The Uplifted Yoga Podcast

Brett Larkin
  • 4.8 (618)
  • SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Uplift your personal life and accelerate your yoga career leveraging yoga's ancient wisdom. Explore yoga philosophy from the Yoga Sutras, the Vedas, psychology, kundalini and self-help. Brett Larkin helps you get closer to making consistent daily yoga a reality, while empowering you to acknowledge your role as a leader and healer of others. Whether you're experiencing a kundalini awakening, resolving unprocessed trauma, suffering as a "hidden healer," in a cycle of self-sabotage, feeling "imposter syndrome," or stuck trying to grow your wellness business, the Uplifted Yoga podcast is where you come to slay your mindset blocks and indulge in yoga's rich philosophy in a way that's practical and fun. ✨Pre-Order Brett's Book on Amazon ✨Make your yoga practice 2x more potent in 1/2 the time here ✨Download four free yoga business plan Become a member at brettlarkin.com/uplifted

  1. 2D AGO

    Half-Dead & Fully Alive: Dissolving the Ego at Midlife with Elena Brower

    What if thinking about death wasn't morbid—but liberating? In this conversation, Elena Brower (author of "Hold Nothing") and I get real about turning 40, 50, and beyond. We talk about why ego dissolution might be the greatest gift of aging, how meditation is actually an act of service to others, and why certainty is killing your relationships. Elena shares why she's ready to let all her accomplishments dissolve, the difference between prayer and meditation (spoiler: maybe there isn't one), and a simple exhale practice that serves humanity. This isn't your typical "graceful aging" conversation. It's about ruthlessly re-prioritizing, slowing down radically, and preparing for death in the most relaxed way possible. In this episode: Why "I'm half-dead" is the most freeing thought you can have The invisible gift your meditation practice gives everyone around you How sitting still helps your kids solve their own problems Why knowing everything makes you terrible company A breathing practice you can do right now to serve humanity 💖 Ready to 'DO LESS' in your practice? Explore the Uplifted Membership here => https://www.brettlarkin.com/uplifted/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=uplifted 🐍 Download your FREE Feminine Kundalini Starter Pack: https://www.brettlarkin.com/online-kundalini-yoga-teacher-training/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ku    GUEST EXPERT: Elena Brower | https://elenabrower.com/  Mother, mentor, poet, artist, volunteer, bestselling author, and podcast host, Elena Brower is a celebrated international yoga and meditation teacher on Glo, guiding transformative practices since 1999. Her new book, Hold Nothing, was published by Shambhala Publications in November 2025. Her column on Substack by the same name, Hold Nothing, supports girls and women, through On The Inside, Girls on Fire Leaders, Women for Women, and Free Food Kitchen.   FREE Practice: 60 Min Restorative Yoga | RESTORATIVE YOGA FOR TIGHT HIPS Relevant Blog: Somatic Meditation: A Body-Based Approach to Healing Stress, Anxiety, and Trauma   Relevant to Today's Episode: 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🌀 Somatic Yoga Life Coaching  💫 Somatic Certification 🎧 Also Listen to: #320 – Less Is More: How To Honor Yourself & Your Students with Elena Brower #397 – How to Live Smartphone Free (From a 20 Year Old) with Yunus M. #401 – Who Has Your Attention? Attention Economy vs the Ancient Path   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

    40 min

  2. FEB 4

    What If I Fail? Krishna's Answer to Your Inner Critic (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6)

    It's Chapter Six of the Bhagavad Gita, where everything starts to get real. After five chapters of philosophy and frameworks, Krishna now turns to practice—specifically the challenges of meditation, discipline, and staying steady on your spiritual path. If your mind feels too restless to meditate... if you wonder whether your practice actually counts... or if you've ever feared you're "doing it wrong"—this chapter will soothe your soul. 🔹 Krishna reveals why inner discipline > outer rituals 🔹 Arjuna expresses the doubts we all have on the path 🔹 Meditation becomes the core of yogic living—not just something we "do" 🔹 We explore witness consciousness, compassion, and true non-attachment 🔹 Spiritual effort is never wasted—even across lifetimes 📘 This also marks the completion of the first arc of the Gita. Many scholars divide the Gita into three sections of six chapters each—and Chapter 6 concludes the first movement, focused on Karma Yoga (yoga of action). We've been building the foundation. The next six chapters will take us into Bhakti Yoga—the yoga of devotion and loving recollection of God, so stay tuned for the next segment. 🐍 Download the FREE Feminine Kundalini Starter Pack: https://www.brettlarkin.com/online-kundalini-yoga-teacher-training/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ku    📖 Different translations explored: Barbara Stoler Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-Krishnas-Counsel-Bantam-Classics/dp/0553213652  Godsong by Amit Majmudar: https://www.amazon.com/Godsong-Verse-Translation-Bhagavad-Gita-Commentary/dp/1524733474  Eknath Easwaran: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-2nd-Eknath-Easwaran/dp/1586380192  Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by Swami Prabhupada: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-As-Bhaktivedanta-Swami-Prabhupada/dp/0892131233    FREE Practice: 15 Min Beginner Morning Yin Yoga | NO PROPS Relevant Blog: The Ultimate Guide to Karma Yoga   Relevant to Today's Episode: ✨ Kundalini 200-hour YTT 🔮  History of Yoga 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🎧 Also Listen to: #374 – Karma Yoga & the Detached Yogi: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Part 2 #395 – The Role of "God" in Yoga + Tantric Shadow Work w/ Katie Silcox   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

    31 min

  3. JAN 28

    Why You Keep Failing at Self-Care — and What to Do Differently

    Self-care isn't a luxury — it's your foundation. Today, we explore why self-care can feel so uncomfortable (especially for those of us used to being the strong one), and how to start building your tolerance for pleasure, rest, and receiving. These are the same micro-practices that have transformed my relationship with myself and my energy over time. Here are the truths I keep learning again and again: 🔹 You can't give from an empty cup 🔹 Self-care isn't something you check off once — it's ongoing 🔹 Honoring your tiniest desires builds self-trust 🔹 Slowing down unlocks your creativity 🔹 Five-minute "pleasure containers" can change your life 💖 Slow down, check in, and come home to yourself. Join Yoga For Self Mastery before live calls begin.  => https://www.brettlarkin.com/yoga-for-self-mastery/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ysm    FREE Practice: Yin Yoga for the Sacral Chakra - Creativity & Sexual Energy Relevant Blog: Yoga to Reconnect with Yourself: 5 Essential Practices for Inner Peace   Relevant to Today's Episode: 📖 Yoga Life Book  🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🎧 Also Listen to: #260 – Killing The Self Care Buzzword #372 – Can the Sutras Make Space for Pleasure? (Sutra 1.15 Explained) #384 – Do Less, Heal More: 7 Invitations to Resolve Trauma from Organic Intelligence © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

    29 min

  4. JAN 23

    How Chakras Relate to the Nervous System + Your FAQ

    SURPRISE!! I've got a bonus episode for you this week.  I'm going to explore three of the most commonly asked questions I hear from students about the chakras — especially how they relate to the nervous system, your fascia, and lived experience. 🔹 Are the chakras literal locations, archetypes, developmental stages — or all three? 🔹 Do chakras actually open and close? 🔹 What's the relationship between chakra patterns and nervous system regulation? If you've ever wondered how these energy centers show up in your posture, behavior, and emotions — this quick breakdown will connect the dots between yogic wisdom and modern science in a way that's practical and embodied. I'll also share my favorite metaphor for understanding the chakras, and why we need to stop treating them like a spiritual report card. 🌈  Discover your dominant chakra with my FREE dominant chakra test => https://www.brettlarkin.com/chakra-test/ 📱Book a Free Clarity Call => https://calendly.com/uplifted-clarity/discovery-call?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=200ytt    FREE Practice: Chakra Hatha Yoga | YOGA TO ALIGN & BALANCE YOUR CHAKRAS Relevant Blog: Crystals For Chakras: Unlock Your Energy and Balance   Relevant to Today's Episode: 📚 Healing with Somatic Yoga Book  🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 💖 Uplifted Membership 💫 Somatic Certification 🎧 Also Listen to: #351 – Unlocking the Secrets of Chakras: Lower Chakra Symbols Explained #355 – Unlocking the Secrets of Chakras: Upper Chakra Symbols Explained © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

