An Expert Nutritionist Discusses the Keto Diet

Nutritionist and Keto Expert L.J. Amaral MS, RD, CSO, specializes in teaching people about nutrition during cancer treatment, for survivorship, and for cancer prevention. She is currently a co-investigator on a phase one clinical trial for ketogenic diets and people newly diagnosed with glioblastomas, a type of brain tumor. She works at the outpatient Cancer Center of Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. We had the opportunity to discuss what you need to know about the keto diet with L.J.

Registered Dietician and therapeutic diet expert L.J. Amaral

Why are we hearing so much about the keto diet these days?

The keto diet has gained immense popularity due to a number of similar diets being popularized at the same time, specifically ones like the paleo diet.

Additionally, our country has a disproportionate amount of people who struggle with being overweight/obese and/or dealing with type 2 diabetes.

A lot of researchers have been trying to find ways to help address this epidemic, and more people are using low carb diets to treat these populations. People are seeing real results with low carb in a quicker amount of time than other diets. Most people who follow a well-planned keto diet can see weight loss within their first week, and/or their glucose/sugars almost normalize, which is very encouraging and implores people to continue with the lifestyle change.

What really makes a keto diet keto?

Ironically, there are a lot of different versions of Keto! According to the Charlie Foundation, which is one of the best and most reliable resources for ketogenic diets, there are several versions of the diet.

There’s a classic ketogenic diet, which is considered a very high fat diet, upwards of 80-90% of calories coming from fat. This ensures the body reaches a state of ketosis.

There are also versions of the diet that are more lenient with protein and fats, but still limits carbs, called the modified Atkins diet.

There’s one version that allows for a little more carbohydrate intake, but the diet is supplemented with MCT, or medium-chain triglyceride, oil to ensure they stay in ketosis.

The most important part is to ensure you reduce and avoid all refined carbohydrates (white flour products) and sugars, to ideally reach a state of ketosis, during which your blood glucose is low and your blood ketones are high. This allows the body to use ketones instead of sugar as a fuel source.

Some people have specific goals for their glucose and ketone values depending on their disease or what type of ketogenic diet they choose to follow.

Being keto is different from just eating a lot of meat, right?

Yes!!! It’s quite the opposite. I do not recommend anyone to just eat meat and call it keto. Cutting out all but one food group is dangerous and unbalanced.

Can you be vegetarian or vegan and follow a keto diet?

You can, but it poses extra challenges. I personally have not counseled anyone on a vegan keto diet, but I’m sure it could be done with a lot of planning, supplementation and likely eating a lot of the same foods.

We’ve heard that a keto diet can have positive medical or health benefits. What are some of the documented situations where this is the case?

There are randomized controlled studies that show how ketogenic diets help people with anticonvulsant resistant epilepsy or seizures that do not respond to medications, especially in children.

It has shown quite positive results for those with type 2 diabetes and normalizing blood glucose and helping to reverse insulin resistance. Some people are even able to get off their glucose-lowering medications or insulin with the right planning and exercise.

It is being studied in cancer, especially brain tumors, and showing some positive effects in mice and preclinical studies in reducing tumor burden.

Research is also being done to show if the ketogenic diet has any positive effects on those with Alzheimer’s and/or Parkinson’s diseases and cognition.

A few researchers across the country are also looking at the ketogenic diet and mental health like PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

There are plenty of anecdotal stories out there where people have felt the difference in using a ketogenic diet such as decreased inflammation, increased mood, better sleep, increased cognition, and weight loss to name a few benefits.

Is the keto diet an all-or-nothing sort of scenario? Can a person follow this part of the time?

I think it depends on what they are following the diet for and what type of ketogenic diet they are following. If you want to occasionally modify your refined carbohydrate and added sugar intake—that’s great! I don’t recommend yo-yo dieting though, and do not recommend doing a classic ketogenic diet part-time.

Is this meant to be a long-term lifestyle or something to facilitate shifts, or a little of both?

It really depends on people’s goals. If someone has diabetes, then a low carb diet could be a lifestyle adaptation to continue to control your blood glucose and insulin and lead a long and healthy life!

For someone who wants to experience weight loss, they can use it as a tool to reduce their body weight. And then they can transition to a plant-based diet, or something more tenable.

The most important thing is to consider if this is a sustainable option. So if you’re struggling to follow the diet for a short amount of time, I would not recommend it long term.

If I’m thinking about following a keto diet, where should I begin?

Start to think of your goals. Why are you doing this? What is your motivation? You are going to need to come back to this constantly in order to continue.

Next, I would get rid of all temptation in your house that you can. This includes pasta, rice, crackers, cookies, sugars of all kinds, corn-based products, et cetera. Start to decrease your intake of these foods as well.

Are there some trusted resources for following a keto diet?

A few I recommend include: The Charlie Foundation. KetoNutrition.Org, and Max Love Foundation.

What are some things a person needs to know to stay healthy and on track on a keto diet?

Ideally, work with a dietitian/nutritionist who can guide you and keep you accountable! I would also download a food tracking app like Cronometer or Eat This Much and record your foods so you understand the ratios and amounts of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins) you are eating daily. Always focus on healthy fats like olives, olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds, and fatty fish. And do not forget to hydrate!! If you can find someone to do it with you, you’ll have more success.

Keto for Beginners

Check out LJ’s instructions on Keto for Beginners.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post The Keto Diet: What you Need to Know appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

CBD photo courtesy of Charlotte’s Web

The Basics of CBD Oil and the Cannabinoids

In recent years, there is an entirely new supplement section that has taken over shelf space in groceries and health food stories. CBD is the latest and some say the greatest addition to the marketplace. Product lines have sprouted up. These include everything from lines selected and branded by medical professionals, multi-level marketing companies, supplement innovators, and product activists seeking to raise the profile of the plant to benefit both farmers and the general public.

While it seems like CBD exploded onto the scene just yesterday, the medicinal benefits of the various phytochemicals of the hemp plant have a long history. The current popularity of CBD for anything and everything can be attributed to a number of factors converging at this point in time. From the perspective of modern biomedical research, one of the factors at play is the identification of the body’s endocannabinoid system in the early 1990s. Another is the growing activism supporting legislature allowing the American farmer to legally grow hemp, including the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalizes the growing of non-psychoactive hemp on US soil.

In addition, we’re seeing a rapidly growing body of research studies published in peer-reviewed journals documenting the medicinal benefits of the phytochemicals found in the hemp plant. State-specific legalization of medical and recreational marijuana use has also contributed to an expansion of the conversations surrounding the different aspects of just what exactly is found in these different strains of what’s become a famous plant species. The economic factors, legal issues, scientific and medical research are all at play in the proliferation of CBD.

Okay—so what is CBD?

CBD is a Cannabinoid. What’s important to note is that there are a lot of cannabinoids. In plants. And even in the human body. First let’s start with Cannabis. This plant genus Cannabis has a number of different species. The most famous are Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. They’re native to Central Asia and India where they have a long history of use including as food, fiber, medicine, and a psychoactive.

That slang name – ganja – is the Sanskrit word for the plant. Hemp is a member of the Cannabis sativa plant while marijuana can be either Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica. A trained eye can distinguish the differences between the plants in a line-up, but what really makes them unique is, you guessed it, THC.

How THC Factors into the Discussion

The full name of THC is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. (It’s why we most often see it abbreviated as THC.) THC is what gives marijuana its psychoactive effects. THC is what gets you high and it is what makes marijuana, well, marijuana.

The body’s receptors that are docking sites for THC were discovered in 1988. This led to the search for the similar chemical compound produced by the human body itself that fits the same receptors.

In 1992, that endocannabinoid was discovered, and fittingly named “anandamide.” We may recognize within that name, the Sanskrit word for bliss, ananda. Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine) is a fatty acid neurotransmitter.

What are the Endocannabinoids

To put the prefix “endo” in front of the word cannabinoid means that it is made inside the body. The naming of the first endocannabinoid with a bit of bliss was not accidental. After all, these molecules can affect our state of mind, but they also affect multiple physiological pathways and states of body. They’re active regulators for everything from the immune system and our inflammatory responses to sensations of pain, our ability to fall asleep, and a number of other systems. In general, the endocannabinoid system is involved in many of the big-picture, internal communications structures within the body.

Psychiatrist Hyla Cass MD (cassmd.com) says that the endocannabinoid system is involved in establishing and maintaining health, homeostasis, and balance throughout the body/brain. She goes on to explain that this system is important for facilitating communication between different cell types and is involved in the immune, neurological, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems. THC is merely one type of cannabinoid made by plants. But it’s not the only one.

That brings us to the CBD that we see on the labels of all of those products. And it brings us to one of the mastermind molecules that influences our endocannabinoid sytems. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid. That means that it is made by plants. The hemp plant. The cannabinoids is the name of a group of chemicals. It’s important to point out that we have different receptors in the body for these chemicals. And they have slightly different effects. Some promote sleep, some don’t, and so on.

CBD is Not THC

Unlike THC, the classes of other CBD/phytocannabinoids are not psychoactive. You can buy them without a prescription. They’re not subject to the laws surrounding recreational marijuana use. And the different CBDs actually have the opposite effect of THC when it comes to psychoactive effects. This is where that distinction of marijuana vs hemp becomes significant.

And in fact, over the counter CBD products sold on shelves must have less than .3% THC. What’s also significant is that many CBD-rich products are labeled hemp oil, or full spectrum hemp oil. This is because what we call CBD or full spectrum hemp oil actually derives its potent effects from a variety of different active cannabinoids that work together synergistically.

The medicinal effects are also influenced by some of the other phytochemicals, such as pharmacologically active terpenes. Terpenes are another group of organic compounds, which are found in many essential oils and provide the familiar aromas we associate with not only cannabis but other foods, herbs, and plants.

Health Benefits of CBD

Now, literally thousands of research studies investigating the array of health benefits of CBD oils have been published. And while people may be treating themselves with CBD, some medical professionals like Dr Cass are actively using CBD in their practice. Dr Cass even sells her proprietary brand. She says, “They’re master modulators that help make neurotransmitters work better, provide a brain boost, address hard-to-treat issues, can be helpful in working with healing trauma, and are powerful in helping us to relax and protect us from overload.” They’re known to have a wide range of anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and anxiety- and stress-reducing effects. And these are only a few of the documented benefits that continue to be collected.

How to Take CBD

While Dr Cass says that at low doses, CBD is generally safe with not many contraindications, it is important to note that each one of us possesses our own individual biochemistry. This means if you choose to use CBD in your life, it is important to start with small doses and titrate up slowly as you pay attention to your personal response. When it comes to the dosage on the body, many tinctures will identify the dosage in the whole bottle. So each dropper-full is a titrated amount of that dosage. These days, you can find CBD in dropper bottles, capsules, sprays, lotions and salves, transdermal patches, vape delivery systems, in pharmaceuticals, infused in foods and drinks, and formulated for pets.

Reading Labels and Selecting A Brand

Joel Stanley, Co-Founder of CBD market innovator Charlotte’s Web (cwhemp.com) offers the following advice when looking to purchase CBD. “I recommend a little research to find the right brand for you. First, find brands that are working for others and have an established track record. Second, ask a few simple questions of the companies: Does the company control the source supply from the farm to the final product? Does the company use third-party testing to ensure their product is free from the possible contaminants that can come from poor manufacturing and agricultural practices? Do they supply customers with batch records?”

“Verifying the answers to these questions is even more important for CBD because hemp is a bioremediator, or soil cleaner,” Stanley continues. “That’s great for some purposes and why it’s been grown at Chernobyl. This is why testing the soil before planting must become a common practice in this industry. Third-party testing of final product for metals, pesticides, solvents, and microbiologicals is an absolute must!”

Massage, Skin Care, and CBD

The active compounds of CBD are oil-soluble. Theypass through the lipid layers of our cell membranes, including our skin. CBD is being used in a number of skin-care lines since it has both nourishing and anti-inflammatory effects. When used for massage, the cannabinoids can enhance muscle and full-body relaxation and restoration. Vanessa Marquez, CEO and Founder of CBD Care Garden (cbdcaregarden.com), has developed a wellness and beauty skincare line designed to deliver a premium massage and self-care experience. Glen Ivy Hot Springs (glenivy.com) is one of the California spas to launch this healing enhancement to their massage services.

CBD: Here to Stay?

CBD has quickly gained a reputation in the wellness industry. It is infused in a variety of food and drinks and it is even being suggested for use by anxious dogs. Statistics reveal that hemp-based CBD industry sales reached $190 million in 2017. These days, millions of people are using CBD regularly. A number of brands are offering CBD products in a variety of forms, including cannabis oil concentrate. But just remember that even though CBD may seem to be everywhere, a person’s reaction to any natural substance is unique. Be conscientious with your choices as you learn to tap into your own inner bliss.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post CBD 101 What you need to know about the cannabinoids appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Reset Your Habits with a New Year, New You Cleanse

Cleansing is a practice that we can integrate into our lives to reassess and reevaluate our relationships with our habits….including our food. According to Avona L’Carttier, who manages the OG cleansing products line Arise & Shine, “A cleanse is a great way to start fresh and to integrate resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle. Some find changing several habits at once works for them. Also, after one has completed a cleanse and is feeling light, bright and energetic there is inner drive to maintain feeling great by eating better.” This may seem challenging, but it is possible to detox with ease.

Any time of the year, anything we can do to feel bright and ignite our inner drive to feel great are meaningful practices.

1. First, Set Your Intention

Connect with yourself to discover your why. Evaluate and investigate your habits and practices. And then set the intention to create and maintain a healthy schedule for yourself during the duration of the cleanse. “Setting the intention to maintain the schedule of a cleanse is a commitment in and of itself,” says Avona.

2. Prepare Effectively to Detox with Ease

Do your research. See if you are ready. Talk to your healthcare practitioner. Choose a cleanse. Arise & Shine offers a guide to the process of cleansing. Gather your supplies. Plan your schedule. Set yourself up for juicing with ease. Be kind to yourself throughout the process.

3. Plan Time for Practice

“Yoga while on a cleanse is a wonderful experience,” according to Avona. During a cleanse, be gentle with yourself. Try a restorative practice and give yourself ample time to rest. Try practices that encourage rejuvenation, such as Yoga Nidra. Meditate and reflect. “In general, cleansing is a good time to rest and tune into your body and spirit in other ways,” says Avona.

4. Go Organic

Avona suggests that people consider incorporating more organic foods into their lives during any cleansing experience. Food activist Zen Honeycutt says, “It’s one of the things I most wish that people who are trying to eat healthy should know. It cannot just be vegan, it cannot just be vegetarian, it cannot just be gluten-free and be healthy, it must also be organic.”

5. Hydrate for Health

We hear about the importance of hydration. This includes minerals and electrolytes. Avona says, “It is essential to ensure that the body has sufficient electrolytes.” Some key electrolytes include (but are not limited to): sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, and phosphorus. Electrolytes are essential for everything from muscle contraction to nerve conduction, allowing us to think clearly, move gracefully, and breathe easily. One way to take in electrolytes, especially during a cleanse, is by making an Alkalizing Vegetable Mineral Broth.

6. Consider Food Swaps for Post-Cleanse Success

Whether we’re talking New Year’s Resolutions or cleansing support, Avona gives the following advice, “Eat as close to the garden as possible and choose minimally processed foods.” After all, “There are heavily processed foods labeled organic that while they may contain all organically grown ingredients they are not necessarily healthy or digestible.” In the quick tips for success on Arise & Shine, whether during the cleanse or while integrating life-long healthy habits, Avona suggests making your own salad dressings and dips.

7. Cleaning as a Practice for Life.

Really doing a cleanse is something that is more than simply a day of juicing. Consider what you would like to receive from the cleanse, how you want to use the practice to jump-start our maintenance routine of a lifestyle of healthy living. You can also try to detox with ease by detoxing your life and taking the space to become more mindful of your thoughts, words, and actions.

However you decide to cleanse, for the New Year and beyond, be intentional and compassionate with yourself throughout the process.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post 7 Steps to Detox with Ease appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Cultivate the Superpower of Empathy with Dr Judith Orloff

The Genius of Empathy is the book that we all need right now. Buy it today. Read it. Practice the techniques and excercises shared in these pages. Tell your friends.

Whether or not we identify ourselves as an empath, or see ourselves as empathic, Dr Judith Orloff says that “empathy is the key to our survival.” She says that the genius of empathy “gives you a wiser, more loving inner resource to guide you and let you view difficulties with more empathic, discerning eyes.”

Dr Judith Orloff says that, “Empathy itself is a healing act.”

Just how do we utilize this healing energy, this healing act? Throughout The Genius of Empathy, Dr Orloff has included a number of practical and accessible tools for cultivating your own inner empath.

The Genius of Empathy: Healing Yourself, Soothing Your Nervous System

In Part 1, Dr Orloff offers a set of teachings focused on “Healing Yourself, Soothing Your Nervous System.” In a world that feels more overstimulating and uncertain by the day, having healthy solutions for self-soothing is life-changing.

Some of the essential topics she covers include identifying the Four Styles of Empathy and a discussion of Misconceptions of Empathy. She also tells us how we can all implement what she calls the practice of the sacred pause. This involves taking a beat, a pause, a moment, to reflect before speaking or taking action.

One of my favorite practical suggestions is the Four Healing Steps to Practice Self-Empathy.

These instructions can be used as a daily practice; as she says, “The following four steps demonstrate how to bring self-empathy into your daily life. It will help you reprogram unproductive thoughts, elevate your self-talk, and awaken the healing energy of the heart.”

Speak to Yourself with Kindness is the first of these four steps. I found this to be a reminder of the importance of self-empathy, self-practice, and connecting within. If we paid attention to our thoughts and self-talk, we might see where we would benefit from more kindness in a moment-by-moment practice.

Dr Judith Orloff Speaks to LA YOGA about The Genius of Empathy

The Four Healing Steps to Practice Self-Empathy are:

• Speak to Yourself with Kindness.
• Connect to Your Heart.
• Make a General Empathic Statement to Yourself.
• Make a Specific Empathic Statement to Yourself.

We can all learn, as Dr Orloff says, to use these tools to “learn to comfort yourself and be your own best friend.” In one of the chapters, we learn to “Cultivate Self-Empathy: Restoring Yourself with Kindness.”

The Genius of Empathy: Healing Your Relationships

As we learn to become our own best friend, we can apply these teachings to how we relate to those around us. Part 2 is focused on “Healing Your Relationships.”

Here are tools for holding space for others through empathic listening, suggestions for healthy giving, and practicing empathy with family, friends, and coworkers.

The Genius of Empathy: Healing the World

In Part 3, Dr Orloff shares how we can utilize these practices for “Healing the World.” Since we live interconnected lives, sharing energy with our global community, practices that help us become better leaders, release resentments, and care for each other are essential for our survival. In this section, Dr Orloff offers real-world examples that feature practical strategies to address stressful work situations, being a new paradigm leader who can create a happy and even playful environment in the workplace, and managing people’s mistakes.

Her discussion of forgiveness is compassionate and empathic even on the page.

“What is forgiveness? It’s an emotional cleasing and self-healing process where you compassionately release smaller and larger resentments to clear unwanted negativity.”

She applies discernment here as well, reminding us that “Forgiveness means different things in different situations.” It’s a reminder that throughout the book and her work, Dr Orloff emphasizes the essential lesson of discernment, of learning, practicing, and using skills for empathy. When we can use the skills, we can tap into and fully live the healing potential of the practices.

“How can I come from my heart, not just my head?” This book offers a loving map to guide us all on the daily journey to loving ourselves through everything (as Dr Orloff says) by living in the space of the heart, with kindness, boundaries, and most importantly, with skill.

Order a copy of The Genius of Empathy.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Why We Need to Read The Genius of Empathy appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Rhythmic drumbeats open and anchor “Through the Ages,” the first track on Opium Moon’s third album Where We Are Gathered. Lush, layered percussive elements combined with melodic strings rising and falling in rhythm showcase what this award-winning supergroup is known for creating. It feels fitting that we begin the musical journey of Opium Moon in “Through the Ages,” with a dance between rhythm and melody made up of sounds both ancient and contemporary; it shines with the timeless nature

The 10 tracks on Where We Are Gathered include powerful instrumentals, evocative lyrical compositions, and collaborations with other artists. We could call this world music, but that would only tell part of the story. This genre-defying music is the inspirational work of art we need right now….it allows not only our hearts but our souls to sing.

Timeless Global Music

Representing a truly global outlook in their background and artistry, Grammy Winning Opium Moon’s members all shine here. They feature: Iranian santoor master Hamid Saeidi, Israeli bassist Itai Disraeli, American percussionist M.B. Gordy, and Canadian-American violinist Lili Haydn. Their collaborations on We Are Gathered include Hengameh, Wouter Kellerman, Supreme Beings of Leisure, and Benjy Wertheimer.

This is an album that begs for us to savor it as accompaniment to the sacred journeys that are our lives. Its power allows for it to be the soundtrack to practice, to meditation, to prayer and contemplation, to the shamanic journey of the written word, to fill a home with the sacred. My first listen was with headphones on, immersed in the sonic stereo created by the layered recording. I listened alone, in a mood and space of recovery, and do not find it trivial to say that these songs are truly healing, hypnotic, and offer both hope and the possibility of whatever redemption we may be seeking.

“Metta Prayer Invocation” and “Metta Prayer” drop the listener into the spaces of the sacred, wherever the person listening may be. You don’t need to understand the words of the 2,600 year-old Buddhist prayer sung by Benjy Wertheimer in the ancient Indian language of Pali to feel the vibrations shared here.

There are moments in the flow of the album when to get up an dance feels like the perfect response, like in “The Mystery.” Supreme Beings of Leisure collaborate with Opium Moon on this track for a sensual journey. In “Love and Understanding,” we hear Lili Haydn’s vocalization of the central message, “There is no problem in the world that can’t be solved by more love and understanding.” We needed no proof before of her eclectic and multidimensional virtuosity, but we experience it here again.

Photo of Opium Moon by Dorit Theis

We Are Gathered

For many reasons, this album was recorded literally in layers. The artists describe how they began by layering the thematic percussive elements by Itai Disraeli and M.B. Gordy and then Lili Haydn and Hamid Saeidi improvised together upon this base. They evoked the thought that “where two of us are gathered,” they are still Opium Moon, giving the name for the album.

It is something we can all remember, wherever we are, however we are gathered, that through music, through song, through rhythm and harmonies, we are gathered. We are connected across time and space, across boundaries and barriers, across language and limitations. We can experience the sacred amidst the ordinary and we can feel the freedom within the song of our own heart.

This is an album that is meant to be owned, to be brought home, to be enjoyed as a sacred journey, to be listened to again and again.

Learn More About Opium Moon and We Are Gathered

Learn more about Opium Moon and buy the album on the band’s website. https://www.opiummoon.com 

Woman Life Freedom with Opium Moon and Hengameh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlNC57UbVQo

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Opium Moon: Where We Are Gathered appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Give Gifts with Intention!

Giving and receiving gifts can be a spiritual practice when we apply the principles of gift giving with intention. We use tools for practice that help us tune into ourselves and show up powerfully in the world in which we live. We can find gifts that help someone ignite their inner fire and find enjoyment on a daily basis. Check out some of the gifts, including tangible items and services, to support ongoing practice in the world we live in today.

Chakra Balancing Set

Chakra Balancing is a form of energy healing that focuses on channeling energy into the seven chakras. When we talk about treating chakras we are referring to treating your energetic body. The body is not only made up of the physical body, we have an energy that extends beyond our physical well-being.

This Chakra Set includes:

• Chakra Balancing Necklace
• Chakra Balancing Earrings
• Amethyst Heart Shaped Gemstone

If knowledge about the chakras—which are referenced in India’s traditional medical system, Ayurveda—were taught in a classroom setting, lesson one would likely be a breakdown of the seven main energy centers in the body and their meanings. “Each of the chakras point to one of these energy centers in our nervous systems.”

Learn More about the Chakra Balancing Set

Inner Reflections 2023 Engagement Calendar

A simple yet elegant gift that lasts all year! This award-winning desk calendar celebrates the divine beauty found in nature. Fifty-three photos are artfully matched with inspiring insights from the writings of yogi Paramahansa Yogananda, offering a stunning selection of truly awesome photography from some of the world’s top nature photographers. The dazzling images alone make this calendar a wonderful experience. Each page provides a visually refreshing personal getaway and mini meditation retreat –- an uplifting gift for yourself or others! Printed on high quality paper, with ample room for daily notes, as well as monthly planning calendars in the back section.

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Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Practice Gift Giving with Intention: Holiday Gift Guide 2022 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Jahnavi Harrison Shares Bhakti Yoga through Sacred Music

Sacred music artist Jahnavi Harrison is currently touring the US for her Into the Forest Tour, named for her most recent sacred music album. Join her on Thursday, November 3, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, at 7:00 PM.

Jahnavi evokes the environmentalist John Muir saying, “Into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul.” which gave inspiration for name of both the album Into the Forest and the tour. Whether we are in nature or a theatre, in the city, or in the forest, we can connect to the art of devotion to find our souls.

She’s sharing her clarity of voice, purity of purpose, and a direct line to the essence of bhakti. Bhakti is the Sanskrit word for devotion. This refers to the practice that allows us to experience our connection to the divine within us as well as the divine aspects of the world around us. It is more than chant, music, or song.

Bhakti Yoga is the path that allows us to open our hearts. It is available to each and every one of us. There are so many methods we can use to connect into this path of practice. Those of us who live in Los Angeles are fortunate to be able to have the experience to not only sit and experience sacred musician Jahnavi’s devotion, but to sing with her and to sing in community with each other on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Use the discount code SINGVIP50 for a limited time offer of 50% off tickets.

A Path of Practice

Each and every time Jahnavi shares her approach to Bhakti Yoga, she draws upon the legacy of her upbringing. She grew up at Bhaktivedanta Manor in England, a spiritual sanctuary famously donated by late Beatle George Harrison as part of his own practice of Bhakti Yoga.

Her immersion in sacred song includes a number of album releases, including the album, Like a River to the Sea.

Jahnavi has garnered a long list of supporters who share their love of her work. Willow Smith has recorded music with Jahnavi and calls her, “One of my favorite artists of all time.” Famous chant artist Krishna Das says, “When Jahnavi sings and plays one feels that one is eavesdropping on the music of the Gods. One only has to have ears to hear her and know immediately that we are in the presence of grace.”

She has appeared on Russell Brand’s podcast. He says the following about her, “This woman is amazing. I’ve seen her perform, it’s holy and sacred.”

Sing with Jahnavi Harrison in Los Angeles

Thursday, November 3 at 7:00 PM. A Night of Mantra Music with Jahnavi Harrison.  Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 West 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005 For 50% off tickets, use the discount code:  SINGVIP50  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jahnavi-harrison-an-evening-of-mantra-music-meditation-tickets-391173950817

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Into the Forest: Sing with Sacred Music Artist Jahnavi Harrison appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Chant at Bhakti Love Reunion in September

Bhakti is the Yoga of Devotion. It is often defined as the Yoga of Love. One of the most visible ways that this is practiced in the world is through music. But not just any music. Chanting. Ecstatic singing. The repetition of the names of the divine with celebratory melodies, often with Sanskrit mantras. With the repetition of call and response between musicians and audience known as kirtan. There is a certain joyous ecstasy to the practice of Bhakti. It is not performance but participation. It is community. It is love. The Bhakti Love Reunion, a brand-new festival bringing Bhakti to life, is an in-person explosion and expression of Bhakti.

During the months and years of pandemic-driven isolation, the festivals that have become part of the expression of yoga in the modern world took different forms. Live-streamed sessions, virtual festivals, people chanting at home.

Joss Jaffe (Kirtan artist) and Johanna Beekman

The Magic of Bhakti Love Reunion

The new festival, Bhakti Love Renunion creators and producers Kenneth Schwenker and Johanna Beekman both embody the values of devotion and community. Kenneth is one of the founders of the first Bhakti Fest, held in 2009 in Joshua Tree, California. Of that groundbreaking event, Kenneth reflects that is was the first festival of its kind to unite many spiritual lineages and practices. In addition, he has put his devotion into action through his work producing many other festivals, including Leaders Causing Leaders and One Love Festival, as well as numerous feature films. Johanna Beekman is a prolific artist, musician, producer, and teacher. She describes herself as a pollinator, traveling the country sharing fairy dust through the magic of song, practice, and community. Johanna’s love of and dedication to collaboration is evident in how she talks about the magic in planning this festival, the Bhakti Love Reunion.

The two of them describe their meeting and connecting around this endeavor as being guided by angels. They reference the magical things that can happen in the cross-pollination of in-person gatherings. There was a bit of magic that came through in finding the location where the Bhakti Love Reunion will be held.

Bhakti Love Reunion Offers a Rejuvenate Festival Experience

The Native Springs Oasis in Weldon, California is at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The sacred land contains a stream and a pond. And there are natural mineral hot springs around 20 minutes away along the nearby Kern River. A couple of hours outside of Los Angeles, the location is accessible from Southern, Central, and Northern California, on land that is welcoming and provides a venue for resetting attendee’s nervous systems as well as recharging and restoring. The event itself will include rituals honoring the land, the water, and the hot springs. Johanna and Kenneth feel that they are offering everyone an open invitation to their second home. This home, this oasis, offers an escape from the cities, the routines of daily life, into a portal of practice. The land itself features plenty of camping and glamping, while nearby hotels and motels are also available.

The heart of it all, the love itself, it found through the practices of Bhakti, of devotion. Through the repetition of song, of mantra, of sharing our voices.

During the festival itself, Johanna describes a schedule that will include an arc or flow of energy throughout a daily cycle, reminiscent of at the rhythm or sequences of a yoga practice. Yoga classes and workshops will be held each morning, allowing people to prepare physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the heart opening of the chanting later in the day. “All of the energy will go to the main stage at night.” The invitation of the divine feminine and the gathering of diverse voices from the community are seen on the schedule as a whole, both in classes and workshops, as well as on the main stage.

Sianna Sherman and Masood Ali Kahn

Sacred Practices on Sacred Land

In the schedule, the weekend programming includes topics such as a panel on diversity in yoga. Every evening, sacred fire ceremonies will be held around the fire pit. Each morning, attendees can drop into yoga classes or Breathwork, and can flow throughout the day and night between learning, healing breathing, and moving, interwoven in with the restorative power of sound before everyone gathers at the main stage. Of course, nutritious food, a conscious marketplace, and healers, will all be part of the immersive festival experience.

One of the essential parts of Bhakti Love Reunion is the creation of a family-friendly atmosphere. For example, teacher and musician Reya Manna will be leading the Kids’ Tent, where a safe place for kids will include the “Sing the World Awake” practices for kids.

A familiar list of artists and teachers sharing the love at Bhakti Love Reunion include the following. C.C. White Soul Kirtan, Donna DeLory, Kamini Natarajan, Masood Ali Khan, Sianna Sherman, Saul David Raye, David Newman, Larisa Stowe, Girish, J Brave, DPAK, Joss Jaffe, Nandhiji, Leeza and Humberto Villagomez, Ben Leinbach, Jai Anand, Evan Perman, Annmarie Soul, Reya Manna, Cheri Rae, Manoj Chalam Mashi, Cooper Ladnier, Fantuzzi, Girish, Michael Hathaway, Butter Thieves, Heart Medicine, Dahveed Haribol Das, and more.

From the morning practices, to community yoga classes, to honoring the land, to chanting together as the sun sets, the Bhatki Love Reunion, will truly offer a welcome reunion, gathering a community longing to come together on sacred land in California. The festival as a whole offers a living practice of how we can bring the sacred in so many forms into our daily lives. This is the event we need now, for our collective sacred journey.

Attend Bhakti Love Reunion

Learn more and buy your tickets now at: bhaktilove.com.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Bhakti Love Reunion: New Sacred Festival in California appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Why Learn the Easiest Meditation Techniques with Lorin Roche and Camille Maurine

You have heard that meditation is good for you. You may have heard that meditation is helpful for reducing anxiety, dealing with stress, enhancing deep recovery, improving sleep, and any number of other benefits. On this journey, you may have been or you might feel challenged by finding the meditation techniques that work authentically for you and your personality. There are so many styles, lineages, and approaches to this practice. The truth is that different practices and techniques work for different people.

How do you find the technique that works for you?

How do you fall in love with meditation?

In this conversation, I’d like to introduce you to modern-day meditation teacher and trainer of teachers Lorin Roche, PhD and his wife and teaching partner, Camille Maurine.

Lorin Roche has spent his life meditating as well as teaching people to meditate, and teaching people how to teach others to meditate. Lorin earned his doctorate from the University of California, Irvine in the 1960s. In his research, one of the things he studied was the language meditators use to describe their experiences. This allowed him to help people customize a way in to their experience and to finding meditation practices that are instinctive and enjoyable for them. The combination of this work of deep listening and of combining technique with observation gives him a unique perspective that comes through in his work with groups and individuals. This, along with his lifelong immersion in the subtleties of language and technique of the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra (an ancient text describing 112 meditation techniques), makes him one of the most accessible and ground-breaking teachers of our time

Camille Maurine brings a uniquely feminine and embodied approach to meditation practice and teaching. She is a dancer, an artist, a poet, a performer, a person whose skills in facilitation draw people out of themselves and into community as well as into the bliss of their own experiences. Meditation is not just in our head. A successful meditation practice is done with our entire bodies. We embody meditation and Camille guides this. Camille is also the coauthor (with Lorin Roche) of Meditation Secrets for Women and Meditation 24/7, Camille’s work with the Radiance Sutras, with the teaching of meditation, opens a portal to practice that allows meditation techniques to be effortless and accessible.

Together they teach the Radiance Sutras Meditation Teacher Training.

Even if you have never before thought about taking a meditation teacher training, and have zero interest in teaching anyone else how to meditate, now may be the time to make this commitment to yourself to your personal growth, to your practice, and to your own inner peace.

Guiding People through the Language of Meditation

There are many times when I was profoundly struck by Lorin’s mastery of the language of meditation. One example took place nearly 10 years ago. We were in a small Santa Monica yoga studio on a Monday evening. The class was a drop-in meditation techniques for beginners. Lorin began by leading the group through a practice exploring instinctive meditation. Then Lorin deftly guided each individual through a process during which he asked them to talk about how they meditated, the words they used to describe their inner experience, the thoughtfulness of their flow state. He reflected words and phrases back to them, and even mirrored their body language as they reflected. Through this process, he provided ways for people to find their instinctive meditation practices. He showed people how to meditate in ways that are authentic and accessible.

Observing this and being part of this experience has changed the way that I think about meditation. It has changed the way I meditate. Practicing with Lorin has helped me understand exactly what meditation does, the rhythm and flow of meditation practice on the deepest most cellular level. And how meditation is an essential practice for recovery at all levels and layers of a person’s being.

The Radiance Sutras and the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra

The Vijnana Bhairva Tantra is a yogic text, written in Sanskrit, from the 7th or 8th Century. It is framed as an epic conversation between Bhairavi and Bhairava, deities exploring the nature of meditation, the benefits of meditation, and how to meditate. This text allows for the understanding that there are many forms of meditation. It also describes how different types of meditation work for different people. Over decades, Lorin Roche and Camille Maurine have explored the language and feeling of these verses describing meditation. Their work is found in The Radiance Sutras, a the modern take on the ancient text of the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra for the world we live in today.

The word “Bhav” in Sanskrit refers to the feeling state, a mood, or an expression of something. In this work, Lorin and Camille truly capture the “bhav” of playful and instinctive meditation for the modern meditator. If you want to understand the benefits of meditation in a way that actually allows you to practice, it is helpful to feel the joy and the playfulness of meditation.

The Radiance Sutras and Meditation

Poetry is one of the portals through which we can understand our experience of meditation. Over the years, I have seen the artistic creativity that Lorin and Camille bring to their interpretations of the Radiance Sutras. They have practiced this ecstatic form of spoken word poetry set to music accompanied by dance and movement with group participation at yoga studios, at retreat centers, in meditation teacher trainings, in yoga teacher trainings, at Esalen, at Kripalu, at Bhakti Fest, and in a number of other locations around the world.

The Radiance Sutra Jam Sessions is the ecstatic practice of meditation in action. Over and over again, I have seen these jam sessions introduce people to the joyful practice of meditation.

I remember one of the first times when I experienced this. A packed room. Musicians at the front of the space riffing on ecstasy. People taking turns standing up and choosing a stanza describing meditation. Spoken word repetition of evocative language that makes meditation real. Accessible. Fun. People lit up laughing and dancing. We often take meditation so seriously. Through the Radiance Sutras, meditation is joyful. Their way into the human psyche and the soul through this work is truly inspired.

Transformation takes place when you practice. Meditation made easy and fun makes practice possible.

I have also seen the implementation of the Radiance Sutras over time and the power of this text, this set of teachings, and how Lorin has used the modern language of poetry to talk about meditation. Through the Radiance Sutras, adapt this work in ways that are truly transformative and in ways that allow people to access this work who may not have related to it previously.

The Music of The Radiance Sutras

“Elixir: Songs of the Radiance Sutras an album that blends 10 songs into a mix of melodies that will inspire ecstatic dance, sensual expression, and meditative movements. It is a collaboration between Dave Stringer, Donna De Lory, Joni Allen, and Lorin Roche. Elixir provides music and vibration to complement meditation techniques.

This meditation teacher training program may be for you.

• If you are looking for an approach to teaching meditation that offers a number of meditation techniques.
• You are looking for ways to find your authentic and instinctive meditation practice.
• You want to learn more about the benefits of meditation.
• You have been frustrated by other meditation courses.
• You have been challenged by finding out how you want to meditate.

There are many meditation classes, and even a growing number of meditation teacher training programs offered around the world. There is an art to teaching meditation.

