
Yin Yoga Podcast
- Episodios
- 125
- Se publica
- cada semana
- Último episodio
- 13 Nov 2026
Sobre el podcast
Welcome to A Yin Yoga Podcast with your host Nyk Danu - Certified Yoga Therapist, Mentor of Yoga Teachers, Yin Yoga Teacher trainer and total Yin Yoga Geek. If you have a crush on Yin Yoga and are ready to dive deep, you are in the right place. My guests and I will discuss all things Yin Yoga, including anatomy, philosophy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Meditation, Taoism, teaching tips, and so much more. You can expect these conversations to be long format, informal, lo-fi and delightfully imperfect. Welcome to the Yinside!
Episodios 125
In My Element: Book Review
Season 9 | Ep. 9Yin Yoga Book Review: In My Element by Emma WallToday I'm reviewing In My Element by Emma Wall, a Yin Yoga book built around sequences for the Chinese Five Elements. I get asked all the time for …
Notas del episodio
Season 9 | Ep. 9
Yin Yoga Book Review: In My Element by Emma Wall
Today I'm reviewing In My Element by Emma Wall, a Yin Yoga book built around sequences for the Chinese Five Elements.
I get asked all the time for book recommendations, so I like to do these reviews for anyone looking to nerd out on new Yin books.
Overall, I really liked this one. It's beautifully designed, with big colour photos, easy to read, and each element comes with its own breathwork, meditation, poem, and sequence. She also includes upper-body poses, which is still rare in Yin books, and some good prop variations.
My one real critique is that she leans on meridian pathway info, which I'm generally not a fan of since most Yoga teachers writing about Chinese medicine haven't studied it in depth, so I wouldn't take that part as gospel.
I'm also not big on the Ujjayi breath showing up in a Yin practice, but that's a small thing.
Bottom line, this is a lovely book worth adding to your collection if you love Yin Yoga. I'm getting my own copy. Thanks to my student Crystal for lending me hers!
Also Mentioned In This Episode;
Yin Yoga is not Chinese Medicine
Past Book Reviews
The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga with Bernie Clark
Yin Yoga Principles of Practice
Want to support my work? Leave Me a Tip
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Yin Yoga For Sleep (bedtime Yin)
Season 9 | Episode 7Yin Yoga for Sleep (Bedtime Yin)This one's for anyone who could use a better night's sleep. I'm walking you through a full Yin Yoga sequence you can do right in bed, so once you're done, you …
Notas del episodio
Season 9 | Episode 7
Yin Yoga for Sleep (Bedtime Yin)
This one's for anyone who could use a better night's sleep. I'm walking you through a full Yin Yoga sequence you can do right in bed, so once you're done, you just... go to sleep. No getting up, no putting props away, nothing.
What I get into:
- How I started doing Yoga in bed in the first place (long story short: I hurt my back and couldn't get to the floor)
- My honest sleep hygiene tips: caffeine cutoffs, ditching screens, lighting, bedroom setup, and the sleep aids I actually use (hello, passionflower)
- The full bedtime sequence: Graceful Bow, Constructive Rest with three-part breath, Baby Dragon, Heart Bend, Mermaid, Keyhole + Twist, Butterfly, Wide-Legged Child's Pose or Happy Baby, and Seaweed
- How to wrap it all up with a guided relaxation so you can just drift off
Grab these:
- The full bedtime Yin sequence PDF
- A guided relaxation audio link
- My earlier episode on Constructive Rest (with its own PDF)
If you're into the show:
- Subscribe/follow and drop a 5-star review, it genuinely helps
- Screenshot it and tag me in your IG stories: @nykdanuyoga
- Or toss a few bucks my way via this PayPal link if you're feeling generous
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Lessons in Meditation with Gabrielle Harris
Season 9 | Ep. 6Lessons in Meditation with Gabrielle HarrisGabrielle Harris is back, and we're diving into her latest book, Lessons in Meditation, the final installment of her trilogy. Grab your copy if you …
Notas del episodio
Season 9 | Ep. 6
Lessons in Meditation with Gabrielle Harris
Gabrielle Harris is back, and we're diving into her latest book, Lessons in Meditation, the final installment of her trilogy. Grab your copy if you have it, I'm referencing specific pages throughout.
Adult podcast, adult language. Headphones if you've got little ones around.
In this episode:
- What meditation actually is and why it's so hard to define
- The myths that keep people off the cushion, including "my mind is too busy"
- Why Yin Yoga might be the best gateway to meditation
- How to bring meditation into your classes without feeling underqualified
- Gabrielle's meditation journey from age nine to now
- Why your own practice has to come before you teach it
- Building a ritual that makes you actually want to show up
- The difference between a sankalpa and a resolution
- The mantra Aham Prema and why I'm obsessed with it
We also read Breath of Trees and Rooms of the Heart live from the book. That second one got me a little emotional.
About Gabrielle: Award-winning author of The Language of Yin, The Inspired Yoga Teacher, and Lessons in Meditation. Based in New Zealand, leading trainings and workshops worldwide. Lessons in Meditation recently won a Gold Nautilus Book Award for Wellness.
Giveaway: Check both of our Instagrams the same week this episode drops for details.
Links:
- Gabrielle's website
- Gabrielle's Instagram
- Lessons in Meditation is available on all Amazon's
Also mentioned in this episode:
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
Dropping YinSide: Beyond Stretching
Season 9 | Ep. 4In this episode, I'm talking about what it really means to "drop Yin-side" moving past the physical stretch into an actual inner journey.We cover why Yin is mentally and emotionally harder than …
Notas del episodio
Season 9 | Ep. 4
In this episode, I'm talking about what it really means to "drop Yin-side" moving past the physical stretch into an actual inner journey.
We cover why Yin is mentally and emotionally harder than most people expect, the 7-layer awareness approach I use at the start of every class, how to guide students from distracted to present, what to do as a teacher while your students are holding shapes, and some quotes you're welcome to borrow for your own classes.
Whether you're a practitioner wanting a richer personal practice or a teacher wanting to guide attention (not just anatomy), there's something here for you.
Also mentioned in this episode:
Dear Yin Yoga Teacher Please Shut Up
Loving Kindness and Yin (Metta)
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
Teaching Swan Pose? Help is on the way!
Season 9 | Ep.4Teaching Swan Pose? Help Is on the Way!In this episode, I'm diving into one of the most requested topics from the Yin Yoga community: Swan Pose (also known as Sleeping Swan, or if you speak …
Notas del episodio
Season 9 | Ep.4
Teaching Swan Pose? Help Is on the Way!
In this episode, I'm diving into one of the most requested topics from the Yin Yoga community: Swan Pose (also known as Sleeping Swan, or if you speak Hatha, Pigeon Pose). If you're a Yin Yoga teacher who's ever panicked when a student can't do this pose, this one's for you.
What I cover:
- The difference between Swan and Sleeping Swan (and why we don't call it Pigeon in Yin Yoga)
- Why teaching functionally is everything — if you know why you put a pose in your sequence, you'll never be caught off guard when someone can't do it
- The myth of the 90-degree front leg — spoiler: it's about bone structure, not flexibility
- The number one issue in Sleeping Swan (the front knee) and what to actually do about it
- What to do when it's the back knee that's the problem (yes, this happens!)
- A buffet of modifications and alternatives: adjusting the foot and knee angle, using props like blocks, bolsters, straps, blankets, towels, chairs, and walls
- Why flipping someone onto their back for a figure four (aka Keyhole, Reclined Pigeon, Eye of the Needle — so many names!) is often the quickest and most effective solution
- Why that reclined version is actually deeper for some people (hi, it's me)
- Reclined Shoelace as another great option for folks who need less external rotation
- Seated options like Shoelace, Square Pose, and Deer Pose
- The "butt in the air" problem and how to handle it gracefully
- Why I love Paul Grilley's Anatomy for Yoga and why it's required watching in my teacher training
- A companion PDF on Tummee with tons of visual variations (living, breathing document, I'll keep adding to it!)
Want to make a request? DM me on Instagram or leave a comment on the blog. Frog and Cattail are on the way, I promise.
Until next time, bye for now!
Mentioned In this Episode:
How To Make Yin Yoga Accessible
The Yin Yoga Way: Function VS Form
Teaching Saddle Pose Help Is On The Way
Yin Yoga and Hip Pain: What Teachers Should Know
Knee Pain and Yin Yoga: What Teachers Need to Know
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
What Is MyoYin? With Nicky Hadjithoma
Season 9 | Ep. 3 Myo Yin with Nikki HajitomaIn this episode, I sit down with Nikki Hajitoma, founder of Yintelligence, to talk all things Myo Yin. If you've ever wondered what happens when you combine …
Notas del episodio
Season 9 | Ep. 3
Myo Yin with Nikki Hajitoma
In this episode, I sit down with Nikki Hajitoma, founder of Yintelligence, to talk all things Myo Yin. If you've ever wondered what happens when you combine myofascial release balls with Yin Yoga, this one's for you.
About Nikki
Nikki is a highly esteemed teacher within the international Yin Yoga community, a vastly experienced studio teacher, and founder of Yintelligence, a school of Yin and functional Yoga. She's known for her tenure as resident lead in the Yin Yoga teacher training at Pure Yoga (Asia's largest studio group). She is considered one of the key teachers to popularize Yin Yoga in Asia.
She has trained extensively with Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, Bernie Clark, and Jo Phee, and spent nearly a decade as a personal apprentice to Jo Phee
Based in London, Nikki teaches online and travels internationally to deliver specialized teacher trainings in Yin Yoga, functional anatomy, and compassionate self-inquiry.
What We Talk About
We kick things off with Nikki's Yoga origin story, and it's a good one. She shares openly about her struggles with addiction, the moment Yoga cracked her open during treatment at 26, and how she went from the last person anyone would expect to become a Yoga teacher to one of the most respected Yin teachers in the world.
From there, we get into:
- What Myo Yin actually is (spoiler: it's not just a ball in a Yin pose)
- The different ways to practice and teach it, from dynamic rolling before a pose, to static ball placement during a Yin hold
- Why the combination amplifies the physical benefits, and how it can also become a powerful mindfulness practice
- The importance of intelligent sequencing so it doesn't just become a gimmick
- How Nikki uses Myo Yin with more yang-focused students to ease them into stillness
We also talk about functional anatomy, the one-size-fits-all cuing problem in Yoga, alignment culture, trauma-informed teaching, and why Nikki believes you can teach functionally without being trauma-informed, but you can't be trauma-informed without teaching functionally. That one hit home for me.
Nikki's Upcoming Trainings
- 60-hour Myo Yin Teacher Training in London at Mission: December 7 to 13, 2026
- Myo Yin Teacher Training in Hong Kong: January 16 to 24, 2027
- Online workshops coming in fall 2026
- Online teacher training: late 2027
The best way to stay in the loop is to sign up for the newsletter on her website.
Nicky's website: yintelligence.com and Instagram
If you loved this episode, please leave a review or comment. It helps other Yin Yoga lovers find the podcast. And if you've already left one, a screenshot shared in your Instagram stories means the world.
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
The Courage To Say ' I Don't Know"
Season 9 | Ep. 2The Courage to Say "I Don't Know" In this episode, I'm talking about something that I think every Yoga teacher needs to hear: it's okay to not have all the answers.I share a real moment from my …
Notas del episodio
Season 9 | Ep. 2
The Courage to Say "I Don't Know"
In this episode, I'm talking about something that I think every Yoga teacher needs to hear: it's okay to not have all the answers.
I share a real moment from my own teaching that got me thinking about how we relate to not knowing, and why saying "I don't know" is actually one of the most courageous and mature things a teacher can do.
We get into the Dunning-Kruger effect and how it shows up in Yoga teacher training, my own experience of thinking I knew way more than I did as a new teacher (including some very confident and very wrong alignment cues), and how discovering Paul Grilley's work on skeletal variation completely cracked my world open.
I also talk about the difference between clarity and certainty, why the wellness world's obsession with having all the answers can actually do more harm than good, and what Daoism has to say about the wisdom of not knowing.
Whether you're a brand new teacher or you've been at this for years, I think this one will resonate.
In this episode:
- The Dunning-Kruger effect and how it shows up in Yoga teaching
- Why "I don't know" reflects maturity, not inadequacy
- Skeletal variation and how it changed everything for me
- The difference between certainty and clarity
- Why curiosity is lighter to carry than the pressure of having all the answers
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
7 Things I Wish I Had Known When I started Teaching Yin Yoga
Season 9 | Ep.1 7 Things I Wish I'd Known When I Started Teaching Yin YogaIn this episode, I'm sharing seven things I wish someone had told me earlier in my teaching journey. These aren't lessons you have to …
Notas del episodio
Season 9 | Ep.1
7 Things I Wish I'd Known When I Started Teaching Yin Yoga
In this episode, I'm sharing seven things I wish someone had told me earlier in my teaching journey. These aren't lessons you have to wait decades to earn. Think of them more like signposts to keep an eye on as your teaching unfolds, whether you're brand new or you've been at this for years.
What we get into:
1. The nervous system always has the first and last say
2. Timing matters more than technique
3. Your presence matters more than your plan
4. Variability isn't the problem; it's the practice
5. I stopped teaching poses and started teaching people
6. Experience doesn't give you all the answers
7. Go teach, then come back and study again
Also mentioned in this episode:
My #1 Pose for Every Yin Yoga Class (constructive rest)
Dear Yin Yoga Teacher- Please Shut Up
How To Teach Exceptional Yin Yoga Classes
Let's connect:I'd love to hear what pearls of wisdom you've picked up on your own teaching journey. What did I miss? Drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, I genuinely want to know.
And if you love this podcast, a rating or review goes a long way in helping other Yin Yoga lovers find it. You can also take a screenshot of your favourite episode and share it in your Instagram stories. Tag me so I can share the love!
Thanks for being here. Until we meet again, bye for now.
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
Protecting the Sovereign: The Wisdom of the Pericardium
Season 8 | Ep. 12Episode Title: Protecting the Sovereign: The Wisdom of the PericardiumThis is the last episode of the season, and we're going out on one of my favourite topics: the heart and the pericardium in …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | Ep. 12
Episode Title: Protecting the Sovereign: The Wisdom of the Pericardium
This is the last episode of the season, and we're going out on one of my favourite topics: the heart and the pericardium in Chinese medicine.
The heart is the sovereign, the seat of our Shen (spirit/mind). The pericardium is its protector. But what happens when that protection goes too far, and the fence becomes a wall? Or when there's not enough, and we're giving it all away?
We also get into how Yin Yoga creates the conditions for the Shen to settle, and I leave you with some journal questions to take this deeper.
In this episode: the Shen and why it matters, signs of scattered or disturbed Shen, the pericardium as heart protector, boundaries versus walls, emotional armour, and how stillness reveals what we didn't know we were carrying.
Quote: "Wide open, gentle heart. Big fucking fence." Danielle LaPorte
Taking a summer break, back in September 2026. See you then.
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
What Makes You Qualified To Teach Yin?
Season 8 | Episode 11A comment in a Yin Yoga network group stopped me in my tracks. Someone said they were "already certified to teach Yin," and I couldn't get that out of my head. So this episode is all about …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | Episode 11
A comment in a Yin Yoga network group stopped me in my tracks.
Someone said they were "already certified to teach Yin," and I couldn't get that out of my head.
So this episode is all about what certification actually means, whether it equals qualification, and what only time and humility can teach you that no training ever could.
In this episode:
- Why a certificate marks the beginning of teaching, not the completion of learning
- The problem with weekend intensives and fast-track certification culture
- The shadow side of collecting certifications without integrating the material
- Why the deeper you go into Yin Yoga, the less certain you become
- Humility as a Yin quality and why staying teachable matters more than arriving
If this episode resonated, please rate and review on Apple, leave a five-star on Spotify, or drop a comment on YouTube. I read them all.My 100 Hour Therapeutic Yin Course. Full details and sign up here.https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/Also mentioned in this episode:
What is Therapeutic Yin Yoga: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/what-is-therapeutic-yin-yoga/
Why Yin Yoga Teachers Need a Home Practice: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-teachers-home-practice
Unearthing Trauma - Yin Yoga for Release and Resilience with Janis Isaman: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/unearthing-trauma-yin-yoga-for-release-and-resilience-with-janis-isaman/What is Yin Yang: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-podcast-what-is-yinyang/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/
Knee Pain and Yin Yoga: What Teachers Need to Know
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 …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | Ep. 10
Knee Pain and Yin Yoga: Modifications, Surgeries, and What Your Teachers Need to Know
Hey 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 students
- The difference between acute injuries (ACL tears, falls, sports injuries) and gradual wear-and-tear issues like arthritis and meniscal degeneration
- Tracking issues and what they actually mean, including my own 20-plus-year journey with them
- Hypermobility and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos, and how to safely support those students in your classes
- Common 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 Yin
- Pose-by-pose modifications and alternatives for students with knee pain, including saddle, sleeping swan, child's pose, sitting cross-legged, seiza, squatting, and kneeling
- Why 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 teacher
- Why Yin is so much more than the physical shapes, and how that matters especially for students in recovery
Links and resources mentioned:
Also mentioned in this episode:
Blog post for this episode with an anatomy image on my website
If 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, Yinnies
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
Yin Yoga and Hip Pain-What Teachers Should Know
Season 8 | Ep. 9I am excited to share this conversation with you. In this episode, I sat down with Beth Coyne Lewis, a recently retired physiotherapist, Yin Yoga teacher, and someone who has personally …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | Ep. 9
I am excited to share this conversation with you.
In this episode, I sat down with Beth Coyne Lewis, a recently retired physiotherapist, Yin Yoga teacher, and someone who has personally navigated a knee replacement and a hip labral repair.
Beth also completed my 100-hour Yin training, so we already knew each other going in, which made for a really easy, honest conversation.
This episode came about because of a question that popped up in the Yin Yoga Network Facebook group (not my group, just one I help admin!) about knees or hips, and I thought, most Yoga teachers, especially those with just a 200-hour, have not been given the tools to support students dealing with hip issues. Beth was the obvious person to call.
What We Talk About:
The difference between true hip joint pain and outer hip pain, what to actually do when a student tells you they have had a hip replacement, and why the type of surgery matters so much when it comes to movement restrictions. We also talk about props, asymmetry, scope of practice, and the shadow side of certain Yoga traditions when it comes to pushing through hip pain.
And we spend some time on something I feel really strongly about: Yin Yoga is not just a physical practice, and sometimes the breath and mindfulness aspects are exactly what a student needs most.
A Little More About Beth:
Beth is currently teaching Yin, Vinyasa, Nidra, chair, aqua, and Yoga for grief. She teaches at a studio and at the Jewish Community Centre through a grant program for people over 60. She is also an advanced clinical aromatherapist and a level one and two Reiki practitioner. When she is not doing all of that, she is probably baking sourdough and spoiling her cats, McCartney and Harrison.
Part two is coming, and we are tackling knees, which feels very timely for me personally right now. Stay tuned.
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
Yin Therapy with Emrik Suichies
Season 8 | EP. 8I had such a good conversation with Emrik, and I honestly could have kept going for hours. Emrik is a Yin Yoga teacher and therapist based between the Netherlands and Hungary, and what he has …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | EP. 8
I had such a good conversation with Emrik, and I honestly could have kept going for hours. Emrik is a Yin Yoga teacher and therapist based between the Netherlands and Hungary, and what he has built over the course of his career is unlike anything I've come across in the Yoga world.
We're talking about a formally accredited bachelor's degree in Yin therapy. Not just a certification. Not just a teacher training. An actual bachelor's degree, recognized by insurance companies in the Netherlands. It's the kind of thing that makes you go, "Wait, why isn't everyone doing this?"
But beyond the credentials, what really got me in this conversation was Emrik's philosophy. About learning, about healing, about what Yin Yoga actually is and what it's capable of.
What we talked about:
- How Emrik built a bachelor's degree program in Yin therapy and got it officially accredited
- Why insurance companies in the Netherlands now cover Yin therapy sessions, and what that actually means for the profession
- The Yoga licensure debate and why getting licensed isn't necessarily the golden ticket people think it is
- Embodied, experience-based learning and why Emrik tells his students they don't have to remember anything
- DNA methylation and how Yin Yoga can actually help "close" gene expressions that are causing noise in your nervous system
- What he's currently studying with neurosurgeon Jack Kruse around light, magnetism, and the mitochondria
- His upcoming English master's program in integrative medicine and Yin therapy
One thing Emrik said that I haven't stopped thinking about: Yin Yoga is the missing part of being alive. I felt that one right in my heart.
If you're a Yoga teacher, a therapist, or just someone who loves going deep into the why behind the practice, this episode is for you.
Resources and links mentioned:
Website: https://yinassociation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yinassociation/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YinAssociationBook in Dutch: https://migems.nl/over-leven-met-yin/
Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow Yin Yoga lover. It really does help more people find the show, and I appreciate it more than you know.
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
What We're Not Talking About in Yin Yoga (but should be)
Season 8 Ep. 7What We Aren't Talking About in Yin YogaWe talk a lot about fascia, long holds, meridians, and the nervous system in Yin Yoga. And those are all valuable conversations. But in this episode, I …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 Ep. 7
What We Aren't Talking About in Yin Yoga
We talk a lot about fascia, long holds, meridians, and the nervous system in Yin Yoga. And those are all valuable conversations.
But in this episode, I wanted to go a little deeper and explore the quieter, subtler parts of a Yin practice that don't always get airtime, the things that are harder to measure, harder to teach, and maybe harder to talk about.
These are some of the most important conversations I think we can be having as teachers and dedicated practitioners, and I'm so glad you're here for it.
In this episode I cover:
- The rebound (what I call the resonance or linger) and why it's one of the most skipped and most valuable parts of a Yin class
- The difference between a rebound and a counterpose
- How my nervous system as a teacher shapes the entire room, and the role of co-regulation in a group Yin practice
- The difference between teaching students to stay still versus stay present
- Why physical stillness does not automatically create awareness
- Practical cues I use to guide students inward during holds
- Silence as a teaching tool, and why I think many of us teachers are more uncomfortable with it than our students are
- How over-talking can interrupt your students' process
- The role of boredom in Yin Yoga and why it might be a threshold worth crossing
- How Yin can challenge achievement-oriented students, and how I like to reframe it for them
- Why less intensity can actually create more awareness
- The real gifts of a consistent Yin practice that have nothing to do with flexibility
Episodes I mention:
How to teach exceptional classes
Trauma, the Nervous System and Yin Yoga- with Alyssa Stefanson
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Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
Yin Yoga Lessons: Learning To Stay
Season 8 | Ep. 6Yin Yoga Lessons: Learning to StayIn this episode, I'm diving into something I've been thinking about a lot lately, the lost art of staying. Like, actually being able to sit with yourself …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | Ep. 6
Yin Yoga Lessons: Learning to Stay
In this episode, I'm diving into something I've been thinking about a lot lately, the lost art of staying.
Like, actually being able to sit with yourself without immediately reaching for your phone or looking for the next distraction.
I talk about how Yin Yoga, with its longer holds and quieter pace, is honestly one of the best tools I know for learning how to stay with sensation, with boredom, with restlessness, with whatever's showing up. And why that matters way beyond the Yoga mat.
As a mid-Gen Xer, I have a pretty clear memory of life before smartphones, and I think that frame of reference has been really eye-opening for me lately. I've been craving a more analog life, and I think a lot of us are feeling that, even if we can't totally name it.
We also get into:
- Why boredom isn't actually the enemy (spoiler: it's where creativity lives)
- The rebound/resonance after a Yin shape — and why it's actually the hardest part of staying
- How the inability to stay shows up in our bodies, our emotions, and our attention spans
- A little guided reflection you can use yourself or with your students
If you're a Yin teacher, there's also some good stuff in here around how to weave this theme into your classes, either as a full theme or just in little cues you drop in throughout practice.
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Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
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Prana One Breath Many Worlds - Bernie Clarke
Season 8 | EP. 5Bernie Clark Returns: Prana, Fascia Science, and the Art of Slowing Down (Part 2)Part two with Bernie Clark is here, and we are going deep into his newest book, Prana: One Breath, Many Worlds …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | EP. 5
Bernie Clark Returns: Prana, Fascia Science, and the Art of Slowing Down (Part 2)
Part two with Bernie Clark is here, and we are going deep into his newest book, Prana: One Breath, Many Worlds. This one is equal parts storytelling, history, and science, and there was so much to unpack.
We get into:
Helene Langevin's research and how it builds a real bridge between ancient Eastern practices and modern Western science.
Dr. Motoyama's AMI machine
The history of how prana has been understood across the ages
Bernie's very personal story of burning out from too much yang and what finally brought him back into balance.
We also talk about pranayama safety and what Yin teachers need to keep in mind when including breath practices in class.
If you haven't listened to part one yet, go back to the last episode and start there.
And if this book isn't on your shelf, go get it.
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Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
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Bernie Clark Answers Your Questions
Season 8 | EP. 4Your Questions Answered with Bernie ClarkSo excited to share this conversation with Bernie Clark, one of the most well-known voices in the yin yoga world. Bernie and I got talking and, true to …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | EP. 4
Your Questions Answered with Bernie Clark
So excited to share this conversation with Bernie Clark, one of the most well-known voices in the yin yoga world. Bernie and I got talking and, true to form, it went long — so I split it into two parts. This first episode is all about your questions. You sent them in, I asked them, and Bernie delivered in the most thorough and nuanced way possible.
We start with a catch-up on Bernie's anatomy course, which is now available on demand after its final live run. If you learn better by watching than reading (same), it's worth checking out.
Then we get into the good stuff:
Can yin yoga increase bone density?Bernie takes us into the biology lab for this one. We talk about Wolf's Law, the mechanostat theory, osteoblasts vs osteoclasts, and what the research actually says about how bone grows. Short version: yin probably won't actively build bone, but it may help slow resorption — and more importantly, it can reduce fall risk, which is where most osteoporosis-related fractures actually happen.
Does flexing the foot in swan/pigeon protect the knee?Bernie breaks down why this cue has more validity than he originally thought (fascia is involved), but also why we need to stop using it as a fear-based universal correction. The knee isn't the target in swan — the hip is.
The Lizzie Lasseter postA lot of you sent me this one. We go through it point by point — GOGI tendon organs, proprioception, neural drive, end range of motion. Bernie cites actual research. I rant a little about pitting yoga styles against each other. We both agree: let's stop using pseudoscience to make one practice seem superior to another. Bernie wrote a full response article and I've linked it in the show notes.
How long is too long to hold a yin pose?Minimum around two minutes for the tissues to actually start releasing, with about 95% of the physical benefit happening by four minutes. Beyond that, the reasons to stay longer are more psychological, emotional, or energetic than physical — and that's totally valid.
We also take a detour into scope of practice as yoga teachers, which honestly could be its own episode.
Part two is coming next — Bernie and I dig into his new book, Prana: One Breath, Many Worlds. Can't wait for you to hear it.
Links mentioned:
- Bernie's anatomy course (Functional Anatomy for Yoga Teachers)
- Bernie's response to Lizzie's post
- Previous Bernie Clark episode (split into two parts)
- Yin yoga for athletes episode with Tiffany
- Episode with Niamh on osteoporosis
- Hypermobility and Yin Yoga- Libby Hinsley
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Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
The Quiet Shift: From Yin Yoga Intructor to Teacher & Guide
Season 8 | EP. 3The Quiet Shift: From Yin Yoga Instructor to Teacher and GuideThere's a transformation that happens when you've been teaching Yin Yoga for a while, and most people don't even notice it's …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | EP. 3
The Quiet Shift: From Yin Yoga Instructor to Teacher and Guide
There's a transformation that happens when you've been teaching Yin Yoga for a while, and most people don't even notice it's happening until they're already on the other side of it.
In this episode, The subtle but powerful evolution from instructing to truly teaching and eventually stepping into the role of a guide.
In this episode, I cover:
- The real difference between a Yin Yoga instructor, a teacher, and a guide and why it matters
- Why most Yoga teacher trainings are actually instructor trainings (and what to do about it)
- The class where I forgot my lesson plan turned out to be the best class I ever taught
- Why I ignored my intuition for years before I finally started chanting to my students during Shavasana
- What it means to hold brave space for your students
- The power of bookends in your classes and why repetition is actually good for your students' nervous systems
- How to know which student feedback is worth listening to and what to let go of
- Why being a great Yin Yoga teacher means you're forever a student
Episodes mentioned In This Episode:
How To Teach Exceptional Yin Classes
When Less Is More: Do you Need to Go Deeper
Also Mentioned
Book mentioned Buddha's Brain by Rick Hanson
Being a Bodhisattva Bodhisattva Prayer
Video Monty Python Black Night
If this episode resonated with you, I'd be so grateful if you took a moment to leave a five-star rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or a written review on Apple.
On Spotify, let me know in the comments how this landed for you. And if you know a Yin Yoga teacher who needs to hear this, please share it with them.
Sharing is caring, as they say.
Want to support my work? Leave Me a Tip
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
How Often Should You Practice Yin Yoga?
Season 8 | Ep. 2How Often Should You Practice Yin Yoga?In this episode, I'm diving into one of your most asked questions: how often should someone practice yin yoga? Spoiler: the answer is "it depends," and I …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | Ep. 2
How Often Should You Practice Yin Yoga?
In this episode, I'm diving into one of your most asked questions: how often should someone practice yin yoga? Spoiler: the answer is "it depends," and I get into all the reasons why.
The stock answer you'll hear a lot is that yin and yang should be practiced equally to stay in balance. And while that's not wrong, it's way oversimplified. I break down why that answer doesn't account for so much of real life.
We talk through all the factors that actually matter when figuring out the right amount of yin for someone:
- Health and ability — chronic illness, injury, recovery (including substance abuse recovery), and how that changes everything
- Stage of life — parents of little kids, seniors, anyone who's already running on empty
- How active you are outside of yoga — athletes, cyclists, people with physically demanding jobs (yes, I used my partner as an example!)
- Why you came to yoga in the first place — not everyone is here for the physical benefits. Some of us want to quiet the mind, learn to meditate, or go on an inward journey
- Nervous system nourishment — yin offers something that a movement-based class just can't in the same way
- Trauma and the body — for people working through trauma, yin can be a powerful space to practice staying and befriending the body
- Introverts and highly sensitive people — you don't always need more stimulation. Sometimes the chill, quiet class is exactly right
We live in a yang-dominated world. Sometimes a little extra yin isn't an imbalance; it's the antidote.
Oh, and we hit 100,000 downloads! Huge thank you to everyone who's been listening, sharing, and sending in topic ideas. Y'all are the reason this podcast exists.
Links mentioned:
- Episode on Yin Yang Theory
- Episode on Yin Yoga and Osteoporosis/Osteopenia
- Episode on Highly Sensitive People
- Episode with Tiffany Cruikshank on Yin Yoga for Athletes
- What the World Needs Now is Yin Sweet Yin
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
AcuYin Yay or Nay?
Season 8 | Ep. 1In this episode,I'm diving into AcuYin, what it is, whether it's worth adding to your toolkit, and why I have some serious reservations about it. We talk about the real depth of Chinese …
Notas del episodio
Season 8 | Ep. 1
In this episode,
I'm diving into AcuYin, what it is, whether it's worth adding to your toolkit, and why I have some serious reservations about it.
We talk about the real depth of Chinese medicine, why acupressure points are way more powerful (and individual) than most Yoga teachers realize, and where I think short continuing ed courses on this topic fall short.
If you're a Yoga teacher considering an AcuYin training, this one's for you.
Plus, a little celebratory moment, we hit 100,000 downloads!
Thank you for your support!
Season eight, here we go....
Also mentioned in this Episode:
Yin Yoga is Not Chinese Medicine with Dr. Karina Smith
Teaching Saddle? Help Is On the Way
Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
Vision to Decision: Liver & Gallbladder Wisdom
Season 7 Ep. 12Today I'm talking about one of my favourite paired organs in Chinese Medicine, the liver and gallbladder. They're connected to spring, and the wood element, and understanding them can transform …
Notas del episodio
Season 7 Ep. 12
Today I'm talking about one of my favourite paired organs in Chinese Medicine, the liver and gallbladder.
They're connected to spring, and the wood element, and understanding them can transform your Yin Yoga practice and your life.
The liver sees the path. The gallbladder walks it.
Key Functions:
- Ensures smooth flow of chi (emotional, digestive, menstrual)
- Controls the sinews (fascia)
- Associated emotion: anger, frustration, passion
Imbalance signs: Irritability, tight muscles, headaches, PMS, feeling stuck
Key Functions:
- Governs decision-making and courage
- Executes the liver's vision
- Courage = clarity + action
Imbalance signs: Indecision, timidity, difficulty taking action
- Liver = the dreamer, the architect
- Gallbladder = the general who makes it so
- Liver without gallbladder = frustrated dreamer
- Gallbladder without liver = action with no soul
- Together = vision + courage + forward momentum
- "Without anger and frustration, there would be no evolution, revolution, or change."
- "Vision plus courage—that's what we need."
Winter is for going inward. Spring is for planting seeds and taking action. SPRING is when I create my vision board and start new habits—not January!
🎙️ Podcast break! Back April 17th
💡 Send me your Yin Yoga questions: Instagram
or comment on YouTube/Spotify/ My BlogAlso mentioned in this Episode: Root to Rise: Yin Yoga Spring and the Wood element
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Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
What The World Needs Now Is Yin Sweet Yin
Season 7 | ep. 11 In this episode, I dive into why the world desperately needs more Yin energy right now – and I'm not just talking about Yin Yoga (although definitely that too). I'm talking about the …
Notas del episodio
Season 7 | ep. 11
In this episode, I dive into why the world desperately needs more Yin energy right now – and I'm not just talking about Yin Yoga (although definitely that too). I'm talking about the overarching philosophy of Yin and why embracing these qualities is an act of resistance against hustle culture.
I explore seven key reasons why we need more Yin, sweet Yin:• Yin as resistance to hustle culture• How Yin helps us avoid burnout through rest and regulation• Why listening (to ourselves and others) is a Yin superpower• Creating depth instead of constant stimulation• Embracing compassion and softness in a competitive world• Honouring natural cycles instead of endless growth• Supporting nervous system regulation
I also share some personal stories, including a vulnerable moment about a health scare that really put things in perspective for me, plus journal prompts you can use to bring more Yin qualities into your daily life.
If you're feeling burnt out, overstimulated, or just exhausted by the constant pressure to do more, this episode is for you.
Also mentioned in this episode: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-podcast-what-is-yinyang/
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See all episodes at a glance
Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
Find me on Instagram
Should we Combine Yin and Restorative Yoga?
Season 7 EP. 10Should you mix Yin and Restorative Yoga in one class? Spoiler alert: I'm not a fan, and in this episode, I'm breaking down exactly why.I get asked this question all the time, so let's clear up …
Notas del episodio
Season 7 EP. 10
Should you mix Yin and Restorative Yoga in one class? Spoiler alert: I'm not a fan, and in this episode, I'm breaking down exactly why.I get asked this question all the time, so let's clear up the confusion once and for all. Yin and restorative yoga have completely different intentions. In restorative, you're using tons of props to feel zero stretch so your nervous system can deeply rest. In Yin, you're actually looking for sensation in the body while holding poses for 2.5 to 5 minutes.The problem? Most teachers (and students) are confused about the difference. And when you mix them in one class, it gets even muddier.In this episode, I cover:• The real difference between Yin and Restorative Yoga• Why mixing them confuses students• What to call your class if it's not 'actually Restorative.'• How I'd combine them if someone forced me to (spoiler: Yin first, then Restorative)• Why your 200-hour training is just the beginningIf you've been teaching "Restorative" with one bolster and a blanket, this episode is for you. Let's talk about honouring these beautiful practices and giving them the space they deserve.Got thoughts? Drop them in the comments. I'd love to hear your take on this. 👇🏻Also mentioned in this episode:Yin vs Restorative: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-vs-restorative-yoga-whats-the-difference/What is Yin Yang: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-podcast-what-is-yinyang/Props for Practice: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-podcast-what-is-yinyang/Restorative Training: https://www.judithhansonlasater.comWant 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 Find me on Instagram Nyk Danu Yoga: https://www.instagram.com/nykdanuyoga/Yin Yoga Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/yinyogapodcast/
Yin Yoga and Osteoporosis
Season 7 | Ep. 9Yin Yoga & Osteoporosis: Essential Safety Guidelines for Teachers & PractitionersJoin me in a conversation with Niamh Daly, Yoga teacher trainer and author of "Yoga for Menopause and Beyond," …
Notas del episodio
Season 7 | Ep. 9
Yin Yoga & Osteoporosis: Essential Safety Guidelines for Teachers & PractitionersJoin me in a conversation with Niamh Daly, Yoga teacher trainer and author of "Yoga for Menopause and Beyond," for an in-depth discussion on safely practicing and teaching Yin Yoga for those with osteoporosis and osteopenia.Key Topics:• Understanding osteoporosis vs. osteopenia and why both require the same precautions• Why 54% of women over 50 have osteopenia (and may not know it)• Specific pose modifications: avoiding spinal flexion, supporting forward folds, and safe alternatives• The truth about whether yin yoga can increase bone density• Teaching accessibly: starting with the gentlest variations first• Supporting students emotionally through their diagnosis journeyEssential Takeaway: Teach osteoporosis-friendly variations as your default approach, especially when working with women over 40—the highest demographic in yoga classes.Learn more about Niamh's work at https://yinstinctyoga.com
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Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
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To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
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Teaching Saddle Pose? Help is on the way!
Season 7 | EP. 8So I got asked to break down saddle pose, and honestly, I was excited but also like... this is gonna be tough to explain just through audio. That's why I partnered with Tummee to create a visual …
Notas del episodio
Season 7 | EP. 8
So I got asked to break down saddle pose, and honestly, I was excited but also like... this is gonna be tough to explain just through audio. That's why I partnered with Tummee to create a visual companion PDF with tons of variations you can actually see.
In this episode, I walk through everything from basic hero pose modifications to full saddle alternatives. We're talking blocks, bolsters, blankets, straps, even upside-down chairs. Plus, I cover what to do when saddle just isn't happening for someone, no matter how many props you throw at them.
Whether you're teaching saddle for the quad stretch, the backbend, or both, I've got you covered with options for everybody. This isn't beginner stuff, this is the master class version with real solutions for real students.
Grab the free visual guide here: https://www.tummee.com/yoga-sequence/TeyWL
And let me know in the comments what pose you want me to break down next.
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Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
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Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
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EP. 100!!! - Why We Practice Yin Yoga
Season 7 | Ep. 7I still can't quite believe we made it to 100 episodes. Honestly, I wasn't sure we'd get here; my biggest fear was always running out of topics. But here we are, and I'm so grateful.For this …
Notas del episodio
Season 7 | Ep. 7
I still can't quite believe we made it to 100 episodes. Honestly, I wasn't sure we'd get here; my biggest fear was always running out of topics. But here we are, and I'm so grateful.
For this milestone episode, I borrowed an idea from my friend Addie and asked some past guests to share why they practice Yin Yoga.
The responses were beautiful and reminded me of why I fell in love with this practice in the first place.
My teacher, Paul Grilley said it perfectly: Yin is the ideal way to prepare the body and train the mind to sit still comfortably.
Addie talked about how Yin bridged her yoga practice with her Buddhist meditation practice.
Karina called it "a rebellion against the world telling me I have to move fast and keep producing."
And Bernie? He said Yin gave him the other half of his practice, the stillness and mindfulness he was missing.
And there are other nuggets for past guests, too!
I want to hear from you, let me know why you practice Yin Yoga, leave me a comment on my blog, on spotify or if you are listening on Apple send me a dm on Instagram.
Find the links to my guests and their episodes here: https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/a-yin-yoga-podcast-episode-100/
Regular Podcast Links for Spotify
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Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
To Join my Yin Yoga Classes on Zoom
To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
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2026 Year of the Fire Horse - With Dhugal Meachem
Season 7 | Ep.6 Year of the Fire Horse 🐴🔥 | Chinese New Year with Dougal MeachemI'm chatting with Dougal Meachem about Chinese New Year and what the Year of the Fire Horse means for us. Turns out, it's maximum …
Notas del episodio
Season 7 | Ep.6
Year of the Fire Horse 🐴🔥 | Chinese New Year with Dougal Meachem
I'm chatting with Dougal Meachem about Chinese New Year and what the Year of the Fire Horse means for us. Turns out, it's maximum yang energy – think Red Bull meets bungee jumping.
We explore the mythology behind the zodiac animals, explain why the lunar calendar actually makes sense, and discuss how these ancient cycles relate to yin yoga practice. Plus, why making resolutions in January is backwards (spring is when you should plant those seeds).
What we talk about:
- How the zodiac animals got their order
- Fire Horse energy vs Year of the Snake
- Working WITH the seasons instead of against them
- Why rest in winter, create in spring
Dhugal's previous interview: Dancing with the Tao
https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-podcast/yin-yoga-and-taoism/
Find Dhugal at https://www.dhugalmeachem.com
Ready for Fire Horse energy? Let me know in the comments 🔥
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Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
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Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Hang Drum Music by Fred Westra
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How Yin Yoga Teaches Us To Be Kinder Humans
Season 7 | Ep. 5How Yin Yoga Teaches Us to Be Kinder HumansWhat if I told you the biggest benefit of Yin Yoga isn't flexibility or pain relief—it's becoming a kinder human?In this episode, I share 10 ways a …
Notas del episodio
Season 7 | Ep. 5
How Yin Yoga Teaches Us to Be Kinder HumansWhat if I told you the biggest benefit of Yin Yoga isn't flexibility or pain relief—it's becoming a kinder human?In this episode, I share 10 ways a regular Yin Yoga practice transforms how we show up in the world:✨ Meeting yourself without judgment✨ Staying present through discomfort✨ Softening the habit of force✨ Respecting everyone's unique edges✨ Learning to witness instead of react✨ Normalizing vulnerability✨ Developing patience with timing✨ Separating sensation from story✨ Releasing attachment to performance✨ Cultivating steadiness in stillnessIf your Yoga practice isn't affecting your life off the mat, you're not really practicing Yoga. Yin does this better than anything else because of the time, the quiet, and the stillness.The world could use a lot more kind humans. 🙏
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Yoga Teachers: Join The Waitlist for my Therapeutic Yin Yoga Training at the bottom and top of the Page
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To subscribe to my On-Demand Video Library:
Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
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The Yin Yoga Way: Function VS. Form
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 …
Notas del episodio
Season 7 | Ep. 4
In 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/
When Less Is More: Do We Really Need to Go Deeper?
Season 7 | Ep. 3When Less Is More: Do We Really Need to Go Deeper?Do your students really need to go "deeper" in their Yin poses? In this episode, I challenge the common teaching habit of encouraging students …
Notas del episodio
Season 7 | Ep. 3
When Less Is More: Do We Really Need to Go Deeper?Do your students really need to go "deeper" in their Yin poses?
In this episode, I challenge the common teaching habit of encouraging students to go deeper partway through a pose—and explain why this well-meaning cue might actually undermine the true purpose of yin yoga.We'll explore:✨ Why "going deeper" isn't the goal of yoga (or yin yoga)✨ How this language reinforces goal-driven, achievement-based thinking✨ What to say instead to encourage present-moment awareness✨ Why functional yoga is about sensation, not destination✨ Alternative cues that honour where students are right nowWhether you're a yin teacher looking to refine your language or a practitioner curious about the philosophy behind the practice, this episode will help you rethink what it means to "go deeper."🎧 Mentioned in this episode • What to Do When You Don't Feel a Yin Pose• Dear Yoga Teacher, Please Shut Up📚 Spring 2026 Therapeutic Yin Teacher Training is now open for registration! https://nykdanu.com/teachers/yin-yoga-teacher-training/💜 Support the podcast: Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, share with a friend, or visit the PayPal link 👇🏻Want to support my work? Leave me a tip.
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