The Yoga Connection

Welcome back to The Yoga Connection Podcast with Jamie and Bobbi! In today's episode, we're joined by the incredible Jivana Heyman—founder of Accessible Yoga, longtime yoga teacher, author, and podcast host. We talk with Jivana about his newest book, The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga, and how it serves as a powerful resource for yoga teachers and therapists who want to meet students where they are—without fear of overstepping or doing harm.

We dive deep into the meaning of accessibility in the yoga world today, what it looks like in practice, and how teachers can use the term with intention and integrity. Whether you're a brand-new teacher or a seasoned educator, Jivana's insights are both grounding and inspiring. Plus, we all share our latest Wellness Wins—from Oura rings to yin yoga to lifting heavy and running free.

Connect with Jivana Heyman:

• Website: jivanaheyman.com

• Accessible Yoga School: accessibleyogaschool.com

• Instagram: @jivanaheyman

• Facebook: facebook.com/jivanaheyman

• Accessible Yoga Instagram: @accessibleyoga

• Accessible Yoga Facebook Group: Accessible Yoga Community

The information shared on The Yoga Connection Podcast is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice. This podcast does not replace medical, mental health, or legal guidance.

In this episode of The Yoga Connection podcast, Jamie Fuller sits down with Claire Martin-Doyle, founder of The Boston Coaching Project, to explore her journey from leading MIT's Division 1 lightweight rowing program to launching a business that supports and empowers female athletes.

Claire shares personal insights from nearly two decades in collegiate coaching, and how those experiences shaped her mission to guide young women through the competitive—and often overwhelming—world of college athletics recruitment. The conversation dives deep into themes of self-worth, resilience, mental health, and how athletes can thrive beyond the scoreboard.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or young athlete yourself, this episode is full of wisdom and encouragement for navigating the evolving landscape of college sports.

Connect with Claire:

Website: www.bostoncoachingproject.com

LinkedIn: Claire Martin-Doyle

In this episode of The Yoga Connection Podcast, hosts Jamie Fuller and Bobbi Baker talk with Lauren Milford, a video producer and yoga teacher training student, about her personal journey into yoga and the deep transformation she's experienced through the practice. Lauren shares what initially led her to yoga and how her expectations of teacher training shifted as she moved through the experience. The conversation highlights the contrast between what people often imagine training will be and the reality of the personal growth it brings—emotionally, mentally, and physically.

If you've been wondering what YTT looks like, dive and and listen!

The information shared on The Yoga Connection Podcast is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute professional advice. This podcast does not replace medical, mental health, or legal guidance. Please consult a qualified professional for personalized support.

Welcome back to The Yoga Connection Podcast with Jamie and Bobbi! Today, we're joined by therapist, relationship coach, and How to Talk About It podcast host Mika Ross. We kick things off with Mat Chats — Jamie shares exciting news about her upcoming Tulum trip, Bobbi counts down to YTT graduation, and Mika jumps in with her own updates.

In our conversation, Mika shares her journey into therapy, why tough conversations are so challenging, and how yoga can help foster deeper connection. She also talks her personal experience with yoga and how Madonna was the inspiration for finding her mat.

We wrap up with Pose Wars, Wellness Wins, and our weekly intentions — a reminder to slow down, stay inspired, and stay connected.

Tune in for real talk, practical tools, and lots of inspiration!

https://www.mikaross.com

IG: mikaross.therapist

Welcome back to The Yoga Connection Podcast with Jamie and Bobbi! In this week's episode, we're joined by a special guest—Sammy Spiegel, a physical therapist and yoga teacher trainee who brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to the conversation. Before we dive into her YTT journey, we kick things off with our Mat Chats segment, where we each share a quick update on what's been going on in our lives lately.

In the main portion of the episode, we sit down with Sammy to talk about what led her to join YTT, what the experience has been like so far, and how her background in physical therapy has shaped the way she experiences and understands yoga. We touch on what's surprised her during training, how her relationship with the practice has evolved, and what advice she'd give to anyone thinking about joining our next round of teacher training.

We also put Sammy in the hot seat for our Pose Wars segment and wrap things up with a few wellness wins and weekly intentions to help keep us grounded and inspired.

Thanks for listening—be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode. We'll see you next time on The Yoga Connection Podcast!

Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The Yoga Connection Podcast, Jamie and Bobbi sit down with renowned yoga teacher, author, and founder of Laughing Lotus, Jasmine Tarkeshi. Together, they dive into Jasmine's powerful life journey—from growing up in Iran during political unrest to finding solace and purpose through dance, activism, and eventually yoga. Jasmine shares how her multicultural upbringing and personal struggles shaped her teachings and inspired her accessible approach to yoga philosophy.

You'll hear stories about her love for cats, the power of community, and how yoga became her anchor during life's biggest transitions. She also opens up about writing The Yoga Body and Mind Handbook and the importance of making ancient yogic wisdom digestible and relatable for modern readers.

What We Chat About:

• Jasmine's cross-cultural childhood and immigration story

• Youth sports, cats, and the chaos of everyday life

• The power of yoga as a tool for grounding and resilience

• Finding identity and confidence through movement and punk activism

• The origin story of Laughing Lotus Yoga Center

• Making yoga philosophy accessible for all with her book and guided journal

• Jasmine's online classes, offerings on Yoga Anytime, and what's next

Wellness Wins of the Week:

Jamie reconnects with friends over dinner

Bobbi embraces the mantra "one day at a time"

Jasmine enjoys a much-needed staycation getaway

Connect with Jasmine:

• Website: Lotuslandyogasf.com

• Classes on Yoga Anytime — Use code JASMINE for a discount

• Books: The Yoga Body and Mind Handbook and Good Intentions: A Guided Yoga Journal

Resources Mentioned:

• The Yoga Body and Mind Handbook by Jasmine Tarkeshi

• Good Intentions: A Guided Yoga Journal

• Pema Chödrön and teachings from Tibetan Buddhism

• Rumi and Hafiz poetry in yoga classes

Stay Connected:

Follow Jamie and Bobbi for more real conversations and grounded guidance in the world of yoga and beyond.

Welcome back to The Yoga Connection Podcast with Jamie and Bobbi! In today's episode, we're welcoming back the amazing Keri Kugler to dive deep into all things yoga teacher training. But first, let's kick things off with our favorite segment—Mat Chats, where we unroll our mats and chat about what's going on in our lives.

Bobbi opens up about being in a quiet transitional season—one that used to leave her feeling unsure, but now she's learning to embrace it as the calm before the storm. She's leaning into the space of "what's coming next" with peace and trust. Jamie shares an exciting milestone—her current group of YTT students have started teaching, and they absolutely crushed it! Keri reflects on having a stretchy, grounding week, perfect for supporting the season she's in.

For our main topic, we dive into why we believe our teacher training is different—and why we've chosen to do it together. Jamie shares her personal journey with training, and Keri talks about the alignment they found in their philosophies and vision. We discuss what we're hoping to offer through our combined teaching styles and experiences, including meaningful support that extends far beyond certification. Our training goes deeper than just asana—it's designed to build a strong, supportive community and help participants grow in all aspects of their lives. Whether you want to teach or simply deepen your practice, we talk about who our trainings are really for and how you can take the next step.

If you've ever thought about becoming a yoga teacher or just want a transformative experience in a welcoming, empowered space—this episode/trainings are for you.

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Welcome back to The Yoga Connection Podcast with Jamie and Bobbi! Today, we're joined by a powerhouse guest—Racquel Frisella. But first, let's settle in with our favorite segment, Mat Chats, where we unroll our mats and chat about what's going on in our lives.

Bobbi shares a vulnerable moment from her visit to City Hall—she received zero votes, and while she's processing that outcome, she's leaning into her identity as a survivor and fighter. She's giving herself the space to let it sink in before she moves forward. Jamie has a lighter update—her brand new couch arrived, which she loves, but now everything else in the room looks a little dated! Still, she shares how good it felt to donate the old one and make space for something new.

We're so excited to introduce our guest, Racquel Frisella—a Board-Certified Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner and founder of Racquel Aesthetics and RFA Medical Grade Skincare. With over 16 years of experience, Racquel has built a business rooted in helping people feel confident in their skin. She believes in the "look good, feel good" philosophy and takes a deeply personalized approach to skincare and wellness. Her services range from facials and microneedling to injectables and lasers—and now she's launching a new wellness program that includes peptide therapy, hormone optimization, IV therapy, and more.

Racquel is a woman who wears many hats—mom, wife, and entrepreneur—and we dive into what it means to balance the high-powered, masculine energy of running a business with the softer, feminine roles at home. We ask her how she makes that shift and what advice she has for other women navigating the same dynamic.

We also chat about the book Outlive, and Racquel shares more about her two locations in Chesterfield and Kirkwood, Missouri. Want a custom skincare plan? You can take the skin quiz on her website at www.rfaskincare.com and follow her at @rfaskincare, @racquel_aesthetics, and @racquelfrisella.

Wellness Wins this week were all about massage. Jamie got her monthly two-hour massage (and mentions the discount card from their retreat swag bag!), while Bobbi enjoyed a lymphatic massage with April Berkovich, who uses a unique technique worth checking out.

We close with our Intentions for the Week. Jamie is focused on taking intentional, prioritized action and letting go of what doesn't need to happen right now. Bobbi's intention is to honor the process of reflection and resist the urge to always have the answer.

In this episode of Mat Chats, we unroll our mats and catch up on what's happening in our lives. Jamie shares that her parents are coming into town, she's managing two youth sports tournaments, and she's still in the final stages of updating the living room. Bobbi had a full day with a presentation at LHS, followed by a dermatology appointment where she had a few things frozen off her face—keeping it real, as always!

For our main topic, we're diving into the details of our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. While the training is designed for those who want to become yoga teachers, it's also a powerful journey for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the practice. The program includes weekly teaching opportunities, a curated reading list with book club-style discussions, and online anatomy coursework. We also explore yoga philosophy through lectures and group discussions, and build connection through fun group activities. Students will go on unique field trips, like visiting a cadaver lab and a Hindu temple, and hear from a variety of guest speakers on topics like Ayurveda, kids' yoga, legal considerations, and more.

We also have an exciting announcement: YTT signups will be launching soon! In this episode, we give a sneak peek at pricing and what's included, so stay tuned if you're thinking about joining us.

200 Hour YTT Required Reading

Yoga Body & Mind Handbook by Jasmine Tarkeshi

Breath by James Nestor

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk

Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga by Arielle Scwartz

The Yoga Sutras of Pantanjli by Sri Swami Satchidananda

The Bhagavid Gita by Jack Hawley

The Art ad Business of Teaching Yoga by Amy Ippoliti & Taro Smith, PHD

Functional Anatomy of Yoga: A Guide for Practioners and Teachers by David Keil

Welcome back to The Yoga Connection Podcast! Today, we're sharing stories from our recent spring break travels and how we found ways to keep up with our yoga practice while on the go. Whether you're road-tripping, flying, or exploring new places, yoga can be a constant companion—if you get creative! But before we dive into that, let's start with our Mat Chats, where we unroll our mats and chat about what's going on in our lives. Jamie shares how she balanced travel with getting work done on her house, giving her living room a much-needed update. Meanwhile, Bobbi reflects on returning from spring break and embracing the chaos of transition. Sometimes, feeling stuck is just part of leveling up.

In today's episode, we'll recap our spring break adventures and talk about how we kept yoga in our routine while traveling. We share tips like packing smart—bringing a travel yoga mat and comfortable clothing—using yoga apps or online classes, stretching during long flights or car rides, and practicing breathwork to stay grounded. We'll also each share how we incorporated yoga into our own travels. Bobbi talks about her trip to 30A and how she found ways to practice—even if it meant sneaking in yoga sessions in the bathroom! Jamie recounts her experience in Banff, staying connected to yoga while taking in the stunning mountain views.

Before we wrap up, we have a couple of quick announcements—YTT signups should be live soon, so stay tuned! And of course, we're sharing our Wellness Wins of the week. Jamie managed to wake up at 4 AM to squeeze in a workout before a long day of travel, while Bobbi has been staying on track with her supplements. She admits she fell off the wagon with her liver detox but is getting back on track this week.

We're also setting our Intentions for the Week. Jamie is focused on matching health span to lifespan, inspired by Outlive by Peter Attia. Bobbi is taking things one day at a time, trying not to get overwhelmed by the many deadlines that come with building a house. She wants to be present and enjoy the process rather than dread it.

Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend. Until next time, keep flowing with life!