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Lyn Sellars: Yoga, Family, and the Practice of Letting Go

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Lyn Sellars is a passionate yoga teacher with a rich history connected to the Dharma Yoga Center and Sri Dharma Mittra. Residing in rural Vermont, she embraced yoga following a transient lifestyle inspired by the Grateful Dead community. Lyn has co-owned Dharma Yoga Vermont with her daughter, sharing her knowledge and philosophies on yoga, compassion, and community living. With deep ties to both her family and her community, Lyn blends her personal experiences with her professional teaching, being particularly invested in traditional yoga practices beyond just the physical aspects.

Visit Lyn: https://www.instagram.com/grandma_sati/

Key Takeaways:

  • Lyn Sellars integrates her passion for yoga with her rich cultural experiences from Vermont and the Grateful Dead community, creating a unique teaching approach centered on love and interconnectedness.
  • Lyn emphasizes the transformative power of yoga beyond physical practice, offering philosophies that address self-loathing and promote self-love and compassion.
  • Community is a recurring theme; Lyn reflects on how the principles of yoga foster a sense of belonging and support amidst life’s challenges.
  • The conversation sheds light on the living practice of yoga, illustrating how the teachings evolve as one’s life and circumstances change.
  • Featuring notable insights into working with family and community, listeners gain a heartfelt perspective on the impact of sharing yogic knowledge with others.

The Magic of Discovering Yoga Beyond the Mat

Yoga is often first encountered as a physical practice, a series of postures and stretches that gradually unfold into something richer and more fulfilling. This journey from the tangible to the transcendent is a common thread among practitioners, exemplified beautifully in the conversation between Todd and Lyn Sellers, as they navigate their shared experiences in yoga.

Lyn recounts her initial encounter with yoga, explaining, “I think I was looking for it long before I even knew what yoga was.” Her narrative illustrates the cultural essence of yoga—an inherent longing for connection and understanding that often predates the physical practice. The journey into yoga extends beyond mere physical exercise and becomes a deep exploration of inner peace and interconnectedness.

Practitioners like Lyn find the transformational power of yoga beyond the confines of the studio, as seen in her experiences during the Grateful Dead concerts. She reflects, “There was this something that I never experienced growing up,” capturing a similar sense of community and connection. These experiences serve as a mirror to the intangible benefits of yoga, where people unite, breathe, and move beyond their struggles and limitations.

Love as the Ultimate Practice

The theme of love resonates profoundly throughout the dialogue, echoing the essence of yoga not just as a practice but as a way of life. As Lyn reflects on recent life events, from the passing of her parents to her daughter’s upcoming wedding, the centrality of love becomes a powerful motif. She observes, “It’s a celebration of love, too…it just looks so different. It’s in a totally different form.”

Her words emphasize the understanding that love transcends definitions and circumstances, underlying every aspect of life, including the mundane and the momentous. This insight reveals a shifting focus from asanas and meditation to recognizing love as the core of yoga practice.

Yoga teaches acceptance not just of self but of life’s ever-changing circumstances. As Todd notes, “…it’s actually landing as a reality in this moment that you’re seeing…” The transformative recognition of love’s presence in all experiences underscores that yoga isn’t about contorting one’s body to fit a shape but allowing one’s heart to embrace the world as it is.

The Power of Community: Bridging Love and Connection

The importance of community is another recurring theme, illustrated through vivid anecdotes and reflections in the conversation. Lyn’s journey through the spiritual realms of the Grateful Dead and yoga both unveil strong communal ties that foster a sense of belonging. In a world that’s increasingly individualistic, nurturing community becomes a liberating and grounding practice.

Lyn believes firmly that “…creating community is really important.” Her yoga studio, nestled in a small Vermont town, faced challenges yet thrived as a beacon of unity. Despite geographic and demographic hurdles, it was an effort to weave threads of shared experience and collective growth. This sense of community reflects yoga’s call for unity and togetherness, transcending the self to connect deeply with others.

As she mentions how the studio used food as a connecting tool, “…we would do to get people through the door. We’re like, what do we’ve always done? We feed people.” This simple yet profound gesture highlights how love and community are intrinsically related.

Yoga’s Eternal Dance: Reflecting Light Through Practice

More than mere physical exercise, yoga encompasses living mindfully, embracing both struggles and insights. The dialogue between Todd and Lyn captures this equilibrium as they explore life’s unpredictability and the timeless wisdom contained within the yoga path.

