Certain retreat destinations seem to simply sell themselves. Why does this happen and how can you use this information to sell your retreats more quickly and easily? In this conversation with Lily Dwyer Begg, we explain our theory of trending and bucket list retreat locations - and how she has used it to carefully curate her portfolio of retreat destinations. You’ll also hear about how to build retreats around personal values, and why a local home-cooked meal can be more meaningful than a luxury...
May 22, 2025•56 min•Ep. 281
Curious about the latest trends in wellness travel? Travel journalist Julie Alpine shares her insider view on the locations, themes, and experiences that are currently taking the travel world by storm. From swimming with otters in Scotland to exploring the Costa Rican jungle, we discuss what makes a location truly special for retreat leaders and attendees alike. Diving into travel trends for 2025, we cover what retreat hosts should look for when choosing a location, and how they can create unfor...
May 15, 2025•28 min•Ep. 280
Thinking about leading a retreat in Bali? Tune in for this chat with yoga teacher and retreat leader Ali Temple who has been living in Bali for almost a year. Ali shares her experiences and insights about life in Bali, including the unique cultural rituals such as the Canang Sari daily offerings and the water purification ceremonies at Balinese water temples. We also cover practical tips for leading a yoga retreat in Bali, such as financial considerations, visa requirements, and must-do experien...
May 08, 2025•35 min•Ep. 279
Have you ever thought about leading a retreat in the birthplace of yoga? This week I’m joined by Jessica Lohrey to discuss the benefits and realities of leading yoga retreats in India. From understanding the culture, working with local guides, and creating space for authentic transformation during your retreat, Jessica shares practical advice, moving personal stories, and insider tips. Whether you're planning your first retreat or just thinking about it, this episode will inspire you to explore ...
May 01, 2025•37 min•Ep. 278
Does your spirit crave to feel reconnected to the earth? To be surrounded by the Tramontana mountains and crystal clear waters? This week, I’m joined by retreat leader Dagmar Spremberg to talk about Mallorca, Spain. Originally overlooked as a party destination, Dagmar now calls Mallorca home and has seen its transformation into a high-end retreat paradise. Together we discuss locations like La Serrania, Son Sion, and Osa Major that offer refuge for those seeking relaxation, recharging, and a qui...
Apr 24, 2025•17 min•Ep. 277
If the idea of coastal sunsets and pasta under the stars is calling your name, a retreat in Italy might be your perfect destination. This week I’m joined by retreat leader Pedro Luna to talk about Italy as a location for hosting a retreat. Pedro has led multiple international retreats and shares two of his favorite retreat spots: Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreats and La Dogana in Tuscany. We discuss embracing the slow-paced Italian lifestyle, and his preference for working with local partners for renti...
Apr 17, 2025•22 min•Ep. 276
Clear turquoise waters, a slow-paced lifestyle, delectable food, and rich history are just a few of the features that make the Greek Islands an ideal place to lead yoga retreats. In this episode, my guest Lily Dwyer Begg and I reminisce about a retreat that she led (and I assisted) this past fall on the island of Amorgos. The conversation highlights unique elements of Greek culture and local experiences that can be integrated into a retreat. We also spill the tea on which Islands off the beaten ...
Apr 10, 2025•41 min•Ep. 275
If you’re considering a retreat in Mexico, tune in for inside tips from guest expert Nathania Stambouli who has led dozens of retreats there. You’ll hear about the unique aspects of different Mexican retreat locations and cultural experiences such as the Temazcal sweat lodge and Dia de los Muertos. We also explore practical considerations such as safety, tipping cultures, cash usage, and interfacing with the local population to support vendors and artisans. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Introduction...
Apr 03, 2025•36 min•Ep. 274
Explore the diverse options for hosting yoga retreats in France with Corine Englander-Bombled, a seasoned yoga instructor who has lived in France for more than 20 years. Corine shares the unique appeal of various French retreat locations, from mountains to eco-villages to castles. She shares her personal journey, teaching experiences, and key tips for organizing successful retreats. Learn about the cultural nuances, financial considerations, and the importance of preparation and communication. E...
Mar 27, 2025•31 min•Ep. 273
Thinking of offering a retreat in Costa Rica? Dagmar Spremberg is a retreat leader who lived in Costa Rica for over 20 years. In this episode, she shares her insider’s perspective to help you speed up your planning process and avoid rookie mistakes. Topics include selecting the best time of year, dealing with climate and local wildlife, and financial considerations. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Introduction to the Series and Episode 01:51 Dagmar's Journey to Leading Retreats in Costa Rica 03:01 Typ...
Mar 20, 2025•23 min•Ep. 268
The right location can elevate a yoga retreat from excellent to unforgettable. In this episode, Mado and Lily explore the creative process of choosing a retreat location. They share real-world experiences and essential practicalities such as budgeting realistically, navigating contracts, understanding legal requirements, and site visits. Learn how to evaluate venue amenities, accessibility for all participants, the surrounding environment, and the overall atmosphere. This episode is packed with ...
Mar 19, 2025•42 min•Ep. 271
This quick episode is a takedown of hustle culture. Hustle culture harms yoga teachers with promises of future happiness - while it drains us of the joy that’s available right now. In this episode, I share thoughts on finding appropriate challenges, the role of boundaries, the awkward phase of flow, and how to cultivate a mindset that fosters fulfillment now rather than someday in the future. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Focus and Flow Course Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource Join the Yoga ...
Mar 06, 2025•13 min•Ep. 270
High stakes, blurred boundaries, perfectionism, and burnout: no wonder yoga teachers have a hard time staying focused. In this week's episode, I explore ten reasons why maintaining focus is difficult; from social media distractions to the pressure of running a passion-driven business, and offer strategies such as time management, boundary-setting, and self-care. While these challenges are persistent, implementing thoughtful systems and routines can help reclaim creative energy and prevent burnou...
Feb 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 269
Got a yoga workshop coming up and want to brush up on your faciliation skills? No matter how well you know your topic, your workshop will flop if you don’t understand how to keep your students engaged. In this episode, I'll share the most common mistakes that workshop leaders make and how to avoid these pitfalls to teach better workshops. Episode Highlights: Strategies to capture your students’ attention and engage them in the learning process Common presentation mistakes and how to turn them in...
Jan 22, 2025•14 min•Ep. 274
Curious about how to boost attendance at your workshop? In this episode, I offer simple strategies to help you create workshops without the worry of needing to cancel due to low attendance. Episode Highlights: The two most important factors for healthy workshop attendance How to find out what topics your students will find appealing How to choose the right title for your workshop Four essential qualities for your workshop promotion How to make your workshops an easy ‘yes!’ Considerations for wor...
Jan 21, 2025•21 min
Need some ideas for your next yoga workshop? There are four basic types of yoga workshops that have a proven track record for consistently attracting students anywhere in the world. In this episode, Mado explains each type in detail including why you might choose one over plus examples of each type. Want more examples? Download this list of 100 yoga workshop ideas broken down into the four categories when you sign up for Mado’s email list. Episode highlights: The different kinds of yoga workshop...
Jan 20, 2025•13 min•Ep. 277
Learn the essential differences between yoga classes and yoga workshops and how understanding them can help improve your teaching and help your students see the value of both types of offerings. Get a free download of 100 yoga workshop ideas Episode highlights: How knowing the differences between weekly classes and workshops can help you market your classes more successfully. Side by side comparisons on the frequency, structure, and duration of classes, vs workshops Information-based vs experien...
Jan 16, 2025•11 min•Ep. 276
Are your words secretly sabotaging your students? Many yoga teachers unknowingly use language that creates limitations and fear in their students. This episode explores the subtle ways your words can impact your students' physical and mental experience of yoga. Learn to identify and eliminate fear-based cues, cultivate confidence through positive communication, and empower your students to embrace their unique abilities. Episode Highlights: 01:25 How fear-based cues can hold your students back, ...
Dec 30, 2024•40 min•Ep. 273
Bodies come in a beautiful variety of shapes and abilities - and this means they have different needs. So how can you provide a positive experience for unique individuals during a group class? Dr. Libby Hinsley is back on the podcast to discuss strategies for adapting your teaching for diverse bodies and abilities. Episode Highlights: How to change your yoga sequence on the fly and still provide an excellent class Understanding anatomy and movement to uplevel your confidence teaching people with...
Dec 12, 2024•39 min•Ep. 272
Self-care is essential for yoga teachers - but easier said than done. In the fast pace of modern culture, our role has partly become a cheerleader for self-care. Yet, many of us live with life circumstances that cause us to neglect our own self-care. In this week’s episode of the podcast I demystify the idea of self-care and offer a simple way of thinking about it that will help you understand how to implement it in your own life. A simple way of describing self-care from a yoga perspective. A r...
Nov 28, 2024•15 min•Ep. 270
Centering your values when you set goals can help you create a sustainable, inspiring business. In this episode, you'll hear some of the structures I use personally to move forward in my business without compromising my principles. Episode Highlights: 03:01 Finding the Sweet Spot: Logic & Intuition in Goal Setting 06:03 Why Knowing Your Values is Key for Choosing the right Goals 7:01 Values Check In Ritual 11:53 Goal Setting Step-by-step 12:33 Stuck in a Rut? Try This Unexpected Brainstormin...
Nov 14, 2024•26 min•Ep. 271
This episode from 2019 was inspired by a facebook post I made on the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group . I was having my own moment of doubt and decided to share in order to help normalize the experience for other teachers. The response was overwhelming! That post has gotten the most comments in the group so far. It made me realize that there is a need for yoga teachers to hear that they are not alone when they doubt and to understand where the doubt comes from and what to do about it. Highli...
Oct 31, 2024•19 min•Ep. 269
Yoga is a system of moral philosophy that has long been overlooked by Western scholars and appropriated by the fitness industry. Dr. Shyam Ranganathan, author of Yoga: Anticolonial Philosophy provides context for the dissonance between modern yoga and its roots. We discuss how to frame yoga practice authentically, how philosophy is the unifying force between varied practices, and why decolonization requires embracing discomfort. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Yoga and personal agency 05:53 The role o...
Oct 17, 2024•47 min•Ep. 268
Many yoga teachers struggle to maintain their personal practice once they start teaching. In this episode, I explore the challenges yoga teachers face in maintaining their personal practice after transitioning into teaching. Consistent personal practice is crucial for embodied knowledge, confidence, and self-care. We all face obstacles to staying consistent like time management, life changes, and even burnout. Tune in to hear my perspective on how to overcome those obstacles and develop a sustai...
Oct 03, 2024•19 min•Ep. 267
Michelle Cassandra Johnson explores the kleshas—the five afflictions that cause suffering—within the framework of modern challenges ranging from racial injustice to climate change. Through personal stories, insights on yoga philosophy, and practical advice, Michelle offers a roadmap for understanding and addressing the root causes of suffering both individually and collectively. This conversation will inspire yoga practitioners and activists alike to engage deeply with their practice and strive ...
Sep 19, 2024•48 min•Ep. 266
In this Q&A style episode, I answer listener questions sent via social media and my website. Topics include managing expectations as a substitute instructor, creating body awareness in beginners, discomfort in studying anatomy, and building a sustainable business with corporate and private clients. Listen in to hear my thoughts on how much to explain your teaching style when you substitute teach, the best ways to help beginners, and how to build a clientele from the ground up. EPISODE HIGHLI...
Sep 05, 2024•29 min•Ep. 265
Peek behind the curtain of Anatomy Bites - the easiest and most enjoyable way for yoga teachers to learn anatomy. In this unusual episode, you’ll hear the audio portion of a live Q&A session led by Dr. Libby Hinsley, physical therapist and yoga teacher. Anatomy Bites is a 36-module program designed to give yoga teachers a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. You’ll also hear the story of how Anatomy Bites came to be and learn about what it’s like to be a member. EPISODE...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 264
Marsha Banks-Harold is a yoga therapist who specializes in working with people impacted by trauma and/or living with special needs. In this inspiring conversation, she describes her journey from overworked engineer to yoga teacher and eventually a yoga therapist, studio owner, and founder of a non-profit. We dive into the differences between yoga teacher and yoga therapist, the importance of family and community, and her advice for yoga teachers with big dreams who are holding themselves back wi...
Aug 08, 2024•41 min•Ep. 263
What does it mean to take the seat of the teacher? Shawna Emerick is an experienced yoga teacher who finds herself feeling like a beginner again as she takes on a new mindfulness meditation certification program. In this relatable discussion, we talk about the very real discomfort that comes with teaching yoga - and how the fact that it never fully goes away is a good thing. Other topics explored include; intuitive and deliberate modes of thinking, the relationship between renunciation and bound...
Jul 25, 2024•39 min•Ep. 254
Yoga Alliance standards have changed again! In this episode, Kathy Humphrys describes the evolution and impact of Yoga Alliance standards, particularly the recent changes in training requirements. She also provides practical advice for yoga teachers aiming to become registered trainers with Yoga Alliance and shares strategies for successfully creating and delivering high-quality yoga training programs. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 01:10 Kathy’s journey from teacher to teacher trainer 04:08 Why Kathy deci...
Jul 11, 2024•40 min•Ep. 261
