May 22, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Yoga Etiquette: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Episode No. 15

Bradshaw finally asks the most important question of all time, “Is Giana related to anyone in the Mafia?” You’ll have to listen to find out the answer and then keep listening to hear them dive into yoga etiquette. Yoga culture can be intimidating and depending on where you practice some of the etiquette may be lesser known. So, whether you’re a new student or you weren’t fully aware of these guidelines, Giana and Bradshaw breakdown 8 essential tips for making respecting the collective experience. As always, you can anticipate side quips and funny stories about pet peeves, disruptive students, awkward moments, and more!

00:00 Intro Song

00:30 Let’s talk about the Gambino

01:50 Todays Topic: Yoga Etiquette

04:25 #1 Be On Time

14:38 #2 Noise Control: Breathing, Phones, Chatter

23:18 #3 Follow the Flow

29:00 #4 No Phones means No Videoing 

34:05 #5 Communicate with Your Teacher

35:20 #6 Stay For Savasana 

40:15 #7 Cleanliness

43:50 #8 Don’t Come to Class Sick

47:02 Cancel, Explore, Commit

48:23 The Funny thing about Yoga

53:25 Feedback Etiquette 

57:47 Wrapping Up

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 15, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Mental Health, Yoga & Our Experience

Episode No. 14

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Giana and Bradshaw get really real about their mental health and how It led them toward their yoga journey. They both find It important to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues by sharing their experiences and the several tools that have helped them cope with and ameliorate stress, anxiety, grief, and depression. Its important to note that these types of issues can affect all of us and there are several different paths towards peace or healing. In this episode rather than offering a guide or how to, they simply get candid. They discuss how and why yoga has become an important part of their mental health-care, as well as share other techniques and outlets. They also provide context around the nervous system, pranayama, yoga as a path to freedom, suffering, compassion, and so much more. For such a heavy topic, you can still anticipate a few good chuckles, as they believe one of the best coping mechanisms has been laughter and finding joy in the little things.

00:00 Intro Song

00:30 Hello and Welcome to our Chaotic Dynamic

02:00 Yoga and Mental Health

04:20 Giana Talks about Grief Leading her to Yoga

10:36 Bradshaw talks about Therapy, Anxiety and OCD

14:05 Obsessive Thinking

19:10 We are NOT our Thoughts

20:40 Yoga is Citta Vritti Nirodha 

21:56 Pranayama - Breath Regulation

22:40 The Nervous System

26:22 Being in the State of Flow

28:20 The Minds Jobs is to Think

29:45 Different Types of Mental Healthcare

35:11 Compassion is Key 

36:50 Dukkha and Buddhist Inspiration

39:27 How do you teach compassion

42:45 Moments of Connection

44:20 Intrusive Thoughts 

47:50 Its a Practice with Many Tools

49:12 Emotional Moments on the Mat

52:13 The Funny Thing About Yoga

56:43 Closing Thoughts

58:40 Outro

BOOKS:

Waking the Tiger by Peter A. Levine Listen on Audible

The Body Keeps the Score by Sean Pratt Listen on Audible

Follow Us on Instagram:

@TheFunnyThingAboutYoga @CayaYogaSchool @GianaGambino @BradshawWish

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

Email: [email protected]

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

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Q&A: Fitfluencers, Weight Gain, and Finding Your EdgeBONUS EPISODE #2

April 20, 2023

Once a Month, You can anticipate a special bonus episode where we answer YOUR questions! We will release these episodes in the middle of the month and aim for the second or third Thursday, depending. In our first ever bonus Q&A we answer three questions submitted to us by listeners. We talk about the Fitfluencers and dealing with Nerves, Weight Gain and Adapting Your Practice, Finding your edge and Muscle Feedback. 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 Song

00:35 Welcome to our Second Bonus Episode

04:00 Questions #1: Fitfluencers

13:35 Question #2: Weight Gain

20:35 Question #3: Finding your Edge

30:00 Closing Thoughts & Outro

Follow us on IG:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

www.gianayoga.com

www.bradshawwish.com

www.cayayogaschool.com/podcast

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

May 8, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Yoga and Functional Movement with Nam Chanterrwyn 

Episode No. 13

In this episode Bradshaw and Giana talk with Nam Chanterwynn, a fellow graduate of Jason Crandell's 300 hour program and an established yoga teacher in his own right. Nam is based In San Diego, CA where he teaches full time locally, Virtually on Yoga International, and he also leads yoga teacher trainings and retreats around the world. From the beginning of this conversation, we learn that Nam is a natural overachiever and how a yoga studio challenge eventually led him down this new career path that he's made uniquely his own. As a student of Functional Range Conditioning (FRC), which we discuss in detail, Nam shares his interest in balancing out the vinyasa practice and teaching students to be skillful in It. This episode will provide context on Mobility, Stability, Strength and Flexibility as we discuss Active and Passive range of Motion at length. Of course we make space for funny tidbits around students reactions and competitive behavior for an equally informative and light-hearted conversation. Give this episode a listen and if you're intrigued, find Nam Chanterrwyn on Instagram or Yoga International and as always, let us know if you have any questions! 

00:00 Intro Song

00:35 Giana Introduces todays Episode

03:15 Lets hear It for Nam Chanterrwyn!

06:52 Nams Yoga Teacher Journey

09:32 Yoga and Mobility 

11:52 What is FRC?

16:00 We talk about Jasons Training

19:50 Range of Motion, Stability and Control

23:50 Passive and Active Range of Motion 

28:34 Imbalances in Vinyasa 

30:57 The Inspiration for Including Mobility in Yoga Classes

32:55 Athletes

33:38 Student Reactions

34:35 How to Incorporate Mobility into Sequencing

37:40 Where you can Find Nam online

38:30 LA versus San Diego Vibe

41:30 Teaching at Gyms Versus Studios

45:20 Safety versus Skillfulness 

46:45 Alignment

50:20 The Future of Modern Yoga Practices

53:43 Where to Find Nam

54:40 The Funny Thing About Yoga

1:01:15 Outro 

Follo Nam on Instagram: @yoganam or visit his website: yoganam.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/

Email: [email protected]

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

May 1, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Hands on Assists: Love It or Leave It? 

Episode No. 12

In this episode, Giana and Bradshaw talk about hands on assists. They share their experience with assists as students and what they enjoy or do not enjoy about being on the receiving end of an assist. They also dive into a renewed perspective on hands on assists from the teachers point of view. You can anticipate hearing about consent, responsibility and liability, power dynamics, supportive versus forceful assists and everything in between. As they detail some serious thoughts about the dos and don’ts of physical touch, they always keep up the tangential banter that really brings on the funnies. From stories about students who love assists or assists gone wrong, this episode remains equally informative and hilarious. If you really want to laugh, you have to listen til the very end to hear one of the most outrageous “funny thing” moments talked about yet. Giana and Bradshaw laugh so hard that the mics hardly pick up their frequency. This episode is really important to us and we feel It’s just the beginning of what could be many conversations. If any particular thoughts or questions come up, please visit our website and let us know what you think or submit a question to the podcast. As always, thank you for listening and be sure to rate, review and subscribe!

00:00 Intro Song

00:30 Welcome Chat

05:45 Hands on Assists and Our Experience

10:45 Gender Dynamics in Hands on Assists 

12:50 Do You Give Hands on Assists?

15:00 Assist Chips

16:10 Private Lesson Assists 

20:05 Bradshaws talks being Male Presenting and Gay 

20:50 Giana’s Hierarchy of Assists

22:50 Bradshaw has a little Anxiety 

27:57 Giana Prefers Supportive Assists 

29:20 If You Need a Cranking Assist, You May not be Ready

30:15 Strength Over Leverage 

32:54 Above My Pay Grade

34:25 Recapping our Thoughts

37:20 Assists We Enjoy and Do not Enjoy

39:46 Its ok to Speak Up

42:10 Power Dynamic 

43:45 Wrapping It Up

46:30 Cancel, Explore, Commit

48:10 The Funny Thing About Yoga

53:20 Final Thoughts

56:00 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.

April 24, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Things Yoga Teacher’s Do Well. 

Episode No. 11

Giana and Bradshaw start this episode off with some friendly banter and address Bradshaw’s voice, being called Mrs. Wish and having strangers “yes ma’am” him on the phone. Naturally this leads to a conversation about working through major tangents during their online trainings and holding space for students- a segue to the actual topic of the day, Things Yoga Teachers Do Well. This episode details the skills and qualities they both love to see in a yoga teacher. Though they can agree and disagree at times, they talk about moments of silence, showing up as your authentic self, really seeing your students, using positive cues, fostering autonomy, confidence, critical thinking and the ability to admit when you don’t know something or if something is outside of your scope of practice. Of course they have to share stories about Beyonce, Obama, Giana’s former celebrity client, and a recent absurd and uncomfortable experience at a hot yoga studio. All this before a casual game of Cancel, Explore, Commit and ‘The Funny Thing About Yoga.’ This may be one of the most unhinged episodes yet, but we had a lot of fun recording It. 

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Back Shenanigans 

04:45 Todays Topic: Things That Inspire Us in a Yoga Teacher

06:32 Allow Room for Silence 

07:50 Cultivating Autonomy 

11:34 Don’t say Don’t 

14:06 Be Authentic 

16:03 Beyonce, Obama and Name Dropping

18:58 Appropriation and Authenticity

21:56 Be Confident & Humble - Stay in your Scope

26:10 Teachers can Hold Space and Refer

28:02 Yoga Teachers should See their Students

32:10 Unique and Critical Thinkers

33:37 Cancel, Explore, Commit

34:50 The Funny Thing About Yoga

39:55 Nicaragua Retreat, Join Us!

40:52 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.

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Q&A: Sitz Bones, Accessible Yoga, And Cell Phones 

BONUS EPISODE #1

April 20, 2023

Once a Month, You can anticipate a special bonus episode where we answer YOUR questions! We will release these episodes in the middle of the month and aim for the second or third Thursday, depending. In our first ever bonus Q&A we answer three questions submitted to us by listeners. We talk about the Sitz Bones, Teaching Yoga to Developmentally Disabled Folks, and Cell Phones in class. 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 Song

00:39 Welcome to the First Bonus Episode

01:52 Questions #1: Sitz Bones

07:33 Question #2: Accesible Yoga

13:54 Question #3: Phones in Class

23:10 Closing Thoughts & Outro

Follow us on IG:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

www.gianayoga.com

www.bradshawwish.com

www.cayayogaschool.com/podcast

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

April 17, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Teacher Compensation and Corporate Yoga with Amy Apgar

Episode No. 10

This week Giana and Bradshaw are joined by Amy Apgar, a yoga teacher and strength trainer based in New York City. The three met in Chicago in early 2020 before the pandemic and have been following each other virtually ever since. The inspiration for bringing Amy on the podcast is to bring transparency around her experience working in the corporate yoga world and to shine a light on a topic that is often considered taboo, compensation. Pay is not spoken about publicly enough and It’s time we start a conversation in an effort to raise awareness and inspire change. Yoga Teachers deserve to be paid fairly for their services and be taken care of in return. Most yoga teachers do not receive health insurance, paid time off, and in many states they’re hired as independent contractors rather than employees. Plus many employers ask for more time before and after class that often goes unpaid and also includes responsibilities and miscellaneous tasks that go beyond what is in the job description. Amy has been vocal about these issues on social media and making waves in the industry because of It. And in this episode Amy gets really real about her experiences and gives us some hope for a path forward. You can anticipate full transparency into a sector of this industry and for the listeners out there working in the field, we truly hope you feel seen and inspired. 

00:00 Intro

00:34 Welcome Back and Thank You!

01:24 What we get into Today with Amy Apgar

01:50 How we met Amy and what she’s been up to..

02:50 Amy tells her Story

05:54 Where are you Teaching now?

06:34 Amy explains what its like to teach Yoga in a Corporate Gym

12:50 Bradshaw talks about Corepower

14:50 Bradshaw talks about Quitting a different Corporate Job

19:45 Amy talks Corporate Onboarding

21:17 Rebuilding after Covid

22:44 We need to Talk about Pay

24:30 Gender Inequalities 

26:00 The Challenge of Generating Change

29:20 Amy and Giana can relate to Rebuilding

29:50 Transparency with Pay and Amy’s Reel

37:00 Pay a Living Wage and Keep your Talent

39:10 We’re Starting a Conversation and Raising Awareness

41:00 Bradshaw asks Amy about her past job

46:30 How can we Make Change

48:32 Giana gives advice on how to build It on your own

49:30 Band Together- Unionize!

50:27 Cancel-Explore-Commit

52:06 The Funny Thing About Yoga

56:43 Find Amy Online! 

57:37 Outro

Follow Amy Apgar on Instagram at @amyritual 

Check out her Reel Here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cn5CfS_jihS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Amys Website: https://www.amyapgar.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

Email: [email protected]

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

April 10, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

Creating Your Vibe and Other Nonsense

Episode No. 9

Giana and Bradshaw kick off this episode by diving straight into their fears. They obviously talk about death, how It relates to yoga, and other big questions plaguing their minds. They don’t claim to have any answers, instead just big minds willing to ask questions, be silly, and explore all aspects of these topics. And somehow, this beginning tangent actually relates to the topic at hand here: Setting a Vibe for your yoga classes. This includes everything you do from the moment you enter the studio, honestly. We talk welcoming students, props, technology, mirrors, before class monologues, incense, cueing, music and so much more. If you’re looking for ideas to help cultivate your vibe, this is the episode for you. It’s not an overnight process and sometimes It takes experimenting with different methods to feel into your authenticity. Ultimately, we hope to shine light on the many details that help make up a teachers vibe and

How you can be mindful of these details when creating an environment. We hope you feel inspired by this episode and share It with your yoga teacher friends!

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Back Shenanigans 

01:10 Whats the Scariest Thing that Could Happen? 

2:20 Tell me how Death and Yoga are Related….

5:05 Bradshaw Wants to Talk about his Beliefs

6:20 Lets Talk About Establishing a Vibe

7:13 I’m the Talent

8:30 Begin Creating your Vibe From the Moment You Walk into the Studio

10:20 Mirrors, Directions, Altars 

14:21 Greet People, Prop Instruction, Setting Up

16:05 Studio Culture Can Influence Your Vibe

18:58 Before Teaching Protocols

21:48 Talking A Lot While Teaching 

25:45 Think Twice About Using Scents

30:10 What Do You Want Your Students to Experience?

34:59 Music is a Vibe !

39:10 Memory is Tied to Music

40:14 To be Silent or Have Music in Savasana?

41:33 Teaching in and Practicing in Silence

44:43 Be Mindful of the Language You Choose

46:17 The Music We Like to Play

48:07 Our Playlists are Public

49:00 Wrapping Up!

50:38 The Funny Thing About Yoga

53:52 Early Bird Nicaragua Retreat

54:54 Closing Thoughts

55:04 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.

April 3, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

New Studio, New Students & So Many Stories with Manny Garcia

Episode No. 8

In this weeks episode, Giana and Bradshaw catch up with fellow yoga teacher, Manny Garcia. These three have had many overlaps around Chicago from teaching at Zen Yoga Garage, being a Lululemon ambassador and a shared interest in creating an accessible and diverse platform to share yoga from during the pandemic. And now, Manny is on a whole new journey with the opening of a brick and mortar space and home for The Collective Yoga Co-Op. His new studio is on the Northside of Chicago and centers LGBTQ+ voices and voices of color in their teachers and in their community. Manny shares what it's been like to get the studio up and running, what challenges he’s had thus far, and the continuous objective of creating a welcoming environment for all. They share stories about how they felt welcomed as students during their early days of practice and how now, as teachers, they can further develop such an environment. Giana mentions some studio gossip Manny confirms and they go on a beautiful tangent around the Ramayana. Manny is a skilled storyteller who will have you captivated and wanting more. So give this episode a listen, find Manny on instagram, and check out The Collective Yoga Co-Op if you’re in Chicago!

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Announcements

01:54 Bradshaw Welcomes Manny Garcia

02:50 Manny details his journey into Yoga

05:35 The Biggest Challenges and Lessons so far

09:25 Different Approaches to Teaching in Different Places

12:20 How to get Comfortable being New at Something

15:10 The Fundamentals of Yoga are so Important

19:30 A Teachers Predicament

24:00 Manny Rumors Circulating Around the Studio

25:05 Manny gets into the Ramayana

31:50 Hanuman is our Favorite

33:25 What Helped us Feel Welcomed as Students

41:10 Creating a Homey and Supportive Studio Culture

43:13 To Demo or not to Demo

47:12 Seasoned Yoga Students can still Benefit from Foundations

50:33 Where you can find Manny

52:40 The Funny Thing About Yoga

58:28 Thank You for Listening!

59:04 Outro

Follow The Collective Yoga Co-op and Manny on Instagram at @thecollectiveyogacoop @mannygarcialife

You Can Find Us Here : @thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

Live DJ Vinyasa Plant Swap: https://app.arketa.co/thecollectiveyogacoop/checkout/ISEb1UHB3PKiKEZoE7On

The Collective Yoga Co-op: https://www.thecollectiveyogacoop.com

Mannys Website: https://www.mannygarcialife.com

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.