The Yogic Path of Recovery

How can the deep philosophical teachings of yoga support addiction recovery? Our guest Bryan Hyman RYT, author of Recovery with Yoga, offers inspiration and practical tools to help cultivate a powerful and purposeful life in recovery and to create a new design for living.

Brian is a yoga instructor, meditation guide, dharma teacher, author, and father. He has been clean and sober since 2009, and he has been teaching yoga and meditation at Cliffside Malibu since 2012. His dedicated work in the field of addiction treatment and recovery combines yogic philosophy, Buddhist wisdom, Twelve Step principles, and timeless insights from various spiritual traditions. His innovative teachings about healing and transformation have been featured in Whole Life Times, Mantra Wellness + Health, Yoga Digest, Sobriety Corps, and many other publications and podcasts.  He is the author of the book Recovery with Yoga: Supportive Practices for Transcending Addiction

WEBSITE: BrianHymanYoga.com FB:@brianhymanyoga IG:@brianhymanyoga
#yoga, #recovery, #honesty, #kriyayoga, #self-surrender, #meditation, #self-compassion

COMMENT FROM BRIAN: It was a pleasure to talk with Laurel. I truly appreciate the work Laurel and the Yoga Hour team are doing to make yogic principles and practices accessible to anyone who may benefit, and I am grateful for the specific questions I was asked about my work and the book. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and message of recovery on this podcast.

THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: Bryan Hyman, the author of the book Recovery with Yoga has an excellent understanding and knowledge of how yoga as a spiritual philosophy can really support  people who are in recovery from addictive substances but also for any person who is dealing with difficulties in their lives. He was passionate about how the study and practice of yoga has changed his life completely. He said he didn't know if he could have had 14 years, so far, of sobriety without yoga. Laurel began with a discussion of the Sanskrit term Satya, which is translated as truth or honesty. Bryan says that nothing can be achieved in recovery unless the person is honest with themselves about their addiction. From that they can discern what they need. He says that often, honesty will come in stages so we don't beat ourselves if we are not completely honest at first. The other topic that I thought is so useful for anyone is the topic of self-forgiveness. This is a topic that we can all relate to.  He shared that it is important to be present to now. All we have is now. If we live in the past and can't forgive ourselves for what happened in the past, we can't move forward and heal. Not forgiving ourselves takes us down a dark path. We need to do what we need to do to make amends and then move on. 
This was a very rich program and I would highly recommend it for those who in recovery or want to recover from substance abuse. There is something here that we all can benefit from.

DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: I really appreciated our discussion of how yogic principles can help us all to recover, whether we have an addiction or are trying to establish new patterns of behavior (new positive samskaras). We talked about the yogic practices that support us along our path, including honesty, self-surrender, compassion, and the importance of being in the present moment.   Brian’s advice at the end was heartfelt and helpful: do the next right thing, don’t be ashamed because you aren’t the only one who is struggling with some of these issues, ask for help  if you need it, and don’t give up.  

Reclaim Your Wholeness

Are you aligned with who you KNOW yourself to be? Tracee Stanley and Dr. Laurel Trujillo discuss the sacred path to transformation and self-remembrance. They will share yoga-based practices, meditations, and self-inquiry questions to help guide the inward journey.

Tracee Stanley is the author of the best-selling book, Radiant Rest as well as the book we are discussing today, The Luminous Self: Sacred Yogic Practices & Rituals to remember who You Are. Tracee shares teachings that are inspired by more than 20 years of study in the tradition of the Himalayan Masters and Sri Vidya Tantra. She is the creatrix of the Empowered Life Self-Inquiry Oracle Deck and host of Radiant Rest Podcast which celebrates the practices, teachers, and traditions that prioritize the rituals of rest, sacred dreaming, and self-care.

