Zephyr Yoga Podcast

In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, "Citta" refers to the mind-stuff or consciousness, encompassing thoughts, emotions, memories, and habitual tendencies. Citta acts as a storehouse for mental impressions (Samskaras), which influence behavior, and latent desires (Vasanas), driving habitual actions. Vrittis, the mental fluctuations, move between these impressions, causing restlessness. Citta’s essential na...

Manas, the thinking and analytical mind, plays a crucial role in perception, cognition, and decision-making. It processes sensory input and helps interpret both internal and external experiences, such as hunger, pain, or movement. In Yoga, the practice serves as an inquiry into the nature of the mind, consciousness, and human experience. The quality of Manas, likened to a computer screen, depends...

Yoga is an inquiry into the nature of the mind, consciousness, and human experience. It offers tools to refine our perception and awareness through practices that develop skill in action with loving awareness. The Indriyas, our ten senses, serve as gateways between the mind, body, and external world. These include five sensory organs (ears, skin, eyes, tongue, nose) and five motor organs (speech,...

The Sahasrara Chakra, or Crown Chakra, connects us to self-knowledge, divine wisdom, and spiritual awakening. It represents unity, oneness, and enlightenment, dissolving the separation between self and the cosmos. Depicted as a thousand-petaled lotus, it symbolises infinite consciousness and spiritual potential. The lotus's growth mirrors the spiritual journey, rising from challenges to transcende...

The Ajna Chakra, or Third Eye Chakra, is the sixth energy center, representing intuition, perception, and wisdom. It connects us to inner awareness and deeper truths beyond ordinary sight. Symbolised by an indigo lotus with two petals, it represents the balance of dual energies, Ida and Pingala. The Om symbol at its centre signifies the unity of all states of consciousness, leading to self-realisa...

The start of a new year often arrives with a lot of noise. Resolutions, expectations, fresh starts and quiet pressure to be different, better, more together than before. And yet, many of us are beginning this year feeling tender. The world feels intense. Politics, global events, uncertainty and constant information can leave the nervous system overwhelmed before the day has even begun. So rather t...

New Beginnings, Travels, and Life’s Adventures This Yoga Nidra is inspired by the spirit of journeys, both outer and inner. It’s designed to help you embrace the cycles of endings and beginnings, fostering a sense of adventure, courage, and openness to life’s unfolding path. Whether embarking on a literal journey or navigating a new chapter in life, this practice will support you in planting seeds...

The Vishuddha Chakra, or Throat Chakra, governs communication, self-expression, and truth. It empowers us to articulate our needs and share our unique resonance through sound and language. Associated with Lord Dakshinamurthy, a form of Shiva symbolising wisdom and inner guidance, this chakra fosters clarity and authentic expression. The mantra honouring him seeks his blessings for truth and wisdom...

The Anahata Chakra, or Heart Chakra, represents love, compassion, and harmony, fostering self-acceptance and connection with others. It invites us to face our wounds with loving awareness, promoting emotional balance and openness. Associated with the Wind element, it carries the life force, Prana, inspiring transformation. The Bija mantra is "Yam," and the colour is vibrant green, symbolising love...

Apologies for the audio quality; I’m working on fixing it. Thanks for your patience. Today, we explore the 3rd chakra, Manipura, meaning “city of jewels.” Located at the solar plexus, it governs self-definition, confidence, and personal power. Associated with fire, it fuels digestion, metabolism, and transformation—Agni. The bija mantra is RAM, its colour is yellow, and its sense organ is sight, r...

The Svadhisthana, or Sacral Chakra, is associated with emotions, creativity, sensuality, and the water element. Located in the lower belly, it is symbolised by a six-petaled lotus representing desire, sensuality, adaptability, emotional balance, creativity, and fantasy. The crescent moon within the lotus reflects the cyclical nature of emotions, reminding us to embrace change with grace. The chakr...

The Muladhara, or Root Chakra, is the foundation of the chakra system, located at the base of the spine. It is symbolised by a four-petaled lotus, a red square, and a downward-facing triangle representing stability and grounding. Associated with the earth element (Prithvi Tattva), its bija mantra is “LAM,” and its hand mudra is Prithvi Mudra. The elephant symbolizes its qualities of strength, prot...

Subtle Body – Nadis Yoga is the mastery of self-knowledge, while Tantra is the mastery of Prana’s power. Weaving asana, pranayama, mudra, kriya, mantra, and philosophy, we aim to empower ourselves with loving awareness to fulfill our purpose. Yoga is the management of prana, the life force that animates and sustains us physically, mentally, and emotionally. The subtle body, or Sukshma Sharira, bri...

Purusarthas – 4 Desires – Moksha Moksha is the ultimate desire...liberation from ignorance (avidya), the cycle of birth and death (samsara), and the effects of karma. It is the realization of one’s true self (Atman), transcending the ego and achieving union with the divine (Brahman), leading to eternal bliss and peace. Yogis pursue Moksha through various paths: Hatha Yoga (physical practices), Raj...

Purusarthas – 4 Desires – Kama Kama, the third Purusartha, pertains to desires, passions, and the pursuit of pleasure—both physical and emotional. In yoga, Kama is experienced mindfully and ethically through relationships, creativity, and sensory enjoyment. Meaningful connections with others, artistic expression, and appreciating nature cultivate joy and satisfaction. Sensory pleasures—such as sav...

Artha – The Second Purusartha Artha refers to the means and tools needed to support one’s Dharma, focusing on material wealth, prosperity, and economic security. It is not about accumulation but aligning resources with values to fulfill life’s purpose responsibly and ethically. To pursue Artha within Dharma’s boundaries, one must choose ethical livelihoods and practice non-attachment to wealth. Li...

Dharma – The First Purusartha Dharma is one’s life path of virtue and purpose, fulfilled through ethical duties and responsibilities. Discovering Dharma requires deep introspection, self-awareness, and reflection on your unique talents and calling. Consider: What brings you joy and fulfilment? What values guide you? Where do you feel most alive? Challenges serve as opportunities for growth, shapin...

The  Purusharthas  are the four fundamental aims of human life in Hindu philosophy, guiding individuals toward a balanced and meaningful existence. Dharma  – One’s purpose and moral duty, fulfilling ethical responsibilities. Artha  – Material wealth and resources needed to support Dharma. Kama  – The pursuit of desires, pleasure, and emotional fulfillment. Moksha  – S...

Yoga is the art of skillful action, awakened through intention and loving awareness. An intention draws us toward love, truth, and creativity, reflecting on what truly matters—what we care about, desire, and long for. Our intention is like planting a seed within us, which requires nurturing and care. In practice, we tend to our inner landscape as a gardener tends to a garden, removing negative tho...

The 9th Rasa, Calmness (Shanta), represents steadiness, peace, contentment, and serenity in the body, energy, and mind. It is the calm beneath the emotional storms of life. True peace of mind is challenging to attain, and yoga helps cultivate this stillness through practices like meditation and self-awareness. The Yoga Sutras emphasize turning inward, focusing on one thing at a time, and observing...

Sadness and Joy are the final pairing in our emotional practice. Sadness, or Karuna, is a natural, healthy emotion that arises when we face disappointment, loss, or attachment. It can lead to depression if not processed. We feel sadness in the body as lethargy, withdrawal, or physical discomfort. However, sadness can also open our hearts, fostering compassion, tolerance, and understanding, as seen...

Anger, represented by the Rasa of Raudra, arises when the ego feels neglected, threatened, or unfulfilled. It manifests as frustration, irritation, or rage, often clouding our judgment and affecting our well-being. Unchecked, anger can lead to resentment, health issues, and strained relationships. However, anger can also be motivating, driving us to confront injustices and create positive change,...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the essential human emotions known as Rasas and how we can use yogic tools to embrace our humanity and make skilful choices that guide us toward lasting fulfilment and inner freedom. This practice invites us to engage with undesirable and uncomfortable emotions, using them as teachers to deepen our self-awareness and growth. We focus on the Rasas of...

In this episode, we explore the profound relationship between fear and courage through the lens of the ancient concept of Rasas. Fear, or  Bhayanka , manifests in many ways, worry, anxiety, dread, while courage, or  Virya , is the fearless heart that moves us forward with faith and trust. We'll discuss how fear arises from our attachments, our resistance to change, and our deep-seated ne...

Rasa, meaning “nectar” or “essence,” captures the richness of life’s emotional experiences, much like the flavours of a meal. Just as the Gunas influence taste...Rajas being too intense, Tamas too dull, and Sattva offering the perfect balance...our emotions shape our human experience. As Robert Svoboda says, “Existence without juice is dry and tasteless.” Tantric tradition recognizes  nine Ra...