In this profound podcast episode, Krishna Das, the renowned kirtan singer, sits down with Integral Yoga director Avi Gordon to share insights on navigating the subjective nature of reality, the power of spiritual practice, and the art of letting go of ego. From exploring the influence of his Guru to embracing life’s challenges with presence, Krishna Das offers wisdom on cultivating inner peace and compassion. He reflects on the interconnectedness of all beings, the importance of daily practice, and how suffering can be a motivator for transformation. This conversation is a heartfelt invitation to live with gratitude and awareness, perfect for anyone seeking deeper meaning and connection.

"Practice is the most important thing. It's dropping an anchor into the ocean. And then when the winds blow you this way and that way, you're not blown around too much.”

~ Krishna Das

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Few figures in modern spirituality, particularly in the West, have impacted the hearts and minds of contemporary seekers as Krishna Das has. A devotee of the North Indian Saint, Neem Karoli Baba (Maharajji), Krishna Das has played an enormous role in popularizing the traditional practice of kirtan in the West, taking the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and temples and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling western chant artist of all time. In a career spanning more than two decades, KD has released 16 acclaimed full-length albums, his music serving as an easily approachable gateway to the devotional traditions of the East. Along the way, he has evolved into an accessible if somewhat reluctant teacher, and a spiritual friend to many. He travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and stories of his life on the Path, of Maharajiji, and advocates for bringing regular spiritual practice into our lives through retreats and workshops. During COVID times he has chanted online every week for the worldwide satsang.

More information on KrishnaDas.com.

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Join Swami Ramananda, a renowned Integral Yoga teacher, as he shares profound insights on finding peace in chaotic times through spiritual practice. From his Kentucky roots to his transformative journey with Swami Satchidananda, discover how yoga, meditation, and karma yoga cultivate resilience amid global challenges like injustice and political unrest.

🕉️ Key Wisdom from Swami Ramananda:

“A regular habitual spiritual practice on a daily basis is a great foundation for dealing with anything that comes up in life.”

“Make peace in your heart first and then you can be a presence for that.”

“The universe isn’t interested in smooth sailing, the universe is interested in challenging us to make us wake up.”

“Even when I’m meditating, when I’m practicing, that energy, hopefully a very peaceful loving energy, is radiating out into the world. So it’s not even that that is not doing anything.”

Explore the power of community, selfless service, and inner balance in this inspiring conversation. Like, share, and subscribe for more spiritual wisdom!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:55 Spirituality in a Chaotic World

06:12 Daily Spiritual Practice

11:53 Karma Yoga Explained

18:59 Swami Ramananda’s Early Life

43:49 Meeting Swami Satchidananda

1:05:40 Lessons in Karma Yoga

1:08:26 Aging and Spiritual Community

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Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.

He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced-level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U.S., Europe and South America. Ramananda co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a certified Yoga therapist and founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. He co-founded The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI), which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.

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In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Andrew Singer, owner of Flying Tree Yoga in Medellín, Colombia, and a yoga teacher trainer specializing in alignment-based yoga flow. Andrew shares his transformative journey from teaching languages worldwide to spreading yoga’s teachings across Latin America since 2014. He dives into how yoga, rooted in tantric philosophy and Anusara yoga, fosters joy, community, and a connection to the divine in everyone.

Explore Andrew’s insights on karma and bhakti yoga, and the challenge of staying present in daily life. He reflects on building a vibrant yoga community in Medellín, overcoming cultural resistance in a Catholic region, and how fatherhood has deepened his practice. Andrew also discusses the power of conscious language in teaching yoga and the unique openness of Colombian culture compared to secular yoga communities.

“Yoga doesn’t just provide us with physical and mental wellbeing, but also a sense of peace and joy. Yoga allows us to celebrate life!” – Andrew Singer

Learn about Flying Tree Yoga’s offerings, including teacher training and online Spanish courses for yoga teachers, at flyingtreeyoga.com.

About Andrew Singer

Andrew is the owner of Flying Tree Yoga in Medellín, Colombia and Yoga Internships Colombia. He is a teacher trainer specialising in alignment based yoga flow. After working for 10 years teaching different languages across the world, he decided in 2014 to dedicate himself to spreading the teachings of Yoga into Latin America and beyond. He believes in empowering individuals to find their own path and unique approach to yoga. His interests include getting hands on with adjusting and assisting, Thai bodywork, mindfulness meditation, Classical Yoga, Tantra and Buddhist philosophy and the Spanish language.

Connect with Andrew & Flying Tree Yoga

🌿 Flying Tree Yoga Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flying_tree_yoga/

🌿 Yoga Internships Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogainternships

🌿 Andrew Singer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewjsinger/

🌿 Flying Tree Yoga Website: https://www.flyingtreeyoga.com/

🌿 Yoga Internships Website: https://www.yogainternships.com/

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