LIVE with The Famous Dr AL and Mahani

Rising from the Ashes — Healing with Mahani

Guest: Mahani

Host: Dr. Allen Lycka

Introduction

In this powerful episode, Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes Mahani, a Los Angeles–based yogi, healer, and survivor. Raised in an ashram and immersed in Kundalini Yoga from birth, Mahani has taught tens of thousands and helped hundreds heal when conventional methods failed. She’s also survived deep personal trauma, including sexual abuse and a devastating injury in India that left her temporarily paralyzed. Through it all, Mahani discovered her true healing power—and now shares her journey with us.

Growing Up Different

Mahani shares candid stories of childhood in an insular spiritual community. From being bullied for her appearance to the isolation of attending boarding and military schools while wearing a turban, her early years were filled with longing for normalcy. She practiced rigorous yogic discipline from a young age, waking at 3 a.m. for meditation and avoiding meat, makeup, and hair removal. This spiritual structure formed the foundation of her identity—though it also came with trauma.

Trauma and Transformation

Mahani recounts the accident in India that changed her life. Though she lived with chronic pain and athletic coping for years, a minor stumble led to paralysis, revealing long-ignored damage. But the physical trauma wasn’t the only wound. Mahani reflects on years of unspoken sexual abuse, linking her physical collapse to suppressed emotional pain. Her eventual realization: the fall was her body’s way of escaping the abuse.

A New Way to Heal

When nothing else worked for clients, Mahani used deep listening and intuitive presence to uncover hidden trauma. She explains that healing starts with the courage to admit you're stuck—and the willingness to explore new paths. Healing, she says, isn’t a destination but a lifelong journey. Acceptance and self-compassion are essential tools. Her three-minute reset techniques help people quickly re-center during daily stress, no yoga mat required.

Reclaiming Kundalini

Once unable to even say the word “Kundalini,” Mahani now reclaims it. She distinguishes between the ancient concept of Kundalini energy and the modern, often misattributed teachings of Yogi Bhajan. Dispelling common misconceptions, she emphasizes that spiritual growth is personal and doesn’t require following a guru, wearing white, or joining a sect.

Forgiveness as Freedom

Mahani’s healing involved layered forgiveness—not only of her abusers (both now deceased), but of bystanders, enablers, and herself. She introduces the idea of “2% forgiveness,” where even small willingness creates freedom. Mahani proposes a “Me3” movement: forgiving beyond the abuser—those who shaped them, or failed to protect others—recognizing that healing often involves a wider circle.

Resources

🎁 Free PDF Book: www.MahaniYoga.com

BIO:

Mahani is a Los Angeles-based yogi and healer who has spent over 30 years teaching tens of thousands of students around the world and helping hundreds of clients heal when nothing else worked. Born into an ashram and raised practicing Kundalini Yoga, spirituality is in her blood. Her unique life experiences—including surviving major traumas like sexual abuse, a near-fatal accident where she was hit by a bus in India, paralysis that left her in a wheelchair, and navigating chronic illness—have shaped her healing journey. 

Despite being told she would never walk again; she healed herself and now dedicates her life to guiding others through their own healing transformations. She has worked with A-list celebrities, including Brad Pitt, helping them find balance and peace through her methods. 

Social Media:

Website: https://www.mahankirn.com/