Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast

Aaron Petty + Paige Taylah
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the Om Som Yoga and Ayurveda Podcast with Aaron Petty and Paige Taylah. Our goal with this podcast is to dive into how we as humans can live more intentional, ethical & sustainable lives. And also how we can come into harmony with, ourselves, others & the earth in the process.

  1. 4D AGO

    Why Yoga Plateaus Happen & How Spanda Unlocks Them

    PRACTICE WITH US: 365 Sadhana Sangha ⁠⁠⁠ https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join⁠⁠⁠ 100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma ⁠⁠⁠ https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto ⁠⁠⁠200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026 ⁠⁠⁠ https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka⁠⁠⁠ 50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training ⁠⁠⁠ https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto⁠⁠ ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:In this episode we explore Spanda, the subtle pulsation and rhythm of life that restores flow when stillness turns into stagnation. Through stories, classical Tantra, and lived practice, this conversation reframes meditation and yoga as a relationship with rhythm rather than control. We unpack how rigidity is not stillness, why forcing silence often backfires, and how tuning into Spanda allows the mind, breath, and body to move naturally again. This episode invites you to soften fixation, rediscover rhythm, and reconnect with the living pulse beneath all experience. DEFINITION & ETYMOLOGY:• Spanda (स्पन्द) - pulsation, vibration, rhythmic movement, throb• From the root spand - to vibrate, quiver, expand, pulse• In Tantric philosophy, Spanda refers to the subtle movement within apparent stillness• A key distinction explored in this episode:– Spanda as natural rhythm and pulsation– Rajas as erratic, out-of-time movement that lacks harmony KEY CONCEPTS & INSIGHTS:• Rigidity is not the absence of movement, but frozen movement• A busy mind can still be a stuck mind when thoughts loop without progression• Spanda restores flow by reintroducing rhythm rather than forcing silence• Stillness in yoga does not negate movement: breath, heart, and awareness continue to pulse• Rhythm is how life expresses itself, from the heartbeat to the breath to the cycles of nature• Music moves us because it mirrors our own inner rhythm and vitality• When the mind reconnects to rhythm, fixation softens and awareness naturally progresses• Plateaus in practice often arise from clinging rather than listening TEXTUAL & TRADITIONAL SOURCES:• Spanda Kārikā - a foundational Tantric text devoted entirely to the principle of Spanda• “Yatra yatra mano yāti tatra tatra samādhayaḥ” - wherever the mind goes, there is absorption• Teaching explored: when awareness absorbs into rhythm, identity loosens and presence deepens• Spanda as the bridge between consciousness and manifestation in Tantric cosmology PRACTICAL INTEGRATION:• Notice where your mind has become rigid, even if it feels busy• Return to rhythm through breath when fixation appears• In asana, allow movement within steadiness rather than gripping for control• Practise without a fixed sequence: sit, feel, move when it feels right, return, and notice the residue• In meditation, soften focus instead of forcing attention onto an object• When the mind wanders, reconnect with breath and rhythm rather than self-judgement• Reflect: where are you clinging to how things “should” be? What happens when you listen instead? SHARE & CONNECTThank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast. Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We’d love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey. HARI OM

    31 min

  2. FEB 8

    The Yogic Secret to Balance: Samāna (Not More Effort)

    PRACTICE WITH US: 365 Sadhana Sangha ⁠⁠ https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join⁠⁠⁠ 100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma ⁠⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto⁠⁠⁠ 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026 ⁠⁠⁠https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka⁠⁠⁠ 50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training ⁠⁠⁠ https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto⁠⁠ ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:Have you ever noticed how some people aren’t actually exhausted they’re just scattered? In this episode we explore Samāna, the balancing, gathering, integrating principle that brings us back into the centre when life feels dispersed. This conversation reframes nourishment as equilibrium: when the system returns to homeostasis, every layer of life is fed. We unpack why more effort, more intensity, and more “input” doesn’t fix burnout and what’s missing is integration. You’ll learn how Samāna works through breath, body, digestion, and the mind, and how balance becomes the foundation that lets you move through life with clarity, buoyancy, and ease. DEFINITION & ETYMOLOGY:• Samāna / Samana - the equalising, gathering, integrating principle of prāṇa• Root sama (सम) - equal, together, whole, unified, complete• A key distinction explored in this episode:– samāna as a quality of balance and equilibrium– samāna as a vāyu (a specific action of prāṇa in the body), often linked with digestion and the navel centre KEY CONCEPTS & INSIGHTS:• Feeling “burnt out” is often dispersed energy, not a lack of energy• Adding more intensity (hard practice, heavy breathwork, more doing) can further deplete a scattered system• Samāna is the force that brings you back to centre physically, mentally, emotionally• Balance is not an extreme: yoga continually returns us to the middle ground• Water as nourishment = equilibrium, buoyancy, and the ability to stay afloat• When you know what imbalance feels like, you gain a reference point for what balance actually is TEXTUAL & TRADITIONAL SOURCES:• Charaka Saṃhitā (Chapter 12) - Samāna vāyu digests the nutritive essence of food• Charaka Saṃhitā - Samāna resides in the abdominal / belly region• Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayam - Samāna assists Agni (digestive fire): it steadies the fire rather than being the fire itself PRACTICAL INTEGRATION:• Nāḍī Śodhana (alternate nostril breathing) to balance Iḍā and Piṅgalā• Sama Vṛtti (equal ratio / box breathing) e.g. 4 in / 4 hold / 4 out / 4 hold• Twisting postures to gather awareness into the belly and create an internalising, centring effect• Balancing postures (like tree pose) as a lived training of returning to centre• Reflect: where does your energy disperse (work, relationships, social media)? What brings you back?• Track the last 24 hours: what pulled you out, what restored you SHARE & CONNECT Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast. Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We’d love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey. HARI OM

    32 min

  3. FEB 1

    Lahiri: Undulating Movement Through the Spine

    PRACTICE WITH US:365 Sadhana Sangha ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join⁠⁠100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto⁠⁠200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026 ⁠⁠https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka⁠⁠50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto⁠⁠ ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:In this episode, we are joined by yoga teacher and Pilates instructor Milli for an embodied exploration of Lahiri, the yogic principle of wave-like, adaptive movement. Together, they unpack a common pattern seen in modern practice: bodies that can hold strong poses but freeze the moment movement is required. Rather than chasing flexibility or forcing flow, this conversation reframes fluidity as something that arises naturally once the body feels supported and stable. Drawing from yoga philosophy, lived teaching experience, and practical movement education, this episode explores how true flow comes from adaptability, not looseness, and how movement becomes nourishing when it undulates rather than resists. DEFINITION & ETYMOLOGY:Lahiri (लहरी) means a wave or rhythmic rippleDerived from the root lahar, meaning to oscillate or undulateLahiri describes continuous, predictable, wave-like movementIn yoga, Lahiri is movement that adapts and reorganises without collapsing KEY CONCEPTS & INSIGHTS:Strength without adaptability leads to gripping and rigidityTrue flow only arises when the body feels safe and supportedStability is the foundation from which movement becomes fluidThe spine functions best as a wave, not a rigid stickUndulating movement improves coordination, awareness, and easeFluid movement mirrors nature - tides, rivers, spirals, and breathNourishment comes from movement itself, not effort or intensity TEXTUAL & PHILOSOPHICAL REFERENCES: Zen story of the river and the rock - adaptability over rigiditySaundarya Lahiri - “the waves of beauty,” attributed to Ādi ŚaṅkaraClassical Tantric insight: Śiva united with Śakti enables movementConsciousness requires aliveness and embodiment to manifest Nature moves in curves and spirals, not straight lines PRACTICAL INTEGRATION:Establish stability through the feet, legs, and pelvis before flowingPractise spinal waves to articulate each segment of the spineInitiate movement from the sacrum rather than forcing shapeAllow transitions to blend rather than move in rigid segmentsMatch breath to movement - inhale to rise, exhale to foldLengthen the breath to match the duration of the movementUse gentle joint movements and Apāna kriyās to restore nourishmentBack off depth in poses to allow movement and adaptabilityNotice how fluid movement creates ease both on and off the mat SHARE & CONNECT Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast. Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We’d love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey. HARI OM

    28 min

  4. JAN 25

    An Ayurvedic Conversation on Grounding Vata with Myra Lewin

    PRACTICE WITH US: 365 Sadhana Sangha ⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join⁠ 100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma ⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto⁠ 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026 ⁠https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka⁠ 50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training ⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE: In this special interview episode, Aaron is joined by Ayurvedic teacher and yogini Myra Lewin, founder of Hale Pule, for a grounded and nourishing conversation about the Earth element (Pṛthvī), the importance of embodiment, and how to stabilise Vata in the modern world. Together, they explore what it truly means to be grounded, not just as a trendy concept, but as a deeply Ayurvedic principle tied to health, clarity, and spiritual connection. Myra shares insights from her 35+ years of practice, including the effects of food, overstimulation, irregularity, and disembodiment on our mental and physical well-being. DEFINITION & ETYMOLOGY: Pṛthvī (पृथ्वी) is the Sanskrit term for Earth, the densest and most stable of the Mahābhūtas (five great elements). It represents solidity, stability, support, and form. To be “grounded” in Ayurveda means to be connected with the body, rooted in presence, and in right relationship with gravity, awareness, and nourishment. KEY CONCEPTS & INSIGHTS: Grounding is awareness in the body: Myra explains that being grounded means occupying your body fully with awareness in your feet, energy, and personal space. Vata imbalance = ungroundedness: Common symptoms include dissociation, spaciness, bumping into things, fear-based decisions, irregularity, and overstimulation. Modern contributors to Vata aggravation: Excessive travel, screen use, fasting, liquid meals, poor sleep, irregular routines, and overstimulation. Stabilising Vata through food and routine: She shares examples of grounding (augmenting) foods like whole grains and sweet vegetables, and encourages a consistent schedule of meals and sleep. The importance of sadhana: Myra shares her own daily routine of mantra, fire ceremony, Surya Namaskar, pranayama, meditation, and gratitude - simple practices that anchor presence and build resilience. Awareness begins in Ajñā (the centre of seeing): Myra redefines grounding as not just dropping into the pelvis, but anchoring awareness from the Ajñā chakra, with clear seeing and conscious presence. Ayurveda as holistic living: Rather than compartmentalising health, Myra reflects on how Ayurveda helped her life “make sense” and guided her toward true freedom, embodiment, and joy. PRACTICAL INTEGRATION: Start with one grounding practice and do it every day: regular meals, sleep, walks, or even a grounding cord visualisation. Eat augmenting foods: whole grains, root vegetables, and nourishing sweet tastes that build tissue and bring you into your body. Hold your awareness at the centre of your head (Ajñā) while sending energetic roots down - ground from within without dulling your clarity. Be consistent, not extreme: Myra reminds us that Ayurveda is not about restriction, but about rhythm and presence. Stay rooted in your own experience: Learn from others, but discern what supports your individual path. ABOUT MYRA LEWIN: Myra Lewin is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yogini, and founder of Hale Pule School of Ayurveda and Yoga. With over 200,000 hours of teaching experience, she’s mentored thousands of students worldwide. Learn more at ⁠halepule.com⁠. SHARE & CONNECT Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast. Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey. HARI OM

    48 min

  5. JAN 18

    Kaya Sthiram: The Yogic Foundation Of Mental Steadiness

    PRACTICE WITH US: 365 Sadhana Sangha ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join⁠⁠ 100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto⁠⁠ 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026 ⁠⁠https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka⁠⁠ 50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto⁠⁠ ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE: In this episode, Aaron is joined by our Studio Manager here at Om Som and Senior Teacher Lina for a grounded exploration of Kaya Sthiram, the steadiness and stillness of the body as the foundation for meditation. Together, they unpack one of the most common frustrations people experience in practice: “I can’t meditate because my mind won’t stop.” Rather than approaching stillness through effort or mental control, this conversation reframes meditation as something that begins in the body. Drawing from classical yoga teachings, lived experience, and practical application, this episode explores why mental steadiness cannot arise until the body feels safe, settled, and unmoving, and why stillness has always been taught as a somatic experience before a mental one. DEFINITION & ETYMOLOGY: Kaya (काय) means body, field, or embodied formSthiram (स्थिर) means steady, stable, unmoving, able to hold Kaya Sthiram refers to the steadiness of the body and the field of awareness inhabiting it. It is not rigidity, but a grounded stillness that allows awareness to settle. KEY CONCEPTS & INSIGHTS: A restless mind is often the result of an unsettled body Stillness does not begin with thought, but with sensation The nervous system must recognise safety before the mind can rest Ancient yogic teachings observed that animals only rest once their bodies fully settle Kaya Sthiram acts as a doorway into parasympathetic regulation The body is the first anchor for awareness before breath or mantra Modern overstimulation keeps the body vigilant, preventing mental stillness Asana exists to prepare the body for meditation, not to bypass it TEXTUAL SOURCES: Yoga Sūtra 2.46 Sthira sukham āsanam, posture as steadiness and ease Yoga Sūtra framework Asana before pranayama, pranayama before meditation Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā Asana steadies the body and brings firmness Classical teaching When the body is steady, prana settles, and the mind follows PRACTICAL INTEGRATION: Do fewer asanas and hold them for longer periodsMinimise fidgeting, adjusting, and unnecessary movement in posesUse the body as the anchor for attention rather than the mind Repeat a simple internal cue such as “I am here” or “Where are my feet?” Pause between tasks in daily life and notice bodily sensations Allow the body to fully settle before moving on to the next action Meet basic needs first (thirst, hunger, rest) before asking the mind to be still Practise small moments of stillness throughout the day as daily Kaya Sthiram SHARE & CONNECT Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast. Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We’d love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey. HARI OM

