Let's Talk Yoga

What are the bandhas, and why do they play such an important role in Hatha Yoga? Sandra Anderson joins me to explore the physical, energetic, and meditative purpose of Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, Jalandhara Bandha, and Maha Bandha, along with practical guidance for yoga teachers.

Episode Highlights:

• Meaning and purpose of bandhas
• Bandhas in asana, pranayama, and meditation
• Understanding Mula Bandha
• Male and female differences in M...

Why does Sanskrit place so much importance on sound and pronunciation? I’m joined by Dr. Varun Khanna to explore the stories, philosophy, and history behind Sanskrit, and discuss what modern yoga teachers really need to know about the language.

Episode Highlights:

• Meaning of the word guru
• Sound and vibration in Sanskrit
• Origins of Devanagari script
• Sanskrit's role in Indian philosophy
• Sound, vibration, and the subtle body
• Pronun...

Strength is becoming an essential part of modern yoga, but what does it really mean to be strong in asana? I sit down with functional strength coach Chhavi Sahal to explore trunk stability, core engagement, flexibility versus strength, and practical ways yoga teachers can build stronger, more resilient practitioners.

Episode Highlights:

• Strength gaps in asana
• Trunk stability and load-bearing
• Strength versus flexibility
• Sthira Sukham...

Most yoga teachers have heard of at least one or two of the Shat Kriyas — maybe you've practiced jala neti, maybe you've taught kapalabhati. But the full picture of what these six techniques actually are, where they come from, and why the Hatha Yoga Pradipika places them before pranayama is a conversation the modern yoga world rarely has with any rigor. In this episode, Aru goes deep into the Shatkarma — the six cleansi...

I sit down with Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath to explore Ayurvedic parenting, child development, and holistic well-being. We discuss prakriti in children, digestion, hydration, breath, mindfulness, emotional health, modern parenting challenges, and practical ways to raise resilient, balanced, and healthy children through the lens of Ayurveda.

Episode Highlights:

• Inspiration behind the book
• Ayurvedic pediatrics explained
• Understanding t...

I sit down with Becky Aten to explore neurodiversity, ADHD, and how yoga teachers can create more inclusive and supportive spaces. We discuss the origins of neurodiversity, common misconceptions about ADHD, late-life diagnosis, inclusive teaching practices, and practical ways to better support neurodivergent students in yoga classes.

Episode Highlights:

• Origins of neurodiversity
• Neurodiversity vs. neurodivergence
• Neurodivergent con...

With only a few days left before my Pranayama Teacher Training begins, I'm sharing a reading from Chapter 1 of the new training manual. Learn the foundations of pranayama, the difference between prana and pranayama, and why breath literacy matters for every yoga student and teacher.

Episode Highlights:

• Pranayama training overview
• Problems in modern pranayama education
• Prana versus pranayama
• Three pillars of pranayama
• Meaning of prana...

Most yoga teachers are taught that chest opening is the key to better pranayama, but what if that’s actually the last thing to focus on?

In this solo episode, I share the five areas of asana practice that matter most when preparing the body for pranayama. We explore lung anatomy, spinal mobility, nervous system regulation, hip flexor tension, diaphragm function, and why true breath expansion comes from working with the whole b...

What is Vishoka Meditation, and how can it help us move beyond sorrow? I sit down with Ishan Tigunait of the Himalayan Institute to discuss consciousness, breath, meditation, and the deeper purpose of yoga practice.

Episode Highlights:

• Himalayan tradition and lineage
• Understanding consciousness
• Technique versus experience
• Foundations of Vishoka Meditation
• Moving beyond sorrow and suffering
• Obstacles on the spiritual path
• Body, breath, ...

I’m joined by Andrew McGonigle for a deep dive into Ujjayi Pranayama, the breath technique often called “ocean breath.” We explore the anatomy, nervous system effects, breath retention, and why Ujjayi is far more nuanced than most modern yoga classes make it seem.

Episode Highlights:

• Ujjayi breath foundations
• Ujjayi body mechanics
• Inhalation versus exhalation use
• Ujjayi in vinyasa yoga
• Breath literacy beyond techniq...

I’m sharing the deeply personal story behind why I revamped my Pranayama Teacher Training and how grief transformed my relationship with breath, pranayama, and teaching yoga. I also dive into breath literacy, why breath is more than just a technique, why Ujjayi is often overused, and the foundational breathing principles I believe every yoga student and teacher should understand.

Episode Highlights:

• Revamped Pranayama train...

What’s the real difference between a yoga teacher and a content creator? In this episode, I break down the subtle (but important) signs that can help you tell them apart, so you can choose how and who you learn from more intentionally. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by courses, content, or conflicting advice online, this one will help you cut through the noise.

Episode Highlights:

• Distinguishing teachers vs content c...

Should you teach stretch or strength first in your yoga classes?

In this episode, I break down a clear, practical framework for sequencing, especially for beginners. Learn how to balance flexibility, strength, and mobility in a way that builds confidence, prevents injury, and actually supports long-term progress.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to structure your classes, this one’s for you.

Episode Highlights:

• Stre...

I sit down with Vikram Jeet Singh to explore Sankhya—the philosophical framework behind yoga—and how it helps us understand the mind, reduce suffering, and cultivate real awareness. It’s a practical, eye-opening conversation on discernment, identity, and seeing clearly.

Episode Highlights:

• Sankhya pronunciation clarified
• What Sankhya is and why it matters today
• Sankhya as philosophy vs. psychological framework
• How ...

What does it really mean to be a good yoga student? In this conversation, I sit down with Medha Bhaskar to explore the framework described in the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika for cultivating a meaningful yoga practice. We talk about the importance of understanding the principle before the process and how the mindset we bring to our practice shapes what we learn from it.

Medha walks us through the Badhaka Tattvas (the habits that weaken a p...

Teaching mixed level classes can feel overwhelming, especially when your students are all at different stages in their practice. In this episode, I share simple, practical ways to structure your classes, offer options, and create a more inclusive and confident teaching experience.

Episode Highlights:

• Mixed-level classes are the norm and should be approached with that mindset
• The distinction between mixed-level and all-level classe...

Are we actually studying yoga, or just consuming it? In this episode, I explore the traditional frameworks that shaped authentic yogic learning and why modern education often skips the foundations. If you’re serious about deepening your practice beyond certifications, this conversation will shift your perspective.

Episode Highlights:

• The difference between modern yoga education and traditional teacher-student learning
• Why st...

Hormones influence how we move, rest, recover, and show up on the mat, yet they’re rarely discussed clearly in yoga spaces. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Manasa Rao to explore what yoga teachers need to understand about the hormonal body through both modern science and yogic wisdom. We talk about stress, rhythm, pranayama, women’s hormonal cycles, and how yoga can support balance through listening and alignment w...

Sequencing doesn’t start with themes or peak poses, it starts with understanding the pose itself. In this episode, I introduce pose literacy and explain why it’s the missing link behind clearer, safer, and more intelligent sequencing. Using Downward-Facing Dog as a real example, I break down how learning to read a pose beyond alignment can completely change how you teach, sequence, and support your students.

Episode High...