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
51 episodes
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
032 Karuna (Compassion)
In this episode, what began as a light-hearted topic quickly unfolded into a surprisingly deep and emotional conversation. We explored the true weight of compassion - how essential it is to all of us, and how profoundly it can shape our relatio...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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39:43
031 The Benefits of Yoga
Maybe we should have started with this subject - rather than waiting until episode 31 before covering it! But we decided that it was about time we went back to basics and discussed the ways in which yoga can benefit you from both a physical and...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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42:52
030 Pranayama (Breath & Energy)
This podcast episode is all about Pranayama (breathing and energy). Now, we know what you are thinking: "I know how to breathe - I've been doing it all my life!" But you'd be amazed how we underestimate its true (hidden) strength. So we take a ...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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47:06
029 Karma
Most people think they understand the concept of Karma, however, it might actually be far more wide reaching and varied than you first thought. There are a number of different aspects to Karma, including that it is neither good nor bad. In this...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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42:30
028 No, Yes, Wow
In this episode we have fun discussing the concept of 'no, yes, wow': i.e. saying 'no' less often, 'yes' more often and 'wow' as frequently as possible. All taking into account when it is appropriate to do so for your own well-being. We know th...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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33:17
027 Andy's journey to yoga
This episode takes a slightly different approach to our norm... instead we discuss Andy's rather convoluted journey to finding yoga. We chat about the impact that a near-death experience had on him (due to necrotising fasciitis) as well as the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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40:40
026 Asana (yoga postures)
Asana is the Sanskrit word for postures, and refers to all aspects of physical yoga - usually carried out on a yoga mat. We discuss this aspect of yoga - which the majority of the Western world often mistakenly believes is the main, if not only...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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34:12