While a sense of community is nice in that people become familiar and may even remember my name, last week, after four years, I was greeted by name and and given hugs at my old local haunt in North Miami Beach. I always thought Hemingway said the best way to make friends is by leaving a big tip, ensuring that your face is remembered at the bar, though I don’t recall paying enough for this type of annuity.
Spirituality
Songs That Inspired My Travel
Throughout my life, certain songs have inspired some of my travel decisions – lyrics that determined which road I should take or what travel ticket I should buy.
Here’s a selection of a few that have stood out for me over the years: (more…)
Recovering Nomad – Dating and Spirituality
Surveying spiritual techniques around the world is remarkably similar to the dating scene in New York. When I traveled across five continents, I examined a variety of techniques people use to get closer to their higher power. In creating my own spiritual path, I swiped left or right for the practices that worked for me. Never did I imagine the value of this type of discernment while dating in New York. (more…)
My Nine Craziest Yoga Classes Around the World
A peripatetic yoga teacher doesn’t have a regular schedule. That said, I came across some amazing places to practice – environments that seemed to be calling for it – and I could always rustle up some students.
Here are some of the most memorable:
Finding a Holy Place – Sacred Sites Open House
This weekend in New York marks the Sacred Sites Open House Weekend. It is an opportunity for visitors and residents to learn more about the architecture and art embodied in some of the cities religious institutions. (more…)
Happy Birthday Dharma Mittra!
Dharma Mittra, legendary yoga teacher and the creator of the master Yoga Chart of 908 asanas, celebrates his seventy-seventh (!) birthday on Saturday.
A living legend, Dharma Mittra has dedicated his life to yoga and been influential on my own practice ever since our first meeting five years ago. I still recall our first class when he breezed in, barefoot, dressed simply in yoga clothes, meticulously groomed as he casually moved to the stage. (more…)
My Top Timeless Travel Tomes
Books have been an incredibly valuable source of knowledge for me throughout the years. At various junctures of my life, certain books have crossed my path that have helped shape and influence my thoughts on a number of themes ranging from travel to spirituality.
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Celebrating Earth Day
Over the past five years, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of nature and how it is sacred to cultures all around the world. Speaking with many people of many cultures, when asked “What brings you closer to god?” the overwhelming answer was nature and mother Earth. (more…)
Recovering Nomad – The Importance of Community
After years of being a spiritual nomad and deciding to settle in New York, I am enjoying getting to know my new neighborhood. From the last blog post, readers might be aware that I am flirting with the different hoods in NYC, and currently enjoying getting to know Chelsea.
A strong sense of lasting community is something I missed on the road. I was part of powerful groups along the way: With other pilgrims on the camino to Santiago in Spain, in a group of international volunteers at the clinic in Ladakh, among the yogis in the rainforest of Trindade, with the Rainbow Family in Israel’s Negev desert. (more…)
Recovering Nomad – The Art of Cleanliness
After so much time traveling, I was ready for a home, and for a variety of reasons, New York called my name. I have many good and not as good friends here, and for the first time in forever I feel at home.
I knew New York from visits over the years, but wanted to see nuances of the different neighborhoods before settling in for the duration. I read an article in the New York Times which chronicled the idea of temporary stints in neighborhoods. This fit with my mindset, so I began to “date” a few neighborhoods to see if we were compatible. I first landed in the East Village, which while diverse, made me feel really old among the college kids. My sublease ended and after a brief trip to Arizona, I found a place in Chelsea, at least until the end of May. (more…)
