The Mentor Sessions
Episodes
74: Where Do We Go From Here? with Theo Wildcroft + Matthew Remski
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is the fourth episode in the Where Do We Go From Here? series here on the podcast and in this episode my guests and I acknowledge some of the par...
73: Where Do We Go From Here? with Jules Mitchell + Arundhati Baitmangalkar
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It is now September of this unprecedented year, and there is so much that is unknown about our future and our world. When I asked my friends Jules Mit...
72: Where Do We Go From Here? With Crystal McCreary + Monica Bright
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
So much has changed in our world in the last several months, and the questions I keep asking myself are: If everything is going to change, what matter...
71: Where Do We Go From Here? With Jesal Parikh + Bryn Chrisman
07 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
So much has changed in our world in the last several months, and the yoga world has been forced to pull in and take a pause. While many brick and mort...
70: Yoga, Human Rights, and Accessibility with Jivana Heyman
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I’m really grateful to bring you this interview with Jivana Heyman, the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, because his voice and leadership is...
69: Teaching Yoga Online
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
These are intense, unprecedented times. I know so much about your day to day life has changed in the last few weeks. As yoga teachers, our work has be...
68: Teaching Yoga in Corporate Settings with Samantha Harrison
23 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
NOTE: We recorded this podcast episode months ago, and life was different back then. I decided to release this episode for y’all now anyway for thre...
67: Evolving as a Yoga Teacher- A Live Mentoring Session
18 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today you’re going to hear a live, unedited 1x1 mentoring session! I love connecting with teachers in 1x1 mentoring sessions because I get to list...
66: An Intro to Low Back Pain with Jesal Parikh
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Back pain is complex and many students end up in yoga classes because they heard it would be good for their "bad back" so I’m super excited to share...
65: Marketing for Yoga Teachers with Nikki Naab-Levy
07 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What do you think of when you hear the word “marketing”? Does it make you think of sleazy sales tactics? Or does it remind you of all the things y...
64: Yoga for Arthritis with Dr. Steffanny Moonaz
03 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that arthritis is not one single disease, but a category of over 100 medical conditions that is actually the leading cause of disability ...
63: Self Care is Bigger Than You Think with Gracy Obuchowicz
19 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The term self care is ubiquitous in our world today and since yoga practice is an important part of self care for some people the topic comes up for u...
62: Q + A About Private Lessons with Francesca #2
05 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching yoga one-on-one requires a totally different skill set than teaching group classes and these unique skills are left out of most teacher train...
61: Rethinking Yoga Teacher Training with Cecily Milne
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I’m honored to call Cecily Milne a friend. She is thoughtful, smart and an amazing force for change in the yoga world. As the creator of Yoga Deto...
60: A Union for Yoga Teachers
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A large group of yoga teachers at YogaWorks in New York City is working together to create a labor union that would be the first of its kind. (!) This...
59: ROM, Neuroscience + Yoga with Garrett Neill
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Garrett Neill, or Dr. Yogi Gare as he’s known online, is a Chiropractor and a yoga teacher and I LOVE following his work on social media. He sha...
58: All About The Shoulder with Diana Zotos
01 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The shoulder is a notoriously complex and even injury prone joint, but we don’t have to be afraid of it! Today we have Diana Zotos, our resident P...
57: Building Strength with Kathryn Bruni-Young
10 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I absolutely love Kathryn Bruni-Young’s smart approach to movement and well-rounded strength and I’m so excited to have her back on The Mentor Ses...
56: Avoiding Burnout: Self Care, Boundaries + Daily Routines
22 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I hear frequently from yoga teachers who feel burned out and are trying to figure out how to dig themselves out of that hole. I know it can be so toug...
55: Yoga is Dead with Tejal + Jesal
30 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The yoga world is a subculture of our society; it mirrors both the beauty and the problems of the wider culture it inhabits. As a group we tend to spe...
54: Unpacking Cultural Appropriation with Susanna Barkataki
16 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
My spiritual practice is one that asks me to wake up to the world as it is. My spiritual practice asks me to be strong enough to see the truth about...
53: The Science of Yoga with Ann Swanson
03 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ann Swanson is a certified yoga therapist, mind-body science educator, and author of the beautiful new book, Science of Yoga. She is part heart-base...
52: Cult Dynamics, Abuse + Healing in Yoga with Matthew Remski
18 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Matthew Remski is a yoga teacher and author. As the survivor of two cults, his work has been pivotal in illuminating the shadows of globalized yoga ...
51: An Applied Neuroscience Approach to Yoga + Movement with Erin Jade
04 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Erin Jade has been working in massage therapy and yoga/movement instruction since 2004. In 2014 she began to pivot away from traditional asana into va...
50: Very Special Episode: Interview With My Two Best Friends!
21 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is a VERY special podcast episode! To celebrate Episode #50 I decided to turn the microphone around and let someone interview ME. And it’s not ...
49: How To Offer Modifications in a Group Class with Gabby DeLorenze
07 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It is common for yoga students to come into class, tell us they have an injury and expect us to be able to modify for them or at least give them ideas...
48: Not Teaching Yoga Anymore with Caitlin Casella
22 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The path of a career yoga teacher can be a circuitous one. I find it so helpful to hear how different teachers navigate that terrain, and today we get...
47: How To Hold Space with Octavia Raheem
09 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today I am THRILLED to introduce you to yoga teacher, writer, mama and studio owner, Octavia Raheem. This episode stands out as an all time favorite; ...
46: Resistance Bands + Yoga with Giulia Pline and Laurel Beversdorf
26 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
More and more yoga teachers are incorporating resistance bands into their teaching because they can be a wonderful complement to the movements found i...
45: Incorporating FRC Into Yoga Classes with Clayton Weakly
19 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Have you been hearing yoga teacher friends talk about PAILs and RAILs and CARs and 90/90 and you’re feeling a little left out because you have no id...
44: Taxes for Yoga Teachers with Michelle Linane
05 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tax time is coming up here in the States and I know how stressful the process of filing and paying our taxes can be for yoga teachers! Did you know th...
43: Practicing and Teaching Meditation with Cyndi Lee
26 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Many yoga teachers want to have a meditation practice, or feel like they should have a meditation practice but don’t for some reason. Other yoga t...
42: How Side Gigs and Great Referrals Can Build Your Private Yoga Practice with Janie Ganga
05 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Janie Ganga Fronek is a teacher of the Integrated Amrit Method of Yoga. Janie Ganga began practicing Amrit yoga in 2002 as a weekly student – until ...
41: Deep Dive Teaching in Luzerne, Switzerland with Karen Kurzmeyer
26 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Over the next few weeks we’re doing something new here on The Mentor Sessions. I’m going to introduce you to five amazing yoga teachers all of who...
40: Full Time Teaching in Greenville, North Carolina with Samantha Harrison
21 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Over the next few weeks we’re doing something new here on The Mentor Sessions. I’m going to introduce you to five amazing yoga teachers all of who...
39: Expansive Teaching Within Our Scope of Practice with Megan Spears
15 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Megan Spears is a yoga teacher based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Megan teaches publicly, privately, and is also a lead teacher for EveryOne Yoga School 200 ho...
38: Full Time Teaching in San Francisco with Raquel Scalon
08 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Over the next few weeks we’re doing something really special here on The Mentor Sessions. I’m going to introduce you to five amazing yoga teachers...
37: Q + A About Private Lessons with Francesca
11 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We are doing something new today on The Mentor Sessions! I’m reading some of the Most Frequently Asked questions I get about teaching private lesson...
36: How To Teach A 2 Person Private Lesson
27 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had a private client bring their partner or friend to a private lesson and wondered exactly what you should be doing? Have you ever stru...
35: The State of Yoga Education with Jules Mitchell
26 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the conversations I have with colleagues about yoga teacher trainings the focus is almost always centered on the idea that 200 hours is not enough ...
34: A Creative Use of Props with Guest Teacher Trina Altman
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Trina Altman is the creator of Yoga Deconstructed® and Pilates Deconstructed®, which take an interdisciplinary approach to foster an embodied unders...
33: Accessibility and Community With Guest Teacher Dianne Bondy
02 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dianne Bondy is a celebrated yoga teacher, social justice activist and leading voice of the Yoga For All movement. Her inclusive view of yoga asana an...
32: Incorporating Non-Yoga Movements In Your Classes with Guest Teacher Cecily Milne
18 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
It is becoming increasingly common for yoga teachers to bring movements and practices from outside the traditional yoga practice into their teaching. ...
31: How To Work With Pregnant Yoga Students with Guest Teacher Deb Flashenberg
04 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had a pregnant yoga student walk into your group yoga class and immediately think, “Oh crap. I don’t know how to modify the practice...
30: Expanding Your Lens with Guest Teacher Crystal McCreary
21 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Crystal McCreary has a true teacher’s heart and if you aren’t already familiar with her work I am so excited to introduce you to her on today’s ...
29: The Power of Simple Teaching Guest Teacher Sarah Capua
06 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever taken (or taught!) a yoga class that was simple in sequencing but deeply powerful in its effect on you? Maybe you love teaching and prac...
28: Hip Injuries and Yoga with Guest Teacher Ariele Foster
18 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have hip pain? Today’s episode is all about the hip joint and hip injuries that are common in yoga practitioners. Many of you may already kno...
27: Yoga in a Clinical Setting with Guest Teacher Lara Benusis
11 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast we get to learn from the wisdom of Lara Benusis, a pioneer in translating yoga into hospital environments. She was the first full...
26: What Real Body Love Looks Like With Guest Teacher Anna Guest-Jelly
28 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I heard my friend Anna say, “telling students to love their body is not enough....” and I responded with, “please be a guest on the podcast so w...
25: Yoga and The Pelvic Floor with Guest Teacher Diana Zotos
14 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
If you don’t already know my good friend Diana Zotos I am so excited for you to meet her! Diana is a physical therapist and yoga teacher. In 2006 ...
24: The Myth of the Ideal Private Yoga Client
30 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I’ve got another solo episode for you today and we are going to talk about what I call, The Myth of the Ideal Private Yoga Client... I’ll tell you...
23: The Support / Challenge Matrix of Private Yoga Lessons
23 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
It’s just you and I again on the podcast today! We are going to dive deeper into a topic I have mentioned several times on this podcast: The Support...
22: 7 Ways To Be A More Confident Yoga Teacher
19 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I am so excited about today’s topic! We are going to talk about confidence and what you can do to become a more confident yoga teacher. I wanted to ...
21: How To Teach Private Clients Who are Yoga Skeptics
16 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s newest podcast episode it is just you and I! I am excited to connect with you 1x1 and answer a question I get asked all the time! “What...
20: How To Teach Open Level Vinyasa Class- LIVE MENTOR SESSION
09 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today you’re going to hear a live, unedited 1x1 mentoring session! I have been planning to do an episode like this since I started producing this sh...
19: Integrating Spiritual Teachings Into Asana Classes
02 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This is a favorite, and quite personal episode for me. Today we are talking about integrating spiritual teachings into asana classes. This is a person...
18: Staying Inspired in ALL Your Teaching with Guest Teacher Jennifer Brilliant
26 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I have such a treat for you!! On today’s episode I have the honor of interviewing my main teacher from my very first teacher training back in 2005, ...
17: Why Yoga Research Matters with Ariana Rabinovitch
19 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today you get to meet my friend Ariana Rabinovitch. She is the host of he Yoga & Beyond Podcast, co-authored the Exposing Yoga Myths book series and f...
16: Creating Truly Inclusive Yoga Spaces with Guest Teacher Amber Karnes
05 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I am so excited to share this powerful conversation with you. While many yoga studios proclaim that “Everyone is Welcome!” in their classes, in to...
15: A Week In the Life (A Peek Inside My Daily Schedule and Rituals)
19 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This is a very special, unusual episode! While most of the episodes you’ll find here at The Mentor Sessions are either interviews with friends and t...
14: How To Support + Inspire a Student's Home Practice
12 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today I am going to answer one of the questions other teachers ask me most frequently: How do you encourage your students to commit to a home yoga pra...
13: Obstacle As Path with Guest Teacher Cyndi Lee
05 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I am so excited about today’s episode because I get to bring you the wisdom of the founder of my own teaching lineage (OM Yoga) , Cyndi Lee! Cyndi i...
12: Creating a Sustainable Movement Practice
31 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
If you don’t already know her, I am so excited to introduce you to my friend Brea Johnson from Heart + Bones Yoga. Brea has been a yoga teacher for ...
11: The Yoga of Discernment—What It Is And How To Teach It
15 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Is all discomfort good? Is all discomfort bad? What is the “right” way to teach any given asana? How do we offer the version of a pose or practice...
10: How Anatomy Studies Changes Our Teaching with Guest Teacher Jason Ray Brown
08 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A deep study of anatomy will change the way you teach. It is empowering, clarifying and facicating! For example, let’s talk about Warrior 2 alignmen...
09: Useful Language + Our Scope of Practice with Guest Teacher Jules Mitchell
18 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The practice and study of yoga is so vast that the more we all continue to study and teach, the more this question seems to loom taller and taller: wh...
08: The Case for Teaching Without Demonstrating
04 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
When you teach yoga classes {group or private} how much are you demonstrating poses? If you have been hanging out in my world for a while you may know...
07: Anatomy Informed Yoga with Guest Teacher Dr. Ariele Foster
20 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Anatomy studies can be a powerful tool in the yoga teacher’s utility belt, but I know many of us don’t know where to start or how to apply it to a...
06: How To Teach Better Private Yoga Lessons
02 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In our initial yoga teacher trainings we learn how to teach safe and effective group classes, but what do we do when only one person shows up to class...
05: Mindful Strength with Guest Teacher Kathryn Bruni-Young
27 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Kathryn Bruni-Young is the founder of the Mindful Strength method of teaching and one of my favorite teaching inspirations. Kathryn has been teaching ...
04: How To Deal With Schedule Drama And Chronic Re-Schedulers
19 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have Schedule Drama? I certainly do sometimes! As yoga teachers most of us are freelancers, which means we run our own small business whether w...
03: Yoga Deconstructed with Guest Teacher Trina Altman
10 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back, everyone! Today, I am excited to bring to you the wisdom, experience, and enthusiasm of my friend Trina Altman. Trina is a certified Yog...
02: No Right & No Wrong? Why Teaching Yoga Is So Scary!
10 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the second episode of The Mentor Sessions Podcast. Today’s show is going to address why teaching yoga can feel so scary. {!!} As a teache...
01: Introducing the Mentor Sessions: A Conversation with Francesca Cervero + Rachael Cook
09 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Hello and welcome to The Mentor Sessions! I’m your host, Francesca Cervero and I’m here to offer my fellow yoga teachers two things: Nourishing s...