Kia ora and Welcome to Āio: a road to peace.
A space to have in-depth conversations about hauora and holistic health.
Join me, Aotearoa New Zealand - based Ta...
40. Cultural appropriation in the yoga industry with Prageeth Jayathissa
Today I am joined by Prageeth Jayathissa, we unravel the tangled web of cultural appropriation woven through the modern yoga industry. From the colonial roots of yogic practices to the commodification of sacred symbols and the misrepresentation of feminine deities, we hold nothing back. We dive into how capitalism distorts ancient teachings, the unsettling rise of “light supremacy,” and why the chakra system you think you know might be more Jungian than yogic. How do we respect yogic roots, serve the community, and still keep the lights on? Join us as we dive into the heart of a powerful, uncomfortable conversation about honoring yoga’s essence, not just its aesthetics. Prageeth Jayathissa stems from Sri Lankan origins, but bred in Aotearoa. He fuses his teaching from his grandparents, with ancient scripture, and modern philosophy, to revive and reinvigorate a timeless tradition. He works in sustainability and climate change by day, and explores its integration with yoga by night. Prageeth wrote a flow chart book around this topic and we reference this as our guide throughout the podcast. This episode is not intended to point fingers or to conjure blame or shame, it is purely to bring light to parts of this practice that is asking for collective healing. This discussion is not asking you to stop engaging with yoga, it’s asking us to look at our blind spots, to continue our education within this realm and to honour this ancient tradition on and off the mat. What we cover: The colonisation story of the Indian subcontinent. Understanding the cultural history of yogic tradition Woman in yoga The chakra system we know today is based on Carl Jung’s work. The cultural appropriation of feminine deities. Please stop calling your sacred sexuality workshops “Tantra” Light supremacy Capitalism and yoga How can we be off service and still pay our rent? Mindfulness around yoga clothing Socials: AIO instagram | @aio.thepodcast tik tok | @aio.thepodcast TARIKURA instagram | @tarikura_ Download Prageeth’s Flow Chart for free here - https://jayathissa.yoga/book/moral%20flowcharts%20for%20modern%20yoga.pdf Book Resources mentioned by Prageeth for continued learning: Tantra illuminated: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15731041-tantra-illuminated Inglorious empire: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/307759/inglorious-empire-by-tharoor-shashi/9780141987149 Resources mentioned by Tarikura in the intro: Cacao Emissary Training https://www.thecacaoambassador.com/cacao-emissaries Chelita Zainey - Māori healer https://www.chelitazainey.com/offerings/ Sponsor: Absolute Essential Ditch the cheap low grade essential oils and get high quality, sustainably sourced plant extracts for non toxic self care, health and cleaning products. Visit www.absoluteessential.com Use code: AIO20 For 20% off your next order.
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39. Attune your voice; finding your true note with sound alchemist Chloe Crouch.
The voice is one of our greatest instruments, the source of our truth and the vessel through which we communicate with the world. How we interact with our voice has a powerful ripple effect in our lives. Attuning to our true note can offer us courage, confidence, and strength as we walk through this world. Today, we are joined by Chloe Crouch, a sound alchemist and vocal coach. Chloe was traditionally trained as a singer and plays multiple instruments. She guides people on potent sound journeys and sings from the depths of her soul. Chloe shares her journey of losing her partner and allowing grief to be present in her voice, offering others the gift of exploring the depths of their own emotions through her transmissions. Chloe provides practical and insightful ways to connect with our voice and find our comfortable pitch. She also blesses us with a few musical offerings—a true delight! This inspiring episode is bound to leave you feeling motivated to connect more deeply with your voice. TRIGGER WARNING. At about 45 minutes in we discuss suidice. No major details, but if you are currently working through this please take extra care. What we cover: Embodying our voices, coming out of the anxiety pitch. True Note, Heartsong. Sitting in your comfortable speaking voice. Finding the truth in your voice The mechanics of the voice Chloe's journey moving through grief after the loss of her partner, Connecting back to her after a conscious break Weaving the voice and grief Allowing the fullest experience of grief so that it can safety disperse Acknowledging negative stories that we've created about our voice Chloe shows us different genres and ways of singing The important of strengthening and building trust with our voice SOCIALS: CHLOE CROUCH instagram | @chloe__palmer__healing__sounds AIO instagram | @aio.thepodcast tik tok | @aio.thepodcast TARIKURA instagram | @tarikura_
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38. Aromatic Medicine: The only medicine you can apply directly to the brain with Dr Bo Hendgen
Join us as we explore the vast and glorious world of Aromatic Medicine. Essential oils have been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, medicinal settings, and beauty therapy. They are powerful plant extracts that can directly access your brain! Essential oils can sometimes get a bad wrap, labeled as ‘woo woo’ and alternative - in this episode you’ll learn how essential oils are far more than just ‘pretty smells’ but can be used to treat illness and disease. We are joined by Bo Hendgen, a Doctor of Osteopathy and a Naturopathic Physician with 42 years of experience. She founded her company, Absolute Essential Ltd, in 1989—a company built on strong sustainability principles to promote health and well-being for our global future. Her company is one of a kind, producing its own professional prescription blends of pure, certified organic essential oils and carriers from the best of the world’s medicinal plant harvests. Scent is such a powerful way to attune to our bodies and emotions. As one of the most undervalued senses, it’s time scent had its moment in the sun! Tune in and learn how essential oils can support your healing journey. What we cover: How essential oil is extracted from the plant The importance of sustainable sourcing The history of essential oils Pheromones Carrier oils, how to use essential oils safely Scent is the only medicine you can apply directly to the brain. How essential oils support the brain and body. Recipe for boosting your immune system Recipe for parasites & travel belly Fragrant groups Supporting candida DISCOUNT CODE: Get 20% off your essential oil orders at https://absoluteessential.com/ Use promo code: AIO20 CONNECT: ABSOLUTE ESSENTIAL website | www.absoluteessential.com instagram | @absolute_essential AIO instagram | @aio.thepodcast tik tok | @aio.thepodcast TARIKURA instagram | @tarikura_ RESOURCES:Ask Dr Bo - A free resource to ask about health issues Ask Dr Bo Māori healer mentioned in introduction: website - https://www.chelitazainey.com/ instagram - @chelita.zainey Taonga Pūoro Album mentioned in introduction: Kiki Pounamu
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37. Hapu Wānanga; Māori Birthing Practices with Tawera Trinder
Today we are exploring Māori birthing practices, we are joined by Tawera Trinder a Māori midwife who works with whānau Māori alongside their pregnancy journey. Tawera and her team of wāhine deliver kaupapa Māori antenatal education wānanga, that is enriched with tikanga practices and principles. The kaupapa within the wānanga are delivered, and seen through a te ao Māori lens, in addition to the sensitive and articulate delivery of clinical and midwifery content. This is a powerfulful lens into the Māori worldview, highlighting the nurturing and spiritual dimensions of the sacredness of birth. What we cover: Whenua ki te whenua - the practice of burying the placenta Muka tie - tying of the umbilical cord Oriori - an incantation for birth Hapori - Post natal garment Misscarage Tapu and Noa within the birthing space SOCIALS: TAWERA TRINDER website | hapuwanangataranaki.co.nz instagram | @hapuwanangakitaranaki AIO instagram | @aio.thepodcast tik tok | @aio.thepodcast TARIKURA instagram | @tarikura_
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36. Magic mushrooms to expand consciousness and integrate trauma - with indigenous plant medicine guide, Raquel Minh
In this insightful episode we explore the energetics of magic mushrooms and how psilocybin can support the integration of trauma. Magic mushrooms can be a powerful support for rewiring our subconscious mind and expanding past our limiting beliefs. We are joined by Raquel Minh, a trauma-informed facilitator, plant medicine guide, yoga teacher, and studio owner. She shares from her lived experience in the psychedelic realm and from learned traditions of curanderismo (healing) and yoga. With a focus on education and harm reduction, she's an advocate for psychedelic mushrooms to support transformations of the body, mind, and spirit. On a journey of reclaiming her own indigenous ancestry, she facilitates spaces to honor our roots while weaving in modern approaches like cognitive psychology and somatic practices This is such a beautiful episode, and is a weave between plant medicine and exploring the reclamation of our indigenous identity. Whether you are curious about magic mushrooms or returning to your indigenous roots - this episode is sure to spark curiosity and create a space of energetic education. What we cover: Raquel's experience growing up as indigenous person and reclaiming her indigeneity. Exploring Curanderos, a Spanish term for ‘healer’ Becoming trauma informed to support the healing of her own trauma How being a trauma informed guide can support mushroom journeys Reframing trauma informed to nervous system regulation How magic mushrooms can expand the mind and support your healing process Magic mushrooms and integrating trauma & rewiring subconscious limiting beliefs The neurological marriage between Psilocybin and lion's mane. The wisdom of integration Magic mushrooms in Aotearoa Decriminalising vs legalising Guided micro dosing journeys Sign Up for Raquels 5 week Guide to Microdosing An Online expereince Starting Sep 24 202 https://www.raquelminh.com/post/microdosing-online-guide SOCIALS: RAQUEL website | www.raquelminh.com instagram | @globaltumbleweed.chica Instagram | @kanukayoga ĀIO instagram | @aio.thepodcast tik tok | @aio.thepodcast TARIKURA instagram | @tarikura_ Sponsor: Absolute Essential Ditch the cheap low grade essential oils and get high quality, sustainably sourced plant extracts for non toxic self care, health and cleaning products. Visit www.absoluteessential.com Use code: AIO20 For 20% off your next order.
Kia ora and Welcome to Āio: a road to peace.
A space to have in-depth conversations about hauora and holistic health.
Join me, Aotearoa New Zealand - based Tarikura Kapea as I talk to guests who work in this field. We explore topics like spirituality, art, health and wellness, self-development and indigenous practices to support you in your conscious evolution.
It is my mission to empower you with the tools to be your own healer, and to remind you that you have everything you need inside of you to feel good in your body, connect deeply with others and cultivate an intimate relationship with yourself.
I talk to guests who are artists, healers, practitioners and thought leaders to bring you insightful and raw conversations to help build a strong foundation of wellbeing.
Āio is Maori translates to Peace, Calm and Tranquility. I hope this space can help you define what peace means to you, how to access states of peace and embody it.
New Zealand