The Embodiment Coaching Podcast

An update on how the podcast doing, what is changing and also some news about upcoming courses. https://embodiedfacilitator.com/embodiment-conference-2018/ https://embodiedfacilitator.com https://www.embodiedyogaprinciples.com/ https://www.patreon.com/markwalsh

Dance movement therapists and academic researcher Helen Payne joins me to geek out. We discuss why the body, being a "body person in academia", Jon Kabat-Zinn, medically unexplained symptoms, psychosomatic illness, the evidence base for embodiment, the trials of doing trials, the business case for wellbeing, trauma and unexplained symptoms, chronic stress, attachment style, the importance of groups and belonging, moving symptoms with the body, how to package embodiment, resistance from mainstream culture, what an integrated embodied-medical-academic future culture would look like (inspiring stuff), Authentic Movement, the business and university war-zone and resilience. A fast, fun clever one. http://researchprofiles.herts.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/helen-payne(6f513b38-eca7-4e71-8481-efd23e826ad7).html https://youtu.be/MrY3-LFP0bM

My ole brother arms and conflict resolution specialist Stephen Kotev, joins me for some rough-diamond fun. We talk growing up in conflicted families, how conflict is about more than words and logic, Paul Linden, fight-flight and the physiology of conflict, self regulation and the best quick-win centring techniques, how to stop interrupting and listen better (guilty), aikido vs BJJ, the joys of competition, humility in martial arts, authenticity vs tricks in conflict, physical vs verbal triggers, why guns are fun and he offers a final challenge to kill and flay a poor little chicken. This one is quite sweary and non PC from the start, so avoid it if you are comically weak millennial who does not take responsibility for their own reactions. http://www.stephenkotev.com

Dutch yoga and mindfulness teacher Karin joins me to discuss how smoking got her into yoga, Tibetan Buddhism, cultural adaptation, kindness, EYP, making yoga useful, how it's not all about bliss or even relaxation, "karma yoga", generosity, how Buddhism is a "refugee religion", Dutch culture, Bhutan (where she does various charitable work), Indian nationalism and yoga and concentration vs open awareness. She also gives some practical mindfulness and meditation tips for practice and establishing a practice. A relaxed amiable stroll of a conversation between friends and colleagues. www.openingyourhearttobhutan.com www.yogaandmindfulness.co.uk

Sindre joins the show from Oslo to discuss the evils of sitting, NASA research, issues with traditional yoga, Foundation Training and Eric Goodman, Anatomy Trains and Tom Myers, anatomy vs embodiment, biotensegrity, fascia, balance, diet / nutrition, the dangers of office work and antidotes to it, inflammation, the EFC course, chronic pain, centring, threats, bodywork and more. An ambling chat between friends.

Alexander technique teacher Korina joins the show to discuss how our embodiment is impacted by space, landscape and nature, and how this can lead to a different relationship with the environment. She also chats death, pets, bodywork, changing oneself while giving bodywork, participating in someone's else body and gentle encouragement, the evidence base for AT, why it's not that popular, somatic movement, many aspects for touch, RADA, and the body in acting. A spacious elegant gentle interview. https://alexandertechnique.co.uk/alexander-technique/research http://www.korinabiggs.co.uk http://www.thespaciousself.co.uk

In this special 100th episode we turn the tables and Maud Raber, seasoned embodied coach and facilitator, Leadership Embodiment instructor and EFC faculty member, interviews me with questions from listeners and students. We go into my work, what I get from the podcast, and some deeply personal events that impacted why I chose embodied work. http://www.embodiedfacilitator.com/ https://www.embodiedyogaprinciples.com/ http://boddy.pro/en

Meditation teacher Martin joins me to discuss how meditation is as much body training as mind training, body hatred in Buddhism, disgust, "freedom vs friction", the 3 bodies of Buddhism (physical, energetic and infinite), lay vs renunciation and monastic practice, his money sex and work seminars, what money shows us, trust and money, money mindfulness, having enough, dana payments, retreats, meditating in a city, integration, online mindfulness pros and cons, yoni / womb meditation and layers of relaxation. An informative engaged ramble. http://www.martinaylward.com http://www.mindfulnesstraininginstitute.com/ http://moulindechaves.org/

Experienced executive coach Curtis Watkins, known for working with the body, joins me from New York to both explain and show somatic (embodied) coaching. We discuss school sports trauma, acting, bring big and small, what's too much and too little, what exactly is coaching, linguistics and Fernando Flores, Ontological coaching, coaching vs sports scorching, taking new perspectives, habits, welcoming pain, curiosity, breath in coaching, and phone and Skype coaching. Newly we also do a live demo where Curtis coaches me… which felt a bit vulnerable but will hopefully be useful to listeners. Various coaching resources and schools such as the Coaches Rising podcast, Strozz Institute, Stuart Heller, Wendy Palmer, EFC (of course), CTI, and Newfield and New Ventures West are also recommend. http://www.curtiswatkins.com/how_works.html embodiedfacilitator.com https://strozziinstitute.com/ http://www.leadershipembodiment.com/ https://www.walkingyourtalk.com/ https://www.newventureswest.com/ https://newfieldnetwork.com/ https://www.coachesrising.com/

My old Israeli special forces friend Ari joins me to share some war stories and his healing journey,. We discuss "looking for magic", PTSD, the training of elite military units, psychological conditioning and brutalisation, Israeli society's trauma, adrenaline and sex addiction, pushing limits, the attraction of death, intimacy and trauma, humour, perspective, stability and peace being uncomfortable, terror, his experiences in refugee camps, The Grinberg Method, MDMA, trust, weak people, why therapists can't talk to most soldiers, vulnerability, shame and guilt, forgiveness, hate, empathy for enemies, post traumatic growth, foot reading, what actually heals trauma and why the body is necessary. This one is both fun and deep, with lots of swearing, non PC language and some rough parts for those not used to hearing about the sharp end of life and death. https://www.facebook.com/ari.geva http://www.grinbergmethod.com

Supreme fearless nerd leader Queen Justine of Namaste joins the show to talk Star Trek yoga, geeks and nerds, wellbeing for nerds, Harry Potter yoga, Star Wars yoga… you get the idea. We also discuss dressing up, play, childlike vs childish, compensatory functions in geekdom and embodiment, the fantasy of "normal" yoga, haters, fantasy vs enactment, trauma, body shaming and body positivity, feeling safe, being "other in yoga, narrative yoga and therapy, the heroes journey and more! This was both silly and deep, and nothing if not original. https://blueboxcounseling.com https://yogainternational.com/profile/294934

Master coach Doug Silsbee joined me to talk about his death, presence, urgency, meaning, coaching and play. A very special episode. Thank you Doug. RIP. https://presencebasedcoaching.com/ https://wordery.com/presence-based-leadership-doug-silsbee-9780692053348?utm_source=social&utm_content=website-share&utm_campaign=page-book&utm_medium=email

If you like the podcast you'll most probably LOVE The Embodiment Conference! 80+ top speakers from around the world coming together for this online conference from 14th to 24th November. More info and sign up: https://embodiedfacilitator.com/embodiment-conference-2018/

Director of The Integral Centre joins me from Boulder Colorado for a bromantic romp though the world of spiritual towns, how to choose a practice, healthy addictions, first embodied loves, postmodernism, the postmodern sweet-shop/buffet, feel good practice vs discipline, America vs Europe, Western self-hatred, developmental psychology, losers, conservative practice and tradition, Jesus, why families are the best practice, the integral elite, Circling and relational mindfulness, haters, the future of integral, what he learnt from running the centre and why he chose to close it. This one went looong as we were having so much fun. NSFNAT (not suitable for new-age twats). https://www.facebook.com/IntegralCenter/ http://integralcenter.org/

From back pain beginnings to embodied podcasting. Carl and Mark discuss Feldenkrais, Russel Delman, The Dharma, education, integrating practices, what is "embodiment" anyway, health vs. embodiment, being too pure, integrity, grief and longing, loss, the lack of men in embodiment, vulnerability, David Deida archetypes, beyond pluralism, politics, lineages, sexism, movement culture, play, embodied podcasting (Carl also has one), and social justice embodiment and how it can be a force for embodiment and disembodiment. This episode is a bit different as a spacious chat between kindred spirits than a formal interview. https://bodyhappy.com/

Pierre joins me from France to talk bullying and power psychosomatic illness voice-work the pains of discovering embodiment, business applications (the main theme of the podcast really), pioneers like Wendy Palmer and Strozzi Institute, packaging embodied work for business, having clear aims, making use of time, buy-in and selling corporate embodied work, team building, training vs facilitation, language use, working with states, the World Cafe and Open Space methods, hosting, holding space, Leadership Embodiment and why the body matters for leaders, and the "how" of being a good leader. We also discuss France and French embodiment, French disembodiment and cognitive bias, aikido in France, Danny Bois, taste, criticism, elegance; and finish with a nice quote no learning relationships. A practical and stylish one! http://www.pierregoirand.com https://www.presenceleadership.net/ http://www.theworldcafe.com/key-concepts-resources/world-cafe-method/

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