Changing The Face Of Yoga Podcast

1:11 Introduction of Jean Di Carlo-Wagner 3:56 Created a class for people in treatment for cancer, long term survivorship, and in transition. She was diagnosed with cancer and could find no suitable yoga classes as she went through the stages of cancer treatment. Students are all laying down for the entire class. Yoga allows people to deal with the emotional aspects of the diagnosis or living with a chronic disease. Allows them to decompress. 60% of people diagnosed with cancer will have a re-occurrence. They become chronic patients then and need to manage their nervous system as they go through the process. Yoga provides equanimity as it has the most tools to help and makes the most impact. The ripples of the diagnosis last for a long time, often resulting a many stress-related issues. There is nothing that yoga can’t make a little better. 13:00 Benefits for students – class concentrates on breathing fully and naturally. People in stress often have constricted breathing. Makes space for people that are in so

1:12 Lara Benusis Introduction 1:40 Yoga Research Protocols - Lara developed protocols for departments at Sloan Kettering. She also was a subject of research projects when she was at university. She also dropped out of one which gives her insight into the issue of keeping subjects continuing with the research study. Can give incentives, but incentives have to be acceptable to a wide variety of subjects for the research results to be applicable to the whole population that is being studied. Developing protocols is a collaborative effort which has positive and negative aspects. 1st step is literature review to look at what yoga research and other movement research has studied on the research question.  13:120 Medically trained and Ph.D.'s are becoming much more accepting of good quality yoga research and yoga in general but they need the expertise of experienced yoga teachers to add to the protocols developed. Lara is constantly applying the concepts learned from research to her teaching and research. 17:00 Yog

1:26 Lara Benusis Introduction - Has been teaching yoga since 1996. Was recruited by Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer center as a yoga teacher and researcher.  6:15 Takes years to understand research and design of research. Quantitative research is data driven - reduces to numbers. Qualitative research is telling the story. Yoga teachers are qualitative researchers as they note what is happening with the body, during movement, breath and meditation.  9:21 Yoga research vs. generic research. Questions about yoga can sometimes be answered with other kinds of movement or rehabilitation research(e.g., exercise oncology). Research is reductive; can only at this time measure or describe the components (movement, breathing, meditation) of yoga, not the whole yoga experience. First step in research is literature review to see what has already been done in yoga and other complementary areas asking similar questions.  Don't want to replicate completed research. 16:36 Differences between the Western and Eastern approach

1:45 Introduction of Melanie Klein 3:36 In 2002, yoga culture changed. Big corporations bought yoga studios, the phenomenon of "yoga celebrities" began, advertising changed. Yoga advertising started following the lead of fitness, beauty and fashion industries. There was money to be made. 7:55 Few talking about this cultural change. The discussion of how to present another face of yoga has grown exponentially since 2010. But yoga is still being commercialised. 9:53 To change a culture, storytelling is powerful. Although what you hear is not in your experience, it can generate empathy and a willingess to be part of the discussion. It emphasises the "humanity" of people and makes it easier to see points of connection.  12:31 How do we bring the corporations into the discussion? There has been some success discussing these issues with the yoga magazines. But there are constraints on corporations in how they can react to these points. Convincing them that there is still a profit in not replicating the existing mod

1:15 Introduction to Michael Lee 2:15 Michael explains why he has more faith in yoga than ever before. Mental health workers and therapists are now taking yoga therapy training as they see the benefits. Neuroscience research is now supporting the body/mind connection. Research on consciousness. Helping people come into the present and become aware of their own insights. 8:30 In the 1980's there was a great flourishing of yoga therapy (Dean Ornish's study on reversing heart disease with lifestyle changes including yoga, Michael Lee began Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy and the International Association of Yoga Therapists began in 1989.) Michael explains his own deep experience with yoga that led to some important insights that he carried with him since he was a child. Michael and other well-known yogis knew that yoga could help even if they didn't know why.  17:05 About 10 years ago, neuroscience and psychological research started explaining why yoga can help people change. The connection of neuroscience, psycholo

1:14 - Introduction of Siv Havik 2:37 - Students mostly pay the donation minimum but a few do pay more as they can.  Norway's good economy and support makes it possible for some to donate more. 6:15: Siv began the studio because she could not afford to go to yoga classes as much as she wanted to and she has a strong desire to provide diversity in her town regarding yoga. She wanted to make it possible for everyone that may be interested in participating in yoga to find a place to do so. They have several 1000 members now. 9:00 Teachers come to Siv to volunteer their time and Siv has not had to recruit teachers. Siv was the original teacher and she taught two classes with a donation-based focus. She rented a space for each class and only had to cover the cost of the rent for each class. As the concept grew, Siv acquired a space for the donation-based studio and teachers began volunteering to give classes in their specialties. So their schedule is very diverse with many different yoga specialties and different

1:26 Introduction of Kristen Krash 3:17 What is/was yoga to her when she was a student, a teacher and now working on her dream of an ecologically sustainable eco-lodge in Ecuador 19:50 Currently there is a varnish/shellac covering yoga based on the corporate business model. Optimistically, Kristen feels that parts of yoga are really worth saving and we have to dig a little deeper to find it. Yoga Alliance just adds to the varnish. 35:30 Now teaching yoga at Sueno de Vida , the eco-lodge in Ecuador. From just a piece of cloud forest, they have built a guest lodge, communal kitchen, bathroom and have a large organic garden, fruit trees and spring. She is doing less asanas, more practices to focus and building a community. Contacts:  email: info@suenodevida.org website: www.suenodevida.org FB suenodevida    

1:18 Introduction 3:00 Preventing disease through yoga and other healthy lifestyles. Explore different healing themes in Andrea's yoga classes. Observation in Andrea's interactive class as the student's are taught how to practice  their yoga at home. Teach them to explore a ujique healthy lifestyle that meets their needs. Uses svasana as a way for the class's movements and breath to sink into the body to remember better what occurred.  7:48 Andrea starts with a lesson plan based on current research into the best yoga practices for health. She participates on FB groups looking at the nexus of yoga and health to keep her knowledge fresh.   10:20 Proper nutrition can improve chronic conditions. Although some improvements may be seen with an improved meals for Alzheimer's patients, developing meals with few carbohydrates and sugars will help the children of these patients. Current research considers Alzheimer's a form of diabetes - essentially diabetes of the brain. Without the ability to make insulin work proper

1:20 Introduction  2:30 Mindfullness vs meditation. Is there a difference or does it matter. 6:30 Increase in anxiety - our technology is a key contributor to the increase in anxiety. The devices are intentionally addictive and our brain produces dopamine at every ding to ensure that we will continue to use the device.  12:00 Using hypnosis in treating anxiety. All of us have reached a hypnotic state which is a focused state of awareness. Driving somewhere and then not remembering how you got there is called highway hypnosis - the subconscious took over while the conscious thought of something else. You change your focus by focusing on the positive which needs consistent practice but it can lessen anxiety. Yoga helps with this by emphasising focusing strongly on one thing. 17:25 Stephanie works with women with anxiety primarily. She has developed a variety of techniques to help so each person has something that will calm them. It is partnership between the two of Stephanie and her client.  20:30 Short term vs

1:28 Introduction  2:53 Tools used in senior yoga classes: sensory processing and integration techniques. Helps clear and reset the nervous system.  6:00 Teaching veterans: a former marine's view. Many ex-military suffer similar symptoms-PTSD, anxiety, pain, and "over-doing" Military trains nervous system not to pay attention to signals from the body and it becomes agitated and then needs training to learn how to be calm. 9:23 Yoga's benefits for veterans exercises to learn to exist in the parasympathetic state. Direct own energy and tone nervous system. 14:36 As a veteran, Sheila also experienced these symptoms and she developed and or studied tools to make her feel better which she now shares with her students. Uses body talk energy system, yin yoga, ayurveda, and sensory processing and integration with her senior and veteran students and children    

1:20 Introduction - Marcie Leek teaches students with cancer and their caregivers, people grieving, large-bodied women and knitters.  7:40 Teaches a diversity of student populations who are in pain physically, mentally, emotionally or spirtually. Using the tenets of viniyoga but modifying for the special needs of each population. She researches needs of each group and then modifies her poses, breathing, meditation to meet those needs within the viniyoga tradition.  21:20 Marcie and Paige Tangney are offering a workshop in Seattle Washington, USA for daughters grieving their mothers in February and May. Paige a certified therapist will be using the tools of therapy while Marcie offers yoga techniques. 25:15 Marcie has on line course for large bodied women, developing a course on grieving and will have some youtube videos for knitters in the near future.  29:00 Contacts email: marcie@nourishingbreathyoga.com website: www.nourishingbreathyoga.com FB: nourishingbreathyoga Insta: nbymarcieleek

Gratitude  :48 Thank you to all of the people that supported me to bring the podcast to fruition, people who took the time to be interviewed and to the listeners. 6:25 Schedule for next 6 weeks 7:29 Gratitude Meditation to Increase Resilience

Small discrete practices for stress and anxiety with Stephannie Weikert 1:39 How to make yoga philosophy more understandable with metaphors and stories. Simple postures, and integrate practice into daily routines. 2:50 Stephanie develops simple, but complete practices for her clients based on practicality and doability. 3:33 Developed this methodology based on her personal experience of being very stressed and anxious in her early twenties. The stress led to a body focused, repetitive behaviour similar to nervous habits. Introduced to yoga but could not make a consistent time to go to class given her schedule. She would do a simple forward bend, breathe deeply and developed a personal mantra to handle the stress and anxiety. She noticed she became less reactive and more centred. A 3 -5 minute practice can be integrated into the habits of your life and shifts mindset. 9:40 Benefits to students/clients: Two programs - Shift Happens - very basic, practical, doable, and tools to turn practice into a lifelong habi

Experiential Learning with Charlotte Nuessle 2:44 Positive Neuroplasticity -shape your brain throughout your life. Brain tends toward negative -survival mechanism. Brings out negative emotions and fight, flight or freeze reactions. Tools to bring about concentrating on the positive to deepen or grow neural pathways that pay attention to positive. Leads to resiliency. Gratitude practice. 14:50 Experiential Learning definition. Becoming a witness; stand back from negative experiences. Unique to each person and set a unique intention for the class. People don't live in their bodies often; need to get them back in to fully integrate an experience. Develop compassion and kindness for themselves. Examples 24:50 Positive brain pathways plus experiential learning. Culture separates mind, body spirit. Priority to guiding people to connect with their body and feel safe. 31:45 Tuning into one's nervous system: kindness to self, aware of fight, flight response, mentor, yoga practice Contacts and Resources: Email: charlot

Download the podcast here Breathing with Sharon Harvey Alexander 2:50 Sharon "loses" her breath at 15 and begins to find it again in her late twenties when she begins yoga. The connection of breath and movement unites all of the pieces of an individual. 5:54: Breathing, autonomic nervous system, vagus nerve definitions and connections. 11:00 Yoga Nidra - centering activity in the class. Relax and integrate the movement and breath of the rest of the class. 14:00 Types of breathing, what they do,and how they connect with the vagus nerve, nervous system and the brain. 16:50 Vagus Nerve can bring about relaxation through the right kind of breath. Fight, Flight, Freeze or rest and relax determined by either sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system. 22:30 Learning to Breathe, Learning to Live by Sharon Harvey Alexander. Simple tools to relieve stress and invigorate your life. 6 Breathing techniques to stimulate the relaxation response. Includes guided meditation. A 5 week plan to implement stress reduction a

Download the podcast here Restorative Yoga with Leslie Kazadi 2:40 Definition of Restorative Yoga vis a vis gentle yoga. Blanket term from the Iyengar lineage of long hold but not very passive. Yin Yoga -long holds relaxing into gravity. Restorative - invokes relaxation response Go into parasympathetic system. Relaxation response - rhythmic device (i.e., breathing) & non-attachment to intrusive thoughts. Body supported, relax easier. Prop Wizard- use props to support body to relax.Look for places where tension is held. Lots of poses in restorative; different for different teachers. 12:53 End goal of restorative: relaxation response and embodiment. Many people are estranged from their body and our senses. Listen to our senses. 16:10 Seniors live with pain and may ignore body sensations. Their senses diminish, Strong external focus or internal focus ignoring body sensations. Yoga designed to enliven sensory experiences. 19:27 "structural situations" sounds less permanent than problem. Choose language care

How Yoga Has Changed with Beth Spindler 3:45: Questioning among yoga teachers and students about how yoga has evolved and what it should be. It's not just doing poses - it is acknowledging that people have different bodies, nervous systems. etc. Advertising presents a very different face of yoga. Beth is seeing a shift to addressing yoga for different ages and abilities. 8:20 Senior Yoga: a few years ago, Beth saw mature students wanting to take her training for the first time. A yoga teacher must understand therapeutics in regard to aging to teach this group. Beth's approach is to alleviate pain. Yoga is general is moving forward to include everyone. However there is a misconception that yoga is generally therapeutic but its not. For the aging population, a teacher has to be knowledgeable about modifications for poses, etc. Look to the intelligence of applying poses to individual humans. Takes applying this concept to ask students to; "notice", "pay attention", "is this too much or too little". Having people

Download the podcast here Yoga Teacher Training Part 4 - Reflection 1:54 Introduction of series guests: Maria Kirsten of Yoga for Grownups, Flo Fenton of In Touch Yoga Byron Bay, and Kristine Koverii Weber of Subtle Yoga. 2:40 All guests thought that the basic yoga training was inadequate as a stand alone system for producing yoga teachers. Maria Kirsten believes that to fully understand a subject one needs  to acquire the knowledge, apply that knowledge and then reflect on the application to know what additional knowledge is needed. This is a lifelong requirement as knowledge changes often and new ways of thinking and doing are always available. Flo is concerned by the business model used by many teacher training courses, the lack of time to practice teaching the public, and the little face-to-face time with experienced teachers. Kristine talked about her experience of being a mentor and mentee and the benefits of both. 6:55 Flo discussed Yoga Australia's proposed policy on auditing certified teacher traini

Download the podcast here Mentoring as part of Teacher Training  1:16 Introduction to our guest Kristine Koverii Weber 3:45 Mentoring - choosing a student to mentor. Student has a specific goal often about teaching a special population (given the therapeutic nature of Kristine's work). It is  one or two hours/month. Usually on Skype. 6:40 Benefits of Mentoring - basic yoga teacher training is very basic and tends to deprofessionalise the industry. It has been watered down over the years and devalues what yoga teachers have to offer. Neuroscience research shows that 10,000 hours of training are needed to achieve mastery in an area. 9:22 Mentoring is valuable but teacher training needs to change to professionise the industry. Perhaps 200 hour training could be a lifestyle training for one's own use and not for teaching. Making the 500 hour training the basic training would be a good first step. The 200 hour training is giving people the false assumption of expertise. 12:35 Benefits of mentoring for the mentor.

Flo Fenton - Teacher Training Series 2 How to find a good Teacher Training Course. 2:38 Two types of teacher training: Maximising profit Maximising teacher contact Flo discusses her teacher training experience where she had over 3500 hours of training in 9 months. Most well-known teachers have had similar types of training. Is the credibility of yoga teachers and teacher training decreased because of the short term nature of teacher training now? What are some areas to explore when deciding on a teacher training course? Does the course require that trainees have experience taking yoga classes? Is the content up-to-date? Do students have the opportunity for ongoing support after graduation? Are graduates confident in their ability to teach - have they had the opportunity to practice teaching the public several times during the course? What is the teacher/student ratio? 19:00 How do you extend the time (and  the cost) of teacher training when most yoga teachers now cannot support themselves with yoga alone?