Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Diwali is one of the most beautiful and joyous times in the Indian calendar, filled with love and rejoicing. It is a time of new beginnings, a festival of light,...
Travel
Diwali is one of the most beautiful and joyous times in the Indian calendar, filled with love and rejoicing. It is a time of new beginnings, a festival of light, abundance, and fulfillment as well as a celebration of good over evil and wisdom over ignorance, which can be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. The word Diwali means “row of lights,”...
Meditation retreats and classes provide unique benefits when you are looking to explore a greater sense of community and guidance. In order to decide between a retreat or a class, it is important to understand not only the distinction between the two but also your lifestyle and desires.What Is a Meditation Retreat?A meditation retreat can feel like a vacation and...
For whatever reason, your life has begun to move in a spiritual direction: Perhaps you’ve been immersing yourself in the world’s contemplative and wisdom traditions. Maybe you’ve been going deeper into your yoga practice. Or you’ve explored a new meditation app that has opened you up to new perspectives and ways of thinking about your life and your place in...
Are you feeling that urge to get away from it all? Longing for a reset? Do you have an interest in beginning or deepening your meditation practice? If your answer to any of those questions is yes, you may be considering attending a meditation retreat. A meditation retreat is a vacation during which you dedicate some, most, or all of...
Humans are creatures of habit who crave routine. Anytime your routine is disrupted, you may feel off center—an illness, injury, or a switch in jobs are just some life experiences that cause a disruption from life as you know it.When interrupting your regularly scheduled program for a vacation, however, your routine is disrupted in favor of an ability to step...
Travel can be exhausting, especially when there isn’t any down time in between taxis, flights, meetings, dinners, and social obligations. Traveling also tends to be one of the biggest culprits of a self-care practice gone astray. It’s hard enough to juggle life—the alarm clock, the dog, the kids, day-planning, the commute, deadlines, emails, meetings, appointments, laundry, and meal prep. Throw...
Traveling can be exciting, full of treasured memories in the making. Part of the fun is the anticipation, waiting for the day to finally arrive when it’s time to head out on the open road or board the plane to your dream destination. Much time and effort is spent planning a trip—when it finally happens, the excitement is palpable. What...
Knowing your Ayurvedic mind body type is about honoring yourself and your true nature. It also helps you learn how to balance your health and your life. Just as there are different types of foods and exercise to balance your dosha, you can also pick leisure activities and vacations to enhance wellness.Here are some recommendations for choosing a vacation that’s...
Traveling is such an exciting time. Packing the suitcases, buying new clothes, and dreaming about your destination enliven the spirit as you anticipate unplugging from daily life. However, travel also brings unpredictable aspects in your daily routine and new stimuli for your body and mind. While you may welcome the change of pace, your body may feel the changes unfavorably....
Do you ever want to press the reset button? Start fresh and get back to you? If a little rejuvenation and renewal sound good right about now, then a wellness vacation might be just what you need. What is a wellness vacation? Isn’t that redundant? Isn’t a vacation, a period of leisure and recreation, already attending to your well-being and...
Emotions are an important part of daily life, significantly affecting your well-being. You can eat the healthiest foods, exercise, and meditate, but when something weighs heavy on the heart, you’ll feel like something isn’t quite right. True health is experienced when your mind, body, and spirit are in harmony, working together toward creating a life that you desire. When any...
Ayurveda, an ancient, holistic practice rooted historically in India, is guided by two main principles: The mind and the body are connected. The mind has the utmost power to heal the body. Within that framework, being healthy depends on harmony between the two. In fact, living an Ayurvedic or “vedic” life is all about balance and, not surprisingly, vedic cooking...
Everyone knows that eating healthy is easier to follow when you are in your normal daily routine. Making healthy food choices gets a lot harder when you are on vacation or traveling for work. Depending on where you’re traveling, you may not have many fresh food options. Additionally, if you stay in a hotel without a fridge or a mini-kitchen,...
Don't have the time or money for a weeklong retreat? That doesn’t mean you can’t give yourself the break. Here’s how to create retreats to find yourself.
Setting out on a grand adventure can be incredibly inspiring. The wind in your hair. The sense that anything is possible. Wanderlust finally satiated!And…oh, that pain in your low back. And now that dull ache in your neck. And that twinge of a headache. When preparing for a road trip, long or short, remembering the benefits of yoga, stretch breaks,...
Let’s face it—life is busy, and unless you take the time to consciously make room for the things that are important to you, it’s quite easy to get swept away in the everyday hamster wheel of your daily routine. It can be hard to recognize that the constant “Go! Go! Go!” is often the very thing that perpetuates feeling overwhelmed,...
Who says you have to head off to Bora Bora on a weeklong yoga retreat to disconnect from stress and reconnect to your spirit? A home yoga retreat can provide nearly all the benefits of a destination retreat, without the cost and headache of travel. In fact, creating a yoga retreat at home is a novel way to revitalize your...
Whether your trip is a couple of days, a couple of weeks, or a couple of months, travel does a number on both your energy and your body. It often takes your mind and body longer to “arrive” at your destination, which leads to jet lag. Your energy shifts, your rhythm is off, and your body's fatigued.Yoga can help. You...
Looking to make some exciting plans this summer? Do some soul-searching? Nourish your mind and body?Summer is the perfect time to vacation, and pairing time off with an event that will fuel your mind, body, and soul will make sure that precious vacation time is well spent. Whether you can afford to take a week or two away from the...
Are you on a solo holiday for a few days? Are you finally taking that much-needed family vacation? Do your summer vacation plans include travel? Whether your next vacation is a big trip, a weekend getaway, or just one day off, do your best to make it a sustainable vacation.What Is Sustainability?When you think of “sustainability”, you may be wondering...
Retreats offer a rare opportunity to unplug, unwind, and reset. When you disconnect from your daily routines of work, school, children, and smartphones, you reconnect with yourself. You deepen your yoga or meditation practice. You allow for the time and space you need to heal your physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies.Despite the numerous benefits of going on a retreat and...
You may not need a lot of convincing when it comes to finding a reason to travel—especially when considering a trip to a foreign country. Exploring the world, seeing new places, and learning about new cultures are just a few of the benefits of traveling. There is value to exploring someplace new and combating the stress of getting out of...
It's summertime—the season of sunshine, fresh air, and getaways. You may be traveling, taking some time off work, or wanting to make the most of the longer days and the long weekends that accompany the season. Sometimes, instead of feeling replenished after a few days, a few weeks, or a full summer, you can feel depleted.“No man needs a vacation...
The days are longer and lighter, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to play outside! Whether you grew up camping every summer or you’re a nature newbie, everyone can use more Vitamin N these days (that’s N for Nature!).There’s nothing quite like the power and joy of the natural world, whether it’s beach, forest, lake, or desert....
Have you ever relied on technology to curb the repeated “are-we-there-yet” question from your kids? Or maybe you’ve entertained yours kids (and even yourself) during long flights or drives with tablets, laptops, and cell phones? If you’re a parent in 2017, I’d be shocked if you answered “no” to those questions.Nonetheless, technology is entrenched in our society. Is there a...
India is a total sensory experience; it’s a plethora of sights, tastes, smells, and sounds. The mundane or the bizarre, the chaotic or the silent, the profane or the profound, can be waiting around any corner. Sooner or later, those of us who study and practice the teachings of Vedanta get drawn to visit India. The Land of the Veda...
Each year, millions of people across the globe withdraw from their frenetic lifestyles for a week or two in an attempt to rest, rejuvenate, and recoup. These getaways range from family holidays to adventure trips to secluded exotic retreats.However, after a year's hard work when the time comes to pick the perfect holiday option, we often find people bolting off...
India loves to celebrate. You could probably find a festival of some sort going on somewhere in India every day of the year. Festivals are the celebration of togetherness in India, often joining people of different traditions and religions in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.There are many auspicious days in India, most of which are celebrated with great...
Kale. Meditation. A good night’s sleep. You know all these things are good for you (even if you don’t always incorporate them into your daily routine). A vital addition to that list is travel, which offers a host of health benefits to your mind, body, and soul. Anybody who has traveled outside his or her comfort zone can attest to...
After traveling through Europe, China, Africa, South and Central America, and much of the Caribbean, I decided that Americans have a lot to learn from other cultures, and from the unpredictable nature of life away from home. Here are six of the most valuable travel lessons learned that North Americans may find helpful in their everyday lives.Slow DownWe are always...
Articles
Meditation Retreats vs. Meditation Classes: Which Is Right for You?
Meditation retreats and classes provide unique benefits when you are looking to explore a greater sense of community and guidance. In order to decide between a retreat or a class,...
7 Experiences Newcomers Can Expect at a Meditation Retreat
For whatever reason, your life has begun to move in a spiritual direction: Perhaps you’ve been immersing yourself in the world’s contemplative and wisdom traditions. Maybe you’ve been going deeper...
Preparing for a Meditation Retreat: A Helpful Guide
Are you feeling that urge to get away from it all? Longing for a reset? Do you have an interest in beginning or deepening your meditation practice? If your answer...
5 Tips for Maintaining Your Spiritual Practice While Traveling
Humans are creatures of habit who crave routine. Anytime your routine is disrupted, you may feel off center—an illness, injury, or a switch in jobs are just some life experiences...
7 Tips to Stick to Your Meditation Practice While Traveling
Travel can be exhausting, especially when there isn’t any down time in between taxis, flights, meetings, dinners, and social obligations. Traveling also tends to be one of the biggest culprits...
