For us to know where we are headed, it is crucial to understand where we came from and how we got here today. To that end, host Rachel Land and returning guest Firdose Moonda MA, spend today's episode discussing yoga's history, examining aspects of that history that are often overlooked.

They dive into the challenge of balancing respect for the ancient traditions of yoga with the techniques that are most relevant to modern students, and debate whether teachers need to reference yoga's history in every class they teach.

Listen in to learn why yoga history matters, what might be missing from your understanding of it, and what questions to ponder as we all take part in creating the yoga history of the future.

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• Does yoga's history matter? [2:15]
• Pros and cons of teaching ancient yoga history [7:38]
• What is missing from the yoga history commonly taught? [12:05]
• Western influence on yoga [14:54]
• The delicate balance of respect and relevance [19:58]
• Critical missing components of yoga history [25:54]
• The modern intermingling of yoga and wellness [30:31]
• Should we always incorporate yoga history in teaching? [35:48]
• Wrap up and questions to ponder [37:33]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• LIVE Online The History of Yoga Teacher Training
• Previous Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episodes:
  • 100: Yoga, Politics & History: Expert Insights with Firdose Moonda MA
  • 114: Yoga & Religion: Expert Insights with Firdose Moonda MA
• Yoga Medicine® Book Club
• Connect with Firdose Moonda, MA: Firdose Moonda | Instagram | YMO Guest Teacher

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You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-155.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes, or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, host Rachel Land revisits topics as varied as managing our behavior during the holidays, how much to depend on technology when it comes to our health, the underestimated power of interoception, signs of undiagnosed autoimmune disorder, common symptoms pre- peri- and post-menopause, practicing in support of Rheumatoid Arthritis pain flare-ups, ADHD or recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury, and key challenges facing yoga teachers today.

Listen in to this episode to hear some of the gems you might have missed during the year.

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• Changing deep-seated patterns around the holidays [01:07]
• Recent research: female sex hormones and inflammation [5:42]
• Common symptom clusters during pre- peri- and post-menopause [12:15]
• Red flags suggesting undiagnosed autoimmune disorder [17:28]
• Is wellness a personal responsibility? [21:28]
• Navigating new wellness technology [25:33]
• Yoga practice during Rheumatoid Arthritis pain flare-ups [30:39]
• Interoception as a learned skill [36:11]
• Rebuilding body awareness after Traumatic Brain Injury [42:12]
• Teaching cues: balancing clarity with personal choice [44:46]
• Repeated and predictable movement for ADHD [50:25]
• Creating a sustainable teaching schedule [54:10]
• Shifting cultural and commercial pressures for yoga teachers [1:00:32]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Episode 130: When Should You NOT Teach? Teacher's Series
• Episode 132: Interoception Research & Yoga: Expert Insights with Valerie Knopik, PhD
• Episode 133: Yoga & Rheumatoid Arthritis: Expert Insights with Dr. Nikki Tugnet, FRACP
• Episode 134: ADHD & Yoga: Community Conversations with Emily Mariola
• Episode 135: Yoga as Personalized Medicine
• Episode 137: Funk'tional Nutrition with Erin Holt
• Episode 139: Experiencing Menopause: Research Roundup
• Episode 142: Female Hormones, Immune System, & Exercise: Research Roundup
• Episode 144: The Power of Language: Teachers' Series
• Episode 146: Hustle Culture Meets Wellness Sphere
• Episode 147: LoveYourBrain: Expert Insights on TBI with Kyla Pearce, MPH, PhD, CBIS, E-RYT

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-154.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

As we close out the year, how do we, as yoga teachers, gauge our progress? How can we assess our success?

Today, host Rachel and returning guest Elena Cheung share their answers to these questions. We discuss why one-dimensional metrics like ratings, reviews, student numbers, online likes, and follows are so appealing, as well as the complexities of teaching that they fail to capture.

Listen to this episode to learn how to balance your interests and values with the needs of your students, and how to meaningfully reflect on your work as a yoga teacher.

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• Complexities that ratings & reviews don't express [3:32]
• From "teacher knows best" to "the customer is always right"? [10:20]
• Navigating changing student tastes with integrity [13:06]
• The space that teaching experience creates around feedback [21:46]
• Why "objective" metrics appeal, and what they miss [26:12]
• How to gauge success as a yoga teacher [33:05]
• Final takeaways [47:27]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Previous Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episodes:
  • 74: Yoga for All
  • 141: Pitfalls of Private Yoga (and How to Avoid Them)
• The Art of Teaching Impactful Group Classes Online Course
• Connect with Elena Cheung:

Instagram | Elena Shapeshifts | The Way Softness Moves | Yoga Medicine® Online Guest Teacher

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-153.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.