Yoga Is Vegan

Arturo Jose (AJ) is passionate about changing our food systems via a just transition to mitigate the climate crisis, health crisis, and the exploitation of human and non-human animals and the planet. He has fifteen years of international experience and ten years in senior management, public awareness campaigns, public relations, and undercover investigations. He has been a leader in the non-profit realm for the last decade, working with animal protection organizations such as CARE (동물권단체케어), Mercy for Animals, and Animal Recovery Mission. Currently, he is Head of Operations at 50by40 and serves on the Rights for Animal Rights Advocates (RARA) and Sinergia Animal advisory boards. In addition to his efforts in the non-profit realm, Arturo was head chef and general manager of Huggers, a plant-based restaurant in Seoul, South Korea. He is also a Clubhouse and podcast enthusiast, which led him to create and host the Woke Stutter Podcast to chat with leaders and change-makers about animal protection, social justice, food justice, and how we can do better internally as a movement.
Clubhouse
Kevin Lahey- Meet Former MFA Investigator Kevin Lahey
South Korea’s dog meat industry
Animal Liberation: The Definitive Classic of the Animal Liberation Movement by Peter Singer
Undercover investigations in factory farms
World Health Organization Origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus
50by40's mission to reduce the dependency on animal agriculture by half by 2040
Slaughter house workers and their experiences
The intersectionality of food systems and food chains

Connect with Arturo:

Clubhouse: @ajgarcialive
Twitter: @ajgarcialive
Instagram: @ajgarcialive
Linkedin: @ajgarcialive

Marianna is the co-founder of Kind Living Yoga, a yoga teacher training school and studio that also works with mental health charities and offers counseling and clinical hypnotherapy.

Born in Italy, Marianna eventually moved to London where she began teaching Barre before making the move into Yoga and mental health. Her passion is to bring people together while helping them find space for healing so that they can ultimately lead a kinder, more consciously aware life. Marianna is a big animal lover, vegan and proud mum of a beautiful staffie, Alba and two troublemaker cats, Puck & Maya. She is married and they are expecting their first child in July.



Sarah Powers Insight Yoga Institute
yin yoga
hypnotherapy
101 Reasons to Go Vegan presented by Humane Educator, James Wildman
Jivamukti Yoga
Reiki
yoga nidra
Forrest Yoga and Ana Forrest
karma yoga

Connect with Marianna:
Instagram: @kindlivingyoga
Website: kindlivingyoga.com

Gopi Om (Nicole Sopko) first discovered yoga by chance and was instantly intrigued. She attended her first teacher training with the sole intention of learning more about the practice, but, despite being a lifelong introvert, found the teachings of yoga to be so transformational that she couldn't keep them to herself and began teaching in 2005. Shortly after, her practice grew immensely when she met her beloved Guru, Sri Dharma Mittra, who gave her the name Gopi.

Gopi practices and teaches yoga with a firm but gentle insistence on respect for the fullness of this indigenous tradition. Her classes are for anyone who wants to learn about yoga as a complete, traditional system. She welcomes people from all backgrounds to learn how these time tested practices and their philosophy can be integrated into a modern life.

Gopi has completed the advanced level (500, 800, & 1000 hour) Life of a Yogi teacher trainings at the Dharma Yoga Center in New York with Sri Dharma Mittra. She feels blessed to have received and to carry on the teachings of his lineage. She is also a newly-enrolled student at the Hindu University of America where she plans to pursue Hindu Studies and Sanskrit. She strives to live every moment as an offering to the divine and to pass on the teachings of yoga as they have been generously shared with her.

A vegan of over 20 years, Gopi works alongside her life partner, Dan, as Vice President of natural foods company, Upton's Naturals. She is the President of the Board of Directors at the Plant Based Foods Association and serves on the Associate Board for One Tail At a Time. Gopi was previously the owner of Nature Sanctuary and Yoga Trek Center in Chicago and Oak Park, IL. She shares her home (and her yoga mat) with a rescue dog named Greta and several aquatic pets including fish, snails, and shrimp.

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Gopi Om (Nicole Sopko) discuss the following:
Punk Rock bank Earth Crisis
The Journey of Self Discovery by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Yoga Alliance
Sri Dharma Mittra
Upton's Naturals
The Hindi University of America
The Colonization of India
Connect with Gopi Om:

Website: gopiom.com
Instagram: @gopiom

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Rishi Chidananda discuss the following:

Bhagavad Gita
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananada and the Self Realization Fellowship ( Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades)
Maha Kumbh Mela
Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda
Victoria Moran on Episode's 16 and Episode 94
Sanatana dharma
Ahimsa

Rishi Chidananda has spent the latter part of his life as a monk, studying the philosophical traditions of India and gaining deep insights into their hidden meaning and timeless practices that are particularly relevant in this day and age under the guidance of Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda.

Before entering the spiritual path, he was a successful investment banker and entrepreneur. Since then, philosophical teachings contained within ancient scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita have had a significant impact on how he views the world and have changed the way he approaches life.

Now, Rishi Chidananda uses his experience as a former investment banker and entrepreneur to easily articulate the philosophical teachings of India in a meaningful way for those looking to bridge the gap between western and eastern philosophies.

Connect with Rishi:


Clubhouse: @RishiChidananda
Instagram: @rishi_chidananda

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Rowdy Girl Sanctuary's Renee King-Sonnen discuss the following:

Renee's journey from former cattle ranger's wife to a vegan powerhouse
Renee's calf and greatest teacher, Rowdy Girl
Yoga & Spirituality
Richard Hittleman's Yoga: 28 Day Exercise Plan
International Yoga Studies Sandra Summerfiel Kozak
Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville

Renee, a native Houstonian, is the President and Founder of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary in Waelder, Texas. She remarried her husband Tommy Sonnen, a multi-generational cattle rancher in 2009 and moved to their former ranch in Angleton, Texas. She fell in love with farm animals, having no idea her life was about to transform. After witnessing time and again the baby calves going to the sale barn, she became extremely depressed. In October 2014, she went vegan as a result and began researching factory farming and the compassionate alternative, farm sanctuaries. She desperately consulted with leaders in the vegan movement, determined to do whatever she could to create sanctuary out of what was once a beef cattle operation in the heart of cattle country. As a result, the Rancher Advocacy Program was developed to give cattle ranchers and other animal farmers a way to transition into other ways of farming without animal cruelty. Transitioning out of animal agriculture requires a lot of skill, effort, and people to help. RAP is dedicated to finding the resources and the way to give farmers a way around farming animals. Renee speaks to farmers all the time and a few have converted to vegan, like 6th generation Texas cattle ranchers Cindy and Richard Traylor.



Renee King-Sonnen aka Sangita has studied yoga sciences and Ayurveda for 35 years. She is a teacher of hatha yoga and kundalini yoga. She has a dedicated yoga practice and meditates every day. Her guru is Swami Satchidananda

Connect with Renee:

Clubhouse: @rowdygirl
Website: rowdygirlsanctuary.org & rancheradvocacy.org
Instagram: @rowdygirlsanctuary & @rancheradvocacyprogram
Facebook: @rowdygirlsanctuary & rancheradvocacyprogram
YouTube: Rowdy Girl Sanctuary

What is our COVID Karma? Ray Ippolito, a long time Yoga practitioner, Kirtan wallah and Animal Liberation Activist has created an initiative that is committed to educate, inspire and remove our role from this most challenging virus and all others that are headed our way. How can we use our practice to make a difference in the COVID world we created and what are you willing to do about it?

In this episode Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Ray Ippolito discuss the following:

International Pandemic Outreach Day- One World, One Day, One Action! May 1st, 2021.
Seaspiracy
Bob Woodward Interviews with Trump on the pandemic
How to Survive a Pandemic by Michael Greger
Vegan Food for first responders in Brookyn with Big Love Catering
Catch & release fishing method
Kaporos in Brooklyn
Ray Ippolito Episode 47
Subscribe & Listen:

Connect with Ray Ippolito & Eating Animals Causes Pandemics:
Facebook: @rayippolito
Instagram: @eatinganimals_causespandemics
Website: @eatinganimalscausespandemics.com

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Achāryā Samitā Rāthor discuss the following:

Samita's experience studying with Yogi Sir Desikachar
Yoga as therapy
Vibrational energies as children
One on one versus group trainings
Traditional Yoga
Asana and the meaning of Yoga
Alkaline diet and sattvic diet
Prana
The importance of contolilng your tongue in Yoga
Tapas

Achāryā Samitā Rāthor is the founder of Yogarpanam which translated in English literally means Yoga Surrender. She is an advisory consultant, life mentor, Yoga & Vedic Scholar, Yoga Therapist, Traditional Diet Specialist & Guide.

Samita's life journey is dedicated to share these infinite teachings of her spiritual experiences with simplicity and love. Having had diversified exposure from a very young age, she is able to connect and understand the needs of people almost instantly. Samita is guided and has studied with her Yoga Teacher and spiritual masters since the age of 20. She uses her inner awakening experiences to help and inspire people who come to her. She teaches, applies and shares the principles of traditional Yoga and Vedic wisdom. She is a teacher and mentor to Yoga Teachers, Life Coaches and genuinely dedicated students who would like to go deeper into educating themselves about the subtler aspects of Yoga and its principles.

Her Unique Humane Approach has transformed the minds of many struggling. Her aim is to resolve the inner & outer struggles in the human mind-life, with compassion, empathy, intelligence and strength. She uses her profound knowledge with scientific psyche principles integrated with universal wisdom, to help people manage, streamline and overcome life challenges, worldwide.

With the fortune of Grace, Achāryā Samitā Rāthor came in contact with Yoga teachings through Yogi Sir Desikachar and her father at an early age, who hailed from a Yogic lineage. She studied one to one with Sir Desikachar and began teaching on his instructions only. In the traditional formal Yogic system, a student does not teach unless instructed by their teacher.

She also has Multiple Post Graduate Teachers Training Diploma/Degree Certifications. She has personally studied Yoga and its therapeutic benefits from Sir Desikachar and is also formally trained in Yoga Therapy. She has also done a formal study of Vedanta under strict Monastic Traditions in the abode of Himalayas. She has had the Blessings of studying and coming in contact with beautiful Spiritual Living Masters like the Dalai Lama, to continue further her quest for learning constantly.

"Coming in contact with my inner experiences was like a new birth suddenly. The purpose of existence of life took a turn into another space and direction altogether. From a glamorous and eminent existence at a young age, I got drawn towards things that I never ever thought I would be immersed in so much. Nothing about me remained the same except my sense of humor. My family and friends noticed the transformation in me. What exactly happened I don’t know, but a major shift took place in my mind. All things that I was inclined towards totally disintegrated. This happened after I came in contact with my Teacher. Outer and Inner. The important thing is to live consciously. Whether it is through what I teach (yogasanas/yoga postures, pranayama, philosophy, meditation & breath-work), what I eat (ethical vegan) or how I spend every moment of my life. Deeply grateful for the teachings and wisdom received from evolved masters who never forgot to see beauty, love & humor in all." Achāryā Samitā Rāthor.

Connect with Achāryā Samitā Rāthor:

Instagram: @yogarpanam
Website: yogarpanam.com
Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis, Lili & Dr. Alex Charmoz discuss the following:

Optimal Performance with Yoga, nutrition and running
yoga
pottery
long distance running
The benefit of fasting mimicking fasts
Chi Running by Danny Dreyer
sacha inchi powder
Alex noted after the podcast to add that he also uses Cordyceps because it has been shown to increase VO2 max (capacity of the body to use oxygen)

Liliana (aka Lalitanand) Charmoz is an advanced 500-hr plus yoga teacher, Thai bodywork practitioner and certified continuing education provider under Yoga Alliance®.

Yoga gave her direction and purpose in a time of confusion; for her, yoga is a way of life, it teaches to be in harmony with all beings, to find strength and equanimity within and to simply be a better human.

She created Lalitanand yoga in the mountain town of Idyllwild where she currently lives with her husband and cats. She enjoys rock climbing, trail running, mountain biking and all things yoga. Her mission is to spread her love for nature, help students find their center in chaotic, stressful times and maybe to plant a seed for healthier lives.

Alex Charmoz is an Emergency Medicine Doctor in Southern California. Finding yoga as a way to heal from an injury sustained while rock climbing, he has found guidance through the 8 limb path of Ashtanga Yoga. While not a certified yoga teacher, he finds space to introduce yoga into his daily life and work. The ability to connect with other human beings in a vulnerable state and work towards bettering their quality of life is a direct manifestation of Yogic philosophy. Approaching 3 years of eating a vegan diet, which he attributes to his lovely and compassionate wife Liliana, he has seen direct results in his physical and mental abilities, and the link between diet and disease. As he took a vow to "First do no harm" he has realized that this extends to all sentient beings as well as the environment. A vegan lifestyle is the key to bringing these concepts together and is the future of attaining a sustainable and healthy planet.


Connect with Lili & Alex:

Website: Lalitanandyoga.com
Instagram: @lalitanand_yoga
Facebook @lili.skinner

Dr. Jyothi Rao, MD, ABAAHP, FAARFM, has been practicing medicine for over 20 years. She received her Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed her internship and residency at the prestigious New England Medical Center (Tufts) in Boston. Before opening Shakthi Health & Wellness Center, Dr. Rao practiced medicine in New York and Maryland.

A strong proponent of holistic medicine, Dr. Rao is certified in Medical Acupuncture from UCLA. She is also certified in Cardiopulmonary Stress Testing, which is a personalized assessment of cardiac and pulmonary disease, and certified in anti-aging and regenerative medicine.

Dr. Rao is the coauthor with Dr. Monica Aggarwal of BODY on FIRE: How Inflammation Triggers Chronic Illness and the Tools We Have to Fight It (2020), an updated revision of their self-published book Finding Balance (2016).

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holy Skodis & Jyothi Rao discuss the following:

Yoga in India
Dr. Monica Aggarwal's issues with dairy and inflammation
Microbiome, fiber and the effects of COVID
Parasympathic vs sympathetic nervous system
Clove oil and dental pain
The endothelium and its role in health
The Game Changers Documentary
Dr. Rao's functional medicine practice Shakthi Health & Wellness Center
Coconut oil
Yoga and balancing hormones
Yoga and cardio
Calcium and the vegan diet
Sleep and yoga nidra
Intermittent fasting

Connect with Dr. Jyothi Rao:
Website: raowellness.com
Book:BODY on FIRE: How Inflammation Triggers Chronic Illness and the Tools We Have to Fight It (2020)

Exavier Pope is a media personality, serial entrepreneur, lawyer and owner of The Pope Law Firm. He's a certified yoga instructor, owner of Zen & Juice Yoga Studio and vegan chef and owner of Pope's Vegan Kitchen, a vegan chef brand of cookbooks, social media influencing, restaurant concept, and merchandising.

Pope became a strict vegan in 2017 after as an extension of his yoga and mindfulness practice. More in tune with his body, he cut out animal-based ingredients as well as gluten to feel healthier and have more mental clarity.

In this episode Yoga is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Exavier Pope discuss the following:
Zen & Juice Yoga Studio
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
Bare Feet Power Yoga Exavier's teacher Robin French
What the Health Documentary
Sri Dharma Mittra
Yoga Food Concepts: A Rejuvenating Talk by Yogi Gupta
Effective activism
Intermittent Fasting
Hip Hop Yoga
Cannibus
Clubhouse
Byphasic sleeping
Pope's Vegan Kitchen
Today Article Black and Vegan: Why so many Black Americans are embracing the plant-based life

Connect with Exavier:
Instagram: @exavierpope
Twitter: @exavierpope & @zenxjuiceyoga
Facebook: Zen & Juice: A Hip Hop Yoga Tribe