6 Ayurvedic Travel Tips to Keep You Healthy and at Peace
Traveling can be exciting, full of treasured memories in the making. Part of the fun is the anticipation, waiting for the day to finally arrive when it’s time to head...
How to Choose a Vacation for Your Dosha Type
Knowing your Ayurvedic mind body type is about honoring yourself and your true nature. It also helps you learn how to balance your health and your life. Just as there...
Travel Tips: How to Keep Your Doshas in Balance While on Vacation
Traveling is such an exciting time. Packing the suitcases, buying new clothes, and dreaming about your destination enliven the spirit as you anticipate unplugging from daily life. However, travel also...
Do You Need a Wellness Vacation?
Do you ever want to press the reset button? Start fresh and get back to you? If a little rejuvenation and renewal sound good right about now, then a wellness...
5 Signs You Should Go on an Emotional Healing Retreat
Emotions are an important part of daily life, significantly affecting your well-being. You can eat the healthiest foods, exercise, and meditate, but when something weighs heavy on the heart, you’ll...
What Is Vedic Cooking?
Ayurveda, an ancient, holistic practice rooted historically in India, is guided by two main principles: The mind and the body are connected. The mind has the utmost power to heal...
How to Eat Healthy While Traveling
Everyone knows that eating healthy is easier to follow when you are in your normal daily routine. Making healthy food choices gets a lot harder when you are on vacation...
Create Your Own Mini-Retreat
Don't have the time or money for a weeklong retreat? That doesn’t mean you can’t give yourself the break. Here’s how to create retreats to find yourself.
Road Trip Yoga: 9 Poses You Can Do on the Road
Setting out on a grand adventure can be incredibly inspiring. The wind in your hair. The sense that anything is possible. Wanderlust finally satiated!And…oh, that pain in your low back....
8 Yoga Poses for an on-the-Go Energy Boost
Let’s face it—life is busy, and unless you take the time to consciously make room for the things that are important to you, it’s quite easy to get swept away...
12 Ways to Create a Stay-At-Home Yoga Retreat
Who says you have to head off to Bora Bora on a weeklong yoga retreat to disconnect from stress and reconnect to your spirit? A home yoga retreat can provide...
Top 5 Yoga Poses to Ease Jet Lag
Whether your trip is a couple of days, a couple of weeks, or a couple of months, travel does a number on both your energy and your body. It often...
Summer Soul-Searching: Yoga and Meditation Events to Check Out
Looking to make some exciting plans this summer? Do some soul-searching? Nourish your mind and body?Summer is the perfect time to vacation, and pairing time off with an event that...
7 Sustainable Travel Tips for Your Next Vacation
Are you on a solo holiday for a few days? Are you finally taking that much-needed family vacation? Do your summer vacation plans include travel? Whether your next vacation is...
10 Reasons to Retreat with a Friend
Retreats offer a rare opportunity to unplug, unwind, and reset. When you disconnect from your daily routines of work, school, children, and smartphones, you reconnect with yourself. You deepen your...
How Traveling Can Broaden Your Perspective
You may not need a lot of convincing when it comes to finding a reason to travel—especially when considering a trip to a foreign country. Exploring the world, seeing new...
Need a Vacation from Your Vacation? 3 Tips to Help You Recharge While on Holiday
It's summertime—the season of sunshine, fresh air, and getaways. You may be traveling, taking some time off work, or wanting to make the most of the longer days and the...
Into the Wild: 6 Steps to Stay Safe on Your Outdoor Adventure
The days are longer and lighter, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to play outside! Whether you grew up camping every summer or you’re a nature newbie,...
7 Tricks for Ditching Technology During Family Vacations
Have you ever relied on technology to curb the repeated “are-we-there-yet” question from your kids? Or maybe you’ve entertained yours kids (and even yourself) during long flights or drives with...
A Glimpse of India: 8 Experiences for Your First Visit
India is a total sensory experience; it’s a plethora of sights, tastes, smells, and sounds. The mundane or the bizarre, the chaotic or the silent, the profane or the profound,...
7 Reasons You Should Consider Retreats Over Regular Vacations
Each year, millions of people across the globe withdraw from their frenetic lifestyles for a week or two in an attempt to rest, rejuvenate, and recoup. These getaways range from...
7 Main Festivals of India—and How to Celebrate Them
India loves to celebrate. You could probably find a festival of some sort going on somewhere in India every day of the year. Festivals are the celebration of togetherness in...
6 Reasons Why Traveling Is Good for You
Kale. Meditation. A good night’s sleep. You know all these things are good for you (even if you don’t always incorporate them into your daily routine). A vital addition to...
6 Lessons You Can Learn From Traveling
After traveling through Europe, China, Africa, South and Central America, and much of the Caribbean, I decided that Americans have a lot to learn from other cultures, and from the...