What is Vishoka Meditation, and how can it help us move beyond sorrow? I sit down with Ishan Tigunait of the Himalayan Institute to discuss consciousness, breath, meditation, and the deeper purpose of yoga practice.Episode Highlights:Himalayan tradition and lineageUnderstanding consciousnessTechnique versus experienceFoundations of Vishoka MeditationMoving beyond sorrow and sufferingObstacles on the spiritual pathBody, breath, and prana awarenessSignificance of the navel centerCharacteristics of healthy breathingBreath qualities and meditationRole of the teacherQualities of a sincere studentIndividual versus group meditationMeditation and community serviceLiving as a fuller expression of selfDaily meditation as self-discoveryLearning Vishoka MeditationPranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Let's Talk Yoga

Vishoka Meditation- The Yogic Practice for Moving Beyond Sorrow with Ishan Tigunait

I’m joined by Andrew McGonigle for a deep dive into Ujjayi Pranayama, the breath technique often called “ocean breath.” We explore the anatomy, nervous system effects, breath retention, and why Ujjayi is far more nuanced than most modern yoga classes make it seem.Episode Highlights:Ujjayi breath foundationsUjjayi body mechanicsInhalation versus exhalation useUjjayi in vinyasa yogaBreath literacy beyond techniqueBreath as tool, not goalNatural breath versus UjjayiUjjayi and nervous system regulationTrauma-sensitive breath practicesUjjayi during pregnancyBreath retention and kumbhakaInternal awareness through pranayamaTeaching Ujjayi progressivelyHeating versus cooling effectsClassical versus modern UjjayiPersonal choice and breath agencyPranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Stop Calling It Ocean Breath — The Truth About Ujjayi Pranayama with Andrew McGonigle

I’m sharing the deeply personal story behind why I revamped my Pranayama Teacher Training and how grief transformed my relationship with breath, pranayama, and teaching yoga. I also dive into breath literacy, why breath is more than just a technique, why Ujjayi is often overused, and the foundational breathing principles I believe every yoga student and teacher should understand.Episode Highlights:Revamped Pranayama training launchPersonal pranayama backstoryGrief and relationship with breathTurning pain into purposeBreath literacy philosophyBreath beyond techniqueBeyond inhale and exhaleUjjayi breath reconsideredBreath and nervous system connectionSteady breath and steady mindNasal breathing in yogaNostrils and brain connectionPranayama training detailsItaly retreat updatesPranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Turning Pain Into Purpose - Why I Revamped My Pranayama Training

What’s the real difference between a yoga teacher and a content creator? In this episode, I break down the subtle (but important) signs that can help you tell them apart, so you can choose how and who you learn from more intentionally. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by courses, content, or conflicting advice online, this one will help you cut through the noise.Episode Highlights:Distinguishing teachers vs content creatorsRecognizing modern yoga landscape shiftsUnderstanding intention vs impactSpotting marketing-driven yoga approachesIdentifying email list obsession patternsRecognizing freebie-heavy funnelsNoticing inflated metrics vs real impactUnderstanding numbers vs student transformationIdentifying “old yoga failed” narrativesSpotting packaged personal opinionsRecognizing transactional teaching modelsUnderstanding lack of long-term mentorshipIdentifying short-term course interactionsSpotting constant free content loopsRecognizing overconsumption in yoga learningIdentifying sales funnels vs real practiceNoticing aesthetic-driven curationRecognizing curated vs embodied teachingSpotting trend chasing without depthNoticing high presence, low-impact profilesUnderstanding digital reach vs real-world impactDefining qualities of a yoga educatorUnderstanding teacher-student relationshipsRecognizing long-term guidance and accountabilityUnderstanding contextualized traditional teachingsIdentifying student integration over timeRecognizing course consumption patternsAuditing followed yoga accountsEvaluating course quantity vs depthCommitting to one teacher long-termAssessing teacher retention of studentsPracticing consistency with one methodPranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

The Difference Between a Yoga Teacher and a Content Creator (And Why It Matters)

Should you teach stretch or strength first in your yoga classes?In this episode, I break down a clear, practical framework for sequencing, especially for beginners. Learn how to balance flexibility, strength, and mobility in a way that builds confidence, prevents injury, and actually supports long-term progress.If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to structure your classes, this one’s for you.Episode Highlights:Stretch vs strength sequencing clarityTeaching beyond rigid formulasFlexibility vs strength in yoga practiceInjury risks from imbalanceBeginner-focused sequencing approachBuilding body awareness and proprioceptionStarting with lower body flexibilityCreating early success through sensationTargeting major muscle groupsLower body: glutes, hamstrings, quadsUpper body: side body and breathIntroducing range of motion workDynamic movement vs passive stretchShoulder and hip mobility focusAdding strength for beginnersTabletop as foundational strengthStanding poses for lower body strengthSequencing stretch before strengthBalancing release and stabilizationBeginner ratios: 70–30 to 60–40Adjusting for hypermobility and special casesIntermediate student progression50–50 balance and alternating focusTeaching with intention and adaptabilityPranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Stretch or Strength First? What Every Yoga Teacher Needs to Know

I sit down with Vikram Jeet Singh to explore Sankhya—the philosophical framework behind yoga—and how it helps us understand the mind, reduce suffering, and cultivate real awareness. It’s a practical, eye-opening conversation on discernment, identity, and seeing clearly.Episode Highlights:Sankhya pronunciation clarifiedWhat Sankhya is and why it matters todaySankhya as philosophy vs. psychological frameworkHow Sankhya is practiced in real lifeCore structure and framework of SankhyaThe goal of Sankhya and ending sufferingUnderstanding purusha and prakritiCreating separation between observer and experienceDiscernment (viveka) as a core practiceHow to build and strengthen discernmentBuddhi vs. ahamkara in decision-makingSamskaras, kleshas, and repeating patternsIdentifying true discernment vs. ego-driven thinkingThe gunas and their role in the mindReal-life application of sattva, rajas, and tamasUnderstanding tamasic vs. rajasic tendenciesStrengthening the “viveka muscle”Creating space between stimulus and responseReducing inner friction and reactivityTeaching yoga without Sankhya awarenessLearning Sankhya: teacher vs. self-studyThe role of tattvas in understanding realityVikram’s book and ways to study with himPranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Sankhya - The Lens Behind Yoga with Vikram Jeet Singh

What does it really mean to be a good yoga student? In this conversation, I sit down with Medha Bhaskar to explore the framework described in the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika for cultivating a meaningful yoga practice. We talk about the importance of understanding the principle before the process and how the mindset we bring to our practice shapes what we learn from it.Medha walks us through the Badhaka Tattvas (the habits that weaken a practice) and the Sadhaka Tattvas (the qualities that strengthen it), while reflecting on how these classical teachings apply to modern yoga students and teachers. From boundaries and energy management to perseverance and self-awareness, this conversation offers a grounded look at what it means to truly grow through yoga.Episode Highlights:Introduction to the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, its historical context, and its role as a practical manual within the broader body of classical yoga texts.Understanding the difference between principle and process in yoga practice, and why focusing only on techniques can lead to a narrow understanding of yoga.Exploring the mindset of a yoga student and why self-awareness and intention matter more than simply showing up to practice.The Badhaka Tattvas and the six behaviors described in the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika that diminish practice, beginning with overconsumption and excess sensory input.How overexertion and constant striving can weaken a practitioner’s energy and lead to imbalance.The impact of excessive talking and scattered communication on focus, clarity, and the integration of learning.Why rigid rule-following without reflection can create guilt, imbalance, and disconnection from the purpose of practice.The role of over-socialization and lack of boundaries, including how modern lifestyles and digital engagement affect a practitioner’s focus and energy.The final diminishing factor: inner instability and scattered attention, and how it can lead to burnout, confusion, and lack of direction in practice.Shifting to the Sadhaka Tattvas, the qualities that nourish and strengthen a yoga practice.The importance of enthusiasm and genuine interest in sustaining long-term engagement with yoga.Why courage and perseverance are necessary when confronting personal limitations and challenges on the mat and in life.Developing discernment and clarity in understanding the deeper principles behind yoga practices.Cultivating commitment and steady resolve to remain engaged in the process of self-inquiry and growth.The role of mindful association and supportive community, while still maintaining independence and personal responsibility for one’s path.Reflecting on how yoga evolves from something we do into something we become, shifting from practice as action to practice as a way of being.Pranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

How To Be A Good Yoga Student - The Hatha Yoga Pradeepika Framework with Medha Bhaskar

Teaching mixed level classes can feel overwhelming, especially when your students are all at different stages in their practice. In this episode, I share simple, practical ways to structure your classes, offer options, and create a more inclusive and confident teaching experience.Episode Highlights:Mixed-level classes are the norm and should be approached with that mindsetThe distinction between mixed-level and all-level classesThe importance of shifting from sequence-focused to student-focused teachingBuilding sequences that include a variety of pose categoriesWhy full-body sequencing works better than peak pose sequencing in mixed classesIncluding standing poses, balances, backbends, twists, seated, supine, and inversionsUsing progression and regression options for every poseMaintaining a middle path that supports both beginners and experienced studentsWhy themed sequencing is more effective than peak pose sequencingThe importance of developing strong pose literacyOffering benefit-based alternatives when poses are not accessibleSetting expectations at the beginning of class to normalize options and autonomyEncouraging students to move at their own pace and take ownership of their practiceUsing props as an essential teaching tool for accessibility and adaptabilityHow mixed-level classes can build trust, community, and long-term student engagementPranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

How to Teach Mixed Level Classes?

