165: The Intended Benefit + How To Remove Linear Hierarchy
In this episode, we dive into a concept that is absolutely transformative for yoga teachers: the idea that yoga cannot be both healing and performative at the same time. If we’re still teaching from a linear, hierarchical, aesthetic-based model of asana, we’re unintentionally blocking the very healing we hope to support.
This conversation focuses on how teachers can shift toward a non-linear, person-centered approach grounded in the intended benefit of each pose. Francesca offers a co-creative teaching model where the teacher brings clarity, knowledge, and intention — without assuming universal “right” shapes.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
the foundational framework that helps teachers move away from aesthetic evaluation and toward meaningful, individualized movement experiences
pose case studies including child’s pose, downward facing dog, plank and warrior two
a deep dive into the idea that each pose is a container of possible movement nutrients
how to incorporate all these ideas into your teaching right away
an invitation to get some feedback from Francesca
Resources Mentioned:
15 Downward Dog Prep Sequences: 15sequences.com
Episode 164: Taking Movement Patterns Down To The Studs with Geneva Jimreivat
This episode is brought to you by OfferingTree, an easy-to-use, all-in-one online platform for yoga teachers that provides a personal website, booking, payment, blogging, and many other great features. The best thing about OfferingTree is you can get up and running in 10 minutes with no tech skills needed. As an added bonus, If you sign up at www.offeringtree.com/mentor, you’ll get 50% off your first three months (or 15% off any annual plan)!
In this episode, I share practical strategies for designing a teaching schedule that reflects your energy, values, financial needs, and responsibilities outside of work. We'll talk about why it's important to know your ideal weekly and daily schedule, how to decide whether to keep or drop a group class, and why you may need to give a promising class at least six months to grow.
The big takeaway: You can't control every fluctuation in freelance yoga teaching, but you can intentionally build a schedule, business, and teaching practice that become more sustainable over time.