In this episode, host Liz Albanis speaks with Todd McLaughlin about his inspiring yoga journey. Todd shares his story of religious cults, near death experiences. To navigating challenges within the yoga community, including cult-like dynamics.

Todd brings more than two decades of lived yoga experience.

This conversation dives into the dark side of spiritual practice. Questioning the glorification of pain, the idolisation of teachers, and the unconscious patterns many carry into their yoga journeys. Todd reflects on what it means to evolve beyond performative practice and into one grounded in intention, integrity, and nervous system awareness.

Key Takeaways

• Why glorifying pain in yoga can reinforce trauma rather than heal it
• How Todd’s near-death experience radically shifted his approach to practice
• Cult dynamics in yoga communities and the danger of spiritual hierarchy
• The subtle trauma of "pushing through" and proving your worth through intensity
• Why intention matters more than perfection in your daily practice
• The importance of staying curious and continuously questioning your "why"

Todd McLaughlin, founder and director of Native Yoga Center in Juno Beach, for the past 19 years. With a global teaching background spanning the United States, Australia, Thailand, and India, Todd brings a wealth of experience to his students. He is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) with Yoga Alliance and has studied extensively with some of the most respected teachers in the world. His Ashtanga training includes studies with K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Jois in Mysore, India, as well as years of mentorship with Tim Miller at the Ashtanga Yoga Center, where Todd completed teacher trainings in the Primary, Second, and Third Series. He also holds an advanced 800-hour certification in Philosophy, History, and Literature of Yoga from the late Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., and Brenda Feuerstein. Todd additionally completed Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in 2001 and directed a Bikram Yoga College of India in San Diego before returning to his hometown of Jupiter, Florida to establish Native Yoga Center.
Todd is also the host of the internationally acclaimed Native Yoga Toddcast, a podcast exploring yoga, spirituality, and wellness with inspiring voices from around the world.

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