International Day of Yoga

The podcast host, Kurt Armstrong, discusses his journey with yoga, which he discovered while in jail. He emphasizes the importance of the eight limbs of yoga beyond just physical postures, highlighting its philosophy of self-reflection and personal growth. Armstrong plans to start trauma-based yoga teacher training, reflecting his own experiences and the transformative power of yoga.

The speaker recounts their journey with yoga, starting with a casual introduction through skateboarding and later deepening their practice in jail. They describe a profound experience during their first yoga class in college, where they felt a deep connection to the universe and experienced a state of interconnectedness. Despite this initial experience, they didn’t fully embrace yoga until later, when they started attending classes at Namaspa in Bend, Oregon.

The speaker recounts their journey with yoga and recovery, highlighting a local organization that offers free yoga classes, including in jail. They share their struggles with domestic violence and substance abuse, emphasizing the importance of self-work beyond external programs like AA. Despite facing a 300-day jail sentence and feeling unworthy, the speaker remained committed to their graduate studies, hoping to become a college-level photography teacher.

While incarcerated, the narrator turned to yoga as a means of self-improvement and spiritual growth. Initially practicing physical poses, they later discovered the philosophical aspects of yoga through a book called “The Prison Yoga Project.” This led to a daily practice of yoga, which eventually attracted the interest of other inmates, resulting in group sessions that brought a sense of community and purpose to the prison environment.

The speaker recounts their journey with yoga, starting in jail where it became a source of community and defense against negativity. After release, they relapsed into drug use but eventually found a path back to yoga and mindfulness, which helped them overcome controlling behaviors and find inner peace. Now, they practice daily, feeling a deep connection to the divine and embracing a belief in God’s love that transcends religious boundaries.

The speaker, who has been studying consciousness and practicing yoga, shares the Yamas and Niyamas, ethical guidelines for interacting with the external and internal worlds. The Yamas include nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, and non-attachment. The speaker emphasizes the importance of these principles in their life, highlighting their commitment to nonviolence, truthfulness, and non-attachment, and their journey towards selflessness and service to others.

The speaker discusses the concept of non-attachment, emphasizing the importance of celebrating life transitions and finding contentment in the present moment. They highlight the Yamas and Neyamas, which are ethical guidelines and personal practices for discipline and inner growth. The speaker also emphasizes the significance of self-study and surrender to a higher power in achieving spiritual growth and finding peace.

The speaker discusses the transformative power of yoga, emphasizing the importance of contentment, gratitude, and mental discipline. They highlight the various forms of yoga, including Raja yoga, which emphasizes meditation and mental discipline. The speaker plans to share their knowledge and love for yoga through teacher training, online classes, and free services, aiming to help others, especially those in need.

The podcast host expresses gratitude for the positive feedback and encourages listeners to rate and review the podcast to help reach more people. The host, Kurt Armstrong, aims to inspire others to change their lives and contribute positively to the world.