September 18, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Body Image and Yoga

Episode No. 32

This week Giana and Bradshaw talk about all things Body Image, from the stereotypical yoga body to the commercialization of yoga, to feeling unwelcome, unsolicited comments and negative self-talk. They talk about their experience as both students and teachers and share the several ways in which the yoga practice can help cultivate a healthy relationship with body image. They also give advice on what not to do and share a few related stories. Check out this episode and let us know what you think!

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Chat

05:03 Body Image

06:20 Stereotypes

14:01 The Commercialization of Yoga

15:35 Our Experience 

22:35 Adaptations and Representations

25:18 How Can Yoga Improve Body Image

30:48 No One Looking At You

32:57 Learning About Other Bodies Through Students

35:50 More Benefits

38:41 Self-Sabotage 

41:50 Do not Comment on People's Bodies

46:15 This Topic is Important to us

48:37 The Funny Thing About Yoga

51:45 Closing Announcements

Follow Us on Instagram:

@TheFunnyThingAboutYoga @CayaYogaSchool @GianaGambino @BradshawWish

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

Subscribe to our C.A.Y.A. Newsletter: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/contact

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

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

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September 5, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

This Wasn’t in the Job Description

Episode No. 31

In today's episode, “This wasn’t in the Job Description,” Giana and Bradshaw talk about many of the atypical situations they have encountered in their collective 19 years of teaching experience. From medical emergencies and dealing with intruders, to conflict management and everything in between, the hosts get very candid about many different situations that have challenged them to think quickly and improvise all while caring for and safeguarding their students. This isn’t an episode of just jokes and laughs, though some of the absurdity can be seen as comical, It is an episode that gets deeply personal and reflects how both of them have responded to stimuli and sometimes stressful circumstances while on the job. These stories are shared with the intention of shedding light on the many different hats yoga teachers are sometimes asked to wear in hopes that their learning moments provide lessons or comfort to other teachers who have been in similar situations. With each of these stories shared came an opportunity for growth and we’re honored to be growing along with all of you. Thanks for listening and please rate, review, and subscribe to help support the podcast! 

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Chat and Announcements

03:03 This was NOT in the Job Description

07:25 Atypical Experiences in a Group Class #1

12:00 Insurance and Liability 

15:45 Atypical Experiences in a Group Class #2

18:55 Atypical Experiences in a Group Class #3

29:00 Students are very Understanding

30:55 Atypical Experiences in a Group Class #4

32:20 How to Handle Creeps in Public Classes 

34:10 Atypical Experiences in a Group Class #5

38:20 Managing Conflict on a Retreat

40:55 Asking Someone to Leave a Retreat

51:02 Closing Thoughts

53:02 The Funny Thing About Yoga

57:03 Final Thoughts

Follow Us on Instagram:

@TheFunnyThingAboutYoga @CayaYogaSchool @GianaGambino @BradshawWish

Join us in Nicaragua please visit: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicargua

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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/

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

September 5, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Everything You Need to Know About Inversions

Episode No. 30

This week Giana and Bradshaw talk about Inversions- particularly headstands, forearm stands, and Handstands. Before getting into It they enjoy lighthearted banter and as their 2024 Retreat and YTT approaches, reminisce about Nicaragua. As for the Inversion talk, they detail their experience and preferences, the reason for including inversions in your practice, and even give helpful tips for getting upside down. They also weave in anecdotes about fears, Barbie, Periods, and so much more. We hope you enjoy this conversation and thank you for listening. As always, rate, review, and subscribe! 

If you’d like to join us in Nicaragua please visit: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicargua

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Banter

04:08 Nicaragua

11:14 Bradshaw Talks About Inversions

15:04 What is an Inversion?

16:28 Gianas Experience 

19:45 Being a Beginner at Something Helps You Teach

22:25 Are Inversions Important?

25:30 Listen to Your Body

26:53 Fear

32:02 You don’t have to Invert

33:29 Headstand, Forearmstand, Handstand

36:18 Headstand

40:47 Forearmstand

45:05 Find Stability through Stacking

46:50 Yoga vs. Gymnastic Handstand 

50:33 The Feet

52:20 Consistency 

54:15 The Funny Thing About Yoga

Follow Us on Instagram:

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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/

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

August 28, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

From Exploitation to Established Yoga Instructor with Quamay Sams

Episode No. 29

Giana and Bradshaw catch up with a friend, Quamay Sams. Quamay is a 500-hour yoga instructor based in New York City who strives to balance movement with the mindfulness of spiritual meditation. He shares his passion locally in Brooklyn and globally on Glo. In this conversation, Quamay chronicles how he went from a new yoga teacher teaching for free to making It a career on one of the most well-respected and internationally recognized online platforms. In between, he has done It all, managed studios, led retreats, and participated in several yoga teacher trainings all while navigating two of the most expensive cities in the country. It is so easy to banter with Quamay, which our several tangents confirm. From Home Depot, Shopping, Rappers, and so much more- you have to listen. Enjoy the episode and as always, thank you for listening!

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please rate, review, and subscribe to help support us. We love those 5-star Reviews.

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Quamay Sams! The banter is real…

05:05 Quamay’s yoga journey

09:15 Yoga to the People

12:15 Exploitation of new teachers

17:25 Journey to teaching full time

21:25 Training 26 & 2 and Management

26:40 Big move to San Francisco

35:04 New York Talk

36:25 Big Shifts since 2020!

38:16 Teaching online for Glo

40:50 Class Length 

44:39 Online Feedback

47:40 Where you can find Quamay 

51:25 The Funny Thing About Yoga

59:02 Closing Thoughts

Follow Quamay on Instagram @eyethree

Check out his website: https://www.eyethreeyoga.com/

Follow Us on Instagram:

@TheFunnyThingAboutYoga @CayaYogaSchool @GianaGambino @BradshawWish

Join our Substack Newsletter to Receive extra bonus FUNNY THING content:

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Join us in Starved Rock: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/starvedrock

Join us in Nicaragua: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicargua 

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/

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The Funny Thing About Yoga

Q&A: Sweat Etiquette, See-through Clothes, & Yoga Retreat Growth

BONUS EPISODE #5

August 24, 2023

Once a Month, You can anticipate a special bonus episode where we answer YOUR questions! In this very special bonus episode, we answer three questions submitted to us by listeners. We talk about sweat etiquette, see-through yoga clothing, and how to use what you learn on Yoga Retreats. If you have a question, please submit It to the podcast to be featured and start a discussion!

Submit a Question Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck2nTNc_UlcCKBhZId5DmDwoU6aslkFfGKtdz-1uSo-HNY8g/viewform

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome to Bonus Episode 5!

01:30 Question #1: Shirtless Yoga and Sweat Etiquette 

04:55 Question #2: See-Through Yoga Clothing

11:23 Question #3: Yoga Retreat growth

18:05 Closing Thoughts and Announcements

Follow us on IG:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

www.gianayoga.com

www.bradshawwish.com

www.cayayogaschool.com/podcast

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August 21, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Alignment: Does It Matter?

Episode No. 28

This week Giana leads with an intro that addresses new listeners, she shares information about upcoming yoga retreats, and she gets personal about whats been going on for her. Then Bradshaw joins the conversation and they begin to talk about Alignment and pose the question: Is there a right or wrong way to do things? They both share their viewpoints on alignment and discuss if the rules matter and how or why things might be altered. In doing so they give three examples: warrior one, wheel, and triangle pose. Of course they can’t resist tangents, advice for new teachers, and funny stories.Thank you for listening and as always, rate, review, and subscribe! 

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Gigglers - theres so much to update you on!

06:18 Bradshaw Joins in the Convo

07:35 Does Alignment Matter?

08:39 Bradshaws Thoughts on This

11:22 Giana Shares her Thoughts

13:22 Different Variations of Warrior 1 

20:20 Having a Broad Perspective

21:00 Different Variations of Wheel Pose

26:20 Different Variations of Triangle Pose 

35:52 Linear Thinking Versus Nuance 

39:03 Critical Thinking, Growth, and Discernment

42:22 The Funny Thing about Yoga

48:00 Closing Thoughts and Outro

Follow Us on Instagram:

@TheFunnyThingAboutYoga @CayaYogaSchool @GianaGambino @BradshawWish

Join our Substack Newletter to Receive extra bonus FUNNY THING content:

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Join us in Starved Rock: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/starvedrock

Join us in Nicaragua: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicargua 

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

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/contact

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefunnythingaboutyoga/

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

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

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

August 14, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

On Breaking Stigmas and Being Yourself with Stephanie Acosta

Episode No. 27

This week Giana and Bradshaw have Stephanie Acosta on the podcast to talk about breaking stigmas in the wellness industry, creating a platform for other Latinx yoga teachers, being a mom, big shifts throughout the pandemic, being real and all things New York. Stephanie says It like It is and shows up completely as herself both in the podcast and in life. As a team lead at Y7 she shares good advice for the newer generation of teachers and makes us laugh about sequencing. They keep It light with jokes about yoga teacher pet peeves, talk about their least favorite poses, and how difficult It is as a yoga teacher to wear so many hats. This episode feels like you’ve been let in on a private chat between friends and It could’ve went on and on. Check out Stephanie and Yogis Unidos on Instagram and as always, thank you for listening! Please rate, review, and subscribe to help support the podcast. 

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome back Housekeeping

03:03 Stephanie Acosta!

07:05 Diversity and the New York Scene

09:28 Yogis Unidos 

11:58 Know Your Worth

14:23 Gatekeeping

15:30 Pre and Post Pandemic 

19:10 Quarantine as a time to Redefine Relationships

20:18 Taking Time for Yourself

22:35 How to Scale back but still Support Yourself

25:05 Being your own Boss & the Layers of Connection

27:22 Stephanies Role at Y7

28:20 Advice for the Younger Generation

30:46 Yoga Pet Peeves and Least Favorite Poses

34:02 Stephanies Socials and Breaking Stigmas

37:40 Y7 Scouting and Audition Experience

39:50 Vocal Tone and Being Hyped

42:07 New York, Rent, Roommates

47:40 Giana’s Dog

48:55 The Funny Thing About Yoga

56:56 Advice for New Teachers 

58:05 Perfectionism

1:01:00 Memes, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift

1:02:17 Closing Thoughts

Follow Stephanie Acosta @stephanieacostayoga @yogisunidos

Follow Us on Instagram:

@TheFunnyThingAboutYoga @CayaYogaSchool @GianaGambino @BradshawWish

Join our Substack Newletter to Receive extra bonus FUNNY THING content:

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Join us in Starved Rock: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/starvedrock

Join us in Nicaragua: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicargua 

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

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/contact

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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/

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August 7, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Social Media and Random Tangents

Episode No. 26

This week Giana and Bradshaw talk completely off the cuff about all things social media, humor, and finding their niche. Of course they cannot avoid tangents that range from the people upstairs, astrology, their roles with CAYA, clean aesthetics, and so much more. They detail their strategy or lack of strategy with social media, some controversy that comes with putting out reels, and the accounts that inspire them. Thank you for listening and as always, rate, review, and subscribe!

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome back Chaos

05:30 Today We’re talking about Social Media and a million other things

07:41 Bradshaw and the People Upstairs

09:58 Building the CAYA Instagram

11:30 Bradshaw, the Bare minimum and his Ego

16:04 Funny Versus Academic 

17:55 Blame It on Astrology

24:45 You can’t box us in

26:01 Humorous Instagram Reels 

31:15 Reel Reactions and Our Values

38:08 Social Media is Strange

40:25 Our Favorite Funny Yoga Instagram Accounts

44:20 Wrapping It Up

45:30 Cancel, Commit, Explore

47:12 The Funny Thing About Yoga

53:30 Announcements

55:08 Outro

Funny Yoga Accounts to Follow:

@adamhusler @jackworkanmanyoga @francescomazzattiyoga @abimillsyoga @bay_jitsu

Follow Us on Instagram:

@TheFunnyThingAboutYoga @CayaYogaSchool @GianaGambino @BradshawWish

Join our Substack Newletter to Receive extra bonus FUNNY THING content:

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Join us in Starved Rock: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/starvedrock

Join us in Nicaragua: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicargua 

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

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/contact

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefunnythingaboutyoga/

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/

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

July 31, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

YTT: Our Experience, Pros & Cons, and Future Plans

Episode No. 25

In this weeks episode Giana and Bradshaw talk ALL things yoga teacher trainings. They talk about their first experience in a 200 Hour, the different formats of trainings, the lack of regulations and yoga alliance standards, and so much more. With a 200 Hour Yoga teacher program of their own coming up in Nicaragua 2024, they explain what students can expect, as well as acknowledge that trainings are not for everyone. Through listing a few of the pros and cons of taking a yoga teacher training, they hope to be transparent about the experience and help curious listeners decide if its a path they want to follow. And as always, they will make you laugh with stories about having a baby, being a germaphobe, and a fun round of cancel, explore, commit. Thank you for listening to the podcast and helping to spread the word!

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Announcements

06:00 Todays Topic: Yoga Teacher Trainings

6:55 Bradshaws 200 Hour Training

12:52 Gianas 200 Hour Training

18:39 Different Types of Training

19:32 Should Anyone be Allowed to take a YTT?

24:37 Training Quality and Standards

29:06 The Pros of Taking a Yoga Teacher Training

32:30 The Cons of Taking a Yoga Teacher Training

39:43 Our Next 200 Hour Training

43:54 Ask us about our 200 Hour

44:32 Cancel, Commit, Explore

46:56 The Funny Thing About Yoga

53:14 Outro

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Follow Us on Instagram:

@TheFunnyThingAboutYoga @CayaYogaSchool @GianaGambino @BradshawWish

Join us in Starved Rock: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/starvedrock

Join us in Nicaragua: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicargua 

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

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/contact

Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefunnythingaboutyoga/

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/

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July 24, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Sobriety, Yoga, and Self-love with Erika Scribner 

Episode No. 24

In this weeks episode Giana and Bradshaw talk with Erika Scribner, a yoga teacher and studio owner based in South Florida. Erika details her journey with overcoming addiction and finding the yoga practice along the way. Though not the only tool in her tool belt, she credits the practice with learning to love herself again. We talk about the challenge of the physical postures and why they’re necessary, yoga therapeutics and her trainings, the Yamas and Niyama’s and the ethical lessons meant for all of us, and so much more. You can genuinely feel Erikas joy and positivity throughout the conversation and as she points out, its not natural, It took years of doing the hard work to come to where she’s at now and It is inspiring. We hope this conversation empowers listeners to use whatever tools in their tool belt that actually work and to find a community of support to help with whatever challenges life brings across your path. Like Erika details, we all possess the ability to go through the mud and blossom into the lotus flower. Enjoy this episode and remember to rate, review and subscribe to help support the podcast! 

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome to the Pod- Giana’s got announcements

02:37 A little Intro on our Guest, Erika Scribner!

04:25 Erika Tells her Story

08:32 Being Humbled Through the Practice

10:45 Finding Balance

13:54 Erikas Journey to Teaching 

17:31 You Need To Try Out a Bunch of Different Yoga Styles

20:02 How To Teach to Folks in Recovery?

25:40 What Other Tools Were You Using?

29:12 The Importance of Other Wellness Tools

32:24 Bradshaw’s Ego & Giana Talks Power of the Mind

35:33 Vulnerability and Being Taken Advantage of

37:23 Erika’s Advanced Training with Yoga Medicine

43:23 Erika’s Studio ‘Ananda Yoga’

47:49 Power Yoga, Hot Yoga, and A Shifting the Business

53:26 Rebuilding a New Business during the Pandemic

57:05 A Message to Those going through a Recovery Journey or Sober Curious

1:00:39 Where to Find Erika

1:01:55 The Funny Thing About Yoga

1:07:34 Closing Thoughts & Outro

Join our Substack Newletter to Receive extra bonus FUNNY THING content:

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Follow Erika Scribner @erika_yoga_and_unicorns

Ananda Yoga: https://www.anandayogapb.com/

Follow Us on Instagram:

@TheFunnyThingAboutYoga @CayaYogaSchool @GianaGambino @BradshawWish

Join us in Nicaragua: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicargua 

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

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/

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