Reflecting on her journey, Lyn acknowledges that profound learning emerges from suffering. She elaborates, “It’s really the deep struggling, the suffering when we go through stuff, they’re like, oh, I see things.” This truth intimates that yoga isn’t merely a sanctuary from life’s challenges but a catalyst for transformation. By confronting and navigating hardships, individuals find lasting growth and wisdom.

Through this insightful dialogue, it becomes clear that the practice of yoga is expansive, stretching far beyond the mats into every breath, every moment. It is enriched by the knowledge that everything, even the most mundane aspects of life, is suffused with love and connection. Each step on the yoga path reveals new horizons, new light, and unanticipated places where growth and understanding reside.

In essence, yoga is about seeing the world through the lens of love, finding community, and recognizing that light can emerge from the strangest places if we are willing to look at it right. As Scarlet Begonias by the Grateful Dead reminds us, “Sometimes you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” This simple yet profound truth encapsulates the essence of yoga—remaining ever ready to embrace the beauty of life’s unpredictable dance.

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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

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Flor Villazan – Flor Villazan: Dharma Mittra, Kirtan & the Heart of Bhakti Yoga

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Flor Villazan is a seasoned yoga practitioner and teacher residing in Long Island, New York. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Flor’s journey began as a modern dancer before transitioning into the world of yoga. Living in New York for over 38 years, she has dedicated nearly two decades to the practice, primarily influenced by her guru, Dharma Mittra. Besides teaching yoga, Flor shares her passion for music, playing instruments like the Venezuelan cuatro and harmonium, and incorporating kirtan and bhakti yoga into her classes. Her diverse experiences in dance, yoga, and music reflect a unique blend of physical discipline and spiritual exploration.

Visit Flor: https://www.instagram.com/flor_yoginidurga_om/

Key Takeaways:

  • Flor Villazan’s journey from dance to yoga highlights a blend of discipline and expressive freedom, showcasing how the arts can lead to spiritual exploration.
  • Practicing yoga with a guru, like Dharma Mittra, can significantly influence one’s spiritual path, fostering a strong sense of loyalty and dedication.
  • Integrating music and chanting into yoga practice can enhance the spiritual experience, facilitating a deeper connection to oneself and the universe.
  • True understanding of yoga transcends physical postures, embracing love, devotion, and service as central components.
  • Perceiving everything as interconnected and seeing divinity in all beings can enrich one’s life, fostering a profound sense of joy and purpose.

Finding Love and Connection Through Yoga: Lessons from Flor Villazan’s Journey

Yoga and dance have long been celebrated for their ability to transform lives, heal wounds, and bring joy to those who practice them. Flor Villazan, a yoga instructor hailing from Caracas, Venezuela, embodies the spirit of these ancient arts. Her story is a testament to the power of discipline, devotion, and the search for deeper meaning through movement and mindfulness. In a candid conversation, she shared her journey, revealing insights into how yoga and dance have shaped her life and the lives of her students.

Pursuing Passion: The Journey from Venezuela to New York

Flor’s journey began in Caracás, Venezuela, where her passion for dance first took root. Despite starting later than most, at the age of 19, Flor quickly fell in love with modern dance and realized it was an essential part of her soul. “It was like I needed to dance,” she recalls. Her passion led her to New York, a city brimming with opportunities for aspiring dancers.

Finding her footing in New York was not without challenges. As an immigrant with limited resources, Flor faced the daunting task of establishing herself in a foreign city. With only $200 to her name, she often spent nights riding the subway as she waited for opportunities to arise. However, her determination and love for dance sustained her. “It was great because I was dancing. It was not even a struggle to be on the subway,” she reveals.

Eventually, Flor would transition from dance to yoga, finding a new form of expression that resonated deeply with her spirit. Her story is a powerful reminder that passion and perseverance can open doors even in the most challenging circumstances.

Viewing Life as Yoga: A Transformative Perspective

Flor’s move to New York wasn’t just a new chapter in her dance career; it was also the beginning of her journey into yoga. After a fortuitous encounter in a gym class, she was introduced to Dharma Mittra, a renowned yoga teacher who would become her primary mentor. This meeting was transformative. Flor describes her first visit to Dharma’s studio as an overwhelming emotional experience: “As soon as I entered the studio, I just cried… there was so much love in that place.”

This pivotal moment set the stage for her lifelong dedication to yoga, with its principles influencing every aspect of her life. “Everything is yoga,” Flor declares, indicating her belief that yoga isn’t confined to the mat but is a way of life. Her commitment is evident in the fact that she travels from Long Island to Manhattan multiple times a week to learn from Dharma.

By viewing every interaction and task through the lens of yoga, Flor finds joy and love in the everyday. This mindset invites her students and readers to consider how embracing such a perspective could lead to richer, more joyful lives.

The Intertwined Harmony of Music, Dance, and Yoga

Flor’s passion for music complements her yoga practice beautifully. A proponent of bhakti yoga, or devotional practice, she integrates music and chanting into her teaching. Flor began exploring music with mantras, and over time, discovered the power of singing and how it can be a channel for divine expression. “Please, sing through me,” she describes as her mantra, allowing her music to flow effortlessly and authentically.

Her connection to music and nature is profound, illustrated by her experiences with animals responding to her music. In Switzerland, playing tunes with a friend, birds joined in rhythmically, demonstrating the universal language of music. “They’re very receptive to sounds, to words… when we express them with love, they know they come right away,” Flor shares.

Such interactions highlight how music, dance, and yoga are not isolated activities but are deeply interconnected, fostering community, love, and joy across species and cultures. Her experience suggests that embracing these practices in unity can nurture our connections with the world around us.

Whether through her stories of personal transformation, her devotion to her guru, or her love of music, Flor Villazan embodies the profound impact that yoga, dance, and music can have on one’s life. Her journey invites us to explore these arts as channels for love, connection, and self-discovery, showing that by embracing discipline and devotion, we too can find our unique paths to fulfillment.

Check out: 👇
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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 
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LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin 

Jeremy Frindel on Vipassana, Filmmaking & The Doctor from India

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Jeremy Frindel on Vipassana, meditation, filmmaking & The Doctor from India

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Jeremy Frindel to explore how a 10-day Vipassana silent retreat, meditation, and yoga have shaped his creative path and storytelling.

Jeremy is best known for directing The Doctor from India and One Track Heart(featuring Krishna Das). His work blends documentary filmmaking with spirituality, Eastern philosophy, and human connection. He is also the creative director of AyurPrana Plus, a streaming platform dedicated to conscious and spiritual content.

We discuss meditation, mindfulness, creativity, and the impact of silence—and how a consistent spiritual practice can influence filmmaking, purpose, and personal growth.

Key Topics:

  • Vipassana meditation and silent retreats
  • Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness
  • Documentary filmmaking and storytelling
  • The Doctor from India and Krishna Das
  • AyurPrana Plus and spiritual streaming
  • Creativity, purpose, and personal growth

Visit Jeremy:
https://www.ayurpranaplus.com/

https://www.instagram.com/substratumfilms/

Crafting Stories of Connection and Spirit in Cinema

In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, the art of storytelling remains pivotal in bridging the gap between diverse cultural experiences and personal spiritual journeys. Through an intimate conversation with Jeremy Frindel, a filmmaker and creative director of the storytelling platform AyurPrana Plus, we glean insights into how one can marry creativity with spirituality, offering profound connections and transformative narratives.

Embracing the Transformative Power of Storytelling

As the discussion unfolds, the notion of storytelling as a transformative tool emerges as a central theme. Jeremy Frindel recalls his initial reluctance to adopt shorter filmmaking formats, given his roots in feature-length documentaries. “I initially rejected and resented doing shorter form stuff,” he notes, admitting a bias towards cinema’s traditional scope. Yet, his venture into creating short films led Jeremy to appreciate the narrative’s power even in brief formats. “You can really create an experience…of a different person who is living beautifully or doing something interesting,” he shares, highlighting how accessibility and quick consumption foster connectivity in our digital age.

This adaptability is not merely a concession to modernity but an opportunity to share impactful stories with a wider audience. His platform, AyurPrana Plus, stands as a testament to this merging of tradition with new-age needs, birthing a “place to bring stories…that are not a clean fit in any kind of more mainstream scenario,” but are nonetheless crucial narratives of human experience.

Harmonizing Passion and Profession

Bringing art and spiritual depth into the same fold manifests profoundly in Jeremy’s career journey, where his personal experiences with yoga and meditation significantly impacted his professional path. His transformative encounter with Vipassana meditation, a disciplined 10-day silent retreat, signaled a pivotal shift. “Everything changed for me after that,” he reflects, as the practice redefined his priorities and propelled him towards a seamless integration of his spiritual and creative vocations.

This balance resonates in his approach to filmmaking, where he sees art not only as an expression but as an exploration of the ‘muddier realms’ of human nature. “To me, it’s about…composting the suffering in our lives and growing from that,” Jeremy articulates, leveraging film to dive deep into stories that might otherwise fade into silence, capturing the essence of personal transformation while reaching broader audiences.

Navigating Technology with Intent

A unique aspect of the conversation illuminates Jeremy’s perspective on technology’s role in bridging spirituality and media. As platforms like AyurPrana Plus surface, they embody the aspiration of becoming ‘angels in the machine’—a concept invoking the potential for technology to serve as a vessel for grace and enlightenment rather than distraction.

Jeremy envisions AyurPrana Plus as a sanctuary where artfully crafted content “releases beauty and a sense of guiding people towards spirit.” Yet, the challenge remains how to maintain the sanctity of spiritual sharing in an overwhelmingly digital environment that often prioritizes speed over substance. This approach urges creators to adapt and innovate, ensuring technology complements rather than competes with human connection.

The Canvas of Connection

Ultimately, the journey discussed in the transcript highlights a profound synergy between art, technology, and spirituality—a confluence that fosters community even in isolation. Through platforms like AyurPrana Plus, stories of resilience, spirituality, and creativity find their way into the broader zeitgeist, inspiring and uplifting audiences across the globe. Developing platforms as spaces for transformation rather than mere consumption reflects a potent blend of creative foresight and spiritual conviction.

Jeremy Frindel’s odyssey underscores the significance of crafting and consuming media that nourishes the soul, inviting audiences to see beyond the superficial allure of the screen and savor deeper, timeless truths found in the stories of human experience and spiritual energy distributed through a digital lens. As these narratives continue to evolve, they serve as a reminder of the potential in harmonizing our passions with professional pursuits, ensuring that technology, art, and spirituality collectively elevate the human spirit.

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Empath & Psychic Abilities with Polly Green: How to Trust Your Intuition | Native Yoga Toddcast

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In this episode of the Native Yoga Toddcast, Todd sits down with Polly Green, a professional empath, psychic, and medium, to explore intuition, empath abilities, psychic awareness, and spiritual growth.

Polly’s journey is both inspiring and unique. From growing up as a highly sensitive child in a challenging household to adventuring as a whitewater kayaker, Polly’s early experiences shaped her awareness of energy, emotions, and intuition. Her path led her to India and Bali, where she deepened her spiritual practice through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, strengthening her connection to her empathic and psychic abilities.

Now based in California, Polly works with clients to understand and navigate their empathic gifts, strengthen intuition, and live with clarity and confidence.

Whether you are an empath seeking guidance, someone exploring psychic abilities, or simply curious about spiritual growth and intuition, this episode provides practical insights, inspiring stories, and tools for personal transformation.

Visit Polly Green: https://www.pollyandtheotherside.com/

Key Takeaways from this Episode

  • Understanding Empathy: How empaths feel others’ emotions and how to manage emotional overwhelm.
  • Cultural Influence: Lessons from India and Bali on spiritual practices, intuition, and energy awareness.
  • Intuition & Spiritual Guidance: How listening to your inner voice and connecting with spiritual entities can bring clarity and support.
  • Overcoming Fears: Using fear as a catalyst for personal growth, adventure, and unexpected opportunities.

Understanding Empathic Capacities: Embracing Psychic and Mediumship Abilities

In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals unwittingly walk the path of the empath without understanding the depth and breadth of its scope. Polly Green, a guest on Todd’s insightful series, shares her exceptional journey in navigating the empathetic waters and embracing psychic and medium capabilities. As Todd curious asked, “What does it mean to be an empath?” Polly replies with clarity, sketching a vivid picture of an empath’s life as filled with depth and emotion—often overwhelming without proper tools to manage other people’s feelings as if they were their own.

This transcript reveals that understanding the nuances separating empathic, psychic, and medium abilities bridges a significant ethical and existential gap. An empath, according to Polly, may feel “overwhelmed in crowds,” and often burdens others’ emotions as their own. Meanwhile, a psychic derives information beyond mere senses, rooted in clear senses such as clairsentience and clairvoyance. A medium, delineates the spiritual realm, acting as a connector with those who’ve crossed over.

Exploring these distinctions creates depth in understanding one’s abilities, as Polly emphasizes by reflecting on her medium experiences and the overarching journey of self-discovery through these prismatic perspectives. Her journey imparts crucial insight into aligning metaphysical abilities with empathetic understanding to channel overwhelming emotions productively.

Following Intuition: Trusting Spiritual Guidance

Through Polly’s narratives of stunning adventures and encounters, the undercurrent of intuition runs deep. Contrasting her time kayaking in nature with experiences in India’s spiritually energized landscapes, she recounts a profound manifestation of intuitive guidance, affirming the innate human ability to tap into a higher consciousness. She states, “Your loved ones on the other side want to help you… but we have to ask,” highlighting the symbiotic relationship between intuition and spiritual assistance.

Trusting that inner voice is not merely an abstract concept but a beacon guiding transformative personal journeys. For Polly, mastering the art of listening to intuitive whispers navigated her to unexpected terrains, like motorcycling across India’s rugged landscapes. It’s a testament to trusting oneself even when it leads to frightening or unconventional paths, suggesting that personal growth flourishes most in realms beyond our comfort zones.

Encouragingly, Polly advises, “Take that road,” advocating for empowerment through intuition. Her emphasis is undeniably inspiring, reminding us that by tuning into internal guidance, we become architects of our destiny, capable of unlocking untapped potentials that lie beyond apprehension’s threshold.

Overcoming Cultural Misconceptions: Integrating Empathic Abilities in Daily Life

Empathic abilities, while inherently valuable, often conflict with societal norms, particularly in Western cultures where skepticism towards metaphysical experiences prevails. Polly recounts cultural contrasts, underscoring that India’s spiritual environments contrast starkly with Western materialism, symbolized humorously when she mentions, “Target is like the temple of America.”

Polly encourages rethinking preconceived societal notions, illuminating that spirituality’s intersection with Western paradigms is burgeoning through increasing acceptance, informed by scientific revelations, particularly within quantum mechanics. This emerging narrative, explicated by Polly’s acknowledgment of Joe Dispenza’s work, reflects a cultural shift towards embracing a more expansive reality, integrating spiritual practices without derogating them as “woo-woo.”

Guiding others in overcoming misconceptions, Polly champions an individual’s power to reshape their internal landscape. She advises caution in navigating the darker energies inherent in spiritual practices, poignantly illustrated by her experiences in Bali’s dualistic spiritual climate. Recognizing these energies, she advocates for “energetic boundaries” and discernment to cultivate safe practices untainted by cultural fear.

Polly’s dialogues with Todd provide a multifaceted exploration of living authentically as a spiritually attuned individual. The key resonates in a harmonious dance between recognizing empathic gifts, channeling intuition, and reconciling spiritual experiences with cultural paradigms, thereby crafting a life replete with purpose and resilience. Her story, painted with breathtaking adventures and profound epiphanies, underscores a universal truth: that our potential lies in embracing the vastness of our inner worlds, echoing the universe’s eternal call.

Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out: 👇
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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 
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LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin

John Denney – Enhancing Athletic Performance With Meditation And The Harmony Exercises

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John Denney is the Minister of Unity of Jupiter and a coach for Olympic-level athletes. He has been practicing The Harmony Exercise, a meditation technique, since 1985. John is also a paddleboarding enthusiast and has had the opportunity to surf with some of the world’s best surfers, including Laird Hamilton and Kelly Slater.

Visit John on his website: https://theharmonyexercise.com/
Also on his website: https://john-denney.com/

Click here to listen to podcast for FREE with John Denney

Key Takeaways:

  • Unity Church is a metaphysical Christian church that focuses on practical Christianity and the application of spiritual principles in daily life.
  • The Harmony Exercise is a meditation technique that helps control the body’s physiology through conscious breathing and positive thinking.
  • Most athletes struggle with controlling their temper and tension, but learning to regulate their breath and thoughts can improve their performance.
  • In surfing and other sports, being in a state of flow and surrendering to the power of nature can lead to peak performance.
  • Daily practice and finding inner peace are essential for personal growth and making a positive impact on the world.

