Podcasts about Ashtanga

Lisa Rusczyk and Dona Murphy interview Lisa H. about her work as a hand analyst who checks the palms, and then develops a healing plan around her assessment. Lisa and Lisa have fun comparing notes between palmistry and hand analysis.This is a video podcast on Spotify and YouTube.Want to know more about Lisa H.?Lisa HedleyLisa is a Psychospiritual Counselor, Transformation Advisor, and Hand Analyst who specializes in uncovering and integrating the shadow side to help clients heal, eradicate negative habits, and liberate consciousness to actualize the higher Self. She has an educational background in fine arts, philosophy, transformative learning, Ashtanga and therapeutics yoga, hand analysis, and 39 years of spiritual practice. Her work is transformation training at the intersection of therapeutic and spiritual frameworks, as a science-based and intuitive healer. She's dedicated to guiding clients to discover and trust their own inner wisdom, so they can go deeper, foster more meaning and joy, and fully actualize their purpose. https://lisahedley.com/https://lisahedley.substack.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/awelisahedley/USE CODE "PODCAST" FOR $50 OFF ON HER WEBSITE.Support the podcast! Tell us about your hands! Subscribe, follow, listen, discuss with your higher self, and enjoy!Thank you for watching and listening.

What does it mean to keep practicing after the loss of the teacher who gave you the practice?   In this deeply personal episode, Harmony Slater speaks with Bianca Oliviera — a Brazilian-born Ashtanga teacher now living in Katowice, Poland — about the sudden passing of Sharath Jois, the grief that followed, and how she continues to carry the teachings forward. Bianca was present at the Active Series training in Virginia when Sharath passed, and she shares her firsthand account of that day with honesty, grief, and deep reverence.   This conversation explores what happens to devotion when its outer form disappears — and why the essence of the practice, once received, can never truly be lost.   IN THIS EPISODE: How Bianca discovered yoga in Rio de Janeiro through her grandmother Moving to the U.S., a teaching training scholarship, and the DVD that changed everything First encountering Sharath on the 2013 U.S. tour — and knowing she'd found her teacher Six trips to Mysore, practicing with both Saraswati and Sharath Navigating practice with a young child — and a supportive Polish artist husband Injuries, catching debates, and learning to listen to the body Teaching evening Mysore in Katowice, organizing family-friendly retreats Being present in Virginia for the Active Series launch — and the hike that ended everything The shock, the circle of prayer, the blanket, and the nights no one could sleep Life since Sharath's passing: mixed feelings, shifted priorities, community bonds Impermanence as the ultimate teacher — in practice, in family, and in loss   KEY QUOTES: "Each time I finish, I feel good. Something inside feels better." "He sacrificed so much so I could practice with Sharaji because he knew it was super special and important for me." "Nothing is forever. Not our bodies, not our communities, not our guru, not our practices."   GUEST BIO: BIANCA RAPOSO DE OLIVEIRA is a Brazilian-born Ashtanga yoga teacher based in Katowice, Poland. She discovered yoga in Rio de Janeiro and found Ashtanga after watching the Ashtanga New York DVD during a 200-hour teacher training in North Carolina. She traveled to Mysore approximately six times to practice with Saraswati Jois and Sharath Jois. She now runs an evening Mysore program and teaches online, and organizes yoga retreats with her husband and son Surya.   CONNECT WITH BIANCA: Instagram: @biancayoga Website: ashtangayogakatowice.com   HARMONY IS TEACHING IN PORTUGAL: Agora Lisboa (Lisbon) — June 25–28 Ashtanga House Faro — Five-day immersion in Faro, Portugal – DM Harmony on Instagram @harmonyslaterofficial   SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: Find Finding Harmony on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Podbean. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What does it mean to keep practicing after the loss of the teacher who gave you the practice?   In this deeply personal episode, Harmony Slater speaks with Bianca Oliviera — a Brazilian-born Ashtanga teacher now living in Katowice, Poland — about the sudden passing of Sharath Jois, the grief that followed, and how she continues to carry the teachings forward. Bianca was present at the Active Series training in Virginia when Sharath passed, and she shares her firsthand account of that day with honesty, grief, and deep reverence.   This conversation explores what happens to devotion when its outer form disappears — and why the essence of the practice, once received, can never truly be lost.   IN THIS EPISODE: How Bianca discovered yoga in Rio de Janeiro through her grandmother Moving to the U.S., a teaching training scholarship, and the DVD that changed everything First encountering Sharath on the 2013 U.S. tour — and knowing she'd found her teacher Six trips to Mysore, practicing with both Saraswati and Sharath Navigating practice with a young child — and a supportive Polish artist husband Injuries, catching debates, and learning to listen to the body Teaching evening Mysore in Katowice, organizing family-friendly retreats Being present in Virginia for the Active Series launch — and the hike that ended everything The shock, the circle of prayer, the blanket, and the nights no one could sleep Life since Sharath's passing: mixed feelings, shifted priorities, community bonds Impermanence as the ultimate teacher — in practice, in family, and in loss   KEY QUOTES: "Each time I finish, I feel good. Something inside feels better." "He sacrificed so much so I could practice with Sharaji because he knew it was super special and important for me." "Nothing is forever. Not our bodies, not our communities, not our guru, not our practices."   GUEST BIO: BIANCA RAPOSO DE OLIVEIRA is a Brazilian-born Ashtanga yoga teacher based in Katowice, Poland. She discovered yoga in Rio de Janeiro and found Ashtanga after watching the Ashtanga New York DVD during a 200-hour teacher training in North Carolina. She traveled to Mysore approximately six times to practice with Saraswati Jois and Sharath Jois. She now runs an evening Mysore program and teaches online, and organizes yoga retreats with her husband and son Surya.   CONNECT WITH BIANCA: Instagram: @biancayoga Website: ashtangayogakatowice.com   HARMONY IS TEACHING IN PORTUGAL: Agora Lisboa (Lisbon) — June 25–28 Ashtanga House Faro — Five-day immersion in Faro, Portugal – DM Harmony on Instagram @harmonyslaterofficial   SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: Find Finding Harmony on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Podbean. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Send us Fan MailDr. Rose Erin Vaughan is a prominent and multi-disciplined expert in the fields of acupuncture, yoga, and meridian therapy. With a robust background in Ashtanga and Dharma yoga, massage therapy, and acupuncture, Dr. Vaughan has masterfully integrated her deep knowledge of anatomy and energy channels into her practice and teachings. She is particularly renowned for her work in merging the practices of yoga and acupuncture, resulting in a unique therapeutic discipline focused on Yin yoga teacher trainings and advanced acupressure techniques. Dr. Vaughan is also a celebrated author of several books, including “Science of Self” and her detailed guides on energy lines and meridians.Visit Dr. Rose Erin: https://www.scienceofselfytt.com/Key Takeaways:Dr. Vaughan's development of the Meridian Yoga technique integrates acupuncture and yoga for a holistic therapeutic approach.The importance of experiential learning in understanding and feeling energy channels like meridians and chakras is emphasized throughout Dr. Vaughan's teachings.Acupuncture and yoga practices should focus on seeking root causes of physical imbalance rather than merely addressing pain.Incorporating ancient practices, such as those from the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika," into modern yoga sequences enhances meditative and energetic experiences.Regular mantra practice, like the Gayatri Mantra, can refine the practitioner's focus and intention, grounding their yoga and meditation sessions.Check out:

What does yoga actually mean? If you answered 'union,' Harmony and Russell have a fascinating surprise for you. In this deeply rich conversation with Sanskrit scholar and Ashtanga teacher Zoë  Slatoff, the trio explores the ancient philosophical roots beneath the practices many of us do every day. Zoë is the author of Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga, A New Approach to Sanskrit, Associate Director of the Yoga Studies MA program at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles), and a PhD candidate whose dissertation may permanently change the way you think about what yoga is for. The conversation moves from Zoë 's early years in Brooklyn and a pivotal Rodney Yee VHS tape, to engineering studies at the elite Cooper Union, to teaching 16 yoga classes a week in New York City, to the magic of Lakshmi Puram in Mysore before the internet existed. It arrives, finally, at the big philosophical question at the heart of her dissertation: how did yoga go from meaning separation to meaning union? What You'll Learn in This Episode Why "yoga" in the Yoga Sutras means separation—not union—and how Advaita Vedanta changed everything The role of the Upadesha Sahasri (attributed to Shankaracharya) in bridging dualism and non-duality How Pattabhi Jois used to quote ancient Vedantic texts every single day in conference in Lakshmi Puram Why the neti neti practice ('not this, not that') is a powerful tool for modern meditators How Zoe began her Sanskrit journey in Mysore and transformed it into a published textbook and academic career What it means to teach Sanskrit in a way that actually serves yoga practitioners (not classical scholars) The magic—and the chaos—of traveling to India without the internet, using hand-drawn maps and STD phone boxes Why Zoe believes dualism and non-duality are ultimately describing the same thing, just from different angles Guest Bio: Zoë  Slatoff Zoë  Slatoff is a Sanskrit scholar, longtime Ashtanga yoga practitioner and teacher, and author of Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga—a groundbreaking Sanskrit grammar textbook designed specifically for yoga practitioners who want to read the texts that inform their practice. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University in Asian Languages and Cultures, is completing her PhD at Lancaster University, and currently serves as Associate Director (and incoming Director) of the Yoga Studies MA program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She also teaches Sanskrit online through the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. Resources & Links Mentioned Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga by Zoe Slatoff — available wherever books are sold (new edition coming soon) Yoga Studies MA Program at Loyola Marymount University — visit lmu.edu for admissions info Sanskrit classes online through the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies — check Zoe's website at ashtangayogasanskrit.com Yoga Gives Back — the charity whose fundraising gala reunited Zoe, Harmony, and Russell in LA Harmony Slater's Portugal intensives — Lisbon and Faro (end of June through mid-July); details in show links The Being Gathering festival, Portugal The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What does yoga actually mean? If you answered 'union,' Harmony and Russell have a fascinating surprise for you. In this deeply rich conversation with Sanskrit scholar and Ashtanga teacher Zoë Slatoff, the trio explores the ancient philosophical roots beneath the practices many of us do every day. Zoë is the author of Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga, A New Approach to Sanskrit, Associate Director of the Yoga Studies MA program at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles), and a PhD candidate whose dissertation may permanently change the way you think about what yoga is for. The conversation moves from Zoë's early years in Brooklyn and a pivotal Rodney Yee VHS tape, to engineering studies at the elite Cooper Union, to teaching 16 yoga classes a week in New York City, to the magic of Lakshmi Puram in Mysore before the internet existed. It arrives, finally, at the big philosophical question at the heart of her dissertation: how did yoga go from meaning separation to meaning union? What You'll Learn in This Episode Why "yoga" in the Yoga Sutras means separation—not union—and how Advaita Vedanta changed everything The role of the Upadesha Sahasri (attributed to Shankaracharya) in bridging dualism and non-duality How Pattabhi Jois used to quote ancient Vedantic texts every single day in conference in Lakshmi Puram Why the neti neti practice ('not this, not that') is a powerful tool for modern meditators How Zoë began her Sanskrit journey in Mysore and transformed it into a published textbook and academic career What it means to teach Sanskrit in a way that actually serves yoga practitioners (not classical scholars) The magic—and the chaos—of traveling to India without the internet, using hand-drawn maps and STD phone boxes Why Zoë believes dualism and non-duality are ultimately describing the same thing, just from different angles Guest Bio: Zoë Slatoff Zoë Slatoff is a Sanskrit scholar, longtime Ashtanga yoga practitioner and teacher, and author of Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga—a groundbreaking Sanskrit grammar textbook designed specifically for yoga practitioners who want to read the texts that inform their practice. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University in Asian Languages and Cultures, is completing her PhD at Lancaster University, and currently serves as Associate Director (and incoming Director) of the Yoga Studies MA program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She also teaches Sanskrit online through the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. Resources & Links Mentioned Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga by Zoë Slatoff — available wherever books are sold (new edition coming soon) Yoga Studies MA Program at Loyola Marymount University — visit lmu.edu for admissions info Sanskrit classes online through the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies — check Zoë's website at ashtangayogasanskrit.com Yoga Gives Back — the charity whose fundraising gala reunited Zoë, Harmony, and Russell in LA Harmony Slater's Portugal intensives — Lisbon and Faro (end of June through mid-July); details in show links The Being Gathering festival, Portugal The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What does it actually mean to practice yoga — and are any of us really doing it? In this rich and unhurried conversation, Harmony sits down with Tara Mitra: Ashtanga teacher, yoga therapist, and devoted Vedic chanting practitioner who has spent decades tracing the practice back to its roots. Tara's path moved from high-stress corporate life in Toronto to studying Ashtanga with dedicated teachers in Canada and California, then four years assisting in the Mysore shala, and finally into the Krishnamacharya lineage in Chennai — where yoga therapy, pranayama, Vedic chanting, and philosophy became her deepest studies. Today she works with everyone from cancer patients to hospice clients, with the simple premise: if you can breathe, she can teach you something. This conversation is a slow, deliberate unwinding of everything we think we know about yoga — and an invitation back to what it actually is.   In this episode you'll explore: Why 'nobody is really practicing yoga' — and what that actually means The journey from Ashtanga to yoga therapy: what made Tara go deeper How chanting and philosophy naturally shift the inner landscape Samasthiti as 'the pregnant pause' — and why skipping it misses the point The monkey mind: drunk, stung by a scorpion, and haunted — and what practice does to each layer Chitta vritti nirodha and what the Yoga Sutras actually say about the mind Spiritual bypassing: the 'good vibes only' trap and premature transcendence The radical practice of doing nothing — no phone, no tea, just thirty minutes at a window Ayurveda and the body's natural rhythms in the age of artificial light and screen time The pancha vayus and why pranayama is far subtler than it looks The breath as the great friend — and its connection to spirit in every tradition Redefining the guru: someone who isn't caught in your own distortions Sangha: why community isn't optional on the path How beginners should start: not by thinking The butterfly mind vs. the stability of genuine practice Boundaries as an expression of love, not a closing off Equanimity (upeksha) as a lifelong practice, not a destination   Connect with Tara Mitra: Website: taramitrayoga.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taramitrayoga/ Offerings: Yoga Sutras classes, Vedic chanting, Upanishad study, mentorship program   Resources mentioned: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali — chitta vritti nirodha (YS 1.2); the nine obstacles; YS 1.33 brahmaviharas Shanti mantra: Purnamadah Purnamidam (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) Krishnamacharya lineage (Mysore & Chennai / Desikachar branch) Ashtanga trishthana — breath, drishti, bandha Ayurveda and the concept of natural daily rhythms (dinacharya) Harmony's upcoming Portugal workshops — harmonyslater.com/events The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What does it actually mean to practice yoga — and are any of us really doing it? In this rich and unhurried conversation, Harmony sits down with Tara Mitra: Ashtanga teacher, yoga therapist, and devoted Vedic chanting practitioner who has spent decades tracing the practice back to its roots. Tara's path moved from high-stress corporate life in Toronto to studying Ashtanga with dedicated teachers in Canada and California, then four years assisting in the Mysore shala, and finally into the Krishnamacharya lineage in Chennai — where yoga therapy, pranayama, Vedic chanting, and philosophy became her deepest studies. Today she works with everyone from cancer patients to hospice clients, with the simple premise: if you can breathe, she can teach you something. This conversation is a slow, deliberate unwinding of everything we think we know about yoga — and an invitation back to what it actually is.   In this episode you'll explore: Why 'nobody is really practicing yoga' — and what that actually means The journey from Ashtanga to yoga therapy: what made Tara go deeper How chanting and philosophy naturally shift the inner landscape Samasthiti as 'the pregnant pause' — and why skipping it misses the point The monkey mind: drunk, stung by a scorpion, and haunted — and what practice does to each layer Chitta vritti nirodha and what the Yoga Sutras actually say about the mind Spiritual bypassing: the 'good vibes only' trap and premature transcendence The radical practice of doing nothing — no phone, no tea, just thirty minutes at a window Ayurveda and the body's natural rhythms in the age of artificial light and screen time The pancha vayus and why pranayama is far subtler than it looks The breath as the great friend — and its connection to spirit in every tradition Redefining the guru: someone who isn't caught in your own distortions Sangha: why community isn't optional on the path How beginners should start: not by thinking The butterfly mind vs. the stability of genuine practice Boundaries as an expression of love, not a closing off Equanimity (upeksha) as a lifelong practice, not a destination   Connect with Tara Mitra: Website: taramitrayoga.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taramitrayoga/ Offerings: Yoga Sutras classes, Vedic chanting, Upanishad study, mentorship program   Resources mentioned: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali — chitta vritti nirodha (YS 1.2); the nine obstacles; YS 1.33 brahmaviharas Shanti mantra: Purnamadah Purnamidam (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) Krishnamacharya lineage (Mysore & Chennai / Desikachar branch) Ashtanga trishthana — breath, drishti, bandha Ayurveda and the concept of natural daily rhythms (dinacharya) Harmony's upcoming Portugal workshops — harmonyslater.com/events The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Send us Fan MailJessica Rigal is a seasoned clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience specializing in trauma care, particularly in hospitals. Raised amidst a milieu of activism and scientific inquiry in New York City during the 60s and 70s, Jessica was introduced to meditation early on, a practice that has become central to her professional and personal life. She studied pre-med and journalism and holds an advanced degree from the New School of Social Research. Jessica is an advocate of blending meditation with Ashtanga yoga, and she actively practices and teaches these methods, emphasizing their therapeutic benefits.Visit Jessica here: https://yogabyjessica.com/Key Takeaways:Jessica Rigal's life reflects a unique blend of activism, scientific curiosity, and holistic healing practices.Meditation and yoga are central to Jessica's approach, offering profound tools for recovery and personal growth.Listening to the body and maintaining a mindfulness practice can be crucial in overcoming physical limitations and improving mental health.Jessica emphasizes a flexible approach to both yoga and life, focusing on finding joy in the present and accepting each moment as it comes.The idea of practice as a reflection of daily life, rather than a set series of poses, invites listeners to integrate mindfulness into every aspect of their being.Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out:

What if the most devoted yoga practice isn't happening at 5am in a Mysore shala — but in stolen afternoon hours between school pickups, on the floor of a LifeTime gym, to whatever music felt right that morning? Harmony and Russell sit down with Tina Bock — Authorized Level 2 Ashtanga yoga teacher, mother of two, eight-year Abu Dhabi expat, and lifelong New Jersey girl — for exactly the kind of conversation Ashtangis have been having since the first Western students sat outside the shala gates with instant coffee and nowhere else to be. Warm, funny, philosophical, and completely real.Tina received her Level 2 authorization from the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India under the late R. Sharath Jois. She has been teaching since 2012, has taught workshops and teacher trainings in more than 14 countries, made nine trips to India for ongoing study, and is currently practicing what she calls the "Seventh" and final series: parenting. Her path was not a straight line. From a 200-hour training in Goa at 22 (chosen because it was a thousand dollars for the whole month), to years of private lessons in Abu Dhabi palaces, to nine Mysore pilgrimages, to learning Third Series after her first baby was born — this is a portrait of what it looks like when practice truly lives inside a life, rather than sitting apart from it The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What if the most devoted yoga practice isn't happening at 5am in a Mysore shala — but in stolen afternoon hours between school pickups, on the floor of a LifeTime gym, to whatever music felt right that morning? Harmony and Russell sit down with Tina Bock — Authorized Level 2 Ashtanga yoga teacher, mother of two, eight-year Abu Dhabi expat, and lifelong New Jersey girl — for exactly the kind of conversation Ashtangis have been having since the first Western students sat outside the shala gates with instant coffee and nowhere else to be.  Warm, funny, philosophical, and completely real.Tina received her Level 2 authorization from the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India under the late R. Sharath Jois. She has been teaching since 2012, has taught workshops and teacher trainings in more than 14 countries, made nine trips to India for ongoing study, and is currently practicing what she calls the "Seventh" and final series: parenting. Her path was not a straight line. From a 200-hour training in Goa at 22 (chosen because it was a thousand dollars for the whole month), to years of private lessons in Abu Dhabi palaces, to nine Mysore pilgrimages, to learning Third Series after her first baby was born — this is a portrait of what it looks like when practice truly lives inside a life, rather than sitting apart from it.   IN THIS EPISODE: How Tina ended up in Abu Dhabi for eight years — and what that did for her self-practice• Teaching private yoga to Abu Dhabi royalty when there was no Mysore program nearby Learning Primary Series alone and what self-practice taught her that a shala could not• Going to Mysore for the first time having never done a proper Mysore-style class Nine India trips — including a motorbike accident, a ditch, and stitches she suspects are still in her knee Bringing her son to Mysore at three months old and twelve months old (he learned to walk there) Learning Third Series after becoming a mother — and what Sharath said about timing The "Seventh Series": how parenting is the deepest practice she has ever done Teaching "Ashtanga Light" at a gym — and why she does not apologize for it Ashtanga as punk rock: what gets lost when the shalas close and gentrification arrives CONNECT WITH TINA:Instagram: @tinabock Upcoming retreats and workshops: Follow Tina on Instagram for announcements The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Send us Fan MailMaria Margolies is a seasoned yoga teacher with over 25 years of experience. Based in New York, Maria has carved a niche for herself as an advocate for celebrating the natural human body and all its changes. She is known for her engaging and empowering workshops and retreats for women globally, emphasizing body positivity, connection with nature, and holistic well-being. With a background in Ashtanga yoga, Maria has evolved her practice to focus on more inclusive, body-positive yoga forms. She is also a vocal critic of unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by various industries and is committed to fostering an environment where individuals can embrace and honor their natural selves.Visit Maria: https://www.holixtic.com/Key Takeaways:The Power of Reframing Beauty: Maria encourages redefining beauty standards that have been historically shaped by industries seeking to profit from insecurities, emphasizing the beauty seen in nature's imperfections.Yoga's Role in Self-Acceptance: Utilizing yoga as a tool for fostering self-love and acceptance, Maria shifts her focus to practices that embrace all body types and physical changes.Pelvic Floor Health Awareness: Maria highlights the lack of education surrounding pelvic floor function in yoga practices, advocating for a more balanced approach that focuses on natural body awareness.Unity in Diversity: Maria calls for collective action to change societal narratives, emphasizing collaboration between genders to redefine beauty and embrace human diversity.Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out:

We're joined by Bhavesh Ratanpal. product leader, author, and long‑time practitioner of yoga philosophy, for a unique conversation about his book Product Ashtangi and how ancient Vedic wisdom can change the way we build products and lead teams.Bhavesh shares his journey from growing up in a family of priests in India, to a career in software development and product management at places like TD Bank, Citibank, and TELUS, and now to founding human‑centric AI startups in Canada. Along the way, he kept returning to one insight: a calm, clear mind makes better product decisions. Product Ashtangi is his attempt to codify that, combining the eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga with modern product practice.Join Matt and Moshe as they explore with Bhavesh:What “Product Ashtangi” means and why the first product you work on is yourselfHow the eight limbs of yoga (starting with Yama - truthfulness, ethics, ego‑awareness) translate into everyday product decisionsThe difference between building from ego and cosmetics vs. focusing on real user pain and social welfareHow to shift between observer and experiencer modes so you can see problems clearly instead of reacting emotionallyStories of applying these principles in practice, from enterprise migrations and platform decisions to Bhavesh's current AI products (pet adoption and strata governance)Treating your life like a product: personal sprints, self‑retros every two weeks, and continuously “shipping” a better version of yourselfHow karma yoga and product management align when you see products as vehicles for societal good, not just business metricsThe structure of the book:Part 1 – theory connecting yoga sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and product thinkingPart 2 – practical ways to adopt the eight limbs in your product workWhere to start if you're curious: books, practices, and small mindset shifts you can apply this weekAnd much more!Want to learn more or get the book?Website: http://bhaveshratanpal.caLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhaveshratanpalYou can also connect with us and find more episodes:Product for Product Podcast: http://linkedin.com/company/product-for-product-podcastMatt Green: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgreenproduct/Moshe Mikanovsky: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikanovskyNote: Any views mentioned in the podcast are the sole views of our hosts and guests, and do not represent the products mentioned in any way.Please leave us a review and feedback ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What if the practice isn't about becoming better at yoga — but about seeing more clearly who you are? In this rich and contemplative conversation, Harmony sits down with Ricardo Louro and Inês Brilhante — founders of Ashtanga House Faro in Portugal's stunning Algarve region — to explore how studying Vedanta philosophy in the lineage of Swami Dayananda Saraswati has completely transformed their relationship with Ashtanga yoga practice. This is not a conversation about perfecting postures. It's a conversation about what postures are actually for. IN THIS EPISODE: The core Vedanta teaching — 'jiva jagadishvara' [VERIFY TRANSLITERATION]: the essence of the individual self, the world, and the creator are one How Ricardo went from asana obsession and identity-building to genuine inner freedom Why Inês finds Vedanta's teaching on impermanence invaluable as a mother, teacher, and business partner The practice of shravanam (deep listening to teachings) as a form of yoga in itself Mantra japa as a daily foundation — and how it freed Ricardo from needing to complete a full series to feel 'done' The 'polishing the mirror' metaphor: what it truly means to use yoga as a tool for self-inquiry How to begin studying Vedanta (recommended: Swami Sarvapriyananda on YouTube) The Dayananda Saraswati lineage and why studying in your own language matters Ines and Ricardo's path to founding Ashtanga House Faro — from Coimbra and Portimão, to Mysore, to the Algarve   CONNECT WITH ASHTANGA HOUSE FARO: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashtangahousefaro/ Website: https://www.ashtangahousefaro.com/   HARMONY IS TEACHING:

What if the practice isn't about becoming better at yoga — but about seeing more clearly who you are? In this rich and contemplative conversation, Harmony sits down with Ricardo Louro and Inês Brilhante — founders of Ashtanga House Faro in Portugal's stunning Algarve region — to explore how studying Vedanta philosophy in the lineage of Swami Dayananda Saraswati has completely transformed their relationship with Ashtanga yoga practice. This is not a conversation about perfecting postures. It's a conversation about what postures are actually for. IN THIS EPISODE: The core Vedanta teaching — 'jiva jagadishvara' [VERIFY TRANSLITERATION]: the essence of the individual self, the world, and the creator are one How Ricardo went from asana obsession and identity-building to genuine inner freedom Why Inês finds Vedanta's teaching on impermanence invaluable as a mother, teacher, and business partner The practice of shravanam (deep listening to teachings) as a form of yoga in itself Mantra japa as a daily foundation — and how it freed Ricardo from needing to complete a full series to feel 'done' The 'polishing the mirror' metaphor: what it truly means to use yoga as a tool for self-inquiry How to begin studying Vedanta (recommended: Swami Sarvapriyananda on YouTube) The Dayananda Saraswati lineage and why studying in your own language matters Ines and Ricardo's path to founding Ashtanga House Faro — from Coimbra and Portimão, to Mysore, to the Algarve   CONNECT WITH ASHTANGA HOUSE FARO: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashtangahousefaro/ Website: https://www.ashtangahousefaro.com/   HARMONY IS TEACHING:

In this episode, I'm joined by Harmony Slater for a soulful conversation about the body, the breath, energetic healing, and the hidden patterns that can keep us out of alignment with who we really are. We talk about how the body holds emotional experiences, why so many of us feel disconnected from ourselves, and how healing happens when we slow down enough to listen to what our body has been trying to tell us all along. Harmony shares her personal journey through yoga, mysticism, energy work, and healing from autoimmune symptoms and chronic fatigue. We also explore the mind-body connection, the role of the nervous system, and how unconscious beliefs, emotional patterns, and old wounds can shape the way we show up in our lives. This is a grounded and expansive conversation about coming back into wholeness through breath, awareness, and deep inner healing. In this episode, you'll learn:  Harmony's journey from religious studies and philosophy into yoga, meditation, and energy work What Ashtanga yoga is and how it shaped her path How spinal energetics works and why it can be such a powerful healing modality How emotional pain, trauma, and unconscious beliefs can build up in the body over time How old experiences can create hidden patterns that still affect us today The connection between the body, the unconscious mind, and emotional healing Simple ways to use breath and nature to feel more grounded and supported each day Why spiritual practice can become another form of control if we are not aware of what is really driving it Harmony Slater is a masterful teacher, breathwork guide, spiritual mentor, and one of only a handful of certified Ashtanga yoga teachers worldwide. Her work weaves together ancient wisdom, energetic healing, nervous system support, and modern transformation to help people reconnect with themselves and live in greater alignment. Resources from this Episode: Harmony's website: harmonyslater.com Instagram: @harmonyslaterofficial Podcast: Finding Harmony MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com Membership: The Adult Chair Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

Have you ever wondered if your spiritual practice is actually holding you back? In this rare solo episode, Harmony Slater opens up about something she has sat with for years: spiritual bypassing — the subtle, socially praised way we use meditation, yoga, journaling, and ritual to sidestep the emotional work we most need to do. This conversation is deeply personal. Harmony shares her own journey from ballet-driven anorexia to years of devoted Ashtanga practice, and how all of it — every early morning practice, every pose, every certification — was also, in part, a way of hiding. From her body. From her feelings. From herself. In this episode, you will hear: What spiritual bypassing actually is — and why it is so hard to see in yourself. How yoga, meditation, and breathwork can become sophisticated tools for avoidance. Why discipline and control can shrink your world without you realizing it. The difference between observing your experience and truly feeling it from within. How healing actually happens — and why it requires relationship, not solo practice. The moment Harmony's body finally said enough through burnout and autoimmune illness. A simple 'Do Nothing' practice that reveals more than any technique. Why life itself is the real practice. Whether you have been on the spiritual path for two years or twenty, this episode will meet you where you are.  With honesty, compassion, and an invitation to stop performing and start feeling. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Have you ever wondered if your spiritual practice is actually holding you back? In this rare solo episode, Harmony Slater opens up about something she has sat with for years: spiritual bypassing — the subtle, socially praised way we use meditation, yoga, journaling, and ritual to sidestep the emotional work we most need to do.   This conversation is deeply personal. Harmony shares her own journey from ballet-driven anorexia to years of devoted Ashtanga practice, and how all of it — every early morning practice, every pose, every certification — was also, in part, a way of hiding. From her body. From her feelings. From herself.   In this episode, you will hear: What spiritual bypassing actually is — and why it is so hard to see in yourself. How yoga, meditation, and breathwork can become sophisticated tools for avoidance. Why discipline and control can shrink your world without you realizing it. The difference between observing your experience and truly feeling it from within. How healing actually happens — and why it requires relationship, not solo practice. The moment Harmony's body finally said enough through burnout and autoimmune illness. A simple 'Do Nothing' practice that reveals more than any technique. Why life itself is the real practice. Whether you have been on the spiritual path for two years or twenty, this episode will meet you where you are.  With honesty, compassion, and an invitation to stop performing and start feeling. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

In this episode of GynoCurious, Amy speaks with Debbie Kadagian, a licensed integrative psychotherapist who brings together an extraordinary range of healing modalities. Debbie's journey spans from Ashtanga yoga teacher to certified Ayurvedic practitioner, and eventually to becoming a psychedelic psychotherapist and social worker. She shares how each transition in her career was organically inspired by her curiosity and life experiences, including a transformative Panchakarma cleansing ritual that opened her emotionally and set her on the path to studying Ayurveda. Her work now focuses on helping clients integrate psychedelic experiences, running therapeutic groups, and bridging Western psychiatry with alternative healing approaches. A central theme of the conversation is Debbie's pioneering work with psychedelic medicines, particularly ibogaine and ayahuasca. She explains her role in pre- and post-integration therapy, helping clients prepare for and process their psychedelic journeys at vetted retreat centers like Root and Wisdom in Costa Rica. Debbie describes the remarkable outcomes she's witnessed — from addiction recovery to the resolution of PTSD in veterans—and discusses how these medicines create neurochemical resets that diminish cravings and compulsive behaviors. She also shares her passion for the SOLAS Foundation, which she created to make expensive ibogaine treatment accessible to those who cannot afford it, believing that transformative healing should not be a privilege reserved only for the wealthy. Questions of comments? Call 845-307-7446 or email comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

What does it really mean to stay devoted to a practice for three decades — and let it keep changing you?   Harmony Slater and Russell Case sit down with Jodi Blumstein: long-time Ashtanga yoga practitioner, founder of one of Chicago's first Ashtanga shalas, and the teacher who led the Mysore program at YogaWorks in Los Angeles for over 15 years. Now teaching online to a global community, Jodi brings the rare perspective of someone who has lived through the full arc of Ashtanga yoga in the West — from the early days of counting in Sanskrit with a German accent at a single Chicago class, to practicing on Oak Street Beach with Tim Miller, to navigating the post-COVID world of online Mysore.   This conversation is honest, nostalgic, nuanced, and full of lived wisdom.   In this episode, you'll discover: What it was really like to study with Tim Miller, Dena Kingsbrough, and Nancy Gilgoff — and how each teacher gave something completely different Why the traditional yoga studio business model is unsustainable — and what might replace it How Ashtanga practice should evolve as you age (and why the 'marathon' model of practice is the key) What the rise of Instagram did to the Ashtanga community (for better and worse) How Jodi found her way into online teaching — and why she's never going back to in-person The practice philosophy she now teaches: rotating series, building core strength, and adapting intelligently for the long haul What Pattabhi Jois's presence was really like in those final Lakshmipuram classes Connect with Jodi Blumstein: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi_blumstein/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jodibe4483 The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What does it really mean to stay devoted to a practice for three decades — and let it keep changing you?   Harmony Slater and Russell Case sit down with Jodi Blumstein: long-time Ashtanga yoga practitioner, founder of one of Chicago's first Ashtanga shalas, and the teacher who led the Mysore program at YogaWorks in Los Angeles for over 15 years. Now teaching online to a global community, Jodi brings the rare perspective of someone who has lived through the full arc of Ashtanga yoga in the West — from the early days of counting in Sanskrit with a German accent at a single Chicago class, to practicing on Oak Street Beach with Tim Miller, to navigating the post-COVID world of online Mysore.   This conversation is honest, nostalgic, nuanced, and full of lived wisdom.   In this episode, you'll discover: What it was really like to study with Tim Miller, Dena Kingsbrough, and Nancy Gilgoff — and how each teacher gave something completely different Why the traditional yoga studio business model is unsustainable — and what might replace it How Ashtanga practice should evolve as you age (and why the 'marathon' model of practice is the key) What the rise of Instagram did to the Ashtanga community (for better and worse) How Jodi found her way into online teaching — and why she's never going back to in-person The practice philosophy she now teaches: rotating series, building core strength, and adapting intelligently for the long haul What Pattabhi Jois's presence was really like in those final Lakshmipuram classes   Connect with Jodi Blumstein: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi_blumstein/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jodibe4483 The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

At what point does discipline stop serving us—and start becoming something we're afraid to question?   In this episode, Harmony and Russell are joined by old friend David Keil—yoga anatomy educator, body worker, and long-time Ashtanga practitioner and teacher—for a rich, honest conversation about what happens when devotion becomes dogma.   David has spent over two decades bridging anatomy, science, and Ashtanga yoga practice, always resisting the oversimplification that there is one right way to move, one right way to adjust, or one right way to practice. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt the tension between devotion and discernment—whether you've been practicing for two years or twenty.   In This Episode: When discipline becomes dogma—and how to recognize the difference The nervous system as the foundation of skillful adjustments Pattern-based movement vs. fixing isolated details (and why it matters for longevity) What actually makes Ashtanga yoga Ashtanga yoga Pain, tolerance, and what we do (and don't) learn from pushing through Why 90% of 25+ year practitioners mix and match sequences—and what that tells us The vagus nerve, breath, and why focused attention is the common thread in all contemplative practices Cross-training for yogis: bone density, muscle mass, and why yoga alone isn't always enough The future of Ashtanga after Sharath "Don't let yoga ruin your life"—what David means by this, and why it matters   Connect With David Keil: Website: yoganatomy.com Book: Functional Anatomy of Yoga (available at yoganatomy.com and Amazon) New book: coming soon — sign up for David's newsletter at yoganatomy.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/dkeil108/ The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

At what point does discipline stop serving us—and start becoming something we're afraid to question?   In this episode, Harmony and Russell are joined by old friend David Keil—yoga anatomy educator, body worker, and long-time Ashtanga practitioner and teacher—for a rich, honest conversation about what happens when devotion becomes dogma.   David has spent over two decades bridging anatomy, science, and Ashtanga yoga practice, always resisting the oversimplification that there is one right way to move, one right way to adjust, or one right way to practice. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt the tension between devotion and discernment—whether you've been practicing for two years or twenty.   In This Episode: When discipline becomes dogma—and how to recognize the difference The nervous system as the foundation of skillful adjustments Pattern-based movement vs. fixing isolated details (and why it matters for longevity) What actually makes Ashtanga yoga Ashtanga yoga Pain, tolerance, and what we do (and don't) learn from pushing through Why 90% of 25+ year practitioners mix and match sequences—and what that tells us The vagus nerve, breath, and why focused attention is the common thread in all contemplative practices Cross-training for yogis: bone density, muscle mass, and why yoga alone isn't always enough The future of Ashtanga after Sharath "Don't let yoga ruin your life"—what David means by this, and why it matters   Connect With David Keil: Website: yoganatomy.com Book: Functional Anatomy of Yoga (available at yoganatomy.com and Amazon) New book: coming soon — sign up for David's newsletter at yoganatomy.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/dkeil108/   The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What do you do when everyone tells you it's impossible? D. Didem Tari is a Turkish lawyer who refused to let jurisdiction, language barriers, or naysayers stop her from building a legal career in Japan. Now working as a legal advisor at Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), Didem shares her remarkable journey from 13 years in an Ankara boutique firm to finding her dream role in Tokyo. This is a story about shaping your own mold when you don't fit the typical template and proving that passion combined with persistence can overcome any barrier.If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we'd love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we'd love it if you would leave us a message here!In this episode you will hear:How witnessing legal injustices at the age of 8 and 13, shaped Didem's decision to become the lawyer her family neededThe "after this, after this" trap that kept Didem in one place for 13 years and how she finally broke free to make her dream come trueWhy the doubts of naysayers were the biggest challengeThe breakthrough moment at a Women in Law Japan event that shifted Didem from thinking "it's possible" to visualising "it's happening"About DidemD. Didem Tarı is a Turkiye-registered lawyer and currently serves as a Legal Advisor at TEPCO's Overseas Business Office, where she contributes to the company's international expansion and strategic partnerships.  She joined TEPCO in April 2024, bringing more than 14 years of legal experience across the energy and aviation industries.Prior to joining TEPCO, Didem developed a broad and internationally oriented career at a boutique law firm in Ankara, advising a global portfolio of clientele - from emerging enterprises to large multinational holdings - on complex legal matters.  Her core areas of expertise include energy law (with a particular focus on renewables), aviation law, corporate and commercial law, and cross-border contracts.Admitted to the Ankara Bar in 2009, she holds an LL.M. in Public International Law from Ankara University Faculty of Law.  She is also the author of The Legal Status of the Southern Kurile Islands, a work reflecting her longstanding interest in international legal issues. To further strengthen her decade-long specialisation in aviation, she completed a BB.A. in Aviation Management, integrating legal, technical, and operational perspectives within the field.Didem proudly represented Turkiye in the prestigious Ship for World Youth (SWY) program, and has remained active in international volunteer initiatives, taking on leadership and coordination responsibilities in collaboration with IYEO, the Cabinet Office of Japan, and JICA.In her spare time, she is passionate about scuba diving, Ashtanga yoga, and traveling.Connect with DidemLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-didem-tari/ LinksThe Mosque Cafe, Shimokitazawa : http://mosquecoffee.com In the Name of Identity: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Name-Identity-Violence-Need-Belong/dp/1611453240 European Journal of International Law Podcast: https://www.ejiltalk.org/ejil-the-podcast-page/ Yuyuの日本語のポッドキャストhttps://www.youtube.com/@yuyunihongopodcast Women in Law Japan: https://womeninlawjapan.org /Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Send a textNathan Thompson is a devoted practitioner of Ashtanga yoga and Buddhism with a unique journey from addiction recovery to spiritual exploration. Originally from London, Nathan has immersed himself in the cultural and spiritual landscapes of Southeast Asia, residing in Laos while frequently engaging with the communities in Thailand and Cambodia. He hosts the podcast "Escaping Samsara," where he shares insights from his personal journey and interviews with spiritual teachers and practitioners. Nathan is known for his disciplined practice, open-minded exploration of different meditation techniques, and deep commitment to personal growth and mindfulness.Visit Nathan: https://escapingsamsara.substack.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/escsamsara/Key Takeaways:Nathan discusses his journey from addiction to spiritual awakening, highlighting the role of Goenka's meditation techniques.The real meaning of "Escaping Samsara" as an evolving concept and its connection to Nathan's experiences in both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.Impact of fatherhood on Nathan's spiritual path and its influence on his understanding of interconnectedness and compassion.Insights into the differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, especially regarding the concept of individual vs. collective liberation.Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out:

“Practicing yoga is not really something separate from me. It is happening all the time.” In this episode of a Curious Yogi Podcast, yoga teacher Myra Khanna shares her journey from Kathak dancer and scuba diving instructor to dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher. Drawing from studies with Bharath Shetty, Vinay Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Deepika Mehta, Mark Robberds, Eddie Stern, and ongoing training with Yoga Education College, Myra reflects on her evolution from a physically driven Ashtanga practice to a more holistic exploration of pranayama, meditation, and nervous system regulation.The conversation explores the commercialization of yoga, misconceptions about yoga in India, female health awareness in asana practice, and the parallels between diving and meditative practice. Myra also shares how traditional strength disciplines like mudgar swinging, dandas, and baithaks inform her approach to resilience and sustainability in practice.Here are some key takeaways; ➖ Transition from purely physical to a more holistic practice.➖ Emphasize the importance of listening to one's body and nervous system.➖ Commercialization of yoga impacts its true essence.➖ Teaching should accommodate students' individual needs and journeys.➖ Diving parallels the meditative aspects of yoga.➖ Myra's passion for education on female health in yoga after becoming unwell. Connect with Myra: IG @myrakhann02 I really enjoyed this conversation as an invitation to reconsider yoga as a living, evolving process — one rooted in curiosity, community, and embodied awareness. I know you will also dear listeners. In oneness, Bobbi Thanks for listening!

Adam delves into the complexities of the Mysore tradition of Ashtanga yoga, discussing both its merits and drawbacks. He reflects on his personal journey of why he stopped attending Mysore, the challenges of teaching Ashtanga, and the evolving nature of yoga traditions. Keen emphasizes the importance of intention in practice and the value of community while acknowledging the need for adaptability in teaching methods. Adam Shares ·      Mysore tradition has both pros and cons. ·      The authenticity of yoga lies in the practitioner's intention. ·      Tradition in yoga is not static; it evolves over time. ·      Personal experiences can shape one's relationship with yoga. ·      Teaching methods should adapt to individual needs. ·      Community plays a crucial role in the practice of yoga. ·      The practice of Ashtanga can be both grounding and challenging. ·      It's important to separate the method from the individual teacher. ·      Trusting one's intuition is vital in yoga practice. ·      The journey of yoga is personal and unique for everyone.  

In this episode of The Yoga Inspiration Podcast, Kino MacGregor sits down with hospital chaplain, writer, and grief expert J.S. Park for a deeply grounding conversation about grief, presence, and what it means to live with an open heart in a world that can feel overwhelming. They explore why grief is not something to fix or overcome, but something to honor, carry, and let transform over time. Kino reflects on communal grief in the Ashtanga world after the loss of a spiritual teacher, and J.S. offers compassionate insight into why we reach for solutions, why closure can be a myth, and how grief changes shape rather than disappearing. Together they talk about treasured objects and rituals as anchors when words fail, the ways spirituality and community can either support or collapse under real-world suffering, and how spiritual practice must include our shared humanity and collective responsibility. J.S. also shares his path from atheism toward faith through witnessing love in community, and they unpack the tension between the teachings of Jesus and the harm done in the name of religion. This episode is for anyone holding loss, navigating a crisis of faith, feeling exhausted by "move on" culture, or looking for a spiritual practice that helps you show up with tenderness and integrity. Guest: J.S. Park is a hospital chaplain, writer, and grief educator. He is the author of As Long As You Need: Permission to Grieve. Topics covered • Grief as something to honor, not solve • Why "closure" is not the goal and grief changes shape • Grieving the dream, not just the person • Treasured objects and ritual as grief anchors • When words fail and the role of art, music, and practice • Faith crises and spiritual seasons • From atheism to faith through love and community • Spiritual practice, justice, and resisting dehumanization • Boundaries, self care, and what actually sustains us • Mortality as an invitation to live more tenderly, now Resources As Long As You Need: Permission to Grieve by J.S. Park Practice with Kino on Omstars Continue the conversation on the mat. Omstars is Kino's online yoga platform, offering thousands of classes, workshops, and in-depth courses designed to support a sustainable, lifelong practice. Members can explore teaching, philosophy, strength, mobility, and mindful movement from anywhere in the world. Share this episode with a teacher, studio owner, or mentor who would benefit from the conversation.

In this episode of Quality Living With Peaceful Support, Amanda Whittemore and Ben McQuaid talk with Adam Rumack, an Ashtanga yoga teacher, who shares the story of his journey to Brookings, Oregon, and insights on yoga and quality living. Adam discusses the principles of Ashtanga and Mysore-style yoga, emphasizing breath, movement, and self-practice to calm the mind and foster personal growth. He highlights the importance of non-attachment, intuition, and the interconnectedness of life. Adam frames quality living as embracing life's challenges with attention, sustainable joy, and “messy” moments, advocating for yoga as a space for mutual support and community. He views yoga as a tool for navigating life's ups and downs while building deeper human connections. Hosts: Amanda Whittemore, Ben McQuaid; Producer: Amanda Whittemore The opinions expressed here are those of the individual participants. Curry Coast Community Radio takes no position on issues discussed in this program. If you enjoy this program and want to hear more like it, consider supporting Curry Coast Community Radio. Here’s How.

Send us a textSathu Jois is a dedicated Ashtanga yoga teacher rooted in a rich lineage as the granddaughter of Pattabhi Jois and daughter of Manju Jois. Immersed in yoga from birth, she deepened her practice during the COVID-19 pandemic while studying with her father. A former dance major, Sathu blends discipline and joy in her teaching and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Yoga Therapy and Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, with hopes of working with veterans.Visit Sathu: https://joissathu.com/Key Takeaways:Sathu Jois combines her Ashtanga lineage with modern yoga therapy to cater to a diverse range of students, including those with therapeutic needs.The integration of joy and exploration in yoga practice can help soften strict perceptions and promote a holistic approach to personal and communal growth.Sathu's work aims to support veterans by applying yoga's transformative tools to relieve physical and mental stress.Understanding the female cycle and the impact of daily variances reflects in Sathu's yoga practice and her teaching philosophy.Sathu aspires to create a community-focused yoga retreat and farm, embodying the spirit of inclusivity and joy.Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out:

What happens when a scholar who studies death for a living discovers she must learn to truly live in her body? This haunting conversation explores literature, yoga, and the long road to embodiment. IN THIS EPISODE: Introduction to Finding Harmony Podcast Meet Jessica Murphy: Gothic Literature Scholar & Ashtanga Practitioner Teaching English Literature at the University of Iceland Jessica's Literary Works: Wishbone, Ossa Vivi, Moss & Rose Poetry, Novellas, and the Gothic Genre Victorian Literature vs. Romantic Period: Claiming Jane Austen and the Brontës Existentialism, Death, and Childhood Philosophy with Her Father Father's Influence: TM, Hippie Culture, and Zen Catholicism Coming to Ashtanga Yoga at Age 39 The Challenge of Backbends vs. Hip Openers & Arm Balances Using the Body to Be Embodied: Balancing Cerebral and Physical Work Kapotasana and the Death Drive: Flirting with Mortality Eating Disorder History and Ongoing Body Image Work Why Backbends Bring Up Old Wounds and Feelings of Not Enoughness The Beginner's Mind in Yoga Practice Creating False Equivalencies: Yoga Series as Academic Degrees LSD, Academic Structures, and Her Father's Generation Jack Kerouac's Journey and the Beats Memorization in Education: What We've Lost Reciting Shakespeare: "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" William Blake's "The Tiger": Fearful Symmetry Reading from "The Face in the Window" (Gothic Short Story from Ossa Vivi) Visual Imagination and Playing with Language Meeting Her Husband: Two 19th Century Literature Scholars in Iceland Looking for Someone Like Herself vs. Someone Opposite Balancing Creative Writing with Academic Pressures The Difference Between Tenure Track and Department Member Positions Her Husband's Prolific Academic Output: Philosophy and Literature Writing as a Labor of Love vs. Academic Requirement Being "High on Life": Creativity and Sensitivity Why Creative People Struggle with Depression and Anxiety The World Feeling Like "Too Much": Colors, Sounds, People Artistic Pursuits as Protection from Overwhelming Sensations The Quiet Life with Cats and Writing and Yoga Russell's Invitation (That Got Declined) Victorian Tea Ceremonies and Paying for Art The Japanese Tea Ceremony as Art Form: Greg Kinsey's Story Bad Art, Bad Writing, and Bad Asanas Harmony's Inner Circle Mentorship Program Invitation This episode is a deep, insightful exploration of navigating life as a highly sensitive creative person, balancing intellectual pursuits with embodied practice, and finding home in your body after years of disconnection.   GUEST BIO: Having taught at Vanier College, Dawson College, and Université de Montréal in Montréal, Qc, Canada in the past, Jessica Murphy, Ph.D. currently lives in Reykjavík, Iceland and teaches English literature at the University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands). Her areas of interest and expertise are Victorian and Romantic literature as well as detective novels, gothic fiction, and children's literature. In addition to publishing a novella entitled Wishbone (available on Amazon) and having her poetry published in an anthology featuring the works of poets from around the world entitled Words Apart: A Globe of Poetry, she has co-authored an epistolary novella, Moss and Rose and a collection of gothic short stories, Ossa Vivi, with Mae Kellert. Her scholarly publications include "'[T]he world's a beast, and I hate it!': Naturalism in Amy Levy's The Romance of a Shop" and an article on Arnold Bennett's The Old Wives' Tale. At present, she is working on a chapter on the double in Susanna Kaysen's Girl, Interrupted that will be included in a book, published by Routledge, featuring various essays on the doppelgänger. A cat lover and an avid Ashtangi, she has been practicing Ashtanga yoga for the last seven years. CONNECT WITH JESSICA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjcats/ Books available on Amazon and major retailers KEY TAKEAWAYS: Gothic literature and yoga philosophy both explore transformation, duality, and the shadow self Backbends can bring up body dysmorphia and old wounds—this is part of the healing work The poses that challenge us most teach us the most about ourselves Writing autobiographical fiction can be a powerful healing practice Highly sensitive creative people often need embodied practices to balance intellectual work Surrender doesn't mean giving up—it means releasing control of outcomes You can care for people without carrying their burdens Success in yoga isn't about mastery—it's about growth and self-discovery Memorization and recitation connect us to literary tradition and embodied knowledge FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

In this nineth episode of the Narad Bhakti Sutra series, Swami Mukundananda compares the paths of rituals, knowledge, and yoga, showing why they are incomplete without devotion. Vedic rituals demand six conditions that are nearly impossible to fulfill in Kali Yuga, and at best they grant temporary celestial pleasures. Knowledge may lead to self‑realization, but even the jnani requires bhakti to cross maya. Ashtanga yoga disciplines the mind, yet Patanjali himself insists on surrender to God.  Swamiji explains that bhakti is amrit swaroopa — the nectar that makes the soul immortal. Just as nectar retains its power whether mixed with milk, juice, or water, bhakti sanctifies every path. Ultimately, only devotion reveals God fully — not just as the distant Brahman or the indwelling Paramatma, but as Bhagavan, the Supreme Divine Personality who descends and performs His leelas.  For seekers, this episode highlights that bhakti is the supreme path, the essence of spiritual life, and the only way to truly experience Shree Krishna's love and presence.  About Swami Mukundananda: Swami Mukundananda is a renowned spiritual leader, Vedic scholar, Bhakti saint, best‑selling author, and an international authority on the subject of mind management. He is the founder of the unique yogic system called JKYog. Swamiji holds distinguished degrees in Engineering and Management from two of India's most prestigious institutions—IIT and IIM. Having taken the renounced order of life (sanyas), he is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, and has been sharing Vedic wisdom across the globe for decades. 

"Yoga is about spirit." In this episode, I sit down with a true "teacher's teacher," Nicki Doane. Based in Maui at her Maya Yoga Studio, Nicki has been immersed in the sacred teachings of Yog since 1989. Having studied under legends like Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar, she brings a rare depth of wisdom mixed with a lightheartedness that makes the profound feel accessible.We dive into her journey from the Grateful Dead scene to the feet of the masters in India, the birth of her unique approach (Maya Yoga), and why individualized practice is the key to a lifelong Sadhana.In this episode, we explore:➖ The Fusion of Lineages: How Nicki blends the discipline of Ashtanga with the precision of Iyengar.➖ Yoga as "Working-In": Moving beyond the physical to honor the spiritual essence of the practice.➖ The Power of Discipline: How boundaries in practice actually foster internal freedom.➖ The India Connection: Why visiting the roots of Yoga is essential for every earnest seeker.➖ Modern Yoga Challenges: Navigating the current landscape without losing the depth of the tradition.Find Nicki Here: Website & Retreats IG HERE @mayayogastudioI love, love, loved this conversation. It's so packed with wisdom. I know you'll love it just as much. Thanks for listening! In oneness, Bobbi

Adam Rumack, co-founder of Open Circle, talks with J about subtle changes to the inner life of yoga communities and beyond. They discuss third series Ashtanga, taking over a Mysore room, nature-based rights of passage work, high demand communities, authorization, purity myths, underlying reality of natural order, hero journeys, perennial wisdom and power vacuums, vulnerability and responsibility, creating spiritual connection, attachment and strategic planning, and caring about each other enough to get beyond simple explanations.   To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.    

Send us a textSantina Giardina-Chard is a dedicated Ashtanga yoga teacher, having mastered all levels up to the fourth series. Alongside her yoga practice, Santina is a certified gestalt therapist with a master's degree, tirelessly working with clients to explore how their past influences their present experiences and relationships. Her holistic approach combines yoga and gestalt therapy to offer profound insights into personal development and self-awareness.Visit Santina here: https://insanyoga.com/Key Takeaways:Integration of Yoga and Therapy: Santina illustrates how Ashtanga yoga and gestalt therapy synergize to promote self-awareness and personal growth.Freedom Through Deep Self-Contact: The practice of turning towards personal challenges and emotions with curiosity can lead to liberation from past patterns.Phenomenological Observation: Understanding one's physical and emotional reactions in the present moment is essential for overcoming past influences.Horizontal Relationship Dynamics: Gestalt therapy emphasizes creating a non-hierarchical, safe space for exploration and healing.Continual Learning in Practice: Both yoga and gestalt therapy require ongoing personal development to effectively support others.Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out:

Why do successful people feel the most overwhelmed during the holidays? You've built something impressive, you're capable of managing complex projects and leading teams, yet the moment the holidays arrive, you're barely hanging on. You're over-functioning for everyone else, saying yes when you mean no, and by the time you collapse into bed, your mind won't stop racing about everything you still need to do tomorrow. Who is Sara Intonato? Sara Intonato is the founder of Autism Changemakers, a parent coach, consultant, and bestselling author. She's also been a yoga teacher and nervous system practitioner for over 20 years. Her work is rooted in ancient, time-tested practices from her 11 trips to India to study Ashtanga yoga, supporting parents of nonspeaking autistic children to regulate their nervous systems in high-stakes moments where safety is a concern and regulation isn't optional. Sara's Story: Why Ancient Practices Matter in Our Instant Gratification World Sara took her first trip to India in her early 20s thinking she'd have a beautiful spiritual experience and get it out of her system. Instead, she discovered that to truly master something, there's no shortcut. You can't buy a certificate or complete a weekend training. You have to show up day after day, year after year, and let the practice change you. What makes Sara different from the trendy breathwork facilitators flooding the coaching space is her commitment to teaching these practices properly. In India, she learned that advanced breathwork practices were withheld from students until they had a strong foundation because introducing them too soon would be "crazy making." They would move energy around so profoundly that students wouldn't be able to manage it. This is exactly what Sara sees happening now in mainstream wellness culture. Coaches are throwing breathwork into their programs after minimal training, parents and professionals are trying to release trauma without knowing how to regulate what comes up, and people are more dysregulated than ever. Sara brings these ancient tools to her clients and students in bite-sized pieces that are safe and effective for all levels, because who needs more chaos in their life right now? What we talk about in this episode: Why the holidays trigger grief and overwhelm for high achievers. It's not just about being busy. The holidays stir up emotions that feel inconvenient, whether it's comparing your reality to what you thought life would look like, dealing with family dynamics that activate old wounds, or simply the pressure to make everything magical while you're running on fumes. This episode normalizes that you can feel successful and still struggle during this season. The one-minute breathing practice that will ground you anywhere, anytime. Equal breathing through the nose (four counts in, four counts out) for just one minute is enough to shift your nervous system from reactive to regulated. No special equipment, no mantras, no perfect conditions required. Sara explains exactly how to do this practice and why engaging your throat slightly (like you're gargling) activates your vagus nerve and creates deeper regulation. Why you can't help anyone when you're dysregulated. Sara works with parents managing aggressive behaviors and safety concerns with their children. The homework is always the same: regulate yourself first. When you're dysregulated, you escalate everyone around you. When you ground yourself, you create space for co-regulation. This applies whether you're parenting, leading a team, or trying to survive Christmas dinner with your in-laws. The ice cube trick that interrupts spiraling thoughts instantly. When you can't escape the room or take a minute to breathe, grab some ice cubes. Hold them for one minute. The intense sensation forces you into presence because you literally can't think about anything else. It's a pattern interrupt that brings you back to your body so you can respond instead of react. How to train your mind to concentrate using Zen Buddhist meditation. Set a timer for five minutes and count each breath (inhale one, exhale two, up to ten, then start over). Every time your mind wanders to Aunt Patty's comment or your to-do list, go back to one and start again. Don't be surprised if you don't get past two. This isn't about perfection, it's about observing where your mind goes without judgment and teaching it to concentrate on one thing: your breath. Why reactivity is destroying our ability to make good decisions. We live in an Amazon Prime culture where everything is instant. But this reactivity is getting in the way of our functioning. We think every thought and feeling requires immediate action. This practice teaches your nervous system that it's okay to sit with discomfort, to not scratch the itchy nose, to let your foot fall asleep during meditation. Everything will pass. You won't die from waiting. The real reason you can't feel holiday magic (and it's not the circumstances). Holiday magic is just presence. That's it. But how can you possibly enjoy being here now when your mind is in five different places? Sara shares how she creates magic by putting on Christmas music, baking, and allowing herself to just be in the moment because life will be plenty busy in January. The magic isn't external fairy dust, it's choosing to be present. What your kids will actually remember about this season. It's not how many vegetables they ate or how organized the gift wrapping was. They'll remember how you felt. Your energy is what people experience from you. If you're emanating stress and overwhelm, that's what everyone will carry from their interactions with you. The quality of your life, your relationships, your work changes drastically when you take the time to regulate yourself. This episode is for you if you've ever: Felt like you're barely hanging on through the holidays, one comment away from snapping Snapped at your kids or partner after a long day, then felt guilty for not being present Numbed with food, wine, or scrolling because slowing down feels uncomfortable Thought "I don't have time for mindfulness or nervous system practices" Believed meditation and breathwork are too complicated or not for people like you Been the strong one everyone leans on while you're quietly crumbling inside Said yes to holiday commitments when you meant no because it feels easier Collapsed into bed exhausted but your mind won't stop racing about tomorrow Wondered "how much longer can I keep this up?" Known you should take better care of yourself but always run out of time and energy Built a life people admire but feel like you're missing the magic everyone else seems to experience Felt reactive and stressed, robbing yourself and your family of presence and connection How to Stop Being Reactive and Start Being Present Here's what most people miss about nervous system regulation: they think it requires complicated practices, special training, or hours of time they don't have. So they do nothing. They stay in reactivity, they over-function for everyone else, and they wonder why the holidays feel so overwhelming instead of magical. But Sara's work proves that regulation doesn't require perfection or massive time investments. It requires one minute. Four counts in, four counts out. Ice cubes in your hands when you can't escape the room. Counting your breath when your mind is spinning. The cost of staying dysregulated isn't just that you feel stressed. It's that your children remember mom as a ball of stress. Your colleagues remember your overwhelm, not your competence. Your partner experiences your reactivity, not your love. You rob yourself of the presence and connection you're craving because you think you don't have time to regulate. Ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling present? If you're reading this and recognizing yourself, if you've been running on fumes for so long that you don't even remember what regulated feels like, it's time to stop. The Congruency Audit is where we look at the gap between the success you've built on the outside and what you're actually feeling on the inside. We'll identify the exact patterns keeping you stuck in over-functioning and reactivity, the wounds driving your need to be strong for everyone else, and what it's going to take for you to finally create success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. This isn't about adding more to your plate. It's about understanding why you keep saying yes when you mean no, why you can't give yourself permission to rest, and what needs to shift so you can finally stop running and start being present. How To Thrive Through The Silly Season Workbook: https://lisacarpenter.ca/holidays/ Book your free Congruency Audit: lisacarpenter.ca/audit And if you know you need more than a 15-minute call, if you're craving a complete reset where you can step away from the noise and actually remember who you are beneath all the doing, Sara and I are taking a small group on a walking pilgrimage along the Camino in Spain in September 2026.  Learn more HERE This isn't a vacation. It's a sacred reset. Six days walking more than 100 kilometers with daily coaching, integration circles, yoga, breathwork, and deep conversations that help you release what's been weighing you down. Spaces are intentionally limited to ensure intimacy and depth of support. When it fills, it closes. Learn more at lisacarpenter.ca. Connect with Sara Intonato: Website: https://www.saraintonato.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara.intonato/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-intonato-23036b172   If you listen on Spotify:  Open the Spotify app on your phone. Search for Lisa Carpenter and open her podcast page. Tap the three dots under the podcast description. Choose Rate show from the menu. Select your star rating and tap Submit. This isn't about optimizing the version of yourself you built to survive. It's about creating congruence so the life you've built doesn't just look good, it finally feels right.

This Christmas, we did something completely different. Instead of planning our usual year-end reflection, we handed control to AI—specifically ChatGPT—and asked it to curate 15 topics based on who we are, what we've experienced this year, and what needs to be said. The result? Well, you're just gonna have to give it a listen! Join Harmony Slater and Russell Case as they explore the intersection of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology through discussions that span quantum consciousness, psychedelic healing, the Ashtanga yoga world's reckoning, and the art of finding beauty in life's broken moments. This isn't your typical year-in-review episode—it's a deep dive into what happens when you let "Gaia Earth Consciousness" (as Russell calls AI) guide a conversation about transformation. What We Explore:

Send us a textBrendan Smullen is a certified Ashtanga yoga teacher and co-owner of a yoga studio in Seattle, where he and his partner specialize in Ashtanga and progressive variants of this practice. With a rich background in both traditional and Rocket yoga, Brendan is known for fostering inclusive and community-driven yoga experiences. Through his teaching, Brendan emphasizes discipline, practice consistency, and the importance of community in the yoga journey. He has studied with notable instructors, including Christina Martini and Manju Jois, blending traditional teachings with innovative modifications to support diverse practitioners.Visit Brendan here: https://www.theyogashalaseattle.com/Key Takeaways:Yoga practice adapts to life changes, such as new parenthood, requiring flexibility and understanding rather than strict adherence to routine.Strong partnerships, whether in personal or professional life, can enhance the teaching and practice of yoga through shared goals and mutual support.Creating a vibrant yoga community involves fostering environments where organic connections and support systems, like meal trains, can flourish.Modifying traditional Ashtanga practices allows for greater accessibility and inclusivity, supporting a diverse range of practitioners.Sustainability in yoga practice benefits from an emphasis on personal practice and self-guided sessions, steering away from dependency on external motivation.Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out:

What happens when you love a practice but recognize the harm within its structures? In this raw and revelatory conversation, Harmony sits down with Zoe Ward—long-time Ashtanga practitioner, authorized teacher, and the voice behind @unrulyascetic—to explore what it means to dismantle a tradition from within. Zoe spent years immersed in Mysore, studying with lineage teachers, and fully embodying the discipline that defines Ashtanga yoga. But somewhere along the way, she began to see the cracks: the privilege required to practice this way, the power dynamics that mutate devotion into dogma, the loss of autonomy when teachers dictate who you are and what's good for you. This conversation doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable truths—the hierarchy, the gatekeeping, the ways we've normalized abuse while failing to normalize talking about it. But it also offers something essential: a path forward. Zoe shares how she's rebuilding her relationship with practice, helping others reclaim their agency, and creating space for people to trust themselves again. Whether you're a devoted practitioner, a disillusioned teacher, or someone who's quietly stepped away from the mat, this episode offers permission to question, evolve, and find your own unruly path to freedom. Topics Discussed: • The privilege required to practice traditional Ashtanga yoga • Power dynamics and hierarchy in yoga communities • When devotion becomes dogma and disconnection • Confronting harm and accountability in spiritual communities • Reclaiming autonomy and trusting yourself in practice • Finding the intelligence in the system without rigid adherence • Building community that doesn't gatekeep or sort practitioners Lightworker Alignment Call: https://harmonyslater.as.me/quick-clarity Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

After more than 25 years of practice and 20 years of teaching, Harmony has found herself in a very different relationship with yoga than the one she started with. In this conversation, she sits down with her friend and co-facilitator, Lindsay Johnson, to talk honestly about what happens when a highly structured, discipline heavy practice stops feeling like home to your body. They trace the arc from Ashtanga and power vinyasa into somatic yoga, nervous system literacy, trauma sensitivity, and embodied energetics, and how those worlds are coming together in their new 100 hour Somatic Yoga and Embodied Energy Teacher Training at Yoga Passage in Calgary.  Harmony shares how the dogma and dualism she experienced in traditional Ashtanga left her feeling traumatized and disconnected from her own body's wisdom, even as she continued to teach. Lindsay talks about growing up with medical trauma, discovering yoga as her first physical practice, and how chasing discipline, shapes, and handstands eventually gave way to a longing for freedom, expression, and true safety in her body. Together, they explore somatics as “coming home”: feeling instead of performing, building safety before “doing the work,” honouring the nervous system, and allowing movement, sound, and emotion to express in ways that look far less linear and far more like nature. They also speak directly to yoga teachers and long-time practitioners whose bodies are now saying no to old patterns, and how this training is designed as an initiation and a supplement to existing trainings rather than “just another certification.” If your yoga practice has started to feel like a grind, if your nervous system is already at capacity, or if you are curious about weaving subtle energy work, trauma literacy, and somatic language into the way you teach, this episode is an invitation to reimagine what yoga can be. In This Episode, You'll Hear About When a beloved practice stops working Harmony's honest reflection on feeling traumatized by the dogma and indoctrination around Ashtanga. What it is like when your body keeps saying “no” every time you get on your mat. Why so many midlife practitioners walk away from yoga entirely when the old way stops feeling safe. Lindsay's path through discipline into somatics First teacher training at Yoga Passage back in 2005 and years of teaching linear, disciplined styles like power vinyasa and Ashtanga. How a Saturday power class turned into a somatic class the moment she invited everyone to shake, and never went back. The realization that she had been hypervigilant and disconnected from her body for most of her life, and how somatics helped her come home. Discipline, structure and their limits Why highly structured systems can initially feel like safety for nervous systems shaped by trauma, chaos, or disorganized families. How discipline taught them to cue, hold space, and show up, yet eventually began to feel like a cage rather than support. The shift from “I need to fix myself and prove my worthiness” to “I am already whole, and the practice is about remembering that.” Somatic yoga as nervous system literacy What it means to teach from a felt sense instead of from performance or achievement. Using pendulation, “islands of safety,” and choice to guide students in and out of sensation. Why learning to relax and feel ease is a prerequisite for true regulation and resilience. Trauma sensitivity and language in class How somatic language differs from traditional cueing, especially around choice and autonomy. Giving students sovereignty instead of pushing them into “no pain, no gain” territory. Letting go of rigid bilateral rules and allowing asymmetry, ease, and curiosity to lead. Feminine energy, Kundalini and non-linear movement Reframing vinyasa and “flow” as something guided by breath and sensation, not just choreography. How Kundalini and Shakti express through spirals, oscillations, and organic movement rather than straight lines. The role of self-touch, oxytocin, and nurturing practices in regulating women's nervous systems. Embodied energetics and the subtle body Seeing the body as the densest part of the energetic field, not just a physical object. Working with the chakras, nadis, fascia, and spinal energetics as an integrated map. How teachers can sense the field, notice shifts, and differentiate between “my energy” and “the room.” The 100 Hour Somatic Yoga & Embodied Energy Teacher Training Who it is for: yoga teachers, healers, and coaches with a foundational training who want to go deeper. What it includes: somatic practices, nervous system education, subtle body mapping, trauma sensitive space-holding, and embodied leadership. How the in-person format at Yoga Passage in Calgary supports community, co-regulation, and live practice. About Our Guest: Lindsay Johnson Lindsay Johnson is a yoga teacher, somatic healing practitioner, and trauma-informed facilitator based in Calgary, Alberta. She has been practicing yoga for nearly 20 years and began teaching after her first training at Yoga Passage in 2005. Over the years, she has studied with teachers such as Shiva Rea and Baron Baptiste, taught power vinyasa and Ashtanga, owned her own studio, and eventually returned to Yoga Passage after major life changes in 2020.  Lindsay now focuses on somatic yoga, movement-based therapy, and nervous system literacy, helping students and clients reconnect with their bodies after trauma, burnout, and years of living in their heads. At Yoga Passage, she is listed as a practitioner offering somatic healing in their wellness program and teaches classes, workshops, full moon events, and her signature Soma Movement sessions.  Her work centres on sovereignty, choice, and collective healing. Through shaking practices, floor-based somatic sequences, and careful, choice-based language, Lindsay creates spaces where people can safely feel, express, and integrate their full emotional spectrum. You can find her teaching in person at Yoga Passage and sharing her work online at @lj_heals on Instagram.  Links From This Episode Somatic Yoga & Embodied Energy 100 Hour Teacher Training Hosted at Yoga Passage in Calgary, Alberta Check Yoga Passage's Teacher Training and Workshops pages for details and registration: https://yogapassage.ca Yoga Passage (studio) Website: https://yogapassage.ca Instagram: @yoga.passage Connect with Lindsay Instagram: @lj_heals  Somatic healing offerings at Yoga Passage: Somatic Healing listing on the Therapists page Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

Adam explores common myths surrounding yoga practice, particularly in Ashtanga. He discusses the significance of moon days, the myths of leg positioning, menstruation and inversions, and the misconception of step-by-step progression in yoga. Keen emphasizes the importance of personal experience over traditional beliefs and encourages practitioners to question the validity of these myths. He concludes by highlighting the dual nature of myths in motivating practice while also recognizing their potential to mislead.  Adam Shares ·      Moon days are not essential for practice. ·      Leg positioning in Ashtanga lacks scientific backing. ·      Menstruation does not prohibit inversions in yoga. ·      The Ashtanga sequence does not guarantee step-by-step body opening. ·      Primary series is not strictly therapeutic as claimed. ·      Vinyasa is not a sacred principle but can be useful. ·      Mula Bandha's relevance in modern yoga is questionable. ·      Yoga does not purify organs as often claimed. ·      Catching in micelle is not beneficial and can cause injury. ·      Practicing more than once a day can be beneficial if done sensibly. Keen on Yoga Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga Website: www.keenonyoga.com Follow Adam:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats/ Support: Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf  

In this episode of the Finding Harmony Podcast, Harmony and Russell sit down with longtime Ashtanga practitioner and certified financial planner Kathy Reisfeld to talk about money, dharma and what it really means to be wealthy. Kathy's story moves from physics and finance in New York City, through the shock of 9/11, to decades of Ashtanga practice and the creation of a Mysore shala in a renovated barn in the Berkshires. Along the way she has guided clients through multiple market crashes, bear markets and bubbles, all while keeping one eye on their portfolios and the other on what truly matters to them. Together, Harmony, Russell and Kathy explore money as energy, the emotional baggage spiritual folks carry about finances, how to invest in a way that matches your time horizon and values, and why diversification is the financial equivalent of a well balanced yoga practice. They also ask tricky questions about capitalism, ethical investing and retirement, reframing them in terms of freedom, choice and dharma rather than fear. If you have ever thought “I am spiritual, so I should not care about money” or felt totally frozen when it comes to investing, this conversation will help you breathe, relax and start treating your financial life as part of your practice instead of something separate from it. What We Talk About Wealth as energy, not just money Kathy's path from physics to finance to Ashtanga yoga New York, 9/11 and the first bear market she had to guide clients through Balancing a finance career and a serious practice The basics of investing for spiritual people who feel scared of money Ethical investing and spiritual discomfort with capitalism Retirement, risk and planning for contingencies rather than escape Money, houses and diversification Investing in education, travel and your own human capital Money as circulation and prana Kathy's life now: a barn, a shala and a wealth advisory firm Guest Bio: Kathy Reisfeld Kathy Reisfeld is a longtime Ashtanga yoga practitioner and certified financial planner with more than twenty five years of experience helping clients reduce stress and worry in their financial lives. She began her career in New York City with Morgan Stanley, guiding clients through multiple market cycles, including the aftermath of 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis. A “math team kid” who once majored in physics before falling in love with economics, Kathy brings a clear, methodical mind to both money and practice. After decades of studying and practicing Ashtanga in New York with teachers like Guy Donahaye, she eventually moved to the Berkshires, where she and her husband Scott run Berkshire Wealth Group. Kathy recently renovated a barn on their property into a shared space that houses their advisory office upstairs and a Mysore style Ashtanga shala downstairs, Ashtanga Yoga Great Barrington, where Tom and Mary Flynn teach and Kathy holds Friday classes. Her work is rooted in the belief that true wealth is wholeness, and that our financial, physical, mental and spiritual health are inseparable. Relevant Links Mentioned https://www.instagram.com/ashtangagb/ https://www.facebook.com/astangagb/ https://www.ashtangayogagb.com/ Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

Today we have Jenni Rawlings on the podcast, and we had so much fun diving into the technical side of the yoga practice- cues, anatomy, alignment, and how to update your practice to fit your own body so things actually feel good. We talk about her beginnings, how she built her career, and what it's been like teaching online. We even discovered some Chicago crossover and shared training experiences.We get into movement science, Yoga Alliance requirements, and why there's so much more to learn beyond a 200-hour training. We talk about the importance of self-inquiry, the structure of Ashtanga, strength, and adding load to the body, and whether we ever believed yoga was the end-all be-all. Jenni also shares about her time running a yoga clothing store, and we look at exercise science, pain, and what strength really means in a yoga context.Find Jenni Rawlings Online:Website: www.jennirawlings.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/jenni_rawlingsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenni_rawlingsJoin us at the Castro Room, November 15th from 1-3 PM!Want to support our podcast? Join our Patreon for extra content** CHECK OUT OUR 300-HOUR PROGRAM **

On Remembrance Day, Harmony and Russell sit down with longtime friend and teacher Faith Scimecca to explore how daily practice steadies us through love, loss, and the mystery of dying. Faith traces her path from NCAA figure skater to Ashtanga practitioner and shala owner, and shares how a sincere prayer to “be of use” led her to chaplaincy. She speaks candidly about being present at Sharath Jois's final workshops, the day he passed, what it feels like to sit with the dying, and the simple energetic hygiene that allows empaths to serve without taking on everyone else's pain. This episode honors teachers, ancestors, and the living bond of community. Faith Scimecca is a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher and the founder of Woodley Park Yoga in Washington, D.C. She studied extensively in Mysore, India, with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Jois, and has led the city's longest running Mysore style Ashtanga program since 2007. In addition to her yoga teaching, Faith is a board certified hospital chaplain, trained at a Level 1 trauma center and now specializing in palliative and end of life care. Conversation highlights Origins of practice: figure skating discipline, Ohio to NYC to first Mysore trip Becoming a teacher: opening Woodley Park Yoga in 2007, authorization and lineage memories Remembrance: being with community around the passing of Sharath Jois, how joy showed up in his final tours Chaplaincy calling: returning to school, clinical work in trauma and palliative settings What matters at the end: relationships, meaning, the peace Faith often feels when a spirit crosses Energetic boundaries for empaths: prayer, simple light visualizations, and “service mode” Practice today: how Faith balances shala life, hospital work, and personal practice About our guest Faith Scimecca has taught Ashtanga for over two decades and runs Woodley Park Yoga in Washington, DC. She is an interfaith hospital chaplain supporting patients and families through palliative and end-of-life care. Faith integrates devotional practice, clear energetic boundaries, and steady daily sadhana to serve her community with clarity and compassion. Resources and mentions Woodley Park Yoga: https://www.woodleyparkyoga.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodleyparkyoga/ Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

This week I'm joined by Yogatique Bangkok Co-Founder Minh Lowe. Minh has a 23 year Yoga practice and draws her inspiration from a blend of the essential aspects of Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Anursara, Iyengar and Yin practices. Since teaching her first class 14 years ago, Minh has committed to making her classes welcoming, challenging and safe.Read Minh's articles here: https://medium.com/@Minh.LoweAccess a comp coaching spot (tick the GOYA box) here: https://scheduler.zoom.us/amymcdonald/coachingThe November sale info is here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/saleIf you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It's just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Send us a textAndrew Eppler is a renowned yoga practitioner and documentarian with a deep-rooted connection to Ashtanga yoga. Having begun his yoga journey at the age of 14 under the guidance of his father, Andrew quickly became engrossed in the world of Mysore-style Ashtanga, which has profoundly shaped his life. Known for his insightful documentary "Mysore Yoga Traditions," Andrew has worked tirelessly to document and highlight the roots and evolution of yoga practices. He is also the driving force behind the Mysore Yoga conference, which invites practitioners to dive deeper into the cultural and practical aspects of yoga.Visit Andrew here: https://www.mysoreyogatraditions.com/Key Takeaways:Andrew Eppler's yoga journey began at a young age, significantly influenced by his father's connections and the transformative practice of Ashtanga yoga.The development and creation of Ashtanga yoga involve a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and personal influences, with significant contributions from Indian royalty and yoga masters.Andrew's documentary, "Mysore Yoga Traditions," seeks to uncover the mythical and historical roots of Ashtanga yoga, blending modern practice with ancient traditions.Engaging with Sanskrit and understanding its numerical and musical intricacies is crucial in truly grasping the depths of yoga philosophy.Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out:

Harmony and Russell sit down with long-time friend and teacher Krista Shirley to explore what it truly means to feel at home in your body. Krista recounts a devastating shoulder surgery complication that severed her suprascapular nerve, the long journey through pain and medical dead ends, and the mind-body tools that helped her rebuild function and joy. She shares how meditation, mental rehearsal, pranayama, and small, precise movements became a bridge back to daily practice, and why her Body Mechanics classes now offer a soft landing for people who think yoga is out of reach. The conversation gets real about grief in the Ashtanga community, aging, acceptance, and trusting the work you have already done. Episode breakdown What it takes to feel at home in your body A candid account of nerve injury, infection, and the “FU door” moment of choosing a new path Mental rehearsal, meditation, and pranayama as practical rehab tools The case for micro-movements, scapular and hip focus, and brain-body connection Aging with practice, releasing performance pressure, and keeping the joy Why “trust the investment” can change everything when you return to the mat Making practice accessible, how Body Mechanics leads people back to Mysore Community, lineage, loss, and what sustains us now About our guest Krista Shirley is a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga teacher, Pilates instructor, and founder of The Yoga Shala in Orlando, Florida. After a surgery severed her suprascapular nerve, she developed a brain-body approach to rehabilitation that became her Body Mechanics method, helping students reduce pain, restore function, and reconnect with practice. Krista teaches Mysore and Body Mechanics classes, offers tutorials on her YouTube channel, and leads retreats, including a July 10–16 program in Lefkada, Greece. X / Twitter link: https://www.x.com/kristayogini Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/kristashirleyyoga Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/kristashirleyyoga YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@yogawithkrista Listen to episode 36 with Krista Shirley on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-harmony-podcast/id1508928138?i=1000579088315 or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TISeuK3dGPFxL8nsykLzN?si=675435af5b0847a Health Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode of Finding Harmony Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, physical therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, injury, or wellness program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

Adam Keen, host of the Keen on Yoga Podcast, returns to the show to revisit a conversation they started years ago about the role of teachers and teachings. They discuss recent scandals in the Ashtanga community, teaching styles and somatic dominance, origins of Ashtanga, tradition and market competition, implications of the "active series," homogenization of Mysore rooms, adjustments, hip replacement surgery, showing fallibility, and holding ourselves to account so we can provide something of meaning and purpose.   To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.    

What does it really mean to practice yoga not just once in a while, but again and again, across years, through resistance, joy, boredom, and transformation? In this episode, Kino and Tim explore the deeper meaning of abhyāsa, the Sanskrit word often translated as “practice,” but whose roots reveal something far more enduring: the committed, intentional act of returning. They weave this with the concept of bhāvanā, the inner cultivation of the heart and mind, drawn from early Buddhist teachings. Through stories from the Ashtanga method and personal reflections on the power of repetition, Kino and Tim share how practice is not about performance or perfection, but about shaping who we become through presence. This episode is an invitation to see practice not as a means to an end, but as the path itself. The pose is not the point. Returning is the point. Cultivating presence, breath by breath, day by day, becomes the living path of yoga. When we stop running and return to the moment, we remember, this is the place we never truly left. Practice LIVE with me exclusively on Omstars! Start your journey today with a 7-day trial at omstars.com. Registration is now open for Yogaversity! Join us for a transformative 12-month yoga education program. Stay connected with us on social @omstarsofficial and @kinoyoga Practice with me in person for workshops, classes, retreats, trainings and Mysore seasons. Find out more about where I'm teaching at kinoyoga.com and sign up for our Mysore season in Miami at www.miamilifecenter.com.

The yoga community is like one big family, not united by fancy poses but by a shared love for this ancient practice. It doesn't matter what shapes your body can or can't make; what matters is that you keep showing up and giving your best effort. What binds us is presence, not perfection. The practice calls forth a quiet courage and insight within us and it weaves us into a community of fellow seekers. One of yoga's subtle gifts is clear seeing, not just of the body but of the mind and heart. Its promise is not mere physical skill, but an inner transformation that dissolves confusion and reveals freedom. At the start of every Ashtanga practice, we chant an invocation. It's not just ritual, it's a reminder of why we practice and what we're really here to transform. Key Line: Saṃsāra Halāhala Mohaśāntyai “For the pacification of the delusion (Moha) that is the poison (Halāhala) of Saṃsāra.” Quick Word-by-Word Meaning Saṃsāra (संसार): From sam- (together) + √sṛ (to flow) - the endless cycle of birth and death. Literally “the continuous flowing together.” Halāhala (हलाहल): Deadly poison - like the mythic poison Śiva contained in his blue throat. Symbolizes the toxic nature of worldly entanglement. Moha (मोह): Delusion - the ignorance that clouds clear seeing. Sāntyai (शान्त्यै): “For pacification” - calming the poison of confusion. Why It Matters This ancient line reminds us: the real work of yoga is inner alchemy. The Guru and the practice help neutralize the poison of confusion so we can see clearly and live freely. When we chant, we remember: the obstacles aren't just outside, they live inside us as fear, attachment, and illusion. The path of yoga transforms poison into nectar, chaos into calm, confusion into clarity. Listen in as we explore more hidden meanings behind this beloved chant and how it can deepen your practice. Practice LIVE with me exclusively on Omstars! Start your journey today with a 7-day trial at omstars.com. Limited time Offer: Sign up for my upcoming Live series in October on Omstars, Embodied Strength and get one year of Omstars+ membership free! Stay connected with us on social @omstarsofficial and @kinoyoga Practice with me in person for workshops, classes, retreats, trainings and Mysore seasons. Find out more about where I'm teaching at kinoyoga.com and sign up for our Mysore season in Miami at www.miamilifecenter.com.