On this episode, I invited a very special guest, Dr. Abha Rajbhandari, who's going to dive into the intersection of science and spirituality. We’re going to explore the definition of science and spirituality, where they intersect, the nature of our consciousness, what yoga does to our brains, the goal for emotional regulation, and so much more. Episode Highlights: The definition of spirituality What makes up something to be called spiritual The definition of science Scientific parts of yoga What...
Dec 25, 2023•57 min•Ep. 137
Surya Namaskar, also known as sun salutations, is such a simple yet daunting topic for a lot of yoga teachers and we as modern practitioners only know it from the lens of it being very physical. So on the show today, I invited Pradeep Sattwamaya to help us trace the origins of Surya Namaskar and its uses in our modern-day yoga. Episode Highlights: How old is the practice of Surya Namaskar? The importance of Hatha yoga What is Chandra Namaskar? Breath practices Supplemental elements in yoga The O...
Dec 19, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 136
In this episode, I'm giving you a teaser of my Pranayama class by talking about the different groups of Pranayama practices. You'll be amazed to know how each type impacts our body and spirit. And did you know that there is such a thing called Pranayama Sequencing? I can't wait to get into all that and more in our upcoming training and immersion. Episode Highlights: The three main groups of Pranayama practices Why is Vitalizing Pranayama also called Energizing Pranayama? Tranquilizing Pranayama ...
Dec 07, 2023•17 min•Ep. 135
Have you ever heard about Bhoga? The word Bhoga is a Sanskrit word that means to enjoy or to consume. And since we are heading into a celebratory season across the globe, I thought that this would be a very timely conversation for us to have. Episode Highlights: What is Bhoga Bhoga is not necessarily a bad thing Four stages of life Yoga versus Bhoga The problems that come from overindulging in Bhoga The six types of indulgences that we have to watch for Dealing with Bhogas through the four Marga...
Nov 30, 2023•19 min•Ep. 134
I know many of you have been waiting for my annual Pranayama Yoga Teacher Training and I'm very excited to share that the wait is finally over. As you're listening to this episode, all the details are live and the waitlist is open. To get a first-hand experience of what it's like inside this course, I looked at one of our older Pranayama podcast episodes that I wanted to share with you. I want to allow you to practice a little Pranayama with me via this podcast. So what I’m sharing with you toda...
Nov 20, 2023•46 min•Ep. 133
It's a real challenge to teach a person who is just starting their yoga experience. What is the best approach in teaching yoga to beginners? How do we prepare ourselves as teachers? Take advantage of this level when they are most susceptible to knowledge and build a strong foundation. After all, mentors play a big part in their students' yoga. Listen and discover more in today's episode. Episode Highlights: How to teach yoga to a beginner Teach the beginner what they can relate to first See the ...
Oct 25, 2023•25 min•Ep. 132
In today's episode I share 3 things I wish I knew a decade ago when it came to teaching a beginner (or any student). You know I think every beginner student is extremely important because there are a lot of yoga teacher training programs that do not get this covered because most of them focus on teaching a student who already has some basic yoga knowledge. Because teaching a beginner requires a nuanced approach and can be challenging. But also very rewarding. It comes down to the caliber of the ...
Oct 15, 2023•11 min•Ep. 131
As the owner of Aham Yoga Studio for 10 years, I have honestly been testing, trying, and failing many times and coming up with a blueprint that now we put on repeat that helps us to move the students in a way where they relate to yoga, they feel successful, and they come back to continue investing in themselves and in their journey with yoga. So I have taken these 10 years of my work and have condensed and packed it into a 30-hour online Teaching Yoga To Beginners Course that is built specifical...
Oct 09, 2023•26 min•Ep. 130
In my studio at Aham Yoga, I have students who have some knowledge of Ayurveda and I would often get so many questions about what the role of food is. How should we really eat? How frequently should we eat and in what quantity? This is honestly a topic that I am no expert with and so I decided to invite back a past guest who is the real expert in Ayurveda, Nidhi Pandya. Join us as we explore the role of food in our lives, the various effects different foods bring to us, and some practical tips f...
Oct 02, 2023•45 min•Ep. 129
Nowadays, there are people who start yoga through asana practice but, at its core, keep saying that yoga is for the mind. The question is how is the mind actually connected to yoga? In this episode, I will be joined by a new guest, Sandipani Manur, who will help us look into managing the mind through yoga and the different layers of the mind. Sandipani has been teaching for a very long time. He has 25 years of learning and teaching yoga and he aims to keep yoga very simple and relatable. Some of...
Sep 25, 2023•55 min•Ep. 128
In the previous episode, Vikram and I started a masterclass on the yamas and niyamas where we dove deep into the five yamas, their layers, and how someone moves through the yamas. And as part two of this masterclass, Vikram and I are putting the spotlight on the niyamas in this episode. Join us as we identify the differences between the yamas and niyamas and the reasons why they differ in application. We also go over each of the five niyamas, their definitions, and applications for practitioners...
Sep 18, 2023•55 min•Ep. 127
If there is a one conversation about the Yamas you need to listen to as someone who does or even teaches yoga - let it be this one. Vikram Jeet Singh is back on the podcast with another power packed conversation. This time diving deep into the yamas. If you want to do more than poses and curious about living yoga but don’t know where to start. Listen to this conversation. It will be insightful and enriching no matter what stage of yoga you are in. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. Part 2 is all...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 126
Now that our summer break is over, we are back with more episodes. Kickstarting with a solo episode, Arundhati talks about 10 truths of studying yoga in the modern day that often gets over looked. We’re Hiring: Join My Team as a Social Media & Digital Content Specialist (Remote, Part-Time) Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Connect with us on Instagram...
Sep 04, 2023•18 min•Ep. 125
In today's solo episode, Arundhati shares how to recognize "how much" to challenge a student in a yoga class. As well as what "reading the room" means with different personality types in classes. This episode will help you understand how to teach more effectively in a group setting. A must-listen if you're a yoga teacher keen to improve your teaching and approach to teaching group classes. Episode highlights Recognize that different students will have different preferences Recognize that one stu...
Jul 31, 2023•24 min•Ep. 124
If there's one conversation you listen to about Sadhana in yoga. It needs to be this one. Dr. Manasa Rao who holds a Ph.D. in Yoga effortlessly takes us through the many layers of sadhana in yoga in this episode. You will understand the following from this episode... What does the word 'sadhana' mean? How has Sadhana evolved over time? Does everyone who does yoga need to have a sadhana? What are some factors to consider while building your sadhana A detailed list of obstacles to consider Who "gi...
Jul 17, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 123
I wish someone had told me how to avoid these when I started teaching yoga. A light hearted, short solo episode with the host, Arundhati. We talk a look at 10 different ways in which yoga teachers sometimes get lost and end up misunderstanding what teaching yoga is all about. We’re Hiring: Join My Team as a Social Media & Digital Content Specialist (Remote, Part-Time) Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Connect with us on Instagram...
Jul 06, 2023•20 min•Ep. 122
Often yoga teachers are stuck or confused about how to maintain a healthy balance between the roles of being a yoga teacher and that of a student. To be honest, the struggle is real. Arundhati has had countless conversations with yoga teachers over the years and its a problem that keeps coming up. To address this conversation, we have Prasad Rangnekar back on the show. Prasad and Arundhati go in-depth into this balancing act of being a yoga teacher and a student that most of us need to figure ou...
Jun 05, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 121
This is a conversation that you shouldn’t miss. Vikram Jeet Singh is back again. This time we dive deep into some essential concepts in Yoga that we should know as yoga teachers and students. We break down the common ones like Abhyasa Vairajya and delve deeper into some lesser known concepts like ksama. There is sadhana, sraddha, raga, dvesa and more . This conversation will definately be something you will not only find enriching but deeply relatable. This isn’t a Sanskrit class. Or an academic...
May 29, 2023•58 min•Ep. 120
In this episode, Arundhati shares 3 simple, easy, and effective ways in which you can enhance your yoga classes today. Whether you're a new yoga teacher looking to grow or an experienced one looking for fresh ways to enhance your asana classes. This is a snippet from Arundhati's recent workshop hosted for yoga teachers where she explored 10 different ways of enhancing asana classes to provide deeper greater context for yoga teachers. Our bite-sized newsletter goes out this week. May sure you're ...
May 22, 2023•13 min•Ep. 119
In this episode, Arundhati dives deep into unpacking the living principle of ahimsa in yoga. Many yoga teachers understand the principles of ahimsa. But can’t translate it into tangible steps for people who show up in their yoga classes wanting to learn poses. In this episode, you’ll learn about what ahimsa really means even beyond yoga. The Sanskrit breakdown of ahimsa. What it means in yoga. And how its scope expands beyond Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga. How to break it down for your student...
May 14, 2023•19 min•Ep. 118
FREE WORKSHOP ALERT - On May 16th, Arundhati is offering a free workshop for yoga teachers. It's called "10 ways to enhance your yoga class today". Details in the links below. In our new bite-sized monthly newsletter, we have a segment where you can drop questions for Arundhati to answer. In today's episode, she answers two listener questions. 1. Is complimenting students a good or a negative thing? Does it hinder them in any way? How to actually complement a student to enhance their yoga? 2. Ho...
Apr 17, 2023•17 min•Ep. 117
What do you think of when we talk about the spine in yoga? Probably anatomy, the spine in Asana, posture, age of the spine, backbends and more. But mostly we end up staying in the physical , western view of the spine in yoga. But according to yogis, the spine is so much more than just the physical spine. There is the Sukshma (subtle ) spine that is expansive, and part of the subtle body. Having vast implications on the journey of a seeker. In this episode, we dive into the spine and yoga with Ka...
Apr 10, 2023•50 min•Ep. 116
On the Let’s talk yoga podcast today, Indu Arora is back. This time demystifying chakras. Adding context and clarity about them in a way that’s refreshing and easy to relate to. Indu eloquently explains what is a chakra? Provides clear detail as to why it’s a part of yoga. What we have misunderstood about chakras in modern yoga? Do we “work” on our chakras? How do we know if they’re weak? Does the order of the chakras matter? How can one strengthen their connection with the chakras? And so much ...
Apr 03, 2023•52 min•Ep. 115
In this episode, we dive deep into the "link" between Yoga and Ayurveda. We've heard them be called 'sister sciences' before. But do you really understand how these two connect? More importantly, how can you leverage Ayurveda as a yoga teacher or practitioner to benefit you? Our guest Nidhi Bhansali Pandya is a lifelong Ayurveda practitioner, teacher and writer. She helps us understand this link, gives us actionable items to follow as yoga teachers and contextualizes Ayurveda for yoga students. ...
Mar 27, 2023•46 min•Ep. 114
In this episode, Arundhati walks you through the different stages or biological milestones in a woman's life. And how yoga should be changing and evolving as you or your students change. Modern vinyasa yoga doesn't make space for such conversations. Especially for women who have ever-changing bodies and hormonal health. There is a lot of yogic wisdom on how to get optimal health if you're in these phases. Or if you're having issues in any phase - be it period health or menopausal issues. Yoga ha...
Mar 13, 2023•23 min•Ep. 113
A short solo episode with Arundhati on how to help your students identify with an Asana approach that helps them build a steady , life long connection with practice. This episode is inspired by countless years of observing, understanding and having conversations with students about why students grow in Asana and other aspects of yoga and why some quit. This simple 2 step approach is something all yoga teachers need to be sharing with their students. Let us know if you apply these in your classes...
Feb 24, 2023•14 min•Ep. 112
What is cultural appropriation of yoga? Is it about saying namaste in class, Ganesha tattoos and wearing bindis ? Or is it more? I had done an episode about this at the very start of the podcast but was disappointed as the yoga world seems stuck at just the superficial work. It doesn’t help that appropriation is now another trendy thing that you can buy in the yoga world. As many teachers build their careers around just this. Vikram Jeet Singh is back on the podcast to give you an in-depth under...
Feb 13, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 111
On the show today, we explore the mind as viewed in yoga with long-term yoga & meditation teacher, Pavel Dimitrev. Some of the episode highlights are... What is the mind according to yoga? Where in the mind is morality? Managing the mind through yoga for beginners Why is our mind so troubled? Pranayama and the mind What is the purpose of a thought? Where do thoughts come from? What we resist persists Practices in yoga that will help manage our mind Full guest bio available on our show notes....
Feb 06, 2023•53 min•Ep. 110
In this short solo episode, Arundhati does a deep dive into Shavasana, she tells you the story of Shavasana. As well as why you roll the right side instead of the left and much more. What to do if someone always falls asleep and more. She gives you a life update and all the changes happening and how she's adapting to her new normal for the next few months. We’re Hiring: Join My Team as a Social Media & Digital Content Specialist (Remote, Part-Time) Join our mailing list Find all the resource...
Jan 23, 2023•24 min•Ep. 109
It's no secret that many start yoga nowadays at a yoga studio and adopt a physical practice of yoga. Doing "yoga" has come to mean doing "yoga poses". Many yoga teachers struggle to understand how to link the greater context of yoga through asana or the physical practice of yoga. In this solo episode, Arundhati Baitmangalkar walks you through 5 easy, effective and effortless ways to start thinking about this. She reminds you to first strengthen the student's relationship with the richness and de...
Jan 09, 2023•23 min•Ep. 108
