North Node: The Yoga & Astrology Podcast

In this episode  we explore the psychology and spirituality of masking. From people pleasing and identity performance to spiritual ego and autism masking.Why do we hide parts of ourselves?At what point does protection become performance?And how do we begin returning to who we really are beneath conditioning, coping mechanisms, and the need to be accepted?In this conversation, we explore:people pleasing and the fear of rejectionthe emotional exhaustion of constantly performingspiritual ego and the ‘healed’ identitythe difference between authentic healing and performative spiritualityautism masking and nervous system protectionyoga philosophy and the layers of selfastrology, identity, and conditioningauthenticity, safety, and self-expressionthe courage it takes to be truly seenThis episode is an invitation to gently explore the masks you may have learned to wear with compassion.Mentioned in this episodeYoga philosophy & the koshasSpiritual ego & identity performanceAstrology as a tool for self-awareness and integrationJoin Us In PersonOur very first North Node Activation Day takes place on 27th June in Worcester.A day of yoga, astrology, embodiment, connection, and soul-led activation designed to help you reconnect with your authentic self beyond conditioning and performance.Early Bird pricing is available until 15th May.Read more and book your place here: https://north-node.co.uk/activation Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Have you ever caught yourself trying to force gratitude…Telling yourself you should feel grateful, that you shouldn’t want more, that other people have it worse…And somehow ending up feeling worse, not better?In this episode, Laura explores what she calls “whipping yourself with the gratitude stick” — the subtle way gratitude can turn into self-criticism, suppression, and even shame.Yes, gratitude is powerful. It can rewire the brain, shift perspective, and increase wellbeing.But when it’s used to silence your instincts, your ambition, or your desire for something more aligned… it stops being healing.It becomes limiting.Blending psychology, neuroscience, yoga philosophy and astrology, this episode explores: Why gratitude works (and when it doesn’t)  Hedonic adaptation and the brain’s negativity bias  The difference between shame and self-compassion  Why contentment and ambition can coexist  Santosha, tapas and the pull of your North Node Because you can be deeply grateful for your life……and still feel called toward more.And that doesn’t make you ungrateful.It makes you alive. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Do you actually like yourself… or have you just been taught to constantly fix yourself?In this episode, we explore self-worth, body image, and the deeper layers of self-acceptance that go far beyond surface-level self-love.Because for so many women, the issue isn’t a lack of confidence, it’s a lifetime of subtle conditioning that has taught us to mistrust our bodies, suppress our appetite, and believe we are always one step away from being ‘better’.Through the lens of Eve, we look at how shame around desire and the body was formed, and how that still shows up today in body image struggles, fear of ageing, and the pressure to constantly improve ourselves.We also explore how astrology and yoga can help you reconnect to yourself — rebuilding self-trust, understanding your desires, and learning how to feel at home in your own body again.Because if you are disconnected from your appetite… how can you have an appetite for life?This episode is for you if you’re tired of trying to fix yourself and ready to actually feel at home in who you are. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

We’re told to “feel our feelings”… but no one ever really shows us how.So instead, we think about them. Analyse them. Justify them. Or push them away entirely.In this episode, we explore what it actually means to feel — not in the mind, but in the body.Because emotions aren’t problems to solve. They’re physical experiences moving through your nervous system. Sensations. Energy. Waves.And when those waves are interrupted — through distraction, suppression, or overthinking — they don’t disappear. They stay in the body. Looping. Building. Waiting to be felt.We talk about why you might feel stuck, overwhelmed, or strangely numb… even when everything looks “fine” on the outside. And how what looks like control can sometimes be disconnection.This is your invitation to slow down, tune in, and dare to feel.To let the wave rise, move, and pass.Because on the other side of feeling… is freedom. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Episode 72: Why do we rush and what does it cost us?Nature never rushes, yet everything gets done. So why do we?In this episode, Becky and Laura explore the deeper drivers behind our constant sense of urgency. From patterns of self-worth and people-pleasing, to always placing ourselves at the bottom of our own list, they unpack why rushing has become such a normalised way of living.They also explore how rushing isn’t just a habit, but a nervous system state — one that keeps us in cycles of stress, disconnection and overwhelm. And perhaps more importantly, why slowing down can feel so uncomfortable, even when we know we need it.This is an invitation to reflect on your own pace of life, and to consider what it might look like to move with more awareness, intention, and trust. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Easter is rarely questioned.It’s presented as a fixed story, something that happened once, something to either believe in or dismiss, but when you begin to look at how it is timed, how it sits within the cycles of the sun and the moon, and how closely it mirrors the rhythms of the natural world, it becomes clear that there is something much deeper moving underneath it.In this episode, Becky explores Easter as a layered, living pattern rather than a singular religious event, bringing together the Spring Equinox, lunar cycles, ancient fertility symbolism, and the ways in which older traditions were absorbed and reframed over time.This conversation moves through Passover and the symbolism of the lamb, the threshold marked by blood, and what it means to stand at a point where something is ending and something else is beginning, without softening the parts of the story that feel uncomfortable or confronting.It also revisits the story of Eve, as a symbol of life entering the body and consciousness choosing experience, alongside a more grounded perspective on Lilith that moves beyond surface-level reclamation.The episode then explores the crucifixion through the lens of the body, including the wound at Christ’s side and the imagery of blood and water, and how this connects to deeper themes of creation, birth, and rebirth.At the centre of it all is Mary Magdalene, not as a peripheral figure, but as the one who witnesses, recognises, and carries the moment of resurrection, and what it means that her role has been minimised, and is now being remembered.This is an episode about thresholds.About endings that are not final.And about how these patterns are not separate from your life, but something you are moving through constantly, especially within the initiating energy of Aries season. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

