Beyond the Asana: Vedanta, Non-Duality & the Deeper Purpose of Practice

What if the most devoted yoga practice isn't happening at 5am in a Mysore shala — but in stolen afternoon hours between school pickups, on the floor of a LifeTime gym, to whatever music felt right that morning? Harmony and Russell sit down with Tina Bock — Authorized Level 2 Ashtanga yoga teacher, mother of two, eight-year Abu Dhabi expat, and lifelong New Jersey girl — for exactly the kind of conversation Ashtangis have been having since the first Western students sat outside the shala gates with instant coffee and nowhere else to be. Warm, funny, philosophical, and completely real.Tina received her Level 2 authorization from the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India under the late R. Sharath Jois. She has been teaching since 2012, has taught workshops and teacher trainings in more than 14 countries, made nine trips to India for ongoing study, and is currently practicing what she calls the "Seventh" and final series: parenting. Her path was not a straight line. From a 200-hour training in Goa at 22 (chosen because it was a thousand dollars for the whole month), to years of private lessons in Abu Dhabi palaces, to nine Mysore pilgrimages, to learning Third Series after her first baby was born — this is a portrait of what it looks like when practice truly lives inside a life, rather than sitting apart from it The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What if the practice isn't about becoming better at yoga — but about seeing more clearly who you are? In this rich and contemplative conversation, Harmony sits down with Ricardo Louro and Inês Brilhante — founders of Ashtanga House Faro in Portugal's stunning Algarve region — to explore how studying Vedanta philosophy in the lineage of Swami Dayananda Saraswati has completely transformed their relationship with Ashtanga yoga practice. This is not a conversation about perfecting postures. It's a conversation about what postures are actually for. IN THIS EPISODE: The core Vedanta teaching — 'jiva jagadishvara' : the essence of the individual self, the world, and the creator are one How Ricardo went from asana obsession and identity-building to genuine inner freedom Why Inês finds Vedanta's teaching on impermanence invaluable as a mother, teacher, and business partner The practice of shravanam (deep listening to teachings) as a form of yoga in itself Mantra japa as a daily foundation — and how it freed Ricardo from needing to complete a full series to feel 'done' The 'polishing the mirror' metaphor: what it truly means to use yoga as a tool for self-inquiry How to begin studying Vedanta (recommended: Swami Sarvapriyananda on YouTube) The Dayananda Saraswati lineage and why studying in your own language matters Ines and Ricardo's path to founding Ashtanga House Faro — from Coimbra and Portimão, to Mysore, to the Algarve   CONNECT WITH ASHTANGA HOUSE FARO: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashtangahousefaro/ Website: https://www.ashtangahousefaro.com/   HARMONY IS TEACHING: 🌿 Agorayoga Lisbon — June 25–28 | All details in show notes 🌿 Ashtanga House Faro, Faro, Portugal — July 7–11 | 5-Day Mysore Intensive (includes pranayama, chanting, embodiment practices, working with the elements, and energetic field exploration)   RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: Swami Sarvapriyananda on YouTube — accessible entry point into Vedanta philosophy   KEY TAKEAWAYS: Asana practice is a tool for purifying the mind — not the ultimate goal of yoga Vedanta provides the philosophical framework that gives physical practice its deeper purpose Mantra japa trains the quality of single-pointed attention required for genuine study and practice Shravanam — dedicated listening to teachings — is itself a form of yoga Understanding impermanence reduces suffering and creates practical lightness in daily life The practice of yoga is ultimately about seeing yourself more clearly — polishing the mirror   If this episode resonated, please leave a 5-star review and share it with a practitioner who's ready to go deeper than the mat. 🙏 The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Are you working out — or working in? In this deeply enriching conversation, Harmony Slater sits down with Simon Borg-Olivier — co-founder of Yoga Synergy, physiotherapist, researcher, and one of the most original minds in the world of movement. Simon has been exploring yoga, breath, and consciousness for over 50 years, and his answer to almost every question is the same: find the ease.   Simon's philosophy challenges the deeply held assumption that more effort equals more benefit. He makes a crucial distinction between the workout (which leaves you depleted, hungry, and stiff) and the work-in (which leaves you energized, calm, and clear). His approach blends biomechanics, nervous system science, and ancient wisdom traditions — and at age 66, his biological age tested at 48.   In this episode, you'll discover: Why strength without tension, and flexibility without strain, are the real goals of practice The 'work-in vs. workout' distinction — and how it changes everything The 12 hidden 'bridges' between the conscious and unconscious nervous system Why the diaphragm — not the breath — is the true link between mind and body Simon's concept of the gut brain and its connection to ancient traditions (Dan Tian, Tanden, Kanda) What 'airplane yoga' means — and why it's the philosophy behind his teaching His extraordinary life story: from a Tibetan lama in Sydney to machete wounds in Goa Why Iyengar told him 'most people need 90% bhoga' — and what that means for your practice How to become a chef in your practice, not just a student following recipes Where to find Simon's free membership site and global retreats   CONNECT WITH SIMON BORG-OLIVIER: Website: simonborgolivier.com  Membership & courses: healthhappinesslongevity.co   UPCOMING EVENTS: Harmony teaches at Agora Yoga, Lisbon (end of June) and Faro, Portugal (early July). Details in show notes at harmonyslater.com.   