Escaping Samsara

In this episode, we sit down with Kat Ashtanga, an advanced practitioner, to explore: ✨ How practice evolves through the different series of poses ✨ Balancing lineage with personal practice ✨ Integrating pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood ✨ The subtle benefits of long term asana practice ✨ How the universal energy of prana is conducted via these poses Whether you're deep in your own Ashtanga journey or just beginning to explore, this conversation offers wisdom and inspiration for yogis at all levels. 🔗 Also listen on Spotify / Apple / Substack 👉 Don't miss exclusive writings, bonus episodes, and behind-the-scenes reflections. Subscribe on Substack today: https://escapingsamsara.substack.com Here's the only video of the old school Advanced A practice I'm aware of on YT: • Ashtanga Yoga - ORIGINAL 1974 ADVANCED A S... F ind out more about Kat: https://www.kathache.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and share — it helps the podcast reach more practitioners around the world. #Ashtanga #YogaPodcast #EscapingSamsara #Meditation #Motherhood #Lineage

This is episode three in the series on The Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind, contemplations that form the basis of the Buddhist path. In this episode, Ven. Robina Courtin, a Tibetan Buddhist nun with nearly fifty years in the tradition, discusses "The Drawbacks of Samsara". We dive into the nature of suffering in Samsara, the subtle role of attachment, and the practical meaning of the Four Noble Truths. Robina speaks to the balance between devotion and clear-eyed reasoning, showing how both can deepen and stabilize our practice. Our conversation explores the six realms of existence, the workings of karma, and how understanding the nature of Samsara inspires personal responsibility for our inner life. Throughout, she returns to one essential truth: the quality of our thoughts and intentions shapes the quality of our lives. Robina's website: https://robinacourtin.com/ Follow Escaping Samsara: https://escapingsamsara.substack.com/ Instagram: @escsamsara

In this episode of the Escaping Samsara Podcast, we begin a four-part journey into the Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind—a set of foundational Buddhist contemplations that help orient us toward Dharma. Our focus today is on karma. I'm joined by Ellen Johansson, a long-time Ashtanga teacher and committed Vajrayana practitioner, who brings deep insight into how karma works—not as punishment, but as a mirror of cause and effect, intention and outcome. We explore how karma is understood across Buddhist and yogic traditions, what it means to take responsibility for our actions, and how this recognition can become a force for transformation. We also touch on the differences in how Buddhism and yoga approach the idea of selfhood, and how both paths invite us into ethical living grounded in compassion. Ellen shares about her upcoming yoga teacher training rooted in philosophical inquiry, and we invite you to sit with these ideas—see how they land, and where they lead. More on Ellen: https://ashtanganepal.com/ And: https://www.instagram.com/ashtanganepal/ Escaping Samsara Substack: https://escapingsamsara.substack.com/

In this episode of Escaping Samsara, Nathan Thompson sits down with Susi Sweeney—a lifelong yoga practitioner, teacher, mother, and now grandmother. Her path runs deep through 30 years of practice and cuts across the raw terrain of anxiety, eating disorders, motherhood, and aging. She trained with Pattabhi Jois. She now works through the sixth series. Every movement, she says, pulls something loose—grief, joy, memory. Susie explains how she raised children while maintaining her practice, how her mat held steady through births and breakdowns. Now a grandmother, she reflects on change—not as decline, but as deeper awareness. We discuss how the mat can be altar, battlefield, and therapist's chair. Susie reminds us that yoga doesn't ask for perfection. Just honesty. And repetition.

What does it mean to walk a path across lifetimes, through lineages, and into the heart of divine practice? In this intimate and powerful episode, we sit down with Sat Inder Khalsa, a teacher of Ashtanga Yoga, student of Tantra, and dedicated seeker who has traveled many spiritual paths—including Wicca, Sikhism, Hinduism, and more—to uncover deeper layers of truth. Sat Inder shares his mission to help others integrate yogic and tantric wisdom into everyday life—guiding students through Sanskrit, philosophy, temple life, and the very human challenges of spiritual growth. With warmth and honesty, he opens up about his life journey, the mentors who shaped him, and what it means to truly embody practice. ✨ Whether you're a curious beginner or a long-time practitioner, this conversation is a heartfelt transmission of lived experience and grounded wisdom. 📿 Follow Sat Inder: @in_her_lap

Kim Allen's journey into Buddhist practice began in 2003, sparked by a period of deep personal change and suffering. Guided by her primary teacher, Gil Fronsdal, she devoted herself to intensive retreat practice, sutta study, and a life aligned with the Eightfold Path. With over 1,000 days of silent retreat, including practice in Sri Lanka and Buddhist centers across Asia, Kim brings a depth of lived experience to her teaching. She has studied with renowned teachers like Shaila Catherine, Bhikkhu Anālayo, and Bhikkhu Bodhi, and now offers teachings on classical texts, sutta study, and the integration of deep Dharma into daily life. In 2020, she took formal commitment as a Lay Contemplative, receiving the Dharma name Sumatimitta—a "wise friend" on the path. Kim's teaching is rooted in direct experience—the willingness to meet reality as it is, with clarity, compassion, and wisdom. Her approach blends the profound depth of early Buddhist wisdom with the simple beauty of the present moment—whether it's the sound of a hawk's call or the ripple of aspen leaves. I'm honored to welcome Kim to the podcast today as we discuss the Dharma, the power of retreat practice, and what it means to live a contemplative life in the modern world.

What does it mean to be truly happy? In this episode of Escaping Samsara, I sit down with teachers Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor to explore the deeper layers of practice beyond asana and into meditation and philosophy. Drawing from their decades of experience in spiritual practice, they discuss the subtle intersections of yoga, Buddhism, and embodiment—revealing how happiness is not just an emotion, but a fully integrated state of being. We dive into the challenges of modern yoga, the pitfalls of spiritual ego, and how to navigate tradition without becoming dogmatic. Richard shares candid insights on guru culture, the Westernization of yoga, and the fine line between devotion and delusion, while Mary offers grounded wisdom on cultivating joy through breath, presence, and compassionate awareness. Join us for an illuminating conversation on the art of practice, the paradox of happiness, and what it really means to escape Samsara. Check out Richard and Mary's new book: Feeling Happy: The Yoga of Body, Heart, and Mind Find more info about Richard and Mary here.

In this episode, we discuss the positives and drawbacks of different ways of practising Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Tiaga covers thoughts and perspectives from his diverse backgrounds studying with Ramaswami, Dharma Mittra, and his experience teaching Mysore style for over 20 years. We also cover the core Tristana method, getting into the technique of breath and bandha, and how mudra exploration can enhance a regular asana practice. So if you enjoy Ashtanga or any form of Vinyasa yoga and want a good geek-out with two long-term practitioners, prepare a cup of chai, sit back and listen in.

This is our 4th Escaping Samsara Bookclub and we are joined by author and teacher Daniel Simpson to discuss Gregor Meahle's "Chakras, Drugs, and Evolution: A Map of Transformative States." Daniel and I discuss our thoughts on Chakras and how they are used in new ways by modern practitioners, our drug experiences and how they affect the spiritual path, and how our subjective experience shapes our practice. Daniel Simpson Daniel makes timeless insights accessible and relevant. He's the author of The Truth of Yoga, an engaging overview of history and philosophy. He also hosts the Ancient Futures podcast. His latest course is a year-long immersion, The Path of Knowledge – you can find out more and join us here. "In this ground-breaking book, Gregor Maehle shows how the chakras offer a blueprint for the natural evolution of life via single-cell organisms, reptiles, mammals and humans. He draws on his experiences with mind-altering plant agents and chemicals during the late 70's and early 80's, as well as extensive research, to objectively describe how drugs influence each chakra, including their potential but also spiritual setbacks and dangers. The author further explores whether psychoactive substances are a useful supplement, shortcut or accelerator of spiritual evolution. The book culminates in a complete map of transformative and mystical states, including their potential accessibility through psychedelics versus traditional yogic methods."

This is the first of two episodes expanding the previous topic of Sex, Semen Retention, and Brahmacharya as it may or may not apply to women. Female practitioners of yoga don't show up in the old texts but there have been many female-specific physical practices through the ages. And who better to explain how to practice with these archaic information than Ruth Westoby. Ruth Westoby is a yoga practitioner and academic researcher in yoga studies. Ruth Westoby holds a PhD from SOAS University of London on 'The body in early haṭha yoga', supervised by James Mallinson and Richard Williams. Ruth is working on two book projects from her doctoral thesis that passed without corrections. Ruth has published early research findings in the peer-reviewed Religions of South Asia and numerous public articles. Ruth is Visiting Lecturer in Indian Religions at Roehampton University, teaching postgraduate theory and method in the study of religion and undergraduate courses on asian religions, cultures and ethics, contemporary issues in global religions, being human and religion, ecology and politics. Ruth collaborated with the Haṭha Yoga Project's 'embodied philology', interpreting postures from an 18th-century text teaching a precursor of modern yoga, the Haṭhābhyāsapaddhati, in 2016 and 2017. In 2010 she received an MA in Indian Religions from SOAS, University of London, with Distinction. Ruth has practiced yoga for almost 30 years and in 2015 was authorized by Sharat Jois to teach Ashtanga level 2. Ruth has studied closely with and assisted Hamish Hendry and Richard Freeman. Ruth does not practice at studios that display images of Pattabhi Jois on altars in solidarity with those who were sexually abused by him. Ruth founded and chaired the successful environmental campaign for floodplain meadow restoration at Bartonsham Meadows, Hereford. www.enigmatic.yoga ruthwestoby@gmail.com Instagram @ruthwestoby

We are happy to welcome back to the podcast Simon Borg-Olivier who has been practicing semen retention for over 30 years. We discuss how semen retention, loving relationships, and mindful sex can enhance health and spiritual practice. From Simon's bio: "I have been studying traditional forms of posture, movement, breathing and mental control for more than 50 years. Over this time I have worked as a research-based scientist, exercise-based physiotherapist and a university lecturer in several science fields. My passion for these subjects has led me to understand that the world is a very connected place. I believe that to make the world a better place people should treat each other, all life and the Earth itself in a way that acknowledges the connections between everything. I believe the best way of beginning this practise is to acknowledge and enhance the connections within yourself." Find out more here: https://simonborgolivier.com/

In this episode, we explore the intersection of yoga and Ayurveda with Amy Landry. Amy, a global yoga teacher, mentor, and Ayurvedic practitioner, has shared her wisdom through renowned publications and sold-out retreats. She has focused on integrating Indian wisdom traditions into her daily life and we find out how she manages this balancing act. Join us as we dive into her journey, her approach to living yoga, and the blend of yoga and Ayurveda that shapes her practice. https://amyelandry.com/