The Koshas: The Layers of the Self in Yogic Philosophy

Crown Chakra: Awareness, Unity, and the Dissolving of Self

In this episode of Deepen Your Yoga Practice, Lauren Leduc closes out the chakra series with an exploration of the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)—the center of awareness, unity, and connection to universal consciousness. Unlike the lower chakras, which focus on building safety, identity, expression, and agency, the crown chakra invites us to soften our grip on all of it. It is not about becoming something new, but about remembering what has always been true. Located at the top of the head, Sahasrara is associated with: * Unity and non-separation * Awareness and witnessing * Consciousness and transcendence * Connection to something larger than the individual self Lauren explores how the crown chakra connects to key yogic philosophical concepts, including: * Advaita Vedanta (non-duality) * The relationship between Atman (self) and Brahman (universal consciousness) * Moksha (liberation) as realization rather than attainment * Teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, including non-attachment (vairagya), devotion (bhakti), and equal seeing (samadarshana) The episode also explores what balance and imbalance can look like in this chakra: Balanced: * Sense of connection and unity * Inner peace independent of circumstances * Humility, curiosity, and presence * Ability to witness thoughts without attachment Imbalanced: * Disconnection, cynicism, or lack of meaning * Spiritual bypassing or dissociation * Avoidance of real-world responsibility * Feeling “above” or disconnected from life Lauren emphasizes that true connection to the crown chakra is not about escaping life—but about engaging more fully with clarity, compassion, and awareness. PRACTICES TO SUPPORT THE CROWN CHAKRA: * Meditation and witnessing awareness * Breath awareness and gentle pranayama * Self-inquiry and contemplation * Mantra and sound (including Om) * Time in stillness and nature * Seva (selfless service) JOURNALING PROMPTS: * Where do I feel most connected in my life right now? * Where do I feel separate or disconnected? * What am I holding onto that could soften? * Who am I beyond my roles, titles, and identities? This episode is an invitation to remember that you are already whole, already connected, and already part of something much greater than the individual self. trueloveyogakc.com

Ahimsa in a Complex World: What Does Non-Harm Really Mean?

In this episode of Deepen Your Yoga Practice, Lauren Leduc explores one of yoga’s most foundational teachings: Ahimsa, or non-harming. While Ahimsa is often translated simply as “be kind” or “do no harm,” the reality is far more complex—especially in modern life. What does non-harming mean in a world where participation itself creates impact? How do we live ethically when harm is, at times, unavoidable? This episode offers a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of Ahimsa as an ongoing practice of awareness, discernment, and responsibility, rather than a rigid rule or moral ideal. Lauren explores: * The meaning of Ahimsa in thought, word, and action * Its historical roots in Jainism, Buddhism, and early yogic philosophy * The tension between ascetic (renunciate) and householder paths * Insights from the Bhagavad Gita on action, dharma, and ethical responsibility * Why non-action can sometimes cause harm * How Patanjali presents Ahimsa as a guiding principle, not an absolute * The realities of practicing Ahimsa in modern systems (technology, consumption, work, etc.) * The role of discernment (viveka) in ethical decision-making * Why boundaries, repair, and accountability are part of non-harming * The difference between Ahimsa and spiritual bypassing Lauren also emphasizes that Ahimsa is not about perfection, purity, or passivity. Instead, it is about cultivating awareness, making thoughtful choices, and taking responsibility when harm occurs. This episode invites listeners to move away from overwhelm or guilt and toward sustainable, grounded, and compassionate action. JOURNALING PROMPTS * Where can I reduce harm in my life right now? * Where do I feel overwhelmed, and what is one sustainable shift I can make? * How can I practice discernment rather than perfection? * Where might I need clearer boundaries? * What does non-harming look like in my current season of life? trueloveyogakc.com [trueloveyogakc.com]

