Beyond the Asana: Vedanta, Non-Duality & the Deeper Purpose of Practice

About this episode

Harmony Slater discusses the deeper purpose of yoga practice with guests Ricardo Louro and Inês Brilhante, focusing on Vedanta philosophy and self-inquiry.

What if the practice isn't about becoming better at yoga — but about seeing more clearly who you are? In this rich and contemplative conversation, Harmony sits down with Ricardo Louro and Inês Brilhante — founders of Ashtanga House Faro in Portugal's stunning Algarve region — to explore how studying Vedanta philosophy in the lineage of Swami Dayananda Saraswati has completely transformed their relationship with Ashtanga yoga practice. This is not a conversation about perfecting postures. It's a conversation about what postures are actually for. IN THIS EPISODE: The core Vedanta teaching — 'jiva jagadishvara' : the essence of the individual self, the world, and the creator are one How Ricardo went from asana obsession and identity-building to genuine inner freedom Why Inês finds Vedanta's teaching on impermanence invaluable as a mother, teacher, and business partner The practice of shravanam (deep listening to teachings) as a form of yoga in itself Mantra japa as a daily foundation — and how it freed Ricardo from needing to complete a full series to feel 'done' The 'polishing the mirror' metaphor: what it truly means to use yoga as a tool for self-inquiry How to begin studying…

People in this episode

Host: Harmony Slater

Guests: Ricardo Louro, Inês Brilhante

Topics covered

• Vedanta philosophy
• Ashtanga yoga
• self-inquiry
• inner freedom
• impermanence
• yoga practice purpose

Keywords

• yoga
• Vedanta
• self-discovery
• Ashtanga
• philosophy
• inner freedom
• mantra
• shravanam
• impermanence

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ashtanga House Faro

Places: Algarve, Coimbra, Portimão, Mysore

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