Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional

On today's podcast episode I'm sharing a big announcement: I am retiring from coaching, yoga teachers and healers for some powerful reasons. Because I value transparency, I'm sharing those reasons with you today.  First, I am going full steam ahead into my new consulting practice for autism families. Many of you know, I have a child on the spectrum and one year ago I finally stepped up as a leader to help other families thrive instead of letting stereotypes define them.    I never expected this to be my dharma. But it's here and it's so so needed.  Second, I've received so much joy from coaching yoga teachers over the last five years, I'm going to share the other reasons why I'm no longer serving this audience, because there's incredible value to those people who truly do want to earn a living through their yoga teaching and healing work.    Are you one of the rare people who are truly committed to being successful and financially independent as a wellness professional? If so, keep reading.  The real purpose of today's podcast is to have a radically honest conversation about why I'm choosing to release this part of my work, but also how I plan to go out with a bang because I want to serve the select few yoga teachers who are really serious in upleveling their business. If you're reading this and raising your hand and saying, “Sara, that's me! I'm the person who wants financial independence. I'm the person who wants to grow my business and support my family and support myself and live a beautiful life through this healing work,” this episode is going to create powerful shifts for you. 

On today's podcast episode, where we're talking about a topic I've seen come up in almost every sales call I've done this year: How the fixation with social media marketing that consumes so many yoga teachers, healers, and wellness professionals, is actually costing them money for so many reasons!   So many of my potential clients believe that if they just figure out the social media thing, money, clients, and success will fall from the sky.    I get it because I used to feel that way too.   What they don't realize is that their obsession with getting this "right" is causing them to miss out on tons of vital sales that are hanging out right in front of their noses.  We're going to dive into this in detail today. We're also going to look at how you can avoid this problem and create a profitable, powerful, sustainable business with or without social media. Come find out more on my latest episode.

On today's episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professiona we're looking at a very common and important question in most wellness businesses, and that is what's better for your business group work or one-on-one work. I come at this through the yoga lens and I've worked with many wellness professionals of all kinds, but one common theme that I see in the yoga world time and time again, is that group work is what really lights people up, but it doesn't pay as well. ​​In many cases, yoga teachers will often make better money for teaching a one-on-one session. However many of them say they hate teaching the one-on-one sessions. They love the group work, but they feel like they have to teach one-on-ones in order to make ends meet so to speak. ​I want to call this out and say that it's not true. Come find out why on the latest episode. Click the link below to listen now.​

on today's podcast episode, where I'm getting real with you. About the time both myself and my business got sued. That's right. Someone managed to take Saratoga to court, and while it was uncomfortable at the time, it was one of the best things that has ever happened to my business. And to me, I know that sounds crazy, but stay with me and listen through the entire episode. And you're going to hear how it really made me bolder. It made my business stronger and I don't regret one moment of it. The reason I'm sharing this here today with you is because so many people I speak with clients, potential clients, people on social media, et cetera, really want to put themselves out there into the world. They want to share their gifts and their passions. They want to help and heal others. And yet they're scared of all the things that might go wrong. They're scared of the haters. They're scared of the negative reviews and they're scared of the big, bad Wolf lawsuits. My hope in sharing this with you today is to show you that for many people, this is just a milestone in your business. Just like getting your first refund request. It's nothing to lay awake at night. Wondering about it's nothing to prevent you from putting yourself out there to the world, unless you choose for it to be. So I'm going to run you through what happened when myself and my business faced that worst case scenario of someone filing a lawsuit against us and how we got through it and what we learned along the way, because I am a better person now for having gone through this experience.

On today's podcast episode, where we're talking about three things you can do right now to bring more money into your wellness business. So often people over-complicate this, they think, I need more money. I'm not reaching my goals. They start thinking about a whole new line of services to sell or having to go into a launch model of selling, selling, selling really hard. This doesn't feel good or natural to them. I'm here to blow this notion right up in your face and tell you that it doesn't have to be that hard. It doesn't have to be that complicated to bring more money into your business right now. That said there are things that you need to show up for and take action on. So we're not going to pretend that you're sitting at home on the couch, eating Bon bons, and this is how you're going to make more money. Definitely not. You're going to have to show up and take action. It can be simplified and it can be much more joyful than you expected it to be. Some of this podcast episode might be new techniques that you've never even thought of. Some of it might be a little bit scary, even though straightforward. I'm going to encourage you to listen all the way through. Running a successful business that grows healthily, one that is profitable and sustainable is often not the most sexy thing. What I mean is that you're not always launching new services. You're not always doing hardcore social media campaigns. Sometimes it's the small behind the scenes tasks that make the biggest difference. This episode is going to highlight that very, very well. Come found out more on this episode of Ancient Wisdom of the Modern Wellness Professional. You can listen now wherever you enjoy podcasts, and if you haven’t already, please be sure to leave a review on Apple or Stitcher.

On today's podcast episode we're once again talking about sales. I see this subject as beautiful, magical, and fun. Others find it nausea inducing. If that sounds more like you, then take a deep breath because you're in the right place. However, today we are looking at sales through a different lens. Namely, why aren't you closing them, even when you go into a sales call with confidence?  Many of you have popped up recently in my dm's and in my email telling me about this exact issue, and you're all saying the same thing.    You're going into the sales call feeling excited, prepared, and enthusiastic. You've been devoted podcast listeners and used your intake forms to qualify your prospect beforehand (good job!) and are aware this person could be an ideal client for you. But instead of closing the sale you up going into the friend zone, except you don't remember losing control of the call. When I ask you what went wrong you sincerely don't know.  The answer is more straightforward than you think, and you can start changing the outcome of your sales calls immediately once you discover it (no, you don't need another certificate to do it). 

On today's podcast episode, we were taking an honest look at the sales activity you're probably missing. Today I am going to give you tips that you should implement in your business, starting today and watch your sales and revenue transform for the better are you ready? When most new yoga teachers and wellness professionals who I coach dive into their onboarding process with me, they usually come in thinking that their problem is in the form of marketing or social media. As we look closely at everything in their business, we quickly realize what they have is a selling problem. Now, there is so much chatter all over the place. So much talk about launching and getting your online program up and running. People tell you to create email funnels as if, once you automate all of these things, you can just set it and forget it. And watch sales magically fall from the sky. Will these processes help your selling? Yes, they will. Are they enough on their own? Absolutely not. Come find out how to fix your selling problem on todays episode

On today's podcast episode I have a very special guest, one of my favorite guests, Nicole Otchy. Nicole is not only a brilliant personal stylist, but she is a dear friend of mine. We went to high school together, so we go way back. We're both 40 this year. So we go way, way back. It's been such a joy to discover each other as adults, as business owners and as fellow women moving forward in our lives. If you don't follow Nicole on Instagram, first of all, you should. Second of all, our topic today came from an announcement that she made last week on her Instagram that stirred up a lot of news and really joyful news at that. That was her pregnancy announcement. She shared very vulnerably that she is and that she has been waiting to share this announcement for five years. From that came beautiful topic of how can you show up for yourself for your business on social media, in your email, or however you need to show up, even in person. If you're going through things behind the scenes that make you feel challenged or sometimes less than or questioned yourself then this episode is for you. Nicole has certainly experienced this with her journey towards being pregnant and a mother. I've certainly experienced this in my life as being a mother to a special needs child and having a journey that looks really different. So today we are both getting really honest and personal with you, and we're going to dive right into this topic.

On today's podcast episode, where we're going to get quite disruptive as I like to do and really call out something that needs to be called out in our very large, very competitive yoga and wellness industry.   If you want to increase your income, and I'm guessing you do because you're listening to this podcast to begin with, stop trying to be the best in your industry.   Now we're going to break this down and go into the complexities.   There are a lot of them.   I want you to listen to this from a place of curiosity and not from a place of judging yourself, because certainly you're going to hear things that sound a lot like what you've been doing.   And there's no judgment in that. I've certainly experienced almost all of these things myself, so I know how it feels and I'm here to coach you through it.   If you are ready for help to move out of the self-judgement zone click the link below to book a call with me.   https://form.typeform.com/to/u3clhS  

On today's episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional I am diving into the details around how I can serve and support you today. I'm sharing this episode today for two reasons. One, my business has changed tremendously over the last year, and now not only do I work with yoga students, I also coach yoga teachers as I have for many years, as you probably know, from listening to this podcast, but I also work with special needs parents. I have opened up a consulting practice for this population in the last year. So if that speaks to you, you're going to want to listen all the way to the end. The other reason I'm sharing this episode today is because let's face it. Our world is a different place than it was even just one year ago.

On todays episode we are diving into a topic that keeps coming up, especially from new clients who I've recently welcomed into my business. This is the topic of sabotaging being visible due to the fear of being judged. This is especially problematic if you KNOW you can help someone with your healing gifts, but you don’t put yourself out there because you’re concerned about being judged by others. This is especially true for those who’ve been schooled by the “Karens” in their industry about how they are supposed to do things.   If you've never listened to anything else that I've said on any of my podcast episodes, I want you to listen to this now. You are being judged already.  You are being judged every day of your life. You've been judged since the day you were born. Can we just rip this bandaid off now and take away the mystery? Stop acting out of fear. Stop trying to tiptoe around and prevent yourself from being judged.  You're being judged already. You always will be. If you choose to let it stop you, the only one you’re hurting is yourself. Come listen to more on the latest episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional and find out how you can step out of the shadows and really put yourself out there and be really unapologetic about your sales and selling to people.  

On today's podcast episode I am interviewing a brilliant teacher and a beautiful person, Stefanie Seher. Stephanie is from Germany. We met in an online group, which was centered around an abundance mindset program. We grew to have a wonderful relationship. Eventually Stefanie became a client of mine. One of the things I love about her was that she didn't wait to dive into the business side of her work. Stefanie new it was her time and that she didn't need to wait until she taught yoga for 10 years or been a practitioner for 20 years before she saw results in her business.  Come hear Stefanie's story on the latest episode.

