The Flow Artists Podcast by Garden of Yoga

Jivana Heyman - Meditation, Triathlon's, Australia & More!

Rane and Jo are thrilled to have Jivana Heyman return for his third visit, and what a fascinating conversation it turned out to be. This time around, Jivana surprised everyone by sharing his unexpected journey into the world of triathlons - a transformation that began during the pandemic when he was inspired by an elderly runner on the beach. What started as simple walks eventually led to running and completing his first triathlon, with Jivana reflecting that "nature heals everything and it just was like a bomb to my soul." The conversation beautifully weaves through some deep philosophical territory as Jivana challenges many of our assumptions about yoga practice. He makes a compelling case against the Western tendency to over-medicalise and rigidly categorise yoga, reminding us that "yoga is not about fixing, it's about recognition of our true nature, that we are already full and whole and complete and perfect the way we are." His perspective on meditation is particularly refreshing - he argues that there's no hierarchy of "correct" meditation practices and that "if you're practicing yoga, you're meditating. They're really almost one and the same." One of the most powerful aspects of this episode is Jivana's discussion of trauma-informed yoga and social justice. He doesn't shy away from the tough conversations, acknowledging how yoga can sometimes inadvertently sustain oppressive systems while emphasising its potential for empowerment. His insight that "yoga can give us power... it's about building power and then giving it away" really captures the essence of using practice for service and collective transformation. For yoga teachers listening, there's some incredibly reassuring wisdom here too. Jivana addresses the all-too-common experience of imposter syndrome, offering the perspective that "the yoga teachers out there who feel insecure, who have imposter syndrome, they're probably the ones who actually need to be teaching." The episode concludes with a beautiful distillation of yoga's essence - "working with your own mind, becoming your own friend, your own ally... to remove your own suffering and the suffering of others" - reminding us why this ancient practice remains so relevant and transformative in our modern world. Links Join Jivana in Australia: Melbourne: https://www.accessibleyogaschool.com/a/2148191770/UMWeKpZ3 Byron Bay: https://www.accessibleyogaschool.com/a/2148191771/UMWeKpZ3

Anjali Rao - Yoga as Embodied Resistance

This fascinating conversation with Anjali Rao reveals yoga's complex and often untold stories, challenging us to think beyond the simplified narratives we usually hear. Rather than viewing yoga as a static, ancient practice, Anjali shows us how it has always been shaped by social, political, and cultural forces. Her book "Yoga as Embodied Resistance" uncovers the voices of women and marginalised communities throughout history who used yoga as a tool for liberation and resistance, even when dominant power structures tried to exclude them. One of the most compelling aspects of the discussion is how Anjali approaches her research. She describes it as "an embodied, intuitive process" - a non-linear journey of connecting stories and perspectives that might otherwise remain scattered. Through storytelling, she humanises history, making these forgotten narratives accessible and relatable. As she puts it, "Storytelling humanises. Everybody can relate to stories." This approach reveals remarkable individuals from different periods who challenged gender and caste norms, offering us alternative ways of understanding spirituality and personal transformation. The conversation also dives into the political dimensions of language, particularly Sanskrit, which has historically been a tool of power and exclusion. Anjali explains how "only dominant caste men were permitted to use Sanskrit," and how colonial scholarship further amplified these dynamics. Yet she also shows us how language has always been fluid and dynamic, with Sanskrit itself absorbing influences from regional languages across India. Perhaps most importantly, Anjali invites us to embrace complexity and reject binary thinking in our understanding of yoga and transformation. She emphasises the importance of "building capacity for ourselves and in our communities to hold multiplicities" - recognising that yoga's true power lies not in perfectionism or rigid adherence to tradition, but in its potential for ongoing personal and collective liberation. This perspective offers a refreshing alternative to the often commercialised and simplified version of yoga we encounter today.

Nada Todorovich - Creating Space for Community

Nada Todorovich's journey from feeling like the "weird and different" kid in central Victoria to becoming a passionate community builder is both heartwarming and inspiring. Growing up as the child of Bosnian immigrants, she experienced the challenge of straddling two cultures - from her mother's homemade crepes that she was initially embarrassed about to her father's eclectic collection of animals. This rich cultural foundation, though sometimes isolating in her Anglo community, would later become the cornerstone of her life's work. The tragic loss of her parents in a sudden accident became an unexpected catalyst for creating something meaningful. Nada channeled her grief into establishing Dragonfly, a cafe and social enterprise that honours her family's legacy of hospitality and connection. As she beautifully puts it, "My mum's love language is food," and this philosophy permeates every aspect of her business. What makes Dragonfly special is its role as a genuine community hub. From hosting political information sessions to offering traditional craft workshops like bobbin lace making and knitting groups, Nada has created something rare in today's world - a space for authentic dialogue and learning. She's particularly passionate about addressing social justice issues, believing that connection with each other is the antidote to the divisiveness we see rising in society. Nada's commitment to sustainability runs deep, reflecting her belief that "the planet is the most important thing" and that we should be better custodians of our environment. Through Dragonfly, she works with local suppliers who share her values, creating a network of like-minded businesses focused on reducing waste and supporting their community. Her vision extends beyond just running a sustainable business - she's actively planning tree-planting initiatives and continuing to use her platform to foster understanding and compassion in an increasingly complex world. Links Website: https://dragonfly-cafe.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedragonflycafedeli Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_dragonfly_cafe

Bali Retreat Reflections

This episode of the Flow Artist Podcast is a casual, conversational catch-up between Jo and Rane, primarily focused on Jo's recent yoga retreat in Bali. They discuss the retreat in great detail, sharing insights into its planning, challenges, highlights, and lessons learned. Beyond the retreat, the conversation touches on several other topics, including Jo's book editing progress, upcoming sound meditation workshops, a new plant wave device in their studio, and a brief tribute to the Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast after the announcement that they are ending. Links Bali Retreat: https://gardenofyoga.com.au/bali-retreat-2026/ Floating Sound Sessions: https://gardenofyoga.com.au/workshops/floating-sound-sessions/ Plantwave: https://plantwave.com/en-au The connected yoga teacher podcast: https://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/

Sasha Sigel - Healing Arts & Social Justice

In this moving conversation, yoga teacher and activist Sasha Sigel shares her remarkable journey from theater student to dedicated advocate for reproductive rights and queer community building. Her story illustrates how a simple suggestion from a professor about feeling "ungrounded" led her to discover yoga's transformative power, ultimately shaping her life's mission of combining spiritual practice with social justice work. Through her work as an abortion doula and founder of Be Queer Now, Sasha demonstrates the profound impact of creating inclusive, accessible spaces for healing and community support. Her approach to reproductive healthcare is particularly touching, as she works tirelessly to destigmatize abortion care while providing compassionate support to those in need. As she powerfully states, "We have the potential to make this not a traumatic experience... the stigma is all being placed from the outside." Perhaps most inspiring is Sasha's candid discussion about navigating the emotional challenges of activism in today's political climate. She openly shares her struggles with feeling overwhelmed and sometimes numb in the face of constant attacks on reproductive rights and queer communities. Yet, through her daily meditation practice and by embracing emotions like anger as tools for change, she offers a powerful example of sustainable activism. Her perspective on anger is particularly enlightening, as she reminds us that "Anger can be incredibly helpful and useful, that it points to something is not right, something is being threatened that we care about." Links Sasha's Website: https://www.sashasigel.com/ Be Queer Now: https://www.bequeernowyoga.com/ The Turnaway Study: https://www.ansirh.org/research/ongoing/turnaway-study Repro legal healthline: https://reprolegalhelpline.org/ Abortion Finder: https://www.abortionfinder.org/