When I was a kid, I was afraid of the bogeyman. He apparently enjoyed floating around my bedroom—but only when the lights were off. In college, like many suddenly independent young adults, I was fearless. I lived in foreign lands. But, I spent more time exploring my host countries than reading textbooks. There was one […]
Born on February 14, people refer to me as a Valentine’s Day baby. That holiday doesn’t thrill me. I prefer the Latin American celebration: el día del amor y la amistad (the day of love and friendship). Not a fan of Hallmark greeting card observances, I encourage honoring loved ones, and oneself, every day through […]
Como terapeuta profesional de yoga, tengo una afinidad para las enseñanzas de la práctica kundalini la cual pueda tener resultados sanadores. Por eso, cuando enseño clases de yoga me es muy común agregar elementos del yoga estilo kundalini que se hizo popular un maestro sikh (sij). Frecuentemente, guío sesiones enteras de acuerdo a las técnicas […]
A spiritual leader taught me the path of meditation, which leads to enlightenment, and opens up your intuitive abilities. For me, that means listening to my heart rather than my analytical brain. The following is an example of a brilliant, but seemingly illogical, decision of visionary, and activist, His Holiness Radhanath Swami, triggered by his […]
I’m a wanderlust. Solo journeying is part of my DNA. I first ventured outside of the U.S., alone, at age 16. Wherever I am, I incorporate several hours a day of yogasana, breathwork, and meditation. Plus, I try to lead classes or workshops in every destination. The pandemic encouraged grounding and cocooning. Nonetheless, I bolted to […]
Some things seem to go together like mittens on cold hands: apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and jelly, Mac and cheese, rice and beans, and South Indian dosas (vegan crepes) with coconut chutney. The five senses impact our menu choices. The smell of coffee when we awake stimulates our desire to add […]
As a kid, once my mom got past the TV dinners days, she baked sugar-free, bran-loaded homemade “cookies.” We had salad for dinner every night, and the only peanut butter she bought was freshly ground at the local health food store. My father’s degree was in physical education, though admittedly, he didn’t pass on much […]
Times have changed. When I was a kid, we had physical education (PE) daily. Boys with the boys’ teachers and girls with the girls’ teachers. Different times, different sports. Separate, and NOT equal. Despite the enactment of Title IX in 1972, I don’t recall any high school co-ed PE classes. Unless I opted for more […]
Pranada Comtois is the author of three books. Her first two, “Wise-Love” and “Bhakti Shakti,” won multiple awards. Pranada guest-authored an article for my site when “Wise-Love” was released. Her third title, “Prema Kirtan," takes a deep dive into the hows and whys of kirtan. And in particular, the super-powered benefits of the “prema” part […]
Why visit Vrindavan? Again? Linguists say people need to hear a word repeatedly before it’s secured in the brain. That’s why I’m returning to one of the holiest historical cities in India: Vrindavan. Despite all the note-taking during my first visit, I need a refresher course. I don’t want to skim the surface. I want […]
Jahnavi on Tour I’ve always had a preference for female vocalists. Maybe because it’s easier for me to sing along. Or, because it’s easier to hear the subtle differences between my singing and that of my favorite chanteuses. When I listen to Jahnavi Harrison chant, as much as I may be right in tune with […]
Walking for Health Around 400 BC, the Greek physician Hippocrates said, “walking is man’s best medicine.” Recently, I taught a 90-minute exercise class to high schoolers. Between the yoga stretches and core workouts, I led them in a 20-minute walk outside. One of the school staffers saw us and commented that my pace was much […]