On the Pranayama for Emotion Regulation with Leslie Kaminoff
Leslie is a yoga educator inspired by the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar, and for five decades has been leading workshops and trainings in the fields of yoga, breath anatomy and bodywork. He also is the co-author of the book Yoga Anatomy which has sold over a million copies, and is a staple on the bookshelf of many yoga teachers worldwide.
In the episode today, Leslie shares about his journey into yoga, learning from his father, becoming a Swami in India, then a householder in New York.
We also unpack:
- the role of lineages and teachers in yoga,
- the trap of the ego and siddhis,
- the value of experiential learning over academic credentials,
- the power of the breath in self-enquiry and changing our emotional state,
- why he has no problem with things like goat yoga and hot naked yoga, and
- why Leslie believes it’s important to practice kriyas like kapalabhati before we practice pranayama.
And stay right to the end to hear about Leslie’s personal practice these days, and how it’s evolved over the years.
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Dr Lauren Tober (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist, Yoga Teacher, founder of the Yoga Psychology Institute, host of the A Grateful Life podcast and author of Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers.
Lauren developed the Mental Health Aware Yoga training to help yoga teachers make their classes safe, nourishing and transformative for all.
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The information provided on this blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs for professional training.
Any statements, claims or endorsements expressed by our guest authors, speakers and podcast sponsors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Mental Health Aware Yoga and the Yoga Psychology Institute.
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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.
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