Let's Talk Yoga

Jaksot

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  What Exactly Is Authentic Yoga? Here’s A Checklist 13.09.2026 43min

  What does authentic yoga actually look like? Aru shares her personal checklist for examining the depth, roots, and transmission of your yoga practice and teaching. From lineage and Hinduism to pranic experience, sadhana, primary sources, and knowing what you don’t know, this episode explores why sincerity alone isn’t enough—and how we can move closer to authenticity. Episode Highlights: Feeling authentic versus being authenticWesternization and cultural driftAuthenticity beyond Indian identi...
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  Lakshmi Maxxing: The Goddess of Wealth, Beauty & Abundance 06.09.2026 37min

  A closer look at Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, Kali, and Parvati—and why these Hindu goddesses cannot be reduced to modern wellness trends, aesthetics, or manifestation tools. Aru explores cultural appropriation, Shakti, devotion, ritual, and what it means to engage with these traditions with greater depth and respect. Episode Highlights: The viral Lakshmi Maxxing trendCultural appropriation in modern yogaHindu goddesses and their symbolismFemale goddesses and divine identityUnderstanding Shakt...
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  Sankalpa: The Missing Piece in Your Yoga with Medha Bhaskar 16.08.2026 54min

  What exactly is a sankalpa, and how is it different from an affirmation, intention, or goal? Medha Bhaskar joins me to explore the deeper meaning of sankalpa, how to discover one that truly resonates, and how it can become a guiding direction for our lives. Episode Highlights: Sankalpa’s meaning and place in yogaSankalpa versus affirmations and intentionsSankalpa versus manifestation and goalsUnderstanding SMART goalsDiscovering a deeper sankalpaHaving one or multiple sankalpasSharing a sank...
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  Bandhas 101 - What Yoga Teachers Need to Know with Sandra Anderson 09.08.2026 53min

  What are the bandhas, and why do they play such an important role in Hatha Yoga? Sandra Anderson joins me to explore the physical, energetic, and meditative purpose of Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, Jalandhara Bandha, and Maha Bandha, along with practical guidance for yoga teachers. Episode Highlights: Meaning and purpose of bandhasBandhas in asana, pranayama, and meditationUnderstanding Mula BandhaMale and female differences in Mula BandhaContraindications for Mula BandhaUnderstanding Uddiya...
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  Does Pronunciation Matter in Yoga? With Dr. Varun Khanna 02.08.2026 1t 4min

  Why does Sanskrit place so much importance on sound and pronunciation? I’m joined by Dr. Varun Khanna to explore the stories, philosophy, and history behind Sanskrit, and discuss what modern yoga teachers really need to know about the language. Episode Highlights: Meaning of the word guruSound and vibration in SanskritOrigins of Devanagari scriptSanskrit's role in Indian philosophySound, vibration, and the subtle bodyPronunciation and mantra accuracySanskrit in modern yoga teachingSanskrit a...
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  Increase Strength in Asana with Chhavi Sahal 19.07.2026 59min

  Strength is becoming an essential part of modern yoga, but what does it really mean to be strong in asana? I sit down with functional strength coach Chhavi Sahal to explore trunk stability, core engagement, flexibility versus strength, and practical ways yoga teachers can build stronger, more resilient practitioners. Episode Highlights: Strength gaps in asanaTrunk stability and load-bearingStrength versus flexibilitySthira Sukham AsanamPush and pull strengthStrength beyond yogaBuilding trunk...
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  Shatkarma: The Cleansing Practices Hatha Yoga Said You Had to Do First 05.07.2026 35min

  Most yoga teachers have heard of at least one or two of the Shat Kriyas — maybe you've practiced jala neti, maybe you've taught kapalabhati. But the full picture of what these six techniques actually are, where they come from, and why the Hatha Yoga Pradipika places them before pranayama is a conversation the modern yoga world rarely has with any rigor. In this episode, Aru goes deep into the Shatkarma — the six cleansing practices of Hatha Yoga — drawing directly from the Hatha Yoga Pradipi...
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  Ayurvedic Parenting: Raising Regulated, Resilient Children with Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath 28.06.2026 57min

  I sit down with Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath to explore Ayurvedic parenting, child development, and holistic well-being. We discuss prakriti in children, digestion, hydration, breath, mindfulness, emotional health, modern parenting challenges, and practical ways to raise resilient, balanced, and healthy children through the lens of Ayurveda. Episode Highlights: Inspiration behind the bookAyurvedic pediatrics explainedUnderstanding the whole childPrakriti and child developmentOptimizing health f...
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  ADHD, Neurodiversity & Yoga: Rethinking How We Practice with Becky Aten 21.06.2026 48min

  I sit down with Becky Aten to explore neurodiversity, ADHD, and how yoga teachers can create more inclusive and supportive spaces. We discuss the origins of neurodiversity, common misconceptions about ADHD, late-life diagnosis, inclusive teaching practices, and practical ways to better support neurodivergent students in yoga classes. Episode Highlights: Origins of neurodiversityNeurodiversity vs. neurodivergenceNeurodivergent conditions and traitsInnate and acquired neurodivergenceLate-life ...
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  Last Call for Pranayama Training - Listen to Chapter One 14.06.2026 19min

  With only a few days left before my Pranayama Teacher Training begins, I'm sharing a reading from Chapter 1 of the new training manual. Learn the foundations of pranayama, the difference between prana and pranayama, and why breath literacy matters for every yoga student and teacher. Episode Highlights: Pranayama training overviewProblems in modern pranayama educationPrana versus pranayamaThree pillars of pranayamaMeaning of pranayamaUnderstanding pranaClassical and modern pranayama goalsTeac...
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  What Most Yoga Teachers Get Wrong About Preparing for Pranayama 07.06.2026 19min

  Most yoga teachers are taught that chest opening is the key to better pranayama, but what if that’s actually the last thing to focus on? In this solo episode, I share the five areas of asana practice that matter most when preparing the body for pranayama. We explore lung anatomy, spinal mobility, nervous system regulation, hip flexor tension, diaphragm function, and why true breath expansion comes from working with the whole body, not just the chest. If you want your pranayama practice to fe...
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  Vishoka Meditation- The Yogic Practice for Moving Beyond Sorrow with Ishan Tigunait 31.05.2026 46min

  What is Vishoka Meditation, and how can it help us move beyond sorrow? I sit down with Ishan Tigunait of the Himalayan Institute to discuss consciousness, breath, meditation, and the deeper purpose of yoga practice. Episode Highlights: Himalayan tradition and lineageUnderstanding consciousnessTechnique versus experienceFoundations of Vishoka MeditationMoving beyond sorrow and sufferingObstacles on the spiritual pathBody, breath, and prana awarenessSignificance of the navel centerCharacterist...
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  Stop Calling It Ocean Breath — The Truth About Ujjayi Pranayama with Andrew McGonigle 24.05.2026 43min

  I’m joined by Andrew McGonigle for a deep dive into Ujjayi Pranayama, the breath technique often called “ocean breath.” We explore the anatomy, nervous system effects, breath retention, and why Ujjayi is far more nuanced than most modern yoga classes make it seem. Episode Highlights: Ujjayi breath foundationsUjjayi body mechanicsInhalation versus exhalation useUjjayi in vinyasa yogaBreath literacy beyond techniqueBreath as tool, not goalNatural breath versus UjjayiUjjayi and nervous system r...
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  Turning Pain Into Purpose - Why I Revamped My Pranayama Training 10.05.2026 22min

  I’m sharing the deeply personal story behind why I revamped my Pranayama Teacher Training and how grief transformed my relationship with breath, pranayama, and teaching yoga. I also dive into breath literacy, why breath is more than just a technique, why Ujjayi is often overused, and the foundational breathing principles I believe every yoga student and teacher should understand. Episode Highlights: Revamped Pranayama training launchPersonal pranayama backstoryGrief and relationship with bre...
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  The Difference Between a Yoga Teacher and a Content Creator (And Why It Matters) 03.05.2026 29min

  What’s the real difference between a yoga teacher and a content creator? In this episode, I break down the subtle (but important) signs that can help you tell them apart, so you can choose how and who you learn from more intentionally. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by courses, content, or conflicting advice online, this one will help you cut through the noise. Episode Highlights: Distinguishing teachers vs content creatorsRecognizing modern yoga landscape shiftsUnderstanding intention vs i...
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  Stretch or Strength First? What Every Yoga Teacher Needs to Know 19.04.2026 22min

  Should you teach stretch or strength first in your yoga classes? In this episode, I break down a clear, practical framework for sequencing, especially for beginners. Learn how to balance flexibility, strength, and mobility in a way that builds confidence, prevents injury, and actually supports long-term progress. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to structure your classes, this one’s for you. Episode Highlights: Stretch vs strength sequencing clarityTeaching beyond rigid formulasFlexibili...
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  Sankhya - The Lens Behind Yoga with Vikram Jeet Singh 05.04.2026 51min

  I sit down with Vikram Jeet Singh to explore Sankhya—the philosophical framework behind yoga—and how it helps us understand the mind, reduce suffering, and cultivate real awareness. It’s a practical, eye-opening conversation on discernment, identity, and seeing clearly. Episode Highlights: Sankhya pronunciation clarifiedWhat Sankhya is and why it matters todaySankhya as philosophy vs. psychological frameworkHow Sankhya is practiced in real lifeCore structure and framework of SankhyaThe goal ...
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  How To Be A Good Yoga Student - The Hatha Yoga Pradeepika Framework with Medha Bhaskar 29.03.2026 1t 10min

  What does it really mean to be a good yoga student? In this conversation, I sit down with Medha Bhaskar to explore the framework described in the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika for cultivating a meaningful yoga practice. We talk about the importance of understanding the principle before the process and how the mindset we bring to our practice shapes what we learn from it. Medha walks us through the Badhaka Tattvas (the habits that weaken a practice) and the Sadhaka Tattvas (the qualities that strengt...
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  How to Teach Mixed Level Classes? 19.03.2026 28min

  Teaching mixed level classes can feel overwhelming, especially when your students are all at different stages in their practice. In this episode, I share simple, practical ways to structure your classes, offer options, and create a more inclusive and confident teaching experience. Episode Highlights: Mixed-level classes are the norm and should be approached with that mindsetThe distinction between mixed-level and all-level classesThe importance of shifting from sequence-focused to student-fo...
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  "You Don’t Know How to Study Yoga” The Traditional Framework We’ve Ignored 22.02.2026 26min

  Are we actually studying yoga, or just consuming it? In this episode, I explore the traditional frameworks that shaped authentic yogic learning and why modern education often skips the foundations. If you’re serious about deepening your practice beyond certifications, this conversation will shift your perspective. Episode Highlights: The difference between modern yoga education and traditional teacher-student learningWhy student qualification (Adhikari Bheda) mattered before receiving teachi...