In this episode of the Heart of Yoga podcast, Raul Petraglia, a former high-flying corporate executive, shares his incredible journey from the high-stress world of luxury hospitality to finding profound peace through the practice of Yoga. Raul opens up about his past life of excess and stress, the physical and emotional toll it took on him, and how a serious health crisis led him to discover Yoga. This transformative experience not only saved his life but also inspired him to dedicate himself to sharing the healing power of Yoga with others, including the corporate world he once inhabited.

They discuss:

• Raul’s early life in Argentina and his rise in the luxury hotel industry, leading to a lifestyle of excess and eventual burnout.

• The pivotal moment when Raul realized his lifestyle was unsustainable, leading him to seek a different path through Yoga.

• How Raul’s journey into Yoga began as a necessity for physical rehabilitation and evolved into a profound personal practice.

• The unique challenges of teaching Yoga within a corporate environment and the impact it has on stressed executives.

• The importance of adapting Yoga practices to individual needs, as Raul did for his own mother.

Favorite phrases:

• "I used to party till sunrise. Now I wake up to see the sunrise and do my practice."

• "There is a special feeling there, Mark. It’s like this is my goal, my dharma."

• "Yoga is participation in reality via the breath."

Resources:

• Books: The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56303.The_Heart_of_Yoga

• Websites: Heart of Yoga Studio

https://www.heartofyoga.com/studio

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction: Raul’s background and entry into Yoga.

• [07:00] Corporate Burnout: Transition from a high-stress career to discovering Yoga.

• [16:00] Yoga’s Impact: How Yoga transformed Raul’s life.

• [26:00] Teaching Yoga: Bringing Yoga into corporate settings.

• [40:00] Personalizing Yoga: Adapting practices for individual needs.

• [52:00] Reflection: Raul’s ongoing journey and mission with Yoga.