The Yoga Hour

Where did Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras come from? How are they being used today? What is their potential in the future? Students of yoga now encounter Patanjali's Yoga Sutras in a variety of contexts, including yoga teacher training programs, university classes, yoga studios, meditation centers, and bookshops. There are many translations of these sutras, as well as commentaries; some from long ago, and some written recently. How can we respect tradition while applying this ancient wisdom to our lives today? Edwin Bryant, Ph.D., professor of Hinduism at Rutgers University and author of a new translation and commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, joins Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian for a conversation about the sutras’ relevance in today’s world. Tune in to discover how this classic text can help you on your quest to meditate more skillfully and live a spiritually conscious life.

Have you ever wondered if some of the practices recommended for a yogic and Ayurvedic way of life make practical sense or agree with science? Should you have ice in your water or not? Does it really matter? What does science actually say about eating food that is frozen, microwaved, or processed with chemical additives? Diana Lurie, Ph.D., professor of neuropharmacology at the University of Montana, joins regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo for a conversation about scientific studies related to Ayurveda’s food guidelines. Tune in and discover the science behind healthy eating!

How can we get along better with other people? How should we treat ourselves? What practices will improve our relationship with all of creation? How can we cultivate attitudes that will ultimately lead to a more satisfying life? Join Yogacharya O’Brian and Tim Olmsted, president of the Pema Chodron Foundation, as they explore four sublime attitudes found in the wisdom traditions of Buddhism and yoga: friendliness, compassion, gladness, and equanimity. Learn how you can put these practices to work in your own life for more happiness and less suffering for all.

Superconscious meditation is meditation that frees us from suffering and allows us to experience the natural bliss of our own soul. The secret to success in superconscious meditation is found in the last three limbs of yoga’s eight-limbed path. Those interior limbs, concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and oneness (samadhi), help us to experience and realize the superconsciousness that is natural to us all. Tune in to the conversation between Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian and Stephen Sturgess, author of Raja and Kriya Yoga, and learn how you can enter into your own temple of bliss.

Sanskrit, the original language of yoga, is frequently encountered today by students of yoga philosophy, meditation, asana, and pranayama. Indira and Shanta Bulkin, founders of the East West Sanskrit Institute, join Yogacharya O’Brian in a conversation about the many benefits of studying Sanskrit.

·      Learn about Sanskrit as the “science of vibration”

·      Find out how chanting Sanskrit can calm the mind and facilitate meditation

·      Discover how to pronounce commonly mispronounced Sanskrit words in yoga and Ayurveda

Tune in and find out what the study of Sanskrit can bring to your yoga and meditation practice!

What does yoga offer us through all of our life stages? Yoga’s highest goal is ageless: self-realization, realizing our essential spiritual nature. Regardless of our age, physical ability, or level of flexibility, yoga has so much to offer us! Tune in as Lilias Folan, pioneering yoga teacher and author of Lilias! Yoga: Your Guide to Enhancing Body, Mind, and Spirit in Midlife and Beyond, joins regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo for a conversation about how yoga gets better with age, and aging is better with yoga.

Is there a simple tool that can help us improve our health, strengthen our energy, and deepen our spiritual practice? The ancient science of mudra, including hand gestures, offers us a rich opportunity to bring our body, mind, and spirit into harmony. Based on the theory of five elements, the hands contain a map of the body and mind. Because the hands are a microcosm that reflect the macrocosm of creation and its Source, the practice of mudras can help us balance, harmonize, and heal. Tune in as Indu Arora, author of Mudra: The Sacred Secret, joins Dr. Laurel Trujillo, regular guest host of The Yoga Hour, for a conversation about mudra and what this ancient practice offers us today.

Meditating can be as natural as water flowing downhill or a leaf gently floating to the ground. Are you being held back from a regular meditation practice because you think meditation is too difficult or requires too much discipline? Tune in for a conversation between regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo and Dean Sluyter, author of Natural Meditation: A Guide to Effortless Meditative Practice, and learn how simple meditation can be. 

•           Find out how anyone can settle naturally into meditation, where there is no “trying,” just being

•           Explore several natural meditation techniques and see which ones suit you best

•           Discover practical tips for adapting meditation to your daily life

•           Learn how to access the peace that lies at the depth of your being, regardless or external circumstances

What makes a room or a building feel uplifting? Is there anything we can do to make our environment more supportive? The ancient science of Vastu Shastra shows us how to align our buildings with the forces of nature to reduce stress in our bodies, and increase our contentment and abundance. It’s yoga for your home and office! Tune in as Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian speaks with Robin and Michael Mastro, leaders in Vastu Shastra, the sacred Vedic science of architectural alignment. Learn economical tips you can put into place for a stress-free, prosperous life.

What is the greatest gift we can give ourselves and our children? What if there were a very simple process that would help kids have enhanced well-being, higher test scores, and reduced impulsivity? What are we waiting for? Let’s dive right in and explore the wonderful new field of mindful education with Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian and special guest Daniel Rechtschaffen, author of The Way of Mindful Education: Cultivating Well-Being in Teachers and Students.  

• What are the qualities of a mindful teacher?

• How can mindfulness be used to cultivate greater compassion?

• How can we learn to focus our attention and relax at the same time?

Tune in for the answers to these questions and many more as we learn simple awareness practices for self-care for all ages.