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This episode is Part 5 of our 10-part snack-sized Yoga philosophy series on the Yamas and Niyamas. Aparigraha is the 5th Yama which translates to detachment or the idea of non-hoarding, not keeping things or grasping on to things. Let's look a little bit deeper and think bigger about this idea of detachment.

We go far deeper into these Philosophies inside our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. You can learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training program over here. If anything within this Yama and Niyamas Series sparks your interest we'd suggest to follow that spark... you never know where it may lead you!

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• Our buying and consuming habits have gone too far for our planet.
• The practice of detachment allows us to enjoy the journey and become more present. The journey is the goal, not the destination.
• Nischala Joy Devi translates Aparigraha as acknowledging abundance. Take a moment to feel gratitude for the great blessings that surround you.
• This practice of Detachment turned our lives and beliefs upside down in an amazing way! 
• If you're just joining us, we recommend starting from Part 1 to fully experience the logical flow of these yogic philosophies. Here's a quick recap: We've covered Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), and Brahmacharya (proper use of energy). Listen to:

410: Embracing Ahimsa | The First Step in Our Yamas Series

411: Discovering Satya, the Power of Truth | Yamas Series

412: The Practice of Asteya in Modern Life | Yamas Series

413: Exploring Brahmacharya in Everyday Life | Yamas Series

If you loved this episode or have more questions about this, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is Part 4 of our 10-part Yoga philosophy series where we tip toe, take snack bites (whatever you want to call it) into the Yamas and Niyamas. Brahmacharya is the 4th Yama and is traditionally translated to celibacy, but there is so much more to discuss!

We go far deeper into these Philosophies inside our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. You can learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training program over here. If anything within this Yama and Niyamas Series sparks your interest we'd suggest to continue following that spark... you never know where it may lead you!

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• Sexual energy is one of the most natural human states of energy celebrated. Anand Mehrotra says "thinking that Patanjali was asking us to be celibate is ridiculous".
• Brahmacharya is not just about celibacy but also about channeling your energy and being aware of where your energy is going.
• It is a state of consciousness where you start to experience things based on their fullest value. When you look at a rose, you no longer label it as merely a rose, you start to look at it differently.
• Nishala Joy Devi says that Brahmacharya is the art of living a moderate life, but it can be challenging in our modern-day society of excess.
• If you missed the first three parts of this series, listen to:

410: Embracing Ahimsa | The First Step in Our Yamas Series

411: Discovering Satya, the Power of Truth | Yamas Series

412: The Practice of Asteya in Modern Life | Yamas Series

If you loved this episode or have more questions about this, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is Part 3 of our 10-part Yoga philosophy series where we dip our toes into the Yamas and Niyamas. It's a snack bite-sized dive into philosophy (haha). Asteya is the 3rd of the 5 Yamas, and is traditionally translated to non-stealing.

We go far deeper into these Philosophies inside our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. You can learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training program over here.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• Asteya is not just about non-stealing of physical possessions. Being late is stealing time. Distracting ourselves where there is no need for distraction is stealing from our own present moment.
• Nischala Joy Devi translates Asteya as abiding in generosity and honesty. When we are honest and generous, we experience abundance.
• Asteya tells us not to steal, but as it expands our hearts, it says give. Don't wait for someone to ask. Be alert and never miss an opportunity to give, give, give.
• Make sure to give to yourself first: compassion, love, acceptance, non-judgment, understanding, forgiveness. The more we give these to ourselves, the more we give them to others as well.
• If you missed the first and second parts of this series, listen to 410: Embracing Ahimsa | The First Step in Our Yamas Series and 411: Discovering Satya, the Power of Truth | Yamas Series

If you loved this episode or have more questions about this, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is Part 2 of our 10-part Yoga philosophy series where we dip our toes into the Yamas and Niyamas. Satya is the 2nd of the 5 Yamas.

We go far deeper into these Philosophies inside our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. You can learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training program over here.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• Satya translates to truth and integrity. Our thoughts, words and actions gain the power to manifest.
• Many of us have spent so much of our lives trying to please other people that we have forgotten what our truth is and who we really are.
• If you allow a moment to get quiet and peaceful, often it's when the truth will speak to you. Do you actually listen? Do you live that truth out?
• The more you follow and live your truth and show up with integrity, the easier it becomes.
• There's a little bit of magic when you begin something new. And, you have to step outside your comfort zone to experience that.
• If you missed the first part of this series, listen to 410: Embracing Ahimsa | The First Step in Our Yamas Series

If you loved this episode or have more questions about this, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is Part 1 of our 10-part Yoga philosophy series where we dip our toes into the Yogic philosophies, starting with the Yamas and Niyamas. You'll realise that Yoga is so much more than just a downward-facing dog. 

Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training program over here.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• Yamas are the first limb of Yoga. Nishala Joy Devi, an amazing author and Yoga Teacher, translates the Yamas as practices that uncover our true nature.
• Yamas are often described as the "don'ts".
• Ahimsa, the first Yama, is often translated as non-violence. How can you show up with more love, with more kindness, not only for others, but also for yourself?
• Nishala Joy Devi translates Ahimsa as embracing, revenance, and love for all. We experience oneness. With love and kindness, we then experience a connection.
• Listen to our Chakra series: 353: Joy, Pleasure and the Sacral Chakra, 354: Confidence, self-esteem and the Solar Plexus Chakra, 355: Kindness, love, compassion and the Heart Chakra, 356: Communication, truth-telling and the Throat Chakra, 357: Intuition, making decisions and the Third Eye Chakra, 358: Your higher power, something bigger and the Crown Chakra

If you loved this episode or have more questions about this, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a special episode, we share our 108 Affirmation Meditation from the MerryBody App.

