The Heart of Yoga

In part one of this two part episode, Rosalind is joined by Domagoj Orlić to demystify tantra, a profoundly misunderstood spiritual tradition. As both a scholar and practitioner of Tantra, Domagoj sheds light on what Tantra actually is, its key principles and aims, and how it differs from the "Neo-Tantra" appropriated in the West. They explore Tantra's emphasis on liberation through feeling unity with the divine feminine, why ritual and initiation by a guru matters, and how Tantra can help overcome conditioning to realize inherent power. Domagoj clarifies Tantra's nuanced relationship with sexuality and why it has been misportrayed. Far from just exotic techniques, traditional Tantra offers potent tools for those called to dive deep into self-realization and awakening through embodied practice. They discuss: - What is Tantra? Defining the principles, aims and practices of traditional Tantra vs Neo-Tantra - Why guru, lineage and transmission matters in Tantra - Tantra as a monistic spiritual path emphasizing unity with the divine feminine - Ritual, puja and worship of deities to receive empowerment - Tantra's goal of deconditioning the mind and realizing power - Clarifying Tantra's nuanced relationship with sexuality - Tantra's influence on Yoga - integrating mantra, yantra, embodied ritual - Adapting traditional Tantra wisdom for the modern world and individual need Favorite phrases: "Tantra teaches us that we actually are very powerful and we have the power of Shakti to change reality, to change whatever we want to change and live our full human potential. That's the basic premise of Tantra." "The idea of the Tantric practice is to viscerally feel that I am one with the divine feminine...this can be called motherly love, which is the same as compassion, which is love generally, our ability to actually love life and love ourselves and love other people and love all creation." Timestamps: [1:00] Domagoj introduces his background in Tantra as a scholar, practitioner and teacher [3:00] What is Tantra? Domagoj reads his definition [5:00] Explaining the core elements: guru, lineage, student effort [7:00] How traditional Tantra differs from modern and Neo-Tantra [12:00] Clarifying Tantra's nuanced relationship with sexuality [15:00] Discussing themes from Passage to India that reveal Western misunderstandings of Tantra [17:00] Krishnamacharya's veiled tantric influences [21:00] Tantra's influence on Yoga - integrating ritual, mantra, deity [25:00] Yoga as a means to directly experience the ideals of religion [27:00] Tantra's monistic view of unity with the divine feminine as heretical [32:00] Tantra's emphasis on deconditioning to uncover power [34:00] Bringing tantra wisdom into the modern world [36:00] End of part 1

This episode features Kathrin, a Yoga practitioner and mother of two living in Germany. She shares how she came to Yoga to relieve suffering during the pandemic, and through her daily practice discovered a profound intimacy with her own body and breath. Kathrin describes how Yoga helped her shift from feelings of "not being enough" to simply receiving and participating in each moment just as it is. She and Mark discuss how Yoga connects us to the miracle of life, and talk about translating this experience into everyday life and language. Key topics include releasing shame, rebuilding society through education, participating in wholeness already here, and rediscovering the beauty in one's own culture and tradition. They discuss: - How the pandemic and suffering led Kathrin to deeper Yoga practice - Moving from self-judgment to receiving and intimacy with the body - Letting go of "becoming" and future salvation, participating in life now - Translating Yoga wisdom into everyday German life and language - Educating our children in wholeness beyond knowledge and thought - Rediscovering beauty in her Catholic upbringing through Yoga - Releasing cultural shame and rebuilding society through education - Sex and eros as mutual participation versus transaction Favorite phrases: "Everything that lives is holy." - William Blake Resources: - The Art of Yoga online course - Hridaya Yoga Sutras (German translation) - Writings and podcasts by Mark Whitwell (German translations) Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction [00:02:00] How Kathrin came to deeper Yoga practice [00:05:00] Discovering intimacy with body and breath [00:10:00] Yoga for everybody [00:15:00] Participating in life now, beyond self-improvement [00:20:00] Rediscovering beauty within her Catholic upbringing [00:30:00] Rebuilding society through education [00:35:00] Shifting views on sex and intimacy [00:45:00] Translating Yoga wisdom into German [00:50:00] Releasing cultural shame

