In this Yogaland episode, Jason Crandell and I talk candidly about power dynamics in yoga, the potential for abuse of authority, and how students and teachers can protect what’s most important: trust, safety, consent, and healthy boundaries.

We’re not psychologists or legal experts — but we’ve been in the yoga world for decades, and we’ve seen how quickly a “teacher-student relationship” can become unhealthy when authority, charisma, and vulnerability collide. The goal of this conversation is simple: help more people recognize warning signs early, keep their autonomy intact, and stay connected to yoga in a way that’s grounded, mature, and safe.

You’ll hear us cover:

• The most common red flags in teacher-student dynamics

• Why critical thinking belongs in yoga spaces

• How “one true way” teaching can become coercive

• Charisma, attachment, and love-bombing in wellness culture

• Why discouraging cross-training or other teachers is a problem

• How “inner circles” and status tiers can create vulnerability

• Consent and hands-on adjustments: what students can ask for, and what teachers must respect

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable in a class, confused by a teacher’s intensity, or pressured to stay loyal to one method or community — this episode is for you.

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In this solo episode, Andrea explores why mindfulness remains a vital practice—especially during times of collective stress, uncertainty, and moral overwhelm.

Drawing from Buddhist foundations of mindfulness, personal experience, and years of teaching yoga and meditation, Andrea reframes mindfulness not as passivity or “everything’s fine” thinking, but as the practice of witnessing—with non-judgment and loving awareness—what is actually here.

She reflects on:

• Why mindfulness helps us sit with difficult emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them
• The difference between non-judgment and disengagement
• How loving awareness transforms mindfulness from a cold observation into an act of care
• Why yoga teachers’ ability to “hold space” is both invisible and essential
• How short, accessible mindfulness practices can support nervous system regulation and clarity

Andrea also shares three practical ways to integrate mindfulness into daily life, including mindfulness walks, working skillfully with unpleasant moments, and using declarative language as a nervous-system-friendly form of presence and connection.

This episode is an invitation to return to the basics—not as an escape from reality, but as a way to meet it with steadiness, compassion, and care.

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You can find shownotes here: yogalandpodcast.com/episode376

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Most yoga teachers undervalue how powerful good demonstrations really are. In this episode, we break down how, when, and why to demonstrate yoga poses so students actually learn.

Demonstration is one of the most overlooked—and misunderstood—skills in yoga teaching.

In this episode of Yogaland, Jason shares how to demonstrate yoga poses effectively in both in-person and online classes, and why visual communication plays such a crucial role in student learning.

You’ll learn:

• When yoga teachers should and should not demonstrate

• The pros and cons of practicing with the group vs. observing

• How demonstration impacts student comprehension and retention

• The biggest mistakes teachers make when demonstrating poses

• Why orientation and timing matter more than flexibility or strength

• How to demonstrate safely without risking injury

• Smart strategies for Zoom classes, recorded classes, and live online teaching

• How beginner teachers can use demonstration to build confidence and pacing

Whether you teach vinyasa, flow, alignment-based yoga, or online classes, this conversation will help you teach more clearly, communicate more effectively, and support student learning without over-explaining or over-demonstrating.

This episode is especially helpful for:

• Yoga teachers in 200-hour or 300-hour teacher training

• New teachers learning pacing and classroom management

• Experienced teachers refining their communication skills

• Anyone teaching yoga online or on Zoom

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The start of a new year can feel exciting and overwhelming for yoga teachers. New students, new expectations, new pressure. In this episode of Yogaland, Jason shares six foundational anchors to help you ground your teaching, reconnect with your students, and create classes that are sustainable—for you and for them.

Rather than chasing trends or social media metrics, this conversation focuses on what actually builds strong classes and long-term teaching careers: consistency, kindness, real connection, movement quality, stillness and regeneration, and empowering students to make informed choices in their practice.

Whether you’re teaching full classes, building a schedule in the new year, or simply wanting to feel more rooted and confident as a teacher, this episode offers practical perspective you can apply immediately—without adding more to your plate.

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Highlights

00:00 – Why teachers feel overwhelmed at the start of the year

01:29 – Anchor #1: Consistency in tone, sequencing & expectations

04:40 – Anchor #2: Kindness, presence & being a good host

08:20 – Anchor #3: Real connection vs social media distraction

14:49 – Anchor #4: Quality of movement over range of motion

21:26 – Anchor #5: Stillness, pranayama & regeneration

25:19 – Anchor #6: Empowering students to make educated choices

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Train to become a yoga teacher with Jason! Our next cohort begins next week, January 13th. Get all the details here: jasonyoga.com/200

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The holidays can be joyful… and also a lot—especially if you’re introverted, neurodivergent, parenting a neurodivergent kid, or trying to manage family expectations without burning out.

In this episode, we share the holiday traditions that actually work for their family—and the boundaries that make those traditions possible. We talk about front-loading expectations, time boundaries, demand avoidance, and why it’s okay to let other people have their feelings when you don’t meet their expectations. You’ll also hear practical strategies for navigating social events (without forcing yourself or your child to “perform”), plus a few favorite holiday rituals—from cookie baking to Christmas Eve dinner to a Christmas Day zoo trip.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by holiday gatherings, unsure how to set boundaries with family, or stuck between “being flexible” and “protecting your nervous system,” this conversation will help.

In this episode:

• Holiday boundaries for introverts and neurodivergent families

• Why time limits reduce anxiety (and increase participation)

• Setting expectations with relatives ahead of gatherings

• Demand avoidance, sensory overwhelm, and holiday rituals

• How to navigate parties with roles, structure, and exit plans

• Letting people be disappointed (without taking it on)

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As the year winds down, we’re reflecting on the real gifts yoga has given us—beyond poses and flexibility. In this conversation, we talk about pranayama and nervous-system regulation (including HRV), learning acceptance as our bodies age, how yoga builds discernment around recovery, and what we’re grateful for (including health, community, and the unexpected growth that comes from changing course as parents and professionals).

If you’re navigating stress, pain, aging, burnout, or a shifting relationship with practice, this episode is an honest look at what yoga can offer for the long haul—and what we’re ready to let go of as we head into a new year.

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Long before Jason was an anatomy nerd, a sequencing, and a technique nerd, he was a philosophy nerd. In fact, his undergraduate degree is in Philosophy. On this episode, he breaks down Patanjali’s 8-limbed path through a modern, practical model that finally makes sense -- not as a ladder to climb, but as concentric circles of self-regulation that move from the external to the deeply internal.

We’ll explore how yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi work together as a system for grounding, clarity, and inner steadiness — and why this perspective is easier to apply in real life than the traditional “8 steps” approach.

If this brings more clarity to the 8 limbs, please share it with your students or fellow teachers!

***A reminder: Jason's 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training is now open for enrollment. The early bird pricing expires Dec. 21st, so enroll before then to lock in your $300 discount. Learn more at jasonyoga.com/200

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In this episode, we’re catching up on… us. Jason is out of retirement, teaching live classes at an exclusive spot in Carlsbad, Andrea shares how strength training and high-protein eating (like, super high-protein) has helped her get out of chronic knee and foot pain in post-menopause. We also talk shoulder rehab, why teachers don’t need to “do it all” in class, and what’s currently entertaining us (books, TV, and yes—Dancing With the Stars).

>> Jason announced a few live teaching events in 2026. To get the announcements, join our newsletter: jasonyoga.com/newsletter

>> Learn about Jason’s 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training (early-bird registration through December 21st):

learn.jasonyoga.com/200

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What does it really feel like to teach yoga for the first time? In this episode of The Making of a Yoga Teacher, Jason takes you inside that nerve-wracking but transformative moment every new teacher faces: stepping to the front of the room.

Laurel, Raquel, and Erin talk about what it was like to teach for the first time during the training. Through their stories, you’ll see that every yoga teacher starts here — nervous, vulnerable, and discovering that courage grows with each breath and each class.

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We're having a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale this week! Save 20% on all of our Continuing Education courses when you enter code BREATHE25 at checkout. Enjoy!

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Want to improve your shoulder health? Listen to this episode. It's a two-parter and it focuses on 1) an important functional movement of the shoulders that is often overlooked in yoga and 2) essential mobility drills for the shoulders that yogis can incorporate into their practice.

I've got shoulders on my mind because I am about to begin teaching my Shoulders, Upper Back, and Neck Module of my 300-Hour YTT. We begin this Wednesday and I'd love to see you there. It's open to students who'd like to deepen their practice and teachers who would like to feel more confident and knowledgeable. You can learn more and register at jasonyoga.com/300

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