Integral Yoga Podcast

Rita Pira and Avi Gordon discuss having the courage to follow our own path, and how what we consume and what we think creates our experience.

Rita is an intuitive holistic life coach and a raw/vegan chef. She is on a mission to help people heal their mind, body, and soul by, debunking their subconscious fears and getting out of their own way. She is also the host of the highly rated binge worthy podcast Trading Raw Stories.

Quotes from the Interview:

*. If there’s something that you’re feeling called to do, if there’s something that’s tugging at your heart that doesn’t go away and you keep talking yourself out of it, I invite you to talk yourself back into it.

* What you’re consuming through your eyes, and your ears, and your mouth is creating your human experience, and when you take care of those things your thoughts become better serving.

* Beliefs are just thoughts on repeat.

If you don’t fill your own cup, you won’t have anything to pour from.” QUOTE

* What you’re thinking creates emotion. Emotion is literally energy in motion. And what you are energetically feeling you are vibrating, and what you’re vibrating you’re attracting.

Links:

Rita’s Podcast: Trading Raw Stories (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trading-raw-stories/id1534402948)

Instagram: @rawveganrita

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Daniel Levin shares a recent shift in perspective that’s left him seeking to be a “mailman” delivering love to everyone he encounters, and discusses nothing less than love itself in this great conversation with Avi Gordon.

Daniel walked away from an opportunity to run a billion dollar business, to hitchhike around the world to find happiness and inner peace. He studied in a seminary five years and left one day before becoming a Rabbi and he has lived as a Monk in a monastery for 10 years. As Director of Business Development, he grew Hay House from $3,000,000 a year in sales to $100,000,000 a year in revenue.

Daniel is rare blend of businessman and mystic. He is the author of The Mosaic, a life changing fable that invites people to listen to those others do not hear and to see the situations in their life differently.

Quotes from the Interview:

* Someone decided to give you a gift, not because you deserved it. It’s just love. That’s what love does: it loves for no reason. And for every reason.

* The healing to our problems is in the spaces between the words that we tell our problems in. It’s just that easy.

* If God were to pick a form to look like he would look like Satchidananda.

* Each piece (p-i-e-c-e) needs to have it’s own peace (p-e-a-c-e). And when you bring the peace of each piece together you create a resounding peace. It’s called the mosaic.

Links:

Website (with link to schedule a free 30-minute call with Daniel): https://danielbrucelevin.com/

Mosaic book or audiobook (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Mosaic-Daniel-Bruce-Levin/dp/1947637452

The Mosaic website: https://themosaiconline.com/#home

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Rukmini Ando talks with Avi Gordon about how she got started with yoga, meditation and creating art, and how teaching gets her “out of the way”.

Rukmini Ando has been practicing Yoga since 2004 and has been teaching since 2010. She is certified in Advanced Integral Yoga, Adaptive Yoga, Stress Management, Yoga of Recovery, and Raja Yoga. She currently serves as program development director, graphic designer, and Yoga teacher, and is a member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee as well as the Leadership Team at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville. She holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and is also a fine artist, specializing in oil-on-canvas.

Quotes from the Interview:

* I think it’s much easier when we’re focusing on others because then you kind of have to step up in order to raise others’ vibration. If I’m just by myself I perhaps don’t feel that need as much as if I am in relation to other people, so I think being able to connect with others is really important to find that motivation.

* It’s funny because I am such a social person but when it comes to my art, nothing else exists. It’s just that piece, the colors, the textures, the arrangement of things...and the creation just happens and I don’t know how it happens but it happens and I completely lose sense of time.

* That to me is the real karma yoga when we are completely out of the picture and we 100 percent want to serve others.

* [Teaching] is definitely something I want to continue to do until the last day of my life.

Links:

Personal Website: natalie-ando.pixels.com

Email: [email protected]

Live Classes: https://www.facebook.com/SatchidanandaAshram/

Recorded Classes: https://www.iytv.online/

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Bhagavan Metro talks about finding a spiritual teacher, the importance of identifying that we aren't the body and the mind, and finding harmony with our surroundings.

Quotes from the Interview:

* If we think that we are the body and the mind, life really is hell, because the body is constantly in danger and the mind is constantly having a problem. So we need first, if we’re going to experience that life is for fun, to solve the problem of the mind.”

* I’d just like to encourage everyone to take up whatever spiritual practice appeals to them, whatever that is, and make a little application each day toward that. It’s like putting money in the bank. If you put a couple of pennies in the bank every day, by the end of ten years you have some money.”

