The Funny Thing About Yoga

We start with life updates: Giana’s baby shower and travels to California, Bradshaw reflecting on how Giana’s family reminds him of his own, preparations for the baby, and an update on Bradshaw’s shoulder recovery. Naturally, the conversation spirals into dogs, consciousness, and the complexity of the human condition before we finally arrive at today’s topic: “Why Yoga Communities Don’t Feel the Same.” About 13 minutes in, we get to the heart of the conversation and explore what’s shifted in yoga culture, and modern culture more broadly, that has changed the feeling of the yoga studio as a true third space. We talk about the impact of technology, Groupon and ClassPass culture, social media, COVID, rising city costs, and the commodification of wellness. Before social media, people primarily practiced in person, inspiration came from teachers and community rather than algorithms, and the studio often felt less performative and more like a homecoming, a sacred reprieve from daily life rather than just another fitness class. We reflect on the small rituals many studios once had: tea stations, couches, bulletin boards, workshops that felt social, post-class dinners, arriving early to settle in, doors locking at start time, and the unspoken intimacy of practicing in the same room week after week. Now, with preregistration apps, late arrivals, online classes, and endless studio sampling, yoga can sometimes feel more transactional and convenience-driven. At the same time, we acknowledge that many modern shifts have also made yoga more accessible and brought more people into the practice. This episode isn’t about saying things were better before, but about exploring loneliness, belonging, changing culture, and asking how we might cultivate deeper community again in a world that increasingly pulls people apart.Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **🌊 Upcoming RetreatsAmalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026📚 Read the Podcast Blog:The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack📲 Follow UsPodcast: @thefunnythingaboutyogaSchool: @cayayogaschoolHosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish🌐 More Linksgianayoga.combradshawwishyoga.comcayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode starts with some major life updates. Bradshaw shares the story behind his collarbone surgery, and Giana opens up about navigating iron infusions during pregnancy. As usual, one tangent leads to another, and we somehow end up talking about the Venice Biennale, tattoos, being emo, queer allyship, sugar addiction, and what it’s like to lose friends far too early in life.Nearly 20 minutes in (classic), we finally settle into the heart of the episode, what to do when your yoga practice stops feeling good. We talk about pregnancy, injury, burnout, plateaus, and losing passion, those seasons when a practice that once felt nourishing starts to feel frustrating, stale, or disconnected.More importantly, we offer ideas for how to navigate it, including nervous system regulation, taking intentional breaks, exploring other movement modalities, finding new teachers, shifting your goals, reconnecting to what first drew you in, and giving yourself permission to let your practice evolve with you. Bradshaw also shares his experience with SI joint dysfunction and how pain reshaped his relationship to movement.We close with a bigger question. Did you love yoga, or did you love the transformation phase, the honeymoon phase of becoming someone new through it? Because even a “good addiction” can become unhealthy, and sometimes the path back is less about pushing harder and more about learning a new way to practice.We also share funny stories about getting the ick before the ick was a thing, and trying to impress doctors with our anatomy knowledge.Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content🌊 Upcoming RetreatsAmalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026📚 Read the Podcast Blog:The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack📲 Follow UsPodcast: @thefunnythingaboutyogaSchool: @cayayogaschoolHosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish🌐 More Linksgianayoga.combradshawwishyoga.comcayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We recorded this one live with our 300-hour trainees right after a full week of deep diving into anatomy, and it had us thinking:“Okay… I know stuff now… so how do I actually make my teaching better?”In this episode, we unpack the gap between knowing anatomy and being able to teach a strong, effective class.We talk about:– why over-cueing and rigidity often come from too much anatomy focus– the trap of trying to prove you know what you’re talking about– when anatomy actually matters (and when you can let it go)– how to use your knowledge within “peak pose” classes– how to translate what you know into a clear, intelligent classThen we get into what it actually looks like to use anatomy well—how it informs your sequencing, supports your intention, and creates a strong through-line from start to finish.Lots of real examples, plenty of sequencing talk, and some really great questions from the room.Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **🌊 Upcoming RetreatsAmalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026📚 Read the Podcast Blog:The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack📲 Follow UsPodcast: @thefunnythingaboutyogaSchool: @cayayogaschoolHosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish🌐 More Linksgianayoga.combradshawwishyoga.comcayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by Danielle Barbeau, owner of The River Yoga in Denver, CO. We first met Danielle virtually during a team meeting, and later in person when we traveled to Denver to teach at her studio, where we also recorded an episode that (tragically) didn’t sound great. But the conversation stuck with us… so we’re back for round two.At the center of this episode is a deceptively simple question Danielle asked: “Do you feel like you’ve arrived?” And honestly… it sent us spiraling (in the best way).We talk about what it actually means to “make it” in the yoga world- from teaching full-time to running a studio, navigating burnout, and building something that’s sustainable long-term. Danielle shares her path from young teacher to studio owner, what it looked like being thrown into leadership early, and how she navigated the uncertainty of the COVID years while keeping her community intact.We get into the real side of the business: getting paid, doing the paperwork, making hard decisions, and learning how to lead. We talk about building trust with teachers, creating jobs that are actually sustainable, and the constant dance between supporting your team and running a business that works.There’s also a behind-the-scenes look at how things evolve- bringing on support (hello COO), shifting roles, and creating space to actually enjoy what you’ve built… whether that’s being more present on retreats or focusing on the parts of the job you love. And then we come back to it—arriving.What does it actually mean? Is it owning a studio? Teaching full-time? Being “known”? Danielle’s answer is simple, grounding, and unexpectedly emotional in the best way. While Bradshaw and Giana think about what this means for them individually and together professionally.Also… we couldn’t resist. We close with some very necessary comic relief: overheard student conversations, Bluetooth mishaps, and a rogue cat moment you won’t forget.Find Danielle Barbeau and The River online:https://www.weseektheriver.com/@daniellen.barbeauWant to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **🌊 Upcoming RetreatsAmalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026📚 Read the Podcast Blog:The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack📲 Follow UsPodcast: @thefunnythingaboutyogaSchool: @cayayogaschoolHosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish🌐 More Linksgianayoga.combradshawwishyoga.comcayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erika Scribner is back on the pod, and we’re diving into all the things- we talk studio ownership, myofascial release, yoga therapy balls, yin yoga, fascia, dissecting bodies, and deeper somatic connection.Erika is such a joy to talk to, bringing lightheartedness alongside real depth as she breaks down the science behind myofascial release and the differences between a yoga therapy class and yin yoga. We get into the nervous system, the many ways we can create change in the body, and how this work can feel both grounding and surprisingly intense. Erika also shares how her teaching has evolved and how she integrates therapy balls into her classes.We also touch on sobriety, tuning in to your body more honestly, and what it really means to feel what’s going on beneath the surface.And of course… Italy. 🇮🇹We’re heading back to the Amalfi Coast this summer (well, Bradshaw and Erika are, while Giana will be busy giving birth). This episode gives you a taste of what’s in store: vinyasa, myofascial release, incredible food, ocean views, and a week of practicing, exploring, and connecting with an amazing group of people.If you’ve been curious about this work, or dreaming about joining us in Italy, this one’s for you.Find Erika Scribner online:@anandayogapbwww.anandayogapb.comWant to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **🌊 Upcoming RetreatsAmalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026📚 Read the Podcast Blog:The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack📲 Follow UsPodcast: @thefunnythingaboutyogaSchool: @cayayogaschoolHosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish🌐 More Linksgianayoga.combradshawwishyoga.comcayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of Giana’s Corner, Giana sits down with Joe to talk about the decision to start trying (or not try) for a baby and what actually happened once It all worked out. From the shock of finding out about the pregnancy to the unexpected reality of the first trimester, they share the honest, messy, and sometimes chaotic side to early pregnancy.They talk about everything from their decision to try, how quickly things changed, and what those first few weeks really felt like. Nausea, extreme hunger, shifting identity, and the strange in-between space of holding a big secret while your body is going through something huge. Plus, news about potentialy having twins!Joe chimes in throughout the conversation, offering his perspective on supporting a pregnant partner and navigating the transition into parenthood together.This episode is a candid look at the beginning of a major life shift. The funny thing about the first trimester is that no one really prepares you for how much it changes you before anyone else can even see it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, recorded a few weeks before our Denver trip, Bradshaw shares about reaching his one-year sober milestone. We talk about it all — the struggles that led him to drinking, what shifting away from alcohol looked like, how friends can truly support someone in recovery, and the tools that have helped him stay sober. We even reflect on retreats and running a business before and after drinking, and what has changed along the way.Giana steps into more of an interviewer role, creating space for Bradshaw to share openly, and he does so with honesty and vulnerability. This conversation is real, sensitive, and deeply human. If you or someone you love is navigating addiction, please know you’re not alone. There are many paths and tools available, and we hope this episode helps you feel supported. And if you’re the friend walking alongside someone in recovery, we hope this offers insight into how individual and personal that journey can be.Join us in celebrating Bradshaw’s one-year anniversary, and thank you for listening with an open heart.Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **🌊 Upcoming RetreatsAmalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026📚 Read the Podcast Blog:The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack📲 Follow UsPodcast: @thefunnythingaboutyogaSchool: @cayayogaschoolHosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish🌐 More Linksgianayoga.combradshawwishyoga.comcayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we talk about mindful dating. Bradshaw is out in the world, dating with intention and looking for a primary partnership. Giana is deeply intrigued by his process and asks a lot of questions, while also reflecting on what she did differently when she met her partner, Joe.We hear about Bradshaw’s recent dates, the challenges of navigating gay dating culture, what he’s actually looking for, and how he decides who’s worth meeting up with. Giana reflects on her first meeting with Joe and the soft rules that helped her stay present and open-minded, including cutting out alcohol, waiting to be intimate, and getting to know people beyond looks by paying attention to values and how someone makes you feel.Plus, plenty of hilarious dating stories, from mansplaining yoga businesses to walking into a truly messy home.Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **🌊 Upcoming RetreatsNicaragua Yoga Teachers Retreat: February 2026 Starved Rock Retreat: June 12-14, 2026Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026📚 Read the Podcast Blog:The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack📲 Follow UsPodcast: @thefunnythingaboutyogaSchool: @cayayogaschoolHosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish🌐 More Linksgianayoga.combradshawwishyoga.comcayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Bradshaw and Giana dive into one of the most deceptively hard practices in yoga (and life): surrender- on the mat, in the classroom, and everywhere in between.First, they begin to unpack this concept and what it really means to surrender in the physical practice- speaking of things like the ego, finding your edge, and creating balance of steadiness and ease, or f sthira and sukha. You’ll hear stories from their early “ohhh… this is surrender” moments, plus what they notice most often in students- when ambition disguises itself as self-harm, and how honoring your body can be the most disciplined choice.From a teacher’s perspective, they reflect on the idea of surrender from tackling internal battles around perfectionism- including surrendering the plan, letting yourself be seen as a real or flawed human in front of a room full of people, and, of course, the ego. They also share how non-attachment or vairāgya, can be its own kind of freedom or form of surrender.As they shift the conversation off the mat and into real life, Giana shares her experience with health anxiety and uncertainty, and how her surrender practice became more important than ever. It has now taken on new meaning as she steps into pregnancy and the beginning of motherhood. And Bradshaw offers his own approach to anxiety, which looks different than Giana’s… but they both keep landing in the same place: the practice of releasing control- again and again, in tiny moments, in big ones, and in the ones you didn’t see coming.Giana closes with a sweet reflection on faith, and in true funny-thing fashion, they lighten the air with funny stories. Of course, you can also expect tangents, and the kind of honest laughter that only happens when you stop gripping so tightly.Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **🌊 Upcoming RetreatsNicaragua Yoga Teachers Retreat: February 2026 Starved Rock Retreat: June 12-14, 2026Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026📚 Read the Podcast Blog:The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack📲 Follow UsPodcast: @thefunnythingaboutyogaSchool: @cayayogaschoolHosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish🌐 More Linksgianayoga.combradshawwishyoga.comcayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 is officially here. 🎙️After a few weeks off around the holidays, Bradshaw and Giana are back together- this time recording from a hotel room in NYC while filming content for YogaRenew. In this season premiere, they reconnect after time apart, catch up on nonstop travel, teaching, and work, and reflect on what it means to come back together after a pause.But there’s also something else in the room… a big secret Giana has been holding onto, and a surprise that will shape what comes next.They talk honestly about how the business is evolving, how roles and plans are shifting, and why this moment feels like a massive opportunity for growth, creativity, and deeper collaboration. Along the way, they share wild stories about how the secret was revealed, a double-trouble scare, and plenty of laughter as they let you in on a turning point behind the scenes.It’s a reunion, a reset, and the beginning of a new chapter- welcome back!Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **🌊 Upcoming RetreatsNicaragua Yoga Teachers Retreat: February 2026 (2 SPOTS)Starved Rock Retreat: June 12-14, 2026Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026📚 Read the Podcast Blog:The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack📲 Follow UsPodcast: @thefunnythingaboutyogaSchool: @cayayogaschoolHosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish🌐 More Linksgianayoga.combradshawwishyoga.comcayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Lizzie Lasater - teacher, writer, creator, and daughter of Judith Hanson Lasater, who has built her own vibrant path in the yoga world from her home in Austria. Lizzie shares how a chance meeting with her now-husband led her to move across the world, learn German as an adult (“why is this so hard?!”), and build a global online teaching career rooted in rest, clarity, and presence.We discuss what it was like growing up around yoga before it became popular, how she eventually discovered her own path into the practice, and how she deepened it with the help of her mom - from seeking early sequencing advice to eventually collaborating on online courses, books, and shared experiences. We explore continued learning, evolving as a teacher, and the strange, beautiful blur between being the student and being the teacher.We also dive into real-life stuff:• staying grounded while traveling• balancing teaching and social media work• her Sunday Reset newsletter & setting “rest buffers”• writing a book on Savasana + the restorative lifestyle• practicing what you preach when you’re tired• making time to take care of yourself as a teacher• cultivating inner wisdom + knowing when to use external resourcesLizzie also shares her philosophy on what students actually need, including the idea that “restorative yoga is a subtractive practice.” And stay tuned for a hilarious story about her and her mom recording content in a studio they shared with rappers.This is a warm, honest, and funny conversation about teaching, rest, growth, and finding your own way. Enjoy!Lizzie Lasater Bio:Lizzie Lasater shares the pleasure of lifelong learning through online and live workshops in creativity, functional movement, and Restorative Yoga. + Follow Lizzie on IG: @ Lizzie.LasaterSupport the podcast on Patreon & SubstackOur Upcoming Programs:APRIL 300-HOUR PROGRAM Starved Rock Retreat: June 12-14, 2026Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026Web: cayayogaschool.comIG: @thefunnythingaboutyoga | @cayayogaschool | @gianagambino | @bradshawwish Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Step inside an afternoon of truth-telling, humor, and the conversations every yoga teacher wishes happened more often. This 75-minute live podcast experience pulls back the curtain on the yoga world - the myth of a yoga teacher, perfectionism, the burnout, the healing, the comparison traps, the joy, and the deeply human journey behind It all.Through stories, laughter, honest reflections, and audience participation, Giana and Bradshaw explore what it really means to teach, practice, and evolve in a wellness industry that often expects teachers to be serene, sculpted, and endlessly wise.What We Dive Into:- The Myth vs. Reality of Yoga Teachers- Perfectionism & Comparison- Burnout: The Unspoken Epidemic- Authenticity & Finding Your Voice- The Path of Healing & Growth- Rediscovering JoyPLUS Audience Q&A: Featuring questions from Kaushik Dash, Danny Peterson, and Fiorella Drozd.Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **🌊 Upcoming RetreatsNicaragua Yoga Teachers Retreat: February 2026 (2 SPOTS)Starved Rock Retreat: June 12-14, 2026Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026📚 Read the Podcast Blog:The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack📲 Follow UsPodcast: @thefunnythingaboutyogaSchool: @cayayogaschoolHosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish🌐 More Linksgianayoga.combradshawwishyoga.comcayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A chaotic hello from Bradshaw and Giana, podcasting in person from Giana’s apartment! We kick things off with all the tech issues and our ongoing attempt to be jacks of all trades: filming, editing, and learning to create more professional content. We chat about the purpose of Bradshaw’s visit and how we’re preparing for our upcoming 300-hour online program, along with what we’re most excited to teach and share. We talk about confidence, fandom, mentorship, and all the ways we’re evolving our joint programming and offerings as we grow.We also reflect on the last time we podcasted together in San Francisco and how much has shifted since then. There’s talk about time, settling, and the importance of giving something a year to see how it lands. Giana opens up about teaching in SF for 10 months, and feeling grateful for the opportunities (and her partner!). She also reflects on pulling herself out of a dark place after long COVID and a period of isolation.We reflect on the pandemic years, from the funny to the hard to the life-changing, including how tough it was to be friends back then. Reflecting on the psychological impact of that period, the importance of community, and how wild it is that 2026 is almost here. We share random stories about colorful jumpsuits and standing out, plus a frustration with making a film set!Join us at the Castro Room, November 15th from 1-3 PM!** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **Upcoming RetreatsTodos Santos, Mexico Retreat: December 4-8, 2025Nicaragua Yoga Teachers Retreat: February 2026Starved Rock Retreat: June 12-14, 2026Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026 Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra contentRead the Podcast Blog: The Funny Thing About Yoga on SubstackFollow Us: @thefunnythingaboutyoga | @cayayogaschool | @gianagambino | @bradshawwishMore Links: gianayoga.com | bradshawwishyoga.com | cayayogaschool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.