Happy New Year, beautiful! Welcome to the very first digital issue of Yoga Love Magazine! As we step into 2025, I’m reflecting on my own healing journey. Last year, I faced a challenging health journey with breast cancer, and my yoga practice - both on and off the mat- was essential in my recovery.
This experience deepened my understanding of “HEAL” – our theme for this issue – and how mindful living can help us quiet our minds, reconnect with our spirits and in return, connect better with ourselves and others. Inside, you’ll discover inspiring stories of healing, like the interview between Dr. Rosenthal and podcaster Jenny Hwang detailing how yoga helped with their mental health journeys. We also delve into the sober curious movement and explore a fresh perspective on sex tech. We’ve curated a collection of insightful articles, inspiring stories, and practical tips to support you on your own unique healing journey.
Yoga Love Magazine is more than just a publication; it’s a community, a sanctuary, a source of inspiration. Our vision is to create a space where you can connect with your inner self, explore the transformative power of yoga, and embrace a life filled with love, joy, and authenticity.
We invite you to join the conversation! Share your thoughts, insights, and experiences on social media using #YogaLoveMag. We’d love to hear how you’re incorporating the timeless practice of yoga in your daily life.
Thank you for being a part of the Yoga Love community. We’re so excited to embark on this journey with you! Here’s to a year of healing, growth, and inner peace.
Melissa Honkanen
YOGA
LOVE MAGAZINE: DIGITAL ISSUE EDITOR
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My First...
BY: TASHYA KNIGHT
MAUDINE, 26
Maudine thought she was showing up for the pole dancing class she registered for, only to be told they would be doing some yoga first. She was open to trying some of the simple poses because it looked fun, but found it to be very awkward. She felt like her body just couldn’t go into the poses like everyone else. Instead of focusing on the yoga or on her breath, she was only thinking about what would come next and how she could get into that pose. She found herself comparing herself to others in the mirror, and felt self-conscious about how she looked.
Nevertheless, Maudine persevered and made it through the yoga warm-up. She then went on to enjoy her pole dancing class. As the class started to wind down, she realized they would be doing yoga again for their cool down. Now that she knew what to expect and had tried it earlier, she found it easier to move into the poses and stay focused. She ended up leaving with a positive experience. Even though it has been a while since that first time, she is very open and eager to try yoga again under the right circumstances.
MALIKA, 29
Malika found herself trying yoga for the first time as a teenager. Her mom had encouraged her to try it, a friend mentioned it, and someone at a program she attended told her it would help to manage stress. This thing called “yoga” kept popping up in her life, but she
We all remember our first time, whether it was good or bad, it sticks with us. Maybe we wanted to experience it again. Maybe we wanted to do it differently or somewhere else. But no matter what, that first time is special.
Of course, I’m talking about joining a yoga class for the first time! When we are unsure of how something will go, it can be rather daunting to try something new. Here are three very different experiences of yoga or meditation for the first time. Maybe you even recognize yourself in one of them.
wasn’t really sure what it was. So she decided to try a free class with her friend. At first, it felt like stretching and there was some relief in her joints, it reminded her of when she was in ballet, but then it became more intense as it went on. She remembers not sticking with it back then because she wasn't as mindful to connect with the benefits. She didn’t see the advantages it gave her as a 17- year-old.
“
THIS THING CALLED ‘YOGA’ KEPT POPPING UP IN HER LIFE, BUT SHE WASN’T REALLY SURE WHAT IT WAS. SO SHE DECIDED TO TRY A FREE CLASS WITH HER FRIEND.
”
Malika found her way back to yoga in her early 20s during the pandemic. A friend who was really into yoga asked her to join, and was really positive about the experiences she was having, so Malika gave it another try. She still felt that relief in her joints that she felt before, but this time she noticed how flexible she was. She felt more active after, and found it to be more grounding, and a time to center herself. She started doing it on her own, learning more about her body, and seeing the benefits such as having more energy and positivity, being more mindful, and start-
ing off her day in a better headspace. She didn’t feel like it was a workout, more that it made her feel good starting from the bottom of her feet all the way up through her body. And this feeling made her keep going.
She hasn’t been practicing as consistently now, but would like to slowly get back into it. Maybe once a week or more, depending on her schedule. Now that she’s older and has a better understanding of the benefits and how it helps her, she doesn’t want to lose that.
HANNAH, 21
Hannah on the other hand has never taken a yoga class based on asanas, however her yoga experience included attending a meditation class taught by a Buddhist monk. She had been exploring meditation in solitude, but had a curiosity to explore Buddhism’s many theoretical schools and modes of practice. Her curiosity started back in high school, dealing with anxiety and melancholy. She had some understanding that sitting with and observing the hyperactive mind could bring someone inner tranquility, but wondered how that was possible.
So when a friend asked her to attend a guided meditation held by the Columbia University Buddhist Association, she was eager to try it out. Hannah
continued on page 33
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Our cover artwork is created by Roxana Vatanparast, an Iranian-American law academic and an artist based in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to her ongoing research in law and technology, she enjoys painting, traveling, and practicing yoga and meditation.
Our Digital Issue cover design features a yogini with a lotus on her third eye. What inspired this visual?
This work is titled “Third Eye Never Lies.” In some yogic beliefs, the third eye is where our intuitive senses are located. The visual was inspired during a meditation that was pushing me to trust my own intuition more. While people and our perceptions may deceive us at times, intuition never lies.
As a creative and yoga practitioner, how do mindfulness and yoga influence your artistic process?
My yoga practice helped me get in touch with my creativity again after many years of leaving it aside. I feel most in tune with that creative energy after a consistent daily meditative practice.
What advice would you give to young, aspiring creatives who are trying to navigate the balance between their creative passions and more traditional career paths, like law or academia?
I would recommend they read Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. I took art classes when I was younger, and then over the years, stopped expressing myself artistically. In more recent years, my meditation practice helped me get in touch with the creative energy within me, so I started drawing and painting in my free time and sharing my work with others. As someone who spends most of her time thinking analytically and critically, it felt like something more sensual, intuitive, and meditative. It also relieved stress from other areas in my life.
I also find that my artistic sense enables creativity and vulnerability with my academic work and writing. One of the
ways my artistic practice is shaping my academic work is that I am interested in exploring aesthetic theories in relation to my work on law and technology. How do aesthetic qualities or experiences of technology shape the way it performs governance functions, or the way that law is shaped in relation to it?
Learn more : roxanav.com @roxanav41 and @roxanapaints
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Green Tara; Tibet; 13th century; brass with inlays of silver; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.30 (HAR 65453)
Mindfulness Meditation Podcast is presented in partnership with Sharon Salzberg and teachers from the New York Insight Meditation Center, the Interdependence Project, and Parabola Magazine, and supported by the Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism.
SOMATIC RELEASE FOR HEALING THROUGH YOGA
BY: SERENA PICKETT
PHOTOS BY: NOELLE MCHENRY
Yoga has always been a way for me to reconnect to myself and to nature, which is our ultimate teacher in ritual and remembrance of the ancestral ways. I hope that the yoga asanas I have offered opens the space for your emotional and/or physical healing journey. Somatic movement is mindful, and includes breathwork and touch within a healing environment. You may practice these poses in a sequence or each on their own when you need a way to connect back to self and ease any stress or anxiety.
As you move through each pose, be gentle with yourself and let emotional heaviness lighten until you come into a state of bliss. I also always recommend, if you are able, to find a way to bring your practice in nature. Allow the beautiful energies of the Earth to fill and support you so that you know you are not alone. Om Shanti Om.
1. Butterfly Breath
Begin in a comfortable position. Place your left palm over your right side of the chest and place your right palm over the left on the heart. Allow your thumbs to interlace over your heart center. Closely listen to the rhythm of your breath as you bring yourself intentionally into a place of peace and safety. Notice the union of the breath, mind, and body.
Slowly make light taps with your fingertips against your chest, mimicking the beating of your heart. Allow the breath to run just as it is, without any force. Continue for as long as you need to help center the body and mind.
While seated on the ground, bend one leg in front of you as you extend the opposite leg behind you. Keeping both hips parallel, and your back upright with a nice long spine, or you can slowly walk the palms forward to release the forehead closer to the floor. Breathe through this position, and imagine you are deepening your roots. Notice what it is like to be fully grounded and supported by the Earth as you practice release. Allow any emotions to arise without judgment. Repeat on the other side.
2. Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose)
3. Anjaneyasana
(Crescent Pose)
You may do this pose standing or using a chair for balance. Bend one leg forward at a 90-degree angle, knee aligned with ankle, pressing into the big toe mound to lift the arches to help with balance. Extend the opposite leg behind, heel peeled off the floor.
As you are relaxing in Anjaneyasana, take a deep inhale and bring the palms facing toward each other and parallel starting at the height of your pelvis.
Imagine a big ball of light in between your palms, your energy source, your chi. Watch as that white light moves through the sternum as you bring the palms slowly up to the heart center, allowing the chest to expand with loving awareness.
Palms slowly move through the throat to the third eye, in between the eyebrows. Imagine the light is fine-tuning your intuition. Then palms move up above the head to the crown. Arms extend out to your sides, exhale.
Repeat this energetic chakra practice 3 times on each side.
4. Supta Baddha Konasana
(Reclining bound angle pose)
End either laying down or in a seated position, bring the balls of the feet together and knees apart. If you would like more support in this position, place a rolled-up blanket underneath the knees. Place one palm on the heart and the other on the stomach, spreading the fingers out wide. Witness gravity slowly melting the knees closer to the floor.
Trust your sense of connection as you allow the heart to open with each breath, sending yourself and the Earth peace, compassion, and love.
YOGA & MENTAL HEALTH
BY: JONATHAN ROSENTHAL, MD AND JESSICA HWANG
Jonathan Rosenthal, MD is a neurologist in New York City, and a yoga student of Sri Dharma Mittra.
Jessica Hwang is a career transition coach, host of Permission to Flow, and a Dharma yoga instructor.
Here, they discuss how yoga might be helpful for the mental well-being of young people, based on the scientific evidence.
Jonathan: Hey Jess, I’m really excited about our conversation today. We both started yoga as teens, right? I feel like yoga has made a huge difference for both of us, especially during those critical years. But let’s dive into a bit more— how do you think yoga benefits young people, especially when it comes to issues like depression, anxiety, and ADHD?
Jessica: Oh, absolutely! I started yoga when I was 16, and at first, I wasn’t all that into it. My mom got me into it, and I couldn’t even touch my toes. But over time, it became this peaceful space where I could disconnect and just be present. It really helped me navigate all the ups and downs of being a teenager. And yeah, I think starting yoga young is such a blessing, especially when life gets tumultuous.
Jessica: Oh, totally! I mean, the younger you start, the better it becomes integrated into your life. And like you said, yoga just helps with so many things—sleep, focus, managing stress. I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety, and when I wouldn’t practice regularly, it definitely got worse. But when I deepened my practice, those symptoms decreased significantly.
Jonathan: That’s a powerful personal testimony. And the scientific research backs it up. There’s this idea of effect sizes in research—how big of an impact something has. When it comes to yoga for depression, anxiety, and ADHD, the effect sizes are small to moderate, but meaningful—around 20-30% improvements on average. That’s not a small number! It means that yoga can make a noticeable difference for symptoms like inattention in ADHD, anxiety, or depression.
That is so cool! And it’s interesting because that improvement is across the board—whether it’s inattention, hyperactivity, or mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It shows just how versatile yoga is as a tool for mental health.
Jonathan: That’s such a relatable start. I felt the same. For me, yoga helped with sleep, focus, and just being a calmer person. It’s interesting because research supports these benefits, too. There’s a researcher at Harvard, Sat Bir Khalsa, who has been studying yoga for decades. He often says that yoga should be in every school in America. Can you imagine the impact that would have?
Jonathan: Exactly. What’s fascinating is that it doesn’t seem to matter much what type of yoga you do or how frequently you practice. Even less intense, restorative yoga can have these benefits. So it’s accessible for everyone, regardless of their starting point.
Jessica: That’s what I love about yoga—it meets you where you are. I think it’s also about the mindset yoga fosters. It teaches you to find comfort in discomfort, which is a skill that translates directly into real life. When you can hold a challenging pose on the mat, it’s like training for life’s challenges off the mat.
Jonathan: That’s one of the theories about why yoga works—it builds coping strategies that generalize to other areas of life. And it’s not just about stress management, although that’s a big part of it. Yoga also seems to affect neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt and change. There’s evidence that yoga can increase brainderived neurotrophic factor, which is almost like a “fertilizer” for the brain involved in learning and memory as well as resilience to stress.
Jessica: Wow, that’s fascinating! It’s like yoga isn’t just calming us down; it’s actually reshaping our brains in a positive way. No wonder it helps with issues like depression and anxiety, where the brain often needs a bit of rewiring.
Jonathan: Yes. And the same goes for ADHD. The practice of yoga enhances focus and attention, along with mood; one theory for how this might work is by affecting neurotransmitters like GABA, which helps with signal processing in the brain.
Jessica: That makes so much sense. And it’s such a holistic approach—it’s not just about treating symptoms but about fostering overall mental well-being. I think that’s why yoga feels like it helps with everything. It’s not just one thing; it’s a combination of physical, mental, and emotional benefits all rolled into one practice.
Jonathan: Right, but it’s important to note that while yoga helps with a lot of things, it’s not a cure-all. It’s an incredible tool for improving quality of life, but it’s not a replacement for other necessary treatments, especially for severe conditions.
Jessica: True. And it’s something accessible to so many people, whether they’re dealing with a mental health diagnosis or just looking to improve their overall well-being.
Jonathan: Absolutely. Yoga’s impact on young people can be profound, especially when you consider how many are dealing with issues like depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Integrating yoga into their lives can provide them with the tools they need to navigate these challenges more effectively.
Jessica: Couldn’t agree more. Yoga has been a game-changer in my life, and I’m so grateful to be able to share that with others, especially younger people who are just starting out on their journeys.
Learn more about how yoga affects the brain, check out the Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference which runs year round to bring the latest scientific research from top scientists across the globe to help yogis everywhere improve how they practice, teach, and advocate for yoga. The cost is free for a basic pass, with options to upgrade for services like IAYT and YA continuing education credit.
For more conversations like this and insights on how to bring more creativity, purpose, and peace into your life, check out the Permission to Flow podcast on all major platforms. You can learn more at jessicahwangcoaching.com and Jessica’s Instagram @jessicahwangcoaching
How Yoga Supports Mental Health
Positive Ripple Effect for Families Yoga offers a holistic approach to mental well-being, which may benefit both individuals and their families
Yoga regulates stress systems like those that make cortisol keeping stress n a balanced range
When parents practice yoga it has a positive mpact on their children s mental health improving attention and emot onal regulation
AFFORDABLE YOGA IN NYC
MAX KENNEDY IS REVOLUTIONIZING ACCESSIBLE YOGA
In New York City where the price of yoga classes can soar up to $50, Max Kennedy is making sure that anyone and everyone has access to yoga by offering pay what you can yoga classes. You can find Max teaching at least three times a week in a studio space he rents on the Upper West Side.
Share your yoga journey with us.
As a lifelong New Yorker, it wasn’t until I was well into my 30s that I was first introduced to this practice. Someone I adored, adored me enough to go out on a limb and invited me to take a class alongside them. And voila, that was that! I was hooked!
When I decided to take the plunge and do a teacher training in the summer of 2018, I had no intention of actually teaching. Like many, my sole intention in enrolling in a training was to deepen my practice, nothing more. But at some point I discovered that in order to receive my certification, I was required to teach at least one 60 minute class.
The moment I learned that I could use my voice, that people could listen with their hearts and minds, I was imbued with an undeniable sense of clarity and commitment. Rather instantaneously it became clear to me, I’d commit myself to opening as many doors for people to make their way through, by way of their own self-directed evolution.
I knew right then and there, this is what I will always do. That *this* is all I would ever want to do. To create some semblance of beauty, to endeavor to end some semblance of suffering and to help people help themselves. I haven’t looked back since.
What inspired you to offer “Pay What You Can” yoga?
Prior to the pandemic, I exclusively taught at a donation-based studio. In 2020 this studio had to shutter all its locations overnight which was a source of immediate devastation for countless people. There was a huge void that was created when this pay-what-you-can model of practice vanished.
“It’s my hope that the future of yoga has inclusivity and accessibility at its nucleus. It’s my hope to be amongst those who help normalize these tenets. That in no uncertain terms, access to wellness modalities must be viewed as being a right — not as a luxury.”
type, nor their physical abilities — but rather the contents of their heart.
It’s my hope that the future of yoga has inclusivity and accessibility at its nucleus. It’s my hope to be amongst those who help normalize these tenets. That in no uncertain terms, access to wellness modalities must be viewed as being a right — not as a luxury.
Once again, clarity and commitment entered the equation. I knew I had to do everything I could to once again foster community — to provide access to a practice that didn’t hinge on one’s financial means. To do it the right way. That is how •Offer•What•You•Can•Yoga• came to be.
