What the hell is up? On this episode of Jamie’s Corner, I sit down with my beloved teacher, Yogeswari, during the 300-hour Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training in India.
We dive deep into the core tenets of the Jivamukti Yoga method, which explicitly link spiritual practice with action—centering on devotion, ahimsa (non-violence), and activism.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, Yogeswari shares how yoga can be a powerful tool for inner growth and outer change—fostering self-love, personal transformation, and deep societal impact. She also opens up about her work founding the Azahar Foundation, which brings healing and education to communities in post-conflict zones such as Rwanda and Cambodia.
Tune in to explore how building a strong spiritual foundation can sustain and empower your activism.🎧
Jamie's Corner is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!
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🕙 CHAPTER MARKERS:
00:00:00 | Introduction: Meeting Beloved Teacher Yogeswari in India
00:00:30 | Episode Topic: Raising Consciousness to Make the World a Better Place
00:00:46 | Welcome and Gratitude to Yogeswari
00:01:04 | The Intensity of the 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
00:01:23 | Laughing During Meditation
00:02:35 | Defining Yoga Beyond a Physical Workout
00:03:13 | Jivamukti Yoga's Focus on Activism and Oneness
04:42:22 | The Philosophy of Yoga: Oneness of Existence
05:58:02 | Compassionate Lifestyle and the Power of Connection
06:53:03 | Connecting Through Shared Humanity (and Existence)
08:34:08 | The Connection Between a Plant-Based Diet and Yoga
09:40:18 | Minimizing Detrimental Impact: Comparing Plant and Animal Consumption
10:50:15 | The Disconnect of Comparing Animal Suffering to Vegetables
12:15:15 | Jane Teachings and Intentional Consumption
13:06:23 | Environmental Activism and the Suicide Mission of Current Practices
13:56:01 | Advice for Aspiring Activists in a Challenging World
15:49:15 | Activism Through Spiritual Projects and Community (e.g., Govardhan Eco Village)
17:04:00 | Using Skillful Means as a Yoga Teacher/Artist to Address Issues
18:29:07 | A Yoga Teacher's Many Roles and Known Limitations
20:08:02 | Maintaining Personal Practice: Self-Care for Activists
21:11:11 | Living a Public Life and Being on Mission
22:21:07 | The Importance of Knowing Your Soul's Purpose
23:27:13 | Questioning Societal Paths: Marriage and Kids
24:01:05 | Differing Spiritual Paths: Monks vs. Householders
25:33:15 | Navigating Relationships with Spiritual and Activist Values
27:10:11 | Starting the Azahar Foundation: Motivation and History
28:08:16 | Creating a Difference: From Colombia to Cambodia
29:44:00 | Success Stories: Former Students Becoming Jivamukti Yoga Teachers
30:13:20 | Motivation and Next Steps for the Azahar Foundation
31:34:18 | The Partnership with Jivamukti Global and Scholarship Opportunities
33:19:17 | The Transformative Experience of the Teacher Training
33:48:13 | Favorite Vegan Beauty Hack: Coconut Oil and Shea Butter
