In today’s podcast episode, I’m joined by Sarah and Ty Powers, long-time partners in life and practice, and two teachers whose work has quietly shaped how yoga, meditation, and psychological inquiry are woven together in the West.

This is a gentle, spacious conversation, and a beautiful one to ease into the new year.

We talk about what it really means to practise, not just on the mat or meditation cushion, but in the middle of everyday life. Sarah and Ty share stories from their decades together, reflecting on partnership, parenting, teaching, retreat life, and the ways practice naturally matures over time.

We explore gratitude as an antidote to the complaining mind, the importance of pausing and softening in moments of difficulty, and what it means to truly belong to yourself. Sarah speaks beautifully about yin yoga as a pathway home, while Ty reflects on meditation, inner dialogue, and cultivating compassion rather than self-criticism.

This is a conversation about living your yoga - imperfectly, relationally, and with care. I’m really glad to share it with you.

Sarah Powers is the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute as well as the author of Insight Yoga and Lit from Within, which interweaves Yoga, Buddhism, Taoism, and Transpersonal psychology into an integrated practice to enliven the body, heart, and mind. 

Ty Powers is also the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute, and teaches yoga and meditation retreats around the world with his wife, Sarah Powers. He has been teaching Vipassana since 2003 as a graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader training program and has been practicing Dzogchen Buddhism for over 20 years. 

Connect with Sarah and Ty Powers at https://sarahandtypowers.com.

Access my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.

Join the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.

Join the free info session for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training on the 24th January 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.

Apply for a scholarship for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible Bex Tyrer (she/her), a powerful voice in contemporary yoga and a longtime teacher based at the Yoga Barn in Ubud, Bali.

I first met Bex a few years ago when I dropped into one of her classes at the Yoga Barn and loved it so much that I returned a year ago for her 10-day immersion, Myth, the Magic and the Mastery. We might even be cooking up a project together in Bali in 2026, so stay tuned!

One of the things I loved most about studying with Bex was diving into the history of yoga, how it has evolved, who gets to shape the narrative, and what that means for the way we practice today. Bex brings a grounded, informed, and refreshingly critical perspective that cuts through the noise in modern yoga discourse.

In this episode, we explore:

• What the roots of yoga really tell us about its original purpose
• How women have been included and excluded in yoga - both historically and now
• The tension between yoga’s liberatory potential and the ways the industry often fails women
• Where yoga can do harm, and how it can do better
• Bex’s experiences teaching yoga in extraordinary settings, including prisons, refugee camps, and women's shelters

Bex’s background spans academia, activism, and embodied wisdom. She has a Master’s degree in Development Studies, worked as a researcher at Oxford University, and has spent the last 15+ years teaching thousands of yoga students and training hundreds of teachers - all while weaving in her deep commitment to social and environmental justice.

And yes, this was a very Bali conversation, complete with tech improvisations and two surprise visits from a cobra mid-interview!

I can’t wait for you to listen.

Connect with Bex at https://freedom-through-movement.teachable.com/

Access my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join

Download the free Patañjali’s Eight Limbs and Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbs

Join the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online


This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Today’s guest on the podcast is the brilliant Dr Lindsay C. Gibson (she/her), clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents - a life-changing book that has brought clarity and healing to so many. 

If you’ve ever found yourself feeling confused, guilty, or caught in a cycle of self-blame when it comes to your parents or family dynamics, Lindsay’s work offers the insight you’ve been looking for.
With the holiday season just around the corner, this conversation couldn’t be more timely.

Join us as we explore:

• What emotional immaturity really is
• The four subtypes of emotionally immature parents
• How to tell if you’re an adult child of emotionally immature parents (some of the signs might surprise you)
• What to do if you realise that you are emotionally immature
• How to stay grounded and sane when visiting an emotionally immature family over the holidays
• Insights from Lindsay’s recent interview with Oprah on estrangement and 
• How we can raise emotionally mature children in these times

Lindsay brings over 30 years of clinical wisdom to this conversation, and I didn’t want it to end - but don’t worry, it doesn’t go on forever!

Connect with Lindsay Gibson at https://www.lindsaycgibson.com.

Access my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.

The online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starts 16th February 2026, sign up today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.


This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more and at greater and greater speeds, prioritising rest can feel impossible.

But rest is not only the medicine we need to heal in these times, rest is also a radical act of resistance, a quiet revolution of reclaiming our own humanity and sovereignty. 

