The Flow Artists Podcast - Yoga, activism and more

In the second part of our two-part special on hands-on assists, we go a little bit deeper! We hear how a trauma-informed context may change our approach to assists from Mei Lai Swan, then Amy Wheeler tells us about transference and countertransference and what role they might play when teaching yoga. We learn how culture, race and gender can change perceptions around touch from Jesal Parikh, Gail Parker, Michelle Cassandra Johnson, Tim Seutter and Anu Fox. Finally, we hear some conclusions from Leigh Blashki, Matthew Remski and Dominique Salerno. While creating this episode we gathered over 4 hours of audio, which will be available on our Patreon page for free! For more details go to: https://www.patreon.com/flowartistspodcast Links Dominique Salerno: https://australianyogaacademy.com/ Leigh Blashki: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/yoga_user/leigh-blashki/ Matthew Remski: http://matthewremski.com/ Jesal Parikh: https://www.yogawallanyc.com/ Tim Seutter: https://yogafire.tv/ Michelle Cassandra Johnson: https://www.michellecjohnson.com/ Gail Parker: https://www.drgailparker.com/ Anu Fox: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/yoga_user/anu-fox/ Queer and Trans Yoga: https://www.facebook.com/queerandtransyoga/ You can hear part 1 at: https://podcast.flowartists.com/episodes/making-adjustments-pt-1/ Thanks to Danielle Lara Woolley for the cover photo: https://www.instagram.com/this.wild.soul/

In this very special episode we ask the question - Are hands-on assists in yoga ok? We decided that this subject was just too big for one guest, or even one episode, so we have a whole range of speakers and we have divided the show up into two parts. In part one, we cover the different types of hands-on assists and some of their benefits, we learn some of the history of hands-on assists, we speak about the importance of consent, and we raise the issue of safety when performing adjustments. We have some incredible guests this episode - including Leigh Blashki, Matthew Remski, Jesal Parikh, Jivana Heyman, Claire Cunneen, Dominique Salerno and Gina Macauley While creating this episode we gathered over 4 hours of audio, which we are making available on our Patreon page for free! For more details go to: https://www.patreon.com/flowartistspodcast Links Dominique Salerno: https://australianyogaacademy.com/ Leigh Blashki: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/yoga_user/leigh-blashki/ Matthew Remski: http://matthewremski.com/ Jesal Parikh: https://www.yogawallanyc.com/ Jivana Heyman: https://accessibleyogatraining.com/jivana-heyman/ Claire Cunneen: https://www.getfitwhereyousit.com.au/ Gina Macauley: http://www.yogahara.com.au/ For more on this topic check out the Evolution of Yoga Summit: https://evolutionofyoga.org/ Look out for part 2 in a week! Thanks to Danielle Lara Woolley for the cover photo: https://www.instagram.com/this.wild.soul/

Tristan Rose is a yoga teacher, military veteran and the founder of Blind Tiger Yoga. Blind Tiger Yoga focuses on helping members of the Military, Veterans, First Responders, and their broader communities, through yoga and meditation. Tristan discovered yin yoga, yoga nidra and meditation as powerful tools for managing pain from multiple injuries he sustained while on deployment overseas and he has trained with remarkable teachers such as Bernie Clark and Paul and Suzee Grilley. In this conversation, we learn how Tristan became involved in the military, and how he completed two university degrees while maintaining a full time job overseas. We learn how Tristan discovered yin yoga after accidentally walking into the wrong class, and how it changed his life. We learn what lead Tristan to teach yoga and some exciting plans that he has for the future. Warning: Some of the content in this episode may be disturbing or triggering for some listeners. Links Tristan's website: https://tristanrose.com.au/about-tristan-rose/ Blind Tiger Yoga: https://blindtigeryoga.com/ Tristan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tristanrose.com.au/ Makarlu Masterclass: https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/workshops/makarlu-masterclass/

For our first episode of 2020 Jo and Rane speak with Michelle Cassandra Johnson. Michelle Cassandra Johnson is a writer, yoga teacher, social worker, activist, and author of Skill in Action. Skill in Action is an unflinching look at power and privilege, oppression, liberation and suffering, and invites readers to take steps to make changes in their lives to create a world that allows all of us to be free. It incorporates yogic philosophy, poetry and personal practice as a path towards dismantling racism. In this episode, we learn about Michelle's background growing up in Richmond, Virginia, how she discovered yoga and the inspiration for writing the book Skill in Action. Also, Rane was surprised to learn that he was selected as one of 20 Teachers of Colour to Watch in 2020! https://www.yogawallanyc.com/blog/2020/1/9/20-yoga-teachers-of-color-to-watch-in-2020 Links Michelle's website: https://www.michellecjohnson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillinaction/ Skill in Action: https://www.michellecjohnson.com/skill-in-action-book Makarlu Masterclass: https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/workshops/makarlu-masterclass/

Carla Mullins is an ex-lawyer turned pilates and movement teacher and creator of the Makarlu Lotus. In our conversation with Carla, we hear about how she discovered pilates while dealing with some serious health issues and how this has inspired her to help others. We also hear about how her partner had a severe cycling accident and how this inspired the creation of the Makarlu - a versatile tool for self-massage, stability and proprioception exercises. Carla tells us how the makarlu has great applications for aiding people with peripheral neuropathy or other neurological conditions. Finally, we learn the amount of work it takes to bring a product such as the makarlu to market. Hint: a lot. Links Use the code MAKFLOW to get a 10% discount at https://www.makarlu.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_makarlu_/ Makarlu Masterclass at Garden of Yoga: https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/workshops/makarlu-masterclass/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flowartistspodcast

Claire Nettley is a yoga and meditation teacher, former president of Yoga Australia and a prolific writer, having her work featured in Women’s Health Magazine, Australian Yoga Life and more. In this episode we discuss Claire's background growing up in the Salisbury region of England, and we learn about her professional life working in marketing. We hear about how Claire was introduced to yoga after a back injury and what lead her to do her yoga teacher training. We learn about her time as president of Yoga Australia and how her expertise in marketing and PR moved the organisation forward. Throughout this episode, Claire gives great advice on marketing your own small business, from defining your audience through to working out what channels might work best for you. This episode is released in partnership with Yoga Australia, and December marks the 20 year anniversary of the organisation. Happy Anniversary Yoga Australia! Links Yoga Australia: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/ Claire's website: https://www.clairenettley.com/ The Makarlu Lotus: https://www.makarlu.com/aff/7/ Use the code MAKFLOW for a 5% discount. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flowartistspodcast

Ella Noah Bancroft is a Yoga teacher, artist, sexuality coach and an environmental and indigenous rights activist. In our conversation with Ella, we hear about her life growing up the daughter of a famous Aboriginal artist, and how she was raised on country in New South Wales after relocating from Sydney. We hear how Ella weaves together Indigenous philosophy with her yoga practice, while remaining authentic to both traditions. We hear about her perspective navigating the world as a queer black woman and how it has shaped her philosophy and approach to life today. Ella is passionate about sustainability and has created a fashion label (YHI creations) that reflects her values. Finally, we hear about The Returning, a festival/retreat inspired by the concept of sacred women's business and how she makes this event sustainable on an environmental and community level. Links Ella's Website: https://www.ellanoahbancroft.net/ Ella's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellanoahbancroft_/ The Returning: https://www.thereturning.com.au/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flowartistspodcast

This episode is released in partnership with Yoga Australia to celebrate their 20 year anniversary! We sat down with co-founder and former president of Yoga Australia Leigh Blashki while on retreat at Continental House at Hepburn Springs. This is the second time we've spoken with Leigh for the podcast and this time we had the chance to learn more about the history of Yoga Australia, including some of the organisation's most pivotal moments. We also hear some of Leigh's hopes and dreams for the organisation, and why he believes that Yoga Australia is essential for the future of yoga and the yoga teaching profession in this country. Rane also shares some of his plans for the future of the podcast and asks for your submissions, opinions and feedback about hands-on assists/adjustments. Links Yoga Australia: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/ Leigh Blashki: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/yoga_user/leigh-blashki/ The Makarlu: https://www.makarlu.com/aff/7/ Use the discount code MAKFLOW to receive a 5% discount!

