Yoga Strong

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...

I love watching women claim themselves.  The process. The unfurling. The courage.  Today I'm fired about it. Weekly stories by email from Bonnie HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram , Email ( hello@bonnieweeks.com ), Website Produced by : Grey Tanner

Jamie Heron, a movement teacher and personal friend, joins us. We laugh a lot, and we talk about authenticity, taking up space, and challenging societal expectations as forms of resistance and empowered development.  We explore how movement practices are interconnected and why it can be empowering to move beyond identifying with certain labels and dogmas, to create freedom for exploring their esse...

Steph Alston joins for the first episode in a new series dedicated to yoga studio ownership. We're here to offer support to current and prospective owners and fill in some of the gaps in the larger conversation about not just studio ownership but the entrepreneurial life. Some of what we explore: The importance of knowing your why Practical advice and seeking guidance from mentors, lawyers, a...

In this episode, we explore the difference between vinyasa and power vinyasa yoga.  I share my personal definitions of vinyasa and power and how I teach them as well as some community comments and definitions shared in a recent conversation on my Instagram. We also talk about the lack of standardization in the industry; the importance of clear language in class descriptions and marketing; the orig...

Today we talk the messy middle of life and the importance of acknowledging the challenges and losses we face. About the need for teachers to recognize that everyone is navigating their own internal landscape and to approach their students with empathy and understanding. I also share my approach to teaching handstands in a yoga flow, with focus on creating a sense of success and expansion for stude...

Iona Holloway, a breathwork facilitator and creator of Brave Thing, joins us today.  We talk how bravely taking action and embracing heartbreak and imperfection to catalyze personal and professional growth. We talk about how breathwork can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and transformation and a supportive add-on to a yoga practice.  We  also dig into business building, including the importa...

We're joined today by Rodrigo Souza, a teacher of adaptive and accessible yoga. He shares his evolutionary journey since sustaining a life-changing spinal cord injury at the age of 33, paralyzing him from the chest down.  Some episode highlights: Embracing imperfection and overcoming the fear of sharing your voice Identity is not fixed and can evolve after life-altering events Yoga can be a p...