Leadership and Yoga

Episode

• a short yoga story 29.05.2026 14mnt

  As you know, every Friday is new episode Friday on the Leadership and Yoga podcast... but the last Friday of the month is now special... The real episode today is inside of Patreon, it's a LIVE episode on burnout and one critical change that makes all the difference. But, I did not want to abandon you here, dear listener! So please enjoy a bit of juice, in this short yoga story. I hope that it inspires you to document your own yoga stories. And perhaps, I will see you inside of Patreon for the replay, or the next LIVE on June 26th! Join Leadership and Yoga Club on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/cw/shawnakruThe episode I mention that explains what the club is, and is genuinely inspirational as an episode to listen to in general:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4UXULAZCXeNkzy8mLwr3G5?si=Sa3GAjNzRPi_72jZLIhHiQ
• Tim Feldmann on Ashtanga, Teaching Yoga, & Devotion to the Practice 27.05.2026 1j 26mnt

  Tim Feldmann is a beloved Ashtanga yoga teacher, originally from Denmark and globally renowned for his authentic, joyful, and devoted approach to the practice. Tim shares how he weaves yoga philosophy into the physical practice, how learning to be uncomfortable on the mat trains the nervous system, expanding the body’s capacity to sit with discomfort, and so much wisdom about embodied movement. This was a delightful conversation that will leave you feeling inspired and encouraged on your path as a yoga teacher and/or student.Tim’s WebsiteTim’s InstagramMiami Life ShalaYoga Shala EverettPatreon: Leadership and Yoga CLUB. To support my work on this podcast, to meet fellow listeners, and more… Join below. https://www.patreon.com/cw/shawnakru Find Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) Sign up for Yoga Trade’s passport: https://join.yogatrade.com/membershipJoin a Yoga Trade free Council Session: https://form.typeform.com/to/RcnJx6ps(My sponsor)⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND ⁠(My sponsor) Time Stamps: 00:00 intro08:54 have you always considered yourself a deep thinker?10:25 abstract dance12:45 the set sequence15:31 sense of fluency in the yoga practice17:44 how does ashtanga feel to you?19:36 how does your yoga practice change how you live?25:59 bringing yoga philosophy onto the mat31:19 first ashtanga class33:37 injury & recovery39:29 first time teaching a yoga class?43:05 discipline47:28 how can yoga teachers make meaningful change?53:21 the radiating energy of presence & the wisdom realm56:55 what qualities do you look for in your teachers?01:00:54 don’t try to be perfect01:05:47 asana & the nervous system01:12:25 is yoga supposed to be comfortable?01:17:42 rapid fire questions01:22:07 billboard question
• part two: 10 things i learned from going deep into yoga 22.05.2026 1j 4mnt

  Part two of the episode from last week! After going deep in the yoga, we find that yoga is so much more than poses, identity, or surface-level spiritual aesthetics. In this episode, I share part two of 10 lessons I have learned from going deep with yoga: let’s talk how yoga helps us feel our humanity, accessing true presence through yoga, respecting yoga and cultural appreciation vs cultural appropriation, why yoga takes time and patience, and the what the Bhagavad Gita’s definition of yoga is. Keywords: yoga philosophy, yoga teacher podcast, authentic yoga, yoga spirituality, yoga beyond asana, modern yoga, yoga wisdom, yoga for creators, spiritual growth, conscious livingIf you missed part one, find it here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6GRtl8C7o1NFhm4eVzKhaC?si=H1EWz0wqSrObMxT_46wByQ  Patreon: Leadership and Yoga CLUB. To support my work on this podcast, to meet fellow listeners, and more… Join below. https://www.patreon.com/cw/shawnakru Find Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) Join YogaTrade Council & take workshops with me (Try it free) And check out jobs on https://yogatrade.com/ (My sponsor)⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND ⁠(My sponsor) Time stamps:00:00 intro06:00 inside my 2020 dreamboard08:00 why i’m in honolulu 10:15 patreon: Leadership and Yoga Club13:00 what “deep” in yoga really means16:00 tip for yoga teachers20:00 storytime sponsor picnic24:59 part 6: yoga helps us feel our own humanity 28:20 musical poem: feel for all humanity  31:07 part 7: presence once seen, can never be forgotten 35:35 one year of meditating38:00 leaning in closer40:00 part 8: respect not just spread yoga45:39 musical poem: yoga doesn’t come from a brand48:00 part 9: yoga takes time52:00 part 10: yoga is spiritual integration53:30 divine crystal theory58:20 musical poem: today i didn’t meditate1:00:00 review of all 10
• Poranguí on Serving the Music and the Yoga of Sound 20.05.2026 1j 19mnt

  Today on the Leadership and Yoga podcast, I talk with Poranguí about the power of music to heal, awaken, and reconnect us to ourselves. In this episode, Poranguí shares what it feels like to improvise music in front of thousands of people with no set plan, trusting whatever wants to come through in the moment. We talk ritual, creativity, flow states, consciousness, ancestors, collective human connection, nervous system regulation, coherence as leaders, and music as medicine. Poranguí reminds us that interbeing is how we find meaning in life, and he leads by example. This is what the yoga of sound really means. If music has ever made you feel something beyond words, this episode is for you.Music in intro credit to Poranguí, "Amanecer" Find Poranguí on instagram:@porangui Poranguí events, tour, retreats:https://www.porangui.com/ Poranguí on YouTubePoranguí on SpotifyTechnology fail at Envision festival we mentioned:https://youtu.be/otkbFvz8Fy4?si=yV5o1OQGib-SbWLH&t=4758 Patreon: Leadership and Yoga CLUB. To support my work on this podcast, to meet fellow listeners, and more… Join below. https://www.patreon.com/cw/shawnakru Find Shawna on instagram:@shawnakru Time stamps:00:00 intro01:00 who is Poranguí? 03:00 context & backstory07:30 the body, Poranguí’s “favorite” instrument 11:00 improvising and not planning shows14:30 capoeira, playing & dancing with the “now”17:45 it helps us face the uncertainty of life20:45 “worst nightmare” technology fail in performance25:00 the prayer is too potent, energy28:50 what it feels like after performing29:30 how to stay present while performing: widening awareness and tracking all30:10 Schrödinger's cat, observer effect, parallel universes32:30 intricacy, care vs perfectionism 35:00 birth story how Poranguí’s parents met41:30 serpent medicine: chased by snakes44:30 trust46:30 ancestors “anceStars” 49:00 non-linear time and roots of trees51:50 why are we here? scrap of paper54:00 nervous system & our function 55:00 consumerism culture 56:15 keepers of fire: technology and AI. tending 58:30 impacting the world as healers: heart song1:00:30 heart 1:02:00 the voice is the fingerprint of the soul1:04:00 Poranguí’s rituals: getting into state1:06:30 change and successes after retreat 1:08:15 music expresses the inexpressible1:11:30 why music touches us1:12:30 the original pulse1:14:00 billboard message, tour & learn from Poranguí 
• 10 things i learned from going deep into yoga 15.05.2026 49mnt

  After going deep in the yoga, we find that yoga is so much more than poses, identity, or surface-level spiritual aesthetics. In this episode, I share part one of 10 lessons I have learned from going deep with yoga: let’s talk spiritual materialism, devotion, creativity, stress, self-awareness, and what it really means to live yoga beyond the mat. We talk about why yoga practice is the boat, not the destination and how practice can become prayer, why discomfort creates freedom, and how real yoga changes the way we relate to every moment of life.Keywords: yoga philosophy, yoga teacher podcast, authentic yoga, yoga spirituality, yoga beyond asana, modern yoga, yoga wisdom, yoga for creators, spiritual growth, conscious livingPatreon: Leadership and Yoga CLUB. To support my work on this podcast, to meet fellow listeners, and more… Join below. https://www.patreon.com/cw/shawnakru Find Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Join YogaTrade Council & take workshops with me (Try it free) And check out jobs on https://yogatrade.com/ (My sponsor)⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND ⁠(My sponsor) Time stamps:00:00 intro01:00 toe dipping04:00 cartoon09:00 Yoga Trade10:30 part 1: yoga is a boat16:42 part 2: practice is prayer20:40 part 3: not everything is yoga, but yoga is in everything24:30 something i say during yoga class often27:00 part 4: asana is a language 29:00 healing and yoga: stagnation to flow33:00 part 5: yoga makes you creative 34:15 yoga reverses the flow of input to output36:40 why ideas arrive in the shower38:28 why winding tight makes us sick39:30 creating from stress vs real energy42:00 holding a basketball underwater46:00 club on Patreon! 
• Yoga Teacher Roundtable 13.05.2026 47mnt

  In this sixth roundtable, yoga teachers from across the country and around the world share what teaching yoga means to them, lessons learned on the mat, bits of wisdom they've carried on from their own teachers, and their own “billboard messages.” See the link below if you're a yoga teacher and would like to participate in the next roundtable!⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Thank you so much to the participating yoga teachers! Links to connect with them:Simone Marie-Elise - @ripplesinthematrix, www.ripplesinthematrix.comGrace Gribble - @gracesgallivant, https://www.youtube.com/@practicegracefullyAshley Simonis - @Ashleysimonisyoga; @homeyogamo, Homeyogamo.com; Substack.com/ashleysimonisyoga.comKatie Farinas - @katie.farinas, https://katiefarinas.com ; https://substack.com/@katiefarinas, Katie’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2R3MeaPOtqgBUpngAzxCN0?si=4ae2fc1b329d4ccbMikaela Millington - @mikmill; @evolve.yoga.retreats, evolveyogaretreats.comVeronica Drenth - @veronicasue_, https://www.theyogalensPatreon: Leadership and Yoga CLUB. To support my work on this podcast, to meet fellow listeners, and more… Join below. https://www.patreon.com/cw/shawnakru Find Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) Join YogaTrade Council & take workshops with me (Try it free) And check out jobs on https://yogatrade.com/ (My sponsor)⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND ⁠(My sponsor) Time Stamps: 00:00 intro02:00 teaching with humility (Mikaela)05:19 we are always planting seeds (Veronica)07:41 you never know who you'll lead to yoga (Grace)08:54 teaching authentically & honestly (Katie)10:32 yoga doesn’t choose the qualified… (Ashley)12:56 finding your own voice as a teacher (Simone)19:12 Sri Dharma Mittra’s first studio25:23 Grace’s story26:55 Katie’s story29:01 Veronica's story30:52 Simone’s story33:07 Ashley’s story36:49 Mikaela’s story42:11 closing thoughts
• Leadership and Yoga CLUB 08.05.2026 24mnt

  It’s time for Leadership and Yoga CLUB. Because your dreams are meant for people like you, and you meet your true friends on the mountain. Founding CLUB member special pricing is available until MAY 31, 2026. To support my work on this podcast, to meet fellow listeners, and more…Join below. See ya on the inside?? :) https://www.patreon.com/cw/shawnakru Time stamps:00:00 intro01:00 find your community3:00 CLUB tour10:40 the time is now 13:00 you meet your true friends on the mountain16:00 my billboard message20:50 yoga can change the world
• Nicole Wild on Facing Death as an Extension of the Yoga Practice 06.05.2026 1j 2mnt

  In this episode, yoga teacher Nicole Wild shares what she's learned about life and yoga from confronting death: both in the cadaver lab and through working in hospice, being with people in their last moments. She shares how sitting with grief and impermanence are part of her yoga practice, bringing in a deeper reverence for life. This conversation is about fear, discomfort, embodiment, gratitude, and embracing your life (and teaching) as you are, today."Allowing space for letting go, allowing space for endings, allowing space for deaths in all forms, whether that's actual human lives or just the little things we have to let go of on a day-to-day basis…doing that work is absolutely a part of the yoga practice." - Nicole WildQuote on the fires of the heart mentioned is by Edmund Wilson. View full quote hereDeath as a Surprise Party poem from Make Believe by Victoria Hutchins Nicole’s Website and offerings Nicole’s Instagram: @nicolewildcollectiveBook mentioned: Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul GawandeFind Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) Join YogaTrade Council & take workshops with me (Try it free) And check out jobs on https://yogatrade.com/ (My sponsor)⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND ⁠(My sponsor) Time Stamps:00:00 intro08:38 the cadaver lab13:01 fear around discussing death17:30 griefwork19:59 what got you into this work?25:34 hospice work: there is nothing to be afraid of27:26 being with people in their last moments30:07 how does yoga help us approach our fears?32:45 addressing the body and mind as a whole35:35 the therapeutic process38:15 yoga can be both confronting & comforting42:36 yoga and creativity45:38 what you look for you will find48:01 you don't just teach what you know, you teach who you are50:48 how can yoga shape our values?55:20 rapid fire questions59:56 the billboard question
• flirting with life: how to romanticize life & overcome numbness 01.05.2026 46mnt

  Aren’t we all looking for that feeling of energy of waking up happy to be alive? That’s what it feels like when we learn to flirt with our life, to romanticize things enough to pay attention to the details. Flirting with your life is about patience, rather than convenience and instant gratification. It’s about being ornate, not ikea. And when we do this, we overcome numbness and feeling stuck and replace it with creative flow, and freshness. Flirting is about freshness, about putting flowers on our wall even though we know they will wilt. Freshness reminds us that we must allow for constant evolution and change in our lives. We wish to hold onto our inspired, high on life states once we have them, but they must be constantly refreshed. This episode speaks to the way that presence itself is a sensual thing, it’s what allows us to connect to the natural magnetism that exists in everything. Let’s talk rituals, solo-dates, exploration and reconnecting with the magic of life. Substack I mention: How to flirt with your life by Le Secret Club Poem by Victoria Hutchins from MAKE BELIEVEFind Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND ⁠(My sponsor) Time stamps:00:00 intro 01:00 romantic. 03:50 substack: flirt with life. 07:00 dating myself changed my creative outlet 08:00 ornate vs ikea12:30 newness vs freshness14:15 pain is caused by a lack of love15:15 the grass is already under your feet16:30 presence is a sensual thing18:30 it’s either gorgeous or devastating - Victoria Hutchins20:50 moods are internal weather patterns22:00 entropy, Gene Keys 24:00 vacuum state: black hole to white hole 26:30 list of ways to flirt with life29:30 my inspiration bath ritual32:00 change lighting & levels of energy34:30 eating slower & savoring 37:00 TEND - ayurvedic guidance 39:30 other ways to flirt with your life42:00 musical poetry on creative urge
• the thrill of getting over embarrassment: from awkward to confident teaching yoga & everything else 24.04.2026 1j 17mnt

  5 steps to let go of your embarrassment whether that’s in life, teaching yoga, or creating. Let’s talk embarrassment, fear, perfectionism, how to be confident, self-compassion, awkward people, self-conscious people, and why highly embarrassed people are also often highly judgmental people. Public speaking is a major part of teaching yoga, so let’s dissect in thrilling detail how we can confidently share what we know. “The minute that we stop overstating our own self-importance, the embarrassment and tightness of trying to uphold some image of yourself, starts to fade away.” Included: Gene key 26 by Richard Rudd: moving from pride to artfulness to invisibility. Find Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) Join YogaTrade Council & take workshops with me (Try it free) And check out jobs on https://yogatrade.com/ (My sponsor)⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND ⁠(My sponsor) TEND spring sale code for 25% off: SPRING25Gene keys profile I mention: https://genekeys.com/free-profile/ Adam Sandler interview with David Letterman: https://www.netflix.com/title/82014002 Time stamps:00:00 intro 01:00 tulip story06:30 Myke Towers tomato face embarrassment 10:00 confidence teaching yoga12:00 don’t “just jump”13:00 your best is not good enough yet15:00 the art of getting over embarrassment 16:15 freestyle sponsors:18:50 OfferingTree20:25 Yoga Trade22:30 TEND24:30 5 steps to overcome embarrassment 26:00 Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff30:30 defense vs offense in embarrassment 34:00 step 1: be seen as dumb36:30 Adam Sandler and David Letterman 42:00 judgmental people43:50 step 2: play with contrast48:00 step 3: face physical fear49:00 teaching yoga embarrassing stories55:00 pre-teaching tangible action to take56:30 step 4: stop restraining yourself59:00 decisiveness1:02:00 step 5: turn pride into art, and become invisible 1:06:00 artfulness quote1:11:00 invisible, why do we want to disappear1:12:45 when you make yourself self-important1:15:00 you don’t need a life ring 
• time-traveling self-love & light after anxiety: “immersive special” for creators 17.04.2026 48mnt

  This is an immersive special episode, brought to life with music and sound effects. Listen for spoken word and storytelling written by me, Shawna Krueger, on the nature of time and anxiety, sending love to past versions of yourself, healing your past, finding hope in mental health darkness, and finding a way to create and show up as a creator for social media, or as an artist despite your own suffering. Today you will learn how to send prayers to YOURSELF, forward and backwards, and I will warn you, this episode is a little bit like the rabbit hole of the red pill in the Matrix. You can listen to it with eyes closed like a guided meditation visualization if you want. Today I tell you my story, from agony to greatness, from sadness to success in a raw, vulnerable way. But this is what my heart felt called to do, this is what I wrote, so here we go.  Inspired by Richard Rudd and the Gene Keys, and Zach Bush. Find Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Join YogaTrade Council & take workshops with me (Try it free) And check out jobs on https://yogatrade.com/ (My sponsor)time stamps:00:00 intro05:47 start of immersive special09:00 dear past self11:27 into the darkness14:46 climbing out of the hole17:46 love letters to your past self across time22:38 when no one is listening vs thousands are listening25:08 your dream come true feels like this28:00 versions of yourself that got you here33:00 witness your past self fully37:01 a ripple in time: the nature of time40:40 how to get out of the insects of the mind45:00 inspiration is actually you, speaking to yourself
• Ashish Arora on Teaching Yoga in the West and Honoring Yoga’s Roots 15.04.2026 1j 5mnt

  Ashish Arora is a yoga teacher based in Seattle, Washington, originally from Delhi, India, and currently leading teacher trainings and retreats around the world. In this episode we delve into the art of teaching, what tradition actually means in the context of yoga, yoga philosophy, and navigating cultural appropriation as a yoga teacher. Ashish also shares tips for remembering your students' names and finding your teachers. If you're a yoga teacher thinking deeply about why you teach, where the practice comes from, or how to bring more joy into the practice, this episode is for you!Practice with AshishFind Ashish on Instagram: @ashishyoga Listen to the previous episode with AshishFind Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) 30-day trial: Join Yoga Trade Council & take workshops with me(my sponsor) Get a job teaching yoga abroad? https://yogatrade.com/ ⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND ⁠(My sponsor) ⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Time Stamps: 00:00 intro01:40 OfferingTree3:41 presence while teaching5:33 tips for remembering your students’ names10:06 growing up in India15:01 laughter breathwork17:11 the vastness of yoga19:20 peacock pose & joy23:45 finding your teachers28:16 tradition in yoga37:40 breath & energy42:22 what is your definition of a yogi?46:32 cultural-appropriation in yoga55:57 what is our responsibility as yoga teachers?59:55 rapid fire questions 01:03:17 billboard question
• my story: starting a podcast that changed my life & the years you didn’t see, that built everything 10.04.2026 1j 27mnt

  I started a top 5% Spotify video podcast without being an influencer, and the years that you didn't see, built everything. Truthfully, I feel like I'm just getting started, but when I pause, I see that I have come a long way! This podcast is my "true north" and the reason I wake up and get to "work" writing, interviewing and creating every day. I believe in the power of inspiration, especially in times like these. I wanted to tell my full story, for those who are asking. I hope you feel inspired to think about telling (and creating) your OWN story, whatever it may be. I believe in you. :) And thanks for being part of the Leadership and Yoga fam. Find Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠
• Londrelle on Where Music Meets God and Yoga 08.04.2026 1j 27mnt

  Londrelle shows us how spiritual practice becomes music that heals the world. Welcome to the inner workings of Londrelle’s songs, his creative process, and how he shares what he knows with the world. His music is communion with God, and he follows the Bhagavad Gita as instruction for everything he creates. Let’s talk about his spiritual practice and how it has made him the artist we know today: from maha mudra, kriya yoga and meditation to making music that elevates our vibration. Londrelle brings words of wisdom for us on how we can make an impact in the world, and also how we can make it through our own dark nights of the soul as he shares his own story from birth to present day. “Spiritual practice helps us tune into our gifts and abilities, they make us more open and less tense about what we do, so that we can go with the flow of that greater consciousness and intelligence that is always there.” -Londrelle “God for me is not something that you can put your finger on it, but you can't miss it. Everywhere you go, everywhere you turn, there is the presence of the most high God.” -LondrelleLondrelle on instagramLondrelle on SpotifyLondrelle’s mindfulness app: Eternal SunshineLondrelle’s websiteShawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) Join YogaTrade Council & take workshops with me (Try it free) And check out jobs on https://yogatrade.com/  (My sponsor)⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Time stamps:00:00 this is Londrelle!! 01:00 Yoga Trade02:00 OfferingTree03:10 join the podcast?05:00 yoga connection 07:30 Bhagavad Gita as instruction for music09:00 how Londrelle writes songs like Gratitude10:15 more meditative than creative11:45 when a song arrives, no sleep or pause, until it’s complete14:30 if they can see it in you, they can see it in themselves16:45 God: when you close your eyes and think of God..18:00 Protest and activism: Police brutality 20:00 setting out to serve, you open yourself to universal intelligence24:00 music is broadcasted to the world & shapes culture27:00 growing up: no space to dream, only survive31:10 Londrelle’s story from birth33:45 studying the divine you see your own true nature & importance35:10 Londrelle’s teachers/influences39:00 religion & spirituality are the same, two expressions of the same truth41:00 virgos! both Londrelle and Shawna are virgos. 45:00 dark nights of the soul & initiations46:00 death experience49:30 tests following 53:00 can’t escape yourself. wherever you go, there you are55:00 artist journey: becoming the Londrelle that we know today57:50 music is a science 59:00 Londrelle’s spiritual practices: maha Mudra, kriya yoga & meditation1:01:43 be less tense & tune into our gifts1:02:00 is there yoga in your music?1:04:00 supporting people going through darkness with our art1:05:09 winter in life1:08:00 self-acceptance1:11:00 impact in the outer world and introspection 1:12:50 this world is not meant to be heaven1:14:00 the world as a projection of yourself1:15:58 yoga’s role in addressing suffering of the world1:18:00 yoga is the process of opening ourselves1:19:00 how can we keep our dreams alive (song discussion)1:21:00 doing music for 25 years: dreams are seeds1:23:00 how to dream: look to serve1:25:00 billboard message: stay free!
• 8-minute motivational spoken word: architecture of moonshot dreams 03.04.2026 8mnt

  FOR CONTEXT, SEE THE FULL EPISODE. This is the musical poetry, quick taste of my episode on the architecture of a moonshot dream coming true. It also is a standalone piece to get you thinking about your dreams and how to move towards them. Is it spring for the tree of your dreams stop trying to hold your life together with glue, and start giving your attention to what you actually want to grow. (In the style of my immersive special episodes... )
• architecture of a moonshot dream coming true 03.04.2026 1j 3mnt

  This is the architecture of a moonshot idea coming true (a transmission, not a list.) Let’s talk about how improbable dreams become reality. Blending mindset, spirituality, yoga philosophy, and personal storytelling, this episode explores manifestation, self-belief, identity shifts, intuition, and the energetic process of becoming. Perfect for listeners interested in personal growth, spiritual development, leadership, and conscious living, this is a reflective, poetic transmission designed to expand your perspective and reconnect you with your power.Find Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠Join YogaTrade Council & take workshops with me (Try it free) And check out jobs on https://yogatrade.com/ ⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Time stamps:00:00 intro01:00 poetic 03:00 what restored my faith in myself09:50 Yoga Trade 13:07 definition of moonshot16:00 why architecture 18:45 the mountain 20:00 the improbable bus story 27:00 event horizon discomfort 33:00 the moment you KNEW 35:00 living as that version of you41:00 how do we change beliefs44:00 the better we are at being patient, the less we need it49:00 being that brings opportunities 55:00 musical poetry: tree of your dreams
• Kirby Gordon on Teaching Yoga Around the World, Hosting Retreats, and Building Confidence as a Yoga Teacher 01.04.2026 54mnt

  Kirby Gordon is a yoga teacher based in Austin, Texas and hosting retreats around the world. In this episode we talk about nomadic teaching, building confidence and decisiveness as a teacher, and advice on hosting your first retreat. Kirby also shares tips for teaching yoga and finding your people. If you're a yoga teacher looking to travel, are ready for your next adventure or to take that next step, this episode is for you!Kirby’s Website: https://www.kirbyyoga.com  Find Kirby on Instagram: @kirbygordon Find Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) 30-day trial: Join Yoga Trade Council & take workshops with me(my sponsor) Get a job teaching yoga abroad? https://yogatrade.com/ ⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND ⁠(My sponsor) ⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Time Stamps: 00:00 intro01:39 OfferingTree & TEND05:09 nomadic teaching13:00 decisiveness & confidence 19:03 finding your people26:18 traveling after teacher training 31:05 consistency in yoga practice34:35 the importance of yoga retreats39:20 hosting your first yoga retreat 44:32 leave your students with something they can take with them48:00 what makes an exceptional yoga class?51:32 rapid fire questions52:36 billboard question
• for the underdogs 27.03.2026 1j 5mnt

  Hey fellow underdog. Did you know that the world loves an underdog? Let’s talk about why, and what that means for you. If you feel stuck, behind, or like an underdog in your life, business, or creative path, this episode will show you how to turn that struggle into your greatest advantage. We break down the underdog mindset, the biggest mistakes keeping you stuck (like comparison, shiny object syndrome, and self-doubt), and practical steps to build momentum, confidence, and long-term success as a creator, yoga teacher, or entrepreneur. Whether you're growing a podcast, building a brand, or chasing a dream, this episode is your roadmap to stop feeling behind and start winning.It’s a 3-part episode: 1. Reasons being an underdog is a blessing. 2. Major underdog mistakes that will keep you flailing, stuck and hopeless. 3. Instructions for living as an underdog. (For now. Because this is just an era.) Find Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) Join YogaTrade Council & take workshops with me (Try it free) And check out jobs on https://yogatrade.com/ ⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Time stamps: 00:00 intro04:28 3 part episode08:30 Yoga Trade10:00 OfferingTree 12:00 join the podcast! 13:55 PART 1: underdog blessings17:50 nothing to lose22:18 days of “trying” train you26:00 you don’t want a one hit wonder30:50 the danger of starting when things are easy33:55 PART 2: underdog mistakes36:20 envy 38:20 blindly leaping on a shiny object41:00 not looking at what you create critically45:40 “this is my only chance” 47:50 judging yourself too soon49:20 expert positioning when you’re not51:15 PART 3: underdog instructions
• Yoga Teacher Roundtable 25.03.2026 45mnt

  In this yoga teacher roundtable, yoga teachers from around the world share stories from teaching and practicing yoga: their "goosebump moments," unexpected lessons, synchronicities, and their very own billboard messages. See the link below if you're a yoga teacher and would like to participate in the next roundtable!⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Thank you so much to the participating yoga teachers! Links to connect with them:Chelsea Forte: @fortechelsea, https://www.embodiedsoul.art/ David Marquez Hincapie: @DavidinbalanceAakash Shah: @djkash_officialDavid William Pearce: @davidwilliampearce, https://sexprayers.online/davidwilliampearceIzzy Martens: @yoga.humans, yogahumans.substack.comRachel Larsen: @racheology, rachellarsenyoga.comFind Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) 30-day trial: Join Yoga Trade Council & take workshops with me (my sponsor)Get a job teaching yoga abroad? https://yogatrade.com/ ⁠Ayurvedic consultation with Art, TEND ⁠(My sponsor) Time Stamps: 00:00 intro01:46 yoga trade 02:57 mini-lesson from art (TEND)05:04 cueing 108 sun salutations (rachel)7:48 you never know what someone’s going through (david marquez hincapie)10:02 full circle: from the first class to teaching (izzy)13:28 learning to slow down & find stillness (aakash)16:57 synchronicities (chelsea)21:03 finding yoga community & a magical savasana (david william pearce)26:48 izzy marten’s billboard message29:39 rachel larsen’s billboard message31:16 chelsea forte’s billboard message33:26 aakash shah’s billboard message34:27 david marquez hincapie’s billboard message36:45 david william pearce’s billboard message39:32 closing
• yoga & politics: bad leaders, spiritual bypassing, & good activism as a yogi 20.03.2026 1j 12mnt

  So much of the wellness world has become busy work to keep up from focusing on the bigger problems in the world. But our own selfish pursuits don’t bring happiness anyways. So can we take more accountability for what’s happening around us? In a season of world politics and wars that feels like spiritual wintertime, let’s talk about ignorance and neutrality vs standing up, jumping to conclusions vs thinking for yourself, and how we can stay informed while not losing our power and sanity. Who is the bad leader? Is it them, “up there?” Is it you? Is it me? Let’s find out. Today’s episode is a combination of poetic interpretations of the current state of events and its effect on our state of being. My substack piece mentioned “What’s going on up there”Piece by Jeff Foster “Behind the Curtain”Video about meditation mentionedFind Shawna on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru ⁠⁠Shawna’s website⁠Try OfferingTree for free⁠ ⁠with my link here⁠⁠ (My sponsor) ⁠Yoga Teacher Roundtable free community events & mailing list⁠Time stamps: 00:00 intro03:30 the mental whirlwind of being in a season of winter06:00 who this episode is for07:30 my turn to answer: can yoga change the world?9:30 OfferingTree11:00 my story: burnt out on news15:58 we create what we consume, but that doesn’t mean..17:23 what does this have to do with yoga?22:00 2 steps for better democracy 25:20 beliefs are tea steeping in your water26:30 desire to “belong” to a group28:00 being a real activist means31:30 the 3rd option36:00 when is it enough?40:00 survival mode does not gift the privilege of contemplating 43:50 news 48:50 bad leaders characteristics 50:00 just trying to get through the week51:20 Jeff Foster “I saw behind the curtain”56:00 spiritual bypassing59:30 “it’s all divine plan” 1:00:00 take accountability, you are not a hamster1:05:00 how to make real change