It can be a challenge to maintain a regular yoga practice in the busyness and distraction of daily life. In this short excerpt from Episode 5, Sustainability and Yoga, Rachel and Tiffany talk about what keeps us coming back to our mats year after year. We share the most important question to ask yourself on the mat, and highlight the underrated skill of finding what you need even within a led group class.

—

• Myriad areas for focus and investigation in practice [1:04]
• The most powerful question to ask on the mat [3:15]
• An underrated ability: finding something you need in a led class [5:27]

—

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 05: Sustainability & Yoga

You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-145.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

How we phrase things is so important, especially in a personal, experiential practice like yoga. Today, hosts Rachel and Tiffany talk about the power of the language we use when teaching.

What does it mean to use open and invitational language versus commanding? How can our words help students to feel strong and resilient instead of fearful on the mat? What problems can arise for students when we offer pose options as a hierarchy?

Listen in to learn how to tailor your language with more skill and discernment and cultivate an environment in which your students flourish.

—

• Why is language important when teaching yoga? [0:47]
• The delicate balance of invitational versus commanding language [3:43]
• Nocebic or fear-based language [14:47]
• Hierarchical language versus open options [28:34]
• Body-positive language [36:53]
• Gendered language [40:18]
• Using technical terms judiciously [42:42]
• Changing default language takes time and practice [45:16]

—

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Yoga Medicine® 200HR Teacher Training Program

You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-144.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

Welcome to our new series of “Shorts”—gems from previous podcast conversations that deserve a second look (or listen).

This excerpt is drawn from episode 54: Love Those Hips! All About the Hip Labrum. In discussing yoga practices to embrace and avoid during hip labrum injury, hosts Tiffany and Rachel also highlighted how all of us can strengthen, support, and mobilize these crucial joints to maximize their capacity over the long term. They also explored a repeated theme on this podcast: the power of curiosity and how our practice can act as an individual invitation to find the challenges we need to thrive.

—

• Biomechanics patterns that can contribute to hip issues [1:22]
• The challenge of balancing 3D mobility and strength [4:00]
• Commonly neglected: active control in hip rotation, eccentric hip flexor work [5:51]
• A caution: loaded internal rotation [10:53]
• The power of practice as individual investigation [13:59]

—

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Listen to the full Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episode 54: All About the Hip Labrum
• Online Hip: Anatomy, Dysfunction, & Application Yoga Teacher Training
• In-Person Hip: Anatomy, Dysfunction, & Application Yoga Teacher Training in Bali October 10-17, 2025
• Tiffany’s “All About the Hips” Playlist on Yoga Medicine® Online (YMO)
• Rachel’s “Hip Health Series 4: MFR 360 Degrees of the Hips” YMO class

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-143.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.