Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers

Monica Bright
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  • HEALTH & FITNESS
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The podcast for yoga teachers centered around important conversations for yoga teachers to discuss, reflect, and implement. From class planning to business strategy, these conversations help yoga teachers build the business that will help keep them teaching long-term and with a sustainable income. 

  1. Ep 122: Herniated Discs? How To Teach Students Who Have Them

    16H AGO

    Ep 122: Herniated Discs? How To Teach Students Who Have Them

    Ever had a student tell you they have a herniated disc? They sound serious and can make you feel fearful that you might do something to "make it worse." But students with disc issues can practice yoga safely when you understand what herniated discs actually are, which movements require your thoughtful consideration, and how different styles of yoga can help to support healing. This episode breaks down how to teach students with herniated discs, from the initial conversation (gathering important information) through practical modifications to understanding when slower, more restorative practices might be exactly what these students need. I'll cover:  Understanding Herniated Discs from an Anatomy & Pain Science PerspectiveWhat Questions to Ask Which Will Inform Your TeachingMovement Considerations Different Yoga Styles as Therapeutic Options Practical Modifications for Common PosesUsing Language That Reduces Nervous System Threat When to Refer to Medical ProfessionalsTeaching students with herniated discs requires understanding pain science, thoughtful modification, awareness of different practice styles, and clear scope boundaries, but it's completely within your capacity as a yoga teacher. Resources Mentioned: Sequencing for Different Injuries (FREE)  - How to structure classes for students with different injuries Teaching Students with Injuries Mentorship - Six-month program with real students, real-time application, ongoing support covering anatomy, pain science, injuries, nervous system, recovery strategies, and sequencing Click HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show YouTube: Yoga with Monica Bright Freebie: Yoga Sequencing for Different Injuries Let's connect: Check out my website: Enhanced BodyConnect with me on InstagramWanna work together? Book a Discovery CallPractice yoga in my online studio The Alliance (7-day free trial)Join my Newsletter for teachers below! Want me to discuss a topic? Click HERE to submit it! Become a supporter of the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers Podcast! Starting at $3/ month.

    24 min
  2. Ep 121: How To Find The Best Continuing Education

    APR 20

    Ep 121: How To Find The Best Continuing Education

    The continuing education landscape for yoga teachers can be overwhelming. There are countless trainings promising to teach you about a subject that you're interested in. However, the problem isn't that you haven't taken enough of them, it's that most continuing education focuses on giving you more information instead of helping you apply what you already know and what you're learning in the training. Information accumulation doesn't create confidence; applying that information does. This episode breaks down what actually matters when investing in continuing education (using working with injured students as an example), what to look for when evaluating trainings you're interested in, and how to invest your time and money wisely. Information Overload in Continuing EducationWhat Actually Matters in Continuing Education for InjuriesWhat Actually Transforms Your TeachingRed Flags in Continuing Education OfferingsInvesting Wisely in Continuing EducationRecommendations Based on Where You AreThe best continuing education doesn't just add to your knowledge base; it transforms what you can actually do when you take that learning back to your classes. Resources Mentioned: Teaching Students with Injuries Mentorship - Six-month program with real students, real-time application, ongoing support covering anatomy, pain science, injuries, nervous system, recovery strategies, and sequencing Designing Transformative Workshops - Learn to structure workshops, create transformative educational content, and deliver workshops by planning for them effectively.  Click HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show YouTube: Yoga with Monica Bright Freebie: Yoga Sequencing for Different Injuries Let's connect: Check out my website: Enhanced BodyConnect with me on InstagramWanna work together? Book a Discovery CallPractice yoga in my online studio The Alliance (7-day free trial)Join my Newsletter for teachers below! Want me to discuss a topic? Click HERE to submit it! Become a supporter of the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers Podcast! Starting at $3/ month.

