227 - The Challenges and Rewards of Studio Ownership w/Steph Alston

Missy Bunch, a neurology expert and movement teacher to the pros, joins us today and I'm so excited! This is a juicy and vulnerable conversation and we talk so many things, from motherhood and movement science to business and making dreams come true.Some of today's takeaways:How authenticity and vulnerability on social media helps to connect on a human level with others and invite successExpansion doesn't always happen in the way we expect or choose, but it's important to say yes to opportunities and trust that everything will work out.Having limited time can actually increase productivity and focus. Balancing work and parenting requires communication, trial and error, and adaptation.Women claiming themselves and stepping into their power can have a profound impact on the world.Balancing motherhood and running a business requires prioritization and being present in the moment.Eye movements in yoga practice can stimulate the brain and improve brain health.Incorporating eye exercises into yoga classes can enhance the students' experience and promote brain-body connection.Yoga teachers can experiment with different eye movements and positions to engage different parts of the brain and enhance proprioception.Connect with Missy on InstagramChapters00:00 Introduction and the Importance of Authenticity on Social Media08:08 Childhood Dreams and Embracing New Opportunities27:57 Navigating Expansion and Growth36:00 The Unexpected Process of Expansion44:34 The Power of Women Claiming Themselves52:39 Balancing Motherhood and Business01:03:31 Productivity in Limited Time01:13:14 Balancing Work and Parenting01:31:00 The Connection Between Eye Movements and Brain Health in Yoga01:46:27 Experimenting with Eye Movements to Improve ProprioceptionWeekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email ([email protected]), WebsiteListen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting. Produced by: Grey Tanner

It's often said in yoga classes that emotions are stored in our hips. It's offered as a statement but today, I want to offer it as a question to explore. TakeawaysEmotions are not necessarily stored in our hips; they are part of our overall human experience.We are more than one thing, and our emotions can be felt in various parts of our body.The hips are connected to the chakra system, representing safety, security, creativity, and expression.Pain, pleasure, and discomfort are subjective experiences that vary from person to person.Yoga practice can help us build a relationship with our bodies and explore different sensations and emotions.Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email ([email protected]), WebsiteListen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting. Produced by: Grey Tanner

In this conversation with longtime yoga and movement teacher Carling Harps,  we explore the value of observation and experimentation in teaching, managing imposter syndrome, the transformative power of becoming a parent, and her multidisciplinary movement journey. We also dive into the power of curiosity, embracing vulnerability, and asking for what you need in a relationship, and the joy of rediscovering oneself after a breakup. Follow Carling on InstagramWeekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email ([email protected]), WebsiteListen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting. Produced by: Grey Tanner

Today I share my newfound appreciation for anger and the importance of allowing it to flow through me. Recently, a beloved tree next to my house was cut down and it evoked some intense emotions. Through the experience, I came to understand the power of expressing anger and grief without apology and the value of having a witness who can hold space for these emotions. I share reflections on the process of embracing anger, alchemizing it into beauty, finding poetry in difficult experiences, and allowing anger to guide your growth and self-discovery.Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email ([email protected]), WebsiteListen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting. Produced by: Grey Tanner

Sales copywriter Kaili Meyer of Reveal Studio Co. is all about owning her voice. She joins us today and we go deep on business, authenticity, and writing to sell.  Some episode highlights:  - Why showing up as yourself is the way to magnetize clients - Five things to do when starting a new business - The four buyer types to understand- How writing and copywriting differ and why we need both - How to prevent burnout as an online business owner - The place all women should be investing money  - and so much more!Check out Kaili's Instagram and website.Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email ([email protected]), WebsiteListen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting. Produced by: Grey Tanner

I love watching women claim themselves. The process. The unfurling. The courage.  Today I'm fired about it.Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email ([email protected]), WebsiteListen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting. Produced by: Grey Tanner

Jamie Heron, a movement teacher and personal friend, joins us. We laugh a lot, and we talk about authenticity, taking up space, and challenging societal expectations as forms of resistance and empowered development. We explore how movement practices are interconnected and why it can be empowering to move beyond identifying with certain labels and dogmas, to create freedom for exploring their essences and the relationships they invite us to explore. We also talk community building, fashion and personal style, and fear and process as a natural part of growth.Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email ([email protected]), WebsiteListen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting. Produced by: Grey Tanner

Steph Alston joins for the first episode in a new series dedicated to yoga studio ownership. We're here to offer support to current and prospective owners and fill in some of the gaps in the larger conversation about not just studio ownership but the entrepreneurial life.Some of what we explore: The importance of knowing your whyPractical advice and seeking guidance from mentors, lawyers, and others Understanding and living your values as a business ownerRecognizing and addressing your weaknessesConfidence, overcoming self-doubt, and leaning into discomfortIf you'd like to do the Brene Brown's Dare to Lead Values exercise that we talk about in episode, click here.Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email ([email protected]), WebsiteListen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting. Produced by: Grey Tanner

In this episode, we explore the difference between vinyasa and power vinyasa yoga.  I share my personal definitions of vinyasa and power and how I teach them as well as some community comments and definitions shared in a recent conversation on my Instagram. We also talk about the lack of standardization in the industry; the importance of clear language in class descriptions and marketing; the origins of power yoga and how it has evolved; and how definitions and practices may vary across groups.  Links to a few things mentioned in the episode: To practice with me online, visit Studio B.To participate in Flow School, click here for IRL or here for online.Content correction: in the episode, I said that in 1940 women couldn't own property. That's incorrect; by 1900, that right had been granted by all US states, but it wasn't until the mid-1970s that women could apply independently for credit lines (i.e. without a male cosigner).  If you find the gender aspects of the conversation interesting, consider reading this article about yoga pioneer Magana Baptiste. Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email ([email protected]), WebsiteListen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting. Produced by: Grey Tanner

Today we talk the messy middle of life and the importance of acknowledging the challenges and losses we face. About the need for teachers to recognize that everyone is navigating their own internal landscape and to approach their students with empathy and understanding. I also share my approach to teaching handstands in a yoga flow, with focus on creating a sense of success and expansion for students. We talk about what it means to be brave and curious in our teaching journeys. I share a bit about the importance of mentorship and why I've been leaning into that space. If you'd like to learn more, visit my website.Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email ([email protected]), WebsiteListen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting. Produced by: Grey Tanner