What if everything you’ve learned about pranayama tells only half the story?

In this episode, Jason Crandell breaks down the two radically different approaches to pranayama found in traditional Hatha Yoga and Patanjali’s Raja Yoga. These lineages share a goal—liberation through practice—but their breathwork techniques, underlying philosophies, and mechanisms of transformation couldn’t be more different.

Whether you’re a yoga teacher, a teacher-in-training, or a student curious about the deeper roots of breathwork, this talk will help you understand:

• Why pranayama in the Hatha Yoga tradition focuses on energy, purification, and awakening Kundalini

• Why Patanjali’s approach to pranayama emphasizes stillness, subtlety, and inner quiet

• How each tradition views the purpose of pranayama in relation to the mind, body, and spirit

• What these differences mean for your breathwork practice and teaching today

This lecture is excerpted from Jason’s online Pranayama Teacher Training, a comprehensive course that combines modern science and traditional wisdom to help yoga teachers build confidence in teaching breathwork.

🧘‍♂️ Learn more about Jason’s Pranayama Teacher Training here: jasonyoga.com/breathwork

🔍 Key Topics Covered:

• Pranayama in Hatha Yoga vs. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra

• The role of kundalini, nadis, and chakras in traditional breathwork

• Patanjali’s model of liberation through stillness of mind

• The purpose of breath control (pranayama) in classical yoga

• How to apply these insights in modern yoga classes and teacher trainings

ABOUT JASON AND HIS ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:

✅ Train to become a yoga teacher with Jason's 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training: jasonyoga.com/200

✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: jasonyoga.com/300

✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: jasonyoga.com/anatomy

✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course: jasonyoga.com/beginners

✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course: jasonyoga.com/sequencing

✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletter

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We're happy to be back with Yoga(ish)! On this episode, we reflect on Autism Acceptance Month. We talk about internalized ableism, ADHD, the power of special interests, and how creating the right environment can unlock learning and joy for neurodivergent kids. Plus: a very passionate review of our current comedy obsession (I Think You Should Leave).

CHAPTERS

01:05 Autism Awareness Month

01:30 Love on the Spectrum: A Heartwarming Show

03:54 Personal Reflections on Neurodivergence

13:27 Understanding Autism and Support Needs

15:55 Challenges and Misconceptions in Neurodivergence

23:00 Navigating Social Interactions with Neurodivergent Individuals

24:06 Controversial Views on Autism by RFK Jr.

30:36 Personal Reflections on Political Statements and Neurodiversity

34:13 Challenges and Rewards of Homeschooling

40:54 Comedy Recommendations and Personal Humor

46:50 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

ABOUT JASON AND HIS ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:

✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/anatomy

✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/300

✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course:

https://learn.jasonyoga.com/beginners

✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course:

https://learn.jasonyoga.com/sequencing

✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletter

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Feeling stuck, uninspired, or overwhelmed in your teaching journey?

In this episode, Jason shares 5 timeless lessons from yoga philosophy that support you — the teacher. These aren’t abstract ideas for your students — they’re personal, practical teachings to help you stay grounded, motivated, and aligned as you grow.

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned educator, these insights from the Yoga Sutras and beyond offer tools for navigating self-doubt, comparison, burnout, and creative fatigue.

Topics include:

• Abhyasa & Vairagya (Effort + Letting Go)

• Svadhyaya (Self-Study for Teachers)

• Dharma (Teaching with Purpose)

• Ahimsa (Self-Compassion in Teaching)

• Pratipaksha Bhavanam (Reframing Negative Thoughts)

Chapters

01:11 Upcoming Yoga Training Details

02:36 Yoga Philosophy for Teachers

04:07 Abhyasa and Vairagya: Developing and Releasing Patterns

05:19 Practicing Teaching Skills

09:31 Non-Attachment in Teaching

11:59 Knowing Yourself as a Teacher

18:17 Aligning Teaching with Your Purpose

21:45 The Impact of Social Media on Self-Perception

22:10 Defining Your Purpose as a Yoga Teacher

23:26 Teaching Techniques and Philosophical Insights

26:15 Compassion for Yourself and Your Students

33:04 Reframing Your Inner Critic

41:53 Final Thoughts and Announcements

ABOUT JASON AND HIS ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:

✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/anatomy

✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/300

✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course:

https://learn.jasonyoga.com/beginners

✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course:

https://learn.jasonyoga.com/sequencing

✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletter

Jason Crandell is a natural teacher and author with more than 20 years of experience. Named “one of the teachers shaping the future of yoga,” by Yoga Journal, Jason has been an in-demand teacher at conferences around the world for more than two decades.

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On this episode, Jason shares how to find your voice as a yoga teacher, how it evolves through different life phases, and how to sustain it over the long haul. You’ll learn why finding your voice is an ongoing process, how to stay confident as a yoga teacher, and how to overcome burnout, self-doubt, and comparison.

You'll learn:

• How to find your voice as a yoga teacher (and why it’s always evolving)

• The role of passions, practice, and personal growth in shaping your teaching style

• Common obstacles yoga teachers face—and how to move through them with resilience

• Tips to stay inspired, prevent yoga teacher burnout, and build confidence for the long term

• How specialized yoga teacher training can help you refine your authentic teaching voice

Chapters:

03:00 Finding Your Voice as a Yoga Teacher

05:55 The Evolution of Teaching Styles

09:36 Adopting and Evolving from Your Teacher's Voice

12:54 Personal Journey and Influences

17:00 Incorporating New Interests and Passions

20:29 The Importance of Lifelong Learning

23:03 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Yoga

24:16 Embracing Authenticity as a Yoga Teacher

26:24 Overcoming People Pleasing in Teaching

28:31 The Illusion of Pleasing Everyone

33:09 Adapting and Evolving as a Teacher

36:04 The Need for Ongoing Training

41:34 Managing Burnout and Teaching Strategies

44:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🌟 Ready to deepen your skills and reignite your passion for teaching yoga?

Our 300-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training helps you specialize, build lasting confidence, and find your authentic voice. [Learn more ➡️ jasonyoga.com/300]

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On this episode, Jason addresses a common question he gets from yoga teachers: When will I start to feel more sure of myself, more confident in my teaching? Whether you’re newly certified or have been teaching for years, this episode will help you fill in the missing pieces and grow into the confident, grounded, and impactful yoga teacher you want to be.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why so many yoga teachers feel stuck or unprepared after their 200-hour yoga teacher training

• The real reason yoga teachers struggle with confidence (it’s not just imposter syndrome)

• How to shift from planning individual classes to designing long-term yoga class sequences and themes

• Proven strategies to avoid yoga teacher burnout and stay inspired in your teaching

• The most common gaps in yoga teacher trainings—and how to build the skills your students actually need

• How to grow your teaching career by deepening your skills and becoming a more effective, in-demand yoga instructor

A heads' up that Jason's 300-Hour YTT begins May 7th! This training is flexible, supportive, and comprehensive. Go to jasonyoga.com/300 for the training details and to enroll.

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In this episode, Jason guides you through 3 simple yet powerful pranayama techniques to help you unwind, relax, and get better night's sleep. These breathing exercises are perfect for reducing stress, calming the mind, and promoting relaxation—whether you’re winding down after a busy day or preparing for a restful night’s sleep.

Time codes:

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

00:44 Overview of Pranayama for Relaxation and Sleep

02:33 Chandra Bhedana Pranayama Explained

07:28 Lengthened Exhalations Breathwork

12:53 Lengthened Exhalations with Pauses Breathwork

16:10 Practical Tips and Course Information

✨ Two big announcements!

Jason's 300-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training is open for enrollment. Get all the details and enroll at: jasonyoga.com/300

✨ To celebrate the kick-off of the training, Jason's hosting a free webinar next week, The Confident Yoga Teacher: 5 Skills Every Yoga Teacher Needs. Get info and sign for that here: jasonyoga.com/webinar

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Teaching pranayama and breathwork can feel overwhelming—even for experienced yoga teachers. In this episode, Jason breaks down the five most common mistakes teachers make when teaching pranayama and offers simple, research-backed solutions that will help you guide breathwork with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Whether you’re just starting out or refining your skills, this episode will help you simplify your approach to pranayama, avoid common pitfalls, and create a more meaningful experience for your students.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why pranayama is often left out of yoga classes—and why that’s a missed opportunity

• How to avoid overwhelming students with too many breathwork techniques

• Why it’s time to rethink advanced practices like Nadi Shodhana, Bhastrika & Kapalabhati

• The power of simple, functional techniques like Box Breathing and 5.5 Breathing

• How consistent breath ratios improve nervous system regulation, HRV, and CO₂ tolerance

• How to use accessible, effective language when teaching pranayama

• Why functional breathwork is more important than flashy techniques

✨ Registration is open for Jason's training, Teaching Pranayama & Breathwork! Open to both yoga teachers and students. For more info, click here: jasonyoga.com/breathwork

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This is episode 1 of a four-part series on Pranayama: On this episode, we explore why breathwork matters so much for yoga teachers and how to effectively integrate pranayama into your yoga classes.

Whether you're a seasoned yoga teacher or simply interested in deepening your pranayama practice, this conversation will help you understand why breathwork is essential and how to teach it with confidence.

We talk about:

The most important pranayama benefits for your own practice and your teaching.

Why pranayama is an essential tool for yoga classes and how it helps students find calm, focus, and energy.

How pranayama supports nervous system regulation, emotional balance, and overall well-being.

Practical teaching tips for introducing pranayama to your students with clarity and ease.

Common challenges teachers face when teaching pranayama and how to overcome them.

🎥 If you want to deepen your pranayama practice and teaching skills, join the waitlist for my upcoming online pranayama training: jasonyoga.com/breathwork

Time codes in this episode:

00:15 Starting the Pranayama Series

00:22 Why Pranayama Matters

01:05 Pranayama vs. Asana

03:11 Immediate Effects on the Nervous System

09:22 Heart Rate Variability Explained

19:01 CO2 Tolerance and Efficient Breathing

27:09 Practical Benefits of Breathwork

29:32 Gatekeeping in Pranayama

30:49 Personal Journey with Pranayama

32:26 Pranayama Techniques and Their Benefits

35:57 Incorporating Pranayama into Daily Life

39:22 Categories of Pranayama

47:21 Teaching and Practicing Pranayama

56:14 Conclusion and Next Steps

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Looking for fresh ideas to keep your classes engaging and effective? In this episode of Yogaland, we’ll show you how to plan a month-long yoga series that helps your students build skills, gain confidence, and deepen their practice over time.

If you’re tired of planning classes one-by-one and want to teach more cohesively and effectively, this episode is for you! Whether you’re a new yoga teacher looking for guidance or an experienced teacher wanting to expand your teaching approach, you’ll learn simple, powerful strategies to take your classes to the next level.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ Why a long-term approach to teaching helps students learn faster and retain more.

✅ How to structure a 4-week yoga series for consistent growth and progress.

✅ Practical ways to apply Thematic Sequencing to build skills week by week.

✅ How to use Scaffolded Learning to break down complex poses and techniques.

✅ Why revisiting concepts (Spaced Repetition) improves learning and confidence.

✅ What the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) means and how it applies to yoga.

Timecodes:

00:33 Upcoming Pranayama Course

01:12 London Yoga Retreat Announcement

04:31 Long-Term Yoga Class Planning

07:03 Thematic and Progressive Sequencing

19:42 Introduction to Vinyasa Class Structure

21:34 Teaching Skills Step-by-Step

26:00 Building Muscle Memory and Competence

26:53 The Importance of Scaffolding in Yoga

32:24 Spaced Repetition in Learning

34:40 Zone of Proximal Development

38:51 Encouraging Growth and Possibility

42:14 Recap and Conclusion

👉 Jason's newest course, Teaching Pranayama & Breathwork: A step-by-step guide for yoga teachers & students begins in April. Click here to join the waitlist: jasonyoga.com/breathwork

👉 Want to practice in-person with Jason? Join him in London June 9th-13th at Mission! To get all the details: https://www.mission-e1.com/london-retreat/

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Whether mild (commonly called a concussion) or severe, TBI can create long-term health challenges ranging from cognitive fatigue, to memory loss to insomnia and mental health issues. This episode explores how LoveYourBrain's free yoga and meditation program benefits people affected by TBI and their caregivers. 

Since 2015, Dr. Kyla Pearce, Senior Director of Programs and Research at LoveYourBrain, has trained over 2,500 yoga teachers and clinicians in how to adapt yoga for TBI. She was the primary investigator on the largest published study of yoga for TBI, which found significant improvement in quality of life, resilience, cognition, and positive affect among 705 people with TBI who participated in the LoveYourBrain program.

LoveYourBrain was founded in 2014 by brothers Kevin and Adam Pearce following Kevin’s severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a snowboarding accident in 2009 while training for the Olympics. Their family’s experience navigating Kevin’s recovery inspired them to create LoveYourBrain.

To date, LoveYourBrain has supported nearly 50,000 people worldwide, through research-backed programs offered at no cost to empower the TBI community with new tools, resources, and connections.

We talk about:

• Common challenges after traumatic brain injury
• How hard it is to have an invisible injury
• What the research says about yoga for traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• How Dr. Pearce designed the LoveYourBrain six-week yoga program — from asana adaptations to types of meditation to group sharing
• The importance of cultivating resilience rather than a return to “normal”
• Post-traumatic growth — what it is and how we can all benefit from seeing life’s challenges through this lens
• Mindful March — how you can support people with TBI in accessing yoga
• LoveYourBrain’s online teacher training program

Lastly: March is Brain Injury Awareness Month! Go to loveyourbrain.com/challenge to join their Mindful March Meditation Challenge and support their efforts in keeping yoga FREE to those affected by TBI.

There are lots of resources on their website as well as info about teacher training: I've created a curated list of links for Yogaland listeners: www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode350

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