Leadership and Yoga

This week my guest is Troy Lucero. Troy has dedicated the last 35 years to the practice and study of yoga, having studied closely with Tim Miller and Richard Freeman. The amount of value I have gained from practicing with Troy, and things I have learned from him over the last year, is an extraordinarily long list compared to the relatively short amount of time I’ve known him.  Tune in to hear about everything from the practice of yoga to the teaching of yoga. We touch on developing the ability to read students and create true connections, along with how to be completely adaptable and brave enough to step away from tradition in a way that is beneficial for the individual.  This episode is named after the running list of ideas and teachings I add to after every practice called “Tips from Troy.” I hope you enjoy learning from Troy’s experience teaching. You may find that you are inspired to gain experience of your own, and lessen the grip that fear of failure often has on us. Whether you are a yoga practitioner or teacher as well, there is a lot we can learn from his unique approach to yoga. Troy's website: https://acmeyogaproject.com/ Message me on instagram: @shawnakru My website:  https://shawnakru.com/

Today I talk about how luck, good times and momentum come in bursts, where those bursts come from, and five ways we can have more of those bursts. I also share how we can take advantage of them while we have them to level up. Plus I’ll tell you about finding a scorpion in my suitcase last week and the time I threw cereal at the wall— and what that has to do with “luck.” Message me on instagram: @shawnakru My website:  https://shawnakru.com/

Today I give you a behind the scenes overview of hosting my first international retreat. The retreat sold out about 2 months prior to the start date, and I just wrapped up teaching last Monday.  I’m here to share everything from the moment the seed of an idea was planted, to the crazy roller coaster emotions, massive realizations and synchronicities. This episode is for you if you ever wonder when you will be “ready.” Whether that’s ready to go on a retreat… or host one.  Tune in to hear about the shocking surprise that I could never have planned. And as a bonus, you’ll hear monkeys howling and birds chirping in the background— this episode was recorded outside in the jungle of Costa Rica.  Message me on instagram: @shawnakru My website:  https://shawnakru.com/

You asked, I answered. The worst thing I’ve ever had to sell, my first love in yoga, speaking Spanish, how I met my husband, why starting a podcast is easy, people farting during class, and facilitating transformation. This is a wild episode straight from my heart to your ears.  Follow me on instagram to participate in future Q&A sessions.  Link to the “My Story” episode I mentioned: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/shawnakru/episodes/Break-Free--Change-Your-Life---MY-STORY-e1ucqlc/a-a8sm148⁠ Find me on instagram: ⁠@shawnakru⁠ My website:  ⁠https://shawnakru.com/

Today my guest is Lauren Alivia. Lauren has been an inspiration to me since I saw her exceptional inversion practice from across the room when our paths crossed by chance in Puerto Rico last year. In this episode she shares some key building blocks for making breakthroughs in our physical practice and how they give us an opening to experience shifts in the mental realm. Lauren encourages us to take a chance on ourselves and see what we are truly capable of. She gives us insight on how to deal with failure, mental blocks, and feeling a lack of self-trust. We touch on everything from trusting the process, discipline, sticking with it even if the “it” for you isn’t handstands, imposter syndrome, teaching yoga and leadership in general. Find Lauren on Instagram: @laurenaliviaplays Lauren's website: https://www.laurenaliviamovement.com/ Find me on instagram: @shawnakru My website:  https://shawnakru.com/

Today my guest is Kayla Nielsen. She is an iconic yoga instructor and teacher trainer, a podcast host, a writer, and owner of Still Salty Escape hotel and retreat center in Nicaragua. Kayla has been a catalyst for my practice and career, and her influence has inspired me and hundreds of thousands of others for years. Tune in to find out how she shares with authenticity beyond the highlights in a way that adds immense value. In this episode you will hear her words of wisdom on being of service to students, storytelling, distinguishing between opinion-based feedback and constructive feedback, and what it means to have true strength and flexibility in the face of situations that you cannot prepare for. Plus, get insight on The Craft of Teaching Modern Yoga, Kayla's new 100 hour continuing education course. Kayla's instagram: @kaylalanielsen Kayla's website: https://kaylalanielsen.com/ The video I referenced at the start of the episode: https://www.instagram.com/tv/B9CvLhGnAGU/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Find me on instagram: @shawnakru My website:  https://shawnakru.com/

“When you free yourself to show up authentically, you free those around you to do the same.” Today my guest is Morgan Zion, yoga teacher and trainer, and artist. Tune in to hear about how you can develop your X Factor, and the confidence to deliver it in a way that lands with people— on and off the mat. Plus Morgan shares a behind the scenes overview of how her iconic hip hop infused yoga classes developed and the motivation to keep yourself committed to showing up: fully, freely and uniquely. This interview will leave you pumped up, inspired and with a fresh outlook on teaching yoga as a form of art itself. Morgan's instagram: @morgan_smile Morgan's website: https://www.morganzionyoga.com/ Murals painted by Morgan, as mentioned during the episode: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoQMlXaualf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Find me on instagram: @shawnakru My website:  https://shawnakru.com/

Today's episode is on the pressure to be a vision of health and wellness. We all feel this pressure, but I felt it even more after becoming a yoga instructor. Even if you just started yoga, have you felt the pressure to feel a "post yoga glow?" Today I share how to find acceptance, and what acceptance can do for you. I also share a moment of tears of joy I experienced this week and a post about acne that prompted dozens of unfollows overnight. What do we do with our battle scars? How do we experience more beauty? My website:  https://shawnakru.com/ Find me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnakru/

On this episode I share with you what I did today, one year after quitting my 9-5 job, and my greatest strength and personal weakness throughout the process. Also included is a timeline of what I did in the year before I quit, and what lead me to find the intersection between leadership and yoga— the principle themes of my work. Tune in to find out what "freezes" us and stops us from taking action and how we can take steps towards overcoming the lies our mind tells us. You'll leave with an idea on how to get the creativity and momentum flowing, and a challenge to get out of your comfort zone. Even if that business idea, or big project you've had on your mind feels like a far away reality... it's not as far as you think. My website:  https://shawnakru.com/ Find me on instagram:https://www.instagram.com/shawnakru/

On today’s episode of Leadership and Yoga, I interviewed Ana Julia, also known as @anajuliayoga on instagram. Not only is Ana a yoga instructor, she is a content creator, a yoga entrepreneur and a world traveler. Tune in to learn how leading with light and truth fosters self-trust and the ability to be authentic. And how in turn, self-trust and authenticity allow you to build a brand based on yourself that is highly impactful and successful.  Ana shares everything from essential advice to show up authentically and take action, to what she does behind the scenes for her own self-care and self-practice. If you are a yoga instructor, or even just starting your yoga practice, you won’t want to miss this inspiring episode.  Find Ana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anajuliayoga/ Join the Ana Julia Yoga App: https://anajuliayogaapp.com/gym/Ana-Julia-Yoga/ My website:  https://shawnakru.com/ Find me on instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/shawnakru/⁠