We boast "yoga is a place for all," but our words say something else sometimes. Learn from the unique perspective of Steph, of @curvyblackyoga , on how we can avoid exclusive language and set the tone of inclusivity in whatever space we are teaching.

Show notes and contact information available at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

What does it take to unlearn the narrative of imposter syndrome? Steph Thorne of @curvyblackyoga shares with us how she confronts and overcomes her feelings of imposter syndrome with 4 "not-so-simple" steps.

Show notes and contact information www.theElegantOutlaw.com

It is no secret that for far too long there has been an implicit hierarchy of body shapes & colors in the wellness industry.  It is time to make way for yoga instructors like Steph who are are shaking and shifting this long-standing paradigm.  She brings us plenty of pointers on how we as yoga teacher (and community organizers) can impact-fully facilitate body positivity in all the yoga spaces and provide a welcoming environment for all students.

For show notes and contact information visit www.theElegantOutlaw.com

The psoas muscle is critical to our ability to stand, walk, climb stairs and more, yet its deep location in the body makes it easy to forget. It is easy to forget, that is, until some kind of dysfunction arises from within it. Listen to a review on the structure and function of the psoas, why it is so important and also how to take this information to your students.

Show notes at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Understanding your truth is essential to being an authentic yoga teacher, but you must first clear & calm your mind. Ashley Zuberi, of Inhale Thrive, guides us through 3 actions to find clarity. Per usual, Ashley brings us back to the ancient wisdom of Patanjali's yoga sutras and reveal that these 3 actions (tapas, svadyaya, & ishwara pranidhana) are in sync with 'Kriya'. 'Kriya' is an action that frees us from the physical & mental impurities that impede our experience of calmness.

Show notes and contact information available at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Although the "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali"  is required reading for most (if not all)  yoga teacher trainings, many of us do not have a very in depth understanding. It can be a very daunting theory to understand yet this ancient wisdom is incredibly valuable and applicable to modern day. We would do our students a great service to incorporate the teachings into class. Ashley Zuberi, of Inhale Thrive, shares part of her method for incorporating the yoga sutras into sequencing.

Show notes and contact information at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Meet your community where they are at. HINT: They are not all in the yoga studios. You are a yoga teacher, and if I had to guess...you are already comfortable going against the grain. By choosing this path, you are already traveling down the road less traveled by. So why is it different on our yoga teaching journey? Ashley Zuberi, of Inhale Thrive, explains that when many yoga studios offer westernized vinyasa yoga and many yoga instructors are in pursuit of teaching at these popular spaces....it leaves out a whole bunch of our population that is not being served. This pervasive type of practice is not only inaccessible to large parts of our community but also tends to conveniently look over many of the yoga teachings. As yoga teachers, we have to "think outside the box" as we choose the services and offerings to provide to our community. One size does not fit all, for student nor for teacher. Both Ashley and I agree that teaching at yoga studios full-time is not the best pathway for every single instructor. There are so many different avenues for us to pursue or even create! I personally LOVE teaching at yoga studios and I view myself in this environment for a long time but it is not the only way I chose to serve my community. I supplement this services with other offerings and I encourage any other teacher to truly "teach out outside the box, to reach outside the box."

Show notes and contact information at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

The Nursing process is an essential 5-step method for the nurse in order to deliver holistic care. This was a key concept for me as a nurse that really assisted in the development and sharpening of my critical thinking skills. I found the concept to be directly applicable to us yoga instructors and I my desire is that this will get the wheels in your head spinning and really hone in your critical thinking skills as you teach and guide the minds and bodies of your students. The reality is that you are probably naturally already doing  most if not all of the above, but the when I saw this link between the nursing process and teaching yoga it allowed me to apply a label. Labeling emotions has long been a practice of mindfulness and labeling my actions is a beautiful way in which to bring what I am doing to my awareness. It will help me to be more consistent in this thoughtful process so that I can better support my students.

Show notes and references at www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Part of our responsibility as yoga teachers is too assess the bodies which we are teaching.   This is the evaluation of our students' abilities to properly and SAFELY move through practice. In this new world of social distancing, a key component is "watching the bodies." MJ Travers speaks to the importance of watching the bodies.

Show notes and contact information www.theElegantOutlaw.com

Allow us to explore the constant evolution of establishing boundaries. What are the things you need to know as a yoga teacher? What do you need to be clear on? When do you need to stand firm?

Show notes and contact information at www.theElegantOutlaw.com