Yoga Strong Bonnie Weeks

Two studio owners, Steph Alston and Rachel Brooks, join me today, for the first in a series of conversations where we explore the realities, joys, challenges, and learning experiences of studio ownership.

Both Rachel and Steph own, manage, and teach at studios that cater to less commonly targeted populations, so we talk about the why and how of that. And we talk about how they found their ways to studio ownership. 

We also get into money things like paying themselves and teachers, opting for contractors vs. employees, the need for transparency in the industry, and their personal journeys toward financial stability in their businesses. 

Connect on Instagram:
Rachel, Seeking Space Yoga, and Yin Yoga Space
Steph and Santosha Yoga Collective

Previous episodes with these guests:
Steph: episodes 205, 227
Rachel: episode 188
Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE
Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email (hello@bonnieweeks.com), Website
Listen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE
The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting.
Produced by: Grey Tanner

This past week I did a terrifying thing. It excited me and it's what I asked for, though. 

I spoke at an event. And I'm sharing this to illustrate the importance of saying yes to scary opportunities. And the need to trust yourself and give permission to explore and experiment. 

This is about owning your voice and building a creative life that is unique to you.

Takeaways:

Say yes to scary opportunities and trust yourself to figure it out as you go.
Give yourself permission to explore and experiment.
Own your voice and build a creative life that is unique to you.
Pay attention to your body language and how it impacts your emotions and feelings.
Embrace the space between excitement and terror and step into scary opportunities.
Remember that your voice matters and keep nurturing it.



Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE
Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email (hello@bonnieweeks.com), Website
Listen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE
The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting.
Produced by: Grey Tanner

Missy Bunch, a neurology expert and movement teacher to the pros, joins us today and I'm so excited! This is a juicy and vulnerable conversation and we talk so many things, from motherhood and movement science to business and making dreams come true.

Some of today's takeaways:
How authenticity and vulnerability on social media helps to connect on a human level with others and invite successExpansion doesn't always happen in the way we expect or choose, but it's important to say yes to opportunities and trust that everything will work out.Having limited time can actually increase productivity and focus. Balancing work and parenting requires communication, trial and error, and adaptation.Women claiming themselves and stepping into their power can have a profound impact on the world.Balancing motherhood and running a business requires prioritization and being present in the moment.Eye movements in yoga practice can stimulate the brain and improve brain health.Incorporating eye exercises into yoga classes can enhance the students' experience and promote brain-body connection.Yoga teachers can experiment with different eye movements and positions to engage different parts of the brain and enhance proprioception.
Connect with Missy on Instagram

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and the Importance of Authenticity on Social Media
08:08 Childhood Dreams and Embracing New Opportunities
27:57 Navigating Expansion and Growth
36:00 The Unexpected Process of Expansion
44:34 The Power of Women Claiming Themselves
52:39 Balancing Motherhood and Business
01:03:31 Productivity in Limited Time
01:13:14 Balancing Work and Parenting
01:31:00 The Connection Between Eye Movements and Brain Health in Yoga
01:46:27 Experimenting with Eye Movements to Improve Proprioception


Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE
Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email (hello@bonnieweeks.com), Website
Listen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE
The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting.
Produced by: Grey Tanner

It's often said in yoga classes that emotions are stored in our hips. It's offered as a statement but today, I want to offer it as a question to explore. 
Takeaways
Emotions are not necessarily stored in our hips; they are part of our overall human experience.We are more than one thing, and our emotions can be felt in various parts of our body.The hips are connected to the chakra system, representing safety, security, creativity, and expression.Pain, pleasure, and discomfort are subjective experiences that vary from person to person.Yoga practice can help us build a relationship with our bodies and explore different sensations and emotions.Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE
Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email (hello@bonnieweeks.com), Website
Listen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE
The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting.
Produced by: Grey Tanner

In this conversation with longtime yoga and movement teacher Carling Harps,  we explore the value of observation and experimentation in teaching, managing imposter syndrome, the transformative power of becoming a parent, and her multidisciplinary movement journey.

We also dive into the power of curiosity, embracing vulnerability, and asking for what you need in a relationship, and the joy of rediscovering oneself after a breakup.

Follow Carling on Instagram
Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE
Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email (hello@bonnieweeks.com), Website
Listen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE
The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting.
Produced by: Grey Tanner

Today I share my newfound appreciation for anger and the importance of allowing it to flow through me. 

Recently, a beloved tree next to my house was cut down and it evoked some intense emotions. Through the experience, I came to understand the power of expressing anger and grief without apology and the value of having a witness who can hold space for these emotions. 

I share reflections on the process of embracing anger, alchemizing it into beauty, finding poetry in difficult experiences, and allowing anger to guide your growth and self-discovery.
Weekly stories by email from Bonnie’s HERE
Connect with Bonnie: Instagram, Email (hello@bonnieweeks.com), Website
Listen to Bonnie's other podcast Sexy Sunday HERE
The music for this episode is Threads by The Light Meeting.
Produced by: Grey Tanner