The Yoga Hour

Radical Hope Through Literacy of the Heart

The times we live in require us to develop a literacy of the heart—a deeper quality of listening, discerning, and connecting heart to heart and soul to soul. Literature itself, both poetry and prose, plays a timeless role in awakening our hearts to deeper truths we may otherwise miss. Khaled Hosseini, physician and author of the best-selling novels The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and The Mountains Echoed, joins Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian for a conversation about how reading, writing, and listening can bring forth profound questions, surprising graces, and the palpable presence of radical hope. 

Building Harmony: The Role of Interspirituality

How does interspiritual study and connection help us bring forth the harmony that is needed so badly today in our lives and in our world? What contribution might the practice of yoga make to this emerging interspiritual paradigm? Rami Shapiro, editor of the new World Wisdom Bible, joins regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo in a discussion about how the wisdom at the core of all faith traditions help us to recognize our essential oneness, and to move toward solutions that honor this truth. Tune in and be inspired!

Writing As a Tool for Spiritual Transformation

Can writing support us in discovering the deep connection to our authentic self? Since self-realization is the revelation of our authentic self—that which we already are—how can we unburden ourselves of pointless baggage on this journey of spiritual awakening? Mark Matousek is an award-winning author, teacher, mentor, and speaker whose work is devoted to self-inquiry and the transformational power of writing. Join Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian and Mark Matousek as they reflect on the path of transformational writing as a tool for spiritual liberation. Tune in and find out how this powerful tool can work in your life.

Speaking Truth: The Healing Power of Poetry

Poetry speaks truth, and speaking truth heals. Whether we write poetry for ourselves or to share with others, the process of creating poetry allows us to examine and express our own unique life. We can see who we are more clearly and bring meaning to all of our experiences: our joy, our sorrow, our fears, and our hopes. John Fox, author of Poetic Medicine: The Healing Art of Poem-Making, joins Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian for an exploration of poetry writing as a way to heal body, mind, and spirit.  Tune in and explore the power, beauty, and healing potential of poetry.

Quicken Your Spiritual Awakening!

Is it possible to quicken our spiritual awakening? What practices can help us to progress along our spiritual path? Ever since human beings began to use mental abilities thousands of years ago, their innate urge to be spiritually awake impelled them to want to know their relationship with the Infinite. Join Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian and her guru Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and internationally known spiritual teacher and author, as they discuss practices and actions that will support us in becoming spiritually awake more quickly. Tune in and find out how!

The Power of the Word: Gifts of Writing and Contemplation

One of the ways to stay spiritually centered is to contemplate inspirational writing that connects us to what is true, what is most important, and uplifting. Throughout the ages, poetry and other forms of literature have offered insight, solace, and a challenge to live a spiritually conscious life. Join writers and poets Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian and Parthenia Hicks as they discuss how the study of spiritual writing helps us to connect to our highest goals and aspirations. Tune in and find out how!

Contemplative Life and Compassionate Service

In this time of upheaval and change in the world, how do the lives and writings of the mystics offer us a way for healing and unity? Join Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian and author and spiritual teacher Mirabai Starr as they share poetry, insights, and experiences that connect the contemplative life with a life of compassionate engagement. Learn what the mystics can teach us about being the light of love in the world.    

Glimpse the Face of the Beloved

How can we move from the everyday world to the timeless experience of divine union? Mystical poetry can build a bridge from ordinary life to the eternal presence of love at the heart of the universe, from our inner life to the realization of a life beyond our own. Regular guest host Dr. Laurel Trujillo is joined by Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian, founder and host of the Yoga Hour, and author of a new book of poetry, The Moon Reminded Me, for a conversation about poetry, healing, and mysticism. Experience how poetry can open a portal that allows us to glimpse the face of the Beloved for which our hearts yearn. 

Create a Life of Purpose

We all have a deep, soul calling to live a life that has meaning and purpose. How do we discern that call and respond to it? How can we overcome fears and obstacles to realizing our purpose in life? Join Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian in a conversation with her special guest Rod Stryker, a longtime teacher of yoga philosophy and the author of The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity, and Freedom.  Find out how, by connecting with our dharma, we can live by the power of the soul, in alignment with the power of the universe. 

Yoga’s Path to Living With Higher Purpose

What does it mean to live in the highest way? How can the practices of yoga help us to live in harmony with our own self as well as others? Join Yogacharya O’Brian and her special guest Edwin Bryant, author of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: A New Edition, Translation and Commentary as they discuss how insights and practices from the Yoga Sutras can help us live our higher purpose. It is not difficult to live a spiritually conscious, fulfilled life in today’s complex world. Tune in and find out how!