Episode #59
59: Intentional Living, Yoga, and Enoughness with Aarti Inamdar
What if intentional living really begins with examining what we already have, what we consume, and how we relate to the world around us? This episode is a different lens on many of the questions at the heart of sustainability: Why do we always want more? How do we know when we have enough? And what might change if we slowed down long enough to ask ourselves why? This week, I’m joined by my yoga teacher, Aarti Inamdar , for a conversation about the connections between yoga and sustainable living. Aarti is a student and teacher of classical hatha yoga who has spent nearly 20 years studying and sharing these traditions. We talk about yoga far beyond the physical practice, and what yogic teachings can offer us in a culture that is constantly encouraging us to want more, buy more, and do more. Aarti introduces the principles of ahimsa (non-harm), pratyahara (sensory withdrawal), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness), and we explore how they connect to overconsumption, enoughness, and the pull so many of us feel toward a slower, simpler way of living. We also talk about connection to nature — and what changes when we stop thinking of nature as somewhere we go and begin recognizing ourselves as part of it. From the food we eat to the birds in our own backyards, this conversation explores what it might look like to pay closer attention to our relationships with the living world and to question some of the habits of modern life that keep us disconnected from it. Takeaways How yoga extends far beyond the postures on your mat What ahimsa, pratyahara, and aparigraha can teach us about sustainable habits and consumption Why seeking fulfilment through more stuff can keep us wanting more How enoughness connects to intentional living and a less consumption-driven life Why slowing down can help us notice our existing connection to nature What traditional ways of preparing, sharing, and eating food can teach us about waste and consumption How questioning what we actually need can help us step outside the constant push toward more One Small Shift Notice where you feel connected — to yourself, another living being, or the natural world around you. Maybe that means taking your coffee outside and listening to the birds, paying closer attention to the food you're eating, or simply noticing the other living beings you share your neighbourhood with. Connect With Aarti Website Instagram Facebook Related Blog Posts A Simple Framework for Climate Action 25 Ways to Live a More Sustainable Lifestyle Becoming a Zero Waste Family Related Podcast Episodes Ep. 5: How to Navigate Climate Emotions and Build Community Around You Ep. 7: Rethinking Zero Waste and Building Community Care Ep. 11: Money, Enoughness, and Community Care Ep. 32: Overstimulation, Overconsumption, and the Pressure to Do More Ep. 42: Overwhelmed by Climate Change? Start Here Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
