I’ve taken many a yoga vacation. In fact, pretty much every trip for me is connected to yoga or involves yoga in some way. Recently, at one of my yoga getaways, I met two mother/daughter pairs that take their mats on vacations, together. They agreed, these adventures can be life changers. Missy Balsam’s Story Missy […]
More and more, doctors are prescribing yoga for people recovering from injuries, or for those that may have high blood pressure, degenerative bone loss, or arthritis. Next: yoga for cancer patients. There are more and more clinical studies to prove that Yoga Therapy can help those recovering from cancer. In Texas, MD Anderson is recognized […]
The sound “Om” may be a symbol of yoga. However, I was taught that Om is more of an appetizer, not to be eaten alone. It’s the first seed sound from which many a mantra can follow. In my personal practice, and in my group classes, I rarely ring in, or out, the session with […]
For the last few days, I wake up with music in my head. The melody is carried by a soothing male voice. It’s followed by a powerful feminine wave of harmony. Each morning it’s a hypnotic chant. Day after day. Different words, in English and Sanskrit. Different tunes. Different vibrations. But the same end result […]
Chanting is not just about “music to our ears.” There have been many studies pointing out the connection between the physical and the spiritual. Dr. Andrew Weil, in his book, “Spontaneous Healing” says “During my travels throughout the world, I have met many healers who believe that the primary causes of health and illness are […]
From Chai Wallah to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a chai wallah (tea vendor) as a young boy. Today, he’s the first prime minister of India who was born in an independent India. As a child of humble means, he began seva (service) in his early years, possibly due to his interest in Swami Vivekananda, […]
The Namaste Counsel interviewed Sean Johnson who will be leading a Bhakti immersion at Bhakti Fest Midwest June 25-28, Madison, Wis. Johnson, who has a Master’s in Chanting and Spirituality, owns Wild Lotus Yoga in New Orleans, and tours the country with his Wild Lotus Band. Q. For those that have never attended one of […]
The Namaste Counsel interviewed Sean Johnson who will be a guest lecturer/featured artist/yoga instructor at Bhakti Fest Midwest June 25-28, in Madison, Wis. Q. Tell me a short story about kirtan (chanting) for newbies or bhakti yoga (devotion) for beginners. One of the most gratifying parts of what we do is sharing kirtan with people […]
Bhakti Fest has been my vacation getaway for the last few years. I attended Bhakti Fest West 2012, 2013, and 2014. Now I’m headed to Bhakti Fest Midwest 2015 June 25-29 in Madison, Wisconsin. The following is an Interview with Sridhar Silberfein, the founder and producer of Bhakti Fest. Q. What was your dream when you first envisioned […]
I love living out of a suitcase, duffle bag, or backpack. When I was 20 years old, I took an army duffle bag and went by land from Illinois to Mexico City, where I lived for the next year, riding the buses every weekend to explore the beauties of that country. I used to say […]
“Sugar is the new fat,” says Erin Prophet, who has her master’s in public health from Boston University, while lecturing at the Texas Yoga Conference in Houston in February. During the lecture, she gave diet tips and explained the fundamental shift that has taken place in nutritional science over the past decade. As people reduced […]
One of my mantras: Yoga is for Everyone. When people who don’t fit the Lululemon mold are in my classes, my heart smiles. Many of us have ingrained images of who does yoga and what yogis look like. I never thought I fit the mold, even though yoga has been a part of my life […]