A Grateful Life

​​I met Janet Stone at the Bali Spirit Festival in Ubud last week, where we sat down together between workshops to have this conversation.Janet is an internationally recognised yoga teacher who has spent decades travelling the world with her two daughters, teaching and practising and building a life that looks nothing like the conventional path.What I didn't expect was how openly Janet would speak about her experience of perimenopause, and specifically what happened when the practices that had sustained her for years simply stopped working.As someone in the yoga and wellness world, she had all the tools - meditation, prāṇāyāma, sādhana, supplements, tinctures, all of it. And none of it was enough.What followed was years of not understanding what was happening in her own body, until an OB-GYN who'd been practising in her classes quietly said, "Why don't you come see me in my office?"And everything changed from there.This is a conversation about what happens when the spiritual toolkit isn't enough, and the courage it takes to say so.In this episode, we explore:What it's like to raise children on the road as a globally travelling yoga teacherThe profound free fall of the empty nestThe intersection of menopause and spiritual practice, and why ‘just meditate more’ isn't always the answerJanet's honest experience with HRT and why she believes we need to move beyond the pro and anti campsYoga nidrā as digestion, not just of food, but of undigested emotional experience, trauma and griefHer new book, Stories of Our Lives, and using mythology to see beyond our own inner narrativeConnect with Janet Stone at https://www.janetstoneyoga.comFind out more about the Bali Spirit Festival at https://www.balispiritfestival.com/ Join the free 10-day Yoga-informed Therapist Interview series at https://www.yogainformedtherapist.comAccess my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

What if psychosis isn't the opposite of sanity, but part of a spectrum of human experience we all share?Anneke Sips and I were supposed to record this episode together in India. But when her Emirates flight was cancelled, our plans unravelled, the internet failed us twice, and we finally ended up recording from opposite sides of the world, me in Bali, Anneke in the Netherlands, hoping the connection would hold. It did. And what followed was one of the most honest and expansive conversations I've had on this podcast.Anneke is a psychiatric nurse, yoga therapist, and author of a brand new book, The Wisdom of Psychosis, seven years in the making and just now landing in the world. In it, she bridges Western psychiatry and yogic philosophy to offer a completely different way of understanding psychotic experiences, not as something broken, but as something deeply human.In our discussion, you’ll hear Anneke go out on a limb and be critical of both the psychiatric system she was trained in and the spiritual communities she belongs to. She shares her own psychotic-like experiences with remarkable vulnerability, and what she says about the relationship between connection and healing will stay with you.In this episode, we explore:A spectrum of experience from ordinary to extraordinary - normal altered states, everyday psychotic-like experiences, spiritual emergence, spiritual emergency, trauma-induced altered states, psychotic episodes and mystical experiencesWhy trying to convince someone their beliefs aren't real destroys the therapeutic relationship, and what to do insteadAnneke's own extraordinary experiences, shared with disarming honestyThe difference between informed consent and engineered consent in psychiatric careWhere medication fits, and why ‘you'll need this forever’ deserves questioningIf you stay to the end, you'll hear Anneke's message to anyone who has experienced psychosis, and her words about resonance as both gift and challenge are quietly powerful.Anneke Sips is a community psychiatric nurse, trauma therapist and yoga therapist based in the Netherlands. With over 25 years of experience in psychiatry, she specialises in childhood and religious trauma and in supporting people through extraordinary and spiritually profound experiences. Anneke founded Network Yoga Therapy in 2010, organised The Yoga Therapy Conference in 2015, and is a founding member of the Global Consortium of Yoga Therapy. Her new book, The Wisdom of Psychosis, is available now.Connect with Anneke at https://www.annekesips.comJoin the free 10-day Yoga-informed Therapist Interview series at https://www.yogainformedtherapist.comAccess my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

What does it really mean to go to India for Panchakarma?Before I came to Kerala, I had a vague sense that it would be nourishing, restorative… maybe even a little luxurious.And while there were moments of deep care and tenderness, what I’ve experienced here is something quite different.More disciplined.More confronting.And, in many ways, more transformative.In this episode of A Grateful Life, I’m joined by Dr Sreejit, Chief Physician at Athreya Ayurvedic Centre in Kerala, where I’ve been immersed in Panchakarma for two weeks.Together, we explore what Ayurveda actually is beyond the Western wellness lens, what Panchakarma really involves (and why it’s not a spa experience), and how this ancient system understands healing across body, mind, and what we might call soul.Dr Sreejit brings over two decades of clinical experience, grounded in a lineage-based Ayurvedic tradition, alongside a refreshingly honest and pragmatic perspective on both the power and the limits of any healing system.In this conversation, we explore:✨ What Ayurveda is, beyond doshas and food lists ✨ The difference between curing disease and cultivating health✨ Why Panchakarma is not designed to be relaxing✨ What’s actually happening during detoxification and why it can feel intense✨ The role of digestion in physical and mental health✨ How Ayurveda understands anxiety, depression, and psychological suffering✨ The importance of preparation, expectation, and commitment in healing ✨ Who Panchakarma is for and when it may not be appropriate✨ How trauma can surface during body-based treatments, and how it’s supported✨ Integrating Ayurveda with Western medicine, especially in complex conditions like cancer✨ Simple ways to bring Ayurvedic principles into everyday life✨ Why sleep may be one of the most important foundations of healthIf you’re curious about Panchakarma in India, this episode will give you a grounded, honest insight into what it is and what it isn’t.Connect with Dr Sreejit at https://www.theathreya.com/Join the free 10-day Yoga-informed Therapist Interview series at https://www.yogainformedtherapist.comAccess my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Most of us come to yoga through the body.But at some point, many practitioners begin to sense that yoga is much deeper than the postures.In this episode of A Grateful Life, I’m joined by yoga teacher and author Amy Landry to explore the philosophical and spiritual teachings that sit beneath modern yoga practice.Amy’s new book, The Ocean of Yoga, offers a thoughtful guide for anyone who feels curious about the deeper layers of yoga. In our conversation, we explore yoga as more than a set of techniques. Amy describes āsana as a doorway into the temple of yoga. A place many of us begin, but not where the journey ends.We also explore two powerful yogic frameworks that can help guide our lives: the four aims of life (dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa) and the four stages of life (brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha, sannyāsa).If you’ve ever wondered what yoga is really pointing toward, this conversation offers a beautiful place to begin.In this episode, we explore:What yoga really means beyond the posturesWhy āsana can be understood as the doorway to deeper practiceThe role of sādhana, or committed spiritual practiceThe four aims of life and how they guide a meaningful lifeThe four stages of life and the householder pathWhat it really means to be a yoga teacherConnect with Amy Landry at https://amyelandry.com/oceanofyoga/Get Amy’s free pre-order bonus companion guide at https://amyelandry.com/oceanofyoga-preorder/Join the free 10-day Yoga-informed Therapist Interview series at https://www.yogainformedtherapist.comAccess my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Today’s episode is truly a podcasting highlight for me.I’m joined by Dr Elaine Aron, clinical and research psychologist and internationally bestselling author of The Highly Sensitive Person, a groundbreaking book that has been in print for nearly thirty years. Her work has shaped the way millions of people understand themselves, and it deeply shaped me too, both personally and professionally.In the first half of our conversation, we explore what it really means to be a highly sensitive person. We talk about temperament, overstimulation, depth of processing and the gifts and challenges that come with high sensitivity. Elaine shares how the research unfolded, what has surprised her over the decades and why sensitivity is not a disorder but a trait with evolutionary value.In the second half, we move into territory I didn’t initially expect. Elaine has recently written a new book, Spirituality Through a Highly Sensitive Lens, and our conversation takes a beautiful turn into spirituality, meditation and enlightenment.We explore themes that will feel very familiar to many of you who live at the intersection of yoga and psychology:Cleaning up, growing up and waking upYogic philosophy and psychological maturationThe difference between emotional healing and spiritual awakeningAnd Elaine’s own personal experiences of enlightenmentIf you stay right to the end, you’ll hear her speak vulnerably about her own awakening process, which is both profound and refreshingly human.As someone who has been a psychologist and yoga teacher for over twenty years, I found this conversation incredibly rich. Elaine brings scientific rigour, lived experience and spiritual curiosity together in a way that feels deeply integrated.In this episode, we explore:What defines a highly sensitive personThe science behind sensory processing sensitivityWhy sensitivity is often misunderstoodHow highly sensitive people experience meditation and spiritual practiceThe relationship between psychological development and enlightenmentThe process of cleaning up, growing up and waking upThe risks of bypassing emotional work in the name of spiritualityElaine’s reflections on her own spiritual experiencesConnect with Elaine Aron at https://www.hsperson.comJoin the free 10-day Yoga-informed Therapist Interview series at https://www.yogainformedtherapist.comAccess my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

What if nothing is fundamentally wrong with you?What if awakening isn’t something to achieve, but something to remember?In this episode of A Grateful Life, I’m joined by Richard Miller (he/him), PhD, to explore some of the biggest and most misunderstood ideas in yoga and spirituality - innate wholeness, non-dualism and enlightenment.Richard is the founder of the iRest Institute and co-founder of the International Association of Yoga Therapy. As a clinical psychologist, author, researcher, yogic scholar and spiritual teacher, he is widely regarded as a leader in the fields of meditation, yoga therapy and mental health.Listen in as we explore:What innate wholeness really means (and what it doesn’t)How to honour pain and trauma without spiritual bypassingNon-dualism and the healing of separationEnlightenment as a remembering, not an achievementWhy awakening is not about losing your humanityThe role of practice, mentorship, and communityConnect with Richard Miller at https://www.explorationsinstillness.comConnect with iRest at https://www.irest.orgJoin the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineDownload the free Patañjali's Eight Limbs of Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook by Dr Lauren Tober at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbsThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

What does it really mean to have a guru? Is this path still relevant today?In this episode on the A Grateful Life podcast, I’m joined by Jai Uttal as he takes us on a journey to India in the 1970s to explore the guru-disciple relationship.When Jai arrived in India in the 70s, he discovered that the guru he had travelled there to meet had been jailed for murder. So with his plans derailed, Jai’s trip took a new turn, following the breadcrumbs, and leading him to places he never imagined - walking barefoot through temple towns filled with prayer, being immersed in kirtan as a living devotional practice and developing a new understanding of the guru–disciple relationship.This is a thoughtful and colourful conversation about devotion, music and spiritual maturity.Listen in as we explore:Jai’s experiences in India in the 1970sLife with Maharaji and the devotional culture of kirtanThe role (and risks) of the guru–disciple relationship todayWhy seeking a guru can be problematic and what to do insteadJai Uttal is a Grammy-nominated kirtan artist and pioneer of world music, weaving Indian devotional traditions with American rock and jazz, and has been leading and performing bhakti-based music around the world for nearly 50 years.Connect with Jai Uttal at https://www.jaiuttal.comJoin the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineAccess my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In today’s podcast episode, I’m joined by Sarah and Ty Powers, long-time partners in life and practice, and two teachers whose work has quietly shaped how yoga, meditation, and psychological inquiry are woven together in the West.This is a gentle, spacious conversation, and a beautiful one to ease into the new year.We talk about what it really means to practise, not just on the mat or meditation cushion, but in the middle of everyday life. Sarah and Ty share stories from their decades together, reflecting on partnership, parenting, teaching, retreat life, and the ways practice naturally matures over time.We explore gratitude as an antidote to the complaining mind, the importance of pausing and softening in moments of difficulty, and what it means to truly belong to yourself. Sarah speaks beautifully about yin yoga as a pathway home, while Ty reflects on meditation, inner dialogue, and cultivating compassion rather than self-criticism.This is a conversation about living your yoga - imperfectly, relationally, and with care. I’m really glad to share it with you.Sarah Powers is the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute as well as the author of Insight Yoga and Lit from Within, which interweaves Yoga, Buddhism, Taoism, and Transpersonal psychology into an integrated practice to enliven the body, heart, and mind. Ty Powers is also the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute, and teaches yoga and meditation retreats around the world with his wife, Sarah Powers. He has been teaching Vipassana since 2003 as a graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader training program and has been practicing Dzogchen Buddhism for over 20 years. Connect with Sarah and Ty Powers at https://sarahandtypowers.com.Access my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.Join the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.Join the free info session for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training on the 24th January 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.Apply for a scholarship for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible Bex Tyrer (she/her), a powerful voice in contemporary yoga and a longtime teacher based at the Yoga Barn in Ubud, Bali.I first met Bex a few years ago when I dropped into one of her classes at the Yoga Barn and loved it so much that I returned a year ago for her 10-day immersion, Myth, the Magic and the Mastery. We might even be cooking up a project together in Bali in 2026, so stay tuned!One of the things I loved most about studying with Bex was diving into the history of yoga, how it has evolved, who gets to shape the narrative, and what that means for the way we practice today. Bex brings a grounded, informed, and refreshingly critical perspective that cuts through the noise in modern yoga discourse.In this episode, we explore:What the roots of yoga really tell us about its original purposeHow women have been included and excluded in yoga - both historically and nowThe tension between yoga’s liberatory potential and the ways the industry often fails womenWhere yoga can do harm, and how it can do betterBex’s experiences teaching yoga in extraordinary settings, including prisons, refugee camps, and women's sheltersBex’s background spans academia, activism, and embodied wisdom. She has a Master’s degree in Development Studies, worked as a researcher at Oxford University, and has spent the last 15+ years teaching thousands of yoga students and training hundreds of teachers - all while weaving in her deep commitment to social and environmental justice.And yes, this was a very Bali conversation, complete with tech improvisations and two surprise visits from a cobra mid-interview!I can’t wait for you to listen.Connect with Bex at https://freedom-through-movement.teachable.com/Access my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinDownload the free Patañjali’s Eight Limbs and Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbsJoin the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Today’s guest on the podcast is the brilliant Dr Lindsay C. Gibson (she/her), clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents - a life-changing book that has brought clarity and healing to so many. If you’ve ever found yourself feeling confused, guilty, or caught in a cycle of self-blame when it comes to your parents or family dynamics, Lindsay’s work offers the insight you’ve been looking for.With the holiday season just around the corner, this conversation couldn’t be more timely.Join us as we explore:What emotional immaturity really isThe four subtypes of emotionally immature parentsHow to tell if you’re an adult child of emotionally immature parents (some of the signs might surprise you)What to do if you realise that you are emotionally immatureHow to stay grounded and sane when visiting an emotionally immature family over the holidaysInsights from Lindsay’s recent interview with Oprah on estrangement and How we can raise emotionally mature children in these timesLindsay brings over 30 years of clinical wisdom to this conversation, and I didn’t want it to end - but don’t worry, it doesn’t go on forever!Connect with Lindsay Gibson at https://www.lindsaycgibson.com.Access my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.The online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starts 16th February 2026, sign up today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more and at greater and greater speeds, prioritising rest can feel impossible.But rest is not only the medicine we need to heal in these times, rest is also a radical act of resistance, a quiet revolution of reclaiming our own humanity and sovereignty. In today’s podcast episode, I’m joined by the incredible Octavia Raheem (she/her), where we unpack:why we’re all so damn tired, the gentle power of resting, how to find rest even if you’re working 12-hour days or single parenting, the challenges of meeting what comes up when you start resting and how rest can be a place of refuge during deep grief and through life’s challenging times.Octavia F. Raheem is a wife, mother, three-time author, rest coach, and restorative + Yoga Nidra Teacher. She is the founder of Devoted to Rest® a transformational rest-focused immersion for visionary leaders making a high impact in their fields and teaches passionate and driven individuals how to awaken their fullest potential through the power of rest. Connect with Octavia Raheem at https://www.octaviaraheem.com.Registration is now open for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training, sign up today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

What does it actually mean to live in accordance with your dharma, and how do you figure out what your dharma actually is?In today’s episode, I sat down with Myra Lewin, an incredible yoga and ayurvedic teacher and founder of Hale Pule, to explore the concepts of dharma and swadharma. In our conversation, Myra shares her personal journey from the medical industry to discovering Ayurveda and yoga, which transformed her life and health. Together, we delve into the importance of understanding one's purpose and living in alignment with it, including the role of yoga and ayurveda in achieving balance and clarity.Listen in to hear:Myra's journey from feeling chronically unwell to finding healing through Ayurveda and yogaThe concept of dharma as a collective and individual purposeHow past experiences contribute to our current path and understandingThe importance of self-inquiry and listening to one's eternal selfPractical Ayurvedic practices to support living your dharmaThe role of joy, acceptance, and serenity in recognising alignment with dharma.Myra's personal daily practices that support her lifeConnect with Myra Lewin at https://halepule.comGet on the waitlist for the Yoga Psychology Mentorship at https://www.yogapsychologymentorship.com Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulationBe the first to hear when the dates of our next programs are announced and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

How can we regulate our nervous system, ease anxiety, and create lives of greater connection and wellbeing?In this heart-opening conversation, I sat down with Dr Kaitlin Harkess (she/her) to explore the transformative role of somatic practices, compassion, and lifestyle medicine in supporting mental health.Together, we dive into:The importance of connection for mental health and wellbeingHow understanding the nervous system can help us manage anxietyPractical somatic strategies from her new book for regulation and groundingThe role of physical activity, nature, and recreation in reducing stressWhy relationships, community, and service are pillars of wellbeingHow a compassionate perspective reduces stigma around anxietyThe power of flexibility and personalisation in health practicesDr Kaitlin N. Harkess, PhD, is the author of The Somatic Workbook for Nervous System Regulation and Anxiety Management, host of the Wisdom for Wellbeing podcast, and founder of the holistic therapy practice Wisdom for Wellbeing. A Clinical Psychologist and long-time yoga and meditation teacher, Kaitlin has helped hundreds of individuals experiencing anxiety, overwhelm and burnout reconnect with their bodies and build resilience through integrative, evidence-informed practices.Kaitlin’s new Somatic Workbook offers step-by-step, body-based strategies that complement psychological tools—an empowering resource for anyone navigating anxiety or stress and wanting to live with more balance, presence, and resilience.Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation.Be the first to hear when the dates of our next programs are announced and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.Find out more about our wonderful sponsor:Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible East Forest to explore the profound connections between music, mental health, spirituality, mushrooms, gratitude and collective awakening.  Together, we dive into some truly thought-provoking topics, including:How music can be a powerful tool for healing and self-expressionThe importance of vulnerability in creativity and connectionThe role psychedelics can play in mental health and enhancing spiritual experiences - and how to approach them safely and legallyWhy inner work is essential for personal growth, activism, and collective awakeningThe magic of storytelling and its ability to inspire and connect usWe also reflect on how spirituality can be woven into the fabric of everyday life, finding gratitude in the simplest of moments - like the warmth of sunshine or the presence of a loved one. This conversation is a beautiful reminder of the transformative power of connection, compassion, and presence.We do speak about suicide and drug use, so if these are topics you don’t want to hear about today, you might like to skip this episode.  Connect with East Forest at https://eastforest.org/For crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline at http://lifeline.org.au or 13 11 14, or find support from anywhere in the world at https://befrienders.org.Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulationBe the first to hear when the dates of our next programs are announced and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Will AI take over from yoga teachers?Join Lizzie Lasater and me as we explore this new frontier of AI in yoga practice, teaching and education.I’ve been watching as Lizzie has embraced AI in her yoga teaching lately, and was delighted to dive into this somewhat controversial topic with her. I think you’re going to love it!In this conversation, you’ll hear about the reservations we’ve both had about AI and how we’re now using it very intentionally in our lives and work. We also dive into the practicalities of living a restful life, amidst the demands of mothering and working, and how we’re both using AI, not as a way to enhance productivity and achieve more, but to claim back more spaciousness for ourselves, our families and the people we serve.Lizzie Lasater teaches all about creativity, functional movement, somatic strength, and Restorative Yoga. In this season of her life, she is focused on her yoga practice, family life with her twin boys, and designing online courses. Connect with Lizzie Lasater at https://www.lizzielasater.com.Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation.Be the first to hear when the dates of our next programs are announced and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.Find out more about our incredible sponsor Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Join Elena Brower (she/her) and I as we explore her incredible new book, Hold Nothing. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, reflect and embrace the beauty of letting go.We talk about the transformative power of gratitude, the courage it takes to navigate life’s hardest conversations, and the lessons death can teach us about living fully. Elena also shares her journey through addiction and sobriety, offering wisdom on self-discovery, healing, and the meditative rituals that bring us back to presence.This episode is deeply personal, soulful, and a reminder to hold space for yourself as you navigate life’s complexities.What You’ll Take Away:How gratitude can anchor you in life’s toughest momentsWhy letting go is essential for personal growthThe role of yoga, meditation, zen and tea in cultivating presenceHow death awareness can inspire meaningful livingI hope this episode resonates with you as much as it did with me. If it does, please share it with someone who could use a little more presence in their life. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review, it helps us bring more meaningful conversations like this to you.Pre-order Elena Brower’s book at https://elenabrower.com/holdnothing/ Join our incredible, thriving community of seekers, dreamers, yoga teachers, health professionals and curious humans. Be the first to hear when the dates of our next programs are announced and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation. Go to https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join. Download a free chapter of my book Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book.Learn more about the Coming Home to Yourself Mentorship at https://www.laurentober.com/cominghome.Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

So many people keep asking me if I have an audio version of my book, Mental Health Aware Yoga, so I’m doing something a little different today, and reading the first chapter of the book on the podcast!So, pour yourself a cuppa, snuggle into your favourite comfy chair and let me read you a story! In the first chapter, I share all about my journey with yoga and mental health, how and why I came to create this program, and why I think it’s so important that all yoga teachers understand mental health.While the book is written for yoga teachers, this chapter in particular is for anyone interested in the intersection of yoga and mental health, or for anyone, like me, who loves to learn about people’s journeys and how they came to be doing the work they’re doing.If you would prefer the written version instead, you can also download the first chapter for free at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book.To get your hands on a copy of the book, including all the additional resources that you can access in our online Shala, head over to your favourite online independent bookstore or go down to your local bookshop and ask them to order it in. You can also find links to purchase at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book.And to join our incredible thriving community of seekers, dreamers, yoga teachers, health professionals and curious humans, and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation. Go to https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join. This playlist is designed to help you feel calm, focused and grounded in minutes, and might just become your go-to tool to create balance in your day.Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderYoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

You don’t often hear the words sexy and menopause in the same sentence, so when my friend Lisa Fitzpatrick told me she was writing a book on the topic, I knew that I had to get her on the podcast to tell us all about it.Lisa (she/her) is a pelvic and sexual health educator, speaker, physiotherapist, yoga teacher and writer devoted to helping women reclaim their sensuality, self-worth and personal power, especially in midlife and beyond.While my intention for this conversation with Lisa was to dive right in and talk about sexuality and intimacy in menopause, we went a bit off script, and Lisa shared, quite vulnerably, about her recent mid-life crisis and descent into the underworld.In the episode, you’ll not only hear about sexuality and intimacy in menopause, you’ll also hear Lisa share about what triggered her dark night of the soul, how she navigated through these devastating times, what brought her back, and the gifts that this deeply challenging time brought her. I don’t think we talk enough about sexuality, menopause and traversing life's deeply challenging times, and I’m so grateful that Lisa shared her experience with us.Connect with Lisa at https://www.sexymenopause.comThe 2025 Yoga Psychology Mentorship has closed for registration. Get on the waitlist for the 2026 mentorship at https://www.yogapsychologymentorship.comWatch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/Jump on our free email newsletter and be the first to hear when new offerings and episodes are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderYoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Why are so many yoga teachers in crisis and questioning their path?Join Theo Wildcroft, co-editor of The Yoga Teacher’s Survival Guide, and I as we deep dive into some of the challenges that yoga teachers are facing right now, including cultural appropriation, how to best honor the roots of yoga, the trauma embedded in sanskrit, the lack of pedagogy in contemporary yoga teaching, the tension between yoga and capitalism, what post-lineage yoga actually means and more.But there’s hope! Theo brings such joy and generosity to this conversation and shares a way through the minefield, including leaning on the three sources of authority - inner wisdom, expert advice and community.Theo Wildcroft (she/her), PhD, is a teacher, writer and scholar working for a more sustainable relationship between our many selves, the communities that hold us, and the world that nourishes us. Her research considers the democratization of yoga post-lineage, and meaning-making in grassroots communities of practice. She’s a lover of vulnerable people, of wild things and wild places, and of the simple miracle of life itself. Theo is the author of Post-Lineage Yoga: From Guru to #MeToo, co-editor of The Yoga Teacher’s Survival Guide, co-editor of Yoga Studies in Five Minutes, and editor of the forthcoming Religion and the Sense of Self.Connect with Theo Wildcroft at https://theowildcroft.com/Join the Yoga Psychology Mentorship starting 8th August 2025 at  https://www.yogapsychologymentorship.comWatch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/Jump on our free email newsletter and be the first to hear when new offerings and episodes are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/ Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Mindfulness without compassion can be pretty bleak at times. In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, I’m joined by yoga teacher, author, and mindfulness facilitator Anna Taylor (she/her) to explore the deeper layers of yoga, compassion, and the human experience.Anna shares her personal journey through yoga and mindfulness, the vulnerable process of writing her new book, and how compassion has become a foundational element in both her teaching and life. Together, we explore the intersection of neuroscience, emotional wellbeing, and spiritual practice - offering practical tools and gentle reminders for anyone navigating the highs and lows of being human.You’ll hear about:The brain’s negativity bias and how it impacts our self-perceptionWhy compassion, not just self-improvement, is at the heart of yogaWhat it really means to hold space for others and ourselvesHow to meet difficult days with grace and presenceThe difference between fixing ourselves and truly caring for ourselvesWhether you're a yoga teacher, a mental health professional, or someone seeking more ease and authenticity in your life, this conversation is a balm for the soul.Connect with Anna Taylor at https://www.mindbodybalance.co.ukJoin the free info session for the Yoga Psychology Mentorship on the 25th July 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/yoga-psychology-mentorship/#infoWatch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/Sign up for the Embodied Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Workshop in Mullumbimby on the 26th of July 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar/Jump on our free email newsletter and be the first to hear when new offerings and episodes are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/ Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Have you ever noticed how the same sequence, repeated with care, can feel brand‑new every time?In this episode, I sat down with Karen Fabian (she/her) to explore the unexpected magic of practising and teaching one carefully crafted flow again and again. Karen shares the story of integrating her work as a health professional and a yoga teacher, and discovering how gratitude, creativity and straight‑up perseverance wove those threads into a career in yoga education.Together we unpack:why predictability in class can lower anxiety and build learner confidencehow to design a signature sequence that meets your own needs, and if you’re a teacher, shares your unique voicepractical ways yoga supports emotional regulation and overall wellnessthe role of relentless curiosity—questioning cues, philosophy and the industry itself—to keep your teaching freshthe evolving dance between personal practice and professional serviceKaren is a yoga teacher, podcast host, author, and founder of Bare Bones Yoga. With a background in rehabilitative medicine and healthcare, she integrates her deep knowledge of anatomy and movement into her teaching and empowers yoga teachers to lead confident, accessible classes while understanding the why behind their cues.Connect with Karen Fabian at https://barebonesyoga.com/The Yoga Psychology Mentorship opens for registration tomorrow. Get on the waitlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/yoga-psychology-mentorship/Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/Sign up for the Embodied Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Workshop in Mullumbimby on the 26th of July 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar/Jump on our free email newsletter and be the first to hear when new offerings and episodes are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/ Listen to Dr Lauren’s interview on Karen’s podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/meet-dr-lauren-tober-ep-355/id1432716189?i=1000713093686Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderYoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Join us for a deeply transformative conversation about yoga as a path of self-remembrance and coming home to ourselves. In this episode, I sit down with Tracee Stanley (she/her) to explore the profound practice of yoga nidra and how it can guide us back to our true essence.In the episode, Tracee takes us on a journey into how she discovered yoga after a spontaneous experience on a balcony watching the sunrise in South Africa, and how she now weaves yoga and yoga nidra so deeply and intimately into her life and work. She shares with us about yoga nidra as a practice, as a goddess and a state of consciousness, and guides us through a beautiful protective practice to support us through difficult times. Tracee is the author of the bestselling book Radiant Rest: Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation and Awakened Clarity and The Luminous Self: Sacred Yogic Practices & Rituals to Remember Who You Are. She is also the founder of Empowered Life Circle, a sacred community and portal of practices, rituals, and Tantric teachings inspired by more than 28 years of studentship in Sri Vidya Tantra and the teachings of the Himalayan Masters. As a post-lineage teacher, Tracee is devoted to sharing the wisdom of yoga nidra, rest, meditation, self-inquiry, nature as a teacher, and ancestor reverence. This is a delightful and thoughtful episode, and I am so honoured to have delved into this conversation with Tracee and to share it with you here today.Connect with Tracee Stanley at https://www.traceestanley.com/Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/Sign up for the Embodied Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Workshop in Mullumbimby on the 26th of July 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar/Find out more and get on the waitlist for the Yoga Psychology Mentorship at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/yoga-psychology-mentorship/Find out more and get on the waitlist for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online/Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderYoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

We often talk about adolescence but what about matresence? In today’s podcast episode, I sat down with Claire Holloway (she/her) to talk about all things pregnancy, birth and beyond. Claire is a yoga teacher, mother of two and the founder of the Centre of Bright Beginnings, where she holds space for women and parents to explore their own transformative journey, feeling supported and empowered towards autonomy in parenthood.A few episodes ago, I spoke with Jane Hardwick Collings on the topic of sagesence, and in today’s episode Claire and I talk about matrescence and the role that yoga plays in supporting us during this perinatal period of our lives. While the focus of perinatal yoga is often on asana, the physical practice of yoga, in this episode we explore how other facets of yoga can support the perinatal journey, including pranayama, mantra, yoga nidra, the yamas and niyamas and having an understanding of the koshas.This is an episode for anyone anywhere on the perinatal journey, and for those who love or work with people in this phase of their life.Connect with Claire Holloway at https://www.yourbrightbeginning.com.au/Be the first to hear when our new online Shala opens at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinFind out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In today’s episode, I sat down with Leslie Kaminoff, to talk about the evolution of yoga and the power of breath in emotion regulation.Leslie is a yoga educator inspired by the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar, and for five decades has been leading workshops and trainings in the fields of yoga, breath anatomy and bodywork. He also is the co-author of the book Yoga Anatomy which has sold over a million copies, and is a staple on the bookshelf of many yoga teachers worldwide.In the episode today, Leslie shares about his journey into yoga, learning from his father, becoming a Swami in India, then a householder in New York. We also unpack:the role of lineages and teachers in yoga,the trap of the ego and siddhis,the value of experiential learning over academic credentials,the power of the breath in self-enquiry and changing our emotional state,why he has no problem with things like goat yoga and hot naked yoga, andwhy Leslie believes it’s important to practice kriyas like kapalabhati before we practice pranayama. And stay right to the end to hear about Leslie’s personal practice these days, and how it’s evolved over the years.Connect with Leslie Kaminoff at https://yogaanatomy.orgJoin our email newsletter at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/ Take Kajabi for a 30-day free spin at https://app.kajabi.com/r/HYb6mxhy/t/z2wqe6j9 Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

As a new mum, Belinda Haan (she/her) knew all about the power of self-compassion as she’d been teaching other mums all about it in her work. But she had a little secret. She wasn’t being compassionate to herself, despite having all the knowledge and tools at her fingertips.In today’s podcast episode, you’ll hear about how Belinda overcame this barrier to self-compassion, both back then as a new mum, and more recently as she’s navigated a big, scary challenge in her life.Belinda also shares some simple and powerful ways we can overcome our own barriers to self-compassion, cultivate more of it in our own lives, and she guides us through a beautiful and very accessible self-compassion practice.Belinda is a compassion ambassador, mindfulness teacher, and multidisciplinary coach and creator working as a bridge between science and spirituality to help people navigate the full joy, catastrophe and sacredness of life.She has decades of study, research and applied experience across a broad range of modalities and approaches under her belt, including coaching, psychology, neuroscience, mindfulness, sacred space holding, compassion, embodiment practices, and matrescence and motherhood.An Ambassador of Compassion with Stanford University, Belinda founded The Compassion Project to develop resources, partnerships and creative projects with the mission of bringing more compassion to the world.Connect with Belinda Haan at www.thecompassionproject.au, use the code Agratefullife10 to get 10% off the Emotional Support for Mothers toolkit.Join the Meditation, Pure + Simple online course with Dr Lauren Tober to try iRest Yoga Nidra at https://www.meditationpuresimple.com Be the first to hear when the doors of our new online Shala opens at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/ Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderYoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Jane Hardwicke Collings (she/her) works for the goddess and I’m delighted to introduce you to her in this latest podcast episode, as we talk about women’s mysteries and rites of passage.I have been following Jane’s work for many years and last year, had the pleasure of attending one of her workshops on perimenopause. I was blown away, not only by what she was sharing, but also by the commanding way that she held the space for the biggest circle of women I have ever seen.Jane is a grandmother, a former homebirth midwife for 30 years, a teacher, writer, and menstrual childbirth and menopause educator. She founded and runs The School of Shamanic Womancraft, an international Women’s Mysteries School and has created the first holistic menstrual cycle charting app called Spinning Wheels.In today’s episode, we talk about:What it means to work for the goddess,What inspired Jane to devote her life’s work to women’s mysteries,Why it’s so important for us all to understand the seasons and cycles of a woman’s life,Sagescence and the wisdom that can come, both for women and men as we age, Whether this wisdom is a given, or something that we need to cultivate in order to achieve, andJane’s everyday practices to support her lifeConnect with Jane Hardwicke Collings at https://janehardwickecollings.com/Join our email newsletter to be the first to hear when our new online Shala is unveiled and our next program dates are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinFind out more about our wonderful sponsors:Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderYoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Five years ago in meditation, Rachel Allan (she/her) was given a quest to start the 40 for Tea podcast. She ignored this guidance for a couple of years, but after finding herself sobbing on the floor with a broken heart, she asked herself what she would most regret in her life if she died today. The answer was not what she expected…. the 40 for Tea podcast. So as the world went into lockdown, Rachel began this quest of having forty cups of tea and forty conversations with extraordinary humans from around the world.In the episode, you’ll hear Rachel and I talk about intuition, including how to cultivate it and gather the courage to follow it, as well as the intention and essence behind the 40 for Tea podcast and the key pieces of wisdom that came out of these forty profound conversations.Beyond the podcast, Rachel is a certified Professional Certified Coach (PCC), specializing in life and leadership innovation and executive coaching. Her work centers on deep listening, presence, and meaningful dialogue, fostering personal insight, authentic connection, and real transformation.Her passion lies in helping people return to themselves - out of the noise and into clarity, calm, and connection. Nothing is broken, we only remove the friction.Connect with Rachel Allan at https://rachallan.com/Get the last place on the Australian 2025 Mental Health Aware Yoga hybrid training on the 12-13th of April at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybridJoin my Embodied Yoga Nidra workshop in Brisbane on the 26th of April 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderYoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Did you know that yoga nidrā is not just an evidence-based relaxation practice, but she’s also the goddess of sleep and dreams in Indian mythology?In this podcast episode, I sat down with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli (she/her) to talk about all things yoga nidrā. For those of you who know me, you’ll know this is a practice I’m very passionate about, and it truly was an honour to chat with Uma in this episode, as she’s really a pioneer in the areas of women’s yoga and yoganidrā.Uma first fell in love with yoga in 1969 at the age of 4 and has been practicing and sharing yoga in various ways since then. She is a yoga therapist, the author of six yoga books, including Nidrā Shakti, which you’ll hear about in the episode today, as well as the Co-founder of the Yoga Nidrā Network. Recovering intuitive embodied and cyclical wisdom is at the heart of her writing and her approach to yoga therapy, and her practice and teaching respects the cyclical powers of the living earth, and honours human life cycles as spiritual initiations.In this episode, we speak about:The goddess of yoga nidrā, Yoga nidrā as a radical rest practice, If it’s really true that a short yoga nidra practice can replace hours of sleep, The psychological and spiritual aspects of yoga nidrā, How to practice yoga nidrā with an ADHD brain, What a feminine approach to yoga nidrā looks like, What it means to be post-lineage and Uma shares her own daily yoga practice with us (I love asking people this question!).Connect with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli at https://www.yoganidranetwork.orgJoin the Australian 2025 Mental Health Aware Yoga hybrid training on the 12-13th April at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybridJoin my yoga nidra workshop in Brisbane on the 26th of April 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendarPractice yoga nidra with me online at https://www.meditationpuresimple.comFind out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Aunty Jacqui Jarrett (she/her) is a proud Dharawal & Gumbaynggirr woman, elder & traditional owner of the Sydney Basin in Australia. As soon as Aunty Jacqui joined the Mental Health Aware Yoga training last year, I knew that I wanted to invite her on the podcast to speak about her life and work.Aunty Jacqui's yoga practice is intrinsically tied to her cultural obligations and responsibilities as a custodian of the land, and through the practice of yoga, she shows continual cultural connections, practices and knowledge of First Nations people. She is the founder of Nura Yoga and offers Yoga on Country classes which she shares all about in this fascinating podcast episode.In this episode, Aunty Jacqui shares about how it wasn’t until she found trauma-sensitive and Mental Health Aware Yoga that she finally started to see herself represented in contemporary yoga. She also shares about the ways that she brings yoga onto Country and how she has been applying the principles of Mental Health Aware Yoga in this space.We also explore the similarities and differences that Aunty Jacqui sees between yogic practices and wisdom and the wisdom and practices of Australia’s First Nations people.Truly it is an honour to have shared the teachings of Mental Health Aware Yoga with Aunty Jacqui and I’m excited to share this episode with you today.Connect with Aunty Jacqui Jarrett at https://nurayoga.com.au/Sign up for the 2025 Australian Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybridStay connected by joining our email newsletter at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/Find out the latest events at the Yoga Psychology Institute at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar/ Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderYoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

What if yoga was built on a system of caste apartheid? If the very philosophies and practices we engaged in for our personal and collective liberation were actually deeply unjust and harmful for many?Can we still practice and teach yoga?Where do we go from here?These are questions that we’re exploring today in this thoughtful, heartfelt and somewhat controversial interview on the podcast with Roshni Lakhani and Bess Prescott.Roshni (she/her) is a scholar, educator, and facilitator, specialising in the intersections between language, caste, and power in South Asia. Raised in a caste-privileged Gujarati Hindu family in London, Roshni was immersed in South Asian spiritual traditions from a young age. She holds a BA (Hons.) in Sanskrit and South Asian Studies from SOAS, University of London. Her current work combines personal insight with academic depth, examining how systems of power shape modern yoga, south asian society and its diaspora.Bess (she/her) is a yoga practitioner and teacher interested in the intersection of yoga, human rights, history, ethics, politics and environmentalism. You might know her as the co-founder of Creature Yoga, in Byron Bay. Bess is deeply curious about how yoga can do good in the world, how it has contributed to harm, and how as teachers and practitioners, we can be aware of tradition while refusing to uphold dogma, hierarchy, patriarchy and caste apartheid.Connect with Roshni Lakhani at http://www.roshnilakhani.com/Connect with Bess Prescott at http://www.bessprescottyoga.com/Join the free Info Session for the hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid/#info-sessionSign up to the 2025 Australian Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybridJoin the Brisbane Yoga Nidra workshop and find out latest events at the Yoga Psychology Institute at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar/Stay connected by joining our email newsletter at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/Follow up resources provided by Bess:Interrogating Yoga training with Roshni and Bess https://bessprescottyoga.com/upcoming/interrogating-yoga-50hr-advanced-ytt/ Are you looking for me? poem by KabirThe work of Johannes Bronkhorst, particularly Buddhism in the Shadow of BrahminismThenmozhi Soundararajan, The Trauma of Caste (2022): An urgent call to action to end caste apartheid, grounded in Dalit feminist abolition and engaged BuddhismThe Trauma of Caste (w/Thenmozhi Soundararajan) from the Conspirituality Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/4w1pkTeGV4MsM7A3lX21S9?si=W0ofTNPQTNGCJ3R8g2QRWQ The Trauma of Caste with Thenmozhi Soundararajan from The Love of Yoga Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/6D34vASw3gRZCzZQXjntdE?si=9MvHnkxJRne8eSyHjut4Nw&nd=1&dlsi=9c2dfc4ef6fd4238 Annihilation of Caste by Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar (1936): A lecture that was never permitted to be given due to its incendiary nature, this book was self-published and immediately became the eye of a storm. Radically against the Brahmanical caste system and Hinduism, it argued for a society based on equal opportunities for all. You can find PDF copies of this floating around the internet.India Untouched: Stories of a People Apart documentary https://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/play/5752/india-untouched-stories-of-a-people-apartFind out more about our wonderful podcast sponsors:Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next orderYoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

My friend Libbie Nelson (she/her) is over 80 years old and has been contemplating death.In our conversation on the podcast today, Libbie and I talk about the five stages of a person's life, from student to householder, forest-dweller, renunciate and death and how thinking about death can actually help us to wake up and really live our lives with intention.Libbie has been teaching and sharing yoga for over 50 years and has a long list of qualifications, including physiotherapy, yoga teaching, yoga therapy, naturopathy, acupuncture and ayurveda and is a graduate of our Mental Health Aware Yoga training.In the episode, we also talk about the changes Libbie has seen over the past 50 years in the yoga world, what it was like studying with BKS Iyengar, who is renowned for his sometimes aggressive and inappropriate teaching style, and Libbie’s key takeaways from the Mental Health Aware Yoga training, despite having 50 years of yoga under her belt before joining the training.Connect with Libbie Nelson at https://www.healthiemoves.comListen in to a previous episode with Zenith Virago on Death Dying and Living a Good Life at https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/zenith-virago-on-death-dying-and-living-a-good-life/id1193048930?i=1000497348664 Join the Mullumbimby hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Find out about our latest offerings at the Yoga Psychology Institute at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar Join our email newsletter and be the first to hear when new episodes and trainings are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Have you been diagnosed with Autism or ADHD recently? Or love or work with someone who has? You’re going to love today’s podcast episode!Monique Mitchelson (she/her) is an Autistic and ADHD’er Clinical Psychologist and the host of the very popular Neurodivergent Woman Podcast. We take a deep dive into her lived and professional experience of living a neurodivergent life and cover so much in today’s episode, including:What the terms neurodiverse and neurodiversity actually meanWhy many Autistic people prefer identity first languageHow Monique came out publicly as Autistic when she started the Neurodivergent Woman’s Podcast and what that was like for her and her careerInteroception and some of the challenges that Autistic folk have with noticing, interpreting and acting on internal cues, and what therapists and yoga teachers can do to support their students and clients to cultivate more interoception,Potential sensory challenges of yoga classes and therapy spaces, and how we can make these more friendly for neurodivergent folk.As well as having a lived experience of Autism and ADHD, Monique is the Co-Director of Divergent Futures training. She consulted on the Australian National Autism Strategy and co-authored the book ‘The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD’ so she knows a thing or two about the topic!Connect with Monique Mitchelson at https://www.moniquemitchelson.com/Sign up for the free legal workshop for health professionals on the 31st of January 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/legal/ Get the early bird price for the hybrid Mullumbimby Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Join our email newsletter to be the first to hear when new episodes and trainings are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinFind the latest events at the Yoga Psychology Institute at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendarFind out more about our wonderful sponsors:Organic India https://www.organicindia.com.au/ (use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next order)Yoga Australia https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

I hated anatomy when I studied it at uni (can anyone else relate?). So when Leila Stuart reached out about coming on the podcast again to chat about her work with embodied anatomy, I was a little unsure about whether it would be interesting! But this episode is anything but boring!Leila spoke about burnout on the podcast last year, and it was such a popular episode and resonated for so many people. Leila is a pioneer in the field of embodied movement education, she’s a retired clinical massage therapist, a yoga teacher and therapist and the author of the new book Experiential Anatomy: Therapeutic Applications of Embodied Movement and Awareness.In this episode, Leila shares how in writing her book on experiential anatomy and refining all the practices, she wrote herself back to health after years of burnout. What a testament to this work! In our discussion we explore the importance of interoception and embodiment on our mental health and sense of self in the world, and how having both a top-down and bottom-up approach to anatomy can help us to not only be safe and stable in our bodies, but also to understand ourselves better.Leila also shares a simple but really effective way to get back into your body and cultivate interoceptive awareness.It’s a wonderful episode, and I cannot wait to share it with you!Connect with Leila Stuart at https://www.leilastuart.com and get a 20% discount on her book here using the code LEILA20.Join the Embodied Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Workshop in Brisbane in February 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendarGet the early bird price for the hybrid Mullumbimby Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Get on our awesome email newsletter to stay up to date with all our offerings at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/joinFind out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

Om swastiastu, greetings from Bali!I first heard about Umā sitting in a women’s circle in Byron Bay, Australia, and the way my friends described her made me want to meet her immediately. You'll understand why when you listen in!Umā is the founding director of SATYA - the Synergistic Alignment of Tantra, Yoga & Ayurveda, and lives in Bali, Indonesia. Born in Kenya of Indian descent to a Hindu family of Freedom Fighters, at 20 Umā moved to Bali and entered into a 14 year apprenticeship in seclusion with her Shaivite guru in his hermitage.In our conversation today Umā shares about her extraordinary life experiences, as well as generously answering my questions about whether she believes that we all need to go into seclusion with a guru like she did to live a deeply spiritual life and how she balances living in the world and running a business with her spirituality.Connect with Umā at https://umainder.com/.Get your free ticket to the Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) Mental Health Aware yoga book launch at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar. Find out more about the Embodied Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Workshop in Brisbane in February 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar. Sign up for the hybrid Mullumbimby Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid.Get on our email newsletter to stay up to date with all our offerings at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au.This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

There’s been a lot of attention about the menstrual cycle and perimenopause in the media in the last few years, but what happens after we cross the threshold of menopause?Today’s episode with Ana Davis (she/her) is the final installment in this three-part series on the cycles of a woman's life. In the first episode, we spoke about menstruation, in the second episode we explored perimenopause and in this episode we’re pulling back the curtain on post-menopause.Listen in as Ana talks about menopause as an important rite of passage, how you know when you’re through menopause, how we can still live in a cyclical way of life even when we’re no longer menstruating, and how we can live and practice yoga in a way that is deeply supportive of this time of our lives.Connect with Ana Davis at https://www.anadavis.com Connect with Bliss Baby Yoga at https://www.blissbabyyoga.comJoin one of our in-person events, including a book launch at Radiantly Alive Yoga in Ubud (Bali) and Yoga Pod Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar. Sign up for the hybrid Mullumbimby Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Get on our email newsletter to stay up to date with all our offerings at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

Ana Davis (she/her) wrote a ground-breaking book on yoga and menstruation, and she was one of the first women I ever heard talking and writing openly about perimenopause.Today’s episode is part two in a three-part series on living and practising yoga in tune with the different seasons of a woman's life, and in this episode, we’re looking at perimenopause.My guest, Ana Davis is a feminine yoga teacher and trainer from Bliss Baby Yoga, and the author of the seminal book, Moving with the Moon.Join us for this conversation where we explore what perimenopause actually is, when you might first expect the early signs of perimenopause to arrive (much earlier than expected!), what these signs might be, and what we can do, from both a lifestyle and yoga perspective to really support this phase of our life.Connect with Ana Davis at https://www.anadavis.comConnect with Bliss Baby Yoga at https://www.blissbabyyoga.comJoin the Mullumbimby hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga training on the 12-13th April 2025 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid/Find our global directory of Mental Health Aware Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.comFind out about the next book launch event at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar/Join our free Mental Health Aware Yoga Facebook community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentalhealthawareyogaDownload the free Patañjali's Eight Limbs of Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook by Dr Lauren Tober at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbsFind out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

Moving with the moon is a way of living and practising yoga in tune with our menstrual cycle.Today’s podcast episode is part one of a three-part series on living and practising yoga in tune with the different seasons of a woman's life, and in this episode, we’re looking at menstruation.My guest, Ana Davis (she/her) is a feminine yoga teacher and trainer from Bliss Baby Yoga, and the author of the seminal book, Moving with the Moon.In our intimate conversation, Ana shares about menarche as a rite of passage, and the importance of honouring this stage of a young woman's life.And then she talks us through the four phases of the menstrual cycle, including the dark moon (menstrual phase), waxing moon (pre-ovulation/follicular phase), full moon (ovulation) and the waning moon (premenstrual/luteal phase), with some really valuable ways to live our lives, and adapt our yoga practice, to be in sync with our cycles.This episode is for everyone. It’s for menstruating women, and it’s for all humans who live or work with someone who has a menstrual cycle, including partners, friends, therapists and yoga teachers. This is information we all need, whether we are currently menstruating or not.Find Ana Davis’ book Moving with the Moon at https://www.ana-louisa-davis.com/books Sign up for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineGet on the waitlist for the 2025 Mullumbimby Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Find our global directory of Mental Health Aware Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

If you’re a yoga teacher, or have ever thought about becoming one, this podcast episode with Shannon Crow (she/her) is for you!This episode is a full circle moment for me. After I was interviewed on Shannon’s podcast, the Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast a few years ago, my publisher, Singing Dragon, reached out to ask me if I would be interested in writing a book on yoga and mental health. I had actually already written the first draft of the book at the time, so it was such perfect timing. And so now, to be interviewing Shannon on my podcast, just as the book has been released into the world, feels like perfect timing too. I love how these things happen!Shannon Crow is a yoga teacher and trainer, the host of The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast, the founder of Pelvic Health Professionals and a Mom to her three best teachers. In our conversation today, Shannon shares with us all about how to choose a yoga teacher training course, including some important red flags to look out for, whether this is your first yoga training, or you’re looking for ongoing professional development. We also explore how to sustainably keep teaching to prevent burnout, love what you do, and be nice to the planet.Connect with Shannon Crow at https://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/Download a free chapter of my book Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book Join the free workshop Five Ways to Make Your Yoga Classes Mental Health Aware at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/workshop  Sign up to the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training at  https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineGet on the waitlist for the 2025 Mullumbimby Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Find our global directory of Mental Health Aware Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at  https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

Delamay Devi (she/her) followed the sun and skipped out on winter for many years by travelling around the world teaching yoga.Born and raised in Australia’s yoga mecca, Byron Bay on Bundjalung Country in Australia, Delamay started her teaching journey in the late 90s as a dance teacher, which progressed over the years to teaching yoga and sharing embodied practices around the world, with Shiva Rea as her long time mentor.Delamay is passionate about sharing movement as medicine and yoga philosophy in sync with the natural cycles of existence, and it’s for this reason that I invited her to today’s podcast episode.In the episode, we hear about what it was actually like to live without winter for years on end, and why she eventually decided to settle down. We also explore the four seasons of the year and how we can shape and adapt our lives and our yoga practice to live in accordance with these seasons.Delamay is also a graduate of the very first Mental Health Aware Yoga training in Mullumbimby, Australia, and she shares a little about her experience of the training and how it continues to inform her yoga teaching.Connect with Delamay Devi at https://www.delamaydevi.comDownload a free chapter of my book Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book Join the free workshop Five Ways to Make Your Yoga Classes Mental Health Aware at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/workshop  Sign up to the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineGet on the waitlist for the 2025 Mullumbimby Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Find our global directory of Mental Health Aware Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.comFind out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

How can understanding our doshas support our mental health?In today’s podcast episode, I’m delighted to introduce you to Jody Vassallo. Jody has been a recipe writer and food stylist for over 20 years, working with some big names like Marie Claire, Donna Hay, Jamie Oliver and Vogue. She’s also a yoga teacher and ayurvedic practitioner. I love Jody’s cookbooks, and her book Beautiful Food is a staple in my kitchen.In this episode, Jody and I talk about food as medicine through the lens of ayurveda, including the different doshas, how we can figure out what our predominant dosha is, how this relates to mental health and how we can use food as medicine to support our mental health.There were so many things dropping in for me while Jody was talking about the different doshas, and I probably overshared a little bit about what was resonating for me!Connect with Jody Vassallo at https://jodyvassallo.com.Get your free ticket for the Mullumbimby Mental Health Aware Yoga book launch on the 28th of September 2024 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/booklaunch. Join the free online workshop for yoga teachers on the 12th of October to learn five simple (but profound) ways to make your yoga classes more mental health aware at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/workshop.Sign up to the 60-hour online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting on the 31st of October 2024 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online. Be the first to hear when registration opens for the March 2025 Mullumbimby hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga Training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid.Visit our global directory of Mental Health Aware Yoga graduates at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com. Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au.This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

How do we bring polyvagal theory into our yoga practice and teaching to support healing and growth?In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr Arielle Schwartz (she/her), a fellow clinical psychologist and yoga teacher, and a leading voice in the healing of trauma, to dive into this fascinating topic.Arielle is an internationally sought-after teacher and author of seven books including The Complex PTSD Workbook, The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, and Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga. As the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy, she offers a mind-body approach to therapy for trauma and mental health.Arielle had just finished reading my new book, Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers before our conversation, and she shared that there were so many parallels in our journeys, particularly in how we came to integrate yoga and psychology into our work. In the interview, we hear Arielle’s story about how she started yoga and how she eventually integrated it into her work as a clinical psychologist, and we also dive into some really juicy topics around polyvagal theory, trauma, how yoga can support our mental health through both a top-down and bottom-up approach, and how trauma recovery is an awakening of the spiritual heart.Connect with Dr Arielle Schwartz at https://drarielleschwartz.comReserve your free place for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga book launch event on the 13th of September 2024 or the in-person event in Mullumbimby Australia on the 28th of September 2024 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar/ Join the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting on the 31st of October at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineGet on the waitlist for the March 2025 hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga training in Mullumbimby Australia at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Find a yoga teacher who really understands mental health in our global graduate directory at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.comFind out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

Pull up a cushion, pour yourself a chai and join Dr Raj Balkaran and I around the virtual fire for storytime.Raj is a scholar of Sanskrit narrative literature, wisdom teacher and online educator. He's the founder of The Indian Wisdom School, author of the book The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian Mythology that Inspired 50 Yoga Postures and runs a thriving one-on-one spiritual guidance practice.In our discussion today, Raj shares about the importance of stories to impart and receive wisdom, and why understanding the stories behind the yoga asanas we know and love gives our practice a new depth.While Raj has written a book about the stories behind the poses, the yoga tradition is actually an oral one, handed down verbally from teacher to student. And so in the second half of the episode, Raj takes us on a storytelling journey, and shares a few of the stories from his book, including Pranāmāsana (Reverence Pose), Sūrya Namaskārā (Sun Salutations) and Vīrabhadrāsana (Warrior Poses).While I had read these stories in Raj’s book already, there was something profound about hearing them spoken, and I already know that my yoga practice is going to feel different as a result.Listen in right to the end where Raj does a little giveaway!Connect with Dr Raj Balkaran at https://rajbalkaran.comJoin the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training, opening for registration today, at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineJoin our Mental Health Aware Yoga Facebook community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentalhealthawareyogaFind our global Mental Health Aware Yoga directory at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/directoryFind out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

Have you ever wanted to go to India to experience authentic yoga and Ayurveda, but not sure where to start?Let me introduce you to Amy Landry!Amy is a senior yoga teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner, mentor and podcast host, and takes people on pilgrimages to India to create meaningful memories of a lifetime. What a job!In this podcast episode, we’ll be hearing about Amy’s introduction to yoga, after finding an ayurvedic quiz online in the early dial-up days of the internet and coming across a yoga DVD in the newspaper, as well as exploring what it means to practice and teach yoga when you live outside of yoga’s source culture.You’ll also hear Amy’s insider tips on the best places to go in India to experience authentic yoga and Ayurveda, whether you want to go on a yoga study trip, receive Ayurvedic treatments or a holiday to soak up the goodness of mother India.Connect with Amy Landry at https://www.amyelandry.comSign up for the Yoga Skills for Health Professionals training starting on the 5th of August 2024 at https://www.yogaskillsforhealthprofessionals.comOrder a copy and/or download a free chapter of Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book Join the waitlist for the next online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting in October 2024 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineJoin the waitlist for the next hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting in Mullumbimby, Australia on 15th-16th March 2025 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybridFind the dates for all our latest offerings at the Yoga Psychology Institute at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendarFind out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

Have you ever heard people say that yoga helps them to navigate the ups and downs of life?I know this is something that I say all the time. But what does it actually mean?In today’s episode, I’m joined by beloved Brisbane yoga teacher, Julie Smerdon (she/her), where she shares some of the big health and financial challenges of life, and how movement and yoga helped her to navigate them, as well as the one piece of advice she was given fairly early in her career as a yoga teacher that changed everything for her.Connect with Julie Smerdon at https://juliesmerdon.com/Order a copy and/or download a free chapter of Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book Join the waitlist for the next online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting in October 2024 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineSign up for the Yoga Skills for Health Professionals training starting on the 5th of August 2024 at https://www.yogaskillsforhealthprofessionals.comFind the dates for all our latest offerings at the Yoga Psychology Institute at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

Danni Carr used to wake up some mornings with a feeling of dread, wondering if she’d remembered to put her kids to bed and what alcohol fuelled things she’d said or done the night before.After years of touring and partying with her husband Ash Grunwald, a much-loved Australian Blues Musician, the excessive binges started to take their toll and the two decided enough was enough, and they both decided to quit drinking for a year.Fast forward six years, and Danni is now the founder of the How I Quit Alcohol podcast, and is on a trauma-informed quest to kick the binge. In this episode, we get pretty personal, as Danni talks about the toll that alcohol took on her life and her kids’ lives, what was helpful in quitting alcohol, and how yoga, meditation and gratitude played a big part in quitting alcohol and staying sober. She also shares some great advice for anyone thinking about quitting alcohol or supporting someone who is. There’s a bit of swearing in it, so if you have kids around, you might like to put the headphones in!As you’ll hear in the episode, Danni and I met when she attended an Embodied Yoga for Nervous System Regulation workshop with me a few months back, and she was also one of the very first people to jump online and sign up for the Yoga Skills for Health Professionals Training that’s starting in August.Connect with Danni Carr at https://www.iquitalcohol.com.auAsh Grunwald and Lissie Turner on the Gratitude Bench in 2016 https://www.facebook.com/drlaurentober/videos/759071430893547Join the Yoga Skills for Health Professionals training at https://www.yogaskillsforhealthprofessionals.comFind out more about my new book Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/bookJoin the waitlist for the next online Mental Health Aware Yoga training, starting in October 2024 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online Join the waitlist for the next hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga Training in Byron Bay in March 2025 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybridFind the dates for all our latest offerings at the Yoga Psychology Institute at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendarFind out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.auThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

I like to think I'm a feminist, but my guest on today's podcast episode really called me out on something important!Today’s episode is to celebrate our sponsor, Yoga Australia’s 25th year anniversary. And joining us is their Vice President, Merridy Woodroffe. Merridy is a wife, a dog mum, a lawyer, an ashtanga yoga practitioner and a yoga therapist, as well as being the vice president of Yoga Australia. Right at the beginning of the episode, Merridy calls me Dr Lauren, and when I tell her she can just call me Lauren, she very gently calls me out on it and points out how important it is to honour our titles and the hard work that comes behind them, especially for women who often underplay their achievements! So it made me rethink how I might be undermining myself by asking people to drop the doctor title!I would describe Merridy as a multi-passionate individual, and in the interview, we explore how she brings the many facets of herself and her varied interests into her life and work, including yoga teaching, lawyering and being a tailor.We also explore what yogic wisdom and practices she draws on to help her to manage the stress of being a lawyer, the ‘meditation flight’ she was part of organising for Virgin Australia, how the landscape of yoga in Australia has changed over the past 25 years and what to look out for if you’re thinking of taking a yoga teacher training course.We had such a fun time in this episode!Find out more about Yoga Australia, and all the wonderful work Merridy and the team are doing at https://www.yogaaustralia.org.auPre-order a copy of my new book Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/bookJoin the 2024 Yoga Skills for Health Professionals training at https://www.yogaskillsforhealthprofessionals.comJoin the waitlist for the next online Mental Health Aware Yoga training, starting in October 2024 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online Join the waitlist for the next hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga Training in Byron Bay in March 2025 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybridCheck out the Yoga Psychology Institute calendar at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendarThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

With so many of you reaching out to me to share your stories of deep fatigue and burnout, I’m delighted to share another episode on this very important topic.In today’s episode, you’ll hear a very personal conversation with a dear teacher, mentor and friend Stephanie Lopez. I met Stephanie around 10 years ago when she first came to Australia to teach an iRest meditation training, and it is not an exaggeration to say that this training with Stephanie and Richard Miller changed my life, both personally and in the way I work. Ten years later, it still infuses my understanding of yoga, psychology and how to be a human in the world.Stephanie (she/her) is the Senior Advisor of Philosophy and Learning, and a Senior Trainer at the iRest Institute. She’s also a Gestalt psychotherapist, certified yoga therapist, and world-leading meditation teacher who has presented meditation at Google, Spotify, UC Berkeley and more, and is a contributing author of Yoga Nidra Meditations.In our conversation today, Stephanie shares with us her own journey with burnout and recovery, and how surprising this was as a therapist and meditation teacher, and what really helped her to navigate these difficult times.Connect with Stephanie at https://www.irest.orgFind the dates for all our latest offerings at the Yoga Psychology Institute at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com Find out more about my new book Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book Join the 2024 Yoga Skills for Health Professionals training at https://www.yogaskillsforhealthprofessionals.comJoin the waitlist for the next online Mental Health Aware Yoga training, starting in October 2024 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online Join the waitlist for the next hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga Training in Byron Bay in March 2025 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Get started on the Meditation, Pure + Simple online course with Dr Lauren Tober at https://www.meditationpuresimple.com Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

With so much information at our fingertips these days, you would think that we would know a thing or two about self-care. But so many women I know are experiencing burnout in midlife.When I shared my own experience about coming a little too close to burnout for comfort last year, Leila Stuart reached out to me and shared about her own experience with burnout, chronic fatigue and recovery. So of course I invited her to come and share her wisdom with us all on the podcast!Leila is a clinical massage therapist, yoga teacher and yoga therapist, and as the co-author of the book Pathways to a Centered Body with Donna Farhi, and the author of a new book Experiential Anatomy: Therapeutic Applications of Embodied Movement and Awareness, she is really a pioneer in the field of embodied movement education. Listen in to this enlightening episode to hear Leila share about her personal experience of burnout in her 40s, an experience that took her around 15 years to recover from, and also about the big mindset shift that made all the difference in her healing journey. She also shares some hard-won recommendations for identifying and recovering from burnout, that you really don’t want to miss!Connect with Leila Stuart at https://leilastuart.com Check out the dates for all our latest offerings at the Yoga Psychology Institute at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com Find out more about my new book Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book Join the waitlist for the 2024 Yoga Skills for Health Professionals training at https://www.yogaskillsforhealthprofessionals.comJoin the waitlist for the next online Mental Health Aware Yoga training, starting in October 2024 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online Join the waitlist for the next hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga Training in Byron Bay in March 2025 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

Am I contributing to the cultural appropriation of yoga? As a white yoga student and teacher, how can I do better?These are questions that I’ve been wrestling with over the past two decades of practicing and teaching yoga, and so I’m delighted to be speaking to Susanna Barkataki about them in this podcast episode.Susanna (she/her) is a teacher, coach, inclusivity promoter, yoga culture advocate, the founder of the Ignite Yoga and Wellness Institute and the author of Embrace Yoga’s Roots.In our conversation Susanna and I talk about where yoga actually comes from, the colonisation of yoga, cultural appropriation and its antidote, how we can honour the roots or lineage of yoga in our practice and teaching, even when there has been abuse in our lineage, and if it is ever appropriate to use the word namaste when teaching and practicing yoga (hint: it’s not a simple answer!).It’s such a great episode, and one that I would love all yoga practitioners and teachers to listen to, so I’m glad that you’re here!Connect with Susanna Barkataki at https://www.susannabarkataki.com Download the free Patañjali's Eight Limbs and Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook by Dr Lauren Tober at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbsVisit the Yoga Psychology Institute at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.comFind the Yoga Psychology Institute on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yogapsychologyinstitute Find the Yoga Psychology Institute on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/yogapsychologyinstitute Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at  https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.

What does it mean to truly make yoga accessible?Accessible yoga is more than simply using yoga props in your classes or reminding your students that Child’s Pose is always an option.In today’s podcast episode, I’m joined by yoga teacher Jivana Heyman (he/him) from Accessible Yoga and we talk about how we can truly make our yoga classes accessible.Listen in as we explore accessible yoga as seeing ourselves and our students as whole and not in need of fixing, as diversity and representation in yoga teachers and imagery online, as teaching in a trauma-sensitive and mental health aware way, and about continuing to engage in thoughtful discussions with peers on the ethics of being a human and a teacher, in the world. Jivana also shares about the challenges that he faced as a young gay man in the midst of the AIDS epidemic, and the ways in which yoga was such a refuge for him during this time. We also unpack the ways in which yoga is taught, both traditionally with the guru system and more recently in the west in drop-in yoga studios, and the pros and cons of both.This is an episode not to be missed!Connect with Jivana Heyman at www.jivanaheyman.comJoin the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 25th March 2024 at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/onlineVisit our Yoga Psychology Institute workshop and training calendar  https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar Download the free Patañjali's Eight Limbs and Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook by Dr Lauren Tober at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbsFind out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training.