Yoga Teacher Resource Podcast

Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Inside Anatomy Bites with Dr. Libby Hinsley

Peek behind the curtain of Anatomy Bites - the easiest and most enjoyable way for yoga teachers to learn anatomy. In this unusual episode, you’ll hear the audio portion of a live Q&A session led by Dr. Libby Hinsley, physical therapist and yoga teacher. Anatomy Bites is a 36-module program designed to give yoga teachers a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. You’ll also hear the story of how Anatomy Bites came to be and learn about what it’s like to be a member.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 The birth of Anatomy Bites

04:16 Dynamic vs. static movements for strengthening

06:41 The relationship between the low back and glutes in backbends

11:50 Foot and knee alignment in backbends

22:24 Foot placement in wide leg forward fold

30:20 Does it matter which side you roll towards in savasana?

33:41 Concentric vs eccentric movement

38:11 Torn labrum & chronic pain

52:11 Noise in neck movement

53:11 Spinal issues in yoga classes

01:06:14 Rounding the spine for older adults

01:10:51 Nerve sensations in Yin Yoga

01:13:27 Understanding fascia and its impact on movement

01:15:48 What to do with the shoulder blades in forearm plank

01:19:16 What it’s like inside Anatomy Bites

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Libby Hinsley

Anatomy Bites

Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Yoga Therapy and the Power of Community with Marsha Banks-Harold

Marsha Banks-Harold is a yoga therapist who specializes in working with people impacted by trauma and/or living with special needs. In this inspiring conversation, she describes her journey from overworked engineer to yoga teacher and eventually a yoga therapist, studio owner, and founder of a non-profit. We dive into the differences between yoga teacher and yoga therapist, the importance of family and community, and her advice for yoga teachers with big dreams who are holding themselves back with self-doubt.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

03:06 Marsha Banks-Harold: engineer, yoga therapist, studio owner, and non-profit founder

04:21 How Marsha discovered yoga & decided to become a teacher

08:48 First teaching experience: adapting to students' needs

12:15 Differences between yoga teaching and yoga therapy

20:06 Building a vision: studio, school, and nonprofit

27:10 Obstacles in her path & how yoga helped

29:56 Family and community as a superpower

34:15 Why it’s important to share your vision

38:36 Marsha’s advice for yoga teachers struggling with doubt

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

PIES Fitness Yoga Studio

Follow Marsha Banks-Harold on Instagram @marshadbanksharold

Contact Marsha: piesfitness@gmail.com or 703-887-9574

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

The Seat of the Teacher with Shawna Emerick [On-Air Coaching Call]

What does it mean to take the seat of the teacher? Shawna Emerick is an experienced yoga teacher who finds herself feeling like a beginner again as she takes on a new mindfulness meditation certification program. In this relatable discussion, we talk about the very real discomfort that comes with teaching yoga - and how the fact that it never fully goes away is a good thing. Other topics explored include; intuitive and deliberate modes of thinking, the relationship between renunciation and boundaries, and the differences between being a teacher and being a mentor.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

02:10 The Role of a Teacher

03:57 Intuition vs. Deliberation

07:06 Why we need to slow down to speed up

14:22 Does teaching involve renunciation

22:03 How people pleasing harms both teachers and students

25:43 The difference between teaching and mentorship

31:02 The relationship between mentorship and therapy

34:47 Why discomfort as a teacher is not the problem

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Shawna Emerick

Follow Shawna on Instagram @shawnashakti

Listen to Shawna’s previous episode: How to Overcome Fear & Doubt

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Yoga Alliance Standards with Kathy Humphrys

Yoga Alliance standards have changed again! In this episode, Kathy Humphrys describes the evolution and impact of Yoga Alliance standards, particularly the recent changes in training requirements. She also provides practical advice for yoga teachers aiming to become registered trainers with Yoga Alliance and shares strategies for successfully creating and delivering high-quality yoga training programs.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

01:10 Kathy’s journey from teacher to teacher trainer

04:08 Why Kathy decided to license Standards

08:08 Yoga Alliance classroom hours - what they mean and how they impact teacher trainings

12:54 Lead trainer requirements

15:38 What it takes to register a school with Yoga Alliance

18:00 Do these new standards help improve the quality of YTTs?

26:08 Immersions vs teacher trainings

29:19 The future of yoga teacher trainings

36:42 The Yoga Alliance Core Competencies

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Ambassador Yoga

Follow Ambassador Yoga on Instagram @yogatrainer.fasttrack

Yoga Alliance

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource

Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Tips for Teaching Anatomy (For Yoga Teachers and Trainers) with Dr. Libby Hinsley

If you’re an anatomy nerd eager to share your enthusiasm for the human body with your students, you’ll love the insider tips and best practices we share in this conversation. Listen in to hear about the balance between clarity and accuracy, the importance of knowing your audience, and the potential pros and cons of incorporating anatomical concepts into asana classes. We also cover special considerations for teaching anatomy in yoga teacher training programs.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

02:51 Pros of including anatomy in yoga classes

04:36 Cons of including anatomy in yoga classes

05:47 Balancing anatomy in general classes

18:13 Considerations for teaching anatomy in teacher training

21:24 What it takes to be an excellent anatomy teacher

26:34 How to handle diagnostic questions

28:47 The most important aspects of anatomy for yoga teacher trainings

32:28 Dr. Libby Hinsley's anatomy training programs

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Libby Hinsley

Anatomy Bites

Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource

Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Yoga Anatomy Made Easy with Dr. Libby Hinsley

Why is learning anatomy so hard for yoga teachers? In this episode, we discuss the importance of becoming fluent in basic anatomy to accurately speak about the body in your yoga classes. We know anatomy can feel like a foreign language - that’s because it is! But fear not, we have the secret sauce to make it all stick. From our own adventures with anatomy to tips that'll make studying a breeze, this episode is the ultimate cheat sheet for all wanna-be anatomy enthusiasts. Get ready to unleash your inner nerd and build a rock-solid anatomical foundation.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

01:09 Why yoga teachers need basic anatomy knowledge

02:02 Challenges and misconceptions in learning anatomy

03:32 The role of anatomy in your yoga classes

09:13 Our personal journeys in anatomy learning

13:10 Tips for yoga teachers to learn anatomy

18:36 The basics: bones, joints, and muscles

23:24 The importance of context and relevance

28:14 Advanced tips and continuous learning

35:52 Recommended anatomy education programs

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Libby Hinsley

Anatomy Bites

Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource

Quiz: What kind of retreat is best for you?

Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakP

Retreat Roadmap Behind the Scenes

This bonus episode is a peek behind the curtain of 'Retreat Roadmap'. Listen to hear about each course module, plus a description of the time-saving resources that are included. I'll also explain your options for getting additional live group and one-to-one support. If you've been eyeing Retreat Roadmap and want an inside scoop on what to expect inside the program, this episode is for you. Episode highlights include: 00:39 The experience that inspired us to create the Retreat Roadmap 03:46 Course Overview and Structure 05:21 Module 1: Big Picture Planning 08:43 Module 2: Admin and Planning 09:47 Module 3: Marketing Your Retreat 11:06 Module 4: Planning Your Curriculum 11:55 Module 5: Sustainable Retreat Leadership 13:22 Special Offer and Pricing Details 14:45 Mentorship Program Details 20:41 Conclusion and Contact Information Join Retreat Roadmap

Four Reasons to Plan Retreats A Year in Advance with Lily Dwyer Begg

Advance planning can make the difference between filling all rooms and canceling due to a lack of enrollment. In this episode, I chat with my Retreat Roadmap Collaborator, Lily Dwyer Begg, about all the benefits of giving yourself (and your students) plenty of lead time when planning a retreat.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

01:02 What changed when Lily increased her retreat timeline from 6 months to 12+ months

05:20 How to make your retreat more financially inclusive

07:31 How to help your students feel more relaxed during your retreat

09:09 Why a longer timeline allows your students to enjoy the retreat BEFORE it even starts

10:07 How a longer timeline gives you more options for where to offer retreats

15:11 Why a longer timeline will help you attract more participants (and earn more money)

16:39 How a compressed timeline skews your ability to judge the potential success of a retreat

22:00 How to stay in integrity when you preach self-care

24:42 Time objections and the best/worst times to lead & launch retreats

EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:

Retreat Timing Guide

Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga

Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg

Retreat Roadmap Online Course

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource