Norway-born, Kathmandu-based KPJAYI authorised level 2 Ashtanga yoga teacher, co-founder of the first Ashtanga studio In Oslo, buddhist practitioner and scholar of Himalayan languages and Tibetan philology - Ellen Johannesen shares with us her fascinating life story as we change between buddhist and yogic perspectives exploring the path to liberation. Show notes From contemporary dance to yoga Movement patterns, innate animal logic and asana The act of balancing or playing with the forces outside of you Yogic Yamas & Niyamas vs. Buddhist Paramis Regaining subtle body awareness through asana Relocating to Nepal and studying Buddhism, Himalayan languages, Tibetan philology How studying sutras and scriptures slowly changes you Dependent origination and breaking the pattern Practices aiming at removing samskaras Reconciling Yogic and Buddhist perspectives 100.000 prostrations in Bodh Gaya Making merit Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

A lover of the ancient and obscure, Forrest Knutson is a yogi householder, writer and meditation teacher. He offers many great video instructions on Kriya Yoga and meditation on his YouTube channel, as well as through his courses and trainings. Show notes Search for Truth, "Hamsa" meditation and first spiritual experience Joining monastic community Lahiri Mahasaya and Babaji Wondering up in the hills Kriya Enlightenment equasion, samadhi, layman vs monastic practice "Remedial teacher", heart rate variability and "3 cordial rules" Kechari Mudra Analogies with buddhist Jhana practice 7 Kriyas of Lahiri, buddhist 5 breath states Check out Forrest Knutson's YouTube Channel, his website and his book "Hacking the Universe: The Process of Yogic Meditation" Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

We are beyond excited to kick off the new year with these 2 beautiful guests - Deepika Mehta and Mark Robberds. Yoga couple, Ashtanga practitioners and movement specialists, teachers and successful Instagramers, humble and curious beings on the spiritual path - which of these labels come close to who they really are? Listen in! Show notes Deepika's path to spirituality Relationships, practice and parenthood Pareto principle in Mark's approach to maintaining the practice Aging: Flexibility means fragility? Movement exploration rooted in the yogic tristana Benefits of a set sequence and creativity, yoga and surfing Haṭhābhyāsapaddhati Pranayama, Breathwork and Wim Hoff? James Nestor and Simon Borg-Olivier Cultural appropriation and Mula Bandha underwear Mark's Instagram journey Meditation practice and personal challenges 3 new online courses Deepika Mehta - https://deepikamehta.in/ Mark's website - https://markrobberds.com/ Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

We are very happy to present to you this interview with Gregor Maehle that was recorded around a year ago. Gregor's path is a remarkable example of limitless determination to find the Truth. While not attempting to gain popularity and fame his ideas and views can be polarizing, provoking and challenging. He dismisses authorities, hierarchies, guru worship and other unhealthy group dynamics. By doing so he is not only living out authentically one of the fundamental yogic attitudes of willing to know, rather than to believe, but also plays an extremely important social role that is becoming more and more scarce in today's poisoned with political correctness world - by not sweetening up his words, pointing out things that are broken, views that are wrong and actions that are unethical he invites all of us to question our assumptions of reality, so that we can finally wake up from our ignorant slumber and experience the true joy of being. It is in sincere gratitude for his guidance on the path of Yoga that we release this interview. Show notes First glimpses of infinity Doer mentality, surrendering and grace What led Gregor to the practice of the 8-limbed Yoga Immersing into teachings today vs in old times Tibetian Ngöndro, Six Yogas of Naropa, Dzogchen Purification practices within the Ashtanga Yoga tradition and the mechanisms behind them Why your meditation doesn't work Happiness and robotic conditioning Gregor's spiritual practice and the sense of freedom Breath waves Experience of Cosmic intelligence on different levels The differences and similarities of different spiritual paths Svadharma Gregor's observation of the modern Yoga landscape To find out more about Gregor's teaching, learning materials, courses and in-depth blog article visit https://8limbs.com/ Check out new book by Gregor Maehle: "How To Find Your Life's Divine Purpose: Brain software for a new civilization" Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Harmony Slater is Ashtanga Yoga practitioner and teacher based in Calgary, Canada. Her search for meaning led her from ballet dancing to studying philosophy, religion and psychology, travelling to China to learn Buddhist meditation and eventually meeting Sri. K Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. In this lively conversation we talk about her path and discuss many other topics: Entranced by Sri Yantra - first mystical experiences Different internal drishtis during asana practice and the meditative aspect of it Harmony's study of the mind in academical and practical setting Darkness, addiction and the light of knowledge as a ladder for the intellect Anorexia, body dysmorphia, not good enough The strong remedy of Ashtanga Yoga On Pranayama and Kundalini Harmony is also a host of Finding Harmony Podcast, where she interviews many interesting yogis and fellow seekers in a very entertaining and uplifting way. Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal   

This is a second interview in our two-part special with yoga teachers Mary Taylor and Richard Freeman. In our first conversation we were primarily focusing on different aspects of the Yoga practice. Now in this episode we explore the relationship between Yoga and Buddhism. We look closely at the content of both teachings to understand how they intersect, whether they are talking about same or similar things just under different angles, what is the reason between different emphasis of those, as well as how both traditions can support each other if you bring enough curiosity and create a space for a dialogue. Show notes The relationship between Patanjali's 8 limbs and Buddha's 8 folded Path Different ways of setting the stage for compassion to arise in the yogic and buddhist traditions Yogic Samadhi vs. Buddhist Samadhi Navigating the diversity of practices References to Truth in Buddhism and Yoga, differences between solidifying authority vs. investigating authority Don't know mind The taste of Nirodha Different emphasis on purification practices in yogic and buddhist traditions Role of asana in buddhist schools and how the traditions come to communication in recent times Thoughts on the common synergy of yogic asana practice with Vipassana style meditation between yoga practitioners Pranayama, the sweetness of Kumbhaka and the right attitude Missed the first episode? Listen now - Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor – Yogic Musings, Part I. Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude, and we are honoured to bring you a very special series of conversations with a yogic couple, who have influenced the world of modern yoga probably more than anyone else. Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor dedicated their lives to practice and study of the spiritual traditions of the East and are sharing the knowledge revealed to them humbly and graciously with their students. Show notes Mary's reflections on her first spiritual experiences Groundedness, embodiment and the connection to the environment Dropping of the breath as the beginning of Yoga The roots of Richard's subtle body teachings How far away is esoteric from ordinary? Release of the soft palate and the concept of Nada Anusandhan Meditational aspects of the asana practice, subtle body alignments and how different schools of thought encompass each other Visualisation, idolatry and guidance Role of Pranayama in removing of Samskaras and how you can make them worse Aesthetics, emotionality and beauty Tadagi Mudra Nauli in Kukkutasana Separating grains from chaff or thoughts on finding a teacher Secret to good relationship :) Ethical aspect of romantic relationship between teacher and student Ongoing process of Ashtanga community dealing with Patthabi Jois's sexual abuse Richard's take on the modern world of yoga Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Bhante Panna is an American monk living in a forest monestry near Bangkok. He has a popular Instagram (@bronthepath} where he shares his life of contemplation. In this conversation we address monkhood, spiritual powers, communing with nature, ending racism, and liberation. I know you're going to like this one! Show Notes 2.50 Bhante’s spiritual awakening while climbing a mountain  11.40 The spirituality of Thailand  14.00 Bhante’s daily routine and life as a monk 24.00 How celibacy has given Bhante a new sense of freedom 27.00 The roots of African spirituality 32.30 Discussing siddhis or extra-normal powers associated with meditation  37.40 Empathy with snakes and scorpions and chilling with Nature 44.00 Black meditation matters 49.50 Liberation and racial conditioning  54.00 Cultural healing in spiritual communities 58.00 The spiritual landscape of the world today Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

Anthony "Prem" Carlisi has been practicing and teaching Ashtanga yoga for over 40 years. He learned directly from Pattabhi Jois in 1978 for several months in Southern California. In 1979, he was amongst the first small group of Western students to study with Jois in his home town of Mysore, India. He is considered one of the American pioneers of Ashtanga yoga, along with David Williams, Nancy Gilgoff, David Swenson and Tim Miller. Prem was certified to teach the primary, intermediate and advanced series of Ashtanga yoga in 1994. He also completed a four-year course of ayurvedic study in 1984 with Dr. Vasant Lad and has been studying tantric techniques since 1990. In 2007, Prem published his first book, The Only Way Out Is In, which is his commentary on the synergy of the three life sciences of Ashtanga yoga, ayurveda and tantra. He and his partner Heather "Radha" Duplex are now based primarily in Ubud, Bali for 6-8 months of the year, and 3-4 months in Kauai, Hawaii with Pineapple Yoga. They offer daily Mysore classes in both locations, as well as trainings for teachers, intensives and workshops that deepen the understanding of Ashtanga yoga, ayurveda and tantra. Show Notes 1.40 First spiritual experiences with psychedelics 5.50 Intersection with psychedelics and traditional spiritual practices  10.00 The practice of dying while living 23.00 Tapas and purification 29.30 The sudden death of Prem’s daughter and how he dealt with the grief 37.30 How Prem lost his way and found it again 39.30 Siddhis 40.50 Advice for his younger self 42.00 Importance of meditation practice 50.00 Surrender and the Buddha’s “middle path” 54.00 Eight limbs are a foundational practice 57.00 Pranayama and when to do it 60.30 Wim Hoff technique Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal 

  In this episdoe we talk to Oliver Crossley from Yogic Physio. Oliver is a Registered Physiotherapist, Yoga and Meditation Teacher. He is a long-term practitioner of Zen Buddhism, Ashtanga Vinyasa and Vinyasa Krama Yoga in the tradition of Krishnamacharya. He is a passionate proponent of evidence-based rehabilitation and person-centred care and loves helping people get back to moving at their best. This is a different kind of episode. This time we gathered questions of our listeners on different social media platforms and asked Oliver about his opinion. This a very practical episode that hopefully will help some of you into a safer and less painful practice. Show notes Tight psoas and lower back discomfort Prolapsed discs and continuing practice Strengthening of unstable shoulder joint How to assess the seriousness of the shoulder injury Tight hamstrings and psoas and forward bends Is grabbing your ankles during backbending safe? Hand placement in Lagu Vajrasana - ankles vs. calves? Is practicing Ashtanga 6 days a week safe? Examples of conflict between traditional way of teaching Ashtanga Vinyasa and modern physiotherapy approach How to protect your lumber spine? Are there certain asanas that will more likely lead to injuries as the body gets older? Knee pain Shoulders: Strengths vs. stiffness Thigh rotation in Visvamitrasana If you want to get in touch with Oliver or find out more about his work visit https://www.yogicphysio.com Want to support the show? Thank you! Support us via PayPal