The Vinny Podcast - Conversations for the Well-Meaning about Wellbeing: Recent Episodes

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Yoga is a practice that is enjoyed and embraced by people worldwide and while its popularity has exponentially grown, it's not always respected and honoured. As an Indian cultural practice, it can be challenging for those without an Eastern heritage to fully appreciate and/or observe it. Those who teach it, especially in contemporary contexts, are often well-meaning, but parts of yogic ancestry is often cherry picked to serve a Western palate and whether it or not intentional - this is cultural appropriation and it's damaging.

In this episode we're joined by generational yogi, Khushbu Vyas, who helps to bridge the gap between these ancient yogic practices and Western science. She shares the benefits of yoga and yoga nidra for healing with trauma, drawing from new knowledge based on growing scientific evidence. We also unpack:

• The brainwave frequencies and their association with yoga nidra / yogic sleep
• The chakra system in the context of the nervous system
• Harmful examples of cultural appropriation in yoga in the wellness industry
• How to be more respectful of yogic ancestry

Khushbu is a social justice attorney based in New York, but as a generational yogi she educates people about yoga, chakras and has a yoga nidra podcast. Find out more about Khushbu through her business Aatma Life or on Instagram @aatmalife.

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Whilst yoga studios are relatively prolific globally, establishments purely dedicated to meditation are perhaps less widely available. In this episode, listen to Sally Kellett talk about owning a wellbeing space that primarily focuses on providing accessible meditation and mindfulness classes. Sally is a wellness business coach, meditation teacher and certified sound meditation practitioner.

Meditation and mindfulness are beneficial for a deeper connection to your mind and body, as well as finding self-fulfilment. They are widely accepted in the modern world — and even in corporate environments as a quick fix to wellbeing or to increase your productivity. This a well-meaning concept... But do not be fooled - its a lifelong practice!

We discuss:

• The difference between meditation and mindfulness.
• The benefits of meditation and how it can become your superpower.
• Try out different meditation teachers to find one that resonates with you and makes you feel safe.
• Inclusivity and access to meditation for all bodies and beings.
• The advantages and limitations of meditation apps.
• Being an entrepreneur with integrity in the wellness industry.
• Navigating the ups and downs of owning a meditation studio including pandemic proofing a business.

You can find Sally at her studio Mirosuna in South Melbourne and online on Instagram via @mirosuna and @sally_kellett, Facebook and LinkedIn. She also has a wellness entrepreneur coaching business called The Wellpreneur Code, which can be found onInstagram: @thewellpreneurcode and on Facebook.

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Yoga is so much more than a movement practice. But in the wellness world where yoga has been overly commodified... how do we share it authentically whilst respecting its roots?

In this episode I speak with Jo Stewart and Rane Bowen about their experience as the studio owners of Garden of Yoga - a yoga and pilates studio based in Melbourne where they share uplifting and supportive movement and meditation like aerial and yin yoga. They also are the creators of The Flow Artists Podcast.

In this episode we discuss:

• Sharing yoga in the modern world using contemporary styles like aerial yoga.
• Aerial yoga is trauma-informed and supports mental health by offering sensory feedback without causing overwhelm.
• The grounding and sense of safety created by props like a hammock in aerial yoga.
• Practising yoga beyond the mat through podcasting.
• Podcast 101 - the basics of how to start one.
• Aligning podcast content with your business and building community.

You can learn more about making aerial yoga more accessible in this video. Find Jo and Rane at their studio - Garden of Yoga in Melbourne and online on Instagram @gardenofyoga. You can also listen to the Flow Artists Podcast.

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Whilst the global wellness industry is a multi-billion dollar market, it can be challenging to be successful whilst remaining ethical and true to your values. What is it that makes a career sustainable? In this episode I speak with Ryan Mannix about building community and dismantling competition to grow together as a team. Ryan is a yoga studio owner and a Lululemon Ambassador. We discuss Ryan's experience in forming collaborations and connections with practitioners, businesses and brands. And how staying true to his values has helped him to create a sustainable model that fulfils both his purpose and financial goals. This conversation is relevant for not only yoga, but also other wellness practices.

We discuss:

• Putting the 'why' at the centre of your passions.
• The importance of community and collaboration for personal and professional growth.
• How to authentically share yoga and be grounded in values.
• Accessibility and inclusivity in yoga and other wellness practices.
• Balancing a diversity of offerings for different audiences whilst sustaining a business.
• Ethical and sustainable collaborations for entrepreneurs.

Ryan has been sharing yoga and meditation in Australia and worldwide since 2013, leading workshops, classes and teacher trainings. He has always had a keen interest in movement and meditation. Before yoga he was a professional runner and represented Australia on a number of occasions. You can find Ryan at his studio - It's All Yoga in Torquay and online on Instagram @ryanmannix_yoga. He also teaches in Melbourne at Good Vibes Yoga and Happy Melon Studios.

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With the digital landscape cluttered with myths and fake news, it’s no wonder there is a rise of misinformation and conspiracy theories. People may unwittingly be sharing misinformation because it’s provoked an emotive response. A dose of magical thinking is fun. But when these alternative ideas and beliefs cause physical, mental and/or community harm, it’s no longer amusing. It’s dangerous. The yoga and wellness industry is not immune to this.

In this episode we talk with psychologist, Carly Dober about:

• How conspiracy theories can be harmful to our wellbeing.
• Psychological susceptibility to false information and conspiracy theories, including what personal and environmental factors affect what we believe.
• What magical thinking is and is there a healthy dose?
• What are confirmation biases and how they can colour our worldview.
• The role of big tech in driving misinformation, or worse, disinformation.
• Why it’s not okay for those in the yoga and wellness industry to be spreading pseudo-spirituality and misinformation.
• How to recognise misinformation and have thoughtful conversations with yourself or others who might be affected.

Additional resources:

• Conspiratorial thinking: an introduction
• How our minds can be hijacked by algorithms to feed confirmation biases
• Supporting people exposed to conspiracy theories

Find Carly:
Website: https://enrichinglivespsychology.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrichinglivespsychology
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-dober-81924b111/

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