The Youthful Older Yogi – Details, episodes & analysis

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 When it comes to yoga, sharing what we practice, what we learn, and even what we wrestle with creates a ripple effect far beyond the mat. In this episode of The Youthful Older Yogi, MJ shares the story of how ShareYoga began, the importance of generosity in teaching, and the wisdom she continues to learn from her own practice, her students, and other teachers.

Sharing, after all, is serving—and it’s one of the most powerful poses we can take.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• 🌿 How ShareYoga started as a way to support charities (and how it continues today)
• 🌿 Why MJ donates a portion of all income to the World Food Program in 2025
• 🌿 The yoga mat as a “laboratory and playground” for curiosity and exploration
• 🌿 The role of student feedback in shaping future teaching
• 🌿 Teachers and mentors who inspire MJ and freely share their teachings
• 🌿 Why there are no absolutes in yoga, meditation, or life
• 🌿 The unique wisdom of learning from teachers over 50 and teaching older students with confidence
• 🌿 BeYogi Insurance as a resource for free tutorials, CEUs, and coverage for yoga teachers
• 🌿 Why lifelong learning, curiosity, and generosity are essential for a vibrant yoga practice

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Jason Crandell & Andrea Ferretti https://jasonyoga.com/
• Sean Fargo & Mindfulness Exercises https://mindfulnessexercises.com/about-us/
• Sharon Salzberg https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/
• Tara Brach https://www.tarabrach.com/
• Joseph Goldstein https://www.dharma.org/teacher/joseph-goldstein/
• Judith Hanson Lasater https://www.judithhansonlasater.com/
• Lizzie Lasater https://www.lizzielasater.com/
• Erin Stewart https://www.erinstewart.net/
• BeYogi Insurance https://beyogi.com/
  
  

Connect with MJ:
💻 Website: shareyogawithmj.com

📸 Instagram: @maryjaynewaddell
🎙️ Podcast: The Youthful Older Yogi

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Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL maryjaynewaddell@gmail.com

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

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Yoga Teaching After 50: The Tech, the Truth, and Why I Keep Going

Description:
 Back in the 80s, I was teaching aerobics in the Jane Fonda era—yes, leotards and leg warmers included. By the mid-90s, I fell in love with yoga and soon began teaching.

Fast forward to 2025, and yoga teaching looks very different. Studios want numbers, social media wants constant content, and if you’re over 50, it can feel like you’re being left behind if you don’t know Instagram, TikTok, or how to run a website.

In this episode, I’m sharing my honest experience as a solo entrepreneur and older yoga teacher navigating the tech-heavy yoga world. 

This isn’t about shiny success stories or follower counts. It’s about truth, persistence, and remembering that older teachers are deeply needed in today’s yoga community.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• My journey from aerobics in the 80s to yoga teaching in 2025
• The challenges older yoga teachers face in studios and online
• Why building an online platform is both frustrating and (sometimes) worth it
• How I’ve kept podcasting consistently with zero sponsors and a whole lot of love
• Encouragement for older teachers who feel overwhelmed by tech or left behind

Takeaway:
 I may not have thousands of followers or a six-figure yoga empire—but I keep showing up, because teaching yoga is about connection, wisdom, and presence. If you’re an older teacher struggling with the modern yoga world, you’re not alone.

Resources & Links:

• Connect with me at www.shareyogawithmj.com

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL maryjaynewaddell@gmail.com

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

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Ever had a student quietly confess something right before class—“I just had surgery”… “I’ve never done yoga before”… “I can’t get up and down from the floor”… or list off a medical condition you’ve never even heard of? Cue internal freak-out. 😳

In this episode, I share real fears yoga teachers face—especially when we worry we don’t know enough to support our students safely. I'll share some personal stories, practical tools, and the exact words I use to help new, injured, and older students feel welcome, safe, and empowered on the mat.

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro still having “Wait…what?” moments, this one’s for you.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
✅ The early panic moments I had as a new teacher
✅ Real-life experiences from my weekly 55+ yoga class
✅ What you might say when a student shares a fear, injury, or limitation
✅ How to support older beginners with grace and a good sense of humor
✅ Why you don’t need all the answers to be a great teacher

Quotes to remember:
🧘‍♀️ “The only flexibility required is a flexible mindset.”
🧘‍♂️ “You won't be left on the floor—we move slow, safe, and steady.”
🎶 “Ah, the symphony of knees… music to my ears.”

Resources & Links:
🌐 Visit MJ’s website www.shareyogawithmj.com

Mudra Meditation Study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5934951/

Adi Mudra: https://www.fitsri.com/yoga-mudras/adi-mudra

 💌 Want to connect or share your own story? I would love to hear from you!

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL maryjaynewaddell@gmail.com

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

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Ever felt like you're not yoga-ing hard enough? Like maybe you should be practicing more, eating differently, meditating daily, or have read the entire Yoga Sutras by now? Yeah… me too.

In this episode, I get real about the sneaky little voice of yoga guilt—the one that whispers “you should…” whenever life pulls you in a different direction. I share some personal stories, including a time I had zero interest in rolling out my mat, the shame spiral triggered by an Ayurveda teacher who wasn't too thrilled about my microwave habits, and my evolution from "meditation is a waste of time" to "how did I ever live without this?"

We’ll talk about how curiosity can be a powerful antidote to guilt—and how swapping “I should” for “I choose to” or “I’m curious about…” can bring the joy back into our practice.

Yoga is not a competition or a checklist. It's a practice—and there’s no shame in making it your own.

👉 Curious about my offerings for yoga lovers (especially those of us in our prime time of life)? Visit www.shareyogawithmj.com to explore classes, workshops, and retreats.

🎥 PS: If you're watching this on YouTube, yes—that is lipstick on my tooth the entire time. I thought about refilming, but then I remembered: yoga isn’t about perfection or appearance. It’s about presence. So here I am, lipstick and all.

Here are the links mentioned in the episode:

Jason Crandell https://jasonyoga.com/

Yoga Today https://www.yogatoday.com/

Yoga International https://yogainternational.com/

Mindfulness Exercises https://mindfulnessexercises.com/

Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands by Gertrud Hirschi

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL maryjaynewaddell@gmail.com

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

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Props aren’t crutches—they’re assistants. And guess what? Everyone needs an assistant sometimes. In this episode, I dive into the power of props and how they help us refine, support, and evolve our yoga practice.

Using a block, a strap, or a bolster isn’t about taking the easy way out—it’s about making space for what works now. As our bodies change, so does our practice, and that can be tough to accept. But yoga teaches us aparigraha, the art of letting go—not as defeat, but as an act of wisdom.

We’re exploring:
✨ Why props aren’t just for beginners—they’re for EVERY body
✨ How aparigraha (non-attachment) helps us shift our mindset around our evolving practice
✨ Practical ways to integrate props without resistance or ego getting in the way
✨ The essential props—blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, and the wall—and why they belong in every practice
✨ What to say and teach to help students embrace props as tools for a sustainable, intelligent, and safe practice

Join me as I stress the importance of learning how to use props in your own practice so you can impart their power when you your students.                                      

Our yoga is a lifelong conversation between ourselves and our bodies. 

🎧 Tune in and let's prop up our practice—literally and figuratively!

#YogaForLife #PropsArePower #AparigrahaInPractice #YogaAtEveryAge #SmartYoga #TheYouthful OlderYogi

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL maryjaynewaddell@gmail.com

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

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In this episode, I sit down with yoga educator and fellow podcaster Adrianne Jerrett, host of All Mats Taken, a podcast that brings together online yoga teachers to share advice and wisdom on navigating the digital space.

We dive into the realities of building an online yoga presence—sharing our wins, challenges, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. From podcasting to virtual studios, there’s no single "right" way to do it—just like yoga, it’s all a practice. Whether you're tech-savvy or tech-challenged, this conversation will reassure you that taking it one step at a time is the key.

Tune in as we go behind the mic, talk about embracing the learning curve, and remind you that age has nothing to do with your ability to grow online!

Key Takeaways:
🧘‍♀️ Tech is a practice too – Just like yoga, learning new technology takes patience and consistency.
🔍 Stay curious, not frustrated – Approaching tech challenges with curiosity instead of stress makes the journey smoother.
🎙 Podcasting & online teaching are unique to you – There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so find what works for you.
💡 Small steps lead to big growth – Focus on one thing at a time rather than feeling overwhelmed.
👩‍💻 Age doesn’t define your ability to grow online – Anyone can build an online presence with the right mindset.

🎧 Listen now and join us on this journey!

Connect with Adrianne Jerrett here:

www.jerrettdigital.com

https://allmatstaken.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/all-mats-taken-a-podcast-for-yoga-teachers/id1747083899

https://open.spotify.com/show/3329iQ9R9qpFas7m3UUhda?si=99e31415e5a04614

https://youtube.com/@jerrettdigital

https://www.instagram.com/jerrettdigital

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL maryjaynewaddell@gmail.com

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

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In this episode, I sit down with Lucinda Synder, the inspiring founder of Peak Flow. Lucinda helps college athletes tap into the super power of their minds, enhancing their mental game both on and off the field. As a registered yoga teacher, certified in Mindfulness for Student Athletes, and a Certified Mental Mastery Coach, Lucinda brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the fields and courts.

We dive into her early years as a young professional equestrian and how trusting her intuition led her down some unexpected paths. Lucinda shares the story of her first opportunity to teach yoga to 100 guys on a college football team, a pivotal moment that eventually evolved into her thriving business, Peak Flow.

We also explore the unique challenges faced by today’s youth, who are hard-wired differently and have had to navigate significant loss and grief due to the global shutdown. Lucinda shares her personal experience with deep loss when her son, Cooper, passed away. Her journey through grief gives her a profound understanding of the struggles her students face, allowing her to connect with them on a deeply empathetic level.

Lucinda explains how she uses the “4-H’s” to build teamwork and camaraderie among student-athletes, fostering a supportive and cohesive environment. And if you need a good laugh, Lucinda reveals some of the unconventional places she practices yoga – including a hilarious story about doing Half Moon Pose in the shower!

Key Takeaways:

• Mental Mastery for Athletes: How Lucinda helps college athletes harness their mental power to excel both in sports and life.
• Challenges of Today’s Youth: Insights into the emotional impact of the global shutdown on young people and how they are wired differently.
• The 4-H’s for Team Building: Learn about Lucinda’s unique approach to building teamwork and camaraderie using the 4-H’s.

Connect with Lucinda Synder:

• Website: https://www.peakflow.info/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peak_flow_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553815389906
• LinkedIn:

Support the show

Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL maryjaynewaddell@gmail.com

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

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In this episode, we sit down with Rita Smith, a yoga instructor, holistic health coach, and cardiac rehab exercise specialist, to explore the power of slowing down. Rita shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with Hashimoto's in her 30s and how it forced her to embrace a slower, more intentional way of living.

As a former Type A personality, she understands firsthand how challenging it can be to shift gears—but she also knows the long-term benefits for overall health and well-being. Rita walks us through the preventive measures that have made the biggest impact on her life and the lives of her clients, including:
✔️ Smart nutrition for sustained energy and balance
✔️ The power of yin yoga and meditation to cultivate deep healing
✔️ The importance of pausing and embracing stillness

Rita is also a passionate surfer, and she beautifully parallels her time on the waves with the ebb and flow of life. Just like in surfing, she’s learned that resisting the current only creates struggle—but when we learn to ride the waves, whether in the ocean or in life, we find more ease, resilience, and joy.

If you’ve ever struggled with slowing down, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how intentional rest, mindful choices, and learning to ride life’s waves can lead to a more fulfilled and vibrant life.

🔗 Resources & Links:
👉 Connect with Rita Smith: 

Website: https://ritasreef.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rita.d.smith.9

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritasreef/

28:20 is where you'll learn about this episode's mudra: Dhyana Mudra  

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Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL maryjaynewaddell@gmail.com

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

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In this episode  MJ Waddell and Terri Orr invite you to join them on their NURTURE & NOURISH RETREAT. 
A five-day, four night relaxing adventure on Bald Head Island, NC.
Bald Head Island is a two-mile journey across the Cape Fear River from Southport, North Carolina. You can reach this exquisite subtropical island only by passenger ferry or private vessel.

PRACTICING YOGA AND MEDITATION, ENJOYING HEALTHY MEALS,  EXPLORING A SUB-TROPICAL ISLAND AND CONNECTING WITH A COMMUNITY OF WISE WOMEN WILL SURELY BE FILLED WITH MAGIC MOMENTS.

This retreat is for 8-10 women in the "Prime-Time" of their lives. "Prime-Time" referring to those over 40 years young.
                                                                                         
MJ shares details of the island where she's been vacationing for 15 years.
What a day will look like, where you'll be staying and the many ways you can experience the natural beauty of this historic island.

Terri shares how she will be inspiring and educating with the delicious plant-based, whole-food meals she'll be preparing. Easy, simple, nutritious and delicious. She'll share her experiences being on a retreats and what she's learned.

PRICING, SPECIALS DISCOUNTS & REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

NURTURE & NOURISH BROCHURE: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGY7kNGmh4/S_vPWXqvD3lahQN9JAmTPw/view?utm_content=DAGY7kNGmh4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h31765bb197

BALD HEAD ISLAND:  HTTPS://WWW.BALDHEADISLAND.COM/

WHERE YOU'LL BE STAYING:  HTTPS://BALDHEADISLANDSERVICES.COM/460962/




 



 

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Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL maryjaynewaddell@gmail.com

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/

Send a text and share your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

In this episode MJ shares research on habits, ambitions and desire to make a change and stick with it.
MJ dives into the data of why 92% of people abandon their resolutions within two weeks.
She shares the meaning of Samskara, the sanskrit word for habit, and how she is working with one of her own....the fear of never having enough money.

For 2025 a new, educational section to The Youthful Older Yogi podcast. A  different mudra will be highlighted in each episode.
Anjali Mudra is the first mudra of 2025. A mudra of balance, centering and a chance to simply pause.

Engaging with her audience is also a 2025 ambition.
Two new tools in the show notes will allow listeners to send either a voicemail or email message. Send a comment, a thought, what topics you'd like me to discuss, and perhaps she'll highlight your message on a future episode.

A long time desire to lead a retreat is happening in 2025!
MJ will be leading a 5-day, 4-night retreat on Bald Head Island, North Carolina in September. Along with her will be food expert and health coach, Terri Orr.
A future Youthful Older Yogi episode is coming soon with details.

MJ's Blog about Resolutions: https://www.shareyogawithmj.com/blog/my-relationship-with-ambition

National Today: https://nationaltoday.com/quitters-day/
Dr. Maltz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psycho-Cybernetics
University of Scranton 1988 Study:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2980864/
Dr. Lally: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.674
University of Scranton 2012 Study:
https://www.newsmax.com/Health/Headline/92of-New-Year-s-Resolutions-Fail-making-change

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Sign-up for my NEWSLETTER for upcoming episodes, and yoga with MJ

Send a voicemail with your question or thought, it might be part of a future episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/Shareyogawithmj

Find MJ Waddell at:
WEBSITE https://shareyogawithmj.com
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=557038390
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TheYOY50
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/maryjaynewaddell/
E-MAIL maryjaynewaddell@gmail.com

Dan Jones-Editor
Find Dan at: https://cocoabeachweb.com/