The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Kimberly Parsons

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Kimberly Parsons

Kimberly has such a fantastic holistic view of Yoga and wellness.

We chat about how the first ever class of Yoga lead to a chain of Yoga studio cafes across London, the importance of partnering with the right people for retreats and events, saying 'No' as an empowered business move, and creating a business based on your passions AND the way you truly desire to do life!

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Philip Goldberg

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Philip Goldberg

While not a Yoga teacher himself, Phil has a ton of amazing advice to pass on to Yoga teachers.

We discuss the business of Yoga over time: from Yogananda onwards and how the first Gurus to the West were supported financially and had to become 'business men' despite their affinity for it.

Phil shares some highs and lows about  being a published Yoga author.

We also discuss the importance of respect and integrity with the tradition of Yoga as Yoga businesses continue to grow and develop, teaching online and podcasting about Yoga, and the importance of Yoga teachers being successful as a way to continue to share the teachings of Yoga and support a broader spiritual awakening.

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Lorin Roche

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Lorin Roche

Lorin and I sit down for a big juicy conversation that covers so many crucil topics.

We delve into meditation and it's benefits, the importance of listening to your intuition and choosing actions that your inner rebel whispers to you, how to stay inspired in your topic after years of research and teaching, learning from everyone, not just your 'teachers', and the dangers of following Yoga trends.

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Annier Carpenter

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Annier Carpenter

Known as a “teachers’ teacher,” Annie is the creator of SmartFLOW Yoga, an intelligent marriage of mindful movement with compassionate, wakeful alignment.

Based in northern California, Annie creates practices that are at once advanced and challenging, yet safe and playful.

Annie began practicing Yoga in the 70s. Her practice helped her through an amazing period where she danced and taught at the Martha Graham Center in NYC.

An influential Teacher Trainer since 2003, Annie leads 200/500 trainings and workshops globally, and at YogaGlo.com

Yoga Biz QnA Live with Amy

Yoga Biz QnA Live with Amy

If you're looking for some Abundant Yoga Business inspiration this week... you GOT IT!

Enjoy this podcast where I'm answering all of your Yoga biz questions!

I'll also share info about my Abundant Yoga Teacher Immersions in Europe and the UK this June!

Enjoy!


Oh, and Save your place for Berlin and Glasgow here.

I hope these resources help you in your Yoga biz. 

Remember: more Yoga = better planet!

PS: Growing Your Yoga Biz - a 6-month comprehensive Yoga business training - is now open for registrations with some VERY fine early bird bonuses!

Here is the link to learn more about it.

As well as 8 modules of video trainings, live coaching and workbooks, covering everything from branding to boundaries, when you register BEFORE May 14 you'll also receive:

4 private 1:1 business coaching calls with me through the program to craft the teachings to your specific situation and get tailored support and guidance.

Receive personalised feedback on your website, marketing and class offerings!

(Valued at $2200)

My 4 best home study programs:

  • Writing from the Heart for your Yoga Biz

  • Create Your Perfect Yoga Website

  • How to Offer, Fill & Run amazing Retreats

  • Powerful & Prosperous Private Classes

(Valued at $1000)

And (this is crazy cool!) if you are one of the next TWO people to register, you'll also receive a complimentary place on the Abundant Yoga Teacher Retreat is Thailand this September.

WHAT?

Here is the link to learn more: http://www.amymcdonald.com.au/growingyouryogabiz

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Rod Stryker

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Rod Stryker

It is an absolute privilege to speak with Rod on the importance of personal practice, how ongoing growth, and changing what you offer over time, needs to match your passions.

He has so many interesting insights on reclaiming passion and desire as a Yoga business owner and discovering Yoga Nidra anew.

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Annie Carpenter

The Business Of Yoga With Amy McDonald & Annie Carpenter

Known as a “teachers’ teacher,” Annie is the creator of SmartFLOW Yoga, an intelligent marriage of mindful movement with compassionate, wakeful alignment.

Based in northern California, Annie creates practices that are at once advanced and challenging, yet safe and playful.

Annie began practicing Yoga in the 70s. Her practiced helped her through an amazing period where she danced and taught at the Martha Graham Center in NYC.

An influential Teacher Trainer since 2003, Annie leads 200/500 trainings and workshops globally and at YogaGlo.com.

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Getting Freaky in the Forest: Siva and Vishnu...

Getting Freaky in the Forest: Siva and Vishnu...

What desire, infatuation and being unconventional have to teach us about service and commitment, and Siva and Vishnu’s naughty nights in the forest …

Note: there are lingas and yogis in this story... NOT a family-friendly tale...

Take Supta Badha Konasana and enjoy!

Authenticity and Being A Yoga Misfit with Danni Pomplun

Authenticity and Being A Yoga Misfit with Danni Pomplun

Do you ever start a sentence with 'One day I'd like to...'

Or what about 'In my dreams I would...'

Or perhaps 'Well, of course they can do it, they have...'

On this week's Abundant Yoga Teacher podcast I'll introduce you to a Yoga teacher who had big dreams and even bigger setbacks...

... If you've ever thought you didn't have what it took to share Yoga in a big and meaningful way you are going to LOVE what my surprise 'Yogalebrity' guest has to share!

 

 

PS: Growing Your Yoga Business registrations are now open... with some very cool bonuses.

 

Here is a hint:
 

Yudhishtara Saves the Day on Forest Exile: Trusting the Universe has your Back

Yudhishtara Saves the Day on Forest Exile: Trusting the Universe has your Back

In today's story we are talking about that time in forest exile when not only are you TOTALLY out of options, you've got the people you love counting on you to figure it out.

Maintaining faith and asking for support when the burden feels too great is exactly where Yudhishtara is at in this Yoga Life Lesson. 

Take your favourite seated shape, Anjali Mudra and call in your divine guidance!

Bhima's Forest Exile Lesson: Hanuman and humility

Bhima's Forest Exile Lesson: Hanuman and humility

Sometimes the things that seem meaningless to us can make a world of difference to others.

Sometimes, especially when we are committed to accomplishing something, can can lose sight of the importance of others.

In this story we jump into the Mahabharata, Yoga's 'Dynasty' and meet Bhima, brother number 2 of the 'Pandava boys', during his time of exile in the forest.

... you never know who you might meet in the jungle ;)

Take Balasana and enjoy!

ALSO if you want to hear more stories from me, as well as learn how to blend story telling into your classes, workshops and retreats, take a look at my brand new course, Yoga and Story, here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/story

 

Sita's Exile in the Forest: Svadhyaya and Selfcare

Sita's Exile in the Forest: Svadhyaya and Selfcare

Sita truly is the poster girl of 'Forest Exile', being cast out into the wilds not once, but twice.

So what can we learn from her and the way she handles being thrown out of the kingdom (5 months pregnant...!!!)

Take a Savasana, hit the play button and enjoy some Yoga story telling about the importance of introspection and self-study, and how this influenced Sita’s choice to raise her sons in forest exile.

 

Yoga Life Lessons from the Forest

Yoga Life Lessons from the Forest

I surrendered to the urge and picked up my iPhone, again. 2.47am. Yup, another sleepless night for me, tossing and turning and stressing out about money.
 
Once dawn came I would be back on my mat with Asana. Meditating, chanting.

Over lunch I’d be reading about saints and sages, learning new stories to share with my students. And then the afternoon would be spent refreshing my anatomy Jnana and planning my sequences for the evening classes.
 
My Yogini lifestyle looked amazing… from the outside.
 
But I knew different.

 
I knew that my Anandamaya Kosha was hurting. There wasn’t much bliss left in my Yoga journey.
 
I was teaching. I was working hard. And I was running on empty, both in terms of Prana and my bank account.
 
This wasn’t what I became a Yoga teacher for!
 
This wasn’t why I spent 500 hours learning how to teach, and thousands more teaching.
 
To be awake – again – in the middle of the night actually contemplating returning to my soul-sucking corporate job!
 
Yet here I was.
 
Trying so hard at what I loved, but feeling shut out, like what I truly desired was out of my reach and being kept from me.
 
And I was hiding all this truth in my own Chaya, my shadow.
 
Looking back, this part of my Yoga teaching journey was my time exiled in the forest.

In Yoga, the forest represents the subconscious parts of ourselves, the more base parts of ourselves, the murky and unrefined parts.
 
The forest is where we go – metaphorically - when things get sticky. Confusing. When we doubt ourselves and our Dharma.
 
Perhaps you’ve had your own forest time? When you thought about going back to your old job. When you felt the shame of having ‘failed’ at our dream of being a Yoga teacher.

Maybe your forest wasn’t a money story. Maybe it’s a break up? A break down? Fear, mistrust, uncertainty?
 
(Flick me back an email. I'd love to hear from you.)

You’re not alone.
 
All of Yoga’s greats have had their own times banished to the forest. Forced into exile. Ram, Sita, Arjuna, Kali… they’ve been there, I’ve been there and I’m pretty sure you have, too.
 
And like all Yoga teachings, there is such Amrita, nectar, to be found in the forest… even though it might not seem like it at the time.
 
As Yoga teaches us, how can we know sunshine if we don’t know shadow? 
How can we know clarity if we don’t know doubt?
 
How can we understand light without experiencing darkness?
 
These Yogic teachings are true in both life and business.
 
Over the next ten days I’m going on a forest exile journey, exploring my favorite exile stories and myths and drawing insights for us to apply to our everyday lives.
 
I’d love you to join me on this journey.
 
Together we’ll play with:
 
Svadhyaya:
Introspection and self-study, and how this influenced Sita’s choice to raise her sons in forest exile.
 
Amanitvam:
Humility, releasing the non-serving stories we tell ourselves, and how Bhima used his time in the forest to overcome his limiting beliefs.
 
Śraddhā:
Maintaining faith and asking for support when the burden feels too great, and how Yudhishtara kept his wise-men safe during their 13 years in exile.
 
Kama:
What desire, infatuation and being unconventional have to teach us about service and commitment, and Siva and Vishnu’s naughty nights in the forest …
 
Sukha:
Finding true, lasting happiness even when times are tough and serving feels difficult, and Vyaghrapada’s unlikely gift from Siva.

Every second day of our forest exile journey you’ll receive an audio story from me sharing some of my favorite (and not always conventional!) stories from Yoga.
 
I’ll also send you some journaling prompts so you can explore your own interpretation and self-study on each of the stories and a Yoga Asana best suited for the particular lesson.
 
It's all free and you don't have to do ANYTHING to sign up.

You're IN already ;)

And when you share your insights and ah-ha’s along the road on Instagram, tagging me (@amyyogabizcoach) and using the hashtag #forestexile you’ll be in the running for some gorgeous Yoga Biz gifts.
 
Ana Forrest once told me Yoga was about turning our ‘sh!t into fertilizer’. Time in forest exile can be exactly that.
 
Not always easy.
 
Hardly ever planned.
 
And so, so rich for our own Sadhana and spiritual journey.
 

So whether you’re in the shadows or the light, in exile or in the world, I’d love you to join me on this forest exploration.
 
It’s all free and a celebration of #yoganerd –iness.
 
To begin to pack our bags for our forest journey, tune in to this week's podcast call.

When Inspiration Becomes An 'Asteya' Issue...

When Inspiration Becomes An 'Asteya' Issue...

This week I talked about Asteya (non-stealing), grace, inspiration and intellectual property rights... I promise it will be juicy!

On the call I shared three stories from my inbox this week ALONE about the fine line between sharing wisdom and overstepping.

What is a 'stolen' idea?

In a tradition based on commentary, what is plagiarism?

When is it OK to share, and when are you giving away someone else's work?

And how on earth do you have these conversations with people in a Yogic way?

It definitely made for some great conversation, so I hope you can tune in!