Episodes

  • 39: Have We Forgotten the True History of the Chakras? The Hidden Origins of Modern Yoga Philosophy

    39: Have We Forgotten the True History of the Chakras? The Hidden Origins of Modern Yoga Philosophy
    Oct 8 2025
    Most of us learned that the chakras are an ancient yogic system, but what if that story isn’t quite true? In this episode, I take you down the rabbit hole that completely changed how I understand chakras. What started as simple class planning for my yin yoga series turned into a deep dive into the forgotten history of the modern Western chakra system. We'll trace their journey from early Tantric philosophy to Theosophy, Carl Jung, and the New Age movement. You’ll learn how a mix of Western psychology, color theory, and mysticism transformed a centuries-old meditation map into today’s popular seven-chakra rainbow model. Together, we’ll explore: Why the modern chakra system isn’t as ancient as it seemsHow Western thinkers and energy-healing culture shaped its evolutionWhat Sanskrit scholars reveal about the original Tantric practicesHow source amnesia changed modern yoga—and what we can do to reconnect This episode is perfect for yoga teachers, philosophy students, really anyone who's ever felt like the chakra system didn't quite add up. Get ready because this conversation will change how you see yoga history forever. All Mats Taken Links: Download the AI Prompt Workshop for Yoga Teachers and get more efficient output when working with AI: https://allmatstaken.com/resources Connect with Adrianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allmatstaken/ (new podcast account) Buy me a kombucha to support the show: https://fantastic-pioneer-1892.kit.com/products/support-the-podcast-tip-jar For Deeper Study Christopher Wallis (Hareesh) Website: https://hareesh.orgOnline courses: https://tantrailluminated.orgBook: Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History, and Practice of a Timeless Tradition https://amzn.to/4nZCGkk * Christopher Tompkins Patreon: https://patreon.com/kundaliniyogaMaster Chakra Course and manuscript translations James Mallinson & Mark Singleton Roots of Yoga (Penguin Classics, 2017) - Essential anthology of original yoga texts showing chakra diversity https://amzn.to/48hcP2J * Episode References & Further Reading Primary Articles Referenced in This Episode Pascale, Sian. "The Chakras Revealed: Shattering 7 Common Misconceptions - Why Everything You Know About the Chakras is Probably Incorrect (Sorry!)" The Light Collective https://www.thelightcollective.yoga/journal/the-chakras-revealed The article that sparked this entire research journey Wallis, Christopher (Hareesh). "The Real Story on the Chakras" (February 5, 2016) https://hareesh.org/blog/2016/2/5/the-real-story-on-the-chakras Essential reading on what classical Tantric texts actually say about chakras Leland, Kurt. "The Rainbow Body: How the Western Chakra System Came to Be" Quest Magazine, The Theosophical Society https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/the-rainbow-body-how-the-western-chakra-system-came-to-be Detailed historical documentation of the modern chakra system's development from 1875-1977 Shippee, Justin. "How Colour Therapy Gave Birth to Modern Crystal Healing" Academia.edu (2024) https://www.academia.edu/127827303/How_Colour_Therapy_gave_birth_to_modern_Crystal_Healing Documents the connection between 1920s-30s color theory and modern chakra colors Video Sources Tompkins, Christopher. "Christopher Tompkins on Tantra, the Original Chakras, and the Real Age of the Asanas" CHITHEADS Podcast https://youtu.be/nX4Cuh-Xz6g Sanskrit scholar's research from 24,000+ manuscript pages revealing kundalini's original understanding Background & Context The Theosophical Society in Australia. "What is Theosophy All About?" https://theosophicalsociety.org.au/statics/the-theosophical-society-what-is-it-all-about Understanding the organization that played a key role in bringing Eastern philosophy to the West Jung, Carl. "Carl Jung on the Chakras" Jungian Center for the Spiritual Sciences https://jungiancenter.org/jung-on-the-chakras/ Context on Jung's 1932 kundalini seminars and his actual views on working with Eastern concepts Key Books Mentioned Leland, Kurt. Rainbow Body: A History of the Western Chakra System from Blavatsky to Brennan (2016) https://amzn.to/4pY1YRM * The definitive historical documentation of how the modern chakra system evolved Avalon, Arthur (John Woodroffe). The Serpent Power (1918) https://amzn.to/3IA1kJs * The flawed but influential translation that introduced chakras to the West Dychtwald, Ken. Bodymind: A Synthesis of Eastern and Western Approaches to Self-Awareness, Health, and Personal Growth (1977) https://amzn.to/3IRKbuE * The book that consolidated rainbow colors, psychological associations, and endocrine correlations into the modern system we know today Judith, Anodea. Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System (1987) https://amzn.to/4mP9ITm * The comprehensive reference work that standardized and popularized the modern Western chakra system *I receive a small affiliate commission if you buy using these links. It doesn't cost you anything extra but helps ...
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • 38: Spinal Energetics Explained: Release Trauma & Restore Balance with Yoga Teacher Georgie Jeans

