Yogaland Podcast

This week my guest is Philadelphia-based yoga teacher, Matthew Shaw. Matthew joined the Jason Crandell Yoga Method team as our Lead Teacher Training Mentor this year and has been a longtime student of Jason's.

What I didn't know until a few weeks ago is that Matthew spent 20 years in a previous life as a successful opera singer, performing on major stages across Europe—including Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

In this conversation, Matthew shares how, in the second half of his career, just as he was really taking off, anxiety and depression decided to tag along. He talks openly about imposter syndrome, how he found solace through yoga and Western meds (you know I love my meds so I'm here for it!) and how his whole journey lead him to where he is today.

We spend the second half of the conversation focused on retreats, why they are so vital, and how he creates intentional, supportive spaces for his students to both adventure and reset.

We talk about:

• Why success didn’t solve his self-doubt—in fact, it made it worse
• The cultural pressures of perfectionism in classical performance
• His transition to becoming a yoga teacher and community builder
• The joy he finds leading yoga retreats around the world

Why retreats offer so much more than a temporary escape—and how they can ripple outward to impact our daily lives

You can find shownotes here: yogalandpodcast.com/episode362

We've got two YTT events coming up! Module II of Jason's 300-hour begins August 20th. You can get all of the details and join us here: jasonyoga.com/300

And if you are considering becoming a yoga teacher, join our 200-hour waitlist! I will send you details and interesting content as well as details about the training. Get all the info here: jasonyoga.com/200

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This week, I’m joined by yoga teacher and global mindfulness facilitator Josh Blatter. We talk about his teaching journey—from the yoga studio to his work with Peace on Purpose, a program that supports United Nations staff working in some of the most high-pressure environments in the world.

Josh shares:

• Why questioning long-held beliefs is vital for yoga teachers
• Studying in the Viniyoga lineage and the individualized approach to yoga
• What it was like to study at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai
• How Vedic Chant is a powerful part of his personal practice -- and how challenging it is to learn
• Peace on Purpose and his recent trips to Bangladesh and Pakistan
• How Josh teaches in high-stress environments and how cultural sensitivity shapes the work
• Advice for yoga teachers on staying inspired, grounded, and financially afloat
• A guiding principle for sustainable teaching and caregiving (this one's a huge lightbulb moment for me!)

Thank you, as always, for listening and sharing the podcast.

If you'd like to keep up with us, subscribe to our newsletter at: jasonyoga.com/newsletter

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On this episode, we dive deep into 5 of the most common yoga cues—offering clearer, more effective alternatives that enhance both understanding and practice.

Whether you’re a yoga teacher seeking to improve your verbal communication or a dedicated practitioner eager to refine your alignment, this episode will help you:

✔️ Clarify common cues like “lift your kneecaps” and “tuck your tailbone”

✔️ Understand why some cues aren’t landing and how to adjust them

✔️ Enhance your students’ experience with precise, actionable language

Join us as we unpack and rephrase cues that are technically correct but can be made more accessible and impactful.

ABOUT OUR ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:

✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/anatomy

✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/300

✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course:

https://learn.jasonyoga.com/beginners

✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course:

https://learn.jasonyoga.com/sequencing

✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletter

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In this episode, Jason dives deep into one of the most overlooked — and often overwhelming — skills in yoga teaching: verbal communication. Whether you're a new teacher still getting comfortable saying anything aloud, or a seasoned instructor trying to say less with more impact, this conversation is full of practical insights.

You’ll learn how to refine your voice, distill your message, and create space for your students to absorb and respond.

Highlights from the episode include:

• Why saying less often helps students learn more
• The #1 mistake yoga teachers make with verbal cues (and how to fix it)
• What Jason learned from Andrea’s editorial red pen ✏️
• How to pair your cues with your sequence (and why this skill takes time to develop)
• What “over-teaching” looks like and how to avoid it
• Minimizing jargon (and when it's okay to use it)
• Managing up-speak and down-speak for clarity and confidence
• Using story, metaphor, and analogy to keep teaching engaging
• The hardest skill of all: being yourself, even while giving commands
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👉 Learn more about Jason’s 200-hour YTT and 300-hour YTT. Module Two of the 300-hour starts in early August!

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What if everything you’ve learned about pranayama tells only half the story?

In this episode, Jason Crandell breaks down the two radically different approaches to pranayama found in traditional Hatha Yoga and Patanjali’s Raja Yoga. These lineages share a goal—liberation through practice—but their breathwork techniques, underlying philosophies, and mechanisms of transformation couldn’t be more different.

Whether you’re a yoga teacher, a teacher-in-training, or a student curious about the deeper roots of breathwork, this talk will help you understand:

• Why pranayama in the Hatha Yoga tradition focuses on energy, purification, and awakening Kundalini

• Why Patanjali’s approach to pranayama emphasizes stillness, subtlety, and inner quiet

• How each tradition views the purpose of pranayama in relation to the mind, body, and spirit

• What these differences mean for your breathwork practice and teaching today

This lecture is excerpted from Jason’s online Pranayama Teacher Training, a comprehensive course that combines modern science and traditional wisdom to help yoga teachers build confidence in teaching breathwork.

