Finding Harmony Podcast

• From Mat To Money: How Daily Practice Builds True Wealth

  In this episode of the Finding Harmony Podcast, Harmony and Russell sit down with longtime Ashtanga practitioner and certified financial planner Kathy Reisfeld to talk about money, dharma and what it really means to be wealthy. Kathy’s story moves from physics and finance in New York City, through the shock of 9/11, to decades of Ashtanga practice and the creation of a Mysore shala in a renovated barn in the Berkshires. Along the way she has guided clients through multiple market crashes, bear markets and bubbles, all while keeping one eye on their portfolios and the other on what truly matters to them. Together, Harmony, Russell and Kathy explore money as energy, the emotional baggage spiritual folks carry about finances, how to invest in a way that matches your time horizon and values, and why diversification is the financial equivalent of a well balanced yoga practice. They also ask tricky questions about capitalism, ethical investing and retirement, reframing them in terms of freedom, choice and dharma rather than fear. If you have ever thought “I am spiritual, so I should not care about money” or felt totally frozen when it comes to investing, this conversation will help you breathe, relax and start treating your financial life as part of your practice instead of something separate from it. What We Talk About Wealth as energy, not just money Kathy’s path from physics to finance to Ashtanga yoga New York, 9/11 and the first bear market she had to guide clients through Balancing a finance career and a serious practice The basics of investing for spiritual people who feel scared of money Ethical investing and spiritual discomfort with capitalism Retirement, risk and planning for contingencies rather than escape Money, houses and diversification Investing in education, travel and your own human capital Money as circulation and prana Kathy’s life now: a barn, a shala and a wealth advisory firm Guest Bio: Kathy Reisfeld Kathy Reisfeld is a financial advisor and dedicated Ashtanga Yoga practitioner who helps people find balance—both in their financial lives and on the mat. As co-founder of Berkshire Wealth Group, she brings over 27 years of experience guiding clients through personalized investment planning. She holds both the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and Certified Investment Management Analyst® certifications. Kathy discovered Ashtanga Yoga in 2001 as a complement to running while working as a financial advisor in New York City. Initially somewhat resistant to the idea of yoga, she found this moving meditation practice transformative for managing stress and anxiety. She studied with renowned teachers including Eddie Stern, Nancy Gilgoff, and Christine Hoar—whom she's known for over 22 years and who has been her main teacher for the past decade. Kathy traveled to Mysore, India in 2005 to deepen her practice. Kathy's yoga practice has been the anchor that helped her navigate the demands of motherhood and a thriving career. In 2024, Kathy and her husband Scott began renovating their barn to house both their financial advisory office upstairs and a dedicated Ashtanga Yoga space. Whether she's helping clients reduce financial stress or maintaining her own daily practice, Kathy's approach centers on the same principle: creating strength, healing, and freedom through mindful, values-based practices. Kathy lives in Great Barrington with Scott, their daughter Ruthie, and their menagerie of pets. When not working or practicing yoga, you'll find her hiking, biking, or sailing in the Berkshires. Berkshire Wealth Group | berkshirewealthgroup.com 250 Maple Ave, Great Barrington, MA 01230 | 845-263-3996 | [email protected] Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Berkshire Wealth Group is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.   Relevant Links Mentioned Ashtanga Yoga https://www.instagram.com/ashtangagb/ https://www.facebook.com/astangagb/ https://www.ashtangayogagb.com/ Yoga and Finance: yogaandfinance.com Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

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• Remembering Our Teachers, Tending Our Community, Facing Loss

  On Remembrance Day, Harmony and Russell sit down with longtime friend and teacher Faith Scimecca to explore how daily practice steadies us through love, loss, and the mystery of dying. Faith traces her path from NCAA figure skater to Ashtanga practitioner and shala owner, and shares how a sincere prayer to “be of use” led her to chaplaincy. She speaks candidly about being present at Sharath Jois’s final workshops, the day he passed, what it feels like to sit with the dying, and the simple energetic hygiene that allows empaths to serve without taking on everyone else’s pain. This episode honors teachers, ancestors, and the living bond of community. Faith Scimecca is a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher and the founder of Woodley Park Yoga in Washington, D.C. She studied extensively in Mysore, India, with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Jois, and has led the city’s longest running Mysore style Ashtanga program since 2007. In addition to her yoga teaching, Faith is a board certified hospital chaplain, trained at a Level 1 trauma center and now specializing in palliative and end of life care. Conversation highlights Origins of practice: figure skating discipline, Ohio to NYC to first Mysore trip Becoming a teacher: opening Woodley Park Yoga in 2007, authorization and lineage memories Remembrance: being with community around the passing of Sharath Jois, how joy showed up in his final tours Chaplaincy calling: returning to school, clinical work in trauma and palliative settings What matters at the end: relationships, meaning, the peace Faith often feels when a spirit crosses Energetic boundaries for empaths: prayer, simple light visualizations, and “service mode” Practice today: how Faith balances shala life, hospital work, and personal practice About our guest Faith Scimecca has taught Ashtanga for over two decades and runs Woodley Park Yoga in Washington, DC. She is an interfaith hospital chaplain supporting patients and families through palliative and end-of-life care. Faith integrates devotional practice, clear energetic boundaries, and steady daily sadhana to serve her community with clarity and compassion. Resources and mentions Woodley Park Yoga: https://www.woodleyparkyoga.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodleyparkyoga/ Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