Meditation welcomes mindfulness and focus, and this creates an ideal state for positive affirmation. Affirmations are positive statements that shift negative thoughts. You can use them to help reinforce your desired beliefs.

Meditation and affirmations form a powerful duo for personal growth and wellbeing. Together, they amplify each other's effects, helping to rewire the brain for positivity and resilience. When combined, meditation calms the mind and cultivates focus, while affirmation welcomes self-confidence and motivation. 

Our MerryBody Members are loving this meditation, hear what some of them are saying about it.

“I just completed the Feel Good Yoga class and finished off with the 108 affirmations, so good” - Jo

“This morning my body still felt quite tired, normally I would have chosen a Yin class, but instead I pressed play on Nadi Shodhana pranayama and then the new meditation in the MB app, 108 affirmations (amazing! I highly recommend it).” - Allie

“I just did the 108 Affirmations meditation. I feel so good now, your voice is so calming” - Irene

“I just did 108 affirmations meditation too! How empowering is it?! So uplifting.” - Tiina

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• We spoke about the power of Positive affirmations during last week's episode 408: Do positive affirmations work?
• Find a seat, or tune in while you're walking and experience a amazing shift in your thoughts. 
• Join us for our upcoming 14 Day Challenge on the 20th of May, inside the MerryBody app. We will combine, Movement, Meditation and Affirmation. Download the app and start your 7 day free trial to take part.

If you loved this episode or have more questions about this, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we chat about positive affirmations and their power to shift your mindset. They are very much part of our business journey. When we started our business (11 years ago now) we had them pinned up on all of our walls everywhere.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• We came to a point where we stopped believing in the power of positive affirmations but listening to the Founders Podcast reminded us of the importance of positive affirmations and a positive mindset.
• Positive affirmations are essential in shifting mindsets, especially in a stress-laden environment like managing a business.
• It's important to look at our thoughts and the words that are on repeat in our mind.
• Positive affirmations are not just woo-woo or whimsical magical teachings. 
• Carla shares her hypnobirthing journey, where positive affirmations are practised, to let go of the stress and anxiety of giving birth.
• Positive affirmations can help regulate our emotions. If we shift our thoughts, our thoughts create the feelings.
• It might feel weird when you first welcome in positive affirmations about yourself but you must persist. Over time, the resistance starts to fade.
• The magic comes when you link it to a regular practice of your life such as yoga, Pilates, and meditation. 
• If you want to feel the power of affirmation combined with movement and meditation, join our upcoming 14 Day Challenge on the 20th of May, inside the MerryBody app. Download the app and start your 7 day free trial.

If you loved this episode or have more questions about this, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Right now we have over 600 Yoga, Pilates, Yin, Barre and meditation MerryBody classes inside our App. One of our amazing Yoga teacher trainees asked us about the inspiration and decisions that go into the creation of these classes. Thanks for the question Sharon, this was such a fun conversation. 

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• How we first designed our first in-person Yoga and Pilates classes compared to now. 
• We began filming 4 classes a day, now we are filming 10. 
• You have to start somewhere, reflect, learn and then make it better.
• When you are organised and have a system, it creates the perfect environment for creativity to thrive.
• If you haven't tried our classes, sign up to our FREE Pilates class called Daily Dose Pilates or try our FREE Yoga class called Desk Worker Upper Yoga.

If you're interested in joining the 2025 MerryBody Yoga Teacher Training, sign up for the waitlist.

If you loved this episode or have more questions about this, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we chat about everyday anxious thought loopholes that so many of us experience, and how we can better manage these.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• What is the mind-body connection and how does it impact our physical and mental health?
• Your thoughts impact your feelings, and how you feel impact the actions you take.
• Exercise and movement release feel good hormones. If you are sedentary, it can lead to lower feelings and depression.
• Strengthen your mind-body connection and don't wait for the anxious thought to come. Do the breathwork, hit play on the yoga class and meditate.
• Meditation increases self-awareness and helps in managing your thoughts and reactions.
• Check in with the tools you're using for managing anxiety and hold on to the ones that work for you.
• Keep practising meditation despite initial discomfort and feel the benefits.

How do you move through your anxious thoughts?

If you loved this episode, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to this episode for a quick burst of motivation to open up your study books (or program). As we start week 1 of our 2024 MerryBody Yoga Teacher Training. We chat about learning as adults and the challenges that come with it. And how do we approach learning and make sure we enjoy it? And get it done!

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• Learning is so accessible nowadays, it's easier to sign up for a course, but also easier to fail and not do it.
• It's balancing discipline, structure, flexibility, and joy in the learning process.
• When you learn something new, it's going to take time.
• Don't just focus on getting the results and forget the whole point of the learning.
• As we get older, it's really easy to just stop learning and just think that we know enough.
• What lights you up and what makes you feel excited? Learn about that!
• Some things can get in the way and derail our plans, so it's important to embrace flexibility and self-compassion.
• Release expectations and detach yourself from how the journey should look.

If you loved this episode, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.