Yogaland Podcast

Learning to teach yoga online is vital right now. But if you're used to teaching yoga in person, it can feel really daunting! On this episode, we break down what you can do to feel more comfortable and truly connect with your yoga students -- even through a Zoom room.SHOUT OUT TO OUR SPONSORSGet your virtual yoga studio in a flow with Acuity Scheduling, the all-in-one scheduling tool for virtual classes and private sessions. Acuity automatically connects with your favorite videoconferencing tool and handles all of the day-to-day booking and billing drudgery, freeing you up to be fully present in your online sessions. As a special bonus for our friends at Yogaland, your first 45 days of Acuity are 100% free – no credit card needed! All you have to do is sign up at acuityscheduling.com.Storyworth makes it easy and fun for loved ones to tell their stories. Simply purchase a subscription for someone you love--like your mom for Mother's Day--and each week Storyworth will send them a question about their life. After a year, stories are bound in a beautiful book. For $20 off, visit storyworth.com/yogaland when you subscribe.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re so happy to be back for Season 2!There's that old adage, "Change is the only certainty in life." And it applies to your yoga practice and teaching, too. This week, Jason and I are talking about the internal challenges, doubts, and insecurities that come up when we're managing change in our practice.We talk about:* How Jason has changed as a student and a teacher throughout the years. He shares one transition that was particularly hard for him as a young teacher* He gives advice for people who are hard on themselves after a shift because they feel disillusioned about some of the beliefs or techniques they were teaching previously* Why Jason dislikes the word “master” (as in “yoga master”) and what happened in his life that empowered him to start experimenting with changing up yoga traditions and sharing his findings with his students* The struggles that come with the evolution of modern yoga in the social media age* Why it’s problematic for teachers to discourage their students from experimenting with other teachers and other ways of practicingShow notes: http://www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode148/SHOUT-OUT TO OUR SPONSORS1. LOLA is a female-founded company offering 100 organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners. For every purchase, LOLA donates feminine care products to homeless shelters across the U.S. For 40% off all subscriptions, visit mylola.com and enter the code YOGALAND40 when you subscribe.2. Care/of is a monthly subscription vitamin service made from high, quality ingredients personally tailored to your exact needs. Their short quiz asks you about your diet, health goals, and lifestyle choices and uses these answers to create personalized vitamin packs just for you. For 50% off your first month of personalized care/of vitamins, visit takecareof.com and enter promo code YOGALAND50.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We can all use a little more joy and creativity in our lives right now -- especially after months of teaching and taking online yoga classes. Chicago-based yoga teacher Bradshaw Wish is just the breath of fresh air we all need. It matters not that much of the world is going back into lockdown -- Bradshaw's annual Mariah Carey Christmas Flow must go on! We talk about this upcoming not-to-be missed event, how it came to be, and how creating space for joy and creativity is a deeply important part of Bradshaw's intention as a yoga teacher.Show notes: http://jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode218Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when two yoga teachers fall down a NASA rabbit hole and can't stop thinking about non-duality, The Overview Effect, and Grandmother Moon? This episode of Yoga-ish — our more personal, less technique-focused podcast — is exactly that kind of conversation.Yoga-ish is where Jason and Andrea talk about their actual lives: what they're reading, watching, thinking about, and how all of it connects (loosely) to yoga, mindfulness, and the work of being a human.We covered so much this week, including:- Artemis II & The Overview Effect — and why astronauts returning from space sound a lot like meditators coming out of deep practice- Christina Koch's transmission from the far side of the moon and what "moon joy" actually means- Our review of Project Hail Mary + what we're reading- Neurodivergent kids, intrinsic motivation, and letting go of the sticker chart- 10 years of Yogaland — and what's coming nextFor more of Andrea's essays and access to free guided meditations, subscribe to her Substack: yogaland.substack.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever felt lonely as a yoga teacher — you're not alone. And that's exactly what this week's podcast is about. Teaching yoga is one of the most isolating jobs most people never see coming. You're surrounded by students, immersed in a tradition built on connection, and somehow you still end up feeling like you're doing it alone. In this video I'm naming that honestly — and talking about what we can actually do about it. Jason talks about:Why teaching yoga is more isolating than it looks from the outsideThe structural reasons yoga teachers feel like ships in the nightThe real cost of isolation — burnout, imposter syndrome, and self-doubtWhy community with fellow teachers is irreplaceableHow connecting to your lineage and tradition sustains youWhat I built to solve this problem — and how you can do the sameBecome part of Jason's community of yoga teachers:✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/300Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You've been told to stretch more. You've tried the releases, the routines, the one weird trick. And you're still not as flexible as you want to be. Here's why: flexibility isn't one thing — it's four. And until you understand all of them, you're only ever solving part of the problem.Chapters00:00 — Why flexibility is misunderstood00:33 — The 4 Factors that contribute to flexibility01:47 — Factor 1: Structural factors — your fixed container06:01— Factor 2: Tissue quality — muscle, fascia, tendons and ligaments14:07 — Factor 3: Neural factors — how your nervous system governs range21:24— Factor 4: Lifestyle, age, and training context27:06 — The flexibility matrix — putting it all together28:13 — What this means for your practice and your teachingWHAT YOU'LL LEARN-Why two people can do the same practice for years and have completelydifferent ranges of motion-The difference between flexibility and mobility — and why it matters forhow you train-How your joint architecture sets a ceiling that no amount of stretching can change-Why muscle and fascia respond to training differently — and what each one actually needs-The role your nervous system plays in governing range of motion in real time-Why stress, anxiety, and feeling unsafe in a class literally make you less flexible-How strength training improves flexibility — and why the yoga community gets this wrong-What happens outside the studio that is working for or against your flexibility every single dayWHO THIS IS FOR-Yoga teachers who want a deeper, more honest understanding of how flexibility works-Serious practitioners who have plateaued and want to know why-Anyone who has ever been told they're "just not a flexible person"-Movement educators who want science-backed frameworks they can actually teachABOUT THIS SERIESThis video is part of a deeper curriculum I teach inside my yoga teacher training. If you want the full version of this content — including sequencing protocols, progressive loading strategies, and how to design classes that actually produce lasting change — get more information here: jasonyoga.com/300Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The yoga world has done important work questioning its obsession with extreme range of motion — and rightly so. But the pendulum has swung too far. Flexibility and mobility aren't relics of an outdated paradigm. They're essential physical qualities with real implications for how well you move, how long you stay independent, and how good you feel in your body.In this podcast, Jason makes the case for why flexibility and mobility still matter — not as performance goals, not as aesthetic pursuits, but as foundational components of a healthy, functional body.We cover:-Why flexibility and mobility are longevity qualities, not just fitness qualities- How restricted range of motion leads to fibrosis, compensation patterns, and decreased independence over time.-Why flexibility actually contributes to strength — and why the idea that they're opposites is a false premise.-The length-tension relationship and what it means for how muscles generate force.-Why a body with usable, controlled range of motion is more resilient and less injury-prone.-Why feeling good in your body — moving freely, moving fully — is a legitimate and important goalThis isn't a rejection of everything the yoga community has learned about the importance of strength and stability. It's a reclamation of the full picture: a healthy body is strong, stable, mobile, and free. These qualities complement each other. Intelligent practice develops all of them.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yoga philosophy gives context to the physical practices many of us experience first — postures, breathwork, and meditation. It connects modern yoga to its historical roots and helps us understand the deeper purpose of the tradition.In this conversation, I explore several reasons yoga philosophy still matters today. It provides a framework for values, offers existential perspective, and strengthens the mind in the same way that asana strengthens the body. Philosophy also helps protect yoga from becoming overly performative or purely consumer-driven, reminding us that yoga is ultimately about self-understanding and transformation.Whether you’re a yoga teacher, longtime practitioner, or simply curious about yoga beyond the poses, philosophy can add depth, clarity, and meaning to your practice.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most yoga teachers are taught that sequencing should be creative, complex, and always different. But these common beliefs often making teaching harder -- and keep both teachers and students stuck.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is our second in a series of solocasts (you might remember that Andrea did one recently, Why Mindfulness is Still Important). In this week's episode, I explain why strength matters for yoga practitioners and teachers — not as a performance goal, but as a foundational quality that supports stability, protects joints, improves proprioception, and ultimately helps us practice for a lifetime. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why strength protects joints and connective tissue • How strength improves stability and supports mobility • Why flexibility without strength can become a liability • How resistance training enhances proprioception and body awareness • Why yoga practitioners especially benefit from developing strength • How strength supports longevity in yoga practiceAs yoga practitioners, we’re already very good at creating flexibility and range of motion. But strength gives us the ability to control that range. It creates tone, stability, and resilience.If you’re a yoga teacher, this perspective may completely change how you think about programming, sequencing, and long-term student development.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's podcast, Jason outlines why the old models of yoga sequencing are no longer effective in today's landscape. To name a few: More people cross-train. Fewer students are walking into studios. ClassPass has changed loyalty. Online platforms have shifted expectations. If you want better student retention, stronger engagement, and a more sustainable yoga teaching career, this conversation is essential.⸻⏱ Highlights2:23 Sequencing 2.0 — What’s New6:00 The Two Traditional Sequencing Models6:57 The Problem with Fixed Sequences8:07 The Problem with Random Classes13:29 Why Student Retention Is Harder Now20:39 Online Teaching & Retention29:50 ClassPass & (the lack of) Loyalty35:19 The Solution: Monthly Progressions35:33 How to Build Skill Over Time⸻Jason shares why consistency and novelty must coexist, how to use month-long progressions, how to think like an educator, and how we can help students build skills, helping to build student retention. to maintain retention. If you’re serious about becoming a more effective and modern yoga teacher, it's a must-listen!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most yoga teacher trainings prepare you to teach one class at a time.They don’t teach you how to build real student progress.Chapters:0:00 Introduction4:04 The hidden gap in yoga teacher training5:50 Why “random” classes stall student progress8:40 The burnout cycle for yoga teachers13:24 The curriculum mindset explained14:40 Monthly arcs, series & workshops27:58 Expanding your teaching careerIn this episode, Jason breaks down the most overlooked skill in modern yoga teacher training: learning how to think like an educator instead of teaching one-off classes.Most 200-hour yoga teacher trainings focus on sequencing individual classes. But students don’t learn in 60-minute increments. They need repetition, structure, continuity, and progressive overload to make real progress.You’ll learn:• Why random yoga sequencing leads to student plateaus• How lack of curriculum causes teacher burnout• The difference between novelty and skill development• How to design month-long class arcs• How to create yoga workshops and special series• Why this shift improves student retention and career sustainabilityIf you’re a yoga teacher who wants better student results, stronger retention, and a more sustainable teaching career, this conversation will change how you think about sequencing.Learn more about Yoga Sequencing 2.0 hereSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 respectIf 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.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 themThe difference between non-judgment and disengagementHow loving awareness transforms mindfulness from a cold observation into an act of careWhy yoga teachers’ ability to “hold space” is both invisible and essentialHow short, accessible mindfulness practices can support nervous system regulation and clarityAndrea 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.-----------------You can find shownotes here: yogalandpodcast.com/episode376Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 pacingWhether 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 ZoomSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.⸻Highlights00:00 – Why teachers feel overwhelmed at the start of the year01:29 – Anchor #1: Consistency in tone, sequencing & expectations04:40 – Anchor #2: Kindness, presence & being a good host08:20 – Anchor #3: Real connection vs social media distraction14:49 – Anchor #4: Quality of movement over range of motion21:26 – Anchor #5: Stillness, pranayama & regeneration25:19 – Anchor #6: Empowering students to make educated choices⸻Train to become a yoga teacher with Jason! Our next cohort begins next week, January 13th. Get all the details here: jasonyoga.com/200Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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)Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/200Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/200Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.