Blog
Why Are Mantras Chanted 108 Times?
Have you ever wondered why mantras are traditionally repeated 108 times? In all of my years of teaching Sanskrit mantra meditation to beginners and at workshops & festivals all over the world, this is one of my most common frequently asked questions. Normally, I just say that "it's traditional" because to delve into all of the reasons why mantras are changed 108 times is kinda nerdy, and to some people, kinda woo-woo! (And I like to keep things fact-based, evidence-based, and rational when I'm working with the therapeutic power of sound and mantra.)
However, to satisf...
Signs You're in a Cult and How to Leave (and Heal Yourself)
Unfortunately I see A LOT of people in the wellness/yoga/spiritual world exhibiting cultish behavior (not to mention in American politics!) and it seems to be getting only worse and more widespread.
I was about to publish this blog today and happened upon a Facebook post by a friend Barbara Bones. It was so well put I'm copying it here:
A cult is a great devotion to a person, idea, object, or movement.
High on Kirtan? The Good Drugs our Brains Make When we Chant with Dave Stringer
The Neuroscience of Kirtan Chanting
I had a lovely conversation with Dave, who is a Grammy nominated producer, musician, songwriter and Kirtan leader. He explains the good drugs our brains make when we chant, whether we believe in it or not.
Dave Stringer, a Grammy-nominated producer, musician, and songwriter, is widely recognized as a leading voice in the modern Yoga movement, including sound healing, mantra chanting, and nāda yoga. As both a captivating singer and profound public speaker, he merges the worlds of neuroscience, yoga philosophy, and art into a partici...
Travel Hacking for Chant Lovers FAQ: Fly Free to our Kaua'i or India Retreat!
Aloha!
You may or may not know that I'm a super nerdy travel hacking geek in addition to being a mantra nerd! My sister and I got smart about it earlier this year and we've gotten 1,000,000 bonus miles between us, just by spending what we normally would on our lives and businesses.
How to Travel Hack in 2025 (get 10X rewards per $1 consistently)
If you'd rather watch a video than read, here's me (with a sinus infection, sorry!) giving you the rundown on how to do it: How to Travel Hack ZOOM clip
Maybe you've got money flowing in abundance (yay you!) but if you're ...
Panchakarma in India: What to Expect for your Ayurveda Detox Treatments
I’ve done pancha karma in India several times over the past 15 years. In this post, I tell you a bit about what getting panchakarma in India is *actually* like, and how to prepare for your Ayurvedic treatments in India.
Since I've lived in India on and off since 1997, one of the questions I get from people who want to learn nada yoga and mantra with me -- who know have gotten several panchakarma Ayurveda treatments in India and countless Ayurvedic massages -- are:
"Where should I go for the best panchakarma in India?"
"What is panchakarma in India like"
"Do you have ...
Chanting for Peace in the Middle East: Can Sound Healing Help?
I attended a memorial for the victims of the October 7 Hamas attack last night, and it was REALLY good to be with community and feel the ripples of pain and prayers and hope for peace.
It’s easy to become numb and overwhelmed by the staggering numbers and each human being’s story is so… human. Shutting down is an evolutionary efficiency mechanism to enable us to survive, and I forgive myself that luxury sometimes.*
Right now I have friends, students, and friends of friends who died at Nova, who have fled Gaza, Northern Israel, and Lebanon, who are hopefully not getti...
Learn Wahe Guru, a Powerful Sikh Healing Mantra, with Punnu Wasu
I had the honor of sitting down with Punnu Wasu, an incredibly talented musician and spiritual teacher from Hyderabad, India. His journey through music, yoga, and mantra chanting has touched countless lives, and his insights provide a unique perspective on how these ancient practices can awaken peace and joy within ourselves.
Exploring the Healing Power of Mantras: an Interview with Punnu Wasu
Punu’s connection with music began at a very young age, learning Kirtan from his father at the age of five and later diving into Hindustani classical music. Throughout his life...
Healing Trauma with Resonance (Neuroscience made Simple!) with Sarah Peyton
Trauma can profoundly impact our brains, affecting our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Understanding this connection is crucial for healing. This blog post delves into the easy to understand science behind trauma and its effects on the brain, highlighting how experiences can shape our neural pathways and influence our mental health.
Learn how trauma affects brain development and emotional regulation, with neuroscience educator Sarah Peyton
By exploring concepts like resonance and self-compassion, we can learn to navigate our traumas and foster resilience. The post...
The Power of Sound Yoga Therapy, featured in Yoga Therapy Today
As a yoga therapist specializing in sound & mantra therapy, I'm honored to be featured in their Yoga Therapy Today journal, a trade publication for yoga therapists!
Since the magazine itself is only available if you are a C-IAYT yourself, or for purchase online, they've given me permission to share our interview with our Heart of Sound community.
Sound yoga therapy is so potent!
I got another gushing thank you from someone who told me mantra saved their life, just yesterday. I am inspired to keep doing this work so people FEEL the FULL POWER of sound and mantra in t...
The Science Behind Om Chanting with Dr. Hemant Bhargav, Chief Scientist at NIMHANS
Ever wonder happens in your brain when you're chanting OM?
Watch the video below! Chief Scientist for India's National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Dr. Hemant Bhargav, explores the fascinating intersection of ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience in his research on the effects of chanting Aum.
“What we observed was that when the subjects chanted Aum, there was a deactivation of the limbic system of the brain, particularly in the amygdala. We know that the amygdala is the primal area of the brain, which is associated with emotions like fear and the ...
