Beyond the Mat: A Journey of Healing & Self-Discovery Through Yoga with J. Brown

Join us as we sit down with J. Brown, Founder of the Abhyasa Yoga center in New York (now closed), he is also a writer and podcast host of industry-leading J. Brown Yoga Talks. For more than 25 years J has been developing techniques to teach people how to practice yoga in a deeper and more fulfilling way. We hear how the profound grief from the loss of his mother prompted J to make a promise to himself about living a better life – and how yoga became the vehicle for that intention. His exploration of various yoga styles, from the physical rigor of Ashtanga to the precision of Iyengar, set the stage for a transformative path. From the studios of New York to the spiritual havens of India, J’s experiences with the teachings of Swami P. Saraswati offered a paradigm shift. Learn how he ultimately found his way to the tradition of TKV Desikachar and T Krishnamacharya, and adopted a more introspective and therapeutic approach to yoga, focusing on breath-centered movements and present-moment awareness. His narrative powerfully underscores the importance of adapting yoga to suit individual needs, turning it into a powerful tool for deeper self-care and spiritual inquiry. Navigating the commercial pressures of the yoga industry, J candidly discusses the challenges of maintaining authenticity, especially in the wake of a global pandemic. We reflect on the evolution of the yoga industry in America, the significance of fostering genuine community, and the launch of his new yoga center in Easton, Pennsylvania. This episode provides a rich, multifaceted view of yoga’s impact, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking to deepen their own practice.

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