Finding Harmony Podcast

• Small Moves, Big Relief: A Practical Guide To Returning To Yoga

  Harmony and Russell sit down with long-time friend and teacher Krista Shirley to explore what it truly means to feel at home in your body. Krista recounts a devastating shoulder surgery complication that severed her suprascapular nerve, the long journey through pain and medical dead ends, and the mind-body tools that helped her rebuild function and joy. She shares how meditation, mental rehearsal, pranayama, and small, precise movements became a bridge back to daily practice, and why her Body Mechanics classes now offer a soft landing for people who think yoga is out of reach. The conversation gets real about grief in the Ashtanga community, aging, acceptance, and trusting the work you have already done. Episode breakdown What it takes to feel at home in your body A candid account of nerve injury, infection, and the “FU door” moment of choosing a new path Mental rehearsal, meditation, and pranayama as practical rehab tools The case for micro-movements, scapular and hip focus, and brain-body connection Aging with practice, releasing performance pressure, and keeping the joy Why “trust the investment” can change everything when you return to the mat Making practice accessible, how Body Mechanics leads people back to Mysore Community, lineage, loss, and what sustains us now About our guest Krista Shirley is a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga teacher, Pilates instructor, and founder of The Yoga Shala in Orlando, Florida. After a surgery severed her suprascapular nerve, she developed a brain-body approach to rehabilitation that became her Body Mechanics method, helping students reduce pain, restore function, and reconnect with practice. Krista teaches Mysore and Body Mechanics classes, offers tutorials on her YouTube channel, and leads retreats, including a July 10–16 program in Lefkada, Greece. X / Twitter link: https://www.x.com/kristayogini Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/kristashirleyyoga Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/kristashirleyyoga YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@yogawithkrista Listen to episode 36 with Krista Shirley on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-harmony-podcast/id1508928138?i=1000579088315 or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TISeuK3dGPFxL8nsykLzN?si=675435af5b0847a Health Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode of Finding Harmony Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, physical therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, injury, or wellness program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

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• Where Science Meets Soul: Psychedelics, Healing, and Integration

  Harmony and Russell talk with researcher and author Matt Zemon about psychedelics as catalysts for change, not cures. They explore what current studies suggest about anxiety, PTSD, repetitive thinking, and addiction, then ground the conversation in practical guidance: source, set, and setting, medical intake, and the role of preparation and integration. The trio also contrasts medical and ceremonial lanes, the spiritual significance of entheogens, and how community transforms the healing arc—especially for veterans and for people navigating midlife transitions. What You’ll Learn Catalyst vs. cure: why altered states create openness for change, and why integration is the practice that makes it stick Repetitive thinking patterns: how psychedelics may interrupt ruts that manifest as anxiety, depression, OCD, compulsions, or workaholism Source, set, and setting: a clear safety-first framework echoed by research institutions Preparation: clarifying intentions, tending physical space, and naming post-ceremony supports Integration: bringing insights into dishes, deadlines, and relationships, plus finding community that fits your path Medicine personalities: distinctions between ketamine, MDMA and MDA, psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, iboga/ibogaine, wachuma and peyote Risk basics: why independent medical consults matter, medications that conflict, and when supervised care is non-negotiable Spiritual context: clinical findings alongside living spiritual traditions, and why collaboration between science and spirit is needed now The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or legal advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Psychedelic substances remain illegal in many jurisdictions, and their use carries physical, psychological, and legal risks.  If you are struggling with your mental health or substance use, please seek support from a licensed professional or contact your local mental health helpline. About Our Guest — Matt Zemon Matt holds a Master’s in Psychology and Neuroscience from King’s College London and is completing a Doctorate of Ministry at the Pacific School of Religion. He’s the author of Psychedelics for Everyone, Beyond the Trip, and The Veteran’s Guide to Psychedelics created with the Heroic Hearts Project. Matt works at the intersection of spirituality and mental health, helping communities and providers reduce risk and support meaningful, safe experiences. Resources Mentioned (pulled from the convo) Guest site: mattzemon.com Books: Psychedelics for Everyone, Beyond the Trip, The Veteran’s Guide to Psychedelics Organizations and references mentioned: King’s College London Pacific School of Religion Heroic Hearts Project Johns Hopkins, NYU, UCSF psychedelic research programs spiritpharmacist.com (Dr. Ben Malcolm), Dr. Emily Kopa On safety frameworks: source, set, and setting On community and faith-based contexts: Christian, Jewish, and Islamic psychedelic groups were referenced generally Call to Action Join Harmony’s 21-Day Money Magic and Manifestation Challenge starting November 3 with a bonus live activation on Sunday, November 2. Check the show notes link to register, get the Manifestation Activation right away, and meet the community. Subscribe, rate, and review the show. Turn on automatic downloads. Say hello on Instagram: @findingharmonypodcast and @harmonyslaterofficial. Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

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• From Hot Rooms to Healing: Leaving Harmful Lineages and Finding Real Practice

  What happens when devotion slips into blind obedience? Harmony opens this episode with a frank reflection on power, consent, and autonomy in yoga. She then welcomes Tamara Cole, a yoga teacher and former boat captain whose journey took her from Bikram’s hot rooms to a life of freedom and integrity in the Galápagos Islands. Together, they unpack how groupthink, hierarchy, and manipulation take root in spiritual spaces — and what it looks like to rebuild a practice grounded in awareness, consent, and community. Tamara also shares her upcoming Galápagos Yoga Retreat, where participants reconnect with nature through snorkeling, island exploration, and mindful movement. The conversation closes with Harmony’s 21-Day Money Magic & Manifestation Challenge, an embodiment-based program that helped Tamara rewire her scarcity stories and rediscover self-worth, grace, and generosity. Episode Breakdown Devotion vs. Obedience in Yoga: Harmony explores where trust becomes compliance Tamara’s Story: From Florida business owner to devoted Bikram practitioner Inside Bikram Training: Bootcamp culture, sleep deprivation, and witnessing abuse Moments of Resistance: Choosing to walk out when a teacher crosses the line Groupthink and Belonging: Why students stay, even when boundaries are broken Life in the Galápagos: Conservation, connection, and the beauty of coexisting with nature Retreat Highlights: Three uninhabited islands, snorkeling, cacao ceremony, yoga, and rest Money Magic Challenge: Healing inherited beliefs and redefining abundance Community as Medicine: Why doing the work together creates lasting change Guest Bio Tamara Cole is a yoga teacher and 100-ton licensed boat captain who spent nearly two decades teaching in Hawai‘i before relocating to the Galápagos Islands. She began practicing yoga in 2008 and trained in the Bikram system before shifting toward more holistic, heart-centered approaches. Tamara now leads transformative yoga retreats that weave movement, mindfulness, and connection to nature. She is also a graduate of Harmony’s Lightworker Mastermind program, where she deepened her somatic and energetic practices while developing her signature Galápagos retreat. Find Tamara on IG: https://www.instagram.com/yoga.with.tlc/ Find Tamara on FB: https://www.facebook.com/tami.cole.31 Call to Action If you’ve ever questioned a teacher, lineage, or practice that no longer feels aligned, this conversation will help you find language for your intuition. 👉 Listen, share, and reflect. Then explore the 21-Day Challenge to bring that same integrity to your relationship with money, creativity, and leadership. Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

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• Creating Inclusive Spaces: How Queer Yoga Club Is Changing the Practice

  Harmony and Russell talk with teacher and studio co-leader Joseph Armstrong about recovery, identity, the discipline that actually changes lives, and building inclusive community through the Queer Yoga Club at Miami Life Center. Joseph shares how a strong recovery container and a steady Mysore practice worked together, why expectations and boundaries matter, what it is really like to run a studio, and how to expand programs without losing lineage. In this conversation Addiction, relapse, and the turning point that made sobriety stick “90 in 90,” daily Mysore, and why discipline is the bridge Adjustments, consent culture, and student autonomy Running a studio in 2025, consumer expectations, and aggregator pressures Creating Queer Yoga Club, safety signals, and true welcome Community circles, story bowls, and being witnessed Travel, teaching, and what is next for Joseph and Edgar Guest bio Joseph Armstrong teaches yoga with feet planted firmly in tradition and gaze turned towards the future. His search for a more present and peaceful life first led him to the practice in 2008 and soon after he was studying in India. After finally overcoming a years long struggle with addiction, Joseph began experimenting with Ashtanga Yoga. He is Authorized Level 2 by his teacher, the late Sharath Jois. He and his husband Edgar are co-owners of Miami Life Center and teach workshops worldwide. Joseph teaches yoga because attempts to do any and everything else ended disastrously. But when he finally devoted himself to his passion, he became an asset to himself and others. His teaching is rooted in the hope that practice helps us become more loving, more awake, and, ultimately, able to exist gently. Links mentioned Joseph’s Website: https://www.josepharmstrongyoga.com Joseph’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/josepharmstrongyoga?igsh=MWE2MXNtYnU4OXh4Nw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Joseph’s YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCvV7ez9he51upLEc49U67_g Miami Life Center (studio home base): https://miamilifecenter.com/ LINKS   21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444 Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation Rewire Your Mind & Magnetize Aligned Wealth. ​A subconscious reprogramming meditation to unlock abundance, raise your frequency, and collapse time around your desires. Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

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• The Next Asana: Practicing Ashtanga Yoga with Multiple Sclerosis

  In this inspiring episode of the Finding Harmony Podcast, hosts Harmony Slater and Russell Case sit down with David Knee, author of The Next Asana. David shares his deeply personal journey of living with multiple sclerosis, navigating forced retirement, and finding new vitality through the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. From his first Groupon yoga class in Victoria to studying with Tim Miller and writing poetry inspired by the moon cycles, David’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and hope. Along the way, he reflects on family life, the challenges of step-parenting, and the healing power of consistent, adapted yoga practice. David reminds us that practice doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective—it simply has to be yours. His story is not only inspiring for those living with MS, but also for yoga teachers, caregivers, and anyone seeking a path of renewal in difficult times. Topics Covered in This Episode: David’s diagnosis with multiple sclerosis and his early symptoms How yoga supported his physical, cognitive, and emotional health The importance of adapting practice for chronic illness The role of breath, pranayama, and meditation in healing Lessons learned from teaching and community service in the MS world Transformation, patience, and the importance of cultivating hope The meaning behind the dragonfly on his book cover David’s moon poems and reflections on love, practice, and resilience Resources & Links: David’s blog: Poem: Harvest Moon by David Knee Harvest Full Moon it’s a ray of light Farmers use it to work late at night It’s harvest time, they reap what they sow They work underneath this Moon’s bright glow Neil Young does sing that tune It goes like this: On this Harvest Moon I’d love to dance with the one I love This song’s perfect under what is above On a warm late summer’s eve underneath its glow Wouldn’t it be awesome for us all to know To dance, to love, is all we really need This romantic mindset I think you believe I’ve gone on a tangent I love that song It embodies to me of a love so long Feel it, be it, take that big chance Just let it in, you bet it’s romance I’ll get back on track as I’m sure you know A breather’s required it’s not just for show Love is a song that we all know best Sing it out loud, then enjoy a good rest Links to Amazon - David's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Next-Asana-Ashtanga-Multiple-Sclerosis/dp/1779629974 https://www.amazon.ca/Next-Asana-Ashtanga-Multiple-Sclerosis/dp/1779629974 Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

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