Quitting, Evolving, or Adapting: What It Really Means to Stay With Yoga
What happens when the center of your practice—the teacher, the lineage, the external validation—suddenly disappears? In this deeply engaging conversation, hosts Harmony Slater and Russell Case sit down with Meghan Marshall, longtime Ashtanga teacher and founder of Mysore Yoga Philadelphia, to explore the evolving landscape of practice in a post-guru era.
Meghan, affectionately known in South Philly as the “benevolent Ashtanga overlord,” shares how a stroke mid-practice in 2019 altered her perspective on yoga and opened the door to Pilates. Together, they discuss the parallels between Pilates and Ashtanga, the cultural dynamics of lineage, and the emotional upheaval many practitioners feel as the Ashtanga community shifts.
This episode weaves humor, honesty, and deep inquiry into what it means to keep practicing—not out of obligation, but as a living, adaptive, personal commitment.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why so many practitioners are reevaluating their relationship to Ashtanga.
- How Pilates can illuminate blind spots in yoga practice.
- The difference between “quiet quitting” and making a public exit.
- How tradition evolves when the guru is gone.
- What it means to root practice in self-inquiry rather than external approval.
Guest Bio: Meghan Marshall
Meghan Marshall has been teaching Ashtanga yoga for over 15 years. A Canadian by birth, she now calls Philadelphia home, where she runs Mysore Yoga Philadelphia, a thriving Mysore-style studio. Known for her humor, honesty, and supportive teaching style, Meghan blends the rigor of Ashtanga with insights from her Pilates training, helping students connect to their bodies with clarity and compassion.
Links & Resources:
- https://mysoreyogaphiladelphia.com/https://mysoreyogaphiladelphia.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/mysoreyogaphilly/
- Earlier episode with Meghan: A Stroke of Insight (July 16, 2023): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-harmony-podcast/id1508928138?i=1000621286211
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00:00 - Introduction to Finding Harmony Podcast
01:15 - Meet Megan Marshall: The Benevolent Ashtanga Overlord
01:39 - The Intersection of Pilates and Ashtanga Yoga
02:52 - Upcoming Event at Miso Yoga Philadelphia
03:23 - Diving into Megan's Journey and Insights
04:10 - Humorous Banter and Co-Host Introduction
06:19 - Megan's Stroke and Recovery Story
07:26 - The Trend of Quitting Ashtanga Yoga
09:24 - The Philosophy and Practice of Yoga
28:07 - The Commercialization of Yoga and Pilates
30:39 - The Evolution of Pilates
31:22 - Integrating Pilates into Ashtanga Yoga
34:42 - Pilates Training and Certification
42:26 - Pilates and Functional Movement
46:04 - Upcoming Workshop and Final Thoughts
Meghan Marshall
Benevolent Ashtanga Overlord/Pilates Plebe/Suburban Mom/Podcast Personality
I’ve been teaching Ashtanga yoga since 2008 and I now run I teach Mysore Yoga Philly six mornings a week on Passyunk Ave. In the evenings, I’m at Opal Wellness in Haddonfield, NJ (where I live), teaching Pilates.
Pilates has totally improved my yoga practice—and lets me lean even further into the stuff I love: movement, structure, and discipline. I use both practices to connect with people and help them move with more confidence.
When I’m not teaching or building my business, I’m doing my best to somewhat prepare my four tween daughters for the world. I also buy many books and read next to none of them.
