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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
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Monday Apr 15, 2024
In today’s episode Ava talks about an important piece of work for her, a journey that started about 10 years ago. Listen in to hear Ava talk about what healing and therapeutic embodiment is and how you can implement that in your daily life and offerings.
Relevant links:
Guided self reflection practice
Therapeutic Embodiment Facilitator Teacher Training
Therapeutic Embodiment Professional Development Course
Chapter markers:
00:00 Intro to the topic and initial experience with an embodiment practice
03:40 What is healing and complex trauma?
08:40 The two ways that healing modalities work
11:40 Connecting to the subtle sensations in the body is like a hack for your biology
13:23 Top down healing modalities
15:34 What is Therapeutic Embodiment (TE)
19:00 The Therapeutic Embodiment can be done in different settings but the core aspects remain the same
23:21 The TE training
25:11 We hope this has inspired you in your healing journey, get in touch with us if you have any questions about our upcoming TE training.
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.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Monday Apr 08, 2024
Monday Apr 08, 2024
In this spacious guided meditation with Ava we connect to the body and investigate the blocks to feeling compassion in everyday life. We cultivate an attitude of loving acceptance in all aspects of our being.
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: The new paradigm of healing:
A free workshop that replaces the old, dogmatic, unsustainable paradigm of healing that burns out our community. Explore how to deepen your presence in both personal and professional spheres.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Relevant links:
Part 1 of the Manifestation Series
Chapter markers:
00:00 Intro to the topic
03:53 What is Cultivating?
06:11 What is the root of a goal setting practice?
08:36 The surface layer of our conscious mind vs today’s living
10:40 The deeper levels of our experience that drive our behaviors
12:02 One of the biggest obstacles to manifesting
15:18 Goals need to be alive: every goal is going to have it’s own steps, it’s a unique, evolving process
19:22 Episode recap & we look forward to hearing about your experience in intention revealing practice
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.
New free workshop: Holding safer spaces (April 12th 2024)
Monday Mar 25, 2024
Monday Mar 25, 2024
Mahashivratri, “The Great Night of Shiva” is a night of special spiritual significance. Shiva represents the transcendent aspect of reality according to non -dual shiva tantra teachings.
In this meditation we come into resonance with Shiva as we connect to the formless essential being that we are.
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.
Chapter markers:
00:00 Introduction to Shiva
03:25 Meditation
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.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Monday Mar 18, 2024
Monday Mar 18, 2024
This gentle guided meditation with music is a beautiful self-love meditation full of pleasure and ease.
Relax and let Ava gently guide you in connecting with love and peace, your most essential layer. Use each breath to soften and love your whole body.
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.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
In this episode Ava discusses what trauma is and what happens to our body when we experience a traumatic event. She also shares with us her understanding of the mechanics of a healing process and the different ways of meeting traumatic material.
Relevant links:
Therapeutic Embodiment Facilitator Training (coming soon!)
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.
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: The new paradigm of healing:
A free workshop that replaces the old, dogmatic, unsustainable paradigm of healing that burns out our community. Explore how to deepen your presence in both personal and professional spheres.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Monday Mar 04, 2024
Monday Mar 04, 2024
This beginner friendly, 8-minute guided meditation is designed to help you relax stress stored in the body.
Allow the breathe to help you release unnecessary tension and connect to a state of deep relaxation.
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 workshop: The new paradigm of healing:
A free workshop that replaces the old, dogmatic, unsustainable paradigm of healing that burns out our community. Explore how to deepen your presence in both personal and professional spheres.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Monday Feb 26, 2024
This episode is inspired by a question often asked to Ava: ‘Should I go on a Silent Retreat?’
Listen in to hear Ava discuss the main challenges for attending a Silent Retreat as she explains the steps to build a self reflective capacity and increase the chances for a successful Silent Retreat. Ava also mentions the different types of retreat and what separates a Spanda Silent Retreat from other retreats.
Whether you think a Silent Retreat is your next step or not, we are always happy to hear from you and and assist you in building your spiritual practice.
Relevant links:
Chapter markers:
00:00 Introduction to the topic.
2:30 Different types of retreat
5:20 Should I go on a Silent Retreat?
8:00 Steps to make before attending to a Silent Retreat
9:30 What makes a retreat challenging for a beginner?
13:05 What we do at Spanda Silent Retreat to support beginners with these challenges
15:40 Thank you for listening
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
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Welcome to this 35 minute meditation with Ava. In this meditation Ava begins with some body stretches and gently guides you into a state of relaxation and peace.
This meditation will help you relax the tensions of the body and connect to the sweetness of your middle, the heart space.
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 workshop: The new paradigm of healing:
A free workshop that replaces the old, dogmatic, unsustainable paradigm of healing that burns out our community. Explore how to deepen your presence in both personal and professional spheres.
Connect on Socials
Where you can hear from us in daily life
Personal account: @avairani_
Functional Spirituality: @functionalspirituality
Studio: @spandaschool
Monday Feb 12, 2024
Monday Feb 12, 2024
In this episode Ava shares her recent experiences as a parent and openly discusses the difficulties that have played out over the last 13 months.
Ava also talks about what it really means to set boundaries and the journey of applying boundaries in her life, relationship and as a parent.
Whether you are a parent or not, this podcast is for you if you are interested in applying healthy boundaries in your life.
Relevant links:
Click here to read our latest newsletter
Chapter markers:
00:00 Intro
01:45 Ava’s most painful and challenging experience as a parent
2:40 What’s been happening over the last month in her life
4:30 Ava’s experience as ‘the working parent’
5:26 Having resources and choices to navigate the challenges of life vs experiencing hardship with little choices
8:15 Ava shares about a conflict that she’s experienced internally
12:42 The challenges about their current arrangement of caring for Jasmine 50/50
19:20 There can be many layers of our experience that prevent us from sensing exactly what we need
21:19 Boundaries are so important but also complicated
24:34 Steps to create boundaries and the highest value of Functional Spirituality Podcast
29.15 Thanks for listening