Do you ever get confused by all of the Sanskrit names of yoga poses? In this episode our guest, Victoria Moran, gives us some fun mnemonics to help remember some of the most common poses. You will also find out about the free space on your Sanskrit Bingo card!

I first met Victoria Moran in NYC around 2013, through our many connections in the vegan community. I had just begun working my new job as web editor at Jivamukti Yoga, and she had just released her best-selling book, Main Street Vegan. At the time I didn’t realize that she was also an accomplished yogi.

In this episode of the Don’t Forget Yoga Podcast, Victoria shares her journey in yoga, which began in 1967, long before yoga became a trendy exercise routine in the west. In those days, the spiritual teachings of yoga were integrated into all of the classes, and vegetarianism was an integral part of the practice.

Victoria picked up yoga in one hand and vegetarianism in the other and created a unique and wonderful life. She is the author of 13 books, a public speaker, a podcaster, film producer, and the founder of the Main Street Vegan Academy, which is a training and certification program for vegan coaches, educators and entrepreneurs. She is currently working on getting a film made from the script she co-wrote with her husband, Miss Liberty, about a fictional cow who escapes from a slaughterhouse and the human drama that ensues. “This capricious tale tugs at the heart and the surprise ending will leave you amazed—that’s a promise.”

Watch the video version of Episode 12 on Youtube!

Show Links:

* Victoria Moran’s website

* Main Street Vegan Academy

* Miss Liberty film

* Indra Devi

* Watkins Bookstore in London

* Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and animal rights

* Sivananda Yoga

* Rynn Berry

Chapters

* 0:00 Intro

* 03:34 Indra Devi and the Goddess Pose

* 05:42 Victoria Goes Vegan

* 08:05 Rocket Raccoon and Guardians of the Galaxy

* 09:32 A Spiritual Journey

* 13:48 Main Street Vegan Academy

* 17:18 The Seat of the Teacher

* 19:47 Sanskrit Asana Mnemonics

* 29:36 Teaching Yoga Philosophy

* 32:30 Advice for New Teachers

* 34:06 Miss Liberty and the Main Street Vegan Podcast

* 40:03 Outro

In this episode we explore the world of kids yoga with guest Deven Sisler, including

* Ways to teach kids yoga and incorporate lessons from yoga philosophy

* How she got into teaching kids yoga, including her experience working with children after the tsunami in Indonesia

* The importance of authenticity and listening in teaching yoga to kids

* Teaching yoga to families and the importance of meeting children where they are

* Deven's journey to offering kids yoga teacher training and writing her book, The Yamas in Pajamas.

Speaking of mnemonics. the use of nursery rhymes and familiar songs to incorporate movement into kids yoga classes is a great fit for a podcast about playful ways to absorb yogic wisdom. This interview inspired Derek to record his own version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with lyrics to choreograph sun salutations for children!

In her book, The Yamas in Pajamas, Deven explores ways to get kids and families involved in yoga by incorporating ethical and spiritual lessons from yoga philosophy. The book is divided into chapters dedicated to each of the Yamas, which are principles of ethical behavior in yoga. Each chapter includes reflections, guided meditations, breathing exercises, journal prompts, activities, and mindful movements for kids and their adults to experientially explore these concepts.

Deven's approach to teaching yoga to kids and families is centered around improvisation, meeting children where they are, and creating a space for laughter, play, and authentic listening. She believes in empowering kids to express themselves.

Deven Sisler is a kids' yoga expert and author. She has been teaching yoga to adults and children since 2005 and acro yoga since 2007. Deven's background in theater, art, and circus has influenced her teaching practice, and she combines these elements to create an embodied teaching experience for those interested in sharing yoga with kids and families. Deven offers kids' yoga teacher trainings and has recently released a book called "Yamas in Pajamas," which explores age-appropriate lessons from yoga philosophy for children.

Episode Links

Stay connected with Deven by signing up for her newsletter and receive a free "Wiggle & Stillness" Guided Meditation: devensisleryoga.com

Purchase The Yamas in Pajamas

Purchase a signed copy of the book &/ start your Kids Yoga Teacher Training journey with Deven's "Online Anytime Intro to Philosophy Course : https://www.devensisleryoga.com/shop Use the CODE DontForgetYoga upon checkout for 25% off

Here’s a Youtube video of Deven teaching the Twinkle Twinkle Yoga Sun Salutation.

Learn about the song Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

In this episode, we're going to explore ways to simplify our approach to teaching yoga by recognizing the core practices that will help us connect with yoga students and become better yoga teachers over time.

This episode features guest Jeffrey Cohen, who shares with us:

* How to keep it simple with the breath

* Three powerful elements of VInyasa: Dristi, Pranayama & Mulabhanda

* Three Niyamas that will supercharge your teaching practice

* The importance of daily meditation

* A fun way to absorb the wisdom of teachers you admire

This episode also features the song Wake Up, Urinate and then Meditate featuring clips from Jeffrey Cohen’s interview layered into original music and a mantra chorus by host Derek Pashupa Goodwin.

Jeffrey Cohen began teaching yoga in 2002, having completed the Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training with founders Sharon Gannon and David Life. A couple years later he opened the Jivamukti Yoga Charleston with Andrea Boyd, and began being a mentor at Jivamukti Yoga teacher trainings. In 2011, I met him at my Jivamukti Yoga teacher training, where he was the Head Facilitator. He's currently the owner of Satsang Yoga in Charleston. Hi is a musician who leads kirtans and plays rock and roll, and loves the spaces where they overlap.

Show Outline:

* 00:00 Intro

* 02:02 Namaste

* 07:47 Keep it simple with the breath

* 11:25 Three powerful elements of VInyasa: Dristi, Pranayama & Mulabhanda

* 13:02 Don't Forget to Meditate

* 13:42 Wake Up, Urinate, Meditate

* 15:41 Tapas

* 17:07 Svadyaya

* 19:55 Īśvarapraṇidhāna

* 24:25 Teaching Breath

* 28:06 Outro

Show Links:

* Satsang Yoga Charleston

* jeffreycohenyoga on Instagram

* satsangyogacharleston on Instagram

* Wake Up, Urinate and then Meditate song on Youtube

Don’t Forget Yoga

* dontforgetyoga on Instagram

* dontforgetyoga on Youtube