Om Som Yoga + Ayurveda Podcast

• Prāṇāyāma: The Gateway to Inner Stillness

  PRACTICE WITH US:365 Sadhana Sanghahttps://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharmahttps://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-otoBali Retreathttps://omsom.yoga/bali-retreat-2025300 Hr India & Berwickhttps://omsom.yoga/300-hour-advanced-hatha-yoga-training-2025200 Hr Berwickhttps://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-berwick-2025ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE: PRĀṆĀYĀMA — MASTERING THE BREATHIn this episode, we explore the fourth limb of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga—Prāṇāyāma, often described as the gateway between the physical practices of āsana and the inner limbs of meditation. Aaron and Paige guide us through a rich, grounded, and traditional understanding of what it means to master the breath—not just as a technique, but as a means of refining our awareness and expanding our life force. We discuss the etymology of prāṇa (life-force) and āyāma (expansion, restraint); how prāṇāyāma links body, breath, and mind; why traditional teachings always follow āsana with prāṇāyama—not the other way around; and the difference between breath control and energy mastery.TEXTURAL SOURCESHaṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 2.1atha āsane dṛḍhe yogī vaśī hita-mitāśanaḥ |gurūpadiṣṭa-mārgeṇa prāṇāyāmān samabhyaset ||“Established in steadiness of āsana, with mastery, moderate diet, and guided by the teacher’s path—the yogī should begin the practice of prāṇāyāma.”Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā 5.1 describes prāṇāyāma as one of the seven limbs of Haṭha Yoga, along with ṣaṭkarma, āsana, mudrā, pratyāhāra, dhyāna, and samādhi. The eight classical kumbhakas (retentions) are listed and broken down: Sūrya Bhedana, Ujjāyī, Śītalī, Bhastrikā, Bhrāmarī, Mūrchā, Plāvinī, and Kevalī.We explore how to begin prāṇāyāma safely: after establishing a stable āsana practice and with guidance from a teacher. The value of simple breath awareness (śvāsapraśvāsa) as a foundation. The role of retention (kumbhaka) in shifting mental states and preparing for pratyāhāra. Tips for integrating breathwork into daily life for clarity, steadiness, and energy regulation.Prāṇāyāma is not about force or control—it’s about intimacy with the breath, trust in your system, and a commitment to deepening presence. It is a bridge, a purifier, and a catalyst for inner stillness.SHARE & CONNECT:Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.Instagram: ⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠Website: ⁠OmSom.yoga⁠We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.OM

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• Ishvara Pranidhana: The Final Niyama

  PRACTICE WITH US:365 Sadhana Sangha https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharmahttps://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-otoBali Retreathttps://omsom.yoga/bali-retreat-2025300 Hr India & Berwickhttps://omsom.yoga/300-hour-advanced-hatha-yoga-training-2025200 Hr Berwickhttps://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-berwick-2025On this week's episode: Īśvara Praṇidhāna (Surrender to the Divine)We close our Yamas & Niyamas series with a deep dive into Īśvara Praṇidhāna – the practice of surrendering to the divine, whatever that may mean to you. From the rowboat analogy to Ram Dass’s wisdom, this episode invites you to step back from personal control and tune into divine flow. We discuss how this final niyama is both a culmination and a doorway—an offering of your practice, your life, and your purpose to something higher.Key Concepts:Īśvara = the Divine; Praṇidhāna = to surrender or devote oneselfThe distinction between giving up and trusting deeplyWhy yoga asks for surrender as the final step on the pathLetting go of control and learning to flow with lifeSeeing everyone (and yourself) as an embodiment of the divineDevotion through practice, mantra, prayer, and selfless service (seva)Using your life as an offering—not for personal gain, but for collective upliftmentTextual Sources:Yoga Sūtra 2.45: “Samādhi siddhiḥ īśvara praṇidhānāt” — “Perfection in Samādhi comes through surrender to the Divine.”Bhagavad Gītā 2.47: “You have the right to act, but not to the fruits of your actions.”Integration in Thought, Word, and Action:In thought: Let go of needing to control the outcome. Trust in the natural intelligence of life.In word: Use mantra, prayer, or language that invokes the sacred. Speak as if speaking to God.In action: Devote yourself to your highest calling. Let your practice, your seva, and your daily life become your offering.Reflective Takeaway:What would it look like if every breath, every word, every step became an offering? Īśvara Praṇidhāna reminds us that our life can be a vessel for the divine—not through control, but through surrender.Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.Instagram: ⁠@OmSom.yoga⁠Website: ⁠OmSom.yoga⁠We operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.OM

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  29:00
• Svādhyāya: The Sacred Study of the Self

  PRACTICE WITH US:365 Sadhana Sangha https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharmahttps://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-otoBali Retreathttps://omsom.yoga/bali-retreat-2025300 Hr India & Berwickhttps://omsom.yoga/300-hour-advanced-hatha-yoga-training-2025200 Hr Berwickhttps://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-berwick-2025On this week’s episode: Svādhyāya – The Study of the SelfIn this episode, we explore the fourth niyama: Svādhyāya, commonly translated as “self-study.” But this isn’t just about introspection or journaling prompts—it’s about studying that which observes all things. Aaron and Paige unpack the twofold nature of Svādhyāya: the outer practice of studying sacred texts and the inner practice of contemplating the eternal witness within. Together, they explore how this practice moves us beyond self-help and into Self-knowledge—the kind that points not to personality, but to presence.Key Concepts Discussed:Svādhyāya defined:From sva (self) + adhyāya (study). Not just reflecting on your thoughts or behaviours, but remembering your deeper nature as witness consciousness—the sākṣin.Twofold Practice:1. Study of scripture, texts, teachings that reflect back our essence2. Self-inquiry and observation—asking “Who am I?” as taught by sages like Ramana Maharshi.Journaling as a doorway:Tools like freewriting or stream-of-consciousness journaling can help expose subconscious thoughts and make space for witnessing mind from a distance.Language & identity:The importance of conscious speech—owning your experience without identifying with it (e.g., “I’m experiencing a migraine” vs “my migraine”). Recognising the gap between your stories and your Self.Symbols & reminders:How sacred images, deities, and rituals serve as mirrors of our own inner divinity. Even simple things—candles, altars, plants—can reflect Self-awareness.Yoga Sutra 2.44 (svādhyāyāt iṣṭa-devatā-saṁprayogaḥ): Through Svādhyāya, we enter into union with our chosen deity or ideal—allowing our soul to resonate with divine qualities and awaken its true nature.Practical Applications:Daily Study: Choose one sacred text or verse to read each day—not for information, but for remembrance.Self-Inquiry Prompts: Ask, “Who am I beyond this thought?” or “What am I believing right now?” to dissolve surface-level identity.Watch Your Words: Practice speaking from your inner witness—acknowledge bias and ownership without fusing with it.Create a Sacred Reminder: Keep a visual or ritual symbol nearby that returns you to presence each time you see it.Join a Sangha: Practice alongside others on the path. Self-study doesn’t mean going it alone.Final Reflection:Svādhyāya isn’t about solving yourself—it’s about seeing yourself clearly. Every time you return to the seat of the witness, you are doing the deepest yoga. And it is from this place that clarity, contentment, and even devotion can arise.Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.Instagram: @OmSom.yogaWebsite: OmSom.yogaWe operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.OM

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  24:24
• Tapas: The Discipline That Fuels Your Dharma

  PRACTICE WITH US:365 Sadhana Sangha https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharmahttps://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-otoBali Retreathttps://omsom.yoga/bali-retreat-2025300 Hr India & Berwickhttps://omsom.yoga/300-hour-advanced-hatha-yoga-training-2025200 Hr Berwickhttps://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-berwick-2025On this week’s episode: Tapas – Igniting the Fire of PracticeIn this episode, we explore the third niyama: Tapas, often translated as discipline, heat, or inner fire. Aaron and Paige reflect on how Tapas isn’t just about effort or intensity—it’s about showing up with sincerity, consistency, and discernment. From the ancient metaphor of the yogi bringing rain not through action but through inner harmony, to stories of students seeking accountability and the modern challenges of social media, this episode is a deep dive into the true essence of self-discipline in yoga.Key Concepts:Tapas (तपस्): From tap meaning "to burn"—a transformative inner heat that purifies.Not just doing more, but showing up with clarity—even if what’s required is stillness, rest, or surrender.The friction of beginning is part of the process—momentum comes with repetition.Tapas in thought means returning to your centre, not fighting distractions.Tapas in words means speaking your truth with compassion and courage.Tapas in action is staying the course—refining your habits to align with your dharma.Textual Sources:Yoga Sūtra 2.43 — “Through Tapas, impurities are destroyed and the perfection of the body and senses is achieved.” (kāyendriya-siddhir aśuddhi-kṣayāt)Yoga Sūtra 2.1 — Lists Tapas, Svādhyāya, and Īśvarapraṇidhāna as the path of Kriyā Yoga.Also supported by teachings from the Bhagavad Gītā and Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā, which describe Tapas as a pathway to spiritual clarity and physical refinement.Practical Integration:Recognise where your discipline may actually mean letting go, not pushing harder.Create frameworks and routines that support consistency (membership, mentorship, regular classes).Honour your unique starting point—discipline doesn’t mean burnout.Use community and teachers for accountability until self-reliance develops.Speak truthfully, especially when it’s uncomfortable—but always with kindness.Connect with usPlease share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.Instagram: @OmSom.yogaWebsite: OmSom.yogaWe operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.OM

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  25:07
• Santosha: The Practice of Contentment in an Age of Craving

  PRACTICE WITH US:365 Sadhana Sangha https://practice.omsom.yoga/365-sadhana-sandha/join100 Hr Asana Sadhana Dharmahttps://practice.omsom.yoga/asana-sadhana-dharma-otoBali Retreathttps://omsom.yoga/bali-retreat-2025300 Hr India & Berwickhttps://omsom.yoga/300-hour-advanced-hatha-yoga-training-2025200 Hr Berwickhttps://omsom.yoga/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-berwick-2025On this week's episode: SantoshaWhat does it mean to be content—even when things aren’t going your way? In this week’s episode, we explore Santosha, the second of the Niyamas, and its deeper meaning beyond gratitude or blind positivity. Contentment in yoga is about being undisturbed, about finding peace in what is, rather than striving for what isn’t. We reflect on the relationship between contentment and discomfort, and how Santosha can be practiced in thought, word, and action—on the mat and in daily life.Definition & Etymology of SantoshaSantosha (सन्तोष) is often translated as contentment, but it stems from sam (complete, whole) and tosha(satisfaction, contentment).Together, it implies a deep, total contentment—an acceptance of what is, free from craving or resistance.Key Concepts ExploredThe difference between gratitude and Santosha.Contentment as non-striving, non-reactivity, and presence.How to meet discomfort in practice with equanimity.The problem with chasing happiness through external things.Slowing down to find joy in simplicity.Santosha as an attitude cultivated in the nervous system.Santosha in Thought, Word & ActionThought:Cultivating acceptance, releasing judgment, and practicing present-moment awareness rather than comparison or craving.Word:Speaking words that express appreciation, wonder, and presence instead of complaint, gossip, or negativity.Action:Simplifying routines, choosing rituals that support presence (like mindful eating, slow tea-making, or watching the sunrise), and learning to sit with what is.Textual SourcesYoga Sūtra 2.42: santoṣāt anuttamaḥ sukha-lābhaḥ“From contentment, the highest happiness is attained.”Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā: Suggests Santosha brings joy to the yogi and is a prerequisite for higher states of clarity and stillness.Thank you for listening to the Om Som Yoga & Ayurveda Podcast.Please share this episode with someone it might support, and connect with us on social media or via our website.Instagram: @OmSom.yogaWebsite: OmSom.yogaWe operate a yoga studio in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, offering classes, workshops, and Yoga Teacher Training programs. We'd love to connect with you wherever you are on your journey.OM

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  28:55

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