Yarmila Alfonzetti | Being A Humble Student, Yoga Retreats & The Inner Life | S4 Ep 9

"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 🙏♥️✨

"A Sankhya Yogi loses ego every day. A Scholar gains ego every day.” In this episode, I chat with Ram Jain — a fifth-generation yogi and founder of Arhanta Yoga, with ashrams in both India and the Netherlands. Ram’s journey began at a Vedic school at age 8, and his life has since been dedicated to teaching yoga as a path to self-realization and empowerment.We talk about his evolution from aspiring dancer to spiritual teacher, how yoga is perceived differently across cultures, and the deeper meaning behind practices like Sankhya and Gyan Yoga. Ram has a beautiful way of flipping questions back on me, sparking some deep reflection on identity, ego, and the dance between individuality and oneness.He also shares practical advice on choosing a yoga teacher training, including the value of hands-on teaching and staying rooted in tradition.Takeaways from our conversation:➖ Yoga is ultimately about coming home to yourself.➖ Our background shapes how we understand and experience yoga.➖ Some Western students find ideas like karma and reincarnation a bit unfamiliar at first.➖ Sankhya Yoga brings a logical lens to deep questions about who we are.➖ Life unfolds in its own perfect timing — things come when we’re ready.➖ Each soul is unique, yet part of something greater.➖ Yoga invites us to explore who we are beneath all the labels.➖ A strong yoga teacher training should include real-world teaching practice.➖ Experiencing yoga in its cultural roots can bring deeper insight and connection.Find Ram: 🌐 www.arhantayoga.org 📸 IG: @arhanta.yogaThis conversation made me smile, stretch my brain, and sit with some big, beautiful paradoxes. I’d love to hear what stood out to you.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 🙏♥️✨

“Consciousness is love, it is who I truly am.” Today I chat with celebrated yoga teacher and author Reema Datta who is on a mission to change that with her recent book The Yogi’s Way: Transform Your Mind, Health, and Reality, which offers a twelve-week self-guided course that empowers readers to break free from the destructive tendencies of their minds and experience lasting peace.Reema shares insights from her own sadhana and of course, her book, exploring the profound influence of family on her spiritual journey, the importance of inner peace, and the foundations of yoga practice. She emphasizes the teachings of Advaita Vedanta, the interconnection of service and spirituality, and the need for cultural sensitivity in yoga.Here are some highlights I took away with me; ➖The essence of yoga goes beyond physical practice➖The real teachings focus on mental purification, which requires meditation & contemplation➖Service & spirituality go hand in hand➖Cultural sensitivity is crucial in sharing yoga practices➖It's okay to mispronounce Sanskrit; focus on intention & authenticity ➖All-day yoga emphasizes breath awareness throughout daily life➖Yoga and Ayurveda work together for self-realization and healing➖Community & friends on this path are essentialVisit Reema online and join her 12-week Yogi’s Way Course Starting September 21st www.ReemaYoga.comBuy the book HEREConnect with Reema on IG @reemayogaI really enjoyed Reema's book and this beautiful conversation. They highlight the need for a broader, more enriched narrative about the teachings of yoga and how we live them daily. I’d highly recommend both as support for your yoga, wherever you are in your journey. 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 🙏♥️✨

"The only important thing is peace, and peace is your true nature.”In this enlightening episode, I’m talking to a friend and master yogini, Deep Priya, who has been teaching Patanjali Yog Sutras since 1986. Deep Priya shares her profound journey through yoga, dance, and meditation, exploring the interconnectedness of these practices.The conversation delves into the essence of the witness self, the nature of the mind, and the path to liberation through meditation and self-awareness.Deep Priya explores and emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment, understanding the nature of thoughts, and the journey towards achieving peace through meditation. The discussion delves into the differences between samadhi and kevalya, the significance of Patanjali's wisdom in modern life, and the transformative power of meditation in accessing deeper states of consciousness.Here are some key takeaways:➖Authenticity in dance and yoga comes from deep self-awareness➖Patanjali's teachings serve as a guide for meditators seeking liberation➖The witness self is a crucial aspect of understanding one's true nature➖Meditation is essential for comprehending Patanjali's teachings➖The mind's perception can be both beneficial and detrimental➖Kundalini represents a deeper connection to the universe➖The journey of self-discovery is ongoing and requires patience➖The essence of yoga is to achieve peace, and peace is the ultimate goal of spiritual practiceMake sure to head over to A Curious Yogi Patreon page to listen to Deep Priya's full audio track of Sanskrit singing Patanjali’s first Paad.And join me for Living Yoga Sadhana 6-week Immersion beginning May 18th HEREI truly enjoyed and was delighted by this conversation and all the inspiration and wisdom Deep Priya shared. I promise you will, too.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 🙏♥️✨

“Be curious about the right stuff. Who are you really? Ask yourself, what’s the truth that never changes its truthfulness?” Today I’m joined by a real modern-day yogi and meditator live from the Himalayas. Mr. Richard Taylor became Dikpal when he met Swami Shyam in 1973. He’s been meditating ever since, and in this delightful and illuminating conversation, Dikpal shares his wisdom from living and studying with a Self-realized teacher for 50 years and coming to understand the purpose of this human life.We touch on a lot here, but here are just a few of the highlights: ➖ Journey from having it all and still being miserable to having an experience of “regaining the innocence and seeing the truth behind the appearances” ➖ “The experience of perfection, it’s like when you hear it, you know it in the deepest depths of your being as the truth”. ➖ Dikpal answers my question: What is that power that covers the sense of perfection in a human being? ➖ “The essence of sadhana, spiritual practice, to be this, that, no, it’s to know that you are pure being, untouchable by any event.” ➖ Yogastah: to be established in Yog ➖ Method of inquiry, meditation and mantra to open the direct experience ➖ “When you’re meditating, you let go of holding onto individual perception. The life, the awareness, is eternal, it is out of time.” You can’t really find Dikpal on the internet, but let us know what you think of this talk and how your meditation practice is going. I really enjoyed this conversation, both when we had it live in Dikpal's living room and then again when I listened to it, when I really needed it, back here in Sweden. It was refreshing to hear again about the inevitable covering power of the human being and how to always know how to return to that Pure Being in the practice of meditation - and of course, Satsang. Thanks for being here with me for another season of a Curious Yogi Podcast. In appreciation and 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 🙏♥️✨

Curious Yogis! Wow! Such a treat to compile these key moments and threads of knowledge that have been woven throughout the past season of a Curious Yogi Podcast.Today I give my thoughts on everything picked up in the past season and share my reflections on the endlessly inspiring topics to support our continual unfoldment in sadhana.Enjoy special moments of wisdom shared by Daniel Simpson, Stewart Gilchrist, Sheena Sood, Acharya Shunya, Magnust Fridh, Prasad Rangnekar, Mayank, Lars Ims and Shaarda. Let me know what your thoughts have been for season 3! What did you love? What do you want more of? And how is your sadhana unfolding?See you soon and take care of each other. In love and oneness, BobbiThanks for listening!💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast 💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a review on Apple podcasts – it really, really helps the show reach more people, plus I love reading each one. 💭 Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram stories @bobbipaidel 💭Join the waitlist 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 🙏♥️✨