Yogaland Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have you ever felt like your students aren’t fully absorbing what you’re teaching? Want to make your cues, sequences, and insights truly stick? On this episode, Jason reveals the top teaching strategies every yoga instructor should know to enhance student learning, improve retention, and create transformative class experiences. Highlights: ✅ The difference between leading a class vs. teaching for deep learning. ✅ How repetition & thematic sequencing improve student retention. ✅ Why students learn best by doing, seeing, and experiencing—not just hearing. ✅ How A/B testing in yoga poses helps students find what works best for them. ✅ The role of cognitive load in student learning—and why less is more when cueing. ✅ The surprising power of storytelling to make your teaching unforgettable. 💡 Whether you're a new yoga teacher or an experienced instructor looking to improve your teaching impact, this episode will help you develop smarter, more effective strategies to ensure your students truly absorb and retain what you teach. 🔗 Join the Pranayama Teacher Training Waitlist: jasonyoga.com/breathwork Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason’s getting Invisalign. Andrea’s diving into writing. Our daughter just got a new horse named… Namaste. Yep. It’s a lot. 🤣 In this episode of Yoga(ish), we get personal—talking about self-consciousness as yoga teachers, how our jobs shape our confidence, and why getting adult braces feels way more vulnerable than it should. We also dive into Andrea’s new writing project, her experience in a creative writing group, and the struggles of finding a new horse for our daughter’s riding journey. And of course, we wrap things up with our latest pop culture deep dive—what we’re watching, our love for great storytelling, and a tribute to some of the best comedy shows ever. (Spoiler: Andrea has watched every episode of Workaholics. Twice.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reggie Hubbard, founder of Active Peace Yoga, has stories to share: He has spent the past year building his online meditation, sound healing, and resilience trainings online, all while recovering from a stroke and learning to care for himself in a completely new way. Prior to his work in the yogasphere, Reggie was a seasoned political strategist, working on the Bernie Sanders campaign, as a congressional liaison for MoveOn, and in many other high profile positions over three decades. Reggie shares his journey with us, serving as an example of how we can continue to navigate all that life throws our way with a sense of resilience and purpose. Shownotes: yogalandpodcast.com/episode348 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Jason shares his ambitious new project of documenting a 200-hour yoga teacher training, Andrea has a surprise run-in with one of her favorite actors, and Jason recounts reconnects with high school friends at an LA Clippers game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it just us or has it been an intense year already? We're here to help -- or at least we've got some ideas. On this episode: Jason shares a social media post calling for a bubble of sensible, critical thinkers amid growing societal tumult. We dive into the benefits of yoga in fostering non-reactivity and stress the importance of cultivating joy and creativity in trying times. Plus, we talk about volunteering, cultural influences in yoga, and what we've been reading and watching, including a debate on the TV show, 'The Jackal.' If you'd like to support our recovery efforts for the Los Angeles fires, we have four meditations for your to purchase (100% of proceeds benefit fire recovery). Find them at learn.jasonyoga.com/meditation If you'd like to join us for our upcoming online retreat and gathering, sign up for Mind-Body Reset at learn.jasonyoga.com/reset Thanks for listening and practicing with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's solocast from Jason addresses a frequently asked question from yoga teachers: "Should I teach yoga poses I don't actually practice?" The answer is a lot more nuanced than you might think. Jason explores four scenarios, emphasizing that teaching is not solely about personal ability but also about understanding and communication. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our last episode of the year features answers to your burning questions. We talk about our favorite family moment of the year, our favorite books, Instagram accounts, which sporting event we'd go to if we could go anywhere, and what it means to us to be yogis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we answer your burning questions! We discuss the benefits of long vs. short yoga practices, strengthening the piriformis, structuring cohesive flows for teachers, the role of counterposes in yoga practice, plus lots more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode: Jason shares his intense week of tech challenges and how it triggers his ADHD. Andrea recounts a heartfelt compliment she received from a stranger and asks for some dream analysis. Plus, we share a quirky holiday fail and how Taylor Swift's Eras Tour reminded us of how important it is to take in positive media and messaging. PS: Mind Body Reset -- our online inner retreat -- is happening in February 2025. To learn more and sign up, go to: jasonyoga.com/reset Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: A short but effective meditation to help you find your place of natural, easy calm in the midst of busy, modern life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On our third episode of Yoga-ish, we share both joyful and not-so-joyful stories of past Christmases and we offer ideas for navigating the holidays if you are just NOT FEELING it this year. We all have those years -- some more than others -- but it is truly part of being human. What if you treated yourself with compassion and endeavored to find your own pockets of joy, however/whatever they may be? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a heartfelt celebration of part-time yoga teachers! We came up with this idea when Jason reflected that, too often, he hears part-time teachers being self-deprecating and implying that they don't feel like "real" yoga teachers. We put out a call on social media for part-time yoga teachers to share their stories -- we asked you why you teach part-time, what keeps you going, and what the challenges are. We culled through the responses and share the highlights in this episode. The stories are inspiring and converge on a simple, yet powerful, truth: Part-time teachers make an invaluable contribution to the yoga community. ********************************************* If you'd like to read all of the part-time yoga teacher stories, go to yogaland.substack.com Don't forget! The early bird deadline for Jason's 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training is December 15th. Enroll before then and save $300. www.jasonyoga.com/200 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.