Yoga Matters Podcast
Join an experienced yoga teacher and her skeptical yet curious husband as they explore the fascinating world of yoga philosophy and principles. This lighthearted yet deeply insightful podcast bridges ancient wisdom with modern life, through playful banter, relatable stories, and thought-provoking discussions. Emma and Andy aim to tackle a wide range of life affecting topics as well as the deeper meaning behind yoga — all while keeping it fun, engaging, and accessible for everyone, skeptics included! Perfect for couples looking to connect, learn, and laugh together.
Episodes
58 episodes
057 Vishuddha (Throat Chakra 5)
In this episode, we explore the throat chakra, Vishuddha, which is thought to be the energy centre of communication and self-expression. We dive into how this area of psychology governs not just how we speak, but how we listen and connect with ...
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Season 1
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Episode 57
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37:56
056 Anahata (Heart Chakra 4)
In this episode, we explore the fourth chakra – Anahata, or the heart chakra. We discuss what happens when this energy center is overactive or underactive, from excessive self-sacrifice to emotional withdrawal, and what a well-balanced heart ch...
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Season 1
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Episode 56
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44:08
055 Manipura (Chakra 3)
The Manipura Chakra is all about personal power, confidence, and transformation. In this episode, we explore the "solar plexus" energy center in a lighthearted and accessible way, breaking down ancient wisdom into practical insights anyone can ...
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Season 1
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Episode 55
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34:10
054 Svadhisthana (Chakra 2)
In this sequence of podcasts we are discussing the 7 Chakras. This week's episode is on the second Chakra, Svadhisthana, which refers to the Chakra thought to reside around the abdomen or diaphragm area of the body. This Chakra is related to em...
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Season 1
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Episode 54
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42:09
053 Muladhara (Chakra 1)
In this episode, we dive deep into the Muladhara Chakra—the first of the seven chakras we introduced in a previous episode. This foundational chakra focuses on grounding, physical health, stability, and building the inner strength that supports...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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36:39
052 Core Values
In this episode, we explore the concept of core values—the fundamental qualities and principles that guide how we see ourselves, connect with others, and navigate the world. We discuss how identifying your core values can help clarify your prio...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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28:18
051 Working with Self-Concept
In this episode, we explore the principle of self-concept and distinguish it from self-image. While self-image focuses on how we perceive our external qualities, self-concept delves deeper into the core of our identity—how we understand and rel...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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42:15
050 What to Expect From an LLG Retreat
Not sure what to expect from a Learn Live Give retreat? In this episode, we discuss and break down the common concerns that hold people back from booking their first yoga retreat and give you an insider's look at the actual experience. Whether ...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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43:08
049 Samskaras (habits)
In this episode we talk about samskaras, which are habits, tendencies and habitual processes that drive our actions and behaviours. Some of these can be beneficial and some can be detrimental, but both create ruts of repetitive behaviour, which...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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44:12
048 The Meaning of the Lotus Flower
The lotus flower is a symbol frequently used in yoga. You will no doubt have seen it on yoga imagery, imbedded in mandalas, as part of diagrams for philosophies such as the chakras and almost certainly inked onto yoga instructors' skin! But wha...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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32:53
047 What is Somatics?
In this episode we discuss Somatics - a practice that can enhance the connection between the mind and the body for improved overall health and well-being. It involves multiple elements such as movement, sensing, and awareness to improve physica...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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43:39
046 Avoiding Future Pain (Heyam Dukham Anagatam)
This episode explores the art of reducing future suffering—particularly the kind we unconsciously create for ourselves. By cultivating awareness, we gain the power to recognize and lessen the unnecessary pain that might otherwise shape our days...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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33:35
045 Intro to the 3 Gunas
In this episode we discuss what yoga calls the three laws of nature, or, the Gunas. These are present in all aspects of nature, and affect everything. It's a scale (or spectrum) of energy, with low heavy slow energy at one end, fast fiery energ...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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34:47
044 Going Deep
This is a discussion about allowing yourself to go a bit deeper into yoga than you have previously been... allowing yourself to relax more into a posture, delve deeper into an aspect of theory, or allow a meditation to take yo to a place you ha...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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37:22
043 The 7 Layers of Listening
In this episode we talk about listening... properly listening. There are various levels of listening that we are all capable (and sometimes guilty) of; from not really listening at all, to truly digesting what is not even being said...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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42:24
042 The Maybe Mindset
This is possibly one of the simplest concepts that we have talked about - but possibly one of the greatest. It is a very simply way of improving your communications, listening, empathy and compassion, whilst at the same time opening your attitu...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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41:14
041 Chit and Chitta
This episode discusses the concept of Chit and Chitta. Chit is defined as divine universal consciousness and Chitta is individual consciousness, including the ego - i.e. the thing that makes us human and individualises us from Chit. This sounds...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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40:57
040 The Window of Tolerance
In this episode we discuss a psychology model called the window of tolerance - a very useful tool for picturing your own (and others') ability to handle life and the stresses and strains that it throws at you. It's a great way to understand why...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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26:30
039 The Meaning of Om
This episode is a really fun and interesting conversation about the word Om - a word that represents so much more than the two letters would imply. Om has a great deal of significance to all of us, in so many ways, regardless of any other belie...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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37:32
038 Book Recommendations
Quite a simple one for this episode, in which we discuss various yoga and other health or well-being related books that we have found really helpful and/or enjoyable to read over the past few years. There are a few differences of opinions betwe...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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37:32
037 Yoga and Quantum Physics! :-o
Don't let the topic intimidate you! While quantum physics might sound complex, this episode is surprisingly accessible and fascinating for everyone.We explore recent quantum physics discoveries that seem to validate concepts yoga has tau...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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43:05
036 Samadhi (Profound consciousness) 8th limb
In this episode we discuss the 8th and final limb of the 8 limbs of yoga, Samadhi - which means 'profound consciousness' or 'meditative absorption'. It's the ultimate level of yoga, equivalent to 'enlightenment', achieved via the deepest type o...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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38:50
035 Dhyana (Meditation) 7th limb
In this episode we discuss the 7th limb of the 8 limbs of yoga, Dhyana - meditation. It sounds like a simple and quick subject, but as it turns out, there's a great deal to discuss and contemplate, including: the many different types of meditat...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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50:42
034 Dharana (Single pointed focus) 6th limb
In this episode we discuss the 6th limb of the 8 limbs of yoga - Dharana. This is the practice of focussing on a single thing - whether that be a visual item such as a candle flame, or a sound such as a mantra, or on your own breath. We debate ...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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33:41
033 Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the senses)
This episode discusses the fifth limb of the eight limbs of yoga, Pratyahara, which means to withdraw the senses. We discuss what this does (and does not) mean and how it can help to have a positive effect on mental health and calming both the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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35:17