Conversations With Yogis Ashley Ahrens & Melinda Szepesi

Have you experienced burn out associated with the unrealistic demands from work and life? 

We have - many times. 

We’re talking about how we notice when we are starting to creep up to it. We both know what it’s like to face the pressure of being available all the time and feeling like you can’t turn down any opportunities, being self-employed.

How do you take care of yourself while in this constant cycle of trying to create a work-life balance? We offer our tips for self care you can realistically do - don’t expect advice to have a bath, drink a green juice and write in your journal here...we’re giving advice you can actually have time to implement.

We get it - there is never enough time in your day to do these things and self care goes out the window real fast. It’s a constant learning process of recognising your needs, your energy levels, what drains you, what energises you and then trying to find a balance within that.

Have a listen to our advice that comes from a combined 20 years of experience navigating self employed life.This is our final episode for Season 2 as well - we’re signing off until mid 2024 as Melinda needs to have a baby and adjust to her new role as a mom, and Ashley needs to finish her Nutrition schooling. 

Let us know if there’s any guests you want us to have on the show or any topics you want to hear more about! 

Thanks for listening!

Melinda’s newsletter

Ashley’s newsletter

Becoming a yoga teacher doesn’t mean you’re gonna automatically have a room full of people to teach yoga to - these things take time, patience and perseverence. Part of of becoming a yoga teacher in studios, clubs & gyms involves attending auditions. You need to pass the audition to be able to teach classes in every place you want to teach at.

Melinda and I have done countless auditions - some passed, some not, and they are nerve wracking to say the least. We wanted to talk to Clare Walters, Mind & Body Master Trainer at Third Space in London, who has hosted loads of auditions for many years about what she looks for in teachers who she brings onto the cover list.

We covered everything from what to put on your CV to be invited to an audition in the first place, what to expect at the audition, her best advice for a successful audition, and what to work on afterwards to eventually get on the schedule regularly teaching.



Clare also shared her beginnings in yoga, and what it’s like being employed full time in this industry. Have a listen for some amazing and super practical tips that you can start using right now.



Find Clare teaching at Third Space in London and on Instagram @clare_walters

Pregnancy can come with a lot of uncertainty. Knowing what should be modified in a yoga practice while pregnant or knowing how to support your pregnant students is essential.

Can you practice during all stages of pregnancy?

What are the changes in your body when you’re pregnant?

What benefits and disadvantages are there to yoga during pregnancy?

We invited Cassie to talk to us about all of our burning questions about pregnancy & yoga. We were gobsmacked by what we learned - like no gong bath in the first trimester?!



We asked her what to do if you’re new to yoga & pregnant, or if you’ve been practicing for years and want to continue during this time. We spoke to her about safety considerations that you’ll want to know about if you’re pregnant or if you’re a yoga teacher and a pregnant person comes to your class.

Listening to your body will be your best guide, but have a listen to what our expert guest has to say on this fascinating topic. You can connect with Cassie

https://www.popupyogaclub.com and @cassiemcc on IG

Our next guest is Katy from Reflex East! Katy works in fertility awareness & reflexology and we wanted to talk to her about everything related to feminine monthly cycles.



Do you feel on top of the world one week and then can’t muster the energy to get off the couch another? Could be because of your cycle.

We did a deep dive into what the phases of your cycle are, what hormones are involved, and what they might feel like. She told us how you can track your cycle to find out when you’re ovulating - useful to know for both conceiving and pregnancy prevention...or to know when to schedule creative projects and when to give yourself a break.

Needless to say, we thought it was pretty mind-blowing stuff to know. When you get to know your body better you have more awareness of the signs your body gives you & you can harness that to live more in tune with your nature.

Katy also told us all about the natural, non-invasive treatments of Reflexology. Who knew that touching your feet in certain places could create big changes - from helping move your bowel to preparing the body for birth!

Have a listen to all of this and much more now. Connect with Katy at https://www.reflexeast.com/ and @reflex_east on IG.



⁠Ashley’s newsletter⁠

Melinda’s newsletter

We’re talking to Kat, founder of Yogi Bare - an eco-conscious yoga brand and community whose motto is ‘come as you are’.

Kat’s passion is to create spaces where all are welcome to connect with the healing practices yoga offers; this is a big part of her company’s ethos.

Kat spoke to us about the trials and tribulations of being a business owner, her journey from finding yoga in rehab and dealing with issues around mental health and debilitating anxiety. Yoga was a saviour to her and she spoke to us about how it gives you tools to manage in the real world and find belonging in it.

She is an inspiration and a lovely human. We loved hearing her speak about these topics and much more, including her new projects coming up to support yoga teachers, why it’s important to never forget your ‘why’ in this career path, and supporting the development of all practitioners. Have a listen now!

Find Kat: Instagram

Yogi Bare   https://www.yogi-bare.co.uk/

Melinda’s newsletter

Ashley’s newsletter

Did you miss us?! We are back for Season 2 of the Conversations with Yogi’s podcast and hope you are ready!



We have more guests this season bringing their expertise to the show on topics we wanted to expand our knowledge on as yoga teachers, and also to hear more stories from yoga teachers about why they started practicing and what inspired them to take a teacher training.

We love hearing people’s stories and want to share them with you too!



For our first episode, we invited a friend/course collaborator / incredible Authorized Level 2 Mysore Ashtanga teacher Lauren Munday.

We spoke to her about her experiences in Mysore with Guruji Sharath Jois (the Ashtanga lineage holder), as a student and an assistant, what Ashtanga Mysore is all about, working alongside Hamish Hendry (Ashtanga Yoga London), power dynamics in yoga between teachers and students (words you use in a power position matter more than you think!), and what trauma-informed yoga is and why its important to educate yourself in this area as a yoga teacher.



Get in touch with Lauren for guidance in this area whether you’re a yoga teacher or studio owner at https://www.laurenashtangayoga.com/ and @laurenashtangayoga