Stillpoints: A Podcast with Scott Johnson

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#048: Memories of Sharath - Episode 3
Episode 3: A Life Remembered, A Practice Continued - Stories from Sharath’s Friends & Students In this third episode of Memories of Sharath, we continue to explore the life and legacy of Sharath Jois through the voices of those who knew him well. This episode features deeply personal reflections from long-time students, close friends, and those whose lives were shaped by his steady presence and quiet encouragement. These stories reveal Sharath’s capacity to meet each person with care - to see them, guide them, and trust them. Through humour, devotion, honesty, and sometimes heartbreak, we hear how his teachings lived far beyond the mat. In this episode, you’ll hear from: Karen Cairns – A long-time student whose two-decade journey with Sharath was marked by quiet love, resilience, and grace. Taylor Hunt – On how Sharath’s trust helped him build a yoga-based recovery program that now transforms lives. Joseph Armstrong & Edgar Navarro – Sharing funny and intimate memories from hosting Sharath in Miami, including filming his final Mysore class. Priya Jhawar – Offering a tender, familial view of Sharath through stories of food, mischief, and deep love. Dominic Corigliano – Bridging past and present through memories of Sharath’s early years and his growth into leadership. Matt Corigliano – Reflecting on being seen and shaped by Sharath from childhood into adulthood. Alexander Medin – A powerful and honest reflection on a friendship marked by both rupture and enduring gratitude. Subscribe, Listen, and Remember Sharath Jois’s legacy is woven through these voices — in the stillness, in the laughter, and in the ways we continue to return to our practice. As we remember him, we stay connected to what matters most: love, presence, and the quiet strength of community. The Sunday Inspiration Email Receive a gentle email every Sunday to inspire your day. Since 2017 Scott Johnson has shared the 'Stillpoint Sunday Inspiration Email' every week. He shares simple yoga philosophy, music he's listening to, short films he's watched, People of Yoga film & photography portraits and his poetry. If this is something you'd like to receive you can sign up here...
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2:23:18
#047: Memories of Sharath - Episode 2
Episode 2: A Deeper Look into Sharath's Impact – Voices from His Close Students and Family In this second episode of Memories of Sharath, we continue our journey through the life and legacy of Sharath Jois, one of the most influential figures in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition. This episode features heartfelt stories from Sharath’s family, close students and long-time friends who reflect on his life, teachings, and the profound impact he had on everyone who crossed his path. Through these intimate conversations, we explore Sharath’s enduring legacy - his kindness, humor, dedication, and the deep connections he built with his students and the global yoga community. These voices share not only memories of Sharath’s guidance as a teacher but also a glimpse into the essence of who he was as a person. In this episode, you’ll hear from: Sharmila Mahesh – Sharath’s sister, sharing intimate memories of their early life together and his start in yoga. Eddie Stern – On growing up together as students in Mysore, Sharath’s role in shaping Ashtanga Yoga and his lasting influence on the global community. Boonchu Tanti – Offering light-hearted stories of Sharath’s playful side and love for technology. Anne Finstad – Talking about Sharath’s spiritual depth and how he embodied kindness, simplicity, and deep humanity. Megan Riley – Sharing how Sharath’s humor and support helped empower her practice and personal growth. Deepika Mehta – Reflecting on Sharath’s dual nature as both a strict teacher and a playful, light-hearted person outside the Shala. Mark Robberds – Discussing how Sharath’s guidance shaped his life, especially during transformative moments. Wade Oakley – Speaking about Sharath’s emphasis on family life and the balance between practice and everyday life. Harmony Slater – Reflecting on Sharath’s leadership and love, offering a heartfelt view of his influence on her own journey. Subscribe, Listen, and Remember Sharath Jois left a legacy that continues to guide us all. In this series, we share the voices of those who experienced his presence firsthand—offering a deep, human connection to his teachings and his spirit. As we remember Sharath’s influence, we hold onto what binds us together as a community—our shared love for the practice, for each other, and for the path he helped to light. The Sunday Inspiration Email Receive a gentle email every Sunday to inspire your day. Since 2017 Scott Johnson has share the Sunday Inspiration Email every week. He shares simple yoga philosophy ideas, music he's listening to, short films he's watched and his photography and poetry. If this is something you'd like to receive you can sign up here...
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1:40:33
#046 Memories of Sharath - Episode 1
Memories of Sharath Jois (episode 1) | Stillpoints Podcast Join Scott Johnson on a journey through the life and legacy of Sharath Jois, one of the most influential figures in the Ashtanga Yoga community. In this special series of the Stillpoints Podcast, Scott brings together the voices of those who knew Sharath personally—his family, long-time students, and close friends—to share stories, memories, and reflections on his extraordinary life and teachings. From his early years in Mysore to his global impact as a yoga teacher and paramguru, Sharath’s influence transcended the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. His humility, dedication, and deep connection to the lineage of his grandfather, Pattabhi Jois, left an indelible mark on yoga practitioners worldwide. In Memories of Sharath Jois, you’ll hear firsthand accounts from those who were closest to him, offering a rich, multi-dimensional perspective on the man who shaped the Ashtanga tradition as we know it today. In this first episode you'll hear the voices of: Joanne and Mark Darby Having learned directly from both Sharath and his grandfather, Pattabhi Jois, Joanne and Mark have been part of the Ashtanga community for decades. Their long-standing relationship with Sharath gives them a unique insight into his evolution as a teacher and the deep connections he fostered within the community. Angela Jamison Angela has been a dedicated student of Sharath for many years. Her memories are rooted in his teachings and their connection that spans decades of learning, evolving, and personal growth in the Ashtanga system. Petri Räisänen One of the leading Ashtanga teachers in the West, Petri studied with Sharath for many years. His reflections on Sharath’s teachings and the role Sharath played in bridging the gap between Eastern and Western Ashtanga communities provide a deep and thoughtful perspective on his impact. Hamish Hendry Hamish has known Sharath since the mid-1990s and brings a wealth of experience from that time. His memories reflect the warmth and wisdom Sharath shared with his students and the unique relationship they built over decades of practice. Greg Nardi A long-time student of Sharath and a close friend, Greg’s memories span years of growth and transition in the Ashtanga community. His reflections shed light on how Sharath impacted his teaching and practice. Kino MacGregor & Tim Feldman Kino and Tim, two of the most well-known Ashtanga teachers globally, reflect on the direct influence Sharath had on their practice and teaching. Their stories offer a glimpse into how Sharath’s presence shaped their understanding of yoga as a path of life and transformation. Sushmita A devoted student of Sharath, Sushmita shares her experiences of his guidance, humility, and his unique ability to connect deeply with his students. Her memories highlight how Sharath touched lives far beyond the yoga mat. Olivier David Olivier speaks to Sharath’s role in shaping his own journey with yoga. His reflections focus on how Sharath’s teachings resonated with him personally and how they shaped his understanding of Ashtanga Yoga. Shelley Washington Shelley shares her intimate experiences of working with Sharath and how his influence guided her through personal growth and development as a yoga teacher. Her reflections offer a personal glimpse into Sharath’s deep understanding of both practice and life. David Kessel David had the profound experience of being with Sharath at the time of his passing. His reflections are full of respect and gratitude for the teachings Sharath left behind. Whether you’re an Ashtanga practitioner, a yoga teacher, or someone who simply appreciates the impact of great spiritual teachers, this series invites you to reflect on Sharath’s teachings, his legacy, and how his influence continues to ripple through the global yoga community. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to sign up for Scott’s Sunday Inspiration Email. Each week, you'll receive fresh insights, stories, and creative content that explore the intersection of yoga, life, and personal growth. Don’t miss out - join the community today!
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1:37:11
#045: Mark Williams on How We Created Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
In this wide ranging conversation Scott Johnson talks to Dr Mark Williams, professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oxford and director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, about mindfulness meditation and its ability to treat and prevent depression. Mark was raised in a devout Christian household, and at a young age believed his calling was with the ministry. His path changed while studying clinical psychology at university, where he was drawn to the field of treating adult mental health. _____ We’d like to invite you to join our growing monthly Stillpoint Online Yoga community. For just £20 per month you can support the podcast and every Monday evening join The Still Space, our live stream yoga philosophy, mindfulness, pranayama and discussion sessions hosted by Scott Johnson. You can also gain access to our growing Stillpoint Online library of helpful yoga and mindfulness content. _____ Mark Williams - How We Created Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy In this conversation, Mark explains how cognitive therapy and mindfulness can be used to reduce the risk of relapse in people who have experienced depression. Mindfulness, unlike antidepressants and cognitive therapy, is uniquely effective as a preventative measure against poor mental health. By engaging in mindfulness even when we are not depressed, we can lower the risk of it affecting us in the first place. Among many rich and inspiring stories Mark shares how he developed MBCT after working with Jon Kabat Zinn, the founder of modern day mindfulness practices. Mark shares: How he developed MBCT with his colleagues and working directly with Jon Kabat Zinn How he experienced the transformational power of mindfulness meditation only after having abandoned it. How mindfulness and his Christian faith work in tandem, with surprising similarities between Buddhist awareness meditation and the Gospel of St John. How, within the Christian contemplative tradition, God can be understood as the ‘loving heart’ at the centre of the universe. How effective the combination of cognitive therapy and mindfulness is at reducing the risk of relapse. The limitations and contraindications of mindfulness. How liberation is to be found in the present moment, and that each moment is a possible moment of freedom. _____ About Mark Williams Mark Williams is Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oxford, having held posts at the Medical Research Council’s Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at Cambridge and the University of Wales, Bangor. He co-developed Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and founded the University of Oxford’s Mindfulness Centre that works to prevent depression and enhance human potential through the therapeutic use of mindfulness across the lifespan. His books include The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness (with John Teasdale, Zindel Segal and Jon Kabat-Zinn) and Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World (with Danny Penman). His most recent work focuses on how to sustain and deepen mindfulness through a programme that explores feeling tone (vedanā) 'frame by frame', as explained in Deeper Mindfulness (2023). You can find more about Mark here: Oxford Mindfulness Foundation Wikipedia Books "This conversation with Dr Mark Williams gives a beautiful insight into one of the foremost leaders in the field of mindfulness over the past 40 years. Mark shares not only his involvement in the growth of mindfulness based interventions but also about his own journey with mindfulness. It is one of my favourite conversations yet...." Scott Johnson - September 2023 _____ If you enjoyed this podcast then you might also enjoy Scott’s conversations with Pamela Weiss, Peter Levitt and Martin Aylward.
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1:16:49
044: Gregor Maehle on Yoga as a Mystical Experience
In this deep and rewarding conversation Scott Johnson talks to author, yoga teacher and mystic Gregor Maehle on his life as a seeker in the contemplative and spiritual traditions. Gregor shares how his childhood created the bedrock for a life of spiritual discovery, the outcome being a life embedded within the mystical limbs of yoga and contemplative practice. ___ We’d like to invite you to join our growing monthly Stillpoint Online Yoga community. For just £20 per month you can support the podcast and every Monday evening join The Still Space, our live stream yoga philosophy, mindfulness, pranayama and discussion sessions hosted by Scott Johnson. You can also gain access to our growing Stillpoint Online library of helpful yoga and mindfulness content. ___ Gregor Maehle on Yoga As A Mystical Experience Scott and Gregor talk openly about Gregor’s life as a yoga practitioner and mystic. Gregor shares: How he grew up in a catholic upbringing. How he had a mystical experience aged 6. How his parents saw something deep in him from an early age. How he read mystical books from a very young age. How he took psychedelics in his late teens but the integration as a spiritual experience didn’t work. How in his twenties he did the guru trail in India. How he decided to spend his life doing personal sadhana. Why mystical experiences are not spontaneous. Why you should work with hypotheses rather than belief. Why the mystical state is your birth right. How in his forties he developed a relationship with Jesus. How the ego gets in the way of the mystical experience and is known in many traditions with different names. How we need to be in the service of all beings. Why yoga is the most powerful tool for transformation. What the inspiration is that he uses to write his books. How we can all find our life’s purpose. How we can stay connected to nature. What the most important thing is that he has discovered through his practice. ___ About Gregor Maehle Gregor Maehle began his yogic practices 45 years ago. In the mid-1980s he commenced annual travels to India, where he studied with various yogic and tantric masters, traditional Indian sadhus and ascetics. He spent fourteen months in Mysore, and in 1997 was authorised to teach Ashtanga Yoga by K. Pattabhi Jois. Since then he has branched out into researching the anatomical alignment of postures and the higher limbs of yoga. In India Gregor also received eight months of mostly one-on-one instruction in scripture and the higher limbs of Yoga through B.N.S. Iyengar, a student of T. Krishnamacharya, and he studied Sanskrit under Professor Narayanachar and Dr Chandrasekhar. Gregor’s internationally acclaimed textbook series consisting of Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy, Ashtanga Yoga: The Intermediate Series, Pranayama: The Breath of Yoga, Yoga Meditation: Through Mantra, Chakras and Kundalini to Spiritual Freedom, Samadhi The Great Freedom, How to Find Your Life’s Divine Purpose, Chakras, Drugs & Evolution and Mudras: Seals of Yoga – have sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into eight foreign languages. Additional volumes currently prepared are Tantric Meditation and Bhakti: Yoga of Love. Gregor has been invited to many countries to teach and has contributed to and been interviewed by numerous yoga magazines. On Gregor’s blog page chintamaniyoga.com/blog/ you will find over 300 articles, videos and podcasts on all aspects of yoga, which Gregor has authored together with his wife Monica. Today Gregor teaches an anatomically sophisticated interpretation of traditional vinyasa yoga, integrated into the practice of the higher limbs in the spirit of Patanjali and T. Krishnamacharya. His zany sense of humour, his manifold personal experiences, and his vast and deep knowledge of scripture, Indian philosophies and yogic techniques combine to make his teachings applicable, relevant and easily accessible to all his students. You can find more about Gregor here: Website Blog Books In this deep and rewarding conversation Scott Johnson talks to author, yoga teacher and mystic Gregor Maehle on his life as a seeker in the contemplative and spiritual traditions. Gregor shares how his childhood created the bedrock for a life of spiritual discovery, the outcome being a life embedded within the mystical limbs of yoga and contemplative practice. We’d like to invite you to join our growing monthly Stillpoint Online Yoga community. For just £20 per month you can support the podcast and every Monday evening join The Still Space, our live stream yoga philosophy, mindfulness, pranayama and discussion sessions hosted by Scott Johnson. You can also gain access to our growing Stillpoint Online library of helpful yoga and mindfulness content. Gregor Maehle on Yoga As A Mystical Experience Scott and Gregor talk openly about Gregor’s life as a yoga practitioner and mystic. Gregor shares: How he grew up in a catholic upbringing. How he had a mystical experience aged 6. How his parents saw something deep in him from an early age. How he read mystical books from a very young age. How he took psychedelics in his late teens but the integration as a spiritual experience didn’t work. How in his twenties he did the guru trail in India. How he decided to spend his life doing personal sadhana. Why mystical experiences are not spontaneous. Why you should work with hypotheses rather than belief. Why the mystical state is your birth right. How in his forties he developed a relationship with Jesus. How the ego gets in the way of the mystical experience and is known in many traditions with different names. How we need to be in the service of all beings. Why yoga is the most powerful tool for transformation. What the inspiration is that he uses to write his books. How we can all find our life’s purpose. How we can stay connected to nature. What the most important thing is that he has discovered through his practice. About Gregor Maehle Gregor Maehle began his yogic practices 45 years ago. In the mid-1980s he commenced annual travels to India, where he studied with various yogic and tantric masters, traditional Indian sadhus and ascetics. He spent fourteen months in Mysore, and in 1997 was authorised to teach Ashtanga Yoga by K. Pattabhi Jois. Since then he has branched out into researching the anatomical alignment of postures and the higher limbs of yoga. In India Gregor also received eight months of mostly one-on-one instruction in scripture and the higher limbs of Yoga through B.N.S. Iyengar, a student of T. Krishnamacharya, and he studied Sanskrit under Professor Narayanachar and Dr Chandrasekhar. Gregor’s internationally acclaimed textbook series consisting of Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy, Ashtanga Yoga: The Intermediate Series, Pranayama: The Breath of Yoga, Yoga Meditation: Through Mantra, Chakras and Kundalini to Spiritual Freedom, Samadhi The Great Freedom, How to Find Your Life’s Divine Purpose, Chakras, Drugs & Evolution and Mudras: Seals of Yoga – have sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into eight foreign languages. Additional volumes currently prepared are Tantric Meditation and Bhakti: Yoga of Love. Gregor has been invited to many countries to teach and has contributed to and been interviewed by numerous yoga magazines. On Gregor’s blog page chintamaniyoga.com/blog/ you will find over 300 articles, videos and podcasts on all aspects of yoga, which Gregor has authored together with his wife Monica. Today Gregor teaches an anatomically sophisticated interpretation of traditional vinyasa yoga, integrated into the practice of the higher limbs in the spirit of Patanjali and T. Krishnamacharya. His zany sense of humour, his manifold personal experiences, and his vast and deep knowledge of scripture, Indian philosophies and yogic techniques combine to make his teachings applicable, relevant and easily accessible to all his students. You can find more about Gregor here: Website Blog Books “This conversation with Gregor is grounded in deep insight. Gregor has lives such a rich life of study and practice that his teachings are a visceral outcome of personal committed study. Gregor shares life experiences that are at the same time teachings. We all can find a deeper way to interact with ourselves and the world. Gregor is a testament to that… “ Scott Johnson – April 2023 If you enjoyed this podcast then you might also enjoy Scott’s conversations with Ty Landrum, Simon Borg Olivier and Frank Jude Boccio. In this deep and rewarding conversation Scott Johnson talks to author, yoga teacher and mystic Gregor Maehle on his life as a seeker in the contemplative and spiritual traditions. Gregor shares how his childhood created the bedrock for a life of spiritual discovery, the outcome being a life embedded within the mystical limbs of yoga and contemplative practice. We’d like to invite you to join our growing monthly Stillpoint Online Yoga community. For just £20 per month you can support the podcast and every Monday evening join The Still Space, our live stream yoga philosophy, mindfulness, pranayama and discussion sessions hosted by Scott Johnson. You can also gain access to our growing Stillpoint Online library of helpful yoga and mindfulness content. Gregor Maehle on Yoga As A Mystical Experience Scott and Gregor talk openly about Gregor’s life as a yoga practitioner and mystic. Gregor shares: How he grew up in a catholic upbringing. How he had a mystical experience aged 6. How his parents saw something deep in him from an early age. How he read mystical books from a very young age. How he took psychedelics in his late teens but the integration as a spiritual experience didn’t work. How in his twenties he did the guru trail in India. How he decided to spend his life doing personal sadhana. Why mystical experiences are not spontaneous. Why you should work with hypotheses rather than belief. Why the mystical state is your birth right. How in his forties he developed a relationship with Jesus. How the ego gets in the way of the mystical experience and is known in many traditions with different names. How we need to be in the service of all beings. Why yoga is the most powerful tool for transformation. What the inspiration is that he uses to write his books. How we can all find our life’s purpose. How we can stay connected to nature. What the most important thing is that he has discovered through his practice. About Gregor Maehle Gregor Maehle began his yogic practices 45 years ago. In the mid-1980s he commenced annual travels to India, where he studied with various yogic and tantric masters, traditional Indian sadhus and ascetics. He spent fourteen months in Mysore, and in 1997 was authorised to teach Ashtanga Yoga by K. Pattabhi Jois. Since then he has branched out into researching the anatomical alignment of postures and the higher limbs of yoga. In India Gregor also received eight months of mostly one-on-one instruction in scripture and the higher limbs of Yoga through B.N.S. Iyengar, a student of T. Krishnamacharya, and he studied Sanskrit under Professor Narayanachar and Dr Chandrasekhar. Gregor’s internationally acclaimed textbook series consisting of Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy, Ashtanga Yoga: The Intermediate Series, Pranayama: The Breath of Yoga, Yoga Meditation: Through Mantra, Chakras and Kundalini to Spiritual Freedom, Samadhi The Great Freedom, How to Find Your Life’s Divine Purpose, Chakras, Drugs & Evolution and Mudras: Seals of Yoga – have sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into eight foreign languages. Additional volumes currently prepared are Tantric Meditation and Bhakti: Yoga of Love. Gregor has been invited to many countries to teach and has contributed to and been interviewed by numerous yoga magazines. On Gregor’s blog page chintamaniyoga.com/blog/ you will find over 300 articles, videos and podcasts on all aspects of yoga, which Gregor has authored together with his wife Monica. Today Gregor teaches an anatomically sophisticated interpretation of traditional vinyasa yoga, integrated into the practice of the higher limbs in the spirit of Patanjali and T. Krishnamacharya. His zany sense of humour, his manifold personal experiences, and his vast and deep knowledge of scripture, Indian philosophies and yogic techniques combine to make his teachings applicable, relevant and easily accessible to all his students. You can find more about Gregor here: Website Blog Books ___ “This conversation with Gregor is grounded in deep insight. Gregor has lives such a rich life of study and practice that his teachings are a visceral outcome of personal committed study. Gregor shares life experiences that are at the same time teachings. We all can find a deeper way to interact with ourselves and the world. Gregor is a testament to that… “ Scott Johnson – April 2023 If you enjoyed this podcast then you might also enjoy Scott’s conversations with Ty Landrum, Simon Borg Olivier and Frank Jude Boccio. “This conversation with Gregor is grounded in deep insight. Gregor has lives such a rich life of study and practice that his teachings are a visceral outcome of personal committed study. Gregor shares life experiences that are at the same time teachings. We all can find a deeper way to interact with ourselves and the world. Gregor is a testament to that… “ Scott Johnson – April 2023 If you enjoyed this podcast then you might also enjoy Scott’s conversations with Ty Landrum, Simon Borg Olivier and Frank Jude Boccio.
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1:36:47

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