Episode 187. The Spiritual Thread Between Recovery and Yoga, with Mark Purser
Ep 187. The Spiritual Thread Between Recovery and Yoga, with Mark Purser
My guest this week is Mark Purser, a yoga teacher, meditation guide, and founder of the Yogic Meditation Institute, based in Byron Bay. With over 20 years of study across almost every major yoga tradition, Mark brings a rare depth of knowledge to his teaching. But behind all of that wisdom is a story of years spent swinging between intense spiritual practice and alcohol, trying to find a way out that didn't involve fully surrendering.
In this conversation, Mark shares the moment his last drink became his last, alone in a national park on his birthday with no phone reception and a choice to make. He and Ash explore the relationship between yoga philosophy and 12-step recovery, the power of stillness as a daily practice, and why Yoga Nidra remains the one tool he would never give up. This is a conversation for anyone looking to understand what it really takes to build a life rooted in meaning, community, and presence.
Episode chapters:
00:00 Introducing Mark Purser
03:29 Life in Byron Bay: Surfing, Tango, and Sadhana
07:04 How Tango Became a Moving Meditation
10:00 Scent of a Woman and the Seed That Was Planted
12:07 The Photo: Hiding Behind the Smile in Byron Bay
15:15 Yoga Without the Inner Work
18:31 The Tango Class, the Pub, and the Night It All Unravelled
21:28 Being a Dad and the Shame of a Blackout
26:29 The Last Drink: Alone in the Bush on His Birthday
29:44 Choosing Sydney Over the Pub
31:49 The Balance Between Horror and Hope
33:05 A Cousin 35 Years Sober and the Power of Living Proof
35:29 Why Ash Resisted AA and What Changed
37:13 The Gift of Desperation
45:00 Where Yoga Philosophy and the 12 Steps Meet
51:48 Why He Still Needs Help After 15 Years
53:44 The Stillness Practice and Why It Changes Everything
57:45 Yoga Nidra: The One Tool He Would Never Give Up
59:39 Three Non-Negotiables for a Happy, Authentic Life
Connect with Mark below:
Podcast: The Gentle Revolution
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The Renewal Ritual | September 13th | Buy Tickets Here
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