* Be present with the mind. Watch it, understand it. Because once the mind is deeply understood, it’s a very small step over to realization.”

* And not only do you take care of yourself, but do the best to take care of things around you in a gentle, serviceful way. You know, when the car needs gas in it, put gas in it. When the oil needs changing, change the oil...everything in your life...take care of what’s around you...taking care of the things around you brings harmony into life. It brings a deep harmony into your existence.”

Reverend Bhagavan is a certified Integral Yoga instructor and was ordained as a minister of Integral Yoga in 1980. He has served as a member of the Integral Yoga Ministry Board for over 15 years. He embraces and teaches all aspects of Integral Yoga with emphasis on married and community life.

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Mado Hesselink talks to Avi Gordon about yoga, envy, and the value of not knowing, among other things.

Quotes From the Interview:

* I think authenticity is essential, that we have to be real - even just with ourselves - in order to grow, because I think one of the biggest barriers to growth is denial.

* [In] all yogic practices I find that the formal practice is really a container to help us bring those attitudes and behaviors into daily life.

* I definitely have this feeling of 'the more I can appreciate this moment, the less I am going to be upset when it gets taken away.

* The more that I practice, the more I feel I don't know, and the more I'm willing to admit that I don't know, but I also want to stay away from feeling superior about it - this is why it's so convoluted, right? You can be superior about being humble!

Mado helps yoga teachers integrate their heart-centered mission with practical business & teaching strategies so that they can make both a living and an impact.

On “The Yoga Teacher Resource”, her top-rated podcast with over 500K downloads, Mado draws from 16 years of teaching experience to share relevant stories, practical tips, and down-to-earth advice. Through individual and group programs, she guides participants to leverage their unique perspectives, talents, and vision into systems to build a successful and sustainable career that makes a difference in the world.

Mado's Website - https://teachingyoga.net/

Mado's Podcast - https://teachingyoga.net/podcast/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yoga.teacher.resource/

Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/yogateacherresource

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Mitra Somerville and Avi Gordon discuss how we find peace, and the practical advantages that come from it.

Quotes From the Interview:

* Fortunately in yoga there's a lot of different techniques, and the more techniques that we know about and the more that we practice, then we can choose the right technique at the right moment.

* I like to get peace and listen to my inner guidance and just follow that, and let that deeper spirit work through me and let the divine plan work through me rather than my own plan."

* What actually happens is when we're serviceful and giving, the mind gets really quiet, and that is the reason we start to feel really good. It's because the mind just relaxes - there's no conflict or second guessing like 'was that a good bargain?'

* If we're connected to our peace, we can keep everything in perspective, and then if we don't get what we really wanted, "ok, well, maybe something better's coming but it doesn't really matter because I feel content.

Mitra Somerville has lived and trained in Integral Yoga communities in Australia, New York and Yogaville, Virginia. He is a trainer for the Integral Yoga Basic Teacher Training and a Meditation, Raja Yoga (Yoga psychology), Stress Management and Hatha Yoga Teacher. While in Hawaii he opened a yoga studio and he self-published a book, Treasure Within You, and a guided CD, Treasure Within You: Guided Meditations and Exercises. He currently resides in Yogaville, VA.

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Hersha Chellaram talks about finding meaning in life, how to know the right outlet for our energy, and the importance of accepting our capacity.

Quotes from the Interview:

• "[The pursuit of excellence] requires some balancing: I think it's really important to still pursue excellence, but then be very real with yourself as to what your capability and capacity is."
• "Being able to witness your mind while you go through social media's very very important, to see what emotions come up for you, and if it really affects you that much where you've lost your balance, sometimes it's good to disconnect."
• "Kids can't sometimes recognize the emotions that they're feeling and the actions that come out as a result, but they naturally look for soothing behaviors and activities."
• "You don't have to have a purpose - you don't need to say "Oh, what is my purpose in life? What am I supposed to be doing?" - no, you just need a general idea of 'Where would I like to head? What would I like to move forward with?', and take one step in that direction."

Hersha Chellaram (E-RYT 200, RPYT & RCYT) is a certified Integral Yoga instructor since 2002, an authorised teacher trainer, and adaptive yoga specialist in bringing the complete practice of yoga to adults and children of all ages and abilities (even the grown-up ones), including those with special needs, disabilities and chronic health conditions.

She has studied yoga since childhood under the loving guidance of Sri Swami Satchidananda -- an enlightened Yoga Master who founded Integral Yoga® in 1966. Hersha serves as Chair of the Integral Yoga Global Network and Asia Pacific Representative, as well as heads up the Integral Yoga Hong Kong Sangha. She is certified and accredited to teach yoga at the E-500 RYT level, as well as prenatal and children's yoga.

She is co-founder of the YAMA Foundation -- a new non-profit organisation that makes Yoga, Art, Meditation Accessible, targeting Hong Kong's underserved communities that would not otherwise have access to yoga classes: www.yamahk.org

Hersha Yoga is a Registered Yoga School with the Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level and Registered Prenatal Yoga School -- an international accreditation authority in the Yoga industry -- and holds credentials as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500-hour level (E-RYT 500), a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT) and Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT). She is also a member of Integral Yoga Teacher’s Association and the International Association for Yoga Therapists.

She has contributed numerous classes, yoga therapy sessions, workshops and training programs in Hong Kong, New York, India, Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar. She has been instrumental in bringing yoga to Hong Kong for the special needs community. She has developed a number of therapeutic yoga programs to many of Hong Kong’s schools, non-profit organisations, NGOs and charities.

Hersha's Website: hershayoga.com

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Oyámie Kali Ma'at and Avi Gordon discuss the practice of silence, the relationship between money and service, how to start practicing meditation, and the love that comes from facing pain.

Quotes from the Interview:

- "I started my journey because I read someone's story, and their story inspired me to take action. So I know that there's someone out there who's waiting to hear my story, so that they too can get motivated and be inspired to take a journey and take charge of their own life."

- "I think meditation is a practice that every single human being does on a daily basis but we don't realize that we're doing it."

- "For me it boils down to, if you to come across such an individual [who doesn't have the money to pay a lot for services or classes] how are you going to take your gift, that has been bestowed upon you by the Divine, to be of service to others, whether they have the money or not."

- "Part of the resistance [in peoples' minds] is not wanting to feel the pain but if you allow yourself to feel the pain, in the process of allowing there's something that happens to that pain - that pain gets turned into love, and it's not the type of love that's like "I love my partner" or "i love my parents" or "I love my community", it's like this deep gut feeling that reverberates through your whole entire system and is just like... there's nothing in this world that can take that away, and that's the truth."

Oyámie is a Body-Oriented Psychospiritual Healing Coach. She is the founder and creator of Somatic Activation Release Response (SARR), Embodied Wisdom of Sensuality, and Body Liberation Dance.

Since 2014, Oyámie has dedicated herself to practicing Yoga, meditation, breath-work, attuning, and looking to nature for guidance. Through developing mind-body awareness, studying body-oriented psychotherapy and somatic healing, she developed a body base modality that is accessible to all.

https://bodyorientedhealing.com/

Born and raised in West Africa, Oyámie Kali Ma’at spent most of her childhood in community gatherings of musicians, drummers, and dancers. Listening and dancing to music became a foundation for her life.

Since 2016, she has studied and trained in Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE), Somatic Stress Release, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brain Science, Polyvagal Theory in Therapy, Therapeutic Yoga, and Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. She has also completed over 500+ hours of Yoga Teacher Training.

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Swami Ramananda of the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco talks with Avi Gordon about adapting to conditions, how compassion follows naturally from meditation, and about what really makes us happy.

Quotes from the interview:

*I think compassion comes naturally when we touch deep enough inside ourselves.

*In a way you could say our identity is a structure in the subconscious mind, and ultimately that structure is built on a faulty foundation, and the foundation has to be replaced, and sometimes the building has to be torn down.

*I think any time you start something new there has to be that willingness to be a little uncomfortable, and be with it, in order to get anywhere."

*This effort to grow, and change, and improve, and to be of service...ultimately it's what gives us joy. This is what makes us really happy.

Swami Ramananda is the President of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 35 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.

He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U. S., Europe and South America. Ramananda trains Yoga teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.

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Tom Callahan and Avi Gordon discuss what jobs "help people", how we relate to our egos in daily life, and gratitude.

Quotes from the interview:

* In a more lighthearted way I would say [Yogaville] was started by some hippies following their guru, who was the swami that gave the invocation to open Woodstock, and it's a great place with lots of fun, interesting people from all over the world in the middle of rural Virginia."

*I think [my younger self] would be asking 'when did you get so into yoga? what happened?

*I think there's a byproduct that's intensely good for people, in art, in sports - anybody who's doing something they love and are great at.

*Gratitude...somebody called it the "aristocrat of the emotions".

Tom Callahan is an Integral Yoga teacher, and has lived and worked in and around Yogaville since 2017. He loves reading, comedy, and playing music. He currently works for the Integral Yoga Teachers Association as Communications Administrator.

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