Yoga Meets Movement Science

There is some great information in this podcast and I’ve learned a lot from it that I apply in my classes. It is also the only podcast I listen to at 1.5X because there is too much banter and no apparent editing. I appreciate when a podcast respects my time. 😋 As a yoga teacher I appreciate that Jenni and Travis are challenging some of the assumptions we have, and rightly so. On the other hand, some of the cues we use are to compliment the meditative quality of a practice, by transmitting the ability to be present to our students. Maybe there is not a safety concern, but holding a pose a certain way has a use for being present with our bodies. Yoga is both movement science, and also a practice of meditation and breathwork supported by a philosophical system. This podcast is great for thinking about the purely physical side, and you can get the philosophy and meditation from another show.

I’m really enjoying working my way through these podcast episodes and the way Jenni and Travis explore various topics (many of which have been on my mind since completing yoga TT). Once in a while I do think there is a one-sidedness to the conversation/topic — acupuncture is an example that stuck out to me. It has a good amount of research behind it at this point noting certain benefits (including RCTs) but the guest on that episode was really dismissive of it as purely woo woo. Overall, though, I really love listening in on these conversations. As someone who deeply values both yoga and science, it’s giving me a lot of to think about. Thanks!

I’m a long time admirer of Jenni and Travis’s work. This podcast is a staple source of information for me for evidence-based takes on yoga and strength training. The amount of research, thoughtfulness, and care that Jenni and Travis put into each episode is apparent, and I always come away having learned something new.

I am one of those folks in the Venn Diagram who really enjoy Yoga and Resistance Training, so I really like the content of this podcast. It does not touch much on the history or spiritual through line of Yoga, and that’s okay. What it does is provide some of the most biomechanics informed conversation of yoga and movement out there. Is it as rawly entertaining as my favorite fitness podcast, stronger by science? Well, no (sorry guys), but the content is imminently applicable for yogis at a wide variety of skill levels. PS I don’t even agree with everything Jenni and Travis say, for instance my n=1 experience is that pigeon pose *is* definitely connected to my tear ducts. But just like bits of bro science I cling to in the face of evidence, it works for me so I’m not complaining. There’s room enough in the world for diverging opinions on some of this stuff. 4.5 stars rounds up to 5

Just commenting on the Polyvagal episode. I wish they had an actual expert on Polyvagal theory on the show. They said so many inaccurate things that made me cringe. Like whoa - the irony that they were making fun of reductionist claims and misinformation when it seems like that is what their opinions were based off of… I’m a psychologist and mental health professional that has had Polyvagal trainings backed by the APA. I’m no Polyvagal guru or even use it that much in my practice. I also know that it is controversial because it doesn’t pass certain scientific scrutiny. Nevertheless, it seemed like they didn’t really know much about it because so many things they said were just plain wrong. I’m guessing this episode was inspired by misinformation in the yoga world about Polyvagal. Can’t be sure but yikes

I almost didn’t leave a review, but I think it’s important. I strongly agree with another reviewer pointing out that the podcast is terribly reductionist and ignorant, and it also grossly misrepresents the tradition of yoga. Yes we can use available Western perspectives (eg “science,” biomechanics) to evolve/support the practice; but it’s ignorant and offensive to promote that a tradition born of Eastern science & spirituality is only valid if it’s justified by Western science. Moreover, interpreting everything so literally, splicing semantics, using rude snarky tones, and speaking in hyperbolic terms is just not constructive or relevant. I don’t think any teachers actually teach the way the hosts presents: that something ALWAYS/NEVER must be done ONE way because it is arbitrarily correct. The podcast feels unsophisticated, polarizing, condescending and unintelligent. It’s a cheap shot to get followers just by being inflammatory and contrarian. I hope the hosts might embrace growth to humble themselves, elevate the conversation, and consider a broader lens.