Sivana Podcast: Eastern Spirituality, Yoga Philosophy, And Conscious Living

What if pleasure wasn’t just allowed on your spiritual path—but essential to it? In this episode, I’m talking with Emily Fletcher, founder of Ziva Meditation and former Broadway star, about how pleasure, embodiment, and emotional alchemy can actually accelerate your healing and manifestation. We explore:

What does it mean to act without attachment—and why is that the key to spiritual freedom? Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita is so rich, I had to split it into two parts—and this second half is where the real philosophical firepower kicks in

Is it awakening… or a breakdown? When spiritual awakening hits hard, it can feel disorienting—even terrifying. In this raw and insightful conversation, I sit down with Steven Taylor, PhD, psychologist and expert on spiritual awakening, to explore what happens when consciousness expands faster than your system can handle it. We unpack the psychology behind Kundalini awakenings, and how to navigate the fine line between transformation and overwhelm. In this episode, you’ll learn:

What happens when ancient yogic wisdom meets modern embodiment?

What if your inner chaos is sacred? When I first pictured a yogi, I imagined someone always calm, serene… maybe even a little untouchable. But the more I’ve learned—through somatics, spirituality, and lived experience—the more I believe that true healing means feeling everything. Even rage. In this episode, we dive deep into:

Many students seek the unbroken lineage of yoga, and as someone who has extensively explored the origins and evolution of yoga I want to tell you… it’s time to let that notion go. Yoga has a rich and diverse history that has been shaped through social and historical contexts. It has evolved from a spiritual endeavor to its modern physical interpretations with large impact from the industrial revolution. It’s so important to understand the historical and cultural influences on yoga today, and how this practice has changed over time. So that’s what I’ll dive into in today’s episode. Listen to learn:

If you’re an Uplifted alumni you’ll recognize today’s guest from inside the training…Kristin Leal!!

We’ve talked about what the eight limbs of yoga are and where they came from (if you missed that episode just scroll a few back) but what is each limb's practical, energetic, and spiritual significance in modern life? From the ethical and personal observances of Yama and Niyama, respectively, to the physical aspects of Asana, the breath control of Pranayama, and the mental focus of Dharana. And of course how it all culminates in the exploration of Dhyana and Samadhi. The Eight Limbs are here to help you cut through the noise and come back to what really matters, this episode will explain how. Listen and learn:

I’m back with Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita! This is so dense I had to split it into two parts. Today we’ll discuss verses 1-38. This chapter serves as a foundation for understanding the eternal nature of the soul (Atman) and the importance of non-attachment in the face of life's challenges. Let’s look at Arjuna's emotional turmoil and Krishna's tough love approach, emphasizing the need for inner stability and the acceptance of life's transient nature. The emphasis on the immortality of the soul, the significance of understanding one's Dharma, and the win-win perspective in life. This chapter literally has all of Krishna’s essential teachings. Making it a gold mine. Get ready to learn from the original life coach (Krishna):

Mother’s day just passed and I thought this would be the perfect time to talk about something a lot of women deal with, especially after having kids: pelvic floor dysfunction. I invited Dr. Brianne Grogan, Physical Therapist and Pelvic Care Expert, to talk about the intricate relationship between trauma, stress, and pelvic floor health. I loved this conversation with Dr. Bri because she not only delves into practical techniques for pelvic floor release, sharing insights on effective cues for yoga teachers to enhance awareness and how to reconnect with the pelvic floor, but she also emphasizes the importance of understanding the pelvic area as a site of emotional storage and energetic power. Listen in as we explore how:

We’re almost halfway through 2025, have you done a business check-in? The midpoint of the year is a great time to reflect on your business and your teaching. To self reflect and see if you are misdirecting your energy in your business or in your life. Today I’m going to give you my top five business tips to help you on your yoga teaching journey.  From embracing your unique content creation style to analyzing your numbers, and trusting there is enough for everyone - I hope this episode inspires you to do something helpful in your life or business today. Let’s talk about:

We’ve all heard of the 8 Limbs of Yoga, but do you really know what they are? Today I’m going to explore the eight limbs of yoga, their origins, and their significance in spiritual practice. I’ll look at each limb’s purpose, giving a detailed examination, as well as the historical context of the Yoga Sutras. Get ready to finally gain a true understanding of: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.  I’ll discuss:

Are you a newly certified yoga teacher struggling with the confidence to put yourself out there and teach? We’ve all been there, myself included. Whether you struggle with body-image like today’s guest, imposter syndrome or money mindset, today’s episode for you. Taylor Lorenz, my friend, colleague, and lead trainer of my Somatic Yoga Life Coaching program, shares her transformative journey from a full-time travel blogger to a confident yoga teacher and somatic coach. Let’s discuss the insecurities many new yoga teachers face. Listen and learn:

When did we get disconnected from the body? Today I want to explore the historical context of body-based spirituality. We’ll contrast traditional yoga's focus on enlightenment with somatic yoga's emphasis on healing and grounding. We’ll analyze how Catholicism and Tantra might be viewed as more embodied spiritual practices, compared to Protestantism and The 8 Limbs of yoga. Let’s nerd out on the significance of engaging the five senses in the healing process, the need for safe spaces in somatic practices, and the future potential of somatic work in personal healing and coaching. Listen and learn:

A lot of translators actually skip chapter one of the Bhagavad Gita, but I’ve found it to be one of my favorite chapters. This chapter sets the stage for the conflict and highlights the struggle between emotions and intellect. Something we all struggle with throughout our lives. Make sure to go back a couple of episodes and listen to my overview of the Bhagavad Gita, and get excited because chapter one is only the beginning of this amazing series! Let’s explore:

Does YouTube intimidate or confuse you? Yeah, it confuses most of us. Recently one of my 300-hour graduates emailed in asking about all things YouTube. Rather than just respond to her email and answer her questions, I thought everyone could benefit from this conversation. Let’s discuss the intricacies of building a successful YouTube channel and the importance of consistent content creation. Not only will I give you the inside scoop of how I use YouTube in my business, but I’ll analyze my students channel and how she can optimize as well. If you have a YouTube channel you are not going to want to miss this one! Pull back the curtain on YouTube and discover:

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Human Design expert and Master Coach, Emma Dunwoody. Emma shares her transformative journey from struggling with mental health issues to discovering both Human Design and the Gene Keys. She explains the intricate connections between these systems and how they can be used for self-discovery and personal growth. Emma emphasizes the importance of experimenting with your design and offers practical tips for yogis looking to explore this fascinating field. Tune in as Emma:

I have been wanting to do a deep dive on the Bhagavad Gita for years. This rich text is often called the “jewel” of the Mahabharata and can be kind of intimidating to talk about. There is so much to cover. That’s why this podcast will be the first in a series about the Bhagavad Gita. We’ll start with exploring the profound themes of this amazing text and contrasting it with the Yoga Sutras. We’ll talk about how the dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna serves as a guide for navigating our own moral dilemmas. Listen and learn:

If your emotions are not being expressed, they’re being repressed. And where do they go? Your body! You’re probably not even aware of all of the emotions buried in your fascia right now. This can lead to a multitude of physical issues. That’s why you want to move emotions through your body. We’ve all heard the phrase, “emotions are energy in motion.” But how do we deal with all of the feelings that arise throughout each day?  Listen and learn how to:

It seems we’re all looking for the fountain of youth. Whether through the latest beauty products/treatments or botox and filler; techniques to maintain a youthful glow are increasingly popular. My guest today, Esther Moux, shares ancient beauty secrets rooted in Chinese Medicine. Esther gives us actionable tips for facial rejuvenation, emphasizing the interconnectedness of diet, lifestyle, and overall well-being. We also delve into the nuances of skincare, the importance of consistency in routines and the impact of genetics versus lifestyle on aging. Listen in to learn: