Livia Cohen-Shapiro on Yoga as Somatic Psychology (#40)

This interview podcast features Jacob Kyle interviewing Livia Cohen-Shapiro, a yoga and psychology expert, about the challenges and opportunities within the yoga community. The conversation begins with Cohen-Shapiro's personal journey into yoga and her subsequent graduate studies in somatic psychology. They then delve into critiques of the yoga world, including the oversimplification of yoga's healing potential, the problematic blending of Eastern and Western philosophies, and the power dynamics inherent in teacher-student relationships. Cohen-Shapiro emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and working with transference and countertransference in teacher-student relationships, advocating for a nuanced approach that doesn't shy away from conflict or the complexities of human interaction. The discussion concludes with Cohen-Shapiro explaining her website's name, "Ecstatic Unfoldment," and promoting her upcoming online course on embodied ethics in yoga.