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

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' [VERIFY TRANSLITERATION]: 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…

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

• Vedanta
• Ashtanga yoga
• self-inquiry
• yoga practice
• inner freedom
• impermanence
• shravanam
• mantra japa

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ashtanga House Faro, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Sarvapriyananda

Places: Algarve, Coimbra, Portimão, Mysore

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