The Uplifted Yoga Podcast

Why is it that people speak differently when they’re dying? Lisa Smartt’s father had always been a skeptical and rationalist person. But three days before dying, her father announced, "The angels say only three days left now." He spoke of a "green dimension" and his room crowded with people who were unseen. He also spoke in a poetic and metaphoric language, describing the big art show that was approaching and the boxes he had to carry for his ceramicist wife of 54 years. She listened in awe as she transcribed his final words that not only painted a world unseen but were rich in language patterns that appeared to be unique to the end of life. Formally trained in linguistics, Lisa was deeply curious about the language she witnessed. When she discovered little or no research had been done into people's final words, she established The Final Words Project (2014)  with Dr. Raymond Moody to learn more. Raymond, who coined the term near-death experience, has had a lifelong interest in language and joined Lisa on this exploration into last words. Her book, Words at the Threshold, offers the early findings of their investigations.   Special Guest: Lisa Smartt http://www.finalwordsproject.org/   Creator & Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com   Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper   Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com   Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

What exactly are the chemical reactions in the brain that occur during spiritual experiences? What do they do to us, and can they be isolated? This fascinating topic of discussion is talked about at length in this podcast with Dr. Rick Strassman. Dr. Rick Strassman is a board certified psychiatrist at the New Mexico School of Medicine, where he teaches. At UNM, Dr. Strassman performed clinical research investigating the function of the pineal hormone melatonin in which his research group documented the first known role of melatonin in humans. He also began the first new US government approved and funded clinical research with psychedelic drugs in over twenty years. He has published nearly thirty peer-reviewed scientific papers, and has served as a reviewer for several psychiatric research journals. He written groundbreaking books such as DMT: The Spirit Molecule, Inner Paths to Outer Space, and DMT and the Soul of Prophecy.   Special Guest: Dr. Rick Strassman https://www.rickstrassman.com/   Creator & Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com   Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper   Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com   Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

Mindfulness is great, but how do you find your center in chaotic situations? It certainly isn’t easy. But thankfully, we have a SEAL to help us.   Thom Shea served 23 years with distinguished Valor as a Navy SEAL. During his military career, he served in three wars, ultimately leading a team of Navy SEALs into Afghanistan in 2009 where he earned a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor, Army Commendation with Valor and his second Combat Action Medal. He was hand-selected to serve as Officer In Charge of the famed SEAL Sniper course from 2009 – 2011. He’s also the CEO of Adamantine Alliance, a unique leadership and demanding human performance training organization.   Special Guest: Thom Shea http://adamantinealliance.com/thom-shea/   Creator & Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com   Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper   Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com

What is Yoga Nidra, really? What happens to us in this very deep state of peace and mindfulness? Join us as we explore this fascinating topic with our special guest, Kamini Desai.   Trained at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health with degrees in Anthropology and Psychology from Smith College and La Salle University, and as daughter of one of the original yoga masters who pioneered yoga in the West, Kamini has served as Director of Wellness at Yarrow, an executive retreat center in Michigan, and on faculty of the Foxhollow Leadership Center. She is now the Education Director and Core Curriculum Developer of the Amrit Yoga Institute -a cutting edge teaching center for advanced studies in eastern philosophy. She is one of three Founding Directors of the International University of Yoga and Ayurveda with Dr. Vijay K Jain, MD and Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla.   Special Guest: Kamini Desai http://www.kaminidesai.com/   Creator & Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com   Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper   Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com   Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

With a wider acceptance of marijuana quickly gaining in the US, many people are starting to explore the practical uses of this ancient plant. And while the conversation is usually framed around its medicinal qualities, what about its connection to rituals, creativity, and spirituality? Join us with special guest Stephen Gray as we discuss the use of cannabis in both modern and ancient spiritual settings and how it is being used by people to deepen and expand their spiritual experience. Stephen Gray is a teacher, workshop organizer, public speaker and writer on spiritual subjects and sacramental medicines. He has worked extensively with Tibetan Buddhism, the Native American Church, and with entheogenic medicines. He is the author of Returning to the Sacred World: A Spiritual Toolkit for the Emerging Reality and the editor and co-author of Cannabis and Spirituality: An Explorer's Guide to an Ancient Plant Spirit Ally.   Special Guest: Stephen Gray http://www.stephengrayvision.com/ Creator & Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

Without a doubt, the Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important texts ever written. But there are very few who truly understand its most important aspects and hidden meanings. Scott Teitsworth is a lifelong student of Indian philosophy and modern science under the tutelage of Nitya Chaitanya Yati, himself a disciple of Nataraja Guru. An editor of books written by these gurus, he and his wife host the Portland branch of the Narayana Gurukula, where they have taught classes on the Bhagavad Gita and Indian philosophy since the 1970s. He’s written The Path to the Guru and Krishna in the Sky with Diamonds, two books that explore profound hidden teachings locked away for ages.   Special Guest: Scott Teitsworth https://www.innertraditions.com/author/scott-teitsworth/   Creator & Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com   Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper   Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com   Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

Have you ever thought that maybe the official story of human history seems a little...off? This fascinating interview dives into a different take on history, and gives plenty of food for thought. Susan B. Martinez, Ph.D., is a writer, linguist, teacher, paranormal researcher, and recognized authority on the Oahspe Bible with a doctorate in anthropology from Columbia University. She is the author of Delusions in Science and Spirituality, Time of the Quickening, The Lost History of the Little People, The Mysterious Origins of Hybrid Man, and her recent book, The Lost Continent of Pan.   Special Guest: Susan B. Martinez https://www.innertraditions.com/author/susan-b-martinez-ph-d/   Creator & Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com   Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper   Producer: Benn Mendelson   www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com   Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

Who owns yoga? Where does it REALLY come from, and how has it evolved from its origins? We ask these questions and more with our special guest Eric Shaw, who has studied yoga and meditation for 30 years and taught both since 2001. He is the creator of both Prasana Yoga and Yoga Education Through Imagery, a lecture programming that teaches yoga’s traditions through archival imagery and new scholarship. With two degrees in Art, and Masters Degrees in Education, Religious Studies and Asian Studies, the conversation is both fascinating and unique. You don’t want to miss this episode!   Special Guest: Eric Shaw http://prasanayoga.com/   Creator & Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com   Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper   Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com   Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

Sometimes healing injuries isn’t what you think! In fact, you could be prolonging your healing process by stretching or massaging incorrectly, when your body is really craving to break the pattern that brought about the injury in the first place. That’s where Edan Herari comes in. An authority and educator in the world of health and healing, Edan performs the powerful (but lesser-known) modalities of Ortho-Bionomy and John Barnes Myofascial Release (MFR). These techniques support the body’s natural healing (self- corrective) mechanisms by working with the body, not on it.   Dive into this podcast and learn what it means to truly embrace self-care and listen to your body! Special Guest: Edan Herari http://www.kineticbodytherapy.com/ Creator & Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com www.sivanapodcast.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/  

Without a doubt, western civilization harbors some of the most stressed-out people in the world. And what’s worse, instead of turning towards a deeper sense of peace within, we have gotten in the habit of distracting ourselves with electronics.   But Dr. Linda Lehrhaupt believes there is a better way. She is the founder/executive director of The Institute for Mindfulness-Based Approaches (IMA), and for more than 35 years she has been working as an adult educator, helping people beat a wide variety of emotional issues related to challenging circumstances.   Her belief is that the world would be a profoundly different place with just a few of these simple mindfulness-based approaches.   Special Guest: Linda Lehrhaupt   http://www.linda-lehrhaupt.com/   http://www.institute-for-mindfulness.org/   Creator & host: Ashton Szabo   http://www.anatomyofliving.com/   Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper   Producer: Benn Mendelson   www.sivanaspirit.com   www.sivanapodcast.com   Enter to win our weekly contests at:   www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/