How did yoga become so popular in America? One of the epicenters where the transformation took place was Jivamukti Yoga Center in New York's East Village. Ken talks with Jivamukti co-founder and legendary teacher Sharon Gannon about how she wedded rigorous asanas with Sanskrit chanting and meditation, presented it as a complete philosophy grounded in Eastern mysticism, and somehow, improbably, made yoga hip. People showed up in droves, as did celebrities like Madonna, Sting, Willem Defoe and Donna Karan. Today Jivamukti Yoga centers are in major cities around the world, and its influence is felt deeply. Sharon Gannon is a musician, an animal rights/vegan activist, and the author of several books, including her latest, The Magic Ten and Beyond: Daily Spiritual Practice for Greater Peace and Well-Being. In our conversation, she talks about what drew her to yoga, and what led to the creation of the Jivamukti method. Find out more about Sharon Gannon and Jivamukti here: http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/Follow us on Instagram @TheEvolverPodcast: https://www.instagram.com/theevolverpodcastThe Evolver is sponsored by The Alchemist’s Kitchen, a botanical dispensary dedicated to the power of plants, where you can ask an herbalist to recommend the herbal remedy that’s most right for you.Theme music is “Measure by Measure,” courtesy of DJ Spooky, aka Paul D. Miller (@djspooky), from his album The Secret Song, and interstitial music are tracks by The Human Experience: "Sunu" from the album Soul Visions with Rising Appalachia, and Here for a Moment on the album Gone Gone Beyond.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy