Aparigraha vs. Hustle Culture: I Quit Maximizing. Here's What Happened
Release Date: 02/25/2026
Aparigraha vs. Hustle Culture: I Quit Maximizing. Here's What Happened
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
Are you addicted to efficiency? This episode explores the fifth Yama, Aparigraha — non-grasping, through the lens of modern life. We talk hoarding… not of stuff, but of tasks, to-dos, and productivity itself. If you’ve ever found yourself trying to “earn” your rest or multitasking even in your downtime, this one’s for you. Let’s talk about: 🔹 What it really means to stop grasping (hint: it’s not just about material things) 🔹 The dark side of the “maximizer” mindset 🔹 Why we hoard productivity (and how it erodes presence) 🔹 How contentment (Santosha) offers an...
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Root Chakra Meditation
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
Ready to reconnect with your roots? This short guided meditation focuses on the first chakra — Muladhara, the root chakra — helping you ground into your body and feel deeply supported by the earth beneath you. Whether you're feeling anxious, scattered, or just want to center yourself before your day, this practice is here to help you return to solid ground. In this meditation I’ll guide you to: 🔹 Visualize the root chakra and the fire at the earth’s core 🔹 Feel your body anchoring into the present moment 🔹 Explore the void — the energetic origin point of grounding and...
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Vedanta vs. Christianity: Bliss, Grace & the Divine in Two Spiritual Paths
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
We recently completed Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita — a raw and honest moment where Arjuna admits, “My mind is more restless than the wind.” But before we dive into Chapter 7 (where everything shifts), I want to pause and explore an important question that naturally arises right here: How do the yogic teachings on Ananda (bliss) compare to the Christian understanding of grace — and why do these two paths feel so different in the body? This episode is a bridge — between effort and surrender, empowerment and comfort, self-regulation and devotion — as we explore this question from a...
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Half-Dead & Fully Alive: Dissolving the Ego at Midlife with Elena Brower
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
What if thinking about death wasn't morbid—but liberating? In this conversation, Elena Brower (author of "Hold Nothing") and I get real about turning 40, 50, and beyond. We talk about why ego dissolution might be the greatest gift of aging, how meditation is actually an act of service to others, and why certainty is killing your relationships. Elena shares why she's ready to let all her accomplishments dissolve, the difference between prayer and meditation (spoiler: maybe there isn't one), and a simple exhale practice that serves humanity. This isn't your typical "graceful aging"...
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What If I Fail? Krishna’s Answer to Your Inner Critic (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6)
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
It’s Chapter Six of the Bhagavad Gita, where everything starts to get real. After five chapters of philosophy and frameworks, Krishna now turns to practice—specifically the challenges of meditation, discipline, and staying steady on your spiritual path. If your mind feels too restless to meditate... if you wonder whether your practice actually counts... or if you've ever feared you’re "doing it wrong"—this chapter will soothe your soul. 🔹 Krishna reveals why inner discipline > outer rituals 🔹 Arjuna expresses the doubts we all have on the path 🔹 Meditation becomes the core...
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Why You Keep Failing at Self-Care — and What to Do Differently
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
Self-care isn’t a luxury — it’s your foundation. Today, we explore why self-care can feel so uncomfortable (especially for those of us used to being the strong one), and how to start building your tolerance for pleasure, rest, and receiving. These are the same micro-practices that have transformed my relationship with myself and my energy over time. Here are the truths I keep learning again and again: 🔹 You can’t give from an empty cup 🔹 Self-care isn’t something you check off once — it’s ongoing 🔹 Honoring your tiniest desires builds self-trust 🔹 Slowing down unlocks...
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How Chakras Relate to the Nervous System + Your FAQ
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
SURPRISE!! I’ve got a bonus episode for you this week. I’m going to explore three of the most commonly asked questions I hear from students about the chakras — especially how they relate to the nervous system, your fascia, and lived experience. 🔹 Are the chakras literal locations, archetypes, developmental stages — or all three? 🔹 Do chakras actually open and close? 🔹 What’s the relationship between chakra patterns and nervous system regulation? If you’ve ever wondered how these energy centers show up in your posture, behavior, and emotions — this quick breakdown...
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Stop Asking “What Should I Do?” — The Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 Has a Better Question
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
Today, I take you into Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna shifts the spotlight from what you do to how you are being when you do it. This is the heart of Karma Yoga — acting in the world without clinging to the outcome. We unpack the powerful metaphor of the lotus leaf (living in the world, untouched), explore the nature of witness consciousness, and look at what it really means to "renounce" in a modern world. 🔹 What it means to act without attachment 🔹 Why the question is no longer “What should I do?” 🔹 How inner renunciation leads to clarity and peace 🔹...
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Who Has Your Attention? Attention Economy vs the Ancient Path
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
Let’s be real — our attention is under attack. Between scroll culture, constant notifications, and never-ending to-do lists, it’s hard to focus on what actually matters. In this episode, I’m inviting you to pause and reflect on where your precious energy is going. We’ll explore how ancient yogic and Vedantic texts can help us reclaim our attention — not just as a productivity tool, but as a sacred spiritual practice. If you’ve been feeling scattered, stuck, or overstimulated, this one’s for you. We’ll look at how: 🔹 Attention is energy — what you focus on creates your...
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Build Your Yoga Retreat Center with Kayla Nielsen
The Uplifted Yoga Podcast
What does it really take to build your dream yoga retreat center—from scratch? In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Nielsen, who shares the raw, inspiring truth behind building a yoga retreat space from the ground up. From buying land abroad to pricing retreats and navigating local logistics, Kayla opens up about the entrepreneurial journey few yoga teachers talk about. We cover: 🔹 How to navigate land ownership and logistics in a foreign country 🔹 Smart strategies for planning, pricing, and co-teaching retreats 🔹 Why patience and community are the foundation of a sustainable...
info_outlineAre you addicted to efficiency? This episode explores the fifth Yama, Aparigraha — non-grasping, through the lens of modern life. We talk hoarding… not of stuff, but of tasks, to-dos, and productivity itself.
If you’ve ever found yourself trying to “earn” your rest or multitasking even in your downtime, this one’s for you. Let’s talk about:
🔹 What it really means to stop grasping (hint: it’s not just about material things)
🔹 The dark side of the “maximizer” mindset
🔹 Why we hoard productivity (and how it erodes presence)
🔹 How contentment (Santosha) offers an antidote to overwhelm
🔹 What Mary & Martha can teach us about being vs. doing
Yoga begins with your relationship to time, tasks, and how you be with yourself. Let this episode be your reminder: You don’t need to do more to be more.
💖 Give yourself permission to slow down, check in, and come home to yourself with my Yoga For Self Mastery course => https://www.brettlarkin.com/yoga-for-self-mastery/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ysm
FREE Practice: Yoga for Anxiety & Anger: Yoga to Surrender & Calm Down (25-min) - All Levels
Relevant Blog: Aparigraha: 6 Ways To Completely Let Go In Yoga
Relevant to Today’s Episode:
📚 Healing with Somatic Yoga Book
🎧 Also Listen to:
#384 – Do Less, Heal More: 7 Invitations to Resolve Trauma from Organic Intelligence
#403 – Why You Keep Failing at Self-Care — and What to Do Differently
#404 – What If I Fail? Krishna’s Answer to Your Inner Critic (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6)
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