Leadership and Yoga

Today I sat down with Lisa Braun, also known as “lessonsbylisa” in the online world. Lisa is a wellness expert and yoga coach. Before yoga, she was a successful journalist for esteemed platforms like CBS News, BBC, Thomson Reuters and an entertainment TV Host on YouTube. Join us for a conversation on authenticity, creativity, teaching yoga, the importance of music and dance, mental health and an overall behind the scenes look into Lisa's life. IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE WITH LISA, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & DROP ME A RATING. Thank you!! Find Lisa on instagram: @lessonsbylisa Find me on instagram: @shawnakru Join the Podcast Launchpad: https://www.shawnakru.com/the-podcast-launchpad  Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 03:30 Unhinged sparkle 05:40 Lisa’s background: journalism, news, car accident & changing direction. 07:00 The start of posting motivational dance reels on instagram. 10:00 Committing to 30 days of cold showers for anxiety relief. 13:00 Lisa’s yoga teaching philosophy.  14:30 Advice for being able to do difficult things & tap into your energy. 17:15 Lisa’s creative process, music, lighting… 19:30 Music takes us on a journey!! 26:00 Being a YouTuber for Health Magazine and Hollywood Life. 28:30 What Lisa wanted to be when “she grew up” 30:00 Rituals for mental health. 34:00 Lisa’s sources of inspiration & thoughts on leadership.

Join me, Shawna Krueger, for a solo episode on what to do when anxiety holds you back. I share my only story with anxiety, and tangible tips that feel actionable. I’m not here to treat or cure anxiety but rather to talk about the effect of when it holds you back and hijacks what you want and even your personality. This episode is not just about our ability to go outwards or put yourself out there. It’s also about your ability to go inward. It’s beyond stage fright or imposter syndrome.  On the agenda for today is addressing anxiety about self (also your message and your creations, sharing), anxiety about progress (starting and also feeling stuck), and anxiety about distractions (other people and things holding you back, other directions you could be going and feeling like you wish you were in another life or reality.)  It’s my hope that you leave today with a sense of renewed hope about what is possible for you, and a deeper desire to love yourself.  Join the Leadership and Yoga Fam email list to stay up to date on giveaways and L&S news. Plus, get immediate access to the free week-long 6am Club training: Join the fam. Find me on instagram: @shawnakru Purchase a copy of my guided journal. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/  Upcoming Retreats: https://shawnakru.com/retreats/ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 04:00 When our anxious nature blocks our ability to show up. 07:00 Agenda and NEW RETREAT: Evolve with Inversions. 11:00 Anxiety about self. 14:00 It’s become commonplace to say “this is anxiety-inducing”  17:00 Getting sucked into competition and fear of “mediocrity.”  18:30 Even as a state champion, anxiety wears us down. 20:00 Only thinking about meeting the mark, not who I wanted to be. 22:10 Feeling is healing.   23:15 Imitation when authenticity is cut off.  24:30 Social anxiety. Being a rebel is still a reaction.  26:00 Our anxious nature shapes our personality without us realizing it.  27:20 What I’ve learned about moving beyond our anxious nature so that our true nature can show.  28:30 Buffalo walk towards the storm.  30:50 The diamond sutra. 32:00 Shake like a gazelle and feel lighter.  33:00 You are the seer of your thoughts, you are not your thoughts.  35:00 Baby photo 37:30 Do one thing that works. 38:00 The tangible: breath retentions, apnea training: correlation between anxiety and asthma.  41:30 What to do with your body when you have stage fright.  44:00 Anxiety about progress. 47:30 The whole weight of inertia. 52:15 Anxiety about distractions. 55:00 Take more accountability than anyone else.  57:00 Broken promises, especially to yourself, cause anxiety. 59:00 Give yourself grace.  1:00:00 Discussion of a relevant reel from Victoria Hutchins - The Daily Victorian on instagram.  1:01:00 If the perception doesn’t change, changing things you can control will ultimately change nothing.  1:03:00 Offering of final advice I wish I had 10 years ago.

On today's solo episode, we talk about devotion. What is the difference between devotion and worship. Do we all have things that we are truly devoted to? Is devotion always good? Today I tell you how to inspire yourself through devotion, and how it can help you find success and lead to powerful downloads. Plus, I share the story of the first and only time I passed out during a breath hold, and how all of my ideas for my upcoming retreat downloaded into my mind while taking time off in Madeira. Timestamps: 02:34 The dangers of giving your creativity energy to instagram. 04:51 Why I feel like I've just spent an hour with a friend after listening to a podcast. 07:39 Agenda. 10:08 On the joy of working hard. Yoga retreat prep, writing and printing a book, etc. 11:00 Announcement! Our new guided journal releases. 14:49 The difference between devotion and worship: Unity, oneness vs. Separateness. 17:00 What is devotion? 21:28 Devotion and Ashtanga Yoga, experiencing Mysore in Rome and Germany. 25:43 What feels restrictive to our soul and what feels like a routine or a ritual that pushes us to grow or helps us understand life better? 31:05 The 100 foot wave in Nazare, Portugal and the devotion of surfers, an extreme example. 34:18 Almost passing out from a breath hold. 40:12 Devotion brings success. 43:00 Devotion brings (idea) downloads. 47:37 A letter of devotion to my dreams that I wrote in my journal this week. (Personal share.) My favorite quotable moments from this episode: "When you express and you act with that devotion, which getting back to the definition, is acting with loyalty, love and also enthusiasm… When you feel that way about something, someone, some idea, truly, even if you are having the sense that it's not working or you're not making progress, even if you don't consciously move it along, something will move it along for you." "And that is something that I did not experience back like in college, for example, earlier on before I understood that sometimes five minutes of clarity, of truly like getting yourself in a different state of mind, can be worth more than 50 minutes, sometimes more than five hours of having a bad attitude trying to work on something." "Whenever you are feeling unsuccessful, it's not that you're not smart enough, it's not that you're not strong enough or not creative enough, it's that you're not focused enough." "Being devoted is a promise to be faithful to it, to be one with it, not a separate form trying to come in and force it, but an ability to contemplate it, to know it so well that it becomes second nature to you." Message me on instagram: @shawnakru My website:  https://shawnakru.com/

In today’s episode I share a story of rejection in Portugal and the reason why it’s okay that our best is not always good enough. In addition, I talk about the pressure of timelines, what happens when our expectations are broken, and how the wildest synchronicities can be born from those moments if we are able to focus even in the face of disappointment.  Warning: I still need to learn how to use the very nice microphone. AI background cleaning is the distortion you hear. Stay tuned for better audio quality next week. (Yay!) Message me on instagram: @shawnakru My website:  https://shawnakru.com/

Join me, Shawna Krueger, for an episode that will motivate you and prepare you to follow your dreams. I’m here to tell you that what you dream of, is for people like you. Not someone wiser, younger, older, prettier, more popular or richer. No. We’re talking about everything from life and business to health, happiness, and the impact you’re here to make. When I first started, I didn’t have that friend to hype me up in the way I needed, so I’m here to be that person for you. We’ll dive into mindset shifts, how to get real about your goals, and why you have to trust the process, even when it doesn’t look like you imagined. Plus, I’ve got practical tips on how to take tangible steps towards your dreams—today, not tomorrow. From managing limiting beliefs to connecting with people who lift you up, I’ll share some key insights to help you stay on track and find clarity. And I’ll even encourage you to celebrate your wins and set some new, slightly scary goals that feel just within reach. This episode is all about leaning into the magic. Join cohort 2 of the Podcast Launchpad: https://www.shawnakru.com/the-podcast-launchpad Find me on instagram: @shawnakru Leadership and Yoga IRL info: https://www.shawnakru.com/leadership-and-yoga-irl  Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 03:10 Hands asleep alarm story.  05:05 What's on the menu? Today’s agenda.  10:25 Finding inspiration and the continuous choice to come back to your dreams. 11:30 What does the moment before a quantum leap feel like? 15:30 Don’t feel selfish for wanting to follow your dreams because it will be of greater service to humanity than anything else you do.  19:20 Tough mindset shift. Rule one.  22:30 What you are looking for, you will find.  25:00 Finding your people and changing what you are “steeping” in.  30:00 Tell NO ONE.  32:00 Evaluate the things you do that you think are normal.  34:00 Let something fully blossom rather than spreading yourself too thin?  35:30 Questions for clarity.  38:40 Cooking pancakes on the table in high school during lunch. 40:30 Reinvent yourself like Martha Stewart. 42:15 Intermission and dog poop. I am actually a crazy person. 43:15 If not now, then when? 46:30 If not me, then who? 49:00 What part of me wants this?  51:48 I secretly wanted to be popular growing up but didn’t think it was for girls like me.  53:30 Are you in control? Or is the dream? 57:13 Two actionable steps. Your homework.

A 3-part episode: my 10k story on instagram, what works vs. what doesn’t, and case studies from yoga teachers with over 10k followers. This is the deep, real-talk coffee chat on social media I wish I could have had with myself 3 years ago. Tune in for case studies from my own story of growing as a small creator on instagram to 10k followers, along with case studies from 4 of my yoga teacher & creator friends.Find Shawna on instagram:  @shawnakru Enter for free social media mentorship with Kimi’s Soulcials program! Try OfferingTree for free with my link here (My sponsor) Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list:https://www.shawnakru.com/fam Own a copy of the guided journal I created, code POD for $33.https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ My friends that I mention: @kimiahajian @benkalra @marlasyoga @brandonberg_Time stamps:00:00 intro 01:30 social media series04:45 the beauty of my slow growth is that i could document it for you06:15 the size of the platform matches your mission08:30 3 part episode agenda11:30 my 10k social media story12:40 the 2nd puberty online19:30 the year i hit my goals & how24:30 the real thing you need to learn25:35 what worked 27:58 what Victoria Hutchins taught me about being an artist29:00 audience matching35:00 mission & moral ambition 37:58 build something cool38:40 what doesn’t work45:50 10k+ teachers case studies: Kimi47:45 message from Kimi - Soulcials mentorship56:00 how long did it take for you to blow up? case studies.

Today, I sat down with consciousness researcher and author Frederick Dodson to explore the idea that changed how I see everything: levels of energy. From what energy actually is and how it shows up in us, our relationships, places, and even world events, to why we get stuck, why anger can sometimes be useful, and why manifestation is often misunderstood, we unpack the full spectrum, from the lowest states of blame and victimhood to higher levels of love, humor and bliss. We talk about like attracting like, parallel universes of self, healing, belief, and what it really means to raise consciousness. Fred shares stories from his childhood, pieces of the mission he is on here on earth, his views on infinity, leadership, and humanity’s future. Listen to feel empowered, and at the same time, to take life a little less seriously.Fred’s website & Higher Realms live seminar August 2026, Italyhttps://www.realitycreation.org/ Find Shawna on instagram: @shawnakru - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/shawnakru⁠Shawna’s website:https://www.shawnakru.com/ Try OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here: https://www.offeringtree.com/shawnakru?utm_source=leadership-and-yoga&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=partner-discount  (My sponsor) Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND - https://www.tend.eco/collections/consultations Time stamps:00:00 intro01:00 L&Y fam04:40 levels of energy08:59 what is energy really12:30 the scale & categories of consciousness15:30 anger can be good: relativity18:40 writing a highly offensive book20:30 stuck? Why?23:30 like attracts like, broken window energy field25:14 every step on the scale requires a new kind of energy26:30 sincerity & devotion will get you there27:35 manifestation is watered down28:45 highest energies to lowest energies34:30 freeing yourself38:40 relationships and influence44:30 infinity: context to take life less seriously47:40 meaning of life: training49:00 Fred’s childhood of otherworldly experiences59:30 Mission 1:00:00 beings of other worlds and levels1:06:00 spillover effect, parallel universes of self1:11:00 how to really believe something new1:16:30 entering parallel universes1:18:00 healing: invented pain vs manifested pain1:21:00 leadership: the making of an exceptional leader1:23:00 rapid fire & billboard

Part two of an episode on how things mysteriously fall into place. From insane to mundane synchronicities… This is for anyone who wants to feel connected to the heartbeat of life. Inspired from a moment in an interview I did with Sri Dharma Mittra, I sat down to contemplate my life over coffee as I do most mornings. But on this particular morning, everything I’ve learned from Richard Rudd of the Gene Keys, Frederick Dodson of Levels of Energy and Parallel Universes of self, and even some Dr. Joe Dispenza organized itself in my head in a new way. The result is the “thought experience” I prepared for you in part one of this episode, and today’s spontaneous explanation of “how” to live connected to the magic of it all. Try OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor) Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND - https://www.tend.eco/collections/consultations Follow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created, code POD for $33.Ritual of Writing Journal 

Today on the Leadership and Yoga podcast, Jonah Kest!! Let's talk leadership, creativity, and modern yoga with one of the most well-known and influential yoga teachers of our time. We talk building community in yoga, what it’s really like to meditate, and how life feels when we surrender. I also ask him to give his thoughts on the evolution of yoga, and how real transformation happens in our lives. Jonah shares wisdom on teaching yoga, and behind the scenes stories from his creative process and morning rituals.Join my retreat! 1 spot opened up. Jan 25-29.Try OfferingTree for free with my link here. (My sponsor)Find me on instagram: @shawnkruMy monthly newsletter:  leadership and yoga fam, for yoga teacher meet-ups & joining roundtable episodesJonah’s instagram:  @kestyogaJonah’s website & trainings:  https://www.jonahkestyoga.com/Time stamps: 00:00 intro1:23 leadership and yoga6:10 yoga from childhood to now7:30 what Jonah wanted to be when he grew up9:40 manifestation?11:60 pressure and legacy 14:40 qualities Jonah looks for in teachers16:40 devotion18:55 pain: we are part of nature22:30 Jonah’s favorite type of yoga class25:25 weaving stories into class & experiencing transcendence26:55 what to do with ideas28:55 how Jonah energetically prepares to lead33:40 Jonah’s ideal morning routine35:20 prana37:20 creativity is tuned into39:20 dropping fear and creating from love43:35 how do we change? actually?45:50 music & rhythm49:25 evolution in yoga51:40 rejection & feedback54:40 continue to grow as teachers56:40 Nike signing story1:00:00 it’s not mind-body connection1:03:40 doors1:07:21 yoga impacting the world1:09:30 fate or free will1:11:30 losing control1:17:20 the real yoga is coming back to the fire1:21:17 meditation is like fasting for the mind.1:23:25 community & being surrounded by high-energy people1:29:10 rapid fire1:31:10 billboard message

In this episode, I guide yoga teachers and creators through a grounded reset for 2026, exploring when to simplify, when to let go, and how to create from integrity rather than urgency. We talk about disappointment and forgiveness, goals that are too big, quitting at the right time, and what becomes possible when you stop forcing the future and start listening more deeply.Join my retreat! 2 spots opened up. https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat Try OfferingTree for free with my link here. (My sponsor)TEND ayurvedic consultations (My sponsor)https://www.tend.eco/collections/consultations Follow me on instagram:@shawnkruMy monthly newsletter: https://www.shawnakru.com/mailinglist Time stamps:00:00 intro visualization03:45 dear entrepreneurial yogi 08:00 4 step reset09:21 sweet simplicity retreat12:00 step out of the past into something new13:15 if it’s half-right, it’s wrong15:07 grateful for opportunities that you don’t take17:45 disappointment & forgiveness are skills 23:40 goals that are too big 25:44 learn to be impeccable with your word26:50 when to quit29:40 destruction & creation in 202633:00 what can i create when i feel like destroying something?34:00 your fall starts EVERYTHING  35:30 digestion & TEND for 202637:18 real purpose38:45 iOs vs dream board42:00 selfish wellness43:30 pillars activity 45:30 organization & OfferingTree48:00 Jonah Kest quote on transformation50:30 homework: writing 

In this episode of Leadership and Yoga, I sit down with Kino MacGregor, one of the most thoughtful voices in the yoga world, for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about practice, leadership, creativity, and impact through yoga. We talk about high standards and self-compassion, ritual and discipline, discernment in creativity, and how to work with failure without letting it turn into self-denigration. We explore lineage and tradition in Ashtanga yoga, the power of storytelling, and what makes an impactful yoga teacher.This conversation moves from a behind the scenes look at Kino’s daily rituals and decision-making to the deeply spiritual and big questions of, why are we here? If you’re a yoga teacher, leader, or lifelong student navigating devotion, creativity, and real human life, this one is for you.If you enjoyed this episode with Kino, please subscribe. Thank you! :) Try OfferingTree all-in-one business software for yoga teachers for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Kino’s website:https://kinoyoga.com/ Practice with Kino on Omstars:https://omstars.com/ Find Kino on instagram: @kinoyoga Find me on instagram: @shawnakru Opportunities to join my podcast LIVE for yoga teacher roundtable episodes:https://www.shawnakru.com/fam  My website & contact:https://www.shawnakru.com/ Time Stamps:00:00 intro02:16 inspired by Kino’s story03:32 how did you realize you wanted to dedicate your life to yoga?07:25 when you were little, what did you dream of being when you grew up?12:30 do you remember your first ashtanga class?19:34 from a dream about Pattabhi Jois to traveling to India23:08 what is the essence of ashtanga yoga for you?24:12 the guru’s grace28:01 what characteristics of your teachers helped you the most?31:00 the ashtanga authorization process36:39 future of the teacher-student relationship in yoga38:29 staying rooted in service as a yoga teacher41:41 how can yoga be a tool for good in the world?44:07 different paths of change49:27 how do you prepare yourself to show up in the world to teach?51:47 what is your relationship with creativity?55:47 book recommendations? 01:00:00 tradition vs innovation 01:03:00 experiencing the transcendent 01:05:00 why do you think we’re here? 01:07:00 “let everything you do be an act of love” 01:12:00 the billboard question

