Articles in the Yoga and Lifestyle Category

Young Narayanan Krishnan was on his way to landing a dream job working as a restaurant chef in Switzerland. But just a few days before he was to leave the country, he visited his hometown of Madurai one last time. While on his way to a temple, he saw something that shook him to his core, and his life would never be the same….

Jai Sri Ganesha! Well, I finally used my adorable Snowball microphone and recorded a very simple little baby video about the short but powerful Ganesha mantra, “Om gam ganapataye namaha.” This mantra attracts the energy of Sri Ganesha, who helps us develop our discrimination, willpower and intuitive awareness. Sri Ganesha helps us enter the path of true spirituality and guards our well-being as we make each step towards higher states of divine consciousness.

I have a confession to make. Though I’ve been coming to India for fifteen years, can chant up a storm, and can wrap a sari blindfolded in a minute flat, I don’t “do yoga.” But recently, I’ve been feeling the urge to include my physical body on the spiritual path by starting a yoga asana practice. Here’s why…

Our food choices have a tremendous effect on our physical and mental health, the quality of our subtle energy, our meditation practice, our karmic balance, the economy of the nation and the world, and the ecological health of Mother Earth. By becoming more mindful and aware of our food choices, we can help to address many issues facing humanity today. My approach to diet has always been to find the common thread and look for general principles that simplify matters and allow me to fulfill multiple goals at once. There is a way to improve health, heighten spiritual consciousness, reduce karma, reduce water pollution, reduce animal suffering, reduce rainforest destruction, AND reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Over the past few years, I have felt called to create a life of balance, one that allows me to seek enlightenment while also doing something for the planet. A life in which I seek to serve others without losing my health and my sanity. In which I meditate and purify my subtle body but also take care of my physical body and mental balance. In which I listen to both my heart and my head, and in which I balance faith and tradition with my God-given reason and intelligence.

The ancient Vedic sages viewed the Earth as a divine goddess, a being who had feelings and consciousness, and who responded to our prayers and actions. The sages sang beautiful hymns of gratitude to Mother Earth, wished her peace in rhythmic peace prayers, and also performed elaborate fire ceremonies for her peace and happiness. They believed that Mother Earth holds us all in her lap, and that if we are to be happy and content, she must be happy first.

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha! As this is my very first post, I thought it fitting to make a prayer to Sri Ganesha in the very beginning. Most people have seen images of Sri Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of Hinduism. Many people find him cute, adorable, and even a little humorous. After all, he’s holding a plate of delicious sweets, his round belly betrays his obvious liking of said sweets, and yet his vehicle is a tiny little mouse. All in all, he seems like a groovy guy to hang out with!