Yoga Is Vegan

As a corporate advisor for ethical start-ups, Margaux finds balance with her daily yoga and meditation practice. She is certified in holistic plant-based nutrition, with a focus on longevity, and has studied what the longest living people on earth have in common. Her upcoming virtual longevity summit will be a gift for mothers and families. In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Margaux Khoury talk about Margaux's upcoming summit, Rising Mothers. They also discuss the differences between being plant-based and vegan, unschooling and eating a healthy diet.Connect with Margaux:LinkedIn: @ Margaux KhouryWebsite: Rising Mothers Summit

Gayatri Sehgal is currently a graduate student at LMU's Yoga Studies program. They also create online content on Instagram and Youtube around intersectional anti-speciesism, Yoga philosophy, environmental justice, and their personal journey under the alias @goddessgaya. She is also on the board of the Compassion Consortium. Their spiritual practice consists of activism as an embodiment of dharma and yogic ethics, yogāsana and mindfulness, bhakti, mysticism, and of course, living the vegan lifestyle. She offers coaching for activists and aspiring vegans which can be found on the highest tier of their Patreon or by reaching out to their email: patreon.com/goddessgaya or gsehgal24@gmail.com .In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Gayatri Sehgal discuss the following:Bari Gratton, Meghan Maris, Courtney Ng, Gayatri Sehgal and Shuo Wang's Open letter to Yoga Alliance to Shape a Better Future for YogaVeganism and Caste Systems in India Brahmin Vegetarianism Yoga Inc. DocumentaryThe differences between Yoga, yoga and yogasanaModern Yoga Studies: Critical History, Anthropology and Methodology at Arihanta AcademyConnect with Gayatri Sehgal:Instagram: @goddessgayaPatreon:GoddessgayaYouTube: Goddess Gaya

Lauryn Glass is a vegan animal rights activists, licensed mental health therapist and a 200 hour trained yoga teacher. She has a plant-based nutrition certification from ECornell and is raising two young healthy vegan kids (9 & 3) with her husband in the Midwest. Lauryn uses social media to share information, tips & recipes in favor of the vegan lifestyle. She hopes to provoke thought in others that will help them recognize that the desire for life, love and freedom is the same in all living beings. Lauryn has been regularly practicing yoga since 2007 and found it to be extremely beneficial during many mental, physical & emotional personal life changes and experiences. This eventually led her to pursue her own teacher yoga training in 2018. As far as she can remember, during the years of practice in many states at many studios, with many teachers, veganism was mentioned one time - in teacher training briefly and that was it. In December of 2019 Lauryn & her family began to shift to vegetarian eating and one afternoon in January 2021, Lauryn learned the whole truth about how animals are used and made into products and overnight, the house was vegan. Her meat loving husband came home from work and she told him he could do what he wanted but she would never be buying, eating, cooking or touching another animal product again! He has been happily vegan ever since as well. Of course, Lauryn's own personal yoga practice was a huge part of her spiritual journey, evolution, unlearning speciesism and choice of new lifestyle, but it was not until reading the book "Yoga and Veganism," and really understanding the ins and outs of our food system, that Lauryn made the real connection that: YOGA IS VEGAN! She believes that it isn't just yoga though, it is everything that we say we are as people! We say we treat others how we want to be treated, we say we are kind, in favor of justice, equality, peace, freedom, love, a healthy planet, healthy minds, bodies & souls. Lauryn shares tips, truths & her self-taught vegan recipes on her social media pages @veganyogamomma on Instagram and TikTok. She posts her recipes on a blog: www.veganyogamomma.com. You can currently hear her on weekly podcast episodes as a cohost of: "Vegan Sunday School" on the Vegan of Course podcast. She loves to inspire others to break themselves from the societal conditioning and reunite with their own true & inherent compassion for all living beings on or off of the yoga mat. Lauryn & her family love exploring the growing vegan scene in their city & checking out all of the new vegan items on the shelves at the market every week! In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Lauryn Glass talk about her vegan/yoga journey and raising a family vegan in the midwest. Connect with Lauryn:Tik Tok: @veganyogamammaInstagram: @veganyogamommaWebsite: veganyogamamma.comPodcast: Vegan Of Course "Vegan Sunday School"

Sarah Salluzzo cofounded Lancaster Farm Sanctuary in 2017. She holds an MSW and MA in media studies and previously worked in substance abuse rehabilitation. She now works full-time at LFS as the Executive Director and is the board president.Jonina Turzi cofounded Lancaster Farm Sanctuary in 2017. She is passionate about advancing the well-being of humans and animals. She holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy as well as several certifications in healthcare and wellness. In addition to serving as Vice President on the board of LFS, she runs a private PT practice in Lancaster City.In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis, Sarah Salluzzo and Jonina Turzi discuss the following;Reproductive InjusticeFood InjustriceDairy farming practicesThe Egg industry and backyard chickensYIV Episode 29- Jonina Turzi: Social Transformation Through Yoga, Ahimsa and VeganismUniversal Declaration of Human RightsUniversal Declaration of Sentient Rights Connect with Lancaster Farm Sanctuary:Website: lancasterfarmsanctuary.org

Christopher Jain Miller is the VP of Academic Affairs and Professor of Jain and Yoga Studies at Arihanta Academy. He completed his Ph.D. in the study of Religion at the University of California, Davis, and his current research focuses on applied Jain dharma and the ways by which Jain principles can be lived in daily life. Christopher is the author of a number of articles and book chapters concerned with Jain dharma, Jain veganism, the history and practice of modern yoga, yoga and politics, and yoga philosophy and is a co-editor of the volume Beacons of Dharma: Spiritual Exemplars for the Modern Age (Lexington 2019). He lectures internationally on Jain and yoga topics and is a certified continuing education provider for the Yoga Alliance. He is the academic advisor for the global Jain Vegan Initiative to promote a vegan lifestyle in light of the Jain principles of non-violence, compassion, and karma.In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Christopher Jain Miller discuss the following:Ahimsa and its role in both Yoga and the Jain religion. History of contemporary JainismKarma and its relationship to samskarasHatha Yoga Pradipika Jain Vegan InitativeArihanta AcademyConnect with Christopher Jain Miller:Instagram: @theyogaprofessorFacebook: @ChristopherJainMillerWebsite: arihanta-academy.com Fall 2022 Classes:Ahimsa, Animal Advocacy, and Veganism with Hope BohanecBeyond Vegetarianism: Jain Veganism and the Promotion of Ahimsa - Nisha Mehta, Pratik Bhansali, Sunny Jain Modern Yoga Studies: Critical History, Anthropology and Methodology- Professor Christopher Jain Miller, PhD

Legendary yoga teacher Sri Dharma Mittra first encountered yoga as a teenager before meeting his guru in 1964 and beginning his training in earnest. Sri Dharma founded one of the early independent schools of yoga in New York City in 1975 and has taught many tens of thousands the world over in the years since. Sri Dharma is the model and creator of The Master Yoga Chart of 908 Postures, the author of ASANAS: 608 Yoga Poses, the LOAY Teachers' Manual and Yoga Wisdom, has released two DVDs to date – Maha Sadhana Levels I and II, and recently captured classes are available for streaming via alomoves.com, YogaJournal.com and Vimeo On Demand. Sri Dharma continues to disseminate the complete traditional science of yoga through daily classes, international workshops and his Life of a Yogi Teacher Trainings at the Dharma Yoga New York Center. For more information on all things Dharma Yoga, please visit: www.dharmayogacenter.com.In this episode Holly Skodis interviews Sri Dharma Mittra about the role of the teacher, yogic practices and veganism for spiritual development. Topics discussed in this episode: Sri Dharma Mittra's Guru Sri Swami Kailashananda a.k.a. Yogi GuptaAhimsaThe Sattvic DietThe role of vegan foods in a spiritual practice The condition of the soulReincarnation and the meaning of lifeRaja YogaYoga Nidra Karma YogaMeditation Yoga Postures

Stefanie Ignoffo is a Plant Interventionist, Lifestyle Medicine Coach and Food For LIfe Instructor with the Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine. She is also the CEO & Founder of Plantspiration® NFP INC. After transitioning her family to plants in 2013, Stefanie lost 100 pounds. As a family, they lost a total of 250 pounds and reversed their chronic diseases. Stefanie has made it her mission to educate, motivate and inspire people all over the world to Eat Your Plants Off, prevent and reverse disease, lose weight and maintain this wonderful lifestyle. In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Stefanie Ignoffo discuss the following:Becoming a Food For Life Instructor through PCRMUnprocessed: How to achieve vibrant health and your idea weight by Chef AJTransitioning Your Family to a Whole Foods Plantbased Vegan DIetWeight loss and strugglesStefanie's reversal of diverticulitis Incorporating Yoga into the Plantspiration's Support GroupDr. Brooke Goldner's Smoothie Shred

Hate something? Change something!Born at the beginning of the 60s, Stewart experienced the hippy revolution, punk rock, new wave, two tone, reggae and much more in the diverse politicised atmosphere of Thatcherist Britain. Leading a wild, nihilistic, and hedonostic lifestyle led him to a multitude of years and experiences with hallucinogenics, shamanism and ethnobotany both recreationally and spiritually. The new age travellers and the second summer of love in the UK, where Rave and Ecstacy redefined alternative culture and reinvigorated the esoteric arts, which kindled an interest in buddhism and yoga in Stewart. Following a severe back injury Stewart experienced an amazing recovery through intensive Astanga Vinyasa Mysore yoga practice.Stewart's sadhana led him toward an extensive yoga education with teachers from around the world who have had a profound effect on his style of teaching.A devoted activist in a wide range of issues: the Arms trade and nuclear disarmament, human and animal rights, environmental and ecological issues, anti-racist/fascist, pro LGBTQ, anti capitalist and anti poverty. He spent 10 years as a youth worker and teacher within the voluntary sector before training as a Lawyer in inner city London. Stewart relates his radical traditionalist approach to Yoga to include these important modern issues and his experiences therein. With great respect to the founders for their activism in animal rights he qualified as a Jivamukti teacher in 2003 and since has taught extensively in London and worldwide with annual retreats workshops in India and Sri Lanka. Stewart is a Senior Registered Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. He founded East London School of Yoga and has been teaching Teacher Training for 8 years. He is currently studying at SOAS University toward an MA in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation with hopes of research toward a Phd. Stewart is eternally grateful to Hamish Hendry (Astanga London), Sabel Thaim, Jennifer Dale,Sri K Patthabi Jois, Sri Shreshadree (Mysore), and David Life and Sharon Gannon (Jivamukti Yoga) who all contributed greatly to change his life. He is also very sorry to everyone and everything who he harmed before yoga.In this episode Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Stewart Gilchrist discuss the following:Vegan Health and Fitness Magazine Yoga EditionKate Magic Nature's First Law: The Raw-Food Diet by Stephen Arlin, David Wolfe, Fouad Dini, R.C. Dini, Marc Wolfe and Ken SeaneStew's experience getting sick on a mono fruitarian diet in colder climatesOrthorexia Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li Shinrin-yoku Reclaim the StreetsExtinction RebellionGMOSThe Farm TennesseeSugar and bone charStew's experience getting CovidA Handbook for Yogasana Teachers by Mel Robin Hooked on Raw: Rejuvenate Your Body and Should With Nature's Living Foods by RhioRaw: The Uncook Book: New Vegetarian Food for Life by Juliano Brotman and Erika LenkertDr. Douglas N. GrahamConscious Eating by Gabriel Cousens M.D.

Bobbi Paidel is a Hatha Yogi & Sadhak who spends most of her days traveling or living in northern India studying meditation & the wisdom of the vedas. Bobbi grew up on a second generation cattle ranch in southern Alberta, Canada, had a promising career in the global fashion industry and was continually struggling with addiction & mental health issues. That all changed when Bobbi met her Guru in India, devoted her life to Yoga, sadhana & sobriety, became a compassionate, animal loving vegan, and left her fashion career to found a charity for children living with HIV+ in India. She accredits her transformation to the way of ahimsa as demonstrated by her Guru and the power behind a daily, personal practice. In this episode Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Bobbi Paidel discuss the following:The differences between Yoga in India and what's being taught to westernersYoga Alliance and it's disconnect with traditional Yoga Bobbi's Guru Swami ShyamThe role of sobriety within the Yoga practiceTribe of Lambs A charity co-founded by Bobbi that provides funding for children living with HIV in India.Connect with Bobbi:Instagram: @bobbipaidelPodcast: A Curious YogiWebsite: bobbipaidel.com

Alfredo Meschi, is a theatre teacher, an author and a contemporary artist. In 2016 he chose to become a total manifesto, a permanent performance, covering his whole body with 40,000 "X" tattoos, representing the animals killed worldwide every second, just to satisfy our palate. Nowadays his artivisim involves hundreds of thousands of people all over the world, spreading through both institutional and informal contemporary art spaces.In this episode Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Alfredo Meschi talk about Alfredo's artivism project In the Blink of An Eye. If you are unfamiliar with the term artivism, its the combination of the two words activism and artist where the body of work is decidedly linked to activism. We also talk about ahimsa and how it's directly related to this project.Connect with Alfredo:Website: intheblink.orgInstagram: @alfredomeschix

Danielle's passion for movement as medicine is firmly grounded in her personal struggle with scoliosis, and the lessons she has learned along the difficult path of living in a warped body. Through exploring various movement modalities over the past 20 years, Danielle has certified in various forms of yoga, aerial arts, Pilates, Gyrotonic ® Method, and her most recent interest has taken her down the path of Iyengar Yoga. Danielle seeks to change the way her students view their bodies, to inspire them to make positive lifestyle choices and to help guide the way toward total holistic health of mind and body. Called a ‘teacher's teacher, her classes are detail oriented and require presence and curiosity from all who attend. In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Danielle Lowy discuss the following:Developing a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Patanjali's Yoga sutra 2:26 and how it relates to veganismIyengar YogaDanielle's new pilates and Yoga Studio Alma.

Karo Tak is a vegan chef, food coach, yoga teacher and activist. She has traveled the world to teach yoga, talk about her activism, facilitate vegan cooking classes and compassionately spread the word for animals worldwide. She lives in Amsterdam where she facilitates yoga retreat catering and plant based food coaching/ consulting with my companyTHE PINK KITCHEN. She is currently studying in the UK to become an AYURVEDIC HEALTH COACH at DRU YOGA UK and she's doing a 500hr Yoga Teacher Training at EAST LONDON SCHOOL OF YOGA with her precious teacher, fellow activist and friend Stewart Gilchrist.Karo graciouslly returns once again for a special reset of the Yoga is Vegan Podcast. In episode 124 YIV's Holly Skodis and Karo talk about losing and regaining faith in humanity. They discuss the importance of taking breaks allowing space for creative projects. They also talk about the state of Yoga today and what we can do as Vegans and Yogis to move forward in today's world with compassion. Karo has previously been on the podcast on Ep 25- Food, Yoga & Activism and Ep 117- Karo Tak is in The Pink. Karo also wrote a beautiful piece as a Featured Yogi

Uma VaShi Devi Lescault devoted her life to Yoga, when she found her Gurus' at age 10. Sat Manav Yoga Ashram, where Uma resides with her gurus, Sri Bhagavan VaShi Baba and Sri Mirabai Ishwari, and fellow yogis, is a place dedicated to practicing, living and sharing the classical teachings of Yoga. Through practice and emanation, retreats, classes, monthly festivals, and many other offerings we illuminate the ultimate intention of Yoga, to embody our true purpose as human beings, so we can change the world! In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Uma VaShi Devi Lescault talk about what it's like to be part of an Ashram. We talk about the sattvic diet and how it's related to prana. We also discuss their sister studio Sat Manav Tatoos & Talismans and their artist Bhagavan Das Shyam.

nico is an activist and a scholar. They completed their M.A. in Animal Studies from New York University, and have led grassroots animal rights and environmental protection campaigns in Colombia, Colorado, New York, and California. They focus on activism and scholarship that address Big Meat's devastating harms with the urgency they demand, and is currently working on a book, Ban Meat? A Not-So-Radical Policy Proposal. You can learn more and connect with nico here.In this episode nico stubler and Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis discuss the following:nico's chapter in the newly released book, Vegan Entanglements: Dismantiling Racial and Carceral Capitalism by Z. Zane McNeill (editor)Durga Farms New ZealandEating Animals by Jonathan Safran FoerYoga philosophy and where it intersects with veganismJustin MarceauArturo Jose Garcia Yoga is Vegan Episode 105No More Factory Farmsnico's upcoming book Ban Meat Connect with nico:Instagram: @nico.stubler

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Andrew Sealy talk about activism and attractivism and how leading by example works to inspire others to go vegan. We talk about his recent trip to Egypt, And as per usual, we talk about Andrew's vegan and yoga journey. Andrew Sealy is a connection catalyst, a yoga artist, and a movement creator. He is internationally recognized for his yoga teachings and wellness leadership. Andrew's teachings of Compassionate Self Love and Infinite Positive Potential inspire practitioners of all walks of life worldwide. Through the unique practice of Yoga and Mindful Living, Andrew embodies progressive knowledge while positively empowering his students with the tools needed for sustainable growth. Andrew's teachings aim to answer the question: How can we adapt to create and evolve to sustain?Connect with Andrew:Website: andrew7sealy.comInstagram: @andrew7sealyVegan 24 Day Challenge: https://www.24dayveganchallenge.com/Glo Protein: https://gloveganprotein.com/Imiloa Retreat 2022, Costa Rica Feb 16-21https://imiloainstitute.com/retreat/empowered-embodiment/

