Chat&Chai: Yoga Talks from Miami Life Center

Grab a chai and join Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist, Rosa Santana and authroized Ashtanga teacher Tim Feldmann for a brand new, installment of our yoga talk series, Chat and Chai. Listen in as they discuss the Lineage of Krishnamacharya, how best to learn yoga, yoga traditions & lineages and what joins/divides us in the yoga world. _ Rosa Santana is the founder of Yoga Rosa, a ln internationally recognized hub of Iyengar Yoga since 1995. Tim Feldmann is the Founder of Miami Life Center, a yoga school rooted in Ashtanga Yoga, and an authorized ashtanga teacher traveling world-wide. Practice with us online 30 days for $30 https://miamilifecenter.com/online-classes/

Confronting injury within a yoga asana practice can be overwhelming, not knowing how to approach the practice you’ve come to rely on as your daily and sacred ritual. There are many lessons to learn during the process of healing, but understanding how to overcome the obstacles and adapt the practice can be difficult to navigate alone. Join Monica in a community yoga talk where she shares her experiences with injury within the practice, how she found her way forward and how it continues to inform her practice and definition of yoga today. It's a conversation, where some of the students participating had a chance to share their experiences with injury, any doubts still coming up as a result and any lessons they learned that might inspire someone else. An opportunity to support and listen to one another to continue moving together along this path of learning and growing. Practice yoga online all levels with Miami Life Center, first 30 days for $30! Learn more here - https://miamilifecenter.com/online-classes/ Connect with Monica: https://www.monicarellano.com / IG: @monicarellano

Dennis Hunter is a senior meditation teacher and creator of the Clarity Dharma and Meditation Collective. He's a former Buddhist monk who spent 2 years in a monastery with Pema Chodron and is currently a Miami based yoga and meditation teacher working with Warrior Flow and Omstars. The name of this talk is Shanti, Santosha and Samadhi: Finding Stillness and Peace. Join Dennis (along with Kino MacGregor, Tim Feldmann and other local teachers) for an upcoming panel discussion on Yoga and Trauma. This is event will be held at Miami Life Center on February 28th at 6pm. If you cant make it in person, don't worry!  We'll also share the talk right here on the podcast.  

Yoga as a life hack. An interesting comparison which Kino makes in this talk. Tune in to learn more about how this practice of yoga is relevant to our functioning in the world of today. How does yoga work and why does it work? Let's investigate these question together, in community Practice with Kino at Miami Life Center. 6 day Mysore style intensives coming up! More info here - https://miamilifecenter.com/workshop-events/

This past weekend we had the honor of hosting Ty Landrum for a workshop at Miami Life Center. His love and understanding for the spirit of the practice and its expression through philosophy, the breath, movement and asana, was experienced by all those present. Good news, we recorded one of his talks for you! Tune in as he shares a mythical story he feels portrays the path of a contemplative practice. He presents it as a metaphor for the type of consciousness we are trying to uncover in yoga and immerse ourselves in. Ty then goes on to share his reflections on the Ashtanga Yoga System and how its intelligence leads us towards transformation. Ty Landrum is the director of the Yoga Workshop in Boulder, Colorado. He teaches Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in the traditional, contemplative and experimental style of his mentors, Mary Taylor and Richard Freeman. With a PhD in Philosophy, Ty has a special touch for explaining the theory of yoga with color and creativity. His passion as a teacher is to share the brilliance of yoga with anyone who wants to learn. To learn more about Ty and his international teaching schedule - https://tylandrum.com

In this episode of Chat & Chai, our Restorative and Yin teacher, Natalia Vasquez introduces the 4 types of Yin Practices - Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra and Meditation - and how they can guide us into discovering the depths of our inner world through our breath, stillness, observation and compassion. Natalia then opens to questions allowing for thought provoking and organic conversation between students of all styles of yoga. Tune in to find out how these practices can be accommodated and beneficial to everyone - from someone who only has 15 minutes before going to bed to a yang attracted Ashtanga practitioner. Natalia's experience of putting these yin tools into practice has brought her into a space of healing and recovery. Her understand of these practices and how they can benefit any practitioner is accessible and inspiring, giving her the unique ability to guide others through their vulnerable inner spaces. If you'd like to learn a quick restorative practice you can practice anywhere, check out our IG TV @miamilifecenter If your local to Miami and would like to practice with Natalia Join her at Miami Life Center Tuesday's and Thursday's at 12:30pm.

Join Kino Macgegor for inspiring talk given at one of her monthly classes at Miami Life Center. Many times we come into the practice of yoga as experts on all our problems or with an expectation of what the practice should be like. We come in with a hardened heart that says - this is how things should be, this is how I know myself. As we begin to inhabit the world we become conditioned to the ways of the world and lose the shimmer, innocence and joy we were born with. We feel beaten up by life and internalize difficult experiences. We believe we aren't good enough. And then we come to yoga and it's not easy to let go of all that. We believe we are only good yogis if... But then the practice of yoga begins to take root. We re-calibrate the mind and update the operating system. Tune into Kino's talk to learn more about what she means by this and how the body becomes the starting point to walking down a spiritual path. End with a guided meditation as Kino guides you through an inner exploration. Starting with the physical body, holding space for whatever arises ad then moving deeper into the inner body to become fully embodied and fully present. If you're interested in learning and practicing with Kino more in depth, she has Mysore retreats coming up in 2019 & 2020. More info and sign up here - http://miamilifecenter.com/workshop-events/  

Join Kino for a 20 minute meditation to settle into your daily dose of stillness. Release the patterns of the mind and find a sense of neutrality in the space between pleasure and pain. This is part of a series with 14 complete meditations with Kino, available exclusively on Omstars.com. For a free 30 day subscription and access to a full library of course, use this link - https://omstars.com/?r=mlcmonth

We recently had the pleasure of hosting Chase Bossart for a workshop at Miami Life Center on the teachings of The Bhagavad Gita, part of our month long course Ashtanga Practitioner's Intensive. This text along with The Yoga Sutras are crucial in guiding the path of a yogi. Held side by side, they compliment as well as contrast each other and we thought it would be interesting to dive into the concept of God in this regard. Listen in as Chase so skillfully presents the structures of The Yoga Sutras and The Bhagavad Gita and how and why God or Isvara fits in. Is it necessary to turn to 'God' on the path of the yogi? What is the role of a God in the yogi's mind? Tune in to scratch the surface of what these spiritual texts have to say. Chase is a personal student of TKV Desikachar since in 1991 with a B.A. in Eastern philosophy from Colgate University (1992) and a M.A. in Religious Studies & Indian Philosophy (1996) from University of California (thesis on Patañjali’s Yogasūtra). He lived and studied at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai/India 2003-2004. Yoga teaching has been Chase's sole occupation since 2003. He is a former Director of Therapy & Education at Healing Yoga Foundation with a private practice and an internationally traveling yoga therapist. Today, Chase directs The Yoga Well Institute, offering training programs and online classes. If your interested in learning more from Chase and joining his online classes visit https://www.yogawell.com  

In this first Yoga and Trauma panel discussion at  Miami Life Center, we gathered a group of professionals in conversation to lightly scratch the surface of this immense topic. Seated at the table are Anne Hurley- Trauma Psychotherapist, Dr. Kristin Jones- Doctor of Health Science and Mental Health Counselor, Dennis Hunter- Yoga and Meditation Teacher and trauma survivor, Adam Ottavi- Certified Rolfer and Somatic Therapist, Greg Nardi- ERYT-500 and Founder of Ashtanga Yoga Worldwide, and moderating the conversation is Natalia Vásquez- Founder of Heart in Brain Studios and trauma survivor. Through these various perspectives, we begin to define the meaning of trauma, its roots, and how yoga plays a role in assisting survivors along their path to full recovery. We discuss the importance of safety and communication between students and teachers in the practice and the need for authentic and trustworthy leaders within spiritual communities. Please take care of yourself as you listen and feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or feedback. We look forward to continuing this conversation as we establish a safe space for all to practice. Our next knowledge event is taking place October 25 on Yoga and Body Image. More details on our website www.miamilifecenter.com

