Flow State Yoga for Athletes

Building A Program with Clark Lacrosse Coach Jeff Cohen

Dan interviews Jeff Cohen, head lacrosse coach at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. They discuss the importance of posture, body language, and mindset in athletic performance, and how these elements connect with broader themes of yoga and flow state. Cohen shares insights from his journey as both a player and a coach, emphasizing the cultural and competitive shifts within the Clark lacrosse program over the years. They also explore the integration of holistic practices, such as yoga, into sports training, and the impact of resources and mental conditioning on achieving peak performance. The conversation touches on the unique Clark experience, highlighting the benefits of the university’s academic programs and tight-knit community. Topics 01:18 Meet Coach Jeff Cohen 02:09 Coach Cohen's Athletic Journey 05:00 Coaching Philosophy and Style 07:17 The Role of Mental State in Athletics 10:35 Insights from Dr. Joel Fish 14:58 Integrating Yoga and Athletics 23:41 Next Play Mentality: A Coaching Philosophy 24:43 Self-Study and the Food Journal 27:21 The Clark Experience: Unique Selling Points 34:21 Team Culture and Leadership 42:25 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Excitement 43:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Flow State Yoga

Kyle Devitte: A Lacrosse Life: Finding Flow in Coaching, Journalism, and Personal Growth

In this episode of the Flow State Yoga for Athletes podcast, Dan delves into an enlightening discussion with Kyle Devitte, Editor and Lead Writer for the New England Lacrosse Journal. Kyle shares his transformative journey from a tough and regretful college coach to a more thoughtful and supportive high school coach. He discusses the power of therapy, his shift in coaching philosophy, and the importance of constructive feedback and positive reinforcement. They explore the deep passion for lacrosse, personal growth through lacrosse writing, and evolving as a player who seeks fulfillment and purpose. The conversation touches on mental health, meticulousness in coaching, and the importance of caring for the athletes. Kyle also reflects on meaningful achievements such as helping revive the lacrosse program at Whittier and emphasizes the fulfillment he finds in coaching. This episode offers valuable insights for coaches, athletes, and sports enthusiasts alike. Topics 01:19 Guest Introduction: Kyle Devitte 02:15 Kyle's Early Lacrosse Journey 05:53 College and Writing Challenges 08:03 Flow State and Writing Process 15:28 Coaching Philosophy and Evolution 32:41 Reflecting on Coaching Styles and Regrets 33:46 Therapy and Personal Growth 34:07 Positive Reinforcement in Coaching 37:23 Coaching Mentors and Lessons Learned 41:04 The Importance of Delegation and Teamwork 43:50 The Rewards and Challenges of Coaching 56:35 The Role of Therapy in Personal Development 01:01:29 Excitement for Lacrosse and Future Plans 01:03:38 Final Thoughts and Farewell Flow State Yoga

’Love The Game’: a Life in Baseball with Kyle Werman

Dan interviews Kyle Werman, the head baseball coach at LaSalle College High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Kyle shares his journey from growing up in Southern California, playing collegiate baseball at the University of Virginia, to transitioning into professional baseball and eventually coaching. Kyle discusses the importance of self-motivation, mental resilience, visualization, and the evolving dynamics of youth sports. He also highlights his experiences and strategies as a coach, focusing on how to cultivate competitive spirit and life skills in young athletes. Topics 00:44 Welcome to the Podcast 01:20 Meet Coach Kyle Werman 01:57 Kyle's Baseball Journey Begins 03:37 College Baseball Experience 14:42 Transition to Professional Baseball 19:44 Memorable Moments in Independent League 22:45 Visualization and Mental Preparation 26:56 Path to Coaching 30:03 Balancing Coaching and Family Life 30:50 Transitioning from College to High School Coaching 33:03 The Cavalier Toughman Challenge 36:46 Challenges of Modern High School Athletes 41:23 Creating Competitive Practice Environments 43:57 Off-Season Training and Specialization 47:39 Personal Reflections and Maintaining Balance 52:24 Switch Hitting Journey 58:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Flow State Yoga

Dakota Carroll: Yoga For Athletes & Soccer For Life

Dan delves into the intertwining themes of soccer, mental health, and holistic athlete development with Dakota Carroll, Director of Teams at Steel Sports. Dakota shares her journey from youthful soccer dreams to impactful professional roles, advocating for a holistic approach to coaching that includes mental health, life skills, and yoga. The dialogue broadens to encompass the critical roles of mindfulness, community, and personal well-being, highlighted by experiences from prominent athletes like Simone Biles and personal anecdotes. The conversation underscores the importance of enjoying sports, reducing performance pressure, and fostering a supportive, community-driven environment for young athletes to thrive. Authentic stories of flow states, community bonds, and impactful coaching moments enrich this exploration of balancing sports, life, and personal growth. More on Dakota: https://steelsports.com/ [https://steelsports.com/] Topics 00:49 Meet Dakota Carroll: Soccer Player and Yoga Enthusiast 02:04 Dakota's Role at Steel Sports 03:23 Holistic Approach to Athlete Development 05:21 Dakota's Yoga Journey and Mental Health 10:07 Incorporating Yoga into Coaching 13:20 Mindfulness and Mental Health in Sports 22:07 Personal Practice and Postpartum Journey 25:52 The Value of Staying Active in Adulthood 27:23 The Importance of Community in Sports 29:37 The Concept of Flow in Sports 30:48 Healthy Lifestyle and Longevity 34:33 Positive Coaching and Youth Sports 43:14 Cherishing Moments of Peak Performance 48:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Flow State Yoga

Jason Brown: A Life in Movement: Coaching Tai Chi, Qi Gong for Creativity

* In this engaging podcast episode, Dan delves into the concepts of flow state, play, and movement with guest Jason Brown, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo, and a Qigong instructor. Together, they discuss the significance of achieving a flow state through being fully absorbed in activities and how play and creativity foster this state. The episode also touches upon Jason's holistic approach to movement, emphasizing the importance of being a guide rather than just a coach. They explore the cultural phenomena of CrossFit and the social aspects of sports that contribute to longevity and well-being. The conversation highlights Jason's unique approach to integrating creativity into physical training, promoting a balanced, community-oriented, and playful way to improve health and human performance. * 00:00 Introduction to Flow State Yoga for Athletes * 00:46 Meet Jason Brown: Martial Arts and Qigong Expert * 01:16 Understanding Flow State * 04:30 The Role of Play in Training * 08:36 Art and Connection in Practice * 11:10 The Scholar Warrior Path * 17:58 Coaching Philosophy and Methods * 26:27 The Value of Judo for Young Grapplers * 26:50 Memorable Experiences at the Philadelphia Judo Club * 29:09 The Concept of Smiling Randori * 30:03 Nostalgia for Early Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Days * 33:49 Personal Training Practices and Philosophy * 36:15 The Evolution and Impact of Kettlebell Training * 40:08 The Importance of Play and Community in Fitness * 48:56 Conclusion and Where to Find More Information Flow State Yoga