# Yoga and Buddhism: How to Build a Practice That Actually Frees You (Video)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/finding-harmony-podcast-125064/yoga-and-buddhism-how-to-build-a-practice-that-actually-frees-you-video
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/finding-harmony-podcast-125064/yoga-and-buddhism-how-to-build-a-practice-that-actually-frees-you-video.md
Podcast: [Finding Harmony Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/finding-harmony-podcast-125064)
Published: 2026-04-28T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thefindingharmonypodcast.podbean.com/e/yoga-and-buddhism-how-to-build-a-practice-that-actually-frees-you/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/a847n4n5vw3veg4c/FHP_ep_314_Lisbon_-_Luis_and_Sonia_Yoga_Buddhism.mp4
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/finding-harmony-podcast-125064/episodes/yoga-and-buddhism-how-to-build-a-practice-that-actually-frees-you-video
Duration seconds: 3450

## Resource

What does it really mean to build a life around practice — not just on the mat, but in how you love, how you work, and how you show up for your community? In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Harmony Slater welcomes Sonia and Luis, the founders of Agora Lisboa — a space in Portugal dedicated to yoga, meditation, and the deep study of Buddhist philosophy. This is a couple who left careers in international development and high finance, followed the thread of practice across continents, and landed in Lisbon to build something rare: a community where dharma and asana are not separate from how you live. In this episode, you'll discover: Why Sonia chose yoga over a prestigious French government contract — and what her teacher said that changed everything How Luis discovered Zen Buddhism through the beauty of Japanese temple gardens at age 20 — and then meditated alone for 12 years The humbling moment Luis realized community is non-negotiable on the path to freedom What the ancient Greek word 'agora' has in common with Sanskrit and Portuguese — and why it became the perfect name Why crises are turning points (not breakdowns) — and the etymology that proves it How Ashtanga yoga and Buddhist meditation aren't just compatible — they're sibling traditions The difference between practicing for self-improvement and practicing for freedom Why you can't build an island of happiness in an ocean of misery — and what that means for your community Sonia's beautiful story of finding her pranayama practice while rocking her twins to sleep Why Harmony is teaching at Agora Lisboa June 25–28 — and how you can join her Sonia was born in France to a Brazilian mother and French father, trained at Ashtanga Yoga Paris, and worked in international development across Africa before stepping fu…

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