The Funny Thing About Yoga

Just when we thought we had enough to worry about wrapping up our 300-hour yoga teacher training, Yoga Alliance decided to shake things up. And if you're confused about the updates, don't worry, because apparently so are we.

But before we even attempt to make sense of any of that, we spend an absurd amount of time discussing punk rock lullabies, Imogen Heap, Google Forms, email lists, the same conversations we've been having for a decade, air fryers, cock rings, silverware, and microplastics. How any of these things are related is beyond us, but welcome to the podcast.

Eventually, we attempt to unpack Yoga Alliance's transition from a registry to a credentialing system, what the new and old designations mean, and how these changes impact RYT 200s, RYT 500s, E-RYTs, and registered yoga schools. But the bigger question is: Does any of this actually matter?

Naturally, what starts as an attempt to clarify the updates turns into a much bigger conversation about Yoga Alliance itself. From the slow-burning fire under the organization over the years to #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, the CEO's salary, and the question of how Yoga Alliance became such an authority in an industry it doesn't actually regulate.

Who gave this organization so much clout? What are we really paying for? And if we didn't run a yoga school, would we even bother renewing our memberships?

There are tangents, strong opinions, plenty of questions, and a healthy dose of confusion. We're not even sure this episode makes sense, but then again, does any of it?

Whether you're a new teacher, a seasoned E-RYT, a yoga school owner, or someone who's been blindly paying their annual dues for years, we're breaking down what we know, questioning what we don't, and talking about what you can actually do moving forward.

Because if we're going to keep paying into a system, shouldn't we at least understand what we're paying for?

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Upcoming Retreats:

Yoga Teachers Retreat March 22-27, 2027: Costa Rica

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The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

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Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

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bradshawwishyoga.com

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If we could go back and give our younger yoga teacher selves some business advice, we'd have A LOT to say. But first, naturally, we need to discuss some very important matters: Giana failing to acknowledge Bradshaw's social media post, his latest snack obsessions, the magic of Chicago Aldi, sour candy, fiber, and the ridiculous amount of phone tag we've been playing. We also catch up on our upcoming Costa Rica retreat for yoga teachers, because apparently we can squeeze a little business into even our most unhinged tangents.

Eventually, we get down to business. Literally.

This week, we're sharing all the things we wish someone had told us when we first started teaching yoga. From knowing your worth and setting your rates to learning when to say yes (and when to say no), finding balance, and building meaningful connections with your students and community. We're talking about why teaching beginners and working at gyms shouldn't be overlooked, the realities of being an independent contractor, and why there's absolutely nothing wrong with starting small. We also get into diversifying your income, creating longevity in your career, and figuring out what's actually worth your time and energy.

Of course, we have thoughts on social media, too. Why building real relationships with your students matters more than chasing followers, and how genuine connections can take your career further than any algorithm ever could.

After more than a decade in the industry, we've made the mistakes, learned some expensive lessons, and figured a few things out along the way. Consider this the business conversation we wish we'd had ten years ago, complete with plenty of laughs, unsolicited opinions, and a little tough love.

Whether you're a brand-new teacher trying to find your footing or a seasoned one rethinking what a sustainable career looks like, this episode is for you.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

Upcoming Retreats:

Yoga Teachers Retreat March 22-27, 2027: Costa Rica

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're talking about the surprisingly lonely side of being a yoga teacher and why having friends who actually understand this weird job is so important. From studio politics and unspoken competition to professional jealousy, burnout, and the pressure to always be the one holding space, we're unpacking the challenges of finding genuine friendship in an industry that's supposedly all about community.

We get into the difference between yoga friends and actual friends, the loneliness of being your own boss, mentorship versus friendship, and whether yoga teachers are really supporting one another or just keeping tabs on the competition. Along the way, we share stories about how Bradshaw and Giana became friends, the hilarity of getting a couples massage together, and some of the unexpected friendships we've formed with our own students. Naturally, there are plenty of tangents, including why our yoga besties are often the first people we turn to when navigating big life transitions, questioning our careers, or figuring out what's next… even when that next chapter might take us beyond yoga altogether.

We also reflect on the friendships that have shaped our teaching careers, the importance of having people you can be completely unfiltered with, and why the best relationships in this industry are the ones that extend far beyond the studio walls.

And speaking of community, we have a BIG announcement! Our 2027 C.A.Y.A. Yoga Teachers Retreat in Costa Rica is officially LIVE! We're sharing all the details about five nights dedicated to rest, connection, and reigniting your love for teaching alongside people who truly get it.

Because at the end of the day, even the people who hold space for everyone else need somewhere to land. And sometimes, the best thing yoga gives us isn't a better handstand or a teaching opportunity… it's the friendships we never saw coming.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

Upcoming Retreats:

Yoga Teachers Retreat March 22-27, 2027: Costa Rica

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have we reached the ultimate level of yoga snobbery… becoming snobby about Flowy Yoga Girl? This week, we’re calling ourselves out and asking: have we become yoga snobs?

After some baby updates and another weekend of travel teaching for Bradshaw, we get into everything we’ve become particular about after years of teaching, from student behavior and studio etiquette to other teachers, sequencing, cueing, and all the little things we can’t help but notice anymore.

But we’re also looking in the mirror. We talk about what we’re surprisingly forgiving about, the things we used to do ourselves, and what we’re actively working on being less judgmental about. We share stories from our early teaching days, the experiences that shaped some of our current opinions, and how years of teaching, learning, and knowing more naturally make you a little… snobbier.

We wrap with a rapid-fire round of Snob or Standard? before reading two emails with some very interesting snobby undertones.

Are we discerning professionals with years of experience… or have we officially become yoga snobs? You decide.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Bradshaw is back from teaching abroad and sharing stories from Prague and Oxford- from cultural differences in the yoga room to the things that surprised his students most. He reflects on how travel teaching has changed him as a teacher, what he’s learned from continually walking into rooms full of people who have never practiced with him before, and one universal observation he’s made about students no matter where in the world he teaches.

Giana and Bradshaw also get into the reality of building a life that includes travel teaching: how you actually get started, why it doesn’t have to mean hopping on an international flight, and how teaching somewhere new, even in the next town over, can stretch you creatively. They talk about the necessity of putting yourself out there, making connections, and creating opportunities rather than waiting for someone to discover you.

Bradshaw shares how his approach has evolved through constantly popping in and out of new places, and whether he prefers the challenge of teaching a brand-new group every time or the deeper relationship that comes from returning to the same students again and again. Meanwhile, Giana asks some hard questions and gives some motherhood updates, shares what she’s realizing she misses most about teaching, and teases a new article she’s writing about her own experience rebuilding a teaching community after moving across the country.Plus, there may be something new brewing for the future of C.A.Y.A.…

As always, expect plenty of tangents, honest reflections, practical advice, and Giana and Bradshaw giving each other a hard time along the way.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a two-week break (and a whole lot of pre-recording), Giana and Bradshaw are finally back together for a much-needed catch-up episode, and a lot has happened!

Giana shares reflections from giving birth and the first weeks of motherhood, from letting go of expectations and slowing down to putting nervous system regulation into practice when there’s a screaming baby in your arms. She talks about releasing the pressure to do things “right,” staying present through the unknown, the myth of having it all, and why she refuses to look back with regret.

Meanwhile, Bradshaw catches us up on a summer of travel and retreats in Italy and Portugal. He reflects on the importance of letting go of control, choosing opportunities from a place of passion, and what it’s been like watching the community they’ve built through the podcast and Instagram come to life through real friendships and experiences around the world.

This episode is less about having a lesson to teach and more about reflecting on the season we’re both in- birth, travel, change, community, surrender, and learning how to simply be present.

We missed you. It feels good to be back.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're tackling a topic every yoga teacher encounters sooner or later: difficult students.

We share stories from our own teaching careers and explore the many ways challenging situations can show up, whether it's a student who constantly pushes boundaries, changes the lights or thermostat without asking, disrupts the flow of class, or creates challenges in retreats or private sessions. We talk about the difference between handling genuine concerns versus navigating difficult personalities, and how our approach has evolved over the years.

Along the way, we share plenty of real-life stories (some frustrating, some hilarious), reflect on what we've learned, and offer practical advice for maintaining professionalism, setting boundaries, and protecting the experience for the rest of the class. If you've ever found yourself wondering, "How should I handle this student?" this episode will remind you that you're definitely not alone.

As always, expect honest conversations, lots of laughs, and a few moments that will have you thinking back to your own teaching experiences.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Giana and Bradshaw reflect on Bradshaw's experience attending Judith Hanson Lasater's Restorative Yoga training in San Francisco. Since Giana completed the training years ago, it was a chance to revisit the material through fresh eyes and compare their experiences.

Together, they explore the difference between Restorative Yoga (with a capital "R") and the "restorative" classes commonly found on studio schedules. They discuss props, sequencing, nervous system regulation, and the realities of teaching restorative yoga in public class settings, especially when time and equipment are limited.

Giana shares a story about the unexpected blessing of losing her training report, which ultimately led her away from assisting Judith and accepting the reality of rest. They also talk about the importance of stepping away from teaching to become students again and refill their own cups.

The episode closes with some of the deeper wisdom Judith shared- lessons that have stayed with them for days, years, and in some cases, continue to shape the way they teach today. They also share their hope of welcoming Judith to the podcast in the near future!

 Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is quick, fun, and a little unhinged. We kick things off with summer plans, Bradshaw's daily dog walks, Giana being very pregnant, our upcoming retreats, dream travel destinations (including India), an unexpected tangent about saris, and Bradshaw reveals his least favorite food.

Then we shift gears and share 5 practical ways to teach a better yoga class. We dive into class planning, observing your students, creating space instead of over-teaching, refining your edits, and the small habits we're both working to improve in our own teaching. Whether you're a new teacher or have been teaching for years, you'll leave with practical takeaways to make your classes stronger, clearer, and more intentional.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donation-Based Yoga: Does It Actually Work?

This week on The Funny Thing About Yoga, we're tackling a topic we've been talking about recently and wondering how to do intelligently: donation-based yoga classes.

Can they actually work? Should yoga be free? Is there a way to make classes more accessible and still cover overhead and get paid? 

In this episode, we explore donation-based models in both in-person and online spaces, share examples of studios and teachers we've seen make it work (and others that eventually phased it out), and brainstorm alternative ways to increase accessibility while still creating sustainable careers for teachers.

Fair warning: this is one of our more chaotic episodes. We ask a lot of questions, throw around a lot of ideas, and don't pretend to have all the answers. We acknowledge that neither of us has extensive firsthand experience running donation-based classes. Bradshaw also becomes mildly obsessed with profit margins at one point, which probably surprises no one.

A candid conversation about accessibility, value, community, money, and the complicated reality of trying to make yoga available to everyone while still paying the bills.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

• Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 
• Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:

The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga

School: @cayayogaschool

Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links

gianayoga.com

bradshawwishyoga.com

cayayogaschool.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.