64: All we have is the present moment (and how to build a practice to support that) with Laura Ahrens
Release Date: 04/08/2020
Medium Well
This episode is a bit of a rant— I am so frustrated seeing folks on the internet telling others what to do. The truth is they have no idea how you operate, what your privilege and access is, your mental and physical health, your trauma response, how your brain works, or more. I break down why this frustrates me so much, and how to avoid it.
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Someone asked me how I approach seeing folks I know posting or re-posting conspiracy theory and conspirituality-focused content on social media. In this episode, I break down my approach to these conversations, when I engage, when I do not engage, and how I assess the situation!
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Of course this title is a little tongue-in-cheek, but the question remains: how do we be anti-capitalist and also thrive within the capitalist structure we exist under? I don’t have the answer, but in this episode, I break down how I am thinking about this question which I am asking and you might be too.
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Today’s topic of conversation came about from something that recently came up at an IMBY gathering about standing out as an entrepreneur in a saturated market. Is there really space for everyone? How do you find your people? I don’t have all the answers, of course, but in this episode, I share some ideas to play around with. If you try them out, I’d love to hear how it went!
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There’s a lot of talk about anti-capitalist business in my communities, and while I have been embodying some of the principles for some time now, I built IMBY with anti-capitalism as a core value. In this episode, I break down four ways that I am approaching anti-capitalism in my business, with specific examples.
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Welcome back to Medium Well! Today I am launching a solo series where I break down topics I am thinking about, learning about, or have expertise in-- all in 5-15(ish) minute episodes. More about this format at the beginning of this episode! In today's episode, I speak about something I am thinking about as I learn more about equity-centered design (a reframe of design thinking)-- who's in the room, and who has access to making decisions within our businesses? I break down what I am learning and thinking about in my business and beyond! In this episode, I discuss: What my new solo series is...
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Well hi! It’s been a while. Today I am sharing about my journey towards determining that I was out of alignment with my deep values and passion in social justice work, and my journey back, including launching a new business! If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a bit, you know I started it to figure out what I wanted to do after closing my ethical fashion business, and I am so excited to share my new business, one that feels so right for my interest, passions, and the community I seek to build and be a part of. Listen in for the journey and the details! PS— This episode is being...
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In today’s solo episode I give a life update on what I’ve been thinking about and working on personally and professionally, my break from Instagram, returning to the intention of this podcast, and why I am wrapping up season two. I also discuss my commitment to you as a community, and how a recent experience allowed me to further realign with that mission. If you want to stay in the loop with my offerings, thoughts, and when season 3 is released, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, Sara… lately!
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In this episode, I chat with and receive an Akashic Records reading from Hilary Pearlson, a healing guide and Akashic Records reader, and a very dear friend. Hilary is such a talented healing guide as someone who has been on a powerful healing journey for quite some time and a year ago she started reading the Akashic Records. In this episode, we chat about her experience reading the records and evolving her business, and she gives me a full hour-long Akashic Records reading which you get to eavesdrop on!
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A long time in the making, I finally chat with my wonderful and talented friends Sarah Kate Benjamin and Summer Singletary, herbalists, and co-founders of the Kosmic Kitchen. We talk about their journey into herbalism, how they chose to focus on kitchen medicine, their thoughts on how the field of herbalism is evolving, and so much more. We also talk all about their new cookbook (which is really also an herbalism textbook!), The Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook, which they recently published.
info_outlineIn this episode, I chat with yoga teacher Laura Ahrens about how to cope with what’s going on in the world around us. We dive into why the present is really all we have, and how clear COVID-19 has made that for us, how to build your own contemplative practice, why resistance can be a good thing, how to find teachers, and more. It’s a beautiful conversation that is so insightful into how to deal with these times, and how to be present with it.
In this episode, we discuss:
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Why this situation (COVID-19) is forcing us to be present and face uncertainty
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How to start a contemplative practice right now
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Laura’s recommended tools to be present and to give room for your emotions
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Why we feel resistance right now and how it can actually serve us
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How to make meditation work for you
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How to ensure you are investing your attention in the right places
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How to not get overly distracted right now with all the offerings, and why to focus on your practice
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Laura’s advice on being intentional in your practices
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How to find great teachers (yoga and beyond)
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Laura’s views on the cultural appropriation of yoga
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How to ensure a teacher is in it to serve, not for themselves
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Can we disassociate the teacher from the teachings?
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How to balance being a teacher and not being pushy on your agenda
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Why yoga teachers need to stay in their own lane
Mentioned in this episode:
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Sharon Salzberg’s Instagram post on washing hands to a loving-kindness meditation
All the deets:
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Check out Laura’s work, her upcoming events and virtual yoga classes on her website.
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Laura is offering 50% off private sessions to make yoga more accessible, and $5 off of the Meditation for Self-Compassion online series with code MEDIUMWELL.
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Say hi to Laura over on Instagram at @ahrensyoga.
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Tag me (@saraweinreb) and Laura on Instagram with your favorite takeaways from the episode!