    27 min
  3. Ep 120: Poses That Trigger Hip Discomfort & How to Modify Them Safely

    APR 13

    Ep 120: Poses That Trigger Hip Discomfort & How to Modify Them Safely

    Hip pain is one of the most common complaints yoga teachers hear from students, but knowing how to modify thoughtfully for students experiencing hip discomfort can feel overwhelming. Certain poses like Pigeon, low lunges, Warriors, wide-legged forward folds, deep squats, and seated cross-legged positions frequently trigger hip sensitivity. Learn to understand why hips can be so reactive in yoga practice, which specific movements tend to create discomfort, and how to offer intelligent modifications will help you support students with hip pain. This episode breaks down the common poses that trigger hip discomfort and gives you practical modification strategies you can use immediately.  Listen & learn: Why Students Feel Pain In Their Hips In YogaCommon Yoga Poses That Trigger Hip PainPractical Modifications for Hip-Opening PosesLanguage That Reduces Nervous System ThreatThe Difference Between Flexibility vs. Structure vs. PainHow To Build Capacity Through ExposureWhen to Refer Students to Medical ProfessionalsHip pain is common in yoga students, but with thoughtful modifications and language that reduces threat, you can create safe environments for students to explore hip movement and rebuild capacity. Resources Mentioned: Half Pigeon Pose: Avoiding Pain & Injury (FREE) - Why Pigeon is challenging, what's happening in the hip, modification options Sequencing for Students with Injuries (FREE) - Structure classes for students with different pain types Teaching Students with Injuries Mentorship  Real-time support for your students Click HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show YouTube: Yoga with Monica Bright Freebie: Yoga Sequencing for Different Injuries Let's connect: Check out my website: Enhanced BodyConnect with me on InstagramWanna work together? Book a Discovery CallPractice yoga in my online studio The Alliance (7-day free trial)Join my Newsletter for teachers below! Want me to discuss a topic? Click HERE to submit it! Become a supporter of the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers Podcast! Starting at $3/ month.

    24 min
  4. Ep 119: What to Say When a Student Asks 'Will This Hurt My Injury?

    APR 6

    Ep 119: What to Say When a Student Asks 'Will This Hurt My Injury?

    The moment a student asks, "Will this hurt my injury?" can be one of the most anxiety-inducing experiences for yoga teachers. The fear of saying the wrong thing, of not knowing enough about their specific condition, of accidentally making something worse keeps many teachers trapped in silence or vague responses like "just listen to your body." But confident communication with injured students doesn't require knowing everything about every condition. It requires understanding what your actual job is, having a simple framework to rely on, and permitting yourself to be honest when you don't know something. This episode walks you through exactly how to talk to injured students with confidence, even when you're not familiar with their specific injury. I'll cover: Understanding Your Actual Job When Students Ask About InjuriesWhy These Conversations Feel So Scary for Yoga TeachersThe Simple Framework That Works for Any InjuryWhat to Actually Say When Students Mention Specific InjuriesPermission to Say I Don't KnowBuilding Confidence Through Practice, Not PerfectionTalking to injured students becomes one of the most meaningful parts of teaching when you understand what your job actually is and trust that you have what you need. Resources Mentioned: 10 Questions to Ask Injured Students (FREE)  - Ten specific questions that give you the information you need to modify thoughtfully without requiring medical expertise Click HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show YouTube: Yoga with Monica Bright Freebie: Yoga Sequencing for Different Injuries Let's connect: Check out my website: Enhanced BodyConnect with me on InstagramWanna work together? Book a Discovery CallPractice yoga in my online studio The Alliance (7-day free trial)Join my Newsletter for teachers below! Want me to discuss a topic? Click HERE to submit it! Become a supporter of the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers Podcast! Starting at $3/ month.

    23 min
  5. Ep 118: Teaching Yoga to Students with Bursitis

    MAR 30

    Ep 118: Teaching Yoga to Students with Bursitis

    Bursitis, inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction in the shoulder, can make overhead movements and weight-bearing poses uncomfortable. But understanding how to work with students who have bursitis doesn't require a degree in physical therapy. It requires foundational knowledge of modern pain science, intelligent modification strategies, and language that reduces nervous system threat. This episode breaks down what yoga teachers actually need to know about teaching yoga to students with bursitis, from the initial conversation through specific pose modifications to knowing when to refer out. What You'll Learn About Teaching Yoga to Students with Bursitis: What is Bursitis?Understanding Bursitis from a Modern Pain Science Perspective The Initial Conversation That Sets You and Your Students Up for Success Practical Modifications for Common Yoga Poses with Bursitis Language That Reduces The Threat to the Nervous SystemBuilding Capacity Through Exposure, andWhen to Refer Students to Medical Professionals Teaching students with bursitis is absolutely within your scope when you understand the modern pain science behind their experience, offer intelligent modifications using language that reduces threat, and know when to refer for additional support. Resources Mentioned: Free: Rotator Cuff Injury Training  - Comprehensive shoulder anatomy and modification strategies The First Step to Teaching Students with Pain ($34) - Foundational skills for working with any injured student Teaching Students with Injuries Mentorship  - Ongoing support for real students in real time  Related Episodes: Ep 114: How to Teach Yoga to Students with Lower Back Pain Ep 116: Students With Wrist Pain In Your Yoga Classes? Ep 72: When to Refer Out: Recognizing the Limits of Your Scope Click HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show YouTube: Yoga with Monica Bright Freebie: Yoga Sequencing for Different Injuries Let's connect: Check out my website: Enhanced BodyConnect with me on InstagramWanna work together? Book a Discovery CallPractice yoga in my online studio The Alliance (7-day free trial)Join my Newsletter for teachers below! Want me to discuss a topic? Click HERE to submit it! Become a supporter of the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers Podcast! Starting at $3/ month.

    26 min
  6. Ep 117: Do Yoga Teachers Need to Know Anatomy? How Much Is Enough to Teach Safely

    MAR 23

    Ep 117: Do Yoga Teachers Need to Know Anatomy? How Much Is Enough to Teach Safely

    Do yoga teachers need to know anatomy? Yes, but probably not as much as you think, and in a different way than you think. If you've been caught in the cycle of taking endless anatomy courses, still feeling like you don't know enough to work with students who have pain, this episode breaks down what you actually need to know versus what you think you need to know. Learn the essential anatomy knowledge every teacher should have, what's useful but not mandatory, and what you can let go of.  Discover why understanding modern pain science matters more than memorizing every anatomical detail, and how to apply the knowledge you already have. This episode is for yoga teachers who want clarity on where to focus their learning so they can stop spinning in perpetual student mode and start confidently applying what they know. In this episode, we cover: Essential Anatomy Knowledge for Yoga TeachersWhy Modern Pain Science Changes What Anatomy MattersHow Much Anatomy Is Actually Enough to Teach Students with PainApplying Anatomy Knowledge in Real Teaching SituationsWhy More Courses Don't Equal More ConfidenceUnderstand why taking endless anatomy courses without applying what you learn keeps you in perpetual student mode. And discover how to shift from consuming information to applying what you already know. Ready to understand the nervous system's role in pain and movement? Get the Nervous System Toolkit for practical anatomy knowledge that immediately impacts how you teach students with pain. This resource (a 3-part workbook on the nervous system, yoga nidra, and pose modifications) bridges the gap between anatomy and pain science, giving you an applied understanding you can use in your very next class. Related Episodes: Ep 114: How to Teach Yoga to Students with Lower Back Pain Ep 66: Staying Within Your Scope of Practice Free Resources: 10 Questions to Ask Injured Students - A framework for conversations that don't require detailed anatomy knowledgeClick HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show YouTube: Yoga with Monica Bright Freebie: Yoga Sequencing for Different Injuries Let's connect: Check out my website: Enhanced BodyConnect with me on InstagramWanna work together? Book a Discovery CallPractice yoga in my online studio The Alliance (7-day free trial)Join my Newsletter for teachers below! Want me to discuss a topic? Click HERE to submit it! Become a supporter of the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers Podcast! Starting at $3/ month.

    31 min
  7. Ep 116: Students With Wrist Pain In Your Yoga Classes? Here's How to Help!

    MAR 16

    Ep 116: Students With Wrist Pain In Your Yoga Classes? Here's How to Help!

    Yoga modifications for wrist pain are essential skills for any teacher leading vinyasa or flow-based classes, yet most teacher trainings barely cover them. If you've ever noticed a student skip plank, chaturangas, or even table top pose, this episode will help you understand why and offer strategies you can incorporate into your very next class.  Learn multiple practical modifications for Down Dog, Plank, Chaturanga, and Table Top that actually work. Discover how to use invitational language that creates exploration, and understand how to help students build their capacity over time. This episode is for yoga teachers who want to create truly accessible classes where students with wrist sensitivity can fully participate instead of sitting out half the poses. We'll cover: Yoga Modifications for Down Dog with Wrist PainHow to Modify Plank and Chaturanga for Wrist PainMaking Table Top and Cat-Cow Accessible for Sensitive WristsUsing Language That Reduces Threat Instead of Increasing It, andSequencing Classes for Students with Wrist SensitivityLearn why wrist warm-ups matter, how to vary weight-bearing patterns throughout class, when to offer rest breaks, and how to balance challenging sequences with recovery time. Finally, discover how thoughtful sequencing prevents repetitive strain while students build capacity. Related Episodes: Ep 114: How to Teach Yoga to Students with Lower Back Pain Ep 66: Staying Within Your Scope of PracticeFree Resources: 10 Chaturanga Variations — Ten ways to approach Chaturanga with reduced wrist loadSequencing For Injuries — Structure accessible classes for different bodies10 Questions to Ask Injured Students — Framework for initial conversationsWant to Go Deeper? The 1st Step to Teaching Students with Pain — Get a clear roadmap for working with students who have painClick HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show YouTube: Yoga with Monica Bright Freebie: Yoga Sequencing for Different Injuries Let's connect: Check out my website: Enhanced BodyConnect with me on InstagramWanna work together? Book a Discovery CallPractice yoga in my online studio The Alliance (7-day free trial)Join my Newsletter for teachers below! Want me to discuss a topic? Click HERE to submit it! Become a supporter of the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers Podcast! Starting at $3/ month.

    29 min
  8. Ep 115: Mindset, Impostor Syndrome, and Your Scope of Practice

    MAR 9

    Ep 115: Mindset, Impostor Syndrome, and Your Scope of Practice

    Yoga teacher impostor syndrome keeps qualified teachers from working with students who have pain and injuries. If you've ever avoided a student with an injury because you thought "I'm not a physical therapist" or "I don't know enough anatomy," this episode addresses the real barrier: not your scope of practice, but the belief that you're not enough. Learn why the thoughts keeping you stuck are impostor syndrome, not the truth. Discover the unique value you bring that no physical therapist can replicate, and understand why you don't need the expertise you think you need. This episode is for yoga teachers who care about accessibility and inclusion but feel paralyzed by fear and comparison when students with pain want to take their classes. Understand why "is this within my scope?" is often not really a scope question at all, it's impostor syndrome disguised as professional caution. Learn to recognize the thoughts that keep you stuck: comparing yourself to physical therapists, believing you need to know everything about anatomy, fearing you'll make things worse, and thinking everyone else is more confident than you. These beliefs aren't protecting your students; they're keeping you from serving the ones who need you. Discover the fundamental difference between clinical expertise (what PTs have) and teaching expertise (what you have). Learn why you can't build confidence by taking more courses or waiting to feel ready; you build it through practice with real students.Understand what students with pain are really seeking when they come to your class.Address the fear that paralyzes more yoga teachers than anything else: "What if I hurt someone?"Understand the critical mindset shift from trying to be an expert who fixes people to being a skilled facilitator who creates safe environments for exploration.  Related Episodes: Ep 114: How to Teach Yoga to Students with Lower Back PainEp 66: Staying Within Your Scope of PracticeFree Resources: 10 Questions to Ask Injured Students Sequencing for Students with InjuriesWant Click HERE to send me a text & let me know your thoughts on this episode! Support the show YouTube: Yoga with Monica Bright Freebie: Yoga Sequencing for Different Injuries Let's connect: Check out my website: Enhanced BodyConnect with me on InstagramWanna work together? Book a Discovery CallPractice yoga in my online studio The Alliance (7-day free trial)Join my Newsletter for teachers below! Want me to discuss a topic? Click HERE to submit it! Become a supporter of the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers Podcast! Starting at $3/ month.

    33 min
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The podcast for yoga teachers centered around important conversations for yoga teachers to discuss, reflect, and implement. From class planning to business strategy, these conversations help yoga teachers build the business that will help keep them teaching long-term and with a sustainable income. 

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