The Chopra Center Staff Spotlight: Asha MacIsaac

Each week guests from around the world come to The Chopra Center’s Perfect Health program, an immersion into mind-body healing in a safe and intimate environment. Guests experience daily Ayurvedic massage treatments; a mind-body medical consultation with a Chopra Center physician; instruction in meditation, yoga, and Ayurveda; and Panchakarma detoxification therapy. This month's Chopra Center Spotlight features Asha MacIsaac, who generously shares her compassion and sweetness with our weekly Perfect Health guests. As a certified Primordial Sound Meditation and Perfect Health instructor, she teaches the practical tools of Ayurveda, leads group meditations, and helps coordinate the integrative consultations with The Chopra Center’s medical staff. Namasté recently sat down with Asha to talk about life, meditation, and mind-body balance.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Pennsylvania, living in Philadelphia, Easton, Levittown, and a few other towns along the way. I’ve been living in Southern California for the past 31 years.

What drew you to The Chopra Center?
A few years ago, I realized that what I really wanted to do was work in a conscious, healing environment. As it happened, I saw an announcement that Deepak Chopra was going to do a book signing for The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire, which had just been published. I went to hear him speak and loved his talk. I also noticed the event organizers who were helping him and knew that I would love to be doing their job. I went over to talk with them, and that’s how I found out about The Chopra Center. How wonderful to find out that we have this amazing resource right in my community! I started as a volunteer at the Center in November 2003, and in January was hired to work at the front desk, greeting visitors. I’ve been living out my dharma here ever since! I feel like I have come home.

What do you love most about your work here?
Every day is different, and I feel blessed for the rich variety of opportunities here. I love being able to serve the Center by working as an assistant to Dr. David Simon, who has helped so many thousands seeking the fusion of modern medical science and the healing arts of the East. Another gift is being part of the experience guests have at our weekly Perfect Health program. I feel honored to support them as they join us for the first day of Perfect Health. As the week unfolds, and I witness their transformation from pain to peace and from stress overload to relief, I feel so fulfilled. I often get to see people making profound shifts in the way they feel about themselves . . . it's so powerful, knowing that just six days has made a profound difference in their lives.

Do you have a favorite Chopra Center program?
Besides the Perfect Health program, the Seduction of Spirit meditation retreat is at the top of the list. I’ve had the chance to attend Seduction of Spirit several times, and it is always very special and profound. I’ve been meditating for 15 years and it has transformed my life. When I learned Primordial Sound Meditation, it deepened everything – taking my practice to a whole new level.

What is your primary dosha and how do you stay in balance?
I am basically tri-doshic but with a tendency for my Vata to go out of balance. When that happens, I become anxious and, if there is some sort of stressful situation or circumstance not going according to plan, I start asking myself the typical Vata-imbalanced question, “What did I do wrong?” Most of the time, though, I do stay in balance with meditation, yoga, and a simple practice of witnessing my thoughts. If I feel triggered into an emotional upset, I am able to work through it relatively quickly. I practice present-moment awareness, and that is the key for me. I tell myself what I often tell our Perfect Health guests: “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. All we have is the present, which is a gift that we don’t want to return unopened."

In terms of my body, I have a tendency for Kapha to get out of balance. To prevent that, I do regular physical activity. In the morning after I meditate, I put on music – usually reggae or R&B – and dance for 5 minutes. Then I do 20 minutes of yoga. Physical movement enlivens my spirit and keeps me energized for the day. I’ve recently moved very close to the beach, so in the evening after work, I go for a walk with my husband.

Because of my predominance of Vata, I have a tendency to be very sensitive to cold temperatures and can become restless and anxious under stress. I learned that by changing my diet to include more foods that add warmth to my physiology (as opposed to eating lots of salads), as well as practicing daily meditation, I was able to feel more at ease in the world. My favorite balancing trick is to always drink warm water throughout the day, especially with meals. This one behavior alone can do wonders to stimulate and regulate your digestion and elimination.

Do you have a favorite Chopra Center product?
Yes, I buy the Chopra Center’s Adara Shampoo and the Ayurvedic Body Wash in gallon-size quantities! It’s all I use on my hair and body and I love it. For the past five years, I’ve been taking Women's Daily Vitality vitamins and Amalaki, and I haven’t been sick once – not a single cold or flu!

Who are your archetypes?
Kwan-yin for mercy and compassion; Ganesha for removing all obstacles; and Mickey Mouse, for laughter. I keep a small Mickey Mouse on my desk to remind me not to take anything too seriously.

Where would you most like to travel?
I am fascinated by cities and places with ancient histories, buildings, and monuments to explore. I want to go to Rome and see the Colosseum, and Venice. I also want to visit Paris and see all the amazing buildings, including, of course, the Eiffel Tower. I loved visiting Ireland for the Seduction of Spirit retreat in July, and I want to go back to see more of the U.K.

What are your favorite films?
You might laugh, but my two all-time favorites are Planet of the Apes and Rosemary’s Baby. I also love every Denzel Washington film, the Mission Impossible series with Tom Cruise, and the new 007 James Bond movies. I guess I’m just drawn to adventure!

What is your favorite book?
I just finished a fantastic novel called Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, which I’d highly recommend. Also, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. I really enjoy mysteries and the vampire series by Anne Rice.

What kind of music do you enjoy?
I love many kinds of music, including reggae, jazz, R&B . . . music by Robin Thicke, Bob Marley, and many others. I also like any kind of music that makes me want to get up and dance . . . songs by Tina Turner, the Temptations, and so many more!

What was your most transcendent moment?
It’s too hard to narrow down to just one, as I’ve had several unforgettable moments, when time seemed to stand still and I felt a sense of deep peace and divinity. I felt this when I gave birth to each of my three daughters, and also at the birth of my grandson, Owen, who is now 2 years-old and the light of my life. I also had a feeling of transcendence when I met my current husband. I felt an instant recognition or knowing that he was my soul mate. He is incredibly kind, caring, and devoted, and I feel like our connection and love has only become stronger during the past 14 years of our marriage.

Who would you most like to invite to a dinner party?
I would want to include the great spiritual sages who have contributed so much, including Paramahansa Yogananda, whose teachings and writings have had a huge impact on me. I’d invite Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, whom I greatly admire for the humanitarian work they have done. I’d also invite Michelle and Barack Obama, Johnny Depp, and Tina Turner, which would make for a very entertaining evening.

Do you have a favorite quotation?
My current favorite is “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken."