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Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
Aaron Petty + Paige Taylah
107 episodes
2 days ago
Welcome to the Om Som Yoga and Ayurveda Podcast with Aaron Petty and Paige Taylah. Our goal with this podcast is to dive into how we as humans can live more intentional, ethical & sustainable lives. And also how we can come into harmony with, ourselves, others & the earth in the process.
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Self-Improvement
Education
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All content for Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast is the property of Aaron Petty + Paige Taylah and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Welcome to the Om Som Yoga and Ayurveda Podcast with Aaron Petty and Paige Taylah. Our goal with this podcast is to dive into how we as humans can live more intentional, ethical & sustainable lives. And also how we can come into harmony with, ourselves, others & the earth in the process.
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Self-Improvement
Education
Episodes (20/107)
Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
Sthiram Āsanam - The Foundation of Asana Practice

PRACTICE WITH US:

365 Sadhana Sangha

⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join⁠⁠

100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma

⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto⁠⁠

200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026

⁠⁠https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka⁠⁠

50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training

⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto


ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:
In the first episode of Season 3, Aaron is joined by yoga teacher and Pilates instructor Milly for a grounded, practical exploration of Sthiram Āsanam, steadiness in posture.

Together, we unpack why so many people feel busy, effortful, and inconsistent in their bodies, despite moving constantly. Rather than blaming motivation or discipline, this conversation reframes instability as a lack of support and explores how true steadiness begins with grounding, alignment, and relationship with the Earth.

Using classical yogic teachings, lived experience, and practical asana insights, this episode bridges philosophy and practice, showing how stability in the body becomes the foundation for steadiness in the mind, emotions, and life.


DEFINITION & ETYMOLOGY:
Sthiram (स्थिर) — steady, stable, firm, grounded, unmoving
Āsanam (आसनम्) — seat, posture, abiding place

Sthiram Āsanam refers to a posture that can be inhabited with stability and support, rather than endured through effort or force. In the yogic tradition, the body becomes the seat of awareness only when it feels safe, rooted, and held.


KEY CONCEPTS & INSIGHTS:

Stability before ease: The episode explores Patanjali’s teaching that steadiness comes before comfort and why ease cannot arise without support.

The body as Earth: Drawing from the Purāṇic story of Bhūmi Devī, the Earth Goddess, Aaron shares how even the Earth must be held correctly to sustain life, a powerful metaphor for asana and alignment.

Feet as foundation: True stability begins at the feet, not the spine. Spreading, yielding, and stacking the feet creates the surface area needed for steadiness.

Alignment over effort: Stability arises from stacking bones and joints, not muscular tension. When structure supports the body, effort can soften.

Slow transitions build steadiness: Moving slowly between postures trains stability through change, not just in static shapes.

Standing postures as training ground: Tādāsana, Warriors, Goddess, lunges, and balance poses are key practices for cultivating Sthiram.

Steadiness of body, steadiness of mind: Classical texts consistently link physical stability with mental clarity and emotional grounding.

TEXTUAL SOURCES:

Yoga Sūtra 2.46
sthira sukham āsanam
Posture is steady and easeful.

Yoga Sūtra 2.47
prayatna śaithilya ananta samāpattibhyām
By relaxing effort and meditating on the infinite, asana is mastered.

Haṭha Yoga PradīpikāAsana steadies the body, destroys disease, and gives lightness to the limbs.
Steadiness of the body leads to steadiness of the mind.

Gheraṇḍa SaṁhitāAsana gives firmness to the body, steadiness to the limbs, and lightness.


PRACTICAL INTEGRATION:

Begin with simplicity: Choose one to three standing postures and practice them consistently.

Start from the ground up: Establish the feet first, then stack ankles, knees, hips, and spine.

Slow down transitions: Maintain stability as you move between postures, not just when holding them.

Pause before moving: In practice and in life, steadiness comes from pausing before the next step.


SHARE & CONNECT

Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.

Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.


Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠


We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We’d love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


HARI OM

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4 days ago
34 minutes 38 seconds

Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
An Ayurvedic Conversation on Grounding Vata with Myra Lewin

PRACTICE WITH US:

365 Sadhana Sangha

⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join⁠

100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma

⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto⁠

200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026

⁠https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka⁠

50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training

⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto


ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:

In this special interview episode, Aaron is joined by Ayurvedic teacher and yogini Myra Lewin, founder of Hale Pule, for a grounded and nourishing conversation about the Earth element (Pṛthvī), the importance of embodiment, and how to stabilise Vata in the modern world.

Together, they explore what it truly means to be grounded, not just as a trendy concept, but as a deeply Ayurvedic principle tied to health, clarity, and spiritual connection. Myra shares insights from her 35+ years of practice, including the effects of food, overstimulation, irregularity, and disembodiment on our mental and physical well-being.


DEFINITION & ETYMOLOGY:
Pṛthvī (पृथ्वी) is the Sanskrit term for Earth, the densest and most stable of the Mahābhūtas (five great elements). It represents solidity, stability, support, and form.

To be “grounded” in Ayurveda means to be connected with the body, rooted in presence, and in right relationship with gravity, awareness, and nourishment.


KEY CONCEPTS & INSIGHTS:

Grounding is awareness in the body: Myra explains that being grounded means occupying your body fully with awareness in your feet, energy, and personal space.

Vata imbalance = ungroundedness: Common symptoms include dissociation, spaciness, bumping into things, fear-based decisions, irregularity, and overstimulation.

Modern contributors to Vata aggravation: Excessive travel, screen use, fasting, liquid meals, poor sleep, irregular routines, and overstimulation.

Stabilising Vata through food and routine: She shares examples of grounding (augmenting) foods like whole grains and sweet vegetables, and encourages a consistent schedule of meals and sleep.

The importance of sadhana: Myra shares her own daily routine of mantra, fire ceremony, Surya Namaskar, pranayama, meditation, and gratitude - simple practices that anchor presence and build resilience.

Awareness begins in Ajñā (the centre of seeing): Myra redefines grounding as not just dropping into the pelvis, but anchoring awareness from the Ajñā chakra, with clear seeing and conscious presence.

Ayurveda as holistic living: Rather than compartmentalising health, Myra reflects on how Ayurveda helped her life “make sense” and guided her toward true freedom, embodiment, and joy.


PRACTICAL INTEGRATION:

Start with one grounding practice and do it every day: regular meals, sleep, walks, or even a grounding cord visualisation.

Eat augmenting foods: whole grains, root vegetables, and nourishing sweet tastes that build tissue and bring you into your body.

Hold your awareness at the centre of your head (Ajñā) while sending energetic roots down - ground from within without dulling your clarity.

Be consistent, not extreme: Myra reminds us that Ayurveda is not about restriction, but about rhythm and presence.

Stay rooted in your own experience: Learn from others, but discern what supports your individual path.


ABOUT MYRA LEWIN:
Myra Lewin is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yogini, and founder of Hale Pule School of Ayurveda and Yoga. With over 200,000 hours of teaching experience, she’s mentored thousands of students worldwide. Learn more at ⁠halepule.com⁠.


SHARE & CONNECT


Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.


Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.


Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠


We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


HARI OM

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1 week ago
47 minutes 54 seconds

Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
Buddhi: How to Hear Your Inner Guidance (and Trust it)

PRACTICE WITH US:

365 Sadhana Sangha
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100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma
https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto

200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026
https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka

50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training
https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto


ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

We complete our 4-part series on the functions of the mind (Antaḥkaraṇa) with a deep dive into Buddhi, the faculty of discernment. Often misunderstood or underdeveloped in modern life, Buddhi is the seat of clarity, intuition, and right action. Without it, our practice remains mechanical and our decisions reactive. This episode explores Buddhi not just as an idea, but as a spiritual function that bridges the mind to the Self.


DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF BUDDHI

Buddhi (बुद्धि) is derived from the Sanskrit root budh, meaning "to know" or "to awaken".

It refers to the discerning faculty of the mind — the one that decides, reasons, and realises.

Buddhi is the still, silent witness that sees without reacting. When activated, it leads us from compulsion to clarity.


KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

How Buddhi differs from Manas, Citta, and Ahaṃkāra

Buddhi as the internal guide, and how it's clouded by Rajas and Tamas

The role of Buddhi in yoga practice, ethics, and daily decision-making

Why Buddhi is essential for moving toward viveka (discrimination between real and unreal)

Christ Consciousness and Buddha nature as metaphors for awakened Buddhi

The transition from reactive mind to witnessing awareness


TEXTUAL SOURCES

Yoga Sūtra 1.20: śraddhā vīrya smṛti samādhi prajñā pūrvaka itareṣām — the path to awakening requires discernment (prajñā)

Bhagavad Gītā 2.50: yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam - Yoga is skill in action, guided by Buddhi

References to the Katha Upaniṣad’s chariot model, where Buddhi is the charioteer

Tantric model of viveka khyāti - developing clear seeing through sustained practice


PRACTICAL INTEGRATION

Practices to strengthen Buddhi

Svādhyāya (self-study) and scriptural reflection

Pratyāhāra and Dhyāna for non-reactive observation

Choosing sāttvic food, company, and habits to clear mental fog

Asking: “Is this reaction or response?” before making decisions

Meditating on the silence behind thoughts

Viewing spiritual maturity as the refinement of Buddhi — not just accumulation of knowledge


SHARE & CONNECT

Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.


Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.


Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠


We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.

HARI OM

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2 weeks ago
20 minutes 53 seconds

Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
Untangling the Ego: Ahaṃkāra and the Art of Self-Inquiry

PRACTICE WITH US:365 Sadhana Sangha
https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma
https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026
https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training
https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto


ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODEWe continue our exploration of the four functions of mind (antaḥkaraṇa) with Ahaṃkāra, the sense of “I” and the formation of identity. Often misunderstood as something to eliminate, Ahaṃkāra is in fact essential to navigating the world. In this episode, we look at how ego forms, how it binds us, and how Yoga offers a path to clarity, self-awareness and liberation, not through destruction, but integration.


DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF AHAṂKĀRAAhaṃkāra (अहंकार) is composed of aham (I) and kāra (maker), the “I-maker.” It is the function of mind that claims identity over thoughts, memories and actions, saying: I am this. While necessary for daily life, problems arise when Ahaṃkāra forgets its true source.


KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

The Upanishadic view of ego as the servant who believes himself the king

How Ahaṃkāra assigns “I” to the body, thoughts, emotions, and roles

The role of ego in waking, dreaming, and deep sleep

Turīya - the witness beyond ego

Healthy vs unhealthy ego: ownership vs identification

The difference between egoic collapse and spiritual refinement

Yoga’s path of recognition: you are not the ego, but awareness itself


TEXTUAL SOURCES

Katha Upaniṣad - the chariot metaphor: body as chariot, buddhi as charioteer, manas as reins, and Ahaṃkāra as the mistaken “self”

Yoga Sūtra 2.6: “Dṛg-darśana-śaktyor ekātmatā iva asmitā” - the confusion of the seer with the instruments of seeing

Bhagavad Gītā — ego as one of the threefold gates to hell (alongside desire and anger) when imbalanced, yet not rejected when purified


PRACTICAL INTEGRATION

Recognise: begin noticing when “I” is assigned - to body, thought, mood, or memory

Witness: through meditation and self-inquiry, create space between awareness and identity

Return: use breath, mantra, and āsana to return to the seat of the witness

Relate: soften the edges of “I” in relationship - offer, serve, listen

Refine: practice humility and right action through Karma Yoga and Vairāgya (dispassion)


SHARE & CONNECT


Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.


Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.


Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠


We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


HARI OM

Show more...
3 weeks ago
29 minutes 24 seconds

Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
Chitta & The Four States of Consciousness

PRACTICE WITH US:

365 Sadhana Sangha 

https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join

100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma

https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto

200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka

https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka

50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training

https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto


ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODEThis episode explores Citta, the storehouse of memory, impressions, and latent tendencies within the mind. As the second part of our Antaḥkaraṇa series, we unpack how Citta governs the deeper layers of our mental activity and what it means for yoga practice and self-awareness.


DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF CITTADerived from the root cit, meaning “to perceive” or “to be conscious,” Citta is the memory aspect of mind, a vast internal field of impressions (saṃskāras) and mental patterns (vṛttis) that shape how we perceive and respond to the world.


KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

Citta as the substrate for vṛtti and its role in the Yoga Sutras (1.2)

How memories and conditioning form behavioural tendencies (vāsanās)

Mirror analogy from the Bhāgavata Purāṇa - how Citta reflects the world and the self

Distinguishing Citta from Manas, Ahaṃkāra, and Buddhi

Citta in the four states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and Turīya

Cleansing the Citta through Sādhana and inner stillness


TEXTUAL SOURCES

Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali (especially 1.2: Yogaś citta vṛtti nirodhaḥ)

Bhāgavata Purāṇa - the analogy of the mirror covered with dust

Traditional Hatha and Vedantic references to the mental field (citta-bhūmi)


PRACTICAL INTEGRATION
We offer practices to refine and clarify Citta including:

Stillness in āsana to reveal subconscious patterns

Prānāyāma for emotional digestion

Meditation to observe and reduce vṛttis

Daily reflection and repetition to cultivate new saṃskāras

Living with awareness to interrupt automatic patterns


SHARE & CONNECT


Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.


Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.


Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠


We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


HARI OM

Show more...
1 month ago
27 minutes 31 seconds

Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
Manas: the Sensory Mind & the Gateway to Awareness

PRACTICE WITH US:

365 Sadhana Sangha 

https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join

100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma

https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto

200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka

https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka

50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training

https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto


ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE
We begin our final podcast series for the year: The Four Functions of the Mind (Antaḥkaraṇa). In this first part, we explore Manas, the aspect of mind responsible for sensory processing, attention, and coordination. Drawing from the Katha Upaniṣad and yogic psychology, we look at how Manas operates in different states of consciousness and how it can be trained through practice.


DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF MANAS
The Sanskrit word manas comes from the root “man”, to think or perceive. It refers to the lower mind, the part that organises incoming sensory data and initiates responses. It is different from Buddhi (intellect), Ahaṁkāra (ego), and Citta (memory storehouse).


KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

Manas as the driver of the chariot (Katha Upaniṣad analogy)

The role of Manas in sankalpa-vikalpa (considering options)

How Manas governs the senses (indriyas)

Drishti-Citta-Prāṇa connection in Hatha Yoga

The function of Manas in waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and Turīya


TEXTUAL SOURCES

Katha Upaniṣad - the metaphor of the chariot

Yoga Sūtra - distinction between states of mind (YS 1.1–1.6)

Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā - practices to steady the mind (HYP 4.34)


PRACTICAL INTEGRATION
You’ll learn ways to refine and stabilise Manas using tools from both Raja and Hatha Yoga traditions, including:

Drishti practices to anchor attention

Breath-gaze-mind coordination

Meditative observation of the changing mind

Cultivating presence across all four states of consciousness


SHARE & CONNECT


Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.


Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.


Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠


We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


HARI OM

Show more...
1 month ago
36 minutes 26 seconds

Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
Tamas: When Stillness Becomes Stuckness & the Art of Letting Go

PRACTICE WITH US:

365 Sadhana Sangha 

https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join

100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma

https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto

200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka

https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka

50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training

https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto


ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

We’re closing out our series on the three Guṇas with Tamas - the guna of inertia, resistance, and concealment.


Far from being just the bad guy, Tamas is the force that allows for deep rest, stillness, and even death - the necessary pause for rebirth. In this conversation, we explore the textures of Tamas, how it shows up in our lives and practice, and how to work with it rather than fight against it.


DEFINITION & ETYMOLOGY OF TAMAS

Tamas comes from the Sanskrit root tam, meaning darkness or obscurity. It is the quality of concealment - what covers, hides, or veils the truth. It is associated with the downward pull of gravity, resistance, confusion, and apathy.


KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

The difference between heavy sleep and regenerative rest.

How Tamas can distort perception and suppress truth.

Why it's essential for endings, death, and withdrawal.

How to distinguish between grounding and numbing.

Practices that purify or uplift Tamas (without bypassing it).

The connection between food, energy, and tamasic states.

The importance of love and devotion in transforming Tamas


TEXTUAL SOURCES

We reference the Bhagavad Gita, which speaks of Tamas as the guna that binds the soul through confusion, delusion, and inertia but also as part of the essential fabric of creation. Tamas isn’t evil; it is necessary for dissolution, sleep, and stillness.


PRACTICAL INTEGRATION

Tamas is best met with gentleness. If you're experiencing deep Tamas, don’t immediately jump to action - begin by noticing, accepting, and gently bringing in light.


Practices include:

Prayer or bhakti-based meditation to bring warmth to dark spaces.

Getting out of bed and into the sun to shift inertia.

Sattvic meals to reduce heaviness and fog.

Slow movement and breathwork to invite prana without overwhelm.

Choosing one small act of connection - reaching out to someone, lighting a candle, taking a short walk.

When Tamas becomes chronic, these simple efforts help reintroduce momentum without shame.


SHARE & CONNECT

Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.
Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠
We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.

OM

Show more...
1 month ago
21 minutes 23 seconds

Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
Rajas: The Power of Motion & When to Slow Down

PRACTICE WITH US:

365 Sadhana Sangha 

https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join

100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma

https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto

200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka

https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka

50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training

https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto


ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

In part two of our Mahāguṇa series, we explore Rajas - the force of movement, desire, and change. Rajas is what gets us out of bed, onto the mat, and into the world. But left unchecked, it’s also what drives restlessness, distraction, and burnout.


We unpack how to recognise Rajas in the mind and body, how to work with its energy wisely, and how to shape it toward Sattva through yoga, breath, meditation, and daily life.


DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF RAJAS

From the Sanskrit root rañj, meaning to colour or to stir.

Rajas is the guṇa of action, propulsion, stimulation, restlessness, and friction.

It is responsible for change, transformation, and intention but when excessive, it agitates the mind and disturbs stillness.


KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

Rajas as the upstirring factor behind all movement and motivation.

Its presence in Samkhya philosophy, Prakṛti, and the meaning of “Kriyā” (action).

The symptoms of rajasic imbalance: overstimulation, restlessness, fidgeting, racing breath, insomnia.

Rajasic Citta in the Yoga Sutra and its obstacles to meditation.

The fine line between Tejas (discernment) and Rajas (overdrive).

The “exit ramp” metaphor for slowly settling excessive Rajas.

When to pacify Rajas vs when to cultivate it (e.g. from lethargy or procrastination).


TEXTUAL SOURCES

Samkhya Kārikā: defines Rajas as “activity” and “impulse”.

Yoga Sutra references to rajasic citta, breath disturbances, and agitation as obstacles to steadiness.

Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā and traditional Prāṇāyāma frameworks for regulating energy.


PRACTICAL INTEGRATION

When Rajas is Excessive:

Asana:

Slow transitions, long holds, grounding poses (twists, forward folds, belly-down backbends).

Emphasise symmetry and rhythm over intensity.

Extend Savasana to allow full integration.


Prāṇāyāma:

Lengthen the exhale (e.g. 4:8 ratio).

Chandra Bhedana, Śītalī (cooling breath).

Avoid stimulating kriyas and aggressive techniques.


Meditation:

Use structured meditations like 61-point relaxation or kriya-based visualisations.

Build up from movement-based or guided practices.

Avoid jumping straight into stillness - build spaciousness gradually.


Lifestyle & Ayurveda:

Reduce stimulants (coffee, spicy foods, loud media, excessive screen time).

Focus on routine, rest, cooling foods and soothing sensory inputs.

Use unstructured time to unwind - slow mornings, no-schedule days.


When Rajas is Deficient:

Practice dynamic asana like Surya Namaskār, backbends, lateral extensions.

Use energising prāṇāyāma: Kapalabhāti, Bhastrikā, Sūrya Bhedana, Ujjāyī.

Short, purposeful meditation to set clear direction.

Cultivate intention, rhythm and forward momentum in daily life.


SHARE & CONNECT

Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.
Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yogaWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga


We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


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1 month ago
27 minutes 26 seconds

Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
How to Cultivate Sattva Through Yoga & Ayurveda

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ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

This week we begin a new three-part series on the Mahāguṇas, the foundational qualities of the mind in Yogic and Sāṃkhya philosophy. In this first episode, we explore Sattva, the guna of clarity, lightness, harmony and inner truth.

We look at the origins of the guṇas in the Samkhya Kārikā, how Sattva expresses itself in the mind and body, how it can be cultivated through Yoga and Ayurveda, and the fine line between embodying Sattva and becoming bound by it.


DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF SATTVA

Sat means truth or pure being; -tva is the suffix for quality.

Sattva is the quality of truth, clarity, and purity in perception.

It is the guṇa most conducive to knowledge, meditation, right action, and spiritual insight.


  • KEY CONCEPTS COVERED
  • Sattva as the mental quality of lightness, balance, lucidity, and harmony.
  • Comparison with Rajas (activity) and Tamas (inertia) - Sattva as their perfect balance.
  • How too much Sattva can also be binding.
  • Signs of Sattvic predominance: calm alertness, compassion, tidy environments, kind speech.
  • Signs of low Sattva due to excess Rajas (restlessness) or Tamas (dullness).
  • Samkhya Kārikā: describes Sattva as light, lucid, and buoyant

  • TEXTUAL SOURCES
  • Yoga Sūtra 1.33: cultivation of the heart qualities (maitrī, karuṇā, muditā, upeksā) for sattva śuddhi.
  • Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā and Gheraṇḍa Saṁhitā: link Sattva to the effects of balanced breath and subtle practice.

  • PRACTICAL INTEGRATION
  • Yoga Practice:
  • Symmetrical asana sequencing

    Balanced effort between strength and softness

    Spacious transitions and intentional pauses

    Steady Drishti and breath awareness


    Prānāyāma:

    Nāḍī Śodhana (alternate nostril) to balance solar and lunar currents

    Sama Vṛtti (equal ratio breath)

    Gentle use of Bhrāmarī and soft Ujjayi, avoiding aggressive techniques


  • Meditation:

    Heart-based meditations (Yoga Sūtra 1.33)

    Mantra repetition for single-pointedness

    Cultivating presence and compassion over performance


    Āyurveda & Lifestyle:

    Seasonal, warm, home-cooked, soul-nourishing meals

    Daily rhythm, early rising, time in nature, gentle routines

    Sensory awareness and sattvic inputs (media, sound, space)

    Most importantly - right intention behind actions and consumption


    SHARE & CONNECT

    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.
    Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.
    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yogaWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga


    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


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    2 months ago
    34 minutes 9 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    How to Build Ojas: Ayurveda's Key to Longevity

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    ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

    This week we explore Ojas, the subtle essence of Kapha dosha and the deepest storehouse of vitality. Ojas is the foundation of our immunity, resilience and inner strength. It governs stability, love and our capacity to endure. Without it, we burn out. With it, we radiate presence.


    DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF OJAS

  • Ojas comes from the Sanskrit root uj, meaning strength or vigour.

  • It is the refined essence of the dhātus (tissues), particularly formed from Śukra Dhātu.

  • Ojas is responsible for immunity, endurance, mental stability and spiritual glow.


  • KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

  • The role of Ojas as the subtle essence of Kapha

  • How Ojas is produced through proper digestion and dhātu formation

  • The difference between Para Ojas (original) and Apara Ojas (circulating)

  • Signs of Ojas depletion: fatigue, fear, dryness, burnout

  • Metaphors for Ojas: the beeswax of the flame, the glow of vitality

  • How Ojas supports mental clarity, emotional stability and spiritual depth


  • TEXTUAL SOURCES

  • Charaka Saṃhitā defines Ojas as the vital essence of life (Jīvita), seated in the heart

  • Other Ayurvedic texts emphasise its role in strength, nourishment and resistance to disease


  • PRACTICAL INTEGRATION

  • Nourish Ojas with wholesome, unctuous food, rest and loving relationships

  • Avoid excessive stimulation, fasting, or depletion from overwork

  • Practices like Yoga Nidra, meditation, slow asana, and prānāyāma build Ojas

  • Protect your Ojas by living in alignment with natural rhythms and values

  • Build consistency, compassion and containment in your daily rituals


  • SHARE & CONNECT

    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠

    Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠

    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.

    OM

    Show more...
    2 months ago
    17 minutes 29 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    Tejas: The Inner Fire That Illuminates Your Path

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    ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

    This week we explore Tejas, the subtle essence of Pitta dosha. Tejas is the inner radiance that gives you vitality, clarity, courage and transformative insight. It’s the brilliance that burns away ignorance, the heat that powers your digestion and the glow behind your eyes when you're living with purpose.


    DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF TEJAS

  • In Sanskrit, Tejas means “brilliance,” “radiance,” or “fire.”

  • It is the subtle, luminous counterpart of Pitta, associated with insight, vitality, digestion, discernment and spiritual luminosity.

  • Tejas is one of the three Upadhatus (subtle essences) alongside Ojas and Prāṇa. Together, they reflect the health and refinement of the gross elements.


    KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

  • Tejas as the light of Buddhi (discriminative intelligence)

  • The role of Tejas in Agni, digestion and cellular metabolism

  • Balancing Tejas with Ojas and Prāṇa for sustainable vitality

  • The shadow side of excess Tejas: burnout, inflammation, intensity

  • Tejas as the fire of transformation in Yoga and Ayurveda

  • Spiritual dimensions: how Tejas illuminates the path to Self


    TEXTUAL SOURCES

  • Charaka Saṃhitā and other classical Ayurvedic texts discuss Tejas in the context of subtle essences and Agni

  • Yogic texts such as the Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā point to Tejas as the radiant force cultivated through tapas (discipline) and practice


    PRACTICAL INTEGRATION

  • To cultivate Tejas: Practice tapas, discipline, clear intention and mindful eating

  • To balance excess Tejas: Ground through Ojas-building foods and cooling practices

  • Incorporate time in nature, candle-gazing (tratak), or reflective meditation

  • Observe your inner fire - is it a steady flame or a wildfire?

    Use breath and mantra to stabilise the light within


  • SHARE & CONNECT

    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠

    Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠

    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.

    OM

    Show more...
    2 months ago
    29 minutes

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    The 7 Dhatus: Ayurveda's Blueprint for a Nourished Body

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    ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

    This week,we explore the Dhātus, the seven bodily tissues that form the foundational architecture of the body and mind in Ayurveda. We trace how nourishment from food moves through each tissue and ultimately builds vitality (ojas).

    You’ll learn how your digestion fuels not just energy, but structure, stability and even your capacity for love, strength and creativity.


  • DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF DHĀTU

    The Sanskrit root dha means “to hold” or “to support.”

  • Dhātu refers to that which upholds and sustains the body, the structural and functional tissues.

  • There are seven classical Dhātus:

    1. Rasa – Plasma, lymph

    2. Rakta – Blood

    3. Māṃsa – Muscle

    4. Meda – Fat

    5. Asthi – Bone

    6. Majjā – Marrow, nerve tissue

    7. Śukra – Reproductive tissue


  • KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

  • Dhātu Agni: The unique digestive fire of each tissue.

  • Supply vs Demand: Balancing nutrition with physical and energetic practices for optimal tissue health.

  • Nutritional links: What foods, minerals, and practices nourish each tissue best.

  • Impact of Digestion: Weak digestion can hinder tissue formation — leading to long-term imbalance.


  • TEXTUAL SOURCES

    Classical Ayurveda texts such as the Charaka Saṃhitā and Ashtanga Hridayam outline the Saptadhātu system.

  • This teaching also underpins many Ayurvedic approaches to diagnosis, nutrition, and treatment.


  • PRACTICAL INTEGRATION

    Eat for all 7 tissues — not just for energy but for structure, lubrication, clarity, and vitality.

  • Understand your symptoms not just as isolated problems, but as imbalances at the level of specific Dhātus.

  • Use a 40-day lens: the food you eat today affects your deepest tissues more than a month from now.

  • Embrace lifestyle rhythms like movement (for Rakta, Māṃsa), rest (for Majjā), and conscious intimacy or self-connection (for Śukra).

  • Revisit this episode alongside your Ayurvedic cooking journey or yoga practice to deepen your embodied understanding.


  • SHARE & CONNECT

    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠

    Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠

    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.

    OM

    Show more...
    2 months ago
    47 minutes 4 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    Reading the Signs: The Language of Vikrti in the Body & Mind

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    ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

    VIKṚTI — SPOTTING IMBALANCE & RETURNING TO CENTRE


    In this week’s episode, we explore Vikṛti, the ever-changing reflection of imbalance across the body, mind, energy and emotions. Paige and Aaron guide you through how Vikṛti arises, how it differs from Prakṛti, and the deep intelligence it holds.


    Understanding your Vikṛti isn’t about pathologising yourself. It’s about learning to read the signs of your system and realign with nature’s rhythm.


    DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF VIKṚTI

    Vikṛti (विकृति) comes from vi (apart or change) and kṛti (creation or action), meaning “distortion” or “alteration.”

    In Ayurveda, it refers to your current state of imbalance, influenced by time, environment, food, emotions and habits.

    Unlike Prakṛti (your nature), Vikṛti is mutable and can be improved with right living.


    KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

    The dynamic relationship between Prakṛti and Vikṛti

    How the Doshas become disturbed and push us out of alignment

    The six stages of disease (ṣaṭkriyākāla) in Ayurveda

    Physical, mental and emotional signs of Vikṛti

    The role of ahaṃkāra (ego) and prajñāparādha (error of intellect) in imbalance

    Why Vikṛti shows up as a teacher, not a punishment


    TEXTUAL SOURCES

    Charaka Saṃhitā on the formation of Vikṛti through external and internal causes

    The concept of ṣaṭkriyākāla - six stages of disease progression

    Discussion on prajñāparādha from Ayurvedic classical texts


    PRACTICAL INTEGRATION

    Learn to observe signs of imbalance in your digestion, mood, energy and sleep

    Reconnect with your Prakṛti through seasonal rhythms, mindful movement and rest

    Use daily routines (dinacharya), food choices and breathwork as gentle corrections

    Treat imbalance early - Ayurveda is preventative first

    Instead of chasing perfection, return to presence


    SHARE & CONNECT

    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yogaWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga

    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.
    OM

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    2 months ago
    22 minutes 58 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    Prakruti: Discovering Your True Nature Through Ayurveda

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    ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

    Prakrti - Your Nature is Your Strength


    In this week’s episode, Paige and Aaron explore Prakṛti, the Ayurvedic concept of your innate constitution - the unique blend of Doṣas you are born with. More than a personality type or physical appearance, Prakṛti is the energetic blueprint that guides how you digest, rest, relate, and grow.


    We dive into the purpose of understanding Prakṛti, the misconceptions around typing yourself, and why discovering your nature is only the beginning of living in alignment.


    Prakṛti (प्रकृति) derives from pra (before) and kṛti (creation or action) — meaning “original nature” or “first creation.”

    In Āyurveda, it refers to your natural constitution, the unique ratio of Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha present at the moment of conception.

    Unlike Vikṛti (imbalance), Prakṛti is stable, reflecting your true nature.

    The difference between Prakṛti (your constitution) and Vikṛti (your current state of imbalance)

    Why knowing your Prakṛti matters and how it supports personalised diet, yoga, rest, and life rhythm

    Common misconceptions (e.g. “I’m a Vāta,” “Pitta people are leaders”)

    Exploring mixed constitutions (dual or tri-doṣic types)

    The connection between Prakṛti and your dharma (purpose)

    Charaka Saṃhitā on the formation of Prakṛti at conception

    Classical references that highlight the stability of Prakṛti vs the fluidity of Vikṛti

    Role of the Mahābhūtas (elements) in determining constitution

    Reflect on your physical, mental, and emotional tendencies over your lifespan

    Consider how your environment, upbringing, and habits may have veiled your Prakṛti

    Use observation, journaling, and practitioner guidance to refine your understanding

    Align your yoga practice, food choices, and sleep routine with your natural strengths

    Instead of fixating on your “type,” explore how your body reveals truth through daily feedback


    SHARE & CONNECT:

    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.

    Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.

    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.

    OM

    Show more...
    3 months ago
    24 minutes 33 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    Vata Dosha Explained: The Sacred Movement of Life & Breath

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    ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE

    Vata Dosha - The Wind that Moves Everything


    In this final episode of the dosha trilogy, we explore the dynamic, creative and ever-changing nature of Vāta Dosha. As the force behind movement, communication, inspiration and excretion, Vāta is as subtle and sacred as it is unpredictable.

    Learn how to recognise signs of imbalance, understand the gifts of this energetic dosha and bring Vāta into balance through food, rhythm, yoga and Ayurvedic self-care.


  • Vāta (वात) comes from the root va, meaning “to blow or move.”

  • It is composed of ākāśa (space) and vāyu (air) elements.

  • It governs movement in the body, communication, breath, excretion and subtle energy (prāṇa).

  • Often called the "King of the Doṣas" because nothing functions without it.

  • Primary qualities (guṇas): dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile

  • Five primary sites of Vāta (and their links to Prāṇa Vāyus):
    1. Head/brain (Prāṇa Vāyu – inspiration, mental movement)
    2. Throat/diaphragm (Udāna – expression and speech)
    3. Small intestine/navel (Samāna – assimilation and peristalsis)
    4. Colon/pelvis (Apāna – elimination and downward movement)
    5. Heart/circulatory system (Vyāna – circulation of nutrients and prāṇa)


  • Signs of balanced Vāta: creativity, adaptability, lightness, vitality, spiritual sensitivity


  • Signs of imbalanced Vāta: anxiety, gas, constipation, dry skin, insomnia, cold extremities, overwhelm


  • Charaka Saṃhitā on the qualities of Vāta and its governing role over movement and prāṇa

    Cross-reference with the Prāṇa Vāyu system in Yoga

    Insights from the Bhāva Guṇas and elemental theory of Āyurveda


    To bring Vāta into balance:

  • Food: favour warm, moist, oily, grounding meals with spices like ginger, cumin and cinnamon

  • Routine: create a consistent daily rhythm (same meals, practice, sleep times)

  • Yoga: slow, grounding, repetitive movement; avoid excessive flow or scattered practices

  • Breath: lengthen the exhale; practice Nāḍī Śodhana in a balanced rhythm

  • Lifestyle: stay warm, especially in wind and cold seasons; use oil massage (Abhyanga)

  • Rest: support deep, nourishing sleep with a consistent wind-down routine and silence


  • SHARE & CONNECT:


    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.


    Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.


    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠


    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


    OM

    Show more...
    3 months ago
    24 minutes 23 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    How to Balance Burnout: Ayurvedic Wisdom for Pitta Types

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    ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:

    Pitta Dosh - The Sacred Fire of Transformation


    This episode explores the fire and water that fuel digestion, clarity and drive, and the burnout, inflammation and intensity that arise when that sacred flame burns too hot. We guide you through the nature of Pitta in body and mind, the Ayurvedic understanding of inflammation and how to balance this transformative force through food, practice and lifestyle.


  • Pitta (पित्त) means “that which digests”. It comes from the root tap, meaning “to heat, burn, shine.”

  • It is the doṣa of transformation, composed of Agni (fire) and Jala (water).

  • It governs digestion, metabolism, vision, discernment and the intellect (buddhi).

  • Primary qualities (guṇas): hot (uṣṇa), sharp (tīkṣṇa), light (laghu), flowing (sara), slightly oily (sneha) and liquid (drava).

  • Sites of Pitta: eyes, brain, small intestine, liver, skin.

  • Functions: digestion of food, light, thoughts and emotions. Clarity of perception. Production of bile and enzymes.

  • Mental tendencies: focused, driven, confident, discerning, but also prone to anger, impatience and perfectionism.

  • Signs of imbalance: skin issues, acid reflux, burning sensations, loose stools, irritability, inflammation and burnout.


  • From the Charaka Saṃhitā:

    "Pitta is hot, sharp, liquid, light, slightly unctuous, flowing, and pungent in taste. It resides in the stomach, blood, sweat, eyes, and skin. It governs digestion, complexion and perception."


    To balance Pitta Dosha:

  • Diet: Emphasise sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes. Use cooling herbs like coriander, fennel, and cardamom. Avoid spicy, oily and fried foods.

  • Lifestyle: Rest before exhaustion. Avoid overwork. Create space in your schedule and in your mind.

  • Environment: Seek cool, calm settings. Spend time near water. Walk under the moonlight.

  • Asana: Favour calming, non-competitive practices like Yin, Restorative or gentle lunar flows.

  • Pranayama: Use Śītalī (cooling breath) and Candra Bhedana (left-nostril breathing) to pacify excess heat.

  • Meditation: Focus on compassion (maitrī), contentment (santoṣa), and letting go of perfectionism.


  • SHARE & CONNECT:

    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.

    Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠⁠


    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


    OM

    Show more...
    3 months ago
    26 minutes 39 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    Kapha Dosha Explained: Stability, Stagnation & Spring Renewal

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    ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE
    This week we’re exploring Kapha, the dosha most often associated with earth and water. In this episode we break down what Kapha truly represents, not just biologically, but emotionally, energetically and spiritually.

    From the nurturing qualities of love and loyalty to the sticky patterns of attachment and inertia, this conversation will help you reframe your understanding of Kapha from both a yogic and Ayurvedic lens.


    DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF KAPHA
    The word Kapha is derived from the Sanskrit root ka (water) and pha (to flourish or increase).
    It is formed by the elements earth (prithvī) and water (jala), which give Kapha its core qualities: heavy, slow, steady, cool, oily and smooth.


    Kapha governs structure, stability, lubrication, immunity and emotional holding. It’s what gives the body cohesion and the heart its capacity to feel.



    KEY CONCEPTS COVERED
    What Kapha really is (and isn’t), beyond stereotypes
    How Kapha supports growth, love, compassion, nourishment and memory
    The shadow side: lethargy, possessiveness, over-attachment
    Kapha in the body (mucus, lymph, fat tissue) and mind (sentimentality, resistance to change)
    Seasonal considerations — Kapha’s dominance in late winter and spring
    Signs of balance vs imbalance and how to spot them
    The deeper medicine of movement, warmth, stimulation and lightness


    TEXTUAL SOURCES
    Insights from the Charaka Samhita on the function of doshas
    Kapha as described in Ashtanga Hridayam, particularly its role in strength, lubrication, and stability
    Ayurveda’s elemental model of Mahābhūtas (earth + water) as the basis of Kapha expression
    Discussion of Kapha’s relationship to tamas guna and emotional inertia


    PRACTICAL INTEGRATION
    Movement is medicine: regular, dynamic exercise to counter stagnation
    Embrace warm, light, dry and spicy foods
    Clear clutter, both mentally and environmentally
    Morning routines that spark motivation and prevent inertia
    Reflect on where you may be “holding on” emotionally or physically
    Ask: Where in your life could you invite more lightness or stimulation?


    SHARE & CONNECT:

    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.


    Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠


    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


    OM

    Show more...
    3 months ago
    38 minutes 11 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    The Science of the Doshas: How to Work with Your Nature, Not Against It

    PRACTICE WITH US:

    365 Sadhana Sangha 

    https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join

    100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma

    https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto

    Bali Retreat

    https://omsom.yoga/bali-retreat-2025

    200 Hr Berwick

    https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-berwick-2025


    ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:

    This week we explore one of the most widely known, and often misunderstood, aspects of Ayurveda: the Doshas. Through conversation and lived experience, we unpack what Dosha really means, where this framework comes from and how to move beyond pop-Ayurveda stereotypes.


    This is an episode for anyone curious about Ayurveda as a deeper system of health and for those ready to engage in real self-study beyond the memes and online quizzes.


    DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF DOSHA

    In Sanskrit, Dosha means “that which becomes imbalanced.”
    It is derived from the root duṣ, meaning “to spoil” or “to go out of balance.” Rather than defining you, Dosha refers to the tendencies that lead to imbalance not fixed traits.

    Dosha is not your personality or your identity, it's a tool for observation and self-regulation.


    KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

    The meaning and origin of the word Dosha.
    Clarifying the difference between Prakriti (your original constitution) and Vikriti (your current state of imbalance).
    How the Doshas relate to the Mahabhutas (five elements) and Gunas (qualities).
    Vata (air & space), Pitta (fire & water) and Kapha (earth & water) as patterns of change.
    How Dosha theory supports lifestyle choices, seasonal alignment and sadhana.
    Why Dosha is not about boxing yourself in, but recognising how you go out of balance.


    TEXTUAL SOURCES

    Referencing the Charaka Samhita, one of Ayurveda’s foundational medical texts.
    Dosha as part of Samkhya philosophy, emerging from elemental theory (Mahabhutas) and Triguna framework.
    Mention of Ashtanga Hridayam for practical application of diet, daily routines (dinacharya) and seasonal practices (ritucharya).


    PRACTICAL INTEGRATION

    How to observe your current state rather than obsess over your fixed Dosha.
    Why context and timing matter more than rigid labels.

    Using food, movement and routine to balance the elements within.
    Questions for reflection:
    What qualities dominate in your body and mind today?
    What are you drawn to in moments of stress or fatigue?
    How can you restore opposite qualities through nature and lifestyle?


    SHARE & CONNECT:

    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.

    Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.
    Instagram: ⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠


    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


    OM

    Show more...
    4 months ago
    41 minutes 59 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    Akasha: the Subtle Power of Stillness & Sound

    PRACTICE WITH US:

    365 Sadhana Sangha 

    https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join

    100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma

    https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto

    Bali Retreat

    https://omsom.yoga/bali-retreat-2025

    200 Hr Berwick

    https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-berwick-2025


    ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE
    This is the final episode in our Panchamahabhuta (Five Elements) series — an exploration of Akasha, the space element. Aaron dives solo into the vast, subtle, and sacred qualities of this final tattva, and how it supports the deeper layers of your yogic and meditative journey.


    DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF AKASHA
    Akasha is most commonly translated as space or ether, though it also holds the qualities of vastness, subtlety, and limitlessness. In Sanskrit, Akasha is described as Sukshma (subtle), Ananta (infinite), Vyapaka (all-pervading), and Shunya (emptiness).


    KEY CONCEPTS COVERED
    The qualities and function of Akasha in the body, mind, and spirit.


    Shiva as the deity of space and stillness.


    The connection between space and intuition, sound, and consciousness.

    Excess and deficiency of space in your doshic and emotional constitution.

    The unique relationship between spaciousness and spiritual liberation.


    TEXTUAL SOURCES
    Dharana from the Gheranda Samhita: visualisation of a bright, clear, auspicious raincloud (Dharma Megha).

    Traditional association of Akasha with the Vishuddhi Chakra, Ham bija mantra, and sound as a sense.

    Commentary on subtle sound practices from yogic and tantric traditions.


    PRACTICAL INTEGRATION
    Asana suggestions: long pauses between postures, gentle inversions, openness through the throat.


    Pranayama techniques: Bhramari (humming breath), So Hum meditation, and breath retentions (kumbhaka) to access silence.


    Meditative practice: exploring silence between thoughts, subtle inner sounds, and Dharana on the Dharma Megha.


    Lifestyle reflections: creating physical and mental space, reducing overstimulation, honouring stillness in everyday life.


    SHARE & CONNECT:
    Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast. Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.


    Instagram: ⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠
    Website: ⁠⁠OmSom.yoga

    ⁠

    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


    OM

    Show more...
    4 months ago
    29 minutes 56 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    The Breath of Life: Understanding Vayu Tattva

    PRACTICE WITH US:

    365 Sadhana Sangha 

    https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join

    100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma

    https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto

    Bali Retreat

    https://omsom.yoga/bali-retreat-2025

    300 Hr India & Berwick

    https://omsom.yoga/300-hour-advanced-hatha-yoga-training-2025

    200 Hr Berwick

    https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-berwick-2025


    ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE: VAYU TATTVA (THE AIR ELEMENT)

    This week we explore Vayu Tattva, the air element, and its role as the animating force that moves life itself. From the subtlety of breath to the invisible currents that shape our emotions and thoughts, Vayu is a reminder of how vital movement and space are to our wellbeing.


    KEY CONCEPTS COVERED

    • The qualities (gunas) of the air element: light, mobile, dry, cool, subtle

    • Vayu Deva as the personification of the air element

    • Signs of excess and depletion of Vayu in the body and mind

    • The connection between breath, nervous system regulation, and prana vayus

    • Yoga practices to balance and embody the air element


    TEXTUAL SOURCES

  • Insights from classical texts including the Gheranda Samhita and references to the heart chakra (Anahata) and the bija mantra YAM


  • PRACTICAL INTEGRATION

    Discover how to integrate the air element into your daily life through breath awareness, backbending asanas, pranayama techniques like kumbhaka and bhramari, and embracing spontaneity to cultivate lightness and clarity.


    SHARE & CONNECTThank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.


    Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.


    Instagram: @OmSom.yoga
    Website: OmSom.yoga


    We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.


    OM

    Show more...
    4 months ago
    25 minutes 59 seconds

    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast
    Welcome to the Om Som Yoga and Ayurveda Podcast with Aaron Petty and Paige Taylah. Our goal with this podcast is to dive into how we as humans can live more intentional, ethical & sustainable lives. And also how we can come into harmony with, ourselves, others & the earth in the process.