On our latest episode of Soulasana Vibes,   Soulasana Vibes, we interview a multi-talented creative known under different names for his talents. Adam Smith, aka Adam Golden Eagle, aka DJ Phoenix Fire, is a poet, published author, facilitator, healer, and spiritual activist. He describes himself as a forever student of life and shares his lessons with us.

Adam Smith, Child of the World

Adam Smith’s childhood spanned across continents, cultures, and languages. Of Australian heritage, he was born in Monte Carlo, lived his first several years in Saudi Arabia, moved to England, then Switzerland, and then… well, you get the point. Life led him through many big changes at very young ages. Travel, change, and adaptation were staples of his upbringing and have given him a unique perspective of our world.

After years of being an involuntary and voluntary nomad, Adam found himself on Maui. He explains, “I am incredibly blessed and happy to have discovered Maui, or maybe Maui discovered me. This is the place where I’m supposed to be.” His soul and passions will always lead him to travel, but he believes Maui will be his base, the place he finally calls home.

Baptiste Yoga is a powerful school of yoga based on the principal that we are all here to live life as our most authentic selves. It is not about going to find yourself, but rather digging deep within to release our true self. In our newest podcast episode on Soulalsana Vibes we interviewed Reda Boustani, who established a Baptiste Yoga studio right here on Maui. In our interview, this incredibly insightful and loving man gave us great insight into Baptiste yoga, life, and even business.

An Introduction to Evolution Yoga Maui Founder, Reda Boustani

Reda Boustani is soulful. He exudes a sense of peace and calm, in combination with an easy open heart and confidence of our world and his purpose. He is a lover of people and treats everyone with warmth and compassion. Reda is a special individual in that he has that unique quality that makes everyone around him feel like you’ve known him forever. Born in Morocco, life led Reda to Maui (he was transferred here though his career at Whole Foods)  and then after time realized his dream to open up his own yoga studio, Evolution Yoga Maui, in the heart of Wailuku. He had been practicing yoga for many years and after feeling confident enough in his own practice and teaching, and receiving the encouragement and inspiration from his friends and mentors at local Makawao studio, Mangala Yoga (who he gives thanks to during our interview), he simply decided to take a leap of faith and told himself, “I am going to go jump and do it, and see what comes out of it.” And what came of it is years of empowering others through Baptiste Yoga.

This week, Amy and Kenny wanted to take a minute to talk about some exciting things going on with the studio and the podcast!  Tune in for a quick tidbit, and we'll be back next week with a full length interview.  

Check out the studio schedule and more at: www.soulasanayoga.com

Maui Prenatal Yoga Teacher Teaches More Than Yoga: Soulasana Vibes Interview with Kylie Cole

This week, Soulasana Vibes spoke with one of our most beloved prenatal yoga teachers on Maui and here at Soulasana yoga studio, Kylie Cole. In this thought-provoking interview, we go on a journey from pregnancy to tapping into our inner child. We discuss finding inner healing in a world with so much external input that affects our self-image and emotional health.

Getting to Know Kylie Cole

Kylie Cole grew up in a small town in Idaho, where winters are long and harsh. Though she still thinks of it fondly, she has found her real home in Maui. She discovered her purpose early on in life when helping a friend whose significant other was away in another country for the majority of her pregnancy. Kylie stepped in as her friend’s Lamaze partner, and it sparked her passion for helping pregnant women and their spouses.

Over time, Kylie combined this passion with yoga and, with a lot of training, became a prenatal yoga instructor. Her sessions are more than simple stretches and poses; she describes them as Womb Wisdom classes, and that is just what they are. Her yoga practice is about connecting with the child in your belly as well as the child in your soul. In addition to Womb Wisdom, Kylie also specializes in AMMA Therapy® and is a long time Doula.

What is AMMA Therapy?

AMMA Therapy® is a specialized form of acupressure based on Chinese medicine that assesses and addresses energy imbalances. Many people may be relieved to learn that AMMA Therapy® doesn’t use any needles; it is a form of acupressure, not acupuncture.  “Amma” refers to the push-pull movements used in the therapy, but “amma” also means “mother” in many languages. This connection was not lost on Kylie, whose pregnant clients benefit greatly from the practice.

The Quantum Inner Child (QIC)

Kylie Cole also helps reintroduce her clients to their Quantum Inner Child (QIC). The practice of QIC first emerged when it was downloaded by a spirit into a gifted psychic named Freedom Franklin. Kylie explains, “I know that sounds very ‘woo woo’ but it’s like going into familiar territory that you forgot.” By reconnecting with our inner child, we can rebalance our inner self and heal our personal narrative. But it’s not about going back and remembering; it’s about tracking emotions back to childhood that help you rediscover who you are. Some of her clients were skeptical at first but couldn’t deny the transformations they felt after a few sessions.

The Drama – Trauma Loop

We touched on so many insightful and inspiring topics in our interview with Kylie that you will need to listen to the full episode (link) to benefit fully. She has an especially powerful view on the collective narrative from social media that puts us in a drama-trauma loop. It is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

To connect with Kylie Cole, you can find her on Instagram @wombwisdomyoga. There is a link in her bio to schedule sessions with her or drop her a message. She is also generous enough to offer a discount for our podcast listeners that you can get from listening to the interview.

And, don’t forget, Subscribe Today (link) to Soulasana Vibes and share with others on social media!

In our most recent podcast episode on Soulasana Vibes I interviewed one of my long-time friends, Nickoel Martyn, creator of Taurus Moon Jewelry and Monarch Collective. Nickoel moved to Maui 13 years ago and I was introduced to her 3 years after that by a mutual friend. When we met, Nickoel was at the beginning of her journey away from the L.A. fashion world to island life. Since then, her pursuit of achieving balance, creativity, and a successful entrepreneurial career has become her truth. Listen to the podcast to hear all about her journey into business, art and motherhood.

Abria Joseph is an inspirational speaker and sound healer who was featured on TEDx Talks that have been shared in Holland and Thailand. And now, he talks with us on the latest episode of Soulasana Vibes. After 15 years of traveling the world, Abria is laying a foundation on Maui for his healing and therapeutic practices. Kenny Ward and I interview Abria Joseph about living the dream.

Abria was featured on TEDx Talks in Holland and Thailand in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Based on the wisdom he gained through traveling and self-healing, he talked about taking chances and seizing opportunities to Dream It Real. He opened the audiences’ minds and ours to what type of powerful vision we need to have in our mind to live our dreams. He believes “seeing” goes far beyond our visual sight, and we need to use all our senses to “see” the world, to be present, and to experience life to the fullest.

In his Talks, he also tackles the concept of fear. He explains that FEAR is a story we create based on False Evidence Appearing Real. We have a duty to ourselves and our communities to overcome our fear and live life as our best selves. To do this, we need to practice because practice diminishes fear.

Handpan Sound Healing

In a previous podcast episode, we learn about singing bowls from Shanti Sound Healing and Yoga. Abria’s sound healing instrument is called the handpan. The handpan looks similar to a turtle shell and is played with your hands, almost like a bongo.

Abria first heard the music from this rare instrument in a large marketplace and was drawn to it. Handpans come from Switzerland, and you must be approved by the builders to receive one. The handpan design is influenced by steel drums and requires a specific balance to produce its mystical sound. The sound resonated with his being and now, as he plays, Abria explains, “I just close my eyes and go for the ride myself.”

During our interview, Abria plays the handpan for us, and it is simply magical. Please give the podcast a full listen to experience it for yourself. Kenny and I share the images and emotions the music evokes for us. What does the music evoke in you?

Handpan Sound Healing

In a previous podcast episode, we learn about singing bowls from Shanti Sound Healing and Yoga. Abria’s sound healing instrument is called the handpan. The handpan looks similar to a turtle shell and is played with your hands, almost like a bongo.

Abria first heard the music from this rare instrument in a large marketplace and was drawn to it. Handpans come from Switzerland, and you must be approved by the builders to receive one. The handpan design is influenced by steel drums and requires a specific balance to produce its mystical sound. The sound resonated with his being and now, as he plays, Abria explains, “I just close my eyes and go for the ride myself.”

During our interview, Abria plays the handpan for us, and it is simply magical. Please give the podcast a full listen to experience it for yourself. Kenny and I share the images and emotions the music evokes for us. What does the music evoke in you?

Maui Yoga Retreats and Workshops

To learn more about Abria Joseph’s sound healing, yoga retreats, training, and workshops, visit PranaforceYoga.com. And don’t miss out on our full interview (link) to learn more about ecstatic dancing, sound healing, and living your dream.

Soulasana Vibes, our studio podcast, recently had the wonderful opportunity to have our dear friend, Maui girl and Reiki Master, Kira Enge, visit our yoga studio to introduce her Golden Light Reiki Energy Healing modality and share how it all began. She has been in the healing profession for over 20 years and her passion and knowledge is vast. In addition to being a Reiki master, Kira is a dance/movement therapist, a trained Motional Processor, and a busy mama of 4 beautiful children.

During our time with this revolutionary goddess, we learned about the Usui method, Kira’s unique expression of it (she was trained in Usui for level 1 but Non Traditional in the 2nd and 3rd levels), and how her healing can bring peace and transformation to our minds, bodies, and souls.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is an alternative healing therapy that targets the energy fields around the body. Also known as palm healing because often it uses the healer’s palms to touch or hover over targeted areas, Reiki is a type of energy healing that promotes transformation to a higher and clearer vibration by allowing the receiver to experience stress reduction and relaxation. Despite skepticism in some circles, Reiki is growing, powerful, and very much real and alive.

The practice of Reiki originated in Japan in the late 1800s. The word “Reiki” is comprised of two Japanese words, “Rei” and “Ki.” Rei translates to “Higher Power” or “Universal” and Ki is known as “life force energy.” Reiki, therefore, can be understood as “Universal Life Force Energy,” though many prefer to describe it as “spiritually guided life force energy.” Kira admits that she felt guided by spiritual energy from the time she was very young and that the practice of Reiki was very natural for her and in perfect alignment to her soul’s calling.

Shanti Sound’s mission is to harmonize lives through the power of sound, healing, and meditation. Christina and Paul strive to raise the positive vibration of Maui’s community (and wherever their journey will take them) through natural healing and promoting self-care. Christina and Paul experienced their first sound bath roughly five years ago and related the experience to having an epiphany. They fell in love with the state of self-awareness and relaxation they reached and purchased their very first Singing Bowl (Suren Shrestha) that evening.

Years later, Christina found herself training under Suren Shrestha himself, the originator of her treasured singing bowl. She trained in Himalayan healing techniques and became certified with Atma Buti Sound and Vibrational School in Boulder, Colorado. Along with yoga and sound healing, she has also been a student and teacher of belly dance for over a decade. Paul accompanies Christina, adding his natural musical abilities and divine connection and expression to each of their sessions. Together, they create magic.

What is Vibrational Sound Healing?

Sound therapy improves your physical and emotional well-being using music in various ways, including listening or meditating to music, singing, moving, or playing an instrument. Vibrational sound therapy, also known as vibroacoustic therapy, utilizes sound vibrations to reduce stress, pain, and fatigue.  It is a very powerful experience and can heal deep trauma and pain.

In our first aired episode of Soulasana Vibes, we touch on what inspired the podcast and what we hope to achieve. I share the story of how a teasing suggestion from my husband turned into a team project to create this podcast. And then we dive into the past and dreams of our very own co-host, Kenny Ward.

The Spark.

Every venture starts with a spark, an idea, a light bulb moment. These moments usually come when you least expect them, but then you wonder why you didn’t think of it before. That is exactly how it was when the idea of Soulasana Vibes was born.

You can listen to the podcast to hear the whole story  (link to episode) and thank you to my husband, Joel, for planting the seed in my mind!

Kenny to the Rescue!

Kenny Ward, one of our inspiring teachers here at Soulasana, had a similar epiphany that got him back onto a path he abandoned long ago. Before we go that far back in his story, let’s first share a bit how Kenny was roped into being a co-host on this podcast.

Shortly after the seed was planted to start a podcast, the universe and its divine timing brought Kenny and I together once more. I say once more because the universe already united us when Kenny became one of our yoga instructors. This time, however, it wasn’t Kenny’s amazing abilities as a yoga teacher, but his tech-savviness that connected our purposes.

Kenny not only helped me with the logistics of producing a podcast but also with overcoming my fears and nerves about interviewing others. Our flow has been so natural and easy from the start that it was an organic progression that Kenny join me in not only the back end but also becoming involved during all the interviews as well.

I Can Do That, Too!

Growing up, Kenny started taking guitar lessons at a young age.  He quickly had a passion for music, especially songwriting.  In his teens, he started to perform publicly, and while many people close to him were supportive, they always emphasized that it could be a fun hobby, not a serious pursuit; however, deep down, Kenny knew that music was his passion and was something that he wanted to pursue more seriously.  Others’ negativity about music as a serious pursuit led to Kenny questioning his own ability to create music and write songs as a true profession. Older people would always tell him about the failed dreams of others who considered themselves musicians. It is those kinds of stories that people tell us as we grow up that affect our life’s narrative. We explore this more deeply during the podcast.

But Kenny has taken control of his narrative. He has given himself credit for all the difficult things he has accomplished that others haven’t and realized, “I can do this, too!” To learn how Kenny went from demoting his dream to a hobby to winning a song competition that landed him a top spot in the Hawaii Songwriting Festival, you’ll have to listen to the full episode (link again to episode).

But for now, check Kenny out on instagram @kennywardmusic and his new band The Other Realm with his brother Billie @otherrealmmusic. Kenny is living his dreams and his passion now and has fully stepped into his power. His music is folksy with a unique vibe and he continues to grow and expand in all ways. We are so proud of you Kenster! Thank you all for joining us on this new journey.

Don’t forget to Subscribe to Soulasana Vibes (link), to learn how other Maui souls have turned trials into triumphs and have inspired others to do the same.