Unity in Yoga: Recent Episodes
Yoga Alliance
Unity in Yoga engages listeners through the teaching, practice, and discussion of yoga. Host Maya Breuer, Yoga Alliance’s VP of Cross-Cultural Advancement, chats with guests from the yoga and wellness community representing a broad range of cultural and philosophical perspectives in a collective effort to promote inclusion, accessibility, and better health through yoga.
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the special guest(s) and do not purport to reflect the policy or position of Yoga Alliance (YA) or the Yoga Alliance Foundation (YAF).
The content of this podcast is intended to be used for informational purposes only, and not intended to impart any medical or other advice. YA and YAF make no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information provided in connection with this online workshop/virtual event and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information, or any losses, injuries, damages, or other harm arising from its display or use.
Entrepreneur, bookkeeper, and yoga practitioner Chimoa Njoku shares how she utilizes mindfulness practices to help her clients develop a healthy relationship with money and increase their profits. This conversation also explores Chioma’s experience in overcoming historical myths about prosperity for Black people, and how she supports others to do the same.
Rev. Melissa Moorer-Nobles discusses how the art of living in joy has supported her in meeting many of today's challenges. We also explore how the practice of joy inspired her to create InJoy-OutJoy program to help others open their lives to joy.
Manuela Baron, creator of The Girl Gone Green, shares how she found her voice through social media and fostered a community for inclusive social change and eco-friendly, sustainable living. Manuela seeks to inspire others to consider their impact on the planet and look to the future with a sense of hope. In this episode, she shares her ongoing journey toward a “zero waste lifestyle.”
Artist, curator, and Yoga Nidra teacher Sharon Burton joins host Maya Breuer in conversation about how she used yoga to spark her creative spirit during the COVID-19 pandemic and racial reckoning in 2020. Sharon shares how her practices of Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra help her and her clients overcome negative beliefs and stereotypes that have prevented them from flourishing as artists.
Jacoby Ballard discusses his new book, A Queer Dharma, and the influence of Buddishm in his yoga practice and teachings. He also shares his thoughts on the impact of the social justice movement in the yoga community in an insightful conversation with sangha host and Yoga Alliance’s Vice President of Cross-Cultural Advancement, Maya Breuer.
Davine Del Valle discusses how integrating TOY ®The Other Yoga can impact all aspects of life and relationships, helping to transcend our unexamined automatic responses and learn to choose action based in awareness.
Judith Hanson Lasater discusses her new book for teachers of all experience levels, Teaching Yoga with Intention. She shares wisdom gained in over fifty years of teaching yoga and how she has embraced her own humanity to become a more effective teacher.
Dr. Robert Saper, yoga teacher and Chair of the Department of Wellness and Preventative Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, discusses how integrated yoga and medicine can dismantle systemic racism by addressing chronic illness in the BIPOC community.
Pamela Stokes Eggleston and Amina Naru, Co-Owners of Retreat 2 Spirit, share the impact of a contemplative yoga practice on both self-reflection and leading a community with host Maya Breuer.
Yoga practitioner, teacher, teacher trainer, and therapist Susanna Barkataki joins host Maya Breuer for a thoughtful and thought-provoking conversation. Susanna details how her path of personal exploration through yoga led her to incorporate activism and social change into her daily practice as well as the yoga teacher trainings she leads.
Lorena Saavedra Smith shares her insights on yoga and mindfulness for mental health to address trauma in the Latinx community. In this conversation, Lorena and Unity in Yoga host Maya Breuer talk about what is meant by “immigration and migration trauma” and how it is experienced in many communities.
Fazilah Bazari shares teachings and perspectives on neuro-linguistic programming–the importance of self-care and body movement..
Heard Here:
Active City Ports Moresby: https://www.activecityportmoresby.com/
Pathways to the Spirit; 100 Ways to Bring Sacred into Daily Life
Unpack yoga and self-care in this conversation. Here, Dr. Solmaz Behtash shares how she found yoga, and explores insights on her daily yoga and meditation practices. Listen in as she shares how they support her as a physician and parent.
Denise Alston and Eduardo Guedez discuss how yogic practices can be embraced as a path of inquiry to uncovering one’s passion for activism and action. Listen in as they share how deep listening, presence, and holding the space during times of uncertainty can make a huge difference.
Heard here:
https://www.parayoga.com/teacher/denise-a-alston-ph-d/
Maya Breuer and Rev. angel Kyodo Williams share perspectives on igniting communities for more awake conversations. Listen to Rev. angel Kyoto Williams, referred to as "the most intriguing African-American Buddhist” by Library Journal, and learn more about Zen Buddhism, The Four Noble Truths, and transformation in these changing times.
Heard here:
Links: https://angelkyodowilliams.com/
Audio Course - Belonging. August 31st - https://www.soundstrue.com/products/belongingMindfulness Course - https://www.mndflcertification.com/Publications: Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living with Fearlessness and Grace
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System members Charles V. Noel, Stephen D. Graham, and Hailie Cochran share the history and experience of creating and offering a whole health program. Hear how this program offers complementary care and free yoga teacher training programs for veterans, their families, caregivers, and the community.
Heard Here:
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Pathways to the Spirit; 100 Ways to Bring Sacred into Daily Life
The Path of the Yoga Sutras: A Practical Guide to the Core of Yoga with Nicolai Bachman
Spouses Fawn and Matt Anderson share on the art of friendship and their podcast, Our Friendly World. Hear about their awakening to the value of friendship and the importance of making and sustaining real-time connections with others. Their podcast helps cure loneliness and disconnection by creating personal connection through good old-fashioned conversations and personal stories with awesome guests.
Ava Wolf is back to explore the value of night-time dreams, liminal waking experiences, and even “ordinary” waking experiences to solve problems and discover allies. This community sangha reveals how mediation and active dreaming can help us recognize future challenges and opportunities, maintain health, reveal life patterns and themes, communicate with the departed, inspire creativity, unlock mysteries of relationships, and ultimately, reveal a larger Purpose.
Unity in Yoga host Maya Breuer comes together with Give Back Yoga’s Chelsea Roff and well-known US-based yoga studio YogaWorks’ Justin Temple. Learn how Chelsea and have teamed up to increase access to yoga teacher training.
Unity in Yoga host Maya Breuer comes together with Kate Herrera Jenkins (on her Pueblo Feast Day) to discuss Native Strength Revolution and their teacher trainings within indigenous communities. Native Strength Revolution’s mission is “healing indigenous communities one yoga class at a time!”
Cinthya Esquea shares teachings and perspective on the importance of self-care and the practice of White Tantric Yoga in this insightful conversation with sangha host and Yoga Alliance’s Vice President of Cross-Cultural Advancement, Maya Breuer. Learn more about yoga, Ayurvedic practices, and meditation.
Trigger Warning:
This episode contains talk about disordered eating. If listening to this episode is not right for you, then please skip onto the next episode. Take care of yourself first.
Dr. Jennifer Webb discusses her research on the impact of body image, the media, and yoga. Podcast host Maya and Dr. Webb also explore the research findings on why people choose yoga, and how the practice helps address body shaming, media images, and diet culture.
Barrie Risman shares how yoga philosophy can deepen and evolve one’s practice. This conversation includes practical recommendations for yoga teachers exploring the path to Self.
Tajamika (Taj) Paxton shares her experience as a yoga teacher and the presence of prejudice in yoga spaces. She and host Maya have a candid discussion on racism along with a call to action for yoga teachers and practitioners to move toward greater equity, both on and off the mat.
Robin Downes shares her story on finding yoga through managing the stress of her job. She also discusses the experience of how she found her way into being a caregiver to her aging father as he was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Chelsea Roff discusses the mission of the non-profit Give Back Yoga. A collective of organizations, Give Back Yoga works to bring yoga to different populations in need not only in the U.S. but across the world. It’s mission is to make sure the practice of yoga is accessible to anyone who faces obstacles to practice and can benefit from yoga.
Heard Here:
Eat Breathe Thrive
Give Back Yoga Foundation
Teaching for Equity recipient, Jasmine Hines discusses yoga as a form of social justice and self-care towards collective liberation. Listen to the inspiration behind Amplify and Activate, a nonprofit that functions as an interactive, inquiry based, learning community.
Heard here:
Self- Care Matters A Revolutionary Approach
Be More Foundation
Yoga Retreat for Women of Color
Kiesha Battles
Octavia Raheem
Michelle Cassandra Johnson
Jasmine’s website
Sandy Boutros discusses teaching for equity in Lebanon. Sandy is the founder of Koun, a Lebanese NGO that aims to promote Yoga to marginalized communities. Maya and Sandy discuss receiving the Yoga Alliance Teaching for Equity grant.
Monique Schubert shares reflections from her explorations into meditation and contemplative practices. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, she also addresses the importance of personal practice and how to adapt the teachings of mindfulness and meditation to fulfill intentions as a teacher, meeting students where they are as they are.
Heard Here:
The Blooming of a Lotus , by Thich Nhat Hanh
Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe and Transformative Healing, by David A. Treleaven
Sowmya Ayyar discusses her work to empower communities in vulnerable conditions through yoga. She also shares on being a participant in the inaugural Yoga Alliance Foundation Teaching for Equity program.
Heard Here: Prafull Oorja – holistic practices for all
Teaching for Equity
Special guest Emily Luther is back to continue conversation on applications of the book White Fragility in yoga. In this episode, she and host Maya Breuer discuss the work it takes to diversify yoga studios, how white yoga teachers have dominated the yoga industry, and the lack of diversity in teacher trainings.
Heard Here:
Skill in Action, by Michelle Johnson
Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance, by Jessamyn Stanley
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin
Unity in Yoga special guest Bryant Rollins is back for more enlightening conversation. In this episode, he and host Maya Breuer continue their exploration of yoga as breath, connection, and change for the BIPOC Community.
Best-selling author and scholar Stephen Cope explores how the practical wisdom of the ancient yogic text, The Bhagavad Gita, can be applied to our daily lives. He also shares about the importance of living your dharma.
Heard Here: Pathways to the Spirit; 100 Ways to Bring Sacred into Daily Life, by Susan Santucci
The Bhagavad Gita, 2nd Edition, by Eknath Easwaran
Amy Weintraub discusses her personal journey with yoga and shares practices to relieve symptoms of depression. Walk away with three self-care tips.
Heard here: “Treat Your Life with Reverence” by William Blake
Yoga the Natural Prozac
Stephanie Spence shares the value of practicing yoga while traveling and exploring around the world. Hear how she learned to listen to an inner voice, to be comfortable in the stillness, and to appreciate all of herself including the flaws.
Heard here:
Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On and Off Your Matby Stephanie Spence
Explore the value of night-time dreams, liminal waking experiences, and even “ordinary” waking experiences to solve problems and discover allies. This podcast episode reveals how meditation and active dreaming can help us recognize future challenges and opportunities, maintain health, reveal life patterns and themes, communicate with the departed, inspire creativity, unlock mysteries of relationships, and ultimately, reveal larger purpose.
Bryant Rollins, former Editor with The New York Times and reporter and political columnist with The Boston Globe joins host Maya Breuer to kick off conversation on yoga—the breath, the connection, and change for the BIPOC community.
Hear Here:
Poem: “I, Too” by Langston Hughes
Special Guest Rose Weaver, an award-winning actress, accomplished scholar, and riveting vocal talent shares on yoga and the arts. Specifically, hear her talk about how the practice supports her mentally, physically, and spiritually in this work and throughout her day-to-day life.
Heard here:
Book: i live in music, by Ntozake Shange
In this episode of Unity in Yoga, special guest Emily Luther addresses racism in yoga. In doing so, she refers to the book White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism as a resource and guide to this important conversation.
Heard here:
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo
Special guests Shankari Goldstein and J. Miles from the State of Union (Yoga) come together to uplift and amplify the voices and experiences of Black and Brown yoga teachers. Conversation explores white supremacy in the world including yoga spaces and breaking down the importance of self-discovery.
Heard Here:
State of Union (Yoga) Address: www.stateofunionyoga.com
If you’re curious about macrobiotic eating and lifestyle, this episode of Unity in Yoga is a great place to start. Sherry Ryan has expansive experience both personally and professionally with various forms of healing, practice, and lifestyle. Listen in for some food for thought.
Hear here:
Yoga Vidhya: http://www.yogavidhya.com/
As both and academic and yoga teacher for young people, Crystal McCreary shares about the evolutionary power of yoga, specifically for children and how their experiences in the practice tend to stem from a place of joy. Listeners will also learn about her personal yoga journey, including the barriers she and others in the BIPOC community have experienced and her approach to making yoga more accessible for all.
In this episode, host Maya Breuer meets with Marla Teyolia, Founder of Culture Shift Agency, for a powerful conversation on transformation. Marla shares insight from her experience as a transformational coach and personal guide who has worked for over 20 years with executives, activists, artists, and change-makers.
Heard here:
Culture Shift Agency: www.cultureshift.agency
Barbara J Love: www.barbarajlove.com
The content of this podcast episode is intended to be used for informational purposes only, and not intended to impart any medical or other advice. YA and YAF make no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information provided in connection with this online workshop/virtual event and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information, or any losses, injuries, damages, or other harm arising from its display or use.
This powerful conversation between Kiesha Battles, Reggie Hubbard, Arturo Peal, and Unity in Yoga podcast host Maya Breuer was recorded on the first day of Black History Month and is pertinent all year round. Listen in for an enlightening discussion on yoga in the Black community.
Shawn Stevens (known as Red Eagle) and podcast host Maya Breuer continue conversation on Native American healing. Listen in as Red Eagle shares his experience living a Native American spiritual way of life as a traditional artist, storyteller, drummer, dancer, singer, and flute player.
This episode may contain traditional, spiritual, or indigenous practices and is provided for educational purposes only. Discretion is advised.
Writers Lauren Sarat and Kathleen Kraft describe exactly what Cobra and the Notebook is—an enlightening workshop that combines the power of writing with the practice of yoga. Within this episode, listeners are guided through a breathing session followed by a writing prompt. Learn more about Cobra and the Notebook at cobranotebook.com
Tracee Stanley, founder of Sankalpa Shakti Yoga School and co-founder of Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra Training School, joins podcast host Maya Breuer for a conversation about the practice and power of Yoga Nidra. Learn more about what drew her to teaching and how it influenced the course of her life, career, and sense of self.
Heard here:
Radiant Rest: Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation & Awakened Clarity
COUPON available at Shambhala Publications—30% off to all listeners.
Trans Yoga Project Co-Founders Rebby Kern and Noha Arafa join podcast host Maya Breuer in a conversation about the current state of the transgender community in yoga spaces and the power and importance of connection.
Heard here:
Poem: “Page” by Ben Heart
Shawn Stevens, known as Red Eagle, and podcast host Maya Breuer come together for this inspiring conversation on Native American healing. Listen in as Red Eagle shares his experience living a Native American spiritual way of life as a traditional artist, storyteller, drummer, dancer, singer, and flute player.
Sunu Chandy and Neil Patel (also known as N1, The Rapping Yogi) share their personal journeys with yoga and how it informs their creative expressions in poetry, spoken word, and hip hop. A large portion of this listening experience includes original poetry, as both guests share their original creations and experiences.
Heard here:
Chi Kri Yoga
National Women’s Law Center (NWLC)
Kripalu
Split this Rock
Transgender Law Center
Laughter truly can be the best medicine! Learn how the power of laughter and a commitment to laughter yoga has helped Larry O’Brien manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and bipolar disorder, as well as improve his overall quality of life. Get ready to laugh out loud!
Kemiko Lawrence (E-RYT 200) shares how attention to clean eating at an early age helped her address seasonal allergies and build healthy living habits that have carried her throughout her life. This includes the magic qualities of kombucha. Through her pursuit of good health and nutrition for herself and her family, she has become a brewmaster and the founder of Kemboocha TM.
Heard here:
www.harmonywellnessangels.com
www.welltrainedmind.com
“Anatomy Whisperer” Arturo Peal shares relatable wisdom on how our bodies can be taught to overcome the “fight or flight” response carried by chronic stress and how the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may have heightened these natural reactions for many. Listen in for some easy, actionable recommendations you can do just about anywhere to release stress from your body and satisfy your human need for connection and community, particularly during this isolating time.
Salim Rollins and Francisco Morales-Bermudez share how community organizing principles inspired their international yoga platform which offers classes, trainings, and retreats from teachers around the world.
Caroline Shola Arewais a leading figure in the world of Spirituality and Wellness. In this episode, she joins host Maya Breuer to discuss the Age of Unity Consciousness. Listen in to hear more about how we arrived at this new age, brought here by building from past ancient traditions. Shola also shares the importance of reflection and reassessment as we move forward into this new level of awareness.
Unity in Yoga host Maya Breuer chats with special guest Berry Murray who attributes her success as the owner of a thriving IT Business and Five Star Bed and breakfast, the Brooklyn Coffee Tea Guest House, to her yoga practice. Listen in as Berry speaks about the benefits she has derived from yoga's practice and philosophy, how it helped her to overcome a life of addiction, and how it impacts key pieces of her life today. Maya also shares Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise.”
Bruno Garrote is back for his third Unity in Yoga episode, this time discussing the topic of Liberation. Learn what Liberation is and how it is captured in three main yogic philosophies: Yoga Sutra, Advaita Vedanta, and Kashmir Shaivism. Bruno has a Ph.D. in Kashmir Shaivism and its concept of Autonomy and Recognition of the Other in a non-dual way.
Rona Luo talks you through going "beyond the binary" as a poet, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher.
Yoga teacher, poet, and acupuncturist Rona Luo talks podcast listeners through a detailed explanation of Yin Yang Theory. This includes discussion on its origins; the differences, importance, and nuances of both Yin and Yang; and yogic philosophy. Go “beyond the binary” and see how the Yin Yang cycle is anything but static, and how everything is effectively connected.
Reggie Hubbard helps listeners define and understand true consciousness.
Reggie Hubbard helps podcast listeners define and understand true consciousness, particularly in how it’s referred to in yoga teaching and practice. Known to “reach people on all levels,” Reggie has served as a Senior Political Strategist for MoveOn.org and is an RYT-500 with a focus on Yoga and Spiritual Activism. His conversation with Maya Breuer touches on the power of breath, peace, and activism. Of note, he talks about how music and certain songs resonate with him, explicitly citing Marvin Gaye’s 1970s hit “What’s Going On” and how it is still applicable to society today. Learn more from and about Reggie by visiting Active Peace Yoga.
Rona Luo shares about Kindred Accelerator—a collaborative alternative program designed for BIPOC yoga practitioners and artists.
Rona Luo shares about the collaborative MFA program called Kindred Accelerator, which is designed for artists and yogis. Throughout this episode, she describes how a large part of this program is “unlearning smallness,” something she describes as being taught through oppression. In this unlearning, Rona suggests individuals are more liberated to step fully into their true artistic selves. Listeners will also learn about the multi-faceted topic of chi—a word used to describe life force in Chinese medicine.
Visit our podcast page at https://www.yogaalliance.org/Membership_Benefits/Unity_in_Yoga
Bruno Garrote discusses yogic philosophies of duality and non-duality, the Yoga Sutra, Vedanta, and Kashmir Shaivism.
Bruno Garrote takes a deep dive into yogic philosophy, specifically expanding on the concepts of duality and non-duality. Listen in as he moves through complex and compelling topics like individualization (and de-individualization!), among other powerful lessons found in the Yoga Sutras, Vedanta, and Kashmir Shaivism. Bruno pulls from his experience as a multi-faceted body and theory professor and instructor in this educational and thought-provoking episode.
Sherri Doucette continues her discussion on yoga as a self-healing tool for men of color.
Special guest Sherri Doucette (E-RYT 500, YACEP) is a meditation guide, reiki practitioner, doula, and transitioning coach for people exploring plant-based diets. Inspired by her husband’s cancer diagnosis, Sherri founded Litehouse Wellness, a non-profit purposed to strengthen the African American family and community by bridging the wellness accessibility gap for Black men using yoga, meditation, and preventative health education. In this conversation, she describes approaching yoga teaching from a place of love and touches on the many experiences and challenges facing Black men and their health, including addiction, poverty, gun violence, mass incarceration, and more. Sherri references her story of service on givebackyoga.org, “Shining a Light on the Health and Wellness of Black Men,” and Langton Hughes’ poem, “Mother to Son.”
Podcasts can be found at https://www.yogaalliance.org/Membership_Benefits/Unity_in_Yoga
Presenter Satta Jallah describes how her yoga practice opened her mind to her food choices' karmic and environmental impact.
Sara Clark discusses why breathing is an act of peaceful resilience and how to efficiently manage stress and awaken inner wisdom through the practices of mindfulness and pranayama.
Dr. Tara Brach and Dr. Jack Kornfield discuss ways to bring yoga schools, teachers, and students together during this time of social distancing.
Bruno Garrote explains how to access the divine in the "simple" actions of yoga and meditation
Sherri Doucette uses her personal experience and research from teaching contemplative practices primarily to Black and Latino men to discuss yoga as a self-healing tool for men of color.