FINDING HARMONY PODCAST
What is a spiritual practice? How does it work? How will it improve my life? How will deepening my self-care transform me? What strategies can I use to improve my life, increase my health, and create wellness? How can craft a life that I love?
The Finding Harmony Podcast gets to the root of all these questions. Each episode is full of inspiration, humour, honest observations, and actionable steps that you can integrate to enhance your experience of self-love, develop a connection to Spirit, and create a life you truly love.
Show Notes Below:
The Hidden Truths of Yoga: Beyond the Mat and Into the Mind
The popularity of yoga in the West has largely been driven by its focus on physical benefits. Classes promising a toned “yoga-body” equipped with increased strength and flexibility, with a side of nervous system regulation. But if we peel back the layers, we find that the true essence of yoga lies in its ability to transform the mind, and see beyond the illusion of physical form.
Our guest today, Daniel Simpson, is passionate about bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary life.
Transformative Yoga Practices: from Physical Healing to Spiritual Inspiration
Whether through injury, illness, or the death of a loved one… At some point in your life, it's pretty much guaranteed you'll start searching for the answer to the question: WHY?
This was the case for our guest today. After a hip injury cause him to question his habits and behaviours, Ganesh Balachandran found himself sitting in a meditation class, meditating on pain and suffering, which surprisingly, opened up a path of rediscovering his cultural roots!
And everything changed!
From Pharma to Ayurveda: Balancing Modern Life with Ancient Wisdom
Hormonal imbalances, caused by autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's thyroiditis and PCOS, can manifest in various skin issues, including acne, eczema, and dryness. Most doctors simply treat the symptoms, but don't get to the root of the problem. This is where Ayurveda can offer a different perspective.
After years of working in the pharmaceutical industry, Brandy Searcy decided to use all her scientific knowledge to create her own organic skincare line, Rain Organica, which would incorporate both Ayurvedic principles and modern science!
Balancing Flavors and Life: The Intersection of Gourmet Cooking and Yoga with Tom Norrington Davis
Seasonal cooking is more than just a trend; it's a return to the rhythms of nature, a practice that not only enhances the flavor of our food but also reconnects us with the world around us.
And isn’t this exactly what YOGA is also supposed to help us do?
In a recent conversation with Tom Norrington Davies on the Finding Harmony podcast, we tap his expertise of reaching the top of his field in the culinary world to understand the significance of seasonal cooking and how his time in India, changed the way he approached not only his life, but food as well!
Transformative Power of Yoga: From Ashtanga to Anusara and Beyond
This episode offers deep insights into the interplay of yoga disciplines, meditation practices, and personal growth. Cindy Lusk shares her unique experiences transitioning from Ashtanga to Anusara yoga, her profound meditative practices, and the life lessons learned along her spiritual journey.
The New Wave of Yoga: A Fresh Voice in Ashtanga's Evolving Journey
Ashtanga Yoga, with its rigorous sequences and disciplined practice, traces its roots back to the lineage of Krishnamacharya and the Mysore Palace. Deeply embedded in the spiritual soil of India, many great teachers and key figures in our current yoga culture have origins that root back to the Ashtanga Yoga tradition. Our guest today, Sam Silversides, has enjoyed the benefit of eating the fruit from these great trees, and is now growing his own roots as he passes along the knowledge of yoga to students in different parts of the world.
The Body Remembers: How Yoga Can Release Stored Trauma
We sat down to speak with Anouk Prop, who's a trauma therapist and yoga teacher. And we're talking about how best we can approach yoga in a way that promotes healing.
For those who've experienced trauma, learning pranayama in a gentle, consistent, and sustainable way can be a profoundly transformative tool, working directly with the nervous system, allowing you to find greater sense of calm and ease within your life.
Prison Cells to Nordic Retreats: An Unconventional Path of Yoga
We associate aggression and harm with boxing. When we think of yoga we associate peace and harmony. So it might seem counterintuitive that boxing shares some profound similarities with the more popular practice of yoga asana.
Alex's extraordinary journey from boxer to Sanskrit scholar, ballet dancer to Certified Ashtanga yoga teacher, to becoming a lifeline for inmates and addicts, and founder of Nøsen Yoga Retreat in Norway, will leave you in awe of yoga's power to heal and transform.
The Evolving Yoga Practice of a Mother: Surrender, Growth, and Transformation
We’re talking about the ever evolving definition of yoga as it relates to motherhood. We going deep into the journey of learning to let go of perfect to find your true practice, both on and off the mat.
As a dedicated yoga practitioner, I always thought my practice would get "better" with time. More advanced postures, smoother transitions, deeper states of meditation. I had this ideal vision of what my yoga journey should look like. But then came motherhood. Today, we’re talking to Bibi about her journey both on and off the mat, especially when it comes to being a mom.
JC, Our Own Personal Jesus?
John brings a depth of knowledge and insight that illuminates our discussion on modern yoga, the cult of personality, and the essence of being present in the moment.
In the realm of modern yoga, the boundaries between what's considered “traditional” and what's labeled “contemporary” are often blurred, and we're left to navigate (without much guidance) a complex construct of spirituality, personal wellness, and self-discovery.
Turning It All Upside Down with Lotta Sebzda
We have such a joyous person to share with you today! We have the Handstanding Grandma!! Surprised to find out she’s almost the same age as us tho. Weird.
Lotta Sebzda has been practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa since 1999 and is a 56 year old grandmother as well an inspiring teacher both in person as well as on her online platforms!
The secret to Lotta’s continued love for the physical and spiritual practice… CURIOSITY!
Honouring The Wisdom of The Divine Feminine with Mariela Cruz
It is with great pleasure that I got to sit down and connect with my dear friend Mariela Cruz. Mariela is one of those phenomenal human who’s devotion and dedication is palpable. We’re diving into the power of the feminine energy, how the different Ashtanga yoga series embody different types of energy, and calling upon the goddess archetypes as a guide during different phases of life.
With International Women’s Day approaching on March 8th, this is the perfect way to reflect on the powerful experience of being born as female and what it means to embody this energy.
Tantra Flow with Jeanne Heileman
When Jeanne Heileman became a yoga teacher in 1996, there was no career for this field. She had the intention to teach once a week as a work supplement in the non-profit arts world to pay off her graduate school student debt.
In this episode, we’re talking about what makes a good yoga teacher and some of the insights Jeanne has gained through her years of practicing under the guidance of many different teachers. Experience bring wisdom and Jeanne has a depth of perspective that is rare in teachers today.
Gopi Kallayil: The Happy Human
Gopi Kallayil is the Chief Evangelist, head of Digital Transformation and Strategy at Google. What that exactly means… We’re going to unpack it inside this episode!
He is the author of two books, “The Happy Human” and “The Internet to the Inner-net,” published by Hay House.
He has released three music albums titled “Kirtan Lounge.”
Sunshine Nights with Amy Priya
Amy talks us through her childhood as an immigrant to this country from the Philippines to upstate NY, becoming found (or possibly losing herself) in the state of flow through her early years of dance. Becoming a yoga student in NY in the 90’s and then taking up music and forming a band.
She became a follower and a devotee of Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma), “the Hugging Saint.” There couldn’t be a better metaphor for how nice Amy Priya is… We’re sure you’ll feel her energetic hug over the airwaves.
Michelle El Khoury and YogaMazia
Michelle El Khoury is not only a wellness entrepreneur with a PhD and over twenty years of healthcare experience, but she’s also a wife and mother to three beautiful daughters.
Her journey took her from Trinidad to the U.S, where she climbed the corporate ladder in a successful career as a pharmaceutical executive. All the while, becoming more aware as she grew up in America, how our society here is less of a creole melting pot and more like a segregated tiffin box…
She began to experience the transformative effects of the practice, which inspired her to dedicate her life to sharing these teachings, and seven years later, she opened a healing space dedicated to bringing yoga to pregnant persons, children, and families.
Sexual Healing with Sophie Cleere
Today we’re speaking with Sophie Cleere. A vibrant woman who’s paving the way forward to for middle-aged women everywhere. She’s a body-positive coach and conscious sexuality educator. Sophie’s on a mission to end body-shame and help women feel confident, sexy and alive, no matter what their age!
Wellness Near & Far with Tarin Calmeyer
South African born, Tarin Calmeyer, is a Virtual Corporate Wellness Specialist. She’s the founder and chief wellness office of Los Angles-based company: Remote Team Wellness. Today, we’re talking about the importance of taking time for self-care and some easy ways to improve your mental health.
Cycle Syncing with Briana Villegas
Did you know that lifestyle, exercise, and productivity research is almost entirely based on what is optimal for male bodies.
And you know what? The Yoga tradition is no different!
In today’s episode we’re talking with Cycle-Syncing coach, Briana Villegas. We’re learning what benefits we might discover (as women), when we start to align our to-do list with our biologically driven energy shifts, so we can spend more time being in flow-state, rather than feeling trapped in hustle-culture.
But this conversation isn’t only for women… You see, men will learn a lot too about their own hormonal cycling that happens over a 24 hour period and how to utilize the natural ups and downs of their energy each day.
Kerri Kelly: American Detox
What we understand to be wellness now, has become divorced from it’s origin, commodified, and sold as a luxury items that even the 99% struggle to afford.
Wellness isn’t just self-care rituals, like yoga or meditation, but it’s a living wage, a home, food, and basic human needs. It’s not just what you buy in lululemon, it’s all the ways we fight and advocate for healthy living conditions, so that all can get what they truly need.
“The myth of wellness is a lie. And until we learn to confront and dismantle its toxic systems, we can’t ever be well.” -Kerri Kelly