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.

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…