This is Ema's third time on The Chai Sessions! I think that makes her a regular guest now. I'm thrilled she was able to join me again for a chat and a cuppa on the sofa.

If you haven't met Ema yet, she teaches vinyasa and yin yoga here at the studio. She also leads our monthly philosophy club - a relaxed, informal and supportive space to start exploring the teachings and philosophy that underpin the practice of yoga and what they might have to offer us.

Ema also offers courses rooted in the classical texts associated with the yoga tradition. Her courses are designed to help us understand these texts a little better and challenge us to put some of what we learn into practice.

In this episode we discuss the Bhagavad Gita ahead of Ema's upcoming course in May. But before we get into that, I asked Ema how she describes what she does. If you've haven't worked with Ema and the texts before, her answer might surprise you. Yoga Philosophy isn't a dry, dusty, academic endeavor that lives in the past. It's alive, vibrant and can be applied to our experiences and the lives we live today.

Back to the Gita, I ask Ema...

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

Why is it relevant today in the modern world?

How can we approach the text and work with it?

Where has studying the Gita been helpful for you?

Ema explains we find the verses of the Gita in the middle of an epic story, a drama full of characters and circumstances. In the telling of the story, what it means to be human, what it means to be in this world is revealed. Like any good story we can recognise some of ourselves and our relationships in it. This can help us make sense of things.

Also in our conversation Ema talks about how much she loves the lively discussion that happens in a space where people are talking and sharing about their lives. This is reflected in her approach to teaching the Bhagavad Gita. She says, “It all comes down to life, we’re humans living.”

I hope you enjoy listening in.

Listen below or look for 'The Chai Sessions' on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music. You can also watch our chat on Youtube.

Ema's course, The Bhagavad Gita: Living in the World will be live and in-person here at Merchant City Yoga. The course starts Sunday 5th May and runs for four weeks. Even if you can't commit to all four weeks, you can join each session individually. If you're interested in finding out more or joining her, all the details and booking are HERE

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Judi x

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