Presenter Spotlight Q&A
Transform Your Mind: An Interview with Jeff Warren on Essential Skills for Effective Meditation
In this inspiring interview, we sit down with Jeff Warren, celebrated meditation teacher and author, to explore his accessible approach to mindfulness. Known for his lively style and humor, Jeff—co-author of Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics and founder …
Finding Your True Calling: A Conversation with Tama Kieves on Purpose, Passion and Transformation
In this insightful interview, we sit down with Tama Kieves, bestselling author and visionary career coach, to explore the journey of finding purpose, embracing passion, and navigating life’s transitions. Tama, a former attorney who courageously left th …
Unlock Your Creativity: An Interview with Dayna Macy
How did you first discover your passion for writing? I have always been called to express what is inside me through writing and music. The real issue was moving through cultural and familial blocks so I could more freely express what was within. Growin …
The Intersection of Yoga and Music: An Interview with Tanya Hanna
Will you tell us about your work and your journey? My passion lies in using music to promote sound healing. As a pianist and vocalist, my repertoire draws inspiration from the classics, weaving themes of love, self-discovery, and compassion. These son …
Yoga, Nutrition, and the Ashram Experience: An Interview with Mona Sharma
And then the doctors say: Mona, if we go through with the surgery, you might have to wear a pacemaker for the rest of your life. That was when I decided: no more; that’s it. This is not my life. This is not my health, I know there’s a better way. And I knew that I had to get back home, home to my inner self, I had to return to the ashram.
Overcoming Self-Sabotage: Presenter Spotlight Q&A with Katie Papo (Ambika)
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I teach self-care, as well as help compulsive overeaters heal their relationship with food. Why do you do what you do? For much of my life I was repeatedly falling into self-destructive habits of self-sabotage. …
Chanting for Life: Q&A with Krishna Das
In February each year, Sivananda Bahamas welcomes legendary kirtan singer Krishna Das for a Yoga of Chant Retreat. A disciple of Indian sage Neem Karoli Baba, Krishna Das has become a worldwide icon and the best-selling Western chant artist of all time …
Exploring Consciousness and Healing: Q&A with Marilyn Schlitz
We are always honored to welcome Marilyn Schlitz as a guest presenter to the ashram. Marilyn is President Emeritus and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individual and collectiv …
Experiencing Ancient Arts with Aiyana Athenian and Krishna Perry: Spotlight Q&A
1. Please share what you do in 10-15 words: Aiyana: I teach yoga and meditation retreats and trainings and serve clients with Ayurvedic diet/lifestyle consultations and body treatments. Krishna: As Co-Director of the ShivaShakti School of Yoga, I am a …
Loving the Self with Priti Robyn Ross: Spotlight Q&A
Please share what you do: I am a self-care specialist. My life’s work is to hold a loving and safe container for transformation, awakening, and healing. I use methods including gentle yoga, soul coaching, and self-nurturing workshops and retreats. 2. W …
Building a Sustainable Future through Community, with Vicki Robin
1. Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I am a writer, speaker, activist, and coach. 2. Why do you do what you do? I love this world — the interconnected living system that is our home. I know that we humans have it within us to work for the greate …
Practicing Wonder with Jeffrey Davis: Spotlight Q&A
1. Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I help people expand their impact with integrity and with doses of wonder. 2. Why do you do what you do? It’s profoundly rewarding to witness people respond to their current life’s purpose with agency and hum …
Healing Deeply with Giri Bek
1. Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I share practices of Transformational Breath®, Holistic Nutrition, ChakraDance, and Classical Yoga, including Yoga Nidra. 2. Why do you do what you do? These modalities have personally given me so much health …
Teaching Chair Yoga with Stacie Dooreck
1. Please share what you do: I teach yoga and also specifically chair yoga so everyone can practice. I bring yoga to companies, medical offices, and assisted-living homes. I also wrote a few books on these subjects to help more people. 2. Why do you do …
Sharing the Buddha’s Teachings, with Lama Karma Chötso
1. Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I teach the philosophy and practice of Buddhadharma from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition’s Kagyu lineage. 2. Why do you do what you do? I teach the philosophies of the Buddha because they include many skillful …
Writing from Within with Virginia Frances Schwartz