Teachers Speak about the Radiance Sutras Meditation Teacher Training

Over the years in Los Angeles, and around the world, Lorin and Camille have collaborated with some of the most noteworthy teachers practicing today. In teacher trainings, at retreat centers, in studios, and on stages, leaders in the field speak about this intuitive approach to meditation with reverence.

Dr Eden Goldman on Studying Meditation with Dr Lorin Roche

Terra Gold: On Studying with Lorin Roche

For over a decade at Loyola Marymount University, I brought Lorin Roche in to guide foundational level yoga teachers and yoga therapists skills for practicing and teaching meditation. It seemed to me that the best way to help practitioners understand the value of meditation, was to help them unlearn whatever they thought meditation was.

Every year, Lorin would come in and remind the students that if they had learned a style of meditation that had given them the impression they couldn’t do it, or if they felt inadequate at it, then it wasn’t the right style for them…and it may have even been detrimental for them.

I watched hundreds of students melt what was for some of them, years of shame and grief over feeling inept as meditators.

With each person in the room, Lorin artfully guided personalized meditative experiences that were so natural people didn’t even realize they had gone into meditation until they came out and felt the profound effects of where they had been. The experiences were poetic, profound. Each year the students’ feedback was filled with people being uplifted by the experiences. Students were feeling more present, awake in their senses, embodied and vibrantly alive.

Most of all, students left empowered and trusting their own unique ways into mediation.

Beyond those events, I also shared experiences of learning from Lorin directly in his workshops at Esalen Institute, in his teacher training course for meditation teachers, and most favorite of all, over tea on his couch with him and his wife Camille, and sharing walks together.

I’ve found that many of the metaphors Lorin uses for describing qualities of meditative states, stay with me, largely because they are such natural sensorial expressions, are practical, and they are truly experiential.

He’s a master of honoring the mundane as the sacred…recognizing a flower, a melody, a texture or color of fabric, a word, a fond memory and how each one can invoke full samadhi (awakening moment, to moment, to moment) NOW.

Lorin Roche is a pioneer in the field of meditation, but most precious of all is how he consistently reminds me that growing as an elder can be elegant, wild, unique to each’s own, and he reminds me that each and every moment of life is so worth experiencing FULLY.

–Terra Gold, author, yoga therapist, east/west medicine practitioner, mother

Become a Certified Meditation Teacher

What You Learn in the Meditation Teacher Training

This perspective on meditation teacher training is accessible for everyone. You will explore your own unique approach to meditation.

During the course of this experiential training you will develop a successful meditation practice FOR YOU.

• Practice meditation techniques that are effortless.
• Learn how to teach meditation to a variety of people and in many situations.
• Understand more of the scientific research around meditation.
• Speak the language of meditation.
• Discover the easiest meditation techniques that anyone can practice.
• Explain meditation and how to meditate to your family and friends.
• Practice meditation as a form of stress reduction.
• Experience how meditation enhances peak performance.

Explore an intuitive approach to meditation through the Radiance Sutras Meditation Teacher Training.

It has been an honor and privilege to study and practice with Lorin and Camille over the years. They add so much to the community through their unique and accessible approaches to meditation practice. Now is the time to transform your meditation practice by working with Lorin and Camille. Don’t miss this opportunity to study in the Radiance Sutras Meditation Teacher Training.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Learn The Easiest Meditation Techniques appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Empowerment through Words and Action: A Conversation with Kimberly Snyder

Kimberly, this is a very vulnerable book in which you are a lot of your story. What inspired you to write this book?

What were some of the challenges you faced while writing?

You mention your teacher Paramahansa Yogananda often in the pages. How did you find his teachings? What are some of the ways his teachings continue to inspire you?

Yogananda emphasizes meditation. How would you recommend some meditation practices for beginners?

What are some ways that you have found to continue to commit to a meditation practice and continue to be inspired by meditation?

One of your chapters is called, “You are a Powerhouse”. How do you continue to stay connected to your personal power?

Your conversation in the book about being a creator is meaningful. How do you continue to identify as a creator these days?

In the book, you frequently offer some journaling prompts for readers. How is journaling part of your personal practice?

What do you hope to inspire in others when reading your book?

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post You Are More Than You Think You Are: An Interview with Kimberly Snyder appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Attend the Conscious Life Expo February 4 – 7

At this point in time, it is more important than ever for us to connect to whatever allows us to be our best selves, living our best lives, finding community, and experiencing health and well-being. These are also times during which we may be experiencing some of the greatest challenges of our lifetime. The Conscious Life Expo has long been an event and a place where people can come together and explore the edges of consciousness, learn more about energy and experience, partake in the healing arts, and discover things that aren’t easily available anywhere else.

Here are 10 reasons to attend the Conscious Life Expo for one lecture or the entire weekend, February 4 through 7.

1. Inspiring Speakers and Workshop Leaders

Attend Innovative and thoughtful workshops that you won’t find anywhere else. Cultivate sacred sisterhood with Britt Lynn and Hanna Lena Christenson. Learn how to shield and protect your energy. Experience medical mediumship readings with Kimberly Meredith.

2. Free Lectures

Learn about self-healing from a variety of perspectives in the Conscious Life Expo Free Lecture Series. Self-healing, mastering your self, psychedelic integration, medicinal mushrooms and more. Discover how to chose the right diet, practice Chi Gong, and find tools to transform grief, work as a conscious entrepreneur, and tune into the awakening of the divine feminine.

3. Celebrate After Hours

Stay late and imbibe in a Cacao Ceremony and After Hours Experience with an Aura Sound Bath and Embodiment followed by Dancey Downtempo House and Elixir Cocktails!

4. Heal Yourself with Delicious Food

Nourish your body as well as your mind and spirit. Plant-based artisan food from Jummee; warming Chakra Chai, delicious Indian vegetarian from Samosa House, vibrationally active water from Starfire Water, Gaia Tree Teas & Treats, and Auraganic Juicery.

5. Euphoria Fashion Show w/ Conscious Fashion Brands

Be inspired to wear clothing that expresses your most authentic self with brands that are dedicated to making a positive impact. Clothing lines at the Euphoria Fashion Show include Starseed Squad, Namaslay Collective, The Way of the Hand, and more. Show up on Saturday, February 5 at 4:00 PM.

6. Extensive Hispanic Program

In person and online, Spanish language programming and events at Conscious Life Expo widen the availability and accessibility of the teachings and teachers.

7. Connect with Community

We need to surround ourselves with like-minded people who will lift us up and support our ability to be our best selves. Whether you connect with the person next to you at a workshop or lecture, or you meet someone in the hallways, find your community while attending the expo. We need community now more than ever.

8. Conscious Shopping

One of the greatest reasons to attend the Conscious Life Expo in person is to visit the Exhibit Hall. There are some things that we don’t always find in an internet search. Visiting the exhibit hall allows you to discover new and cutting- edge products offered by conscious entrepreneurs. You can support small businesses and artisans. Visit the Exhibit Hall to find solutions for how to live well in the world today.

9. Expo’s Got Talent!

See the Expo teachers, speakers, thought-leaders, and community members showcase their talents in the Expo’s Got Talent show on Saturday night!

10. Livestream Tickets are Available!

If you can’t make it in person….Livestream Tickets are Available for Main Stage speakers, allowing you to tune in from home or even gift attendance to the Conscious Life Expo to far-away friends.

Learn More about the Conscious Life Expo and Buy Tickets! 

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post 10 Reasons to go to the Conscious Life Expo appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Shanti Malibu Brings A Vision of Community to Southern California

Modern science has profoundly altered the course of human life. People are living longer now than during any other time in history, but these same advances have turned the process of aging into a medical experience for which the medical world is unprepared. What if there was another option to living a life of health and wellness? Shanti Malibu’s concept of active adult living will make life more comfortable and enjoyable.

Shanti Malibu is currently a concept for a wellness and active adult community that is seeking input and feedback as they build and create your future home. Please fill out this survey to offer your perspective. And keep reading to learn more.

Take the Shanti Malibu Survey

Everyday Life as Retreat Living

Picture this mood inspired by the Eagles:

On a beautiful highway, cool wind in my hair.
Warm smell of eucalyptus, rising up through the air.
Up ahead in the distance, I saw shimmering light…

• Imagine waking up in an environment where you can relax and be nurtured in a stress-free retreat-like home.
• Imagine that you are listening to the morning sounds of birds singing, with the scent of fresh flowers, as the smell of fresh organic breakfast foods cooking stimulates your appetite?
• All this while living in a private bungalow designed according to the ancient healing concepts of Vastu, with views of a medicinal herb garden.
• This isn’t just an inspiring guided meditation or an image on your vision board.
• This could be your life in an Ayurvedic active adult community of your dreams.

Ayurvedic Wellness for Daily Life

“Feed People, Serve People,” –Neem Karoli Baba

The vision of this community also includes apartment living as well as thoughtfully appointed bungalows available for short-term stays. You can visit loved ones, gather for social events, and be nourished by delicious Ayurvedically-influenced meals from the organic farm-to-table restaurant.

You can enjoy wellness-enhancing Ayurvedic day spa therapies, receive detoxification/pancha karma treatments in the Ayurvedic clinic, and benefit from the vast understanding of rasayana or rejuvenation in Ayurvedic teachings.

One of the most powerful Ayurvedic tenets is that “Food is medicine and medicine is food.” Society at large has yet to recognize the potent role of foods. Like any drug, food has the power to either heal or harm. Living with an organic farm will provide a clean and ongoing source of nutrition, gently informed by Ayurvedic eating principles to encourage balance resulting in better health.

Everything about the environment at Shanti Malibu is envisioned to live in harmony with nature and with the circadian rhythms, the cycles of the day as understood in Ayurveda and in modern medicine.

Surrounded by love and health at Shanti Malibu: The Team

Shanti Malibu is the plan to implement this vision. The growing team and advisory board is being led and managed by Larry Mangel. Larry is a NAMA Board Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Vedic Counselor who is formally Cerealart’s product developer and art publisher.

Ayurvedic Practitioner and Shanti Malibu Manager Larry Mangel

Other members of the team include a visionary architect and experienced senior care health professional LVN who has more than 10 years of experience working in diverse healthcare environments, independent living communities, and urgent care and hospital settings.

The experienced staff and advisory board also features a number of noteworthy Ayurvedic experts including: Dr. Ramkumar Kutty, the founder of Vaidygrama, the Ayurvedic center in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India; Vedic author and scholar Dr. David Frawley; and Ayurvedic physician and educator in Long Beach, Dr. Jayagopal Parla.

The Vision of Shanti Malibu

The vision is “a boutique wellness hotel sitting in a huge garden.” It is where the “Golden Door” meets India in Southern California.

Why The Time is Now for Shanti Malibu

At Shanti Malibu, you can live on permanent retreat in an oasis of peace. Work and relax in a beautiful private active adult residence that feels like a lovingly designed paradise with seasonally grown organic food and lots of fresh air.

Activities at Shanti Malibu

While living here, you can ask yourself, “Should I begin the day with a meditation practice, pranayama, or yoga? Or all three? Is there a hike on the agenda today or a walk along beautiful tree-lined connected paths through a safe property?

You can browse the medicinal herb gardens, fruit orchards, or stroll beside the year-round creek. Near oceans and mountains, Malibu is close enough for a day trip to the beach, near town for shopping, and an easy ride to cultural attractions such as the picturesque Getty Museum.

Shanti Malibu’s activities and programming will include lectures and classes by notable experts, cooking classes in the teaching kitchen, swimming in the lap pool, and tennis or basketball on the courts. You can relax and read on your private deck and work in the on-site office center and host meetings in the conference rooms.

Imagine leaving behind your maintenance worries! You no longer have to mow the lawn, plow or snow blow your driveway, paint, call the plumber, or worry about exterior upkeep? You can live on gorgeously maintained grounds without having to be personally responsible for all the upkeep!

The Community at Shanti Malibu

In the active adult community of Shanti Malibu, your neighbors will be your peers, your community of like-minded people that you can relate to and with whom you can share your story. You’re all at similar stages in life with similar interests and lots to teach each other.

Looking for Input

As we progress, we are looking for input from people like you to help us build the best community possible. We’d love your input! Please take our survey. It will only take five minutes!

We are confident that this will have a huge impact on the emotional well-being of our future residents. We’ll thank you with a free 15-minute Ayurvedic consultation.  https://www.shantimalibu.com/landing-page

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Is this the Ayurvedic Retirement Community of Your Dreams? appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

What is Vastu Shastra?

You’re probably familiar with Feng Shui. It’s become popular over the years as a way to bring luck and prosperity into the home. But you might not know that Feng Shui has its roots in Vastu Shastra, the architecture science from ancient India.

Vastu Shastra, the science of building in harmony with nature, comes from a body of knowledge called the Vedas, which was written in India seven to ten thousand years ago. Ancient seers (rishis) observed the workings of the universe and how it affected the human physiology and our external world and they described it all within the Vedas – from astrology through jet propulsion to zoology.

There are many texts within Vedic knowledge and Vastu comes from a text called Artharva Veda. Within this text are sciences that address how to improve the quality of your life. Atharva Veda not only includes Vastu Shastra, but also its sister sciences of Ayurveda, Jyotish astrology, yoga, and meditation. Ayurveda and yoga seek to balance the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space in the physical body. Vastu takes it a step further to balance the five elements in the body of your residence.

Lissa Coffey at Home

Lissa Coffey, is the founder of CoffeyTalk.com and author of the bestselling What’s Your Dosha, Baby among many other titles centering around Vedic science. Her release Song Divine is a modern musical interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita; she is someone whose live is steeped in the application of the teachings of the Vedas.

Lissa and her husband Greg took me on a tour of their custom-built Vastu home in the Conejo Valley. From the outside it looks very much like other houses in the neighborhood, in a traditional Spanish style. But a closer look reveals so much that is special about it. Here’s what Lissa, and her Vastu architect Michael Mastro shared with me about their experience and how it all ended up.

A Personal Experience with Vastu Shastra

Lissa, how did you come up with the idea of building a Vastu home?

I started learning about Vastu through my research on Ayurveda. When Michael Mastro came to the Hindu Temple in Malibu in 2006 to talk about his work, Greg and I went and we all became fast friends. Michael went through and fixed up the home we had at the time, and it planted the seed that someday we would build a true Vastu home. That opportunity came up in 2015 when we purchased a piece of land. We went to Michael, had him evaluate the lot, and together we collaborated on a floor plan that met the Vastu criteria. It was really fun working with Michael.

Not many homes have a dedicated meditation room. How do you like that feature?

LC: We feel so lucky! This is a “must have” for a Vastu house. Our meditation room has windows in the north and east, to let in morning light and great energy. When we sit to meditate we face east, where the altar is placed. We put in a pyramid ceiling per Michael’s suggestion to amplify the vibes. I also keep my Vedanta books in there. And I have a photo of Swami Sarvadevananda, my teacher at the Vedanta Society, on my altar. Michael even taught me how to Vastu the altar. This is actually my favorite room in the whole house – I love it.

Did you do the decorating all yourself?

Yes! The floor plan was set, so I knew the function of each room, and Michael gave me the Vastu guidelines for colors and such. I was going for a “Spain meets India” aesthetic, a little Bohemian casual, and yet a touch of elegance. Lots of wood, lots of light, warm and comfortable. I used some Spanish tile mosaics for a bit of whimsy, and a peacock feather Mexican sink in the kitchen island – that blends the two cultures right there.

We mostly used all the same furniture we had before. I got some “hand-me-downs” from my mom – including a Spanish hutch to house a lot of our treasures from our travels in India. I recovered her dining room chairs in this modern peacock fabric. The big dining table is the only new piece I got – and that will come in handy when I hold classes here. The grand piano is from my step-dad, so I’ve started playing again after all these years!

Do you feel a difference with this being a Vastu home – as compared to other homes you’ve lived in?

Absolutely. Pretty much everyone who comes to visit notices it! It’s a calming, grounding energy – very balanced. It’s a good thing, because Greg and I both work from home, so we’re here a lot. We have been living an Ayurvedic lifestyle for many years now, and to have a home that really supports that is just amazing.

Michael, how would you explain Vastu to someone who hasn’t experienced it?

My wife Robin and I call Vastu “yoga for the home.” Vastu eliminates the stress that so often exists in life so you can be more productive and successful In a Vastu home, all five elements are in perfect balance and in harmony with nature. With this harmony you receive the support of nature in terms of fulfillment in career, finances, health, and relationships.

Stressful environments create dis-ease in your body and affects your well-being and productivity. Everyone has had the experience of walking into a home that looks beautiful, but for some reason, you feel uncomfortable and are anxious to leave. This stress or anxiety indicates that one or more of the five elements is out of balance.

How do the four directions come into play with Vastu ?

MM: There are two primary forces of nature that impact the level of success we experience in our lives. The first is positive solar energy that rises in the east, and the second is positive magnetic energy that comes from the north. These two positive energies enter your environment from the northeast and collect in the southwest for your benefit. Scientific studies have demonstrated that energy moves most harmoniously in a rectangular dwelling. All five elements –earth, water, fire, air, and space– are in balance in a rectangular shaped structure.

When a building or lot is not rectangular, these five elements are out of balance and energy can get stuck in any jogs, such as missing corners, cuts, or extensions, creating stress that effects different aspects of your life. When a home or office is aligned with the forces of nature through the science of Vastu, it is like swimming with the current of a river, not against it. You experience your life with more grace and ease.

Building from Scratch – Om Sweet Home

Tell us about Lissa’s home and how you designed the Vastu for it.

MM: Lissa’s home is rectangular and emits beauty. In a Vastu home, there is an open area in the center, open to the sky in the form of a skylight or atrium. This area is called the Brahmastana, or “center of awareness.” This open area adds to the flow of energy and creates a feeling of sacred space. In Lissa’s home, we used her family’s Vedic astrological chart and came up with formulas, based on Vastu, that determined the length, width, and height of her house. We also used astrology for specific dates to clear the land, begin construction and the perfect timing of the move-in. Doing so created a Vastu home that has vibrant harmony for Lissa and her family. It also feels uplifting for all others who enter.

In a Vastu home, we also align our physical bodies with these two previously mentioned forces of nature, the solar and magnetic energies. Placement of functions within a home take on a special meaning. In Lissa’s home, the placement of the master bedroom, kitchen, study, bathrooms, prayer/meditation room, as well as utilities, was designed to give Lissa and her family the maximum support of nature for all their endeavors. Colors used, proportions of the rooms, down to the artwork on the walls was all taken into consideration in the design process. Working with Lissa and her husband, Greg, was a great gift. Their natural design sense made this a wonderful collaboration.

Vastu Works in Any Home or Workspace

Not everyone can take the time or expense to build an entire house from the ground up. What are some things we can do to apply Vastu to a home we’re already living in?

MM: Vastu suggests a variety of actions you can take to support the aspects of your life that are not in harmony with the ease and well-being you desire. To understand how to enhance your environment and your life through Vastu, it is important to know how the five elements work from a Vastu perspective. From this point of view, creating a more fulfilling life is directly influenced by the five elements being in their proper balance.

Balance of the Five Elements through Vastu Shastra

Here are some basic ways you can make small changes to your environment to help you experience the benefits of Vastu.

The Space Element

Space is associated with the center of a home or office and is connected to your sense of hearing. When the space element is in balance, you experience yourself living more within the present moment and your success in all areas of life is supported.

• Playing inspiring or soothing music brings the space element into balance.
• Fix any disturbing noises such as squeaky doors to reduce environmental stress.
• This is a good area to keep open as much as possible to allow the beneficial energy to flow.
• Lighter colors on the ceiling create a greater sense of vertical spaciousness and wellbeing.
• If there are central walls, hang a painting or photo representing the stars or planets, something that inspires expansion.
• Clutter in the center of your home adversely affects every area of your life because it is the source of the other four elements.

The Air Element

The air element is associated with the northwest area of your home or workspace and is connected to your sense of touch. When the air element is in balance you feel clarity in communication and harmony in your relationships, within the self and others.

• Open windows and allow fresh air to circulate through your space, whenever possible.
• Daily, take some long, slow, deep breaths in and out through the nose to bring life-force energy into the body.
• Close your eyes and feel the sensation of the air touching your skin.
• This is a good area for a guest room.
• Use light blue colors either on the walls or accent pieces such as pillows or curtains in the northwest area of your home or workspace.
• Art that contains expansive sky scenes supports the air element in the northwest.
• Hanging wind chimes in northwest areas of your home, inside or outside, also supports the air element.
• Fragrant incense or an essential oil diffuser purifies the air in the southwest.
• Clutter in the area creates stress in relationships.

The Fire Element

The fire element is associated with your sense of sight and the southeast area of your home or workspace. When the fire element is in balance you feel passionate, healthy, vibrant and productive.

• Open blinds and curtains whenever possible to allow sunlight to enter your home or workspace.
• This is a good area for exercise, a kitchen or dining room.
• To support the fire element in the southeast, use warm accents colors for curtains, pillows, spreads, pottery, etc., in the spectrum of light pink to dark rose.
• Artwork that depicts desert scenes works best in southeast areas.
• Use a Himalayan Salt Lamp in the southeast area of any room to purify the environment and assist in balancing the fire element.
• Clutter in this area will affect your health, productivity and passion for life.

The Water Element

The water element is associated with your sense of taste and the northeast area of your home or workspace. It is also associated with spiritual and material growth. When the water element is in balance you feel very fluid and flexible and your inner and outer success blossoms.

• Place a fountain inside any northeast room or outside in the northeast area of your property.
• This is a good place for a meditation room or area to do your spiritual practices and creative work.
• Drink plenty of fresh water and stay well hydrated.
• Use light yellow colors as accents for walls, pillows, curtains, spreads, etc., in the northeast area of your home or workspace to enliven the water element.
• Art that contains bodies of water enhances the water element when hung in the northeast area.
• Clutter in this area will adversely affect your finances.

The Earth Element

The earth element is associated with the southwest area of your home or workspace and your sense of smell. When the earth is in balance, you feel very grounded and stable. You feel supported in your career and you experience more clarity regarding your life purpose.

• Indoor plants enhance the earth element and can be added to any southwest area in a home or workspace.
• This is a good area for restful sleep for the head of the house.
• Use earth tones such as browns, beige, and taupe to support grounding energy.
• Art that depicts earth scenes of mountains, forests and valleys bring a sense of wellbeing in the southwest.
• Heavier furniture works well in this area.
• Clutter in this area  affects the stability of your career.

The Relationship Altar ~ Your Connection to the Divine

For those of us who have a limited amount of space, is there a way that we can use Vastu?

MM: Yes, anyone can find space for an altar! Altars created using the principles of Vastu support your connection to the unseen forces at work in your life. Over the years, so many of our clients have shared their stories of how Vastu altars have helped them find success, love, and fulfillment. One of the eight directional altars, the Relationship Altar, is one that we teach and write about in all our books. It will have positive impact if you follow the instructions below.

The Relationship Altar

Whatever form of love you wish to enhance or manifest in your life, a Relationship Altar will be your ally in supporting your heart’s desires and help you cultivate a deeper understanding of who you really you are. To make sure your altar speaks to your heart, place items upon your altar that you feel enhance its beauty. When looking at your altar, it should evoke a feeling of appreciation and upliftment.

The altar picture below is for inspiration only and to instruct you in the placement of the elements.

Relationship Altar Layout

Suggested Items for Your Altar

Remember to have the area you are using to place your altar on clean from dust or dirt. The Relationship Altar is placed in the northwest area of your home or office, on a windowsill, table or other surface. Place it on a north wall, which will support the concentration and focus you need for success.

• Use a compass to make sure your altar is in the proper location.
• Colors of yellow and blue should be represented in some of the pieces of the altar.
• Some suggested items that can be used for the air element in the northwest are standing chimes, feathers, incense, a bird figurine, an angel, fan, etc.
• You can energize your altar by hanging a 20mm blue crystal on a red string in increments of nine inches above the offering tray.
• The water element in the northeast could be a cup or bowl of water, or a vase in one of the altar colors. The water needs to be visible, so if it is in a vase, make sure that it is translucent or clear. You can also add fresh or silk flowers to the vase, as well. If fresh flowers are used, make sure your flowers are indeed fresh. They should be as alive as your dreams.
• To symbolize the earth element in the southwest, use a natural crystal or stones, like blue lace agate, or even pearls. A green plant or one that has yellow or blue flowers, like an African Violet, would also do nicely.
• A candle in the southeast is a good choice for the fire element. The plate or holder you set it on/in can be silver, blue or yellow. If you like to add a candle with fragrance, look for one that contains ylang ylang. You can also use an oil lamp. If using an oil lamp, look for one that is silver in color.
• The offering tray can be in colors of yellow or blue, made of silver colored metal, or clear glass; whatever you use, make it a complimentary addition to your altar.
• Your personal symbol, in the center of the altar behind the offering tray, might be a statue of Quan Yin, the goddess of compassion and mercy. You could also use a statue of Krishna, who exemplifies loving relationships. Besides using a statue, you can create a collage that evokes the experience you would like. Your collage can be made of old photographs or even magazine clippings whose inspiring words, symbols, and pictures of people uplift you. When you’re finished, it can be framed in a silver-colored metal frame.
• If this altar is to encourage a new partner relationship or to enhance an existing one, add items in pairs. Two fish, two doves, two hearts, etc., are symbolic of successful relationships.
• For a boost of cosmic energy, add a Moon Yantra  to your offering tray to encourage an abundance of love. You can also add an appropriate Angel Card® or any other symbol, including gems or necklaces, of the correct corresponding colors to infuse your altar with energy.

The Activation Ceremony ~ Attracting Successful Relationships

You can also ignite your altar with the yantra of the influential planet that corresponds to the energies of the northwest, which is the moon. A yantra is a physical representation of a sound, or mantra, that emits a specific frequency.

There are thousands of yantras and associated mantras, each with a specific purpose. Yantras have the ability to create an intended shift or change in your life and the environment.

The Moon Yantra and its accompanying mantra support success in relationships and the stability of the mind. You can email us at michaelmastrovastu@gmail.com for a printable copy of the Moon Yantra. It can be used to ignite your Relationship Altar in the ceremony offered here.

The Moon Yantra Moon Yantra Activation Ceremony

• Stand or kneel in front of your altar.
• Light any candle or incense that is on your altar. If you have bells or chimes on your altar, ring them to purify the energy in the environment. The sound of bells eliminates stress and illuminates the present moment.
• Hold the Moon Yantra in your right hand and take ten to twelve long, slow, deep breaths in and out through the nose.
• Experience the feeling of having what you desire. Do not focus on specifics, just feelings such as happiness, a sense of peace, fulfillment, harmony, love, etc.
• Place the yantra on the offering tray.
• Use your right hand and extend the small (pinky) finger and your index finger, folding the two middle fingers in against your palm. Place your thumb over the top of these two fingers to hold them in place.
• With your hand in this mudra (a specific gesture and/or movement performed with the hands and fingers) facing the altar, move your arm forward and back nine times.
• Each time you extend your arm toward your altar you will say the following mantra with passion and intensity.
• Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Namaha Phonetic pronunciation: Om Na-mo Ba-ga-va-tay Va-su-day-vai-ya Na-ma-ha.
• Once you have completed this process, your altar is ignited.
• One important thing to remember is to feed your altar with your love and appreciation every day. The more energy you give it, in acknowledgement, love and appreciation, the more energy it has to work its magic. Doing so will positively influence the results you will have.

Vastu Creations

Michael and Robin Mastro are considered two of the foremost practitioners of Vastu Shastra in North America. They are teachers of yoga, meditation, and spiritual awareness techniques and the founders of Vastu Creations and the American Institute of Vastu. Corporate clients include Boeing, Intel, Microsoft, World Bank, Amazon and NASA, as well as thousands of individuals worldwide. Individuals seeking to align their homes and workspaces employ the Mastros to eliminate blocks to productivity, success, and wellbeing. Their books on Vastu have been recognized with awards and honors. For more information about the Mastros, please visit: www.vastucreations.com, www.americaninstituteofvastu.com or call 206-661-1117.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Vastu Shastra – Yoga for Your Home appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

A Yoga Practitioner’s Gift Guide for the Holidays and Beyond

Whether you’re looking to gift your favorite yoga enthusiast with an item for everyday convenience, something to enhance a green lifestyle, a unique treasure, or even an exotic getaway, check out these finds.

Confident Skin Sourced Within

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Sunrider International Kandesn Pure Gift Set

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Benedetta Skin Care: The Divine Duo

Consciously formulated with reverence and respect for the intended user. The Divine Duo is the most luxurious gift for both him and her! Divine Hydrosol & Oil Duo: 100% Botanical using all Certified Organic* & Biodynamic** ingredients, a cornerstone of Benedetta’s Farm-Sourced® ethic since 1996. A euphoric blend in both Hydrosol & Oil encompasses: Rose*• Sandalwood*[reforested]• Jasmin**• Jojoba* • Marula* & more* ** Benedetta has pioneered clean skin care starting in 1986 with the 1st of its kind Crystal Radiance Elixirs and launching a full facial and body care line 10 years later. Receive 20% OFF using promo code: Divine20.

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Roll Up & Carry Yoga Mat Carrier

These days, we’re bringing our own mat to yoga classes outdoors or even to the studio to comply with the latest health and safety recommendations while trying to stay dedicated to our yoga practice. When you need to BYOM to class this new, advanced design make it a breeze.

Yoga student and architect Emi Shiga designed and developed her perfect solution, a sling that is elegant, affordable, and actually works! The solution is the Roll Up and Carry Yoga Mat Carrier. She sells it through her creative online store: Archi-Select. It is rapidly becoming a go-to solution for yogis on the go!

Her story illustrates just how necessity inspires invention and how our skillset in one area of our live can apply to both our profession and our passion. She created the Roll Up and Carry to be able to be able to easily carry her drawings over her shoulder….and have both hands free to carry a cup of coffee, reach for subway fare, or just feel more mobile.

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Trauma-Informed Yoga Affirmation Card Deck

Supportive and compassionate guidance for survivors of sexual assault can be found in this beautiful deck of affirmation cards that acts as a companion to Zahabiyah A. Yamasaki’s Trauma-Informed Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault. The deck also may be used on its own for relaxation and healing.

Trauma-informed yoga practices are coupled with each affirmation to foster a holistic healing process for survivors. Unique full-color art illustrates the pose and affirmation on each card, which may also be used outside of yoga for inspiration.

This affirmation deck also provides a powerful resource for yoga instructors, mental health professionals, educators, and other healing professionals who are looking for guidance on trauma-informed yoga practices to share with survivors in classes, workshops, and clinical practice.

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The Brain Longevity® Therapy Training

This holiday season, give the gift of education, knowledge and empowerment!
The Brain Longevity® Therapy Training is the state-of-the-art certification curriculum to learn about creating optimum mental function and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Join this dynamic community of yoga teachers dedicated to making a difference in their community by teaching this research-based program on yoga and integrative medicine for brain health and healthy aging.

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Buddha Pants

There are comfortable pants, and then there are pants that feel like a magical breezy soft hug for your legs that you never want to take off…and those would be Buddha Pants!

Not only are they the most comfy pantaloons you’ll ever have the honor of wearing, they are the epitome of portability because get this, they fold themselves into their own pocket! Perfect for a suitcase, gym bag, last minute yoga sesh…Buddha Pants are cozy, convenient and made for everyone!

Beyond the classic Harem style pants that provide maneuverability and pure comfort, Buddha Pants also offer joggers, flap pants, jumpsuits and more! Women, men and kids can choose from dozens of darling colors and prints – after all, there is a reason they have over 60,000 loyal and happy customers.

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Seriously, OMG | antiaging skin resuscitating serum!

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Formulated with a powerful ingredient derived from yeast, called Epidermal Growth Factor. E.G.F. is well known to play an important role in minimizing the effects of fine lines, improving the existing quality and overall appearance of the skin.

Echinacea Stem Cells, helps to lessen dark eye circles, and brightens up the skin. Squalene keeps your skin feeling soft and super hydrated.

The result is gorgeous, hydrated, glowing skin ensuring you step out this holiday in newfound confidence and a sinfully sexy complexion.

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Inner Reflections 2022 Engagement Calendar

A simple yet elegant gift that lasts all year! This award-winning desk calendar celebrates the divine beauty found in nature. Fifty-three photos are artfully matched with inspiring insights from the writings of yogi Paramahansa Yogananda, offering a stunning selection of truly awesome photography from some of the world’s top nature photographers. The dazzling images alone make this calendar a wonderful gift! With travel options still limited, the beautiful pages of this calendar provide an uplifting personal getaway and mini-retreat.

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Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post LA YOGA Holiday Gift Guide 2021 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Divine Bliss is a Soothing Balm of Healing Music

Healing music is the soundtrack that we need in our lives today. Part of the environment we create for ourselves is through sound and mantra.

Spiritual singer/vocalist Sandy Khanzode understands this and offers vibrations for uplifting all of the parts of ourselves. Her second album, “Divine Bliss” is produced in collaboration with acclaimed and prolific New Age musicians Thomas Barquee and GuruGanesha. In her own words, this music is created to “Uplift people and provide them, and provide you with peace and calm and relaxation and to feel uplifted and happy. We’re living in a crazy time right now, and in response to that craziness, I wrote “Divine Bliss” to provide people with some hope and healing.”

This energetically potent music arises from Sandy’s own healing journey. She created her first album “Spiritual Healing” after successfully completing treatment for breast cancer. As a survivor, she is living out the mission to share music for healing and recovery. This mission is part of her lifelong journey that includes singing and performing in multiple languages since her childhood.

Divine Bliss: Sandy Kaur with GuruGanesha

In “Divine Bliss,” the clarity and purity of her voice reminds us that “Divine bliss is our birthright” and to “Never forget the one whose name takes away our pain.” Sandy intersperses messages in English that serve as positive affirmations for wellness and healing with powerful mantras and messages.

In addition to the title track “Divine Bliss,” the album also includes powerful mantra music “Divine Embrace”, “Divine Love”, and “Ek Ong Kar.”

Her music is available on a variety of platforms including AppleMusic, Spotify, Amazon Music, iTunes, and 40 other digital stores. To accompany meditation, spiritual practice, yoga, or doing the dishes, gift yourself some “Divine Bliss.”

Where to find the Healing Music Divine Bliss

itunes

http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1548928092?ls=1&app=itunes

Apple Music

http://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1548928092

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/album/5hVYeanHiMktU1G0H3SYh4

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Divine Bliss: Healing Music by Sandy Kaur appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The Magical World of Fantastic Fungi are Integral to our Ecosystem

How do we make the invisible visible? This challenge is the life work of cinematographer, photographer, director, and producer Louie Schwartzberg. Fifteen years ago, he embarked on the mission to turn his camera lens to the magical world of fungi. The result is the visually stunning and mind-expanding documentary film Fantastic Fungi. Through the use of his innovative use of high-end time-lapse cinematography, Schwartzberg has shown us a world that is right there before our eyes, but we would not otherwise see with our ordinary awareness.

The film Fantastic Fungi is a heart-opening experience. From its premiere in the fall of 2019, it has shown in sold-out theatrical screenings and sparked conversations worldwide. It has also brought attention to the underground world of mushrooms. The documentary was acknowledged with the rare distinction of being 100% Certified Fresh on the film review site Rotten Tomatoes. If you haven’t yet seen it, is currently available to rent or buy online….and it is streaming on Netflix. So you can even watch it on repeat. It is truly a marvel and viewing it is an experience that should not be missed. In the world today, when we need inspiration and solutions, we can find both in Fantastic Fungi.

Expanding on this global movement, Louie Schwartzberg and the team of creators of Fantastic Fungi have again traveled the world to assemble a community of expert speakers who can offer commentary on the fantastic world of fungi. They have created the Fantastic Fungi Global Summit.

Fantastic Fungi Global Summit

The three-day Fantastic Fungi Global Summit is free to watch October 15-17. This amazing weekend features a selection of world-renowned speakers, teachers, scientists, artists, and thought-leaders who offer unique perspectives on the magical mushroom movement in the world today. Speakers include: Michael Pollan, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Andrew Weil, Paul Stamets, Nat Kelly, Eugenia Bone, Jack Kornfield, Rick Bayless, Tony Boss, Dr. Mark Hyman, Robin Carhart-Harris, Reverend Michael Beckwith, Wade Davis, Dennis McKenna, Suzanne Simard, Merlin Sheldrake, and so many more.

The world of mushrooms is frequently described as a portal. The word “portal” is used so often in association with mushrooms for a variety of reasons. These include the ability of the psychedelic psilocybin to allow humans to move through portals of the mind and consciousness as well as how fungi are an integral part of the earth’s ecosystem. A portal of life and death, renewal and rejuvenation. Restoration and recovery. What is invisible for most of us is essential for our live on earth.

Fungi are Essential to Life on Earth

Fungi are involved in the beginning and the end of life, states Chef Eugenia Bone. Chef Bone is an expert featured in both the film Fantastic Fungi, and in the Fantastic Fungi Global Summit. She gives us some context into the immense world of fantastic fungi. “There are over 1.5 million species fo fungi, 20,000 of them produce mushrooms, of which there are an incredible diversity of shapes, sizes, and lifestyles.”

Chef Bone continues to describe fungi as the “digestive tracks of the forest” as they move nutrients through various ecological cycles. Fantastic Fungi Global Summit Speaker Tiokasin Ghosthorse describes the Earth as “the original gift economy.” A gift economy modulated by mushrooms. These are essential to the health of our ecosystem, collectively and individually. Famous mycologist Paul Stamets speaks to the essential nature of fungi in the realm of sustainability. “If we don’t get our act together and come in commonality with the organisms that sustain us today, not only will we destroy those organisms, but we will destroy ourselves.” How can we save ourselves, why are mushrooms having their day in the sun right now? It may be because as noted environmentalist and Fantastic Fungi Global Summit Speaker Paul Hawken says, “Everything else didn’t work.”

The Wisdom of the Forests

When we are searching for solutions for sustainability, planetary health, physical health, and mental heath, we might do well to be present for the wisdom of the forests and to open our hearts and minds to the existential mysteries, the dimensions of consciousness, the portals created by the network of mycelium, the threads that connect fungi. Author Michael Pollan says, “Once you start working with mushrooms, you get drawn in.” The same may be said for those of us learning more about this kingdom of flora that literally lives beneath our feet.

The world of fungi are a world of Earth-based wisdom and wellness. And the summit is an opportunity for us to experience this. As Schwartzberg says, these conversations, these scientific experiments, these awe-inspiring visuals can take the wisdom of fungi from below the ground to above the ground. Above ground, we can all experience the transformation and awakening that is necessary in these times.

Register for the Fantastic Fungi Global Summit.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post What Can We Learn from the Fantastic Fungi Global Summit? appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

When you have to BYOM, carry it with ease!

How do we find the most efficient way to BYOM: Bring Your Own Mat?

This is a question many of us have been trying to answer. It’s become something of a familiar story, a contemporary conundrum for the modern-day yoga practitioner.

These days, we’re bringing our own mat to yoga classes outdoors or even to the studio to comply with the latest health and safety recommendations while trying to stay dedicated to our yoga practice.

Yoga student and architect Emi Shiga is one of those people, but she’s done more than simply ask the question. She’s found an answer that is elegant, affordable, and actually works! The solution is the Roll Up and Carry Yoga Mat Carrier. She sells it through her creative online store: Archi-Select. It is rapidly becoming a go-to solution for yogis on the go! Her story illustrates just how necessity inspires invention and how our skillset in one area of our live can apply to both our profession and our passion.

The Inspiration for the Roll Up and Carry Yoga Mat Carrier

From Drawings to Downward Facing Dog

Emi’s professional life as an architect provided some of the inspiration and the solution for finding the tools to carry a yoga mat without fumbling and stumbling. In order to showcase their work, architects have to regularly carry large drawings to meetings. While some people go the route of securing their drawings with big rubber bands, brown paper and tape, this can definitely be clumsy, especially for those who want to multi-task while in transit and pick up a latte on the way to a meeting. According to Emi, “It’s not easy to hold drawings and ride the subway….And I really want to use my hands. Before I go back to the office, I want to stop by a coffee shop.” So she created the Roll Up and Carry to be able to be able to easily carry her drawings over her shoulder….and have both hands free to carry a cup of coffee, reach for subway fare, or just feel more mobile.

In the product development phase, Emi put her architectural skills to use through developing technical drawings and making prototypes and researching manufactures willing to cultivate a relationship with a small business.

Emi realized that her yoga mat is similar in size and shape to her architectural drawings so she decided to try the Roll Up and Carry solution she developed for drawings for her yoga mat. As a busy working mom, Emi finds that she wants her transit from home to yoga class to the rest of her day to be as simple as possible. When she considered her criteria for what she needed in terms of yoga mat transportation and performance, her design of the Roll Up and Carry made an obvious choice to serve as the Roll Up and Carry Yoga Mat Carrier.

Criteria & Solutions for an Effective Yoga Mat Carrier

There are a number of factors Emi needs to account for in her life many of us may find that we also relate to in the whirlwind of scheduling our own lives—and yoga practices. First, she doesn’t want to keep shifting items from purse to yoga mat bag…so she really doesn’t want to have to carry a bulky yoga mat bag. This means she wants a solution that allows her to easily carry her everyday bag along with her yoga mat. As a busy mom, she needs to be able to run errands, shop after class, and maybe even pick up that cup of coffee or bottle of juice. Emi wants something that is comfortable to carry (even to the park), a strap that fits securely without pinching, binding, or slipping. She also wants it to be easy to use, self-contained, and convenient.

The Roll Up and Carry Yoga Mat Carrier fulfills all of this. As a busy entrepreneur, Emi is not only the creator of this innovative product, she’s also the model customer. She’s been using it for yoga, showing friends, and gaining a following. If you try it out, you may just join the converted!

Archi-Select Online

In addition to her creativity with the Roll Up and Carry Yoga Mat Carrier, Emi’s online store features other items she has created that combine fun and functionality from bags to clothes to mugs. Visit https://archi-select.com.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Roll Up and Carry Yoga Mat Carrier: The BYOM Solution appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Meditation Teachers Lorin Roche and Camille Maurine

Meditation Teacher Training for the Modern Meditator

When we consider meditation and how we can integrate this practice into our daily lives, we would benefit from considering the plight of the modern meditator.

Teaching meditation is a sacred art form. A navigation of the highways of our mental processes. We might assume that we think too much to be able to meditate. But what if our thoughts themselves were part of the portal for our access? What if we could befriend ourselves in meditation?

Dr Lorin Roche and Camille Maurine are meditators with decades of study and practice, a series of thoughtful and accessible books, and experience teaching meditation teachers around the world.

Their ability to facilitate the exploration of the mental landscape and allow the modern meditator to find inroads into the practice is both skilled and unparalleled.

LA YOGA was able to have a conversation with Lorin and Camille about their work. Please watch their insightful interview on the LA YOGA Facebook page.

Learn more about their unique and comprehensive Meditation Teacher Training through the Radiance Sutras School of Meditation: https://www.meditationtt.com

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Learn More about Meditation Teacher Training appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Support Relief Efforts for India through Global Community

Yoga Gives Back (YGB) is pleased to announce A GLOBAL GATHERING FOR INDIA, https://yogagivesback.org/benefit-for-india/ a virtual charity event streaming live June 25 – 27, 2021. This global fundraising event will feature 80+ artists and teachers from 20+ countries coming together to raise over $100,000 to support women and children in India during this COVID-19 crisis and its aftermath.

The prestigious chant and world musician line-up for A GLOBAL GATHERING FOR INDIA includes Grammy-nominated artists: Belinda Carlisle, Krishna Das, Donna De Lory, Deva Premal and Miten, Jai Uttal, Manose, Dave Stringer plus C.C.White Soul Kirtan, Nina Rao, Girish, Jahnavi Harrison, Sacred Earth, The Maharaj Trio, Wah!, DJ Drez and Marti Nikko, Sheela Bringi, Wavy Gravy, David Newman, Joseph Pepe Danza, SHIVARASA, Radhika Vekaria, Edo Kahn, Punnu Wasu, Joss Jaffe, Sheila Nicholls, Nikki Slade, Govindas and Radha, Suzanne Sterling, Joey Lugassy, Daphne Tse, Yoshi Aono, Petros, Sean Johnson, Shervin Boolarian, Meenakshi and Ron (Swaha), Adam Bauer, Kevin James, Jack Harrison, Clayton Horton, among others.

The event will also include chant, meditation, spiritual, astrological, and Yoga sessions led by esteemed teachers across multiple disciplines, among them  David Lynch, Jack Kornfield, Trudy Goodman, Shiva Rea, Seane Corn, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Ana Forrest and Jose Calarco, Debra Silverman, Nadine McNeil, Akira Watamoto, Danny Paradise, Paul Dallaghan, Dena Kingsberg, Ronan Tang, Teresa Herrera, Cristi Christensen, Nubia Texeira, David Kim, Katy Appleton, Tryphena Chia, Maneesh Kalra, Bobsy Gaia, Eoin Finn, Insiya Rasiwala, Gwyn Williams and Riley Skye.

Join us June 25 through 27 at this historic event! Donate and Support:  https://yogagivesback.org/benefit-for-india/

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Support A Global Gathering for India appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The Crystal Power of Now

Crystals are like magic wands, sacred tuning forks that bring us back to our true vibration of harmony and divinity. God couldn’t be here so he/she put holy energy into stones of the earth to let us know that no matter how bad everything looks and feels, all is sacred and everything can be healed. One of the tools we can use is the healing power of crystals.

In this prophetic time period entering the golden age, we have all been forced to stay home, stay still and re-evaluate who we are, where we are going and what is important. (Ask yourself now, what has changed in you from these Covid days?) The good news is that in the alchemy of transformation- everything must come out into the light of day so you can see it, so you can fix it. This is what is happening to us individually and as a nation. Thankfully we are waking up out of slumber and thankfully we are marrying science and spirituality so we can enter a new frontier —soul and energy healing—in which crystals can be serious helpers!

Short History of Crystal Healing

Crystals have been spiritual gems since the beginning of time. They are used in healings, ceremonies, burials, divination and found in ancient texts around the world. Crystals have been mentioned in the Bible 20o times, in the Koran, in the Vedas, and in Atlantis, a quantum world using crystal energy and advanced technology.

Tesla said, “If you want to know the secrets of the universe, think in terms of frequency, energy, and vibration.” The time has come to heal beyond the rational mind and the traditional boundaries of therapy into the deeper level of spirit. In the language of energy wisdom, we can know that we are more than this life; we are multidimensional light beings with power to heal ourselves and the world. Throughout the ages, this truth has been stolen from us and we have been tricked and brainwashed to seek answers outside of ourselves.

Now we can remedy this.

We can begin by knowing that we are the creators of our reality, the body is divine and we have the power to tune our instrument, to reboot the computer, to take control of how we think and feel and to clear, protect and align our energy everyday, Just like we shower and have our morning routine. We can upgrade our consciousness, activate our inner lights, and repair the damage energetically of what fear in Covid did to our nervous system.

The Healing Power of Crystals

Crystals are magical objects with so many gifts from the higher dimensions. Crystals transmit, absorb, amplify, focus and heal. They hold a key to connect us to source and our divine selves. Crystals harness the sacred DNA and electromagnetic energy of Mother Earth. They are absorbers, which means they take on illness and clear negativity. They are transmitters of positive vibrations and can raise the energy of people and the environment. Crystals are “energy radiators” that can focus the intention of the user. They are a miraculous storehouse of earths evolution to hold the memory of 300 million years.

We can use science to dispel the myth that crystals are just beautiful fluff. Crystals at a molecular level are the most orderly structure that exist in nature and the most cohesive expression of physical matter with the lowest amount of disorder. They give us accurate frequency, direct energy and light precisely.

Crystals emit a frequency that generates into an electrical charge called the piezoelectrical effect. This means that crystals act like a tuning fork to provide accuracy of time. This is why crystals are found everywhere. They are in our electronics, machines, computers, cellphones, laser technology, credit cards, clocks, medicinal devices, memory chips, watches, tv screens, radio signals, telephones, and more.

Many scientists like Teal Scott have proven that crystals stimulate biochemical shifts within us when we bring the crystal into our electromagnetic field and telepathically communicate with it. Part of the healing power of crystals takes place through the law of resonance. This is the law that states that frequency matches to co-exist with each other. We can share space with a crystal and lean with the energy of it to improve our nervous system and brain function.

How to Choose Healing Crystals

To begin your own healing with a crystal, know that crystals have their own jobs and purpose and the right one will find you. Walk into a crystal store and watch for the ones that call to you. Test them to see if they are right for you by closing your eyes and seeing if your body goes forward or back. If it leans forward, that is a yes, it is right for you.

How to Program Your Crystals

You can program them and tell them what to do. Simply hold a crystal in your hand, command negative energy to leave you and put new positive intention into it.

Find the Crystal that Speaks to You

Find your crystals and begin the healing journey:

Quartz

Amplifies the stones that surround it. Cleans and energies other crystals. Good for prayer, and stating your desires for manifestation.

Citrine

Comes from the French word for lemon, Citrine represents power and light. It is a great stone for abundance.

Selenite

Brightens everything around it. Cleans and purifies and never need to be recharged or cleared.
Selenite raises your vibration. Place a selenite log in every corner of the room. Place under your feet each day to clear the energy of the day

Rose Quartz

Stone of love compassion: Will help with deep heart stuff, and emotional release.

Hematite

Grounding stone: For protection and helps to alleviate stress.

Lapid Lazuli

Stone of truth, good for wisdom.

Amethyst

Manifestation stone: Good for the spiritual path to waken the higher self.

Shungtze

A Miracle stone has healing powers within the stone.

Connect to the Healing Power of Crystals Now

In this prophetic time period entering the golden age, we have all been forced to stay home, stay still and re-evaluate who we are, where we are going and what is important. (ask yourself now, what has really changed in you from these Covid days?) The good news is that in the alchemy of transformation- everything must come out into the light of day so you can see it, so you can fix it. This is what is happening to us individually and as a nation. Thankfully we are waking up out of slumber and thankfully we are marrying science and spirituality so we can enter a the new frontier of soul and energy healing, where the healing power of crystals can be serious helpers!

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post The Healing Power of Crystals appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Looking for Answers to Questions of Karma?

It may be one of the most often-quoted and least understood concepts in yogic philosophy. Especially since it is one of the concepts that has a multi-faceted and profound meaning. It’s a term that has been bandied about so much, it has become almost trivial, an English word that belies its spiritual truths. This is why now is the time for this book: Karma, A Yogi’s Guide to Crafting Your Destiny by world-renowned spiritual master Sadhguru.

Sadhguru is both thoughtful and provocative. His teachings are relatable for the modern seeker. He offers perspectives that provide answers for the modern seeker. As a humanitarian, he has activated the efforts of millions of volunteers worldwide in efforts that improve education, healthcare, the environment, and access to meditation and other yogic teachings. He is a New York Times best-selling author of Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy.

The Most Compelling Questions on Karma

If you were to ask 100 spiritual seekers their definitions of karma, you might receive 100 answers. And those answers may or may not be actually useful. Not that any of us want to buy a book merely on the strength of the recommendations of readers, Karma, A Yogi’s Guide to Crafting Your Destiny, comes with a powerful list of recommendations that offer reason alone to add this book to your library….and to read and re-read it often. Testimonials from noted yoga practitioners such as Deepak Chopra, Tom Brady, Will Smith, Phil Goldberg, Dr Mark Hyman, and HRH Princess Noor Bint Asem of Jordan, reinforce that Sadhguru offers an essential service in this tome: explaining the nuances of karma in a way that we can use to make sense of our experience and our practice. Personally, I agree with all of the praise.

“If you find your foot recurrently crushed under a wheel, the problem is not with the wheel. The problem is that you have no clue how to ride it. The aim of this book is not to reinvent the wheel but to suggest ways to ride it joyfully toward the destination of your choice, secure in the knowledge that you are in control of your own journey.”

Sadhguru offers this explanation in his “Note to the Reader,” a suggestion for those eager readers who would like to digest the insights offered here. For those of us who are trying to navigate the wheel we do not understand, Sadhguru is ready to offer riding lessons in these pages.

Karma, A Yogi’s Guide to Crafting Your Destiny, combines story and allegory, real-world examples, and sections of “Sadhana.” Sadhguru shares digestible sections: karma as a source of entanglement, the possibilities for finding freedom, and answers to some of the most significant questions people have about karma. In the Sadhana, or practice segments, Sadhguru offers ways to put the practice into practice. He says, “In Sanskrit, sadhna means a device or tool. These tools offer you an opportunity to put into practice some of the insights you encounter in each chapter and to test them in the laboratory of your experience.” After all, it is through practical experience that the teachings become real.

If you are ready for a relationship with karma that unveils the mysteries, then this is the book for you.

Attend a Book Release Event for Karma, A Yogi’s Guide to Crafting Your Destiny

Sign up for one—or several—of a series of book release events. Each conversation that Sadhguru will hold with a thought-leader will offer a unique perspective on karma that is relevant to our lives today. Register for a Book Release Event!

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Why Read Karma, A Yogi’s Guide to Crafting Your Destiny appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

In order to survive, and more importantly thrive in today’s business world, modern companies are constantly in pursuit of any advantage that will give them an edge on the competition. From consolidating workforces via robotics and computer learning to reducing, and in some cases, eliminating public-facing staff, companies are increasingly taking steps once thought impossible.

But is this the only way forward? In a world that feels evermore disconnected, why are so many of today’s business solutions geared toward increasing the social divisions between us?

Connection as a Cornerstone of Culture at Rythmia

Recently, I sat down with a CEO who has an entirely different approach, Gerard Powell. He’s the founder of Rythmia Life Advancement Center, a wellness resort in Costa Rica. He’s spent the past six years building a company focused on one thing: increasing people’s connections to each other and themselves.

The keystone of his philosophy – workplace diversity.

With nearly 1,400 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor, many of which include the words ‘miracle’ and ‘life-changing’, it’s hard to argue that this Poconos-native isn’t on to something.

When we initially spoke on the phone, I believe you mentioned workplace diversity at least five times, so let’s talk about it. Why is diversity so important to you?

“I have been running companies for over 30 years, since I was in my early twenties. And I have always found that the more diverse a company is, the more successful it will be. I think it really comes down to having a variety of perspectives and experiences. Because at the end of the day, I really understand what makes a guy in their fifties tick, you know? I am that guy, so I get it. But honestly, I don’t know what it means to be a woman in her thirties, or a member of a minority community. And so, it’s really important to me that my team be as diverse as possible for the benefit of the company, and more importantly our guests.”

This may seem like a question with an obvious answer, but how did you manage to hire such a diverse workforce?

“Honestly, I hired the best people available for each position. Whom they happened to be was simply coincidence. If other companies did the same thing, they would have a very diverse workforce as well.”

So, competency is more important than diversity?

“Competency goes hand-in-hand with diversity. It’s why I’ve never understood companies that are owned and operated by men and women who think from an old paradigm. Not to say that these old paradigm-thinkers are clones, but when you’re all looking through the same window you tend to see the same things, if that makes sense. Most of the least diverse thinkers actually see themselves as progressive, that’s why it’s such a slippery slope.”

Are you saying that your employees are more competent because they’re part of a diverse workforce?

“Absolutely! I would put the employees of this company up against any company in the world. I am so proud of our workforce, and I am so happy that it is inclusive.”

I spoke to your fellow Board Member and Founder of Agape Spiritual Center, Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith about Rythmia’s workplace diversity and he said, “I am extremely proud of the job Rythmia has done in creating an inclusive workforce. They are a model of diversity and inclusion. Other companies could learn from their example of creating diversity and producing optimal results at the same time.”

How does it make you feel when you hear that?

“I can’t think of a place that embodies diversity more than Agape, so to hear Reverend Michael say that about Rythmia – it’s very humbling.”

Do you know the diversity breakdown of your staff? Is this something that you pay attention to?

“Do you mean like the math? The percentages of who is who?”

Yeah, do you know how many women work for you, or persons of color? Do you have staff members that identify as LGBTQ+?

“Definitely. The reason I know this is that we actually investigated it with our staff’s consent. And we found that 80.2% of our staff are part of an ethnic minority and/or the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, nearly 36.6% of our management team identify as LGBTQ+. We are really proud of this.”

Those figures sound pretty exact.

“What can I say? I’ve always been good with numbers.”

I read that you’ve been working hard to introduce Plant Medicine to the Black community, is that true?

“Yes, we are very lucky to work hand-in-hand with Michael Bernard Beckwith who has great influence in the Black spiritual community.

This relationship has given us inroads into the Black spiritual community. The retreats that are hosted by Michael Beckwith are some of the most beautiful, loving and highest rated retreats that we’ve ever conducted. We cherish our relationship with Rev. Beckwith and the whole Agape community.”

Have you yourselves experienced any problems as a result of privilege based on old-paradigm thinking from the standpoint of workforce diversity or Plant Medicine minority-inclusion initiatives?

“It’s so interesting because like I mentioned before the people who have caused the greatest issues for us believe they themselves are progressive. The whole struggle with the old paradigm of thinking is actually being written about in another article that is coming out as soon as the reporter is finished with the story.

What I can say without ruining the other story is this, if you’re going to take something on like this, that is truly inclusive – expect pushback from the least likely places. It happens all the time. And the perpetrators think they are progressive and that they’re advocating for indigenous cultures while at the same time they operate based on blind, old-paradigm thinking. You would think that in light of the movement to promote diversity and inclusion we would be getting help from everywhere, especially the media. And by and large we are, but there have been some glaring examples of struggle that we’ve experienced with organizations and people that we believe are the result of our stance on diversity and inclusion. But that’s all I can say as of this writing.”

So, what’s next for Rythmia?

“Wow, that’s a big question. Honestly, so much. We just finished an amazing renovation of the rooms onsite. We are also in the process of acquiring additional land so that we can expand the center. We have some amazing new programs coming that I can’t speak about quite yet, but I promise they are going to be announced very soon. It truly never stops here, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Well, thank you so much for your time Gerard! You’re clearly quite busy, so I appreciate you sitting down with me today. If someone wanted to learn more about Rythmia, where can they find that info?

“Thank you. Honestly, I love talking about Rythmia and this was a lot of fun. As far as getting more information on the center, you can go to our website https://rythmia.link/miracle, or you can always give us a call at (877) 331-9427.”

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Workplace Culture at Rythmia appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Remedies for Zoom Fatigue

Zoom fatigue is real. Whether we’re dealing with low energy after a day on devices, forgetting to fill our water bottle, or experiencing dry itchy eyes at the end of the day, our self-care is essential for maintaining our motivation and our energy on a daily basis.

1. Take frequent breaks.

One of the things that can happen to us when we are on frequent conference calls, video chats, or in Zoom rooms is that we may forget to take breaks. While being able to work from home has its benefits (saving on gas money, no commute), the natural breaks that we have during the day are reduced or eliminated. So taking a break and walking away from the computer, devices and screens helps us to revitalize, rejuvenate, and restore so we can show up with fresh ideas and fresh perspectives.

2. Look Away

Turn your gaze away from the screen on the regular. Research shows that even just looking at pictures of nature can induce the body’s relaxation response. Give yourself some eye candy in your office space….such as photos from past vacations, frame of view of your happy place, set up a bouquet of flowers or a potted plant within your gaze in order to give yourself a visual break and something too look at.

3. Go outside.

Spending time outdoors can help us counteract some of the affects of staring at a computer screen. The science of forest bathing, or spending time in nature, is both calming and relaxing for body, mind, heart, and spirit. Take some time outdoors to renew and recover before heading back to the virtual day of meetings or school.

4. Hydrate.

We know that hydration is important for maintaining our health and well-being from a variety of perspectives. But hydration is also a necessary part of reducing Zoom fatigue. Headaches, eye strain, and joint pain are only a few things that are impacted by how well we are hydrated. Our water and electrolytes are crucial for keeping us bright and alert. The radiance, plumpness, and integrity of our skin is impacted by our water (and electrolyte intake) so hydration also affects how we look on screen as well as how we feel when we are online.

5. Turn it Off.

At the end of the day, turn off your devices. Give yourself a break from the blue light that emanates from screens. It can even create an energetic boundary to flip the off switch and allow yourself the time and space to take a deep breath—device free.

Even as the world continues to open up, it looks like we’ll still be spending part of our days on Zoom or other electronic devices. Take the time to give yourself breaks and pay attention to your self-care for your ongoing well-being and for reducing Zoom fatigue.

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post 5 Tips for Combating Zoom Fatigue appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Our perspective of the world is shaped by the eyes we see through and our view of the space around us and how we move through it. Filmmaker Elizabeth Lo accomplishes something provocative in Stray. She truly shows us the world through the perspective and eyes of a group of stray dogs living in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey has a powerfully unique relationship with their canine citizens, as it is illegal to euthanize or capture stray dogs. As Lo says, “Every free-roaming dog today is an emblem of resistance—living manifestations of compassion in the face of tolerance.”

The filming of Stray began with an act of the exploration of compassion and the personal. Lo describes a meaningful relationship with her childhood dog and her grief when he died. This initiated a query into the bonds we have with animals.

The Documentary Film Stray Shares Dog’s Soulful Lives

While literally filming at the dogs’ eye levels, Lo helps us develop meaningful relationships with the soulful protagonists of Stray. The story we watch is their story. Watching Zeytin, the main character, brought me to tears often just by seeing into her expressive eyes and her purposeful way of moving through the world.

To see a dog as a character in themselves, moving with their sense of self-agency, while also interacting with the people and places in Istanbul. We see a glimpse of the world and of humanity that we seldom see ourselves. Lo offers us a perspective on the complicated nature of our humanity through back alley views of overheard conversations and everyday street life. She doesn’t concern herself with packaging a preconceived view or heavily edited of the world, but to reveal truths.

If you love dogs, this is a must-see film. If you want to see the our planet through a completely different view, Lo’s film is a quiet yet powerful experience of mindful attention and awareness of lives often overlooked. We see the value of life in all of its expressions. Watch this not while you are multi-tasking.  Allow yourself to be immersed in a view of the world you may never see again in the same way.

Elizabeth Lo is a filmmaker to watch. She has a masterful ability to communicate compassion and other complexities through the subtlety of a story well-told.

Watch Stray with LA YOGA

I had the opportunity, along with Seane Corn, to interview Elizabeth Lo, and to talk to her about the making of Stray.

If you sign up for our screening of Stray, you’ll have the opportunity to watch our interview as well. LA YOGA’s screening of Stray is available for registration by March 21. Hope you can join us! Register for LA YOGA’s screening of Stray!

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Stray: Showing Compassion through a Dog’s Eyes appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.