Yoga Off The Mat - The Movement For Modern Life Podcast

What can yoga and Buddhism teach us about joy, both for ourselves and others? “The Brahma Vihara help us create a capacity for these qualities which open our hearts and gives us insight into the very challenging truth that nothing is permanent.” In this episode, Mimi Kuo-Deemer shares her thoughts on yoga and buddhism. She talks about some of the lessons we can take from buddhism to help keep us happy, healthy and on track mentally. Mimi explores the Buddhist concept of Mudita, which is sympathetic joy; the antithesis of competitiveness and individuality. How can that concept help us get through trickier times and awaken our hearts to interconnectedness and letting go? In this episode you will find out about… The Brahma Vihara – divine abodes or boundless states (4:30) What are Brahma Vihara and what do they cultivate?  The opposing characteristics and how they affect us. The role of meditative practices.  How these virtues can influence our mind, behaviour and relationships. Mudita (20:00) What is Mudita and sympathetic joy?  Why we should let go of comparison and envy.  How can we focus on cultivating generosity? How does this link to Daoism? Book Recommendation: Loving Kindness by Sharon Salzberg The Practice (30:00) How to start with the meditative practice of the Braham Vihara.  The importance of a steady consistent practice.  To whom should we extend these qualities and why. Medicine for social conflict and healing divisions.  The common sources of suffering. A buddhist’s interpretation and explanation of the Brahma Vihara.  Awakening the heart (44:00) The difference between the brain and the heart. Dealing with paradox. Accepting impermanence and letting go. Recognising interconnectedness. Taking it into real life (54:40) The role of movement in understanding the Brahma Vihara. Noticing impatience and suffering when moving on the mat. The benefit of slow movement. The challenges of instant gratification. Do you want to explore all our classes, including more from Mimi? Check out all our classes for FREE for 14 days here: https://movementformodernlife.com/chooseplan Discover Mimi’s classes on the Brahma Vihara here: https://movementformodernlife.com/yoga-class-1371-buddha-teachings-yoga-for-sympathetic-joy

How can knowledge of our anatomy help us learn to increase our awareness and pay attention to our intuition? “Our bodies make our decisions, and our minds simply catch up” In this episode, we talk to Scaravelli inspired yoga teacher, Catherine Annis, about more than just functional anatomy! We discover the intrinsic link between our body and our minds through exploring our feet, our psoas muscles and our vagus nerve. So, this conversation is about the mental and emotional side of a deep physical practise; how can being aware of our bodies increase our awareness as we move through life? How can playing with our yoga practice fine tune our intuition? In this episode you will find out about… Scaravelli Yoga (2:40) Who is Vanda Scaravelli and what is Scaravelli Yoga?  The influences of Iyengar and her rebellious ideas! Breaking through the rigidity of traditional practices The freedom to change your thinking The importance of agency to explore – does the teacher always know best? Creativity and Functionality (12:00) Why we should be creative in our practice and explore our bodies  The importance of functional movement Yoga as a tool to engender a change of state rather than exercise The Psoas and our Emotions (17:00) The anatomy of the psoas muscles  How our organs and diaphragm can impact the psoas The importance of hydration!  The link between the SI joint, the pelvic floor and the QL muscles Tips to relieve the SI joint The importance of regular movement and mobility The Magic of the Feet (30:00) Why need to take care of our feet and maintain flexible foot joints  How ‘tight’ feet can impact the rest of the body How shoes dull our sensitivity The importance of feeling pleasure through our feet  Being mindful while walking  Yoga and Awareness (43:00) How increasing awareness in our body can help us make better choices in life How can awareness impact our relationships with others and the earth?  The problems with big boots and disconnection! The role of the vagus nerve How breath awareness can be an effective tool for calming our nervous system The importance of play and listening to our intuition  Moving from being taught to taking responsibility for our bodies and experiences  “Work your feet for global peace!” Do you want to explore all our classes? Check out all our classes for FREE for 14 days here: https://movementformodernlife.com/chooseplan Discover more of Catherine’s classes, including those on the psoas and feet, on Movement for Modern Life here: https://movementformodernlife.com/yoga-teacher/catherineannis Find out more about Catherine here.

How can yoga be a truly inclusive and accessible practice? “However we come to the mat, there is a practice which is suited, appropriate and can support our wellbeing if we choose it.”  In this episode, we talk to the master of adaptive yoga, Frederique Sardais, about how yoga can be a truly inclusive practice for every body. We discover what adaptive yoga is and explore the meaning of inclusivity and discuss why this conversation is long overdue. Fredee has been teaching specialist yoga classes for the last eight years, for people living with disability, primarily mobility disabilities. However, we are all going to need adaptive yoga at some point in our lives, and it’s not always going to be about achieving physical poses. In this episode you will find out about… The ‘real’ yoga (3:00) The trouble with instagram and inclusivity  Where can we find the real yoga?  Are the big studios really inclusive? The diversity of yoga in community halls How accessible is yoga, really? (8:30) What are the hurdles facing accessibility? How can the popularity of vinyasa and performance yoga restrict access? How socio-economic factors impact accessibility The importance of changing the image of yoga in the media Making yoga more inclusive (13:50) Yoga fits the person, the person does not have to fit the yoga What can teachers do to be more inclusive?  The importance of awareness and listening to students’ needs How can we use yoga to support the body in healing from illness and injury?  The importance of diversity (19:45) How different needs can make yoga classes so rich How can teachers learn from a range of requirements? Not all yoga styles are suited to adaptability How shifting perspectives can allow teachers to teach every body Cultural beliefs and non-asana yoga (23:30) Physical discomfort does not equate to working hard to achieve a pose The importance of letting go of suffering, achievement and punishment  What is the true purpose of our practice?  The role of pranayama, meditation and Yoga Nidra Yoga is not just for when we feel fragile or vulnerable, it caters to all the variables of the human experience Do you want to explore our gentle classes, plus pranayama and meditation? Check out all our classes for FREE for 14 days here: https://movementformodernlife.com/chooseplan We have a range of gentle yoga classes, including those which can be done in a chair, or in bed here: https://movementformodernlife.com/challenge-yoga-gently Plus, why not try the following… Mediation: https://movementformodernlife.com/yoga-classes/meditation Yoga Nidra: https://movementformodernlife.com/yoga-classes/yoga-nidra Breath work: https://movementformodernlife.com/yoga-classes/breathing-chanting-locks-gestures Find out more about Fredee here. Read about Inclusive Yoga for everybody and every BODY

In this episode Kat talks to Vidya Heisel, the founder of Suryalila about how her life has been informed by Eastern philosophy. Vidya talks about her early influences and how when she discovered Eastern philosophy and meditation at the age of nineteen, she felt like a light had gone off in her head.

LET IT GO! Getting older is something we all think about, and maybe even get anxious about, but age does not have to limit us. In Episode 16 of Champions of Change, we look at how the inspiration between mother and daughter has transformed the life of 78-year-old Vera Farrants. TIP: Do you want to experience the exercises that Vera mentioned in this episode? Enjoy Andrea’s classes (and all other classes) for FREE for 14 days here: https://movementformodernlife.com/signup Vera is the mother of Movement for Modern Life founder, Kat, and though she only recently came to yoga at the age of 73, she doesn’t see that as a bad thing. Instead, the older you are, the more you can benefit. In fact, her practice has not only helped her physically, but transformed her attitude to and outlook on life, and taught her the importance of letting go. There are certain difficulties which come with age, but we must not put ourselves into a “little old box”. For many, the ageing process can feel like a limitation rather than an opportunity, so it’s time to flip that assumption on its head. After a long and successful career, working hard and travelling, it became clear Vera had not been looking after herself physically. A stint with a personal trainer didn’t quite hit the spot, so after talking with Kat, she took yoga classes in her home, then started going on retreats. Physically, her practice has impacted the osteoporosis in her body, improved lower back pain and developed her strength and mobility (she can even do crow pose)! But, it was the philosophy of yoga which has really taken hold in her life, and has instigated a radical transformation. How many of us never let it go? Where once Vera thought holding on to the past made her stronger, she now sees yoga as an outlet to logically and calmly address her issues and let the past be. Age is no barrier to learning new ways of living; you can be active, you can be creative, you can give and you can be kind to yourself. In this episode, Vera talks about her increased self awareness, reflects on the challenges of motherhood and explains just what makes the yoga community so special. Her advice to anyone who thinks they are too old for yoga? Do not limit yourself; “grasp the moment and the beauties of life, enjoy everything around you, notice it.” But above all, you are never too old to be a student, so do not fear the mat, “if you do an hour of yoga, you feel so good, so happy.” Kat and Vera chat about… How Vera came to yoga (4:50) Letting go (6:05) “It does you more harm if you’re destructive about a thought than if you just give way and just let it wash over you” Laughing at yourself (12:36) “If I can’t do it, I just laugh at myself” Age and Osteoporosis (15:20) The Yoga Community (21:25) “It’s very special and very giving, very pleasant to be with as it’s not competitive” Lower Back Pain (22:25) Hamstring exercises to support the back Self Awareness and Motherhood (23:10) If you want to know more about how to get older gracefully, don’t miss Vera’s comments on self-awareness The Fact You’re Not Too Old! (30:40) The Joy of Life (35:10) Do you want to experience the exercises that Vera mentioned in this episode? Enjoy Andrea’s classes (and all other classes) for FREE for 14 days here: https://movementformodernlife.com/signup

What’s the best way to eat for optimal health? What’s the best nutrition to support the body through the menstrual cycle and the menopause? Listen in for this fascinating discussion with Founder of Wild Nutrition, Henrietta Norton, to find out the best things to eat to reduce symptoms around periods and menopause and increase fertility and your feeling of wellbeing.

In this conversation Lucy we delve into the koshas. What are the koshas? How do they help us to understand our yoga journey? Lucy discusses, in her characteristically accessible and down to earth way, what the ancient yogic philosophical concept of the koshas are and how relevant they are to each and every one of us in our journey to find happiness and health.

Movement for Modern Life is so pleased to welcome our newest yoga teacher on the site and our next Champion of Change. Adrianna Zaccardi. She is a radical yoga teacher in that she teaches something many of us need, but so few of us get. Rest. Most of us wait until we are injured, unwell or burnt out to listen to our body’s need to rest. Hear why rest is so radical and why restorative yoga is absolutely essential as part of our daily wellbeing.

In this conversation with internationally renowned jivamukti and Yin yoga teacher Andrea Kwaitkowski we have a really wide ranging conversation about what does it mean to take our yoga practice off the mat and out into the world? This is a conversation about connecting back to yourself, our connections with others and finding the extraordinary in the most ordinary moments.

Meet yoga teacher Norman Blair. Norman is fearless in his honesty and integrity as well as his ability of speaking truth to power. As well as being one of the most highly regarded teachers in the country, he is also well known for championing yoga teachers on issues of pay, and he is an exemplar of a yoga teacher living the teachings in everyday life.

‘My purpose to break boundaries and remember what the point is of yoga is. Shedding light where you lack awareness.’ Meet David Kam. A Movement Artist, dancer, ex-architect and yoga teacher. Who is a Champion of Changing the way we look at yoga and the way we practice. In this conversation you’ll meet a yoga teacher who truly is changing the way we see the world. In the yoga world, we can be fairly rigid, stuck even, to the practices we know and love but if he were to nudge you sideways, would you fall? That’s what he found from the experienced yogis he was teaching. And he learnt how to teach in a new way by looking at and listening to the needs of this group of yogis. David’s classes broke the ice, and changed my way of practicing As yogis, we can often talk about connection, but when we’re in a room of yogis, sometimes there is no lonelier place. I found that David’s classes broke the ice and changed my way of practicing, pushed me far out of my comfort zone. Going into areas of discomfort in order to grow, to challenge yourself, is the essence of David’s movement teachings. He teaches us how to be responsive to what is really happening, within ourselves and in relation to our surroundings. Which is music to home yogis ears! We are used to having to sidestep the dog, there really is no ‘sacred space’ at home, so when we embrace this and learn that this is part of our practice, the removal of boundaries and safe spaces, this can be so liberating. Find out how you can learn to be more creative, brave and truly move out of your comfort zone, with David’s insights into movement. David’s classes can be found at : https://movementformodernlife.com/yoga-teacher/davidkam

Vidya’s mission in her newest project is to reverse desertification in southern Spain. Southern Spain is at massive risk of becoming a desert, which means that the land will be irreversibly unusable. Vidya Heisel is founder of Frog Lotus Yoga International, and is one of the most senior and respected teachers of yoga in the world. She founded Suryalila Retreat Centre with grand ambitions and created the largest yoga practice space in Europe. She talks to Kat about how she is educating the local farming community to change their intensive farming practices to use less water, help prevent droughts and reverse what seems as the inexorable march of desert through the whole of Southern Europe. This talk is a must-listen to if you’re interested in the world around you, and wonder how olive groves and beautiful fields of sunflowers hide the dark fact that the way that they are farmed is increasing risk of drought, use of poisonous chemicals and turning the land into unusable desert and the inspiring story of how Vidya is living her yoga off the mat and in real life in her care for her environment. The story Vidya tells is one of her resourcefulness in simply educating herself around the issues to manage her own land, and passion to educate and inspire people about different ways of managing the land, and the impact intensive farming has on the planet. During the show Kat questions the threat of desertification worldwide and actually, worldwide just under 40% of the world’s land surface is threatened with desertification!!! Vidya’s mission to reverse desertification has never been more needed. The practice of mindfulness around the preciousness of our resources is key to Vidya’s message, her work truly is yoga in action. Vidya’s classes can be found at https://movementformodernlife.com/yoga-teacher/vidyaheisel. Find out more about Danyadara https://danyadara.com  and suryalila at https://suryalila.com