Interfaith Tolerance Podcasts

Genevieve Georget and Avi Gordon discuss "wrestling with God", what it means to be ok, acknowledging the smallness of the mind, surrender, community building and other topics. Genevieve is a full-time writer, photographer, and storyteller whose work has been seen on Oprah.com, “The Good Mother Project,” “Addicted 2 Success,””Real Leaders Magazine,”…

Matt Whitman and Avi Gordon discuss getting introduced to Yoga, imposter syndrome, complacency, the gift of life and being vulnerable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avi and Lucy Cannon discuss the balance between service and self care, overcoming the need for approval, rigidity and growth into authenticity. Lucy Cannon was born in London, and moved to Portugal as a young child. Following her studies, she moved to London where she worked at the fashion house Gucci for 3 years. In 1999, she returned to Portugal …

Laksmi Scalise talks with Avi Gordon about "mind science", the joy of not knowing, getting to "that magic spot" of total acceptance, gurus and more. Reverend Laksmi Scalise, IYM, RYT 500, is an Integral Yoga minister and teaches Beginners,Intermediate and Advanced Hatha Yoga. In 1977 she began studying Yoga under Swami Bua Maharaj, whose students s…

Chandra discusses her introduction to Integral Yoga, balancing priorities in life, letting go of "being right" and recognizing what's important, and introducing others to Yoga. Chandra/Jo Sgammato is a certified Integral Yoga instructor who served for twenty years at the Integral Yoga Institute of New York in many capacities, mostly as general mana…

Avi and vegan author Meenakshi Angel Honig discuss Swami Satchidananda, the idea of ahimsa (non-violence) as applied to our diet, talking to people about veganism, the connection between ahimsa and happiness, and her new book "The Solution: 10 Compelling Reasons to Choose a Plant-based Diet & Lifestyle - The Why & The How". Meenakshi Angel Honig is…

Avi and Rabbi Rami discuss Shabbos, play, freedom of belief, tribalism, silence, gratitude practice, changing the world without antagonism and the divine feminine. Rabbi Rami Shapiro is an award–winning author of over thirty-six books on religion and spirituality. He received rabbinical ordination from the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of R…

Avi Gordon and Victoria Moran discuss veganism, yoga, ahimsa and being a good example. Featured twice on Oprah and listed by VegNews magazine among the Top 10 Living Vegetarian Authors, Victoria Moran has written thirteen books including Creating a Charmed Life and Main Street Vegan. Her Integral Yoga training started in the early 1970s, and she is…

Avi Gordon in conversation with Rev. Kumari de Sachy. Rev. Kumari has been a devotee of Sri Swami Satchidananda since 1981 and has lived and served in many capacities at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville since 1986, including as editor of the Integral Yoga Magazine, Publications Manager, LYT and Ashram Yogi Manager, Resident Services Director, Vidyala…

Avi Gordon in conversation with James Knight, the creator of Gentle Somatic Yoga. James is one of the early pioneers to bridge yoga and Somatics. Gentle Somatic Yoga® (GSY) is the culmination of his life’s work as an experienced yoga teacher, certified Hanna Somatic Educator, body-oriented psychotherapist, movement educator, and author. James train…

How many of us can say that we grew up in a yogic household, going to a yogic school, living at an ashram, surrounded by the grace of the Guru? Radha Metro-Midkiff can. Radha shares about her childhood, her current service, and her special relationship with Swami Satchidananda. Radha Metro-Midkiff, Executive Director for the Integral Yoga Institute…

This conversation between Kelley and Avi addresses a multitude of social issues and how they relate to the world of yoga. Is there a place for shame and guilt within the human experience? Why does it seem so challenging sometimes for people to take the right action? Should every human have their basic needs met, and what are those basic needs? What…

Witness to World War II in Austria, Benedictine monk for the last 66 years, friend to Swami Satchidananda, and internationally-recognized practitioner of gratitude Brother David Steindl-Rast sits down to talk with Avi Gordon of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association. The discussion covers prayer and meditation, Swami Satchidananda, gratitude, fear …

What would you say if you could whisper into the ear of every person on the planet? Uma and Avi explore the answer to this question as well as many others. Is it beneficial to zoom out and recognize that we have less control over our lives than we really think? What is the cultural impression of yoga for Italians? Can I spend more time in the space…

Mukunda and Avi unfold the importance of acceptance on the path to better health, and the obstacles that often get in the way. Mukunda shares about his story of transformation, the importance of connecting to your passions, and his love for the city of San Francisco. A rich and heart opening conversation. Mukunda is certified in Integral Yoga's Hat…

Michael begins by telling his story of a near death experience changing the trajectory of his life. Is an intense crisis necessary for an awakening, or is it possible to redirect your life by listening to your intuition and learning from the experiences of others? Avi and Michael discuss this as many other topics including letting go of what we don…

Haris Lender is the creator of Kidding Around Yoga. A 500 hour Integral Yoga®. teacher certified in: Raja Yoga, Children’s Yoga, Stress Management and Prenatal Yoga. For 11 years at Yogaville and 8 years with KAY, Haris was the director of Yoga sleepover camps. Haris loves to lead Kirtans all over the world, Haris has created her own DVD, “Yoga wit…

Mandee and Avi discuss the difference between "natural" and "normal." The conversation flows naturally from discussion about honesty, freedom, and relaxation, to the importance of not taking ourselves to seriously. What's the difference between knowing something in the mind and feeling it in my being? What is the relationship I want to have with my…

Eat well. Move more. Stress less. Love more. I grew up hearing about Dean Ornish, and heard more about him when I came to Satchidananda Ashram because he was a successful healthcare leader who’d been a student of Swami Satchidananda. He's said that “all of [his] work is based on what [he] learned from [Swami Satchidananda]” - work that seeks to sho…

Ramakrishna and Avi dive into a conversation about the nature of God, of answering difficult questions at a young age. Ramakrishna shares about his experience meeting Swami Satchidananda and being an early pioneer of Integral Yoga. A builder, inventor, yoga teacher, mountaineer, dancer, poet and grandfather. There is a wealth of life experience and…

Prema Mayi and Avi discuss the emotional connection and release that music allows for, the effects of believing in reincarnation on our quality of life, how we are able to connect to the divine nature of life, and much more. Prema Mayi shares some music to begin and close out the episode. Prema Mayi has been practicing bhakti yoga for 44 years. Her…

Trace Sahaja and Avi discuss the evolution of Yoga, the evolution of the personal self. How does “showing up” and “letting it be” lead to growth? How can I accept the dis-ease and pain in my life in order to find freedom and liberation on the other side? How can I view myself and my life through the lens of curiosity? Trace Sahaja Bonner is the Fou…

Asangan is a baby boomer, born and raised in the Bronx. In 1970 he became a student of Yoga, and later a teacher and Director of the Boulder Integral Yoga Institute. His life in yoga continued at the Satchidananda Ashram in Connecticut beginning in 1974. There, he served in maintenance and construction as well as president of the ashram. He served …

Francesca Cervero has been a full-time yoga teacher since 2005. Her teaching is inspired by her foundational training with Cyndi Lee at OM Yoga Center, the years she spent as a dancer and the subsequent years she spent in physical therapy. Her teaching is also influenced by her love of Buddhist teachings and a constant curiosity about anatomy and b…

Pamela began practicing yoga more than 25 years ago when an illness interrupted her Wall Street career. She started meditating as a complementary therapy which led to a lifelong pursuit of perceiving yogic wisdom. She completed her teacher training in 2006 at Integral Yoga in New York and Pam began teaching to friends at a local convent in NJ. Her …

Luciana Prakash has been an Integral Yoga Teacher since 2007, graduated at Jai Vida Integral Yoga Center, in Brazil, where she is now one of its directors. In 2015 she was approved as an Integral Yoga Teacher Trainer, and since then has trained hundreds of people in this amazing lineage. Passionate about Yama and Niyama and on how to apply yoga to …

Nataraj has been living at the Satchidananda Yogaville ashram for the past year and a half after spending the previous year at the Sivananda ashram in the Bahamas. He was formerly a run of the mill business executive who traded the world for an ashram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

Gaura Vani was raised from birth in temples in India and the US by his Hare Krishna parents. He plays ancient Indian drums and sings in archaic languages like Sanskrit for the blue-skinned Lord Krishna. And now he's teaching his three children this same timeless art called kirtan. Links: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gauravani Youtube - Gaura Va…

Shri K Ramasamy is an entrepreneur, and long-time devotee of Sri Swami Satchidanada. Mr. Ramasamy is the President of Integral Yoga Institute in Coimbatore India, as well as the managing trustee of Satchidananda Jothi Nikethan International School in India. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

Swami Jyotirmayananda was initiated as a sannyasin in 1986. She authored the children’s book Sparkling Together and has served at Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville in various capacities, including designing and installing displays at Yogaville's LOTUS (Light of Truth Universal Shrine). She served as Vice President of Resident Services and as Vice Pre…

Robert Sankara Moses has 50 years’ experience as a teacher of yoga and advaita vedanta. Born in South Africa, Robert studied architecture, travelled abroad and, in 1972, discovered yoga in the tradition of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, India. He served in the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers for 22 years, teaching yoga teacher training …

Jonathan Foust, MA, CSA, is a guiding teacher with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington and a founder of the Meditation Teacher Training Institute in Washington. A senior teacher and former president of Kripalu Center, he leads retreats, trainings and classes in the Washington DC area and around the country and works individually with tho…

Moksha Sommer of the band HuDost sits down with Avi Gordon and discusses musical performance as a practice, the beauty of collaboration, and learning to laugh when things go wrong. HuDost functions as a duo or as a band. HuDost’s core musicians are Moksha Sommer and Jemal Wade-Hines. They have been fortunate to have incredible performance opportuni…

Vyasa Smith and Avi Gordon discuss gratitude, the advantages of getting away from the "hustle and bustle", and how enlightened beings treat others. Vyasa is an Integral Yoga Teacher and resident of Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville. He currently serves as the Yogaville Academy Administrator. He enjoys traveling, hiking, and studying Jnana yoga. Quotes…

Swami Asokananda and Avi Gordon discuss courage versus conformity, discipline, and moving towards loving unconditionally. A monk since 1975, Swami Asokananda is one of Integral Yoga’s® foremost teachers—known for his warmth, intelligence, and good humor. His teaching comes out of his own practice and experience while absorbing the wisdom of his Gur…

Hamsa Cho and Avi Gordon discuss yoga in leadership and decision-making, and how to grow without "beating ourselves up". Hamsa currently serves as the executive director for Integral Yoga Institute New York. She has 20 years of business and consulting experience. Bringing yoga to all adds excitement to her life. * The path to where you’re going is …

Marisa Radha Weppner and Avi Gordon discuss accepting every moment, the path of bhakti yoga (love/devotion), and how "we're all going to graduate". Mother, teacher, author, DJ, community organizer, life coach, podcaster, entrepreneur. Radha has taught yoga and meditation since 2002. Radha uses her graduate degree in transpersonal psychology and lif…

Zac Parker talks about finding a life that reflects one's values, the "selfish selflessness" of serving others, and learning to balance discipline and lightheartedness. Zac has been teaching Yoga since 2014. He is certified as an Advanced Hatha Yoga and Restorative Yoga instructor. Zac's teaching is a natural extension of his own practice. He appro…

Laney Sullivan and Jameson Price talk with Avi Gordon about activism and the healing that comes from seeing our interconnectedness. "Courage" and "Seasons", two songs from the album Courage, appear at the end of interview. Høly River is founded by multi-instrumentalists Laney Sullivan and Jameson Price..This musical phenomenon has come to be known …

Jaganath Carrera and Avi Gordon discuss the importance of wonder and attention, the nature of the mind, and the power of acceptance. Jaganath Carrera is the founder and spiritual head of Yoga Life Society and its first Yoga Life Center in Woodland Park, NJ. He is a direct disciple of Sri Swami Satchidananda. Rev. Jaganath has taught at universities…

Rita Pira and Avi Gordon discuss having the courage to follow our own path, and how what we consume and what we think creates our experience. Rita is an intuitive holistic life coach and a raw/vegan chef. She is on a mission to help people heal their mind, body, and soul by, debunking their subconscious fears and getting out of their own way. She i…

Daniel Levin shares a recent shift in perspective that’s left him seeking to be a “mailman” delivering love to everyone he encounters, and discusses nothing less than love itself in this great conversation with Avi Gordon. Daniel walked away from an opportunity to run a billion dollar business, to hitchhike around the world to find happiness and in…

Rukmini Ando talks with Avi Gordon about how she got started with yoga, meditation and creating art, and how teaching gets her “out of the way”. Rukmini Ando has been practicing Yoga since 2004 and has been teaching since 2010. She is certified in Advanced Integral Yoga, Adaptive Yoga, Stress Management, Yoga of Recovery, and Raja Yoga. She current…

Bhagavan Metro talks about finding a spiritual teacher, the importance of identifying that we aren't the body and the mind, and finding harmony with our surroundings. Quotes from the Interview: * If we think that we are the body and the mind, life really is hell, because the body is constantly in danger and the mind is constantly having a problem. …

Mado Hesselink talks to Avi Gordon about yoga, envy, and the value of not knowing, among other things. Quotes From the Interview: * I think authenticity is essential, that we have to be real - even just with ourselves - in order to grow, because I think one of the biggest barriers to growth is denial. * [In] all yogic practices I find that the form…

Mitra Somerville and Avi Gordon discuss how we find peace, and the practical advantages that come from it. Quotes From the Interview: * Fortunately in yoga there's a lot of different techniques, and the more techniques that we know about and the more that we practice, then we can choose the right technique at the right moment. * I like to get peace…

Hersha Chellaram talks about finding meaning in life, how to know the right outlet for our energy, and the importance of accepting our capacity. Quotes from the Interview: "[The pursuit of excellence] requires some balancing: I think it's really important to still pursue excellence, but then be very real with yourself as to what your capability and…

Oyámie Kali Ma'at and Avi Gordon discuss the practice of silence, the relationship between money and service, how to start practicing meditation, and the love that comes from facing pain. Quotes from the Interview: - "I started my journey because I read someone's story, and their story inspired me to take action. So I know that there's someone out …

Swami Ramananda of the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco talks with Avi Gordon about adapting to conditions, how compassion follows naturally from meditation, and about what really makes us happy. Quotes from the interview: *I think compassion comes naturally when we touch deep enough inside ourselves. *In a way you could say our identity is…

Tom Callahan and Avi Gordon discuss what jobs "help people", how we relate to our egos in daily life, and gratitude. Quotes from the interview: * In a more lighthearted way I would say [Yogaville] was started by some hippies following their guru, who was the swami that gave the invocation to open Woodstock, and it's a great place with lots of fun, …