Claim OwnershipJ. Brown Yoga Talks
Subscribed: 1,882Played: 57,649
Subscribe
© 2015-2025
Description
Yoga teacher and writer J. Brown is leading the way in the Slow Yoga Revolution, advocating for more intimate, breath-centered, therapeutic yoga practices. J interviews guests from old-school yoga teachers to other yoga revolutionists about philosophy, spirituality, and the business of yoga.
518 Episodes
Reverse
Joanne Spence, author of Trauma-Informed Yoga: A Toolbox for Therapists and founder of Yoga in Schools, talks with J about the origins of trauma-informed care and the relationship between yoga and faith. They discuss coming to yoga through life challenges, exploring different approaches, breath focus, early paths into yoga therapy, working at a psychiatric hospital, trusting in lived experience, scientific explanations, attending seminary, being part of a church, secular approaches, and keeping communications straightforward and kind. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Leslie Howard and Richard Rosen, co-authors of SAVASANA - Between Breath and Death, talk with J about the importance of practicing final relaxation. They discuss the shortening of savasana over the years, death doulas and cafe's, the dissolution of self, the moment of death, guided meditation, asana and pranayama, reincarnation, falling asleep, alignment, using props and minimizing distraction, breath focus, rolling to the side, being the witness, fitness orientation, embracing things as they are, and recognizing the precious nature of life. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
David Procyshyn, founder of doyogawithme.com and author of a Freedom from Anxiety newsletter, talks with J about the current state of the online yoga space and different ways to think about marketing. They discuss the ebb and flow of online sales, loyalty and word of mouth, knowing your audience, saturation and competition, paying for advertising, affiliates, Facebook, discounts and promotions, customer segmentation, maximizing user experience, websites, retreats, and questioning assumptions that inhibit playfulness. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Jim Bennitt, co-founder of Tejas Yoga and founder of Yoga for Grapplers, talks with J about the trajectory and evolution of Gen-x yoga careers. They discuss the yoga wave that started in the early nineties, old-school classroom dynamics, finding community, appeal of Jiu-Jitsu, cult aspects across different modalities, discernment of alignment, opening a center in the golden years, functional movement, accessibility, male friendships, post pandemic numbers, people leaving yoga, and the inspirational sparks that keep us motivated. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Sharon Molloy is a close personal friend of J and she joins the show to talk about their shared journey through yoga into faith. They discuss coming together around non-achievement, getting off on esoterica, discovering mystical realms, discerning materialism, making sense of lies and injustice, transhumanism, proof of the soul, evil, biblical prophecy, believing vs following, holy alignment and baptism, brokenness and the nature of self, hearing the voice of God, and experiencing the pinnacle of love through saving grace. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Adam Rumack, co-founder of Open Circle, talks with J about subtle changes to the inner life of yoga communities and beyond. They discuss third series Ashtanga, taking over a Mysore room, nature-based rights of passage work, high demand communities, authorization, purity myths, underlying reality of natural order, hero journeys, perennial wisdom and power vacuums, vulnerability and responsibility, creating spiritual connection, attachment and strategic planning, and caring about each other enough to get beyond simple explanations. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Once again, J offers his annual year end reflection on where things stand going into the new year. He discusses the grief of learning that a family member has terminal cancer and the mixture of love and sadness that the holiday season entailed, the difficult realization that he will likely need to close his yoga center, contributing factors and underlying economics, online algorithms, trade organizations, the dissolution of identity and career paths, realms of man vs realms of divinity, and finding an honest and straightforward way of proceeding through life. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Danny Mintz is a listener of the show who reached out to J about the origins of yoga postures and it lead to this conversation about depictions of practice and the inner workings of being a teacher. They discuss whether modern yoga is 5000 years old or 500 years old, finding good teachers, Alison West, different stages of life, studio closures, finding your edge, Anusara, Jivamukti, personal practice, using music, yoga competitions, inversions, injuries, speaking out against abuse, and the testament for practice being the person it produces. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Donna Farhi returns to talk with J about conscious pedagogic models that foster independence and moving towards grounded sensitivity. They discuss homesteading and the contrast between natural and digital worlds, recovering from a fractured pelvis, meaning of pedagogy, baking bread, horizontal communication, checks and balances, contraction in the industry, being relevant to the times, ground rules and agreements, sticking with the word yoga, fitness and perfected bodies, post-pandemic landscapes, and evolving into the future. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Kim Hopkins, executive director of the Shanthi Project, talks with J about the not-for-profit work of providing yoga and mindfulness education to children and adults. They discuss different phases of the organization and where things were when Kim took over in 2023, working at Sony Music, revenue structures and fund development plans, substituting the term yoga for mindfulness, importance of data collection and research, having an in person space, bases of support, and the long game of creating meaningful change. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Neil Taylor joins the show to follow up with J on the ongoing conversation about mindfulness education. They discuss Neil's entrance into practice, the importance of solitude, quality of presence, Thich Nhat Hang, the Satipattana Sutta, the end of suffering, inner bliss and demons, ignorance and true nature, cessation, self and no-self, levels of awareness, distinguishing between mindfulness and meditation, mysticism and the secular, neurological patterning, energy bodies, letting the mystery be, and embodying compassion. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Karin Lynn Carlson, founder of Return Yoga and author of the substack Gristle and Bone, returns to touch base with J on the reckoning going on in the yoga profession. They discuss starting online platforms before it was a thing, 200hr teacher training model and the false promise of a career, marketing conundrums, living paycheck to paycheck, effects of the pandemic on in person spaces, AI, relying upon wealthy students, looking for jobs to pay bills, reconciling the downfall of the American dream, and finding direction from within. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Cassie McKamey is a listener of the show whose email to J led to this conversation about coming to yoga on the internet through a lens of christian faith. They discuss growing up in a church community in Kansas, youth pastors and questioning authority, following rules vs inquiring within, learning yoga on YouTube, personal relationship to God, being responsible for what you teach, following Jesus, guided meditation and divine will, forms of worship, and being humble enough to believe in something greater than yourself. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Sarah Powers, co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute, talks with J about integrating Yoga, Tao, and Mindfulness. They discuss the progression of yoga into a physical orientation to wellness instead of deeper inquiries, cliche of yoga profession, earlier days at Yogaworks, Paul Griley, different camps within Yin Yoga, differentiating Iyengar method, energy bodies, negotiating terms to honor all parts of ourselves, discipline and empathic support, and learning how to ungrasp and explore changing views to access joyful wisdom. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Edward Clark and Laurie A, Greene, co-authors of Yoga and the Body: The Future of Modern Yoga in the Studio and Beyond, talk with J about interrogating assumptions from within and without yoga traditions. They discuss the ancient origins of yoga, perspectives in theater arts, distinguishing asana and vinyasa, meaning making, reasons for having a body, trauma, emotions, postural attitudes, evolving language in teaching, risk aversion and intensity of inquiry, empathy, being honest communicators, and experiencing every day awe-inspiring beauty. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Adam Keen, host of the Keen on Yoga Podcast, returns to the show to revisit a conversation they started years ago about the role of teachers and teachings. They discuss recent scandals in the Ashtanga community, teaching styles and somatic dominance, origins of Ashtanga, tradition and market competition, implications of the "active series," homogenization of Mysore rooms, adjustments, hip replacement surgery, showing fallibility, and holding ourselves to account so we can provide something of meaning and purpose. To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Anna Taylor, author of Weaving Mindfulness & Compassion into Yoga Teaching, talks with J about the intersection of mindfulness education and yoga. They discuss being curious about why yoga works, noticing the impact of practice, mindfulness not thoughts, doing and being, attention training, involvement of the heart, equipping people to listen, effort vs observation, failure and feeling taken care of, secular spirituality, pacing, strong flows and music, bringing ourselves into a Satvic state, and promoting values that we believe in. Get 15% off the book by using the promo code JBPAT15 - Valid until Dec 31, 2025 To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Chris Cochrane is a listener of the show who joins to talk with J about her unique background and perspective on science and yoga. They discuss working for NASA analyzing semiconductor crystals grown on the space station, scientists and engineers who are into yoga, micro-gravity and crystal structures, distortions in the atomic order, connection between science and spirit, water witches, probability and preciousness of life, benefits of practice, horse wisdom, equestrians, Patanjali, Shakespeare, and living your dream. New Teacher Training Group starting October 20, 2025 - REGISTER NOW! Live Workshops in New Jersey and Boston - REGISTER HERE To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM.
On the occasion of the 10-year anniversary and 500th episode of the show, J reflects on the state of the yoga profession and industry. He discusses the progression from blog writing to podcasting and his latest post entitled "What I've Learned About Where We Are," the effects of the pandemic on attendance patterns and the role of teachers, myths about marketing and expertise, cravings for connection and immediate gratification, current status of the center J opened a year ago, direction, purpose, and facing grim outlooks with courage and conviction. New Teacher Training Group starting October 20, 2025 - REGISTER NOW! To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM. Say thank you - buy J a coffee. Check out J's other podcast… J. BROWN YOGA THOUGHTS.
Lora Markova and Katharine Scalora, founders of Earth & Aerial Yoga in Hudson MA, talk with J about the advantages of owning an aerial yoga studio. They discuss Lora's previous career in media and Katharine's background, providing immediate gratification, logistical realities, how Covid killed their traditional classes, prop-specific discipline, remaining grounded in yogic principles, injuries, camaraderie vs competition, enrollment policies, premium offerings, and charting a new path to evolve aerial yoga into more than just a gimmick. New Teacher Training Group starting October 20, 2025 - REGISTER NOW! To subscribe and support the show… GET PREMIUM.
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
The practice of https://walkingyoga.fit brings together gentle movement and mindful awareness, turning a regular walk into a calming, energizing ritual. By syncing your breath with each step, your body naturally relaxes, your mind clears, and your energy feels more balanced. It’s an easy and accessible way to support strength, mobility, and inner peace without needing a mat or special space.
why it doesnt have sound ? is that perimium too?
I really enjoyed this episode until she ended the topic about bringing in the votes for impeachment
here
01.23 God and Sex
thanks for your podcasts.. you are an amazing person.
I was fortunate enough to do my teacher training with Gregor and his wife Monica. It was such an awesome treat to hear him on your podcast today. Gregor certainly walks his talk - teaching as a facilitator, as a friend, as a sharer of knowledge. Empowering his students to be their own teacher. 🙏
thank you so much for these conversations - keeping the heart of Yoga with a capital Y in the forefront of our minds. I am loving your podcast. with gratitude 🙏