🧘‍♂️ Learn more about Jason’s Pranayama Teacher Training here: jasonyoga.com/breathwork

🔍 Key Topics Covered:

• Pranayama in Hatha Yoga vs. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra

• The role of kundalini, nadis, and chakras in traditional breathwork

• Patanjali’s model of liberation through stillness of mind

• The purpose of breath control (pranayama) in classical yoga

• How to apply these insights in modern yoga classes and teacher trainings

ABOUT JASON AND HIS ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:

✅ Train to become a yoga teacher with Jason's 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training: jasonyoga.com/200

✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: jasonyoga.com/300

✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: jasonyoga.com/anatomy

✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course: jasonyoga.com/beginners

✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course: jasonyoga.com/sequencing

✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletter

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We're happy to be back with Yoga(ish)! On this episode, we reflect on Autism Acceptance Month. We talk about internalized ableism, ADHD, the power of special interests, and how creating the right environment can unlock learning and joy for neurodivergent kids. Plus: a very passionate review of our current comedy obsession (I Think You Should Leave).

CHAPTERS

01:05 Autism Awareness Month

01:30 Love on the Spectrum: A Heartwarming Show

03:54 Personal Reflections on Neurodivergence

13:27 Understanding Autism and Support Needs

15:55 Challenges and Misconceptions in Neurodivergence

23:00 Navigating Social Interactions with Neurodivergent Individuals

24:06 Controversial Views on Autism by RFK Jr.

30:36 Personal Reflections on Political Statements and Neurodiversity

34:13 Challenges and Rewards of Homeschooling

40:54 Comedy Recommendations and Personal Humor

46:50 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

ABOUT JASON AND HIS ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:

✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/anatomy

✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/300

✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course:

https://learn.jasonyoga.com/beginners

✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course:

https://learn.jasonyoga.com/sequencing

✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletter

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Feeling stuck, uninspired, or overwhelmed in your teaching journey?

In this episode, Jason shares 5 timeless lessons from yoga philosophy that support you — the teacher. These aren’t abstract ideas for your students — they’re personal, practical teachings to help you stay grounded, motivated, and aligned as you grow.

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned educator, these insights from the Yoga Sutras and beyond offer tools for navigating self-doubt, comparison, burnout, and creative fatigue.

Topics include:

• Abhyasa & Vairagya (Effort + Letting Go)

• Svadhyaya (Self-Study for Teachers)

• Dharma (Teaching with Purpose)

• Ahimsa (Self-Compassion in Teaching)

• Pratipaksha Bhavanam (Reframing Negative Thoughts)

Chapters

01:11 Upcoming Yoga Training Details

02:36 Yoga Philosophy for Teachers

04:07 Abhyasa and Vairagya: Developing and Releasing Patterns

05:19 Practicing Teaching Skills

09:31 Non-Attachment in Teaching

11:59 Knowing Yourself as a Teacher

18:17 Aligning Teaching with Your Purpose

21:45 The Impact of Social Media on Self-Perception

22:10 Defining Your Purpose as a Yoga Teacher

23:26 Teaching Techniques and Philosophical Insights

26:15 Compassion for Yourself and Your Students

33:04 Reframing Your Inner Critic

41:53 Final Thoughts and Announcements

ABOUT JASON AND HIS ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:

✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/anatomy

✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/300

✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course:

https://learn.jasonyoga.com/beginners

✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course:

https://learn.jasonyoga.com/sequencing

✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletter

Jason Crandell is a natural teacher and author with more than 20 years of experience. Named “one of the teachers shaping the future of yoga,” by Yoga Journal, Jason has been an in-demand teacher at conferences around the world for more than two decades.

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On this episode, Jason shares how to find your voice as a yoga teacher, how it evolves through different life phases, and how to sustain it over the long haul. You’ll learn why finding your voice is an ongoing process, how to stay confident as a yoga teacher, and how to overcome burnout, self-doubt, and comparison.

You'll learn:

• How to find your voice as a yoga teacher (and why it’s always evolving)

• The role of passions, practice, and personal growth in shaping your teaching style

• Common obstacles yoga teachers face—and how to move through them with resilience

• Tips to stay inspired, prevent yoga teacher burnout, and build confidence for the long term

• How specialized yoga teacher training can help you refine your authentic teaching voice

Chapters:

03:00 Finding Your Voice as a Yoga Teacher

05:55 The Evolution of Teaching Styles

09:36 Adopting and Evolving from Your Teacher's Voice

12:54 Personal Journey and Influences

17:00 Incorporating New Interests and Passions

20:29 The Importance of Lifelong Learning

23:03 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Yoga

24:16 Embracing Authenticity as a Yoga Teacher

26:24 Overcoming People Pleasing in Teaching

28:31 The Illusion of Pleasing Everyone

33:09 Adapting and Evolving as a Teacher

36:04 The Need for Ongoing Training

41:34 Managing Burnout and Teaching Strategies

44:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🌟 Ready to deepen your skills and reignite your passion for teaching yoga?

Our 300-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training helps you specialize, build lasting confidence, and find your authentic voice. [Learn more ➡️ jasonyoga.com/300]

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On this episode, Jason addresses a common question he gets from yoga teachers: When will I start to feel more sure of myself, more confident in my teaching? Whether you’re newly certified or have been teaching for years, this episode will help you fill in the missing pieces and grow into the confident, grounded, and impactful yoga teacher you want to be.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why so many yoga teachers feel stuck or unprepared after their 200-hour yoga teacher training

• The real reason yoga teachers struggle with confidence (it’s not just imposter syndrome)

• How to shift from planning individual classes to designing long-term yoga class sequences and themes

• Proven strategies to avoid yoga teacher burnout and stay inspired in your teaching

• The most common gaps in yoga teacher trainings—and how to build the skills your students actually need

• How to grow your teaching career by deepening your skills and becoming a more effective, in-demand yoga instructor

A heads' up that Jason's 300-Hour YTT begins May 7th! This training is flexible, supportive, and comprehensive. Go to jasonyoga.com/300 for the training details and to enroll.

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