Annie shares her extensive journey in yoga, discussing the evolution of her practice over the years. She emphasizes the importance of intention, presence, and self-inquiry in yoga, while also addressing the changing landscape of yoga and the need for alignment to serve the flow of energy. Annie reflects on her teaching philosophy, the role of anatomy, and the balance between strength and flexibility as one ages. The discussion highlights the significance of self-practice and personal growth in the journey of yoga.

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Annie Shares

• · Yoga is a lifelong journey of self-discovery.
• · The practice evolves with age and experience.
• · Intention and presence are key in yoga practice.
• · Alignment should serve the flow of energy, not the other way around.
• · Teaching should encourage self-inquiry and personal exploration.
• · Yoga can be both therapeutic and a form of physical fitness.
• · Anatomy knowledge is important but should be accessible to students.
• · The yoga landscape is changing, often focusing too much on aesthetics.
• · Self-practice is essential for personal growth in yoga.
• · Embracing change in practice is a sign of wisdom.

Find Annie

Instagram: @anniecarpentersmartflow

Website: https://www.smartflowyoga.com/

Keen on Yoga

Website: http://www.keenonyoga.com/

Instagram: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga

Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats

Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga

Adam delves into the practical aspects of yoga philosophy, emphasizing the importance of direct experience over theoretical knowledge. He discusses the role of emotions in yoga, the influence of karma on our present experiences, and the significance of faith and belief in the spiritual journey. Keen also highlights the necessity of consistent practice and self-inquiry as essential components of personal growth in yoga. The conversation culminates in reflections on the New Year, encouraging listeners to embrace life's experiences with courage and authenticity.

Adam Shares

• · Yoga philosophy emphasizes direct experience over theoretical knowledge.
• · The importance of connecting with oneself to understand yoga.
• · Right knowledge is based on direct perception, inference, and authoritative texts.
• · Emotions are integral to the yoga experience, not to be avoided.
• · Karma influences our present experience and understanding.
• · Misconceptions can cloud our perception of reality.
• · The interplay of pleasure and pain is essential for meaning-making.
• · Faith and belief are crucial for a meaningful spiritual journey.
• · Consistent practice is necessary for personal growth in yoga.
• · Self-inquiry is a continuous process of connecting with oneself.

Keen on Yoga

Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga

Website: www.keenonyoga.com

Follow Adam: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga

Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats/

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Clive shares his profound journey into yoga, spirituality, and self-discovery. From his early experiences in India to his disciplined practice of asana and pranayama, Clive reflects on the transformative power of yoga in healing the heart and mind. He discusses the importance of self-inquiry, the nature of reality, and the role of a teacher as a friend rather than a guru. Clive also delves into the mystical experiences he encountered in India, the significance of diet and lifestyle, and his views on enlightenment and the meaning of life. This conversation offers a deep insight into the essence of yoga and the spiritual journey.

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Clive Shares

· He's has been practicing yoga since 1968, inspired by a book on Hatha Yoga.

· His journey to India began in 1966, leading to a deep spiritual awakening.

· Yoga for Clive is about healing the heart and mind, not just physical practice.

· He emphasizes the importance of pranayama as a key to mental and physical vitality.

· Clive views asana and pranayama as tools for transformation and self-discovery.

· His experiences in India were marked by mystical encounters and deep emotional releases.

· Self-inquiry is essential for recognizing the impersonal witness within us.

· Clive believes there is no afterlife, only pure awareness after the body dissolves.

· He advocates for a balanced lifestyle, embracing life with wisdom and moderation.

· The meaning of life, according to Clive, is liberation from the illusion of self.

Find Clive

Instagram:

Website:

Email: [email protected]

Clive's Book "Free from me" cosmic poems on yoga & 'the way', the essence of his sharing in workshops and retreats

Lulu.com/clivesheridan

Keen on Yoga

Website: http://www.keenonyoga.com/

Instagram: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga

Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats

Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga

In this year-end reflection, Adam shares his personal journey through the challenges and transformations of the past year, including the transition to online yoga, travels across various countries, personal health struggles, and the search for a stable home. He expresses gratitude for the support of his community and highlights the importance of finding balance in a traveling lifestyle while maintaining connections with students and fellow yogis.

Adam Shares

• · Gratitude for community support is essential.
• · Transitioning to online platforms can be successful.
• · Traveling during COVID presented unique challenges.
• · Personal health struggles can impact teaching.
• · Building community through retreats is rewarding.
• · Exploring new cultures enriches the teaching experience.
• · Returning to one's roots can evoke deep emotions.
• · Health challenges can lead to new beginnings.
• · Finding stability is important for personal growth.
• · The journey of a yoga teacher is ever-evolving.

Keen on Yoga

Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga

Website: www.keenonyoga.com

Follow Adam: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga

Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats/

Support: Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf

Ep 255 J. Brown –Yoga, Emotional Healing & Faith

J. Brown, a prominent figure in the yoga community and host of his own podcast Yoga Talks, is Adam's guest on this episode. They discuss J.'s journey from acting to yoga, the evolution of modern yoga, the impact of social media, and the intersection of yoga and politics. J. shares his personal experiences, including his trip to India, his evolving faith, and the challenges of navigating controversies within the yoga community. The conversation highlights the importance of personal practice, the responsibility of podcasters, and the ongoing journey of growth and learning in both yoga and life.

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J. Shares

· J. Brown's journey into yoga began in the early 90s during his acting studies.

· Yoga provided J. with emotional healing after the loss of his mother.

· His trip to India was pivotal in shaping his understanding of yoga and spirituality.

· J. emphasizes the importance of personal practice and autonomy in yoga.

· The evolution of modern yoga has shifted from counterculture to mainstream.

· Social media has changed the landscape of yoga teaching and marketing.

· J. discusses the intersection of yoga and politics in contemporary society.

· He reflects on the responsibility of podcasters to address controversial topics.

· J.'s podcast serves as a platform for honest conversations about yoga and life.

· Faith and spirituality have become central themes in J.'s life and teachings

J. Brown

Instagram: jbrownyoga

Website: https://www.jbrownyoga.com/

Keen on Yoga

Website: http://www.keenonyoga.com/

Instagram: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga

Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats

Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga

Adam explores common myths surrounding yoga practice, particularly in Ashtanga. He discusses the significance of moon days, the myths of leg positioning, menstruation and inversions, and the misconception of step-by-step progression in yoga. Keen emphasizes the importance of personal experience over traditional beliefs and encourages practitioners to question the validity of these myths. He concludes by highlighting the dual nature of myths in motivating practice while also recognizing their potential to mislead.

Adam Shares

· Moon days are not essential for practice.

· Leg positioning in Ashtanga lacks scientific backing.

· Menstruation does not prohibit inversions in yoga.

· The Ashtanga sequence does not guarantee step-by-step body opening.

· Primary series is not strictly therapeutic as claimed.

· Vinyasa is not a sacred principle but can be useful.

· Mula Bandha's relevance in modern yoga is questionable.

· Yoga does not purify organs as often claimed.

· Catching in micelle is not beneficial and can cause injury.

· Practicing more than once a day can be beneficial if done sensibly.

Keen on Yoga

• Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga
• Website: www.keenonyoga.com
• Follow Adam: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga
• Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats/
• Support: Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf

Adam speaks with Martin Aylward, a seasoned meditation teacher, about the nature of meditation, its relationship with Buddhism, and the importance of having a framework for practice. They explore the essence of relaxation in meditation, the role of ego, and the significance of compassion. Martin emphasizes that meditation is accessible to everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, and discusses the cultural differences in meditation practices. The conversation also delves into the nature of suffering, the search for meaning in life, and the immediate experience of being present.

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Martin Shares

• · You don't need to be a Buddhist to meditate.
• · Meditation can serve as a mirror to your mind.
• · Relaxation is a key component of meditation.
• · The sense of self can be less central in meditation.
• · Pain and resistance can lead to suffering.
• · Grief reflects love and loss.
• · Trust in the goodness of your meditation practice.
• · Compassion is about caring for others.
• · Life is inherently unsatisfying, but we can navigate it.
• · Keep polishing your mirror in your practice.

Martin Aylward

Instagram: @martinaylward

Website: https://martinaylward.com/

Moulin de Chaves

Website: www.moulindechaves.org

Keen on Yoga

Website: http://www.keenonyoga.com/

Instagram: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga

Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats

Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga

Adam explores the fundamental definitions of yoga, emphasizing it as a process of subtraction rather than addition. He contrasts Eastern and Western philosophies regarding self-perception and the inherent nature of individuals, highlighting the confusion that arises from overcomplicating our experiences.

Adam Shares

· Yoga is fundamentally about subtraction, not addition.

· Eastern philosophy views us as inherently whole.

· Western philosophy believes we are lacking and need to add more.

· The confusion in our lives comes from adding too much.

· Self-awareness is key to understanding our true nature.

· The essence of yoga is clarity and simplicity.

· Philosophical differences shape our understanding of self.

· We often complicate our experiences unnecessarily.

· True understanding comes from seeing ourselves as we are.

· Yoga helps in removing the layers of confusion.

Adam interviews James Russell, a PhD student and yoga teacher, about the origins and evolution of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) and its connections to Indian wrestling and nationalism. They discuss the historical context of yoga practices, the significance of Shat Karma in Hatha Yoga, and the impact of physical culture on modern yoga. Russell shares insights from his research and fieldwork in India, highlighting the importance of traditional practices that are often overlooked in contemporary yoga.

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James Shares

· Surya Namaskar has origins that may date back to ancient prostrations.

· The practice of yoga has evolved significantly over centuries.

· James Russell's research connects yoga with Indian wrestling traditions.

· The Raj of Aund played a crucial role in modernizing Surya Namaskar.

· Shat Karma practices are essential in traditional Hatha Yoga.

· Modern yoga often neglects the historical context of its practices.

· Nationalism influenced the development of physical culture in India.

· Yoga's evolution is a blend of various cultural influences.

· Understanding yoga requires a deep dive into its historical roots.

· The significance of traditional practices is often lost in contemporary yoga.

James Russell

Article on Sūryanamaskār: Tracing the Origins of Yoga's Sun Salutation | Journal of Yoga Studies

Instagram: @jamesrussellyoga

Website: www.jamesrussellyoga.com

Keen on Yoga

Website: www.keenonyoga.com

Instagram: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga

Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats

Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga

In a switch of roles, Richard Rosen interviews Adam Keen for this podcast. They explore the multifaceted world of yoga, discussing Adam's personal journey into yoga, the differences between Ashtanga and Patanjali's teachings, and the importance of teaching methodology. They delve into the significance of breath and bandhas in practice, the philosophical underpinnings of yoga, and the essential qualities of a good yoga teacher. Throughout the dialogue, they emphasize kindness, patience, and the need for mentorship in the yoga community.

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Richards Book: Yoga FAQ

Richard Rosen

Instagram: @richardrosenyoga

Keen on Yoga

Website: www.keenonyoga.com

Follow Adam: @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga

Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga

Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/

Key Points

· Adam Keen shares his journey into yoga, starting from a background of mental health challenges.

· The conversation highlights the differences between Ashtanga yoga and Patanjali's teachings.

· Teaching methodology in yoga is crucial, with an emphasis on kindness and patience.

· Breath and bandhas play a significant role in yoga practice, with modern interpretations.

· The meaning of yoga extends beyond asana, encompassing a holistic approach to life.

· Mentorship is essential in the yoga community to support teachers and students alike.

· Adam discusses the challenges of yoga certification and the focus on physical ability.

· The importance of being oneself as a teacher and not trying to emulate others.

· Philosophical discussions around the meaning of life and yoga are explored.

· Books and literature are recommended as valuable resources for understanding yoga.