Podcasts by The Heart of Yoga
Mark Whitwell and friends present heartfelt conversations from the heart of yoga.
“Indeed a soft message for a hard time. Please listen to Mark Whitwell. God is in this moment. God is as close as your own breath. So be here now! Mark will show you an easy way.” — Ram Dass on Mark’s book ‘The Promise’
In the spirit of yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ, we offer this podcast as a tool to direct attention towards relationship, intimacy with our experience, and the sublime beauty of our human situation. Ever since he met his yoga teachers TKV Desikachar and his father Tirumalai Krishnamacharya in Madras / Chennai in 1973, Mark has been sharing the tools of intimacy with body and breath through asana, pranayama and meditation, the practical method of response to grace in our life. The influence of J and UG Krishnamurti has clarified Yoga for all time as a practice of participation in the given reality, not a struggle towards a future result. "If you can breathe, you can do Yoga!"
Join us for an experience of union / Yoga (not just more knowledge about it), resolution of spiritual confusions, insight from decades of teaching experience, stories from the diverse sangha of practitioners, practical relationship discussion, and the application of Yoga to every aspect of our everyday life.
To find out more about teachings, retreats, online yoga classes, and our in-depth online yoga courses for both beginner and advanced practitioners, please visit www.heartofyoga.org.
Further podcasts by Mark Whitwell
Podcast on the topic Spiritualität
All episodes
Ep. 56 |No Such Thing as A Thoughtless State: Embracing Presence Over Ideals in Yoga with Eva Košćak from 2023-11-27T12:23:10
In this episode, Mark interviews Eva about her journey discovering Yoga and music. Eva shares how she was classically trained in cello as a child but hated the competitive pressure. She dropped ...
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Ep. 55 | From Recognition to Embodiment: A Yogi's Journey | Irina Esposito from 2023-11-14T06:26:53
In this episode of the Heart of Yoga podcast, Mark has an insightful conversation with his student Irina Esposito about her journey with Yoga.
The cosmos and everything in the cosmos is ...
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Breathing, Unity, and Healing: On The Yoga Bus with Joseph Lauricella (#54) from 2023-10-23T19:15:16
In this episode, I'm joined by Joseph Lauricella. We dive into Joseph's journey on The Yoga Bus, making yoga accessible to everyone. It is truly inspiring.
We talk about the power of yoga...
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Kurtis Goodwolf x Mark Whitwell: A Voyage to India, Mark's First Steps (#53) from 2023-09-07T13:27:34
In this episode, we dive deep into Mark's transformative journey to India. Mark shares his personal experiences and first impressions upon arriving in this vibrant and diverse country. He discus...
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Yoga Adapted to Cultural Context: Japan with Minami Takashima (#52) from 2023-07-07T04:30:22
Our guest today is our wonderful collaborator in Japan, Minami Takashima.
Minami is a yogini and heart of Yôga teacher, teaching in the traditions of the hathayoga non dual Tantra. She has...
Clayton Joseph Scott Talks of Music, Addiction, Seeking and Surrender (#51) from 2023-06-16T07:32:33
Clayton Joseph Scott is a singer, songwriter and master Yoga Teacher. Born in Los Angeles, California, he attended Santa Monica High School. Clayton lived most of his life as a street hustling n...
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What is a Yogini? Liliana Lakshmi : From India to the Americas and Bali to Berlin (#50) from 2023-03-29T06:50
Liliana Lakshmi and her husband Satya are renowned yoga teachers, whose influence extends from India to the Americas, and from Berlin to Bali. Liliana, born into tribal culture of indigenous sha...
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A Yogini Amidst Unspeakable Love and Pain (#49) from 2023-03-01T12:30
Ernessa Bergman is a world-travelling Yogini, Mother and Biosynthesis / Somatic Body Psychotherapist who is currently living and working in Tel Aviv, Israel. She reflects on her long f...
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The Yoga Confessions - Mark interviews Rosalind Atkinson (#48) from 2023-02-14T11:27
Mark Whitwell interviews Rosalind Atkinson about her life with yoga and realisations. In particular, Mark asks about her academic studies of english literature, especially the mystic poet Willia...
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Anne-Tyler Harshbarger: From Prima Ballerina to Real Yoga for Real People (#47) from 2022-10-11T10:42
Patrick Ryan: In the World Not of the World (#46) from 2022-08-03T07:59:05
Mark and his dear friend Patrick collude at the beach in Australia to discuss Patrick's life of Yoga and insight. They unpack the lie of "trying to get there" thr...
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How to be a Yoga Teacher with Maja Dakskobler and Mark Whitwell (#45) from 2022-06-23T02:52:18
This podcast tells the story of Maja’s transition from social activism to Yoga revelation. How Yoga becomes the means to enacting the change we want to see. As Gandhi said.. “be the change you w...
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Finding Our Own Sadhana with Manisha (#44) from 2022-05-11T04:21:07
In this episode we are graced by world-friend & yogini without borders Manisha Lebel. Yoga Teacher, Naturopath, Herbalist & Wisdom Holder.
Manisha and Rosalind discuss how Manisha's extensive yo...
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Becoming a Yoga Teacher "Capital Y" (#43) from 2022-04-23T16:05:10
How do we make the shift from practitioner to teacher? Who should become a teacher? How do we make sure we don't become "One more monkey" in the yoga industrial complex? How to keep the heart in yo...
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How to Find a Yoga Teacher (#42) from 2022-04-04T13:00:57
''How to find a good yoga teacher? How do you find a teacher that you trust, and can generate a connection with? Not only that, but find a teacher that does not see themselves in a position of ...
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Initiation Into Wisdom with Alesha Keen (#41) from 2022-03-28T13:00:44
A conversation between Rosalind and Alesha Keen, yogini & important teacher of the UK. Alesha is breaking new ground in England, drawing upon her decades of experience across yoga, psychotherapy...
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The Yoga of Business and the Business of Yoga with Ryan Stanley (E40) from 2022-03-21T08:00:27
Sybille Schlegel in the Heart of Europe (#39) from 2022-03-12T06:50:28
Mark sits down with long-time friend and German Yogini Sybille Schlegel to reflect on many things, including the dreadful shadow of war in Europe, with its grim echoes of the past. Sybille draws on...
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EP 38 - Yogi Jeremiah Brimlow, Urban Angel of New York in conversation with Mark from 2022-01-05T12:58:56
EP37 - Yogic Intimacy with Life with Malika Warda and Mark Whitwell from 2021-12-18T18:18:54
Malika Warda is a mystic Yogini poet currently residing in the land of ancient light, Western Australia, and co-founder of the extraordinary yoga, meditation and sound healing studio Cntrspace i...
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EP36 - Devaraj and Mark on Yoga and Religion from 2021-12-07T14:00
What is the relationship between Yoga and religion? Following on from last week’s episode with Janet Marshall talking about Yoga and Catholicism, this week we are honoured to be joined by Devara...
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EP 35 - Yoga as the Practical Means to Actualize Scripture with Janet Marshall from 2021-12-01T03:12:40
Mark Whitwell discusses with Yoga Teacher Janet Marshall of California the process of becoming a Yogini and Transmitter of Yoga. Janet talks about how Yoga helped her to actually understand for ...
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EP 34 - Weaving Community Health: Ilil Lunkry and Tali Tali Collective from 2021-11-11T13:07:53
Ilil is the Heart behind Tali Tali collective, a social enterprise to nurture indigenous weaving traditions (tali tali means weaving) and create income for rural women, including here on Taveuni...
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EP 34 - Weaving Community Health: Ilil Lunkry and Tali Tali Collective from 2021-11-11T13:07:53
Ilil is the Heart behind Tali Tali collective, a social enterprise to nurture indigenous weaving traditions (tali tali means weaving) and create income for rural women, including here on Taveuni...
Listen
EP 33 - The Yin and Yang of Yoga: The Heart of Yoga in China from 2021-11-02T05:24:24
EP 33 - The Yin and Yang of Yoga: The Heart of Yoga in China from 2021-11-02T05:24:24
EP 32 - Staying Local, Going Global with Jessica Patterson from 2021-10-26T06:00
EP 32 - Staying Local, Going Global with Jessica Patterson from 2021-10-26T06:00
EP 31 - Yoga Without the Struggle with Mark and Rosalind from 2021-10-19T06:00
Yoga is not seeking for a future idealism. Yoga is participation in the given Reality (capital R). The beauty, the wonder, the power, the harmony that is intrinsic to your life. Yoga is not to u...
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EP 31 - Yoga Without the Struggle with Mark and Rosalind from 2021-10-19T06:00
Yoga is not seeking for a future idealism. Yoga is participation in the given Reality (capital R). The beauty, the wonder, the power, the harmony that is intrinsic to your life. Yoga is not to u...
Listen
EP 30 - Yoga and Psychedelics with Andrew Raba and Mark Whitwell from 2021-09-27T06:00
Since psychedelics first escaped the research environment and sparked the counter-culture in the mid twentieth century, they have been aligned with the traditions of the East. But how do Yoga an...
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EP 30 - Yoga and Psychedelics with Andrew Raba and Mark Whitwell from 2021-09-27T06:00
Since psychedelics first escaped the research environment and sparked the counter-culture in the mid twentieth century, they have been aligned with the traditions of the East. But how do Yoga an...
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EP 29 - From Addiction to Freedom with Simone King from 2021-09-19T06:00
EP 29 - From Addiction to Freedom with Simone King from 2021-09-19T06:00
EP 28 - Finding Our Own Authority with Minami Takashima from 2021-09-06T06:00
Minami Takashima was a successful business woman in corporate Japan, and here she tells her story of stepping out of exploitation and corporate hierarchy and stepping into her own power. Minami ...
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EP 28 - Finding Our Own Authority with Minami Takashima from 2021-09-06T06:00
Minami Takashima was a successful business woman in corporate Japan, and here she tells her story of stepping out of exploitation and corporate hierarchy and stepping into her own power. Minami ...
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Mike B and The Universe from 2021-08-30T06:44:18
Mike Bucher is a musician in Los Angeles. His band, Iglu and Hartley have had hit singles around the world — great uplifting rock and roll. He now ventures forth as "Mike B and the Universe" wit...
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Intimacy with the Living World, with Kelsey Barrett from 2021-08-08T12:15:07
Kelsey Barrett is a modern-day witch. She is a practicing herbalist and Yogini.
Mark says:
“In previous centuries she would have been burnt at the stake for her strange powers ...
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EP 25 - Yoga is Relationship (Part 1) from 2021-07-05T13:09:28
Yoga IS Relationship. What does that mean?
I thought it was doing the splits on the beach and posting it on Instagram?
I thought it was living alone in a cave for twenty years unti...
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EP 25 - Yoga is Relationship (Part 1) from 2021-07-05T13:09:28
Yoga IS Relationship. What does that mean?
I thought it was doing the splits on the beach and posting it on Instagram?
I thought it was living alone in a cave for twenty years unti...
Listen
EP 24 - Special Episode: Heart of Yoga Global Teacher Conversation from 2021-05-29T12:39:14
In this special episode, we share (with permission) edited extracts from a May weekly “Teacher’s Gathering” in the Heart of Yoga Studio.
Mark is speaking about who can teach Yoga, about w...
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EP 24 - Special Episode: Heart of Yoga Global Teacher Conversation from 2021-05-29T12:39:14
In this special episode, we share (with permission) edited extracts from a May weekly “Teacher’s Gathering” in the Heart of Yoga Studio.
Mark is speaking about who can teach Yoga, about w...
Listen
EP 23 - It’s Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It) from 2021-05-12T14:10:48
In this week’s episode, Mark and Rosalind talk about the expansion of consciousness that happened in the 60s and beyond, “on wings of song.”
It was the Beatles going to Rishikesh that fir...
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EP 23 - It’s Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It) from 2021-05-12T14:10:48
In this week’s episode, Mark and Rosalind talk about the expansion of consciousness that happened in the 60s and beyond, “on wings of song.”
It was the Beatles going to Rishikesh that fir...
Listen
EP 22 - On Board the Yoga Bus with Joseph Lauricella from 2021-04-23T13:18:50
As yoga studios shut down across the world, yoga teacher Joseph Lauricella came untethered from his Chicago teaching space, yet he wanted to find a safe way to be in Nature and continue to share...
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EP 22 - On Board the Yoga Bus with Joseph Lauricella from 2021-04-23T13:18:50
As yoga studios shut down across the world, yoga teacher Joseph Lauricella came untethered from his Chicago teaching space, yet he wanted to find a safe way to be in Nature and continue to share...
Listen
EP 21 - How to Be a Person: with Mark Whitwell and Andrew Raba from 2021-03-25T11:48:54
Mark sits down again with his friend Andrew Raba to talk about education, cultishness, ambition, choosing a career path, the mess that is our early twenties, psychedelics, and learning Yoga.
... Listen
EP 21 - How to Be a Person: with Mark Whitwell and Andrew Raba from 2021-03-25T11:48:54
Mark sits down again with his friend Andrew Raba to talk about education, cultishness, ambition, choosing a career path, the mess that is our early twenties, psychedelics, and learning Yoga.
... Listen
EP 20 - Yoga, Love and Grief with Durga Julia Sánchez from 2021-02-26T22:15:05
In this week’s episode we are joined by the eternal warm love presence of Durga Julia Sánchez, musician, yogini, and inspiration. Durga speaks to us from her home country of Colombia of her extr...
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EP 20 - Yoga, Love and Grief with Durga Julia Sánchez from 2021-02-26T22:15:05
In this week’s episode we are joined by the eternal warm love presence of Durga Julia Sánchez, musician, yogini, and inspiration. Durga speaks to us from her home country of Colombia of her extr...
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EP 19 - From Yoga as escape to Yoga as embrace — Mark Whitwell and Ana Berry from 2021-02-14T17:00
In this episode, Mark sits down (over Zoom) with his dear long-time friend Ana Berry: musician, media presenter, actress, Yoga teacher and mother.
Ana describes growing up in Oklahoma and...
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EP 19 - From Yoga as escape to Yoga as embrace — Mark Whitwell and Ana Berry from 2021-02-14T17:00
In this episode, Mark sits down (over Zoom) with his dear long-time friend Ana Berry: musician, media presenter, actress, Yoga teacher and mother.
Ana describes growing up in Oklahoma and...
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EP 18 - Life is Spirals - Melissa Forbes, Yogini, Artist, Yantra Creator from 2021-02-07T14:49:59
A special edition of the Heart of Yoga podcast as Melissa Forbes speaks about her life as an artist and Yoga practitioner and her friendship with UG Krishnamurti.
How do we describe him?<...
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EP 18 - Life is Spirals - Melissa Forbes, Yogini, Artist, Yantra Creator from 2021-02-07T14:49:59
A special edition of the Heart of Yoga podcast as Melissa Forbes speaks about her life as an artist and Yoga practitioner and her friendship with UG Krishnamurti.
How do we describe him?<...
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EP 17 - Yogis Are Not Built on Assembly Lines - Frederic "Champagne" Ballario and Mark Whitwell from 2021-01-26T18:26:13
These interviews are useful because they describe how many different kinds of people receive Yoga and make use of Yoga, and how Yoga is functioning in their personal and unique lives.
“Yo...
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EP 17 - Yogis Are Not Built on Assembly Lines - Frederic "Champagne" Ballario and Mark Whitwell from 2021-01-26T18:26:13
These interviews are useful because they describe how many different kinds of people receive Yoga and make use of Yoga, and how Yoga is functioning in their personal and unique lives.
“Yo...
Listen
EP 16 - Living One Breath at a Time with Susan Swan and Mark Whitwell from 2021-01-15T12:42:51
In this episode, Susan Swan and Mark Whitwell talk about Susan’s experience as a Yoga teacher, including suffering a stroke and continuing to teach while rehabilitating.
Susan speaks abou...
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EP 16 - Living One Breath at a Time with Susan Swan and Mark Whitwell from 2021-01-15T12:42:51
In this episode, Susan Swan and Mark Whitwell talk about Susan’s experience as a Yoga teacher, including suffering a stroke and continuing to teach while rehabilitating.
Susan speaks abou...
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EP 15 - God and Sex: Now We Get Both Part 2 with Mark Whitwell and Rosalind Atkinson from 2021-01-08T14:24:49
In this Part 2 (you don't need to listen to part 1 first!) of God and Sex discussion, Mark and Rosalind talk about:
- Why we need both strength and receptivity
- How we develop... Listen
EP 15 - God and Sex: Now We Get Both Part 2 with Mark Whitwell and Rosalind Atkinson from 2021-01-08T14:24:49
In this Part 2 (you don't need to listen to part 1 first!) of God and Sex discussion, Mark and Rosalind talk about:
- Why we need both strength and receptivity
- How we develop... Listen
EP 14 - I WANT SIDDHIS - Mark and Rosalind talk Yogic Superpowers from 2020-12-22T14:34:01
In this episode Rosalind grills Mark on the promises made by the Yoga tradition, Yogananda’s classic ‘Autobiography of a Yogi,’ the lust for superpowers and supernatural experience and how it af...
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EP 14 - I WANT SIDDHIS - Mark and Rosalind talk Yogic Superpowers from 2020-12-22T14:34:01
In this episode Rosalind grills Mark on the promises made by the Yoga tradition, Yogananda’s classic ‘Autobiography of a Yogi,’ the lust for superpowers and supernatural experience and how it af...
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EP 13 - Neil Boyd – Yogi, Farmer and Friend from 2020-12-07T12:50:30
“Dear friends,
I was born in the spring of ‘54 to a farmer father and school teacher mother. Both of them children of homesteader parents.
After grade 12 , in ...
EP 13 - Neil Boyd – Yogi, Farmer and Friend from 2020-12-07T12:50:30
“Dear friends,
I was born in the spring of ‘54 to a farmer father and school teacher mother. Both of them children of homesteader parents.
After grade 12 , in ...
EP 12 - From India to Germany in the Guru Parampara of Krishnamacharya – with R. Sriram from 2020-11-25T18:19:03
Sriram is my Gurubhai – brothers of the same teacher. He is particularly interesting to me in that he is indigenous to South India, born into the society and language of Krishnamacharya and ...
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EP 12 - From India to Germany in the Guru Parampara of Krishnamacharya – with R. Sriram from 2020-11-25T18:19:03
Sriram is my Gurubhai – brothers of the same teacher. He is particularly interesting to me in that he is indigenous to South India, born into the society and language of Krishnamacharya and ...
Listen
EP 11 - Belonging to Yourself with Litiana Lagibalavu and Mark Whitwell from 2020-11-11T14:40:25
Litiana returns to the podcast for part two of this conversation on how yoga helped her throw out colonial and religious legacies from her body and embrace her own indigeneity, and truly feel at...
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EP 11 - Belonging to Yourself with Litiana Lagibalavu and Mark Whitwell from 2020-11-11T14:40:25
Litiana returns to the podcast for part two of this conversation on how yoga helped her throw out colonial and religious legacies from her body and embrace her own indigeneity, and truly feel at...
Listen
EP 10 - A Return to Love: A Conversation with Karen Williams from 2020-11-06T12:18:21
Producer, creator, model, Yoga and Qi Gong teacher, and advocate for empowered aging and beauty at all ages, Karen Williams joins Mark from New York City to talk yoga, healing, transforming atti...
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EP 10 - A Return to Love: A Conversation with Karen Williams from 2020-11-06T12:18:21
Producer, creator, model, Yoga and Qi Gong teacher, and advocate for empowered aging and beauty at all ages, Karen Williams joins Mark from New York City to talk yoga, healing, transforming atti...
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EP 09 - Ending Patterns of Limit: A Conversation with Domagoj Orli? from 2020-10-29T15:51:46
Rosalind and Mark talk with Croatian Yoga teacher Domagoj Orli? on becoming a yogi and teacher in Europe, surviving and thriving through war and mass patterning.
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EP 09 - Ending Patterns of Limit: A Conversation with Domagoj Orlić from 2020-10-29T15:51:46
From dark times in Europe through to personal victory.
Croatian yoga teacher Domagoj Orlić joins Mark and Rosalind to speak about his twenty-year friendship with Mark, his evolution from ...
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EP 08 - Studies with Krishnamacharya: A Conversation with Richard Schechner from 2020-10-22T10:57:55
This week we are so very glad to welcome Richard Schechner, who is a director, pioneer and founder in the field ...
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EP 08 - Studies with Krishnamacharya: A Conversation with Richard Schechner from 2020-10-22T10:57:55
This week we are so very glad to welcome Richard Schechner, who is a director, pioneer and founder in the field ...
Listen
EP 07 - Becoming Sane in the Yoga Circus - Q&A from 2020-10-16T11:38:16
In this episode, Rosalind takes the position of the everywoman yoga teacher, interviewing Mark on a lot of the questions and concerns people have as yoga teachers in our modern yoga scene.
<... Listen
EP 07 - Becoming Sane in the Yoga Circus - Q&A from 2020-10-16T11:38:16
In this episode, Rosalind takes the position of the everywoman yoga teacher, interviewing Mark on a lot of the questions and concerns people have as yoga teachers in our modern yoga scene.
<... Listen
EP 06 - Claiming Your Self in a World of Suffering with Mark and Andrew Raba from 2020-10-08T12:09:11
In this episode of The Heart of Yoga podcast, Mark and Andrew discuss:
- The relationship between Yoga and autonomy: empowerment, ideologies, and power structures
- Becoming yo... Listen
EP 06 - Claiming Your Self in a World of Suffering with Mark and Andrew Raba from 2020-10-08T12:09:11
In this episode of The Heart of Yoga podcast, Mark and Andrew discuss:
- The relationship between Yoga and autonomy: empowerment, ideologies, and power structures
- Becoming yo... Listen
EP 05 - God and Sex: Now We Get Both from 2020-09-30T12:08:27
God and Sex: Perhaps the two most powerful and loaded words in the English language.
This book is a serious, yet not humourless, stake in the ground for bringing the two words together in...
Listen
EP 05 - God and Sex: Now We Get Both from 2020-09-30T12:08:27
God and Sex: Perhaps the two most powerful and loaded words in the English language.
This book is a serious, yet not humourless, stake in the ground for bringing the two words together in...
Listen
EP 04 - From Rebellion to Yoga with Litiana Lagibalavu from 2020-09-18T23:07:39
In today’s episode, Mark interviews Litiana Lagibalavu, a yoga teacher, entrepreneur, lawyer in training, Indigenous Fijian, and a fierce activist philosopher building essential bridges between ...
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EP 04 - From Rebellion to Yoga with Litiana Lagibalavu from 2020-09-18T23:07:39
In today’s episode, Mark interviews Litiana Lagibalavu, a yoga teacher, entrepreneur, lawyer in training, Indigenous Fijian, and a fierce activist philosopher building essential bridges between ...
Listen
EP 03 - Your Body Loves Its Breath from 2020-08-29T13:38
Breath is our direct participation in the power of the cosmos that you are. It is the central feature and even the purpose of asana, and yet is all but lost in much modern yoga.
Breath is...
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EP 03 - Your Body Loves Its Breath from 2020-08-29T13:38
Breath is our direct participation in the power of the cosmos that you are. It is the central feature and even the purpose of asana, and yet is all but lost in much modern yoga.
Breath is...
Listen
EP 02 - Remembering Desikachar and the Krishnamurtis in India, Switzerland and New Zealand from 2020-08-29T12:38
T.K.V. Desikachar left us a vast wealth of practical knowledge about life and yoga by passing the precious jewels of wisdom from his father, Krishnamacharya.
We continue to receive the gi...
Listen
EP 02 - Remembering Desikachar and the Krishnamurtis in India, Switzerland and New Zealand from 2020-08-29T12:38
T.K.V. Desikachar left us a vast wealth of practical knowledge about life and yoga by passing the precious jewels of wisdom from his father, Krishnamacharya.
We continue to receive the gi...
Listen
EP 01 - What is the heart of yoga? from 2020-08-29T11:38:15
Mark Whitwell has been teaching yoga around the world ever since he first met his yoga teachers, T.K.V. Desikachar and his father T. Krishnamacharya, in Chennai in 1973.
He realised strai...
Listen
EP 01 - What is the heart of yoga? from 2020-08-29T11:38:15
Mark Whitwell has been teaching yoga around the world ever since he first met his yoga teachers, T.K.V. Desikachar and his father T. Krishnamacharya, in Chennai in 1973.
He realised strai...
Listen