Peter's Podcast

In this episode, I parse the notion of equanimity in a world where we all experience emotion. Please join me and Wendy Newton at our day retreat Fresh Air Friday on July 7. Details here .  Thank you for supporting Peter's Podcast on Patreon . Namaste!

In this episode, Wendy and I are getting excited about you joining us for a day of yoga, meditation, and nature on the first Fridays of summer. Hosted by Ascend Center + Collective on Main Street in the Village of Cold Spring. Details and a link to each date are at https://linktr.ee/peterferko . Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon .  

In this episode, I indulge my love of music to share a mixed-genre playlist. The full songs are available at the links below or wherever you get music. The podcast episode includes my critiques/comments on the songs. This episode is also available on YouTube as a video . Check it out! Listen on Tidal . Tidal was created by Jay-Z and a dozen musicians as an alternative to other platforms to help mu...

In this episode, I speak with Katrina Repka. Katrina is an ISHTA Yogiraj (master) who has led classes, workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings in her home in London and beyond. She is the co-author with Alan Finger of Breathing Space: Twelve Lessons for the Modern Woman and Chakra Yoga: Balancing Energy for Physical, Spiritual, and Mental Well-being . You can take class with Katrina online at I...

We head to meditation class for the eponymous ISHTA practice: ISHTA Diksha. This practice, based on a kriya from Paramahansa Yogananda and refined by Alan Finger moves you efficiently into and out of  meditation. Diksha means "initiation" and refers to this practice as a bedrock practice at ISHTA Yoga. Have a listen to the intro, and join in the meditation if you like. You can join Peter for medit...

In this episode (which is also available on video at YouTube ), Stephen Mark and I discuss tantra and several other topics in preparation for my workshop this weekend. You can attend the workshop in person or online by going to ISHTAYoga.com. What Is Yoga and Why Do We Do It? A deep dive for practitioners and teachers. Sunday, April 2, 12:15–5:00 Online and in-person  info at ISHTAYoga.com Please...

In this episode, I talk to Wendy Newton about "sacred listening," a phrase she's using to describe how to learn more about how we relate to self and other. Check out Wendy's deep understanding of the Yoga Sutras and somatic energy work here and at her upcoming workshop at ISHTA Yoga . The workshops is a multi-part learning and practice experience offered in-person and online beginning Friday March...

In this episode, we go to meditation class. By the way, you can join my classes at ISHTA Yoga in person or online. I got a couple requests for a recording of this Sat Yam meditation from people who were there, so here is the whole practice for you. Enjoy! Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon . Namaste.

In this episode, Wendy Newton and I show up on video to discuss happiness, "santosha" and practice. We tackle the difference between wanting something and getting it, about accepting reality versus settling for something inadequate.  See what we look like on YouTube or check the audio only version here.  Please consider supporting Peter's Podcast on Patreon . You can take class with Wendy or Peter...

Wendy Newton and I discuss the Kleshas, or "obstacles" that challenge our practice, but make our life what it is! Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon . Take class, workshops or training with me (and Wendy!) at ISHTA Yoga , online or in person. Namaste.

In this episode, ISHTA teacher, actor, and software engineer Stephen Mark and I discuss "sankalpa," or intention, that aligns with your purpose. We touch on a lot of topics around the nature of goals, career hopes, and the unique attitude tantra yoga brings to the mix. Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon . You can see some episodes of Peter's Podcast on YouTube @peterspodcast . Join me for c...

Wendy and I discuss a quote from one of our early teachers, Mark Whitwell. It's about the relationship between our actual experience and all our thoughts about it. We also share thoughts about finding the right practice for yourself, and about the thing to keep in mind when marketing yoga. NEW: You can view this episode as a video: https://www.youtube.com/@peterspodcast You can catch Wendy's new c...

In this episode, we go to class at ISHTA Yoga for a New Year's meditation. Enjoy the talk at the beginning and stay for the granthi meditation practice. By the way, you can attend regular classes with me live or via Zoom at ISHTAYoga.com . Happy New Year!

In this episode, Stephen Mark and I discuss antar karana, or learning to sense inwardly. We recorded this just before I headed to Australia and Bali to teach, as the season in New York covers the last month before the winter solstice. We touch on how yoga relates to acting, as Stephen trained as an actor, and on how work and other activities and relationships benefit from yoga practice. Please sup...

Wendy Newton and I compare thoughts on meditation, including mindfulness practice and yoga meditation. We touch on neuroscience, religion, samadhi, and more! This podcast episode is also a video on YouTube. Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon . 

It's a new media world (again) and Peter's Podcast is going video! Episodes will still appear here as podcasts, but if you want to see what Wendy Newton and I look like when we're talking, you have that option, too! Watch Peter's Podcast on Youtube . In this episode, we elaborate on the practice of the Yamas and Niyamas described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Drawing on Tantra of the Yoga Sutras by...

Today I talk about mantra with delightful yogi/actor/tech pro Stephen Mark. We talk about how mantras work, how to use them, and how they fit into a yoga practice. During the episode, I mention an ecologist. His name is David Abram and I heard him here: https://emergencemagazine.org/interview/the-ecology-of-perception/ I also mention a book by a neuroscientist. You can find out more about Dr. Mona...

Yoga asks us to trust its philosophy enough to practice. Then practice provides its own understanding. Join meditation class at ISHTA for this podcast episode. Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon . Check out class at ISHTA . Got a gamer in the family? Turn them on to FITGMR .

I talk with Wendy Newton about the Yoga Sutras guidance for maintaining equilibrium in all our relationships. Whether it's your personal challenges or jealousy, or your anger with the Supreme Court, it's possible to gain perspective that lets you move gracefully through challenges toward your best actions. Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.

Today we head to meditation class. There I share some guidance on staying calm through the kinds of upheavals we're facing in the news these days.  Listen to the talk, from my Saturday morning class at ISHTA Yoga, and join in the short meditation when you have the time. Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon , and join me in person at ISHTA in Manhattan. Gamers can join me on the FITGMR app. Pe...

Today, I talk about the granthis — the cycles of nature that keep us moving through life. Recognizing them is the first step to being able to gracefully move through life. Thanks for listening! Please rate the podcast, and support Peter's Podcast on Patreon.com Check out classes, workshops, and trainings at ISHTA Yoga Got a video gamer in the house? Check out FITGMR , where we teach gamers wellnes...

In this episode, Wendy Newton describes the training she's teaching on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali starting May 3. It's for teachers and interested students and yogis. Details are at ishtayoga.com Wendy is happy to take questions via email as well. Write her here . You can find Peter in person again at ISHTA Yoga in Manhattan, and find classes online at ishtayoga.com Peter is helping gamers incre...

I talk about our response to the war in Ukraine, and about what ayurveda has to do with our responses. I am Ukrainian on my mother's side and Slovak on my fathers. It's tempting to see this current situation as a that-could-be-us situation, but it's important to remember that our world is full of war, terror, and refugees, all of whom are suffering in similar ways, but who receive a variety of wel...

Guess what? We're live and in person this week. Plus an online Gita workshop!

From my hibernation cave, some thoughts about finding our bliss! Please support Peter's Podcast on Patreon . Namaste