The Descent of Inanna: A Journey into the Great Below

Meet one of my favorite yoga teachers, fellow word nerd, and an extrovert who also loves introverting -- Ross Rayburn. In today's episode, we talk about Ross's new book, Turning Inward, an inclusive, practical, if not somewhat unconventional, guide to developing a contemplative practice. You can find Ross's book, Turning Inward, on Spotify or order on Amazon. And if you're interested in more down-to-earth practical explanations of yoga philosophy, check out our online courses. Visit www.ashtangadispatch.com and click on The Path to learn more.

In today's episode, we take a little break from our usual interviews and conversations to bring you a story from Sumerian Mythology called The Descent of Inanna. It begins as, "From the Great Above, Inanna (goddess of light) opens her ear to the Great Below," and from there, journeys into the Underworld, into known and unknown terrors, to follow that call. And it's a story that beautifully illustrates our own quest for Self through yoga. Which is the theme of our upcoming course in April -- Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras: A Practical Guide. Please visit www.ashtangadispatch.com and click on The Path for more information. We hope you enjoy the story!

Patty Ivey is the owner and founder of Down Dog Yoga, one of the hottest yoga studios in Washington, D.C. But after 20 years, she and her husband were ready to embrace the next phase of her life. It was then, at age 70, Patty was diagnosed with breast cancer. Which she now sees as somewhat of a gift -- opening her up to even greater potential. *Registration for our Mentorship Fall Session begins in August. Find details at www.ashtangadispatch.com Today's episode was edited and produced by me, Peg Mulqueen. Music by Marc Pilley.

Today's guest is Ava Taylor, founder of Yama Talent and author of the new book Your Yoga Business. And trust me, today's talk is not just a must for yoga teachers, but anyone starting their own business in today's post-pandemic world. Because things have changed, if you haven't noticed. Some for the better, some not. In today's episode, Ava shares with us business lessons she's learned the hard way and her vision for the future. Visit www.yamatalent.com to learn more! And if you enjoyed today's episode, please pass it along to a friend or give it a share on social media. Help us share (as Ava calls it) the good news!

Dr. Jean Byrne, the co-founder of The Yoga Space www.yogaspace.com.au in Perth, Australia, talks with me about changes she's made personally and within her teaching after a momentous crisis of faith -- a turning point that would help liberate her own intuition, personal power, and truth. We hope this conversation inspires more just like this. Btw, we learned about Jean through one of her students, who is currently a part of our Mentorship program, which we are expanding into 2024. To join or find out more, please visit www.ashtangadispatch.com The Ashtanga Dispatch Yoga Podcast is hosted, produced, and edited by Peg Mulqueen. Music by Marc Pilley. Thanks for listening.

"For spiritual expats and philosophical refugees, somatic explorers, soul hunters, star gazers, rule breakers and other mystical miscreants who have had enough of the ruses of religion, and want to set down dogma..." These were the words that Ty Landrum, our guest on today's Ashtanga Dispatch Yoga Podcast, used in describing his Into the Depths course, which Meghan had the pleasure of participating in. But really, Ty might as well have been describing himself. For he truly embodies the boundless spirit of yoga -- approaching the practice without sharp distinctions and dogma. And though we may say he breaks the mold of conventional Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, you'll hear him say in this podcast that he simply is exploring yoga in the way it was taught to him and how he understands it. And how his teachings arise out of his own unique experience of yoga. To find out more about Ty Landrum, visit: https://www.tylandrum.com/ To learn more about The Path and the Mentoring Opportunity mentioned in our closing words, please visit: https://ashtangadispatch.com/programs/ The Ashtanga Dispatch Yoga Podcast is hosted, produced, and edited by Peg Mulqueen. along with Meghan Powell. Music is by Marc Pilley.

If you’re a yoga student and on instagram, you might have come across our guest on today's episode, Prasad Rangnekar, where his posts are often widely re-shared by yoga seekers from all style's and lineage's. But what attracted us to Prasad's posts was how they inspired deeper inquiry and curiosity rather than giving us a "right or wrong" answer. Many of his posts focus on topics surrounding not just yoga itself but actually teaching yoga and being a teacher, which Peg and Prasad talk about in today's episode, along with long with yoga being a personal journey, how our definitions can liberate or limit us, and his advice to new teachers. Prasad is a yoga educator from and based in India who has been studying yoga for over 35 years. His training under different teachers has given him a holistic perspective of Yoga and his study continues to date. Prasad guides workshops, retreats, Yoga teacher trainings, Meditation facilitator trainings, Yoga philosophy training and deeper silent immersions -- believing that Yoga is for everyone, beyond age, gender, religion, nationality and physical capability. To find out more about Prasad, visit https://www.yogaprasad.in To learn more about the Mentorship with Peg & Meghan mentioned at the end of the podcast, please visit https://ashtangadispatch.com/programs/mentoring-opportunity/ We hope you enjoy listening!

Meet Lea Perfetti, an Ashtanga yoga teacher I discovered on Instagram after a series of posts that were so raw and real, I knew there had to be a pretty powerful story behind. Hers is not just one woman's story, but one that many of us have lived, but often too ashamed to tell. It's a story of vulnerability and courage, of breaking open and breaking free - from cultural norms and societal pressures. From the shame of seeking help and needing to be perfect. We need to stop keeping our stories and struggles a secret. Because far worse than going through dark times, is believing we are the only ones. Learn more about Lea and ways to work with her, visit https://www.oceanwyseyoga.com The Ashtanga Dispatch Yoga Podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by Peg Mulqueen and Meghan Powell. Music by Marc Pilley. Please visit our beautiful, new website - www.ashtangadispatch.com - and see what exciting new offerings are coming for 2023!

Mark Bint grew up with two parents who cannot hear; Mark is known as a CODA, a child of deaf adults. And in today’s episode, Mark tells his story and how growing up in a non-hearing home taught him what it truly means to listen. Today’s transcript can be found on the website. Visit www.ashtangadispatch.com Join Peg Mulqueen and Meghan Powell in Bozeman, Montana July 31 - Aug 4 for their Mountain Yoga Retreat. Details for this are also on the website. Thanks for listening!

Wambui Njuguna-Räisänen is an Ashtanga yoga teacher based in Finland. Born in Kenya and raised in the U.S., Wambui now lives in Helsinki with her husband, Petri who also teaches, and their two young sons. Wambui is passionate about providing wellness through yoga and meditation to those actively engaged in equity and social justice. For in the midst of dismantling systemic oppression, we need to allow space for our own self care. This is part of our practice. And the way we go get our peace. To learn more about Wambui and her offerings, visit http://wambuinjuguna.com/ and @wellnesswithwambui (Patreon and IG).