Understanding the Hips: Anatomy, Mobility, and Stability in Yoga

In this episode of Deepen Your Yoga Practice, Lauren Leduc takes a deep dive into one of the most talked-about areas in yoga: the hips. Many yoga students describe their hips as “tight” or believe they need to “open” them more. But hip health is far more complex than simply stretching deeper. The hips are powerful load-bearing joints that influence posture, low back health, knee alignment, balance, walking, running, and stability. Rather than focusing only on flexibility, healthy hips require a balance of mobility, strength, and neuromuscular control. In this episode, Lauren explores: * The anatomy of the hips, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and fascia * How the ball-and-socket hip joint is designed for both stability and movement * The major muscle groups that influence hip movement * Why anatomical variation affects range of motion between individuals * The difference between mobility and flexibility * Why extreme hip stretching is not always beneficial * Common hip patterns and issues seen in yoga students * The role of strength training and stabilization in hip health * How yoga can support functional hips through both strength and mobility * Practical tips for improving hip health in a sustainable way Lauren also discusses the relationship between hip sensations and the nervous system, explaining why hip work can sometimes feel intense and why intensity does not always equal effectiveness. For yoga teachers, the episode includes important teaching considerations such as: * Avoiding forced alignment * Offering non-hierarchical options for students * Watching for compensations in the knees and lower back * Encouraging functional movement rather than chasing extreme shapes The goal of hip work in yoga is not extreme flexibility, but balanced, resilient movement that supports the body for life.

Dualism vs Non-Dualism: A Yogic Exploration

In this episode of Deepen Your Yoga Practice, Lauren Leduc explores one of the most important and often misunderstood questions in yoga philosophy: Does yoga teach that we are separate from the world, or that we are one with it? This conversation dives into two foundational philosophical frameworks that shape the way yoga has been understood for thousands of years: dualism and non-dualism. Lauren explores the historical roots of these ideas, how they show up in classical yogic texts, and why modern yoga often blends them together. She also discusses how these philosophies influence the way we relate to our thoughts, our identities, our relationships, and the world around us. In this episode, you’ll learn: * What dualism and non-dualism actually mean * The role of Samkhya philosophy in the Yoga Sutras * The distinction between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (material reality) * The philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and the teaching that Atman and Brahman are one * How teachers like Swami Vivekananda shaped the way yoga philosophy was introduced to the West * Why modern yoga often blends different philosophical traditions * The strengths and limitations of both dualist and non-dualist approaches * How these philosophies show up in meditation, relationships, activism, and asana practice Rather than asking practitioners to choose between separation and unity, this episode explores how both perspectives can serve our growth and help reduce suffering. Dualist practices can help us create space between ourselves and our thoughts, emotions, and identities. Non-dualist perspectives can cultivate compassion, connection, and a sense of shared humanity. Yoga philosophy invites us not to choose one rigid framework, but to continue asking deeper questions about the nature of reality and the self. JOURNALING PROMPTS * Where do I cling most strongly to identity? * Where do I need stronger boundaries? * Where do I feel deeply interconnected? * Which philosophy resonates more with my temperament: dualism or non-dualism? * Can I hold both perspectives at once? Ultimately, yoga is not a single unified philosophy but a family of traditions responding to human suffering across time. The inquiry itself may be more important than the answer.

The Koshas: The Layers of the Self in Yogic Philosophy

In this episode of Deepen Your Yoga Practice, Lauren Leduc explores the koshas, the five layers or sheaths of the self in yogic philosophy. If you have ever felt physically fine but emotionally drained, mentally overwhelmed but spiritually clear, or energized but disconnected, this episode offers a framework for understanding those layered experiences. Yoga has long taught that we are not just a physical body — we are layered beings with physical, energetic, mental, emotional, intuitive, and spiritual dimensions. Lauren explores: * The historical origins of the kosha model in the Taittiriya Upanishad * How the koshas were originally used in Vedantic philosophy * The difference between the traditional and modern interpretation of the koshas * The five koshas and how they function: * Annamaya Kosha — the physical body * Pranamaya Kosha — the energy or breath body * Manomaya Kosha — the mental and emotional body * Vijnanamaya Kosha — the wisdom or intuitive body * Anandamaya Kosha — the bliss body * How these layers show up in modern life through work stress, social media, relationships, and everyday overwhelm * Practical ways to support and care for each kosha * Reflection questions to help identify which layer feels loudest, neglected, or most peaceful This episode reminds us that yoga is not just about caring for the body. It is also about learning to listen inwardly, tending to the deeper layers of the self, and remembering that we are not one-dimensional. JOURNALING PROMPTS * Which kosha do I live in most often? * Which kosha do I neglect? * When do I feel most whole? * What practices nourish my deeper layers? * What does bliss actually feel like to me? Listen and explore the many layers of your being through the lens of yoga philosophy.