The Uplifted Yoga Podcast

Today, I take you into Chapter 5 of the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna shifts the spotlight from what you do to how you are being when you do it. This is the heart of Karma Yoga — acting in the world without clinging to the outcome.
We unpack the powerful metaphor of the lotus leaf (living in the world, untouched), explore the nature of witness consciousness, and look at what it really means to "renounce" in a modern world. 
🔹 What it means to act without attachment
🔹 Why the question is no longer "What should I do?"
🔹 How inner renunciation leads to clarity and peace
🔹 The lotus leaf: your new spiritual metaphor
🔹 How Krishna reframes spiritual maturity and hierarchy
Whether you're making a big decision or trying to navigate daily life with more presence, this chapter has wisdom for you.
Loved this episode?
👉 Dive deeper into yoga's origins with my History of Yoga Course
🐍 Or explore my 200-Hour Kundalini Training
 
📖 Different translations mentioned:
Barbara Stoler Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-Krishnas-Counsel-Bantam-Classics/dp/0553213652 
Godsong by Amit Majmudar: https://www.amazon.com/Godsong-Verse-Translation-Bhagavad-Gita-Commentary/dp/1524733474 
Eknath Easwaran: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-2nd-Eknath-Easwaran/dp/1586380192 
Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by Swami Prabhupada: https://www.amazon.com/Bhagavad-Gita-As-Bhaktivedanta-Swami-Prabhupada/dp/0892131233 



FREE Practice: 15 Min Vinyasa Flow For Flexibility | BEGINNERS VINYASA YOGA
Relevant Blog: The Complete Glossary of Sanskrit Words Used in Yoga
 
Relevant to Today's Episode:
📖 History of Yoga
🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training
🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery
💖 Uplifted Membership
🎧 Also Listen to:
#297 – What is Samkhya Philosophy and How is it Different from Yoga?
#358 – Intro to The Bhagavad Gita: How Do You Navigate Moral Dilemmas?
#392 – How to Act from Wisdom & Make Every Moment Sacred: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4
 
© 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

Let's be real — our attention is under attack. Between scroll culture, constant notifications, and never-ending to-do lists, it's hard to focus on what actually matters. In this episode, I'm inviting you to pause and reflect on where your precious energy is going.
We'll explore how ancient yogic and Vedantic texts can help us reclaim our attention — not just as a productivity tool, but as a sacred spiritual practice. If you've been feeling scattered, stuck, or overstimulated, this one's for you.
We'll look at how:
🔹 Attention is energy — what you focus on creates your reality
🔹 Ancient wisdom can help anchor you in a noisy world
🔹 Modern distraction fragments our energy and dilutes our power
🔹 Silence and depth are medicine for the nervous system
🔹 We don't need more input — we need more inner connection
This is a gentle but powerful reset for your inner compass. Let's remember what's truly worthy of our focus.
🎁 Grab my new book: Healing with Somatic Yoga: A 6-Week Journey to Release Emotions, Rewire Your Nervous System, and Reclaim Your Body → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG
Leave a book review and claim your free gift: https://www.brettlarkin.com/somaticreview/ 
🌀 Explore more of these principles in Embodied Yoga Life Coaching: https://www.brettlarkin.com/somatic-yoga-training-certification/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=eylc 
 
FREE Practice: Extra Gentle Trauma-Informed Somatic Exercises | How to do Somatic Yoga | Somatic Yoga Flow
Relevant Blog: 15 Life-Changing Yoga Books To Deepen Your Yoga Practice
 
Relevant to Today's Episode:
✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training
🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery
💖 Uplifted Membership
🌀 Somatic Yoga Life Coaching 
🎧 Also Listen to:
#279 – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Summary – BOOK ONE Explained
#283 – Dismantling the Kleshas: The Actual Aim of Yoga
#358 – Intro to The Bhagavad Gita: How Do You Navigate Moral Dilemmas?
 
© 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

What does it really take to build your dream yoga retreat center—from scratch?
In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Nielsen, who shares the raw, inspiring truth behind building a yoga retreat space from the ground up. From buying land abroad to pricing retreats and navigating local logistics, Kayla opens up about the entrepreneurial journey few yoga teachers talk about.
We cover:
🔹 How to navigate land ownership and logistics in a foreign country
🔹 Smart strategies for planning, pricing, and co-teaching retreats
🔹 Why patience and community are the foundation of a sustainable retreat center
🔹 The beauty of letting your retreat space tell a story that reflects your values
Whether you're a yoga teacher dreaming of retreats or an entrepreneur craving land-based living, this conversation is your roadmap to turning inspiration into action.
 
GUEST EXPERT: Kayla Nielsen | @Kaylalanielsen | kaylalanielsen.com 
Kayla Nielsen is a yoga teacher with over 1000 hours of training. Founder of international retreat business and yoga alliance registered yoga school, glow yoga retreats. CEO and co-founder of still salty escape, a hotel and retreat center in northern nicaragua.
She's been teaching and leading retreats around the world for 10 years, and established a successful online yoga app 3 years ago with thousands of subscribers.
Check out Kayla's retreat center: https://www.stillsaltyescape.com/ 
 
FREE Practice: Somatic Yoga Workout for Weight Loss | Awaken the Body & Release Negative Emotions
Relevant Blog: How to Plan a Yoga Retreat That Earns 6 Figures
 
Relevant to Today's Episode:
✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training
🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training
🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery
🎧 Also Listen to:
#299 – Strategies to Slay Imposter Syndrome and Share Your Gifts
#354 – Redefining "Niche" with Carla Cline Thomas
#365 – Launch Ugly! My Top 5 Business Tips for Yoga Entrepreneurs

© 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

No talk. No theory. No to-do list. Just you and 20 minutes of deep nervous system reset.
This New Year's Eve episode is a guided Somatic Release Meditation—designed to help you let go of trapped emotions, soothe your system, and make space for what's next. It's also a beautiful primer for what's coming in the Evolve Somatic Challenge, which starts January 1st. (If you haven't signed up yet—go do that!)
✨ A few important notes:
🛋️ Lie down, get comfy, and please don't do this while driving.
🧠 This practice also helps soothe the vagus nerve, release tension, and bring your body into a state of safety.
🎉Sign Up for the 2026 Evolve Somatic Challenge => https://www.brettlarkin.com/evolve/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=evolve
Take this moment to clear the slate. Your body will thank you.
📚 Want to go deeper? My new Somatic Yoga book is the perfect companion to this challenge—and your practice in 2026. Get it here → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG 
 
Relevant to Today's Episode:
💖 Uplifted Membership
💫 Somatic Certification


© 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

Okay, this isn't our usual episode. There's no philosophy, no Gita breakdown, no talk of funnels or energy anatomy today.
Instead, I have a gift for you—a guided meditation designed to help you do something surprisingly hard: feel good and stay in it.
If you've been through trauma or long-term stress, your nervous system might default to worry, numbness, or waiting for the other shoe to drop—even when things are actually going well. This practice gently helps you expand your capacity to receive joy, compliments, connection, and peace without flinching.
✨ A few important notes:
🧘‍♀️ Don't do this while driving.
🛋️ Find a cozy spot where you can sit or lie down undisturbed.
🎁 Come as you are. This is your Christmas Eve permission slip to slow down and let good feelings land.
Practice it as often as needed—and let me know what shifts for you.
🎉Sign Up for the 2026 Evolve Somatic Challenge => https://www.brettlarkin.com/evolve/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=evolve
💖 Ready to deepen your practice and live from your true nature? Explore the Uplifted Membership here => https://www.brettlarkin.com/uplifted/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=uplifted
 
Relevant to Today's Episode:
🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery
💖 Uplifted Membership


© 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com