Yoga Podcast with the JivaDiva

If you've ever felt anxious about teaching yoga, or guiding people through a transformative experience, then you have suffered from imposter syndrome.

Alanna talks about overcoming your fears and anxiety and ensuring you have everything you need to create the greatest impact possible with your gifts.

Whether you're a yoga teacher, astrologer, tarot reader, reiki master, or any other kind of spiritual leader, make sure you are armed with what you need to step into your full power and potential!

As yoga teachers and spiritual leaders, we desire to help everyone ... but can we? The success of our business and the impact we are able to make on the world is contingent on our ability to clearly define exactly who we can help ... and how! In this podcast, Alanna discusses the importance of niching down and getting super clear on the audience you can best serve and the pain points you can best solve in their lives.

Astrology has been an age-old skill for mystics and spiritual practitioners. Astrology is psychology, and it gives us insights into our patterns, habits, and tendencies. Understanding astrology allows us to emphasize the highest expression of our true nature and manifest our fullest potential. The most important part of our natal charts are the sun, moon, and rising sign. Learn what these mean, and why they are such important elements of what makes you you!

We are more than just a body and mind. We are spirit, too! While modern psychology typically overlooks the spirit, we can reintegrate all the parts of our psyche through a deeper understanding of spiritual psychology. In this podcast, Alanna shares insights into spiritual psychology, the parts of the psyche, the importance of depth psychology, and weaves it together with an understanding of yoga philosophy, and modern alchemy.

More than ever before, yoga teachers and other spiritual practitioners are being called into spiritual leadership. People need guidance, and support on their biggest life questions: Who am I? What is my purpose? Am I on the right path? The spiritual leader is primed to provide this guidance, but proper training is required. Learn more about what skills and training you need, and how to step into your role as a spiritual leader.

While 2020 seems to continuously bring us conflict, elevating anxiety, and wreaking havoc on our mindscapes, there is a way to escape it all: through a carefully crafted gratitude meditation. This particular practice has long been the balm on the weary soul of students, and this meditation will bring light and joy to your heart. Note: The music portion contains the chant, Gam gam gam ganapataye namaha, Ganesha Sharanam. This chant invokes Ganesh, remover of obstacles.

2020 brings with it so many challenges, so much grief, and so many reasons to connect to our sensuality, eros, and wildness. The practice of embodied sexuality is deeply therapeutic in order to help us overcome grief to achieve greater states of pleasure. Kait Singley teaches us the importance of erotic embodiment as a spiritual practice, and offers practical tools to embark on the journey!

Spiritual leaders and yogis often struggle with what to eat based on ethics and belief systems. Registered Dietician, yogi, and funcitonal nutritionist, Kylie Fagnano, walks us through how to ethically make the best decisions for your health to keep you strong and fit to serve others with your gifts. She provides practical advice on discovering a new level of health and guidance on the warning signs of how what you eat may be impairing your wellbeing.

As a yoga teacher, it is likely you have experienced the perils of working in the yoga industry. Whether it be wage theft, devaluation, shady hiring practices, or something else...you deserve better. Emily Stewart, founder of Group Fitness Instructors United and The Kaivalya Yoga Method Academy lead mentor, is creating a groundswell of support for her union that helps to protect yoga teachers and raise their level of work to a legitimized and protected career path.

The primary tool of the yoga instructor and spiritual leader is the voice! How do we ensure that everything we say in class lands with compassionate direction? We tune up our cues, refine how we say things, and elevate our speech (and silence). Director of The Kaivalya Yoga Method Academy online teacher training, Andrew Hoffman, joins the podcast in this episode to give his essential insights!

On our journey to becoming extraordinary yoga teachers and spiritual leaders, we often receive feedback and support on how to grow and become better. Whether it be via tests, video uploads, or one-on-one coaching, the ability to take feedback and use it for growth, rather than as an obstacle is critical. Alyssa Arroyo, lead mentor on The Kaivalya Yoga Method Academy online teacher training, shares with us unique ways to grow and change as a spiritual leader -- and human! -- in the midst of challenge.

Mythology and ritual help us discover more about ourselves, move through challenging times, connect to something greater than ourselves, and engage us in our community. No one knows this better than Kwame Scruggs, founder of Alchemy Inc., an organization that works with youth to give them a mythological structure within which to grow and thrive. Learn how spiritual leadership is a required element of the process of growth and transformation!

One of the ways in which we participate in activism daily is through our food choices. As yogis and spiritual leaders, we want to make the most compassionate choices possible! One of these choices is supporting regenerative farmers like Jenni Harris, and her family. They have been running White Oak Pastures for five generations and challenge themselves to be the best stewards of land and animals possible. Hear Jenni talk about holistic farming, and how she and her family honor the purpose of the animals, plants, and people on her farm!

In light of recent police violence against people of color, including the death of George Floyd, our country has reached a boiling point. This podcast features social activist, yoga teacher, and mindfulness practitioner, Shawn J. Moore, who provides us with thoughtful strategies to lean into this evolution as spiritual leaders so we can better support ourselves and our community to create positive change.

Feminine energy has long been repressed, dismissed, and even forgotten. Take some time to rediscover the power of the feminine and learn more about its place as an essential energy of the universe. Along with the masculine, the feminine influences our life, practice, relationship, culture, and existence. Get to the heart of human nature -- of your nature! -- by learning more about how to honor the feminine and find a sense of equality between these two polarities.

It is more important than ever to have an online presence as a yoga teacher and spiritual leader. With people at home and sheltering in place due to COVID-19, we must reach them where they are: at home! You have the tools of yoga which expressly help your audience mitigate stress and anxiety as a result of this crisis. It is critical that you provide them with offerings that give them the tools they need...by going online!

Yoga teachers are deeply affected by this pandemic with yoga studios closures. On the flip side, yoga students are now bereft of a primary source of comfort and camaraderie during this crisis…which is so needed. Yoga teachers need to step up into their roles as spiritual leaders and support their communities through this crisis. Alanna discusses ways to maintain spiritual and emotional wellbeing while continuing to responsibly connect to your community, even while practicing social distancing.

We often find ourselves in front of groups of people as spiritual leaders, and sometimes that means being with negative energy that we can't control. What can we do about it? This podcast covers techniques to maintain a high vibe and elevated energy, because it is so important for your success as a spiritual leader. Some of the tools Alanna shares with you on this podcast may surprise you! But, all will help to keep you in the highest vibration possible for the important work you do.

Modern Mystic and Alchemical Astrologer, Shellie Crow, joins us on the podcast to talk about bringing forth the feminine in astrology and modern life. Through her deep dive into women and gender studies, as well as all things mystical, Shellie has developed a unique niche and perspective in the way she utilizes astrology as a tool of empowerment and change for today's practitioner. Learn how, regardless of gender, how you can bring forth more of the feminine, and why it's so important!

As yoga teachers and spiritual leaders, we are small business owners...whether we like it or not! It is through empowering ourselves as entrepreneurs that we are able to actually make more impact with our gifts. At the heart of building our spiritual businesses is successful branding, which starts with getting super clear about who you are, who you serve, and what problem you solve. In this podcast, we explore the power of niching down, and telling your story through your brand so you can reach your unique audience and make a big impact with your business!

The month of February is all about love! Let's talk self-love, compassion, and forgiveness in terms of Metta (or, Maitri in Sanskrit), the practice of loving-kindness. This is one of the most powerful practices we can employ as spiritual leaders. It elevates our mind, and keeps our hearts clear so that we may absorb all the powerful benefits of our practice. Learn the background of the loving-kindness practice, as well as it's roots in the yoga tradition. Plus, you learn how to do a Metta meditation practice, so you can start opening your heart right away!

Money is often a dirty word in the yoga and spiritual communities, and the idea that we should make money as spiritual entrepreneurs is often ridiculed, shunned, and shamed. This is an outdated way of thinking, and that belief system keeps us small and impoverished. Listen to Alanna share her insights of two decades of wading through this particular challenge, and coming out the other side with a multi-six figure business. She offers specific tips and tricks to elevate your spiritual entrepreneurship and embrace your inherent value.

You've heard Alanna talk about this concept in previous podcasts: Spiritual Leadership. Hear her talk about why this is such a critical role to be filled in our modern day culture by mystics such as yourself. Learn the history of what lead us here...to this gaping god-sized hole in our collective psyches...and how as spiritual leaders, we assist our students, clients, and community in navigating this treacherous landscape. Learn the pitfalls of not addressing this void, and the best ways to step up into your role as a spiritual leader. You are being called to do this...the time is now!

Traditionally, at the beginning of any year, we look for ways to optimize our lives in the coming months. Mystics of old have long had methods of divination to assist in positive planning, and looking forward to create opportunities. This is not fortune telling! Rather, it is a way to commune with the subtler aspects of the psyche to bring forth what is already within us. This allows us to make the best choices for ourselves and take advantage of the energies at hand. For us as modern mystics, one of the great tools of divination is the tarot deck. In this podcast, Alanna introduces you to the concept of modern divination, and gives a brief overview of the tarot deck and how you can add it to your practice of spiritual leadership.

January is the perfect time to recommit to your spiritual practice. But, is your practice really working for you? In this podcast, Alanna goes through why your practice may not actually be working, how to make it work better, what it means for it "to work," and she shares the ultimate goal of yoga and spiritual practice. Starting on Jan 9, she leads the 28 day Total Transformation challenge, giving you the opportunity to commit to a practice that works for you and fits into your life! Join her here: https://alannak.securechkout.com/ttchallenge

The end of 2019 and beginning of 2020 highlight a couple of major astrological events...things that should not go unnoticed by the mystic! This podcast previews what to look for, and arms you with knowledge you need to understand the purpose and place of the planets in the mystic's everyday life. Astrology is one of the great tools in the mystic's repertoire, and this podcast illustrates how the planets make us unique, while embodying archetypal human realities.

December is our time for introspection and inquiry into the darkest parts of ourselves...and it's perfect timing because the Winter Solstice is upon us! The winter solstice on December 21st has long been celebrated by ancient people (and mystics!) as an important time both spiritually and psychologically. In this podcast, Alanna illuminates the darkness of this historic tradition, and gives it a modern context. She invites you to celebrate the solstice with her and get ready for the coming of the return to the light!

The holidays are here! Learn Alanna's 3 secrets to prioritizing self-care and surviving the season like a spiritual superstar. Even the mystics and healers forget to heal themselves once in a while, but this is no time of year to slack. It turns out that putting your well-being first actually facilitates your spiritual leadership skills, and allows you to tap in more deeply to your mystical practices!

After a bit of a hiatus, Alanna Kaivalya is back to podcasting! In this fresh take on her award-winning podcast, she opens the conversation up to Modern Mystics. This podcast talks about what a Modern Mystic is – someone who practices (or teaches!) yoga, astrology, alchemy, psychology, spirituality, divination, ritual, and mythology. If these topics interest you, light your fire, or otherwise excite you, you are in the right place! In this (re)introduciton, Alanna covers exactly what a Modern Mystic is, and why their work is so important in the world today!

For more information, visit: alannak.com

For a $1 trial of the HigherEducation.Yoga membership, visit: highereducation.yoga/trial

Have you ever considered how important it is to take time and practice self-care in order to generate creativity and growth for your yoga business?

Alanna was reminded of this on a recent team retreat to Belize, and she wants to share her insights and three actionable tips that will help you shift your mindset and change the game immediately. Whether you are at the beginning of your yoga career, focusing on teaching as many classes per week as possible, or up-leveling your yoga biz to go online, this episode empowers and inspires you to put yourself first and prioritize your self-care for success!

Many teachers are never taught specifically how to develop a confident presence with the voice and use high-level communication skills to present not just movements…but meaning. These are skills we must learn, just like anything else in our practice. Most of us need additional work on our speaking skills.

If this is something we’ve never examined, then we have a tremendous amount to gain by taking a look at how we use our words to deliver the teachings that come from our heart.

In this podcast. Alanna teaches her most powerful and important speaking and cueing techniques that elevate you from good to great as a yoga instructor, and help you establish the kind of expertise necessary to differentiate yourself from the crowd.

Guided Gratitude Meditation!

At this time of division–whether it be the division between us personally, politically, globally, or socially–how do we begin to back out of separation and into connection? How do we let go of our judgments of others, or an us vs. them attitude, or forgive those who have wronged us?

We begin with gratitude. Gratitude alleviates fear. It dissolves painful emotion. It evolves negative thought. It reverses false belief systems. Gratitude is a miracle worker, and you can let it work for you.

This special edition of the Upward Facing Career Podcast features a guided gratitude meditation to elevate our hearts and souls and remind us of what is most important in life...each other.

Did you know that the chakras and astrology go together like peanut butter and jelly?

It turns out that each of our sacred energy centers (chakras) is ruled by a corresponding planet in the astrological system.

This podcast will go through each chakra and the associated planet and illuminate the *true* meaning of hatha yoga...the joining of the sun and the moon!

Listen for deeper insight into the chakras, astrology, yoga psychology, and how to achieve a greater level of health and wellbeing for yourself and your clients.

We hear the term "alchemy" a lot these days, but what is it really?

The alchemical traditions go back hundreds of years, but they all represented one true aim: to reach the pinnacle of consciousness known as the alchemical opus. Turning lead into gold is the metaphor for transforming our darkened consciousness into enlightenment. Yogis have been endeavoring to do this for millennia!

As it turns out, alchemy is simply a Western form of yoga, one that holds deep mystery and true promise for the modern day spiritual leader.

In this podcast, Alanna reveals the fundamental principles of alchemy, covers its vast history, and provides you with ways to incorporate its practice into your teachings.

We are here to transform our students and ourselves. But, how do we do that?

If you've ever heard of Joseph Campbell, then you know the journey of the hero is a time-honored process by which the hero must pass through certain stages to reach success.

As yogis (and as human beings!), we must also pass through these stages to elevate our psyche and soul. Understanding the psychological journey of this transformative process is key to cultivating the resilience to go through it...start to finish.

This podcast reveals the stages of the journey of the hero, and it's importance in our lives as Modern Mystics and spiritual leaders.

Many of us equate the term "vinyasa" to a flowing series of yoga postures. Is that all it is?

In this podcast, Alanna busts through the misconception that vinyasa just means "flow" and talks about its application to our life and practice as yoga teachers. Modern psychology aids this discussion with its concept of flow state – the most productive and blissful mindstate that any of us can be in at any one time.

How do we, as yoga teachers, facilitate flow? How do we allow our classes to transcend the mundane focus of "vinyasa" on the body to the elevated meaning of vinyasa as a state of mind? Learn all about how to take your yoga classes to the next (flowing!) level with this podcast!

We all have rituals. But, are we conscious of them?

Our yoga classes provide a prime opportunity to create deeply transformational rituals for our students. But, are we doing that properly?

This podcast illuminates the necessary parts of a ritual, why ritual is so important for us right now, and how you can elevate your yoga classes to the level of transformational ritual. It is through ritual that humanity (throughout history) has elevated its consciousness, created community, and processed challenging events. This is something we can facilitate within ourselves and our students if we know the secret ingredients to creating powerful rituals in our classes!

The tarot deck may seem a far-fetched compliment to yoga, but actually, it is one of the best tools we can utilize to get answers for ourselves and our clients NOW.

If your students ask you big questions like, "what should I do about my relationship?" or, "Should I change jobs?" then having a skill like the tarot is perfect for giving your students the confidence they need to pursue their fullest purpose. We, as spiritual leaders, must think outside the box and serve our clients in a different way than traditional medical or mental health practitioners.

Stepping into our power as Modern Mystics necessitates a bigger repertoire -- one that goes beyond asana. This podcast will answer questions that center around how to hone your skills as a spiritual leader, why having a divination tool like the tarot is important, and why being able to serve your clients on a spiritual level is so critical right now.

As yoga teachers, we have a different kind of access to the body than other practitioners. This podcast reveals a new way to look at the body that will serve your clients beyond what they might hear from a traditional doctor or therapist. Learn to dig deeply for the root cause of discomfort or pain, and how our roles as spiritual leaders provide a different pathway to healing for our clients.

After a 10-year hiatus Alanna Kaivalya, the Yoga Doctor, is back. What's happened in the last decade? What can you expect from the new podcast? Learn about why spiritual leadership for yoga teachers is so important. Alanna goes into what she'll be teaching about on the podcast: yoga (of course!), alchemy, astrology, spirituality, ritual, and business. Her goal with this podcast is to provide you a resource that helps you step into your role as a spiritual leader. From actionable business advice, to wisdom on yoga philosophy, she'll be bringing it all right here to this podcast.

This complete 20 minute practice will help to start your day off right. Alanna leads you through sun salutations, standing poses, backbends and headstand, and completes the sequence with a nice, long shavasana. This vigorous and challenging sequence will set a perfect intention for your day. Please check with your doctor before beginning any form of exercise, and make sure you are happy and healthy before doing this sequence. Enjoy, Namaste!