Ep #135: Balancing Boundaries: Navigating Mental Health in Yoga Teacher Training with Dr. Brendan

Discover the intricate relationship between yoga philosophy and mental health in this insightful podcast, particularly focusing on yoga teacher training. The dialogue highlights the stress and anxiety often encountered by participants due to the intense nature of these trainings, including the high expectations and pressure to excel. It explores how individual experiences vary, with some feeling intimidated by the standards set by others, which can lead to anxiety and hinder progress. The conversation emphasizes the importance of finding the right training program that suits one's needs, researching teachers, and understanding the program's demands. It stresses the need for a supportive environment that fosters learning and growth, rather than just performance. Embracing mistakes, managing self-doubt, and balancing rigorous learning with self-care are discussed as crucial elements for a positive and transformative experience. Participants are encouraged to maintain boundaries and self-care to manage the physical and emotional exhaustion that can come with intensive training. The dialogue also touches on the broader implications of yoga teacher training, from personal development and deepening yoga practice to navigating the potential mental health triggers that such intense experiences can provoke. This podcast offers valuable insights for anyone considering yoga teacher training, providing practical advice on how to approach these programs thoughtfully and sustainably for personal growth and well-being. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Connecting Yoga Philosophy with Mental Health 04:11 - Managing Stress and Anxiety in Yoga Teacher Training 06:06 - The Challenges of Perfectionism and Stress Management in Yoga Trainings 10:25 - Struggling with Imposter Syndrome in Yoga Teacher Trainings 17:52 - The Impact of Traveling on Training Participants 20:13 - Benefits and Reasons for Undertaking Yoga Teacher Training 25:14 - The Meaning of a Transformational Experience 32:31 - The Importance of Integration After an Intensive Course 35:29 - The Philosophy of Yoga in the Context of Religions 44:16 - Yoga Training: Inclusivity and Diversity in Practice 48:02 - The Challenges and Benefits of Yoga Teacher Training 53:26 - Top Tip for Starting Yoga Teacher Training: Openness with Boundaries 55:53 - Tips for Yoga Teacher Training: Eating, Resting, Preparation 58:39 - The Importance of Rest Periods During Training 01:00:07 - Using Yoga Teacher Training as Self-Care 01:03:16 - Wrapping Up the Wellbeing Series --- About Going Pro Yoga: At Going Pro Yoga, we help yoga teachers become even better by teaching them new skills and giving them the tools they need to make their yoga classes safe, fun, and special for everyone. **Right now you can try Going Pro Yoga FREE for 7-days and sample: All Tools Needed to Master Cueing, Sequencing, and Alignment Video Library of over 75 fully Sequenced Classes, Sequence Chunks, and Flows FIRST EVER Yoga Cueing System with Over 160 poses and Hundreds of Variations Wisdom Talks from over 20,000 Hours of Teaching Experience Anatomy and Injury Prevention as it relates to Yoga. To Learn More, Visit Going Pro Yoga, and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Start your 7-Day Free Trial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! For more information about in-person trainings in Bali,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.elementsofpoweryoga.com/advancedtrainings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