A Curious Yogi with Bobbi Paidel

“Be curious about the right stuff. Who are you really? Ask yourself, what’s the truth that never changes its truthfulness?” Today I’m joined by a real modern-day yogi and meditator live from the Himalayas. Mr. Richard Taylor became Dikpal when he met Swami Shyam in 1973. He’s been meditating ever since, and in this delightful and illuminating conversation, Dikpal shares his wisdom from living and...

Curious Yogis! Wow! Such a treat to compile these key moments and threads of knowledge that have been woven throughout the past season of a Curious Yogi Podcast. Today I give my thoughts on everything picked up in the past season and share my reflections on the endlessly inspiring topics to support our continual unfoldment in sadhana. Enjoy special moments of wisdom shared by Daniel Simpson, Stewa...

“Be patient with your spiritual journey. I believe that when you stop looking at spirituality as one more project to fuel one’s ego it finds its own pace. Natural, effortless growth happens.” Another great, illuminating conversation with the ever generous, one and only Prasad Rangnekar. You may know him from his popular Instagram account with his 30 years of teaching and mentoring wisdom under his...

“Sadhana is to realize the embodied being and know the difference. This human incarnation is something we have, it’s not what we are. Avidya is mistaking what we have for what we are.” Lars Ims is a meditator and author who has spent his life immersed in sadhana under the guidance of his Guru, Swami Shyam. He is also a friend, so he is the perfect yogi to discuss the real meaning of Sadhana. It’s...

"Yoga is pointing towards the possibility of an impersonal approach to everything that is experienced." Hey yoga nerds! This one is for you. Daniel Simpson makes timeless insights accessible and relevant. He’s the author of The Truth of Yoga , an engaging overview of history and philosophy. He also hosts the Ancient Futures podcast . His latest course is a year-long immersion, The Path of Knowledg...

"Your practice is meant to remind you that you’re free." Today I’m graced with the presence of the one and only master Padma Yogi. Padma is a certified advanced meditation teacher from the International Meditation Institute in India and one of Canada’s most respected teachers. In today’s satsang conversation, Padma brings the ancient knowledge of yoga to life with eloquence and clarity, answering...

“Freedom is a state of needlessness and acceptance.” Today I share in a heartfelt discussion on the oneness that sadhana unfolds and the unending polarities of life, beginning with celebration and despair. My dear friend Truus Breukers (Tripti) is a registered nurse, holds a master's in child psychology, and is a children’s book author living between Northern India and the Netherlands in a “dynami...

“Not California oneness. Real oneness is where everything is inclusive.” Swami Svatmananda is a rare scholar who has delighted audiences worldwide with his lectures on various Vedic knowledge. His rare combination of innate skills, broad life experience and dedicated scriptural study translates into a uniquely comprehensive approach to teaching and applying ancient wisdom in modern times. Swami Sv...

“Buddhists always consider new people as friends. Not the other way around, we should see each other as friends. It makes the world a better place.” In this episode, I’m talking to Magnus Fridh , a teacher of yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. Magnus is also one of the founders of The Mindfulness App. His latest book, “The Art of Stillness in a Noisy World” (Hardie Grant), is about how to find tra...

In this short episode, I share my personal story of how Himachal Pradesh, India shifted my belief and mindset to one that is rooted in freedom, service and sadhana. And I let you in on why I decided to do something as crazy as hosting a retreat there and of course, invite you to join me for an incredible journey in this lesser-explored area of Northern India in March 2025. Come explore the magic!...

“What are the ethical implications of yoga being used by these racially oppressive, colonial forces and being used to help people who are agents of that oppression feel better and decompress and destress?” I am honoured to introduce you to this week's guest, Sheena Sood, PhD, an Assistant Professor of Sociology, activist, yoga practitioner, and healing justice visionary. Sheena is on the editorial...

“The communion of spiritual life and worldly life. Only if you understand your spiritual life, can actually live your worldly life quite beautifully.” A special guest and inspiration today is the one and only Arohini Narain, Chief HR and Strategy officer from Lucknow, India. But more than a successful businesswoman, Ruhi is a satsangee first and foremost. In this episode Arohini shares the wisdom...

“We have both always been searching for something that gave us purpose and meaning, to fill that whole and guidelines to live after.” Raw. Real. Totally Joyful. Richard Grønlie and Line Sortehaug made a huge impression when I met them earlier this year. They are a Norwegian married couple with three kids, they are yoga teachers, and they are addicts. Their story is one of transformation and redemp...

