“The only way you can instil it in other people is by example”
Alright, here we go, season two of a Curious Yogi Podcast, starting with a banger conversation with teacher and friend Stewart Gilchrist, which we recorded in Rishikesh during the international yoga festival. Stew is a radical traditionalist truly living what he speaks as a yogi, an activist, a student and a teacher.
Stew takes the conversation from conceptual knowledge to the lived experience of just how vast and ancient this human experience is – especially with yoga as a guiding lens.
Originally from Scotland, now based in East London, Stew is an experienced Yogi, teacher and political activist, holding an MA in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation and is a Ph.D. candidate in yoga-related research at SOAS University London.
Coming Astanga Vinyasa Mysore practice initially to heal a back injury…which helped out his anger and addictions as well, Stewart’s sadhana led him toward an extensive yoga education with teachers from around the world who have had a profound effect on his style of teaching. He infuses his high energy and challenging teachings with yogic knowledge, as well as his unique charisma, politics and humour. He’s been teaching practitioners and teachers for well over 20 years and he’s had a deep impact on my own practice.
I am so in awe of Stew’s brilliant ability to bring the student or listener beyond what they thought was possible – both physically and metaphysically. I’m forever appreciative of the sincerity and generosity at the heart of his radical traditionalist approach to teaching, practicing and living yoga.
In his own words he says: “I stay true to my ontological anarchist faith. I serve the practitioners who study with me. I try to speak my mind without hurting people. I remember my teachers.”
KEY POINTS WE TOUCH ON
06:30 ➖Ethics, morals and veganism
23:00 ➖Your sadhana as a living example
28:54 ➖Importance and difficulty of being discerning
38:36 ➖Abhinivesh the fear of death
45:01 ➖Entheogenic plants and spiritual happenings
1:04:01 ➖Things are gonna go really, really wrong
Books Stew mentions:
➖The Cosmic Serpent by Jeremy Narby
➖Pharmacophilia or The Natural Paradises by Jonathan Ott
➖Yoga in Modern India: The Body between Science and Philosophy by Joseph S. Alter
Find Stew here: www.eastlondonschoolofyoga.com
I’m so delighted to be back working on this project, having inspiring and mind stretching conversations like this one. Wherever you are on your spiritual or yoga journey, there is a lot to contemplate from Stew’s wisdom.
Thanks for listening, you beautiful soul!
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