This month, we have a short and sweet bonus episode! Bradshaw kicks things off by revealing one of Giana’s secrets, followed by some announcements and a few personal details about Bradshaw. Then, they dive into answering two listener questions—one about teaching one-on-one sessions and another about auditioning by leading a free community class. It’s packed with insights and personal experiences. Enjoy the listen! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: CAYAYOGASCHOOL@GMAIL.COM Sign Up for Bradshaw's Handstand ...
Feb 27, 2025•16 min
We Made It to 100 Episodes! In this milestone episode, we look back at standout moments from every season—reflecting on why they resonated and sharing some of our favorite memories. But, of course, it wouldn’t be us without some ridiculous stories. This time, we’re bringing back two of the most outrageous: one involving feet and the other… a legendary poop stain. This is the perfect episode to get familiar with our amazing guests, relive some of the funniest moments, and, most importantly, share...
Feb 24, 2025•33 min•Season 3Ep. 100
This week, we kick things off with a little east coast banter, chatting about what it means to be Italian American, swapping family stories, and confessing some good ol’ jealousy. Then, we dive into feedback —the good, the bad, and the unsolicited. We explore whether we even like feedback, the role it plays, when it’s appropriate, and the best ways to give it. From unsolicited advice to corporate feedback to the moments that left bigger impacts on us, we’re sharing plenty of stories (and laughs)...
Feb 17, 2025•50 min•Season 3Ep. 99
This week, we’re joined by the incredible Alexandria Crow for an insightful conversation on using social media to share a message and make an impact. We explore her background in design, how she established her authentic voice, and her candid take on “selling” in today’s world. Alexandria shares why storytelling is the ultimate tool for connection, why followers don’t equal sales, and offers invaluable business advice. We also dive into her yoga journey in LA, her time with YogaWorks, and her ex...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 98
In this episode, we kick things off with a big rant about Giana’s travels, moving, Los Angeles, Bradshaw’s tattoos, ghosts, and real estate. Then, we dive into Giana’s experience of settling into San Francisco and returning to the audition process. We break down the many different styles of auditions and offer advice for teachers navigating them. Giana shares her personal journey of re-entering auditions after some time away. After 11 years of teaching, being the “new girl” again brings up a mix...
Feb 03, 2025•49 min•Season 3Ep. 97
Our first bonus episode of 2025 kicks off strong! Today we’re answering three questions from two international listeners—one about cisgender men teaching prenatal yoga, and two others about making eye contact with students or what to do about teaching while sick. Let’s get into it! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: CAYAYOGASCHOOL@GMAIL.COM JOIN US ON A RETREAT: Starved Rock Yoga Retreat (JULY): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/starvedrock ITALY Yoga Retreat (AUGUST): https://www.cayayogaschool.com/italy FOL...
Jan 31, 2025•32 min
This week, we’re honored to welcome Chicago yoga legend Gabriel Halpern to The Funny Thing About Yoga. Gabriel founded The Yoga Circle in 1985 and has been teaching yoga longer than we’ve been alive! Sitting down with him was an absolute treat as we explored the vastness of his life’s work—from discovering yoga through Yogi Bhajan and Kundalini to studying with Iyengar, sharing his philosophies, and the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way. A natural storyteller, Gabriel brings wisdom, ...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 96
In this episode of The Funny Thing About Yoga, Giana, and Bradshaw dive into the world of workshops! Bradshaw shares all the juicy details from his recent handstand workshop, and the duo breaks down how to structure workshops, their purpose, and why they’re valuable for both teachers and students. Along the way, they sprinkle in plenty of laughs with stories about "stealing" content, giving credit where it’s due, spilled coffee disasters, and some truly hilarious retreat texts. This might just b...
Jan 20, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 95
This week on The Funny Thing About Yoga , Giana and Bradshaw sit down with fellow yoga podcaster J. Brown for an unfiltered conversation about life behind the mic. They share all the details about recording episodes, trying to stay ahead, navigating listenership, and what it means to have a platform—and whether that comes with responsibility. J. reflects on his decade-long journey as a podcaster, sharing how he’s landed interviews with revered guests, who’s still on his dream list, and how his a...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 94
In this exciting season opener, Bradshaw and Giana reflect on how The Funny Thing About Yoga has found its groove, celebrating the joy of their "friend dates" and the personal and professional growth they've experienced with each episode. They share their big 2025 goals for the podcast and their business, C.A.Y.A. Yoga School, including plans for their 300-hour teacher training and growing their offerings. The duo dives into the business side of yoga, offering advice to teachers looking to plan ...
