The Embodiment Coaching Podcast

Mark gives an overview of the world's martial arts and how they can be used as embodied practices. A whistle-stop tour of the fighting arts from around the globe!

Tantrik scholar and practitioner Christopher Wallis joins me for some seriously well researched yoga geekery and also to give an exercise for when you're taking a dump. We talk immanence vs transcendence, define "tantra" as a life affirming type of yoga and explain classical tantra (vs neotantra), energy, body image, empowerment, spiritual snobbery, spiritual bypassing, radical self acceptance, Sanskrit's uses and misuses, Mark Singleton and yoga history, how to say "namaste", Sanskrit cognates, the yoga sutra, kundalini yoga, spiritual insecurity, Kashmir Shaivism, how to "tantraise" a postural yoga practice and tips for yogis, our mutual friend Jim Tarren and we end with a simple yet profound meditation pointer. Deep, wise and fun. http://hareesh.org https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_Shaivism

Dave joins the show for a masterclass in authenticity, receiving appreciation, voice work, embodied speaking, presence, charisma, Irish culture, validation and how to resists it, charm, corporate reality, swearing (very NSFW in places), rejection and non-attachment. A poetic, very alive and inspiring episode. http://www.dave-rock.com/

Top British yoga teacher Peter Blackaby joins long-term student and host Mark Walsh to discuss humanism vs. guru culture, purpose (what's the point of yoga?), functionality, critical analysis, structural vs. neurological approaches to yoga, foot yoga, efficient and parasitic movement, ease, top vs. bottom-up approaches, sensory yoga, interoception, proprioception, Antonio Damasio, emotions vs. feelings, yoga for daily life, social engagement, the "quiet revolutions" in yoga-land, what stupid and delusional yoga is,Mary Stewart and Vanda Scaravelli, modernism vs. postmodernism, evidence based yoga, cultural exclusivity, container vs. transfer in yoga and yoga as a process. A thoughtful wide-ranging discussion with shout-outs to many innovative people in the field today. http://www.intelligentyoga.co.uk/ https://www.peteblackaby.co.uk/

Experienced bodyworker and fellow podcaster Liam Bowler joins me to discuss nature, martial arts, embodied practices meeting in the middle, dark nights of the soul, wilderness work, scripts vs. authentic responses, embodied listening and podcasting, what makes for a good conversation, yin & yang, range, relational embodiment, movement and change, the spectrum of bodywork, what makes a good bodyworker, how to choose a bodyworker, social media addiction, talking across the political divide and boredom. A lively authentic chat between two kindred spirits. https://dynamicalignmentbodywork.com/ http://www.thebodyawake.com

Jacopo joins us from Florence to discuss his yoga travels in India, Italian yoga, expressiveness vs. discipline, fluidity and health, straight lines vs. spirals, softness, Ortho-Bionomy, counselling, integrating East and West, anatomy, business as a creative practice, technology, virtual reality and the future of yoga, Leonardo Da Vinci, dance and yoga, integration vs. mixing and sports vs yoga. A lush, sensual one. https://www.anukalanayoga.com

On this episode I lay out a classic embodiment model - the four elements. I take listeners through an experiential test of their preferences and show uses across a wide range of domains form business training, to team building, to relationships, communication and directing your embodied practice. A very useful one for anyone who works with the body. videos: https://youtu.be/qn0yxZwzjrY https://youtu.be/krTF9EApBTI https://youtu.be/6UN5Fnwucso https://youtu.be/8rJpobKZ98k https://youtu.be/NjhUubNIpeM https://youtu.be/2SHunOVrxes

Tantra and yoga teacher Lin joins us to get juicy! She talks about the painful start of embodiment, ecstatic birth, what tantra is, power and abuse, expanding life, international sexuality (Sweden vs USA vs India vs Brazil vs Thailand), sex education, Deida's 3 stages, state chasing, spiritual materialism, internet dating, taking responsibility, loving customers and overcoming grasping. She also gives some GREAT advice for singles looking to meet someone special (including flirting advice) and tips for couples wanting to deepen their connection and improve their sex lives. A sexy flowing one. https://www.theartoflove.nu/ https://tantraheartonline.com https://youtu.be/akZvjviPw6Y https://www.angsbacka.se/event/ista-level-1

Greg joins the show to talk police work, the warrior archetype, ongoing training, presence, CrossFit (he's a pretty big deal in that world), competitive exercise, intensity, principles over technique, mental training, the power of the word, Christianity, Krav Maga, the perennial philosophy, peace, and samurai stories. A lively spirited chat. https://gregoryamundson.com https://youtu.be/XHujV32dA8I

