April 3, 2023

The Funny Thing About Yoga

New Studio, New Students & So Many Stories with Manny Garcia

Episode No. 8

In this weeks episode, Giana and Bradshaw catch up with fellow yoga teacher, Manny Garcia. These three have had many overlaps around Chicago from teaching at Zen Yoga Garage, being a Lululemon ambassador and a shared interest in creating an accessible and diverse platform to share yoga from during the pandemic. And now, Manny is on a whole new journey with the opening of a brick and mortar space and home for The Collective Yoga Co-Op. His new studio is on the Northside of Chicago and centers LGBTQ+ voices and voices of color in their teachers and in their community. Manny shares what it's been like to get the studio up and running, what challenges he’s had thus far, and the continuous objective of creating a welcoming environment for all. They share stories about how they felt welcomed as students during their early days of practice and how now, as teachers, they can further develop such an environment. Giana mentions some studio gossip Manny confirms and they go on a beautiful tangent around the Ramayana. Manny is a skilled storyteller who will have you captivated and wanting more. So give this episode a listen, find Manny on instagram, and check out The Collective Yoga Co-Op if you’re in Chicago!

00:00 Intro

00:30 Welcome Announcements

01:54 Bradshaw Welcomes Manny Garcia

02:50 Manny details his journey into Yoga

05:35 The Biggest Challenges and Lessons so far

09:25 Different Approaches to Teaching in Different Places

12:20 How to get Comfortable being New at Something

15:10 The Fundamentals of Yoga are so Important

19:30 A Teachers Predicament

24:00 Manny Rumors Circulating Around the Studio

25:05 Manny gets into the Ramayana

31:50 Hanuman is our Favorite

33:25 What Helped us Feel Welcomed as Students

41:10 Creating a Homey and Supportive Studio Culture

43:13 To Demo or not to Demo

47:12 Seasoned Yoga Students can still Benefit from Foundations

50:33 Where you can find Manny

52:40 The Funny Thing About Yoga

58:28 Thank You for Listening!

59:04 Outro

Follow The Collective Yoga Co-op and Manny on Instagram at @thecollectiveyogacoop @mannygarcialife

You Can Find Us Here : @thefunnythingaboutyoga @cayayogaschool @gianagambino @bradshawwish

Live DJ Vinyasa Plant Swap: https://app.arketa.co/thecollectiveyogacoop/checkout/ISEb1UHB3PKiKEZoE7On

The Collective Yoga Co-op: https://www.thecollectiveyogacoop.com

Mannys Website: https://www.mannygarcialife.com

Be Featured on the Podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck2nTNc_UlcCKBhZId5DmDwoU6aslkFfGKtdz-1uSo-HNY8g/viewform

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Learn more about C.A.Y.A. Yoga School: https://www.cayayogaschool.com

Giana’s Website: https://www.gianayoga.com/

Bradshaws Website: https://www.bradshawwish.com/

Email: Cayayogaschool@gmail.com

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