Ahimsa (non-violence) is at the core of a yogic lifestyle. It may include a vegetarian diet, seva (selfless service or karma yoga) as well as ahimsa for our planet. According to an Earth Day article in the Hindustan Times, half the world’s wetlands have been lost since 1900. Global warming is on steroids, with the […]
When Sat Bir Singh Khalsa told the chairman of the department of physiology that he wanted to focus on yoga for his grad studies, he was met with complete skepticism. That was many years ago. Today, he is one of the nation’s leading researchers on yoga and meditation. Affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Dr. Singh […]
This Yoga for Self-Confidence guest blog is by Devakar Sandhu of Ekam Yogashala in Rishikesh, India Yoga for Self-Confidence: Answers are Within Self-confidence is an attribute that everyone must-have. If someone wants to be truly happy and content in their life, it is important to be confident. It helps in not getting stuck in the […]
The Namaste Counsel is hosting a WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT RETREAT with Sita Devi Dasi, September 21, as well as Community Kirtan on September 22. The retreat will focus on sisterly sangha and soaking up the prana in serene Wimberley. Sita Devi Dasi heads the Women’s Empowerment program at Radhanath Swami’s Govardhan Eco Village. The eco-village is […]
As a child, they kiss your boo boo And it feels better. When your ice cream cone falls to the ground You feel bad. In school, when you score a 100, A big smile, and feeling of pride, fills you up. But, when Johnny calls you “funny face,” you hurt. Your mother’s spaghetti, or your […]
Like me, Dr. Mehmet Oz recommends a low glycemic diet, for blood sugar management. And, yoga. “We are a nation in a diabetes crisis,” says Dr. Oz. “Over the course of my career, I’ve watched patients who were destined for diabetes completely rewrite their fate by losing weight and getting in shape,” he states. Dr. […]
It’s not every day that you see beautiful yogasanas in a museum. That’s why I did a double-take at the Albert Hall museum in Jaipur. There is a great collection of sculpted clay yogasanas (postures). Albert Hall is named for a former Prince of Wales. It is the oldest state-run museum in Jaipur, and one […]
Recipe for feeling blissful in India. Start with a small town. Next, be sure it’s sacred. Far from an airport. No railroad station. Temples and ghats (ceremonial bathing spots) are everywhere. Finally, for the icing on the cake: no alcohol or meat anywhere in town. I knew Pushkar would be a special, place. But I […]
There may be a thousand people crammed in a large temple hall. If this were the U.S., it would likely be against the fire code. But we are in Mumbai, India. With 26,000 people per square kilometer. This is an oasis of spirituality. A temple filled with love, gratitude, and flowers. A golden altar houses […]
Gutsy Yoga. That’s the name of my signature workshops that explores yoga and GI disorders, helping people deal with digestive issues. (Note: A GUTSY YOGA workshop will take place at The Namaste Getaway on June 15. Contact Deborah to register.) I developed Gutsy Yoga, in part, because of my personal health history. And, my solution: […]
In my last article, I spoke about finding thousands of Ganeshas in Varanasi. Unexpectedly. Beyond the Ganeshas, almost everywhere in Varanasi spirituality was overflowing. “It is the headquarters of the Brahmin faith, and one-eighth of the population are priests of that church.*” Just as I relished morning arati in Vrindavan, I woke up early each […]
Saving the best for last on my spiritual tour of Northern India was Varanasi. AKA Kashi (city of light) and Benares. Hindus flock here for spiritual cleansing. Plus, this part of the Ganges is the preferred site for the cremation and/or releasing ashes. While popular among foreigners, spying on sacred burial rites wasn’t my cup […]