In today’s podcast episode, I’m joined by the incredible Octavia Raheem (she/her), where we unpack:

• why we’re all so damn tired, 
• the gentle power of resting, 
• how to find rest even if you’re working 12-hour days or single parenting, 
• the challenges of meeting what comes up when you start resting and 
• how rest can be a place of refuge during deep grief and through life’s challenging times.

Octavia F. Raheem is a wife, mother, three-time author, rest coach, and restorative + Yoga Nidra Teacher. She is the founder of Devoted to Rest® a transformational rest-focused immersion for visionary leaders making a high impact in their fields and teaches passionate and driven individuals how to awaken their fullest potential through the power of rest. 

Connect with Octavia Raheem at https://www.octaviaraheem.com.

Registration is now open for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training, sign up today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

What does it actually mean to live in accordance with your dharma, and how do you figure out what your dharma actually is?

In today’s episode, I sat down with Myra Lewin, an incredible yoga and ayurvedic teacher and founder of Hale Pule, to explore the concepts of dharma and swadharma. 

In our conversation, Myra shares her personal journey from the medical industry to discovering Ayurveda and yoga, which transformed her life and health. Together, we delve into the importance of understanding one's purpose and living in alignment with it, including the role of yoga and ayurveda in achieving balance and clarity.

Listen in to hear:

• Myra's journey from feeling chronically unwell to finding healing through Ayurveda and yoga
• The concept of dharma as a collective and individual purpose
• How past experiences contribute to our current path and understanding
• The importance of self-inquiry and listening to one's eternal self
• Practical Ayurvedic practices to support living your dharma
• The role of joy, acceptance, and serenity in recognising alignment with dharma.
• Myra's personal daily practices that support her life

Connect with Myra Lewin at https://halepule.com

Get on the waitlist for the Yoga Psychology Mentorship at https://www.yogapsychologymentorship.com 

Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation

Be the first to hear when the dates of our next programs are announced and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

How can we regulate our nervous system, ease anxiety, and create lives of greater connection and wellbeing?

In this heart-opening conversation, I sat down with Dr Kaitlin Harkess (she/her) to explore the transformative role of somatic practices, compassion, and lifestyle medicine in supporting mental health.

Together, we dive into:

• The importance of connection for mental health and wellbeing
• How understanding the nervous system can help us manage anxiety
• Practical somatic strategies from her new book for regulation and grounding
• The role of physical activity, nature, and recreation in reducing stress
• Why relationships, community, and service are pillars of wellbeing
• How a compassionate perspective reduces stigma around anxiety
• The power of flexibility and personalisation in health practices

Dr Kaitlin N. Harkess, PhD, is the author of The Somatic Workbook for Nervous System Regulation and Anxiety Management, host of the Wisdom for Wellbeing podcast, and founder of the holistic therapy practice Wisdom for Wellbeing. A Clinical Psychologist and long-time yoga and meditation teacher, Kaitlin has helped hundreds of individuals experiencing anxiety, overwhelm and burnout reconnect with their bodies and build resilience through integrative, evidence-informed practices.

Kaitlin’s new Somatic Workbook offers step-by-step, body-based strategies that complement psychological tools—an empowering resource for anyone navigating anxiety or stress and wanting to live with more balance, presence, and resilience.

Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation.

Be the first to hear when the dates of our next programs are announced and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.

Find out more about our wonderful sponsor:

• Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next order

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible East Forest to explore the profound connections between music, mental health, spirituality, mushrooms, gratitude and collective awakening.  

Together, we dive into some truly thought-provoking topics, including:

• How music can be a powerful tool for healing and self-expression
• The importance of vulnerability in creativity and connection
• The role psychedelics can play in mental health and enhancing spiritual experiences - and how to approach them safely and legally
• Why inner work is essential for personal growth, activism, and collective awakening
• The magic of storytelling and its ability to inspire and connect us

We also reflect on how spirituality can be woven into the fabric of everyday life, finding gratitude in the simplest of moments - like the warmth of sunshine or the presence of a loved one. This conversation is a beautiful reminder of the transformative power of connection, compassion, and presence.

We do speak about suicide and drug use, so if these are topics you don’t want to hear about today, you might like to skip this episode.  

Connect with East Forest at https://eastforest.org/

For crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline at http://lifeline.org.au or 13 11 14, or find support from anywhere in the world at https://befrienders.org.

Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation

Be the first to hear when the dates of our next programs are announced and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join


This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Will AI take over from yoga teachers?

Join Lizzie Lasater and me as we explore this new frontier of AI in yoga practice, teaching and education.

I’ve been watching as Lizzie has embraced AI in her yoga teaching lately, and was delighted to dive into this somewhat controversial topic with her. I think you’re going to love it!

In this conversation, you’ll hear about the reservations we’ve both had about AI and how we’re now using it very intentionally in our lives and work. 

We also dive into the practicalities of living a restful life, amidst the demands of mothering and working, and how we’re both using AI, not as a way to enhance productivity and achieve more, but to claim back more spaciousness for ourselves, our families and the people we serve.

Lizzie Lasater teaches all about creativity, functional movement, somatic strength, and Restorative Yoga. In this season of her life, she is focused on her yoga practice, family life with her twin boys, and designing online courses. 

Connect with Lizzie Lasater at https://www.lizzielasater.com.

Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation.

Be the first to hear when the dates of our next programs are announced and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.

Find out more about our incredible sponsor Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next order

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Join Elena Brower (she/her) and I as we explore her incredible new book, Hold Nothing. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, reflect and embrace the beauty of letting go.

We talk about the transformative power of gratitude, the courage it takes to navigate life’s hardest conversations, and the lessons death can teach us about living fully. Elena also shares her journey through addiction and sobriety, offering wisdom on self-discovery, healing, and the meditative rituals that bring us back to presence.

This episode is deeply personal, soulful, and a reminder to hold space for yourself as you navigate life’s complexities.

What You’ll Take Away:

• How gratitude can anchor you in life’s toughest moments
• Why letting go is essential for personal growth
• The role of yoga, meditation, zen and tea in cultivating presence
• How death awareness can inspire meaningful living

I hope this episode resonates with you as much as it did with me. If it does, please share it with someone who could use a little more presence in their life. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review, it helps us bring more meaningful conversations like this to you.

Pre-order Elena Brower’s book at https://elenabrower.com/holdnothing/ 

Join our incredible, thriving community of seekers, dreamers, yoga teachers, health professionals and curious humans. Be the first to hear when the dates of our next programs are announced and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation. Go to https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join. 

Download a free chapter of my book Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book.

Learn more about the Coming Home to Yourself Mentorship at https://www.laurentober.com/cominghome.

Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au. 

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

So many people keep asking me if I have an audio version of my book, Mental Health Aware Yoga, so I’m doing something a little different today, and reading the first chapter of the book on the podcast!

So, pour yourself a cuppa, snuggle into your favourite comfy chair and let me read you a story! In the first chapter, I share all about my journey with yoga and mental health, how and why I came to create this program, and why I think it’s so important that all yoga teachers understand mental health.

While the book is written for yoga teachers, this chapter in particular is for anyone interested in the intersection of yoga and mental health, or for anyone, like me, who loves to learn about people’s journeys and how they came to be doing the work they’re doing.

If you would prefer the written version instead, you can also download the first chapter for free at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book.

To get your hands on a copy of the book, including all the additional resources that you can access in our online Shala, head over to your favourite online independent bookstore or go down to your local bookshop and ask them to order it in. You can also find links to purchase at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book.

And to join our incredible thriving community of seekers, dreamers, yoga teachers, health professionals and curious humans, and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation. Go to https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join. This playlist is designed to help you feel calm, focused and grounded in minutes, and might just become your go-to tool to create balance in your day.

Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:

• Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next order
• Yoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.au

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

You don’t often hear the words sexy and menopause in the same sentence, so when my friend Lisa Fitzpatrick told me she was writing a book on the topic, I knew that I had to get her on the podcast to tell us all about it.

Lisa (she/her) is a pelvic and sexual health educator, speaker, physiotherapist, yoga teacher and writer devoted to helping women reclaim their sensuality, self-worth and personal power, especially in midlife and beyond.

While my intention for this conversation with Lisa was to dive right in and talk about sexuality and intimacy in menopause, we went a bit off script, and Lisa shared, quite vulnerably, about her recent mid-life crisis and descent into the underworld.

In the episode, you’ll not only hear about sexuality and intimacy in menopause, you’ll also hear Lisa share about what triggered her dark night of the soul, how she navigated through these devastating times, what brought her back, and the gifts that this deeply challenging time brought her. 

I don’t think we talk enough about sexuality, menopause and traversing life's deeply challenging times, and I’m so grateful that Lisa shared her experience with us.

Connect with Lisa at https://www.sexymenopause.com

The 2025 Yoga Psychology Mentorship has closed for registration. Get on the waitlist for the 2026 mentorship at https://www.yogapsychologymentorship.com

Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/

Jump on our free email newsletter and be the first to hear when new offerings and episodes are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/

Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:

• Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next order
• Yoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.au

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Why are so many yoga teachers in crisis and questioning their path?

Join Theo Wildcroft, co-editor of The Yoga Teacher’s Survival Guide, and I as we deep dive into some of the challenges that yoga teachers are facing right now, including cultural appropriation, how to best honor the roots of yoga, the trauma embedded in sanskrit, the lack of pedagogy in contemporary yoga teaching, the tension between yoga and capitalism, what post-lineage yoga actually means and more.

But there’s hope! Theo brings such joy and generosity to this conversation and shares a way through the minefield, including leaning on the three sources of authority - inner wisdom, expert advice and community.

Theo Wildcroft (she/her), PhD, is a teacher, writer and scholar working for a more sustainable relationship between our many selves, the communities that hold us, and the world that nourishes us. Her research considers the democratization of yoga post-lineage, and meaning-making in grassroots communities of practice. She’s a lover of vulnerable people, of wild things and wild places, and of the simple miracle of life itself. 

Theo is the author of Post-Lineage Yoga: From Guru to #MeToo, co-editor of The Yoga Teacher’s Survival Guide, co-editor of Yoga Studies in Five Minutes, and editor of the forthcoming Religion and the Sense of Self.

Connect with Theo Wildcroft at https://theowildcroft.com/

Join the Yoga Psychology Mentorship starting 8th August 2025 at  https://www.yogapsychologymentorship.com

Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/

Jump on our free email newsletter and be the first to hear when new offerings and episodes are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/ 

Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au 

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Mindfulness without compassion can be pretty bleak at times. 

In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, I’m joined by yoga teacher, author, and mindfulness facilitator Anna Taylor (she/her) to explore the deeper layers of yoga, compassion, and the human experience.

Anna shares her personal journey through yoga and mindfulness, the vulnerable process of writing her new book, and how compassion has become a foundational element in both her teaching and life. 

Together, we explore the intersection of neuroscience, emotional wellbeing, and spiritual practice - offering practical tools and gentle reminders for anyone navigating the highs and lows of being human.

You’ll hear about:

• The brain’s negativity bias and how it impacts our self-perception
• Why compassion, not just self-improvement, is at the heart of yoga
• What it really means to hold space for others and ourselves
• How to meet difficult days with grace and presence
• The difference between fixing ourselves and truly caring for ourselves

Whether you're a yoga teacher, a mental health professional, or someone seeking more ease and authenticity in your life, this conversation is a balm for the soul.

Connect with Anna Taylor at https://www.mindbodybalance.co.uk

Join the free info session for the Yoga Psychology Mentorship on the 25th July 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/yoga-psychology-mentorship/#info

Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/

Sign up for the Embodied Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Workshop in Mullumbimby on the 26th of July 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar/

Jump on our free email newsletter and be the first to hear when new offerings and episodes are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/ 

Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au 

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Have you ever noticed how the same sequence, repeated with care, can feel brand‑new every time?

In this episode, I sat down with Karen Fabian (she/her) to explore the unexpected magic of practising and teaching one carefully crafted flow again and again. 

Karen shares the story of integrating her work as a health professional and a yoga teacher, and discovering how gratitude, creativity and straight‑up perseverance wove those threads into a career in yoga education.

Together we unpack:

• why predictability in class can lower anxiety and build learner confidence
• how to design a signature sequence that meets your own needs, and if you’re a teacher, shares your unique voice
• practical ways yoga supports emotional regulation and overall wellness
• the role of relentless curiosity—questioning cues, philosophy and the industry itself—to keep your teaching fresh
• the evolving dance between personal practice and professional service

Karen is a yoga teacher, podcast host, author, and founder of Bare Bones Yoga. With a background in rehabilitative medicine and healthcare, she integrates her deep knowledge of anatomy and movement into her teaching and empowers yoga teachers to lead confident, accessible classes while understanding the why behind their cues.

Connect with Karen Fabian at https://barebonesyoga.com/

The Yoga Psychology Mentorship opens for registration tomorrow. Get on the waitlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/yoga-psychology-mentorship/

Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/

Sign up for the Embodied Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Workshop in Mullumbimby on the 26th of July 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar/

Jump on our free email newsletter and be the first to hear when new offerings and episodes are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/ 

Listen to Dr Lauren’s interview on Karen’s podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/meet-dr-lauren-tober-ep-355/id1432716189?i=1000713093686

Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:

• Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next order
• Yoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.au

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Join us for a deeply transformative conversation about yoga as a path of self-remembrance and coming home to ourselves. 

In this episode, I sit down with Tracee Stanley (she/her) to explore the profound practice of yoga nidra and how it can guide us back to our true essence.

In the episode, Tracee takes us on a journey into how she discovered yoga after a spontaneous experience on a balcony watching the sunrise in South Africa, and how she now weaves yoga and yoga nidra so deeply and intimately into her life and work. 

She shares with us about yoga nidra as a practice, as a goddess and a state of consciousness, and guides us through a beautiful protective practice to support us through difficult times. 

Tracee is the author of the bestselling book Radiant Rest: Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation and Awakened Clarity and The Luminous Self: Sacred Yogic Practices & Rituals to Remember Who You Are. She is also the founder of Empowered Life Circle, a sacred community and portal of practices, rituals, and Tantric teachings inspired by more than 28 years of studentship in Sri Vidya Tantra and the teachings of the Himalayan Masters. As a post-lineage teacher, Tracee is devoted to sharing the wisdom of yoga nidra, rest, meditation, self-inquiry, nature as a teacher, and ancestor reverence. 

This is a delightful and thoughtful episode, and I am so honoured to have delved into this conversation with Tracee and to share it with you here today.

Connect with Tracee Stanley at https://www.traceestanley.com/

Watch the How to Teach Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Masterclass at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/how-to-teach-yoga-for-nervous-system-regulation/

Sign up for the Embodied Yoga for Nervous System Regulation Workshop in Mullumbimby on the 26th of July 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar/

Find out more and get on the waitlist for the Yoga Psychology Mentorship at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/yoga-psychology-mentorship/

Find out more and get on the waitlist for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online/

Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:

• Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next order
• Yoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.au

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

We often talk about adolescence but what about matresence? 

In today’s podcast episode, I sat down with Claire Holloway (she/her) to talk about all things pregnancy, birth and beyond. Claire is a yoga teacher, mother of two and the founder of the Centre of Bright Beginnings, where she holds space for women and parents to explore their own transformative journey, feeling supported and empowered towards autonomy in parenthood.

A few episodes ago, I spoke with Jane Hardwick Collings on the topic of sagesence, and in today’s episode Claire and I talk about matrescence and the role that yoga plays in supporting us during this perinatal period of our lives. 

While the focus of perinatal yoga is often on asana, the physical practice of yoga, in this episode we explore how other facets of yoga can support the perinatal journey, including pranayama, mantra, yoga nidra, the yamas and niyamas and having an understanding of the koshas.

This is an episode for anyone anywhere on the perinatal journey, and for those who love or work with people in this phase of their life.

Connect with Claire Holloway at https://www.yourbrightbeginning.com.au/

Be the first to hear when our new online Shala opens at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join

Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In today’s episode, I sat down with Leslie Kaminoff, to talk about the evolution of yoga and the power of breath in emotion regulation.

Leslie is a yoga educator inspired by the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar, and for five decades has been leading workshops and trainings in the fields of yoga, breath anatomy and bodywork. He also is the co-author of the book Yoga Anatomy which has sold over a million copies, and is a staple on the bookshelf of many yoga teachers worldwide.

In the episode today, Leslie shares about his journey into yoga, learning from his father, becoming a Swami in India, then a householder in New York. 

We also unpack:

• the role of lineages and teachers in yoga,
• the trap of the ego and siddhis,
• the value of experiential learning over academic credentials,
• the power of the breath in self-enquiry and changing our emotional state,
• why he has no problem with things like goat yoga and hot naked yoga, and
• why Leslie believes it’s important to practice kriyas like kapalabhati before we practice pranayama. 

And stay right to the end to hear about Leslie’s personal practice these days, and how it’s evolved over the years.

Connect with Leslie Kaminoff at https://yogaanatomy.org

Join our email newsletter at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/ 

Take Kajabi for a 30-day free spin at https://app.kajabi.com/r/HYb6mxhy/t/z2wqe6j9 

Find out more about our wonderful sponsor, Yoga Australia, at https://yogaaustralia.org.au 

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

As a new mum, Belinda Haan (she/her) knew all about the power of self-compassion as she’d been teaching other mums all about it in her work. But she had a little secret. She wasn’t being compassionate to herself, despite having all the knowledge and tools at her fingertips.

In today’s podcast episode, you’ll hear about how Belinda overcame this barrier to self-compassion, both back then as a new mum, and more recently as she’s navigated a big, scary challenge in her life.

Belinda also shares some simple and powerful ways we can overcome our own barriers to self-compassion, cultivate more of it in our own lives, and she guides us through a beautiful and very accessible self-compassion practice.

Belinda is a compassion ambassador, mindfulness teacher, and multidisciplinary coach and creator working as a bridge between science and spirituality to help people navigate the full joy, catastrophe and sacredness of life.

She has decades of study, research and applied experience across a broad range of modalities and approaches under her belt, including coaching, psychology, neuroscience, mindfulness, sacred space holding, compassion, embodiment practices, and matrescence and motherhood.

An Ambassador of Compassion with Stanford University, Belinda founded The Compassion Project to develop resources, partnerships and creative projects with the mission of bringing more compassion to the world.

Connect with Belinda Haan at www.thecompassionproject.au, use the code Agratefullife10 to get 10% off the Emotional Support for Mothers toolkit.

Join the Meditation, Pure + Simple online course with Dr Lauren Tober to try iRest Yoga Nidra at https://www.meditationpuresimple.com 

Be the first to hear when the doors of our new online Shala opens at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join/ 

• Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:
• Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next order
• Yoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.au

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Jane Hardwicke Collings (she/her) works for the goddess and I’m delighted to introduce you to her in this latest podcast episode, as we talk about women’s mysteries and rites of passage.

I have been following Jane’s work for many years and last year, had the pleasure of attending one of her workshops on perimenopause. I was blown away, not only by what she was sharing, but also by the commanding way that she held the space for the biggest circle of women I have ever seen.

Jane is a grandmother, a former homebirth midwife for 30 years, a teacher, writer, and menstrual childbirth and menopause educator. She founded and runs The School of Shamanic Womancraft, an international Women’s Mysteries School and has created the first holistic menstrual cycle charting app called Spinning Wheels.

In today’s episode, we talk about:

• What it means to work for the goddess,
• What inspired Jane to devote her life’s work to women’s mysteries,
• Why it’s so important for us all to understand the seasons and cycles of a woman’s life,
• Sagescence and the wisdom that can come, both for women and men as we age, 
• Whether this wisdom is a given, or something that we need to cultivate in order to achieve, and
• Jane’s everyday practices to support her life

Connect with Jane Hardwicke Collings at https://janehardwickecollings.com/

Join our email newsletter to be the first to hear when our new online Shala is unveiled and our next program dates are announced at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join

Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:

• Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next order
• Yoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.au

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Five years ago in meditation, Rachel Allan (she/her) was given a quest to start the 40 for Tea podcast. 

She ignored this guidance for a couple of years, but after finding herself sobbing on the floor with a broken heart, she asked herself what she would most regret in her life if she died today. The answer was not what she expected…. the 40 for Tea podcast. 

So as the world went into lockdown, Rachel began this quest of having forty cups of tea and forty conversations with extraordinary humans from around the world.

In the episode, you’ll hear Rachel and I talk about intuition, including how to cultivate it and gather the courage to follow it, as well as the intention and essence behind the 40 for Tea podcast and the key pieces of wisdom that came out of these forty profound conversations.

Beyond the podcast, Rachel is a certified Professional Certified Coach (PCC), specializing in life and leadership innovation and executive coaching. Her work centers on deep listening, presence, and meaningful dialogue, fostering personal insight, authentic connection, and real transformation.

Her passion lies in helping people return to themselves - out of the noise and into clarity, calm, and connection. Nothing is broken, we only remove the friction.

Connect with Rachel Allan at https://rachallan.com/

Get the last place on the Australian 2025 Mental Health Aware Yoga hybrid training on the 12-13th of April at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid

Join my Embodied Yoga Nidra workshop in Brisbane on the 26th of April 2025 at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/calendar 

Find out more about our wonderful sponsors:

• Organic India at https://www.organicindia.com.au - use the promo code GRATEFUL15 to get 15% off your next order
• Yoga Australia at https://yogaaustralia.org.au

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.