The Calming Ground Podcast

116 - Hold Nothing: A Conversation with Elena Brower on Yoga, Meditation, and Embracing Life’s Impermanence


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How do you cultivate a heart wide enough to hold yourself, your loved ones, and the world with compassion? Elena Brower joins us to explore this and the power of letting go in her new book Hold Nothing.

In this episode, host Elizabeth Mintun sits down with Elena Brower, mother, mentor, poet, artist, volunteer, bestselling author, and host of the Practice You Podcast. Elena has been guiding yoga and meditation practices since 1999 on Glo, and her work explores the art of listening, self-compassion, and returning to the spaciousness within.


In this conversation, Elena and Elizabeth dive into her newest book, Hold Nothing, a deeply personal exploration of letting go of narratives, embracing impermanence, and practicing what she calls a “grandmother’s heart.” Elena shares her journey as a student of life, her evolution as a teacher, and the quiet yet powerful practices that sustain her: from meditation and yoga to chaplaincy work in hospice and penitentiaries.


If you’re curious about embracing impermanence, and finding resilience and creativity in everyday life, this episode is for you. 


Key Takeaways


  • Elena’s book Hold Nothing shows how releasing the stories we cling to opens up space for clarity, freedom, and emotional resilience.
  • Sharing your authentic story, even when it’s uncomfortable or scary, can be a form of courage and connection.
  • Whether in yoga, meditation, or everyday life, it’s important to show up as a student, cultivating curiosity and openness.

Resources 

Elena Brower’s Website


Elena Brower’s Book


Elena Brower’s Glo Classes


Elena Brower’s Hold Nothing Book


Practice You Podcast


Elena’s Instagram: @elenabrower


Elena’s Substack: On The Inside


Learn more about 1:1 Coaching with Elizabeth Mintun here


Contact Elizabeth: [email protected]


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The Calming Ground PodcastBy Elizabeth Mintun