5 Lessons from 15 Years of Retreats

This week I’m speaking with the insightful and inspiring Heather Mason. Heather is the founder of both The Minded Institute and the Yoga in Health Care Alliance. She holds master’s degrees in Buddhist Studies, in Psychotherapy, Medical Physiology, and has extensive training in Neuroscience. Heather has been teaching yoga since 2001 and has specialized in the use of yoga therapy for mental health populations since 2007. Actively focused on the integration of yoga into healthcare, in 2018 Heather helped create an All-Party Parliamentary Group, “Yoga in Society”. Heather has also co-authored “Yoga and Mental Health” and “Yoga on Prescription”. In 2023 Heather and co-director Elaine Collins developed the first yoga therapy psychotherapy course in the world. Learn more about Heather’s work here: https://themindedinstitute.com/ and here: https://www.yogainhealthcarealliance.com/If you’re interested in joining the Keep Growing Mastemrind and getting 2 extra months at no charge, DM me on Insta. Learn more about the Mastermind here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/keepgrowingSupport the show by making a monthly $5 contribution here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

There’s no new episode on the main feed this week, but I’ve got a long listen over on Patreon for you! It features an interview I did with an author back in 2017. And I need your feedback to formulate Part 2… Which camp are you in when it comes to this text? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!If you’re interested in joining the Keep Growing Mastemrind and getting 2 extra months at no charge, DM me on Insta. Learn more about the Mastermind here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/keepgrowingSupport the show by making a monthly $5 contribution here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Patanjali lists 9 disturbances or Antarayas that can take us out of practice and Yoga. Today I’m addressing the 3 I think can be most problematic for Yoga Teachers when it comes to the business part of what it is that we do and suggesting my. own personal strategy for overcoming them.If you’re interested in joining the Keep Growing Mastemrind and getting 2 extra months at no charge, DM me on Insta. Learn more about the Mastermind here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/keepgrowingSupport the show by making a monthly $5 contribution here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonaldnths at no charge, DM me on Insta.Support the show by making a monthly $5 contribution here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

I’ve been experimenting with filming my own practice over the past few months and I’ve got some really useful insights to share. NOTE: filming your practice must not come at the expense of you being present and doing your Yoga for YOU. This is not about changing, modifying or performing for the camera. It IS about using something you’re already doing in 4 new ways. Enjoy!If you’re interested in joining the KGM and getting 2 extra months at no charge, DM me on Insta.Support the show by making a monthly $5 contribution here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

This week I’m trying something new: I’m unpacking an email exchange from my own Yoga business and drawing 2 tips out for you on how to better handle snarky customer service requests. Let me know what you think about this, and whether case studies should be a repeat event. Also diversions into Jay Shetty, becoming a monk and me accidentally hitting Ana Forrest in the face. Enjoy!The Abundant Yoga Teacher Retreat 2025 is now open for registrations! And this will be THE VERY LAST ONE. Learn more here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/retreatsSupport the show by making a monthly $5 contribution here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

After teaching my Retreat for 15 years I’ve learned A LOT. This week I’m sharing 5 of the top lessons (spoiler: I only got through 3…) along with some stories and wild tangents. I know, shocker!The Abundant Yoga Teacher Retreat 2025 is now open for registrations! And this will be THE VERY LAST ONE. Learn more here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/retreatsSupport the show by making a monthly $5 contribution here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

This week on the show I am speaking with special guest Amy Ippoliti. Amy is the co-author of The Art & Business of Teaching Yoga and cofounder of Vesselify (formerly 90 Monkeys), an online resource for yoga professionals. Amy teaches on YogaInternational.com and has been a presenter at the Omega Institute, Esalen, and Kripalu, as well as the Telluride Yoga Festival and Hanuman Festival.visit her online at www.amyippoliti.com and www.vesselify.com. Here’s the link to the book’s product page on Amazon: https://a.co/d/cxSQzJN The Abundant Yoga Teacher Retreat 2025 is now open for registrations! And this will be THE VERY LAST ONE. Learn more here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/retreatsSupport the show by making a monthly $5 contribution here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

The Abundant Yoga Teacher Retreat 2025 is now open for registrations! And this will be THE VERY LAST ONE. Learn more here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/retreatsThis week I’m challenging you to look for where the token has become the main thing. Where are you confusing the symbol for the real work? What is actually a token rather than an effective action? In this episode I’m asking you to spot Saṃketa in business so you can ensure you’re getting the real benefit from the work you’re doing!Support the show by making a monthly $5 contribution here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonaldREFERENCESDass, Ram (2004) Paths to God: Living the Bhagavad Gita, Three Rivers Press, New YorkWallis, Christopher, D (2023) Near Enemies of the Truth: Avoid the Pitfalls of the Spiritual Life and Become Radically Free, Wonderwell, Los Angeles

Today I’m speaking with long-term client, Danae Robinett about all things Yoga Retreats. Danae earned her BFA from Arizona State University in Dance; she continues to dance, choreograph and perform. Practicing yoga since 1999, teaching now for 19 years, she started leading retreats in 2012. She's been on faculty at San Francisco State University since 2015. Danae has taught at several corporate settings, universities, retreats - and one Superbowl. A nurturer by nature. She's highly-skilled at providing adaptations where all abilities are honored and challenged. Her classes are warm, welcoming and precise. We talk about how to get started with retreats, how to take care of yourself on retreat and how to manage the curly situations that may arise while you’re away!Follow Danae on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/danaerobinett/Check out her GORGEOUS Sante Fe Retreat here: https://www.danaerobinett.com/retreatDM on Instagram me if you want to be on the advance notice list for the FINAL Abundant Yoga Teacher Retreat in January 2025 @amyyogabizcochSupport the show by making a monthly $5 contribution here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

No new episode in the main feed this week, but here is a teaser from the Patreon-only catalogue. I’m revisiting Sharon Gannon’s book, ‘Yoga and Vegetarianism’ from 2008, including some reflections on my time at the Manhattan studio. We’ll also chat through the book and how I’m feeling different these days on my attitude towards her argumment.Listen to the entire episode and loads of others by becoming a supporter of the show over on Patreon. Here’s the link to sign up: patreon.com/AmyMcDonald