Keen on Yoga Podcast

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

Adam speaks with Bernie Clark, a renowned yoga teacher and author, about his latest book on Prana. They explore the multifaceted nature of Prana, its historical context, and its relationship with breath and energy. Bernie shares his personal journey with Prana, including challenges and insights gained through his practice. The discussion delves into the significance of compression in yoga, the communication pathways within the body, and the importance of surrender and acceptance in healing. This conversation offers a rich exploration of the concept of Prana, bridging Eastern and Western perspectives on energy and vitality.
Buy the Book: Prana, One Breath, Many Worlds
Support the Podcast: Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf
Bernie Shares 
·      Bernie's journey with Prana began with personal experiences and injuries.
·      Prana is more than breath; it encompasses life energy and vitality.
·      The historical evolution of Prana reflects cultural understandings of life force.
·      Breath is intrinsically linked to life and spirit across cultures.
·      Prana can be viewed through both Eastern and Western scientific lenses.
·      Compression in yoga can stimulate energy flow and health in tissues.
·      The body communicates through fascia, affecting energy flow and blockages.
·      Different yoga practices can influence organ health through energy pathways.
·      Scar tissue can disrupt energy flow and communication in the body.
·      Surrender and acceptance are key to healing and understanding one's energy.
 
Find Bernie
Instagram: @bernieclark7528
Website: https://yinyoga.com/prana/

Adam delves into the complexities of the Mysore tradition of Ashtanga yoga, discussing both its merits and drawbacks. He reflects on his personal journey of why he stopped attending Mysore, the challenges of teaching Ashtanga, and the evolving nature of yoga traditions. Keen emphasizes the importance of intention in practice and the value of community while acknowledging the need for adaptability in teaching methods.
Adam Shares
·      Mysore tradition has both pros and cons.
·      The authenticity of yoga lies in the practitioner's intention.
·      Tradition in yoga is not static; it evolves over time.
·      Personal experiences can shape one's relationship with yoga.
·      Teaching methods should adapt to individual needs.
·      Community plays a crucial role in the practice of yoga.
·      The practice of Ashtanga can be both grounding and challenging.
·      It's important to separate the method from the individual teacher.
·      Trusting one's intuition is vital in yoga practice.
·      The journey of yoga is personal and unique for everyone.