If this episode moved you, please leave a 5-star review and share it with a fellow practitioner. Your support helps this conversation reach more seekers. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What does it really mean to build a life around practice — not just on the mat, but in how you love, how you work, and how you show up for your community? In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Harmony Slater welcomes Sonia and Luis, the founders of Agora Lisboa — a space in Portugal dedicated to yoga, meditation, and the deep study of Buddhist philosophy. This is a couple who left careers in international development and high finance, followed the thread of practice across continents, and landed in Lisbon to build something rare: a community where dharma and asana are not separate from how you live. In this episode, you'll discover: Why Sonia chose yoga over a prestigious French government contract — and what her teacher said that changed everything How Luis discovered Zen Buddhism through the beauty of Japanese temple gardens at age 20 — and then meditated alone for 12 years The humbling moment Luis realized community is non-negotiable on the path to freedom What the ancient Greek word 'agora' has in common with Sanskrit and Portuguese — and why it became the perfect name Why crises are turning points (not breakdowns) — and the etymology that proves it How Ashtanga yoga and Buddhist meditation aren't just compatible — they're sibling traditions The difference between practicing for self-improvement and practicing for freedom Why you can't build an island of happiness in an ocean of misery — and what that means for your community Sonia's beautiful story of finding her pranayama practice while rocking her twins to sleep Why Harmony is teaching at Agora Lisboa June 25–28 — and how you can join her Sonia was born in France to a Brazilian mother and French father, trained at Ashtanga Yoga Paris, and worked in international development across Africa before stepping fully into teaching. Luis grew up in Colombia, moved to France at 18, discovered Zen Buddhism in Japan, and spent a decade in finance before burnout and love conspired to change everything. Together, they created Agora Lisboa — a name that holds multitudes: the Greek marketplace, the Portuguese word for 'now,' and a Sanskrit term for light. Whether you're navigating your own crossroads, deepening a contemplative practice, or longing for community that holds your whole life — this episode is for you. CONNECT WITH SONIA & LUIS: Website: agora-lisboa.com Instagram: @agora_lisboa  JOIN HARMONY IN LISBON: Harmony teaches at Agora Lisboa, June 25–28. Register at agora-lisboa.com. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: If this episode moved you, please leave a 5-star review and share it with someone who is living their practice off the mat. Your reviews help more seekers find this show. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Have you ever wondered if your spiritual practice is actually holding you back? In this rare solo episode, Harmony Slater opens up about something she has sat with for years: spiritual bypassing — the subtle, socially praised way we use meditation, yoga, journaling, and ritual to sidestep the emotional work we most need to do.   This conversation is deeply personal. Harmony shares her own journey from ballet-driven anorexia to years of devoted Ashtanga practice, and how all of it — every early morning practice, every pose, every certification — was also, in part, a way of hiding. From her body. From her feelings. From herself.   In this episode, you will hear: What spiritual bypassing actually is — and why it is so hard to see in yourself. How yoga, meditation, and breathwork can become sophisticated tools for avoidance. Why discipline and control can shrink your world without you realizing it. The difference between observing your experience and truly feeling it from within. How healing actually happens — and why it requires relationship, not solo practice. The moment Harmony's body finally said enough through burnout and autoimmune illness. A simple 'Do Nothing' practice that reveals more than any technique. Why life itself is the real practice. Whether you have been on the spiritual path for two years or twenty, this episode will meet you where you are.  With honesty, compassion, and an invitation to stop performing and start feeling. The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What does it really mean to stay devoted to a practice for three decades — and let it keep changing you?   Harmony Slater and Russell Case sit down with Jodi Blumstein: long-time Ashtanga yoga practitioner, founder of one of Chicago's first Ashtanga shalas, and the teacher who led the Mysore program at YogaWorks in Los Angeles for over 15 years. Now teaching online to a global community, Jodi brings the rare perspective of someone who has lived through the full arc of Ashtanga yoga in the West — from the early days of counting in Sanskrit with a German accent at a single Chicago class, to practicing on Oak Street Beach with Tim Miller, to navigating the post-COVID world of online Mysore.   This conversation is honest, nostalgic, nuanced, and full of lived wisdom.   In this episode, you'll discover: What it was really like to study with Tim Miller, Dena Kingsbrough, and Nancy Gilgoff — and how each teacher gave something completely different Why the traditional yoga studio business model is unsustainable — and what might replace it How Ashtanga practice should evolve as you age (and why the 'marathon' model of practice is the key) What the rise of Instagram did to the Ashtanga community (for better and worse) How Jodi found her way into online teaching — and why she's never going back to in-person The practice philosophy she now teaches: rotating series, building core strength, and adapting intelligently for the long haul What Pattabhi Jois's presence was really like in those final Lakshmipuram classes   Connect with Jodi Blumstein: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi_blumstein/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jodibe4483 The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

At what point does discipline stop serving us—and start becoming something we're afraid to question?   In this episode, Harmony and Russell are joined by old friend David Keil—yoga anatomy educator, body worker, and long-time Ashtanga practitioner and teacher—for a rich, honest conversation about what happens when devotion becomes dogma.   David has spent over two decades bridging anatomy, science, and Ashtanga yoga practice, always resisting the oversimplification that there is one right way to move, one right way to adjust, or one right way to practice. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt the tension between devotion and discernment—whether you've been practicing for two years or twenty.   In This Episode: When discipline becomes dogma—and how to recognize the difference The nervous system as the foundation of skillful adjustments Pattern-based movement vs. fixing isolated details (and why it matters for longevity) What actually makes Ashtanga yoga Ashtanga yoga Pain, tolerance, and what we do (and don't) learn from pushing through Why 90% of 25+ year practitioners mix and match sequences—and what that tells us The vagus nerve, breath, and why focused attention is the common thread in all contemplative practices Cross-training for yogis: bone density, muscle mass, and why yoga alone isn't always enough The future of Ashtanga after Sharath "Don't let yoga ruin your life"—what David means by this, and why it matters   Connect With David Keil: Website: yoganatomy.com Book: Functional Anatomy of Yoga (available at yoganatomy.com and Amazon) New book: coming soon — sign up for David's newsletter at yoganatomy.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/dkeil108/   The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

Have you ever had a gut feeling so strong you couldn't explain it? Or created something — a painting, a meal, a song — and felt like it moved through you rather than from you? In this episode, Harmony Slater and Russell Case sit down with Stephanie Banks, a former speech pathologist turned soul channeler and teacher, to explore one of the most misunderstood and fascinating practices: channeling. Stephanie's journey began when her mother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Unable to reach her mother through conventional communication, she discovered channeling through a gifted friend — and chose to communicate with her mother at the soul level. What happened next transformed their relationship and launched an entirely new career. In this episode: What channeling actually is — and what it isn't (not mind reading, not a Ouija board) How Stephanie's mother's dementia became the doorway into soul communication Why art, music, cooking, and creative flow are all forms of channeling The role of self-love in becoming a clear channel How to use your body as a compass for energetic discernment Setting boundaries in the spirit world — you have the right and responsibility Why spiritual bypassing doesn't serve us — and what genuine spiritual engagement looks like The heart's intelligence and what HeartMath Institute research reveals Connect with Stephanie Banks: Website: soulinsight.com Instagram: @stephanieintuitivechannel Connect with Harmony: Instagram: @harmonyslaterofficial  |  @findingharmonypodcast YouTube: youtube.com/@HarmonySlater CTA: Radiant Energy Method with Harmony & Angelica — DM @harmonyslaterofficial Also mentioned: HeartMath Institute and the Inner Balance Trainer Radiant Energy Method — DM @harmonyslaterofficial or see link in show notes The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What does it actually mean to be a witch in 2026? Not green skin, not a broomstick — but something far more ancient, powerful, and relevant. In this episode, Harmony Slater and Russell Case sit down with Eileen March: certified life coach, trained energy healer, former midwife, and proud self-identified witch based in Calgary, Alberta. Eileen shares how she went from atheist to awakened — and what that opening has looked like in her daily life, her rituals, and her thriving community of women who gather around moon cycles, the Wheel of the Year, and the wisdom of the natural world. In This Episode: The root meaning of the word "witch" — and why it's actually a reclamation, not a rebellion How the burning times of the 15th–16th centuries turned healers and wise women into figures of fear The difference between witchcraft and Wicca (this surprises most people) What the "witch wound" is and how it shows up in modern women's lives Why identifying as a witch is a rejection of Cartesian dualism: "I am not separate from nature. I am nature." The Wheel of the Year — the ancient pagan calendar that anchors Eileen's seasonal living practice New moon versus full moon energy: what ceremonies look like for each Eclipse energy: why Eileen recommends hunkering down rather than casting spells during eclipses The neuroscience of manifestation — and why ritual and action must go hand in hand Money bowls, moon water, candle magic — what they actually are and what they're for Eileen's 12-week program "Unleash Your Inner Witch" and her year-long "Wise Wild Woman Mentorship" The books that cracked Eileen open: If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie and The Spirited Kitchen by Carmen Spinola   Connect with Eileen March: Instagram: @iameileenmarch Website & Free Witch Wound Masterclass: myluminouslife.ca Podcast: The Woo Curious Programs: Unleash Your Inner Witch (12-week) | The Wise Wild Woman Mentorship (year-long) New Moon in-person ceremonies in Calgary at Sola Strength   Mentioned in This Episode: Sharon Blackie — If Women Rose Rooted Carmen Spinola — The Spirited Kitchen The Radiant Energy Method with Harmony Slater & Angelica — beginning March 28th (find link in show notes)   Key Takeaways: Magic is not supernatural — it's the radical act of paying attention to what's already alive in and around you Ritual without action is wishful thinking. Action without ritual is exhausting. You need both. The Wheel of the Year gives you eight anchor points through the year to tune in, reflect, and renew intention Moon water, money bowls, and candle magic are tools for priming your brain to notice opportunity — not passive wishing The witch wound is real, it's collective, and healing it starts with claiming your own gifts The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation

What if spirituality didn't have to live only on your yoga mat, in a retreat center, or somewhere outside of everyday life — what if it could exist inside boardrooms, leadership meetings, and the decisions we make every single day? That's exactly what today's conversation explores.   Harmony and Russell sit down with Corissa Saint-Laurent, a mystical leadership coach, retreat facilitator, and former corporate consultant who has worked with major tech brands including Google. Corissa shares her remarkable journey: a Korean adoptee raised in New Hampshire who survived a traumatic brain injury at 16 that catalyzed a spiritual awakening, went on to found a wellness company in Los Angeles in 2000 before 'wellness' was even a word, pivoted into branding and marketing, and has now emerged fully as what she calls 'the mystic out of the closet' — bridging the language of business with the intelligence of the soul. ⚠️  CONTENT ADVISORY (for s This episode includes a discussion of suicide, including references to the deaths of Tony Hsieh and Anthony Bourdain. Some perspectives shared reflect a spiritual or philosophical framework and may differ from clinical guidance. Please take care of yourself as you listen. If you or someone you know is struggling: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 (US) | Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741; in Canada, Call or text 9-8-8 (available in English and French, 24/7) The views expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not constitute medical or mental health advice. Finding Harmony Podcast is a space for open spiritual and philosophical conversation. In this episode: Why spirituality and business are not separate — and what it costs leaders when they treat them as if they are How intuition functions as strategic intelligence, not as a 'soft' skill The paradigm shift happening globally and why conflict is a sign of transformation, not failure Corissa's cheerleading accident at 16 and the awakening that changed everything How she healed her own neurological damage before neuroplasticity was a mainstream concept What a Korean adoptee's fractured identity taught her about the inner journey The 'full merger' she's now embarking on: bringing her mystical self fully into corporate spaces Why leaders who seem to 'have it all' still feel fragmented — and what actually changes that The one inner shift that creates the biggest ripple effect in leadership   Resources Mentioned: The Radiant Energy Method — 7-week live program with Harmony Slater and [co-facilitator name TBD], starting March 28th. Link in show notes. Corissa Saint-Laurent's podcast and advisory services — find her at [website TBD]   Connect with Corissa Saint-Laurent: Instagram: [handle TBD — please confirm] Website: [URL TBD — please confirm]   Connect with Harmony: Instagram: @HarmonySlaterOfficial | @findingharmonypodcast YouTube: youtube.com/@HarmonySlater Inner Circle Community: community-harmonyslater.com   If this episode spoke to you, please leave a 5-star review wherever you listen — it helps more people find these conversations and do the inner work that changes the world.   The Inner Rejuvenation Codes: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/inner-rejuvenation-codes-mc Join the Lightworker Mastermind:  https://harmonyslater.com/lightworker-mastermind FIND Harmony online: https://harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation