Keen on Yoga Podcast

Ep 191 Ellen Johannesen – Buddhist Meditation and Christmas Retreat with Adam in Spain www.ashtanganepal.com  | @ashtanganepal Join the Christmas retreat with Ellen and Adam: www.keenonyoga.com/events/ashtanga-christmas-retreat Adam Keen and Ellen Johansson delve into the intricate relationship between meditation and asana practice. They explore Ellen's personal journey into meditation, the differences between yoga and Tibetan Buddhist practices, and the importance of compassion in meditation. The conversation emphasizes the integration of meditation into asana practice, the use of visualization techniques, and practical tips for starting meditation. Ellen shares insights on working with emotions during meditation and the connection between asana and meditation, ultimately encouraging listeners to cultivate a compassionate approach to their practice. Here is a link to the meditation method with free resources: https://sustainablecompassion.org/ Article on (the shortcomings of) mindfulness in relation to Buddhism: The myth of the present moment: https://www.academia.edu/8070322/The_Myth_of_the_Present_Moment  Key Points ·      Meditation can serve various purposes, including calming the mind and focusing. ·      The Tibetan view emphasizes our relational nature and interconnectedness. ·      Context in meditation practice is crucial for understanding and support. ·      Compassion is fundamental in Buddhist practices and should be integrated into meditation. ·      Visualization techniques can enhance meditation and deepen awareness. ·      Emotions should be acknowledged and worked with during meditation. ·      Setting intentions can transform the practice of asana and meditation. ·      The nervous system plays a significant role in both asana and meditation practices. ·      Meditation can help differentiate awareness from the content of thoughts. ·      Practical meditation can be easily integrated into daily life.

Ep 190 Adam Keen – A Deeper Look at the Yamas and Niyamas "The yamas look like monks' vows." "Yoga is a physical method of inner conflict resolution." www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga  Adam delves into the complexities of the yamas and niyamas, exploring their relevance in modern yoga practice. He emphasizes the importance of inner alignment through Hatha yoga before adhering to moral codes, suggesting that true ethical living arises from a clear inner state. Adam discusses the challenges of moral actions, the nuances of non-violence, and the concept of Dharma in contemporary society. He advocates for a deeper inquiry into the nature of goodness and authenticity, ultimately positioning yoga as a process of self-discovery and alignment rather than mere adherence to social morality. Key Points ·      Yoga is not just about following rules; it's about inner alignment. ·      Hatha yoga serves as a foundation for understanding the yamas and niyamas. ·      Moral actions are complex and often lead to unintended consequences. ·      Patanjali's yamas may be more suited for monastics than lay practitioners. ·      Non-violence is a nuanced concept that goes beyond physical actions. ·      Dharma is not fixed; it requires personal inquiry and reflection. ·      Authenticity is more important than simply appearing good to society. ·      The struggle with ethical living is part of the yoga journey. ·      Inner cleansing is essential for genuine ethical behavior. ·      Yoga encourages inquiry and challenges societal norms.    

Ep 189 John Scott – The Journey of Self-Discovery  www.johnscottyoga.com | @johnscottyoga "Some of us need to be putting our leg behind our head daily for a long time to realize, okay I don't really need to put my leg behind my head anymore." John Scott discusses his journey from being known as John to becoming Jonny. He reflects on his passion for yoga and how it has shaped his life, the importance of mind control and reclaiming one's own sovereignty through yoga. He emphasizes the significance of posture, free breathing, and the counting method in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice. He also delves into the concept of drishti and the importance of seeing the God spark in oneself and others. Finally, he discusses the different stages of life and the process of letting go. In this conversation, John Scott discusses the importance of making choices from the soul and listening to one's inner voice. He emphasizes the need to let go of unnecessary attachments and beliefs, and to surrender to the wisdom within. John also shares his journey of self-discovery and the role of psychedelics in his transformation. He talks about the phases of his life and the evolution of his teaching style. He encourages practitioners to inquire and find their own answers, rather than relying on external sources. John emphasizes the importance of practicing for oneself and for the benefit of others.   Key Points ·      Passion is an important aspect of life and should be nurtured and pursued. ·      Yoga can help in reclaiming one's own mind and achieving sovereignty. ·      Posture, free breathing, and the counting method are essential in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice. ·      Drishti is about seeing the God spark in oneself and others. ·      The different stages of life, from athlete to renunciant, bring different responsibilities and perspectives. ·      Letting go is a process that can lead to inner peace and contentment. Make choices from the soul and listen to your inner voice. ·      Let go of unnecessary attachments and beliefs. ·      Surrender to the wisdom within and practice for yourself. ·      Inquire and find your own answers. ·      Practice for the benefit of others. ·      Be practical and flexible in your practice. ·      Embrace freedom and rebel against rigid rules. ·      Let go of guilt and focus on self-love. ·      Find inspiration in the presence of others. ·      Transition from being a teacher to being a mentor.      

www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga  Adam explores the concept of emotions in the body in the context of yoga. He discusses the origins of yoga asana as a steady seat for meditation and the use of asana as an ascetic practice to hold the body still against the changing world. Adam explains how yoga, particularly Hatha Yoga, can help change neurological pathways and transform states of mind. He emphasizes the importance of balancing the active and passive aspects of ourselves and the role of the diaphragm in breathing techniques. Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lo   Key Points ·      Yoga asana can be used as a steady seat for meditation and as an ascetic practice to hold the body still against the changing world. ·      Hatha Yoga is a science of the body that uses the body to change the mind and affect neurological pathways. ·      Balancing the active and passive aspects of ourselves is important for emotional well-being. ·      Breathing techniques, particularly using the diaphragm, can stimulate the nervous system and affect states of mind.      

www.davidgarrigues.com | @davidgarriguesyoga In this conversation, David Garrigues discusses his journey as a yoga teacher and the challenges he has faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of being authentic and real as a teacher, even if it means admitting to struggles and imperfections. David also talks about the need for structure and specificity in teaching, while also recognizing the importance of individual interpretation and exploration. He shares his love for Ashtanga Yoga and the joy it brings him, and how he has evolved his teaching style over the years.   Key Points ·      Being authentic and real as a yoga teacher is important, even if it means admitting to struggles and imperfections. ·      There is a need for structure and specificity in teaching, while also allowing for individual interpretation and exploration. ·      Finding joy in your practice and teaching is essential for staying motivated and connected to the practice. ·      Ashtanga Yoga can be a powerful modality for teaching and practicing yoga, but it is important to adapt it to the individual needs and abilities of students. Structure and repetition can be beneficial in a yoga practice, providing comfort and allowing for deeper exploration. ·      The existing sequences in Ashtanga yoga offer a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be thoroughly explored. ·      Anatomy and physicality are important aspects of the practice, as they provide a foundation for bandhas and breath control. ·      Engaging with the ritual of yoga can lead to self-discovery and a deeper understanding of oneself. ·      The interplay between movement and stillness, becoming and being, is a fundamental aspect of yoga. ·      Teaching yoga requires balancing the sharing of knowledge with empowering the student and avoiding the misuse of power. ·      The practice of yoga can be physically and mentally demanding, requiring rest and recovery. ·      Students and their dedication to the practice can be a great source of inspiration for teachers. ·      Generosity and the joy of giving are important qualities to cultivate in the practice and teaching of yoga.

www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga  Adam reflects on his 25 years of teaching yoga and shares the things he has changed his mind on over the years. He emphasizes the importance of evolving and learning in yoga and how knowledge should change us. He discusses the concept of deepening a posture and how it is more about balancing forces in the body rather than pushing for a deeper shape. He also talks about his evolving understanding of Hatha yoga and the integration of movement, breath, and concentration.  Key Points ·      Knowledge should change us and lead to personal growth and evolution. ·      Deepening a posture is about balancing forces in the body, not just pushing for a deeper shape. ·      Hatha yoga is a method of pressurizing the body to align and purify the energy of the spine. ·      The integration of movement, breath, and concentration is essential in yoga practice. Adjustments in yoga can send the message that a person is not good enough and can lead to injury. ·      Trust and touch are important in yoga practice, and being in proximity with others who provide supportive touch can open up the body. ·      Breathing is the movement in yoga, and the diaphragm is the center of the body. ·      Technique in yoga is important, but it should not overshadow the need for space, support, and encouragement in the practice. ·      Anatomical variations should be taken into account in yoga practice, and individualized variations can be used instead of rigidly following a set sequence. ·      Quality of practice is more important than the amount of time spent practicing. ·      Rounding the back in forward folds can be beneficial, and internal rotation can be emphasized in twists. ·      The second series backbends can be introduced early in the practice to provide a balanced approach. ·      Personal discipline in yoga practice should be balanced with trust in oneself and the ability to listen to one's own needs.   "Yoga did... what medications didn't." "Teaching back then was practicing with the class." "I don't adjust anymore... I don't manhandle people." "Adjustments, second thing, adjustments don't work." "Being with people in proximity, if you trust them, if you feel their touch is endorsing, affirmative of your being, just opens up the body like nothing else." "The body always wants to seek homeostasis. In everything, in its blood temperature, in the regulation of all its organs, it just wants to seek homeostasis naturally."

   www.yogaphilosophy.com | @yogaphilosophy_com | amazon books Dr. Shyam Ranganathan discusses explores the themes of yoga, anti-colonial philosophy, and action-focused guide to practice. He highlights the concept of the Linguistic Account of Thought (LAT) and how it has led to cultural filtering and colonialism. He also explains the difference between understanding and belief, emphasizing that action is about choice, not belief. Dr. Ranganathan challenges the Western appropriation of yoga and the secularization of Indian philosophy, advocating for a more nuanced and responsible approach to understanding other cultures.  Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com   Key Points ·      The Linguistic Account of Thought (LAT) has led to cultural filtering and colonialism, as it restricts understanding to what is culturally familiar. ·      Understanding and belief are distinct concepts, with understanding being an engaged event and belief being a passive state of existence. ·      It is possible to look at another culture without imposing one's own interpretive box, but it requires adopting a different method and being open to learning. ·      Action is about choice, not belief, and belief can hinder understanding and autonomy. ·      The Western appropriation of yoga and the secularization of Indian philosophy perpetuate white supremacy and overlook the rich philosophical traditions of South Asia. ·      There are four basic ethical theories, including virtue ethics, and sovereignty and autonomy are important in yoga practice. Yoga encompasses different ethical theories, including consequentialism, deontology, and bhakti yoga. ·      Consequentialism in yoga focuses on reducing suffering as the ultimate goal. ·      Deontology in yoga emphasizes mastering certain actions and fulfilling one's special obligations. ·      Bhakti yoga starts with devotion to the ideal of the right and leads to personal autonomy. ·      Yoga is a practice of devotion to Ishvara and helps individuals overcome trauma and internalized experiences.  

In this engaging conversation, Paul Grilley, a pioneer of Yin Yoga, reflects on his unique yoga journey. He shares insights into the evolution of yoga in the West, highlighting the shift from traditional practices to dynamic forms like Power Yoga. Paul reveals his personal realization about the limitations of his practice, which led him to embrace the slower, more introspective approach of Yin Yoga. He discusses the importance of holding poses longer and the significance of anatomical variations in fostering a deeper understanding of one’s practice.

www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga Adam explores the concept of pushing in yoga and why we feel the need to push ourselves in our practice. He discusses the influence of modern capitalism and societal pressure to compete and achieve, as well as the cultural belief that suffering and pushing ourselves will lead to purification and progress. Adam emphasizes the importance of letting go of the guilt associated with pushing and highlights the limitations and drawbacks of pushing too hard.  Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  Key Points ·      Pushing in yoga is influenced by modern capitalism and societal pressure to compete and achieve. ·      The belief that suffering and pushing ourselves will lead to purification and progress is deeply ingrained in Western culture. ·      Letting go of the guilt associated with pushing is important for a more balanced and sustainable practice. ·      Embracing a more subtle and technique-focused approach can lead to deeper experiences and a sense of satisfaction in the practice.    

  www.mrjamesnestor.com | @mrjamesnestor James Nestor, author of 'The Breath, The New Science of a Lost Art,' discusses the importance of breath and the prevalence of breathing dysfunction in society. He shares his personal journey of discovering the power of breath to improve his own health. Nestor explains the concept of bad breathing and the impact it can have on overall health. He also delves into the role of carbon dioxide in breathing and the benefits of proper breathing techniques.  Key Points   ·      Breathing dysfunction is prevalent in society, leading to various health issues. ·      Proper breathing techniques, such as nasal breathing and diaphragmatic breathing, can improve overall health. ·      Carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in breathing and can be used therapeutically. ·      Jaw structure has a significant impact on breathing, and industrialized foods have contributed to narrower airways. ·      Fresh air is essential for good health, and poor air quality can have detrimental effects. ·      Teaching proper breathing techniques in yoga and exercise practices is crucial for optimal health.