    15 min

  5. JAN 21

    Stop Asking "What Should I Do?" — The Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 Has a Better Question

    Today, I take you into Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna shifts the spotlight from what you do to how you are being when you do it. This is the heart of Karma Yoga — acting in the world without clinging to the outcome. We unpack the powerful metaphor of the lotus leaf (living in the world, untouched), explore the nature of witness consciousness, and look at what it really means to "renounce" in a modern world.  🔹 What it means to act without attachment 🔹 Why the question is no longer "What should I do?" 🔹 How inner renunciation leads to clarity and peace 🔹 The lotus leaf: your new spiritual metaphor 🔹 How Krishna reframes spiritual maturity and hierarchy Whether you're making a big decision or trying to navigate daily life with more presence, this chapter has wisdom for you. Loved this episode? 👉 Dive deeper into yoga's origins with my History of Yoga Course 🐍 Or explore my 200-Hour Kundalini Training   📖 Different translations mentioned: Barbara Stoler Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-Krishnas-Counsel-Bantam-Classics/dp/0553213652  Godsong by Amit Majmudar: https://www.amazon.com/Godsong-Verse-Translation-Bhagavad-Gita-Commentary/dp/1524733474  Eknath Easwaran: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-2nd-Eknath-Easwaran/dp/1586380192  Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by Swami Prabhupada: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-As-Bhaktivedanta-Swami-Prabhupada/dp/0892131233  FREE Practice: 15 Min Vinyasa Flow For Flexibility | BEGINNERS VINYASA YOGA Relevant Blog: The Complete Glossary of Sanskrit Words Used in Yoga   Relevant to Today's Episode: 📖 History of Yoga 🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🎧 Also Listen to: #297 – What is Samkhya Philosophy and How is it Different from Yoga? #358 – Intro to The Bhagavad Gita: How Do You Navigate Moral Dilemmas? #392 – How to Act from Wisdom & Make Every Moment Sacred: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

    35 min

  6. JAN 14

    Who Has Your Attention? Attention Economy vs the Ancient Path

    Let's be real — our attention is under attack. Between scroll culture, constant notifications, and never-ending to-do lists, it's hard to focus on what actually matters. In this episode, I'm inviting you to pause and reflect on where your precious energy is going. We'll explore how ancient yogic and Vedantic texts can help us reclaim our attention — not just as a productivity tool, but as a sacred spiritual practice. If you've been feeling scattered, stuck, or overstimulated, this one's for you. We'll look at how: 🔹 Attention is energy — what you focus on creates your reality 🔹 Ancient wisdom can help anchor you in a noisy world 🔹 Modern distraction fragments our energy and dilutes our power 🔹 Silence and depth are medicine for the nervous system 🔹 We don't need more input — we need more inner connection This is a gentle but powerful reset for your inner compass. Let's remember what's truly worthy of our focus. 🎁 Grab my new book: Healing with Somatic Yoga: A 6-Week Journey to Release Emotions, Rewire Your Nervous System, and Reclaim Your Body → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG Leave a book review and claim your free gift: https://www.brettlarkin.com/somaticreview/  🌀 Explore more of these principles in Embodied Yoga Life Coaching: https://www.brettlarkin.com/somatic-yoga-training-certification/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=eylc    FREE Practice: Extra Gentle Trauma-Informed Somatic Exercises | How to do Somatic Yoga | Somatic Yoga Flow Relevant Blog: 15 Life-Changing Yoga Books To Deepen Your Yoga Practice   Relevant to Today's Episode: ✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🌀 Somatic Yoga Life Coaching  🎧 Also Listen to: #279 – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Summary – BOOK ONE Explained #283 – Dismantling the Kleshas: The Actual Aim of Yoga #358 – Intro to The Bhagavad Gita: How Do You Navigate Moral Dilemmas?   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

    25 min

  7. JAN 7

    Build Your Yoga Retreat Center with Kayla Nielsen

    What does it really take to build your dream yoga retreat center—from scratch? In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Nielsen, who shares the raw, inspiring truth behind building a yoga retreat space from the ground up. From buying land abroad to pricing retreats and navigating local logistics, Kayla opens up about the entrepreneurial journey few yoga teachers talk about. We cover: 🔹 How to navigate land ownership and logistics in a foreign country 🔹 Smart strategies for planning, pricing, and co-teaching retreats 🔹 Why patience and community are the foundation of a sustainable retreat center 🔹 The beauty of letting your retreat space tell a story that reflects your values Whether you're a yoga teacher dreaming of retreats or an entrepreneur craving land-based living, this conversation is your roadmap to turning inspiration into action.   GUEST EXPERT: Kayla Nielsen | @Kaylalanielsen | kaylalanielsen.com  Kayla Nielsen is a yoga teacher with over 1000 hours of training. Founder of international retreat business and yoga alliance registered yoga school, glow yoga retreats. CEO and co-founder of still salty escape, a hotel and retreat center in northern nicaragua. She's been teaching and leading retreats around the world for 10 years, and established a successful online yoga app 3 years ago with thousands of subscribers. Check out Kayla's retreat center: https://www.stillsaltyescape.com/    FREE Practice: Somatic Yoga Workout for Weight Loss | Awaken the Body & Release Negative Emotions Relevant Blog: How to Plan a Yoga Retreat That Earns 6 Figures   Relevant to Today's Episode: ✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 🎧 Also Listen to: #299 – Strategies to Slay Imposter Syndrome and Share Your Gifts #354 – Redefining "Niche" with Carla Cline Thomas #365 – Launch Ugly! My Top 5 Business Tips for Yoga Entrepreneurs © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

    56 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    [Meditation] Vagus Nerve & Nervous System Reset

    No talk. No theory. No to-do list. Just you and 20 minutes of deep nervous system reset. This New Year's Eve episode is a guided Somatic Release Meditation—designed to help you let go of trapped emotions, soothe your system, and make space for what's next. It's also a beautiful primer for what's coming in the Evolve Somatic Challenge, which starts January 1st. (If you haven't signed up yet—go do that!) ✨ A few important notes: 🛋️ Lie down, get comfy, and please don't do this while driving. 🧠 This practice also helps soothe the vagus nerve, release tension, and bring your body into a state of safety. 🎉Sign Up for the 2026 Evolve Somatic Challenge => https://www.brettlarkin.com/evolve/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=evolve Take this moment to clear the slate. Your body will thank you. 📚 Want to go deeper? My new Somatic Yoga book is the perfect companion to this challenge—and your practice in 2026. Get it here → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG    Relevant to Today's Episode: 💖 Uplifted Membership 💫 Somatic Certification © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

    23 min
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4.8
out of 5
618 Ratings

About

Uplift your personal life and accelerate your yoga career leveraging yoga's ancient wisdom. Explore yoga philosophy from the Yoga Sutras, the Vedas, psychology, kundalini and self-help. Brett Larkin helps you get closer to making consistent daily yoga a reality, while empowering you to acknowledge your role as a leader and healer of others. Whether you're experiencing a kundalini awakening, resolving unprocessed trauma, suffering as a "hidden healer," in a cycle of self-sabotage, feeling "imposter syndrome," or stuck trying to grow your wellness business, the Uplifted Yoga podcast is where you come to slay your mindset blocks and indulge in yoga's rich philosophy in a way that's practical and fun. ✨Pre-Order Brett's Book on Amazon ✨Make your yoga practice 2x more potent in 1/2 the time here ✨Download four free yoga business plan Become a member at brettlarkin.com/uplifted

Information

  • Creator
    Brett Larkin
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    407
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Uplifted Yoga
  • Show Website
    The Uplifted Yoga Podcast

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