Advertise on podcast: Conversations for Yoga Teachers

In this 400th episode, I’m taking a step back to reflect on the story of this podcast — and how things have changed and shifted in what I share with you.  When I started the podcast in 2018, I was already seeing gaps in how yoga teachers were being trained. But over the years — through conversations, coaching, and working with hundreds of teachers — my perspective and method has evolved. In this episode, I talk about: • how my approach to teaching has shifted from focusing on information to focusing on application • why so many teachers still struggle with confidence, even after training • the role mindset plays in how you show up when you teach • what I continue to see in the industry that holds teachers back • and why I’m more energized than ever to keep doing this work I also share why I’ve returned to solo episodes over the past year, and what you can expect from the podcast moving forward — including more real stories of transformation from teachers who are learning how to apply what they know in a way that actually works. If you’ve ever felt like you “know” a lot but still find teaching challenging, this episode will help you understand why — and what actually starts to make a difference. And if you’ve been listening along the way, thank you. This podcast exists because you’re here. At the end of the episodes, I talk about the options we have to work together inside one of my programs. To take a look at your options, see the Programs page here:     https://barebonesyoga.com/   Here’s to 400 more!   Thanks for listening!  

In my continuing series of themes for your yoga classes, today we’ll take a look at teaching classes that focus on balancing. This is such an important skill from a mobility perspective and as people age, balance degrades so it’s helpful to focus on it in your classes. One of the ideas behind teaching with this theme is to share with students what the benefits are as they’re in the postures and that’s part of what I share in this episode.    You find out more about how to cue in balancing poses, the benefits of balancing postures, different ways to integrate balancing into your sequences and what muscles are being used.   At the end of the episode, I speak to something that keeps coming up these days, and that is teachers sharing with me that while they’re looking for help and support, they don’t feel ready to work with me and enroll in the Yoga Anatomy Accelerator. I wanted to take a few minutes tot speak to that feeling and what you can do about it.    In the episode, I mention a practice video I posted on You Tube that goes with the earlier episode on Yoga for Mental Health. That was EP 397. You can find the practice video here:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfuoWYqSDyw   I also mention my e book, “From the Interview Chair”. You can get that here:   https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/from-the-interview-chair-e-book/   I mention the Bare Bones Yoga Practice Portal. You can check that out here:     https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/bare-bones-yoga-practice-portal/   And the Yoga Anatomy Accelerator here:   https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator  

Many yoga teachers leave their training with a lot of information — anatomy, alignment cues, sequencing ideas — but still feel unsure when it comes to actually teaching. Why does that happen? In this episode, I break down one of the most common learning mistakes yoga teachers make, based on a concept I’ve been talking about: the difference between Building knowledge and Applying knowledge. I heard this idea referenced on the Huberman Lab podcast, where it was framed a little differently but the concept is the same: • declarative learning — understanding information • procedural learning — knowing how to apply it in real time And why most teacher trainings focus heavily on the first, but not enough on the second. I’ll share how this shows up in areas like anatomy, cueing, and sequencing — and why it can leave teachers feeling like they “know” things but still struggle to teach with confidence. If you’ve ever felt like you understand the material but can’t quite translate it into your teaching, this episode will help you see why — and what actually helps things start to click. I also share a short training on how to create a Signature Sequence, which is one of the simplest ways to start applying what you know and feel more confident in your classes:     https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/how-to-create-a-signature-sequence/   Here is the link to the Huberman Lab episode I reference:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlOA8ObQJXo  

There’s no denying that yoga helps people feel better. But what benefits come from yoga practice? In today’s episode, we look to not only a recent study to discover some of the benefits of yoga to one’s mental health but I also share how you can create sequences that are focused on improving mental health. This could be used in a clinical setting or any setting where you’re teaching people with mental health challenges and it also has utility in any class where you want to provide an environment for improved feelings of well-being.   The study referenced is here:   https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5425577/#:~:text=Studies%20have%20shown%20that%20people,et%20al.%2C%202013.   As always if you have questions, just reach out.  

In Part 1 of this series, I talked about why many yoga teachers finish their training expecting to feel confident, only to find that teaching still feels harder than they expected (and takes a lot more planning time than they thought). In this episode, we shift the conversation toward what actually helps teachers feel more confident. Instead of focusing on accumulating more information or taking more trainings, confidence often grows from developing a few key teaching skills and simplifying what you focus on when you teach. In this episode, I talk about: • a clear format for cueing you can use to make things feel more natural • how teaching a Signature Sequence can dramatically reduce the stress of planning classes  • why understanding movement is more useful than memorizing anatomy terms • and how shifting your mindset about your role as a teacher can change how you show up in class If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or unsure, this episode will help you start focusing on the things that actually move the needle. I also share a short training that walks you through how to create your own Signature Sequence so you can spend less time planning classes and feel more confident teaching. You can access that here: https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/how-to-create-a-signature-sequence/  

Many yoga teachers complete their training expecting that confidence will naturally follow. But once they begin teaching, they often find themselves questioning their cues, second-guessing their sequences, or feeling confused about anatomy.  In this episode, I talk about a pattern I’ve seen after working with many yoga teachers: the gap between completing a training and actually feeling confident leading a class. We explore some of the reasons this happens — including how many trainings emphasize accumulating knowledge rather than developing the practical teaching skills that help classes feel easier and more natural to lead. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why teaching still feels harder than you expected, this episode will help you see that you’re not alone — and that the issue often has more to do with how teachers are trained than with your ability to teach. In Part 2, I’ll share what actually builds confidence for yoga teachers and the key things you can focus on if you want teaching to feel simpler and more grounded.   I talk about a resource at the end which is my Signature Sequence video. You can get it here:   https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/how-to-create-a-signature-sequence/  

In this episode, I’m tackling a common source of confusion in the yoga industry: when teaching methods get mistaken for anatomical/movement principles. Many yoga teachers hear cues or “rules” about certain poses — things like “don’t put your foot on the side of your knee in Tree Pose” or “you shouldn’t square your hips in Warrior 1 because that forces the hips into an uncomfortable position.” But often these statements aren’t well grounded in anatomy or movement science. Instead, they reflect a particular teacher’s style, preference, or interpretation of how a pose should be taught. Or, they might simply reflect a lack of anatomical knowledge on the part of the teacher. In this episode, I share why it’s important to distinguish between evidence-based anatomy principles and teaching methodology, and why asking “why?” is one of the most powerful tools a teacher can use when evaluating cues and alignment advice. If you’ve ever heard conflicting guidance about poses and wondered what’s actually true, this episode will help you think about anatomy, movement, and cueing with more clarity and confidence.   In the episode, I also speak about how I worked with a yoga teacher to help her get clear on how she wants to teach. This happened inside the Accelerator Program. Here’s the link:   https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator   Feel free to reach out to me on IG with any thoughts to share after you listen to the episode.

Have you ever heard a teacher say, “It takes a long time to be a good yoga teacher.” This is an embedded belief in the industry and what it leads to is teachers who feel ill-prepared, overwhelmed and lack confidence.    In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to build your confidence by showing you what to focus on, exactly, in a step by step way. This episode will help you cut that feeling of overwhelm, will save you time and will help you start to feel confident.    In the episode, I speak about how I can help you through one on one coaching. You’ll find the link to that here:   https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator   Feel free to reach out to me on IG with any thoughts to share after you listen to the episode.   

In this final part of a 4-part podcast series, you’ll discover more of what builds confident yoga teaching. We’ll talk about the what it takes to have a confident, empowered mindset; one that allows you to teach with a feeling of calm, roundedness and joy.    This is a topic that’s rarely taught. But is so central to what it takes to not only enjoy teaching, but have it feel easy and fun.    I mention my two programs in the episode and if you’re curious about how I work with yoga teachers, check them out here:   https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator   https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/blueprint-learning-program  

In this part 3 of a 4-part podcast series, you’ll discover more of what builds confident yoga teaching. We’ll talk about the role of understanding movement and with that, understanding anatomy and how to apply it to your teaching. This tends to be the area where teachers need the most help and in this episode, you’ll discover some powerful reframes that will allow you to look at learning anatomy in a different way.    I mention my two programs in the episode and if you’re curious about how I work with yoga teachers, check them out here:   https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/blueprint-learning-program  

In this part 2 of a 4-part podcast series, you’ll discover more of what builds confident yoga teaching. It’s a combination of having a solid approach to cueing, sequencing, to understanding the fundamentals of anatomy and having a confident mindset. In today’s episode, you’ll hear about a sequencing approach that will help you feel more confident in the sequence you offer, take less time to prepare for your classes and allow you to stand out as a yoga teacher:    I mention a training video that shares more on sequencing and you can get that here:   https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/how-to-create-a-signature-sequence/   If you’re curious about the training program I mentioned, you can check out my program here:   https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator

In this part 1 of a 4-part podcast series, you’ll discover what builds confident yoga teaching. It’s a combination of having a solid approach to cueing, sequencing, to understanding the fundamentals of anatomy and having a confident mindset. In today’s episode, you’ll hear about a cueing approach that will help you feel more grounded and clear as you teach.    I mention a training video that shares more on cueing and you can get that here:   https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/how-to-share-clear-yoga-cues/   If you’re curious about how I support yoga teachers, you can check out my program here:   https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator  

Do you find that you compare yourself to other yoga teachers? Maybe this comes up when you take someone else’s class or when you scroll on social media. It could even be with a yoga teacher you like but you still find yourself thinking, “Why don’t I have as many people in my class?” or “Why don’t I feel like my cues are as clear as her’s?”    While this is common, it’s definitely something to look at as a sign that something’s missing.    In this episode, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons you might find that you’re comparing yourself to other yoga teachers and what to do about it.    There is a journal exercise in the episode so have one ready for the questions at the end.    You’ll hear me mention the Yoga Anatomy Accelerator Program and you can check that out here:   https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator   Since we talk about cueing in this episode a few times, here’s a short training video on cues:   https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/how-to-share-clear-yoga-cues/   I’d love to hear from you so feel free to send me a message @barebonesyoga for what came up for you as you listened. 

When you started this year and had an idea of the kind of teacher you wanted to be, how does that match up to how you’re actually teaching from week to week? In this episode, we’ll talk about that realization and I’ll share a little bit about why that gap might exist.    We’ll end with some reflection questions at the end so if you want, you can have a journal ready to write down your answers.    Part of what we’ll discuss is about sequencing and I have a sequence training video you might be curious to check out.    If so, the link is here:   https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/how-to-create-a-signature-sequence/  

When you hear, “The more hours of training you have, the more confident you’ll feel” what comes up for you? Do you have agreement, disagreement or something in the middle? We’ll explore this belief, which is pretty common, in today’s episode and you’ll hear some stories that relate back to this and you’ll have a chance to see, at the end of the show, how you feel about it.    Part of this episode includes an experiment you can try to help you figure out where you might focus when it comes to feeling more confident.    Today’s show mentions my training video on cueing and you can find that here:    https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/how-to-share-clear-yoga-cues/   Reach out with any thoughts and revelations you had while listening. You can DM me @barebonesyoga on Instagram