J. Brown Yoga Talks

Bernie Clark has intimate knowledge of one of the most popular forms of yoga practice today, Yin Yoga. He talks to J about where it comes from, how he got to it, and what distinguishes it from other styles. Bernie answers some of the most common questions about Yin Yoga, including whether or not you can stretch a ligament and what happens to a fibroblast when you hold a pose for longer periods. They discuss his new book, Your Body - Your Yoga, and other aspects of the science and metaphysics at work.

Anneke Lucas was sold into a child sex-trafficking network at the age of six. Now she teaches yoga in prisons through her organization, Liberation Prison Yoga. J sits down with Anneke to talk about her journey of healing trauma and expanding consciousness, being groped by Pattabhi Jois, the Jivamukti scandal, a panel discussion on power in the yoga world, trauma sensitivity training, and how to create safer spaces for victims. The conversation touches upon difficult topics, listener discretion is advised.

Neil Pearson has spent over 30 years in the field of physiotherapy and pain management science. J talks with him about the difference between awareness and self-regulation, prescription vs process, the intertwined nature of pain and suffering, how the medical system teaches us to give power over to someone else, and recognizing things as safe or dangerous. The conversation touches the philosophical nature of science, and where science and yoga are coming together to help people address pain.

Dianne Bondy has become a leader in encouraging greater diversity in yoga. J talks with her about his own blinders, her move from fitness to yoga, drinking the Anusara cool-aid, being DIY on and off the mat, the power of language to either empower or disempower people, and ways in which yoga can move us into fuller acceptance of ourselves and others. They also discuss being a spokesperson and have a lively back and forth about practice, and their shared intention to present yoga appropriately for everyone.

Hari-kirtana has gone by many names depending on the different lifestyles he's led. J talks with him about being a member of "the mother of all cults", the Hare Krishna movement, participating in Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training, separating the teachings from the teacher, comparative yoga philosophy regarding non-duality and the inherent duality of bringing theology and realization to the modern marketplace of ideas.

Matthew Remski has become known for his provocative, sometimes controversial, and inspiring writings on pressing issues in the yoga world. J talks with him about his early experiences and how they have shaped the course of his work, the misconceptions and current status of his ongoing WAWADIA (What Are We Actually Doing in Asana?) project, the recent flap regarding Jivamukti Yoga, his interest in subtle body phenomenon and the grey zone between the mystical and the wounded.

Pleasance Silicki started out in the DC Public School system working with inner city youth before she forged a path as a yoga teacher and founder of Lil Omm. J talks with her about how she ended up in the yoga world, her experience of opening and closing a yoga center, the changes that have happened in the last ten years and the challenges that yoga teachers are facing, and her new book that was born out of her need to embrace change and move forward.

J finally has the guts to bring Mark Whitwell, his most influential teacher, on the podcast. They trace Mark’s life in yoga, from his early years before teaching to his experience meeting Krishnamacharya, Desikachar, and the Krishnamurti’s, and his travels around the world. The discussion is wide ranging as they reminisce about their shared past, changes in the yoga industry, and the directions they see things going in the future.

Jared Hirsch is an old friend who shares a mutual teacher with J. In this talk, they reconnect after more than 10 years and commune on how things have happened as time has gone by. They discuss early days as young upstarts, differences between teachers aligned with the TKV Desikachar tradition, graffiti art, the ins and outs of dealing with ulcerative colitis, and the blessings of partnership, family, and friendship.

It’s not always easy to make sense of what is happening in the broader yoga world and society at large, but Carol Horton can sometimes help illuminate and clarify the issues so we might stand a chance. J talks with Carol about her transition from political science professor to yoga writer and thinker, her work in the Cook County Jails, the heyday of the yoga blogosphere, the books she’s published, the pioneering work of the Yoga Service Council, and the current political atmosphere.

Josh Sitron, J's producer, becomes his first repeat guest as they sit down to check in on how things have been going since the first episode of the podcast and discuss the release of J's new online workshop: Gentle is the New Advanced. They share intimate details about the process that led to its creation, the purpose for its existence, and an impromptu strategy session where much the signature back and forth between the two friends ensues. J gets personal from a hotel room in Japan and ponders his future.

J has been interviewed by Ann Votaw a few times over the years for articles she’s written and he was always impressed by her wit and spontaneity. In this intimate and bawdy discussion, they talk about taking responsibility for your own mortality, the profound work of being a caregiver, the misconceptions people have about yoga teachers, and the crazy pace of everything from politics to online dating. Ann shares personal stories and they do their best to make sense of what they see happening in the world.

Andrew Tanner is the official spokesperson for the Yoga Alliance. He reached out to J to record this conversation about a new policy that was announced regarding the use of yoga therapy terminology. Andrew explains what the new policy is and why it was implemented. J pushes back for a compelling talk on some aspects of the new policy, as well as other issues surrounding the YA, yoga teacher training, and the industry at large. This talk expands upon J's blog post for this month.

When it comes to the inside track on being a yoga teacher and the industry, Leslie Kaminoff has been part of the conversation since it started. J has known Leslie for many years, he was one of the original teachers at The Breathing Project and their programs have become “sister schools.” In this conversation, they talk about the early times, the origins of the Yoga Alliance, the International Association of Yoga Therapists, regulation of yoga, and the business and heart of why yoga teachers do what they

Chase Bossart is J’s go-to-guy for all things Sanskrit and ancient texts. In this rare conversation, Chase shares insights into the translation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and about his long-time relationship with the Desikachar family and the tragedy that has befallen the lineage. They conversation traces Chase’s trajectory from the late 80’s till today, touches on the difference between Yoga and Yoga Therapy, and illuminates trends and downfalls in the industry, and potential alternatives going fo