A New Path Forward for the Yoga Industry

A New Path Forward for the Yoga Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep flaws in the yoga industry, from unsustainable business models to the growing commercialization of the practice. This collection of essays explores the rise, collapse, and potential rebirth of the industry, offering solutions focused on sustainability, equity, and community. By addressing long-standing challenges, we have the chance to rebuild an industry that honors yoga’s spiritual roots while supporting teachers, students, and studios alike.

What Yoga Teachers Can Learn About Business from Strippers

What Yoga Teachers Can Learn About Business from Strippers

The first time I realized that I had something to learn from pole dancers was when I was teaching contortion at a pole dancing studio in exchange for private lessons on the Lyra (aerial hoop– it went fine). Some students I knew were nursing sore wrists, but the pole fitness enthusiasts who were also exotic dancers professionally seemed to be able to do twice the amount of stuff with half the prep. I guess if your money depends on you being able to hold on to a pole, you’re gonna take good care of your wrists. That wasn’t the only thing I learned about money from strippers, though. This article was inspired by a podcast I listened to called “The Economics of Everyday Things”– its…

Prana and the Bathtub: Systems Thinking for the Ashtanga Practitioner

Prana and the Bathtub: Systems Thinking for the Ashtanga Practitioner

In our practice, we’re not just trying to keep the tub full. We’re learning to live in balance, where the ebb and flow of prana supports us as much as we support it. It’s not about avoiding leaks but recognizing that the small, subtle drains often compound our stress more than a single big crisis. The practice guides us in patching those leaks with awareness, restoring a harmonious flow where life feels less like a constant emergency and more like a nurturing partnership
In our practice, we’re not just trying to keep the tub full. We’re learning to live in balance, where the ebb and flow of prana supports us as much as we support it. It’s not about avoiding leaks but recognizing that the small, subtle drains often compound our stress more than a single big crisis. The practice guides us in patching those leaks with awareness, restoring a harmonious flow where life feels less like a constant emergency and more like a nurturing partnership.

The goal isn’t to always be on alert, like the little Dutch boy at the dam. Instead, we want to be more like the Indigenous stewards of land and water—understanding that the flow is only a problem when it’s out of balance. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful exchange, where prana nourishes us as much as we nourish it. This isn’t crisis management; it’s living in relationship.

When the Well Runs Dry: Burnout, Imbalance, and the Practice of Awareness

When the Well Runs Dry: Burnout, Imbalance, and the Practice of Awareness

A colleauge of mine feels overwhelemed and uninspired in their teaching, and feeling sore, sluggish, and resetful of their ashtanga practice . Sound familiar? I’ve sure as fuck been there. When the well is dry, it’s dry. No creativity, more irritation, and a creeping sense of burnout. Sure, our practice can help refill the cup, but one of its greatest gifts is its ability to alert us to imbalances before we hit empty. We might first notice it in outsized reactions to small annoyances—like my mom being more pissed at traffic than her own cancer. It’s a classic sign that something deeper is off, and it’s not just about the traffic. In our own system, when we’re flipping out over something inconsequential, it’s often because…

Getting Great: Adaptive Resistance and Isokinetic Training: Optimizing Muscle Growth and Fat Loss

Getting Great: Adaptive Resistance and Isokinetic Training: Optimizing Muscle Growth and Fat Loss

Ever wonder how that gym buddy of yours keeps sculpting their physique while juggling a dozen other life commitments? For this Ashtanga yoga practitioner, the secret sauce often lies in mixing the right ingredients of training modalities and intensities. I‘ve been particularly partial to adaptive resistance and isokinetic training as part of my routine. Adaptive resistance is like that diligent spotter who helps carry some weight when you’re battling through injuries, ensuring you keep making gains even when life throws curveballs—like a car sending me tumbling through the air. After injuries to my wrist, shoulder, ribs, and ankle, and a good amount of warrior poses on my mat, I am delighted to say that both weight training and Ashtanga yoga continued. Adaptive resistance was a…

Navigating Overtraining in Ashtanga Yoga: Signs, Solutions, and Self-Care

Navigating Overtraining in Ashtanga Yoga: Signs, Solutions, and Self-Care

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? You dive headfirst into the wonderland of Ashtanga Yoga, blissfully aware of the transformative power of each pose—until one day, the thought of stepping onto your mat feels more like a chore than a joy. Overtraining can sneak up on even the most enthusiastic yogis, often disguised as the eager pursuit of progress. In a world that glorifies hustle, it’s essential to pause and acknowledge that our bodies need time to recover as much as they need movement. Just like a speedy sports car requires a pit stop, o too do we, lest we find ourselves stalling on the yoga highway. This article will dive into recognizing the early signs of overtraining, crafting a holistic plan for self-care, and…

How Breath Training Can Transform Your Sports Performance: Evidence and Techniques

How Breath Training Can Transform Your Sports Performance: Evidence and Techniques

Have you ever felt like your breath was holding you back on the field, court, or track? Just like a mischievous puppy chasing its tail, most athletes are blissfully unaware of how their breath can propel—or, heaven forbid, impede—their performance. Breath training, often overshadowed by the latest fancy supplements and high-tech gear, is the unsung hero in the athletic world. It’s like the secret sauce in Grandma’s spaghetti—simple, effective, and sure to elevate your game, whether you’re a weekend warrior or an Olympian aiming for gold. From increasing lung capacity to improving mental clarity, the benefits are as wide-ranging as a yoga mat in a spacious studio. In this article, we’ll explore how effective breath training can revolutionize your athletic performance, dive into techniques that seriously…

Sometimes the Support is the Success

Sometimes the Support is the Success

I got to watch a long-time practitioner nail her first straight-leg jump-through this week. Liz has been practicing for years with my dear friend and colleague Jen Rene before joining me shortly after the pandemic. She’s a gem. Right after hearing the tell tale ‘swiff’ of a clean jump through, Liz and I locked eyes. “First one EVER,” she yelled. Liz had attended my bodyweight transitions workshop at the Yoga Club just a few days prior to all of this, and I told her that I was going to tell everyone that fact. I’m joking around, of course. All credit goes to Liz. She had a few skills that were *this* close to coordinating, and she was able to find her thresholds, push pass them,…

I was shocked when Lululemon moved into the neighborhood, and now I’m shocked it’s gone

I was shocked when Lululemon moved into the neighborhood, and now I’m shocked it’s gone

They closed down the @lululemon in my neighborhood because the theft was just too high. Bummer. I was a brand ambassador for lulu for a few years. My image got used nationally. It was super cool. Lululemon helped me leverage my skillfulness as a teacher into something more meaningful. By offering opportunities to teach via their community development projects (for which i was paid and dressed) i was able to reach across the city to find intereated practitioners. So weird to have been an influencer before there were “influencers,” or to have been ‘sponsored’ by a brand. But its true! And it was great! People in hugh paying positions liked seeing me in new, expensive clothes. It opened doors. They invested a lot in my…

cumulative strength: how a casual approach to chanting helped me appreciate my practice more

cumulative strength: how a casual approach to chanting helped me appreciate my practice more

When my brother passed, I felt blindsided. It hadn’t occurred to me that such a thing would happen, even though looking back I can see that with that kind of drinking, it was inevitably going to happen. You can’t drink like that and not die of either health or fate. I was too young/new to this– I hadn’t actually seen anyone drink themselves to death at that point. Yikes. But, I mean, I didn’t realize what was going on and I get why: a sour combination of cognitive disonance and inexperience. I was heartbroken. So often in those moments, I turn to asana and meditation. These were not readily available at that particular time because of an overzealous deadlifting session gone awry. A very real…