How do we find hope when life feels heavy?

How can yoga and meditation support us in stressful times?

What does it mean to live with less resistance?

In this episode of The Spirit of Yoga, host Burkhard speaks with Ama, who shares her personal self love journey from Lebanon to Bali. Through her experience with yoga and meditation and an in-depth mindfulness practice, Ama reflects on how inner work can soften stress, open new perspectives, and bring a sense of calm into everyday life.

This conversation explores playful mindfulness, holding space for others, and how yoga goes far beyond the physical practice. A gentle reflection on hope, presence, and living with more awareness.

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In this episode of The Spirit of Yoga, Burkhard dives into the concept of self-love and self-acceptance. How do we truly love ourselves without falling into extremes—too much self-importance or self-criticism? Is it possible to embrace both our strengths and weaknesses without judgment?

In this session, we explore how to find balance in our self-appreciation, recognizing that loving ourselves fully means accepting both the light and the shadows. By embracing imperfections and letting go of rigid standards, we can develop a healthier relationship with ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Join us as we discuss the journey of self-love, understanding our limitations, and the transformative power of peace within.\

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Can meditation create measurable changes in the brain?

What do EEG meditation readings actually show during practice?

And how does neuroplasticity relate to the inner experience of awareness?

In this solo episode of The Spirit of Yoga, host Burkhard explores what modern research suggests about meditation and the nervous system: shifts in neurotransmitters and hormones, changes in brain activity observed through EEG and MRI, and longer-term structural changes that can appear with consistent practice.

From there, the episode opens into the inner landscape: the relationship between brain and mind, the way conditioning shapes our thoughts, and why consciousness is still deeply misunderstood from both the scientific “outside view” and the lived “inside view.”

You’ll also hear a contemplative perspective drawn from yoga and meditation traditions: the softening of the separate self, the felt sense of dissolving the “bubble-mind,” and moments of pure awareness described as a merging of individual consciousness with a wider field of presence.

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Have you been looking at life, but not truly seeing it?

What changes when you meet the world with an open heart instead of a guarded mind?

Could a simple gratitude practice help you notice the infinite beauty that is already here?

In this episode of The Spirit of Yoga Podcast, Burkhard reflects on William Blake’s insight that if the “doors of perception” were cleansed, life would appear as it is: infinite. Through the lens of yoga, he explores how mindfulness refines our perception and softens the heart, so we can recognize beauty not only in the obvious moments of nature, but also in the ordinary details of daily life.

This is a gentle reminder that presence is an art. When we slow down, become receptive, and return to a grounded gratitude practice, life often feels more supportive, more alive, and more connected.

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Yoga for Depression Relief: Simple Tools to Ground, Elevate & Heal The Spirit of Yoga with Burkhard

What helps us stay steady when sadness or heaviness rises? How can yoga teacher training principles support emotional balance in everyday life? And which mindfulness yoga practices genuinely shift our inner state rather than just offering temporary comfort?

In this episode of The Spirit of Yoga, Burkhard explores practical, embodiment-based tools that can help counterbalance depressive tendencies. Rather than focusing on theory, this session offers hands-on techniques that can be cultivated during calm, grounded periods—so they become reliable resources when difficult emotions appear.

We look at the role of the root chakra and its connection to stability, safety, and vitality. Burkhard explains how a lack of grounding can contribute to fear, heaviness, and emotional stagnation, and how forward bends and root-activating practices help rebuild inner support.

From gentle inversions such as legs up the wall to more active posture variations, you will learn how specific yoga techniques can mobilize stagnant energy, awaken the fire element, and guide it upward through the body. These practices support not only the physical system but also the psychological and emotional layers that influence how we meet challenging moments.

This episode is an invitation to understand depression through a yogic lens and to develop simple, accessible methods that strengthen resilience, uplift the mind, and deepen inner stability. It is relevant for practitioners, teachers, and anyone interested in mindful healing and the deeper dimensions of yoga.

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Stop the Inner Fight: How to Heal Pain, Trust Love & Live Abundantly

Are you feeling stuck in an inner struggle? Is pain taking over your life? In this episode of The Spirit of Yoga, Burkhard explores how we can move beyond pain, stop resisting life, and start trusting the power of love. Drawing from his own experience, he shares practical tools for healing pain and embracing the abundance life offers.

In a world that often focuses on what's wrong, Burkhard offers a refreshing perspective on how to shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance. Learn how to heal from within, embrace the present moment, and allow yourself to receive the gifts that life has to offer. Whether you’re a yoga teacher in training or someone looking to cultivate more peace in your life, this episode will help you overcome resistance and live with more openness, love, and joy.

Key Takeaways:

• Why pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
• How to stop fighting against life and start receiving its gifts.
• Practical insights on cultivating a mindset of abundance and healing pain.
• How yoga and mindfulness can help shift your perspective and help you live with less resistance and more peace.

Tune in for a deeper exploration of how shifting your heart and mind can transform your life.

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Why do emotional lows feel stronger during certain seasons?

Why do we sometimes find ourselves feeling sad for no reason?

And what simple mood reset tools actually work when the spiral begins?

In this episode of The Spirit of Yoga, Burkhard explores the subtle and physical factors behind seasonal depression and emotional dips—especially during the darker months in the northern hemisphere. Instead of waiting for the low to deepen, he offers practical ways to recognize the early signs and return to stable ground.

We look at how breath, posture, and environment can interrupt the downward pull, and why changing surroundings or stepping into nature makes a real difference. The conversation also touches on the growing research around the gut–brain connection and how digestive imbalances, microbiome disruption, or past antibiotics can influence mood just as much as life circumstances.

This episode encourages a simple, honest approach: noticing the wave early, responding before it grows, and understanding that these sensations are not a personal failure. From using light therapy to reaching out for support, from movement to nature immersion, Burkhard shares grounded methods to navigate emotional heaviness with clarity and responsibility.

A gentle, realistic exploration for anyone moving through the season, seeking steadiness, or wanting to better understand the link between body, mind, and mood.

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Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything alone?

Do you struggle to meet the right people or build meaningful connections?

Have you ever wondered why authentic networking feels so rare today?

In this conversation, Burkhard and global networking expert Gil Petersil explore the deeper art of human connection. Together, they uncover why most people network the wrong way—and how to build a powerful network by approaching relationships through presence, service, and heart.

This episode offers networking tips, guidance on authentic networking, and practical ways to understand how to build a network that uplifts both your mission and your inner growth. Instead of transactional exchanges, the focus shifts to service, synergy, and the spiritual foundations of human connection.

Gil shares decades of experience connecting with influential leaders—from Tony Robbins to Eckhart Tolle to Jay Abraham—and explains how true networking begins with planting seeds of service, showing up with value, and nurturing relationships the way we tend to a living garden.

Through stories, insights, and lived experience, this fireside-style dialogue explores:

• Why the “solopreneur” mindset creates isolation • How to move beyond transactional networking into genuine connection • Why service is the most powerful way to build strong relationships • The spiritual dimension of networking through presence and intention • How to cross-pollinate across different communities and industries • Why growth requires stepping out of familiar circles • The power of tea rituals as a modern hack for human connection • How to find mentors, allies, and people who elevate your purpose • Why community is essential for both personal and spiritual evolution • The deeper invitation to ask: “How can I be of service?”

This episode bridges ancient wisdom with practical tools, offering a grounded approach to building the kind of connections that align with your life, your purpose, and your values.

It is a warm, thoughtful exploration of what it means to network with authenticity—beyond hustle culture, beyond performance, and beyond the need to prove ourselves.

The Spirit of Yoga brings you this heartfelt conversation to inspire deeper relationships, meaningful community, and a more human way of moving forward—together.

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