In this special finale of Season 1, we come together in person for the first time during our mini podcast retreat! 🎉 We share our gratitude to everyone who has listened and supported us on this journey, reflect on how the retreat idea blossomed into reality, and hint at some exciting plans and goals for the future (spoiler alert: they're BIG!). Join us as we celebrate the end of this season and get a sneak peek of what's to come.

We're looking forward to having you with us for Season 2 and beyond! 🌟

Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.

Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga

Reach out: [email protected]

In this episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we celebrate the "good old days" and reflect on what it means to truly live in moments of happiness and wellbeing. We chat about how we recognize when we're in these great times and how they impact our behavior—like being more present and spending less time on our phones. We also explore how our yoga practice shifts depending on whether we're in a tough period or experiencing joy, and share some valuable lessons we can carry from these happy moments into more challenging days. Join us for this uplifting conversation on savoring life's good times - and we hope this chat brings some light and joy to your day!

Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.

Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga

Reach out: [email protected]

In this deeply personal episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we open up about dealing with the challenges we're facing in our lives right now. Amid these tumultuous times, we have a brutally honest conversation about self-care and showing up for ourselves, even when it feels impossible. We share our non-negotiables during periods of hardship, such as prioritizing physical nourishment by eating regularly, striving for quality sleep, and finding little pockets of time – as brief as 60 seconds – to move our bodies. We explore subtle ways to practice yoga off the mat, and quick tricks to feel more grounded and calm. Join us for an authentic discussion on sustaining self-care when life gets tough. 

Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.

Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga

Reach out: [email protected]

In this heartfelt episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we chat about body image during pregnancy and postpartum. We share our personal experiences, reflecting on the awe we felt at the miracle of growing a human and the changes our bodies went through. We discuss how body image issues can impact postpartum mental health and emphasize the importance of focusing on how we feel and how well we can function in our day-to-day lives rather than how we look. We celebrate our bodies as strong and capable and talk about how our choices regarding food, exercise, and self-care now come from a place of respect and gratitude. Join us for an inspiring conversation about embracing our amazing bodies through the journey of motherhood. 

Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.

Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga

Reach out: [email protected]

In this episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we tackle the topic of family planning while pursuing an academic career. Ivna, a PhD student and new mom, shares her journey of having a baby during the final year of her PhD. We explore her decision-making process, how she communicated her plans with her supervisor and colleagues, and the challenges she faced along the way.

We also discuss the concept of mindful productivity – staying focused on your work during pregnancy without overworking yourself. We emphasize the importance of setting (and sticking to!) boundaries and prioritizing self-care, including good nutrition and adequate rest. Join us for a candid conversation filled with practical advice and personal stories about balancing family planning with academic aspirations.

Sign up for The Circle of Academic Mamas newsletter here: https://www.yogaforacademics.com/connect

Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.

Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga

Reach out: [email protected]

In this episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we discuss the role of intuition in the highly rational, fact-oriented world of academia. We share personal stories of listening to our intuition when choosing our next career steps, navigating interviews, and building meaningful relationships. We also reflect on moments when we ignored our gut feelings and later regretted it. Through our experiences, we explore the question: Does intuition have a place in science? Our answer is a resounding yes – we need to leave some space for the magic and randomness of life!

Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.

Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga

Reach out: [email protected]

This is a replay of an Instagram Live we hosted to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21. In this special episode, we talked about ways yoga practice can be a great support for people navigating the challenges of their academic journey and some pieces of advice on how to approach your time on the mat so that it can be serene and helpful for both your physical and mental health. We also shared two short practical exercises - a mindfulness meditation and a breathwork practice - that you could integrate into your daily routine and use whenever you need a moment of peace and relaxation.

Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.

Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga

Reach out: [email protected]

In this episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we explore the role of intuition in motherhood. We share personal stories from our pregnancies and birth experiences, as well as our early postpartum journeys. We discuss how intuition felt powerfully awakened through the transformative process of pregnancy and becoming a mother. Join us as we reflect on the instinctual insights that guided us through these life-changing moments, offering support and encouragement to fellow moms.

( This episode was originally planned as an Instagram Live when we called our conversations "Yogi Chat." Due to a series of IG glitches and technical difficulties, we decided to record it separately to share on other platforms. )

Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.

Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga

Reach out: [email protected]

In this episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we spoke about the crucial topic of maternal mental health. We provided a brief overview of common postpartum mood disorders, shared our personal experiences with baby blues and postpartum anxiety, 
and discussed factors that can exacerbate postpartum mental health issues. We talked about the importance of seeking help, exploring various forms of support from medical treatment to hiring a postpartum doula, and the power of asking for (and accepting!) help from family and friends. This was an open and vulnerable conversation, and we hope that, if you're a new mom, it will make you feel seen and not alone 😊

If you feel like you might be experiencing some postpartum mental health issues, and you want a mama friend to talk to, don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.

Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga

Reach out: [email protected]

In our second episode of "Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts," we honour Mental Health Awareness Month with an open discussion on the challenges and pressures of academia. We opened up about the mental health struggles we faced as PhD students, stemming both from self-imposed pressures and outside expectations. We also shared how we recognize the early warning signs of declining mental health and the ways yoga has helped us navigate tough times and become more resilient. Join us for a vulnerable conversation aimed at highlighting the importance of mental well-being in academic life.

If you're struggling in your PhD or at any other point of your academic journey, please do not hesitate to reach out and share. We're here for you. 

Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.

Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga

Reach out: [email protected]