Nervous system specialist and therapeutic coach Irene joins me to describe her journey though physio and Feldenkrais into trauma work. We discuss mini-traumas, developmental trauma, safety overuse of the word "trauma", Bruce Perry, the vagus nerve, Gabor Maté, social resilience why the USA is messed up, cultural factors in trauma (comparing Russia, Iceland, Sweden and The Philippines) child-rearing, self-regulation Peter Levine, Somatic Experiencing, politics and trauma (this part is pretty leading edge), protestors, Tony Robbins, victims being dangerous and what works (various modalities such as EFT, TRE and EMDR are discussed). https://irenelyon.com/ http://www.somaticpractice.net http://amzn.eu/dgl4Pi2

Joseph joins us from New Jersey to talk NLP, dog training, communication, state management, influence, how our stories impact us, somatic narratives, how ideas live in us, changing minds, Joseph Campbell, "organ language", what's "practical", consumer embodiment, The Heroes Journey, calls to adventure, provocation, being full of shit, PC culture, being bad arse, movies, Guided Chaos, the challenges of the return home, slow vs fast brains, relationships and Dudeism. http://www.josephriggio.com https://www.youtube.com/josephriggiolive http://dudeism.com http://www.generativenlp.com/publications-and-articles-index.html#soma-semantic-articles

Alexander Technique teacher and founder of The Poise Project, Monika Gross joins Mark to discuss theatre, what is the Alexander Technique, being a First Person Expert, socio-economic and cultural factors in embodiment, language barriers to practice, how to access groups we may not usually work with, working with caregivers, being of service and how somatic techniques can help people keep a healthy sense of self. Mark and Monika paint a vision for a more embodied world, and how EVERYONE can learn to be "body literate". https://www.thepoiseproject.org/ http://www.formfitnessfunction.com

Adrian and Mark join to chat acro yoga, intimacy. They cover what yoga is, the psychology of partner yoga, social media and the rise of the visual, working with expectations and fear, "kink", sex positivity, polyamory, abundance vs. deficiency, communication and German vs. Californian culture. Oh, and the "orgy lab". Fun one! http://www.adrianiselin.com/

Marcela talks about her somatic start with The Grinberg Method, how we rely on old patterns, learning vs. release models of bodywork, and how attention is trapped. Then she and Mark get into shame, rage, Brené Brown, cultural sham, offence, social judgement, trauma, 4 elements feminine power, the dark side of the feminine boundaries and constructive conversations. A genuine deep one. https://fierceembodiment.com

This special episode overviews the other episodes so far, and I offer practice experiments to enrich your life! Try one and let us all know on the Facebook group how it went. I cover a lot of ground on this one! Excellent for people wanting to go beyond just listening to information, and for those not sure which of the now somewhat epic back-catalogue they should listen back to!

Evangelos joins Mark from Canada to discuss The 5Rhythms, the 5R map as medicine wheel, why it isn't mainstream, shame, relationships, renunciation, and new for the podcast MONEY. He talks about psychological, historical and embodied patterns around money, how this can hold people back, how we're not evolutionary prepared for it, freedom and attachment around wealth and abundance. Listen and face the "biggest taboo"! https://meditationmoves.ca https://www.5rhythms.com/teachers/Evangelos+Diavolitsis http://moneycoachinginstitute.com/eight-money-types/

Ninja master Simon Yeo Sensei joins the podcast to describe what ninjutsu is and isn't, the middle aged peak and the dangers of old teachers, ninja history, Hatsumi Sensei, traditional vs. modern martial art, the pros and cons of sparing, ground fighting, reality testing, the art of lying, throwing stars (obviously), swimming with armour, health, 1-1 training, excellence, intuition, sensitive, self- in marital arts and the flow zone. A martial arts geek out! Simon's dojo: http://www.yeodojo.net/ Simon's book: http://amzn.eu/5UI61L5 Stealing Fire boo: http://www.stealingfirebook.com/ Paul Grilley: https://youtu.be/ve_GUyEHdfI Rokas's aikido channel (aikido vs. MMA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3IwxR2Ar-I

