At The Heart of Yoga with Julie Smerdon – Details, episodes & analysis

I first met Lizzie Lasater when she came to Brisbane to do a Restorative Yoga Teacher Training back in 2015. She has carved out a place for herself as a renowned yoga teacher, writer, and advocate for mindful living. Lizzie, daughter of the legendary Judith Hanson Lasater, carries forward a rich legacy of restorative yoga and therapeutic practices, which have become even more useful in the years following the birth of her twin boys! With insight and a holistic approach, Lizzie shares how restorative yoga can help people find balance, peace, and deeper self-awareness. In this episode, we dive into Lizzie's journey, her teachings, and the transformative power of restorative yoga. We even touch on one of my favourite topics of late - menopause!

There’s so much to say about Dr. Lauren! In addition to being a Clinical Psychologist, Life Coach, Author, and Yoga Teacher; she is the founder of The Yoga Psychology Institute, an organisation that offers programs that explore the intersection between yoga and psychology. Lauren and I first connected back when I had the studio, and we planned on offering her well-known course for yoga teachers “Mental Health Aware Yoga” in Brisbane in 2020, but then…COVID. 

This is Lauren’s second visit to the show, and this time we discuss her new book “Mental Health Aware Yoga, A Guide for Yoga ‘Teachers.” Lauren takes the premise (and I agree) that yoga teachers are often the first port of call on the Mental Health front, yet most of us have no training in the most basic aspects of Mental Health. I was touched to receive one of the first copies of her book and I can tell you that it is a down-to-earth, user-friendly guide to the basics of Mental Health, broken down into what she calls “The Six Pillars.” I highly recommend you grab a copy, it will be available here in Australia soon! You’ll find a link to pre-order below.

FIND LAUREN:

Pre-order her book: www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/book

Website: https://www.laurentober.com/ & https://www.laurentober.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogapsychologyinstitute/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/drlaurentober

I can’t even remember the first time I met Elena Brower, presumably it was at an Anusara event way back in the day. But over the years we’ve become fast friends, sharing our love of family, yoga, and service. She’s one of the most accomplished women I know, and I’m so pleased to bring you this chat in honour of the release of her first book of poetry, Softening Time. 

Find Elena…

Website:  https://elenabrower.com/

Instagram: @elenabrower 

Facebook: @ElenaBrowerTruth

To order Softening Time: http://elenabrower.com/softeningtime

I first met Maggie Gardener when she came to try a class of mine before committing to my teacher training. I was immediately struck by her warmth, presence and intelligence. Maggie has gone on to open a studio of her own where the focus is on creating a safe space where students can show up exactly as they are without the fear of being judged or even worse, ignored.  We talk about the need for inclusivity in all areas of yoga, and how teachers can make students living in bigger bodies feel not just seen, but welcomed. We also touch on mental health, and how ‘brain heath’ is a much more positive name for an aspect of wellness that touches us all at one time or another. 

PS You’ll have to listen to learn about ‘Putting a Tutu on the Badger’

FIND MAGGIE:
Website: The Blissful Canary Yoga
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movelovelaughgrow
Instagram: @the_blissful_canary

I first met Jackson when he was animal crawling across the floor at a gym where I was training, and I asked him what he was doing. That was 8 years ago and I’ve been working with him off and on ever since, most recently doing an online coaching program with him that has been amazing. Jackson walks his talk. His approach to movement, and holistic wellness has informed my teaching, and he’s personally helped me through more than one injury! We talk about his journey, his approach, and how movement really is the best medicine.

Here's where to find Jackson:
Movement 4 Website 
Jackson's Instagram
Movement 4 Instagram

Mazana Abraham is hands down the most inspiring “Zoomer” (Gen Z human) I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Artist, life-lover, and sexual assault survivor; her story of how art, creativity, and courage saw her through the kind of dark times that most of us will never experience will leave you in awe, as it did me. Don’t miss this one!

Find Mazana:
Website:  https://www.flowaturestudios.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flowature
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowature/

Mark Breadner first encountered yoga as a 5-year-old in his rumpus room, where his mum taught some of the first classes in Australia. From there, to working with athletes like Ian Thorpe and Mick Fanning, to Ashrams in India, Mark has become one of the longest-lived teachers in Australia. His work now, called YogaCoach, is based on the idea that yoga is the ultimate life coaching system. He works with teachers from all over the world, helping them hone their skills, and providing strategies for getting their work online.

Mark’s Website:  https://www.yogacoach.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mark.breadner/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-breadner-yogacoach/

Ohhh where to start…I first heard of Dr. Lisa Miller when a friend (thank you, Kate!) shared a podcast that Lisa was a guest on. Halfway through that podcast I went out and bought her book “The Awakened Brain, The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest For an Inspired Life” and read it…Twice. When I reached out to her over Instagram about being on my podcast, I held on very loosely to the hope that she would agree, and when she did agree I almost couldn’t believe it! I left this conversation feeling completely inspired. Lisa has worked with leaders in industry, the US Military, Schools and Universities, and more. 

She’s asked the question “What makes life worth living?” and found evidence-based answers. Please don’t miss this one!

Find Dr Lisa Miller

Website:  https://www.lisamillerphd.com/

On Instagram: @dr.lisamiller

Ted Talk

I first met Claudia Perkins when she came to Brisbane to join one of the first yoga Immersions I taught in Australia.

Since we first met,  Claudia left a big job as an advisor to Julia Gillard, married her love Adam Bandt (head of the Greens party here in Australia), and gave birth to two daughters, in addition to teaching yoga in Melbourne. She’s now studying to be a nurse!

We have a  great discussion that covers everything from the changing face of yoga to life as a political wife, to the power of rest. She is articulate and intelligent and has a heart of quiet service that is deeply inspiring.  I’m so pleased to be able to share this talk with you!

Elana Robertson has had a remarkable journey that’s taken her from the insurance business to a week on Necker Island with Sir Richard Branson. In this episode, Elena shares her story,  how yoga was instrumental in her most pivotal career moments, and how it informs her work with female executives today. Elana is the founder of foundher, equipping leaders of change with a toolkit designed for modern living.

Find Elana Here:

Website:  https://www.foundher.co/

ResetYou Retreat: https://www.foundher.co/reset-you-retreat

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundher.community/

As mentioned in the intro, here is the link to my module in Elements Yoga Academy’s Training: 

https://elements-academy.com.au/100hr-ytt-advanced-sequencing/