The Heart and Bones Podcast

What Is Hypermobility and How Can You Feel Stronger?

Got bendy joints? Or ever wondered if there’s more to yoga than chasing flexibility? In this honest, practical chat, Ula (Heart + Bones team member + hypermobile human) sits down with Brea Johnson (Heart + Bones founder + anatomy nerd) to talk all things hypermobility, strength, and sustainable movement.
We cover:
What hypermobility actually is (and how to know if it applies to you)
Why strength and stability matter more than going deeper into poses
How to stop glorifying extreme flexibility in yoga
Easy cues that help everyone—hypermobile or not—move smarter
The connection between nervous system support + healthy movement
Whether you’re a student, yoga teacher, or just want your body to feel stronger and more supported, this episode’s for you.
Try the Heart + Bones online studio for $1 this month using code: PODCASTMONTH
Start here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/
Curious about our anatomy-informed yoga teacher trainings?
Check them out here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-teacher-training-options/

What It’s Really Like to Run an Online Yoga Studio

A quick behind-the-scenes check-in with Brea, studio owner of Heart + Bones Yoga, as we reflect on the past 30 days of running an online yoga studio.
We cover what’s working (and what’s not), how we’re adapting for summer, launching a new mentorship program, and why we’re leaning into platforms like YouTube and podcasts instead of chasing social media trends.
If you're a yoga teacher or thinking about running your own online yoga business, this is an honest look at what it really takes.
Learn more about our online yoga teacher trainings: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-teacher-training-options/
Read Ula’s Substack for essays on creativity, slow living + behind-the-scenes reflections: https://avibrantmind.substack.com/
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH
Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/
Got a question for a future check-in? Drop it in the comments!

The Truth About Building an Online Yoga Studio from Scratch

What does it really take to grow an online yoga platform—from a single workshop to a global membership community?
In this episode, Brea Johnson shares the behind-the-scenes story of Heart + Bones Yoga: how she launched her first course before it even existed, transitioned from in-person teaching to online, and built a sustainable platform without burning out. We talk about real mistakes, valuable lessons, and how the yoga industry has changed.
If you’re thinking about teaching yoga online or growing your presence as a teacher, this episode offers practical takeaways and honest insights from someone who’s lived it for over a decade.
Yoga Teacher Training with Brea and Heart and Bones Yoga:
https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-teacher-training-options/
Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program with Brea:
https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/inspired-yoga-teacher-mentorship/
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH
Start Here

The #1 Thing Yoga Teachers Forget in Their Marketing Strategy

Not sure you have a yoga brand? You do.
Even if you’re just starting out—or have never thought about branding—your students are already experiencing your brand every time you teach. It’s not your logo or colours. It’s how people feel in your classes, the tone of your cues, the clarity of your voice, and how you show up.
In this episode, Brea and Ula explore what brand really means for yoga teachers and studios. We talk about what makes a teaching style memorable, how to attract the right students, and what building a sustainable yoga business actually looks like beyond the Instagram tips.
💡 Plus: We share practical takeaways so you can start applying what you learn—not just listen and forget it.
What you’ll hear:
What “brand” really means for yoga teachers
How your values, voice, and class vibe build trust
Brea’s lessons from growing Heart + Bones Yoga
Why your teaching style is your marketing
How to attract the right students without selling out
Homework prompts to clarify your unique yoga brand
Want to build a sustainable and soul-aligned teaching practice?
Check out our Inspire Mentorship and our 200hr / 300hr Yoga Teacher Trainings:
Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program with Brea
Yoga Teacher Training with Brea and Heart and Bones Yoga
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code:
PODCASTMONTH
Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Yoga Teacher Imposter Syndrome: Why You Feel Like a Fraud (And What to Do About It)

Feeling like a fraud at the front of your yoga class? You’re not alone. Imposter syndrome can happen to yoga teachers also!
In this episode, we unpack imposter syndrome for yoga teachers—where it comes from, how it shows up in class, and what to do when the inner critic gets loud. Brea and Ula have an open conversation about self doubt as yoga teachers.
We explore how to stay confident and authentic as a teacher, why “being professional” might be hurting your connection with students, and how to find your voice without faking it.
In this episode:
Imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a yoga teacher
The pressure to be perfect or “professional”
Why yoga teaching can feel feel isolating
Real talk on authenticity vs oversharing
Tools to soften self-judgment and reconnect with your teaching style
Want support becoming the kind of teacher you want to be?
Check out our Inspire Mentorship and our 200hr / 300hr Yoga Teacher Trainings:
Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program with Brea:
https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/inspired-yoga-teacher-mentorship/?utm_campaign=button_list_YogaTeacherMentorship&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio
Yoga Teacher Training with Brea and Heart and Bones Yoga:
https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/yoga-teacher-training-options/
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH
Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/

Yoga Teacher Confessions [Part 2]: Why Yoga Teachers Burn Out, The Truth About Teaching & Fitting In

What happens when you are the teacher… but still feel like an outsider in your own practice?
In Part 2 of this conversation, Ula and Brea get even more real. From being injured students in rigid classes, to struggling with the pressure to look a certain way on Instagram, this is a no-filter conversation on the systems, expectations, and social media traps that shape modern yoga.
We talk about:
Why being a flexible, able-bodied white woman shouldn’t be a yoga marketing strategy
The myth of the “perfect teacher” and the yoga voice we all faked at some point
How social media algorithms can undermine empathy and authenticity
Why building inclusive, values-led yoga spaces matters now more than ever
The burnout of the weekly class grind—and how to build a sustainable teaching path
🎧 If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t “yogi” enough, or that something in modern yoga just feels… off—you’re not alone. And you’re not wrong to question it.
💡 Want to build a teaching life that’s aligned with your values—not the algorithm?
Learn more about our Inspire Mentorship and our 200hr / 300hr Teacher Training:
Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program with Brea
Heart + Bones Yoga Teacher Training (200hr / 300hr)
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code:
PODCASTMONTH
Start Here

Yoga Teacher Confessions [Part 1]: Our Cringiest Moments, Mistakes, and What They Taught Us

If you’ve ever taught a class and thought, “What am I even doing?” — you’re not alone.
In our first episode together, Ula and Brea share their real, raw, and often hilarious stories from their early days of teaching yoga. From bringing a notebook to class to being completely unprepared for students with injuries, we’ve been there.
This is the behind-the-scenes mentorship talk we wish we had when we started.
We also explore how yoga in the West often misses the deeper teachings—and what it really means to create an inclusive class, one that supports all bodies, not just the flexible few.
👉 If you’re a new teacher, a seasoned one rethinking your approach, or just yoga-curious, you’ll feel seen in this one.
💡 Want support becoming the kind of teacher you want to be?
Check out our Inspire Mentorship and our 200hr / 300hr Yoga Teacher Trainings:
Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program with Brea
Yoga Teacher Training with Brea and Heart and Bones Yoga
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code:
PODCASTMONTH
Start Here

5 Things You Won't Learn in Your Yoga Teacher Training (But will make you a better teacher)

In your teacher training you learn so many different aspects of yoga but rarely do we talk about the things that actually make a good yoga teacher. This informative lesson will share the five most important aspects of being an effective and confident yoga teacher. You won't learn this in (most) teacher trainings and quite often will learn it the hard way so I'm here to give you a shortcut and help you be the best teacher you can be!
Looking for weekly inspiration and deeper yoga + movement knowledge? Whether you are a yoga teacher or student, Brea’s email is written to help you learn, grow, and connect with community: https://heartandbonesyoga.outgrow.us/General_list_Sign-Up
STUDY WITH HEART + BONES 🎓 200/300 Hour Online Teacher Training: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/modern-yogi-certification-course/
10 Hour Online Applied Anatomy for Yoga: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/essential-course-curious-people/
Want to watch the video? Find Brea on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PCuziHlrXAU?si=e_n_wDzsyasP3JDV

Yoga Teacher Hotline: Managing Disruptive Students, Navigating Medical Queries, and Mastering Anatomical Language

In this episode of the Yoga Teacher Hotline, Brea answers three submitted questions from yoga instructors:
Handling Students Who Deviate in Class: What should you do when a student consistently does their own thing during your class?
Responding to Medical and Health Inquiries: How can you address situations when students seek medical or health advice beyond your training?
Using Anatomical Language Confidently: How can you incorporate anatomical terms in your teaching without feeling unsure or distancing your students?
☎️ Submit your questions for Brea here : https://heartandbonesyoga.outgrow.us/yogateacherhotline
STUDY WITH HEART + BONES 🎓 200/300 Hour Online Teacher Training: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/modern-yogi-certification-course/
📕 10 Hour Online Applied Anatomy for Yoga: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/courses/essential-course-curious-people/
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
Want to try out the online yoga studio? Get 1-month for $1 by using this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH
Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/
Say hi on social and follow for more tips and tutorials: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heartandbonesyoga/ https://www.tiktok.com/@heartandbonesyoga
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@heartandbonesyoga

"Bulky girl summer" Embrace and build strength with Dr. Sarah Court and Laurel Beversdorf

What if strength training could revolutionize not just your fitness, but your entire approach to health and well-being? In this episode of the Heart and Bones podcast, Brea Johnson sits down with Sarah Court, a physical therapist, and Laurel Beversdorf, a yoga teacher and personal trainer, to explore the transformative power of building strength and lifting weights. 
What We Discuss:
Strength training is essential for physical health and well-being.
The power of being strong- challenge societal norms and stereotypes around strength training and embrace power and strength.
Integrating strength training with other movement practices, such as yoga, can create a well-rounded fitness routine.
Cultural conditioning often discourages women from lifting heavy weights, but it is important to prioritize physical health and well-being.
Strength training can increase bone density and muscle mass, leading to improved overall health and fitness. Find a coach or join a strength training program that focuses on progressive overload
Strength training is subjective, and what is heavy for one person may be different for another
Focus on your own progress and don't compare yourself to others
Strength training can increase confidence, improve body function, and empower you
Strength training can be fun, joyful, and inclusive, and it doesn't have to conform to traditional stereotypes
CONNECT WITH SARAH AND LAUREL
Website: https://movementlogictutorials.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials/
 
PRACTICE WITH HEART + BONES
Enjoy an entire month in the Heart + Bones online yoga studio for just $1 with this coupon code: PODCASTMONTH
Start Here: https://www.heartandbonesyoga.com/membership/
About Laurel Beversdorf
Laurel Beversdorf, YACEP, E-RYT 500, is an international yoga educator and kettlebell specialist with an advanced certification from Living.Fit. Laurel is the creator of Yoga with Resistance Bands classes and trainings, Resistance Bands 101 with Yoga Journal, and Body of Knowledge anatomy and biomechanics workshops. She co-creates movement therapy tutorials with physical therapists and Pilates teachers for Movement Logic®.
Laurel also hosts weekly kettlebell and yoga classes in her virtual studio and has presented live yoga trainings and workshops at locations like Kripalu, YogaWorks, and studios all over the world. Her classes are multidisciplinary and blend strength training, rehabilitation practices, self-massage, and yoga. Laurel has written for Yoga Journal, Shut Up & Yoga, and the Tune Up Fitness blog. A Wisconsin native, she lives in NYC with her husband, daughter, and two cats.
About Dr. Sarah Court
Dr. Sarah Court is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and provides in person and online sessions that blend her decades of yoga, Pilates, and physical therapy experience. She's a co-founder of Movement Logic®, a series of continuing education tutorials that help movement teachers understand how to work with challenging clients while staying within their scope of practice. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, and after her experience with surgery and chemotherapy, she created a FREE online video exercise series for people going through, or recovering from cancer treatment, that progresses from simple yoga to lifting weights. Sarah lives in Los Angeles, and you can find her at sarahcourtdpt.com or on Instagram at @sarahcourtdpt.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Pronunciation
03:16 Introduction to Movement Logic
05:00 Sarah's Background and Approach
08:13 Empowering Women through Strength Training
16:37 The Limitations of Yoga Asana
20:59 The Importance of Strength Training for Women's Health
23:23 Addressing Bone Density and Muscle Loss
25:18 Reclaiming Power and Breaking Free from Conditioning
34:02 Increasing Tolerance and Resisting Binary Thinking
38:12 How to Incorporate Strength Training into Your Routine
41:05 The Importance of Coaching and Outside Help
45:32 Understanding Progressive Overload
49:21 The Pitfalls of Variety and the Need for Consistency
53:04 Redefining 'Heavy' and the Subjectivity of Strength
58:01 Strength Training as a Fun and Empowering Experience
01:03:09 Favourite Lifts: Calf Raises and Overhead Press
01:06:06 The Power of Positive Self-Talk and Inner Cheerleading
01:09:51 Inspiring Others and Celebrating Strength