The Heart of Yoga

In this episode of "The Heart of Yoga " Rosalind kicks off the Yogic Arts Series with a deep and enlightening conversation with artist and Yogini Melissa Forbes. They explore the intersection of art and spirituality through the study of Yantra, numerology, and Jyotish (Vedic astrology). Melissa shares her personal journey into sacred geometry and how these ancient traditions have shaped her practice, teaching, and artwork. Through this conversation, listeners are invited into the rich, intricate world of sacred Yogic arts and the deeper meaning behind these practices.

• The profound relationship between Yantra, numerology, and the energies of the planets, exploring how specific shapes, colors, and numbers influence one's life and spiritual journey.

• Melissa’s background in sacred geometry and her teachings on how constructing Yantras can help align an individual's energy with cosmic forces.

• The influence of Melissa’s teacher, Harish Johari, and the tradition of integrating chanting, numerology, and sacred geometry into the spiritual practice.

• Insights into the powerful energy of certain colors and planets, such as working with green and emerald to harness the healing energy of Mercury.

• The importance of natural movement and geometry in understanding the true essence of Yoga beyond its physical form.

• "The study of the macrocosm via the microcosm. Tantra offers a holistic approach to the universe through the lens of the individual."

• "The energy of the Yantras is all about alignment—through sound, color, and shape, we can tap into the deeper forces of the cosmos."

• "Working with a spiral in sacred geometry mirrors nature’s own patterns; it’s a theme that’s as universal as the DNA in our bodies or the form of a fern unfurling."

• Books by Harish Johari: Numerology, Tantra, Ayurveda: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Harish-Johari/410046710

• https://melissaforbes.art/retreats You are invited to join Melissa on her Sacred Geometry luxury retreat in India, January 2025. Melissa leads an annual retreat at Shreyas, member of Relais & Chateaux, focusing on Sacred Geometry. An excellent opportunity to explore the inner dimensions and rekindle our creative energies, and direct it towards spiritual unfoldment. Yoga, Ayurveda and Art in a refined beautiful environment.
• Connect with Melissa on IG @melissaforbes8

• [00:00:00] Introduction to the episode and guest, Melissa Forbes

• [00:01:00] Melissa shares her initial journey into Yoga and sacred geometry

• [00:03:00] Discussion on numerology and the relationship mandala

• [00:06:00] Exploring the deeper meaning of Yantra and the connection with planets

• [00:20:00] Transition into Jyotish and how numerology ties into personal energies

• [00:36:00] Retreat discussions and how participants interact with the Yogic arts

• [00:50:00] Personal anecdotes about U.G. and Melissa's experiences in sacred spaces

• [00:59:00] Conclusion and final reflections on art, spirituality, and cosmic energy

In this episode of the Heart of Yoga podcast, Raul Petraglia, a former high-flying corporate executive, shares his incredible journey from the high-stress world of luxury hospitality to finding profound peace through the practice of Yoga. Raul opens up about his past life of excess and stress, the physical and emotional toll it took on him, and how a serious health crisis led him to discover Yoga. This transformative experience not only saved his life but also inspired him to dedicate himself to sharing the healing power of Yoga with others, including the corporate world he once inhabited.

They discuss:

• Raul’s early life in Argentina and his rise in the luxury hotel industry, leading to a lifestyle of excess and eventual burnout.

• The pivotal moment when Raul realized his lifestyle was unsustainable, leading him to seek a different path through Yoga.

• How Raul’s journey into Yoga began as a necessity for physical rehabilitation and evolved into a profound personal practice.

• The unique challenges of teaching Yoga within a corporate environment and the impact it has on stressed executives.

• The importance of adapting Yoga practices to individual needs, as Raul did for his own mother.

Favorite phrases:

• "I used to party till sunrise. Now I wake up to see the sunrise and do my practice."

• "There is a special feeling there, Mark. It’s like this is my goal, my dharma."

• "Yoga is participation in reality via the breath."

Resources:

• Books: The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56303.The_Heart_of_Yoga

• Websites: Heart of Yoga Studio 

 https://www.heartofyoga.com/studio

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction: Raul’s background and entry into Yoga.

• [07:00] Corporate Burnout: Transition from a high-stress career to discovering Yoga.

• [16:00] Yoga’s Impact: How Yoga transformed Raul’s life.

• [26:00] Teaching Yoga: Bringing Yoga into corporate settings.

• [40:00] Personalizing Yoga: Adapting practices for individual needs.

• [52:00] Reflection: Raul’s ongoing journey and mission with Yoga.

Teaching at Liliana Lakshmi's teaching training, this question arises.. hear the response. 

In this episode, Mark explores how Yoga can provide a sense of unity and belonging amidst conflict and division in the world. He emphasizes that Yoga is not about seeking or trying to get somewhere, but recognizing and participating in the beauty, power and extraordinary intelligence that is always there, the wholeness and the harmony. 

Mark argues that religious seeking and presumption of separation are the root of conflict, and Yoga dissolve this illusion. He shares the principles from Krishnamacharya on adapting Yoga to each person’s needs, and the recognition of the Tantras of life’s inherent unity.

His position is that teaching Yoga is the necessary, cultural shift required to end conflict in separation, to end trauma, destructive tribalism and disconnection.

They discuss: 

- Why Yoga is needed as the response to divisiveness and terror. 

- Krishnamacharya’s emphasis on Yoga as embracing ‘what is’ rather than seeking some future state  - How religious doctrine has been used to create division, but true religion needs Yoga as its practical means - The end of spiritual seeking and ideas of a perfect future state - wholeness is already here - The tantric recognition and response - Adapting Yoga to each person’s body, age, health and cultural background  - Teaching Yoga as a stand against trauma and disconnection in the world Favorite phrases:   “The yogas of participation in the given reality.”  “Your body is in a profound unity with the total cosmos.” “Yoga is the practical means by which individuals actualize the great ideals of their culture, of their religion.”  “Trying to come into union implies the two are separate.” “Your body is the extraordinary intelligence that is the cosmos happening as you.”

Bali teacher training www.heartofyoga.com/bali-ytt

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:02:00] Krishnamacharya's emphasis on adapting Yoga to the individual 

[00:05:00] Already being the beauty - no need to get somewhere   

[00:10:00] Yoga as actualizing the ideals of religion and culture

[00:15:00] Division created by religious doctrine and seeking   

[00:20:00] The body as already in unity with the cosmos

[00:25:00] Yoga as participation versus seeking 

[00:30:00] Personal examples of transformative effects of simple Yoga

[00:35:00] Science, religion and Yoga as three stabilizing forces 

[00:40:00] Consciousness and objects as a unity

[00:45:00] No separate self or other

[00:50:00] Being beyond gender identification   

[00:55:00] Introducing principles of Krishnamacharya's Yoga

In this episode, Rosalind and Domagoj have an enlightening discussion demystifying Tantra. They explore how Tantra is a path to freedom that teaches you to fall in love with life. Tantra aims to help one realize everything is infinite and discover naturalness, spontaneity and openness to the mystery of life.

Rituals in Tantra go hand in hand with meditation and realization of the teachings within oneself. The goal is freedom and absolute independence. They talk about transcending duality between matter and spirit, external rituals and internal experiences, embracing life and relationships as they are.   

They discuss:

- The importance of modernizing and adapting tantric rituals and practices to suit the practitioners rather than just following fixed external instructions. 

- How Tantric philosophy sees matter and spirit as one, both being divine. 

- The interplay and correlation between external tantric rituals and internal meditations and realizations.

- How intimacy, relationships and embracing life and others enables easy ascent of energy compared to forced individual practices. Loving presence effortlessly moves energy.

- How Tantra teaches one to fall in love with life just as it is - overwhelming, enormous and mysterious. 

- The role of a Tantric guru and how the teacher principal always exists within and guides one's own direct experience. 

Favorite phrases:

"The teachings are like gold jewelry, you receive a lump of gold and you must hammer it into a jewelry for yourself."

"If the doors of perception were cleansed, then everything would appear to men as it is - infinite."

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introducing the topics of discussion

[00:39] The essence of tantric rituals being inner experience vs outer form 

[02:28] Correlating external rituals and internal realizations in tantra

[05:19] Embracing life effortlessly moves energy compared to forced practices   

[09:10] William Blake on seeing matter and spirit as one  

[14:50] Falling in love with life as the essence of tantra

[18:45] The role of a tantric teacher and physical vs inner gurus

[21:20] Domagoj shares about his tantric guru

[28:04] Closing chant

In part one of this two part episode, Rosalind is joined by Domagoj Orlić to demystify tantra, a profoundly misunderstood spiritual tradition.

As both a scholar and practitioner of Tantra, Domagoj sheds light on what Tantra actually is, its key principles and aims, and how it differs from the "Neo-Tantra" appropriated in the West. They explore Tantra's emphasis on liberation through feeling unity with the divine feminine, why ritual and initiation by a guru matters, and how Tantra can help overcome conditioning to realize inherent power.

Domagoj clarifies Tantra's nuanced relationship with sexuality and why it has been misportrayed. Far from just exotic techniques, traditional Tantra offers potent tools for those called to dive deep into self-realization and awakening through embodied practice.   

They discuss:

- What is Tantra? Defining the principles, aims and practices of traditional Tantra vs Neo-Tantra  

- Why guru, lineage and transmission matters in Tantra    

- Tantra as a monistic spiritual path emphasizing unity with the divine feminine    

- Ritual, puja and worship of deities to receive empowerment  

- Tantra's goal of deconditioning the mind and realizing power     

- Clarifying Tantra's nuanced relationship with sexuality     

- Tantra's influence on Yoga - integrating mantra, yantra, embodied ritual  

- Adapting traditional Tantra wisdom for the modern world and individual need  

Favorite phrases:  

"Tantra teaches us that we actually are very powerful and we have the power of Shakti to change reality, to change whatever we want to change and live our full human potential. That's the basic premise of Tantra."  

"The idea of the Tantric practice is to viscerally feel that I am one with the divine feminine...this can be called motherly love, which is the same as compassion, which is love generally, our ability to actually love life and love ourselves and love other people and love all creation."

Timestamps:

[1:00] Domagoj introduces his background in Tantra as a scholar, practitioner and teacher   

[3:00] What is Tantra? Domagoj reads his definition  

[5:00] Explaining the core elements: guru, lineage, student effort    

[7:00] How traditional Tantra differs from modern and Neo-Tantra   

[12:00] Clarifying Tantra's nuanced relationship with sexuality   

[15:00] Discussing themes from Passage to India that reveal Western misunderstandings of Tantra  

[17:00] Krishnamacharya's veiled tantric influences   

[21:00] Tantra's influence on Yoga - integrating ritual, mantra, deity   

[25:00] Yoga as a means to directly experience the ideals of religion  

[27:00] Tantra's monistic view of unity with the divine feminine as heretical  

[32:00] Tantra's emphasis on deconditioning to uncover power   

[34:00] Bringing tantra wisdom into the modern world  

[36:00] End of part 1 

This episode features Kathrin, a Yoga practitioner and mother of two living in Germany. She shares how she came to Yoga to relieve suffering during the pandemic, and through her daily practice discovered a profound intimacy with her own body and breath. Kathrin describes how Yoga helped her shift from feelings of "not being enough" to simply receiving and participating in each moment just as it is.

She and Mark discuss how Yoga connects us to the miracle of life, and talk about translating this experience into everyday life and language. Key topics include releasing shame, rebuilding society through education, participating in wholeness already here, and rediscovering the beauty in one's own culture and tradition.

They discuss:

- How the pandemic and suffering led Kathrin to deeper Yoga practice  

- Moving from self-judgment to receiving and intimacy with the body   

- Letting go of "becoming" and future salvation, participating in life now  

- Translating Yoga wisdom into everyday German life and language

- Educating our children in wholeness beyond knowledge and thought   

- Rediscovering beauty in her Catholic upbringing through Yoga

- Releasing cultural shame and rebuilding society through education 

- Sex and eros as mutual participation versus transaction

Favorite phrases:

"Everything that lives is holy." - William Blake

Resources:  

- The Art of Yoga online course

- Hridaya Yoga Sutras (German translation) 

- Writings and podcasts by Mark Whitwell (German translations)

Timestamps:  

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:02:00] How Kathrin came to deeper Yoga practice

[00:05:00] Discovering intimacy with body and breath 

[00:10:00] Yoga for everybody

[00:15:00] Participating in life now, beyond self-improvement

[00:20:00] Rediscovering beauty within her Catholic upbringing 

[00:30:00] Rebuilding society through education

[00:35:00] Shifting views on sex and intimacy 

[00:45:00] Translating Yoga wisdom into German  

[00:50:00] Releasing cultural shame

This episode features Paul Hoffman, a devoted Christian who discovered yoga and has found it deeply enriches his religious life and spiritual connection. He shares how yoga complements Christian teachings and practices, helping him integrate breath, movement and prayer.

Paul recounts his journey to incorporating yoga into his church community and daily spiritual rituals. He provides insights into how yoga can allow Christians and people of all backgrounds to more fully embody sacred teachings. 

They discuss...

- How yoga created a framework for Paul's daily devotional practice and connection to the divine presence. 

- Adapting yoga for Christians using biblical language and Christian concepts.

- Teaching yoga and breathwork before Sunday services at his Episcopal church.

- Experiencing yoga as a form of whole body prayer and spirit baptism.

- Integrating sacred sexuality, intimacy and union as yoga.

- Releasing grief, trauma and obstructions through asana to receive grace.  

- Participating through yoga in the grace and blessings already present.

Favorite phrases:

"Yoga has urged me, forced me, urged me to take seriously what it is that I'm doing in church." 

"The kingdom is, inside you or, you know, the, the divine is like, yeast and bread. it's just part of the deal."

"What I'm starting to feel is that, well, no, actually that's, that might be where it is for me. it's a lot of conditioning, a lot of programming to, to break through, isn't it? This notion that you get to God by giving up sex."

Resources:

Paul Hoffman's website: www.breathemovepray.org

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction  

[00:01] How Paul was first introduced to yoga by his wife

[00:03] His beginner's yoga retreat with Mark at Esalen

[00:07] Finding yoga provided what was missing from only attending Sunday church  

[00:10] Using Christian concepts and chanting in yoga class

[00:15] Adapting yoga language and teachings to the Christian context

[00:22] Yoga helps actualize the essence of Christianity  

[00:26] The continued impact of realized beings like Jesus

[00:31] Participating through yoga in the living divinity 

[00:35] Teaching yoga at his church on Saturdays  

[00:43] A dying friend urging him to start a daily prayer practice 

[00:48] Yoga as receptivity to Christ's baptism, releasing obstructions

[00:54] Introducing yoga at church through video 

[01:00] Yoga practice as participating in ever-present grace   

[01:10] Conclusion and close

This episode features yogini Akia Merritt who shares her life journey growing up in Miami and discovering her capital S Self through yoga sadhana. Akiya recounts the journey from aspiring fashion designer in New York City to becoming a capital-Y Yoga teacher, and the pitfalls of the industry along the way. Relatable to everyone whose journey has taken them far from where they started, and then back home with compassion. 

Mark and Akia discuss: 

- Akia’s childhood in poverty, family struggles with addiction, and dangerous neighborhood in Miami

- Her drive to get out of that environment and pursuit of fashion career in NYC

- A psychic telling her she would be a teacher… which she dismissed!

- Discovering through yoga practice 'you are what you're looking for'

- Anger, then compassion arising, seeing her family clearly

- Embodying freedom allowing her to be a mirror and bridge  

- Sharing with friends and family and helping create shifts in their lives

- Her continued shedding and settling into being a teacher

Favorite phrases:

- "Language is limiting, and you, you transmit to your family and friends, just by you being you."

- "You are, you are what you're looking for. You are what you're searching for." 

- "I'll give my life over to be able to hold someone's hand to that gate, to that door."

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction  

[00:01:00] Akia shares her challenging upbringing in Miami

[00:08:00] Her drive to get out and pursuit of fashion career

[00:12:00] A psychic tells Akia she will be a teacher

[00:19:00] Getting in touch with anger, then compassion for her family

[00:24:00] Finding clarity through yoga

[00:28:00] Now teaching yoga, starting with friends and family

[00:33:00] Akia describes discovering 'you are what you seek'

[00:38:00] Mark affirms Akia as an exemplary yoga teacher  

[00:43:00] Conclusion

This episode features a powerful and insightful conversation between Mark and a Yogini living in Iran, who we refer to as Sarah for her safety.

They discuss the ongoing revolution and protests in Iran, along with the government brutality and oppression people, especially women, face daily. Sarah shares her personal experiences surviving the turmoil, finding refuge through community, and taking action for freedom through sharing yoga's teachings.

This episode offers an inside look at Iran's struggle, the universal need for connection, and the hope that comes from within through truly knowing oneself. 

Key Topics: 

- Living under an oppressive regime in Iran 

- Government use of fear and financial struggle for control

- Intergenerational trauma and the younger generation's desire for freedom

- Taking action through spreading yoga's teachings and building community  

- The importance of knowing and expressing your authentic self

- Universal issues across cultures and religions that suppress life and intimacy

- Iran's deep culture and history of ancient wisdom now lost  

Insights:

- 80% of Iran's population is dissatisfied with the current regime

- Younger Iranians are questioning the system and motivated from within for change

- The Southeast province with high suppression has the brightest fire for revolution 

- Islam's rituals contain yogic principles of movement and breath that connect to the divine within 

Quotes:

- "They've been traumatizing people for as long as they've been in the country, for the past 40 years, 45 years, it's...they've started their authority with fear and killing people."

- "I really believe that more people, my quest is to open people's heart a little bit more. So build intimacy for every person for themselves so they can find their own way of conquering their fears." 

- "I was a kid...wearing shorts and a tank top. I was four years old, eating ice cream. And a woman with veil and everything comes and she's like, You have to cover up, you know, you're going to go to hell."

Takeaways:  

- Oppressive power structures that deny life create dysfunction across humanity 

- Revolution requires intimate self-knowledge and courage to take wise action  

- Fostering community and spreading empowering teachings is key for change

- We can all offer support to those fighting for freedom in Iran and beyond

Resources:

- Mark's essay "Iran: Root Causes and Root Solutions"

- YES - Yoga Education in Schools program

Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction  

[00:45] Living under an oppressive regime in Iran

[02:30] Government use of fear and financial struggle for control  

[04:15] Intergenerational trauma and desire for freedom

[07:00] Taking action by spreading yoga's teachings

[12:00] Universal issues across cultures and religions 

[17:00] Iran's deep culture and history of ancient wisdom

[22:00] Insights into the revolutionary movement

[27:00] Islam contains yogic principles  

[32:00] Effects of suppressing life and intimacy

[37:00] Iran's need for connection to its ancient wisdom

[44:00] Beauty of Iran and loss of wisdom traditions

[49:00] Conclusion and Call to Action

Rosalind and Andrew meet again to lay out the vision for the Heart of Yoga ‘YES’ programme: Yoga Education in Schools. 

Andrew shares the vision behind it: for every young person to leave school with a basic yoga education including the ability to practice connection with body and breath at home by themselves. 

We discuss how the project was born from Andrew's experience teaching yoga at a high school in New Zealand, where he saw firsthand how it benefited both students and teachers. And we discuss the 8-week teen yoga course that is at the heart of the YES program.  

Key Topics:  

- The mental health crisis among teens and the need for new solutions

- How the YES project started at Andrew's high school in New Zealand

- The vision for bringing yoga education to every student globally   

- The 8-week teen yoga course and how it's structured

- Teaching yoga breathing and asana to younger kids

- Stories of how teens benefit from yoga classes at school

- Training people to deliver the YES teen program in schools internationally

- Creating positive experiences for young people through yoga

Insights:

- Young people intuitively understand and feel the benefits of yoga for themselves. When they experience it, they don't need convincing to keep practicing.

- Yoga can create contexts for authentic human connection between teens and teachers. It's not about assessment or filling them with knowledge.   

- Teens appreciate having a space to rest, be quiet, and tap into inner peace amidst the stresses of school. The yoga "cleans the pot" so they can focus again.

- Teens provide profound and sensitive feedback on how yoga helps their mental health, grounding, sleep, and ability to engage life.

- Yoga is a positive cultural intervention, offering kids tools to transform their relationship with themselves, others and nature.

Quotes: 

"Yoga is prior to intellectual subjects and learning about life. It's to be connected to your actual life."

"After doing this, I feel like nothing can knock me off my balance." — teenage practitioner

"The breath made me feel all tingly and calm. Afterwards I feel like I can sleep for an eternity because I'm so connected to the earth." — 13 year old student 

Resources: 

Heart of Yoga: heartofyoga.org/YES

YES New Zealand Project Website: yogainschools.org.nz

Train to be a facilitator: October–November 2024, online

Timestamps:

2:00 - Introducing the YES project and its vision 

4:00 - How the project started organically at Andrew's New Zealand high school

6:00 - Taking yoga into schools globally, training facilitators 

10:00 - The mental health crisis and need for yoga in schools

15:00 - Creating the 8-week teen yoga program 

20:00 - On the profound wisdom and experiences of teens

25:00 - Powerful stories of teens benefiting from yoga   

30:00 - Using yoga for relational intelligence and autonomy

35:00 - Training people internationally to share the program

45:00 - Teaching yoga breathing to younger kids

50:00 - Allowing teens to experience all facets of life in yoga

55:00 - Yoga as a positive intervention in society and culture