Let's Talk Yoga

What Yin Yoga Is Really Doing to Your Body with Vinay Jesta

What exactly is Yin Yoga, and how is it different from restorative yoga? Aru gets nerdy with Vinay Jesta about sensation, stillness, connective tissue, the meridian system, emotional awareness, and finding the right balance between Yin and Yang. They also discuss common teaching mistakes, practicing Yin online, and what to look for in a good Yin Yoga training. Episode Highlights: What Yin Yoga is and its place in the yoga tradition Yin Yoga vs. restorative yoga Sensation, stillness, and finding the appropriate edge Props, modifications, and working with different bodies Yin practice length, sequencing, and connective tissue Tension vs. compression and recognizing harmful sensations The role of verbal guidance in Yin The meridian system and Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridians, nadis, emotions, and the psychological aspects of Yin Stillness, self-observation, and meditation in Yin poses Yin poses, gravity, and different ways to practice Yin for injuries, pregnancy, and hypermobility Balancing Yin with Yang-oriented practices Common misconceptions and mistakes in teaching Yin Music in Yin classes Practicing Yin through online videos vs. with a teacher What to look for in a Yin Yoga training Balancing anatomy, skeletal variations, and energetic approaches in Yin Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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What Exactly Is Authentic Yoga? Here’s A Checklist

What does authentic yoga actually look like? Aru shares her personal checklist for examining the depth, roots, and transmission of your yoga practice and teaching. From lineage and Hinduism to pranic experience, sadhana, primary sources, and knowing what you don’t know, this episode explores why sincerity alone isn’t enough—and how we can move closer to authenticity. Episode Highlights: Feeling authentic versus being authentic Westernization and cultural drift Authenticity beyond Indian identity Hinduism and yoga literacy Origin versus transmission Social media as a red flag Platform size versus teaching depth Reach versus depth in yoga The content creator economy When content becomes teaching Churn in yoga offerings Social media versus real knowledge Adhikara and authentic transmission Knowing and tracing your lineage Guru Shishya Parampara and transmission Lineage versus compiled yoga Hinduism as working yoga literacy Sanatana Dharma and yoga roots Yoga texts and traditions Experiencing the pranic body Prana versus nervous system knowledge Pranayama and pranic understanding The pranic body in Hatha Yoga Deep study with teachers Having primary yoga teachers Sadhana beyond asana Personal practice beyond physical yoga Yoga practice versus transactional teaching Marketing culture and yoga communities Learning from primary sources Long-form study and contemplation Knowing the limits of knowledge Honesty about what you know Relationship with the sacred Non-instrumental spiritual practice Sincerity versus authenticity Closing the gap through practice Earning the right to transmit Self-reflection and authentic yoga Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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Lakshmi Maxxing: The Goddess of Wealth, Beauty & Abundance

A closer look at Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, Kali, and Parvati—and why these Hindu goddesses cannot be reduced to modern wellness trends, aesthetics, or manifestation tools. Aru explores cultural appropriation, Shakti, devotion, ritual, and what it means to engage with these traditions with greater depth and respect. Episode Highlights: The viral Lakshmi Maxxing trend Cultural appropriation in modern yoga Hindu goddesses and their symbolism Female goddesses and divine identity Understanding Shakti beyond feminine energy The goddess as divine reality Lakshmi beyond abundance and beauty The eight forms of Lakshmi Lakshmi and auspiciousness Lakshmi’s relationship with prosperity Prosperity within a dharmic framework Using wealth responsibly and ethically Saraswati and true knowledge Knowledge, discernment, and Viveka Durga and extraordinary divine power Durga beyond warrior woman stereotypes The power of feminine strength Kali, destruction, and transformation Kali and the dissolution of ego Kali, impermanence, and liberation Parvati and sustained devotion Parvati as practitioner and ascetic Living with Hindu goddesses Devotion versus transactional worship Offerings, gratitude, surrender, and ritual Everyday Hindu practices and reverence When sacred traditions become aesthetics Understanding cultural appropriation with discernment Learning from authentic sources What Lakshmi teaches beyond accumulation What Saraswati teaches about discernment Finding courage through Durga Transformation through Kali Embodying Parvati’s qualities The divine feminine beyond manifestation Approaching Hindu traditions with respect Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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Sankalpa: The Missing Piece in Your Yoga with Medha Bhaskar

What exactly is a sankalpa, and how is it different from an affirmation, intention, or goal? Medha Bhaskar joins me to explore the deeper meaning of sankalpa, how to discover one that truly resonates, and how it can become a guiding direction for our lives. Episode Highlights: Sankalpa’s meaning and place in yoga Sankalpa versus affirmations and intentions Sankalpa versus manifestation and goals Understanding SMART goals Discovering a deeper sankalpa Having one or multiple sankalpas Sharing a sankalpa publicly Sankalpa as a personal mantra Cultivating the feeling of sankalpa Different types of sankalpas Personal versus universal sankalpas Choosing the right sankalpa focus Moving beyond selfish sankalpas Measuring sankalpa progress Working through disappointment Using sankalpa with difficult intentions Finding and taking a sankalpa Using self-inquiry to discover sankalpa Writing, repeating, and wording sankalpa Choosing the right sankalpa language Using positive sankalpa statements Sankalpa as a healing practice Spiritual versus personal sankalpas Recognizing fear-driven sankalpas Do’s and don’ts of sankalpa Avoiding control and obsession Using universally applicable sankalpas Allowing sankalpa to evolve Using a single-word sankalpa Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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Bandhas 101 - What Yoga Teachers Need to Know with Sandra Anderson

What are the bandhas, and why do they play such an important role in Hatha Yoga? Sandra Anderson joins me to explore the physical, energetic, and meditative purpose of Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, Jalandhara Bandha, and Maha Bandha, along with practical guidance for yoga teachers. Episode Highlights: Meaning and purpose of bandhas Bandhas in asana, pranayama, and meditation Understanding Mula Bandha Male and female differences in Mula Bandha Contraindications for Mula Bandha Understanding Uddiyana Bandha Avoiding excessive muscular effort Preparing the body for bandhas Teaching bandhas without labels Signs of effective bandha practice Understanding Jalandhara Bandha Jalandhara Bandha in pranayama Understanding Maha Bandha Yoga practice without bandhas Presenting energetic practices responsibly Teaching advice for yoga teachers Sandra's courses and resources Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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Does Pronunciation Matter in Yoga? With Dr. Varun Khanna

Why does Sanskrit place so much importance on sound and pronunciation? I’m joined by Dr. Varun Khanna to explore the stories, philosophy, and history behind Sanskrit, and discuss what modern yoga teachers really need to know about the language. Episode Highlights: Meaning of the word guru Sound and vibration in Sanskrit Origins of Devanagari script Sanskrit's role in Indian philosophy Sound, vibration, and the subtle body Pronunciation and mantra accuracy Sanskrit in modern yoga teaching Sanskrit as a tool for learning yoga Om as the ultimate vibration Sanskrit beyond power and hierarchy Practical takeaways for yoga teachers Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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Increase Strength in Asana with Chhavi Sahal

Strength is becoming an essential part of modern yoga, but what does it really mean to be strong in asana? I sit down with functional strength coach Chhavi Sahal to explore trunk stability, core engagement, flexibility versus strength, and practical ways yoga teachers can build stronger, more resilient practitioners. Episode Highlights: Strength gaps in asana Trunk stability and load-bearing Strength versus flexibility Sthira Sukham Asanam Push and pull strength Strength beyond yoga Building trunk and core strength Standing versus supine core engagement Posterior chain strength Balanced hip stability Benefits of strength training Strength and yogic practice Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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Shatkarma: The Cleansing Practices Hatha Yoga Said You Had to Do First

Most yoga teachers have heard of at least one or two of the Shat Kriyas — maybe you've practiced jala neti, maybe you've taught kapalabhati. But the full picture of what these six techniques actually are, where they come from, and why the Hatha Yoga Pradipika places them before pranayama is a conversation the modern yoga world rarely has with any rigor. In this episode, Aru goes deep into the Shatkarma — the six cleansing practices of Hatha Yoga — drawing directly from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Gheranda Samhita to unpack what these techniques were actually built to do, and why "yogic detox" is one of the least accurate ways to describe them. This is not a beginner overview. This is the episode for teachers, trainees, and serious practitioners who want to understand the architecture of Hatha Yoga — why the body had to be cleared before the breath could be regulated, what the texts say about each technique specifically, and where modern science has quietly caught up to practices that are at least six hundred years old on paper, and likely much older. Episode Highlights: What Shat Karma actually means — Sanskrit breakdown of the term and each of the six kriyas The historical context: Swatmarama's Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th c.) vs. Gheranda Samhita (17th c.) and how they differ in their treatment of Shatkarma Why Swatmarama places the six kriyas before pranayama — and what that sequencing tells you about the entire logic of Hatha Yoga The difference between "cleansing for wellness" and "removing a specific obstruction so practice can go deeper" A full breakdown of all six — Neti, Dhauti, Basti, Trataka, Nauli, and Kapalabhati — with Sanskrit etymology, traditional technique, and purpose What modern research actually says (and where it goes quiet) Why Trataka is the only kriya that isn't physically invasive — and why that makes it the most misunderstood of the six Basti: why it's the most prerequisite-dependent kriya, and why almost no one can do it traditionally The two texts don't list the six in the same order — and why that sequencing difference matters more than it looks Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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Ayurvedic Parenting: Raising Regulated, Resilient Children with Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath

I sit down with Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath to explore Ayurvedic parenting, child development, and holistic well-being. We discuss prakriti in children, digestion, hydration, breath, mindfulness, emotional health, modern parenting challenges, and practical ways to raise resilient, balanced, and healthy children through the lens of Ayurveda. Episode Highlights: Inspiration behind the book Ayurvedic pediatrics explained Understanding the whole child Prakriti and child development Optimizing health from conception Healing versus fixing Digestion and nutrition Water and hydration Breath and self-regulation Mindfulness and awareness Ego and child development Sattva, rajas, and tamas Perception and mental health Parenting in the digital age Modern parenting approaches Building trust with children Supporting individuality Common childhood health concerns Self-care for parents Conscious parenting practices Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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ADHD, Neurodiversity & Yoga: Rethinking How We Practice with Becky Aten

I sit down with Becky Aten to explore neurodiversity, ADHD, and how yoga teachers can create more inclusive and supportive spaces. We discuss the origins of neurodiversity, common misconceptions about ADHD, late-life diagnosis, inclusive teaching practices, and practical ways to better support neurodivergent students in yoga classes. Episode Highlights: Origins of neurodiversity Neurodiversity vs. neurodivergence Neurodivergent conditions and traits Innate and acquired neurodivergence Late-life diagnosis experiences Understanding ADHD beyond stereotypes ADHD in adults Gender differences in ADHD Hyperfocus and executive function Yoga and neurodiversity Benefits of yoga practice Recognizing student challenges Neurodivergence and hypermobility Inclusive yoga language Avoiding shame in teaching Creating neuro-inclusive classes Clear expectations and accessibility Resources for further learning Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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Last Call for Pranayama Training - Listen to Chapter One

With only a few days left before my Pranayama Teacher Training begins, I'm sharing a reading from Chapter 1 of the new training manual. Learn the foundations of pranayama, the difference between prana and pranayama, and why breath literacy matters for every yoga student and teacher. Episode Highlights: Pranayama training overview Problems in modern pranayama education Prana versus pranayama Three pillars of pranayama Meaning of pranayama Understanding prana Classical and modern pranayama goals Teacher responsibility and lineage Asana and pranayama relationship Training enrollment details Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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What Most Yoga Teachers Get Wrong About Preparing for Pranayama

Most yoga teachers are taught that chest opening is the key to better pranayama, but what if that’s actually the last thing to focus on? In this solo episode, I share the five areas of asana practice that matter most when preparing the body for pranayama. We explore lung anatomy, spinal mobility, nervous system regulation, hip flexor tension, diaphragm function, and why true breath expansion comes from working with the whole body, not just the chest. If you want your pranayama practice to feel more effortless and effective, this episode offers a practical framework you can start applying right away. Episode Highlights: Common pranayama preparation myths Body as the container of prana Side and back body breathing Lung anatomy and breath capacity Spinal mobility for pranayama False expansion through chest opening Nervous system regulation through breath Front body dominance and stress Hip flexors and diaphragm function Lower abdomen freedom for breathing Chest opening as a result Intelligent asana preparation framework Breath literacy in practice Actionable pranayama preparation steps Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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Vishoka Meditation- The Yogic Practice for Moving Beyond Sorrow with Ishan Tigunait

What is Vishoka Meditation, and how can it help us move beyond sorrow? I sit down with Ishan Tigunait of the Himalayan Institute to discuss consciousness, breath, meditation, and the deeper purpose of yoga practice. Episode Highlights: Himalayan tradition and lineage Understanding consciousness Technique versus experience Foundations of Vishoka Meditation Moving beyond sorrow and suffering Obstacles on the spiritual path Body, breath, and prana awareness Significance of the navel center Characteristics of healthy breathing Breath qualities and meditation Role of the teacher Qualities of a sincere student Individual versus group meditation Meditation and community service Living as a fuller expression of self Daily meditation as self-discovery Learning Vishoka Meditation Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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Stop Calling It Ocean Breath — The Truth About Ujjayi Pranayama with Andrew McGonigle

I’m joined by Andrew McGonigle for a deep dive into Ujjayi Pranayama, the breath technique often called “ocean breath.” We explore the anatomy, nervous system effects, breath retention, and why Ujjayi is far more nuanced than most modern yoga classes make it seem. Episode Highlights: Ujjayi breath foundations Ujjayi body mechanics Inhalation versus exhalation use Ujjayi in vinyasa yoga Breath literacy beyond technique Breath as tool, not goal Natural breath versus Ujjayi Ujjayi and nervous system regulation Trauma-sensitive breath practices Ujjayi during pregnancy Breath retention and kumbhaka Internal awareness through pranayama Teaching Ujjayi progressively Heating versus cooling effects Classical versus modern Ujjayi Personal choice and breath agency Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Turning Pain Into Purpose - Why I Revamped My Pranayama Training

I’m sharing the deeply personal story behind why I revamped my Pranayama Teacher Training and how grief transformed my relationship with breath, pranayama, and teaching yoga. I also dive into breath literacy, why breath is more than just a technique, why Ujjayi is often overused, and the foundational breathing principles I believe every yoga student and teacher should understand. Episode Highlights: Revamped Pranayama training launch Personal pranayama backstory Grief and relationship with breath Turning pain into purpose Breath literacy philosophy Breath beyond technique Beyond inhale and exhale Ujjayi breath reconsidered Breath and nervous system connection Steady breath and steady mind Nasal breathing in yoga Nostrils and brain connection Pranayama training details Italy retreat updates Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

The Difference Between a Yoga Teacher and a Content Creator (And Why It Matters)

What’s the real difference between a yoga teacher and a content creator? In this episode, I break down the subtle (but important) signs that can help you tell them apart, so you can choose how and who you learn from more intentionally. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by courses, content, or conflicting advice online, this one will help you cut through the noise. Episode Highlights: Distinguishing teachers vs content creators Recognizing modern yoga landscape shifts Understanding intention vs impact Spotting marketing-driven yoga approaches Identifying email list obsession patterns Recognizing freebie-heavy funnels Noticing inflated metrics vs real impact Understanding numbers vs student transformation Identifying “old yoga failed” narratives Spotting packaged personal opinions Recognizing transactional teaching models Understanding lack of long-term mentorship Identifying short-term course interactions Spotting constant free content loops Recognizing overconsumption in yoga learning Identifying sales funnels vs real practice Noticing aesthetic-driven curation Recognizing curated vs embodied teaching Spotting trend chasing without depth Noticing high presence, low-impact profiles Understanding digital reach vs real-world impact Defining qualities of a yoga educator Understanding teacher-student relationships Recognizing long-term guidance and accountability Understanding contextualized traditional teachings Identifying student integration over time Recognizing course consumption patterns Auditing followed yoga accounts Evaluating course quantity vs depth Committing to one teacher long-term Assessing teacher retention of students Practicing consistency with one method Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Stretch or Strength First? What Every Yoga Teacher Needs to Know

Should you teach stretch or strength first in your yoga classes? In this episode, I break down a clear, practical framework for sequencing, especially for beginners. Learn how to balance flexibility, strength, and mobility in a way that builds confidence, prevents injury, and actually supports long-term progress. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to structure your classes, this one’s for you. Episode Highlights: Stretch vs strength sequencing clarity Teaching beyond rigid formulas Flexibility vs strength in yoga practice Injury risks from imbalance Beginner-focused sequencing approach Building body awareness and proprioception Starting with lower body flexibility Creating early success through sensation Targeting major muscle groups Lower body: glutes, hamstrings, quads Upper body: side body and breath Introducing range of motion work Dynamic movement vs passive stretch Shoulder and hip mobility focus Adding strength for beginners Tabletop as foundational strength Standing poses for lower body strength Sequencing stretch before strength Balancing release and stabilization Beginner ratios: 70–30 to 60–40 Adjusting for hypermobility and special cases Intermediate student progression 50–50 balance and alternating focus Teaching with intention and adaptability Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Sankhya - The Lens Behind Yoga with Vikram Jeet Singh

I sit down with Vikram Jeet Singh to explore Sankhya—the philosophical framework behind yoga—and how it helps us understand the mind, reduce suffering, and cultivate real awareness. It’s a practical, eye-opening conversation on discernment, identity, and seeing clearly. Episode Highlights: Sankhya pronunciation clarified What Sankhya is and why it matters today Sankhya as philosophy vs. psychological framework How Sankhya is practiced in real life Core structure and framework of Sankhya The goal of Sankhya and ending suffering Understanding purusha and prakriti Creating separation between observer and experience Discernment (viveka) as a core practice How to build and strengthen discernment Buddhi vs. ahamkara in decision-making Samskaras, kleshas, and repeating patterns Identifying true discernment vs. ego-driven thinking The gunas and their role in the mind Real-life application of sattva, rajas, and tamas Understanding tamasic vs. rajasic tendencies Strengthening the “viveka muscle” Creating space between stimulus and response Reducing inner friction and reactivity Teaching yoga without Sankhya awareness Learning Sankhya: teacher vs. self-study The role of tattvas in understanding reality Vikram’s book and ways to study with him Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

How To Be A Good Yoga Student - The Hatha Yoga Pradeepika Framework with Medha Bhaskar

What does it really mean to be a good yoga student? In this conversation, I sit down with Medha Bhaskar to explore the framework described in the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika for cultivating a meaningful yoga practice. We talk about the importance of understanding the principle before the process and how the mindset we bring to our practice shapes what we learn from it. Medha walks us through the Badhaka Tattvas (the habits that weaken a practice) and the Sadhaka Tattvas (the qualities that strengthen it), while reflecting on how these classical teachings apply to modern yoga students and teachers. From boundaries and energy management to perseverance and self-awareness, this conversation offers a grounded look at what it means to truly grow through yoga. Episode Highlights: Introduction to the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, its historical context, and its role as a practical manual within the broader body of classical yoga texts. Understanding the difference between principle and process in yoga practice, and why focusing only on techniques can lead to a narrow understanding of yoga. Exploring the mindset of a yoga student and why self-awareness and intention matter more than simply showing up to practice. The Badhaka Tattvas and the six behaviors described in the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika that diminish practice, beginning with overconsumption and excess sensory input. How overexertion and constant striving can weaken a practitioner’s energy and lead to imbalance. The impact of excessive talking and scattered communication on focus, clarity, and the integration of learning. Why rigid rule-following without reflection can create guilt, imbalance, and disconnection from the purpose of practice. The role of over-socialization and lack of boundaries, including how modern lifestyles and digital engagement affect a practitioner’s focus and energy. The final diminishing factor: inner instability and scattered attention, and how it can lead to burnout, confusion, and lack of direction in practice. Shifting to the Sadhaka Tattvas, the qualities that nourish and strengthen a yoga practice. The importance of enthusiasm and genuine interest in sustaining long-term engagement with yoga. Why courage and perseverance are necessary when confronting personal limitations and challenges on the mat and in life. Developing discernment and clarity in understanding the deeper principles behind yoga practices. Cultivating commitment and steady resolve to remain engaged in the process of self-inquiry and growth. The role of mindful association and supportive community, while still maintaining independence and personal responsibility for one’s path. Reflecting on how yoga evolves from something we do into something we become, shifting from practice as action to practice as a way of being. Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

How to Teach Mixed Level Classes?

Teaching mixed level classes can feel overwhelming, especially when your students are all at different stages in their practice. In this episode, I share simple, practical ways to structure your classes, offer options, and create a more inclusive and confident teaching experience. Episode Highlights: Mixed-level classes are the norm and should be approached with that mindset The distinction between mixed-level and all-level classes The importance of shifting from sequence-focused to student-focused teaching Building sequences that include a variety of pose categories Why full-body sequencing works better than peak pose sequencing in mixed classes Including standing poses, balances, backbends, twists, seated, supine, and inversions Using progression and regression options for every pose Maintaining a middle path that supports both beginners and experienced students Why themed sequencing is more effective than peak pose sequencing The importance of developing strong pose literacy Offering benefit-based alternatives when poses are not accessible Setting expectations at the beginning of class to normalize options and autonomy Encouraging students to move at their own pace and take ownership of their practice Using props as an essential teaching tool for accessibility and adaptability How mixed-level classes can build trust, community, and long-term student engagement Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Online Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!