Leadership and Yoga

Join me, Shawna Krueger, and my guest, Natasha Schön for an episode on leadership.  Natasha is a leadership and development consultant. She is the leadership consultant for our upcoming retreat in Río Chirripó and she is a certified practitioner in both coaching and Nonviolent Communication techniques. Natasha is also a polyglot, fluent in English, Dutch, German, and Spanish and has lived in 12 countries which has brought her an extremely rich and dynamic understanding of connection.   On a personal note, Natasha is one of the few people that came into my life that I was immediately like aha! This is a friendship I was looking for. She is a very gifted speaker and storyteller, a unique soul, an avid reader, and has an impressive vocabulary.  Tune in to hear a relaxing and refreshing take on how we can integrate essential leadership principles in your everyday life, and in yoga.  Join the Leadership and Yoga Fam email list to stay up to date on giveaways and L&S news. Plus, get immediate access to the free week-long 6am Club training: Join the fam. Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashaschoen/  Message me on instagram: @shawnakru Upcoming Retreats: https://shawnakru.com/retreats/ Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:00 How Natasha and Shawna met: From class to close friends. 04:30 Agenda 05:15 Living in Madeira. 9:30 How to find stability. My routines are my home.  12:45 How to manage when life feels like chaos.  17:25 How to take action on goals and follow through.  19:00 Setting a vision when you don’t know what you want.  23:00 What does leadership mean?  27:00 The value of mentorship and someone who believes in you.  28:30 How can we be an empathetic leader?  29:30 Psychological safety.  33:00 Why is leadership work important? 36:00 Non-violent Communication NVC 41:30 What is coaching?  44:00 The power of silence, the spaces that are not filled. 46:00 Learning to ask good questions is like learning another language. 47:30 Stay away from the word “why” in coaching. 51:30 Handstand breaks. 54:45 Billboard message: “Sometimes I feel like I lead an emotionally complex life, and then the sun comes out and I’m happy. So functionally I’m no different than a big leaf.” “Learning to ask good questions is like learning another language.”

Join me, Shawna Krueger, and today’s special guest, Rasa Lukosiute for an episode on meditation and tapping into your intuitive nature.  Rasa is the voice of Pura Rasa, and the writer and editor of extremely moving and popular guided meditations on YouTube channel which has a community of over 371k.  I am a member of that community and have been meditating with Rasa for years! Rasa is also a qualified life coach and a yoga teacher. She was born and raised in the west of Lithuania which shares a unique dialect and beautiful landscapes, Rasa believes Lithuania nurtured and prepared her to create and to offer the content found on Pura Rasa.  Today we discuss all things meditation, how to meditate, Rasa’s creative process, spiritual awakening and nature. This episode will leave you feeling connected and remembering the magic that is all around us.  Please drop me a RATING and SUBSCRIBE, it is extremely helpful, thank you!! Join the Leadership and Yoga Fam email list to stay up to date on giveaways and L&S news. Plus, get immediate access to the free week-long 6am Club training: Join the fam. Pura Rasa Guided Meditations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@purarasa  Find Rasa Lukosiute on Instagram:  @pura.rasa Rasa’s App: onelink.to/ym5uae Message me on instagram: @shawnakru Upcoming Retreats: https://shawnakru.com/retreats/ Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:20 Agenda 4:30 How Rasa got her start using her voice. 6:10 My voice was never lost, even if I was powerless 8:45 Tips for sharing work that comes from the soul.  9:30 All work is one, all work is from the heart, there is no separation.  11:45 We are never disconnected. 13:40 Rasa’s creative process. 16:00 What makes an idea important? 18:00 How to grow your connection with your intuition. 23:30 Nature is the loudest voice. Trees as antennas.  25:00 Accepting your voice.  26:20 Striking things that have happened as a result of Rasa’s meditations: connection to people who have passed, manifestations, healing…  29:50 How to start and stick with a meditation habit.  34:00 What is meditation?  37:10 Things to keep in mind while meditating.  39:30 What makes a fantastic leader? Empathy and care. Be the example.  42:15 Billboard message: Remember that your word is the most important thing that you have. 

