"The goal is to advance to consciousness."

In this episode, I chat with Alexandra McRobert - yoga teacher, writer, podcast host, and lifelong student of spiritual wisdom. She created Sober Yoga Girl as a sanctuary for seekers on the path of healing - those navigating recovery from addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges, or just the overwhelm of being human in this modern world.

And she’s also a fellow Canadian (living abroad like me!). Alex shares her personal journey from Canada to teaching yoga abroad, her struggles with alcohol, and how sobriety transformed her life and practice.

The conversation delves into the importance of community in recovery, the shift from ego to authenticity in teaching, and the role of meditation in yoga. Alexandra shares insights on navigating the yoga teacher training landscape, the significance of personal practice, and how her offerings in retreats have evolved.

Here are some takeaways;

➖ Building a community is essential for recovery and growth.

➖Authenticity in teaching comes from personal experience and humility.

➖ Meditation is a crucial practice for yoga teachers.

➖ Teacher training should focus on personal development and self-discipline.

➖ Curiosity and continuous learning are vital for personal growth.

➖ The impact of past experiences shapes future teaching methods.

Find Alex at. Mindful Bali HERE

Join her online community HERE

Listen to us on Alex’s Podcast “Sober Yoga Girl” where I share about the importance of practice. Listen HERE

I love the final part of this talk where Alex highlights continuous learning and the importance of self-care in supporting others. Let me know what you think!

In oneness,

Bobbi

Thanks for listening!

💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs

💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.

💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel

💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya

💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together, connect with me here 🙏♥️✨

“So when you experience that peace, it's because it's your nature. Your real nature is peaceful. It is blissful. It is contented.”

Wow, this is an incredible episode from early in September, recorded for the Good Company livestream series with my brilliant friend Katharine from Unchanging Being. She is a longtime meditator and a deeply wise teacher. We talked about the Gita, the Gunas, retraining the mind, meditation, and satsang (and more). This is a conversation that bridges ancient wisdom with modern life. A classic, inspiring and educational talk that everyone will take something from, especially if you have a mind that tends to disturb you - like me!

Our dialogue explores the interplay of the essence of true freedom and the vital role of meditation in discovering the unchanging Self.

Through personal anecdotes and insights, Katharine illuminates the path of self-discovery and the eternal quest to understand one’s true nature.

Here are a few of the profound takeaways (there are many):

➖ Satsang and good company support genuine spiritual growth

➖ The Bhagavad Gita is a living scripture, fully relevant today

➖ Freedom from the mind is the true aim of meditation

➖ The Gunas are constantly shaping our thoughts and actions

➖ Witness consciousness unlocks a deeper understanding of the Self

➖ Meditation reveals the unchanging nature of Being

➖ Self-discovery is a lifelong journey, enriched through teachings and experience

Find Katharine: unchangingbeing.com

Subscribe to Unchanging Being on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@unchangingbeing

Katharine’s current Bhagavad Gita cohort has already begun, although she offers other in-depth courses on the Upanishads, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Yamas and Niyamas, regular satsang, a brilliant newsletter, and her new YouTube channel, which features teachings and meditations.

I loved spending time with my wise satsang friend and sharing this livestream episode with the Patreon community. I look forward to hearing what you take away from it.

In oneness,

Bobbi

Thanks for listening!

💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast

💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.

💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel

💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat

💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

"Question everything."

Today, I welcome Anjali Rao, a yoga teacher and author, to discuss her journey into yoga, the cultural and historical contexts of yoga, and the themes of gender and caste within the practice. We delve into the representation of women and gender-expansive folks in yoga history, the impact of caste on yoga practices, and the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding yoga's role in modern society. Anjali emphasizes the need for curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to hold paradoxes in our understanding of yoga and its teachings.

Key moments from our talk;

➖ Caste and patriarchy significantly impact modern yoga practices.

➖ Yoga is often misrepresented as a monolithic practice.

➖ Diverse perspectives are essential for understanding yoga's complexities.

➖ Curiosity and questioning are vital for personal growth.

➖ Yoga can serve as a tool for resistance against societal norms.

➖ The importance of community and dialogue in yoga practice.

Find her new book, Yoga As Embodied Resistance: A Feminist Lens in Caste, Gender And Sacred Resilience in Yoga History, and join her upcoming reading circle HERE

Anjali on IG HERE

I really enjoyed receiving more contextual history and thought-provoking research presented by Anjali, and mostly her passion for sharing knowledge. I know you will take away something to contemplate in your positionality in the yoga world, as well as in your personal relationship with the broad and diverse teachings of yoga.

in oneness,

Bobbi

Thanks for listening!

💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast

💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.

💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel

💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat

💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

"It's so scary to be nobody."

In this episode, I’m talking with Yarmila Alfonzetti, one of Australia’s leading arts professionals, a mother, a wife, a friend, and, in the truest sense of the word, a curious yogi.

Yarmila joins me with so much joy and openness to share her journey as a yogi. Together, we dive into themes of identity, ego, and what makes yoga retreats so special. She speaks about the gift of silence in practice, the experience of bliss, and how personal growth brings its own responsibilities.

Along the way, we reflect on the wisdom of our many teachers and the transformative power of retreats, reminding us that yoga is truly a lifelong journey of self-discovery and deeper understanding.

Here are a few of the nuggets we explore:

➖ Accepting our inner seeking nature can be challenging.

➖ The ego can be a significant barrier to growth.

➖ Silence and meditation become more important as practice deepens.

➖ The path of seeking is often filled with challenges and fears.

➖ Morality and kindness are essential in the pursuit of truth.

➖ Yoga retreats offer space for real learning and personal growth.

I loved this candid and spontaneous conversation with Yarmila. She mentioned that she always tries to be the best person in the room, and I believe she truly is.

This chat really feels like sitting down with two friends, and I think you’ll feel that too.

✨ Also, tune in to the intro for a special scholarship offer for our India retreat—open to one of our Curious Yogi Podcast listeners!

In oneness,

Bobbi

Thanks for listening!

💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast

💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.

💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel

💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat

💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

“The greatest value of this kind of talk is that you have the right to choose that kind of company and be uplifted.”

In today's episode of Good Company on a Curious Yogi, Hirdaya and I explore the significance of good company in spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of Shravan (hearing), Manan (reflection), and Nidhidhyasan (application) in deepening one's practice. We discuss the challenges of modern life, the power of pause, and the necessity of authentic conversations for inner transformation.

The dialogue highlights the need to choose uplifting thoughts and ultimately, Hirdaya reminds us of our true nature and the essence of sadhana as a journey of remembering and resting in beingness.

Takeaways from this enlightening conversation:

➖ Good company is essential for spiritual growth.

➖ The practice of Shravan, Manan, and Nidhi Dhyasan is vital.

➖ Choosing uplifting thoughts can transform your experience.

➖ Authentic conversations lead to inner transformation.

➖ The mind often forgets our true nature.

➖ Pausing in moments of discomfort is powerful.

➖ Sadhana is about remembering who you truly are.

➖ Inner work is the real advanced practice.

Find Hirdaya at: hirdayameditation.com

I hope you take as much inspiration and delight from this satsang company as I did. Stay tuned for more episodes like this!

In Oneness,

Bobbi

Thanks for listening!

💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast

💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.

💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel

💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat

💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

"When you experience trauma, your spectrum of grief grows…on the other side of the spectrum, it has as much joy as you are able to experience as well."

In this powerful episode, I chat with Rodrigo Souza of Allihopa Yoga - from his living room in Malmö, Sweden. Rodrigo is the coolest yogi I’ve ever met, and more importantly, he lives yoga in every sense of the word.

We delve into the profound impact of yoga on trauma recovery and spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation through his journey, illustrating how adaptive yoga can transform lives by fostering resilience and healing.

Key Highlights:

➖ “Life is not against you; you are enough”

➖Yoga goes beyond physical postures; it’s about connection

➖Curiosity keeps us alive and engaged in life.

➖ How to empower students by offering agency in their practice

➖ Grief and joy coexist on the same spectrum.

➖Yoga should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability

➖Inclusive language enhances the yoga experience for all.

➖”This is perfect, or this is perfect…”

Connect with Rodrigo:

Instagram: @allihopayoga

Web: www.allihopayoga.com/

Practice with Rodrigo:

Yoga for Disabled Folks: Accessible & Adaptive Practices for those with Limited Mobility & Wheelchair Users a 10-hour online course With Rodrigo Souza on demand.

https://www.accessibleyogaschool.com/yoga-for-disabled-folks

I loved exploring the true essence of yoga with Rodrigo. We are aligned in our understanding of why stillness and meditation are emphasized, and Rodrigo shed light on the importance of reclaiming yoga from commercial biases and ableism for me. This inspiring talk serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment for all.

I got so fired up and touched with this convo, I promise you will too.

And I’ll always remember how to hug the cactus.

In oneness,

Bobbi

Thanks for listening!

💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast

💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.

💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel

💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat

💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

"Start with ‘I am free’. Then you can still work on yourself as you need to."

Today, I’m happy to be sharing this delightful conversation with one of my favourite people, my dear friend Zach, a lifelong practitioner of sadhana who grew up in the Indian Himalayas at a meditation institute, in the company of an enlightened Guru.

I waited a while to finally get Zach onto the show, as he is a true yogi, but one who spends his time privately. In this episode, we explore the profound journey of self-discovery and sadhana with insights from Zach’s lifetime in the Himalayas.

Here’s what we discuss:

➖ The impact of growing up in a spiritual community

➖ The challenges and choices in a life dedicated to sadhana

➖ Insights from Swamiji's teachings on freedom and self-realization

➖The balance between worldly duties and spiritual practice

I really loved hearing Zach's reflections on the value of continuously choosing to live in truth and the importance of surrounding oneself with good company. You know, living our sadhana?

I promise you’ll enjoy Zach as much I do, and also take some points to get curious about when delving into the essence of living a life of freedom and authenticity.

In oneness,

Bobbi

Thanks for listening!

💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast

💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.

💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel

💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat

💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together, find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

Embracing the Paradox.

Hi Curious Yogis,

I’m here with my friend Vijay and fellow meditator, and I’m so excited to share the first rendition of a new podcast format I'm calling Good Company. It’s a part of The Curious Yogi Podcast, created to offer something a little different: spontaneous, live-streamed satsang that invites you, the community of listeners and Patreon members, into deeper connection and active participation.

In this inaugural conversation, recorded live in Copenhagen, we dive straight into the heart of what it means to walk the spiritual path while still being fully human. It’s a real, unscripted exchange. Just two seekers exploring the paradoxes of life and truth together.

We touch on the nature of mind, the illusion of control, the role of desire and attachment, and reflect on timeless teachings like the Bhagavad Gita, all while holding space for not-knowing and being present with what is.

Most of all, this episode is a celebration of satsang, the kind of good company that nourishes and supports true inquiry.

In this episode:

• The paradox of being human and aware
• How desire and attachment shape our experience
• Wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita and other sacred texts
• The deep value of spiritual friendship and satsang

🎧 About this Format Good Company is for all of us who want more live, engaged spiritual dialogue. It’s about presence over perfection, connection over performance. And it’s a way to offer more value and opportunities to get involved, especially for our Patreon supporters and Curious Yogi community.

🙏🏽 Thanks for being here. If this conversation resonates, we’d love to hear from you. Your presence and reflections are part of what makes this offering come alive.

In oneness,

Bobbi

Thanks for listening!

💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs and live streams at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast

💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.

💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel

💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat

💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

"A Sankhya Yogi loses ego every day. A Scholar gains ego every day.”

In this episode, I chat with Ram Jain — a fifth-generation yogi and founder of Arhanta Yoga, with ashrams in both India and the Netherlands. Ram’s journey began at a Vedic school at age 8, and his life has since been dedicated to teaching yoga as a path to self-realization and empowerment.

We talk about his evolution from aspiring dancer to spiritual teacher, how yoga is perceived differently across cultures, and the deeper meaning behind practices like Sankhya and Gyan Yoga. Ram has a beautiful way of flipping questions back on me, sparking some deep reflection on identity, ego, and the dance between individuality and oneness.

He also shares practical advice on choosing a yoga teacher training, including the value of hands-on teaching and staying rooted in tradition.

Takeaways from our conversation:

➖ Yoga is ultimately about coming home to yourself.

➖ Our background shapes how we understand and experience yoga.

➖ Some Western students find ideas like karma and reincarnation a bit unfamiliar at first.

➖ Sankhya Yoga brings a logical lens to deep questions about who we are.

➖ Life unfolds in its own perfect timing — things come when we’re ready.

➖ Each soul is unique, yet part of something greater.

➖ Yoga invites us to explore who we are beneath all the labels.

➖ A strong yoga teacher training should include real-world teaching practice.

➖ Experiencing yoga in its cultural roots can bring deeper insight and connection.

Find Ram:

🌐 www.arhantayoga.org

📸 IG: @arhanta.yoga

This conversation made me smile, stretch my brain, and sit with some big, beautiful paradoxes. I’d love to hear what stood out to you.

In oneness,

Bobbi

Thanks for listening!

💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast

💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.

💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel

💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat

💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

“Consciousness is love, it is who I truly am.”

Today I chat with celebrated yoga teacher and author Reema Datta who is on a mission to change that with her recent book The Yogi’s Way: Transform Your Mind, Health, and Reality, which offers a twelve-week self-guided course that empowers readers to break free from the destructive tendencies of their minds and experience lasting peace.

Reema shares insights from her own sadhana and of course, her book, exploring the profound influence of family on her spiritual journey, the importance of inner peace, and the foundations of yoga practice. She emphasizes the teachings of Advaita Vedanta, the interconnection of service and spirituality, and the need for cultural sensitivity in yoga.

Here are some highlights I took away with me;

➖The essence of yoga goes beyond physical practice

➖The real teachings focus on mental purification, which requires meditation & contemplation

➖Service & spirituality go hand in hand

➖Cultural sensitivity is crucial in sharing yoga practices

➖It's okay to mispronounce Sanskrit; focus on intention & authenticity

➖All-day yoga emphasizes breath awareness throughout daily life

➖Yoga and Ayurveda work together for self-realization and healing

➖Community & friends on this path are essential

Visit Reema online and join her 12-week Yogi’s Way Course Starting September 21st www.ReemaYoga.com

Buy the book HERE

Connect with Reema on IG @reemayoga

I really enjoyed Reema's book and this beautiful conversation. They highlight the need for a broader, more enriched narrative about the teachings of yoga and how we live them daily. I’d highly recommend both as support for your yoga, wherever you are in your journey.

In oneness,

Bobbi

Thanks for listening!

💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast

💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.

💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel

💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat

💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