Finding Harmony Podcast

It is probably no secret to you all that we (Harmony & Russell) enjoy watching television together (shhh…!). After finishing over 21 seasons of Hell’s Kitchen, we moved on to prestige dramas like The Handmaid’s Tale and Mrs. America, and our current obsession, Succession… and often you’ll find references to these narratives percolate in conversations with our guests. We’re in the Golden Age of Television, but the real prototype of our time is the “Walk and Talk” by Aaron Sorkin, The West Wing, which is absolutely beloved. For many of our generation it was the show that precipitated an interest in sincere and earnest political activism. Our guest today, Lu Q. Duong, is both a result of that movement and quite coincidentally an example. Lu’s father, a French Vietnamese chef, was founder of a restaurant in DC that became the center for Republican Beltway work lunch. It was not uncommon, for example, to see former GOP VP Dick Cheney eating there on any given day. Lu’s father remains a dynamic example of the immigrant experience: An indefatigable worker and idealist for the American way of life. Lu is now Principal Director for the Tech and STEM Initiatives unit for The United Negro College Fund and a former communications lead at the very influential education initiative the Aspen Institute. He took his degree in Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University and applied his expertise in growth and marketing to his interest in Ashtanga Yoga (in his spare time!). He created Ashtanga: Parampara, an online magazine, which sought to build on and develop the stories told in Guy Donahaye’s book “Guruji” with long form interviews from other teachers within our global Ashtanga yoga community. We think it’s fair to say, Lu is kind of a big deal (not to mention a incredibly talented, thoughtful, empathetic and all-round fabulous human being). In today’s episode we asked Lu his professional opinion to the question... “What would you do with the Ashtanga Yoga brand?” Listen along as he reluctantly explains his opinion from the perspective of a political marketing expert. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LU - ASHTANGA PARAMPARA I INSTAGRAM - ashtangaparampara.org The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. ❤ Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Find out more about Harmony - harmonyslater.com Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening & Closing Music by Nick Evans - purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

We can not wait to introduce you to our guest this week: Michael Baidoo. Michael is very unique in that he’s what we might call a “CoVid phenomenon.” He is completely self taught through online resources, social media, and Zoom. And, he is amazing! It’s a delight for us personally as older, less awestruck, students (Harmony and Russell have been doing Ashtanga Yoga for over 50 years combined!) to encounter such an enthusiast for yoga, and for the Ashtanga Yoga in particular. For someone like Michael, in fact, the horrific issues entangling the #metoo movement and Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois’s transgressions are in distant past. They, simply are not relevant to his education. What he seeks is a sangha, a community to connect with and lift up! We loved the levity and profoundly positive approach he brings to the practice that radiates through his Instagram videos. His humor and vivacious personality are infectious, so we brought him on the shown to share his fresh perspective on Ashtanga yoga. Listen as Michael tells us about his early life growing up as a first generation American, in a fundamentalist Pentecostal, Ghanaian home in New Jersey… And how he used Brazilian Juijitsu and Computer programming to organize his life. Something, he said, (similar to other programmers we’ve had on the show like Lee Seung Eun) is that the system and order of Ashtanga Yoga compliments a programmer’s approach. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MICHAEL INSTAGRAM I Bay Jitsu Yoga - bayjitsuyoga.com The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Make A Donation - harmonyslater.com Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments Nick Evans, band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Observe this seeming contradiction: The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans. - Jacques Cousteau - Today we are taking a deep dive into the ocean of yoga with Dr. Daniela Ceccarelli as our guide. We’re learning about coral reef ecology, the purpose of counting fish, and what this ultimately has to do with the health of our oceans. While we're down there... we discover the intricate complexities of Ahimsa, and what, if anything, we might do to save our planet. This interview with Dr. Daniela Ceccarelli reminds us a little of the interview we did with Bethany Mclean where, she spoke about her Ashtanga story, but also gave us an extremely informative picture of the fracking industry. Dr. Dani is an independent marine ecology consultant with extensive training and experience in tropical marine ecosystems. She is also a long time student of Ashtanga yoga and Level 2 Authorized teacher. In today’s episode, she gives us an extraordinary window into the state of the sea and her fascinating life. From growing up in Italy, to living abroad as a young girl between Europe and the Middle East, moving to Australia as a young woman, and becoming a mother (while still working on her undergraduate degree)… as well as everything else that unfolds from there. Krishna mentions to Arjuna on the battlefield, “you have a right to action alone and never at any time to its fruits.” And so, we like Arjuna find ourselves battling with the complexities of how we can act with care and consciousness; but realizing ultimately, that all things pass into nothingness anyway. It’s such a delight to listen to Dani. She has not only an enormous intellect, but a broad sense of humor, which allows her to contain these kinds of contradictions with joy and ease. She both sincerely cares about the Great Barrier Reef and its impact on humanity; yet, wryly notes our impending extinction. She is a true sage poised in equanimity. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DANI INSTAGRAM I WEBSITE The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support! Make A Donation - harmonyslater.com Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening and closing music by Nick Evans. Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to our friend Anna Guryeva. She graces us a with a marvelous little window into the Russian soul. From the heart of Siberia, she reveals a path to joy. To see the beauty of the Russian spirit, one must understand the generational hardship of the people, and Anna’s narrative, though particular to her, shares this ancestral trauma. To know the horror of the last century, and the centuries of slavery that came before, and Anna’s own personal enslavement, is to see the miracle of Anna’s ecstasy. We gently coaxed Anna to talk about serfdom in Russia and her own travails. Though it isn’t easy. Anna is ready to move on, you see. And, the Russian ethos in general, isn’t one to dwell on, or speak about their tragedies. What does suffering mean to a culture when a third of their population was forcibly married and held in servitude for life? You see, around 23 million Russians were held in slavery until 1863. People carry that kind of wound throughout the generations. Anna spoke to this and growing up in Siberia, now living in St.Petersburg. We dug into Russian history through Anna’s eyes and her personal experience with being indoctrinated into a religious cult, where she lived as a domestic slave for three years. After living in Moscow for a year and seriously exploring the option of becoming a Christian Nun, she moved to St. Petersburg and started on an entirely different spiritual journey exploring esoteric practices within Kabbalah, the teachings of the Russian Mystic Gurdjieff, and finally found her teacher in Tibetan Buddhism, and eventually began practicing Ashtanga yoga. With all this in her personal history Anna has given us a beautiful book the titled: “Space and Bliss: Yoga and Buddhism for Life in the Modern World.” The title of her book comes from a Tibetan monk’s conversation with her. He was telling her about the evolution of her spiritual practice and offered her this exotic mind-blowing gem. “Space and Bliss are Inseparable and Now You Are Going to Die.” Anna Guryeva is the Founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Shala in St. Petetersburg, Russia and Authorized Ashtanga Yoga Teacher. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ANNA WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I ANNA’S IG The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. www.harmonyslater.com The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

It is such a joy to meet a human being dedicated to evolution, self discovery, and insight. It’s our pleasure to introduce to you the accentless Englishman, now profoundly Canadian, Geoff Mackenzie! Citizen of the world, swimmer, rugby player, and avid skier… Mysore teacher and Yogic Health Coach. He tells us how his practice has evolved over these past few year, becoming less strict. He’s created a more adaptive approach, more personal, and not dependent on needing to “show your practice off” in Mysore, India. You’ll hear us talk about how to maintain your practice as you age. What was particularly touching was listening to Geoff speak about his blossoming awareness to the unique issues facing men around connecting to their masculinity in a “non-toxic” kind of way. He touches upon the need for men to relearn how to speak to one other openly and honestly and hold each other accountable. He facilitates such a gathering within the container of an organization called “The Samurai Brotherhood.” Geoff Mackenzie has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and teaching classes since 2004. His guidance is informed by his extensive study with the Jois family in Mysore, India, combined with occasional input from veteran Western practitioners. Modern approaches to strength, mobility, and breath-work training feature in his own practice too. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GEOFF - INSTAGRAM I WEBSITE - https://www.firstlightyoga.ca/ The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Make A Donation - http://www.harmonyslater.com Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening and closing music Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor need no introduction. In this episode, we talk about the dissolution of our minds, bodies, and practices in the face of time. How do we let go of the physicality of the practice? We were curious after 50 years of yoga, how they’ve maintained their enthusiasm in the face of age. What we heard was extremely enlightening, and surprisingly heart-opening. Your whole body and mind are an offering. You are never throwing it away… But rather, allowing it to shine no matter what state it’s in. Practice itself is an offering. The whole idea of offering is sacrifice. It means you’re giving something of value to others. And when you really do this deeply, it effects your body and mind in a profound way. To give it all away as an offering to others is the whole purpose of the practice. These two beautiful souls have an incredible way of grounding their spiritual experiences in the present moment and anchoring them in reality. We may be seduced by dissolution, but if we follow Arjuna’s example, we will continue to do our dharma, without being motivated by any sense of accomplishment, on our quest for unity — to live in love. We invite you to spend some time with us, watching nature unfold and reality drip through the cracks, with Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor. Their insights and presence is a true joy to be treasured in the face of impermanence. “The basic mistake is that we’ve reduced ourselves and we’ve reduced others to just ideas about ourselves and others, and that’s really sad… What we are is way beyond the ideas we have about who we are.” - Richard Freeman We spoke about Lojong meditation practice (often translated into English as “Mind Training”) from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Mary explains that when religion is working well it allows us to feel our vulnerability. Trusting in something bigger than oneself is a vital part of becoming more of a whole human being.” - Mary Taylor We spoke about the difference between “taking refuge” and “surrendering,” what the Bhagavad Gita and the Wizard of Oz have in common, as well as how they’ve keep love alive within their relationship after all these years… and how you can too! Time is running out, apparently it’s a good thing, because it gives us the motivation to pull ourselves off center stage and find out who we really are, why we’re in this body, and what we can do to help others. “The practice that’s appropriate for you in any given moment is the one that helps you be authentic. To join together the disparate parts of who you are and show up. And show up, not in order to be the star of the show, but to show up to be a servant. To be there and be of service to others.” - Mary Taylor If you’d like to keep learning and going deeper into the esoteric teachings inside the Bhagavad Gita, we would invite you to register for Richard and Mary’s upcoming online course: Living Yoga: Embodying the Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita I'm offering a couple of amazing bonuses when you join the course through me! - harmonyslater.com/richard-freeman-mary-taylor-living-yoga Registration opens this TUESDAY, September 21st! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RICHARD FREEMAN & MARY TAYLOR: INSTAGRAM I YOUTUBE I WEBSITE - richardfreemanyoga.com The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

It is with great pleasure we introduce to you the contagiously ebullient Hanne Sydanmaa from Helsinki, Finland. We asked Hanne to share a bit about the birth of Ashtanga Yoga in Finland, which continues to this day to have the most practitioners per capita over any other country in the world! We tried, in our way, to get Hanne to open herself to us… So that you could see the Real Hanne, with her zestful and sparkling personality. Alas, like all Fins, they are hard to coax out from their safe, cold, woodland, hidden away in a forgotten corner of the North. They are quite like the Children of the Forest in that regard who, with great mirth, created that calamity of White Walkers! So this tendency towards shyness is what we’ve learned about the Fins. And, is something we share with you here in today’s episode. We learn about Hanne’s prior occupation as a flight attendant, her family, and her youth; how she learned Ashtanga yoga, and how her body collapsed on her in the middle of 3rd series. After only a few years of practice, Hanne had to go back to square one, and relearn this practice in a completely different way than the rest of us. This is a very special episode that will help anyone dealing with injury or looking for hope in how to rehabilitate their body and practice. Now you will find Hanne handstanding all over the world, teaching pilates, and enjoying ballet classes - just for fun! When the question came up "Where were you on 9/11?" we explored our stories and how that fateful day changed our collective history forever. Not only will September 11th never be forgotten, but it is also Saraswathi’s birthday. Twenty years ago she was celebrating her 60th birthday in New York City when the towers fell, which means this year she turned 80 years old! Thank you so much to all who follow us and listen to these stories that we share in our living historiography of our Ashtanga Culture. We adore you and hope they continue to enrich your days and lives! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HANNE - INSTAGRAM I FACEBOOK I WEBSITE - https://hanneyoga.com/ Be sure to register for Harmony's FREE Breathwork Masterclass - http://www.harmonyslater.com/free-breathwork-master-class The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Make A Donation - http://www.harmonyslater.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening & Closing Music by Nick Evans from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

If you ever wondered how gods are made, our guest today will tell you they start out as heroes. They become big enough to thrust out at Brad Pitt and decide the fate of thousands of women and children. Hector must have been like that… a giant like Priapus or Goliath standing in the way of Achilles. Probably a good sized lad. Maybe even 6 foot 4 and full of muscles. Our guest today is very much like this. She is larger than life and it makes sense that she married a Golden God like Derek Ireland and bore him two children. They used to make statues of people like them (think Venus de Milo). These two took a heroes journey that the rest of us just read about or gaze at in museums. Kristina Karitinou sits with us today and talks about her epic life story, including her true romance with Derek Ireland, nursing him through cancer, and her subsequent depression upon his death. The pain of this event along with their two small children, shaped the rest of her journey. Is there one of us in the Ashtanga Yoga culture more wrapped into the fabric of this legendary tapestry? Derek looms larger than life. He who practiced in Mysore, India wearing body, ankle, and wrist weights; he who ran up and down Chamundi Hill every morning like Lester Dent’s “Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze!” (Russell’s wouldn’t have been surprised at all to find Doc Savage practicing Ashtanga Yoga next to Derek and Kristina in a cave on the island of Crete, recovering from some epic adventure). The Ashtanga yoga practice is a method that brings the maximum beauty to both the male and female body. - Kristina Karitinou Kristina is an Ashtanga Yoga teacher and Zen practitioner from Athens, Greece, who’s been teaching in the tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois since 1991. She was qualified as an Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher by her late husband Derek Ireland, authorized by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and Certified by his son, Manju Pattabhi Jois in 2012. After many years of assisting Derek Ireland around the world, Kristina became one of the first Ashtanga yoga teachers in Europe. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KRISTINA WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I FACEBOOK - https://yogapractice.gr/ The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. http://www.harmonyslater.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening and closing music by Nick Evans. Listen to entire album on Spotify - Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

September is National Recovery Month. This national observance has been held every September since 1989, to educate and increase awareness around mental health and substance use disorders. It’s also a month to celebrate the people who have recovered and honor their strength in living healthy and rewarding lives. We are reminded of Malcolm X when he wrote in the forward to his autobiography that 'the lurid gossipy details of his misspent youth were not meant to simply entertain but to educate those on the rewards of a spiritual life.' Taylor came on our podcast with great patience as he explains just how different an addict’s life is from a “normie.” It’s really different. Harmony and Russell share deeply traumatized, addictive personalities, where sobriety was rare in their family. And, strangely enough the family behaviour modeled for them was actually quite different from Taylor; yet, unlike him, when they have a drink, or use substances they likely won’t, as Taylor said, “Burn Mysore to the Ground.” We invite you to sit with us today as we explore Taylor’s life and ask him about the inspiring work of his non-profit organization, the Trini Foundation, which is dedicated to sharing the life-changing practice of Ashtanga Yoga with those suffering from addiction. Their mission is to provide yoga as a tool to aid in the recovery process and help people who are suffering, maintain long-term sobriety. They partner with treatment centers, recovery programs, and yoga studios nationwide to help offer yoga classes to individuals in early recovery. Harmony will be offering a class on Saturday September 18th in support of the Trini Foundation and their initiative to bring Ashtanga Yoga to those recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. REGISTER NOW - http://www.harmonyslater.com/trinifoundationrecoveryclass FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TAYLOR - https://www.taylorhuntyoga.com/ & TRINI FOUNDATION - https://www.trinifoundation.org/ ASHTANGA YOGA COLUMBUS I TAYLOR HUNT WEBSITE I TAYLOR HUNT IG I TRINI FOUNDATION I TRINI FOUNDATION IG I BOOK: AWAY FROM DARKNESS The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. MAKE A DONATION - http://www.harmonyslater.com/donate Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shoutout on IG! The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

You know her as Lee. We know her as 이성은 It is with great honor and joy that we introduce you to our very special friend, Lee (this is her last name of course). In the Korean language the last name is introduced first before the first name. Why would that be? What kind of culture believes that family is more important that the individual? The answer is a Confucian culture. Or Kong Ja Nim in Hangul which is of course Korean for the their Language and alphabet: 콩자님 한글 We discussed at length the impact a Confucian society has on our individual decisions like how to treat your elders in school or society, how to pay respect to the individual, how to be respectful to your life goals and education, or whether Russell is heart centered or a comedian. To Lee, Russell is heart centered, nor does she recognize him as rude, but sees him as a very polite person. Russell points out, “You are the second girl, second oldest. You could do absolutely anything with you life and no one would care, right?” Lee doesn’t hesitate. “That is correct.” She says. Knowing Lee as we do, and Russell having been immersed in the deeply traditional and Confucian culture of the city of Andong in middle of South Korea, allows us a picture of Lee. You cannot know her without understanding her in the context of Confucius, which is very deeply Korean to say that you cannot know someone without their cultural and environmental circle. With that in mind we explored concepts about being in someone’s debt, whether sadness and melancholy “Han” 한 is still a Korean virtue or rather something held nostalgically for one’s grandparents. We talk about K-Pop, and whether it’s a counter cultural revolution in Korea, antagonistic to melancholy and “Han.” To which, Lee responded “I know nothing about K-Pop. So I cannot answer that question.” This is out first episode making use of a translator. But, it will not be our last. It was a deeply personal and intriguing window into another culture. Yet, here we all are, passionately invested over a long period of time, daily practicing Patanjali’s yoga of transformation. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LEE: INSTAGRAM I WEBSITE - https://www.instagram.com/ashtanga_pranayoga/ The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. Make a Donation - http://www.harmonyslater.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

It’s our pleasure to introduce you to Ann Svärdfelt. Many of you know here as her the proprietor of the Santosha Cafe. Her experience of Mysore is unique. She came to Ashtanga Yoga later in life, already with small children, and as a responsible adult. She stepped into the practice from a very different space than many of us, who were in somewhat of a state of arrested development, bugged out drop outs, wannabe hippies, overgrown, and still living with our parents. Ann didn’t have these advantages (if you could call them that) but had all of the sincerity and devotion, and most certainly Sharath saw this in her and you could say that’s what’s most important to him — the heart of his student. So, especially for Ann, balancing practice with renunciation was critical. It’s important to practice and at the same time let go of the outcome. That’s easier when there is no low hanging fruit, no golden fleece to achieve. Jason sailed across the Seas with his giants, his Argonauts, with every expectation to spectacular achievement. That was many of us — we thought. We thought 3rd Series would be an easy win. Would bestow us with some special powers. But what of the meek tho? What of tender of the hearth, the provider of a family, who is seeking the humble lesson of learning to let go through their personal experience inside their simple yoga practice? Comparing one’s own practice with other people is a complete waste of time, since we are all different. Ann emphasizes that it’s good to just listen to oneself and try to follow the energy that rises. Ann is also an Ayurvedic consultant prescribing remedies based on pulse diagnosis and principles of holistic life balance. We hope that sitting with her will allow you a gentle space to value the little victories of a life cherished for what it is. Find Out More About Ann Svärdfelt: ASHTANGA YOGA AHUS I INSTAGRAM Join Harmony & Ashtanga Yoga Ahus ONLINE Workshop October 9th - https://www.ashtangayogaahus.com/event-details/harmony-slater-online-class-conference The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. We are truly grateful! Make A Donation - http://www.harmonyslater.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of Nick Evans - Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

As you’re quickly becoming aware, We, in our little Ashtanga Yoga Land, have a culture. This word stems from the Latin meaning “to cultivate or to toil over.” And, this cultivation of the soil, slowly became a cultivation of the mind. This is were we get the word ‘cult’ from... which is to say, “cultivated, or inhabited.” In a way, our work in yoga, leads our mind to become inhabited. We become Self-possessed. Without really sitting down to talk with Casey Palmer before now, what we noticed immediately, is that we share a common experience and culture. In fact, meeting him in this podcast was like meeting a family member, a twin, a lost older brother. Something akin to when Arjuna meets Karna for the first time and recognizes him immediately. Casey is a ‘Gen-Xer’ — a punk, ‘Do-It-Yourselfer.’ Fiercely independent and skeptical of hierarchies and monetization of that which is pure and authentic. You see, we Gen-Xers often adhere to this ethos in spite of ourselves — we’re armed and ready to cut off our nose to spite our face. Why do we do this? Well, let me introduce you to Lloyd Dobler. The quote from the movie, Say Anything, “I don’t want to produce anything sold, bought or produced” is so woven into the fabric of our personality that Harmony and Casey didn’t even register it as a pop culture quote (and really, what could be more Gen-X?) - It is simply who we are. As the Buddha says “Nothing is permanent, except change” Please sit and listen to a fascinating discussion on a number of different topics like the culture in Mysore, holding multiple frames of consideration for Pattabhi Jois, growing up in Alaska, leading a yoga community as as an anarchist collective, and whether we can really hold onto anything for more than a passing moment in time. Or as Lloyd Dobler, our fearless Gen-X archetype says, “I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. I just want to love your daughter, and I think Kickboxing might be the sport of the future.” As we all now know… Lloyd’s vision has come true. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CASEY & NEAR EAST YOGA: WEBSITE I FACEBOOK - neareastyoga.com THE FINDING HARMONY PODCAST IS HOSTED, EDITED AND PRODUCED BY HARMONY SLATER AND CO-HOSTED BY RUSSELL CASE. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. MAKE A DONATION - harmonyslater.com Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music from Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven - Nick Evans - To purchase your own copy - Click Here The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to our great friend Mariela Cruz. Mariela is one of those phenomenal human that you might find in an Alexandre Dumas classic like ‘The Count of Monte Christo’ or ‘The Man in the Iron Mask.’ Someone who’s heart-centered and gifted with supreme powers of intelligence, wit, and physical prowess! With 7 children, a lawyer, a gifted solo pianist, she also happened to finished Advanced A Series with Sharath Jois in Mysore, India. She was an ambassador to India on behalf of Costa Rica…. and the list of accomplishments goes on and on, reading like an epic novel. All this, and she still has half a lifetime more to live. Mariela recounts her life growing up in beatific peace loving Costa Rica, where as a young child she was immersed into a yoga practice with her mother and developed a lifelong passion for music. Richard Freeman once said, “Obstacles are the bread and butter of Ashtanga Yoga” and Mariela has faced her fair share. In the face of life’s challenges, Mariela’s accomplishments are extraordinary. Her patience, love, humour, self effacement, devotion, and discipline color every aspect of her life. The most recent chapter of her story is deeply tragic and harrowing. Yet, she fights on like Durga, with the energy of her yoga practice fueling her current legal battle. We are sure that dharma will lift her and she’ll rise victorious, chasing away the darkness with her light. “Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself” ― Khalil Gibran, The Prophet FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MARIELA: YOGA PROFILE I INSTAGRAM The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. Make a Donation - Harmonyslater.com Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments Nick Evans. Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Today we’ve created a Venn diagram of interesting listening…. Here you’ll find the intersection of the dedicated The Last Kingdom fan (secretly in love with Uhtred of Uhtred; and Aethelfled her personal hero), mixing with a keen interest in True Crime Detective procedurals, along with a curiosity in what it might take to become a female weight lifter, or body building champion (and this may or may not have nosedived into an obsession with professional wrestling, who’s to say really). All this crosses over with a love for tea, running, meditation, yoga and nutrition. Recovered from an eating disorder? Practicing Ashtanga Yoga? British? If even three quarters of these things are true about you then we would like to introduce you to Ashtanga Yoga Practitioner, Detective Kate Winter, former body builder. She is going to talk to us about eating disorders, gun violence, tea, and Warwick—a settlement within the kingdom of Mercia. Obviously, Russell kind of loses his mind a little and can’t keep track of what accent he is going to put on… But, by all means — Do listen. And, put the kettle on. FOLLOW KATE ON INSTAGRAM @bimswinter FOLLOW HARMONY ON INSTAGRAM @harmonyslateryoga The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. harmonyslater.com/donate Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Music by Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

"By the practice of the limbs of Yoga, the impurities dwindle away and there dawns the light of wisdom, leading to discriminative discernment." “Dukham evam sarvaam vivekinaha.” For a viveki, a person with discriminative knowledge, everything is painful and also, simultaneously, full and sweet. As epic poet, Leonard Cohen wrote, “Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in.” When you allow yourself to break and you see your cracks for what they are, you cease to develop the painful pattern of grasping for perfection. In fact, when we embrace those painful cracks, we transform what was painfully imperfect into something supremely beautiful. Truly, if we read just that one sutra of Patanjali, and realize that everything manifests from pain, then there’s little more we need to know. Our guest today shares her deep wisdom with us and it’s a tremendous honor. Dena Kingsberg has seen things. She is a Viveki to be sure. She can anticipate the worst, while envisioning the best, and clearly discerning the cracks in the facade of those who come to her for teaching. Harmony shares this kind of understanding of the world, and recognizes the same mystic wonder, strength, courage, and discipline that Dena embodies through her teachings. “Yoga Is Not Pretty.” — But we’re going to keep persevering anyway, because as Dena reminds us, “No one is going to help you heal yourself.” And if you don’t do the work to sort out your citta vriti (thought patterns), samskaras (action patterns), and vasanas (unconscious desires) you’re going to live trapped with whatever you get. We are blessed today to share our conversation with Dena about her personal transformation from an awkward child into an artist, poet, and rock-goddess architect. She built her home using her own hands and she’s built her life in much the same way. It’s challenging to be a deeply introverted person, while also being called to publicly share the sacred wisdom gleaned from time spent inwardly looking. As a popular Australian cartoonist, Leunig, has shared in his poem… Let it go Let it out Let it all unravel Let it free And it shall be A path on which to travel Between this breaking and unraveling, both Dena and Harmony have come to feel that the weight of life is Full and Sweet. Knowing how painful things can be in this world, while honoring each simple blessing, and recognizing the flow of grace in every day life, is a kind of miracle in and of itself… And that’s where the light comes in. Because after all, “It’s the sameness in each of us that makes us truly special.” - Dena Kingsberg FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DENA: WEBSITE I FACEBOOK I INSTAGRAM - dena.net.au The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing, and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. Make A Donation - harmonyslater.com Opening and closing music compliments of Nick Evans - To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

It is our great pleasure to introduce you to our old friend (and living legend) Certified Ashtanga Yoga Teacher, Alex Medin. Unfortunately this sentence doesn’t do him justice! He’s an excellent and exceptional student in so many walks of life: a boxer, ballet dancer, a Sanskrit scholar, entrepreneur, and humanitarian to name but a few. In fact, if there is one allegory to describe Alex, it's that after our interview he immediately wanted to do it over so we could do it better the second time around! Alex Medin is a native of Olso, Norway, and is the byproduct of an unstable and violent home. Discipline, breakdancing, and boxing began to transform his life from one that was recklessly circling around drugs and crime, to one that led him on an unexpectedly beautiful adventure of self discovered. The impact of this unfolding of Self, is a man who is focused on helping youth recovering from their own substance abuse issues and inmates in prison through his charity organization, Back in the Ring. Alex stressed to us the importance of freewill as it imparts the weight of responsibility to make good choices. “We are spiritual beings trapped in our karmic patterns,” he said, threading in verses from the Yoga Sutra and Bhagavad Gita to contextualize our present-day circumstance effortlessly through this ancient wisdom like a kind of Sanskrit-Sage Savant (though, we’re pretty sure he would insist otherwise.) “There’s plenty of madmen in the world and the enlightened ones are few. We live in dualism and although we sometimes feel glimpses of the purity of Supreme Consciousness, we are still ruled by our inner psycho-physio patterning, and this is our starting point for yoga. We interpret life through our various samskaras.” Taking ownership, being responsible, doing the very best we can is our starting place in life. Prakriti (material nature) is for our enjoyment, development, and benefit. The patterns are always changing and through exploration it's up to us to figure out what creates lasting happiness. This is why we have to start with the patterns that drive us to work. It’s this urgency in Alex that makes him strive to be his best self. “The only way to find freedom is through finding harmony within ourselves. Yoga is finding unity within diversity.” The real grace of yoga happens in the letting go. When yoga meets the man of Action, all good things flow towards him. Alex holds his MA Thesis at SOAS University of London on the lineage of Krishnamacharya, which included interviews with T. K. V Desikachar, B. K. S. Iyengar, and K. Pattabhi Jois, as well as their lineage holders, Kausthub Desikachar, Prashant Iyengar, and R. Sharath Jois. Towards the end of our lovely interview, Alex mentioned the multiple schisms that occurred within the Ashtanga Yoga Community near the end of 2017, and the deep heartbreaking disappointment that he felt when Sharath Jois removed of a whole generation of teachers from the “official” KPJAYI’s Recognized Teacher List. “Yoga is a release. A cure for a pain we have not yet fully accessed or discovered.” And, here we have discovered yet another wound… FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ALEX WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I PERSONAL I BACK IN THE RING FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HARMONY & B-SCHOOL: HarmonySlater.com The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

It is with great pleasure to introduce you to our dear friend Mark Stephen Pomianowski, known only as Sparky. He is a kind of Bay Area legend, infamous for his sense of humor, and his constant confrontations with wild (and quite literal) death defying situations. “Sparx” (for short) was Russell’s Ashtanga Yoga student in San Francisco, as well as a great master of Chinese Medicine who helped cure Russell’s sciatica. Later, he became Russell’s teacher in acupuncture. Sparky plays bass and classical guitar. His teacher is Jack Casady, the bassist for Jefferson Airplane—who in turn was the childhood friend of Jorma Kaukonen (the guitarist for Jefferson Airplane and the composer of their Embryonic Journey) and Sparky’s classical guitar teacher. If you listen to the end of the show you will hear Sparky give an impromptu, unrehearsed rendition of that song that left us breathless and speechless. Sparky’s first life took shape as a student of the guitar and aspiring musician. Currently, he’s a sailboat captain, but first, many years ago, he somehow became a midshipman engineer (with no training and nearly died in by electrocution on a Sheik’s yacht in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean). In another life he traveled as a roadie for R.E.M and became their lighting technician along with the Feelies. Also a Greenpeace rep, who Michael Stipe told in no uncertain terms to quit chasing a rock band and get on following his purpose as an acupuncturist. This sent him to China where he trained as a Chinese Medical doctor—and returned to practice acupuncture in the Bay Area, where he met Russell. Sparky is also a surfer (who nearly died just last week by a great white shark attack), a yogi, and most of all a father of three, who you’ll hear crawling all over him, in the background during this insanely hilarious episode! THE FINDING HARMONY PODCAST IS HOSTED, EDITED AND PRODUCED BY HARMONY SLATER AND CO-HOSTED BY RUSSELL CASE. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. harmonyslater.com Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

In Norse mythology, Freyja (from Old Norse meaning "the Lady" is a goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, and gold. Freyja is the owner of the necklace Brísingamen, rides a chariot pulled by two cats, is accompanied by the boar Hildisvíni, and possesses a cloak of falcon feathers. Today we interviewed a woman, who in our opinion, most embodies this Freya sex goddess energy. Longing for a life of adventure since a small girl this desire took her across the world and after many years, she eventually created a permanent home in Goa, India. Maria Boox became a Certified Iyengar teacher before seeking out a practice of Ashtanga Yoga with her beloved Guruji, Pattabhi Jois, whom she was a devoted student of for thirteen years. She opened up the first fully dedicated Ashtanga Yoga School in Stockholm, which continues to thrive to this day. After 2009, she continued to seek out guidance in pranayama and yoga philosophy from Sri. O.P Tiwari (a teacher she also shares with Harmony). All these experiences have added a lot of depth to Maria’s approach to teaching and to her whole practice. We spoke to Maria about what it means to be a truly wild child growing up in conservative Sweden and how she came to be fully embodied sexually, emotionally, spiritually. Now, as a grandmother, she in turn, has become a guide for the younger generation and inspiration to many fellow travellers along the path of yoga. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MARIA: WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM - mariabooxyoga.com FOLLOW HARMONY: WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM - harmonyslater.com The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Make A Donation Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

For a particular generation of Ashtangi, Dominic Corigliano represents that paternal “cool dad” who knows everything that’s going on in your family and is more than happy to tell you too much about it. He’s like that cool uncle who’s not condescending and knows about the dope hiding in your room. Dom may smoke it with you, but he’s also going to be real honest about the side effects. He’s the first guy you call when you need bail money… But he’s also going to reinforce, “You really need to tell your mom, you know?” Sitting with Dominic, feels very much like you’re part of his family. As a father of five, family has turned out to be a focal point of his life. We touched upon our Ashtanga family foibles, but no one is going anywhere in this large Italian like circle… And look, we’re going to sit together at Christmas anyway, so we might as well forgive and forget and get on with loving each other again. To that end we spoke about Dom’s childhood that was unfortunately littered with abuse and trauma. His interest in beat poetry and the beat life, and how, like Kerouac, he took to the road. Somehow, in the midst of all this chaos, he ended up as a computer engineer in Encinitas, married with three children before stumbling upon yoga with Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois. Dom is quite frank about his guru, our teacher— what can be loved about him and what needs to be acknowledged about his failings as a man. This was something Dom knew a lot about as he had to do the same with his own father. He had to learn to forgive in order to continue to be able to love. “You can’t really understand someone else’s pain, don’t act like you can.” - Dominic Corigliano Enjoy your time listening to this episode about Dom’s life, which is really another rich story embedded within the living history of the greater Ashtanga Yoga context. Finding Harmony is about reclaiming balance in a life that has been fractured in some way. For so many of us, Ashtanga Yoga was a vehicle to find balance. Within that structure there were, of course, inevitable frustrations and contradictions along path. To this end, Krishna suggests: sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah Give up all technique and come to me I shall deliver you from negative reactions Do not worry (Bhagavad Gita chapter 18 verse 66) The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DOMINIC - Facebook I INSTAGRAM The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Make A Donation - http://www.harmonyslater.com/donate Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans. Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Sista Shree, born Regina French, in the First Nation State of Sequoyah (what is now referred to as Oklahoma— okla humma) is an embodiment of the benevolent magic Earth-Mother figure that we all need in our lives. She is a kind of blue-skinned Krishna who vibrates peace and love and makes all beings in her vicinity feel friendship towards her. For us, we’ve always felt a kinship with her - an immediate friendship was formed - since we first met twenty years ago. Sista Shree came on the podcast to discuss her new book, an autobiography called SEVA (selfless service) The Memoir of a Modern Day Yogi. This is her epic tale full of love, trysts, incredible encounters with living Saints, and a clear factual account of the racist institutions that make up American life. All of this is interwoven within the context of the Yoga, each chapter of her life accounted for in one of the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga. She says “Yoga allows us to go into the womb of humanity and the earth and relearn the stuff that we actually came here with.” Speaking about Sri K.Pattabhi Jois she said, “Through his eyes, through his soul, through his smile, he taught us how to awaken the interior self. He was sort of like a guide. He was a guide who gave you wings to fly.” Sista Shree’s autobiography is dedicated to Nina Simone. And like her inspiration, this mystic woman is first and foremost a powerful soul singer. She spoke to us of the power of music to heal people, and how it's always been used as a healing and uniting force for the soul. You will feel it. Like all great Guru’s of Jazz, Soul, Funk, and all the great musicians like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, John Coltrane, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Sister Pearl, Sly Stone, Bill Withers, and even newer singer songwriter like Sona Jobarteh… what makes them great is their connection to something beyond the self, “There is a devotion, and energy, and this takes you straight to God.” Learn about the practice of chanting God’s name all day long and getting high on life and high on love in this week's episode with Sista Shree. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SISTA SHREE - sistashree.com BOOK I WEBSITE I FACEBOOK The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. MAKE A DONATION - www.harmonyslater.com Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Sitting with Adam is a bit like sitting with David Beckham — they are both from Essex you understand — and are whirlwinds of energy! When Adam isn’t practising yoga, he’s talking, recording his Keen On Yoga Podcast, writing his book, and after all that, asks “what else can I do today?” To which he cheerfully answers, “I know, I’ll cook for them!” Adam has a wonderful lightness to him. His nature is a living example of a powerful creative energy, he embodies the quality of vata (in Ayurvedic terms) a bundle of moving, swirling ideas, ready to spring to life, and of course this energy is naturally infectious. He’s really quite punk in his inclination and seems to have a distaste for authoritarianism, which has transformed and shaped his worldview. You’re going to love listening to his story and how he is continuing to help evolve the conversation around Ashtanga yoga as a living, working, yoga methodology, building upon the experience of the past to shape a new, more thoughtful future. Adam’s teaching is committed to facilitating the individual’s experience of yoga. Teaching is approached with a lightness of touch and an open mind. Outside the sphere of yoga, Adam is a continuous student of philosophy as well as having worked previously to teach as vegetarian chef. You can find him teaching on Keen on Yoga, an online platform offering workshop and classes that he started with his wife Theresa. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ADAM and Ashtanga Yoga & Beyond: www.keenonyoga.com The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. www.harmonyslater.com/donate Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

In this episode, we speak with an exceptional Brazilian. He’s a Professor of Philosophy and an Ashtanga yoga practitioner. We catch up with Marcos Silva, who is the chief organizing force behind a beautiful initiative to help the forgotten mothers within the Brazilian favelas. Marcos explains how a majority of the Brazilian population is of African Ancestry predestined to live out their lives within the confines of these slums, with little hope for a way out. These mothers, Maes de Favelas, are the descendants of the enslaved people brought over to work the sugar plantations that fueled the Triangle Trade of Rum, Sugar, and Human Beings. Recently, he’s turned his attention towards the hunger crisis arising in Brazil due to the ever increasing Covid pandemic and lack of proactive government response. Last month, he with some others, began a projected called Rede Yoga Contra a Fome. A teaching network offering charity classes to support CUFA — Mães da Favela as he explains, the“Mothers of the Slum.” The pandemic in Brazil has gotten much worse and most of the population already lives in precarious conditions. These people are now facing extreme poverty and hunger, as the Brazilian government actions are very weak or nonexistent. Listen to Dr. Silva as he passionately describes how small minded ideologies like Nativism and racism can create excessive chaos and suffering. Just as in Trump’s America, so it is now in Bolsonaro’s Brazil. Join Harmony on Saturday June 19th at 7am ET in support of Rede Yoga Contra a Fome help fight Make A Donation & Attend Class 1. Donate any amount the week before the class you wish to attend. 2. Take a screenshot of your donation. 3. Send your payment confirmation via Direct Message on Instagram @redeyoga before 5 pm Eastern Time the day before the class! 3. You’ll receive a zoom link for the class. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MARCOS & MYSORE YOGA RACIFE INSTAGRAM I REDE YOGA I MAKE A DONATION TO REDE YOGA I MARCOS SILVA PHILOSOPHY I TWITTER I YOUTUBE JUNE 6th - Harmony’s Workshop: The Secrets of Yoga: The Marriage of Shiva-Shakti - Register Now The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Make A Donation Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments Nick Evans. Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

If you have sensitive ears around please use earphones! The beauty of this episode is that Greg loves to go a little meta! He enjoys questioning and looking at our Ashtanga yoga practice, culture, shared history, and all the accompanying assumptions from a slightly higher perspective, being self-reflective, rather than continuing to perpetuate unhealthy patterns and unhelpful belief systems. We’re sure you will enjoy coming along this journey of inner exploration as we share our unique perspectives and the mixed bag of contradictory feelings that arise from being a member of a particular spiritual community— a post-guru community— trying to find its way through. Those of us who “grew up” in Mysore together, were like members of a family. We all made that same extreme (and somewhat obscure choice at the time) which compelled us to spend months upon months out of every year living in a small suburb of the southernmost city in Karnataka, India. In each idiosyncratic interview on the Finding Harmony Podcast we learn, as we do here with Greg, what was it for them that made a choice like this seem reasonable. From Wicca to Yoga you will hear about Greg’s personal journey of self-discovery. We fearlessly dig into the darker, shadow side of the Ashtanga culture, including the allegations of sexual assault that came into the public eye against Sri K. Pattabhi Jois during the Me Too movement in 2017; as well as the perpetual “Fat Shaming” that somehow came to be viewed as normative behaviour within our community. These issues, for many of us, were either experienced firsthand or witnessed, and although we felt somewhat ill at ease with what we saw, heard, or experienced, we also firmly held to the belief that our Teacher(s) held our best interest at heart, were acting in a way to help us evolve spiritually, and any uneasiness we may have felt was simply our own misunderstanding. Ashtanga Yoga Worldwide will be starting an eight-month 300 Hour Teacher Training on June 1st, 2021. In addition to the usual philosophy, chanting, anatomy, and alignment principles, this training will have you examining models of presumed “correctness” or “incorrectness,” while deconstructing the assumptions we make around the practice itself, how it’s taught, and it’s methodology. You’ll be encouraged to reflect on how we might change the implicit power dynamics within the student-teacher relationship, and the importance of holding space to create an atmosphere where students can safely explore the depths of their own consciousness. You’ll learn how to debunk the idea of “injury versus opening,” and what it means to teach people to listen to their body, rather than continuing to perpetuate a disembodied practice. Registration is now open! FIND OUT MORE JUNE 6th join Harmony’s Workshop: The Secrets of Yoga: The Marriage of Shiva-Shakti Register Now FIND OUT ABOUT GREG - INSTAGRAM I ASHTANGA YOGA WORLDWIDE TEACHER TRAINING I AYW IG FIND OUT ABOUT HARMONY - WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM JOIN GREG & HARMONY & SCOTT JOHNSON ON CLUBHOUSE ON TUESDAYS The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

We had a delightful morning interviewing Lisa Marie about her new book: The Goddess Solution: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Life. As it turns out, Lisa Marie is a Goddess, named after the King’s daughter, Miss. Presley. We discovered through our conversation that you are a Goddess too… And that even Russell could use this book (if so inclined). You’ll want to hear at what point Lisa Marie finally broke down and said “To hell with it, I’m changing my life and burning it all down. Then I’m gonna do some yoga.” Getting divorced and quitting her job was her initiation into The Path of the Goddess. For you, like Lisa, that means activating the energy of the Goddess Lilith in your life to have the confidence to pursue a path less travelled, the path of unconvention. When it comes to sex, Lilith is a goddess that likes being on top, and you’ll hear that someone else does too. Or like a lot of Ashtangis, you might find that the Goddess Morrigán is more your style. The Goddess of difficult emotions can help us pursue physically challenging activities like mountain climbing, Ashtanga Yoga, or even wild sex to work out stress and anxiety. Ultimately, this book is about self-empowerment and how to imbue our lives with magic and intention. As Lisa Marie says poignantly when you sit down to write, try not to edit. That kind of self-criticism in that moment inhibits creativity and expression. “Write Now, Think Later” she says. Remember, the Goddess has an inherent sense of worthiness that isn’t looking outside of herself for validation. We think you will look forward to sitting with Lisa, and be charmed by her effusive Goddess energy. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LISA MARIE: THE GODDESS SOLUTION I WEBSITE I FACEBOOK COMMUNITY I INSTAGRAM Sign up for Harmony’s OMSTAR Workshop JUNE 6: The Secrets of Yoga: The Marriage of Shiva-Shakti Register Now harmonyslater.com The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Make A Donation Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Laura Miguel is founder of Casa Leela and AYPOA, and is a teacher of ashtanga vinyasa yoga, one of the few authorized to teach the method in Brazil by the institution KPAYI, in Mysore - India. Ayurvedic therapist graduated from Suddha Dharma, in Uberlândia - MG, and with a specialization in nutrition from the International Ayurveda Institute in Puna - India. She teaches the ashtanga vinyasa yoga method in Porto Alegre and also teaches in workshops throughout Brazil. We caught up with her in Porto Alegre and asked her about how she came to be an Ashtanga Yoga teacher. Its a wild and incredibly cute story the way she tells it; but, actually, she’s quite serious. She gave up her life, legal career, and car when she decided to move to India to study. Her father disowned her, but then took her back, after she founded an orphanage in Nepal, and put an abuser of young children in prison. Laura told us about her ongoing passion for developing expertise in Ayurveda and gives our listeners many excellent tips on diet, and practice. Russell is convinced that in 2003 he gave her a nude “Osho-Ayurvedic” massage (although, we’re still not sure there such a thing?!). Laura says “No.” But wait for it… by the end of show she’s looking to book herself in for a future appointment. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LAURA WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM - ashtangayogaportoalegre.com.br The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. Make A Donation - http://www.harmonyslater.com/donate FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HARMONY'S CLASSES, WORKSHOPS & ONLINE COURSES - HarmonySlater.com Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” dawn-song.bandcamp.com/album/for-morgan The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Obviously, Mark Robberds isn’t actually the ancient Norse God of Thunder. He is actually quite soft spoken and has a gentle moderate spirit. This deep heartbeat of a vagal tone is derived from his pitta-kapha nature, which has allowed him to pursue great Athletic feats. Mark spoke to us about his anger issues as a child and what continues to drive him to succeed in everything he sets his mind to… as well as all the stuff in between. We explored themes around his naturally inquisitive and existential side, which led him to seek out instruction and teachings from many different paths, like a bee collecting honey from many different flowers amalgamating these teachings into a delicious nectar. Now, as a new father, the energy of the goddess, Devi, rules his life. This new role has challenged any prior sense of consistency, which to his surprise has brought a sense of unexpected joy and freedom from the regimented routine of a “traditional” Ashtanga yoga practice. We touch upon several historical incidents that reinforced patterns of normative behavior in our global community and how these somewhat dramatic events effected each of our lives. This conversation is a lively one! We are exploring issues of psychology, science, physiology, and philosophy. If you ever wanted to spend two hours chilling and getting real with the legend that is Mark Robberds… This is your opportunity to dive in and enjoy his charming and electrifying presence. PLUS… We have a fun game for you to play near the end of the podcast… Heads Up... Whoever is the first to answer to our trivia winning question, will receive a surprise gift in the mail! So be sure to listen to the end! ❤️ Join Harmony’s Ancient Breathing 2.0 Course - Sign Up Now… Classes Begin MAY 8 or 9 FREE Breathwork Masterclass with Harmony - Save your seat for May 1 or 2 FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MARK WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I MOVEMENT IG I FACEBOOK FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HARMONY WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. Make A Donation Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Give us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

It’s been said that if you can’t explain something to a 5 year old, you don’t really understand it. Perhaps apocryphally that quote refers to quantum mechanics and general relativity theory. Albert Einstein was doing his level best to explain these concepts to a nervous public. Equally as difficult to understand is the prism of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and yet our guest today, Sonja Radvila, explains it effortlessly in her Yoga Sutra book written especially for children. We had the pleasure to speak with Sonja about her book and the massive effort it takes to get something like that off the ground. Sonja talks about her negative first experiences in travelling to Mysore to practice. And the trouble that comes with equating advancement in asana with “Spiritual Specialness.” After travelling and teaching around the world for the past thirteen years, Sonja felt ready to settle down on the coastline of Portugal with her beloved—the mercurial Luke Jordan. Inspired by the culmination of creativity, consciousness, ancient traditions, self-study, and a yearning to understand, Sonja wrote her first book. An imaginative interpretation of the first chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras as a children’s story called ‘Young Yogi and the Mind Monsters.’ We also talked about how her practice has changed over the years and how her approach has dramatically shifted with time and age. In Addition, Sonja has a jewelry company named Rasa Malas that was born out of her love for Indian culture, creativity and jewelry. Rasa aesthetics refer to the “essence, mood, flavour, or dominant feeling” evoked from Indian art forms such as dance, theatre or music. All of Sonja’s malas are handmade and one of a kind created specifically to match the individual’s personality, as a response to or an expression of their energetic needs. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SONJA: YOUNG YOGI AND THE MIND MONSTERS I RASA MALAS I INSTAGRAM Join Harmony’s Ancient Breathing 2.0 Course -- Classes Begin MAY 8 or 9 FREE Breathwork Masterclass with Harmony -- Save your seat for May 1 or 2 Follow Harmony on Instagram The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Make A Donation Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review and 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans. Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

There is something about John that strikes a person as wholesome. In a different age, we might've described him as an "All American." Of course, that’s before some of us were awakened to nativism and privilege. Still, watch Captain America and you can understand what allows him to hold Mjölnir. He has something pure and true about him that allows him to wield Thor’s hammer. He is selfless and leads through example. He brings all of us in the room together, which is essentially beautiful. John was a preacher’s son quite dissatisfied with dogma though sought out, like his father, to know things. He trained as a classical vocalist and guitarist. And yet, he preferred, like Miles Davis, to make something different, a punk hand made “people’s music.” Upon finding yoga, he approached the project of yoking his mind and body as a carpenter would approach a piece of wood. He cut away that which wasn’t necessary, bent the wood where he could, and efficiently created a work of art. John has the natural humility of the craftsman. He brings that humility to his intellect, which allows him to survey the land in a disinterested fashion— that is to say, without mental projection. John would strenuously argue that he is furthest person from perfect, and that is why he tries with all his might. Prior to joining the team at the University of Virginia in the Contemplative Science Center, John taught geology at a college for 7 years. He was an environmental geologist, who took on odd jobs painting murals and doing ceramics, while continuing to play and write music for an indie rock band. He's a skateboarder who would, on occasion, jump off bridges and howl back at the moon. Although he has a tattoo, he refuses to admit to being even remotely close to "punk." After a serious motorcycle accident in India, where he cracked his femoral head and broke his hand in several places. After only 18 months, he made an incredible recover and had relearned the practice, keeping a journal, and focusing his mind to the point where he was able to practice in a film project demonstrating primary and intermediate series with his teacher R. Sharath Jois. He recounts his first impressions of being in the Shala in Mysore, India, and how his relationship with Paramaguru Sharath Jois has grown and changed over the years. He’s assisted Sharath Jois 4 times in the main Shala from 2012-2016, and continues to practice six days a week in a traditional way... Early morning hours, before teaching his classes and sharing his energy with his students. Even though he’s a Fourth Series practitioner, John still feels inspired and hungry for more. He met John Campbell in 2008 and quickly became his most devoted student. Years later he was invited by him to become Program Manager for the Contemplative Sciences Center where continues to manage the Ashtanga Mysore Yoga program. He is one of only a few Certified Ashtanga teachers under Paramaguru R. Sharath Jois, and has made 12 trips to India. He has kept a daily Ashtanga Yoga practice for over 16 years, and humbly hopes to share this practice with the the same knowledge, strength, love, and humor as his teachers continue to share with him. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JOHN: WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HARMONY I INSTAGRAM The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. MAKE A DONATION The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

You know it’s often possible to get the wrong impression about things. Our minds do this to us constantly. The citta emotionally setting objects into their respective categories of understanding to “help us.” There is a sutra for this of course, just like there is a sutra for everything! Yogasutra 1.8 विपर्ययो मिथ्याज्ञानमतद्रूप प्रतिष्ठम् viparyayo mithyā-jñānam-atadrūpa pratiṣṭham False understanding is mistaking something for something else. This Patanjali verse speaks about the habit of misinterpreting. A kind of “knowledge” that does not correspond accurately to Reality. Something like mistaking a rope for a snake or misinterpreting a shy girl for a stuck up snob. Our minds deceive us so constantly that it is often quite difficult to discriminate fact from fiction. And now we can see how in this golden age of information, we’re drowning in a glut of false impressions. “What is real?” — We must constantly ask ourselves. It’s true as well that we get the wrong impression about people. And, especially, in as virulently racist a society as ours, with an accumulation of negative stereotypes, it is distinctly likely to have implicit bias buried like seeds of samskara (unconscious impressions and habits)… And from whence they came — we have no idea. For example, we just assume that Larry Bird is a supremely intelligent basketball player and that Serena Williams is a naturally gifted athlete. And forgetting to examine this thought-construct, we go on constructing the rest of our assumptions based upon this initial premise. When cross examined (as any good philosopher should do when positing an argument or counter-argument) we come to learn that there was no greater conditioned athlete than Larry Bird and his natural hand eye coordination was truly a gift from god, while Serena Willams is one of the most hard working and cerebral tennis players who ever lived. So, it is with great pleasure that we introduce Laruga Glaser to you. Of course you know her already! She is extremely famous in our little world. She, is someone who might be thought of as an athlete or an “asana-jock.” Some might jealously (in their small little minds assume she is stuck up) where in fact — if they took the time — would discover her to be reserved, poised, extremely thoughtful, philosophical and discerning. We tried to probe into past offenses or micro-aggressions she may have experienced; Yet, incredibly so, we learned that Laruga herself isn’t into carrying baggage. She's moved on. She is, in fact, a Swedish citizen. Listen with us and learn what a “Brutus” is from one of the most celebrated Ashtanga Yoga masters of our time. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LARUGA WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I FACEBOOK JOIN HARMONY ON APRIL 11 - Reset, Refocus, Reboot Your Personal Practice The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. Make A Donation The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Our guest today has her own story. She, like her absolutely gorgeous mother, is a being suffused with Love. In the midst of Portugal’s insane epoch changing civil war: one that transformed the nation from an autocratic dictatorship to a freedom loving Democracy, Isa Guitana was born to naturalists on the Ocean. Almost as if Aphrodite arose out of her Shell right there on the beach in Lisbon, our beautiful Isa came into being. Isa’s story is shaped by her affection for depth, song, movement, water, wildness, and her love for family and children. She adores Pattabhi Jois and is not embarrassed by it. She loved him dearly, and he continues to hold a place in her heart. Isa spoke to us about her introduction to seminal Spanish Ashtanga yoga pioneer Tomas Zorzo. After meeting him, she made her first trip to Mysore, India in 2002, to practice at the “old shala’ with Sri. K Pattabhi Jois. She traveled alone and fell in love with India. And still today, India holds a very special place in her heart. It is the country where she first lived alone, where she met her Guru, Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois, where she conceived her first child, and where she met her now husband, Jay Wong. She opened the first dedicated Ashtanga Yoga School in November 2003 in Lisbon, Portugal, with her partner at the time Tarik van Prehn, while she was pregnant with her first child, Arjuna, who was born right inside the yoga school two months later. As a practitioner and mother of three, Isa shares with us how her experience of practicing through pregnancy was very different with each of her children. Arjuna was born 2004 when Isa was in her twenties, her daughter Kailani was born 2014 when Isa was in her thirties, and baby Koa was born last year in 2020 at age 42. Isa shares with us her different approaches to practice that naturally took place with each pregnancy, as well as her different approaches to giving birth. We talked about the miracle of life, and how the practice of motherhood and the practice of Ashtanga yoga work together to bring us to a place of surrender and awe. Both are a constant reminder that can connect us to the present moment, the breath of life, and the realization that so much is beyond our control. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ISA WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I CASA VINYASA INSTAGRAM FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HARMONY WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Make A Donation Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Today we have a delightful conversation for you with one of the few Certified teachers of Ashtanga yoga, Luke Jordan. We learn about his on-going journey, which has taken him all around the world seeking out experts, gurus and teachers in the field of Yoga and spirituality. We speak about things like the value of learning to surrender, freewill verses determinism, and the relationship between Sankhya and Yoga. Discover whether the nature of the Self is a Full-Emptiness or an Empty-Fullness. Luke Jordan began a formal study of Eastern mysticism while at University during the 1990s, feeling a sense that there must be something more to life, Luke began experimenting with Psychedelics. During this period, after a relationship break up, Luke had a life-altering experience where the identity he had so carefully crafted as a means of coping with life completely fell apart. He was plunged into a frightening world of hidden meanings and dark forces. As he lay in bed, tormented by his extreme mental chaos; Suddenly, out of nowhere, a silence descended and stopped it all. He felt truly alive for the first time. Free from his conditioning, free from his thoughts, beyond name and form. The doctors were not as impressed by his new-found insight and his adamant refusal to conform to a limited personal identity. And decided he had experienced an “acute psychotic episode”. Luke was immediately hospitalized and medicated. This deeply existential experience (that many might call a psychotic break, while others might call spiritual awakening) brought Luke to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga in the year 2000. Today, Luke seeks to ground his practice and teachings in the wider Yoga philosophical tradition. He holds a Master’s degree in Indian Religion and remains an avid student of several mystical spiritual traditions, peppering his teaching with insights drawn collectively from many different mythologies. But in the end, we ask, "What’s all this yoga really for?" And his answer is going to surprise you! The empty mirror is Consciousness and the reflection within the mirror is Prakriti. You can never actually see the empty mirror. Whenever you look you only see yourself. We only know the mirror exists because of what is existing within it. What we see points us back to the space where existence is happening. The very fact that you’re having an experience, means that there is an empty space within which an experience is happening. How can you have any experience, if there wasn’t a space within which experience was happening? This is an illuminating, beautiful conversation, filled with deep philosophical teachings disguised as lighthearted banter. Our hearts and minds were lifted to new heights spending time with Luke Jordan and we’re sure that you will discover new openings within yourself too! The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. Make A Donation FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Harmony Slater: Website I Instagram FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Luke Jordan: Istagram I Ashtanga Yoga Summer School The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Despite her extravagant appearance, party-girl reputation, and naturally rebellious nature, Deepika Mehta is deeply devoted and one of the most sincere practitioners we know. In 1997, Deepika Mehta’s life was forever changed by a near-death rock climbing accident. Doctors told her she would never walk again. As someone with a love for dance and movement, she also had a deep trust in a higher power. While bedridden, she somehow found the book an Autobiography of a Yogi, which sparked her interest to begin delving into spiritual practices collectively called “yoga” and gave her a sense of hope, inspiration, and control over her rehabilitation. Not one to allow obstacles to deter her spirit and enthusiasm for life, Deepika sought alternative approaches and methods of physical and emotional healing including meditation, pranayama, dance and yoga. She began her yoga journey with Sivananda Yoga, which eventually led her to Ashtanga Yoga and her future Guru, Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois in 2002. Deepika told us that she saw Ashtanga Yoga for the first time in Kerala. An Isreali student was there doing the practice. We asked her “Did it look like Yoga to you? Or was it European gymnastics?” She said… For sure it was yoga. What she saw was concentration and flow. And, she knew immediately that it was something she wanted. In today’s hilarious episode we spoke to Deepika about her genuine rebellion against traditional cultural gender roles as an Indian woman and the patriarchy in India. During the episode she used Durga as an example of how to describe herself and we believe she is quite right. Durga’s rage at the demon Mahisha-Asura upsets the balance of the Universe, so much so that the male gods beg to soothe her, in attempts to calm her violent vibrations. Likewise, when Deepika is constrained in any way she is furious, enraged at her captivity, whether bedridden and broken as a young woman, or as a new mother at the age of 42, Deepika seeks freedom in all things, and quite like her daughter, howls at confinement and loves to move. You’ll hear about her challenges in balancing all of the many obligations of maintaining her practice, being an attentive mother, daughter, wife, all while striving to sustain her career as a highly sought after yoga teacher... And how life requires you to make little compromises along the way. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DEEPIKA WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I FACEBOOK I VOGUE ARTICLE The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Make A Donation WORK WITH HARMONY Opening and closing music by Nick Evans. Click HERE to listen. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Our guest today is the American Aristocrat, Robbie Cavallero. There is something ineffable but unmistakable in the effect he has on people directly in his sphere of reach. He’s a bit like Lord Krishna really, attracting Gopies with his sweetness. And the ardent admirers of this gentleman will notice that even the rocks melt, ever so slightly, in his presence. Robbie is a strange American archetype: The Aristocrat. He is the scion of an Italian Noble Family (his uncle was the Field Marshall for Erwin Rommel); and yet, surprisingly, his family came to America with very little - immigrants - self made. They arrived in Oakland, and within a few generations, their brilliant little child ‘Robbie’ was married to the bluest of bluebloods - the “ancient régime” of Republican Californians. Robbie soon found himself sitting at the illustrious Pacific Chapter of the Union Club, with the Rockefellers, Nixons, and Weinbergers. Yet, Robbie is something else altogether. He is like a star-child that has no use for any of these social trappings. He seeks harmony in all things and with all people. He has Wu or the impression of realness in his character. Robbie flows like water through your hands when you try to grasp hold of him — the gentlest of creatures. All we sought in this interview was to discover if the hole in his chest actually occurred when traveling to Esalen to study Buddhism and Self-Actualization, (in the 70’s) where he ran his father’s Mercedes into a light pole. We’re still not sure. Please have a listen and discover for yourself. Robbie tells us that a Bull’s horn may have contributed to the hole in his heart, during a disturbing incident where he was attacked by a Holy Cow in Mysore, India. How perfect. We would include a bio of Robbie here, but nothing about him is writ or known or published. He cannot even be found. Follow ROBBIE ON INSTAGRAM The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. Make A Donation Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Leave us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Sixteen years ago Russell called Hamish from Brighton and asked for his much needed help... “What I am doing wrong, Hamish? I’ve only got 6 students. I don’t know if I can do this.” Hamish answered with his usual affable enthusiasm, “You’re doing great! 6 students is great!” That he even took the time to take the call is an example of Hamish’s heart. He really, truly cares for people. A year later Hamish went to Russell’s wedding in Essex and read this poem there from the Isha Upanishad: “The Lord is enshrined in the hearts of all. The Lord is the supreme Reality. Rejoice in him through renunciation. Covet nothing. All belongs to the Supreme.” This sacred verse describes our beloved international treasure to a tee. Hamish Hendry is a friend to all of us. He’s so effortlessly dedicated to yoga and to the practice itself, that he makes his unearthly personal discipline both seem easily attainable and endlessly enjoyable. He has a mesmerizing and rich intelligence that makes yoga sound like it’s something easily explained down at the pub. And, as Einstein said, “If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t really understand it.” What’s clear, is that Hamish most certainly does. He explains yoga, Sanskrit, philosophy, and his innumerable adventures with ease. Our particularly favorite story was how he recounted being possibly the only person in the universe shot during an Ashtanga yoga practice: “I think I’ve been shot, Derek!” he exclaimed one morning in Greece during his studies with the Man of Bronze, the legendary Derek Ireland. It was a great privilege and pleasure to spend time with Mr. Hendry and we're sure you'll feel as we did, that it all comes to an end much too quickly. We hope you enjoy being a part of our conversation with this unique, humble, and goodhearted man. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HAMISH ASTANGA YOGA LONDON I PUSHPAM MAGAZINE I INSTAGRAM The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Find out more about HARMONY. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. MAKE A DONATION Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Leave us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

This week we have a really good story for you. Most folks we talk to on the Finding Harmony Podcast seem hell bent on making an interesting life for themselves. Perhaps anytime you sit down with a friend and carefully examine why they are the way they are, their story and life becomes scintillating, effortlessly so, as they are just quite simply unique when being themselves. Sarah Miles, a Hypno-Therapist, an Ashtanga yoga teacher, a Celebrant, and Mortician. She was also Russell’s apprentice in Brighton. You might hear it in Russell’s accent (as he can’t help himself) — He’s quite impressionable and their meeting came at a formative time for them both. We learned how she likes to directly face and immerse herself in those activities that scare her most, so she can explore and understand why it makes her feel a certain way, and ultimately, overcome that sense of fear or dread. This is, again, the main reason she is great teacher: She has touched the center of fear that this practice can bring up and is able to compassionately guide others through the darkness. We talked about her work as a Hypno-Therapist and the value it has in helping folks visualize through their own suffering, to be with themselves on the mat or otherwise. And of course ultimately, we talked about death. Mortality frightened Sarah and so in her typical fashion, she explored it by becoming a Mortician. She describes the first time she felt the flood of sensation overwhelm her when washing a dead body, and how it eventually became a spiritual ritual which she embraced. And what an enormous privilege it has become to care for the dead, and to help those who’ve lost their loved ones. Sarah is also a Celebrant, who not only walks beside those who are experiencing great loss, but also holds hands with those who are celebrating new life and love, officiating weddings, and helping to join lives together. She is the real salt of the earth - U.K. style - and we think you will find sitting with her to be a delight! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SARAH MILES YOGA WEBSITE I CELEBRANT WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I FACEBOOK The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HARMONY Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. MAKE A DONATION Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Today’s episode is a lovely heartfelt conversation with an old friend in our Community Treasure, the ever elusive Dr. John Campbell. John did us a valuable kindness in opening the program with a Tibetan prayer for the Dead. It is with a deep sadness that a mentor to Russell and dear friend Eugene Ruffin passed away of CoVid, shortly before this podcast was recorded. Valentine’s Day is Gene’s Birthday. So we honor him with this prayer. John, Russell, and Gene founded the Jois Foundation together in 2011 with the hopes of providing under-served children with tools and techniques of yoga to help regulate their lives. Of course the three of them (and Harmony too for that matter) all deeply struggled as children and it wasn’t until they were adults that yoga became available to salve their childhood wound. It is an irony that the damaged are often the best healers. We spoke to John about his life, and how it all fell apart for him as he found himself seeking and using external substances to change the way he felt. And, of course the only way one can truly do that is is to sit and wait it out. Things move of their own accord, especially if we stop adding twigs to the flame. Certainly pouring gasoline on the fire doesn’t help either. Even after practicing for decades, and finishing Advanced Series in Mysore with Pattabhi Jois, John found himself isolated, studying and writing his Ph.D thesis in Varanasi. Feeling alone, and confused in an alien environment, John found himself attracted to the darkness… And eventually lost himself in cycle of addiction. After returning to the States he turned to alcohol, once again seeking to alter and change the feelings that were arising to the surface. He was pulled into the downward spiral of secrecy and shame, hiding his growing addiction. We explored together the mind-body connection in relation to substance use and addiction, gurus, the big Self, and how the practice can create a cycle of chasing dragons. Often, when we are involved deeply in a physically transformative practice like Ashtanga yoga, we experience deep openings that can leave us feelingly raw, slightly ungrounded, or destabilized. This might make one vulnerable to all kinds of unhealthy habits. In part, the value of the practice boils down to reducing our violent interaction within the world, and learning to cultivate more compassion towards ourselves as well as to others. Hang on until the end because you’ll get the delicious treat of hearing John’s Ashtanga Yoga Origin Story (which is a true delight!). LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. JOHN CAMPBELL INSTAGRAM I FACEBOOK The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Make a Donation Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify, simply click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

On today’s podcast we are extremely delighted to welcome back Bibi Lorenzeti. Bibi came to us with an interesting topic that we were intrigued to explore: What happens to your self of self when you, as a new mother, become two people instead of one? Becoming a mother is often a difficult transition. Especially for women who are dedicated Ashtanga yoga practitioners before becoming pregnant. We gain a beautiful baby, but our bodies go through a very intense process, not only from the nine months of pregnancy, but also through delivery, and also with a sometimes longer than expected period of recovery. Our physical self changes dramatically, and our spiritual, emotional and psychological selves are all undergoing a significant transformation also. If your identity was wrapped up in being an Olympic level athlete and your entire day was absorbed with getting enough rest to combat excess inflammation so that you could improve your practice and perform your asanas again the next day, then it can feel like a bit of a struggle when you are suddenly consumed by the daily activities of feeding, nurturing, observing, and holding a child. Your main focus suddenly shifts and you’re left with the question: Who Am I Now? Bibi and Harmony describe this process of letting go. Letting go of your idea of who you are, how you feel or look in your body, releasing your imaginary ideal birthing plan, along with any anticipation of how your body might feel after giving birth. They speak to how the practice changed for them and the importance of finding time for yourself. Ashtanga Yoga gives us a set structure; yet, once we become mothers, we have to let go of the structure so the practice becomes then a fluid moving thing. Which any serious practitioner knows is counter-constructive to that growth that comes with an organized and consistent lifestyle. Before pregnancy we tend to use the practice to transcend our current state, to reach some ideal goal, whether it’s enlightenment or fitness or purification. After giving birth, the focus shifts to a more internal space. We practice to find peace, contentment within the present moment, and to hold space for ourselves where we can learn to accept that things can never the same. We must create a place where we, ourselves, can feel nourished internally and cultivate the strength to build ourselves up again. Harmony and Bibi discuss the inner turmoil of wanting things to be like they used to be, and recognizing that they will never be that way, coming up against obstacles of time, obligations, responsibilities, and fatigue. Yet, here they are, mothers, yogis, businesswomen, and beautiful beings. Bibi Lorenzetti is a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga Yoga Teacher & Holistic Health Coach, and now a Doula. Harmony Slater is a Certified Ashtanga Yoga Teacher, Life & Wellness Coach, and host of the Finding Harmony Podcast. LEARN MORE ABOUT BIBI: PERSONAL WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I Birth with Bibi I ASHTANGA YOGA NEWBURGH The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. Please make a donation and FIND OUT MORE at HARMONYSLATER.COM The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Very often our podcasts are a coming together of old friends, conversations which sometimes unravel into talking about something funny, strange, a little bit weird, or “culty,” just like we would be sitting at a chai-stand in Mysore, India. Sometimes though, we call on a person who looms much larger in our minds, a giant in our industry, whose life experience, we know, has fundamentally altered ours; just by the sheer courage of the choices made in their era. Beryl Bender Birch is one of those people. Without her, and without her books, Power Yoga and Beyond Power Yoga, how could we possibly “be here now” doing any kind of yoga at all? Yet, so magically and with great kismet, we find out that Beryl, and others like her, are just like you and I. That they came before us is an accident of birth only. The richness of their experiences mirror our own. Beryl told it like it was, and continues to tell it like is, and we were thrilled to have her acerbic sense of humor and enjoyed her salt-of-the-earth presence. Beryl tells us about meeting, traveling, and meditating with her spiritual guide, Munishree Chitrabhanu, a Jain monk. She also speaks candidly about Pattabhi Jois’ indiscretions while teaching in the classroom, as well as how she began her Ashtanga yoga studies with Norman Allen in NYC. You’ll hear finally, Beryl and Russell recount a time sitting with the Mindful Congressional Rep. Tim Ryan in San Francisco and being publicly harangued for cultural appropriation. With some side bars on the value of mind altering substances, Beryl congratulated Russell on being sterile… ‘a good start,’ she said, ‘on our population and environmental problems.’ This interview is provocative, historical, and sprinkled with a bit of magic. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BERYL BENDER BIRCH WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I FACEBOOK The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. MAKE A DONATION Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Leave us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

If there is one thing we have learned this year it’s that no matter how uncomfortable we are, it’s always better to try and engage in conversation whereby we can learn our neighbor’s perspective. We should, whether it be our Trans or Trumpist family members, attempt to reach deeply into the wound that’s created a particular pattern and find compassion and understanding for hearts, that like our own, experience fear, grief, and pain. To that end, we’ve asked the ebullient Shanna Small onto our program to answer some very personal questions regarding her perspective on multicultural ethnicity and implicit biases. This sincere conversation will leave the listener in a precarious position of having to make different choices. And, these choices can impact one’s very sense of self and identity. Who I am? Where do I fit in? Am I doing enough to subvert white supremacy? How do I take a stand for justice and equality? How do I present myself on social media? Do I eat ice cream or no? Vegan or vaccinated? Shanna very graciously allowed us a moment to be curious and sincerely engaged in a conversation about MLK Jr. and performative activism, what sits at the heart of ahimsa and social justice; whiteness, ethnicity, gendered language; and her passion for making the practices and teachings of yoga accessible to anyone who wants to learn regardless of age, income, ability, ethnicity, or mobility. If we look naive, we are. However, we’re deeply grateful to Shanna for her generous spirit and enthusiasm, and for gentle, patient instruction. Shanna has a powerful voice that speaks to our highest truth as human beings. There was a time when the deeply racist phrase “white man’s burden” was acceptable. Not ever any more. Today, you might say, the “Black Woman’s Burden” is this: Holding our civilization together. Shanna Small is a writer and Yoga teacher who speaks to the intersectionality of yoga and social justice. She has practiced Ashtanga Yoga and studied the Yoga Sutras since 2001. She has studied in Ashtanga in Mysore with Sharath Jois and finds joy in making the Ashtanga practice accessible for all. She is a founding member of Yoga For Recovery Foundation, a non-profit that helps those recovering from addiction, trauma, and systemic oppression. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SHANNA WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I YOGA FOR RECOVERY FOUNDATION I Yoga & Social Justice Immersion with Shanna The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. MAKE A DONATION Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Leave us a 5★ rating! The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

In our 43rd episode we sit down with Spiros and Erica. On the surface this is an unlikely pair. What is perversely intriguing however, on speaking with these two, is how uniquely suited they are to each other. What shines through their every interaction is intelligence and insight. With every topic we brought up whether it was Los Angeles, the criminal justice system, the State of Ohio, the Tarot, or the Trumpist identity, they brought a profound sense of layered self-aware contextual discernment to their own thoughts, which compassionately penetrated to the heart of each complicated issue. This was truly one of the weirder interviews we’ve ever had the delight to showcase, if only to count the number of times Harmony and Russell were gobsmacked silent by revelations to cultural contexts and deeper meanings uncovered. We delved deep into Erica’s story and learned that she has been practicing yoga since she was a teenager. The practice has been the thread that has stitched together her adult years. She trained as a social scientist in Medical Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley; and spent over a decade at the intersection of yoga and social justice teaching yoga, mindfulness, meditation, writing and art to incarcerated and at-risk teenage girls in the San Francisco Bay Area where she and Russell worked together on occasion. Spiros is a little harder to nail down. Not because he is Christian, but rather he is reticent and too humble to speak of himself. He is most fascinated by the nature of consciousness and speak eloquently on this subject, in addition to examining the culture and context of language, thoughts, and pretty much everything. We did learn that he began studying yoga and consciousness in his teens and initiated a diligent daily practice in 1993 in Taos, NM, under the tutelage of a Western Magickal group focused on yoga, breathwork, meditation, and chanting. During this time he used psychedelics to steer explorations, discovery, and reality. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SPIROS & ERICA WEBSITE I ALMANAC I INSTAGRAM I FACEBOOK I TWITTER The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Leave us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Every once in a while on this show we like to pull the blinds down (or the pull the curtain away) and show you what it really sounds like at the Chai Stand gossiping on Gokulum High Street in India. Tim Feldmann is hilarious (unfortunately for him not quite Jewish) and shares a very similar sense of humor to Russell. The two of them create their own little giggling world together and we are delighted to share this hour exploring Tim’s life with you! Tim appears to be a Dane. He comes from a nice, boring, Danish town that is unpronounceable to North Americans (believe us, we tried!) and he is a shining an example of how good and wonderful a boy can grow up to be when raised with loving parents. Tim is full of charm, and unlike most of our guests, had a childhood free of trauma or other secondary causalities. He became a dancer as he loved movement and was an energetic child, who had a fabulous mother that encouraged him in every way. His father, despite being an engineer, was astonished that his son got paid to work as a dancer in Australia, and thus, supported his dream wholeheartedly. However, after a fall of some 6 stories down a mountainside cliff, Tim found himself finally having to change things up and discovered yoga as an avenue for self healing. You do sometimes have to hit rock bottom, and in Tim’s case, that was quite literal. Tim found that Ashtanga Yoga was a unique and interesting form and pursued it with hungry passion every since his first introduction. He was set on the yoga path by his first teacher Lino Miele and was Authorized to teach directly by the founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Method, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and his grandson, R. Sharath Jois. Tim’s humorous, straight forward yet profound teaching style makes him a cherished teacher in the Ashtanga yoga lineage, traveling extensively throughout Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas. He also founded the Miami Life Center with his wife Kino MacGregor, which continues to expand to this day! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TIM FELDMANN WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I MIAMI LIFE CENTER The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Make A Donation Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Leave us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

For the New Year and for the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius that it seems we’ve now fully entered… We have done the impossible for you! We’ve nailed down the spinning melodic kites that are Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor. What is truly incredible about these two is their enormous sense of self-awareness to the fishbowl world in which we all live. They know themselves and they see you, seeing them, and within this awareness Love comes to light. They become (as one of Richard’s books suggests) “The Mirror of Yoga.” It’s deeply uncomfortable to be human and to know our own weaknesses; yet, they manage to emanate grace and compassion throughout the kaleidoscopic lens of their lives. And in turn it reflects back on ours… Because, sitting next to someone— ‘Upana’ is how we learn. And we are able to raise our own vibration simply by being near these two souls. Richard Freeman has been a student of yoga since 1968, beginning with one simple sitting posture in the Zen tradition. He spent nine years in Asia studying yoga asana, Sufism, Sanskrit language, and Indian philosophical texts; contextualizing them within the turbulent political times of that period in history. In 1974 Richard began working with B.K.S. Iyengar, with whom he studied precise alignment principles, applying them to his own internally rooted experience of the forms. Drawing from this variety of contemplative traditions, and from Buddhism, in which he cultivates a deep interest, Richard teaches the Ashtanga Vinyasa method of yoga as taught by his principal teacher, the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India Mary tells us about developing an eating disorder during her time in College, which led her to embrace the culinary arts as a way of mastering the beast that is anorexia, through food itself. With both Richard and Mary we discus at length our Ashtanga Yoga culture and the pitfalls. We believe that you will find this hour with them as fascinating and engrossing as we did. Somehow time in their presence is never enough. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RICHARD FREEMAN & MARY TAYLOR WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I FACEBOOK The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. DONATE NOW Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Leave us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

David Swenson is someone in the Ashtanga yoga circle who needs no introduction. He began his journey of Yoga in 1969 when he and his brother Doug were arrested for stretching in a small park at the end of their street in Houston, Texas. There were few sources for yoga at that time so they practiced from whatever books they could find. He tells us about how he met David Williams and Nancy Gilgoff in Encinitas, CA in 1973 following in brother’s spiritual yoga-surf journey. This naturally flowed into making a trip to Mysore, India, in 1977 to study directly with Pattabhi Jois, after subbing classes for David and Nancy in Maui. We ask David about the behind the scenes of writing his book and making The Practice videos, from which he became recognized as one of the world's foremost practitioners and instructors of Ashtanga yoga. We ask some questions about his early experiences with the practice, and the reason why he continues to practice yoga each day, even after 50 years! David has been traveling and teaching workshops around the world for the past 30 years, and he is a genius for making the practice accessible to all levels. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DAVID SWENSON WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I FACEBOOK The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Leave us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

In the decades that followed the Korean War, over 250,000 Korean children were sent abroad, to be adopted by foreigners, for many reasons, but most prominently was the incredible weight of economic hardship facing these parents, and all of South Korea during those years. It is referred to as the Han Diaspora. Born in Daegu, South Korea to Korean parents, Hojung was given up for adoption at a very young age. She was adopted and raised by Flemish-Belgian parents in Europe, who, shortly after her adoption, moved to Madison, Wisconsin. And although she’s traveled extensively all over the world, and speaks several languages fluently, Hojung reveals that she has never truly felt like she belonged to any people, place, country, or nationality. Her initial introduction to yoga, as you’ll hear, was astonishingly cathartic. At the age of 16, she discovered Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, which led her to explore various Hatha Yoga traditions for the next 10 years, before beginning Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga in 1999 in New York City, with Guy Donahaye. Hojung shares with us her incredible story about her personal search for identity and meaning. And her eventual somewhat tragic reunification with her birth parents. You can listen to a full account of her adoption story on a podcast episode recorded back in December 2018, on a podcast called: ADAPTED. We spoke also of the emotional concept called “Han” in Korean, which refers to a deep nearly indescribable feeling of sorrow, melancholy, or grief that seems to be an essential element of Korean identity. A feeling Hojung felt her whole life, without being able to give it a name, until she began returning to her motherland, and reunited with her birth family between the years 2012-2017. Hojung mentions a Korean film, Seopyeonje, where the story indirectly depicts this Han quality to the viewers. Hojung’s own story forces us to ask deeply profound questions like: What happens when your spiritual practices are unable to nourish you during a time of crisis? Where do you turn? What do you do? In this extra long Holiday Special, we are taken through an incredible journey of self-discovery. We catch glimpses into how culture works to construct one’s identity, and how yoga can work to heal deeply unconscious wounds, when we become present to what’s arising. Hojung’s story is a deeply moving and emotional journey, where we are given the opportunity to come face to face with the reflection of our own self. Grab a warm cup of chai because this is one episode that will touch your heart and open your mind. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT hojung BROKEN WHOLE I WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Listen to Opening & Closing music on Spotify Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

We sat down with our close friend Loreto Cortés recently. Russell asked her what it was like living in Chile during Pinochet and fascism. (Something that has been on his mind recently). Loreto said of that time in her childhood that: “In that time everything lacked colour. After Pinochet our world became brighter and filled with light.” We probed Loreto and her experience as an activist, artist, and yogi. We were fascinated by her universe. Loreto is an actor and as such she can reach her emotions easily. She lifts them and throws them up into the sky for us all to see like a kaleidoscopic prayer to the One True Goddess: the River of Time. We hear about one of her interactions with a manifestation of the Three Fates, who came in the form of a visiting stranger, traveling through Chile, who introduced her to Ashtanga yoga, right in her living room. And in that moment she knew that this is what she would do in her life. Soon after she happened to meet Paramaguru R. Sharath Jois, in Santiago, he handed her a business card (which she still has) and so like this in the dream time, the mountain girl came to Mysore. And, there she felt at home again. Now 49 years old, Loreto reflects back on her years of practice and the early days when she opened the first fully dedicated Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Santiago, Chile, 20 years ago. We are so delighted to share her radiant life and story with you. Loreto was the first Chilean authorized by KPJAYI, becoming a benchmark for Ashtanga Yoga in Chile and South America. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LORETO & ASHTANGA YOGA CHILE WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I ASHTANGA YOGA CHILE The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. MAKE A DONATION Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Leave us a 5★ rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Today it is our distinct honor and pleasure to introduce Sharon Moon. This is a one of Russell’s most revered friends, colleagues, his mentor, and teacher. Russell met Sharon in 1998 when he was 23 years old (younger than her grandchildren are now). Sharon was instrumental in pushing Russell towards studying the traditional method of Ashtanga Yoga in a real Mysore Room in NY. She has an enormous heart and has guided him over the years in his decisions. Sharon tells us about studying with David on the second floor of the the first Whole Foods Store in Austin, Texas in 1993! Sharon shares with us an incredible story of her first harrowing marriage to an abuser, her subsequent unwanted pregnancies, what an illegal abortion was like in the 60’s, and how she made it out alive. Her next husband died in a tragic car crash that she witnessed firsthand. She spent the next chapter of her life getting strong, real strong, and cultivating deep inner healing on every level. She recounts meeting Swami Satchidananda, her initiation into Paramahansa Yogananda’s Self Realization Fellowship, and attaining a double Black Belt in Taekwondo. Sharon shares with us some of her experiences during her travels to Mysore, the UK, and Taiwan. But one of the most meaningful years of her life was the one she spent in the Kibera Settlements of Nairobi, Kenya, working for Russell as a yoga teacher, training new indigenous yoga teachers, and teaching 10,000 children a week. Something that Manju Jois, upon visiting her in Nairobi, catalyzed him to award her an Ashtanga Yoga Authorization on the spot. Sharon is an interesting duality, a Texan, Jewess, street fighter, and a deeply maternal great-grandmother full of a giant well of loving kindness. We think you’ll enjoy this trip. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SHARON ON HER WEBSITE The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. YES! I WANT TO MAKE A DONATION Don’t forget to leave a review! ❤ And a 5★ Rating! We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

We are delighted to share with you a conversation with our fellow podcaster Nathan Thompson: Poet, Journalist, Buddhist Practitioner, and self-taught Ashtangi, as well as the host of the Escaping Samsara Podcast. Nathan is a peculiar sort of Englishman. In that he is entirely self made. He seems to have created a career for himself by weaving together a colorful tapestry, in the way that Americans used to (or were assumed to have done in the old days). The English, as Russell will tell you, have the distinct notoriety of being quite class bound. Karl Marx himself said there was no nation more bound for revolution than Great Britain, or words to that effect. And yet, that is exactly what Mr. Thompson has done in remaking himself. He grew up near London, surprisingly in an Evangelical Christian culture, with many other thousands in his familial community to gather in the happy-clappy spirit. However, coming down from these singularly peak experiences was humiliating in its own way. Russell pointed out that it resembled Peter Gabriel’s annunciation in Solsbury Hill. How do we live in the meantime? How do we just fold laundry after all that? Subsequently, in his teens Nathan tumbled headfirst down the deep tunnel of drug use and sank into a pattern of addiction. After a decade of darkness, he found his feet again through the practice of Vipassana Meditation in the lineage of S.N Goenka, a tradition that both he and Harmony share a connection with. Nathan again forged his own path creating a career as a traveling Poet, which helped propel him on his ongoing spiritual quest to taste the nectar of pure, eternal, unadulterated bliss: the kind of thing you can fold laundry with. A friend asked him to teach English and so you will hear how he moved to Cambodia with a nonprofit organization, and found himself living in a Buddhist Monastery. Here wildly, out of this little hut, he flourished as a Journalist and head of the Foreign Press Club of Cambodia. Likewise, Nathan, taught himself the Ashtanga yoga practice in an idiosyncratic way, watching videos and trying all the postures from a single series all at one time. We touch upon the differences between being self-taught as a practitioner in this tradition verses having a teacher who will give you a pose and guide your practice, and how the desire to accumulate postures can become an addiction in itself. One of Nathan’s favourite interviews on his podcast is with Ajahn Achalo, an Australian Buddhist monk living in Northern Thailand, who emphasizes the importance of cultivating Metta Meditation, so that you can call upon loving kindness whenever you need to. FOLLOW Nathan & the Escaping Samsara podcast INSTAGRAM I WEBSITE The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

It’s American Thanksgiving this Thursday and we have so much to be grateful for. This conversation with Samantha Lucas reminds us all just how much we tend to take for granted every day and how an entire life can be forever altered within mere seconds. From polyglot to major (major league) baseball fan to motorcycle enthusiast, Samantha Lucas has a plethora of interests that have taken her on adventures across the globe. Her Ashtanga yoga practice though, never became more valuable than when she was laying in a hospital bed, face to face with a questionable future of whether she would ever be able to physically practice again. In the summer of 2016 Samantha suffered a catastrophic accident, losing her right leg below the knee. Nonetheless, Samantha has continued to practice and teach Mysore style Ashtanga yoga, finding strength and balance throughout the trauma and recovery. Depression was something that she had always struggled with; and yet, we heard the voice of someone who was completely focused on the process of recovery. A process that informs how she continues to seek improvement in her practice to this day. Her philosophy is that this practice is for everyone and through daily, consistent practice, everyone can grow and find strength no matter what challenges one might face. She believes that yoga is experiential and one can only grow through taking action. Truly focusing on the process of 'work without attachment to success or failure' is what Krishna advises Arjuna to attune his mind to when he becomes paralyzed with despair seeing the battle before him. Samantha’s personal approach to Ashtanga yoga as a vital practice with this same vision is an inspiration for all of us to keep facing our own struggles, no matter what obstacles we face. Something Samantha refers to as “inspiration porn.” We think you will be delighted listening to this incredibly upbeat Lady, who has a world of experience and hard-earned wisdom to share. FOLLOW SAMANTHA LUCAS INSTAGRAM The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ Leave us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

This week we had the pleasure of sitting with one of our oldest friends, Andrew Hillam. It is always a surprising thing to chat in public and this conversation was no different. We expected that Russell and Andrew would slide into familiar scatological tropes but instead Andrew’s insular and introspective nature shined through. We had a "quiet is the new loud" type of conversation with him on topics such as raising children in India, cooking in the flow state, and the comparison of playing music and chanting the shastras. Something that Andrew says creates a peculiar vibration in his skull. If you’ve had the pleasure of tasting Andrew Hillam’s idlis then you know he has a special talent for cooking Indian food. However, that is not his only interest... Andrew is fascinated with all kinds of aspects of Indian culture. Besides being a Certified Advanced A Ashtanga Yoga teacher in the Mysore stye, he was a classical guitarist, who had previously pursued a PhD in immunology. if you can believe it! (He recommends wearing a mask by the way). Andrew is eccentric in his obsessively charming pursuit of perfection. For Andrew, diving deeply into Sanskrit chanting filled a space for musical expression and his love of sound. It contains both a devotional and philosophical layer that connects chanting to the practice of yoga. Chanting helps Andrew clear his subtle energy channels and increase that Sattvic quality (purity) within. Finding Ananta (infinity) in the space of the center of the heart, which is a birth place of sound and filled with the substance of bliss. The Mantra rises up from our awakened center. This was the profound heart of our conversation, learning that Andrew believes it is the friction between consciousness and matter that creates reality. Thus, music or chanting, is an opportunity to resolve the inherent conflict of our manifest reality. Yoga, says Andrew, is about relationship. God is what exists in all relationships, that’s where God lives between people. The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

In Ballet, the term développé means to "unfold," or open outwards in a “developing movement.” In this episode we sit down with Shelley Washington where she gracefully unfolds different aspects of her journey. When you are in Shelley’s presence you feel you are sitting with a star. Someone who is deeply reflective and her essence shines through in every way. We were also love crushed by her in Mysore, India, even more so, because of her enormous heart and generosity towards us. In this episode, we spoke about what it means to be a star and how her remarkable career unfolded quite organically. Shelley touches upon how her parents and grandparents made conscious personal sacrifices to create opportunities for their children, knowing that growing up in America would mean being marginalized as an African Americans. She shares with us some of her experiences growing up in a military family in American during the 1950’s and 60’s and the incredible grit she cultivated, which sent her soaring onward to receive some of the highest accolades one can attain within the world of dance. She also shares with us how the practice of Ashtanga yoga shifted the way she now teaches choreography to other dancers. At the age of 45, after a stunning career as a world class modern dancer, where she would train for 8-10 hours a day, Shelley accidentally ends up in a yoga class, and has to find an entirely new way to relate to her body and approach this new physical discipline. How her practice has evolved over the past 20 years will surprise you! Read more about Shelley Washington on my website: HARMONYSLATER.COM The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support. DONATE NOW Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤ And give us a 5★ rating! Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here. To purchase your own copy - Click Here. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind: https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation