(Ardha Chandrasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) Half Moon Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Triangle (Trikonasana) right leg forward, left leg back, using a block under the right hand. On an...
Whether you completed your 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) 2 years ago or 2 days ago, you may be considering the next step in your yoga continuing education. For many, this means enrolling in a 300 hour yoga teacher training. This kind of training, also known as...
Table of Contents What To Look For In Your Yoga SoftwareThe Top Yoga Studio Software On The Market1. Momoyoga2. Mindbody3. Acuity Scheduling4. Zen Planner5. WellnessLiving6. Glofox7. VagaroFinal ThoughtsYou Might Also Like Being a yoga teacher sometimes means that...
(Trikonasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) Triangle Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at the top of the mat. On an exhalation, take a step back with the left foot, hands come to hips....
Whether you’ve been teaching yoga for years or fresh out of a yoga teacher training course, it is inevitable that at some point in your yoga teaching career you may become stuck in a rut and in need of inspiration.One of my favorite ways to freshen up my yoga classes...
(Ardha Alana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Low Lunge Pose (Ardha Alana) Low Lunge Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at the top of the mat. On an exhalation, come into Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana ), bringing...
Kundalini yoga is a deeply spiritual practice. In fact, many say that the Kundalini process can lead to a spiritual awakening. And while spiritual enlightenment sounds like a really good thing, it can come with a whole lot of intense experiences. The way that yoga...
Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson and Seal are just a few of the many celebrities who practice Kundalini yoga. They swear by this type of yoga practice to maintain their vitality, health and well-being. Why? The Kundalini technique is incredibly powerful, combining the...
(Virabhadrasana II): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II) Warrior 2 Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at top of mat. On an exhalation, take a big step back with the left foot, hands come to...
It is a common misconception that a person must be flexible to practice yoga, but I can understand why so many people get stuck in this mindset.The internet and social media are saturated with photos of long, lean yogis contorting their bodies into complex postures...
When Coronavirus hit the world with a deafening crash just a few short months ago, studio owners were faced with a tough decision. Many opted to shut their yoga studio down and pivot to virtual classes in order to survive the pandemic financially. And now that many...
(Garudasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Eagle Pose (Garudasana) Eagle Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at the top of the mat. On an inhalation, arms sweep out by sides, parallel to floor, and as you exhale...
So, you’re serious about this yoga thing huh? I mean…we are on limb number SEVEN. (Don’t say I said anything but most people give up at the 4th yama …..just kidding….. kind of) But hey, I’m proud of you and I’m glad you’re here. Wanna know a secret? This one may...
The yoga industry is booming. What once began as a sacred practice, hatha yoga erupted into many different commercialized styles, from hot yoga to laughter yoga. And now, the yoga community has turned into a $16 billion yoga industry as more and more people turn to...
(Bakasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Advanced Crow Pose (Bakasana) Crow Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Squat (Malasana) at center of mat. Bring hands forward onto mat, heels lift, feet on tiptoes. Feet may be parallel or toes turned out...
For many of us, the onset of social distancing has diminished our ability as yoga teachers to connect with our students in the ways we are accustomed to. So how do we, as yoga teachers, healers and wellness professionals stay connected to our students and clients in...
Yoga in the west is becoming increasingly popular. So popular, in fact, that you could spend hours online, reading about yoga teacher this and yoga instructor that, learning about all the different ways yoga instruction can be given… …and still not fully...
(Natarajasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Dancer Pose (Natarajasana) Dancer Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at the top of the mat. Right arm releases by side, palm turned out, left hand comes onto left hip....
When was the last time you were able to take the time to put your energy into one thing?A time when your focus was solely on the task in hand and there were no other distractions or thoughts popping up to lure you away from it?When was the last time you felt truly...
We have all felt it at some point in our lives… …the physical and mental anxiety symptoms, like increased heart rate, shortness of breath, uneasy stomach, muscular tension, extreme waves of emotions, sudden panic or an overwhelming fear or worry of the unknown....
The last time someone threatened to sue me, I panicked (understandably). I had provided services to a client and though my services were impeccably offered according to our contract, the client was upset that she didn’t have the expected outcome. And with that,...
Cork is very quickly becoming the go-to option for those wanting a sustainable and environmentally friendly material and is being used for a lot more than just wine corks and office cork boards. In fact, cork is making a splash in the yoga world, and for good...
As you dive deeper into your yogic practice, you’re naturally going to work your way through the eight limbs of yoga, as outlined by Patanjali.But once you get to the fifth limb, things get a little confusing.Pratyahara, known as sensory withdrawal, can seem...
When I first started recording videos for my YouTube channel, I did NOT have a studio of any kind. No microphone, no lighting, no DSLR, no NOTHING. My YouTube studio was basically just an empty bedroom and my smartphone LOL Sound familiar? Since I started my channel...
(Balasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Child’s Pose (Balasana) Child’s Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning on hands and knees, keep knees together or bring big toes toward each other and knees apart. Sit back, bringing hips toward...
(Urdhva Hastasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Upward Salute Pose (Urdhva Hastasana) Upward Salute Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at the top of the mat. Arms and palms externally rotate, palms face away from the...
Whether you’re just beginning your Kundalini yoga practice or you’ve been a Kundalini practitioner for many years, you’ll notice that every class begins by chanting the Adi mantra, ong namo guru dev namo. It’s an incredibly powerful mantra that...
If you’re looking to further your spiritual knowledge and have found yourself among the moral code outlined by the Yamas and Niyamas, then you’re in the right place. There’s a vortex of information out there about the yogic philosophy but I’m here to narrow down the...
(Setu Bandha Sarvangasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana) Bridge Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning on the back with knees bent, feet flat on the mat. Bring feet parallel, hip-width apart, and as close to...
There are so many different types of yoga poses, many of them promised to strengthen and tone your body.Of course, this is true. A diligent yoga practice will likely result in a fit body.But yoga has countless benefits, from making us more flexible and stronger to...
If you’re diving a little deeper into yogic philosophy and the teachings of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra and the eight limbs of yoga, then you are bound to come across Yamas and Niyamas along the way. They are part of the elusive ‘eightfold path of yoga’, so yea…...
Writing a good yoga teacher bio is a lot like crafting an elevator pitch. If you had exactly the duration of an elevator ride to pitch your greatest idea or convince someone to hire you, what would you say? In yoga studio terms, if you had only a single paragraph to...
As amazing as it is to be a yoga instructor in 2020, the truth is that the yoga industry is absolutely saturated. There is a yoga studio on every corner and it seems like anyone with internet access can lead online classes these days. And that’s exactly the...
As so many yoga teachers are beginning to teach online in the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic, more and more teachers are asking me whether or not their yoga insurance covers them while teaching online. In an interview with my yoga insurance company, BeYogi, I asked...
I have been teaching yoga online for YEARS and one of the things that I ALWAYS tell yoga instructors who want to teach yoga on YouTube is that they need to invest in a good microphone. Seriously, buying a quality mic for YouTube is one of the most important things you...
With the whole COVID-19 pandemic and yoga studios around the world shutting down, things have gotten a little complicated for the yoga community. Especially considering that many yoga practitioners are stuck at home without much to do, people need yoga now more than...
Honestly, online yoga has EXPLODED in the last few months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing a lot of yoga instructors to teach yoga online via Facebook live, their YouTube channel, or a Zoom yoga class. Booking classes via mobile apps makes it easier than...
April 8, 2021 • By Brett Larkin • Verified By Murray Newlands • Our Editorial Process Making the shift from working as a yoga teacher in a yoga studio to doing freelance work teaching private yoga classes? Are you in the beginning stages of setting up online payment,...
As a yoga teacher, when starting your teaching journey it’s unlikely that the first words that spring to mind are ‘money’, ‘business’ or ‘marketing’. Am I right?Unfortunately, though, they ARE all words that need to be considered when starting a successful yoga...
Are you teaching yoga online and looking to add music to your live classes and video replays? Then pay attention because creating a yoga music playlist for your online yoga session is VERY different than making yoga class playlists for teaching at your local yoga...
I worked a corporate job while building my YouTube channel for years and I’m completely open and transparent about that. It really rubs me the wrong way that so many people don’t want to talk about money and yoga in an honest capacity. And so many yogis...
It’s no big secret in the yoga industry that teaching group classes at your local yoga studio or gym is NOT the way to make big money.So how do you earn lots of cash teaching yoga, then?By teaching private classes and by teaching yoga online.Private instruction...
The whole world is moving online, especially now more than ever. So it makes sense that yoga teachers and yoga studios would do the same. In fact, I’ve been offering online yoga classes for almost a DECADE and teaching fully online yoga courses for the past few...
Given the recent COVID-19 pandemic and all of its fast-moving effects on the global economy, many industries are reeling to find firm footing amidst it all. Naturally, the Yoga Alliance is doing the same. The YA recently announced that all scheduled teacher training...
April 9, 2021 • By Brett Larkin • Verified By Murray Newlands • Our Editorial Process Yoga is currently a thriving industry. And if you want to make a viable career out of it, you need to keep up with the business side of things. The problem? It has become a bit of a...
With all that’s going on in our world today, we need to offer our yoga community new and innovative ways to maintain their practices and stay connected. As you can imagine, many yoga teachers are beginning to offer online yoga classes via Zoom, a video conferencing...
With the way that things are going in the world, what with social distancing and self-quarantines in place, it makes sense that practitioners and yoga instructors are moving online. And since I’ve been doing that since the beginning, I have plenty of insight to...
I’ve heard it all: “I don’t care for them.” “I occasionally enjoy them.” “I only show up because of them.” And everything in between! There’s a whole gamut of opinions out there about receiving hands-on adjustments. And since our relationship to receiving them...
HOORAY! You’ve graduated from your 200-hour yoga teacher training! You’re flying high on loving yogi-tribe vibes! Namastes and handstands, all-around! And then… …crickets. Now, what do you do? And where’d your yoga homies go to help you out?? Trust me, I know...
(Virabhadrasana I): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Warrior 1 (Virabhadrasana I) Warrior 1 Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at the top of mat. 2 On an exhalation, step back with the left foot, hands come to hips. 3...
As yoga has spread to the western world, it has come face to face with many religious practices. And since it’s not all that uncommon to hear your yoga teacher mention one Hindu tradition or another, it has naturally left many wondering if yoga is a...
It’s not about the money, right?I mean, we all teach yoga to help others from the goodness of our hearts.We’re so passionate about it that we’d gladly do it for free and live on the ramen noodles we buy from the change stuck in vending machines and all that jazz,...
(Eka Pada Rajakapotasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) Pigeon Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning on hands and knees or Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). On an exhalation, Bring the right knee...
(Dhanurasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) Bow Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in prone position (on belly), placing a folded blanket under hips and lower abdomen. Forehead rests on mat, arms by sides palms up,...
As new yoga teachers, creating yoga sequences can feel overwhelming at first. But over time, as your teaching experience grows and you are consistent in your personal practice, creative yoga sequencing will flow to and from you as naturally as your breath. Maybe you...
April 11, 2021 • By Brett Larkin • Verified By Kassandra Reinhardt, RYT 500 • Our Editorial Process As your friend, I’m going to cut right to the chase and tell you the most important thing you need to know about Yin yoga…YOU NEED IT!And this article will give you the...
What Does It Mean?Karana mudra is depicted as one of the most spiritual Buddhist mudras meant for removing obstacles and fear. In case you didn’t know already, mudra is the Sanskrit word for “hand gesture.”Buddha was an Enlightened Master who achieved...
What Does It Mean?First of all, a mudra is a hand gesture or energy lock which helps you transform energy into more prana in your yoga practice. Gyan Mudra or Chin Mudra is known as the “Mudra of Knowledge” and is directly connected to the root chakra.The root chakra...
You may have noticed a new prop in the yoga world. Perhaps you’ve used it at your local yoga studio or seen it gracing the feed of your favorite yogi on Instagram. This my friends is the yoga wheel.Yoga wheels have been quickly gaining popularity and for good reason....
What Does It Mean?Dhyana mudra is the mudra of meditation or concentration. Most yogis will use this hand gesture when they need to be super concentrated. This mudra is also known as samadhi mudra or the mudra of enlightenment.If you have done any sort of meditation...
What Does It Mean? You all know what a lotus flower is right? The beautiful fully-petaled flower that grows out muddy water? It’s more commonly found in Asia, but most know that this flower is deeply symbolic. The spiritual meaning of the lotus is a symbol of...
What Does It Mean? This beautiful yoga mudra or hand gesture is said to represent the wheels of cosmic energy. The Sanskrit word “dharma” means the path to enlightenment, and the word “chakra” means wheel. In other words, when you do this mudra you are tapping...
What Does It Mean?Yoni mudra is one of the most popular yoga mudras that is meant for quieting the mind and promoting inner peace.The meaning of the word yoni in Sanskrit means “womb” or “source.” Mudra means “gesture” or “seal” and is typically used during meditation...
Being a yoga teacher today is totally different than just a few years ago. Yoga instructors used to run from yoga studio to yoga studio, hoping that their classes were full enough to be worth all of the effort. Some yoga teachers still do that! But there’s...
What Does Apana Mudra Mean?You know those times when you feel like your mind is out of balance, your yoga practice is off and nothing seems to help?This is when using a mudra can be especially helpful. Mudra is the Sanskrit word for “hand gesture,” and one of...
You’re probably reading this because you’ve been introduced to the profound energy and chakra magic that comes along with Kundalini awakening. And whether you’ve been practicing for years or just a few days this life force of consciousness,...
It’s the “wild west” out there! Or so it’s been called. What am I talking about? The world of becoming a yoga teacher! It’s a bit “lawless” as there’s no official governing body or organization that oversees or certifies teachers. So if you’re confused about whether...
You’ve heard it before: waking up early to exercise is the best way to start your day. The problem? It can be harder to wake up earlier than you already do, especially when it’s so easy to hit the snooze button. It’s even harder when falling asleep...
It seems like every yoga class, teacher, and person who practices yoga gives the salutation ‘Namaste’, usually followed by something about divine light, divine love, or some other divine mention. But what is the translation of namaste and how is it...
It seems like every yoga class, yoga studio, and yoga related brand plasters the symbol of om wherever they can or chant the sounds of om whenever there is more than one person around.But what does it symbolize anyway? And what does this yoga term have to do with...
You may often hear your instructor say “soften your gaze” or “use your drishti” during yoga. But what does that really mean and what importance does this yoga term carry in your yoga practice? Drishti means “focused gaze” in Sanskrit and is used for concentration and...
The bandhas are energetic locks in the body. In Sanskrit, “bandha” means to ‘hold,’ ‘tighten’ or ‘lock.’ It is a physical action that affects our pranic body (or life force). You’ll hear this magical Sanskrit term...
You may be wondering… what is asana? In Sanskrit, it translates to “seat” in English, but it doesn’t exactly mean to sit. You may be familiar with yoga asana… …but did you know that what we commonly lump into “yoga” is an 8-fold path which...
In this post: What is Kundalini Syndrome?Symptoms of Kundalini SyndromeWhat Causes Kundalini Psychosis?How To Treat Kundalini SyndromeSo, Is Kundalini Dangerous? You’ve probably heard all kinds of buzz about those who’ve experienced a Kundalini awakening....
Many of us take yoga classes for a wide variety of different reasons, whether it’s to stretch, switch off after a busy day or just forms part of your workout routine, but whatever your goal is, yoga students often tend to pursue classes in search of a quiet and...
If you’ve been to a yoga or meditation class, odds are your teacher has asked you to make a shape with your hands at some point.At first, this might seem a little weird, maybe even like it’s one of those yogi terms that’s a bunch of hippie BS. After all,...
As yoga is becoming popular throughout the globe, the number of yoga teachers is also increasing rapidly. People’s enthusiasm for yoga may have guided them to become a yoga instructor… … but are they really successful in finding the work? While you may...
So, you’ve developed your personal yoga practice through hours of asana and meditation classes while exploring different types of yoga. You’ve taken a plethora of class styles like Ashtanga yoga, restorative yoga, and Bikram yoga and narrowed down your...
April 7, 2021 • By Brett Larkin • Verified By Anodea Judith, PhD • Our Editorial Process You’ve probably heard a lot about the importance of balancing your chakras, followed up with certain mantras, meditation, essential oils, or breathing exercises. While all...
With the entire world turning to the internet for everything from medical care to food delivery services, it’s only natural that a yoga teacher training would also go online. But can you actually become a yoga teacher online? After all, a major part of learning...
Ashtanga Yoga is one of the most popular forms of yoga in the world known mostly as a more athletic style of yoga that builds strength as well as flexibility. At least this is what you’ll find in your local Ashtanga Vinyasa class. But the asana practice is not...
One of the desired results in practicing yoga is to become grounded.Grounding is not just being physically connected to the ground; its purpose is to also bring awareness on the physical connection of the body to something larger than life. One of the current popular...
It seems like everyone is getting their yoga teacher certification these days… …an estimated 100,000 yogis registered with the Yoga Alliance in 2016 alone. With teacher training courses popping up literally all over the globe, it seems like the natural...
Congratulations! You’ve decided to do your yoga teacher training. This is such an exciting and life-changing experience that you’re about to embark on. Why? Because you’ll not only learn about how to teach yoga and all the fancy yoga postures, but you’ll...
In this post Where Does Pranayama Breathing Come From?What Are The Benefits of Pranayama?The Three Phases of Pranayama Breathing10 Types of Pranayama Breathing (With Instructions)1. Nadi Sodhana2. Ujjayi Pranayama3. Kapalabhati Pranayama4. Bhramari Pranayama5. Sheetli...
In this post What Is Vinyasa Yoga?Where To Get Your Vinyasa Yoga CertificationVinyasa Yoga Training Immersion200-Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher TrainingVinyasa Yoga Teacher Training Online Vinyasa… …flows off the tongue really nicely doesn’t it. The word really...
In this post How Meditation During Pregnancy Can Help The Expectant MomMy Pregnancy Guided Meditation First of all, if you’re pregnant then a major congrats is in order :)Now, let’s get to the real stuff.The stress of planning for a new baby. The anxiety...
Online learning is quickly becoming the new normal… …and the same goes for a tradition yoga teacher training program. Now you can easily find a yoga teacher certification course online, mine included. Personally, I think that’s amazing! Now you...
In this post What is Kundalini?What is Kundalini Energy?Kundalini Awakening (And Kundalini Syndrome)So, What is Kundalini Yoga Anyway?Why is Kundalini Yoga dangerous? What is Kundalini Yoga good for?Can beginners do Kundalini Yoga?The 3 Key Characteristics of...
In this post: Kundalini Energy and the Chakra SystemSpiritual Awakening Through Kundalini Activation If you’ve been attending yoga classes at your local yoga studio or even watching my yoga classes online, then you’ve likely heard of it before…...
April 3, 2021 • By Brett Larkin • Verified By Sahara Rose • Our Editorial Process There are basically two things in my daily practice that I absolutely do not skip. Yoga, obviously. And positive affirmations. It’s true. Some of the most important growth and...
You know those yogic breathing exercises that your yoga instructor always talks about? Well, there’s a big reason why they’re incorporated into every yoga class. In fact, they are just as important as the ‘yoga’ that you’re doing....
Listen, as much as I recognize that an authentic yoga practice has very little to do with the actual postures, sometimes I really just need a good workout. And that’s exactly what Ashtanga yoga does for me. (If you haven’t tried it before, it’s a...
Giving birth is one of the most powerful experiences that any woman can have. Even so, every woman understandably has concerns about how to make sure she has an easy labor. After all, you’re basically shoving a bowling ball out of your lady parts in one dramatic...
Yoga teachers old and new may want to consider catering to a new audience…kids!Maybe you are a new instructor full of inspiration and energy. Or perhaps you’re a seasoned instructor who’s lost their fire. Teaching kids yoga might give you that spark you need to...
April 6, 2021 • By Brett Larkin • Verified By Anodea Judith, PhD • Our Editorial Process In This Article Understanding The Healing Power of MantraWhat Are Bija Mantras?Connecting Sound And Energy With Bija MantrasThe Chakra SoundsFirst Chakra, Root Chakra Mantra:...
It doesn’t matter who you are. You could be an experienced yoga practitioner or complete beginner, hatha yoga has something to offer you. There is no doubt that you’ve encountered one of the many yoga styles out there. But, if you really want to look deep and discover...
![Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo: The Adi Mantra Explained [VIDEO]](https://www.brettlarkin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/blog-cover-8-1.png)
![6 Etiquette Tips For Your Yoga Class [And Why You Should Follow]](https://www.brettlarkin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/yoga-modifications-16-1.png)
![My Guided Pregnancy Meditation To De-Stress & Connect With Your Baby [VIDEO]](https://www.brettlarkin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/yoga-modifications-2-1.png)