Author, therapist, yoga teacher Mariana Caplan joins the show to discuss psychological healing, spiritual longing, bypassing, why yoga needs therapy and therapy needs yoga, guru scandals, premature enlightenment fantasies, doing the personal work as a teacher, trauma, transpersonal psychology, integrating East and West, Reggie Ray, the reasons for lack of integration of therapy and yoga, being discerning, open brain/heart surgery, making sure you're qualified and knowing your scope, cultural integration, USA vs. the world, the dangers of California, gratitude, how asana and therapy actually combine, Peter Levine, titration and palpitation. A deep integrative dive. Website: http://www.realspirituality.com Book: http://yogaandpsyche.com/ http://a.co/fdg4DRw

Yoga International Editor Kat joins Mark to discuss, dance, performance bodies, publishing, celebrity, "being good at yoga", discrimination, body image, men in yoga, teaching online, identity, play and the whole yoga industry. https://yogainternational.com/ https://www.katdoeshandstands.com/

Writer, academic and yoga teacher Carol Horton joins Mark to chat politics, guru abuse, yoga life skills, yoga history Forest Yoga, trauma informed yoga and much more. Cerebral episode. http://carolhortonphd.com/

Alexander Technique teacher Constance joins Mark to discuss dressage (horses and stuff), what is the AT, who does it, poise, how has the technique changed since it was founded, its many applications, performance, reducing pain, benefits of 1-1 work, the economics of somatic education, mobile phone uses, the yes embodied anatomy and imagery, and she gives several mini-lessons we can all make use of. This one goes from the Victorian era to the modern day gracefully. https://www.constanceclare.com

Yoga therapist Anneke Sips joins Mark to explain what yoga therapy is and how it works. They talk mental health, psychosis, cultural and personal adaptation, yoga as coaching, inclusivity and acceptance, working with teenagers and with the military, counter indications to yoga therapy, and yes, bunnies. https://nytacademy.com/meet-me-anneke-sips/

Co-founder of Movement Medicine Ya'Acov Darling Khan joins Mark to discuss shamanism cultural destruction and the noble savage, paganism, intuition body wisdom, resourcing from nature, tree hugging body intelligence unconscious dance, the benefits of dance, dancing in prisons the importance of our narrative, the dangers of ecstasy chasing and natural reciprocity. They finish with some practice recommendations. A deep one. https://www.schoolofmovementmedicine.com https://darlingkhanonline.com/ https://www.hayhouse.com/authorbio/yaacov-darling-khan

Can strength training be more mindful than yoga? Kathryn Bruni-Young joins the show to say yes! She and Mark discuss being second generation teachers, Canadian yoga history, her mindful strength workshops, confidence building, trauma, why alignment makes us weak, movement variety, seasons of practice, novel stimulation and she ends with some practice tips for all. https://kathrynbruniyoung.com/

Anita and Mark have a heated but good humoured debate on gender and embodied sexuality. They talk sex robots, sex education, slut-shaming and how to overcome sex shame, the gender wars, trauma, #metoo, ball-less men, biology vs. social influence, porn, matriarchal societies, are women oppressed(?), The Sex and Medicine Summit, earlobe orgasms, asking for what you want. NSFW. Try not to get offended. https://www.facebook.com/AnitaTeresa77 https://www.facebook.com/sexandmedicinesummit/

Integral expert and therapist Bence Ganti talks Ken Wilber, what is "integral" anyway, body therapy, psychodrama, constellations work, "fields", "subtle energy", armouring, meditation vs. therapy (and why meditation alone isn't enough), engaged spirituality, shadow work , centaurs, and risks in the integral world. We also take an extended dive into adult development - how people grow - and the changing embodied aspect of this and conflicts between stages. Lastly, we talk to Bence (who is a Hungarian American) about cultural differences in embodiment as he's well placed for this; and finish with an invitation to the European Integral Conference. http://www.benceganti.com https://integraleuropeanconference.com

BDSM kink practitioner and leather-wear designer Melissa Tofton joins Mark for a flirty, naughty and NSFW romp, which also goes deep. What can the embodiment world learn from kink? They discuss consent, 5- Shades of awful, trust, intention, intimacy, how yoga is kinky as hell, feminist submission, addiction and intensity, spanking as a path to growth, yin and yang, finding balance, sexy secretaries and submissive businessmen, good porn, Saudi mail-orders, sex positivity, depth aesthetics and some dodgy sauna stories. http://www.melissatoftonleather.com https://www.instagram.com/melissatoftonleather/?hl=en

