Our top podcasts for yoga, acroyoga, and movement inspiration
Updated: Aug 4
During the weeks of isolation, we missed being as active as usual, but we stayed actively engaged in growth nonetheless. In this article we share the podcasts that inspire and support us during lock-down and beyond.
Confession
I am addicted to podcasts and have been for years. I tried audiobooks for a while, but I always come back to podcasts. I listen to relax; to learn about my adopted country and keep up with my home country; to stay relevant on recent research in yoga and movement; for tips on running our business and being a better teacher; and to get the perspectives of people I trust and respect on the issues of the day. Lately, I have been intentionally expanding my podcast menu to take in the voices and experiences of people who are different from me - especially people of color and minorities.
Inevitably, all that content makes its way into our yoga, acroyoga, and movement classes, either in the form of a theme, a dharma talk, or a guiding thought. Especially in these weeks of social distancing, when we haven't been jamming, attending classes and events so much, podcasts have been a refuge to stay inspired.
Podcasts
Our current favorite shows straddle the intersections of yoga, fitness, mindful living, and brain research:
Yogaland with Andrea Ferretti is my all-time favorite and most inspirational podcast on teaching. Topics usually focus specifically on teaching yoga, however most of the information can be extrapolated for teaching other forms of movement teacher or personal training, with episodes like, "How to be an exceptional online yoga teacher," "The science of stretching (and strength)," and "Closing the wellness gap." Andrea often interviews her husband, yoga teacher and teaching trainer, Josh Crandell, and together they write a great blog at JasonYoga.com .
On Being with Krista Tippett has been informing my thinking since I was a teenager and when I finally had the chance to hear her speak in 2015, it was like meeting a rock star. Krista interviews the most interesting and insightful people of our time - spiritual leaders and activists, scientists and explorers, teachers and philosophers, poets, artists, and thinkers with, "conversation about the big questions of meaning - spiritual inquiry, science, social healing, and the arts." This show is often a jumping off point for discussions among ourselves that shape our relationship to each other, our community, and our world and eventually, our teaching. One of our favorites is episode 759, an interview with acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton - Silence and the Presence of Everything, about the impending extinction of silent places on this planet.
Hidden Brain, hosted byShankar Vedantam, is our go-to show for research on how we humans interact with each other. Much of our teaching and moving practice is about providing opportunities for people to connect to each other. On Hidden Brain, "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships."
Yoga is Dead - Hosts Tejal Patel and Jesal Parikh say their podcast, "exposes the dirty underbelly of the yoga industry." With episodes like, "Gurus killed yoga," and "Karma capitalism killed yoga," they tackle topics like "cultural appropriation, racism, exploitation, and general belittling," within modern western yoga communities. Their episode, "White women killed yoga," was especially helpful in guiding us to think and talk about how we can be better allies to all POC in our own classes. They also lead educational events and talks for yoga teachers and studio owners; information at their website, yogaisdeadpodcast.com
How to Money - While not specifically about running a small business nor the fitness industry, the How to Money podcast tells, "money stories that matter." Co-hosts "Joel and Matt believe that when you decide to handle the money you have in a purposeful, thoughtful way that works for your lifestyle, you can really start living a rich life." That combo: an intentional living mindset and their financial wizardry, make this a great listen for yoga and acroyoga teachers, studio owners, and pretty much everyone else, too. We especially love the episode on "Overcoming Poverty, Achieving Financial Independence, and Intentional Living with Jillian Johnsrud," – Episode 082, and also, "Traveling with Purpose on the Cheap," – Episode 007.
Where to find them & How to listen
Follow the links in the list above to reach the homepage of each show OR find them all on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. I like the Pocket Casts app - it makes downloading, organizing, cuing and sharing episodes super tidy and easy.
We also occasionally link to specific episodes that we find relevant or inspiring in our feed, so follow us on instagram @trainmoveplay for more up-to-date recommendations.
We'd love to hear from you!
Which podcasts do you love?
Which ones of your favorites did we leave out?
What else do you do for inspiration around movement and teaching from home?
If you know someone who would enjoy this article, please share and help them find us!
