A Grateful Life

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 1970s
• Life with Maharaji and the devotional culture of kirtan
• The role (and risks) of the guru–disciple relationship today
• Why seeking a guru can be problematic and what to do instead

Jai 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.com

Join the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online

Access my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join

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 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 purpose
• How women have been included and excluded in yoga - both historically and now
• The tension between yoga’s liberatory potential and the ways the industry often fails women
• Where yoga can do harm, and how it can do better
• Bex’s experiences teaching yoga in extraordinary settings, including prisons, refugee camps, and women's shelters

Bex’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/join

Download the free Patañjali’s Eight Limbs and Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbs

Join the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 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.

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 is
• The four subtypes of emotionally immature parents
• How 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 immature
• How to stay grounded and sane when visiting an emotionally immature family over the holidays
• Insights from Lindsay’s recent interview with Oprah on estrangement and 
• How we can raise emotionally mature children in these times

Lindsay 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 yoga
• The concept of dharma as a collective and individual purpose
• How past experiences contribute to our current path and understanding
• The importance of self-inquiry and listening to one's eternal self
• Practical Ayurvedic practices to support living your dharma
• The role of joy, acceptance, and serenity in recognising alignment with dharma.
• Myra's personal daily practices that support her life

Connect with Myra Lewin at https://halepule.com

Get 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-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

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.

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 wellbeing
• How understanding the nervous system can help us manage anxiety
• Practical somatic strategies from her new book for regulation and grounding
• The role of physical activity, nature, and recreation in reducing stress
• Why relationships, community, and service are pillars of wellbeing
• How a compassionate perspective reduces stigma around anxiety
• The power of flexibility and personalisation in health practices

Dr 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 order

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 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-expression
• The importance of vulnerability in creativity and connection
• The role psychedelics can play in mental health and enhancing spiritual experiences - and how to approach them safely and legally
• Why inner work is essential for personal growth, activism, and collective awakening
• The magic of storytelling and its ability to inspire and connect us

We 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-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


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.

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 order

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.

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 moments
• Why letting go is essential for personal growth
• The role of yoga, meditation, zen and tea in cultivating presence
• How death awareness can inspire meaningful living

I 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.