Best Tiffany Cruikshank Podcasts (2025)

1
136 Yoga Nidra: Community Conversations with Caroline Wybar 55:45

6d ago55:45

55:45

Most of us have heard of, and even practiced, Yoga Nidra. But it holds a certain mystique that means we might not know as much about it as we think. Today, host Rachel dives into this topic with returning guest and 1000-hr Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist Caroline Wybar. Caroline unpacks some of the misconceptions around Yoga Nidra and offers h…

1
135 Yoga as Personalized Medicine?!: Research Roundup 40:59

20d ago40:59

40:59

As both yoga teachers and practitioners, it is important to understand how to take general instruction and use it to cater to your personal needs. In this episode, hosts Tiffany and Katja talk about recent research on personalized medicine and training, discuss how wearables and data collection play into individualized training programs, and relate…

1
134 ADHD & Yoga: Community Conversations with Emily Mariola 1:00:29

1M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

What is it about yoga that makes such a significant difference in well-being for people with ADHD? Today, host Rachel invites guest Emily Mariola to help answer that question. Emily is a Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist and studio owner who recently completed her 1000-hr research project on Yoga for ADHD. In this episode, Emily shares yoga prac…

1
133 Yoga & Rheumatoid Arthritis: Expert Insights with Dr Nikki Tugnet FRACP 55:37

2M ago55:37

55:37

Today host Rachel dives deep into Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) with returning guest Dr. Nikki Tugnet FRACP. We discuss common symptoms, what distinguishes RA from other inflammatory and auto-immune conditions, the role Western medicine can play, and – most importantly – how yoga can help. Listen in to learn how yoga teachers best serve students with R…

1
132 Interoception Research & Yoga: Expert Insights with Valerie Knopik PhD 47:22

2M ago47:22

47:22

Today host Rachel and returning guest and Yoga Medicine Teacher Valerie Knopik PhD explore a recent research paper on the topic of interoception (Voss et al: Mind-body practices, interoception and pain: a scoping review of behavioral and neural correlates). In this episode, we discuss the many ways yoga teachers can guide students to becoming more …

1
131 Female Health Gems 1:07:48

3M ago1:07:48

1:07:48

Female health is something we are passionate about at Yoga Medicine — exactly why we have dedicated several episodes to the topic. Today we are distilling the best tidbits of information and advice from multiple episodes into this one. — Show Notes: The female hormonal cycle, starting with menstruation [1:28] The follicular phase and ovulation [6:3…

1
130 When Should You NOT Teach? Teacher's Series 38:50

3M ago38:50

38:50

Conversations on how to secure opportunities to teach yoga are much more common than those on when we should NOT teach, so today hosts Tiffany and Rachel explore a handful of scenarios where you may need to step back from the role of teacher—whether that is just for today or over the longer term. In this episode, we discuss whether it’s ever ok for…

1
129 New Teacher Panel: Community Conversations 36:10

3M ago36:10

36:10

Usually, this podcast features seasoned yoga instructors, so today we are doing something different: exploring the perspectives of those early in the experience of holding the role of a teacher. In this episode, we connect with three guests who completed 200-hour teacher training at the end of 2023. We discuss their expectations of the training, wh…

1
128 Personal Practice Tips 47:46

4M ago47:46

47:46

Many of us kick off the new year ready to commit (or recommit) to a dedicated personal yoga practice. But as the days and weeks pass, this commitment can start to run out of steam. So today hosts Tiffany and Rachel share their personal practice tips as well as things that have been particularly helpful in keeping their practice going over the years…

1
127 Your 200hr TT Questions Answered: Community Conversations with Dana Diament 1:05:11

4M ago1:05:11

1:05:11

It is a new year—the perfect time to commit to a new path or project. Each year, for some, that means diving into yoga teacher training. In this episode, returning guest and lead teacher of the Yoga Medicine 200hr teacher training, Dana Diament, sits down with host Rachel Land to explore all your 200hr teacher training questions. We explain how you…

1
126 Best of 2024 1:11:01

5M ago1:11:01

1:11:01

In this special best-of episode for 2024, we feature clips from some of our favorite episodes, highlight common threads that weave different guests and topics together, and feature some of the gems you might have missed during the year. — Show Notes: Fascia science behind the benefits of movement [1:17] Reframing tension: moderation over extremes […

1
125 Teaching Yoga in Changing Times 1:09:27

5M ago1:09:27

1:09:27

Change is constant and inevitable, but the sheer speed of recent changes in the yoga world leaves many of us confused about what it actually looks like and means to be a yoga teacher right now. Today hosts Rachel and Tiffany look back over the massive changes that have occurred in the yoga world over the past few decades, and what they might signal…

1
124 Yoga Studio Owner Panel: Community Conversations 54:55

6M ago54:55

54:55

Despite several years of upheaval and uncertainty, grassroots yoga studios are still the beating heart of many communities world-wide, so today Rachel hosts a panel of yoga studio owners to discuss the current state of studio life across the globe. In this episode, we explore what has changed over the past few years, what studios are struggling wit…

1
123 Sequencing Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them) 52:15

6M ago52:15

52:15

Today’s topic is one of our favorites. Hosts Tiffany and Rachel dive deep into sequencing to unpack common pitfalls for yoga teachers and how they can be avoided. Is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? How can we choose a class focal point or theme that resonates with students? Are we teaching from a place of thinking rather than feelin…

1
122 Estrogen Effects on Muscle: Research Roundup 40:45

7M ago40:45

40:45

Today hosts Tiffany and Katja discuss recent research on estrogen’s effects on muscle. This is a hot topic at the moment, so in this episode, we share the importance of understanding the background of our hormones and the effect of estrogen on areas like muscle mass, neuromuscular activation, and recovery. Listen in to learn how the effects of estr…

1
121 Yoga Sutras for Modern Life: Community Conversations with Diane Malaspina PhD 54:34

7M ago54:34

54:34

We all know that yoga is much more than a physical practice; it is underpinned by a framework of philosophy that is centuries old. But as a yoga teacher, you may or may not have incorporated this theoretical understanding into daily action - or helped your students do so. So today we talk about the practical application of some key yoga sutras with…

1
120 Neck Pain Hidden Contributors 45:16

8M ago45:16

45:16

Today hosts Tiffany and Rachel talk about the all-too-common complaint of neck pain and its hidden contributors. We discuss local sources of neck tension, explain the importance of the thoracic spine and shoulder complex, and dive into more subtle influences like posture, the nervous system, and even breath mechanics. Listen in to learn a well-roun…

1
119 Body Image in Yoga: Community Conversations with Alison Heilig 1:11:35

8M ago1:11:35

1:11:35

We all deserve to feel good in our bodies, but when we have negative perceptions of how our body looks, feels, or functions that experience can seem impossible. Today host Rachel talks with returning guest Alison Heilig about the sometimes sneaky ways body image manifests in yoga. In this episode, we discuss how body image forms and the different w…

1
118 Pranayama Myths & Misconceptions: Research Roundup 48:36

9M ago48:36

48:36

Today hosts Tiffany and Katja dive into the common misconceptions around breath work and Pranayama. Is breathwork really the new Pranayama? Is deep breathing indeed always better? Does breathwork really need to be intense to work? In this episode, we unpack these and other common misconceptions about Pranayama and breathwork. Listen in to find ways…

1
117 Doing the Hard Work: Community Conversations with Sarah Symons 45:36

9M ago45:36

45:36

Ahimsa or non-harming is a central value of yoga philosophy, but looking at the world around us it’s all too easy to find examples of systemic suffering that seem impossible to solve. Today’s episode tackles one such issue; gender-based violence and sex trafficking. Host Rachel speaks with Sarah Symons, founder of international non-profit Her Futur…

1
116 Yoga for Menopause & Beyond: Community Conversations with Niamh Daly 1:10:51