Join me, Shawna Krueger, for an episode on why purpose is a state of being, not a thing or an activity.  This episode on finding purpose is supposed to feel reassuring and put you in a good mood. It makes me sad to see people really stressed about their purpose when it’s already been there all along. Purpose can only truly be found in deep presence. Today we discuss how to simplify to see clearly, how to take the weight off your shoulders and change your state, how to have more time to think about your purpose… or feel like you have more time… and how service can give you momentum.  If you are feeling down and out about your purpose and place in life, I’m here to show you what you already have within you. Just relax, get present, and be prepared to look with new eyes and a fresh attitude. Join the Leadership and Yoga Fam email list to stay up to date on giveaways and L&S news. Plus, get immediate access to the free week-long 6am Club training: Join the fam. Message me on instagram: @shawnakru Join my upcoming retreat: https://shawnakru.com/retreats/ Purchase a my new guided journal: https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/  Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:44 Shawna’s four laws of purpose.  5:10 Hello other entrepreneurs and wanna be entrepreneurs  8:00 What is lounging? Storytime. 11:40 Agenda 15:30 Your purpose is already there. Richard Rudd quote from the Gene Keys.  18:47 What being present does to your feeling of purpose.  21:26 How to truly practice being present? 24:00 Simplify to see clearly. Clarity.   27:30 Set something down and change your state.  30:55 Time is a feeling. Change how you feel to get more time.  35:30 How do I start connecting to my purpose? 38:17 If you make others feel connected, needed and significant, that will be returned to you. 41:30 Visiting prior versions of myself. 44:11 Rio Chirripo retreat 45:00 My new guided journal

Join me, Shawna Krueger and my guest, Manuel Oria, for an episode on the art of teaching yoga. Manuel is my OG Ashtanga teacher, an international yoga teacher trainer, and a musician. Tune in to hear practical tips on creativity and comfort while teaching, setting class rhythm, comedy, taking risks and delivering an experience that is truly authentic. Plus, some good laughs as Manuel shares some stories you can’t miss.  Please SUBSCRIBE and drop me a RATING to support this show if you have enjoyed today’s interview with Manu. Thank you!! Join the Leadership and Yoga Fam email list to stay up to date on giveaways and L&S news. Plus, get immediate access to the free week-long 6am Club training: Join the fam. Message me on instagram: @shawnakru Find Manuel Oria on instagram: @manuel0ria Manuel’s website and yoga teacher training info — this is the only YTT I recommend!!  https://www.manueloria.com/  Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:21 Quitting my job to train with Manuel and becoming a full-time yoga teacher. 04:15 Agenda. 04:46 Teaching yoga as an art form and service. 9:50 Starting teaching yoga and reading students. 11:50 Who to take feedback from? 14:00 How to get comfortable in front of the room, natural talent versus gaining confidence over time. 17:00 Detaching from what a yoga teacher “should” be. 24:00 Reinventing yourself on the spot to teach ANY group. 27:30 Taking risks while teaching and comedy in class. 35:00 What’s a yoga voice? 38:00 Rhythm in class. 44:00 Ashtanga yoga. 47:00 Experience, theory and mistakes. 49:00 How to know when you are ready to teach. 52:30 Simplify it, and really put some groove in it.  53:50 What makes an excellent yoga teacher. 55:00 Billboard message: Let your practice speak for itself. Don’t say, do.

Join me, Shawna Krueger, for an interview with CJ. Carleton James is a yoga instructor, artist, musician and a facilitator of soft spaces. In my own words, I would describe his classes as exceptional, moving, and noteworthy in style. His classes are well-known and loved in the Seattle yoga community and around the world where he teaches internationally.  Tune in to hear all about teaching yoga. We’ll get into the specifics of teaching, practicing, reading the room and CJ’s experience and insight in yoga. Please SUBSCRIBE and drop my podcast a RATING if you enjoyed this interview, it enables me to bring you more epic episodes. THANK YOU. Find CJ on instagram: @carletonjames Find Shawna on instagram: @shawnakru Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction  02:30 Agenda 03:50 It’s not louder than a whisper.  04:00 Realizations that come through in soft moments. 10:00 Finding exceptional teachers to learn from. 13:00 Taking his first class. 17:00 Reading the room.  17:50 Teaching his first class.  21:10 Gatekeeping in the yoga world. 24:00 How to start teaching somewhere. 27:40 It’s subjective, don’t feel undervalued.  30:00 How CJ’s style evolved.  33:00 Students show up for energy.  36:00 On taking feedback. 38:00 Music and rhythm in yoga classes. 45:00 Yoga class as a composition.  46:00 What is the essence of yoga? A check in.  49:00 What makes an excellent teacher and leader? Communication and empathy.  52:30 Yoga studios are not that different than a church.  57:00 Billboard question: “If you’re ever in a rush, leave the party early.”  “The best leaders care more about the mission than themselves.” 

Join me, Shawna Krueger and my guest, Nathan Tsuji, for a deep dive into handstands. Nathan is a professional acrobat, performer, trainer, model, and gymnast. He was on America’s Got Talent and has been featured on the Ellen show as part of the Positive Impact Movement. Currently he performs in Las Vegas with Voltaire, and he has also been a part of Cirque Du Soleil. He is the host of the Positive Impact Movement festival. If you are tuning in today, you will hear primarily about standing on your hands. We start with hearing about how you get to superhuman levels of handstanding, what it takes physically and mentally. Then we move into beginner-friendly conversations about how to start… tips, advice and insight. And finally, we talk about performing: how it feels, managing stress and pressure, and practicing for excellence.  Join the Leadership and Yoga Fam email list to stay up to date on giveaways and L&S news. Plus, get immediate access to the free week-long 6am Club training: Join the fam. Shawna Krueger on instagram: @shawnakru Nathan Tsuji on instagram: @nathantsuji  Nathan’s Positive Impact Movement Festival: https://www.positiveimpactmovementfest.com/  Please SUBSCRIBE and drop my podcast a rating if you enjoyed this interview, it enables me to bring you more epic episodes. THANK YOU. Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction. 02:48 Agenda and what to expect. 04:45 Handstanding on a hoverboard?  10:46 Where motivation comes from. 16:40 The hardest thing about training is recovery. 18:00 Training to get to the next level. 20:30 On injuries.  23:15 Handstand myths 28:00 Number one piece of advice for handstands. 29:30 Sneaky limitation for handstands: Lats. 33:15 Wrist flexibility. 37:50 Do you deal with stage fright? Anxiety? 40:50 Pre-performance routine? 41:30 The America’s Got Talent experience. 48:20 What keeps Nathan inspired.  50:10 What makes a good coach? A good leader? 55:10 Billboard message: “Know your limits but never accept them.”  57:00 Connect with Nathan Tsuji. 

Join me, Shawna Krueger, for an episode on the value of being able to make decisions… from tough decisions to the smallest points of indecision, there is value in trusting ourselves to be decisive. So how can we do it?  Today we’ll touch on, to say it as simply as I can, why you should not “get real” on making decisions and why decisions are what get in the way of goals and true presence. Then we’ll turn to facing fear within decisions, and how having decisions to make ultimately shows us our oneness.  Plus, you’ll hear a personal share and update about my work trip to Costa Rica last week.  Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:00 Teaching with a Migraine 06:20 Agenda 07:00 Open share about my week, Costa Rica work. 12:00 Synchronicity from my Spanish school in Ecuador 13:30 An entire day with my phone hidden away. 17:00 The decision to buy a $200 pen with ease? 20:50 Why you should not “get real” on your decisions. 21:50 Decide means “to cut off from” 22:00 Goals, presence and why they rely on decisions.  28:15 Facing fear within decision making without jumping in blind. 30:50 I am the person who will turn your water cold. 32:20 Flip a coin practice.  35:20 Decision making, discipline and teaching yoga.  38:30 Why decisions are proof of our oneness. Message me on instagram: @shawnakru Sign up for our Find Your Voice Yoga and Journaling Retreat: https://shawnakru.com/retreats/

Tune in to listen to an interview with Marco Mora, General Manager of Río Chirripó, by Shawna Krueger.  Today you’ll hear about all things hosting yoga retreats from the retreat center side of things. Why to host, why to join, what works, what doesn’t, and other tips and insight.  Plus some fun stories and synchronicities that will make you smile.  Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Agenda and overview 04:00 An eye for detail 07:30 Why go on a retreat? 10:15 Tips for teachers wanting to host. 14:00 What works in a retreat and what doesn’t. 19:50 The negotiation process and relationship building 22:00 Funny moments 24:40 Providing scholarships and giveaways 33:00 Where to find Río and connect. Message me on instagram: @shawnakru Sign up for our Find Your Voice Yoga and Journaling Retreat at Río: https://shawnakru.com/retreats/ Río Chirripó’s website: https://riochirripo.com/en/  Find Río Chirripó on instagram: @riochirripo Find Marco on instagram: @marcoxmora Río Chirripó retreat recap episode with Katie Williams: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5O3PQmnXVFSmWKJfbABqYc?si=QWiCYaiYQNODl7tvTX1H0A

Join me, Shawna Krueger, for an episode on changing our nuero association on receiving a “no.” Tune in if you are facing difficulties and dealing with disappointments, or feeling like things are unfair or impossible.  Today we start to reverse the fear around receiving a “no” and being turned down, and reframe how we can be resourceful even if we don’t have all of the resources. Learn how to choose a new meaning, and why getting a “no” is a resourcefulness activator. This is a motivational episode aimed at helping you get “unstuck.” Message me on instagram: @shawnakru Sign up for our Find Your Voice Yoga and Journaling Retreat: https://shawnakru.com/retreats/ Sign up for Off the Mat Mastery: https://shawnakru.com/offthematmastery/ Timestamps: 00:00 Receiving the big X in South Korea 6:30 The best podcast “no” I’ve ever received 10:30 The danger of taking a “no” personal 14:45 It’s not as painful as you think to take a “no” 18:30 What’s the opportunity cost? What are you throwing down the drain? 20:50 Only resistance can build your strength.  28:00 Flow state where the challenge is greater than our skill. 30:00 It’s not our resources, but our resourcefulness 36:00 Choose another meaning, NOW 38:00 Man’s Search for Meaning 43:00 What a “no” really is.

Join me, Shawna Krueger, for a practical episode for beginners. Whether you are just starting yoga, teaching beginners, or starting another project, today’s episode has tips on how to commit and what to expect.  We discuss everything from the meaning of yoga to changing intimidation into inspiration. You’ll also get an overview of common types of yoga so you know what you’re signing up for.  Tune in if you’re asking… How do I get consistent with my yoga practice? What kind of yoga should I do? What type of yoga is best for beginners? What should I know before going to a yoga class? Why don’t I like yoga yet? How do I improve my flexibility and yoga practice? See the list below for a full list of topics. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 02:00 Agenda and Structure 04:40 Note on Overcoming Fear of Teaching Yoga 10:00 Off the Mat Mastery Group Program 14:04 Understanding the Meaning of Yoga 20:13 Dealing with Difficulty in the Beginning 23:00 Changing Intimidation into Inspiration 26:30 Keeping Your Yoga Practice Simple 28:00 Practical Notes for Complete Beginners 33:50 Yoga as a Ritual 38:00 When Will You Experience the Effects of Yoga? 40:00 Body Control and Flexibility 42:00 Experiencing Energy Shifts 44:50 Treating Your Practice Time as Sacred 48:19 Breaking the Conditioning of How You’re Living 51:48 Different Styles of Yoga 01:03:35 Teacher Training and Choosing the Right Program Message me on instagram: @shawnakru Sign up for our Find Your Voice Yoga and Journaling Retreat: https://shawnakru.com/retreats/ Sign up for Off the Mat Mastery: https://shawnakru.com/offthematmastery/