Wellness expert and author Heather Grzych interviews renowned yoga teacher Peter Walters for an insightful and candid conversation. They dive into the importance of social connection in yoga, with Peter emphasizing the value of encouraging conversation in classes to foster a sense of community. They reflect on the vibrant yoga scene in San Francisco during the 2010s and the profound impact of Peter’s mentor, Rusty Wells, whose devotional and sweaty yoga classes left a lasting impression on his own teaching style. The discussion also explores the balance between memorizing scripts and teaching authentically, with Peter offering guidance on finding one's true voice as a teacher. They touch on the sometimes unexpected dynamics in yoga classes, like the social element of people looking for romantic connections, and delve into the essence of Bhakti yoga — the yoga of love and devotion. Through this lens, Peter reflects on how yoga can help us transcend differences and connect with something greater than ourselves. The episode also explores the benefits of meditation, Peter’s daily rituals, and his humorous take on “biohacking” and eating what you love. They discuss the shift to virtual yoga classes during the pandemic and the unique dynamics of teaching on Zoom versus in person. Peter shares his favorite books, including *Bringing Yoga to Life* by Donna Farhi and *The Surrender Experiment* by Michael Singer, and they explore the deeper aspects of yoga beyond the asana, touching on the true meaning of yoga. Listeners can expect a conversation that blends personal anecdotes, yoga philosophy, and a sense of humor, offering fresh insights into the practice and teaching of yoga. Heather Grzych, AD is an American author and expert in Ayurvedic medicine who was formerly the head of product development for a multi-billion-dollar health insurance company. She currently serves as the president of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and is part of the faculty at Mount Madonna Institute College of Ayurveda. Heather’s first book, The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility, has sold thousands of copies worldwide, and her writing has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Yoga Journal, and the Sunday Independent. Her podcast, Wisdom of the Body, holds an average rating of 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and is in the top 3% of podcasts globally. www.heathergrzych.com Peter Walters is a Bay Area yoga teacher and devoted student of Life. He teaches an experiential, sweaty, music-infused, and celebratory Bhakti Flow Yoga practice. With over a decade of teaching public classes in person and online, leading workshops, retreats, and global festivals, Peter is on a mission to help people become students of their own lives—to practice acceptance and kindness, to open their hearts, and strengthen their voices (and bodies!) so they may truly Begin Again for all beings. In his former life, Peter was an EMT, tall ship sailor, fisherman, line cook, and social entrepreneur. When he's not teaching yoga, you can find him motorcycling on windy roads, reading in the sun, and going on hikes with his trusty companion, Sir Huckleberry Finn. Join him online, or at a retreat somewhere around the world! www.peteryoga.com Connect with Heather: Learn more at www.heathergrzych.com Instagram.com/heathergrzych Facebook.com/grzychheather Read the first six pages of The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility for FREE: https://www.heathergrzych.com Connect with Heather to balance your health with Ayurveda: https://www.heathergrzych.com/book-online
