THE SPANDANANDA SHOW | Yoga Sequence to Open The Heart

Join me in this 10 minute guided yoga and pranayam exercise, where we explore movements and breath in order to open up to what is.  Courage is taking the action towards what we want in our lives despite our thoughts.  Laugh and flow with me on this wholehearted journey!

THE SPANDANANDA SHOW : Return to Love

The Spandananda Show : Season 2 : Episode 2 : Return to Love

With the practice of ahimsa (non-violence) and anjali mudra (prayer pose), we simply and profoundly return to love.  This week's episode encourages you to start with yourself by shifting your perspective from the typical, defeating banter to knowing what you want and embracing the fact that you are fully capable of achieving it.

JUST/breathe

The Spandananda Show : Episode 9 : Just Breathe

Recognize that your body is the shore of your breath with these three guided breathing explorations.  These calming techniques bring yogic balance no matter where you are! They include:  Dirga, ujjayi, and nadi shodhana pranayama.  

THE SPANDANANDA SHOW | Dear Diary

The Spandananda Show : Season 1 : Episode 8 : Dear Diary

Dear Diary:  I will no longer limit myself with drab entries that all contain the same energetic quality.  Instead, I will embrace a newfound sense of creativity and have variety in my journal in order to gather insight and wisdom and have more fun!

THE SPANDANANDA SHOW | Golly Gee It's Ghee!

The Spandananda Show : Episode 7 : Golly Gee It's Ghee!

It's hard to believe that something can be better than butter, but when the nutty-flavored, toffee smell of this clarified butter envelopes your senses, you'll have a change of heart with this heart-smart option!  

ROGER WRITES | Rut or Groove?

Ok.  So this week's episode of The Spandananda Show was wicked fun to make and totally life changing.  It took three very long days to film, edit and release, which included at least 10 costume changes.   But it's really been in the making for a long time because I've been in a deep process around what makes me come alive for the past few months.  This episode is really the culmination of many different aspects of my life all brought into one dazzling 8 minute video.

Ram Das said that we are in alignment when everything we think, say, feel and do all line up.  I've had moments, brief moments, when that has been true in my life, but honestly, it's mostly been momentary glimmers of it.

So, I sat myself down and contemplated.  (It wasn't really as simple as just sitting. I stood, I drew, I journaled, I walked, I thought, I meditated, I talked about it with friends, etc..) Finally, I listed the things that were important to me, and I realized that the things that are most important to me all fit into a few categories:  being in nature, creating art, moving my body, adventure, and quiet time to contemplate.

At any moment in my life, if I'm in a rut or some kind of funk, I can choose something from this list to turn that rut into a groove. Please watch this video, and even more importantly, make a list for youself of what inspires you.

THE SPANDANANDA SHOW | Rut or Groove?

The Spandananda Show : Episode 6 : Rut or Groove?

Is your potential energy stuck in third gear? Move from a rut to a groove with these five vivacious and contemplative exercises! With a refreshed state of mind, body, or outerwear, you'll be saying "so long" to your blue funk!

1. GET OUTSIDE Getting outside instantly changes your perspective, especially if you have been inside for a lengthy time.   Dress up in your favorite outfit, and walk around the block if you only have a few minutes, or allow yourself more time by going to your nearby park to people watch, sky gaze, or journal.  Be an explorer with how you walk, letting your need for a variation of movement be the impetus that gives you the freedom to do this even with people around.  A slow, contemplative stroll?  A fast, energetic skip?  Try it backwards!  Is it an investigation into the children’s fortress?  Twirling round and round?   Let me tell you how much fun this is!  So, if it’s raining, bring an umbrella!  If it’s not raining, bring an umbrella!  Where do you sit?  At a bench, or on the Earth?  In lotus pose or lying down, fully relaxed?  Listen for your needs, and also be sure to take a risk and try something new!  And remember, you’re outside, so breathe in that fresh air!    2. CREATE ART We all have art supplies, we just may not think of them as such.  Be creative, and use what you have.  Even if you just have magazines, scissors, glue, crayons or markers, there are an infinite number of ways you could use them to create a piece of art that reflects where you are in this moment.  What we’re going after is helping you to make sense of what you’re going through in a way that is outside of your head.  Do something you love, or try something you are totally unfamiliar with.  Perfection is not the goal of this exercise.  What you create may be abstract, or not fully understood by you, and that is the beauty of it!  Do it just for you and keep it private, send it to a friend, or post it on Facebook! 3. MOVE YOUR BODY Ah yes…I really do mean it…DANCE!  Many people have a fear of dancing, when in all honesty, there is nothing more authentic than someone giving themselves permission to move their body in any such way that feels real.  We all have our “home moves” those movements that we feel comfortable with and will do if asked to dance, but I encourage you to vary the way your body typically functions through life, which is a dance in and of itself!  Choose some music:  one song, two songs, a whole playlist, or put your itunes on shuffle and come what may!  Shake, swivel, undulate, spin, bust a move!  A fast thrash, a slow riff,  a waltz or a polka…anything is possible! 4. DRESS UP All of us have costume elements that we pull out once a year for Halloween. Dressing up is not just for a holiday!    Elevate your spirit of fun and frivolity by painting your face, putting on a mish-mash of colors and textures, and do a  photo shoot!  If you are really adventurous, do the shoot with a friend on the street, to fearlessly bring more creativity to yourself and anyone you come in contact with! Talk about a mood changer!  Having a mask or goggles can really allow for further freedom, as no one knows who you are!  Be safe and respectful of course, and interact!  5. MEDITATE Take the time to create a lovely space, which could easily consist of one or more of the following: a shawl, cushion, yoga mat, a candle.  Clear your mind and sit in viparita karani  or lie in savasana.  Just be with your mind still, or pay attention to the thoughts and sensations as they come and go.  Keep experiencing!

THE SPANDANANDA SHOW | Art Cards

The Spandananda Show : Art Cards

Add a new element to your day that will nurture insight and intention!  These art cards are fun to create on your own, or they can be ordered from The Sacred Tremor, and are a great supplement to creating what you long for in life.  Used individually, with friends, or with your intimate, these cards bring symbolism alive! Make your own OR order a desk specifically made for you! Each art card deck is made to order, using a variety of card decks, cases, and images, so the entire gift you give yourself or a loved one is truly unique in its quality of presentation.   All images are intentionally selected and affixed to the cards in order to ensure for a long-lasting deck.  In addition, all decks come with a handy instruction guide! There are many opportunities to use these cards, such as: --During your meditation.  Shuffle the cards and create an intention, and interpret the selected card based off what you wish to have manifested in your intention.  Ponder how it speaks to you. Various interpretations abound even if the same card is picked again and again! --With your friends as a way to entertain, engage, and develop deeper fellowship.   Art cards are a nice alternative to a board game or movie.  One at a time, each person selects a card, and everyone interprets the same image as you go round.  The image is interpreted based off what you see solely in the image, and/or what they see reflected in the image for the specific person who drew the card from the deck. --With you partner, you can interpret the card you pulled, and then your lover can interpret the card for you in a personal way.

VEGETABLE/broth

The Spandananda Show : Episode 4 : Vegetable Broth

Stop throwing away your vegetable scraps!  These castoffs can be quickly transformed into the most nutritious and delicious vegetable broth ever created!  Drunk as a tea, used to cook lentils or grains, or as a base for soup, this liquid is a powerhouse of goodness!

RED DRESS/facial

Special Edition : Episode 3 : Red Dress Facial

Talk about a rosy complection!  Whether or not you’re going to a Red Dress Party, honor your skin like you honor what you eat.  This all-natural, edible facial will bring the arrival of vibrant skin you’ll be proud to be in!

MILKING/it

Episode 2 : Milking It

Do you want a delicious and easy alternative to dairy and soy?  Milk the essence out of almonds or oats in just a couple of steps and you’ll be saying “Viva la difference!”

SPANDANANDA/show

The Spandananda Show:

A variety show of wonderments

Spanda - A sanskrit word for the sacred tremor or the creative pulse of the universe.

Ananda - Bliss.

Therefore, spandananda is the bliss we achieve when we are tuned in to that dynamic, creative energy that ignites our spirit.

The Spandananda Show is a variety show of wonderments leading us to greater health, vitality and joy.  Each week, a new episode will debut, all having to do with improving our ability to show up more fully in life.

Indulge your sense of wonder.  Create boldly.  Start now.

EPISODE 1 : Green Juice

Give your body what it needs to be a mean green creatin‘ machine!  Your body and your mind will jump for joy with all the nutrients that this lip-smackin’ green juice recipe provides!