Heart Yoga Radio

PATANJALI ON PRANAYAMA

This short podcast is stimulated by Yoga Sutras 2.49 to 2.52. In these few short aphorisms, Patanjali outlines four elements of pranayama.The first three prefigure the  much later Hatha Yoga pranayama of Svatmarama which is an operation of will upon the body, particularly upon rhythms of breath. The fourth pranayama is a more subtle breath disciplne which reveals the 'light'! [19 minutes. Free]

ON YOGA POSTURES

This short podcast is one of our 'glossary' style talks. It elucidates Patanjali's take on asana as well as Svatmarama's as found in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and contrasts both of these with 'modern postural yoga'. I go on to suggest a particular approach to asana practice which I find to be fruitful. [11minutes. Free.]

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON? REALLY?

This short podcast takes a swipe at the current platitude that 'everything happens for a reason', characterising it a an escapist notion. [9 minutes. Free.]

FREEDOM

In this podcast we consider the inner freedom promised by yoga and meditative disciples in general. The discussion touches on vedanta, the yoga sutra, existentialism, slavery, and more. The core point is that the moment we commit to yoga, we necessarily embrace our ineluctable freedom. [47 minute. Free.]

DOES YOGA MAKE YOU HAPPY?

This short blast came out of a question Anna was asked about the possible impact of yoga practice on one's happiness. The conversation segues into a brief discussion of santosha which is Patanjali's term for contentment, and then into a consideration of psychological resilience. These are themes that we will expand upon in future podcasts. [16 minutes. Free.]

ENLIGHTENMENT

In this short discussion, Pete and Anna tackle the tricky notion of enlightenment. "If you meet the Buddha on the road, twat him." [25 minutes. Free]

AHIMSA - NON-HARMING

In this podcast, we add another term to our glossary: we discuss ahimsa or non-harming and how this can usefully be directed towards ourselves. [10 minutes.Free.]