1. Please share what you do in 10-15 words. I’m an author who uses a spiritually-based approach to writing novels. 2. Why do you do what you do? I have always been in love with words. Where do they come from? How do we find them? What can we do to ente …
Praying and Playing Music with Rabbi Zoe B. Zak
1. Please share what you do: I’m honored to be the rabbi of a wonderful community, the Temple Israel of Catskill. As a chaplain with the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, I visit residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Musi …
Grace Van Berkum Q&A: Healing through Detox, Movement, and Nature
1. Why do you do what you do? After growing up in an abusive environment which manifested in years of self hatred, eating disorders, and drug addictions, I knew I had to change my life or I was going to die. Luckily I didn’t die. Luckily I had the cour …
Jai Uttal Q&A: Chanting with an Open Heart
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I lead healing music and chanting from the ancient Bhakti tradition of India, expressed in musical styles from raga to reggae. Why do you do what you do? Originally I found these practices of music and kirtan to …
Finding Peace: Q&A with Julie Lusk
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I provide retreats, trainings, and resource materials to help people unify and balance their mind, body, and spiritual connection with yoga, meditation, guided imagery, real relaxation, and humor. Why do you do …
Shamanic Traditions and Teachings: Q&A with Brant Secunda
Please describe what you do in 10 – 15 words. Brant Secunda: I share the ancient shamanic traditions and wisdom of the Huichols by teaching, leading pilgrimages, and through sacred ceremony. Why do you do what you do? Brant Secunda: It was my good luck …
Live Your Deepest Vision: Q&A with Richard Moss
Please share what you do in 10 – 15 words: I assist people in awakening to their essential selves in order to uncover and live their deepest vision for life and service. Why do you do what you do? There is nothing more gratifying than seeing people awa …
Resting Deeply with Anne Douglas: Presenter Spotlight Q&A
Please share what you do: I travel internationally to offer iRest Yoga Nidra trainings, retreats, and workshops. I have been teaching for more than 30 years and have a thriving Yoga Therapy practice. Why do you do what you do? It is my greatest joy to …
Discovering Resilience and Strength: Presenter Spotlight with Linda Graham
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I help people strengthen their capacities for resilience — from disappointments, difficulties, and even disasters — in clinical practice, workshops, and writings. Why do I do what I do? I feel most alive when I …
Ayurveda and Spirituality: Presenter Spotlight with Paul Dugliss
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I work to transform health and lives through Ayurveda and spirituality. Why do you do what you do? I have a deep desire to help and change the world. What are you currently fascinated by in your work? I love t …
Unity in Diversity with Religion: Presenter Spotlight with Nathan Katz
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I am a recently-retired professor who specializes in Religions of India, Jewish Studies, Spirituality, and especially what I call Indo-Judaic Studies. In addition to writing and lecturing, I lead tours in India. …
Commitment to a Spiritual Life
Question: Please explain how an aspirant can wholeheartedly commit to a spiritual life and be successful in meditation. Answer: This depends on the predominant samskaras, or the impressions, that are activated at the time of our birth. We are bo …
Understanding Grief and Love: Presenter Spotlight with Antonio Sausys
Please share what you do. I work with grieving individuals using a somatic psychotherapeutic protocol to address grief symptoms. It enables the re-identification process that follows an important loss. Why do you do what you do? I learned through my ow …
Singing Kirtan with Karnamrita Dasi
What do you do? I sing kirtan and bhajans based in the classical traditions of Indian music Why do you do what you do? Singing, especially in Sanskrit, makes me feel whole. It raises my vibration, and I therefore \feel, think, and live in a high …
Q&A with Deepak Chopra
Question: You have a book forthcoming with Dr. Menas Kafatos, You Are the Universe. What would you say are the most important points that you would like your readers to walk away with from this book? Deepak Chopra’s Answer: For thousands of years, huma …
Shimshai and the Diversity of Spiritual Expression
Why do you do what you do? It’s my passion and what makes me feel most connected to the spiritual world. I greatly appreciate the practices of yoga and meditation, but sacred singing/chanting for me is always the most direct connection. What are you cu …
Making a Difference: Zoe Weil in the World
Please share what you do: I teach and write about how we can create a just, healthy, and humane world for people, animals, and the environment. Why do you do what you do? A better world is possible, and each of us has a role to play. I do what I …
Finding Relaxation and Stillness in Yoga Postures: Q&A with Nora Benian
Please share what you do: I am yoga therapist teaching hatha yoga, restorative yoga, and therapeutic yoga, serving clients in Toronto, Canada, and at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas and Sivananda Yoga Farm in California. Why do you …
Using Yoga to Relieve Pain and Illness: Q&A with Erin Bidlake
Please share what you do: I use yoga to help people work with chronic pain, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Why do you do what you do? I do this work because I have personally experienced relief from my illness using yoga, and I’ve see …
Realizing Full Health with Dr. Tom Francescott
Presenter Spotlight Q&A: Tom Francescott, ND Please share what you do: Provide a safe and therapeutic setting for people to learn about themselves deeply — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through awareness and acceptance, we learn …
Creating Healing Balance Through Permaculture with Richard Powell
Presenter Spotlight: Richard Powell Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I teach permaculture, an applied ecological design science, to empower mankind to heal the earth. Why do you do what you do? In short, to create Eden with our local and global …
Understanding Near-Death Experiences with Eben Alexander
Presenter Spotlight Q&A Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I share what I learned during my near-death experience and teach how others can access the same realms. Why do you do what you do? There are two answers to this, and they’re equally t …
Engaging the Healing Qualities of Music and Voice with Silvia Nakkach
Please share what you do in a few words: I play music and sing, I am a ‘yogini’ musician, a recording artist, and a university teacher who designs academic programs that explore the healing qualities of music and the voice on human consciousness. Why d …
Creating Health and Healing with Grace Van Berkum
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I teach people about the healing powers of plant-based foods, yoga, meditation, connecting to nature, and learning to open your mind and heart. Why do you do what you do? The world needs to realize and understan …
The Positive Power of Chant with Jim Gelcer (Siva)
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: Kirtan wallah, recording and touring artist, composer, producer, and Bhakti yogi. Why do you do what you do? It is my path and I’m doing what I love. What are you currently fascinated by in your work? The positi …
Exploring Alignment in Yoga with Steven Weiss
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I explore and teach the relationship between structural alignment and healthy function of the body. Why do you do what you do? I have been a long time yoga practitioner and doctor of chiropractic. Both fields ov …
Exploring Consciousness with Peter Russell
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I seek to distill the essence of the world’s spiritual wisdom and present it in terms relevant to today. Why do you do what you do? I believe humanity is in a deep spiritual crisis and needs to find ways out of …
Jivana Heyman: Making Yoga Accessible to Everyone
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: My goal is to make the powerful teachings of yoga accessible to everyone. Why do you do what you do? I feel so blessed to have found these life-changing practices, which have provided me with a peace and joy tha …
Reaching Teens Through Yoga with Charlotta Martinus (Chandrika)
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I run a company called TeenYoga, which trains yoga teachers to work with teens in creative and inclusive ways, following the main principles of yoga. Why do you do what you do? Because I have two teenage sons wh …
Bringing Vedic Wisdom to the World
Presenter Spotlight: Jeffrey Armstrong Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I teach the meanings, methods and meditations of the Vedic library of wisdom around the world in clear English. Why do you do what you do? There is nothing else one can do …
Mala Cunningham: Addressing Heart Disease with Medical Yoga
Please share what you do in 10-15 words. I have developed a model of medical yoga called Cardiac Medical Yoga that is used for patients with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Why do you do what you do? Heart disease is the numbe …
Learning Permaculture with Bill Wilson
Please share what you do in 10-15 words. Permaculture designer and teacher of the Permaculture Design Certificate Course. Why do you do what you do? I am inspired by the thinking and ethics behind permaculture design and am passionate about sharing it …
Exploring the Sounds of Life with John Beaulieu
Please share what you do in 10-15 words: I teach integrative medicine with an emphasis in sound healing. Why do you do what you do? I have worked in the healing arts and musical arts for 46 years. I do it because this is my calling in lif …