“Being truly conscious requires stepping back from compulsions and attachments - a change in the operating system. And sometimes we need a helping hand for that. We can’t do it alone, nor should we have to.” For me, the healing, the coming home, starts with shame. And is currently seeped in gratitude. In this solo episode, I share my personal story woven together with words from wise teachers and...

“Take that 7 minutes (meditation) a day. And nurture it like a little seedling and watch how it grows into the beautiful plant of oneness and watch how it oozes out into your life.” This week's guest is Mayank in New Zealand, he is first and foremost a yogi and meditator. He teaches Somatics, Restorative Movement & QiGong at the Wisdom of Meditation Centre in Te Horo, New Zealand. Mayank and I...

“Decolonizing yoga is admirable but I think it is just better to learn yoga.” I’d like to introduce you to Dr. Shyam Ranganathan a field-changing researcher, scholar, author, and teacher of philosophy, and an expert in the neglected traditions of Indian moral philosophy, which covers practical questions of how to live, what to aim for, and what we should value—including Yoga. Find Dr. Shyam Rangan...

“The real beauty of yoga is about letting go, being flexible and seeing that there is infinite potential in every moment.” Today I’m joined by R. Alexander Medin, a certified Ashtanga Teacher and all around amazing human with an incredible capacity for giving and sharing yoga with generosity, joy and clarity. Alexander shares his story and perspective with immense insight from transitioning from p...

"A very very important practice that has to be included in our lives is to not believe our thoughts. Any thought that comes in and makes you unhappy be sure it is untrue." Wow wow wow! This episode was incredibly delightful to record and edit because it is packed to the brim with knowledge rooted in freedom and can be applied practically without any struggle. A jewel in my podcast treasure chest a...

In this episode, I’m talking to Simon Jalonen, or Nurse Yogi as you might know him. Simon is a registered nurse, a yoga practitioner and a certified teacher. Simon is also my partner in freedom and in life and it was such a joy to have his perspective and lived wisdom on a Curious Yogi. He is a Swede of few words, but yes, those words are very carefully selected and wonderful. Our conversation tod...

“Meditation is not for being relaxed or gaining some expertise. It’s for recognizing that space as yourself - then you are not fearful of the beginning or end because you recognize yourself as Pure Free and Forever.” In this episode, I’m talking to Alka Srivastava, an extraordinarily advanced meditator and total master who has devoted her life to unfolding Self-awareness. Alka is the youngest daug...

“If you get rid of what you’re not you suss out what you are. Whatever you’re left with is you. And it’s the same with meditation.” Another mind-stretching conversation with teacher and spiritual friend Stewart Gilchrist. We recorded this in Rishikesh during Stew's retreat and it is such a joy and privilege to share it with you. We cover a lot of terrain in this packed episode. Here’s a peek: ➖ H...

"It's the daily practice of meditation without expectation. It's not a wish-fulfilling cow that if you meditate you'll have a great day. It's the practice of placing the identification on that meditation state as who you are." A loaded, joyful episode filled with satsang and conversation with my dear friend and fellow yogi Anandi Brownstein - a cinematographer and documentary director who shares h...

“The empowered person is a role model to all beings.” This week's guest - is the trailblazing Vedic spiritual teacher Acharya Shunya. With brilliance, generosity and grace, Shunya shares her stories and the Vedic teachings in a totally approachable way. She leaves us with much to take away and apply in a practical yet profound way. Thanks for listening! 💭 Find the full show notes at bobbipaidel.c...

A very special episode recorded live from my living room with some of my best friends and fellow yogis. Join us in the light hearted space of kirtan which is “the dimension of pure love.” Thanks for listening! 💭 Find the full show notes at bobbipaidel.com/podcast-s3-ep1 💭Support the podcast and join monthly satsangs at patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast 💭 If you liked this episode, please leave a...

Namaste from India, Curious Yogis! I’ll be back with new episodes and illuminating conversations every other week beginning April 12th. Join my Patreon page for early access and perks: patreon.com/acuriousyogipodcast/posts And if you're looking for Sadhana support right now, come practice with me! Classes running Fridays and Tuesdays at bobbipaidel.com/yoga-schedule See you soon, sweet friends, an...