Conversations With Yogis

Ashley Ahrens & Melinda Szepesi

The podcast to break the boundaries between your yoga teachers and you. Just a few teachers having a chat over coffee, all things yoga and real life.

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20 episodes
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English

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S3 · E10
Dec 17, 2024 · 44 min
S03 E10: Is being a full time yoga teacher ever going to be sustainable?
In this episode we tackle the big questions every yoga teacher needs to ask: How do you build a sustainable career in this field? Can you maintain the same energy and workload as you get older? What happens when teaching 3+ classes a day isn’t feasible anymore? We dive into practical strategies for longevity as a full time yoga teacher, from finding the right balance between your teaching and admin/marketing work to setting clear boundaries to the importance of developing business skills. We explore topics like avoiding the false security of full permanent class schedules, creating alternate income streams, reflecting on your strengths, goals, direction of your career progression & defining your own success. You'll also learn about the importance of evolving and pivoting as a self-employed professional, the realities of retreat planning (like managing deposits), and standing up for fair pay in an industry that often undervalues its main assets (the teachers!). This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a long-term, sustainable career in yoga while maintaining their passion and purpose. Join our mailing list to receive special episodes
S3 · E1
Dec 10, 2024 · 57 min
S03 E09: Fitness, mindset and mince pies - Finding balance with Annie Price
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Annie Price, a motivational speaker, women’s health & wellness advocate, and a natural at social media with a fiercely loyal & engaged community. Annie shares her incredible journey from sporty kid to personal trainer, motivational speaker, and now a mom balancing life, fitness, and writing. She opens up about her unique story, from being adopted and surviving a fire as a baby to discovering how her natural positivity has inspired others. We dive deep into the connection between physical health and mindset—why it’s not just about tangible gym results but also shifting priorities, embracing what your body needs, and practicing self-compassion. Annie gives practical advice on fitting movement into a busy life (even if it’s just 5 minutes!) and why no one is above the basics (drinking water, eating veggies, moving every day, etc) Annie talks about creating meaningful conversations on social media, addressing clients’ questions, and building a community of support that goes both ways. Whether it’s addressing the why behind fitness goals, offering quick wins to keep people motivated or reframing challenges with a mindset of “I get to it,” her wisdom will leave you feeling empowered to take steps toward (and continue) your health journey. We also get a glimpse of Annie’s plans—her return to writing, her thoughtful approach to social media, and how she balances it all with authenticity and grace. Her energy is infectious and you’ll leave this episode feeling inspired to find confidence in your own story and strength. Tune in for a motivational conversation that blends honesty, humour, and a whole lot of heart. Connect with Annie on IG @anniejprice Join our mailing list
S3 · E8
Dec 3, 2024 · 34 min
S03E08: So you want to take a Yoga Teacher Training?
trainingand In this episode, we dive into a topic that many students ask us about: how to choose the right yoga teacher training program. There are SO MANY out there now it is completely overwhelming which one to choose, and the pressure to choose the right one is compounded because of the high price involved. We explore how to choose the right training for your goals, the pitfalls to watch out for, and the importance of ensuring your teachers are truly experienced and devoted to the practice (and not just in it for the money). We also discuss a controversial issue in the yoga world—trainings where graduates from the previous cohort are immediately invited to teach the next one. While this practice might be common, we explain why it raises serious concerns about skill development, particularly when it comes to teaching philosophy, anatomy, and demonstrating how to teach from an embodied practice Whether you’re looking to enrich your practice or find high-quality training that aligns with your values, this episode is packed with honest insights, practical advice, and our unfiltered opinions to help guide your decision. ⁠Join our mailing list
S3 · E7
Nov 26, 2024 · 1 hr 15 min
S03 E07: Listening to your calling- from dentistry to yoga to spinal energetics with Zeena Kalisperides
We invited Zeena Kalisperides on this episode to talk about her inspiring journey of transformation: from a career in dentistry to discovering a deeper calling in yoga & energy healing. Zeena shares how the physical & emotional pain she encountered in her patients awakened a desire to offer something beyond traditional dentistry. Feeling her hands were meant for something more, she embarked on yoga teacher training, diving into a world of holistic healing and self-discovery. We discuss how to choose the right TT program—what to look for in the curriculum, the teachers, and the philosophies they honour. She emphasises the importance of practice beyond the certification, reminding us that completing a TT is just the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and growth. The conversation also delves into spinal energetics, a powerful modality she now incorporates to facilitate deeper energy movement and healing in the body & mind. We explore its potential to unblock energetic stagnation, including alternatives like micro-dosing magic mushrooms, and how these approaches can profoundly shift your energetic field to bring vitality, strength, and new opportunities into your life. If you’re curious about blending traditional and modern modalities for healing, tapping into your purpose, or unlocking your true potential, this episode is for you! Connect with Zeena on IG @zeena_kali_yoga Join our mailing list
S3 · E6
Nov 19, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
S03 E06: Chakras - Understanding the basics of our energy centers
In this episode, we're diving into a topic that many might consider "woo-woo," but we encourage you to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to explore. Today, we're introducing you to the chakra system, a topic that's close to Melinda's heart. To bring this topic to life, we sat down to discuss chakras in a way that’s both practical and accessible - ie - you can start working with them today! We'll walk you through each of the chakras, sharing examples (including some of our own experiences) to help you understand the unique role of each energy center. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or new to the philosophy of yoga, this episode offers a great introduction to the chakras and how they relate to both your physical and emotional well-being. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that will deepen your understanding of the chakra system. Join our mailing list
S3 · E5
Nov 12, 2024 · 1 hr 3 min
S03 E05: Charlotte Holmes - The power of social media to create your global community and the wonders of yoga beyond Asana
We are back with the first guest of this season who is the amazing Charlotte Holmes. We sat down to chat to her about a few things, but our conversations headed to directions we didn’t even expect. We were talking about everything from living with grief, whether it is a physical loss of a beloved one or the loss of a relationship. How to be a good teacher and how we need to continuously learn as yoga has so much more to offer than your 200 hour Teacher Training. The different ways we can share the benefits of yoga as physical asana is such a small part. Listen to this episode to hear from Charlotte how she launched her online platform and started working with different brands, being completely self employed and not relying on studios and set classes. This all thanks to her presence on social media that allowed her to work remotely from anywhere in the world while keeping her global community and staying true to herself. ⁠Join our mailing list:⁠ Charlotte's Instagram Charlotte's website
S3 · E4
Nov 5, 2024 · 40 min
S03 E04: Gunas, Understanding the qualities of nature can help you to find balance
Have you heard of the gunas? Understanding the qualities of nature can help you to find balance The gunas are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Understanding their qualities can open your mind to how you view everything. Seeing the interplay of each guna through different moments of your day can help you to learn more about yourself, your reactions, tendencies, and how the world operates around you. By recognising them you can move yourself to a more centered, calm state of being, through your yoga practice, self acknowledgement, and even by what foods you eat. Can’t get out of bed? That’s Tamas taking over. Feeling anxious or frantic? That’s Rajas taking over. In this episode, we are talking about how to identify the gunas within you and how to practice bringing them into balance to move through life with more ease. ⁠Join our mailing list:⁠
S3 · E3
Oct 29, 2024 · 55 min
S03 E03: Meditation - the ultimate life hack and why you need to start doing it today
There are many ways to learn how to meditate & it can quickly become confusing and seem like an impossible practice to develop, shutting off the mind. When it’s non-stop & chatters all the time? We hear it frequently... ‘my mind never shuts up, I can’t meditate’... this is like saying you don’t know how to do math inherently and never bother to learn. Meditation, like any other skill, must be practiced & developed if you want to know how to meditate. We both thought it was an impossible task for our minds to become quiet but through consistent practice and a devoted yoga practice we both have become friends with meditation. We have experienced the massive benefits it offers through stilling the mind, and feeling more connected and present. It is possible for anyone and we are explaining our whole experience from the initial resistance, how we learned, up until now we currently practice today. Have a listen to find out if our methods work for you too! ⁠Join our mailing list:⁠
S3 · E2
Oct 22, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
S03 E02: The 8 limbs of yoga explained - taking your yoga off the mat & into the real world
In this episode we are explaining one of the foundational philosophies of yoga: The 8 Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga. They first made an appearance in an ancient script called the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali around 500 BC. We are sharing how we apply them in our yoga practice and in our daily life. Even though the concepts are thousands of years old, they continue to be very relevant today: humans are still facing similar problems and questions about who we are and how to find our sense of self, purpose and belonging in the world. Find out how to incorporate this important yoga philosophy into your life right now. Join our mailing list:
S3 · E1
Oct 15, 2024 · 30 min
S03 E01: Welcome back
We are catching you up on the big life changes we have been going through over the past year and the adjustments we’ve had to make in our lives to incorporate them. Ashley finished her schooling and is now a practicing Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist and Melinda became the proud first time mom of baby Oscar. Don’t worry though, we are still aligned into our yoga roots and as passionate as ever as our yoga practices have carried us through these huge changes. We have so much more to share with you this season! Have a listen to our first episode back and you’ll hear all the details. ⁠Join our mailing list:⁠
S2 · E10
Nov 21, 2023 · 50 min
S02 E10: Our thoughts on realistic self care while being self-employed.
Have you experienced burn out associated with the unrealistic demands from work and life? We have - many times. We’re talking about how we notice when we are starting to creep up to it. We both know what it’s like to face the pressure of being available all the time and feeling like you can’t turn down any opportunities, being self-employed. How do you take care of yourself while in this constant cycle of trying to create a work-life balance? We offer our tips for self care you can realistically do - don’t expect advice to have a bath, drink a green juice and write in your journal here...we’re giving advice you can actually have time to implement. We get it - there is never enough time in your day to do these things and self care goes out the window real fast. It’s a constant learning process of recognising your needs, your energy levels, what drains you, what energises you and then trying to find a balance within that. Have a listen to our advice that comes from a combined 20 years of experience navigating self employed life.This is our final episode for Season 2 as well - we’re signing off until mid 2024 as Melinda needs to have a baby and adjust to her new role as a mom, and Ashley needs to finish her Nutrition schooling. Let us know if there’s any guests you want us to have on the show or any topics you want to hear more about! Thanks for listening! Melinda’s newsletter Ashley’s newsletter
S2 · E9
Nov 14, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
S02 E09: How to nail your yoga teacher auditions with Clare Walters
Becoming a yoga teacher doesn’t mean you’re gonna automatically have a room full of people to teach yoga to - these things take time, patience and perseverence. Part of of becoming a yoga teacher in studios, clubs & gyms involves attending auditions. You need to pass the audition to be able to teach classes in every place you want to teach at. Melinda and I have done countless auditions - some passed, some not, and they are nerve wracking to say the least. We wanted to talk to Clare Walters, Mind & Body Master Trainer at Third Space in London, who has hosted loads of auditions for many years about what she looks for in teachers who she brings onto the cover list. We covered everything from what to put on your CV to be invited to an audition in the first place, what to expect at the audition, her best advice for a successful audition, and what to work on afterwards to eventually get on the schedule regularly teaching. Clare also shared her beginnings in yoga, and what it’s like being employed full time in this industry. Have a listen for some amazing and super practical tips that you can start using right now. Find Clare teaching at Third Space in London and on Instagram @clare_walters
Nov 9, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
S02 E08 - Can I practice yoga while pregnant? Can I teach pregnant people? - Your questions answered by Cassie McClements
Pregnancy can come with a lot of uncertainty. Knowing what should be modified in a yoga practice while pregnant or knowing how to support your pregnant students is essential. Can you practice during all stages of pregnancy? What are the changes in your body when you’re pregnant? What benefits and disadvantages are there to yoga during pregnancy? We invited Cassie to talk to us about all of our burning questions about pregnancy & yoga. We were gobsmacked by what we learned - like no gong bath in the first trimester?! We asked her what to do if you’re new to yoga & pregnant, or if you’ve been practicing for years and want to continue during this time. We spoke to her about safety considerations that you’ll want to know about if you’re pregnant or if you’re a yoga teacher and a pregnant person comes to your class. Listening to your body will be your best guide, but have a listen to what our expert guest has to say on this fascinating topic. You can connect with Cassie https://www.popupyogaclub.com and @cassiemcc on IG
S2 · E7
Oct 31, 2023 · 55 min
S02 E07: Let’s talk about our natural hormonal cycles and taboo topics - with Katy from Reflex East
Our next guest is Katy from Reflex East! Katy works in fertility awareness & reflexology and we wanted to talk to her about everything related to feminine monthly cycles. Do you feel on top of the world one week and then can’t muster the energy to get off the couch another? Could be because of your cycle. We did a deep dive into what the phases of your cycle are, what hormones are involved, and what they might feel like. She told us how you can track your cycle to find out when you’re ovulating - useful to know for both conceiving and pregnancy prevention...or to know when to schedule creative projects and when to give yourself a break. Needless to say, we thought it was pretty mind-blowing stuff to know. When you get to know your body better you have more awareness of the signs your body gives you & you can harness that to live more in tune with your nature. Katy also told us all about the natural, non-invasive treatments of Reflexology. Who knew that touching your feet in certain places could create big changes - from helping move your bowel to preparing the body for birth! Have a listen to all of this and much more now. Connect with Katy at https://www.reflexeast.com/ and @reflex_east on IG. ⁠Ashley’s newsletter⁠ Melinda’s newsletter
S2 · E6
Oct 24, 2023 · 1 hr 9 min
S02 E06: Building community in Yogaland and staying authentic to yourself - with Kat from Yogi Bare
We’re talking to Kat, founder of Yogi Bare - an eco-conscious yoga brand and community whose motto is ‘come as you are’. Kat’s passion is to create spaces where all are welcome to connect with the healing practices yoga offers; this is a big part of her company’s ethos. Kat spoke to us about the trials and tribulations of being a business owner, her journey from finding yoga in rehab and dealing with issues around mental health and debilitating anxiety. Yoga was a saviour to her and she spoke to us about how it gives you tools to manage in the real world and find belonging in it. She is an inspiration and a lovely human. We loved hearing her speak about these topics and much more, including her new projects coming up to support yoga teachers, why it’s important to never forget your ‘why’ in this career path, and supporting the development of all practitioners. Have a listen now! Find Kat: Instagram Yogi Bare https://www.yogi-bare.co.uk/ Melinda’s newsletter Ashley’s newsletter
S2 · E1
Oct 20, 2023 · 57 min
S02 E01: Words matter: power dynamics in yoga, and the Ashtanga system - with Lauren Munday
Did you miss us?! We are back for Season 2 of the Conversations with Yogi’s podcast and hope you are ready! We have more guests this season bringing their expertise to the show on topics we wanted to expand our knowledge on as yoga teachers, and also to hear more stories from yoga teachers about why they started practicing and what inspired them to take a teacher training. We love hearing people’s stories and want to share them with you too! For our first episode, we invited a friend/course collaborator / incredible Authorized Level 2 Mysore Ashtanga teacher Lauren Munday. We spoke to her about her experiences in Mysore with Guruji Sharath Jois (the Ashtanga lineage holder), as a student and an assistant, what Ashtanga Mysore is all about, working alongside Hamish Hendry (Ashtanga Yoga London), power dynamics in yoga between teachers and students (words you use in a power position matter more than you think!), and what trauma-informed yoga is and why its important to educate yourself in this area as a yoga teacher. Get in touch with Lauren for guidance in this area whether you’re a yoga teacher or studio owner at https://www.laurenashtangayoga.com/ and @laurenashtangayoga
S2 · E2
Oct 20, 2023 · 1 hr 14 min
S02 E02: Saying you’re inclusive and not meeting expectations is more damaging than you think - with Lucy Bishop
Inclusivity and accessibility have been a much talked about topic for the last decade, even more so during and post-pandemic. It’s an important topic and one to be taken seriously because we live in a diverse world and society needs to include everyone. What does that mean for a yoga class or the fitness industry though? Yoga is for everyone. Can every class be accessible to every single person though? Well, no, but without holding space for beginners as well as advanced students, addressing the gender imbalance, and acknowledging that marginalised groups have barriers to the yoga space, how can we claim it is a space for everyone? What needs to change is creating accurate descriptions of classes so people can decide for themselves if the class is suitable for them or not and making sure there are offerings from diverse teachers. Saying you're inclusive and then not actually living up to expectations is hurtful and harmful to those who were told otherwise, who took the time to show up, and find the class is definitely not for them; leaving the experience feeling intimidated and like they don’t belong. Honesty & clarity in class descriptions, and creating a diverse schedule that can accommodate everyone in a range of classes is what's important. Lucy gave us a very insightful talk about this and much more: how to use inclusive language, social bias in fitness & yoga classes and not assuming someone in a bigger body is a beginner or incapable. Lucy is super passionate about all of these topics and we both learned a lot from listening to her and are excited to bring this episode to you! Connect with Lucy on Instagram @lucybyoga & @bigyogaclub and her website https://lucybyoga.com/
S2 · E3
Oct 20, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
S02 E03: Is yoga losing its roots? Cultural appreciation & teaching yoga in modern times - with Sunita Devi
What is it like heading a yoga teacher training program? What is important to remember & honour in your teachings as a Western yoga teacher these days? We invited Sunita to chat with us about these topics and to give us some guidance on avoiding cultural appropriation, and instead showing appreciation for a sacred practice with its roots from Indian culture. Is it okay to change yoga so much to sell out an event for profit and still call it yoga? Think puppy yoga and beer yoga… Is Sanskrit something that yoga teachers need to understand and use in class? We discuss where we think yoga is headed as a multi-billion dollar industry and how to apply ancient philosophical practices to your everyday life. Find Sunita on Instagram @sunitadg and her website https://sunitadeviyoga.co.uk/
S2 · E4
Oct 20, 2023 · 32 min
S02 E04: How yoga impacts your personal life
The impact yoga has on your life is undeniable. It can cause many positive changes in the journey to self-discovery and expanding awareness & consciousness. Sometimes on that journey your family and friends may wonder what exactly you’ve dedicated yourself to and can think it’s all a bit weird. Friends can judge you and give you a hard time for not going out anymore, not being as fun, or not ‘having a real job’; family can wonder why on earth you’ve changed so much or why you’re ‘throwing away’ years of education for a traditional job to pursue something out of the ordinary. Have you experienced anything like this? Once yoga becomes a big non-negotiable part of your life, you can immerse yourself in it fully to find who you really are and bigger picture questions like finding your dharma or purpose. We think this is why so many become yoga teachers because the practice has changed their lives for the better and they want to share it with everyone. How does becoming a teacher affect your personal life though? We share our stories and experiences here so have a listen!
S2 · E5
Oct 20, 2023 · 50 min
S02 E05: For the teachers out there: no one wants to talk about the business of yoga
We made this episode especially for yoga teachers out there and after receiving numerous requests on this topic. The business of yoga. Not many yoga teachers want to do business, when you boil it down, the business has no place in yoga because it is a practice of connecting community, self-discovery, letting go of attachments and fears, living in the present, and knowing that everything you were born with is all you really need. Marketing, spreadsheets, and making money don’t fit in this equation well! The reality is we are participants in modern society, we are ‘householders’ as per the yogic texts. We are not devout yogis who have given up all worldly possessions to live in a cave and meditate to reach Samadhi or enlightenment. We think our duty as teachers is to share the practice with others to help make their lives better. If you’re a yoga teacher let us assure you, no one will walk up to you on the street and ask you to teach them yoga these days. How do you teach people yoga if you don’t have anyone to teach? You gotta reach people somehow! Unfortunately marketing yourself is the way to do it, we don’t like it either, but through years of service as teachers, we have faced the facts and realised we needed business skills to run a self-employed small/sole trader business. We also live in a society where we are financially responsible for paying rent, groceries, utilities, and the clothes on our backs. Living scantly causes stress and anxiety and it is no place to teach yoga. Creating abundance for yourself is self-care, and you need to take care of yourself to teach yoga to others as part of your service. We discuss planning your year, organising retreats, and using Instagram and branding/websites.

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