VLP S3 4 Katchie Ananda : Yoga, Dharma, and the Art of Awakening

Our guest today is Katchie Ananda. Katchie is an international Yoga and Dharma teacher whose life's work has been to explore the practices of yoga and dharma and share their path to freedom with others. She has well over 10,000 teaching hours, spanning nearly 30 years as a full-time practitioner and trainer and she has developed numerous approaches to wisdom in body, mind and heart. Her eclectic background includes certifications in Anusara, Jivamukti, Integral, Ashtanga Yoga by Richard Freeman and many years of practice with Buddhist teacher and author Jack Kornfield. At one point, Katchie was the co-founder/director of Yoga Sangha, a studio in San Francisco's Mission district, dedicated to Yoga and Dharma. Under Katchie's guidance, Yoga Sangha became a much beloved community center and attracted students who shared a concern for social justice and equality. In 2007 Katchie launched the powerful Spiritual Activation Series, a forum through which the yoga community could connect with well-known authors and activists such as John Robbins, Jack Kornfield and Julia Butterfly Hill. The goal of the series was to raise awareness about human and animal rights, the environment, social justice, and highlight the interconnectedness of Yoga and Dharma. In this same spirit, Katchie volunteered for many years at San Quentin, teaching yoga and Dharma to long-term inmates. Her leadership and example in yoga and social change prompted Yoga Journal to name Katchie one of five top yoga teachers making change in the world. It was a rare treat to catch her in Bali because she doesn't teach much at festivals or in small classes these days.  I sat with her after taking two of her classes at the Bali Spirit Festival, because I was so impressed with her vast wisdom and open hearted teaching style. In our interview Katchi talks about her journey and passion as a yoga teacher for nearly 30 years. We discuss the value of a solo home practice, expressing the elements through your practice. And how practicing yoga helps you trust your own inner authority, and can make the world a better place. Check the show notes to find Katchie's schedule, links to her book, and also her inspiring instagram account as well as soundcloud, which includes a large playlist of her yoga classes. I found her energy incredibly sincere, uplifting and inspirational. I hope you do too. Enjoy the show, and namaste.   https://www.katchieananda.com/ [email protected] https://soundcloud.com/katchieananda https://www.instagram.com/katchieananda/ The Art of Awakening Book: https://www.katchieananda.com/