Let's Talk Yoga

Is the yoga industry ready for a new kind of professional organization? Aru welcomes Andrew Tanner, CEO of the American Yoga Council, for an honest conversation about Yoga Alliance’s revised 2027 standards, competency-based credentials, cultural appropriation, and the challenges yoga teachers face in making a living. They also explore business support, mentorship, teacher retirement, and the future of yoga leadership. Episode Highlights: Andrew Tanner’s Journey with Yoga Alliance Building Trust in Yoga Organizations The Next Generation of Yoga Leadership Social Media and Yoga Influencers American Yoga Council’s Vision and Mission Competency-Based Yoga Teacher Credentials Yoga Standards vs. Standardization Cultural Appropriation in the Yoga Industry Professional Ethics and Accountability Challenges Facing Yoga Teachers Building a Sustainable Yoga Career Yoga Business and Studio Ownership Teacher Training and Yoga Specialization Yoga Alliance’s Revised 2027 Standards National Exams and Teacher Certification Financial Transparency and Giving Back Mentorship and Revenue Sharing Retirement Support for Yoga Teachers The Future of Global Yoga Organizations Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

What is prana beyond the breath? Aru welcomes yoga teacher and author Prasad Rangnekar back to Let’s Talk Yoga to explore his book, Prana: The Practice of Body, Mind, and Breath. They discuss prana as a lived experience rooted in Indian culture, the relationship between the individual and the cosmos, and how prana connects with the mind, sound, and everyday life. Prasad also explains Chitta Shuddhi, Prana Dharana, and the importance of cultivating aliveness before jumping into breathing techniques. Discover simple ways to connect with prana and bring a deeper, more experiential understanding to your yoga practice. Episode Highlights: Etic and Emic Approaches to Yoga Prana as a Lived Cultural Tradition Pinda Brahmanda Siddhanta and the Cosmos The Indian Worldview of Space and Time Connecting with Prana Beyond Breath Developing a Relationship with Prana Everyday Ways to Cultivate Prana Sound, Chanting, and Pranic Energy Chitta Shuddhi and Mental Purification The Mind as a Mirror Prana and Emotional Resolution Pranayama and Cultivating Prana Breath Communication Beyond Breathwork Prana Dharana and Energy Flow Prana, Apana, and Hatha Yoga Aliveness as a Practice of Prana Recognizing Energy Blocks Through Aliveness Thriving in Prana Before Technique Prana as a Sacred Relationship Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

What makes a yoga pose truly restorative? Aru shares her journey from chasing challenging asanas to discovering the importance of deep rest. She explores the origins of restorative yoga, its roots in the Iyengar tradition, and the five qualities that make a pose restorative: support, stillness, warmth, silence, and darkness. Learn how these elements help the nervous system settle, why Mauna and sensory withdrawal matter, and how restorative yoga prepares us for unsupported Shavasana and a deeper experience of rest. Episode Highlights: Confessions of a Yogaholic Movement and the Goal of Stillness Understanding Restorative Yoga Restorative Yoga’s Iyengar Roots The Autonomic Nervous System Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Responses Support and Intelligent Prop Use Stillness and Proprioception Warmth and Nervous System Regulation Mauna and the Practice of Silence Pratyahara and Sensory Withdrawal Darkness and the Oculocardiac Reflex Restorative Yoga and the Five Koshas The Goal of Unsupported Shavasana From Doing Shavasana to Being in Shavasana Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

What exactly is a Sangha, and why does community matter so much in yoga? Aru explores the meaning and origins of Sangha, its relationship to Satsang, and the many traditional forms of community that have supported yoga over time. She also looks at what makes a genuine Sangha, what it is not, the shadow side of spiritual communities, and the importance of boundaries, agency, accountability, and sustained relationships in modern yoga. Episode Highlights: Defining Sangha and its origins Sangha, Satsang, and yoga Characteristics and purpose of Sangha Recognizing genuine Sangha Traditional forms of yoga community Guru Shishya Parampara and living transmission Kula, ashrams, and Gurukula Bhakti communities and spiritual practice Accountability, belonging, and collective knowledge What Sangha is not The shadow side of spiritual communities Teacher and student responsibilities Boundaries, agency, and discernment The Three Jewels and modern yoga Rebuilding meaningful community in yoga Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

What actually changes during pregnancy, and how should yoga teachers adapt their teaching? Aru talks with Aparna Ramesh about prenatal yoga across all three trimesters, balancing effort and rest, modifications, props, pranayama, sound, visualization, and the tools that can support a healthy and empowering pregnancy practice. Episode Highlights: Prenatal yoga intensity and effort Balancing effort and rest, and teaching beyond “listen to your body” The prenatal talk test Normalizing breaks in practice First trimester yoga practice Trimester changes and teaching considerations Second trimester strengthening Third trimester physical changes Heat and hot yoga risks First trimester practice focus Second trimester practice focus Third trimester practice focus Prenatal yoga in mixed classes Strengthening for pregnancy and motherhood Pelvic floor education and practice Third trimester modifications Props and creative modifications Lying on the back during pregnancy Prana and pregnancy Prenatal pranayama practices Prenatal chanting and sound Visualization during pregnancy and labor Yoga Nidra and sankalpa Teaching prenatal yoga with confidence Functional and non-ego-driven practice Building sustainable self-practice Join our mailing list Find all the resources mentioned in this episode Follow Let's Talk Yoga on Instagram Connect with Aru on Instagram Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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