    38: Spinal Energetics Explained: Release Trauma & Restore Balance with Yoga Teacher Georgie Jeans
    Sep 23 2025

    Unlock the mysteries of spinal energetics in this transformative episode with guest Georgie Jeans a yoga teacher and spinal energetics practitioner. Learn all about this emerging somatic healing modality blends gentle touch, breathwork, and intuitive energy work to release deep-seated tension and trauma.

    Adrianne shares her experience being guided through a spinal energetics session and Georgie shares her journey from yoga to energy healing and inspiring stories of client breakthroughs.

    Whether you’re curious about alternative healing, seeking new ways to support your well-being, or just love a good story of personal growth, this episode is packed with insights, practical advice, and a touch of Aussie charm.

    Links

    Download the AI Prompt Workshop for Yoga Teachers and get more efficient output when working with AI: https://allmatstaken.com/resources

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AAYzlBzlr4A

    Connect with Adrianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allmatstaken/ (new podcast account)

    Buy me a kombucha to support the show: https://fantastic-pioneer-1892.kit.com/products/support-the-podcast-tip-jar

    Connect with Georgie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulbygigi/

    Visit Georgie's website: https://www.soulbygigi.com.au/

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    33 mins
  • 37: How to Sell Your Yoga Classes Without Feeling Pushy with Brytta Moreira

    37: How to Sell Your Yoga Classes Without Feeling Pushy with Brytta Moreira
    Sep 9 2025

    Does the thought of selling make you feel a bit uncomfortable? Today's guest will flip the way you think about sales and selling as a yoga teacher on its head and make you excited to go out there and start practicing how to sell.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • Sales as a spiritual practice
    • Why it's essential and not at all sleezy
    • Getting comfortable with selling your services
    • The benefits of collaborations
    • We even go through a sample sales script!

    At the end of this episode, we were talking about how we could have a whole conversation all about collaborations for yoga teachers, SO WE DID! Brytta invited me onto her new podcast, Yoga Entrepreneurship School, and we decided to release them together for a fun collab. After listening to this episode (it makes sense with the progression of our conversation), head to her podcast and listen to our chat too :).

    Links:

    Download the AI Prompt Workshop for Yoga Teachers and get more efficient output when working with AI: https://allmatstaken.com/resources

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AAYzlBzlr4A

    Connect with Adrianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allmatstaken/ (new podcast account)

    Buy me a kombucha to support the show: https://fantastic-pioneer-1892.kit.com/products/support-the-podcast-tip-jar

    Check out Brytta's Website: https://www.bryttamoreira.com/

    Connect with Brytta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryttamoreira

    Listen to Yoga Entrepreneurship School Collaborations for Yoga Teachers Chat:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1CCX565esmQkYkIwTXgTO1?si=bda9df1d9e104201

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/yoga-entrepreneurship-school/id1824673993

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    56 mins
  • 36: Lineage, Philosophy, and Cults: How to Teach Yoga Without Losing Yourself Or Your Practice with Rachel Scott

    36: Lineage, Philosophy, and Cults: How to Teach Yoga Without Losing Yourself Or Your Practice with Rachel Scott
    Aug 26 2025

    How can we honor our lineage, share yoga’s philosophical roots, and let our personality shine? In this episode with Rachel Scott, we discuss how to share the wisdom passed down through generations, weave philosophy into your classes, what to do if your lineage feels tainted by scandals or cultish behaviour when you know the deeper teachings are healing and how to recognize cult-like behaviour if you're ever faced with it.

    Links:

    Download the AI Prompt Workshop for Yoga Teachers and get more efficient output when working with AI: https://allmatstaken.com/resources

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/f00vV0IItfA

    Connect with Adrianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allmatstaken/ (new podcast account)

    Buy me a kombucha to support the show: https://fantastic-pioneer-1892.kit.com/products/support-the-podcast-tip-jar

    Check out Rachel’s Website: https://www.rachelyoga.com

    Connect with Rachel on Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/rachelscottyoga

    Subscribe to Rachel on YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/rachelscottyoga

    Episode 6 with Rachel Scott on how to create your first online course:

    Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/6-how-to-create-your-first-online-course-with-rachel-scott/id1747083899?i=1000660746032

    Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5leG5r4Loz75E3a3z2PRq9?si=YtYNquxDS8mAHNzOgvk-fQ

    Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6iq-lWhyBUw?si=Yp0j6M6zbBcJWI7E

    P.S. Curious about the cult Rachel is referring to? It's NXIVM
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    49 mins
  • 35: Has the Yoga Industry Bubble Burst?

    35: Has the Yoga Industry Bubble Burst?
    Aug 12 2025

    Is the yoga teaching industry dead? This is the hype that's trending on Instagram right now.

    In today's solo episode I discuss:

    • How algorithms create echo chambers that can either fuel our success or destroy our confidence
    • The deeper shifts I've seen happening over the past couple of years that everyone is predicting now
    • How I'm shifting how I view what other's perceive as failures into benefits, successes and hopeful potential in my business.
    • Why the "yoga bubble bursting" narrative is actually about the end of superficial, overpriced trends, not the end of authentic teaching

    Ready to build a sustainable yoga business focused on what truly matters? Listen to discover how to create your own protective bubble of possibility.

    Links:

    Download the AI Prompt Workshop for Yoga Teachers and get more efficient output when working with AI: https://allmatstaken.com/resources

    Connect with Adrianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allmatstaken/ (new podcast account)

    Buy me a kombucha to support the show: https://fantastic-pioneer-1892.kit.com/products/support-the-podcast-tip-jar

    Listen to the episode with Lucy from North Ayurveda (recorded in Febuary) where we discuss the shift in yoga teaching everyone's talking about today:

    Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/26-ayurveda-101-for-yoga-teachers-with-lucy-found/id1747083899?i=1000702499405

    Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MEtmQzOa4e2K4oTHvZwHf?si=731dce74b84c4b80

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    36 mins
  • 34: Indian Mythology For Yoga Teachers with Dr. Raj Balkaran

    34: Indian Mythology For Yoga Teachers with Dr. Raj Balkaran
    Jul 27 2025
    Ever wonder why yoga poses have names like Hanumanasana or Garudasana, and what they actually mean? In this episode with guest Dr. Raj Balkaran we'll find out how asanas were named and how stories, from ancient mythology to cultural narratives, literally shape our consciousness, behaviors, and entire civilization. Plus discover how being aware of this can transform both your yoga teaching and your life. As yoga teachers, we're familiar with the idea that our stories determine our actions and a large part of our practice is to quiet the mind so that we can get in touch with our true self or Ātman. But get ready to break this into a new level because today Dr. Raj Balkaran, Sanskrit scholar and spiritual teacher, is going deeper into how the mythology and stories that make up the fabric of our society influence us on deep personal, generational, and societal layers. These narratives, inherited from our cultural and civilizational backgrounds, unconsciously inform everything from our personal decisions to our scientific theories to how we treat the planet. Dr. Raj explains how Western culture is unconsciously shaped by Genesis narratives of linear time and human dominion over nature, while Eastern traditions offer cyclical worldviews of endless creation and dissolution. Even our modern cosmology, for example, the Big Bang theory may be unconsciously influenced by these inherited "beginning, middle, end" story structures. We'll also discuss how yoga teacher trainings often focus heavily on biomechanics and physical alignment, which makes sense for an industry often centered on fitness and physical relief. But by bringing the mythology into class, you can potentially help your students recognize patterns that no longer serve them, giving them the power to rewrite them. By the end of this episode, you'll have a completely new understanding of how ancient stories influence modern life and practical tools to help your students rewrite limiting narratives through yoga. In this episode, we explore: How inherited cultural stories unconsciously shape our worldview and behaviorsWhy Western linear thinking differs so dramatically from Eastern cyclical cosmologyThe profound difference between being a character in someone else's story vs. authoring your ownHow to recognize the subconscious narratives keeping you stuck in unwanted patternsWhy yoga poses are named after mythological figures and what that means for consciousnessPractical ways to incorporate meaningful storytelling into your yoga classesThe concept of dharma as a guide for conscious livingHow detachment allows us to act from soul-level rather than ego-level caring Meet Dr. Raj Balkaran Dr. Raj is a scholar of Sanskrit literature, spiritual teacher, seasoned speaker, online educator and podcaster. He runs The Indian Wisdom School which provides students with the opportunity not only to learn about Indian Wisdom Traditions, but to learn from them. It integrates scholarship, storytelling, and profound spiritual teachings from ancient India to facilitate embodied online learning. Steering clear of over-intellectualization, reduction, delusion or dogma, the School leverages wisdom teachings from the mythological, philosophical, and spiritual traditions of ancient India to support meaningful living for modern student-seekers. Links: Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@allmatstaken Get better results with AI and save time, learn prompt engineering 101 for yoga teachers: https://allmatstaken.com/resources Connect with Adrianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allmatstaken/ (new podcast account) Like the show? Support the show! Leave a tip to help fund my kombucha habit (I need it to edit :) and keep the show running): https://fantastic-pioneer-1892.kit.com/products/support-the-podcast-tip-jar Check out the book: The Stories Behind the Poses: The Indian mythology that inspired 50 yoga postures by Dr. Raj Balkaran*: https://amzn.to/4mdU7gc Learn more about Indian Wisdom School: https://www.indianwisdomschool.com/ Use code 'PUNYA' at checkout to claim any Indian Wisdom School course for free! Learn more about Dr. Raj Balkaran: https://rajbalkaran.com/ Connect with Raj on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianwisdomschool *I receive a small affiliate commission if you buy using these links. It doesn't cost you anything extra but helps support the show. Thank you 🙏
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    46 mins
  • 33: 7 Ways To Identify AI Writing in 2025

    33: 7 Ways To Identify AI Writing in 2025
    Jul 18 2025

    Have you been reading content online lately and thought, "Is this AI-generated?" or have you been editing AI content and wondered if you've infused enough of yourself into it to make it you? Today, I'm going to turn you into a human AI-detector.

    By the end of this episode, you're going to be able to sniff out unedited AI content from a mile away and impress your friends at a dinner party by knowing the definition of fancy AI terms like perplexity and burstiness.

    Now, this isn't a let's bash AI content and never use it in your business episode. We want to learn the red flags so we can discern what content we consume AND we know how to avoid letting them seep through into our own copy when we use AI, so we're making sure that during the editing process, we are sufficiently adding our authentic humanness back in.

    Based on these seven AI indicators, I've also created a prompt you can download to add to your workflows to help your first AI draft avoid some of these classic pitfalls and produce higher-quality first drafts the first time so you don't have to re-work the entire thing manually to make it sound less like a robot.

    Links:

    Download the AI Avoidance Prompt: https://allmatstaken.com/resources

    Connect with Adrianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allmatstaken/ (new podcast account)

    Buy me a kombucha to support the show: https://fantastic-pioneer-1892.kit.com/products/support-the-podcast-tip-jar

    My current fave AI tools for content creation:

    Claude for writing*: https://claude.ai/referral/Sgwj2B0Aug

    Descript for video recording & editing*: https://get.descript.com/jnyf5js3gisq

    *I receive a small affiliate commission if you buy using these links. It doesn't cost you anything extra but helps support the show. Thank you 🙏
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    31 mins
  • 32: Creating Multiple Revenue Streams as a Yoga Teacher With MaKenzie Fly

    32: Creating Multiple Revenue Streams as a Yoga Teacher With MaKenzie Fly
    Jun 30 2025

    In this episode with MaKenzie Fly host of the Master Your Yoga Teaching Podcast we talk about how she created the layers of her multi-passionate business that includes in-person classes, online memberships, retreats, mentoring, and more. She shares her journey creating a multi-revenue stream yoga business, from messiness to refinement. We explore the importance of focusing on high-return endeavors and the key to marketing yoga classes that often gets overlooked.

    We also touch on how yoga philosophy aligns with monetizing the practice and offer advice for new yoga teachers on investing in business training vs further yoga teacher training. This conversation is for anyone wanting to expand their revenue streams beyond teaching in-person classes.

    Meet MaKenzie:

    MaKenzie Fly is a Las Vegas showgirl turned podcast host, international retreat leader, and yoga teacher mentor . Yoga found her when she was only 15 years old and helped her overcome overwhelming anxiety and crippling panic attacks due to a very painful and public scandal that nearly tore her family apart. She often says yoga ruined her life, and then saved her life. MaKenzie loves teaching yoga, but she really loves teaching other people how to teach yoga and has been for the last twelve years. She’s currently fascinated with figuring out what it means to flourish as a yogipreneur and interested in helping other like-minded yoga teachers expand their offers outside the studio. She’s a sagittarius straight shooter, prefers coffee over tea, cats over dogs, and baths over showers. Her greatest wealth is the relationship she has with her husband of seven years, and her luckiest blessing is her baby boy, Finnian, who was born recently 11/11/2023. Praise God!

    Links:

    Like the show? Support the show! Leave a tip & help fund my kombucha addiction (the fuel behind everything I create) --> https://fantastic-pioneer-1892.kit.com/products/support-the-podcast-tip-jar

    AMT recommended resources: https://allmatstaken.com/resources

    Follow the new AMT Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/allmatstaken/

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@allmatstaken

    Grab MaKenzie's free business podcast collection: https://yogipreneurmastermind.com/

    Connect with MaKenzie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masteryouryogateaching/

    Learn more from MaKenzie & get links to her podcast: https://makenzieflyyoga.com/

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    47 mins