In this episode, Monica interviews Jeanne Heileman on the doshas and how understanding some key traits can help us transform how we connect at work. By understanding and recognizing the doshas in ourselves and in others, we can learn how to slow down, meet others where they are, and increase stability.

• 1. The doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—are often discussed in terms of physical health, but how do they influence how we express ourselves, make decisions, or respond to conflict in the workplace? Learn how Ayurvedic wisdom informs us of practical, interpersonal dynamics in a professional setting.

  2. How would you describe the gunas—sattva, rajas, and tamas—to someone new to yoga philosophy, and what are some ways they show up in our communication styles at work? How do we move through the doshas at different times? Energy and behavior are fluid, rather than fixed.
  
  3. How are the gunas and doshas interconnected, and what does that relationship teach us about adapting our communication style to different people or situations?
  
  4. Can you share an example of how understanding someone’s dominant guna or dosha helped improve communication or collaboration in your own work?
  
  5. In a high-pressure or fast-paced workplace, how can we cultivate more sattva—or balance among the doshas—to foster clarity, empathy, and meaningful connection? Gain insights you can apply to shift the energy of your teams or conversations.

Episode highlights:

9:09 - If you are working with someone ...the most important thing is to meet them and slow yourself down.

19:00 - Caress someone's pitta dominance to lower their resistance and soften their need to control and criticize.

19:54 How do you add femininity to a demanding workforce? Weave in a sliver of femininity to soften the harshness...

21:23 The Vatas don't always finish their tasks. Catch them with your eyes and hold their gaze to help them feel grounded and safe.

27:35 - The gunas are qualities of Nature. It's natural for things to change. They originate in the mind.

34:32 We have this lovely feeling and we start clinging to it, we don't want it to end. If we stay too long in this, we lose the sense of humor about ourselves.

40:57 The gift of a steady meditation practice is to be able to ride the wave of our own thoughts so you can sit with hard situations.

Learn more about Jeanne Heileman and check out her latest offerings including a Master Training in the Subtle Body.

Sept. 19 – 21 and Oct. 3 – 5, 2025

9:00 am – 4:00 pm PST

Livestream via Zoom and On Demand.

https://jeanneheileman.com/

About Monica Phillips

As a heart-based leadership coach, executive coach, and wellness coach, Monica Phillips brings play to work. These moments where we can check in with ourselves, bring calm to our minds and bodies, and reset our brains are so important.

When we draw in and stop the chatter in our minds, we live better, create more meaningful relationships, and reach peak performance.

It is not about doing more and pushing to the max, it is about noticing ourselves and others and allowing space to be seen, heard, and valued.

Learn more and connect with me at sparkpluglabs.co

The full episode with video and transcript is available online at https://bit.ly/yoga-coaches.

How do we bring the ancient wisdom of yoga to our coaching practices? Join me an a discussion with certified coaches who have all taught yoga featuring Erin Owen, Dr. Chiara Hayganush Megighian, and Ronna Schneberger.

Melissa Townsend is an Artist, Author, Psychic & Astrologer.

Her paintings of the Yoga Sutras Book One and Book Two are available with translations and commentary, published in full-color, soft-bound books. She also features them in her meditation deck.

She hosts a popular YouTube series with videos on Astrology and the Tarot. 

In this episode we look at these universal questions through the lens of yoga philosophy and the path to Samadhi, a state of meditative consciousness and how this process of concentration and focus can be part of what we do in this very busy modern world.

From Patanjali’s Eight Limbs, we discuss the last three -Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.