This episode features Paul Hoffman, a devoted Christian who discovered yoga and has found it deeply enriches his religious life and spiritual connection. He shares how yoga complements Christian teachings and practices, helping him integrate breath, movement and prayer. Paul recounts his journey to incorporating yoga into his church community and daily spiritual rituals. He provides insights into how yoga can allow Christians and people of all backgrounds to more fully embody sacred teachings. They discuss... - How yoga created a framework for Paul's daily devotional practice and connection to the divine presence. - Adapting yoga for Christians using biblical language and Christian concepts. - Teaching yoga and breathwork before Sunday services at his Episcopal church. - Experiencing yoga as a form of whole body prayer and spirit baptism. - Integrating sacred sexuality, intimacy and union as yoga. - Releasing grief, trauma and obstructions through asana to receive grace. - Participating through yoga in the grace and blessings already present. Favorite phrases: "Yoga has urged me, forced me, urged me to take seriously what it is that I'm doing in church." "The kingdom is, inside you or, you know, the, the divine is like, yeast and bread. it's just part of the deal." "What I'm starting to feel is that, well, no, actually that's, that might be where it is for me. it's a lot of conditioning, a lot of programming to, to break through, isn't it? This notion that you get to God by giving up sex." Resources: Paul Hoffman's website: www.breathemovepray.org Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [00:01] How Paul was first introduced to yoga by his wife [00:03] His beginner's yoga retreat with Mark at Esalen [00:07] Finding yoga provided what was missing from only attending Sunday church [00:10] Using Christian concepts and chanting in yoga class [00:15] Adapting yoga language and teachings to the Christian context [00:22] Yoga helps actualize the essence of Christianity [00:26] The continued impact of realized beings like Jesus [00:31] Participating through yoga in the living divinity [00:35] Teaching yoga at his church on Saturdays [00:43] A dying friend urging him to start a daily prayer practice [00:48] Yoga as receptivity to Christ's baptism, releasing obstructions [00:54] Introducing yoga at church through video [01:00] Yoga practice as participating in ever-present grace [01:10] Conclusion and close

This episode features yogini Akia Merritt who shares her life journey growing up in Miami and discovering her capital S Self through yoga sadhana. Akiya recounts the journey from aspiring fashion designer in New York City to becoming a capital-Y Yoga teacher, and the pitfalls of the industry along the way. Relatable to everyone whose journey has taken them far from where they started, and then back home with compassion. Mark and Akia discuss: - Akia's childhood in poverty, family struggles with addiction, and dangerous neighborhood in Miami - Her drive to get out of that environment and pursuit of fashion career in NYC - A psychic telling her she would be a teacher… which she dismissed! - Discovering through yoga practice 'you are what you're looking for' - Anger, then compassion arising, seeing her family clearly - Embodying freedom allowing her to be a mirror and bridge - Sharing with friends and family and helping create shifts in their lives - Her continued shedding and settling into being a teacher Favorite phrases: - "Language is limiting, and you, you transmit to your family and friends, just by you being you." - "You are, you are what you're looking for. You are what you're searching for." - "I'll give my life over to be able to hold someone's hand to that gate, to that door." Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction [00:01:00] Akia shares her challenging upbringing in Miami [00:08:00] Her drive to get out and pursuit of fashion career [00:12:00] A psychic tells Akia she will be a teacher [00:19:00] Getting in touch with anger, then compassion for her family [00:24:00] Finding clarity through yoga [00:28:00] Now teaching yoga, starting with friends and family [00:33:00] Akia describes discovering 'you are what you seek' [00:38:00] Mark affirms Akia as an exemplary yoga teacher [00:43:00] Conclusion

This episode features a powerful and insightful conversation between Mark and a Yogini living in Iran, who we refer to as Sarah for her safety. They discuss the ongoing revolution and protests in Iran, along with the government brutality and oppression people, especially women, face daily. Sarah shares her personal experiences surviving the turmoil, finding refuge through community, and taking action for freedom through sharing yoga's teachings. This episode offers an inside look at Iran's struggle, the universal need for connection, and the hope that comes from within through truly knowing oneself. Key Topics: - Living under an oppressive regime in Iran - Government use of fear and financial struggle for control - Intergenerational trauma and the younger generation's desire for freedom - Taking action through spreading yoga's teachings and building community - The importance of knowing and expressing your authentic self - Universal issues across cultures and religions that suppress life and intimacy - Iran's deep culture and history of ancient wisdom now lost Insights: - 80% of Iran's population is dissatisfied with the current regime - Younger Iranians are questioning the system and motivated from within for change - The Southeast province with high suppression has the brightest fire for revolution - Islam's rituals contain yogic principles of movement and breath that connect to the divine within Quotes: - "They've been traumatizing people for as long as they've been in the country, for the past 40 years, 45 years, it's...they've started their authority with fear and killing people." - "I really believe that more people, my quest is to open people's heart a little bit more. So build intimacy for every person for themselves so they can find their own way of conquering their fears." - "I was a kid...wearing shorts and a tank top. I was four years old, eating ice cream. And a woman with veil and everything comes and she's like, You have to cover up, you know, you're going to go to hell." Takeaways: - Oppressive power structures that deny life create dysfunction across humanity - Revolution requires intimate self-knowledge and courage to take wise action - Fostering community and spreading empowering teachings is key for change - We can all offer support to those fighting for freedom in Iran and beyond Resources: - Mark's essay "Iran: Root Causes and Root Solutions" - YES - Yoga Education in Schools program Timestamps [00:00] Introduction [00:45] Living under an oppressive regime in Iran [02:30] Government use of fear and financial struggle for control [04:15] Intergenerational trauma and desire for freedom [07:00] Taking action by spreading yoga's teachings [12:00] Universal issues across cultures and religions [17:00] Iran's deep culture and history of ancient wisdom [22:00] Insights into the revolutionary movement [27:00] Islam contains yogic principles [32:00] Effects of suppressing life and intimacy [37:00] Iran's need for connection to its ancient wisdom [44:00] Beauty of Iran and loss of wisdom traditions [49:00] Conclusion and Call to Action

Rosalind and Andrew meet again to lay out the vision for the Heart of Yoga 'YES' programme: Yoga Education in Schools. Andrew shares the vision behind it: for every young person to leave school with a basic yoga education including the ability to practice connection with body and breath at home by themselves. We discuss how the project was born from Andrew's experience teaching yoga at a high school in New Zealand, where he saw firsthand how it benefited both students and teachers. And we discuss the 8-week teen yoga course that is at the heart of the YES program. Key Topics: - The mental health crisis among teens and the need for new solutions - How the YES project started at Andrew's high school in New Zealand - The vision for bringing yoga education to every student globally - The 8-week teen yoga course and how it's structured - Teaching yoga breathing and asana to younger kids - Stories of how teens benefit from yoga classes at school - Training people to deliver the YES teen program in schools internationally - Creating positive experiences for young people through yoga Insights: - Young people intuitively understand and feel the benefits of yoga for themselves. When they experience it, they don't need convincing to keep practicing. - Yoga can create contexts for authentic human connection between teens and teachers. It's not about assessment or filling them with knowledge. - Teens appreciate having a space to rest, be quiet, and tap into inner peace amidst the stresses of school. The yoga "cleans the pot" so they can focus again. - Teens provide profound and sensitive feedback on how yoga helps their mental health, grounding, sleep, and ability to engage life. - Yoga is a positive cultural intervention, offering kids tools to transform their relationship with themselves, others and nature. Quotes: "Yoga is prior to intellectual subjects and learning about life. It's to be connected to your actual life." "After doing this, I feel like nothing can knock me off my balance." — teenage practitioner "The breath made me feel all tingly and calm. Afterwards I feel like I can sleep for an eternity because I'm so connected to the earth." — 13 year old student Resources: Heart of Yoga: heartofyoga.org/YES YES New Zealand Project Website: yogainschools.org.nz Train to be a facilitator: October–November 2024, online Timestamps: 2:00 - Introducing the YES project and its vision 4:00 - How the project started organically at Andrew's New Zealand high school 6:00 - Taking yoga into schools globally, training facilitators 10:00 - The mental health crisis and need for yoga in schools 15:00 - Creating the 8-week teen yoga program 20:00 - On the profound wisdom and experiences of teens 25:00 - Powerful stories of teens benefiting from yoga 30:00 - Using yoga for relational intelligence and autonomy 35:00 - Training people internationally to share the program 45:00 - Teaching yoga breathing to younger kids 50:00 - Allowing teens to experience all facets of life in yoga 55:00 - Yoga as a positive intervention in society and culture

This episode is a recording of a talk Mark Whitwell gave at the Omega Institute in New York in 2008. He speaks of Reality itself as an intelligent nurturing force, like a mother. Yoga is our direct participation in this nurturing reality, not an effort to achieve some future spiritual goal. This episode is a dharmic reset-reminder of yoga as participation in union, merging strength and receptivity just as we came into being ourselves through the union of our parents. Mark encourages listeners to see that any pain or difficult circumstance in life is ultimately healing and rebalancing when embraced fully. The practice of yoga reconnects us to the fact that we are cared for, no matter what arises. Quotes: - "Looking for God implies God is absent." - "The more charming or logical a teacher is, the more they'll delude you into thinking you are less and have to get somewhere." - "Spiritual language implies you're not already there and have to attain something." - "Relate to the life in people rather than labeling something as evil." - "Mother is here. You are utterly cared for." - "This pain is healing. My pain is nurturing." - "On the mat is my complete intimacy with reality. I can now go off the mat and do it." Timestamps: 4:00 - Discussing reality as nurturing force 8:00 - Pain as healing 15:00 - Promising a daily yoga practice 27:00 - Relating to pain and healing 38:00 - Reality appearing as you 58:00 - Closing discussion

Welcome back to "God and Sex" book club part 3. Mark and Rosalind argue about themes of the book around relationship, love and intimacy. Mark goes to the root of things as usual, connecting up the separate self to how relationship chaos plays out, and how yoga intervenes. We discuss the longing for a "soulmate" and whether this idea is useful, reflect on the China teacher training, and a few more controversial subjects relating to intimacy. Be aware some of these subjects may be connected with painful emotions in ourselves & feel free to reach out any time if you need to. Key Topics Covered - The presumption of being a separate self as the root of human suffering - How religions tend to devalue the body and sexuality - Ramanuja's teaching that we need yoga to actualise oneness - Participating in the union of opposites through yoga - Merging with your experience to understand yourself and life - Letting go of ideas like "soulmate" that create impossible expectations - How vulgarity and abuse can also be expressions of denying sex - Sharing yoga as a way to increase intimacy and improve relationships Key quotes: - "The hostility and disturbance in the world arises because people are not loving their life." - "If the man could learn to love bodily, sexually, then there would be peace." - "Consciousness perceiving an object is a single movement — there is no separation." - "Once you've tasted actual intimacy, the common patterns of sex finish." - "There must be yoga, and there must be the polarity of opposites within and without." - "The presumption of being a separate self with problems is an illusion." - "You can't use anybody to make you happy." Resources - God and Sex: Now We Get Both by Mark Whitwell - Yoga of Heart by Mark Whitwell Timestamps [00:00:00] Introduction [00:01:00] The problem of separation as the root of suffering [00:06:00] Ramanuja's teaching about needing yoga [00:11:00] How religion devalues the body and sex [00:16:00] Krishnamacharya's example of yoga and family life [00:21:00] How modern society still denies sex [00:26:00] Merging with your experience through yoga [00:31:00] Letting go of the myth of "soulmates" [00:36:00] The misery caused by unrealistic expectations [00:41:00] The problem with techniques and sacred sexuality [00:46:00] The motivation to share these teachings [00:51:00] Being cautious about rushing into relationships

This episode explores rekindling our innate connection to nature through yoga and sensing practices. Rosalind has an insightful conversation with her friend Henriette Geber, a yogini with a deep love of the mountains, plants and animals. They discuss how yoga helps us become more sensitive, intuit nature's aliveness, and dissolve harmful ways of relating that assume separation. Henriette shares how yoga empowers her natural affinities, from studying art history to living with the German Alps. We discuss removing overlays of ideology to intuitively relate directly with the living world. Key Topics - How yoga cultivates sensitivity to ourselves as nature - Dissolving the illusion of separateness from nature ingrained by society - Honoring the aliveness and subjectivity of all creatures and systems - Henriette's countercultural move from the mountains to the city and back again - Following our natural talents and relationships that emerge through yoga Insights - Assumptions of nature as passive or dead prevent us from sensing its aliveness - Rituals trying to "connect" can reinforce separation if that belief is still there - Our bodies intuitively know which plants are healing if we relax our seeking mind Quotes "Yoga has given me this, that I trust what comes out of me. I think I was very outward oriented, like, how do you do certain things? How am I perceived? Always thinking like, oh, my perception might be really wrong or not even feeling how do I relate from the inside to this and giving me the sensitivity to actually feel how is my relationship to this, how is my sensing of this and then the strength to also act upon it and not be afraid." "If you cannot feel your body, you cannot feel the natural world because ultimately it's the same thing. It's totally the same thing." "It's always there. It's there. You just need to listen." Resources - Franz von Stuck's painting "Sin" that Henriette wrote her thesis on - The Correction by Amy Mindell, a book referenced Timestamps [00:00:00] Introduction [00:01:00] Henriette's background in the mountains and move to Berlin [00:05:00] How yoga enabled tuning into her needs [00:10:00] Studies in art history and disconnect from life [00:15:00] Henriette's return to the mountains from the city [00:20:00] Painting of a woman and snake Henrietta was drawn to [00:25:00] Positive symbolism of the snake across cultures [00:30:00] Henriette's relationship with animals and plants [00:35:00] Accessing intuitive knowledge about medicinal plants [00:40:00] Story illustrating the ever-present relationship between humans and nature [00:45:00] Rituals reinforcing separation versus assuming connection [00:50:00] Being in relationship versus demanding feelings from nature [00:55:00] Living creatures acknowledging Henriette [01:00:00] Moving to farm not being the happily ever after [01:03:00] Closing

In this week's episode of the Heart of Yoga Podcast, Mark and Andy Raba explore the world of psychics, seers, shamans and sages. As director of the Yoga Education in Schools Charitable Trust in New Zealand, Andy leads initiatives to bring yoga-based health programs to young people in NZ and abroad.With a Master's degree and over a decade of experience fostering literacy in NZ schools, Andrew has extensively published on yoga and meditation and is dedicated to bringing yoga's benefits to students' wellbeing. They discuss how to discern truth from charlatanry, the ethics around predicting the future, and why embodiment through yoga is key. Mark emphasizes the importance of maintaining autonomy through daily yoga practice rather than seeking escape or solutions from spiritual leaders. He shares perspective on how psychics and seers should serve the community without claiming special powers. Mark and Andy also talk about relating to the subtle realm, trauma healing, and keeping ourselves safe from disempowerment on the spiritual path. Tune in for an insightful discussion about navigating the mystical with open eyes and an empowered heart. Key Points: There are genuine psychics and seers who have special abilities to perceive realms beyond normal perception. However, there are many more charlatans who falsely claim such abilities. To discern truth from falsehood, it's important to have your own direct participation and intimacy with reality through yoga practice. This gives you autonomy and empowerment. Making predictions about the future is unethical. It implies you don't have access now to deeper knowledge about your life. Psychics and seers should be ordinary, humble people, not claiming to be special or different. Their abilities should be used to serve the community, not for ego or profit. For people with trauma, the subtle realm can seem an escape. But yoga brings embodiment and healing, not escape. Wake down into the body, don't go up into the subtle. The gross tangible world and the subtle intangible world are one, not separate. Through embodiment and intimacy with the tangible, we access the intangible. Keep yourself safe from disempowerment by spiritual leaders. With yoga practice for autonomy, you can discern who to learn from without losing yourself. Connect with Any Raba : Instagram: @_andyraba_ www.yogainschools.org.nz Follow this podcast for new episodes here: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS/XML If you feel moved to submit a question for a future episode, you can do so here: https://www.heartofyoga.com/podcast You can find more from the Heart of Yoga on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogaofheart YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeartofYoga and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/markwhitwell