Let's Talk Yoga

What does it really mean to be a good yoga student? In this conversation, I sit down with Medha Bhaskar to explore the framework described in the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika for cultivating a meaningful yoga practice. We talk about the importance of understanding the principle before the process and how the mindset we bring to our practice shapes what we learn from it.Medha walks us through the Badhaka Tattvas (the habits that weaken a practice) and the Sadhaka Tattvas (the qualities that strengthen it), while reflecting on how these classical teachings apply to modern yoga students and teachers. From boundaries and energy management to perseverance and self-awareness, this conversation offers a grounded look at what it means to truly grow through yoga.Episode Highlights:Introduction to the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, its historical context, and its role as a practical manual within the broader body of classical yoga texts.Understanding the difference between principle and process in yoga practice, and why focusing only on techniques can lead to a narrow understanding of yoga.Exploring the mindset of a yoga student and why self-awareness and intention matter more than simply showing up to practice.The Badhaka Tattvas and the six behaviors described in the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika that diminish practice, beginning with overconsumption and excess sensory input.How overexertion and constant striving can weaken a practitioner’s energy and lead to imbalance.The impact of excessive talking and scattered communication on focus, clarity, and the integration of learning.Why rigid rule-following without reflection can create guilt, imbalance, and disconnection from the purpose of practice.The role of over-socialization and lack of boundaries, including how modern lifestyles and digital engagement affect a practitioner’s focus and energy.The final diminishing factor: inner instability and scattered attention, and how it can lead to burnout, confusion, and lack of direction in practice.Shifting to the Sadhaka Tattvas, the qualities that nourish and strengthen a yoga practice.The importance of enthusiasm and genuine interest in sustaining long-term engagement with yoga.Why courage and perseverance are necessary when confronting personal limitations and challenges on the mat and in life.Developing discernment and clarity in understanding the deeper principles behind yoga practices.Cultivating commitment and steady resolve to remain engaged in the process of self-inquiry and growth.The role of mindful association and supportive community, while still maintaining independence and personal responsibility for one’s path.Reflecting on how yoga evolves from something we do into something we become, shifting from practice as action to practice as a way of being.Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Teaching mixed level classes can feel overwhelming, especially when your students are all at different stages in their practice. In this episode, I share simple, practical ways to structure your classes, offer options, and create a more inclusive and confident teaching experience.Episode Highlights:Mixed-level classes are the norm and should be approached with that mindsetThe distinction between mixed-level and all-level classesThe importance of shifting from sequence-focused to student-focused teachingBuilding sequences that include a variety of pose categoriesWhy full-body sequencing works better than peak pose sequencing in mixed classesIncluding standing poses, balances, backbends, twists, seated, supine, and inversionsUsing progression and regression options for every poseMaintaining a middle path that supports both beginners and experienced studentsWhy themed sequencing is more effective than peak pose sequencingThe importance of developing strong pose literacyOffering benefit-based alternatives when poses are not accessibleSetting expectations at the beginning of class to normalize options and autonomyEncouraging students to move at their own pace and take ownership of their practiceUsing props as an essential teaching tool for accessibility and adaptabilityHow mixed-level classes can build trust, community, and long-term student engagementPrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Are we actually studying yoga, or just consuming it? In this episode, I explore the traditional frameworks that shaped authentic yogic learning and why modern education often skips the foundations. If you’re serious about deepening your practice beyond certifications, this conversation will shift your perspective.Episode Highlights:The difference between modern yoga education and traditional teacher-student learningWhy student qualification (Adhikari Bheda) mattered before receiving teachingsThe method of progressive revelation (Arundhati Darshana Nyaya)Traditional classifications of yoga students in Hatha YogaThe threefold process of learning: listening, reflection, and deep assimilationThe three valid means of knowledge outlined in the Yoga SutrasThe four foundational qualifications for serious spiritual studyThe structure and progression of the four chapters of the Yoga SutrasKriya Yoga as a practical framework for disciplined studyWhy slowing down and refining your approach changes everythingPrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Hormones influence how we move, rest, recover, and show up on the mat, yet they’re rarely discussed clearly in yoga spaces. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Manasa Rao to explore what yoga teachers need to understand about the hormonal body through both modern science and yogic wisdom. We talk about stress, rhythm, pranayama, women’s hormonal cycles, and how yoga can support balance through listening and alignment without overstepping into medical advice.Episode Highlights:Are hormones a modern concept, or something yoga has always addressed through a different language?Hormones as internal messengers and their connection to yogic ideas of prana, ojas, tejas, and balance.How yoga works across the physical and subtle bodies to regulate internal harmony.The relationship between chakras, glands, and pranic flow, and where confusion often arises.Why hormonal balance is the body’s natural state and how modern lifestyle disrupts rhythm.Cortisol, stress, and the importance of restoring rhythm rather than suppressing hormones.Pranayama as a key regulator of the hormonal and nervous systems.How to think about different pranayama practices, including ujjayi, with more discernment.Pratyahara as a lifestyle-based practice rooted in routine, rhythm, and sensory regulation.Understanding women’s hormonal transitions, including menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause.Menopause reframed as a phase of reorganization and inward movement, not decline.How yogic practices can support different phases of the menstrual cycle.The importance of personalization and sensitivity when teaching hormonally affected students.Body-to-mind versus mind-to-body, and why dissolving that duality matters.The central takeaway: hormonal health comes from listening, alignment, and rhythm rather than fixing.Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Sequencing doesn’t start with themes or peak poses, it starts with understanding the pose itself. In this episode, I introduce pose literacy and explain why it’s the missing link behind clearer, safer, and more intelligent sequencing. Using Downward-Facing Dog as a real example, I break down how learning to read a pose beyond alignment can completely change how you teach, sequence, and support your students.Episode Highlights:Why modern sequencing often skips the most essential stepWhat pose literacy is, and why alignment alone isn’t enoughHow low pose literacy leads to guesswork, overload, and unsafe sequencingA pose-literacy breakdown of Downward-Facing DogHow a pose-first approach transforms sequencing and teaching confidencePrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

A deep dive into yoga sequencing, what it actually is, why it matters, and the most common mistakes yoga teachers make when planning classes, I break down the difference between choreography and intentional sequencing, explore the role of the pranic and nervous systems, and share nine sequencing missteps to avoid for safer, smarter, and more sustainable teaching. This episode is especially relevant for yoga teachers who want to build confidence, longevity, and depth in their classes.Episode Highlights:What is sequencingWhy sequencing is a skill, not a formulaWhat yoga sequencing truly means beyond pose choreographyHow thoughtful sequencing supports safety, longevity, and nervous system regulationThe role of structure, progression, intention, and integration in class planningWhy sequencing shapes the energetic and pranic arc of a classHow intelligent sequencing builds trust, confidence, and professional credibilityThe 9 Sequencing Mistakes to Avoid:Treating sequencing as simply linking poses togetherOver-focusing on peak poses at the expense of purposeSkipping joint preparation and intelligent warm-upsOverloading classes with too many posesNeglecting counter-poses and proper class closureDesigning sequences based on personal preference instead of student needsIgnoring the energetic arc and pranic systemForcing philosophy or over-theming without embodimentFailing to teach toward longevity and sustainable practicePrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

As we begin a new year, I’m reflecting on a question that quietly shapes every yoga teacher’s journey: why do you teach? In this episode, I share personal insights from my own path, the lessons that only time and experience reveal, and why certifications alone don’t create longevity in teaching. I also share details about the upcoming 300-hour online teacher training, live Q&A session, and important dates if you’re considering taking the next step in your practice or teaching.Episode Highlights:Why certifications and accumulated hours don’t guarantee confidence or sustainabilityThe difference between loving yoga and being able to teach it long-termHow burnout, injury, and doubt reveal the importance of a deeper “why”Why purpose in teaching is personal, evolving, and not meant for performanceThe connection between discipline, consistency, and Sutra 1.145 Important things about your whyKey updates on the upcoming 300-hour online teacher training and live Q&APrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

This episode feels like a full-circle moment as I wrap up the final episode of 2025. Before we step into a new year, I take some time to share what’s coming up in 2026 for the Let’s Talk Yoga and Aham Yoga community. There’s a lot unfolding, from a brand-new 300-hour online yoga teacher training to in-person study and international travel, and I wanted to lay it all out clearly so you know what’s ahead and how to be part of it.After the updates, I’m joined by Rebecca from the Working in Yoga podcast for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation on creativity in yoga teaching. We explore how teachers can stay innovative without crossing into performance, why reverence still matters, and how professionalism, boundaries, and self-inquiry shape longevity in this work. It’s a reflective conversation about teaching, aging, motivation, and remembering why we came to yoga in the first place.Episode Highlights:Exciting Announcements for 2026300 Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training200 Hour In-Person TrainingInternational Yoga Retreat in ItalyTime-Sensitive Updates RecapCreativity in Yoga TeachingBalancing Tradition and CreativityEngagement vs. Entertainment in YogaEvolving Yoga Teaching MethodsStudent Agency and Teacher GuidanceLearning and Teaching YogaExploring Cultural Appropriation in YogaFinding Your 'Why' in Teaching YogaMarkers of Success in Yoga PracticePersonal Motivations and Aging GracefullyThe Importance of Professional BoundariesReverence and Cultural Differences in YogaNavigating Marketing and Authenticity in YogaFinal Thoughts and Upcoming TrainingsPrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Inversions don’t have to be intimidating, flashy, or reserved for advanced students. In this episode, I break down the three pillars of teaching inversions and share how to approach being upside down with structure, progression, and nervous system awareness. If you’ve ever felt unsure about when, how, or why to teach inversions, this framework will bring clarity and confidence to your teaching.Episode Highlights:Why inversions were traditionally practiced as tools for regulation, not performance.How modern yoga culture has distorted our understanding of being upside down.What actually qualifies as an inversion, beyond handstands and headstands.The difference between mild, moderate, and intermediate inversions.Personal reflections on unlearning unsafe inversion habits.Pillar One: Structure before shapePillar Two: Progression before performancePillar Three: Nervous system literacySituations where inversions may not be appropriate to teach.Where inversions fit best within a well-sequenced class.How inversions cultivate humility, discernment, and emotional awareness.Why the deepest impact of inversions is internal, not physical.Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “winging it” when planning your yoga classes, this episode will help you fix that for good. I break down my Sequence Smarter Framework and walk you through seven simple questions that will instantly make your sequences clearer, more intentional, and easier to teach. Whether you’re new to sequencing or ready to level up your teaching, this guide will change the way you plan your classes.Episode Highlights:Why many yoga teachers struggle with sequencing and end up “winging it.”The purpose of the Sequence Smarter Framework and why it matters.How the three pillars—Purpose, Pathway, and Pose—create intelligent sequencing.What it really means to define the purpose of a class with clarity.How to build a pathway that prepares the body, breath, and pranic flow.Why pose selection should be the last step, not the first.The most common reasons yoga sequences feel disjointed or ineffective.How to use the seven audit questions to evaluate any sequence.A breakdown of applying the 3P framework to Trikonasana.Why thoughtful sequencing supports mixed-level rooms and aging bodies.How intelligent sequencing builds confidence, clarity, and longevity in teaching.Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

If you’ve ever felt stuck repeating the same physical cues in your classes, this episode is going to open up a whole new way of thinking about teaching. I’m breaking down what it really means to move from gross to subtle, how subtle cueing works, and why it’s the key to creating deeper, more meaningful yoga experiences. You’ll walk away with practical tools you can use right away—no fluff, no woo, just clearer teaching.Episode Highlights:Explanation of the Teach Smarter module and how this episode builds on the “Gross to Subtle” workshop.Why two teachers can teach the same pose but create completely different student experiences.The difference between the gross (sthula) body and the subtle (sukshma) body.Why most modern yoga teaching gets stuck in the gross physical layer.The limitations of staying in purely physical cueing—repetition, boredom, overthinking alignment, teacher burnout, and lack of depth.Clear signs that a teacher may be relying too heavily on gross cueing.Introduction to subtle cueing as a precise and grounded practice—not vague or woo-woo.Overview of the six types of subtle cueing:Attention cuesBreath cuesPranic-direction cuesSensory cuesInteroceptive cuesEnergetic sequencingA practical example of Warrior II comparing gross cues vs. subtle cues.Guidance on how teachers can begin practicing subtle cueing:Use intentional pausesLet the breath lead the teachingChoose one subtle layer per classStop micromanaging alignmentPractice receiving your own cuesTrust your students’ intelligenceWhy subtle cueing matters for long-term student development and sustainable practice, especially as students age.A self-inquiry checklist for teachers to evaluate their cueing approach.Reflective questions for both teachers and students to deepen their awareness in asana.Encouragement to revisit the episode, reflect, and apply the concepts.Invitation to explore the 300-hour YTT and how the training weaves ancient wisdom with modern teaching needs.Brief overview of the three modules:Sequence SmarterBreathe SmarterTeach SmarterPrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

After years of saying no, I’m finally bringing back my 300-hour yoga teacher training — and I can’t wait to tell you why! In this episode, I share how this new online program came to life, what makes it different, and how it’s designed to help you teach, sequence, and breathe smarter. If you’ve been craving more depth, clarity, and confidence in your yoga journey, this one’s for you.Episode Highlights:Why I decided to finally relaunch my 300-hour training after years of saying noThe gaps I’ve seen in most 200-hour trainings, and how this course bridges themMy vision for reimagining yoga education: depth without overwhelm, authenticity without dogmaHow this online format differs from traditional in-person teacher trainingsThe three main modules:Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of AsanaBreathe Smarter – The Living Body of PranaTeach Smarter – The Living Body of TeachingA deep dive into Module 1, including:The evolution and origins of asanaYoga for the elderly and creating accessible practiceBreathing in asana: the missing link in most yoga trainingsThe Sequence Smarter Framework for confident, intelligent sequencingCourse structure: year-long online program with recorded and live sessionsAccess details: when it begins, early-bird pricing, and options to register module-by-moduleHow this training integrates manuals, reflection workbooks, and done-for-you sequencesA preview of what’s to come in Module 2: Breathe Smarter and Module 3: Teach SmarterPrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Our feet are our foundation, but most of us don’t give them much thought until something goes wrong. In this episode, I chat with physical therapist and movement educator Michelle Edmison about how reconnecting with your feet can transform not just your yoga practice, but your whole life. We explore foot anatomy, posture, brain-body connection, and why strong, mobile feet are key to balance and longevity.Michelle also shares practical tips you can start right away to restore strength, sensitivity, and awareness in your feet. Whether you’re a yoga teacher, mover, or simply curious about how to support your foundation, this conversation will have you looking at your feet in a whole new way.Episode Highlights:Why the feet are considered the true foundation of the bodyHow modern footwear has weakened natural foot functionCommon ways our feet change as we age, and why it’s not just about agingThe powerful brain-foot connection and how movement shapes neuroplasticityThe nervous system’s relationship with the feet and sensory inputEmotional sensitivity, trauma, and how they can manifest in the feetThe real purpose of the toes: stability and propulsion, not grippingWhat dancers, athletes, and yogis can teach us about foot functionUnderstanding bunions and common foot issues: what causes them, how alignment affects them, and how yoga can helpThe truth about arches, pronation, and flat feetHow women’s feet change during perimenopause and menopauseMichelle’s top three non-negotiable practices for foot healthWhy a “foot problem” is never just about the footPrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Autoimmune diseases can feel isolating and unpredictable, but yoga offers both science and hope. I sit down with yoga therapist and researcher Renu Jain to explore how stress, the gut, and the immune system are connected; and how personalized yoga, pranayama, and mindfulness can support healing from the inside out.Episode Highlights:Introduction to guest Renu Jain and her background at Kaivalyadhama.Understanding what autoimmune diseases are and how they affect the body.Exploring common shared patterns and root causes behind autoimmune conditions.Exploring the connection between stress, the gut, and immune function.Understanding the pranic system and how energetic imbalance mirrors physical symptoms.The role of yoga in managing autoimmune conditions holistically.Importance of personalization in yoga therapy: why no one-size-fits-all approach works.Go-to questions yoga teachers should ask students before planning a practice.Pranayama practices that support balance and calm for autoimmune health.Restorative yoga, relaxation, and mindfulness as healing tools.How meditation helps regulate the nervous system and supports emotional healing.The mindset and empathy yoga teachers need when working with these students.Why yoga philosophy and ethics should always guide therapeutic teaching.Final reflections on patience, compassion, and using yoga as a bridge between science and spirit.Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Yoga doesn’t just live on the mat; it’s how we show up in everyday life. I share 30 simple ways to live like a yogi, from practicing gratitude and silence to decluttering, serving others, and reconnecting with nature. Small daily acts that bring awareness, compassion, and joy into the ordinary.Episode Highlights:Updates on the upcoming 300-hour teacher training and free cueing workshopInspiration behind the episode: a personal 30-day mindfulness listThe cultural meaning of the word yogi and why Aru uses it thoughtfullyReminder that yoga is awareness, not limited to the mat or a single class hourEncouragement to bring yoga into everyday life through small actions30 Ways to Live Like a YogiPractice gratitude (Santosha)Notice beauty (Pratyaksha)Use your handsInvite colorWish well for others (Maitri Bhavana)Exhale your worriesAsk what lights you up (Swadhyaya)Light a candle or diyaClap your hands or ring a bellDrink waterPractice AbhyangaClean up and declutter (Aparigraha)Notice negative thoughtsRemember someone who has passed (Shraddha)Take a mindful walkNotice other beingsSmileAvoid gossip and negative newsTouch the soilDetach from drama (Vairagya)Reduce sensory input (Pratyahara)Move your bodyExplore a craftCleanse your spacePractice silence (Mauna)Serve others (Seva)Practice Yoga Nidra or body scanJournalCleanse the body (Saucha)Sit in silencePrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

When trust is broken in yoga spaces, the impact runs deep. I talk about sexual harassment, abuse of power, and misconduct in the yoga world—why silence protects harm, how to recognize red flags, and what we can do to rebuild safety and integrity in our communities.Episode Highlights:Announcements about upcoming workshops and the 300-hour online trainingReflection on recent misconduct cases in the yoga community and what they revealPersonal story of confronting harassment within Aru’s own dance studioHistorical overview of sexual abuse and misconduct in yoga lineagesDiscussion of how reverence without accountability allowed abuse to thriveBreakdown of how abuse begins—through trust, power imbalance, and manipulationExplanation of spiritual gaslighting and why survivors often stay silentCommon reasons victims don’t come forward: fear, loss of belonging, trauma response, and cultural conditioningRecognition of microaggressions and boundary violations in modern studiosRed flags to watch for in teachers and studio environments (flirtatious behavior, vague boundaries, unwanted touch, secrecy)Aru’s personal story of ignoring red flags and learning to trust her instinctsPractical suggestions for how to respond if someone confides in you about harassmentGuidance for yoga teachers and studio owners:Create written ethical policiesTeach ethics and boundaries in teacher trainingsEstablish independent reporting systemsModel consent and clear communicationCall to believe women first, foster open conversations, and stop idealizing teachersReminder that ethics isn’t cultural; it’s universal and foundational to yogaFinal reflections on accountability, community healing, and how true yoga shows up in how we treat one anotherPrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

The story behind Ashtavakrasana, or Eight-Angled Pose, is as powerful as the pose itself. I share the tale of Sage Ashtavakra—born bent in eight places and mocked by many—whose wisdom and self-realization transformed both body and spirit. Discover how his journey teaches us to find strength in awkwardness, grace in imperfection, and alignment beyond the body.Episode Highlights:Announcements about upcoming online and in-studio programs at Aham YogaIntroduction to the monthly “Mythical Stories Behind Poses” seriesStory of Ashtavakra: born deformed due to a father’s curse, yet destined for greatnessHow Ashtavakra’s intellect and wisdom outshone physical limitationsThe debate between young Ashtavakra and scholar Vandin in King Janaka’s courtAshtavakra’s victory and miraculous transformation through the power of truthConnection between Ashtavakra’s journey and the yoga pose AshtavakrasanaSymbolism of the pose: steadiness through asymmetry, strength through surrenderLessons for modern practitioners: transcending ego, judgment, and appearanceReminder that real alignment comes from within, not from physical perfectionReflection questions for practice: Where am I resisting? What can I soften or “straighten” within?Encouragement to share these stories and teachings to keep yoga’s roots alivePrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Join me and Dr. Andrew McGonigle as we unpack the difference between pain and inflammation, how language and mindset shape the way students experience discomfort, and what yoga teachers can do to create safe, supportive spaces. From understanding acute vs. chronic pain to practical advice on guiding students you’ve just met, this conversation blends science with compassion to give you tools you can use in every class.Episode Highlights:Defining pain: What it is, how the brain creates it, and the difference between acute and chronic (or “persistent”) painWhy language and mindset can change how pain is experienced—both positively and negativelySimple, general questions teachers can ask when they don’t know a student’s historyHow yoga teachers can respond compassionately when students share injuries or painIs pain always a sign of tissue damage? The biopsychosocial model and what landmark research revealsAru’s personal story of ACL surgery and recovery without heavy pain medsObservations of widespread knee pain in Indian women and the role of lifestyle and expectationGood discomfort vs. bad pain in yoga practice, and how to guide students without teaching from fearPlacebo and nocebo effects in yoga classrooms—why our words matter so muchThe nervous system’s role in amplifying or quieting pain, and how stress or mindfulness shifts the experienceTransitioning to inflammation: acute vs. chronic, myths about boosting the immune system, and what yoga can (and can’t) doThe link between osteoarthritis, systemic inflammation, and lifestyle habitsMovement as medicine: why physical activity is the best way to manage both pain and inflammationClearing up wellness myths around posture, core stability, and anti-inflammatory fixesClosing reflections for yoga teachers on recognizing and working with pain or inflammation in class and in lifePrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Mindfulness and meditation often get used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. In this episode, I explain how mindfulness sets the stage for meditation, why they nourish each other like soil and roots, and how cultural context shapes our understanding of both. You’ll also learn the most common pitfalls of meditation and get simple, practical tips to build a steady practice without frustration.Episode Highlights:Why mindfulness and meditation are often confused in modern wellness cultureHistorical and cultural roots of meditation (Dhyana) in yoga and BuddhismDefining mindfulness as present-moment awareness without judgmentDefining meditation as a structured, often seated practice of focus and absorptionTwo types of meditation: guided meditation and unguided meditationRelationship between mindfulness and meditation: how they support each otherWhy rushed, distracted living makes meditation harder and how mindfulness throughout the day creates better conditions for itHow deeper meditation strengthens qualities like concentration, equanimity, and compassion, which naturally support mindfulness in daily lifeThe cultural roots of mindfulness and meditation in Indian and Buddhist worldviews, and how Western wellness often dilutes their depthCommon traps in meditation: forcing, suppressing thoughts, lack of foundation, unrealistic goalsPractical tips for teachers: normalize the wandering mind, start small, embed mindfulness in daily lifeJournaling as a supportive tool for clarity and reflectionExamples of mindfulness practices in everyday life vs. seated meditationHow to measure success: awareness, presence, compassion, and consistency in daily livingPrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Discover the deeper meaning of Shavāsana beyond just lying down at the end of class. I share two powerful mythological stories that reveal how this pose symbolizes surrender, rebirth, and transformation, and why it deserves as much respect as any peak pose in your yoga practice.Episode Highlights:Reflecting on the popularity of mythical pose stories and listener feedbackWhy Shavāsana is misunderstood and often rushed through in modern yogaOrigin of the term and its deeper meaning: corpse as a sacred pause, not an endMyth of Shiva and the sages: how surrender transforms death into awarenessMyth of Kali and Raktabeej: how desire and compulsion multiply, and the power of stillness to stop itThe symbolic death of Shavāsana: letting go of ego, effort, and identityPractical tips for teachers: honoring Shavāsana as the culmination of practicePrana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!