April 3, 2023
The Funny Thing About Yoga
New Studio, New Students & So Many Stories with Manny Garcia
Episode No. 8
In this weeks episode, Giana and Bradshaw catch up with fellow yoga teacher, Manny Garcia. These three have had many overlaps around Chicago from teaching at Zen Yoga Garage, being a Lululemon ambassador and a shared interest in creating an accessible and diverse platform to share yoga from during the pandemic. And now, Manny is on a whole new journey with the opening of a brick and mortar space and home for The Collective Yoga Co-Op. His new studio is on the Northside of Chicago and centers LGBTQ+ voices and voices of color in their teachers and in their community. Manny shares what it's been like to get the studio up and running, what challenges he’s had thus far, and the continuous objective of creating a welcoming environment for all. They share stories about how they felt welcomed as students during their early days of practice and how now, as teachers, they can further develop such an environment. Giana mentions some studio gossip Manny confirms and they go on a beautiful tangent around the Ramayana. Manny is a skilled storyteller who will have you captivated and wanting more. So give this episode a listen, find Manny on instagram, and check out The Collective Yoga Co-Op if you’re in Chicago!
00:00 Intro
00:30 Welcome Announcements
01:54 Bradshaw Welcomes Manny Garcia
02:50 Manny details his journey into Yoga
05:35 The Biggest Challenges and Lessons so far
09:25 Different Approaches to Teaching in Different Places
12:20 How to get Comfortable being New at Something
15:10 The Fundamentals of Yoga are so Important
19:30 A Teachers Predicament
24:00 Manny Rumors Circulating Around the Studio
25:05 Manny gets into the Ramayana
31:50 Hanuman is our Favorite
33:25 What Helped us Feel Welcomed as Students
41:10 Creating a Homey and Supportive Studio Culture
43:13 To Demo or not to Demo
47:12 Seasoned Yoga Students can still Benefit from Foundations
50:33 Where you can find Manny
52:40 The Funny Thing About Yoga
58:28 Thank You for Listening!
59:04 Outro
Follow The Collective Yoga Co-op and Manny on Instagram at @thecollectiveyogacoop @mannygarcialife
You Can Find Us Here : @thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish
Live DJ Vinyasa Plant Swap: https://app.arketa.co/thecollectiveyogacoop/checkout/ISEb1UHB3PKiKEZoE7On
The Collective Yoga Co-op: https://www.thecollectiveyogacoop.com
Mannys Website: https://www.mannygarcialife.com
Be Featured on the Podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck2nTNc_UlcCKBhZId5DmDwoU6aslkFfGKtdz-1uSo-HNY8g/viewform
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Learn more about C.A.Y.A. Yoga School: https://www.cayayogaschool.com
Giana’s Website: https://www.gianayoga.com/
Bradshaws Website: https://www.bradshawwish.com/
Email: Cayayogaschool@gmail.com
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