Beyond Asana

Mel's back! Season 2 guest Melanie C. Klein returns for our last full episode (at least for now!)--a fitting close to a successful podcast run. Melanie is an empowerment coach, thought leader, and influencer in the areas of body confidence, authentic empowerment, and visibility. She is also a successful writer, speaker, and professor of Sociology and Women’s Studies. Her areas of interest and specialty include media literacy education, body image, and the intersectional analysis of systems of power and privilege. We chat about bridging social justice and spiritual practice; how to include and uplift all voices in academia, activism, wellness, and more; and how to navigate adversity, loss, and grief, as both individuals and a collective. Listen, let us know your thoughts, and follow along with Melanie's work at: www.MelanieCKlein.com and @MelMelKlein on Instagram.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Liz became friends with guest and yoga teacher Ceci Orozco in 2017 when Ceci moved to and opened a yoga studio in Gainesville, FL. Originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and a former competitive athlete, Ceci has always been profoundly impacted by movement practices, as they facilitate her connection to her body and, as she puts it, help to “release any sticky feelings” she may be holding onto. As a bilingual--Spanish and English--yoga teacher, Ceci strives to create a safe and welcoming space for all, and invites students to let the movement, presence, and attention cultivated in their practice facilitate a sense of curiosity and support personal and collective growth. We chat about overcoming prejudice in the yoga classroom, how to create a more inviting yoga experience for non-English speakers, Ayurveda, mantra, and more. Follow along with Ceci's sweet and heartfelt journey at @CeceLeaOrozco on Instagram. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Susanna Barkataki is a teacher, coach, inclusivity promoter and yoga culture advocate. She helps yoga teachers, studios, nonprofits and businesses become leaders in equity, diversity, and yogic values so they can embody thriving yoga leadership with integrity and confidence. More than probably any other yoga teacher and social media presence, Susanna broadened Liz's perspective about what it means to honor rather than appropriate and understand what it means to teach yoga with privilege and as a white woman in the modern world. We talk about all this and more, including Liz's plans for the future of Beyond Asana and how supporting others' healing process is essential for the wellbeing of all. Sign up for Susanna's transformative trainings and programs at SusannaBarkataki.com, and follow her for daily inspiration and truth-telling at @SusannaBarkataki. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Madison Page and her team at Core to Coeur have been at the forefront of the online yoga teaching movement for the past couple years, but COVID-19 has taken their work to a whole new level. Madison is CEO and Co-Founder of Core to Coeur, a technology platform enabling movement, wellness, and fitness teachers to build their own online digital studios. What sets her platform apart from others? It’s inclusive, diverse, accessible, and based on a “trickle-up” method focused on democratizing yoga. Core to Coeur was born from the idea that teachers deserve to be paid their worth (hell yeah!), and their students deserve access to their classes in the privacy, comfort, and convenience of their own homes. Madison is fun, funny, and has a heart of gold. Our chat is a blast, but also touches on some socially, politically, and spiritually important topics. Sign up to take or teach class on CoreToCouer.com, and check out the company’s vibrant social media presence at @CoreToCouer.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

We laughed, cried, and even sweated while recording with two of Liz's closest friends and yoga students, Iman Zawahry and Mohammad Sherif. Liz and Iman first met in a Zumba® class years ago when Liz fell under the trance of Iman's famous body roll. Iman and Mo have been married for 18 years and practicing Yoga (with a big Y; listen as we try to define what that means) for the past four. Iman is an award-winning filmmaker and faculty member at the University of Florida, while Mo is a rock-star attorney who now runs his own firm in Florida. We chat about why the two practice yoga with each other and their kids--including during the month of Ramadan--how yoga has helped Mohammad overcome PTSD, and why these practices can benefit all people, whether practicing yoga with a little y or big Y. Follow Iman’s film exploits at @ImanZawahry, and stay tuned for the release of her feature film Americanish. If you're in need of a good insurance attorney, Mo's your man.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

M(elanie) Camellia is a fat, queer, non-binary yoga teacher and accessibility advocate who creates inclusive spaces for self-inquiry by integrating spiritual teachings and accessible, trauma-informed practices with the spirit of social justice. M believes the goal of yoga, as of life, is collective liberation, and challenges contemporary yoga practitioners to dismantle oppressive systems and beliefs within themselves and society at large. They’ve been called a “tour-de-force of encouraging radical self-love” and listed among the “top thinkers and activists in the field of body positivity.” We chat about owning and using our privilege, capitalism and yoga, body neutrality, and what it means to “find space” in yoga. Follow M’s journey @FoundSpaceYoga on social media and sign up for an upcoming event at FoundSpaceYoga.com.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

In honor of this season of love, and inspired by our most recent episode with Tracee Stanley, this week Liz shares a guided metta, or loving kindness, meditation. Listen in a restful, comfortable seat or on a walk or drive (with eyes open, of course). Check out more of Liz's offerings on LizGetman.com or follow her on Instagram at @LizGetman. May all beings be happy, peaceful, and free from what no longer serves us. Enjoy!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Tracee Stanley shares teachings that are sourced from more than 18 years of study in the tradition of the Himalayan Masters, Sri Vidya, and Tantra. The focus of her teachings--and our conversation--are yoga nidra, meditation, self-empowerment, intention, and self-inquiry. Tracee frequently travels and leads trainings and retreats, and earlier this year, offered yoga and meditation on the Oprah and Gayle’s Girls’ Getaway to the Bahamas. She is the creator of the Empowered Life tools, which include oracle cards and meditation, designed to motivate us to discover the truth of who we really are. She uses the unique practices she’s learned from her teachers and revelations from her own experiences to guide students towards the door of awakening to their true nature: one that is full of luminosity, truth, wisdom and bliss. Follow her at @Tracee_Stanley on social media for weekly inspiration, or sign up for one of her trainings at TraceeYoga.com. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Nick Utley's journey has taken him from Florida to California and back to Florida again; from substance abuse to recovery; to restorative justice and yoga in jail. Originally from Gainesville, FL, Nick graduated with degrees in Anthropology and Criminology from the University of Florida in 2003. From 2005-2009 he worked in direct service with at-risk inner city youth, and it was during that time that he first encountered the practice of yoga. Now RYT-500 certified, Nick has been studying yoga since 2006 and trained under master teachers across the globe. In addition to teaching regular classes, Nick coordinates a robust jail yoga program in Alachua County, Florida as part of the YogaLoka Project. We chat about the power of yoga to help heal addiction and further recovery and how we can make this practice more widely available to all, including and especially those without access to mainstream yoga and wellness programs. Pop into Nick's class for an alignment-based practice and a thought-provoking Dharma talk at Wildflowers Yoga.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

The 2018 Netflix documentary I Am Maris tells the story of today's guest, Maris Degener, along her path to healing from a crippling and life-threatening eating disorder. As Maris and those close to her describe, yoga played a key role in her recovery and dramatically changed the trajectory of her life. Shortly after finding the practice, she became a certified yoga teacher at just 16. Maris shares a message of hope and resilience while challenging her community to consider the intersection between yoga and issues related to mental dis-ease, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and gender and sexual orientation. Our conversation takes us from identity, growing up in the public eye, social justice, and how to respond from a place of love in the world, even, and especially, when it's uncomfortable. Follow Maris at @YogaMaris on Instagram and YogaMaris.net. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Anusha Wijeyakumar is a teacher, motivational speaker, author, business owner, and healthy shot of butt-kicking energy that reminds us to reclaim our power and take control of our lives. A lifelong student of Hinduism and Buddhism—and Hindu herself—Anusha has a vast knowledge of religion, meditation, pranayama, mantra, and the philosophy and mythology associated with yoga. She leads yoga and meditation workshops across the globe, is part of the teaching faculty for several yoga teacher trainings, and co-founder of Womxn of Color + Wellness. Our convo takes us from cultural appropriation, living purpose, and how to create a more equitable world for those who have been oppressed or marginalized throughout history. Expect a few tears and laughs along the way. Find Anusha’s inspiring teachings on Instagram at @ShantiWithin and @WocAndWellness. Visit ShantiWithin.com to learn more about her work.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Hey, Beyond Asana fam! We're (almost) back! On Season 3 we chat with guests dismantling oppression in the yoga and wellness arenas, giving voice to the voiceless, and finding space, love, and acceptance through yoga. Stay tuned for a full episode release over the next month.Can't wait that long? Visit Patreon.com/BeyondAsana to sign up as a BA Patron and support our efforts to make our show available to all. Our goal this season: to raise enough funds to purchase an episode transcription service so those unable to hear our show can read the important info shared by our guests. Just a few dollars goes a long way. Plus: Bonus episodes with fan favorite guests are on the way, exclusively for Patreon members.Follow us at @BeyondAsanaPod on social media, and drop your suggestions for episode guests at lizgetman.com/contact.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Leila She’s-Kind-Of-A-Big-Dylla is back! And Aaron takes his first yoga class! (Stay tuned for a replacement 60-second pitch segment in Season 3.) We fulfilled requests for more of Liz’s thoughts about yoga and spiritual practice and offered tangible steps to take our yoga practice off the mat during a day-long retreat in Florida. Forgive our very un-Producer Steve-like recording. He was present (and practiced with us!), but live recordings outside the studio don’t yield quite the same technical results. We share a few big mic drop moments in this Q&A style episode, including one or two re: Liz and Aaron’s relationship and how to support others who are on a different spiritual path. Interested in a Liz or Leila retreat? Learn more about Leila’s trainings and retreats at leiladylla.com and Liz’s offerings at lizgetman.com.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Liz rides solo this week with international Bhakti music sensation Dhanya Rico. A powerful voice of the conscious music community, Dhanya was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and is daughter of two-time Latin Grammy winning artist Ilan Chester. Her music combines the mystical, spiritual traditions of the East with a powerful blend of electronic, folk, pop, and soul. She shares about her life as a musician, artist, and marriage and family counselor and how our spiritual practices can help us face adversity on a personal and universal level. Jam out to her soulfully uplifting tunes on iTunes and Spotify, and visit her website to track down her next tour performance.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

We haven't conducted a formal study, but we're pretty sure at least 75% of yoga asana classes play Beautiful Chorus at least once per class. A meditative women’s chorus dedicated to rhythmic music, resonance therapy, and personal alignment, Beautiful Chorus has been offering their healing sound to people from all walks of life since 2011. Our guest, Alexandra Love, is director of the chorus, a spiritual guide, sound healing musician, writer, and artist. We chat about music’s ability to awaken our collective spirit, the power of finding and sharing our unique voice, and how to show up authentically and with love and compassion no matter where our journey takes us. The best way we can describe the music of Beautiful Chorus and this episode is a warm smile in the heart. Enjoy their magic on Spotify or iTunes.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Surprise! Producer Steve fills in for Aaron who missed this week's episode with Melanie Klein. A coach, thought leader, author, and influencer in the areas of body confidence, authentic empowerment, and visibility, Melanie is shaking the foundation of yoga in the Western world by investigating power and privilege dynamics, body image, media literacy, and much, much more. Melanie is co-founder of both the Yoga and Body Image Coalition and The Joy Revolution, a leadership program that challenges us to consider how we can live with joy while participating in social justice and advocacy work. Without Aaron, we don't dive too far into academics or philosophy, but we do enjoy some deep conversation around showing up authentically to further both our individual liberation and collective liberation. As Melanie reminds, we're all in this together, folks.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Dana A. Smith has been a pioneer of inclusive yoga in the West for the past 20 years. Founder and owner of Spiritual Essence Yoga, Dana is the creative visionary behind the international Yes! Yoga Has Curves movement. Her message is simple, yet profound: “Yoga is for EVERY body!” Through her various endeavors and teacher trainings, Dana has created space for all yoga practitioners to thrive and experience the benefits of practicing and teaching the various limbs of yoga. Dana shares how yoga helped transform her life as a Recovering Type A (like Liz) and member of a military family. We also discuss our mutual love of heart-opening cacao as a facilitator for spiritual growth and connection.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Adam Whiting's path to yoga inspires students and teachers across the globe. With authenticity and humor, Adam shares how he's found stillness and steadiness despite living with anxiety and panic attacks, his journey from the States to Australia and back again, and the power of mantra and music to transform the yogic experience. Adam leads regular yoga teacher trainings in his current home of Charlotte, NC and has some of the best public Spotify playlists around. (Yoga teachers take note.) Sign up for his YTT (you just might see Liz there), and follow along with his poetic Instagram posts for weekly inspiration.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Founder of the Alchemy of Trauma, Sanaz Yaghmai, Psy.D, teaches yoga and holds healing space in communities that have experienced the heights of trauma and isolation. With humility and heart, Sanaz speaks to how she turned her own traumatic experience in a prison into finding her purpose helping humanitarian agencies address the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of refugees across the globe. Through the Alchemy of Trauma and her NGO partnerships, including REFUGYM, Sanaz is helping countless individuals transform darkness into light, helplessness into agency, and suffering into liberation.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Hala Khouri lights a fire within yoga communities and beyond to respond to injustice and support our collective liberation. Hala is one of the creators of Off the Mat, Into the World, a nonprofit dedicated to utilizing the tools of yoga and somatic practices within a justice framework to inspire people to be conscious leaders of change. Hala has been teaching the movement arts for more than 20 years and has a background in counseling, psychology, somatic experiencing, liberation studies, and, of course, yoga. On this episode, she shares her interdisciplinary approach to responding to suffering, showing up in social justice work, and avoiding harm through trauma-informed yoga practices. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

The first thing Jivana Heyman does when he enters a yoga studio, restaurant, store, or community space is scope out its accessibility. Are the hallways wide enough for wheelchairs? Are there ramps? Do the chairs accommodate all body sizes? Founder of Accessible Yoga, Jivana leads conferences, trainings, and advocacy programs across the world to help make yoga available for all. On this episode, he clears up a common misperception that accessible yoga is a type of yoga, like Ashtanga or Vinyasa, shares about the start of his work teaching yoga to those living with AIDS and HIV, and encourages teachers and trainers to help shift the media landscape around how a yoga body looks and moves. Sign up for an Accessible Yoga training, and check out Jivana's book Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body, available on Amazon.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Get the tissue box ready. Dan Nevins’ journey to yoga brings some serious tears (and curse words). A veteran, yoga teacher, and inspirational speaker, Dan has been empowering communities across the globe with a message of resilience and hope for more than a decade. He shares how yoga saved his own life and how the practice is helping both active duty members and veterans heal the visible and invisible wounds of war. Liz says she’s all in for the “Church of Dan,” and once you listen, you’ll understand why. Read about his Warrior Spirit Retreat, a free retreat where warriors learn to heal. And be sure to invite a veteran to yoga. You just may save a life.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

What’s the connection between caring for the environment and practicing yoga? Our guest Samantha Jones fills us in. She also shares her experience as a studio owner, yoga teacher, mother, and verified rock-and-roll star. Plus, she sprinkles in a few yoga jokes, and, who doesn’t love those? Self-taught since age 12 and Sivananda-trained, Samantha has a unique ability to teach difficult concepts of yoga to individuals of various life experiences. Her commitment to inclusivity and ability to adapt a yoga program to every body is inspiring. Learn more about Samantha and her studio Searchlight Yoga.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Sisters Syama and Dhyana Masla are on a journey to awaken others to divine purpose. The mindful masterminds behind the online community and movement “Sister Science,” Syama and Dhyana root their various offerings in a desire to serve and guide others to experience the highest love and deepest joy, always available within. They teach us about the principles of Ayurveda, the sister science to yoga, and how to find health and happiness anywhere in the world. Beyond being pure rays of sunshine, these sweet sisters share simple tips to help us maintain a lifestyle that, alongside yoga, contributes to optimal wellbeing. Catch them for a yoga retreat or training soon. You don't want to miss out on their magic.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Our first Season 2 guest is Jennifer Kreatsoulas, the founder of Yoga 4 Eating Disorders, who challenges listeners to consider the language used when teaching, talking about, and practicing yoga. With love and respect, she encourages us to replace words that may be triggering for those struggling with body shame or disordered eating (including the widely used “belly”). Can we think outside the traditional asana box to ensure all practitioners feel comfortable, safe, and supported? Jennifer believes we can. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or know someone who is, set up a call with Jennifer or learn more about her current offerings.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

We're back! And maybe better than ever?! Liz and Aaron sit down for a quick recap and highlight reel of Season 1 and give a quick preview of upcoming episodes. Aaron realizes yoga isn't just a fad or a thing you do with your body, but rather a way of living.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

We had to save Cristiane Machado for last. On Episode 10, we sit down with one of Liz’s mentors, teachers, and closest friends. Cristiane talks about how to address the world’s suffering, how to live with love, and why all people deserve to be seen and heard. She laughs and cries—sometimes at the same time—and really gets Aaron thinking about why he should maybe add yoga into his life. Travel the world with Cristiane and learn more about her approach to bodywork.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Episode 9 with Marni Sclaroff reminds us to be playful. Marni is a fellow Jersey girl—Liz and Marni grew up in neighboring towns—who lives her life as a prayer, but a prayer that doesn’t take itself too seriously. She opens up about her battles with an eating disorder and a spiritual crisis, and how the many limbs of yoga, and her two children, helped her become the inspiring woman she is today. Did you know Marni just published a new book? Order it online, and while you’re at it, listen to her podcast and follow her blog.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

On Episode 8, we sit down with Kate Keskinen about the importance of asana as a gateway to deeper spiritual practice. Kate opens up about her journey as a dancer-turned-yogini and why breath, or pranayama, is such an important tool on the mat and off. Also, we like to joke that Aaron and Kate are really the same person—their interests, tastes, and the way they interact with the world are similar—so her pitch really gets him good. Follow Kate’s prodigious IG feed for art, travel, yoga, and more @katekeskinen.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Like Aaron on Episode 4, Liz's inner fangirl took over while speaking with Leah Song of Rising Appalachia on Episode 7. (Forgive any nerves or heavy breathing.) Leah called us in from a cabin in the woods in Georgia, her home state, with rain falling in the background and hardly any signal to connect with our call—fitting for someone who talks about how we can live a more connected and meaningful life as yoga practitioners and human beings. Just like her music, her message on the show will inspire you to get involved in making this planet a better place for all people. You can find Rising Appalachia’s tour schedule on their website and listen to their music on your preferred streaming service. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Liz and Aaron do a quick check-in about what Aaron has learned so far in Season 1. Aaron tries Happy Baby Pose, and Liz tries to convince Aaron to practice meditation (without falling asleep).Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Producer Steve likes to claim he doesn’t have a favorite episode, but if you stroll into his office after hours, you’ll hear him listening to Episode 6 with Keri Johnson on repeat. Keri opens up about her sobriety and the importance of vulnerability and shares her extensive knowledge of yogic philosophy, Bhakti yoga, and Dr. Brené Brown’s A Daring Way. Her laugh is infectious, as is her chanting. Listen to the end to hear her chant one of her favorite mantras. Find out more about Keri’s background, events, and approach to yoga and therapy.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Payal Khurana is our Episode 5 guest, but she was actually the first person to record an episode of our show. She was the first person to say “yes” to this crazy yoga podcast idea. And, as you’ll understand after listening, she is one of the first people to inspire Liz to live a more mindful, intentional life through stillness, self-inquiry, and humor. Though she wants listeners to know her opinions featured on the show do not necessarily represent those of others, Payal's thoughts about how to honor the sacred tradition of yoga in the Western world aren't to be missed. Learn more about her work at Stillness Studio and check out her TEDx Talk for more inspiration.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Aaron fangirled a bit during Episode 4. Robert Sturman is more than a photographer. He is a linguist who captures the spirit and language of yoga in photography in a way we’ve never seen before. He reminds us that across cultures, across boundaries, we are all human. We can all practice and live yoga, despite any apparent differences in the way we look or speak. Plus, he calls Aaron a dude, which is the cherry on his Beyond Asana cake. Learn more about Robert's work and listen to his podcast, Asana Society, on his website.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

On Episode 3, Leila Dylla—#ShesKindOfABigDylla—shares how she moved to living a purposeful, fulfilled life and how’s she helping others to do the same. Authentically herself, she reminds us that it's okay to be human, even in our spiritual practice; cursing and chanting aren’t mutually exclusive. She opens her heart about the importance of self-care, truth, and having fun.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Yoga teachers and business owners Alex and Rachel Jarboe discuss how to co-create a conscious, loving relationship and how yoga can help us become better partners and better people. We also consider the spiritually significant question: Can we enjoy DiGiorno Pizza, vegan fried chicken, and Law and Order as yoga practitioners? Plus, we learn how eating Starburst can help you find your soulmate or business partner.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)

Episode 1 of Beyond Asana features Dianne Bondy, a yoga teacher, activist, and social media phenom, who invites us to consider the incredibly important topics of privilege, spiritual bypassing, and accessible and inclusive yoga. Dianne doesn’t hold back, but she isn’t here to attack anyone. She calls in all people—yogis of all sizes, colors, creeds, and backgrounds—to consider how we can create a world where yoga truly is for all. Read more about Dianne’s work.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/beyondasana)