The Yoga Hour

What goals are essential for spiritually conscious living? The Vedas say there are four: finding our life’s purpose; securing abundant resources to make our life’s work successful; enjoying the life we are given; and attaining freedom, or liberation. Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian joins guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo for a discussion of the importance of knowing these four goals of life, and the steps to achieving them. Tune in to illuminate your life journey!

What is that call to awaken to the fire of love within us? How do we respond to that call? Join guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo and Anne Hillman, author of Awakening the Energies of Love: Discovering Fire for the Second Time, as they discuss how following this calling is an exhilarating, daring journey of adventure—a journey that is our soul’s destiny to take.

How can we heal from trauma and free ourselves from fear? Integrative Restoration, or iRest, is a form of Yoga Nidra Meditation that has been proven effective in helping people overcome post-traumatic stress disorder; reduce anxiety, insomnia, and depression; and maintain a lasting emotional and mental balance. Richard Miller, Ph.D., author of The iRest Program for Healing PTSD, joins regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo for a conversation about the power of yoga meditation to help us heal from trauma and live a life of freedom. Tune in and find out how!

How can yoga help us manage our mood? What is the natural path to emotional well-being? The timeless mind-body teachings of yoga provide many practices that have been shown to improve our mood and emotions. On today's show, join Amy Weintraub, author of Yoga for Depression: A Compassionate Guide to Relieve Suffering Through Yoga, and regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo as they discuss how yoga puts us in the driver’s seat and shows us how to heal ourselves. Listen in and learn tools that support us in living a life that is free from the suffering of anxiety and depression.

How do the practices of Yoga and Ayurveda support our health and wellness? One answer can be found in scientific studies on inflammation. Inflammation plays a role in the development of many diseases, and studies show that Yoga and Ayurveda both have anti-inflammatory effects. Diana Lurie, Ph.D, Professor of Neuropharmacology at the University of Montana and editor in chief of The Ayurveda Journal of Health, joins regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo to discuss the healing mechanisms of Yoga and Ayurveda. Tune in and find out how these two ancient sciences can prevent and heal disease in our modern world.

How does music heal the wounds of our hearts? Listening to music can touch us at a deep level and reveal the peace within us. Join award-winning composer Gary Malkin and regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo to discover what music might bring to your contemplative practice. Tune in and learn how the power of sound can heal your heart’s weariness from the stresses of our world.

How do we bring the inner peace we find in meditation into the wider world? What actions can we take that make a difference? Join Philip Hellmich, director of peace at the Shift Network, and regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo, as they discuss the balance between cultivating our inner life and activating a path of service in the world. Tune in and be inspired to act for peace in your everyday life.

What are the truly essential aspects of living? How do we recognize and invest in them? How can we expand our self-definition to include both being and doing? Join Toinette Lippe, author of Caught in the Act: Reflections on Being, Knowing, and Doing, and regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo as they discuss the search for an authentic life. Tune in for a discussion of the humility and courage that allows us to live fully and not get “caught in the act”!

How can the wisdom of the Vedas help us bring greater consciousness, creativity, and happiness to our lives today? Yoga, Ayurveda, and Jyotish (Vedic astrology) are all sciences that arise from the Vedas. Vedic counseling brings together these approaches to help us live a life of health, happiness, and spiritual growth. Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, Ayurvedic physician, author of The Hot Belly Diet, and coauthor of The Art and Science of Vedic Counseling, joins regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo for a conversation about discovering the universal truths within the Vedas. Tune in to find out how the wisdom of the Vedas can support us in our modern world.

How much impact does our environment have on our spiritual practice? Do you find it difficult to let go of the things that clutter your space, impede your efficiency, and bog down your joy? Find out how easy it can be to clear a space in your life for more peace, more love, and joy. Start by joining Yogacharya O’Brian and Andrew Mellen, organizational expert, public speaker, and No. 1 best-selling author of Unstuff Your Life! as they explore these questions and shine a light on a simple way to get and stay organized.