Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers

In this episode we cover: why hip openers look so different from student to student take a look over a few poses and what to look out for why no amount of stretching will make certain bodies look like what we see in yoga photos, and  what you can do in your yoga classes to help your students understand their body’s makeup and how to adapt their practice. Get your journal & let's talk abou...

We’re talking about the widely used phrase “full expression of the pose” what it means, how it’s used, and why it can unintentionally create harm or hierarchy in your classes.  If you’re using this phrase now, don't you worry, in this episode, I’ll walk you through why you’d want to shift your language and how to start ! Strategy Call: Schedule HERE Click HERE to send me a text & let me k...

In a recent conversation with a fellow yoga teacher, she asked me if I’d ever consider doing an episode on the psoas muscle. Of course, I said YES! I truly love diving into topics like these! There are certain muscles that every yoga or movement teacher should understand on a deeper level, the psoas is definitely one of them. It’s widely referenced in classes, but just as often misunderstood. So t...

Not all backbends are the same & that might sound obvious at first, but I can’t tell you how many classes I’ve been in, or even taught in my early years, where backbends were treated as one interchangeable category. Whether it was Cobra, Bow, Wheel, or Camel, I was taught to prepare the body in the same way, taught a sequence full of them, and assumed students would be able to do all of them s...

Click HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show YouTube : Yoga with Monica Bright Freebie: Yoga Sequencing for Different Injuries Let's connect: Check out my website: Enhanced Body Connect with me on Instagram Wanna work together? Book a Discovery Call Practice yoga in my online studio The Alliance (7-day free trial) Join my Newsletter for teache...

In this episode, we’re taking a deeper dive into the pelvis. Its anatomy, its purpose, and some deviations from “normal,” how those deviations affect the yoga practice, and what you can do about it in your classes.  Let’s get to it! Mentioned in episode: Ep 75: Should Students w/ Scoliosis Practice Yoga Click HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show...

Let’s discuss the issue of hip flexion in yoga.  What is it?  Is there too much?  And what can you do about it.  Hip flexion is normal; You need to flex your hips to walk, sit down, and even curl up on the couch.  In this episode, I’ll share some ways you can create more intentional sequences with specific goals in mind. Plus, smart class language to help students understand the importance of thei...

Ever wondered if students with scoliosis can practice yoga safely? Spoiler, the answer is Yes, but first we’ve gotta ditch the one-size-fits-all alignment cues and actually work with the curve, not against it.  In this episode, I’ll break down spinal anatomy, the risks, and the best practices to keep students with spinal deviations strong, mobile, and inspired in your classes.  Let’s get to it! Cl...

Many students practicing yoga encounter the frustrating and often debilitating experience of SI joint pain. I even experience it from time to time myself! Despite its prevalence, it remains widely misunderstood, and well-intentioned advice can sometimes exacerbate the problem rather than alleviate it.  A common solution in yoga classes for SI joint pain is to "engage your core" or "...

Some students need to be extremely cautious when it comes to poses like Pigeon, Fire Log, and even Butterfly. Excessive hip movement that's required in these poses can lead to labral tears, hip impingement, and even chronic pain.  These poses primarily target the hip joints, which are in a position of flexion, external rotation, and abduction. And Pigen pose is the #1 culprit... and I'll...

Click HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show YouTube : Yoga with Monica Bright Freebie: Yoga Sequencing for Different Injuries Let's connect: Check out my website: Enhanced Body Connect with me on Instagram Wanna work together? Book a Discovery Call Practice yoga in my online studio The Alliance (7-day free trial) Join my Newsletter for teache...

Injury prevention in yoga is often oversimplified into absolutes. It's either "yoga heals everything" or "if you get hurt, you did it wrong." But the truth is far more nuanced. While we can and must take steps to minimize risks, true injury prevention has inherent limitations because movement is never fully predictable.  Students come to class with unique bodies, histories...

