Keen on Yoga Podcast

In this episode, Adam Keen explores the profound relationship between yoga and trauma healing, emphasizing the somatic, emotional, and energetic dimensions of the practice. Discover how yoga goes beyond relaxation to facilitate catharsis, integration, and genuine recovery from unresolved trauma.
Key topics covered:
·       The role of trauma and karma in the body and mind
·       How yoga acts as a cathartic process for emotional release
·       The importance of ritual and framing in yoga practice for healing
·       The connection between spinal movement and emotional release
·       Managing the stimulating effects of asana to avoid overstimulation
·       The significance of touch, visualization, and nervous system regulation
·       How to build a stable framework for safe emotional processing during practice
·       The potential risks of using yoga to numb or suppress issues
·       Diaphragmatic breathing techniques to release trapped tension
·       The neck as a vulnerable area storing trauma and its release
Resources & Links:
·       Peter Levine on the Keen on Yoga Podcast
·       Bessel van der Kolk on the Keen on Yoga Podcast
·       The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
·       Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine
·       Peter Levine - Somatic Experiencing
 
Connect with Adam
Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga
Website: www.keenonyoga.com
Follow Adam:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga
Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats/
Support: Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf
LISTEN
Apple podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keen-on-yoga-podcast/id1509303411
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iM9lcw52JskHUZ2eFvVxN
WATCH
https://www.youtube.com/@keenonyoga

Leslie Howard and Richard Rosen discuss with Adam the profound topics of death, Savasana, and their intersection with yoga philosophy. They explore the history, practice, and spiritual significance of Savasana, as well as the importance of facing mortality to enrich life.
Buy the Book: Savasana, Between Breath and Death
Support the Podcast: Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf
Lesley and Richard Share
·      History of Savasana in Yoga
·      Differences in Savasana practices among teachers
·      The role of death doulas and legacy planning
·      The philosophical significance of facing death
·      Practical tips for deepening Savasana practice
 
Find Leslie
Instagram: @lesliehowardyoga
Website: https://lesliehowardyoga.com/
 
Find Richard
Instagram: @richardrosenyoga
Keen on Yoga
Website: http://www.keenonyoga.com/
Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga
Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats
Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga

Adam explores the challenges faced by modern yoga teachers, including lack of professionalism, support, and societal recognition. He discusses the differences between traditional and modern yoga, the impact of societal structures, and the importance of establishing a professional framework for yoga teaching.
Adam Shares
·      Differences between traditional and modern yoga
·      Challenges faced by modern yoga teachers
·      Lack of professional standards and support
·      Societal perception of yoga teachers
·      The role of yoga in society and capitalism
Keen on Yoga
Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga
Website: www.keenonyoga.com
Follow Adam:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga
Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats/
Support: Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Modern Yoga Teaching Challenges
05:55 Yoga vs. Modern Wellness: A Philosophical Divide
12:45 Professionalism and Standards in Yoga Teaching
20:59 Teaching in a Commercialized Yoga Environment
30:43 Friendship vs. Professionalism in Yoga Teaching

Adam interviews Mark Epstein, a psychiatrist and author, discussing the complex nature of desire from both a Buddhist and psychotherapeutic perspective. They explore how desire is often misunderstood as an obstacle, when in fact it can serve as a vehicle for spiritual growth and understanding. The conversation delves into the importance of recognizing and embracing desire rather than suppressing it, the role of the ego, and the lessons learned from personal experiences and stories, including the Ramayana and the parable of the strawberry.
Buy the Book: Open to Desire – The Truth About What The Buddha Taught
Support the Podcast: Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf
Mark Shares
 ·    Desire is not inherently negative; it's often our perception of it that limits us.
·   Suppressing desire can lead to greater dissatisfaction and emotional issues.
·      Desire can be a pathway to spiritual growth and understanding.
·      The ego plays a crucial role in our awareness and spiritual practice.
·      Meditation helps us to understand and transform our desires.
·      The middle path involves finding a balance between indulgence and suppression of desires.
·      Personal anecdotes can illustrate the complexities of desire and satisfaction.
·      Understanding the nature of desire can lead to greater empathy and connection with others.
·      The Ramayana serves as a metaphor for the journey of desire and its true purpose.
·      Self-awareness is key to transforming our relationship with desire.
Find Mark
Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/markepstein108
Website: www.markepsteinmd.com 
Keen on Yoga
Website: http://www.keenonyoga.com/
Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga
Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats
Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mark Epstein
01:01 Desire: A Different Perspective
05:55 Desire as a Vehicle for Growth
11:55 The Nature of Desire and Suffering
18:04 Personal Anecdotes and Lessons Learned
24:06 Empathy and the Objectification of Desire
30:46 Exploring Desire and Unsatisfactoriness
33:42 The Middle Path: Balancing Indulgence and Suppression
36:09 Understanding Desire: The Role of Self and Shame
37:12 The Ramayana: A Story of Desire and Purpose
40:37 The Strawberry Parable: Appreciating Desire
43:43 The Ego: Our Greatest Obstacle and Hope

Adam explores the complex relationship between money and yoga, addressing the common perception that charging for yoga corrupts its authenticity. He shares personal experiences and insights on the necessity of money as a means of energy exchange, the historical context of yoga's accessibility, and the implications of consumerism in modern yoga practices. Keen emphasizes the importance of trust, accountability, and the teacher's role in navigating these dynamics, ultimately advocating for a balanced approach to money in the yoga community. 
Adam Shares
·      Money is often seen as corrupting yoga, but it's a necessary exchange.
·      Many yoga teachers struggle with the idea of charging for their services.
·      Offering yoga for free can lead to a lack of commitment from students.
·      Money can democratize access to yoga, making it available to more people.
·      The historical guru-shisha relationship was exclusive and selective.
·      Modern yoga allows for more freedom and choice for students.
·      Accountability is important in the teacher-student dynamic.
·      Consumerism has influenced the way yoga is marketed and taught today.
·      Teachers have a responsibility to create a supportive environment.
·      Navigating money in yoga requires a balance between accessibility and quality.
Keen on Yoga
Become a Patron: https://www.keenonyoga.com/patrons/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Keenonyoga
Website: www.keenonyoga.com
Follow Adam:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga
Retreats with Adam: https://www.keenonyoga.com/ashtanga-yoga-retreats/
Support: Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Money and Yoga
02:19 The Dilemma of Charging for Yoga
08:05 The Value of Money in Yoga
14:16 Trust and Money in Yoga
18:09 The Guru-Shisha Relationship and Modern Yoga
25:00 Reframing Yoga's Historical Context
28:55 Democratization of Yoga Through Money
33:49 The Challenges of Modern Yoga Teaching
40:07 Navigating Consumerism in Yoga
44:46 Finding Balance in Yoga's Modern Landscape