In this episode, I had the honor of speaking again with the legendary Judith Hanson Lasater, who shared reflections on her 53 years of teaching yoga. We explored how her teaching has transformed over the decades, from an athletic focus to a holistic, life-centered approach. Judith shared her belief that true yoga extends beyond the mat and is woven into daily life, where being present and compassionate are at the heart of the practice. We talked about challenges like burnout and the importance o...
Nov 07, 2024•43 min•Ep. 162
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 how can yoga be a tool of mind management? 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. The Mind Management Episode Highlights: How is the mind connected to yoga? Drawing parallels between the Eastern and Western views of the mind What i...
Oct 27, 2024•55 min
Prana is something every yoga teacher knows. But many know it only as surface knowledge. In this episode, Arundhati interviews Indu Arora, a long-time yoga teacher, and author about Prana. They decode prana for today's yoga teacher & student. If you're keen to learn about prana clearly and from an authentic source. This is the conversation to tune into. Prana Decoded Episode Highlights... What is prana? When did prana first appear in the scriptures or in yoga? How does one connect with their...
Oct 17, 2024•47 min
In this episode, I highlight an often-overlooked but crucial step in yoga teaching—building a solid foundation before focusing on sequencing. I share a 10-point cheat list to help yoga teachers improve their class planning and sequencing skills. This includes understanding each pose’s fundamentals, knowing the Sanskrit and English names, and being aware of the benefits and contraindications. I also emphasize the importance of using props, guiding students through breathwork, and recognizing whet...
Oct 03, 2024•22 min•Ep. 161
In this episode of Let's Talk Yoga, we explore the relationship between emotions, yoga, and Ayurveda with Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath, an expert in Ayurveda. Dr. Jay provides valuable insights into how Ayurveda views emotional health, the impact of doshas on emotions, and whether certain emotions are more harmful than others. We discuss the significance of prana, the Ayurvedic perspective on depression, and how to move from a tamasic state toward better emotional well-being. The episode offers pra...
Sep 26, 2024•40 min•Ep. 160
Today, I'm excited to introduce Adam Husler, a dedicated yoga teacher from the UK. I discovered Adam online a couple of years ago and have been inspired by his authentic approach to yoga ever since. In our conversation, Adam shares his unique perspective on teaching yoga, especially for beginners. His insights offer a fresh alternative to the often academic and sequence-focused discussions in modern yoga. Episode Highlights: How do yoga teachers show up and be their own authentic selves? The fin...
Sep 19, 2024•57 min•Ep. 159
I've been increasingly interested in the topic of meditation over the past year and have been waiting for the right guest to kickstart the conversation. Recently, I came across Jimmy Wightman, also known as That Meditation Guy on Instagram. Based in the UK, he is a well-respected meditation and mindfulness teacher. I've been following Jimmy's work for quite some time, and I believe the time is right to have him as a guest on the podcast. Episode Highlights: What is the goal of meditation and why...
Sep 09, 2024•40 min•Ep. 158
Today, I want to share with you a helpful guide that I've created for pronouncing Sanskrit yoga pose names. This guide is intended to save you the significant cost of enrolling in teacher training just to learn how to pronounce these names. While I couldn't include every yoga pose, I've made sure to cover the most fundamental ones in this episode. Episode Highlights: Standing poses Backbends Inversions Seated poses Balance poses Supine poses We’re Hiring: Join My Team as a Social Media & Dig...
Sep 01, 2024•19 min•Ep. 157
In this episode, I aim to highlight the significance of cueing as a crucial component of your skill set. Over the years, I have crafted five distinct queuing styles, and I am excited to share them with you. These styles are straightforward and practical. I encourage you to take note of them and consider integrating one, two, three, or all five into your classes. Highlights: Teaching a yoga or an asana class is not solely about cueing. Yoga classes in America The challenge of being a good communi...
Aug 18, 2024•23 min•Ep. 156
My 200-hour program begins in September, just 5 weeks from now, and this episode was created as a source of inspiration for that. Consider this as a thorough evaluation and comprehensive audit of your yoga education journey thus far. The purpose is to help you accurately assess your current position as a yoga student or instructor. Reflect on the quality of the education you have received so far, whether it has been outstanding, good, average, or below par. Episode Highlights: Focus on how much ...
Aug 09, 2024•29 min•Ep. 155
In today's episode, I will be unveiling five essential poses that are a must-know. These poses form a checklist for those aspiring to master Shirshasana, the head balance, or aiming to teach it to others. I will also delve into the mythical story of Shirshasana, adding depth and cultural context to this practice. Episode Highlights: What is Shirshasana Shirshasana as the king of all poses The mythical story of Shirshasana Physical benefits of Shirshasana pose Psychological benefits of Shirshasan...
Aug 01, 2024•34 min•Ep. 154
Have you ever wondered why our minds are so full of thoughts and are restless? Is there actually a way that we can manage our minds? The last time I checked, I think there are more or less 60,000 thoughts we have per day, which is just mind-blowing. To shed some light on this interesting topic, I’ve invited a friend of mine whom I’ve known for almost a decade and who also happens to be a yoga teacher, Pavel Dmitriev. Episode Highlights: What is the mind according to yoga? Where in the mind is mo...
Jul 21, 2024•51 min
I’m really excited about today’s conversation with Dr. Manasa Rao sharing her experience and knowledge about sadhana. Dr. Manasa Rao is practicing yoga since the year 1995. She genuinely believes that yoga is about connecting, healing, and becoming aware of a higher reality within all of us, that stretches beyond the mat. Join us as we discover the meaning of the word sadhana, what its goal is, and its importance. We also go as far as discussing the obstacles while being in sadhana and whether w...
Jul 14, 2024•1 hr 4 min
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. Episode Highlights: The role of food in our lives according to Ayurveda The three pillars of health in Ayurveda The connection ...
Jul 07, 2024•43 min
Today's episode features a deep dive into the intersection of social media and yoga. It's an important listen for those active on social media, as well as for those who may have chosen to disconnect from it due to its distractions. We have Daniel Simpson, the author of "The Truth of Yoga," joining us in discussing discernment and digital yoga. Episode Highlights: The future of yoga for someone who has worked with long-form yoga studies and content for a long time. How can yoga consumers be sharp...
Jun 30, 2024•56 min•Ep. 153
I'm excited to welcome Swami Chidananda to the show, our first-ever Swami guest. We delve into the topic of peace in light of current global events. We explore how we can practice and promote peace in our daily lives, given the prevalence of unrest and suffering in the world. How can we engage peacefully and act in a way that benefits both ourselves and those around us? Episode Highlights: What is peace? The journey to inner peace Suffering or grace: the two ways to grow on the spiritual path Ho...
Jun 16, 2024•57 min•Ep. 152
On today's episode, I am excited to share three deeply insightful and practical tips that you can pass on to your asana students to help them establish a stronger connection with the non-physical aspects of yoga. These tips go beyond the physical practice of yoga and delve into the more subtle and profound elements of the practice. Episode Highlights: Arrive early to class and sit with yourself. Practice Mauna (silence) on the way home after yoga class Spend a little time in reflection We’re Hir...
May 27, 2024•21 min•Ep. 151
In this episode of the Let's Talk Yoga podcast, we welcome Savitha Enner, a fellow yoga teacher from Karnataka, India. Savitha shares her unique perspective on living yogic wisdom, which she affectionately calls the "lazy person's approach." Episode Highlights: What is this lazy teacher's approach? Exploring the pursuit of sustainable inner peace through yoga practice Exploring the concept of ahimsa in yoga practice Prioritizing peace over ego in personal relationships can be challenging but rew...
May 21, 2024•50 min•Ep. 150
In this episode, I share five important lessons I have learned from practicing yoga, which include letting go of mental and physical burdens, being kind to ourselves, and building inner resilience. These lessons are not just applicable to yoga but can be incorporated into our daily lives to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Episode Highlights: Insights on yoga poses and life lessons. Yoga poses offer valuable life lessons in different shapes 5 things yoga poses teach us about navigatin...
May 13, 2024•16 min•Ep. 149
Today I am going to walk you through a guided beginner-friendly Yoga Nidra practice. For those of you who are exploring Yoga Nidra for the first time, this is a deep guided relaxation practice usually done in the position of Shavasana. 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...
May 03, 2024•10 min•Ep. 148
Yoga Nidra is an ancient practice that holds immense potential for our well-being, yet it remains somewhat hidden in the shadows. Today, we’re fortunate to have Sandeep Manur, a seasoned yoga teacher, studio owner, and teacher trainer, back on the podcast to unravel the mysteries of Yoga Nidra. Episode Highlights: What is yoga nidra and how is it different from shavasana? The origin of yoga nidra from the Bihar School of Yoga What are the benefits of yoga nidra Does yoga nidra have any connectio...
Apr 21, 2024•48 min•Ep. 147
Spirituality is a term that is frequently used in our yoga communities. However, what does spirituality actually signify when it comes to yoga? To discover the answer to this question, I am thrilled to introduce a new guest, Ram Jain, who will be discussing the fundamental principles of spirituality. Episode Highlights: What spirituality means in the context of yoga How does one begin their spiritual journey in yoga The difference in spiritual perception between yogis and modern-day practitioner...
Apr 12, 2024•37 min•Ep. 146
It's fascinating to explore the topic of gurus in yoga and the meaning behind the word. In this episode, we delve into the characteristics of a guru, when you might need one, whether it's possible to practice yoga without a teacher, and so much more. Our guest today is Dr. Manasa Rao, who has been on the show before. Episode Highlights: What is the role of a guru in yoga? What traits or characteristics to look for in a guru? The different levels of teachers and the different types of students Th...
Mar 29, 2024•57 min•Ep. 145
In this episode, I’m doing a deep dive into what type of asana will help during perimenopause. I'll share some tips on how to approach your practice, which pranayamas are useful, which restoration techniques will leave you feeling rejuvenated, what will really add value to your practice, and what yoga principles in living yoga are we going to really pull from. Episode Highlights: The difference between perimenopause and menopause Asana practice in younger years The practice of asana during the f...
Mar 10, 2024•28 min•Ep. 144
The topic of women yogis in India is often overlooked and not widely discussed due to its complexity and nuances. It involves many layers of cultural factors. Popular yoga often includes discussions about yogis, but there is a mysterious aspect to it. To shed some light on this topic, I decided to invite Prasad Rangnekar back, one of our favorite guests, to discuss the history of women practitioners, specifically yogis and yoginis in India. Episode Highlights: Was yoga a man's practice? The dist...
Feb 25, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 143
I know that some of you have been requesting an episode about mudras. When it comes to mudras, I couldn't think of a better person to have this conversation with than our favorite guest, Indu Arora. We delve into the concept of namaste as a mudra and explore mudras that extend beyond the hands. Indu defines what mudras are, their origin, and how to practice them. Additionally, she provides advice for those who are new to the idea of mudras and how they can explore it further. Episode Highlights:...
Feb 16, 2024•56 min•Ep. 142
Today, I have the pleasure of hosting Prashant J, a yoga teacher from India, on my show. He is the proud owner of a yoga school in Rishikesh and is known for his expertise as an international yoga teacher and content creator. Our discussion today will focus on pranayama, where we dive deep into topics like prana, Kundalini Shakti, and Kumbhakas. Episode Highlights: The link between yoga and pranayama The definition of prana and pranayama Can pranayama alone help one move towards higher states of...
Feb 11, 2024•54 min•Ep. 141
Fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum are three phases in life that Ayurveda provides a lot of wisdom about. I can't think of anybody specializing in this field other than our past guest, Nidhi Pandya. She uses her generational Ayurvedic wisdom to help us understand it in a simplified and relatable manner where we can find ways to apply Ayurvedic wisdom in our daily lives. Episode Highlights: What Ayurveda says about fertility Healthy practices one can do Advice to women who choose to be childfre...
Feb 02, 2024•50 min•Ep. 140
Ayurvedic self-care is taking care of ourselves from within. Indu's book SOMA: 100 Heritage Recipes for Self-Care is filled with recipes, rituals & remedies. Looking after ourselves is especially important these times, so if you’re like me who loves anything DIY and self-care, you'll enjoy this conversation. Episode Highlights: What is SOMA? What is at stake if we don’t talk about ourselves? How important is a self-care routine? Indu’s favorite morning ritual Indu’s nighttime practice Oiling...
Jan 22, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 139
In this episode, we're going to do a deep dive to figuring out the answers to these two important questions. I'm going to give you very clear markers to work with. I want this episode to be a reminder that preparing yourself for pranayama is very important. That way, you resonate with it deeply as you explore the practice. Because there is nothing imaginary in pranayama. It is an exact science and a precise system that has been handed over by Yogis for centuries with care and caution. Episode Hi...
Jan 01, 2024•22 min•Ep. 138
