Let's Talk Yoga

3d ago

Inversions don’t have to be intimidating, flashy, or reserved for advanced students. In this episode, I break down the three pillars of teaching inversions and share how to approach being upside down with structure, progression, and nervous system awareness. If you’ve ever felt unsure about when, how, or why to teach inversions, this framework will bring clarity and confidence to your teaching. Episode Highlights: Why inversions were traditionally practiced as tools for regulation, not performance. How modern yoga culture has distorted our understanding of being upside down. What actually qualifies as an inversion, beyond handstands and headstands. The difference between mild, moderate, and intermediate inversions. Personal reflections on unlearning unsafe inversion habits. Pillar One: Structure before shape Pillar Two: Progression before performance Pillar Three: Nervous system literacy Situations where inversions may not be appropriate to teach. Where inversions fit best within a well-sequenced class. How inversions cultivate humility, discernment, and emotional awareness. Why the deepest impact of inversions is internal, not physical. Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January) Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of Asana For teachers living in India, reach out to Janessa at admin@ahamyoga.com for special local pricing Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Connect with us on Instagram

Nov 30

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “winging it” when planning your yoga classes, this episode will help you fix that for good. I break down my Sequence Smarter Framework and walk you through seven simple questions that will instantly make your sequences clearer, more intentional, and easier to teach. Whether you’re new to sequencing or ready to level up your teaching, this guide will change the way you plan your classes. Episode Highlights: Why many yoga teachers struggle with sequencing and end up “winging it.” The purpose of the Sequence Smarter Framework and why it matters. How the three pillars—Purpose, Pathway, and Pose—create intelligent sequencing. What it really means to define the purpose of a class with clarity. How to build a pathway that prepares the body, breath, and pranic flow. Why pose selection should be the last step, not the first. The most common reasons yoga sequences feel disjointed or ineffective. How to use the seven audit questions to evaluate any sequence. A breakdown of applying the 3P framework to Trikonasana. Why thoughtful sequencing supports mixed-level rooms and aging bodies. How intelligent sequencing builds confidence, clarity, and longevity in teaching. Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January) Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of Asana For teachers living in India, reach out to Janessa at admin@ahamyoga.com for special local pricing Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Connect with us on Instagram

Nov 23

If you’ve ever felt stuck repeating the same physical cues in your classes, this episode is going to open up a whole new way of thinking about teaching. I’m breaking down what it really means to move from gross to subtle, how subtle cueing works, and why it’s the key to creating deeper, more meaningful yoga experiences. You’ll walk away with practical tools you can use right away—no fluff, no woo, just clearer teaching. Episode Highlights: Explanation of the Teach Smarter module and how this episode builds on the “Gross to Subtle” workshop. Why two teachers can teach the same pose but create completely different student experiences. The difference between the gross (sthula) body and the subtle (sukshma) body. Why most modern yoga teaching gets stuck in the gross physical layer. The limitations of staying in purely physical cueing—repetition, boredom, overthinking alignment, teacher burnout, and lack of depth. Clear signs that a teacher may be relying too heavily on gross cueing. Introduction to subtle cueing as a precise and grounded practice—not vague or woo-woo. Overview of the six types of subtle cueing: Attention cues Breath cues Pranic-direction cues Sensory cues Interoceptive cues Energetic sequencing A practical example of Warrior II comparing gross cues vs. subtle cues. Guidance on how teachers can begin practicing subtle cueing: Use intentional pauses Let the breath lead the teaching Choose one subtle layer per class Stop micromanaging alignment Practice receiving your own cues Trust your students’ intelligence Why subtle cueing matters for long-term student development and sustainable practice, especially as students age. A self-inquiry checklist for teachers to evaluate their cueing approach. Reflective questions for both teachers and students to deepen their awareness in asana. Encouragement to revisit the episode, reflect, and apply the concepts. Invitation to explore the 300-hour YTT and how the training weaves ancient wisdom with modern teaching needs. Brief overview of the three modules: Sequence Smarter Breathe Smarter Teach Smarter Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January) Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of Asana For teachers living in India, reach out to Janessa at admin@ahamyoga.com for special local pricing Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Connect with us on Instagram

Nov 16

After years of saying no, I’m finally bringing back my 300-hour yoga teacher training — and I can’t wait to tell you why! In this episode, I share how this new online program came to life, what makes it different, and how it’s designed to help you teach, sequence, and breathe smarter. If you’ve been craving more depth, clarity, and confidence in your yoga journey, this one’s for you. Episode Highlights: Why I decided to finally relaunch my 300-hour training after years of saying no The gaps I’ve seen in most 200-hour trainings, and how this course bridges them My vision for reimagining yoga education: depth without overwhelm, authenticity without dogma How this online format differs from traditional in-person teacher trainings The three main modules: Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of Asana Breathe Smarter – The Living Body of Prana Teach Smarter – The Living Body of Teaching A deep dive into Module 1, including: The evolution and origins of asana Yoga for the elderly and creating accessible practice Breathing in asana: the missing link in most yoga trainings The Sequence Smarter Framework for confident, intelligent sequencing Course structure: year-long online program with recorded and live sessions Access details: when it begins, early-bird pricing, and options to register module-by-module How this training integrates manuals, reflection workbooks, and done-for-you sequences A preview of what’s to come in Module 2: Breathe Smarter and Module 3: Teach Smarter Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January) Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of Asana For teachers living in India, reach out to Janessa at admin@ahamyoga.com for special local pricing Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Connect with us on Instagram

Nov 9

Our feet are our foundation, but most of us don’t give them much thought until something goes wrong. In this episode, I chat with physical therapist and movement educator Michelle Edmison about how reconnecting with your feet can transform not just your yoga practice, but your whole life. We explore foot anatomy, posture, brain-body connection, and why strong, mobile feet are key to balance and longevity. Michelle also shares practical tips you can start right away to restore strength, sensitivity, and awareness in your feet. Whether you’re a yoga teacher, mover, or simply curious about how to support your foundation, this conversation will have you looking at your feet in a whole new way. Episode Highlights: Why the feet are considered the true foundation of the body How modern footwear has weakened natural foot function Common ways our feet change as we age, and why it’s not just about aging The powerful brain-foot connection and how movement shapes neuroplasticity The nervous system’s relationship with the feet and sensory input Emotional sensitivity, trauma, and how they can manifest in the feet The real purpose of the toes: stability and propulsion, not gripping What dancers, athletes, and yogis can teach us about foot function Understanding bunions and common foot issues: what causes them, how alignment affects them, and how yoga can help The truth about arches, pronation, and flat feet How women’s feet change during perimenopause and menopause Michelle’s top three non-negotiable practices for foot health Why a “foot problem” is never just about the foot Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January) Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of Asana For teachers living in India, reach out to Janessa at admin@ahamyoga.com for special local pricing Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Connect with us on Instagram

Nov 2

Autoimmune diseases can feel isolating and unpredictable, but yoga offers both science and hope. I sit down with yoga therapist and researcher Renu Jain to explore how stress, the gut, and the immune system are connected; and how personalized yoga, pranayama, and mindfulness can support healing from the inside out. Episode Highlights: Introduction to guest Renu Jain and her background at Kaivalyadhama. Understanding what autoimmune diseases are and how they affect the body. Exploring common shared patterns and root causes behind autoimmune conditions. Exploring the connection between stress, the gut, and immune function. Understanding the pranic system and how energetic imbalance mirrors physical symptoms. The role of yoga in managing autoimmune conditions holistically. Importance of personalization in yoga therapy: why no one-size-fits-all approach works. Go-to questions yoga teachers should ask students before planning a practice. Pranayama practices that support balance and calm for autoimmune health. Restorative yoga, relaxation, and mindfulness as healing tools. How meditation helps regulate the nervous system and supports emotional healing. The mindset and empathy yoga teachers need when working with these students. Why yoga philosophy and ethics should always guide therapeutic teaching. Final reflections on patience, compassion, and using yoga as a bridge between science and spirit. Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January) Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of Asana For teachers living in India, reach out to Janessa at admin@ahamyoga.com for special local pricing Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Connect with us on Instagram

Oct 26

Yoga doesn’t just live on the mat; it’s how we show up in everyday life. I share 30 simple ways to live like a yogi, from practicing gratitude and silence to decluttering, serving others, and reconnecting with nature. Small daily acts that bring awareness, compassion, and joy into the ordinary. Episode Highlights: Updates on the upcoming 300-hour teacher training and free cueing workshop Inspiration behind the episode: a personal 30-day mindfulness list The cultural meaning of the word yogi and why Aru uses it thoughtfully Reminder that yoga is awareness, not limited to the mat or a single class hour Encouragement to bring yoga into everyday life through small actions 30 Ways to Live Like a Yogi Practice gratitude (Santosha) Notice beauty (Pratyaksha) Use your hands Invite color Wish well for others (Maitri Bhavana) Exhale your worries Ask what lights you up (Swadhyaya) Light a candle or diya Clap your hands or ring a bell Drink water Practice Abhyanga Clean up and declutter (Aparigraha) Notice negative thoughts Remember someone who has passed (Shraddha) Take a mindful walk Notice other beings Smile Avoid gossip and negative news Touch the soil Detach from drama (Vairagya) Reduce sensory input (Pratyahara) Move your body Explore a craft Cleanse your space Practice silence (Mauna) Serve others (Seva) Practice Yoga Nidra or body scan Journal Cleanse the body (Saucha) Sit in silence Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January) Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of Asana For teachers living in India, reach out to Janessa at admin@ahamyoga.com for special local pricing Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Connect with us on Instagram

Oct 21

When trust is broken in yoga spaces, the impact runs deep. I talk about sexual harassment, abuse of power, and misconduct in the yoga world—why silence protects harm, how to recognize red flags, and what we can do to rebuild safety and integrity in our communities. Episode Highlights: Announcements about upcoming workshops and the 300-hour online training Reflection on recent misconduct cases in the yoga community and what they reveal Personal story of confronting harassment within Aru’s own dance studio Historical overview of sexual abuse and misconduct in yoga lineages Discussion of how reverence without accountability allowed abuse to thrive Breakdown of how abuse begins—through trust, power imbalance, and manipulation Explanation of spiritual gaslighting and why survivors often stay silent Common reasons victims don’t come forward: fear, loss of belonging, trauma response, and cultural conditioning Recognition of microaggressions and boundary violations in modern studios Red flags to watch for in teachers and studio environments (flirtatious behavior, vague boundaries, unwanted touch, secrecy) Aru’s personal story of ignoring red flags and learning to trust her instincts Practical suggestions for how to respond if someone confides in you about harassment Guidance for yoga teachers and studio owners: Create written ethical policies Teach ethics and boundaries in teacher trainings Establish independent reporting systems Model consent and clear communication Call to believe women first, foster open conversations, and stop idealizing teachers Reminder that ethics isn’t cultural; it’s universal and foundational to yoga Final reflections on accountability, community healing, and how true yoga shows up in how we treat one another Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January) Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of Asana For teachers living in India, reach out to Janessa at admin@ahamyoga.com for special local pricing Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Connect with us on Instagram