Trevor Hall photo by Marina Chavez

Close your eyes and listen deeply to the lyrics of KALA, the latest album from beloved Trevor Hall. In Sanskrit, kala means time. Trevor’s 13-track album guides us along a transformative journey of lessons learned, of pain and healing, and of the love, passion, and gratitude which accompany our journeys here on Earth. He sings about time as being a healer and as something expansive, in contrast to deadlines and pressures. Trevor’s pacifying voice and beautiful guitar strums create a cocktail that can drown anyone into a meditative state.

Music on Kala

KALA contains an abundance of heart-opening tracks. My personal favorites are “Forgive” and “You Can’t Rush Your Healing.” He sings of compassion, forgiveness, and interconnectedness. Of course, Trevor’s music is no stranger to the yoga community. He is a devotee who has performed at festivals including both Wanderlust and Bhakti Fest. His music inspires, uplifts, and invokes a deep sense of gratitude and peace around the unity of all beings.

Trevor Hall on Self-Discovery

Trevor’s own journey of self-discovery, growth, and maturation is evident across his albums. He speaks lovingly about his frequent travels to India, where he has found much of his spiritual inspiration. The serenity of KALA demonstrates the humility, depth, and spiritual intelligence of an artist who is simply adored amongst his fans known as Villagers. Honorable mentions go out to the beautiful artists whose voices are heard on the album: Nahko Bear, Xavier Rudd, Tubby Love, and Luka Lesson. trevorhallmusic.com.

Serena Deeb

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By Serena Deeb

VEDA MELA

NOVEMBER 7-8. THE REEF, DOWNTOWN LA

vedamela.com

Plan a staycation for your soul and venture into downtown Los Angeles for this celebration of yoga and the Vedic arts. Designed to nourish your body, mind and spirit, this eclectic weekend includes yoga, meditation, wellness, Ayurveda, music, food, and more. Keynote speeches feature Mother Maya Tiwari and Mallika Chopra. Roll out your yoga mat, indulge in a spa treatment, soak up some sound healing, attend a workshop, or simply connect with fellow Angelenos in a beautifully conscious environment. Teachers and presenters include Shiva Rea, Demetri Velisarius, Sianna Sherman, Kia Miller, Sarah Ezrin, Sigrid Matthews, Mas Vidal, Mark Whitwell, DJ Drez, Sheela Bringi, and J-Heart. Wander the exhibit hall and explore products and tasty delights from several companies. Kombucha Dog will also be hosting a special dog adoption to help find happy homes for homeless canines. The best part: the proceeds benefit two wonderful nonprofits: Yoga Gives Back and Mother Om Mission.

SEDONA VEDIC ASTROLOGY CONFERENCE

NOVEMBER 19-23. SEDONA, AZ

sedonavedicastrology.com

Awaken the mystic within you and soar away to the spiritual vortex of Sedona, Arizona. Nestle into the Poco Diablo Resort for this five-day event centered around Vedic Astrology and learn from the leading figures who have devoted their lives to this ancient Eastern science. Fill your transformative weekend with expansive yoga classes and an array of intensives, lectures and workshops that will open a whole new Universe within you. Learn to interpret your birth chart, explore Ayurveda, participate in ritual and ceremony, and align yourself with the planetary movements that bear a cosmic significance on your life. Gain a deeper understanding of your role on this planet: your “essence.” Teachers include Komilla Sutton, Christina Collins, Nalini Kanta Das, Sam Geppi, Dennis Harness, William Levacy, Mas Vidal, Ruth Hartung, Jeff Masters, Julie Swietlik, and Rama Jyoti Vernon. Through the integration of ancient wisdom and the modern Western world, find guidance to navigate your journey and embrace our interconnectedness.

BALI SPIRIT FESTIVAL

MARCH 29-APRIL 3, 2016. UBUD, BALI

balispiritfestival.com

Magical transformation in a supported space lies at the heart of this five-day yoga, music and dance festival on the Indonesian island of Bali. Designed to connect kindred spirits from across the world,will celebrate the 9th annual Bali Spirit Fest. Honoring the traditional Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, the festival preserves harmony in three areas: among people, with nature, and with God. An abundance of yoga classes will complement a plethora of musical offerings, including kirtan/chanting and the fusion of Indonesian sounds with visiting global artists at both the Coco Love Stage and One World One Stage. The sacred celebration places a strong emphasis on community outreach, known as karma initiatives, raising funds to support several Balinese organizations.

Private Retreat w/Unlimited Yoga at Santa Barbara Yoga Center

Santa Barbara

santabarbarayogacenter.com/weekend-yoga-retreats

Immerse yourself in practice at the Santa Barbara Yoga Center’s full studio apartment available to rent for short stays. Relax and rejuvenate in sunny downtown Santa Barbara. The onsite studio apartment includes bamboo floors, your own private yoga studio, props and unlimited classes at the yoga center. Private sessions and massage available with prior booking. Retreats are $220 a night for one person, $240 a night for two people (each person receives unlimited yoga). Special pricing available for stays longer than two nights. 

Serena Deeb

The post Retreats and Festivals November 2015 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

As children, we develop survival tools, which carried into adulthood can hinder our ability to show up authentically and in the present moment. Through acceptance, vulnerability, mindfulness, gratitude, and love, we can break the chain of these fear-based tendencies, or what Ira calls “unskillful solutions.” Yoga and meditation can be powerful vehicles to facilitate these shifts.

Our minds have a strong negativity bias and are often operating on autopilot. Ira examines the characteristics of the mind that cause meditation to be challenging. For example, he explains that you cannot tell someone not to think of something, but you can gently guide their attention to something else; some thought that serves as an anchor. Ira teaches a series of short meditations, each one introducing different techniques and anchors. In an exploration of mantras, visualizations, and breath awareness, these meditation sessions allow you to playfully experiment to find the method that resonates with you.

This DVD will benefit all experience levels on the meditation and mindfulness path. Ira builds a toolbox for practitioners and empowers us through the process. He invites us to explore our stories. Through his personal account of a life-threatening car accident, he encourages a radical acceptance of what is and the need to embrace every aspect of our lives. Inhale love; exhale anything that isn’t love. For more information, visit iraisrael.com.

A Beginner’s Guide to Happiness

by Ira Israel
Optimum Integral Wellness

Reviewed by Serena Deeb, world-traveled professional wrestler, Santa Monica-based yogi, animal lover, and avid adventurist. Twitter: @SerenaDeeb

Serena Deeb

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