In this week's episode, Giana sits down with Samantha Marks Gitlin, a former colleague and friend, to catch up on life after leaving their previous workplace. They cover everything from how a corporate environment can stifle teachers' personalities to the differences between teaching at gyms versus studios, the importance of hands-on assists, and Sam's passion for supporting yoga teachers.

Sam also introduces her exciting new business venture, We The People—a unique space in downtown Chicago designed to empower yoga teachers and fitness professionals. They discuss how this innovative platform helps instructors grow their businesses, diversify their income, and thrive independently. At We The People, teachers have the freedom to set their own schedules, rates, and class formats, fostering both creativity and collaboration.

The episode wraps up with some funny stories about their favorite older students—one who’s always trying to be hip and another who’s unintentionally shared a little too much. We’re thrilled to catch up with Sam and share the launch of this incredible new space. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to share this episode with your friends!

Where to find Samantha Marks Gitlin and We the People:

Instagram: @smgyoga and @wethepeople_chi

Web: https://www.wtpfs.com/

CHECK OUT OUR 200-Hour YTT: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/200

Retreat with Us!!

Joshua Tree Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/jt

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat (MARCH): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicaragua

Italy Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER 2025): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/italy

FOLLOW US:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

BE PART OF OUR FUNNY FAM: https://thefunnythingaboutyoga.substack.com/

LINKS:

https://www.cayayogaschool.com/

https://www.gianayoga.com/

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

Join us for our monthly bonus episode! Today, we’re casually chatting about the renovations to Bradshaw's kitchen and what’s been happening lately. Then, we dive right into your burning questions. We cover topics like: our favorite and least favorite assists, whether it’s frowned upon to have 300 hours of training and not teach, and the best way to lead into Savasana. This episode is both informative and funny, so don’t miss out!

Important Time Markers: 

05:00 - Q1: What are your favorite and least favorite assists to give and receive?

11:00 - Q2: Is It frowned upon to have a 300-Hour and not teach?

15:30 - Q3: What is the best way to lead into Savasana? 

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: [email protected]

CHECK OUT OUR 200-Hour YTT: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/200

Retreat with Us!!

Joshua Tree Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/jt

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat (MARACH): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicaragua

FOLLOW US:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

BE PART OF OUR FUNNY FAM: https://thefunnythingaboutyoga.substack.com/

LINKS:

https://www.cayayogaschool.com/

https://www.gianayoga.com/

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

In this episode, Giana reconnects with Emma, who’s back on the podcast after a year and a half to share her journey from leaving corporate studios to becoming her own boss. Emma dives into how she built a fully booked schedule filled with private lessons and exclusive group classes, offering insights on earning your worth, breaking free from rigid sequencing, and embracing diverse movement modalities. They also tackle deeper industry topics like whitewashing, the dynamics of private lessons, and living your passion.

The episode is packed with practical advice, from strategies for self-promotion—even when studios impose restrictions—to the importance of connection and community. They also discuss the benefits of hosting limited group series and share tips on what to say after classes to foster client relationships. And, of course, there’s some juicy tea, like getting fired by a golden doodle, a rogue audition, and a retreat incident where they had to ask someone to leave early. Don’t miss this candid and insightful conversation!

Check out Emma's first Funny Thing episode here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-funny-thing-about-yoga/id1670777543?i=1000614858319

Where to find Emma Wilbourn:

Instagram: @EmmaWilbournYoga

Web: https://emmawilbournyoga.com/

CHECK OUT OUR 200-Hour YTT: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/200

Retreat with Us!!

Joshua Tree Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/jt

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat (MARCH): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicaragua

Italy Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER 2025): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/italy

FOLLOW US:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

BE PART OF OUR FUNNY FAM: https://thefunnythingaboutyoga.substack.com/

LINKS:

https://www.cayayogaschool.com/

https://www.gianayoga.com/

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

In this episode, Bradshaw and Giana dive deep into the world of common yoga injuries—what causes them and how to avoid them. They share personal stories about their own yoga-related mishaps, providing insights into why these injuries occur and how to maintain a balanced, mindful practice to stay injury-free. With a special PSA for yoga teachers on understanding their scope of practice, they also offer practical tips to troubleshoot challenging postures.

But it wouldn’t be The Funny Thing About Yoga without a few detours! Expect tangents on dancing, gonorrhea, and a student’s numb toe, all wrapped up with their signature humor. Whether you’ve had a yoga injury or not, tune in for a blend of valuable advice and plenty of laughs. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe—plus, share your own yoga injury stories with us and how you recovered!

CHECK OUT OUR 200-Hour YTT: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/200

Retreat with Us!!

Joshua Tree Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/jt

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat (MARCH): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicaragua

Italy Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER 2025): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/italy

FOLLOW US:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

BE PART OF OUR FUNNY FAM: https://thefunnythingaboutyoga.substack.com/

LINKS:

https://www.cayayogaschool.com/

https://www.gianayoga.com/

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

In this open-hearted episode, Bradshaw and Giana dive deep into their experience of partnering together. They share the ups and downs, the benefits, and the pitfalls of working closely with someone else. With a mix of humor and honesty, they reveal some funny behind-the-scenes stories and offer valuable advice for anyone considering a partnership. They also discuss how this collaboration has sparked significant growth opportunities and encouraged personal introspection. If you've ever thought about teaming up with someone, this inside scoop might just help you take the plunge!

Please leave us a comment or DM if you’ve felt the same and share your experience with us

CHECK OUT OUR 200-Hour YTT: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/200

Retreat with Us!!

Joshua Tree Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/jt

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat (MARCH): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicaragua

Italy Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER 2025): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/italy

FOLLOW US:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

BE PART OF OUR FUNNY FAM: https://thefunnythingaboutyoga.substack.com/

LINKS:

https://www.cayayogaschool.com/

https://www.gianayoga.com/

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

In this episode, Bradshaw and Giana dive into a candid discussion about the hidden pitfalls of complacency in yoga teaching. After years of guiding students, they’ve both experienced moments of coasting through their roles, losing the spark that once fueled their passion. They explore the fine line between complacency and contentment, sharing personal stories of when and why they’ve felt stuck—whether it's from teaching at the same studio for too long, feeling uninspired by their practice or colleagues, or achieving success with minimal effort.

Join Bradshaw and Giana as they open up about their struggles and offer a wealth of ideas to break free from the rut. From revitalizing personal practice to seeking new challenges, they provide actionable steps to reignite your passion for teaching. Plus, they make a heartfelt pact to hold each other accountable for continuous growth, and they hope to inspire listeners to do the same. Please leave us a comment or DM if you’ve felt the same and share your experience with us!

CHECK OUT OUR 200-Hour YTT: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/200

Retreat with Us!!

Joshua Tree Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/jt

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat (MARCH): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicaragua

Italy Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER 2025): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/italy

FOLLOW US:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

BE PART OF OUR FUNNY FAM: https://thefunnythingaboutyoga.substack.com/

LINKS:

https://www.cayayogaschool.com/

https://www.gianayoga.com/

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

Today, we're thrilled to have Quinn Kearney, a Chicago-based yoga teacher and co-founder of Yogaview, joining us. Quinn has been in the yoga world for over 20 years, and he's here to share his journey from the beginnings of his yoga practice to the challenges and rewards of owning a studio for over two decades.

We dive into the rise and popularity of yoga, the business aspects of owning a studio, and how diversifying yoga offerings requires innovation. We discuss how passion for teaching is essential due to the financial challenges of making it a career. Quinn opens up about the pandemic's impact beyond just business, integrating ClassPass, whether or not he reads reviews, and you don’t want to miss the number one rule for teaching yoga. Of course, we end with hilarious stories that will make you laugh out loud. This conversation was effortless and so much fun—we hope you enjoy it!

Quinn Kearney: You can catch Quinn teaching at Yogaview on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Web: https://yogaview.com/

Instagram: @q.kearney @yogaview

CHECK OUT OUR 200-Hour YTT: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/200

Retreat with Us!!

Joshua Tree Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/jt

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat (MARACH): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicaragua

FOLLOW US:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

BE PART OF OUR FUNNY FAM: https://thefunnythingaboutyoga.substack.com/

LINKS:

https://www.cayayogaschool.com/

https://www.gianayoga.com/

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

Join us for our monthly bonus episode, where we kick things off with some chitchat about sharing a room on a retreat and all the exciting things we have going on. Then, we dive right into your burning questions. We cover topics like: the best way to begin a yoga class, Advice for when pregnant women attend advanced classes, and whether moving from closed hip to open hip postures is okay. This episode is both informative and funny, so don't miss out!

Important Time Markers: 

04:30 - Q1: What’s the best way to begin a class?

08:30 - Q2: What’s your Advice for when a pregnant person comes to an advanced yoga class?

18:45 - Q3: Is there a safety concern for moving from closed hip postures to open hip postures?

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: [email protected]

CHECK OUT OUR 200-Hour YTT: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/200

Retreat with Us!!

Joshua Tree Yoga Retreat (SEPTEMBER): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/jt

Nicaragua Yoga Retreat (MARACH): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicaragua

FOLLOW US:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

BE PART OF OUR FUNNY FAM: https://thefunnythingaboutyoga.substack.com/

LINKS:

https://www.cayayogaschool.com/

https://www.gianayoga.com/

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

In this episode, Bradshaw and Giana kick things off by discussing the importance of decluttering, letting go, and the process of moving. They then dive deep into the topic of repetition, exploring how it's a vital tool for learning and increasing awareness. They detail the many ways repetition benefits a yoga practice, particularly in sequencing, and delve into the different methods of sequencing.

Giana explains the concepts of a vignette versus a ladder flow, and both hosts share their personal preferences. The episode is filled with plenty of off-the-cuff tangents, including musings on hot dogs, hot yoga teachers, biggest regrets, and learning styles.

They analyze why students may sometimes resist repetition, whether it induces boredom or promotes a sense of failure. Giana shares a reading by Mark Nepo that poetically describes the natural cycle of repetition and its importance.

This episode is packed with information, personal anecdotes, and laughs. Please enjoy, and don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

Thank you to one of our sponsors Scratch Goods. Use Code CAYA24 for 50% the Mask Bar.  https://www.scratchgoods.com/ @scratchgoods

CHECK OUT OUR 200-Hour YTT: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/200

Retreat with Us!!

Joshua Tree Yoga Retreat (September 26-30,2024):

 https://www.cayayogaschool.com/jt

Nicaragua (March 2-8, 2025): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/nicaragua

FOLLOW US:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

BE PART OF OUR FUNNY FAM: https://thefunnythingaboutyoga.substack.com/

LINKS:

https://www.cayayogaschool.com/

https://www.gianayoga.com/

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

Join us today as we sit down with Stephanie Snyder, a seasoned yoga teacher and mentor from San Francisco with over 25 years of experience. Known for her impactful teachings, Stephanie leads trainings, retreats, and boasts a significant online presence. In this episode, Stephanie generously shares her journey, from humble beginnings to founding Love Story Yoga. She imparts invaluable wisdom gained through years of teaching, reflecting on learning from mistakes, turning to Bhakti, and stepping into the role of a teacher's teacher. Stay tuned through the end for two hilarious yoga stories that are not to be missed!

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe!

Where to find Stephanie Snyder: 

Ig: @stephaniesnyderyoga

Web: https://www.stephaniesnyder.com/

Studio: https://lovestoryyoga.com/

CHECK OUT OUR 300-Hour YTT: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/300

JOIN US!! 

Joshua Tree Yoga Retreat: https://www.cayayogaschool.com/jt

FOLLOW US:

@thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

BE PART OF OUR FUNNY FAM: https://thefunnythingaboutyoga.substack.com/

LINKS:

https://www.cayayogaschool.com/

https://www.gianayoga.com/

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