The Uplifted Yoga Podcast

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#324 – The Importance of Emotional Processing and Regulation: DENT Model Trauma

#325 – Archetypes, Dreams & Why Nightmares are Good with Kari Hohne

#345 – Somatic Shaking: What Is It? Why Does it Work?

Yoga's Messy Origins: Understanding Yoga's Historical Context Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Many students seek the unbroken lineage of yoga, and as someone who has extensively explored the origins and evolution of yoga I want to tell you… it's time to let that notion go. Yoga has a rich and diverse history that has been shaped through social and historical contexts. It has evolved from a spiritual endeavor to its modern physical interpretations with large impact from the industrial revolution. It's so important to understand the historical and cultural influences on yoga today, and how this practice has changed over time. So that's what I'll dive into in today's episode.

Listen to learn:

🔹Misconceptions around unbroken lineages in yoga.

🔹How yoga has evolved significantly since the industrial revolution.

🔹The way historical and social context has always influenced yoga.

Loved this episode and want to know more about yoga's origins? Grab my History of Yoga course on sale now => https://www.brettlarkin.com/history-of-yoga-course/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=hoy

FREE Practice: 15 Minute Power Morning Vinyasa Flow For Strength

Relevant Blog: Where Did Yoga Originate: A Brief History of Yoga

Relevant to Today's Episode:

💖 History of Yoga

📖 Yoga Life Book

Yoga Fan: Practice Guide For Everyday

🔮 Yoga for Self Mastery

🎧 Also Listen to:

#279 – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Summary – BOOK ONE Explained

#283 – Dismantling the Kleshas: The Actual Aim of Yoga

#358 – Intro to The Bhagavad Gita: How Do You Navigate Moral Dilemmas?

Nervous System Masterclass with Kristin Leal Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

If you're an Uplifted alumni you'll recognize today's guest from inside the training…Kristin Leal!! 🎉I could talk to Kristin about anatomy and the nervous system for hours, and I'm so excited that she came on the podcast to enlighten us all with her vast knowledge. Kristin is going to delve into the complexities of the nervous system, particularly focusing on the autonomic nervous system and its two branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. She'll discuss the complexities of the human stress response and the importance of understanding these systems in the context of yoga to help regulate your nervous system.

Get your notebook ready and learn:

🔹How the nervous system is interconnected with all bodily systems.

🔹What Vagal tone is and how it's an important indicator of overall health and well-being.

🔹The way burnout manifests as inactivity or excessive rest without true recovery.

✨ Make your yoga practice 2x more potent in 1/2 the time with my Free Yoga Transformational Portal

GUEST EXPERT: Kristin Leal | @metaanatomy

Kristin is in love with how esoteric anatomy links so effortlessly to Western anatomy, and her MetaAnatomy™ trainings blend serious scientific knowledge with a sense of humor and a deep connection to the divine within us all. As the creator of the Kaya Yoga 200- and 300-hour teacher training, she's certified over 5,000 yoga teachers since 2005. Kristin also holds certifications in Reiki, Thai massage, neuromuscular and myofascial release, and is a co-author of the book The Yoga Fan (2003) and the author of MetaAnatomy™ (2014).

Explore Kristin's Offerings: https://www.kristinleal.com/

Get Kristin's Books:

MetaAnatomy

FREE Practice: Somatic Release Meditation for Trauma | Vagus Nerve Reset to Gently Free Trapped Emotions

Relevant Blog: 3 Easy Somatic Exercises To Soothe Your Nervous System

Relevant to Today's Episode:

🐍 Kundalini 200-hour YTT

🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training

🎧 Also Listen to:

#311 – Embodiment, Expression & Femininity with Alexandra Roxo

#345 – Somatic Shaking: What Is It? Why Does it Work?

#350 – Do a "Yoga Life Makeover" with Corinne Maples

The 8 Limbs of Yoga for Personal Growth May 28, 2025

Show notes

We've talked about what the eight limbs of yoga are and where they came from (if you missed that episode just scroll a few back) but what is each limb's practical, energetic, and spiritual significance in modern life? From the ethical and personal observances of Yama and Niyama, respectively, to the physical aspects of Asana, the breath control of Pranayama, and the mental focus of Dharana. And of course how it all culminates in the exploration of Dhyana and Samadhi. The Eight Limbs are here to help you cut through the noise and come back to what really matters, this episode will explain how.

Listen and learn:

🔹How each limb of yoga serves a unique purpose in personal growth

🔹What it means to "live your yoga" through these teachings

🔹The practical ways the 8 limbs help you reclaim your scattered energy

💖 Curious about the Uplifted membership and want to know more? Check it out here => https://www.brettlarkin.com/uplifted/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=uplifted

FREE Practice: Relaxing Meditation: Chandra Bhedana Pranayama to Calm Down

Relevant Blog: The 5 Niyamas of Yoga: The Second Path of Yoga's Eight Limbs

Relevant to Today's Episode:

📖 Yoga Life Book

#276 – What are Patanjali's Yoga Sutras - What Every Yogi Should Know

🎧 Also Listen to:

#279 – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Summary – BOOK ONE Explained

#282 – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Summary – BOOK TWO Explained

#364 – Dissecting The 8 Limbs and Their Origins

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 - Part 1: Should You Follow Your Emotions? Or Your Responsibilities? May 21, 2025

Show notes

I'm back with Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita! This is so dense I had to split it into two parts. Today we'll discuss verses 1-38. This chapter serves as a foundation for understanding the eternal nature of the soul (Atman) and the importance of non-attachment in the face of life's challenges. Let's look at Arjuna's emotional turmoil and Krishna's tough love approach, emphasizing the need for inner stability and the acceptance of life's transient nature. The emphasis on the immortality of the soul, the significance of understanding one's Dharma, and the win-win perspective in life. This chapter literally has all of Krishna's essential teachings. Making it a gold mine.

Get ready to learn from the original life coach (Krishna):

🔹The journey often begins at our lowest points. We must learn to enjoy fleeting things.

🔹Life presents a win-win situation regardless of outcomes.

🔹Empathy must be balanced with duty in our actions.

Loved this episode and want to know more about yoga's origins? Grab my History of Yoga course => https://www.brettlarkin.com/history-of-yoga-course/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=hoy

📖 Different translations mentioned:

Barbara Stoler Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-Krishnas-Counsel-Bantam-Classics/dp/0553213652

Godsong by Amit Majmudar: https://www.amazon.com/Godsong-Verse-Translation-Bhagavad-Gita-Commentary/dp/1524733474

Eknath Easwaran: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-2nd-Eknath-Easwaran/dp/1586380192

Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by Swami Prabhupada: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-As-Bhaktivedanta-Swami-Prabhupada/dp/0892131233

FREE Practice: Energetic Mastery | KUNDALINI YOGA FOR THE AQUARIAN AGE

Relevant Blog: 5 Righteous Principles of Sikh Dharma You've Never Heard Of

Relevant to Today's Episode:

🔮 History of Yoga

🎧 Also Listen to:

#297 – What is Samkhya Philosophy and How is it Different from Yoga?

#358 – Intro to The Bhagavad Gita: How Do You Navigate Moral Dilemmas?

#361 – Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1: Dharma, Emotions & Intellect

Is Trauma Actually In Your Hips? The Impact of Stress on Hip & Pelvic Health with Dr. Brianne Grogan May 14, 2025

Show notes

Mother's day just passed and I thought this would be the perfect time to talk about something a lot of women deal with, especially after having kids: pelvic floor dysfunction. I invited Dr. Brianne Grogan, Physical Therapist and Pelvic Care Expert, to talk about the intricate relationship between trauma, stress, and pelvic floor health. I loved this conversation with Dr. Bri because she not only delves into practical techniques for pelvic floor release, sharing insights on effective cues for yoga teachers to enhance awareness and how to reconnect with the pelvic floor, but she also emphasizes the importance of understanding the pelvic area as a site of emotional storage and energetic power.

Listen in as we explore how:

🔹The pelvic floor muscles are among the first to respond to stress.

🔹Emotions can be stored in various parts of the body, not just the hips.

🔹The gut-brain connection plays a significant role in emotional health.

🔹Fascia connects the pelvic floor to the diaphragm and hips.

🦋 Get my Pregnant & Powerful prenatal yoga course for mamas, teachers, and womb healing on flash sale now! => https://www.brettlarkin.com/prenatal-yoga-vinyasa-kundalini-meditation/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=pp

GUEST EXPERT: Dr. Brianne Grogan | @vibrantpelvichealth

Dr. Brianne Grogan graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, in 2006 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Inspired by her own pregnancy and postpartum experiences, she specialized in pelvic health. With over 500,000 YouTube subscribers, courses on DailyOM, and 5-star-reviewed programs loved by thousands of women, Dr. Bri is a leading voice in the field of whole-person pelvic care. She is known for her down-to-earth, compassionate approach and for making mind-body healing and pelvic wellness fun and accessible.

Find Dr. Bri on YouTube & Facebook: @vibrantpelvichealth | Dr. Bri's Vibrant Pelvic Health

Get Dr. Bri's online courses: https://www.vibrantpelvichealth.com/

See Dr. Bri Live: https://www.briannegrogan.com/events

Dr. Bri's most popular courses:

Lift for Prolapse Relief: https://vibrantpelvichealth.com/lift

Overcome Pelvic Pain for Women: https://www.vibrantpelvichealth.com/overcome-pelvic-pain-for-women

FREE Practice: Core Strengthening Exercise to Stabilize Pelvis, Legs, Help Low Back Pain (10-min)

Relevant Blog: Advanced Pelvic Floor Breathing: A Somatic Approach to Healing

Relevant to Today's Episode:

🐍 Kundalini 200-hour YTT

🔹 Somatic Yoga Workout for Weight Loss & Emotional Release | Beginner Friendly - Ease Anxiety & Stress

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#280 – The Pelvis: Your Seat of Power & Embodiment with Lara Heimann

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#357 – Your Emotions Want to Move: 3 Ways to Let Them

Launch Ugly! My Top 5 Business Tips for Yoga Entrepreneurs May 07, 2025

Show notes

We're almost halfway through 2025, have you done a business check-in? The midpoint of the year is a great time to reflect on your business and your teaching. To self reflect and see if you are misdirecting your energy in your business or in your life. Today I'm going to give you my top five business tips to help you on your yoga teaching journey. From embracing your unique content creation style to analyzing your numbers, and trusting there is enough for everyone - I hope this episode inspires you to do something helpful in your life or business today.

Let's talk about:

🔹The lean start-up methodology and why you should use it

🔹Why you WANT your first launch to be ugly

🔹How getting as weird as possible can actually bring forth some of your best work

🔹Grace and integrity in a competitive world

📞 Book a FREE call to get clarity on your next steps in business => https://www.calendly.com/uplifted-clarity/discovery-call/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=discoverycall

My "Weird" Trending Yoga Practices I Mentioned:

🔹 SOMATIC MORNING WORKOUT FOR BEGINNERS ☀️ | Yoga to Find Your Confidence 🕶️

18 Days of Abundance

Relevant Blog: 20 Awesome Ways To Make Money As A Yoga Instructor

Relevant to Today's Episode:

🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training

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#306 – Fear of Judgment: How to Deal with Being Judged as a Yoga Teacher

#323 – Creating a Niche Brand as a Yoga Teacher with Yogi Bryan

#327 – How to Earn Your First $$$ Teaching Yoga with Matilde Wergeland

Dissecting The 8 Limbs and Their Origins Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

We've all heard of the 8 Limbs of Yoga, but do you really know what they are? Today I'm going to explore the eight limbs of yoga, their origins, and their significance in spiritual practice. I'll look at each limb's purpose, giving a detailed examination, as well as the historical context of the Yoga Sutras. Get ready to finally gain a true understanding of: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

I'll discuss:

🔹How the Yoga Sutras codify the eight limbs, drawing from earlier texts.

🔹The ultimate aim of yoga: which is to quiet the mind and remove ignorance.

🔹Etymology of the Sanskrit word for each of the 8 Limbs.

💖 Curious about the Uplifted membership and want to know more? Check it out here => https://www.brettlarkin.com/uplifted/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=uplifted

FREE Practice: Yoga to Connect with Your Body | Soothing Movements & Music 🎶 | Yoga Connecting the Mind and Body

Relevant Blog: The 8 Limbs of Yoga Study Guide [Explained For Modern Life]

Relevant to Today's Episode:

🐍 History of Yoga

📖 Yoga Life Book

#276 – What are Patanjali's Yoga Sutras - What Every Yogi Should Know

🎧 Also Listen to:

#279 – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Summary – BOOK ONE Explained

#282 – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Summary – BOOK TWO Explained

#283 – Dismantling the Kleshas: The Actual Aim of Yoga

How to Become a Magnet for Loyal Students & Own the Room with Confidence with Taylor Lorenz Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

Are you a newly certified yoga teacher struggling with the confidence to put yourself out there and teach? We've all been there, myself included. Whether you struggle with body-image like today's guest, imposter syndrome or money mindset, today's episode for you. Taylor Lorenz, my friend, colleague, and lead trainer of my Somatic Yoga Life Coaching program, shares her transformative journey from a full-time travel blogger to a confident yoga teacher and somatic coach. Let's discuss the insecurities many new yoga teachers face.

Listen and learn:

🔹Practical skills like mirror work to build confidence

🔹Why being in the "messy middle" is actually ideal for your sales

🔹How to ditch doubt and find your confidence by sharing your insecurities

🎁 Ready to start teaching somatic yoga? Download my somatic sequences for FREE => https://www.brettlarkin.com/somatic-sequences/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=somatic-sequence

GUEST EXPERT: Taylor Lorenz | @taylorstracks | https://www.taylorstracks.com/

Taylor is the creator of the yoga & travel site, Taylor's Tracks, and a highly trained yoga teacher, mentor, and trainer. She is a former full-time travel writer who fell out of love with her dream of traveling the world and in love with teaching yoga when her first YTT sparked her self-acceptance journey.

Taylor has been an entrepreneur since 2015 with expertise in multiple fields including SEO, freelance writing, affiliate marketing, and teaching at top studios from Bali to Canada. Her writing has been sought-out for publications such as Yoga Journal, World Nomads, and The Huffington Post. Today she blends her background in vinyasa, yin, and somatic yoga to help students & teachers uncover their confidence and turn their insecurities into their purpose.

Coach with Taylor! Email info@upliftedyoga.com to find out how.

FREE Practice: SOMATIC MORNING WORKOUT FOR BEGINNERS ☀️ | Yoga to Find Your Confidence 🕶️

Relevant Blog: The Top 5 Biggest Fears of New Yoga Teachers

Relevant to Today's Episode:

🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training

🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery

🎧 Also Listen to:

#299 – Strategies to Slay Imposter Syndrome and Share Your Gifts

#331 – Overcoming Self-Sabotage and Limiting Beliefs with Monika Tschuggnall

#354 – Redefining "Niche" with Carla Cline Thomas

Somatics, Catholicism & Tantra - A Big Picture Inquiry Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

When did we get disconnected from the body? Today I want to explore the historical context of body-based spirituality. We'll contrast traditional yoga's focus on enlightenment with somatic yoga's emphasis on healing and grounding. We'll analyze how Catholicism and Tantra might be viewed as more embodied spiritual practices, compared to Protestantism and The 8 Limbs of yoga. Let's nerd out on the significance of engaging the five senses in the healing process, the need for safe spaces in somatic practices, and the future potential of somatic work in personal healing and coaching.

Listen and learn:

🔹The cultural disconnection from the body and its historical roots.

🔹What Catholic Sacramental Theology and Tantric Philosophy have in common.

🔹How to leverage these ideas in your own healing process.

🎁 Get my FREE $67 Somatic Self Healing Workshop => https://www.brettlarkin.com/ffy?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ffy

💫 My NEW Somatic Yoga Certification is now available => https://www.brettlarkin.com/somatic-yoga-certification/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=somaticcertification

FREE Practice: Easy Kundalini Yoga for Women | Kriya to be DIVINE LOVE EMBODIED

Relevant Blog: Understanding What is Divine Love: Key Insights and Perspectives

Relevant to Today's Episode:

🔮 History of Yoga