Functional Spirituality

Ava Irani

Hi, my name is Ava and I’m delighted to offer you “Functional Spirituality”, a free resource of talks, trainings and guided meditations. I use an academic approach to invite critical thinking into energetic, mystical and heart-based practices. Spirituality has a history of disempowering the individual and worshiping the guru or priest, without question. In this podcast, I aim to reduce the dogma that has rendered so many schools and practices ineffective - (and strange AF) - and to elevate the conversation around spirituality. I want to EMPOWER the meditator and yogi, to place the power back in our hands, to live directly from our own experience. I hope you enjoy! For Q&A questions, topic suggestions email Ava at functionalspiritualityretreat@gmail.com Visit www.functionalspirituality.com Follow us @FunctionalSpirituality or @avairani_ and our Yoga Studio at @spandaschool

  1. 12/09/2025

    Is there a huge problem with Vinyasa?

    So many people step into a yoga class expecting an ancient practice, yet most modern vinyasa is actually a recent aesthetic invention. In this episode, Ava unpacks the toxic patterns shaping the modern yoga industry, why students often hand their authority over without realising it, and what a body led, trauma-informed practice looks and feels like in comparison. If you love yoga, teach yoga, or care about spiritual integrity, this conversation offers clarity, context and a deeper understanding of what you are truly practicing. Listen in and share how this information lands for you. Whether you agree or disagree, we welcome your reflections.   Relevant links:  Podcast episode: 4 stages of spiritual seeking Functional Flow Yoga Teacher Training    Chapter markers:  00:00 Introduction to the topic 01:43 Setting the context for this conversation 07:00 Why Ava is positioned to speak on these topics 12:10 What modern vinyasa actually is and the goals behind it 15:44 The core issues within this style of practice 20:45 A body led, trauma-informed approach compared with the medicalised yoga model 26:16 The origins of Hatha Yoga and a summary of key points 30:50 Invitation to share your thoughts   Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness: www.functionalspirituality.com   Free resources: Newsletter sign-up:  A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month. Community meditation: Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.   Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality: Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration. Connect on Socials Where you can hear from us in daily life Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality  Studio: @spandaschool  Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals

    32 min

  2. 11/17/2025

    The Pyramid No One Wants to Admit Exists in Coaching

    Have you ever felt something is “off” in the coaching or wellness industry? In this episode, Ava unpacks the invisible pyramid shaping these spaces and why so many of us feel uneasy inside them. We explore skill bypassing, surface culture, cognitive dissonance and what real integrity looks like in practice.  A grounded, necessary conversation for anyone devoted to integrity, embodiment and real service.   Chapter markers 00:00 Introduction 02:17 The invisible pyramid 03:37 Bypassing the skill 05:06 Marketing mechanisms 06:40 The surface culture 07:51 Responsibility at the top 11:20 Cognitive dissonance 14:25 A way forward 19:30 Slower businesses, bigger impact 22:00 Integrity   Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness: www.functionalspirituality.com   Free resources: Newsletter sign-up:  A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month. Community meditation: Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.   Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality: Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration. Connect on Socials Where you can hear from us in daily life Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality  Studio: @spandaschool  Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals

    24 min

  3. 10/19/2025

    Privilege vs. Advantage

    In this episode, Ava explores the term privilege: how it’s been shaped, stretched, and sometimes misunderstood in today’s world. With honesty and depth, she opens a compassionate conversation about how we can move toward greater understanding, healing, and collective repair. A philosophical nonsense term is an expression or idea that sounds profound but lacks substantive meaning, coherence, or verifiable content.   We’d love to hear what this topic stirs or awakens in you!   Chapter markers:    00:00 – Introduction to the topic 02:42 – Why is privilege a non-sense term 03:50  - Privilege vs advantage 09:00 – Healing, repair, growth and dismantling unhealthy systems  12:09 - Functionality and intention  14:30 - Approaches that do not include you feeling shame, blame and guilt 16:55 - Recap Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness: www.functionalspirituality.com   Free resources: Newsletter sign-up:  A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month. Community meditation: Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.   Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality: Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration. Connect on Socials Where you can hear from us in daily life Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality  Studio: @spandaschool  Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals

    21 min

  4. 10/08/2025

    Loosing a loved one - how to cope with death and loss

    In this episode, Ava explores a listener’s question: “How do I deal with the terrifying fear of a loved one dying?” Moments of birth and death often stir deep reflections about our own mortality. This conversation offers insight and comfort for anyone who is grieving a loss or living in fear of losing someone they love. A gentle exploration of loss, death, and the path toward meeting them with greater awareness, compassion, and freedom from unnecessary fear and suffering.   Chapter markers:    00:00 – Introduction to the topic and update about Honey 04:30 – The power of death and how it pulls on fear and love 05:30 – What we need to accept: coming to terms with life and death 07:12 – How modern life distracts us from our mortality 08:42 – Grief as a reflection of love 09:58 – Key questions to ask yourself: grief vs. suffering 11:15 – Ava shares what she is learning to accept as Honey nears the end of her life 17:10 – What happens when we don’t fully allow ourselves to grieve 18:10 – Closing reflections and invitation to share your thoughts   Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness: www.functionalspirituality.com   Free resources: Newsletter sign-up:  A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month. Community meditation: Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.   Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality: Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration. Connect on Socials Where you can hear from us in daily life Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality  Studio: @spandaschool

    19 min

  5. 09/28/2025

    Guided meditation: Coming home to yourself

    Life constantly asks us to show up, give, and move forward. But to truly meet the world with fullness, we also need moments to return to ourselves. Without that inward pause, our energy scatters and we lose touch with balance, joy, and wellbeing. This meditation is an invitation to slow down, hold yourself gently, and reconnect with your inner-strength.   If you enjoy this audio you can save the link somewhere in your phone, or make a playlist for it so you have access to this practice with one click.   Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness: www.functionalspirituality.com   Free resources: Newsletter sign-up:  A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month. Community meditation: Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.   Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality: Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration. Connect on Socials Where you can hear from us in daily life Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality  Studio: @spandaschool

    23 min

  6. 09/14/2025

    I'm not good enough

    In this episode, Ava opens up about some “real-life material” she’s currently moving through: a deep sadness rooted in an unmet childhood need. She shares her process honestly, in the hope that it may resonate with you and spark reflection on your own journey. We’d love to hear how this exploration touches you and the ways it shows up in your life.   Relevant links:  Guided meditations from Functional Spirituality   Chapter markers:    00:00 Introduction and update from Ava’s life 03:30 ‘I’m not good enough’ 6:30 A deep need for connection that hasn’t been met 9:00  Achieving the sense of enoughness and worthiness 10:40 Integrating the sadness  11:30 Attuning to the unmet needs as adults 12:47 What to do now? Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness: www.functionalspirituality.com   Free resources: Newsletter sign-up:  A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month. Community meditation: Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community. Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality: Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration. Connect on Socials Where you can hear from us in daily life Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality  Studio: @spandaschool  Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals

    13 min

  7. 08/17/2025

    What is an AWAKE teacher?

    Living on the surface of language and concepts doesn’t truly serve us. To grow spiritually, we need to dive deeper — avoiding assumptions and quick conclusions. In this episode, Ava unpacks the confusion around what it really means to be an “awake teacher” and explores a functional approach to spirituality that invites thoughtful reflection. Tune in to deepen your understanding and shift how you relate to spirituality.   Chapter markers: 00:30 Introduction  01:24 What is an awake teacher? 03:51 Why I avoid the term awake 07:06 My problem with these terms 09:31 The problem is not the explanations  10:09 The rationalisation of inappropriate behaviour  12:03 Can’t I just loosen up? 13:12 Healthy scepticism  14:38 Why are people doing this 15:42 Is it wrong to praise teachers? 18:09 Conclusion  Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness: www.functionalspirituality.com   Free resources: Newsletter sign-up:  A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month. Community meditation: Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.   Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality: Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration. Connect on Socials Where you can hear from us in daily life Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality  Studio: @spandaschool  Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals

    20 min

  8. 08/03/2025

    Guided meditation for putting your child to sleep

    Ease into the evening with this gentle 10-minute bedtime meditation. Ava guides you into a calm, relaxed state so you can co-regulate and attune with your child as they settle to sleep. This simple, heartfelt practice invites connection, presence, and safety — a beautiful way to end the day, together. Play this recording to create a regulating, heart-opening and healing routine to support your child to go to sleep. Maybe they will continue the practice of meditation before bed into adulthood.   If you enjoy this audio you can save the link somewhere in your phone, or make a playlist for it so you have access to this practice with one click. Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness: www.functionalspirituality.com   Free resources: Newsletter sign-up:  A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month. Community meditation: Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.   Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality: Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration. Connect on Socials Where you can hear from us in daily life Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality  Studio: @spandaschool  Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals

    11 min
See All (322)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Hi, my name is Ava and I’m delighted to offer you “Functional Spirituality”, a free resource of talks, trainings and guided meditations. I use an academic approach to invite critical thinking into energetic, mystical and heart-based practices. Spirituality has a history of disempowering the individual and worshiping the guru or priest, without question. In this podcast, I aim to reduce the dogma that has rendered so many schools and practices ineffective - (and strange AF) - and to elevate the conversation around spirituality. I want to EMPOWER the meditator and yogi, to place the power back in our hands, to live directly from our own experience. I hope you enjoy! For Q&A questions, topic suggestions email Ava at functionalspiritualityretreat@gmail.com Visit www.functionalspirituality.com Follow us @FunctionalSpirituality or @avairani_ and our Yoga Studio at @spandaschool

Information

  • Creator
    Ava Irani
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    322
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Functional Spirituality

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