Native Yoga Toddcast

Lotta Sebzda - Demonstrating Age is Just a Number in Yoga

• Todd Mclaughlin | Lotta Sebzda • Season 1 • Episode 133

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Lotta Sebzda, a 57 year old Swedish Ashtanga yoga practitioner and hairdresser, shares her love for Ashtanga yoga and her journey with the practice. She discusses the benefits of a consistent practice, the importance of listening to your body, and the joy of teaching workshops. Lota also talks about the evolution of social media and its impact on the yoga community.

Follow Lotta on Instagram at @lottasebzdayoga https://www.instagram.com/lottasebzdayoga/

Key Takeaways:

  • Ashtanga yoga is a consistent practice that can be done anywhere and provides different experiences each day.
  • Age is just a number in yoga, and it's never too late to start or continue your practice.
  • It's important to listen to your body and modify poses as needed to avoid injury.
  • Social media has made yoga more accessible and allows for connection and inspiration within the yoga community.

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Todd McLaughlin:

Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast. So happy you are here. My goal with this channel is to bring inspirational speakers to the mic in the field of yoga, massage bodywork and beyond. Follow us native yoga and check us out at nativeyogacenter.com. All right, let's begin Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast. For those of you that are longtime listeners, thank you so much for your support. And if you're new to listening to the show, welcome. So happy that you're here. I'm delighted to present to you Lotta Sebzda, who is an Ashtanga Yoga teacher who lives in Sweden. And she is joining us for this session in Finland where she's teaching for the weekend. Thank you so much Lotta for taking time out of your busy weekend workshop teaching schedule to speak with me and to share your stories and I really enjoyed this opportunity. Speaking with Lotta, she's got such a fun spirit and just really just light vibes and just happy and I really appreciate it. She has an Instagram handle that is@lottasebzdayoga. The link is below. I'm gonna spell it out for you though. Anyway. L O T T A S E B D Z A Y O G A and then she reminds us that she's a 57 year old ashtanga yoga practitioner. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait till you see what she can do. If you've been thinking that you are, you know, "I'm getting too old for this." Well, she shows us a thing or two, for which I'm thankful and grateful. And I learned so much from talking with her and really enjoyed this conversation. Lotta- Thank you. She does have a Majorca retreat that's coming up in October of 2024. So it gives you plenty of time to to plan and she also has some discounts that she can offer through Lifeform yoga mats. So check her on Instagram handle, you'll see all that there. And thanks again. Lotta, I really enjoyed and everybody listening, get ready. Here we go. I'm so excited to have Lotta Sebzda here today on the podcast. And Lotta, can you tell me how you're feeling today?

Lotta Sebzda:

Oh, hello, thank you. And I'm very fine here in the army in Finland having a workshop this weekend. So I just got here a few hours and enjoying the city. And the warm weather and yeah, nice for the workshop is starting.

Todd McLaughlin:

Very cool. And you're you live in Sweden. are you originally from Sweden?

Lotta Sebzda:

Yes, I am Swedish 100%. Swedish. Nice, I believe.

Todd McLaughlin:

And yeah, as far as you know. Have you been to Finland before? Or is this your first trip?

Lotta Sebzda:

Actually, I went to Finland this summer with my to my dear friend Heidi, and visited her country house. And so this is the second time in a few weeks time so it's very strange that I suddenly go to Finland twice. And I have never been here before so

Todd McLaughlin:

in length it's

Lotta Sebzda:

very close to Sweden so it's easy

Todd McLaughlin:

when you so if you're teaching a yoga workshop this weekend, what language will you teach

Lotta Sebzda:

in? English Yeah, we will be teaching it will be English. Yes, that makes sense. Because in Finland Yeah, but in Finland, many Finnish people know Swedish language. So but Swedish people doesn't know Finnish because it's quite difficult language. So gotcha. I don't know a word.

Todd McLaughlin:

I saw this documentary on Netflix recently called the human playground and they chronicled like a winter sport that happens in Finland where they do reindeer racing, where they like they last saw a reindeer get off skis. In the race Amanda tracker, some reindeer whips them around. And I thought, Whoa, Finland, it's so interesting. I would love to go.

Lotta Sebzda:

I can imagine they have it here, right? We don't have those things in Sweden too. It's like also reindeers but up no offense, Sweden. Nice. You have it there. So it's quite similar to Sweden actually.

Todd McLaughlin:

Very cool. Are Where do you do teach in Sweden? Full time yoga schedule? Or what is your yoga teaching look like these days?

Lotta Sebzda:

My yoga life, yoga life. Actually, I don't teach much in Stockholm, I only do workshops. I don't have my own yoga studio. I am only working 100% as a hairdresser, actually, full time because I have my own shop with my companion since many years back so that is my my first profession.

Todd McLaughlin:

That sounds cool, though. Because then you can really enjoy teaching when you do it.

Lotta Sebzda:

I love it. And I love the two different two different styles of work. It's the end both you have to be you are with the people and use you meet new people and you learn new things from people. And that is very nice.

Todd McLaughlin:

Good point, do you like there's a saying here in the States about like, say bartenders or hairdressers, or like the psychiatrist or psychologist? Do you feel like a lot of people share Cheryl's a lot of their secrets with you when you're doing their hair?

Lotta Sebzda:

Definitely, I know everything.

Todd McLaughlin:

Right, I'm curious Laetare and you're in astanga yoga practitioner.

Lotta Sebzda:

100%.

Todd McLaughlin:

And when did you first get exposed to yoga and or ashtanga yoga?

Lotta Sebzda:

I, I had only practiced Ashtanga Yoga. And I've been practicing for 25 years. So I started with Ashtanga. And I continued with Ashtanga. Never anything else I was so that is my passion.

Todd McLaughlin:

It's evident when I saw your birthday post that you did on Instagram recently. And you were you're celebrating your I believe 57th birthday. And yes, holy cow. Lotta How? How are you doing that? Obviously, you've been practicing for 25 years. But please, anybody and everybody listening, you gotta go look at low tide on Instagram. The link is in the description below. But that transition that you did from handstand into the pike was just so graceful and amazing. So I thought, Oh, my goodness, she's been at this for a while. And can you tell me a little bit about why you love Ashtanga Yoga.

Lotta Sebzda:

Ashtanga Yoga is, it is about the same sequence sort of every day, you do it every day, you repeat it every day. And every day is totally different from the last day you practice. So you don't have to think about what to practice. You just roll out the mat and you you do your practice and it feels different, can be heavy, it can be light, you can keep it light, you can you can keep it keep it heavy, but most of the time you don't want to do that. It is a nice sequence to to have with you. Everywhere you go. You know, you can you can do your ashtanga yoga practice, everywhere I did in this small room at my hotel. I promise you I didn't have much space. But as long as I can roll up the mat, and the mat is fitting the room. I can practice.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yes, yes. That is no excuse. Yeah, you don't have to travel with an elliptical. Yeah.

Lotta Sebzda:

No, you don't have to find it. Yeah, you can find a place you can go to two different places in the world and you can google Ashtanga Yoga, Mysore style and you find lovely places with lovely people, teachers that you didn't even know at resist it and you come into the shallow and you can feel that. The the air and you know, it's Ashtanga Yoga. Good point. Oh,

Todd McLaughlin:

that's a great well, it's

Lotta Sebzda:

very nice. Yeah.

Todd McLaughlin:

Can you speak about why you started with the stronger yoga? Was it by accident? Or was it that you someone had told you and you specifically sought it out? What was the circumstances that caused you to go to an Ashtanga studio for your first yoga practice?

Lotta Sebzda:

Actually, it was my colleague, as I have my shop with now the salon, My Hair Studio. She started before me doing Ashtanga Yoga in a small strange studio. I say strange, because it was a bit weird back then. And they they were not 100%, Ashtanga Yoga teacher, they had their own way. But that I didn't know I was happy to come there practicing. And after a while, I stopped practicing variables like half a year later. Only. And I heard about the place I began at. It's it was Ashtanga Yoga, Stockholm. It's it wasn't wasn't many places back then 25 years ago. So it was easy to get to know people. It was because we were a small group of practitioners. Yes. And so yes, I started like that. I continued with my old first teacher. He's not old, but my first name is to get them handling. And she's still in Stockholm. But she's not teaching anymore. So nice. And yes, I started because I was. I just had my second child, William, and I got very weak in my immune system, because I breastfeed it a lot. And I was thinner, thinner and thinner, and nothing left. And I got some allergic symptoms and asked mine, so I was really focusing on what is good for me. What, what do I what do I need? And how can I build my strength back? Because it's, it wasn't good for me to go out jogging as I did before. Because it wasn't healthy back then when I was very tiny. Yeah. So I found Ashtanga. And it worked with my allergic and when my immune system and everything is good.

Todd McLaughlin:

Things really turned around. How long did you stay? How long did it take for you to start to notice positive effects?

Lotta Sebzda:

It? It's difficult to say but I think it was just half a year after? Yeah. But then I had half a year. So a year, I should say.

Todd McLaughlin:

That's cool. But

Lotta Sebzda:

yeah, but back then I didn't know that. Ashtanga Yoga is built to practice six days a week in the old tradition. And you do, too, of course, but and I did work how how was good for me, because back then, I had my small kids. So I couldn't practice six days a week. But if somebody had told me that you have to do this six to eight days a week, I should run from there. So yeah, that is also that is also something that comes with time. And we have a life to live. We it takes time to adapt to the practice and and habit that in your daily routine and with your family. Maybe your husband doesn't practice. Maybe your children have a lot of things going on in the in the after school and you don't have time. So yes, life is like I agree. And now I have plenty of time. Yeah. Now when my kids are big, I have plenty of time practicing.

Todd McLaughlin:

That's amazing a lot. I believe that I wonder my children are still young. And so I often wonder what life will be like when they leave the house. How have you acquisition was that an easy transition for you? Or did you struggle at first?

Lotta Sebzda:

It was bad. It was empty. It was like the stone disappeared from the house. It was so weird. I was crying.

Todd McLaughlin:

I believe. Just simple things like yelling up to them. Like did you do your homework yet? Or Yeah. Did you brush your teeth?

Lotta Sebzda:

Like that's smelling?

Todd McLaughlin:

Let me smell your breath. Prove it. Prove that. Exactly. Yeah. Well, I'm glad you mentioned that. I'm glad you mentioned. I'll make sure to appreciate you

Lotta Sebzda:

to enjoy them. And even if it feels like they never get older, they are out my parents. They always told me enjoy when they are there. And I didn't really enjoy. I of course I enjoyed, but I didn't. I didn't stop to say, Stop. What do you say? I didn't

Todd McLaughlin:

stop to smell the roses.

Lotta Sebzda:

And just enjoy. Yeah, yes. You know what I mean? Now I'm struggling with my English. I don't find the words. But I didn't drop for a minute. I was thinking how grateful I was. Of course, I did some now and then. But now, after when they are gone out of the house. I missed those moments to stop for a while and just listen to the noise in the house and all the shoes in Overland.

Todd McLaughlin:

You know? I hear ya. I hear ya. How old is your oldest now?

Lotta Sebzda:

3030.

Todd McLaughlin:

Any signs of potential grandchildren? Or? We have to you have two grandkids already? Oh, that's amazing. That's got to be fun. Yes. That's gonna be cool.

Lotta Sebzda:

Yes. So. So now that noise is back in the house. Yeah. And they're brushing teeth and washing hands. Can I smell your hand? Yes. Oh, yes. It's amazing. Wonderful.

Todd McLaughlin:

Do they live near you in Sweden? Do they live near you?

Lotta Sebzda:

Yeah, very, very close. Wow. They it's like five minutes work. So perfect. Perfect. Yeah. Yeah.

Todd McLaughlin:

Did your children take to yoga the way you did? Or did you take a very casual approach with them and just kind of you did your thing and let them do their thing?

Lotta Sebzda:

Exactly. I let them do their thing. And they didn't want to do my thing. So it was easy.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yeah. What about your grant? I don't know how old they are. But what I hear sometimes like it skips a generation, like the grandkids will all of a sudden be like What are you doing grandma? Or, you know, though, they might be more interested in maybe our own children would be? Have you noticed that?

Lotta Sebzda:

Actually? Yes. Actually, I have done I have actually noticed that with the oldest that he's six now. He is following me a little bit. But I have more hope for the little girl. Two years old. She has her own mat at home and she's rolling it up. And he she is standing in down dog. Nice. And with one leg up.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yeah, that's cool.

Lotta Sebzda:

So yeah, so she's on it.

Todd McLaughlin:

That's awesome. I noticed that you you advertise that you practice teach Ashtanga but also focus on handstands while you're in Finland teaching this weekend? Is it a combination of both where you'll lead on Mysore land or like class and then do workshops? Or do you like do very specific like handstand only workshops as well?

Lotta Sebzda:

No, like this weekend is a typical workshop I have. I have my sore in the morning. And then in the afternoon, I have the stem workshop. So I think it was arm balances. And we are going through the awesomeness in Ashtanga Yoga. How we can do the transitions and what to think about and it can go anywhere, everywhere. When you do when you start doing those things. No plans and it only happens what happens. And then on Sunday, we have the hashtag sorry, no, the handstand workshop. So after the my sore in the morning, so all weekend.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yeah, I hear you usually by Sunday at the end of these workshops. You're like, whoa, I'm so sore. do how do you manage? How do you manage inflammation and or soreness? That comes with Ashtanga Yoga like I sometimes use the one Under like, I remember being in my sore and having such a hard time walking up the steps after practice because like my knees and everything, like I was so sore, my wife and I would look at each other and be like, are you ready? Here we go. Let's go up. Let's go up the stairs. Come on. We can't we got this. We got this. But then I meet some Ashtanga and or yoga practitioners that they're just like, No, I don't really get sore that much. I'm just totally fine. I don't have that. What has been your experience?

Lotta Sebzda:

I wake up every morning with sore muscles.

Todd McLaughlin:

Sorry, okay.

Lotta Sebzda:

Are you there? Yeah, sorry. Yeah. With sore muscles. So I feel it. I hear you. I have the same that it's worse when you are on a workshop. Of course, when you participate in a workshop you. You work hard. Yeah. When you do your practice, practice at home. You. You do it a little less hard. And you don't get that soreness and you? Yeah, yeah. You take it more easy.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yeah. You learn how to manage it. Yeah, that's cool. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you seem extremely young to me. And I know age is just a number. Do you have people Alright, that it's okay. Do you? Do you have people that say like, like, sometimes I'll notice, like, we'll have a group of people in the room that are practicing Ashtanga that are, you know, in their 60s and 70s. And then the 20 year old will come in and, and be like, feel like they get wiped out. Like they can't, they can't believe that there's these people 30 and 40 years older than them, making it look so easy in the room. And when I watched your demonstration, like I was, when I saw yours, I was like, Oh my gosh, that's amazing. Like, that's incredible. Do do you feel like age? Do you let age get in the way at all? Or do you do think about age? Or do you just don't think what is your feelings about age and your the practice as it evolves and shifts?

Lotta Sebzda:

I had it comes and goes actually I think about age i Some days I think about age, and I push it away? Because it's me who who decides. And I believe that as long as I do this, it's just a number, you know, ages just the number I can do it as long as it feels good. But then some, some days when it hurts, or if I have to move backwards a little bit and stop doing things. I get a little scared that it is age. But also I think when that happens, I think but if this was 10 years ago, I wouldn't think about the age, I would have just accepted an ad I would have continued as normal or with that pain or so I believe. I try to think about the age. I have accepted I it's more difficult to to get back after injury maybe but I never rest. I go back immediately. And I do modifications of that position. Yeah, so nice. But I haven't I have a like a brain that works like that. I am so stubborn. And I love Ashtanga Yoga so much. And I don't want to be without it. So maybe that is my the way for me to just continue. No.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yes. Great answer. Have you done? This a good answer. That's helpful. I feel like I feel like it's important, personally to hear other practitioners talk about I need to hear I need to hear your experience because it's extremely helpful. I'm thinking about these things all the time. So yeah,

Lotta Sebzda:

I think I've thought about it that too. Before when I was maybe 1440 is nothing 45 is nothing. 50 was nothing. But you know it comes the older now you get but as long as I can do that handstand, you saw on Instagram, the pike press with Al said, I can run around laughing all day long. Yeah, that makes my day.

Todd McLaughlin:

Well, lots of can you explain a visual of what you look like the first time you try to because I remember like sometimes people will come in for class and I'll say Have you ever practice yoga before and they'll say no. And then they'll come into Ashtanga and then right away, they'll just cross their legs lift up into the air and jump back floating style. And I'm like, Okay, you either had to have done some gymnastics or some martial arts beforehand. And usually they say, Yeah, you're right. I did. I was a gymnast or. And so did that pike press lift that you do. Was that something that you tried it once? I think I found my calling this was a piece of cake. Or was it like, how in the heck like what like, what would you what? Was it difficult for you? Or was it a natural fit for you?

Lotta Sebzda:

Oh, no, no, no, it was like, I was struggling a lot. In the beginning. I did it every day. Like with everything else. I took 10 minutes every day, against the wall to to push myself up in a press. And then I continued from there, half an hour, a half a year after that I could leave the wall. So a lot of practice. And then suddenly, I don't remember when, but suddenly, I was thinking what can happen if I tried to put my feet through my hands. I can get stuck and I can fall on my butt bad. But not more than that. So I tried it and then I came through. So yeah,

Todd McLaughlin:

yeah, totally. Yes. Yeah. That's cool. But it

Lotta Sebzda:

took me. You know, I've been practicing for many years. And then when I started to really get into the handstand practice. I have done it the last couple of 77 years now. So I started to dig deep into the handstand when I was 49. So yeah, everybody out there. It's never too late.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yeah. You were you were you were 49 when you started to actively work. Can you say that again? I'm sorry, what was the what wasn't the thing that happened at 49?

Lotta Sebzda:

When I was 49, I actually saw Kino MacGregor do a pike press or straddle press. And I was very impressed by her. And I thought she is a strong Gi. And she's doing that. I am ashtami. I can do that. But I didn't tell any anyone. I was only thinking that this, I will practice and I will manage to do it before I turn 50. So I started to do it every morning after my practice, I added a little bit of a handstand sequence. And no drills, just the pure work against the wall. And then suddenly it happened.

Todd McLaughlin:

Nice. Amazing. That's very cool. Keno is incredible. We've had a chance to host her here before and she she's a pal. Yes, for sure. Yeah,

Lotta Sebzda:

she is. Yes. Amazing. So sweet.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yes. Well, that's cool. What what other aspects of Ashtanga Yoga have interested you in relation to either the pranayama and or maybe studying Sanskrit? or all these other things that come with yoga? Have you been drawn into these other avenues? Or do you focus mostly with your daily practice?

Lotta Sebzda:

It's, yeah, it's more asana practice, actually, for me, and, but I might be very late on the on that bit, because now I am really enjoying meditation. When I have time, I don't say I do it every day, but I try to sit for for a while after my practice, or I do it before I go to bed. Just a small session of meditation. And pranayama is something that is in the end of my practice, so I do a little sequence there. But you know, the practice takes time. And I think that would be my call when I am older. Yeah. And when I'm curious, I, I take my books, and I read, you know, now I mean to yoga. So, Dre, and I am stuck on one page, and I read it every evening. So you know, I am I'm going with what I feel like doing, you know?

Todd McLaughlin:

Yes. I like your approach. Letter answer. Good answer. Yeah, I get the sense of your approach of not forcing and hurrying but just let me take my time here and just enjoy and yeah, yeah. Do you

Lotta Sebzda:

I also the asana gives you Something that SMS is just something you do. But it happens so much with your mind and with your body and you get so calm with the practice, and I don't feel like I have to search for something else. I am curious. And I would like to put more work into reading. But I will let that happen when I'm ready.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yeah, that's cool. What, what what series and or pose? Are you? Are you still in the mode of striving toward accelerating forward through fourth series? Or are you? Are you falling back and enjoying half primary or?

Lotta Sebzda:

Not? Never, never? No, actually, no, I'm happy in third half. I'm almost in the end, I should say I finished third series, but I'm not proud. over some, some process that I can do. Proud I shouldn't say that. I cannot fulfill you say so. Fill our summer, because I am not as strong or i i cannot reach my foot behind like in a kepada Raya Acharya. I don't remember the names now, because it's very late in Sweden, in Finland.

Todd McLaughlin:

It's okay.

Lotta Sebzda:

My battery's running low.

Todd McLaughlin:

Do you have a phone cable? No. If we lose you Lhota then we know what happened. And we're just every little bit that we get together it's going to be perfect. So if if I usually midstream, everyone listening will know that will know that looked at didn't hang up on me because she was offended. She, it's just, it's just a battery. It's a battery issue.

Lotta Sebzda:

It's a very, very bad thinking I didn't bring it. And because I'm in a new place. No, back to the third series. No. But I am happy where I am in third series and it gives me joy. And sometimes I do the poses, with help from my teachers when I am at their workshop, and they help me. But you know, because I am so old in my tradition, practice. I feel like I should be able to do this post before I continue to the next one. But that is not the situation. So I am happy where I am. That's cool. You know? Yeah, but I am really in love with intermediate series for the moment. And you

Todd McLaughlin:

I got up to porn, mutt Syndra Sinha third series and realized I'm good. That's enough.

Lotta Sebzda:

is the best place to stop.

Todd McLaughlin:

I got pulled. I got I got pulled into it one day by my teacher, Tim Miller. And oh, and I felt like every part of me was at its absolute edge. And I after that experience went Ah, that's good. I'm good. I don't need to do any Yes. I don't need to do it. No, no, no, no. And then I have some back issues that I don't have a disk anymore with my L five s one. So backbending is so challenging, but this week, I had to back off from second series but this week I thought you know, I'm going to do second series but when I get to like when I get to Strawson a lagoon, Roger Ross and Capo toss and I'm just going to keep my hands on my hips and just try to lift my chest up pull my belly in and not really bend and I went through all the poses also legs behind my head now to be so careful. So I just did like super modified so I actually am having fun approaching second series again because I love pincher morass, Anna and Coronavirus and even though I still struggle like crazy with Crown DeVos Anna but just the thrill of trying to get up on the forearms and get the legs and Lotus up there feels so fun but I so I've changed mine around a lot but I still really love it. I still really love I just Yeah, I just have to change that thought I used to have of like trying to like, you know, catch my heels and all that stuff. Like I've had to let that go but actually I'm enjoying it just the same. You know, I don't think that really has to shift it that much as long as my main I was just I don't want to be in pain and I, I don't really want to try to do something that will put me in pain just to kind of look cool. You know in the room. Yeah,

Lotta Sebzda:

yeah, no, no, no. That is the journey when I found yoga, isn't it? Yes. I love it. I can talk about Ashtanga Yoga for hours.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yes, here we are. When you are

Lotta Sebzda:

starting to talk about asanas I'm like oh my god. Well when you said put put in that much Andros and I was feeling like I need put another box in doesn't add up.

Todd McLaughlin:

Oh my gosh. But it is a very

Lotta Sebzda:

good post.

Todd McLaughlin:

Are you importing Matson? Ross? And are you able to balance with the lifted hip up in the air? Or are you getting both hips down level? Unable to wrap and bind it actually sit in it without a little block or blanket under that hit?

Lotta Sebzda:

No. I need a blanket. Under the hip. Yeah. Then I can grab I can. I can do it. Yeah. doesn't die. Yeah. Impossible.

Todd McLaughlin:

Impossible. Yeah. Thank you.

Lotta Sebzda:

It is familiar. And for you? Yes. It's good. But it's good to have something to strive for. If it's possible.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yeah. Yes.

Lotta Sebzda:

Yeah. But about the the couple of tasks and you're back. Don't you feel it's better when you do the back bends? Doesn't it get better in your back?

Todd McLaughlin:

No, because my have a spondylosis on my L five. So my, ah, oh, sorry. It has slid forward, which is pushing right on my spinal cord. So whenever I back bend, my L four can come down and get closer to my s one. And that just like, yeah, yeah. I mean, I've learned so much about anatomy after you know, once I got once I got an MRI because before I was thinking, if I just you know, this must just be some cranky thing on my back and I must just be getting old and I must just probably I can just keep working through it. But once I couldn't, you know, I'd have moments where I I'd be in bed for like a week not able to get out of bed. So then I got an MRI and once I saw the pictures, I went, Oh, yeah,

Lotta Sebzda:

I see.

Todd McLaughlin:

Now I understand. You know, my mind is willing my body is saying sorry, my friend. Sorry. Yeah, but it's okay. It's okay. I'm I'm actually yeah, yeah. I I think adversity is a wonderful learning tool. Yeah, yeah.

Lotta Sebzda:

Can I run to the room with the to the charger? Let's

Todd McLaughlin:

do it. Yeah, carry your camera. We'll get for those of you watching on YouTube. You'll get a view of a thinnish a finished conference room. A hotel, and it's it's summer so in Finland. Is it like daylight all the way to like what time? You never really get a full full dark. Oh, right out there.

Lotta Sebzda:

Yes, it is bright. And it is now it is over eight here in the evening.

Todd McLaughlin:

It's it's past a Yeah, it looks kind of bright out there. It's actually a beautiful. Looks like a beautiful facility. are you renting? It is are you renting the conference? Room here?

Lotta Sebzda:

Yeah. I'm reaching my charger. Yes. Cool.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yay.

Lotta Sebzda:

Now we are safe.

Todd McLaughlin:

Look at that. Right power. Okay, we're powered up. Yeah, I was. Sorry. No, no, it kind of took it makes me. I know. Go. Alright. Well, then on that note, when you come across students like say let's take for example, murder. Chiasson, a D, which is probably would you agree that richiesta D is really the precursor to porn and Mazzi and Rossana. I just want to maybe for someone that's listening that doesn't know what these pose names are and what pose it is michalson A D is where you say take your right foot, put it in half lotus, tuck it in the crease of your head, bend your other foot up knee up in the air and then try to wrap the arm around the outside edge of that foot that that knee that's in the air. What what do you what have you observed over the years with your own knees and or with working with students that that have like knee pain? Tough, tough knees situation what where are you at with coaching like, Hey, don't put your foot in half lotus, put it on the floor versus let's put it in half lotus, and lean back on the hand. And then try to pull the other knee up and lean into what what do you what have you learned and observed over the years.

Lotta Sebzda:

I believe both modifications are perfect, because it depends on the person. And it is also good to do both. Because when you put the foot on the knee, and lean backwards on your hands, you get to stretch in the hip. But you don't put the pressure on the knee. And when you place the foot on the floor, instead of the lotus, you get the bind. So let's stay there for five breaths there on five breaths. So sometimes i i Let the student do both. If they feel like it, and they can tell me how it was, you know? Because it's different from person to person, but I, I believe that is really good too. Instead of stopping a student, which we did a long time ago, it was it was different back then. Yeah. Like it's better they do flow through because it comes later on in your in the practice, it comes very good asanas for for the hips. And that might help the knee muscles around them needs to stretch out. So it gives it releases the tension around the knee. And so I think it's good to keep practicing as much as you can and not force.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yeah. Nice. Where is there a place in say, primary series that you've thought? Hmm, I wonder if it was reversed the other way around. For example, for example, like Garber, pin Dawson and cuckoo Tadasana, which is legs in lotus, slide your arms through the lotus and rest your chin in the hill, the palms versus Budda konasana with feet together and opening the knees. Like I know, like, it'd be really hard to like, if you and I were to sit down and say, Alright, Let's revise all this. Let's, let's let's put it in an order that seems to make sense. After all these years of practicing it, would there be anything that you would suggest or think could have been flipped the other way? And it could have worked just as good, if not better?

Lotta Sebzda:

Sometimes, I wonder who put that those poses there? But that's why we do Maurice. Yes, my ABCD I think, because to prepare ourselves to do all those crazy stuff there. But well, it should come like in second. I don't know.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yeah. But that's, that's what do you think that's an interesting idea? Well, I guess one of them that I've always thought about as art art about the Padma Janasena half bound Lotus band. Yeah. And Johnny Shoshana. Again, it makes sense to me, I understand the art of Budhha with the tree Onga. So you do the external rotation foot in half loaded into a rotation. So I love the pairing of that. But I always find like Johnny Sher Shah Sinha, a would be awesome to do before our debate de Palma Tadasana just in relation from like a beginner's set up, you know, but but it does make sense to me that putting putting Johnny should I say A, B and C together after makes sense because if they if there isn't a B and a C, let's do them as a family together instead of going Johnny shastina A, then let's do half lotus and tree Onga. And then come back to Johnny shafston, A, B and C. So I it makes sense to me that we would keep them in the family kind of almost like just maybe for organizational purposes or but I don't know I always kind of like to to think about all this just because when I do vinyasa flow I tried to you know, work off of these different ideas, but but I have full respect too if you if you liked I don't like to mix things or change things around.

Lotta Sebzda:

No, but this is so nice to hear because I have never thought about that. I have only thought about why. Why did Bucha pyridoxamine Tucker Max and I've come so early in primary series and then the rest after that is okay, a piece of cake sort of for people. Yeah,

Todd McLaughlin:

that's a good point.

Lotta Sebzda:

But I have never thought about it's so interesting, too, because it makes sense. Like Barbra Padma and Claire moqueca. Tea and Mocha is going straight on your knee. And if you do Jana, she's awesome. I'll SIP Family before you are more ready to put that foot into the half loaders, and yeah, maybe we should do a new process together.

Todd McLaughlin:

That would be fun. Like, I'd love to do that. I would love to do that. But But I want to, I always want to maintain respect for the tradition like I I'm not trying to say that I think I'm come up with anything better or different or, but I do think it's fun to talk about. Yeah,

Lotta Sebzda:

yes, it's very fun. I, because I've never thought about it. Now you've put my my way of thinking in a new way. So it's really good. Tomorrow, I will look at the students and I will think maybe we swap. Maybe we swap a few hours and hours here and there. All right. No, I was only joking. I think it's very interesting. perspective. And I think it's good to play with the mind. And even if we are, we stick to the the tragedy of the Syria, how it is and our mind what we think is fun to play with thought. And it's also nice to explore. When, for instance, when you have done your practice, and you want to try new things, it's perfect to do it after your practice, maybe before you do the finishing sequence. So you you have that left, and is a little bit because that was not okay. 25 years ago, I was like, no, no, no,

Todd McLaughlin:

no, I agree. When is that when you would add in your pike press research work after or aside before or the Dhanurasana before the backbend or were you waiting to do your pike press research work? After headstands before final breathing.

Lotta Sebzda:

Actually, I sticked my little sequins in after my dropbacks.

Todd McLaughlin:

Ah, yeah, that's cool. So there,

Lotta Sebzda:

you have the Vishaka semantic talks, but I didn't. When when I started do the handstands. I didn't do myself, my Vichy cosmos. At home. I did it only in a class. Because we didn't do it so much. Here and there in Stockholm. I don't know why it was not something that was every day in the or I didn't ask for it. Maybe that was the thing. We did the dropbacks. And then we did the finishing sequence. But 10 years ago, I started to do the British casts on and tiktoks are regular. And I did it myself, but I don't know how it looked like because I didn't record anything. Because it was almost before. It was before social media.

Todd McLaughlin:

Oh, that's a great point. I'd love to ask you about that. Because like you said, if you started 25 years ago, this must be what 1998 or somewhere around there. Right? Let me think we were for 2023 Right?

Lotta Sebzda:

No, no, it is. My son. It was my son is 26 He was like two years old or something. Okay, one one year, why isn't B 27. So always. Yeah,

Todd McLaughlin:

yeah. Are you there? Oh, yeah. Sorry. Sorry. I just started thinking in. I really want to ask you like, Isn't it amazing? How different it's evolved and changed from pre YouTube to? I mean, remember, like when you wanted to get a yoga book, or you have a summer like, Whoa, what is this yoga thing? And he had to go to a bookstore, and you walked in there like that one book on yoga. And it might have been Bhagavad Gita or, you know, a maybe Paramahansa Yogananda this is at least here in the states you could find Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. And then maybe like the bulk of Bhagavad Gita by economic esperan, or like, like a classic. And that was it. Yeah. And then I remember when David Swensons practice manual appeared on the shelves at Barnes that we had Barnes and Noble here in the States was like a big like chain book chain. And I was like, Whoa, what is this? You know, like I would add it, but there was no like typing in on a machine to find out like, what is how do I do how, how do I do a transition from richiesta D, vinyasa, jump To no Wasana or but, I mean, what what is your recollection of that whole kind of evolution?

Lotta Sebzda:

It was good times back then. But, but it's, it's better now because everything is is what I call it. Everything is you could get ahold of information so easily.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yes, yes. But

Lotta Sebzda:

I think it was good back then because we stick to the teacher. And the teacher taught you, the student, me. Everything we needed to know back then. And we didn't know anything else we didn't look at another person when we practiced with just did our practice and we were happy with that. And it wasn't like I did the next Asana without permission from my teacher. I waited. Like you said today with a puma Syndra Asana, you are happy there. When I was having a post, when I suddenly was happy, and I didn't want to have any more Asana, I was content. I didn't want to move forward. That day, she came there and given me a new Asana. So she knew when I was ready. And that I I missed a little bit with all the social media, YouTube, everything, but it's not bad. But I miss it.

Todd McLaughlin:

I think I think you stated that really well. That's that's a good. Well, I mean, that's at least it's optimistic and positive. Because we don't want to be the older crew that goes wow, back in the old days, it was so and now the world's falling apart. Do you know but at least that what you're saying I feel like acknowledges how amazing that really was like that was just such Yeah, exciting. Such an exciting time.

Lotta Sebzda:

We should never forget that. And we share that because that is but it still is it still is every Sharla your you have. It's the same. It's an I love that when when you see the dedicated teacher, giving the student, a new Asana, it's like Christmas, every time. And and also, now I had to say something about the new times with the Internet. It's amazing because it's more available to people that maybe lived far away from Mashallah. And that is so amazing with all the the new apps and you can go to different pages and practice with David Swensen on YouTube from 90s. And that is actually what I recommend many people, if you're new to the practice, and if you don't have social media, go to YouTube and search for David Swenson agreed? Yeah,

Todd McLaughlin:

yeah. I love the way. I love the way he presented. The primary series, you know, back, yeah, when he made those videos. Yeah. I remember. I remember. Have you had a chance to practice with David?

Lotta Sebzda:

No, and he was here recently, but I wasn't here when he was here. So oh, man, or in Sweden. I'm sorry. I'm in Finland, but still, but here for me is

Todd McLaughlin:

he's so incredible. And I remember having a chance to ask him because when, when my wife and I first went to Mysore, I went because I started practicing. I ordered David Swensons VHS, and I started practicing Ashtanga to the tape. And I thought, oh my god, what is this? This is absolutely amazing. And his introduction at the beginning of his video that he had was him doing this demonstration of like, second and third and fourth series Asana out on a dock like in over this beautiful like dock setting. And I remember just being mind blown. And so we were in the room in Mysore. And David came walking in and I was like, Oh my gosh, there he is, Tamra look. Look, there he is. There he is. And so I went up to him and I asked him I said, I was like David, amen. I just want to let you know, like, your your VHS, you know, or your tape just is why I'm here and he goes, Oh, okay, hold on. And he goes Guruji Guruji. Come here, and I was really, I was really like, wanted to be a chameleon in the corner. Like I didn't want to draw attention. I was just like, so nervous about being there. Like it was just such an interesting experience. And he's like, look, but Toby Joyce, he The reason he's here is because I made those DVDs. And I was like, Oh my gosh, what's going on? But it was because I guess David told a little bit more of the story about like, when he produced that. He, he didn't, he just did it. And there was a little bit of like backlash, because at that time, I mean, the only way you really could learn was by going to India or going to a teacher and, and getting access to it. And that kind of, in a sense, I feel like he was like pre just before the YouTube slash Instagram social media idea of sharing information. So I'm kind of forever or I feel indebted to Mr. Swenson, because he's, he's, he's a cool, dude.

Lotta Sebzda:

That was such an amazing story you told. Thank you. Very nice. Thank

Todd McLaughlin:

you. Thank you. Nice. Thank you. So So I am curious. You have a huge following and Instagram. Can you tell me how that evolved? Like, is it something that you put a lot of time and energy into? Or is it just kind of happened? Because you have you've loved the practice and you share your love for it? Can you give me a little bit of a the evolution of your social media? Skill? Your savvy get

Lotta Sebzda:

older, get older, get grandchildren and start Instagram.

Todd McLaughlin:

Is that how it? How many years have you been? How long? Have you been?

Lotta Sebzda:

Put your legs behind the head and do a handstand? That's it? No, I have had it for six years. Okay. But you know, I had another account before that got the Instagram took it down because I added music, because I thought it was cool with the music

Todd McLaughlin:

to get penalized? Yes.

Lotta Sebzda:

So back on that Instagram page, I had all the work I put in on my handstand journey on the press. So I don't have anything left. Actually, I have one video. When I succeed, I succeed to come up from struggle. And my legs are everywhere. But I came up. And that is many years ago. Now. So I have I have done it for seven years maybe. And I went when I started the new account. This old account I I had in my mind to keep it simple. Don't edit too much. Keep it simple. And don't fix the light too much. Don't put the camera in a certain place or don't buy a camera. Use your phone. No lights. But I wish I had lights. But you know, I wanted to help keep it simple. And I don't know, I think it got on the right in the right hands of Diggory Yogi's on social media. So I think I was lucky. And also because of my age, and what I do that inspires younger people. And that is what I really love. And I really want to share that. So that you are never too Oh, do you know?

Todd McLaughlin:

Oh, my gosh, well, you're you are killing it. I mean, I'm sorry, you have an incredible skill. So I mean, I have to give you props. I mean, and then that is a really great story. That's extremely inspirational. And I like the fact that you're kind of saying things like you just had fun with it and took out the like, I have to be really good at this. And I have to show all the perfect angles and everything and just more like, let me just be myself and and also do some serious stuff. You know, like, Yeah, that's so cool. The practice, it's so cool

Lotta Sebzda:

to practice with fluffy hair and, you know,

Todd McLaughlin:

sweating the sweat as it is, as it is. Yeah, great answer. Oh, man. Well tell I'm so excited. Well, I guess in that in relation to what you were saying about the fact that this is actually really good that we have this technology because I found you on Instagram. And then you accepted my invitation and I get a chance to speak with you and you're in Finland and I'm here in Florida and we're miles and miles apart. And I just feel like it's such a cool thing to just get a chance to talk to other people that that are willing to speak with me that don't know me at all and just be like yeah, love to do that. Thank you very much. So, first of all, I just went, You

Lotta Sebzda:

are so lovely. So it was really nice to talk to you.

Todd McLaughlin:

Thank you, thank you. We'll keep we'll keep throwing compliments back at each other. But thank you. I do appreciate that is there, I want to be respectful of your time, I thank you for plugging in your camera, because I did get to get a little bit more information out of you, which I really appreciate. In the attempt to steer in the direction of shavasana of closing our practice here together. Is there anything? Is there anything else you'd like to add or share? You've shared so much interesting information. So I feel content and I don't need more. But is there anything else that comes to mind or something else that you'd like to close with? Or share with our listener to give us a little bit of motivation, inspiration to keep on pushing forward here?

Lotta Sebzda:

Oh, my God.

Todd McLaughlin:

They open a big door, or I closed the door on do I close the door?

Lotta Sebzda:

No, maybe I should see. Because that is also a common question. If you don't have the motivation to practice, don't think about the amount of asthmas because it's just roll out the mat, and start in thermal city and go from there and see what happens. Don't push yourself. Be kind to yourself. Enjoy and laugh.

Todd McLaughlin:

Yes, that's perfect. That's all I needed. That was a good good savasana. I might take a long one here after we after we hang up with each other. I might. I might I might stay here for a while after that one.

Lotta Sebzda:

I am going into my shavasana bed. Next Next to me, I have the bed. So cool. It is evening. So I will

Todd McLaughlin:

Oh yes. Yeah, you get it, get some sleep makes you have some good rest for your students tomorrow. And they're so lucky. I can just imagine a room full of thin finish finish finish. A room full of finished practice centers, just beaming when you walk in right there just like so excited are so excited. And you're and I like the fact that you're like no plan. Let me let me let them steer the course a little bit. Right. Yeah. Let's see what questions they have. What do they want to what do they want to know? So that's that's amazing. All right. Well, I wish you well, and I will be in touch with you. And thank you so much. I really appreciate you taking the time for me. Thank you very much. It was nice to be invited. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you. I'm looking forward to this. Thank you. By native yoga podcast is produced by myself. The theme music is dreamed up by Bryce Allen. If you liked this show, let me know if there's room for improvement. I want to hear that too. We are curious to know what you think and what you want more of what I can improve. And if you have ideas for future guests or topics, please send us your thoughts to info at Native yoga center. You can find us at Native yoga center.com. And hey, if you did like this episode, share it with your friends, rate it and review and join us next time