Yoga Philosophy and Ethics • Yoga Teacher Resource

Beyond 500 Hours: Competency-Based Standards and the American Yoga Council

Are 200 and 500 hour designations meaningful, or are they just gatekeeping? Andrew Tanner, CEO of American Yoga Council, speaks on the topic. Andrew describes founding the American Yoga Council as a public benefit corporation to improve yoga education and help professionals earn a living through transparent, competency-based school standards with accountability, member benefits like insurance and continuing education, revenue sharing back to teachers and schools, and consumer tools to match people with the right yoga for their needs.

Yoga’s PR Problem (& how you can help)

As teachers we have an important role to play in improving the public perception of yoga. In this episode, you will learn the most common misconceptions that prevent people from trying yoga, why yoga is misunderstood in the wider culture, and what you can do about it as a yoga teacher.

Pricing and Financial Sustainability [On-Air Coaching Call]

Join me for an on-air coaching call with yoga teacher Lorine Bamberg as we explore the intersection of spirituality and commerce. Lorine is committed to embodying yoga’s ethics but faces the very real challenge of protecting her own financial health. Together, we look at the evolving responsibilities of the modern teacher, from navigating fair pricing to balancing service with self-preservation. We also explore the complex role of social justice in practice: determining when to speak up and how to hold space for global issues with integrity.

Yoga: Anticolonial Philosophy

Yoga is a system of moral philosophy that has long been overlooked by Western scholars and appropriated by the fitness industry. Dr. Shyam Ranganathan, author of Yoga: Anticolonial Philosophy provides context for the dissonance between modern yoga and its roots. We discuss how to frame yoga practice authentically, how philosophy is the unifying force between varied practices, and why decolonization requires embracing discomfort.

Suffering and our True Nature

Michelle Cassandra Johnson explores the kleshas—the five afflictions that cause suffering—within the framework of modern challenges ranging from racial injustice to climate change. Through personal stories, insights on yoga philosophy, and practical advice, Michelle offers a roadmap for understanding and addressing the root causes of suffering both individually and collectively. This conversation will inspire yoga practitioners and activists alike to engage deeply with their practice and strive for personal and social transformation.

An Anti-Perfectionist Approach to Accessible Yoga

Over the past decade, there has been a welcome push towards a more inclusive approach to yoga. But what does that look like on a practical level? Jivana Heyman has been at the center of the accessible yoga movement as the founder of the Accessible Yoga Project and the author of The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga, Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body. In this episode, Jivana shares an anti-perfectionist approach to accessible yoga that centers the relationship between teacher and student. The conversation delves into insecurities and imposter syndrome, the interplay between teaching and personal growth, and the importance of ethics in guiding both personal and teaching practices.

The Luminous Self [Book Club Series]

Rituals are actions repeated with intention. According to Tracee Stanley, author of Radiant Rest and The Luminous Self, rituals are also powerful tools for knowing yourself more deeply. Join me for a candid conversation where Tracee shares personal experiences, observations, and ideas that led her to share deeply personal stories and sacred practices with the world inside her recently released book The Luminous Self.

Tantra Yoga [Book Club Series]

Everything in life is for your awakening. This core teaching of tantra yoga is what guides Todd Norian on his quest for whole-hearted self-acceptance. Todd is a musician, founder of Ashaya Yoga, a Kripalu Legacy faculty member, and the author of Tantra Yoga: Journey to Unbreakable Wholeness. In this week’s podcast, Todd shares stories and lessons from forty years as a yoga practitioner, teacher, and spiritual seeker.

Karma Yoga: Should You Teach Yoga for Free?

Yoga teachers are often asked to teach for free in the name of Karma Yoga. However, when this term is divorced from the framework of yoga philosophy, it can be exploited and misused. In this episode, Mado explores the practice of Karma Yoga and some of the less obvious implications behind the decision of whether or not to teach for free.

Yoga Philosophy, Ancient Texts, and the Meaning of Practice

How relevant are yoga’s ancient texts for the modern yoga practitioner? Chase Bossart shares insights on yoga philosophy, ancient texts, and the meaning of practice from his years as a private student of Mr. TKV Desikachar.

Philosphy & Ethics

Discussions on aspects of yoga philosophy and ethics including how to weave these into teaching asana classes and how they apply to the business of yoga.

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All Philosphy & Ethics Episodes

Beyond 500 Hours: Competency-Based Standards and the American Yoga Council

Yoga’s PR Problem (& how you can help)

Pricing and Financial Sustainability [On-Air Coaching Call]

Yoga: Anticolonial Philosophy

Suffering and our True Nature

An Anti-Perfectionist Approach to Accessible Yoga

The Luminous Self [Book Club Series]

Tantra Yoga [Book Club Series]

Karma Yoga: Should You Teach Yoga for Free?

Yoga Philosophy, Ancient Texts, and the Meaning of Practice

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