From the Heart with Rachel Brathen

Latest Episodes:

Cultural Appropriation with Susanna Barkataki Aug 31, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Rachel invites Susanna Barkataki to discuss the topic of cultural appropriation. Susanna is a teacher, inclusivity promoter, yoga culture advocate and the author of the original article, “How to Decolonize Your Yoga Practice” that was widely circulated across social media over the past few weeks. The conversation begins with Susanna speaking on her personal history of experiencing racism and marginalization growing up in an Indian-British family in the UK and US. Using this as a starting point to discuss what has happened to yoga culture in the Western world, Rachel and Susanna then dive into a deep conversation on this topic.

What is cultural appropriation? Where do we draw the line between cultural appreciation and appropriation? Rachel opens up to share her fears and past behaviours while Susanna offers true heartfelt advice on how westerners can continue practicing with deep respect for this ancient practice. Join Rachel and Susanna as they discuss these difficult but important questions and open the door for a shift in mindset to take place.

Life on Tour with Nathan Connelly Aug 24, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Rachel is joined by the talented, humble and down-to-earth guitarist from Snow Patrol, NathanConnolly. First discussing how they randomly ended up in LA together through the connection of a mutual friend, Nathan then dives into how the first show opening for Ed Sheeran went, and what life touring is like (hint: he needs it). From his beginnings singing in a gospel choir to joining Snow Patrol overnight when he was 20, Nathan talks through the history and dynamic of the band, what it felt like to gain recognition for your work, and the meaningfulness that comes when fans take your songs and make them their own. Admitting that he felt nervous talking personally about himself in the beginning of the show, Nathan didn’t let that stop him and Rachel from having a meaningful conversation on everything from brotherhood, living far away from your family, the fine line between being humble and apologetic, making music your life, mental health – and even whether or not he’s sick of the smash-hit “Chasing Cars” yet.

Here, Now with Seal Aug 17, 2018

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In this episode Rachel is joined by none other than beloved international singer, Seal! True to the spirit of the From the Heart podcast, Seal begins the episode by giving a refreshingly honest answer to how he is feeling in his life now compared to a year ago. He shares how his perspective has changed from feeling helpless, victimized and isolated to feeling simply fantastic – and the incredible story that brought him there. After being forced to search for answers, Seal discusses the three major changes he recently made in his life, from how he lets go of control to his guidelines for connecting with other people. Offering beautiful wisdom and serious life advice – join Rachel and Seal as they discuss true happiness, the lessons they’ve learned from their children, finding your life purpose and everything in between.

Staying in Alignment - How To Bring Yourself Back To Balance Aug 10, 2018

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What does alignment mean for you? What do you need to feel good? Recognizing what is truly important for you is the first step to living a life rooted in your own truth.

Rachel begins this episode speaking from the heart on how she has compromised her alignment over the previous weeks. Through being tired from working non-stop for too long and getting caught up in late-night Netflix episodes she lost her routine of getting up before sunrise. She speaks on the patterns of misalignment that have showed up throughout her life – and how she even compromised herself for social media(!).

Comparing this to times in her life where she has felt 100% aligned, Rachel recognizes it is simple acts of self-care – simple things like waking up early, staying active, keeping your house in order – that bring the most peace to her life. With that, she speaks of the need for true rest, which does not take place in front of a television.

My Favorite Books on Yoga and Spirituality Aug 03, 2018

Show notes

In this episode Rachel shares her all-time favorite books on Yoga and Spirituality. She dives into the words that came along with her on adventures, the stories that supported her, and the passages that changed her life. Books often represent so much more than the paper they are made out of. To Rachel, her books are sacred keepsakes that are filled with little notes, letters, and pictures that tell the story of what she was feeling as she held these books in her hand.

Do you have books in your life that you return to again and again for many different reasons? From “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, “Be Here Now” by Ram Dass, Pema Chodron’s “When Thing’s Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times” to Rasha’s “Oneness”, join Rachel as she shares the personal connection she has to her favorite books and stories from her own life inspired by each one.

The Inner Critic (part 2) Jul 27, 2018

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In this episode Rachel continues sharing with the rest of her Yoga Teacher Training group on their Inner Critic. The group shares the judgmental, disapproving thoughts they harbour when that negative voice we all have in our heads is leading the way. Now hearing from 50 women from 15 different countries that have shared their most hurtful thoughts they carry about themselves, it becomes so evident that no matter where we come from or how old we are - we are all the same. Then turning toward the Inner Best Friend - the women share the voice that speaks to them with unconditional love and support. What does your inner critic say to you? What would life be like if we spoke to ourselves the way we speak to our best friends? Tune in for the final part of this emotional and vulnerable episode.

The Inner Critic (part 1) Jul 20, 2018

Show notes

In this episode Rachel invites her Yoga Teacher Training group to join her in sharing a piece of what their inner critic - that judgmental, disapproving voice we all carry in the back of our heads - speaks of, and what life is like when we live from that place. 52 women from 15 different countries share from a place of deep vulnerability and then turn toward the Inner Best Friend - a voice that speaks with unconditional love and support. What would life be like if I spoke to myself the way I speak to the people I love? Tune in for a very different and heartfelt episode.

How To Improve Your Alignment and Find A Sustainable Yoga Practice with Lara Heimann Jul 13, 2018

Show notes

In this episode Rachel is joined once again by yoga teacher, physiotherapist and anatomy genius Lara Heimann. Currently leading a yoga teacher training together, Rachel and Lara discuss everything from their best mothering tips to Lara’s sustainable home. Diving into a deep conversation on the role functional anatomy plays in a yoga practice, Lara breaks down simple poses like downward facing dog, plank, and chaturanga, and notes the common misconceptions people typically bring with them to class. With social media glorifying the overly bendy yogi, they discuss the need to move away from the idea that yoga is simply a pose. Instead, Lara expresses the need for us to be constant critical thinkers when moving in our body in order to protect ourselves from injury. We can find this sense of confidence in our practice by truly connecting to our core – the center of our bodies where all is integrated. It is through our core that we find our sense of courage and strength in ourselves, and ultimately our goals and purpose in life.

Moving Through Pain and Holding Space For Growth Jul 06, 2018

Show notes

Rachel begins this episode by sharing the immense feeling of gratitude she has carried with her lately. Currently immersed in leading a yoga teacher training, she speaks of the deep bond of sisterhood that has been apparent since this new group stepped into the shala. Sensing an overall shift in the feminist movement, Rachel shares how inspiring it is to be surrounded by women that uplift and support one another.

As we all move along our journeys towards healing, it is crucial to have a community we can turn to that will listen to our struggles and give us tools to move through them. Only by working through the dark and defining moments from our past can we begin to create real change in the world. Rachel dives into the pivotal moments of her life that have shaped her, and how they changed throughout the years, as she was able to open up about them. She ends the episode with the single most defining moment of her life today – and how it is different from all the rest.

A Wedding Anniversary and Making Things Work with Dennis Schoneveld Jun 29, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Rachel is joined by her husband Dennis on their 4th wedding anniversary – after they both almost forgot it. They begin by diving into the intense Spring they had; traveling from country to country in Europe, with a toddler and a dog, while working towards a major business launch. Dennis touches on what traveling means to him after growing up on a tiny island. He also shares what it was like to be on his own with the baby, and his brave decision to travel across the Atlantic with her alone.

Getting into questions from listeners, Rachel and Dennis discuss their favorite and least favorite things about one another, what Dennis thinks his life would be like if he never met Rachel, his previous girlfriends (even one that Rachel didn’t know about), and when they plan to have more kids.

As a married couple that are raising a baby and running a business together, Dennis and Rachel conclude by sharing how they compromise to make things work, routines that keep them together, and what’s important at the end of the day – like celebrating their anniversary.

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