Conversations With Yogis

Ashley Ahrens & Melinda Szepesi
Conversations With Yogis

The podcast to break the boundaries between your yoga teachers and you. Just a few teachers having a chat over coffee, all things yoga and real life.

  1. S03 E10: Is being a full time yoga teacher ever going to be sustainable?

    12/17/2024

    S03 E10: Is being a full time yoga teacher ever going to be sustainable?

    In this episode we tackle the big questions every yoga teacher needs to ask: How do you build a sustainable career in this field? Can you maintain the same energy and workload as you get older? What happens when teaching 3+ classes a day isn’t feasible anymore? We dive into practical strategies for longevity as a full time yoga teacher, from finding the right balance between your teaching and admin/marketing work to setting clear boundaries to the importance of developing business skills. We explore topics like avoiding the false security of full permanent class schedules, creating alternate income streams, reflecting on your strengths, goals, direction of your career progression & defining your own success. You'll also learn about the importance of evolving and pivoting as a self-employed professional, the realities of retreat planning (like managing deposits), and standing up for fair pay in an industry that often undervalues its main assets (the teachers!).  This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a long-term, sustainable career in yoga while maintaining their passion and purpose. Join our mailing list to receive special episodes

    45 min
  2. S03 E09: Fitness, mindset and mince pies - Finding balance with Annie Price

    12/10/2024

    S03 E09: Fitness, mindset and mince pies - Finding balance with Annie Price

    In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Annie Price, a motivational speaker, women’s health & wellness advocate, and a natural at social media with a fiercely loyal & engaged community. Annie shares her incredible journey from sporty kid to personal trainer, motivational speaker, and now a mom balancing life, fitness, and writing. She opens up about her unique story, from being adopted and surviving a fire as a baby to discovering how her natural positivity has inspired others. We dive deep into the connection between physical health and mindset—why it’s not just about tangible gym results but also shifting priorities, embracing what your body needs, and practicing self-compassion. Annie gives practical advice on fitting movement into a busy life (even if it’s just 5 minutes!) and why no one is above the basics (drinking water, eating veggies, moving every day, etc) Annie talks about creating meaningful conversations on social media, addressing clients’ questions, and building a community of support that goes both ways. Whether it’s addressing the why behind fitness goals, offering quick wins to keep people motivated or reframing challenges with a mindset of “I get to it,” her wisdom will leave you feeling empowered to take steps toward (and continue) your health journey. We also get a glimpse of Annie’s plans—her return to writing, her thoughtful approach to social media, and how she balances it all with authenticity and grace. Her energy is infectious and you’ll leave this episode feeling inspired to find confidence in your own story and strength. Tune in for a motivational conversation that blends honesty, humour, and a whole lot of heart. Connect with Annie on IG @anniejprice Join our mailing list

    58 min
  3. S03E08: So you want to take a Yoga Teacher Training?

    12/03/2024

    S03E08: So you want to take a Yoga Teacher Training?

    trainingand In this episode, we dive into a topic that many students ask us about: how to choose the right yoga teacher training program. There are SO MANY out there now it is completely overwhelming which one to choose, and the pressure to choose the right one is compounded because of the high price involved.  We explore how to choose the right training for your goals, the pitfalls to watch out for, and the importance of ensuring your teachers are truly experienced and devoted to the practice (and not just in it for the money). We also discuss a controversial issue in the yoga world—trainings where graduates from the previous cohort are immediately invited to teach the next one. While this practice might be common, we explain why it raises serious concerns about skill development, particularly when it comes to teaching philosophy, anatomy, and demonstrating how to teach from an embodied practice Whether you’re looking to enrich your practice or find high-quality training that aligns with your values, this episode is packed with honest insights, practical advice, and our unfiltered opinions to help guide your decision. ⁠Join our mailing list

    35 min
  4. S03 E07: Listening to your calling- from dentistry to yoga to spinal energetics with Zeena Kalisperides

    11/26/2024

    S03 E07: Listening to your calling- from dentistry to yoga to spinal energetics with Zeena Kalisperides

    We invited Zeena Kalisperides on this episode to talk about her inspiring journey of transformation: from a career in dentistry to discovering a deeper calling in yoga & energy healing. Zeena shares how the physical & emotional pain she encountered in her patients awakened a desire to offer something beyond traditional dentistry. Feeling her hands were meant for something more, she embarked on yoga teacher training, diving into a world of holistic healing and self-discovery. We discuss how to choose the right TT program—what to look for in the curriculum, the teachers, and the philosophies they honour. She emphasises the importance of practice beyond the certification, reminding us that completing a TT is just the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and growth.  The conversation also delves into spinal energetics, a powerful modality she now incorporates to facilitate deeper energy movement and healing in the body & mind. We explore its potential to unblock energetic stagnation, including alternatives like micro-dosing magic mushrooms, and how these approaches can profoundly shift your energetic field to bring vitality, strength, and new opportunities into your life. If you’re curious about blending traditional and modern modalities for healing, tapping into your purpose, or unlocking your true potential, this episode is for you!  Connect with Zeena on IG @zeena_kali_yoga Join our mailing list

    1h 15m

  5. 11/19/2024

    S03 E06: Chakras - Understanding the basics of our energy centers

    In this episode, we're diving into a topic that many might consider "woo-woo," but we encourage you to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to explore. Today, we're introducing you to the chakra system, a topic that's close to Melinda's heart. To bring this topic to life, we sat down to discuss chakras in a way that’s both practical and accessible - ie - you can start working with them today! We'll walk you through each of the chakras, sharing examples (including some of our own experiences) to help you understand the unique role of each energy center. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or new to the philosophy of yoga, this episode offers a great introduction to the chakras and how they relate to both your physical and emotional well-being. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that will deepen your understanding of the chakra system. Join our mailing list

    1h 2m
  6. S03 E05: Charlotte Holmes - The power of social media to create your global community and the wonders of yoga beyond Asana

    11/12/2024

    S03 E05: Charlotte Holmes - The power of social media to create your global community and the wonders of yoga beyond Asana

    We are back with the first guest of this season who is the amazing Charlotte Holmes. We sat down to chat to her about a few things, but our conversations headed to directions we didn’t even expect.   We were talking about everything from living with grief, whether it is a physical loss of a beloved one or the loss of a relationship. How to be a good teacher and how we need to continuously learn as yoga has so much more to offer than your 200 hour Teacher Training. The different ways we can share the benefits of yoga as physical asana is such a small part. Listen to this episode to hear from Charlotte how she launched her online platform and started working with different brands, being completely self employed and not relying on studios and set classes. This all thanks to her presence on social media that allowed her to work remotely from anywhere in the world while keeping her global community and staying true to herself. ⁠Join our mailing list:⁠ Charlotte's Instagram Charlotte's website

    1h 3m
  7. S03 E04: Gunas, Understanding the qualities of nature can help you to find balance

    11/05/2024

    S03 E04: Gunas, Understanding the qualities of nature can help you to find balance

    Have you heard of the gunas? Understanding the qualities of nature can help you to find balance The gunas are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Understanding their qualities can open your mind to how you view everything. Seeing the interplay of each guna through different moments of your day can help you to learn more about yourself, your reactions, tendencies, and how the world operates around you. By recognising them you can move yourself to a more centered, calm state of being, through your yoga practice, self acknowledgement, and even by what foods you eat. Can’t get out of bed? That’s Tamas taking over. Feeling anxious or frantic? That’s Rajas taking over. In this episode, we are talking about how to identify the gunas within you and how to practice bringing them into balance to move through life with more ease.  ⁠Join our mailing list:⁠

    41 min
  8. S03 E03: Meditation - the ultimate life hack and why you need to start doing it today

    10/29/2024

    S03 E03: Meditation - the ultimate life hack and why you need to start doing it today

    There are many ways to learn how to meditate & it can quickly become confusing and seem like an impossible practice to develop, shutting off the mind. When it’s non-stop & chatters all the time? We hear it frequently... ‘my mind never shuts up, I can’t meditate’... this is like saying you don’t know how to do math inherently and never bother to learn. Meditation, like any other skill, must be practiced & developed if you want to know how to meditate. We both thought it was an impossible task for our minds to become quiet but through consistent practice and a devoted yoga practice we both have become friends with meditation. We have experienced the massive benefits it offers through stilling the mind, and feeling more connected and present. It is possible for anyone and we are explaining our whole experience from the initial resistance, how we learned, up until now we currently practice today. Have a listen to find out if our methods work for you too! ⁠Join our mailing list:⁠

    55 min
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About

The podcast to break the boundaries between your yoga teachers and you. Just a few teachers having a chat over coffee, all things yoga and real life.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Ahrens & Melinda Szepesi
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ashley Ahrens & Melinda Szepesi
  • Show Website
    Conversations With Yogis

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