Show Notes
In this episode, host Jivana Heyman sits down with Finlay Wilson, known on social media as the Kilted Yogi. Together they explore what it means to make yoga truly accessible, the power of community-based service, and the importance of authentic representation in the yoga world.
Finlay shares about his new book, Adapting Chair Yoga for Every Body, and the work of his nonprofit organization in Scotland, which runs extensive free programming including prenatal and postnatal classes, wheelchair yoga, chair yoga for amputees and veterans, and community outreach in schools, hospitals, care homes, and prisons. Finlay also opens up about his personal journey from being a young person using mobility aids and experiencing an unwelcoming first yoga class, to finding transformation through Ana Forrest's pivotal question: "Why are you trying so hard?"
Later in the episode, Jivana and cohost, Deanna Michalopoulos, reflect on Finlay's inspiring work and explore the relationship between self-discipline and self-compassion and how service through karma yoga actually fills us up rather than depletes us. They also discuss Jivana's upcoming course on Accessible Pranayama and Meditation, which uses the eight limbs as a framework for deeper practice.
Topics include:
Chair yoga as a joyful, social practice
Moving from dissociation to embodiment in practice
The importance of LGBTQ+ representation in yoga
Creating spaces of belonging and acceptance
The danger of weaponizing yoga teachings against ourselves
Using asana to prepare for subtler practices
The relationship between karma yoga (service) and bhakti yoga (devotion)
Check out:
Finlay's book, Adapting Chair Yoga for Every Body, on sale now!
The upcoming Accessible Pranayama & Meditation: Exploring the Eight Limbs of Yoga online course with Jivana Heyman
We Want to Hear from You!
What story, teaching, or practice inspires your yoga journey today? Submit your answer or any other questions you have for Jivana via Google Form: https://forms.gle/NtijeM82dSgU5jVD7 or leave a voice message here (90 second maximum): https://www.speakpipe.com/AccessibleYoga
Selected responses may be featured in future episodes!
Connect with Finlay:
Finlay Wilson is the CEO of Heart Space and an internationally recognized yoga teacher committed to making the practice accessible to everyone. His leadership is rooted in a deep belief in the social-economy model, where all profits from paid classes fund Heart Space’s wide-ranging free community and outreach programs.
As a highly experienced instructor, Finlay's expertise lies in creating truly inclusive and adaptive practices for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. He is the author of the new book, Adapting Chair Yoga for Every Body, demonstrating his specialized knowledge in modifying yoga to meet people wherever they are on their well-being journey.
Through Heart Space, Finlay guides a mission-driven team dedicated to delivering trauma-informed and affirming services, with a strong focus on building resilience and community for vulnerable populations, including young people and the LGBTQ+ community.
www.finlay-wilson.com | IG: @finlay0901 | FB: finlaytwilson | Tiktok: @scottishyogaboy
Connect with Jivana:
Check out Jivana’s books, Accessible Yoga, Yoga Revolution, and The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga, and get more information about Accessible Yoga at accessibleyoga.org
www.jivanaheyman.com | @jivanaheyman | facebook.com/jivanaheyman
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