Yoga Medicine

Tiffany Cruikshank L.Ac, MAOM | Founder of Yoga Medicine®

This show was created to educate and empower yoga students and teachers to use yoga therapeutically to optimize experiences, communities and resilience. Our methods are based on a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology and the integration of modern science and research with traditional practices and experience. We believe research is just as precious as experience and we believe in the human potential for change and greatness. Our goal is to help you learn the owners manual of your unique body/mind and so we offer this as a free resource to anyone interested in optimizing their health and wellbeing. SUBSCRIBE TO YOGA MEDICINE ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3aWW3XO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://YogaMedicine.com ——————————— CONNECT WITH US! ——————————— FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TiffanyCruikshankYoga INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_medicine TWITTER: https://twitter.com/yoga_medicine LINKEDIN: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/yoga-medicine PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/tiffanyyoga

  1. JAN 15

    Yoga's Hidden History: Expert Insights with Firdose Moonda, MA

    For us to know where we are headed, it is crucial to understand where we came from and how we got here today. To that end, host Rachel Land and returning guest Firdose Moonda MA, spend today's episode discussing yoga's history, examining aspects of that history that are often overlooked. They dive into the challenge of balancing respect for the ancient traditions of yoga with the techniques that are most relevant to modern students, and debate whether teachers need to reference yoga's history in every class they teach. Listen in to learn why yoga history matters, what might be missing from your understanding of it, and what questions to ponder as we all take part in creating the yoga history of the future. — Show Notes: Does yoga's history matter? [2:15] Pros and cons of teaching ancient yoga history [7:38] What is missing from the yoga history commonly taught? [12:05] Western influence on yoga [14:54] The delicate balance of respect and relevance [19:58] Critical missing components of yoga history [25:54] The modern intermingling of yoga and wellness [30:31] Should we always incorporate yoga history in teaching? [35:48] Wrap up and questions to ponder [37:33] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube LIVE Online The History of Yoga Teacher Training Previous Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episodes: 100: Yoga, Politics & History: Expert Insights with Firdose Moonda MA 114: Yoga & Religion: Expert Insights with Firdose Moonda MA Yoga Medicine® Book Club Connect with Firdose Moonda, MA: Firdose Moonda | Instagram | YMO Guest Teacher — Learn more: You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-155. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes, or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

    43 min
  2. JAN 1

    Best of 2025

    In this episode, host Rachel Land revisits topics as varied as managing our behavior during the holidays, how much to depend on technology when it comes to our health, the underestimated power of interoception, signs of undiagnosed autoimmune disorder, common symptoms pre- peri- and post-menopause, practicing in support of Rheumatoid Arthritis pain flare-ups, ADHD or recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury, and key challenges facing yoga teachers today.  Listen in to this episode to hear some of the gems you might have missed during the year. — Show Notes: Changing deep-seated patterns around the holidays [01:07] Recent research: female sex hormones and inflammation [5:42] Common symptom clusters during pre- peri- and post-menopause [12:15] Red flags suggesting undiagnosed autoimmune disorder [17:28] Is wellness a personal responsibility? [21:28] Navigating new wellness technology [25:33] Yoga practice during Rheumatoid Arthritis pain flare-ups [30:39] Interoception as a learned skill [36:11] Rebuilding body awareness after Traumatic Brain Injury [42:12] Teaching cues: balancing clarity with personal choice [44:46] Repeated and predictable movement for ADHD [50:25] Creating a sustainable teaching schedule [54:10] Shifting cultural and commercial pressures for yoga teachers [1:00:32] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Episode 130: When Should You NOT Teach? Teacher's Series  Episode 132: Interoception Research & Yoga: Expert Insights with Valerie Knopik, PhD  Episode 133: Yoga & Rheumatoid Arthritis: Expert Insights with Dr. Nikki Tugnet, FRACP  Episode 134: ADHD & Yoga: Community Conversations with Emily Mariola Episode 135: Yoga as Personalized Medicine  Episode 137: Funk'tional Nutrition with Erin Holt  Episode 139: Experiencing Menopause: Research Roundup  Episode 142: Female Hormones, Immune System, & Exercise: Research Roundup Episode 144: The Power of Language: Teachers' Series  Episode 146: Hustle Culture Meets Wellness Sphere  Episode 147: LoveYourBrain: Expert Insights on TBI with Kyla Pearce, MPH, PhD, CBIS, E-RYT  You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-154. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

    1h 3m
  3. 12/18/2025

    Integrity Beyond the Metrics: Community Conversations with Elena Cheung

    As we close out the year, how do we, as yoga teachers, gauge our progress? How can we assess our success? Today, host Rachel and returning guest Elena Cheung share their answers to these questions. We discuss why one-dimensional metrics like ratings, reviews, student numbers, online likes, and follows are so appealing, as well as the complexities of teaching that they fail to capture. Listen to this episode to learn how to balance your interests and values with the needs of your students, and how to meaningfully reflect on your work as a yoga teacher. — Show Notes: Complexities that ratings & reviews don't express [3:32] From "teacher knows best" to "the customer is always right"? [10:20] Navigating changing student tastes with integrity [13:06] The space that teaching experience creates around feedback [21:46] Why "objective" metrics appeal, and what they miss [26:12] How to gauge success as a yoga teacher [33:05] Final takeaways [47:27] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Previous Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episodes: 74: Yoga for All 141: Pitfalls of Private Yoga (and How to Avoid Them) The Art of Teaching Impactful Group Classes Online Course Connect with Elena Cheung: Instagram | Elena Shapeshifts | The Way Softness Moves | Yoga Medicine® Online Guest Teacher You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-153. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

    54 min
  4. 11/20/2025

    Stress Management for High Achievers: Community Conversations with Katharina Claeys

    High achievers in business, sport, and life in general can benefit hugely from yoga practice. However, the very traits that lead to success in their field can bring up unique challenges when brought to the mat. Today, host Katja speaks with Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist Katharina Claeys about teaching yoga to high achievers. Katharina is an educator, speaker, and consultant with a focus on building resilience and nervous system regulation, as well as women's health. Listen to this episode to learn why setting realistic expectations, being flexible in your teaching approach, and managing the moments of transition into class are so important when working with high achievers. — Show Notes: Traits of high achievers on and off the mat [2:47] Which high achievers seek yoga for support? [6:29] Establish "the why" and set clear expectations [10:27] Working with perfectionism and over-efforting [15:26] Be ready with a range of techniques [17:19] Doorway affirmations, tapping into physical senses [27:05] Work with the person, not the profession [31:49] Match your student's energy [34:17] Tips for teachers: self-care, scheduling, community, mentors [40:28] Get started teaching yoga to high achievers [45:22] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Online Burnout Resilience Program Previous Yoga Medicine Podcast Episode: Episode 146: Hustle Culture Meets Wellness Sphere Connect with Katharina Claeys & Resilience Yoga: Katharina Claeys | Instagram | LinkedIn You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-150. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

    52 min
5
out of 5
77 Ratings

About

This show was created to educate and empower yoga students and teachers to use yoga therapeutically to optimize experiences, communities and resilience. Our methods are based on a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology and the integration of modern science and research with traditional practices and experience. We believe research is just as precious as experience and we believe in the human potential for change and greatness. Our goal is to help you learn the owners manual of your unique body/mind and so we offer this as a free resource to anyone interested in optimizing their health and wellbeing. SUBSCRIBE TO YOGA MEDICINE ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3aWW3XO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://YogaMedicine.com ——————————— CONNECT WITH US! ——————————— FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TiffanyCruikshankYoga INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_medicine TWITTER: https://twitter.com/yoga_medicine LINKEDIN: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/yoga-medicine PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/tiffanyyoga

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