The Funny Thing About Yoga

In this episode, we're tackling a topic every yoga teacher encounters sooner or later: difficult students.

We share stories from our own teaching careers and explore the many ways challenging situations can show up, whether it's a student who constantly pushes boundaries, changes the lights or thermostat without asking, disrupts the flow of class, or creates challenges in retreats or private sessions. We talk about the difference between handling genuine concerns versus navigating difficult personalities, and how our approach has evolved over the years.

Along the way, we share plenty of real-life stories (some frustrating, some hilarious), reflect on what we've learned, and offer practical advice for maintaining professionalism, setting boundaries, and protecting the experience for the rest of the class. If you've ever found yourself wondering, "How should I handle this student?" this episode will remind you that you're definitely not alone.
As always, expect honest conversations, lots of laughs, and a few moments that will have you thinking back to your own teaching experiences.



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🌊 Upcoming Retreats

Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:
The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us
Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga
School: @cayayogaschool
Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links
gianayoga.com
bradshawwishyoga.com
cayayogaschool.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Giana and Bradshaw reflect on Bradshaw's experience attending Judith Hanson Lasater's Restorative Yoga training in San Francisco. Since Giana completed the training years ago, it was a chance to revisit the material through fresh eyes and compare their experiences.

Together, they explore the difference between Restorative Yoga (with a capital "R") and the "restorative" classes commonly found on studio schedules. They discuss props, sequencing, nervous system regulation, and the realities of teaching restorative yoga in public class settings, especially when time and equipment are limited.

Giana shares a story about the unexpected blessing of losing her training report, which ultimately led her away from assisting Judith and accepting the reality of rest. They also talk about the importance of stepping away from teaching to become students again and refill their own cups.

The episode closes with some of the deeper wisdom Judith shared- lessons that have stayed with them for days, years, and in some cases, continue to shape the way they teach today. They also share their hope of welcoming Judith to the podcast in the near future!

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:
The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us
Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga
School: @cayayogaschool
Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links
gianayoga.com
bradshawwishyoga.com
cayayogaschool.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is quick, fun, and a little unhinged. We kick things off with summer plans, Bradshaw's daily dog walks, Giana being very pregnant, our upcoming retreats, dream travel destinations (including India), an unexpected tangent about saris, and Bradshaw reveals his least favorite food.

Then we shift gears and share 5 practical ways to teach a better yoga class. We dive into class planning, observing your students, creating space instead of over-teaching, refining your edits, and the small habits we're both working to improve in our own teaching. Whether you're a new teacher or have been teaching for years, you'll leave with practical takeaways to make your classes stronger, clearer, and more intentional.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026
Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:
The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us
Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga
School: @cayayogaschool
Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links
gianayoga.com
bradshawwishyoga.com
cayayogaschool.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donation-Based Yoga: Does It Actually Work?
This week on The Funny Thing About Yoga, we're tackling a topic we've been talking about recently and wondering how to do intelligently: donation-based yoga classes.
Can they actually work? Should yoga be free? Is there a way to make classes more accessible and still cover overhead and get paid?

In this episode, we explore donation-based models in both in-person and online spaces, share examples of studios and teachers we've seen make it work (and others that eventually phased it out), and brainstorm alternative ways to increase accessibility while still creating sustainable careers for teachers.

Fair warning: this is one of our more chaotic episodes. We ask a lot of questions, throw around a lot of ideas, and don't pretend to have all the answers. We acknowledge that neither of us has extensive firsthand experience running donation-based classes. Bradshaw also becomes mildly obsessed with profit margins at one point, which probably surprises no one.
A candid conversation about accessibility, value, community, money, and the complicated reality of trying to make yoga available to everyone while still paying the bills.

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreat: July 25 - August 1, 2026
Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:
The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us
Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga
School: @cayayogaschool
Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links
gianayoga.com
bradshawwishyoga.com
cayayogaschool.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Funny Thing About Yoga, we're joined by Bay Area yoga teacher, intuitive coach, and astrologer Susannah Freedman for a conversation that spans yoga, astrology, purpose, and what it means to live in alignment.

Although we'd been hearing each other's names in the yoga community for years, this was our first time sitting down together, and it quickly became one of those conversations that could have gone on for hours!
Susannah shares her journey from yoga teacher to intuitive coach and astrologer, and how decades of studying Bhakti Yoga, Vedantic philosophy, astrology, and consciousness have shaped the work she does today. Together, we explore how astrology can be used as a tool for self-inquiry, energy and spirituality, finding your higher calling, trusting intuition, and bringing ancient wisdom into everyday life.

Whether you're deeply immersed in yoga or astrology, or simply curious about the bigger questions of purpose, identity, and spiritual practice, this episode offers an open-minded and thoughtful exploration of what it means to know yourself more fully.

We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Find Susannah Freedman Online:

WEB: https://susannah-freedman.com/
IG: @_Susannahfreedman_
SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@callingyouhome
ASTRO BOOKING: https://susannah-freedman.com/astrology

Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content

🌊 Upcoming Retreats

Portugal Relax by the Sea Retreat: August 4-10, 2026

📚 Read the Podcast Blog:
The Funny Thing About Yoga on Substack

📲 Follow Us
Podcast: @thefunnythingaboutyoga
School: @cayayogaschool
Hosts: @gianagambino & @bradshawwish

🌐 More Links
gianayoga.com
bradshawwishyoga.com
cayayogaschool.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.