Feeling the call to fall? Ayurveda has a lot of beautiful wisdom for optimal health through the season changes and Staraya shares all this brilliance with us on this week's podcast episode. Want to learn more? Check out our upcoming Yoga Nerd Out session with Staraya on October.

This week we are focusing on surya, the sun god as well as the sun's energy and image. We have the privilege of Isabella Solari's presence this week to discuss solar energy, why it's important (and cool!) and things to consider as solar becomes a more popular source of renewable energy utilized in the modern world. Website for where Isabella works: https://psgenergygroup.com/, and the contact email: [email protected]. To learn more about solar, check out Energy Sage (https://www.energysage.com/solar/) . It is a website with a lot of information, including Google's Project Sunroof's estimator of savings (direct link: https://www.google.com/get/sunroof). With that tool you can see how much solar exposure your roof has and get a rough estimate of how much you can save in electricity costs. Finally, the U.S. Department of Energy has a "Homeowner's guide to going solar" : https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowner-s-guide-going-solar

This week we are looking at shunya or the Buddhist concept of empty or void space. This is a space that we receive after deep work and not equal to zero, but true unadulterated emptiness. This is not a space to refill, but to exist from. What 2020 has taught us is that there is a BIG space to make for inclusion and diversity. One space of inclusion that often gets overlooked is disability awareness.  We were blessed to have Alie B. Gorrie- artist, activist and goddess on the podcast this week to discuss opportunities to open up the space (void) for a truly more inclusive world- specifically when we look at it through the lens of yoga.  Alie B. is originally from Birmingham, AL and a child hood friend of Shannon's.  Usually residing in New York (in non-COVID times) she is a powerful performer (one example : Bastard Jones, a producer and activist (see Songs for Sight and Able Series on Amazon, and a badass.   Love this discussion? Follow her on instagram or send her an email @aliebg or [email protected]   Some key things to consider from this episode:  Get clear on whether you're speaking about disabilities from a medical v. social lens   Own a yoga studio or fitness facility? Consider on your registration form asking about any accessibility needs   Accessible doesn't always = inclusive   Consider your own relationship (and language in relationship to) to disabilities: non-disabled v disabled people   Let's start designing w/ access in mind and seeing individuals with disabilities as an asset   Let's keep the void that's been created in 2020 to have open space for ALL to occupy- not just able bodied, white, cis-gender, heteronormative, etc. etc. etc. folks!

This week we are looking at the concept of hridaya- or the true heart. Hridaya comes from the roots of 'give' and 'take' and as Shannon K (our resident anatomy instructor for 300 hour + anatomy and women's bio professor at IUPUI) shares is the actual anatomy of the heart displays just that. This is not a conclusion discussion, meaning we don't arrive at anything, but rather discuss the possibilities and intricacies that make the complex organ and metaphor that is the heart. Dive in this week to get curious about what the true heart is.  Wanna reach out to Shannon? Send her an email at [email protected]  Worthwhile book to check out based on this topic: State of the Heart by Dr. Haider Warraich

The quote that graces Dr. Devin Banks's website says it all “When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.” - Toni Morrison This week we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Devin Banks, a PHD in Psychology, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri at St. Louis, as well as a beloved former student and forever teacher at PI. We scale the conversation of mukta- or liberation that already exists within us through the lens of our current socio-political situation and the omnipresent psychology of our current culture and country. A few highlights from our discussion as it relates to finding mukta (liberation): Awareness is key try the :16 of awareness Check out her favorite psychologists: Dr. Rheeda Walker, Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson, and Carl Jung Find her on instagram @drdevb Twitter- @PHD_Banks Google Scholar

BAAAACK TO SCHOOL!!! We’ve got a back to yoga school plan that can engage us all- from those who need to stay home 100% to those who feel safe coming into spaces distanced 6 feet a part and wearing masks. In this time of uncertainty, we also share in this episode where we are at as a studio, where we hope to be headed and announcing that we'll be taking a break on the podcast for a few weeks to line up some great interviews for the fall. Check back in around September/ October for new episodes! We understand times are confusing and tough, so we hope these updates will help you find some peace of mind through this challenging time.  **CHANGES START AUGUST 1**    WHAT’S NEW:  1. We are introducing 3 new formats:  VIRTUAL- Classes that are categorized as virtual can be joined from anywhere in the world. Pre-register for your class and grab the link via your email (or members, the link is posted in our members only Facebook group!)   HYBRID- Hybrid classes are available to you in person or virtually. We will be streaming the classes from the studio so those that join virtually will feel like they’re back in the classroom.   OUTDOOR- We are adding an outdoor yoga space between our 916 SWIFT building and our current downtown building at 914. Mat spots will be spaced 6 feet a part and masks in the outdoor zone will be optional.      2. PROPS! Sure we can do yoga without props, but it makes it SO much more fun:  FOR PURCHASE– need some props? We have gently used blankets, mats and small bolsters for sale at the studio for a highly discounted price   FOR USE IN STUDIO– we are going to be offering the use of chairs and blocks in classes. These will be rotated out after each class to be cleaned and kept untouched for 24 hours before being used again. We encourage you to bring with you any other props you might like- blankets, straps or bolsters (pillows work great too!)   CLASSES INCLUDING PROPS- We’re adding a class called Adaptive Yoga that will be chair based (9:15a on Thursdays) + bringing back an aerial option (12p on Wednesdays, limited to 3 participants so silks can be washed weekly and appropriate distance even when swinging can be maintained). We’ll also be emailing out prior to classes that are more prop heavy (R&R/ Deep Stretch) any props necessary to engage fully with the class.   3. New Class Styles Check out Slow Flow (Tues. 9:15a) , Moon Salutations (Thurs. 7:30p), Adaptive Yoga (Thurs. (9:15a) and Family Yoga (Sun. 9a) all coming to the schedule!   COVID SAFETY MEASURES: Masks will continue to be required in all indoor spaces  In the event of inclement weather, outdoor yoga will be moved to our platforms and masks will then be required  We will be checking temperatures at the door upon arrival  All mats will be spaced 6 feet a part and teachers will continue to stay on their mats, not offering adjustments  All props will be sanitized thoroughly after each use  Doors will be propped open 10 minutes before and after class. Please come on time, don’t congregate in areas and plan to keep your stuff with you.  Pre-registration is required for all classes to receive links and make sure space is available  All payments and transactions (including signing waivers) will be done digitally to decrease amounts of surfaces shared and touched  We will continue to be diligent with our cleaning protocols

Becca Jacobson, talented photographer, graphic designer, yoga teacher and dance enthusiast joins us today to talk about how we can use dance to move through challenge and overcome obstacles. This week's focus is Lasya or a dance that is said to have been performed by Parvati to help marry the energies of Shiva and Shakti. The dance invokes and invites grace and beauty and is a dance associated with Hinduism. We'll be honest that the dance itself, nor the topic, is something that we know a lot about... this week is less about the literalness of the dance or meaning of 'lasya' and more about an invitation into how movement, grace and beauty can find a place in our lives- even amidst great suffering and challenge. Enjoy this week's conversation to discover how we can find artistic expression, let go of some inhibitions and move to the beat of our own drum. For more dance inspo, check out Dance Church or the following local organizations: Indianapolis Movement Arts Collective Phoenix Rising Dance Studio Dance Works Indy

In this awesome and important episode we look at this week's focus, Shakti, and how it can be embodied by all beings (not just those who identify as cis-gender female). Shakti is the energy of creation, dynamism and feminine energy which can be embodied by anyone, beyond the gender binary of 'male' and 'female'. Everly, a beloved member, shares her experience as a trans woman, how cis people can be better allies to anyone who is non-binary or trans and much much more. We touch on her art, how art and creating are also major themes of this week and how we can all embody the Shakti energy in degrees and forms. Enjoy the conversation and the following resources : Gender Unicorn  Black Trans Lives Matter | Full Frontal  The way we think about biological sex is wrong: (Intersex perspective) How to talk and listen to trans people: (trans guy gets some basics out there) Lee Mokobe Poem: (Black trans-man poetry, this one will leave you shook) 5 Non-Binary People Explain What “Non-Binary” Means To Them  How to support someone who is trans from Planned Parenthood Sexual Orientation and Gender Terminology / Definitions

This week we have the pleasure to host a conversation with Professor Max Felker-Kanter, author of Policing Los Angeles and professor at Ball State University where he teaches courses in twentieth century American and African American history with a focus on race, politics, and social movements. He is particularly interested in the policies and institutions of urban law enforcement and criminal justice systems since World War II. In the wake of the recent protests, there's been a lot more discussion around what it means to 'defund the police' or in lay terms "BURN IT DOWN!!!" and we saw this as a wonderful opportunity to elevate the importance of restructuring and even destroying systems in order to rebuild more equitable, sustainable ones. In this conversation we explore the history of police brutality in the United States as well as what 'defund' or 'divest' the police really means and what it might look like to do so. Max is a long time practitioner and all around a joy to learn from. We hope you'll enjoy this conversation! Resources shared in this episode: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander Angela Davis (check out Are Prisons Obsolete?) and the prison abolition movement How to be An Anti-racist by Ibram X. Kendi Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken

What an honor it is to host member and health care advocate, Rachael Casey on our podcast this week. We dive into her expertise related to COVID-19 as well as her connection with the Asthma coalition and how COVID affects those with chronic respiratory illnesses. We also discuss the benefits of stress relief and deep breathing as it relates to this challenging time, and highlight how Indiana has fared (which is well!) during this crisis.  Another important topic broached is the importance of wearing masks and why we, at Practice Indie, will continue to require them during in person classes as a safety precaution for all. As states across the nation open back up, it's important to remember that the virus is still very active and we all need to do our part to keep ourselves sane and each other safe. This is not a forever thing, but it is right now. Let's all wear masks, wash our hands, take deep breaths and continue to advocate for all beings to be happy, HEALTHY and free. Some resources: Check out this deep breathing video with Nicole If you are seeking mental health resources, Indiana has set up this fantastic website.