What’s Up With Yoga

Note: the audio gets a little choppy about 26 minutes in - sorry about that!Today we're talking about the neutral spine: what that means, why we care, and how we figure out what a neutral spine feels like. Check it out on YouTube for a video demonstration too!

Today's guest is Ashlee McDougall, co-owner of Yoga Loft Tucson, an accessible yoga studio in Tucson, Arizona. We've got a LOT of thoughts to share with you today! We talk business ownership, chronic illness, teaching "all levels" classes, accessibility and ableism in yoga, and unexpectedly going viral. You can find Ashlee on Instagram and TikTok and check out her Complete Yoga Teacher Planner that just launched!

Today we've got a special guest on the podcast: Taryn Smith, yoga teacher and recent finisher of the World's Toughest Row. Taryn rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and we talked about what life was like on the ocean, how yoga was part of her journey, and what's up next after 46 days rowing solo.Find Taryn on Instagram @tarynsmithmovement or check out her offerings at tarynsmithmovement.com

Real talk: applying for jobs is hard. It's always a little weird. And it's especially hard to apply for yoga jobs. In this episode, we'll talk about the three main things you need to keep in mind when you're applying for a role as a yoga teacher. (And spoiler alert: these are great tips for anyone applying to any job, too.)

We're back with new episodes on Thursdays now! In this conversation, Kim explores the concept of embracing winter as a time of conservation, self-reflection, and adaptation. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the natural cues of the season and aligning with the rhythms of nature. The focus is on maintaining, sustaining, and creating space for ease and gentleness during the harshness of winter.

Well this was unexpected. This week, Kim talks through some observations and lessons from her second time breaking her left foot. She's no stranger to broken bones and injuries - this episode brings some reflections on how this time is different thanks to practicing yoga.

Today on the podcast, our guest is Willis Johnston. He's the owner of Flying Heart Yoga in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and he is an expert at crafting intentional, immersive retreats. He's hosted over 30 retreats and tells us about his process for choosing where to go, what to do, and how to create a container for attendees during the trip. LINKSVote for What's Up With Yoga for best local podcast by 5 pm Central on Friday 11/21 - Vote here!Willis Johnston Yoga - WebsiteFlying Heart Yoga - WebsiteFollow on Instagram:Willis - @flyingheartflowFlying Heart Yoga - @flyingheartyogapuertovallartaKim - @kimstruglinskiHeart of Wisdom Yoga - @heartofwisdomyoga

Maybe this podcast is the first time you've ever heard of it. Maybe you've taken class with Kim (or another Katonah Yoga® teacher) and heard us talk about it. But what is this magic square thing? Why should you care about it? And how can you use it? Plus, Kim talks about a business decision she made last year through the lens of the magic square.  Magic Square Image Library - from the Katonah Yoga Center Magic Square Workshop with Kim - November 23 in Nashville 2026 Calendar Workshop with Kim - December 14 in Nashville

Being a beginner is tough. Starting something new can be intimidating. And that's normal! This week, Kim offers some suggestions on what to think about as you choose your first yoga class, what types of classes might be a good fit for different types of students, and what to keep in mind as you get started on your yoga journey. Plus: some reminders on why we practice yoga in the first place. Ready to make yoga part of your routine? Start here!

This week's episode is a bit of a ramble on the topic of compensation. Kim talks about a rise in "pay to play" events where teachers and students are both paying to participate, ethics and strategies around free classes, and the recent uptick in studios leaving ClassPass. We close out with tips and takeaways for both teachers and students.

Where does the definition of yoga come from? How do we know what yoga is and how to practice it? One way we learn about the history of yoga is from the foundational texts of yoga, and in this episode Kim will give you a brief overview of three of them: the Yogasutra, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. This is a brief overview of three VERY complex texts, but we hope you'll get a sense for what each text communicates and where you might want to dive deeper in the future.

This week, Kim is joined by Annie Diomedes to talk about the life of a career yoga teacher. It's a life with lots of zigs and zags! Topics covered include:  Where Annie started teaching The variety of roles Annie - aka Annie of all trades - has had and the types of yoga she’s taught Kids yoga A realistic depiction of what it looks like to teach yoga full time Her side career as an accounting nerd The journey to and from teaching full time How it’s changed her relationship with yoga Different class times and the types of people we see in them Advice for teachers Owning your style and your ability You can find Annie on instagram at @anniediomedes and she teaches at Yoga Six in La Quinta and Palm Desert, California.  Request future podcast episodes at howyoga.co/podcast, rate, review, and share this episode with a friend!

What does it mean to have an "advanced" yoga practice? Is it just the shapes you can do? In this episode we'll talk about crowd sourced definitions for advanced yoga and talk through how Kim defines an advanced yoga practice. Spoiler alert: it's a nuanced topic!

ClassPass is a HOT topic in the fitness industry these days. In this episode, Kim will share some real talk about what it's like to be a yoga studio on ClassPass: what it is, why studios join ClassPass, what compensation looks like for studios, and why both students and studios seem to be unhappy with ClassPass right now. We'll dive into the logistics for studios and some things you may not know as a consumer on ClassPass.  Then, we'll get to the action items: Why should you purchase directly from your favorite studios if you can? If you love using ClassPass, how can you be a great ClassPass user? What would Kim do to "fix" ClassPass if she was given control tomorrow?  As always, share your topic requests and questions at howyoga.co/podcast.

Isn't owning a yoga studio just teaching yoga all the time? Spoiler alert: NOPE! This week Kim talks about what goes into owning a yoga studio. This is not a how-to about how to open a studio - this is a real chat about what daily life as a studio owner actually looks like. We'll talk about why she started Heart of Wisdom Yoga, why she opened a physical studio rather than pursuing a concierge model, the importance of building a community, some of the challenges presented by the pandemic, and the different hats a yoga studio owner wears. We also discuss the top 5 things on her mind this week as a studio owner. Last but not least, we zoom out and talk big picture about what comes next for Kim and Heart of Wisdom Yoga. If you're interested in opening your own studio or wondering what daily life as a studio owner looks like, this is the episode for you!  Resources mentioned: The Friday Society with Alexa Cawley - sign up at https://www.foreverfriday.co/?via=kim and use code KIM to get $20 off your first two months! (This is an affiliate link and I do earn a commission if you sign up.) Alexa also has a great podcast that is a free way to get started and learn from her!

In this episode, Kim shares the origin story of her studio Heart of Wisdom Yoga. It wasn't always intended to be a studio, though! We'll talk about how HOW Yoga got started, how we handled the pandemic, how we got to where we are today, and what we value as a studio.

What exactly IS hot yoga? Why is it so popular? What are you getting yourself into if you sign up for a hot yoga class? Learn about the different styles of hot yoga, what to expect, what to prepare for, and the pros and cons of hot yoga in this inaugural episode of the What's Up With Yoga podcast.

The What’s Up With Yoga Podcast launches on Friday, September 12! Want to request a topic? Head to howyoga.co/podcast to submit your requests. We can’t wait to go on this journey with you!