Yogaland Podcast

Most people assume tight hamstrings are a stretching problem. They're not. Hamstring tightness is almost always multifactorial, which means the solution requires a broader range of strategies — not more of the same stretching that hasn't worked.On this podcast, Jason breaks down 6 evidence-informed strategies for improving hamstring flexibility that go well beyond passive stretching. Whether you're a yoga teacher, yoga student, or anyone focused on mobility and movement quality, these strategies will change how you think about — and train — your hamstrings.What you'll learn:-Why foam rolling works neurologically — not just mechanically — and how to use it as a primer before you stretch-Why strengthening your glutes may do more for your hamstring flexibility than more stretching ever will-How weak hip flexors limit anterior pelvic tilt — and why that directly limits hamstring length-Why your adductors (especially adductor magnus) may be quietly working against your hamstring flexibility-How dynamic stretching and engaged stretching give your nervous system more feedback — and unlock more range than passive stretching alone-Why hamstring tightness is almost always multifactorial — and why there is no single magic techniqueSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wow wow wow -- it's been 10 years since the launch of Yogaland! It feels like it's been a heartbeat and also a lifetime. There's been so much learning, growth, and love while making these episodes for the past decade. I spent time compiling precious insights--gems if you will--that stood out to me from the past 10 years.We revisit moments with:Amy Ippoliti — free diving, environmental activism, and asking young people about purpose instead of popularityJames Woods (Dat Yoga Dude) — bringing yoga and social-emotional learning into schools and communitiesMaty Ezraty — why even the most accomplished yoga teachers still get nervous before every classSusanna Harwood Rubin — navigating metastatic cancer with devotion, sacred spaces, and graceJudith Lasater — the concept of inner gold and what distinguishes a truly good teacher from an abusive oneJill Miller — the five Ps of inducing the relaxation response and harnessing vagal toneAndrea Jain — an unbiased take on academic history of yoga's globalizationJulia Lowrie Henderson — the psychology behind why Bikram's cruelty registered as trustworthinessSally Kempton — the mantra that changed her relationship to failureTias Little — perfectionism as a cul-de-sacTara Stiles — doing it your own way, softness, and building a yoga practice around easeDaya Grant — what neuroscience tells us about the yoga practitioner's brain and interoceptive awarenessLisa Walford — four pillars of health developed after an HIV diagnosis in 1985, decades ahead of her timeSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's podcast is such a special one because it focuses on our family. Jason sits down with his brother, Todd, to talk about growing up together, the chaos of addiction within family, anxiety, self-compassion, and healing as an ongoing process. I love both of these men so much, and I'm so proud of them for sharing so openly.  This isn't a yoga-specific episode — it's a conversation between two brothers about family trauma and the instability that addiction creates for everyone, not just the person with the addiction. I hope you will listen, and if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or is in recovery, I hope you will share it. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As yogis, we’re certainly aware of the many benefits of stretching — but are you aware of what the research actually says about how to stretch effectively? Or how to evaluate that research honestly? On this week’s Yogaland, I’m sharing meta-analyses and systematic reviews to give you a clear, accurate, and intellectually honest picture of what actually increases flexibility. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why dynamic and passive stretching work through completely different mechanisms — and why you need both.  What the research consistently shows about stretch intensity — and why moderate intensity outperforms both light and maximal stretching for tissue adaptation. The sweet spot for hold duration — and why total weekly volume matters more than any single session variable. The most important and most under-appreciated variable in flexibility training.I'd love to know what you think of episodes like these, so please leave a comment. It also helps others find our work.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when two yoga teachers fall down a NASA rabbit hole and can't stop thinking about non-duality, The Overview Effect, and Grandmother Moon? This episode of Yoga-ish — our more personal, less technique-focused podcast — is exactly that kind of conversation.Yoga-ish is where Jason and Andrea talk about their actual lives: what they're reading, watching, thinking about, and how all of it connects (loosely) to yoga, mindfulness, and the work of being a human.We covered so much this week, including:- Artemis II & The Overview Effect — and why astronauts returning from space sound a lot like meditators coming out of deep practice- Christina Koch's transmission from the far side of the moon and what "moon joy" actually means- Our review of Project Hail Mary + what we're reading- Neurodivergent kids, intrinsic motivation, and letting go of the sticker chart- 10 years of Yogaland — and what's coming nextFor more of Andrea's essays and access to free guided meditations, subscribe to her Substack: yogaland.substack.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/yogaland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.