Listen to Toddcast with Brendan for FREE here

Brendan Smullen is a certified Ashtanga yoga teacher and co-owner of a yoga studio in Seattle, where he and his partner specialize in Ashtanga and progressive variants of this practice. With a rich background in both traditional and Rocket yoga, Brendan is known for fostering inclusive and community-driven yoga experiences. Through his teaching, Brendan emphasizes discipline, practice consistency, and the importance of community in the yoga journey. He has studied with notable instructors, including Christina Martini and Manju Jois, blending traditional teachings with innovative modifications to support diverse practitioners.

Visit Brendan here: https://www.theyogashalaseattle.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Yoga practice adapts to life changes, such as new parenthood, requiring flexibility and understanding rather than strict adherence to routine.
• Strong partnerships, whether in personal or professional life, can enhance the teaching and practice of yoga through shared goals and mutual support.
• Creating a vibrant yoga community involves fostering environments where organic connections and support systems, like meal trains, can flourish.
• Modifying traditional Ashtanga practices allows for greater accessibility and inclusivity, supporting a diverse range of practitioners.
• Sustainability in yoga practice benefits from an emphasis on personal practice and self-guided sessions, steering away from dependency on external motivation.

Cultivating Community in Yoga Studios

In the realm of yoga, creating a supportive and inclusive community is invaluable. As evidenced by Brendan Smullen’s experiences, cultivating a close-knit environment enhances the yoga journey for both practitioners and instructors. Smullen touches upon the natural development of community gatherings, describing how coffee meet-ups evolved from simple interactions: “Because that space was like assigned as like the office hours… it just became sort of a community event.”

This organic cultivation of community not only aids in breaking down barriers between students and teachers but also enriches the support network within the studio. Such initiatives can lead to profound personal connections, where “folks will come up with [ideas] natively” and the shared experiences form “a lot of trust and a lot of, a lot of giving.” Smullen exemplifies how fostering these environments can become a platform for collective resilience, underscoring the importance of inclusivity and genuine interaction within yoga communities.

Navigating Family and Professional Life

Combining family life with professional endeavors is both challenging and rewarding. For Brendan Smullen, integrating his yoga practice with his responsibilities as a new parent and studio owner demonstrates the delicate balancing act many face. Within the interview, Smullen discusses how he and his partner manage parental duties alongside their teaching schedules, illustrating, “We have…our studio is principally Ashtanga, so I’m teaching four hours most mornings… and then helping her when she teaches in the evenings.”

This collaboration between partners highlights the potential for mutual support, yet it also speaks to the need for mindful communication and shared objectives. As Smullen points out, “There’s a shared mission that you have that kind of also anchors the relationship.” The overarching sentiment is one of teamwork, where shared responsibilities can create a symbiotic environment, enriching both personal and professional facets of life.

Additionally, Brendan mentions how community support extends into personal life, like creating a “meal train” to ease family challenges, thereby strengthening community bonds. The synthesis of familial, professional, and community life champions the notion of interdependence, emphasizing that such integration can lead to profound personal and collective growth.

Evolving Ashtanga Practice

The practice of Ashtanga yoga, with its deep historical roots, often requires adaptations to meet the needs of its practitioners. Brendan Smullen shares insights into personalizing Ashtanga to suit both life changes and individual physical needs. This customization is crucial, as Smullen explains, “Your legs don’t need to be fully straight in order to emphasize a hamstring stretch,” offering that even with a mainly structured practice, there is room for personalized adjustments.

Furthermore, Smullen addresses the balance between tradition and accessibility: “The approach with Ashtanga in the self-guided environment…is honestly the best way to establish a practice.” This reflects a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the practice while acknowledging individual limitations or life circumstances, such as parenting or seasonal influences. Through thoughtful adjustments, Smullen illustrates how even a traditional practice can remain sustainable and fulfilling. He emphasizes, “I’ve softened on some things… I’m only doing a portion of…my intermediate advanced series practice,” highlighting the importance of flexibility within one’s practice.

This theme of adaptability aligns with Brendan’s personal journey, illustrating how life’s ebbs and flows can dictate practice intensity and focus. As such, flexibility in practice becomes a model for handling life’s broader shifts—showcasing yoga’s enduring relevance in personal development.

Embracing a yoga practice that reflects our lives’ dynamic nature fosters both personal resilience and community cohesion. Brendan Smullen’s experiences underscore the potent synergy of community-building within yoga, the nuanced balance of integrating family with work, and the adaptability required to sustain a lifelong practice. His journey serves as a testament to yoga’s ability to transform lives, nurturing both individuality and collective spirit. As he details, a sensitive approach to practice and community interaction offers avenues for enduring peace and growth amid life’s inevitable transitions.

Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out: 👇
8IN8 Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners Course Online– Learn 8 Limb Yoga in 8 Days – Get FREE coupon code for a limited time only (Regular price $88) https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Practice with Native Yoga Online – New classes EVERY day – Use Code FIRSTMONTHFREE https://nativeyogacenter.teachable.com/p/today-s-community-class

Subscribe to Native Yoga Center and view this podcast on Youtube.

Thank you Bryce Allyn for the show tunes. Check out Bryce’s website: bryceallynband.comand sign up on his newsletter to stay in touch. Listen here to his original music from his bands Boxelder, B-Liminal and Bryce Allyn Band on Spotify.

Please email special requests and feedback to info@nativeyogacenter.com

https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Enjoy new Native Yoga Center classes uploaded everyday on our online learning hub. Use code FIRSTMONTHFREE at checkout. https://nativeyogacenter.teachable.com/p/today-s-community-class

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
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LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin

Listen to Toddcast with Vahid for FREE here

Vahid Coskun is a highly distinguished yoga instructor, author, and mindfulness coach based in Washington, D.C. He is the author of “Practice Beyond the Posture: Meet Yourself Through the Mental Dialogues of Yoga and Stay in Charge of Who You Are.” With over 13 years of experience in teaching yoga, Vahid has developed a unique approach to integrating mindfulness into everyday routines. His focus is on drawing lessons from yoga postures to cultivate self-awareness. He has an advanced degree in yoga therapy and mindfulness from the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Vahid is actively engaged in providing corporate mindfulness training and holds workshops intended to enhance mental well-being.

Visit: https://www.wellnessassemblyservices.com/mentaldialogues

Key takeaways:

• Yoga and mindfulness extend beyond physical practice and help cultivate mental self-awareness.
• Bringing mindfulness practices to corporate settings involves translating Eastern concepts into relatable and actionable techniques for busy professionals.
• Spirituality and non-judgmental approaches, while highly valued, need critical evaluation to avoid being misunderstood or ineffectively applied.
• The power of individual responsibility in achieving a harmonious global community hinges on small, manageable changes, such as mindfulness in daily actions.

Exploring the Mindful Odyssey: Yogic Wisdom for Modern Life

In the ever-evolving world of yoga and mindfulness, finding a way forward is important for the growth and understanding of our shared experiences. The dialogue between Todd and Vahid Coskun, author of “Practice beyond the Posture,” encapsulates this journey, as it delves into the intricacies of connecting the mental and physical realms through yoga. Their conversation navigates themes of trauma, self-awareness, and the profound yet simple ability to find peace through breathing. As Vahid poignantly notes, we’re “two seconds away from world peace,” echoing a sentiment that encapsulates the power of mindfulness in today’s fast-paced, high-stress environments.

Yoga’s Approach: Unifying Body and Mind

In the conversation, Vahid Coskun discusses his insights on moving beyond a singular focus on physical poses in yoga practice, emphasizing the union of mind and body. Discussing his book, Vahid shares how over 13 years of teaching, he recognized his “insecurities” vanished, letting him be more present and observe students. This presence enabled him to notice that “what you go through in life is what I go through. It’s the same thing.” His teaching evolved from this deep sense of unity and commonality, challenging the preconceived notion of alienation and reinforcing a meaningful connection through shared struggles.

This narrative is expansive in its implications, illustrating how mindfulness teaching can transcend the yoga mat and influence broader life practices. For example, Vahid highlights that in practice, both teacher and student must learn “what is good enough,” a concept that resonates beyond yoga, manifesting in professional and personal domains. As he mentions, achieving balance and focus in yoga transfers into life situations, aiding individuals in all pursuits.

Mindfulness in Corporate Settings

Vahid’s foray into mindfulness for corporate America is a testament to its universal applicability. He describes his initial experience teaching meditation at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York, where he saw firsthand the skepticism among corporate employees. By leveraging relatable analogies and sparking curiosity, he effectively introduced meditation to otherwise resistant individuals. As Vahid put it, inviting participants to tune into subtler senses created open pathways to the “state of bliss.” This reiterates the versatility of mindfulness practices in environments like D.C.’s corporate scene, where high achievers often dismiss traditional methods as “fairy tales.”

Corporate mindfulness is far from metaphorical since it directly impacts productivity, interpersonal relationships, and stress management. Vahid notes a key aspect of his practice: “When you accumulate these little bits of attention, you cultivate a state of focus,” implying that consistent mindfulness shifts from personal well-being into effectiveness at work, thus broadening its appeal and utility.

The Evolution and Misinterpretation of Spiritual Concepts

Throughout their dialogue, Todd and Vahid delve into the complexities of traditional spiritual concepts in contemporary contexts, particularly around themes of judgment and non-judgment. Vahid shares his understanding that the concept of living a “non-judgmental life” is often “toxic.” He articulates that proper discernment is crucial for personal growth, saying, “If you don’t see that… I’m not telling you’re a bad person, but you did some very bad stuff.”

This discussion highlights a central tension in modern spiritual practice—the balance between acceptance and accountability. While the broader cultural push towards non-judgment aims to foster inclusivity and acceptance, Vahid warns against ignoring mistakes under its guise. This insight challenges us to refine our spiritual growth pathways, emphasizing that genuine self-improvement requires acknowledging missteps to foster real change.

Rekindling Hope through Simplicity

Vahid’s insight that breathing can help achieve world peace encapsulates the conversation’s thematic culmination—mindfulness’ innate power to promote calm and clarity. Exhaling just “two seconds longer,” he advises, can ease nervous system activity and eliminate many of life’s common stresses. This serves as a metaphor, urging a collective pause—a chance to reset and reconnect with one’s inner peace amidst life’s hectic nature.

Todd and Vahid’s conversation is a profound reminder of mindfulness’ potential to transform individuals and communities. Embracing mindfulness within corporate and personal atmospheres is not merely an adopted trend but an essential practice for fostering genuine engagement, growth, and understanding. Through yoga’s essence, awareness, and reflection, Vahid encourages us to bridge gaps between our physical and mental experiences, inviting us to meet where commonality lies and explore our innate potential—a testament that true connections arise when we pause to breathe.

Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out: 👇
8IN8 Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners Course Online– Learn 8 Limb Yoga in 8 Days – Get FREE coupon code for a limited time only (Regular price $88) https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Practice with Native Yoga Online – New classes EVERY day – Use Code FIRSTMONTHFREE https://nativeyogacenter.teachable.com/p/today-s-community-class

Subscribe to Native Yoga Center and view this podcast on Youtube.

Thank you Bryce Allyn for the show tunes. Check out Bryce’s website: bryceallynband.comand sign up on his newsletter to stay in touch. Listen here to his original music from his bands Boxelder, B-Liminal and Bryce Allyn Band on Spotify.

Please email special requests and feedback to info@nativeyogacenter.com

https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga 
Twitter: @nativeyoga 
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter 
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin

Listen to Toddcast with Ambra for FREE here

Ambra Vallo is a renowned yoga instructor with a rich background as a former professional ballet dancer. She hails from an illustrious career in dance, having been part of prestigious ballet companies such as the Royal Ballet of Flanders and has extensive experience teaching yoga, holding certifications in multiple disciplines including Dharma Yoga, Rocket Yoga, and Forrest Yoga. Ambra has also worked with high-performance athletes, sharing her knowledge at football clubs like Aston Villa and Manchester City. Today, she leads a more peaceful life in the countryside of Buckinghamshire, UK, where she continues to teach and inspire through one-on-one sessions and workshops.

Visit Ambra on her website: https://www.ambrasana.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Ambra’s journey from ballet to yoga teaches the importance of listening to the body and valuing personal growth over physical achievements.
• The stress of professional ballet instilled a high level of discipline in Ambra, which she beautifully translates into her yoga teachings.
• Yoga is a practice of presence and self-exploration beyond physical poses, and it can facilitate profound spiritual and personal growth.
• Ambra shares the benefits of integrating yoga with athletic training, highlighting the mental and physical enrichment it provides athletes.
• Her teachings reflect a combination of discipline from ballet and adaptability from yoga, promoting a holistic approach to life and practice.

The Journey from Ballet to Yoga: Insights from Ambra Vallo

Transitioning from a globally recognized ballerina to a revered yoga teacher, Ambra Vallo’s journey highlights the profound intersections between the art of ballet and the philosophy of yoga. With over three decades of diverse experience, Ambra exemplifies how movement and meditation intertwine to forge a path toward self-realization and holistic health. In a candid podcast interview, she explored the disciplines that shaped her life and offered insights into how others can embark on their own transformative journeys.

Bridging Ballet and Yoga for Holistic Health

The journey from being a professional ballet dancer to an esteemed yoga instructor is one marked by immense dedication and perseverance. As Ambra shares, her initial encounter with yoga occurred at the age of twelve, guided by one of her ballet teachers. “It was very, very hard on the body,” she recounts, referring to the intensive demands of professional dancing. Yet, yoga provided her the tools to reconnect with herself and find a “better version” of herself.

Integration of Physicality and Philosophy: Yoga became the balm that healed her battle-scarred body from years of ballet’s demands. Ambra emphasizes the importance of yoga’s holistic philosophy which incorporates not just physical movements but breathing and meditation, enabling her to achieve a calmer state of mind that enhanced her performance on stage. “The different part of the yoga really helped me out to feel comfortable,” she adds, spotlighting yoga’s capacity to align physical vigor with mental clarity.

Implications for Aspiring Practitioners: Those who seek to harmonize their physical and mental faculties can benefit greatly from the synergy of structured physical practices like ballet with the mindful introspection encouraged by yoga. This approach not only addresses physical ailments but also cultivates an inner peace essential for personal growth.

Unpacking the Mind-Body Connection

Ambra’s experiences reveal a poignant lesson about listening to one’s body—a skill that dancers must hone despite traditionally pushing through pain. However, her practice of yoga instilled a more mindful approach to bodily awareness. “It’s normal. A lot of people start from a very physical practice and then with time, they discover all the different aspects of yoga,” Ambra reflects on the common initial misunderstanding that yoga is purely physical.

Mindfulness in Motion: The freedom found in yoga practice came as a revelation to her, countering the ballet mindset that often prioritized aesthetics over self-care. Ambra cautions against the pitfalls of not listening to the body, recounting how pushing through pain was previously seen as part of the discipline but now serves as a warning against ignoring our own limits.

Transformative Realizations: For practitioners, the message is clear: listen to your body, allow your mind time to catch up, and maintain a practice that respects both physical form and mental function. Embracing this dual focus can lead to enhanced performance and deeper personal satisfaction.

Learning from Diverse Yoga Traditions

Ambra’s story underscores the value of a ceremonial gathering of teachings from various yoga lineages, rejecting the notion of a solitary guru. “I think it’s very important to be open to try everything,” she notes, advocating for a more eclectic approach to yoga. This philosophy of absorbing diverse teachings allowed her to develop a rich, personalized practice that resonates strongly with her students.

Diverse Instructive Experiences: Drawing from legends like Dharma Mitra and Larry Schultz, and her collaboration with Anna Forrest, Ambra believes in the vitality of integrating different teachings. “You all came from the same training, but we all teach so, so differently,” she observes, articulating how distinct pathways open up through varied teachings.

Navigating a Pluralistic Landscape: For yoga practitioners and aspirants, seeking knowledge from various traditions can uncover new dimensions of understanding and skill. Different teachings act as complementary colors upon the canvas of one’s yoga journey, fostering growth that is well-rounded and profoundly impactful.

In reflecting upon Ambra Vallo’s conversation, it becomes evident that her journey encapsulates more than a mere transition between disciplines. It’s an exploration into the synergy of mind, body, and spirit—one that offers practitioners a template for navigating their individual paths with awareness, openness, and humility. Ambra’s journey invites us to view our practices, be it yoga or any other discipline, not merely as external achievements but as profound internal evolutions that inspire a more integrated and fulfilling existence. By cherishing diverse wisdom and listening to the language of the body, we can unlock the latent potential within, embodying our truest selves in the world.

Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out: 👇
8IN8 Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners Course Online– Learn 8 Limb Yoga in 8 Days – Get FREE coupon code for a limited time only (Regular price $88) https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Practice with Native Yoga Online – New classes EVERY day – Use Code FIRSTMONTHFREE https://nativeyogacenter.teachable.com/p/today-s-community-class

Subscribe to Native Yoga Center and view this podcast on Youtube.

Thank you Bryce Allyn for the show tunes. Check out Bryce’s website: bryceallynband.comand sign up on his newsletter to stay in touch. Listen here to his original music from his bands Boxelder, B-Liminal and Bryce Allyn Band on Spotify.

Please email special requests and feedback to info@nativeyogacenter.com

https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga 
Twitter: @nativeyoga 
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter 
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin