Yogaland Podcast

Back to school time! 8 key things to look for in a yoga teacher training

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There’s something about fall that just feels like back to school time for me, even as an adult. Jason’s 200-hour YTT is coming up October 24t...

5 ways to bring the yoga tradition into modern classes

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On our live episode two weeks ago, we answered the question, ‘Is this thing that we’re doing still yoga?’ Jason shared five principles that make...

Celebrating Sally Kempton's Life of Devotion and Radical Love

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As many of yoga know, Sally Kempton was hugely influential to me. She was an expert guide, a loving presence, and a creative inspiration. She passed a...

Is this thing that we're doing still yoga?

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This discussion was recorded in London at the new Mission studio where Jason led Module I of his hybrid YTT a few weeks ago. Together, Jason and I exp...

Five Things I Wish I Knew Earlier in My Teaching Career

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're talking about five things that Jason wishes he knew earlier in his yoga teaching career. We hope this discussion helps yoga teachers every...

Jason's Patanjali "Super Lecture"

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jason takes over this week to present a special comprehensive lecture on Patanjali, aka, his Patanjali “Super Lecture.” This episode essentially c...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: The Yoga Anatomy of Twists

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Deepen your knowledge of yoga anatomy and the anatomy of twists, in this 20-minute detailed conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...

Mastering Content Creation and Yoga Teaching: 8 Lessons from the past 8 years

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week I'm sharing 8 things I've learned in the process of creating this podcast for the past 8 years. Jason joins as my sound board and points out...

Andrea Ferretti reflects on 300 episodes of Yogaland + Listeners share their “why

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the 300th episode of Yogaland -- huzzah! For this momentous occasion, I've decided to reflect on the past 8 years. So much has changed in yo...

5 Essential Ideas for Healthy Shoulders in Yoga

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this last of our "essentials" series, Jason shares 5 essential ideas for finding ease and stability in your shoulders during yoga practice. On this...

5 Essential Ideas for a Healthy Core in Yoga

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Jason clarifies what we mean when we talk about the core in yoga. Once you're finished listening, the core will no longer be a vague ...

The Yoga of Parenting with Sarah Ezrin

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, I speak to yoga teacher, writer, and mama Sarah Ezrin about her new book, The Yoga of Parenting: 10 Yoga Based Practices to Help You Stay G...

5 Essential Ideas for a Healthy Spine in Yoga

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jason joins me this week to share 5 essential ideas for a healthy spine in yoga.How to distribute your physical and mental attention for optimal spina...

Yoga for Hypermobility with Libby Hinsley

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Libby Hinsley is a yoga therapist and a Doctor of Physical Therapy living with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Suffice it to say, she is the ...

Everything You Need to Know About Practicing & Teaching Pigeon Pose

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the best way to practice, teach and troubleshoot one of Yoga's most important hip openers: Pigeon Pose. In this episode, Jason breaks down the Y...

5 Essential Ideas for Healthy Hips in Yoga

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jason joins me this week to share 5 essential ideas for healthy hips in yoga.Also: Jason's Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy is open for enrollment! 🎉...

Seeing our beauty identity through the lens of yoga

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My guest this week is Dara Kennedy, the founder of Ayla Beauty. Having spent more than 10 years in the retail beauty space, Dara started Ayla bec...

My how yoga has changed...

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We know that change is a part of life -- it's also a part of the constantly evolving practice of yoga.As religious studies scholar Andrea Jain says in...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: Essential Sequencing Concepts for Teaching Beginner's Yoga

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

These are the five most essential sequencing concepts for teaching yoga classes for beginners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

Part I: How to structure a yoga class for beginners

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jason recently did a webinar on how to structure your classes for beginners and there were tons of requests from folks who wanted to be able to re-wat...

Is stretching really good for you?

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've noticed the pendulum swinging toward strength in recent years (not a bad thing), and we wanted to offer context for the counterpoint: Stretching...

Anatomy that inspires appreciation and awe -- not stress and self-doubt

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us have an attraction/repulsion thing when it comes to learning yoga anatomy. Why is that? Anatomy reminds us that embodiment is amazing, but ...

How to build your reserve of mental, physical, and emotional resilience with Jill Miller

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So excited to share this week's episode with you: Jill Miller joins me for her fifth Yogaland podcast to talk about her new book, Body by Breath: The ...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: How to Jump Back Into Chaturanga More Gracefully

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jumping back into Chaturanga more gracefully isn’t about raw strength—although, a healthy amount of strength is certainly helpful. It’s about us...

How much strength does yoga really build?

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does yoga build strength? The short answer is yes. But does it build enough strength? Jason and Andrea dive into this topic and answer questions such ...

Yogaland Teacher's Companion: How to Teach the Most Essential Sun Salutations to Beginners

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to teach your new yoga students the four most essential sun salutations. This episode includes the benefits, most essential cues, and key fo...

8 Essential Concepts from Yoga Philosophy to Teach Beginners

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yoga philosophy is so vast, it can be overwhelming to think about how to convey it to beginners (or even in your mixed level classes!) It's one of the...

10 Essential Asana Concepts To Teach Beginners

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's January, which means, in all likelihood, more beginners are coming to your classes! On this episode, Jason helps you prioritize 10 essential conc...

It's time to create a 4-week series for beginners. Here's how.

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jason is a passionate advocate for creating a simple 4-week series for beginning yoga students. January is a great time of year to do it (obvs), so we...

How Yoga and Mindfulness Can Help Your Relationships

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the upsides of long-term practice is that you develop skills that help you in your day-to-day life. On this episode, Andrea and Jason share the...

Slowing down doesn't sound sexy or ambitious or entertaining. Here's why it's such a worthwhile skill to cultivate.

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Oh the irony. The sweet, sweet irony of going to yoga class to "find balance" or "inner peace" only to find ourselves rushing through Sun Salutations ...

Navigating the pressure to make vinyasa classes harder, faster, stronger

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I think it's safe to say that if you teach vinyasa yoga in any modern setting you've felt pressured -- either overtly by your boss or subconsciously b...

Yoga Teachers' Companion: Four Ways to Change Up & Reinvigorate Your Sun Salutations

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You deserve more than just another Chaturanga and Upward Dog--and, so do your students. Here's a tutorial on spicing up your Sun Salutations and addin...

Your 5 Most Common Sequencing Questions Answered

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jason has recently been answering lots of questions about yoga sequencing lately -- on his recent webinar and Instagram lives -- so we today Jason is ...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: The Ultimate Guide to Sequencing for Backbends

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is your Ultimate Guide to Sequencing for Backbends. It's a master class that teaches you the anatomical rationale behind intelligent, sustainable...

Yogaland Rewind: 4 Sequencing Challenges (And How to Fix Them)

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to sequencing, there are a few things that trip us up time and time again. Jason’s back on the podcast today to talk about several of ...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: How to Transition Into Half Lotus and Full Lotus Safely and Correctly

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The details of transitioning into Half Lotus and Full Lotus are rarely discussed. Transitioning incorrectly significantly increases the likelihood of ...

The mental, emotional, and behavioral components of the doshas with Sarah Kucera

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest, Sarah Kucera, is a yoga teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner, and chiropractor based in Kansas City, Missouri. In this chat, we talk about S...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: The Best Preparations for Lotus--and, where to put them in a sequence

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn to prepare yourself and your students for Lotus (Padmasana). There are countless postures that will help prepare your body for lotus, but these ...

Chelsea Jackson Roberts, "The fullness of my experiences make me who I am"

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts joins me on the podcast today. You may know Chelsea from her current post as a Peloton yoga teacher, or from her numerous ...

A Love Letter for Mums with Naomi Annand

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The lovely and wise Naomi Annand joins me on this episode to talk about her new book, Yoga for Motherhood. This book is one of my absolute favorites -...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: The Best Preparations for Splits (Hanumanasana)

20 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

These are my five favorite (slightly less conventional) preparations for splits (Hanumanasana). In addition to opening up your body, each of these pos...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: The 4 Best Options for Setting up Forearm Balance

20 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Meet your students where they are by learning the 4 best set-ups for Forearm Balance. You'll learn the pros and cons of each set-up and why these opti...

Move through malaise & get back on your mat with these practical ideas

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you've had a hard time getting back into regular studio (or home) practice since the pandemic hit in 2020, you're not alone! This episode is fille...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: The Best Shoulder Openers to Prepare for Handstand and Forearm Balance

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features the best shoulder openers to prepare you and your students' bodies for Handstand and Forearm Balance. We'll cover the best stren...

Do twists detoxify? Unpacking 7 common yoga myths

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do twists detoxify? Is it safer to jump back to Chaturanga than Plank? In all likelihood you've heard -- or even taught? -- one of the yoga myths you'...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: The Best Strengtheners for Handstand and Forearm Balance

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features the best shoulder strengtheners to prepare you and your students body for Handstand and Forearm Balance. Make sure to also check...

How to overcome common meditation obstacles and create a practice you love

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I'm sharing a topic that's dear to my heart, which is creating a meditation practice that you love. We all face common (often self-imposed) ...

How Jason Designed His 200-Hour Online Training, Part II

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've gotten a lot of questions asking about how Jason set up the curriculum for his 200 YTT, so that's what we cover in this episode. Last week was P...

Harnessing the vagus nerve to "turn on your off switch" with Jill Miller

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What is the vagus nerve? More importantly, why should we, as yogis, care? Jill Miller comes on the podcast this week to help us understand how we can ...

Passion + Creativity as a Recipe for Happiness with Kathryn Budig

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I was so happy to catch up with my good friend, Kathryn Budig on the podcast this week. Kathryn is an internationally celebrated yoga teacher, author,...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: Best Tips for Teaching on Zoom

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Most yoga teachers have been teaching yoga on Zoom for a few years -- but the experience can still be awkward, under-utilized, and daunting. In this e...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: Essential Cues for Practicing and Teaching Twists

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The most common yoga cue for twists, "twist from the bottom-up" needs to be replaced. Why? Because the lower-back doesn't actually twist! Here are 6 b...

12-Minute Finding Spaciousness Meditation

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This meditation is one of my favorites: In just a few minutes, you can cultivate a sense of internal spaciousness and ease. Hosted on Acast. See acast...

10-Minute Return to Center Meditation

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This 10-minute meditation offers a physical focal point to help you come back to center. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13-Minutes of Lovingkindness

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on with our theme of self-compassion and compassion this week, join me for a 13-minute Lovingkindness Meditation. Hosted on Acast. See aca...

8-Minute Self-Compassion Meditation

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Practice turning toward yourself with gentleness and self-compassion in this 8-minute meditation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...

Yogaland Rewind: The Science of Self-Compassion

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week's meditations are going to focus on self-compassion. With that in mind, I decided to re-run a previous episode where I explain the research ...

10-Minute Meditation: Simple, Quiet Contentment in Nature

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cultivate contentment and happiness by connecting internally to one of your favorite spots in nature. Take in the sights, smells, and feeling tone of ...

7-Minute Morning Meditation: Grounded and at Ease

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Set the tone for your day feeling grounded, light, and at ease with this guided meditation. (PS: I'll be sharing mini-meditations all through the mont...

Should you wait between a 200-hour and 300-hour training?

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jason and Andrea explore all sides to the question of whether or not you should wait -- and get a few years of teaching under your belt -- between com...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: The Best Preparations for Bakasana

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Practicing and teaching Bakasana (crow pose / crane pose) is much more accessible with effective techniques. This episode provides you with the four b...

Yogaland Rewind: The Sutras, Part III

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we return to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra and Jason shares three models for applying the eight-limb path to life — The Step-by-Step Model, The In...

Yogaland Rewind: The Sutras, Part II

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last week Jason shared the foundational concepts of purusha and prakriti. Go back and listen if you haven’t yet! This week, we continue to...

Yogaland Rewind: The Sutras, Part I

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today is the first in a series of episodes where Jason shares the underpinnings of Patanjali. Most yoga students have heard their teachers reference P...

The Intersection of Brain-Body Psychology & Yoga with Mona Delahooke

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I want to offer some context for today's episode. My guest is the phenomenal pediatric psychologist and author of the new book, Brain-Body Parenting: ...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: The Key to Bakasana and Other Arm Balances

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Yoga Teacher's Companion breaks down the single most important key to practicing and teaching Bakasana and other arm balances.Watch th...

Yoga Includes Me with Sarah Henderson

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, I speak to Sarah Henderson, a yoga teacher who specializes in teaching adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sa...

Cultivating a Mindful Media Practice with Melissa McLaughlin

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To quote this week's guest, yoga teacher and social scientist Melissa McLaughlin, "How we engage with our phones is changing our minds." In other word...

This is Your Brain on Yoga with Dr. Daya Grant

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really happening in your body and brain during asana and meditation, today’s conversation is going to fascinate y...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: Teaching Yoga Students to Breathe Skillfully

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Beginning yoga students often struggle to breath properly in class. As a yoga teacher, we want to provide our students with skillful, accessible techn...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: Teaching Yoga Students to Breathe Skillfully

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Beginning yoga students often struggle to breath properly in class. As a yoga teacher, we want to provide our students with skillful, accessible techn...

A Story of Hope in Los Angeles with Katharine DeShaw

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When today’s guest, Katharine DeShaw, found out her beloved yoga studio, Center for Yoga in Los Angeles, was closing she took matters into her own h...

Cultivating Resilience with Yoga

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Jason and I are talking about resilience--a concept that has become even more important as life continues to shift and change during the pandem...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: Best Modifications and Alternatives to Chaturanga

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode supports yoga teachers by breaking down the 3 best modification and 3 best alternatives to Chaturanga. Show notes: http://www.jasonyoga.c...

