53 Years of Teaching Yoga with Judith Hanson Lasater

In this heartfelt episode of Let’s Talk Yoga, I had the privilege of welcoming back Judith Hanson Lasater, a legendary figure in the yoga world with an incredible 53 years of teaching experience. Our conversation was an inspiring exploration of her rich journey, from her early days emphasizing the athleticism of asana to embracing a more integrated, life-encompassing approach. Judith’s reflections on her evolving practice—nurtured through raising a family, exploring global yoga cultures, and learning from life’s lessons—are simply captivating.

We dived deep into the unique challenges faced by yoga teachers, particularly in today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world. Judith candidly shared her experiences with burnout and the importance of rest, self-reflection, and sustainable teaching practices. Her thoughts on how Shavasana can cultivate inner peace and compassion are powerful reminders of yoga’s true essence.

One key insight from our conversation was Judith’s belief in teaching with empathy and guiding students to view yoga as an individual journey, not just a routine or destination. Her metaphor of being “the bucket, not the water” beautifully illustrates the role of a yoga teacher as a conduit for timeless wisdom. This episode serves as a gentle reminder to honor the sacred lineage of yoga, respect our students’ unique paths, and teach with humility and reverence.

Judith’s wisdom left me deeply inspired to live my yoga beyond the mat and infuse each moment with presence, peace, and compassion. Tune in for this powerful conversation that will enrich your understanding of teaching, practicing, and living yoga in the most authentic way.

Teaching Yoga Episode Highlights:

• Judith’s evolution in teaching yoga over the past five decades.
• Experiences with feelings of overwhelm and burnout in Judith’s teaching career.
• How modern, digital life impacts yoga teachers’ fatigue and well-being.
• Key qualities that yoga teachers should cultivate.
• Judith’s approach to handling emotions, such as anger or irritation.
• The story behind how Judith began teaching yoga and her first class.
• Judith’s philosophy of being “the bucket, not the water” as a teacher.
• Core practices Judith believes are essential for students and teachers to incorporate.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• Judith Hanson Lasater’s Website
• Living Your Yoga: Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life by Judith Hanson Lasater
• Teaching Yoga with Intention: The Essential Guide to Skillful Hands-On Assists and Verbal Communication by Judith Hanson Lasater
• Let’s Talk Yoga Episode 12 – The Pelvis Is Everything With Judith Hanson Lasater
• Let’s Talk Yoga Episode 31 – Non-violent Communication for Yoga Teachers with Judith Lasater
• Let’s Talk Yoga Episode 60 – Teaching Yoga with Intention with Judith Hanson Lasater
• Join our mailing list
• Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube
• Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube
• Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!