This episode is for you if you haven’t started and don’t know how to spend your time to find the success you long for. In this intimate solo episode, I share the truth about finding my first “thread” of success in my mission, business, life, my podcast, and social media. It’s about finding that small, almost fragile feeling of something finally working, and how I learned to turn that single thread into real momentum.I talk about the lessons I wish I knew three years ago: why trying something 20 times matters more than chasing trends, how I learned to notice patterns without obsessing over perfection, and why my goals have to be close enough to touch. I break down the difference between meaningful creation and shiny-object noise, the power of setting specific focus time, and the art of resting deeply so the next idea can rise to the surface.Try OfferingTree for free, plus take advantage of the winter sale with my link here. (My sponsor)TEND ayurvedic self-care - 1st giveaway will be announced 12/14 on instagram! (My sponsor)https://www.tend.eco/Follow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created. Buy one, get one free, or get a copy for the whole family, 5 for $75. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ Monthly newsletter: https://www.shawnakru.com/mailinglist Time stamps:00:00 Intro 03:15 Finding Your Thread of Success10:16 Major Growth Takeaways20:28 Overcoming Victim Mindset24:26 Creating Meaningful Work27:48 Trying 20 Times Pattern Recognition33:31 Setting Realistic Goals37:20 The Power of Presence and Meditation48:10 Starting Over: Lessons Learned

In this episode, Dedica joins us for an inspiring conversation about presence, adaptation, and what it means to stop betraying yourself by learning to listen to and trust your inner voice. She shares her journey from injury to returning to a physical yoga practice, rebuilding self-trust, and discovering the power of keeping the promises you make to yourself. We also explore finding balance between momentum and rest, the connection between yoga and creativity, and how lived experience becomes our greatest teacher.Dedica’s Website: https://www.dedica.live/Follow Dedica on Instagram @dedicaThe January ChallengeTry OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Download your free SEO Checklist for yoga instructors & entrepreneursEnter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway. (My sponsor) https://artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruTime Stamps:00:00 intro01:16 offering tree 02:17 TEND giveaway05:05 what is something people don’t usually know about you?07:14 adaptation: getting injured & the healing process16:27 balancing momentum with intentional rest19:01 returning to the physical practice of yoga after injury24:10 yoga brings me back to myself 27:09 learning through experience vs over-intellectualizing 28:33 why motivates you to create?30:27 the relationship between yoga and creativity 36:49 how do you know which risks are worth taking?41:51 anxiety and enjoying the present 43:38 how can we step into our own dreams?46:00 persistence and the discipline of showing up as a new yoga teacher 50:50 the practice of discernment52:32 stop betraying yourself58:10 when you fall, be willing to begin again01:00:39 keep your promises to yourself: building trust with yourself01:02:41 what’s your greatest joy right now? biggest challenge? 01:03:50 what is your hope for the future of yoga?

This is what actually makes dreams come true. Join me for a magical, spontaneous, story-filled episode after traveling to Miami to interview legendary yoga teachers, Kino MacGregor and Jonah Kest. Embedded in this episode are teachings I’ve put into practice from Richard Rudd of the Gene Keys, Blu from the Deja Blu Podcast, Frederick Dodson of Levels of Energy and Dr. Joe Dispenza from Rewired. Try OfferingTree for free, plus take advantage of the winter sale with my link here. (My sponsor)Enter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway. (My sponsor)https://artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created. Buy one, get one free, or get a copy for the whole family, 5 for $75. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ Practice Rocket with my friend Ani in Miami:@anahatabyani Monthly newsletter: https://www.shawnakru.com/mailinglist Time stamps:00:00 intro04:00 walking from miracle to miracle06:30 dragonfly story10:00 writing my book16:00 giveaway & my sponsors update20:00 miami interview biz trip23:55 stare into my eyes26:00 stop expectations 29:36 it’s not manifestation, it’s synchronization33:30 it’s more fun to be someone else’s manifestation 

David Swenson is a man who needs no introduction in the yoga world. If you practice Ashtanga yoga, you’ve likely studied his Ashtanga Yoga practice manual, and he recently wrote another book called Only Dead Fish Go with the Flow. This is his second appearance on the leadership and yoga podcast and his stories are like none other. They will leave you in shock, and sometimes with a laugh, but always with a sense of remembering that anything is possible. This episode is a reminder of what happens when we follow our dreams and when we persevere. It is the purest form of inspiration for us fellow yoga teachers, and a beautiful reminder that we find life‘s purpose in all the little moments that are always moving like a wave beneath us, propelling us forward, sometimes as if by magic. Sign up for Rocket Training @ Yoga East Austin. Code ROCKETSHAWNA for $100 off.https://www.yogaeastaustin.com/events/rocket26  Enter the signed copy of David Swenson’s book giveaway:https://www.shawnakru.com/giveaway Try OfferingTree for free, plus take advantage of the winter sale with my link here. (My sponsor)Follow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ time stamps: 00:00 intro05:19 stories are the most powerful tool we have as humans07:19 why create in addition to teaching yoga09:19 samskaras and expectations12:49 confidence built through yoga14:49 the tipping point of confidence in teaching yoga20:19 David’s first classes teaching at 14 years old21:34 getting fired from teaching yoga23:19 self-pity and depression turning point26:49 scraps of paper by his bed30:19 memorization and details33:49 creative process of the famous Ashtanga Yoga Practice Manual36:49 energy for problem solving and figuring things out40:49 confirm our own journey43:49 yoga means trying hard and detaching48:49 can yoga change the world?50:34 yoga can be a selfish endeavor53:49 peacefulness does not mean an absence of difficulty56:19 this energy is a gift, it’s not for me to hoard58:19 what is enlightenment?59:49 David wore a wig for 3 years01:02:49 jesus has long hair. are you a communist?01:08:49 selfless action01:12:49 a yogi is someone who leaves the place nicer01:17:49 ashtanga yoga doesn’t have to evolve01:21:49 landed back on his mat01:26:49 rapid fire

Poetic, deep inspiration for yoga teachers & those new to yoga. I read a collection of poems about why I fell in love with yoga, how practice becomes a ritual, and why teachers have the power to change the world. I share pieces about presence, impact, acceptance & growth, and finish with three poems that inspired me this month — including “Start Close In,” by David Whyte, and “The Invitation,” by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. Whether you teach or simply show up to your mat, this episode is an invitation to stay, with it all.Enter the signed copy of David Swenson’s book giveaway:https://www.shawnakru.com/giveaway Try OfferingTree for free, plus take advantage of the winter sale with my link here. (My sponsor)Enter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway. (My sponsor)https://artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created. Buy one, get one free, or get a copy for the whole family, 5 for $75. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ time stamps:00:00 intro - yoga can change the world07:30 giveaways! signed book & ayurveda self-care set11:40 part 1: love poems for yoga20:40 part 2: poems about yoga as a ritual27:00 part 3: poems about yoga changing the world36:00 part 4: acceptance & growth poems about yoga46:00 part 5: poems that inspire me

Inspired from a moment in an interview I did with Sri Dharma Mittra, I sat down to contemplate my life over coffee as I do most mornings. But on this particular morning, everything I’ve learned from Richard Rudd of the Gene Keys, Frederick Dodson of Levels of Energy and Parallel Universes of Self, and even some Dr. Joe Dispenza organized itself in my head in a new way. The result is the “thought experience” I have prepared for you today.Here’s a divine fractal theory I enjoy thinking about when I wonder why consciousness split itself to experience being human, and why life feels limiting—and what it really means about your power and purpose.Try OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Enter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway. (My sponsor)artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created, code BOGO for 2 journals (receive 2 for price of 1) code BOGOFAMILY for 5 journals for $75.Ritual of Writing Journal Time stamps:00:00 Intro01:00 Sri Dharma Mittra on mysteries03:50 my story of mystery07:30 mysterious money arriving just in time10:50 how to solve problems13:10 giveaway! TEND yourself & a friend15:00 sit back, relax, but also lean in17:00 staying in the energy19:20 THOUGHT EXPERIENCE START33:00 my downfall & recovery & surprise

In this episode, poet Meghan Bay reveals how writing poetry is a way to practice presence. She shares how creativity can be seen as a gift from the Creator and how to create space to invite in more creative ideas. Meghan also shares the importance of honoring every version of yourself as you grow and evolve, allowing your journey of transformation to be uniquely your own.Follow Meghan on Instagram: @meghan.bay And find her writing: Meghan’s SubstackEnter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway Try OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Download your free SEO Checklist for yoga instructors & entrepreneursFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruCome on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat Time Stamps:00:00 intro03:42 “the fool’s hunt” - poem by Meghan Bay05:24 How do you know when you’ve written something that’s really true?07:00 morning pages & digital journaling  08:53 Meghan's story: growing up Christian, moving to Australia, getting into writing16:04 letting yourself be seen: sharing on social media19:56 the process of writing a book: capturing poems when they arrive22:11 creativity as a gift from the Creator to help shape this world25:41 are you actually giving yourself what you need?27:31 morning routine & a meditation practice31:58 the discipline of a writing practice 33:06 creating space to invite creativity to land34:06 Meghan's mission: creating a space for people to expand into themselves36:10 let yourself move slowly, one small step at a time39:04: how can we shift from a focus on the outcome to a focus on presence?40:38 reality creation: fate or free will?42:46 sending love to past or future versions of yourself 43:53 why are we here?47:37 the path to transformation & liberation will be uniquely yours52:42 appreciating the contrast of emotions & experiences 54:46 qualities of an exceptional leader57:08 the billboard question

In this episode, I break down the four steps every yoga teacher needs to grow a business with moral ambition. Let's talk about why your mission is your most valuable business asset, why your systems determine your sustainability, how to face numbers, pricing, and fees without shrinking, and how “minimum viable structure” can change your whole life. I walk you through the ONE symbolic action you can take today—something you might look back on years from now as the exact moment everything began to change. If you’ve ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or “not business-minded enough,” this is for you. Your dream isn’t meant for someone richer, older, more experienced, or more confident. It’s meant for you—and the world needs what you're building. This episode includes a tour of OfferingTree, my sponsor. Try OfferingTree for free with my link here. (My sponsor)Follow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created, code POD for $33.Ritual of Writing Journal One spot left. Come on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat YouTube social media video I mentioned:https://youtu.be/h_yQswsXwhY?si=SXLofxnBfWuwziIO Time stamps:00:00 setting the mood07:50 animation10:00 luck is when opportunity meets preparation11:40 agenda for today & offeringtree15:47 part 1: how to make actual progress20:00 David Swenson example23:30 part 2: creating offers29:00 gene key 26 & divine pride31:00 part 3: money33:40 rates teaching yoga34:00 social media income38:00 courses and yoga retreats40:00 part 4: systems & offeringtree45:00 cost of systems & software 54:00 personal use & podcasting software55:00 take notes on students56:00 homework57:00 inspirational send off :)

This conversation with yoga teacher Eva Vriens explores embodiment, discerning gut feelings, teaching yoga in other languages, why there is no such thing as going backward, and much more!Find Eva on Instagram @eva.vri Sign up here to join the next Yoga Teacher RoundtableTry OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Download your free SEO Checklist for yoga instructors & entrepreneursFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruCome on my Costa Rica yoga retreat in January 2026:https://www.shawnakru.com/sweet-simplicity-retreat Time Stamps:00:00 intro03:53 moving to Italy07:19 teaching yoga in other languages12:23 it’s exactly what makes you nervous that will bring the change you desire16:28 interpreting gut feelings: trusting what your body is telling you20:49 what did you want to be when you grew up?25:06 the magic of yoga as a return to self & to presence26:54 how was teaching your first yoga class?31:18 breakthroughs in teaching yoga34:29 retracing our steps can actually help us move forward35:59 how do you prepare yourself to teach?37:58 morning routine42:16 creating our realities43:53 how can we start to believe something different is possible for us?45:59 book recommendations?51:16 qualities of an exceptional leader?53:14 if you could chat with anyone over coffee or tea, who would you invite?57:16 the billboard question