The body always follows the mind
The Body Always Follows the Mind
Since bringing back the Radiance Yoga Training Immersions, we've received so many questions—thank you for reaching out! Aimee and I have added an FAQ section to the website for you [here].
Beyond the basics, many of you have asked: What is Contemplative Yoga?
I can answer this in three ways:
1. Contemplative Yoga in Tradition & Lineage
Within Yoga philosophy, the Samkhya school is a contemplative tradition with minimal ties to religion, ritual, or deity worship. It is, as T.K.V. Desikachar describes, “concerned with the philosophy and method that lead an individual to happiness, perfection in this life, and the ultimate liberation of the soul from the cycle of death and rebirth.” He further explains that:
“Samkhya is primarily a path of contemplation, of detachment, while Yoga (as in the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras) is very much a path of action. Samkhya is a godless philosophy, atheistic in the truest sense, while Yoga realizes God in the form of Supreme Teacher, Isvara.” (Desikachar, p. 41)
Even the concept of Isvara is often a provisional one—used to elicit devotion and surrender in the student before ultimately dissolving into a state of yoga (union).
That said, when practiced, Contemplative Yoga is not devoid of spirit, breath, or higher power. Instead, God is defined by inseparability—by interconnectedness, and by the deep knowing that everything is relational.
From this perspective, Contemplative Yoga aligns with mindfulness in its commitment to alleviating suffering through awareness and insight. However, like most indigenous frameworks, it is morally and ethically oriented—rooted in what Sanskrit texts translate as "perfection," though a more holistic interpretation would be:
The ability to feel-with and discern truth from untruth.
The impact of practicing Contemplative Yoga, enriched by Samkhya, Yoga, and Ayurveda, is that we develop body-based wisdom, integrating:
Interoception (feeling internally)
Proprioception (sensing where we are in space)
Introspection (self-reflection and honesty)
Exteroception (awareness of external stimuli, including subtle feedback from others)
In other words, Contemplative Yoga trains us to become embodied feedback loops—learning to regulate WITH our environment, consciously.
2. How We Structure Radiance Training
Aimee and I designed this training to help you experience more spaciousness between stimulus and response, creating deeper peace while fostering authentic connection to self and others.
To do this, we anchor our Contemplative Yoga Training in three key phases:
Contemplate:
We dedicate multiple days to contemplative praxis—meditation, chant, Ayurveda, polyvagal theory, and interpersonal neurobiology. Here, we repeat powerful yogic techniques that clarify the mind, refine movement, and regulate breath.
Cultivate:
In Taoist yoga, Life Cultivation refers to the practice of identifying what builds mana (vitality, brightness of mind) versus what depletes it. Once we understand this, we can begin to consciously cultivate a new way of being through breathwork, movement, and energy awareness.
Create:
Many attempt to build new realities, relationships, or habits from a depleted or reactive state—often unaware of how much past conditioning is driving their actions. The final stage of Radiance training teaches us to anchor dreams in a quieted nervous system, using positive psychology and embodiment practices to create lasting transformation.
3. The Science of Contemplative Yoga
At its core, Contemplative Yoga is an ancient science—one that unites movement, psychology, and physiology. It is the practice of being with what is while expanding our ability to hold multiple perspectives and possibilities.
Above all, it is the science of building embodied TRUST.
Ready to Deepen Your Practice?
Our next Radiance Yoga Training Immersion is coming up! If you're ready to step into this transformative experience, secure your spot now with Application & Deposit or write us with any questions.
To Pay in Full and move straight into travel logistics with our help, you can complete your tutition here.
