Yoga Medicine

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.
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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]
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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

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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.
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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]
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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
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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.
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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]
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Links Mentioned:
Watch this episode on YouTube
Online Myofascial Release Training
Connect with Katja Bartsch: Facebook | Instagram | Kalamana Yoga | YMO Guest Teacher
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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.
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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]
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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.
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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]
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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.