The Shakti School Blog
Welcome to the Shakti School blog where we offer you direct access to resources and wisdom that support you in being a balanced, juicy, happy, successful lover in the world.
The BEST Summer Herb
Amalaki (aka Indian Gooseberry, aka Amla) is COOLING. It’s great for pitta tendency people like me who get overly heated (think menstrual related acne, or loose stool), especially this time of year. It’s one of the fruits in ayurveda’s digestive formula Triphala. It’s english name is Indian Gooseberry. But it’s also a potent external medicine for hair […]...
Sattvic Goodness Bowl
Dreaming of bowls packed full of Sattvic goodness. Sometimes all you need is a bowl of steamed veggies! ⠀ ⠀ Steamed carrots and spinach on top of quinoa spiced with mustard seed, fennel, and turmeric. Hidden below is an Avocado dressing! ⠀ ⠀ Avocado Dressing:⠀ 1/2 avocado⠀ 1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar ⠀ 1 clove […]...
Instant Pot Kitchari
Kitchari is good for all doshic types and can be tailored to the seasons with seasonal-appropriate spices and veggies. Basmati rice and mung dal are sweet, cooling and easy on the digestion. It is a complete food, said to nourish the tissues, boost strength and increase our vitality. Kitchari is also the preferred food we […]...
What is Enlightenment?
There is a lot of talk about Enlightenment in the yoga & meditation milieu. If you haven’t experience enlightenment or a ‘spiritual awakening’, you may think of it as some disembodied state, or something too mythical, an unavailable state for us mere householders. While popular discourse makes it seem like enlightened individuals have something others […]...
3 Steps Toward Divine Feminine Ayurveda
Feminine form Ayurveda is the true Ayurveda of ancient India. You might wonder—what does it mean for something to be the true Ayurveda? There are two answers to that question....
Let’s Talk About Sex
I am so happy that as a society we’re talking about sexuality. Sexual assault, sexual harassment, weird-awkward-aggressive-sex-we-fled-from, etc. Yes, these are all convos about sex, our society’s relationship with it + with power and the dysfunctional social behaviors that manifest from that disintegrated relationship our society has with human sexuality. ⠀ Let’s rewind: Ayurveda teaches […]...
Who Am I?
Two big questions that most human beings will ponder at some point in their lives: “Who am I?” and “How can I get more of what I want in my life?” One of the things I love about the Tantric yoga tradition is its systematic approach to answering both of these inquiries. The Taittiriya Upanishad, […]...
Womb Wellness
It’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. Cervical cancer, although treatable, is the 3rd leading cause of death of women worldwide. Ayurveda has a lot to offer in terms of prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. I want to start with the emotional and energetics first… The womb area is our feminine heart. It is the seat […]...
Vitality Like A Goddess
The first days of January are associated with the Nativity of Inanna 𓆃 Pagan Goddess of Sumer (later she appears as Ishtar in Babylon & Asherah in the Levant) Inanna is a goddess of love, beauty, fertility and war. Graced with a stream of lovers, including the ill-fated Dumuzi, she is cognate to Venus. The […]...
Self-Love? How About We Start With SELF-LIKE
The biggest epidemic we face right now is the sickness of our lack of loving ourselves. I hear about it all the time in my line of work. And as I read the millionth blog post about self-love, I take pause. I think a much better place to start is self-like....
The Four Glorious Goals of Life
When our digestion is good, our sleep is deep and our emotions and sexuality are being channeled properly, we have more energy to engage in our passions and pursuits in life—in Ayurveda, our foremost pursuits are known as the four goals of life....
Sister Sciences in the Vedic Tradition
Ayurveda is a complex and ancient system of well-being, and just as Western medicine is based on biology and other sciences that can take a lifetime to understand, Ayurveda has many foundational concepts and tenets that you can explore and deepen your understanding of for years and years....
Silence Envelopes the Voices of Insecurity
Our culture supports individual effort and perfection. In fact, I recently read about an experiment done on two groups of people, one from the United States, and another group from Japan. Each group was shown an image that included an individual scuba diver sinking into an ocean full of fish and other marine life....
You Are So Much More Than You Know
Two big questions that most human beings will ponder at some point in their lives: “Who am I?” and “How can I get more of what I want in my life?” Some of us may even ask ask them on a daily basis. One of the things I love about the Tantric yoga tradition is its systematic approach to answering both of these inquiries....
Fire and Nectar: Creating Balance the Tantric Way
Being a yogini means you can KNOW and to DISCERN when you need to be a wild African trance dancer. And when you need to sit in the silence of the present moment....
How to Get Sexy Skin and Feel Like a Goddess
Ayurveda says that self-massage is essential for radiant health and youthful glow. Why?...
Eat Well
That you are what you eat may be standard wisdom, but according to Ayurvedic tradition, the state of your mind, emotions, and your environment while you eat also has direct impact on the way you feel. These teachings (as well as modern scientific nutrition studies), show us that eating in the right way can reduce stress and promote calm....
Sex and the Three Doshas
We are all a composite of all three doshas. There are times when you may feel like making love like a bunny (vata style) or lounging about like a tigress (kapha style). Remember, you have all of nature’s gifts at your disposal, so don’t put yourself in a sexual doshic box. That said, we do […]...
How to Stay Warm, Wet and Loved Up Like a Tigress This Fall
My new plant-crush is on an herb called Kapikacchu. Its a natural source of levadopa (L-dopa) which is an essential precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine. And um, can you say “in the mood?”...
Meditation for Building and Healing Sexual Energy
You can do this meditation sitting down, but I find it helpful to lie down with some support under my spine, such as a folded blanket or a bolster. Try working with this practice for at least 40 days, for 15-45 minutes daily. ...
Healthy Happy Sexy Bonus
Resources from the book Healthy, Happy, Sexy: Ayurvedic Wisdom for Modern Women...
People and Their Deepest Darkest Secrets
I get the honor of meeting with people in private sessions where they reveal to me their deepest, darkest secrets. Here is what most people are so afraid to admit. Its also what ALOT OF US SHARE. Ready?...
Why Other People’s Baby, Engagement Ring, Kick-Ass Job, and Even Deepak Chopra Have Nothing to Do With You
The other day I posted a heart-felt sentiment on Facebook. I think, in the history of my Face-Life, I have never gotten so many “likes.” My friend and student, Martine, encouraged me to write it up as a longer blog post. The comment: I think it spoke to what many of us feel whilst scanning the Facebook “I’m […]...
Ojas: The Power That Sustains Us
Ojas (OH-JUS) is one of the three subtle forces in our body. Think of ojas as the container that holds your abundant energy. It is the ultimate energy reserve of the body and mind. It is the purest essence of Kapha, and physically, it is related to reproductive, hormonal, and cerebrospinal fluids. I love the metaphor of ojas as […]...
Kick off the New Year with Delicious Self-Care – The Ayurvedic Daily Ritual
Alright ladies and gentlemen, it’s the New Year. We are all a-buzz with that excitement of new vistas and catalytic potentialities. And, wanna’ know the best way to super-charge your dreams? Start taking care of your body. Your mind will thank you. Here is my basic Daily Ritual, pulled straight from my soon-to-be-published book on […]...
Deep Listening – Balancing Your Weight With Ancient Ayurveda
The single most common complaint I hear from my students and clients? I don’t feel at home in my body. I want to offer you some simple Ayurveda-inspired, no-more-band-aid tips that will help you feel at home in your body again. And these techniques aren’t about imposing hard and fast rules – they are about […]...
Curb Unhealthy Cravings
When I feel the chill of winter near, I start to dream of warm, foamy chocolate; hot toddies; and long, luscious sleep. And this is a good thing. Naturally, the fall and early winter season season beg for more heaviness and warmth in both the foods we eat and in our lifestyle routines. The downside […]...
Golden Yogini Milk = Guardian-Angel Medicine
Ancient plant-medicine traditions encouraged students to meditate on, and with, the plants that made up herbal medicines. In this way, the student could identify her “spirit plant,” or “plant ally.” Think of your plant ally as a Guardian Plant Angel. I’ve got one – and her name is Turmeric. I positively adore this plant (my close friends know […]...
Dr. Claudia on Using Love, Focus, and a Morning Practice To Re-pattern Our Energy
I am so delighted to share this love note and contribution to the Healthy, Happy, Sexy bonuses from Dr. Claudia Welch, my all-time fave Ayurveda Trailblazer. Dear Katie, I hope this finds you well, and send my congratulations on your book, and best wishes for your endeavors. May your work inspire many to good changes and […]...
10 Ways to Improve Your Sleep and Love Life Immediately
Whether you suffer from insomnia or sleep like a log, the ancient teachings of the Vedas tell us that the way we set up our bedroom can have a powerful impact on the depth and quality of our sleep. It can also boost the sensuality-factor for deeper connection with our loved one. Vastu shastra (literally the ”science of construction […]...
Sharon Gannon Writes a Special Essay for Shakti School!
Jivamukti Yoga founder, Sharon Gannon, wrote a special essay for my book, Heathy, Happy, Sexy. It didn’t make the final edit, but it was so beautiful, I wanted to include it here in our blog. Enjoy! Ayurveda and Yoga by Sharon Gannon My first experience with ayurvedic healing happened in the early nineties. I am in […]...
How Real Deal Christians Schooled This Yogini on Love and Forgiveness
Yoga-mat-carrying-chics could learn something from bible-carrying chics. I should know. I got schooled by some sassy, suit-wearing lady-preachers this past year when I moved back down south to Virginia, land of the notorious Bible Belt. A few months back I had a big ole’ fat case of the poor-me’s. A mind gremlin had actually wrapped her […]...
The Real Fountain of Youth – Oil Your Machine
Despite the ancient Charaka’s beautiful promise of trimmed, strong, charming bodies, the western woman seems intent on buffing, exfoliating and dermabrasioning oil from her skin. As I work with women, I keep pleading with them, “Please mama, oil your body,” and yet it seems like one of the hardest premises to integrate into the daily routine. […]...
Ayurveda Can Change Your Life – Ten Things You May Not Know About Yoga’s Sister
The yoga world has a lesser-known sister and her name is Ayurveda. For thousands of years, yoga and Ayurveda were seen as necessary compliments to one another. But somewhere along the way, we fell in love with yoga and yet forgot about Ayurveda. And although some famous mamas like Madonna, Christy Turlington, and the Grand Priestess of […]...
Recipe for Getting More Core Vitality
Here’s my go-to list for getting more core vitality – essential for being healthier, happier, and a whole lot sexier! Go organic: Eat foods that are seasonally-aligned, organic and when possible, local. Cleanse and purify, then rebuild and renew: If you are full of toxic gunk from over-indulging in meat, sugar, drugs, alcohol or processed/fried foods, don’t […]...
A Morning Ayurvedic Routine for Lasting Change
It’s so easy to get excited about a new lifestyle change at the beginning of the year. But once February hits, that bright fire of desire may start to burn out, leaving our new life goals a bit cold. Ayurveda understands this, and encourages us to work slowly and consistently with our life changes. Its […]...
Fierce Mother Goddess of Love
Thank you sweet Sianna, for your contribution to The Shakti School and Healthy Happy Sexy – Here is Sianna Sherman’s take on the mythic story of Durga – Fierce Mother Goddess of Love The Story of Durga Once upon a time long ago, and not so long ago, because its happening right now, there […]...
Sleep Like A Baby
“There are three supports (pillars) of life. They are food, sleep and observances of bramacharya. Being supported by these, the body is endowed with strength, complexion and growth, and this continues up [until] the full span of life, provided that the person does not indulge in regimens detrimental to health.” Charaka Samhita This Ayurvedic quote […]...
How to Fall in Love Yogi Style
If you have ever been in love, you know that there is an incredible amount of power, or shakti, behind falling into the wild rapture of delighting in someone else. There is so much power in the experience of love, in fact, that we have created a whole culture and consumer landscape around trying to get […]...