What does real transformation look like—not in theory, but lived through the body, mind, and spirit?

In this powerful conversation, Swami Kripananda shares his journey from addiction and recovery to deep immersion in yoga, meditation, and spiritual practice. Drawing from decades of experience—including training with masters such as B.K.S. Iyengar—he offers a raw and unfiltered look at what it means to truly change.

This is not a discussion of surface-level wellness or technique. It is a direct exploration of discipline, addiction, embodiment, and the realities of spiritual awakening.

Swami Kripananda speaks openly about:
• The dangers of practicing without guidance
• Addiction as both obstacle and doorway
• The difference between experience and transformation
• Kundalini, breath, and the mechanics of inner change
• Why most people misunderstand meditation and stillness

His insights challenge common assumptions about yoga and spirituality—cutting through idealism to reveal the work required for real transformation.

This episode is for those who are serious about practice—not just as an idea, but as a lived process.

ABOUT SWAMI KRIPANANDA

Swami Kripananda is a yoga teacher and spiritual practitioner whose path has been shaped by direct experience, discipline, and recovery. Having trained under influential teachers including B.K.S. Iyengar, his work integrates classical yoga, breathwork, and meditative practice with a grounded understanding of the body and mind.

His teachings emphasize personal responsibility, experiential knowledge, and the necessity of guidance in serious practice.

More content at www.InnerLifeWithMarkWiley.com

What if most self-defense training is teaching the wrong thing?

In this episode of Transformations with Mark V. Wiley, Teja VanWicklen breaks down why traditional self-defense often fails women—and what actually works in real-world situations.

Drawing from decades of martial arts training, personal experience, and deep research, Teja introduces the concept of Protective Offense—a radically different approach that moves beyond techniques into awareness, psychology, behavior, and survival.

This is not about memorizing moves.
It's about changing how you perceive danger, make decisions, and respond under pressure.

• Why traditional self-defense models fall short
• The psychology of fear, freezing, and aggression
• Situational awareness and recognizing intent early
• The self-defense continuum—from prevention to recovery
• Emotional regulation and self-de-escalation
• What actually works in real-world encounters

Teja's work reframes self-defense as a complete human system—not just physical skill, but perception, decision-making, and lived awareness.

Teja VanWicklen is a writer, researcher, and self-defense specialist focused on reimagining how women approach personal safety. With decades of experience across martial arts, physical training, and behavioral study, she developed the concept of Protective Offense—a system that integrates awareness, psychology, and real-world survival strategies.

Great content at www.InnerLifeWithMarkWiley.com

Sifu Alan Yee is a 5th-Generation practitioner of Choy Lee Fut who lives in Sydney, Australia. His teacher was 4th Generation Grandmaster Li Yiu Ling who was one of only two direct inner chamber disciples of 3rd Generation GGM Chan Yiu Chi, the grandson of the Founder of Choy Lee Fut, Chan Heung Gung. Chan Yiu Chi's other inner chamber disciple was his eldest son, the late-GM Chan Wan Hon.

Alan Yee started his Choy Lee Fut journey with Li Iu Ling in January 1975. He did not teach outside his family until around 1995. Over the years he has only taught small classes. He has never taught in a commercial environment because he believes genuine transmission of true kung fu traditions are best achieved in small groups. Students are admitted selectively.

Together with kung fu brother, Victor Wong, Yee is the entrusted joint-lineage holders of the Chan Yiu Chi - Li Yiu Ling lineage of Choy Lee Fut. Yee teaches is directly from his late-Sifu characterized by internal power using Chi, swift light footwork, and fluid whip-like strikes.

Phil Matedne was born and raised in the city of Stockton, California. As a teenager, he began his martial arts training in the Kajukenbo style of Karate under Sifu John Valdez. As a young adult Guro Phil began his extensive training in the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) with many of the West Coast teachers since 1983 and now has close to thirty years of experience. The teacher primarily responsible for Phil's foundation in the FMA is the late Grandmaster of Bahala Na Escrima International, Leo M. Giron. Phil trained exclusively with Grandmaster Giron for seven years; after which Giron certified him as an instructor and conferred upon him the title of Guro ("teacher"). Phil continued to train with GM Giron's successor, GM Antonio Somera.

After relocating to the East Coast in 2008, Guro Phil was the Full Instructor at Valor Martial Arts Academy in Frazer, PA. Guro Phil now brings his knowledge and experience to Dragon Gym, teaching his blend of Filipino, Indonesian and Thai systems in a unique combative art that allows a practitioner to flow without interruption from the different fighting ranges — "As one technique ends, another begins."

His philosophy is to empower each student with Martial arts skill sets for the purpose of self-preservation, Preservation of family, loved ones, friends and to aid the defenseless. To cultivate values of Respect, Discipline, Loyalty, Valor and Honor necessary for the development of a warrior philosophy.

LINKS

Website

Face Book

TAMBULI MEDIA

Eskrima, the Filipino martial art. From his humble beginnings as a six-year-old enthusiast in 1979 to his present-day endeavors, Jason's journey has been one of relentless pursuit, unwavering commitment, and remarkable accomplishments.

With over 40 years of experience in Eskrima, Jason is the inheritor of the esteemed Inayan System of Eskrima. Following in the footsteps of his father, Mangisursuro Mike Inay (GM Mike Inay or Suro Mike Inay), Jason proudly carries forward the legacy of this system, perpetuating its teachings and principles.

Jason's martial arts prowess extends far beyond Eskrima. With certifications as an instructor in Eskrima, Kali, Silat, Panantukan/Pangamut, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Jeet Kune Do, and Self-Defense, his expertise encompasses a wide array of disciplines. Furthermore, his 25 years of practice in Tai Chi/Chi Kung and 20 years of experience in Kenpo/Karate-Ju Jitsu have enriched his knowledge and understanding of various martial arts forms.

Jason's contributions to the world of martial arts have garnered him numerous accolades. Notably, he was inducted into the Master's Hall of Fame in 2003, receiving the pioneer award, and was honored by the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2006 as an Escrima Grand Master. The Philippine Martial Arts Hall of Fame recognized him in 2012 as the Most Outstanding FMA Practitioner, followed by his induction as a Grand Master member of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council. In 2014, the Master's Hall of Fame bestowed upon him the Silver Lifetime Achievement award for his remarkable dedication spanning over 30 years in Eskrima. His accomplishments culminated in 2015 when he received a lifetime achievement award in Angel Cabales - Serrada Eskrima.

In addition to his martial arts expertise, Jason has ventured into the realms of security and law enforcement. Drawing upon his experiences in these fields, he founded the Spyder Dumog System, a unique amalgamation of modern martial arts and practical techniques. This system emphasizes self-defense and personal safety, integrating Jason's extensive knowledge and real-life applications.

LINKS

https://www.inayan-eskrima.com/

https://www.facebook.com/suro.inay

https://www.instagram.com/inayanbase/

https://www.TambuliMedia.com

For over 30 years, Derek Notman has dedicated himself to the study of physical culture and philosophy. This pursuit has led him all over the world including time living in China and Southeast Asia, studying with traditional masters of martial, movement, and healing arts. Derek has always sought to extract the essence of the traditions while connecting the common elements. Despite the uniqueness of each art and human form, there is a commonality to being in a body and so themes emerge. Derek has made it his life's work, to investigate and understand these themes and share them with others in a paradigm of traditional wisdom through embodied practice.

@markvwiley

Time Stamps

0:00 Release the body to improve the mind

0:48 Introduction

1:01 Derek's entrée into Asian philosophy and embodied practices

3:15 Philosophy and cultivation of wisdom

5:35 Considered viewpoints, the need for curiosity, the nature of mind

8:21 Neijia Quan – Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua

9:23 Xinyi Liuhe Quan and Sifu Shi Shueng Peng

11:07 Self-awareness through a broader view and practice of the body

13:37 Everything is trapped in your body

15:41 Shen Fa body movement, the art of the art

17:50 Xinyi Liuhe Quan vs Xing Yi Quan

20:52 Qigong and Neigong practice

24:24 Developing the martial art body

26:38 Release the body, recognize the mind

30:19 The Heart-Mind

31:03 Awareness and the nature of thought

34:55 Indian club swinging and rope flow

38:14 Body movement therapeutics

41:05 Gyrotonics and Tai Chi

42:36 Egoscue Method, body structure and intelligence

44:35 Jin Shin Jyutsu

48:22 Being present in the body

50:52 Tools in a toolbox

51:34 Social media and the value of movement for a disembodied culture

53:25 Resolve physical pain with meditation

55:30 Zhang Zhuan, shoulder tension, mental identification, headless Zen

1:00:49 Simplicity of difficult practice and recognition of the self

1:003:16 Closing remarks

DEREK'S LINKS

Website

Instagram

For over six decades, Grandmaster Rene J. Navarro has been on a mission, traveling the globe to learn from extraordinary masters of impossible skills, and to then develop those skills within himself. From the depth of Yang family Tai Chi Chuan to the refined and arcane techniques of Internal Alchemy, from poetry and music to deadly kung-fu, from meditation to discovering the Great Dao, Of Fire and Water brings alive the astonishing travels, discipleship, teachings, and commentaries on life of a man traversing the lonely and difficult path of energetic, cultural and spiritual self-cultivation. Through 32 inspiring essays, Of Fire and Water: Alchemy and Transformation will change the way you think about yourself, your body, and the interconnected nature of reality. Get your copy, today.

@markvwiley

#ReneNavarro #InternalAlchemy #TaiChi #Qigong #KungFu #FMA #MagusofJava #JohnChang

Discussion Chapters

0:12 The grandmaster's life reflections

8:30 Early apprenticeship with Masters Johnny Chiuten, Lao Kim, Chan Bun Ti, Han Ching Tan studying Yang Tai Chi, Lohan Boxing, Ba Gua, Arnis.

19:29 The mysterious Grandmaster Lao Kim an his Fujian Lohan Kung Fu

26:22 Hidden Codes in Tai Chi, acupuncture meridians, postures and the I-Ching

34:38 Lao Kim's Lohan Fujian Temple kung-fu. It's not Hung-ga

37:55 Tai Chi Chuan, Sifu Chan Bun Ti, Leung Shum, Gin Soon Chu, Mantak Chia, Microcosmic Orbit, Fusion of the Five Elements, Different aspects of qi and alchemy

44:13 Nei Dan, Enlightenment of Fire and Water, Inner Smile Meditation

50:01 Uncle Rudy and Classical Music nuance, healing, meditation, movement transformation

59:05 John Chang the Magus of Java, superhuman power and skill

1:06:46 Mantak Chia's curriculum, fusion of five elements, Immortal Dao, fire and water,

1:11:37 The Dantian and Ming Men, location, definition, and understanding, Hermits of Huang Shan

1:18:54 Wrap up and final words

Book - Of Fire and Water: Alchemy and Transformation

Website - www.ReneNavarro>org

Antonio Aloia has been training a mixture of aikido, judo, and Olympic Fencing since 2002. He also holds a Master's degree in history from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. In 2020, he published his Aikido Comes to America, a history of aikido in the United States. Antonio runs the online martial arts chronicle Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, where it houses many interviews with martial artists and historical essays. Currently, Antonio is writing a biography of a judo pioneer and researching the answers to aikido's modern questions.

Antonio's Links

BOOK - Aikido Comes to America Amazon

Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Aiki Now Facebook

Martial Arts Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Facebook

Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Instagram