Sivana Podcast: Eastern Spirituality, Yoga Philosophy, And Conscious Living

With yoga's gaining popularity in the West, how do we approach some of the lofty claims about yoga? How do we know what's actually true versus what's a false or unproven claim? Join us as we chat with Ariana Rabinovitch, yoga teacher and co-author of Exposing Yoga Myths: Vol 1., as we discuss some of the more prevalent myths within modern postural yoga as it's practiced in the West. We also discuss an exciting new project that Ariana is creating to help make the hordes of current scientific research about yoga more accessible to the public and easier for everyone to understand. Enter to win our weekly contests at: www.sivanaspirit.com/contest/ Special Guest: Ariana Rabinovitch www.arianayoga.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com        

Do you struggle with money? While a lot of people talk about abundance, before you can change your relationship to money, you have to explore why you struggle with money in the first place. Do you have a basic financial literacy? How organized are you with your finances and what sorts of healthy financial habits do you have in place? Join us with Lindsay Sacks, as we discuss financial freedom and talk about multi-layered approaches to healing your relationship with money. Lindsay Sacks left her corporate accounting job years ago to follow her passions and help people change their relationship to money and success, organize their finances, and gain financial freedom.  Special Guest: Lindsay Sacks www.liveblissmarketing.com www.facebook.com/groups/thefreelanceschool Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

For many, our inner critic can routinely sabotage our life and relationships, constantly telling us that we are never good enough... Can we quiet this inner critic? Is it a voice worth integrating? And how do mindfulness and compassion impact our relationship with both the inner and outer critic? Join us as we chat with meditation teacher and therapist, Mark Coleman, about ways to work with our inner critic to help us live more joyous and prosperous lives. Mark Coleman is the author of Make Peace with Your Mind and Awake in the Wild.  He is the founder of the Mindfulness Institute and has guided students on five continents as a corporate consultant, counselor, meditation teacher, and wilderness guide. Special Guest: Mark Coleman www.awakeinthewild.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Greek Philosophers are often praised for their intellect and logic, but what if there was a deeper, more spiritual side to these great thinkers that's not often taught in schools? Greek Philosophers not only had contact with, but sought out yogis, sages, and teachers from Indian, Egyptian, and Persian cultures. They practiced meditation, vegetarianism, and often believed in concepts of karma and reincarnation. Join us on this exciting conversation with Linda Johnsen about the links between ancient Greek and Roman philosophers and the mystical traditions of the near and far east.  Linda Johnsen, author of Lost Masters: Rediscovering the Mysticism of the Ancient Greek Philosophers, is a long time student of religious philosophy. She holds degrees in Eastern and Western Psychology, and has post-graduate training in theology and Sanskrit. She is the award winning author of eight books on spirituality, including Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India, and has hundreds of articles that have appeared in

Are you a procrastinator or perfectionist? What happens when you feel stuck and unable to move forward? The truth is, we all feel stuck from time to time, but what can we do to move past it? Join us with Sam Bennett, as she describes tools to help us when we feel overwhelmed, stagnant, or frustrated. We also discuss the importance of self care, goal setting, boundaries, and more. Sam Bennett is the author of Start Right Where You Are and Get It Done. She created The Organized Artist Company to help creative people get unstuck and achieve their goals. She is a writer, actor, teacher, and creativity/productivity specialist who has counseled thousands of artists and entrepreneurs on their way to success.   Special Guest: Sam Bennett www.startrightwhereyouare.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

What is actually happening when we breathe? Chances are, that if you've been to a yoga class, you've heard that we don't breath enough. But what if that's not entirely accurate? What if taking a deep breath isn't what you think it is or what you actually need? Doesa breath through the nose effect us differently than a breath through the mouth? Join us with author and teacher, Patrick McKeown, as we discuss these questions and more. We'll learn how can changing the way we breath can reduce stress and increasing performance, as well as even change the look of your face! If you've been wanting to know more about the breath, this is the episode for you! Special Guest: Patrick McKeown www.buteykoclinic.com   Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Singing and chanting have the power to affect us physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually, but where does one begin? Do you have to sing in Sanskrit or in another ancient language in order to receive the benefits of chanting? Join us in this episode as we talk with Girish, a world famous musician and teacher, about the power of chanting and how it can radically improve our lives.  Girish is a musician, author and teacher. He has created multiple solo albums, and has played regularly with other well known artists like Krishna Das, Dave Stringer, Snatam Kaur, Wah! and more. He recently came out with his first book, Music and Mantra: The Yoga of Mindful Singing for Health, Happiness, Peace, and Prosperity, which provides a wonderful opportunity for readers to dive more deeply into the profound practices of mantra and music! Special Guest: Girish www.girishmusic.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

What if animals, plants and trees could talk? What if we could listen? In a time where the rise of technology and our modern lifestyles may threaten our connection to the natural world, it's important that we find ways to stay connected to nature.  Join us with Amelia Kinkade, animal "whisperer", author and one of the leading psychics in America, as we discuss how to get more in touch with nature and the animals around us. She offers a hopeful message about how we can all connect more deeply to the natural world and its inhabitants, and how we can be part of a growing solution, instead of a continued problem. Special Guest: Amelia Kinkade www.ameliakinkade.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com    

Yoga has meant a lot of things to a lot of people throughout Indian history. What it means to people has changed even more since yoga has spread across the world. How do we define yoga today? Do we need to define yoga? What is happening to yoga in the West?  Join us with author, teacher, ayurvedic consultant and cultural critic, Matthew Remski, as we dive into this important topic. Matthew has been doing great work within the yoga community with the WAWADIA Project (What Are We Actually Doing In Asana) and other projects he's involved with. His keen insights and thoughtful reflections are a welcome addition to yoga in the modern age. Special Guest: Matthew Remski www.matthewremski.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

The practice of yoga postures (asana) within Hatha Yoga is by far the most widely practiced type of yoga in the Western World today. What is its purpose? Does all yoga need to be therapeutic? Why do people get injured? Is there a difference in how different styles of yoga (Iyengar and Ashtanga as an example) view the practice of postures? Join us with Steven Weiss, a holistic chiropractor, nutritionist, yoga therapist and teacher, as well as author of the book The Injury Free Yoga Practice, as we dive into a conversation about the postural practices of yoga and it's implications in our lives. Special Guest: Steven Weiss www.yogainjuryanatomyalignment.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Presence, mindfulness, these are words we hear a lot, but what does it really mean to be present and mindful? Are there ways to cultivate a more active engaged presence in life? Join us with Thomas. M. Sterner, author, musician and athlete, as we explore what it means to be fully engaged in every aspect of your life. Thomas M. Sterner is the author of multiple books, including The Practicing Mind and Fully Engaged., and speaks around the world on developing focus and discipline. Special Guest: Thomas M. Sterner www.tomsterner.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda have both been around since antiquity. While the two grew in their own separate ways, their nearby cultural connections meant that they likely influenced each another. What similarities are there between these two holistic sciences? What are their big differences? Join us with Dr. Prana Gogia, Acupuncturist and Ayurvedic Practitioner, as we discuss these two fascinating forms of medicine and learn more about how they can benefit us in our daily lives. Special Guest: Dr. Prana Gogia www.pranajiacupuncture.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanapodcast.com  

Join us with Katie Brauer, as we dive into how yoga can empower people in their lives and explore what it's like being a yoga teacher today. Most yoga classes are being taught by newer teachers with limited education. When do we start to expect a higher standard in how yoga teachers are trained? What might that look like for teachers and students? How is the scenery of how yoga is taught in the West already changing? We'll explore these topics and more! Originally from Sydney Australia, a former Professional Snowboarder, International Yoga Teacher, Inspirational Speaker and Creative Leader, Katie Brauer is a trail blazer with a modern and empowering approach to self inquiry, personal development and transformation. Combining two decades of experience, Katie is known as a teacher of teachers and is a featured teacher on Gaiam TV as well as a regular speaker and teacher at large festivals. In her classes, workshops and trainings, she works with Olympians, professional athletes, celebrities and everyone in betwe

Join us with our guest, Russill Paul, spiritual teacher, musician, and author of The Yoga of Sound, as we discuss the power of sound, vibration and mantra to affect every aspect of our lives. If you are interested in incorporating mantra into your life, you'll enjoy Russill's insights and understandings of this incredible and ancient practice. In this episode, we'll also explore the four streams of sonic mysticism, explain what a sonic community is, and much more!    Special Guest: Russill Paul www.russillpaul.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Join us with Jeffrey Armstrong, author, mystical poet, motivational speaker and spiritual teacher, as we discuss how yoga can inspire a new generation of thought leaders living and participating in the every day world. How can we work to effect positive change in the world around us and within us? We ask how to integrate yoga into our daily lives, and explore important questions about life, divine intelligence and the challenges of living a conscious life in the modern world. Award-winning poet and best-selling author of numerous books, Jeffrey is a relationship expert, philosopher, practitioner and teacher of the Vedas for over 40 years. Prior to his teaching he had a successful career as an executive in Silicon Valley and spent five years in an ashram as a brahmacharya (monk). He also holds degrees in Psychology, History & Comparative Religion and English Literature. For the past 40+ years and currently as the Media and Communications Director for both the Vedic Friends Association (VFA) and the Hindu C

While we can agree that yoga is about a lot more than stretching, that doesn't change the fact that the majority of people coming to yoga in the west, come because of a perceived benefit of stretching. So what is actually happening to the body when we stretch and move in a postural yoga practice? Has what we know about the body changed in recent years because of developments in western medical science?  Join us as we chat with Jules Mitchell MS, CMT, RYT, a Los Angeles based yoga teacher, manual therapist and educator. She combines the tradition of yoga with her background in biomechanics to create yoga programs designed to help people move better and achieve individually defined physical success. As adjunct faculty at Arizona State University, Jules serves as the yoga consultant on various research studies (including a recent grant from NIH) to quantify the effects of yoga therapy on special populations – including pregnant women, women with depressive symptoms associated with perinatal loss, and cancer pati

Are we taking yoga somewhere, or is it taking us? And where are we headed? Join us as we talk with J. Brown, yoga teacher, writer and host the Yoga Talks Podcast. His writing has been featured in Yoga Therapy Today, the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, Elephant Journal, and Yogadork. In this episode, J. shares his personal story of how yoga helped him process his mother's death and how his practice has changed over the years. As we discuss the power of yoga to support and transform people's lives, we ask what direction we see yoga heading here in the West and explore ways in which technology is impacting how yoga is taught and shared throughout the world. Special Guest: J. Brown www.jbrownyoga.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

In Part II of our conversation with yogi and sanskrit scholar, Christopher Tompkins, he expands on his amazing findings that include an important missing link between the modern popular postures and ancient tantric traditions! Were early yogi masters who brought yoga to the west teaching everything they knew or was something intentionally left out? Where does this leave the modern practice, so popular today? Where do we go next? Join us for the conclusion of our conversation about the true origins of modern yoga. -- The true origins of the modern practice of Hatha Yoga, practiced by so many in the world today, is hotly disputed by many scholars. Some people believe most of the postures practiced today were invented by a great yogi and sage, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, in the early 20th century. Others say the postures are much older,  but how much older? If the postures did exist hundreds or thousands of years ago, were they practiced the same way? Are we missing anything in our modern practice? We explore the

The true origins of the modern practice of Hatha Yoga, practiced by so many in the world today, is hotly disputed by many scholars. Some people believe most of the postures practiced today were invented by a great yogi and sage, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, in the early 20th century. Others say the postures are much older,  but how much older? If the postures did exist hundreds or thousands of years ago, were they practiced the same way? Are we missing anything in our modern practice?  In Part I of our conversation with yogi and sanskrit scholar, Christopher Tompkins, he tells us the story of how he came into yoga and what him led him to these mysterious ancient sanskrit texts.  He goes on to explain the discoveries he has made and speaks of the true origins of modern postural yoga. Has he found a missing key to unlock the postures so commonly practiced in the world today? Join us in this exciting conversation about the roots and origins of modern yoga! Christopher P. Tompkins, MTS, MA is a Yoga practitioner an

In this episode, we dive into a story of Hanuman that warns us not to get too comfortable on the spiritual journey. Even after Hanuman realizes his divine nature, there is still work to be done and obstacles to overcome. With strength, wit, and a commitment to explore the depths of the subconscious, Hanuman shows us how to overcome the challenges of the spiritual path. The story serves as a reminder to stay vigilant in your quest, no matter how far you've come. Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com