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• Small Moves, Big Relief: A Practical Guide To Returning To Yoga

  Harmony and Russell sit down with long-time friend and teacher Krista Shirley to explore what it truly means to feel at home in your body. Krista recounts a devastating shoulder surgery complication that severed her suprascapular nerve, the long journey through pain and medical dead ends, and the mind-body tools that helped her rebuild function and joy. She shares how meditation, mental rehearsal, pranayama, and small, precise movements became a bridge back to daily practice, and why her Body Mechanics classes now offer a soft landing for people who think yoga is out of reach. The conversation gets real about grief in the Ashtanga community, aging, acceptance, and trusting the work you have already done. Episode breakdown What it takes to feel at home in your body A candid account of nerve injury, infection, and the “FU door” moment of choosing a new path Mental rehearsal, meditation, and pranayama as practical rehab tools The case for micro-movements, scapular and hip focus, and brain-body connection Aging with practice, releasing performance pressure, and keeping the joy Why “trust the investment” can change everything when you return to the mat Making practice accessible, how Body Mechanics leads people back to Mysore Community, lineage, loss, and what sustains us now About our guest Krista Shirley is a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga teacher, Pilates instructor, and founder of The Yoga Shala in Orlando, Florida. After a surgery severed her suprascapular nerve, she developed a brain-body approach to rehabilitation that became her Body Mechanics method, helping students reduce pain, restore function, and reconnect with practice. Krista teaches Mysore and Body Mechanics classes, offers tutorials on her YouTube channel, and leads retreats, including a July 10–16 program in Lefkada, Greece. X / Twitter link: https://www.x.com/kristayogini Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/kristashirleyyoga Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/kristashirleyyoga YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@yogawithkrista Listen to episode 36 with Krista Shirley on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-harmony-podcast/id1508928138?i=1000579088315 or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TISeuK3dGPFxL8nsykLzN?si=675435af5b0847a Health Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode of Finding Harmony Podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, physical therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, injury, or wellness program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

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• Where Science Meets Soul: Psychedelics, Healing, and Integration

  Harmony and Russell talk with researcher and author Matt Zemon about psychedelics as catalysts for change, not cures. They explore what current studies suggest about anxiety, PTSD, repetitive thinking, and addiction, then ground the conversation in practical guidance: source, set, and setting, medical intake, and the role of preparation and integration. The trio also contrasts medical and ceremonial lanes, the spiritual significance of entheogens, and how community transforms the healing arc—especially for veterans and for people navigating midlife transitions. What You’ll Learn Catalyst vs. cure: why altered states create openness for change, and why integration is the practice that makes it stick Repetitive thinking patterns: how psychedelics may interrupt ruts that manifest as anxiety, depression, OCD, compulsions, or workaholism Source, set, and setting: a clear safety-first framework echoed by research institutions Preparation: clarifying intentions, tending physical space, and naming post-ceremony supports Integration: bringing insights into dishes, deadlines, and relationships, plus finding community that fits your path Medicine personalities: distinctions between ketamine, MDMA and MDA, psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, iboga/ibogaine, wachuma and peyote Risk basics: why independent medical consults matter, medications that conflict, and when supervised care is non-negotiable Spiritual context: clinical findings alongside living spiritual traditions, and why collaboration between science and spirit is needed now The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or legal advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Psychedelic substances remain illegal in many jurisdictions, and their use carries physical, psychological, and legal risks.  If you are struggling with your mental health or substance use, please seek support from a licensed professional or contact your local mental health helpline. About Our Guest — Matt Zemon Matt holds a Master’s in Psychology and Neuroscience from King’s College London and is completing a Doctorate of Ministry at the Pacific School of Religion. He’s the author of Psychedelics for Everyone, Beyond the Trip, and The Veteran’s Guide to Psychedelics created with the Heroic Hearts Project. Matt works at the intersection of spirituality and mental health, helping communities and providers reduce risk and support meaningful, safe experiences. Resources Mentioned (pulled from the convo) Guest site: mattzemon.com Books: Psychedelics for Everyone, Beyond the Trip, The Veteran’s Guide to Psychedelics Organizations and references mentioned: King’s College London Pacific School of Religion Heroic Hearts Project Johns Hopkins, NYU, UCSF psychedelic research programs spiritpharmacist.com (Dr. Ben Malcolm), Dr. Emily Kopa On safety frameworks: source, set, and setting On community and faith-based contexts: Christian, Jewish, and Islamic psychedelic groups were referenced generally Call to Action Join Harmony’s 21-Day Money Magic and Manifestation Challenge starting November 3 with a bonus live activation on Sunday, November 2. Check the show notes link to register, get the Manifestation Activation right away, and meet the community. Subscribe, rate, and review the show. Turn on automatic downloads. Say hello on Instagram: @findingharmonypodcast and @harmonyslaterofficial. Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

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• From Hot Rooms to Healing: Leaving Harmful Lineages and Finding Real Practice

  What happens when devotion slips into blind obedience? Harmony opens this episode with a frank reflection on power, consent, and autonomy in yoga. She then welcomes Tamara Cole, a yoga teacher and former boat captain whose journey took her from Bikram’s hot rooms to a life of freedom and integrity in the Galápagos Islands. Together, they unpack how groupthink, hierarchy, and manipulation take root in spiritual spaces — and what it looks like to rebuild a practice grounded in awareness, consent, and community. Tamara also shares her upcoming Galápagos Yoga Retreat, where participants reconnect with nature through snorkeling, island exploration, and mindful movement. The conversation closes with Harmony’s 21-Day Money Magic & Manifestation Challenge, an embodiment-based program that helped Tamara rewire her scarcity stories and rediscover self-worth, grace, and generosity. Episode Breakdown Devotion vs. Obedience in Yoga: Harmony explores where trust becomes compliance Tamara’s Story: From Florida business owner to devoted Bikram practitioner Inside Bikram Training: Bootcamp culture, sleep deprivation, and witnessing abuse Moments of Resistance: Choosing to walk out when a teacher crosses the line Groupthink and Belonging: Why students stay, even when boundaries are broken Life in the Galápagos: Conservation, connection, and the beauty of coexisting with nature Retreat Highlights: Three uninhabited islands, snorkeling, cacao ceremony, yoga, and rest Money Magic Challenge: Healing inherited beliefs and redefining abundance Community as Medicine: Why doing the work together creates lasting change Guest Bio Tamara Cole is a yoga teacher and 100-ton licensed boat captain who spent nearly two decades teaching in Hawai‘i before relocating to the Galápagos Islands. She began practicing yoga in 2008 and trained in the Bikram system before shifting toward more holistic, heart-centered approaches. Tamara now leads transformative yoga retreats that weave movement, mindfulness, and connection to nature. She is also a graduate of Harmony’s Lightworker Mastermind program, where she deepened her somatic and energetic practices while developing her signature Galápagos retreat. Find Tamara on IG: https://www.instagram.com/yoga.with.tlc/ Find Tamara on FB: https://www.facebook.com/tami.cole.31 Call to Action If you’ve ever questioned a teacher, lineage, or practice that no longer feels aligned, this conversation will help you find language for your intuition. 👉 Listen, share, and reflect. Then explore the 21-Day Challenge to bring that same integrity to your relationship with money, creativity, and leadership. Upcoming events: https://harmonyslater.com/events 21 Day Money Magic Manifestation Challenge: https://community-harmonyslater.com/landing/plans/1542444Use PROMO CODE for additional $20 Savings: MANIFESTATIONMAGIC  FREE Manifestation Activation: https://harmonyslater.kit.com/manifestation-activation FIND Harmony: https://harmonyslater.com/ JOIN the Finding Harmony Community: https://community-harmonyslater.com/ Harmony on IG: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyslaterofficial/ Finding Harmony Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/findingharmonypodcast/ FREE 2 min breathwork practice: https://harmonyslater.com/morning-breathwork-optin Find your Spiritual Entrepreneur Archetype! Take the Quiz! https://harmonyslater.com/spiritual-entrepreneur-archetype-quiz BOOK Your Spinal Energetics Session: https://harmonyslater.as.me/

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