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 balm 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