#194: The Pillars of Happiness with Mary Taylor and Richard Freeman
Release Date: 01/20/2025
#204: Dharma Talk: The Grace of the Guru
Yoga Inspiration
In the sacred journey of yoga, the figure of the guru—the teacher, the revealer—is not merely someone who instructs us in techniques. The guru is the light that removes darkness, the presence that dispels confusion, and the voice that calls us back to the Self. The Sanskrit word guru itself is formed from gu, meaning darkness, and ru, meaning remover. The guru is not the source of light—but the one who points us toward it, until we recognize it within. Grace, or kṛpā, is not a transaction. It’s not earned. It flows freely, when the heart becomes soft enough to receive it. The...
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#203: An Ocean of Grace, Saumanasya - The Cheerful Disposition of the Yogi's Mind
Yoga Inspiration
Many of us come to yoga seeking relief. Relief from pain, from restlessness, from uncertainty. And sometimes we find it. But over time, what we discover is more lasting than relief. We discover presence. We discover steadiness. We discover a kind of joy that doesn’t have to shout. It only has to be. So we practice. Not to get rid of pain, but to know it. To meet it with clarity and care. And in that meeting, we find something remarkable: joy is still possible. It is a joy that knows sorrow. A happiness that is not threatened by difficulty. This is the depth of saumanasya. Saumanasya...
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#202: How Yoga Grows a Heart of Unconditional Compassion
Yoga Inspiration
In the closing prayer of the Ashtanga practice, we chant: svasti prajābhyaḥ pari-pālayantāṁ, nyāyena mārgena mahīṁ mahīśāḥ, gobrāhmaṇebhyaḥ śubham astu nityaṁ, lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu. These ancient words are an offering — a prayer for all beings to be protected, for the rulers of the earth to walk the path of righteousness, for all sacred beings to be blessed, and for every living soul across all worlds to experience happiness and freedom. The final invocation, Oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ, repeats the call for peace three times — for peace...
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#201: Tears of the Path: Saṁvega and the Ocean Within — A Reflection on Feeling Deeply, Seeing Clearly, and Walking the Path with Urgency
Yoga Inspiration
As we go deeper on the spiritual path—whether through yoga, meditation, or self-inquiry—we often discover a paradox: We feel more peace… but we also feel more pain. The highs become transcendent. The lows, unbearable. We start to feel everything more intensely. This intensity is not a mistake. It is the heart of the path. The Buddha says: you have felt more grief than the ocean holds water. This isn’t just poetry. It’s a spiritual earthquake. This is not to depress us, but to awaken us—to stir our hearts. This stirring is known in Buddhism as saṁvega. This...
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#200: The Benefits of Strong Practice in Cultivating Tapas
Yoga Inspiration
Sometimes we may not understand why it is necessary to engage in strong practice. This talk dives into how the effects we put into asana practice cultivate a powerful internal fire of purification. This was a talk given after a 4 day immersion with Kino and Tim in Bangkok. Practice LIVE with me exclusively on Omstars! Start your journey today with a 7-day free trial at . Limited time Offer: Sign up for an Omstars+ membership and Get my FREE course: Ashtanga Mechanics. ! Stay connected with us on social @omstarsofficial and @kinoyoga Practice with me in person for...
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#199: Honoring the Lineage and Understanding Merit in Ashtanga Yoga
Yoga Inspiration
Kino and Tim discuss how to honor the lineage in the absence of our teachers. They further dive into the definition of what constitutes merit in the practice of Yoga. Ending with a Q&A that captures the spirit of the conclusion of their first week of teaching in Bali Practice LIVE with me exclusively on Omstars! Start your journey today with a 7-day free trial at . Limited time Offer: Sign up for an Omstars+ membership and Get my FREE course: Ashtanga Mechanics. ! Stay connected with us on social @omstarsofficial and @kinoyoga Practice with me in person for workshops,...
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#198: The Lifelong Path of Yoga: Kino MacGregor on Insightful Self-Discovery
Yoga Inspiration
Why yoga? Anyone who has practiced for a decade, two decades, or even a lifetime knows that the answer to this question is anything but simple—or perhaps so simple that words fail to capture it. Some truths can only be understood through embodied knowledge, a form of wisdom that arises not from intellectual effort but from deep receptivity. Yoga is a path of insight, not just the accumulation of facts or information, though it does not reject them. It is a path of Vijñāna—a deeper knowing, an awakened consciousness, a means of direct realization. There are realms beyond...
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#197: Tristhana Unveiled: Breath, Body, and Mind in Ashtanga Yoga with Kino & Tim
Yoga Inspiration
Join Kino and Tim as they explore Tristhana, the foundational framework of Ashtanga Yoga that unites breath, body, and mind. Whether you are new to the practice or have been teaching for years, this episode offers a deeper look at how these three elements work together to cultivate presence, focus, and transformation. Breath serves as the bridge between body and mind, asana creates embodiment and healing, and focused awareness sharpens the mind, leading to profound inner growth. Through years of dedicated practice, these principles become the gateway to peace and awakening. Kino...
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#196: Astrology Talk with Kino MacGregor and Gahl Sasson
Yoga Inspiration
Astrology is more than just predictions. Join Kino and Gahl for a conversation about spirituality, past lives, and how astrology can help guide us along our journey Gahl Sasson makes Kabbalah, astrology and psychology engaging, illuminating, and fun. His book, , (published by Simon & Schuster and co-written with Steve Weinstein), blends wisdom and metaphors from cultures across history and the entire world into an innovative blueprint for personal transformation and material enrichment. His second work, , is the essential reference guide to understanding your astrological makeup. He...
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#195: Discipline, Method and Studentship in Ashtanga Yoga
Yoga Inspiration
With set sequences, rules, and repetitions, Ashtanga is often seen as a devotion to discipline. But if you look closely, it is a delicate orchestration where breath, movement, and focus unite to reveal the clarity within. In today’s episode, we reflect on the purpose behind the method, exploring how every inhale, every exhale, and every asana carries intention. Ashtanga challenges us to set aside rebellion, ego, and the need to control, humbling us and inviting trust in the wisdom of the practice rather than forcing outcomes. Through this lens, Ashtanga becomes more than a physical...
info_outlineMary Taylor and Richard Freeman join us to share timeless insights exploring how impermanence and interconnectedness form the foundation of a meaningful life. With wisdom rooted in years of spiritual practice, they reflect on the paradox of happiness – not as something to chase but as a natural state revealed through presence and self-awareness.
Our conversation invites us to look beyond rigid structures and external validations, embracing tools like meditation and community to uncover the essence of joy. It’s not about perfection or mastery but about showing up for the practice of being present with ourselves and others. In this shared space of connection, we find the courage to hold life’s grief and beauty side by side.
Through their reflections, Richard and Mary remind us that happiness is not static but a living tradition within us, nurtured by intention and care.
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Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at [email protected]. If you want to share what you’ve learned on your yoga journey, you could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast.