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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
Thursday Aug 18, 2022
Thursday Aug 18, 2022
Join Ava for a short 12-minute gentle meditation. Use your breath to soften your body and rest in stillness and presence.
To join our free weekly group meditations message us or visit @functionalspirituality
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 workshop: Healing complex trauma:
A free workshop on how to optimise your spiritual practice and your daily life by understanding complex trauma.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
In this week's episode Ava shares her experience of her 10 year relationship with partner Jarred. She details how they met, the challenges and struggles they have navigated over the years and where they are at the present moment.
This episode provides a timeline and some context to their relationship before our next podcast where Jarred and Ava will be answering some questions from our listeners.
Chapter markers:
00:00 Introduction
0:55 Relationship as a spiritual practice
5:00 How they met
8:35 The intensity at the beginning of their relationship
11:50 Navigating long distance and other challenges
15:10 Being exposed to teachings didn’t mean that they were skilled
19:40 The benefit of stepping back and giving space
22:20 Where they are now
23:45 If you have any questions for them please comment below
24:20 Thank you for listening, subscribe to the podcast & follow us on socials.
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 workshop: Healing complex trauma:
A free workshop on how to optimize your spiritual practice and your daily life by understanding complex trauma.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Wednesday Aug 10, 2022
Wednesday Aug 10, 2022
This week’s guided meditation is a Sufi inspired technique from Hridaya yoga. Join Ava in this simple yet powerful practice using the heart as a tool for meditation and sublimation, an all time favorite!
Breathe through the heart space and connect to the essence of your being.
To join our free weekly group meditations message us or visit @functionalspirituality
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 workshop: Healing complex trauma:
A free workshop on how to optimise your spiritual practice and your daily life by understanding complex trauma.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Thursday Aug 04, 2022
Thursday Aug 04, 2022
Welcome to this short meditation with music. Ground yourself into the effortlessness of the now.
Inhale to relax, exhale and ground into the now. Connect to the present moment through your heart space.
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 workshop: Healing complex trauma:
A free workshop on how to optimise your spiritual practice and your daily life by understanding complex trauma.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Today’s topic was inspired by a conversation Ava had with one of her students and highlights the different phases we go through as spiritual seekers. It answers the question ‘how can our spiritual path mature?’
Listen in to hear Ava’s personal experience as a spiritual seeker and gain a deeper understanding in your own path.
Recommended links:
- History of Hatha Yoga Course
- History of Hatha Yoga podcast episode
- “The Ancient and Modern Roots of Yoga” by Mark Singleton
Chapter markers:
00:00 Introduction
3:15 The four phases of a spiritual path
4:20 Ava’s spiritual journey
8:28 Phase II
14:59 Phase III and the importance of questioning
17:07 Becoming a teacher (phase IV)
20:40 Let us know about what you think of this episode
21:00 Leave us a review on the Apple podcast and win a FREE History of Hatha Yoga Course
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 workshop: Healing complex trauma:
A free workshop on how to optimise your spiritual practice and your daily life by understanding complex trauma.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Wednesday Jul 27, 2022
Wednesday Jul 27, 2022
Enjoy this gentle, spacious meditation with music.
Tune inward and bring relaxation to your whole body. Explore and let go of resistance while cultivating the attitudes of allowing and acceptance.
To join our free weekly group meditations message us or visit @functionalspirituality
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 workshop: Healing complex trauma:
A free workshop on how to optimise your spiritual practice and your daily life by understanding complex trauma.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Friday Jul 22, 2022
Friday Jul 22, 2022
Welcome to this spacious guided meditation to relax your body and explore joy. Allow peacefulness and gratitude to pervade in your day.
To join our free weekly group meditations message us or visit @functionalspirituality
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 workshop: Healing complex trauma:
A free workshop on how to optimise your spiritual practice and your daily life by understanding complex trauma.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Wednesday Jul 20, 2022
Wednesday Jul 20, 2022
In this week's episode Ava has the BIGGEST news to share.
As she records this episode on day 2 of COVID, she also talks about her experience of cultivating pleasure during times of discomfort.
Listen in to know what this personal update is about.
Chapter markers
00:00 Ava talks about her experience of cultivating pleasure during times of pain.
1:30 Sharing important news!
5:15 Special thanks to all listeners.
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 workshop: Healing complex trauma:
A free workshop on how to optimise your spiritual practice and your daily life by understanding complex trauma.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Today’s episode is apart of a two part series, be sure to listen to the previous episode first!
Part 1 gave us the context and philosophy around pleasure to help us expand our understanding. In this episode we will explore different tools we can use to cultivate joy and pleasure in our lives when we don’t feel good.
If you listen to the end and decide to commit to a 7 day practice, feel free to join us in the Facebook group and share your experiences.
chapter markers
00:00 Did you listen to part 1?
00:45 Why theory is a tool
04:10 Cultivating a gratitude practice
7:15 The heart-space
08:56 Smiling energy
11:50 Journal prompt: What brings you pleasure?
13:47 Final notes
Links mentioned:
links, resources or courses mentioned
www.functionalspirituality.com
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual Being.
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on news and new offers.
Weekly live meditations on Zoom! Get details AND chat about the latest episodes in the Functional Spirituality fb group ~ connect to a like-minded community.
Free workshop: Healing complex trauma:
A free workshop on how to optimise spiritual practice and daily life by understanding complex trauma.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
This week’s episode is inspired by a question that Ava received during a recent silent retreat.
The question was something along the lines of how can we cultivate peace and happiness in the body when we are experiencing chronic pain or health issues.
This 2 part series will explore the philosophy behind pleasure and also provide you with tools to cultivate your own pleasure during periods of discomfort and unease.
chapter markers
00:00 Introduction and catch up w/ Ava
03:35 Side notes on personal preferences and toxic positivity
10:34 Cultivating happiness and feeling joy inside the body
13:24 The philosophy of pleasure
18:07 The 3 levels of pleasure
22:51 Ending notes
Links mentioned:
links, resources or courses mentioned
www.functionalspirituality.com
Increasing accessibility to functional healing + non-dual Being.
Free resources:
A monthly update for me on news and new offers.
Weekly live meditations on Zoom! Get details AND chat about the latest episodes in the Functional Spirituality fb group ~ connect to a like-minded community.
Free workshop: Healing complex trauma:
A free workshop on how to optimise spiritual practice and daily life by understanding complex trauma.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool