The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Shannon Crow (she/her)

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
370: Is Email Marketing Dead? with Meg Sangimino
 
Description: Many of us are struggling with overflowing email inboxes and receive ever more emails daily. In this context, is email marketing still a relevant tool that can help your yoga business? How can yoga teachers use email marketing effectively? Meg Sangimino some insights.
 
Meg Sangimino is a yoga teacher and business expert. Her expertise is in helping wellness professionals implement sustainable business strategies. With a background in project engineering and a passion for wellness, Meg is your go-to for implementing essential (and efficient) systems that underlie a business that nourishes, supports, and fulfills the lifestyle that you want without spinning your wheels on social media or having constant technology headaches.
 
If you don’t already have an email list, you may be wondering where to start. Meg shares tips for effective lead magnets and freebies, and explains why email marketing doesn’t have to be cringe-inducing. She also gives some ideas about what to email your list, suggestions on how often to email them, and trends when it comes to effective email marketing for yoga teachers.
 
Key Takeaways: [3:16] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
[5:10] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Meg Sangimino.
[9:39] What does Meg do and who does she do it for?
[10:18] Why do people cringe when they think about email marketing?
[11:20] There is a lot of value in the content yoga teachers create to market themselves, and sometimes they may not realize that.
[13:25] People go to social media for a different purpose than their email inboxes.
[15:55] How can yoga teachers get started with email marketing?
[19:23] If you have a freebie or lead magnet and nobody is signing up for your list, you could have two problems: 1) nobody is seeing it, 2) nobody wants it.
[23:11] Do not be discouraged if you put something out and it doesn't get the response you hope for!
[24:47] Shannon reflects on the freebies she has in her own business.
[25:15] You may get people who unsubscribe from your list, and that's okay! 
[26:25] What is Meg's advice to yoga teachers who feel like they wouldn't like to receive multiple emails about an offer, so feel uncomfortable sending emails to their list?
[28:11] What kinds of freebies are working in the yoga space and what are some trends that Meg has observed in email marketing?
[32:17] What should yoga teachers write in their emails?
[34:35] How often does Meg recommend including a call to action in you emails?
[35:42] How often should yoga teachers email their list?
[37:11] It's important to continue supporting your list even when you are not selling anything!
[38:08] What is something Meg wishes she would have known when starting email marketing?
[40:50] Shannon pops in to share about OfferingTree, a great all-in-one software option especially for email marketing!
[45:07] Shannon and Meg discuss the popular options for email marketing platforms.
[49:01] Shannon reflects on her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Meg.
[50:47] Shannon shares some of the upcoming guest calls inside Pelvic Health Professionals.
[53:32] Shannon gives a special shout out to yoga teachers who have been and continue to speak out for humanity and Palestine.
 
Links: Meg Sangimino
The YogaBiz Podcast by Meg Sangimino
Previous Episodes on Email Marketing
176: Email Marketing Strategy with Jessica Stansberry
139: Grow Your Yoga Business via Email with Tarzan Kay
072: Email & Content Strategy [Consultation Call] with Kristen Boyle
The Connected Yoga Teacher Live Show: Episode 9: Create and Grow Your Yoga Student Email List
Podse.io
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 369: Struggling to Write Content is Normal with Billie Smith

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
369: Struggling to Write Content is Normal with Billie Smith
 
Description: If you have ever sat staring at your blinking cursor and wondered how to write an email, social media caption, or blog post for your yoga business when more important things are happening in your personal life or the world – you are not alone. Billie Smith recently faced this same struggle and decided to share their honest thoughts instead of their usual messaging.
 
Billie Smith is a queer advocate, trauma, abuse, and eating disorder survivor, who is shaking up the status quo and challenging conventional narratives in the wellness industry. They believe in discarding harmful ideologies like diet culture and spiritual bypassing, and are dedicated to creating spaces where individuals can authentically connect with themselves, free from judgment and expectation. Billie's approach to movement is all about empowerment, helping students tune into how they feel rather than how they look. With over 600 hours of training and a commitment to inclusivity, Billie's classes, workshops, and one-on-one sessions provide a safe space for those seeking to reclaim their bodies and their narratives. 
 
In this episode, originally shared as an email to Billie’s subscribers and then as an audio on their podcast, the Rebel Movement Podcast, Billie shares openly about their experience struggling to write an email about topics related to their yoga business while also grappling with other challenges. They talk about how difficult it can feel to hold multiple truths, balance self care and social justice work, and reflect on showing up authentically. 
 
Writing content can be hard when we are faced with balancing work, personal life, and tragedies in the world - if you are struggling because of this, this episode is for you.
 
Key Takeaways: [3:07] This episode is sponsored by Pelvic Health Professionals.
[4:14] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Billie Smith.
[7:30] Billie shares a little about a newsletter that they sent out on 14 February and their process of writing it.
[14:40] Shannon pops in to talk about a recent call with Mary Reddinger inside Pelvic Health Professionals.
[16:17] Listen to a short snippet from Mary Reddinger about how she gets the bulk of her private yoga students. Get access to the full interview by joining the Pelvic Health Professionals membership.
[18:13] Billy highlights that it can feel difficult for us to hold all the things that are happening in the world and in our personal lives - what we are experiencing is not normal.
[21:12] We are all struggling to find balance lately.
[24:47] If you are using your platform to talk about Gaza or Palestine, unfortunately it is a risk.
[27:53] Billie talks about the importance of standing up for your values and staying true to them even in difficult times.
[31:02] It is important to take care of yourself even as you do social justice work.
[32:28] Shannon reflects on her own personal experience of speaking up about the harm taking place in Gaza right now.
[36:01] There are so many people who say they want peace and freedom for all people but are afraid to speak up. But we can make a huge difference if we all speak up.
[39:29] Do leave a review for the podcast and come hang out in real time with Shannon in the Pelvic Health Professionals membership!
 
Links: Billie Smith, Move With Billie
Rebel Movement Podcast with Billie Smith
Billie Smith on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Spotify
Shannon's Viral Reel
Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals
Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
Support the podcast
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
Shannon Crow on Instagram
The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
Pelvic Health Professionals
 
Grati

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
368: Moving to a New City & Marketing with Jennie MacGoy
 
Description: Have you recently moved or are you struggling to grow your yoga business? Have you been posting on social media and not seeing that time convert to students? Have you been thinking about switching your niche or taking a break? Jennie MacGoy has navigated a cross-country move and shares how she found success marketing her yoga business in a new city.
 
Jennie MacGoy opened her first yoga studio in Virginia in 2017 but moved to Southern California in 2021. Since making the move, Jennie has continued to teach gentle and chair yoga and movement to seniors in retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, and memory care communities while also working 1:1 with older adults. Jennie strongly believes that older adults can live their best lives through physical activity, stress reduction, cognitive exercise, and social engagement and incorporates all of these into her yoga classes. 
 
In this episode, Jennie shares her challenging journey of rebuilding her yoga business from scratch in a new city and neighborhood. She openly talks about the struggles she faced, how she overcame them, and what really worked for her in terms of marketing her yoga business. Learn about pivoting in your yoga business and alternative options for marketing in this inspiring conversation with Jennie.
 
Key Takeaways: [2:41] This episode is sponsored by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
[4:55] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jennie MacGoy.
[8:37] What is the work that Jennie does and who does she do it for?
[10:24] What was it like when Jennie moved? What did she learn immediately and what advice does she have for other yoga teachers who may be navigating a move?
[13:02] What worked and what didn't work for Jennie when she moved?
[17:31] Jennie had to decide if she still wanted to teach yoga when things weren't working out for her.
[18:42] Jennie was not marketing on Instagram or Facebook. She explains how she marketed her services to her target audience.
[21:38] What kind of offerings is Jennie focusing on in her business?
[26:49] What are some things Jennie has learned from working with the population of older adults and/or people with dementia?
[30:36] Jennie reflects on what she gets out of teaching a mixed class of people with different abilities.
[34:09] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.
[37:45] What is the population that Jennie works with in private sessions?
[39:05] Jennie had to make a big shift to continue her yoga business when she moved to a new city.
[41:11] Jennie volunteered with some organizations as a way of expanding her local network after she moved.
[45:27] What is something Jennie wishes she would have known sooner when she moved to her new location?
[48:17] We all struggle with different things at different moments in our business.
[52:26] Connect with Jennie via her website.
[53:50] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Jennie.
[58:36] Shannon shares a personal update about how it has been to stand up for things she believes in.
 
Links: Jennie MacGoy
Jennie MacGoy on LinkedIn
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 161: Get Your Yoga Online in 48 Hours with Jennie MacGoy
Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals
Guest Speakers in Pelvic Health Professionals
Support the podcast
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team
Shannon Crow on Instagram
The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group
Pelvic Health Professionals
 
Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
 
Quotes from this episode: "One of the most important lessons that I learned was to be willing to pivot, ... be flexible."
 
"Words are so importa

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
367: Money Matters & Budgeting with Jenifer Parker 
 
Description: How do you feel about budgeting and money as a yoga teacher? What is your system for tracking income and expenses – is it working? How can you decrease your expenses and/or increase your income? These are some questions Jennifer Parker answers in this insightful money conversation.
 
Jenifer Parker has been a yoga teacher for more than 21 years and is a qualified instructor in 4 lineages: Kripalu, Sivananda, Krishnamacharya, and Thai Yoga. She meets students where they are, teaching a traditional, integrated approach. In general she teaches within the Krishnamacharya lineage, but offers a unique insight into the similarities and differences in practice across lineages. Currently, she offers private lessons, corporate and private group classes, and a few public community classes in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa (Wellington, New Zealand).
 
In this episode, Shannon and Jennifer dive deeper into money matters and budgeting for yoga teachers. Jennifer explains how to get consistent with our budgeting, how to adapt it to our needs and our yoga business, and why it’s so important for yoga teachers. She also shares some ideas on how to make more money as a yoga teacher and tackles some big mindset blocks yoga teachers may face when it comes to money issues.
 
Key Takeaways: [0:28] Shannon takes a moment to recognize the harm that is taking place in Palestine right now.
[4:13] Shannon briefly talks about her topic and guest for the episode.
[5:15] Shannon introduces herself and gives a shout out to the sponsors, OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
[8:47] Kathleen Pratt shares a little about the ongoing online yoga series, Nourish Your Nervous System.
[10:13] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jennifer Parker.
[15:49] What does Jennifer do and who does she do it for?
[18:36] Jennifer shares a little about where she is located.
[19:44] Why is Jennifer so passionate about talking about money in relation to teaching yoga and being a yoga teacher?
[25:47] What are Jennifer's thoughts on budgets?
[32:04] What kind of tools does Jennifer use when it comes to creating a budget?
[34:08] What actions does Jennifer take when she's looking at her budget every week?
[37:26] Jennifer shares some tips that can help with the mindset part of creating and following a budget.
[40:34] What are some ideas for yoga teachers to make more money?
[46:49] Having a clear goal in mind will help you move in the right direction.
[48:23] Shannon pops in to give a shout out of thanks to sponsor, OfferingTree.
[51:21] What are some other ideas for making money within yoga?
[58:17] Jennifer recommends talking to your landlord about subdividing the physical space you are using for yoga classes if the rent has gone up.
[62:23] We have to get comfortable talking about money!
[0:00] undefined
[63:18] Jennifer's advice is to tap into your networks.
[74:37] Shannon shares some reflection questions you can journal on.
[75:37 - 75:50] Questions:
[78:42] Shannon shares an audio message from a podcast listener.
[81:11] Support the podcast by making a donation or signing up for one of the offerings!
 
Links: Jennifer Parker
Previous Podcast Episodes on Money
366: Get Okay with Making Money with Chioma Njoku 
330: Connect with Your Money with Shannon Crow
295: Make Money Teaching Yoga with Betty Welsh
280: Get Paid as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Simmons
141: Let’s Talk Money with Katie Brauer
042: Money Mindset with Geraldine Carter
154: Bookkeeping for Yoga Teachers with Kelly Christian
329: Why Separate Bank Accounts? with Shannon Crow
Mint: Budget Tracker & Planner
Nourish Your Nervous System, 6-Week Online Series with Kathleen Pratt in Pelvic Health Professionals
Guest Speakers in P

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
366: Get Okay with Making Money with Chioma Njoku
 
Description: Is making money yoga-like? How is making money aligned with the principles of yoga? How do you balance making money as a yoga teacher with keeping your offerings financially accessible to people? Chioma Njoku shares her insights on these questions and more.
 
Chioma is the owner and Chief Mindful Operator at the Mindful Bookkeeper, and host of the Cheers to Your Prosperity podcast. By integrating the lessons she has learned from her own financial struggles and her professional experience as an Accountant of 18 years and Financial Coach, Chioma helps entrepreneurs and small business owners keep more of their hard-earned money in the bank without sacrificing the things that make life enjoyable.
 
In this episode, Chioma dives into the nitty gritty details of the money and finances aspect of running a yoga business. She talks about how bookkeeping software can help us with our finances, how to track payment fees, how to check your financial reports with intention, and why creating money practices is like practicing yoga. Tune in for Chioma’s tips on how to be consistent with money and shift your money mindset.
 
Key Takeaways: [2:23] This episode is powered by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
[3:58] Kathleen Pratt shares a little about the upcoming yoga series: Nourish Your Nervous System.
[5:12] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Chioma Njoku.
[9:49] What does Chioma do and who does she do it for?
[10:42] What does it look like when Chioma works with someone?
[12:47] Chioma addresses the idea that making money is yoga. It's okay to make money.
[15:24] How can yoga teachers balance the need to get paid with keeping their yoga classes accessible to people with limited funds?
[17:54] Chioma shares a little about the saviorism she encountered in 2020, when people invited her to attend their yoga classes for free because she is Black.
[21:09] Chioma talks about bookkeeping and what that means for yoga businesses.
[22:11] How often should we be looking at our money?
[24:34] What's a good starting point for yoga teachers who are not tracking their income or their expenses?
[29:06] Shannon pops in to share a great article that Sinead from the Connected Yoga Teacher Team wrote for OfferingTree.
[31:02] Shannon and Chioma chat about different software that is available for bookkeeping and tracking income and expenses.
[33:25] How does Chioma recommend yoga teachers look at their reports?
[35:18] What are some things yoga teachers can do to cut their expenses or increase their income?
[39:34] What are some other roadblocks yoga teachers often run into around mindset?
[42:57] How can yoga teachers work on their money mindset and get comfortable with money?
[46:33] Chioma shares some final thoughts for yoga teachers around money and running their own yoga business.
[47:56] Check out Chioma's podcast to learn more, and visit her website to connect.
[49:19] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Chioma.
 
Links: Chioma Njoku
Cheers to Your Prosperity Podcast
Previous Podcast Episodes on Money
330: Connect with Your Money with Shannon Crow
295: Make Money Teaching Yoga with Betty Welsh
280: Get Paid as a Yoga Teacher with Shannon Simmons
141: Let’s Talk Money with Katie Brauer
042: Money Mindset with Geraldine Carter
154: Bookkeeping for Yoga Teachers with Kelly Christian
329: Why Separate Bank Accounts? with Shannon Crow
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 305: Kicked Out of Yoga [Part 2] with Chioma Njoku
Quickbooks
Xero
Freshbooks
Paypal
Stripe
How to Keep Customers Coming Back and Build a Loyal Base by Sinead O'Connor for OfferingTree
HubDoc
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 318: Questions to Ask

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast
365: How to Teach Accessible Yoga with Jivana Heyman
 
Description: How can we make yoga more accessible? From financial accessibility to the language we use in teaching, from offering modifications to supporting students who don’t follow our lesson plans, making yoga accessible encompasses many different things. Jivana Heyman shares his insights.
 
Making yoga accessible is at the core of the work Jivana does. He is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an international non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings for people of all abilities and backgrounds. He is also an author, and his latest book, The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga, was recently released (listen in to find out how you can enter to win a copy!).
 
In this episode, Jivana shares how we communicate yoga has evolved over the years, although yoga philosophy remains unchanged, and how accessibility is a part of that.  He also talks about figuring things out as new teachers, overcoming imposter syndrome and why maybe a little bit of imposter syndrome is not a bad thing, and many other aspects of making yoga accessible, including how to maintain a yoga practice even when we don’t have time!
 
Key Takeaways: [3:52] This episode is powered by OfferingTree and Pelvic Health Professionals.
[4:52] Kathleen Pratt shares a little about the upcoming yoga series: Nourish Your Nervous System.
[5:58] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Jivana Heyman.
[10:05] What is the work that Jivana does and who does he do it for?
[11:15] How can yoga teachers find that balance between being paid for their work enough to make a living and making sure people can access their classes financially?
[13:56] Pay-what-you-can models and tiered pricing models are some options to increase financial accessibility.
[15:36] What are some other main things Jivana covers in his new book?
[18:43] Shannon and Jivana discuss the idea that there is one best/correct way of doing a pose in yoga. This is not true!
[20:13] The general public has a very different idea of what yoga is than how it can actually be practiced.
[24:30] What are some new things Jivana has learned recently about making yoga more accessible?
[27:31] How does Jivana address situations in his classes where a student gives another student a hands-on assist?
[30:20] Jivana is giving away two of his books! Leave a comment in the show notes to stand a chance to win a copy!
[30:40] Are you signed up for the OfferingTree newsletter? They offer a free workshop or webinar every month for teachers!
[31:53] It can sometimes feel that as we learn more about making yoga accessible, there is always yet more to learn.
[34:36] Yoga has remained the same for millennia but how we interpret, communicate, and share it with people has changed and evolved over time.
[38:40] How yoga is taught has evolved over time but the yoga philosophy has not.
[42:13] It can be tempting to want our yoga practice to be perfect, like we experience at a yoga retreat, but how can we apply yoga to our real day-to-day?
[46:38] What are some tools we can use to bring yoga into our lives?
[50:28] Shannon and Jivana discuss other ways we can bring yoga into our busy lives.
[53:50] We can hold opposing things as true at the same time.
[56:05] Jivana shares the ABCs of yoga: Agency, Boundaries, Collaboration.
[62:27] How does Jivana handle situations where students don't do what everyone else is doing?
[68:08] Many yoga teachers deal with imposter syndrome. Jivana addresses this.
[74:08] Join the giveaway for Jivana's books by leaving a comment and find out more about his work and the books at his website and on Instagram.
[75:43] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this episode.
[79:08] Shannon shares some of the upcoming events in Pelvic Health Professionals, including Nourish