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Join Todd McLaughlin for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation with Sky Swisa, founder of Ananda Sky Yoga and a truly global yoga teacher.

With a rich multicultural background spanning Russia, Israel, China, and the USA, Sky brings a unique perspective to holistic health and wellness. From working in the diamonds industry in Shanghai to becoming fluent in Mandarin, Hebrew, Russian, and English, her journey into yoga began at age 14. She later completed teacher training in Navakarna Yoga and studied under legendary instructor Dharma Mittra in New York.

In this episode, Sky shares her personal path through cultural experiences, teacher training, and the integration of yoga with other healing practices like lymphatic massage. Todd and Sky explore how yoga, community, and spiritual practices help navigate life’s biggest challenges — including personal trauma, grief, loss of loved ones, and mental health.

They discuss the evolving nature of yoga practice, the importance of grounding and self-discovery, building supportive community, and adopting a non-judgmental approach to diet and personal growth. Sky emphasizes continual evolution in our practices and perspectives so we can stay aligned with our true selves.

Key Takeaways:

• How a multicultural background and global experiences shape a deeper approach to yoga and wellness
• Integrating yoga with holistic practices for mental and physical well-being
• The transformative power of community and spiritual practice during times of tragedy and trauma
• Why a non-judgmental mindset around diet and personal choices matters in the yoga world
• The value of lifelong growth and updating our perspectives as we evolve

Whether you’re a yoga practitioner, teacher, or simply on a path of personal growth, this episode offers powerful insights into resilience, healing, and living with greater awareness.

Visit Sky: https://www.anandaskyyoga.com/

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About the Podcast:
The Native Yoga Toddcast explores yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and personal growth through conversations with teachers, creators, and thought leaders.

https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga
Twitter: @nativeyoga
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin

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Zarah Kravitz is an esteemed Ayurvedic practitioner and yoga teacher currently residing in Southern California. Originally from New Jersey, Zarah moved to New Mexico at a young age and grew up in Santa Fe and Albuquerque before settling in San Diego.

She possesses a deep-rooted passion for Ayurveda and yoga, having studied extensively with renowned experts, including Dr. Vasant Lad at The Ayurvedic Institute. Zarah is also an emerging entrepreneur, co-founding Mama Rest—a postpartum nourishment service providing Ayurvedic meals for new mothers.

Additionally, Zarah continues to share her passion for yoga and holistic living by teaching yoga classes and offering a specialized cooking course tailored around bioregional and seasonal eating.

Visit Zarah: https://www.yogaonstate.com/ayurveda-on-state & on IG https://www.instagram.com/zarahkravitz/

Key Takeaways:

• Integrative Health: Zarah highlights the importance of Ayurveda in creating a holistic health approach, emphasizing the need for understanding one's own body and constitution to promote optimal health.
• Postpartum Nutrition: Through her venture Mama Rest, Zarah underlines the significance of tailored nutritional support for postpartum mothers using Ayurvedic principles.
• Ayurveda & Modern Living: She discusses how Ayurveda can be adapted to fit modern lifestyles by promoting seasonal and local food consumption to enhance digestion and overall vitality.
• Yoga & Spiritual Practice: Zarah shares her journey into yoga, focusing on its transformative power when combined with Ayurveda, and the benefits of community singing practices like Kirtan.

🎧 Practice with Native Yoga:
8IN8 Ashtanga Yoga Course (FREE coupon):
https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Daily Online Classes (Code: FIRSTMONTHFREE):
https://nativeyogacenter.teachable.com/p/today-s-community-class

About the Podcast:
The Native Yoga Toddcast explores yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and personal growth through conversations with teachers, creators, and thought leaders.

https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga
Twitter: @nativeyoga
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I sit down with Kashi, a longtime yoga practitioner and former monk, to explore the deeper layers of yoga philosophy and what it really means to live the practice. From his early days in Israel to years spent studying in India, Kashi shares a powerful journey shaped by discipline, self-inquiry, and a commitment to understanding the roots of yoga.

We dive into how yoga extends far beyond the physical, touching on themes of community, personal transformation, and the role of philosophy in navigating modern life. A central part of our conversation explores trauma-sensitive yoga and how supportive environments can help people reconnect, heal, and feel seen through shared experience.

Kashi also reflects on his transition from monastic life to becoming a householder, offering an honest perspective on change, identity, and staying true to your path even when it challenges expectations. We discuss the relevance of classic yoga texts like the Bhagavad Gita and how their teachings can still guide us through uncertainty, growth, and everyday life.

This episode is for anyone seeking a deeper connection to their practice, a better understanding of yoga philosophy, or a grounded perspective on how to stay consistent and authentic on the path.

What You’ll Learn:
• Why community plays a key role in healing and growth
• How yoga supports trauma awareness and emotional resilience
• The importance of discipline and long-term practice
• How yoga philosophy applies to modern life
• What it means to evolve while staying true to yourself

Listen if you’re interested in: yoga philosophy, trauma-sensitive yoga, meditation, personal growth, and building a sustainable yoga practice.

Listen to Kashi's lecture on BG here

Check out Kashi's retreat here

Listen & subscribe for more conversations on yoga, healing, and personal growth.

🎧 Practice with Native Yoga:
8IN8 Ashtanga Yoga Course (FREE coupon):
https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Daily Online Classes (Code: FIRSTMONTHFREE):
https://nativeyogacenter.teachable.com/p/today-s-community-class

About the Podcast:
The Native Yoga Toddcast explores yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and personal growth through conversations with teachers, creators, and thought leaders.

https://info.nativeyogacenter.com/8in8-ashtanga-yoga-for-beginners-8-limbs-in-8-days/

Support the show

Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga
Twitter: @nativeyoga
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin