What is functional freeze? Functional freeze is also known as freeze or the freeze state, and is a response of the autonomic nervous system that happens when you perceive a threat, but feel powerless to act. Unlike the fight or flight response, which prompts action, functional freeze immobilizes the body causing a sense of paralysis or "stuckness."…

This is a very special episode because I think we all need some strategies right about now! Get your journal and jot these down! Whether you're listening for the first time or you've come back to this episode when you have a chance to sit for a moment, this list of strategies to help soothe your nervous system & can be utilized whenever you need th…

Shoulder injuries make me think of a lack of range of motion and overhead shoulder movement. I've been reflecting on a few times when I had shoulder issues myself and couldn't lift my arm overhead. Frozen shoulder was by far the worst because it was persistent pain over an extended period of time, which of course affected my personal practice and m…

In this episode, I have more questions from teachers that I want to answer that center around students feeling frustrated or irritated with their practice and how you as a teacher can help them. Just as a side note. I realized as questions were coming in, how they were similar in themes, these questions are about the energy that students give off i…

In recent episodes I've been talking a lot about pain, injuries and the nervous system a lot. That's because I believe it's such an important topic to discuss. Because you're a movement teacher it's important that you take responsibility for knowing and understanding how the human body moves, how it gets injured, and how students experience pain in…

In episodes, 38 and 39. I shared different specific exercises for you to teach your students whether it's in a group setting or a one-on-one private setting to help them feel and notice and learn to regulate their nervous systems. Although we can't really physically see or know for sure if an exercise is working, we can get feedback from students r…

Today I have an interview with Diana May, who is a self-proclaimed in it for life Yogi. Her goal is to help you build a more loving relationship with your body. She uses a holistic approach to wellness through yoga & somatic experiencing. As a full-time yoga teacher, since 2009, she has worked with students with unique bodies and experiences. She u…

Learning various strategies on how to target and influence this complex system of pain can be essential for how you might speak with students and teach students who are managing pain and injuries. In the last episode, I shared specific exercises and techniques, including diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, meditation, guided imagery, and more. Th…

The nervous system plays a pivotal role in reducing pain, and as you and your students journey through the maze of managing it, know that it's worth understanding, so that you can have handy tips and strategies in your toolkit. Understanding how to target this complex system can be a game changer. It can influence how you might speak with & teach y…

Pain is a complex and often misunderstood experience because it doesn't always correlate directly with tissue damage. Instead, pain is influenced by the nervous system, emotions and psychological factors, which can cause people to experience significant discomfort, even when there's little to no physical injury present. Graded exposure therapy offe…

The study of pain has seen significant developments in recent years shifting our understanding of pain from a purely physical symptom to a complex multifaceted experience that involves the nervous system, psychological factors and social conditions. As a yoga teacher, it's important to understand that asana, stretching, strengthening, and movement …

When working with students who are under the care of healthcare professionals, it's imperative that you're diligent about communicating effectively with them and their medical professionals. It should be a goal of yours that the yoga practice complements the student's overall treatment plan, especially if you're working with private clients. I have…

This is part 2 of Injuries Associated with More Basic Anatomy Terms that I introduced you to in episode 32, titled More Anatomy Terms You Should Know. In the last episode (number 33) we went over injuries and conditions in your bones, bony landmarks, retinaculum, arteries & veins and it started to get a little long. Therefore, I decided not to over…

In this episode I'm going to jump back into the Additional Basic Anatomy Terms You Should Know from Episode 32 and walk you through the types of injuries that are specific to each of those terms. As a quick reminder, we'll cover bones, bony landmarks, retinaculum, arteries & veins, bursa, lymph nodes and nerves. I'm going to explain more of what ty…

We've been diving into the world of anatomy lately and there's so much new information about the human body that we're learning every single day. But don't you worry about that, I got you! I've created so many different ways to help yoga teachers learn anatomy in bite size, easy to understand ways so that the feeling of overwhelmed does not consume…

In this episode, let's jump back into those basic terms from Episode 29 and talk through the types of injuries that are specific to each of those terms. To jog your memory, we'll cover muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia & connective tissue, a brief recap of proprioception (because there's an entire episode dedicated to it), and finally interocepti…

The short answer is yes! Now let's talk about how. Proprioception often referred to as your body's sixth sense. It's your innate ability to perceive the position, movement, and action of your body parts in space, without having to look at them. This complex sensory feedback system involves receptors located in the muscles, tendons, and joints that …

Anatomy can feel overwhelming at times. I mean, it might seem like there's so much information to learn. Honestly, there is so much new information about the human body that we're learning every single day. But I love teaching anatomy and have taught anatomy in numerous yoga teacher trainings. In this episode we'll cover the following terms: Anatom…

I believe with my whole heart that it's not enough to only create sequences and themes for classes. You should know & have a basic understanding of how the poses and transitions are affecting the students' bodies. And I think you're doing a disservice to your students if you don't study anatomy. If an injured student shows up to class and you have …

Instead of being a place for mental peace in personal growth, yoga becomes another source of societal pressure. One way the hypersexualization of yoga harms students is via their mental and emotional wellbeing. The pressure to match idealized images can lead to anxiety, stress, and even eating disorders, and this is especially worrying. Students tu…

All levels yoga classes do not benefit the student! There, I said it! I've struggled with the way that yoga has been commodified here in the west, we've changed the practice into this fitness routine. It's a "Get in, get on your mat, work hard, sweat it out, get out and shuffle in the next class" environment. And it's madness. In this episode, I'll…

Do you use social media for work - to share your classes or any other offerings? Have you ever felt like social media blurred the lines between your personal and professional boundaries? Sharing glimpses of your personal life can foster connection and relate-ability with your audience, but it can also lead to a loss of privacy and a sense of consta…

In relationships, boundaries are the rules we set for ourselves about what's okay & what's not okay, and how we're treated & how we treat others. Boundaries, help us feel safe and respected. When we have clear boundaries and stick to them, It makes our relationships stronger because we know where we stand and what to expect. When your boundaries ar…

In recent years, the intersection of yoga, social media, and body positivity has emerged. As a dynamic and transformative space within the digital landscape. Yoga being an ancient practice rooted in mindfulness self-awareness and self-acceptance offers a holistic approach to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. However, in this age of social …

Social media has become an influential platform for yoga teachers. Shaping not only how you share your practice, but also how you perceive yourself within the yoga community. One significant impact is the pressure to conform to certain aesthetic standards and trends prevalent on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Cultural appropriation in the rea…

When my daughter, Olivia, was born, I was an elementary school teacher and I decided to put my career on pause and stay at home with her. We spent at least 2 years of her life together all the time… and we both loved it! I decided to go back to work but in a different capacity as an Educational Consultant (where I could decide how much or how littl…

Somatic yoga is a mindful and reflective practice that emphasizes internal sensations, movement exploration, and self-awareness. Rooted in the principles of somatics, a field that explores the lived experience of the body, Somatic yoga teaches and encourages practitioners to become more attuned to their bodily sensations, movement patterns, and emo…

Let's just go back in time for a little bit. Remember when you were practicing all the time, just loving being a student? And then you started teaching, adding classes to your schedule, and taking more continuing education. Did your personal practice kind of fall by the wayside? This episode explores strategies and tips for reigniting that spark an…

Let's unpack passive income offerings. First, it really does take active effort and ongoing maintenance. So I don't really resonate or agree with the part of the definition, which states that earnings are generated with minimal active effort or ongoing maintenance. But the second part of the definition is this: You can create income while you sleep…

One of the reasons why I love producing this podcast for you is that we get to explore topics that will empower you to overcome obstacles. And unlock your full potential. In today's episode, we'll delve into the phenomenon of imposter syndrome and its impact on achieving your goals. It can be a formidable barrier to realizing your dreams. And as yo…

Online courses and offerings are all the rage these days. I mean, they are the best way to reach tons of new people. Although it may seem overwhelming and a lot of work you can easily get started. Creating an online course can be a valuable tool for you for several reasons, including expanding your reach, accessible learning, and cultivating a more…

Branding separates you from other teachers, in a good way and clearly explains the type of yoga teacher you are. It also offers students a peek into your teaching methodology. So let's talk about branding and how important it is to differentiate yourself in the sea of yoga teachers that are teaching today. Realizing the differences between yourself…

I remember when I first started sending newsletters out. Initially, my strategy for sending them was to connect with students and keep them updated on my teaching schedule and any additional offerings I had available, whether that was workshops, special classes, retreats, etc. This was great because I didn't have to rely on seeing students in perso…

Let’s talk about the value of having an email list, bc if you don’t do anything else, you MUST cultivate and build your email list. One of the most important pieces of the puzzle in your business. I don’t want to assume where you are in the process of having or building an email list so let’s begin with the basics… An email list is a collection of …

Whether you teach full-time, part-time, in-studio, or just on occasion a website can help you in a whole host of ways. So if you're thinking, "Who am I to have a website?" or "I don't need a website, I just teach in-person at studios" then listen up because you absolutely DO need a website and it won't cost you a ton of money. In this episode, I'll…

Today we're continuing on with more business advice. I want to talk with you about the importance of being strategic about your career. Initially I was taking continuing education for reasons other than really being strategic about them. But it was when I got clear on what and who I love teaching that it became clear to me what paths would benefit …

I know you're a teacher who understands the value in continuing your education. Whether it's to continue learning, stay current and relevant. Maybe it's to keep your teaching and sequencing fresh or just to go all in. On a particular subject. For example, you've invested in continuing education on topics like anatomy sequencing. Different modalitie…

Welcome back to another episode of the Essential Conversations for Yoga Teachers podcast. I'm super excited to talk about diversifying your offerings in this episode. If you're wondering the why behind this topic. No worries. That's what we're here to talk about today. If teaching yoga is a long-term goal for you. What I'm going to share with you t…

Yoga students look to you to be the light. The teacher who commands the room. The one person in the yoga room for students to lean on. The one that yogis come to when their lives seem out of order, right? Have you ever had a student cry in class? Have they told you that they just needed to release because life is a lot right now. In some form or an…

This is an example of a fixed mindset. I always ask teachers to take what resonates and leave the rest, but be open to coming back to the information at a later date and see if it resonates then. I would never force a teacher to learn something new because oftentimes when we are presented with new information, We resisted. Or get defensive. Because…

I'm going to talk to you a little bit about how to craft your teaching career. In this episode, we will use an example, start at the big-picture goal and work backwards. By the way, I love starting at big-picture goals! This episode follows my roadmap to uncover what you want to teach, where you want to teach, how you want to teach, and discover th…

Welcome to part one of a three part series on what the yoga teaching career typically looks like. How to create the career you want. And how to identify if you're getting in your own way. Stay tuned to the end of this episode, where I'll give you four questions to ask yourself. And when you do, you'll get a lot clearer on your path as a yoga teache…

“I really don’t enjoy what I’m doing every day. I feel like I’m on a hamster wheel and am just going along with the program. Who’s program? I don’t know. I don’t even know if it’s mine. I feel like it just… is. And I want to change that. I want to be teaching what I LOVE and I know everything I’m doing is making me feel excited.” This is an exact q…

One thing I bet most of us were not very clear about before we started yoga teacher training is that making it a financially lucrative career can be challenging. But we go ahead anyway, likely because of the way yoga has touched our lives, the way it's healed our traumas, or the way the practice makes us feel. In this episode, let's remember some o…

Hindsight is 20/20, right?!? I think we can all relate to that - whether it’s work-related decisions or in our relationships, both platonic and romantic. “If I could start all over again, what choices would I make knowing what I know now?” Unfortunately, we don’t have that luxury, BUT you have ME! And these Conversations to give you some insight as…

“I had no idea it was going to be like this” “This is overwhelming and I just don’t know if I can do this” “Everybody else seems to be going through it with ease & I am over here struggling” I said these exact words to myself when I started my Yoga Teacher Training and I’ve been having conversations with teachers who are in training right now… and …

Who is Monica Bright? I have been teaching yoga since 2012 in the city of Chicago & have come to love the human body so much that it's important to me to teach sustainable yoga so that students can actually practice for life. I teach yoga teachers (via mentorship & business coaching) how to cultivate the life they want so that they actually create …

I'm so excited to bring you this episode featuring Ebony May who is a personal trainer all about self love & nutrition. Ebony is all about helping you feel good in & about your body. In this episode we talk about language & how it affects your self worth, self love, the importance of your environment & choosing your thoughts. Connect with Ebony @eb…

Monica is your go-to girl when it comes to anything period related. She is an ICF certified Life Coach and Period Coach. Her obsession for her period started during her own journey of trying to regain her period, twice. Through years of study and research, Monica has a wealth of information about how women’s cycles work and is an expert in this fie…

Welcome to the Own Your Worth podcast! This episode will give you an idea of what this podcast is all about, what inspired it's creation, my mission & a little bit about my story! It's so great to have you here! Connect with me on instagram: @_chloebright_