in a way that works for you. Consider the many paths there are to choose from, some that may have never been travelled.   17:20 Do you need yoga to be a business?   18:40 Mixing business with yoga; an often uncomfortable aspect for yoga teachers.  Do you consider what you do a business? Work on reframing your perspective on selling your services in order to move away from unsavoury sales stereotypes   20:00 “Sales funnel”- putting yourself out there and what you have to offer (newsletters, social media, etc.) in a way that is low pressure and encourages your clients to access your services   23:05 Reframing business terms for the yoga industry, learning what they mean and how they can help you run your business with an understanding that you can work in the yoga industry using ethical business practices and that honours karmic and yogic principles   24:15 How can yoga teachers work towards a healthy money mindset? How to work as a full-time yoga teacher, for example, and live a comfortable way and feel good about making income from yoga.   26:15 Being afraid to charge enough money for your classes can leave you feeling burnt out and resentful.   28:55 What are the most powerful marketing tools for yoga teachers?              -websites            -newsletters            -social media -posters -business cards (carry your card and perhaps others for referrals) -speaking/ networking   44:15 What does Amanda wish she knew as a new yoga teacher? What is imposter syndrome? The danger of comparing yourself to others.   46:35 How to work with Amanda   Links   M.B.OM Website   Amanda's Personal Website   The World Wanderers Podcast   Courage and Clarity with Steph Podcast   The Yoga Lounge Website   TCYT 021: Refine Your Core Message with Carol Cox   The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Gratitude to Our Sponsor -- Schedulicity

Shannon met Dr. Sinead Dufour at a pelvic health workshop for yoga teachers as part of the MamaNurture prenatal yoga teacher training. It was through Sinead that Shannon discovered she had Diastasis. Shannon talks about how some of the yoga poses done after she gave birth were contributing to her condition. Diastasis is not widely understood in prenatal and postnatal health. It has been falsely understood as the separation of the abdominal muscles (it is even implied in the name) when it is actually the overstraining or damaging of the linea alba tissue. It was after giving birth to her twins that Sinead discovered significant gaps and misconceptions in the health care system and fitness community that left women without the tools needed to take care of the pelvic health. She felt strongly that she needed to be part of the solution. Sinead has been a practising physiotherapist for about 15 years, with a PhD in Primary Health Care. Her extensive studies also include training in obstetrics and urogynecology. She is a professor in the Health and Science department at McMaster University and is the Director of Pelvic Health at The Womb.   Among this episode’s points of discussion are: the role the linea alba plays in Diastasis, Dr. Sinead Dufour’s  leadership in up-and-coming research on DRA to establish common practice principles, and what can be done to prevent this condition.   8:55 Sinead's journey to becoming a leading Pelvic Health expert 10:50 What is Diastasis? A common misconception about Diastasis. Diastasis or Diastasis Recti Abdominus (DRA) 12:25 Linea alba’s role in pregnancy and Diastasis 15:30 New study by top 22 Diastasis experts in Canada in order to establish practice principles experts can agree on 18:10 Delphi Process with 3 phases setting the practice principles 20:45 Diastasis related to manometric pressure system manometric pressure system- the pressure system modulated by the core four, inclusive of the linea alba and the glottis (think the concept of intra-abdominal pressure)   19:10 Dr. Sinead’s research study 20:10 What experts are saying: what is Diastasis and how should we manage it? 23:00 Prenatal - how can we prevent Diastasis? Avoid exercises that concentrically engage the superficial abdominal muscles such as crunches and sit-ups Emphasis on facilitating optimal co-activation of the deep inner unit Ensuring the core 4 are working together: pelvic floor, diaphragm, transversus abdominis and multifidus Working synergistically Promoting effective, tension free diaphragmatic breathing More focus on diaphragmatic breath with ease -- less extended belly breathing and more rib cage breath Emphasizing postures that reduce excessive strained intra-abdominal pressure Avoid plank pose while pregnant or straining on the toilet,(especially with breath holding). 25:15 Importance of continuous breath 28:45 Encouraging students, not to breath hold (and why they may be doing so) 31:00 Empowering language - What can students do instead of what can't it do 32:15 Listen to the body - pain or struggling in a pose 33:05 Intrapartum (during childbirth) considerations Continuous breath - no Valsalva breath Avoiding a back lying position when possible 37:35 Prenatal yoga teachers are the ones who can advocate, inform and empower those who are susceptible to diastasis or other pelvic health issues 38:25 When to refer a yoga student to a pelvic floor physiotherapist 40:00 Postpartum (4th trimester) - "critical healing period" Abstain from exercises that concentrically engage the superficial abdominal       muscles Promote exercises that are not the same action as a crunch Every body is unique and so each person needs something different Watch for doming or invagination at linea alba during exercise 5.Optimal load transfer at linea alba 45:25 Later diastasis- watch out for doming or invagination (reverse doming) 46:10 Front loading poses: bird dog, plank - when can we do these? 47:30 Any incontinence issues - because Diastasis is a pelvic floor dysfunction   48:50 How yoga can help with the internal pressure system and nervous system   49:55 Autonomic nervous system tension affects the connective and visceral tissue   50:45 Benefits of a yin yoga style   51:40 Fertility yoga series at The Womb   52:50 Increased inter-recti distance is normal in pregnancy   53:45 Diastasis has nothing to do with the inter-recti distance (the width between the rectus abdominis muscles)   57:20 How to test for Diastasis at home   58:40 How a yoga teacher can help assess linea alba during a pelvic floor contraction   1:00:25 Another Diastasis assessment- digital pelvic floor contraction (highlights how integrated the linea alba is with the pelvic floor)   1:01:25 Yoga teachers are in a great position to get ahead of the curve to spread new information discovered through research (before it will be widely taught)   1:05:50 Inter-recti distance as an assessment needs to be thrown out- as people get better and more functional the distance can actually increase proving that inter-recti is meaningless   1:06:55 The general preface statement that will be published in their research document   1:08:50 Preface statement for assessment of DRA   1:10:10 How to work with Dr. Sinead Dufour     Links   The Womb   Find a Canadian Pelvic Health Specialist   Mama Nurture   Relevant TCYT Episodes: 007: Breath and Pelvic Health with Trisha Zinn 008: Core Breath and Pelvic Health with Kim Vopni 009: Kegals, Mula Banda and Pelvic Health with Shelly Prosko   The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group   Gratitude to Our Sponsor -- Schedulicity  

Kathryn Bruni-Young is a mover, educator and creator. She grew up studying yoga with her mother (Diane Bruni) which organically shifted into teaching yoga classes and workshops together.   Kathryn Bruni-Young has been a yoga and movement teacher for the last 10 years.  She suffered from repetitive strain injuries and turned to physiotherapists, personal trainers and other experts from other movement disciplines to create her own teaching style.   Inspired by all she gained from her strength training education. Kathryn founded the Mindful Strength Center, (formerly known as the Cornwall Yoga Studio). Mindful Strength blends strength, mobility and mindfulness. Kathryn leads teacher training, online courses, and workshops throughout Canada and Europe.   Kathryn is being drawn to the world of Trauma Training and has been influenced by those doing research in this field. She is truly a woman with many facets who is excited to share all she has learned to enrich the lives of others.   7:45 Kathryn's Yoga Journey   10:00 Benefits of strength training   12:05 Balance of flexibility and strength training   15:15 Do we need to go to the gym? “Sensory sensitivity”   17:55 Examples of strength training at home   19:00 How to modify push-ups   20:15 Does Kathryn still call herself a yoga teacher?   22:05 Rotator cuff injury   25:30 Kathryn's library of IG posts   26:50 Strength training for repetitive strain-totally different movement   28:25 Muscles and fascia and their response to load   28:55 Variety of strength training options   29:45 How should a yoga teacher start incorporating strength training into their lives?   31:20 How to find a strengthening mentor, even as a kickstart to your training   31:50 Working on your own using YouTube videos, books starting with simple movements   32:45 Working with various professionals (physios, trainers, etc.) even a couple of times to get the ball rolling, get some basic information   33:25 Importance of having variety in strength training so it is well-rounded and balanced so you’re not doing repetitive movement in this area   33:55 Practice movement on your own before incorporating it into your classes   35:00 How to work with Kathryn- new online courses available   37:40 Kathryn's mindful strength class layout   41:55 How to add strengthening to a more traditional yoga class   44:45 What she calls her classes and how her students reacted to the introduction of strength training into her yoga classes- key slowly building strength into the class   50:10 Your unique yoga offering cannot be replicated   51:05 Her first certified training with Ito Portal -not beginner friendly but lots of great insight   52:00 Trauma training (somatic experiencing) in the strength building field-   53:20 Kathryn's Yoga Teacher Training offerings and an Online Mindful Teacher Training is in the works! Links   Kathryn's Website   Kathryn on Instagram   Yoga Journal Article: The Future of Yoga: 15 Millennial Yoga Teachers to Watch   Trauma Healing Training founded by Peter Levine   Trauma Center at Justice Resort Institute founded by Bessel Van Der Kolt Life coach - Barb Elias   Personal trainer - Miranda Smit   Gratitude to our sponsor Schedulicity

Amanda Bond, “Bond” as she is known, is an expert when it comes to Facebook ads. With a fiery, authentic spirit she guides her clients so they can get the most of this marketing tool. Always an entrepreneur at heart, she started her career as a social media manager and has taken on such positions as the VP of marketing for The Toronto Yoga Conference and Show. Bond chose to take the wealth of knowledge she gained in her over 12 years of experience in corporate sales and marketing to focus on ad marketing creating her business The Ad Strategist. Bond’s down-to-earth manner simplifies the sometimes overwhelming task of marketing yourself on Facebook. In this episode she breaks down the elements of creating an ad and shares such wisdom as:  money doesn’t necessarily mean more results, the difference between your personal and business Facebook page (it’s an important distinction), and the recommended percentage of sales based posts to non-sales based posts that focus on your message.   5:20 Amanda's journey 7:10 Connection to Toronto Yoga Show 8:40 What to do before spending anything on Facebook ads 11:45 Sharing yourself vs. selling yourself-  sharing what you do, what journey you’re on, who you are 12:50 What percentage of posts should have a call to action (sales) and what percentage should be about sharing your message? How telling stories about your clients and directing your services to a specific client can bring more sales 17:20 Difference between personal Facebook profile and yoga business page? What you can include on each page without signalling to Facebook you are selling yourself on your personal page. 19:20 How do you get people to like your Facebook page? Consistency and refinement of your message as you go will attract loyal followers. 21:05 Bond’s first Facebook ad expenditure 21:40 Keep in mind we are not our businesses, that we don’t become that product or service. 23:15 First step when we are ready to advertise on Facebook and why boosting is not THE answer and referring to the Facebook marketing platform “Facebook Blueprint” 25:00 3 Cs Framework that Amanda and her team use CONNECT - how do you get people to know, like, and trust your brand CONVERT - asking for a micro-commitment (subscribe to email list example, newsletter,subscribe to podcast, etc.) - enters them into sales process, they give up something of value- like time, their email which allows you to see them more often, they will see you in a storytelling capacity and it will enable you to guide them toward a purchase CLOSE - "close the sale" - where they become a customer by purchasing a service or product 27:35 Overcoming the objections that our customers have when they buy from you 28:20 What are the benefits your audience will miss out on if you are not selling your product or service? 32:20 Meet your audience at the beginner level 33:35 What stories are powerful to share the benefits of yoga e.g. transformation stories, encourage them to be a curious beginner, don’t have to be perfect 34:35 Being vulnerable and relatable - show up as yourself, encourages them to be human because you present yourself that way, put yourself out there consistently not constantly, “a messy journey of consistent action” 36:05 Facebook live is scary! Remember that you have a piece of knowledge, a nugget of wisdom to share with others, being fearful prevents you from sharing knowledge with those who would benefit 37:50 What Amanda would do with Facebook if she was a full-time yoga teacher: Journal publicly about life, journey, as messy as it is Look to improve what I know about the tech side and business side (even a few minutes every day) Create connection with those you admire, reach out to them, “be a sponge” to discover your own voice 39:30 How to work with Amanda- changing gears to work with those getting started in their businesses that don’t necessarily have a big ad budget Links Bond’s Website: The Ad Strategist The Ad Strategist on Facebook Facebook Blueprint The Toronto Yoga Conference and Show The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group The Connected Yoga Teacher YouTube channel

Puja Madan was living in India on a 12+ year ritual journey with yoga and meditation when in 2009, she felt intense abdominal pain while attending a yoga class. Following up with a doctor, she discovered that she had a large fibroid tumour. Puja says this was her “aha moment”. Her medical issue was a catalyst for change as Puja determined her work life was less than fulfilling.  Feeling drawn to another path, she moved from India to the US. She went from using her MBA to work for tech startups to creating her own coaching business. With warmth and humour, Puja shares her vision to teach women in leadership positions.  She wants women to know that they hold value beyond what they accomplish in a tangible form. Puja wants women to stop measuring themselves against the expectations of society in order to nurture and appreciate their complex selves. Puja believes that beginning and end of day rituals can be a powerful means of honouring your many facets. As Puja says on her Puja's Wild Radiant Woman Website: "I spark the unseen potential and feminine power of visionary women to be the change agents the world so desperately needs.” She believes strongly in a balance of yin and yang energy in leadership positions and is pleased to see the old values and systems designed for men are evolving to incorporate feminine values such as mindfulness and collaboration. Puja is currently living in Orlando, Florida, holding in-person retreats and playshops. She also coaches women from around the world via Skype and does talks, inspiring many. Additionally, she is the bestselling co-author of Unleash Your Inner Magnificence and 365 Ways to Connect with Your Soul and the author of articles in several publications such as MindBodyGreen, The Huffington Post, and ElephantJournal. 8:10 Puja's yoga story 11:10 Embracing a new value system as entrepreneurs based on mindfulness, collaboration, and self-care 15:30 Rituals and mindfulness while you grow your business- personal energy and boundaries are deeply rooted in 17:00 Start of day self-care ritual Every being is made of 4 rooms: step into your 4 Rooms each day to at least air them Physical e.g. smoothies, quick workout Mental e.g. gratitude, thinking about priorities Emotional  e.g. text a friend, connecting one person to another Spiritual e.g. meditate, nature, pets, connected to something bigger than you Setting intentions for the day: a word or phrase that guides you that you can return to 19:15 Daily word / intention / mantra, Puja likes to do it right after meditation, awareness to it and Today's top priorities- top 3 things and do these first 22:30 If you feel like you don't have time to fit in self-care- where are you leaking energy non-revenue generating activities, 23 minutes to come back in zone, it is possible to re-organize your business and personal priorities to create more time 25:10 How a personal practice can impact our relationships - at home and at work 26:55 End of day rituals: Clear the desk Make a list to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments Meditation for closure of day Set intention for tomorrow Reducing forms of clutter- emails, computer desktop, etc. 34:05 How to connect with Puja 34:55 Middle of workday - regular check-ins: Are you feeling grounded? Holding onto any stress? 35:25 Running a yoga business with the entrepreneur mindset, seperate mindset from teaching yoga. “Be the change you want to see in the world” -Ghandi Links Gratitude to Our Sponsor Schedulicity Puja's Wild Radiant Woman Website Puja on Facebook Puja on Instagram Puja on Twitter To purchase Puja’s books: Unleash Your Inner Magnificence and 365 Ways to Connect with Your Soul The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

Today’s episode is a consultation call with Trevor Parks, who is a yoga teacher from Covington, Georgia. He teaches classes that are inspired by his Ashtanga teacher training and weaves philosophical themes, pranayama, meditation, chanting and music through his classes. Trevor’s introduction to yoga did little to inspire his now deep connection to the practice.  He was deterred by the very aspects that he now embodies such as abstract spiritual thought and poetic language. In time, Trevor returned to yoga when looking for answers about himself and the world around him. Trevor shares that yoga is everything to him. He is either studying yoga philosophy, sequences, or doing his own practice. After over 7 years practicing and over 3 years teaching, Trevor is at the point where he’d like put himself out into cyberspace in order to attract students compatible with his teachings and has asked Shannon to help him with his ‘About Me’ page for his website. Trevor has so much he wants to say and needs some help putting all his thoughts into words that will connect with his potential students. Shannon discusses: imagining your ideal yoga student and directing your message towards them allowing yourself to be vulnerable and authentic in telling your story and what led you to yoga giving potential clients a really good sense of what to expect in your classes, including language that you use in your classes creating a unique tagline that draws others in form of a sentence or even just a few words limiting the write-up to a few paragraphs including testimonials and how to ask for them from your students if there is more you want to say but don’t want to overwhelm your “About Me” page you can always include it in a blog post on your page   Links Episode 21 of TCYT: Refine Your Core Message with Carol Cox Book that inspired Trevor to pursue yoga: Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda Trevor on Instagram Set up a consultation call with Shannon Would you like to create or update your ABOUT ME page? Click here to receive Shannon's worksheets. Gratitude to our sponsor Schedulicity

Dr. Ariele Foster, based in Washington DC, has been teaching yoga for 16 years. She was inspired by her grandmother Lilo Foster, who taught yoga until the age of 87. Lilo was one of the few Jewish survivors in Germany from World War II and became re-acquainted with the healing power of yoga after her immigration to the US. Ariele, finding herself enamored with anatomy, became interested in physical therapy after a profound experience as a physical therapy patient. She studied hard to become a doctor of Physical Therapy, becoming a licensed physical therapist in 2011. Ariele has had many yoga teachers approach her about making the same transition- from yoga teacher to physical therapist which led her to create Yoga Anatomy Academy. As Ariele says “... [it] has been popular beyond my dreams. It’s really organically attracted so many students.” Yoga Anatomy Academy also provides anatomy courses for yoga teachers. Ariele kindly shares with us her incredibly rich and informative 10 Principles of an Anatomy-Informed Yoga Practice (available as a PDF download,) which covers a range of considerations for yoga teachers such as; when to refer students to other professionals, re-thinking asanas and the importance of functional movement, and the balance between flexibility and movement. This multi-tasking, multi-talented woman has founded a forum for discussion- Yoga for the Planet, inspired by her interest in environmental concerns,continues to teach yoga classes and also offers private sessions, workshops and courses, yoga retreats all while practicing as a physical therapist.   Note: Physiotherapists, Physical Therapists, ‘physios’- all the same profession. Different areas use different titles.   9:10 What sparked Ariele’s interest in anatomy 11:50 From teaching yoga to becoming a physical therapist 12:30 Advice to yoga teachers interested in becoming a physical therapist 16:30 The importance of referring your yoga students to a physical therapist when experiencing pain 21:00 Cost can be a hurdle when one is considering physical therapy- how to put that in perspective 23:30 Ariele’s position teaching anatomy to yoga teachers, belief that there needs to be a baseline of understanding 24:20 Principle 1 - Any Pose Can Harm. Any Pose Can Heal. 25:05 Principle 2 - Every Body is Unique. 25:45 Principle 3 - Think Critically “Don’t emphasize the alignment of the pose higher than the individual” 27:35 Cueing Warrior 1 using critical thinking 28:45 What is functional movement? 28:05 Principle 4 - Most Yoga Asana is Specialized, Not Functional Movement 30:55 Principle 5 - Flexibility is No Good Without Strength 33:25 Principle 6 - Variety is the Spice of Life 34:30 Principle 7 - Safe Strength Building Comes from Progressive Loading 37:25 Principle 8 - Listen to Your Body Works 50% of the Time 41:20 Principle 9 - Readily Refer Out 44:20 Principle 10 - Honor Both the Science and “Mystery” 45:35 How to study with Dr. Ariele Foster   Links Email: [email protected] Yoga Anatomy Academy Yoga Anatomy Academy on Facebook Yoga Anatomy Academy on Instagram Ariele’s Personal Teaching Website: Sacred Source Teaching Sacred Source Teaching on Facebook Ariel’s Youtube Channel PDF: 10 Principles of an Anatomy Informed Yoga Practice by Dr. Ariele Foster Podcast: Heal Your Shoulder with Dr. Ariele Foster on the YogaBody Talk Show Article: 7 Things to Ponder Before Going to Physical Therapy School: for yoga teachers, massage therapists and other holistic practitioners by Dr. Ariele Foster Gratitude to our sponsor Schedulicity

To download the free 5 Koshas booklet and see the show notes for Ep 26 -- click here.

To download the free 5 Koshas booklet and see the show notes for Ep 26 -- click here.

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Chrissie Wywrot has had 10 years of digital marketing and public relations experience that began with her work in the NFL. She grew up the South of Detroit in a small town and has always been passionate about sports. Chrissie’s career path is an excellent example of finding your niche, a topic that has been interwoven into many of our episodes. After college, Chrissie pursued her passion for sports by working for the Detroit Lions in guest services. Having an interest in public relations inspired her to work her way to managing their website. Website development included a lot of writing, graphics, photography and social media.   Niching down further, Chrissie left the world of sports in 2014 to focus on guiding service-based businesses toward utilizing social media in the most effective way. Chrissie, a self-proclaimed “social media nerd”, gets to focus on her favourite aspect of public relations. And, as a mother of 3, she appreciates being able to establish a more flexible work schedule by working for herself. Chrissie emphasizes authenticity, passion, and depth as the key elements needed for a productive online presence. Today Chrissie is going to give us insight into Linkedin, a professional networking site, used by employers and job seekers, where valuable connections can be made. Chrissie’s journey into social media 6:20 Define your goal before deciding what social media tools best work for you 13:10 How to use LinkedIn as a social media tool 15:10 Using native content in LinkedIn and gearing your profile to your audience(s) 17:30 Definition of native content 18:40 The biggest mistakes you can make using LinkedIn 19:45 New and updated LinkedIn since purchase by Microsoft and Advantages of LinkedIn vs. Facebook  20:50 Importance of planning out your LinkedIn profile 21:50 Opportunities for yoga teachers in the corporate yoga niche 23:00 Using the sales navigator tool  24:00 Advice to reluctant social media users 25:10 What to expect when working with a social media expert, like Chrissie, to optimize your LinkedIn profile 26:10 Customize shared content toward your business 31:10 Leaving your LinkedIn profile open in all settings to best connect with others 32:45 Third party scheduling tool- Buffer 34:00 How many times a week should you check up on your LinkedIn profile 34:45 Being consistent in your engagement with potential clients 35:30 Specific advice to yoga teachers when engaging in social media “7 touch points” 35:15 Building relevant connections on LinkedIn and consider connecting using personal notes 38:00 Marketing yourself as a yoga teacher 39:45 Shannon’s closing thoughts 41:50 We’ve learned so much from Chrissie Wywrot in this episode including LinkedIn’s ability to gain more traction with your content than Facebook. If you don’t have a website it is a great alternative! What LinkedIn action are you going to tackle this week? If LinkedIn isn’t your channel is there another platform you can look at? Consider writing an article which can really help bring people to your profile, and also consider scheduling time each week to work on your content.   Links Chrissie's Website Chrissie on Twitter Chrissie's Facebook Page Chrissie's LinkedIn Page Article: What to Do on LinkedIn When You Have Little Time for LinkedIn by Chrissie Wywrot Buffer: Social Media Management Tool The Connected Teacher Facebook Group The Connected Yoga Teacher: Home page Course: The Connected Yoga Teacher: Define Your Yoga Niche (September 2017)

Shannon welcomes Carol Cox, the founder of Speaking Your Brand and who we can safely say is an expert speaker. Carol engages her audience through various mediums including her podcasts, University classes and as a tv political analyst. Speaking Your Brand’s services are aimed at women in business who are looking to develop their brand. Carol explains that through authentic engagement and clarifying your purpose you can connect with those who will most benefit from your services. She shares her insights into successful public speaking, which may be something you have never considered as a yoga teacher. Carol discusses the benefits of public speaking and graciously provides us with PDF worksheets: Step-By-Step Framework to Persuade Your Audience to Action which take you through the process of preparing a talk. From “Find Your Why” to “Outline Your Persuasive Message” the steps will ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for your public speaking debut. 5:10 Carol’s relationship with yoga 6:35 Mindful practices that she engages before public speaking- it is normal to be nervous! 8:00 Clarifying your Core Message 15:00 Finding your Niche 20:00 Public speaking- often an untapped area in the yoga profession 22:50 Tools to craft a speech- your “signature talk” 24:25 How much self-promotion can or should be included in the talk? 26:50 Storytelling and engaging your audience on a personal level 29:30 Should there be a line between political and personal beliefs and your professional life? 33:45 Carol’s last words of wisdom 35:40 Shannon’s closing thoughts Links Carol’s Website: Speaking Your Brand PDF:  Step-By-Step Framework to Persuade Your Audience to Action by Carol Cox Podcast: Speaking Your Brand or search and subscribe on iTunes To help you write your own story arc: PDF: The Hero’s Journey The Hero's Journey Outline by Storytech Literary Consulting Course: Define Your Yoga Niche Workshop with Shannon Crow Join The Connected Teacher Facebook Group   “If your message is for everyone it really is for no one”- Carol Cox

It’s been quite a journey so far for The Connected Yoga Teacher community. Shannon’s goal to create a community for yoga teachers to share ideas, build knowledge, and support one another has grown into something really beautiful. She has been touched by all of your contributions. On today’s episode Shannon shares her tools for keeping herself on track as her consulting work and The Connected Yoga Teacher community grows. From online tools that help her organize her Facebook posts, design graphics, manage her business finances to writing in a bullet journal, Shannon uses these 6 resources every day. Each online tool has a free version.   5:15 Bullet Journal   7:40 Schedulicity   8:55 Canva   10:55 Pixabay   12:25 Trello   16:50 Wave   Tools:   Bullet Journal - let go of perfection when using this tool            - no need to get a fancy one            - index component is helpful to find sections quickly             - helpful to have everything in one spot   Schedulicity - easy to schedule clients                       - this company has progressed quickly, adding more features often         - great customer service         - this online resource has recently added the option of                               accepting automatic payments from your clients       3.Canva                     - online, easy to use, beginner friendly                     - a number of graphic design projects like posters, social                      media graphics, banners and more                                     - tutorials and lots of templates    Article: 6 TIps to Create a Great Poster by Shannon Crow   Pixabay- free images with option to donate to the artist            - new images added often   Trello- list making on a whole new level           - can make boards, lists, save images, even design posts away from the distraction of social media          Wave- free accounting software            - professional looking invoices that can be sent out via email             - helps with the financial goals, helps prevent you from “burying your head in the sand” so you can see the progression of your endeavor so you can feel confident and empowered             - helps separate personal expenses from business expenses and income   There are lots of resources that can help you in your yoga businesses. Start with just one to avoid feeling overwhelmed and see how it can be tailored to work for you.   Join the conversation in our supportive The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group.   Share any tools you find helpful in the comments section below or let us know if you’ve tried one of these tools and how it worked for you.   Thank you to Laura for creating the show notes each week and to Rob for editing the audio.

Andrea Peloso asks us to delve a little deeper into the meaning and benefits of Restorative Yoga. As an experienced yoga teacher who practices and teaches from a variety of disciplines, it is Restorative Yoga that she holds close to her heart.   Andrea’s passion for Restorative Yoga and its innumerous benefits, along with lifelong learning and a desire to create an inclusive yoga environment shines through in her discussion with Shannon.   Andrea has been teaching for 15 years.  She has over 1700 hours of yoga teacher training, including studies with respected elder yoga teacher Judith Hanson Lasatar. Andrea met with Judith at a time when Andrea was experiencing back pain and fatigue. It didn’t take Andrea long to focus on sharing with others the incredible benefits of yoga. She has taught across Canada, The United States, and Japan. Andrea holds a honours degree in Philosophy and Women’s Studies and has studied Eastern and Indian Philosophy.   5:00 Andrea’s perspective on fostering community in the yoga world 8:50 Importance and definition of Restorative Yoga 9:10 Effect on parasympathetic nervous system 10:25 Andrea’s yoga journey 13:40 The difference between Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga 17:50 Are props necessary for Restorative Yoga? 21:15 Creating a safe space for our yoga students- before, during and after class 28:00 Music or no music for a restorative class? 35:00 Verbal cues in Restorative Yoga 38:30 How to study with Andrea 39:10 How Restorative Yoga has helped Andrea in her own life. 40:45 Practicing kindness to self Links Andrea’s website 40-Hour Restorative Training with Andrea Andrea's Yoga Facebook Page Andrea's Know Thy Hips Workshop at Tone Studio in Owen Sound, Ontario Youtube Video: All is Love by Bjork The Connected Teacher Facebook Group   Quotes  “Restorative Yoga is the use of props to support the body in such a way that elicits a healing response. The response should be a deep relaxation- the deeper the better so we are actually stimulating our deep parasympathetic nervous system when we do this practice. The parasympathetic nervous system is in charge of everything that makes life wonderful and long: fertility, digestion, immunity, relaxed diaphragmatic breathing, the body healing itself internally, lower blood pressure, etc. etc.” ~ Andrea Peloso   "Safety is about physical space, also a relational space where we can be ourselves, disagree, and say no in the company of our teachers.  It is also a space where we will not have to experience once again prejudice or negative stereotyping that we may experience it in the world at large.  Needless to say to be a yoga teacher who creates safer spaces is to be one who continues to educate themselves about what it is like to be human being with different sets of life circumstances than their own.” ~ Andrea Peloso

Today Shannon shares with you a consultation call with one of her clients, Brittany Alred. Brittany is a yoga teacher who is brand new to teaching. Brittany’s question for Shannon is regarding cueing. She knows she would like to move forward from demonstrating to using verbal cues to guide her students but is unsure of where to start. Brittany lives in northern Alabama and has a couple of yoga classes under her belt. She began taking yoga classes in Colorado when a work colleague asked her to accompany her to a class. As a skier Brittany found yoga incredibly helpful to help protect her knees and mental well being and it has been a big part of her life since.   5:10 Brittany’s question: What is the best way to cue my students? Do I need to demonstrate the poses for the class? 8:05 Benefits of verbal cueing 8:50 Record yourself doing cues and then take your own class 9:10 Write cues as you watch a yoga video on mute and be a student for your own class 10:00 Students don’t expect perfect cueing, “mistakes” can provide moments of levity 10:35 Start with a pose you feel confident cueing, have students lying on their back and observe if your cueing is effective 11:20 Cueing and assisting the elderly 13:40 Know that most students may not share where they are sore but most have something going on physically and/or emotionally 14:10 It is not your job to “fix” anything, empower your clients to take charge of their health and make a reference list for physiotherapists or other health care providers 15:15 Props are helpful 16:00 Finding your unique cueing voice 17:10 Using your personal yoga practice to develop your cues  -how does the pose feel for you? -what images come to mind? 18:10 Should poetic language be used? 19:10 Thoughts on cueing from Trevor Parks, a fellow yoga teacher and member of TCYT 20:10 Benefits of watching online classes to develop your cues, learn new poses 21:00 Preventing yoga burnout- immerse yourself in your personal yoga practice, remember why you started teaching yoga 23:50 Keep reaching out for support from other teachers, groups, and your students 24:45 Using consent cards for assists 26:10 Brittany’s goals moving forward 28:00 Shannon summarizes key points: Get Creative With Your Yoga Poses Watch a yoga class as a witness (not as a yoga student). Gather and record the yoga cues you like. Record audio of your yoga cues. Play it back and experience the flow as a student. Apply your own cues to a muted yoga video. Play the audio back. Choose a small sequence to use verbal cues only for your next class. Use your own yoga practice to create your own cues. Learn about anatomy and physiology so you understand how the body moves. Question the cues you hear and use. Keep the ones that resonate with your evolving practice   Words of wisdom regarding cueing from fellow The Connected Yoga Teacher group member, Trevor Parks: “I think a good teacher speaks a bit poetic with great elegance. One of my friends was an Anasura teacher (they seem to have speech down, so I'll relay what he was taught) In his teacher training, they made a "word bank" of words that were elevating and uplifting, but still unique to them. They, would then, weave those words into verbal cues, and come up with alignment cues that didn't use anatomy jargon. He also said explain everything in the least amount of words possible, and never give a cue over eight words. But, those are just suggestions, it also depends on your theme, style, lineage, pace, etc. Just know finding your voice takes time and be patient! "Do your practice, all is coming!" Congratulations on your first class!” Links Book: Art of Attention: A Yoga Practice Workbook for Movement as Meditation by Elena Brower Podcast: The Connected Yoga Teacher Episode 015: Molly Kitchen Consent Cards Yoga Anytime Online Classes Yoga Glo Online Classes The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Set Up a Consultation Call with Shannon

In episode 17, Shannon welcomes Julia Khafizov who shares her perspective as a yoga teacher on chronic pain and its fascinating link to the nervous system. Julia immersed herself in yoga 15 years ago when her chronic back pain led her on a search for relief. She further injured her hamstrings while taking her yoga teacher training and subsequently worked with physiotherapists for 2 years, noticing that her injuries were not repairing well. Luckily, Julia found a physiotherapist that she describes as having a “global approach” that takes into consideration the effect the nervous system has on pain production. Symptoms such as insomnia, bouts of anxiety, and digestive issues were all indications that Julia needed to incorporate nervous system training in addition to her structural training when it came to pain management. Julia currently lives in Grand Prairie, Alberta where she teaches private and group pain care classes that incorporate other facets of yoga such as meditation and Yin. 2:15 Julia’s background 4:40 Julia’s introduction to yoga and how she began specializing in pain care 8:00 Nervous system training 9:45 Neuroscience education and its ability to relieve chronic pain 10:55 Neil Pearson’s concept of intellectual engagement along with movement in the treatment of chronic pain 12:45 The measurable changes in neurochemistry when an educational component is introduced 13:45 Matthew Ramski’s contribution to the discussion of pain by asking where our concept of modern yoga originates, how we teach, how we cue, etc. 15:40 How asking students to move deeper into a pose can be problematic 18:30 Questions to ask prospective students with chronic pain, red flags, and being open to the possibility your class may not be suitable 20:00 Julia’s group and private pain care classes and advice on helping someone with chronic pain in a yoga setting 23:00 Importance of using techniques to calm the nervous system which include mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork 23:55 “Are you Highly Sensitive?” test by Elaine N. Aron is helpful in determining the degree of sensitivity of your client and the importance of being aware of the “loop of chronic pain” in relation to sensitivity 25:55 Complex techniques to de-regulate the nervous system 27:45 Are the techniques effective if your client can’t lie down? 28:45 Julia’s suggestions for pain care teacher training 30:25 General messages to relay to your class when focused on pain care 32:00 Asking students if they feel safe rather than if something hurts, understanding the mind/body disconnect with students who experience chronic pain 35:45 The importance of emotional safety, that there is a connection between bodily pain and emotional pain and trauma 37:00 Julia’s go-to technique for calming the nervous system and pain relief 37:10 Advice to yoga teachers: “Pain is our friend” 43:00 Shannon's summary and takeaways from the interview including additional techniques when working with students with chronic pain Links and Resources Julia's Website: Satori Yoga E-book gift: Pain Care Workbook by Julia Khavizof Matthew Remski's Website Book: Painful Yarns: Metaphors and Stories to Help Understand the Biology of Pain by Lorimer Mosely Youtube Video: Ted Talk- Why Things Hurt Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation "Are You Highly Sensitive?" test by Elaine N. Aron Pain Management Training: Bo Forbes: Yoga, Mindfulness, Neuroscience, the Body and Contemplative Practice Course Neil Pearson's Pain Care Workshops Matthew Ramsky's Online Course: What are we Actually Doing in Asana? Podcast: Episode 003 TCYT: Trauma Training for Everyone With Margaret Howard The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group

On today’s episode Shannon shares her experience with creating a yoga teacher website and the 5 pages that she has found important to include so that content is clear and concise. No matter where you are in the process of building a website, including these five pages will help you design or refresh your online content. 1. Home Your home page is what website visitors usually see first. People are busy and they don’t stay long on a website page. The key elements of this page may include: WHO YOU ARE- quick intro, more on the About Me page WHAT YOU OFFER- be specific about your specialty within yoga WHO YOU ARE SERVING- who is your ideal student? WHAT BENEFITS CAN BE GAINED BY WORKING WITH YOU Action step:  Look for websites you’ve been drawn to. You can use elements that appeal including colours, font. Don’t worry about copying the template of it because once you add your own photos and copy it will become your own and it will be unique. 2. Contact This is a great place to start if you’re feeling stuck on where to begin. Include your phone number, email, and social media links. 3. Yoga Services Offered List your classes, programs, sessions, retreats and workshops in this section with descriptions. Consider embedding a calendar such as Google calendar. It is a good idea to use a separate calendar for private bookings. Don’t forget to include all the information you would put on a poster. Where is your event, retreat or yoga class being held? When is it? Include the weekday, date, month, year and time Who is hosting the event? It is nice to share a short bio and photo of the facilitator(s) What is it that you are advertising? This title should be large and at the top Why should people attend? Have a list or paragraph that confirms the reasons that someone would benefit from attending your event/class/workshop/retreat How people can register or contact you Prices are great to have clearly stated Action step: Map out your schedule, create your class descriptions and try to be specific so students know what to expect (is it beginner friendly, for example.) 4. About Page Focus on who you want to serve always keeping in mind this is your opportunity to talk to your students directly. Here is where you can go more into detail about your own personal story as it relates to your business (Shannon has an upcoming episode on this topic) Things to consider: First or third person When sharing your story keep in mind you want it to tie into your yoga services Who are you serving? Define your ideal yoga student. What makes you the teacher your ideal students would want? What are the problems that you can help solve with your classes, workshops and retreats? Action Step: Define what you believe would be the obstacles and challenges your ideal student might face and how you can help. Bonus for Today's Episode: Click here to receive the free mini-course on how to update or create an amazing about page. 5. Resources Page: A Blog or Articles If you enjoy writing consider including a blog or articles page. Having additional content will help Google search and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) ensure your page shows up in more searches. When you write great articles it gives prospective or current students an opportunity to get to know you and it helps potential clients to get a better sense of your message. In Shannon’s experience a blog feels like more of a journal and an article allows you to research and compile information that interests you and relates back to what you teach. Ask yourself if you’re writing articles that reflects your niche. Action Item: If you don’t know where to start with article writing start with journaling to clarify your thoughts, discover your writing style and area of interest. Build up a bank of articles aiming to write them once-a-week. It is helpful to block out a time on your calendar to help set aside the time. If after 6-8 weeks of publishing your content you will have a sense of whether sharing this resource works for you and how often you want to publish. Consistency is key   Shannon's Favourite Website Tools Content Management System - Wordpress Theme - Divi theme - Elegant themes Host - FatCow (thoughts of switching to Blue Host or Canadian company Rebel) Peek User Testing -- tool for website review

Shannon knew she wanted to have yoga teacher Molly Kitchen on her podcast after connecting with her about her well designed and helpful consent cards. On today’s episode, Molly shares with us her thoughts on hands-on assists, her experience with consent cards, and their connection to trauma sensitivity. Molly Kitchen lives in western Massachusetts and has been teaching yoga since 2009, receiving her 500-hour certification in 2016. She describes her teaching style beautifully: “Molly's yoga teaching is infused with clarity, humor, and heart. Her classes combine physical rigor with attention to detail, balanced by humor, mythic stories, and a discerning spiritual philosophy. Using precise alignment instruction and inspiring philosophy, she creates an environment that invites her students to connect with the wisdom of their hearts.” Molly is also the founder and director of Adhikara Yoga School which incorporates social justice values in its teachings. The school also focuses on a trauma-informed approach to teaching which acknowledges that there will always be at least one student in any style of class that has experienced complex trauma and credits her  40-hour Trauma Center Yoga Training with David Emerson & Jenn Turner, PhD, with guiding her in this awareness that she passes on to her students. Molly’s passion for teaching yoga does allow her some time to play outside with her husband and nurture her interest in herbal medicine.   Today's Podcast 7:15 Molly talks about what has been keeping her busy 9:20 What inspired Molly to begin using Consent Cards 11:00 What differences Molly noticed after the Consent Cards were introduced 12:55 Building trust: how students are responding to Consent Cards 14:05 Explaining the Consent Cards to students 15:15 On using the word “assists” instead of "adjustments" 16:20 Does Molly always use hands-on assists? 17:45 In which classes are hands-on assists often used? 18:35 Does Molly ever run out of time to use Consent Cards? 20:20 When you might not want to do hands-on assists 21:05 Molly’s favourite assists to receive 22:00 Which pose does Molly most assists students with? 22:55 Production of Consent Cards 25:10 Molly’s path to reconnecting with her personal yoga practice 28:10 Making “free time” to scheduling in your practice and training 30:00 Shannon’s thoughts on assists and consent cards   Links Consent Cards designed by Molly Molly Kitchen's Website Adhikara Yoga School - Train with Molly TCYT Episode 003: Trauma Training for Every Yoga Teacher with Margaret Howard TCYT Episode 004: Assisting Students Without Touch with Shannon Crow TCYT Live Show  

Today’s guest, Kate Connell Potts, relays to Shannon her particular love for teaching clients on a one-to-one basis. In her friendly, bubbly manner, she shares why her passion aligns with this teaching format and how teaching private classes can serve you and your clients. Kate lives with her husband and young son in Iowa City, Iowa. She went to College for Criminology and Psychology and carried on with her lifelong love of swimming by studying Aquatics. Kate’s connection to yoga began in her teenage years, taking a class on a whim, she noticed the movement felt effortless. Her relationship with the practice led her to teach after finishing college. Kate led classes in many forms and her experiences (including her work with swimmers,)  helped her define what she wanted to hone in on; private classes.  Her private classes began, in part, when she was contemplating where to teach yoga and perceived that clients would benefit from establishing their yoga practices at home. The fulfillment she found teaching one-on-one was something that Kate wanted to share with others and does so in a warm down-to-earth way, calling herself  a “Private Yoga Teacher’s Best Friend.”  Kate produces and offers a variety of resources to other yoga teachers that include:  her book The Art of Teaching Private Yoga, blog posts, online courses and in-person trainings which has taken through the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. 3:45 How Kate came to practice and then teach Private Yoga Classes 11:05 How to begin teaching or expand your Private Yoga Classes 14:00 Establishing your Private Classes -whether you’re a new or seasoned teacher 16:50 Your ideal client - PFPP (Perfect Fit Private Partner) 18:30 Charging for Private Classes when establishing yourself and as you move forward 20:30 Intake and Assessment- a holistic approach 23:13 Creating Packages- “5 is best”, why Kate feels one-offs are problematic 26:00 A Couple of ways to Package your sessions 27:35 Working towards a confident money mindset 30:15  How to approach setting a timeline with your client: acute settings e.g. pre or post surgical,  pre or post natal or on a trajectory e.g. creating and sustaining an at-home yoga practice 35:15 What Kate found transformative about teaching in a private vs. group setting and establishing professional boundaries while still showing up as human 40:55 How can you work with Kate? Her offerings and resources. Links Kate's Website: You and the Yoga Mat Kate's Facebook page The Art of Teaching Private Yoga Kate's Private Yoga Teachers Facebook Group Client In-Take and Assessment Cheat Sheet Book: The Art of Teaching Private Yoga by Kate Connell Potts Article: How One-Off Sessions Could Kill Your Private Practice by Kate Connell Potts

Shannon is excited to welcome the dynamic duo Paloma Neuman and Renee Gauthier, experienced yoga retreat planners. If you’ve played with the idea of planning a retreat, this episode will give you a sense of the process involved in planning and will perhaps inspire you to plan a group yoga retreat yourself. Renee Gauthier is based in San Diego with her husband and daughter and has taught yoga for 10 years. Traveling to many different places to teach, along while navigating a period of loss in her personal life left Renee emotionally and physically depleted. This led her to make the choice to live her life in a more conscious manner. Yoga retreats appealed to Renee because she wanted to provide space for others to heal and live wholeheartedly. Paloma Neuman lives in San Diego with her husband in son and much like Renee found herself feeling depleted and looking for a new focus in her career. Paloma had a powerful connection to yoga and while she chose not to teach yoga, the practice has become a life passion. Another major driving force in Paloma’s life is travel. Describing her desire for travel in her bones, she merged yoga with travel to create My Dharma Yoga. Paloma serendipitously met Renee when she attended a yoga class and they immediately connected. The two began working on events and benefits that were both successful and fun finding they complimented one another. Out of this feeling Rock Your Yoga Retreat was born. Now, Renee and Paloma not only plan and lead retreats, they help others do what they have found so fulfilling using many tools such as  workshops, online courses, and the Facebook group Travel, Teach and Thrive for Yoga Teachers. 8:00 How Renee and Paloma got started with yoga retreats 19:15 Benefits of hosting a yoga retreat 22:30 Starting with smaller retreats 24:50 5 Key Elements of Leading a yoga retreat 26:55 Who is your ideal attendee? What do they want and what do they need? 30:35 What helps to make the planning and decision-making easier? 32:30 The retreat begins way before the first day when everyone meets 34:50 Marketing plan for your retreat 36:10 VIP wait list for your retreat 37:25 Budgeting and pricing your yoga retreat for success; list of retreat expenses, be aware of “sneaky” expenses 46:05 Why retreats planned every year are so beneficial “the bigger picture” 48:45 How do you know if you are ready to host a yoga retreat? 53:30 Can you be on retreat when you are hosting one? 57:00 How you can work with Paloma and Renee 1:00:05 Where Paloma and Renee would love to go on their next retreat Links 5 Key Elements  of Leading a Yoga Retreat Rock Your Yoga Retreat Travel, Teach & Thrive for Yoga Teachers FB Group Email: [email protected] Maclean’s Article: Why Canada is the only country in the world to celebrate Victoria Day by Alan Parker

On this week’s episode Shannon welcomes Joanne Pineau. Joanne is a yoga teacher, educator, and author whose enthusiasm for the healing power of yoga for both mind and body impressed Shannon when she attended one of Joanne’s courses on managing sciatic pain. Joanne’s passion has led her take numerous trainings and certifications in the many facets of body healing. This has enabled Joanne to share her valuable wisdom with others through her 20 years of teaching yoga, her expert knowledge of sciatic and lower back pain, and in practicing Reiki, Thai Yoga Massage, not to mention her writing and workshops. Joanne has her 500 YTT, an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, and taken countless other trainings. She is the owner and operator of Inner Journey Yoga Therapy and works at Synergetic and Wellness Centre. Joanne is a mother of six and lives in Thornbury, Ontario. 3:00 How Joanne began specializing in sciatic pain management 3:20 What is the difference between sciatica and sciatic pain? What is piriformis syndrome? 6:55 Anatomical link between sciatic pain and the piriformis muscle 8:50 Five actions yoga teachers can take to address their clients’ sciatic pain: 1. Ask the students what they’ve experienced (including professional advice and treatment they’ve received) 2. Poses that help 3. Understanding the seriousness of nerve compression 4. Try to determine your client’s level of pain 5. Include pelvic stability techniques in class 16:40 Importance of strengthening the iliopsoas muscles and poses to engage muscles 18:10 Sacroiliac joint instability 18:34 Importance of teaching posture through poses such as staff and mountain pose in class 19:20 Importance of teaching posture outside of yoga classes (how to hold themselves when sitting and standing,) to bring symmetry and length through the spine 21:16 Adding interest to what may seem like basic poses that benefit the management of sciatic pain 22:45 Importance asking your students a lot of questions to find their pain comfort zone and go-to poses for the individual 25:15 The trust and appreciation students will feel if you take the time to listen and try to understand their pain, find poses that work for them- there is no need to worry you aren’t an expert in this area 27:20 Joanne’s workshop and class offerings such as her Lower Back Pain, Sciatica, and Pelvic Health exercise program Links Joanne’s Website: Inner Journey Yoga Therapy  Joanne's Classes and Workshops Synergetic and Wellness Centre The Avatar Course Book: Stop Sciatic Pain by Joanne Pineau Book: The Psoas Book by Liz Koch

Today Shannon welcomes Tracey Eccleston to discuss a topic that is often difficult for yoga teachers: money. It may seem contrary to aparigraha (that non-attachment, non-greed yama that Patanjali outlined in the eight limbs), but Tracey reassures us that taking care of our finances allows us to care for self and others. As you will hear, she loves looking at the business side of yoga and is brimming with valuable advice. This episode covers how to value your time so you can decide what to charge for your services with confidence, managing your finances so you have money for retirement, the concept of a 10/20/70 income mindset and much more. Tracey began yoga teacher training while attending Wilfrid Laurier University, finding herself interested in the many facets of the practice. This led her to study at the Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health in Lennox, Massachusetts. Since then she has gone on to receive her E-RYT 500 certification. Tracey is the creator of the Foundations of Chair Yoga & Chair Yoga Therapeutics teacher training and is the lead instructor at Ageless Arts & Yoga School located in Paris, Ontario. Here, Tracy offers 200-hour Yoga teacher trainings twice a year along with chair yoga and is thrilled to offer her popular Kayak Yoga and Meditation workshops that combine many of Tracey’s interests. Tracey also shares her yoga internationally through her travels and online class offerings. Keep an eye out for the many yoga classes and trainings on The Ageless Arts Yoga & School website. 4:15 Establishing your value as a yoga teacher 5:25 Is a one-hour class really an hour worth of time? 7:55 How Tracey sets the prices for her classes 9:15 Things to consider when setting your price 10:45 Retirement plans for yoga teachers 11:20 10/20/70 money mindset 12:45 Tracey’s teaching schedule 15:00 Class package concept and early bird rates 15:45 Don’t spend your income until you earn it (and the importance of a refund policy) 17:00 Hiring an accountant to guide you 18:35 Guilt associated with charging for your services- how you can pay yourself and give back to the community 21:20 Tracy talks about her innovative kayaking yoga Today's Episode is Sponsored by: The online Money Mindset Workshop with Rosslyn KemererThursday, May 25, 2017 10-11:30am EST Cost: $45 CAD [including downloadable replay video] Links Ageless Arts Yoga website Kayaking Yoga and Meditation with Tracey Biz Chix Episode 216: Is this a Business, Hobby or Charity? Biz Chix Episode 241: How to Learn to Profit First with Mike Michalowicz In that episode with Natalie Eckdahl, Mike discusses letting go of our traditional equation of: Sales   –   Expenses   =   Profit And talks about how when we let profit come last in the equation – it actually will come last in our real life. So instead we switch it around to be this equation: Sales     –     Profit     =     Expenses ______________________ So many thanks to Rob for editing this podcast the week before his wedding to the beautiful and amazing Lindsay. Also huge gratitude for Laura, for putting the show notes together for all of the yoga teachers.

In today's episode Shannon shares what she aims to avoid in the time after savasana (relaxation). She also shares what she always includes as well as what she sometimes includes. There are lots of little tips and tricks for teachers of all styles and experience to try. We also get to hear from some of our other fellow Connected Yoga Teachers.   Rest deeply in Savasana every day. Always enter that pratyahara (withdrawn state) every day. And just enjoy yourself.” — Judith Hanson Lasater 1:40 Shannon shares her thoughts on the time after savasana 5:35 What Shannon tries to avoid in the post savasana time 9:12 What Shannon likes to include in each class after savasana 12:40 What Shannon sometimes includes after savasana 18:30 Thoughts on savasana from some of our Connected Yoga Teachers Thanks to those of you who shared your thoughts: Amanda Eriksen of Rising Crow YogaCathy Scott Rosslyn Kemerer of Wholehearter Yoga Maisie Kennedy of Grace Yoga Emily McConnell Joanne Pettit-Myers of Bend Yoga StudioVicki Rowsell of Everywhere Yoga Links: Guided Savasana by Shannon on The Connected Yoga Teacher Live Show Metta Meditation

In Part III of Shannon’s Pelvic Health Mini Series, she welcomes Shelly Prosko, another passionate professional who works in the realm of pelvic health. With warmth and grace she shares her perspective adding to our discussion on pelvic health. Shelly Prosko has an extensive fitness and physical therapy background which led her to combine physical therapy and yoga to become a Professional Yoga Therapist. She is a pioneer in her Physio Yoga Therapy- a combination of Physical Therapy and Medial Therapeutic Yoga. She received her Physical Therapy degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 1998, her Medical Therapeutic Yoga training through the Professional Yoga Therapy Institute in North Carolina and her Pilates Certification through the Professional Health and Fitness Institute in Maryland. Shelly has treated those with issues surrounding pain management and, driven by her passion for sharing all she has learned with others, she offers specialty PhysioYoga Therapy courses along with speaking at various educational schools and conferences throughout Canada and The United States. Shelly has a love for acting, dancing, and music and figure skating. Shelly’s journey to PhysioYoga 2:50 Who can study with Shelly 7:25 Building relationships and gaining referrals from health care professionals 11:00 Shelly contemplates if there would be an effective way to integrate physiotherapy into the 200-hour yoga teacher training and learn more about anatomy and physiology? 17:55 The practice of Kegels and Muhla Bandha 22:00 The movement of the diaphragm and pelvic floor when breathing 23:45 Caution around doing Kegels 24:45 An overactive pelvic floor is more common than we might think 25:30 Shelly discusses a study done in 2016 by Van Dyken & Sinead Dufour that discover that 83% of people with low back pain have an over-recruited pelvis 25:45 Another study done on incontinence links the condition with poor balance and often the pelvic floor is over-activated in this case 26:25 Referring a yoga student to a Physiotherapist or with pelvic health, a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist when it is appropriate 28:00 Clues that yoga students may be over-engaging their pelvic floor 30:09 Jules Mitchell and her thoughts on stretching 31:00 Kegels may aggravate pelvic floor dysfunction 32:25 Proper way to do a Kegel or do Mulha Bandha 33:00 Shelly shares that 50% of people, after being taught one-on-one still struggle with the proper way to do Kegels 33:15 Mulha Bandha - one of the energetic locks 34:30 Introduction of Mulha Bandha in Western yoga 35:05 Leslie Kaminoff’s explanation of the history of Mulha Bandha and its use in pranayama and sitting 36:10 Pelvic Floor health in relation to health and movement 37:20 Antony Lo the Physio Detective #tensiontotask 41:00 Is the Muhla Bandha comparable to Kegels? 42:40 How Shelly cues Muhla Bandha Shelly’s article (link below) 8 ways to Engage Pelvic Floor Links Shelly's Webpage Anthony Lo- The Physio Detective Julie Wiebe pt Jules Mitchell Pelvic Floor Galore Blog Post: Optimizing Pelvic Floor Health: Where Does Yoga Fit In? by Shelly Prosko Article: 8 Ways to Help Yoga Students Engage Their Pelvic Floors by Shelly Prosko Article: Optimizing Pelvic Floor Health Through Yoga Therapy by Shelly Prosko Article: Anatomic connections of the diaphragm: influence of respiration on the body system by Bruno Bordoni and Emiliano Zanier Youtube Video: Bandhas in a Modern Practice: A Historical Perspective by Leslie Kaminoff Special Thanks: To Laura for compiling the show notes (I am still laughing over your blueberry story from last week Laura!) and to Rob who edits all of the audio between bear sightings

008: Core Breath and Pelvic Health with Kim Vopni   This week Shannon is pleased to share insight from another enthusiastic expert on the subject of pelvic health. Kim Vopni, also known as The Fitness Doula, is the mother of two children. Her pregnancy and birthing experiences, along with her educational background led her to focus on women’s pelvic health. Kim holds a BA in Psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Health and Fitness.   Kim’s impressive education includes her certification as a personal trainer and pre/postnatal fitness consultant. She has completed training in The Hypropressive Method and Pfilates (Pelvic Floor Pilates) along with the Pregnancy Exercise and Birth Programming certificate with Burrell Education.     Kim is passionate about normalizing the conversation around pelvic health and is an active voice for women of all ages. She is the author of “Prepare to Push- What your Pelvic Floor and Abdomen Want You to Know About Pregnancy and Birth”, offers courses through Bellies Inc., and is a distributer of the EPI-NO, a pre-pregnancy tool that helped Kim through her own pregnancies. She is also the owner of Pelvienne Wellness Inc. and co-founder of Bellies Inc.     Kim’s story 4:35   Bellies Inc. Courses (online and in person) 6:30   What is Core Breath? 10:50   What is the Core? (core 4) 11:45   How to do Core Breath 12:20   How to find your Natural Pelvis from a Seated Position 16:25   How your Sitting Posture affects the Pelvic Floor 17:25   Kim’s Cues for Pelvic Health Awareness 18:55   Kim’s take on Mulha Bundas and Kegals 24:50   Is the Core Breath Safe for Everyone? 27:20   Benefits of Core Breath 29:40   Piston Image- Helping Bodily Systems Work Efficiently 31:55   Feeling that you are Breathing “backwards” 33:15   Bellies Inc. Courses 35:55   Links:   Kim’s Email: [email protected]   Kim’s Book: Prepare to Push   EPI-NO   Bellies Inc.   Julie Wiebe   Katy Bowman   Article: Core Breathing- Core 4 by Shannon Crow   Article: What is Diastasis Recti? By Shannon Crow and Kim MacDonald-Heilandt   Video: Core Breath Video by Kim Vopni   Video: Core Breath on Bellies Inc. Site by Kim Vopni    Today’s Episode is Sponsored by:   Shannon Crow’s Yoga for Pelvic Health: Online Training for Yoga Teachers   Special Thanks to: Laura Cameron for writing such great show notes (even when I send an episode at the last minute) and to Rob Muir for editing the episodes (between moose sightings and cat snuggles)

Trista Zinn is a personal trainer who specialized in pelvic health and core pre-programming. Trista is the founder of Coreset Fitness.   Her interest in pelvic health began when she was diagnosed with a grade 2 prolapse as the condition could not be corrected by surgery she sought out alternative treatments.   Trista connected with the Hypopressive®Method so strongly that she travelled to Spain to train under the only English speaking teacher at the time.  Trista is now Canada’s highest qualified and most experienced trainer in Hypopressive® - Low Pressure Fitness.      Trista is incredibly passionate about continuous education in the fitness field, feeling that new knowledge should be embraced and shared. She is a mother of 2 and an outdoor enthusiast.   In this episode Shannon and Trista discuss their mutual interest in pelvic health, in particular, how it relates to breathing. Are common breath practices helpful or perhaps harmful to our pelvic health?   Intro to Trista Zinn 5:15   What is Hypopressives? 6:25   Trista defines the Core 7:15   Importance of Posture 8:00   Benefits of Hypopressives 8:55   What Hypopressives encompasses 9:30   Who Should do Hypopressives? 10:10   Trisha’s Tube of Toothpaste Analogy 12:00           Rib Cage Breath 13:35   Jelly Fish Breath Analogy 15:00   Belly Breathing 17:10   “Engage the core” in yoga why Trish believes this is a harmful cue 18:00   “Do Less”- helpful mantra with this practice 21:15   Uddiyana Bandha- similarities and differences between this breathing practice and Hypopressives 23:15   Caution around teaching Belly Breathing 25:00   Pelvic Floor Dysfunction 27:00   Caution around cueing Kegels 27:50   Trista’s story- her Pelvic Prolapse 32:00   Taking the Hypopressive Course 34:45   Other Compatible Courses 35:25   Diaphragmic Breath- an unnecessary term 38:15    Links:   Article: Jelly Fish Breath and Definition of Core by Shannon Crow   Article: New Thoughts on Belly Breathing by Shannon Crow   Video: Facebook Live: Introduction to Pelvic Health by Shannon Crow   Video: "Your Diaphragm and the Cheetah" by Leslie Kaminoff   Trista Zinn's Website   Hypopressive Canada   Deepha R. Romuwalt PT, C/NDT, Physio Plus, Owen Sound, Ontario   Search for a Canadian Physio Floor Specialist   Pelvic Health Solutions- Introductory Pelvic Health Course   Bellies Inc Courses   Today’s Episode is Sponsored by:   Shannon Crow’s Yoga for Pelvic Health: Online Training for Yoga Teachers   Special Thanks to: Laura Cameron, (writer, cat lover and yoga practitioner), for compiling such great show notes  and Rob Muir for editing each and every show

Rosslyn Kermerer is a graphic designer turned yoga entrepreneur who founded Wholehearter Yoga. She lives just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she operates a home studio, serving her community through yoga teaching, coaching, energy healing, and graphic design consulting. In this Episode Shannon talks to Rosslyn about what led her to focus her attention toward teaching online yoga classes via Skype and offers us the benefit of her experience as to how she’s made this format work for her. Intro Shannon introduces Rosslyn and reads a letter from Nina, a member of The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group, who received mentorship from another member, today’s guest Rosslyn Kermerer.   "Private yoga instruction is truly a heart-to-heart teaching. It's meant to be intimate. Technology might feel incongruous to something so soulful, but with a little practice and intention, we can retain that sense on intimacy online." ~ Rosslyn Kemerer   5:00 Introducing Rosslyn 5:25 How Rosslyn’s path led her to yoga 8:45 Rosslyn’s virtual classes marketing process 9:45 Creating a waiver statement for online yoga classes 10:40 Scheduling Skype classes 12:30 How to prep a student for an online yoga class 13:00 To demo or not? Rosslyn speaks of her decision to abstain from doing many demonstrations. 14:00 Tips for setting up private virtual class 15:45 Rosslyn discusses her choice to keep instructions to her students on setting up their Skype sessions to a minimum and let them know she won’t be demonstrating the moves so her clients know what to expect. 17:00 How to cope with a student’s distracting spaces 18:35 Rosslyn discusses how she balances her work schedule 19:50 Props for online classes- are they necessary? 21:30 How Rosslyn chose to package her online services 23:00 How local students can benefit from Skype classes 24:25 Rosslyn shares another aspect of her work life- consulting with yoga teachers 27:25 How to price online versus in person classes 28:45 Local group classes Rosslyn teachers 29:20 Rosslyn explains her inspiring Practice Project- a 30-day home practice kit to engage a small group of students to connect or re-connect with their yoga classes in a variety of ways. 31:35 Summary   Connect with Rosslyn Website: www.wholehearteryoga.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/rosslyn.kemerer Instagram: @wholehearter   Links Rosslyn’s New Client Form Schedulicity   Today's Show Was Sponsored By The Movement Research Intensive designed by Diane Bruni

Natalie Eckdahl, MBA, is a business coach, professional facilitator, keynote speaker and host of the Biz Chix Podcast which iTunes featured as a top New Business Podcast in March 2014. She built a successful personal brand and platform from the ground up via her podcast (200+ episodes) and has been featured in Inc, Fast Company, Huffington Post and Entrepreneur. Natalie has an international coaching practice where she works with female entrepreneurs desiring to grow a profitable business. She is the busy mom of three children ranging in age from 2-14 and starts her day with a steaming cup of coffee! Connect with Natalie and/or join her Facebook group for women entrepreneurs here. ____________________ Set and Achieve Big Goals In this episode you get to hear Natalie coaching Shannon, the host of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast, on how to set and achieve big goals. Shannon shares her notes from that coaching call here. 1. Set Quarterly Goals That are Measurable and Achievable Look at the next quarter (or next 90 days) and choose 2 - 4 goals. Half for your business and the others for your personal life. This might be a revenue goal, a list building goal or a goal to create something new. Set goals that are measurable, so that someone from the outside could literally check in to see if you hit your goals. Setting achievable goals, that seem possible is a critical step in this process. Shannon shares in this episode how she felt with having a goal that was reliant on others (booking consultations) versus goals she was 100% responsible for. Example: Shannon set 2 goals for her business. 1 - Have a bank of 5 episodes edited before podcast launch day. 2 - Book 9 new yoga teacher consultations before the end of March.  2. Create Weekly Goals What activities can you do that will help you to reach your goals? Count out the weeks ahead (for example April, May and June of 2017 has 13 weeks). Use your calendar to mark your weekly goals down and share them with an accountability partner. Example: Every Monday is The Connected Yoga Teacher Live Show - at 12:30pm EST. From 9am - 12pm on those days is time for preparing the show notes and website article to go along with the episode. 3. Marketing and Your Avatar Are you marketing to an avatar that is going to pay you? Does your current network know about the work that you do? Would you like to try Facebook live as a marketing tool? Facebook live is getting a lot of exposure right now. Is there a time when you can have a weekly live video? Do you have regular communication with your avatar, (like a weekly email)? See Shannon's weekly live show schedule here. 4. Create Daily Goals From Your Weekly Goals Block time off on your daily calendar that relate to your weekly goals. Account for the preparation time needed. What other revenue generating activities do you need to put on your calendar? When can you do follow up emails and communication related to your goal? Remember to block off family time (driving included). Plan for at least an hour of uninterrupted quiet for creating content. Example: Shannon needs to block off 4-6 hours per week to get an episode together for the podcast.   Productivity Tips Shrink your to do list -- if there are 10 things on your list, choose 3 items to get done today. Realize that some days you can only get 1 thing done and that is okay. Turn off your notifications on your phone and your computer. Use a program to shut off distracting social media platforms (Shannon talked about the Freedom app that she uses). Stop checking email and turn off the notifications. Move your cell/home phone to a different room. Notice where you spend your time - remember to block off time for grocery shopping and coordinating schedules and personal appointments. Be easier on yourself. You can only get so much done in a day. When your to-do list is too large - we get paralyzed and we don't know where to begin.

    Podcast Links:  Shannon's Website The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group Art of Assists 50-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Shannon Assisting Yoga Students Without Touch A great hands-on assist can make all the difference to a yoga student. It can be a communication tool for the kinaesthetic learners, it can give a relaxation to held tension and it can help students to have more awareness of their proprioception and alignment. But what if we want to assist without touch? Some people don’t want to be touched, for various reasons. For example if a student is home with a baby attached to her all day, hands-on touch might be the last thing she wants. Another student may feel that touch is distracting. Beginner students may feel strange about being in a new class. Sometimes students are ticklish or they just don’t know the teacher well enough to feel comfortable with an assist. These are all great reasons to use consent cards, so that students can decide. There are also times when students would love to receive touch, but the teacher is not up for giving hands-on assists. For example a teacher can be feeling out of balance and low in energy due to illness or a full schedule. Sometimes a teacher is so busy watching the safety of an advanced pose that they don’t have time to assist, or they are leading a quick flow class that has everyone moving so fast they find it hard to connect. Just like every yoga class we take is unique, every instructor has unique teaching experiences too. _____________________________________________ Other Reasons for Assisting Without Touch: Student feels resistant or uncomfortable Tension increases during assist, instead of student “sinking into a pose” Student indicates not wanting assists Any pain or discomfort for student or teacher New yoga student who is already sensitive about being new Teacher’s attention is needed for the entire class Student or teacher feeling rushed, tense, or out of breath Recipient of assist moves out of a pose quickly Student had a previous assist that caused injury or discomfort Recent or triggered trauma When our intuition or our instincts tell us to assist without touch we still want our students to feel attended to. I have come up with a list of how I assist without touch. Feel free to add your points in the comments below. _____________________________________________ Assisting Yoga Students Without Touch 1. Breath  Our audible breath offers an assist. Students hear teachers breathing and mimic us. When our breath is calm and lengthened, our students will feel the intention we are giving as we walk around the room. 2. Props Blocks, bolsters, and straps are the props we typically turn to. Don’t forget the wall, chairs, cushions, blankets, balls, sandbags, and sometimes other students. These objects provide a type of feedback to the body. Partnering is especially helpful when we know our students, as some new yogis find partnering adds stress to the class experience. Partner yoga poses can give the benefits of hands-on assists in a situation where students are open to touch, but the instructor doesn’t have enough time to get to everyone. 3. Demo We show yoga poses all the time, and this is a type of assist. We can show the entire class a pose at the front of the room or we can quietly move next to a student who looks puzzled and show the pose to bring clarity and understanding. 4. Verbal Cues The words that we use when describing a pose, or a feeling that we would like to convey in the pose can be very powerful.  For example, in relaxation pose: “Relax your entire body, imagine you are on a warm beach and the sand is contouring to your body and giving you all the support you need”. 5. Self-Directed Assists Hands-on assists that students can do for/to their own body in a pose. I’ve incorporated this into yoga from my Thai Yoga Massage trainings. We try out certain massage techniques on ourselves, so I started incorporating a similar approach into postural assists. It can be as simple as asking students to massage their hamstring muscles before a seated forward fold. “Touching ourselves” can bring up an awkward feeling for some students, but it’s a wonderful way to encourage people out of their comfort zone, taking one more little action step toward self-love. Every yoga style approaches hands-on assists uniquely. No matter what the style, hands-on assists are intimate, so they can cause discomfort or bring up a lack of confidence for both new and experienced students or teachers. Whether offered with or without touch, assisting is an art form that all yoga teachers can learn with practice. _____________________________________________ What Is a Yoga Assist? A Yoga Assist Offers: Help to the student Enhancement Understanding Alignment awareness Relaxation Proprioception Increased confidence Safety within postures Deepening Muscle memory Attention of teacher Another form of communication Nurturing Support Hands-on assists are something that I now love to receive and give. I feel it is an art form and I am continuing to learn as I go. My intention behind why I am offering a yoga assist is key. A quick check to see if an assist will offer enhancement or understanding of a posture at a deeper level will help you to assist your students at a new level. _____________________________________________ To me — A Yoga Assist Is Not: – An adjustment – Correcting – Fixing – Altering Often I have heard assists referred to as “adjustments” and for me this word sounds like there is something that needs to be fixed or altered. It sounds really technical, almost like a teacher would adjust a student to correct them or show them how a pose “should be done.” My belief is that a yoga assist is not intended to adjust, correct or fix a student or pose. Don’t feel bad if you have called an assist an adjustment. I have. I try to say assist and I focus on what my intention is as I move in to assist a student.  

______________________________________ Episode 2: Trauma Training For Every Yoga Teacher Margaret Howard is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Missouri. She practices social work and psychotherapy, specializing in trauma and is an advocate for survivors of human trafficking. Margaret has a Master in Fine Arts, a degree in poetry, she is an organic gardener, yogi, mother and grandmother. Margaret advocates for being aware that we’ve all experienced trauma in one form or another should be a “basic human sensitivity”. Shannon and Margaret discuss how being aware of trauma sensitivities through trauma training is a crucial aspect of teaching yoga, how to recognize it and how to help your students. ______________________________________ Trauma Training For Every Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 3:00 Why trauma training should be part of yoga teacher training 3:28 Margaret’s personal story of being triggered in yoga class 9:00 Do no harm in yoga class: “Let go of the idea that traumatized people are some kind of special population.” 11:00 What to do when a student is modifying a pose- never call someone out in class 12:35 No touch policy until you have more trauma safety training 13:00 Why asking a student if they don’t mind being touched may not be enough- discussion of disassociation 15:25 Yoga class is intimate- give your students the capacity to say no, space to leave no questions asked 16:28 Are yes/no to touch flip cards helpful? 18:10 David Emmerson’s Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Training 19:25 Do we include trauma on student intake forms? 22:30: Examine expectation for students to “…have their hearts open at all times.” Leave it up to the student as it may be an act of self-preservation to shut down. Come into class with no agenda 23:20 What trauma trigger looks like in yoga class- sympathetic arousal, disassociation 29:20 Have a referral list of trauma informed therapists that are trusted, websites, book resources ready to provide backup support to your students 32:30 The benefits of yoga for healing trauma Connect with Margaret: Website: http://www.thewildtherapist.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margarethowardLCSW/ Twitter: @aWildTherapist Instagram: @theWildTherapist Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margarethowardtherapist/ Links Margaret Howard’s articles Trauma Training Should Be Mandatory for Yoga Teachers: Part I: Trauma Training Should Be Mandatory for Yoga Teacher Part II:Trauma Training Should Be Mandatory for Yoga Teacher Part III:Trauma Training Should Be Mandatory for Yoga Teacher Study Referenced In Margaret's Article: Effectiveness of an Extended Yoga Treatment for Women with Chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder David Emmerson’s Trauma Sensitive Yoga Training Somatic Experience Training Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga by David Emerson and Elizabeth Hopper Shannon’s student waiver form (printable and editable versions available). _____________________________ After the show Margaret wrote to me to clarify that while she was in the Army from age 19 to 21 and worked in electronics there (but not writing pilot manuals), she did get a pilot's license as soon as she got out of the military, while continuing to work in electronics. She then raised her children while slowly completing her undergraduate and graduate degrees (eventually getting the MFA in poetry) and working as a writer and editor, then as a college writing instructor for many years. Finally, tiring of the adjunct professor grind she moved to writing technical manuals for aircraft before returning to graduate school to become a clinical social worker, advocate, and trauma therapist. _____________________________ Summary of this episode was written by Laura Cameron, writer and yoga student