What if joy isn’t something you have to chase… but something already mapped within you?In this episode, we explore a deeper, more personalised understanding of joy through the lens of our personal experiences and of astrology. Moving beyond surface-level happiness.We also touch on how planetary transits can influence your relationship with joy, not removing it, but refining and reshaping it over time.This episode is an invitation to reconnect with your natural joy, in a way that feels true, sustainable, and aligned with who you are. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Every year we’re told the new year begins on 1st January.But in astrology, the real beginning happens somewhere else entirely.When the Sun enters Aries, it marks the astrological new year. A moment aligned with the Spring Equinox, when day and night are perfectly balanced and light begins to grow again.In this episode, I explore why Aries begins the zodiac and how the twelve signs form a beautifully structured journey through the human psyche. Rather than being random personality labels, the zodiac signs represent twelve archetypal stages of life. A curriculum we move through every year as the Sun travels through the sky.You’ll hear how the zodiac is organised through masculine and feminine energies, the four elements, and the three modalities, creating a repeating rhythm of initiation, stabilisation, and transformation.I also share how the astrological new year differs from the Gregorian and Chinese new years, and how you can work consciously with this moment of renewal, including why I personally wait for the Aries New Moon to set intentions for the year ahead.If astrology is a map of the soul, Aries is the first spark...the courage to begin.In this episode we explore how the zodiac helps us refine the human experience, one sign at a time, every year. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Many of us spend so much time analysing, asking for advice, or waiting for certainty that we disconnect from the one place that actually holds the answer — ourselves.In this episode we explore how to rebuild trust in your own inner guidance. Through the lens of yoga philosophy, psychology and astrology, we look at why decision-making can feel so difficult and how to reconnect with the deeper intelligence of the body and mind.We talk about the yoga framework of the koshas — the layers of the self — and how learning to listen beyond the noise of the thinking mind can help you access a quieter, wiser knowing. We also explore the role of the nervous system, intuition, and why over-thinking often pulls us further away from clarity.From an astrology perspective, we discuss how life is not always about finding the perfect choice, but about aligning with the lessons we are here to learn. Sometimes there isn’t one “right” path — there are simply experiences that help us grow, evolve and move closer to our true direction.Because trusting yourself isn’t about guaranteeing the outcome. It’s about trusting that whatever happens, you will learn, adapt, and continue to find your way.This episode is for anyone who feels stuck between options, second-guesses themselves, or is learning how to reconnect with their inner compass.Your life doesn’t move forward when you find certainty. It moves forward when you learn to trust yourself. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Friendship is one of the most important, and often most confusing relationships in our lives.Some friends stay for decades.Some disappear after a season.Some arrive like lightning bolts, changing the course of our lives before moving on.In this episode we explore the idea that friendships are not random. Many of them arrive through soul contracts — agreements made at a deeper level of consciousness to support our growth, activate our purpose, or simply accompany us through a particular chapter.We explore the idea that people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, and how recognising this can soften the pressure we often place on friendships.We also talk about how my own friendship circles have shifted dramatically since practising yoga and stepping more deeply into self-awareness and spiritual work. When our values evolve, our communities often do too.In the second half of the episode we explore the astrology of friendship.Ultimately this episode is an invitation to see friendships with more compassion and spaciousness. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Parenting is often spoken about as raising a child — but in truth, it is equally the process of raising yourself.Your children don’t just need feeding, protecting, and guiding. They activate parts of you that were hidden, unhealed, or asleep. They expose your nervous system patterns, your conditioning, your identity, and your capacity to regulate, repair, and grow.In the early years, their needs are physical — keeping them alive, safe, and close. But as they grow, their needs become emotional and relational. They begin to lie, test boundaries, and assert independence. And it is here that parenting stops being about control, and becomes about self-awareness.This episode explores parenting as a portal for self-actualisation. How your reactions reveal your inner world. Why your ability to regulate yourself shapes their nervous system. And how parenting invites you to move from unconscious patterning into conscious leadership.Because parenting was never just about raising them.It was about becoming who you were meant to be. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, Laura explores triggers and transference — why do we get triggered and what can we do about it? Not just on the yoga mat, but in everyday life, relationships, parenting, and work. Using yoga philosophy, psychology, and lived experience, we unpack why certain people and situations activate us so deeply, how early experiences shape our sense of worth, and why love can start to feel conditional. We look at self-actualisation, nervous system responses, and how healing happens when we move from external validation to internal authority. This episode is an invitation to meet your triggers with curiosity rather than shame, and to see relationships as powerful opportunities for awareness, growth, and repair. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, Laura shares a very personal and pragmatic reflection on the decision to close Soul Sanctuary after 12 years. A studio closing email can only say so much, here Laura speaks openly about the reality of running a heart-led business, the emotional and financial challenges that come with owning a yoga studio, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. This is an honest conversation about perseverance, knowing when to let go, choosing family, and redefining success — shared for anyone who has ever built something with love, struggled behind the scenes, or had to make a difficult but necessary decision to honour their truth. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this solo episode, I explore February as a threshold, a moment where long-held inner processes give way to decisive outer movement.We close the Year of the Wood Snake, a Yin year of shedding, strategy, and quiet preparation, and step into the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare and volatile Yang-fire cycle that accelerates destiny, visibility, courage, and change.This episode weaves together astrology, elemental wisdom, nervous system awareness, and collective symbolism to help you understand not just what is happening — but how to move through it without burning out.In this episode, we explore:What the Year of the Wood Snake has been asking of us (and why it may have felt slow, heavy, or confusing)Why the Fire Horse year brings acceleration, risk, leadership, and bold movementSaturn entering Aries — and why Saturn is in detriment hereNeptune moving into Aries and the end of a long, foggy spiritual eraThe rare Saturn–Neptune conjunction at 0° Aries and what it signals collectivelyWhy the last Saturn–Neptune conjunction coincided with the fall of the Berlin WallWar symbolism, remembrance, and the poppy as a collective archetypeThe Solar Eclipse and New Moon in Aquarius on 17 FebruaryAquarius themes of systems, community, responsibility, and the futureBurnout as the shadow of Fire Horse energyDrishti: focus as destiny in a year where fire must be directedHow to move from performance into missionThis is an episode about clarity, courage, and conscious initiation.February asks us to stop waiting for certainty, and to begin acting from what we already know. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, we explore the yogic principle of Saucha — often translated as cleanliness or purity — and why it has very little to do with perfection, and everything to do with clarity.Saucha is one of the Niyamas in yoga, but it’s not a rule or a discipline. It’s an invitation to notice what we’re carrying — physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically — and what is quietly asking to be released.We talk about how Saucha applies not just on the yoga mat, but in everyday life: in our homes, our bodies, our minds, our relationships, our digital worlds and even our patterns of worry.This is a conversation about clearing space so life can move through us more freely.In this episode, we explore:What Saucha really means in yoga (and why ‘purity’ is a misleading translation)The body as a vessel: food, energy and clarityClutter, the home and energetic spaceMental clutter, overthinking and thought hygieneEnergetic attachments, boundaries and cord clearing — grounded and accessibleWhy worry is not care, but energetic pollutionSocial media, information overload and digital SauchaEmail inboxes, unsubscribing and unfinished energetic loopsAstrology and Saucha: how working with the Moon helps with energetic and emotional hygiene. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, we explore drishti — the yogic practice of focusing the gaze — and how it extends far beyond the mat into the way we live, choose, pray, and create.Drishti is not just about where the eyes look, but about where our energy, attention, and devotion are placed. In a world that constantly pulls at our focus, drishti becomes a spiritual practice of simplification, clarity, and conscious choice.We talk about how focus itself can become prayer — how our actions, choices, and commitments can turn everyday life into a moving offering. This episode invites you to examine where your gaze is going — and whether it truly deserves your life force.As we look ahead to the Year of the Fire Horse and the wider shifts of collective consciousness, we reflect on what it means to live with clarity, devotion, and openness, becoming vessels for what wants to move through us, rather than scattering ourselves across what doesn’t matter.This is an episode about focus as devotion, discipline as freedom, and life as prayer. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

As we reach the end of the Year of the Wood Snake, we pause to honour what has been shed.The Snake teaches us about quiet transformation—about loss, endings, and the slow, sometimes uncomfortable process of releasing skins that no longer fit. This year may have asked you to let go of identities, roles, relationships, or timelines you once thought were essential. Not as punishment—but as preparation.In this episode, we reflect on what the Snake has helped you compost: the habits, beliefs, and attachments that would only weigh you down moving forward.Because what’s coming next is very different.The Fire Horse arrives with speed, courage, and raw life force. It asks for authenticity, momentum, and bold alignment with your true purpose. But the Horse cannot be ridden while carrying the old armour. You cannot gallop forward while gripping what belongs to the past.This episode is an invitation to:Grieve what has endedName what you are no longer available forRelease what would hold you backAnd consciously choose what you are taking with you into the fireThis is about clearing the path—not rushing ahead. So when the Horse comes, you’re ready to ride. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

This solo episode with Becky is a bonus episode - it's an excerpt from a recent ceremony Becky hosted for charity online at the beginning of December. The words work beyond the mind, speaking directly to the body, the nervous system, and the soul.You may be called to listen in stillness, to lie down, to close your eyes, or simply to let the transmission wash over you. Enjoy x Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

As the year comes to a close, Becky and I sit down to reflect on what 2025 has asked of us — and what it’s taught us about our capacity to change and adapt. We talk honestly about forced action, big decisions, and the slow shift away from self-sacrifice, resentment, and quiet martyrdom toward choosing dharma: following what feels true, energising, and alive, rather than what looks good on the outside. We explore how old patterns have fallen away — over-giving, collapsed boundaries, perfectionism, performing and proving — and what it’s been like to stop explaining ourselves and start trusting the path we’re on.Much of this conversation centres on nervous system healing and redefining success. Choosing regulation over achievement, presence over pressure, and emotional safety over being liked. We reflect on how our work and businesses seem to grow only as fast as our nervous systems can hold, and how clarity comes when we protect what matters, simplify, and trust ourselves a little more. This episode is a gentle end-of-year pause — honouring what’s ended, what we’re carrying forward, and the quieter confidence of stepping into what’s next. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, we explore ritual as one of humanity’s oldest technologies for care, meaning, and belonging. Long before productivity and self-optimization, ritual existed to mark transitions — births, deaths, initiations, losses, endings, and new beginnings — so we were never meant to move through important moments alone.Drawing from yoga philosophy, astrology, and depth psychology, we look at why ritual is essential for the nervous system, the psyche, and the soul. Ritual slows time. It creates a container when life feels uncertain or overwhelming. It signals to the body that something meaningful is happening — and that support is present.Through an astrological lens, ritual mirrors the cycles of the planets, the moon, and the seasons: beginnings (new moons), growth and devotion (waxing phases), release and closure (full moons), and rest (dark moon). Without ritual, transitions blur, grief lingers unfinished, and new chapters begin without grounding. With ritual, endings are honored, thresholds are held, and beginnings are consciously entered.This episode also speaks to the quiet loss of ritual in modern life — and how reclaiming even simple, personal rituals can reconnect us to greater forces: nature, lineage, spirit, and the unseen rhythms that shape our lives. We close by reflecting on ritual as an act of devotion — not performance — and an invitation to live in relationship with change, rather than rushing through it. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

This solo episode with Becky dives beneath the Christmas lights and tinsel to reveal the much older magic this season is built on. We go back to England’s native spiritual roots, the pre-Celtic, land-based, water-honouring traditions that shaped the Wheel of the Year long before the Church arrived.Discover:why England’s original spirituality wasn’t actually Celticthe sacred role of underground water, springs and wellshow the Wheel of the Year formed from the Sun, the land and survivalhow and why the Church hijacked Solstice festivalsthe difference between the 21st and 25th Decemberthe witchy, shamanic roots of our modern Christmas traditionsand why being conscious at this time of year matters more than everThis isn’t about rejecting Christmas, it’s about remembering the truth beneath it. The old magic. The returning light. The women, witches and waters that carried these traditions long before they had names.A cosy, thought-provoking, deeply grounding episode to accompany you through the darkest nights and into the return of the Sun. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

This episode is a deep dive into the fascinating truth that the body is the subconscious mind — and whatever emotions we don’t process, the body stores. Drawing on trauma psychology, polyvagal theory, somatics, and yoga philosophy, we explore how emotions are biological events rather than abstract thoughts, and how the vagus nerve shapes emotional memory and stress patterns throughout the system. We look at why unprocessed emotions can eventually express themselves as chronic tension, inflammation, digestive issues, fatigue, and other symptoms that feel physical but have emotional roots.We explore how the body creates the “shape” of specific emotions through muscular patterns, how fascia holds emotional charge, and why certain emotions tend to live in certain areas of the body — fear in the hips, anger in the jaw, grief in the chest, shame in the belly, and anxiety in the gut. We also unravel what it truly means to complete an emotional cycle, and how the body naturally releases old emotional imprints through shaking, crying, breath, stretching, movement, and somatic awareness.This episode offers a compassionate reframing: your symptoms aren’t personal failures — they’re your body protecting you. And when we create safety, presence, and space, the body has an extraordinary ability to unwind the emotional patterns it has held for years.A gentle, powerful invitation to understand your emotional landscape through the wisdom of your own body. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, we explore the ego—what it actually is, why it shows up so strongly, and how to loosen its grip so you can live with more joy, connection, and mental clarity. Instead of seeing the ego as “bad,” we break down its true purpose and how it subtly drives our thoughts, reactions, relationships, and sense of self.You’ll learn practical ways to soften ego-driven patterns like perfectionism, comparison, defensiveness, and the constant need to prove yourself. We discuss how an unexamined ego can contribute to anxiety, burnout, and emotional overwhelm—and how simple shifts in awareness can create more freedom, authenticity, and inner peace.If you’re ready to understand yourself more deeply and move through life with less tension and more joy, this episode will meet you right where you are. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Trigger Warning: Suicide and mental health.In this solo episode, Laura opens up about a crisis she can no longer stay silent on: the emotional suffering of men and the rising rates of male suicide. She explores why so many men feel numb, disconnected, and isolated — and how years of being told to “man up” has left them without the emotional tools needed to cope with stress, shame, and heartbreak. With raw honesty and deep compassion, Laura shares her own personal experiences, what she’s witnessing in families and industries today, and the science behind why the nervous system shuts down when emotions feel unsafe. This episode is a call to action — to help men feel again, to teach emotional literacy at home, and to create relationships built on safety, understanding, and connection. Because none of us should have to hold our pain alone. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, we explore the deeper truth of dharma and the ripple effect — not as a metaphor, but as the lived reality of being human.We talk about how every one of us begins life in unity, arriving from Source and entering the world through our mother’s body. Childhood becomes our first initiation into separation, and the way we experience that separation shapes how we see ourselves, others, and the world.From there, the spiritual journey is simply the journey home: back to connection, back to wholeness, back to remembering we were never truly separate at all.We dive into what this means in real life. Being ‘spiritual’ isn’t about perfection or performance; it’s about intention, presence, and how we choose to show up in the everyday moments that ripple outward into the collective.We touch on dharma — the soul’s blueprint for this lifetime — and how our purpose is less about what we do and more about how we return to unity within ourselves. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, we explore compassion not as an idea to grasp, but as a vibration to embody. Through the lens of yoga philosophy and astrology, we look at how the heart opens when we stop trying to understand compassion and instead allow ourselves to feel it.We’ll talk about how true compassion begins with the self — how the softness we offer our own imperfections creates ripples that heal our relationships, our nervous systems, and even our sense of purpose.This is an invitation to practice compassion as a living, breathing experience — one that transforms not only how we relate to others, but how we return home to ourselves.] Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Every year, when the clocks fall back and the nights stretch long, we cross an ancient threshold, and into Scorpio season, into darkness, into the underworld of our own becoming.In this solo episode, Becky unravels the true origins of Samhain and Halloween, the Celtic fire festival honouring death, rebirth, and the ancestors, and how the Church rebranded this potent portal as All Hallows’ Eve.She explores the myth of the Jack O’ Lantern as the soul’s guiding light, the hidden symbolism of Adam, Eve and the serpent as descent into duality, and the deeper meaning of Scorpio season — where we’re asked to generate our own light from within.This is an episode about death and transformation, ego and awakening, womb healing, ancestral remembrance, and the power of creating light in the dark. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Spiritual awakening isn’t all light and bliss — it’s often the moment life cracks us open. In this episode, we explore what it really means to awaken: the dissolving of old identities, the chaos that comes before clarity, and the deep remembrance of who you are beneath the conditioning.Through the lenses of psychology, yoga philosophy, and astrology, we look at awakening as both a breakdown and breakthrough — a sacred initiation into deeper awareness. We’ll talk about how to navigate spiritual burnout, ego death, and the messy middle of transformation, while grounding yourself in compassion and embodiment.Whether you’re in the midst of an awakening or supporting others through theirs, this episode invites you to see the beauty in unraveling — and to trust that every ending is also a beginning.] Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Everyone knows their star sign… but how well do you really know it? In this episode, Laura and Becky dive into what your “star” (or Sun) sign actually represents - your core essence, your life force, and the light you’re here to shine.We explore each zodiac sign, what the degree of your Sun means, and how the house it falls in shapes the way your purpose expresses itself in the world.Whether you’re a curious beginner or already fluent in astro-speak, this episode will help you see your sign, and yourself in a whole new light. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

 In this episode, we explore the art of boundaries: what they are, why they matter, and the psychology behind how we set (or struggle with) them. We’ll look at how yoga can help us tune into our body’s wisdom to create healthier boundaries, and how astrology offers insight into the energetic patterns that shape the way we connect with others. A conversation for anyone who wants to honor their own needs while staying open to deep, authentic relationships. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, Laura & Becky open up about their personal journey with values — what they are, how they evolve, and the way they shape every choice we make. Together, they explore how discovering and living by their own values has impacted their work, relationships, and sense of purpose. Expect honest conversation, practical insights, and reflections that might inspire you to rethink what really matters most in your own life. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this summer reflection episode, Laura and Becky look back on the past few months—sharing candid thoughts on relationships, parenting, kids and schooling. It’s a gentle pause to process the season gone by before we dive into fresh conversations and new themes in the episodes ahead.  Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Why do humans seek approval — the “biscuits” of praise, validation, and gold stars that never truly satisfy? In this episode, we explore the deep roots of self-worth: not as something earned, but remembered. We look at the childhood patterns, societal conditioning, and inner dynamics (like the inner child and inner critic) that keep us chasing external affirmation. You’ll learn how to recognise when you’re reaching for biscuits — and how to nourish yourself from within instead.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In a world that celebrates hustle and constant productivity, how do we return to simply being? This episode explores the subtle, often misunderstood difference between authentic feminine presence and anima possession — when the inner feminine becomes distorted through performance or projection. Through the lens of Jungian psychology, astrology, and embodied wisdom, we unpack how to slow down, soften, and live from a place of wholeness rather than burnout. This is an invitation to remember who you are beneath the doing.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

This episode dives into the raw, often unspoken terrain of shadow work, especially the parts of us that surface during retrograde season. The ones that whisper “you’re not doing enough”, or “you’re too much again.” The parts that keep us over-giving, over-apologising, over-achieving, or stuck in cycles of self-criticism.We explore how these patterns live in the body, the birth chart, and our everyday lives. For us, this shows up most vividly in the challenges we face as mothers - where the pressure to hold it all can expose the deepest cracks in our sense of worth.This is a conversation about truth, tenderness, and self-inquiry. About coming home to yourself. And about how the retrogrades, far from punishing us, are inviting us into greater wholeness, if we’re brave enough to look within.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, we reflect on the powerful transformations that unfolded during our recent 200hr Yoga Teacher Training - not just for the students, but for us as guides and space holders too.We explore the Heroine’s Journey as a framework for what it means to move from doing to being, from striving to softening, from performance to presence. Through honest conversation, shared reflection, and personal storytelling, we unpack how this training became a container for:Releasing old identities and rolesSimultaneously learning and unlearningFacing the wounds of disconnection from the feminineReclaiming intuition, softness, and soul truthRemembering that our worth isn’t tied to what we do, but who we areYou’ll also hear part of our own journeys - from burnout and masculine achievement to spiritual crisis and rediscovery through yoga and feminine embodiment. But more than that, this episode honours the collective spiral we witnessed as our recent batch of teacher returned to themselves, one breath, one posture, one moment at a time.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

On 7/7/2025 — a numerological portal of awakening — Uranus, the planet of disruption and liberation, moves into Gemini for the first time in 84 years.This is more than a transit. It’s a revolution of voice, thought, and technology.In this episode, we explore:What Uranus represents in your natal chartHow Uranus in Taurus redefined values, bodies, and security — including the COVID yearsWhat Uranus in Gemini will awaken in our minds, our media, our nervous systems, and our spiritual pathThe rise of AI and the widening consciousness gapWhy this is the age of truth-speaking, sound healing, and liberating your voiceThis is a 7-year portal into the future. Will we use it to deepen into soul — or to outsource more of who we are?Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, we explore addiction—not just as a dependence on substances or behaviours, but as a symptom of deeper longing, disconnection, and unmet needs. Through the lenses of astrology and yoga, we unpack how certain planetary influences may illuminate patterns of escapism, craving, and emotional overwhelm.What are we really seeking when we reach for something outside ourselves? How can practices like pranayama, asana, and meditation help regulate the nervous system and reconnect us to an inner sense of safety and presence?We reflect on the spiritual roots of addiction and the human desire to feel whole, grounded, and at peace. This is a tender conversation about compassion, self-awareness, and the courage to sit with discomfort instead of running from it.Whether you’re walking this path yourself or holding space for someone who is, may this episode offer insight, grounding, and hope.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode, we peel back the layers of the self - Dive deep into the ancient yogic concept of the Koshas, the five energetic sheaths that form our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual experience. From the tangible body to the blissful soul layer, you'll discover how these subtle energies shape your daily life—and how to work with them consciously for greater balance, vitality, and insight.We’ll explore where the koshas come from in yogic texts like the Taittiriya Upanishad, how they were practiced traditionally, and how you can use them right now—in your yoga, your breath, your thoughts, and even your astrology. Whether you're a seeker, teacher, or simply curious, this episode will give you a powerful inner map to live more connected, aligned, and whole. Press play to remember: you are not just one thing—you are layered, luminous, and infinite.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this special episode, Laura is joined by her husband Adam for a deeply honest and powerful conversation about men’s mental health, emotional healing, and the sacred masculine.Having discussed masculinity and relationships on previous episodes with Becky, we thought it would be important to share the male perspective. Adam shares his struggles with connecting to feeling and what helped. We hope this episode can be shared with other men, to help them reconnect with themselves and the people in their lives too. Adam shares his personal journey — from the emotional suppression of rugby culture, struggles with identity and steroid addiction, to finding healing through movement, hiking and spiritual reconnection. Adam explains how his company APEX Everest took an unexpected direction, unknowingly creating the opportunity for men (and women) to talk shoulder to shoulder whilst hiking, and the community and healing that has created as a result.Whether you're in partnership, navigating your own emotional world, or holding space for the men in your life, this episode is an invitation into a more honest, conscious, and connected way of being.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Jupiter is about to enter Cancer and with it comes a wave of emotional expansion, spiritual nourishment, and a powerful reclamation of what abundance really means.In this solo episode, Becky dives deep into the astrology of Jupiter: the cosmic teacher, the generous guide, the planet of blessings, faith, and possibility. She explores why Cancer is Jupiter’s place of exaltation, what this means for your growth over the next 12 months, and how this transit offers a sacred reset — not just in how we manifest, but in how we receive.Touching on the contrasting energy of Saturn now in Aries , in detriment and how this creates an energetic tension between softness and structure, nourishment and self-discipline, expansion and initiation.If you’ve been feeling like you can’t keep growing the way you used to…If your body is asking to be centred in your dreams…If your soul is craving more rooted, feminine ways to feel abundant…Then this episode is for you.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

We are standing at the edge of one of the most powerful energetic shifts of our lifetime. As Saturn begins to leave Pisces and Neptune prepares to do the same, we’re not just ending a chapter, we’re closing entire karmic cycles.In this episode, we explore what it means to be shaped by Saturn and Neptune in Pisces - the clearing, the grief, the spiritual weight, and what’s now rising from the ashes as both planets move into Aries.This is the astrology of starting over.Of redefining who you are.Of burning down false identities and rebuilding a life with soul at the centre.We talk about:Self-responsibility as sacred practiceThe shadow side of spiritual labelsTechnology, embodiment & the age of AIWhy you might feel the urge to tear it all up and start againWhat happens when karma clears, and the fire returnsThis isn’t the beginning you expected.It’s the beginning you were made for.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