    31 min

  6. JAN 11

    Langhana: A Practical Guide to Down-Regulating the Nervous System

    PRACTICE WITH US: 365 Sadhana Sangha ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join⁠⁠ 100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto⁠⁠ 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026 ⁠⁠https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka⁠⁠ 50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:In this episode, Aaron is joined by long-time Om Som teacher and student of Chinese medicine, Selenna, for a grounded exploration of Langhana, the yogic principle of calming, descending, and settling the breath and nervous system. Together, we explore why so many people struggle to slow their breath, and how what we often label as anxiety or restlessness is actually excess energy with nowhere to land. Rather than breathing more, this conversation invites us to breathe less, allowing the system to settle through longer, slower exhalations. Drawing from yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, physiology, meditation, and lived practice, this episode reframes pranayama as an energetic practice rather than breath control, and offers Langhana as the foundational approach to calming the body, mind, and prana. DEFINITION & ETYMOLOGY:• Langhana (लङ्घन) comes from the Sanskrit root lang, meaning to lighten, reduce, alleviate, or settle• In yogic and Ayurvedic traditions, Langhana refers to practices that calm excess and reduce overstimulation• Langhana describes an energetic effect, not a single technique• The result of Langhana is down-regulation, grounding, and nervous system settling KEY CONCEPTS & INSIGHTS:• Anxiety and restlessness as excess energy rather than personal failure• The overfilled bowl metaphor and the need to empty before receiving• Why classical pranayama begins with the exhale before the inhale• Langhana as the first and foundational approach to breath and energy regulation• The difference between breath work and pranayama - prana rides the breath• How fast, forceful breathing can feel good while increasing agitation• Discomfort when slowing the breath as information, not failure TEXTUAL SOURCES:• Yoga Sūtra 2.49 - pranayama as regulation of inhalation and exhalation• Yoga Sūtra 2.50 - exhalation, inhalation, and retention as the classical order• Yoga Sūtra 2.51 - dirgha-sukshma, the deep and subtle breath• Ayurvedic principle of Langhana as the primary response to excess and overstimulation PRACTICAL INTEGRATION:• Practise slow, extended exhalations and build gradually over time• Use viṣama vṛtti, unequal ratios such as inhaling for 4 and exhaling for 6–8• Explore gentle belly breathing to support diaphragmatic movement• Use soft ujjayi on the exhale to naturally lengthen the breath• Pause between asanas rather than moving continuously• Do less, on and off the mat, to reduce excess stimulation• Notice natural sighs or spontaneous slowing of the breath as expressions of the body’s innate intelligence SHARE & CONNECT Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast. Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey. HARI OM

    40 min

  7. JAN 4

    Sthiram Āsanam - The Foundation of Asana Practice

    PRACTICE WITH US: 365 Sadhana Sangha ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join⁠⁠ 100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharma ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto⁠⁠ 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026 ⁠⁠https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka⁠⁠ 50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training ⁠⁠https://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:In the first episode of Season 3, Aaron is joined by yoga teacher and Pilates instructor Milly for a grounded, practical exploration of Sthiram Āsanam, steadiness in posture. Together, we unpack why so many people feel busy, effortful, and inconsistent in their bodies, despite moving constantly. Rather than blaming motivation or discipline, this conversation reframes instability as a lack of support and explores how true steadiness begins with grounding, alignment, and relationship with the Earth. Using classical yogic teachings, lived experience, and practical asana insights, this episode bridges philosophy and practice, showing how stability in the body becomes the foundation for steadiness in the mind, emotions, and life. DEFINITION & ETYMOLOGY:Sthiram (स्थिर) — steady, stable, firm, grounded, unmovingĀsanam (आसनम्) — seat, posture, abiding place Sthiram Āsanam refers to a posture that can be inhabited with stability and support, rather than endured through effort or force. In the yogic tradition, the body becomes the seat of awareness only when it feels safe, rooted, and held. KEY CONCEPTS & INSIGHTS: Stability before ease: The episode explores Patanjali’s teaching that steadiness comes before comfort and why ease cannot arise without support. The body as Earth: Drawing from the Purāṇic story of Bhūmi Devī, the Earth Goddess, Aaron shares how even the Earth must be held correctly to sustain life, a powerful metaphor for asana and alignment. Feet as foundation: True stability begins at the feet, not the spine. Spreading, yielding, and stacking the feet creates the surface area needed for steadiness. Alignment over effort: Stability arises from stacking bones and joints, not muscular tension. When structure supports the body, effort can soften. Slow transitions build steadiness: Moving slowly between postures trains stability through change, not just in static shapes. Standing postures as training ground: Tādāsana, Warriors, Goddess, lunges, and balance poses are key practices for cultivating Sthiram. Steadiness of body, steadiness of mind: Classical texts consistently link physical stability with mental clarity and emotional grounding. TEXTUAL SOURCES: Yoga Sūtra 2.46sthira sukham āsanamPosture is steady and easeful. Yoga Sūtra 2.47prayatna śaithilya ananta samāpattibhyāmBy relaxing effort and meditating on the infinite, asana is mastered. Haṭha Yoga PradīpikāAsana steadies the body, destroys disease, and gives lightness to the limbs.Steadiness of the body leads to steadiness of the mind. Gheraṇḍa SaṁhitāAsana gives firmness to the body, steadiness to the limbs, and lightness. PRACTICAL INTEGRATION: Begin with simplicity: Choose one to three standing postures and practice them consistently. Start from the ground up: Establish the feet first, then stack ankles, knees, hips, and spine. Slow down transitions: Maintain stability as you move between postures, not just when holding them. Pause before moving: In practice and in life, steadiness comes from pausing before the next step. SHARE & CONNECT Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast. Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We’d love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey. HARI OM

    35 min

  8. 12/21/2025

    Buddhi: How to Hear Your Inner Guidance (and Trust it)

    PRACTICE WITH US: 365 Sadhana Sanghahttps://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join 100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharmahttps://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-oto 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training Sri Lanka 2026https://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-sri-lanka 50 Hr Online Yin Yoga Teacher Traininghttps://practice.omsom.yoga/yin-yoga-and-prana-vayus-oto ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE We complete our 4-part series on the functions of the mind (Antaḥkaraṇa) with a deep dive into Buddhi, the faculty of discernment. Often misunderstood or underdeveloped in modern life, Buddhi is the seat of clarity, intuition, and right action. Without it, our practice remains mechanical and our decisions reactive. This episode explores Buddhi not just as an idea, but as a spiritual function that bridges the mind to the Self. DEFINITION AND ETYMOLOGY OF BUDDHI Buddhi (बुद्धि) is derived from the Sanskrit root budh, meaning "to know" or "to awaken". It refers to the discerning faculty of the mind — the one that decides, reasons, and realises. Buddhi is the still, silent witness that sees without reacting. When activated, it leads us from compulsion to clarity. KEY CONCEPTS COVERED How Buddhi differs from Manas, Citta, and Ahaṃkāra Buddhi as the internal guide, and how it's clouded by Rajas and Tamas The role of Buddhi in yoga practice, ethics, and daily decision-making Why Buddhi is essential for moving toward viveka (discrimination between real and unreal) Christ Consciousness and Buddha nature as metaphors for awakened Buddhi The transition from reactive mind to witnessing awareness TEXTUAL SOURCES Yoga Sūtra 1.20: śraddhā vīrya smṛti samādhi prajñā pūrvaka itareṣām — the path to awakening requires discernment (prajñā) Bhagavad Gītā 2.50: yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam - Yoga is skill in action, guided by Buddhi References to the Katha Upaniṣad’s chariot model, where Buddhi is the charioteer Tantric model of viveka khyāti - developing clear seeing through sustained practice PRACTICAL INTEGRATION Practices to strengthen Buddhi Svādhyāya (self-study) and scriptural reflection Pratyāhāra and Dhyāna for non-reactive observation Choosing sāttvic food, company, and habits to clear mental fog Asking: “Is this reaction or response?” before making decisions Meditating on the silence behind thoughts Viewing spiritual maturity as the refinement of Buddhi — not just accumulation of knowledge SHARE & CONNECT Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast. Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OmSom.yoga⁠⁠ We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey. HARI OM

    21 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Om Som Yoga and Ayurveda Podcast with Aaron Petty and Paige Taylah. Our goal with this podcast is to dive into how we as humans can live more intentional, ethical & sustainable lives. And also how we can come into harmony with, ourselves, others & the earth in the process.

Information

  • Creator
    Aaron Petty + Paige Taylah
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    112
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Aaron Petty + Paige Taylah
  • Show Website
    Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast

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