Let's Talk Yoga

Most yoga teachers have heard of at least one or two of the Shat Kriyas — maybe you've practiced jala neti, maybe you've taught kapalabhati. But the full picture of what these six techniques actually are, where they come from, and why the Hatha Yoga Pradipika places them before pranayama is a conversation the modern yoga world rarely has with any rigor. In this episode, Aru goes deep into the Shatkarma — the six cleansing practices of Hatha Yoga — drawing directly from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Gheranda Samhita to unpack what these techniques were actually built to do, and why "yogic detox" is one of the least accurate ways to describe them.
This is not a beginner overview. This is the episode for teachers, trainees, and serious practitioners who want to understand the architecture of Hatha Yoga — why the body had to be cleared before the breath could be regulated, what the texts say about each technique specifically, and where modern science has quietly caught up to practices that are at least six hundred years old on paper, and likely much older.
Episode Highlights:
What Shat Karma actually means — Sanskrit breakdown of the term and each of the six kriyas
The historical context: Swatmarama's Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th c.) vs. Gheranda Samhita (17th c.) and how they differ in their treatment of Shatkarma
Why Swatmarama places the six kriyas before pranayama — and what that sequencing tells you about the entire logic of Hatha Yoga
The difference between "cleansing for wellness" and "removing a specific obstruction so practice can go deeper"
A full breakdown of all six — Neti, Dhauti, Basti, Trataka, Nauli, and Kapalabhati — with Sanskrit etymology, traditional technique, and purpose
What modern research actually says (and where it goes quiet)
Why Trataka is the only kriya that isn't physically invasive — and why that makes it the most misunderstood of the six
Basti: why it's the most prerequisite-dependent kriya, and why almost no one can do it traditionally
The two texts don't list the six in the same order — and why that sequencing difference matters more than it looks
Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy
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I sit down with Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath to explore Ayurvedic parenting, child development, and holistic well-being. We discuss prakriti in children, digestion, hydration, breath, mindfulness, emotional health, modern parenting challenges, and practical ways to raise resilient, balanced, and healthy children through the lens of Ayurveda.
Episode Highlights:
Inspiration behind the book
Ayurvedic pediatrics explained
Understanding the whole child
Prakriti and child development
Optimizing health from conception
Healing versus fixing
Digestion and nutrition
Water and hydration
Breath and self-regulation
Mindfulness and awareness
Ego and child development
Sattva, rajas, and tamas
Perception and mental health
Parenting in the digital age
Modern parenting approaches
Building trust with children
Supporting individuality
Common childhood health concerns
Self-care for parents
Conscious parenting practices
Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy
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Find all the resources mentioned in this episode
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Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube
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I sit down with Becky Aten to explore neurodiversity, ADHD, and how yoga teachers can create more inclusive and supportive spaces. We discuss the origins of neurodiversity, common misconceptions about ADHD, late-life diagnosis, inclusive teaching practices, and practical ways to better support neurodivergent students in yoga classes.
Episode Highlights:
Origins of neurodiversity
Neurodiversity vs. neurodivergence
Neurodivergent conditions and traits
Innate and acquired neurodivergence
Late-life diagnosis experiences
Understanding ADHD beyond stereotypes
ADHD in adults
Gender differences in ADHD
Hyperfocus and executive function
Yoga and neurodiversity
Benefits of yoga practice
Recognizing student challenges
Neurodivergence and hypermobility
Inclusive yoga language
Avoiding shame in teaching
Creating neuro-inclusive classes
Clear expectations and accessibility
Resources for further learning
Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy
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Find all the resources mentioned in this episode
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With only a few days left before my Pranayama Teacher Training begins, I'm sharing a reading from Chapter 1 of the new training manual. Learn the foundations of pranayama, the difference between prana and pranayama, and why breath literacy matters for every yoga student and teacher.
Episode Highlights:
Pranayama training overview
Problems in modern pranayama education
Prana versus pranayama
Three pillars of pranayama
Meaning of pranayama
Understanding prana
Classical and modern pranayama goals
Teacher responsibility and lineage
Asana and pranayama relationship
Training enrollment details
Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy
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Find all the resources mentioned in this episode
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Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube
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Most yoga teachers are taught that chest opening is the key to better pranayama, but what if that’s actually the last thing to focus on?
In this solo episode, I share the five areas of asana practice that matter most when preparing the body for pranayama. We explore lung anatomy, spinal mobility, nervous system regulation, hip flexor tension, diaphragm function, and why true breath expansion comes from working with the whole body, not just the chest. If you want your pranayama practice to feel more effortless and effective, this episode offers a practical framework you can start applying right away.
Episode Highlights:
Common pranayama preparation myths
Body as the container of prana
Side and back body breathing
Lung anatomy and breath capacity
Spinal mobility for pranayama
False expansion through chest opening
Nervous system regulation through breath
Front body dominance and stress
Hip flexors and diaphragm function
Lower abdomen freedom for breathing
Chest opening as a result
Intelligent asana preparation framework
Breath literacy in practice
Actionable pranayama preparation steps
Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy
Join our mailing list
Find all the resources mentioned in this episode
Connect with us on Instagram
Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube
Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube
Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!