Finding Harmony Podcast Harmony Slater

Featured Guest: Sam Silversides
This episode features an insightful conversation with hosts Harmony Slater and Russell Case and featured guest, Sam Silversides, a dynamic new voice in the Ashtanga Yoga community. This riveting discussion bridges the gap between the rich traditions of Ashtanga Yoga and the contemporary practices of today. Whether you are a seasoned yogi or new to the practice, Sam’s experiences and insights are sure to inform and inspire.
In This Episode:
Sam’s Journey: Discover how Sam transitioned from a budding actor to a devoted Ashtanga Yoga teacher, influenced by Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor.
Teaching Philosophy: Sam discusses his approach to teaching, focusing on integrating modern life challenges with the transformative power of Ashtanga Yoga.
Future Aspirations: Learn about Sam's upcoming teaching stint at the Purple Valley Retreat Center in India, where he aims to bring his unique blend of traditional and contemporary yoga practices to students from around the world.
Key Takeaways:
Yoga as a Lifelong Practice: Sam shares his insights on how yoga is more than just physical postures; it’s a comprehensive approach to wellbeing that encompasses mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Adapting Tradition: Hear how Sam, Harmony, and Russell balance the traditional aspects of Ashtanga Yoga with the needs of modern practitioners, promoting a flexible and inclusive practice environment.
About Sam Silversides:
Sam Silversides has been a student of yoga since 2010. His journey into the depths of Ashtanga Yoga began after five years of practice, following a pivotal meeting with Ashtanga luminaries Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor. Sam’s teaching philosophy weaves traditional Ashtanga principles with a modern approach, making it accessible and relevant to today's practitioners.
Connect with Sam:
www.samsilversides.com
https://www.instagram.com/samsilversides/
https://www.tiktok.com/@silversidesyoga?_t=8kGda3uDioS&_r=1
https://www.youtube.com/@samsilversides3275
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1962204/
Work with Harmony:
Links and Resources:
Explore Harmony Slater's upcoming retreat in Norway
Explore Harmony Slater’s upcoming retreat in Lisbon 
Explore Harmony Slater's upcoming retreat in Turkey 
Connect with Us (We love to hear from you!)
Harmony Slater's Website: http://harmonyslater.com
Finding Harmony Community 
https://harmonyslater.com/harmony-slater-coaching
⁠Find Harmony on Instagram⁠
Follow the Finding Harmony Podcast on IG
⁠Two Minute Breathwork Session⁠

Anouk Prop shares her inspirational journey from working as a psychologist to becoming a trauma therapist and yoga teacher. She recounts how traditional Hatha yoga initially interested her, but as she delved deeper, she discovered the power of Ashtanga. Anouk's experiences in India revealed the potential of yoga in healing trauma. This realization led her to shift her career focus, integrating yoga practices into her therapeutic approach. Anouk highlights the importance of trauma sensitivity, presence, and the power of touch within the context of yoga teaching. She also discusses her current work with individual therapy clients and trauma-sensitive yoga classes.
In this episode:
Anouk's transition from PhD student to a psychologist and her exploration of yoga.
The role of yoga in healing emotional states and the importance of breathwork.
Developmental trauma and how it can impact a person's life.
Trauma and its storage in the body; how yoga can facilitate release.
Co-regulation and the transformative power of physical touch in yoga teaching.
Challenges of re-adapting to Western culture after living overseas.
Anouk's transformative experience at an orphanage in India.
What Anouk is doing professionally in the present.
List of Resources Mentioned in Episode:
Yoga Gives Back: https://yogagivesback.org/
Gabor Maté: https://drgabormate.com/
Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing): https://traumahealing.org/
Psychology Magazine (Netherlands): https://www.psychologiemagazine.nl/
Calls to Action:
Watch the YouTube video for more information about the Yoga Give Back trip that Harmony and Anouk took in February.
Donate to Yoga Gives Back: https://yogagivesback.org/ (Support the non-profit organization discussed in the episode)
Connect with Anouk:
https://anoukprop.com/en
https://www.instagram.com/anoukprop/
https://www.facebook.com/anouk.prop
 
Work with Harmony:
Explore Harmony Slater's upcoming retreat in Norway
Explore Harmony Slater’s upcoming retreat in Lisbon 
Explore Harmony Slater's upcoming retreat in Turkey 
Connect with Us (We love to hear from you!)
Harmony Slater's Website: http://harmonyslater.com
Finding Harmony Community 
https://harmonyslater.com/harmony-slater-coaching
⁠Find Harmony on Instagram⁠
Follow the Finding Harmony Podcast on IG
⁠Two Minute Breathwork Session⁠

SPECIAL APRIL PROMO!
How to Enter
Show us where you like to listen to the Finding Harmony Podcast:  
Snap a selfie wherever you are listening to this episode and show us what Finding Harmony means to you!
Share on Instagram: Upload this photo or video to your Instagram feed.
Tag and Hashtag:
Tag @harmonyslaterofficial and @findingharmonypodcast in the post.
Include the hashtag #FindingHarmonyFav in your caption.

In this compelling episode of the Finding Harmony podcast, we meet Alex Medin, a man who has lived through an extraordinary life of transformation. From his early days as a boxer, to his deep immersion in Sanskrit studies, to his groundbreaking work with inmates and addicts, Alex's journey is a testament to the power of yoga as a tool for healing, self-discovery, and service.
Key Points and Themes:
Yoga for Trauma and Transformation: Alex shares how his own struggles led him to explore yoga's capacity to heal deep wounds, both for himself and others.
Yoga in Prisons: Discover how Alex's work in prisons ignited his passion for using yoga as a vehicle for rehabilitation and personal growth.
Building a Haven: Learn about the incredible story behind Nosen Retreat Center in Norway, a sanctuary Alex founded to offer hope and healing to those in need.
The Mindfulness of Boxing: Explore the unexpected parallels between the focus and presence required in boxing and the transformative power of yoga practice.
The Bhagavad Gita as a Guiding Force: Alex shares how the wisdom of this ancient text has shaped his life's work
Guest Bio:  Alexander Medin has been teaching yoga for 28 years. He was certified by the legendary Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in 2002, an honor achieved by only 33 individuals. He holds an MA in Sanskrit and Indian Religions (SOAS 2004) and has had the privilege of traveling the world teaching yoga. He is the founder of Puro Yoga, the Back in the Ring Foundation, and Nøsen Yoga and Mountain Hotel.
 
Call to Action:Visit Nosen Retreat Center: Learn more about Alex's work and the transformative programs offered at Nosen. https://www.nosenyoga.no
Join Harmony's Norway Retreat: Experience the power of yoga and nature firsthand. Sign up for Harmony's upcoming retreat at Nosen Retreat Center.
Discover the “Gangster Yoga” and  "Back in the Ring" Projects: Learn more about how you can support these missions: https://www.nosenyoga.no/en/community-projects
 
Did you like this episode with Alex?
You can hear more of his story in episode 68!
Listen on Apple
Listen on Spotify
 
** If you or someone you love needs support with addiction. Find helpful suggestions here: https://drugabuse.com/addiction/hotlines/ **
 
SPECIAL APRIL CHALLENGE!!!! WIn a 1:1 session with Harmony!
How to Enter
Show us where you like to listen to the Finding Harmony Podcast:  Snap a selfie wherever you are listening to this episode and show us what Finding Harmony means to you!
Share on Instagram: Upload this photo or video to your Instagram feed.
Tag and Hashtag:
Tag @harmonyslaterofficial and @findingharmonypodcast in the post.
Include the hashtag #FindingHarmonyFav in your caption.

Work with Harmony:
Links and Resources:
https://harmonyslater.com/ancient-breathing-2-0
Explore Harmony Slater's upcoming retreat in Norway
Explore Harmony Slater’s upcoming retreat in Lisbon 
Explore Harmony Slater's upcoming retreat in Turkey 
Connect with Us (We love to hear from you!)
Harmony Slater's Website: http://harmonyslater.com
Finding Harmony Community 
https://harmonyslater.com/harmony-slater-coaching
⁠Find Harmony on Instagram⁠
Follow the Finding Harmony Podcast on IG
⁠Two Minute Breathwork Session⁠
 

With Sumanth Gopinath
 
Embark on a musical voyage that transcends borders and eras with our esteemed guest Sumanth Gopinath, professor of music and grassroots folk musician. Celebrate Russell's birthday and delve into a heartfelt discussion that weaves together the threads of Indian and North American folk music traditions. Through Sumanth's personal narrative, we explore how the echoes of our upbringing resonate in the music we love, and how shared experiences and diverse backgrounds create a rich tapestry of cultural identity.
 
Peel back the layers of music theory's evolution with us, as we engage with the compelling transformation from academic pursuits to the frontlines of labor union activism. Sumanth's anecdotes reveal the intimate connections between the professionalization of music theory, the political economy that shapes the discipline, and the influence of collective action in shaping both academia and society. Together, we shine a spotlight on the need for music education to embrace a broader spectrum of cultural narratives, enriching our understanding of music's role in our lives.
 
Join us for a profound conversation that tackles the delicate balance between cultural appreciation and appropriation. We navigate the complex terrain of global influences on personal expression, examining how our intentions, critiques, and relationships inform the way we engage with the world's diverse musical heritage. In an increasingly interconnected community, we emphasize the importance of approaching cultural exchanges with mindfulness and respect, ensuring that our artistic expressions contribute to a more understanding and harmonious world.
 
About Sumanth:
Sumanth Gopinath is Associate Professor of Music Theory at the University of Minnesota TwinCities. He has written or co-edited books on the ringtone industry (TheRingtoneDialectic:Economy and Cultural Form, 2013), mobile music studies (The Oxford Handbook of Mobile Music Studies, 2014), and the music of Steve Reich (Rethinking Reich, 2019). He is the leader of the independent Americana band The Gated Community.
 
Songs from this episode:
 
DivorceDress https://www.tiktok.com/music/Divorce-Dress-6887761471078434818?lang=it
To the Sea Once More https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=naRvG4scQyw
The Life from My Eyes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX-vKf8Bywk
Christmas Special https://thegatedcommunity.bandcamp.com/album/wont-you-believe-me-2
 
Work with Harmony:
Links and Resources:
https://harmonyslater.com/ancient-breathing-2-0
Explore Harmony Slater's upcoming retreat in Norway
Explore Harmony Slater’s upcoming retreat in Lisbon 
Explore Harmony Slater's upcoming retreat in Turkey 
Connect with Us (We love to hear from you!)
Harmony Slater's Website: http://harmonyslater.com
Finding Harmony Community 
https://harmonyslater.com/harmony-slater-coaching
⁠Find Harmony on Instagram⁠
Follow the Finding Harmony Podcast on IG
⁠Two Minute Breathwork Session⁠

In today's episode of the Finding Harmony Podcast, Harmony Slater and Russell Case explore a deeply relatable topic: the intersection of motherhood and a dedicated yoga practice. Joining them is Bibi Lorenzetti, a seasoned Ashtanga yogi, mother, and owner of the Newburgh Shala in New York. Together, they explore the complexities, the triumphs, and the inherent imperfections of maintaining a meaningful practice amidst the ever-evolving demands of parenting.
Here are some of the themes discussed in this insightful episode:
The shifting focus from physically demanding asana to the deeper, more spiritual aspects of yoga as motherhood unfolds.
The concept of faith ('Shraddha') and how it supports both a yoga practice and the journey of parenthood.
Embracing the inevitable imperfections and frustrations that arise in both yoga and mothering.
The importance of finding community and support as a yogi mother, and the responsibility to preserve the lineage of these ancient practices.
This episode offers a refreshing and honest perspective on motherhood's impact on a dedicated yoga practice. Whether you're a parent, a yogi, or simply seeking balance in life, you'll discover valuable insights and a sense of shared experience within this conversation.
Important Links:
https:www.bibilorenzetti.com/
Bibi Lorenzetti's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bibi.lorenzetti/
Newburgh Shala Website: https://www.newburghyogashala.com/
Newburgh Shala on IG: https://www.instagram.com/newburghyogashala
 
Work with Harmony:
Links and Resources:
https://harmonyslater.com/ancient-breathing-2-0
Explore Harmony Slater's upcoming retreat in Norway
Explore Harmony Slater’s upcoming retreat in Lisbon 
Explore Harmony Slater's upcoming retreat in Turkey 
Connect with Us (We love to hear from you!)
Harmony Slater's Website: http://harmonyslater.com
Finding Harmony Community 
https://harmonyslater.com/harmony-slater-coaching
⁠Find Harmony on Instagram⁠
Follow the Finding Harmony Podcast on IG
⁠Two Minute Breathwork Session⁠
 
We'd love to hear your thoughts! What resonated with you the most from this episode? Share your experiences and reflections in the Finding Harmony Community!

Harmony talks about the science and practice of breath work (pranayama)