Yin Yoga Podcast

Season 8 | Ep. 10Knee Pain and Yin Yoga: Modifications, Surgeries, and What Your Teachers Need to KnowHey Yinies! Welcome back to the Yin Yoga Podcast. This one is near and dear to my heart because, honestly, I've been living this topic in real time. Between the X-rays, physio appointments, knee braces, and, yes, the electric scooter I bought to get myself to the studio, knee pain has been my main concern lately. So, I brought back Beth Coyne Lewis, a physiotherapist and Yoga teacher, to help me (and all of you) make sense of it all.If you missed our last episode with Beth on hip pain, go back and listen to that one first. But if your knees are what's on your mind right now, you're in exactly the right place.In this episode we cover:A breakdown of the main structures of the knee: bones, cartilage, meniscus, ligaments, the IT band, and why all of it matters for Yin teachers and studentsThe difference between acute injuries (ACL tears, falls, sports injuries) and gradual wear-and-tear issues like arthritis and meniscal degenerationTracking issues and what they actually mean, including my own 20-plus-year journey with themHypermobility and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos, and how to safely support those students in your classesCommon knee surgeries, including meniscal repair, partial and full knee replacements, and what recovery actually looks like today (way better than you might think)Beth's own experience of having a knee replacement 12 years ago and returning to teaching YinPose-by-pose modifications and alternatives for students with knee pain, including saddle, sleeping swan, child's pose, sitting cross-legged, seiza, squatting, and kneelingWhy figure four on your back is not just a modification, it is a variation that works better for a lot of bodies (including mine)How to talk to students about their medical history without overstepping your scope as a Yoga teacherWhy Yin is so much more than the physical shapes, and how that matters especially for students in recoveryLinks and resources mentioned:Also mentioned in this episode:Hyper mobility and Yin YogaTeaching Saddle pose Help In On The WayDeepening Yin - The Power of PropsBlog post for this episode with an anatomy image on my websiteIf this episode was helpful to you, please leave me a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts. And Spotify or a comment on Spotify. You can also find a blog post with more details and images on my website, and there's a comment section there too. And if you want to suggest a topic or send me a note, Instagram DMs are always open.See you in the next one, YinniesWant to support my work? Leave me a tip.See all episodes at a glanceYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra Find me on Instagram @nykdanuyoga@YinYogaPodcast

Season 7 | Ep. 4In this episode, I'm diving into one of my favourite topics: why teaching yoga functionally is such a game-changer compared to the old-school alignment rules we've all inherited.I'll share my own journey from being an alignment-obsessed Iyengar teacher to having my mind blown by Paul Grilley's work on skeletal variation. Turns out, we're not all built the same on the inside, shocker, right?I break down real examples from my teaching (like that time dragonfly pose did the complete opposite of what my teacher said it would) and explain why cues like "bring your toes to point at the ceiling" or "never let your knee go past your ankle" don't actually work for everyone.You'll learn:- Why your students aren't "doing it wrong"—their bones are just different- How to stop over-cueing and start teaching what the poses actually do- Practical ways to make your classes more accessible and way less injury-prone- Why I now teach mountain pose completely differently than I used to- Whether you teach Yin or any other style, this is about serving your students better by ditching the "one right way" mentality. Want to support my work? Leave me a tip. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/78PEVR5WF3ZSASee all episodes at a glance https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NOyRZM7cKC-h9kOMT-rIIeuatJgOf1CKT63LjAHk2LU/edit?usp=sharingYoga Teachers Get on the Waitlist: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/ at the bottom and top of the PageTo join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom https://nykdanu.com/students/yoga/online-yoga/To subscribe to my https://nykdanu.com/students/yoga/video-library/Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley : https://pranamaya.com/courses/anatomy-for-yoga/?ref=20 (affiliate link)Find me on Instagram Nyk Danu Yoga: https://www.instagram.com/nykdanuyoga/Yin Yoga Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/yinyogapodcast/

Season 7 | Ep. 2Join me and my guest, TJ, as we dive into the world of neurodiversity and Yin Yoga! In this candid, 'fireside chat', we share personal stories, discuss what it means to be neurodivergent, and explore how yoga teachers can make their classes more accessible for all brains. Whether you’re a teacher, student, or just curious about neurodiversity, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to check the show notes for more resources and info on TJ’s new course!TJ's Website: https://www.yujmu.comHis Book and Asana Deck: https://www.yujmu.com/yin-yoga/training-materialsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yujmu/Want to support my work? Leave me a tip. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/78PEVR5WF3ZSASee all episodes at a glance https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NOyRZM7cKC-h9kOMT-rIIeuatJgOf1CKT63LjAHk2LU/edit?usp=sharingYoga Teachers Get on the Waitlist: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/ at the bottom and top of the PageTo join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom https://nykdanu.com/students/yoga/online-yoga/To subscribe to my https://nykdanu.com/students/yoga/video-library/Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley : https://pranamaya.com/courses/anatomy-for-yoga/?ref=20 (affiliate link)Find me on Instagram Nyk Danu Yoga: https://www.instagram.com/nykdanuyoga/Yin Yoga Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/yinyogapodcast/

S6 | Ep.13Welcome to this special winter episode of my Yin Yoga podcast! In this episode, I dive into the wisdom of winter through the lens of Chinese medicine, exploring themes of rest, introspection, and the water element.You'll hear me share some of my favourite seasonal poetry, reflection questions, and journal prompts to help you honour this time of year. I talk about the importance of reclaiming rest, letting go of guilt around slowing down, and tuning into the natural rhythms that winter invites. I also discuss how our culture pushes us to overwork and how we can resist that by embracing stillness and self-care.Throughout the episode, I offer practical ideas for bringing more rest and reflection into your life, from slow mornings, , candlelight to nourishing foods and honouring your body's need for stillness. I also touch on why winter is not the time for New Year's resolutions, but rather for dreaming, envisioning, and preparing for the seeds you'll plant in spring.Thank you for listening and for being part of this community. I’d love to hear how winter is showing up in your lifeLeave a comment, DM me on Instagram, or share your thoughts wherever you listen. Wishing you a restful, nourishing winter season. Until next time, may you be well, content, at peace, and free.To access all the resources mentioned, including links to the poets, click hereWant to support my work? Leave me a tip.See all episodes at a glanceYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra Find me on Instagram @nykdanuyoga@YinYogaPodcast

S6 | Ep. 10In this episode, I dive into the heart of Yin Yoga, exploring what happens beyond the physical poses. I share why Yin Yoga is so much more than stretching, how it helps us tune into our inner world, and why quiet, stillness, and self-care are essential parts of the practice. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or new to Yin Yoga, you’ll find practical tips, personal stories, and a fresh perspective on what it really means to drop Yinside.Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or share it with a fellow Yin Yoga lover. Until next time, keep dropping Yinside.Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.See all episodes at a glanceYoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the PageTo Join my Yin Yoga Classes on ZoomTo subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:Anatomy for Yoga with Paul GrilleyHang Drum Music by Fred Westra Find me on Instagram @nykdanuyoga@YinYogaPodcastTimestamps:0:00 – Welcome & What’s Beyond the Poses5:40 – Meditation and Awareness in Yin Yoga12:20 – Nervous System, Self-Care, and the Power of Quiet19:00 – Listening to Your Heart & Quiet Community22:00 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways