The Lotus PondCast

Val Spies & Melissa Carroll interview Bhante Sujatha, a Buddhist monk who radiates compassion and joy. He offers loving wisdom in this conversation, and how our spiritual practice is not "on the meditation cushion" but in how we live. Bhante is teaching an online workshop, "Life Lessons from the Pandemic" through The Lotus Pond on 3/25: learn more and sign up here (scroll down the workshop list) A portion of the proceeds from this event will support Bhante Sujatha's monthly project in Sri Lanka to provide essential food supplies to low income people. Learn more about Bhante and support his many humanitarian projects at https://www.bhantesujatha.org/

Thank you for listening to the Lotus PondCast! Please follow, rate, & review this podcast if you feel uplifted by these conversations.  HEARTSPACE with Dr. Jean Mulloy & Val Spies: https://www.yogalotuspond.com/heartspace.html

Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Janel & Ray Norton of Trinity Yoga in Trinity, FL.  We explore:  Yoga from a trauma-informed approach Bessel van der Kolk's research on trauma, the body, and the brain Janel and Ray's experiences as a combat veteran and first responder, and how they share the gifts of yoga, breathwork, and iRest with veterans and everyone who can benefit from these powerful practices (and, as we discuss, we all can benefit because we all carry trauma) YOGA TEACHERS: Janel & Ray are leading Yoga for Post-Traumatic Stress online & in-person at The Lotus Pond Center for Yoga in Tampa, FL from 9/18-9/20. Learn more about the yoga training for PTS and sign up here: https://www.yogalotuspond.com/teacher-training-workshops.html

Thanks so much for listening!  Val Spies & Melissa Carroll interview Master Teacher Karin Stephan, who's been teaching for 49 years. Karin studied closely with BKS Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois in India and throughout Europe in the 1960s and 70s. Karin and Patricia Walden brought Iyengar to the United States when they opened the first Iyengar yoga school in Massachusetts.  Karin shares her love of art, her time in Paris in the 60s, what it means to be a yoga teacher in the age of coronavirus, and so much more.  You can learn more about Karin, and subscribe to her thoughtful newsletters at www.yogamacro.com  If this podcast inspired you please share it to help spread the word!  Learn more about The Lotus Pond Center for Yoga & Health -- a Yoga Teacher Training School & Center in Tampa, FL -- and practice with us in person or online

Don't miss this incredible conversation with NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott, who shares her enlightening perspective on seeing earth from space -- and what it can teach us in today's environment. Melissa Carroll and Val Spies have an illuminating interview with Nicole, an American engineer who served as a Flight Engineer and Mission Specialist at NASA for 27 years. Nicole considers herself blessed to have had the opportunity to live and work in space and to have experienced the beauty of our planet from that incredible vantage point. She believes that sharing this perspective has the power to increase everyone's appreciation of and obligation to care for our home planet and each other. Nicole premiered on Will Smith's One Strange Rock series, originally on Netflix and now on Disney and can be found on Ted Talks as well. To practice yoga and deepen your own inner space adventure, visit www.LotusPondYoga.com to practice online. Connect with The Lotus Pond on Instagram!

We're thrilled to share this interview with Larissa Hall Carlson, whom shares her deep knowledge all over the world -- and whom teaches Ayurveda & Pranayama at The Lotus Pond in Tampa, FL. Larissa explains how Ayurveda helps you live in harmony with nature to boost your immunity, soothe the nervous system, and maintain vitality. She offers insight, LOTS of tips, and techniques to help you during this global pandemic and throughout your life. Larissa will be teaching Ayurveda & The Subtle Body online for The Lotus Pond April 24-26, 2020: Learn more & sign up here: https://www.yogalotuspond.com/teacher-training-workshops.html 15 Yoga Alliance Credit Hrs, required session for LP 300HR students Learn more about Larissa here: https://larissacarlson.com/ 

Thanks for listening to the Lotus Pondcast, with your hosts Val Spies & Melissa Carroll. If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe, share with a friend, or give us a 5 star review. To practice yoga online with us & learn about The Lotus Pond Center in Tampa, FL, visit us at https://www.yogalotuspond.com/ Connect with The Lotus Pond on Instagram & Facebook

Thank you so much for listening to Episode 1 of The Lotus Pondcast, with your hosts Val Spies & Melissa Carroll. If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe, share with a friend, or give us a 5 star review. To livestream yoga classes with us & learn about The Lotus Pond Center in Tampa, FL, visit us at https://www.yogalotuspond.com/ Connect with The Lotus Pond on Instagram & Facebook

Thank you so much for listening to Episode 1 of The Lotus Pondcast, with your hosts Val Spies & Melissa Carroll. If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe, share with a friend, or give us a 5 star review. To livestream yoga classes with us & learn about The Lotus Pond Center in Tampa, FL, visit us at https://www.yogalotuspond.com/ Connect with The Lotus Pond on Instagram & Facebook In the episode we mentioned: Read Lynn Ungar's beautiful poem "Pandemic" here