Reclaiming the Roots: A Conversation with Sivani Ishaya on Yoga, Ayurveda, and the Business of Integrity

In this heartfelt episode of The State of Yoga Podcast, host Shelly Coffman welcomes her very first guest: Sivani Ishaya, a longtime yoga practitioner, teacher, and Ayurvedic explorer. Their rich conversation traverses the landscape of yoga's evolution in the West, the wisdom traditions at its roots, and the challenges of maintaining integrity in the business of yoga.

From Pain to Purpose: Sivani’s Origin Story

Sivani’s journey began not on a mat, but in a moment of deep physical distress. While pregnant with her second child and in the throes of rheumatoid arthritis, yoga entered her life as a lifeline. A senior yoga teacher guided her gently through a healing process that not only soothed her body but awakened a sense of wonder: “Whoa, there’s a whole other world out there.”

That early experience laid the foundation for Sivani’s path—not just as a yoga teacher, but as a seeker of deeper understanding through prenatal yoga, Ayurveda, and meditation.

What Are We Losing in Translation?

Together, Shelly and Sivani dive into a question many teachers quietly ponder: Has modern yoga drifted too far from its Eastern roots? In their discussion, they explore the tendency in Western culture to equate yoga with exercise, often leaving behind its meditative, ethical, and philosophical dimensions.

Sivani shares how this shift became especially visible when she moved to a small, rural town where yoga was still new. People were hesitant—concerned about whether yoga aligned with their beliefs—and many gravitated toward what felt familiar: movement-based classes with an emphasis on fitness. While movement is medicine, Sivani gently reminds us that yoga is much more than poses. It is a path of conscious connection—to ourselves, to our breath, and to something greater.

Ayurveda and the Intelligence Within

A pivotal part of Sivani’s story is her transition into Ayurveda, a holistic health system that, like yoga, encourages us to tune into the wisdom of our unique constitution. She offers a powerful example: practicing hot yoga in the heat of summer might seem “healthy,” but for someone with a fiery constitution, it could lead to burnout or imbalance.

“Yoga is about helping ourselves connect our surface level to our deeper, innate knowing,” Sivani says. And Ayurveda offers the map to do just that.

The Social Dilemma: Yoga in the Age of Influence

In a world where flexibility is glamorized and yoga is often filtered through the lens of social media, the pressure to perform—on and off the mat—is real. Shelly and Sivani touch on the commercialization of yoga, the seductive appeal of influencer culture, and how easy it is to confuse aesthetics with authenticity.

Their takeaway? It’s okay to admire the beauty of complex postures, but we must not forget that yoga is an inward journey. True transformation doesn’t always look “Instagram-worthy.”

Exploring Instead of Arriving

For those wanting to honor the tradition while keeping a strong physical practice, Sivani offers a grounded invitation: explore.

“There is so much richness,” she says, “that not even one person could experience all of it in one lifetime.” Whether it's the Yamas and Niyamas, Ayurveda, or meditation, every small step toward deeper self-knowledge is a step toward wholeness.

The Business of Yoga (and the Oxymoron of It All)

In one of the most tender moments of the episode, Sivani reflects on the paradox of trying to build a business rooted in a spiritual tradition. Our modern culture doesn't always value spiritual teaching in the same way ancient societies did—where teachers were sustained by the community simply for sharing their wisdom.

Today’s yoga teachers must juggle marketing, pricing, and visibility, often feeling torn between making a living and staying true to their dharma. Sivani is working to bridge that gap by creating an online ecosystem where teachers can share their stories and connect with seekers in a more authentic, community-driven way.

An Invitation to You

Sivani's presence on the podcast was a reminder of what makes the yoga community so special: its heart, its humility, and its devotion to learning and evolving. Her journey invites us to pause, reflect, and ask ourselves—What does yoga really mean to me? And how might I deepen that relationship?

If this conversation resonated with you, we’d love to hear from you.

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