On today's podcast episode,  I am thrilled to have  Jacquette Timmons, financial behaviorist, an author, a speaker, and a podcaster, as my guest  I had the pleasure of attending one of Jacquette's pricing workshops in 2020, and let me tell you, she left quite an impression. I have attended many money seminars over the years and Jacquette's was the only one who asked questions that were not only appropriate, but SO disruptive in a good way. Seriously, they made me  I knew I had to have Jacquette on the podcast to deliver her deep financial wisdom with you. We laugh a lot and go into a strong, nuanced conversation about money quickly, covering so many key points that wellness professionals need to hear but are often ignored by money experts.   

On today's podcast episode, where we're diving into a question that might sound obvious, but is actually very nuanced and layered. This is a question that you can ask of your clients, but it's also a really important checking point for you to ask yourself.  The question of, is this person coachable, or to turn the mirror towards yourself? Am I coachable?  You might initially think, of course isn't everybody coachable? Well, the answer is no.  ​​The reasons why might surprise you as we get into them. I'm hoping this episode allows you to get even more discerning with your screening process when you're evaluating, whether someone is the right type of client for you, or you're the right type of person to serve them. ​​It's also crucial that you check in with yourself on this topic because many people in the yoga and wellness industries go gangbusters and hire coach after coach or sign up for program after program, and then feel frustrated when they don't get the results that they want.  ​​And to that, I say the only common denominator in that situation is you. So let's dive in and conquer what is a really valuable topic today.

On the podcast today  we are diving into a really important question for you as a wellness professional, whether you're a yoga teacher or a personal trainer or a Reiki master does not matter. This question is relevant for you. The question is, do you have a spending issue? I'm not talking about the kind of spending issue where it's feast or famine or the type of spending issue where you go into debt. Today's issue is more of an issue around personal identity.  This comes up a lot for wellness professionals, especially when it comes to getting new certificates. That was the subject of the very first episode of this podcast. So that's not a new topic. I've spoken about it countless times, but today we're looking at it from the angle of spending. Let's dive in.  

How many times have you said the words, "let me meditate on it?" On today's podcast episode I am calling out the pervasive advice spiritual seekers not only give to others but also take themselves.  I know the intention behind this advice is good. The advice givers want to support you in making a thoughtful choice, not acting impulsively, etc. But we're going to talk today about why this is actually becoming problematic, especially amongst wellness professionals and spiritual professionals.    Are you "meditating" on things or just plain procrastinating? Come find out more on this episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional.

On this weeks episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness professional, we're examining the topic of the “thing” you’ve been unwilling to do in your business? I coach many wellness professionals, and ALL OF THEM have blocks around something major, such as being visible on social media, selling, owning their worth, and charging appropriate prices.  Often, those things feel big, scary, and impossible to tackle. These aren’t the big things I’m talking about. With the right support,with the right coach, with the right team, you can manage that stuff seamlessly. I'm here to talk about doing the thing that feels impossible. That feels like you might actually die in the process. The reason for that is something deeper. It's something deeper than just the money, the sales call, or the new branding.  You're probably expecting me, a deeply intuitive person who is very connected to my feelings and emotions in any situation, to tell you that when you feel yourself encountering that resistance around that huge thing, you're unwilling to do that you should acknowledge your discomfort and then avoid doing that thing.  That's not what I'm here to say, and I speak from recent experience.  So I want you to think of the thing that is so big, so intense, and so scary that you would judge yourself harshly for doing this thing.  I'm also here to ask you, what's there for you on the other side of this judgment Come find out more on Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional.

This week on Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional we are going to share one of our favorite episodes from 2020.   This podcast episode is a testament to a principle I firmly believe in: The more you show up as the most powerful version of YOU, the more successful you become.   Bianca Passiglia (Bianca Lotus) is a past client and a brilliant teacher in her own right. Well before the COVID-19 pandemic began, I invited Bianca to be interviewed for this podcast to discuss her journey as a healer and business woman. When she showed up with her harmonium in tow and declared that we would be incorporating chanting into our episode, I thought, "of course we are, this is SO Bianca." And we did.    Our conversation covers everything from the scariest thing I asked her to do during our work together, to what it REALLY means to hold space for someone, to that time she had to have a super awkward conversation with her 75 year old teacher (it's the most entertaining story we've ever told on the podcast).    What I want you to receive from this episode is, there is no cookie cutter approach to yoga practice or yoga teaching. As Bianca's mentor, my goal was NOT to make her a cookie cutter version of me. Instead, I was committed to supporting her as she stepped into a more powerful version of herself.    Listen all the way to the end of the episode to hear her stunning voice. She even put me on the spot to chant with her, and I happily obliged. 

Today on Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional we have a very special guest LaShanna Small.  LaShanna is a yoga teacher, a mother, a grandmother, and a woman of color. Today she is going to share her story of how she has been able to step up and share her voice on the issue of racial inequality in the spiritual community.

Today on Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional I’m sharing my evolution as a yoga teacher and business owner in hopes it will inspire you.  There were some unpredictable bumps and detours that I could never have anticipated on my path and I get real around these with you today.  I want to do this because people have this idea that they're going to become a yoga teacher or healer and everything will sort itself out without any effort. Their schedule will be perfect, they'll make plenty of money, and they'll live the dream.  But the reality for many of you is a very, very different one.  It was for me too until I made powerful investments in myself.  Dive into this episode to hear more about what I invested in and how I transformed my business to one that’s thriving on the podcast now.

On today's podcast episode, where we're taking a close look at how to successfully advocate for yourself and your business. I am an expert at this, and I'm not ashamed to say it,  both because of my work as a CEO and also because I am a special needs mom.  This has taught me an immense amount about how to stand up and hold boundaries and advocate, even when it's incredibly uncomfortable. For those of you who are new listeners, I have two children. My eldest is 10. His name is Rocco. He's an amazing child. He has some special needs, including being on the autism spectrum. His verbal abilities are challenged. So he communicates with word approximations and also with an assistive tech device.  It's really been up to me to be his voice for many years. I can say now beyond a shadow of a doubt that you can put me in a meeting room with a dozen other people who do not want what I want for him. I can come out of that meeting with confidence, knowing that I've gotten him exactly what he needs. I am completely unflappable in that work.  ​​So even though today's podcast is around business, it really is a great example of how you're you. Wherever you go and the skills that you learn in your life will support your business, but also your business skills will support your life. ​​​This is an exciting episode. One I've been cooking up for a long time.

On today's podcast episode I'm here with a call to action for all yoga teachers and healers listening.  It's time for you to take back the dream. What do I mean?    I want you to go back in time, to before you ever did your first yoga teacher training and remember that exciting and beautiful phase in your life that was full of joy at the idea of building a career around the dream life.  Think back to the excitement you felt at the idea of creating your own schedule, one that allowed you to thrive. Think back to the anticipation you had around a career that focused on transforming the lives of others instead of sitting in a cubicle every day.   Think back to all these dreams you had for yourself when you showed up for the first day of your certification program. Now, fast forward to 2020.   It's time to get brutally honest with yourself and check in. Have those dreams come to life? Or are you hustling from one session to the next, all day, every day, and feeling like that dream was just a naive moment in time? If the latter is how you feel today, I want you to know you're not alone. It doesn't have to be that way anymore. This podcast episode is a truth bomb. It's not enough to read the books. It's not enough to listen to the podcasts. If you want to take back that dream you had for yourself and create something better for your life while still helping others, then listen up, because we're going to talk about how you can get those dreams back on track and bring them to life instead of derailing them forever.    Come find out how on the latest episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional. 

On today's podcast we are talking about taking inspired action, which sounds so simple on the surface. In real life, it can have layers of complexity.    For example, a listener reached out to share the following conundrum:  “I'm really eager to open my own business, but I'm currently in the middle of a contract as an employee for another organization. Until this contract is over, it really limits what I can do. So I guess my hands are tied for the moment?” What I want you to hear from today's episode is that even when you can't take action, you CAN still take some action (and powerful action at that). So whether you're feeling stuck because you've got kids home 24/7 (ahem, quarantine life), or you’re bound by a non compete or a contract, or you're teaching someplace where you're not allowed to promote yourself, don’t despair.....because YOU CAN STILL TAKE ACTION RIGHT NOW! It’s time to move yourself forward as the business person that you are in a way that is respectful and honors the agreements, which you have entered into willingly. You don’t have to wait for circumstances around you to change. YOU have to decide to change right now. Yes, the action you’re able to take might look different from what you imagined, but taking those steps is still better than doing nothing.  This episode is going to show you how you can empower yourself to take action today. If you are interested in taking action now, click the link below to get more information on my upcoming workshop Take Back the Dream-https://sarayoga.com/takebackthedream/

On today's podcast we're getting into a topic that's juicy and might even trigger you a bit.  Your need to seek external validation is ruining your business.  Take a deep breath, because I want you to know we all at some point seek external validation, even if it's just for a moment. There’s nothing wrong with you.   You might already be aware that it's an old habit and doesn't really serve you anymore, but if you’re constantly checking in with others to validate the steps you’re taking (or avoiding) in you’re business, it’s going to drain your energy and provide you with heaps of unnecessary problems to solve. Which stirs up and important question:   Are you prioritizing what YOU want in your business? Or are you ticking boxes just because you think it will gain you approval? If you’re doing the latter, I’ve got a spoiler alert for you: you’re wasting your time.  This episode is going to help you identify why external validation is not helpful and how you can side step this toxic habit to run a thriving business.  Come find out how on the latest episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional. 

On today's podcast episode we are answering a listener's question, which is: Should I temporarily raise my prices to help me recover from COVID-19 ? Is that a good move for my business?  My answer might surprise you. It's a nuanced answer and we look at it both from the consumer’s viewpoint as well as yours. It also brings up the question of how to raise your prices in general. When is it a good idea? How can you do it from a place of strategy and integrity?   Over the years, I’ve had more questions around pricing than almost anything else. This is a powerful episode which I know will help you make the right decisions for your business, no matter what those around you are saying.  Come find out the answers to these questions on the latest episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional. 

Many of you know that I have a four month course called What You Didn't Learn in Yoga Teacher Training. It covers all the ins and outs wellness professionals need to know in order to survive and thrive as legitimate business owners. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes and sharing with you the three most crucial things that you do not learn in yoga teacher training (or in any certification program, for that matter). These elements are essential to know if you are planning to be a wellness professional for the long haul. If you're like me, you’re planning to go beyond just making ends meet as a healing professional. You want to have more than enough to achieve financial independence and provide for your family. You want to sustain a career that does not suck the life out of you, but actually allows you to live a more inspired, energized life. I get it! 

Every business faces challenges, and I feel strongly that those faced by yoga teachers and healers are a special kind of intense.  On today's podcast episode we're examining how the obstacles in your business are actually necessary for catapulting you into the most confident and unflappable version of you. Is it annoying and sometimes awful to go through them? For sure. But on the other side, nothing can rattle you.  I'm a firm believer that every situation is happening FOR you, not to you. You can choose to believe the latter and be a victim, of course. Or you can put your CEO pants on and face them, knowing they are shaping you into exactly who you need to be.  If your business is going through something uncomfortable right now, you are not alone. I can guarantee that. In fact, on today’s episode I share a big, scary situation I just encountered myself. Confession: I tried to avoid it and prayed the universe would just get rid of it for me. But on the other side, I’ve never felt more like a boss (and I wish I’d just handled it right away). Come find out how you can use these challenges to grow on the latest episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional.  

On today's podcast episode, we're diving into a very important topic and a very relevant topic for the current worldview we're in.  That is the topic of, should you charge less for zoom yoga or virtual yoga? This isn't just relevant for the yoga community. This is relevant for any healing modality and really for the entire world right now, because everybody is working virtually since the COVID-19 epidemic began in mid-March. A student approached me with this question about a month ago, she almost apologized for asking it and said, you know, I'm really sorry. I know this is a loaded question. I said to her, actually, it's not, to me. It's a very straightforward question. It's a simple question. One, that's probably easier for you to answer than you think so let's go for it and see all the different sides that are present in this issue. Come find out my answer on the latest episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional.

On today's podcast episode I interview a very special guest!    Nicole Otchy is a personal stylist and branding consultant for high performers who are ready to use their wardrobes as a tool to become more fully self-expressed. I’ve also known her since we were 14 years old. Even as a teenager, she was one of the most quick witted, insightful people I’d ever met. She continues to be all that and more, and it’s an honor to have her share her wisdom with us.  What wisdom is that? Nicole doesn’t mince words as we discuss why you need to get out of your yoga pants In order shift into a higher level of success in your business. Yup, 4 way stretch pants don’t always equate to more profits. Why? Because you aren’t just a yoga teacher. You’re a thought leader. You have a brand. You’re a business owner. It’s time to own it and look the part. I've worked with Nicole as her client, fyi. When I hired her I was feeling really very much in a rut in how I looked, how I felt about myself. It’s hard to feel like a CEO when you’re like a soccer mom living in lululemon. I knew I wanted to show up differently in my work, feel confident during interviews, find my voice during speaking engagements, and feel steady no matter what opportunities came my way.    I didn’t want to look like a stuffy pantsuit kind of woman, obviously. I wanted to be comfortable in my own style (which includes lots of rose gold and skulls).  I've been on a yogic journey for 20 years. I’ve been on a personal growth/coaching journey for 7 of them. And when I began my work with Nicole I was SHOCKED and confronted by how much I saw in myself that I had never seen before.  Come find out how Nicole helped me get out of my yoga pants and show up more powerfully for myself and my clients. To get more info about Nicole and her consulting business please go to : https://www.nicoleotchy.com/ 

On today's podcast episode we’re getting REAL regarfing the fear you have about taking your career to the next level. During my recent launch I spoke with many yoga teachers just like you about the fears they have in investing in themselves. Ultimately, everyone’s nerves boiled down to one core fear lurking beneath all the others, “What if I make this investment and then not be accountable enough to do the work?”    Essentially, they were afraid they would break the promises they make to themselves.    Did you keep the promise you made to yourself to practice today? Because if you broke that promise it’s no wonder you’re scared of a bigger one.    Ditto with the promises you’ve made to yourself to get up earlier, cut down your wine consumption, and finally launch that online course you’ve been thinking about.    See the pattern?    It’s time to talk to the person in charge about this (ahem, you).  Today I am giving you the tools your need to rebuild trust in yourself and take action. Come find out my thoughts on my latest episode. Get more info on my new Take Back the Dream Program- sarayoga.com/takebackthedream

On today's podcast episode I am celebrating 1 year of podcasting! Yes that is right, Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional has officially been out for one year.  Today I’m sharing with you my biggest takeaways from this past year as a podcaster. Some of these revalations were surprising even to me. There were certainly days when I wondered if my message was making an impact at all. Were people even listening?  The answer is yes, they most certainly were (and still are). I have had so many listeners reach out and say that the podcast spoke to them as healers and wellness professionals who are ready to grow. I’m so thankful my insight has helped them move forward.  Come find out how my podcast has helped me become more visible, how it has helped me make a  bigger impact, and how I made more sales. 

I'm coming at you in this podcast episode with a simple, straightforward message. It's time to quit hiding and start being visible.  If you're looking to take your business to your next level, and I know you are because you are listening to this podcast, then pay attention now.  So many people feel comfortable with their money with their clients, with their marketing before they feel comfortable, really cranking up their visibility and stepping out into the world to showcase their gifts. So you're not alone. If this feels like a scary topic for you can also do something about it today, visibility looks different for everybody. It doesn't just mean going live on social media every day. The work more does not mean better in that regard, by the way, but it's about taking yourself to your edge, with your message so that the right people hear you, see you, learn to trust you, and eventually buy from you.  So if you're hiding at home, because you're not comfortable with your weight or you don't like the way your nose looks, or you have a sincere fear around it, you're not helping anyone else receive your expertise when they need it. You're also not helping yourself move your business forward.  So today let's take a closer look at what might be blocking you and how you can move through that mindfully with grace and ease so that you can catapult your business into a much stronger place.

On today's podcast episode, where we're talking about the single most important thing you need to do to move yourself forward in your business.  ​I coach and mentor all different kinds of wellness, entrepreneurs, yoga teachers, healers, people who facilitate women's circles and energy work. All of these unique people have unique goals. None of them are the same, which is why cookie cutter approaches to success never work.  ​​Some of these people desire more money for themselves and to support their families, others, desire to learn how to trust themselves and be a better leader. Others still want to learn how to manage bigger groups of people as their studios and communities grow. ​What they have in common is the fact that all of them are willing to step up and implement the strategies that we come up with together.  ​​What I want you to know is that it doesn't matter how ironclad your strategy is. It doesn't matter how many marketing plans you have. It doesn't matter how many podcasts episodes you listened to. If you do not set aside the time and energy to actually implement these things in your business, you're going to go nowhere. Come find out more on my latest episode.​

On today's podcast we are going to talk about reframing your mindset around the type of people you want to attract and your business.

On today's podcast episode, we are looking at the sneakiest and most subversive assumptions that healers, wellness entrepreneurs and small business owners make that can derail your business fast. It turns out that my mom was right when she said “when you assume it makes an ass out of you and me”.  Today, we’re investigating how we can avoid this toxic practice. I'm not trying to be cute here. I see business owners engage in this habit all the time. It leads to loads of limiting beliefs that prevent them from going to their next level of success.  If you’re ready to opt out of this negative habit, all I’m here for it. But it’s up to you to take an honest look at what's happening in your business, as opposed to projecting your stuff onto your clients, suppliers, etc. Whenever my business friends and I catch one another making an assumption that isn't necessarily true, we play a little game called bust that belief, in which we share evidence that what one of us is assuming to be true in her business, actually isn't.  Join me on the podcast today to play a little game of bust that belief with some of the most common assumptions you’re likely to face on the road to success.  

Where matters of inclusion are concerned, the yoga industry has been muted for years. Therein lies the problem. Many people are muting themselves on social media this week in solidarity with the the Black Lives Matter movement, a movement which I fully support. However, some yoga and wellness businesses and influencers are using this as a chance to continue to remain silent in the name of “love and light”. This is unacceptable. Today’s episode is an acknowledgment of the mistakes yoga and wellness businesses have made (my business included) and how we can take responsibility for ushering in change. I’m not a perfect leader and I most certainly will make mistakes along the way. So will you. But just like I do on my yoga mat, I’m committed to working through these mistakes and continuing to show up day after day as I become a better ally to BIPOC in the wellness world and beyond. P.S. Listen all the way to the end of the episode to hear what resources have helped me. I’m sure they will help you too.

On today’s podcast episode I’m sharing what might be a rude awakening for you: running a profitable, thriving is often boring and unsexy. In truth, it can feel like the movie Groundhog Day.    When your nervous system is wired for drama, you’ll feel confronted by the monotony of what a successful business really looks like, self sabotage often shows up.    It’s a lot like dating. If you’ve spent years dating jerks and only know the stomach flipping feeling induced by constant emotional highs and lows, the boredom of normalcy feels like a sign that something is wrong when actually it's a sign that things are going well. If you allow your nervous system to adapt to the boredom, you’re in for smooth sailing. If not, you start creating drama in order to make things feel familiar.    This happens in business, too. People make things overly difficult. They try to reinvent the wheel. They start allowing drama to sneak into situations where there doesn't need to be any drama (ahem, communication issues).  Today, we are diving into how you can allow your nervous system to make peace with the steadiness, even boredom of success instead of wreaking havoc on healthy routines for your business. Want to learn more about SaraYoga? Visit www.sarayoga.com  

On today’s podcast episode we’re talking about the biggest lessons I have learned from self isolation with COVID-19. Now that we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, I hear people saying that we are ready to be back to normal. Here is what I have to say, We will never be back to normal. If you keep saying you are ready to be back to normal, then you are missing the entire point of the lessons we have learned over the last 9 weeks of self isolation.  I am thankful for these lessons as now we have seen what the addition to busyness and many fo the systems and ways of life we have in place are not sustainable for our lives. We have had to become more resourceful then we have ever had to be. We have seen our planet heal and recover.  I hope that we never return back to the way we were, but we will resume to a new rhythm of life with greater appreciation and new insights into our way of being. Come hear more on my latest episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional. 

On today’s podcast episode we’re taking an honest look at what COVID-19 and the subsequent “free yoga epidemic” has taught us about our industry. There’s a lot to unpack here, both positive and negative.  First, let me say that yoga teachers and healers have huge hearts. Their strong desire to help others is beautiful and it comes from a noble place.   Unfortunately, this compulsion to caretake others has also showcased a plethora of other issues in its wake. What kind? Let me count the ways! Sadly, many teachers and studios do not value themselves or their level of knowledge. I have seen teachers tossing free classes around left and right, then creating a go fund me pages to ask for help covering their expenses. Why not just own your expertise and charge appropriately for your services from the start?  Yoga teachers who understand leadership have been able to weather this storm with steadiness and strength by providing consistency for their people. Those who don’t are on the express train to burnout and it’s not pretty.  If the constant pivot of the last 9 weeks has been a drain on your energy, please know it doesn’t have to be that way. You can change your patterns for the better, and I can help you do it.  

On today's episode where we're diving into why it is absolutely crucial that all healers, not just yoga teachers step up and lead right now.  As I record this episode we are heading into week eight of self isolation during the coronavirus pandemic.The panic button was pushed long ago and the adrenaline that goes hand in hand with that has come and gone. People are now settling into their new normal or (trying to). As the novelty wears off, many people are looking for sustainable tools for their well being. Mental health is finally becoming a centerpiece in people’s self care routines. The longer people isolate (which is not natural for humans) the more they realize caring for both their physical bodies and their mental state is crucial to coming out the other side of this pandemic in a strong way.    People are actively seeking healing practices like yoga, reiki, and various modalities to help them at home and beyond. They need them now. This is YOUR time to step up and lead.  I know you're probably thinking, who am I to lead others in the midst of such chaos and suffering? I’m here to lovingly lower the boom and remind you that this is NOT the time for you to hide. Your crucial healing talents are needed now more than ever.  Come find out more on how to lead on my latest episode of Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Wellness Professional.

Sometimes good clients go bad. And especially if you've been teaching yoga or doing your healing work for some time, you know exactly what I'm talking about. You sign a new client, they're really excited to work with you. You begin your work together, everything is going well and then boom, you get an email or an awkward text message from them saying it's not working out and they can't continue. How do you handle this?

On today's podcast we are throwing it back to one of my favorite episodes where we  focus on releasing the energy of indecision. This sounds a little bit woo-woo, but I promise you this is essential to uplevelling your business. You know exactly what indecision looks like in real life. in fact, you’ve probably experienced it this week. For example, you have an event coming up, such as a workshop or a retreat. Right away, a few people tell you they can't wait to attend. But when you send them the link to sign up? Crickets. They don't respond. They do continue to follow you on social media. They continue to interact with you via “likes” and emoji comments, but when you say, "Okay, I'm doing my head count for the event, let me know if you're coming," they avoid you. This type of awkward behavior happens to every business owner, so don’t take it personally. Come find out how to handle this scenario and remove yourself from the ickiness of indecision on today’s new episode!

Today’s podcast episode focuses on how these detrimental patterns sneak their way into your life and inhibit your ability to go after your goals in a big way. If you want to stop sabotaging your success, you’ve got to clean up your own energy first. I’m thrilled to welcome Bianca Passiglia (Bianca Lotus), an expert in balancing masculine and feminine energies, back to the podcast today to show you how you can identify and break your own toxic patterns and go on to build supportive, powerful habits instead.    

Today's podcast episode is a testament to a principle I firmly believe in: The more you show up as the most powerful version of YOU, the more successful you become.   Bianca Passiglia (Bianca Lotus) is a past client and a brilliant teacher in her own right. Well before the COVID-19 pandemic began, I invited Bianca to be interviewed for this podcast to discuss her journey as a healer and business woman. When she showed up with her harmonium in tow and declared that we would be incorporating chanting into our episode, I thought, "of course we are, this is SO Bianca." And we did.    Our conversation covers everything from the scariest thing I asked her to do during our work together, to what it REALLY means to hold space for someone, to that time she had to have a super awkward conversation with her 75 year old teacher (it's the most entertaining story we've ever told on the podcast).    What I want you to receive from this episode is, there is no cookie cutter approach to yoga practice or yoga teaching. As Bianca's mentor, my goal was NOT to make her a cookie cutter version of me. Instead, I was committed to supporting her as she stepped into a more powerful version of herself.    Listen all the way to the end of the episode to hear her stunning voice. She even put me on the spot to chant with her, and I happily obliged. 

In addition to facing a global pandemic, we're also facing an "infodemic" as we constantly sift through news stories and social media, looking to separate facts from sensationalism. It's exhausting.    Today's podcast episode is not here to deliver you more information. You're being fire hosed with that already. Instead, I'm delivering an episode to guide you through calming and centering your nervous system, because that is what you REALLY need right now.    While I can't force you to listen to this episode, I'm going to strongly encourage you to stop what you're doing, sit in the car or in your room, and meditate with me. Don't start strategizing how and where you're going to do this or rush to answer all the emails in your inbox first. Simply STOP, put your phone on do not disturb, and give yourself the gift of time to breathe. I'm here to guide you through it, right now.    If you normally meditate but it has felt harder for you lately, you're not alone. Your mind is working overtime to filter through the onslaught of stimuli. This episode will help you too. It's not just for beginners. It's the way I meditate, every single day.   Join me in this 8 minute meditation

On today's podcast episode where we're calling a spade a spade here and taking a solid look at burnout. And I'm not here to mince words, I'm not here to pat you on the back and tell you that it's all okay if you're feeling burnt out. That's not what we're doing. We are taking an honest look at what burnout really is and steps that you can take today to avoid it. Here's the thing guys. If you are listening to this podcast, chances are you are in the business of health, wellness, stress management, and if you are burning out, you're out of integrity with your message and what you're selling. I'm not here for that and neither are you. So let's get really clear on some of the sneakier ways burnout has crept into the yoga community and healing community because it has in a big way. It's almost a buzzword now and it's something that really needs to be taken seriously.

In this episode Sara Intonato discusses why your personal practice is the most imporatnt business activity that you do. You can find out more at https://sarayoga.com/why-your-practice-is-the-most-important-business-activity-youll-do/    

On today's podcast episode we're diving into the question I am asked more than any other, which is, “Sara, how do you balance your lengthy yoga practice with running a business, raising a family, and advocating for your special needs child?” I'm so excited to answer this question.

On today's podcast episode we're diving into how to run your life and your business effectively when LIFE is LIFEING. In other words, how to overcome feelings of overwhelm with ease and with grace.  If you're like me, life is probably coasting for a while. Everything is dialed in, it feels good, and then boom, something intense happens. Maybe a relative gets sick, maybe you're in a car accident, maybe something in your house breaks and it needs to be renovated completely and you weren't expecting that job or that expense. I want you to know, I hear you, I see you. You're not in this alone. One of the reasons I'm qualified to give guidance on this topic is because I've lived it. Not only have I lived it, but I've lived it with a special needs child. Everything could be going well in my life and then all of a sudden my husband's business, because he's a business owner too, requires him to step up in a different way and I need to be more present at home. Other times I need to take care of sick children. Other times I need to be an advocate for my special needs kid, which if you've ever done it, you know is basically like having a full-time job in and of itself.  So whatever is thrown your way, I want you to know I get it and we're going to dive in today to talk about how to handle it with grace and ease and actual tools, five strategies that you can use right now to release feelings of overwhelm and step into a greater level of functioning in any area of your life, not just your business.

On today's podcast episode where we're diving into a topic that is not only important, but incredibly close to my heart, and it is how to be successful as a special needs parent. If you are not a special needs parent, but just a regular parent, this episode will be incredibly supportive of you as well. If you don't yet have a family but you're thinking about it, I encourage you to listen anyway because this episode is all about how to be laser-focused with your time and find the right supports for yourself in the form of habits, people, practices, that allow you to thrive even in the midst of challenge. If you've been tuning into this podcast for quite some time, you may not know that much about me as a mother, and it might be a surprise to you that I have two children, they're 18 months apart, a boy and a girl. And my son, Rocco, who is my eldest, who is 10 years old, is also a special needs child. He is on the autism spectrum and an incredible kid, though life with him is quite different than what I imagined life as a mother would be. I'm sharing this today even though it's something I previously kept quite private, because the numbers are only increasing. Children with autism in the world grow as a population every single year, and as a result, more special needs parents are born every single year as well. Almost everyone who I speak to, including yoga teachers who I mentor, have children who have some type of difference, whether it be a sensory processing issue or an attention deficit issue, there are all different kinds of special needs. What I've seen in this population is that these parents feel isolated, they feel ashamed, and they put themselves in a box in terms of placing limits around what's possible for them simply based on these societal messages. I'm here to turn that notion on its head and show you that you can thrive, but you have to be laser-focused in how you spend your time and your energy in order to do it all

Today’s podcast episode is the fourth in our sales series, which is one of my favorite topics to discuss. Sales used to be as scary as my hardest yoga pose. If I can master selling WITHOUT selling out, so can you.  If you've listened to the last three episodes, thank you! Don’t stop now, because this one is the most important episode in this series.    We've already covered how to prepare for a sales call, how to show up and lead a sales call like a boss, and certainly how to close a sale (because if you haven't received payment, you do NOT have a sale). But today's episode is even more vital than those because we're covering the most common hiccups you’ll encounter when holding a sales call.   When I teach sales to my mentoring clients, they immediately go to the “what if” scenarios and worry about how to handle them. Today, we're flushing that out so your mind can be at ease and you can go into your next sales conversation fully confident that no matter what happens, you’ve got this.