What even is meditation? Is it sitting cross-legged trying not to think? Or is it something much deeper, more sacred—and more personal?In this episode, we open up about our own experiences with meditation at where we are in life right now.We talk about:🌀 Why your mind wandering isn’t a sign you’re failing🌿 The real reason meditation is essential for liberation⚠️ How meditation is not sitting crossed legged with no thoughts✨ Our daily practicesThis isn’t about doing it ‘right’- it’s about meeting yourself with honesty, curiosity and compassion.Whether you're brand new or returning to your practice, this episode invites you to redefine meditation in a way that actually serves your soul.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Holidays bring hope of connection, joy, and magic—but they often stir something deeper. In this episode, we explore the emotional complexity of holidays: the overwhelm, disconnection, and relational tension that can arise just as we’re expected to relax and enjoy! Why do holidays unearth what we normally keep hidden? And how can practices like yoga, mindfulness, and astrology help us hold what surfaces with compassion, rather than fear or reaction?We’ll talk about:Why the holidays can feel so emotionally chargedHow romantic relationships shift when our routines dissolveWhat travel and time away awaken in us—and how to integrate the truth they revealYogic practices to ground, reflect, and meet discomfort with graceAstrological insights on seasonal energy, Venus and Jupiter transits, and the sacred timing of inner changeThis is an invitation to listen inward, soften expectations, and let the holidays be what they are: a portal to presence, truth, and transformation.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this episode we explore the major astrological transits that shape us — from birth, through midlife, and into our 80s.We talk about the powerful role astrology plays in making the unconscious conscious, and how these transits invite us into deeper awareness, growth, and alignment at every stage of life.From Saturn Returns to Uranus oppositions, Pluto squares and beyond, we share both practical insights and our own personal reflections and experiences to help you navigate these cosmic milestones with clarity, compassion, and curiosity... and to make sense of life!Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Ever catch yourself thinking, “I’ll be happy when…?” In this episode we unwrap that sneaky happiness trap, swap real‑life stories of chasing (and finally catching) contentment, and share the simple mindset flips that stop the endless waiting game. We explore how yoga is an amazing tool to transcend the happiness trap, and why your birth chart and astrology can illuminate the cosmic patterns behind your pleasure, purpose, and pitfalls. Tune in for down‑to‑earth chat, a sprinkle of star wisdom, and actionable practices you can roll out—on the mat and in daily life—to cultivate happiness right here, right now.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

In this more personal episode, Laura and Ellie open up about their journeys toward living in alignment — body, mind, and soul. From burnout to breakthroughs, they share how reconnecting with their physical bodies through yoga and posture, and tuning into cosmic rhythms through astrology, helped them realign with their truth.Now running their own wellness businesses, they reflect on the pivotal moments that led them here, and the practices that continue to anchor them. This is a conversation about trust, timing, embodiment, and the courage to live in integrity with who you really are.Whether you’re navigating a big transition or simply seeking more connection with yourself, this episode is your reminder that alignment is always available — and always evolving.Check out Ellie here:www.instagram.com/postureelliewww.postureellie.comDid you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

As Easter is upon us, we explore a fun and lighted hearted connection between yoga, astrology, and chocolate! From the stars that shape our desires to the nervous system that seeks comfort. We’ll dive into the evolutionary roots of cravings, the science behind chocolate’s effect on the brain, and how mindful movement and cosmic insight can help us decode what our bodies are really asking for.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Easter isn’t just about chocolate eggs and bunnies—it’s cosmic. In this episode we’re unpacking the astrological timing of Easter and what it really invites us into. Beyond the resurrection story, there’s a deeper call to live consciously, to understand the esoteric layers woven into this sacred time. We’re also talking about Jesus through a yogic lens and the role of Mary Magdalene—because there’s so much more to this story than we’ve been told. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com

Welcome back to North Node: The Yoga & Astrology Podcast! Today, we’re diving into a profound yet practical concept from yogic philosophy—the Kleshas. These are the five afflictions, or mental and emotional obstacles, that keep us stuck in cycles of suffering. But we’re not just breaking down ancient philosophy; we’re making it real—because the Kleshas aren’t abstract ideas, they show up in our everyday lives, in our fears, our attachments, and even our sense of self.In this episode, we’re exploring:✨ What the Kleshas are – From ignorance (Avidya) to fear of death (Abhinivesha), how these forces shape our experience✨ How they manifest in real life – Why we repeat unhealthy patterns and how we can begin to break free✨ The astrological connection – Each Klesha resonates with planetary energy, offering a unique lens to work with them in our personal practice.✨ Moving beyond the Kleshas – Practical ways to cultivate awareness, detachment, and inner peace.Ultimately, this is a conversation about spiritual awareness. The Kleshas keep us in a fog, but through yoga, self-inquiry, and astrology, we can recognize these patterns and work with them instead of against them.Let’s dive in.Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you?You can check out our respective websites and social media here:Becky:www.instagram.com/therosealmanacwww.therosealmanac.comLaura:www.soulsanctuarystudios.comwww.lauraclaytonwellness.com