Yoga out of the box.

In the yoga world, we often celebrate the journey of self-discovery, but we rarely delve into the personal transformations that occur off the mat. In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Marvin and Inger explore the profound impact of Ashtanga yoga on mental health and spiritual growth. Inger shares her journey from overcoming mental health challenges to finding her calling as a yoga teacher, emphasizing the importance of consistent practice and spiritual connection.Key Insights from this Episode:The Healing Journey: How yoga can transform mental health struggles into spiritual awakening.Consistency is Key: The power of daily practice in building resilience and self-awareness.Spiritual Connection: Discovering the deeper meaning of yoga beyond physical postures.Teacher's Path: The role of intuition and lineage in shaping a yoga teacher's journey.Authentic Practice: Embracing vulnerability and honesty in personal and teaching practices.If you've ever felt the call to deepen your practice or seek spiritual growth through yoga, this episode is a reminder that the journey is as important as the destination.DEEPEN YOUR PRACTICE & JOIN THE COMMUNITY:Guest of today: Inger is a dedicated student and teacher of ashtanga yoga. Growing up in a small village on an island on the coast of Norway, she was drawn to spirituality from a young age, and started practicing yoga at 19 years old. Today she has been practicing yoga for 10 years, and had a daily ashtanga practice since 2017. Inger is a student of Sharath Jois. She took her first trip to Mysore, India in 2018. In 2022 she got the blessing from her teacher (authorised level 2) to share the ashtanga yoga method. Since 2016 she's taught hundreds of classes in ashtanga, as well as other styles of yoga. She has taught workshops, retreats and been a guest teacher at mysore programs internationally and in Norway. She teaches an online mysore program daily, as well as sharing the ashtanga yoga practice around the world through workshops, teaching mysore and holding retreats. Inger is passionate about sharing ashtanga yoga as a transformative practice for mind, body and spirit.🌟 Connect with Inger on Instagram: Follow her journey and insights into Ashtanga yoga. 👉  @ingeryoga4805  🧘‍♀️ Explore Ashtanga with Inger: Visit her website for more information on classes and workshops. 👉 ingeryoga.com📍 Practice with Marvin: Join the community for in-depth yoga sessions and spiritual exploration. 👉 https://www.skool.com/wakeup-yoga-club-2015/about?ref=83dcdbf646d8429cb900e9c404c5851a

In a world where the camera is always rolling, we face a radical question: Can we truly feel ourselves if we are simultaneously watching ourselves being felt?
Following a controversial discussion on Instagram regarding "Performance Yoga," I’m diving deep into the concept of Viveka (Discernment). Is it really "Ego" when we call out bullshit in the yoga world? Or is the "No Judging" mantra a trap that prevents us from protecting the depth of the practice?
Drawing from my experiences at the Black Lotus Immersion with Ty Landrum, I analyze how social media affects our nervous system on the mat and why the moment we press "record" is often the exact moment the internal practice ends.
Key Topics in this Episode:
The Intention Gap: Why it’s not about the "what," but the "why."

Performance vs. Regulation: How filming and flirting trigger our Social Engagement System and block inner stillness.

Viveka (Discernment): The surgical precision we need to distinguish Yoga from mere gymnastics.

Yoga in 2026: How to "disentangle" the practice in a digital world while remaining present.

00:00 Introduction: The Bali Incident & the "Ego" Trap

06:00 The Evolution of Practice: From Internal Withdrawal to External Performance?

10:58 Viveka: Why Discernment is the Highest Form of Love for Yoga

18:45 The Surgeon Metaphor: Protecting the Method vs. Judging the Person

25:30 Closing: Your Challenge for a Practice Without an Audience

Ibiza Retreat (Community Edition): Secure your spot for an intensive week !

Waiting List: Be the first to know about new workshops and retreats. [LINK]

Instagram: Follow @yoga.marv
for your daily dose of Biomechanics & Philosophy.

Mentioned: Ty Landrum & The Black Lotus System.

Love the podcast? Leave a 5-star review on Spotify and share this episode in your stories to support an honest and deep yoga culture.
Chapters:Links & Resources:

The journey from strict tradition to personal liberation—discover how modern yoga practitioners are reinterpreting ancient teachings to fit our fast-paced, modern lives. Thomas Matias, a dedicated meditation teacher and yoga practitioner, shares how embracing both the stillness of meditation and the devotion of mindful asana practice can lead to profound freedom from suffering.In this deeply honest conversation, Thomas reveals his evolution from Buddhist mindfulness to devotional yoga, emphasizing that genuine spiritual growth requires questioning tradition and trusting your own inner truth. We break down how practices like Black Lotus Yoga and Ashtanga differ—and why blending devotion, discipline, and experimentation might be the key to sustainable transformation.You'll discover:
Why the yoga sutras and Buddhist dhamma offer timeless insights into consciousness and suffering
How to cultivate a prayerful, devotional attitude while embracing your unique practice
The importance of questioning authority and tradition to find your own authentic spiritual path
How embodiment and emotional awareness serve as gateways to liberation in a modern context
Why surrendering attachments and embracing life’s ups and downs can bring genuine undivided peace
Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just starting out, this episode challenges the idea of a one-size-fits-all approach to spirituality. It’s perfect for anyone seeking a practical, heartfelt way to integrate ancient wisdom into everyday life—without losing themselves in dogma. Embrace your journey as a seeker and discover how your own experience is the ultimate teacher.Connect with Thomas on Instagram and YouTube for ongoing teachings, meditation sessions, and courses—links in the description. This episode is a vital reminder that true liberation doesn’t come from blindly following rules but from trusting yourself and embracing all that life and practice have to teach.
About Thomas

Thomas’ spiritual journey started with meditation, and it was later that he discovered a passion for daily, ritualized Yoga.

He has spent over a decade traveling the world, meeting teachers, exploring scriptures, and experimenting with various spiritual methods and philosophies.

For over five years, he has taught and mentored internationally, offering studio classes, courses, retreats, and 1:1 mentorships.

The Yoga he shares is world-embracing and relationship-focused. It holds no text or tradition as authoritative, explores different philosophies, emphasizes meditation, and follows the Black Lotus Yoga method by Ty Landrum.
www.thomasmathias.comyoutube | instagram | facebook

Is "judging" the ultimate sin in Yoga, or is it our responsibility to speak up when the practice loses its soul?
In this episode, we dive into the tension between the modern "Love & Light" narrative and the ancient yogic tool of Viveka (Discernment). Inspired by recent pushback on social media, I explore why calling out performative "BS"—like the filming, flirting, and hyper-aesthetic culture of modern yoga—isn't an act of Ego, but an act of Dharma.
We take a look "Under the Microscope" at how the presence of a camera or an audience fundamentally shifts our nervous system from internal regulation to external performance. Drawing from the philosophy of the Black Lotus Immersion and Ty Landrum, we discuss how to navigate practice in 2026 without losing the essence of what Yoga was meant to be.
Key Takeaways:
Discrimination in Yoga: Why Viveka (the power of discernment) is the most important tool for a practitioner.

The Social Media Trap: How "The Observed Self" prevents us from reaching true Pratyahara (withdrawal).

Performance vs. Practice: Why a practice that needs an audience is no longer a meditation.

00:00 Introduction: The "Ego" accusation and why we need to talk about it.

06:00 The Evolution of Yoga Practice: From internal liberation to external lifestyle.

10:58 The Role of Discrimination: Why "No Judging" is sometimes a trap for the mind.

22:15 Performance vs. Regulation: The biological impact of social media on the mat.

28:40 Conclusion: Protecting the integrity of the practice.

Ibiza Retreat (Community Edition): Join us for an intensive week of practice and biomechanics!

The Waiting List: Get early access to workshops and new content

Instagram: Join the conversation @yoga.marv

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your support helps keep this conversation honest and deep.

What happens when a dedicated Ashtanga practitioner steps outside the traditional Mysore room? In this episode, Marvin shares his experience from a 2-week deep immersion into Black Lotus Yoga and philosophy in India.This wasn’t just a trip; it was a confrontation with a different way of moving and thinking. Marvin breaks down his first experience with this modern yoga style, comparing it to the structured world of Ashtanga. Is one "better"? Or are they two sides of the same coin?Key Insights from this Episode:* First Impressions: My honest take on the Black Lotus approach—modern, fresh, and surprisingly deep.* The Comparison: A side-by-side look at Ashtanga vs. Black Lotus from a biomechanical and philosophical perspective.* The Community: Why the energy of the teachers and the group in India changed the way I view collective practice.* Integration: How I’m combining these new insights with my existing practice and teaching.* Who is it for? The pros and cons of this style and who might benefit most from trying it.Whether you are a traditionalist or a seeker of new methods, this episode explores how we can honor our roots while staying open to the evolution of modern yoga.----------------------------------------DEEPEN YOUR PRACTICE & JOIN THE COMMUNITY:🚀 Join the Gravity Lab on Skool: Access our free "Primary Series: Under the Microscope" library. Learn how to blend tradition with modern biomechanics. 👉 [YOUR SKOOL LINK]🏝️ Yoga & Biomechanics Retreat in Ibiza (May 17–21): Experience the best of both worlds. 5 days of deep immersion and 30h YTT in an exclusive villa. 👉 [YOUR RETREAT LINK]📸 Daily Insights on Instagram: For more behind-the-scenes from India, Floripa, and technical breakdowns: 👉 https://www.google.com/url?sa=E&source=gmail&q=https://www.instagram.com/yoga.marv📍 Practice with me in Kassel: The Mysore Room reopens on March 16th. Let’s integrate these new perspectives into our daily practice.