The Mentor Sessions Francesca Cervero

The brain and the nervous system play a HUGE role in how we integrate sensory information, experience pain and create movement patterns but this topic is not often covered in foundational yoga teacher trainings. That is why I’m so excited to introduce you to Missy Bunch (she/her), a multi-certified movement therapist who has been educating and coaching for over 14 years.
As a young professional dancer, she battled many injuries over her career and one day she found someone who studied neurology (the study of the brain and nervous system). After one session with this person, her 4-year knee pain was completely gone. She knew she wanted to teach this approach to the world.
The importance of brain function and using the nervous system to rapidly “debug” movement patterns, decrease pain and increase performance, has led her to teach and create lightning-fast improvements with people from all walks of life. Her specialties include injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, joint mobility and decreasing pain, holistically. 

In this episode you’ll hear:
a deep dive into assessments including how to cue them and what are we looking for when we reassess
what it mean to move into a shape “reflexively”
how can we work with the brain to decrease pain
the role of the nervous system in integrating inputs and creating motor output
all about the opposing joint theory and how to use it with 1x1 students
an overview of cranial nerves and how and why to stimulate them
Resources Mentioned:
Missy’s website
Missy on Instagram
The Science of the Private Lesson
The Mentor Sessions Sangha

Today I will answer a bunch of questions that you all have sent in about teaching private lessons!
In this episode you’ll hear:
suggestions for helping a student establish a neutral pelvis in daily life
advice and guidance for hands-on work in private lessons
tips for finding private clients outside of the studio
tips for when you need to make some money fast
support in lightening up a teaching schedule
how (and why!) to raise your rates
help for a  private student who wants to learn to meditate, but always seems agitated when practicing 
Resources Mentioned:
37: Q + A About Private Lessons with Francesca
62: Q + A About Private Lessons with Francesca #2
92: Planning And Progress In Private Lessons (Q+A!)
 Teachprivateyoga.com
The Mentor Sessions Sangha
 

Well, this is an unusual episode!! Since I released a podcast episode last year about my group class planning process I’ve been getting more and more questions about my unique teaching style.  It’s been described as Buddha Dharma Meets Corrective Exercise With A Little Vinyasa In The Middle For Some Fun. It’s a specific style that has been cultivated over almost 20 years of very full time teaching, and I especially love the way it lands online and in an audio format. 
So this episode is a short explanation, and then a full length practice! You might find it interesting to listen to even if you can’t or don’t want to do the physical part of the practice.
Resources Mentioned:
The Mentor Sessions Sangha
The Science of The Private Lesson Training
115: The Case For Teaching Leveled Classes
116: Integrating Buddha Dharma and Asana with Meredith Witte – Live Mentoring Session
118: My Group Class Planning Process

I’m sure you’ve noticed that many stock images and illustrations of yoga practitioners show a very narrow representation of bodies and abilities.
Harmony Willow Hansen is a freelance illustrator, graphic designer and yoga practitioner who creates beautiful images that represent the true diversity in the student body of yoga practitioners worldwide. She created a beautiful book called You Are Strong And Worthy that showcases these images. Willow also has lots of resources available for yoga teachers and studios who want their images and branding to reflect the beautiful multifariousness of their students.
In this episode you’ll hear:
what Willow saw in the bodies around her in class that inspired her to start making art
what she hopes people take away from seeing the images she created
all about the custom art and images she has created for yoga studios and teachers
Learn More From Harmony:
Website Instagram You Are Strong and Worthy (Book)  

Teaching teachers how to teach yoga is a massive responsibility. (How many times am I going to write the word “teach” in this intro???) 
Many people who listen to this podcast either already are, or are hoping to be a teacher of teachers. I get asked all the time for advice on creating and leading a teacher training. I have created a very successful speciality training, The Science of the Private Lesson, and a big part of my business is mentoring yoga teachers. I have supported teachers in writing their own 200 hour teacher training, but I have never actually created or led my own foundational 200 hour teacher training. So to have this conversation I asked my Yoga Mama, and the ultimate Teacher of Teachers Cyndi Lee, to join me and walk us through how to create and lead a teacher training. 
In this episode you’ll hear:
how to decide what to cover in a teacher training since yoga is so vast and expansive
what is most important to consider when you first start to write the manual or syllabus for your teacher training
how to teach sequencing and class planning to future yoga teachers
what Cyndi thinks about marketing a teacher training as a way to "deepen your practice" without an intention to teach
how teacher trainers can stimulate creativity and confidence in their learners
Learn More From Cyndi:
Website
SUBSTACK: Drip, Drip, Drip
Instagram
Facebook
 

In today's episode, we have a very special guest, Anjali Rao (she/her). Anjali is a yoga teacher, writer, and podcast host who offers profound insights into the often obscured stories and histories of yoga. An Indian American immigrant and cancer survivor, Anjali beautifully integrates yoga philosophy and history with storytelling, imagery, and poetry. 
Anjali and I had a thought-provoking conversation about the sociopolitical context of yoga and its historical beginnings. We delve into topics such as the caste system, the intersections of power and access to knowledge, and the erasure of South Asian teachers in modern yoga spaces. 
In this episode you’ll hear:
all about Yoga's relationship with the caste system
a deep dive into Yoga's relationship with hinduism and other religions
how Anjali recommends we can teach and practice yoga with integrity
about the political nature of yoga and the connection between spiritual teachings and the pursuit of social change
a conversation on ahimsa and its active role in disrupting harm (rather than passive inaction)
 the importance of self-reflection and understanding one's positionality as a yoga practitioner and teacher
Learn More From Anjali:
On Instagram
At her website
On her podcast “The Love of Yoga”