Sivana Podcast: Eastern Spirituality, Yoga Philosophy, And Conscious Living

We’ve all heard of the 8 Limbs of Yoga, but do you really know what they are? Today I’m going to explore the eight limbs of yoga, their origins, and their significance in spiritual practice. I’ll look at each limb’s purpose, giving a detailed examination, as well as the historical context of the Yoga Sutras. Get ready to finally gain a true understanding of: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.  I’ll discuss:

Are you a newly certified yoga teacher struggling with the confidence to put yourself out there and teach? We’ve all been there, myself included. Whether you struggle with body-image like today’s guest, imposter syndrome or money mindset, today’s episode for you. Taylor Lorenz, my friend, colleague, and lead trainer of my Somatic Yoga Life Coaching program, shares her transformative journey from a full-time travel blogger to a confident yoga teacher and somatic coach. Let’s discuss the insecurities many new yoga teachers face. Listen and learn:

When did we get disconnected from the body? Today I want to explore the historical context of body-based spirituality. We’ll contrast traditional yoga's focus on enlightenment with somatic yoga's emphasis on healing and grounding. We’ll analyze how Catholicism and Tantra might be viewed as more embodied spiritual practices, compared to Protestantism and The 8 Limbs of yoga. Let’s nerd out on the significance of engaging the five senses in the healing process, the need for safe spaces in somatic practices, and the future potential of somatic work in personal healing and coaching. Listen and learn:

A lot of translators actually skip chapter one of the Bhagavad Gita, but I’ve found it to be one of my favorite chapters. This chapter sets the stage for the conflict and highlights the struggle between emotions and intellect. Something we all struggle with throughout our lives. Make sure to go back a couple of episodes and listen to my overview of the Bhagavad Gita, and get excited because chapter one is only the beginning of this amazing series! Let’s explore:

Does YouTube intimidate or confuse you? Yeah, it confuses most of us. Recently one of my 300-hour graduates emailed in asking about all things YouTube. Rather than just respond to her email and answer her questions, I thought everyone could benefit from this conversation. Let’s discuss the intricacies of building a successful YouTube channel and the importance of consistent content creation. Not only will I give you the inside scoop of how I use YouTube in my business, but I’ll analyze my students channel and how she can optimize as well. If you have a YouTube channel you are not going to want to miss this one! Pull back the curtain on YouTube and discover:

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Human Design expert and Master Coach, Emma Dunwoody. Emma shares her transformative journey from struggling with mental health issues to discovering both Human Design and the Gene Keys. She explains the intricate connections between these systems and how they can be used for self-discovery and personal growth. Emma emphasizes the importance of experimenting with your design and offers practical tips for yogis looking to explore this fascinating field. Tune in as Emma:

I have been wanting to do a deep dive on the Bhagavad Gita for years. This rich text is often called the “jewel” of the Mahabharata and can be kind of intimidating to talk about. There is so much to cover. That’s why this podcast will be the first in a series about the Bhagavad Gita. We’ll start with exploring the profound themes of this amazing text and contrasting it with the Yoga Sutras. We’ll talk about how the dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna serves as a guide for navigating our own moral dilemmas. Listen and learn:

If your emotions are not being expressed, they’re being repressed. And where do they go? Your body! You’re probably not even aware of all of the emotions buried in your fascia right now. This can lead to a multitude of physical issues. That’s why you want to move emotions through your body. We’ve all heard the phrase, “emotions are energy in motion.” But how do we deal with all of the feelings that arise throughout each day?  Listen and learn how to:

It seems we’re all looking for the fountain of youth. Whether through the latest beauty products/treatments or botox and filler; techniques to maintain a youthful glow are increasingly popular. My guest today, Esther Moux, shares ancient beauty secrets rooted in Chinese Medicine. Esther gives us actionable tips for facial rejuvenation, emphasizing the interconnectedness of diet, lifestyle, and overall well-being. We also delve into the nuances of skincare, the importance of consistency in routines and the impact of genetics versus lifestyle on aging. Listen in to learn:

Get ready for part two of explaining the chakra yantras. If you didn’t listen to part one, go back a few episodes and listen to that first. I previously discussed the geometric shapes associated with chakras 1, 2, & 3. Today I’m going to talk about the shapes that correspond to chakras 4 through 7. Let’s go over the unique symbols, associated elements, and the energies represented in each. Visualize or draw your own yantra as you listen to:

Today I have the pleasure of talking to boss babe, Uplifted alumni & trainer, Carla Cline Thomas. Carla is a brilliant business strategist and one of the few business coaches I recommend to everyone. I love picking her brain on what trends she’s seeing in the industry and the future of marketing; and today is no exception. Carla and I discuss what marketing yourself in the wellness industry will look like for 2025. SPOILER: It’s not posting everyday. Take notes as Carla and I talk about:

In honor of Heart Chakra Day(a.k.a. Valentine’s Day), I want to talk about gratitude. No matter where you’re at in your wellness journey I’m sure you’ve heard all about the benefits of a gratitude practice. But where did gratitude practices originate? Let’s look at how gratitude has shown up in texts like The Vedas and The Bhagavad Gita AND how you can approach your gratitude practice from a somatic lens. I’m going to answer questions like:

One of my dearest friends, and founder of Shakti School, Katie Silcox is back!! Today Katie and I are talking all things feminine. What is feminine energy? How does it appear and how do we embody it in yoga and ayurveda? Get all of these questions answered and learn more about feminine form kundalini, feminine ayurveda, and somatic movement. We’re having a heart to heart about:

You know the chakra colors, and probably what poses to do to activate them. But do you know each one’s yantra? Each chakra has a unique geometric symbol attached to it. Today I want to give you a detailed examination of the first three chakras yantras: the root chakra, sacral chakra, and solar plexus chakra and discuss their unique symbols, associated elements, and the energies they represent. Have some colorful pens and paper ready as we explore:

Today I have the pleasure of talking to Uplifted alum Corinne Maples. Corinne has taken ALL of the Uplifted training programs, from 200-hour to Embodied Yoga Life Coaching, and uses the skills she learned not only with her clients but in her everyday life. Corinne and I explore how to live your yoga through “kriya yoga.” We debunk self-care myths and explain how frivolous fun can lead to a more balanced life.  Tune in as we discuss:

It’s a new year, and while making resolutions can be a great motivator to utilize this energy and create big shifts; it's easy to fall off the yoga bandwagon. I want to give you seven practical strategies to find a practice that you can rely on. Let's talk about the importance of not just lowering, but evolving expectations, embracing consistency over perfection, and finding personal anchor practices.  Listen and find out why you should… 

Today I chat with author, speaker, coach and modern ambassador for ancient magic, Mia Magik. Mia dives into the historical, cultural, and personal aspects of the witch wound, providing insights on how it affects expression, sexuality, creativity, and business. Mia also shares practical tips for overcoming the witch wound and embracing authenticity and leadership.   Tune in and learn:

Somatic practices are trending, but do you know where this mind-body practice originated? Today I want to explore the history and principles of somatic yoga. How it emphasizes the importance of the mind-body connection and the role of emotional release in your physical practice. From influential figures in the somatic space to common misconceptions.   Learn how to connect with your body on a deeper level as we look at how:

Do you ever feel like you’re shaking with rage? Or do you tremble with anxiety? Because your body uses shaking as a means to release stress and trauma from the body! This is a normal response, but cultural conditioning has suppressed our natural inclination to shake off tension. It’s important to care for our bodies, just as we would for pets, and learn to close the stress cycle. Somatic shaking can help.   Take a breath, give yourself a little shake, and let’s talk about how: