The Guru Tradition: India's Spiritual Heritage | Aviva Robibo, PhD

"It's never too late to make changes and reconnect with nature."In today's delightful conversation, I speak with a dear friend and colleague, Anette Christensen, a certified Ayurvedic health counsellor, therapist, and founder of Ayurvedic Center Malmö. We delve into the ancient practice of Ayurveda, exploring its principles, applications in modern life, and the importance of daily routines for maintaining balance. Anette highlights the significance of understanding one's dosha and the practical steps individuals can take to integrate Ayurvedic practices into their daily lives for improved well-being.Ayurveda and Yoga are sister philosophies and applied lifestyles, which is why I find this talk so relevant for all the curious yogis out there. The interconnectedness of mind, body, and nature - the need for a holistic approach to health and wellness. Here are some big takeaways; ➖Understanding your dosha is key to personal health.➖Daily routines and practices are essential for maintaining balance.➖The opposite balances: understanding how to counteract imbalances in life.➖Sleep is crucial for mental and physical health.➖Ayurveda emphasizes prevention rather than just treatment.➖Creating a lifestyle around Ayurveda leads to long-term health benefits.Find Anette at the beautiful Ayurvedic Center in Malmö, Sweden – my yoga home away from home, a quiet oasis in busy city life. And join us! Upcoming courses with me and Anette, along with our Deep Winter Day Retreat on December 28th. More on the event calendar HEREI really enjoyed getting clear on Ayurveda, how it aligns with yoga and exactly how to begin to apply the simple practices to our daily routines. In oneness, Bobbi Thanks for listening! 💭Support the podcast Patreon Page and join monthly satsangs💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one. 💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel 💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya, March 2026 HERE 💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together - Let’s connect! 🙏♥️✨

“Stay open with the wish to reach your highest potential.” A delight to share this week's conversation with Aviva Robibo or Abhaya, as I know her, to discuss the Guru in the yogi or sadhak's journey of learning and unfolding one's true self.Abhaya is a PhD scholar-practitioner who has devoted her life and work to the research and study of the Guru traditions of India and the sadhana and meditation that go along with it. We discuss her new book of the same name, we meditate, we sing, and it really feels like I’m bringing you along to one of the intimate meetings that we’ve shared so many times in India. Here are some takeaways; ➖ Staying open is essential for reaching our highest potential.➖Meditation is a key to accessing our true self.➖There must be an agreement between the disciple and the Guru.➖Learning and unfolding are continuous processes.➖The relationship between Guru and disciple is sacred.➖The famous Guru Stotram broken down and sung. Purchase The Guru Tradition: India’s Spiritual Heritage HEREI really loved this conversation with my dearest Abhaya. Please make sure to become a member on the Patreon page for bonus material from this episode! And please, let us know what you think. In oneness, Bobbi Thanks for listening! 💭Support the podcast Patreon Page and join monthly satsangs💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one. 💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel 💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 HERE 💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together - Let’s connect! 🙏♥️✨

"The goal is to advance to consciousness."In this episode, I chat with Alexandra McRobert - yoga teacher, writer, podcast host, and lifelong student of spiritual wisdom. She created Sober Yoga Girl as a sanctuary for seekers on the path of healing - those navigating recovery from addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges, or just the overwhelm of being human in this modern world.And she’s also a fellow Canadian (living abroad like me!). Alex shares her personal journey from Canada to teaching yoga abroad, her struggles with alcohol, and how sobriety transformed her life and practice.The conversation delves into the importance of community in recovery, the shift from ego to authenticity in teaching, and the role of meditation in yoga. Alexandra shares insights on navigating the yoga teacher training landscape, the significance of personal practice, and how her offerings in retreats have evolved.Here are some takeaways;➖ Building a community is essential for recovery and growth.➖Authenticity in teaching comes from personal experience and humility.➖ Meditation is a crucial practice for yoga teachers.➖ Teacher training should focus on personal development and self-discipline.➖ Curiosity and continuous learning are vital for personal growth.➖ The impact of past experiences shapes future teaching methods.Find Alex at. Mindful Bali HEREJoin her online community HEREListen to us on Alex’s Podcast “Sober Yoga Girl” where I share about the importance of practice. Listen HEREI love the final part of this talk where Alex highlights continuous learning and the importance of self-care in supporting others. Let me know what you think!In oneness,BobbiThanks for listening!💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs 💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together, connect with me here 🙏♥️✨

“So when you experience that peace, it's because it's your nature. Your real nature is peaceful. It is blissful. It is contented.”Wow, this is an incredible episode from early in September, recorded for the Good Company livestream series with my brilliant friend Katharine from Unchanging Being. She is a longtime meditator and a deeply wise teacher. We talked about the Gita, the Gunas, retraining the mind, meditation, and satsang (and more). This is a conversation that bridges ancient wisdom with modern life. A classic, inspiring and educational talk that everyone will take something from, especially if you have a mind that tends to disturb you - like me!Our dialogue explores the interplay of the essence of true freedom and the vital role of meditation in discovering the unchanging Self.Through personal anecdotes and insights, Katharine illuminates the path of self-discovery and the eternal quest to understand one’s true nature.Here are a few of the profound takeaways (there are many):➖ Satsang and good company support genuine spiritual growth ➖ The Bhagavad Gita is a living scripture, fully relevant today ➖ Freedom from the mind is the true aim of meditation ➖ The Gunas are constantly shaping our thoughts and actions ➖ Witness consciousness unlocks a deeper understanding of the Self ➖ Meditation reveals the unchanging nature of Being ➖ Self-discovery is a lifelong journey, enriched through teachings and experienceFind Katharine: unchangingbeing.com Subscribe to Unchanging Being on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@unchangingbeingKatharine’s current Bhagavad Gita cohort has already begun, although she offers other in-depth courses on the Upanishads, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Yamas and Niyamas, regular satsang, a brilliant newsletter, and her new YouTube channel, which features teachings and meditations.I loved spending time with my wise satsang friend and sharing this livestream episode with the Patreon community. I look forward to hearing what you take away from it.In oneness,BobbiThanks for listening! 💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast 💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one. 💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel 💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat 💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

"Question everything."Today, I welcome Anjali Rao, a yoga teacher and author, to discuss her journey into yoga, the cultural and historical contexts of yoga, and the themes of gender and caste within the practice. We delve into the representation of women and gender-expansive folks in yoga history, the impact of caste on yoga practices, and the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding yoga's role in modern society. Anjali emphasizes the need for curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to hold paradoxes in our understanding of yoga and its teachings.Key moments from our talk; ➖ Caste and patriarchy significantly impact modern yoga practices.➖ Yoga is often misrepresented as a monolithic practice.➖ Diverse perspectives are essential for understanding yoga's complexities.➖ Curiosity and questioning are vital for personal growth.➖ Yoga can serve as a tool for resistance against societal norms.➖ The importance of community and dialogue in yoga practice.Find her new book, Yoga As Embodied Resistance: A Feminist Lens in Caste, Gender And Sacred Resilience in Yoga History, and join her upcoming reading circle HEREAnjali on IG HEREI really enjoyed receiving more contextual history and thought-provoking research presented by Anjali, and mostly her passion for sharing knowledge. I know you will take away something to contemplate in your positionality in the yoga world, as well as in your personal relationship with the broad and diverse teachings of yoga. in oneness, Bobbi Thanks for listening! 💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast 💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one. 💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel 💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat 💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

"It's so scary to be nobody."In this episode, I’m talking with Yarmila Alfonzetti, one of Australia’s leading arts professionals, a mother, a wife, a friend, and, in the truest sense of the word, a curious yogi.Yarmila joins me with so much joy and openness to share her journey as a yogi. Together, we dive into themes of identity, ego, and what makes yoga retreats so special. She speaks about the gift of silence in practice, the experience of bliss, and how personal growth brings its own responsibilities. Along the way, we reflect on the wisdom of our many teachers and the transformative power of retreats, reminding us that yoga is truly a lifelong journey of self-discovery and deeper understanding.Here are a few of the nuggets we explore:➖ Accepting our inner seeking nature can be challenging. ➖ The ego can be a significant barrier to growth. ➖ Silence and meditation become more important as practice deepens. ➖ The path of seeking is often filled with challenges and fears. ➖ Morality and kindness are essential in the pursuit of truth. ➖ Yoga retreats offer space for real learning and personal growth.I loved this candid and spontaneous conversation with Yarmila. She mentioned that she always tries to be the best person in the room, and I believe she truly is.This chat really feels like sitting down with two friends, and I think you’ll feel that too.✨ Also, tune in to the intro for a special scholarship offer for our India retreat—open to one of our Curious Yogi Podcast listeners!In oneness, BobbiThanks for listening! 💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast 💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one. 💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel 💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat 💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

“The greatest value of this kind of talk is that you have the right to choose that kind of company and be uplifted.” In today's episode of Good Company on a Curious Yogi, Hirdaya and I explore the significance of good company in spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of Shravan (hearing), Manan (reflection), and Nidhidhyasan (application) in deepening one's practice. We discuss the challenges of modern life, the power of pause, and the necessity of authentic conversations for inner transformation. The dialogue highlights the need to choose uplifting thoughts and ultimately, Hirdaya reminds us of our true nature and the essence of sadhana as a journey of remembering and resting in beingness. Takeaways from this enlightening conversation: ➖ Good company is essential for spiritual growth.➖ The practice of Shravan, Manan, and Nidhi Dhyasan is vital.➖ Choosing uplifting thoughts can transform your experience.➖ Authentic conversations lead to inner transformation.➖ The mind often forgets our true nature.➖ Pausing in moments of discomfort is powerful.➖ Sadhana is about remembering who you truly are.➖ Inner work is the real advanced practice.Find Hirdaya at: hirdayameditation.com I hope you take as much inspiration and delight from this satsang company as I did. Stay tuned for more episodes like this! In Oneness, Bobbi Thanks for listening! 💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast 💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one. 💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel 💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat 💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

"When you experience trauma, your spectrum of grief grows…on the other side of the spectrum, it has as much joy as you are able to experience as well."In this powerful episode, I chat with Rodrigo Souza of Allihopa Yoga - from his living room in Malmö, Sweden. Rodrigo is the coolest yogi I’ve ever met, and more importantly, he lives yoga in every sense of the word. We delve into the profound impact of yoga on trauma recovery and spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation through his journey, illustrating how adaptive yoga can transform lives by fostering resilience and healing. Key Highlights:➖ “Life is not against you; you are enough”➖Yoga goes beyond physical postures; it’s about connection➖Curiosity keeps us alive and engaged in life.➖ How to empower students by offering agency in their practice➖ Grief and joy coexist on the same spectrum.➖Yoga should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability➖Inclusive language enhances the yoga experience for all.➖”This is perfect, or this is perfect…” Connect with Rodrigo:Instagram: @allihopayoga Web: www.allihopayoga.com/Practice with Rodrigo: Yoga for Disabled Folks: Accessible & Adaptive Practices for those with Limited Mobility & Wheelchair Users a 10-hour online course With Rodrigo Souza on demand.https://www.accessibleyogaschool.com/yoga-for-disabled-folksI loved exploring the true essence of yoga with Rodrigo. We are aligned in our understanding of why stillness and meditation are emphasized, and Rodrigo shed light on the importance of reclaiming yoga from commercial biases and ableism for me. This inspiring talk serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment for all. I got so fired up and touched with this convo, I promise you will too. And I’ll always remember how to hug the cactus. In oneness, Bobbi Thanks for listening! 💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast 💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one. 💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel 💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat 💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

"Start with ‘I am free’. Then you can still work on yourself as you need to."Today, I’m happy to be sharing this delightful conversation with one of my favourite people, my dear friend Zach, a lifelong practitioner of sadhana who grew up in the Indian Himalayas at a meditation institute, in the company of an enlightened Guru. I waited a while to finally get Zach onto the show, as he is a true yogi, but one who spends his time privately. In this episode, we explore the profound journey of self-discovery and sadhana with insights from Zach’s lifetime in the Himalayas.Here’s what we discuss:➖ The impact of growing up in a spiritual community➖ The challenges and choices in a life dedicated to sadhana➖ Insights from Swamiji's teachings on freedom and self-realization ➖The balance between worldly duties and spiritual practiceI really loved hearing Zach's reflections on the value of continuously choosing to live in truth and the importance of surrounding oneself with good company. You know, living our sadhana? I promise you’ll enjoy Zach as much I do, and also take some points to get curious about when delving into the essence of living a life of freedom and authenticity.In oneness, BobbiThanks for listening! 💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast 💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one. 💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel 💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat 💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together, find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨

Embracing the Paradox. Hi Curious Yogis,I’m here with my friend Vijay and fellow meditator, and I’m so excited to share the first rendition of a new podcast format I'm calling Good Company. It’s a part of The Curious Yogi Podcast, created to offer something a little different: spontaneous, live-streamed satsang that invites you, the community of listeners and Patreon members, into deeper connection and active participation.In this inaugural conversation, recorded live in Copenhagen, we dive straight into the heart of what it means to walk the spiritual path while still being fully human. It’s a real, unscripted exchange. Just two seekers exploring the paradoxes of life and truth together.We touch on the nature of mind, the illusion of control, the role of desire and attachment, and reflect on timeless teachings like the Bhagavad Gita, all while holding space for not-knowing and being present with what is.Most of all, this episode is a celebration of satsang, the kind of good company that nourishes and supports true inquiry.In this episode:The paradox of being human and awareHow desire and attachment shape our experienceWisdom from the Bhagavad Gita and other sacred textsThe deep value of spiritual friendship and satsang🎧 About this Format Good Company is for all of us who want more live, engaged spiritual dialogue. It’s about presence over perfection, connection over performance. And it’s a way to offer more value and opportunities to get involved, especially for our Patreon supporters and Curious Yogi community.🙏🏽 Thanks for being here. If this conversation resonates, we’d love to hear from you. Your presence and reflections are part of what makes this offering come alive.In oneness,BobbiThanks for listening!💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs and live streams at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one.💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel💭Join me in northern India for the Yog Sadhana Retreat Himalaya March 2026 bobbipaidel.com/himalayan-retreat💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