Yoga Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead with J. Brown

Tune into the newest episode of our Energy Works Podcast, where science meets spirit to help you heal, energize, and thrive. In this episode of Big Ideas, Lauren welcomes legendary yoga teacher, writer, and podcaster J. Brown for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on the state of modern yoga. The conversation celebrates J.’s remarkable milestone of 500 podcast episodes and reflects on his decade-long journey through the yoga industry.Together, Lauren and J. explore how yoga has evolved from grassroots community spaces to a market-driven, personality-centered culture. The discussion covers what the shift has meant for teachers, students, and public perception of yoga. J. shares honest insights into the financial realities of teaching yoga, the challenges of sustainability, and the cycles of growth and contraction that have shaped the industry over time.Lauren and J. also discuss how the pandemic reshaped the yoga world, accelerating the shift to online classes and social media while raising important questions about ethics, power, and transparency within yoga communities.Tune in to break down the current state of yoga, the realities facing teachers today, and what the future of the practice may hold. Now available wherever you get your podcasts!Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:28 Reconnecting with J. Brown 01:16 Celebrating 500 Episodes 02:52 The Evolution of Yoga Teaching05:59 Challenges in the Yoga Industry07:41 The Impact of Online Yoga 10:00 The Reality of Making a Living in Yoga 16:48 The Cult of Personality in Yoga 19:28 Abuse and Exploitation in Yoga 26:32 The Future of Yoga Teaching 41:07 Drawing Lines Around Technology 41:27 Integrity in Yoga Teaching 42:07 Impact of the Pandemic on Yoga 42:37 The Rise of Social Media and Its Effects 44:21 Grassroots Yoga and Community Focus 45:04 Intimacy in the Post-Pandemic World 46:22 Challenges and Adaptations in Yoga Centers 52:45 The Physicality of Yoga and Its Consequences 5:45 Future of Yoga and Personal Reflections 01:11:19 ConclusionEpisode Resources:J. Brown: https://www.youtube.com/@Jbrownyogavideo/videosEMYoga Online Courses: emyoga.thinkific.com/collections/emyoga-coursesShop our EMYoga Store: emyogastore.com/Sign up for our FREE weekly Newsletter: www.energymedicineyoga.net/Listen on Spotify: Energy WorksListen on Apple Podcasts: Energy WorksFollow us on Instagram: @EnergyMedicineYogaFollow us on Facebook: @EnergyMedicineYoga#EnergyMedicineYoga #EMYoga #EnergyWorksPodcast #WellnessPodcast #YogaToday #YogaPodcast #JBrown #FutureOfYoga #YogaTeachersLife #YogaAndBusiness #IntegrityInYoga