Fresh Breath for Yoga Teachers

In our highly stimulating environments, mantra utilizes concrete words spoken aloud which serve as a very impactful tool to shift one's focus even among distraction. Nikita offers insight to to the implementation of this practice and even offers the additional (also very concrete) tool of Mala beads for sharpening concentration. She invites us to bring this effective tool into our practice and our teachings.Show notes and contact information www.theElegantOutlaw.com

With upmost respect for the scientific and somatic elements of the yoga practice; Nikita brings to our attention that sanskrit mantra evokes deities of mythology. This practice carries a distinctly mystical (or even magical) element to it and she points out that perhaps there exist room for this magic even in an increasingly fact-based reality we exist in.Show notes and contact information www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Meet Nikita Ahuja, yoga teacher and artist! Nikita's teaching practice is informed by a disciplined ashtanga practice combined with her upbringing in a traditional Indian household where yoga was introduced to her in the form of Sanskrit mantra, philosophy, pranayama, and Ayurveda. Her parents shared practices of repeating different mantras and eating (or fasting from) specific foods to reach a state of balance, depending on the situation or imbalance she was experiencing. There were specific practices denoted for sleep, anxiousness, lethargy, loss, celebration, etc. In this episode Nikita speaks to implementing Mantra as a tool for alignment & awareness both in our activities of daily life as well as our practice of teaching yoga.Show notes and contact information at www.theElegantOutlaw.com 

Did you know that there are 7 patterns of functional movement, all of which are easily identifiable in the postures (asanas) of yoga? Together we explore what functional movement is and just how beneficial it can be to mindfully integrate this information into our practice of teaching yoga. Through mindfully teaching and consciously creating sequences we help our students recreate healthy habits & patterns of movement!Show notes and contact info at www.theElegantOutlaw.com 

Each yoga student is a unique and complex being, composed of mind, body and spirit. How do we support the WHOLE being in each one of our classes? This is an opportunity to reflect upon your classes with an analytical eye to evaluate the support you are offering the practitioners in your community.Show notes and contact information at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Contrary to popular belief, creating accessible asana  for community classes is much more than simply modifying poses to be "easier" for students. Accessibility, especially in yoga practice, is a complex & multi-faceted topic. In this episode, I outline a 5-point framework to begin creating classes that are truly for all bodies, levels, ages and more. This is by no means a step-by-step guide (if ONLY it were that easy), but rather interdependent variables to constantly evaluate and re-evaluate. .⁠.⁠This is also insight into the first module of our 300-YTT, as the curriculum is inspired by the 3 values of the Elegant Outlaw Collective ACCESSIBILITY, SUPPORT & FUNCTIONALITY.Show notes at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

The long awaited 300 Yoga Teacher Training is NOW open for registration! It was a slow & arduous journey of thoughtful curriculum development and credentialing process, but it is very satisfying to bring you such a comprehensive program. The curriculum for this registered yoga school is naturally based on the 3 values of the Elegant Outlaw Collective: Accessibility, Support & Function. If you are interested in learning more advanced & subtle techniques to teaching...learn more here!Schedule: April 17th - August 6th, 2022Format: Combination online & destination in person learningOnline: Self-paced via on-the-go mobile app & live key note speakers (THEORY)In-person Format: 2 week intensive (APPLICATIONS) in Sayulita, MexicoDestination Location: Haramara Yoga Retreat Center (lodging & 3 meals/day included in price)Early Bird Pricing: $4000 (deposit due 1/31/2022)Regular registration: $4800 (deposit due 1/31/2022More information at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Especially with the increase in students being referred to yoga practice, more often we see students with pre-existing injuries and problem areas in the body. Eric Finger (Austin- based physical therapist and yoga practitioner) discusses concepts such as regional interdependence, the path of least resistance and more. These topics help us to avoid exacerbating already-existing injuries in our yoga students.For show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Yoga should be a healing modality for body, mind and breath/spirit, but unfortunately sustaining injuries in practice is a reality.  But why and when do injuries occur?  In this episode, Eric Finger (Austin-based mobile physical therapist) and I explore this topic of provoking injuries. More importantly we speak about how to prevent injuries in yoga practice.For show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Eric Finger (Mobile physical therapist, father of three, triathlete and yoga practitioner) speaks to his own personal injury in yoga when a well-intentioned teacher "assisted" him into a deeper range of motion in plow pose. Even so, Eric acknowledges the wealth of benefits that this practice has to offer. After thorough evaluation and assessment, Eric will still refer some (not all) his own clients to yoga practice. He gives us some insight to this process and additionally, we explore some of the elements that contributed to this injury in practice and of course what we as teachers can do (and not do) in preventing situations like this.Show notes and contact information www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Surrender can be explained...or better said.....surrender can be experienced first at a somatic level. Being that the majority of students arrive to yoga practice for the physical benefits, but often stay practicing for the mental, emotional, & spiritual benefits; we can encourage our students to first feel release in the postures before explaining the meaning. Pamela Seelig, author of "Threads of Yoga, Themes: Reflection and Meditations to weave into Practice," provides insight to the two types of surrender found in the yoga sutra and how we can explain these concepts to our yoga students.Show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

“When we practice and we quiet the mind and we get into that deeper state; we touch that part of ourself which is beneath or beyond the mind...it is called many things: the witness, the knower, consciousness…the seer” - Pamela Seelig, author of Threads of Yoga, Themes, Reflections and Meditations for practice. In this episode, she provides us with methods to weave the concept of witness consciousness into our practice of teaching yoga.For show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

What's the point of yoga? HINT: the point is not to hold a handstand! Pamela Seelig, author of “Threads of Yoga-Themes, reflections, and meditations to weave into your practice,” reminds us not only what yoga is but also what is the point. She reminds us with her encouraging words just what a gift to us and our students to be able share these deeper message into the classes as we teach. Show notes and contact information at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Yoga has almost a magical way of evoking emotions from within us and if you are a yoga teacher you have likely experienced students cry during practice or some other form of emotional outburst. When we see one of our students grieving during practice, how do support them? Jennifer, the Grief Medium, exposes the DOs and the DONTs (often well-intentions, but also often harmful).For show notes and contact info visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Increasingly, we are left with a decreased amount of time to grief after the loss of a loved one. As yoga teacher, how does grief our ability to show up and hold space for others? It is vital that we must hold space for ourselves first. Jennifer, the Grief Medium, provides us with 5 healthy activities to cope with grief while also balancing life (such as teaching yoga). For show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Meet Jennifer, the grief medium. Jennifer is an an end of life and grief licensed therapist; helping people with anticipatory grief or grief in hospice, palliative care, ICU, and outpatient therapy. Jennifer is also certified Kundalini Yoga instructor and  employs simple yoga practice such as chair yoga, visualization, breath work, and meditation to help her clients with anticipatory grief and grief. She is also a medium, psychic, and empath; she has combined her skills to holistically help people grieve the loss of a loved one. In this episode Jennifer provides us with an introduction of grief and the use of yoga during grief.Show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Trauma-informed yoga teaching is a robust, multi-dimensional and complex topic. In this show, Sarah Kadel, wraps up her series on trauma-informed teaching by offering the listeners 3 techniques to implement in the community classroom. They are simple starting points, which by no means covers the broad subject, but will provide a way we can bring this information into our practice of teaching yoga. Show notes & contact information www.theElegantOutlaw.com

This episode discusses how yoga is historically, a trauma informed practice, and how it has evolved with the times. We speak about how we can support our yoga students with the understanding that they are all coming to us with different levels of physical abilities, emotional, and possibly traumatic histories. How can we hold space for all?How long is your Savasana? We talk about the varying lengths of the final pose, and how we all react differently to the stillness.For Notes and Contact Information Visit: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

Welcome, Sarah Kadel for today's episode on navigating through the changes of life. As our abilities change, as our priorities shift, as we mature within our own bodies...How can we, as yoga teachers be accepting of those transitions? Even if our personal practice has become more grounding & restorative can one continue teaching active classes?...or should you allow your teaching style, to shift with your personal practice?For Show Notes and Contact Information Visit: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

Amber Hagberg shares with us how loving herself in fullness was a process of learning to accept both the light and the darkness within herself. By doing this she is now able to lead by example for her students. That they can transform the parts of themselves they don't like to see, and taking away the best parts of them. Prioritizing her own personal practice, is just one way she prioritizes herself. Like anything self love is a choice, and a practice.For Show Note and Contact Information Visit: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

This episode with Amber Hagberg is about putting yourself first! Yoga teachers who show up for themselves, can show up in a greater way for their students. We are presented with many opportunities, to teach in different arenas. Stepping out of the studio and into teacher trainings, virtual teaching, and retreats gives us motivation to enhance our self study. However, we also have to know when to say "No" and use our time wisely.For Show Notes and Contact Information Visit: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

For Amber, and most of us as yoga teachers it is our goal to have our students integrate what they learn on the mat and take it into their day-to-day lives.  This is what this episode is all about. How can we, the teachers show up in the world? How can we give our students to something to leave their practices, and retreats with, that they can take into the real world. For show notes and contact information visit: 

Whether you're ready to start building your yoga business, or you're just wanting to expand your knowledge of teaching yoga there are endless resources available to you! A lot of them are free! Mado has plenty of them herself, from her podcast to affordable memberships that can help your start or expand you business to impact many! In this episode Thor will also share some AMAZING news about what's upcoming with The Elegant Outlaw Collective.  We have some new community classes on the schedule, along with a Full Moon Retreat at the end of the year. We have a virtual library with a range of meditations, chair yoga, and more!For Show notes and contact information visit: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

Is there a specific style of teaching that calls to you? If so, you might be one step closer to building your niche! Having a niche can help you to specialize, and attract students who need what you have to offer. This episode also discusses how yoga is represented in today's digital world. It is hard to capture yoga in a photo, or video. So, how we as yoga teachers show up in the world is the true representation. For Show Notes and Contact Information Visit: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

“When a person pays more for something.. they value it more. We know that with yoga, the more somebody puts into it, the more they get back.” -MadoYoga as a business seems to be somewhat controversial. But yoga, as we know is extremely valuable on a physical, mental, emotional, and for some spiritual level. Mado of The Yoga Resource Podcast explains how we as yoga teachers can create a yoga business, that is built off of wholesome intention, and made successful through data to increase your reach. For Show Notes and Contact Information visit: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

Samadhi brings us to the end of our exploration of the 8 Limbs of Yoga. This is the phase in meditation which you are one with all, there is no separation. Samadhi allows  for us to experience more concentration, calmness, and clarity. Although it's not likely that we will lead our yoga students into Samadhi within a typical yoga class, we can still introduce them to meditation and Samadhi through Dharana, and Dhyana. For Show Notes and Contact Information Visit: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

Welcome Ishar Keshu to the show! He walks us through what his meditative teaching style looks like. We discuss how slowing down the breath, and the mind, entering into true meditative states can help you with day to day tasks. We speak on the difference of Dharana, and Dhyana. And how it is important as a meditation teacher, to have your own meditative practice! To fully show up for our students. For Shownotes Visit: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

Dharana is the beginning stage of focus, leading us into meditation. Being yoga teachers, we are constantly giving our students objects of focus, their breath, and alignment for example. We can gradually string together these singular moments of focus in order to enter into meditation.For show notes and contact information visit: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

Pratyahara is practiced when we settle into stillness, withdrawing from all of our senses. In this episode we get an interesting perspective of  the roles of our senses, our mind, and intellect. As a yoga teacher we can ask our students questions that direct them to turn inward. This can help them on their journey of discovering that they are their own greatest teacher. Show notes and info at: www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

All about the breath! In today's episode, Katarina Wittkamp shares great knowledge with us about how we can assist our yoga students with intentional breath. Breath is so much more affective, when purposefully executed. Kat informs us of a variety of ways that Pranayama has a direct affect on our energetic bodies, as well as our physical bodies. She also provides us with specific breathing techniques!https://www.theelegantoutlaw.com/freshbreathforyogateachers/pranayama

Self reflection can be one of the greatest tools to enhance any relationship, especially your relationship with yourself. This episode reviews the different parts of the Niyamas, the second limb of Yoga. How can we practice cleansing, self discipline, and surrender? By turning inward to study self,  we can evaluate how to best show up for self, and for our students!https://www.theelegantoutlaw.com/freshbreathforyogateachers/niyamas

This is the first episode of an 8 week series into the 8 Limbs of Yoga! Yama being the first. Yamas are all about your ethics and morals. Thor and Kloee speak about ways that we as teachers can practice different aspects of Yamas like Satya, or Truthfulness for example. This limb has us reflect on how we show up in the world, and how we practice self discipline. It's a great reminder that yoga is a lifestyle, and applies not only on our mats, but in our lives outside of the studio.https://www.theelegantoutlaw.com/freshbreathforyogateachers/yamas

Meet Kloee Joseph! This episode is a conversation with Kloee the newest member of the Elegant Outlaw. Kloee is a genuine human and allows her truth to shine in a vulnerable way while she teaches yoga. Together we discuss showing up in an authentic way to create a safe space for your yoga students and explore multiple ways to create genuine connections. For show notes, and contact information visit:  www.TheElegantOutlaw.com

To understand the maintenance of healthy and functional joint spaces, we must first understand the interdependent relationship of the muscles and bones. In this episode we review the musculoskeletal system and then explore "locking out" or "hanging on joints" in yoga poses. I see this in a lot of poses in a lot of students. Listen in and gain some tips to instruct students on having healthy, functional and balanced joint spaces in yoga poses.Show notes available at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

This is the last episode of the 3-part series on adjusting asana to better support yoga students' constitution. Donna, who is a nationally renowned ayurvedic practitioner, speaks to the three Doshas (vatta, pitta & kapha) and directly speaks to balancing them with the use of poses and variations. In this episode Donna specifically discusses the dosha of Kapha; it's qualities and ways the teachers can support students with "high kapha."For show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding  how to support in harmonizing a yoga students constitution (the individual energy pattern) through the yoga practice from the lens of ayurveda. Donna, of AyurYogi, explains to us how she uses "the asana and the adjustments within the asana as medicine creating balance.” This is the second episode of a 3-part series on applying ayurvedic principles to better support our yoga students when one of the three doshas is imbalanced. In this episode, the dosha of Pitta is specifically explored.Show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

We are experts in yoga and actually teach yoga to the public, but do we understand the sister science of Ayurveda? Ayurveda, although closely linked to yoga, is largely overlooked. Donna, a nationally renowned expert in Ayurveda, provides us with an easy-to-understand picture of how these two sciences are so closely overlapped together. This is a 3-part episode of the applications of Ayurveda into our practice of teaching yoga. Together we explore asana, yoga practice modification and more to assist students with imbalanced doshas. In this episode specifically, we will explore students with Vatta imbalances and what tools to support them in our teaching.Show notes and contact information wwwtheElegantOutlaw.com

ALL LEVELS yoga classes are some of the most challenging classes to teach. The student body consists of people with an endless ranges of experience, mobility, ability, age, existing injury and just about any other variable you can imagine. It requires so much skilled instruction to be able to provide a truly well-balanced and safe class for everyone. What exactly is OUR RESPONSIBILITY as a yoga teacher in this class?Show notes available at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Learn 5 ways how we can better support our yoga students living with diabetes from Dawn Browning PhD of HolSol Wellness. Dawn is a yoga teacher, soon-to-be yoga therapist, and she has lived with Diabetes for 30 years.  She has established program focused on Yoga Therapeutic Applications for Living with Diabetes.  Show notes and contact information www.theElegantOutlaw.com 

Many of us yoga teachers struggle with conditions (physical illnesses of all sorts, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, PTSD, and more). Dawn, who has had Diabetes for about 30 years, vulnerably speaks to the the importance of harmonizing with ALL of ourselves including  the "conditions" which we co-exist with. These often are the pieces & parts of ourself that we like to hide in the shadows.  Dawn offers some insight on how to go from managing & controlling to harmonizing & embracing. As a yoga teachers, she reminds us to show up in our full power and that means showing up with ALL the pieces & parts of ourself.Show notes & Contact information at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

