Yogaland Podcast

Why don't you have a seat and stay awhile? If you think meditating is boring, hard, pointless, or too time consuming, this episode is for you! This week, Jason and I discuss everything meditation. We unpack why it's important for yoga students to meditate. Plus, we'll give some practical tips for to start if you're new to the practice (or start again if not very consistent). We promise, you'll be...

There's a special place in my heart for Tias Little. I studied with him many years ago and the vivid imagery and metaphor he used had a profound impact on the way I think about the body. He's also got this dry, dry, dry humor that I love. In the years since I studied with Tias, he has started doing dharma talks and one of them inspired this episode. You see, I think most of us are perfectionists....

When your body hurts, it can feel like your soul hurts. And when you sustain an injury from yoga, it can be even more rattling. When an injury threatened Laura Burkhart's yoga practice—and her livelihood—she was forced to dig deep, be creative, and step into a new role as a yoga teacher, too. In this episode, she explains how she survived with humility and humor. (PS: Don't forget to read Laura's...

When I first started taking yoga classes from Jason many years ago, I was struck by his voice. He has a voice that draws you in. It's soothing and encouraging. He speaks in a measured, comfortable pace. And he's a clear, succinct communicator. In essence, he's a natural when it comes to verbal communication. This week, I ask Jason to share how he's developed this skill set. And, although...

Jason's back on the podcast answering some of our listeners most common questions. This week, we tackle questions related to Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Balance). We dive into: * Headless Headstand - An alternative pose that recommends for students who are new to Forearm Balance * Three things the shoulders need to be in order to practice Forearm Balance * A conversation about Jason's biggest pet p...

On this week's episode, neurophysiologist Dr. Robyn Capobianco returns and we cover a ton of interesting ground. I walked away from the conversation asking myself, ‘Are there absolutely, definitively good movements and bad movements within the framework of yoga poses? And do we know what they are?’ Here are the other points we discuss: * The difference between the "anatomy," "biomechanics," and "n...

We decided to give male listeners some TLC this week by answering their questions. While we focus on yoga for men in this episode, it has tons of insights for women who want to relate to the men in their classes and for teachers who want to help their male students. Besides, we've all struggled with feeling like the only person in class who can't do something , right? We talk about: * What it's li...

This episode is in response to the overwhelming number of questions we've gotten about Handstand. We explore the logistical side -- what are the best prep poses for Handstand? And the emotional side, i.e., how do I cope with my fear of Handstand? You'll also learn: * The vital triad of forearm, finger, and shoulder strength for Handstand * Helpful prep poses yoga poses to help you build the s...

This week, Coral Brown offers her take on the psychodynamics of the teacher-student relationship in yoga. Coral is both a respected Prana Vinyasa yoga teacher and licensed mental health counselor with great insight into this topic. There are obviously major differences in the therapist/patient relationship vs. the yoga teacher/student relationship. Yet, many of the same psychodynamics ar...

This is our first-ever live podcast recording! From Jason's training in San Francisco at Love Story Yoga, we dig deep into how yoga teachers can serve their students better through offering hands-on, or manual, adjustments. We talk about: * The value of hands-on adjustments in yoga postures for students, and which students might benefit most.  * Why Jason feels there should be a paradigm shif...

Sexual misconduct in the yoga community isn't new. But the evolving #metoo and #timesup movements have brought to light the magnitude of the problem for women from all walks of life -- including within the yoga world. (Rachel Brathen collected more than 300 of them last year). It's opened an important dialogue about how to put an end to sexual misconduct and other abuses of power within the yoga c...

Did you know that the fastest growing demographic of new yogis is the 55 and older set? Neither did I. I learned all sorts of fascinating facts, statistics, and new research from this week's guest, Baxter Bell. Together with his co-author, Nina Zolotow, Baxter has a new book, Yoga for Healthy Aging and that's the main focus of this episode. I can't think of two people better-positioned to write th...

Jason's back on the podcast this week answering some of the best questions we've gotten in about yoga postures. (Yogaland listeners are a smart, inquisitive bunch!) We dive into: * Why he rarely teaches Virabhadrasna I (Warrior I Pose) and how he feels about "squaring" the hips * What Jason teaches instead of Warrior I (and what a relief it is) * The differences between Paripurna Navasana (Full Bo...

This week, we continue our conversation with Jill Miller to learn even more about the mysterious (and amazing!) connective tissue that literally holds our bodies together: fascia. We talk more about: The three different layers of fascia, how each layer functions, and why each one is important Where in your own body you can feel the different textures of fascia What happens to the fascia when you s...

I've got a special two-part series this week Yoga Tune Up® founder Jill Miller about -- you guessed it -- fascia. There is more and more info. being shared about fascia. But I've found that it sometimes feels esoteric. My goal with these interviews is threefold: I wanted to offer clarity about what fascia is and then talk about why it is so important and how we can apply this info. to our yoga pra...

Yogis often talk about the nervous system in terms of how it responds to stress. But if you've ever wanted to learn more about the science of how the nervous system works, this episode is for you! (Spoiler alert: It controls almost everything related to movement!) This week, I talked with yoga therapist and PhD candidate Robyn Capobianco, who studies at the Neurophysiology of Movement Laborat...

We pick up where we left off last week with Jason answering more of your recent questions! This week, he answers: * How often should I change my sequences? * How do I sequence given the large influx of new students in January without alienating my established students? * If I let my pelvis rotate during twists, will it cause a hip impingement? Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode87/ SHOUTOUT TO...

Jason Crandell joins me this week to answer your questions. We cover a lot of ground in this short episode including: * Strategies for Down Dog -- How to make it easier to step forward, what to do when a student can't straighten their arms * Lower Rib Flare -- Why it's important to think of core length, not just core strength * The Cue to 'Tuck Your Tailbone Under -- Is it dangerous? Appropriate?...

This week’s podcast with author and yoga teacher Michelle Marchildon focuses on her formula for theming your yoga classes. The formula comes from her book, Themeweaver: Connect the Power of Inspiration to Teaching Yoga and is a clear, thorough approach to creating themes that are meaningful, not cheesy, and will help your students really deeply connect their physical practice to Michelle talks us...

I love the idea of starting of the New Year with healthy, nourishing routines. Over the past few years, I’ve done that with my skincare routine and I find it to be a great form of self care. When you think of self care, you don’t think of smearing petroleum, endocrine disruptors or other toxic chemicals on your face, right? In the process of researching the products I use, I’ve learned that there...

Can you guess which podcast was the most popular of the year? I give you a glimpse into my analytics on this episode (spoiler alert: the #1 episode is not one of Jason's), plus we talk 2017 highlights (hello, creativity!) and lowlights (puffy eyes), what we're looking forward to in 2018, and how I aspire to channel both Maria Bamford and Oprah. (PS: Iyengar Yoga "belt" vs. "strap" question still n...

Judith Hanson Lasater and her daughter, Lizzie Lasater, have been on the podcast separately before. On episodes 64 & 65 I focused on their backgrounds and on the mother-daughter connection. This time, I wanted back up and simply ask the question, "Why restorative yoga?" Why now? And why isn't "regular" hatha yoga restorative enough? One response, in particular, surprised me -- seeing restorati...

Niika Quistgard, Ayurvedic practitioner extraordinaire -- is back! (She joined me on episode 17 for a great vata-calming episode. If you haven't heard it, go back and listen to it. It's a great foundation and complement to this one!) On this episode Niika explains the Ayurvedic approach to nourishing ojas -- thought to be our vital essence -- during the winter and the holiday season. When ojas is...

You've probably heard people say that a short yoga practice is better than no yoga practice. Jason and I heartily agree -- but it can still be hard to carve out the time. I think the root problem is that it's hard to step on your mat solo and know what to do. This episode will help you get over the avoidance. We talk strategy and Jason offers three concrete, easy approaches to creating a home prac...

When you're grieving, the holidays--with its equal share of memories and new situations--can intensify all of your feelings. The holidays can even surprise you with feelings that you might have considered long resolved. On this episode, Washington, DC, yoga teacher and studio owner Faith Hunter generously shares the story of losing her older brother, Michael, to complications from HIV. Faith and I...