In this insightful episode of the Yoga Inspiration Podcast, Kino MacGregor sits down with longtime Ashtanga practitioner and teacher Wade Oakley to explore the intersection of traditional yoga practice and modern strength training.
Wade shares how an early shoulder injury led him to Ashtanga Yoga at the University of Virginia, and how his journey quickly took him to India to study with Sharath Jois. He reflects on practicing in Mysore, balancing academic research with daily sadhana, and what it means to approach yoga with both a beginner’s heart and a scholar’s mind.
The conversation dives into Wade’s personal evolution, from golf and weightlifting to yoga, from serious injury and reconstructive surgery to rehabilitation and “prehab” strategies that sustain long term practice. Together, Kino and Wade discuss the sometimes controversial topic of cross training, highlighting how mobility, strength, and yoga can complement each other for healthier movement and more sustainable teaching.
Listeners will gain practical insights on the difference between flexibility and mobility, the physical demands of assisting in Mysore style classes, and how weight training can protect hypermobile bodies while deepening the yoga journey.
Whether you are an Ashtanga student, a yoga teacher navigating injuries, or a practitioner curious about integrating gym training with yoga, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for building a supported practice.
Highlights from the episode
Wade’s first encounter with Ashtanga Yoga and his early teachers
Stories from his first trips to Mysore and practicing with Sharath Jois
Recovering from major knee surgery through physical therapy and yoga
The difference between flexibility and mobility
How gym training can support safe assists and prevent injury
Strategies for bridging yoga, strength training, and long term practice
Practice with Kino and Wade on Omstars.com
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