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 Is it ever too late to start a yoga practice? And does practicing through a computer screen actually count? In this episode of The Youthful Older Yogi, MJ Waddell tackles the real-world barriers that keep adults over 50 from starting a movement routine—specifically the intimidation factor around technology.

Whether you’re curious about using fitness apps or considering a live Zoom class, MJ breaks down recent research on virtual exercise (teleyoga), shares real-life experiences from a 65-year-old app user, and provides a simple roadmap to help you—or a tech-hesitant loved one in your life—comfortably step onto the mat and in front of the screen.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The "Podcast Myth": Why subscribing to a podcast is always 100% free (and why MJ’s 95-year-old dad thinks she hosts a radio show!).
• Apps vs. Live Zoom Classes: What research reveals about safety, proper form, and fighting social isolation as we age.
• A Real-World Case Study: The pros, cons, and limitations of using yoga apps after 50.
• Bridging the Tech Gap: Simple ways to guide older parents, relatives, or friends onto Zoom without the stress or technical jargon.
• Custom Beginner Options: How to start from scratch with 1-on-1 private sessions or small groups (book clubs, walking groups, or neighborhood friends).

Free Tech & Yoga Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Share these zero-cost, beginner-friendly resources with the older adults in your life to help them get connected:

• Senior Planet from AARP: Free tech helpline (888-713-3495) and step-by-step, printable visual guides for using Zoom. Visit https://seniorplanet.org/
• GetSetUp.io: Free online tech classes taught by older adults for older adults. Visit https://www.getsetup.io/en-US/partner/getsetup-free 
• Your Local Public Library: Ask your local librarian about free 1-on-1 tech help sessions to set up Zoom on your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Connect & Practice with MJ

Ready to try yoga without the pressure? MJ specializes in teaching total beginners over 50 who think their body "can't do yoga."

• Book a Free Consultation: Set up a free, zero-obligation chat or Zoom call to discuss your goals and see if working together is the right fit. https://www.shareyogawithmj.com/
• In-Person Sessions: Available for locals on Florida’s Space Coast 
• Virtual Sessions: Available anywhere in the world via Zoom for individuals, semi-privates, or custom small groups.
• Website: https://www.shareyogawithmj.com/

Enjoying the Show?

If you're watching on YouTube, please hit the Subscribe button! If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream, tap Follow.

My entire platform is built on the philosophy of Share Yoga—and sharing or subscribing is the absolute best way to help get these helpful resources to someone who needs them!

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Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL [email protected] 

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

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When was the last time you let yourself simply play? In this episode of The Youthful Older Yogi, we’re stepping off the sticky studio mat and onto the open water to explore Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga.

Trying something brand-new—especially when it involves a little wobble—is one of the best ways to gently stimulate your nervous system, build deep core stability, and bring pure, childlike joy back into your movement practice. We’re tackling the most common fears about floating yoga, debunking the myths, and reminding ourselves why stepping outside our comfort zone (and into a splash!) is exactly what we need.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Play Matters: How stepping onto moving water shifts your brain into present-moment joy and lightens up your practice.
• Nervous System & Core Benefits: Why tiny balance micro-adjustments fire up deep stabilizer muscles and train your body for real-world balance on land.
• Debunking SUP Yoga Fears: Myth-busting the fear of falling off, balance hesitations, and water safety so you can step onto the board with confidence.
• Choosing Your Practice: Whether you want a dynamic physical challenge or to simply lie back, float, and watch the clouds.

Links & Resources:

• Connect & Register for Nurture & Nourish (Last Call!): Visit https://www.shareyogawithmj.com/ (Only 8–10 days left to register for the September 29–October 3 retreat on Bald Head Island!).
• Finger Lakes Yoga Escape & Kaitlyn Vittozzi: Check out SUP yoga classes in Upstate New York at https://www.fingerlakesyogascapes.com/sup-yoga
• Written by: Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, author of “Blue Mind – The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do” https://marinesanctuary.org/blog/benefits-of-a-blue-mind/ 

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL [email protected] 

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

Send a text and share your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

In a society obsessed with stopping the clock, what if we shifted our focus to living well?

In this episode, MJ explores the concept of intentional aging and rejects the toxic narrative of "anti-aging." 

While intentional aging rests on key foundational pillars, one stands far above the rest: intentional connection. 

MJ shares personal insights from her two-month summer experiment of actively reaching out to people, putting connection on the calendar, and discovering how deep, real-world community transforms what it means to age with purpose.

Key Pillars Covered in This Episode:

• Movement
• Deep Sleep
• Nourishment
• Learning
• Laughter
• Intentional Connection (The ultimate pillar)

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL [email protected] 

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

Send a text and share your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

Have you ever received a text asking you to substitute teach a class that was completely out of your comfort zone? Your immediate instinct might be to say, "No way, I’m not experienced enough!"

In this episode, MJ shares her personal stories from subbing back home in Fairport, New York this summer—navigating everything from a music-free Active Vinyasa to a "Total Body Tone" class with limited equipment. 

The ultimate takeaway? Don't let fear dictate your answer or stop you from evolving. True growth as a movement educator doesn't happen in our comfort zones; it happens in the doing, the researching, and the practicing. Whether you teach yoga, Pilates, barre, or somatic movement, stepping into the substitute arena is exactly how you become a more versatile teacher.

The 4 Core Tips for Navigating the Unknown:

• 1. Say YES to the Opportunity First, Figure Out the Details Later: Trust your foundational knowledge of movement and anatomy. Saying yes forces a necessary deep dive into research and preparation that ultimately expands your teaching toolkit.
• 2. Do Your Homework: If time permits, attend a class led by the instructor you are subbing for with zero judgment. Use the time to witness the rhythm of the room and understand what the community expects.
• 3. Build a Bridge with the Regular Teacher: Reach out directly to ask what the students love and what their usual pace is. When the roles are reversed, pay it forward by leaving a suggested outline or floor flow for your own substitutes.
• 4. Trust Your Best and Just Show Up: If you can't see the class or reach the teacher, take a deep breath and teach authentically from the heart. Remember that experiencing a fresh perspective and a new voice is incredibly healthy for students!

Nurture and Nourish Retreat Announcement! 🌊

Ready to say "yes" to yourself this autumn? Space is officially open for the Nurture and Nourish Retreat on Bald Head Island (September 29th – October 3rd). This is a "choose your own adventure" experience with absolutely no rigid schedules, no expectations, and no prior yoga experience required. Come unplug, reset, and enjoy the exquisite beauty of the island. 👉Visit: https://www.shareyogawithmj.com/ for details and to connect with MJ to register

Connect with MJ:

• Leave a comment below with your wild, funny, or beautiful substitute teaching stories!
• Subscribe for more mindful movement, meditation, and insights on The Youthful Older Yogi.

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL [email protected] 

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

Send a text and share your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

How is your summer going? Are you actually taking advantage of the gorgeous weather and getting outdoors?

In this episode, we are turning the season into The Summer Yoga Playground! Give yourself permission to take your practice completely off the studio floor and step into the elements. I’m sharing three beautifully unique ways to let your senses soak up the season right now:

• The Symphony of Sound: My recent experience with a restorative sound bath and how vibration can offer profound rest. 
• Sunset Yoga: Rolling out your mat on the grass or the sand to connect directly with nature.
• Water Savasana: The ultimate floating relaxation technique using simple pool noodles.

Plus, time is running out to practice with me in person this summer and fall! Tune in for details on my three upcoming July workshops in Rochester and the second year of my North Carolina island NURTURE & NOURISH RETREAT.

Upcoming Rochester Workshops (July 2026)

Held at Penfield Yoga Therapy – Space is strictly limited to 10 spots per session!

• July 11: Teach Your Cues: Inspiration for Yoga Teachers
• July 18: Meditation Made Easy for Skeptics, Beginners & the Curious
• July 25: The Art of Breathing: Simple Techniques for Daily Life

Fall 2026 Retreat

• Sept 29 – Oct 3: Nurture & Nourish Women's 50+ Retreat (Bald Head Island, NC) — Only a few spaces left! Come enjoy beautiful morning/evening movement and delicious community dinners prepared by Terry Orr.

Mentions from the Episode:

• Listen: Healing Sounds with Lisa Frerichs
• Listen: Help My Nervous System with Heidi Kroft
• Listen: Yoga is Better When Wet with Christa Fairbrother 
• Watch: Head over to The Youthful Older Yogi on YouTube to see photos of the Water Shavasana setup, AND ANY OF MY EPISODES!
• Check out: Jason Crandell Yoga

Connect with MJ

• Website: Share Yoga
• Instagram: @MaryJayneWaddell
• Facebook: @MaryJayne Waddell

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review if you enjoyed the playground mindset, and share this episode with a friend who needs a little summer relaxation!

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL [email protected] 

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

Send a text and share your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

When was the last time you were truly excited about summer? Honestly, for me, it’s been a while. So I decided to shake things up this season, take some chances, and dedicate this summer to connection, community, and trying brand-new things.

In today’s episode, I am coming to you from my hometown of Rochester, New York, to share the wild (and slightly cracked!) adventures of my multi-state road trip, how a dedicated breathing practice saved my nervous system on the highway, and why stepping out of your comfort zone is the best thing you can do for your mind and body.

I’m also sharing an energy-changing, 10-minute reset that I recently discovered and fell in love with. It requires zero fancy equipment, is accessible to absolutely everyone, and will bring your body into total coherence.

Jump Straight to the Practice at 13:34

• 13:34– The 10-Minute EMYoga Wake Up Energy Practicehttps://theyouthfulolderyogi.buzzsprout.com

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Lauren Walker’s Energy Medicine Yoga: Explore Lauren Walker and more at emyoga.net
• Jason Crandell Yoga: Learn more about Jason's brilliant work and training's at https://jasonyoga.com/
• Rochester Summer Workshops: Join me this July at Penfield Yoga Therapy for TeachYour Cues, Meditation Made Easy, and my brand-new workshop, The Art of Breathing. Details and sign up at https://www.shareyogawithmj.com/offerings/rochester-summer-yoga-series
• Nurture & Nourish Retreat: Claim one of the final four spots for our intimate, women-only getaway on Bald Head Island this fall. Let’s connect and secure your spot at https://www.shareyogawithmj.com/

Connect with MJ:

• Website: shareyogawithmj.com
• Enjoyed the show? Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform to help our community grow!

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL [email protected] 

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

Send a text and share your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

Summertime... we wait for it all year, don't we? It’s that anticipated shift when the schedules wrap up, the routines clear out, and the world invites us into a beautiful season of pure "non-doing."

In this episode, I am admitting and acknowledging that I already have that lazy summertime feeling—and I am fully embracing it! In yoga, we often talk about the delicate balance between effort and ease. We spend so much of our year locked into the "effort," but summer is nature's official invitation to lean completely into the ease.

Join me today as I talk about how Nature is the ultimate teacher, and simply stepping outside to soak up the warmth, take a slow walk, or sit under a tree, or run through a sprinkler is essential summertime musts. Playing outside is a powerful tool to help our nervous systems down-regulate and chill out. I’m also sharing my personal plans for an 8-to-10-week "Friends & Family Tour" back to my hometown, leaving the hustle of my daily gigs behind to focus entirely on adventure, finding sprinklers, and most importantly, re-connection.

Let’s dive into a summer of ease together!

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Visit the Home Base: Explore everything at shareyogawithmj.com
• July Workshop Series: Join me in person this summer for my intimate morning workshops at Penfield Yoga Therapy (limited to just 10 students each!). Find the dates and save your spot on the website. https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/penfieldyogatherapy/items/725194/calendar/2026/07/?full-items=yes
• Nurture & Nourish Retreat: Ready for the ultimate autumn reset on beautiful Bald Head Island, NC? Discover all the details and claim your space under the "Retreats" tab on the website.
• https://www.shareyogawithmj.com/
• Get Your Free Summer Meditations: Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter on the homepage to receive simple, restorative outdoor meditations delivered straight to your inbox!
• https://www.shareyogawithmj.com/

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL [email protected] 

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

Send a text and share your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

Are you afraid that asking for more money makes you seem "un-yogic"?

In today’s episode, we are pulling back the curtain on the "palm-sweating" topic of money and compensation in the wellness world. I’m sharing my personal story of navigating a recent pay negotiation, the reality of burnout in the digital age, and why "giving it away" isn't a sustainable business model for a solo-preneur. Whether you’ve been teaching for two years or twenty, it’s time to stop leaving your value on the table.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The $5 Lesson: My recent experience asking for a raise and what the outcome taught me about self-worth.
• The "Puppy Dog" Phase vs. Mastery: Why your 10+ years of experience deserves a different conversation than a brand-new teacher.
• The Hidden Workload: Acknowledging the "extra" jobs we do now—marketing, cinematography, and social media—and how they contribute to teacher burnout.
• Auditioning the Employer: A checklist of questions to ask before you say yes to a new gig to ensure it’s a good fit for your life and your bank account.

Tips & Tools for the "Ask"

• The "No-Apology" Approach: How to frame your letter or in-person request by focusing on your loyalty, specialized skills, and student retention.
• The Pilot Program: Using short-term workshops or 6-week series as a way to "test" new income streams without the burnout of building them in a vacuum.
• The Negotiation: Why a "Small Yes" is still a victory for your professional dignity.

Industry Data & Resources

To help you feel more confident in your "Ask," here are the sources and data points mentioned in today’s show:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: bls.gov (Search: Fitness Trainers and Instructors)
• Yoga Alliance: yogaalliance.org
• Yoga Journal: yogajournal.com

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL [email protected] 

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

Send a text and share your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

Mirrors are a familiar part of many movement spaces—but are they helping your yoga practice, or quietly changing it?

In this episode, I share my personal experience with mirrors from my early years as a dancer to my work as a yoga teacher, and how that relationship has evolved over time.

We explore how mirrors—and even the images we see on social media—can shift our focus outward, leading us to evaluate, compare, and judge ourselves… often without realizing it.

But yoga isn’t about how a pose looks.
 It’s about what you feel.

I also offer simple, practical suggestions for both students and teachers who practice in mirrored spaces, including ways to gently turn attention inward and create a more sensory, experience-based practice.

Simple shifts for both students and teachers inside.

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL [email protected] 

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

Send a text and share your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

What happens when attention becomes focus… focus becomes flow… and flow becomes full absorption?

In Part 3 of this series, we explore the final three limbs of yoga—dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditative flow), and samadhi (absorption). These can feel like the most abstract limbs, but they’re actually experiences many of us have already touched—both on and off the mat.

This episode breaks these concepts down into simple, relatable language you can begin to understand—and gently weave into your teaching.

In This Episode:

•  How focus (dharana) begins with simply returning your attention 
•  The shift from effort to ease as attention becomes more continuous (dhyana) 
•  What it means to be fully absorbed in an experience (samadhi) 
•  Why these three limbs are not separate, but part of a natural progression 
•  How “advanced” yoga is less about poses—and more about awareness 

Resource Mentioned:

• The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar (available on Amazon and most booksellers)

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL [email protected] 

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/