Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast

During these challenging times, we are here to support you. Please visit ashtangadispatch.com to join us for a special program: Equanimity Through the Storm. We hope you take these few minutes to enjoy this metta meditation with Meghan Powell as a way to ground in loving-kindness - for yourself and for the world. May you be healthy, safe, happy, and know that you are loved by us.

26 Mar 202013min

These next episodes will be devoted to one story … Of how a community moves beyond the authoritarian Guru model, and away from the kind of hierarchical structures and rules of silence that have allowed for its members to be hurt, ostracized, and abused. It’s a story about learning from one another - and leaning on one another. One that shifts the focus from rules and dogma - to people and relationships; where leadership is shared and all voices, heard. Because we are the authors. And this is our story. One that begins today - with Kinship. All the voices you will hear in today's podcast - Erica Morton Magill, Greg Nardi, Pranidhi Varshney, Spiro Antonopoulos, and Kory Sheffer - participated in a weekend gathering in the California desert last December as part of a Kinship initiative. It’s a change of course from the historically hierarchical, authoritarian model that has defined the Ashtanga Yoga community. Again, if you want to be part of Kinship, please sign up at LAyoga.club/kinship Special thanks to Marc Pilley whose music you’ve been listening to. The song, Be with Me is from his latest album, Acorns, which you can download at arksong.net The Ashtanga Dispatch Yoga Podcast is written, edited, produced, and hosted today by me, Peg Mulqueen. The transcript for today's episode can be found on our website along with all links mentioned. Just visit ashtangadispatch.com Thanks for listening.

4 Feb 202046min

"Hierarchies are easy. That’s why we set them up. But the hierarchies have such a lack of resilience in response to rapid social change. And we're in a situation of rapid social change - in a profession that is seeing rapid changes." - Theo Wildcroft In today's episode, Dr. Theo Wildcroft talks about the identities and labels we attach to ourselves and our yoga practice and how we all benefit from moving from traditional linear models and towards more inclusive and horizontally organized networks. The Ashtanga Dispatch podcast is hosted, produced, and edited by me, Peg Mulqueen - along with Meghan Powell. Music is by Marc Pilley Visit www.ashtangadispatch.com for more about Theo including notes and links from today's show. And thanks for listening!

7 Nov 201952min

As one of today's most prolific explorers and mountaineers, Conrad Anker is a legend in the climbing world - though certainly not limited to it. Because Conrad has long been a source of inspiration for me. From his many summits (including Everest 3x and Meru) to his humanitarian work and activism - Conrad claims not to know anything about yoga philosophy, and yet his life says otherwise. In today's episode, Conrad talks to me about the necessity of risk, overcoming obstacles, facing fear, and getting older - as well as the responsibility we have as human beings to take care of each other and this world. (See? I told you he is a yogi - whether HE knows or not!) The Ashtanga Dispatch podcast is hosted, produced, and edited by me, Peg Mulqueen. Along with Meghan Powell. Music is by Marc Pilley Visit www.ashtangadispatch.com for more about Conrad including notes and links from today's show. And thanks for listening!

28 Sep 201935min

As an anatomy teacher and neuromuscular therapist - David has spent most of his career working with people in pain and helping them find a way out. And as the person who literally wrote the book on Yoga Anatomy, it makes sense that yoga students in particular - often with an injury or other physical issues - look to David for answers. At the same time, answers are something David seldom gives. Instead, he’d rather hand the power back to students - encouraging them to do their own exploring and experimentation: 1. Figure out what position makes it feel better relative to what body position makes it feel worse. So you know. 2. Give yourself permission to change the way you’re practicing so you can get closer to that position where it doesn’t hurt. Until you understand more, figure out more. 3. Once things calm down, start exploring even further and widdling things down Look for David's 3-D animated kinesiology course for anyone who wants to learn their muscles, functional movement, and how the asanas fit together. Visit https://3dmusclelab.com Ashtanga Dispatch is all about creating and supporting community - and this podcast would not be possible without the help of good friends like you who share our mission. Please visit ashtangadispatch.com/donate to learn ways you can help and contribute. The Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast is edited, produced, and hosted by Peg Mulqueen along with Meghan Powell. Music by Marc Pilley.

30 Aug 20191h 10min

"Chanting has helped me become more comfortable with myself. And feeling the freedom to open up in a devotional sense, in an emotional sense. I think it’s really released a part of me that I kept tightly hidden - and I’ve become more comfortable with that. And that’s what we’re trying to do, become comfortable with ourselves, with who we are." Meet Meghan Powell, the other half of Ashtanga Dispatch and hear about her ongoing journey towards developing her own voice. You'll hear Meghan talk about her experience in Mysore, with her teacher, Dena Kingsburg, and why chanting mantras is her favorite practice of all. The Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast is a free download, made possible by listeners like you who offer their support. If you would like to help, please visit www.ashtangadispatch.com/donate This episode was edited and produced by Peg Mulqueen. Music by Marc Pilley.

8 Aug 201936min

Today's guests are hip-hop artist MC Yogi and the creator of the 10000 Buddhas project, Amanda Giacomini. MC and Amanda met at a teacher training at It’s Yoga in San Francisco back in 2000 and have been spent the past 20 years, spreading their love of yoga to the masses through their music and art, but also more intimately, in their Point Reyes studio they began as a young couple and still regularly teach today. In this episode, MC and Amanda talk about their relationship with the practice, their teachers (Larry Schultz and Dorothy Divack), and especially - each other. Because while MC may claim - love at first sight - their story is no mythical fairy tale. It’s intentional. A conscious choice to align their lives - together. Support for this podcast comes from listeners like you. Your gifts and donations are the only reason we can do this without ads and sponsors. So thank you. If you have within your means to help, please visit www.ashtangadispatch.com/donate - We appreciate all your help. As always, thanks for listening and sharing. We’ll be back next month with a brand new episode.

3 Jul 201944min

"When we come to that last breath in our life - what's most important?" Recorded on the eve of her 60th birthday, Eileen Hall is a woman who has been practicing for over 30 years, through breast cancer, a mastectomy, and menopause - and is certified to teach in both the methods of Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga. Complete with anecdotal stories and insight, Eileen gets right to the heart of what it really means to practice yoga. You'll rarely find Eileen out there in the public sphere or even away from her home Shala in Sydney Australia. So this one truly is a rare and beautiful treat! This episode of Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast was written, edited, and produced by Peg Mulqueen, with guest host, Anthony Roberts. Music by Marc Pilley. Visit ashtangadispatch.com and join our online yoga community.

3 Jun 201932min