Yogaland Podcast

Andrea Ferretti
  • 4.8 (1.3K)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This down-to-earth podcast by Andrea Ferretti (former executive editor of Yoga Journal) will keep informed and inspired to practice yoga. Topics run the gamut from nitty gritty technique (her yoga teacher husband Jason Crandell often joins to help with this) to down-to-earth conversations about how to apply yoga's lessons and tools to help craft a happy, balanced life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. The Most Important Skill Missing from Yoga Teacher Trainings

    19H AGO

    The Most Important Skill Missing from Yoga Teacher Trainings

    Most yoga teacher trainings prepare you to teach one class at a time. They don’t teach you how to build real student progress. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 4:04 The hidden gap in yoga teacher training 5:50 Why “random” classes stall student progress 8:40 The burnout cycle for yoga teachers 13:24 The curriculum mindset explained 14:40 Monthly arcs, series & workshops 27:58 Expanding your teaching career In this episode, Jason breaks down the most overlooked skill in modern yoga teacher training: learning how to think like an educator instead of teaching one-off classes. Most 200-hour yoga teacher trainings focus on sequencing individual classes. But students don’t learn in 60-minute increments. They need repetition, structure, continuity, and progressive overload to make real progress. You’ll learn: • Why random yoga sequencing leads to student plateaus • How lack of curriculum causes teacher burnout • The difference between novelty and skill development • How to design month-long class arcs • How to create yoga workshops and special series • Why this shift improves student retention and career sustainability If you’re a yoga teacher who wants better student results, stronger retention, and a more sustainable teaching career, this conversation will change how you think about sequencing. Learn more about Yoga Sequencing 2.0 here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  2. Power, Boundaries & Red Flags in Yoga: A Needed Conversation

    FEB 12

    Power, Boundaries & Red Flags in Yoga: A Needed Conversation

    In this Yogaland episode, Jason Crandell and I talk candidly about power dynamics in yoga, the potential for abuse of authority, and how students and teachers can protect what’s most important: trust, safety, consent, and healthy boundaries. We’re not psychologists or legal experts — but we’ve been in the yoga world for decades, and we’ve seen how quickly a “teacher-student relationship” can become unhealthy when authority, charisma, and vulnerability collide. The goal of this conversation is simple: help more people recognize warning signs early, keep their autonomy intact, and stay connected to yoga in a way that’s grounded, mature, and safe. You’ll hear us cover: • The most common red flags in teacher-student dynamics • Why critical thinking belongs in yoga spaces • How “one true way” teaching can become coercive • Charisma, attachment, and love-bombing in wellness culture • Why discouraging cross-training or other teachers is a problem • How “inner circles” and status tiers can create vulnerability • Consent and hands-on adjustments: what students can ask for, and what teachers must respect If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable in a class, confused by a teacher’s intensity, or pressured to stay loyal to one method or community — this episode is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  3. Why Mindfulness Still Matters: Holding Space in Uncertain Times

    FEB 3

    Why Mindfulness Still Matters: Holding Space in Uncertain Times

    In this solo episode, Andrea explores why mindfulness remains a vital practice—especially during times of collective stress, uncertainty, and moral overwhelm. Drawing from Buddhist foundations of mindfulness, personal experience, and years of teaching yoga and meditation, Andrea reframes mindfulness not as passivity or “everything’s fine” thinking, but as the practice of witnessing—with non-judgment and loving awareness—what is actually here. She reflects on: Why mindfulness helps us sit with difficult emotions without becoming overwhelmed by themThe difference between non-judgment and disengagementHow loving awareness transforms mindfulness from a cold observation into an act of careWhy yoga teachers’ ability to “hold space” is both invisible and essentialHow short, accessible mindfulness practices can support nervous system regulation and clarity Andrea also shares three practical ways to integrate mindfulness into daily life, including mindfulness walks, working skillfully with unpleasant moments, and using declarative language as a nervous-system-friendly form of presence and connection. This episode is an invitation to return to the basics—not as an escape from reality, but as a way to meet it with steadiness, compassion, and care. ----------------- You can find shownotes here: yogalandpodcast.com/episode376 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  4. How to Demonstrate Yoga Poses Effectively (In-Person & Online)

    JAN 14

    How to Demonstrate Yoga Poses Effectively (In-Person & Online)

    Most yoga teachers undervalue how powerful good demonstrations really are. In this episode, we break down how, when, and why to demonstrate yoga poses so students actually learn. Demonstration is one of the most overlooked—and misunderstood—skills in yoga teaching. In this episode of Yogaland, Jason shares how to demonstrate yoga poses effectively in both in-person and online classes, and why visual communication plays such a crucial role in student learning. You’ll learn: • When yoga teachers should and should not demonstrate • The pros and cons of practicing with the group vs. observing • How demonstration impacts student comprehension and retention • The biggest mistakes teachers make when demonstrating poses • Why orientation and timing matter more than flexibility or strength • How to demonstrate safely without risking injury • Smart strategies for Zoom classes, recorded classes, and live online teaching • How beginner teachers can use demonstration to build confidence and pacing Whether you teach vinyasa, flow, alignment-based yoga, or online classes, this conversation will help you teach more clearly, communicate more effectively, and support student learning without over-explaining or over-demonstrating. This episode is especially helpful for: • Yoga teachers in 200-hour or 300-hour teacher training • New teachers learning pacing and classroom management • Experienced teachers refining their communication skills • Anyone teaching yoga online or on Zoom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  5. 6 Anchors Every Yoga Teacher Needs for the Year Ahead

    JAN 7

    6 Anchors Every Yoga Teacher Needs for the Year Ahead

    The start of a new year can feel exciting and overwhelming for yoga teachers. New students, new expectations, new pressure. In this episode of Yogaland, Jason shares six foundational anchors to help you ground your teaching, reconnect with your students, and create classes that are sustainable—for you and for them. Rather than chasing trends or social media metrics, this conversation focuses on what actually builds strong classes and long-term teaching careers: consistency, kindness, real connection, movement quality, stillness and regeneration, and empowering students to make informed choices in their practice. Whether you’re teaching full classes, building a schedule in the new year, or simply wanting to feel more rooted and confident as a teacher, this episode offers practical perspective you can apply immediately—without adding more to your plate. ⸻ Highlights 00:00 – Why teachers feel overwhelmed at the start of the year 01:29 – Anchor #1: Consistency in tone, sequencing & expectations 04:40 – Anchor #2: Kindness, presence & being a good host 08:20 – Anchor #3: Real connection vs social media distraction 14:49 – Anchor #4: Quality of movement over range of motion 21:26 – Anchor #5: Stillness, pranayama & regeneration 25:19 – Anchor #6: Empowering students to make educated choices ⸻ Train to become a yoga teacher with Jason! Our next cohort begins next week, January 13th. Get all the details here: jasonyoga.com/200 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min
  6. Yoga(ish): Holiday rituals, neurodivergent needs & letting people have their feelings

    12/23/2025

    Yoga(ish): Holiday rituals, neurodivergent needs & letting people have their feelings

    The holidays can be joyful… and also a lot—especially if you’re introverted, neurodivergent, parenting a neurodivergent kid, or trying to manage family expectations without burning out. In this episode, we share the holiday traditions that actually work for their family—and the boundaries that make those traditions possible. We talk about front-loading expectations, time boundaries, demand avoidance, and why it’s okay to let other people have their feelings when you don’t meet their expectations. You’ll also hear practical strategies for navigating social events (without forcing yourself or your child to “perform”), plus a few favorite holiday rituals—from cookie baking to Christmas Eve dinner to a Christmas Day zoo trip. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by holiday gatherings, unsure how to set boundaries with family, or stuck between “being flexible” and “protecting your nervous system,” this conversation will help. In this episode: • Holiday boundaries for introverts and neurodivergent families • Why time limits reduce anxiety (and increase participation) • Setting expectations with relatives ahead of gatherings • Demand avoidance, sensory overwhelm, and holiday rituals • How to navigate parties with roles, structure, and exit plans • Letting people be disappointed (without taking it on) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  7. Unexpected Lessons From Yoga in 2025

    12/17/2025

    Unexpected Lessons From Yoga in 2025

    As the year winds down, we’re reflecting on the real gifts yoga has given us—beyond poses and flexibility. In this conversation, we talk about pranayama and nervous-system regulation (including HRV), learning acceptance as our bodies age, how yoga builds discernment around recovery, and what we’re grateful for (including health, community, and the unexpected growth that comes from changing course as parents and professionals). If you’re navigating stress, pain, aging, burnout, or a shifting relationship with practice, this episode is an honest look at what yoga can offer for the long haul—and what we’re ready to let go of as we head into a new year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  8. The 8 Limbs Made Clear: A Modern, Practical Guide to Patanjali’s System

    12/13/2025

    The 8 Limbs Made Clear: A Modern, Practical Guide to Patanjali’s System

    Long before Jason was an anatomy nerd, a sequencing, and a technique nerd, he was a philosophy nerd. In fact, his undergraduate degree is in Philosophy. On this episode, he breaks down Patanjali’s 8-limbed path through a modern, practical model that finally makes sense -- not as a ladder to climb, but as concentric circles of self-regulation that move from the external to the deeply internal. We’ll explore how yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi work together as a system for grounding, clarity, and inner steadiness — and why this perspective is easier to apply in real life than the traditional “8 steps” approach. If this brings more clarity to the 8 limbs, please share it with your students or fellow teachers! ***A reminder: Jason's 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training is now open for enrollment. The early bird pricing expires Dec. 21st, so enroll before then to lock in your $300 discount. Learn more at jasonyoga.com/200 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    19 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
1,251 Ratings

About

This down-to-earth podcast by Andrea Ferretti (former executive editor of Yoga Journal) will keep informed and inspired to practice yoga. Topics run the gamut from nitty gritty technique (her yoga teacher husband Jason Crandell often joins to help with this) to down-to-earth conversations about how to apply yoga's lessons and tools to help craft a happy, balanced life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrea Ferretti
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    431
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andrea Ferretti
  • Show Website
    Yogaland Podcast

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