
Yoga Is Fundamentally A Spiritual Practice | Nicki Doane
From A Curious Yogi with Bobbi Paidel by Bobbi Paidel
January 10, 2026 · 59 min · Season 4 · Episode 16
About this episode
In this episode, Bobbi Paidel interviews Nicki Doane about the spiritual essence of yoga and her unique approach to practice.
"Yoga is about spirit." In this episode, I sit down with a true "teacher’s teacher," Nicki Doane . Based in Maui at her Maya Yoga Studio, Nicki has been immersed in the sacred teachings of Yog since 1989. Having studied under legends like Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar, she brings a rare depth of wisdom mixed with a lightheartedness that makes the profound feel accessible. We dive into her journey from the Grateful Dead scene to the feet of the masters in India, the birth of her unique approach (Maya Yoga), and why individualized practice is the key to a lifelong Sadhana . In this episode, we explore: ➖ The Fusion of Lineages: How Nicki blends the discipline of Ashtanga with the precision of Iyengar. ➖ Yoga as "Working-In": Moving beyond the physical to honor the spiritual essence of the practice. ➖ The Power of Discipline: How boundaries in practice actually foster internal freedom. ➖ The India Connection: Why visiting the roots of Yoga is essential for every earnest seeker. ➖ Modern Yoga Challenges: Navigating the current landscape without losing the depth of the tradition. Find Nicki Here: Website & Retreats IG HERE @mayayogastudio I love, love, loved this…
People in this episode
Host: Bobbi Paidel
Guest: Nicki Doane
Topics covered
- spiritual practice
- yoga
- individualized practice
- discipline
- yoga traditions
- modern yoga challenges
Keywords
- yoga
- spirituality
- Maya Yoga
- Ashtanga
- Iyengar
- discipline
- Sadhana
- yoga traditions
- modern yoga
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Maya Yoga Studio
Places: Maui, India
More episodes of A Curious Yogi with Bobbi Paidel
- Yoga Sadhana as a Path of Remembering: Season 4 Finale | a Curious Yogi & Guests · March 16, 2026 · 1h 5m
- Dive Deep: Why Yoga Is More Than Just A Physical Destination | Myra Khanna · February 23, 2026 · 54 min
- Yoga & The Menstrual Cycle: Rethinking Women’s Practice | Sheila Arnell · February 12, 2026 · 1h 2m
- Yoga Optimized: Why Yoga Is A Feeling, Not Just A Shape | Eoin Finn · January 30, 2026 · 51 min
- Why Practice Evolves & Truth Remains | Satsang with Jyoti · January 23, 2026 · 1h 6m
- Why Your Intentions Actually Matter - According To Science | Philippe Goldin, PhD · December 27, 2025 · 51 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the A Curious Yogi with Bobbi Paidel podcast page.