I am so excited to welcome Anna Ritner to the podcast. I met Anna at a studio where she practiced acupuncture and I taught yoga years ago, and I was immediately drawn to her. She is an empathic old soul with an easy laugh who knows how to have a good time. She taught me that dancing in public (totally sober) can actually be fun sometimes and that rest is just as an important as movement. It was a pleasure to catch with her in this interview and I’m so excited for everyone to hear it! We talk about what acupuncture actually is and the science backed reasons it works, what she thinks most women need to balance their hormones (hint: it’s not bone broth or chia seeds) and her approach to working with clients. She shares how this year has brought her to her knees and how letting go has changed her life for the better. This podcast is a must listen if you’re a woman or have women in your life. So, yes, all of you!

It’s September and we are back-to-podcast! Lucky us, we are kicking off with an amazing guest, Rachel Rajput. Rachel owns Left Coast Power Yoga where she also teaches classes and teacher trainings. It was wonderful to chat about life these days and we covered many things, including -how people are practicing yoga post pandemic -how she led LCPY through the the the last few years -how she’s created community at LCPY -how she thinks about interviewing teachers -Her own self-care -building sequences with her fellow teachers This would be a great listen for yoga instructors, small business owners and anyone interested in hearing more about the inner workings of a yoga studios.

Today I am so excited to welcome Crystal Marie Higgins- yoga teacher, folk herbalist and ethical marketer. Crystal believes in the power of ritual and we chat about her own rituals as well as ways to incorporate rituals in your daily life. I have incorporated many of her suggestions in my meditation practice and it has made my morning practices feel much more three dimensional. Then, Crystal breaks down ethical marketing. What it is, questions to ask yourself when you’re promoting an offering and how we can all reclaim our birthright as story tellers. She also shares practical advice about how make more professional websites, have a more cohesive online presence, and set reasonable boundries in your business.

Talking to myself about grief.

Today I share a little secret about something that’s going on with me, and has REALLY been affecting my practice. Then, I have the opportunity to talk to Adriana Feliciana. Adriana worked at the desk at Laughing Lotus back when I taught the 7am classes there and I would always look forward to her warmth and enthusiasm as I trudged to the studio. Now, she is the one teaching the 7am classes (on zoom, you can take them anytime!) but still exudes that same sweetness and excitement. We talk about her more than a decade long experience in recovery and how yoga and meditation have been tools along the path. There is a trend right now for people to “get real” about their struggles, but often it seems like they are just pandering to their audience. Not Adriana! I was blown away by her frankness and wisdom. LISTEN NOW!

2022 has not gone the way I planned, mostly for reasons that rhyme with lomy-bomb. But that’s why we mediate right? To be full of grace when things don’t go the way we hoped. LOL to be being full of grace, but I am managing to be “chill” about getting this episode out late, and I hope you will too. Oh, also, in a real window into my state of mind, in the intro I say it’s the 29th episode, when it’s actually the 35th. Cool. All this to say. I am SO EXCITED to welcome Robin Wilner back to the show. She is a breath of fresh air in a media landscape that keeps telling us that we aren’t good enough (thin enough, successful enough, healthy enough) and that we need to change just because the calendar says January 1st. We chat about why weight isn’t the best metic in learning about your health, why fad nights might not work for you and the most important meal of the day. (Hint: its not breakfast). She also explains the difference between resolutions and intentions and why finding the “why” is the most important component to change.

I am very excited to welcome Mary Dana Abbott to Homebodies. I met Mary Dana when I was a brand new baby yoga teacher and she taught me that it’s possible for yoga teachers to embody seemingly opposing traits seamlessly. She taught me that it’s possible to both vigorous and kind, that teachers can be both warm and teach you to pay attention, and that a yoga class can make you feel good and also offer new perspectives. We chat about her home practice, all of the different yoga linages she’s persuaded and about her recent certification in pilates. Mary Dana shares her teaching philosophies and what led her from vinyasa to Katonah Yoga. You can find Mary Dana’s class schedule, recorded classes and her blog her. You can also find some of her classes at The Studio. Keep up with her on instagram.

Today I have the honor of welcoming one of my favorite yoga teachers/mentors/human beings, Jane Austin.  Jane is a certified yoga teacher and trainer and  the founder and director of Mama Tree, a prenatal yoga school dedicated to educating yoga teachers, doulas and midwives on how to use the tools of yoga to support pregnant people and new parents in all stages of the childbearing year and beyond.  Jane has a full and vibrant home practice encompassing many modalities: Iyengar influenced Hatha, Pilates, Rocket yoga and even Zumba. We talk about how her practice has changed since her children flew the nest, and her thoughts on motherhood, yoga and of course, prenatal yoga.  In one of my very first trainings with Jane, I remember her saying that the best attitude to have as a yoga teacher was one of generosity and that if you give it away, the money will come. Over the years of knowing Jane, it has become clear to me this is a doctrine she lives by. In this interview, Jane happily shares her abundant knowledge, her passion for new parents and their babies and her infectious love of yoga.  One of her great superpowers is helping people to trust their gut, something that is an important lesson in pregnancy and childbirth, and honestly, throughout life.

