From The Heart, a podcast about Yoga, Mindfulness, Healing and Wellbeing Anahata Yoga Centre

Trigger warning. This episode contains adult language and themes including eating disorders, body image and appearance. Please take care whilst listening. Not suitable for children. Contains swearing.

 
You might have heard the term "every body is a yoga body". Yoga should be accessible to everyone, regardless of shape or size. There is a huge amount of body shaming in the world and the yoga business versus the yogic community is horrifically entangled with it. Yoga can be intimidating and overwhelmingly associated with images of thinness. This is not a truthful representation of yoga or its benefits.
 
In this inspiring episode Dawn welcomes Lucy Bishop, an inclusive yoga teacher and movement specialist. Lucy first found yoga at a time when she had a difficult relationship with her body and eating. She felt connected to the practice but uncomfortable in the space, and looking back she can see the lack of modifications, accessibility and size diversity. Knowing the potential of an accessible practice and the lack of size diversity within the yoga community, Lucy decided to do her teacher training in India and has been teaching yoga since 2016.
 
We talk about Lucy's journey to becoming a yoga teacher, working hard and passionately to promote safe and inclusive spaces. Dawn and Lucy also discuss the false claim that promoting larger bodies in yoga postures means promoting obesity, diet culture's impact on the industry, how we talk to and about ourselves, and the experience of being a larger bodied person in the industry. 
 
An important conversation to have, but together they help raise awareness on the need to acknowledge that things need to change within the yoga community and to allow everyone to feel included in their practice.
 
Lucy Bishop is an inclusive yoga teacher and movement specialist who has been teaching yoga since 2016. Lucy is a full time yoga teacher teaching in community spaces, studios, for corporate clients and lots of other weird and wonderful places. She also runs training sessions for teachers on inclusivity and size inclusivity and is fiercely passionate about making everyone feel welcome in the yoga space.
Connect with Lucy at www.lucybyoga.com and on Instagram at @lucybyoga.

 
 
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From The Heart is a podcast from Dawn Lister, co-owner of the Dawn Lister Therapy Centre and owner of Anahata Yoga and Wellbeing Centre, both in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, UK.
 
This podcast series brings together inspiring people to have deep, profound and meaningful conversations about topical and relevant subjects that matter. With a focus on Spirituality, they share their stories, knowledge, experiences and insights with us through light hearted, kind and honest conversations.
 
Dawn Lister  (she/her) is a Cranial Sacral Therapist, Massage Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness teacher. A creator of courses and workshops as well as a retreat leader, Dawn has run retreats for 26 years and is renowned for her light touch, humour and grounded approach to spirituality. She has worked in the field of complementary therapies for 28 years.
 
Dawn is a firm believer in the power of the connection, the need we all have to feel heard and seen. She loves finding new ways to help us connect with mother earth, each other, our voice and our collective connection as a source for love and healing in the world.
 
Follow Dawn Lister on Instagram at @dawnlisterlos and visit www.dawnlister.com
 
Catch up on previous episodes via the Anahata Yoga Centre website at www.anahatayogacentre.com/podcast

Dawn is delighted to welcome Kate Codrington back to the podcast. In this episode they continue their previous conversation surrounding menopause and to reinforce that what we need in challenging times is not shame or pushing through, but to treat ourselves with care and compassion. 
 

Kate is the author of Second Spring: the self-care guide to menopause. Published by Harper Collins, it’s the first book to give a psychological map for menopause, one of the top ten self-help books of 2022 according to The Independent. Kate mentors people in perimenopause and beyond, 1-2-1 online, runs groups, nature-based Yoga Nidra sessions, hosts Life - An Inside Job podcast, has been a therapist for 30 years and creates multi-level art textile projects. When she’s not doing these things you’ll find her playing in her compost heaps.
 

"Perimenopause can sometimes feel like the rug has been pulled from under our feet and this can leave us feeling disempowered and lost. Second Spring is a new kind of menopause book, bringing the radical notion that with small changes and a clear-eyed look at what’s no longer serving you, you can reclaim your vitality and joy in life. This book offers a new vision for menopause, mapping the psychological phases and showing how this period in your life can be a time of personal growth. Like your slightly sweary best friend, I guide you through managing physical challenges with lifestyle changes and understanding what might be causing them. Whether you choose a natural route, HRT or a combination of both, there’s a wealth of self-care practices available here to soothe your symptoms. These include journaling prompts, practical tips, soulful enquiries and real-life solutions for managing symptoms with kindness, helping you to become the person you always longed to be."
 
Links: Katecodrington.co.uk
Yoga Nidra for hot flushes https://mailchi.mp/katecodrington/hot-flush-nidra
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kate_codrington/
 
Warning: This podcast episode contains swearing.
 
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From The Heart is a podcast from Dawn Lister, co-owner of the Dawn Lister Therapy Centre and owner of Anahata Yoga and Wellbeing Centre, both in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, UK.
 
This podcast series brings together inspiring people to have deep, profound and meaningful conversations about topical and relevant subjects that matter. With a focus on Spirituality, they share their stories, knowledge, experiences and insights with us through light hearted, kind and honest conversations.
 
Dawn Lister  (she/her) is a Cranial Sacral Therapist, Massage Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness teacher. A creator of courses and workshops as well as a retreat leader, Dawn has run retreats for 26 years and is renowned for her light touch, humour and grounded approach to spirituality. She has worked in the field of complementary therapies for 28 years.
 
Dawn is a firm believer in the power of the connection, the need we all have to feel heard and seen. She loves finding new ways to help us connect with mother earth, each other, our voice and our collective connection as a source for love and healing in the world.
 
Follow Dawn Lister on Instagram at @dawnlisterlos and visit www.dawnlister.com
 
Catch up on previous episodes via the Anahata Yoga Centre website at www.anahatayogacentre.com/podcast

In this episode, Dawn welcomes Mara Branscombe to the podcast. Together they hold a beautiful conversation where they discuss feminine archetypes and why they matter. Mara also provides a beautiful reading from her book, which is a real blessing to listen to.
 
They discuss Mara's latest book, Sage Huntress Lover Queen. In this new book, Mara Branscome explains the continuing arc of influence these feminine archetypes have throughout the different stages of our life including inviting in the light aspects and integrating the shadow. She also shares embodiment techniques to help you shift your consciousness and untangle from the habitual and unconscious patterns that dim your vital spark.
 
Mara Branscombe is a mother, writer, yogi, artist, teacher, mindfulness leader, ceremonialist and spiritual coach. She is the author of Ritual As Remedy: Embodied Practices For Soul Care and Sage, Huntress, Lover, Queen: Access Your Power and Creativity through Sacred Female Archetypes. Mara is passionate about weaving the art of mindfulness, self-care, creativity, mind–body practices, and earth-based rituals into her life and work, and she has been leading community ceremony since 2000.
 
Links:
www.marabranscombe.com
www.femininearchetypesbook.com
Instagram: @marabranscombe
 
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From The Heart is a podcast from Dawn Lister, co-owner of the Dawn Lister Therapy Centre and owner of Anahata Yoga and Wellbeing Centre, both in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, UK.
This podcast series brings together inspiring people to have deep, profound and meaningful conversations about topical and relevant subjects that matter. With a focus on Spirituality, they share their stories, knowledge, experiences and insights with us through light hearted, kind and honest conversations.
Dawn Lister  (she/her) is a Cranial Sacral Therapist, Massage Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness teacher. A creator of courses and workshops as well as a retreat leader, Dawn has run retreats for 26 years and is renowned for her light touch, humour and grounded approach to spirituality. She has worked in the field of complementary therapies for 28 years.
Dawn is a firm believer in the power of the connection, the need we all have to feel heard and seen. She loves finding new ways to help us connect with mother earth, each other, our voice and our collective connection as a source for love and healing in the world.
Follow Dawn Lister on Instagram at @dawnlisterlos and visit www.dawnlister.com
Catch up on previous episodes via the Anahata Yoga Centre website at www.anahatayogacentre.com/podcast

In this episode, Dawn is joined by longtime friend, teacher and industry friend, Karen Atkinson, CEO of MindfulnessUK. Together they explore the relationship between mindfulness and compassion and the value of self-inquiry, and they discuss adapting to challenging times in a world that thrives on separation and isolation.
 
Karen Atkinson, CEO of MindfulnessUK, is a mindfulness and compassion expert with three decades of experience. Acclaimed author of "Compassionate Mindful Inquiry in Therapeutic Practice," Atkinson's insights have influenced practitioners worldwide. As the creator of the Iceberg Model of Inquiry, she offers a unique framework for exploring consciousness and understanding human experiences. Serving as a former chair of the British Association of Mindfulness-based Approaches (BAMBA), Karen has been a driving force in integrating mindfulness into therapy.
 
Her teachings empower individuals to enhance self-awareness and resilience, while offering themselves the key ingredient of compassion. Karen’s enduring dedication continues to shape mindfulness, inspiring countless individuals on their journey to inner well-being.
 
To connect with Karen, reach out to her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-atkinson-0750a93a/ 
For more information about MindfulnessUK, visit the website here: www.mindfulnessuk.com 
You can purchase Karen’s book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Compassionate-Mindful-Inquiry-Therapeutic-Practice/dp/1787751759
And join Karen on her next one-day online retreat here: https://mindfulnessuk.com/retreats/ 

 

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From The Heart is a podcast from Dawn Lister, co-owner of the Dawn Lister Therapy Centre and owner of Anahata Yoga Centre, both in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, UK.
This podcast series brings together inspiring people to have deep, profound and meaningful conversations about topical and relevant subjects that matter. With a focus on Spirituality, they share their stories, knowledge, experiences and insights with us through light hearted, kind and honest conversations.
Dawn Lister  (she/her) is a Cranial Sacral Therapist, Massage Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness teacher. A creator of courses and workshops as well as a retreat leader, Dawn has run retreats for 26 years and is renowned for her light touch, humour and grounded approach to spirituality. She has worked in the field of complementary therapies for 28 years.
Dawn is a firm believer in the power of the connection, the need we all have to feel heard and seen. She loves finding new ways to help us connect with mother earth, each other, our voice and our collective connection as a source for love and healing in the world.
Follow Dawn Lister on Instagram at @dawnlisterlos and visit www.dawnlister.com
Catch up on previous episodes via the Anahata Yoga Centre website at www.anahatayogacentre.com/podcast

We are delighted to welcome back Tracee Stanley to our podcast. This episode focuses on her upcoming new book The Luminous Self: Sacred Yogic Practices & Rituals to Remember Who You Are, where we talk about the goals and effects of spiritual practices, how to connect the dots and heal any imprints that arise. We talk about the yoga philosophy, keeping our nervous system calm by practising rituals and enjoying sacred moments in everyday life, learning to say no more and becoming more self aware, as well as her journey to writing her new book.
 
Tracee is always a joy to hold conversation with and we hope this podcast episode brings you a sense of calm, with practical tools and insights to help bring you enhanced self awareness and a feeling of being much more present in your everyday life.
 
We're also pleased to share with you a 30% discount off her new book, The Luminous Self. Visit www.traceestanley.com/luminous-self and use the code LUM30.
 
Tracee Stanley is the author of the bestselling book Radiant Rest: Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation and Awakened Clarity and the forthcoming The Luminous Self: Sacred Yogic Practices & Rituals to Remember Who You Are - Oct 2023 by Shambala Publications. Tracee is the founder of Empowered Life Circle, a sacred community and portal of practices, rituals, and Tantric teachings inspired by more than 20 years of study in Sri Vidya Tantra and the teachings of the Himalayan Masters. As a post-lineage teacher, Tracee is devoted to sharing the wisdom of yoga nidra, rest, meditation, self-inquiry, nature as a teacher, and ancestor reverence. Tracee is gifted in illuminating the magic and power found in liminal space and weaving devotion and practice into daily life. Find out more about Tracee at traceestanley.com.

 

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From The Heart is a podcast from Dawn Lister, co-owner of the Dawn Lister Therapy Centre and owner of Anahata Yoga Centre, both in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, UK.
 
Conversations on From The Heart are with people who are committed to growing, healing, learning and connecting. Dawn Lister is a cranial sacral therapist, yoga and meditation teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, business owner and cult survivor.
 
This podcast series brings together inspiring people to have deep, profound and meaningful conversations about topical and relevant subjects that matter. With a focus on Spirituality, they share their stories, knowledge, experiences and insights with us through light hearted, kind and honest conversations.
 
Dawn Lister  (she/her) is a Cranial Sacral Therapist, Massage Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness teacher. A creator of courses and workshops as well as a retreat leader, Dawn has run retreats for 26 years and is renowned for her light touch, humour and grounded approach to spirituality. She has worked in the field of complementary therapies for 28 years.
 
Dawn is a firm believer in the power of the connection, the need we all have to feel heard and seen. She loves finding new ways to help us connect with mother earth, each other, our voice and our collective connection as a source for love and healing in the world.
 
Follow Dawn Lister on Instagram at @dawnlisterlos & visit www.dawnlister.com. Catch up on previous episodes via the Anahata Yoga Centre website at www.anahatayogacentre.com/podcast. 

In this episode, Dawn speaks to Shanthini Ramanan, a modern yogini named after the beautiful Bhuvaneshwari temple in Pudukottai, her Grandparents hometown.
 
We have named this episode The Modern Yogini, as our conversation unravels the tale of her life, born into a traditional Hindu family (Brahmin caste) growing up in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Southern India, and the first of 3 children. A religious family with faith at its heart, she vividly remembers her Grandfather sitting in Padmasana (lotus pose) for 2 hours every morning performing an elaborate shiva pooja before work. Evenings he would meditate and chant mantra.
 
As she grew into adulthood, her innate spiritual temperament was at odds with her rebellious nature. Shanthini had a traditional marriage aged 20 and came to the UK. Poorly equipped to cope, she felt alone and isolated, yet it was her unshakable faith in the divine that got her through. The following years brought great suffering, including a divorce resulting in her being outcast from the local temple community which had been a huge part of her and her family's life.
 
Finding her strength in her spirituality, she leant into the power of prayer and mantra. Shanthini went on to change careers, becoming a therapist, and was involved in the development of a social enterprise company Papas Pickles. Shanthini has built a beautiful Shala in her home, a place for women to gather and be nourished with food, love and spiritual community. She shares with us her rich story. A mantra. And the lesson of what it means to be a yogini in the world today, the inner work, the kindness, the compassion and the connection to the divine.
 

Please leave us a question, comment or view. We'd love to hear how his episode lands with you. 
 

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From The Heart is a podcast from Dawn Lister, co-owner of the Dawn Lister Therapy Centre and owner of Anahata Yoga Centre, both in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, UK.
 
Conversations on From The Heart are with people who are committed to growing, healing, learning and connecting. Dawn Lister is a cranial sacral therapist, yoga and meditation teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, business owner and cult survivor.
 
This podcast series brings together inspiring people to have deep, profound and meaningful conversations about topical and relevant subjects that matter. With a focus on Spirituality, they share their stories, knowledge, experiences and insights with us through light hearted, kind and honest conversations.
 
Dawn Lister  (she/her) is a Cranial Sacral Therapist, Massage Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness teacher. A creator of courses and workshops as well as a retreat leader, Dawn has run retreats for 26 years and is renowned for her light touch, humour and grounded approach to spirituality. She has worked in the field of complementary therapies for 28 years.
 
Dawn is a firm believer in the power of the connection, the need we all have to feel heard and seen. She loves finding new ways to help us connect with mother earth, each other, our voice and our collective connection as a source for love and healing in the world.
 
Follow Dawn Lister on Instagram at @dawnlisterlos & visit www.dawnlister.com. Catch up on previous episodes via the Anahata Yoga Centre website at www.anahatayogacentre.com/podcast.