In this thought-provoking conversation, Jivana Heyman speaks with educator, yoga teacher, and sound healer, Shawn Moore, about the deeper dimensions of teaching yoga—especially the often-overlooked role of the yoga teacher as a leader and space holder.
Shawn shares insights from his background in higher education, Buddhism, and stillness-based practices, unpacking what it means to hold ethical and energetic space for students. He discusses why self-care is a radical responsibility, and how rest practices like restorative yoga help us show up more fully.
In the Q...
In this thought-provoking conversation, Jivana Heyman speaks with educator, yoga teacher, and sound healer, Shawn Moore, about the deeper dimensions of teaching yoga—especially the often-overlooked role of the yoga teacher as a leader and space holder.
Shawn shares insights from his background in higher education, Buddhism, and stillness-based practices, unpacking what it means to hold ethical and energetic space for students. He discusses why self-care is a radical responsibility, and how rest practices like restorative yoga help us show up more fully.
In the Question and Answer segment, Jivana and cohost, Deanna Michalopoulos, further breakdown the role of leadership and community care, in a conversation supported by listener questions and feedback.
Topics Covered
- The concept of “Entrainment” and how our nervous system impacts the room
- Shawn’s transformative experience with restorative yoga at Sacred Chill in Atlanta
- Teaching as facilitation—not performance or perfection
- How to encourage students’ exploration and autonomy
- Reflections on guru culture and the teacher-student relationship
- Shawn’s interest in creating experiential learning opportunities for students through his workbooks and card decks
- The upcoming Accessible Yoga Restorative Yoga Series, featuring Shawn as one of ten presenters
We Want to Hear from You!
What story, teaching, or practice inspires your yoga journey today? Submit your answer or any other questions you have for Jivana via Google Form: https://forms.gle/NtijeM82dSgU5jVD7 or leave a voice message here (90 second maximum): https://www.speakpipe.com/AccessibleYoga
Selected responses may be featured in future episodes!
Connect with Shawn:
Shawn Moore (he/him) empowers movement builders and social impact leaders to get still to lead skillfully by created sacred spaces for renewal, self-inquiry, and disruption. As a Contemplative Learning & Development Strategist, he specializes in mindfulness, social equity, and strengths-based leadership, blending integrative approaches that bridge research and tradition to support transformative leadership.
Shawn is a dedicated Buddhist practitioner who brings compassion and insight to the intersection of Dharma, leadership, and embodied action. With nearly two decades of personal practice, he integrates meditation, yoga nidra, restorative yoga (E-RYT®500, YACEP®), and sound healing into his work. His expertise extends to designing and leading impactful training programs, including Inward Illumination™ Meditation Leader Training and Chill So Hard™ Yoga Nidra & Restorative Yoga Leadership Training.
Shawn has collaborated with organizations like Blue Origin, Spotify, the Center for Urban and Racial Equity, and Sounds True One. Whether facilitating workshops, coaching leaders, or authoring resources like Sound is My Sanctuary: A Practical Guide to Sound Healing as a Portal for Self-Exploration, his mission remains the same: to help leaders align their strengths, intention, and impact to create meaningful change.
shawnjmoore.com | @shawnj_moore
Connect with Jivana:
Check out Jivana’s books, Accessible Yoga, Yoga Revolution, and The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga, and get more information about Accessible Yoga at accessibleyoga.org
www.jivanaheyman.com | @jivanaheyman | facebook.com/jivanaheyman
Connect with Joe: Joe's Yoga and Fitness
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Credit: Mikus Dharma (they/them), AYP Podcast Sound Engineer