This is the last episode of a series with Tim Feldmann exploring The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Tim goes deeper into the second chapter of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras - Sadhana Pada, or the book on spiritual practice. Join Tim as he begins to explore the external of the 8 limbs in Ashtanga Yoga. This podcast series is taken from six lectures Tim Feldmann gave on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapters 1 & 2. His intention with these talks was to create an overview, a map of The Yoga Sutras - an important text for any sincere yoga practitioner to be familiar with. Tim gives us an idea of what Patanjali is attempting to teach us, why he is teaching us, how to progress, what to expect along our yogic journey, and some of the more difficult philosophical notions found in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali sets forth the yoga darshana, the yoga point of view. With this series of lectures, Tim hopes to simply present what Patajanli has presented. So that hopefully when we step on our mats for asana we have some a roadmap to look a little deeper. For more opportunities to practice and study with Tim go here http://miamilifecenter.com/workshop-events/

This is the fifth episode of a series with Tim Feldmann exploring The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Tim goes deeper into the second chapter and into the philosophical foundations upon which the Yoga Sutras rests. This podcast series is taken from six lectures Tim Feldmann gave on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapters 1 & 2. His intention with these talks was to create an overview, a map of The Yoga Sutras - an important text for any sincere yoga practitioner to be familiar with. Tim gives us an idea of what Patanjali is attempting to teach us, why he is teaching us, how to progress, what to expect along our yogic journey, and some of the more difficult philosophical notions found in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali sets forth the yoga darshana, the yoga point of view. With this series of lectures, Tim hopes to simply present what Patajanli has presented. So that hopefully when we step on our mats for asana we have some a roadmap to look a little deeper. For more opportunities to practice and study with Tim go here http://miamilifecenter.com/workshop-events/

This is the fourth episode of a series with Tim Feldmann exploring The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. After closing up Chapter 1 in Parts 1-3, we now begin a dive into Sadhana Pada - the second chapter. Tim starts this episode with a discussion on Kriya yoga and the kleshas and then goes into some of the more conceptual sutras. This podcast series is taken from six lectures Tim Feldmann gave on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapters 1 & 2. His intention with these talks was to create an overview, a map of The Yoga Sutras - an important text for any sincere yoga practitioner to be familiar with. Tim gives us an idea of what Patanjali is attempting to teach us, why he is teaching us, how to progress, what to expect along our yogic journey, and some of the more difficult philosophical notions found in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali sets forth the yoga darshana, the yoga point of view. With this series of lectures, Tim hopes to simply present what Patajanli has presented. So that hopefully when we step on our mats for asana we have some a roadmap to look a little deeper. For more opportunities to practice and study with Tim go here http://miamilifecenter.com/workshop-events/

This podcast series is taken from six lectures Tim Feldmann gave on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapters 1 & 2. His intention with these talks was to create an overview, a map of The Yoga Sutras - an important text for any sincere yoga practitioner to be familiar with. Tim gives us an idea of what Patanjali is attempting to teach us, why he is teaching us, how to progress, what to expect along our yogic journey, and some of the more difficult philosophical notions found in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali sets forth the yoga darshana, the yoga point of view. With this series of lectures, Tim hopes to simply present what Patajanli has presented. So that hopefully when we step on our mats for asana we have some a roadmap to look a little deeper. In this third episode of this series, Tim closes up the first chapter of Patanajli's Yoga Sutras. Listen in to complete a discussion on Samadhi Pada, a look into what yoga is and what goes into creating and cultivating yoga. For more opportunities to practice and study with Tim go here http://miamilifecenter.com/workshop-events/

This podcast series is taken from six lectures Tim Feldmann gave on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapters 1 & 2. His intention with these talks was to create an overview, a map of The Yoga Sutras - an important text for any sincere yoga practitioner to be familiar with. Tim gives us an idea of what Patanjali is attempting to teach us, why he is teaching us, how to progress, what to expect along our yogic journey, and some of the more difficult philosophical notions found in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali sets forth the yoga darshana, the yoga point of view. With this series of lectures, Tim hopes to simply present what Patajanli has presented. So that hopefully when we step on our mats for asana we have some a roadmap to look a little deeper. In this second episode of this series, Tim continues with the first Chapter – Samadhi Pada. Starting with Sutra 12, unpacking the meaning of practice. Followed by a philosophical look of where we end up if we do this practice, and what will be available to us. For more opportunities to practice and study with Tim go here http://miamilifecenter.com/workshop-events/

This podcast series is taken from six lectures Tim Feldmann gave on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapters 1 & 2. His intention with these talks was to create an overview, a map of The Yoga Sutras - an important text for any sincere yoga practitioner to be familiar with. Tim gives us an idea of what Patanjali is attempting to teach us, why he is teaching us, how to progress, what to expect along our yogic journey, and some of the more difficult philosophical notions found in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali sets forth the yoga darshana, the yoga point of view. With this series of lectures, Tim hopes to simply present what Patajanli has presented. So that hopefully when we step on our mats for asana we have some a roadmap to look a little deeper. In this first episode of this series, Tim goes through the beginning of Chapter 1 – Samadhi Pada. Samadhi is the state of yoga. There's all the suffering we are living in that Patanjali and other eastern philosophers are postulating, and the samadhi state is the yogic state, the other state we are trying to reach. Right from the beginning of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali sets forth a problem and a solution; but at first not with sufficient detail to base a practice on. Listen in as Tim digs deeper into these details according to Patanjali, and how knowledge of these details can transform our lives. For more opportunities to practice and study with Tim go here http://miamilifecenter.com/workshop-events/

These monthly classes with Kino MacGregor at Miami Life Center, have become a space for us to not only reconnect into the physical practice; but also become immersed in the philosophy, the theory of the practice and the meditative mind. In this episode, Kino talks about the appropriate attitude to bring to the mat. How do we show up on our mats? It should be something like the beginner's mind. When we live in the box of our knowledge, our hearts become hardened, as Kino explains in more detail. We must walk the path of the student with an innocence of mind, which is the essence of the yoga journey. Every yogi is on a path of initiation - an initiation into the heart. We need to remind ourselves again and again, each time we get on the mat, that we are here with an open heart to practice, not to showcase what we can do or how much we think we know. How can we come to this place? Of truly perceiving what is present without any agenda? Kino guides us through this journey by inspiring us to rediscover ourselves fresh in each moment. It's no easy task. What can get in the way of this experience? How can we be free to experience each moment as it is? Tune in to listen to Kino's thoughts. End this episode as Kino guides us through a meditation in an attempt to implement these ideas using the tools of yoga.  

Our very first Knowledge Event taking place at Miami Life Center, a panel discussion on the  question - Is Yoga Good for Me? We gathered a panel of experts in their field of study to share their ideas about if an how the practice of yoga works. Listen to different perspectives alongside each other for an inspiring and thought provoking conversation. Yoga has become the go-to-fix-all for a growing series of physical, psychological and spiritual pains in the west over the last decade. But is yoga really working and if it is, how is it working? Does modern science and Yoga agree on the benefits of yoga? Tune in to hear what these experts have to say. The Panel: Bob Schroder - Doctor of Physical Therapy Christine Spadola - Ph.D Social Welfare & Master in Counseling Psychology. Jesus Caballero - Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner Tim Feldmann - Teacher of Ashtanga Yoga Michael Mannino - Ph.D Candidate in Neuroscience Our next knowledge event will be on Yoga & Body Image. Part of a larger weekend event 'Yoga & Body Image Confluence' with workshops and a panel discussion. For more info and registration - http://miamilifecenter.com/workshop-events/

Monica, Patricia and Esme, all teachers at Miami Life Center are currently practicing Ashtanga Yoga at KPJAYI under R Sharath Jois, for the second and third time. It a sort of pilgrimage Ashtanga Yoga Practitioners from all over the world make to connect with the source of the practice. Watch this video to find out whats its like to practice in the shala & live in Mysore, India and some practical information you need to know to apply for practice and plan your trip. Making this trip can be intimidating and a bit mysterious but it shouldn’t be! We hope this video help you find the assurance and inspiration you need to make it happen. On the other hand, traveling to India and leaving home for a month is simply not possible for many of us. Luckily, SharathJi will be coming to the US this spring! He'll be in Miami May 1-7, as well as Stanford and New York. This is a unique opportunity to touch the source of the practice and be a part of a worldwide Ashtanga Community; to be a part of this passing down of knowledge from generation to generation and feel like were all a part of something bigger than ourselves, of this lineage that has changed so many of our lives. We hope to see you in Miami! For more info and registration - http://miamilifecenter.com/paramaguru-sharath-tour/ Feel free to reach out to us if you have any more questions either on Instagram @miamilifecenter or email us at info@miamilifecenter.com

On this episode of Chat & Chai: Yoga Talks from Miami Life Center we have a very special guest. Joseph Armstrong was a dedicated and long time student at MLC, transitioning into our month long intensive course and then into our most in depth curriculum, a 2 year apprenticeship program. After successfully completing the 2 years, he move to Antigua, Guatemala to start up his own Mysore program. Joseph's story is one of inspiring will power and self-awareness. He found his way through addiction into the healing practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Listen in as he talks about how yoga served as a tool for him through recovery, and even further in becoming the successful teacher he is today. His respect for the tradition, passing on what he has learned from his teachers, and his sincere devotion inform the role he takes on in the Mysore room. Tune in to learn more about Joseph's thoughts on the role of a teacher and what keeps him getting on the mat. An opportunity coming up at the end of the month to learn and practice with Joseph! He'll share the tools and methods that have been integral on his path of healing. A 1 day workshop, Yoga Truly: Tools for Recovery. Sign up here http://miamilifecenter.com/workshop-events/

In this episode of Chat & Chai: Yoga Talks from Miami Life Center, our Director Tim Feldmann touches upon the distractions that so many of us come up against in our practice. At the beginning, the practice seems exciting and easy to commit to, but what happens when we stick it out for the long run, through the ups and downs? It's common for distractions and disturbances to be present, which make it difficult to continue returning to the mat. Luckily for us, Patanjali knew this might happen to any spiritual seeker, so he gave us guidelines for recognizing them and overcoming them. Join Tim as he goes through the specific obstacles to practice as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, going into an explanation for each. He uses a modern day application to help us understand what they look like in our lives and on the mat. He then goes into how to determine when these distractions have become a problem and what we can do continue moving forward with a clear mind.

Last month, Kino started off her class at Miami Life Center with a talk investigating this notion of I am we all seem to come up against. In order to understand the effect identifying with certain roles or stories has on us, Kino first touches upon why we have an inclination towards this grasping. Then going deeper into what this grasping to identify looks like, and how we allow certain identifies to define us and ultimately limit us. We become attached to this false sense of self, allowing it to define so much of our existence. If we are not these notions of what I am telling myself I am, then what am I? Tune in as Kino explains the spiritual practice of yoga as a path to break this bondage of I, in order to tune into our true nature. Since it is only through the experience of the practice that these lessons can begin to take root, Kino ends with a guided meditation focusing on how we can 'soften the edges of the I'. How can we crack open the ego of I am, to find more freedom, peace, and empathy towards one another.    

Join our restorative, yin and nidra teacher Natalia Vasquez as she guides you through another 1 hour yoga nidra practice, a guided meditation in savasana. This class was from a special class she gave during last month's full moon. Use this practice during the next full moon, or anytime to reflect on where you presently are, and gain insight into what you need to move forward. This is a great practice to do on its own, or after an asana practice for deep relaxation. It is thought that 30 minutes of a yoga nidra practice is equivalent to 4 hours of sleep. In the practice of yoga nidra it is possible to enter a state between wakefulness and sleep. As your body settles into stillness for the duration of the practice you can tap into the realms of your mind and your emotions and begin to non-judgmentally observe what’s happening in your inner world. Before you begin: Find a quiet and comfortable space you can lie down on your back. Take a moment to settle into savasana. You can place a bolster below your knees but make sure your feet are touching the ground. You can cover yourself with a blanket in case you get cold, or to place under your head. Make sure your neck is neutral and that your body feels completely supported. If you do not want to fall asleep completely, maybe it’s a good idea to set an alarm. Happy practicing! Namaste.

Alexandra Santos is our early morning mysore teacher. She has experienced the practice during 3 pregnancies and has developed a keen sense for guiding mothers through their yoga practice. The beginning of motherhood aka 'the 7th series of Ashtanga Yoga' can be a tricky transition to navigate through. But with the guidance of knowledgeable and experienced teachers, it can become a bit less overwhelming. Alex gets into questions like "When is it ok, and not ok to practice Ashtanga Yoga while Pregnant?" She points out some important things to be especially attentive to during your pregnancy. Alex shares her personal experiences and how each pregnancy brought its own unique conditions. She needed to listen to her body and feel what she personally needed in the practice during those 9 months as well as after giving birth. Tune in to begin to understand how the practice can be accommodated to fit the needs of what your body, mind and spirit needs during these life changing experiences.

Kino is back on Chat & Chai with one of her monthly classes at Miami Life Center. This time were sharing with you an inspiring talk she gave to introduce the class and a seated guided meditation on the breath. She touches upon what embodiment means in the practice and how we can experience it through the body and breath, and move away from it through the mind. Shedding light on the reasons we step on our mat – to return to wholeness. The breath is a powerful tool to guide us down this path. Every emotion can be expressed through the breath and the practice gives us a way to determine where we are in every moment. Listen in as Kino explains these concepts in detail and how they can easily be applied to our everyday life. Then, find a quiet and comfortable place to sit so you can join us in a meditative and calming guided breathing practice to come back to the feeling of wholeness. Our next class and talk with Kino is November 23 at 12pm – the day after Thanksgiving. Join us to give thanks for the practice and all the positive transformation it's brought to our lives. To give thanks to all those who have helped us find our way to this practice.  

Tim Feldmann is back again for another episode of Chat & Chai: Yoga Talks from Miami Life Center. Tim in one of MLCs owners and founders and teaches regular workshops in our South Beach Shala This recording was taken from a talk he gave to our students. He touches upon the role and importance of having a teacher as you walk down the yogic path. He draws from classical Indian philosophy as well as his own personal experience to give us a better understanding of how to navigate through the powerful teacher-student relationship Side note... we apologize for the not so great audio quality! We figured the content was so good it was better to share than keep it to ourselves. Hope you enjoy!  

Join our restorative, yin and nidra teacher Natalia Vasquez as she’ll lead you through a 1 hour yoga nidra practice, a guided meditation in savasana. This is a great practice to do on its own, or after an asana practice for deep relaxation. It is thought that 30 minutes of a yoga nidra practice is equivalent to 4 hours of sleep. In the practice of yoga nidra it is possible to enter a state between wakefulness and sleep. As your body settles into stillness for the duration of the practice you can tap into the realms of your mind and your emotions and begin to non-judgmentally observe what’s happening in your inner world. Before you begin: Find a quiet and comfortable space you can lie down on your back. Take a moment to settle into savasana. You can place a bolster below your knees but make sure your feet are touching the ground. You can cover yourself with a blanket in case you get cold, or to place under your head. Make sure your neck is neutral and that your body feels completely supported. If you do not want to fall asleep completely, maybe it’s a good idea to set an alarm. Happy practicing! Namaste.

Kino is back on Chat & Chai: Yoga Talks from Miami Life Center for a talk she gave our students on the difficulty in maintaining a daily practice. In Ashtanga Yoga we are asked to practice 6 times a week, except moon days. Why is it so hard? What type of foundation must we establish to make this possible and allow our intentions to manifest in a real way? Maintaining a daily practice over a long period of time becomes possible when we approach the practice as a ritual of compassion towards ourselves. Coming on to the path of yoga, as Kino explains in this episode, is like making a U-turn in our lives. It’s a sort of paradigm shift. How do we know this U-turn moment is something were yearning for, or ready for? Being on the path can look different for everyone, but this U-turn is a defining moment for every sincere yoga practitioner. Once we’ve made this U-turn, what are we after in the practice? How does it change our relationship with the world around us and the world inside us? Listen in to learn why consistent practice over time, and the difficulties that come with it are necessary for these changes to take root in our lives and extend beyond the mat.  

For this last episode in our series on the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga according to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Natalia Vasquez talks to us about the last limb of Samadhi, or liberation. It is the final state in meditation or complete absorption. The eightfold path we've gone through is one of the paths prescribed for reaching this liberated state. Patanjali has provided us with a detailed map to this higher consciousness, by looking into the nature of the mind and how the mind can be transformed. This stage of Samadh is especially difficult to put into words and explain, since it's through experience that true understanding comes. Listen in as Natalia expresses her understanding of the theory of Samadhi presented in The Yoga Sutras. Natalia leads our Yin, Nidra and Restorative program at Miami Life Center. Her self-studying and self-loving approach to healing is carried through to her students. Her classes have become an integral part of MLC, serving as a beautiful compliment to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. This wraps up our talks on the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, taken from talks we had going on this past summer where we took a closer look at some of the key teachings of yoga, to gain a deeper understand of why we step on our mat. Stay tuned for more podcast episodes coming soon! With Kino, Tim, MLC teachers and special guests.

In this episode of Chat & Chai: Yoga Talks from Miami Life Center, Alexandra Santos goes into the 7th limb of Ashtanga Yoga - Dhyana, or meditation. Her meditation practice of over 10 years has been a significant influence in her practice, She completed her meditation program under the guidance of Swami Brahmavidyananda Saraswati. Alex is our early morning mysore teacher. Her devotion to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga is an inspiration to her students on a daily basis. Tune in as Alex breaks down this limb of Ashtanga Yoga in relation to the other limbs. Listen in as Miami Life Center students ask their questions and feel free to reach out and ask us any questions you might have!

Tim Feldmann is back again on Chat&Chai: Yoga Talks from Miami Life Center, to continue guiding us through this 8 limb journey we've been on together. This time to break down the limb of Dharana or concentration. Learn how the tool of concentration can bring us deeper into the practice of yoga, why training the mind to concentrate in one point is a necessary step for every sincere yoga practitioner and how it can be useful in our daily life. In this episode, Tim even takes us through a quick seated practice of concentration to understand how this limb can be practically applied. We’re almost through our series of 8 episodes on the 8 limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. We hope you’ve been following along with us or keeping these talks handy in case you ever want to come back for inspiration or a reminder of why we do this practice. Hope you enjoy!

In this episode of Chat & Chai, we have a very special guest. Chase Bossart coming from San Francisco, was in Miami this summer to teach our Ashtanga Practitioner’s Intensive students the Bhagavad Gita and an introduction to Sanskrit and Vedic Chanting. Chase has been teaching in our past 4 month-long intensive courses and each time we learn something new, each time gaining a fresh perspective on these ancient teachings. This time he also shared with us his understanding of the Yoga Sutras in his talk on Pratyahara or ‘withdrawal of the senses’ and the 5th limb along the 8 limb path of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Taking us into the ‘internal’ limbs, he breaks down the traditional interpretations and explains them to us in a way we can relate to our modern day world. As always, our MLC students chime in, sharing their ideas and finding ways to understand what pratyahara actually looks like in practice. These last four limbs especially, are difficult concepts to grasp for their intangibility and experiential qualities, but with guidance from experienced and knowledgeable teachers like Chase, it becomes a bit more familiar. Listen in to keep going down this 8 limb journey with us, to become more intimate with the teachings of yoga and gain insight into why we get on the mat. To learn more about Chase and Yoga Well Institute visit www.yogawell.com

In this episode of Chat & Chai, Mark Linksman leads a discussion and practice on Pranayama – the 4th limb along the 8 limb path of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. With special guests Anthony Hazin, who goes into a scientific perspective of the practice, and Natalia Vasquez, MLC's restorative teacher, who leads us through a guided meditation to prepare us for the guided pranayama practice led by Mark. Join us for this part of the episode and practice along by finding a quiet and comfortable place to sit. Mark leads our pranayama program a MLC. A student of Iyengar, 20 years under Richard Freeman and Tim Miller, and many years of a daily practice of asana, pranayama and meditation, it is truly an honor to have him guiding us. He has a sincere love for the breath and the power it has to bring us back to ourselves. In his pranayama classes, a group of us sit in a circle and breath together. Like Mark always says, the energy we bring into the room is powerful. It keeps him going and inspires all who cross his path. The pranayama practice in this episode is a shorter version of what we do during his MLC classes. To watch video version of it, check out Miami Life Center’s IGTV here: Part 1 https://www.instagram.com/tv/BmHbBciFCuQ/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=terou0ha9w6k Part 2 https://www.instagram.com/tv/BmHd0dzFYtK/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=j69j5z2vba0k We wrap up the episode with questions from our students and all three of our speakers chiming in with responses based on their areas of expertise. This is part of a larger initiative we’ve had going on a Miami Life Center. This summer we took 8 weeks, to look at the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga. We wanted to bring more attention to the teachings of yoga, to better understand why we get on the mat and what the path of a yogi is supposed to look like in practice not just in theory. We want to put into action all aspects of this practice not just the asanas. Hope you enjoy!

In this episode of Chat & Chai Emilia Arenas continues in our journey of the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras – spiritual teachings every sincere yoga practitioner should be familiar with. Emilia teaches the late morning Mysore program at MLC. She has an infectious positivity and confidence that her students get a dose of everyday in the Mysore room. She guides her students with so much love, passing on to them the tools for asana but also the wisdom to not hold on too tight. In this episode of Chat & Chai, Emilia talks to us about Asana– the 3rd limb along the 8 limb path. This is the limb that most of us are familiar with and the one most commonly practiced. The postural practice of yoga is important but its not the only one, and as a result there are ways we should practice this limb while keeping all the other limbs in mind. Listen in as Emilia reminds us of why we step on the mat to practice postures and the quality of effort we should apply. Tune in to the open discussion that takes place, as many of our student share their thoughts and experiences on the mat. This is part of a larger initiative we’ve had going on a Miami Life Center. This summer we took 8 weeks, to look at the 8 limbs. We wanted to bring more attention to the teachings of yoga, to better understand why we get on the mat and what the path of a yogi is supposed to look like in practice not just in theory. So be sure to check out all the talks we’ll have coming out on the other limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.  

In this episode of Chat & Chai: Yoga Talks from Miami Life Center, Kino MacGregor talks about The Niyamas - the second limb along the 8 limb path of Ashtanga Yoga according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. This talk will leave you inspired to practice other aspects of yoga besides the postures, and you'll take away some concrete practices for dealing with difficult real life situations. Kino founded Miami Life Center with her husband Tim Feldmann in 2006. She also recently founded OMstars.com – the world’s first yoga TV network. You'll find courses on the physical practice of yoga, but also the philosophy and lifestyle of yoga. OMstars gives the world yoga that is accessible and a better understanding of what it means to practice yoga on and off the mat. Which goes to show the impact Kino has had on the world of yoga. She gives the world the inspiration and energy it needs to work for a more peaceful and loving experience. She sheds light on the spiritual path of yoga and how it can be practically applied to our modern world. This is part of a larger initiative we've had going on at Miami Life Center. This summer we took 8 weeks, to look at the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga according to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. We wanted to bring more attention to the teachings of yoga, to better understand why we get on the mat, and what the path of a yogi is supposed to look like in practice not just in theory. So be sure to check out the other episodes we’ll have coming out on othe other limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.