It's been an unbelievable 2 years since we started the podcast, so we are celebrating! Hear us talk about what the last year of the podcast has been like, and hear questions and contributions from some of our favourite podcast guests. There are juicy questions on the role of podcasting for industries such as yoga, the relationship between the hosts and guests, as well as more lighthearted questions such as: What have been our most inspiring moments? What are the most embarrassing things we have ever said? Leigh Blashki, Gina Macauley, Mei Lai Swan, Jivana Heyman, Sarah Harry, Janet Lowndes, Amy Bell and Jo Buick all contributed to this episode! We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has appeared on the podcast, as well as you the listener and especially our Patreon Supporters. Thank you so much! Links Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flowartistspodcast Free Shoulders Self Massage Guide: https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/free-shoulders-guide/

Jose Goossens was the first President of Yoga Australia when it was known as the Yoga Teachers Association. In this conversation, Jose tells us about her background growing up in Holland before moving to Australia. We hear how Jose discovered yoga and she tells us how it took her 3 times going to a general yoga class before she truly decided that yoga was for her. We learn a little about the Melbourne yoga scene in the 70s and finally, Jose discusses the early days of the Yoga Teacher's Association, and some of the challenges and successes of the nascent organisation. This is another of our episodes released in partnership with Yoga Australia. Links Yoga Australia: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flowartistspodcast

Tejal Patel and Jesal Parikh are yoga teachers and the hosts of the Yoga is Dead podcast. In their own words: "Yoga is Dead is a revolutionary podcast that explores power, privilege, fair pay, harassment, race, cultural appropriation and capitalism in the yoga and wellness worlds. Join Indian-American hosts Tejal + Jesal as they expose all the monsters lurking under the yoga mat." Jo and Rane love the podcast and were super excited to catch up with Jesal and Tejal! Yoga is Dead has taken the yoga world by storm with their honest yet humourous approach to these important issues and were eager to find out more about the women behind the podcast. In this conversation, we learn about Tejal and Jesal's backgrounds growing up in the suburbs of Massachusetts and Michigan in the United States. We learn about some of their motivations in starting the podcast, how they chose the name and whether they have an end goal in mind. There is a great conversation on cultural appropriation, and we ask them whether Mark Singleton's book Yoga Body is a form of whitewashing. Links Website: https://www.yogaisdeadpodcast.com/support Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogaisdeadpodcast Podcast Instagram: @yogaisdeadpodcast Jesal's Instagram: @yogwalla Tejal's Instagram: @tejalyoga Podcast Twitter: @yogaisdeadpod Yoga Fire workshops with Tim Seutter: https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/workshops/yoga-fire-workshops/ Buy Accessible Yoga by Jivana Heyman: Book Depository (free shipping): https://www.bookdepository.com/Accessible-Yoga/9781611807127 Waterstones (UK): https://www.waterstones.com/book/accessible-yoga/jivana-heyman/9781611807127 Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Accessible-Yoga-Poses-Practices-Every/dp/1611807123/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=accessible+yoga&qid=1571080722&s=books&sr=1-1

This episode is released in partnership with Yoga Australia. Leanne Davis is the current president of Yoga Australia. She completed her first Yoga Teacher training with the Sivananda Yoga and Vedanta Forest Academy in South India in 1988, and in this conversation, we learn about how she discovered yoga, how she went on to learn Ayurveda and Chinese medicine and how she weaves these together in her work today. We learn about how Leanne became involved in Yoga Australia - first working as a volunteer at the state level before joining the executive committee at the national level. We asked her questions about cultural appropriation and authenticity and how to make yoga more inclusive. Finally, we ask what are some of the biggest challenges for Yoga Teachers today, and what can Yoga Australia do to support them. Links Yoga Australia: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/yoga_user/leanne-davis/ Leanne's website: https://www.viniyogaaustralia.com/ Accessible Yoga Book Giveaway: https://www.facebook.com/flowartistspodcast/photos/a.1599824873441010/2589033167853504/ Flow Artists Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flowartistspodcast Adrenal Healing with Gina Macauley: https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/workshops/adrenal-healing/

Teruki Nakano works as a Geriatric Psychiatrist and Yoko Nakano is an anesthesiologist. They are both yoga teachers and the founders of Medcare Yoga. They translated Jivana Heyman’s Accessible Yoga course into Japanese, and it is their mission to bring accessible yoga to Japan. 25% of Japan’s population is over the age of 60, and that figure is growing, so bringing a form of yoga to an increasingly aging population is very important in my opinion! In this episode we learn about Teruki and Yoko's backgrounds and how though skeptical at first, Teruki noticed that yoga was helping with Yoko's health issues. After doing his own research, Teruki realised the many benefits of yoga, and encouraged Yoko to become a Yoga teacher before doing so himself! We hear how Teruki was becoming burnt out in his career as a surgeon, and how a life-changing event - the Fukushima earthquake made him realise that medicine was his calling. Finally, we learn Teruki and Yoko's mission to bring Accessible Yoga to Japan, and some of the unique challenges that yoga teachers face in Japan. Links Medcare Yoga: https://medcareyoga.com/en/ Accessible Yoga: http://accessibleyoga.org/ Accessible Yoga Book Giveaway: https://www.facebook.com/flowartistspodcast/photos/a.1599824873441010/2589033167853504/ Fire Yoga Workshops with Tim Seutter: https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/workshops/yoga-fire-workshops/ Buy the book Accessible Yoga! Book Depository (free shipping): https://www.bookdepository.com/Accessible-Yoga/9781611807127 Waterstones (UK): https://www.waterstones.com/book/accessible-yoga/jivana-heyman/9781611807127 Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Accessible-Yoga-Poses-Practices-Every/dp/1611807123/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=accessible+yoga&qid=1571080722&s=books&sr=1-1

This episode is released in partnership with Yoga Australia. Shyamala Benakovic is a Yoga teacher and the CEO of Yoga Australia. If you heard our episode with Michael de Manincor, he stated that the hiring of Shyamala as General Manager was his greatest success, which really speaks to Shyamala's talent, passion and incredible work ethic. In this episode, we learn how Shyamala grew up in Malaysia before moving to London and later relocating to Australia. She tells us about her early family life and how being raised in the Hindu tradition informs her practice and teaching today. We hear about her background as a Management Consultant, and how this, along with her passion for yoga lead to her being hired as General Manager of Yoga Australia. We also hear about the challenges in running a national organisation that is largely made up of volunteers, and some of the systems she has put into place to help support the goals of Yoga Australia. Finally, Shyamala shares her hopes and dreams for Yoga Australia moving into the future. Links: Yoga Australia: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/ Adrenal Healing Workshop with Gina Macauley: https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/workshops/adrenal-healing/ Aerial Theraputics Training: http://www.creativebodyflow.com/aerial-therapeutics/

Manoj Dias is a yoga and meditation teacher, and the founder of A-Space meditation centre in Melbourne. In this conversation, we learn from Manoj what it was like growing up in the Theravada Buddhist tradition in Sri Lanka before relocating to Australia as a child. We learn about his struggles with anxiety in a high flying corporate career and how finding a very special and compassionate teacher brought him back to meditation. He also tells us how he began teaching yoga and meditation, founded A-Space and continues to teach in Australia and internationally. We have a deep and far-ranging conversation that includes issues of accessibility, cultural appropriation, the potential abuse of spiritual practices in the corporate world and self-care. Links Manoj's Website: https://www.manojdias.com.au/ Manoj's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manojdias A-SPACE meditation centre: https://a-space.com.au/ Last chance to book in to "Guiding Inner Journeys" with Amy Bell: https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/workshops/guiding-inner-journeys/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/flowartistspodcast