Melanie is joined by yoga instructor and author, Susanna Harwood Rubin, for a conversation around finding our own path in both spiritual practice and life.
Teaching since 2002, Susanna Harwood Rubin inspires through her passion for Hindu myth, mantra, and the Tantric tradition, specifically Rajanaka Tantra, which she has studied for over fifteen years in the U.S. and in South India. Off the mat, Susanna writes for numerous publications, including The Huffington Post, Mantra Yoga + Health, Elephant Journal, NY Yoga+Life Magazine. Her book, Yoga365, was released by Chronicle Books in October 2016.
Show Notes
Coming to Practice (Opening) – Susanna shares how she came to practice and teach yoga. She describes how an auspiciously timed yoga retreat with Krishna Das transformed the direction of her life.
“Right before 9/11 I spent my first weekend ever doing a retreat. It was incredible; Krishna Das was there; I didn’t know what this was or what they were chanting. All I knew is that I was vibrating, every inch of me was vibrating. I didn’t know what that was, but I wanted more of it.” – Susanna Harwood Rubin
A Moment of Pause (8:50) – In Susanna’s life, the events of September 11, 2001, gave her a moment of reflection which motivated her to change her life’s path. She and Melanie talk about these moments of pause in life that force us to reevaluate how we live.
Finding our own Path (13:30) – Melanie and Susanna talk about different spiritual paths that people take. They discuss how our personality influences our path. Susanna describes the struggle of transitioning from her art career to teaching yoga and writing.
“Apparently that is my destiny, to open these doors for people, and I am happy to do that whether it is in yoga or in art.” – Susanna Harwood Rubin
Practice, Practice, Practice (25:00) – Melanie and Susanna discuss the ways in which we practice.
“Practice for me is less goal-oriented. I think that when your goal is living, as opposed to checking things off a list, then you are in this mode of practice all the time. You are in more of a sense of flow; it’s less linear.” – Susanna Harwood Rubin
Beyond the Mat (31:10) – As a teacher, how does Susanna incorporate the ideas of Hinduism and its gods, goddesses and mythology?
“You have to create a temple within yourself. So that wherever you go, no matter what is raging in the world around us, we can go inside and find that deep center.” – Susanna Harwood Rubin
Find Susanna online and on Facebook. For more on the transformative power of yoga, check out Ep. 5 of the Shakti Hour with Jo Tastula.
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Photo via susannaharwoodrubin.com/