064: Getting Hired by a Yoga Studio with Kristen Sweeney

Have you completed your yoga teacher training and are preparing yourself to look for employment? Shannon and Kristen Sweeney have your back with clear steps to getting hired by a yoga studio that, most importantly, is the right fit for you. It’s the best gift you can give yourself, the studio, and your students.

Kristen Sweeney remembers the first yoga class that lit her up. She was a working as a dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada and tried a Bikram Hot Yoga class. She was “sweaty, drenched, exhausted, hooked, and exhilarated.” Later, as an actor living in New York city, she found yoga to be grounding, gave her a refuge and a sense of safety at a time when her life was hectic, outward facing, and approval seeking.

Kristen reached a point in her life when she wanted to find work that felt rewarding on a daily basis. That led her to teach yoga and share her insights on her blog. Finding a strong connection between herself and yoga teachers through her posts, she wondered if there was something more to explore. Kristen niched down further to create her business Edge of the Mat and is now a business coach for yoga teachers.

On today’s episode, you will be guided through the steps to find the teaching job that is right for you. The steps will take you through a process to determine where you’d like to teach, how to approach the studio, what to expect when you audition and much more. Kristen has also kindly shared the PDF The Yogi’s Guide to Teaching at a New Studio for when you’ve landed the job. You’ve got this and we wish you all the best in finding the work that lights you up!  

07:30 How Kristen’s yoga journey began

10:55 What led Kristen to write her blog Edge of the Mat and how she expanded it into a business

14:20 Was there a gradual realization or a light bulb moment that led her to clearly define her niche

16:50 Step-by-step process to approach studios

17:10 Step 1: Discern which studios you want to approach

1. If you research to find the studios that fit with you, you are more likely to get the job
2. Important to be able to approach a variety of studios, gyms and community centers- are they close and easy to commute to?
3. Does the community vibe match your style of teaching
4. What is your ideal class size?
5. What do you want in the experience of teaching? What studios fit you?
6. Where would I like to work- be choosy and shift that mindset from desperation to personal choice
7. Take a variety of classes at the locations to find a good fit

22:35 Step 2: Approach the teacher of the class you’ve been taking and approach them with a 2 to 3 sentence ‘pitch’ or introduction including:

• Thanking them for class and what you liked about it
• What you love about the studio and community
• Asking who would you connect with to set up an audition
• Leave resumé and consider including your resumé on your website

26:05 Step 3: Planning and Preparing for the audition

30:25 What to do if you don’t hear back from the studio

• Follow up- email
• Show up in person and take one of their classes
• Don’t take it personally if you don’t hear back, studios get many emails
• Sometimes it takes quite a while for to hear back- even months!
• Worth checking in a few months later (in person) to see if a spot has opened up
• Don’t take it too personally and letting it breathe for a while

33:50 Tips and tricks for teachers auditioning

• Prepare :)
• Detailed sequence planning
• Create class arc even if it’s a short audition
• In a Round Robin, situation be prepared to change up your plan depending on your place in the class
• Structure gives you freedom
• Prepare yourself for your professional best- externally and internally so you show up as your best, most confident self

38:30 Step 4: Feedback

• 1:1 time with the studio manager
• Be open to feedback
• Feel free to engage and ask questions about the feedback so you can evolve as a yoga teacher

Step 5: Follow Up

• Auditioner will hopefully let you know what the next steps are (repeat the instructions to make sure it’s clear and follow up)

41:05 Step 6: Yes, no or Maybe

What is the next step if you get a “thanks but no thanks”

     Possible reasons:

1. Missing self-awareness that misidentified the place as the right fit for you (move on)
2. Studio felt as though you’re not a good fit or that you’re not quite ready skill-wise to join (check in again in the future)

43:30 Coming from a place of personal choice instead of a place of desperation

44:05 How you can work with Kristen

45:20 Shannon’s wrap-up and action steps

Links

Email: [email protected]

Kristen’s Website: Edge of the Mat

Edge of the Mat Facebook Group

Kristen on Instagram

PDF gift from Kristen: Yogi's Guide to Teaching at a New Studio

The Connected Teacher Facebook Group

Follow The Connected Teacher on Youtube

Book a Consultation Call with Shannon

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

063: Secrets of Successful Full-Time Yoga Teachers with Ashley Zuberi

Ashley Zuberi has been a full-time yoga teacher for three years and acknowledges it has been a struggle. While considering her own challenges, Ashley became curious about the struggles of her fellow teachers. Recognizing there are several variables that affect how successfully one can teach yoga full-time, Ashley created a set of questions that she could pose to other yoga teachers.

Ashley's questionnaire was aimed at those who worked independently as a yoga teacher and earned 70% or more of their income from teaching yoga. Most of the respondents were female and living in North America though some answers came from China, Australia, and England. She wanted to get a sense from a group of teachers what it looks like to teach yoga full-time. Ashley's hope was to uncover patterns, tips, and tricks that could be shared across the yoga community on the whole

The answers revealed much that surprised Ashley. For example, she found that 32% of the respondents are able to make a living by teaching alone, which was happily more than she expected. Ashley also discovered that the teachers worked an average 42 hours per week and that regardless of the hours spent working (between 20-80 hours per week,) most respondents felt they worked too much. Other revelations were around income, teacher burnout, mindset, (how you describe your job and market yourself, for example) and yoga community connection (or disconnection).

Ashley began her yoga journey by following a class on DVD and later attended classes at her local gym based on the recommendation of a friend. This enhanced her life in on several levels including physically, socially, and spiritually. The first yoga teacher training she attended was a 200-hour Power Vinyasa training from Jason Bowman and Derise Diatta at CorePower Yoga Boulder in 2011. Since then has expanded her knowledge by taking a variety of trainings. She loves to weave philosophy into her teaching which includes group classes, private yoga sessions, workshops, and yoga teacher trainings. In addition, she provides yoga teacher mentorship.

5:45 How Shannon structures her Consultation Calls

8:50 Ashley's yoga journey

9:50 Ashley's yoga teacher project - 53 logistically challenging

11:25 The difference between the yoga industry and other industry in regard to "set paths" and a measure of growth and success

13:20 Interview process and how Ashley chose her interviewees

14:25 Ashley's key takeaways from the data collected

18:30 What yoga teachers found to be their biggest challenges

20:35 Their experience with yoga teacher burnout and anxiety around "never knowing enough"

22:30 How Ashley compiled her data

23:30 Mindset of yoga teacher influenced their answers- do you consider yourself a yoga teacher or small business owner

24:15 The reality of working for yourself

26:20 Successful yoga teachers and innovative marketing

28:20 What the interviews revealed about the marketing mindset, Ashley's personal experience with marketing and the importance of building relationships

30:45 What Ashley took from the data and applied to her yoga business- Ashley's decision to scale back from her online presence

Smart Passive Income vs. Smart Active Income

34:20 Responses to the question "Do you feel supported?"

39:25 How the lack of support felt within the yoga community can be addressed

41:05 The struggle to commit to a personal practice and perhaps re-defining what that means to you

43:20 What Ashley wishes yoga teachers would know after doing these interviews

44:50 Balancing family and a yoga career and how the yoga community can help support this

48:40 How to connect with Ashley

51:30 Average yoga teacher income from respondents and how the mindset for making a living as a yoga teacher is a viable option for full-time work from teaching has evolved over time

55:15 Shannon's closing thoughts on the issues brought forward by Ashley's report such as creating a supportive community in your area

Links

Ashley's Website

To Access the downloadable PDF "The State of Teaching Yoga Full time" click on "Download the Report" button on Ashley's homepage

Email: [email protected]

Ashley on Facebook

Ashley on Instagram

Article: Calling All Full Time Teachers by Ashley Zuberi

Article: The Evolution of Yoga Teaching by Ashley Zuberi

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

Yoga is a practice that asks us to look at ourselves and our lives so we can choose to live in alignment with our true values. The practice offers freedom, safety, and non-judgment to do this inner work. Embarking on this path is both an individual journey as well as a journey within our community and the world."

~Ashley Josephine Zuberi

063: Secrets of Successful Full-Time Yoga Teachers with Ashley Zuberi

Ashley Zuberi has been a full-time yoga teacher for three years and acknowledges it has been a struggle. While considering her own challenges, Ashley became curious about the struggles of her fellow teachers. Recognizing there are several variables that affect how successfully one can teach yoga full-time, Ashley created a set of questions that she could pose to other yoga teachers.

Ashley’s questionnaire was aimed at those who worked independently as a yoga teacher and earned 70% or more of their income from teaching yoga. Most of the respondents were female and living in North America though some answers came from China, Australia, and England. She wanted to get a sense from a group of teachers what it looks like to teach yoga full-time. Ashley’s hope was to uncover patterns, tips, and tricks that could be shared across the yoga community on the whole

The answers revealed much that surprised Ashley. For example, she found that 32% of the respondents are able to make a living by teaching alone, which was happily more than she expected.  Ashley also discovered that the teachers worked an average 42 hours per week and that regardless of the hours spent working (between 20-80 hours per week,) most respondents felt they worked too much. Other revelations were around income, teacher burnout, mindset, (how you describe your job and market yourself, for example) and yoga community connection (or disconnection).

Ashley began her yoga journey by following a class on DVD and later attended classes at her local gym based on the recommendation of a friend. This enhanced her life in on several levels including physically, socially, and spiritually. The first yoga teacher training she attended was a 200-hour Power Vinyasa training from Jason Bowman and Derise Diatta at CorePower Yoga Boulder in 2011.  Since then has expanded her knowledge by taking a variety of trainings. She loves to weave philosophy into her teaching which includes group classes, private yoga sessions, workshops, and yoga teacher trainings. In addition, she provides yoga teacher mentorship.

5:45 How Shannon structures her Consultation Calls

8:50 Ashley’s yoga journey

9:50 Ashley’s yoga teacher project - 53 logistically challenging

11:25 The difference between the yoga industry and other industry in regard to “set paths” and a measure of growth and success

13:20 Interview process and how Ashley chose her interviewees

14:25 Ashley’s key takeaways from the data collected

18:30 What yoga teachers found to be their biggest challenges

20:35 Their experience with yoga teacher burnout and anxiety around “never knowing enough”

22:30 How Ashley compiled her data

23:30 Mindset of yoga teacher influenced their answers-  do you consider yourself a yoga teacher or small business owner

24:15 The reality of working for yourself

26:20 Successful yoga teachers and innovative marketing

28:20 What the interviews revealed about the marketing mindset,  Ashley’s personal experience with marketing and the importance of building relationships

30:45 What Ashley took from the data and applied to her yoga business- Ashley’s decision to scale back from her online presence

Smart Passive Income vs. Smart Active Income

34:20 Responses to the question “Do you feel supported?”

39:25 How the lack of support felt within the yoga community can be addressed

41:05 The struggle to commit to a personal practice and perhaps re-defining what that means to you

43:20 What Ashley wishes yoga teachers would know after doing these interviews

44:50 Balancing family and a yoga career and how the yoga community can help support this

48:40 How to connect with Ashley

51:30 Average yoga teacher income from respondents and how the mindset for making a living as a yoga teacher is a viable option for full-time work from teaching has evolved over time

55:15 Shannon’s closing thoughts on the issues brought forward by Ashley’s report such as creating a supportive community in your area

Links

Ashley’s Website

To Access the downloadable PDF “The State of Teaching Yoga Full time” click on “Download the Report” button on Ashley’s homepage

Email: [email protected]

Ashley on Facebook

Ashley on Instagram

Article: Calling All Full Time Teachers by Ashley Zuberi

Article: The Evolution of Yoga Teaching by Ashley Zuberi

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

Yoga is a practice that asks us to look at ourselves and our lives so we can choose to live in alignment with our true values. The practice offers freedom, safety, and non-judgment to do this inner work. Embarking on this path is both an individual journey as well as a journey within our community and the world.”

~Ashley Josephine Zuberi

062: Buteyko Breathing with Steve Donald

When Shannon heard about Buteyko breathing she became curious and reached out to Steve Donald, one of the first Buteyko teachers in Canada. Steve had struggled with asthma throughout his life, and it worsened as he grew older. He tried raw diets and supplements and some improvement was made but not sustained. In looking for an answer an internet search led him to learn about The Buteyko Method.

Impressed with the extent Buteyko helped him with his chronic condition Steve trained to teach Buteyko in 2006. He is the founding member of the Buteyko Breathing Educators Association ( BBEA) 2010 and was elected as BBEA president and board chair in 2016. Steve has been asked to speak to various groups, including yoga teachers and is preparing to hold teacher trainings in the Buteyko Method in the near future.

Buteyko is based on the concept that we breathe an excessive amount of air and it negatively impacts the function of our bodily systems. It is known as an asthma, sleep apnea and anxiety treatment; however, it is effective in treating a wide range of chronic health issues, as well as being good for general health and wellbeing.

Shannon and Steve discuss breath and the Buteyko method including what happens on a physiological level when we take a deep breath, how much air we should optimally be taking in per minute, and why Steve highly recommends nose breathing (even when engaging in physically demanding activities such as running). Shannon also asks Steve how the Buteyko Method can co-exist with yoga.

11:50 What led Steve to discover the Buteyko method

14:00 How much time does it take to incorporate the breathing exercises into your life

15:35 The theory behind Buteyko

17:00 Steve's process to incorporate Buteyko into his life despite his skepticism

19:40 Other alternative health attempts made by Steve to relieve his asthma symptoms

20:55 How to incorporate Buteyko breathing into your life and how much work is needed in order to maintain the benefits

22:20 Steve's experience as one of the first Buteyko teachers in Canada

23:20 Difference between yogic and Buteyko breathing and the possibility of incorporating Buteyko breathing with yoga

26:05 The culture of "take a deep breath" and what happens on a physiological level when you take in too much breath

30:00 How understanding respiratory physiology informs the understanding of blood pH and the effectiveness of Buteyko

33:50 How much a healthy adult should be breathing and how much those with chronic conditions breathe (liters per minute)

35:50 What Steve wants to share with yoga teachers

38:05 Why Steve believes large volume breathing isn't beneficial and the effect it has on those with asthma and anxiety

40:10 Nose breathing versus mouth breathing

44:40 A great yoga cue for breathing through the nose

45:35 What distinguishes Buteyko breathing from regular breathing

47:35 How to work with Steve and upcoming Buteyko trainings

51:45 Shannon's closing thoughts on breath

Links

Steve's Website: Buteyko Toronto

Buteyko Toronto on Facebook

Buteyko Breathing Educators Association

Further Reading: Buteyko and Breathing

PDF: The Health Benefits of Nose Breathing by Dr. Alan Ruth

Article: 28 Reasons to Nose Breathe by Lisa Bowen

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

062: Buteyko Breathing with Steve Donald

When Shannon heard about Buteyko breathing she became curious and reached out to Steve Donald, one of the first Buteyko teachers in Canada. Steve had struggled with asthma throughout his life,  and it worsened as he grew older. He tried raw diets and supplements and some improvement was made but not sustained. In looking for an answer an internet search led him to learn about The Buteyko Method.

Impressed with the extent Buteyko helped him with his chronic condition Steve trained to teach Buteyko in 2006. He is the founding member of the Buteyko Breathing Educators Association ( BBEA) 2010 and was elected as BBEA president and board chair in 2016. Steve has been asked to speak to various groups, including yoga teachers and is preparing to hold teacher trainings in the Buteyko Method in the near future.

Buteyko is based on the concept that we breathe an excessive amount of air and it negatively impacts the function of our bodily systems. It is known as an asthma, sleep apnea and anxiety treatment; however, it is effective in treating a wide range of chronic health issues, as well as being good for general health and wellbeing.

Shannon and Steve discuss breath and the Buteyko method including what happens on a physiological level when we take a deep breath, how much air we should optimally be taking in per minute, and why Steve highly recommends nose breathing (even when engaging in physically demanding activities such as running). Shannon also asks Steve how the Buteyko Method can co-exist with yoga.

11:50 What led Steve to discover the Buteyko method

14:00 How much time does it take to incorporate the breathing exercises into your life

15:35 The theory behind Buteyko

17:00 Steve’s process to incorporate Buteyko into his life despite his skepticism

19:40 Other alternative health attempts made by Steve to relieve his asthma symptoms

20:55 How to incorporate Buteyko breathing into your life and how much work is needed in order to maintain the benefits

22:20 Steve’s experience as one of the first Buteyko teachers in Canada

23:20 Difference between yogic and Buteyko breathing and the possibility of incorporating Buteyko breathing with yoga

26:05 The culture of “take a deep breath” and what happens on a physiological level when you take in too much breath

30:00 How understanding respiratory physiology informs the understanding of blood pH and the effectiveness of Buteyko

33:50 How much a healthy adult should be breathing and how much those with chronic conditions breathe (liters per minute)

35:50 What Steve wants to share with yoga teachers

38:05 Why Steve believes large volume breathing isn’t beneficial and the effect it has on those with asthma and anxiety

40:10 Nose breathing versus mouth breathing

44:40 A great yoga cue for breathing through the nose

45:35 What distinguishes Buteyko breathing from regular breathing

47:35 How to work with Steve and upcoming Buteyko trainings

51:45 Shannon’s closing thoughts on breath

Links

Steve’s Website: Buteyko Toronto

Buteyko Toronto on Facebook

Buteyko Breathing Educators Association

Further Reading: Buteyko and Breathing

PDF: The Health Benefits of Nose Breathing by Dr. Alan Ruth

Article: 28 Reasons to Nose Breathe by Lisa Bowen

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

061: Too Many Yoga Teachers? with Kimma Stark

When Shannon read Kimma Stark's thought-provoking blog post: What the World Needs Now is NOT ANOTHER YOGA TEACHER, she knew she wanted her on The Connected Yoga Teacher to share her perspective. Kimma, with great love and respect for those who own and/or manage yoga studios, questions the churning out of yoga teachers through the yoga studios who provide trainings in order to make ends meet.

With Kimma's experience managing four different studios she knows how difficult it is to create a business model that will ensure a studio's financial success. What she questions is the effect these trainings can have on the industry, the teachers and the students.

Shannon and Kimma also discuss the limitations of a 200-hour yoga teacher training, yogi trainings versus YTTs, the importance of always learning and finding inspiration as an established yoga teacher, embodying your teachings and much more.

For Kimma, teaching yoga is her full-time profession and says it has been "most rewarding, challenging, and meaningful work she has ever done." She was intrigued by yoga from her very first experience, trying a hot yoga class in 2000. She moved on toward traditional formats and began teaching in 2008. Her teachings are grounded in yoga philosophy, anatomy and physiology.

She teaches private and group classes in Gentle Flow Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Restorative, Prenatal, and Kids Yoga classes along with Thai Massage in Cascais, Portugal. She has an Essential Elements retreat planned in Portugal for June 2018.

9:40 Kimma's early experience with yoga

13:30 Kimma's first teacher trainings

15:30 Kimma's early career in the high-paced corporate world of marketing and advertising

17:10 What led Kimma to write her article: What the World Needs Now is NOT ANOTHER YOGA TEACHER

20:20 Kimma's experience as studio manager and the business model of offering yoga teacher trainings as a way to make ends meet

22:45 Alternate trainings such as yogi trainings for those interested in delving into yoga but not necessarily teaching and the pressure to teach coming out of your first YTT

26:05 Kimma's move to Portugal and travels to Thailand and how teaching yoga can be a nomadic lifestyle

29:45 On continually learning and evolving as a yoga teacher and how students can sense when yoga teachers are embodying the yoga they teach

31:18 What 200-hour YTT Kimma would recommend

33:12 Other considerations when choosing a yoga teacher training and approaching yoga with an understanding of the light and dark (the yin and yang)

35:00 Why Kimma feels a 200-hour YTT is not enough

37:30 What would Kimma tell aspiring yoga teachers who have obstacles, such as distance and time, about taking a yoga teacher training and why Kimma has a concern with online training when starting out

39:44 The effect of studios offering yoga teacher trainings to make ends meet instead of offering unique teachings and the idea that teaching yoga is a service

44:30 Kimma's advice to teachers wanting to teach full-time

46:28 How to contact Kimma and her upcoming retreats

49:18 Shannon's closing thoughts and key takeaways

Links

Flowing Lotus Website

Flowing Lotus Yoga on Facebook

Kimma Stark's Resumé

Kimma's article: What the World Needs Now is NOT ANOTHER YOGA TEACHER

Frog Lotus International Yoga Teacher Training Programs

Fiverr- Freelance Services

The Connected Teacher Facebook Group

Follow The Connected Teacher on Youtube

Book a Consultation Call with Shannon

Accessible Yoga Conference in Toronto June 22nd-24th, 2018

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

061: Too Many Yoga Teachers? with Kimma Stark

When Shannon read Kimma Stark’s thought-provoking blog post: What the World Needs Now is NOT ANOTHER YOGA TEACHER, she knew she wanted her on The Connected Yoga Teacher to share her perspective. Kimma, with great love and respect for those who own and/or manage yoga studios, questions the churning out of yoga teachers through the yoga studios who provide trainings in order to make ends meet.

With Kimma’s experience managing four different studios she knows how difficult it is to create a business model that will ensure a studio’s financial success. What she questions is the effect these trainings can have on the industry, the teachers and the students.

Shannon and Kimma also discuss the limitations of a 200-hour yoga teacher training, yogi trainings versus YTTs, the importance of always learning and finding inspiration as an established yoga teacher, embodying your teachings and much more.

For Kimma, teaching yoga is her full-time profession and says it has been “most rewarding, challenging, and meaningful work she has ever done.” She was intrigued by yoga from her very first experience, trying a hot yoga class in 2000. She moved on toward traditional formats and began teaching in 2008. Her teachings are grounded in yoga philosophy, anatomy and physiology.

She teaches private and group classes in Gentle Flow Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Restorative, Prenatal, and Kids Yoga classes along with Thai Massage in Cascais, Portugal. She has an Essential Elements retreat planned in Portugal for June 2018.

9:40 Kimma’s early experience with yoga

13:30 Kimma’s first teacher trainings

15:30  Kimma’s early career in the high-paced corporate world of marketing and advertising

17:10 What led Kimma to write her article: What the World Needs Now is NOT ANOTHER YOGA TEACHER

20:20 Kimma’s experience as studio manager and the business model of offering yoga teacher trainings as a way to make ends meet

22:45 Alternate trainings such as yogi trainings for those interested in delving into yoga but not necessarily teaching and the pressure to teach coming out of your first YTT

26:05 Kimma’s move to Portugal and travels to Thailand and how teaching yoga can be a nomadic lifestyle

29:45 On continually learning and evolving as a yoga teacher and how students can sense when yoga teachers are embodying the yoga they teach

31:18 What 200-hour YTT Kimma would recommend

33:12 Other considerations when choosing a yoga teacher training and approaching yoga with an understanding of the light and dark (the yin and yang)

35:00 Why Kimma feels a 200-hour YTT is not enough

37:30 What would Kimma tell aspiring yoga teachers who have obstacles, such as distance and time, about taking a yoga teacher training and why Kimma has a concern with online training when starting out

39:44 The effect of studios offering yoga teacher trainings to make ends meet instead of offering unique teachings and the idea that teaching yoga is a service

44:30 Kimma’s advice to teachers wanting to teach full-time  

46:28 How to contact Kimma and her upcoming retreats

49:18 Shannon’s closing thoughts and key takeaways

Links

Flowing Lotus Website

Flowing Lotus Yoga on Facebook

Kimma Stark's Resumé

Kimma’s article: What the World Needs Now is NOT ANOTHER YOGA TEACHER

Frog Lotus International Yoga Teacher Training Programs

Fiverr- Freelance Services

The Connected Teacher Facebook Group

Follow The Connected Teacher on Youtube

Book a Consultation Call with Shannon

Accessible Yoga Conference in Toronto June 22nd-24th, 2018

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

018: Accessible Yoga with Sarah Helt

There has been a growing movement focused on making yoga accessible to all that has caught Shannon's attention. On today's episode Shannon has invited Sarah Helt, an Ambassador from the Accessible Yoga organization, to share her insight on this topic. Sarah speaks with great thoughtfulness about what led her to teach yoga with a concentration on accessibility, on how to make yoga classes more available to those with disabilities, and the upcoming Accessible Yoga Conference.

Sarah was introduced to working with persons with disabilities through an apprenticeship program with senior Iyengar teacher Gabriel Halpern. This work became a great source of inspiration and led to her creation of NeuroYoga; an accessible style of teaching yoga and meditation geared toward persons with disabilities relating to the spinal cord and nervous system.

Sarah Helt is the Lead Teacher of Hot 8 Yoga, the Director of Communications and Marketing for Accessible Yoga along with her role as an Ambassador.

4:25 Shannon's reflections on making yoga accessible to all

13:30 What to expect at The Accessible Yoga Conference

15:50 What led Sarah to practice yoga and become involved in Accessible Yoga organization

18:15 How Sarah began to notice a link between yoga and pain management

18:55 How Sarah found her niche, her "soul work"

20:35 Sarah reflects on the journey leading to her to work with persons with disabilities and if looking back there's anything she would do differently

22:15 On not letting fear hold you back from modifying poses for those with disabilities and on taking your time to build your successes

23:55 On why there's a separate conference for accessible yoga

26:55 Yoga Accessibility Conference resource guide points to how meticulously those with disabilities have to plan to move in the world

29:30 Sarah sums up the Accessible Yoga Conference

30:40 What Sarah would like yoga teachers to incorporate into their classes to make them more accessible?

33:30 Sarah's involvement in the Accessible Yoga Conference and how to get in touch with the organization

34:40 About the Accessible Yoga Ambassador program

38:10 Shannon's closing thoughts and key takeaways- when are teachers ready to teach one-on-one and how to make yoga classes more accessible

Links

Accessible Yoga Email: [email protected]

Sarah Helt's Email: [email protected]

Accessible Yoga Website

Accessible Yoga on Facebook

Accessible Yoga on Instagram

Accessible Yoga on Twitter

Sick Boy Podcast

Accessible Yoga Conference in Toronto June 22nd- 24th

The Connected Teacher Facebook Group

Follow The Connected Teacher on Youtube

Book a Consultation Call with Shannon

Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training

Mama Nurture Teacher Training (RPYT)

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

Quotes

"I think it's really unfair that marginalized persons, such as those with disabilities, have to shoulder the burden to make society accept them." ~Sarah Helt

"Unification will serve our world, as a whole." ~Sarah Helt

018: Accessible Yoga with Sarah Helt

There has been a growing movement focused on making yoga accessible to all that has caught Shannon’s attention. On today’s episode Shannon has invited Sarah Helt, an Ambassador from the Accessible Yoga organization, to share her insight on this topic. Sarah speaks with great thoughtfulness about what led her to teach yoga with a concentration on accessibility, on how to make yoga classes more available to those with disabilities, and the upcoming Accessible Yoga Conference.

Sarah was introduced to working with persons with disabilities through an apprenticeship program with senior Iyengar teacher Gabriel Halpern. This work became a great source of inspiration and led to her creation of NeuroYoga; an accessible style of teaching yoga and meditation geared toward persons with disabilities relating to the spinal cord and nervous system.

Sarah Helt is the Lead Teacher of Hot 8 Yoga, the Director of Communications and Marketing for Accessible Yoga along with her role as an Ambassador.

4:25 Shannon’s reflections on making yoga accessible to all

13:30 What to expect at The Accessible Yoga Conference

15:50 What led Sarah to practice yoga and become involved in Accessible Yoga organization

18:15 How Sarah began to notice a link between yoga and pain management

18:55 How Sarah found her niche, her “soul work”

20:35 Sarah reflects on the journey leading to her to work with persons with disabilities and if looking back there’s anything she would do differently

22:15 On not letting fear hold you back from modifying poses for those with disabilities and on taking your time to build your successes

23:55 On why there’s a separate conference for accessible yoga

26:55 Yoga Accessibility Conference resource guide points to how meticulously those with disabilities have to plan to move in the world

29:30 Sarah sums up the Accessible Yoga Conference

30:40 What Sarah would like yoga teachers to incorporate into their classes to make them more accessible?

33:30 Sarah’s involvement in the Accessible Yoga Conference and how to get in touch with the organization

34:40 About the Accessible Yoga Ambassador program

38:10 Shannon’s closing thoughts and key takeaways- when are teachers ready to teach one-on-one and how to make yoga classes more accessible

Links

Accessible Yoga Email: [email protected]

Sarah Helt’s Email: [email protected]

Accessible Yoga Website

Accessible Yoga on Facebook

Accessible Yoga on Instagram

Accessible Yoga on Twitter

Sick Boy Podcast

Accessible Yoga Conference in Toronto June 22nd- 24th

The Connected Teacher Facebook Group

Follow The Connected Teacher on Youtube

Book a Consultation Call with Shannon

Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training

Mama Nurture Teacher Training (RPYT)

Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity

Quotes

“I think it’s really unfair that marginalized persons, such as those with disabilities, have to shoulder the burden to make society accept them.” ~Sarah Helt

“Unification will serve our world, as a whole.”
~Sarah Helt

059: Marketing and Promoting a Yoga Teacher Training with Ashley Hagen [Consultation Call]

Today's episode is a consultation call between Shannon and Ashley Hagan, who is preparing to co-teach her second 200-hour yoga teacher training course. Ashley is a full-time yoga teacher with a background in graphic design. She has been the lead instructor at a yoga studio for 4 years and has come to the realization that she wants to build her own yoga business by hosting trainings, retreats and more. Ashley loves taking yoga teacher trainings and pulls from them to inspire her to teach in her own way.

Shannon coaches Ashley by asking her to reflect on the first 200-hour yoga teacher training she led, how Ashley and her teaching partner Dave split the work, why Ashley wanted to create her own course and more.

Shannon advises Ashley on marketing her course as it's Ashley's top priority to fill the spaces available. She also leads Ashley to distill her course and who she and her co-teacher Dave are down to the essence, as well as envisioning their ideal student in order to market the training.

Shannon also asks Ashley to consider what makes her teaching unique, what defines her course over the many other 200-hour yoga teacher trainings and the importance of taking a stand on what she wants to include in the content of the course.

02:40 How a consultation call with Shannon works

07:25 What Ashley finds to be the most challenging aspect of her yoga business

08:10 Ashley's previous experience with leading a yoga teacher training

08:30 Working with a partner and splitting the work

11:10 When her teacher training starts and the style of training

11:35 What motivated Ashley to create her own teacher training

12:45 Feedback Ashley received from her previous teacher training and challenges she encountered

14:35 What unique offerings Ashley feels she brings to her trainings

16:00 Shannon asks Ashley to reflect on yoga teacher trainings she's taken and how she would like to teach aspects of the course differently

17:45 Ashley describes Budokon and what she draws from the practice

19:30 Shannon asks Ashley to consider her interest in Sanskrit and yoga philosophy as a strength and perhaps incorporating it into her teacher trainings

21:25 Shannon suggests Ashley incorporates developing yoga teacher confidence into the course and advice on getting yoga teacher jobs

22:05 What Ashley finds to be the biggest challenge in attracting yoga students to her training

22:55 Shannon's sticky note method to visualize, in a concrete way, how many students you need to fill your course and how to accomplish that

24:00 Shannon asks Ashley if she has a mailing list and if she has a method to reach out to that list regularly, in a personal way

27:00 What Ashley believes to be her target audience and is advised to market keeping this in mind

28:40 Reaching out to yoga teachers that may have students who are interested in YTT and considering incentives for those who refer students to the training

33:25 Using video to introduce yourself and your partner to tell your background story and using Facebook Live to preview part of the course

37:20 Making a plan to post on social media and sending out emails, including some course content or relating it back to activities in your life

42:55 Establishing what makes you unique is key to elevator and escalator pitches- Your One Thing, THE strategy, the essence of your yoga teacher training

45:40 Highlighting the relationship between you and your co-teacher and the way you work together can make students feel confident about taking your course

Taking a stand on the YTT that you want to teach and letting students know that the 200-hour yoga teacher training is just a start

52:00 Shannon and Ashley discuss where and how Ashley is going to market next

56:25 Shannon's closing thoughts

Links

Ashley's Website- Ashes Yoga

Yoga with Ashley on Youtube

Article: Budokon, made in America, mixes yoga with martial arts on reuters.com

MamaNurture Website

Relevant Podcast Episodes:

Sticky Note Method- 049: Grow Your Yoga Student Base [Part 1] with Shannon Crow

002: Reconnect With Your Yoga Practice with Nina Andic [Consultation Call]

018: Get Creative with Your Yoga Cues [Consultation Call] with Brittany Alred

029: Creating Your About Me Page with Trevor Parks [Consultation Call]

040: Grow Your Audience with a 5-Day Challenge with Patricia Fasciotti [Consultation Call]