Peter's Podcast

Wendy and I keep an eye on current events through the lens of the Yoga Sutras. Using the Four Keys, sutra 1.33 and the Yamas and Niyamas from the second pada/chapter, we talk about the opportunity for practice vs. the inclination to judge others for their shortcomings and bad actions.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon!

Namaste

Peter and Wendy touch on the practice of yama and niyama in light of this week's news revelations and the onslaught of challenges.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.

You can take classes and training with Peter and Wendy at ISHTA Yoga.

Namaste

New Year’s Day is often considered a time for resolving, correcting, directing, redoubling. What if instead, it was a day of still point — a moment when the last year is over, and we can let go of those efforts, those judgements, those conceptions? And pause. And breathe.

Peter talks with Wendy Newton about their New Years Day class at ISHTA Yoga. Join in person or on line here.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.

Happy New Year!

In this episode, Wendy Newton and I talk about the value of unconditional love, including what it is, what it isn't and how to practice and experience it.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.

Peter & Wendy will be workshopping these ideas at a daylong retreat in Sedona Arizona this February. Stay tuned for more details or see linktr.ee/peterferko. 

You can take classes or training with Peter or Wendy at ISHTA Yoga (in person or on line).

Today's practice is a potent kriya yoga meditation that has come down through the lineage of Paramahansa Yogananda. At ISHTA Yoga we call it the diksha, or initiate practice that sets you on the way to experiencing why yogis meditate.

Enjoy the intro talk, or settle in for a meditation practice — and practice is what yoga is all about. 

Namaste!

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.com. Thank you!

You can take class or train in-person or online with Peter at ISHTAYoga.com

Some yogis say yoga isn't about yoking the body to anything. Wendy and I discuss, and explore why we think the body is an important part of yoga.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon, linked here.

You can take classes and training with Peter and Wendy online and in person at ISHTAyoga.com

Namaste

In today's episode, join us for our morning discussion of yoga. We discuss Shiva-Shakti, the conceptual underpinnings of Nature and its expression as our experience. Coming into resonance with either one or both is a way to grow in understanding and appreciation of this wondrous up-and-down life we work and play in.

Please support Peter's Podcast at patron.com/peterspodcast. It's how I support the activities of this pod.

You can take classes and trainings live or online with Peter and Wendy at ishtayoga.com.

Namaste!

Today's episode answers the question, "In our contentious times, should a yogi be somehow above it all?" I received a comment that my discussion of politics in social media was disappointing. I respond with some thoughts based on the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, and my own contemplation of the issue. I tried to make it general and not defensive. I hope you find it helpful.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.

You can take classes and training with Peter at ISHTA Yoga.

Namaste

A discussion and meditation using the elemental model Tantra Yoga uses to describe experience. Explaining experience as an interaction of  earth, water, fire, air, and space allows us to adjust our energy quickly — we can see the elements at work in life, rather than having to analyze everything as having unique qualities. As a meditation tool, we can reset ourselves, much like rebooting our computer, to have the natural ability to change perspective from transcendent to engaging with our manifest world. 

Enjoy the intro talk or stay for the whole meditation.

Namaste

Please supp...

In today's episode, Wendy Newton and I talk about the playbook the administration is using to promote falsehoods. We then discuss the ways we can both stay concerned and stay healthy. 

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.com. It's easy to send me a small token if you find these offerings valuable. 🙏🏻

Catch Peter and Wendy live or online at ISHTA Yoga.

Namaste!

p.s. regarding our reference to Three Dog Night's version of the lyrics to Dave Mason's song "Feelin' Alright": I gotta stop believin' in all your lies / 'Cause there's...

Wendy Newton and I discuss a description of the "play of life" that yoga describes. By cultivating the right attitude, through practice, we can have a deep appreciation for whatever happens, whether your mind wants to call it happy or painful. We base our discussion on a quote from Tantra Illuminated, by Christopher Wallis. This episode of Peter's Podcast is also available as a video on YouTube. Check it out!

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon, and thank you to those who already do!

Find Peter in person or streaming at ISHTA Yoga.

...

A talk and meditation practice to help bring radiance into your own life and that of others.

Join Peter live or online at ISHTA Yoga.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon. Thank you to those of you who do already!

Namaste

Today we talk about real yoga, actual happiness, and deep living! I share a meditation practice that distinguishes the Nature/Goddess force and Consciousness to provide a perspective on life that helps us live in balance while life has its ups and downs. 

Enjoy the talk alone, or join in for the meditation practice that includes asana, mantra, and a 20-minute period of silence.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon. It's an important part of keeping the teachings alive. Thank you to everyone who already supports the podcast!

Join the ISHTA Yoga community b...

Come by ISHTA Yoga with me today for a talk about the chakras, plus a meditation using the "chakra bhedana," kriya practice.

If you have a chance this Memorial Day week, join me, Wendy Newton, and Mona Anand in the Hamptons on Long Island for a retreat that looks at how to deepen your practice. Day rates available. Info at retreats2025@ishtayoga.com

Profound thanks to members of the military who fought and gave their lives to protect American freedom on this Memorial Day.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.

Namaste 🕉

Today's episode takes us to ISHTA meditation class for a talk about how Tantra offers us not just an escape, but a way to bring our wisdom into life to help both ourselves and the world. Listen to the talk, or stay on for the meditation practice, too. 

Please come to our retreat! Calling on Your Practice Now:A Hamptons retreat with Mona Anand, Wendy Newton, and me. May 27-30. Come for the whole retreat or come out for a day. Details via the link above.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon. And thank you f...

In today's episode, Wendy Newton, Mona Anand, and I discuss why we're hosting a retreat in the Hamptons May 27-30. We talk about the value of sangha — intentional spiritual community, the power of satsang — speaking about our highest truths, and the importance of fun and wonder when we're facing challenge. Join us for this conversation here, and then join us at the retreat! Details are at https://ishtayoga.com/retreats/hamptonsretreatmay2025 .

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon. Thank you for your support, and thank you for listening!

Mona Anand, a co-owner of ISHTA Yoga, and I took teacher training together, but we both intended it to help us learn more about yoga. We both think of teacher training as training to be a yogi — to understand more deeply what it means to have and draw on this powerful practice. 

In today's episode, we discuss training in general, and highlight aspects of upcoming 200 and 300 hour trainings. Whether you have no intention to ever teach yoga, or already took teacher training, I hope you will find our observations interesting and useful.

Details of ISHTA tra...

Thoughts about our chaotic time, and how the philosophical symbol of the "granthis," or knots can help us move from fear and anger toward clarity and perspective.

I mention the ISHTA Meditation Training that will be led by Alan Finger, Sarah Finger, and myself March 25-28.

I mention a book on better communications between liberals and conservatives: Bridging Our Political Divide, by Kenneth Barish.

I also want to recommend Life After Doom, by Brian McLaren, whom I interviewed in a recent podcast.

Today's episode is a meditation that begins with a talk about an aspect of sattva, the balanced action that is difficult to grasp in a world of constant motion. I share some ideas from quantum physics and from author Byron Katie to serve as analogs to what are doing we when we're not so wrapped up in our stories.

You can join Peter in person or online for classes at ISHTA Yoga. You can find out more of what Peter's doing at linktr.ee

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.

Namaste🙏🏻

In today's episode, we go to ISHTA Yoga for meditation class. The meditation is based around three mudras and taps into what Tantra yoga calls dahar akasha, or the cave of the heart wherein Universal Consciousness abides as our whole Self.

You can take class in person or online with Peter at ISHTA Yoga. 

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.com.

Namaste🙏🏻

In this episode, I talk with Brian McLaren, an old friend and well-respected spiritual voice about his new book, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart. I was so moved by his book that I asked Brian to discuss it for listeners of Peter's Podcast. The book doesn't focus on gloom and doom, though Brian provides a clear context of where we stand as a planet. Rather, it discusses how we can respond and adapt given the likelihood that our lives will be affected by climate change scenarios ranging from significant changes in the way...

In this episode, Wendy and I talk about the Four Keys and the Yamas/Niyamas, two oft-quoted and oft-misunderstood parts of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which Wendy worked on with Alan Finger to create a Tantric interpretation. These will be the topics of our retreat to Key Largo this February. 

More info about the retreat is at peterferko.com/retreat/ You can get more info by writing me at peterspodcast108@gmail.com.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon! Thank you!

Namaste.

Best wishes to you and your family. Some thoughts on Indigenous Peoples' Day and Thanksgiving.

I'm grateful for the chance to talk with you about real yoga, actual happiness, and deep living. Wendy and I are planning a retreat in the Florida Keys in February. Keep posted for more details.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon! Thank you

Namaste!

I share some thoughts for those with feelings of having lost the election.

I refer to the book Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy by Georg Feuerstein.

More on the Stages of Grief at https://www.healthline.com/health/stages-of-grief

Namaste.

Today's podcast is a yoga nidra practice, which is a meditation done lying down. Yoga nidra is very helpful at helping you relax or fall asleep. The meditation is about 20 minutes long and can be done on a yoga mat, on a couch or in bed. If you need to get up after the practice, you might want to set an alarm so you don't fall asleep for too long!

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.

You can find out more about Peter on linktr.ee/peterferko

Namaste!

In this episode, I chat a bit about how the Bhagavad Gita, which I consider a kind of human being instruction manual, gives guidance about the qualities of someone who is more "divine" vs. someone more "demonic." Since our political situation has become one where the opposite sides are so at odds, I thought Chapter 16 of the Gita could provide a little insight. And make your plan to vote this November!

If you have an interest in the Gita, I would recommend starting with the translation and commentary by Eknath Easwaren.

I'm teaching two workshops...

Tantra Philosophy gave us a definition of reality that considers everything as a path to learning that we are just right as we are, that there is nothing better. Today's pod is a meditation class. Listen to the intro or join in the meditation practice!

You can take class with Peter at ISHTA Yoga in person or online. 

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.

Namaste!

Barack Obama has his music list; I have mine. Here are 21 songs that have been in heavy rotation this past Spring and summer. Hope you find something to enjoy. If you'd like to listen to the full songs, you can find the playlists on Tidal and on Spotify.

Namaste!

Join Wendy Newton for a preview of her course on the Yoga Sutras. Next up Vibhutti Pada. This fascinating part of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali describes what comes from your practice, or to use one translation: the gifts of yoga!

Course details at ISHTA Yoga

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon! Thank you.

I discuss yoga training, lineage, and sound healing and meditation with teacher Lindsay Monal. 

Lindsay Monal is an ISHTA Yoga Graduate, Reiki Master, and Sound Meditation Facilitator. She regularly offers classes and teacher trainings in North Jersey and New York City, and hosts international yoga and meditation retreats a few times each year. Lindsay has spoken at the United Nations, performed sound at Harvard University, and led immersive wellness experiences for Google, Audible, and Athleta,. 

You can find out more about Lindsay's work on Instagram or on her website, smilingsavasana.com

Online Trainings & In...

Sometimes we get fancy with meditation techniques, but today we keep it simple with a practice of breath awareness. Give a listen, and then take the practice for a spin when you feel the need to shift gears, calm down, or get focused before doing something important.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.

Namaste!

A quick thought on pausing the news cycle for our own mental well-being...

In today's episode, you can join Peter at ISHTA Yoga for an introductory talk about mantra, or stay tuned for the full meditation practice. 

You can join Peter in person or online at ISHTA Yoga.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon!

Namaste

In today's episode, Wendy Newton and I trade ideas for overcoming overwhelm!

See this episode on video on YouTube/@peterspodcast. You can take classes, workshops and trainings with Peter and Wendy. See https://linktr.ee/peterferko for links to ISHTA Yoga and other events.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon. Thank you!

Namaste.

ISHTA Yogiraj Wendy Newton talks about her upcoming course and shares some insights on the Yoga Sutras.

More info on the course at ISHTAYoga.com

Namaste!

I share a few tips on how to approach asana, and how to do a powerful, simple vinyasa: the Sun Breath.

This episode of Peter's Podcast is also a video. Check it out on YouTube/@peterspodcast

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon. Thank you!

Namaste

Today we head to meditation class for Shakti Chalani, a beautiful practice that traditionally uses the image of a snake to represent kundalini shakti — the movement from the earthbound to the transcendent perspective. Alan Finger taught us a form of this alternative, which uses a sprouting flower. I think it's a perfect image for Spring.

Enjoy the 10-minute introductory dharma talk and the meditation, too, when you have a chance. 

You can join me live, in person or online, at ISHTA Yoga.

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.com

Namaste, and hap...

Join me in class for a meditation on the cycles of life.

We're off to class for a talk and a meditation on the granthis, with a nod to Tay Tay.

Wendy and I share some insights from our New Year's special class on drishti and perspective.

I mention a podcast episode and quote Dr. Mark Leary. The podcast is Finding Mastery 12/27/2023 .

Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon. Thank you!

You can take class and workshops with Peter. Find the full list of links here.

You can find Wendy at ISHTA Yoga and Ascend Center in Cold Spring.