Yoga Is Vegan

Tabay is the youngest certified yoga teacher in America and a vegan chef. He has been in the kitchen with his mom helping her cook since he was 5 years old. He has graduated from High School (3.5 years early), with a 4.0 GPA (all A’s and A+’s), and is now focusing on his yoga and vegan cooking career.


At just 6 years old, when Tabay saw how much yoga helped heal his mom from the effects of chemo & cancer, he decided he wanted to become a yoga teacher so he could help other people heal through the practice of yoga, the way he say it help his mom. He has 7 specialty yoga certifications and is now working on his 8th, becoming an RYT-500.


He has donated 100% of all the money he has made to help people who have cancer. His passion and mission is to spread yoga and veganism to as many people as he can. He teaches yoga and cooking classes all over the world and also teaches on his website, tabayatkins.com.


He is a Kashi ambassador and has helped co-create their new cereals and snacks. He is on the cover of this year's March/April issue of the Yoga Journal Magazine.
He lives part-time in Maui and part-time OC, Cali with his mom, Sahel Anvarinejad.

Sahel is Tabay Atkins’ mom. She is a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer survivor, a chef, and a yoga studio owner & yoga teacher. Sahel has 16 specialty yoga certifications & specializes in teaching kids yoga. She opened up the first kid's yoga studio in Orange County, California called CARE4YOGA.
Since she first became certified in 2012, she made a policy that anyone that has cancer, had cancer, or had a family member going through it, she would never charge them. She has kept that policy and helped many people in need.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Sahel & Tabay's experience finding yoga during Sahel's recovery from cancer.
Tabay & Sahel's vegan journey
What the Health Documentary
The Game Changers
Jason Crandell's teacher training
Shana Meyerson teacher training
Gentle World Vegan Community
Tabay and Sahel's Cooking Classes
Connect with Tabay:
Website: tabayatkins.com
Instagram: @tabayatkins

Connect with Sahel:
Website: care4yoga.com

Pam was born and raised in London. In the midst of completing an MA at The Royal College of Art and feeling very lost in the crazy world of fashion was the beginning of a journey, the search for meaning. She took her first yoga class at Jivamutki London and having been trained as a dancer in her early years, she loved the physicality of yoga but soon realized there was so much more. On a fortuitous day in 2007 she walked into a small studio in New York City and found her Guru Sri Dharma Mittra. A few months later, she moved to NYC to study with him and has never looked back since. In 2013 she met her future husband Andrew who was also studying under Sri Dharma Mitta. He initially came to New York to work for the advertising world and after several years felt something was missing. He too, fortuitously walked into the Dharma Yoga Center and after meeting Sri Dharma Mittra felt he found somebody that had Real answers. They have practiced together for many years at the Dharma Yoga Center and have served Sri Dharma Mittra as faculty in many ‘Life of a Yogi’ teacher trainings.

One of the key foundations of yoga is compassion, to see yourself in others. That is why they are so honored to be part of the Yoga is Vegan podcast.

Pam is also a Vegan chef and has led many vegan food workshops across the globe. She believes that diet has a huge impact on how we think, move and feel. A daily yoga practice together with a healthy Vegan diet creates a strong mind and body so we can be a service to others. She hopes her workshops will inspire people to be creative in their own kitchen so they can share with their loved ones and continue a peaceful path for our bodies, the earth and all the animals. Andrew is very happy to be her guinea pig to taste all her vegan creations before they go public!

In part 1 of this 2 part conversation Dharma Yoga Center's Andrew and Pam Jones discuss the following with Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis:



Pam’s vegan cheese and dessert workshops
Psychic development
The mantra for purification and mantra for unification
800-hour LIfe Of a Yogi Teacher Training
The art of learning to let go of achieving poses
Teaching with Sri Dharma MIttra on the road Teaching to just one person is as important as a large group Don’t get caught up in the numbers.
Psychic experiences with Sri Dharma Mittra
Connect with Pam & Andrew Jones:

Website: www.karmacoco.com
Instagram: @karmacoco

Pam was born and raised in London. In the midst of completing an MA at The Royal College of Art and feeling very lost in the crazy world of fashion was the beginning of a journey, the search for meaning. She took her first yoga class at Jivamutki London and having been trained as a dancer in her early years, she loved the physicality of yoga but soon realized there was so much more. On a fortuitous day in 2007 she walked into a small studio in New York City and found her Guru Sri Dharma Mittra. A few months later, she moved to NYC to study with him and has never looked back since. In 2013 she met her future husband Andrew who was also studying under Sri Dharma Mitta. He initially came to New York to work for the advertising world and after several years felt something was missing. He too, fortuitously walked into the Dharma Yoga Center and after meeting Sri Dharma Mittra felt he found somebody that had Real answers. They have practiced together for many years at the Dharma Yoga Center and have served Sri Dharma Mittra as faculty in many ‘Life of a Yogi’ teacher trainings.

One of the key foundations of yoga is compassion, to see yourself in others. That is why they are so honored to be part of the Yoga is Vegan podcast.

Pam is also a Vegan chef and has led many vegan food workshops across the globe. She believes that diet has a huge impact on how we think, move and feel. A daily yoga practice together with a healthy Vegan diet creates a strong mind and body so we can be a service to others. She hopes her workshops will inspire people to be creative in their own kitchen so they can share with their loved ones and continue a peaceful path for our bodies, the earth and all the animals. Andrew is very happy to be her guinea pig to taste all her vegan creations before they go public!

In part 1 of this 2 part conversation Dharma Yoga Center's Andrew and Pam Jones discuss the following with Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis:

Andrew's experience getting sick and recovering from what most likely was COVID-19
Living in New York during Coranavirus lockdown
Pam & Andrew's experience finding yoga and meeting Sri Dharma Mittra
Dharma Yoga Center's Life of a Yogi (LOAY) Teacher Trainings and their role as mentors
Pam & Andrew's experiences going vegan.
Connect with Pam & Andrew Jones:

Website: www.karmacoco.com
Instagram: @karmacoco


Pass the Om Fundraiser: Legendary Yogi Sri Dharma Mittra will post a beautiful OM on FB/IG/twitter at 2.15pm Wed May 6th Eastern US time to help raise funds for the Covid 19 Response Fund.

Please create your own OM and pass it on to your community and ask them to do the same. Before you pass the OM donate a $ or more to Carers in need.
Donate to https://covid19responsefund.org/
Help us create an eternal OM around the entire planet to send positive vibrations and love to all those affected by the Covid 19.
Please add the below tags:
#OMThanks
#oneworldtogetherathome
#worldhealthorganization
#nato
@dharmayoganyc
@glbctzn
@world.health.organization_
Virtual VEGAN TREATS Workshop🍰 with Pam Jones

Saturday 9th May 12:30-1:30pm est

Get your apron on and Learn how to make Quick and Simple delicious vegan treats including Raspberry frangipane tarts, Halva, snickers bar, Key lime pie and more! You are welcome you to join me in making at least one of them. I’ll will be demoing step by step. You will be able to ask questions through the chat. A 60 min workshop that will help you and you’re family create quick, fun scrumptious vegan treats. $15 via zoom. To sign up please email [email protected]

Patrick DeNicola is a sleep efficiency, functional movement and breathwork coach. He works with his clients in a four-fold method using awareness, intention, internalization, and connection.



Patrick’s journey to holistic wellness living started under the guidance of his father who through practices of nutrition, meditation, karate, tai chi, and knowledge of ancient history and philosophy helped him lay a foundation towards self-realization. Though hidden underneath, this foundation grounded him after a health scare and pushed him towards transformation.



Through yoga, meditation, and self-inquiry he was able to heal. Now Patrick guides others into similar studies of the self, helping them along their path

In this episode, Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Patrick DeNicola discuss the following:

Sleep optimization
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
Epstein Barr Syndrome & the role of inflammation
The Medical Medium
Uforia Science- At-home kit to discover your nutrient deficiencies through DNA swabs
Yoga Nidra
Kamini Desai Yoga Nidra: The Art of Transformational Sleep
Dharma Mittra For more information on his Yoga Nidra classes please visit the Dharma Yoga Center
Connect with Patrick:

Instagram: @patzensleep
Website liveplena.com
Email: Lifeadventures@[email protected]

Dolly Vyas-Ahuja is an Ahimsa animal activist and a voice for the voiceless. Her mission is to spread awareness and education about the cruelty of the Dairy Industry. She comes from a Gandhian family and is the granddaughter of a Freedom Fighter for social justice in India. One of her main objectives is to have Indian temples pledge to be cruelty-free and ban the use of dairy products. She also frequently speaks at Jain temples and various vegan events to stress the importance of switching to a plant-based diet for animals, the environment, and human health. She was honored to speak at the World Vegan Conference in New Delhi, India. Her goal is to create a world where everyone lives their essential nature of practicing compassion. She hopes her upcoming film, The Land of Ahimsa will inspire those to incorporate pure Ahimsa into their daily lives.

In this episode YIV's Holly Skodis & Dolly Vyas-Ahuja discuss the following:

Taoist meditation
Gary Yourofsky- The Most Important Speech You Will Ever Hear
Victoria Moran Yoga Is Vegan Episode 16
Thomas Wade Jackson Yoga Is Vegan Episode 33
Dr. Will Tuttle World Peace Diet Episode 7
Jainism
Dolly’s mission to get Indian temples to get rid of dairy

Dolly's documentary The Land of Ahimsa
Robin Singh Yoga Is Vegan Episode 18
Rowdy Girl Sanctuary
Dolly’s life growing up with her Freedom Fighter grandfather and his experience with Mahatma Gandhi

Connect with Dolly:

Facebook:@thelandofahimsa
Gofundme: The Land Of Ahimsa Documentary
Website: www.landofahimsa.com

Steve's practices of Yoga started much before he knew anything about, or had even ever seen any examples of Yoga poses. As a young teen with an extremely busy (and difficult to manage) mind, he was interested in gaining clarity of mind or accessing a space of his inner silence. Through being in nature (mostly skiing & snowboarding), and through music he was able to find some states of cohesion where the wildness of his mind was stilled momentarily and the body and mind could work together in unison; these forms of active meditation were a relief from the seemingly nonstop battle with the fluctuations of the mind.

Seeking for a greater understanding of this inner space, he began studying Eastern philosophy at the age of 13 in the form of Buddhist teachings. When Yoga started to come into his life, he was drawn back to his early years reading Buddhist scriptures. He saw the same essence in the teachings of Yoga as he did in the Buddhist teachings. He continued his journey into Yoga but was inspired to make this his life path when he met his teacher, Dharma Mittra. Steve has completed Advanced- and Senior-level training with the living master Sri Dharma Mittra (500- and 800-hour trainings), as well as assisted at his teacher’s side. Since completion of his formal training, Steve has continued to study with his teacher, receiving countless hours of private instruction. Much like Dharma, he has been drawn towards being a teacher of teachers, having led over 20 Yoga Teacher Trainings and a number of continuing education programs in Yoga Nidra.

In this episode, Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Steve Fazarri discuss the following:

Our relationship with social media and becoming mindful with technology
Our collective experiences with Sri Dharma Mittra. Listen to Sri Dharma Mittra on the YIV podcast episode 28
Transmitting yoga psychically
Yoga & Yogic Powers by Yogi Gupta
exploring the balance between when it’s necessary for in person yoga versus online
Siddhis (yogic powers)

Eastern versus Western philosophy

Bhagavad Gita and the 3 realms of yoga or experience.
Jnana, Karma and Bhakti yoga
Auras
Transitioning to a vegan diet and the sattvic diet
Connect with Steve:

Website: http://www.stevefazzari.com
Instagram: @stevefazzari
Online Classes with Steve: villageyogapemberton.com



villageyogapemberton.com online classes with steve

Obi Ndefo is an actor, writer, and yoga teacher. You may recognize him from his recurring roles in Dawson’s creek as Bodie Wells or Rak’ror in the science fiction series “Stargate” among many other roles on TV. Currently, he’s in the development of the television series entitled “Juice Bar” which is centered around the world of the global health moment, the organic food movement, and our planet’s movement towards consciousness and inclusivity.

Obi came on the podcast last October to talk about moving through tragedy. He was struck by a hIt-and-run DUI driver moving full speed while putting groceries into his car at his local health food store. Miraculously, he survived the impact, but his right leg was severed instantly, just above the knee, and his shattered left leg had to be amputated 30 minutes later at the hospital to save his life.

Obi used his vast knowledge of the raw vegan diet to help expedite his healing. Remarkably just after 10 days after his 2nd surgery he was back at the gym. I among many of my listeners were left in awe wanting to know exactly what he eats.

In this episode, Yoga Is Vegan's Holly Skodis and Obi Ndefo talk about building your immunity during coronavirus.

Topics discussed:

Mount Shasta natural spring water.
probiotics
Tonix Fermented Coconut Water Kefir
Water Kefir Grains Starter Kit
Gut microbiome
Seed probiotics
Misfits Market Produce delivery box
Pickled Planet Fermented Foods
Yoga & Yogic Powers by Yogi Gupta
Yoga Food Concepts CD Lecture by Yogi Gupta
Sprouting Foods
Conscious Eating by Dr. Gabriel Cousens
Raw Cane Super Juice
Atomic Habits by James Clear


Gofundme: Obi Ndefo Lifeline - Organized by his Family
Instagram: @ndefoobi

Stacie Dooreck is the author of Sunlight Chair Yoga: Yoga for Everyone! and Yoga for Everyone! She's been a certified Sivananda Yoga instructor since 1995. She was born into a vegetarian family and taken to ashrams since birth, Stacie lives the yogic lifestyle and shares its benefits with others throughout the world.

Stacie has never tried fish, chicken or meat in her life. Four years ago she made the shift to becoming vegan. Stacy loves teaching yoga and believes the practice has the potential to encourage students to become more compassionate towards animals, care more about their health and become an entry point to the plant-based lifestyle.

Stacie teaches yoga at companies in the Bay Area, CA. She is a Stress Management Specialist for the Ornish Heart Disease Reversal Program in N. CA and an Alzheimer's Research Study at the Preventative Medicine Research Institute by Dr. Dean Ornish. Additionally, Stacie offers Chair yoga teacher trainings and other self-paced yoga courses online.

Stacie has been featured teaching yoga at offices and for seniors on: KQED/NPR CA Report Radio, CBS Miami Healthwatch 5 pm News and Yogiviews Cable TV. You can catch her show Yoga and Chair Yoga on cable TV with episodes also available to view anytime on her website www.sunlightyoga.com .
Topics discussed in this episode:

Dharma Mittra ( YIV Episode 28)
Bikram Choudhury, Pattabhi Jois, and Sivananda Sexual Misconduct Allegations
The OMD Plan: The Simple, Plant-Based Program to Save Your Health, Save Your Waistline, and Save the Planet by Suzy Amis Cameron
Can a Meat-eating Yoga Teacher Call Themselves a Yoga Teacher? Elephant Journal article

The Fundamental Ethics of Yoga & Food Elephant Journal article
Finding your own way to veganism
Diet for a New America by John Robbins
Dr. Melanie Joy Beyond Carnism
Whole food plant-based vegan diet health benefits versus vegan transition and junk foods
Ornish Heart Disease Reversal Program
Alzheimer's Research Study at the Preventative Medicine Research Institute by Dr. Dean Ornish
Dr. Will Tuttle (YIV Episode 7)
Dr. Michael Gregor: Nutritionfact.org, How Not To Die, How Not to Diet, Cholesterol & Lower Back Pain Video
The Vegan Society
Connect with Stacie:
Website: sunlightyoga.com
Instagram: @sunlightyoga
Facebook: @yogainchairs

Ray Ippolito has been working in the Animal Liberation movement since 2004 and, as an educator for the past 25 years, has found a powerful way to connect, educate and inspire people of all ages. Ray’s journey in Animal Liberation began by participating and co-creating countless protests/demonstrations/leafletting actions opposing international circuses, slaughterhouses, fur stores, breeding facilities, pet stores, aquariums, zoos, parades, and other mediums that exploit and normalize the suffering of animals. Ray has served on the Board of Directors and been the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy for Catskill Animal Sanctuary, has spoken to countless schools/universities/colleges as NYU/Hunter College/Fairleigh Dickinson University, has been an invited speaker to the Peoples Climate March, Ethical Culture Society, Omega Institute, many Veg Fests and other notable institutions. In an effort to empower other animal liberation organizations, Ray has created countless fund raisers, high end film/panel discussions, Vegan festivals, large scale volunteer events and many high level corporate/philanthropic partnerships to benefit the mission of many Animal Liberation organizations.



Simultaneously, as a multi-instrumentalist versed in many styles and cultures, Ray Ippolito has traveled the world as performer, producer, music director, composer, film scorer, and instructor in the US as well as the UK, Japan, Brasil, Nepal, Venezuela, India, Canada and more. He has shared the stage and/or recorded with such notable artists as Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Donna Delory, Wah!, the Mayapuris, Gaura Vani, Mickey Hart(Grateful Dead), Mike Gordon(Phish), the Spin Doctors, Baba Maal, Alex Grey and many others and has worked with internationally recognized Healers/Shaman/Yogis/Psychic Mediums and Hypnotists such as Radhanath Swami, Shiva Rea, Sharon Gannon, Daniel Pinchbeck, Karen Noe, Raghunath Capo, program producer for the monks of the Gaden Shartse Monastery and many others.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Coronavirus and the role that animal agriculture and animal exploitation has played in the development of this and other diseases.

Vegan Documentaries:
The Game Changers
What The Health
Cowspiracy
Speciesism
A Prayer for Compassion

Thomas Wade Jackson (Yoga Is Vegan Episode 33)
Victoria Moran (Yoga Is Vegan Episode 16)

Speaking from your authentic voice for effective activism

Escaped cow slaughtered in Home Depot Connecticut parking lot.

The ways in which the consumption of animal products breaks each one the Yamas in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Hari Krishas and Ahimsa Farms

The Million Dollar Vegan Challenge to Pope Francis

The environmental, ethical, and health benefits of adopting a vegan lifestyle

The three-year-old Luiz Antonio's reaction to being served octopus for dinner.

Dr. Masaru Emoto's water studies
Connect with Ray Ippolito:
Website: www.rayippolito.com
Facebook: @Ray Ippolito

Jamie Surya (she/her/hers) began her journey of Yoga as a teenager looking for a way to ease the pain that inevitably comes with life. Initially drawn to meditation and yogic philosophy, her asana and pranayama practice soon followed. In 2012 at the age of 20 she opened up the Jamie Surya Yoga Studio in Sparkill, NY to share the teachings that had so strongly influenced her.


She soon realized the importance of gentle and adaptive yoga but was surprised how infrequently it was offered and discussed. This led Jamie to further her studies in anatomy, physiology, injuries, and alignment with the support of Andres Alves, PT, DPT, RYT. Jamie and Andres were the first to bring the LoveYourBrain Yoga Program to New York State, where they facilitate group discussions and adapt asana, pranayama, and meditation for individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries and their caregivers. In working with licensed mental health counselor Hayley O’Brien, M.A, LPC, RYT, Jamie deepened her studies further and learned how to adapt elements of the practice and studio space to be trauma sensitive and suitable for individuals who are experiencing depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, PTSD, and other sources of trauma.


As a lululemon Athletica alumni ambassador, Jamie creates and facilitates community events raising awareness and support for multiple organizations both locally and globally. In 2015, she was nominated and selected from ambassadors around the world to attend the Annual Ambassador Summit in Whistler, BC.


As an animal lover and justice seeker her whole life, human and non-human animal rights are at the forefront of Jamie’s community work. After learning of the animal abuse, environmental damage, and health impacts that result from using animals as food, clothing, and products, she set her lifelong habits and traditions aside and became vegan. Her inner yoga practice bloomed as a result of finally aligning her actions with her values and she continues to use her voice and her heart when advocating for all animals and humans alike.


Jamie co-created the community organization Together Vegan Change, a support system for local vegans and a resource for those interested in veganism. TVC organizes various community events, workshops, and forms of activism in the New York/New Jersey area. A proud supporter of her community’s local non-profits The Rockland County Pride Center and Center for Safety and Change, Jamie believes in the freedom and equality of all races, orientations, genders, and species, and will forever fight for the end of oppression for all.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Catering the Jaime Surya Yoga Studio to meet the needs of the community. Offering inclusive yoga by offering gentle, beginner and injury friendly classes.

Teaching an adaptive yoga practice for people with brain injuries and their caregivers.

Trauma sensitive yoga

The Love Your Brain Foundation:
Teaching mediation, breathing, and yoga to those with traumatic brain injuries including concussions

Hayley O’Brien, M.A, LPC, RYT, Yoga and Counseling
Adapting the yoga practice to be suitable for all mental health aspects.

Introducing veganism to yoga classes and teacher trainings.

Skylands Animal Sanctuary

Effective ways to talk to people about going vegan

Together Vegan Change Organization

Building a vegan community
The Center for Safety and Change
The Rockland County Pride Center
Connect with Jaime Surya:
Instagram: @jamie_surya_yoga_studio and @the.vegan.jamie.surya
Website: https://www.jamiesuryayoga.com