Yoga Strong

The last several weeks have been so big. I'm back to the podcast after a hiatus, to share some of what I've been navigating--including immense grief and loss after the unexpected death of my mother.  This season has been reminding me of the importance of kindness, and celebrating life and the complexity of emotions. And it's been reminding me that we are all fighting unseen battles....

Life is good at surprising us and yet, as teachers and leaders, we're in positions of service, where we must show up for our students even when we're struggling. It can be complex to navigate the taking care of ourselves and others.  So how can we balance the needs of our students while creating safe spaces for authenticity and vulnerability in our teaching? Do we always have to "ha...

Last week I returned from hosting a co-ed retreat on the Oregon coast, that I called Celebrate Your Whole Damn Self. And it was beautiful and full of magic and play and deep connection. And it was an experience that was co-created.  Today I talk about that, and of the power of creating spaces--where we can breathe, and be, and flow and celebrate more of who we are. And of the magic of coming toget...

Entrepreneurship is a journey that involves challenges, successes, and continuous learning. And for aspiring entrepreneurs, there's so much to consider.  Today, I share some of what I've learned and experienced in my first five years in business, including the importance of experimentation and trusting yourself, how I've found joy in the building process, and the role authenticity p...

Today I did something big and wild, that I've never done before, and it's got me thinking about the importance of trying new things, and their impacts on us as teachers and leaders.  I wasn't in this experience alone. And it's also got me thinking about trust and support as we guide others. And about the importance of grounding and integration after trying something new.  Weekl...

Today we're talking about amplifiers--meaning people, things, situations that help others grow, become bigger, or extend.  I'm here to amplify others. And I'm here to create spaces that support amplification.  I think so much of that comes through being honest with ourselves, and being curious and brave, and owning our voices--because that creates space for others to do the same.  W...

I'm into doing things a little different and I'm also into people who are doing things in different ways. Kate McKenzie, of YTT Design Lab, helps yoga teachers design and refine their teacher training programs. She joins me today to talk about the intersection of yoga and business, creativity and trailblazing, and what it means to design meaningful learning experiences.  To connect with...

Do you have a creative life? Are you a creative person? I encourage you to ask yourself these questions because I believe that creativity can be found in everyday activities and interactions--in conversations, problem-solving, and personal expression. Today we explore the relationship between creativity and the practice of paying attention and share some ways I incorporate creativity into my own l...

Today we're joined by photographer and poet Katie O'Farrell, a dear friend of mine. In this expansive conversation, we talk about how the practice of finding joy in everyday life requires curiosity and bravery and how it can bring richness and excitement to our lives.  We explore how we can transform our relationships with others and ourselves when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable.  W...

Last night in Portland, I hosted the first gathering of Yoga Teacher Circle (YTC), a community space for yoga teachers to come together, learn, collaborate, and support each other.  YTC is something I've wanted to create for a while. Because it's powerful to be in a room together. And it's important to create and gather in spaces where all voices are valued and respected, and where...

Today I tell about something spontaneous I did this week, where I embraced joy and playfulness. That was about saying yes to myself.  This is an invitation to observe where you might be worrying too much what others think and curbing joy in your life, and where you may want to give yourself permission to say yes and do the things that feel like play.  Weekly stories by email from Bonnie HERE Conne...

The stories we tell about ourselves can make us feel smaller or less valuable, or they can make us feel big.  Today I share about how I'm reclaiming myself. Re-storying myself.  Last week, I changed a story I've had about myself for a long time; the opportunity was unexpected but the choice was intentional: to move from a story that made me feel small to one that makes me feel big.  This...

Today, jazz musician and teacher Christopher Brown joins me to talk creativity, freedom of movement, and how discipline and systems support creative work. We also explore the intersection of music and creativity with yoga and movement, inviting more freedom and choice through control, challenging existing beliefs to grow and evolve, and the decision-making process involved in improvisation. Connec...

Have you ever had the privilege of watching someone do a difficult thing?  Today I share a personal story about my son, who chose to run hurdles during his final season of high school track. This was him trying new things and facing fears in the process.  Witnessing him taught me a lot about the process of learning and growth, and the importance of being attentive to ourselves and our lives.  Week...

Woby Lang, a foot health enthusiast and footwear designer, joins us to  discuss the importance of barefoot movement, the relationship between foot health and longevity, and the impact of footwear on our overall well-being. We explore topies like the culture and history of shoes and how modern footwear has led to foot problems and misalignment; the need to restore foot function and mobility through...

What would it be like to explore other forms of movement that bring you joy? And how might that bring more play to your practice? Today we talk diversifying movement. And how, like with relationships--where diversifying can allow us to receive different kinds of support from different people, and ease the weight on any one relationship to fulfill all our needs--exploring new movement hobbies or st...

Venus Lau is a movement coach whose approach combines holistic and scientific elements and is about offering permission for the mover to explore beyond the rules and truly become strong in body, mind, and soul. She joins us today to discuss the physical practice of movement as a gateway, including its impacts on confidence and physical, emotional, and mental well-being. We talk about why we need t...

Today we talk tools and mindset shifts to overcome self-doubt and take actions that move us toward what we want in life, while moving with a sense of experimentation and playfulness, and a willingness to embrace failure. We also explore the power of using your voice, the value of repetition and observation in building confidence, and the shift from self-centeredness to focusing on serving others. ...

Two studio owners, Steph Alston and Rachel Brooks, join me today, for the first in a series of conversations where we explore the realities, joys, challenges, and learning experiences of studio ownership. Both Rachel and Steph own, manage, and teach at studios that cater to less commonly targeted populations, so we talk about the why and how of that. And we talk about how they found their ways to...

This past week I did a terrifying thing. It excited me and it's what I asked for, though.  I spoke at an event. And I'm sharing this to illustrate the importance of saying yes to scary opportunities. And the need to trust yourself and give permission to explore and experiment.  This is about owning your voice and building a creative life that is unique to you. Takeaways: Say yes to scary...

Missy Bunch, a neurology expert and movement teacher to the pros, joins us today and I'm so excited! This is a juicy and vulnerable conversation and we talk so many things, from motherhood and movement science to business and making dreams come true. Some of today's takeaways: How authenticity and vulnerability on social media helps to connect on a human level with others and invite succ...

It's often said in yoga classes that emotions are stored in our hips. It's offered as a statement but today, I want to offer it as a question to explore.  Takeaways Emotions are not necessarily stored in our hips; they are part of our overall human experience. We are more than one thing, and our emotions can be felt in various parts of our body. The hips are connected to the chakra syste...

In this conversation with longtime yoga and movement teacher Carling Harps,  we explore the value of observation and experimentation in teaching, managing imposter syndrome, the transformative power of becoming a parent, and her multidisciplinary movement journey. We also dive into the power of curiosity, embracing vulnerability, and asking for what you need in a relationship, and the joy of redis...

Today I share my newfound appreciation for anger and the importance of allowing it to flow through me.  Recently, a beloved tree next to my house was cut down and it evoked some intense emotions. Through the experience, I came to understand the power of expressing anger and grief without apology and the value of having a witness who can hold space for these emotions.  I share reflections on the pr...

Sales copywriter Kaili Meyer of Reveal Studio Co. is all about owning her voice. She joins us today and we go deep on business, authenticity, and writing to sell.  Some episode highlights:  - Why showing up as yourself is the way to magnetize clients - Five things to do when starting a new business - The four buyer types to understand - How writing and copywriting differ and why we need both - How...