The Funny Thing About Yoga

Join us as we catch up with Claire Mark, a seasoned teacher whose journey winds through the vibrant landscapes of 90s NYC, Los Angeles, and the burgeoning yoga scene of Chicago. We explore the evolving dynamics of the Chicago yoga community, from the rise of studios to the changes in class formats to the importance of simplicity in practice. Claire shares her insights on diversifying teaching outl...

Join Giana and Bradshaw for a heartfelt and candid conversation about navigating life's storms while teaching yoga. They explore the importance of taking time off and finding balance upon returning to work, all while maintaining space for others. From grappling with grief to facing personal battles with heartbreak, loss, and health challenges, they acknowledge the common hurdles encountered by yog...

Tune in to our monthly bonus episode where we start with some playful banter about "The Sopranos" and the quirks of waking up on the wrong side of the bed. Then, we dive straight into answering your most burning yoga questions! From our top cues for refreshing your Triangle Pose to practical tips for breaking free from a rut, we've got you covered. Plus, for yoga teachers thinking about relocating...

In this episode, Giana and Bradshaw announce the launch of their 300-hour yoga teacher training program! They discuss the purpose of the 300-hour format, which is designed for yoga teachers looking to deepen their knowledge and skills after completing their 200-hour certification. They highlight when to consider pursuing further education, how to know if you’re ready, and they emphasize some of th...

Join hosts Bradshaw and Giana for a spirited conversation with the delightful Aliki, known as Aliki Comedy on Instagram. Bonding over their shared affinity for Chicago, Aliki shares her captivating journey from discovering yoga in college to honing her comedic skills at Second City. She regales with a hilarious yoga-related tale of meeting her husband and offers insights into her creative content...

Join Giana and Bradshaw in this sequencing-focused episode as they delve into the art of yoga pose progressions! They discuss how to determine the demands of a yoga posture on the body and share insights on intelligently leading students into that shape. Whether you're a teacher or a student, this episode offers valuable tips to enhance your practice. Highlights : Understanding Posture Demands : L...

In this episode, Giana and Bradshaw dive into the essential qualities to seek in a yoga teacher. Drawing from their personal experiences, they candidly discuss the attributes that resonate with them the most. From teaching style and philosophy to personal connection and authenticity, they share their favorite qualities that elevate a yoga class from good to transformative. Both Giana and Bradshaw...

Get ready for a laughter-packed bonus episode where we dive into YOUR burning questions! This week we tackle some hilarious inquiries from our amazing listeners, such as why Bradshaw teaches vinyasa rather than hatha, what to do when students look around the room during practice, or whether or not yoga teachers should be paid for staff meetings. Prepare to be entertained and educated as we share i...

In this special episode of The Funny Thing About Yoga , we journey across the pond to connect with the charismatic and insightful British yoga teacher, Adam Husler. As we delve into the world of yoga, we discover surprising parallels and shared experiences, leading to moments of laughter and genuine connection. From discussions about the nuances of social media and going viral to the vibrant yoga...

In this episode, Giana and Bradshaw delve into the Crow Pose family, also referred to as Bakasana or Kakkasana. They kick off with a friendly debate about the pose's name and any associated confusion. Then, they explore the foundational pose for Crow, Chaturanga, discussing why Crow serves as an excellent introduction to arm balances and acts as a gateway to other low-flying variations. The hosts...

Join hosts Giana and Bradshaw as they sit down with Veronica Rottman, a seasoned yoga teacher, business owner, and somatic experiencing practitioner, in this captivating episode. Veronica shares her remarkable journey from prenatal yoga enthusiast to facilitating somatic healing sessions, offering unique insights into the integration of somatics into yoga practice. Delving into the intricate relat...

Join hosts Giana and Bradshaw on a candid exploration of the relationship between the physical yoga practice and the ego. They share their journey from chasing new skills in pursuit of a goal and moving quickly to the next to grappling with aging bodies and injury and losing the skills down the way. The battle of the ego has taken many forms throughout their practice and specifically concerning th...

Dive into a thought-provoking bonus episode as a listener reaches out with a burning question about navigating the world of yoga on YouTube and being mistaken for a sensual content creator. We delve into the complexities of the sexualization of yoga and unravel the layers of appropriation within this practice. We candidly tackle the nuanced aspects of this issue, recognizing the sensitivity s...

In this episode, we chat with the multi-talented Danni Pomplun, a renowned yoga teacher, studio owner, and entrepreneur. Join us as we delve into Danni's inspiring rise to notoriety in San Francisco and his newer ventures sparked by the challenges of the pandemic. From launching a nonprofit to expanding his role in the yoga world, Danni shares his journey of resilience and adaptability. But it's n...

In this episode, Giana and Bradshaw dive into the differences between Yin yoga and Restorative yoga. Giana, while lacking official certification in Yin yoga, offers her insights into the practice, shedding light on common sources of confusion among students. With a wealth of experience and formal training in Restorative yoga, she passionately details its benefits and objectives for our listeners....

Join us for a special one-year anniversary episode of "The Funny Thing About Yoga" as we celebrate with a true luminary of the yoga podcasts: Andrea Ferretti!! With over two decades of experience, Andrea is not only the esteemed host of Yogaland, but also brings a wealth of knowledge from her time as the former editor of Yoga Journal magazine. Andrea has been a huge inspiration to Giana and Bradsh...

Today we dive deep with our special guest, Ashlee McDougall, a dedicated yoga teacher and proud owner of the yoga studio Yoga Loft Tucson in Tucson, Arizona. She shares her inspiring journey and experience with cystic fibrosis and the role that yoga has played in shaping her life. We also venture into the business side of yoga. Ashlee sheds light on the highs and lows of running a studio, from the...

Get ready for a laughter-packed bonus episode where we dive into YOUR burning questions! This week we tackle some hilarious inquiries from our awesome listeners about Giana's mysterious residence, the ins, and outs of co-teaching, and we even unravel how to deliver a Dharma talk that doesn’t suck. Prepare to be entertained and educated as we share insightful answers with a touch of humor. Plus, he...

In this candid episode, Bradshaw and Giana peel back the curtain on the challenges that keep them up at night in their quest to be the best yoga teachers they can be. Join them as they dive deep into the tumultuous waters of overthinking, from student behavior to Class Pass reviews, sequencing, and fighting the ego… They ask some tough questions like, “How should teachers respond to in-person feed...

You won't believe the hilarious and action-packed episode we have in store for you! Giana and Bradshaw dive into the MMA world as they chat with Jared “Flash” Gordon, a UFC star who also happens to be Giana's brother-in-law (and Bradshaw's secret crush. Get ready for some belly laughs as they discuss why yoga makes Jared sweat, and also how it's not a magic solution. They'll take you on a wild rid...

In this episode, Bradshaw and Giana talk about new beginnings. They discuss doing new things recently that have reminded them of having a beginner mindset, and how during this time of the year it’s important to support new students just beginning their yoga journey. They give tips for new students on how to feel comfortable and prepare to start something new and they talk about the importance of t...

Welcome back to The Funny Thing About You! To kick off Season 2, Giana and Bradshaw talk about their time off and how they spent their holidays. They also address the songs stuck in their heads and their celebrity look-alike before eventually diving deep into self-doubt. They reveal recent experiences that had them feeling self-doubt, and how to build more confidence. Somehow they end up talking a...

The Funny Thing About Yoga Get to Know Giana & Loving-Kindness  Mini Episode #3 December 18, 2023 Today, we get to know Giana more intimately as Bradshaw leads her through some rapid-fire questions. Then Giana talks about Loving Kindness Meditation, why she likes It, and then leads us through a practice. Loving Kindness helps us cultivate compassion for ourselves and others, and this is s...

The Funny Thing About Yoga Bradshaw Basics & Box Breathing  Mini Episode #2 December 11, 2023 The second mini-episode features the one and only Bradshaw Wish. Today Giana spits off rapid-fire questions to get to know her co-host a little bit further. They have a lot of fun being silly and then Giana shares some information about Box Breathing. These small episodes are anecdotal and healin...

The Funny Thing About Yoga Meditation & Feeling Your Way Through Mini Episode #1 December 3, 2023 For December you can anticipate Giana sharing a special message around something she is thinking about or practicing at home. These small episodes are anecdotal and healing focused and the topics will range from breath work, meditation, grounding, and so on. Today she shares some thoughts on begin...