Yoga Teacher Talk

Teaching Svadhyaya? Add a Splash of Science!

In this episode, host Becca Schmidt shares ideas on how using the scientific method can help your students understand Svadhyaya — the practice of self-study. Just like the scientific method, Svadhyaya emphasizes observation, questioning what appears to be true, creating some educated guesses, experimentation through trial and error, and oftentimes a paradigm shift.  Yoga teachers typically cue our students to make an intention at the beginning of class. In this episode, Becca suggests we cue our students not to to start their yoga practice with intention (knowing the outcome) but rather, with inquiry (not knowing the outcome). Throughout the practice, encourage your students to question “why” and “what if”,  prompting them to create a series of hypotheses, exploring the effects of subtle adjustments in breath control, energy management, alignment, drishti and transitions between poses.  By experimenting with incremental shifts, students will better understand the importance of deep self-study and change, as it pertains not only to the yoga pratice, but in life as well.   Becca Schmidt has been teaching yoga since 2004 and strives to help students understand yoga philosophy as it pertains to Twenty First Century Living. Reach out to Becca with your ideas for future podcasts at becca@bluemoon.yoga [becca@bluemoon.yoga]

Go With the Flow and Get Unstuck

Why does flowing yoga feel so good?  Because flow is the natural order of the universe. When we move like water, or air, or fire, we are experiencing an extraordinary connection with life all around us. This experience is known as life force, or prana or chi. Becca shares stories from the book “The Well-Lived Life” by Dr. Gladys McGarey, who believes that movement is a human’s most natural state, and stagnation is detrimental to a person’s health. This episode demonstrates how yoga teachers can help their students recognize where mental and physical energy is blocked, and, with a flowing yoga practice, learn to release stagnation and connect to the natural rhythms of the Earth.

Let's Go to India With Krystal Gignac

Bask in the vibrant colors of New Delhi. Walk in the footsteps of the Beatles at the Maharishi Mahesh ashram and visit the sacred Kunjapari Temple in Rishikesh. Experience Ayurvedic foods and treatments from master instructors. Dance to sacred music, and even get a gorgeous henna tatoo! In this episode, Krystal Gignac, yoga instructor and founder of Adventure India, takes Becca on a virtual tour of Northern India, and shares her tips on the best ways to plan a life changing trip to the land of aromatic spices.       Contact Krystal / Adventure India / Grounded University at  Krystal.grounded@gmail.com FB/Insta Krystal Gignac  FB/Insta: Grounded University  Website: www.grounded.university Background music via https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

"Tag, You're It!" Co-Teaching With Holly Idzik & David Ricklick

Are you ready to co-teach your next yoga class or workshop? Becca invites you to the inside lane of tag-team teaching, with dynamic duo, Holly Idzick and David Ricklck, who share their five best practices for a seemless class. Discover why co-teaching with someone you trust is guaranteed to bring an game-changing energy to your programs. A few highlights from this episode: Holly and David present Five Best Practices for Co-Teaching:    1. Clear Communication: Establishing open and transparent communication channels.   2. Defined Roles: Clarifying each co-teacher's responsibilities and strengths.   3. Seamless Integration: Ensuring smooth transitions between teaching styles.   4. Trust and Flexibility: Being adaptable to changes in the classroom setting including equipment failure or inclement weather.     5. Reflective Practices: Regularly evaluating and improving co-teaching strategies  To find out more about Holly, find her here: Instagram: @yogabyholly [https://www.instagram.com/yogabyholly/] Sweatpals - Yogabyholly To reach David check him out here: Facebook: David Ricklick [https://www.facebook.com/david.ricklick] LinkedIn: David Ricklick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ricklick-96399546/] To connect with your host, Becca Schmidt, take a look here:  www.yogateachertalk.com [http://www.yogateachertalk.com/]  Becca@bluemoon.yoga [Becca@bluemoon.yoga]

An Interview With Yoga Teacher & Spiritual Healer, Rachel Chase

Welcome to Yoga Teacher Talk (formerly The Language of Yoga) and what a season premiere it is! Host Becca is joined by her guest Rachel Chase, a dancer-turned-energy healer, yoga teacher, and therapist whose path is anything but ordinary. Rachel's story begins where all great stories do: in the body. She came into this world moving, and dance became her first language — her communion with the divine. But the road from semi-professional dancer to Reiki master, yoga teacher, past life regression practitioner, and Holistic Mental Health Counselor and Spiritual Guide was paved with injuries, personal breakthroughs, and a courageous journey that has brought her to where she is today. Rachel shares how she blends gentle yoga, somatic processing, energy work, breathwork, creative movement, and self exploration into an integrative healing practice, and why she intentionally stepped away from rigid alignment cuing to hold space for her students' inner wisdom instead. Join us as Rachel and Becca share practical advice on the creative spirit of yoga teachers, leading your first workshop, and giving yourself permission to teach in your own beautifully imperfect way. Enjoy! Connect with Rachel Chase: Rachel's website: www.rachelchase.com [https://rachelchase.com/index.html] Her ebook Healing with Self Compassion: www.freecompassionbook.com [http://www.freecompassionbook.com/] Somatic Healing Sessions Podcast: www.rachelchase.com/podcast [https://rachelchase.com/podcast.html] Online on-demand courses: www.rachelchasecourses.com [https://rachelchasellc.mvsite.app/] Hummingbird Medicine Wisdom School, a devotional community for wise women: www.rachelchase.com/hummingbird-medicine/html [https://rachelchasellc.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1180284] Connect with host Becca Schmidt, E-RYT500 / YACEP: Email: becca@bluemoon.yoga [becca@bluemoon.yoga] Website: yogateachertalk.com [https://yogateachertalk.com/]Instagram: @bluemoonyogaorlandofl