Untapped Power: Insights and Wisdom for Collective Transformation in the Yoga Community

Amanda Strojny

This podcast serves as a sacred space with a new way forward to speak the truth about yoga and the industry and to redefine success on your own terms. Bringing the collective power back into the hands of all teachers when it comes to leading classes and at the same time feeling financially supported. Together we will explore a series of intentional conversations navigating the industry and exploring the changing path ahead. We will dive into personal challenges, industry improvements and financial stability providing the tools to expand, grow and create. Amanda Strojny is a registered Yoga Teacher and Financial Coach working with you to redefine success and gain confidence in your business and life. read less
Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness

Episodes

Creating Community &  Connecting back to the Body through Somatic Therapy with Rachel Friedman
Mar 22 2024
Creating Community & Connecting back to the Body through Somatic Therapy with Rachel Friedman
In today's episode I sit down with Rachel Friedman, MSW, ERYT 500, YACEP, founded the Somatic Coach School, Beyond The Yoga Mat, and Soma Power Yoga where she helps people learn how to elevate their lives through the power of yoga and somatics. She also supports yoga facilitators, therapists, coaches, and healers to integrate somatic skills into their practice and build a conscious-based business to provide life-changing results for their clients.Together we discuss:Rachel's personal story from traditional therapist into somatic therapyOwning a Yoga studio three times and what she has learnedWhat to look for in a business partnership and the importance of highlighting your own strengths, weaknesses and work ethicBenefit of learning basic business skills for owning a yoga studio Rachel’s number one tool for creating a profitable yoga studio is community Transition into somatic work and how it is different from traditional therapyUnderstanding why we are so disconnected from our bodiesLearning to process emotions and orient oneselfImportance of pausing and having reflectionFinding a coach that is the right fit for you- what to look for Untapped Power of our Sensitivity Rachel believes our bodies hold the wisdom and medicine we need to heal and live an incredible human experience — one where we learn to feel all emotions.  You can find her on instagram @rachelbfriedman.Leave a review and let us know your thoughts on this episode so we can continue to share this podcast with others or follow along on Instagram.
Integrating Social Justice into the Yoga Practices with Tejal Patel
Jan 12 2024
Integrating Social Justice into the Yoga Practices with Tejal Patel
In today's episode I sit down with Tejal Patel (she/they)  a first-generation Indian American yoga teacher, writer, podcaster, and community organizer. Tejal’s aim is to educate and empower individuals and groups around the world to practice yoga holistically and through a social justice equity lens.We explore: Tejal's background Story & beginning Yoga Teacher training in 2012Seeking community through South Asian TeachersPracticing Yoga through a lens of advocacy, belonging and equityIntegrating Social Justice into the Yoga PracticesUnderstanding the barriers to the yoga practice for peopleExploring accessible and pricing Integrating authenticity and capitalism How to find a balance with keeping integrity in the practices and making a livingUsing strategic planning and flexibility to forecast what is possible and the power in exploring your numbers Inviting in the idea of Mutual Aid for people that have more to giveExploring the overwhelm that can come from bringing social justice into the yoga practices Inviting in the uncomfortable and owning your own self awarenessFinding a process system when you feel like you have done enough and how to find resources to move yourself forward Starting to broaden your scope and expand your perspectiveThe power in continuing to try, learn and grow“Both” and “and” can exist together  - expanding your network of receiving information Asking the question of what you think the practice of yoga is?Exploring where you get information and if diversity existsUntapped power of connecting and being a connector to increase our sense of belonging Tejal can be found decolonizing wellness with the revolutionary Tejal Yoga Online, a primarily South Asian teacher-led yoga space, with the abcdyogi interactive community, an online hub for healing and learning, and through the Yoga is Dead podcast, e-book, and signature cultural appropriation training.Leave a review and let us know your thoughts on this episode so we can continue to share this podcast with others or follow along on Instagram.
Living a Life of Trust with Jennifer Greenhut Tollin Founder of Zero Negative
Dec 29 2023
Living a Life of Trust with Jennifer Greenhut Tollin Founder of Zero Negative
Jenn Greenhut Tollin, actress turned singer-songwriter turned yoga teacher in Los Angeles, having 20 years plus teaching in yoga studios and private clients in Los Angeles.  After meeting her husband, Larry, she was on a path to have the family she always wanted. A year and a half after marriage, her dreams were shattered by a stage IV triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis. Immediately, instead of wanting children, all she wanted was to stay alive. Her yoga practice and strong belief that "everything happens for a reason" led her to allowing stage IV breast cancer to become an inspiring, uplifting story.Together in this episode we share:  Journey into yoga through acting and the difference from gymnastics vs YogaComing from a place of doing and being validated by what you do Journey from the outside to the inside and being present on the yoga mat.Practicing ongoing awareness in day to day activitiesStepping into the role of teacher and facing reoccurring thoughts Journey into teaching yoga starting with studios and transitioning quickly to private sessionsMoved from acting into singer songwritingChallenges with being an entrepreneur and financially supporting herself Organic growth vs. having a vision forwardNext step in Jenn’s story of meeting her husband and desire to start a family and her diagnosis of IV Breast Cancer A range of emotions that were present during the diagnosis and looking at what we do have vs. what we don’t haveUsing her own energy to move through the treatment processStarted her own company ZeroNegative to help othersTips for going through cancer treatment and prayer for going through chemo therapyVision for non profit of creating retreats and coming back into self love practicesLiving a life of trusting Untapped Power:  Being a healer and inspiring healing as well as each one of us tapping into this for ourselvesJennifer can be found on instagram @lovezeronegative and on facebook @lovezeronegative.New Book:  Everyone needs a Larry - Available Now! Leave a review and let us know your thoughts on this episode so we can continue to share this podcast with others or follow along on Instagram.
Riding the Waves of Transition with Joy Bartholomew founder of The Divorce Confidante
Dec 15 2023
Riding the Waves of Transition with Joy Bartholomew founder of The Divorce Confidante
Joy Bartholomew is the founder of The Divorce Confidante. She is a retired police officer, after serving 30 years, and she decided to create a new life for herself after her divorce. She is currently a divorce coach for women helping them work through the divorce process and reclaim their lives as independent women.  Joy is also a yoga teacher and meditation facilitator, bringing these additional modes of healing into her coaching practice.Together in this episode we breakdown: Joy’s personal journey into Yoga and Yoga Teaching and the transition into coaching and working as a divorce coachJoy’s approach to change and her ability to ride the waves of transitionReminders for knowing you are on the right pathInitial challenges when teaching yoga Eb and flow of creativity through yoga and life Joy’s journey through divorce and personal challengeIdentifying one thing to do today to build momentum in your lifeHow to deal with financial stability during divorce and the importance of seeing options to reduce the fearWorking through a scarcity mindset vs an abundance mindset as well as maintaining a budget day to dayRe-defining lonely and alone through self awareness practicesTop challenges for divorce: finances, loneliness, shame, kidsReminder that you are not going to be moving forward every dayHow to build self confidence one step at a time and practicing curiosity when working with people versus fixingJoy’s continuous evolution in her business and the importance of trying new things, failing and starting againUntapped Power: unlocking our own confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome Connect with Joy on Social Media @divorce_confidante and receive her free sleep Resource Below:Free Resource on Sleep Leave a review and let us know your thoughts on this episode so we can continue to share this podcast with others or follow along on Instagram.
Embodying your Inner Goddess and Navigating a career in Yoga with Lauren Leduc
Nov 10 2023
Embodying your Inner Goddess and Navigating a career in Yoga with Lauren Leduc
Lauren Leduc is a visionary, teacher, intuitive, mentor, and mama. With the special gift of cultivating community and creating accessible experiences, Lauren has taught thousands of students with her approachable and intelligent methodology. She is compassionate, thoughtful, and deeply invested in creating opportunities for others to grow and shine.In this episode we break down:Lauren's background story and introduction to yoga at age 17 which led to pursuing a career as a yoga teacher. Challenges as a new teacher teaching in different environment and learning to translate the practice into different settingsStarted teaching 24 classes a week and still doing two other jobs for financial stabilityJourney into opening her own yoga studio and tips for teaching full time Having a sense of stability so you are not coming into the business with a sense of lack Breaking down studio payment structure Different pricing models for Yoga Studios How things shifted during COVID and what was learnedAdapting and learning to meet people where they are at Created Yoga teacher training program that is a combination of online and in person learning Multiple methods for accountability during Yoga Teacher trainingYoga alliance and what role it plays Incorporating trauma informed and anti racism training Having kind inquiry with othersMoving into more online coaching and the introduction of a new bookUntapped Power:   Inner Goddess or sacred feminine within each of us Lauren’s greatest current spiritual passion is harnessing the Sacred Feminine and guiding women and femmes to love themselves and embrace wholeness. She believes awakening feminine folks to their power will be the catalyst for creating a more peaceful and loving world. Lauren has channeled her life experience, expertise, and passion into her first book, Embody Your Inner Goddess: A Guided Path to Radical Wholeness, which will be published November 24, 2023.Pre- order book! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @Iamlaurenleduc or check out her podcast Your Spiritual BestiesLeave a review and let us know your thoughts on this episode so we can continue to share this podcast with others or follow along on Instagram.
Building a Profitable and Sustainable Wellness Business with Joanna Sapir
Oct 27 2023
Building a Profitable and Sustainable Wellness Business with Joanna Sapir
Joanna Sapir is a business strategist for holistic practitioners, particularly those that integrate multiple modalities.Joanna's special ability is in helping practitioners set up repeatable systems and processes in their businesses to serve their clients more powerfully, enroll committed long-term clients, and create steady income and cash flow.In this episode we break down: Joanna’s calling to teach and sharing of her personal storyOpening a business but not having any business experienceFiguring out how to make her business sustainable and easy to runAllowing wellness professionals to have sustainable businessEarly Integration systems of pricing, packaging and a sales processBreaking down pricing in a practical way why other people’s pricing is not as relevant Marketing systems in place are necessary and the difference between Online businesses and in person services Finding the marketing practices that are most ideal for you and your customersMeasurements for success from clients including ample time for their livesGoal of working with solo practitioners at 10-15K a monthBusiness Revolution Academy - 1 year process to establish roots of the business and be able to identify values Leadership - ongoing membership and community Benefits of having community versus 1:1 supportUntapped Power of knowing how to truly read our own intuition and the magic that can happen when you listen to your gutSign up for the Free master class Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, she is a mother of two, a USA Masters National Champion in Olympic-style Weightlifting, and the host of the Business Revolution for Practitioners podcast. Leave a review and let us know your thoughts on this episode so we can continue to share this podcast with others or follow along on Instagram.