People ask me all the time how they can grow more spiritually. Some of the things I have learned over the years is that becoming a pure channel for spiritual growth comes down to a lot of practice! You need to be organized and have some sort of daily routine that suits you. Structure is extremely important, especially when you first start on the path, because it gives you a firm foundation to build on.

You learned in grade school science class that energy can appear in either the potential or kinetic form. The electricity in the wiring of your home is available for any use you choose. When you turn a light switch to the “on” position, energy appears in the form of light. This is the kinetic state because the energy is being used or expended. However, when you turn the light switch to the “off” position, the energy remains in the potential state–ready to be used at the flick of a switch.

Do you know someone who suffers from dementia? Witnessing a loved one slowly lose their memory and reasoning skills can be a very painful experience. Dementia is a persistent syndrome that tends to get worse over time–affecting memory, thinking, and behavior. It is distinct from Alzheimer’s in that Alzheimer’s is a specific disease, but general dementia can stem from a variety of unrelated brain illnesses.

Nowadays, the stigma surrounding self-care has almost entirely disappeared. As a society, we understand the importance of taking care of one’s own mental and physical health. We also appreciate that doing so doesn’t just help ourselves – that those who practice self-care are better able to give back and contribute to the world around them.

What is yoga? “Union” is the literal translation from sanskrit. Tradition tells us that there are several paths to union (not only physical postures) and the practice of them lead to mind, body and spirit integration. From my point of view, these facets of life combined together, enhance not only well-being, but physical health. Yoga leads us to a basic tenet of mind/body unity. If the mind is chronically ill-at-ease one’s physical health suffers. Conversely, if the body experiences ill health, then clarity and strength of mind are adversely impacted. Yoga practice can offset these negative consequences and restore physical and mental health..

Ayurveda considers childhood to be the Kapha stage of life. Adulthood is Pitta time, and old age is the Vata stage of life. Ageing of the skin is due to the aggravation of vata dosha, which naturally increases with age. Old age is a slow and continuous process of physical deterioration in strength, in energy and in initiative and cannot meet the requirements of an active life. According to ayurveda anti aging means primarily maintaining a healthy body into old age and slowing down the processes of aging, wear and tear, and degeneration.

What is the first image that pops into your mind when you hear the word yoga? I’m guessing it’s got something to do with the physical practice, or asana as it’s called in Sanskrit. A long and lean-looking woman in a downward facing dog. Or the well-defined physique of a man standing on his hands. These images, and what the vast majority of people – including yoga practitioners – would conjure up in response to this question, is actually just a miniscule part of the practice of yoga. Yoga is a practice of integrating mind, body, intellect and spirit.