Yogaland Podcast

Feeling stuck, uninspired, or overwhelmed in your teaching journey?In this episode, Jason shares 5 timeless lessons from yoga philosophy that support you — the teacher. These aren’t abstract ideas for your students — they’re personal, practical teachings to help you stay grounded, motivated, and aligned as you grow.Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned educator, these insights from the Yoga Sutras and beyond offer tools for navigating self-doubt, comparison, burnout, and creative fatigue.Topics include:• Abhyasa & Vairagya (Effort + Letting Go)• Svadhyaya (Self-Study for Teachers)• Dharma (Teaching with Purpose)• Ahimsa (Self-Compassion in Teaching)• Pratipaksha Bhavanam (Reframing Negative Thoughts)Chapters01:11 Upcoming Yoga Training Details02:36 Yoga Philosophy for Teachers04:07 Abhyasa and Vairagya: Developing and Releasing Patterns05:19 Practicing Teaching Skills09:31 Non-Attachment in Teaching11:59 Knowing Yourself as a Teacher18:17 Aligning Teaching with Your Purpose21:45 The Impact of Social Media on Self-Perception22:10 Defining Your Purpose as a Yoga Teacher23:26 Teaching Techniques and Philosophical Insights26:15 Compassion for Yourself and Your Students33:04 Reframing Your Inner Critic41:53 Final Thoughts and AnnouncementsABOUT JASON AND HIS ONLINE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS:✅ The Essential Guide to Yoga Anatomy Online Course: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/anatomy✅ Get your 300hr & 500hr Teacher Training Certificate with Jason: https://learn.jasonyoga.com/300✅ The Art of Teaching Beginners Online Course:https://learn.jasonyoga.com/beginners✅ The Art of Yoga Sequencing Online Course:https://learn.jasonyoga.com/sequencing✅ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and you'll be the first to know whenever we have new content: https://www.jasonyoga.com/newsletterJason Crandell is a natural teacher and author with more than 20 years of experience. Named “one of the teachers shaping the future of yoga,” by Yoga Journal, Jason has been an in-demand teacher at conferences around the world for more than two decades.

On this episode, Jason shares how to find your voice as a yoga teacher, how it evolves through different life phases, and how to sustain it over the long haul. You’ll learn why finding your voice is an ongoing process, how to stay confident as a yoga teacher, and how to overcome burnout, self-doubt, and comparison.You'll learn: • How to find your voice as a yoga teacher (and why it’s always evolving) • The role of passions, practice, and personal growth in shaping your teaching style • Common obstacles yoga teachers face—and how to move through them with resilience • Tips to stay inspired, prevent yoga teacher burnout, and build confidence for the long term • How specialized yoga teacher training can help you refine your authentic teaching voiceChapters:03:00 Finding Your Voice as a Yoga Teacher05:55 The Evolution of Teaching Styles09:36 Adopting and Evolving from Your Teacher's Voice12:54 Personal Journey and Influences17:00 Incorporating New Interests and Passions20:29 The Importance of Lifelong Learning23:03 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Yoga24:16 Embracing Authenticity as a Yoga Teacher26:24 Overcoming People Pleasing in Teaching28:31 The Illusion of Pleasing Everyone33:09 Adapting and Evolving as a Teacher36:04 The Need for Ongoing Training41:34 Managing Burnout and Teaching Strategies44:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🌟 Ready to deepen your skills and reignite your passion for teaching yoga?Our 300-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training helps you specialize, build lasting confidence, and find your authentic voice. [Learn more ➡️ jasonyoga.com/300]

On this episode, Jason addresses a common question he gets from yoga teachers: When will I start to feel more sure of myself, more confident in my teaching? Whether you’re newly certified or have been teaching for years, this episode will help you fill in the missing pieces and grow into the confident, grounded, and impactful yoga teacher you want to be. What You’ll Learn:• Why so many yoga teachers feel stuck or unprepared after their 200-hour yoga teacher training• The real reason yoga teachers struggle with confidence (it’s not just imposter syndrome)• How to shift from planning individual classes to designing long-term yoga class sequences and themes• Proven strategies to avoid yoga teacher burnout and stay inspired in your teaching• The most common gaps in yoga teacher trainings—and how to build the skills your students actually need• How to grow your teaching career by deepening your skills and becoming a more effective, in-demand yoga instructorA heads' up that Jason's 300-Hour YTT begins May 7th! This training is flexible, supportive, and comprehensive. Go to jasonyoga.com/300 for the training details and to enroll.

In this episode, Jason guides you through 3 simple yet powerful pranayama techniques to help you unwind, relax, and get better night's sleep. These breathing exercises are perfect for reducing stress, calming the mind, and promoting relaxation—whether you’re winding down after a busy day or preparing for a restful night’s sleep.Time codes:00:00 Introduction to the Episode00:44 Overview of Pranayama for Relaxation and Sleep02:33 Chandra Bhedana Pranayama Explained07:28 Lengthened Exhalations Breathwork12:53 Lengthened Exhalations with Pauses Breathwork16:10 Practical Tips and Course Information✨ Two big announcements! Jason's 300-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training is open for enrollment. Get all the details and enroll at: jasonyoga.com/300✨ To celebrate the kick-off of the training, Jason's hosting a free webinar next week, The Confident Yoga Teacher: 5 Skills Every Yoga Teacher Needs. Get info and sign for that here: jasonyoga.com/webinar

Teaching pranayama and breathwork can feel overwhelming—even for experienced yoga teachers. In this episode, Jason breaks down the five most common mistakes teachers make when teaching pranayama and offers simple, research-backed solutions that will help you guide breathwork with clarity, confidence, and impact.Whether you’re just starting out or refining your skills, this episode will help you simplify your approach to pranayama, avoid common pitfalls, and create a more meaningful experience for your students.🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why pranayama is often left out of yoga classes—and why that’s a missed opportunity • How to avoid overwhelming students with too many breathwork techniques • Why it’s time to rethink advanced practices like Nadi Shodhana, Bhastrika & Kapalabhati • The power of simple, functional techniques like Box Breathing and 5.5 Breathing • How consistent breath ratios improve nervous system regulation, HRV, and CO₂ tolerance • How to use accessible, effective language when teaching pranayama • Why functional breathwork is more important than flashy techniques✨ Registration is open for Jason's training, Teaching Pranayama & Breathwork! Open to both yoga teachers and students. For more info, click here: jasonyoga.com/breathwork

This is episode 1 of a four-part series on Pranayama: On this episode, we explore why breathwork matters so much for yoga teachers and how to effectively integrate pranayama into your yoga classes.Whether you're a seasoned yoga teacher or simply interested in deepening your pranayama practice, this conversation will help you understand why breathwork is essential and how to teach it with confidence.We talk about:The most important pranayama benefits for your own practice and your teaching.Why pranayama is an essential tool for yoga classes and how it helps students find calm, focus, and energy.How pranayama supports nervous system regulation, emotional balance, and overall well-being.Practical teaching tips for introducing pranayama to your students with clarity and ease.Common challenges teachers face when teaching pranayama and how to overcome them.🎥 If you want to deepen your pranayama practice and teaching skills, join the waitlist for my upcoming online pranayama training: jasonyoga.com/breathworkTime codes in this episode:00:15 Starting the Pranayama Series00:22 Why Pranayama Matters01:05 Pranayama vs. Asana03:11 Immediate Effects on the Nervous System09:22 Heart Rate Variability Explained19:01 CO2 Tolerance and Efficient Breathing27:09 Practical Benefits of Breathwork29:32 Gatekeeping in Pranayama30:49 Personal Journey with Pranayama32:26 Pranayama Techniques and Their Benefits35:57 Incorporating Pranayama into Daily Life39:22 Categories of Pranayama47:21 Teaching and Practicing Pranayama56:14 Conclusion and Next Steps

Looking for fresh ideas to keep your classes engaging and effective? In this episode of Yogaland, we’ll show you how to plan a month-long yoga series that helps your students build skills, gain confidence, and deepen their practice over time.If you’re tired of planning classes one-by-one and want to teach more cohesively and effectively, this episode is for you! Whether you’re a new yoga teacher looking for guidance or an experienced teacher wanting to expand your teaching approach, you’ll learn simple, powerful strategies to take your classes to the next level.Here’s what you’ll learn:✅ Why a long-term approach to teaching helps students learn faster and retain more.✅ How to structure a 4-week yoga series for consistent growth and progress.✅ Practical ways to apply Thematic Sequencing to build skills week by week.✅ How to use Scaffolded Learning to break down complex poses and techniques.✅ Why revisiting concepts (Spaced Repetition) improves learning and confidence.✅ What the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) means and how it applies to yoga.Timecodes:00:33 Upcoming Pranayama Course01:12 London Yoga Retreat Announcement04:31 Long-Term Yoga Class Planning07:03 Thematic and Progressive Sequencing19:42 Introduction to Vinyasa Class Structure21:34 Teaching Skills Step-by-Step26:00 Building Muscle Memory and Competence26:53 The Importance of Scaffolding in Yoga32:24 Spaced Repetition in Learning34:40 Zone of Proximal Development38:51 Encouraging Growth and Possibility42:14 Recap and Conclusion👉 Jason's newest course, Teaching Pranayama & Breathwork: A step-by-step guide for yoga teachers & students begins in April. Click here to join the waitlist: jasonyoga.com/breathwork👉 Want to practice in-person with Jason? Join him in London June 9th-13th at Mission! To get all the details: https://www.mission-e1.com/london-retreat/

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Whether mild (commonly called a concussion) or severe, TBI can create long-term health challenges ranging from cognitive fatigue, to memory loss to insomnia and mental health issues. This episode explores how LoveYourBrain's free yoga and meditation program benefits people affected by TBI and their caregivers. Since 2015, Dr. Kyla Pearce, Senior Director of Programs and Research at LoveYourBrain, has trained over 2,500 yoga teachers and clinicians in how to adapt yoga for TBI. She was the primary investigator on the largest published study of yoga for TBI, which found significant improvement in quality of life, resilience, cognition, and positive affect among 705 people with TBI who participated in the LoveYourBrain program.LoveYourBrain was founded in 2014 by brothers Kevin and Adam Pearce following Kevin’s severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a snowboarding accident in 2009 while training for the Olympics. Their family’s experience navigating Kevin’s recovery inspired them to create LoveYourBrain.To date, LoveYourBrain has supported nearly 50,000 people worldwide, through research-backed programs offered at no cost to empower the TBI community with new tools, resources, and connections.We talk about:Common challenges after traumatic brain injuryHow hard it is to have an invisible injuryWhat the research says about yoga for traumatic brain injury (TBI)How Dr. Pearce designed the LoveYourBrain six-week yoga program — from asana adaptations to types of meditation to group sharingThe importance of cultivating resilience rather than a return to “normal”Post-traumatic growth — what it is and how we can all benefit from seeing life’s challenges through this lensMindful March — how you can support people with TBI in accessing yogaLoveYourBrain’s online teacher training programLastly: March is Brain Injury Awareness Month! Go to loveyourbrain.com/challenge to join their Mindful March Meditation Challenge and support their efforts in keeping yoga FREE to those affected by TBI.There are lots of resources on their website as well as info about teacher training: I've created a curated list of links for Yogaland listeners: www.jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode350

Have you ever felt like your students aren’t fully absorbing what you’re teaching? Want to make your cues, sequences, and insights truly stick? On this episode, Jason reveals the top teaching strategies every yoga instructor should know to enhance student learning, improve retention, and create transformative class experiences.Highlights:✅ The difference between leading a class vs. teaching for deep learning.✅ How repetition & thematic sequencing improve student retention.✅ Why students learn best by doing, seeing, and experiencing—not just hearing.✅ How A/B testing in yoga poses helps students find what works best for them.✅ The role of cognitive load in student learning—and why less is more when cueing.✅ The surprising power of storytelling to make your teaching unforgettable.💡 Whether you're a new yoga teacher or an experienced instructor looking to improve your teaching impact, this episode will help you develop smarter, more effective strategies to ensure your students truly absorb and retain what you teach.🔗 Join the Pranayama Teacher Training Waitlist: jasonyoga.com/breathwork