If you haven't heard part one, definitely go back and take a listen. Myself and ten other hosts are leading an online challenge all week to spread some ideas on how strength can compliment the yoga practice. In this episode we all talk about our experiences with strength training, how learning more affected our teaching, advice we have for teachers, and what we are really interested in learning more about right now.

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This week we have something extra special for you, the #sneakystrengthyoga challenge is back and this year there are ten contributors. Last year Jenni Rawlings asked all of the teachers from her online studio to co-create a challenge, we had such a great time working together that we decided to do it again for a second year. Last year I interviewed every contributor and released a mini interview on each day of the challenge. This year Kyle and I have stepped up our podcast game and are releasing two mash-up episodes that weave together the voices of all the contributors. It tells the story of how we each got into strength training, how it has shaped our teaching and what we are excited about now. To participate you can follow all of us on Instagram and follow the #sneakystrengthyoga hashtag. Each day we post a video of a movement that brings more strength to the practice, and at the end of the ten days we will be giving away some prizes.

To view the show notes and follow us click here.

Margot and Kathryn talk about everything from the basics of the core to teaching strategies and broad ideas about movement. Margot shares her experiences as a long-time teacher and gives some great examples to support her thoughts about movement and teaching. They talk about using imagery alongside or in place of specific anatomical language, building trust, meeting people where they are, shifts in the community, and the always interesting topic of cueing. This conversation also revolves around how to make movement work and make sense to people, regardless of their prior experience or specific interests. 

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If you didn't tune in last week go back and give the episode a listen, this is part two. My mom opened the first Ashtanga studio in Toronto, Canada. This is the story of falling in love with yoga, booming business, dissillusionment, and coming back full circle.

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This is part one of the 100th episode. This episode is like a time capsule, taking us back to the beginning of yoga in Toronto. From falling in love with yoga, to booming business, to debilitating injury and onward, this is quite the story.

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Your donations will help us create the next 100 episodes and are greatly appreciated.

A podcast on Monday? Yes, but this is not just any podcast. Today we are laying the groundwork for the 100th episode that airs on Thursday. This is a super special podcast!

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Thank you everyone!

This is a fascinating conversation about endurance, what it means and how to achieve it in many areas of one’s life.  The conversation starts with Julian’s experience as an endurance athlete and how the psychological mentality required to pursue and work with discomfort was something he learned at a very young age.  He talks about the psychological aspect of perceiving and working through pain and discomfort as well as achieving a ‘flow state’ and that everyone is capable of doing this.  Julian discusses how his achievements in ultramarathons have translated into developing healthy connections in all areas of his life.  Kathryn and Julian talk about his totally holistic approach to preparing for ultramarathons, which goes way beyond just the physical preparation. He talks about cross training, stretching, mental preparation, creating incentives and how he uses all of these tools to help beginners on their running journey.  Finally, Julian talks about his thoughts on minimalist footwear and barefoot running and the answer may surprise you!  This is an episode not to be missed!

This is a great conversation for all teachers to hear.  In this candid conversation, Kathryn and Carly share thoughts on body positivity and critical thinking as a yoga teacher.  Carly talks about how she incorporates body positivity, which is really “body neutrality”, in her teachings and how yoga teachers can determine if they are teaching in this way. She also talks about how critical thinking has taken a place first and foremost in her teaching, which has helped her create an inclusive and thoughtful practice for her students.  They discuss the subject of language and how to use it to empower students to take ownership of their practice as well as cautionary thoughts for teachers using certain alignment cues and how they can be misinterpreted.  Lots of thought-provoking ideas for yoga teachers shared in this episode! 

Recorded in Kathryn’s kitchen, this is a candid conversation all about the SI joint and Kathryn and Jules’ new course, The Incredible SI Joint. This conversation tackles a lot of misconceptions surrounding the SI Joint, particularly as it pertains to the yoga community.  They discuss the common thoughts of fear and fragility around this part of the body and how this often influences yoga teachers and movement educators to give inaccurate information to their students.  Kathryn talks about her personal experience and lessons learned with lower back pain and they discuss the problems surrounding under-loading this part of the body, “the SI joint is an inherently strong, stable design”.  Finally, they discuss alignment (is it important at all or is it just a stylistic preference?), how lower back pain is particularly triggering in our culture and what to do when you have pain in this area of the body.

In this conversation, Bernie and Kathryn get into some hot topics that are being discussed in the yoga community: stretching vs. stressing the body, how to teach yoga when considering human variability, hypermobility and thoughts on the spine.  The conversation begins with Bernie talking about yin yoga and the difference between stretching and stressing the body’s tissues.  He talks about how this practice can stress the deeper layers of the body, which is beneficial to the health of our tissues.   Kathryn and Bernie discuss how to effectively teach yoga knowing that there is so much human variability and that ‘looking good does not necessarily mean you are being healthy’ in your movements.  Bernie also talks about whether or not people that are hypermobile should do yin yoga. Finally, they chat about the spine and how certain yoga cues such as “neutral spine” or “lengthen your spine” may be unhelpful and confusing. 

To learn more about Mindful Strength or to sign up for the Incredible SI Joint online course visit kathrynbruniyoung.com