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
67 episodes
066 Tamas (3 Gunas)
Ever feel stuck, foggy, or like you just can't get moving? That might be Tamas at work. The Gunas are the three fundamental qualities that, according to yoga philosophy, make up all of nature — including our bodies, minds, and moods. In the fir...
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Season 1
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Episode 66
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44:14
065 Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss body)
This week we've reached the fifth and innermost layer: Anandamaya Kosha, the bliss body. This is pure joy, deep contentment, and connection to something bigger - and no, this isn't airy-fairy nonsense. This is what you touch in rare moments whe...
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Season 1
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Episode 65
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40:31
064 Vijnanamaya Kosha (the Wisdom Mind)
We're into the fourth layer of the 5 Koshas: Vijnanamaya Kosha, the wisdom mind (or body). This is intuition, deeper knowing, and that quiet inner voice that knows the answer before your thinking mind finishes arguing with itself. While Manomay...
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Season 1
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Episode 64
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40:03
063 Manomaya Kosha
This week we're diving into the third Kosha layer: Manomaya Kosha, the mental and emotional body (sometimes also referred to as the Monkey mind or Puppy mind). This layer represents your thoughts, feelings, memories, and that constant internal ...
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Season 1
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Episode 63
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33:05
062 Pranamaya Kosha
This week we're peeling back the second layer of the Koshas: Pranamaya - This is your vital energy layer, the invisible life force that animates your body (if your physical body (Annamaya Kosha) is the lightbulb, the Pranamaya Kosha is the elec...
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Season 1
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Episode 62
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41:35
061 Annamaya Kosha
Over the next five podcasts, we're diving deeper into the five Koshas - the five layers of being that yoga philosophy says make up who we are. This week we're starting with the outermost layer: Annamaya Kosha, the physical body. This is everyth...
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Season 1
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Episode 61
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36:48
060 Yoga Journeys
Breaking from our normal format for this one! Recorded live at our Costa Rica retreat, this episode features two retreat attendees sharing their personal journeys to discovering yoga. We explore how they found their practice, what kept them com...
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Season 1
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Episode 60
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45:38
059 Sahasrara (Crown Chakra)
In this episode we explore Sahasrara, the crown centre, which represents our sense of purpose, meaning, and connection to something greater than ourselves. From a psychological perspective, this is about how we find meaning in life, experience ...
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Season 1
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Episode 59
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41:41
058 Ajna (3rd Eye Chakra)
In this episode, we discuss Ajna, the third eye chakra, which is thought to be your centre of intuition, wisdom, inner knowing... and your sixth sense. Whether you view this as a spiritual concept or simply as your capacity for insight and self...
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Season 1
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Episode 58
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37:47
057 Vishuddha (Throat Chakra)
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)
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 (Solar Plexus Chakra)
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 (Sacral Chakra)
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 (Root Chakra)
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