The Uplifted Yoga Podcast

What if your chakra "block" isn't a block — but your nervous system doing its job? In this bonus episode, I go deeper into your most advanced chakra questions: from how the polyvagal ladder maps onto the energy body, to why certain life patterns keep repeating. We'll explore how trauma, somatics, and subtle anatomy intersect — and why your healing path isn't linear (and was never meant to be). We'll explore: 🔹 Are chakras sequential or cyclical? 🔹 Why trauma theory transforms how we understand energy centers 🔹 How the koshas and gunas make chakra work more precise 🔹 Why you keep facing the same life lessons — and what to do about it 🔹 How each chakra reflects your nervous system's state (fight/flight/freeze) This is a practical, somatic deep-dive into energy anatomy, grounded in compassion, science, and lived experience. If you've ever said "I feel stuck," this one's for you. 🌈  Discover your dominant chakra with my FREE dominant chakra test => https://www.brettlarkin.com/chakra-test/ 🎁 Grab my new book: Healing with Somatic Yoga: A 6-Week Journey to Release Emotions, Rewire Your Nervous System, and Reclaim Your Body → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG   FREE Practice: 30 Min Somatic Yoga Flow through Somatic Movement for Hips, Lower Back, Sacral Chakra Relevant Blog: Opening Root Chakra Symptoms And How To Balance Muladhara   Relevant to Today's Episode: 📚 Healing with Somatic Yoga Book  🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🎧 Also Listen to: #303 – The 7 Chakras as a Tool for Personal Growth #324 – The Importance of Emotional Processing and Regulation: DENT Model Trauma #390 – The Koshas Decoded: Energy Layers, Leadership + Financial Flow with Carla Cline Thomas   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com  

If you've been feeling stuck or uninspired—whether in your personal practice or your teaching—this episode is for you. I'm sharing how I've reignited my own creativity over the years, not by pushing harder, but by allowing myself to breathe in new experiences. From Da Vinci to Mirabai, from Einstein's violin to the poetry of Lalla, I'll take you on a journey that reveals the true source of inspiration—and how you can access it again (and again). Here's what I'll explore: 🔹 What "inspiration" really means (and why you can't force it) 🔹 How to feed your creativity through multi-disciplinary learning 🔹 Why your students crave emotion more than information 🔹 The power of music, beauty, and sensory detail to awaken your teaching 🔹 How you showing up in your element is the greatest gift you can give 🔹 Why "how" something is offered matters as much as what's offered If you've been wondering how to get inspired again—or how to truly inspire others—this episode will give you a whole new lens. And maybe, a little fire in your belly. 🎉 And if you need just a little extra teaching inspiration download my sequences and get my free yoga playlist => https://www.brettlarkin.com/teach?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=teach  💖 Join our book club! We're starting with the Yoga Sutras inside the Uplifted Membership here => https://www.brettlarkin.com/uplifted/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=uplifted   FREE Practice: MORNING YOGA STRETCHES TO HELP KICK START YOUR DAY | Beginner Women's Yoga - Hips, Shoulders & Psoas Relevant Blog: Somatic Yoga For Yoga Teachers: Everything You Need to Know in 10 Steps   Relevant to Today's Episode: ✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 🌀 Somatic Yoga Life Coaching  💫 Somatic Certification 🎧 Also Listen to: #299 – Strategies to Slay Imposter Syndrome and Share Your Gifts #363 – How to Become a Magnet for Loyal Students & Own the Room with Confidence with Taylor Lorenz #401 – Who Has Your Attention? Attention Economy vs the Ancient Path   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com  

If you've been feeling braced, overextended, or stuck in your head — this episode is for you. In this conversation with one of my Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training graduates, Polly of North & Soul, we explore the Adi Shakti mantra not as theory… but as medicine. This isn't just a breakdown of Sanskrit. It's a conversation about what happens when you stop micromanaging your life force — and allow energy to move again. In this episode, we explore: 🔹 Living at "two out of ten" versus fully expressed in your energy 🔹 Kundalini as your magnetism — your truest creative essence 🔹 How conditioning and trauma constrict your life force 🔹 Shiva and Shakti as awareness and energy inside the body 🔹 Why surrender feels unsafe when your nervous system learned to brace 🔹 The nurturing frequency of Mata Shakti (Divine Mother) 🔹 How to use the Adi Shakti mantra as an anchor when overwhelmed 🔹 The exact mudra and meditation setup We also talk about what it means to soften without collapsing. To allow energy to move instead of clamping down. To trust that you don't have to control everything in order to feel safe. If you've been trying to hold it all together — this episode invites you into a different way. And, if this conversation awakens something in you, my upcoming Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training goes deeper into: • Mantra & energetic anatomy • Shiva–Shakti integration • Nervous system regulation • Embodied leadership https://www.brettlarkin.com/online-kundalini-yoga-teacher-training/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ku  GUEST EXPERT: Polly Standeven | @northandsoul  Polly Standeven is the founder of North & Soul, a Kundalini teacher, and community leader devoted to feminine alchemy, energy work, and heart-led living. She is a graduate of Brett's 200-hour YTT and Kundalini University and has taught inside Brett's programs. Connect with Polly: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northandsoul  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/northandsoul  Community: solcircle.tv  Website: www.theinvinciblewoman.co.uk/lilnew    FREE Practice: 20 Min Kundalini Yoga for the Entire Body | KUNDALINI YOGA FOR HEALTH Relevant Blog: Adi Shakti Mantra: Manifest Your Divine Femininity   Relevant to Today's Episode: 📚 Healing with Somatic Yoga Book  🐍Kundalini 200-hour YTT 🔮Kundalini Demystified 🎧 Also Listen to: #43 – What is Kundalini Yoga and Can it Make You Crazy? #138 – The Secrets of Kundalini Demystified with Kia Miller #297 – What is Samkhya Philosophy and How is it Different from Yoga? #265 – What is the Kundalini Serpent? The Major Misunderstandings Demystified   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com  

Does Kundalini yoga have to be intense and activating? What if it could be trauma-conscious, deeply supportive, and even soothing? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Katrina Marie—trauma survivor, author, and lead trainer in Uplifted's 200, 300, and Kundalini tracks—to explore how Kundalini yoga can be safely adapted for students with trauma and nervous system sensitivity. We talk about how to teach from a place of safety, how to create choice instead of pressure, and why your unique experience as a teacher is your gift. In this episode, we explore: 🔹 The difference between trauma-informed and trauma-conscious teaching 🔹 How to safely adapt kriyas and breathwork for trauma-sensitive students 🔹 Which meditations actually help regulate the nervous system (and which don't) 🔹 Why choice and agency matter more than "pushing through" 🔹 The healing power of intuitive movement in Kundalini Whether you're a teacher or a student, if you've ever felt overwhelmed in Kundalini—or unsure how to adapt it—this episode offers tools, compassion, and inspiration. 💖 If you're ready to dive deeper — Join me in the upcoming  Uplifted 200-Hour Somatic Trauma-Informed Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training: https://www.brettlarkin.com/online-kundalini-yoga-teacher-training/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ku    GUEST EXPERT: Katrina Marie | https://katrinamarieyoga.com/  Katrina is an E-RYT 500 with Trauma Informed and Kids Yoga specialities. Katrina's mission is to help yoga instructors find their Trauma Informed voice through the Uplifted training, and to empower kids and adults with her yoga. Katrina has survived an abusive marriage, a school shooting, and strives to turn her own trauma into her dharma as she facilitates healing experiences for others.   Mentioned Practices: Kundalini Meditation for a Calm Heart 10-Min Meditation and Pranayama | Easy Morning Kundalini Kriya For Stress Relief  Relevant Blog: Trauma-Informed Kundalini Yoga: A Heart-Centered Approach to Healing   Relevant to Today's Episode: 🐍Kundalini 200-hour YTT 💖Kundalini Demystified ✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🎧 Also Listen to: #308 – Kriyanology: The Inside Science of Kundalini Sequencing #373 – Kundalini Awakening or Psychosis? Psychology of Spiritual Awakening with Steven Taylor, PhD #394 – What is Feminine Form Kundalini Yoga?   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com  

Are you addicted to efficiency? This episode explores the fifth Yama, Aparigraha — non-grasping, through the lens of modern life. We talk hoarding… not of stuff, but of tasks, to-dos, and productivity itself. If you've ever found yourself trying to "earn" your rest or multitasking even in your downtime, this one's for you. Let's talk about: 🔹 What it really means to stop grasping (hint: it's not just about material things) 🔹 The dark side of the "maximizer" mindset 🔹 Why we hoard productivity (and how it erodes presence) 🔹 How contentment (Santosha) offers an antidote to overwhelm 🔹 What Mary & Martha can teach us about being vs. doing Yoga begins with your relationship to time, tasks, and how you be with yourself. Let this episode be your reminder: You don't need to do more to be more. 💖 Give yourself permission to slow down, check in, and come home to yourself with my Yoga For Self Mastery course  => https://www.brettlarkin.com/yoga-for-self-mastery/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ysm   FREE Practice: Yoga for Anxiety & Anger: Yoga to Surrender & Calm Down (25-min) - All Levels Relevant Blog: Aparigraha: 6 Ways To Completely Let Go In Yoga   Relevant to Today's Episode: 📖 Yoga Life Book  📚 Healing with Somatic Yoga Book 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🌀 Somatic Yoga Life Coaching  🎧 Also Listen to: #384 – Do Less, Heal More: 7 Invitations to Resolve Trauma from Organic Intelligence #403 – Why You Keep Failing at Self-Care — and What to Do Differently #404 – What If I Fail? Krishna's Answer to Your Inner Critic (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6) © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

Ready to reconnect with your roots? This short guided meditation focuses on the first chakra — Muladhara, the root chakra — helping you ground into your body and feel deeply supported by the earth beneath you. Whether you're feeling anxious, scattered, or just want to center yourself before your day, this practice is here to help you return to solid ground. In this meditation I'll guide you to: 🔹 Visualize the root chakra and the fire at the earth's core 🔹 Feel your body anchoring into the present moment 🔹 Explore the void — the energetic origin point of grounding and support 🔹 A simple but profound breath practice for nervous system regulation This is a powerful reset anytime you're overwhelmed or unmoored. Drop in and return to yourself. 💖 Ready to deepen your practice and live from your true nature? Explore the Uplifted Membership here => https://www.brettlarkin.com/uplifted/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=uplifted   Relevant to Today's Episode: 🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com  

We recently completed Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita — a raw and honest moment where Arjuna admits, "My mind is more restless than the wind." But before we dive into Chapter 7 (where everything shifts), I want to pause and explore an important question that naturally arises right here: How do the yogic teachings on Ananda (bliss) compare to the Christian understanding of grace — and why do these two paths feel so different in the body? This episode is a bridge — between effort and surrender, empowerment and comfort, self-regulation and devotion — as we explore this question from a comparative, academic, and curious lens.  This is not to prescribe belief, but to deepen understanding and set the stage for what's coming next in the Gita. 🔹 Why yoga teaches bliss is uncovered through discipline 🔹 Why Christianity emphasizes grace and relationship 🔹 Effort vs. surrender — and how both live in the nervous system 🔹 How this sets the stage for Bhakti Yoga in Chapter 7 📚 Get your copy of my new book: Healing with Somatic Yoga: A 6-Week Journey to Release Emotions, Rewire Your Nervous System, and Reclaim Your Body → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG   FREE Practice: 10-Min Easy Yoga For Spine and Neck Flexibility | YOGA FOR BACK PAIN Relevant Blog: How To Create An Everyday Yogic Lifestyle   Relevant to Today's Episode: 🐍 History of Yoga 📚 Healing with Somatic Yoga Book ✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 💫 Yoga for Self Mastery 🎧 Also Listen to: #297 – What is Samkhya Philosophy and How is it Different from Yoga? #358 – Intro to The Bhagavad Gita: How Do You Navigate Moral Dilemmas? #387 – Book 4 of the Yoga Sutras: The Mystical Path to Liberation Explained © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

What if thinking about death wasn't morbid—but liberating? In this conversation, Elena Brower (author of "Hold Nothing") and I get real about turning 40, 50, and beyond. We talk about why ego dissolution might be the greatest gift of aging, how meditation is actually an act of service to others, and why certainty is killing your relationships. Elena shares why she's ready to let all her accomplishments dissolve, the difference between prayer and meditation (spoiler: maybe there isn't one), and a simple exhale practice that serves humanity. This isn't your typical "graceful aging" conversation. It's about ruthlessly re-prioritizing, slowing down radically, and preparing for death in the most relaxed way possible. In this episode: Why "I'm half-dead" is the most freeing thought you can have The invisible gift your meditation practice gives everyone around you How sitting still helps your kids solve their own problems Why knowing everything makes you terrible company A breathing practice you can do right now to serve humanity 💖 Ready to 'DO LESS' in your practice? Explore the Uplifted Membership here => https://www.brettlarkin.com/uplifted/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=uplifted 🐍 Download your FREE Feminine Kundalini Starter Pack: https://www.brettlarkin.com/online-kundalini-yoga-teacher-training/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ku    GUEST EXPERT: Elena Brower | https://elenabrower.com/  Mother, mentor, poet, artist, volunteer, bestselling author, and podcast host, Elena Brower is a celebrated international yoga and meditation teacher on Glo, guiding transformative practices since 1999. Her new book, Hold Nothing, was published by Shambhala Publications in November 2025. Her column on Substack by the same name, Hold Nothing, supports girls and women, through On The Inside, Girls on Fire Leaders, Women for Women, and Free Food Kitchen.   FREE Practice: 60 Min Restorative Yoga | RESTORATIVE YOGA FOR TIGHT HIPS Relevant Blog: Somatic Meditation: A Body-Based Approach to Healing Stress, Anxiety, and Trauma   Relevant to Today's Episode: 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🌀 Somatic Yoga Life Coaching  💫 Somatic Certification 🎧 Also Listen to: #320 – Less Is More: How To Honor Yourself & Your Students with Elena Brower #397 – How to Live Smartphone Free (From a 20 Year Old) with Yunus M. #401 – Who Has Your Attention? Attention Economy vs the Ancient Path   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com  

It's Chapter Six of the Bhagavad Gita, where everything starts to get real. After five chapters of philosophy and frameworks, Krishna now turns to practice—specifically the challenges of meditation, discipline, and staying steady on your spiritual path. If your mind feels too restless to meditate... if you wonder whether your practice actually counts... or if you've ever feared you're "doing it wrong"—this chapter will soothe your soul. 🔹 Krishna reveals why inner discipline > outer rituals 🔹 Arjuna expresses the doubts we all have on the path 🔹 Meditation becomes the core of yogic living—not just something we "do" 🔹 We explore witness consciousness, compassion, and true non-attachment 🔹 Spiritual effort is never wasted—even across lifetimes 📘 This also marks the completion of the first arc of the Gita. Many scholars divide the Gita into three sections of six chapters each—and Chapter 6 concludes the first movement, focused on Karma Yoga (yoga of action). We've been building the foundation. The next six chapters will take us into Bhakti Yoga—the yoga of devotion and loving recollection of God, so stay tuned for the next segment. 🐍 Download the FREE Feminine Kundalini Starter Pack: https://www.brettlarkin.com/online-kundalini-yoga-teacher-training/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ku    📖 Different translations explored: Barbara Stoler Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-Krishnas-Counsel-Bantam-Classics/dp/0553213652  Godsong by Amit Majmudar: https://www.amazon.com/Godsong-Verse-Translation-Bhagavad-Gita-Commentary/dp/1524733474  Eknath Easwaran: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-2nd-Eknath-Easwaran/dp/1586380192  Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by Swami Prabhupada: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-As-Bhaktivedanta-Swami-Prabhupada/dp/0892131233    FREE Practice: 15 Min Beginner Morning Yin Yoga | NO PROPS Relevant Blog: The Ultimate Guide to Karma Yoga   Relevant to Today's Episode: ✨ Kundalini 200-hour YTT 🔮  History of Yoga 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🎧 Also Listen to: #374 – Karma Yoga & the Detached Yogi: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Part 2 #395 – The Role of "God" in Yoga + Tantric Shadow Work w/ Katie Silcox   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com  

Self-care isn't a luxury — it's your foundation. Today, we explore why self-care can feel so uncomfortable (especially for those of us used to being the strong one), and how to start building your tolerance for pleasure, rest, and receiving. These are the same micro-practices that have transformed my relationship with myself and my energy over time. Here are the truths I keep learning again and again: 🔹 You can't give from an empty cup 🔹 Self-care isn't something you check off once — it's ongoing 🔹 Honoring your tiniest desires builds self-trust 🔹 Slowing down unlocks your creativity 🔹 Five-minute "pleasure containers" can change your life 💖 Slow down, check in, and come home to yourself. Join Yoga For Self Mastery before live calls begin.  => https://www.brettlarkin.com/yoga-for-self-mastery/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ysm    FREE Practice: Yin Yoga for the Sacral Chakra - Creativity & Sexual Energy Relevant Blog: Yoga to Reconnect with Yourself: 5 Essential Practices for Inner Peace   Relevant to Today's Episode: 📖 Yoga Life Book  🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🎧 Also Listen to: #260 – Killing The Self Care Buzzword #372 – Can the Sutras Make Space for Pleasure? (Sutra 1.15 Explained) #384 – Do Less, Heal More: 7 Invitations to Resolve Trauma from Organic Intelligence © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

SURPRISE!! I've got a bonus episode for you this week.  I'm going to explore three of the most commonly asked questions I hear from students about the chakras — especially how they relate to the nervous system, your fascia, and lived experience. 🔹 Are the chakras literal locations, archetypes, developmental stages — or all three? 🔹 Do chakras actually open and close? 🔹 What's the relationship between chakra patterns and nervous system regulation? If you've ever wondered how these energy centers show up in your posture, behavior, and emotions — this quick breakdown will connect the dots between yogic wisdom and modern science in a way that's practical and embodied. I'll also share my favorite metaphor for understanding the chakras, and why we need to stop treating them like a spiritual report card. 🌈  Discover your dominant chakra with my FREE dominant chakra test => https://www.brettlarkin.com/chakra-test/ 📱Book a Free Clarity Call => https://calendly.com/uplifted-clarity/discovery-call?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=200ytt    FREE Practice: Chakra Hatha Yoga | YOGA TO ALIGN & BALANCE YOUR CHAKRAS Relevant Blog: Crystals For Chakras: Unlock Your Energy and Balance   Relevant to Today's Episode: 📚 Healing with Somatic Yoga Book  🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 💖 Uplifted Membership 💫 Somatic Certification 🎧 Also Listen to: #351 – Unlocking the Secrets of Chakras: Lower Chakra Symbols Explained #355 – Unlocking the Secrets of Chakras: Upper Chakra Symbols Explained © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com  

Today, I take you into Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna shifts the spotlight from what you do to how you are being when you do it. This is the heart of Karma Yoga — acting in the world without clinging to the outcome. We unpack the powerful metaphor of the lotus leaf (living in the world, untouched), explore the nature of witness consciousness, and look at what it really means to "renounce" in a modern world.  🔹 What it means to act without attachment 🔹 Why the question is no longer "What should I do?" 🔹 How inner renunciation leads to clarity and peace 🔹 The lotus leaf: your new spiritual metaphor 🔹 How Krishna reframes spiritual maturity and hierarchy Whether you're making a big decision or trying to navigate daily life with more presence, this chapter has wisdom for you. Loved this episode? 👉 Dive deeper into yoga's origins with my History of Yoga Course🐍 Or explore my 200-Hour Kundalini Training   📖 Different translations mentioned: Barbara Stoler Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-Krishnas-Counsel-Bantam-Classics/dp/0553213652  Godsong by Amit Majmudar: https://www.amazon.com/Godsong-Verse-Translation-Bhagavad-Gita-Commentary/dp/1524733474  Eknath Easwaran: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-2nd-Eknath-Easwaran/dp/1586380192  Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by Swami Prabhupada: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-As-Bhaktivedanta-Swami-Prabhupada/dp/0892131233  FREE Practice: 15 Min Vinyasa Flow For Flexibility | BEGINNERS VINYASA YOGA Relevant Blog: The Complete Glossary of Sanskrit Words Used in Yoga   Relevant to Today's Episode: 📖 History of Yoga 🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🎧 Also Listen to: #297 – What is Samkhya Philosophy and How is it Different from Yoga? #358 – Intro to The Bhagavad Gita: How Do You Navigate Moral Dilemmas? #392 – How to Act from Wisdom & Make Every Moment Sacred: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com  

Let's be real — our attention is under attack. Between scroll culture, constant notifications, and never-ending to-do lists, it's hard to focus on what actually matters. In this episode, I'm inviting you to pause and reflect on where your precious energy is going. We'll explore how ancient yogic and Vedantic texts can help us reclaim our attention — not just as a productivity tool, but as a sacred spiritual practice. If you've been feeling scattered, stuck, or overstimulated, this one's for you. We'll look at how: 🔹 Attention is energy — what you focus on creates your reality 🔹 Ancient wisdom can help anchor you in a noisy world 🔹 Modern distraction fragments our energy and dilutes our power 🔹 Silence and depth are medicine for the nervous system 🔹 We don't need more input — we need more inner connection This is a gentle but powerful reset for your inner compass. Let's remember what's truly worthy of our focus. 🎁 Grab my new book: Healing with Somatic Yoga: A 6-Week Journey to Release Emotions, Rewire Your Nervous System, and Reclaim Your Body → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG Leave a book review and claim your free gift: https://www.brettlarkin.com/somaticreview/  🌀 Explore more of these principles in Embodied Yoga Life Coaching: https://www.brettlarkin.com/somatic-yoga-training-certification/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=eylc    FREE Practice: Extra Gentle Trauma-Informed Somatic Exercises | How to do Somatic Yoga | Somatic Yoga Flow Relevant Blog: 15 Life-Changing Yoga Books To Deepen Your Yoga Practice   Relevant to Today's Episode: ✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 🌀 Somatic Yoga Life Coaching  🎧 Also Listen to: #279 – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Summary – BOOK ONE Explained #283 – Dismantling the Kleshas: The Actual Aim of Yoga #358 – Intro to The Bhagavad Gita: How Do You Navigate Moral Dilemmas?   © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com  

What does it really take to build your dream yoga retreat center—from scratch? In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Nielsen, who shares the raw, inspiring truth behind building a yoga retreat space from the ground up. From buying land abroad to pricing retreats and navigating local logistics, Kayla opens up about the entrepreneurial journey few yoga teachers talk about. We cover: 🔹 How to navigate land ownership and logistics in a foreign country 🔹 Smart strategies for planning, pricing, and co-teaching retreats 🔹 Why patience and community are the foundation of a sustainable retreat center 🔹 The beauty of letting your retreat space tell a story that reflects your values Whether you're a yoga teacher dreaming of retreats or an entrepreneur craving land-based living, this conversation is your roadmap to turning inspiration into action.   GUEST EXPERT: Kayla Nielsen | @Kaylalanielsen | kaylalanielsen.com  Kayla Nielsen is a yoga teacher with over 1000 hours of training. Founder of international retreat business and yoga alliance registered yoga school, glow yoga retreats. CEO and co-founder of still salty escape, a hotel and retreat center in northern nicaragua. She's been teaching and leading retreats around the world for 10 years, and established a successful online yoga app 3 years ago with thousands of subscribers. Check out Kayla's retreat center: https://www.stillsaltyescape.com/    FREE Practice: Somatic Yoga Workout for Weight Loss | Awaken the Body & Release Negative Emotions Relevant Blog: How to Plan a Yoga Retreat That Earns 6 Figures   Relevant to Today's Episode: ✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 🎧 Also Listen to: #299 – Strategies to Slay Imposter Syndrome and Share Your Gifts #354 – Redefining "Niche" with Carla Cline Thomas #365 – Launch Ugly! My Top 5 Business Tips for Yoga Entrepreneurs © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

No talk. No theory. No to-do list. Just you and 20 minutes of deep nervous system reset. This New Year's Eve episode is a guided Somatic Release Meditation—designed to help you let go of trapped emotions, soothe your system, and make space for what's next. It's also a beautiful primer for what's coming in the Evolve Somatic Challenge, which starts January 1st. (If you haven't signed up yet—go do that!) ✨ A few important notes: 🛋️ Lie down, get comfy, and please don't do this while driving. 🧠 This practice also helps soothe the vagus nerve, release tension, and bring your body into a state of safety. 🎉Sign Up for the 2026 Evolve Somatic Challenge => https://www.brettlarkin.com/evolve/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=evolve Take this moment to clear the slate. Your body will thank you. 📚 Want to go deeper? My new Somatic Yoga book is the perfect companion to this challenge—and your practice in 2026. Get it here → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG    Relevant to Today's Episode: 💖 Uplifted Membership 💫 Somatic Certification © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

Okay, this isn't our usual episode. There's no philosophy, no Gita breakdown, no talk of funnels or energy anatomy today. Instead, I have a gift for you—a guided meditation designed to help you do something surprisingly hard: feel good and stay in it. If you've been through trauma or long-term stress, your nervous system might default to worry, numbness, or waiting for the other shoe to drop—even when things are actually going well. This practice gently helps you expand your capacity to receive joy, compliments, connection, and peace without flinching. ✨ A few important notes: 🧘‍♀️ Don't do this while driving. 🛋️ Find a cozy spot where you can sit or lie down undisturbed. 🎁 Come as you are. This is your Christmas Eve permission slip to slow down and let good feelings land. Practice it as often as needed—and let me know what shifts for you. 🎉Sign Up for the 2026 Evolve Somatic Challenge => https://www.brettlarkin.com/evolve/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=evolve 💖 Ready to deepen your practice and live from your true nature? Explore the Uplifted Membership here => https://www.brettlarkin.com/uplifted/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=uplifted   Relevant to Today's Episode: 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

What happens when a 20-year-old decides to completely unplug—from smartphones, social media, and the digital world?   In this episode, I talk with Yunus Maximus, a bold, creative soul who's chosen a countercultural path in today's tech-saturated world. We explore how living without a phone has deepened his art, saved his mental health, and strengthened his human connections. His story will make you rethink your relationship with technology—and your own creativity. We talk about: 🔹 Why Yunus ditched his phone and never looked back 🔹 The link between digital detox and artistic expression 🔹 Finding community and purpose offline 🔹 What it means to trust your own path in a hyper-connected world If you've been craving more presence, art, or authenticity—this one's a must-listen. 🎁 Don't forget to grab my new book: Healing with Somatic Yoga: A 6-Week Journey to Release Emotions, Rewire Your Nervous System, and Reclaim Your Body → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG   GUEST EXPERT: Yunus Maximus Yunus is an artist and musician helping pave the way in technology and internet counterculture. Through experimentation and therapeutic integration he discovered that stepping away from technology has enabled him to not only connect with his unique gifts but his local community in powerful ways. Yunus encourages everyone to step away from the noise the internet brings, do the art that you love, and trust that opportunities will come your way. Contact Yunus: yunusmaximusmusic@gmail.com    FREE Practice: Extra Gentle Trauma-Informed Somatic Exercises | How to do Somatic Yoga | Somatic Yoga Flow Relevant Blog: Somatic Meditation: A Body-Based Approach to Healing Stress, Anxiety, and Trauma   Relevant to Today's Episode: 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 💫 Somatic Certification ✨ AI Training Course 🎧 Also Listen to: #378 – "Wait… Did I Just Make an AI Course?!" Behind the Scenes of My Most Unexpected Offering Yet (and Why You Might Love It Too) #380 – The Internet Is Collapsing — And Why That's Great News for Yogis & Healers © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

Today's episode is a little different and really special. I'm finally sharing the story behind my new book, Healing with Somatic Yoga. This book is the heart of everything I've been teaching, practicing, and living — and I can't wait for you to hold it in your hands. If you've ever felt like traditional wellness advice just doesn't reach the deeper layers — like something's missing — you're not alone. We're entering what I'm calling the Decade of the Nervous System. It's time to stop muscling through healing and start listening to the body that's been protecting you all along. You'll hear: 🔹 Why your body is not a problem to fix — it's an animal trying to keep you safe 🔹 How unprocessed stress lives in the body (and what to do about it) 🔹 The 3 distinct models of somatic healing I teach inside the book 🔹 How storytelling rewires your brain (and why it's a key healing tool) 🔹 Why healing can (and should) feel pleasurable and fun 🔹 What makes this book different from anything else on somatics or yoga This isn't just a book — it's a nervous system manual for our times. I'm so excited to finally share it with you. 🎉📘 Grab my new book: Healing with Somatic Yoga: A 6-Week Journey to Release Emotions, Rewire Your Nervous System, and Reclaim Your Body → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG and claim the bonus videos and gifts exclusively for early book purchasers!    FREE Practice: Somatic Yoga Workout for Women with Music | Release Anger, Anxiety, Stress, Hip Tension & Trauma Relevant Blog: What Is Somatic Yoga? Everything You Need To Know   Relevant to Today's Episode: 💖 Uplifted Membership 🌀 Somatic Yoga Life Coaching  💫 Somatic Certification 🎧 Also Listen to: #318 – What Is Somatic Yoga? #330 – Somatic Yoga vs. Traditional Yoga: Breaking Down How 5 Poses Differ in your Yoga Practice #384 – Do Less, Heal More: 7 Invitations to Resolve Trauma from Organic Intelligence © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

What does it mean to surrender—not just in theory, but in your body? Katie Silcox is back for an intimate and expansive conversation where we explore the intersections of shadow work, yoga, energy practices, and the divine. We talk about the emotional courage it takes to let go, the healing potential of the word God, and how to distinguish between meditation and prayer in a way that supports your spiritual evolution. You'll learn: 🔹 Why shadow work is more about integration than excavation 🔹 The difference between vertical and horizontal energy flow 🔹 How to ground yourself for deeper emotional intelligence and energy work 🔹 What it means to surrender to a benevolent universe 🔹 The distinct but complementary roles of meditation and prayer If you're longing for connection—to self, to Source, and to the real sensations of spirit moving through your life—this episode is for you. 🌹 Download my somatic sequences & playlists for teachers: https://www.brettlarkin.com/somatic-sequences/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=somatic-sequence 💗Get Brett's Free Somatic Yoga Workshop: https://www.brettlarkin.com/embodiedyoga GUEST EXPERT: Katie Silcox | @theshaktischool Katie Silcox, M.A. is the New York Times Best-Selling author of the book Healthy, Happy, Sexy - Ayurveda Wisdom for Modern Women and the new book - Glow-Worthy. She is the founder of The Shakti School, a premier online certification school for women-centered holistic wellness that bridges functional medicine and eastern traditions. She holds a Masters degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and is a member of the National Ayurvedic Medicine Association. In her former life, she has been a researcher in Artificial Intelligence, a cover model for Yoga Journal magazine in Russia and the owner of a beach bar in Spain.  Uplifted Yoga Exclusive $200 discount codes for The Shakti School's Ayurvedic Wellness Coach Certification: If you would like to pay in full for the course, please use the discount code uplifted200 - this will take $200 off the tuition. If you would like a payment plan option, please enter code uplifted200plan at registration checkout. This will take $100 off the first two payments on any of the payment plan options. Order Glow-Worthy by Katie Silcox here   FREE Practice: Total Body Yoga for Women | DEEP STRETCH HIPS AND BACK Relevant Blog: Understanding What is Divine Love: Key Insights and Perspectives   Relevant to Today's Episode: 💖 Uplifted Membership 🌀 Somatic Yoga Life Coaching  💫 Somatic Certification 🎧 Also Listen to: #284 – How to Love Your [Broken, Dark and Angry] Self with Katie Silcox #352 – Redefining Feminine Energy in Yoga & Ayurveda with Katie Silcox © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

In this episode, I introduce the core principles of Feminine Form Kundalini, a radically different approach to energy and transformation. We explore how the body responds not to pressure, but to rhythm, wave-like movement, and the right conditions for deep inner uncoiling. This practice isn't about transcendence—it's about coming home to your body as the sacred gateway to power. You'll learn: 🔹 Why biological safety is the foundation of true spiritual awakening 🔹 How spiral and wave-like movement unlocks stuck energy 🔹 The vital role of pleasure in feminine energy practices 🔹 How this method differs from traditional Kundalini approaches This is your invitation to experience energy, embodiment, and transformation—on your terms. 🐍 Download the FREE Feminine Kundalini Starter Pack: https://www.brettlarkin.com/online-kundalini-yoga-teacher-training/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ku    FREE Practice: How to Awaken your Feminine Energy | EASY KUNDALINI YOGA FOR WOMEN Relevant Blog: Harnessing the Power of Kundalini Divine Feminine for Transformation   Relevant to Today's Episode: Kundalini 200-hour YTT Kundalini Demystified 🎧 Also Listen to: #265 – What is the Kundalini Serpent? The Major Misunderstandings Demystified #277 – Trauma Conscious Kundalini Yoga with Katrina Marie   © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com