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:

In Loving Memory of Guru R. Sharath Jois

In Loving Memory of Guru R. Sharath Jois

Life is a repeating cycle of getting lost, only to find yourself again.

I'm reflecting on the many ripples felt from losing someone many of us knew and loved, R. Sharath Jois.

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The Hidden Truths of Yoga: Beyond the Mat and Into the Mind

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.

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Transformative Yoga Practices: from Physical Healing to Spiritual Inspiration

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!

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From Pharma to Ayurveda: Balancing Modern Life with Ancient Wisdom

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!

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Balancing Flavors and Life: The Intersection of Gourmet Cooking and Yoga with Tom Norrington Davis

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!

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Transformative Power of Yoga: From Ashtanga to Anusara and Beyond

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.

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The New Wave of Yoga: A Fresh Voice in Ashtanga's Evolving 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.

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Prison Cells to Nordic Retreats: An Unconventional Path of Yoga

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.

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The Evolving Yoga Practice of a Mother: Surrender, Growth, and Transformation

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.

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Introducing Pranayama: A Journey to Inner Peace and Well-Being

Introducing Pranayama: A Journey to Inner Peace and Well-Being

When I first started yoga I recall several teachers warning me about the “dangers of pranayama.” The term “breathwork” was non-existent in popular culture. There were barely any books published on pranayama (let alone something called breathwork) and there was little research on the power of breathing, or studies on how the breath is intimately connected to the stress response in both our body and mind!
Boy… Things have sure changed!

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JC, Our Own Personal Jesus?

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.

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Reflections and Revelations: Celebrating 200 Episodes of Finding Harmony

Reflections and Revelations: Celebrating 200 Episodes of Finding Harmony

Join me and my ever-entertaining husband, Russell, on a delightful and reflective journey through the last 4 years and past 200 episodes of the Finding Harmony Podcast!
In this special episode we're diving into some of the heartfelt and humorous stories that made the last 4 years of gathering together so meaningful!

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From Harmony, With Love: A Merry Romp Through 2023's Ups And Downs

From Harmony, With Love: A Merry Romp Through 2023's Ups And Downs

Join me and my ever-entertaining husband, Russell, on a delightful and reflective journey through the past year.
In this special Christmas Eve episode of the Finding Harmony Podcast, we're diving into the heartfelt and sometimes humorous stories that made 2023 a year to remember…

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A Spiritual Practice For the Holidays

A Spiritual Practice For the Holidays

With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas coming up around the corner, I wanted to share some helpful tips for how we can use spiritual practices to help us through the holidays. Practices like yoga and mindfulness not only alleviate stress but also contribute to a stronger immune system and overall better health. Scientific evidence suggests that a calm mind can positively impact our body's cellular function and immune response.

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Why Asana Isn’t Enough…

Why Asana Isn’t Enough…

Many of us come to the practice feeling broken and struggle with an underlying sense that we’re just not enough. We seek validation by looking outside ourselves. We seek to do things right, to learn the “correct method” and toe the party line.
But when we truly slow down to feel what’s underneath all our striving and the patterns of perfectionism, we begin to see that it’s the system that’s broken, not us.

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Dancing In My Dreams with Ralph Craig III

Dancing In My Dreams with Ralph Craig III

When Tina Turner, often dubbed the “Queen of Rock ‘N’ Roll,” died at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland, on May 24, 2023, what many did not know is that Ms. Turner had practiced Soka Gakkai International Nichiren Buddhism for the last 50 years.

What does this have to do with our guest today? We’re talking Ashtanga yoga, philosophy, and the importance of discipline in attaining true wisdom from your spiritual practice.

This is basically a class in history, philosophy, Sanskrit and culture all wrapped up into one delicious conversation that we know will enrich your lives!

Our guest, Dr. Ralph H. Craig III received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Stanford University, where he specialized in Buddhist Studies and in American Religions. He’s also the author of “Dancing In My Dreams: A Spiritual Biography of Tina Turner,” which will be released in November 7, 2023!

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Creating a Sustainable Spiritual Wellness Practice

Creating a Sustainable Spiritual Wellness Practice

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by a lack of time or physical fatigue, this episode is for you.

We're going to discuss a few practical strategies to help you overcome some of these obstacles and create a sustainable spiritual wellness practice.

Whether you're feeling pressed for time, exhausted, or over-committed, I'm giving you some helpful ways to slow down and create a practice that both nourishes your spirit and gives you energy!

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Finding A Stillpoint with Scott Johnson

Finding A Stillpoint with Scott Johnson

Scott is a sensitive soul. His gentle, compassionate, kind energy is transmitted not only through his teaching style, but you’ll feel it in the way he speaks.
The space we enter around him is saturated with loving kindness.

We hope you enjoy this episode and find your own sense of encouragement, hope, and healing through absorbing and also integrating a new approach to your breath and movement practice. Maybe you’ll even find a Stillpoint amidst the chaos of an ever changing world.

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Jana Wilson: Wise Little One

Jana Wilson: Wise Little One

“What I have come to know in my personal life and the lives of all the people I've worked with is that every trauma, challenge, and wound comes bearing a gift and some wisdom our soul needs. Once I opened up to finding the wisdom (and lesson) of my very traumatic childhood that made me the strong, loving, compassionate and capable woman, wife, and mother that I am today, I began to live the life of my dreams.” - Jana Wilson

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Eternally Youthful with David Garrigues

Eternally Youthful with David Garrigues

You might know David Garrigues as a Certified Ashtanga yoga teacher, but today you’ll hear all about what spurred him into the Seattle punk scene, and how music pulled him out of a very difficult time in his life, where he was homeless and starting to sink into a very dark place.
How did he go from a homeless young punk rocker to practicing yoga in Mysore, India, with Pattabhi Jois? You’ll find out in this episode.

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