99: Todd Norian on Tantra Yoga and Spiritual Awakening

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

Whenever people ask me what studio to check out in Austin, Texas, I always recommend Practice Yoga on the East side. Rey Cardenas is the co-founder of Practice which recently celebrated it's 10 year anniversary. If you follow Rey or Practice on Instagram, you'll see he shares a lot about a unique take on philosophy from Rudolf Steiner, that I haven't seen from other yoga teachers. We talk about: - Rey's journey of co-founding a yoga studio in Austin, Texas, after facing challenges with his previous teaching position. Rey shared his experience of transitioning from being a professional poker player to becoming a yoga teacher and the process of finding a location for his studio. - The process of opening a yoga studio, including finding a vacant building, partnering with someone who had complementary skills, utilizing social media marketing, creating memes(!) and choosing a donation-based model. - Rey's process of finding a more balanced approach to yoga philosophy, moving away from an indulgent sort of philosophy towards a more grounded perspective that Rey found in Rudolf Steiner's work. - How to integrate different perspectives and practices into yoga teachings. They also explored the connection between Western and Eastern spirituality and the importance of awakening the chakras. - Rey gives a great introduction to the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, including his embodiment system, and the importance of the thought realm in human freedom. They also discussed how these concepts can be integrated into yoga and are integrated into the teacher trainings at Practice Yoga in Austin. Rey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reys_awareness/ Practice Yoga on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practiceyogaaustin/ Practice Yoga website and YTTs: https://practiceyogaaustin.com/ ------------ If you enjoy this podcast leave a review and share with a friend Join the waitlist for the next Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

Diana Hernandez is an international actress, TV host, and content creator with a highly successful and engaged Instagram audience. I met Diana while she was traveling through Oaxaca, Mexico and thought she would be a great guest to have on the podcast to talk about social media marketing and building an authentic online business. In this episode we talk about: Diana's decision to create a free masterclass on teaching influencers to make money online after receiving numerous inquiries from friends and followers about how to get brand deals and travel for free. Diana shares her journey of transitioning from a TV host to building her own social media presence and becoming her own boss. She emphasizes the importance of defining a niche, creating a media kit, collaborating with influencers, and the misconception that a large number of followers is necessary to make a full-time income on social media. How Diana was able to create high-quality content for her YouTube channel using just her iPhone. Diana discusses her Instagram page and the editing programs she uses, as well as her free masterclass where she teaches people how to make $10,000 a month online. Diana discusses camera confidence, storytelling, creating a home studio, monetization, and technology needed to run an online business. She also emphasizes the importance of authenticity, consistency, engagement, and careful selection of brand deals for influencers. The importance of authenticity in yoga teaching and content creation. They also talk about the need to choose sponsorships and partnerships that align with one's values and interests to maintain authenticity and avoid losing followers. How Diana manages her time and energy as an influencer and content creator. Diana shared that she stopped saying yes to events and collaborations that didn't align with her brand, set boundaries, and prioritized her career, while still allowing herself to have fun on the weekends. ------------ If you enjoy this podcast leave a review and share with a friend Join the waitlist for the next Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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: 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, yoga teacher training, ytt.

Kate Lombardo's influence as a yoga instructor spans the globe, touching tens of thousands of students internationally. For almost a decade, Kate has been teaching and leading training programs through her award-winning yoga studios before expanding virtually through YogaRenew-- the world's leading online yoga teacher training program. She is an expert in vinyasa yoga sequencing and balances that with teaching yin classes, plus she can talk about the business of yoga all day long. She answers to many titles-- Yoga Director, CEO, CMO, Speak, Leader, Writer-- but most importantly... Mama. Kate primarily teaches online and in Hoboken, NJ where she lives with her husband and two children. 0:00 Kate and Jeremy had a conversation about Kate's role as the Yoga Director and CMO of Yoga Renew, an online Yoga Teacher training program. They discussed Kate's expertise in sequencing and helping yoga teachers with their business, as well as the opportunities and shifts in the yoga industry due to the pandemic. 5:03: Kate and Jeremy discussed the growth and reimagining of yoga teacher training and teaching, with Kate expressing her opinion that there is still room for more yoga teachers and trainings worldwide, especially in areas where yoga is not yet accessible. They also talked about the evolution of the path for new teachers, highlighting the importance of social media and online platforms in connecting with potential students and growing as a teacher. 9:46 Kate and Jeremy discuss the importance of using social media, specifically Instagram, to connect with people and build relationships in the yoga community. They emphasize the value of authenticity, serving others, and focusing on relationship building rather than solely on follower count or algorithm tricks. 14:21 Jeremy and Kate discussed the importance of authenticity and real connections on social media and in online courses. They also advised starting with organic marketing before investing in paid advertising to ensure that the audience is interested and engaged. 19:27 Kate and Jeremy discuss the effectiveness of running ads for free offerings rather than paid products. They emphasize the importance of building relationships through email marketing and learning about business in order to create a successful career as a yoga teacher. 23:52 Kate and Jeremy discussed the process of transitioning to full-time yoga teaching. They emphasized the importance of having a realistic understanding of financial needs, starting with a side job, gradually building up teaching opportunities, and acquiring business skills to eventually make the shift to teaching yoga full-time. 28:09 Kate and Jeremy discuss the importance of finding one's area of expertise as a yoga teacher and the value of deepening knowledge and experience in that specific area. They emphasize the need to teach what one has personally embodied and caution against teaching topics or poses that one has not fully experienced or understood. 36:26 Jeremy and Kate discussed the importance of being knowledgeable in certain areas as yoga teachers, while also acknowledging their limitations and being willing to seek help and resources when needed. They also expressed their interest in exploring new topics such as sequencing and sound healing, and the potential for collaboration and teamwork in their yoga businesses. - If you enjoy this podcast leave a review and share with a friend - Join the waitlist for the next Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Practice with me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow me on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/quietmind.yoga⁠⁠ - Follow my work in Vedic Astrology at http://www.quietmindastrology.com Keywords: 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

Kristine Weber, MA, C-IAYT, eRYT500 is a leading world authority on the neuroscientific benefits of slow, mindful movement and an advocate for the use of these practices as a solution to the healthcare crisis. She is leading the charge to get slow, mindful practices to people who desperately need them through her Subtle® Yoga Revolution series of online courses and trainings for yoga teachers – which have been praised by thousands all over the world. She recently wrote a great article in response to Dr Andrew Huberman and his Huberman Labs podcast. I invited her on to chat about it. Here's how her blog starts: “Dr. Huberman I’d love to talk to you about this [breathing] as a yoga therapist and armchair neuroscience geek who has spent more than a decade curating the research. I love your work and I realize scientific inquiry is by its very nature reductive. But you have taken an intricate and sophisticated ancient system that confers self-regulation – ethics + asana + pranayama + meditation – and reduced it to “box breathing” here. This is deeply problematic for a number of reasons. Self-regulation via yoga practices is basically achieved in four steps..." Read her blog here: ⁠https://subtleyoga.com/dear-dr-huberman/⁠ We discuss this in depth in this episode. 7:30 Jeremy and Kristine discussed the reductive default of defining yoga as solely physical postures (asana) and emphasized the importance of incorporating the ethical principles (yamas and niyamas) of yoga for self-regulation and moral cognition. They expressed interest in exploring the intersection of neuroscience and these ethical concepts in future conversations 16:08 Jeremy and Kristine discussed the importance of practicing the principles of yoga in a progressive manner, even though they don't have to be followed strictly in order. They also touched on the benefits of memorizing and teaching the yamas and niyamas, as well as the potential energetic and physiological effects of yoga postures beyond just stretching and strengthening. 26:30 Kristine and Jeremy discussed the emerging scientific understanding of the biofield and its connection to the subtle body in yoga. They explored research on the morphogenic field, physical correlates of the chakras, and the potential for deeper understanding of the mind-body connection through studying the biofield. 35:18 Kristine and Jeremy discuss the potential intersection of science, quantum physics, and the biofield in relation to yoga and meditation. They emphasize the importance of respecting the rich tradition of yoga and its vastness, while cautioning against oversimplifying practices like pranayama. 43:18 Jeremy and Kristine discussed the importance of understanding that not every breathing practice is suitable for everyone, as our breath is influenced by our personal history and survival patterns. They also emphasized the need for repetition over time to bring about lasting changes in traits and the importance of exploring and studying Pranayama for a deeper understanding of breathwork. Enjoy! - If you enjoy this podcast leave a review and share with a friend - Join the waitlist for the next Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Practice with me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Follow me on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/quietmind.yoga⁠⁠⁠ - Follow my work in Vedic Astrology, including weekly horoscopes at ⁠http://www.quietmindastrology.com⁠ Keywords: 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, yoga teacher training, ytt. 

Thank you for supporting 4 years and 100 episodes of the Yoga Teacher Training podcast! In this episode I share some of my most popular lessons from episodes 1 - 100 including; How I've seen yoga classes change and evolve in recent years The most essential lessons about yoga anatomy How to work with imposter syndrome How to build a consistent practice and avoid burnout as a teacher How to apply the yamas & niyamas to your life Why cueing is the most essential skill in modern online yoga Have a favorite episode? Let me know in the comments on Instagram @quietmind.yoga So grateful to all the amazing people I've met through this podcast and excited for the next 100 episodes! ------------ - If you enjoy this podcast leave a review and share with a friend - Join the waitlist for the next Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Practice with me at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga⁠⁠⁠ - Follow me on Instagram at ⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/quietmind.yoga⁠ Keywords: tantra, spirituality, ashaya, 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, yoga teacher training, ytt. 

Todd Norian is an international yoga teacher with 40+ years of experience. By steadfastly following his heart, Todd has lived an uncommon life: living like a monk for 13 years at the then-ashram Kripalu in Massachusetts; having an intense spiritual awakening that landed him for a brief stay in a psychiatric hospital; and overcoming the heartbreak of being spiritually betrayed by beloved teachers -- not once, but twice. We talk about the symbolism and philosphy of Tantra yoga and how to apply these powerful teachings to your life. Here are some of the topics we covered: - The deep symbolism of the Shiva Naturaja dance and those dancing Shiva statues we see so commonly in yoga and spiritual communities - The renunciate path and how it differs from the non-dual Shiva Shakta Tantra path. - The differences between classical yoga and Tantra, - How Tantra teaches to embrace life and see nature as an extension of spirit. - The paradox of non-duality and duality in the Advaita and Tantra traditions. - Todd shares about his spiritual awakening while living at an ashram. - Todd shares what it was like to experience scandal and betrayal, leading him to develop his own form of yoga that integrates body, mind, and heart. - - The importance of recognizing limitations as a path to liberation - The role of desire in Tantra, and how to discover what the heart most deeply desires. - How to integrate both the light and dark aspects of life through spiritual practice. To learn more about Todd and work with him, visit https://www.ashayayoga.com/ To purchase his book, Tantra Yoga : Journey to Unbreakable Wholeness, go to: https://amzn.to/3qXPnDV ------------ - If you enjoy this podcast leave a review and share with a friend - Join the waitlist for the next Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠⁠⁠ - Practice with me at ⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga⁠⁠ - Follow me on Instagram at ⁠http://www.instagram.com/quietmind.yoga Keywords: tantra, spirituality, ashaya, 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, yoga teacher training, ytt. 

Susan Marrufo has been a yoga certified instructor since 2009, when she received her first 500-hour certification in Thailand after studying the classical yogic scriptures and esoteric tantric philosophy. Susan has since completed a residential internship with the Kripalu School of Yoga, where she taught in and project managed several Kripalu yoga teacher trainings as well as received her 2nd 500-hr teacher training certification from the Kripalu School of Yoga. She is now living in Guatemala and is the founder of the Samarasa Center. Learn more about Susan and her offerings, including Yoga, Sex & Death at https://www.samarasacenter.com/ --- If you enjoy this podcast leave a review and share with a friend! Join the waitlist for the next Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at ⁠⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠⁠ Practice with me at ⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga⁠ Follow me on Instagram at ⁠http://www.instagram.com/quietmind.yoga⁠ Keywords: 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, yoga teacher training, ytt. 

Sarah Hannala is a trauma-informed Bhakti Yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, Sound healer, Writer, Creative and Mental health advocate. She is currently based in Los Angeles, California. Devoted to the yogic path of Bhakti (love and devotion), Sarah strives to inspire others to use the path of devotion to connect deeper with their divine higher power and in turn, fall in love with themselves, others and the world itself. She is dedicated to supporting others in their healing journeys by offering an array of healing modalities that have supported her personal experience with addiction, mental health issues and navigating trauma. Follow Sarah at https://www.instagram.com/sarahhannala --- If you enjoy this podcast leave a review and share with a friend! Join the waitlist for the next Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training at ⁠http://www.quietmind.yoga/ytt⁠ Practice with me at http://www.quietmind.yoga Follow me on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/quietmind.yoga Keywords: 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, yoga teacher training, ytt. 

Yogi Aaron shares decades of experience and a unique approach to yoga that emphasizes activating muscles rather than passive stretching. Lots of great discussion and insights here! Check out his most recent book "Stop Stretching!" to learn more. Click here to join the waitlist for the next Quietmind Yoga Teacher Training. Thanks for listening! Jeremy