In today's episode, Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Lara Heimann talk about how common it is that yoga teachers complete Yoga Teacher Trainings without understanding how the body works. We discuss incorporating veganism into Yoga and we talk about Lara's vegan journey.The seeds of Lara's fascination with the brain-body connection were planted at the tender age of 18 as she laced up her running shoes for a marathon she had not trained for. Hitting the wall at mile 20, Lara learned that she could overcome physical fatigue with mental strength and powered herself across the finish line and into a lifelong quest to learn about the physical-mental relationship. She went on to get a BA from Duke University in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, an MS from Duke University in Physical Therapy, and a Neurodevelopmental Training Certification through Stanford University.In 1999, after several years of yoga practice and teaching, Lara took a 200-hour yoga teacher training and was shocked to learn that most yoga doesn't inform about body awareness and mechanics. In the years to follow, Lara created her LYT Yoga Method®, combining physiology, kinesiology, neurology, and functional movement patterns to yield a more cohesive philosophy.Lara Heimann is an international yoga pioneer and Physical Therapist focused on evolving the practice of yoga to empower movement and balance amidst a modern lifestyle of technology and sedentariness. She is redefining the modern practice of yoga through her comprehensive LYT Method®, emphasizing smart alignment, functional movement, and spiritual wellness. Lara has taught her methodology to thousands of students in more than 50 countries and has led workshops worldwide to speak about and explore consciousness, anatomy and purposeful movement. She is a regular contributor to Women Fitness, and has been featured in outlets like NBC News, Today Show, Inside Edition, Yahoo, Shape, Scientific American, MSN, Nylon, Pop Sugar, Elite Daily, Well+Good and so many more. She has also partnered with the New York City Department of Transportation to lead a city-wide yoga class to nearly 400 participants during its Summer Streets initiative. Through its holistic connection between body and mind, Lara's methodology is a clear and influential roadmap to ignite the spirit to operate at its highest potential. Coined a “yoga mama” by students across the globe, and a teacher of teachers, Lara is also a certified Natural Food Chef (Natural Kitchen Cooking School) and Holistic Health Coach (Institute of Integrative Nutrition) who champions healthy habits beyond the mat and advocates for the environment and all species of animals. In today's episode, Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Lara Heimann talk about how common it is that yoga teachers complete Yoga Teacher Trainings without understanding how the body works. We discuss incorporating veganism into Yoga and we talk about Lara's vegan journey.Connect with Lara:Website: lytyoga.com Instagram: @lara.heimannTo you want to support this show? If you enjoy the Yoga is Vegan podcast a great way to show your support is by leaving a review on the Apple Podcasts app. This helps other find the podcast and hopefully find the connection between Yoga and Veganism. Following the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts helps also.

Dean Ornish, M.D., is the founder and president of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute, clinical professor of medicine at the UCSF, and the author of six books, all national bestsellers. He received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from the University of Texas, Austin, and the National Public Health Hero Award from the University of California, Berkeley. He was recognized as a “TIME 100 Innovator;” by Life magazine as “one of the 50 most influential members of his generation;” by People magazine as “one of the most interesting people of the year;” and by Forbes magazine as “one of the world's 7 most powerful teachers.”In this episode Dr. Dean Ornish & Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis discuss the following:•Swami Satchitananda's influence on Dr. Dean Ornish's life's work.•UNDO IT! How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases. By Dean Ornish, M.D. and Anne Ornish•Boosting our immune system•Bringing more love into our lives during the pandemic. Connect with Dr. Dean Ornish:Website: deanornish.com Instagram:@deanornishmdTwitter: @deanornishmd

Austin K. Sanderson moved to NYC in 1998 to attend New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Design and Production Department. After graduating with his Masters degree in set and costume design, he spent the next twenty-two years working as a designer in the American theater. In 2008 he was introduced to Jivamukti Yoga in a yoga class at a local neighborhood gym in Jersey City New Jersey. As he continued to take Jivamukti classes both locally and at the Jivamukti Yoga School NYC. Austin wanted to learn more about yoga and share with others his life changing experience brought about while practicing the Jivamukti Yoga Method. In 2011, Austin attended the Jivamukti 300+ hour teacher training program at the Omega Institute. In 2012, he continued his studies and completed his 800-hour Jivamukti Teacher Certification at The Jivamukti Yoga School NYC. In 2013, Austin and his partner Bob opened a 3000 square foot Jivamukti Yoga Center in downtown Jersey City, two blocks away from where he took his first Jivamukti yoga class. Austin is extremely grateful to his teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life. Austin views Gannon and Life as his upa-guru, a teacher who points you in the right direction. Without them Austin would have never had a full understanding of why veganism is so crucial to a yoga practice. While Austin ran the Jivamukti Center in Jersey City he continued to seek deeper teachings outside the Jivamukti method, ones that would offer a deeper understanding of the ancient teaching of yoga from its roots. It was at this point that Shri Yogishri Sudarshan Kannan came into Austin's life as a teacher and Sat-Guru. In 2020, Austin founded the Urban Sadhu Yoga Method, “a method of applying ancient yogic wisdom in a contemporary context.” He and his partner Bob are the co-owners of Urban Sadhu Yoga Shala, formally Jivamukti Yoga Center Jersey City. Austin is also if the co-founder and co-producer of Yoga Fest Jersey City, a free public yoga, music and vegan food festival held in the heart of downtown Jersey City NJ during the summer equinox. In this episode Austin Sanderson & Holly Skodis discuss the following:Running a Yoga studio during a pandemicMindbody purchasing class passAustin's new book the Urban Sadhu Yoga Chant BookThe relationship between all oppression and animal oppressionYoga is Vegan Featured Yogi Giveaway: To enter please email me a few paragraphs about why you went vegan and how it relates to your yoga practice. Please also send me 2 nice pictures of you either in a yoga pose or you doing something vegan related. You can also see what others have done by visiting the Featured Yogi section of the Yoga is Vegan website. Connect with Austin Sanderson:Website: urbansadhuyoga.com Instagram:@urbansadhujerseycity and @urban.sadhuYouTube: @urbansadhuyogajerseycity

Karo focuses on 3 things. FOOD, YOGA AND ACTIVISM. She is a vegan chef, Jivamukti Yoga teacher and activist. For years now she has been bringing these elements together, traveling the world to teach Jivamukti Yoga, talk about animal rights, teach cooking classes and compassionately spreads the word for animals worldwide. She dedicates herself to several causes and projects and a huge part of her activism is her podcast called GO FOR YOUR LIFE.She runs her own company called: IN THE PINK, with which she focuses on vegan cooking for workshops and retreats, food and life coaching and yoga teaching. She also runs the kitchen at a vegan lunchroom in Amsterdam called Lunchroom Bataat and is currently studying to become a vegan Ayurvedic health coach. Karo lives in Amsterdam with her sweet dog Sparky and her partner Miguel.In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Karo Tak discuss activism burnout, some of Karo's most meaningful activism moments, yoga, and veganizing Ayurveda. Links discussed in the intro:Yoga For All featured Yogi piece by Karo TakYIV podcast Episode 25- Karo Tak: Food, Yoga & ActivismThe Karo Special Edition Tank To be featured on the Yoga is Vegan IG and Websiteemail your story about why you went vegan and how it relates to your yoga practice. Please also include 2 nice images of you, preferably in a yoga pose or with an animal. Make sure to include your IG handle and your name and state or country you live in. Submissions entered before October 31st will be entered into a drawing. The randomly selected lucky winner will receive an available Yoga is Vegan tank top of their choosing. Connect with Karo:Website: karotak.comInstagram: @goforyourlife and @inthepinkPodcast: Go For Your Life

Dr. Sailesh Rao has over three decades of professional experience and is the Founder and Executive Director of Climate Healers, a non-profit dedicated towards healing the Earth's climate. A systems specialist with a Ph. D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, Dr. Rao worked on the internet communications infrastructure for twenty years after graduation. During this period, he blazed the trail for high speed signal processing chips and technologies for High Definition Television, real-time video communications and the transformation of early analog internet connections to more robust digital connections, while accelerating their speeds ten-fold. Today, over a billion internet connections deploy the communications protocol that he designed. He received five Exceptional Contribution Awards from AT&T Bell Laboratories between 1985 and 1991, a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff award in 1990, the Intel Principal Engineer Award in 2003, and the IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2013 for his technical contributions. He is the author of 22 peer-reviewed technical papers, 50 standards contributions, 10 US patents and 3 Canadian patents. He was the co-founder of Silicon Design Experts in 1991 which was acquired by Level One Communications in 1996 and which was later acquired by Intel Corporation in 1999 for $2.2 billion.In 2006, he switched careers and became deeply immersed, full time, in solving the environmental crises affecting humanity. Dr. Rao is the author of two books, Carbon Dharma: The Occupation of Butterflies and Carbon Yoga: The Vegan Metamorphosis, and an Executive Producer of four documentaries, The Human Experiment (2013), Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014), What The Health (2017), and A Prayer for Compassion (2019). Dr. Rao is a Human, Earth and Animal Liberation (HEAL) activist, husband, dad and since 2010, a star-struck grandfather. He has promised his granddaughter, Kimaya Rainy Rao, that the world will be largely Vegan before she turns 16 in 2026, so that people will stop eating her relatives, the animals. He has faith that humanity will transform to keep his pinky promise to Kimaya, not just for ethical reasons, but also out of sheer ecological necessity. Along with Kimaya, Dr. Rao was the co-recipient of the inaugural Homo Ahimsa award from the Interfaith Vegan Coalition in 2021. He has formally taken the Ubuntu pledge to become Homo Ahimsa.In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Climate Healers' Sailesh Rao discuss shifting towards a new phase of humanity (homo ahimsa) and becoming a Vegan World by 2026.Connect with Sailesh Rao:Website: climatehealers.org

Berenice Miles is a vegan yoga teacher and yoga therapist. After living eight years abroad, she loves to call south of France home. She discovered yoga several years ago and hated her first yoga class. Yet, she embarked on the yoga journey by chance. Today, sharing yoga and helping human beings to get better with yoga is her greatest source of joy and gratitude. Yoga has been, and still is, a stepping stone in her recovery from anxiety, PTSD and eating disorders.In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Berenice Miles discuss the following:Berenice's eating disorder and the role of veganismYoga therapy for people with eating disordersHow to pick a yoga teacherThe Wisdom of Trauma. Can our Deepest Pain be a Doorway to Healing? Featuring Dr. Gabor MatéWhen the Body Says No: Understanding the Stress Disease Connection by Gabor MatéConnect with Berenice:YouTube: Berenice MilesWebsite: berenicemiles.comFacebook: @bereniceMiles

Swamini Amma Niradhara is a Vedic Vegan, Agnihotri, Sannyasi, Spiritual Mother & Resident Managing Director of SwAr Ashram & its small grass-roots charity NGO located in an ancient heritage hermitage in rural India, along the banks of the most holy River Narmada. She is providing educational initiatives in English, Computers & Yoga, supporting girls with Moon Cycle educational Satsang as an integral part of monthly Yoga Camps, providing eco & bio-friendly cloth fem pads, empowering girls to attend school while caring for their sacred time of the month. Her breadth of experience as a Teacher bridges East & West, illuminating the deep waters that flow between culture, philosophy, lifestyle & ethics. E-RYT500 Experienced Yoga Teacher & CYT-300, Yoga Therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, YACEP provider, Ordained Interfaith Minister (formerly a max security women's prison Minister).In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Amma Niradhara discuss the following:The Yamas and the Niyamas and how they relate to veganismThe Textbook of Yoga Psychology - The Definitive Translation and Interpretation of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras by Rammurti S. Mishra The traditional Indian vegetarian diet Ahimsa DairiesConnect with Niradhara:Linktree: https://linktr.ee/inneryajnyaWebsite: https://swarashram.comInstagram: @swarashramFacebook: @eyeSwArAsharam

Whitney Pérez-Wright (she/her) is cardiovascular/critical care RN who has served in COVID ICU and recently experienced the effects of the virus personally. She strives to employ the principles that she has learned from the ancient technology of yoga passed down to her by her teachers, to help her serve other people. She has a passion for helping the world come together and heal in every way. She currently resides in Colorado with her partner Sam along with her animal companions.In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Whitney Pérez-Wright discuss our duty as Yogis to practice what we preach, especially during COVID. Topics discussed:Spiritual bypassingMasksVaccinesFinding compassion for each otherHow to deal with COVID if you get itConnect with WhitneyPérez-WrightInstagram: @whitney__starkEmail: whitnery.koerper@gmail.com

Adriane Marie is an ethical consumerism advocate. She founded HEALabel, a website and app to help spread awareness about how our purchases impact health, the environment, animals and laborers. Adriane is also the author and illustrator of the kids book "The Roots Of Our Food". She enjoys studying and teaching all aspects of consumer mindfulness in order to help others in their lives in the name of personal and societal improvement and empowerment.In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Adriane Marie discuss the following:The EWG's Clean 15 and Dirty DozenPalm Oil DeforestationCoconuts and Monkey LaborWater consumption and food productionIndia and cotton production Subscribe & Listen: Listen & Subscribe on Spotify Connect with Adriane Marie:Website: app.healable.comFacebook: @HEALableInstagram: @HEALable

John Smrtic, JD, Advanced Certification Jivamukti Yoga, teaches yoga and meditation internationally and believes in love as the divine reality, holding the power to unify and fully awaken the soul, the eternal connection to Source, in this lifetime, through devotional, compassionate, yogic living. He innovatively shares yoga as the technology to spark this Divine Re-membering, more recently focusing on the power of silence, stillness and devotional surrender through meditation to actualize the indwelling spirit soul. John leads an annual pilgrimage to India and teaches at premiere festivals including Bhakti Fest. In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and John Smrtic discuss the following:Yoga is Vegan Podcast Episode 67 with BankaMichael Franti YogaJivamukti Yoga, Sharon Gannon and David LifeAnimal husbandry and the manipulation of the sacred feminine World Peace Diet by Will TuttleParallels to the pandemic and the treatment of animalsMeditationMiscreated IJane Unchained Lunch Break Live Mung Beans & Rice Quesadilla with Holly Skodis Subscribe & Listen: Listen & Subscribe on Spotify Connect with John Smrtic:Instagram: @johnsmrticWebsite: bhaktigrooveyoga.com

Christina is a Conscious Vegan Lifestyle Coach, Yoga and Meditation teacher, and an Activist. She has been vegan for over 8 years and in that time has explored the depths of compassionate living through plant based foods, social justice, animal rights, and the environment. She creates space for others through cooking classes, lifestyle programs, and retreats, to explore what it means to live consciously and how to live life more from the heart. It is through yoga that she found a path of sharing what it means to be a conscious vegan – understanding that it's not just about what we eat but more about living life in alignment with our ethics and morals. These guiding compassionate principles are what can make this world a better place. The actions and choices we make are not just for animals, but equally as much as this planet and people, acknowledging the reciprocity between Mama Earth, communities, and our body, minds, and souls. She is a native New Yorker and 1st generation to Greek immigrants from her motherland's mountainous farmlands. She received her training from the Bhakti Center in NYC, in Bhakti Yoga and Meditation. Currently she is training with the Prison Yoga Project through the lens of Trauma and Incarceration and hopes to soon serve prisoners in New York State. When she is not working on her Conscious Vegan business, she spends her time immersing herself in Mother Nature and spending time with her partner and newly adopted dog, Louka. Subscribe & Listen: Listen & Subscribe on Spotify Connect with Christina:Website: compassionatefilledlife.comInstagram: @christina.ahimsa

Cinda is a former gymnast, dancer and diver, who easily connected to the physicality of the practice. Very soon after though, she realized that there was so much more to yoga. Cinda studied with Andrea von Behren for her 200 hour training. She continued her studies with Alan Haras at Hamsa Yoga and eventually went on to study with Sri Dharma Mittra for both the 500 and 800 hour Life of A Yogi teacher trainings. Cinda is the owner of Evolve Yoga Studio and offers a 200 hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher training program. In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Cinda Lark discuss the following:Dharma yogaSri Dharma MittraYogi GuptaThe Dharma Diet Light on Yoga: the Bible of Modern Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar What's beyond the physical practice of YogaThe connection to food and compassionTeacher trainings and encouraging vegan dietsEvolve Go Vegan 21 day challengeWhen is it appropriate to bring veganism into a yoga class Connect with Cinda:Instagram: @evolveyogaloveWebsite: evolveyogalove.com

Gabrielle has been teaching yoga since 2008 and has earned over 1200 hours of teacher training certifications in various styles and lineages including Dharma Yoga where she found her beloved teacher Dharma Mittra. Gabrielle has been operating as the founder of her company and yoga school, Hatha Raja Yoga, since 2015. She leads yoga teacher trainings and retreats nationally and internationally. In addition, Gabrielle is a senior teacher and staff member in Dharma Yoga's Life of a Yogi Teacher Training Program out of New York City where she serves as a teacher and mentor. She is also the lead facilitator in the non-profit VETOGA's active duty and veteran yoga teacher training program- an organization founded to bring the physical, mental, and emotional healing aspects of yoga to the military community. Additionally, Gabrielle is certified as a holistic nutritionist and leads online courses in living a holistic lifestyle. Recently, Gabrielle realized one of her visions and opened “Ojas Retreat Center” located in the Santa Rosa Plateau in Southern California,  a retreat center welcoming groups of all kinds to recharge and reconnect with purpose. In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Gabrielle Kali Om discuss the following:Sri Dharma Mittra and the Dharma Yoga Center's Life of a Yogi Teacher TrainingTips for optimal sleepThe Ojas Retreat CenterVetoga Swami KashiConnect with Gabrielle Kali OmInstagram: @yogini_kaliWebsite: yoginikali.comInstagram: @ojasretreatcenterWebsite: ojasretreatcenter.com

Erica Nicholson's mission is to demystify living a holistic lifestyle for all - by uncovering limiting beliefs, cultivating sustainable healthy eating habits and igniting personal transformations from the inside out. As a certified yoga teacher, plantbased coach, author, and award-winning speaker, she leads clients to nurture their bodies, release weight, boost energy levels, and become their own wellness advocates. She's an avid reader, a culture aficionado, world traveler, and plantbased-vegan foodie. In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Erica Nicholson discuss the following:ClubhouseIntermittent fastingOkra Yoga's teacher training with Brooke CarlsonLongevityAtomic habits by James Clear EFT- tappingIrish mossho'oponopono prayervipasana meditation Fasting increases health and lifespan in male mice

Jacque Tarlton, Certified Wellcoach® & Wellness Advocate, is passionate about improving health through fabulous, fun, and scientifically proven lifestyle changes. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and she practiced as a Registered Dietitian (RD) early in her career. She is currently a Certified Wellcoach®, Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) Facilitator, & Corporate Wellness Trainer specializing in the power of plants to improve health & longevity for her clients, and ROI for corporations.Jacque has studied nutrition, health, and fitness since 1986, and she was introduced to the power of plant-based nutrition in 1994. Jacque has always worked in the health field, and she has gone from deadly addictions to fabulously thriving! It is Jacque's mission to coach you through your unhealthy lifestyle habits to live your best, happiest, and most vibrant life. And the best part? It's never too late to start!In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Jacque Tarlton discuss the following:Dr. Dean Ornish and his program for Reversing Heart DiseaseThe Yoga Way: Food for Body, Mind & Spirit by Swami Satchidananada Fitness Training with Marzia PrinceComplement Plus Multivitamin for vegans and Plant-based eaters.Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and The Plant Fed Gut Masterclass Connect with Jacque:Instagram: @plantchicsWebsite: plantchics.com

Arturo Jose (AJ) is passionate about changing our food systems via a just transition to mitigate the climate crisis, health crisis, and the exploitation of human and non-human animals and the planet. He has fifteen years of international experience and ten years in senior management, public awareness campaigns, public relations, and undercover investigations. He has been a leader in the non-profit realm for the last decade, working with animal protection organizations such as CARE (동물권단체케어), Mercy for Animals, and Animal Recovery Mission. Currently, he is Head of Operations at 50by40 and serves on the Rights for Animal Rights Advocates (RARA) and Sinergia Animal advisory boards. In addition to his efforts in the non-profit realm, Arturo was head chef and general manager of Huggers, a plant-based restaurant in Seoul, South Korea. He is also a Clubhouse and podcast enthusiast, which led him to create and host the Woke Stutter Podcast to chat with leaders and change-makers about animal protection, social justice, food justice, and how we can do better internally as a movement.ClubhouseKevin Lahey- Meet Former MFA Investigator Kevin LaheySouth Korea’s dog meat industryAnimal Liberation: The Definitive Classic of the Animal Liberation Movement by Peter SingerUndercover investigations in factory farmsWorld Health Organization Origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus50by40's mission to reduce the dependency on animal agriculture by half by 2040Slaughter house workers and their experiencesThe intersectionality of food systems and food chains Connect with Arturo:Clubhouse: @ajgarcialive Twitter: @ajgarcialiveInstagram: @ajgarcialiveLinkedin: @ajgarcialive

Marianna is the co-founder of Kind Living Yoga, a yoga teacher training school and studio that also works with mental health charities and offers counseling and clinical hypnotherapy.Born in Italy, Marianna eventually moved to London where she began teaching Barre before making the move into Yoga and mental health. Her passion is to bring people together while helping them find space for healing so that they can ultimately lead a kinder, more consciously aware life. Marianna is a big animal lover, vegan and proud mum of a beautiful staffie, Alba and two troublemaker cats, Puck & Maya. She is married and they are expecting their first child in July. Sarah Powers Insight Yoga Institute yin yogahypnotherapy101 Reasons to Go Vegan presented by Humane Educator, James WildmanJivamukti YogaReiki yoga nidraForrest Yoga and Ana Forrest karma yoga Connect with Marianna:Instagram: @kindlivingyogaWebsite: kindlivingyoga.com

Gopi Om (Nicole Sopko) first discovered yoga by chance and was instantly intrigued. She attended her first teacher training with the sole intention of learning more about the practice, but, despite being a lifelong introvert, found the teachings of yoga to be so transformational that she couldn't keep them to herself and began teaching in 2005. Shortly after, her practice grew immensely when she met her beloved Guru, Sri Dharma Mittra, who gave her the name Gopi.Gopi practices and teaches yoga with a firm but gentle insistence on respect for the fullness of this indigenous tradition. Her classes are for anyone who wants to learn about yoga as a complete, traditional system. She welcomes people from all backgrounds to learn how these time tested practices and their philosophy can be integrated into a modern life.Gopi has completed the advanced level (500, 800, & 1000 hour) Life of a Yogi teacher trainings at the Dharma Yoga Center in New York with Sri Dharma Mittra. She feels blessed to have received and to carry on the teachings of his lineage. She is also a newly-enrolled student at the Hindu University of America where she plans to pursue Hindu Studies and Sanskrit. She strives to live every moment as an offering to the divine and to pass on the teachings of yoga as they have been generously shared with her.A vegan of over 20 years, Gopi works alongside her life partner, Dan, as Vice President of natural foods company, Upton's Naturals. She is the President of the Board of Directors at the Plant Based Foods Association and serves on the Associate Board for One Tail At a Time. Gopi was previously the owner of Nature Sanctuary and Yoga Trek Center in Chicago and Oak Park, IL. She shares her home (and her yoga mat) with a rescue dog named Greta and several aquatic pets including fish, snails, and shrimp.In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Gopi Om (Nicole Sopko) discuss the following:Punk Rock bank Earth CrisisThe Journey of Self Discovery by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupadaThe Yoga AllianceSri Dharma MittraUpton's NaturalsThe Hindi University of America The Colonization of IndiaConnect with Gopi Om:Website: gopiom.comInstagram: @gopiom

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Rishi Chidananda discuss the following:Bhagavad GitaAutobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananada and the Self Realization Fellowship ( Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades)Maha Kumbh MelaParamahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda Victoria Moran on Episode's 16 and Episode 94 Sanatana dharma AhimsaRishi Chidananda has spent the latter part of his life as a monk, studying the philosophical traditions of India and gaining deep insights into their hidden meaning and timeless practices that are particularly relevant in this day and age under the guidance of Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda. Before entering the spiritual path, he was a successful investment banker and entrepreneur. Since then, philosophical teachings contained within ancient scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita have had a significant impact on how he views the world and have changed the way he approaches life.Now, Rishi Chidananda uses his experience as a former investment banker and entrepreneur to easily articulate the philosophical teachings of India in a meaningful way for those looking to bridge the gap between western and eastern philosophies.Connect with Rishi:Clubhouse: @RishiChidananda Instagram: @rishi_chidananda

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Rowdy Girl Sanctuary's Renee King-Sonnen discuss the following:Renee's journey from former cattle ranger's wife to a vegan powerhouseRenee's calf and greatest teacher, Rowdy GirlYoga & SpiritualityRichard Hittleman's Yoga: 28 Day Exercise PlanInternational Yoga Studies Sandra Summerfiel KozakSatchidananda Ashram YogavilleRenee, a native Houstonian, is the President and Founder of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary in Waelder, Texas. She remarried her husband Tommy Sonnen, a multi-generational cattle rancher in 2009 and moved to their former ranch in Angleton, Texas. She fell in love with farm animals, having no idea her life was about to transform. After witnessing time and again the baby calves going to the sale barn, she became extremely depressed. In October 2014, she went vegan as a result and began researching factory farming and the compassionate alternative, farm sanctuaries. She desperately consulted with leaders in the vegan movement, determined to do whatever she could to create sanctuary out of what was once a beef cattle operation in the heart of cattle country. As a result, the Rancher Advocacy Program was developed to give cattle ranchers and other animal farmers a way to transition into other ways of farming without animal cruelty. Transitioning out of animal agriculture requires a lot of skill, effort, and people to help. RAP is dedicated to finding the resources and the way to give farmers a way around farming animals. Renee speaks to farmers all the time and a few have converted to vegan, like 6th generation Texas cattle ranchers Cindy and Richard Traylor. Renee King-Sonnen aka Sangita has studied yoga sciences and Ayurveda for 35 years. She is a teacher of hatha yoga and kundalini yoga. She has a dedicated yoga practice and meditates every day. Her guru is Swami SatchidanandaConnect with Renee:Clubhouse: @rowdygirlWebsite: rowdygirlsanctuary.org & rancheradvocacy.orgInstagram: @rowdygirlsanctuary & @rancheradvocacyprogramFacebook: @rowdygirlsanctuary & rancheradvocacyprogramYouTube: Rowdy Girl Sanctuary

What is our COVID Karma? Ray Ippolito, a long time Yoga practitioner, Kirtan wallah and Animal Liberation Activist has created an initiative that is committed to educate, inspire and remove our role from this most challenging virus and all others that are headed our way. How can we use our practice to make a difference in the COVID world we created and what are you willing to do about it? In this episode Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Ray Ippolito discuss the following:International Pandemic Outreach Day- One World, One Day, One Action! May 1st, 2021.SeaspiracyBob Woodward Interviews with Trump on the pandemicHow to Survive a Pandemic by Michael GregerVegan Food for first responders in Brookyn with Big Love CateringCatch & release fishing methodKaporos in BrooklynRay Ippolito Episode 47 Subscribe & Listen: Connect with Ray Ippolito & Eating Animals Causes Pandemics:Facebook: @rayippolitoInstagram: @eatinganimals_causespandemicsWebsite: @eatinganimalscausespandemics.com

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Achāryā Samitā Rāthor discuss the following: Samita's experience studying with Yogi Sir DesikacharYoga as therapyVibrational energies as childrenOne on one versus group trainingsTraditional YogaAsana and the meaning of YogaAlkaline diet and sattvic dietPranaThe importance of contolilng your tongue in YogaTapasAchāryā Samitā Rāthor is the founder of Yogarpanam which translated in English literally means Yoga Surrender. She is an advisory consultant, life mentor, Yoga & Vedic Scholar, Yoga Therapist, Traditional Diet Specialist & Guide. Samita's life journey is dedicated to share these infinite teachings of her spiritual experiences with simplicity and love. Having had diversified exposure from a very young age, she is able to connect and understand the needs of people almost instantly. Samita is guided and has studied with her Yoga Teacher and spiritual masters since the age of 20. She uses her inner awakening experiences to help and inspire people who come to her. She teaches, applies and shares the principles of traditional Yoga and Vedic wisdom. She is a teacher and mentor to Yoga Teachers, Life Coaches and genuinely dedicated students who would like to go deeper into educating themselves about the subtler aspects of Yoga and its principles. Her Unique Humane Approach has transformed the minds of many struggling. Her aim is to resolve the inner & outer struggles in the human mind-life, with compassion, empathy, intelligence and strength. She uses her profound knowledge with scientific psyche principles integrated with universal wisdom, to help people manage, streamline and overcome life challenges, worldwide.With the fortune of Grace, Achāryā Samitā Rāthor came in contact with Yoga teachings through Yogi Sir Desikachar and her father at an early age, who hailed from a Yogic lineage. She studied one to one with Sir Desikachar and began teaching on his instructions only. In the traditional formal Yogic system, a student does not teach unless instructed by their teacher.She also has Multiple Post Graduate Teachers Training Diploma/Degree Certifications. She has personally studied Yoga and its therapeutic benefits from Sir Desikachar and is also formally trained in Yoga Therapy. She has also done a formal study of Vedanta under strict Monastic Traditions in the abode of Himalayas. She has had the Blessings of studying and coming in contact with beautiful Spiritual Living Masters like the Dalai Lama, to continue further her quest for learning constantly. "Coming in contact with my inner experiences was like a new birth suddenly. The purpose of existence of life took a turn into another space and direction altogether. From a glamorous and eminent existence at a young age, I got drawn towards things that I never ever thought I would be immersed in so much. Nothing about me remained the same except my sense of humor. My family and friends noticed the transformation in me. What exactly happened I don’t know, but a major shift took place in my mind. All things that I was inclined towards totally disintegrated. This happened after I came in contact with my Teacher. Outer and Inner. The important thing is to live consciously. Whether it is through what I teach (yogasanas/yoga postures, pranayama, philosophy, meditation & breath-work), what I eat (ethical vegan) or how I spend every moment of my life. Deeply grateful for the teachings and wisdom received from evolved masters who never forgot to see beauty, love & humor in all." Achāryā Samitā Rāthor.Connect with Achāryā Samitā Rāthor:Instagram: @yogarpanam Website: yogarpanam.comEmail: yogarpanam@gmail.com

In this episode, Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis, Lili & Dr. Alex Charmoz discuss the following:Optimal Performance with Yoga, nutrition and runningyogapotterylong distance runningThe benefit of fasting mimicking fastsChi Running by Danny Dreyersacha inchi powder Alex noted after the podcast to add that he also uses Cordyceps because it has been shown to increase VO2 max (capacity of the body to use oxygen)Liliana (aka Lalitanand) Charmoz is an advanced 500-hr plus yoga teacher, Thai bodywork practitioner and certified continuing education provider under Yoga Alliance®.Yoga gave her direction and purpose in a time of confusion; for her, yoga is a way of life, it teaches to be in harmony with all beings, to find strength and equanimity within and to simply be a better human.She created Lalitanand yoga in the mountain town of Idyllwild where she currently lives with her husband and cats. She enjoys rock climbing, trail running, mountain biking and all things yoga. Her mission is to spread her love for nature, help students find their center in chaotic, stressful times and maybe to plant a seed for healthier lives.Alex Charmoz is an Emergency Medicine Doctor in Southern California. Finding yoga as a way to heal from an injury sustained while rock climbing, he has found guidance through the 8 limb path of Ashtanga Yoga. While not a certified yoga teacher, he finds space to introduce yoga into his daily life and work. The ability to connect with other human beings in a vulnerable state and work towards bettering their quality of life is a direct manifestation of Yogic philosophy. Approaching 3 years of eating a vegan diet, which he attributes to his lovely and compassionate wife Liliana, he has seen direct results in his physical and mental abilities, and the link between diet and disease. As he took a vow to "First do no harm" he has realized that this extends to all sentient beings as well as the environment. A vegan lifestyle is the key to bringing these concepts together and is the future of attaining a sustainable and healthy planet. Connect with Lili & Alex:Website: Lalitanandyoga.comInstagram: @lalitanand_yoga Facebook @lili.skinner

Dr. Jyothi Rao, MD, ABAAHP, FAARFM, has been practicing medicine for over 20 years. She received her Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed her internship and residency at the prestigious New England Medical Center (Tufts) in Boston. Before opening Shakthi Health & Wellness Center, Dr. Rao practiced medicine in New York and Maryland.A strong proponent of holistic medicine, Dr. Rao is certified in Medical Acupuncture from UCLA. She is also certified in Cardiopulmonary Stress Testing, which is a personalized assessment of cardiac and pulmonary disease, and certified in anti-aging and regenerative medicine. Dr. Rao is the coauthor with Dr. Monica Aggarwal of BODY on FIRE: How Inflammation Triggers Chronic Illness and the Tools We Have to Fight It (2020), an updated revision of their self-published book Finding Balance (2016). In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holy Skodis & Jyothi Rao discuss the following:Yoga in IndiaDr. Monica Aggarwal's issues with dairy and inflammationMicrobiome, fiber and the effects of COVIDParasympathic vs sympathetic nervous systemClove oil and dental painThe endothelium and its role in healthThe Game Changers Documentary Dr. Rao's functional medicine practice Shakthi Health & Wellness CenterCoconut oilYoga and balancing hormonesYoga and cardioCalcium and the vegan dietSleep and yoga nidraIntermittent fasting Connect with Dr. Jyothi Rao:Website: raowellness.com Book:BODY on FIRE: How Inflammation Triggers Chronic Illness and the Tools We Have to Fight It (2020)

Exavier Pope is a media personality, serial entrepreneur, lawyer and owner of The Pope Law Firm. He's a certified yoga instructor, owner of Zen & Juice Yoga Studio and vegan chef and owner of Pope's Vegan Kitchen, a vegan chef brand of cookbooks, social media influencing, restaurant concept, and merchandising. Pope became a strict vegan in 2017 after as an extension of his yoga and mindfulness practice. More in tune with his body, he cut out animal-based ingredients as well as gluten to feel healthier and have more mental clarity.In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Exavier Pope discuss the following:Zen & Juice Yoga StudioThe Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart TolleBare Feet Power Yoga Exavier's teacher Robin French What the Health DocumentarySri Dharma MittraYoga Food Concepts: A Rejuvenating Talk by Yogi Gupta Effective activismIntermittent FastingHip Hop YogaCannibusClubhouse Byphasic sleepingPope's Vegan KitchenToday Article Black and Vegan: Why so many Black Americans are embracing the plant-based lifeConnect with Exavier:Instagram: @exavierpopeTwitter: @exavierpope & @zenxjuiceyogaFacebook: Zen & Juice: A Hip Hop Yoga Tribe

Kiko Ellsworth is an Emmy award winning actor, producer and director who took a hiatus from the entertainment industry to work on his spiritual path. He’s now a Kundalini Yoga teacher and men’s evolutionary life coach. Kiko is the founder of Ma’at University, an online learning platform that provides transformational learning for under-resourced communities, relationship empowerment and soul-success. His work is now largely dedicated to supporting men in becoming happy, healthy and whole men through his group and private coaching programs.In this episode Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Kiko Ellsworth discuss the following:Balancing masculine and feminine energies The Book of Life: Ascension and the Divine World OrderKundalini YogaThe programs at Ma'at University Making the switch to a plant-based diet and meat consciousness Subscribe & Listen: Listen & Subscribe on SpotifyConnect with Kiko:Instagram: @kikoellsworth

Victoria Moran has been a Main Street Vegan® for 37 years and she held the title of Peta’s Sexiest Vegan Over 50, alongside the male winner, Joel Kahn, MD, in 2016/17. She is the bestselling author of thirteen books, including Creating a Charmed Life (in 30 languages around the world); the gentle weight loss classic, The Love-Powered Diet, reflecting the author’s own struggle with and recovery from compulsive eating; The Good Karma Diet, celebrating a high-green, high-raw, high-energy food style; the iconic Main Street Vegan; and her latest, The Main Street Vegan Academy Cookbook, coauthored with JL Fields. Victoria’s college thesis became Compassion the Ultimate Ethic: An Exploration of Veganism, originally published in 1985 and the first work on vegan philosophy and practice to come from a major publisher.Victoria is also an inspirational speaker, corporate spokesperson, certified holistic health counselor (HHC, AADP), and founder and director of Main Street Vegan Academy, training and certifying vegan lifestyle coaches. A graduate of the T. Colin Campbell Foundation/eCornell program in plant-based nutrition and a certified Holistic Health Coach (HHC, AADP), she hosts the Main Street Vegan radio show/podcast, awarded the Outstanding Vegan Media Outlet award in 2015 and noted by Feedspot in January 2019 among #3 in the Top 25 Vegan Podcasts. If interested in our academy, click here to apply. And she is lead producer of Thomas Wade Jackson’s exquisite documentary, A Prayer for Compassion, to introduce vegan living to people of faith.Cited by VegNews among the Top 10 Contemporary Vegetarian Authors, Victoria appeared twice on The Oprah Winfrey Show and her articles have appeared in Yoga Journal, Mothering, Natural Health, Woman’s Day, Martha Stewart’s Whole Living, VegNews, and Vegetarian Times. Her work has been noted in USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, Self, Elle, Glamour, Allure, and O, the Oprah Magazine. Moran lives with her husband, writer and musician, William Melton, in a LEED-certified green condominium in New York City’s thriving Harlem neighborhood. They’re co-humans to a rescue-dog, Forbes, and rescue pigeon, Thunder.Chandra/Jo Sgammato is a certified Integral Yoga instructor and has served in a variety of capacities, including General Manager, Executive Director and Board Member at Integral Yoga Institute of New York for more than 20 years. A former book publishing executive and bestselling author, she is also the founder of Yoga At School, a program that brings Integral Yoga into schools throughout the five boroughs. She has produced numerous programs on the wide array of Yoga's gifts to the world. In this episode Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis, Victoria Moran and Chandra discuss the following:Yoga Goes VeganThe six branches of Integral Yoga; Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, & Japa YogaListen to Victoria Moran's episode 16 on the yoga is vegan podcast Bhakti Center NYCManu Dawson Yoga is Vegan Episode 11Transcendental MeditationMeat out Day - created by the founder of the Farm Animal Rights Movement Dr. Alex HershaftSwami SatchidanandaDr. Dean Ornish Yoga Goes Vegan: An All-Day Gathering and Retreat If you are financially in need, you can apply for a grant by emailing Chandra to request one.Nutiva Organic Vegan GheeJoin Holly Skodis and Co-host John Caldwell Saturdays 12pm EST in the Plantbased Club on Clubhouse. Download the Clubhouse app and reserve your handle. Once you are in follow @hollyskodis and @vegsurfer and click the bell in the bio for notifications. Subscribe & Listen: Listen & Subscribe on SpotifyConnect with Victoria:Website: mainstreetvegan.netConnect with Chandra: Website: iyiny.org

Jess Gumkowski is a mindset coach, podcast host, Vegan Lifestyle Coach, and Educator, and co-founder of YogiTriathlete. She is a long-time endurance athlete, ultrarunner, and triathlete. In her essence, she is a yogi committed to living a life of ahimsa as she pursues mastery of the mind. She is the author of the YogiTriathlete Cookbook: High Vibe Recipes for the Athlete Appetite and High Vibe Pie: Pizza Night Finally Done Right. She has been featured in Triathlete Magazine, Men’s Journal, Elephant Journal, Massage Magazine, and TriZone, as well as many blogs and podcasts for her knowledge in living a holistic lifestyle.In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Jess Gumkowski discuss the following:Victoria Moran and the Main Street Vegan AcademyJoshua Katcher and his clothing line Brave GentleManTransitioning to a minimalist lifestyleEndurance sports and it's relationship to the mindYoga Goes Vegan: An All-Day Gathering and Retreat, March 20th 2021Connect with Jess Gumkowski:Website: yogitriathlete.comInstagram: @yogitriathlete and @jessgumkowskiFacebook: @yogitriathleteTwitter: @yogitriathletePodcast: Awake Athlete and Yogitriathlete

John Caldwell manages the Beran Island Resort. He organizing retreats and plays the role of a surf guide around the various spots in the atoll (atalwl)in the Marshall Islands. He is has been vegan for 18 years and is passionate about using his technical skills to share veganism, yogic teachings, recovery and peace to all beings.Siddha YogaAshtanga and John's teacher Petra GordonSurfing in the martial islandsAnimal Liberation FrontDirect action and veganismWhat the HealthCatskill Animal SanctuaryCatskill Animal SanctuaryEarthlings DominionGail A. Eisnitz Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, And Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry Meet Your Meat V-Dog Kind KibbleHonest Kitchen- Dehydrated Whole Gran Fruit & Veggie Base MixCanine Dilated Cardiomyopathy Connect with John: Instagram: @vegsurferClubhouse: @vegsurfer

Dr. Sumeet Bahl is an Interventional Radiologist at the Brooklyn Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY. He completed his internship in General Surgery at Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School and his Radiology residency and Vascular and Interventional Radiology fellowship at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. He performs minimally invasive image-guided procedures for uterine fibroids, venous disease, kidney failure, pulmonary embolism, and cancer.Dr. Bahl has 20+ years of meditation experience, including clinical research at the Emory Mind-Body Program under the Emory-Tibet partnership. His greatest passion is sharing the science and practicality of a daily meditation practice. He has led meditations on social media, at Yelp, Doonya fitness studio, and New York City hospitals. He combines his love of health and music as the physician representative for NYC Hip Hop is Green, promoting health and wellness in hip hop culture and beyond via a plant-based lifestyle. Dr. Bahl resides in Brooklyn with his wife and 7-month-old son. Find him on Instagram @sumeetbahlmd.In this episode YIV's Holly Skodis and Dr. Sumeet Bahl discuss the following:Kriya Yoga & Kriya Yoga MeditationMindfulness and the aum techniqueIsha Yoga Paramahansa Yogananda and his book The Autobiography of a YogiSetting habits and Atomic Habits by James ClearDr. Gabriel Cousens (Yoga Is Vegan Episode 15)What the Health DocumentaryCovid and the Phizer and Moderna Covid VaccinesProtein the work of Dr. Garth Davis. See his book Proteinaholic Plantbased Clubhouse Room Yoga is Vegan! w/ Holly Skodis Sunday Feb 21, 1pm EST - Yoga Goes Vegan All-Day Retreat Saturday March 20th. For tickets and info visit the Integral Yoga InstituteConnect with Dr. Sumeet Bahl:Instagram:@sumeetbahlmdWebsite: sumeethbahl.com

Andry Sophocleous is a 500hr Dharma Yoga teacher who teaches in her studio Dharma Yoga in Cyprus. Andry is also the founder of Jacinthe Natural Skincare an indie brand that strives for purity and transparency in natural skincare. She makes use of green biotechnology hence bringing science and plants together in all of her Jacinthe products.In this episode Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Andry Sophocleous discuss the following: Sri Dharma Mittra and The Life of a Yogi Teacher Trainings. You can also hear Sri Dharma Mittra on Yoga Is Vegan Podcast Episode 28The quality of ingredients in skin careWhy what you put into your body and on your skin effects your healthGlycation and it's role with skin and agingOxidation and packagingConnect with Andry:Website: Jacinthenaturals.com Instagram: @jacinthe_naturals and @dharmayogacypFacebook: Plantbased Clubhouse Room Yoga is Vegan! w/ Holly Skodis Saturday Feb 13 1pm EST - https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/xnaZ3jYzYoga Goes Vegan All-Day Retreat Saturday March 20th. For tickets and info https://iyiny.org/workshops-and-events/calendar/yoga-goes-vegan-12739/

Dr. Dipak Patel is a board certified family medicine physician and has practiced full spectrum family medicine, including pediatrics and women’s health. For the past 10 years, he has worked at the Community Health Center in Meriden as a family medicine physician and onsite medical director. Additionally, he is certified and experienced in addiction medicine and mental health conditions working as a hospital physician at the Midstate Medical Center. In 2017, Dr. Patel earned his most precious board certification – from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.Catherine O’Rourke has been a nurse since 2005,. She has extensive experience as an ICU nurse and in other acute care areas. As she’s worked with the acutely sick patient population, she realized the growing need and importance for prevention of disease. She has a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and has completed studies on Diet and Lifestyle Intervention from Wellness Forum Health With the understanding that the vast majority of diseases that people suffer from can be prevented, treated or reversed with lifestyle medicine In 2019 Dr. Patel and Catherine O’Rourke along with their colleague and friend Dr. Anne Bingham, opened the doors at Connecticut Lifestyle Medicine. A practice dedicated to decreasing the amount of chronic disease and its effects in their community.In this episode, Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis, Dr. Dipak Patel and Catherine O'Rourke discuss the following:The Physicians Committee for Responsible MedicinePlant-based DoctorsDr. Caldwell EsselstynDr. Dean OrnishDr. David L. Katz's LinkedIn article COVID, Vaccines, and The Nature of EngineeringAlcoholCentenarians and the role of a whole food plant-based dominant dietCOVID 19 VaccineConnect with Connecticut Lifestyle Medicine:Website: ctlifemed.com Instagram: @ctlifemedFacebook: @ctlifemed

Jeremy Gray, better known in the community as Mr. EYG for continuous service to elevate his community and those around him, is an African American politician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Rep. Gray is currently in the role of Alabama State Representative of the 83rd District, where he serves on the Commerce and Small Business, Health, and Public Safety and Homeland Security committees. He was voted in by his peers as the Democratic Minority Whip in the House of Representatives. He was also appointed to the Alabama Statewide Health Coordinating Council and Innovate Alabama Commission by Governor Kay Ivey. Witty and innovative at heart, Rep. Gray is also the founder of Elevate Your Grind, Inc., a motivational and clothing brand as well The Curtis House, a nonprofit organization which serves as a resource hub in one of the most vulnerable neighborhoods in his hometown of Opelika, AL. Rep. Gray has received numerous accolades for his community service and leadership. When asked what his ultimate goal is in life, he simply stated “to inspire and hire.” In this episode Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Jeremy Gray discuss the following: Jeremy Gray's bill to over turn the ban on yoga in Alabama Public SchoolsHelping individuals transition from poverty to productivity at his family's service facility, The Curtis HouseElevate Your Grind Jeremy's brand dedicated to empowerment, sports, yoga, cooking and enlightenment and apparel Deepok Chopra Meditation AppLeading by example to inspire others to go vegan. Connect with Rep. Jeremy Gray:Facebook:@repjeremygrayInstagram: @repjeremygray

Whitney discovered yoga in 2008 while in nursing school. A lifelong athlete, she was looking for increased flexibility and strength to supplement her triathlon training. As her high-stress career as a cardiovascular RN developed, she learned to rely on her yoga practice as a way to process the experiences she had at work, keep her body healthy, and stay calm under pressure. Throughout the years, Whitney’s yoga practice has helped her recover from eating disorders, sexual abuse, physically and emotionally abusive relationships, physical injuries, and addiction. This ultimately led her to become a yoga teacher and owner of the Indigo Yoga Studio, and embrace veganism. She first stopped eating animals at the age of 16. A lifelong animal lover, she grew up with pets of all sorts, from snakes and rats to birds, horses, goats, and pigs... and of course cats and dogs. She connected deeply with horses, working with them from a young age. One year, her 4-H pig won a prize and was sold at auction. Very distressed at the thought of her friend being turned into bacon, that was it until age 18, when she started eating meat as a way to attempt to lose weight on a diet. Once she stopped drinking alcohol and deepened her yoga practice, she gravitated naturally towards a plant-based diet, and became vegan completely in 2019. The transition to veganism was natural and driven by deep shadow work and spiritual searching during a dark time in life, particularly sparked by the teachings of Sri Dharma Mittra and practice of Dharma and Kundalini Yoga. She is an E-RYT® 200, YACEP® and practices/teaches a variety of styles of yoga, including Hot Yoga, Vinyasa, Yin, Ashtanga, Rocket, and is currently in the process of obtaining her Kundalini Yoga Level 1 certification. Her daily practice is Kundalini meditation and sometimes Kriya, and some sort of asana (mostly Ashtanga primary and rocket). In August 2018, she was blessed with an unexpected opportunity to become owner/operator of Indigo Yoga, a beautiful little hot yoga studio in Las Cruces, NM. She currently continues to operate the studio while working in a COVID ICU in a rural hospital an hour away from her home in Las Cruces. She is married to a man she’s loved since age 14, Sam. They live in Las Cruces with their companions Isis, an aging pitbull, and Elliot, a psychic teenage boy cat.In this episode Whitney Pérez-Wright and Holly Skodis discuss the following: Sri Dharma Mittra and his book Life of a YogiPatrick McCleaf & Sara GrussRecovering from food and alcohol addictions with yoga and veganismRam DassWearing a masking times of Covid Kundalini Aquarian SadhanaUnder Armor MaskSwitching towards a whole food plant-based dietJoin Whitney and Holly on @yogaisvegan Instagram Live, Saturday January 23, 4pm ESTConnect with WhitneyInstagram: @Whitney__starkInstagram: @indigo__yogaWebsite: indigolascruces.com

Katie Rose (formerly Manitsas) is an inspirational powerhouse, making ancient yogic and ayurvedic wisdom accessible for busy modern-day women. Her solid grounding in mindfulness and spirituality, along with her authentic ‘say it as it is’ approach and impressive business savvy has earnt her an enthusiastic following amongst yogis in Sydney and Australia.As a published author, advanced level Jivamukti Yoga and Kundalini Yoga teacher, Ayurveda consultant and doula, women’s health and wellbeing are Katie’s specialty. She holds the highest possible accreditations with both Yoga Alliance and Yoga Australia and over 20 years, has trained hundreds of yoga teachers. She started her yogic career at age 19 as a volunteer cleaner at the prestigious TriYoga in London. By 24 Katie was managing the Primrose Hill TriYoga flagship location after which she moved to Australia in 2004 and founded her own yoga studio ‘Samadhi Yoga’ in Newtown. In 2007 Katie co-founded Jivamukti Yoga Sydney which at its peak was a four location Sydney based business and is still a community that continues to thrive today.Her passion is in empowering women through yogic philosophy and bringing devotion and a sense of sacredness to everyday life. She has a deep compassion for animals and reverence for nature. Her most recent book (released by Rockpool Publishing in Australia, USA, and the UK), ‘Mindful Living’, was published in 2019 and the journal and inspiration cards to follow on its success will be available soon. Current projects for Katie include writing (she is working on a new book ‘Mindful Healing’), a plant-medicine business Bhakti Botanicals (ayurvedic teas and oils), in-person teaching at various locations and the development of a substantial online offering including her signature trainings Ayurveda Goddess and Yoga of Birth. Katie is the mother of four boys and lives in Sydney’s super-hip Inner West. Ranging in age from 4 to 13, they are a joyful, rambunctious, loving, and sometimes slightly crazy bunch. It is with a generous sprinkling of intention setting, affirmations and diligent, disciplined practice that Katie is attempting to practice what she teaches; creating a life that is focused, happy, elegant, and robustly sustainable.In this episode YIV's Holly Skodis and Katie Rose discuss the following:Journaling and self reflectionSocial accountabilityRedefining self careThe importance of selfless service in your yoga practice Living Journal Sweepstakes: bhaktirose.com.au/yogaisveganKatie is a returning guest on the Yoga is Vegan podcast. Listen to her preview conversation on episode 68Connect with Katie:Website:bhaktirose.com.au Instagram: @bhaktirose

The greatest changes in my life have always come out of the darkest moments. It feels awful going through it but with time and reflection, life’s adversities are necessary for personal growth. If any year is going to be a catalyst for global change in my lifetime, I’m guessing it’s going to be 2020. We have suffered collectively and yet each one of us have had vastly different experiences. 2021 is our opportunity to make great change. It’s our duty as yogis to not only live by example, but to recognize each one of our talents and use them to help guide others on their search for enlightenment. My hope is that through the alignment of ahimsa and veganism we can teach others that the unnecessary suffering and slaughter of other beings is at the root of our own suffering. This episode includes some of the most influential yogi and animal activists that I interviewed in 2020. I hope their words inspire others to begin their vegan journey, The following are excerpts from these episodes:Episode 62- Boho Beautiful’s Juliana and Mark SpiculokEpisode 41- Seane CornEpisode 39- Mathieu Boldron Episode 71- John JosephEpisode 60- James Aspey Episode 47- Ray IppolitoEpisode 36- Ana Forrest & Jose Calarco Episode 55- Tabay Atkins & Sahel Anvarinejad