Show Notes
Join host Jivana as he talks with his friend and fellow author, Indu Arora, about the philosophical essence of yoga, the householder path, and the importance of individual experience. Indu shares about what it really means to "teach" yoga, why she calls herself a student rather than a teacher, and how her own teachers shaped that humility. They talk about living yoga philosophy and why yoga's health and wellness benefits are only side effects of a much deeper spiritual purpose.
In the second part of the episode, Jivana chats with co-host Deanna Michalopoulos about his conversation with Indu, including the idea that real life is the true guru and how modern yoga culture has drifted into a commoditized, checklist-style practice. Deanna asks Jivana a question drawn straight from his forthcoming book: how do you make the discomfort of spiritual practice accessible?
Topics include:
Personal embodiment over intellectual hoarding of yoga knowledge and techniques
Sharing personal stories as a bridge between lived experience and philosophy
Rethinking the idea of "guru" as an element found in the teachings, nature, and life itself
Trust (shraddha) and faith as the foundation of spiritual practice
Making space for discomfort in meditation and asana without re-triggering trauma
Yoga as a sanctuary for self-acceptance rather than a discipline of self-improvement
Check out:
Workshops and trainings with Indu
Indu's books, including Mudra: The Sacred Secret, Yoga: Ancient Heritage, Tomorrow's Vision, Soma: 100 Recipes for Self-Care
Join Indu, Jivana, and other guests at the upcoming Accessible Yoga Training Online, September 18 - November 3rd, 2026
**Learn more about the Accessible Yoga Mentorship Program and join today! We look forward to seeing you there.**
We Want to Hear from You!
How do you balance self-care and service in your yoga practice and teaching? 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 Indu:
Indu Arora is a lifelong student and teacher of Yoga and Ayurveda. She is the founder of Yogsadhna, and is devoted to sharing traditional Yoga and Ayurvedic wisdom. Teaching since the age of nineteen, she brings decades of study, practice, and lived experience to her work. She is the author of three other books on Yoga. Her guiding motto is: “Yoga is work in, not work out.”
Yogsadhna.com | @induaroraofficial (IG) | @InduArora (YouTube) | @induaroraofficial (Threads)
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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Credit: Mikus Dharma, AYP Podcast Sound Engineer
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