Sivana Podcast: Eastern Spirituality, Yoga Philosophy, And Conscious Living

Michael Katz is a master storyteller and the host of the radio storytelling program Katz Pajamas on NPR Station KCBX for the last thirty years. He joins us to talk about the art of storytelling and to share two of his favorite stories from the Far East. The Story of the Stone Cutter and the Magic of Patience are engaging, simple stories with a great message and are appropriate for all ages! Special Guest: Michael Katz www.storytellermichael.com Host: Ashton Szabo www.anatomyofliving.com Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Join us with Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, an Integrative Neurologist and author of the book The Prime, as she explains how the science of Ayurveda can help you optimize your health, increase your brain power and naturally shed excess pounds. Dr. Chaudhary discovered an interesting side effect to the eating and lifestyle tools she was giving her brain patients - they began to shed excess pounds. She offers easy tips and guidelines to help you feel great and lose weight without dieting. Special Guest: Kulreet Chaudhary, M.D. www.drkulreetchaudhary.com www.theprimeclub.com Host: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

The way we think has a huge impact on how we receive each moment of life. A story originally found in the Mahabarata, the story of Utanka takes us on a journey of self exploration. We follow Utanka from student to wise man, from the protection of his teacher's home, out into the world and even down into the underworld. His experiences provide us with keen insight into how certain thoughts can sabotage our ability to receive the gifts of life, and his journey shows us possible ways to navigate those moments, and even provide hints of an ancient Kundalini Yoga Practice...    Written & Spoken by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Many people are familiar with Sufism because of the popularity of poets like Rumi and Hafiz, but what is Sufism? Why is it considered the path of the heart? How do Sufis use music and dance as part of their spiritual practice? And what can we learn from this rich tradition? Join us as we chat with Tahir Faridhee Qawwal, a sufi, a master musician and teacher, and leader of the Fanna-Fi-Allah Qawwal ensemble, who is currently producing a documentary on the musical traditions in India and Pakistan called Qawwali: Music of the Mystics. Special Guest: Tahir Far Idi Qawwal www.tahirqawwal.com www.fanna-fi-allah.com Host: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanapsirit.com  

In this episode, we explore the story of King Parikshit. A good and noble King, who lets his pride get the best of him. The King makes a series of choices that may eventually lead him to his death... Will he learn his lesson or face certain doom? The story gives us an opportunity to ask ourselves where pride might get int the way of the flow of life. It invites us to look at the choices we make and realize that there is always an opportunity to make a different choice.  Written& Spoken by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Even small feelings of self-criticism, doubt, fear, or perfectionism can cripple us mentally and emotionally, and even prevent us from feeling loved. The Story of Dhruva is one of our inner child, searching for love and acceptance, tormented by self-doubt and fear, and ultimately finding love deep within himself.  The love-able and determined Dhruva is a reminder to look within for the love so many seek on the outside. He shows us that once we realize the love within us, we can truly offer our greatest gifts and find our place in the world. Written& Spoken by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

The power of ritual and ceremony have been lost to many modern cultures, yet most people have daily rituals, whether they are aware of it or not. Join us as we explore a deeper understanding of ceremony and ritual, and how you can create a more fulfilling life with a fresh perspective on your regular every day moments.  Our Guest is Tehya Sky. She is metaphysical guide, the author of A Ceremony Called Life: When Your Morning Coffee Is As Sacred as Holy Water, and she offers unique insights into the impact that ritual can have in our modern lives.  Special Guest: Tehya Sky www.tehyasky.com Host: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com

We communicate all the time, but are we doing it well? Are you aware of your patterns and habits of communication? What is Conscious Communication and how does it differ from regular communication? Join us with our guest Danny Arguetty, author of Six Qualities of Consciousness and Nourishing the Teacher, as we dive into the hidden secrets of becoming more skillful communicators. Through Danny's profound insights, you'll gain new tools in becoming a better communicator and help improve the quality of your life and relationships.  Special Guest: Danny Arguetty www.dannyarguetty.com Host: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Inflammation is associated with numerous health issues that affect both mind and body. What causes inflammation? If necessary, can we reduce it? How does stress affect inflammation? What role does your diet play and can yoga help? Join us with nutritionist Julie Daniluk, the host of Healthy Gourmet on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), as we discuss the impact of inflammation on the body. She's the author of Meals That Heal Inflammation and Slimming Meals That Heal, and she joins us today to help us understand the role inflammation plays in our health and lives.    Special Guest: Julie Daniluk www.juliedaniluk.com Host: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Amy Ippoliti is a yoga teacher, writer, and philanthropist who is known for her innovative methods to bridge the gap between ancient yoga wisdom and modern day life. An internationally renowned teacher of yoga teachers, she recently co-authored the book: The Art and Business of Teaching Yoga: The Yoga Professional's Guide to a Fulfilling Career. She joins us on the Sivana Podcast to discuss the role of the modern yoga teacher, what makes a yoga teacher successful, what some of the biggest challenges of being a yoga teacher are, how to choose a yoga teacher training and much more! Whether a teacher or student of yoga, you are bound to benefit from Amy's keen insight and experience in the world of yoga. Special Guest: Amy Ippoliti www.90monkeys.com www.amyippoliti.com Host: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Producer: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

From the sublime and serious to the ridiculous and funny, JP Sears has affected millions of people through his widely popular YouTube and Facebook videos. Although many know him from his comedy routines, JP is a deeply introspective and cultivated being who plays with humor as a means of exploring life and the ego. In this episode, we consider what it means to live a spiritual life, discuss the importance of humor on the spiritual path, offer thoughts on authenticity and much more!  There is a lot to enjoy in this episode filled with both insight and laughter.   Special Guest: JP Sears www.awakenwithjp.com Hosted by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Produced by: Benn Mendelsohn www.sivanaspirit.com  

Ann Purcell is an award winning author and musician who has been teaching Transcendental Meditation for over forty years. She joins the Sivana Podcast to discuss meditation, how it relates to creativity and the power of silence. Ann's exuberance and wisdom are evident as she speaks, and whether you are a seasoned meditator or have never practiced before, there is a lot to learn and enjoy in this episode. Special Guest: Ann Purcell  http://www.enlightenmentforeveryone.com/ Hosted by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Produced by: Benn Mendelson https://www.sivanaspirit.com    

Living in an egocentric culture, it's easy to fall into pride. In this episode, we'll explore how feelings of pride allow an opportunity to examine the deepest motivations behind our actions and come to learn how pride can become an agent of our downfall or an opportunity for growth and deeper connection. We'll examine the importance of having perspective in one's life and its necessity in navigating pride, as we dive into the story of the sometimes wild, but always beloved, monkey deity: Hanuman.   Written by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Produced by: Benn Mendelsohn www.sivanaspirit.com

Today we talk about the role of motherhood on the spiritual path with Kimberly Ann Johnson, founder of Magamama, a community and resource hub for new moms who want natural empowering solutions to the challenges that can accompany childbirth. Kimberly speaks with immense passion about motherhood and the importance of ritual along the path. What are some of the biggest challenges that face new mothers? What is circle practice and how can it help shift how we experience parenthood, personally and as a community? How can we support new mothers? We'll explore these questions and a lot more... Special Guest: Kimberly Ann Johnson www.magamama.com Hosted by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Produced by: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com

What is your Inner Guidance System (IGS) and how does it work? How is it different from intuition? Can it help you live a more fulfilled life? In this episode, we chat with internationally renowned author, teacher and speaker, Zen Cryar DeBrucke, who wrote the book Your Inner GPS: Follow Your Internal Guidance to Optimal Health, Happiness, and Satisfaction. She'll introduce us to the workings of our IGS, teach us practices on how to connect with this deep wisdom inside us and ultimately share how we can use this inner wisdom to transform our lives.  Special Guest: Zen Cryar DeBrucke www.zeninamoment.com Hosted by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Produced by: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Wealth, power and other aspects of the material world can often be viewed as barriers to living a spiritual life. In this episode, we'll explore a story of the Goddess Lakshmi as well as her Eight Aspects to help us better understand our relationship with the material world. We'll ask basic questions of whether or not it's necessary to give up all material possessions in order to live a spiritual life. These stories will help us look at our relationship to money and its place in our lives, as Lakshmi invites us to look into the deepest motivations behind our actions.  Join us on an exploration of what it means to live abundantly in the world. Written by: Ashton Szabo Narrated by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Produced by: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com  

Join us with Cara Bradley, author of On the Verge, as we discuss the ways in which we can engage the world and thrive no matter what we find ourselves doing, while still remaining connected to spirit. What are some of the likely roadblocks on the path? What is the difference between active and passive attention, and how can they affect our ability to thrive? In this episode, we'll learn helpful tips and practices on how to remain present, how to show up in our lives, and thrive! Special Guest: Cara Bradley Cara Bradley is the author of On the Verge: Wake Up, Show Up, and Shine. She is a passionate teacher of yoga, meditation, and fitness who has been in the trenches of personal transformation as a “mental strength coach” for over three decades at her Verge Yoga Center, retreats, corporate training sessions, and with teams such as Villanova University and Penn State. She lives in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Visit her online at www.carabradley.net Hosted by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Produced By: Benn M

How does one deal with grief? What would you do if you lost someone you love? Our guest for this episode is Alexandria Romero. At the age of thirty, mother of a two year old and six weeks pregnant with her next child, she was finishing up her masters in transpersonal psychology when her husband suddenly died. Alexandria shares her struggles and the things she did to not just simply overcome the grief she felt from her husband’s passing, but integrate it into her life. Join us as we journey towards a greater understanding of how grief is part of our spiritual path. Special Guest: Alexandria Romero www.alexandriaromero.com Hosted By: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Produced By: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com

What IS a magical life? Do you create it or is it revealed to you? Is a magical life all about rainbows and puppy dogs, love and light, or does it allow for the full range of human experience? How do we find magic in the more difficult moments? Join us as we chat with Alana Sheeren, a writer, intuitive life coach, and the host of the Create Your Magical Life Podcast, as we explore ways to navigate the turbulence of life. Special Guest: Alana Sheeren www.alanasheeren.com Hosted by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Produced by: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com

How do we live a fulfilled life while engaging in loving relationships? What are some of the myths we hold onto about love, and how do they impact our capacities for loving relationships? Join us with Linda Bloom, psychotherapist, educator, author and relationship counselor, as we dive into a conversation about relationship. We'll explore how relationships can become our greatest spiritual practice, and learn some of the possible road blocks and difficulties we're likely to encounter along the way. Special Guest: Linda Bloom www.bloomwork.com Hosted by: Ashton Szabo Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper Produced by: Benn Mendelson www.sivanaspirit.com