Jan 06, 2025•55 min•Season 3Ep. 93
In our final episode of Season 2, we kick things off with a delightfully random mix of banter: air fryers, ice cream, Bradshaw’s dog, cow udders, and kitchen renovations (and that’s just the beginning). As we reflect on a year of podcasting, we share fun listener stats—like our most popular episodes, countries you’re tuning in from, and how much the podcast has grown. We even brainstorm a hilariously sneaky (and completely unethical) plan to keep that momentum going. We talk about the balance of...
Dec 16, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 92
This week, we’re joined by the incredible Yvonne Kingsley, a yoga teacher based in San Francisco who’s been sharing her practice for over a decade. After having the pleasure of taking her classes, we can confidently say they’re the perfect blend of thoughtful sequencing, mindfulness, and grounding strength. Yvonne’s calming presence, sharp sense of humor, and inspiring approach to dharma talks, pacing, and meditation truly left us in awe. In this episode, we dive deep with Yvonne to explore reco...
Dec 09, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 91
In this episode, we get personal and candid about the holiday season—both the joy and the stress it brings. We chat about our new Thanksgiving traditions, the old ones we cherish, and the many personal memories tied to childhood, family dynamics, and a whole lot of dysfunction. From navigating grief and setting boundaries to reflecting on mental health and holiday stress, we cover it all. We also explore how turning to your yoga practice during this time can help cultivate peace and resilience. ...
Dec 02, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 90
In this short bonus episode, the holiday spirit kicks things off with lighthearted banter specifically around subbing yoga classes. Then, they dive into listener questions, starting with how to begin teaching yoga part-time, sharing practical tips and ideas along the way. Next, they tackle the nuances of incorporating Hindu mythology into classes, offering thoughtful perspectives on honoring tradition while keeping it accessible and engaging. As always, there’s plenty of laughter, and by the end...
Nov 28, 2024•21 min
This week’s episode kicks off with the usual banter as Giana and Bradshaw chat about why Giana is always right, her latest moving updates, the quirks of dating a non-native English speaker, and stories about Giana’s grandparents. Then, they dive into the nitty-gritty of exclusivity contracts in the yoga world. What exactly are they? Have Giana or Bradshaw ever signed one? And—plot twist—who do you think should actually be in jail? This episode unpacks the complexities of exclusivity contracts, o...
Nov 25, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 89
This week on The Funny Thing About Yoga podcast, we kick things off with life updates, announcements, and our thoughts on the Kundalini documentary Breath of Fire before diving into the heart of the episode: boundaries. We get real about setting boundaries with students, from navigating studio culture and managing time to dealing with button-pushing dynamics. We also address advocating for fair pay, clarifying job expectations, and even the tricky territory of power dynamics, dating, and yoga cr...
Nov 18, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 88
In this episode, Bradshaw and Giana reunite in San Francisco for a much-needed break from their routines, embracing life as students once again. They share the joys of sampling delicious foods, hiking scenic trails, and exploring new ways to breathe inspiration into their teaching. Bradshaw opens up about the inner changes he’s going through and how he plans to introduce new approaches into his practice, one step at a time. Giana talks about stepping back from teaching public classes while she n...
Nov 11, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 87
In this episode, we sit down with the inspiring and down-to-earth Haley Havelock, a yoga teacher based in San Francisco. Growing up with a yoga teacher mom, Haley’s journey to the mat is a unique blend of rebellion, tradition, and personal discovery. We explore her distinctive upbringing, her path to discovering yoga independently, and how she’s woven dharma talks and storytelling into her teaching style. Haley opens up about the challenges and lessons from teaching during the pandemic, expandin...
Nov 04, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 86
Join us for our monthly bonus episode! Today, we’re kicking things off with Halloween fun—chatting about yoga costumes, nostalgic 80s and 90s toys, fandoms, obsessions, and more. Then, we dive into your spooky yoga stories. Trigger warning: this episode contains some creepy or unsettling tales that may not be for everyone. We asked our audience to send in their wildest yoga experiences, and we’re reacting to them all. This episode is unhinged, hilarious, and just a tad creepy! SEND YOUR QUESTION...
Oct 31, 2024•32 min
In this episode of The Funny Thing About Yoga , we’re all about the hips! But first, we kick things off with our classic banter—Bradshaw's new cat, new tattoos and piercings, and some spot-on impressions guaranteed to make you laugh. Then, we dive deep into the complexities of the hips: exploring muscle compartments, sharing cues we love (and a few we don’t), and breaking down functional movement. Bradshaw opens up about his experience with S.I. joint dysfunction, and Giana talks about recoverin...
Oct 28, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 85
In this episode of The Funny Thing About Yoga , Giana and Bradshaw take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reflecting on their early days as yoga teachers. They kick things off with casual banter about dating apps, mispronunciations, and whether anyone else in the world is named Bradshaw. From there, they veer into wild tangents that have absolutely nothing to do with yoga—but you'll want to stick around for the laughs. When they finally get serious, Giana and Bradshaw share their vastly differe...
Oct 21, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 84
This week's episode of The Funny Thing About Yoga kicks off with some lighthearted banter between Giana and Bradshaw about their names, settling in, and stimming. Then, they begin talking about updating their teaching, with Bradshaw starting by sharing his thoughts on looking outside the yoga world for inspiration, while Giana catches a case of the giggles. Once they get back on track, they dive into a meaningful conversation about why teaching can feel stale at times and how to approach bringin...
Oct 14, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 83
This episode kicks off with Bradshaw confessing to being hungover, as Giana pushes them to podcast through it and keeping things real. They reflect on returning from the Joshua Tree retreat, feeling a little burnt out, and how their behind-the-scenes experience contrasts with guests' perceptions. This leads to today’s main topic: lifting the veil on the yoga world. Giana and Bradshaw dive into pivotal moments that have exposed some harsh realities beneath the surface, from serious scandals and u...
Oct 07, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 82
In this episode, Bradshaw and Giana dive into the journey of becoming an authentic yoga teacher and finding your own voice. We reflect on our experiences of trying to imitate our teachers early on, and how we eventually stepped into who we truly are. We also explore what it means to live authentically off the mat, discussing the process of self-discovery and the transformations that come along the way. Bradshaw shares how he grew up with a strong sense of individuality, always standing out, whil...
Sep 30, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 81
Join us for our monthly bonus episode! We start by discussing The Secret Lives of the Mormon Wives before diving into two questions about yoga retreats. The first addresses the challenge of selling the last few spots on a retreat—something we’ve both experienced and are eager to share insights about. The second question explores how we got into hosting retreats and highlights important factors to consider before taking the leap. It’s a quick listen packed with valuable information. Enjoy! SEND Y...
Sep 26, 2024•15 min
In this episode, Giana and Bradshaw dive into the heart of community—what it means to them and how they've cultivated it since starting C.A.Y.A. Yoga School. They share stories of different studio vibes, the power of shared interests, and how connection can offer support and growth, both personally and professionally. Fostering this sense of community is one of their favorite aspects of teaching yoga, from their retreats, where they show up for students and support their practice, to teacher tra...
Sep 23, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 80
This episode is chaos, humor, and technical as they discuss alignment. Giana and Bradshaw recorded late at night and are *definitely* unhinged as they chat about everything from their pets to their hilarious bickering while Giana crashes at Bradshaw’s place. They dive into how they drive each other crazy, sprinkle in some serious updates on upcoming retreats, and share their excitement over being mentioned in *Yoga Journal*. Eventually, they get to the yoga stuff—specifically splits! Tune in for...
Sep 16, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 79
In this deeply personal episode, Bradshaw returns to the podcast after the tragic loss of his dad to suicide. Together, we navigate the complexities of teaching yoga through challenging times and explore the power of letting our students see us in our most human moments. We talk about the roller coaster of grief, the concept of chosen family, and ways to show support. Bradshaw shares the vulnerability of having lost both parents and being on the edge of profound change. This is a heavy topic tha...
Sep 09, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 78
In this week's episode, Giana sits down with Samantha Marks Gitlin, a former colleague and friend, to catch up on life after leaving their previous workplace. They cover everything from how a corporate environment can stifle teachers' personalities to the differences between teaching at gyms versus studios, the importance of hands-on assists, and Sam's passion for supporting yoga teachers. Sam also introduces her exciting new business venture, We The People—a unique space in downtown Chicago des...
Sep 02, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 77
Join us for our monthly bonus episode! Today, we’re casually chatting about the renovations to Bradshaw's kitchen and what’s been happening lately. Then, we dive right into your burning questions. We cover topics like: our favorite and least favorite assists, whether it’s frowned upon to have 300 hours of training and not teach, and the best way to lead into Savasana. This episode is both informative and funny, so don’t miss out! Important Time Markers: 05:00 - Q1: What are your favorite and lea...
Aug 29, 2024•20 min
