Dharma Talk With Henry Winslow

For the series finale, we are joined by Sri Dharma Mittra (@dharmayogacenter). The legendary yoga teacher first encountered yoga as a teenager before meeting his guru in 1964 and beginning his training in earnest. Sri Dharma founded one of the early independent schools of yoga in New York City in 1975 and has taught many tens of thousands the world over in the years since. Sri Dharma is the model and creator of The Master Yoga Chart of 908 Postures and the author of ASANAS: 608 Yoga Poses, the LOAY Teachers’ Manual, and Yoga Wisdom. He has released two DVDs to date – Maha Sadhana Levels I and II — and recently captured classes are available for streaming via alomoves.com, YogaJournal.com and Vimeo On Demand. Sri Dharma continues to disseminate the complete traditional science of yoga through daily classes, international workshops, and his Life of a Yogi Teacher Trainings at the Dharma Yoga New York Center. In this episode, you’ll hear from Sri Dharma Mittra on:  [11.15] His definition of dharma. He explains

Jules Mitchell MS, CMT, RYT (@julesyoga) is a Las Vegas-based yoga teacher, educator, and massage therapist. She blends the tradition of yoga with her extensive study in biomechanics to help teachers develop their craft and empower them with education. She regularly contributes to yoga teacher training programs and leads workshops worldwide, balancing the somatic aspects of yoga with the most current exercise science. Bringing the most useful and applicable pieces of that science into the yoga community is her passion, even when it invokes a discerning analysis of tradition. Her book, Yoga Biomechanics: Stretching Redefined, is now available through Handspring Publishing.   In this episode, you’ll hear from Jules Mitchell on:  [14.50] Her introduction to biomechanics. Jules began studying biomechanics, the principle of applying physics to the human body, in her thirties when she was already working as a yoga teacher. She describes how her studies had an immediate professional impact when she was able to appl

Pedro Luna (@yogawithpedro) and Bryan Holub (@yogi_bryan) are two yoga instructors and dads who took the internet by storm in the past four years creating globally recognized, funny, and relatable yoga/spiritual memes on Instagram. Pedro is the real life human behind the @yogimemes account, and Bryan runs @namaste_af. Together they are the hosts of The Yogi Show (@theyogishowpodcast), a podcast about yoga, mindfulness, and gratitude with a touch of humor. In this episode, you’ll hear from Pedro and Bryan on:  [10.01] The funny side of yoga. Pedro and Bryan reflect on their light-hearted approach to life and stress the importance of humor and its ability to relieve anxiety, especially in these difficult times.   [18.10] The Yogi Show. Pedro credits his appearance on Dharma Talk with inspiring him to collaborate with Bryan and create the Yogi Show, a podcast which celebrates yoga, mindfulness, gratitude and laughter.    [24.18] Starting something new. Pedro advises listeners to ditch the excuses and have t

Leslie Kaminoff (@leslie.kaminoff), co-author of the bestselling book “Yoga Anatomy” and creator of YogaAnatomy.net, is a yoga educator and internationally recognized specialist with over four decades’ experience in the fields of yoga, breath anatomy and bodywork. His approach to teaching combines intellectual rigor, spontaneity and humor, and is always evolving. In this episode, you’ll hear from Leslie on:  [31.52] The influence of T.K.V Desikachar. Leslie reveals how his outlook on life was transformed when he swapped the spiritual and esoteric teachings of the Sivananda Yoga tradition for the more pragmatic and worldly approach adopted by Desikachar.   [43.13] Leslie’s attitude to enlightenment. He expresses his doubts about the concept of enlightenment and admits to regarding the longed-for dissolution of the self as a  somewhat dubious goal.    [48.33] The significance of suffering. Leslie refers to a conversation with Desikachar which made him realize that awareness of the inevitability of sufferin

Elena Brower (@elenabrower) is a mother, artist, author, speaker, Double Diamond leader with doTERRA (@doterra), and a teacher of yoga and meditation since 1999. Her first book, Art of Attention, has now been translated into six languages, and her second book, Practice You: A Journal, is now a bestseller from Sounds True. She's contributed to Yoga Journal, Yoga International, Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen and more. Her work spans multiple genres and aims to bring us closer to ourselves. In this episode, you’ll hear from Elena on:  [16.50] Life lessons. Elena regards everyday life as part of her practice and believes the lessons she learns from her work, studies and relationships all contribute to her ongoing yogic evolution.   [24.01] Finding peace of mind. She explains how her daily morning meditation helps to create a sattvic mindset by maintaining her equanimity, clearing out her system and preparing her for the day.    [27.26] Building strong connections. Elena’s goal is to create family relationshi

Amanbir Singh (@yogiamanbir) is a licensed acupuncturist, yoga therapist, astrologer and Kundalini Yoga teacher. He has been teaching in New York and internationally for the last 15 years and participated in training nearly 1,000 teachers on how to teach Kundalini Yoga around the world. Amanbir leads unique cleanse programs combining Kundalini Yoga sets for detoxification with Traditional Chinese Medicine to give each participant a personally tailored diet. He believes there is no single diet or approach that best serves all. In this episode, you’ll hear from Amanbir on:  [09.36] His desire to work in alignment with his highest self. His ambition is to move beyond the fluctuations of his mind and moods and listen to the voice of his soul.    [17.59] Harmonyum Healing. Amanbir describes this Kabbalah-based practice which focuses on expanding the sacred spark of light within us to bring about physical, spiritual and emotional healing.    [27.00] Amanbir’s meditation advice. He suggests beginners find a sty

Janet Stone (@janetstoneyoga) is a global yoga warrior, servant to the breath, and student of this heart journey. Janet’s studentship began at 17 under the meditation teachings of Prem Rawat. In 1996, she traveled to India, the birthplace of her grandfather, and became dedicated to the path of yoga. Janet blends the alchemy of her own practice with decades of study. She aspires not to teach but to allow the practice to emanate from her, letting awareness blend with movement and breath. Based in San Francisco, she leads immersions, retreats, workshops and more locally and internationally.   In this episode, you’ll hear from Janet on:  [09.20] Embracing her humanity. Rather than reaching for transcendence, she focuses on integrating yoga philosophy, and particularly, the qualities of kindness and compassion into her life by extending them towards her family, her community and the wider world.   [18.50] From Hollywood to motherhood. Janet charts the steps on her life’s path, from her career in the film indust

Derrick “DJ” Townsel (@dade2shelby) is a former NFL athlete and currently an Orlando-based yoga teacher, health coach, and personal trainer. DJ recently competed on Season 1 of NBC’s The Titan Games with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, where much to his modest embarrassment, DJ was introduced as a “yoga master.” By sharing his journey and practice openly and enthusiastically, he inspires countless individuals worldwide, especially men and people of color, to take up a yoga practice for its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.   In this episode, you’ll hear from DJ on:  [09.52] Carving out his own path. He recounts his unconventional route from NFL athlete to inspirational yoga teacher. He is happy to defy stereotypes and remains resolute in his determination to help others improve their fitness and discover their true selves through yoga.   [18.01] Yoga as his driving force. In addition to his impressive physical practice, Derrick is a passionate advocate for the emotional and spiritual benefits of yoga, w

Ajeet Kaur (@ajeetmusic) is a world music artist weaving inspiration from traditional Irish folk to mystical and meditative soundscapes. She and her band have assembled from Spain, Ireland, and the United States to offer a musical experience which transcends boundaries and takes listeners on a journey through melody and sonic texture. Collaboration is central in her work, and some of her collaborators include Trevor Hall, Aisling Urwin, Sukhmani Rayat, Rising Appalachia, Snatam Kaur, Seamus Egan and Peia. Her newest album, “Indigo Sea” was self-produced and engineered, and was released independently with support from fans and listeners. Celebrated as #1 on the iTunes World Chart and Billboard Top 10 New Age Chart, Ajeet Kaur’s music continues to be embraced by communities across the globe. In this episode, you’ll hear from Ajeet on:  [11.16] Her personal spirituality. Ajeet believes that spirituality is woven into every aspect of life. She doesn’t need to meditate or visit a temple to experience inner peace;

Laruga Glaser (@larugayoga) is a Level 2 Authorized Teacher from KPJAYI of Mysore, India with over 20 years of personal experience practicing Ashtanga yoga. Fascinated by the mind-body connection and spiritual philosophy from a young age, Laruga is dedicated to cultivating transparency to this tradition and the deeply rich lineage from which the practice originates. Through it all, Laruga teaches as an act of sharing and love for what yoga develops in each individual, facilitating space to open, challenge, and inspire students to step into the center of their own being and experience their inherent potential. Laruga currently heads the Mysore program at Yogayama in Stockholm, Sweden and teaches workshops and retreats internationally.   In this episode, you’ll hear from Laruga on:  [13.37] Building resilience. She credits yoga with giving her the mental strength and equilibrium to cope with challenging behaviour and negativity. Thanks to her dedicated Ashtanga practice Laruga is able to stand strongly within

Francisco Morales-Bermudez (@francisco.mba) is the founder of Synergy Yoga (@synergy.yoga). After an athletic childhood that culminated in a wrestling scholarship to university, Francisco broke his spine at 18 and then turned his focus to healing modalities. He and a small team of roommates developed a new style of partner movement that would come to be known as Acro Yoga. Now, he resides in Perú where he brings groups on retreats centered around yoga, nature, and Native American philosophy. He loves getting upside down and leads Thai Massage certifications to assist people to remove pain from their bodies. Francisco travels the world sharing yoga, leading Thai Massage programs, and running Synergy Yoga with a talented team of nine facilitators who specialize in a diverse range of healing modalities.   In this episode, you’ll hear from Francisco on:  [13.55] His yoga journey. He shares how he first became aware of the healing power of yoga when he saw how it helped his mother to recover from an illness. He w

Gianna Purcell (@giannayoga) and Carolina Villalba (@caro_lokah) are the co-owners of Original Hot Yoga 305 (@originalhotyoga305) in Miami and co-founders of Queer Retreats LLC (@queerretreat). In the hopes of inspiring interest and providing access to holistic wellness within the LGBTQ+ community, Gianna and Carolina offer queer-inclusive retreats centered around fun, food, and yoga, as well as education for allies committed to opening their spaces to a broader range of humans. Gianna and Carolina are working hard to make the practice of yoga accessible, safe, and vital to every type of person. Together, Gianna and Carolina hope to breed true acceptance of self and others in all that they offer.   In this episode, you’ll hear from Gianna and Carolina on:  [9.30] Their shared mission to support and empower the LBGTQ+ community by making yoga more inclusive and accessible to marginalized groups. They want everyone to feel free to be fully themselves, to fulfil their potential and to participate in their class

Audrey Sarquilla (@audreysarquilla) is a bhakta, tantrika, and yogini sharing yoga from 26 years of multi-lineage experience. Her premise and mission when sharing yoga is to empower each participant to remember ultimately this is ‘your’ unique yoga journey. Audrey created a Bhakti-Vinyasa school called White Peacock Yoga (@whitepeacockyoga) in 2013, owned a yoga studio in Encinitas, California for several years, and now calls Ubud, Bali home.   In this episode, you’ll hear from Audrey on:  [12.52] Her yoga journey. She recounts the steps on her spiritual path, from her introduction to chanting during her teacher training in Costa Rica to her present role as a Bhakti Yoga practitioner and kirtan leader in Bali.   [17.36] Her passion for devotional music. Audrey reveals how the deep sense of love and divine presence she feels when she chants and plays harmonium inspired her to incorporate live music into her classes.     [20.09] Audrey’s signature Bhakti Flow style. Mantras, music and song are integrated i

Carmen Aguilar (@cyogalife) started teaching yoga twenty one years ago in Chicago. In her over two decades in the world of yoga, Carmen has passed through most of the phases a practitioner and a teacher can experience. She started teaching after only a few years practicing, she taught privates for 11 years, owned a studio for 9, and has taught 18 teacher training programs and even more workshops all over the world. Now, she offers online classes and a new online teacher training course, and she continues to be recognized for her social media platform. Carmen currently lives in Hawaii while traveling the world sharing her passion for yoga. In this episode, you’ll hear from Carmen on:  [09.45] Her mission to make yoga accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical ability, and to encourage the habit of a regular and long-lasting practice.     [14.10] Her straightforward and inclusive approach to teaching. Carmen explains how she encourages students to participate in her classes by offering modification

Jeff Krasno (@jeffkrasno) is the founder of Wanderlust (@wanderlustfest), a global series of wellness events, and CEO / founder of Commune (@onecommune), an online education platform featuring spiritual and wellness-oriented thought leaders. In all his work, he focuses on fostering community and connection as a means to heal and transform. He is the author of 2 books and the host of the Commune podcast.  In this episode, you’ll hear from Jeff on:   [14.31] Creating socially conscious businesses. He discusses the vision behind Wanderlust, the yoga and mindfulness-based B Corp he co-founded in order to promote wellbeing and create a community based around the core values of personal spirituality, environmentalism and engagement with the arts.    [22.43] Reconnecting with nature. Jeff talks about the need for us to develop a more harmonious relationship with nature and explains how he hopes to raise awareness of environmental and wellness issues through his online learning platform, Commune.   [36.01] Jeff’

In this episode, Henry tackles the following topics:   [09.42] The definition of dharma and how to find our purpose. He refers to the Japanese concept of ikigai and explains how we can use it to build our lives around doing something we love and that makes a positive contribution to the world.   [17.53] The possibility of averting climate change disaster. Henry points to the work of regenerative agriculture movements such as Kiss the Ground and Farmer’s Footprint and praises their efforts to raise awareness of environmental issues and highlight the important role of the soil in capturing carbon from the atmosphere.    [24.45] Using yoga to overcome addiction. Henry concedes that exchanging one harmful addiction for another healthier one is a positive step but believes that real recovery begins when yoga starts to deepen the practitioner’s self-awareness and allows them to identify the root cause of their addiction.     [28.36] The mental, physical and spiritual benefits of yoga. In response to the ques

Jacob Manning (@jacobmanningyoga) is a yoga teacher living in Southern California, who believes in finishing what you start. Underneath the mesmerizing movements and impressive strength of his own practice, the deeper message of Jacob’s teaching is to show how God or a higher power is working in his life, in the hopes that others may see the same in their own. Jacob thrives on sharing the mood-altering and mind-transforming practice of yoga at retreats and festivals, and in more intimate settings with his private clients. In this episode, you’ll hear from Jacob on:  [10.54] Karmic retribution. Jacob reflects on his past behaviour and reveals how he feels he experienced a karmic payback for the harm he caused. His present focus is on spreading positive energy and doing the right thing for the right reason.    [18.13] Yoga as a tool for self-discovery. Jacob shares how he turned to yoga as a means of understanding himself better at a time when his sense of identity and self-worth were shattered by injury and

For more than four decades, Ana Forrest (@forrestyoga) has been bringing her particular brand of Fierce Medicine to the Yoga world. An internationally-recognized pioneer in Yoga and emotional healing, Ana created Forrest Yoga while working through healing from her own life’s trauma and experience. Jose Calarco, her co-director of Forrest Yoga, also comes from a long history with Shamanism and healing – just in a different sphere – that of music and the performing arts. Forrest Yoga is renowned as a powerfully physical, internally-focused practice that emphasizes how to carry a transformative experience off the mat and into daily life.   In this episode, you’ll hear from Ana and Jose on:  [09.55] Walking through the fear and trauma. Ana and Jose discuss their approach to overcoming fear and self-doubt by using their energy and experience to deepen their wisdom, quieten their minds and make courageous choices.   [20.26] The principles and purpose of Forrest Yoga. Jose explains that their mission is to heal t

Bee Bosnak (@beebosnak on Instagram) is a New York City based healer/teacher/mentor and the creator of Heal Yourself, a method that merges shadow work, somatic studies, sound, yoga, and meditation to connect with Spirit and heal past trauma. Bee has been studying the human condition for the past decade and continues to study philosophical and psycho-spiritual aspects of the practice from various disciplines. Her transformational and heartfelt Heal Yourself workshops and retreats around the globe give her students the courage to take back their power, lean into discomfort, and learn how to rise with bravery.    In this episode, you’ll hear from Bee on:  [10.52] Facing the shadows. The focus of Bee’s transformative Heal Yourself Yoga Method is on accessing the shadows; the buried traumas and repressed emotions which, if left unresolved, can cause psychological and physical harm.    [13.22] Retrieving our power to heal. Bee explains how she uses meditation, yoga, journaling and somatic shadow work to put her cli

Joseph Armstrong (@josepharmstrongyoga) is a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga yoga teacher and practitioner, who runs the morning Mysore program at Miami Life Center and offer courses on OmStars.com. He credits the spiritual inquiry of yoga paired with recovery philosophy for pulling him out of a life of generational trauma, IV drug use, and despair. Joseph is an animal lover, sci-fi junkie, and newlywed.   In this episode, you’ll hear from Joseph on: [19.15] Listening to his inner voice and letting intuition guide his life choices. After a long period of drug use and addiction, Joseph credits yoga with giving him the ability to make better decisions that have a positive impact on his health and relationships.    [23.14] Joseph talks candidly about his family’s history of addiction and how his experience of neglect and abandonment led to his own struggle with drugs. He reveals how his difficult childhood contributed to his self-destructive behavior and made him uncertain how to relate to others.    [34.37] Hi