Finding Inspiration for Your Yoga Practice

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

No matter how much you love yoga, eventually you’ll reach a point where you aren’t as inspired as you once were.Today’s episode is all about fin...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: Teaching Chaturanga Safely

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Teaching Chaturanga safely and effectively is simple when you understand how to keep the shoulders stable. This episode discusses how to teach Chatura...

Key Tactics for Creating Content Consistently

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Like it or not, if you're a yoga teacher today part of your job is marketing your yoga classes to the public. One of the best ways to do that is to co...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: How to incorporate yoga philosophy into your classes

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Yogaland's Yoga Teacher Companion, Jason discusses how to effectively incorporate yoga philosophy and wisdom in your classes. You'l...

Making Peace With Money with Chioma Njoku

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I've waited years to bring someone on the podcast to talk money because I wanted to find someone who was knowledgeable about finances and also deeply ...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: Effective Core Strengtheners (and When to Put Them Into Your Sequences)

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn my favorite go-to core strengtheners--and, where you can put them in your practice and classes to create sustainable, integrated core-strength.W...

The Antidote to Imposter Syndrome for Yoga Teachers

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us have felt insecure from time to time. Occasionally that insecurity shows up as imposter syndrome, or feeling like a fraud or unworthy of th...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: 5 Best Practices for Shoulder Mobility

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn my 5 favorite postures and transitions for creating greater shoulder mobility. You'll also learn where I like to include these postures in my pe...

Helping Kids Self-Regulate Through Yoga with James Woods

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My guest on this episode of Yogaland is therapist and yoga teacher, James Woods. About 10 years ago, in his work a therapist in the juvenile justice s...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: 5 Postures to Increase Hip Mobility

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn my 5 favorite postures and transitions for creating greater hip-mobility. You'll also learn where I like to include these postures in my persona...

Cultural Appropriation & Healing the World With Kindness with Reema Datta

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week's guest -- Reema Datta -- is an Indian-American teacher, speaker, humanitarian, author and musician who has dedicated her life to offering y...

Welcoming beginners (and being a beginner) in the yoga room

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the new year, which usually means an influx of new students! How can you support them? And how can you navigate being the newbie? Jason offers hi...

Yoga Teacher's Companion: Building Strength in Your Flexibility

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We don't simply want greater flexibility. We want flexibility that we can control--and, we want to be strong in our flexibility. In this discussion, J...

Let's End The "Flexibility vs. Mobility" Debate in Modern Yoga

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Understanding the relationship between flexibility in mobility--and, gaining clarity on these terms--is essential as a modern yoga teacher. All too of...

Yogaland Teacher's Companion: 5 Creative Yoga Poses to Prep for Backbends

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mobilizing your hip-flexors and quadriceps is the most essential preparation for backbending. Learn Jason’s 5-favorite yoga poses to prep for backbe...

Yogaland Teacher's Companion: How should you tilt your pelvis in backbends?

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Should you tilt your pelvis toward your thighs or away from your thighs when you backbend in yoga? The answer depends on the body-type of the student....

Yogaland Teacher's Companion: 5 Ways to Create More Comfort and Space in Wheel Pose

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn 5 simple, commonly-overlooked ways to help your students create greater comfort, depth, and space in their Wheel Pose.Hint: you DON'T need to ma...

"If I don't slow down, I don't do something new..."

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When life gets busy and demanding, it's easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you've got to work harder to "get it all done." But what if you sim...

How to Keep Your Yoga Practice Consistent When Life Gets Busy

04 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When the holiday mania hits, it's all too easy for your yoga practice to fall by the wayside. This week Jason and I challenge you to do the opposite -...

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year? How to Use Mindfulness to Navigate the Holiday Season

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tis the season! It's the official start of the holiday season in the United States this week. And while there is much to love about the holidays,...

How to Prevent Yoga Injuries

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, which we first published earlier this year, Jason and I tackle yoga injuries. There may not be a way to completely prevent all injur...

How to Help Students with Back Pain

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

According to the CDC, lower back pain causes more global disability than any other condition. In one study, 25% of U.S. adults reported back pain in t...

Yoga for Breast Cancer with Marcia Mercier

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, my guest is Marcia Mercier, a fellow breast cancer survivor and yoga teacher in the U.K. More than two decades ago, Marcia found that the metho...

Why we (still) practice yoga, Part II

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we continue our conversation about the big picture WHY -- that is, why we practice yoga. We muse over the magic of consistency, the power o...

Why we (still) practice yoga...

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s hard to believe that Jason and I have been practicing yoga for about 25 years—that’s a quarter of a century! You’d think that in that amo...