Avi speaks with past broadcast journalist and present yogi Jeff Ananda Kamen, who shares some engrossing stories about his adventures and his search for meaning, purpose and understanding. Jeff Kamen first met Swami Satchidananda in 1973 when he made the first public...
Episode 97 | John Ferguson | Finding Purpose in Adversity: Inspiring Veterans’ Mental Health Journey
In this inspiring interview, John Ferguson shares his personal journey of finding positivity and using it as a tool to help veterans struggling with mental health issues. John emphasizes the importance of service and reaching out to support those who are suffering....
Episode 96 | Sean Johnson | From Tragedy to Connection: Music as a Path of Transformation
Kirtan artist Seán Johnson, of Seán Johson and the Wild Lotus Band, discusses: - the importance of preparation for presenting and his personal singing practice as a means of connecting to the universe - the balance between planning and staying present in the moment -...
Episode 95 | Swami Sugunananda | We’re All God’s Children
Avi Gordon speaks with Swami Sugunananda, a monastic since 2010. Sugunananda shares her journey of becoming a swami after the loss of her partner, and discusses finding clarity through faith and guidance from her guru, the role of intuition in decision-making, the...
Episode 94 | Richard Sclove | Modern Problems and Ancient Solutions
Richard Sclove believes that modern capitalist society engenders “insatiability”, and that the ancient Mahabharata suggests a path forward - that it emphasizes social engagement and dharma as the final stage of spiritual growth rather than enlightenment. These topics,...
Episode 92 | Greta Rose Pharr | Exhilarating Comfort in the Unknown
Avi and Greta Rose discuss optimism, finding comfort in the unknown, living a simple life, gratitude, and more. Greta Rose Pharr has been helping companies tell their stories around the world in unforgettable ways since the era of digital marketing began at the turn...
Episode 91 | Rev. Shankar Fern | A Preview of Enlightenment
Avi Gordon and Shankar Fern discuss the long term changes as a result of Yoga practice, faith and trust, enlightenment, the key to healthy relationships, and working with troubled young people. Biographical Notes: - Bruce was given the Sanskrit name Shankar directly...
Episode 90 | Mia Velez | Resisting the Momentum of Habit
Mia Velez and Avi Gordon discuss Yoga and kung fu, connecting to something bigger, finding divinity within, the tao of activism, our relationship with words, inclusivity in Yoga and more. Mia entered Integral Yoga in 2016 through the kitchen, by cooking community...
Episode 89 | Genevieve Georget | Wrestling with God
Genevieve Georget and Avi Gordon discuss "wrestling with God", what it means to be ok, acknowledging the smallness of the mind, surrender, community building and other topics. Genevieve is a full-time writer, photographer, and storyteller whose work has been seen on...
Episode 87 | Lucy Cannon | The Joy of Authenticity
Avi and Lucy Cannon discuss the balance between service and self care, overcoming the need for approval, rigidity and growth into authenticity. Lucy Cannon was born in London, and moved to Portugal as a young child. Following her studies, she moved to London where she...
Episode 86 | Rev. Laksmi Scalise | The Magic Spot of Equanimity
Laksmi Scalise talks with Avi Gordon about "mind science", the joy of not knowing, getting to "that magic spot" of total acceptance, gurus and more. Reverend Laksmi Scalise, IYM, RYT 500, is an Integral Yoga minister and teaches Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced...
Episode 85 | Chandra Sgammato | Shifting the Way We Approach Life
Chandra discusses her introduction to Integral Yoga, balancing priorities in life, letting go of "being right" and recognizing what's important, and introducing others to Yoga. Chandra/Jo Sgammato is a certified Integral Yoga instructor who served for twenty years at...
Episode 84 | Meenakshi Angel Honig | Ahimsa and Our Diet
Avi and vegan author Meenakshi Angel Honig discuss Swami Satchidananda, the idea of ahimsa (non-violence) as applied to our diet, talking to people about veganism, the connection between ahimsa and happiness, and her new book "The Solution: 10 Compelling Reasons to...
Episode 83 | Rabbi Rami Shapiro | To Be a Blessing to All the Families of the Earth
Avi and Rabbi Rami discuss Shabbos, play, freedom of belief, tribalism, silence, gratitude practice, changing the world without antagonism and the divine feminine. Rabbi Rami Shapiro is an award–winning author of over thirty-six books on religion and spirituality. He...
Episode 82 | Victoria Moran | God in a Dragonfruit
Avi Gordon and Victoria Moran discuss veganism, yoga, ahimsa and being a good example. Featured twice on Oprah and listed by VegNews magazine among the Top 10 Living Vegetarian Authors, Victoria Moran has written thirteen books including Creating a Charmed Life and...
Episode 81 | Rev. Kumari de Sachy | A Vision of the Whole
Avi Gordon in conversation with Rev. Kumari de Sachy. Rev. Kumari has been a devotee of Sri Swami Satchidananda since 1981 and has lived and served in many capacities at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville since 1986, including as editor of the Integral Yoga Magazine,...
Episode 80 | James Knight | Gentle Somatic Yoga
Avi Gordon in conversation with James Knight, the creator of Gentle Somatic Yoga. James is one of the early pioneers to bridge yoga and Somatics. Gentle Somatic Yoga® (GSY) is the culmination of his life’s work as an experienced yoga teacher, certified Hanna Somatic...
Episode 79 | Radha Metro-Midkiff | Growing Up with Integral Yoga
How many of us can say that we grew up in a yogic household, going to a yogic school, living at an ashram, surrounded by the grace of the Guru? Radha Metro-Midkiff can. Radha shares about her childhood, her current service, and her special relationship with Swami...
Episode 78 | Kelley Nicole Palmer | Yoga and Wholeness
This conversation between Kelley and Avi addresses a multitude of social issues and how they relate to the world of yoga. Is there a place for shame and guilt within the human experience? Why does it seem so challenging sometimes for people to take the right action?...
Episode 77 | Br. David Steindl-Rast | Nothing is…Everything
Witness to World War II in Austria, Benedictine monk for the last 66 years, friend to Swami Satchidananda, and internationally-recognized practitioner of gratitude Brother David Steindl-Rast sits down to talk with Avi Gordon of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association....