The Funny Thing About Yoga

Q&A: Shifts in the Yoga Industry & The Myth of Hot Yoga

BONUS EPISODE #4

June 22, 2023

Once a Month, You can anticipate a special bonus episode where we answer YOUR questions! In this very special bonus episode, we answer two questions submitted to us by listeners. We talk about how the yoga world in the west has changed since the ‘90s and how we feel about It as part of the newer generation of teachers AND we also discuss hot yoga and some of the myths around the practice. 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 4!

01:42 Question #1: Shifts in the Yoga Industry

24:00 Question #2: Hot Yoga Benefits 

34:10 Closing Thoughts and Announcements

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@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

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www.bradshawwish.com

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July 16, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Can You Teach Poses You Can’t Do?

Episode No. 23

In this episode Giana and Bradshaw talk about whether or not yoga teachers should teach poses that they themselves cannot do. It is never black and white and so they detail different scenarios and talk about pivotal memories during their more formidable yoga student years. Bradshaw explains how teaching things he can do easily is actually a challenge for him, whereas Giana talks about one of her big “AHA” moments from a teacher who could not do a pose she taught. This topic leads them through tangents about why challenging poses are necessary and what an advanced practice means. They end the episode with cancel, commit, explore and also share what they’re working on or struggling with in their own practice right now. As always listen through to the funny stories at the end and let us know what you think! Rate, Review and Subscribe and share the podcast with your friends !

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Back Banter 

04:00 Can You Teach a posture You cannot do?

06:15 Bradshaw talks about how its Hard for him to Teach Handstands

08:51 Yoga Teachers don’t have to be a Certain Way 

09:38 Physical Capabilities Doesn’t mean Great Teacher

11:36 Giana gives an Example from her Experience as a Student

14:28 We talk Visual Learners

19:40 You don’t Always have to Teach Hard Things 

21:30 The More I Practice the Less I Practice “Hard” Pose

23:20 “Hard” Poses Bring Big Lessons

25:50 Find Ease rather than Creating Dis-Ease

27:35 Discomfort Vs. Pain

30:20 Advance Pose Versus Advance Practice 

37:39 The Practice Changes You

41:30 Summarizing Our Convo and How to…

42:13 Cancel, Commit, Explore

43:00 What Postures Can’t You Do that You’ve Taught?

46:00 What Postures Are you Working On?

48:45 The Funny Thing About Yoga

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

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 10, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Broing Out with Calvin Corzine

Episode No. 22

In this episode Giana and Bradshaw talk with LA based yoga teacher, Calvin Corzine about his new yoga studio venture, his instagram polls, regional yoga differences and so much more. Calvin is smart, super chill, and he shares a ton of insight from his experience in the yoga world. They connect over FRC, Jui Jitsu, and share their experiences with feedback, mentors, and a continued interest in expansion and growth. This conversation feels like a casual chat amongst friends; you will laugh, you will learn, and we hope you’ll feel inspired to advance your studies. Make sure to listen till the very end for the funniest Funny Thing stories yet. As always, don’t forget to rate, review, subscribe, and share with friends. We hope you enjoy the listen!

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome to the Pod ! We’ve got a Guest

02:45 Let’s hear It for Calvin 

06:03 Calvin talks Camp LA

15:08 Bradshaw asks about FRC 

19:30 Misinformation, Oral Tradition, and Ownership

21:35 Updating your Teaching

22:45 Jui Jitsu

23:35 Calvins Instagram Polls

29:55 Mentorship

32:55 The New Generation

38:00 Feedback and Growth

43:30 Regional Yoga Vibes

46:13 Auditioning

48:08 East Coast 

50:07 LA Hotties & Class Descriptions

55:10 Yoga Frustrations and Modern History

57:30 Has the Mentor Generation done “the Grind”

59:02 The Funny Thing About Yoga

Follow Calvin Corzine @calvmonster

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

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 3, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Nish the F1sh Explains It All 

Episode No. 21

In this very episode Giana and Bradshaw talk with Nishanth Selvalingam, also known as Nish the F1sh on TikTok and Instagram. Nish teaches yoga and meditation in Los Angeles and hosts a weekly virtual and IRL Sangha gathering focused on philosophy and spiritual studies. He has grown a large following on TikTok for sharing his understanding of deep concepts in a digestible and uplifting manner, which he also does in this episode today. We talk about different schools of philosophy, deaths Reincarnation, yoga and religion, Patanjali, Samkhya, and mythology. He shares with us that the dichotomy between east and west is a false one, that death is akin to changing your clothes, and that all paths lead to the same place. We had a lot of fun learning from Nish and we hope to keep the conversation going. Follow Nish on social media or join his Monday night gatherings- All links are below! Please Rate, Review and Subscribe and if you’re enjoying the podcast, and share It with friends…

00:00 Intro

00:30 Whats going on today?

02:30 Welcome Nishanth A.K.A Nish the F1sh

07:50 The False East- West Dichotomy and Philosophy

16:07 Existentialist and the Buddha 

20:27 Death…. Of Course

24:38 Mediumship and Reincarnation

29:53 Is Yoga a Religion? 

34:47 God and the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali 

37:47 A tangent on Samkhya

42:57 How Nish Teaches in LA

46:01 White People Chanting 

53:58 The Funny Thing About Mythology

1:00:01 Where you can find Nish and Outro

Follow Nish on Instagram and TikTok @Nishthef1sh

Website: https://beacons.ai/nishthef1sh

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0jNs8LzKie2KBmuId5fs7Q

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/for-the-love-of-yoga-with-nish-the-fish/id1540320474

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

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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June 26, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

The Art of Cueing 

Episode No. 20

Happy Pride Y’all! Giana and Bradshaw begin this episode with some banter about pride and quickly dive into a discussion on Cueing, which could be expanded on in future episodes. Cueing preferences can be seen as subjective since different students learn differently, and this will inform what time of teacher a certain type of learner is drawn to. With this in mind, Giana and Bradshaw share what has been working for them as teachers and what they prefer as students- from being direct, cueing to what you see, using inclusive language, and teaching to varying levels of students. There is so much to reflect on and digest in this episode and listeners are encourage to take what resonates and leave the rest. Of course they also share silly stories and make you laugh along the way. Please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast AND help share the love by spreading the word ! We appreciate you :) 

00:00 Intro

00:30 Happy Pride Everybody !

05:35 Language and Cueing - Minimum Relevant Cueing

08:20 Build from the ground Up

11:17 Beginners Yoga is not Easy

13:36 All Levels and Finding Balance 

15:00 Cue to What You’re Seeing

16:50 You Can’t Teach Everything in 1 Hour

17:30 Cue to What You’re Sequencing

20:30 Filler Words

21:07 Narrating What You Do

24:20 Moving Away from Reprimanding Cues

25:55 Language that Fosters Growth

31:30 Podcast Nicknames

33:39 Cue the Breath First

36:46 Breath Creates Pacing 

40:16 Recapping

41:35 Call For Responses

42:04 Cancel, Commit, Explore

44:05 The I the Me the My Teacher

45:49 The Funny Thing About Yoga

49:22 Final Thoughts

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

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/

Email: [email protected]

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

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Q&A: Adjusting Yourself, Chatty Cathys, & Wrist Pain 

BONUS EPISODE #3

June 22, 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 yoga attire and adjusting yourself in eagle pose, navigating chatty students, and adapting your practice around wrist pain. 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 3

05:16 Question #1: Yoga Attire & Adjusting Genitals 

16:50 Question #2: Chatty Kathy Students 

23:51 Question #3: Wrist Modifications

30:46 Closing Summary and Announcements

Follow us on IG:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

www.gianayoga.com

www.bradshawwish.com

www.cayayogaschool.com/podcast

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June 19, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Learning and Laughing with Psychic Medium Kim Russo

We talk Ghosts, Energy, and How Yoga Raises your Vibration

Episode No. 19

In this very special episode Giana and Bradshaw talk with Kim Russo, a world-renown Psychic Medium and Giana’s Aunt. Known as “The Happy Medium,” Kim is an accomplished author and TV personality. She has been on Celebrity Ghost Stories, Paranormal State, and Psychic Kids to name a few. Giana has grown up knowing about her profession and gifts and was curious to see how the language of Spirit intersects with what we learn and know about the practices of yoga, especially the deeper wisdoms of the Subtle Body. This conversation does not disappoint. Kim shares her journey to recognizing and embracing her gifts, the fears and learning she has to do along the way, as well as many funny stories from Spirit. Through these conversations Giana realizes the messages Kim shares with the world are so tightly related to some of the core yogic philosophies- she talks about Kundalini, Prana, the Nadis, Chakras, and even Purusha and Prakriti. This episode is different, but It is a must listen. Please share, rate, review and subscribe !

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome to a very Special Episode!

03:47 Lets Hear from Kim Russo

12:59 The s

17:32 Setting Boundaries with Spirit 

21:21 Can Anyone have this Gift?

24:21 The Difference between a Medium and Psychic

27:50 Mental Health and Energy

34:35 Did this Gift come with Fear?

38:02 Can you See Trauma?

42:05 How is this Connected to Yoga

45:15 Breath is Life

47:00 Chakras and Energy Centers 

51:00 The Subtle Body for Skeptics

57:47 There’s More Overlap Than we Thought

1:00:25 The Funny Thing About Yoga and Spirit 

1:21:43 Outro

Follow Kim Russo at @KimRussoMedium or visit KimRusso.com to learn more!

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

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/

Email: [email protected]

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June 12, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Things We No Longer Do as Yoga Teachers

Episode No. 18

In this weeks episode Giana and Bradshaw have a candid discussion about things they no longer do while teaching yoga. They discuss 15 changes they’ve made to their teaching practice in detail, share stories, and explain what they do do instead. This is an episode that truly embraces change and encourages growth. And of course It all begins with casual banter about their names, ways to get involved with the podcast, and a random tangent on Robin Williams and of course, death. They end just as strong, sharing stories about a dharma talk gone wrong and the most unwelcoming teaching experience and then another tangent about where they shopped in high school and Giana’s experience as a Long Island Emo kid. We appreciate your support and 5-star reviews, thank you for listening! 

00:00 Intro

00:35 Welcome Back Banter

05:12 Let’s Get Into It

06:07 #1 I Don’t Overshare Personal Life

10:13 #2 I Don’t Practice While Teaching 

13:55 #3 I Don’t Skimp on Savasana 

14:49 #4 I Don’t Only Teach Chaturanga Transitions

16:48 #5 I Don’t Make Up Classes on the Fly 

17:52 #6 I Don’t Play Music Immediately 

19:39 #7 I No Longer Give Hands on Assists

20:24 #8 I Don’t Teach Overly Complicated Sequences 

24:01 #9 I Don’t Passively Stretch as Much

26:32 #10 I No Longer Use Certain Cues 

30:47 #11 I Don’t Use Exclusive Language 

31:34 #12 I Don’t Teach Counterposes 

33:58 #13 I Don’t Light Incense

34:45 #14 I Don’t Call Out Peoples Names

37:04 #15 I Don’t Talk Too Much

39:46 Whats Really Important?

41:48 Cancel, Explore, Commit

42:41 The Funny thing About Yoga

51:50 Outro 

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

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/

Email: [email protected]

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June 5, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

What you NEED to Know about Yoga Retreats and Lots of Ridiculous Stories

Episode No. 17

If you have ever been curious about attending or planning a Yoga retreat, this episode is for you! And even if you have no interest in Yoga Retreats, this episode is still for you because Giana and Bradshaw weave in several hilarious stories throughout that would keep anyone entertained. Starting off with a hilarious tangent about Nude Yoga and Impressions of Giana’s Mom, you’d be surprised that there is actually a productive and insightful conversation to come. Giana and Bradshaw casually talk about Yoga Retreats and detail some of the many reasons why you may be curious to attend a yoga retreat, what you can anticipate, and they share their experience as both retreat attendees and facilitators. This discussion bounces from administrative advice for retreat leaders, to profound experiences with a shaman in Costa Rica, to lessons learned the hard way, and all of the unexpected beauty and life long connections that may come out of such an experience. There is so much to It, so check It out and let us know what you think! If you’re enjoying the podcast, don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe and Share It with friends! 

00:00 Intro

00:35 Welcome Back to this Ridiculousness

07:15 Yoga Retreats, Our Experience and How We Organize Them

07:40 You don’t have to be a “Pro” to Attend a Retreat

09:02 The Purpose of a Retreat

10:02 Structure and Freedom and a tangent on Gay Paree

13:20 Favorite Parts of the Retreat

17:36 Inspiration to Lead Retreats and Customizing them

18:43 Retreats Allow Teachers to Really know the Students

22:10 Retreats Creates Community and Connections

24:35 Retreats help you Reset 

26:42 Retreats can be Adventurous

27:41 Nothing is Mandatory its about Honoring Yourself

32:35 Retreats help you Explore and also Ground

34:56 Perspective for Yoga Teachers 

37:05 Retreat Leaders need to be able to Improvise 

38:20 Wise Advice for Retreat Leaders

40:15 Retreat Planning Timeline 

42:39 Accommodating Food Preferences 

46:02 Less is More and las bits of Advice

48:30 Student Encouragement- come solo or with a friend

50:19 The Funny Thing About Yoga

59:07 Closing Remarks

1:00:10 Outro

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

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/

Email: [email protected]

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

May 29, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

We Spill ALL the Tea with Emma Wilbourn

Episode No. 16

Giana and Bradshaw welcome very special guest Emma Wilbourn to the podcast. They met Emma in San Francisco before the pandemic during a Yoga training. Through the years Emma has been such a big supporter of C.A.Y.A Yoga School having referred several students to the YTT program and in 2022 Giana and Emma started collaborating on Yoga Retreats in the Colorado Rockies. This is where their friendship blossomed and in this episode you can feel the casualness of the conversation. It feels as if you’ve been invited to listen in on yoga teachers personal conversations where they spill the tea and say It as It is. They cover topics ranging from the Denver yoga scene and franchised yoga, teaching full-time, money and other sources of revenue, all while giving solid advice to the aspiring teacher. They aim to motivate and inspire yoga teachers to be their own boss, advocate for themselves, and create a schedule that is sustainable AND yet It still feels like they’ve only scratched the surface. Emma Wilbourn will definitely back to keep this conversation going, but until then let us know what you think and don't forget to rate, review, follow and subscribe! 

00:00 Intro

00:35 Welcome to this Casual Conversation 

04:47 Let’s hear from Emma Wilbourn

08:53 Whats the Yoga Scene Like in Denver?

19:15 We talk Money

27:40 Feeling Stuck 

30:45 Giana Gives Good Advice 

32:20 Corporate Yoga Brokers

35:30 Other Streams of Revenue

37:15 The Reality of Teaching Full Time

40:50 There are So Many Yoga Teachers

42:52 Subbing Classes

50:55 Reviews

54:50 Mentoring

58:02 The Funny Thing About Yoga

1:07:43 Where you Can Find Emma and Final Thoughts

1:08:45 Outro

Follow Emma Wilbourn @emmawilbournyoga

Or visit emmwilbournyoga.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

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/

Email: [email protected]

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