In this enlightening conversation, Tara Lee, a renowned yoga teacher, shares her insights on the multifaceted practice of yoga. The discussion begins with a personal reflection on the speaker's journey with yoga, to a profound practice that encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. Tara emphasizes the importance of meditation and breathwork as integral components of yoga, explaining how they help manage stress and enhance focus in our fast-paced lives. The conversation delves into the concept of Dharma, or life purpose, and how yoga can guide individuals in discovering their true paths. Additionally, Tara discusses the role of yoga in addressing energy blockages and promoting overall well-being. The episode concludes with practical tips for incorporating yoga into daily life, making it accessible for everyone, regardless of their experience level.

Tara is internationally recognised as one of Britain’s foremost yoga teachers. She specialises in Vinyasa flow yoga, pregnancy yoga and postnatal yoga. She’s also a popular teacher of teachers, running intensive courses for established instructors several times a year. Tara regularly appears on television, in magazines and online and has been named one of the UK’s top five teachers by the London Evening Standard. Her following extends beyond her physical practice in London thanks to her acclaimed line of yoga videos, which grew from her 2008 bestselling DVD, Pregnancy Health Yoga. Tara’s range of yoga videos have regularly featured in the Amazon top 20 bestselling fitness DVDs and she has sold over 150,000 worldwide.

Today, yoga is a lot more than just a physical practice for Tara. Her deeper focus is on breath work and meditation, and the principles and wisdom of yoga permeate every aspect of her life. Her mission is to inspire students with her knowledge and experience so they too can access a life of purpose, happiness and freedom.

Tara guides students through themed classes that incorporate meditations, breath work and powerful poses strung together in creative, dynamic sequences. The yoga she teaches is both true to its ancient roots and entirely relevant to a 21st Century lifestyle. Her classes (both in person and online) leave her students feeling stronger, more mindful and bursting with vitality.

Tara is a mother of two children and lives in West London.

Resources:

Try out Tara Lee’s in person or online classes through:

https://taraleeyoga.com/

Takeaways

• Yoga is a holistic practice that includes physical, mental, and spiritual elements.
• Meditation is a key aspect of yoga, often more important than physical postures.
• Breathwork is essential for accessing the nervous system and managing stress.
• Yoga helps individuals find their purpose or Dharma in life.
• Practicing yoga can relieve emotional and physical blockages in the body.
• Discipline in yoga can lead to greater freedom and clarity in life.
• Yoga promotes balance between strength and flexibility, essential for long-term health.
• Incorporating yoga into daily routines can enhance overall well-being.
• Yoga can be practiced in various forms, making it accessible to everyone.
• Online resources can help individuals practice yoga at their convenience.

Chapters

00 The Journey of Yoga: A Personal Reflection

02:36 Understanding the depth of Yoga: Beyond Asanas

06:25 Yoga as a Tool for Stress Management

14:22 Finding Purpose Through Yoga

19:05 Yoga and Energy Blockages: Healing Through Practice

24:36 Practical Tips for Incorporating Yoga into Daily Life

Podcast Summary

Join us on On the Journey with SJK as we explore the powerful impact of our thoughts and words on our lives. We discuss the creative power of our thoughts, urging you to become aware of where your mental energy is directed. Imagine your mind as a pie chart filled with aspects like work, relationships, and health. By focusing on positive experiences, we can expand those areas and manifest the life we desire.

Listen in as we address universal challenges such as stress, relationship struggles, and business hurdles, emphasizing the importance of overcoming these obstacles to make room for positivity and growth. We highlight the significance of surrounding ourselves with supportive individuals and engaging in activities that bring joy. Consider your thoughts as a form of currency; spend it wisely on uplifting endeavors. Our conversation is filled with motivational insights to energize the great things in life, encouraging you to take control of your mental space and nurture a hopeful outlook for your journey ahead.

​​Connect with SJK:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthejourneywithsjk/
• Email: info@onthejourneywithsjk.com

Link to the Exercise 4 spreadsheet Format:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WCWg2aLRCGwC_XyPyhVg69TLuywuL7eZzL_RLv96MXA/edit?usp=sharing

We are often our own harshest critics, replaying negative thoughts and doubts in our minds. But what if we could shift that inner dialogue to one of encouragement and self-compassion? Silencing self-criticism isn’t about ignoring challenges or dismissing growth—it’s about transforming the way we speak to ourselves, just as we would support a close friend. By practising mindfulness, curiosity, and intentional self-talk, we can rewire our brains to be more compassionate, resilient, and confident.

In this episode, we explore practical, science-backed strategies with Dr. Rachel Turow to help you quiet your inner critic, reframe negative thoughts, and cultivate kinder, more empowering self-talk. Dr. Turow is the author of The Self-Talk Workout: Six Science-Backed Strategies to Dissolve Self-Criticism and Transform the Voice in Your Head and has over 20 years of experience working with individuals struggling with self-criticism and related challenges.

She runs a clinical psychology practice in Seattle, Washington, and serves as an adjunct faculty member at Seattle University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her work focuses on helping individuals develop effective strategies for managing stress and building new coping and resilient skills. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Turow frequently presents to local, national, and international audiences on topics such as stress, trauma, mindfulness, resilience, and self-compassion. Her writing has been featured in top publications, including Oprah Daily and Psychology Today.

Tune in!

What You Will Learn:

• [00:23] Intro and a bit about our guest today, Dr. Rachel Turow
• [03:24] Techniques to transition out of the default network mode
• [06:05] How to use meditation to shift your mind from default network mode
• [08:14] Dr. Turow's top strategies for improving self-talk
• [11:56] How to practice loving and kindness meditation (LKM) on the go
• [13:30] The RAIN method and how it can help improve self-talk
• [18:40] Ways to transform difficult emotions through self-compassion
• [23:12] How meditation can help reduce self-judgement
• [25:09] A quick recap on tools to improve self-talk
• [26:52] Wrap up and end of the show

Standout Quotes:

• “People can train their mind to spend more time in the task-positive network where we’re more intentional; time spent in this network is associated with better well-being.” [04:28]
• “Meditation is one of the most effective practice strategies for training your mind.” [06:06]
• “Curiosity is a very effective antidote to self-criticism and judgement; it’s a very loving way of dealing with something difficult and allowing it to be there.” [15:14]
• “If your mind wanders a hundred times, that is a hundred opportunities to practice redirecting kindly.” [25:00]

Resources Mentioned:

The Self-Talk Workout by Rachel Turow: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Talk-Workout-Science-Backed-Strategies-Self-Criticism/dp/1611808480

Connect with SJK:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthejourneywithsjk/
• Email: info@onthejourneywithsjk.com

Dr. Rachel Turow

Website: https://www.rachelturow.com/