Deepen Your Yoga Practice

Summary

In this episode, Lauren Leduc interviews Sedona Alvarez, a yoga teacher at True Love Yoga. Sedona shares their journey of falling in love with yoga, starting with online videos and eventually stepping into a yoga studio. They discuss how yoga and art influence each other in her life, and how both practices help them process emotions and connect with their intuition. Sedona also talks about the evolution of their teaching over the years, from ego-driven to focusing on helping her students feel resourced. The conversation concludes with a discussion of Sedona's upcoming workshops and the importance of community in deepening one's yoga practice.

Takeaways

• Stepping out of your living room and into a yoga studio can deepen your practice and provide a sense of community.
• Yoga and art can influence each other, helping to process emotions and connect with intuition.
• Teaching yoga is a journey of growth and evolution, moving from ego-driven to focusing on helping students feel resourced.
• Workshops and community connections can provide opportunities for deeper exploration and healing.
• Taking time to mark the change of seasons and reflect on personal growth can be powerful and healing.

Join Sedona for Pop-Up Yoga at the Kansas City Museum 9/14/24

Join Sedona for Autumn Abundance 9/21/24

Take a class with Sedona

Follow

Summary

In this episode, Lauren breaks down the pose Adho Mukha Svanasana, or downward facing dog. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the energy and purpose of the pose, which is spinal decompression. Lauren provides five tips to elevate your downward facing dog, including using your hands correctly, finding external rotation through the upper arms, maintaining a neutral pelvis, and using props for support. She also encourages listeners to explore variations of the pose and share their experiences with her.

Takeaways

• Adho Mukha Svanasana, or downward-facing dog, is a pose that provides spinal decompression.
• Understanding the energy and purpose of the pose is important for practicing it correctly.
• Using your hands correctly by spreading the fingers and pressing into the palms helps engage the shoulders and wrists.
• Finding external rotation through the upper arms and engaging the core can help maintain proper alignment.
• Using props, such as a wall, blocks, or blankets, can provide support and help with alignment in the pose.

Chapters

Summary

In this episode, Lauren discusses the intersection of yoga and civic engagement, specifically voting. She explores how the principles of yoga, such as ahimsa (non-harm), satya (truthfulness), and swadhyaya (self-study), can be embodied through the act of voting. Lauren emphasizes the importance of voting as a way to reduce harm, promote well-being, and contribute to the greater good. She also highlights the concepts of karma yoga (selfless action) and union, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all beings and the impact of individual actions on the collective. Lauren encourages listeners to engage in mindful voting and to align their choices with their yogic principles and values.

Takeaways

• Voting is a way for yogis to engage civically and be active participants in the world.
• The principles of yoga, such as ahimsa and satya, can be embodied through the act of voting by choosing policies and representatives that reduce harm and promote truth.
• Voting is a reflection of unity and interconnectedness, as individual actions have an impact on the collective.
• Engaging in mindful voting and aligning choices with yogic principles and values can contribute to creating a more just and peaceful society.

Chapters

Summary

In this episode, Lauren Leduc interviews Katie Brown, a yoga and mindfulness specialist, about her journey into yoga and her passion for yin yoga. Katie shares how she fell in love with yoga after years of competitive bodybuilding and struggling with body image issues. She explains that yin yoga is a meditative practice that focuses on stillness and passive postures held for several minutes. Katie also discusses the upcoming Yin for Yoga Teachers 201 workshop, where she will dive deeper into yin yoga theory, postures, props, and modifications.

Takeaways

• Yoga can be a healing practice that helps us develop a more positive relationship with our bodies.
• Yin yoga is a meditative practice that focuses on stillness and passive postures held for several minutes.
• Yin yoga can be a beginner-friendly practice but also presents challenges, especially for those who struggle with stillness.
• Incorporating yin yoga into your practice can offer spaciousness and balance in our fast-paced, yang-focused society.
• The Yin for Yoga Teachers 201 workshop is designed for yoga teachers or those in training who want to deepen their understanding of yin yoga and learn modifications for different students.

Chapters

Join Katie for Yin for Yoga Teachers 201 10/6/24

Take a Replay class with Katie

Follow

Summary

In this episode, Lauren discusses the readiness and considerations for becoming a yoga teacher. She shares her personal journey and highlights the importance of understanding one's why, committing to personal practice, and embracing continuous learning. Lauren also emphasizes the need for emotional intelligence, holding space for others, and the reality of teaching yoga. She addresses common fears and doubts, encourages authenticity and finding one's teaching style, and emphasizes the value of community support. Lauren concludes by urging listeners to listen to their intuition and take the leap if becoming a yoga teacher feels enriching and enhancing to their lives.

Takeaways

• Understand your why and the reasons behind wanting to become a yoga teacher.
• Commit to your personal practice and maintain consistency.
• Embrace continuous learning and have a passion for expanding your knowledge.
• Develop emotional intelligence and the ability to hold space for others.
• Be aware of the reality of teaching yoga, including the time commitment and business aspects.
• Overcome fears and doubts, and be open to personal transformation.
• Find your authentic teaching style and voice.
• Seek community support and mentorship from experienced teachers.
• Listen to your intuition and take the leap if becoming a yoga teacher feels enriching and enhancing to your life.

Chapters