The Uplifted Yoga Podcast

What does it really take to build your dream yoga retreat center—from scratch? In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Nielsen, who shares the raw, inspiring truth behind building a yoga retreat space from the ground up. From buying land abroad to pricing retreats and navigating local logistics, Kayla opens up about the entrepreneurial journey few yoga teachers talk about. We cover: 🔹 How to navigate land ownership and logistics in a foreign country 🔹 Smart strategies for planning, pricing, and co-teaching retreats 🔹 Why patience and community are the foundation of a sustainable retreat center 🔹 The beauty of letting your retreat space tell a story that reflects your values Whether you're a yoga teacher dreaming of retreats or an entrepreneur craving land-based living, this conversation is your roadmap to turning inspiration into action.   GUEST EXPERT: Kayla Nielsen | @Kaylalanielsen | kaylalanielsen.com  Kayla Nielsen is a yoga teacher with over 1000 hours of training. Founder of international retreat business and yoga alliance registered yoga school, glow yoga retreats. CEO and co-founder of still salty escape, a hotel and retreat center in northern nicaragua. She's been teaching and leading retreats around the world for 10 years, and established a successful online yoga app 3 years ago with thousands of subscribers. Check out Kayla's retreat center: https://www.stillsaltyescape.com/    FREE Practice: Somatic Yoga Workout for Weight Loss | Awaken the Body & Release Negative Emotions Relevant Blog: How to Plan a Yoga Retreat That Earns 6 Figures   Relevant to Today's Episode: ✅ 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🔮 300-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 🎧 Also Listen to: #299 – Strategies to Slay Imposter Syndrome and Share Your Gifts #354 – Redefining "Niche" with Carla Cline Thomas #365 – Launch Ugly! My Top 5 Business Tips for Yoga Entrepreneurs © 2026 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

No talk. No theory. No to-do list. Just you and 20 minutes of deep nervous system reset. This New Year's Eve episode is a guided Somatic Release Meditation—designed to help you let go of trapped emotions, soothe your system, and make space for what's next. It's also a beautiful primer for what's coming in the Evolve Somatic Challenge, which starts January 1st. (If you haven't signed up yet—go do that!) ✨ A few important notes: 🛋️ Lie down, get comfy, and please don't do this while driving. 🧠 This practice also helps soothe the vagus nerve, release tension, and bring your body into a state of safety. 🎉Sign Up for the 2026 Evolve Somatic Challenge => https://www.brettlarkin.com/evolve/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=evolve Take this moment to clear the slate. Your body will thank you. 📚 Want to go deeper? My new Somatic Yoga book is the perfect companion to this challenge—and your practice in 2026. Get it here → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG    Relevant to Today's Episode: 💖 Uplifted Membership 💫 Somatic Certification © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

Okay, this isn't our usual episode. There's no philosophy, no Gita breakdown, no talk of funnels or energy anatomy today. Instead, I have a gift for you—a guided meditation designed to help you do something surprisingly hard: feel good and stay in it. If you've been through trauma or long-term stress, your nervous system might default to worry, numbness, or waiting for the other shoe to drop—even when things are actually going well. This practice gently helps you expand your capacity to receive joy, compliments, connection, and peace without flinching. ✨ A few important notes: 🧘‍♀️ Don't do this while driving. 🛋️ Find a cozy spot where you can sit or lie down undisturbed. 🎁 Come as you are. This is your Christmas Eve permission slip to slow down and let good feelings land. Practice it as often as needed—and let me know what shifts for you. 🎉Sign Up for the 2026 Evolve Somatic Challenge => https://www.brettlarkin.com/evolve/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=evolve 💖 Ready to deepen your practice and live from your true nature? Explore the Uplifted Membership here => https://www.brettlarkin.com/uplifted/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=uplifted   Relevant to Today's Episode: 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

What happens when a 20-year-old decides to completely unplug—from smartphones, social media, and the digital world?   In this episode, I talk with Yunus Maximus, a bold, creative soul who's chosen a countercultural path in today's tech-saturated world. We explore how living without a phone has deepened his art, saved his mental health, and strengthened his human connections. His story will make you rethink your relationship with technology—and your own creativity. We talk about: 🔹 Why Yunus ditched his phone and never looked back 🔹 The link between digital detox and artistic expression 🔹 Finding community and purpose offline 🔹 What it means to trust your own path in a hyper-connected world If you've been craving more presence, art, or authenticity—this one's a must-listen. 🎁 Don't forget to grab my new book: Healing with Somatic Yoga: A 6-Week Journey to Release Emotions, Rewire Your Nervous System, and Reclaim Your Body → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG   GUEST EXPERT: Yunus Maximus Yunus is an artist and musician helping pave the way in technology and internet counterculture. Through experimentation and therapeutic integration he discovered that stepping away from technology has enabled him to not only connect with his unique gifts but his local community in powerful ways. Yunus encourages everyone to step away from the noise the internet brings, do the art that you love, and trust that opportunities will come your way. Contact Yunus: [email protected]    FREE Practice: Extra Gentle Trauma-Informed Somatic Exercises | How to do Somatic Yoga | Somatic Yoga Flow Relevant Blog: Somatic Meditation: A Body-Based Approach to Healing Stress, Anxiety, and Trauma   Relevant to Today's Episode: 🐍 Yoga for Self Mastery 💖 Uplifted Membership 💫 Somatic Certification ✨ AI Training Course 🎧 Also Listen to: #378 – "Wait… Did I Just Make an AI Course?!" Behind the Scenes of My Most Unexpected Offering Yet (and Why You Might Love It Too) #380 – The Internet Is Collapsing — And Why That's Great News for Yogis & Healers © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com

Today's episode is a little different and really special. I'm finally sharing the story behind my new book, Healing with Somatic Yoga. This book is the heart of everything I've been teaching, practicing, and living — and I can't wait for you to hold it in your hands. If you've ever felt like traditional wellness advice just doesn't reach the deeper layers — like something's missing — you're not alone. We're entering what I'm calling the Decade of the Nervous System. It's time to stop muscling through healing and start listening to the body that's been protecting you all along. You'll hear: 🔹 Why your body is not a problem to fix — it's an animal trying to keep you safe 🔹 How unprocessed stress lives in the body (and what to do about it) 🔹 The 3 distinct models of somatic healing I teach inside the book 🔹 How storytelling rewires your brain (and why it's a key healing tool) 🔹 Why healing can (and should) feel pleasurable and fun 🔹 What makes this book different from anything else on somatics or yoga This isn't just a book — it's a nervous system manual for our times. I'm so excited to finally share it with you. 🎉📘 Grab my new book: Healing with Somatic Yoga: A 6-Week Journey to Release Emotions, Rewire Your Nervous System, and Reclaim Your Body → https://amzn.to/3WGulGG and claim the bonus videos and gifts exclusively for early book purchasers!    FREE Practice: Somatic Yoga Workout for Women with Music | Release Anger, Anxiety, Stress, Hip Tension & Trauma Relevant Blog: What Is Somatic Yoga? Everything You Need To Know   Relevant to Today's Episode: 💖 Uplifted Membership 🌀 Somatic Yoga Life Coaching  💫 Somatic Certification 🎧 Also Listen to: #318 – What Is Somatic Yoga? #330 – Somatic Yoga vs. Traditional Yoga: Breaking Down How 5 Poses Differ in your Yoga Practice #384 – Do Less, Heal More: 7 Invitations to Resolve Trauma from Organic Intelligence © 2025 Uplifted Yoga | BrettLarkin.com