The Flow Artists Podcast by Garden of Yoga

This episode is a recording of a conversation between Rane Bowen, Jo Stewart, and Leigh Blashki.

Leigh Blashki is a legendary figure in Australian Yoga. He is also an incredibly engaging speaker and has a deep understanding and love of these practices.

As you will hear in this podcast, Leigh has had influence and training from a number of traditions and teachers, including Sri Yogendra, Swami Gitananda, A.G. Mohan and Dr. Richard Miller. He has taught yoga and meditation for over 40 years and had over 350 graduates from his Yoga teacher training and Yoga therapy training courses.

He was a founding member of the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia, now known as Yoga Australia. He also founded the Australian Institute of Yoga Therapy, is a Past-President of Yoga Australia, a member of the Council of Advisors for Yoga Australia and the IAYT and also served the IAYT on their Standards, Accreditation and Certification Committees. Indeed, he has been instrumental in building the standards and professionalism of yoga in this country and is widely regarded as the father of yoga therapy in Australia.

In this episode, we discuss how Leigh found yoga, some of his key early teachers, as well as his current ones! We learn about how Leigh helped to establish Yoga Australia, and his work in developing the first Government accredited Yoga Training in this country.

He also discusses his work with iRest and shares some incredibly profound statements on being in the world and teaching with authenticity.

Picks of the Week

Leigh - In Touch: How to Tune In to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself by John J Prendergast - http://amzn.to/2COv8hj

Rane - Journeys into Emptiness: Dogen, Merton, Jung, and the Quest for Transformation by Robert Jingen Gunn - http://amzn.to/2Fccgaq

This episode features a recorded conversation between myself, Jo Stewart and Anu. Anu is a non-binary person whose pronouns are they/them. Anu teaches a queer and trans inclusive yoga class at dance of life in Fitzroy, Melbourne, as well as yoga in a retirement village. They are considering further training in yoga therapy and trauma sensitive yoga.

We believe that yoga is a gift to the world and that everybody who wants to should have access to yoga, and feel welcomed and comfortable in every class. There are some simple steps yoga, movement and meditation teachers can take that will aid in this, so we feel the information and perspective that Anu gives in this episode is really important.

Other topics we cover in this episode include how yoga and meditation can help activists, and Anu also discusses their work with seniors.

Anu’s QTI class is at Dance of Life, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Thursdays 7.45pm

For further information on queer and trans identity here are some resources:

https://www.facebook.com/qtiyoga/

http://www.decolonizingyoga.com/

http://www.transgendervictoria.com/

https://www.trans101.org.au/

Picks of the week:

Anu:

Refugee Action Collective - http://rac-vic.org/

Asylum Resource Center - https://www.asrc.org.au

RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-detainees is the first refugee and asylum seeker organisation in Australia to be run and governed by refugees, asylum seekers and ex-detainees - http://riserefugee.org/

If you would like to register your concerns about the humanitarian crisis on Manus Island:

The Prime Minister’s Office - 0262777700

Bill Shorten’s Office - 0262774022

Rane - Contrapoints Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNvsIonJdJ5E4EXMa65VYpA

Donna Sparx is a Melbourne based Hoop Dance teacher with a highly organised yet uniquely creative approach.

In this conversation, we hear about Donna’s background in sculpture, creative writing and youth work, and how these disciplines inform her teaching today.

Donna goes on to tell us how she was introduced to hooping through the Women's Circus, and how her initial thoughts on that "little plastic circle" were less than favourable.

We learn how Donna’s teaching approach uses play as a foundation for learning and connection and how she encourages individual expression through movement and flow.

We also learn about some of the handy systems Donna has devised over the years to help her manage her busy schedule, including some practical healthy eating tips for people on the go.

There is some great information in this podcast, so be sure to listen right to the end!

Links

Donna's Hoop Sparx website - http://hoopsparx.com

14 Ways Hooping is good for mental health: http://hoopsparx.com/14-ways-hooping-good-mental-health/

Picks of the Week:

Donna - Women's Circus - http://www.womenscircus.org.au/

Jo - Cirque Physio - Jennifer Crane - http://www.cirquephysio.com/

Rane - Hidden Figures - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_Figures

Today’s episode is a recorded conversation between myself, Jo Stewart, and Paul Daniele of Mindful Body and Spirit.

Paulie is a multifaceted teacher, who facilitates a wide range of classes! Boxing, Qi gong, Yoga, Pilates and meditation. All of these are in the toolbox of physical and mental disciplines that Paulie loves to share with the world.

In this conversation, we learn about Paulie’s Italian background, and how his personality was shaped by being the youngest of seven children in the family.

We also learn about how Paulie keeps himself energised and inspired through his personal practice, art and other hobbies.

And finally, we learn about Paulie’s earlier career as a school teacher and how that informs his approach today.

It’s a cracker of a conversation, and Paulie’s enthusiasm shines through.

Links

Paulie's website: http://www.bemindfulnow.com.au/

Mindful Body and Spirit on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfulbodyandspirit

Mindful Body and Spirit on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulbodyandspirit/

Picks of the Week

Rane - God A Human History by Reza Azlan - https://www.amazon.com/God-Human-History-Reza-Aslan/dp/055339472X

Jo - J Boogies Dubtronic Science - http://jboogie.com/

This week we travel back to New Plymouth, New Zealand and catch up with Alex Rodger who runs The Yoga Space hot yoga studio.

Alex has led an adventurous life, and he tells us how his journey has taken him travelling around the world from the north of England by air and sea. We learn how he found yoga and meditation, and how he felt drawn to creating a community right in the heart of New Plymouth, New Zealand.

In this interview, we will learn about Alex's influences in yoga and his down to earth approach to teaching and holding space. We'll also learn about some fantastic events he has coming up.

We recorded this conversation in his studio, and you might notice a bit of background noise during portions of this recording, for which I apologise.

Jo and I will return at the end for our picks of the week!

Links:

The Yoga Space - http://www.theyogaspace.co.nz/

Summerview Festival 2018 - Link to come

Picks of the week:

Rane - Made to Last by Vanessa Murray - http://www.hardiegrant.com/au/publishing/bookfinder/book/made-to-last-by-vanessa-murray/9781741175240

Jo - Donna Sparx's Hoop Ma Boogie Workshop - https://weteachme.com/hoopsparx/1023624-hoop-ma-boogie-2017?ct=t(Hoop_Ma_Boogie_Twinning_the_Spin_Exclusi10_30_2017

The theme song is "Baby Robots" by Ghostsoul - you can buy his music at https://ghostsoul.bandcamp.com/

This week’s guest is Elizabeth Bell. We recorded this conversation during Yogafest Yoga Retreat at Lord Somers camp over Melbourne Cup weekend.

Elizabeth is a person with a fun and unique perspective of the world, and she actively works to empower herself and the people around her, through both her art and her yoga.

In this conversation we talk about some of the seminal yoga teachers Elizabeth has trained with.

We discuss her background in art, including her experiences life modelling, and her work as the Naked lecturer.

We will also learn about what it is that she would most love people to distill from her teaching of yoga.

Finally, we talk about her current project, The Ovarian Temple.

Links:

Elizabeth's Website: http://www.elizabethbell.com.au/

Elizabeth's Mirror Art and Amulets: http://www.elizabethbell.com.au/garden/art/

The Ovarian Temple: http://www.ovariantemple.com/

Picks of the Week:

Rane - My Year With Helen: https://myyearwithhelen.com/

Jo - A Color Story App: https://acolorstory.com/

Elizabeth also requested that we mention the music of Alice Coltrane - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxPMKgY_8qk

This episode was recorded in my hometown of New Plymouth with duo Ram and Bhavani Davies who together run the Sivananda Yoga center.

Before we jump into the conversation however, here is a little a background about New Plymouth.

New Plymouth is a small town on the West Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the capital of Taranaki province, colloquially known as "The Naki". It also happens to be the town where I was born. It is a small town with a population of less than 50,000, and it is a rural center in a dairy producing region, which is also fueled by the local oil and gas industry. As you will hear during this interview, Back beach is a very popular surfing spot, right under the ever present watch of the beautiful Mount Taranaki. In fact the Lonely Planet recently selected Taranaki as the second best region in the world, which has attracted a wave of backpacker tourists, drawn by the surf and snow.

While I grew up, New Plymouth was a fairly conservative place, so I was pleasantly surprised when I came back recently and discovered that there was a thriving yoga and meditation scene! The last I counted there are at least 6 Yoga and Meditation studios in the small seaside town.

I attended a class with Bhavani at Barclay Hall a while back, and it was a gentle traditional and meditative practice which left me feeling fantastic, so I was really looking forward to catching up with them.

In this conversation we will learn about what lead the two of them to yoga, to each other and to New Plymouth! We will discover their philosophy on teaching and finding your own voice in a traditional style, and they offer advice on those who are thinking of starting teaching, or opening their own studio!

Links:

Sivananda Yoga Center - https://www.sivanandayoga.co.nz/

Sanctuary Hill Yoga Yoga and Retreat Center - https://www.sanctuaryhill.co.nz/

Picks of the Week

Rane - Shining Light Yoga Mens Classes - http://www.shininglightyoga.com.au/events/

This episode we have a conversation with the delightful Andrew Keast. Andrew is a man we’ve known for a very short amount of time, but he is already a good friend to the Flow Artists Team. He is open, curious and powerfully introspective. In this conversation we talk about jnana yoga - the yoga of wisdom or knowledge, and how it’s skillful use raises issues of identity, self esteem and finding your place in the world - themes that have already come up in this podcast many times.

We also discuss Andrew’s background and about how living with an open and receptive heart can lead to a vocation that is truly in alignment with your core values. Finally, we discuss his current role of “Storyteller” with Refugee Talent. In this role Andrew works to help refugees find employment, and we learn how the situations these people are facing can have devastating effects on their own identities.

Picks of the Week

Rane - Asylum Seeker Resource Center Mentoring Program - https://www.asrc.org.au/mentoring/

Jo - The Good Place - https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80113701

Andrew - Refugee Talent - https://refugeetalent.com/

This week we are shifting slightly from the yogic realm, and speaking with the multi-talented Helly Hoops! Helly is one of Jo's personal hula hooping heros, not just for her technical prowess, but also her thoughtful online presence and her ability bring a sense of narrative and social commentary into her performances and videos - which is no small feat when you are spinning a plastic circle.

We learn about Helly's background in art and activism. How she discovered hooping and how she has grown as a performer, and developed a deeper understanding of herself.

We also talk about social media, how it can trigger insecurities and devastating self doubt even in the midst of great success, and how she has learned to navigate this.

Helly also fills us in on her upcoming Performers without Borders tour in Nicaragua.

Links

Helly's website - https://www.hellyhoops.com/

Help send Helly to Nicaragua - https://www.gofundme.com/rfeb7q-send-helly-to-nicaragua

Helly Hoops' stunning video 'Magic' - https://www.facebook.com/hellyhoops/videos/624901751053463/

A fantastic video that show's Helly's activism in performance: 'Ode to the Federal Budget' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejbNTnHNzXU

Picks of the week:

Rane

Erik Davis's Techgnosis - http://techgnosis.com/

Jo

Artist, Designer and Author Justina Blakeney's website The Jungalow - https://www.jungalow.com/

Helly

The Secret's to Money App - https://www.thesecret.tv/products/the-secret-to-money-app/

I have a distaste for the word “authenticity”, as I feel as it is often thrown about in a way that is its opposite, but with Michelle it is an appropriate choice. She is comfortable in her own skin, and she inhabits a powerful presence.

I would describe Michelle as a teacher’s teacher. Not just because she facilitates yoga teacher trainings and mentors other teachers, but because over her 10+ years in this profession she has developed some deep insights into the heart of this practice.

In her own words: “I believe my role to be more one of facilitating the experience that is unfolding for each person; unique, distinctive and always evolving.”

In this conversation we learn about some of her key teachers, and how she has integrated new information while maintaining her own voice. We learn about the difference between projection and empathy. We talk about the importance of community, and continuing professional development to stay inspired.

In this episode, Michelle gives what I think is the best definition of yoga I have heard yet: “Yoga is the expression of life itself in that very moment”. There are plenty more gems like this, so have a listen.

Links

Michelle’s Website https://michellejayne.com.au/

Yoga Trainings Melbourne https://www.facebook.com/yogatrainingsmelbourne/

https://www.instagram.com/yoga_trainings_melbourne/

No Stomach for Cancer Walk - please sponsor Rane! https://www.mycause.com.au/page/163208/rane-bowen

No Stomach for Cancer Yoga Fundraiser

https://www.facebook.com/events/1933556430242200/

World Vegan Day - https://www.facebook.com/events/1914364892167400/

Free Park Yoga in Glen Eira:

Thursday evening 6.00pm Princess Park, Hawthorne Rd, Opposite Caulfield Recreation Centre