What is your hope for the future of yoga?
The impetus for launching •Offer•What•You•Can•Yoga• was to simply provide possibility. For people to know it’s possible to have a practice no matter their experience, their age, or their income. That having a fulfilling practice isn’t predicated on their body
While I’ll always champion yoga’s prowess in being a healing, discovery, growth, and acceptance practice — I know full well, it might not be for everyone and that’s okay. But, everyone must have the right to explore what their own holistic wellness can feel like. It’s my unyielding intention to contribute to this reimagined approach. I have every reason to believe that we, together, can usher in this shift in perspective.
Check out Max’s teaching schedule and learn more:
YOGA: AN INSTRUMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
BY: MELISSA HONKANEN
Reggie Hubbard is a certified RYT 500 yoga instructor who teaches Members of Congress, Congressional staff, progressive organizations, and individuals seeking balance and peace. He also serves as a consultant to yoga communities, studios, teachers, and the broader wellness industry, advocating for greater diversity and inclusion. Reggie is the founder of Active Peace Yoga which helps activists cultivate inner peace while encouraging the wellness community to become more engaged, conscious citizens committed to social change
Thank you for being part of SoulFest Yoga Festival online back in 2021. Two things I remember. First, your love for Prince because this girl is from Minnesota, and I also love Prince. Secondly, you held space for social justice within your yoga class. When did you begin to focus on yoga and social justice and creating Active Peace Yoga?
I’ve been in politics since 2003, way longer than I ever anticipated. Being a Black man with confidence in the United States is in itself activism and a political gesture, especially just growing up and being my full self in the ‘80s and ‘90s when Reagan was president and when folks were attacking Black people.
I have been an activist for most of my life, either through my lived experience or as a vocation. When I was around 38 years old, I looked in the mirror and realized I was killing myself with my trash diet, drinking too much, and my political work felt unsupported as a Black, talented and confident person. I was exhausted from being kept in my place. I fell into a yoga practice by accident. I was up for long titles in the Obama administration and got neither of those gigs. I thought with a Yale degree and paying my dues, I would get the position. Despite this professional heartbreak, I had already been assessing my health, so I was ready to embark on a new path. I started practicing yoga asana. I had always been somewhat hip to the philosophical underpinnings of yoga, as I was a philosophy major in college.
“Love is awareness. When we realize we were born to be happy, we start to create love.”
I just never saw myself in the practice because it’s a whole bunch of skinny white people. You know what I mean? As someone who was an activist, I struggled to relate to people getting stressed because they couldn’t find parking before a yoga class.
Reminds me of an old Saturday Night Live Charles Barkley skit about White People Problems.
Seriously. I would be like, yo, I can’t really kick it with y’all. I started practicing samadhi in 2014 from the beginning of my yoga practice. I moved across the country to a dream job which totally sucked, so I was in a crap job and stayed diligent in my asana practice.
My yoga philosophy started to manifest. I read all the books and got even more books. I was able to merge philosophical teachings and asana, and I realized I could do this on the job.
I was able to re-enter politics in 2015 when Bernie Sanders ran for president, and I merged my yoga practice with a presidential campaign. Little did anyone know that neither Bernie or Hillary would win, but I was like, “Thank God I did this yoga stuff.” I got to step into the mythic ideas of the Bhagavad Gita, and I live my truth.
Thank you for stating that being who you are and simply walking down the
street can be seen as a political movement.
There are people who have never had to take a stand. As my yoga teaching profile exploded, I began to understand some of White culture. I realized many of my well-intentioned, lighter-hued friends never had to take a stand. My compassion was awakened in my teaching practice. I must take a stand. I must be defiant. I must be bold.
During the pandemic when everyone was losing their shit, and I was super peaceful. I was like, OK, so this is samadhi in action. This is the peace part, but I’ve got to make it a form of activism, otherwise it’s a version of narcissism, and that’s how Active Peace grew.
I saw Active Peace’s “Election Protection Virtual Meditation” in 2024. What is your aim to support individuals during an election process? What inspired you?
Election Protection began in 2020 when we were all stuck in our houses, dealing with a poorly-managed pandemic and an election that was being actively sabotaged through the disruption of the U.S. mail system. I remember how terrible Trump was, and I don’t have a problem speaking out against him. That’s not a political statement. That is a moral statement.
Election Protection began because many were wondering, “How do we end this nightmare?” There were scores of people all stuck at home, and the classes were wildly successful. I had hundreds of people, and maybe even thousands, over the course of August through November 2020 joining my morning lifestyle practice classes.
I’ve been part of three presidential cycles in my political lobbyist career, so I’m acute and attuned to this energy. I also have a business degree, and I saw barriers to entry as a teacher prior to the pandemic.
When the studios shut down and everyone was scared, I considered Election Protection Meditations a perfect opportunity to do my own thing. I don’t have to conform to bullshit standards. I started with my Prince classes on the wild and free side and then on the activist side, I held meditations while in protest.
After the June 2024 presidential debate, I saw the terror that many had in 2020 return, so I dusted off the Election Protection Meditation classes. The difference this time is that I’m in stroke recovery, so I wondered if I could even hold this space.
You must have felt some trepidation to continue creating space as a yoga teacher because there’s a mindful energy that you want to give practitio -
ners, but it also takes energy from you. How did you decide to continue teaching yoga?
So the stroke-recovery community calls the first day after your stroke your Reborn Day because everything changes. Coincidentally, my 2024 Reborn Day turned out to be on my self-proclaimed 2013 Reborn Day. Does it get much more spiritual and esoteric?! My stroke happened the same day as the vow that I made years ago in order to rededicate to a healthier life. On day two of recovery, I immediately started playing my healing bowls. I’m playing and nurses are coming in and taking my blood pressure, and I’ve got all these damn needles in my arms, but I want to be in a peaceful place.
Amidst all the machinery, I was teaching in a hospital bed. Basically, it was the question of honoring what the body needs in accordance with what the soul needs. Having my stroke to some extent was a fertile ground as a teacher. I had no choice but to get serious about my diet. I was paralyzed, so I had to be still. How are you going to get through this challenge without a deeper practice?
Somehow you have to navigate this disruptive occurrence with grace and bless your nurses, bless your physical therapist, and bless your occupational therapist. The damn neurologists were coming to me asking about singing bowls, right? Wow, so I got hardcore scientists asking me about waves.
My experience gave me the opportunity to make an influence where my yoga teacher experience intersects with my lobbying background and my advocacy background. You’ve got this message, but at the same time, you must be mindful of what the body is telling you because you don’t want to end up where you just got back from.
What would you tell the younger generation about how to engage in a wellness community and integrate
“Election Protection Meditation is the biggest gift I can give to help regulate the nervous system. Regulating your nervous system is not an escape because we can’t escape what’s happening, but we can prepare for what life brings.”
activism and social change?
The first thing I would say to wellness practitioners and activists is that wellness and health are not the same thing. The wellness industrial complex does not seem to care about your health. The sooner that you can appreciate the difference between health and wellness, the deeper your practice will be. A regular relationship with all medical service providers is required at an early age because you ain’t bulletproof. Nobody is invincible, right?! Your health is sacred, and nor should it be an afterthought.
What I teach with sound using singing bowls and other things, the reason is to find balance. We as a society are overstimulated and talk too much. Awaken your sense of smell, your sense of touch, and have a multisensory experience so you can understand the totality of your health. Be aware of your mental health and what you consume. Put down the phone and listen to birds. Your nervous system health is sacred and sacrosanct. Healing happens when nerves are calm, allowing transformation and creative breakthroughs. It’s our nature to be creative, loving, spacious, and kind, and that does not happen when your nervous system is out of regulation.
Election Protection Meditation is the biggest gift I can give to help regulate the nervous system. Regulating your nervous system is not an escape because we can’t escape what’s happening, but we can prepare for what life brings. Our perspectives can be clearer, and hopefully compassion is something that I can awaken.
In these interesting times, as a Dharmic yogic practitioner, observing the yamas and niyamas of Patanjali’s 8 limb path, and as a Black liberation practitioner, I have got to be on my job. I am inspired by messy times. If it’s prim and proper and everything is going great, I’m bored. I have to teach with my voice, as there’s no one else like me on the planet, and there’s no one else talking about stuff the way that I’m talking about it.
What’s in the future for Active Peace Yoga?
We need deep healing in this land. We need deep healing individually and collectively because our unwillingness and inability to be honest about what is ailing us is killing us.
I plan on doing more sound healing and meditations. I’m a bit of a renegade in the yoga world, and I enjoy doing these cool Election Protection things. As an existential philosophy major who is Black and turned 50, I understand the human condition. There’s always excitement at the top and it fades, right? People just don’t have discipline. I will continue to offer small batch and/or boutique offerings rooted in depth and wisdom and connection so we can navigate these interesting times with love and grace. How do we heal so that the rest of our days are spent in the possibility of healing as opposed to anything else. Young folks want to heal. If you wanna heal, then I wanna rock with you.
Learn more: @oreggieglobal
HEALING THROUGH YOGA HEALING THE WORLD
BY: NICK PELACCIO
The theme of this issue being HEALING is particularly relevant when thinking about the connection between yoga and climate change. Healing is a crucial concept to both. Through the practice of yoga, many people find healing and growth in profound ways. In the same way, acting to combat the effects of human-caused climate change involves healing the earth, mainly by reducing and eventually halting the emissions of two major greenhouse gasses: carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and the more powerful but not as long-lasting methane (CH4 ).
Many of us in this modern world are disconnected from nature, and in turn, disconnected from the harm humans cause to ecosystems, animals, plants, and ultimately ourselves. Yoga helps us not only get more in tune with our mind, body, emotions, and spirit, but connects us deeply with nature to show us that we are not only a part of nature, but that we are nature.
In fact, a recent study found that practitioners of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) scored significantly higher than nonSKY practitioners on connectivity with nature and climate change. This study uncovers that yoga can help people connect deeply with nature and be more open to environmental conservation efforts and climate action (Kanchibhotla et al 2021).
Climate change can feel like an overwhelming and insurmountable problem. It’s easy to give into apathy and ignore the significant current and future effects of climate change. However, the earth itself and our future generations are counting on us. We can reduce the
detrimental effects of climate change, and I don’t believe that anyone can sustainably tackle these huge systemic issues like climate change without taking the steps to ensure one's own wellbeing.
When you’re ready, engage in collective action by reaching out to local climate change or environmental justice groups to connect with other like-minded people and volunteer your time and skills. Make sure you always vote in alignment
to greater systemic societal change.
Yoga teaches us to open our hearts fully and deeply, to sit with uncomfortable and sometimes painful moments, while simultaneously letting go and surrendering to what no longer serves us. The healing of oneself, humanity at large, and the earth are intrinsically connected. We must do our part to make the world a better place for future generations, and know that your mat, your yoga practice, and your community will be there to support you.
“Yoga helps us not only get more in tune with our mind, body, emotions, and spirit, but connects us deeply with nature to show us that we are not only a part of nature, but that we are nature.”
with your values in local, state, and federal elections, and write or call your elected officials to share your concerns about climate change. While one’s individual actions may seem like a drop in the bucket, climate action can cause ripple effects that can change the mind and actions of those around you, leading
Columbia University and worked on the Greek climate project Augures!
Nick Pelaccio is a Research Associate at the Center for Climate Systems Research at
BEYOND THE BAR: HEALING THROUGH COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION IN A SOBER CURIO WORLD
BY: MELISSA HONKANEN
Tawny Lara, also known as The Sober Sexpert, is one of the pioneers of the sober curiosity movement. Based in NYC, she’s the author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without Booze, where she dishes out real talk on navigating relationships without the buzz. Tawny co-hosts the Recovery Rocks podcast, where she and her co-host chat about everything from life after booze to build ing confidence in sobriety. She’s also teaming up with her podcast partner on a cool new card deck. Tawny is also the co-founder of (parentheses), a non-alcoholic botanical beverage that’s perfect for anyone looking for a delicious drink minus the hangover.
I was watching season four of Emily in Paris, and she spoke about the sober curious movement. The episode caught me pleasantly by surprise as it was the day before your interview so I could discuss this trend with you. How does the sober curious movement impact your physical health and your mental health?
Author Ruby Warrington coined the term “sober curi ous” in her 2019 book, allowing people to question their relationship with alcohol without stigma and judgment and without having to identify as an alcohol ic and without going to rehab. All sobriety options are incredibly important and incredibly valid, but sober curiosity is like sneaking in the vegetables. Sober curiosity is about quitting drinking or evaluat ing your relationship with alcohol. The decision might be confronting because you’re left with emotions you
might have been self-medicating. The alcohol is gone, but all the other stuff like childhood trauma that I repressed was coming up because I was no longer pushing it down.
I’m not anti-alcohol at all. I want to be very clear, but I encourage mindful consumption. For example, people try a dry month and can be curious about being sober. If we can figure out a way to consume substances mindfully, this shift will create an effect where you’re going to be more mindful and curious about other parts of your life. If you can really face yourself and your life, your physical health and mental health will get better.
Did you feel like maybe your yoga practice or other health practices filled that void in some ways?
Absolutely. A big talking point of mine is that you can’t just give up alcohol. You must replace it with something else. When you’re newly sober, it can be really overwhelming and scary. If you were spending several nights a week at the bar, you need to do something else. My yoga practice got significantly deeper. I had been a yogi for four or five years before I quit drinking, and when I stopped drinking, being on my yoga mat
became one of my biggest sobriety kit tools. I took yoga teacher training when I was three years sober.
Although I decided not to teach, my yoga teacher training improved my writing and relationships and helped as an author and public speaker. I only knew about the asana limb, and I was able to really learn more about the other seven limbs and nerded out on the philosophy and the history and the traditions.
Sobriety gave me this chance to do all the things I said I was going to do. One day, I’m going to write a book. One day, I’m going to do yoga teacher training. One day, I’m going to do all this stuff. Turns out, when I’m no longer self-medicating, I can do those things.
What were some challenges you faced along the way in your sober curious journey?
The biggest issues were dating, sex, and relationships, which is ultimately why I wrote my book, Dry Humping. I struggled with alcohol-free dating and relationships, so I researched it and reported back. Liquid courage is super relatable. I’m not saying everyone needs to stop drinking, but I am encouraging you to stop relying
on liquid courage.
I took a look at my relationships, be it at work, family, friendships, and I realized I had no idea how to interact with people. Alcohol seemed to just make relationships easier, but without alcohol, I was so insecure. I had no confidence.
Sobriety really is a gift because I really had to confront all that stuff that I hid from. I had to find my authentic courage instead of liquid courage, and that’s something that I still work on every day.
What role did community play with your sober curious lifestyle and being able to connect with people of a like mind?
If you go out three nights a week, you have to do something else three nights a week. I had been a bartending party girl for 10 years. That was my whole world. I didn’t really know how to make friends outside of the bar. My new classes and interests led me to meet other people with similar interests. Whereas when I met people in the bar, we had alcohol in common.
There’s no way I would be where I am without community. I did not do AA, but I found other support groups that
worked for me. I connected with peer groups via social media by posting authentically about my story, and I met people from all over the world doing the same thing. The experience was so beautiful and so validating. There’s a lot of negative things we could say about social media, but meeting like-minded people has hugely impacted my life.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering a sober curious lifestyle but feels hesitant about taking those first steps?
First of all, acknowledge that fear and allow yourself to be scared or anxious or whatever is coming up. I would journal. Talk about it with a therapist or a friend. People think sobriety is just not drinking, however, when you remove the alcohol, you’re left with feelings.
Find an accountability buddy if you’re going to do a dry January or dry month. Even if you’re just going to go out to a birthday party or out for the night, have someone you can text or go with a buddy that’s also not drinking. Let hosts know you might leave early.
Set yourself up for success. Stock your fridge and your pantry with good nonalcoholic drinks and snacks and really just take care of yourself because it could be really difficult.
And if you slip, if you end up having a drink or two, don’t beat yourself up over it. It’s fine to start over, and let go of perfectionism. Observing instead of assigning judgment or assigning value, I learned from yoga and meditation. Observe who you’re around when you are drinking, and take note of who is peer-pressuring you to drink.
How did your community shift once you decided you were going to lead a more sober and sober curious lifestyle?
One of the most difficult and painful community shifts was that I found out who my real friends were. I relocated
from Texas to New York City the summer of 2015, and I had quit drinking that November and was very public about my sobriety from day one. My former drinking buddies back in Texas were leaving hateful comments on my blog and on social media, and it was really heartbreaking and quite devastating. You must have a really solid support system, even if a support system is just like your home, your room, your yoga mat, or your therapy session. Have supports in place to keep you sane when all the other shit is flying around and life feels out of control. You need to give yourself grace because everyone’s journey is so different, and it’s deeply personal.
Were there any specific yoga practices that helped you in your journey? And what techniques are still helpful now?
Identify your sobriety tool kit because it’s as important as an accountability buddy and a support group. Take the time to create some sort of space for your spirituality. I wish I had sooner. For me, it’s tarot, yoga mat, meditation cushion, and books. Always make sure that you can easily find your tool kit. You have to identify your oxygen mask because no one else is going to do it for you.
What are some future trends that you see in the intersection of wellness and yoga? When I lived in the East Village, there were at least two or three sober mocktail bars, and that’s one trend that I see. What do you see?
My husband and I created a drink called Parenthesis because we are obsessed with the non-alcoholic drink movement. We love that we’ve contributed a strong, complex and nuanced non-alcoholic spirit to the market.
Many restaurants have a mocktail menu now. I was keeping track of a list of restaurants that have a mocktail menu before the pandemic because there were so few. These days, most restaurants
have these mocktail lists, and I don’t have to work on my list anymore.
Now I go to friends’ houses, and they have non-alcoholic beer for me. All this stuff is super new. Trends are going towards people exploring non-alcoholic drinks. Sober bars and bottle shops all over are opening up all over the world.
I’m completely alcohol-free. I no longer say I’m sober curious. I’m definitely in recovery. I prioritize my mental health every single day. I don’t drink alcohol. It’s been almost nine years now. Check out my Sobriety Deck affirmation cards that support booze free practices for a mindful life.
Prana Shakti from the Plate: NOURISHING BODY AND SOUL
BY: KANAK BAL
My little dog Ziggy yips and runs in excited circles around his much calmer, but equally eager, sisters as I prepare their dinners. All the dogs are over the moon with their fresh homemade food supplemented with daily vitamins and bone broth. I feel a happy glow that dissipates as soon as I sit down to my own dinner of leftover pizza.
Those familiar with this situation are also familiar with the supercharged good intentions we set every new year. Lured by the promise of fresh starts and an abundant 365 days ahead, we attempt to right our wrongs. We toss out all the carbs and sugars and fats, buy gym memberships, and commit to meal subscriptions that promise “clean eating.” Perhaps our diet becomes a form of a liquid, and we wonder if we could make this adult baby food cheaper at home. A month or two later, we’re staring at the bottom of an empty party-sized candy container as the guilt spiral hits.
The National Alliance for Eating Disorders discusses the detrimental effects of diet culture and how the “celebration of food restriction” is propagated as health and wellness. Human beings are omnivores, privileged with the ability to consume and digest a variety of materials, and yet insistent on finding new food groups not to eat. In addition to alienating certain body types, foodrestriction culture also makes healthier eating inaccessible to marginalized communities.
What if, instead of viewing food as a challenge to overcome, we reframe our relationship to the foods that heal us so that we not only eat happier but also healthier?
When comparing various thousandsof-years-old food philosophies from around the world, the theme that resonates with me personally as a yogi is that each philosophy is centered around mindful eating and living. Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine are centuries-old whole body systems of medicine that aim to find balance in a person’s unique life force and to heal their ailments through highly individualized treatments that include a varied diet and activity. The goal is to optimize and fine-tune rather than restrict any given food. Centenarians living in Blue Zone regions practice mindful living through activity, purpose, eating wisely, and prioritizing community and loved ones. Blue Zone concepts can feel unachievable, especially when many now struggle in the lonely age of remote work and instant delivery.
The answer to incorporating mindful eating could simply be in acknowledging that every individual’s makeup is different physiologically, culturally, financially, etc. Working from our individual baseline provides for lifestyle changes that are curated to each unique circumstance. Food is a basic function to keep us alive and is a valuable commodity that has brought people together for millennia. Food has the power to heal not just our bodies, but also our minds and souls by being a shared human experience.
Here’s some food for thought: we could be cutting ourselves short by cutting out food groups, so instead, perhaps we broaden our horizons with happiness and good health. I know what my goal is for 2025: getting as excited for a wholesome meal as my pups!
SIMPLE SWAPS TO START HITTING YOUR GOALS:
• If someone currently never cooks and only buys takeout or eats fast food, a healthy meal delivery service is a step in the right direction without requiring drastic changes that may not be sustainable.
• Those with tight budgets would be making equally healthy choices by opting for more affordable frozen produce that will last longer and is nutritionally the same as pricier organic, fresh produce.
• Choosing whole wheat and unsaturated full fats over highly processed carbs and fats are healthier, more mindful options for comfort-food lovers than eliminating those foods entirely.
• Our online lives can often make us lose connection to how food is prepared. Connecting with someone over a shared meal fosters a sense of community and helps battle loneliness - even sharing a meal virtually can do wonders for social connection!
For the love of
FOOD
BY: KATIA ATIYAH
Food is love. Food has such a unique way of bringing people together and conveying love. When I was younger, I would spend my summers at my grandma’s house in Amman, Jordan. I would wake up every morning smelling a mix of spices or sweet baked goods. I would shoot up out of bed and run downstairs, eager to see what she was cooking. I would ask if I could mix, knead, chop, or anything to help in the process of preparing the meals. She would spend hours creating intricate and delicious food to host dinner parties. She would feed so many friends and family, and I was captivated. I loved how everyone would gather over food; it felt magical.
In 1970, my grandparents met for the first time. They were invited to the same gathering at a mutual friend’s house. My Sido (grandfather) was late and ended up meeting my grandmother in the kitchen after most of the guests had left while she helped with cleaning up. They chatted over leftover tabbouleh. He called her to meet again the next day, and the rest is history. Now, I view tabbouleh as the ultimate labor of love that can bring anyone together.
As the president of the University of Southern California’s Middle Eastern North African Students Assembly, I hosted a potluck for everyone after a year of relentless hard work and advocating for our community. I knew sharing a meal together and going through the process of cooking for others would be healing. We each prepared food from our culture, and I brought tabbouleh. What is so special about tabbouleh is that it’s a mindful process of washing, picking, and lots and lots of fine chopping. It is meticulous, and you can taste the love and effort in every bite. This recipe has been passed down to me by my grandma and tweaked by my mother to make it gluten-free.
My Family’s Tabbouleh Recipe: (Serves 4 loved ones)
Ingredients:
5 heads flat-leaf parsley
3 cups finely chopped Roma tomatoes
6 stalks finely chopped scallions
1 cup quinoa (or bulgur)
½ cup lemon juice
½ cup olive oil
½ tsp dried mint (or fresh mint leaves, chopped)
1 pinch of salt to taste
Instructions:
Thoroughly wash about 5 heads of flat-leaf parsley. Pick off the leaves, allow them to dry, and chop finely.
In a bowl, add 3 cups of finely-chopped Roma tomatoes, 6 stalks of finely-chopped scallions, and one 1 cup of quinoa. (I use quinoa instead of Bulghur to make it gluten-free, but either one can be used.) Mix everything.
For the dressing, add ½ cup lemon juice, ½ cup olive oil and ½ teaspoon dried mint (you can also use fresh, chopped mint leaves). The mint I use is my secret ingredient because it was prepared by my Jiddo (my other grandfather) before he passed.
Tabbouleh requires a chef’s pinch of salt to taste.
Tabbouleh is the ultimate labor of love. It is perfectly simple and healthy, yet requires patience and effort in chopping, mixing, and calibrating the flavors. I recommend eating tabbouleh the second day after everything has had time to marinate together. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as it has been enjoyed for generations in my family.
Learn more about Katia @katia.atiyah
Easeful, Peaceful, Useful
The word “Yoga” means union or yoke in the ancient Sanskrit language. It is a perfect description of the science and philosophy of Integral Yoga. Integral Yoga® synthesizes the various branches of Yoga into a comprehensive lifestyle system. The purpose is to support the harmonious development of every aspect of the individual. The six branches of Integral Yoga® are each powerful tools to gain self-mastery. When combined to affect the whole being the results are at once subtle, profound and measurable.
Integral Yoga Institute was founded in the 1960’s, by Sri Swami Satchidananda, a spiritual teacher from India. Located in a beautiful brownstone building on West 13th Street in historic Greenwich
Village, it is both an ashram and a teaching center.
Over the years, the New York IYI has grown to become one of the most respected and beloved Yoga centers in the city, an oasis for busy New Yorkers and out-of-town visitors. We offer in person and online, Hatha Yoga classes at all levels. IYI also offers courses and workshops in meditation, breathing practices, health, nutrition, and other related teachings, to create a unique and rewarding atmosphere for learning and sharing. Students gather for Scripture Study to read and discuss such fundamental works as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita. Kirtans (devotional chanting) and
Satsangs (spiritual discussions) draw people from all over the country. Over the years, IYI’s renowned Teacher Training program has certified hundreds of teachers in Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Hatha Yoga, Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga, Meditation, and Gentle and Chair Yoga.
IYI offers many classes and workshops on using Yoga to deal with a wide variety of life-threatening and chronic physical and mental health conditions, including Yoga Therapy, Cardiac Yoga and more. It has introduced programs called Yoga At Work® and Yoga At School™ to promote its message that Yoga is for everyone in every setting.
The New York IYI is a living embodiment of Sri Swami Satchidananda’s teachings, a community where the goal for all people is to have an easeful body, a peaceful mind, and a useful life.
COME EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF UNDOISM THROUGH THE PRACTICE OF INTEGRAL YOGA.
YOGA FOR SINGERS
BY: CLAIRE GALLOWAY
Singers have the unique gift of having our instrument inhabit the entirety of our body. Although it is technically only the two delicate vocal folds that flutter and undulate together to create sound, they are only a tiny puzzle piece in what creates the colorful depth of our speaking and singing voice.
As yogis, we know that every cell of our body is interwoven, and just as the beat of butterfly wings can change time, so, too, can the flicker of a muscle in the toes affect the creation of tone in the singing voice. We walk, sit, drive, or ride through this world in stuck positionsstaring at our screens, the road ahead, the teacher or conductor in front of us, and it creates holding patterns and tension throughout the body. These patterns not only have repercussions on our mood, health, and posture, but they also affect the way we breathe.
Breath is the source of life, the source of the flow of yoga asanas (not to mention pranayama and the connection to the outer bodies and energies of the chakras), and is also the key to supporting the projection and color palette of the voice - as well as a source of healing for the full body, and therefore a key to vocal health.
By creating flows that unfold and strengthen the body out of our compressed, compacted, curved daily positions, we can begin to take full inhales and exhales to support our voices, our posture, and connection to our deeper selves. I find that for singers, we need to:
• Stretch and open all sides of the torso and abdomen
• Stretch and elongate the back of the neck while strengthening the front
• Open the hips - stretching the psoas which connects to the spine on the same vertebra as the diaphragm
• Find ways to re-engage with our lower body, so often ignored in our daily routines
Using soft balls, like the Yoga TuneUp balls from TuneUp Fitness and Jill Miller, to roll out the feet can increase our awareness and release held positions from shoes. This serves to relieve stored tension in the toes and along those bones that serve to connect us to the ground and support our full, tall posture, and therefore our breath and voices. In short, all of this serves to heal us from the damage we, and our modern world, inflict upon us each day, both physically and spiritually.
The challenge that faces so many singers these days is one that truly confronts every human - these crumpled positions we hold ourselves in, moving around in the world as heads disconnected from our bodies. Through yoga, we can reconnect breath to movement, use movement to support a realigning of posture, reground by sensing our lower bodies, and in so doing, lend healing and support to our ability to express ourselves, whether as a singer or not.
You can explore my hour long Yoga for Singers flow here. In this flow, we explore movements connected to breath that serve all the purposes mentioned above, and also innervate three chakras vital to connection to self-expression: the solar plexus, heart, and throat chakras.
LEARNING TO LOVE
SEX TECH
BY: BRIA TAVAKOLI
Question: What are the coolest ways to use tech to amp up intimacy and connection, not tear it down?
If mindful, present, and connected erotic encounters are what you crave, it can feel like certain technologies encourage the opposite. Sex tech gets a bum rap sometimes because plenty of it feels performative, unrealistic, and sometimes downright intimidating.
Yet there’s a new generation of sex tech resources that can help you mindfully get to know yourself and your partner’s authentic erotic selves more fully. After all, the more you know your way around your own body, erotic mind, and sexual preferences, the better able you’ll be able to guide others! And exploring these intimate spaces with another can amp up pleasure, connection, and even offer healing.
For example, try the Carnal Calibration survey to learn more about your sexual interests and those of your partner. Each partner takes the free survey separately, and only your mutual “yeses” and “maybes” are shared with each other. It’s a fun way to spark dialogue–maybe more–about what you’d like to try in (or out!) of the bedroom. It’s particularly useful if you have things you want to try yet feel shy about bringing up.
OMG Yes is another fabulous online resource. Centered around women’s pleasure, you can use this resource—including videos, animations and how-to’s—to find sexploration inspiration for yourself or with your partners. It’s an approachable and fun way to learn more about your authentic sexuality. Enjoy your newfound pleasure research solo or share it with someone you’re sexual with.
Audio erotica apps such as Dipsea, Bloom, and Quinn allow you to let your imagination fill in the blanks and can be a great change-up from visual adult content. Removing the visual element can heighten other senses and sensations, helping you and yours create more pleasurable encounters. Let a sexy story soundtrack prime your libido before you connect in person, or even inspire you as you listen while touching each other.
Next, take your sensual discoveries to the sex toy store and have a look around. For example, the new generation of vibrators have come a long way (pun intended) in function, including toys such as Bellesa’s beloved AirVibe with clit suction and g-spot vibration.
Have fun, stay safe and kind, and enjoy your field research!
Unlock Your Inner Homeowner
BY: COURTNEY BOLGER
Ready to create a sanctuary for your yoga practice and your life? Debunk the myths that keep first-time buyers from experiencing the financial stability of homeownership. Discover accessible ways to manifest your dream space.
When it comes to buying a home, misinformation can be a major roadblock. Many prospective buyers hold off on purchasing because they think they need a perfect credit score or an enormous down payment. In reality, the path to homeownership is more accessible than most realize. There are several out-of-the-box approaches that can make owning a home a reality, even in today’s competitive market. Let’s clear up some of the most common misconceptions and explore alternative ways to become a homeowner.
You Don’t Need Perfect Credit or a 20% Down Payment
One of the most persistent myths is that buyers need a pristine credit score and 20% of the home’s value saved up to put down. While this might have been the norm decades ago, it’s far from the case today.
Homebuyers are surprised to learn that FHA loans are available to those with credit scores as low as 580, and conventional loans start at just 620. This opens the door for buyers with less-than-perfect credit to secure financing.
Similarly, while a 20% down payment can help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), it’s by no means a requirement. First-time buyers, in particular, have several options that allow for much lower down payments. FHA loans, for instance, only require a 3.5% down payment, and conventional loans can go as low as 3%. This flexibility allows more people to enter the housing market without having to save for years.
Get Creative: Co-Buying and Multi-Unit Properties
One option is co-buying, where two or more people purchase a home together. In today’s world, many young adults are used to having roommates after moving out of their parents’ homes. If you’re
already sharing space with someone you trust, why not take it a step further and invest in a property together? By co-buying, you can share the financial responsibility while building equity in an appreciating asset.
“Traditional financing doesn’t always work for every buyer, but there are alternatives. Seller financing, for instance, is an option where the seller acts
as the
lender, allowing the buyer to make payments directly to them instead of through a bank.”
erating rental income that helps offset your mortgage costs. This setup not only makes homeownership more affordable, but it can also provide a steady stream of income as your property appreciates in value.
Alternative Financing Options
Traditional financing doesn’t always work for every buyer, but there are alternatives. Seller financing, for instance, is an option where the seller acts as the lender, allowing the buyer to make payments directly to them instead of through a bank. This can be especially useful in situations where the buyer doesn’t qualify for traditional loans or when the seller wants to move the property quickly.
Another often-overlooked strategy is purchasing a multi-unit property. With FHA loans allowing for a 3.5% down payment and conventional loans at just 5%, buyers can purchase duplexes, triplexes, or even four-unit properties.
The advantage here is that you can live in one unit and rent out the others, gen-
Additionally, some buyers choose to rent out rooms in their home to help cover mortgage costs. This is especially popular in markets where rent prices are high, allowing homeowners to significantly reduce their monthly mortgage payments by renting out spare bedrooms. It’s a creative solution that not only makes homeownership more affordable but can also provide additional financial flexibility.
continued on page 33
BOOK REVIEW
ORIGINAL GODMOTHERS OF YOGA
BY: LAUREN CAP
“ANY MOVEMENT THAT CELEBRATES FEMINISM BY ERASING WOMEN OF COLOR IS AN ACT OF HARM.”
Female empowerment and inclusivity are hot topics in the yoga community, and this introductory quote from this fascinating e-book says it all. Although the yoga industry can be a beautiful place for connection and community, there is a lot of room for improvement.
Original Godmother’s of Yoga was written by the contributing authors, Jesal Parikh, Tejal Patel, Lauren Joy Fraley, and Shadia Heenan-Nilforoush, the Yoga is Dead podcast team who brought their conversation to print. They have each experienced and witnessed racism, watching as White women take credit for the words of Black and Brown people before them. To include a broader audience, the authors have compiled stories of South Asian women who have made an impact on yoga traditions; the foundation of what we teach and celebrate today.
“EVERY
FEATURED GODMOTHER EXPRESSED YOGA DIFFERENTLY, PLAYED A UNIQUE ROLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, AND OFFERED DISTINCT AND VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOGA.”
During the historic 2024 election year, we witnessed the media play sound bites of White patriarchal men questioning the qualifications and ethnicity of presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Madam Vice President’s presence in the male-dominated political atmosphere stirred up controversy and deep underlying racism. On the cusp of these events, a few stories in particular resonated with me.
The authors share a story of Gargi Vachaknavi during the Vedic era, approximately 7th century BCE. In an era when women’s participation in intellectual discourse was unheard
of, Gargi Vachaknavi, renowned for her philosophical thinking, was the sole woman invited to male-dominated debate stages. She was the only female invited to King Janaka’s celebratory sacrificial bonfire competition when all of the other guests were male. As she debated scripture against Yajnavalkya, a Vedic sage, her metaphysical questions shifted the debate format. She pushed Yajnavalkya to think deeper until he finally lost his cool and requested an end to the debate.
Then there is Muktabai, a saint in the Warkari tradition born in c.1279, who was incredibly influential during the Bhakti Movement in India. She was a Warkari poet-saint and philosopher who stood in her power and used her voice in a male-dominated world. As a Nath Vaishnava yogi, she proved that in order to be considered saintly, one must digest criticism with equanimity. It is said that Muktabai had removed “the film of ego from Saint Namdev’s mind.” Upon meeting Saint Namdev, she didn’t fall at his feet like her brothers did, and called on Sant
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF: ORIGINAL GODMOTHERS OF YOGA
Gora Kumbhar, to use his testing rod to “test the pots” and hit each saint over the head. While all remained calm, Namdev had a furious reaction and was told by Lord Vitthal that he needed to continue studying with a guru. It was Muktabai that challenged Saint Namdev when no one else did.
“PART OF PRACTICING INCLUSION IS TO EXPAND THE LENS WE TRADITIONALLY USE WHEN REVIEWING YOGA HISTORY.”
The yoga industry in the Western world promotes feminism, authenticity, and inclusivity, but if you notice, it’s mostly white women who are given the opportunity to hold the conversation. How can we preach female empowerment if we are inadvertently taking credit for the work of other people?
I appreciated the moments of reflection at the end of each section of this e-book. It gives the reader time to absorb each story and reflect on how it relates to modern society. If you decide to read Original Godmother’s of Yoga, (and I hope you do) share these stories with your friends and colleagues. Let’s recognize these women and give them the respect and platform they deserve.
BOOK REVIEW BY: TASHYA KNIGHT
WHAT MY BONES KNOW
Trigger Warning: Childhood abuse and neglect is part of the review.
I have spent the past couple years reading either trauma-informed books or trauma-healing books. While I have learned a lot on my healing journey, I’ve never connected with a trauma book in the way I did with “What My Bones Know” by Stephanie Foo.
I was initially drawn in by the title. I’ve been saying for over a year now, “I am so exhausted, I feel it in my bones,” so I had a feeling this book would have some insight. This is the type of book where you can connect with the author about shared trauma, but also feel hope for your own healing along the way.
At the beginning of the book, the author leaves a note letting the reader know that she understands reading about abuse and trauma can be hard, so if they need to skip the first part, it’s okay, however she hopes they will at least give it a try to learn where the author is coming from. This is extremely helpful for those who are easily triggered by reliving their pain through someone else’s. It also shows how much the author cares about her readers and this subject.
With a background in journalism, Foo sets out to investigate how to heal from her own diagnosis of Complex PTSD, a disorder in her case stemming from childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect. In part one, she describes her childhood with her abusive and neglectful parents. As warned, this section is heartbreaking and tough to read at times. The reader can’t help but empathize with this child, and it leaves
you with a longing to go back in time to protect this young girl, or perhaps wrap her in a huge hug.
In adulthood, she eventually reaches the point of panic attacks, anxiety, self-doubt, aggression, depression, and burnout. Quitting her job brings about some relief as she is now able to focus on her healing or as she says to her boss when quitting, “Healing needs to be my job now.”
And this is how we enter the rest of the book. Foo begins to confront her past while trying a variety of treatment methods. She begins first by getting herself healthy through eating a healthier diet filled with more nutrients, drinking more water, carrying around snacks, exercising three times a week, quitting drinking and smoking, and getting more sleep. But this is not enough, and Foo understands that talk therapy is absolutely necessary on her healing journey. She details some of her experience with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitiza-
tion and Reprocessing) which can be helpful with an open mind and the right therapist.
She also sets out to explore the generational trauma in her family that led to the abuse. Victims often think it is their own fault, and one thing Foo has to learn is that this is not the case. Victims are not to blame, but that’s not an easy road to reach. She visits with family members and partakes in conversations to reach this point, and she learns that sometimes removing yourself from those that cause harm is one of the many ways of healing.
It is through her interviews and investigation that she stumbles upon a therapist who turns out to be the most helpful so they decide to work together. Finding a therapist that you click with is the most important factor when starting therapy, as this decision can either push you towards breakthrough or derail your progress. It is through her work here that she begins to analyze her behaviors, actions, feelings, and thought patterns.
For those looking to heal or finding another piece in their healing journey, this book will help. Foo offers insight and shares her research, laying it out in an easy-to-digest format. You will walk away gaining an understanding of how trauma can affect an individual and ways to combat it.
In the end, yes, you are left with hope, but is anyone truly healed? Is our healing ever really finished? I don’t think so, and neither does Stephanie Foo, as she writes, “Healing is never final. It is never perfection.” But we can always work on it one day at a time.
Homeowner continued from page 29
When Buying Might Not Be the Right Move
While homeownership is a dream for many, it’s not the right move for everyone—at least not right away. If you’re struggling with a significant amount of debt or if your income isn’t stable, it might be better to wait until your financial situation improves before committing to a mortgage.
Additionally, if you’re not interested in building long-term financial stability or leveraging real estate as a tool for wealth-building, homeownership might not align with your goals. It’s a significant responsibility, and understanding the process and what’s required is critical to ensuring a successful purchase.
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make, and it doesn’t have to follow a one-size-fits-all approach. With the right guidance, the path to owning your dream home can be more accessible than you think.
Have more real estate questions? Ask real estate agent Courtney Bolger.
My First...continued from page 6
figured this seemed like the perfect opportunity to be introduced to what a contemplative community could look like on campus. This guided meditation was led by Bhikkhu Santi, a monk ordained in the Thai forest tradition. Participants lined up to follow him while he chanted and played music on his drums.
She hadn’t expected to be involved in such an active meditation, which was different to her solitude practice she had been trying to cultivate. She was surprised that at certain times during the chant, she felt as though she had momentarily entered a trance-like state, where the people and environment around her continued to evolve, yet it felt as though she were a static object, having become part of the environment so as to lose her sense of there being a subjective self. It was not what she would call a ‘peak experience,’ but it did have the benefit of bringing her into community with other meditators and learning about Buddhist practice.
While Hannah has not meditated with this group since, she does have plans to join them again. However, she now stays fairly consistent with her own solitary practice that she has found helpful over the years.
As you can see, the first time can look different for everyone. So, if you have been wanting to experience yoga, but are nervous about how you will look or feel, remember yoga is a practice not a perfect. However you show up and what you take from it is yours alone.
In a world that often feels overwhelming, creating a personal sanctuary is essential for balance and well-being. Cobble Mountain Hammock Chairs are more than just chairs—they’re handcrafted sanctuaries designed to help you pause, breathe, and reconnect. Built with sustainable materials and crafted with care in New England, each chair offers a gentle embrace, inviting you to find stillness and rediscover your center.
What inspired the design of Cobble Mountain Hammock Chairs?
At Cobble Mountain, we believe relaxation is an art. Our chairs are designed to cradle you in comfort while promoting the natural alignment of your body. They’re perfect for meditation, breathwork, or simply being present—a practice that’s deeply tied to yoga and mindfulness.
How do the chairs support mindfulness practices?
The gentle sway of our chairs mimics the calming rhythm of nature, creating a space for you to ground yourself. Whether you’re focusing on pranayama, journaling, or soaking in a moment of stillness, the chair becomes a vessel for deeper self-connection. Plus, its eco-friendly design reflects the mindful choices we strive to make in all areas of life.
Why are hammock chairs a good fit for yoga practitioners?
Yoga is about balance—of body, mind, and spirit. Our chairs extend this philosophy into your everyday life. They allow you to create a sacred space for relaxation and recovery, complementing yoga sessions by helping release tension, encourage deep breathing, and foster a sense of gratitude.
Whether you’re practicing mindfulness, unwinding after yoga, or simply seeking a moment of calm, Cobble Mountain Hammock Chairs provide the perfect setting. Discover your personal sanctuary today. Visit CobbleMountain.com to learn more.
Why Lip Oils Are The Healing You Need
BY LAUREN CAP AND SASHA WORDLAW
Around 2022, lip oils burst onto the beauty scene for their lightweight, non-sticky, moisturizing benefits. In what seemed like an instant, designer brands to drugstore dupes popped up all over social media. With all of these products flooding the market, we asked aesthetician, makeup artist, and educator Sasha Wordlaw her thoughts on the lip oil trend and what products are currently on rotation.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of lip oils?
The benefits of lip oils are mostly extreme hydration.They're usually a smooth and buttery texture that allow for color to glide on the lips without being sticky or leaving your lips feeling dry. Some with pigment can leave a light stain on the lips after the silkiness wears off, so you still have some of the color left on your lips, and can top it off with a clear gloss or reapply the same lip oil without being cakey.
Do they have anti-aging benefits?
It depends on the formula of the product, but ultimately hydration is the name of the game. Great hydration can provide a temporary plumping effect and make lines on and around the lips less visible.
Is there a difference between a high-end lip oil or a drugstore dupe?
For example Dior, Merit, or an alternate brand like e.l.f.?
So for me, this comes down to how the formula feels on my lips, no matter the brand! For instance, e.l.f. has increased in product quality in recent years, and their affordable price point is a bonus. However, the pigment quality may not be as strong as its competitors in Dior, Merit, Rare Beauty, etc., that would have more color payoff, though still hydrating. Drugstore brands are still suitable dupes that offer a great way to try the product without a big investment. The only downside with drugstores is that while they're more accessible to purchase, it's difficult to know what you're getting unless you purchase. The higher-end brands are at least offered in a capacity in which you can try before you buy via makeup counters at Ulta, Sephora, etc.
Are there natural lip oil alternatives that are better for us?
Yes! Nothing beats a great balm or a lip serum by one of my favorite brands, Henné Organics.
It's a bit of a high price point in my opinion, but the packaging makes for a long-lasting product with its cooling rollerball applicator. Henné Organics is also clean, non-toxic, and cruelty-free.
Should certain skin types stay away?
They’re great for all skin types and best on uninjured skin, for example, chapped lips, cold sores, etc.
Do they actually moisturize your lips as advertised?
They do! The brands I’ve listed below have a silky and balmy texture that makes my lips feel like they aren’t thirsty for moisture.
These are my favorites! I have these in my makeup collection.
Let me be honest: I joined the gua sha craze a little late! As estheticians, we’re always taught to work magic with our hands, so when I saw these pretty stones everywhere, I wondered, “What’s the deal?? But it wasn’t long before I became a believer. From gua sha stones to face rollers and kansa wands, these tools have earned their place in my skincare arsenal. However, it's essential to recognize the rich history behind these tools and understand how they’re meant to be used. Let's dive deeper into this ancient beauty ritual and its powerful benefits.
Gua sha has exploded in popularity as a non-invasive way to sculpt, lift, and contour the face—often called “surgeryless surgery.” Beyond the aesthetic benefits, gua sha is believed to boost lymphatic drainage, release tension, and help products penetrate deeper into the skin
What is Gua sha?
Gua sha, an ancient East Asian healing technique from Traditional Chinese Medicine, was originally used to relieve pain, tension, and stagnation in the body. While the modern beauty industry has embraced it for skincare, where it's now used to gently massage the face, it's essential to acknowledge its roots and cultural significance. By doing so, we honor the practice and the traditions behind it.
Gua sha Benefits:
From boosting circulation to giving a temporary slimming effect, gua sha is known for reducing puffiness, sculpting facial contours, and delivering that sought-after glow.
How Gua Sha is Used in Facial Routines:
Gua sha tools come in various shapes and materials—jade, rose quartz, and metal. To avoid tugging, always apply a face oil or serum to create slip. Then, use gentle outward strokes toward the ears and down the neck. This not only improves circulation, but also encourages fluid drainage from the face.
“Gua sha, face rollers, and kansa wands are more than just beauty tools—they’re cultural rituals that promote healthy, glowing skin. Whether you’re a skincare novice or a seasoned pro, these tools can help you take your routine to the next level while honoring their ancient origins.”
Face Rollers: What’s the Difference?
Face rollers—also a beauty tool trend— are cylindrical tools that gently massage the skin. While gua sha lifts and sculpts, face rollers are primarily used to calm and depuff. Gua sha delivers a more targeted, intense massage, while face rollers offer a gentler option for daily use. Both can be used together for the ultimate skin-soothing ritual.
Choosing the Right Tool
Gua sha and face roller tools come in a variety of shapes and materials, allowing you to choose the best one based on your massage preferences. Jade is cooling and calming, while rose quartz is energizing. Metal tools, like those made of stainless steel, are great for acneprone or sensitive skin. Pick a tool that suits your skin’s needs. For example, jade helps soothe inflammation, while rose quartz can invigorate circulation.
Kansa Wands and Ayurvedic Practice
Kansa wands, used in Ayurvedic practices, are another fantastic facial tool. These wands, made of copper and other metals, provide a detoxifying effect and help balance your skin's pH levels. You can incorporate kansa wands with gua sha to create a holistic, luxurious skincare routine that blends Chinese and Indian beauty traditions.
Conclusion
Gua sha, face rollers, and kansa wands are more than just beauty tools—they're cultural rituals that promote healthy, glowing skin. Whether you’re a skincare novice or a seasoned pro, these tools can help you take your routine to the next level while honoring their ancient origins.
Explore these tools mindfully, integrate them into your self-care, and enjoy the natural, holistic benefits they bring to your skin!
Learn more about Sasha @wordonbeauty
What was the inspiration to create Ohm Center?
In 2017, I was planning to move out of NYC, hoping to reduce my workload as an acupuncturist down to 3 days a week. But I realized that I loved teaching meditation and all things energy/spiritually related; at the time, I had 3 weekly classes running out of my home. So instead, I found our current location, completed a 9-month buildout, and opened Ohm’s doors in October 2019.
Ohm Center is more than a meditation center. From the moment you walk there is a feeling of community and you can’t help but notice how people spend time before and after classes hanging out on the couches in the lobby and seem to know each other. Was this part of the vision? Yes! I want people to feel like Ohm is a good 3rd space (after home & work), where they feel safe, secure and welcomed... especially in a large city like NYC, where sometimes it feels like not enough people acknowledge or care about us. At Ohm, we care! We also want people to meet others on their self-development journey, to share experiences. At the end of class, people often share briefly, which helps us connect and learn. This leads to people being friendly with one another before and after class. A community formed naturally as a result, without pressure or the sense of “insiders” and “outsiders.” We hope everyone leaves our space feeling included and welcomed! OHM stands for Open Heart and Mind, but lately I’m writing it Ohm, so that people don’t call it the O-H-M Center!
What are the most popular offerings at Ohm Center?
Our most popular classes are our daily Sound Baths! People love the sounds and vibrations of the singing bowls, and we incorporate them into most classes like Breathwork, Gentle Hypnosis, and Yoga Nidra. Also in demand, Ohm regularly offers a 25-Hour Level 1 Sound Healing Certification, which includes in-person weekly classes & lots of practice time. When our students complete the course, they’re able to give sound baths for their friends & family. We also have 4-Hr. Energy Healing Training that is very popular. Self-healing is in!
The theme of this issue is “celebrating age.” What advice or practices would you recommend to someone who is interested in improving wellness as they get older?
From the spiritual perspective, the KEY antidote to aging is to release our natural reflex of becoming tense, worried and upset when we respond to situations. Everything works out one way or another...ALWAYS! As we release stress and strengthen our trust, acceptance and faith through regular sadhana, we will absolutely age more gracefully. The practices we teach at Ohm like chanting, breathwork and meditation, all help you uplevel, which relaxes you, decelerating the speed at which gray hair, wrinkles and arthritis appear. Celebrating our age is about celebrating our wisdom. We’re going to age no matter what, we might as well get wiser!
“Love is awareness. When we realize we were born to be happy, we start to create love.”
