[Patreon Teaser] How to Stop Having Endless Conversations With People Who Don't Buy

September 10, 2026

Are you spending way too much time answering questions from people who are interested in your Yoga business, but never actually buy?

In this episode, I’m talking about sales boundaries: how to stop turning enquiries into free coaching sessions, how to recognise when scarcity and people-pleasing are driving your sales conversations, and how to create a simple process that protects your time while still being warm and helpful.

Listen to the full episode on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

And if you’re interested in working with me individually around your own life, relationships or inner world, you can find out more about counselling here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/counselling

[Patreon Teaser] What to Do When a Student Gets Under Your Skin

September 3, 2026

What do you do when a Yoga student irritates you, pushes your buttons, crosses a boundary or simply makes you think, ‘Oh god, not this person again’? In this teaser episode, I’m exploring what our reactions to students can teach us about boundaries, projection, emotional labour and the difference between compassion and making ourselves endlessly available.

Listen to the full episode on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

And if you’re interested in working with me individually around your own life, relationships or inner world, you can find out more about counselling here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/counselling

Special Announcement: It's My Birthday!

July 30, 2026

It's birthday week, which means it's time for my annual birthday sale.

From now until 6 August, I'm offering 20% off both my Returning Retreat and 1:1 Business Coaching.

If you've been thinking about working together, or joining me on retreat, this is a lovely opportunity.

1:1 Business Coaching

The birthday sale brings coaching from AUD $3,500 to AUD $2,800 (approximately £1,350 or US$1,800).

If you're wondering whether coaching is the right fit, I'd love to invite you to book a Clarity Call. It's a relaxed conversation where we can explore your goals, what's happening in your business, and whether we'd be a good fit to work together.

Learn more about coaching:
https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coaching

Book a Clarity Call:
https://scheduler.zoom.us/amymcdonald/strategy

Returning Retreat

If what you're craving isn't another strategy or another online course, but a chance to step away, breathe, reflect and reconnect with yourself, Returning might be exactly what you need.

Three days. Two nights. Time to slow down, think clearly and remember what matters.

Learn more about Returning:
https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

If you've got questions, please get in touch. And please don't not book a Clarity Call because you're worried you'll be wasting my time. You won't. I promise.

Pratyāhāra and Creating a Business That Doesn't Interrupt You All Day

July 16, 2026

Have you accidentally built a business where everyone has direct access to your attention?

In this episode, I'm exploring the yogic concept of pratyāhāra and how it can help you create clearer communication systems, reduce unnecessary interruptions and reclaim your focus.

We'll look at practical ways to simplify your tech, your notifications and your client communication so your business supports your work instead of constantly distracting you from it.

If you'd like the space to step back and work on your business rather than just in it, I'll also tell you a little about the dedicated business day at this year's Returning Retreat.

Learn more here:
https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

We've Forgotten That Yoga Is a Tradition of Stories

July 9, 2026

This week I'm exploring something that's been quietly bothering me for a long time: somewhere along the way, we've become very good at teaching Yoga poses, but we've forgotten that Yoga has always been a tradition of stories.

In this episode, I share why stories have been central to the Yoga tradition for thousands of years, explore the extraordinary roles of Vyasa and Valmiki, and reflect on why the Ramayana and the Puranas continue to speak so powerfully to modern life. If you've ever wondered whether there was something deeper beneath the physical practice of Yoga, this conversation is for you.

If you'd like to experience more of these teachings, registrations are now open for my free three-part online series next week, where we'll explore three ancient stories from the Yoga tradition and what they still have to teach women today.

Sign up for the free training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/story

Check out all the Returning Retreat details here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Choosing a Life of Deep Practice

July 2, 2026

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Swami Atma Muktananda Saraswati, the long-time resident teacher and manager of Rocklyn Ashram, where we’ll be gathering for my upcoming October Returning Retreat.

Swamiji has spent more than 40 years living, teaching, and serving at the ashram, and in this conversation we explore the traditional Satyananda Yoga system, the role of Yoga Nidra in creating deep relaxation, the history of the ashram, and what life in an ashram is actually like. We also talk about community, practice, and why stepping away from the pace of everyday life can create space for something quite profound to happen.

After spending time out at the ashram recently, I’ve become even more excited for our retreat. There’s something very special about the place — the warmth of the people, the beautiful bush setting, the simplicity of the rhythm, and the feeling that you can put down all of the usual “doing” for a while and simply arrive as a student and practitioner. If you’ve been craving more depth in your practice, more spaciousness, or simply a few days away from holding everything together, I genuinely think this experience is going to be incredibly special.

A quick reminder too: the super early bird pricing for the retreat ends this Sunday, so if you’ve been considering joining us, now is a really lovely time to book in.

Enjoy the conversation.

Check out all the Returning Retreat details here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Beyond the Yoga Hustle 5: Why You're Wondering Whether You Even Want This Anymore (And What To Do About It)

June 25, 2026

Have you ever found yourself wondering whether you're tired of teaching... or simply tired of the way you've been doing things? In this final episode of the 'Beyond the Yoga Hustle' series, I’m exploring the quieter questions many Yoga teachers are carrying: what if success doesn't have to mean constant growth? What if you're chasing goals that no longer fit who you are? And what if the problem isn't your business — but the standards you're using to judge it?

Shop my coaching sale and get a $1000 gift!: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coaching

Watch the free trainings here: mid-year realignment training here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/videos

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Beyond the Yoga Hustle 4: Why It's So Hard to Stand Out as a Yoga Teacher (And What To Do About It)

June 18, 2026

In today's yoga industry, standing out can feel harder than ever. More teachers. More studios. More online options. More competition for attention. But what if the problem isn't that there are too many yoga teachers? What if the real problem is that too many teachers are saying the same things? In this episode, I’m exploring why traditional niche advice often falls short, why generic marketing is making teachers increasingly forgettable, and what actually makes students remember and connect with a teacher.

Watch the free trainings here: mid-year realignment training here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/videos

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

BONUS: What ’Living Namaste’ Means and Why It Matters

June 15, 2026

Guest Jeremy Engels joins podcast host Amy McDonald to talk about ‘Living Namaste’, what it means and how it can make a difference, taking Yoga into the world for equality and the wellbeing of all and how to stay inspired and true to your values as a studio owner.

Follow Jeremy’s work here: https://jeremydavidengels.com or Instagram @jeremy_david_engels

Sign up for the free mid-year realignment training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/realign

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Beyond the Yoga Hustle 3: Why So Many Yoga Teachers Are Burnt Out (And What To Do About It)

June 11, 2026

Yoga teachers don't usually burn out from teaching. We burn out from the marketing, admin, travel, content creation, and all the other jobs we're expected to do alongside it. In this episode, I unpack why burnout is so common in our industry and what it might take to build a business that doesn't leave you exhausted.

Sign up for the free mid-year realignment training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/realign

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Beyond the Yoga Hustle 2: Why Marketing Yourself as a Yoga Teacher Feels So Hard (And What To Do About It)

June 4, 2026

If marketing yourself as a Yoga teacher feels uncomfortable, awkward, or somehow at odds with your values, you’re not alone. In this episode, I unpack why so many Yoga teachers struggle with visibility and self-promotion, what’s actually getting in the way, and the practical shifts that can make marketing feel more authentic and effective. Plus, I share what’s actually working right now when it comes to attracting students and growing a sustainable Yoga business.

Sign up for the free mid-year realignment training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/realign

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

[Patreon Teaser] Beyond the Yoga Hustle: Why You’re Still Struggling Financially as a Yoga Teacher (And What To Do About It)

May 28, 2026

If you’re teaching regularly but still not feeling financially stable, this episode is going to land. I’m breaking down the real reasons so many yoga teachers stay stuck in inconsistent income, from over-reliance on studio work to missing structural pieces in their business model, and what actually needs to change. Most importantly, I share practical, grounded steps you can take to start shifting from hustle and guesswork into a more sustainable way of working.

Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Come experience ashram life with me (and my newest retreat offering)

May 21, 2026

In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind my brand new Ashram Retreat happening this October at the Yoga Association of Victoria Ashram in the Wombat Forest. I talk about my own experiences in ashrams, the difference between practicing Yoga and truly living it, and why immersion, simplicity, and community can be so deeply transformative. We also explore the impact of constant stimulation on the nervous system and why so many of us are craving more depth and sincerity in our practice right now. Plus, I share all the details about the retreat itself, including the optional bonus business intensive for yoga teachers.

Check out all the details here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Saguna vs Nirguna: Structured vs Intuitive Launches

May 14, 2026

In this episode, I explore the yogic concepts of saguna and nirguna as two very different approaches to launching and selling your offers: structured strategy versus intuitive flow. I unpack the specific strengths and pitfalls of both styles, and why neither is inherently “better” than the other. We also talk about how experience helps us move from needing rigid structure into deeper self-trust and discernment. If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a better plan or simply more trust in yourself, this episode is for you.

Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCE

Frawley, David (2009) Inner Tantric Yoga: Working with the Universal Shakti, Motilal Banarsidass International, Delhi

[Patreon Teaser] Sales Krama for More Ease in Business

May 7, 2026

If your yoga offers feel a bit random or disconnected, this episode is your nudge to rethink the pathway. I’m talking about krama, the idea of intelligent sequencing, and how your workshops, trainings, and retreats should actually build on each other, not sit in isolation. I share practical ways to make your offers align thematically, attract the same people, and naturally lead into what’s next. Plus, how to follow up in a way that feels like guidance, not a sales pitch. If you want the full episode, please sign up for Patreon!

Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Svādhyāya, Eric Carmen and a Sunbeam of a Human

April 30, 2026

I recently met someone who asked me to define my spirituality. What is Svādhyāya and are you making time for it? In this episode I’m reflecting on what ‘spirituality’ is, how to grow and learn about the self in a non-obsessive way and why I think Eric Carmen has an important lesson for us in allowing for expansive moments in class. Enjoy!

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCES

Bryant, Edwin F (2009)The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, North Point Press, New York

Lee, Jenny (2016) True Yoga: Practicing with the Yoga Sutras forHappiness and Spiritual Fulfilment, Llewellyn Publications, Woodbury

Leventhal, Les (2014) Two Lifestyles, One Lifetime, Yoga with Les, Ubud

Wallis, Christopher, D (2023), Near Enemies of the Truth: Avoid the Pitfalls of the Spiritual Life and Become Radically Free, Wonderwell, Los Angeles

3 Tips to Grow Your Studio Classes

April 23, 2026

If you’re teaching in studios and quietly wondering why your classes aren’t fuller, this one’s for you. I’m sharing three shifts I see make a real difference: making it ridiculously easy to book, being intentional (not reckless) with Meta ads, and actually building your own brand alongside studio work. It’s honest, practical, and the kind of conversation that moves you from ‘This is interesting’ to ‘OK, I’m actually doing something about it.’

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Shakuni and 5 Ways to Check Yourself

April 16, 2026

Today we’re visiting the Mahabharata, and specifically talking about an influential and very discrete villain. How do we spot people that talk a big spiritual game but actually conduct themselves very badly? What can we learn from these people? Then I finish with 5 grounded, real-life ways to practice discernment, not just with others, but within ourselves. This is where the work actually gets interesting.

Learn more about my counselling service here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/counselling

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCE:

Pattanaik, Devdutt (2010) Jaya: an Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata, Penguin, Delhi

Patanjali and Egg on My Beard

April 9, 2026

In this episode, inspired by what would have been Ram Dass’s 95th birthday, I share a very human moment of ending up with a little egg on my beard in a business connection that was not what it seemed. Using Ram Dass’s famous article as a jumping-off point, we explore how to navigate misalignment with honesty and grace. I’m also dipping into the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2.8 and what it teaches about aversion, and the temptation to shut down or harden after things go sideways. This is a conversation about staying open, taking the lesson, and remembering that not every path is meant to be walked together forever.

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCES:

Bryant, Edwin F (2009) The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, North Point Press, New York

Finger, Alan and Newton, Wendy (2018) Tantra of the Yoga Sutras, Shambhala, Boulder

Goldberg, Philip (2010) American Veda: How Indian Spirituality Changed the West, Three Rivers Press, New York

‘Egg on My Beard’ https://www.kashiashram.com/egg_on_my_beard.pdf accessed 7 April 2026

The Oceans of Yoga

April 2, 2026

This week I’m joined for an inspiring conversation with Amy Landry. A beacon for those craving a connection to tradition and timeless wisdom, Amy Landry is a registered senior yoga teacher, ayurvedic practitioner, mentor, odissi dancer, podcast host, author of The Ocean of Yoga, facilitator of the Study Yoga summit, and founder of the online Shruti School of Yoga. I’ve devoured her book and found great solace and inspiration in its pages. Get yourself a copy!

Book - https://amyelandry.com/oceanofyoga/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amyelandry/

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Abundant Yoga Teacher Podcasts

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