The Uplifted Yoga Podcast

She has black skin, severed heads around her neck, blood dripping from her mouth, and a blazing red third eye. She is Kali. She inspires fear in those who don't know her and devotion and love in those who do, but who is she really? How can knowing about her benefit us in our daily modern lives? Why might modern yogis want to know about Kali? Join us with Daniel Odier as we dive into the mysteries of Kali and discuss the Nirrutara Tantra, the Twelve Kalis, and more! Daniel Odier is a teacher of Kashmiri Tantra and a Chan Master from the Chao-chou Lineage. He is the author of numerous books, including Tantric Quest: An Encounter with Absolute Love, Yoga Spandakarika, and his most recent book, Tantric Kali, is available now from Inner Traditions (www.innertraditions.com) Special Guest: Daniel Odier www.danielodier.com www.innertraditions.com 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/  

The Story of the Swordsman and the Cat tells the tale of the swordsman Shoken, who is tormented by a mischievous rat in his house. After attempts by his own cat, the neighbor cats and even going after the the rat himself, Shoken must call for a famous cat, known for its skill in the art of catching rats. After easily capturing the rat, thE veteran cat goes on to explain why the various methods of the other cats and the samurai Shoken failed, and the proper methods of approaching anything in life... The Story of the Swordsman and the Cat teaches us about the different ways we can cultivate the self (or 'no-self') and what ultimately matters most in order to create success. 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/

Due in part to the popularity of festivals like Bhakti Fest and the modern Kirtan movement, people all over the United States are familiar with the word Bhakti. But what does it really mean? Is it a feeling, a practice, a religion? And what does it have to do with the modern postural yoga practice that has spread throughout the world? Join us with Naren Schreiner as we explore what Bhakti Yoga is and how it might influence a Hatha Yoga or meditation practice, and how it can affect your daily life. Our guest, Naren Schreiner, lived as a monk for fourteen years in the ashrams of Paramahansa Yogananda, before leaving monastic life to continue his spiritual practice out in the world. In 2012, he founded Sangita Yoga, to help spread the yoga of music through lectures, workshops and sacred music. Special Guest: Naren Schreiner www.sangitayoga.com 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/

Many scholars have speculated about the use of psychedelics, also known as entheogens, in the early stages of many religions. Is there any evidence of the use of entheogens in early Christianity? Our guest, Dr. Jerry Brown, author of the Psychedelic Gospels, believes there is. Join us with Dr. Brown, as we discuss his findings and the evidence he and his wife found on an epic journey to dive deeper into the origins of early Christian mysticism. Dr. Jerry Brown is an award winning teacher, anthropologist, author and activist. From 1972-2014, he served as Founding Professor of Anthropology at Florida International University in Miami, where he designed and taught a course on “Hallucinogens and Culture," which examines the use of psychoactive plants by tribal and classical cultures. Dr. Brown is co-author of Sacred Plants and the Gnostic Church: Speculations on Entheogen-Use in Early Christian Ritual in the Journal of Ancient History, as well as the co-author of the recent book the Psychedelic Gospels: The Secret History of Hallucinogens in Christianity. Special Guest: Dr. Jerry Brown www.psychedelicgospels.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

Sages of the past have compared the human experience to being a prisoner locked in a cell. Various types of yoga have been taught to help liberate one from this prison. How might these practices help in an actual, physical prison? Often violent stressful places, how would a practice that often encourages concepts like non-violence and compassion be received by inmates, some of which are serving life long sentences for violent crimes. Our guest, Mike Huggins, founder and Executive Director of the Transformation Yoga Project, knows first hand about how yoga can help those in prison. In 2009, he was incarcerated for a strict liability misdemeanor offense as CEO of a medical device company. He practiced yoga as a means of processing his experience and managing the stress of incarceration. When others expressed interest in what he was doing, he began to teach them what he knew. This idea continued to grow, even after Mike served his sentence and it eventually led to the Transformation Yoga Project. A project that now serves at-risk and under served populations, as well as offering trauma sensitive yoga teacher trainings inside prisons. In this episode we will explore Mike's journey and how yoga was impacted him, and the countless people he has come into contact with since his incarceration. We'll look at the similarities of many yogic narratives and the actual prison experience. How does yoga effect inmates? How is it possible to have a yoga teacher training inside prison? Who pays for the services? We'll explore these questions and more! Special Guest: Mike Huggins www.transformationyogaproject.org www.hugginsgoingom.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

Goddess traditions have been suppressed by the patriarchy for hundreds, if not thousands of years. What treasures were lost with the Goddess? Thanks in large part to living Goddess traditions from India, the sacred feminine is making a huge comeback in the world. What can the Goddess traditions teach us about life and the beyond? How can these radically life affirming traditions alter our experience of every day life? Join us with Linda Johnsen, as we explore some amazing stories and ideas that come out of the living Goddess traditions in India and more! Linda Johnsen is a long time student of religious philosophy. She holds degrees in Eastern and Western Psychology, and has post-graduate training in theology and Sanskrit. She is the award winning author of eight books on spirituality, including The Living Goddess: Reclaiming the Tradition of the Mother of the Universe, Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India, the Lost Masters: Rediscovering the Mysticism of the Ancient Greek Philosophers, and has hundreds of articles that have appeared in Yoga International, Yoga Journal, and other publications. Special Guest: Linda Johnsen www.thousandsuns.org Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/  

The search for a spiritual teacher is a timeless quest for the spiritual seeker. What is the importance of having a spiritual teacher, and how does one go about finding one? How can you differentiate charlatans from true masters? What are some of the intricacies of the teacher-student relationship? Join us with psychotherapist, author and teacher, Greg Bogart, as we discuss the dynamics of the student-teacher relationship and its relevancy on the spiritual path, especially in our modern day and age. Special Guest: Greg Bogart www.gregbogart.net www.dawnmountain.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.antomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/  

The Human Design system is a synthesis of several ancient systems, integrating aspects of Astrology, the I Ching, the Chakras, and the Kabbalah. In this episode we chat with experts Chetan Parykyn and Carola Eastwood, about the Human Design system and how it can help you navigate your daily life. How we can use it to get to know ourselves and others? Will it help with our relationships? We'll explore these ideas and more in this mind expanding episode! Chetan Parkyn and Carola Eastwood recently published their latest book, Book of Destinies: Discover the Life You Were Born to Live, through New World Library, which can be found at all major outlets. Having been involved with Human Design since the early 90s, Chetan and Carola give one-on-one and partnership readings, counseling sessions and teach workshops and seminars worldwide. Special Guests: Chetan Parkyn and Carola Eastwood www.humandesignforusall.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

Most people are familiar with the seven chakra system, but is it the only one? Is the oldest? Where does the seven chakra system come from and does Patanjali's Yoga Sutra ever mention the word chakra? If you have been wanting to know more about the chakra system, this episode will answer many of your questions! Join us with scholar and yogi, Chris Tompkins, as we discuss the origins of the chakra system and how understanding its context and history can empower us to utilize this amazing system more effectively in our practice and lives.  Special Guest: Chris Tompkins www.shaivayoga.com www.yogavidhi.org www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-ancient-roots-of-sun-saluation-yoga-vinyasa-india#/ Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/

It's easy to get stuck thinking that in order to help people you need more time, more money, more help yourself... But being kind doesn't need to cost anything that you don't already have. Perhaps you've heard the phrase: think globally, act locally. Well, we don't need to save the entire world or create a coalition of compassion; we can start with simple acts of kindness with the people we encounter in our daily lives. Kindness itself can be a spiritual practice. Join us with Suzie Abels, author of Kindness on a Budget, as we discuss simple ways to practice kindness and compassion with everyone around you, no matter where you find yourself in life.  Special Guest: Suzie Abels www.suzieabelsauthor.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/