Peter's Podcast

Today is a new discussion of a project of mine from 2016, the novel I authored called "Incarnation." It's the tale of a group of people whose lives helped me explore a philosophical question: Does it matter what we choose? I revisited the project because it peeked out recently and I realized it might help me solve another writing problem I've been working with.  I hope you enjoy my musings. If you...

We are in need of each other's gifts as we face life's challenges. Yoga provides a system for both resetting, so that we are able to function effectively; and a way to tap into the inspiration that lets us know what to do. In this episode, I talk about the importance of doing that thing that our inspiration leads us towards. This episode also appears with video on YouTube.com/@peterspodcast. You c...

In this episode, Ayurvedic Practitioner Naomi Edwards of Hillabrant Holistics shares ayurvedic tools to help with stability through the current transitions in the geopolitics and in the seasonal change from vata to kapha .  You can see the foot massage video Naomi mentions on Instagram here ,  or on Facebook here . Also, Naomi is offering my listeners a 15% discount on her product line, by using t...

Happy International Women's Day every day!

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 Pe...

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 Pet...

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 . Than...

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 th...

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 P...

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 compu...

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 referenc...

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....

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 Pete...

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 f...

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 r...

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://...

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. Whethe...

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...

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 m...

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 discusse...