Live the Light of Yoga is a series for the yogic practitioner who seeks to invigorate their inner life and engage positively with the conversation of yoga in the western context.
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“Christina is incredibly wise, real, and honest.
“She offers a unique mixture of soulful medicine and dry wit. Listening to her is a treat and a help. Truly a woman who walks the walk of her talk.”
Episode Archive
Faith is Where You Place Your Heart
In this episode Christina and Britt have a conversation about faith and how we bring it into being through our lives.
The Duality of Discomfort
In this episode Christina and Britt have a conversation about discomfort in its many forms. They discuss the distinction between safety and discomfort and the importance of both as we grow.
Inattentiveness as an Invitation
In this episode Christina and Britt take a moment to reflect on the turn of the year and reflect on 2023. The two delve into a conversation about paying attention and how it happens that we can become inattentive as Christina wrote about in her book Yoga From the Inside Out. They discuss habit setting, intentions, and the importance of naming the moments when we find ourselves stuck in harmful patterns.
The Step You Are On Is The Way
This week, Britt asks Christina to talk about the concept of Kaya Sadhana as she wrote of it in her book Yoga From the Inside Out in chapter three. The two discuss tantric yoga and learning to be present with whatever step we are on while we are there. Christina talks about how you cannot skip steps along the way and how the practice helps us remember the larger picture.
Considering Compassion
This week, Britt asks Christina to talk about the human tendency to compare as highlighted by Christina’s longtime student Jeannene in Chapter Three. Christina shares how the age old advise to “not compare yourself” falls short. Rather than eradicating comparison they discuss the nuances of comparison and how it becomes harmful when imbued with feelings of superiority or inferiority.
Separation and the Unified Field
Twenty years ago when Christina wrote this book, she introduced the idea of "the sleeping world" as a representation of living life unconsciously or moving through life detached from spiritual belonging. In this conversation Christina reflects on how much more nuanced this idea has become in the year since first writing on it. She reflects on the binary perspective from which she first wrote year ago and how this no longer feels helpful to her. The two discuss the continuous process of living life on purpose and find compassion for the shadowy pieces of self that do not necessarily disappear or change on the spiritual path. Rather, they celebrate how we can learn to care for, tend to, and be responsible for all aspects of oneself as we strive towards conscious, connected lives.
Tell the Truth About Where You Are
In this conversation Christina shares her experience with disordered eating, compulsive exercise, and bulimia and the process of cultivating yoga as a space to care for addiction. Britt also shares her own experience with these topics and the two discuss the patterning we inherent from culture and family of origin. Christina reflects on how her perspective has widened in the last 20 years from body image in the terms of beauty to a more intersectional and expansive view of self-care.
Returning to the Peace Offering
As Christina and Britt set out to discuss the themes of Yoga From the Inside Out, they begin with a reading of Christina's essay "Anusara Yoga as a Peace Offering" from the introduction of the book. The two reflect on the article and discuss cycles of unconscious behavior, the endless process of taking care, and how yoga and fitness have transformed in the years since the book was published.
Yoga From the Inside Out
This week on the podcast, Christina and Britt give some updates about their big life transitions in the last few months and set the intention for the coming season. They discuss Christina's book Yoga From the Inside Out as the book turns 20 this year. Christina shares a passage from the books introduction and muses on how the intention of the book is still alive in her daily work. You can get a copy of the book here.
Seasons of Studentship
This week on the podcast, Britt follows up with Christina on her musings about meeting students where they are. Britt poses an inquiry about being available to our teachers compared to moments when we need more individual or home practice. Christina expands on her perspective of yoga as a practice of more deeply coming to know ourselves and how this deeply personal practice is often occurring in communal spaces. She reminds us that yoga goes far beyond rolling out a mat in a public classroom and encourages trust for whatever individualized practices lead each of us to know ourselves more fully.
Meet Your Students Where They Are
This week on the podcast, Britt follows up with Christina on her musings about meeting students where they are. Britt poses an inquiry about being available to our teachers compared to moments when we need more individual or home practice. Christina expands on her perspective of yoga as a practice of more deeply coming to know ourselves and how this deeply personal practice is often occurring in communal spaces. She reminds us that yoga goes far beyond rolling out a mat in a public classroom and encourages trust for whatever individualized practices lead each of us to know ourselves more fully.
The Divinity of Embodiment Part 2
This week on the podcast, part two of a conversation between Christina and Livia Shapiro. The two discuss the convergence of their yoga and religious practices through a somatic lens. Livia shares her wisdom from the experience a yogi, mother, dancer, somatic psychologist, and author. Christina arrives to this conversation contemplating the harm of anti-Semitic narratives. Livia shares her wisdom from the experience of a Jewish woman, yogi, mother, dancer, somatic psychologist, and author.
The Divinity of Embodiment Part 1
In this conversation Christina talks with her longtime friends, student, and colleague Livia Shapiro. The two discuss the convergence of yoga, religion, and body wisdom through a somatic lens. Christina arrives to this conversation contemplating the harm of anti-Semitic narratives. Livia shares her wisdom from the experience of a Jewish woman, yogi, dancer, somatic psychologist, and author.
Hope & Hopelessness
Holistic Resistance – A Conversation with Jennie Pearl and Dylan Wilder Quinn
In this episode Christina speaks with Jennie Pearl and Dylan Wilder Quinn about their work at Holistic Resistance. The three discuss oppression especially towards transgender, gender fluid, and non-binary folks.
Meet the Hosts
Christina Sell
Christina Sell has been practicing asana since 1991 and teaching since 1998. Known for her passion, clarity and creativity, Christina’s teaching style is a dynamic and challenging blend of inspiration, humor and hard work. Masterful at synthesis, her ability to harvest and transmit the unique contributions of various yoga methods is unparalleled. Christina believes that yoga practice can help anyone access their inner wisdom, authentic spirituality and clarify their highest personal expression.
Christina draws inspiration from many master teachers in Iyengar Yoga, Anusara Yoga and Bikram Yoga. She is a certified Anusara Yoga teacher, has authored three books, hosts a podcast, and maintains an active teaching schedule presenting seminars, intensives, trainings, and workshops worldwide.
Christina has a BA in Counseling and Education and an MA in Integrative Education and Curriculum Design. She resides in Bellingham, Washington with her husband, two very affectionate cats, and the world’s best dog, Locket. She enjoys practicing yoga, writing, reading, cooking, hiking, mountain biking, and lifting weights.
Britt Kassel
Britt (she/they) found her way to yoga in 2012 during a season of anxiety and depression. Though she couldn't name it at the time, deep breath, caring community, and embodiment began the slow process of regulating her nervous system and unraveling patterns of self harm. Through regular practice she learned to listen to the wisdom and needs her body was communicating. These roots led to her passion for offering spaces in which to honor and nourish our inner landscapes through compassion, tenderness, and radical acceptance. The wellness that yoga initially opened has expanded to the world of music, story telling, and building conscious community. When she isn't podcasting you can find Britt making a mess in the kitchen, nurturing her love for travel, learning from young people as a Montessorri school assistant, and teaching yoga in Denver, Colorado.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Unruly raw. Love, Love, Love!!!
“Christina: authentic, powerful, safe, shape-shifter, expander, magnetic, wisdom, and on and on. Christina is of Brilliant Mind, Body, and Spirit! I would study, study, study under her for the rest of my life, if it were possible.”
In this episode Christina and Britt have a conversation about faith and how we bring it into being through our lives.