RECOVERY, YOGA, AND LOVE

In this episode, Nichol and Emily talk about Nichol's journey into the world of yoga, how she brings yoga to people in recovery and those transitioning from homelessness and incarceration, and her beautiful studio, Ahava Collective, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

What I love about this episode is:

*How openly Nichol shares her story of recovery and how she found yoga and meditation while in therapy. 

*Nichol's inspiration to becoming a yoga teacher so she could share the practice with those in recovery. 

*Nichol's passion about spreading the benefits of trauma-informed yoga by creating a safe space for all people. 

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed talking with Nichol!

CREATING SAFE YOGA SPACES

Nichol Walters, founder of the Ahava Yoga Collective, is back with us for another episode! In this episode we talk about how to create safe yoga spaces. We talk about:

How we can foster safe and inclusive yoga spaces by giving thoughtful instructions.

How the structure and sequencing of a yoga class can make it more inclusive.

The significance of the physical postures in the larger context of a yoga practice.

YAMA SERIES : Ahimsa (nonharming)

Nichol Walters of the Ahava Yoga Collective is back for a multi-part series on the yamas, commonly referred to as the moral and ethical guidelines for yoga practitioners. In this episode, we explore taking a broad view of the first yama: ahimsa or non-harming. Highlights include:

An overview of the 8-limbed path and the 5 yamas

How exploring non-harming starts with our own relationship with ourselves

What ahimsa can look like on the yoga mat

How fear plays into our attitude toward non-harming

YAMA SERIES: Satya (truthfulness)

Nichol Walters of the Ahava Yoga Collective joins Emily on the podcast this week for the second in a 5-part series on the yamas (outer observances). In this episode we discuss satya (truthfulness) and what it means to live boldly through the process of being true to oneself in order to be truthful to others.

YAMA SERIES: Asteya (non-stealing)

Nichol Walters of the Ahava Yoga Collective joins Emily on the podcast this week for the third in a 5-part series on the yamas (outer observances). In this episode we discuss asteya (non-stealing) and the surprising complexity of this topic in our relationships with ourselves and others.

YAMA SERIES: Brahmacharya (non-excess)

Nichol Walters of the Ahava Yoga Collective in Greensboro, NC joins Emily on the podcast for the fourth of a 5-part series of the yamas, the first limb of the yogic path. In this episode, we focus on brahmacharya (non-excess) from a variety of perspectives related to our practice on and off the mat. Episode highlights include:
Identifying what is "just enough:" not excessive but also not too little
How to relate to brahmacharya in physical movement practice
The literal meaning of brahmacharya: behavior that leads to brahman, the divine