Tips for Teaching Anatomy (For Yoga Teachers and Trainers) with Dr. Libby Hinsley

If you’re an anatomy nerd eager to share your enthusiasm for the human body with your students, you’ll love the insider tips and best practices we share in this conversation. Listen in to hear about the balance between clarity and accuracy, the importance of knowing your audience, and the potential pros and cons of incorporating anatomical concepts into asana classes. We also cover special considerations for teaching anatomy in yoga teacher training programs. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 02:51 Pros of including anatomy in yoga classes 04:36 Cons of including anatomy in yoga classes 05:47 Balancing anatomy in general classes 18:13 Considerations for teaching anatomy in teacher training 21:24 What it takes to be an excellent anatomy teacher 26:34 How to handle diagnostic questions 28:47 The most important aspects of anatomy for yoga teacher trainings 32:28 Dr. Libby Hinsley's anatomy training programs EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Libby Hinsley Anatomy Bites Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Why is learning anatomy so hard for yoga teachers? In this episode, we discuss the importance of becoming fluent in basic anatomy to accurately speak about the body in your yoga classes. We know anatomy can feel like a foreign language - that’s because it is! But fear not, we have the secret sauce to make it all stick. From our own adventures with anatomy to tips that'll make studying a breeze, this episode is the ultimate cheat sheet for all wanna-be anatomy enthusiasts. Get ready to unleash your inner nerd and build a rock-solid anatomical foundation. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 01:09 Why yoga teachers need basic anatomy knowledge 02:02 Challenges and misconceptions in learning anatomy 03:32 The role of anatomy in your yoga classes 09:13 Our personal journeys in anatomy learning 13:10 Tips for yoga teachers to learn anatomy 18:36 The basics: bones, joints, and muscles 23:24 The importance of context and relevance 28:14 Advanced tips and continuous learning 35:52 Recommended anatomy education programs EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Libby Hinsley Anatomy Bites Anatomy Bites - Embodied Anatomy Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakP

This bonus episode is a peek behind the curtain of 'Retreat Roadmap'. Listen to hear about each course module, plus a description of the time-saving resources that are included. I'll also explain your options for getting additional live group and one-to-one support. If you've been eyeing Retreat Roadmap and want an inside scoop on what to expect inside the program, this episode is for you. Episode highlights include:   00:39 The experience that inspired us to create the Retreat Roadmap 03:46 Course Overview and Structure 05:21 Module 1: Big Picture Planning 08:43 Module 2: Admin and Planning 09:47 Module 3: Marketing Your Retreat 11:06 Module 4: Planning Your Curriculum 11:55 Module 5: Sustainable Retreat Leadership 13:22 Special Offer and Pricing Details 14:45 Mentorship Program Details 20:41 Conclusion and Contact Information   Join Retreat Roadmap

Advance planning can make the difference between filling all rooms and canceling due to a lack of enrollment. In this episode, I chat with my Retreat Roadmap Collaborator, Lily Dwyer Begg, about all the benefits of giving yourself (and your students) plenty of lead time when planning a retreat.  EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 01:02 What changed when Lily increased her retreat timeline from 6 months to 12+ months 05:20 How to make your retreat more financially inclusive 07:31 How to help your students feel more relaxed during your retreat 09:09 Why a longer timeline allows your students to enjoy the retreat BEFORE it even starts 10:07 How a longer timeline gives you more options for where to offer retreats 15:11 Why a longer timeline will help you attract more participants (and earn more money) 16:39 How a compressed timeline skews your ability to judge the potential success of a retreat 22:00 How to stay in integrity when you preach self-care 24:42 Time objections and the best/worst times to lead & launch retreats EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Quiz: What kind of retreat is best for you? Retreat Timing Guide Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg Retreat Roadmap Online Course LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Yoga retreats allow you to share yoga free from the distractions of daily life - while often earning far more than your usual weekly classes. There are four basic types of retreats to consider: day, camping, local, and international. In this episode, we cover the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is right for you. Packed with personal insights and practical tips, this dialogue aims to inspire yoga teachers to organize retreats, explaining the win/win dynamic for both student and teacher.     EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Why we love retreats and four types of retreats to consider leading 01:34 Retreat opportunities for students and teachers 13:24 Day Retreats: A low-risk way to dip your toes into leading retreats 19:33 Camping Retreats: An affordable option for nature lovers 27:03 Local Retreats: Gateway to a deeper practice 33:47 International Retreats: The easiest retreat to fill up and earn a profit 40:07 Conclusion: Choosing the right retreat for you EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Quiz: What kind of retreat is best for you? Retreat Timing Guide Episode 226: Yoga Retreat Fundamentals Episode 233: How to Thrive as a Retreat Leader Lily Dwyer Begg Yoga Follow Lily on Instagram @lilydwyerbegg The Ultimate Retreat Roadmap Online Course LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Teaching large groups can be intimidating! But it’s also fantastic for improving your teaching skills and boosting your confidence. This episode focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities involved in teaching large yoga groups. Learn to embrace the challenges of large-group instruction and develop your ability to offer high-quality instruction to groups of any size. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 The benefits of teaching larger groups 05:15 Why teaching large groups is so nerve-wracking 07:02 Why it’s important to keep your class plan simple in a larger group 09:33 How to encourage focus and engagement in a larger group 10:12 How to balance different personality types when it comes to student participation 12:04 How to manage student questions to avoid getting thrown off track 15:06 How to provide an intimate experience in a large group 17:14 Thoughts on physical touch in a large group 19:17 How to bring attention back to you after small group or partner work 21:06 The role of visual aids in a larger group 22:51 How to utilize assistants when teaching a larger group 24:54 How to learn your student’s names (even if you’re usually terrible with names) 26:52 How to facilitate connection between students in a larger group LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Over the past decade, there has been a welcome push towards a more inclusive approach to yoga. But what does that look like on a practical level? Jivana Heyman has been at the center of the accessible yoga movement as the founder of the Accessible Yoga Project and the author of The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga, Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body. In this episode, Jivana shares an anti-perfectionist approach to accessible yoga that centers the relationship between teacher and student. The conversation delves into insecurities and imposter syndrome, the interplay between teaching and personal growth, and the importance of ethics in guiding both personal and teaching practices.     EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 The philosophy of accessible yoga 01:48 Jivana’s early experiences with yoga 03:30 How yoga helps with emotional regulation 05:59 The impact of social media and information overload 08:43 How to deal with impostor syndrome 13:22 Teaching as a relationship 21:04 Inquiry on the ethics of teaching 27:50 The importance of meeting your students where they are and respecting their preferences 33:41 Perfectionism and people-pleasing 38:30 Kindness as a guiding principle for accessible yoga 42:15 Helping and fixing vs serving  EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Accessible Yoga School Access all of Jivana’s books here Follow Jivana on Instagram @jivanaheyman LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Series classes deepen your relationship with your students, helps them commit to their practice, and provides financial stability for you as the teacher. Nyk Danu, a certified yoga therapist and business mentor, shares her insights on creating a sustainable yoga teaching business through a registered series. Listen in to hear practical advice on setting up your series, handling logistics like space rental and insurance, and filling your series classes. Nyk also touches on considerations for yoga studio owners thinking about transitioning to a registered series. If you value teacher-student connections, consistency in practice, and control over your teaching environment, this episode is for you!   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:52 Meet Nyk Danu: Yoga Misfit and Mentor 06:09 Why yoga classes shifted away from the registered series model 09:59 How to Start Your Own Registered Yoga Series 20:11 Finding the Perfect Space for Yoga Classes 22:04 Essential Tools for Running Yoga Series: Registration and Communication 24:40 Essential Policies for your Registered Series 28:21 Priority Registration for Existing Students 29:20 Starting Small with Class Registrations 30:15 Engaging Older Students with Simpler Technology 31:18 Handling Minimums and Cancellations 31:47 Leveraging Workshops to Fill Series 33:30 Setting Minimum Attendance Numbers 36:16 Choosing the Right Duration for Your Series 37:40 Make-up Classes and Free Sessions 40:09 Finding Your First Group of Students 46:02 Utilizing Email Lists for Growth 48:58 Transitioning Studios to Registered Series 50:14 The Benefits of Running Pre-registered Series 55:43 Concluding Thoughts and Resources EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Nyk Danu Yoga Follow Nyk on Instagram @nykdanuyoga LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Yoga is for everyone, but when people of varied physical abilities show up in the same class it can be difficult to meet all their needs at the same time. In this episode, Mado and Libby offer a framework for understanding why your students might struggle with a particular asana and how to offer variations that provide a similar experience to people with different physical abilities.   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Why teaching mixed ability yoga classes is harder than it needs to be 02:49 How to plan for an all levels class 03:35 Understanding progression and regression 04:46 Four reasons a pose might be challenging for a student 05:39 How to simplify yoga postures 07:14 Essential biomechanical principles for yoga 11:35 How gravity can impact asana 16:27 Why teaching simpler poses will help your students progress 21:50 How teaching one one-on-one will help you teach better group classes 23:16 A breakdown of Warrior 3 Pose 28:51 Moving vs static yoga postures 30:39 The role of creativity in yoga teaching 32:14 A breakdown of Triangle Pose 38:53 Why anatomy is a key skill for asana teachers   EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Libby Hinsley Anatomy Bites Follow Libby on Instagram @libbyhinsleypt   LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Laura reached out for help to increase enrollment in her online classes. Despite her success in drawing people to her global retreats, she struggles to fill her online series and workshops. In this conversation, we discuss strategies to improve sign-ups for online offerings. Some of the ideas we consider include positioning online classes as 'extensions' of the retreat experiences, frequency and timing of communication, incentives for retreat participants, and the importance of urgency in online sign-ups. We then created a plan to convert her current library membership into something that might appeal to retreat participants.   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 01:14 Laura's background and how she started leading retreats 03:40 How Laura’s retreat business survived the pandemic 05:23 Why & how to learn what motivates your students 12:19 The importance of urgency in marketing 13:59 Helping students bridge the gap between retreats and online classes 17:41 An idea to repurpose Laura’s membership to support retreat participants 18:42 How to create consistency with a constantly changing schedule 22:11 How to leverage moments of inspiration 22:42 Final Thoughts and Future Plans   EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Laura Lakshmi Follow Laura on Instagram @yogawithlauralakshmi   LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe