Mantra Myths & Misconceptions: Community Conversations with Rashmi Bismark and Steph Wall

Yoga is often perceived as a recovery tool for athletes, but that barely scratches the surface of what yoga can offer active people.  In this episode, hosts Tiffany and Rachel explore the many roles yoga can play in athletic cross-training. They discuss how yoga can be used to not only maintain range of motion and provide tools for nervous system recovery, but also to balance repetitive movement patterns and support overall performance. Listen in to learn how cross-training with yoga supports longevity—not just in sports, but in life. Whether you're a runner, cyclist, desk worker, recreational athlete, or parent, incorporating yoga can help you move better, recover more effectively, and continue doing the activities you love for years to come. "As humans, we want to be able to live the full expression of our lives… it really is about optimizing how we feel and function in our lives." — Tiffany Cruikshank. — What You'll Learn: Cross training: the big picture [1:38] How yoga can help [7:23] Cross training and injury reduction [10.51] Sequencing a cross training yoga practice: Breath work, body awareness, isometrics, MFR [12:25] Finding the right level & type of challenge [15:11] Mobility work [16:39] Nervous system regulation [17:45] Active recovery [18:11] Myriad yoga techniques to draw from [19:32] The goals of yoga for cross training: Maintaining mobility and ROM [21:10]
 Support performance and muscular balance, provide variety [21:58]
 Nervous system support, rest, and recovery [24:18]
 Be flexible when teaching yoga cross training classes [26:16]
 The central goal of cross training: longevity of sport and long-term functionality in life [28:30 Key factors to keep in mind [37:28]
 The Yoga Medicine Yoga for Athletes Training [41:50]
 — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube  Yoga Medicine Yoga for Athletes Teacher Training — Learn More: Find the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-162. Learn more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Mantra — the sacred sound of yoga — is, for many students and teachers, shrouded in mystery. In this episode, yoga teachers Dr. Rashmi Bismark and Steph Wall join host Rachel Land to unpack the myths, misconceptions, and cultural questions surrounding mantra in modern yoga practice.  Together, they explore whether the practice of mantra is religious, the importance of correct pronunciation, and how teachers can introduce sacred sound into Western yoga classes without alienating students. Listen in to learn why chanting in community might be one of the most powerful nervous system anchors available. "It's not performative. It's an expression of something bigger." — Steph Wall. — What You'll Learn: Is mantra religious? [5:04]
 Does perfect pronunciation matter? [9:10]
 The roles of mantra in western classes [13:40] Do you need an empty mind for mantra to "work"? [16:35]
 Fear of "singing in public" [20:00] Mantra vs. affirmations [25:59]
 Is westernizing mantra cultural appropriation? [27:59]
 How to introduce mantra respectfully [32:13] Yoga Medicine 20-Hour Mantra Immersion [35:31] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube  20-hour Mantra Immersion with Yoga Medicine at the Kali Collective (Glasgow, May 29–31) Yoga Medicine Yin & Meditation Yoga Teacher Training  Podcast Episode 06: The Power of Mindfulness  Podcast Episode 21: South Asian Teacher Panel  Podcast Episode 72: Counter Compassion Fatigue Podcast Episode 59: Explore the Dark Side Podcast Episode 94: Magic of Mythology Connect with Dr. Rashmi Bismark: Facebook | Instagram | Rashmi Bismark MD | X | YMO Guest Teacher Connect with Steph Wall: Facebook | Instagram | Kali Collective Instagram | YMO Guest Teacher — Learn More: Find the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-161. Learn more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Some aspects of yoga practice feel more mysterious and opaque than others, which can make them intimidating to teach and practice. For many, Yoga Nidra is one such technique. In this short excerpt from the previous episode, Yoga Nidra: Community Conversations with Caroline Wybar, Caroline shares two perceived Yoga Nidra "rules" that are well worth breaking to open up its benefits to a wider range of students. You can also join Caroline and Dr. Katja Bartsch from March 30 to dive deep into the what, why, and how of Yoga Nidra in their upcoming 20-hour Yoga Nidra Online Teacher Training. — Show Notes: Is Yoga Nidra an ancient practice? [2:58] Does "authentic" Yoga Nidra require a set sequence of techniques? [8:13] Can Yoga Nidra replace sleep? [12:09] Must Yoga Nidra be done in Savasana? [14:59] Can Yoga Nidra cultivate Delta brain waves? [17:06] Yoga Nidra frees us from the pressures of time [20:47] How Caroline found her way to Yoga Nidra [28:03] Challenges for Yoga Nidra students [34:34] Who is Yoga Nidra for, and not for? [38:31] Teaching Yoga Nidra: script or no script? [42:06] Teaching Yoga Nidra: leaving space for silence [49:03] Upcoming Yoga Medicine Yoga Nidra training live online [50:32] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Yoga Nidra Teacher Training Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 136: Yoga Nidra: Community Conversations with Caroline Wybar Connect with Caroline Wybar: Facebook | Instagram | Caroline Wybar Yoga | YMO Guest Teacher — Learn More: Find the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-160. Learn more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

For years now, host Katja has been studying contraindications for foam rolling research, and today she sits down with Tiffany to discuss if new foam rolling research is reaching users in a practical way. In this episode, we discuss Katja's latest research project as well as recent findings and their implications for the yoga world. Listen in to learn which findings were most surprising and how yoga teachers can apply new foam rolling research in their classes and practice.  "We are always using, not only the research...but then also pulling in our gut and our experience and what is realistically attainable." - Tiffany Cruikshank. — What You'll Learn: Background on Katja's new research [1:27] In which context foam rolling is applied in practice [13:00] Foam rolling durations [15:14] How often is foam rolling recommended [23:40] Tools for foam rolling [31:13] Recent research on vibration foam rollers [38:04] Surprising findings [42:35] Practicality of collecting data [54:26] Info from non-users [1:08:14] Final takeaways [1:10:58] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Online Myofascial Release Training Connect with Katja Bartsch: Facebook | Instagram | Kalamana Yoga | YMO Guest Teacher — Learn More: Find the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-159. Learn more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Yoga Teacher Training is such an involved and immersive process that many teachers forget to consider what they'll do when it ends. This final episode in our bonus 200-hour yoga teacher training series includes two short excerpts from Episode 103: Teacher Training Myths with Yoga Medicine 200-hour lead teacher Dana Diament. In this episode, Dana and host Rachel share what you will -- and won't know -- after teacher training. They discuss how teaching opportunities are more widespread than ever, and how to capitalize on your unique skills and experiences to find your feet as a teacher. — Show Notes: The work doesn't end when 200hr teacher training does [2:01] What you will and won't know after yoga teacher training [4:04] Translating your personal experience for students [6:18] Teach immediately after 200hr teacher training [7:18] New teaching locations and populations [8:48] Full-time, part-time, or something else [11:25] Final thoughts [12:15] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Yoga Medicine® 200HR Yoga Teacher Training Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 103: Teacher Training Myths You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-158. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

In a time of what feels like unprecedented change, the yoga landscape is shifting profoundly. It's a great opportunity for host Rachel Land to connect with other full-time yoga teachers—returning guests Caroline Wybar, Elena Cheung and Kylie Rook—to hear their thoughts. In this wide-reaching and philosophical discussion, we share what life as a teacher looks like right now, what has changed in the recent past, and what challenges and opportunities might lie ahead. Listen in to hear about online fatigue, chasing the hustle, the challenge of work-life balance, diversification for long-term sustainability, and our advice for new teachers. — Show Notes: Current teaching schedules [3:35] Why to diversify your offerings [7:41] Post-pandemic changes for yoga teachers [8:38] Myriad options: for better and for worse [12:35] Making a good living versus making a good life [16:13] Challenges: online fatigue, cultural stress, changing markets and demographics [23:33] Future opportunities [32:02] Closing thoughts for other teachers [43:50] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Connect with Caroline Wybar: Facebook | Instagram | Caroline Wybar Yoga | YMO Guest Teacher LIVE Online Yoga Nidra Teacher Training Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 68: Approaches for Anxiety Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 136: Yoga Nidra Connect with Elena Cheung: Instagram | Elena Shapeshifts | YMO Guest Teacher The Art of Teaching Impactful Group Classes Online Course Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 74: Yoga for All Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 141: Pitfalls of Private Yoga (And How to Avoid Them) Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 153: Integrity Beyond the Metrics Connect with Kylie Rook: Facebook | Instagram | Into Being | YMO Guest Teacher Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 66: Beginner's Mind You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-157. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

Do you need teaching experience, extreme flexibility, or deep knowledge of philosophy and anatomy to get the most out of yoga teacher training? In this short clip from Episode 127: Your Teacher Training Questions Answered, host Rachel and fellow teacher trainer Dana Diament share what they do—and just as crucially, don't—consider to be key prerequisites for yoga teacher training. They also share details of the Yoga Medicine Online 200-hour Teacher Training 2026 intake, which is open for registration right now. — Show Notes: The importance of personal practice [02:29] Time to commit to yoga teacher training [04:59] A deep interest in yoga is key [06:34] What skills and qualities AREN'T required before teacher training? [09:34] How to prepare for YTT [10:39] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Yoga Medicine® 200HR Yoga Teacher Training Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 127: Your 200hr TT Questions Answered: Community Conversations with Dana Diament — Learn More: You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-156. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes, or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

For us to know where we are headed, it is crucial to understand where we came from and how we got here today. To that end, host Rachel Land and returning guest Firdose Moonda MA, spend today's episode discussing yoga's history, examining aspects of that history that are often overlooked. They dive into the challenge of balancing respect for the ancient traditions of yoga with the techniques that are most relevant to modern students, and debate whether teachers need to reference yoga's history in every class they teach. Listen in to learn why yoga history matters, what might be missing from your understanding of it, and what questions to ponder as we all take part in creating the yoga history of the future. — Show Notes: Does yoga's history matter? [2:15] Pros and cons of teaching ancient yoga history [7:38] What is missing from the yoga history commonly taught? [12:05] Western influence on yoga [14:54] The delicate balance of respect and relevance [19:58] Critical missing components of yoga history [25:54] The modern intermingling of yoga and wellness [30:31] Should we always incorporate yoga history in teaching? [35:48] Wrap up and questions to ponder [37:33] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube LIVE Online The History of Yoga Teacher Training Previous Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episodes: 100: Yoga, Politics & History: Expert Insights with Firdose Moonda MA 114: Yoga & Religion: Expert Insights with Firdose Moonda MA Yoga Medicine® Book Club Connect with Firdose Moonda, MA: Firdose Moonda | Instagram | YMO Guest Teacher — Learn more: You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-155. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes, or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, host Rachel Land revisits topics as varied as managing our behavior during the holidays, how much to depend on technology when it comes to our health, the underestimated power of interoception, signs of undiagnosed autoimmune disorder, common symptoms pre- peri- and post-menopause, practicing in support of Rheumatoid Arthritis pain flare-ups, ADHD or recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury, and key challenges facing yoga teachers today.  Listen in to this episode to hear some of the gems you might have missed during the year. — Show Notes: Changing deep-seated patterns around the holidays [01:07] Recent research: female sex hormones and inflammation [5:42] Common symptom clusters during pre- peri- and post-menopause [12:15] Red flags suggesting undiagnosed autoimmune disorder [17:28] Is wellness a personal responsibility? [21:28] Navigating new wellness technology [25:33] Yoga practice during Rheumatoid Arthritis pain flare-ups [30:39] Interoception as a learned skill [36:11] Rebuilding body awareness after Traumatic Brain Injury [42:12] Teaching cues: balancing clarity with personal choice [44:46] Repeated and predictable movement for ADHD [50:25] Creating a sustainable teaching schedule [54:10] Shifting cultural and commercial pressures for yoga teachers [1:00:32] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Episode 130: When Should You NOT Teach? Teacher's Series  Episode 132: Interoception Research & Yoga: Expert Insights with Valerie Knopik, PhD  Episode 133: Yoga & Rheumatoid Arthritis: Expert Insights with Dr. Nikki Tugnet, FRACP  Episode 134: ADHD & Yoga: Community Conversations with Emily Mariola Episode 135: Yoga as Personalized Medicine  Episode 137: Funk'tional Nutrition with Erin Holt  Episode 139: Experiencing Menopause: Research Roundup  Episode 142: Female Hormones, Immune System, & Exercise: Research Roundup Episode 144: The Power of Language: Teachers' Series  Episode 146: Hustle Culture Meets Wellness Sphere  Episode 147: LoveYourBrain: Expert Insights on TBI with Kyla Pearce, MPH, PhD, CBIS, E-RYT  You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-154. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

As we close out the year, how do we, as yoga teachers, gauge our progress? How can we assess our success? Today, host Rachel and returning guest Elena Cheung share their answers to these questions. We discuss why one-dimensional metrics like ratings, reviews, student numbers, online likes, and follows are so appealing, as well as the complexities of teaching that they fail to capture. Listen to this episode to learn how to balance your interests and values with the needs of your students, and how to meaningfully reflect on your work as a yoga teacher. — Show Notes: Complexities that ratings & reviews don't express [3:32] From "teacher knows best" to "the customer is always right"? [10:20] Navigating changing student tastes with integrity [13:06] The space that teaching experience creates around feedback [21:46] Why "objective" metrics appeal, and what they miss [26:12] How to gauge success as a yoga teacher [33:05] Final takeaways [47:27] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Previous Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episodes: 74: Yoga for All 141: Pitfalls of Private Yoga (and How to Avoid Them) The Art of Teaching Impactful Group Classes Online Course Connect with Elena Cheung: Instagram | Elena Shapeshifts | The Way Softness Moves | Yoga Medicine® Online Guest Teacher You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-153. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.