Conversations for Yoga Teachers

Meet Dr. Andrew McGonigle (EP.356)

When you hear the word “anatomy,” what feelings come up? If you’re like a lot of yoga teachers, you might feel nervous or you might feel a sense of pressure to “learn anatomy” when your attempts to learn it in the past haven’t given you the results or confidence you need.

 

Enter Dr. Andrew McGonigle, a yoga teacher with over 20 years of experience in anatomy, in part because he originally thought and trained to be a physician. After having an epiphany that led him to change paths, he found that helping yoga teachers understand anatomy was both his passion and his zone of genius. When you listen to this episode, you’ll see how easy Andrew makes it to understand anatomy and we also take time to share what’s possible for you when you truly understand it. 

 

Andrew shares stories from training yoga teachers and elements of his philosophy on how to balance sharing anatomy in your teaching along with sharing other elements as well. 

 

For Andrew’s bio, see below:

 

Andrew McGonigle has been studying anatomy for over twenty years, originally training to become a doctor and then moving away from Western medicine to become a yoga teacher, massage therapist and anatomy teacher. He combines his skills and experience to teach anatomy and physiology on Yoga Teacher Training courses internationally and runs his own Yoga Anatomy Online Course. His book Supporting Yoga Students with Common Injuries and Conditions: A Handbook for Yoga Teachers and Trainees was published in March 2021 and his most recent book The Physiology of Yoga was published in June 2022. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband. For more information visit: www.doctor-yogi.com Instagram: @doctoryogi Facebook: @doctoryogiandrew

 

Links for Andrew: 

 

Instagram link is: https://www.instagram.com/doctoryogi/

 

Website: https://www.doctor-yogi.com/

 

Enlightened Yoga Collective membership: https://enlightenedyogacollective.com/

 

One final thing: 

 

If you’re ready to learn anatomy and you’d like to check out my 4 week accelerated program, see: 

 

https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator

Meet Dr. Lauren Tober (EP.355)

There’s no denying that yoga is both a physical and mental practice. When people practice yoga, they can experience all sorts of emotions and that may come out in various ways. In this episode, Dr. Lauren Tober and I discuss various scenarios that may come up in your classes and look at them through the lens of mental health, sharing emotions and human behavior. These topics are not often discussed but they can provide an important foundation for yoga teachers when teaching classes. 

 

In this episode, Dr. Tober breaks down the components of mental health into 6 pillars, which are further explored in her book ( link below ). Highlights include the ethics of being a yoga teacher and what’s within our professional scope of practice as well as how yoga can be helpful from a therapeutic perspective. We discuss what it means to create a “safe space” for our students, how to teach a class when a student is doing their own practice ( outside of what you’re teaching ) and other scenarios that may arise. 

 

More about Dr. Lauren Tober:

 

Dr Lauren Tober is a Clinical Psychologist, Senior Yoga Teacher and Author based in Mullumbimby, Australia. With a deep curiosity in health, healing, happiness and awakening, Lauren integrates the best of western psychology with ancient yogic wisdom, both on and off the mat.

Lauren is the founder of the Yoga Psychology Institute and Mental Health Aware Yoga, the author of  Mental Health Aware Yoga Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers, host of the A Grateful Life Podcast and loves teaching yoga teachers about mental health, and health professionals about yoga.

Her work is soulful without being new-agey.  It’s evidence-based, without being clinical.  It’s authentic, heartfelt and life-changing.

I'll attach a couple of photos you're welcome to use to promote the episode, as well as a copy of my new book - Mental Health Aware Yoga Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers.

 

People can also download the first chapter of my book for free at www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book.

 

 

For more about Karen Fabian, visit www.barebonesyoga,.com

 

For more about how you can learn anatomy for yoga, in an easy step by step way, check out The Yoga Anatomy Accelerator Program: 

 

https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator

 

What Teacher Type Are You? (EP.354)

In my years of working with hundreds of yoga teachers inside my program, I’ve discovered there are several different teacher types. Each has their own unique set of problems but many times, they don’t see it as a problem because there’s a strong belief causing them to keep doing what they’re doing…. even when it feels hard, pressure-filled and blocks them from feeling confident. 

 

In this episode, you’ll hear about a few of these teacher types, the characteristics of each and a starter solution so the you can start to fix the problem. Don’t be surprised if this conversation triggers you a bit; sometimes, when our beliefs get challenged, we get defensive.  If you are open minded, curious and looking to find your confidence as a teacher, this episode is for you. 

 

In the show, I talk about The Yoga Anatomy Accelerator Program. 

 

Here is the link:

 

https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator

Teaching Yoga Full Time (EP.353)

In today’s episode, you’ll meet yoga teacher Reiki Shucart, who runs an in person and online yoga business and is the host of the podcast, “Full Time Yoga Teacher.” You’ll hear her story, how she began teaching yoga and how she build a multi-faceted yoga business. She shares her philosophy as a teacher, shares from her work mentoring yoga teachers and gives perspective on working full time as a yoga teacher. 

 

Listening to this episode will help you:

 

-See if working as a full time yoga teacher is a good fit for you

-Determine the steps you might take to build a full time yoga business

-Discover the different models of teaching yoga full time

 

 

You can find Reika on Instagram @reikayoga

 

Her website and online yoga studio can be found here:

 

https://www.reikayoga.com/

Find out a little more about Reika here:

 

Reika Shucart (she/her) is a 500 E-RYT, SmartFLOW-certified yoga teacher, Accessible Yoga Ambassador, and trauma-informed practitioner dedicated to making yoga inclusive, empowering, and purposeful. Born in Nepal and raised in Japan and the U.S., Reika draws from her multicultural background and academic foundation in sociology to offer classes rooted in accessibility, alignment, and intentional living. Her teaching blends functional movement, yoga philosophy, and mindful sequencing to support a wide range of students, from those recovering from injuries to those deepening their practice. Reika has taught internationally, led 200- and 300-hour YTTs, and offers mentorship for new yoga teachers. She believes yoga is a powerful tool for self-exploration, community care, and global awareness.

 

 

As an additional link, check out www.barebonesyoga.com for The Yoga Anatomy Accelerator. Use the code words “Podcast Offer” to get a discount for listening to the show!

Meet MaKenzie Fly (EP.352)

Have you ever wanted to try something different in your classes that would allow you to elevate your teaching to a new level? On today’s show, you’ll discover a new technique that will not only transform you as a teacher but also transform your students. MaKenzie Fly shares a teaching methodology called “Theme Weaving,” and once you hear more about it, you’ll be hooked! MaKenzie not only walks you through the logic behind it; she also shares the huge opportunity for you as a teacher to step beyond teaching from action and start sharing themes that inspire you and will inspire your students. 

 

In this episode you’ll discover:

 

What theme weaving is from a sequencing perspective

How to begin to experiment with it in your classes

What’s possible for you as a teacher when you challenge yourself to begin to teach in this way

Possible “themes” you can use with this teaching model

How to give yourself the support you might need to get started and move past any feelings of fear around trying it.

 

Once you listen to the episode, be sure to connect with MaKenzie on Instagram @masteryouryogateaching

 

MaKenzie also hosts the podcast called “Master Your Yoga Teaching” which you can catch on iTunes or Spotify using this link:

 

https://masteryouryogateaching.com/

 

She also mentions in the episode a great resource for teachers on sequencing. Find out more about it here:

 

https://inspiredflowmonthly.com/

 

At the start of the episode, I share that I have a few spots left in the Yoga Anatomy Accelerator Program. DM me or email me for your discount code. To check out the program, see this link:

 

https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator

 

Workshop on Confidence (EP.351)

Listen in to a workshop held on May 21, 2025 on the four pillars of confidence teaching.

 

At the end of the workshop, you’ll hear an offer. Here’s the link:

 

https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator

 

Authentic Yoga Teaching (EP.350)

In this episode, you’ll uncover how to teach authentically by listening to my conversation with yoga teacher Avi Gordon. 