Itay joins Mark from Tel Aviv to discuss contact improvisation and his innovative Contact Kids courses, Israeli culture, military service, wildness, trauma, how oppression effects us, boundaries, individualism vs. collectivism, sexuality, children play and parenting. www.contakids.com http://hakvutza.org.il/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkreiRt8GEY https://youtu.be/3BqJXsWI0sw

Bibiana Badenes joins Mark from Spain to discuss how we can make daily life more embodied, and integrate the approach in a balanced way. She talks Rolfing, water therapies, nature, Spanish culture (what's beyond culture), food, relational and social embodiment, how climate effects embodiment, flow vs. structure, coaching, hygiene, "fanatics" and politics. They also discuss the EFC course/community and the upcoming course with Paul Linden. A warm Mediterranean sea-side swim of a session! http://www.bibianabadenes.com/en/ http://www.bibianabadenes.com/en/cursos/proximos/

The gorgeous Brooke joins Mark to talk ballet beginnings, somatics, healing vs. art, wildness, Zen, internal vs. external orientations, her romance, being a momma, giving birth the mystical way, poetry, purpose and integrating the householder, monastic and artistic paths. http://www.brookemcnamara.com http://www.feedyourvow.com/

Nikki joins Mark for a raucous ride giving the world of fitness a good kicking and licking. She discusses high impact training, fear, taking a multi-disciplinary approach, conformity, hyper mobility, pain, cross-training, control freakery, what "alternative" folks can learn from the gym, and a bunch of jokes. These two probably shouldn't be left unsupervised again. https://naablevy.com https://movingwellpodcast.com

Julie joins the show from Goa to discuss a somatic approach to yoga beyond making the shapes and blindly following tradition. She touches upon neo-colonialism, culture, travelling yogis, yoga for Indians vs. Europeans, dissociative yoga, unworthiness, social media, entitlement and freedom in yoga. http://www.brahmaniyoga.com

Professional improviser and founder of The Maydays, John Cremer joins Mark for a wild riot through some very edgy territory. They discuss humour as a weapon against power and the authoritarian left and right, fear, public speaking, making it up, getting it wrong and not knowing, how everything is funny, make some clumsy attempts to understand the changing world of sexual assault and gender politics, and generally get themselves in a lot of trouble talking about things they probably shouldn't in a very unPC way. Two naughty boys who probably shouldn't be allowed to play together. NOT FOR THE EASILY... OR EVEN NOT SO EASILY... OFFENDED. http://www.johncremer.co.uk/

Kung fu teacher, Zen practitioner and author Keith Martin-Smith joins Mark for a bromantic chat about Chinese martial arts, northern vs. southern styles, beauty, wushu, the Shaolin Temple, Asian vs. Western teaching methods, Ken Wilber and integral theory (it gets a bit geeky), adult development and Spiral Dynamics, cleaning up vs growing up vs waking up, his fierce Zen teacher Junpo!!!! abuse and shadow and the embodied writing. This was a yang one, and a fun one. http://www.keithmartinsmith.com

Embodied Non-Violent Communication trainer David Weinstock joins Mark to talk peace and the body. They chat about aikido, why language matters too, the challenges of community, the power of love, practice, the 5 elements, listening and empathy, feelings and needs, how to be a better listener, the contributions of Richard Strozzi Heckler and Wendy Palmer, purpose, people who "have your back", conflict resolution and work in prisons. This episode is also quite practice heavy with several techniques demonstrated. http://liminalsomatics.com/

Tai chi teacher Dan Docherty joins the show and tells us about his journey from the Hong Kong police, to full-contact championships to being a tai chi teacher with Parkinson's. He describes what tai chi is (including the martial and internal aspects), talks internal strength, hard and soft, yin-yang, going with the flow, why people are exhausted, what the hands show, internal alchemy, the "three treasures", body language, day-to-day life, health, ageing, judo, adaptation, finding a good teacher, not being a hippie and Chinese culture. http://www.taichichuan.co.uk/

A slightly anarchic romp through the world of yoga research with New York based teacher and author Ariana. She exposes yoga myths, explores the psychology of why people perpetuate them, we look at the current and recent evidence base, chat about fundamentalism and postmodernism, gurus, ask if flexibility is always a good thing, the appeal of certainty, hot yoga, "urban" London/NY style yoga, "kicking butt" as a teacher, Trump, politics generally, and why when there is so much money in yoga are most yoga teachers poor?!! Excuse the background noise, it was Bikram being tortured. http://www.arianayoga.com https://www.yogaresearchandbeyond.com/

Dave joins the show to discuss his movement from martial arts to the field of "enchantment" and how stretching can be much deeper as an art than commonly seen. He discusses how to move more effectively from the physical to the holistic, what makes a practice transformative, Australian body culture, what "disenchantment" is, physical alchemy, Aldous Huxley and Fight Club, what "stretching" actually is anyway, the stretch reflex and, stretching as a tool for personal growth. He also offers some top stretching tips for all of us. www.physicalalchemy.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/physicalalchemy/ Kit: https://stretchtherapy.net/

Experienced dance movement and trauma therapist Amber joins Mark to discuss humanitarian work, polyvagal theory, state sharing, self compassion and self care when you work with trauma, the new trauma rock stars, humour, and not wearing kid gloves. We also discuss simply "what works" in trauma, and offer practical trauma-related tips for any embodiment professional. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvagal_theory http://amzn.eu/2sF9SLS http://restorativeresources.net/

Update on analytics and special offer

Soma Move Founder Linus on physiotherapy, movement in daily life and matching movement to clients needs, "Trojan-Horsing" gyms and fitness, innovation, Swedish culture, confidence, free movement, training for pleasure and why the body is NOT a temple. http://www.movdoo.com http://www.somamove.com

A rambling chat between Mark and movement and personal growth coach Chandler on BJJ http://www.chandlerstevens.com/

Senior Alexander Technique teacher Bruce Fertman joins Mark to discuss what the AT is and what the point is, his early days in gymnastics with Dan Millman, how AT lessons work, the root of tension, inhibition, personal somatic responsibility, being and doing, "end-gaining", mindfulness, the cross cultural body (he's an American in Japan), how we have many bodies, the "cosmetic body", embodied ethics, a deeper look at touch (his specialism) and gratitude. A wise man who's touched a lot of people. https://peacefulbodyschool.com

Feldenkrais and running form teacher Jae Gruenke joins Mark to discuss running function and psychology. She covers not fighting yourself, running with awareness and feeling, looking for ease, barefoot running, nature connection, the evils of shoes, and if runners are crazy. She ends the podcasts with a short Feldenkrais experiment / lesson on foot use. https://www.balancedrunner.com/ http://www.balancedrunner.com/mind-your-running/ http://kinesophics.ca/category/podcast/ http://www.feldenkrais.co.uk/audio.php

Long-time Feldenkrais teacher and founder of The Embodied Life Russell Delman joins the podcast to explain Moshe Feldenkrais' method, and his own holistic approach to awareness. He discusses functional integration and awareness through movement, the birth of embodiment in The West, the counter-culture of slowing down and not trying, integrating mental, emotional and social awareness into physical practice, and how to transfer embodied work into daily life more effectively in the age of Trump and Brexit. http://www.russelldelman.com

What gives a relationship "spark"? Experienced counsellor and intimacy and sexuality expert Michaela chats to Mark about connection, sexual polarity, sacred dance and more. http://www.michaelaboehm.com/

Explore the Chinese "internal" martial and healing arts in this episode with Derek Notman. We explore what "chi" is, vitality, health vs. martial applications, relaxation, jin shin Jyutsu, standing meditating, forms, ying and yang, tai chi in daily life, Taoism, different models of exercise, freedom and interception. A touch of the poetic Chinese in an accessible American format. https://www.12riverstaichi.com/

Co-founder of Fighting Monkey, Jozef joins Mark to discuss learning and unlearning discovery learning, diversity creating immunity art and sculpture, play, strategy "zero forms", specialism communication experimenting and your perfect tone. An intense exploration. https://fightingmonkey.net/

Charlie Badenhop joins Mark to discuss Japan culture, what is "ki" and ki aikido, martial arts in daily life, implicit communication, bodywork, sustainable embodiment, corporate work and team building, kaizen, NLP/trances, verbal aikido, changing perspective, ideas generation, making a space between stimulus and response, the enteric nervous system, the somatic language of the body, the deep bodily structure of language, our inner voices and experience. Another rich episode. http://seishindo.org/

Gayatri explains what tantra is, objectification and sexual denialism, cock loving, tantric massage, orgasm vs. climax, boundaries, consent, sex and agency, demonising men, touch, sleazy tantra, how to find a good teacher, bypassing, the wheel of consent, masturbation and self touch. She also gives some nice exercises to try at home. A juicy one! tantramassagetraining.co.uk/ https://heavenoneartheros.com/