10M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

Perhaps you’ve heard that menopause is having a moment. But while menopause is more present in the media, there’s still a lack of balanced, nuanced, and honest information around this stage of life. In this episode, host Rachel talks with yoga and Pilates teacher and teacher-trainer Niamh Daly about her passion project: yoga for the late reproducti…

1
115 Who is Yin Yoga NOT For? 58:43

10M ago58:43

58:43

Any potent practice carries the potential for adverse effects, and yoga - while comparatively gentle - is no exception. Yin yoga seems to generate especially polarized views, so today hosts Tiffany and Rachel unpack its common cautions and contraindications. Listen in as we explore who Yin yoga is best for versus who might invest their time elsewhe…

1
114 Yoga & Religion: Expert Insights with Firdose Moonda MA 1:00:07

10M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

“Is Yoga a religion?” is an often-asked question, and the deeper we delve into the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the practice, the less simple and straightforward the answer becomes. Here to guide us on that complex conversational journey is returning guest Firdose Moonda, who holds an MA in the Traditions of Yoga and Meditation fro…

1
113 Tissue Stiffness - Friend or Foe? 51:41

11M ago51:41

51:41

Today hosts Tiffany and Katja discuss a topic near and dear to Katja: tissue stiffness. Claims about terms like stiffness and tension in the body can be confusing, so our goal with this episode is to clear up some of that confusion as well as leave some space for what we do not know yet. In this episode, we talk about terminology and physiology aro…

1
112 Autoimmune Conditions & Yoga: Expert Insights with Dr. Nikki Tugnet 55:21

11M ago55:21

55:21

As yoga teachers, most of us will either have an autoimmune condition, or teach students who do. Yoga is uniquely suited to work alongside conventional medical treatment to help manage these disorders and address the symptoms that impact most on quality of life. Today host Rachel speaks with Dr. Nikki Tugnet - a UK-trained physician, board-certifie…

1
111 Answering Student Questions: Teacher's Series 55:05

12M ago55:05

55:05

Today hosts Tiffany and Rachel dive into the topic of student questions and share their thoughts on how to answer them. Student questions can be intimidating, prompting anxiety around whether we will be able to answer “correctly”, but so many positives can come from opening a dialogue with students actively seeking more information. We talk about w…

1
110 Fascia Science Meets Acupuncture 41:25

1y ago41:25

41:25

Today hosts Tiffany and Katja are looking at where the fascia and acupuncture worlds collide. There is a lot of info out there on possible mechanisms behind acupuncture, and while research is great, we really need to look into the details for answers. In this episode, we talk about the relationship between fascia and Traditional Chinese Medicine. W…

1
109 Teaching Yoga One-on-One: Community Conversations with Dana Diament 57:46

1y ago57:46

57:46

If you haven’t had or taught a one-on-one yoga session, it might feel like a secret club that you’re locked out of. Today host Rachel demystifies the whole process with returning guest and Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist Dana Diament. In this episode, we talk about the therapeutic benefits of being seen and heard and the importance of helping …

1
108 Integrating New Tools in your Teaching: Teacher's Series 35:36

1y ago35:36

35:36

Coming home from another yoga teacher training, full of new information and techniques to utilize, can be exciting…and also overwhelming. In today’s episode, hosts Tiffany and Rachel talk about how to integrate all the tools you learn in training in a way that is meaningful for your students. In this episode, we stress the importance of a slow and …

1
107 Beat Burnout 37:25

1y ago37:25

37:25

Burnout is becoming a more common experience than ever, in the yoga world and beyond, so today hosts Tiffany and Rachel dive into the varied experiences of and solutions to this problem. We discuss three common precursors to burnout and how challenging it can be to generate the energy required to recognize and resolve it. We also share the role yog…

1
106 Exercise Oncology, Yoga, and Fascia with Dr. Stephanie Otto 34:12

1y ago34:12

34:12

Today host Katja talks with Dr. Stephanie Otto about exercise oncology, exercise, and fascia. We discuss the biological foundations of cancer and the research link between fascia and cancer. We also talk about therapeutic interventions related to cancer exercise and fascia and explain what distinguishes healthy tissue from cancerous tissue. Listen …

1
105 Tackling Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Community Conversations with Kelsea Wright 1:05:34

1y ago1:05:34

1:05:34

It’s common knowledge that the vast majority of us will experience low back pain at some point in our lives. Today we hone in on an aspect of low back pain that is less commonly considered and discussed: pain in or around the sacroiliac joints. Rachel Land hosts yoga studio owner, YACEP, Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist, and 1000-hour teacher K…

1
104 Safe or Fun? Teacher’s Series 44:53

1y ago44:53

44:53

Today hosts Tiffany and Rachel discuss a question many yoga teachers grapple with: should we aim to make our classes safe or fun? Is it possible to do both? In this episode, we talk about the challenges teachers face when balancing these two aims in all-levels classes. We offer tips on how to keep safety in mind as you plan and teach yoga classes, …

1
103 Teacher Training Myths: Community Conversations with Dana Diament 58:02

1+ y ago58:02

58:02

The mention of yoga teacher training conjures up a bundle of images and ideas, many of which are inaccurate or at least incomplete. So today host Rachel talks with returning guest Dana Diament, lead teacher of the Yoga Medicine 200hr Teacher Training, about common misconceptions and misunderstandings about yoga training. In this episode, we discuss…

1
102 Fascia & Pain, A Deeper Discussion 57:43

1+ y ago57:43

57:43

Today's hosts Tiffany and Katja return for a deeper discussion of fascia and pain. Recently, fascia is being more generally acknowledged as a pain generator, especially of one specific type of pain: myofascial pain. In this episode, Tiffany and Katja discuss the mobility of fascia, look at fascia as a sensory organ, and explain the influence of fas…

1
101 Comfort, Challenge & Compassion: Community Conversations with Aisha Fakhro 31:57

1+ y ago31:57

31:57

In the yoga world, as elsewhere, opinions seem more polarized than ever. Today we’re making space to explore one popular all-or-nothing topic in the wellness sphere: whether our practice is intended to create comfort or offer challenge. Host Rachel explores the delicate balance yoga teachers seek between challenge and comfort and the compassion req…

1
100 Yoga, Politics & History: Expert Insights with Firdose Moonda, MA 58:07

1+ y ago58:07

58:07

Many yoga students and teachers feel part of a culture and tradition we don't fully understand, leading to the necessity for open, honest, and potentially uncomfortable conversations about the wider context our practice exists within - including its long and complicated history and its intersections with culture, commerce, and politics. Today host …

1
99 Dynamic Stretching: Research Roundup 47:51

1+ y ago47:51

47:51

Today hosts Katja and Tiffany dive into the importance of dynamic mobility training and its broader applications. Stretching is always a loaded topic. There are lots of different opinions and broad research available, with new research being released regularly. In this episode, we talk about the newer research on dynamic stretching and how it relat…

1
98 The Pros & Cons of Using Anatomy in Yoga 48:08

1+ y ago48:08

48:08

There is no shortage of strong opinions on what areas of study are appropriate for yoga teachers and students. The study of anatomy is one that, at times, inspires controversy - so today hosts Tiffany and Rachel dive into the pros and cons of using anatomy in yoga. We discuss the challenges of using anatomical language and the risk that a simplifie…

1
97 New Perspective on Athletic Performance in the Menstrual Cycle: Research Roundup 37:57

1+ y ago37:57

37:57

Today hosts Tiffany and Katja talk about a topic that always draws a lot of interest: the female menstrual cycle. The pair discuss new research around athletic performance throughout the cycle, offering new angles that go beyond the fluctuations of female sex hormones. They focus on new findings that consider the importance of psychological aspects…

1
96 Creating Change: Community Conversations with Alison Heilig 1:14:16

1+ y ago1:14:16

1:14:16

Most of us have experienced the all-too-familiar gap between wanting to change something in our lives and actually doing it. In today’s episode, returning guest Alison Heilig breaks down the most common barriers to behaviour change with host Rachel. Alison shares how behaviour change is not about self-control or lack of, and is instead a set of lea…

1
95 Smarter Not Harder: Creative Sequencing 1:13:59

1+ y ago1:13:59

1:13:59

Feel pressured to make your classes new and exciting? More complex? More demanding? Today hosts Tiffany and Rachel offer tips for yoga teachers who are ready to work smarter, not harder, when crafting class sequences. In this episode, we talk about the importance of starting with a clear focal point and a base class template, and the benefits of re…

1
94 The Magic of Mythology: Community Conversations with Steph Wall 40:47

1+ y ago40:47

40:47

In communication, stories and symbols have the capacity to reach us in ways that facts and figures do not. So today host Rachel dips her toes into Hindu mythology with returning guest Steph Wall. In this episode, we talk about the importance of mythology and its links to many of the poses we know and practice. Steph also offers advice on how to int…

1
93 Calm Under Pressure: Research Roundup 44:59

1+ y ago44:59

44:59

Today hosts Tiffany and Katja talk tips for keeping calm under pressure. This episode is all about choking up or freezing under pressure, which can apply to so many different situations whether you’re a yoga teacher, a presenter, or an athlete. We talk about the mechanisms behind choking under high-pressure situations and offer tools that you can u…

1
92 Right Brain Skills for Yoga Teachers: Community Conversations with Sandy Raper 1:01:01

1+ y ago1:01:01

1:01:01

Yoga teachers love a good training. When in doubt, many of us tend to look for more technical skills – more evidence, more information, more protocols and strategies. But what if the true magic of the teacher-student relationship lies elsewhere: not in perfection, but in presence. Today’s episode hones in on right brain or relational teaching skill…

1
91 Balance Myths Busted: Community Conversations with Sava Papos 1:03:56

1+ y ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Today we are busting balance myths with two people who are passionate about balance and standing stability. Host Rachel talks to Sava Papos, is a long-time yoga teacher and Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist, now immersed in a degree in Exercise and Sport Physiology. In this episode, we discuss balance as a trainable skill and a key aspect of phy…

1
90 Leadership in Yoga 59:03

1+ y ago59:03

59:03

Today’s media landscape - which equates leadership with certainty of opinion, popularity, or charisma - can be challenging for yoga teachers to navigate. So today, hosts Tiffany and Rachel explore what leadership can look like in the yoga world. We discuss the importance of humility and vulnerability, the challenge of balancing evidence-based with …

1
89 "Core" Myths and Misconceptions: Community Conversations with Jenni Tarma 1:07:01

1+ y ago1:07:01

1:07:01

Most of us have loaded beliefs related to the core and core strength. While most hold a grain of truth, plenty of these preconceptions are inaccurate, incomplete, or just plain unhelpful when it comes to our individual yoga and movement practices. Today host Rachel and returning guest Jenni Tarma unpack the most common core myths and misconceptions…

1
88 Social Media Marketing Made Easy: Community Conversations with Dana Diament 1:03:32

1+ y ago1:03:32

1:03:32

Most of us have a complicated relationship with social media, but it can be a powerful business tool if we learn how to harness it effectively. Today host Rachel talks social media marketing with returning guest Dana Diament, a yoga teacher and graphic designer with years of experience in branding. Dana creates clarity around social media communica…

1
87 The Science of Breathing Less: Research Roundup 35:15

1+ y ago35:15

35:15

Today hosts Tiffany and Katja hone in on another topic related to pranayama: the science of breathing less. In this episode, we talk about the natural fear of retention of the breath and what we can do to combat this fear. We also connect the dots between concepts like intermittent hypoxic training, breathing less volume, and voluntary hypoventilat…

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Tiffany Cruikshank Podcasts

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