Are we actually studying yoga, or just consuming it? In this episode, I explore the traditional frameworks that shaped authentic yogic learning and why modern education often skips the foundations. If you’re serious about deepening your practice beyond certifications, this conversation will shift your perspective.Episode Highlights:The difference between modern yoga education and traditional teacher-student learningWhy student qualification (Adhikari Bheda) mattered before receiving teachingsThe method of progressive revelation (Arundhati Darshana Nyaya)Traditional classifications of yoga students in Hatha YogaThe threefold process of learning: listening, reflection, and deep assimilationThe three valid means of knowledge outlined in the Yoga SutrasThe four foundational qualifications for serious spiritual studyThe structure and progression of the four chapters of the Yoga SutrasKriya Yoga as a practical framework for disciplined studyWhy slowing down and refining your approach changes everythingPranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

"You Don’t Know How to Study Yoga” The Traditional Framework We’ve Ignored

Hormones influence how we move, rest, recover, and show up on the mat, yet they’re rarely discussed clearly in yoga spaces. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Manasa Rao to explore what yoga teachers need to understand about the hormonal body through both modern science and yogic wisdom. We talk about stress, rhythm, pranayama, women’s hormonal cycles, and how yoga can support balance through listening and alignment without overstepping into medical advice.Episode Highlights:Are hormones a modern concept, or something yoga has always addressed through a different language?Hormones as internal messengers and their connection to yogic ideas of prana, ojas, tejas, and balance.How yoga works across the physical and subtle bodies to regulate internal harmony.The relationship between chakras, glands, and pranic flow, and where confusion often arises.Why hormonal balance is the body’s natural state and how modern lifestyle disrupts rhythm.Cortisol, stress, and the importance of restoring rhythm rather than suppressing hormones.Pranayama as a key regulator of the hormonal and nervous systems.How to think about different pranayama practices, including ujjayi, with more discernment.Pratyahara as a lifestyle-based practice rooted in routine, rhythm, and sensory regulation.Understanding women’s hormonal transitions, including menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause.Menopause reframed as a phase of reorganization and inward movement, not decline.How yogic practices can support different phases of the menstrual cycle.The importance of personalization and sensitivity when teaching hormonally affected students.Body-to-mind versus mind-to-body, and why dissolving that duality matters.The central takeaway: hormonal health comes from listening, alignment, and rhythm rather than fixing.Pranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

The Hormonal Body - What Yoga Teachers Need to Understand with Dr. Manasa Rao

Sequencing doesn’t start with themes or peak poses, it starts with understanding the pose itself. In this episode, I introduce pose literacy and explain why it’s the missing link behind clearer, safer, and more intelligent sequencing. Using Downward-Facing Dog as a real example, I break down how learning to read a pose beyond alignment can completely change how you teach, sequence, and support your students.Episode Highlights:Why modern sequencing often skips the most essential stepWhat pose literacy is, and why alignment alone isn’t enoughHow low pose literacy leads to guesswork, overload, and unsafe sequencingA pose-literacy breakdown of Downward-Facing DogHow a pose-first approach transforms sequencing and teaching confidencePranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Pose Literacy - Your Gateway Into Smart Sequencing

A deep dive into yoga sequencing, what it actually is, why it matters, and the most common mistakes yoga teachers make when planning classes, I break down the difference between choreography and intentional sequencing, explore the role of the pranic and nervous systems, and share nine sequencing missteps to avoid for safer, smarter, and more sustainable teaching. This episode is especially relevant for yoga teachers who want to build confidence, longevity, and depth in their classes.Episode Highlights:What is sequencingWhy sequencing is a skill, not a formulaWhat yoga sequencing truly means beyond pose choreographyHow thoughtful sequencing supports safety, longevity, and nervous system regulationThe role of structure, progression, intention, and integration in class planningWhy sequencing shapes the energetic and pranic arc of a classHow intelligent sequencing builds trust, confidence, and professional credibilityThe 9 Sequencing Mistakes to Avoid:Treating sequencing as simply linking poses togetherOver-focusing on peak poses at the expense of purposeSkipping joint preparation and intelligent warm-upsOverloading classes with too many posesNeglecting counter-poses and proper class closureDesigning sequences based on personal preference instead of student needsIgnoring the energetic arc and pranic systemForcing philosophy or over-theming without embodimentFailing to teach toward longevity and sustainable practicePranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

9 Sequencing Mistakes To Avoid As A Yoga Teacher

As we begin a new year, I’m reflecting on a question that quietly shapes every yoga teacher’s journey: why do you teach? In this episode, I share personal insights from my own path, the lessons that only time and experience reveal, and why certifications alone don’t create longevity in teaching. I also share details about the upcoming 300-hour online teacher training, live Q&A session, and important dates if you’re considering taking the next step in your practice or teaching.Episode Highlights:Why certifications and accumulated hours don’t guarantee confidence or sustainabilityThe difference between loving yoga and being able to teach it long-termHow burnout, injury, and doubt reveal the importance of a deeper “why”Why purpose in teaching is personal, evolving, and not meant for performanceThe connection between discipline, consistency, and Sutra 1.145 Important things about your whyKey updates on the upcoming 300-hour online teacher training and live Q&APranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Finding Your Why & Join Me Live

This episode feels like a full-circle moment as I wrap up the final episode of 2025. Before we step into a new year, I take some time to share what’s coming up in 2026 for the Let’s Talk Yoga and Aham Yoga community. There’s a lot unfolding, from a brand-new 300-hour online yoga teacher training to in-person study and international travel, and I wanted to lay it all out clearly so you know what’s ahead and how to be part of it.After the updates, I’m joined by Rebecca from the Working in Yoga podcast for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation on creativity in yoga teaching. We explore how teachers can stay innovative without crossing into performance, why reverence still matters, and how professionalism, boundaries, and self-inquiry shape longevity in this work. It’s a reflective conversation about teaching, aging, motivation, and remembering why we came to yoga in the first place.Episode Highlights:Exciting Announcements for 2026300 Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training200 Hour In-Person TrainingInternational Yoga Retreat in ItalyTime-Sensitive Updates RecapCreativity in Yoga TeachingBalancing Tradition and CreativityEngagement vs. Entertainment in YogaEvolving Yoga Teaching MethodsStudent Agency and Teacher GuidanceLearning and Teaching YogaExploring Cultural Appropriation in YogaFinding Your &apos;Why&apos; in Teaching YogaMarkers of Success in Yoga PracticePersonal Motivations and Aging GracefullyThe Importance of Professional BoundariesReverence and Cultural Differences in YogaNavigating Marketing and Authenticity in YogaFinal Thoughts and Upcoming TrainingsPranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

Yoga Endings, 3 New Super Yoga Things & Creativity in Yoga

Inversions don’t have to be intimidating, flashy, or reserved for advanced students. In this episode, I break down the three pillars of teaching inversions and share how to approach being upside down with structure, progression, and nervous system awareness. If you’ve ever felt unsure about when, how, or why to teach inversions, this framework will bring clarity and confidence to your teaching.Episode Highlights:Why inversions were traditionally practiced as tools for regulation, not performance.How modern yoga culture has distorted our understanding of being upside down.What actually qualifies as an inversion, beyond handstands and headstands.The difference between mild, moderate, and intermediate inversions.Personal reflections on unlearning unsafe inversion habits.Pillar One: Structure before shapePillar Two: Progression before performancePillar Three: Nervous system literacySituations where inversions may not be appropriate to teach.Where inversions fit best within a well-sequenced class.How inversions cultivate humility, discernment, and emotional awareness.Why the deepest impact of inversions is internal, not physical.Pranayam Teacher Training 2026Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern ItalyJoin our mailing listFind all the resources mentioned in this episodeConnect with us on InstagramSubscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTubeLet’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTubeLeave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!

3 Pillars of Teaching Inversions

Welcome to the Let's Talk Yoga podcast—your ultimate online destination for everything yoga. Think of it as your virtual yoga school, offering something for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned yoga teacher, a dedicated student, or simply curious about the deeper layers of yoga.Join host Arundhati Baitmangalkar, an immigrant yoga teacher, studio owner, global mentor, and creator of some of the most sought-after yoga teacher training programs in the world. Each week, we bring you valuable insights, in-depth conversations with renowned yoga teachers, and an abundance of yoga resources designed to inspire, educate, and transform.From mastering the art of teaching to navigating the complexities of yoga philosophy and business, this niche podcast is your go-to resource for all things yoga. Ready to deepen your practice and expand your understanding? Hit subscribe now and never miss an episode of Let's Talk Yoga!

hubhopper

Let's Talk Yoga

hubhopper