Everyone is Important--Jai Uttal Month five of quarantine. Too many have lost a loved one. It’s no longer six degrees of separation. And yet, we retreat in our homes, and in our communities. We get in the car, or order pick-up or delivery, and tune in to Zoom sessions. Few of us are surrounded, daily, […]
Of course there are so many unforgettable and special moments in India. (Read my series on Men in Orange, for a few.) However, when I was traveling in India last year, I was feeling under the weather. There was a constant sense of chill, except for when tucked in bed. Plus, the dry air and […]
This is the 18th year that Grammy-nominated recording artist, Jai Uttal, and his classical Indian dancer yogi wife, Nubia Teixeira, run a Kirtan Camp. This camp is all about play. Playing and singing devotional chants, that is. Kirtan is an ancient practice. As part of bhakti (devotion), it is a branch of yoga that helps […]
Basta Ya! We Are All One Amidst the unending racial injustices and divisiveness, there’s an outpouring of emotions and concerns. People are outraged. Yet unsure about how to make a real difference. We see protests. Acts of solidarity. And, Mea Culpas. Reading lists and movie recommendations are popping up. Most want to do the right […]
Daily, I try to practice as many branches of yoga as possible. Many of us need to push ourselves to go beyond the most common yoga practices of breath and bodywork. Now, in my second month of quarantine, I strive to incorporate pratyahara, the fifth branch of yoga. But, it’s not as easy as the […]
It’s now more than 40 days of quarantine for many. I’ve been trying to follow the words from a song on one of my yoga playlists: So Much Magnificence. And herein, I’m expounding on that refrain. I am offering this advice to you. So Many Treasures in Our World Open your eyes to appreciate the […]
Life is a dance. Freestyle. Non-choreographed. Going with the flow. Modern vs. ballet. Freedom in movement. Expansive or binding. Freedom to paint your world. Your community. Friends and family. Your lifestyle — and your life view. A black box theatre, an orchestral pit, or an open-air amphitheater. Silence vs. symphony. Whereas even white noise is […]
My Prayer for the Planet I speak for the planet. Mother Earth. Nature. All sentient beings. Everything that grows, and yes, dies. That is what I visualize with my prayer for the planet. I speak for the planet when I extol the silver lining in what may seem like an infringement on our freedom. As […]
Covid 19 Breathwork Techniques for Physical and Emotional Wellbeing Beset with chronic pain, I discovered the benefits of pranayama (breathwork) as a teen. Today, pain-free, I practice six different breathwork techniques daily. Furthermore, as a yoga therapist, I routinely prescribe breath work tailored for my clients’ needs. Because of the current pandemic, most everyone should […]
Social distancing and quarantines are no fun. Fortunately, virtual sanghas are forming to keep us sane. For example, the other day, Gov. Cuomo mentioned an extremely heartfelt talk he had, virtually, with his daughter who was in self-isolation. Without a doubt, technology is providing us with a welcoming doorway. A bridge to keep us connected. […]
Yoga is not just about 60 minutes on a mat. For me, anyway. It’s a lifestyle that follows ancient tenets. Among them, loving-kindness. Act selflessly and be in harmony with the universe. In his book, “Krishnamacharya: His Life and Teachings,” A.C. Mohan says, “if the yamas and the niyamas are practiced, one will have universal […]
Bhakti is big for me. Devotion often expressed through group chanting, or kirtan, is my favorite of the yoga branches. So, my heart’s humming, knowing World Bhakti Festival is coming up. In Dallas. Feb. 28, 29, and March 1. World Bhakti Festival is a yoga and wellness festival. However, it features Bhakti leading lights Sean […]