This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ancientfutures.substack.com

What does it mean to live a yogic life in the twenty-first century? Alex Medin runs Nøsen, a Norwegian retreat centre, which hosts an annual yoga festival, and is part of a programme that rehabilitates former prisoners and drug addicts.

Alex doesn’t do things by halves. He’s studied yoga and Sanskrit academically, as well as exploring physical practice to advanced levels. He’s also lived in India for extended periods, where he was certified to teach Ashtanga by K. Pattabhi Jois. And before he found yoga, Alex was a boxer and breakdancer, who earlier dabbled in crime.

Our conversation explores these topics, including asking awkward questions about the extent to which yoga can change us – and the values we need to prioritise if that’s to happen. It’s therefore a chat about worldly approaches, from ethical conduct to deeper relationships, with the development of love as the ultimate goal.

I’ll also cover these themes with a men’s group in November (called Power to Relate), and I’ll be teaching in Nøsen next year – stay tuned for news via danielsimpson.info.

If you enjoy the conversation, and would like to fuel more, please consider subscribing or buy me a coffee... All donations are greatly appreciated!