Mar 03 2025 68 mins
Click here to follow the Higher Vibrations in Higher Education Podcast!
Grit and Grace: Be willing to throw it all at the wall with Yoga with Jake.
Jake Panasevich carved out a path to be a disseminator of the benefits of yoga with an emphasis on reaching men and athletes. In looking at his offerings and success, I got the “he’s so lucky” mindset. I saw that he had this cool career of writing, disseminating, and teaching yoga—and felt envy. On this episode we dive into the day-to-day variety of activities he faces to match his grit and grace. And, we get the origin story of why this is such an important target audience for him. Jake talks about being on a college wrestling team in an incredibly toxic environment – which launched his aversion and mistrust of men. However, through trying to get in shape without wrecking his body and beyond that, a community finding community, he came to the mat. Now he offers “Yoga with Jake” predominantly for men and athletes—healing himself while helping others get embodied. Don’t miss some of the honest and practical takeaways of this episode, including:
First yoga class: Did everything “wrong” but felt better
In both teacher training and journalism, get your feet wet, get yourself out there
Three tips to reach more men in your class: 1) be direct—do this for this benefit, 2) focus on connection—show them you care, and 3) avoid energy jargon
Focus on seva- selfless service as the primary archetype of an instructor
Give everyone permission to be themselves
Become masterful at active language and landmarks
Feedback is love, it’s a positive thing, pushing a skill further, progressing.
Ask: is this “better, worse, or the same” rather than vague “is this good?
Knowing where you want to be of service; your audience, your mission as a teacher
There is a very real struggle in the hustle of making a living as a teacher
The work is fun and meaningful but requires efforting. It’s the balance of effort and ease, just like in a yoga practice
It’s still a lot of work to plan and fill a workshop- even at 20 years and help from a studio; there’s so much to juggle, relationship with studio owners, self-worth tanks if you don’t get a raise, etc.
Yoga teachers are good at getting people to feel into their feelings; but you have to constantly business develop
Be with family, nurture relationships
The space is not saturated: know yourself, know your audience. Stay flexible.
Real distrust and aversion to men- thinking no guy would be someone I want to connect with
Listen to peer and mentor- be willing to try
Yoga teacher and entrepreneur, throw a lot at the wall, a lot won’t work.. but “the obstacle is the way”
Teach what you learned while still in the middle of it all
Flourishing is “not resisting, letting go”. It’s loving your life with all the different flavors, invite them. Find the beauty in the mundane.
Stepping on the mat does not mean you’ll no longer step in dog shit
Can’t experience success all day every day
Get back to who or what I am—and match those practices.
Honesty is love, honesty is showing you care.
Just go out and try it. Intend. Action matters.
Throw it at the wall—this is the “school of action.”