Integral Yoga Podcast

Join Naren Schreiner, devoted disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and bhajan chanter, for a soul-stirring exploration of devotion—from high school choir to the heart of Indian chanting. Why does God, with infinite power and wisdom, seek our freely given love? How does Divine Mother embody unconditional embrace? Discover practical wisdom for loving meditation, taming ego in community, and surrendering like a child.

Recorded at Yogaville, this episode weaves personal stories with Yogananda's teachings on Autobiography of a Yogi, Kriya Yoga, and bhakti. Naren shares:

• His awakening to Amma's devotional circle and the magic of 1993 chants.
• Guru-disciple bonds and Yogananda's poetic emphasis on Divine Mother (from Kali to formless love).
• Antidotes to "competitive humility": "You won't feel left out if you're right within."
• Chanting as vulnerable gateway to unconditioned love and inner child healing.
• Balancing yielding love with discipline in sadhana, parenting, and teaching.

Ends with a serene Shiva chant for Shravan—pure upliftment!

"The soul loves to meditate, because that's communion with the divine. So if I'm resisting, it's not the soul resisting, it's something else. - Naren K. Schreiner.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro & Welcome

03:00 Discovering Indian Chanting & Devotion

07:00 Becoming Yogananda's Disciple at 14

12:00 Sacred Privacy: Keeping Spirituality Intimate

16:00 Ego & "Competitive Humility" in Community

23:00 Divine Mother: Unconditional Love & Forms

32:00 Loving Meditation: Discipline Meets Surrender

39:00 Self-Parenting: Balance of Comfort & Strength

47:00 Teacher-Student Bonds: Humility Over Hierarchy

58:00 Closing Prayer: Shiva Chant in Shravan

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Naren (Kamalakanta) Schreiner has been a disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda for over thirty years. After living as a brahmachari yogi (monk) in the SRF Ashram for fourteen years, he continued his religious vocation of service and spiritual support to individuals, families and communities throughout the US and Mexico. He lived at the Kali Mandir for ten years and was ordained as a Hindu priest (archaka) in 2012. He has received the blessing of diksha and instruction that enable him to serve the Indian community and the tradition of Sanatana Dharma through puja, yajna, weddings and other rituals. He helped establish Mexico's first Hanuman Mandir and Ram Mandir, and serves as a spiritual advisor to organizations. Sacred music is an important part of his life and worship; after receiving classical India vocal training here and in India, he recorded five albums, much loved by devotees worldwide, available on all music platforms under his name. Naren's offers his services through www.avahana.net and music through www.sangitayoga.com

If this sparks your practice, subscribe, rate 5 stars, and share a key takeaway in reviews.

#Yogananda #DivineMother #BhaktiYoga #Meditation

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Join us for an enlightening conversation with Michael Plasha, a dedicated yoga teacher and mindfulness coach, as he shares his transformative journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a beacon of mindfulness and yoga. Discover how nature, meditation, and pivotal life moments shaped his path, leading him to teach yoga in Erie, Pennsylvania, and beyond. Michael discusses his experiences with family, spirituality, and the power of intuition, offering insights into living a mindful life amidst busyness. Perfect for anyone interested in yoga, mindfulness, or personal growth.

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Michael Plasha, E-RYT 500, YACEP, RPYT, is a seasoned yoga teacher with over 20,000 hours of teaching experience across 14,000+ classes. For over 20 years, he ran an award-winning yoga studio in Erie, PA, before relocating to Savannah, GA. Michael specializes in adapting yoga for conditions like back pain, MS, Parkinson’s, and cancer, with his hospital-based rehabilitation work featured in Yoga Journal. Certified in Ayurveda, Prenatal Yoga, and Yoga for the Heart, he draws from Integral Yoga, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kripalu, and Viniyoga traditions.

Michael offers tailored private and group classes, blending alignment-focused Hatha, Vinyasa, restorative, and gentle chair yoga, informed by Ayurveda for holistic balance. As a Mindfulness and Stress Management Consultant, he serves Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and schools, with trainings approved by NASW. Praised by Integral Yoga leaders, Michael’s innovative approach is seen as a future standard for yoga in America.

🔗 Connect with Michael:

🔔 If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories!

#Mindfulness #Yoga #PersonalGrowth #Spirituality #NatureHealing

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Join Nina Rao, acclaimed kirtan artist and devotee in the lineage of Neem Karoli Baba, in this heartfelt conversation with host Avi Gordon at Yogaville. Nina shares her journey from cultural rituals in India to discovering the depth of sadhana (spiritual practice) in New York through yoga, Krishna Das, and her guru Sri Siddhi Ma. Explore how consistent practice—through chanting, prayer, and mindfulness—fosters unconditional love, equanimity, and compassion in daily life. Topics include integrating practice into parenting, overcoming negativity, and remembering our interconnectedness.

Nina Rao first learned sacred chants as a young girl from her grandfather in south India, and the chants stayed quietly with her until she rediscovered this powerful practice with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. Since then she has been KD’s business manager and accompanies him musically. In 1998 she met her guru, Sri Siddhi Ma, in the foothills of the Himalayas and spent time with her regularly for 19 years, while Ma was in the body. Nina has been chanting regularly as her main practice, has recorded albums that are widely streamed and played around the world, leads chant events, studies and shares Veda chanting and, spiritual texts, is a hospice volunteer, is a podcast host for Be Here Now Network, goes on yatra/pilgrimage, and is a wildlife conservationist as chairperson for Saving Wild Tigers, and hopes that everyone will make a Homegrown National Park in their home by planting native species. Along with the 21 Taras Collective she has released a new album of 7 mantras in 2025. Nina co-hosted and released along with 10 women wisdom leaders, the audio course and program “Sita’s Gems”, lifting Sita Devi from victim to heroine of the Ramayana.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Origins of Practice

01:12 - Growing Up with Cultural Rituals

02:35 - Discovering Sadhana in Adulthood

03:42 - Unconditional Love and Inner Peace

05:06 - Chanting as a Child and Adult Insights

06:24 - Meeting Sidima at Maharaji's Ashram

08:45 - Prayer as Daily Practice

10:27 - Awareness of Obscurations and Honesty

12:02 - Building the Practice Muscle

13:28 - Practice for Enlightenment and Less Harm

14:52 - Digging a Deep Well (Sidima's Advice)

16:12 - Making Everyday Activities Sacred

18:15 - Allegiance to Practice and Remembering

19:22 - Practice for Compassion and Service

21:39 - Aspiration and Dedication in Practice

23:20 - Understanding Hearts and Self-Worth

25:06 - Acceptance and the Long Road

26:56 - Oneness Amid Separation

27:41 - Trusting Life's University

28:43 - Reflecting on Changes from Practice

30:02 - Evolving Family Relationships

32:31 - Vulnerability in Parenting

34:19 - Purpose, Mistakes, and Gratitude

35:58 - Negativity Bias and Sacred Life

37:18 - Precious Human Life and Interconnectedness

38:58 - Discovery Process in Gratitude and Parenting

40:03 - Allowing Children Their Own Path

41:31 - Nina's Recent Trip to India with Family

42:50 - Parenting with Honor and Acceptance

43:43 - Closing and Thanks

Subscribe for more inspiring talks on yoga, spirituality, and personal growth. #SpiritualPractice #Kirtan #NinaRao

If you enjoyed this, check out Nina Rao's website and music: NinaRaoChant.com

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Join Kelly Smith, a passionate meditation teacher, as she shares her unique approach to leading guided meditations and weaving mindfulness into yoga classes. In this insightful podcast, Kelly discusses how she incorporates diverse meditation techniques to support students with ADHD, dyslexia, or busy minds, helping them find calm and connect with their authentic selves. Learn practical tips for adding mini-meditations to yoga sequences, debunking meditation myths, and rediscovering your true self for a richer, more fulfilling life. Perfect for yoga teachers, meditation enthusiasts, or anyone seeking inner peace in a fast-paced world.

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Kelly Smith is a global yoga and meditation teacher, author, E-RYT 500/ YACEP, founder of Yoga For You and the host of the iTunes chart topping podcasts Mindful in Minutes and Meditation Mama. Kelly believes that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to yoga and meditation and encourages her students to find their own personal practice, listen to their bodies, and find inner joy by accessing their most authentic selves. Kelly is best known for her guided meditation, yoga nidra, and restorative yoga practices that she has been sharing since 2016 on her podcasts and books.

To connect and find out more about Kelly:

www.yogaforyouonline.com

Kelly on Instagram

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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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