A major barrier for many people interested in yoga teacher training is the assumption that it is only for certain kinds of people—whether that's deep and spiritual, energetic and outgoing, irresistibly charismatic, or highly skilled at yoga postures.

In this short excerpt from Episode 103, Teacher Training Myths, host Rachel and fellow teacher trainer Dana Diament share that the truth is that teaching yoga is as much about holding space for students to be themselves as it is about instructing yoga poses and practices.

They also share details of the Yoga Medicine Online 200-hour Teacher Training 2026 intake and a deep discount available right now.

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• Myths about who YTT is for [2:12]
• Find your own voice, range, and teaching style [4:12]
• Learning to communicate with groups, as yourself [10:10]
• Teaching as holding space [13:00]

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• 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-149.

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.

Today's guest calls traumatic brain injury (TBI) "a silent epidemic", describing a common yet complex injury that, for many, presents with chronic symptoms.

In this episode, host Rachel Land speaks with expert guest Dr. Kyla Pearce, Senior Director of Programs, Research & Operations for the LoveYourBrain Foundation – a national nonprofit that delivers evidence-based holistic health programs for the brain injury community.

Because individual experiences of TBI vary widely, it can be a daunting thing to work with as a yoga teacher. Dr. Pearce talks about the under-appreciated importance of social support and the delicate balance of giving students agency without creating overwhelm. She also offers best practices for movement and breath work, and discusses the power of visualization.

Listen in to learn how to use yoga as a healing modality for traumatic brain injuries.

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• Defining Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) [3:38]
• Surprising causes of brain injury [5:28]
• Common symptoms of brain injury [6:21]
• The mission of the LoveYourBrain Foundation [12:45]
• Evidence-based research outcomes [17:14]
• Yoga for brain injury versus other trauma [19:29]
• Challenges for yoga students with TBI (and their teachers) [24:50]
• Balancing student agency and simplicity [33:23]
• Suggested practices [39:57]
• "Cognitive preparation" cueing [45:00]
• Preferred meditation and breath work techniques [47:32]
• How to know when students need up-regulation [55:23]
• Summing up, final takeaways [58:18]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Learn more about LoveYourBrain's certification-level yoga teacher trainings, resources, and research-backed holistic health programs for TBI/concussion
• Learn more about LoveYourBrain Yoga for Traumatic Brain Injury, Level 1 & Level 2, 20-hr online training for yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and people in the brain injury community
• Learn more about LoveYourBrain Yoga for Health Professionals, 20-hr online training for clinicians
• Previous Yoga Medicine Podcast Episodes:
  • Episode 47: Concussion Care with Dr. Daya Grant
  • Episode 30: Trauma Informed Yoga with Dr. Ann Bortz
• Yoga for Concussions Online Course with Dr. Daya Grant

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-147.

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.

Today hosts Katja and Tiffany introduce some recent research on an always-interesting topic: the place where hustle culture meets the wellness sphere. In this episode, we discuss how these two fields influence each other, how this relationship has shifted recently, and how yoga teachers can navigate the hustle.

Listen in to learn about the origins of hustle culture, how it shows up in the wellness space today, and how yoga can help to adapt to recent challenges and changes that have been perhaps expedited by the recent pandemic.

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• Origins of hustle culture [1:44]
• Recent trends: moving beyond hustle culture [4:46]
• How the realms of hustle culture and wellness interact [10:31]
• Reconciling work as a yoga teacher with capitalism [21:23]
• Recent changes and challenges [26:50]
• Advice for people entering the yoga teacher space [28:57]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Hustle Culture Meets Wellness Sphere References Doc
• Connect with Katja Bartsch:

Facebook | Instagram | Kalamana Yoga | Yoga Medicine® Online Guest Teacher

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-146.

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.

It can be a challenge to maintain a regular yoga practice in the busyness and distraction of daily life. In this short excerpt from Episode 5, Sustainability and Yoga, Rachel and Tiffany talk about what keeps us coming back to our mats year after year. We share the most important question to ask yourself on the mat, and highlight the underrated skill of finding what you need even within a led group class.

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• Myriad areas for focus and investigation in practice [1:04]
• The most powerful question to ask on the mat [3:15]
• An underrated ability: finding something you need in a led class [5:27]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 05: Sustainability & Yoga

You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-145.

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.

How we phrase things is so important, especially in a personal, experiential practice like yoga. Today, hosts Rachel and Tiffany talk about the power of the language we use when teaching.

What does it mean to use open and invitational language versus commanding? How can our words help students to feel strong and resilient instead of fearful on the mat? What problems can arise for students when we offer pose options as a hierarchy?

Listen in to learn how to tailor your language with more skill and discernment and cultivate an environment in which your students flourish.

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• Why is language important when teaching yoga? [0:47]
• The delicate balance of invitational versus commanding language [3:43]
• Nocebic or fear-based language [14:47]
• Hierarchical language versus open options [28:34]
• Body-positive language [36:53]
• Gendered language [40:18]
• Using technical terms judiciously [42:42]
• Changing default language takes time and practice [45:16]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Yoga Medicine® 200HR Teacher Training Program

You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-144.

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.

Welcome to our new series of "Shorts"—gems from previous podcast conversations that deserve a second look (or listen).

This excerpt is drawn from episode 54: Love Those Hips! All About the Hip Labrum. In discussing yoga practices to embrace and avoid during hip labrum injury, hosts Tiffany and Rachel also highlighted how all of us can strengthen, support, and mobilize these crucial joints to maximize their capacity over the long term. They also explored a repeated theme on this podcast: the power of curiosity and how our practice can act as an individual invitation to find the challenges we need to thrive.

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• Biomechanics patterns that can contribute to hip issues [1:22]
• The challenge of balancing 3D mobility and strength [4:00]
• Commonly neglected: active control in hip rotation, eccentric hip flexor work [5:51]
• A caution: loaded internal rotation [10:53]
• The power of practice as individual investigation [13:59]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 54: All About the Hip Labrum
• Online Hip: Anatomy, Dysfunction, & Application Yoga Teacher Training
• In-Person Hip: Anatomy, Dysfunction, & Application Yoga Teacher Training in Bali October 10-17, 2025
• Tiffany's "All About the Hips" Playlist on Yoga Medicine® Online (YMO)
• Rachel's "Hip Health Series 4: MFR 360 Degrees of the Hips" YMO class

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-143.

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.

Today, hosts Tiffany and Katja discuss current research on female hormones, the immune system, and exercise. Both the female hormones as well as the immune function are intricate systems – bringing them together adds even more complexity! In this episode, we try to boil down the immune system and inflammatory response and explore recent research that sheds light on the relationship between the menstrual cycle, immune responses and exercise. We also discuss the nuances of inflammatory processes, individualised responses, and potential implications for peri- and post-menopause.

Listen in as we talk about the influence of female hormones on immune processes and share why inner wisdom is an important part of understanding our bodies better.

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• Disclaimer – complexity of the immune system and menstrual cycle research [1:52]
• Inflammation and the immune system – bird's eye view [4:18]
• Influence of female hormones on immune and inflammatory processes [6:47]
• Potential changes in the second phase of the menstrual cycle [14:16]
• Current meta-analysis and systematic review on female hormones and immune function/ inflammation [15:43]
• Relationship with exercise [22:41]
• Current state of menstrual cycle-based training research [29:33]

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• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Female Hormones & Immune System References Doc
• Female Health Yoga Teacher Training
• Menopause Yoga Teacher Training
• Connect with Katja Bartsch:

Facebook | Instagram | Kalamana Yoga | Yoga Medicine® Online Guest Teacher

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-142.

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.