Yoga Ethics For Modern Living

A Podcast From Sofia Mella

5.0 (1)
Society & Culture
Updated Semiweekly

An exploration of the Yoga Sutras' Yamas & Niyamas, through an apocalyptic post-post modern lens. sofiacaramella.substack.com

08/02/2025

Sailing With Phoenix, Ishvara Pranidhana, & Introducing Night Blooming Jasmine 🤍

We did it Joe! This is the last episode in the Yoga Ethics For Modern Living Series. A journey that began under a democrat and ended in the desert of our collective souls, lolz. Jk, things are looking up! In this episode: A tribute to Oliver & Phoenix and their saltwater pilgrimage Ishvara Pranidhana – the practice of devotion and surrender to the divine also... Upanishads, wind turbines, Euro black outs, and does anyone know how to change a stereo fuse in a Fiat 500? From May 2025. Support me on Patreon This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sofiacaramella.substack.com/subscribe

21 min
07/22/2025

Svadyaya: Self Study

Yoga Ethics returns with Svadyaya, the yogic principle of self study - a tool for radical self-awareness, and a spiritual survival skill for 2025 and beyond. Explore what it is to just look at yourself: your patterns, ego, addiction, motivations. Facing our true selves voluntarily is preferable to the inevitable alternative of having life force it upon you. And it will. Join the Patreon Also: – the wild prospect of a 100% film tariff and the possible death of global storytelling! – the ego’s grip on pleasure and power! – the brilliance of unsung creatives like Shere Hite and Allee Willis! - the extra $1 for so-called organic mushrooms?! Originally aired in May of 2025. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sofiacaramella.substack.com/subscribe

40 min
07/04/2025

FIRE WALK WITH ME - TAPAS

Originally released in April 2025, in this episode I walk through the flames of transformation, both metaphorical and literal. With the help of surrealist cinema in the form of David Lynch’s Fire Walk With Me, we put one foot in front of the other, confront our deepest darkest, without running in terror. It’s through discipline and focus that we become the magician, the alchemist of our own lives. Explore the Niyama of Tapas, and join Patreon for bonus content xxx This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sofiacaramella.substack.com/subscribe

31 min
06/11/2025

The Mind Is It's Own Place - Santosha

Today we're diving into Santosha—contentment—the second Niyama from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. This episode explores what it means to find peace by accepting what is… even in a culture that constantly pushes for more. *some episodes recorded back to back around this same time, not pertaining to the Yamas and Niyamas, but referenced therein, can be found at Patreon.com/thisbodypodcast. For example, Fire Night, when the Eaton Fire burnt down my neighborhood, and Survivor’s Guilt, about the aftermath. Join for free for a week, and see if you like xx This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sofiacaramella.substack.com/subscribe

34 min
06/09/2025

Everything is GROSS! Time to Take Out the Trash! Yoga Ethics For Modern Living Continues with Saucha!

We’re taking out the trash on this episode, as we take a freestyle look at the first Niyama, Saucha, aka Purity. Of mind, of body, of environment.. Lets gooooooo! Mentioned in the episode: Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.40 Originally released March 2025 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sofiacaramella.substack.com/subscribe

38 min
06/03/2025

Altadena & Aparigraha: Letting Go of What Burned

Originally released in January, 2025 - the month the fires changed many lives in Los Angeles. God is Change. January has been a meat cleaver to the soul. In this intimate and raw episode, I reflect on the devastating loss of my beloved mountain town, Altadena. I talk about what it's like to adjust to life in the desert with my aging pets, the comfort of sunlit silence, and the deep spiritual principle of aparigraha—non-attachment—as both balm and challenge in the face of grief. This is about using yoga to handle the seasons and start again. Again. JOIN THE PATREON!!!! Help an Altadena girlie thrive :) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sofiacaramella.substack.com/subscribe

36 min
05/31/2025

Sex, Yoga, & Brahmacharya

Become the master of your domain! The rubber hits the road in episode 4. We explore sexual agency through the lens of the Yama, Brahmacharya, non excess. Also, the American healthcare system is criminal, Syria is liberated, and Brad Pitt is a d******d. *originally released in December 2024 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sofiacaramella.substack.com/subscribe

32 min
05/28/2025

Asteya & Authenticity: Yoga Ethics, Kendrick vs. Drake, and the Culture of Taking

In the third installment of our Yoga Ethics for Modern Living series, we dive deep into Asteya (non-stealing)—one of the foundational Yamas of yoga philosophy. This episode explores how the principle of non-stealing applies not just to our personal lives, but to larger cultural narratives, including the ongoing beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, the never-ending impact of colonization, and what it means to approach life with integrity and dignity. Whether you're a yoga enthusiast, a pop culture lover, or simply someone seeking more mindful living, this episode offers insights on living with authenticity and self respect. Mentioned in this episode:📚 The Yamas & Niyamas by Deborah Adele This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sofiacaramella.substack.com/subscribe

22 min
05/25/2025

Satya: The Yoga of Truth in a Filtered World

What even is truth these days?In this episode of the Yoga Ethics for Modern Living series, we explore Satya — the yogic principle of truthfulness — and what it means in an age of Instagram filters, personal branding, and performative authenticity. Is truth about facts, self-expression, or deeper alignment with who we really are? Why does it sometimes feel easier to be nice than to be honest — and what’s the cost? We look at Mike Tyson’s brutally bad judgement, Jake Paul’s curated chaos, and Joan Didion’s reflections on narrative and self-deception, all through the lens of modern spirituality, mindfulness, and ethical living. Truth Hurts — but it hurts so good. sofiacaramella.substack.com/subscribe

39 min
05/23/2025

Ahimsa: Non-Violence in a Violent World

Come with me as I visit the touchstones of yogic philosophy in this series on The Yamas & Niyamas. Will your karma be ruined if you spray the ants in your bathtub? If you practice long enough, can you go invisible? Will meditation lead of levitation? Let’s find out together! Starting at the beginning with Ahimsa, non-harming. Let’s go! *This episode originally aired in October 2024, before the election, and the LA fires. Subscribe to This Body on Patreon Follow Sofia on Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sofiacaramella.substack.com/subscribe

45 min

10 Episodes

Relatable

05/28/2025

Ohana Aloha

Sofia simplifies yoga ethics and makes them relevant to the modern human. Not lecture-y or sanctimonious. Funny though!

An exploration of the Yoga Sutras' Yamas & Niyamas, through an apocalyptic post-post modern lens. sofiacaramella.substack.com

Creator

A Podcast From Sofia Mella
Years Active

2K
Episodes

10
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Sofia
Show Website

Yoga Ethics For Modern Living