We often turn to discipline for healing. The structure gives us safety, rhythm, something to hold onto when life feels uncertain. But at some point, that same structure has to give us back to ourselves. 

In this episode, Tripp talks with Zoë Ward, a longtime Ashtanga practitioner and author of The Unruly Ascetic, about what happens when devotion meets discernment. Together they explore how methods that begin as lifelines can become cages if we never learn to listen to our own bodies and intuition. 

Zoë spent a decade studying with Sharath Jois in Mysore, India, before stepping back from teaching to reimagine what practice can be. She shares how she’s returning now with a renewed commitment to love-based discipline, consent, and self-trust — and how the journey from seeker to finder often begins with letting go. 

Check out Zoëy's Instagram for more on Ashtanga Yoga and to see her amazing art! - unrulyascetic

About Flourish by Advaita Health

Flourish by Advaita Health explores how people, providers, and communities move from suffering to flourishing. Each episode weaves together perspectives from healthcare, wellness, and human experience — from the science of mental and physical health to the art of living well.

Advaita Health is a North Carolina–based behavioral health organization dedicated to supporting whole-person flourishing. Learn more about our work and clinical services below.

• 🌿 Advaita Health: advaitahealth.com
• 🩺 Advaita Integrated Medicine: aimwellbeing.com
• 🎙️ Podcast: Flourish by Advaita Health
• 📸 Instagram: @advaitahealth
• 💼 LinkedIn: Advaita Health
• 📩 Subscribe for new episodes and updates