In addition to teaching yoga, we can also establish other complimentary modalities to better support our students. Meet Dawn, she is a yoga teacher and has had Type 1 Diabetes for 30 years. She doesn't live to control & manage her diabetes but she harmonizes with it. She has worked to establish a triad of complimentary modalities including yoga, essential oils & practices from the current medical model in order to manage her diabetes. She empowers us to also establish complimentary modalities to better support our community.Show notes and contact information at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

There is a great emphasis on core engagement in yoga practice, and rightly so. In this episode we explore what and where it is. We also discuss why it is so incredibly important now and for the longevity of our  health. Most importantly we discuss subtle ways to coach our students into proper engagement of the core. Show notes and references www.theElegantOutlaw.com

As yoga teachers in training, we learned so much about cues. As we develop, it becomes easy to forget the basics. Karen brings in 5 great reminders to approach cue-ing a balanced way that is both thoughtful and innovative.Show notes and contact info www.theElegantOutlaw.com

For the most part, it is an unintentional way in which we unconsciously harm or unknowingly engage in micro-aggressions. For the most part, people will not be offended but as teachers of yoga practice we hold ourselves to a high standard and we challenge the status quo. Karen brings 5 pointers for us to begin exploring and questioning the way in which we use the powerful tool of our language to communicate. For show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

More is not always better when it comes to bouncing around and teaching at multiple studios or locations. It has A WHOLE LOT of benefits but Karen Schideler recently made the decision to teach yoga at one studio. She speaks to the value of teaching under one leadership crew. Together we explore the benefits of teaching under multiple employers and the benefits of teaching under one employer. Show notes and contact information available at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Lately I have heard the cue: “Squeeze your shoulder blades together” or “Pinch your shoulders together on your back”. This well-intentioned cue comes from our attempt to counteract the poor posture that many of us have.  The reasoning makes a lot of sense, but I think we can do better. This episode dives into a little research (including my only personal experience with students’ shoulders/posture) and explore HOW we can do better.For show notes and references visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

To "theme" a yoga class is one way in which we, as yoga teachers, can assist students to move beyond the physical movements & into the deeper meanings of yoga practice. Take an in-depth exploration of the specifics & details about impact-fully theming a yoga class. Jane Bloom, withDwell Yoga Collective, and I discuss the "ins-and-outs" of themes such as personal anecdote, music enhancement, & moreFor contact information and show notes visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Weaving in an intention (if done well) can provide your students with an exploration of the deeper meanings within the practice of yoga. This is the first part of a 2-episode exploration of theming a yoga class. Jane, with Dwell Yoga Collective, and I discuss review some of the nuts and bolts to theme a class (including...when NOT to theme a class).“It is an unending creative endeavor.” -Jane Bloom with the Dwell Yoga Collective in Las Cruces, NM.For show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

On those days when you feel a little uninspired...how do you reconnect with your inspiration? Jane Bloom, with the Dwell Yoga Collective, provides us with two crucial pieces of advice. They are both about STAYING CONNECTED. Stay connected to your own personal practice and stay connected to the students. “Be mindful that everyone who comes in deserves the same amount of attention.” -Jane BloomShow notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

There is so much noise and so many narratives buzzing around these days! As yoga teachers, you know well, that I believe we are leaders and community organizers. Due to this fact, we have a responsibility to understand what we are creating. We have a responsibility to NOT just follow the pack. Josh Biro, of Yogapreneur Collective, and I both agree on the utmost importance of being clear on what you stand for and where you want to go. The ideals which you stand behind will attract the people who attend your classes, who attend your event and so on. Josh walks us through some down-to-Earth advice on slashing out the distractions/comparisons and being true to your purpose/ path, and then creating authentic community from there.For show notes and contact information www.theElegantOutlaw.com

The practice of yoga cannot be shared with our students after just one class...consistency is key to being a transformative & impactful teacher. Providing your community an experience that transcends beyond the posture is essential to students' desire for returning frequently to class. Josh Biro, of "the Yogapreneur Collective", offers insight to providing a "yoga experience" for your students which transcends well beyond the postures.Show notes and contact information available at www.theElegantOutlaw.comSupport the show (https://www.theelegantoutlaw.com/become-patron)