J departs from his usual format to reflect on how he lost hope in the viability of small intimate yoga centers and why he has decided to open one now. He discusses the dark night of the soul that many yoga teachers are facing, the events that have led to the crossroads he faces, a random opportunity or perhaps divine intervention that has changed everything, and the hard reality that has caused him to admit that he can’t do it alone.

Godfrey Devereux, author of The Little Book of the Bandhas, returns to talk with J about releasing somatic intelligence from learned habits and the story that bandhas tell us. They discuss varied ideas about bandhas, connection between Mulabandha and exhalation, spontaneous muscle events leading to energetic experience, bandha in the extremities, oojai breathing, and the irresistible invitation to surrender into the totality of life and being human.

David and Iana Lifar, founders of the Indra Devi Foundation in Argentina and creators of Indra Devi International Virtual Yoga School, talk with J about the legacy of Indra Devi with translation by Mariana Campos. They discuss being inspired to meet Indra, an experience that convinced David she was something special, the influence of Krishnamurti, Krishnamacharya and Sai Baba, and the gestures of love that characterize Indra's presence.

Michelle Thielen, founder of Yoga Faith, talks with J about utilizing yoga practice to strengthen a belief in Jesus Christ. They discuss yogis being OK with God but not Jesus, Christians thinking yoga is demonic, personal faith separate from institutionalized churches, historical roots of christian yoga, whether or not Jesus is cool with chanting, Satan and the battle for souls, and receiving guidance and blessings in the secret place of the most high.

Hari-kirtana das, author of Journey into the Bhagavad Gita: A Guide to Exploring Timeless Principles of Transcendental Knowledge and Integrating Them Into Your Life, talks with J about universal principles that lead to religious experience. They discuss origins and larger context of the Bhagavad Gita, divergence of faith and knowledge, reincarnation, acting in harmony with cosmic order, and seeing ourselves as we truly we are.

Tessa Hillman, author of Yoga Stories from Guru Guptananda and Memoir of a Skeptical Seeker, talks with J about opening up to spiritual realms and receiving guidance. They discus coming to yoga in the 70's and 80's, yearning for a deeper understanding, coming into communication with Guru Guptananda, messages from a North American Indian Chief, protection by your own goodness, and being helped along by guides and angels.

Sage Rountree, author of The Athletes Guide to Recovery and The Art of Yoga Sequencing, talks with J about yoga for athletes and endurance science for yoga teachers. They discuss the origins of Sages name, starting out in yoga and becoming an endurance coach, being ready for connection, sports specific conditioning and utilizing poses, changing science. three best things for recovery, business models, and charging people to trust the process.

Godfrey Devereux, author of YOGA UNVEILED, YOGA DECODED, and ANNOTATED YOGA SUTRAS, returns to talk with J about whether or not Patanjali is a dualist and the invulnerability of our spiritual nature. They discuss translation vs rendering, adhering to interpretations, manufacturing silence, deeper relinquishing, intelligent power, moral codes, tantra and sexuality, and rhythmic progression towards the presence of awareness.

Josh Kane, founder of Gandiva Yoga Studio, talks with J about transitioning from independent contractor to center owner, the pursuit of deeper understanding, and the in's and out's of dedicated locations. They discuss how a blue-man group audition led to yoga, being a child actor, John Friend's bowspring system, studying with Ragunath, falling out with studio owners, challenges of creating a home studio, and and risking it all on lasting joy.

Eddie Ellner, founder of Yoga Soup, talks with J about the trajectory of yoga into western culture, paradoxes in the human condition, and creating spaces for people to gather. They discuss the early 90's yoga scene via Yogaworks and Jivamukti, the influence of Brian Kest and Steve Ross, dangers of celebrity, discerning truth, creating Yoga Soup, and penetrating the fear of what might happen to make a place for friends to come together.

Vijay Hassin, Sharada Thompson and Kathleen Rosenberg talk with J about the underbelly of Swami Satchidananda and the Integral Yoga Institute. They discuss Vijay's history, the meeting in the 1970's when allegations of sexual misconduct were first made, recent revelations and the Facebook group that Kathleen started, Sharada's story of mistreatment at the hands of Swami Satchidananda, and reconciling the hurt created by failed leaders.

Lizzie and Judith Lasater return to catch up with J and talk about their latest offering, a free mini-course in Restorative Yoga to Support Menopause and Beyond. They discuss teaching during the last few years of transition, the genesis of their new course on menopause, generational differences, viewing body changes as a process vs treating a condition, exercise vs innercise, positive aspects of aging, and some keys to a long healthy life.

Hy Brown is J's dad and they have a candid talk about the life he’s led, choices he’s made, and the lessons he's learned. They discuss growing up in Brooklyn, his involvement with the mob, becoming vice president of Tishman Construction, working on famous building projects, understanding the system, the impact of having a heart attack at age 47, J's mom and navigating her death, finding new purpose, and learning to care for others.

Bryan Kest, author of Autobiography of an American Yogi, talks with J about the trajectory of yoga into the mainstream and the role he played in it. They discuss the early LA yoga scene, class with David Williams, one-to-one with Pattabhi Jois, mentality of not being good enough, before "power yoga" became a generic term, beefing with Maty Estaty, controversy with his brother, and the passion and commitment that fuels a life in yoga.

Esther Ekhart, founder of Ekhart Yoga, talks with J about the purpose and passion behind being an early pioneer of yoga video online. They discuss her mother's influence, witnessing healings, miracles of Satya Sai Baba, learning devotion and surrender, becoming a teacher, deciding to make videos and go online, YouTube, the pandemic boom and slowdown, merging the business, and navigating from a place of love as a given.

Noah Mazé, founder of The Mazé Method, talks with J about the stark realities that yoga professionals are facing. They discuss the "ecosystem" of the yoga world before lockdowns, Yoga Journal conferences and Wanderlust festivals, going online with Yogaglo, intellectual property, sustainability of teacher training and the studio model, integration and strength instead of pushing the envelope, and finding meaning in uncertainty.

Cindy Lusk, author of Align and Refine: The Journey of Yoga and Meditation, talks with J about the continual refinement of intention and understanding. They discuss the renunciate path of Patanjali and householder purpose, Richard Freeman's influence, Patabhi Jois's adjustments, Anusara and the legacy of John Friend, Paul Muller-Ortega, certification and the role of asana, and the iterative process of bringing out the best of who we are.

Ranju Roy, author of Yoga as Pilgrimage: Sutras for a Modern Age, talks with J about the ways in which practice and study become interwoven into one's life. They discuss the meaning of a pilgrimage, understanding the Samkhya terrain in relationship to the map of Patanjali, Prana and Apana, honoring traditions, radical transparency, letting go appropriately, uncomplicated wholeness, and engaging in the creative act of sharing knowledge.

Dr Lauren Tober, creator and author of Mental Health Aware Yoga, talks with J about the intersection of psychology and yoga for mental health. They discuss the limitations of a clinical approach, the DSM5, doing an n=1 study, finding the right treatment methodology, differences in pedagogy, importance of relationship, mental health and the gunas, touch and consent, and understanding windows of tolerance to better cope with life.

Ryan Kurczak, host of The Kriya Yoga Podcast, talks with j about understanding and appreciating what is real. They discuss being ordained into Kriya Yoga by Roy Eugene Davis, the history of Self Realization Fellowship, scalability and maintaining direct connection, vedic astrology, occultism, dramatizing your spiritual path, Ishvara Pranidhana, Samahdi, Jesus Christ, and learning to pay attention to the essence of what is divine.