Blog
Heart Disease is a Lifestyle Disease
Memorial Day – Warrior Pose
Memorial Day, a day Americans remember and honor those warriors who have given their lives defending and protecting our freedoms that we hold so dear. We must also honor today’s warriors, who have served our country (our veterans), or continue to risk their lives for our country. A warrior embodies the following characteristics – Courage, Faith […]
A Yogi’s Pilgrimage to India
Why do so many Yogis make a pilgrimage to India? A pilgrimage is a different kind of journey. It has a deeper, personal purpose. A pilgrimage is a journey of spiritual significance, in search of spiritual growth. My recent trip to India was more of a pilgrimage than a vacation. I went to India in search […]
Why Yogis Go to India: Spirituality, Curiosity, and Self-discovery
As I’m getting ready for my trip to India, I have been asked many times, “WHY are you going to India? While those who know me, know that I want to see ALL the world and will go anywhere; India, I believe will be a unique journey. The birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, India is also […]
Heart Healthy Diet
What is a heart-healthy diet? Is it high protein? low fat? high carb? low carb? no carb? gluten-free? Is it Vegetarian? Vegan? Mediterranean? Ornish? Paleo? What if you have Diabetes? What if you’re trying to lose weight? To add to the confusion, here are a few more terms we hear all the time and see […]
Heart Disease – Signs and Symptoms
We continue this month, Heart Month, to learn more about the heart and heart disease. So how do you know if you or a loved one have heart disease? First of all, what is heart disease? Before we discuss what can go wrong, Let’s begin with a short lesson on the anatomy and function of […]
Heart Health Awareness Month
February is Heart Awareness Month – A time when many of us connect with our hearts. This connection is primarily because of the holiday, Valentine’s Day. But along with Valentine’s Day, February also marks American Heart Month, a great time to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make small changes that can lead to a lifetime […]
Stay Healthy during Cold and Flu Season
Are you ready for cold and flu season? Ugh!I can’t believe I got sick. I never get sick and as a doctor I am exposed to sick people all the time. I have attributed this to my generally healthy lifestyle. So… maybe, I haven’t been as good as I should be, not getting enough […]
Hit Your Health Goals for 2017
We all have them. What are your health goals for 2017? How will you accomplish them? The first day of the first month of a new year invites us to set goals for the new year. Everyone wants good health, right? So, most people wish for health in the New Year. But we must […]
8 Ways to Beat SAD:Seasonal Affective Disorder
The days are now shorter, colder and darker. This trilogy can lead to a certain mood disorder know as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, also known as the “winter blues”. Many people, and I think I’m one of them, suffer from this mood disorder, which can lead to depression if not recognized and treated. Symptoms […]
21 Day Challenge
The Challenge….complete 21 yoga classes in the month of October. Sounds simple enough, right? The Cambridge Dictionary definition of Challenge is — something needing great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully, or the situation of facing this kind of effort. This means different things to different people. Again and again, I find that what I do […]
Mind-Body Medicine
I was truly honored to be invited to talk about Mind-Body Medicine at Sentara’s 25th Annual Critical Care and Trauma Symposium for nurses and guide some of the nurses through a “sunrise” yoga practice. When I was first approached, I was surprised because traditionally these critical care meetings focus on evidence based concepts for the […]
The Healing Power of Music
What would my life be like without music? Anyone who knows me well knows that Music is an Essential part of my life — at home, at work in the cath lab, on my run, on the road, and on my mat. I grew up listening to a wide variety of music, ranging from […]
Yoga in Healthcare
Last weekend, I spent a few days at a very magical place called Yogaville in Buckingham, VA with an amazing group of yogis and yoga therapists to brainstorm about the future of yoga and yoga therapy in healthcare. This was the perfect, peaceful, energized backdrop for our work. Each yogi has a unique professional background […]
New day, New week, New month, New moon
Monday, August 1, 2016 – New day, New week, New month, New moon I wake up each day with the realization that each morning provides fresh opportunities and new beginnings, regardless of what happened yesterday. But there’s something particularly exciting for me when that new day is the beginning of a new week, a new […]
Sunshine for Health
Get outside and enjoy the health benefits of the beautiful sunshine! The summer is my favorite time of year because the days are long and the sun shines warm and bright. Did you know that direct exposure to the sun (brief or protected) is good for your health? Yes, it is a fact that prolonged, […]
International Day of Yoga – Summer Solstice
Tuesday, June 21st is the International Day of Yoga. Recognizing it’s appeal and health benefits, the United Nations proclaimed this day of Yoga to increase awareness of yoga’s benefits for healthy body, mind and spirit. It is no coincidence that this day coincides with the Summer Solstice, when the sun appears to stand still, a […]
Yoga Therapy
As I return from an inspiring conference for the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), I realize that yoga therapy is still a new concept, even to many yogis. So, What is Yoga Therapy? Even though yoga has been applied with therapeutic intention for thousands of years, Yoga Therapy is now (slowly but surely) being […]
Healthy Relationships
Strong relationships can improve health and increase longevity. Summer is finally here in Virginia Beach. For many of us, summertime means family gatherings, getting together with friends, and getting out for fun outdoor events, like yoga on the beach. These are perfect opportunities to reconnect and nurture our valuable relationships with friends and family. Social […]
In honor of Memorial Day, Connect with your Inner Warrior
On this Memorial Day, we remember and honor those warriors who have given their lives protecting our freedoms that we hold so dear. I am also so grateful for today’s warriors, who have served our country (our veterans), or continue to risk their lives for our country. So, what makes a great warrior? Courage, Faith and […]
How to Avoid Yoga Injuries
Yoga is powerful medicine. We know that yoga is therapeutic and beneficial for many health issues, ranging from high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, chronic pain, and depression. However, yoga, specifically the asanas (poses), like any physical activity can result in injury. With the growing number of yoga practitioners, the number of reported cases of […]
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