Today I talk about which of the 8 limbs is keeping me sane. Then, I sit down with Mike Papolitano. Mike is a fairly new yoga practionar and a very new yoga instructor, but he’s one of those people who has been living my yoga principles long before he every attempted a downward dog. We spoke at an interesting time- he had just announced his retirement and later that day he was teaching his first paid yoga class. We talked about everything from how to decide where to send your kids to school to his work in conservation. Here is his teaching schedule, you can also follow him on instagram. The organizations he mentions donating to are Ride for a Reason, Oakland Education Fund and Equity Allies.

This week on Homebodies, Rebecca talks about the challenges of life as a maximizer and how letting go of options has lessoned her anxiety,  Then she talks to Shirley Johnson, who is a licensed therapist, Hatha/Kundalini teacher and intimacy coach. They speak on the eve of Shirley’s 3 month sabbatical from work, and her wisdom about rest is a true respite from the capitalistic model that tells us our worth comes from the time we spend earning. Trust, you don’t want to miss this. Shirley’s perspective is a balm to overworked and over tired worker bee. 

Today on Homebodies, Rebecca talks about the latest studies about exercise and how new information has changed her practice for the better. Then, she sits down with Robin Wilner. Robin is a master yoga teacher and holistic nutritionist who exudes positive energy while still being honest about the hard stuff. We talk about how her practice has been there for her through performing on Broadway, divorce, career changes and new love. Through awareness of how she moved and what she consumed, Robin changed her life and it’s her mission to help others do the same.

Today Rebecca talks about standing split and the ego and letting that top hip open just a little bit. Then, she talks to her most beloved teacher of the quarantine, Sara Strother. Sara has recently left teaching yoga after 18 years to become a Garden Designer specializing in native plants. In the interview, she’s blunt about the rotten parts of the the yoga world and how quitting teaching liberated her practice. Lucky for all of us, Sara has MANY classes recorded on Vimeo. You can find out more about her design work here. You can find her on insta here and here.

Today, Rebecca talks about rolling around in the dark and a very popular wellness trend that just doesn’t work for her. Then, Homebodies hits a very important milestone- playing a re-run!! We take it all the way back to episode 5 to talk about finding connection with Valerie Starr.

Today on the Homebodies, Rebecca talks about a new mantra that’s keeping her going. Then, she talks to Danielle Hoogenboom-the yin yoga lioness, the homesteading goddess, the rebellious artist…the ganja smoking contemplator….but most interesting of all, a woman of impeccable ethics. Danielle is thoughtful about every aspect of her life, from her food to the clothes she puts on her body. She will always find the most sustainable option, and if it doesn’t exist, she creates it (her latest endeavor is an underwear brand). They talk about the business of yoga, creating community, farming, ganja as meditation and so much more!

This week Rebecca talks about different versions of triangle, especially comparing the one she learned at Satchinanda Ashram to the version more commonly taught in yoga classes. Then, she chats with Nicholas Mcmaster, the electric bass play for Krallice. Nick is a devoted yogi who found the practice as a way to cross train for all the hours he spends playing music. Nick and Rebecca talk about yoga apps, body awareness and the feeling of a really good savasana.

This week, it’s JUST Rebecca! To celebrate being a quarter of the way to 100 (aka episode 25) she is sharing the highlight reel of conversations she’s had so far. We hop around from 1-24 and everything in between. Listen and find out all the gems that Rebecca’s still thinking about.

This week, Rebecca talks about taking an intentional break from asana, meditation, movement…all of it, in order to immerse herself on a getaway to New Orleans. Then, she talks to Dina Varellas. Dina wears many hats. She is a yoga instructor, writer and property manager who leads women’s circles and teaches creative writing. They talk about how yoga threads its way through everything she does, how Dina found her voice at the age of 35 and the simple wisdom of the yoga sutras.

This week, Rebecca ponders the benefits of having a “satisfactory”, like a real c+ yoga practice. Then she talks to Emma Stern. Emma Stern is a yoga instructor and mental heatlh professional who works with people with a background of trauma. They talk about how to bring trauma informed teaching into yoga classes (even vigorous vinyasa!), what somatic therapy is, and how Emma takes care of herself as a hyperbole person who loves yoga. You can find Emma here. Check out her course about trauma informed teaching here.

This week Rebecca talks about being bored of her asana and meditation practice and how her fixation on the future might have something to do with it. Then, she chats with Hallie Bateman. Hallie is an illustrator, writer and author who’s work has been featured in the New York Times, the New Yorker, and Buzzfeed.  She has written three books, Brave New Work, What to do when I’m gone (which she co-wrote with her mom) and her latest, Directions! Hallie and Rebecca talk about what it’s like when the thing you love becomes what you do for a living how Hallie learned to find a life outside of her work.  They catch up on what Hallie has been up to since Directions came out and filling (or not filling) the space after a big project. Toward the end of the interview (at about the 51min mark ) Hallie opens up about trying to find movement practices after her recovery from an eating disorder. You can find Hallie’s books, including her latest, Directions, wherever books are sold.  Check out her website for more of her work and follow her on instagram for updates.

This week, Rebecca talks about building her intuition during the last year and a half and bringing those lessons into her vaccinated life. Then she talks to Kameko Shibata, a 500 hour certified yoga instructor, aerialist, massage therapist, and Ayurvedic practitioner holding a masters of Ayurveda from Mount Madonna. Kameko breaks down Ayurveda in a very practical, thoughtful way and drops some truly mind blowing gems about the application of Ayurveda in our culture and modern world.