March 6, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

The Business of Creating Community with Melissa Talleda

Episode No. 4

This week Giana and Bradshaw bring on yoga teacher and managing partner of Chicago’s Zen Yoga Garage, Melissa Talleda! Curious about what It was like to take over the daily operations of a busy yoga studio right at the start of the pandemic? Well, tune in to hear Melissa talk about the ways in which this popular studio had to adapt during these turbulent times and how they continue to create community. Melissa has truly embraced the flow and learned a lot along the way. Bradshaw, Giana and Melissa detail everything that makes Zen Yoga Garage Special - they talk about being approachable, creating happy workers, diversity and inclusivity, and even share silly stories from around the studio. You’ll definitely laugh at their banter and maybe even feel inspired. 

00:00 Intro

00:30 Giana and B discuss their plans for the day

00:52 Who do we have on the Pod today? Melissa Talleda!

02:20 We’re going to Sedona

04:29 Let’s hear from Melissa !

05:50 Melissa and Zen Yoga Garage 

08:45 Find Yoga Young as a Dancer

10:19 Taking over a Studio at the beginning of a Global Pandemic 

16:15 The Many Layers and Shifting of Schedule

17:35 Prioritizing and Supporting Teachers through tough times

20:05 Yoga Business Decisions and Happy Workers

21:11 How Melissa’s background as a creative inspired innovation to withstand challenges 

23:08 Is this field performative?

25:45 Yoga teachers are humans too

26:19 The current shifts that feel a little bit more normal 

27:20 Pandemic wasn’t just the Pandemic, It was a Social Revolution!

29:13 Everything is being Recorded 

29:57 Theres something special about the Zen community 

32:00 Take the Yoga teacher off the Pedestal 

34:27 Zen’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion and plans to do better

36:40 Representation on the Roster 

41:28 The biggest Challenges and Rewards

43:00 Late Arrivals and being Timely

45:00 Zen Still Live Streams!

48:48 The Funny Thing About Yoga 

55:24 Being around People who get It

56:59 Zen Gossip- ish

58:44 What its like when Bradshaw and Giana teach at the same time 

1:00:10 Where to find Zen Yoga Garage

1:01:03 Whats coming Up

Zen Yoga Garage: https://www.zenyogagarage.com/

Join us in Sedona: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/sedona

Be Featured on the Podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck2nTNc_UlcCKBhZId5DmDwoU6aslkFfGKtdz-1uSo-HNY8g/viewform

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Learn more about C.A.Y.A. Yoga School: https://www.cayayogaschool.com

Giana’s Website: https://www.gianayoga.com/ 

Bradshaws Website: https://www.bradshawwish.com/

Email: [email protected]

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