I was generally put off by the condescension and passive aggressive commentary and jokes even if the information is relevant and interesting to me. I’ll stick to reading and research that provides equally useful information and myth-busting without the tone of superiority and making fun of commentary.

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 think from the beginning there’s been a tendency to make this a “debunk” yoga podcast. I feel like they had a great idea but their bias away from yoga makes me wonder why they are doing the podcast. Isn’t it the concept that they’d like to change the atmosphere and misconceptions with science backed sourcing? If I were a new teacher, I’d either quit teaching or quit listening. Either way the information is lost on the people who should be listening.

I have tried to listen to this podcast cast so many times because the information in the titles seemed so good. I get 5 minutes into the podcast and I have to turn it off because of all the intentional, silly voice sounds & inflections. This bums me out because the way this comes across is treating the listener as if they are little kids and not grown adults trying to get information they already find interesting. So, I’ll just get the basic info from Jenny on her Instagram. Maybe, because even there she treats her followers like they are infantile.

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.

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.

New listener here—really enjoying the pod. Especially liked the recent Scope of Teaching Yoga episode. Thanks and keep it coming.

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 am reviewing only the episode on May 16 regarding Fascia. While there isn’t a lot of supporting evidence either way on the nature of how Fascia should be viewed scientifically, they didn’t add to the discussion in a meaningful way. In fact there was more in the way of “I think” and even attemps to discredit those who feel Fascia may have a more important role. I do agree with them only in that muscle/ fascia cannot be talked about separately as they are intimately connected (through and surrounding everything). In this way it is similar to Electromagnetism. There is no electric without magnetism and vice versa. I would add, it was said that a certain person didn’t need to write about facial exercises because they already do that in the program they sell.

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.

These two hardly seem equipped to discuss hot yoga.

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

I’m so grateful for this podcast. You both rock!

In episode 33, the first cue comparisons are about plank and down dog, related to the wrists and shoulder alignment. These are two very different poses with different purposes, so the alignment will naturally be different (which you discuss in the down dog episode). Whether or not the cues are necessary (to stack the joints in plank) doesn’t have much to do with the cues in down dog. More discussion about what’s happening in standard plank vs shoulders more forward or shoulders more behind the wrists would’ve been much more relevant for this listener.

I follow Jenni on Instagram and I’ve always appreciated her novel sequencing, however I was very disappointed when I switched over to the podcast. The hosts and guests criticize other people for being reductive in their thinking, all the while demonstrating their lack of deep knowledge and sharing opinions about things outside of their area of expertise. Rather than simply “debunk” something popular, why not get curious about it, or explore subtleties that will be helpful for listeners? It seems these hosts are more interested in being right than thinking expansively and pursuing scientific truths, and they come across as very immature.

Great podcast!

Fantastic episode! Super important conversation to have about beliefs and biases in the Wild West of the yoga/wellness world. Relevant and current to other fields and communities as well. Thank you guys!

Excellent resource for yoga and movement teachers! Thank you Jenni & Travis. They are well-informed on the current state of the science. The glutes as the magic muscle episode was a little snarky but that aside this podcast provides very valuable content. Keep up the good work, so grateful.

Have been loving this podcast — sooo much thoughtful content! My only feedback is for Jenni — she is frequently self-deprecating and overly deferential to the other host and guests… and I would love to hear more about HER thoughts and expertise as that is a huge element of the podcast!!

Great discussion! This is one of the few podcasts I have actually listened start to finish! I have been following Jennie for several years on Instagram and Facebook and has shown creative ways in moving your body. Keep up the good work. Thank you, Jennie.

Such an informative, fun and accessible podcast! Thank you Jenni and Travis for all your amazing work!!

This offers a useful scientific perspective on yoga. I like it a lot.

I appreciate some conversations in this podcast (loved Adam Meakins) but also find the one on one between Jenni and Travis unsatisfying and often frustrating because it seems like they often misrepresent yoga, or give very limited examples of yoga asana beliefs. Yoga asana is changing quickly and teachers are becoming more and more aware of certain outdated ideas that they were taught in their 200 hr TT. This podcast oftentimes comes off as condescending and honestly quite reductive in its representation of yoga teachers. I know there are a lot of movement myths taught in yoga asana, and a lot of teachers do parrot nonsense cues that continue to perpetuate false ideas. These conversations do need to be had, but the tone can be so harsh sometimes. I have the feeling like Jenni and Travis enjoy making fun of yoga teachers and anyone else that doesn’t have a well rounded understanding of biomechanics, exercise science, and anatomy, which are not really accessible topics to most people, especially after only 200 hours of training. Also some of these conversations are very confounding and don’t lead to any solutions or conclusions, and instead meander through criticisms of yoga teachers and their beliefs about postural yoga. I understand this podcast is relatively new, and I will stick with it for awhile to see if they can work out some of these issues and figure out a more concise and less condescending way to discuss these topics.

Thank you to Rawlings & Pollen for bringing new insights to my yoga and strengthening routines with each new episode

While I appreciate Jenni’s teaching experience & Travis’s phd, the 5+ episodes I’ve listened to have felt like 2 people casually conversing about complex topics, who are trying to summarize articles they just read the night before. Many of the topics feel like clickbait, & then the hosts deliver an oversimplified “no that’s crazy” & a laugh. While I agree that much of the Yoga world is filled with nonsensical cuing & incorrect information, instead of digging into why these things are inaccurate, they just joke to each other & say “that doesn’t make sense.” It’s unfulfilling as a listener & I don’t feel as if I learn anything at the end of the episode.

I was really excited to see this title and listened with anticipation to the podcast this afternoon. What a disappointment! I get that it’s hard to explain hips storing emotion from a purely scientific perspective. You two, however, rejected the notion out of hand and seemed to ignore the many learned people who believe there to be a connection. Did you interview any authoritative sources on the topic? Did you allow that there might be something to be said for this belief? No, you laughed and joked about emotions flying out of your hips “like a bird”. Your discussion seemed more like a night at the bar after too many drinks. I am a yoga teacher and a nurse. I feel most comfortable with factual explanations backing up my cues in class and in the information I impart. However, I realize that there is limited funding for that level of research because there’s no money to be made determining if hips hold emotion. You rejected the validity of “perceived effect” even though sensing one’s body is central to the benefits of yoga. Jenni, as a yoga teacher, you no doubt come into contact with fellow yogis who believe that there is a connection between stress and trauma and guarding and tightness in the muscles supporting the hip joints. Why insult these people because they don’t hold their beliefs to the impossible standards you set out? You and your cohost should go back and listen to this podcast again and see if it could be considered your best work. I hate that I’m not inclined to listen to your other podcasts, but I found this one to be sophomoric and downright offensive.

Jenni and Travis are so good at asking the right questions and listening to their guests and following up. Zero interruptions. This episode was provocative without being sensational. As a “trauma informed” yoga teacher I have paid for many classes on strengthening polyvagal tone. I was surprised to read lately there is little to no evidence for this approach. This episode offered a refreshing, clear, science based perspective. I especially appreciated the discussion about honoring our scope of practice and avoiding perpetuating misunderstandings/lack of knowledge about anatomy and its role in well being.

Jeni and Travis have been so enlightening with their discussions on yoga and movement science. I’ve learned so much in each episode! Thanks for all you are doing to help us as yoga instructors to see beyond the traditional ways we were taught and to ask why? And to help us give the best up to date research to our students, and to not be afraid to change our cues and mindsets.

This podcast address really cool and interesting topics. However, the hosts get off topic quite frequently and sometimes the thought progression of the show is hard to follow. Despite this, I am excited to see what new topics are discussed and how the podcast grows over time. :-)

I listen to lots of yoga and movement podcasts and this has fast become a favorite. Each episode includes loads of useful information presented in a way that makes it clearly applicable to personal movement practice and/or teaching. Thank you Jenni and Travis!

I’ve been an Insta fan for a bit, and man, this podcast does not disappoint! I love the information, the humanity, and the open approach to topic that often intimidates so many of us who are looking for a science based approach to movement. Thank you for this!

Jenni’s Instagram has been a favorite of mine for a while. This podcast is a super addition to her very informative educational offerings. In this stability podcast there were topics that I had not given thought too and I am grateful for an introduction and some clarity on the topic. I will be looking forward to future podcasts.

As a movement educator, I am continuously seeking to refine my own understanding of human movement to best serve my students. I’ve been enjoying Jenni’s content for years, and Travis’s more recently, and am so thrilled about the creation of the pod! Jenni is a clear communicator, skilled at breaking down complex topics to make them more digestible. I learned something new today and I look forward to future episodes. Thank you both, you rock! 🤗

Very clear and useful. I teach strengthening and stabilizing yoga to seniors. This podcast is a godsend. Hope Jenni follows up with yoga routines to help us strengthen and stabilize.