About this episode

Harmony Slater discusses the integration of yoga and Buddhist philosophy with guests Sonia and Luis, exploring how to build a meaningful practice in life and community.

What does it really mean to build a life around practice — not just on the mat, but in how you love, how you work, and how you show up for your community? In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Harmony Slater welcomes Sonia and Luis, the founders of Agora Lisboa — a space in Portugal dedicated to yoga, meditation, and the deep study of Buddhist philosophy. This is a couple who left careers in international development and high finance, followed the thread of practice across continents, and landed in Lisbon to build something rare: a community where dharma and asana are not separate from how you live. In this episode, you'll discover: Why Sonia chose yoga over a prestigious French government contract — and what her teacher said that changed everything How Luis discovered Zen Buddhism through the beauty of Japanese temple gardens at age 20 — and then meditated alone for 12 years The humbling moment Luis realized community is non-negotiable on the path to freedom What the ancient Greek word 'agora' has in common with Sanskrit and Portuguese — and why it became the perfect name Why crises are turning points (not breakdowns) — and the etymology that proves it How Ashtanga yoga…

People in this episode

Host: Harmony Slater

Guests: Sonia, Luis

Topics covered

• yoga
• Buddhism
• community
• practice
• self-improvement
• freedom

Keywords

• yoga
• Buddhism
• community
• practice
• freedom
• self-improvement
• Ashtanga
• meditation
• Agora Lisboa

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Agora Lisboa

Books & works: Ashtanga yoga, Buddhist meditation

Places: Portugal, Lisbon

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