Integral Yoga Podcast

In this podcast episode, Carroll Ann Friedmann shares the story behind her book "Practicing the Yoga Sutras," which stemmed from a decade-long journey of chanting and studying the sutras. Friedmann recounts her initial inspiration in India, where she was taught the art of chanting. This practice continued back home in Charlottesville, where she formed a dedicated chanting group with her students. Through regular discussions and deep exploration of the sutras, Friedmann began documenting her insights, writing consistently each morning for several years. The conversation highlights the organic development of her book, the discipline required for such a long-term project, and the profound impact of yoga on personal growth and community building.--Carroll Ann (Prashanti) Friedmann, BA, MDiv, E-RYT500, was educated at Vanderbilt University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of Virginia. From 2007–2012, she received Yoga training at the Integral Yoga Academy at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville (Buckingham, Virginia). From 2013–present she has studied at the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute with Saraswathi Jois and the Anantha Research Foundation with Dr. M. A. Jayashree and Sri M. A. Narasimhan in Mysore, Karnataka, India.She currently studies and practices Yoga under the guidance of Richard Freeman, MaryTaylor, Ty Landrum, and other classical teachers. She and her husband, Liam Buckley, are devotees of Sri Swami Satchidananda. They have four adult children and live in Charlottesville, Virginia, where they own and direct Ashtanga Yoga Charlottesville and the Ivy Yoga School. They teach asana, pranayama, meditation, chanting, philosophy, and hold an annual Yoga teacher training.To find out more and order a copy of "Practicing the Yoga Sutras," you can visit Carroll's website: practicingtheyogasutras.com

The discussion centers on the concept of Dharma, or life purpose, and explores how individuals can discover and align with their true calling. The conversation delves into the importance of listening to the heart rather than the mind, emphasizing activities that bring joy and love, such as community engagement and connecting with nature. Dominique and Avi discuss the balance between selfless service and personal well-being, highlighting the necessity of setting boundaries to prevent burnout. They examine the relationship between the mind and the heart, proposing that while the mind operates based on past experiences, the heart guides toward new possibilities and deeper fulfillment. The episode also touches on societal pressures and the challenges of maintaining faith and peace in the face of financial and practical uncertainties. Ultimately, the podcast encourages listeners to follow their heart and live a life true to their inner purpose, despite external expectations and obstacles.--Dominique Aramati has been practicing yoga for over 15 years, is a dedicated kirtaniya, and an outdoor enthusiast. She first came to Yogaville as an infant to visit her grandmother, Aurelie Knapik, who was a part of Yogaville’s community for over 20 years. In addition to her spiritual pursuits, she has explored various hobbies including non-fiction writing, large-scale abstract painting, hiking, snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfing. She enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible and loves to share this passion with others. Dominique graduated from James Madison University’s School of Media Arts & Design in 2016, majoring in Journalism and Creative Writing, with elective coursework in art history and environmental science. Before Yogaville, she traveled extensively along the East Coast in a Sprinter Van, working for ENO (Eagles Nest Outfitters), and spent seven seasons working at ski resorts while teaching yoga. She now owns her own digital marketing company: Hawk Intuitive, where she provides an array of marketing support. Dominique continues to deepen her spiritual practice through kirtan, connecting with nature, and fostering meaningful relationships with others.

Concept of Peace: Siva discusses peace as a profound state of consciousness that goes beyond the absence of conflict. It involves a sense of awe and connection with the beauty of creation and the presence of the divine in the world.Path to Peace and Creativity: Siva shares that his journey to inner peace began in childhood through imaginative play. As an adult, he continues to achieve this state through creative endeavors such as music, art, and writing, viewing life itself as an art form.Illusions and Materialism: He talks about the illusions of the material world (Maya) and how they can be distracting and distressing. Engaging in creative activities helps transcend these illusions and connect with a deeper reality.Spiritual Practices: Emphasizing non-violence (Ahimsa), Siva highlights the importance of cultivating love, kindness, and compassion. He also discusses the need to understand different perspectives and resolve conflicts through reconciliation and understanding.Role of Music and Nature: Siva reflects on how music and nature have been central to his life and well-being. Immersing oneself in nature and creative pursuits helps maintain balance and counter the disturbances of modern, materialistic life.--Stephen (Siva) Longfellow FiskeBorn into a musical and artistic family in New York City, Stephen was a natural in singing and acting, andperformed in school plays and musicals from elementary school through college. He wrote poems andsongs in his head and on paper before becoming a self-taught guitarist at the High School of Music andArt during the folkmusic era of the 60’s. After attending Civil Rights Marches in New York City, Stephentravelled to Washington DC in August, 1963, to take part in the Great March on Washington whereMartin Luther King Jr. gave the “I Have A Dream” Speech which greatly impacted Stephen towards hispeace and justice activism. Greatly influenced by the songs of freedom and equality and the call forsocial justice of the Civil Rights Movement, Stephen developed his own unique folk music style, andwhile in college, did his first public performances in the Greenwich Village coffee houses, such asGerde’s Folk City and the Bitter End. After college, he travelled to San Francisco where he became thelead singer and writer with an acid-rock band, “The Bycycle.” The Bycycle became booked by a majoragency and performed with such acts as Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Taj Mahal, Canned Heat, andJimi Hendrix. When the band broke up, Stephen began his solo career and over the years has writtenhundreds of songs and produced a dozen albums of his music. He has performed widely across the U.S.and overseas, has sung and done voice-overs on commercials, and his music has been in films and videosoundtracks. An award-winning songwriter, his songs have been covered by such well known artists asJose Feliciano and Luther Vandross. Stephen has been primarily an independent artist selling hisproducts directly to his audiences and keeping a contact list. He is an engaging performer who loves tointeract with his audiences and encourages people to sing-along. Accompanying himself on acousticguitar, he is a peace and environmental activist whose timely message in song, stories, and poetry havemade him a popular performer, always warmly and enthusiastically received by his audiences.--Jerusalem Prayer ProjectStephen Fiske Music

Daniel Scruggs shares his mission with Peace Culture Music, focusing on educating and inspiring through rare musical instruments and artifacts. He reflects on his personal journey, including struggles with dysgraphia and attention issues, which fueled his passion for music and culture. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing uniqueness, connecting with ancestors through music, and fostering curiosity and wonder in life.--Daniel Scruggs is a world citizen, professional musician and experienced educator who is on a mission to educate, inspire and unite. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally as a student and educator of human cultures and global music making traditions. These journeys have provided him opportunities for learning immersion in twenty four countries throughout five continents. Throughout his travels, Daniel has collected hundreds of rare musical instruments, as well as cultural artifacts, curiosities and unique geological wonders from around the world. This collection forms the basis of his interactive educational programs. Daniel spent eight years in formal music studies and performance with the prestigious Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps, earning a foundation in rudimental drumming and marching. Upon graduation from the corps he continued formal music studies in percussion at the College of Charleston in South Carolina and Arabic Language immersion in Sana’a Yemen. Daniel earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Daniel’s interest in peace studies, culture and specialized learning methods led him to embrace the Montessori method of education. He has shared his one-of-a-kind cultural education programs in pre-schools, grade schools, colleges, hospitals, retirement communities, with students with special needs and learning disabilities, refugees from war torn countries, combat veterans, on two Native American reservations and with hundreds of educators and thousands of children throughout seven countries. He has created and led workshops for teachers and students in the United States, Canada, Egypt, Ghana, Cuba, and Ethiopia. Many of these interactive adventures feature professional “djembe” style drums for everyone to play. More can be found on the Peace Culture Music with Daniel Scruggs Youtube channel and PeaceCultureMusic.Com 

In this episode of the Integral Yoga Podcast, Mataji shares insights into her life journey and spiritual path. Born in Washington DC on April Fool's Day, she considers her birth a blessing. Reflecting on her childhood, Mataji recalls her cheerful disposition and love for quiet introspection and learning. She discusses her upbringing in a household that valued curiosity, art, and science. Mataji also delves into her spiritual journey, influenced by encounters with Swami Satchidananda and her Catholic background. Throughout the conversation, Mataji emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and cultivating love and understanding in a rapidly changing world.--Swami Gurucharanananda, lovingly called Mataji, is a senior sannyasi (monk) and disciple of Gurudev, Sri Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj. She lives at Yogaville and serves on the Sannyas Board. Mataji is a guided meditation leader and Hatha Yoga teacher, an inspiring speaker, Integral Yoga® mentor, and private retreat guide. She loves to offer pujas (worship service), read Sri Gurudev’s teachings at lunch, and play the violin as a wake-up call in the dorms! In 2014 she was awarded the Swami Satchidananda Lifetime Service AwardWatch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/6rIahfE98wM

The podcast delves into the profound spiritual journey of Snehan Born, tracing his path from early experiences in church to a lifelong quest for truth and enlightenment. Through encounters with various religious traditions, philosophical explorations, and travels worldwide, Snehan embarks on a quest to understand the deeper meaning of existence. Snehan grapples with existential questions, confronts personal privileges and challenges, and ultimately finds solace and guidance through Integral Yoga. Through anecdotes and reflections, the podcast explores themes of spiritual evolution, transformation, and the universal search for meaning in life.Watch on Youtube---Snehanji has over four decades of experience with yoga. He resides at the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco, where he serves as Swami Ramananda's assistant, teaches yoga classes and is a lead teacher trainer at all levels. Snehan is certified in all levels of Integral Yoga Hatha and has received additional certifications in Pranayama, Meditation, Raja Yoga and Stress Management from Integral Yoga. He has also received teacher training from yoga master Sri Dharma Mittra of the Dharma Yoga Center, Manhattan and has also studied with Sharon Gannon and David Life from Jivamukti Yoga Center, Manhattan. Snehan has studied Bhakti Yoga globally with Jai Uttal and Govind Das. Chanting mantra and playing the harmonium are part of his regular practice and classes. Snehan has lived and traveled extensively within India and practiced with many teachers there. He has taught yoga all over the US as well as in India, Nepal, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan and Europe. 

Rachel discusses her philosophy of "Let's Do Less," advocating for slowing down in today's fast-paced world. She emphasizes the power of doing less for self-care and healing, particularly in trauma work. Rachel explores the intersection of presence, genuine connection, and identity in self-care practices. She highlights the importance of being mindful of one's biological experiences and emotions while navigating personal growth and well-being.--Rachel Jensen is a Licensed Massage Therapist, certified Health Coach through Duke University, 200 and 300 HR certified Integral Hatha Yoga Teacher, and is currently pursuing her certification in Somatic Experiencing- a body-based approach to dealing with trauma created by Peter Levine.A Licensed Massage Therapist for 18 years, Rachel is passionate about finding the connections between modern science, trauma research and the ancient practices of yoga, touch, and movement. In a practice focusing on trauma informed bodywork, especially as it applies to chronic conditions of pain, stress, anxiety, and disease, Rachel has seen first hand the way somatic practices like yoga and massage can encourage and support a client’s healing journey.

The conversation delves into the profound impact of communal singing and the healing power of sound vibration, emphasizing the significance of discovering one's authentic voice. It explores experiences in group singing settings, highlighting the importance of encouragement and support for individuals to overcome fear and judgment. Reflections on practices like meditation and cold therapy underscore the journey towards fearlessness and acceptance. Through personal anecdotes and insights, the conversation underscores the transformative potential of music and self-expression, ultimately advocating for the cultivation of a supportive and non-judgmental environment where individuals can explore and embrace their musical abilities.--Exploration of the mind, self-inquiry, and a search for deeper spiritual meaning set Narada Williams on a journey that led him to Yoga. His pursuit of teacher training brought him to Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville in 2014, where he completed his 200-hour Integral Yoga training with Satya Greenstone. He taught Hatha Yoga classes in Radford, VA, while completing his degree in Tourism and Special Events Management. He returned to his spiritual home, Yogaville, in 2017 to teach and serve. A father and husband, Narada seeks to live a dedicated life, find joy in every moment, and recognize life for the divine miracle it is.

Heather Mason, the founder of the Minded Institute, shares her compelling journey from personal mental health challenges to becoming a leading advocate for yoga therapy integration into healthcare systems. Drawing from her own experiences and the transformative power of yoga and mindfulness meditation, Mason emphasizes the need for alternative approaches to mental health treatment beyond medication. She underscores the importance of social prescribing, highlighting how socialization can have tangible physiological benefits on health. Mason's advocacy extends to promoting the inclusion of yoga therapy in healthcare protocols and providing training for healthcare professionals, envisioning a future where yoga becomes a recognized and accessible tool for mental well-being.--Heather is an internationally renowned yoga therapy school, and the Yoga in Health Care Alliance, focused on bringing yoga into the UK’s NHS. She holds master’s degrees in Buddhist Studies, in Psychotherapy, Medical Physiology, and has extensive training in Neuroscience. Heather has been teaching yoga since 2001 and has specialized in the use of yoga therapy for mental health populations since 2007. She designed and taught an elective on yoga at the Boston University School of Medicine and created and taught the bioscience course the MUIH launched its MA in yoga therapy. Actively focused on the integration of yoga into healthcare, in 2018 Heather helped create an All-Party Parliamentary Group, “Yoga in Society”. Heather has also co-authored “Yoga and Mental Health” and “Yoga on Prescription”. In 2023 Heather and co-director Elaine Collins developed the first yoga therapy psychotherapy course in the world. This course is accredited by the NCIP.--Links:https://www.themindedinstitute.comIG: @themindedinstituteFacebook: @ThemindedinstituteYoutube: @ThemindedinstituteTwitter: @MindedInstituteLinkedin: The Minded Institute