A weekly conversation for Yoga teachers and holistic practitioners who are looking to create abundant business... without feeling fake, pushy or 'salesy'.
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It's birthday week, which means it's time for my annual birthday sale. From now until 6 August, I'm offering 20% off both my Returning Retreat and 1:1 Business Coaching. If you've been thinking about working together, or joining me on retreat, this is a lovely opportunity. 1:1 Business Coaching The birthday sale brings coaching from AUD $3,500 to AUD $2,800 (approximately £1,350 or US$1,800). If you're wondering whether coaching is the right fit, I'd love to invite you to book a Clarity Call. It's a relaxed conversation where we can explore your goals, what's happening in your business, and wh
Have you accidentally built a business where everyone has direct access to your attention? In this episode, I'm exploring the yogic concept of pratyāhāra and how it can help you create clearer communication systems, reduce unnecessary interruptions and reclaim your focus. We'll look at practical ways to simplify your tech, your notifications and your client communication so your business supports your work instead of constantly distracting you from it. If you'd like the space to step back and work on your business rather than just in it, I'll also tell you a little about the dedicated business
This week I'm exploring something that's been quietly bothering me for a long time: somewhere along the way, we've become very good at teaching Yoga poses, but we've forgotten that Yoga has always been a tradition of stories. In this episode, I share why stories have been central to the Yoga tradition for thousands of years, explore the extraordinary roles of Vyasa and Valmiki, and reflect on why the Ramayana and the Puranas continue to speak so powerfully to modern life. If you've ever wondered whether there was something deeper beneath the physical practice of Yoga, this conversation is for
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Swami Atma Muktananda Saraswati, the long-time resident teacher and manager of Rocklyn Ashram, where we’ll be gathering for my upcoming October Returning Retreat. Swamiji has spent more than 40 years living, teaching, and serving at the ashram, and in this conversation we explore the traditional Satyananda Yoga system, the role of Yoga Nidra in creating deep relaxation, the history of the ashram, and what life in an ashram is actually like. We also talk about community, practice, and why stepping away from the pace of everyday life can create space for som
Have you ever found yourself wondering whether you're tired of teaching... or simply tired of the way you've been doing things? In this final episode of the 'Beyond the Yoga Hustle' series, I’m exploring the quieter questions many Yoga teachers are carrying: what if success doesn't have to mean constant growth? What if you're chasing goals that no longer fit who you are? And what if the problem isn't your business — but the standards you're using to judge it? Shop my coaching sale and get a $1000 gift!: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coaching Watch the free trainings here: mid-year realignment
In today's yoga industry, standing out can feel harder than ever. More teachers. More studios. More online options. More competition for attention. But what if the problem isn't that there are too many yoga teachers? What if the real problem is that too many teachers are saying the same things? In this episode, I’m exploring why traditional niche advice often falls short, why generic marketing is making teachers increasingly forgettable, and what actually makes students remember and connect with a teacher. Watch the free trainings here: mid-year realignment training here: https://www.amymcdona
Guest Jeremy Engels joins podcast host Amy McDonald to talk about ‘Living Namaste’, what it means and how it can make a difference, taking Yoga into the world for equality and the wellbeing of all and how to stay inspired and true to your values as a studio owner. Follow Jeremy’s work here: https://jeremydavidengels.com or Instagram @jeremy_david_engels Sign up for the free mid-year realignment training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/realign Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.p
Yoga teachers don't usually burn out from teaching. We burn out from the marketing, admin, travel, content creation, and all the other jobs we're expected to do alongside it. In this episode, I unpack why burnout is so common in our industry and what it might take to build a business that doesn't leave you exhausted. Sign up for the free mid-year realignment training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/realign Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald
If marketing yourself as a Yoga teacher feels uncomfortable, awkward, or somehow at odds with your values, you’re not alone. In this episode, I unpack why so many Yoga teachers struggle with visibility and self-promotion, what’s actually getting in the way, and the practical shifts that can make marketing feel more authentic and effective. Plus, I share what’s actually working right now when it comes to attracting students and growing a sustainable Yoga business. Sign up for the free mid-year realignment training here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/realign Check out all the details for my Ret
If you’re teaching regularly but still not feeling financially stable, this episode is going to land. I’m breaking down the real reasons so many yoga teachers stay stuck in inconsistent income, from over-reliance on studio work to missing structural pieces in their business model, and what actually needs to change. Most importantly, I share practical, grounded steps you can take to start shifting from hustle and guesswork into a more sustainable way of working. Check out all the details for my Retreat here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/returning Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link:
In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind my brand new Ashram Retreat happening this October at the Yoga Association of Victoria Ashram in the Wombat Forest. I talk about my own experiences in ashrams, the difference between practicing Yoga and truly living it, and why immersion, simplicity, and community can be so deeply transformative. We also explore the impact of constant stimulation on the nervous system and why so many of us are craving more depth and sincerity in our practice right now. Plus, I share all the details about the retreat itself, including the optional bonus business int
In this episode, I explore the yogic concepts of saguna and nirguna as two very different approaches to launching and selling your offers: structured strategy versus intuitive flow. I unpack the specific strengths and pitfalls of both styles, and why neither is inherently “better” than the other. We also talk about how experience helps us move from needing rigid structure into deeper self-trust and discernment. If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a better plan or simply more trust in yourself, this episode is for you. Support the show on Patreon. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/
If your yoga offers feel a bit random or disconnected, this episode is your nudge to rethink the pathway. I’m talking about krama, the idea of intelligent sequencing, and how your workshops, trainings, and retreats should actually build on each other, not sit in isolation. I share practical ways to make your offers align thematically, attract the same people, and naturally lead into what’s next. Plus, how to follow up in a way that feels like guidance, not a sales pitch. If you want the full episode, please sign up for Patreon! Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald
I recently met someone who asked me to define my spirituality. What is Svādhyāya and are you making time for it? In this episode I’m reflecting on what ‘spirituality’ is, how to grow and learn about the self in a non-obsessive way and why I think Eric Carmen has an important lesson for us in allowing for expansive moments in class. Enjoy! If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald REFERENCES Bryant, Edwin F (2009)The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, North
If you’re teaching in studios and quietly wondering why your classes aren’t fuller, this one’s for you. I’m sharing three shifts I see make a real difference: making it ridiculously easy to book, being intentional (not reckless) with Meta ads, and actually building your own brand alongside studio work. It’s honest, practical, and the kind of conversation that moves you from ‘This is interesting’ to ‘OK, I’m actually doing something about it.’ If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link:
Today we’re visiting the Mahabharata, and specifically talking about an influential and very discrete villain. How do we spot people that talk a big spiritual game but actually conduct themselves very badly? What can we learn from these people? Then I finish with 5 grounded, real-life ways to practice discernment, not just with others, but within ourselves. This is where the work actually gets interesting. Learn more about my counselling service here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/counselling If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month an
In this episode, inspired by what would have been Ram Dass’s 95th birthday, I share a very human moment of ending up with a little egg on my beard in a business connection that was not what it seemed. Using Ram Dass’s famous article as a jumping-off point, we explore how to navigate misalignment with honesty and grace. I’m also dipping into the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2.8 and what it teaches about aversion, and the temptation to shut down or harden after things go sideways. This is a conversation about staying open, taking the lesson, and remembering that not every path is meant to be walked
This week I’m joined for an inspiring conversation with Amy Landry. A beacon for those craving a connection to tradition and timeless wisdom, Amy Landry is a registered senior yoga teacher, ayurvedic practitioner, mentor, odissi dancer, podcast host, author of The Ocean of Yoga, facilitator of the Study Yoga summit, and founder of the online Shruti School of Yoga. I’ve devoured her book and found great solace and inspiration in its pages. Get yourself a copy! Book - https://amyelandry.com/oceanofyoga/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amyelandry/ If you value this show, please do consider
The ‘modern Yoga industrial complex’ is FUCK!ING wild, man! So much so that it’s easy to forget why we even teach Yoga anymore! In this episode I’m reading from some of the books that always bring me solace when I’ve lost my mooring in Yogaland or am feeling disappointed by people who talk a big Yoga game but conduct themselves terribly. I hope it’s useful. Join me tomorrow for my new free training ‘Remember Why You Began’ here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/remember If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big differenc
In this very special interview I’m joined by Jennie Rose to talk about her work as ‘The Adaptive Yogi’. Through her classes, retreats, and teacher trainings, Jennie helps yoga teachers feel more confident adapting yoga for real people and real bodies. She is the creator of The Adaptive Yogi Teacher Training, which teaches practical, compassionate approaches to making yoga truly inclusive. Learn more about Jenn’s training here: https://www.theadaptiveyogi.co.nz/teacher-training Join me next week for my new free training ‘Remember Why You Began’ here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/remember If y
Krishna is our go-to charismatic guy, and i think he has a lot to teach us on this front. Charisma in yoga teaching is not about ego or performance. At its best, it is about authentic presence. When a teacher is fully engaged, enthusiastic and genuine, students feel it. And when students feel something meaningful in a class, they come back. Learn about coaching here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coaching If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald
Webinars can be a powerful part of your marketing strategy, especially if you have high ticket or virtual offers. In this episode I’ll talk more about when webinars might work for you, how to make them work really well and how Hanuman might be your unlikely webinar champion! Learn about coaching here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coaching If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald
In this episode, I explore how the traditional framework of pashu, vira and divya bhavas can offer a surprisingly practical template for business growth and development. We look at how these stages show up in pricing, visibility, decision-making and leadership — from survival and imitation, through courageous action, to integrated authority. If you’ve ever wondered why certain growth edges feel uncomfortable (or inevitable), this lens may help you understand exactly where you are and what’s required next. Enjoy! If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s jus
Enjoy the replay of Day 1 of my free Pancha Kanyas training happening this week. If you’d like to watch the remaining 4 days—either as replays of live—you can sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/myths If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald
Have you had an ‘epic fail’ in your Yoga business? Have you put in so much thought, planning, taken bold action, involved your family and friends… and its tanked anyway? So have I an so has Siva. I’ll share both our stories in this episode. If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald Reference Charan Das, Nityanand (2024) Shiva: The Hidden Side of the Master of the Universe, Penguin Ananda, Gurugram
