What the hell is up? On this episode of Jamie’s Corner, I sit down with my beloved teacher, Yogeswari, during the 300-hour Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training in India.

We dive deep into the core tenets of the Jivamukti Yoga method, which explicitly link spiritual practice with action—centering on devotion, ahimsa (non-violence), and activism.

With over 20 years of teaching experience, Yogeswari shares how yoga can be a powerful tool for inner growth and outer change—fostering self-love, personal transformation, and deep societal impact. She also opens up about her work founding the Azahar Foundation, which brings healing and education to communities in post-conflict zones such as Rwanda and Cambodia.

Tune in to explore how building a strong spiritual foundation can sustain and empower your activism.🎧

Jamie's Corner is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

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🕙 CHAPTER MARKERS:

00:00:00 | Introduction: Meeting Beloved Teacher Yogeswari in India

00:00:30 | Episode Topic: Raising Consciousness to Make the World a Better Place

00:00:46 | Welcome and Gratitude to Yogeswari

00:01:04 | The Intensity of the 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training

00:01:23 | Laughing During Meditation

00:02:35 | Defining Yoga Beyond a Physical Workout

00:03:13 | Jivamukti Yoga's Focus on Activism and Oneness

04:42:22 | The Philosophy of Yoga: Oneness of Existence

05:58:02 | Compassionate Lifestyle and the Power of Connection

06:53:03 | Connecting Through Shared Humanity (and Existence)

08:34:08 | The Connection Between a Plant-Based Diet and Yoga

09:40:18 | Minimizing Detrimental Impact: Comparing Plant and Animal Consumption

10:50:15 | The Disconnect of Comparing Animal Suffering to Vegetables

12:15:15 | Jane Teachings and Intentional Consumption

13:06:23 | Environmental Activism and the Suicide Mission of Current Practices

13:56:01 | Advice for Aspiring Activists in a Challenging World

15:49:15 | Activism Through Spiritual Projects and Community (e.g., Govardhan Eco Village)

17:04:00 | Using Skillful Means as a Yoga Teacher/Artist to Address Issues

18:29:07 | A Yoga Teacher's Many Roles and Known Limitations

20:08:02 | Maintaining Personal Practice: Self-Care for Activists

21:11:11 | Living a Public Life and Being on Mission

22:21:07 | The Importance of Knowing Your Soul's Purpose

23:27:13 | Questioning Societal Paths: Marriage and Kids

24:01:05 | Differing Spiritual Paths: Monks vs. Householders

25:33:15 | Navigating Relationships with Spiritual and Activist Values

27:10:11 | Starting the Azahar Foundation: Motivation and History

28:08:16 | Creating a Difference: From Colombia to Cambodia

29:44:00 | Success Stories: Former Students Becoming Jivamukti Yoga Teachers

30:13:20 | Motivation and Next Steps for the Azahar Foundation

31:34:18 | The Partnership with Jivamukti Global and Scholarship Opportunities

33:19:17 | The Transformative Experience of the Teacher Training

33:48:13 | Favorite Vegan Beauty Hack: Coconut Oil and Shea Butter