 

Avi Gordon serves as the Director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA), a global network of over 10,000 yoga teachers dedicated to spreading the timeless teachings of Integral Yoga. As the host of the Integral Yoga podcast, Avi creates meaningful conversations on personal growth, spirituality, and the yogic lifestyle.

 

A devoted father of two, Avi is passionate about integrating the principles of Yoga into the practice of parenting, creating compassionate and mindful family environments. His journey has also taken him around the globe, teaching in Taiwan, South Korea, Israel, and the United States.

Avi is the author of A Light in the Tunnel, a visionary novel that inspires hope for a harmonious future for humanity and the planet. He is also the founder of Story Recorded, a professional interviewing service that helps people capture their life stories. His love for silence, nature, writing, and self-care practices underscores his commitment to mindful living.

In this conversation, we talk about the struggles that teachers have saying and doing things in their classes that feel authentic to them. Avi shares his thoughts born from years of teaching experience to help you discover how to uncover your most authentic way of teaching. 

 

Here’s how you can connect with Avi:

 

 

Links:

Podcast: https://iyta.org/podcast/

Website: https://www.life-chronicles.com/

X: https://x.com/media_rest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyrecorded/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@storyrecorded

 

In the beginning of the episode, I share how you can enroll in my new program, The Yoga Anatomy Accelerator. Here’s the link:

 

 

https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator

Meet Ann Swanson (EP.349)

There’s no denying that when you’re teaching yoga, the better you understand anatomy, the more confident you’ll feel. In this episode, you’ll meet Ann Swanson, author and yoga teacher with a wealth of experience in anatomy, yoga, yoga therapy and training teachers. 

 

She's the author of Science of Yoga which has sold over half a million copies worldwide and has been translated into 15+ languages. She also recently announced the newly updated second edition just released this year (2025). 

She’s spent the last 15 years sharing yoga research with the intention of making the practice more inclusive and accessible, especially to people with health conditions. Ann’s background includes LMT, C-IAYT and ERTY-500. 

 

Ann and I discuss not only the anatomy of muscles, bones and joints but also other systems of the body and how to apply it to your teaching and your own health. You’ll find Ann engaging, smart and she has a way of making these topics easy to understand. 

 

You can find her book here:

 

https://www.scienceof.yoga/

 

She is on Instagram at: 

 

https://www.instagram.com/annswansonwellness/

 

You can connect with me via my website, www.barebonesyoga.com

 

Anatomy of Backbends (EP.348)

Have you ever wondered why backbends can be hard for your students to master? It has to do with the actual movement of spinal extension and that we often don’t move in that direction during the day. In this episode, you’ll learn more about the anatomy of backbends, how to teach them and clear cues to use. This will help you feel more confident as you’re teaching your classes. 

 

At the end of the episode, I share a special offer with you for my new Yoga Anatomy Accelerator Program. You can use the discount code I share in the episode to enroll by using this link here:

 

https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator

 

The code to get the $50 off is “yaa” making your investment just $347! I can’t wait to see your enrollment come through!

 

Meet Jeremy Devens (EP.347)

Yoga teachers don’t often get a chance to have live conversations and that’s one of the reasons I love having fellow yoga teachers on my podcast. In this episode, you’ll meet Jeremy Devens, yoga teacher, teacher trainer and podcast host, producing the Yoga Teacher Training Podcast. Jeremy has a special skill for building community, especially online, and he shares lessons he’s learned in teaching and also building a yoga business. 

 

He’s shared some key resources you can download so be sure to check out the links below. 

 

One more thing: At the start of the episode, I offer you a chance to enroll in my new program, The Yoga Anatomy Accelerator. To check it out, click here: 

 

https://barebonesyoga.thinkific.com/courses/Yoga-Anatomy-Accelerator

 

 

Here’s the links we talked about in the episode: 

90: Yoga Sequences For Beginners
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3FmO9eJFHqdAYo9zTJibp2?si=OUMTu4raS0CV41z0pLegHw

Beginners Yoga Sequence [Free Download]
https://www.quietmind.yoga/beginnersequence

Quietmind Astrology
https://www.quietmindastrology.com