Join hosts Giana and Bradshaw on a candid exploration of the relationship between the physical yoga practice and the ego. They share their journey from chasing new skills in pursuit of a goal and moving quickly to the next to grappling with aging bodies and injury and losing the skills down the way. The battle of the ego has taken many forms throughout their practice and specifically concerning their physical abilities. They discuss how embracing simplicity has led to profound growth and shaped ...
Mar 04, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Dive into a thought-provoking bonus episode as a listener reaches out with a burning question about navigating the world of yoga on YouTube and being mistaken for a sensual content creator. We delve into the complexities of the sexualization of yoga and unravel the layers of appropriation within this practice. We candidly tackle the nuanced aspects of this issue, recognizing the sensitivity surrounding the subject from the lens of cultural respect as well as ridding any shame around sex work. Ou...
Feb 29, 2024•21 min
In this episode, we chat with the multi-talented Danni Pomplun, a renowned yoga teacher, studio owner, and entrepreneur. Join us as we delve into Danni's inspiring rise to notoriety in San Francisco and his newer ventures sparked by the challenges of the pandemic. From launching a nonprofit to expanding his role in the yoga world, Danni shares his journey of resilience and adaptability. But it's not all serious – we also discuss tattoos, mental health, and yes, even farting. Tune in for a candid...
Feb 26, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 50
In this episode, Giana and Bradshaw dive into the differences between Yin yoga and Restorative yoga. Giana, while lacking official certification in Yin yoga, offers her insights into the practice, shedding light on common sources of confusion among students. With a wealth of experience and formal training in Restorative yoga, she passionately details its benefits and objectives for our listeners. They both agree that the definitions of these practices and the vast range of styles has created a m...
Feb 19, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 49
Join us for a special one-year anniversary episode of "The Funny Thing About Yoga" as we celebrate with a true luminary of the yoga podcasts: Andrea Ferretti!! With over two decades of experience, Andrea is not only the esteemed host of Yogaland, but also brings a wealth of knowledge from her time as the former editor of Yoga Journal magazine. Andrea has been a huge inspiration to Giana and Bradshaw, and her insightful interviews with some of the most influential figures in yoga have left a last...
Feb 12, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Today we dive deep with our special guest, Ashlee McDougall, a dedicated yoga teacher and proud owner of the yoga studio Yoga Loft Tucson in Tucson, Arizona. She shares her inspiring journey and experience with cystic fibrosis and the role that yoga has played in shaping her life. We also venture into the business side of yoga. Ashlee sheds light on the highs and lows of running a studio, from the intricacies of teacher training to the art of securing prime time slots. Get ready for an insider's...
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Get ready for a laughter-packed bonus episode where we dive into YOUR burning questions! This week we tackle some hilarious inquiries from our awesome listeners about Giana's mysterious residence, the ins, and outs of co-teaching, and we even unravel how to deliver a Dharma talk that doesn’t suck. Prepare to be entertained and educated as we share insightful answers with a touch of humor. Plus, here's your chance to shine - become a part of our show by sending in your questions for our upcoming ...
Feb 01, 2024•25 min
In this candid episode, Bradshaw and Giana peel back the curtain on the challenges that keep them up at night in their quest to be the best yoga teachers they can be. Join them as they dive deep into the tumultuous waters of overthinking, from student behavior to Class Pass reviews, sequencing, and fighting the ego… They ask some tough questions like, “How should teachers respond to in-person feedback and online reviews? What should you do when a student veers off on their own or if cues aren’t ...
Jan 29, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 46
You won't believe the hilarious and action-packed episode we have in store for you! Giana and Bradshaw dive into the MMA world as they chat with Jared “Flash” Gordon, a UFC star who also happens to be Giana's brother-in-law (and Bradshaw's secret crush. Get ready for some belly laughs as they discuss why yoga makes Jared sweat, and also how it's not a magic solution. They'll take you on a wild ride, covering everything from how yoga complements fighting to the unconventional techniques Jared's s...
Jan 22, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 45
In this episode, Bradshaw and Giana talk about new beginnings. They discuss doing new things recently that have reminded them of having a beginner mindset, and how during this time of the year it’s important to support new students just beginning their yoga journey. They give tips for new students on how to feel comfortable and prepare to start something new and they talk about the importance of the beginner’s mindset for experienced students, and how keeping an open mind and slowing things down...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Welcome back to The Funny Thing About You! To kick off Season 2, Giana and Bradshaw talk about their time off and how they spent their holidays. They also address the songs stuck in their heads and their celebrity look-alike before eventually diving deep into self-doubt. They reveal recent experiences that had them feeling self-doubt, and how to build more confidence. Somehow they end up talking about animals and Giana goes into a childhood story about her incestuous bunnies all before playing c...
Jan 08, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 43
The Funny Thing About Yoga Get to Know Giana & Loving-Kindness Mini Episode #3 December 18, 2023 Today, we get to know Giana more intimately as Bradshaw leads her through some rapid-fire questions. Then Giana talks about Loving Kindness Meditation, why she likes It, and then leads us through a practice. Loving Kindness helps us cultivate compassion for ourselves and others, and this is something we all could use right now. Though this episode may not be as mini as the others, the meditation ...
Dec 18, 2023•25 min
The Funny Thing About Yoga Bradshaw Basics & Box Breathing Mini Episode #2 December 11, 2023 The second mini-episode features the one and only Bradshaw Wish. Today Giana spits off rapid-fire questions to get to know her co-host a little bit further. They have a lot of fun being silly and then Giana shares some information about Box Breathing. These small episodes are anecdotal and healing-focused and embedded with accessible tools to try out on your mat or meditation seat. Box breathing is j...
Dec 11, 2023•18 min
The Funny Thing About Yoga Meditation & Feeling Your Way Through Mini Episode #1 December 3, 2023 For December you can anticipate Giana sharing a special message around something she is thinking about or practicing at home. These small episodes are anecdotal and healing focused and the topics will range from breath work, meditation, grounding, and so on. Today she shares some thoughts on beginning meditation practices and offers some tips, and then shares a reading from Mark Nepo’s The Book ...
Dec 04, 2023•10 min
November 27, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga Year End Reflections & Goals Episode No. 42 Giana and Bradshaw share their personal reflections for 2023 about their year-end highlights and new-year goals. They get personal and share standout memories, big life lessons, and what they look forward to leaving behind. They also play a round of cancel, explore commit, and share some of their big memorable funny things. December will feature short format episodes and the podcast will return In full f...
Nov 27, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 42
November 19, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga Gratitude Episode No. 41 Giana and Bradshaw talk all about Gratitude. They get vulnerable and personal as they talk about what they’re grateful for, what a gratitude practice looks like for them, and what challenges they’re dealing with. A gratitude practice can help and they go over how these small mindset shifts can lead to bigger changes, without bypassing of course. You can anticipate hearing about coping with loss during the holidays, the importa...
Nov 20, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 41
The Funny Thing About Yoga Q&A: Learning Curves, Rest Days, Soreness and Finding Your Edge BONUS EPISODE #8 November 15, 2023 Once a Month, You can anticipate a special bonus episode where we answer YOUR questions! In this extraordinary bonus episode, we answer a few questions submitted to us by listeners. Today we banter and talk about Giana's insecurities and whether or not we’re singers, actors, or dancers. Listener questions address everything from a learning curve for beginners, to taki...
Nov 16, 2023•27 min
November 13, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga Astrology, Yoga, and Our Stars with Mahlet Yared Episode No. 40 This week Giana and Bradshaw have on Astrologer Mahlet Yared. They have so much fun talking about their charts, but only after diving into the link between yoga and astrology. Aside from the long history of both yoga and astrology linked in the Vedic period, there are also strong planetary influences that may indicate if you’re involved in a career regarding health, wellness, or service. ...
Nov 13, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 40
November 05, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga Giving It Your All with Yoga Entrepreneur Pedro Luna Episode No. 39 This week Giana and Bradshaw have on Pedro Luna, the creator of YogiMemes, Yoga with Pedro, and Next Level Yoga Community. Giana and Pedro met a decade ago during YTT in Costa Rica and briefly taught at the same South Florida studio afterward. Witnessing Pedro's career blossom into all that he has accomplished today has been nothing short of inspiring. He’s done It all, from bringing ...
Nov 06, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 39
October 30, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga Backbend Basics & Banter Episode No. 38 Giana and Bradshaw talk all about backbends today beginning with Upward Facing Dog pose. Though this pose is one of the most repeated backbends in a vinyasa yoga class, they explain how It is not often broken down in enough detail so It can be polarizing. Not only do they explain the alignment and differences between an updog and a cobra pose, but they also break down prone backbends, kneeling backbends, stan...
Oct 30, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 38
The Funny Thing About Yoga Q&A: Studio Sequence Requirements, Teaching with a Mat, & Comped Classes for Perspective Teachers BONUS EPISODE #7 October 25, 2023 Once a Month, You can anticipate a special bonus episode where we answer YOUR questions! In this extraordinary bonus episode, we answer a few questions submitted to us by listeners. Today we banter and talk about Giana's current teaching problem and then get to listener questions. We talk about socializing before class and deviatin...
Oct 26, 2023•29 min
October 23, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga The Student-Teacher Paradigm Shift LIVE from Zen Yoga Garage Episode No. 37 This week Giana and Bradshaw bring back Melissa Talleda, Managing director of Zen Yoga Garage to host an in-studio event and podcast recording. On Friday, October 20th the three of them co-taught a 60-minute yoga class demoing different teaching styles then the group stayed for the live and interactive podcast recording. In this week's episode, you will hear the discussion that...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 37
October 16, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga We Talk Nonsense, then Get Serious about Sequencing Episode No. 36 The title says It all: this episode begins with casual banter that spirals into a lot of nonsensical talk between Giana and Bradshaw. It's a conversation that paints a clear picture of their dynamic, which often involves Giana trying to lay out the foundation and Bradshaw bouncing to the beat of his own drum. After chatting about therapy, water aerobics, nudity, language, conjugal visit...
Oct 16, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 36
October 9, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga Teaching Opportunities, Auditions, and All Things Money Episode No. 35 This week Giana and Bradshaw talk about the different places yoga teachers can teach, auditioning, and all things money. They share their years of experience in teaching at several venues, creating opportunities for themselves, and cultivating the necessary business skills to be your own boss. They bring full transparency to this conversation to help inspire you- whether you’re a sea...
Oct 09, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 35
October 2, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga Live From Joshua Tree: The Ebbs and Flows of Practice Episode No. 34 Giana and Bradshaw record live from their retreat in Joshua Tree, California this week. They talk about taking time off to be students in Los Angeles beforehand and how It was important to fill up their cups before leading the retreat. Not only did they feel inspired and reconnected to their personal practice but they also discuss the broader ebbs and flows of practice. They discuss th...
Oct 02, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 34
September 25, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga Reflecting and Growing with Alison Riazi Episode No. 33 This week Giana and Bradshaw talk with Alison Riazi a fellow Chicago Yoga Teacher with a ton of experience. From her early days in Corepower training to a big move to New York to pursue dancing, then a move home to Chicago and so much more, Alison has done It all. They talk about rebuilding your career with moving and other yoga teacher milestones and transitions. They also touch on the energy o...
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 33
The Funny Thing About Yoga Q&A: Socializing Before Class & Deviating from the Flow BONUS EPISODE #6 September 21, 2023 Once a Month, You can anticipate a special bonus episode where we answer YOUR questions! In this very special bonus episode, we answer a few questions submitted to us by listeners. Today we banter and talk about Giana's current teaching conundrum and then get to listener questions. We talk about socializing before class and deviating from the flow. If you have a question...
Sep 21, 2023•28 min
September 18, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga Body Image and Yoga Episode No. 32 This week Giana and Bradshaw talk about all things Body Image, from the stereotypical yoga body to the commercialization of yoga, to feeling unwelcome, unsolicited comments and negative self-talk. They talk about their experience as both students and teachers and share the several ways in which the yoga practice can help cultivate a healthy relationship with body image. They also give advice on what not to do and sh...
Sep 18, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 32
September 5, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga This Wasn’t in the Job Description Episode No. 31 In today's episode, “This wasn’t in the Job Description,” Giana and Bradshaw talk about many of the atypical situations they have encountered in their collective 19 years of teaching experience. From medical emergencies and dealing with intruders, to conflict management and everything in between, the hosts get very candid about many different situations that have challenged them to think quickly and im...
Sep 11, 2023•59 min•Season 1Ep. 31
September 5, 2023 The Funny Thing About Yoga Everything You Need to Know About Inversions Episode No. 30 This week Giana and Bradshaw talk about Inversions- particularly headstands, forearm stands, and Handstands. Before getting into It they enjoy lighthearted banter and as their 2024 Retreat and YTT approaches, reminisce about Nicaragua. As for the Inversion talk, they detail their experience and preferences, the reason for including inversions in your practice, and even give helpful tips for g...
Sep 04, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 30
