112: Joanna Sapir on Business Strategies For Yoga Teachers

Plan your year in sync with astrology and yogic principles at MindfulNewYear.com Today I share a yogic perspective of goal setting and living into your dharma (purpose). We all know most goal setting and New Years Resolutions don't stick, so what actually works? This is something I come back to a lot in my own life; what's most important to focus on next, and how to stay on track with my path. Maybe you can relate? I share 6 major points about this and some powerful questions for self inquiry to help you check in with what matters most to you in this season of your life. Dharma is a continually evolving path, so this is one of those episodes you might want to come back to regularly. If you want a guided workshop all about this go to MindfulNewYear.com⁠ I guide you through a powerful practice to review the past, prepare for the future and get current with what matters most now. I share all the major Vedic Astrology / energy shifts for the year ahead and how you can best work with them + several other resources to optimize your health, wealth, relationships and purpose. Enjoy! Jeremy -- If you feel called to dive deeper into other topics of yoga philosophy, join the waitlist for my Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at ⁠⁠quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠⁠. That’s where I guide you through the ten core competencies of yoga, including philosophy, yoga history, mindfulness, anatomy, and teaching skills. -- Follow on Instagram @quietmind.yoga Follow Quietmind Astrology Podcast for free weekly horoscopes in Vedic Astrology (the sister science of yoga) Follow @quietmindastrology on IG for more Keywords: alignment, astrology, birth chart, astrology reading, Vedic astrology, life purpose, self-discovery, authenticity, spiritual growth, mindfulness, inner peace, Quietmind Astrology, podcast episode, values alignment, personal transformation, life changes, cosmic insights, planetary influences

Learn 10 Core Competencies with lots of 1-1 support from me in the Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training. Learn more at ⁠https://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠ In this episode of the Yoga Teacher Training Podcast, I’m sharing the five most common causes of yoga injuries—and how you can avoid them. Injuries can sneak up on anyone, whether you’re a teacher or a practitioner, but they don’t have to. Yoga is about feeling good, strong, flexible, and balanced—not dealing with tweaks or strains that could’ve been prevented. I’ll talk about real-life examples, like the mistake I’ve made (and learned from) of demoing poses without warming up first, the risks of jumping from one extreme range of motion to another, and why listening to your body is the most important skill you can develop. You’ll also hear my thoughts on why yoga isn’t about pushing to your limit or performing—it’s about creating a practice that supports you today, tomorrow, and for years to come. If you’re ready to take your practice deeper or teach yoga in a way that supports your students’ growth and safety, join the waitlist for my Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at ⁠quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠. That’s where I guide you through the ten core competencies of yoga, including mindfulness, anatomy, and teaching skills. Let’s keep your practice safe, sustainable, and aligned with what yoga is really all about. Listen now to learn how! Keywords: Yoga injuries prevention, common yoga injuries, safe yoga practice, avoid yoga injuries, yoga teacher tips, yoga anatomy basics, yoga practice safety, preventing yoga injuries, yoga alignment tips, mindful yoga practice, lifelong yoga practice, yoga teaching skills, yoga sequencing for safety, yoga for flexibility and strength, yoga teacher training online, injury-free yoga practice, yoga tips for beginners, advanced yoga poses safety, listening to your body in yoga.

Joanna Sapir is a business strategist for holistic practitioners, particularly those that integrate multiple modalities. Joanna's special ability is in helping practitioners set up repeatable systems and processes in their businesses to serve their clients more powerfully, enroll committed long-term clients, and create steady income and cash flow. She has been a teacher and trainer for more than twenty years, from the classroom to the gym floor and now to wellness practices across the world. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, she is a mother of two, a USA Masters National Champion in Olympic-style Weightlifting, and the host of the Business Revolution for Practitioners podcast. Learn more at http://joannasapir.com THREE POWERFUL SYSTEMS THAT WILL COMPLETELY TRANSFORM YOUR PRACTICE Get Joanna's free guide for this episode here: https://joannasapir.com/YogaTeachers Key Takeaways * Focus on creating tailored programs for ideal clients ("bullseye clients") rather than generic offerings * Implement a programmatic approach with front-end intensive programs and back-end maintenance programs * Use a profitable pricing calculator to determine appropriate rates based on business expenses and income goals * Transition from trading time for money to creating sustainable, transformative programs for clients Topics Identifying Ideal Clients * Focus on 3-5 favorite past clients who got great results and were enjoyable to work with * Look for patterns in their pain points, goals, and desires rather than demographic niches * Design programs specifically tailored to these ideal "bullseye clients" Creating Sustainable Programs * Front-end program: 3-month intensive addressing core issues (often one-on-one) * Back-end program: Ongoing maintenance/lifestyle support (can be group format) * Structure provides consistent income and deeper client transformation * Allows practitioners to fully commit and provide high-value service Pricing and Financial Planning * Use a "profitable pricing calculator" to determine base hourly rate * Factor in all business expenses, desired salary, and profit goals * For group programs, determine minimum viable number of participants * Separate personal and business finances for clarity Business Mindset for Practitioners * View business as separate entity from yourself as practitioner * Embrace leadership role as CEO of your practice * Overcome fears about business being "unspiritual" or inauthentic * Focus on how business skills allow you to help more people at a deeper level Next Steps * Download free resources at joannasapir.com/yogateachers (3 workflows for lead generation, enrollment, and client communication) * Consider booking a discovery call for the Profitable Practitioner Academy program * Evaluate current offerings and identify opportunities to create more tailored, transformative programs * Implement proper financial tracking and goal-setting for your business

Bob Cirino is the Executive Director for the non-profit Yoga Studies Institute, whose mission of teaching the classic texts and methods of yoga has reached thousands of students in over 35 countries in 8 languages. Bob has studied Tibetan yoga lineages for 8 years and directs a non-profit that teaches one of the most fundamental Hatha Tibetan lineages, Lady Niguma, and the classic texts like the Yoga Sutra and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Though he celebrates yoga in the West, his emphasis is on the embodiment of the essential aspects of the practice that are most often left out or just plain never taught. He is also the Founder of Spiritual Warrior, an education and training organization that helps individuals live fearlessly on-purpose as a Spiritual Warrior. Bob is a serial entrepreneur whose projects have spanned from regenerative agriculture (where he is known as Biochar Bob), real estate investing and development, alternative investments, to educational technology. All of Bob's projects have a common thread of healing people and planet through compassionate strategies and philosophies. Learn more and enroll in Bob's programs at https://www.spiritualwarrior.life/ Key Takeaways - Yoga is about stopping the mind from "twisting" reality, realizing experiences come from within - Renunciation in yoga means giving up causes of suffering, not necessarily physical objects - Creating a sense of safety is crucial for healing trauma and fostering connection - Astrology and yoga can be tools for self-awareness and personal growth when approached mindfully Topics Yoga Philosophy and Practice - Yoga Sutra defines yoga as "stopping the way the mind turns things around" - Renunciation in yoga is about giving up causes of suffering, not necessarily physical objects - Hatha Yoga (Ha: sun, Ta: moon) aims to balance energies and bring prana into the central channel - Importance of challenging and questioning teachings, even from respected gurus Trauma and Healing - Safety is crucial for healing and connection - Creating a non-judgmental space allows people to express emotions and heal - Different approaches work for different people; some may need gentle compassion, others tough love Vedic Astrology and Personal Growth - Astrology can be a tool for self-awareness and understanding life patterns - Importance of maintaining agency and not giving full control to astrological predictions - Viewing challenging transits as opportunities for growth and discipline Spiritual Partnership and Relationships - Concept of being "the exact thing that everybody needs" in relationships - Viewing difficult past relationships as perfect teachers for personal growth - Importance of bringing happiness to relationships rather than expecting happiness from them Want to work with Jeremy? - Sign up for Self Care Sunday: Free yoga and ayurveda practices to optimize your health at https://www.quietmind.yoga - Beginners Yoga Sequence (free download) at https://www.quietmind.yoga/beginnersequence

Join the waitlist for the Quietmind Yoga Membership at https://www.quietmind.yoga/qymwaitlist What is Somatic Yoga and how do you practice it? This term is becoming more popular, but it's not as new as you might think. In this episode I'll share how this brand of yoga has evolved from things taught by myself, my mentors and other experienced teachers, as well as how you can begin to practice this way starting right away. Enjoy! Jeremy If you enjoy the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend. If you want to go deeper into practicing Somatic Yoga, the Quietmind Yoga Membership is opening soon with many classes in this style.

Cue With Confidence is live on Nov 2nd. Click here to learn more and enroll. https://www.quietmind.yoga/cwc Why do yoga teachers say certain phrases so often? I share 10 of the most common phrases and the anatomy, philosophy and energetics behind why they work or don't work. You'll learn how to improve your own practice and teaching with these 10 common phrases. Anything in a sing-song pattern “Square your hips” “Keep a microbend in your joints” “Tuck the tailbone” “Roll up to stand, one vertebrae at a time” “Root down through your feet” “Engage your core” “Inhale reach up, exhale fold” “Soften your gaze” “Breathe down into your belly”

The Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training is open! Learn more and enroll at ⁠https://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠ In this episode of the Quiet Mind Yoga Teacher Training Podcast, I’m sharing six of the most helpful things I’ve learned about energetic anatomy. Whether you’re a yoga teacher, student, or considering teacher training, this episode will help you understand how everything has an energetic effect on your practice and your life. We’ll explore how balancing Yin and Yang energy is essential, and how subtle shifts can make a big impact. I’ll also talk about how everything can be either a poison or a medicine, depending on your unique needs, and why it’s important to address issues at their most subtle level before they become bigger problems. We’ll dive into how like increases like, why opposites bring balance, and the powerful effects of chakras on our physical and energetic bodies. 0:00:00 – Intro: Welcome to the Quiet Mind Yoga Teacher Training Podcast 0:00:18 – Episode Overview: Six most helpful things about energetic anatomy 0:01:01 – Topic 1: Everything has _______________________ 0:02:22 – Yin and Yang: Understanding energy through polarity 0:04:47 – Importance of honoring energy in classes 0:10:16 – Balancing energies in your practice and teaching 0:18:33 – Topic 2: Addressing issues at ________________ 0:34:43 – Topic 3: Everything can be a ___________________ 0:42:03 – Topic 4: Like _________ _________ 0:45:01 – Topic 5: Opposites bring ____________ 0:50:58 – Topic 6: Chakras can be _______________ 1:00:00 – Conclusion Check out my Become Your Own Yoga Teacher Workshop, where I’ll show you how to bring balance to your practice by tuning into your own energetic needs. https://www.quietmind.yoga/workshop Or, if you’re ready for a deeper dive into all aspects of yoga, join the Quiet Mind Yoga Teacher Training to learn the 10 core competencies of yoga and take your practice to the next level. https://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt #yogateachertraining #energeticanatomy #chakras #yinandyang #yogabalance #quietmind #yogapodcast #yogateacher

Click here to RSVP for “Become Your Own Yoga Teacher” - https://www.quietmind.yoga/workshop Live on Zoom In this episode I share the main topics from the workshop including - Common mistakes most yogis make - Crossing the threshold from looking outside yourself for answers to looking within - Why my yoga mat is my “home” after moving 40+ times in my life - The real reason you get tight muscles - Why stretching is not always the answer in yoga - How you can quickly release pain in your body today - 10 skills to deepen your practice - My #1 recommendation of how to start applying energetic anatomy / the deeper more esoteric aspects of yoga to your life today You’ll learn lots of practical things you can do right now to deepen your practice. Jeremy Devens Quietmind Yoga

The Yoga & Ayurveda Mentorship is open for enrollment at http://www.quietmind.yoga/yam Learn how to relieve tension in 12 major muscle groups: Feet Calves/Shins Quads/Hamstrings Hips/Glutes Core Low Back Upper Back Chest Biceps/Triceps Forearm/Hands Shoulders/Neck Head Keywords: yoga teacher training, ytt, marketing, business, spirituality, yoga philosophy, asana practice, meditation techniques, anatomy and physiology, pranayama (breathing techniques), teaching methodology, yoga history, adjustments and modifications, Sanskrit, chakras and energy centers, Ayurveda and yoga, ethics and professionalism, sequencing and class planning, business of yoga, and self-care and self-study, equity, yoga therapy, community

RSVP for FREE to Deepen Your Practice: 3 Steps to Deepen Your Yoga & Ayurveda Practices⁠ This Q&A question comes from listener Heidi L who asks "What advice would you give to some who has finished their YTT and is finding themselves with resistance to teaching due to feelings of imposter syndrome/lack of confidence after the 200hr" I'll share some of the most important things to consider based on what i've seen after teaching over 7000 hours of classes since taking my first YTT in 2011. ------------ If you enjoy this podcast leave a review and share with a friend Practice with me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow me on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/quietmind.yoga⁠⁠⁠ Learn Vedic Astrology, the sister science of yoga, with me at ⁠⁠http://www.quietmindastrology.com⁠⁠ Keywords: yoga teacher training, ytt, marketing, business, spirituality, yoga philosophy, asana practice, meditation techniques, anatomy and physiology, pranayama (breathing techniques), teaching methodology, yoga history, adjustments and modifications, Sanskrit, chakras and energy centers, Ayurveda and yoga, ethics and professionalism, sequencing and class planning, business of yoga, and self-care and self-study, equity, yoga therapy, community