Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast

Richard Freeman has been a student of yoga since 1968, beginning in the Buddhist Zen tradition and then later studying both the Iyengar and Ashtanga Vinyasa methods of yoga. Which may explain one of the reasons Richard can be notorious for dodging questions that beg for ONE answer. Because, as he says, “It’s sometimes more complex than that.” Though by sometimes, I believe he means ALL the time. You see, this knowing is a trap according to Richard. “All of a sudden, we understand something and at that point, we think we got it … but what we got or what we’re taking away is just this one little point of view of something. So look again. It’s much deeper.” Richard tells us to instead, be like the curious child, always asking, why? And then, look again. Or in the case of this podcast, listen again. Because no doubt, with so many fascinating nuggets and stories, layered throughout - this is one episode, you will want to come back to, again and again. This episode of the Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast was edited and hosted by Peg Mulqueen along with Meghan Powell, and Chris Lucas as producer. Please visit www.ashtangadispatch.com for more episodes.

9 Sep 20181h 7min

Ever wonder what Plato and Patanjali have in common? Yeah, me neither actually! But Ty Landrum finds the the intersection of the two fascinating and quite honestly, his enthusiasm was enough to get me a bit excited as well. You see, philosophy in academia tends to be more an exercise of the mind whereas yoga as philosophy is almost pure experiential. Or that's that way it has always felt to me. But Ty manages to put a spin on both in today's episode. The Ashtanga Dispatch podcast is edited and produced by Chris Lucas and hosted by Peg Mulqueen. Opening chant led, by Saraswathi Jois, is from a donation-based led primary series featuring teachers from around the world to benefit the children who have been separated from their families at the U.S. border. Find this and more at www.ashtangadispatch.com

10 Aug 201850min

The following episode of the Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast is a recording from Stillpoint Yoga's weekend Spring Gathering this past May. The annual event is the brainchild of Scott Johnson who has made it a bit of a personal mission to provide space and opportunity for students and teachers alike to come together in more than just practice - but in conversation also. That we may all learn from each other and grow together. This year's focus spanned the following topics: power, lineage, and how this method is currently shared. Many of the conversations had over the weekend were intense and deeply personal. For this reason, we chose to protect the intimacy of the group and the privacy of individuals by not broadcasting the entire weekend. However, the following excerpt is from Day 2's panel discussion, featuring Scott, Greg Nardi, and me as we fielded questions submitted through the Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast group on Facebook. Specifically, the role of social media, the importance of just one teacher, and the structure of a healthy teacher/student relationship. The Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast is edited and produced by Chris Lucas and hosted by me, Peg Mulqueen. Opening chant by Greg Nardi from the Ashtanga Dispatch Magazine #2 in Digital. Also thanks to good friends who support this podcast over at Patreon who support this show through their monthly donations. If you would like to join them, please visit Patreon.com/ashtangadispatch - Thank you!

11 Jul 20181h 7min

This episode of the Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast is a prerecorded panel discussion featuring Tim Feldmann, (Miami Life Center), Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor (Boulder, Colorado), Manju Jois (Encinitas, CA), Dena Kingsberg (Byron Bay, Australia), David Swenson (Austin, TX), and as moderator, Jessica Walden (San Diego, CA). The audio is courtesy of the Ashtanga Yoga Confluence, Inc. For more about the 2018 Ashtanga Yoga Confluence, visit Ashtanga Dispatch’s recap of this year’s event. https://www.ashtangadispatch.com/ashtanga-yoga-confluence-2018 The Ashtanga Dispatch podcast is edited and produced by Chris Lucas with host, Peg Mulqueen.

29 Mai 201837min

Jen Rene is a teacher I’ve wanted you to meet for a very long time - and mostly because I’m afraid you might never otherwise get the chance. You see, Jen is one of those no-nonsense, incredibly functional teachers who are much more focused on keeping practice real than dazzle you with fancy tricks. Of course, the irony is - this is Jen’s real magic. She’s practical. She’s honest. And she’s not afraid to get messy. I’ll warn you, Jen doesn’t have a filter. She’s pretty straightforward and quite frankly, I find this refreshing. Because Jen’s not in this for likes, sponors, and notoriety. Which can feel kind of rare these days. In fact, in today’s podcast, we spoke pretty frankly about the struggle to keep the yoga real - including the challenges we both face both online and in our own practice. If you want to learn more about Jen (and I believe you will!) visit her website at www.jenrene.com

28 Mar 201838min

During a weekend in New York just before Christmas, I had the amazing opportunity to catch up with renowned Ashtanga yoga teacher, Eddie Stern and practice at his shala, the Brooklyn Yoga Club. Lots to learn in this latest episode of our yoga podcast - which could certainly feel, at times, more like a science lesson than an interview. Listen as Eddie describes the vagus nerve, an information pathway for a lot of things that are really important for the yogis. Eddie explains that we are an entire biological mechanism of complementary systems, and so our practice isn’t based on striving and pushing - but in seeking a normal, every-day balance and harmony so we can live a healthier, happier life. And why the yoga, among other things - a true scientific method. The Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast is edited and produced by Chris Lucas and hosted by me, Peg Mulqueen. Opening chant is by Greg Nardi from Ashtanga Yoga Worldwide. Thanks to good friends who support this podcast over at Patreon who support this show through their monthly donations. If you would like to join them, please visit Patreon.com/ashtangadispatch – Thank you!

14 Jan 20181h 21min

Finding the spiritual side of a physical practice and discussing the gender bias that exists - even in yoga - are just a few of the topics covered in this episode of the Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast with today's guest, Harmony Slater. The Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast is produced and edited by Chris Lucas, and hosted by Peg Mulqueen.

3 Des 20171h 13min

Philippa Asher is a certified Ashtanga yoga teacher and one of the few female students who has completed the Advanced B series. As impressive as all that is, that’s not really the reason I asked her to come on the Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast. I had read a piece she wrote called Musings About an Ashtanga Asana Practice from 20-something to 40-something. And in there, Philippa talked quite pointedly about challenges and issues of her own - including her own recklessness  as well as fertility issues - and I just was struck by how brave and forthcoming she was with her experience. I can’t tell you how rare it is to chat with someone - especially for the first time - who is willing to be that open and therefore that vulnerable. As you will hear her say, It’s not been an easy ride. And that’s precisely why she does choose to put her self and her story out there - for others who also haven’t had an easy ride. The Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast is edited and produced by Chris Lucas - and hosted by Peg Mulqueen. If you love this show and would like to help support, please visit Patreon.com/ashtangadispatch - Thank you!

30 Okt 201759min