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Hi, my name is Ava and I’m delighted to offer you “Functional Spirituality”, a free resource of talks, trainings and guided meditations. I use an academic approach to invite critical thinking into energetic, mystical and heart-based practices. Spirituality has a history of disempowering the individual and worshiping the guru or priest, without question. In this podcast, I aim to reduce the dogma that has rendered so many schools and practices ineffective - (and strange AF) - and to elevate the conversation around spirituality. I want to EMPOWER the meditator and yogi, to place the power back in our hands, to live directly from our own experience. I hope you enjoy! For Q&A questions, topic suggestions email Ava at functionalspiritualityretreat@gmail.com Visit www.functionalspirituality.com Follow us @FunctionalSpirituality or @avairani_ and our Yoga Studio at @spandaschool
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Living on the surface of language and concepts doesn’t truly serve us. To grow spiritually, we need to dive deeper — avoiding assumptions and quick conclusions. In this episode, Ava unpacks the confusion around what it really means to be an “awake teacher” and explores a functional approach to spirituality that invites thoughtful reflection.
Tune in to deepen your understanding and shift how you relate to spirituality.
Chapter markers:
00:30 Introduction
01:24 What is an awake teacher?
03:51 Why I avoid the term awake
07:06 My problem with these terms
09:31 The problem is not the explanations
10:09 The rationalisation of inappropriate behaviour
12:03 Can’t I just loosen up?
13:12 Healthy scepticism
14:38 Why are people doing this
15:42 Is it wrong to praise teachers?
18:09 Conclusion
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness:
www.functionalspirituality.com
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month.
Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.
Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality:
Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Ease into the evening with this gentle 10-minute bedtime meditation. Ava guides you into a calm, relaxed state so you can co-regulate and attune with your child as they settle to sleep. This simple, heartfelt practice invites connection, presence, and safety — a beautiful way to end the day, together.
Play this recording to create a regulating, heart-opening and healing routine to support your child to go to sleep. Maybe they will continue the practice of meditation before bed into adulthood.
If you enjoy this audio you can save the link somewhere in your phone, or make a playlist for it so you have access to this practice with one click.
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness:
www.functionalspirituality.com
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month.
Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.
Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality:
Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals
Monday Jul 28, 2025
Monday Jul 28, 2025
What’s the real difference between moving through life with intention… and gripping on with control?
In this episode, we explore how intention keeps us aligned and connected to our heart, while control often comes from unconscious pressure and fixation.
When we’re out of touch with our true intention, motivation naturally fades — but when we’re in alignment, motivation flows effortlessly.
Tune in to discover how to recognise the energy of control vs. intention, reconnect with your heart, and move forward with more ease and clarity.
Chapter markers
00:15 Introduction
00:35 What’s the difference between intention and control
01:10 Intention
03:28 Control
07:00 Awareness
09:00 Expressions of control
10:00 Functional modalities
11:35 Meditation example
14:41 Conclusion
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness:
www.functionalspirituality.com
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month.
Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.
Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality:
Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals
Monday Jul 21, 2025
Monday Jul 21, 2025
We are re-sharing this episode where Ava discusses what trauma is and what happens to our body when we experience a traumatic event.
Listen in to understand the mechanics of a healing process and the different ways of meeting traumatic material.
Relevant links:
Join our Therapeutic Embodiment trainings waitlist
Chapter markers:
00:00 A bit about Ava and Functional Spirituality podcast
01:43 Intro to today’s topic
04:05 Understanding the mechanics of a healing practice
05:24 What is trauma?
07:40 What happens when we experience a traumatic event?
11:06 What does healing from a traumatic event mean?
15:46 The idea of catharsis
19:50 Ways of meeting traumatic material
22:56 Disclaimer
23:25 Part 1 of the Functional Spirituality Method, free resources and upcoming trainings (please note this is a repurposed episode, the training dates are from previous years)
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness:
www.functionalspirituality.com
A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month.
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
As we get ready to begin our Therapeutic Embodiment training, Ava shares about what TE is, what happens inside a session and why this heartful approach involves a new paradigm for healing complex trauma.
Therapeutic Embodiment works with the stress that builds up in our nervous system, using somatic principles and interoceptive reflection to help us reconnect, restore capacity, and heal.
If you’re curious to go deeper, listen to this episode and follow this link to find all the details and join us in the training!
Course starts: 13th July 2025.
Relevant links:
Free workshop: The trauma healing breakthrough
Chapter markers:
00:00 Introduction to the topic, what is a TE session?
01:00 Complex trauma and the new paradigm of healing
03:00 TE practice vs yin yoga
04:48 Duration of this practice and how it can be woven into other modalities
5:43 What does a TE consist of?
7:52 Our society lives on the surface
11:20 Have you listened to our latest free online workshop?
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness:
www.functionalspirituality.com
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month.
Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.
Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality:
Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Today’s topic is applicable to everybody, not just mothers or parents.
We often find ourselves complaining about life and unconsciously hoping that complaining will help us get our needs met. In reality, complaining signals our bodies and the people around us stress and resistance. This is not sustainable for ourselves and our relationships.
Listen in to hear Ava share insights from her life and how reframing things positively has supported her recently.
The intention of this episode is to inspire you to cultivate optimism in a healthy way. We recommend you to listen back to this podcast in a month or two to track and observe your progress.
Chapter markers:
00:00 Introduction to the topic and update from Ava
02:20 How the silent retreats have supported Ava during an important transition in her life
4:09 What is positively benefiting Ava and her relationships?
5:52 How does complaining affect our body and relationships?
8:45 An example where we can reframe our reality in a positive way and still being truthful to ourselves
14:00 Complaining as a strategy to try to get your needs met
15:48 Ava’s super power
17:00 Thank you for listening, if you have any topic ideas for this podcast please let us know by sending us an email: functionalspiritualityretreat@gmail.com
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness:
www.functionalspirituality.com
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month.
Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.
Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality:
Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration.
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
In this episode, Ava explores a question that’s been landing in her inbox more and more: Why are so many people turning to Christianity?
After hearing from at least five people in the last month alone, Ava takes a deeper look—sharing her own reflections, insights from recent conversations with those embracing Christianity, and stories from people who’ve stepped away from it.
She also unpacks why this topic can feel so charged and triggering, even in spiritual communities, and what this growing interest might reveal about our cultural and personal landscapes.
Relevant links:
Four stages of spiritual seeking
Chapter markers:
00:00 Introduction to the topic and disclaimer
02:43 Ava’s experience with religion
06:08 What are some of the things that feel 'disturbing’ for us when we talk about religion
11:00 Why Christianity?
16:14 Why are people turning towards it?
19:00 Conclusion
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness:
www.functionalspirituality.com
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month.
Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.
Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality:
Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
In this episode, Ava shares a personal glimpse into her journey and how the 3-Part Method of Functional Spirituality was born. What makes this approach so unique and effective? Tune in to discover the foundations that set Functional Spirituality apart.
Relevant links:
Chapter markers:
00:00 Introduction to the topic
02:00 Ava’s story: Bikram yoga, Agama and Hridaya schools.
10:45 The origin story of the 3 part method.
14:20 The three intentions that we may have in our spiritual practice.
20:00 The difference between Awakening and Deconditioning tools.
23:30 The importance of intention.
26:08 Conclusion
28:18 Thank you for listening, if you have any questions and comments please let us know.
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness:
www.functionalspirituality.com
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month.
Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.
Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality:
Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Lavandula Botanicals: @lavandula.botanicals
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Gift yourself 15 minutes of your day and join Ava in this healing practice cultivating the energy of gratitude. Gratitude can be a healing tool as it helps us connect back to the feelings of joy, love, openness and presence.
If you enjoy this audio you can save the link somewhere in your phone, or make a playlist for it on your Spotify so you have access to this practice with one click"
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness:
www.functionalspirituality.com
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month.
Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.
Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality:
Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
Enjoy our most popular guided meditation on the Functional Spirituality podcast!
Allow this soothing deep sleep meditation to send a message of comfort and safety to your nervous system. Invite a deeper sense of calmness into every cell in your body as you settle your body into a deep state of relaxation.
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual spiritual oneness:
www.functionalspirituality.com
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on new offers and the energy of the month.
Join the Functional Spirituality Group and enjoy a free resource for meditators and yogis to connect to and enjoy a like-minded community.
Free training - 3 part method of Functional Spirituality:
Learn the clear, practical framework for deep healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual integration.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account & Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool