Yoga Is Vegan

Danielle’s passion for movement as medicine is firmly grounded in her personal struggle with scoliosis, and the lessons she has learned along the difficult path of living in a warped body. Through exploring various movement modalities over the past 20 years, Danielle has certified in various forms of yoga, aerial arts, Pilates, Gyrotonic ® Method, and her most recent interest has taken her down the path of Iyengar Yoga. Danielle seeks to change the way her students view their bodies, to inspire them to make positive lifestyle choices and to help guide the way toward total holistic health of mind and body. Called a ‘teacher’s teacher, her classes are detail oriented and require presence and curiosity from all who attend.

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Danielle Lowy discuss the following:

Developing a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training
Patanjali's Yoga sutra 2:26 and how it relates to veganism
Iyengar Yoga
Danielle's new pilates and Yoga Studio Alma.

Karo Tak is a vegan chef, food coach, yoga teacher and activist. She has traveled the world to teach yoga, talk about her activism, facilitate vegan cooking classes and compassionately spread the word for animals worldwide. She lives in Amsterdam where she facilitates yoga retreat catering and plant based food coaching/ consulting with my companyTHE PINK KITCHEN. She is currently studying in the UK to become an AYURVEDIC HEALTH COACH at DRU YOGA UK and she's doing a 500hr Yoga Teacher Training at EAST LONDON SCHOOL OF YOGA with her precious teacher, fellow activist and friend Stewart Gilchrist.

Karo graciouslly returns once again for a special reset of the Yoga is Vegan Podcast. In episode 124 YIV's Holly Skodis and Karo talk about losing and regaining faith in humanity. They discuss the importance of taking breaks allowing space for creative projects. They also talk about the state of Yoga today and what we can do as Vegans and Yogis to move forward in today's world with compassion.

Karo has previously been on the podcast on Ep 25- Food, Yoga & Activism and Ep 117- Karo Tak is in The Pink. Karo also wrote a beautiful piece as a Featured Yogi

Uma VaShi Devi Lescault devoted her life to Yoga, when she found her Gurus' at age 10.

Sat Manav Yoga Ashram, where Uma resides with her gurus, Sri Bhagavan VaShi Baba and Sri Mirabai Ishwari, and fellow yogis, is a place dedicated to practicing, living and sharing the classical teachings of Yoga.

Through practice and emanation, retreats, classes, monthly festivals, and many other offerings we illuminate the ultimate intention of Yoga, to embody our true purpose as human beings, so we can change the world!

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Uma VaShi Devi Lescault talk about what it's like to be part of an Ashram. We talk about the sattvic diet and how it's related to prana. We also discuss their sister studio Sat Manav Tatoos & Talismans and their artist Bhagavan Das Shyam.

nico is an activist and a scholar. They completed their M.A. in Animal Studies from New York University, and have led grassroots animal rights and environmental protection campaigns in Colombia, Colorado, New York, and California. They focus on activism and scholarship that address Big Meat's devastating harms with the urgency they demand, and is currently working on a book, Ban Meat? A Not-So-Radical Policy Proposal. You can learn more and connect with nico here.

In this episode nico stubler and Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis discuss the following:

nico's chapter in the newly released book, Vegan Entanglements: Dismantiling Racial and Carceral Capitalism by Z. Zane McNeill (editor)
Durga Farms New Zealand
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
Yoga philosophy and where it intersects with veganism
Justin Marceau
Arturo Jose Garcia Yoga is Vegan Episode 105
No More Factory Farms
nico's upcoming book Ban Meat
Connect with nico:
Instagram: @nico.stubler

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Andrew Sealy talk about activism and attractivism and how leading by example works to inspire others to go vegan. We talk about his recent trip to Egypt, And as per usual, we talk about Andrew's vegan and yoga journey.

Andrew Sealy is a connection catalyst, a yoga artist, and a movement creator. He is internationally recognized for his yoga teachings and wellness leadership. Andrew's teachings of Compassionate Self Love and Infinite Positive Potential inspire practitioners of all walks of life worldwide. Through the unique practice of Yoga and Mindful Living, Andrew embodies progressive knowledge while positively empowering his students with the tools needed for sustainable growth. Andrew’s teachings aim to answer the question: How can we adapt to create and evolve to sustain?

Connect with Andrew:

Website: andrew7sealy.com
Instagram: @andrew7sealy
Vegan 24 Day Challenge: https://www.24dayveganchallenge.com/
Glo Protein: https://gloveganprotein.com/
Imiloa Retreat 2022, Costa Rica Feb 16-21
https://imiloainstitute.com/retreat/empowered-embodiment/

In today’s episode, Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Lara Heimann talk about how common it is that yoga teachers complete Yoga Teacher Trainings without understanding how the body works. We discuss incorporating veganism into Yoga and we talk about Lara’s vegan journey.

The seeds of Lara's fascination with the brain-body connection were planted at the tender age of 18 as she laced up her running shoes for a marathon she had not trained for. Hitting the wall at mile 20, Lara learned that she could overcome physical fatigue with mental strength and powered herself across the finish line and into a lifelong quest to learn about the physical-mental relationship. She went on to get a BA from Duke University in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, an MS from Duke University in Physical Therapy, and a Neurodevelopmental Training Certification through Stanford University.

In 1999, after several years of yoga practice and teaching, Lara took a 200-hour yoga teacher training and was shocked to learn that most yoga doesn’t inform about body awareness and mechanics. In the years to follow, Lara created her LYT Yoga Method®, combining physiology, kinesiology, neurology, and functional movement patterns to yield a more cohesive philosophy.

Lara Heimann is an international yoga pioneer and Physical Therapist focused on evolving the practice of yoga to empower movement and balance amidst a modern lifestyle of technology and sedentariness. She is redefining the modern practice of yoga through her comprehensive LYT Method®, emphasizing smart alignment, functional movement, and spiritual wellness.


Lara has taught her methodology to thousands of students in more than 50 countries and has led workshops worldwide to speak about and explore consciousness, anatomy and purposeful movement. She is a regular contributor to Women Fitness, and has been featured in outlets like NBC News, Today Show, Inside Edition, Yahoo, Shape, Scientific American, MSN, Nylon, Pop Sugar, Elite Daily, Well+Good and so many more. She has also partnered with the New York City Department of Transportation to lead a city-wide yoga class to nearly 400 participants during its Summer Streets initiative.


Through its holistic connection between body and mind, Lara’s methodology is a clear and influential roadmap to ignite the spirit to operate at its highest potential. Coined a “yoga mama” by students across the globe, and a teacher of teachers, Lara is also a certified Natural Food Chef (Natural Kitchen Cooking School) and Holistic Health Coach (Institute of Integrative Nutrition) who champions healthy habits beyond the mat and advocates for the environment and all species of animals.


In today’s episode, Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Lara Heimann talk about how common it is that yoga teachers complete Yoga Teacher Trainings without understanding how the body works. We discuss incorporating veganism into Yoga and we talk about Lara’s vegan journey.

Connect with Lara:

Website: lytyoga.com
Instagram: @lara.heimann

To you want to support this show? If you enjoy the Yoga is Vegan podcast a great way to show your support is by leaving a review on the Apple Podcasts app. This helps other find the podcast and hopefully find the connection between Yoga and Veganism. Following the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts helps also.

Dean Ornish, M.D., is the founder and president of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute, clinical professor of medicine at the UCSF, and the author of six books, all national bestsellers. He received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from the University of Texas, Austin, and the National Public Health Hero Award from the University of California, Berkeley. He was recognized as a “TIME 100 Innovator;” by Life magazine as “one of the 50 most influential members of his generation;” by People magazine as “one of the most interesting people of the year;” and by Forbes magazine as “one of the world’s 7 most powerful teachers.”

In this episode Dr. Dean Ornish & Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis discuss the following:

•Swami Satchitananda's influence on Dr. Dean Ornish's life's work.
•UNDO IT! How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases. By Dean Ornish, M.D. and Anne Ornish
•Boosting our immune system
•Bringing more love into our lives during the pandemic.

Connect with Dr. Dean Ornish:

Website: deanornish.com
Instagram:@deanornishmd
Twitter: @deanornishmd

Austin K. Sanderson moved to NYC in 1998 to attend New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Design and Production Department. After graduating with his Masters degree in set and costume design, he spent the next twenty-two years working as a designer in the American theater. In 2008 he was introduced to Jivamukti Yoga in a yoga class at a local neighborhood gym in Jersey City New Jersey. As he continued to take Jivamukti classes both locally and at the Jivamukti Yoga School NYC. Austin wanted to learn more about yoga and share with others his life changing experience brought about while practicing the Jivamukti Yoga Method. In 2011, Austin attended the Jivamukti 300+ hour teacher training program at the Omega Institute. In 2012, he continued his studies and completed his 800-hour Jivamukti Teacher Certification at The Jivamukti Yoga School NYC. In 2013, Austin and his partner Bob opened a 3000 square foot Jivamukti Yoga Center in downtown Jersey City, two blocks away from where he took his first Jivamukti yoga class. Austin is extremely grateful to his teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life. Austin views Gannon and Life as his upa-guru, a teacher who points you in the right direction. Without them Austin would have never had a full understanding of why veganism is so crucial to a yoga practice. While Austin ran the Jivamukti Center in Jersey City he continued to seek deeper teachings outside the Jivamukti method, ones that would offer a deeper understanding of the ancient teaching of yoga from its roots. It was at this point that Shri Yogishri Sudarshan Kannan came into Austin’s life as a teacher and Sat-Guru. In 2020, Austin founded the Urban Sadhu Yoga Method, “a method of applying ancient yogic wisdom in a contemporary context.” He and his partner Bob are the co-owners of Urban Sadhu Yoga Shala, formally Jivamukti Yoga Center Jersey City. Austin is also if the co-founder and co-producer of Yoga Fest Jersey City, a free public yoga, music and vegan food festival held in the heart of downtown Jersey City NJ during the summer equinox.

In this episode Austin Sanderson & Holly Skodis discuss the following:

Running a Yoga studio during a pandemic
Mindbody purchasing class pass
Austin's new book the Urban Sadhu Yoga Chant Book
The relationship between all oppression and animal oppression
Yoga is Vegan Featured Yogi Giveaway: To enter
please email me a few paragraphs about why you went vegan and how it relates to your yoga practice. Please also send me 2 nice pictures of you either in a yoga pose or you doing something vegan related. You can also see what others have done by visiting the Featured Yogi section of the Yoga is Vegan website.

Connect with Austin Sanderson:

Website: urbansadhuyoga.com
Instagram:@urbansadhujerseycity and @urban.sadhu
YouTube: @urbansadhuyogajerseycity

Karo focuses on 3 things. FOOD, YOGA AND ACTIVISM. She is a vegan chef, Jivamukti Yoga teacher and activist. For years now she has been bringing these elements together, traveling the world to teach Jivamukti Yoga, talk about animal rights, teach cooking classes and compassionately spreads the word for animals worldwide. She dedicates herself to several causes and projects and a huge part of her activism is her podcast called GO FOR YOUR LIFE.

She runs her own company called: IN THE PINK, with which she focuses on vegan cooking for workshops and retreats, food and life coaching and yoga teaching. She also runs the kitchen at a vegan lunchroom in Amsterdam called Lunchroom Bataat and is currently studying to become a vegan Ayurvedic health coach. Karo lives in Amsterdam with her sweet dog Sparky and her partner Miguel.

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Karo Tak discuss activism burnout, some of Karo's most meaningful activism moments, yoga, and veganizing Ayurveda.

Links discussed in the intro:

Yoga For All featured Yogi piece by Karo Tak
YIV podcast Episode 25- Karo Tak: Food, Yoga & Activism
The Karo Special Edition Tank
To be featured on the Yoga is Vegan IG and Website
email your story about why you went vegan and how it relates to your yoga practice. Please also include 2 nice images of you, preferably in a yoga pose or with an animal. Make sure to include your IG handle and your name and state or country you live in. Submissions entered before October 31st will be entered into a drawing. The randomly selected lucky winner will receive an available Yoga is Vegan tank top of their choosing.

Connect with Karo:
Website: karotak.com
Instagram: @goforyourlife and @inthepink
Podcast: Go For Your Life

Dr. Sailesh Rao has over three decades of professional experience and is the Founder and Executive Director of Climate Healers, a non-profit dedicated towards healing the Earth’s climate. A systems specialist with a Ph. D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, Dr. Rao worked on the internet communications infrastructure for twenty years after graduation. During this period, he blazed the trail for high speed signal processing chips and technologies for High Definition Television, real-time video communications and the transformation of early analog internet connections to more robust digital connections, while accelerating their speeds ten-fold. Today, over a billion internet connections deploy the communications protocol that he designed. He received five Exceptional Contribution Awards from AT&T Bell Laboratories between 1985 and 1991, a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff award in 1990, the Intel Principal Engineer Award in 2003, and the IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2013 for his technical contributions. He is the author of 22 peer-reviewed technical papers, 50 standards contributions, 10 US patents and 3 Canadian patents. He was the co-founder of Silicon Design Experts in 1991 which was acquired by Level One Communications in 1996 and which was later acquired by Intel Corporation in 1999 for $2.2 billion.



In 2006, he switched careers and became deeply immersed, full time, in solving the environmental crises affecting humanity. Dr. Rao is the author of two books, Carbon Dharma: The Occupation of Butterflies and Carbon Yoga: The Vegan Metamorphosis, and an Executive Producer of four documentaries, The Human Experiment (2013), Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014), What The Health (2017), and A Prayer for Compassion (2019).



Dr. Rao is a Human, Earth and Animal Liberation (HEAL) activist, husband, dad and since 2010, a star-struck grandfather. He has promised his granddaughter, Kimaya Rainy Rao, that the world will be largely Vegan before she turns 16 in 2026, so that people will stop eating her relatives, the animals. He has faith that humanity will transform to keep his pinky promise to Kimaya, not just for ethical reasons, but also out of sheer ecological necessity. Along with Kimaya, Dr. Rao was the co-recipient of the inaugural Homo Ahimsa award from the Interfaith Vegan Coalition in 2021. He has formally taken the Ubuntu pledge to become Homo Ahimsa.

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Climate Healers' Sailesh Rao discuss shifting towards a new phase of humanity (homo ahimsa) and becoming a Vegan World by 2026.

Connect with Sailesh Rao:

Website: climatehealers.org