MatChat with Mina Blair

This solo podcast is inspired by the BBC journalist Fergal Keane who has written an article about his search for happiness, a quest that has lasted 30 years.  Did he find the answer?  Yes, but not what he expected.I go through his main points and add thoughts from my own journey, such as moments we have both had that can be described as the "lightness of being".  Other points are:the science of happiness - "our minds are biased to interpret things very negatively", Professor Bruce Hood, University of Bristolthere is such a thing as the Happiness Poverty Line, and too many of us are living below itit's difficult to achieve inner contentment in a "happy-obsessed world" where we are told to simply "be happy" (American psychotherapist Whitney Goodman)work is the great permissive addictionstart with the simple small stuff to change your energy, your mind chatteracts of kindness are part of the solution (Finnish philosopher Frank Martela)ancient yogic scriptures support our life journey to help us get to a state of contentmentSo, what is the secret to happiness?  There is no secret.

I'm going solo this time, and inspired by the imminent shift in seasons from summer to autumn, the subject of this podcast is CHANGE.  And my question to you is: what is your relationship with change?  Do you resist change or can you "go with the flow"?There have been some recent developments that have made me pause and reflect on how I feel about change, whether it's uncomfortable or comfortable.  The reality is that change is happening all the time, it is the nature of the manifest world in which we live.  Our environment is changing - think of the seasons, climate change etc.  Our bodies are in continuous flux as we age.So it's interesting that we think we can influence the evolving nature and consequence of time!  Our egoic mind distracts us with thoughts of past and future, we come up with concepts such as "anti-ageing", or wanting to "go back to the way things were".  This mindset simply keeps us in the fear, in the non-acceptance.  And leads to regret, which is an unhappy place.According to the yogic scriptures, this is a path of suffering.  Because we can only ever be in the present moment!  So, listen in and check in with yourself - can you indeed go with the flow?Find Mina:Web: www.minablair.comInstagram: @empoweredwithminaFacebook: @empoweredwithmina

It's a popular cliché, "it's about the journey and not the destination", but is this true?  What is more important, the getting there or arriving at the endpoint?  Fellow yogini Debs Albon and I found ourselves inadvertently answering this question on a trekking trip to Nepal a few weeks ago, and concluded that it is most definitely about the journey!We had booked the trip with the intention of seeing and honouring the mighty Himalayas and chose the Annapurna Sanctuary trek route. We wanted to learn about the Nepalese mountain culture, especially the spiritual context.  The views were utterly awe-inspiring, we were not disappointed.  But as we moved along the route, we became increasingly aware of a very pushy, forcing energy from people we met.  It was all about "Did you get to the top (of Annapurna Base Camp)?" or "Are you on your way up?" or "Are you on your way down"?What about the simply being there, absorbing the majesty of the mountains and paying homage to this sacred area, rather than leading with a "conquering" attitude.  People die every year on the mountains because they don't realise they are guests, not masters, of the peaks.  But the over-achieving, get-the-selfie ego is powerful and that's how the destination becomes the all-important goal.We have a choice: surrender to the ego or surrender to the universe.  So, it's not as simple as surrendering, but rather, to what are you surrendering. This was our learning.  And as we travelled on to Kerala, India to immerse ourselves in the culture and spirituality there, we made this our intention.  Listen and enjoy our adventure sharing!For information on our India Yoga Retreat offering 10-18 March 2025, click here.

I am going solo this time to talk about one of my favourite yogic principles: surrender.  I have learned to love this word and apply this principle to my life, which has not been without challenge given the fact it has such negative connotations in the West.  Because surrender is something we want to avoid at all costs, isn't it?  It means defeat, losing, weakness, giving in or up.Not so!  Interestingly, in the yogic tradition that is thousands of years old, surrender is a good thing, in fact, it's a goal!  We should aspire to surrender because it sets us free.  And in this podcast I explain why.  I delve into the ancient yogic texts to discover the references of surrender and how/why we should practice it.  We have a look at:The Bhagavad GitaPatanjali's Yoga SutrasOnce we understand what surrender offers, we realise that actually it is a way of taking us out of the suffering.  Remember, pain is not a choice, but suffering is.  We have control of how to manage our own pain, whatever the trigger or event is.  So, the principle of surrender is our best friend, as described in the ancient texts.  Try it in your life just once and see!Find Mina: Web: www.minablair.comInstagram: @empoweredwithminaFacebook: @empoweredwithmina

What is the common thread that runs through every human culture through the millenia?  It's so simple:  gathering around a fire, sharing food, sharing stories and singing.  A practice of collective sharing that connects and binds us together as sentient beings.  Dropping into the modern world, in some places this tradition has been lost, largely in the West.  You will find group singing in school/church/professional choirs of course, but not as a regular activity for most people.  Not so in India.  Chanting is very much alive and well here, it's considered just one of many tools to practice yoga.James Boag, an English yogi, discovered this during his many years living in SE Asia and India and himself developed a love of this tradition.  He now hosts kirtans as part of his yoga offering wherever he finds himself in the world.  A kirtan is a devotional song in which a group repeats the lines sung by a leader.  What has he learned from this part of his yoga practice?Chanting not only connects us to others but to ourselvesChanting has the power to invoke specific energies/intentionsChanting has physiological benefits including reducing stressAnd more.  So why does the invitation to chant precipitate shyness and awkwardness?  Join us to learn more and discover why we should all be chanting!Find James:website: www.jamesboagyoga.comYouTube: james boag yoga youtube channelInstagram: @jamesboagyoga 

Have you had moments in your life when you just knew in your heart that a decision was right?  Even though perhaps it seemed like a risk at the time and the outcome was uncertain?  This is called a leap of faith, and in my experience, these decisions are the most rewarding.I took a leap of faith this year that inviting a friend I had met online, but not in person, on a trip to Bali was going to be great and it was in fact more!  Kalina and I got in touch through a 300 hour advanced yoga teacher training course online (Akasha Yoga Academy) and it felt absolutely right that we would go on this adventure together, meeting up for the first time at Singapore Airport to catch a flight to Bali.It was three weeks of raised awareness and deep self-reflection like only a trip to a faraway, challenging environment can give.  Third World Asia is a place of extreme contrasts - the beauty of the jungle vs the rubbish/plastic pollution, the multiplying holiday villas for wealthy Westerners vs the dwindling homes for the native monkeys.  The poor state of the infrastructure and traffic chaos vs the kindness and generosity of the deeply spiritual Balinese people.  And the uninterrupted, unforgiving heat and humidity.Join us as we discuss what we learned about judgement, karma, making the choice about what attitude to lead with in life (open heart) and what to let go (anger, fear).  But most of all, about the gifts that come when we surrender and trust.

We are obsessed with our identifiers, aren't we?  We think that who we are, our personality/identity, are things like our work status, relationship status, family role, gender, race, nationality, physical attributes, religious beliefs, political views etc etc.  But this is not the whole picture because there is more - we are more than what our egoic mind is telling us.So I'm diving into the ancient yogic scriptures with fellow yoga teacher Debs Albon to find out what wisdom is offered there about who we really are and why we are here. And what we find described in the Taittiriya Upanishad (500-600 BC) is a map we can follow that will enlighten us: the Pancha Maya Koshas (Five Sheaths).We are all made up of five layers (think Russian doll) that together make up our whole being: the physical body (annamaya kosha), the breath/energy body (pranamaya kosha), the mind/ego (manomaya kosha), the higher mind/intuition/deeper wisdom (vijnanamaya kosha) and bliss body (anandamaya kosha).  It's just a case of cultivating and deepening our awareness of what each of these offers which ultimately will give us a sense of freedom.  Because being controlled and driven by our own and others' expectations is exhausting!The good news is that we all have this capacity within us, no need to be a "special" guru.  This is a level playing field we can access in this lifetime.Debs and I are excited to be offering the Pancha Maya Koshas as the theme for a retreat being held in Kerala, India 19-29 March 2024 at the Neeleshwar Hermitage Hotel, along with author and meditation teacher Alistair Shearer!  Go to my website Home Page for more info - do join us!Find Debs:Instagram: @yoga_with_debs

I'm back on the mat with radio host, podcaster and therapist Baruch Zeichner to reflect on this transitional phase the world finds itself in at the moment.  And part of this journey is our collective face off with the dark side of humanity.  We are having to stare at the results of what happens when all we can comprehend and accept is the individual perspective.  When the ego I-ness is the only point of reference.We're chatting about:How fear is the main driver of behaviour and why what you fear you attractHow national and family karma prohibits connection with oneselfHow the future of humanity depends on collective energy and moving consciously together on a karmic journey towards awarenessWhy the human experience is about learningWhy it's everyone's job to dispel their fear(s)Why hugging is a simple and immediate way to connect to yourself and othersHow human creativity in all its forms is vital to connect heart to heartSo join us for an uplifting discussion which will leave you knowing what you can do to be part of the solution!Find Baruch: www.paradigms.life

It's a long way from southern Brazil to the south coast of England, but it's a journey that Flavio de Brito took over 20 years ago to improve his english and learn ballroom dancing.  His penchant for the performing arts had started already with acting at the age of 14, but it was dance, and specifically the Argentine Tango, that had initially set his heart on fire.Having arrived with a plan to stay for 3 months, he is still here, and Argentine Tango is his life.  He performs professionally while running the Tango with Flavio Dance School.  It was through the gift of a dance voucher from a friend for private classes that Flavio and I met, and I have been dancing the tango ever since, having fallen in love with it myself!  And I am testimony to how life changing dance can be, which is why I wanted to hear Flavio's story.  In this podcast we chat about:the importance of dance and music for connecting with tradition and culture - how is it in Latin America?how dance has become more accepted and accessible in the UKthe positive impact of TV shows like Strictly Come Dancinghow dance helps one overcome personal barriers and lifts the spirithow dance contributes to better mental health and physical healthhis career highlights which include winning the Tango Cup in 2021 and dancing in Roger Taylor's (Queen) music video for the track Journey's EndThrough his professional dancing and the shows he produces with his students as the stars, Flavio's mission is to inspire others to take up dancing and discover all the benefits for themselves.  There is no barrier to entry.  And for me, I'm just so glad I decided to give it a go because I shall now tango my way forward, whatever comes!Find Flavio: Facebook: @flaviodebritoWebsite: www.tangowithflavio.co.ukInstagram: @debritoflavio

You hear about people who take the risk and walk away from stable, successful lives.  They leave secure income and safe career paths to head into the unknown.  Why do they do it?  How do they do it?Well, I'm finding out in this podcast with Kirsten Berry, co-founder of Akasha Yoga Academy which offers onsite and online 200 hour and 300 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training.  Years ago in Berlin, she was on the path of a successful architect with all that that implies.  But going to a yoga class lead to a couple of trips to India which then changed everything.  Kirsten discovered that her "heart was on fire" only when immersed in yoga.  So she left her life in the West and moved to India, then later to Thailand, teaching yoga full time.We chat about how that felt, to take such a leap, and how she coped with challenges such as a 49-day isolation retreat in the jungle.  Kirsten has discovered that yoga's greatest offering is the gift of stillness which is why her focus is now Yin Yoga and meditation.  This is at the centre of the recently launched 300 hour online Teacher Training course.  We also talk about:How Yin Yoga releases somatic feelings held in the body's tissues, having a purifying and cleansing effectWhy Yin energy is not equally valued as Yang energy in Western societyWhy the source of suffering - burnout, stress, sleep problems - is from the dominance of, and preference for, constant striving (Yang).How we can rebalance the energy equation by cultivating an attitude of acceptance, softening and nourishment (for body, mind and spirit).Does she ever miss the life she left behind?  Never!  Kirsten has followed her heart.Find Kirsten:Instagram @akashayogaacademy

I think we all understand the old saying "you are what you eat", but what if you're not aware of what you are actually eating?  Of what the specific ingredients are in the things you are putting in your mouth?  Of the reason(s) behind the choice?Dr Cori Stern has a lot to say about this as she has spent most of her life first sorting out her own health, and then taking that knowledge to help others.  Brought up by parents who fed her junk food, having they themselves been brought up with junk food, Dr Cori spent her childhood feeling ill with all manner of infections.  At the age of 15, she suddenly understood the connection between nutrition and good health and never looked back.So, with all the data and the knowledge available out there on the consequences of poor eating, why would someone still eat regularly in fast food restaurants and/or buy processed food?  Because we eventually changed our relationship with smoking, right?  Dr Cori explains the hurdles that stand in the way of what would seem to be so obvious: the power of advertising, the influence of social media, the draw of habitual behaviour and more.We explore the broader subject of outsourcing our health to the medical profession rather than practicing common sense and self-help.  Because rushing to the doctors for quick-fix pills is a modern phenomenon.I ask Dr Cori about where the responsibility ultimately lies - the food production companies, the pharmaceutical companies, the regulators or the consumer?  Is it even helpful to play the blame game?Perhaps "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is more relevant now than ever!Find Dr Cori:Web: www.drcori.comYouTube: Dr Cori Stern Take Control of your Health

In this western culture of "been there, done that, bought the T-shirt" one could think that at some point there isn't more to learn.  Can't teach an old dog new tricks sort of thing.  Not so yoga!  I'm chatting with Debs Albon who has been practicing and teaching yoga for over 30 years and feels that this is a subject that simply keeps on giving.  It is a joyful, bottomless well of knowledge that offers you gifts of wisdom every time you dip into it!Debs is passionate about reading ancient yogic scriptures, but are they relevant for the modern world?  Absolutely, she says.  It's all about raising awareness, about discovering why we are here and asking the question: what's this life all about really?  And the ancient Indian yogis offer plenty of insight on that.But Debs doesn't just read, she goes to the source and recently spent a month in India. She shares her experiences and impressions, and to my question, helps explain what Kundalini Yoga is.  And no, it's not about sex!Finally, I ask Debs to take a big picture view of her life - does she think the world is going in the right direction?  Are we getting it?  Join us to find out.Find Debs: Instagram: @yoga_with_debs

There seems to be a lot going on around the world and most of it not good: wars and conflict, climate change, Ego-driven politics, suffering on a mass scale.  Perhaps it's best to bury our heads in the sand and hope it all goes away?  Absolutely not!  Fortunately I'm chatting to Dr Alison Kay - award-winning author, yoga and meditation teacher, subtle energies practitioner (chakra system) and founder of the Vibrational UPgrade System - who explains how we are actually in the process of creating a new global Golden Era!After years of travel (10 years living in Asia), study, teaching and helping people live full, optimal lives, Dr Alison has picked up some key learnings along the way.  These include:95% of our behaviour and choices comes from conditioned thoughtsby exploring and going beyond the mind, we can fully access our own power and make better choices - this benefits the individual and the collectiveenergy is the creative force behind everything, on all levelsby putting energy behind awareness, we can clear out what doesn't serve us and replace with what doespatriarch-controlled societies are dysfunctional and need the rise of feminine energy to return to balanceSo, join us as we take all the bad news stories and consider them instead as opportunities, taking the big picture view to see that we are in fact entering a new Golden Era of existence.Find Dr Alison:web: www.alisonjkay.comFacebook: @dralisonjkayofvibrationalupgradeInsta: @dr.alisonjkay

Can we make friends with death?  Why would we need to do that?  Surely death is something we don't want to talk about, it's too depressing or scary.The inspiration behind this podcast is the book by Judith Lief called Making friends with death, which was recommended reading for a Yoga for Cancer teacher training I completed earlier in the year.  And by taking us through the Buddhist and Tibetan traditions regarding death, Judith explains why it's beneficial to contemplate death and be comfortable with it, with our mortality.To help explore this idea, I asked friend and freelance artist Sarah Seymour to share her story of the loss of her mother last year.  It is an uplifting and reassuring tale of how to manifest a good ending, of how working with acceptance allows the full expression of love and joy.  It is also a reminder of the importance of being resolved with oneself as well as with others, and letting go of any anger, bitterness and resentment which gets in the way of feeling gratitude for life.  This is something we can all sign up to.  In fact, it's the greatest gift we can give to ourselves as well as to those who will be left behind.  So, if death is on your don't-want-to-go-there list, then please have a listen.For another uplifting story of life after loss, go to my website minablair.com and check out my book Not for the last time.

As so often happens, when something very challenging, very painful comes your way, it can be life-changing.  It's the Universe waking you up.  This was certainly the case for Etienne Peirsman, a leader and author in the field of Cranio Sacral Therapy.  He tells us how a near-death experience due to a staph infection lead to a trip to India where he did more than recover - he found his life purpose.  To heal and teach people the Cranio Sacral approach.We discuss what is behind our resistance to working with the body's own healing capacity.  What's that about?  Etienne feels the roots lie in how we are educated and how society is structured.  The emphasis is more on the (unintentional) programming of people rather than allowing space for the discovery of one's purpose, one's gift, and for connection to Self, intuition and "no-mind".  As an example, he describes the impact on child development of a classroom-based two-dimensional learning environment.But the restriction of our true nature begins even earlier, at birth.  Etienne describes how the aggressive experience of immediately having the umbilical cord cut affects a baby on all levels ( and he has seen thousands through his work).  Not to mention the high number of elective Caesareans.  What can we do to reconnect to ourselves, our being?We finish with a discussion on how Cranio Sacral Therapy works and the power of touch.  Etienne says the effect is "instant mindfulness", a state that allows "full consciousness of feeling".  It's all about "listening" and not intervening.  It's engaging the body's own wisdom, which makes sense - we all know that every night in deep sleep the body conducts repairs.  So with two bodies connected energetically, you're simply strengthening the process.Want to learn more online about Cranio?  Then go to craniorocks.com where you'll find lots more information on Etienne's teachings.Find Etienne:Website: www.peirsmancraniosacral.comTwitter - https://twitter.com/PeirsmancranioFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/peirsmancranioInstagram -  https://www.instagram.com/peirsmancranio/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/etienne-peirsman

It's the first MatChat Podcast of 2023 and what a better way to start than chatting with Lori Aloisio, a Holistic Weight Loss Coach.  Being on the other side of the festive season, perhaps weight is a poignant subject at the moment.  Losing weight and getting fit must be on the top of most people's new year's resolutions list after all.  But is there another way to approach this challenge other than starting a(nother) diet?Lori offers an alternative option that goes beyond, or rather, underneath what you see on the surface physical level.  What is the body trying to tell you?  With a background in nursing and healthcare, Lori discovered that helping women answer this exact question often led to natural weight loss.  That once aligned with one's authentic self, the body naturally settles into its optimum shape and weight.We go on to chat about how women are not in tune with their menstrual cycles, pushing their bodies to fit a more masculine geared agenda.  Have women lost their connection with their feminine selves?  Is the price to "have it all" - juggling career and children - too costly?  Is it even beneficial?  And what about the men, where do they fit into this equation?  Join us as we explore these thought provoking questions.Ultimately it's about finding balance and harmony.  With ourselves, with others and with our planet.  Why not consider starting the year with a promise to living a life of purpose and passion.  Be your own best advocate!Find Lori: www.healthyandfreelife.com, Instagram: @lorialoisio

Christmas is fast approaching and I've invited friend and singer-songwriter Tobiah back on the mat to chat about what giving and receiving really means.  Because it's so easy to just focus on the commercial, material side of this celebration and miss the deeper message.  It needs to be less "what did I get?" and more "what did I give back?" in the form of good intention and spirit.  We begin by reflecting on all the gifts you can give that don't come in a box, and there are loads!  Such as love, compassion, sympathy, understanding, respect, kindness, wisdom and gratitude.  You can "lend you ear" to someone and give the gift of listening.  And what about the gift of time, how precious is that?  To offer your time and attention to someone who needs it. The list is long and doesn't cost you anything! I share some readings from the wonderful book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer who writes about the importance of reciprocity and what it means.  Perhaps this is something we have lost sight of in the more ego-centred parts of the world.  Robin reminds us of the value of taking only what you need and of the mutual responsibility we have for each other.  Just as we have the responsibility of giving from the heart, we have the responsibility of receiving from the heart.We bring Christmas into the room by finishing with Tobiah's beautiful song Golden Christmas Time and the story behind it.  And with that, I wish all listeners a loving Christmas and a Happy New Year!Find Tobiah: www.tobiah.co.uk, Facebook @tobiahuk, Instagram @tobiahthomas, Twitter @tobiahtobie13

Are you in the right place, doing what you feel you were made to do and fulfilling your core purpose?  Or are you just going through the motions, playing it safe and sensible, yet knowing it's not what your heart really desires?I think most of us at some point have asked ourselves these questions.  Very few hit on what their core purpose is straight away.  It can be a journey spanning years before we stop, switch off our loud, dominating mind, and listen to what our heart is whispering.  Because only your heart knows who you truly are.Sarah Seymour has recently been through this soul-searching questioning and decided to take the risk and follow her inner voice.  She had been teaching music for many years, being very "sensible", but then felt it was time to take action, commit and become a full time artist.  She threw herself out into the universe.  And what came back, what was revealed to her, was actually what she had always known:  she was born to be a painter.  To create joy and happiness through her art.How did taking that risk feel?  Has it worked out?  Sarah shares what ultimately won the day - "sensible" or "authentic"?Find Sarah: www.sarahseymourart.co.uk

We are defined by so many things, aren't we?  Just think about it.  Your name was given to you by your parents, your nationality is an accident of birthplace, and your physical features by your genes.  Now add educational status, social status,  work status, financial status etc etc.  You are defined by multiple surface layers, some acquired willingly, others not!But who are you really?  When you strip back all those layers, what is there?  What is left?The practice of self-enquiry is thousands of years old as people across the ages have pondered the question "who am I?"  It is the foundation for meditation and pranayama practice which are ultimately paths to self-discovery.  To know consciously what you are beyond body, mind and emotions.  In this podcast I'm flying solo and talking about self-enquiry and why it's important.  I take you through a short exercise to give you an idea of what it means. Aren't you curious?Find Mina: www.minablair.com

Mental health - if we're not talking about it, we're probably thinking about it.  Our own and that of others we care about.  The pandemic has focused our attention very firmly on this subject.  It touches everyone - young, old, rich, poor.  It transcends all difference because it's about being human and how to manage stress.I'm chatting to friend and fellow yogi Sarah Cox about why mental health is at the top of the agenda and simply can't be ignored.  Because it wasn't always this way.  We reflect on previous generations who faced enormous hardship but coped.  Why is it different today?  Why aren't people as resilient?Maybe the answer lies in the drift away from a collective society towards the Age of the Individual.  There's a lot of "me", "myself" and "I" going on!  Which is fine until something huge happens like the pandemic, and then people don't know where to turn or how to manage.  They feel overwhelmed, fearful and vulnerable.I reflect on a recent trip to the Faeroe Islands - a country made up of 18 volcanic rocks in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with 54,000 inhabitants.  In such a raw, wild and unpredictable environment they rely on each other quite literally for survival.  As a result, they are grounded, calm and confident.Can we learn something from the Faeroese?  Join us and find out!Find Sarah: www.zephorium.com

This week I'm co-hosting with friend and fellow yogi Sarah Cox and we are talking about the M-word: menopause.  Half the population have to go through this natural transition and yet for many women it's fraught with emotional, mental and physical issues.  No two menopausal experiences are the same.  It's a time of upheaval and yet so often unspoken.  Well, fortunately things have changed, and women have been given permission to speak up for themselves and get the support/treatment they need.  But why the silent suffering for so long?  And the shame?  What can women do to help themselves and not feel alone with it all?  Is HRT the only answer?We are asking Melissa Ayres these questions - she is a Menopause Coach, Homeopath and Intuitive Healer.  She works on a one-to-one basis and takes a holistic approach with homeopathy and ThetaHealing playing their part.  The aim is for each woman to support the body, let go of feelings and stories that no longer serve her, and redefine who she wants to be for the next phase: the Wise Woman.  A time of excitement, potential and possibilities.There is too much negative, fear-inducing language around the menopause, so it's time to change the narrative.  Let's drop the "pause" and make it meno-go!Find Melissa: www.melissajayres.com, Instagram: @melissajayres

It's all about vibration.  The universe is vibrating, this planet is vibrating and you/we are vibrating.  Even rocks vibrate.  All the time.  Everything is in constant motion - some you can feel, like an earthquake, and some you can't, like the different frequencies in vibration of your internal organs.  But it's all scientifically proven and measured. In fact, scientists tell us the universe vibrates at 432 hertz!But universal vibration is something that has been known in the spiritual world for thousands of years of course.  It's called Om (or technically, AUM), which is a key element in the practice of chanting.  And yet even Albert Einstein said, "Everything in life is vibration."  Who knew Einstein was a yogi (you heard it here first!)? So, on that note (no pun intended!), I'm excited to chat with Zach Silver, who has created a way to combine his two passions - yoga and playing/composing music.  Zach has been playing musical instruments since he was a toddler, so when he found the yoga mat, it came quite naturally to combine sound with movement.  His intention is to create music designed to deepen yoga practice, rather than distract.  His creative process is experiential - as he moves through the postures, he hears sound in his head, which he then captures through a mix of musical instruments.  He even takes into account the rate of is heartbeat.Zach is excited to be offering his first track for sale online next month (July 2022).  To pre-order go to www.zachsilver.bandcamp.com.Life is a multi-sensory experience, so why not reflect this in yoga?  I use aromatherapy sprays during relaxation in my class (www.zephorium.com) and the students love it.  But ultimately, whether it's coming through eyes, ears, nose or skin, it's universal vibration you're tuning in to.Find Zach: Insta @zacharysil

I must admit, in my ignorance I had always thought that "organic farming" was an alternative response to modern farming.  But this week Pammy Riggs sets me and the record straight.  The term "organic" is misleading.  For thousands of years, human beings have farmed without chemicals - call that organic is you wish - and then in modern times the chemicals were invented to increase yield.  Organic farming is simply farming like it's always been done.She should know - she and her husband bought a plot of land decades ago in Devon and set about developing a livestock farm. When she discovered that homeopathy was effective in keeping her children healthy, she tried it on the animals with fabulous results.  Her pioneering farming methods - called the Positive Health Management System - were born and lead to numerous awards including Organic Business Person of the Year.Pammy is currently working with Whole Health Agriculture to offer this system to farmers of today.  It's all about balance - you look after your animals and they will look after you.  Why is this even relevant?  Because chemical farming is no longer sustainable, she explains.   It's in all our interests, surely, that what we put into our bodies is produced healthily and responsibly.  And farmers can be empowered to farm from the heart (and not the wallet).Pammy is a passionate farming advocate and positive about future food production.  Things must change and the solutions are already available.  Join us in learning what these are, and why Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall calls her "the chicken whisperer"!Find Pammy on LinkedInBooks by Pammy are available at Waterstones and on Amazon:Keeping Chickens for DummiesGrowing Your Own Fruit & Veg for DummiesStoring & Preserving Garden Produce for DummiesSpace for Farming

What is karma?  You're probably thinking that it's the thing where you do something bad, then something bad happens to you.  "Getting your just desserts", as it were.  That's part of it but there's a lot more.  Yes, the energy created by a negative action sometimes causes a negative rebound, but it doesn't have to.  Instead, it can roll over and accumulate, becoming a karmic burden.This week I chat to friend and fellow yogi Sarah Cox and ask her what her take is on this subject.  It turns out you generate karma not just through action, but through word and thought.  Yeah, that's right - thinking a bad thought eg wishing ill on someone, counts as actually doing it, karmically!  Also, were you aware that karmic burden can be inherited?  Feelings such as guilt, shame and revenge can all be handed down the generations.  It can be national - think of the impact on future Germans of the Nazi history.Strictly speaking, only an action that has no ego involvement whatsoever generates no karma.  Wouldn't that be the challenge!  Which is why Gandhi, the most famous Karma Yogi of all, spent a lifetime cultivating this attitude.  Could you manage that?Find Sarah: www.zephorium.comRead my blog: Liberate yourself from karmic burden

There is one thing we all have, and that is a story.  Our own personal story.  It begins the moment we are born, but we don't become aware of it until we develop cognition and memory as older children.  We can be given a good story, such as "you are loved", "you are worthy", "you are valued".  But unfortunately, some of us are given a heavy load to carry, such as "you're not good enough", "you're a failure", "you don't belong".Gillian McMichael - master coach, reiki healer, meditation teacher and author - was indeed given a heavy load which shaped her growing years and subsequent adult life.  The choices she went on to make and the stress these created eventually led to serious health issues followed by the collapse of her business and  marriage.  It was, however, an opportunity to face herself and her past, and let it all go. To create her own story and find out who she really was.  It was a long and difficult path to tread, but through using tools like meditation and pranayama (conscious breathing), and following a process of self-enquiry, Gillian became the master of her own destiny.  The culmination of her effort is her recently published book Coming home - a guide to being your true self  (available on Amazon) in which she shares her journey of self-discovery and invites the reader to do the same by offering questions and exercises along the way.  By the end of the book you will have had the opportunity to reflect on:Who am I?What do I want?What is my purpose?What am I grateful for?Join us and learn how Gillian found her inner resilience and that whatever happens, the universe has got your back!Find Gillian: www.fullcircleglobal.com, Insta: @the.master.coach/@fullcircleglobal, Facebook: Gillian McMichael: The Master Coach

Apparently we breathe in and out about 22,000 times a day without thinking.  It happens automatically, a bodily function we take for granted, along with the heart beating and the body digesting.  But the ancient yogis discovered that there was much more to the breath when practiced consciously - what would happen if you paid attention when you breathed?Who better to ask than Devdas, lead pranayama teacher at Akasha Yoga Academy, who has taught pranayama for several decades including 12 years in India.  Devdas explains how conscious breathing benefits us on different levels:Physically - stretches the spine and chest muscles and calms the nervous systemMentally - stills the mind and prepares the body for meditationSpiritually - takes you within for a deeper connection to your inner beingThe beauty of pranayama is that anyone can do it - the only entry requirement is to be able to breathe!  We discuss how yoga asana and meditation get a lot of air time and rank high in popularity but pranayama deserves an equal seat at the table - it is in fact the bridge between the two practices.  A trio that flows seamlessly from one into the other, combining to give you the full package, a powerful punch of overall wellbeing.  What's not to like?Find Devdas: Instagram: @devdassahaja, Facebook: Akasha Yoga Academy

Carmela Martinez is no stranger to the concept of letting go on many levels.  When she took over her father's printing business seven years ago in Montreal, Canada, she had some big shoes to fill.  The company was organised on old school, patriarchal values which Carmela quickly realised didn't resonate with her management style.  Enter: a challenging time of forging change that had her questioning her identity and her ability.What did she discover?  To build a company fit for the future, you have to let go of the past and "the way things have to be done".  To be the best version of yourself and an authentic leader, you have to let go of your fears and self-doubt and keep showing up.  To get the best out of your team, you have to set an example and encourage them to let go of their own perceived limitations.Join us and hear Carmela's inspiring story of breaking down barriers in the workplace and within herself to create joy and fulfilment.  There is reward in taking risks, a useful reminder for us all.Find Carmela: www.mprepro.com

We spend a lot of time and energy clinging onto stuff, don't we!  Just think about it.  What are the things you are constantly striving for or fear losing - your looks?  Money?  Status?  A relationship?  It can get quite exhausting.  And it's a timely subject given we're being forced to think about what we really need in the wake of current food/energy/petrol supply issues.I invite friend and fellow yogi Sarah Cox back onto the mat to chat (and laugh!) about why channelling non-attachment sets you free.  That detaching is in fact liberating yourself.  It's a key tenet you'll find in most ancient spiritual traditions in the world, which would indicate why it's relevant and important to any human being at any point in time.We discuss 5 things that we tend to cling to which feel essential but actually prevent us from living life fully and knowing who we really are:1. Our story2. Things/wealth/objects3. People4. Results/the outcome/status5. Ideas/beliefsSo join us and discover what you can do to free yourself up and fully embrace life!Find Sarah: www.zephorium.com

It's simply a fact that empowering others feels empowering!  You've learnt some stuff in your life - specific skills, knowledge, and maybe you've had a few unexpected curve balls thrown at you that's given you wisdom and resilience - and now it's time to share that with others.  To give a leg up to those finding their own way on their journey.  It feels great, it feels right, making it all worthwhile.This is where  my friend and ex-colleague Connie Fogarty is at.  She has earned her corporate stripes and in her retirement is spending her time supporting non-profit organisations that empower women.  Why let her business acumen and personal experience of overcoming serious illness go to waste?  Indeed.  So we 're chatting about the rewards of giving back, and why specifically empowering women is so important at the moment.  The world feels a bit out of balance, leaning too far over into the energy of conflict and of the individual where it's all about the money.  Women are definitely part of the solution and can encourage a more collective, empathetic and caring approach to global issues.  It really needs to be a team effort and women need to be heard.Connie tells an inspiring story which will hopefully inspire you to think of ways you can give back.  Every person has something to bring to the table, this is what humanity shares.Find Connie: linkedin.com/in/conniefogarty

There is a lot of discussion and information out there about the mind-body connection, isn't there.  It's a big topic.  But what does it mean?  And what can cause disassociation, a disconnect, between the head and the body?So this week I'm chatting with Joff Brown, a Functional Neurology Practitioner and Pain & Performance Therapist, to find out more.  He spends his personal time studying, and professional time treating people with, issues surrounding neural connections, movement and pain.  He explains what new approaches to movement inhibition are emerging, of which there are quite a few.  For example, Quantum Biology is looking at the body at a vibrational level and seeks to explore energy imbalance as a possible cause of functional problems.It seems we are learning more and more about what makes the body tick and how the neural communications work.  We're going deeper.  Personally, I love it when science catches up with spiritual wisdom - the chakra subtle energy system has been known for hundreds of years by the yogis in India.   One of the benefits of yoga is the rebalancing of our energy, of course.I ask Joff, what drives him to keep exploring?  Curiosity, he says.  Find Joff: www.uniquesolutionsppr.com

Regardless of where we live in the world, what we believe in and what work we do, there is one thing every human being has in common: the need to eat.  Most people have to buy food, making choices about what to put into our, and our family's, bodies.  It's an ongoing routine that goes on automatic most of the time, I expect.  And perhaps now, with a pandemic-induced health awareness, we think about those choices more.  More veg/fruit/lean meat, less sugar and fat etc.  But how about taking that a step further, or should I say, earlier?  Shouldn't we also take an interest in where that food comes from, and how it is produced?Meet Karen Seyersted, an Integrated Health Practitioner, Organic Farming Advocate and Co-founder of Whole Health Agriculture, who is doing just that.  Her work is focusing on helping farmers discover and adopt practices that can end reliance on synthetic chemicals, antibiotics and intensive interventions.  Homeopathy and traditional methods do no harm to the environment, and turn out to be cheaper than conventional approaches.  Healthier farms means healthier products which means healthier consumers - it's a winning strategy!But what more can consumers actively do to help?  Listen to Karen explain why farmers want to be part of the solution and how we can all play our part in supporting sustainable food production.Find Karen & Whole Health Agriculture: www.wholehealthag.org, Facebook: @wholehealthag, Twitter: @WholeHealth_Ag, Instagram: whole_health_ag

Phil Hewitt (UK runner, author and journalist) woke up to a sunny morning in Cape Town, South Africa and a day filled with his favourite sport, cricket.  He was thrilled to have got tickets and make the journey.  But by the end of the day, Phil's life had changed forever.  A decision to walk back to the city on his own led to a near-fatal knife attack, his life miraculously saved by a passing pizza delivery man.Returning back to the UK, it became clear that Phil was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  How could he get back some control and heal his shattered spirit, overcome the sense of helplessness and the panic attacks?  By leaning in to his love of running.  Putting one foot in front of the other, step by step, moving forward, the healing journey began. He decided to share his experience and the learning by writing a book called Outrunning the Demons (Bloomsbury).  In it, his story is one of 35 true life accounts of how people have healed themselves through running after suffering trauma.  It's an inspiring collection.  Does he wish that day in Cape Town had not happened?  His reply is a surprising "no".  On the contrary, it has enriched his life, and he explains why.Find Phil: Twitter @marathon_addict 

It's Mother's Day in the UK this coming Sunday, when we celebrate mothers, but it's actually a day that is difficult for many.  You may have lost a mother recently/prematurely, or desperately want to be a mother but can't for whatever reason, or have a difficult relationship with your mother, or have lost a child and are no longer a mother.  Yeah, it can be a pretty loaded day.I invite friend and fellow yogi Sarah Cox back onto the mat to chat about our society's general relationship with "Mother".  We have a lighthearted explore of the expectations of mothers, and what we project onto mothers.  And as mothers get older, is there a way to let go of the nurturing pressure and morph into something else?  Of our choice?  Who do we want to be when the mothering is over?!And where does the notion of "Earth Mother" come from, who is she?Find Sarah:  www.zephorium.com

It's a solo episode this week as I share reflections on a recent trip to the Arctic!  It's my second trip to Northern Norway but this time in mid-winter, when the landscape is covered in ice and snow.  It's just as raw and rugged and awe-inducing as summer, but perhaps a bit more magical in the frosty glow.While there, I visited a Sami reindeer camp, where we could interact with the animals and learn about the Sami culture.  It's quite the thing when you're in the same room with an indigenous person explaining his/her culture and sharing it with such authenticity, joy and yes, contentment.  Because when you rely on the land and Mother Nature for survival, when you exist as one with your environment, only taking what you need, it instills a deep sense of calm, peace and trust.For me, I took away this reminder of channelling more contentment in life - be grateful for what you have and let go of the attachment to wanting more.  Because if everyone stopped feeling separate and behaved as part of a (global) collective, then maybe there would be no more wars?

We arrive into this world and meet the people (or person) who are going to look after us, usually our parents.  From that moment on we are dependent on them/her/him until we are old enough to take care of ourselves and establish our own lives.  But this relationship, be it good or bad, easy or hard, joyful or painful - let's try to take the judgement out of it - remains part of our story.Regardless of the quality of that parental connection, the moment will come when they pass on, and assuming grandparents have passed also, the generational shift occurs.  You are left as the most "senior" in family rank, or in tribal terms, you are now an "elder".  I've invited friend and singer-songwriter Tobiah back on the mat to chat with me about how it feels to "step up" in this way, something we have both experienced.  We have both lost a parent to Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's, a difficult process that involved re-evaluating the parental relationship along the way.  What can we learn?  Did they leave us a gift in their parting?Inspired by the slow letting go of her mother, Tobiah wrote a beautiful song - Apples - The Long Goodbye - which features on her latest album Are We Angels.  I'm therefore super excited to end the podcast with this track - enjoy!Find Tobiah: www.tobiah.co.uk, Facebook @tobiahuk, Instagram @tobiahthomas, Twitter @tobiahtobie13

It was just another day until Katy Parker was crossing the road and got hit by a van only a metre away from reaching the pavement.  Lying dazed on the ground but aware she had been badly injured, she was overwhelmed with a profound sense of gratitude.  Gratitude that she was still alive, she could open her eyes and see the sky.  Later in A&E, she was told it had been a very close call - a few inches further back and she could have been killed or paralysed.  As it was, she was lucky to have got away with fractured vertebrae in her spine that would heal.It was a life-changing event for Katy.  A positive person before the accident, this outlook now felt intensified, her awareness heightened.  She wanted to emanate gratitude every day and in everything she did.  However, her experience was not without challenges.  Not long after, it became clear she was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and not only that, suppressed trauma from the past resurfaced.  Fortunately, Katy sought help to address her issues, a process which reunited her with her love of writing.  Why not share her story with others to help them heal as well as herself?  To let other PTSD sufferers know they are not alone?  And so the Journey of Smiley blog was created.  She has now added the "PTSD: My story project" where people can guest blog and share their experience.It's an inspiring tale.  And what is Katy's advice?  End each day by thinking of one thing you're grateful for.Find Katy: @journeyofsmiley, www.journeyofsmiley.com

To suffer is to be human, but this is a tricky question which might provoke an immediate "No!" for some or most people. Resisting or avoiding pain is understandable and perfectly natural!However, it's something I can explore with Baruch Zeichner who describes his life as a growth journey.  After gaining a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from college in New Hampshire, US, Baruch began his own practice and teaching.  A part time job as a DJ on local radio sparked his lifelong passion for broadcasting and lead to the creation of his podcast/radio show Paradigms - "inspired by the recognition that humans need to know there are things that are working, that there are possibilities".But then the unthinkable happened. He received a call informing him that his mother had died, but what is more, she had met a violent death.  Although not a stranger to loss during his life - his father died when he was young and later on he lost a close friend - her murder shook him to the core.  It proved a profound turning point which propelled him into extensive travelling around the world, soul-searching deeply along the way.  The long (ongoing) healing journey found him working as a volunteer counsellor in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as teaching in Israel and around Europe.So, going back to the question, can suffering be a catalyst for positive personal growth?  Baruch says yes and explains why.Find Baruch: www.paradigms.life 

What is unconditional love?  That's a big bite to chew, isn't it!  And to tackle this universal, eternal key life question, I invite my friend and fellow yogi Sarah Cox back onto the mat.  Loving should be so easy and effortless, I mean, we all have a heart, so what is the problem.  Well, it turns out that love is a risky business involving heartache and disappointment, depending on who and what the object of our devotion is, and the cards we are dealt in life.We start the discussion by reflecting on the ease of the unconditional nature of our love for and from our dogs.  Animals have no Egos, no agenda and are 100% in the moment, so opening up our hearts to them is safe (although they don't live forever).  Human relationships are much more complex, however.  We bring into them our stories, emotional baggage, expectations and projections.  And at some point we experience the pain of loss, either through death or rejection.  Is it worth the ride?  We think so and explain why.Ultimately, we 'd like to arrive at understanding that love is universal, it's something we all share.  And the source of the universe's love for us resides within, in our hearts.  And that is something we can always rely on and never lose.Find Sarah:  www.zephorium.com

Human beings have had a relationship with the plant world since we were formed.  We rely on it for food, fuel and food for raising domestic animals which also sustain us.  But we have also relied on plants and herbs for medicinal purposes and for helping us heal.  Herbalism is a tradition found in every culture in the world, anywhere plants grow.Which is why I'm excited to chat with Dee Atkinson, a Medicinal Herbalist (of Napiers Herbalists in Edinburgh, est 1860) .  Dee's journey to herbalism began as a child when she saw her sick father's bothersome stomach ulcer symptoms be dealt with by a herbalist.  When he was later cured of his condition by conventional medicine, antibiotics, she saw how the two modalities could work together and has based her practice on this ever since. We discuss how trust plays a crucial role in how we choose practitioners to support our health, and that we should empower ourselves to do the research to find who is best for us for that particular problem.  Dee is a huge fan of preventative measures rather than waiting for a health issue to develop - there is so much more we can do to be healthy, she says, and the plant world is a generous source.  Find Dee: www.deeatkinson.net

I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds regular meditation challenging to maintain in all the busy-ness of daily life, but Burkhard Langemann is very clear that it's an essential practice we need to do daily.  Like brushing our teeth.  Hygiene for the mouth and hygiene for the mind, he says.Burkhard should know, he is a Psychologist by background and is currently a Yoga & Meditation Teacher Trainer.  Ten years ago he co-founded Akasha Yoga Academy, which is where our paths crossed when I did my yoga teacher training with him in Bali 5 years ago.We begin our chat reflecting on the importance of holding space and finding the stillness necessary not just for deeper healing and awareness, but also for keeping us in the 'big picture'.  And what is this big picture?  It's detachment from the two polarities of the pleasure and pain in life.  Sometimes we're the 'hero' when the going is good but equally we can feel like a 'zero' when things go wrong.  He explains why we should take neither version of ourselves personally.   And meditation is a tool that takes us out of this illusion and acts as a very healthy 'reset', takes us back to our 'default setting' of centredness and connection.At the end of our chat Burkhard invites us to a one-minute meditation practice to give us a feel for the benefit of stillness - please join us!Find Burkhard: www.akashayogaacademy.com

I'm always curious when I sense - hear, feel or see - fear of change.  It's like we think that a state of things-must-stay-the-same is a safe, secure place, and that change is scary or dangerous.  Fear of change is actually fear of the unknown, the not-knowing.  But the reality is that change is happening constantly, it's something we can neither control nor resist or avoid.  And change is a good thing!Life is therefore a state of continuous movement, as Nily Ron explains in this week's MatChat.  She is a NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming) Practitioner, Life Coach and Movement Therapist.  Nily has literally moved through life, from martial arts and bellydancing to formal dance, teaching along the way while getting a degree in Psychology.  She now applies the principle of movement in her work with NLP through her offering called trimoving.  Nily explains the three ways we can change our 1) posture (physical), 2) our thoughts (cognitive) and 3) the people we surround ourselves with (social) to get ourselves out of a place of 'stuckness'.  It's a self-empowering process that enables you to "Be the ME that you want to BE".  And what better way is there to be than that?Find Nily: @trimoving, www.trimoving.co.uk

I celebrate the start of a new year and my chosen theme for the year, resilience, by inviting fellow yogi Reva Myers onto the mat for a chat.  We met on Bali nearly five years ago where we shared an intense month on a yoga teacher training course, a life-changing experience for us both.  She returned to the US with a dream to live the life of a travelling yoga teacher, going wherever the spirit would take her in a yogified van!Reva did indeed make her dream a reality but not quite in the way she intended.  A car accident which left her seriously injured with a broken spine felt like the end of her plans until she realised she had the very tools to overcome the challenge.  How did she do it?  And why is she feeling stronger than ever on all levels?Get ready to feel inspired!Find Reva: @yogawithreva, www.yogawithreva.com

It's the end of another year and a natural pause for reflection.  So this week I'm sitting on my virtual mat on my own and sharing some thoughts on the year that's gone.  What will you take with you into the new year?  What have you learned?  Do you need to make some changes to the way you behave, to what you value and to your attitude?  I think in the end it's about discovering your inner resilience, which is a profound awareness that emerges when we are deeply challenged.  And that's what I propose we take going forward - resilience.  Let go of the fear, the worry, of pre-empting anxiety, and instead accept that whatever comes you can manage.  And grow.  And become even stronger.  Ultimately it's about living life gratefully and joyfully.  Happy New Year!Find Mina: @empoweredwithmina (Facebook & Instagram), @minablair6 (Twitter), www.minablair.com

One of the key learnings in the ancient yogic scripture The Bhagavad Gita, is: "It is better to strive in one's own dharma than to succeed in the dharma of another.  Nothing is ever lost in following one's own dharma."Dharma is Sanskrit for purpose, for one's calling.  It's the thing you've come into the world to do and it resonates deeply in your heart.  It can be something obvious that you know from a young age or it can take years to become apparent.  Sometimes we have to suffer to discover what we're really about, which was certainly the case for Paula Macklin Creasy.  Her mother was diagnosed with cancer when Paula was ten years old, and sadly died nine years later.  The loss inspired her to turn her focus towards traditional medicine, so when she had the opportunity to travel to China to study acupuncture, she took it. It was a turning point and Paula has been practising acupuncture ever since, investing in personal development and expanding her knowledge along the way.  Is conventional medicine willing to work alongside traditional treatments like acupuncture?  Paula believes so and explains why.Find Paula: www.midhurstacupuncture.co.uk

Humans have been treating their ailments for thousands of years in one way or another, leaning into what Mother Nature offers.  Conceived in 1796 by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathy joined the ranks of traditional (I don't like the word 'alternative'!) medicine and has been helping people heal ever since.I ask Lone Pedersen what she has discovered during the 20 years she has been practicing as a Classical Homeopath in her international practice which focuses on mental and emotional conditions such as ADHD, OCD, anxiety and depression.  Can conventional and traditional medicine work together?  She explains how homeopathy works and why she thinks there is a place for all medical modalities, but that ultimately, the important thing is to stay healthy.Find Lone: @lonebystromp, www.naturligvishomeopathy.com

Christmas is soon upon us with all the excitement and expectation that that implies!  It's a time of celebration and joy, of course, but it can also be a difficult time, of stress, as you strive to make it whatever you feel it needs to be.  If you celebrate Christmas, you will have developed a relationship with it over the years, and perhaps wellbeing tends not be on the (very long) seasonal to-do list!I ask friend and fellow yogi Sarah Cox, can self-care and Christmas co-exist?  Because you could argue it's needed more now than at any other time of year.  We share our Christmas stories and what we've learned along the way, as well as offer some tips on how to make the most of the holiday break.  How to take the pressure off.  So, wherever you are in life, and whether you will be alone or with others this year, I hope we can help you find meaning and joy.Find Sarah: @zephorium, www.zephorium.com

This week I'm exploring the gut with Nutritional Therapist Nicola Russell.  It's so much more than a 9 metre long tube where stuff goes in at the top and waste comes out at the bottom!  It produces more neurotransmitters than the brain.  It regulates and self-cleans itself.  It controls our mood.  We discuss all this and other interesting facts as Nicola takes us through her own gut journey overcoming IBS, and how she now empowers others to heal their digestive system and get their lives back.  Because yes, we are what we eat!Find Nicola: @nicolarussellnt, www.nicola-russell.co.uk

It feels like we at times fear or fight change in principle, that we'd prefer things stayed the same.  And yet change is all around and within us constantly without our control!  Take the female body.  From the moment of birth, it's an ongoing growth that shifts into monthly cycles, pausing only for the 9 month wonder of pregnancy if and when that occurs, before it gears down into peri- and finally menopause.  It's quite the journey to navigate, but how supportive of ourselves are we on the ride?I ask Becky Potts, Women's Health Physiotherapist, Pilates instructor and Co-Founder of Perfect Motion Physio, whether women do enough to look after themselves over a lifetime of flux.  Is our attitude one of acceptance or resistance?  Are we talking openly and loudly enough about the issues, about the (often unspoken) shame around having periods and the menopause?  Are we helping each other?  Join us as we explore these questions, having laughs along the way!Find Becky: @perfectmotionphysio, www.perfectmotionphysio.com 

This is Part 2 of a discussion with Ciara Roberts, a holistic kidney expert with lived experience of dialysis and transplantation.  A yoga teacher and naturopathic nutritionist of 10 years, she is also the author of Wholly Aligned, Wholly Alive: Awakening your inner physician. Having chatted about Ciara's health story in Part 1, our focus moves onto the importance of honest conversations about unhealthy habits and relationships with food.  The way forward offered is to own your health and do what you can to nourish your body.  Be your best health advocate.  So, do the research and ask the questions.  At the same time, the medical profession needs to be encouraged to be holistic in their treatment approach, listen to the patient and look after their own wellbeing.  Ultimately, if you empower yourself, you can empower others, and that works both ways whether you are the patient or the doctor!Find Ciara: @whollyaligned, www.whollyaligned.com

This is Part 1 of a discussion with Ciara Roberts, a holistic kidney expert with lived experience of dialysis and transplantation.  A yoga teacher and naturopathic nutritionist of 10 years, she is also the author of Wholly Aligned, Wholly Alive: Awakening your inner physician.  Ciara shares her health story which started at the tender age of four, when a strep throat infection led to permanent kidney damage.  Over her growing years she became her own best health advocate, learning how to nourish and nurture her body through good times and bad, and entering adulthood with a passion for a holistic approach to healthy living.  It's an inspiring tale of a girl and a woman who chooses to empower herself and use her experience to encourage others to find their inner physician.Find Ciara: @whollyaligned, www.whollyaligned.com 

The constant and relentless news headlines about violence between human beings, particularly by men against women, is hard to ignore.  What could be behind such an imbalance in human relations to manifest this level of anger?   How do we achieve wellbeing for all?  I put these questions to David Rogers, a yogi for over 30 years and a yoga teacher for ten, who offers helpful insight into the topics of male power and fear.  We discuss whether the answer lies in self-liberation, in finding common ground and balancing our  masculine and feminine sides.Find David: @averyenglishyogi, www.averyenglishyogi.com