It's the first mini-episode with a guest! Pam Butz (yup, from the last full-length episode) is back to talk about preventative health through Chinese medicine and herbs. With coronavirus infections reaching record highs across the globe, it is critical that we take good care of our bodies so that we can not just cure illness and dis-ease, but prevent it! This episode offers easy ways for us to eat and live for wellness, including recommendations that emphasize lung health.

Though I am often a stickler about strict forms of self-care (what I like to call self-care that sucks), the stressful nature of the coronavirus pandemic calls for a balance of effort and ease. In this episode, we are talking about ways to care for the self that can inspire both normalcy and sweetness. Most importantly, this episode emphasizes that our self-care practices must nourish ourselves so that we can show up fully for others.

There are many paths up the mountain. And in this episode, we are exploring the paths of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Acupuncturist Pam Butz, is sharing her insight about healing through Eastern wisdom. Opening with a beautiful chant to the Blue Medicine Buddha, Pam encourages us to become our own advocate for healing. Along the way, we talk about intuition vs. intellect, divine wisdom, daily rituals, self-care, detoxification, and more.

In this episode, I'm talking about the fundamentals of a home yoga practice so you can get the most out of your time on the mat while social distancing. I cover where to practice and what yoga props you’ll need. Plus, I’m sharing a little insight into the benefits of recorded vs. live stream classes. Most importantly, this episode underscores that though yoga at home can't replace community, a personal, home practice affords one the opportunity to dive deeply into inquiry and discipline.

This is a quick announcement letting you know that the Dharma Drops Virtual Studio is officially open. The mission of The Dharma Drops Virtual Studio is to provide diverse methods of cultivating mindful experiences in the body, mind, and soul. At Dharma Drops, we take our practices in mind, body, and soul seriously...but we also like to have a good time! Current offerings include yoga, kids yoga, ballet, meditation, and chanting.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, there is an over-abundance of fear and anxiety. However, even though we may feel immense uncertainty, we have an opportunity to practice compassion with ourselves and others. This mini-episode is a response to my own reactions to the COVID-19 crisis, which, at times, have been less than yogi-like. As such, I'm rerouting the conversation with five ways that we can offer compassion during this complicated time.

Devon Young and Juliet Rossato, yoga teachers and founders of Colibri Yoga Retreats, share their insight about creating accessible and affordable yoga retreats. In this episode, we chat about the benefits of dropping into the practice through travel. In addition, we also touch on the positive and negative social, economic, and environmental implications of eco-tourism and yoga retreats. Along the way, we talk about the business of yoga, Bikram, and more.

This week's Dharma Mini-Drop episode is a reading from the astrology card deck. However, we are using inspiration from Ayurveda to understand what the water element archetype means for us physically, energetically, and spiritually. Importantly, rather than simply focusing on how we can channel water-like energy, this episode/oracle card reading emphasizes the need for space and air in our lives so we can use the water archetype to balance the inner and outer Self.

In this week’s Mini-Drop episode, we are using the astrology cards to explore how we can make space for flow in easefulness in our lives. In other words, we are talking about getting out of our own way! As an extended, audio version of the Dharma Drops Card Reading, this episode explores the concept of the trine astrological archetype and how it can inspire us to let go of inner- and outer-conflict so that we can live with grace and ease.

What does it mean to go on a retreat into your own heart? Dr. William Mahony, informally known as Bill Mahony, professor of Religious Studies at Davidson College, shares his thoughts about and reflections on non-dual tantra, Divine Consciousness, yoga, and more. Importantly, he reminds us that through study and practice, we embark upon a retreat within our own hearts. And, ultimately, we discover a remembrance of Self.