Are you truly practicing Yoga Nidra? Here's what you need to know

It is a myth that all Indian foods are healthy and Ayurvedic. Ayurvedic diet is not equal to Indian food from Indian restaurants. I am not saying it is not tasty or desirable, I am just saying let us not be in the illusion that because I am having creamy, heavy lentils with white flour baked bread with a side of mango lassi, it is healthy.

Gyana/Jnana Mudra is a gestural representation of Yoga. It also represents the highest state of discernment and therefore, is called wisdom seal.

Meditation, is not simply an act of relaxation, a practice of gathering experiences, or a post of absolute stillness. So...what is it? How can one tell the difference?

Awareness of the subtle, intangible, and all-pervading is what allows a practitioner to reach deeper states of consciousness. With each moment that we strengthen our practice with concentration on the chakras, we are that much closer to the state of Yoga.

hint: It's not just a wheel of colors...

Holi is the ultimate festival of colors from India. Surrounded by family, friends and community, we celebrate with food, colors and flowers the arrival of spring. Among these external layers of rituals and festivities lies the underlying current of Ayurveda, Tantra and Yoga. Every festival in India is a multilayered celebration. Let us see how these five layers unveil their colors on Holi.

As a Yoga student, do you remember your first yoga training, retreat, class - the enthusiasm, dedication, the desire, and eagerness to know it all? Did you also feel it fading away, taken over by the overwhelm of the vast body of knowledge, the confusion over techniques, and comparison with what others are doing, teaching, learning etc.? Did you ever find yourself in doubt or feel imposter syndrome kicking in when it was time to teach?

We live in a world that creates waves. Whether it's driving in traffic, an energizing conversation with a friend, or a pleasant meal, we still need to clear the path for the realization of consciousness.

Mauni Amavasya is the annual day of silence. A day of speech fasting and silence feasting. Silence is observed at the level of speech, senses, gestures, and action. From the silence of the manas/mind, one gives birth to Swayambhu (one's own purified Self). This day symbolizes the quieting of the lowly desires and upholding of the dharma celebrated by Yogis/inis and Sadhakas. A very special day for mental and emotional purification.

Just as it's difficult to appreciate a 5-star Michelin restaurant meal if one hasn't eaten for days (and the body is just desperate for any nourishment), Yoga Nidra is best practiced when one has fortified the body with the physical/mental rest it needs prior to a Yoga Nidra practice.

I welcome you to explore this excerpt, a peek inside my world and inside this lovingly created collection of heritage recipes for your body, mind, and spirit. I hope you enjoy reading it (and living it) as much as I have enjoyed creating it for you. Get the book here

Yoga and Ayurveda are becoming a weird mix - like Turmeric Latte Asana. There is a lack of integration, a ton of dilution, a good amount of appropriation, and plenty of misunderstandings.

After a tasty meal, your server approaches. "Would like anything else... Dessert? Coffee? Mango lassi?" You cast a glance at the table next to you and spy a tall, frosty glass...

I see a lot of misunderstandings and ignorance around the Japa Mala.

Where's your Zzzz...?

How are you feeling? I mean, really? Are you in touch with the sensations that change from moment to moment?

Do you just pass out when it's time for sleep? Are you physically exhausted or mentally drained before sleep?

Here are 3 easy practices to add to your daily routine to sleep smart and build healthy sleep hygiene!

Sleep, Ojas, and Shavasana

What can we do to remedy the deficit of this critical function that singlehandedly governs immunity, mental focus, emotional balance, discernment, and every single bodily function? Sleep Smarter!

Debunking the Top 3 Myths of Shavasana

Imagine the opportunity to relax and release all the roles and responsibilities, thoughts, and distractions in your life while simultaneously strengthening your brain, body, and emotional resilience. Is it a trip to the Caribbean? A spa?

Need some tips to deal with Summer heat?

Stop being Busy: Prioritize, Prescribe and Practice Rest!

Did you know that the sacred swan (known as hamsa in Sanskrit) is the ride of Devi Saraswati, the Goddess of wisdom? Every year, 40 days before the arrival of spring on the 5th day (panchami) after the new moon marks the day of festivities in anticipation of Spring (Basant).

Click here for sweet taste of SOMA, my hot-off-the virtual presses e-book! I welcome you to explore this excerpt, a peek inside my world and inside this lovingly created collection of heritage recipes for your body, mind, and spirit. I hope you enjoy reading it (and living it) as much as I have enjoyed creating it for you. Get the eBook here

What's a 4-letter word for "comfortable, warm, contented?" Cozy? Sure, we'll accept that.. but there's something bigger, more powerful...

Look around you right now, wherever you are. What do you see? Your laptop? Your furry co-worker asking for a head scratch? Or maybe you're outside: you see some trees, their leaves gently whispering in the wind, a cool lake with the mist lingering just above the surface, a red-tailed hawk calling out as it glides above the treetops... What do all these things have in common?

With so much unrest swirling in both the world and in our daily lives, it's imperative that we remember how to connect with those things that bring a breath of relief to the mind, body, and spirit.

Marma points still invoke an air of mystery, or perhaps awe, as we discover just how great a role they play in the body and how we can work with them to bring about our best health. As always, the body is a gift.

Zoom is the video communication hero of our times. With that, Zoom fatigue is also becoming more and more familiar as a common experience.

Every study and deep dive requires us to create space and honor certain rules - or as we know them in Yoga, yamas and niyamas. If you ever attended a Yoga training online you will appreciate these tips.

Did you know that the body is mapped with calibration points"mini minds" that inform us if we listen and allow input from the user to change the output?

In the moment, many taking their first breath, while others taking their last...

2 exclusive guided meditation on Kundalini and breath

Shavasana: A Subtle Practice with Powerful Meaning

Who am I to tell you how to feel sacred, connect to people and greet others as long as you remember its roots and purpose. However, You can be a true practitioner without using this phrase!

It's the perfect time for an annual review - of your self-care.

When we say "Yoga Nidra," what is the meaning of the word, "Nidra?" "Sleep?" But it is incomplete if I just say that Nidra= sleep. There is so much more to it and we may be missing the point. There is also a prefix to this and that is "Yoga." ...

The goal of this blog post is to give you, the reader, a starting point for building the foundation of your understanding of chakras.

Who cares if you can touch your toes or stand on your hands?Can you sit still and be touched by waves of bliss?Make bigger goals in Yoga.

How much Ayurveda does a Yogi need to know? Conversely, how much Yoga does an Ayurveda person need to know? Consider this... from which eye do you prefer to see?

Learn from the comfort of your home about marmas! Give yourself and your students a deeper understanding of the sacred anatomy and geometry of the body.

How do you sequence your whole class? A drop holds the entire ocean and for me the feeling holds the entire sequence.

Is mulabandha all about contraction? Is it only about the physical level?

A reference book, a training manual, and a benevolent friend for your everyday practice. Look inside

What is the purpose of Yoga? Yoga is the purpose of Yoga. There is no separation between the various Yogas like Karma, Bhakta, Raja and Jnana Yoga.

Does the psychology of cultivating the opposite help?Let us not aim for extremes, like hate to love, panic to absolute peace, fear to courage.

Self-publishing a book is a complex process, takes a team and lot of patience. And this latter is the biggest test...

In the age of Mirror home gym and various form of online yoga classes what are your views on practicing Yoga through these media?

5 Simple practices for the Maha Shiva Ratri

There is a difference between doing the practice and living it...

Basant Panchami is an annual celebration of wisdom, life, spring and Goddess Sarasawati. Read about the rituals, practices and mantra associated with it.

8 tips for a deeper shavasana

Let me be clear: Adding turmeric does not make your food ayurvedic...

The practice of asanas transforms as we go deeper, from physical to mental to pranic realms. There are layers to the same practice. Here is a question and a deep exploration of Veerasana / Warrior pose

The answer to the question 'What is yoga?' is not limited to one person, one text or one single interpretation. It is as many meanings as many people are asked this question. It is the most widely understood as well as misunderstood word in Sanskrit.

Let Yoga be. It is not meant to be picture perfect. Every asana is not an opportunity to look perfect.

Missing link in the modern practice or understanding of Yoga?

I am excited to share about the release of two albums: Mantras and Gayatri Mantra!

You might be wondering if mala is just a piece of jewellery... or is there more to it?

Deepawali marks the establishment of dharma that allows the awakening of our highest potential. The festival lasts for 5 days where each day has a special symbolic meaning and rituals associated with it.

The big question on Prana, Tejas and Ojas

Common queries related to the study of Yoga Nidra

Gayatri Mantra and Mudras

Query on suppression, discernment and worry

Query: When I practice tree pose I feel shaky? Why do you think this happens? What should I do with this?

Rishis and mathematician have more in common than you thought! Read more about how to apply BODMAS to achieve and live a more yogic life.

Have you ever wondered why yoga teachers are often times so obsessed with alignment? Here are my thoughts...

Ayurveda is not to be defined but to be lived. Definitions are for thesaurus, dictionary, books and Wikipedia, but life is all about experiences.

Have you ever wondered why do we chant Shanti/ Om 3 times? and Why does it matter?

The meaning of the same word changes with time, experiences, readiness and karmas...

Are all Malas the same? Is there a difference between a mala used for chanting versus simply wearing?

What are the practices that lead to deeper states of mind, to higher states of consciousness? These practices are the heart of Yoga and lead us to the state of Yoga itself.

The Namaste Mudra is practiced by joining of the masculine and feminine energies, bringing the right and left sides together.

Q: I am very well aware of the power of Mantras and Mudras in Yoga but somehow I do not feel confident in using them as tools in the classes I lead or in Yoga as Therapy. What should I do?Response: Nothing. Simply wait! Breath is the mantra and awareness is the Mudra + More...

"This Ayurvedic herbal mixture for healing the skin brings beauty, color and glowing complexion to the face. It is a wonderful and most authentic product." Vasant Lad

Yoga is life long journey, it is not based on accumulation of hours through teacher training programs. Yes, it can be a profession but not merely because you passed a training program but because you are dedicated to investing the time, energy, emotions and courage that is needed to walk the path of Yoga!

We are so used to transferring responsibility to others. Doctors for treatment, healers for healing, psychologists for mental health, spiritual growth to Gurus etc that we forget that our growth depends on just one person: us. Let the correction come from within.

Asana means to become that you which you are going to practice. It is not make believe, it is not mimicking, it is not performance, rigidity, adamancy, challenge or an accomplishment. 11 steps to do the abhyasa (practice) of an asana so that one may become that which one is practicing.

Long before I learnt Yoga asanas and kriyas, I learnt from my parents the importance and sacrednes of having a meditation mat (dhyana asana).The concept of asana as a physical position has been over explored along with having an appropriate Yoga mat, however the concept of having a mediation mat for mediation is mostly ignored.

The cellular intelligence (agni) of a specific organ/region/part of the body can be awakened by infusing the marma region with a paste of the specific ingredients. This helps in balancing the dosha, gunas and agni. Marma points are the bridge between the physical and the subtle body + read more

This translation of everything into simple english does not work as it is supposed to work.There is a huge difference between inverting the flow and reversing (Viparita) the flow. Inverse means changing the order and reverse means to go back to the origin or in opposite direction. That is exactly the difference between a simple inversion like legs up the wall and "Viparita karani."

In vedic texts, the feminine is celebrated in many divine forms and one of them is Durga. "Drug" means a state which is impossible to transcend, accomplish ir win over. Durga as a Goddess is the energy that has accomplished the impossible and the impossibility.Both "Durg" as well as "Durga" resides within each one of us.

Most of the people who come for one to one Yoga classes are looking for benefits to the physical and mental body and may not have real craving/appetite to understand the philosophy yet. Why does this matter? When they practice mula-bandha without knowing what it really is, it creates an illusion of doing an advanced practice.

Yoga is not something that one can be instructed into. It is a state that one may reach with inspiration, insight, dedication, consistency, guidance and purity of heart. Most of the Yoga classes are instruction classes, geared towards pushing, work-out, sweating, achieving, doing, shaping up etc.

Chakras are not fancy or mystical, they are facts. We simply need to sharpen our instruments with which we perceive them.As human beings, we have always been mesmerized and attracted by mystical concepts and experiences. This is where we are mistaken about Chkaras. What is mystical to us with our limited readiness, preparation and even more limited experiences is real to the Yogis/Yoginis.

Beauty means many things to many people. So what is beauty from vedic and textual point of view? By seeing the beauty in everything, we all contribute to a more beautiful, peaceful and bright world.

The approach of Valentine's day made me contemplate on what love really is. I keep coming back to the answer: Love Is

There is a lot of buzz about this word and a lot of people are trying hard to find their Dharma.

"Just go and apply haldi/ turmeric!" - my mother often said when there was a cut, injury, pain or ache.We all have heard about turmeric and its healing properties. What was known to Indian cuisine as a culinary and medicinal secret is now known to the world.

What is Pitra divas/ Pitru paksha/ Malaya Shraadh: 15 days dedicated to pay respect and homage to the ancestors. Pitru means the ancestors and divas is days.

How to prepare your body and mind to the changing season? The wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga for the Fall season has a lot to offer.

There is more to Ganehsa than just being an elephant headed God.Ganesha is symbolic of the 10 pranas within our body. He is the pranamaya kosha.

How much Ayurveda should I learn as a Yoga teacher?It is not the question of quantity, subject and requirement. Think of it as if you are asking which eye should I see from. You need both!! Yoga and Ayurveda are inseparable. Ayurvedic wisdom was revealed to the Rishis (seers) in deep meditative state. Both Yoga and Ayurveda have the same goal- to remove suffering and union with the Self.

There are at the least 7 main differences between Kapalabhatti and Bhastrika in Yoga. Any manipulation of breath is often mis understood as a breathing technique. We often translate breathing techniques as pranayama. This is the beginning of confusion and spread of misinterpreted versions of practice.

Commonly, pranayama is considered manipulation, stretching, holding of breath or maybe the name of some techniques like anulom viloma, bhastrika, ujjayi etc. The techniques are simply to remove the friction at the various points of entry of the prana into the body.These techniques itself are not pranayama, their consequence is and could be...

I am so proud to introduce YOGIS GLOW to you! It is food for the skin, it is like a magic dust, an ayurvedic mixture of herbs, flowers and spices and has been inspired by my grandmother's recipe, enhanced by teachings from my Gurus and revised by my personal experiences and understanding.

How wise it is to get leftover food packed from restaurants?

It means to wake up to ourSelf. It means to stop blaming. It means to take responsibility. It means to recognize, face, accept and transform our weaknesses.

Chakras are not fancy or interesting or mystical, they are facts.

Health is surely not a goal that we might attain one day. It is moment-to-moment transformation in a three-step process:

Look Inside! "...so far, the most complete, practical, and authentic work on mudras..." Order here