This is our complete Season 2 episode guide:
Episode 01: Words matter: power dynamics in yoga, and the Ashtanga system - with Lauren Munday
Did you miss us?! We are back for Season 2 of the Conversations with Yogis podcast and hope you are ready! We have more guests this season bringing their expertise to the show on topics we wanted to expand our knowledge on as yoga teachers, and also to hear more stories from yoga teachers about why they started practicing and what inspired them to take a teacher training. We love hearing people’s stories and want to share them with you too! For our first episode we invited my friend / course collaborator / incredible Authorized Level 2 Mysore Ashtanga teacher Lauren Munday. We spoke to her about her experiences in Mysore with Guruji Sharath Jois (the Ashtanga lineage holder), as a student and an assistant, what Ashtanga Mysore is all about, working alongside Hamish Hendry (Ashtanga Yoga London), power dynamics in yoga between teachers and students (words you use in a power position matter more than you think!), and what trauma informed yoga is and why its important to educate yourself in this area as a yoga teacher.
Get in touch with Lauren for guidance in this area whether you’re a yoga teacher or studio owner at https://www.laurenashtangayoga.com/ and on Instagram @laurenashtangayoga
Listen to our very first Episode on your favourite app:
Episode 02: Saying you’re inclusive and not meeting expectations is more damaging than you think - with Lucy Bishop
Inclusivity and accessibility have been a much talked about topic for the last decade, even more so during and post-pandemic. It’s an important topic and one to be taken seriously because we live in a diverse world and society needs to include everyone.
What does that mean for a yoga class or the fitness industry though? Yoga is for everyone. Can every class be accessible to every single person though? Well, no, but without holding space for beginners as well as advanced students, addressing the gender imbalance, and acknowledging that marginalised groups have barriers to the yoga space, how can we claim it is a space for everyone?
What needs to change is creating accurate descriptions of classes so people can decide for themselves if the class is suitable for them or not and making sure there are offerings from diverse teachers. Saying you're inclusive and then not actually living up to expectations is hurtful and harmful to those who were told otherwise, who took the time to show up, and find the class is definitely not for them; leaving the experience feeling intimidated and like they don’t belong.
Honesty & clarity in class descriptions, and creating a diverse schedule that can accommodate everyone in a range of classes is what's important. Lucy gave us a very insightful talk about this and much more: how to use inclusive language, social bias in fitness & yoga classes and not assuming someone in a bigger body is a beginner or incapable.
Lucy is super passionate about all of these topics and we both learned a lot from listening to her and are excited to bring this episode to you!
Connect with Lucy on Instagram @lucybyoga & @bigyogaclub and her website https://lucybyoga.com/
Listen to this Episode on your favourite app:
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Episode 03: Is yoga losing its roots? Cultural appreciation & teaching yoga in modern times - with Sunita Devi
What is it like heading a yoga teacher training program? What is important to remember & honour in your teachings as a Western yoga teacher these days? We invited Sunita to chat with us about these topics and to give us some guidance on avoiding cultural appropriation, and instead showing appreciation for a sacred practice with its roots from Indian culture. Is it ok to change yoga so much to sell out an event for profit and still call it yoga? Think puppy yoga and beer yoga… Is Sanskrit something that yoga teachers need to understand and use in class? We discuss where we think yoga is headed as a multi billion dollar industry and how to apply ancient philosophical practices to your everyday life. Find Sunita on Instagram @sunitadg and her website https://sunitadeviyoga.co.uk/
Listen to our very first Episode on your favourite app:
Spotify - Apple Podcast - Google Podcasts
Episode 04: How yoga impacts your personal life
The impact yoga has on your life is undeniable. It can cause so many positive changes to occur in your journey to self discovery, expanding awareness & consciousness. Sometimes on that journey your family and friends may wonder what exactly you’ve dedicated yourself to and can think it’s all a bit weird.
Friends can judge you and give you a hard time for not going out anymore, not being as fun, or not ‘having a real job’; family can wonder why on earth you’ve changed so much or why you’re ‘throwing away’ years of education for a traditional job to pursue something out of the ordinary.
Have you experienced anything like this? Once yoga becomes a big non-negotiable part of your life, you can immerse yourself in it to find out who you really are and ask bigger picture questions like what is your dharma or purpose?
We think this is why so many become yoga teachers, because the practice has changed their lives for the better and they want to share it with everyone. How does becoming a teacher affect your personal life though? We share our stories and experiences here so have a listen!
Listen to our very first Episode on your favourite app:
Episode 05: For the teachers out there: no one wants to talk about the business of yoga
We made this episode especially for yoga teachers out there after receiving numerous requests on this topic. The business of yoga.
Not many yoga teachers want to do business when you boil it down. Does business have a place in yoga land if yoga is a practice of connecting community, self discovery, letting go of attachments and fears, living in the present and knowing that everything you were born with is all you really need? Marketing, spreadsheets and making money don’t fit in this equation well! The reality is we are participants in modern society, we are ‘householders’ as per the yogic texts. We are not devout yogis who have given up all worldly possessions to live in a cave and meditate to reach Samadhi or enlightenment. We think our duty as teachers is to share the practice with others to help make their lives better. If you’re a yoga teacher let us assure you, no one will walk up to you on the street and ask you to teach them yoga these days. How do you teach people yoga if you don’t have anyone to teach? You gotta reach people somehow! Unfortunately marketing yourself is the way to do it, we don’t like it either, but through years of service as teachers we have faced the facts and realised we needed business skills to run a self employed small/sole trader business. We also live in a society where we are financially responsible for paying rent, groceries, utilities and the clothes on our back. Living scantly causes stress and anxiety and it is no place to teach yoga from. Creating abundance for yourself is self care, and you need to take care of yourself to teach yoga to others as part of your service. We discuss planning your year, organising retreats, using instagram and branding/websites.
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S02 E06: Building community in Yogaland and staying authentic to yourself - with Kat from Yogi Bare
We’re talking to Kat, founder of Yogi Bare - an eco-conscious yoga brand and community where the motto is ‘come as you are’. Kat’s passion is to create spaces where all are welcome to connect with the healing practices yoga offers and this is a big part her company’s ethos.
Kat spoke to us about the trials and tribulations of being a business owner, her journey from finding yoga in rehab and dealing with issues around mental health and debilitating anxiety. Yoga was a saviour to her and she spoke to us on how it gives you tools to manage in the real world and find belonging in it.
She is an inspiration and a lovely human and we loved hearing her speak about these topics and much more, including her new projects coming up to support yoga teachers, why it’s important to never forget your ‘why’ in this career path and supporting the development of all practitioners. Have a listen now!
Find Kat: Instagram
S02 E07: Let’s talk about our natural hormonal cycles and taboo topics - with Katy from Reflex East
Our next guest is Katy from Reflex East! Katy works in fertility awareness & reflexology and we wanted to talk to her about everything related to feminine monthly cycles. Do you feel on top of the world one week and then can’t muster the energy to get off the couch another? Could be because of your cycle.We did a deep dive into what the phases of your cycle are, what hormones are involved, and what they might feel like. She told us how you can track your cycle to find out when you’re ovulating - useful to know for both conceiving and pregnancy prevention...or to know when to schedule creative projects and when to give yourself a break.Needless to say, we thought it was pretty mind-blowing stuff to know. When you get to know your body better you have more awareness of the signs your body gives you & you can harness that to live more in tune with your nature.Katy also told us all about the natural, non-invasive treatments of Reflexology. Who knew that touching your feet in certain places could create big changes - from helping move your bowel to preparing the body for birth!
Have a listen to all of this and much more now.
Connect with Katy at https://www.reflexeast.com/ and @reflex_east on IG.
S02 E08 - Can I practice yoga while pregnant? Can I teach pregnant people? - Your questions answered by Cassie McClements
Pregnancy can come with a lot of uncertainty. Knowing what should be modified in a yoga practice while pregnant or knowing how to support your pregnant students is essential.
Can you practice during all stages of pregnancy?
What are the changes in your body when you’re pregnant?
What benefits and disadvantages are there to yoga during pregnancy?
We invited Cassie to talk to us about all of our burning questions about pregnancy & yoga. We were gobsmacked by what we learned - like no gong bath in the first trimester?!
We asked her what to do if you’re new to yoga & pregnant, or if you’ve been practicing for years and want to continue during this time. We spoke to her about safety considerations that you’ll want to know about if you’re pregnant or if you’re a yoga teacher and a pregnant person comes to your class.
Listening to your body will be your best guide, but have a listen to what our expert guest has to say on this fascinating topic. You can connect with Cassie
https://www.popupyogaclub.com and @cassiemcc on IG
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S02 E09: How to nail your yoga teacher auditions with Clare Walters
Becoming a yoga teacher doesn’t mean you’re gonna automatically have a room full of people to teach yoga to - these things take time, patience and perseverence. Part of of becoming a yoga teacher in studios, clubs & gyms involves attending auditions. You need to pass the audition to be able to teach classes in every place you want to teach at.
Melinda and I have done countless auditions - some passed, some not, and they are nerve wracking to say the least. We wanted to talk to Clare Walters, Mind & Body Master Trainer at Third Space in London, who has hosted loads of auditions for many years about what she looks for in teachers who she brings onto the cover list.
We covered everything from what to put on your CV to be invited to an audition in the first place, what to expect at the audition, her best advice for a successful audition, and what to work on afterwards to eventually get on the schedule regularly teaching.
Clare also shared her beginnings in yoga, and what it’s like being employed full time in this industry. Have a listen for some amazing and super practical tips that you can start using right now.
Find Clare teaching at Third Space in London and on Instagram @clare_walters
Listen to our episode on your favourite app:
Spotify - Apple Podcast - YouTube
S02 E10: Our thoughts on realistic self care while being self-employed.
Have you experienced burn out associated with the unrealistic demands from work and life?
We have - many times.
We’re talking about how we notice when we are starting to creep up to it. We both know what it’s like to face the pressure of being available all the time and feeling like you can’t turn down any opportunities, being self-employed.
How do you take care of yourself while in this constant cycle of trying to create a work-life balance? We offer our tips for self care you can realistically do - don’t expect advice to have a bath, drink a green juice and write in your journal here...we’re giving advice you can actually have time to implement.
We get it - there is never enough time in your day to do these things and self care goes out the window real fast. It’s a constant learning process of recognising your needs, your energy levels, what drains you, what energises you and then trying to find a balance within that.
Have a listen to our advice that comes from a combined 20 years of experience navigating self employed life.This is our final episode for Season 2 as well - we’re signing off until mid 2024 as Melinda needs to have a baby and adjust to her new role as a mom, and Ashley needs to finish her Nutrition schooling.
Let us know if there’s any guests you want us to have on the show or any topics you want to hear more about!
Thanks for listening!
Listen to our episode on your favourite app:
Spotify - Apple Podcast. - YouTube
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Thank you - we're stoked to have you as part of our little growing community!
