Mindfulness Coach on Pandemic Lessons & New Year Resets | Sweta Vikram

Sweta Vikram—whose name means "goddess of dance" in Sanskrit—has written 13 books and built a career bridging Eastern and Western approaches to health and well-being. In this soulful conversation with host Dara Levan, Sweta shares her journey from a corporate career to becoming a sought-after mindfulness coach, the sudden loss of her mother that sent her searching for answers, and why "recovering perfectionist" is her favorite title. They explore the difference between practicing yoga on the mat versus living it off the mat, how to silence the inner critic, the importance of boundaries during the holidays, and why approaching life with an abundance mindset transforms everything from creativity to holiday gatherings. Whether you're navigating grief, family triggers, or simply trying to find balance during the busy season, this episode offers practical wisdom for showing up as your most authentic self.

Keywords: mindfulness, Ayurveda, holiday stress, self-compassion, Sweta Vikram, yoga, inner critic, boundaries, abundance mindset.

0:00 - Intro & welcome
1:43 - Meaning of Sweta's name
3:19 - White connection: Levan & Sweta
4:06 - Starting the wellness journey
6:33 - Mother's sudden passing
8:02 - Yoga on vs. off the mat
9:41 - Parenting, pop tarts & wellness
12:00 - Hinduism as a way of life
15:31 - Being a recovering perfectionist
17:51 - Pandemic lessons & writing
20:58 - Emotions & the physical body
22:30 - Self-care & writer stereotypes
25:21 - How Sweta takes care of herself
30:22 - Rigidity vs. flexibility in routine
34:18 - Holiday tips & boundaries
38:46 - Where to find Sweta
40:01 - Outro

• https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
• Website: daralevan.com3
https://www.swetavikram.com/

QUOTES:

"Unless people learn to love themselves for all of everything, it's hard to make the world a kind of place. But how can you love others if you don't love yourself?"
– Sweta Vikram

"To be Jewish is to live and exist in the world with kindness and goodness."
– Dara Levan