Sri Lanka - Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting Pot
Sri Lanka: Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting Pot is a podcast that explores Sri Lanka’s rich history, diverse cultures, and modern-day realities. From ancient kingdoms and colonialism to post-war society and global diaspora, we dive deep into the forces shaping this unique island nation.
Join experts, artists, activists, and everyday voices as we unpack timely topics — including Sri Lankan politics, ethnic identity, migration, innovation, climate change, and regional dynamics in South Asia.
Whether you're Sri Lankan, part of the diaspora, or curious about the cultural, political, and historical depth of South Asia, this podcast offers thoughtful conversations and fresh perspectives.
New episodes released regularly. Season 3 starts in September.
👉 Follow now to discover modern stories from one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Keywords: Sri Lanka podcast, South Asia, Sri Lankan diaspora, Tamil Sinhalese history, modern Sri Lanka, island culture, South Asian politics, global south voices, post-conflict society
Sri Lanka - Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting Pot
Liberate Your Spirit with Omaya: Yoga and Freedom for Young Women
In this episode Dee welcomes Omaya, a Sri Lankan yoga teacher and philosopher. They delve into how yoga philosophy differs in the West from Sri Lanka, focusing on mind-body connection, menstrual cycle awareness, and the balance of masculine and feminine energies.
This conversation highlights the importance of tuning into our bodies and creating space for introspection, both in life and in spiritual practice. Thoughts on "successful meditation" and Omaya's future plans for opening a sanctuary dedicated to Ayurvedic and Sri Lankan food, yoga, and workshops.
Omaya's early discovery of yoga aged 18 was a quest for freedom; discussing how yoga gave her what she was looking for is inspiration for us all that understanding this ancient practice could be one of our biggest tools to inner liberation.
Summary
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:51 Meet Amaya: A Unique Yoga Journey
02:51 Amaya's Early Life and Discovering Yoga
08:14 The Philosophy and Practice of Yoga
13:12 Balancing Life and Yoga
27:10 Empowering Sri Lankan Women
32:39 Future Endeavors and Conclusion
About Omaya and links
Omaya is a yoga teacher, facilitator and philosopher. She teaches different modalities and includes many different styles within one class. Her practice went from being strict pose / asana oriented to more intuitive. Omaya is currently making space for a project in Ahangama, a village in the south coast of Sri Lanka. The project will share the story of Sri Lanka through a small store with locally-sourced products, a cafe offering Sri Lankan food with an Ayurvedic twist and engaging workshops and discussions.
Instagram link here
Title: Sri Lanka: Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting Pot
Host: Dee Gibson — Sri Lankan-born, award winning designer based in London and founder of boutique hotel Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka. www.kalukandahouse.com | instagram @deegibson2017 & @kalukandahouse
Podcast Themes:
- Modern Sri Lankan identity and culture
- Architecture, art, and design
- Sustainability and heritage
- Diaspora experiences and storytelling
Why Listen:
This podcast offers deep, intelligent storytelling about Sri Lanka’s evolving identity — a blend of East and West, ancient and modern. It’s for listeners who love culture, travel, architecture, and thoughtful conversation.