The Why of Anatomy-Informed, Consent-Centred Hands-On Yoga

I’m kicking off a brand new season with a special guest! Kiara Armstrong is the creator of Rubber Band Method®, a system for teaching hands-on yoga through anatomy-informed, consent-centered, and biomechanically precise techniques. She has been a full-time yogapreneur for nearly 15 years, building a sustainable business through hands-on-based classes, private clients, retreats, and teacher trainings. Her work is informed by her background as a massage therapist and anatomy educator, bridging the gap between technique and application. Kiara teaches instructors how to use hands-on work to enhance the student experience, differentiate their teaching, and build a thriving, sustainable career. She is also the author of Hands-On Yoga Assists.Access your special gift from Kiara here: https://www.rubberbandmethod.com/amyJoin the launch of the Yoga Teacher Circle and Support this show on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonaldJoin the Returning Retreat next month here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returningREFERENCE:Gilani, Nadia (2022) The Yoga Manifesto: How Yoga Helped Me and Why It Needs to Save Itself, Bluebird, London

Are you spending way too much time answering questions from people who are interested in your Yoga business, but never actually buy?In this episode, I’m talking about sales boundaries: how to stop turning enquiries into free coaching sessions, how to recognise when scarcity and people-pleasing are driving your sales conversations, and how to create a simple process that protects your time while still being warm and helpful.Listen to the full episode on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonaldAnd if you’re interested in working with me individually around your own life, relationships or inner world, you can find out more about counselling here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/counselling

What do you do when a Yoga student irritates you, pushes your buttons, crosses a boundary or simply makes you think, ‘Oh god, not this person again’? In this teaser episode, I’m exploring what our reactions to students can teach us about boundaries, projection, emotional labour and the difference between compassion and making ourselves endlessly available. Listen to the full episode on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonaldAnd if you’re interested in working with me individually around your own life, relationships or inner world, you can find out more about counselling here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/counselling

It's birthday week, which means it's time for my annual birthday sale.From now until 6 August, I'm offering 20% off both my Returning Retreat and 1:1 Business Coaching.If you've been thinking about working together, or joining me on retreat, this is a lovely opportunity.1:1 Business CoachingThe birthday sale brings coaching from AUD $3,500 to AUD $2,800 (approximately £1,350 or US$1,800).If you're wondering whether coaching is the right fit, I'd love to invite you to book a Clarity Call. It's a relaxed conversation where we can explore your goals, what's happening in your business, and whether we'd be a good fit to work together.Learn more about coaching: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coachingBook a Clarity Call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/amymcdonald/strategyReturning RetreatIf what you're craving isn't another strategy or another online course, but a chance to step away, breathe, reflect and reconnect with yourself, Returning might be exactly what you need.Three days. Two nights. Time to slow down, think clearly and remember what matters.Learn more about Returning: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returningIf you've got questions, please get in touch. And please don't not book a Clarity Call because you're worried you'll be wasting my time. You won't. I promise.

Have you accidentally built a business where everyone has direct access to your attention? In this episode, I'm exploring the yogic concept of pratyāhāra and how it can help you create clearer communication systems, reduce unnecessary interruptions and reclaim your focus. We'll look at practical ways to simplify your tech, your notifications and your client communication so your business supports your work instead of constantly distracting you from it. If you'd like the space to step back and work on your business rather than just in it, I'll also tell you a little about the dedicated business day at this year's Returning Retreat. Learn more here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

This week I'm exploring something that's been quietly bothering me for a long time: somewhere along the way, we've become very good at teaching Yoga poses, but we've forgotten that Yoga has always been a tradition of stories.In this episode, I share why stories have been central to the Yoga tradition for thousands of years, explore the extraordinary roles of Vyasa and Valmiki, and reflect on why the Ramayana and the Puranas continue to speak so powerfully to modern life. If you've ever wondered whether there was something deeper beneath the physical practice of Yoga, this conversation is for you.If you'd like to experience more of these teachings, registrations are now open for my free three-part online series next week, where we'll explore three ancient stories from the Yoga tradition and what they still have to teach women today.Sign up for the free training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/storyCheck out all the Returning Retreat details here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returningSupport the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Swami Atma Muktananda Saraswati, the long-time resident teacher and manager of Rocklyn Ashram, where we’ll be gathering for my upcoming October Returning Retreat.Swamiji has spent more than 40 years living, teaching, and serving at the ashram, and in this conversation we explore the traditional Satyananda Yoga system, the role of Yoga Nidra in creating deep relaxation, the history of the ashram, and what life in an ashram is actually like. We also talk about community, practice, and why stepping away from the pace of everyday life can create space for something quite profound to happen.After spending time out at the ashram recently, I’ve become even more excited for our retreat. There’s something very special about the place — the warmth of the people, the beautiful bush setting, the simplicity of the rhythm, and the feeling that you can put down all of the usual “doing” for a while and simply arrive as a student and practitioner. If you’ve been craving more depth in your practice, more spaciousness, or simply a few days away from holding everything together, I genuinely think this experience is going to be incredibly special.A quick reminder too: the super early bird pricing for the retreat ends this Sunday, so if you’ve been considering joining us, now is a really lovely time to book in.Enjoy the conversation.Check out all the Returning Retreat details here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returningSupport the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Have you ever found yourself wondering whether you're tired of teaching... or simply tired of the way you've been doing things? In this final episode of the 'Beyond the Yoga Hustle' series, I’m exploring the quieter questions many Yoga teachers are carrying: what if success doesn't have to mean constant growth? What if you're chasing goals that no longer fit who you are? And what if the problem isn't your business — but the standards you're using to judge it?Shop my coaching sale and get a $1000 gift!: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coachingWatch the free trainings here: mid-year realignment training here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/videosCheck out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returningSupport the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

In today's yoga industry, standing out can feel harder than ever. More teachers. More studios. More online options. More competition for attention. But what if the problem isn't that there are too many yoga teachers? What if the real problem is that too many teachers are saying the same things? In this episode, I’m exploring why traditional niche advice often falls short, why generic marketing is making teachers increasingly forgettable, and what actually makes students remember and connect with a teacher.Watch the free trainings here: mid-year realignment training here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/videosCheck out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returningSupport the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Guest Jeremy Engels joins podcast host Amy McDonald to talk about ‘Living Namaste’, what it means and how it can make a difference, taking Yoga into the world for equality and the wellbeing of all and how to stay inspired and true to your values as a studio owner.Follow Jeremy’s work here: https://jeremydavidengels.com or Instagram @jeremy_david_engelsSign up for the free mid-year realignment training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/realignCheck out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returningSupport the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald