Lonely Guru Dialogues with Ryan Spielman

For over 50 years Paul has been exploring and sharing his experiences on awakening, human potential and how to be deeply happy. In this episode he points out the most important factor for discovering these qualities, unconditional awareness. Pay attention, be present, see the mechanical nature of the body and mind, stop holding  … and […]

I sit down with Mysore-style Ashtanga teachers, Scott Johnson, Joey Miles and Corrie Preece for a lively discussion on all things Ashtanga from how to teach the unteachable, when is it okay to modify the sequence, the misconception that yoga always feels good, waking up early, hyper-focus on alignment and much more. If you are an ashtangi or interested in learning about Mysore-style classes you can really sink your teeth into this one. Corrie Preece corrieananda.co.uk Scott Johnson stillpointyogalondon.com Joey Miles ashtangayogaleeds.com

My guest is pregnancy Yoga teacher, Ayala Gill. We talk about how to approach your yoga practice during pregnancy, helpful tips, postnatal yoga, modifying for each trimester and more. Ayala has trained in Iyengar, Ashtanga and Anusara methods, as a mindfuleness meditation teacher and is a practicing doula, assiting women during childbirth. www.ayalagill.com Check out Ayala’s […]

My guest is Melanie Cooper. We discuss her new book Teaching Yoga Adjusting Asana and share our experience of what it's like to be a Yoga teacher. Melanie has been teaching yoga since 1997, and training yoga teachers since 2005. She divides her time between London and Goa practicing and teaching yoga. She currently runs the morning Ashtanga self-practice at The Life Centre in Islington, London and conducts annual teacher trainings in London and at Brahmani Yoga in Goa. melaniecooper.co.uk

Alan Jacobs was born in 1929 in London. From an early age, he has been interested in religion and mysticism. He commenced a personal search for truth, and studied comparative religion. He then entered the Gurdjieff Society in 1957 and remained there until the early seventies. He then met Jiddu Krishnamurti, and studied his teachings until 1979. Next, he discovered Ramana Maharshi and became familiar with his extensive literature and spiritual practice. He is currently President of the Ramana Maharshi Foundation, UK. As a poet he has versified for O Books 'The Bhagavad Gita', 'The Principal Upanishads' and 'The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius', as well as compiling a major prose anthology, 'The Ocean Of Wisdom'. For Watkins Publishing, he edited 'Ramana, Shankara and the Forty Verses', versified 'The Essential Gnostic Gospels' and compiled an anthology, 'The Wisdom of Ramesh Balsekar'. You can check out his many books on Amazon and find his most recent writings and poetry on his Facebook page where he has an active presence.

My guest is Dr. James Mallinson. In addition to being a scholar of the first order making great contributions to the academic study of Yoga, James is an old school Hatha Yogi, getting down and dirty with the sannyasins and the tappasyins, gurus and saints of India, who are carrying on the traditions and practices of the ancient Indian ascetics. Look for his upcoming book The Roots of Yoga and check out his academic writings and a whole host of other resources on his website www.khecari.com

Bo Forbes joins me to offer a glimpse into her work as a Yoga teacher and Yoga therapist. She artfully weaves together her training as a clinical psychologist and therapist with her knowledge of Yoga and contemplative practice. Bo discusses her understanding of what it means to cultivate embodied awareness, integrating the mind and body. You can find out more about her work on her website www.elementalyoga.com

My guest is Matthew Sweeney, a senior teacher in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Tradition. We discuss the Force as elucidated by master Yoda, gross, subtle and causal dimensions of practice, and when it is appropriate to fly in the face of tradition. You can find out more about Matthew at www.yogatemple.com Enjoy!

Dave Oshana is a teacher of enlightenment. He has a practical and open approach to sharing, from his direct experience, the subtleties of how to live an enlightened life. On the podcast, Dave freely discusses the myths surrounding enlightenment. He both demystifies and exalts the perennial spiritual journey. Find out more about Dave at daveoshana.com

My guest is Godfrey Devereux, a practitioner and teacher of Yoga with 40 years of experience. It's a lively discussion about the essence of yoga practice, self-inquiry. www.godfridev.com, www.windfireyoga.com

Mark is a scholar of the Yoga tradition with a focus on the roots of modern Yoga practice. He has made an important contribution to our understanding of recent developments in Yoga's history with his book Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice. We discuss the recent history of Hatha Yoga and posture practice in the west. I hope you enjoy this engaged discussion. You can learn more about his work at modernyogaresearch.org

Wayne Liquorman joins me to discuss Power and Powerlessness. He offers encouragement to look for yourself to discover the true source who you are and what moves you to act in the world. Wayne has had a big influence on my life and I am grateful to get an opportunity to introduce him and his teaching to you. Enjoy! Find out more about Wayne and Advaita at www.advaita.org

Clare Soloway has a lifetime of experience as a therapist, teacher, facilitator and guide. She shares her unique and inspiring approach to life - daring to step into unknown territories of self-exploration, relationships, and offering her rich life experience as support for others on the path. www.claresoloway.com

I am joined by Yoga historian and London based Yoga teacher, Graham Burns. Graham takes us through the major developments in the history of Yoga. Though we only touch briefly on each major turn in Yoga's 3000 year history, Graham offers a comprehensive picture of this rich and wide ranging tradition. For more about Graham got to www.samanayoga.com

My guest is Ian Davidson. We discuss his relationship with his two gurus, one embodied and one he's never met in person. Ian shares his experience of what it's like to find yourself devoted to a spiritual teacher. He is co-director of Le Moulin de Chaves www.moulindechaves.org, a Buddhist meditation center in France. Check the links for Amma www.amma.org and Neem Karoli Baba www.maharajji.com to find out more about their organizations.