In this enlightening podcast, Paul Olko, a practitioner of Taoism and Chinese medicine, shares his passion with Avi for introspective personal healing. He explores health through the lens of the five elements—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial—emphasizing balance and living in harmony with nature. Paul discusses the importance of cultivating oneself like a garden, using practices like Taoist meditation and the I Ching to foster self-awareness and gratitude. He highlights the power of simplicity, moderation, and embracing paradoxes, such as letting go of the need to know to gain true wisdom. Paul also reflects on building community, setting boundaries, and the transformative impact of aligning with one’s authentic self.

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Paul is a naturopath, herbalist, and Asian bodywork therapist. He has been associated with the Ni Family Traditional practices since 1989, and travels each year to study with the family to advance his own practice. He is certified by the Chi Health Institute of the College of Tao in the Ni Family's 18 and 28 Step Harmony-Style Tai Chi, Taoist meditation, Tai Chi staff, and 8 Treasures Qi Gong. He has been a Yoga teacher since 1972. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he has an active practice in the healing arts and teaches Taoist movement arts on a regular basis.

For more information about Paul and his practice in Charlottesville, Virginia: https://greenlakehealing.com/

Keywords: Taoism, Chinese Medicine, Holistic Health, Personal Healing, Five Elements, Meditation, I Ching, Self-Cultivation, Gratitude, Spiritual Wellness, Nature Connection, Balance and Harmony, Community Building, Mindfulness, Simplicity

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In this profound podcast episode, Krishna Das, the renowned kirtan singer, sits down with Integral Yoga director Avi Gordon to share insights on navigating the subjective nature of reality, the power of spiritual practice, and the art of letting go of ego. From exploring the influence of his Guru to embracing life’s challenges with presence, Krishna Das offers wisdom on cultivating inner peace and compassion. He reflects on the interconnectedness of all beings, the importance of daily practice, and how suffering can be a motivator for transformation. This conversation is a heartfelt invitation to live with gratitude and awareness, perfect for anyone seeking deeper meaning and connection.

"Practice is the most important thing. It's dropping an anchor into the ocean. And then when the winds blow you this way and that way, you're not blown around too much.”

~ Krishna Das

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Few figures in modern spirituality, particularly in the West, have impacted the hearts and minds of contemporary seekers as Krishna Das has. A devotee of the North Indian Saint, Neem Karoli Baba (Maharajji), Krishna Das has played an enormous role in popularizing the traditional practice of kirtan in the West, taking the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and temples and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling western chant artist of all time. In a career spanning more than two decades, KD has released 16 acclaimed full-length albums, his music serving as an easily approachable gateway to the devotional traditions of the East. Along the way, he has evolved into an accessible if somewhat reluctant teacher, and a spiritual friend to many. He travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and stories of his life on the Path, of Maharajiji, and advocates for bringing regular spiritual practice into our lives through retreats and workshops. During COVID times he has chanted online every week for the worldwide satsang.

More information on KrishnaDas.com.

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Join Swami Ramananda, a renowned Integral Yoga teacher, as he shares profound insights on finding peace in chaotic times through spiritual practice. From his Kentucky roots to his transformative journey with Swami Satchidananda, discover how yoga, meditation, and karma yoga cultivate resilience amid global challenges like injustice and political unrest.

🕉️ Key Wisdom from Swami Ramananda:

“A regular habitual spiritual practice on a daily basis is a great foundation for dealing with anything that comes up in life.”

“Make peace in your heart first and then you can be a presence for that.”

“The universe isn’t interested in smooth sailing, the universe is interested in challenging us to make us wake up.”

“Even when I’m meditating, when I’m practicing, that energy, hopefully a very peaceful loving energy, is radiating out into the world. So it’s not even that that is not doing anything.”

Explore the power of community, selfless service, and inner balance in this inspiring conversation. Like, share, and subscribe for more spiritual wisdom!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:55 Spirituality in a Chaotic World

06:12 Daily Spiritual Practice

11:53 Karma Yoga Explained

18:59 Swami Ramananda’s Early Life

43:49 Meeting Swami Satchidananda

1:05:40 Lessons in Karma Yoga

1:08:26 Aging and Spiritual Community

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Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 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 co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a certified Yoga therapist and founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. He co-founded The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI), which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.

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In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Andrew Singer, owner of Flying Tree Yoga in Medellín, Colombia, and a yoga teacher trainer specializing in alignment-based yoga flow. Andrew shares his transformative journey from teaching languages worldwide to spreading yoga’s teachings across Latin America since 2014. He dives into how yoga, rooted in tantric philosophy and Anusara yoga, fosters joy, community, and a connection to the divine in everyone.

Explore Andrew’s insights on karma and bhakti yoga, and the challenge of staying present in daily life. He reflects on building a vibrant yoga community in Medellín, overcoming cultural resistance in a Catholic region, and how fatherhood has deepened his practice. Andrew also discusses the power of conscious language in teaching yoga and the unique openness of Colombian culture compared to secular yoga communities.

“Yoga doesn’t just provide us with physical and mental wellbeing, but also a sense of peace and joy. Yoga allows us to celebrate life!” – Andrew Singer

Learn about Flying Tree Yoga’s offerings, including teacher training and online Spanish courses for yoga teachers, at flyingtreeyoga.com.

About Andrew Singer

Andrew is the owner of Flying Tree Yoga in Medellín, Colombia and Yoga Internships Colombia. He is a teacher trainer specialising in alignment based yoga flow. After working for 10 years teaching different languages across the world, he decided in 2014 to dedicate himself to spreading the teachings of Yoga into Latin America and beyond. He believes in empowering individuals to find their own path and unique approach to yoga. His interests include getting hands on with adjusting and assisting, Thai bodywork, mindfulness meditation, Classical Yoga, Tantra and Buddhist philosophy and the Spanish language.

Connect with Andrew & Flying Tree Yoga

🌿 Flying Tree Yoga Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flying_tree_yoga/

🌿 Yoga Internships Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogainternships

🌿 Andrew Singer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewjsinger/

🌿 Flying Tree Yoga Website: https://www.flyingtreeyoga.com/

🌿 Yoga Internships Website: https://www.yogainternships.com/

Enjoyed this episode? Like, share, and subscribe for more conversations on yoga, spirituality, and personal growth!

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In this podcast episode, Karen Fabian, a seasoned yoga teacher with over 22 years of experience, discusses imposter syndrome and its impact on yoga instructors. She describes imposter syndrome as a feeling of inadequacy or self-doubt, where teachers feel they are "faking it" or not qualified enough, despite their training and expertise. This often stems from the pressure of public speaking, the deep responsibility of guiding students through a practice rooted in ancient traditions, and personal limiting beliefs tied to past experiences.

Karen emphasizes the importance of detachment from external validation to build confidence, advocating for a consistent teaching approach, such as using a signature sequence, to reduce anxiety and foster authenticity. She shares practical strategies, like grounding exercises and pre-class breathing, to manage nerves and encourages teachers to reflect on their teaching experiences to find balance and authenticity.

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Yoga teacher, Podcast Host, Author and Founder of Bare Bones Yoga, Karen Fabian has a background in rehabilitative medicine and healthcare. Her passion for anatomy and human movement is behind all she does, including her work with yoga teachers inside her program, The Yoga Anatomy Blueprint Learning Program. Along with her qualifications as a yoga teacher, she also earned her Certified Personal Trainer certification in 2017 and Corrective Exercise certification in 2019 with the National Association of Sports Medicine to deepen her knowledge of human movement.

Her mission is to empower and educate yoga teachers so that they can share exceptional and accessible classes in their communities, online and in a variety of settings. She firmly believes in the ripple effect of yoga’s benefits moving from teacher to student to family and community. Her podcast, “Conversations for Yoga Teachers” has over 300 episodes and over 200K downloads and shares lessons in anatomy, cueing and sequencing and shares stories from other yoga teachers and experts in related fields.

She’s written several books including “Stretched: Build Your Yoga Business, Grow Your Teaching Techniques,” and “Structure and Spirit.”

Karen has her B.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University and her Master’s in Health Care Administration from Simmons College. She is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider and was one of the first Certified Baptiste Yoga Teachers. She has been teaching since 2002 and lives in Boston.

Links

https://barebonesyoga.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@barebonesyoga

https://www.instagram.com/barebonesyoga/reels/

https://www.youtube.com/@KarenFabian

Karen’s Freebies

https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/the-5-day-confidence-challenge/

https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/the-bare-bones-yoga-guide-to-incredible-yoga-teaching/

https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/free-guide-steps-to-confident-teaching/

https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/how-to-build-a-yoga-sequence-lead-page/

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In this episode, Erin shares her motivation for her diverse endeavors, emphasizing balance as both her personal practice and a guiding principle for supporting others. She discusses her journey from a driven, goal-oriented mindset as a collegiate athlete to embracing a practice of presence and acceptance, where balance is a dynamic state of flow rather than a fixed goal. 

Erin highlights practical strategies for cultivating balance, such as morning quiet time, writing down ideas to clear mental clutter, and integrating short, accessible yoga practices into daily life. She also addresses common barriers to practice, like the misconception that yoga requires long sessions or formal classes, and advocates for small, intentional moments of movement and rest. When discussing her work with athletes, Erin emphasizes the critical need for rest and recovery to counter the intense "push-through" mentality, noting how restorative practices enhance performance and prevent burnout. The conversation touches on the importance of openness, acceptance, and honesty in fostering balance.

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Erin Taylor is an international recovery expert, writer, and yoga teacher. For 20 years she has coached professional athletes, everyday runners, pre- and post-natal women, office workers, and anyone looking to integrate practices that improve well-being and longevity. She is the creator of Balance Practice, a platform that offers practical tools to inspire and support mental and physical balance in all aspects of life. Erin is also the founder of Athletes for Yoga, the only athlete-led, on-demand video platform and app that puts yoga into the context of sport and well-being goals, and the author of Move, Rest, Recover.

erintaylor.works (website)

erintaylor.substack.com (newsletter)

@erintaylorworks (instagram)

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In this heartfelt episode Jeremy shares how his deep dive into Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and spiritual practice transformed his life, offering insights into the power of letting go, embracing grace, and finding bliss through consistent practice. From navigating the awkward stages of yoga to exploring profound concepts like rigorous honesty, the role of pain as a motivator, and even touching on his fascination with UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena), Jeremy’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and awakening. Join us for a rich conversation about yoga, recovery, and the human quest for truth, culminating in a beautiful quote from Nisargadatta Maharaj that captures the essence of the spiritual path:

"Wisdom is knowing I am nothing, love is knowing I am everything; and between the two my life moves."

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Jeremy York is a student of "the Holy Science of Yoga" who lives, works, and practices at the Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville. As a spiritual seeker, he has been blessed to have found the dynamic and demanding practice of Ashtanga Yoga, as well as the subtle and sublime practice of Kriya Yoga. As the Hatha Yoga Pradipika tells us, “No success in Raja Yoga without Hatha Yoga, and no success in Hatha Yoga without Raja Yoga. One should therefore practice both of these well, till complete success is gained.”

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In this podcast, Hannah Levin discusses her mission to alleviate unnecessary suffering through Ayurveda and yoga, drawing from her personal health crisis with high-grade cervical dysplasia. She explains how Western medicine offered surgery as the only option, but discovering Ayurveda helped her heal and inspired her to guide others toward conscious, health-supportive choices.

Levin emphasizes that much of our suffering comes from living out of sync with nature’s rhythms, often unconsciously, and that true freedom arises from balancing structure and spontaneity. She delves into Ayurvedic principles, including the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), and how they influence health, emotions, and daily habits. Through her coaching, she helps people cultivate awareness, implement gradual habit changes, and make sustainable lifestyle shifts aligned with their unique constitutions. The conversation also explores the role of community, meditation, and intentional living in fostering well-being, ultimately advocating for a compassionate, balanced approach to personal growth and healing.

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Hannah Elizabeth Levin is the founder of Heartfelt Wellbeing LLC. She is an Ayurveda Practitioner, yoga teacher, and artist who also holds a masters degree in teaching. Hannah expertly guides women to regain their optimal health and wellbeing through her online coaching programs and retreats.

https://www.heartfeltwellbeing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/heartfeltwellbeing

https://www.facebook.com/groups/heartfelthannah

https://www.instagram.com/heartfeltwellbeing/

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This conversation explores the importance of simplicity and authenticity in spiritual practice, emphasizing the value of honoring diverse paths while staying true to one’s own. It touches on balancing technology with awareness, fostering meaningful dialogue across traditions, and speaking truth with love. The discussion highlights how creativity can deepen spiritual growth and the role of discernment in navigating new ideas and societal pressures.

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Les Anand Roberts was born in Shropshire, England, in May 1953 into a working-class family. After dropping out of high school at 16, he spent two years working in manual labor before returning to education at 18. He eventually qualified as a Company Secretary and worked in various accounting roles, though a career breakdown in the early 1980s led to significant life changes. He later moved to Gibraltar, where he worked for Ernst & Young and other companies while navigating a challenging second marriage. Les's life took a transformative turn when he discovered the Integral Yoga Centre in Gibraltar and became deeply involved in the spiritual teachings offered there, particularly the "Science of the Mind."

In 2002, Les became self-employed as a business and compliance consultant and founded the charity AKIN (Association for Kids In Need), which helped children in six countries. His charity work extended to founding Childline Gibraltar and contributing to several other local causes. He also served as chairman of The Association of Trust & Company Managers and contributed to Gibraltar’s finance sector. In 2009, Les moved to southern Spain, and in 2019, he semi-retired, continuing to work in compliance while collaborating with his partner, Nalanie Harilela Chellaram, to organize spiritual workshops. Outside of work, Les enjoys photography, videography, writing, music, and painting. He has four children and four grandchildren.

Follow Les on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/les.anand_creations/

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In this episode, Kansas Carradine explores the balance between personal spiritual practices—like yoga, meditation, and retreats—and the call to engage with the world’s needs. She shares insights on cultivating inner stillness, self-compassion, and mindful presence as essential ways to recharge and show up more fully in service to others. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, traveler, and equestrian, Kansas emphasizes how small, intentional actions can create meaningful ripples of positive change, reminding us that inner work and outer action are deeply connected.

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Kansas Carradine, a prominent figure in the Equestrian Industry, navigates a captivating journey from rodeo arenas to Hollywood stunts and circus performances. Evolving into an ethical horsemanship clinician and influential speaker, she maintains unwavering commitment to the highest animal ethics standards. Notably featured in publications like Sports Illustrated and Cowboys & Indians Magazine, Carradine's multifaceted career includes roles as a performer, horse trainer, coach, and mentor in the world-renowned equestrian show, CAVALIA.

In her latest chapter, Carradine seamlessly transitions into the role of an Equine Guided Educator, utilizing her innate ability to connect with both horses and people. Kansas is also a HeartMath Certified Trainer, passionate about teaching emotional self-regulation tools and helping people activate the intelligence of their own hearts for greater health, vitality, and performance.

With a wealth of experience, she serves as a mentor and coach, skillfully integrating science, spirituality, horsemanship, and heart. Carradine's transformative work bridges diverse realms, creating a powerful impact on aspiring horse enthusiasts and the broader public alike.

Connect with Kansas:

www.CircusCowgirl.com

https://www.facebook.com/circuscowgirl/

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