Leadership and Yoga

In this episode of Leadership and Yoga, I sit down with Kino MacGregor, one of the most thoughtful voices in the yoga world, for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about practice, leadership, creativity, and impact through yoga. We talk about high standards and self-compassion, ritual and discipline, discernment in creativity, and how to work with failure without letting it turn into self-denigration. We explore lineage and tradition in Ashtanga yoga, the power of storytelling, and what makes an impactful yoga teacher.This conversation moves from a behind the scenes look at Kino’s daily rituals and decision-making to the deeply spiritual and big questions of, why are we here? If you’re a yoga teacher, leader, or lifelong student navigating devotion, creativity, and real human life, this one is for you.If you enjoyed this episode with Kino, please subscribe. Thank you! :) Try OfferingTree all-in-one business software for yoga teachers for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Kino’s website:https://kinoyoga.com/ Practice with Kino on Omstars:https://omstars.com/ Find Kino on instagram: @kinoyoga Find me on instagram: @shawnakru Opportunities to join my podcast LIVE for yoga teacher roundtable episodes:https://www.shawnakru.com/mailinglist  My website & contact:https://www.shawnakru.com/ Time Stamps:00:00 intro02:16 inspired by Kino’s story03:32 how did you realize you wanted to dedicate your life to yoga?07:25 when you were little, what did you dream of being when you grew up?12:30 do you remember your first ashtanga class?19:34 from a dream about Pattabhi Jois to traveling to India23:08 what is the essence of ashtanga yoga for you?24:12 the guru’s grace28:01 what characteristics of your teachers helped you the most?31:00 the ashtanga authorization process36:39 future of the teacher-student relationship in yoga38:29 staying rooted in service as a yoga teacher41:41 how can yoga be a tool for good in the world?44:07 different paths of change49:27 how do you prepare yourself to show up in the world to teach?51:47 what is your relationship with creativity?55:47 book recommendations? 01:00:00 tradition vs innovation 01:03:00 experiencing the transcendent 01:05:00 why do you think we’re here? 01:07:00 “let everything you do be an act of love” 01:12:00 the billboard question

This episode is for you if you haven’t started and don’t know how to spend your time to find the success you long for. In this intimate solo episode, I share the truth about finding my first “thread” of success in my mission, business, life, my podcast, and social media. It’s about finding that small, almost fragile feeling of something finally working, and how I learned to turn that single thread into real momentum.I talk about the lessons I wish I knew three years ago: why trying something 20 times matters more than chasing trends, how I learned to notice patterns without obsessing over perfection, and why my goals have to be close enough to touch. I break down the difference between meaningful creation and shiny-object noise, the power of setting specific focus time, and the art of resting deeply so the next idea can rise to the surface.Try OfferingTree for free, plus take advantage of the winter sale with my link here. (My sponsor)TEND ayurvedic self-care - 1st giveaway will be announced 12/14 on instagram! (My sponsor)https://www.tend.eco/Follow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created. Buy one, get one free, or get a copy for the whole family, 5 for $75. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ Monthly newsletter: https://www.shawnakru.com/mailinglist Time stamps:00:00 Intro 03:15 Finding Your Thread of Success10:16 Major Growth Takeaways20:28 Overcoming Victim Mindset24:26 Creating Meaningful Work27:48 Trying 20 Times Pattern Recognition33:31 Setting Realistic Goals37:20 The Power of Presence and Meditation48:10 Starting Over: Lessons Learned

In this episode, Dedica joins us for an inspiring conversation about presence, adaptation, and what it means to stop betraying yourself by learning to listen to and trust your inner voice. She shares her journey from injury to returning to a physical yoga practice, rebuilding self-trust, and discovering the power of keeping the promises you make to yourself. We also explore finding balance between momentum and rest, the connection between yoga and creativity, and how lived experience becomes our greatest teacher.Dedica’s Website: https://www.dedica.live/Follow Dedica on Instagram @dedicaThe January ChallengeTry OfferingTree for free, plus 50% off your first three months or 15% off your first year with my link here. (My sponsor)Download your free SEO Checklist for yoga instructors & entrepreneursEnter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway. (My sponsor) https://artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruTime Stamps:00:00 intro01:16 offering tree 02:17 TEND giveaway05:05 what is something people don’t usually know about you?07:14 adaptation: getting injured & the healing process16:27 balancing momentum with intentional rest19:01 returning to the physical practice of yoga after injury24:10 yoga brings me back to myself 27:09 learning through experience vs over-intellectualizing 28:33 why motivates you to create?30:27 the relationship between yoga and creativity 36:49 how do you know which risks are worth taking?41:51 anxiety and enjoying the present 43:38 how can we step into our own dreams?46:00 persistence and the discipline of showing up as a new yoga teacher 50:50 the practice of discernment52:32 stop betraying yourself58:10 when you fall, be willing to begin again01:00:39 keep your promises to yourself: building trust with yourself01:02:41 what’s your greatest joy right now? biggest challenge? 01:03:50 what is your hope for the future of yoga?

This is what actually makes dreams come true. Join me for a magical, spontaneous, story-filled episode after traveling to Miami to interview legendary yoga teachers, Kino MacGregor and Jonah Kest. Embedded in this episode are teachings I’ve put into practice from Richard Rudd of the Gene Keys, Blu from the Deja Blu Podcast, Frederick Dodson of Levels of Energy and Dr. Joe Dispenza from Rewired. Try OfferingTree for free, plus take advantage of the winter sale with my link here. (My sponsor)Enter the TEND yourself & a friend self-care giveaway. (My sponsor)https://artoftending.kit.com/shawnaFollow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created. Buy one, get one free, or get a copy for the whole family, 5 for $75. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ Practice Rocket with my friend Ani in Miami:@anahatabyani Monthly newsletter: https://www.shawnakru.com/mailinglist Time stamps:00:00 intro04:00 walking from miracle to miracle06:30 dragonfly story10:00 writing my book16:00 giveaway & my sponsors update20:00 miami interview biz trip23:55 stare into my eyes26:00 stop expectations 29:36 it’s not manifestation, it’s synchronization33:30 it’s more fun to be someone else’s manifestation 

David Swenson is a man who needs no introduction in the yoga world. If you practice Ashtanga yoga, you’ve likely studied his Ashtanga Yoga practice manual, and he recently wrote another book called Only Dead Fish Go with the Flow. This is his second appearance on the leadership and yoga podcast and his stories are like none other. They will leave you in shock, and sometimes with a laugh, but always with a sense of remembering that anything is possible. This episode is a reminder of what happens when we follow our dreams and when we persevere. It is the purest form of inspiration for us fellow yoga teachers, and a beautiful reminder that we find life‘s purpose in all the little moments that are always moving like a wave beneath us, propelling us forward, sometimes as if by magic. Sign up for Rocket Training @ Yoga East Austin. Code ROCKETSHAWNA for $100 off.https://www.yogaeastaustin.com/events/rocket26  Enter the signed copy of David Swenson’s book giveaway:https://www.shawnakru.com/giveaway Try OfferingTree for free, plus take advantage of the winter sale with my link here. (My sponsor)Follow me on instagram:@shawnkruOwn a copy of the guided journal I created. https://www.ritualofwritingjournal.com/ time stamps: 00:00 intro05:19 stories are the most powerful tool we have as humans07:19 why create in addition to teaching yoga09:19 samskaras and expectations12:49 confidence built through yoga14:49 the tipping point of confidence in teaching yoga20:19 David’s first classes teaching at 14 years old21:34 getting fired from teaching yoga23:19 self-pity and depression turning point26:49 scraps of paper by his bed30:19 memorization and details33:49 creative process of the famous Ashtanga Yoga Practice Manual36:49 energy for problem solving and figuring things out40:49 confirm our own journey43:49 yoga means trying hard and detaching48:49 can yoga change the world?50:34 yoga can be a selfish endeavor53:49 peacefulness does not mean an absence of difficulty56:19 this energy is a gift, it’s not for me to hoard58:19 what is enlightenment?59:49 David wore a wig for 3 years01:02:49 jesus has long hair. are you a communist?01:08:49 selfless action01:12:49 a yogi is someone who leaves the place nicer01:17:49 ashtanga yoga doesn’t have to evolve01:21:49 landed back on his mat01:26:49 rapid fire