Native Yoga Toddcast: A Journey to Harmony and Self-Improvement

Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast, where we bring you inspirational speakers in the field of yoga, massage, bodywork, and beyond. In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting John Denney, the Minister of Unity of Jupiter. John is a dedicated practitioner of the Harmony Exercise, a meditation technique he has been practicing for over seven years. He is also a paddleboarding enthusiast and a coach for Olympic-level athletes. Join us as we delve into John’s journey, his insights, and the strategies he employs to help individuals achieve their highest potential.

The Path to Unity Church

John’s journey to becoming the Minister of Unity of Jupiter began with a vision he had for the position. He had been a guest speaker at the church for about a year and had always been drawn to its teachings. After serving on the board for many years and receiving positive feedback from the congregation, he decided to give it a try. Unity Church is a metaphysical Christian denomination that focuses on practical Christianity and the application of spiritual principles in everyday life. John believes that religion should help individuals navigate their relationships, business, and personal challenges, and Unity Church provides a platform for this practical approach to spirituality.

The Harmony Exercise: A Path to Self-Improvement

John’s daily meditation practice, known as the Harmony Exercise, has been a cornerstone of his life since 1985. This meditation technique was taught to him by a man named Carl Writer, who was an astrologer to the stars. The Harmony Exercise involves a 12-minute meditation that focuses on physical and mental relaxation, conscious breathing, and the cultivation of positive thoughts. John and his wife, Barry, have been practicing this meditation together since they first learned it, and it has become a foundation of their marriage.

The Harmony Exercise has had a profound impact on John’s life. He has experienced significant improvements in his physical and mental health, including weight loss and reduced stress levels. He has also noticed a shift in his relationship with alcohol, as his focus on health and well-being became more important than his desire for alcohol. Through his daily practice, John has cultivated a sense of inner peace and happiness that has positively influenced every aspect of his life.

Coaching Olympic-Level Athletes: Controlling Temper and Tension

As a coach for Olympic-level athletes, John has observed a common stumbling block that many athletes face: the inability to control their temper and tension. He believes that most people have never learned how to control their emotions and thoughts effectively. Through his coaching, John teaches athletes the importance of conscious breathing, positive thinking, and emotional regulation. By learning to control their physiology and redirect their thoughts, athletes can perform at their peak and achieve greater success.

John emphasizes the power of conscious breathing in controlling tension and temper. By taking slow, deep breaths, individuals can activate their parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and reduces stress. This simple technique can have a profound impact on an athlete’s performance and overall well-being. John also encourages athletes to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations, as this can shift their mindset and improve their mental state.

The Power of Choice and Unity

John believes that unity and common ground are essential in today’s divided world. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that we are all moving in the same direction, regardless of our religious or cultural backgrounds. Unity Church incorporates teachings from various religions and emphasizes the common principles found in all faiths. John encourages individuals to choose love over hate and to focus on creating harmony in their relationships and interactions with others.

The Legacy of Harmony and Self-Improvement

As John embarks on his role as the Minister of Unity of Jupiter, he hopes to inspire individuals to cultivate inner peace, happiness, and harmony. His goal is to help individuals become light bearers who radiate positivity and make a difference in the world. John believes that by focusing on personal growth and self-improvement, individuals can create a ripple effect that positively impacts their families, communities, and the world at large.

In conclusion, John Denney’s journey to harmony and self-improvement is a testament to the power of daily practice and the pursuit of inner peace. Through his dedication to the Harmony Exercise and his coaching of Olympic-level athletes, John has witnessed the transformative effects of conscious breathing, positive thinking, and emotional regulation. His role as the Minister of Unity of Jupiter allows him to share these teachings with a wider audience and inspire individuals to live a life of harmony and happiness. By choosing love over hate and focusing on personal growth, individuals can create a positive impact on the world and leave a lasting legacy of unity and self-improvement.

Note: This article is based on a transcript from the Native Yoga Toddcast episode featuring John Denney. All quotes are verbatim and directly from the transcript.

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Veronique Ory – Shine On and Off the Mat

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Episode #101 – Veronique Ory – Shine On and Off the Mat

Have a listen to this informative and inspirational conversation I had the pleasure of having with Veronique Ory.  

Visit Veronique on her website here: www.yogawithveronique.com
And follow her on IG here: @veroniqueory

Originally from Montreal, Quebec, and currently living in Vero Beach, Florida. Veronique studied theatre at Russell Sage College and discovered yoga as a way to calm her mind and feel good. With over 500 hours of training as a RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance), she is inspired off the mat to create unique and creative yoga classes. Classes are tailored based on the setting, students, and inspirational themes. Her goal is to empower and inspire her students to shine their light. She offers precise alignment cues, as well as modifications for students who are healing an injury or expressing beginner to advanced levels of practice. When guiding, she uses descriptive words and tune in to when to be silent, so that each student can simply breathe.

You can listen to the full podcast here for free.

Todd McLaughlin

Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast. I’m so excited to introduce to you Veronique Ory. She has a website yogawithveronique.com. She has an Instagram @VeronicaOry. All of those links are in the description below. She has a brand new book Shine On and Off the Mat, which we speak about during this podcast. Also, she has a virtual program called Coming Home. And she’s offering a yoga retreat in June down in Costa Rica. That sounds amazing. So I really enjoyed speaking with Veronique. She’s so nice. I loved it. I can’t wait for you to hear it. Let’s begin. 

I’m so happy to have Veronique Ory here today. How are you? 

Veronique Ory

I’m so well. How are you, Todd? 

Todd McLaughlin

I’m doing really well. Thank you so much for joining me today on our podcast. I really appreciate it. 

Veronique Ory

Thank you for having me.

Todd McLaughlin

I can hear some birds in the background. I can see you and I can see your house behind you…. but what are you looking at?

Veronique Ory

Yes, I’m facing this beautiful preserve. There’s a giant oak tree right in front of me that is protecting me with a beautiful orchid that’s in bloom attached to the side of it. And there’s amazing Cardinals and mockingbirds and all the Florida wildlife that emerges from the trees from time to time. Squirrels and bunnies and sometimes bobcats and armadillos.

Todd McLaughlin

Yes. That’s cool. And I noticed your dog came up to you since we’ve been chatting. Is that your dog?

Veronique Ory

Yes, my Yogi pet Bowery. He likes to sit with me when I am in baddha konasana, butterfly pose. He thinks that is the perfect place to sit on my meditation cushion with me.

Todd McLaughlin

That’s great. You would have to pay someone to assist you like that normally, but it sounds like you have a full time personal assistant.

Veronique Ory

Yeah, yeah, we have a fine exchange going on.

Todd McLaughlin

Nice. I was really excited to see that you’re located in Vero Beach, Florida. We’re not far away from each other. There’s so much building and development going on around here that the wildlife is getting pushed out. To hear beautiful bird sounds like that I’d maybe think you are in Costa Rica or down in the Amazon or something. To hear that you’re right here in Florida and there’s so many birds in the background reminds me of how much natural beauty there is here in Florida. You’re originally from Canada, is that correct?

Veronique Ory

Yes, Montreal in Quebec.

Todd McLaughlin

How did you make your way to Florida?

Veronique Ory

Oh, my so many different cities along the way. I was

In a theatre company called Athena theatre and was very much immersed in the arts, which then led me to New York City for nine years. When I was in the world of immersion and a vibrant and energetic feeling that was so alive with all the different languages and feeling so just lit up by culture and all that there is to explore I also was confronted with a lot of anxiety. And as I found yoga and was getting older and really was craving the house with the yard and a bit of sunshine boost. I’ve landed in Florida four years ago, just really wanting that upgrade and quality of life. I really feel that Vero Beach is just so peaceful. It’s such a quaint little beach town and I really love it here.

Todd McLaughlin

I love Vero! My son and I will go up there and go surfing. The waves are often a little bit better up there. Depending upon which angle the swell it can vary greatly in relation to here in Palm Beach County. I love taking a road trip to Vero. It always feels a little bit more like Old Florida to me when I go there.

Veronique Ory

Hmm, cool. Yeah, it’s, it’s a little tucked away. And it’s a little bit far from the major airports. So it isn’t so congested, like the major cities on the east coast of Florida in particular, I’ve noticed though people have started to fly down. The snowbirds are definitely here in full effect. This year I’ve been definitely feeling the difference for sure.

Todd McLaughlin

Big time. I mean, the weather here right now is so amazing. Like lately, the skies have been like crystal clear blue. And it’s like in the high 70s. It’s been absolutely amazing. So I agree the traffic is just so much more intense right now because of it.

Veronique Ory

Yeah. Yeah, there’s definitely a trend of wanting to embrace more sunshine. It definitely affects the way that you just stand and breathe and walk around. Yeah, I was marveling yesterday walking Bowery, like, there isn’t a single cloud in the sky. Am I living in a reality?

Todd McLaughlin

Was the weather absolutely amazing yesterday or what? I was like, Oh my gosh, I had that kind of moment, like, so nice. I agree. I agree. When did yoga come into the picture?

Veronique Ory

2012 is when it really landed. I had sort of nibbles over the years and I really came into it in 2012. At the sort of wake of Hurricane Sandy in New York City where all the subways closed down and we were just holed up in our apartment just waiting for the sign that it was safe to move around. And the yoga studio called the Yoga Room in Astoria and Queens opened up and my roommate Matt at the time said, “Do you want to go to this class?” And it was just sort of like this off handed…. Do you want to do this? And he probably could have said anything. And I would have been like, Yeah, let’s go. And it was one of those everything in life coming together kind of moments. That class rocked me to my core, it was so beautifully done. And one of those moments, you know, for anyone who’s landed into this sphere, it’s like you show up and you’re like, how did this teacher know exactly what I needed to hear at this precise moment, and I just signed up for a 30 day unlimited pass on the spot. And I just thought I want to feel like this all of my days. And I’ve been really into that rhythm ever since.

Todd McLaughlin

That’s cool. What type of practice was it?

Veronique Ory

It was a Vinyasa style class for the first 60 minutes and then the ending 30 minutes was restorative. And so we were just snuggled up with bolsters and blankets and just steeping in all of the movement that we moved through.

Todd McLaughlin

Very cool. Did you have like an emotional experience? Sometimes a lot of people will talk about the first time they go into Savasana after their first yoga class….. that they’ll have like a coming home experience and or feel their senses in a way that they’ve never felt? Can you explain a little bit more what you remember of that first practice?

Veronique Ory

Absolutely, I felt so much during that time because I was operating at such a high functioning, stress building rhythm. And I very much attribute myself lovingly as Type A, OCD and high achieving. I wanted to do all of the things and check off all of the tasks. And I think because I had been operating at that pace for so long, it wasn’t until I slowed down that I was able to objectively see how very much that this lifestyle isn’t healthy or sustainable in the long term at all. And I realized how much of those emotions I was storing in my body. And so much of what I’d call happiness, or my level of contentment was like so much in relationship to validation outside of myself, being in the entertainment industry. If I would receive praise in one moment I would be feeling jubilation. Then someone could give me shade and I would be wrecked. This could happen in like a 15 minute window where like I’m so ecstatic one moment, and then like bawling on the floor, in my kitchen like a puddle the next moment. And I think, you know, depending on any industry one is in, there could be that tendency you know. Like you’re seeking a raise, or you’re seeking a kind word from your boss, or whatever it is. And it’s like, when we’re constantly reaching for something outside of ourselves, we are really giving our light and our magic away. And also just like, playing with that area of where our own control habits reside. It’s really, really toxic, ultimately, in terms of finding that sense of peacefulness, and remembering what it is to actually be in this deep contentment. That is devoid of the exterior, which is, you know, so much easier said than done. But, you know, it was some of the things that started to kind of plant the seed in those regards of moving through these emotions. Unlocking so much stress and anxiety and also like, really noticing where the triggers show up. The triggers are like very at the surface when you’re living in an urban environment in particular, because you’re just like, wrestled, and sort of jostled, and with so much different energy all of the time that if you’re an empath, or you know, in tune with other people’s emotions even a little bit, you know, as human beings, we’re sponges, we tend to like pick up on the energy that we surround ourselves with. And so to be in that frequency for an extended period of time, the yoga practice was just like, so soothing. And it was just this amazing breath of fresh air. I could feel a resonant connection to the breath. I don’t know that I was breathing with any kind of awareness until then. And the breath part was actually also one of the main components that really awakened a lot of my personal yoga practice as well.

You can listen to the full episode for free here: https://nativeyogacenter.buzzsprout.com

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