In the last two episodes, we've discussed keeping students safe in our classes by being more mindful of the alignment cues we use. However, what is correct alignment, and is it safe for all students?” Those questions were the inspiration for these episodes on how we teach alignment & what we teach students to believe about their personal alignment. How has your teaching on alignment evolv...

We discussed safety in the last episode because I believe we all come from that standpoint. Thinking safety begs the question, “Is our understanding of 'correct alignment' safe for all students?” That took me down a deep rabbit hole and was an inspiration for these episodes on what we teach students about alignment. Ask yourself if, since your initial Yoga Teacher Training, have your bel...

Traditionally, alignment was taught as a set of fixed, universal principles—certain cues, angles, and posture requirements that were considered "correct" for all bodies. However, modern discussions, influenced by movement science, biomechanics, and inclusivity, now emphasize functional movement, individual variation, and nervous system safety over rigid alignment rules. Instead of a one-...

Understanding anatomy is super important as a movement teacher. You may have noticed that I weave this sentiment in many of my episodes. I've received a few questions from teachers who listen to the podcast about their challenges with teaching anatomy in their classes, and I thought I’d answer their questions in this episode because I wonder if you have these same questions as well! I'm...

One of the biggest concerns you might have as a yoga teacher is whether or not you’re stepping outside of your scope of practice. We are not doctors & we cannot diagnose an injury, however, we can AND SHOULD learn about them because we are teaching movement to people who probably are currently injured, have a past injury, or might injure themselves in the future.  If you’ve ever been afraid of...

I wholeheartedly believe every yoga teacher must have a working knowledge of anatomy, it is the responsible thing to do because you're teaching movement and working with bodies. Your students trust you, therefore you should be well-educated.  It doesn’t matter if you teach vinyasa, or yin; meditation or pranayama… understanding why a student might be uncomfortable in a seated cross leg positi...

Your shoulder is one of the most mobile—and vulnerable—joints in your body, and the rotator cuff muscles play a crucial role in its stability. When a student is dealing with a rotator cuff injury, it can be challenging to know how to sequence a class that supports their healing while still offering a meaningful practice. If you desire to understand and effectively address rotator cuff injuries, th...

I’m a couple of weeks back from hosting another yoga international yoga retreat. While I was away, I had a few yoga teachers ask me about how to start hosting retreats. I’ve also coached teachers on planning and organizing their own retreats, as they were interested in diversifying their offerings to include retreats. So today we’re diving into a topic that’s both exciting and might feel a little...

You want to create a safe and inclusive space for everyone who walks into your classes. But when a student is dealing with an injury, it can feel overwhelming to know how to support them. Do you resort to telling them, “Do what feels right for you”? This is a valid suggestion to offer, but have you ever yearned to actually help them or address their needs in your class? Questions like: How do I as...

In this guided meditation, I want to take you on a journey… a different journey than the guided meditation in Episode 56, in which I guided you through an awareness of your body and breath.  In this meditation, I’m going to take you on a visual experience and  also help you to calm and regulate your nervous system. Guided meditation, also called Yoga Nidra, and is a powerful tool for rest and reju...

You either love Half Pigeon pose or you hate it!! Which is it for you or your students? It can be a powerful hip opener, but it’s also a pose that begs respect for the body’s limits. Understanding the pose on a deeper level (more than anatomy and general alignment) and adding in the biomechanics of the pose, helps us practice and teach it in a way that honors our students’ unique bodies and needs....

Have you ever considered teaching chair yoga? It’s a versatile and accessible style of yoga that opens the doors of the yoga practice to students of all ages, abilities, and levels of mobility. If you’re thinking of offering chair yoga classes, remember it’s not only an opportunity to diversify your offerings but also a chance to serve a wider community of students who may feel excluded from tradi...

Meditation is a practice of focusing the mind to regulate your nervous system by reaching for a state of mental clarity, emotional calm, and overall awareness.  However, the thought of starting a meditation practice can feel out of reach. Whether you think “I can’t possibly sit still for 15 or more minutes” or “It’s impossible to quiet my mind” you too CAN meditate, and you can encourage your stud...