I am so delighted to bring Robin Martin on the podcast. During this conversation we discuss topics like:
How she got into yoga.
The decision to become a yoga teacher.
Balancing social media pressure and social media stardom.
Passive flexibility vs active mobility.
Advice for budding yoga teachers.
About Robin I’m Robin Martin, a certified yoga teacher based in Seattle, WA, USA. My practice and my teaching are ever evolving. While vinyasa yoga is my favorite style of yoga to both practice and teach, I have studied many different methods of yoga with numerous master teachers and appreciate the beauty in all styles. I earned my 200 Yoga Alliance certification through Tiffany Cruikshank of Yoga Medicine. Additionally, I have 4 advanced training certifications in shoulder, hip, spine and myofascial release through Yoga Medicine. I am also certified to teach paddleboard yoga.
Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to interview Robin Martin. Robin Martin is a yoga teacher that lives in Seattle, Washington. She teaches locally in studios around where she lives. She teaches on Zoom and she also leads international retreats where you can join her. One of them’s coming up in Greece actually. Check her out on her website, RobinMartinyoga.com. And also follow her on Instagram at @RobinMartinyoga. All right, let’s begin. I’m so excited to have this opportunity to speak with Robin Martin and Robin, how are you? How are you doing today?
Robin Martin
I’m doing well. Thanks so much for having me on your pod…..on your Toddcast, if you will.
Todd Mclaughlin
Thank you so much. My wife, when I said I was gonna do a podcast, said you have to do a Toddcast. I couldn’t argue with her. So thank you.
Robin Martin
It’s very cute.
Todd Mclaughlin
Thank you. I appreciate that. And where are you joining us from Robin?
Robin Martin
Seattle, Washington. Northwest Coast USA.
Todd Mclaughlin
Are you born and raised there?
Robin Martin
I actually am. I’m one of the few natives I think of the area. I was born in Seattle. I grew up in Olympia, which is the state capitol. It’s about 90 minutes south of the city. Both of my parents grew up in the city. But my dad got a job for the State Department of Fisheries. And that was located in the Capitol area. So that’s where I grew up. And then I headed right back to Seattle. I went to University of Washington, and I’ve stayed in the area ever since. I travel a lot. I travel all over the world. But Seattle is home.
Todd Mclaughlin
Wonderful. Are you in downtown Seattle?
Robin Martin
Actually, no, I’m on the east side. I did live in the city. For a while after college, I lived on an area called Queen Anne, which is right in the city. And that’s actually where my mom grew up. And then I moved to the east side, which is for those who know the area Bellevue, Washington. It’s on the east side of Lake Washington.
Todd Mclaughlin
Nice.
Robin Martin
I am about 30 minutes outside of the city.
Todd Mclaughlin
Awesome. I’ve never been but my sister used to live there. And she loved it and just always raved about it. I wish I had gone and visited her while she was there.
Robin Martin
Where was she living when she was there?
Todd Mclaughlin
Oh, that’s a great question. You stumped me. I don’t remember the suburb they were in to be honest.
Robin Martin
Yeah. I am always curious.
Todd Mclaughlin
That’s cool. Do you teach yoga in a studio? Or are you teaching more on a retreat basis?
Robin Martin
Oh, I teach all of it. And everywhere. I teach retreats, I teach in several studios in the city, and I teach at home. I have regular zoom classes leftover from the COVID era when they all kind of started but I have a relationship with iHeartMedia. So I teach for those guys a couple days a week and then I have privates that actually come to my home. So yeah, it’s a pretty full and and interesting schedule. And I really like it because it’s such a variety of places, temperatures, vibes, you know, all of that. And traveling, I have taught at lots of festivals and workshops around. I taught in Saudi Arabia in October of this past year. It was a wonderful opportunity to teach at an event that they were hosting there. The Crown Prince was hosting. So yeah, I have a very colorful teaching history and hopefully going forward, it will continue.
Todd Mclaughlin
Yes, that’s amazing how many years have you been teaching?
Robin Martin
I’ve been teaching for about 12 years I think.
Todd Mclaughlin
Cool. Yeah. And how about practicing? When did you start practicing?
Robin Martin
May of the year 2000? So it’ll be it’ll be 23 years in May. Yeah. Hard to believe considering I’m only 24 years old. (laughter)
Todd Mclaughlin
Yes. A miracle. That is incredible, right?
Robin Martin
My mother practiced yoga when she was pregnant with me in utero.
Todd Mclaughlin
Yes.
Robin Martin
Don’t you love that one? That’s like the best yoga answer.
Todd Mclaughlin
Right. I’ve been practicing since in utero. Have you heard the theory that while in utero, we practice every yoga pose that’s ever been created?
Robin Martin
I’ve never heard that. No,
Todd Mclaughlin
I’ve heard someone say that. This idea that 84 number and that there’s 84,000 different yoga poses or Shiva practiced something within the realm of 84 million yoga poses. And that in utero, we actually go through all of those positions before we actually come out. I don’t know how true that could be?
Robin Martin
And, you know, I mean, then as the baby is forming in the uterus, it is changing and moving around and right. Who knows? I don’t know.
Todd Mclaughlin
That’s a good point. I know. It’s kind of fun to think about.
Robin Martin
However, I do have to question that one. Because, like Padmasana for example, Lotus Pose would require a lot of maneuvering to get into. It’s the one where your heels are tucked up by the creases of your hips. So I don’t know. I can’t really imagine that.
Todd Mclaughlin
Yeah, yeah, I think it’s a myth. It’s a fun myth.
Robin Martin
Yeah, it’s interesting. I mean. They’re not gonna be grabbing their foot doing a Dancer Pose.
Todd Mclaughlin
Are you a mom?
Robin Martin
I am.
Todd Mclaughlin
How many children do you have?
Robin Martin
I have two.
Todd Mclaughlin
Nice, awesome. Do you mind me asking how old they are?
Robin Martin
No, I don’t. They’re 16 and 18.
Todd Mclaughlin
Oh, cool. I have a 16 year old and a nine year old.
Robin Martin
Okay.
Todd Mclaughlin
Yeah, is your 16 year old driving?
Robin Martin
Well, I have two daughters. And, and it’s funny, they just didn’t seem to be in any rush to get their driver’s licenses. My 18 year old finally got hers at some point. But she also had the whole issue where she did her driving school during COVID. And so she had to wait till the drivers were available to do her drives. And they were very backlogged. And my younger one is kind of in the same situation, though, she was done with her whole driving school while still 15 And she’s just anxiously waiting to do her drives and she wants to get a driver’s license. My older one just didn’t seem to be in any hurry. And same with my nephew. I was just reading an article just today, oddly about how how kids today don’t have this sense of urgency or drive. I mean, I couldn’t get mine fast enough. I mean, it was like, the day I turned 16 I think was at the DMV getting my driver’s license.
Todd Mclaughlin
100% What would you, if you had to take a stab in the dark, the reason is that kids at age 16 aren’t chomping at the bit the way we were?
Robin Martin
You know, well, I don’t know. I mean, it doesn’t make any sense to me. I know that I lived a bit out in the sticks. And for me, it was freedom to be able to drive. When my daughter and her closest friend drives drives her around so maybe that’s the reason why she’s not in such a hurry. It’s easier to get around now. They can Uber. They’re just closer to everything than I was to anything where I grew up. I can’t really explain it because I think it’s crazy.
Todd Mclaughlin
I hear you. I kind of pushed my son. I was like, when you are 15 you are getting your learner’s on the day. Because you’re gonna want your license when you’re 16. Let’s go.
Robin Martin
Does he have his license?
Todd Mclaughlin
He does. Yeah, he’s cruising. So far. So good. Knock on wood.
Robin Martin
When did he turn 16?
Todd Mclaughlin
July 11. So he’s been going now like eight months already. Yeah.
Robin Martin
Yeah, mine just turned 16 last month, but she’s just waiting to do the drives with the driving school. When when I was 16 we had driver’s ed in high school. I think I had to pay extra for it. But it was like it was something you could do. Right, and like teachers volunteered to do the drives with the students. It’s different.
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I am pleased to present to you…….. YULADY SALUTI! It is with great pleasure I can bring to you yoga and running celebrity Yulady Saluti. Yulady is an inspiration and motivation to thousands of yoga practitioners and running enthusiasts. She is an Ostomate and Breast Cancer Survivor who has beaten the odds many times. During this podcast she shares her passion and enthusiasm for motivating the masses.
During this podcast she shares:
what got her started in yoga
the catalyst that got her started on her journey of healing and recovery
how she became addicted to drugs and found sobriety
getting past the fear of honestly telling her story
Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast. I am so excited for today because it marks an anniversary. Today is episode number 100. Yes! I had the goal of getting here. And I’ve made it. I can’t believe it, and I remember after my first episode, which when I go back and listen to now I’m like, “Oh…. I’ve learned a little bit since then.” I remember thinking when I saw other podcasters that have 100 episodes and thinking, “oh my gosh,” I just gotta get started with one here. And then two, and then little by little, interview by interview, person by person here we are. It’s just been such an incredible experience for me. Every time I get a chance to interview somebody around the world who has passion for yoga and has learned something from their experience with yoga I get so inspired. I enjoy hearing their passion for bodywork and their ability to teach and to share. The stories that I’ve heard over these last 100 episodes, about overcoming challenge and the willpower that exists in us as human beings is phenomenal. The ability to jump hurdles and or to get knocked down and to come back up again and, just be here for each other and to listen and to foster open communication. For me, this is just an honor, a privilege, and I love it so much. Because of you and all of your feedback and all of your encouragement and support, we’re all here together still trucking along.
On that note, as a special guest for episode number 100. I am pleased to announce that today’s guest is you Yulady Saluti. There’s so much I could try to say to introduce you to you Yulady, but she’s going to tell you everything that you need to know. She’s incredible! She’s inspirational! And I love her passion and her honesty. So without hesitating. Let’s go ahead and begin…..
I’m so excited to have this opportunity to bring you Yulady Saluti to the podcast today. Yulady, how are you doing?
Yulady Saluti
I’m great. How are you? Nice to meet you.
Todd McLaughlin
I know, I’m so excited, because we tried to get this to happen for a little while now. So now that the moment is here, I’m just thankful. Thank you very much.
Yulady Saluti
No, thank you for being so understanding, of course, of course.
Todd McLaughlin
So I have a lot of questions for you. I’ve been following you on Instagram. And I find that you have a very inspirational message. And I guess to get started, the first thing I noticed on your Instagram, the very first thing you have written is Noli Stan, and so obviously that you’re your baby?
Yulady Saluti
Yes, that’s my granddaughter.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s your granddaughter! Okay. All right.
Yulady Saluti
So a little background on me. My husband and I have been together 20 years and we are a blended family. So when I met him, I had a daughter from a previous relationship. And he had three kids from a previous relationship. And then we have two together. So we’re like six altogether. And we’re a big family. So my my oldest, I call them all my kids. I hate this term stepchildren because I grew up with a stepdad myself and he hated when I called him stepdad. He said that and you know, eventually I was like, Yeah, I get it. I get it. So I call all of them my kids. So my older son Jerry got married during the pandemic to a lovely girl and they had a baby on last September. So I decided that I was going to turn my Instagram account into a Noli fanpage.
Yeah. She’s the best.
Todd McLaughlin
Can you share what it’s like to be a grandparent?
Yulady Saluti
Oh my god it is so amazing! I was just saying to my husband, because I was babysitting, how incredible this feeling is to be able to be with her. I babysat her for a few hours, all by myself. I just had her here it’s like, this cannot get any better than this. This also goes for people that have their own children. Like picture that feeling when you have your own baby and then magnified by like, 100. That’s the greatest feeling. And you just like I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be part of like this. This baby is mine, like not mine. But like it’s it’s my baby. Because my grandkid is a different type of love than a child love. It’s like bigger. I don’t know if that makes it any justice. Does that give your question any justice?
Todd McLaughlin
Yeah, that’s a great explanation. It’s funny. I have a friend who was a grandpa and he used to always say, it’s double happiness. Double happiness because I’m so happy when they show up. And then when their parents come to pick them up on I’m even happier.
Yulady Saluti
You get you get to do all the hanging out and then I get to drive home and sleep all night.
Todd McLaughlin
Right, you get a full night’s sleep, and then have the joy the next day. Oh, that’s amazing. Yulady. That’s cool. Yeah, yeah, awesome. Well, you know, I mean, where do I even begin? How about can you talk about what got you started on the journey of yoga practice? I know you have a lot of talents. And I definitely want to go down the track of what you’re really passionate about right now as a runner. But I want to kind of start with what was your intro into yoga and how did your healing journey begin?
Yulady Saluti
Well, yoga is my, I guess, was my my number one passion. My first passion and probably will always be my number one passion. My husband and I would get out of work and our first thing was to get to our favorite yoga class, and it was this wonderful reward at the end of the day. And so, two weeks into it, I mean, no, two months into it, I got sick. I noticed that like, I just couldn’t handle any physical activity and not the heat, and the physical part of it. There was nothing like it and I was in and out of hospitals, and in a lot of pain. I mean, like maybe like 10 out of 10 pain in nobody could figure out what was going on. And I had to I have had a surgery. Two years prior to that and then another one a year later for these masses that they found in my colorectal area. So very high up into the rectum, like right where the colon the rectum meet. I didn’t have great health insurance. So I didn’t question anything. I said, Okay, let’s get a biopsy in. I went to get the biopsy. And that night, I got really I got really sick. And it got really, really infected. And I ended up with more pain and another surgery to fix it. And then another surgery and then that gave me like a year of relief. And that’s in that year is when I met my husband we met shortly after that we moved in together and then he and then that’s how I found yoga. So my yoga life took a pause for many years because I was sick for many years after that. And then I went to have children what happened in this part of my medical journey was I needed a colostomy bag, which is for those who don’t know what a colostomy bags is, they essentially pull your intestine out of your body and sew it to the outside of your stomach and you poop out of there. They cut the intestine out and they put it out so you don’t no longer poop out of your rectum you know your your don’t use that area anymore, you poop into a bag that you change all the time. Like a couple times a day if you need to. Yes. And I was very young I was in my early 20s, I was very uncomfortable. Having that, like, I didn’t want to share it with anybody and I kept it all very to myself. Many people that knew me, wouldn’t ever know that. I wouldn’t ever mention it. And I so that kept me from ever going back even when I started to feel better. Ever going back to a yoga class.
Todd McLaughlin
Do you feel like because of the fact that it would be noticeable through your outfit that that is why you didn’t want anyone to see you?
Yulady Saluti
Yeah. And also another thing, which I’m very comfortable with now, and it actually took me many years to get where I am was, when you have this, when you pass gas, you have no control over it, you know, because there’s no muscles holding. So it just comes in it makes the noise in same thing with poop it comes whenever you want to. So that always made me so uncomfortable. So to me that was like, “Oh my God.” Now it happens all the time and I’m with clients. And I’m like, “Oh, I’m sorry.” And it just we just laugh, you know? Yeah, yeah. So it took me a long time to get comfortable with it.
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It is with great pleasure I can bring to you Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD, PT. Judith has taught yoga around the world since 1971. Judith offers numerous live events, digital courses, and has published ten books. Including Yoga Myths, and her most recent book, Teaching Yoga with Intention.
Judith Hanson Lasater is an American yoga teacher and writer in the San Francisco Bay Area, recognized as one of the leading teachers in the country. She helped to found The California Yoga Teachers Association, the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco, and Yoga Journal magazine.
During this conversation I have the chance to ask Judith questions about her new book, Teaching Yoga with Intention andthe importance of cultivating non violent communication as a yoga teacher.
Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast. My name is Todd McLaughlin. I’m so happy you’re here. If you’re a first time listener, welcome. And for those of you that have been with me all along, your support means the world to me. I’m so pleased! I feel that my next guest here does not need an introduction. She is a famous yoga teacher, and I have utmost respect for her. Her name is Judith Hanson Lasater, and you can find her at www.judith.yoga.
Judith Hanson Lasater is a PhD. She’s a Physical Therapist. She’s taught yoga around the world since 1971. She offers numerous live events, digital courses, she’s published 10 books. And today the focus of our conversation is speaking about her most recent book called Teaching Yoga with Intention. So I want to express a huge thank you to Judith because she was so kind and accepting my invitation to be here on this podcast. And without any further ado, let’s get started.
Todd McLaughlin
I am so thrilled to have Dr. Judith Hanson Lasater here today. Judith is a PhD and Physical Therapist and a yoga teacher since 1971. Judith, how are you?
Judith Hanson Lasater
I’m doing well. Thank you very much. I hope the same for you.
Todd McLaughlin
I am really excited about this. I actually couldn’t sleep last night because I was so excited for this.
Judith Hanson Lasater
Oh, tell my children that! Or can you tell my grandchildren that? That they could be equally as excited when I call and talk to them.
Todd McLaughlin
Yeah, you can you can tell them that. I hope they’ll listen to you and appreciate that. Well, this is a great opportunity! I got a chance to read your most recent book called Teaching Yoga with Intention, The Essential Guide to Skillful Hands on Assist and Verbal Communication. I’m really excited to get a chance to talk to you about this today. Before we even go down that track though, I’m curious if you can just tell me a little bit about how and what you’re doing these days? Like what does your yoga practice and teaching like these days?
Judith Hanson Lasater
Well, one of the exciting things is beginning to teach live again. Traditionally yoga courses were taught one on one. And it was BKS Iyengar in the modern era who really began, initiated and created this whole idea of classes. But it’s still live, you can still feel the room. When you teach, you can still make eye contact with each person, if that’s appropriate. And so what I’m finding is this huge thirst, to be in community. To be in Sangha. To be with other people and just their presence. Practicing with you in the room is a nonverbal but very powerful support. And we all need that right now. So that’s what I’m liking. And that’s what’s alive for me. I’m very excited about this new book, because I wrote it during the pandemic. It flowed out of me. And that’s always a good sign for a writer.
Todd McLaughlin
I hear you! I think it’s an amazing book. I enjoyed reading it immensely. I found so many great points. I feel like you really honed in on some of the things that when I think, “how would I explain this to somebody?” And I have a loss of words. You did a great job of really laying out the foundation for healthy communication with us both verbally and if we use the power of touch in our in our teaching. So I think you did an amazing job.
Judith Hanson Lasater
Thank you. But before we go into the book, I really would like to follow, I’m all excited, of course to talk to you about, I’d like to follow my tradition of when I speak from the mat, or from the cushion, or in this place from my office chair, that I speak about what I think is, for us, all of us are listening, a really important part of our lives, which is our practice, I’d like to start with a moment of silence,
Todd McLaughlin
That’d be great.
Judith Hanson Lasater
So I’m going to ring my bell. And what I suggest you do is to sit and sit in front of your sitting bones, which brings your pelvis forward and then brings the pelvis under the spine to be like a pot to support this curvy, winding, fine, normal curve. So the brain in the head can float on the top of it. And that physical alignment will resonate through us energetically as well. And then my suggestion is that during that moment, if you find it interesting, useful and or pleasant, just imagine the very center of your brain geographically from the sides of your head from the top and the bottom and the front of the back, the deep center of the gray and just like a wave moving away from the shore, you stay rooted in that not ringing the bells and about a minute I’ll ring them again.
Todd McLaughlin
Wonderful.
Judith Hanson Lasater
All right, fire away with your questions.
Todd McLaughlin
First of all, I love the visual of wave pulling away from shore. That’s, that’s a really beautiful visual that works with that sensation of trying to put your attention right in the center of the brain. Is that something that has came to you? When a while practicing meditation? What made you think of that?
Judith Hanson Lasater
That’s a good question. It just popped into my consciousness one day, and I actually find that I can do that. With my eyes open. And I do it in conversation. I’ll be doing it a lot through our talk. It’s just a very, it takes you away from thinking. Did you notice that? Yeah. Because I have this word I’ve made up. You know, we all know the word mindfulness. But I really liked the word, body fullness. And when we can have, whenever we have the space that we can become aware of sensation, like the weight of our body on the chair, the floor. The sensations of the breath, is when we can cultivate our attention to be aware of the sensation of the moment. We step out of thought, because it’s we stepped from that space into into the present, into the present moment because sensation only occurs in the present moment. You can remember that yesterday you stubbed your toe and it hurt, but you can’t recreate that sensation in the present. So sensation lives in the moment. And when we put our awareness on the body, bodily sensation, we must then not be dancing with thought.
So here’s another technique that arose in me. And it was this idea of the tongue. So let’s try this for a second. Go back to the center of your brain.
And release your tongue from its roots, and let it lie flat in the mouth. Now, when I do that, that deepens the silence for me. Did you find that?
Todd McLaughlin
Yeah, to bring the attention to it or to even just put it right into the mouth, but then try to actually get my tongue to relax? That’s a good one.
Judith Hanson Lasater
No, no, don’t try.
Todd McLaughlin
Don’t try?
Judith Hanson Lasater
Invite. Invite. So here’s what I’ve reasoned out about that is the tongue is not just an organ of digestion, a muscle. It’s also an organ of speech. And so it’s neurologically connected to the speech centers. So we have parts of our brain that are very connected with speech and writing. And thinking because we think in words, have you ever seen a little kid? Or maybe you did this yourself? I remember doing it. When I was learning to write. Sometimes my tongue would be outside my mouth or writing the letter? Yeah, yeah. Because it’s the tongue, you have motor skills. Yeah, babies, infants have to learn how to swallow. They have to learn to swallow. Meaning that with the tongue, and how they nurse and all of that. So I think that when we relax the tongue, and there is some evidence to this, we affect the neural pathways to the brain. And so when I combined, for me, the center of the brain, release the top. Let the heart, expand to its truth. Then descend to the pelvis and feel the pulse of life of being in the pelvis. Thank you, we are then radically present in the being of the body, which lives in the moment. Did you find anything of that in this moment?
Todd McLaughlin
I did! Two things I love right off the bat is the language you used around, don’t try….. instead invite. That’s amazing. That’s a big shift. And then I started thinking, Well, we really don’t have anything to talk about now. Because you got to the heart of it all already.
Judith Hanson Lasater
All will be well.
Todd McLaughlin
You got to the heart of the matter right off the bat.
Judith Hanson Lasater
Can I tell you a story about that?
Todd McLaughlin
Yes, please.
Judith Hanson Lasater
So my second time that I went to Russia, I think I went the first time in ’89. When the wall was coming down, and then again in ’91. And the first time I went, there were just a couple of, two or three Americans there. But then there were a larger group that went and we were in a big cafeteria in one of the big hotels, where we were all staying and then a group of Russian yoga teachers came walking towards us. They came in, you know, and I because I’d been there before. Got up, everyone was like, what did we do what we do? And so I got up and walked towards them. And pretty soon other people started coming and we started introducing ourselves and I remember distinctly talking to a woman and I was doing this southern girl, chatty, chatty. Your city is beautiful, I got it that you know, whatever. And she reached over and she grabbed me by the upper arm. And she leaned into me and she said, No, let us talk a real thing. I love that. That’s what you, that’s what you and I are about I think right now.
Todd McLaughlin
Yeah. Let’s get right to the to the heart of it. That’s amazing. Judith. Well, in your book, you mentioned the importance of language. And you mapped it into like three different stages. Can you please define and explain the three levels or stages of learning about language and the teaching of yoga?
Judith Hanson Lasater
Would you prompt me on that, please?
Todd McLaughlin
I will. Because the first one is how you talked about how first as a yoga teacher, we transfer info “about the pose.” Like the first level of conversation is kind of like, okay, Triangle Pose. And let me just convey some words to help you get from point A to point B.
Judith Hanson Lasater
Yeah, it’s just information. Yeah, it’s like, it’s technique, which is very important, because technique affects energy and organs and state of mind, the nervous system, and we’re very complex. In fact, you know, years ago, people used to say, body, and mind and body were completely separate. That was the western view. And then it started hyphenating, that term. MInd-body. Interesting. You know, and then there was a period, you’d see it written as one word, I see it a lot. Now mindbody is one word. So I’ve made up a word, which is mody. Mody. Because the body and the mind on are so one.
Todd McLaughlin
Yeah, that’s a great word.
Judith Hanson Lasater
Mody. So yeah, I mean, we should get it, we should get it in the dictionary, another word I made up, it’s not just multi-tasking, it is hyper-tasking. So you know, if there, so I want uni-tasking to be in the dictionary. And we, this spiritual practice asked the question, “Can we do one thing at a time?” And usually, the answer is no way Jose. So, yes, the first part of communication is, of course nonverbal. But if we get past that, we’re giving them information. Because if someone comes in and says, teach me how to do yoga, and we just say, do Triangle Pose, we need to tell them turn the left foot in the right foot out, stretch the arm, etc. But that’s not our most important job. So number two?
Todd McLaughlin
The beginning of the personalization of instructions.
Judith Hanson Lasater
Yeah, so a leader in yoga is someone who leads the class. I’ve even seen people turn their back and just do their practice, and people follow them. Which surprises me, so you’re leading. But then teaching begins When you can say to this person, please put your feet wider apart into this next person, would you bring them closer together, when there’s an individuation, of how we can support each pupil expressing the beauty of their Trikonasana in this moment. In ways that keep them safe, and open their heart and mind the same time and bring them into their body into their own self. So that’s a deeper, that’s a real teacher. The teacher sees both the difference and the absolute unity among all people, and to help them help the students. What’s the third one?
Todd McLaughlin
I think you’re correct! You answered that really well, thank you. That when the teacher is able to communicate in such a way that their words evoke, or conjure the pose from the student, or how the student can discover the pose already exists within them. And I love how you wrote as an ancient archetype. That’s so cool. Like the thought of…..
Judith Hanson Lasater
A pyramid. Which is a three dimensional triangle. Yeah, so that presupposes the understanding that we could never teach anybody anything. We can only create an environment in which people choose to learn.
So the question is, how are we going to create that environment with our language? So I make intentional choices. I don’t say good or bad, right or wrong. Oh, I might say to a student, I really liked the way your knee is in that pose, or I’m concerned about placement of your knee, would you try this and see what you think how it feels to you. So because if I come, you know, stomping in the class, and say, do this, do this, do this. And then I learned something and I wanted to change my mind, I’ve painted myself in a corner. So what I want to teach in that part of the of the pose is twofold. The second stage, is like I want to teach them technique in a way that underscores trusting that they trust themselves. First, I want to use my words in a class, to create an environment in which people are trusting themselves and at the same time they’re willing to try something new. And I’m not there to impose the pose to fit them in a cookie cutter. So I like to say to my students, I don’t want to teach you rules, I want to teach you principles. Because that’s a bigger, bigger idea. There are anatomical principles about how the pelvis can move over the femoral heads, in Trikonasana that will relieve the lower back and create a sense of ease and dynamism at the same time. You know that in Patanjali’s yoga sutra, chapter two verse 46, Sthira Sukham Asanam. It’s a definition of Asana. So abiding in ease is asana. So an Asana is that which we can be in which we can be still, and at ease. And it’s really ironic, we think of as movements that are difficult.
Todd McLaughlin
Good point!
Judith Hanson Lasater
How can I create an environment in which people find their Trikonasana? And often it’s not airy fairy? I mean, there are boundaries, there are alignment principle. You could be, you know, hyperextending your knee or whatever, that guidance. But the asana, Todd, the asana isn’t the yoga. It’s the residue, that the asana leaves in the nervous system that is the yoga. Because Yoga is not just, you know, to paint with a broad brush, Asana, Pranayama, meditation. Those point to the potential of presence, which is the state of yoga. So we confuse them. People say I am going to do yoga, like, what? When are we all going to say I’m going to go in my own? Right? And bring that into the world. And bring that. That state of presence. Compassion.
Todd McLaughlin
Great point, Judith. Was there a point in your transformation through your yoga journey where maybe you were practicing a yoga pose and thinking about that yoga sutra, where it’s mentioning that the asana should be stable and comfortable. And thinking, “how in the world could this be comfortable?” I’m in this really like, uncomfortable position right now. And has that informed your teaching and evolution of your practice over the years?
Judith Hanson Lasater
Yes, but it wasn’t a thought. It was an experience, which I’m happy to share with you. So I was taking a class from another teacher. And I was doing what it at that time, for me was my favorite pose, which was Paschimottanasana, which is just sitting on the floor, leg straight and bending forward. Which I think is the hardest forward bend because there’s nowhere to hide. Like, if you’ve bend one knee, if you’ve bend one day like Janusirsana, you can cheat all over the place. But you cannot cheat in Paschimottanasana. It’s you and your hamstrings baby that it is no getting away from it. And it’s also true I think in Urdhva Dhanurasana, and it’s the most difficult backbend. Because when you’re doing one side, Raja Kapotasana, or you’re doing one side of another posture, there is a way to work off to the one side of something in there. Alright, so that was my favorite pose. And I was I like to say I had my hamstrings surgically removed at birth. I just felt like for a long time, and I’m, you know, just sort of naturally a little loose. And so it’s just flat down, you know, forehead on the shins. I mean, I felt a little bit of stretch. But not much, you know, I was pretty comfortable there. And my mind was spinning like what are we going to how long are we gonna be here? What’s happening with that other person doing what I’m going to have for lunch after class, you know, the normal, useless brain chatter. And then there was experience and I want to treat this story with humility, gratitude, and wonder. And I had the sense that something just kind of flew out of me. And I still felt the stretch but I wasn’t doing anything. And I just stayed there. It wasn’t like I even stayed. It was like, there was no deep reason to move. There was no discomfort, there was no agitation. I just stayed there. And finally the teacher said, come up, and I didn’t come up. Because I didn’t know what that meant. Literally, it was so bizarre. He said, come up, and I’m like, what does that mean? Because he was, it would be as if I were saying to you stop jumping up and down. Yeah. And you know what? I’m not jumping. Yeah. So he said, stop doing the pose. And I’m like, what is he talking about? And then this little ego stuck it’s head out behind the tree and my consciousness and said, Wow, that was cool. I started, you know, then it shifted again. But I thought to myself afterwards, well, I’d finally practiced one pose. It was my first pose, you know, it was years into my practice, but…. So, does that answer your question does?
Todd McLaughlin
Yes. Perfectly. Since I’ve read your book, I’ve been extra thoughtful about my speech and my touch, in a good way. In a really good way. Like, maybe I was just on autopilot for a little bit. I kind of forgot how important it is. And you made mention, in your book, this is quoting you “we speak to manipulate the world around us” end quote. Can you explain that? It makes sense to me. It makes sense to me, but love it. I thought it was actually kind of profound when I heard that. We speak to manipulate the world around us. I might think, “I’m not trying to manipulate the world.” I’m just getting through the world here. So I love that sentence.
Judith Hanson Lasater
Okay. So first, let’s look at the word manipulate, because that has a negative connotation. But if we’re truthful, Todd, you are manipulating the world around you all day long. You go for a run, you’re manipulating your consciousness, right? Go for a run, you smoke a funny cigarette, you smoke a real cigarette. Not that you do these things. You have coffee, you want your caffeine which manipulates your nervous system. You do your Pranayama or your yoga. You stand on your head, all this manipulate your nervous system. You go to sleep and that manipulates your nervous system. We’re always seeking homeostasis. In fact, you are choosing, you know, when you eat, you feel different. You manipulate your nervous system. That’s what human beings do. And there are two kinds of manipulation. There’s the unconscious one and the conscious one. And so to me, that’s what yoga is about is paying attention to how doing Savasana. Savasana manipulates your nervous. Does it not?
Todd McLaughlin
It does.
Judith Hanson Lasater
Okay, so that’s a conscious manipulation. So the question is not, should I not manipulate, it’s am I doing it consciously, to live my highest values. And that’s what yoga makes us aware of. And this speech that I’ve that I’ve studied this technique of nonviolent communication has radically changed my relationship, in my interaction with my children as they were growing up, and in intimate relationships and in teaching.
And the best way we can do that. Well, let me let me let me back up a second.
Every time I go to teach, whether it’s online or in person. The first thing I do is have the one minute. And during that one minute I connect with myself. This is the first rule of teaching. When I sit there in front of you today or in class. The first thing I do is I ask myself this question. What is alive in me right now? Am I anxious? Am I happy? Am I sleepy? Am I irritated by the discussion I just had with someone? It doesn’t really matter what is arising in me but when I get connected with that. Oh right now I’m tired or right now I’m excited. Right now I’m worried about one of my children. It was always one of the three was at the top of the worry list, you know, over the years. Whatever, whatever is arising in me when I notice it. That when I bring it into the light. It connects me with the present moment. And I go, Ah, yes, I’m feeling excited. Ah, I don’t judge it. I don’t try to make it different. I don’t try to fix it. I just notice it. Because, and name it to myself. Right now I’m sad. Because my uncle died. I’m just sad right now. Okay. That’s what’s alive in me, then I’m firmly present. Radically present I call it because we’re very rarely there. So the next thing I want to do is I want to be able to see you. And I can’t see you and or connect with you if I’m not connected with myself. So when I see you, and it’s really tricky, because I’ve taught for 51 years. I have students who’ve been with me for 45 years.
Todd McLaughlin
Wow, that is amazing!
Judith Hanson Lasater
You know everything about them. You know them before they met their husband, before they got married, when they got divorced, and they had these kids, and they had this surgery, then this. And so it blurs in a way, your objectivity. So when I go to teach somewhere where I don’t know, most of the people, I sometimes feel that my best teaching. Because I don’t see my friend. I see a human being, you know what I’m saying? You may know what I am saying. So that. Yeah, so the second part of this is I want to see the person standing in front of me. They may have been there for many weeks, or never again, but can I be present with that person in this moment?
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Ross is a 20+ year veteran of Ashtanga Yoga, and is an authorized teacher who learned directly under the teachings of Saraswati Jois in Mysore, India. When he is not traveling internationally for workshops, he welcomes the opportunity to help all levels of dedicated yoga practitioners. He makes annual trips to India to continue his studies and has assisted Saraswati on multiple occasions. Ross seeks to preserve the traditional Ashtanga method by maintaining a daily practice, and has extensive knowledge in the areas of pranayama, philosophy (yoga sutras), and certainly asana.
Today I bring to you a special guest, Ross Stambaugh. His website is http://www.ashtangahub.com. You gotta go check him out on Instagram. He does a great job on his IG page. It’s at @Ashtanga.Yoga.Ross. I also want to give a shout out to Waleah Norton at Red Earth Yoga Center in Oklahoma, check her out as well at http://www.redearthyogacenter.com. She introduced me to Ross and both of them had a chance to practice in India together and she got me so pumped to speak with him. And she said you gotta bring this guy on your podcast. He’s great! I had a really nice conversation with him. I hope that you enjoy this. So on that note. Let me go ahead and push play for you here.
I’m so excited to have the opportunity to speak today with Ross Stambaugh. Ross, how are you doing?
Ross Stambaugh
Fantastic. Thanks for asking.
TM
I’m so happy that you’re here. I received rave reviews from our mutual friend Waleah who owns Red Earth Yoga Center in Oklahoma. She mentioned that you have visited her there. Is that true? You went and taught some yoga workshops there?
RS
Actually, I taught my first official Ashtanga Yoga workshop with there. I met her in Mysore, India. And it’s kind of a funny story. She posted a picture of her standing in front of her apartment, and I knew exactly where it was. So I knocked on her door. And she answers, “Who is it?” And I said, Hey, you know, my name is Ross. We’ve talked to each other on, you know, I think at the time was on Facebook. She kind of looks out and she didn’t want to open the door. So she’s like, how do you know who I am? And then I said, Well, I put things together and I figured I would just come by and say hello. Yes. So but eventually, over the course of the next two months, we became fast friends. And she invited me to her studio and we we did a lot of yoga.
TM
That’s awesome. I know she’s a really great person. So I appreciate the introduction. Thank you Waleah.
Ross, I noticed that your website is ashtangahub.com. So anyone listening I’ll put the links in the description below. So it’s gonna be really easy to find Ross and also you’re on Instagram. Your handle is @Ashtanga.yoga.Ross, which will also be down below. And I love your Instagram posts. Since I’ve gotten a chance to follow you. You do a great job with your posts. It seems like you’re having fun doing it, which is an art form in and of itself. And then in the process of going to your website and learning about you. You are an ashtanga yoga practitioner and teacher and you’ve studied in Mysore with Saraswati Jois, is that correct?
RS
That’s right. That’s right. Yeah, um, about I think 2014 I took my first trip to Mysore and I’m a school teacher. So I had the summers off, and that’s when Saraswati Jois the daughter of Pattabhi Jois teachers out of her shala. I went there a couple of times for a couple of years. Several years actually, and just fell in love with the city. Fell in love with the temples. Fell in love with philosophy and of course, of course yoga.
TM
Righ! Mysore is an amazing city. What are some of the favorite things to do when there? Apart from the yoga?
RS
Yeah, I think, I think everyone, if they want to have a quintessential Indian experience, you have to get on a scooter. And you have to get lost in the city. And you have to try to navigate your way around the cows and the people in the temples and just get immersed in a culture that’s so very different from our Western eyes and ears and senses and everything.
TM
Nice. I agree. I did. No, actually, I did not rent a motorbike in India. I was a little timid of that. I’ve rented motorbikes in Thailand and in Indonesia. But when I was in India, I really just stuck with the rickshaw. And so that’s a bold move to get on a motorbike there. I applaud that courage.
RS
Oh, thanks. Yeah.
TM
Have you ever had any close encounters there?
Waleah and I had a few. Yeah, she jumped on the bike. And, of course, she was holding her camera up, and I was waving and a bus I came like within a whisker of each other. Oh, yeah I did. My last trip. I was with my mom. And it was the last day and I was running her around Mysore. And I slipped on some gravel, and I busted up my elbow. Long story short, I’m in the emergency room in there, and in front of us. I don’t know what happened. Or there’s a group of people there waiting. And like India, you know, money talks sometimes. And and I’m like, wow, I have a I have a flight to catch in like three hours. They won’t let me on the airplane. Because I needed to get some stitches. And so in my pocket, I had all my rupees left. So I had, I don’t know, maybe $20 and rupees. And I take it on my pocket. And I kind of wave it to the, to the nurse up there. And with that they they waved me in and I got the stitches. And I think I think it was maybe $40 or $60 US dollars in the end. Right and then out the door and I got on my flight.
TM
Yeah, amazing. That journey from Bangalore to Mysore is incredible. What city were you flying out of?
RS
I was flying out of Bangalore. So it’s a four hour drive from Mysore to Bangalore. So we have to jump in a taxi and then get that taxi to the airport.
TM
That’s an amazing trip, isn’t it? I remember the first time my wife and I went to Mysore in 2004. And when we got to Bangalore and walked out the doors and there was it seemed like at least 100 people all wanting to help us out. And that was our first like overwhelming, like, oh my gosh, what are we doing unique experience. That is amazing.
RS
You’re right. That’s what makes it so fun to go there.
TM
I’m really curious, how did how did it evolve that you were able to invite your mom and your mom being willing to say yes to go to India? How did that happen?
RS
Well, I would spend time there. So like I said I was school teaching and I had a few months off. And my mom just recently retired. And she’s always been, you know, a very quiet mom. But she’s always had a little adventure side to her. And she said, “Well, you know, can I come and see what you do you?” You talked about yoga, you practice yoga, you’re always talking, you know, you’re always doing yoga. Can I come and see what you do? And I said, Yeah, sure. So she jumped on an airplane and she hung out with me for almost three weeks. It was a great experience.
TM
That’s so cool. What a great opportunity. Yeah, that’s amazing. When was last time you were in India, have you been there since 2019 or 2020?
RS
No, my last trip was 2018 at the end of the summer. And then of course COVID started to build. So I’ve missed out the last two seasons. Yeah, three seasons almost. And so but I’m hoping to return this coming July.
TM
Cool. Yeah. Nice. And I noticed that you said you’re a school teacher but you you teach art to the school kids.
RS
Yeah. I’m a middle school art teacher. I’ve been doing that for 22 years. Because this is 23rd.
TM
Wow, that’s really cool. Have you been an artist your whole life? Is that something that you were involved in when you were in middle school age and then progressed to wanting to go to school for it and now teach?
RS
Yeah, it was sort of the only thing I could get out of school with, I would, you know, I would take all the classes and in Junior High and in high school, and of course, college, I was a fine arts major for two years. I focused on like, traditional painting. I didn’t really have the aptitude for it, you know, I was okay. But I wasn’t. I was in a group of people that were better than okay. You know, they were they were really driven. And I noticed right away, I simply didn’t have that level of talent. But both my parents were teachers, and my sister’s a teacher, and all my cousins are teachers. So it just felt like, a thing to do. I enjoyed traveling, and I recognize that a teacher’s schedule would allow me to do that. So yeah, I’ve been a teacher. And I’ve been really enjoying it.
TM
That’s cool. You know, on that note, I have a daughter who’s in fourth grade. And as I was studying up and getting ready for this opportunity to speak with you, I heard her in the background. She had a substitute teacher, and she said, “All he did was look at his phone all day, he didn’t teach us anything.” And I gotta crack up. When I was in school, we didn’t have cell phones back in the old days, and, and I just thought, I just kind of cracked me up to think about a substitute, just like staring at his or her phone for the whole session. “All right, kids, just do what you want.” I’m guessing, though, that you take a really proactive role in the education process, can you share a story or two about what it’s like being a teacher and working with middle school aged kids?
RS
Ah, well, you have to be proactive, or else they’ll just eat you alive. They you know, I have such a spectrum of abilities and such a spectrum of maturity. And you have to be able to figure out how to engage each and every one. And, you know, sometimes there’s success, and often times, there’s trial and error, and we certainly fall in to the error of things. So I think that’s a great kind of segue into yoga, you know, recognizing when the external circumstances are not in your control, and you have to rely on a little bit of faith, and rely on a little bit of skill and a little bit of, of the unknown to get through the day. And hopefully, you have something left to give to children. To give to people that are not oftentimes willing to accept the struggle of learning.
TM
Right?
RS
Whenever we grow, especially in yoga, whenever we grow, we have to be okay with the struggle, which is certainly hard. Hard to do. Yes.
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Welcome to Native yoga Toddcast. I am so happy you are here. My goal with this channel is to bring inspirational speakers to the mic in the field of yoga, massage, bodywork and beyond. Follow us on IG @nativeyoga and check us out at nativeyogacenter.com. All right, let’s begin. Hello, I’m happy you are here. Thanks for joining in. Today I have a special guest, Sandy Chason. She is the founder of Ladybug Yoga, which is a kid’s yoga program. She’s going to be offering a kid’s yoga teacher training here at Native Yoga Center on Sunday, January 30, 2022 from 12 to 6pm, Eastern Standard Time. We’re also going to be offering the teacher training via livestream. So for those of you that are local, you can come in and for those of you that are living abroad, you can join in via your computer and participate in the training and get certified in Ladybug Yoga. If you’re interested, visit our website nativeyogacenter.com. You’ll see the links where you can sign up. Also check out Sandy at her kids yoga teacher training website, which is called www.theladybugyoga.com. You can also find her on Instagram @Ladybugyoga, on Facebook @Ladybugyoga. All those links will be posted in the show notes below. I hope you enjoy this conversation. She got me really inspired and I can’t wait to take the training myself. I think that the more children get exposed to breathing, practicing yoga and cultivate the ability to come out of their shell and have a safe space to be creative and express emotion, feelings and thoughts the world will be a happier place. I usually find that hanging out with children I end up feeling better because they impart a little bit of wisdom, selflessness, joy and good vibes. So anyhow I hope you enjoy this conversation. Let’s begin! I’m so pleased to have Sandy Chasen here with me today. Sandy, how are you doing?
Sandy Chasen
Good. Thank you for having me, Todd.
Todd McLaughlin
Oh, you’re welcome. I’m really excited to have this conversation with you because you are a kids yoga teacher. You offer kids yoga teacher training through your program Ladybug Yoga. But before we go into some of those details, can you give me an idea of how you first got interested in yoga yourself?
Sandy Chasen
Yes, definitely. So I’ll tell you a bit about me. I’m originally from South Africa. And as a young child, we moved to Canada and immigrated to Toronto. And my mom became very alternative and holistic and she was a yogi. And this is way back in the early 80s. And anytime I could go with her to get on a yoga mat to go to the yoga classes, I jumped and I just fell in love from the beginning.
Todd McLaughlin
Oh, that’s really cool. How old were you then?
Sandy Chasen
I was seven.
Todd McLaughlin
Nice. You have a clear memory of your first yoga class with your mom?
Sandy Chasen
I do. I do. Her teacher that we went to, his name was Axel Malone. He’s a real traditional yoga teacher guru. And it was just the whole experience every time. He was just amazing. I was in awe every time I could get there.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s awesome. Where was that?
Sandy Chasen
This was in Toronto.
Todd McLaughlin
Gotcha. Gotcha. At what age did you move from South Africa?
Sandy Chasen
I was three three.
Todd McLaughlin
Do you have any memories of South Africa? I couldn’t tell you a memory from my threes.
Sandy Chasen
No, either can I. But when I go back and visit there are the later year memories. So I still have family there.
Todd McLaughlin
And around the Cape Town area or the Johannesburg area?
Sandy Chasen
Yeah, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Have you been?
Todd McLaughlin
I’ve been to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, but I didn’t get a chance to go down to South Africa. I’ve always wanted to go to South Africa, because it’s like, a legendary surf destination. And so, yeah, I, you know, I’ve always wanted to go, I still want to go. But, I haven’t had the chance yet to make it down there.
Sandy Chasen
Definitely on the bucket list.
Todd McLaughlin
Right? That’s cool.
Sandy Chasen
Yeah. And you have to go on a safari.
Todd McLaughlin
Oh, man, it’d be so great. I agree. And did you, after you started practicing yoga continue yoga throughout your teenage years and your 20s? Did you keep your yoga going? Or did was it like, come and go for you?
Sandy Chasen
Um, no, I kept it going. It was come and go though. It was whenever, you know, I could go with my mom. And you know, I wasn’t busy. But it was steady. I just loved it!
Todd McLaughlin
Nice. And then I guess fast forward at some point. I saw that you established Ladybug yoga in 2009. What was the journey to go from practicing yoga to wanting to create a program that was specific for children in yoga?
Sandy Chasen
So also while I was growing up, I was a babysitter. I was a camp counselor. I was a gymnastics coach. So kids were always my passion. And back in Toronto, I took my early childhood education, and I practiced as an early childhood educator for a few years. And I really felt something was missing. So when I moved down to Florida, 20 years ago, right away, I said that’s it, I’m going to get certified in yoga. So I got on a plane and flew to Costa Rica and got my RYT there, and then came back and got certified in kids yoga. And I’ve been teaching adults and children ever since for the past 20 years.
Todd McLaughlin
Nice.
Sandy Chasen
Yeah. And then it was when my first daughter, Maya was born, the light bulb went off. And that was my aha moment when I combined the education and yoga together. And I created Ladybug yoga.
Todd McLaughlin
Wow.
Sandy Chasen
Yeah, so I made a children’s yoga program, and I teach practical tools to the children. And they just thrive off of it. It’s been amazing.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s really cool. I have a ton of questions, because I’m curious how you merged the educational aspects in terms of, you know, like you said, teaching in school, and with teaching kids yoga. What are some of the fundamental principles that you follow in teaching children’s yoga and whast you have learned form your childhood education practice and study?
Sandy Chasen
So basically, my creativity and program planning and the curriculum in every Ladybug yoga class…. we always begin with a breathing exercise, we go into yoga poses, then we go into games that incorporate the poses. We go into relaxation, and then close the class. So it’s a beautiful flow. And every aspect of yoga we do. The breathing is directed toward the kids ability level. So it’s always fun and exciting and presented in easy ways that they grasp it. It’s a very easy concept for them to use the poses and we have a blast with it, you know, and then the games, all our fun games, all incorporate the poses. So it teaches them all the tools and techniques in a fun way that relates to them. So they get it right away. They use it in the relaxation. We take them on a journey. So it’s a guided relaxation. We use crystals, which the kids love, and it’s just beautiful, and they just love and thrive off of it. And we constantly, you know, discuss in class, you know that these are amazing life skill tools and that they’re not coming just for a dance class where it’s fun, and then they go their way. We are instilling these tools in them at this young age so they know when there are times when they’re feeling stressed at home, anxious, overwhelmed. When they’re fighting with siblings or when they have tests at school. They can use these tools to help them. They can incorporate these tools that we’re instilling in their mind during those times at home and at school and throughout their lives.
Todd McLaughlin
Nice. Do you feel like as a yoga teacher you’re often reminding students, whether it’s children or adults, that what you’re learning here on the yoga mat, is something that you’re going to apply later on?
Sandy Chasen
Yeah. Especially the breath, because we all forget to breathe.
Todd McLaughlin
Good point. I hear that! So that’s cool that you still are actively teaching adult classes and children’s classes?
Sandy Chasen
I do adult private classes and group privates, because adults, you know, I have a passion for that as well. And then, of course, the kids are a great passion as well for me.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s cool. Is there something that you use when you teach children that you find you also try to incorporate in with the adults that might not be your traditional thing that we do with adults?
Sandy Chasen
Yeah, just to have fun. 🙂 Adults can get so serious.
Todd McLaughlin
Like, do you actually incorporate some gameplay, so to speak in the adult class?
Sandy Chasen
Definitely, you know, we laugh throughout and when I feel that tension I just get them to just release it and to go back to their child like sense.
Todd McLaughlin
Nice. I noticed that you use teachable, which is a platform that you’re able to create digital content that people can learn what you’re teaching. Have you had good success and results with moving in that digital arena?
Sandy Chasen
Yeah, it’s been amazing! And it’s given access to students all around the world. I’ve had students in India, like all over the world who have done my training online as well as which is wonderful. For those that do the in person teacher training, I offer the teachable at half price. So that they have lifetime access to go and refresh, it’s all live and they see it and they grasp it. So a lot of people after graduating, they can enjoy to get that to help them, to keep watching it over again. So they can become more confident in teaching.
Todd McLaughlin
I really like your whole website and your online information and the way you lay it out. It feels like you’ve done a really great job. Is this something that you’ve had a lot of help with? Are you naturally gifted in marketing? Do you do your video production for your course yourself? Was that something that came really easy? Or is it something that you’ve been working at forever?
Sandy Chasen
You know, I’m very creative, and it’s just so natural to me, that part. But the technical parts, no. I’m very hands on, you know, in everything. So online, I was sitting, you know, with the lady who did it, and we did it together, like step by step, even, you know, with my company, and when I have teachers go into the school and teach the yoga classes, you know, I connect with them before class. I connect with the teacher. I speak to them after class, I want to be involved, even though sometimes I’m not physically there. I want to know all the details and the outcomes and so I’m very hands on and for me naturally the creativity and the inspiration does come naturally.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s inspirational. You said that when your daughter, Maya was born. How old is she now?
Sandy Chasen
So Maya’s 12 and almost a half. And I have a younger daughter, Jada, my baby who’s actually turning nine on Sunday. I taught the night before they were both, you know, both of them popped out. 🙂 So they were born natural Yogi’s as well. And they can even teach Ladybug yoga classes at this point. Nice. Yeah, so she’s a Halloween baby? Yes, she is. And actually, I have the most special story to share with you about my baby Jada, please, who in preschool. This was in pre K. She saw there was a child who was upset and you know, something was bothering her and the teachers couldn’t get her to come and join the class and to feel better. And Jada went over and sat with that child and told her did a three sigh breath with her. And the child just shifted, and Jada was the one to bring her back to a place of happiness and back with the class.
Todd McLaughlin
Wow! That totally gives me chills because the thought of a child reaching out to a peer at that age with something to refocus the mind to, like you said to shift, and be able to be receptive to communication, or if they were shutting down and just really frustrated. That’s, that’s amazing. That’s like, kind of what we hope for, right!?!
Sandy Chasen
It’s amazing with these children. They’re so open, you know, and receptive. They haven’t shut or closed yet. As the older you get you can get into your own way. So that’s why it’s special to instill yoga at such a young age.
Todd McLaughlin
Wow, that’s really cool. Well, I mean, that actually feeds into my next question. So you might have already answered it, but what are some lessons that you’ve learned from teaching children? I find that when I branch out of my comfort zone, and I attempt to share yoga with someone who I thought it would be more challenging to do that with. I find instead of me teaching them something they teach me something. What is something that you’ve learned over the years with working with children?
Sandy Chasen
So I find that what we’re doing is encouraging these children to build their self esteem and to let them shine as bright as they can. And there’s so many times in their lives, especially at a young age, you know, they’ve been told no, and no and no, and it can crush them. So we in our class, I find the most beautiful approach is we support them, of who they are as individuals and let them shine as bright as they can to just build them up. And by doing that, you just see them grow and shine, and it’s really beautiful.
Todd McLaughlin
Wow. Yeah! So right there. That’s some inspiration right there. If you can see kids go from, like you said, shutting down and or shy and then turn around. That is pretty amazing.
Sandy Chasen
Yeah.
Todd McLaughlin
Cool. You know, I guess, I’m thinking along the lines of there’s probably yoga teachers that are curious about teaching kids yoga. I remember the first time I thought, well, I teach yoga, so teaching kids yoga is just going to be a piece of cake. I can do it. And then we got a group together. And I quickly realized that I wished I’d had a few tricks up my sleeve. I definitely realized that making it more playful was going to be critical. But I also found that I probably could have benefited from from having a few creative ideas in place prior. What qualities or skills do you think a yoga teacher should have to be good at teaching children yoga?
Sandy Chasen
So the ladybug yoga children’s teacher training that I created, I’ve opened it up to not only yoga teachers, but school teachers, therapists, parents, grandparents, nannies. So I’ve put together the most easy to adapt, and creative program. During the training and by the end of the training, people can see it’s so simple and practical and clear for them that anyone by the end of the training feels ready and inspired to go and impact the lives of children in whichever way, whether it’s doing a yoga class, going into the school and throughout the school day, teaching their kids, parents at home, therapist within their session. So yeah, it’s very inspiring, the program that I’ve put together and easy for anyone and everyone to adapt into it. Easy for them to get it.
Todd McLaughlin
Yeah, that makes sense. Because I would imagine that there’s a lot of parents and grandparents out there that actually practice yoga already. They haven’t pursued the career path of teaching yoga. But see that they’re around children and would want to share what they already know. So it makes perfect sense, that a grandparent would be excited to, learn tricks and tools to have another way to interact with either their children or grandchildren.
Sandy Chasen
Yes, in a way that the kids can, you know, connect to and use.
Todd McLaughlin
Yeah, that’s amazing. I recently started to do a little research into what people are doing with yoga and elder care. Investigating what they are doing within senior facilities, or elder living facilities. One of the principles that became obvious was that if someone is having hard time with their their abilities either cognitive and/or physical. If they’re attempting to do something, and we’re attempting to show them something, and they aren’t doing it the way that we think they should be doing it, that they might begin to shut down. They will feel less inclined to open up in and express themselves through the postures or through the practice. One of the solutions to that problem given in the book Creative Care by Anne Basting, is an idea that is used in improvisational theater training. The idea is to always say yes, and add to what they say. For example if someone says, is this how I do it? You would affirm…. Yes, and you could also do it like this. It remids me of this saying, once a man is twice a child. We come in a baby, we take care of ourselves, and potentially, at the end, we’re gonna need to be taken care of again, the same way we were as a kid. I am now seeing that there probably are a lot of similarities between child care and elder care?
Sandy Chasen
Yes, that is true.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s cool. What have you noticed with grandparents and working with children in terms of the yoga world and what have you observed?
Sandy Chasen
Oh, they get so excited when they come to do the training. Because, you know, now they have something to connect with their grandkids to do as well as you know, enjoy. You know, the benefits of yoga, which they are involved in as Yogi’s. And they just can’t wait to go and share with their grandkids and when their grandkids come over, they have fun things to do. And it’s amazing. It’s a bond, a very special bonding moment, you know, like, I’ll never forget the bonding I have with my mom, you know, as together when we you know, as Yogi’s together, it’s very special.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s a good point. My mom got me into yoga as well.
Sandy Chasen
Oh, amazing. At what age?
Todd McLaughlin
I practiced when I was 19. But when I was in my early 20s she was practicing Hatha yoga, and she was taking a local yoga class. And she was like, you gotta come try this. And I was like, sure! That was it. I was hooked after the first session.
Sandy Chasen
Wow. That’s beautiful.
Todd McLaughlin
My mom’s still practicing today. And I practiced with her this morning.
Sandy Chasen
That’s a special bond.
Todd McLaughlin
Yes. It’s amazing. I agree. I am curious… What have you noticed with the pandemic? In terms of, I know this is a big question, but we’ve had a little bit of time to kind of go through this whole thing and kind of start to come out the other side, and where we can reflect and look back. So I’m just curious, what what have you witnessed? Probably your kids were all in school and then had to go over to the virtual, I don’t know if you homeschool your kids already, or if they are in public school or private school, or if they went to the virtual but what did you observe in terms of like your own practice of teaching people to be with kids and be teaching yoga, but then being needing to be six feet apart and all that stuff that’s come with the pandemic? What’s happened for you?
Sandy Chasen
Right? So it was an amazing experience. Because like I said, I’m always thinking creatively and you know, my mind’s always going and when everything shut down in March, then when they were talking about schools coming back online in August, I’m like okay, this is an opportunity for Ladybug yoga to get back on its feet because I’ve went from 60 to zero. It was scary.
Todd McLaughlin
I agree, it was scary.
Sandy Chasen
Yeah. And I actually created a pod. So I rented space at a hotel. And I hired school teacher. And I became a pod, which was where parents droppped the kids, you know, there were so many working parents that didn’t know what they were going to do with their children, when schools were going online, as well as the parents that felt overwhelmed, to be sitting with them at a computer all day long, you know, so parents would drop the kids early in the morning, and we would have them till the afternoon and the kids, you know, would come with their laptop. And with online, I had teachers helping them throughout their children’s online virtual school. And then we would go and do yoga. And we would do active activities, you know, because it was very hard on the kids. I mean, they were amazing. The way they adapted so quickly, to transitioning to sit online, it was very sad in a way because they were sitting from like, 8:45am in the morning, through 2pm on the computer. Which is so hard for children. So we incorporated the yoga, the breathing for them to move and to get their minds relaxed, you know, and energy release, and to be clear for them to continue on in the day. So we continued that for I think it was about six weeks until the schools went back in person. And then actually, Ladybug yoga transitioned into a camp. So yeah, so anytime there was no school, we would, you know, we would turn into a camp, which it actually then built into, because schools weren’t having us back on campus yet, because of COVID. And then it turned into a summer camp, which the kids just had a blast. And it’s just amazing. You know, every day they would do yoga, and I would incorporate different specialties like karate, art, dance, music drama, we would go swimming, and that was there for them. And then coming back into the fall this year, schools have welcomed us back into doing yoga classes on the premises. So we’re back doing you know, what we used to do, as well as I’m continuing with this amazing camp that I’ve, you know, developed that anytime like, Thanksgiving breaks coming up. So we’ll have camp for those days, you know, winter break will be camp and then go back into another summer camp. Ladybug yoga is just expanding.
Todd McLaughlin
Where do you have a facility and or brick and mortar location? Where were you holding the camp at?
Sandy Chasen
So the camp we were at actually the Renaissance Hotel in Boca. But then that changed and we ended up with summer camp building all the way through till summer camp. But then, now that they’re back in full action, they were too busy to keep hosting us there. So I rent space at this Charter School in Boca Raton, which is wonderful because we have access to the host school. Were the only ones on the premises when I host the camp.
Todd McLaughlin
Wonderful. I am curious…..which charter school are you with?
Sandy Chasen
It’s called an Olympus Academy.
Todd McLaughlin
Okay, I was just curious. That’s great. That way you don’t have to have the challenge of holding down like a five year lease on a place.
Sandy Chasen
Exactly. And I’ve always you know, all the programs, the yoga classes, I’ve been in all the schools, all the facilities, I go in, you know, rent space there and then even the teacher training you know, I come to you guys. So I come for your whole community, you know, to come and share the Ladybug yoga tools with you guys. So it’s wonderful.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s really cool. I love the idea! I’ve always been thinking about you know how to create a camp like setting during the summer because as you’re familiar in South Florida, we have such a busy winter season because so many folks are in from out of town and then often in summer people are traveling, on vacation, the snowbirds go back up north. And you know, we kind of feel that like, Whoa, boy, it’s summer, how are we going to get through it? You know, and then, right, you’re thinking like, it’d be so cool to have a kids, yoga camp in the summer. So I’m so excited to hear some of your ideas about how you’re doing it. Yeah, it’s my pleasure to share. I liked the idea, too, that he said, It sounds like you mentioned that you would bring and then like specialists, like, whether it was martial arts or maybe yeah, dance or so you then kind of outsource to different skill sets to build the excitement of the experience?
Sandy Chasen
Exactly. So every day they’ll do yoga. Every morning, we always start with yoga. And then yeah, in the afternoon, we’ll include a different specialists to come?
Todd McLaughlin
How do you, if you have a child that is having a hard time adapting to what’s going on. Like maybe they get dropped off at camp? And there could be any number of different things that would make them either not want to be there? Or having a difficult time? Do you have a couple of skills or things that you do? That you help the childre to transition into the group? Like perhaps some are having a very difficult situation? Do you ever have children that just don’t want to be there?
Sandy Chasen
I’m actually thinking back to summer camp, because, you know, a lot of the kids had such anxieties, because they were home confined for so long, that they weren’t around other kids, they weren’t out of their home environment that, you know, they have a lot of anxiety from it, coming back into adapting back into the community. So we did have a handful of children who had a lot of anxiety. And, you know, I don’t know if it’s just natural for me to just, you know, support them. And so they feel the love and care and support and that they can be safe. So, you know, they would stay close to me or close to another counselor of mine to just support them, and assist them until they are ready to, you know, leave the nest, just by saying, you know, to talk to other friends more and to start veering on their own around the camp. Yeah, it was actually a big percentage of children struggled with what they went through.
Todd McLaughlin
Did you notice a shift in their receptivity relatively quickly? Like within a day or within a week? What were some of the observations you had?
Sandy Chasen
I would say, each day, you would see them flourishing more, it would take I would say about three days, till they were like shining and felt comfortable. And feel like, oh my gosh, I’m a kid again. You know, like, this is great. Having fun and doing like things with other children.
Todd McLaughlin
Yeah. That’s a good point, I remember my wife and I, well my son is 15 and my daughter’s eight, and when all this was going down, it was, you know, like, when we were in home, we were just like, let’s just try to create as positive environment as much as possible. Even though maybe her and I were stressing out because we were like, “what in the world is going on right now?” On so many levels, but then, you know, we are attempting to try to be solid for them and not have them freak out. But clearly, the parents are freaking out as well. And then obviously, children are feeding off of that. So I just think that’s amazing that you were prepared and ready for utilizing the skills of yoga when all this happened. Like it sounds like you really thought, “let’s think creatively, think outside the box, look for a solution to the problem.” And you really were able to utilize what you already know and love. So it’s like you were really ready for all of this.
Sandy Chasen
Yeah. And then all the kids to that do yoga. Their consciousness is all about caring and sharing and being kind. You know, we, every class, we talk about positivity and how we treat others. And so it’s also amazing to see in action, the kids that already are comfortable and familiar with what we are doing and set the stage for he new kids that come on, you know, come into the camp or the program. They’re amazingly full of support and just so kind and caring to the children and provide whatever needs they may have.
Todd McLaughlin
I hear you! That makes me think, what age range are you focusing on?
Sandy Chasen
So we teach from three and up through elementary, so it’s preschool through elementary school to fifth grade.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s great. So that’s like ages three to ten. That sound right, three to 10? It makes sense that you would specialize into that particular age group. We had someone that was teaching Mommy and Me classes where you have infants coming in with the moms. Yeah, totally cool to watch. So cute, but then I start thinking about, like, from my teenager’s perspective. There is such a different approcah within each of these age groups. When I think of saying, “come on teenagers, let’s go do yoga,” like all of a sudden, something changed, where it’s like, yoga is not so cool. 🙂 Teenagers start to think, if my mom or dad or into yoga, I’m definitely not doing it. 🙂 Like no way.
Sandy Chasen
Well do you want to know the secret with the older kids? You teach more of it, an adult class, like a cool class for them. But the secret is to always challenge them. The minute you challenge the older kids, they thrive off of that, like, they just love that. That’s what gets them.
Todd McLaughlin
Yep. Whereas with the 3 to 10 age group, how is that different? Are you not necessarily thinking how can I challenge them? What is your main focus when working with this age group?
Sandy Chasen
Okay, so with the younger children, so I say preschool up to, you can get away with definitely first grade, sometimes second grade, you’re always painting a picture for them. So it’s all about the storytelling, painting the picture as you’re going through the Yoga, you know, whereas then from that point from third grade and up, it then starts, you’re still like painting the picture. But at the same time, you start challenging. So when they’re in a pose, instead of sharing a story or visualization, you’re telling them okay, hold for the count to 10, or hold for 20. At camp the kids loved it you know, throughout the six weeks of camp, with breathing, we continuously every week, got further and further holding our breath. Up to where at the end of camp at six weeks, I was counting to 100. Of course, I counted fast, but they didn’t realize it. You know, so they’d love that challenge.
Todd McLaughlin
Do you ever take apprentices? I mean, obviously, you got people working for you. But it’s something where this is purely selfish from my behalf, yet, could I try come down one day and actually see how you do what you do?
Sandy Chasen
Yes, I would love for you to, you know, we had in the summer CIC’s, that volunteer, you know, and I’m always open to others who want to come and see it in action and help them be a part of this.
Todd McLaughlin
Okay, that’s cool. That’d be great. I feel like I always learned so much when I actually get a chance to see a program that someone else is running, like in that environment, because it can be overwhelming. You know, when you first a new program, it’s like, what do I do? Where do I start?
Sandy Chasen
Yes, I’d love you to come see it in action. And as well, that’s why I love on teachable, you know, that it’s online, and it’s all visual, it’s all there in person. It’s my girls are there with a bunch of other friends. You see it in action. So that also helps.
Todd McLaughlin
Nice. When Tam and I lived in San Diego, and we had a yoga studio out there and we got involved in the Ashtanga yoga community and right before, I want to say this is in around about 2008-2009, someone had gotten together a really great yoga program where they were allowing yoga teachers to go into the public school system and start teaching yoga. And I guess at one point, some of the teachers were using, you know, down dog and up dog, Then there are poses that are called say Hanuman Asana, which is dedicated to Hanuman, who’s a character out of a story in India called the Ramayana. Therefore there were people that were of religious persuasion that had their buttons pushed because schools are meant to be kept secular. They were fearing the children were being introduced to Hindu culture and/or different religious ideas. And so a lawsuit ensued, and it created a whole bunch of drama and made fairly big headlines. So my question is, how do you navigate the world of respecting different philosophies and/or religious ideas and teach yoga to children?
Sandy Chasen
So that’s a great question. Because I make it very clear in the training, that we do not incorporate any religious teachings. We teach practical tools for everyday life. We do not chant, we do not, you know, we don’t Om, the music is instrumental, the only thing we will include is namaste, if we’re in a Jewish school or Catholic school that doesn’t even want that to be put in. Then we end by saying peace. And we never say put your hands together in prayer position, we always say put your hands together to your heart center. Yeah, so our program has no religious faith associated. Because, yes, dealing with children and parents. You know, they have been weary especially, you know, we’re going on so many years, where now yoga is becoming more mainstream. But in the beginning, it was still very like, oh, yeah, God, you know, yeah, my kid. No, thank you. But it, you know, that’s why I make it very clear in my training that we leave the religion out. And we’re teaching the basic practical tools for their everyday lives.
Todd McLaughlin
Yeah, I think that’s great. That makes perfect perfect sense. But I really like that you even brought attention to the languaging. Around, bring your hands together at heart center versus your hands into prayer position, because I’ve never really thought of that. But you’re right, that implies prayer, which could push a button. Yeah. Interesting. Any other things that you’ve noticed around that? I’m just curious? What else do we do in yoga that we assume is okay but maybe is not?
Sandy Chasen
We have in our section, you will learn hand poses, which are mudras, that we only call them hand poses? You know, so yeah. So we leave out, you know, that aspect as well as all our poses are named after animals or things or, you know, we don’t use the sanskrit names at all.
Todd McLaughlin
Gotcha. That’s really cool. In terms of, with children, and this is in the realm of alignment, and I know that alignment is just a great just topic of discussion alone. But for example, we have certain methods of yoga that are really interested in trying to set up good alignment for good reasons that will be healthy, and we won’t maybe try poses that are too advanced for us, like, we got to build a good foundation. And then there’s like really specific details like, you know, put your heels on the same line and turn this foot at this anglel. And when you reach your arm above your head, turn your palm this direction, and what role does alignment play in the process of teaching children yoga?
Sandy Chasen
So that’s another great question. You’re asking all these amazing questions. I love that. Because I’m very particular as well with, you know, what is involved in my classes and with the kids class, you know, because we’re truly building their self esteem up. So they can shine and grow. We do not, you know, correct them. If they’re not perfectly aligned. If you see that there, they could injure themselves, how they’re doing the pose. Yeah, then we will jump in and correct them. Yeah. But however creatively, they’re doing the pose that we’re you know, all in, we just say what a great job they’re doing. We inspire them, we build their self esteem. So that’s when we, you know, we’ll jump in, if we see they can injure themselves. And, you know, in a class, you have all different levels. So you may have, you know, the gymnasts and the dancers, and then you have a child who can’t even get into a half lotus. So the teacher needs to be very aware of each child’s limitation. But we want to challenge them. So with the gymnasts and the dancers will get them to go into a full lotus at the same time a child who can even cross their legs with the knees down, we will get them to go in that cross leg where they’re comfortable, you know, and we will tell both of them what a great job they’re doing at their level.
Todd McLaughlin
Yes. Nice. That makes. Yeah, that makes sense. I was just visualizing the juggling act that is going on, in a sense, like you said, with the different range of ability levels are present.
Sandy Chasen
It becomes more natural as you go on with your practice of teaching.
Todd McLaughlin
Yes. Nice.
Sandy Chasen
And it’s important that you’re challenging at each level so that kids can in one second, if they lose their attention, if you’re not continuously moving, flowing, challenging them making that exciting, you’ve lost them, and then that’s a recipe for disaster because then they misbehave and you know. So yeah, it’s beautiful. It’s like a beautiful flow of class. And it goes really fast. Because it’s so much fun.
Todd McLaughlin
I bet. What are the typical durations of sessions that you’ll hold with kids say, from the 3 to 10 year group? Are you like a 15 minute class? 30 minute?
Sandy Chasen
Throughout the training, you’ll see I’ve divided it into three groups. So preschool is 30 minutes. So the younger kids, their attention span is 30 minutes. In which that class goes by in a second. Then you have like, the elementary school age, I would say 45 minutes or an hour. You know, really, even though it’s an hour class, you’re only teaching about 45 minutes. By the time they take their shoes and socks off. And you you know, we always do an introductory icebreaker question. For the kids that are shy, you know, it’s beautiful, that they get to share. And that breaks the ice for class. Everyone’s on the same form together and go so those are the three categories 30, 45 or an hour.
Todd McLaughlin
Yeah, that makes that makes perfect sense. That’s really cool. When you’re working with kids, and you’re, you have all that going on at the same time. As far as being a trainer like you’re, you’re attempting to train other people how to do this? Is that hard or easy for you?
Sandy Chasen
I love it. I thrive. You know. It’s just like the kids how it’s natural. You know, how inspired they get throughout a class. It’s the same with my training, like my students. They’re sponges and sucking it in and they’re so inspired and excited. And I love that. Kids are a passion of mine. That’s lots of fun.
Todd McLaughlin
I’m excited. You lead by example. Obviously you’re getting in there and saying, “this is how you do it.” Follow me.
Sandy Chasen
Yeah, definitely. You guys become my kid. During the training.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s cool. You told me a really great story that was amazing with the way that Maya interacted with that child.
Sandy Chasen
Oh Jada. Jada is my youngest. Maya is my oldest..
Todd McLaughlin
Can you share any other really cute moments? Something that you’ve seen that just melted your heart?
Sandy Chasen
Yeah, I love seeing, you know, the sigh breath is our go to breath. You do three sigh breaths. I’ve taught the girls, I’ve instilled it, no matter where you are, what’s going on? You know, you take those three breaths and everything shifts. And my girls. I mean, any time they’re sad, anxious or stressed. They’re, you know, just overwhelmed or they are fighting with each other. Or they’re tired or so cranky. They do their three breaths. And I’m telling you it’s instant. And they feel it and they’re like, ah, like, Yes, I feel better now. You know, and their minds more clear their bodies calmer and so that I love seeing. It never gets old and I think it’s so important.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s really cool. And you said that you’ve already watched your daughter’s teach a kids yoga class? They kind of grabbed the reigns and gone ahead with it.
Sandy Chasen
It’s amazing! Yeah. And especially when they were younger, they used to set up their dolls and they would do a Ladybug yoga class for their dolls. And now it’s like they can teach the other kids and they’ve memorized the whole curriculum. They were there for the online training, they were my models in the manual, as well, as, you know, in the live version.
Todd McLaughlin
That’s really cool. I, you know, when, when my son was young, we took him to India with us, and he would come and practice alongside with us, yet it was early in the morning, so he probably was like, just wanting to sleep anyway. And so we’d bring a yoga mat, a little blanket, and he would just come in and sleep and crash out. We would bring some coloring books. He could relax or choose to practice yoga if he liked.There was a lot of cats and dogs that were, interestingly enough, just kind of mulling around, and when you would go into down dog and the cats would crawl up on you. And it was quite an interesting experience. I feel like, you know, he got fully immersed in that type of thing. It was really amazing. I might have more questions, but I know I have at least one more for you and it’s one that I get from parents often. And it’s it’s how can I inspire my child to practice yoga? They say “I really want my kid to do yoga.” What is some advice that you would give parents that are wanting their children to practice?
Sandy Chasen
They should take the Ladybug yoga teacher training! They learn and then go home and bring it to their children. The training works because that’s their language training. You know, this curriculum is the kids language. And once they bring in the fun and excitement, you know it, they’ll be hooked in an instant.
Todd McLaughlin
Awesome. Good answer. I personally am really excited to take the training with you. I can’t wait. I can’t wait for your visit. Is there anything you would like to close with? Any thoughts, feelings? Anything that comes to mind that you could share with us to help close our conversation today?
Sandy Chasen
Well, I’m just excited to come and share, you know, this beautiful program with you guys to keep sharing it with and to the kids, because that’s been my dream of, you know, just inspiring every child around the world to teach them these tools to help them throughout their lives. So I really appreciate doing this today, as well as hosting me and, you know, getting my dream to become a reality.
Todd McLaughlin
Awesome, Sandy. Well, I really appreciate you taking time. I was looking forward to this. Thank you so much.
Sandy Chasen
I appreciate it.
Todd McLaughlin
I’ll be seeing you soon.
Sandy Chasen
Okay, sounds good.
Todd McLaughlin
Take care.
Sandy Chasen
Bye, Todd.
Todd McLaughlin
Well, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed our discussion today. Remember, if you would like to participate in the kids yoga teacher training with Sandy, with the Ladybug yoga program. Go ahead and visit our website nativeyogacenter.com. On the homepage, there’s a link at the bottom that you’ll easily find. And that’s about it my friends. If you have any questions, reach out to me info@nativeyogacenter.com Thanks again and talk to you see you soon. Native Yoga Toddcast is produced by myself. The theme music is dreamed up by Bryce Allen. If you liked this show, let me know, if there’s room for improvement. I want to hear that too. We are curious to know what you think and what you want more of what I can improve. And if you have ideas for future guests or topics, please send us your thoughts to info@Nativeyogacenter.com. You can find us at nativeyogacenter.com. And hey, if you did like this episode, share it with your friends, rate it and review and join us next time!
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