As a high performing athlete on her college team excelling in track and field, Avni Talsania was no stranger to having a well-disciplined and fit lifestyle. But for the longest time she was looking for a kind of fitness that was beyond the physical. That coupled with the competitive nature of the field of athletics led her on a search for a deeper purpose very early on in life. Thus began her journey on the path of Yoga which brought her back to her roots in India. She now combines her passion for wellness and quest for spirituality by teaching both the physical practice of Yoga Asana as well as Yoga Philosophy by breaking down but not diluting the complex themes of Yoga for the 21st century practitioner. She holds a Masters degree in Yoga and represents and teaches at SRMD Yoga, a global initiative founded by her Guru Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai.  

In this episode we discuss -

1. Avni’s growing up years in the US as a track and field athlete, doubts and questions as a teenager and finding a refuge in spirituality 
2. Her first experience with the practice of yoga
3. Her move to India and meeting her teachers at Mumbai, Rishikesh, Mysore & Bangalore
4. How she was able to combine her passion for athletics with spirituality
5. Her on-going efforts to learn sanskrit and hindi to ensure the wisdom of yoga is not diluted
6. Her thoughts on the practice of Yoga in the modern day scenario and ways one can start to look beyond just the physical practice 
7. Her life presently at an ashram in Gujarat, India
8. Her latest offering on Yoga International - The Heart of Yoga  

Connect with Avni Talsania - Instagram | Yoga International

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In this episode I talk to Yashwanth about Prāṇa - the vital life force, the practice of Prāṇāyāmā and how being aware of the breath can affect everything we do in life. We also explore different aspects of Eastern physiology namely Pancha Mahabhuta, Pancha Kosha and Chakra.

Yashwanth is an aero-space engineer turned yoga teacher. He founded Pratyaksha Yoga as a means to explore in-depth the wisdom of yoga and other eastern modalities.

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Glossary of some terminologies used in our conversation.

(Please note : This may not be the exact scholarly translation of these Sanskrit terms, simply because of the contextual and complex nature of the language. However, I have done my best to give you a brief idea of the word.)

• Yoga Sūtra - The Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali is a collection of Sanskrit sutras on the theory and practice of yoga
• Pañca Mahā-bhūta - Five great elements or five physical elements, is a group of five basic elements which is the basis of all cosmic creation. These elements are Prithvi - Earth, Apa - Water, Agni -Fire,Vayu - Air, Akasha - Space
• Pañca Kōṣa - Five layers or sheaths of existence. They are Annamaya Kōṣa - physical body; Prāṇāmaya Kōṣa - energy body; Manomaya Kōṣa - emotions and mental patterns; Vijñānamaya Kōṣa - intellect body; Anandamaya Kōṣa - bliss body
• Pañca Karmendriya - Five organs of action namely mouth, hands, feet, rectum and genitals
• Pañca Jñānendriya - Five organs of perception namely eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin
• Four parts of consciousness - Buddhi - the intellect; Manas - memory, emotions, thought constructs; Aham - sense of identity, the 'I' ego ; Chitta - mind
• Aṣṭāṅga Yoga - The eight limbs of yoga enumerated by Sage Patanjali.
• Ida , Pingala , Sushumna - The three main Nādi or energy channels
• Kumbhaka - Retention of breath

You can find Yashwanth Panyam on :-

Insta - @pratyakshayoga

Website - pratyakshayoga

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@deepthings.yoga

In this episode Sheetal & I continue our conversation about Moon Meditation. We explore ideas of breaking patterns, 'being & healing' with the moon and the feminine energy. This episode ends with a moon chant and meditation guided by Sheetal.

PS : At the time of this recording, we were in the half moon phase and that is what is referred to in the meditation. Please note that you can practice this chant and meditation during any phase of the moon

You can find Sheetal on -

YouTube

www.youtube.com/user/sheetaljayaraj 

Instagram:

www.instagram.com/sheetal.yoga

Mail: 

sheetaljayaraj@gmail.com

To support ad-free quality content -

Patreon

Links to resources discussed in this episode :-

1. Lunacy & the Moon
2. Moon & Mood
3. What does astrology have to say
4. Circadian Rhythm
5. Moon Cycle & Self Care
6. Lunar Phases & Sleep

In this episode I talk to Sheetal Jayaraj, a yoga teacher from Bangalore, India about slowing down to live in-sync with nature, circadian rhythm, moon phases and ancient practices centered around the moon including moon meditation.

Sheetal is a design professional turned Yoga & Meditation teacher from the Bihar School of Yoga lineage. She facilitates asana, pranayama and meditation sessions centered around moon meditations and chakra healing.

You can find her on -

YouTube

www.youtube.com/user/sheetaljayaraj 

Instagram:

www.instagram.com/sheetal.yoga

Mail: 

sheetaljayaraj@gmail.com

To support ad-free quality content -

Patreon

Links to resources discussed in this episode :-

1. Lunacy & the Moon
2. Moon & Mood
3. What does astrology have to say
4. Circadian Rhythm
5. Moon Cycle & Self Care
6. Lunar Phases & Sleep

Coming Soon!