Can I Call Myself a Yogi?
In today’s video episode, Dr Lauren Tober is joined by Sunita Baste Patil (she/her), a Yogini, Wellbeing Coach, Mentor, Speaker, Podcaster, Yoga Meditation & Ayurveda Teacher, and writer based in Sydney, Australia.
In this episode, Dr Lauren asks Sunita a question she had been pondering for some time about the appropriateness of referring to yourself as a Yogi or a Yogini.
Listen in to hear Sunita’s own journey in adopting the title Yogini, what her Yoga Teacher told her about the history of this title, the deeper meaning behind it, if it’s appropriate for for Western yoga practitioners to call themselves a Yogi or Yogini, and just for good measure, Dr Lauren asks Sunita about her take on using the word ‘namaste’ at the end of a yoga class!
Such an interesting discussion!
We’re super excited to be planning the next Mental Health and Yoga Summit, starting on the 29th of August 2022, and Sunita is going to be one of the amazing speakers who is joining us to talk about the Bhagavad Gita and Mental Health.
The Summit is for Yoga Teachers who are interested in mental health and Mental Health professionals who are interested in yoga, and we do hope you can join us.
To be the first to hear when registration for this free online five-day Summit opens, head on over to www.mentalhealthandyogasummit.com.
FOR THE SEEKERS
COMMUNITY
MUSIC FOR NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION
Join our thriving community of seekers, dreamers, yoga teachers, health professionals and curious humans, and gain instant access to our curated Spotify playlist for nervous system regulation.
Designed to help you feel calm, focused and grounded in minutes, this playlist is your go-to tool to create balance in your day.
MORE BLOG POSTS
On Interoception and the Wisdom of the Body with Dr Lauren Tober
Your throat tightens in a conversation, a few seconds before you've worked out why. You feel a flutter of anxiety in...
On Yoga as a Work-In, Not a Work-Out with Indu Arora
Some things are simple by nature and we tend to complicate them. Others are complex by nature and we dilute them. Indu...
On Abuse, Power and the Guru Myth with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli
It starts small. A teacher who tells you rather than asks you. A little too much praise when you fall in line, a...
BLOG CATEGORIES

MEET OUR FOUNDER
Hi, I'm Dr Lauren Tober!
As a Clinical Psychologist and Yoga Teacher of nearly two decades and the author of Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers, I'm passionate about integrating yoga and psychology on the mat, in the counselling room and in the world.
With the growing interest in mental health and yoga, yoga students are attending yoga classes for the mental health benefits in unprecedented numbers.
In fact, 79.4% of yoga students report practicing yoga for the mental health benefits.
It's important that Yoga Teachers know how to support them.
I'm glad you're here.
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
Be the first to hear about online and world wide in-person trainings BEFORE registration opens
Receive your invitation to join our closed Mental Health Aware Yoga Facebook group for teachers
Download the Patañjali's Eight Limbs of Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook by Dr Lauren Tober