Website: TraceeStanley.com FB: @traceestanley-empoweredlife IG:tracee_stanley
#yoga #kleshas # avidya #soulwhisper #samskaras

THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: This podcast with Tracee Stanley goes deep into the age-old question of “Who am I” including the obstacles to experiencing the True Self or in her words the “Luminous Self”. Her analogy of a dirty windshield perfectly illustrates how worldly illusions cover Self-knowing. Imagine samskaras (habits and impressions in the mind) and kleshas (obstacles to spiritual growth) as bug splats on a once clean windshield. Windshield washers just make viewing through the windshield more difficult. It takes the right tools to clear the bugs/impressions. The discussion goes deep into samskaras and kleshas and clarifies how working with them helps us hold ourselves and our community in a different way.

DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: I enjoyed our discussion about the innate wholeness, luminosity, and joy of our inner Self.  I found our conversation about the Kleshas, the obstacles to our awakening, to be very rich and deep, beginning with Avidya, or the mistaken identification of ourselves with our changing body and mind.  I loved Tracee’s guidance to listen to the “whispers of the soul”, which we sometimes notice but sometimes ignore.  

The Power of Ta’i Chi

Are you ready to reconnect with the power of your life energy? Join Master Waysun Liao, T’ai Chi master and author of T’ai Chi Classics, as he shares how to feel, restore, and strengthen your inner power (c’hi) through the practice of T’ai Chi.

Master Waysun Liao has been a dedicated practitioner and teacher of traditional T'ai Chi for over fifty years, beginning as a student at a Taoist temple in his native Taiwan before later emigrating to the United States. He is considered one of the world's foremost authorities on traditional Taoist wisdom and Chi arts. He also practices herbal medicine, acupuncture, and feng-shui. Master Liao is author of numerous books, including the book we will be discussing today, T’ai Chi Classics: Illuminating the Ancient Teachings on the Art of Moving Meditation.    

THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: The interview with Master Liao discussing t'ai chi was amazing. He described the T'ai Chi Classics as simple core practices - "footprints the masters left"  - a guide to harmony in the entire universe. 
C - center
H - harmony
I - infinity
Throughout the interview the correlation between yoga and ta’i chi was brought up. Ta’i chi moving meditation helps focus on feeling and moving our life energy. It takes focus, relaxation, breath control and coordination. I particularly liked the practice he shared for listeners to begin to feel the chi energy. Another interesting and informative interview.

DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: I really enjoyed the conversation with Master Liao about Ta’i Chi and how it can help us to reconnect with the power of our life energy and help us build the ability to focus.  I was struck by the parallels between Ta’i Chi and yoga, how both systems view the body as being animated by vital energy which is called chi in Ta’i Chi and prana in yoga.  Both systems call us to reintegrate our bodies, minds, and spirits, and to reestablish our connection to the Oneness that is manifesting as all that is.  I particularly appreciated the simple exercise he described for listeners that can help them to feel this vital energy.  Both Ta’i Chi and Yoga provide practices that help us to slow down and access our original wholeness.  

Spiritual Transformation, Consciousness and the Brain

What is the relationship between consciousness, the brain and the teachings of Kriya Yoga? A.Martin Wuttke, neurotherapist, yogacharya and author of The Brain Sutras: Keys to the Revealed Consciousness, shares how understanding these connections can guide us to living a spiritually awakened, fulfilled life.

A. Martin Wuttke (Marty) Wuttke is a neurotherapist, clinician and yogacharya—an esteemed teacher of yoga. He has been teaching principles of brain, mind and consciousness as well as the teachings of Kriya Yoga for more than 40 years. As a pioneer and leading expert in the field of neurofeedback, he has treated a wide variety of disorders and assisted many on their spiritual path through his unique Wuttke Method combining ancient yogic wisdom and state-of-the-art neuroscientific approaches.  Marty and his wife, Dr. Stella Wuttke are the founders and principal practitioners of the Infinite Potential Institute located in Santa Barbara, California. Marty is also a long-time disciple of Roy Eugene Davis, direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, who is also guru of Yogacharya O’Brian. Marty has been ordained by Mr. Davis to teach and initiate others into the principles and practices of Kriya Yoga.

#kriyayoga, #neuroplasticity, #affirmations, #meditation, #RoyEugeneDavis

Website: wuttkeipi.com   Facebook: Wuttke Infinite Potential Institute  InstaGram: infinite_potential_institute

THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: I really enjoyed your conversation today with Marty Wuttke. His deep understanding of the teachings of Kriya Yoga and consciousness along with his work in neuroscience and neurofeedback brings a real sense of understanding of how these ancient spiritual teachings work in our lives. He says “You are not a body producing consciousness, but consciousness producing a body…Consciousness is the life force. He explained what consciousness is. 
He reminded us how our subconscious really affects most of what we say and do. The negative patterns (samskaras) in our mind, most of which are developed by the age of 7, don’t have to shape the trajectory of our life if we don’t want them to and he shared techniques that can support positive changes. He said that he can “guarantee” that we can experience superconsciousness with Kriya Yoga practices. We just need to be patient.  His teaching is very practical and accessible. I highly recommend this program.

DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: I enjoyed Marty Wuttke’s perspective about neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, that our brains can remodel and regenerate themselves, and do so in response to a steady meditation practice.  I found our discussion of samskaras to be very hopeful, that although we have negative patterns or habits that we fall into, we can use the same process to build new positive habits.  I also appreciated the information about affirmations, that they require focus, visualization, and positive emotion to be fully successful.  I affirm, with gratitude to Marty and to Roy Eugene Davis: “The radiant purity of my essence of being continuously illumines my mind and consciousness”. 

Awaken To Your Divine Life

The spiritual teachings of yoga tell us that our ultimate goal in life, our dharma, is to awaken fully to our divine nature and to express it. Yogacharya O’Brian shares how these ancient teachings give us tools to live in a way that brings joy to our heart, peace to others and to the world.
#kriyayoga #yoga #dharma #lifepurpose #ahimsa #svadharma

Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian is an acclaimed teacher, award-winning author, and minister who has served seekers of spiritual enlightenment from all walks of life for over thirty years. She has published several books and audio programs about meditation, mindfulness and spiritual living, offering a refreshing and authentic voice that makes timeless wisdom accessible to the modern mind. As a teacher in the tradition of Kriya Yoga, Yogacharya O’Brian serves people from all faith backgrounds who are seeking what is known as Self- or God-realization or awakening. She is the founder and spiritual director of the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, a meditation center in San Jose, California as well as the founder of this podcast.
Website: Center for Spiritual Enlightenment EllenGraceOBrian.com

FB and Instagram: @EllenGraceOBrian YouTube: Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian (@EllenGraceOBrian)

THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: It was such a pleasure to hear Yogacharya O'Brian speak about dharma on today's podcast. We hear the term more and more in today's world but few know what it truly means.  The conversation had so many insights that not only defined dharma but also how we can find our life purpose, such as reflecting on:  what are your natural tendencies, duties, talents and inclinations that sum up your unique soul yearnings?  Many of us think that we have to get our material needs met first before we are free to complete our life's purpose but Yogacharya emphasized that our purpose is within us already and that if we live in harmony with divine will all of our needs will be met. The timing of this topic couldn't have been better for me as I strive to align my profession with my purpose. 

DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: I appreciated Yogacharya O’Brian’s comment that one of the meanings of the Sanskrit word dharma is "what holds together”, reflecting that when we live in accordance with dharma, we are expressing the fundamental order of life.  Our discussion covered the relationship of dharma with many principles of yoga: harmlessness, truthfulness, self-discipline, self-study, and self-surrender.  She expressed that living in accordance with both dharma and our individual path (our svadharma, the work that is our own to do in the world) is a way of giving back to life something that we have been given from life

Contemplative Practices to Build Love, Resilience and the Courage to Act

What role does contemplative practice play in meeting a world in crisis? Oren Jay Sofer outlines practical ways that we can cultivate mindfulness, resolve, wonder, and empathy to build resilience, love, and strength that can transform our world.

Oren Jay Sofer teaches Buddhist meditation, mindfulness, and communication internationally. He holds a degree in comparative religion from Columbia University and is a Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for the healing of trauma. He is the author of several books, including the book we discuss: Your Heart Was Made For This: Contemplative Practices For Meeting A World in Crisis with Courage, Integrity and Love. His teaching has reached people around the world through his online communication courses and guided meditations.

Website: orenjaysofer.com , FB and Instagram @orenjaysofer
#yoga #contemplation #oneness #meditation #joy #wonder

THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: Oren Jay Sofer says that because of the pandemic he felt that something shifted for humanity in 2020 and that "interconnectedness became a reality" which I can relate to.  He hopes his book, Your Heart Was Made For This will help us bring forth the beauty in our hearts.  He encouraged readers to use the book like a "choose your own adventure guide," reading chapters that resonate with them, asking readers, "what do I need right now? What is the medicine I need for my heart."  Also, his comments about meditation were memorable, asking us, "how do you take care of your mind?" when we do so many other things in the day, like brushing our teeth, to take care of the body.  His book provides a useful guide to contemplation, tuning into our hearts, and making positive change both internally and externally to make this world a better place.

DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: I really enjoyed both Oren Sofer’s book, Your Heart Was Made for This,  and our conversation about the important role of contemplation in taking action in a world in crisis.  I appreciate his view that contemplation and action are inextricably linked, and that both are needed as we arise to meet the challenges of the world.  He discussed that meditation is one form of contemplation, as running is one form of exercise, and he offered support for meditation as well as other forms of contemplation in his book.  I liked Oren’s comments that meditation is a way to take care of our mind by training it, maintaining it, and exploring it.  I wholeheartedly agree with his view that the future is not yet written, and I find this very hopeful and helpful. 

Discover Your Inner Resilience and Strength

How do we face life’s inevitable dance of falling down and getting up? Join Mark Nepo as he extends an invitation for listeners to view adversity from a new perspective - facing the challenges of life by choosing to embrace every experience as an opportunity for positive change.

#yoga "fallingdownandgettingup #grief #Oneness #beingstuck #awakenedflow

Website: MarkNepo.com For more information on upcoming in-person programs with Mark as well as information about his books.

FB and Instagram: @marknepo

Mark Nepo is a master teacher who has been convening circles and guiding retreats for fifty years all over the world. Beloved as a poet, teacher, and storyteller, he has been called “one of the finest spiritual guides of our time,” “a consummate storyteller,” and “an eloquent spiritual teacher.” Mark has written over 25 books including the #1 New York Times best seller The Book of Awakening, that have been translated into over 20 languages. He was also chosen as one of the Oprah Winfrey Network’s Supersoul 100, a group of inspired leaders using their gifts and voices to elevate humanity.

When asked about his experience on The Yoga Hour, Mark says “They are great!”

Here is a short poem that Mark asked us to share with The Yoga Hour audience.

Inside Gravity

 There is an ancient carving from

India of an elephant balancing its

weight with one foot on a lotus. And

there are some who bark right away,

“That’s ridiculous. The world is too

much. And a lotus would be crushed.”

But I’m convinced this was offered

as an image of what it is to be here.

Once looking inside gravity, the

eye immediately goes to the point

where the foot touches the lotus.

That improbable point holds the

practice of being human: how to

balance the weight of the world

on all that is dear.

Mark Nepo

THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS:The interview with Mark Nepo discussing life’s inevitable dance with falling down and getting up was both comforting and encouraging. He reminds us that no matter what difficulty we face, it won’t last. Everything changes. There is always a choice point. If we do the inner-work, it allows growth to come in.  “We are always more than what was done to us.” I was personally struck by his insight that after grief, things don’t go back to the old “normal”. Life won’t be the same, the world will have a different hue. Like adding a drop of iodine to water you can still see through clearly, however it is tinted. Another thing he emphasized was the need to be completely who we are, then we can keep the web of connection to others and the world strong and alive. Mark ended with the thought to trust your heart. Let the heart be your teacher. It is the conduit between us and the world.
Don’t miss this podcast.

DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS:  I always find our conversations and Mark Nepo’s books to be very rich and full, touching on the Oneness of which we are all a part of.  I appreciated the dedication of his book, “To those who are stuck", as all of us have been stuck at one time or another.  He describes being stuck as a developmental passage in the process of transformation that is important and necessary.  It’s part of his approach in this book, an invitation to face the challenges of life by embracing every experience as an opportunity for positive change.  I love the idea that our job is really to get up one more time than we fall, or as a Japanese proverb states, “Fall down seven times, get up eight”.  Even though we discussed some challenging topics like fear and grief, I find his message to be very hopeful.  As Mark says “Everything that can break will, until what is left is unbreakable.” 

Ayurveda Secrets For Healthy Aging

How can Ayurveda help us to slow down the aging process? Ayurvedic scholar, clinician, and educator Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath (Dr. J) shares Ayurvedic approaches to prevent premature aging, sustain health, and ensure longevity.
#kriyayoga, #ayurveda, #longevity, #meditation, #agni

Vaidya Jayarajan Kodikannath is an Ayurvedic scholar, clinician and educator with over 25 years of experience in India and the U.S. Since 2010 he has served Kerala Ayurveda USA as Director for all academic programs and wellness services, as well as Lead Faculty and Chief Ayurvedic Consultant. He earned his degree in Ayurvedic Medicine from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala. In India, he served as Chief Medical Officer at Kerala Ayurveda’s award-winning AyurvedaGram Heritage Wellness Center in Bangalore and headed Kerala Ayurveda Limited’s Ayurveda Expert team in new research project development on Efficacy, Safety and Standardization of Ayurvedic Wellness solutions. He is a member of the Expert Curriculum Committee for Masters in Ayurveda at Bastyr University, Seattle and also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). Kerala Ayurveda USA is located in Milpitas, CA.

WEBSITE: KeralaAyurveda.us 
FaceBook: Kerala Ayurveda Academy and Wellness Center Instagram: @keralaayuusa
YouTube: @Ayurvedaacademy

THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: This was an excellent program on the basics of Ayurveda and how the science of Ayurveda is all about longevity. Dr. J has an excellent way of explaining the principles of Ayurveda in a simple way that makes complete sense. For example, I have always understood that Ayurveda recommends eating cooked, warm foods because it makes it easier to digest and that cold or iced drinks cool down our agni, our digestive fires, but how does this affect our longevity? He explained that the average human body temperature is 98.6.  If we put a lot of cold food or drink in our body it has to expend a lot of energy to come back up to it's normal temperature. If we do this on a regular basis, our energy balance gets depleted and disease can occur. He said "Every imbalance weakens us, thus exposing us to more imbalance".  He says that Ayurveda is the science of balance and attunement with nature and the natural processes. I highly recommend this program for all of us who want to live a healthy life so that we can accomplish our purpose in life. 

DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: I really enjoyed my conversation with Dr. J. As he pointed out, the whole purpose behind Ayurveda is to have a long, healthy life “which is the means of achieving righteousness, prosperity and happiness/wellbeing” as was written in the Ashtanga Hridayam 1400 years ago. He has a way of making Ayurveda very accessible, which I truly appreciate.  We talked about the holistic nature of Ayurveda where mental health and spiritual health are as important as physical health.  In addition to having a regular timing for meals and sleep, he discussed the importance of meditation for stress relief and mental health.  I enjoyed his comparison of meditation to having the teacher come into a classroom of unruly students, bringing everything into order.  As he said, meditation is just bringing the teacher (guru) into our heart so that our whole mind/body/spirit system becomes aligned.