The Teaching on Truthfulness with Sunny Barbee

"Yoga isn't about achieving something. It's about being with what is and trusting that that's enough in the moment." – Sunny Barbee

Join host, Jivana Heyman, and guest, Jacquie “Sunny” Barbee, for an uplifting conversation full of humor, vulnerability, honesty, and deep insight. Sunny shares her journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance, offering powerful reflections on satya (truthfulness) and how living her truth has made her a more authentic and relatable teacher. Together, Sunny and Jivana explore how true accessibility is about creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and invited to show up as they are.

In the Question and Answer segment, Jivana and cohost, Deanna Michalopoulos, reflect on the concepts of wholeness, faith, and joy. Jivana answers a listener question on teaching yoga to students with varying disabilities, offering insight into the heart of his teaching philosophy and training methods.

Topics include:

• Teaching to older adults


• Community connection in chair yoga classes


• The deeper meaning of satya, beyond truth telling


• Imposter syndrome and the ego


• The importance of representation in yoga spaces


• Jivana’s technique of ‘Prepare separately, practice together’ - AY Blog Post


• Sunny’s faculty roles with Accessible Yoga, including the upcoming Chair Yoga for Everyone course June 25 - July 23, 2025


• The ABCs of Yoga - Jivana's book The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga or Jivana's IG Post

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 Sunny:

Jacquie “Sunny” Barbee is an E-RYT 500hr  yoga teacher living in the Panhandle of Florida.  Sunny finished  YTT in 2016 after turning to an asana practice to help with her chronic illness and depression. While in YTT she realized there was a need for more teachers that didn’t fit the stereotypical “yoga body” image like her and that she could make a difference in helping people see that yoga is for every body. She is able to share with others how to customize their practice to fit their own body, whether that body is larger, aging, or living with illness or injury, much like she does with her own practice.  What she loves most about teaching is that she tries to create safer spaces where the student can connect and make peace with their bodies. 

sunnybeeyoga.net | @sunnybeeyoga | facebook.com/SunnyBeeYoga

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

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

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Credit: Mikus Dharma (they/them), AYP Podcast Sound Engineer