Hello Andrea, it’s been such an honor and enjoyed the process of working with you on my book.

Hi Prithi. It’s been a massive privilege for me to support you with writing and editing your book – Love Letters to my Guru – BKS Iyengar. You had a unique relationship with him and he provided so much solidity for you as a benevolent, wise Grandfather figure. BKS is obviously a highly evolved being who is revered in the yogic world and by Indians. You are weaving a rich story that many yogis and yoginis will appreciate.

We have met in many wonderful locations to be inspired by and dive into your writing project: the Four Seasons in Dubai, cafes in the back streets of Pune, and pizza joints in London! It’s been fortuitous to have our paths cross in these cities.

And as you know writing is a demanding journey where we discover much value about ourselves. While writing can be pleasurable, especially the initial creative outpour, it’s a craft that demands time and discipline. We have had plenty of laughs and a few tears on this writing path.

Could you tell me about your book and the process of writing for other writers?

I’m into the final three chapters of my best book yet: Faded to Fabulosity – Nine Days to Dance into your Delight. It’s designed to ask the key questions and reveal your innate joy and delight, that has been with you always. Some call it our true nature. That natural delight has been here all the time but shrouded by the layers of wounding or confusion. That wounding includes the trauma, depression, cynicism, and entitlement we innocently gather on our human journey. It’s for people who are serious about connecting to their delight and enjoy diving deep into their inner treasure trove of beauty and wisdom.

Writing this book has been a radically different experience from writing my other books. Through the hard lessons of attempting to write two books on my own, with no other experience except for writing my Transpersonal Psychology Masters thesis, I’ve discovered three things that are essential for my success: Space/time, Support, and Structure – more about those later.

One of my psychotherapy clients recently dropped a wisdom bomb on me. He said, “My Dad always told me, ‘Curiosity is a form of worship.’ “ Yay! I love this permission… often I think bright and curious women of my generation and earlier, were labeled with ‘being nosey, too big for their boots, beyond their station…and the classic, who the f**k do you think you are?’ Writing is a brilliant way of directing our curiosity and broadening our lens on ourselves and our connection to this life and being surprised along the way.

-It’s been a journey for me, at times fulfilling and others frustrating. I thought I had completed it, but I have now chosen to extend it.

My biggest pieces of advice are:

Spacetime: Take your time. Yes Prithi, writing is frustrating and difficult and at the same time full of growth and learning. Have a completion date but give the process the time it deserves.
Structure: Do your best to have a plan. Have your chapter themes, headings and sub-headings mapped out beforehand. Have a road map that tracks an overview. Know where you are going…even if you change direction halfway through have a plan.
Support, support, support: Find support from someone who has solid experience as a writer and a publisher. Have a team of beautiful fellow writers. It took me years to find a group that both nurtured and challenged my writing process. I tried many! Drunken gatherings of Dubai ex-pat writers, chilled back-yard gatherings of therapist colleagues, expensive writing workshops in Taos with Natalie Goldberg, and another in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey County. I also worked with several expensive consultants, who supported me with editing. All of these had their contribution but I have found working with Jo Parfitt the most helpful. I joined one of Jo’s writing groups and by delightful synchronicity we four participants clicked. Under her no-nonsense and informed teaching (she has her own publishing company), we have each made impressive progress on our manuscripts. Our group agreed to meet fortnightly to read each other’s chapters and provide feedback. That process of accountability to my writing teammates has been essential for keeping me on track. It also takes the loneliness out of what can be an isolated activity. We meet monthly with Jo to undertake the initial research and planning around our books and write the first three chapters. We have now employed her to continue working with us to guide us through to the completion of our books. www.joparfitt.com

What advice would you give to first-time writers?

I found Natalie Goldberg’s books and workshops really helpful to overcome the fear of just writing. Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way was powerful for opening me to my creativity. We all have creativity, it’s in our veins but we lose touch with it, often through our repressive educations.

Writing is a bit like learning astrology. I think it involves a lifetime of learning and expanding. Unless you were lucky enough to train in journalism it’s worth getting some great nuts and bolts tutoring, like learning about grammar. It’s not something that was taught well in New Zealand state schools!

It’s also helpful to remember why you are doing this particular writing project. What is your passion? Who will you serve by writing this book or article? What do you love about writers? When did you first fall in love with words? Where is your most favorite place in the world to sit and write? Is there a writers conference you can attend or a writing group you can join?

-I know you do many other dimensions of cathartic and expressive work. If you could tell me about that.

I work a lot with people who have experienced trauma. I sometimes have my clients paint full, life-size pictures of themselves to begin naming the trauma and how they hold it in their body cellularly and in their body image. I offer a six-part workshop called Rebonding of the Body that uses this spontaneous painting experience along with movement and meditation for healing and transformation of trauma. In my upcoming book Faded to Fabulosity, I outline many journaling techniques and ask many direct questions to explore your Tricky Traits or patterns which no longer serve you. I describe the expressive work in detail, as a contributing author to this book: The Development and Evolution of Rebonding of the Body: Its Application to Women’s Substance Abuse Treatment by Deanna Luray Mulvihill RN Ph.D. (Author), Andrea Anstiss (Contributor)

Having worked on the process. Could you elaborate for others about the Hoffman Process?
I’m a former Hoffman Process teacher. A great deal of what I learned in that role I incorporate into my work with my clients. The essence of the Hoffman Process is we need to awaken to the patterns we inherited from previous generations and not continue to replay that generational trauma. It is highly experiential which makes it really effective. In the process, we connect with our own deeper self and discover this is who we truly are and not our patterns. We deserve to do this for our own fulfillment, for our kid’s happiness and I believe we have a duty to heal ourselves for future generations. The Hoffman Process is a brilliant workshop as is the Path of Love. I recommend everyone do at least one of these workshops. World peace one person at a time! The people that teach and also volunteer their time for these organizations ( Path of Love relies on a lot of voluntary support) are exemplary human beings.

Could you share our processes, and travel experiences that have resonated with you, to share with others for their own personal journey?
Prithi, that’s a huge question and now at 60 years old those experiences and travels are vast. I have been incredibly fortunate to have lived thirty-plus years in the Gulf region of the Middle East. I love the Arab culture and my expatriate life. This is a hotpot of juicy nationalities so my client base is rich and varied.

In Dubai, where I have lived for twenty years, we are a hub for Emirates Airlines. I can travel almost anywhere easily. My studies and work have taken me around the globe many times. I really need to publish my memoir to do this question justice!

I am a transpersonal psychotherapist. Meeting individually with clients is my bread and butter as well as my passion. In the transpersonal perspective, we honor all forms of spiritual connection, we honor the body, our innate knowing and we honor dreams and visions. I am a former Hoffman Process teacher so I have a deep understanding of how patterns are passed from generation to generation and how to awaken to those patterns and transform them. My lens is quite wide.

I am also a certified Holotropic Breathwork Facilitator. I regularly lead workshops in Dubai and New Zealand ( except in 2021 when they wouldn’t let me in!). Holotropic Breathwork, pioneered by Stan and Cristina Grof, is a phenomenal way to reach a non-ordinary or expanded state of consciousness and transform your relationship to life.

I have been studying Non-Dual healing now for ten years with many great teachers including Jason Schulman who originated this path, Sharadha Bain, Samar Ajami, and Terry Nathanson. This mode of healing is based on the Tree of Life which appears in many religions.

Prior to Covid -19, I went to India at least once a year, often to the Osho Ashram in Pune. I love the array of active meditations taught there. The Ashram is a rich resource and the wildness and brilliance of the spirit of Osho are still alive and well in the beautiful enclave of Koregaon Park, Pune. Sadly Osho and his early followers seem to be enmeshed in fresh controversy, which may influence my decisions about further visits.

Again I highly recommend to my clients to dive into either Path of Love (Path Retreats) or the Hoffman Process. Both workshops support people to shift their lives, heal fast, ignite their creativity or connect with their humanity in a deeper way.

Of course, I love going home to NZ, connecting with my relatives, and hanging with the whanau (extended family). The nature in New Zealand is raw and stunning. We are lucky to have a place in Queenstown amongst all of that beauty. On my way I do my best to duck into Seminyak, Bali for some yoga and R and R. Hopefully these travel options will reopen for all of us again soon.

Sending you so much love and joyous writing experiences in 2022 Prithi.

Opening my home in London and the many boxes later from the cities I lived in over the years. It brought nostalgia and moments through time. The cities varied in cultures and energies that brought me alive and whole, memories through the pieces that touched my soul.

The paintings I created, from my cherished days in Miami, are vibrant works of art inspired by exciting and carefree days. Art shows on South Beach and our beginning years of marriage.

I unpacked my many framed photos of my girls as toddlers from the beaches in Dubai and placed my oversized marble lotus flower from Pune in my living room hall bringing me the incredible practice of my Buddhism.

I included natural elements in my home. The raw energy of shells, plants, and glass. I included textured fabrics of chenille, velvet, and voiles. I cherished the pieces that surround me from the experience and energy that it brings.
I put together all the elements that made up my interior self in my home.

This summer I finally made it to the Taplow court. It is a large Victorian house in the village of Taplow in Buckinghamshire, England  which has served as the national headquarters for the SGI since 1988. I set the intention to go out this summer and it manifested with a nice group of dedicated Buddhist practitioners, all intending to overcome our human life’s challenges and to resolve our Karmas.

I have been a devoted practitioner for 5 years, it has personally brought a deeper inner awareness in me than the willingness, also called the ichinen, inner flame to change them.

I was keen to gain more inspiration from the dedicated practitioners of many years, to share and to also give me gratitude for bringing me my present life condition. My outer life has not changed, the practice has elevated me on a higher vibrational living which has evolved to my consistent practice of chanting Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō.

I have more gratitude for the things I previously had in my life and chanting has given me a deeper curiosity for things in the world. I have also been a seeker, valued people, and situations have come into my life at the time when I most needed it.

Going up to the Taplow, the experience has been rejuvenating and easier than expected. It was a pleasant afternoon and change to the daily routines of London. Being in the English countryside and seeing the fresh greenery nurtured my mind and soul, the group shared the shared same experience as well. We arrived at Taplow station, after 40 minutes a small minivan was waiting for us with a dedicated SGI practitioner to take us to the Taplow court, it was a five-minute train ride away. On arrival, we were all keen to visit the Go – Honzon. In Nichiren Buddhism, it refers to the sacred and calligraphic scroll which the chant is directed to. I heard it is powerful to chant in Taplow. After an intense 30 minute chant we headed to the cafeteria for lunch, it happened to be an Indian lunch that day. We were served a delicious Berry Cake and Custard. While having our cake nostalgia hit us, we were reminded of our school days.

We took a short tour of the historic home and the lovely Japanese Gardens with lotus flowers, lily pad pond with waterfalls. It was interesting to visit the gardens as many people following Buddhism conduct their marriage ceremonies here. Some of them even plant trees to support the growth of property or to honor their lives. We all headed to the book shop to buy books for ourselves and to share with others.

On our way back to London, a friend from our group told us that she achieved a big victory within the hour of her return. I believe anything is possible if these three key ingredients are acquired, faith, study, and practice. For the delicious Berry Cake to rise and be served and also be appreciated, those three ingredients are quite necessary.

For more information visit www.sgi-uk.org for booking a visit.

I recently interviewed Irina Khanna after having incredible results of quitting smoking. I have now stopped smoking completely after many years of being a casual smoker. It feels very liberating. It has been two and a half years…

How long have you been in this work and doing hypnosis?
Professionally I was a dentist. I got into this work after getting amazing results with hypnosis. I was struggling with autoimmune disease; hypnosis has helped me change my life. Its been 15 years.

I find hypnosis fascinating, what is the theory behind it and why is it so powerful.
Hypnosis actually is an absolutely natural state, we go in and out of this state multiple times every day. It is very powerful because under this state we use our subconscious mind to change deep-rooted limiting beliefs that govern our behaviours. Consciously we choose what we want to experience, but many times we are not able to achieve it, only because subconsciously we hold a lot of beliefs that hold us back. With the help of hypnotherapy, we make our conscious and subconscious belief in the same thing.

To break the habit, how many sessions do you need?
Depends on the habit. Sometimes 1 session is also enough. A person has to be self-motivated to change the behaviour.

What are the things that can shift and what are some of the things you have personally seen change with people?
Hypnosis is very powerful for many conditions, fears, phobias, unwanted habits, addictions, anger management, psychosomatic diseases, relationship issues. I have seen peoples lives change after a day free themselves from years of anger, fear and self-pity.

In 6-7 sessions I quit smoking, does it mean you can do it with anything?
Yes, it does. We create our own life experiences. If you are inspired to be different or have something different, or do something differently, you always can. What stops you from being, doing or having different experiences is your limiting beliefs. First, it’s important to know what these beliefs are and then to know what beliefs would support you instead. In hypnosis, you can reinforce new, empowering beliefs. To do it consciously is challenging. When you create a team with your conscious and subconscious to work together to can achieve your highest potential effortlessly.

Can you self hypnotise?
Of course, you can. Self-hypnosis is just like any other skill, you do it consistently and you become better at it. 5 min every day is enough. I believe it’s the best time investment you can choose for yourself. Many successful people use it from different walks of life to achieve their best.

For More Info Visit Illuminations Well Being Center

When you are passionate about a cause, you keep finding ways to improve your participation in it. Such was my involvement in the teachings of Guruji and the influence of Yoga on my life that I kept on thinking of ways to give back to the cause which had taught me so much. It all began when I designed a t-shirt for Guruji many years ago. I distinctly remember even today the look of pride and joy in his eyes when I gifted him the t-shirt with a blue blooming lotus with his face in the centre.

He gave me insightful feedback regarding the design and taught me a lot about detailing. He inspired me to keep making t-shirts. After this first successful attempt at designing a t-shirt, I realized I finally had a way of giving back to the Yoga Community by utilizing my strength of having a discerning eye for logos and colours.

Today, I sell a range of organic cotton Yoga clothing under my label Wild Green Roses in European cities. The intention behind this exercise is to offer Iyengar yoga devotees retreats around the world with souvenirs that they can take back with them as a reminder of their spiritual endeavours at those workshops and retreats. It is indeed fulfilling to see people buy and wear my designs and appreciate them.

After my first attempt with T-shirt designing, I slowly expanded my creations and started building upon my initial experience. I have also started designing jute bags, journals, and diaries. Among these, the creation which is closest to my heart is the ‘Diary of a Yogi’ journal that features illustrations done by me during my late teens. It was Guruji’s teachings that inspired me to come up with this journal and I am so happy that it has received a fantastic response in cities like London and Paris.

All the proceedings of my label go to the various Yoga schools and communities. It’s gratifying to see the kids of Bellur receive yoga training from the profits I have donated. It makes me feel as if Guruji is watching over me even today and deep down, he too would be proud of the way in which I am using my work to help those in need. As he always believed, it is not what you do but how you do it that matters. With my range of Yoga merchandise, I am glad to have found a way of giving back to the cause that is so close to my heart while doing what I love.

 

Dynamic yet relaxing, Bohemian yet spiritual – Bali is a paradox of all sorts. For someone who is a big believer in spirituality, Bali had been at the top of my spiritual travel list for a very long time. So, when I got an invitation in 2017 to visit a Balinese friend from my Iyengar Yoga days.

In the heart of Seminyak, a sprawling 20,000 square feet property comprising of an outdoor yoga studio and luxurious treehouses for guests stood majestically in front of me.

Initially, we spent almost all our time reminiscing about our days with Guruji and bringing each other up-to-date with what we had done since the last time we met. Later on, as I got around to meeting other guests, we spent quite a lot of time exploring, dining, and socialising together. We were people belonging to different nationalities united by our common love for Yoga. This opened my eyes to simple yet enjoyable, yet luxurious life like a Yogi, like my Yogi friend Olop lives.

I attended daily morning classes at Olop’s beautiful outdoor studio, surrounded by peacocks, birds and local farm animals. It felt raw and real. It is the first time I had practice in such a relaxed feeling.

The 8 days that I spent in Bali, were truly special. After I explored numerous local markets and shops around the island I realised, the simplicity and the rawness of Bali was reflected not just through the behaviour of the locals but also through the architecture, monuments, and shops. It had a vibe of authenticity and purity in all the local shops and markets, a feeling that I loved. The products sold in these shops were truly inspiring, creative and made by locals from naturally found materials. From a shop that sold only intricate baskets made from shells to shops that displayed local handicrafts, those markets were definitely the best examples of the unique craftsmanship of Bali, the kind souls, and the refined energy.

Needless to say, I came back with bags full of Balinese artefacts and a heart full of enriched experience of another culture.

“Your home should be yogic,” were one of the last words he told me. I thought about this over the years and I think the energy from your practice distributes in your home. Over the years I did up my flat consciously with awareness and for inner growth.

I did up my small flat to be the perfect little home for the family. Marble Urlis surrounded my home and a large vase lotus flower with tuberoses that were always filled. I bought furniture from Jaipur for the girls’ room and got it painted white so it looked fresh and bright, mirrors and dressing tables and a Jula an Indian Swing that had all their toys on.

I brought all their soft toys from London, the soft quality ones that they will carry them through their lifetime. I often saw them hugging them and night. Kisses were the pink rabbit, huggers were the pale blue elephant, Huggies was the mother pale blue elephant. It looked so beautiful in their room. I put large silk flowers roses on the blinds and painted the room an off white. Bought rattan furniture locally and painted it white to make bookshelves and painted a small part of the wall black for a blackboard. It looked like a sophisticated girls room. They had a large pink bespoke cloth fairy tent with intricate detail that I bought in London. Inside they had wooden furniture, a cooker, all the wooden foods, pans pots. Was I reliving my ideal childhood again? Is that what we do. I made a four-poster bed in my room and put a lovely local viole on. I bought lots of baskets for storage. I love baskets. I remember my mum telling me she loves them as well, for magazines, in the bathroom, bottles, and fruits. I bought yellow orchid flowered fabric for my blinds. We already had a wooden floor so the place had some warmth. My home had a soul and I think somewhat kept me attached to being in Pune even after guruji’s passing. I think it kept me grounded and at peace.

I had a large varnished tree stump for a table I put the glass on it, a perfect workplace for me to write in my room. I love colours in a house and flowers. We put bright orange magnolias in our large ornate silver bowls, which my youngest daughter and I would put together and fish out the caterpillars that we would find. She was thrilled to find them and we would design the large lotus shaped marble urns in yellow and orange designs of magnolias. These always felt fresh, alive and yogic. I was attracted to using green and someone told me it was the colour of the heart. I had a wall painted pale green and cushions of my living room were green and auberge with acted with silver leaf woven on.

My study was a large wall of green-leaved paper that I got from Bali and. My side table lamps were barks of trees. It had an organic earthy feel. Buy all our bedside tables were a and simply designed copper tray, copper jug and glasses, copper changes the quality of the water, keeps the water fresh for many more hours than glass and at the correct temperature to digest as well as many other health benefits. My home always had aromatherapy burning in a turquoise ceramic burner I bought, the smell of jasmine, Rosemary, yang a Lang or Rose. Smells change your chakras and therefore shift, open, quieten or balance different energy. I took a photo of him so I remember that Image always but misplaced the hard copy. The photo will always be with me. I think that is the point also of taking photos, who really print them now or puts them in albums. Just the act of taking the photo is a re-enforcement of the image. Just taking notes, we remember that much more. Harmony, cleanliness and peace were important factors for me.

– Extract From My Book: ‘A Love Letter to My Guru’

Around 5 years ago, during my routine appointment with my hair-dresser, That is when she introduced me to the concept of Buddhist Chanting and went on to explain all sorts of life-changing experiences she had encountered due to the practice.

After detailed research on the subject, I took a liking to this practice as I realised the deeper significance of each and every chant. Buddhist Chanting makes the atmosphere around you positive and energetic. In Buddhist Chanting, no prayer goes unanswered and you can manifest anything you want as long as you are fully immersed in the practice. It helped me to transform my life in more ways than one. The people that I met during the practice stood by this policy and kept me going by inspiring me. From starting my own website to giving up smoking, all are a part of these manifestations. It has been a spiritual practice for me that has been crucial in the transformation of my life.

Thanks to Buddhist Chanting, I opened up to a world of deeper friendships and more meaningful relationships. It helped me become quite more resourceful and intuitive as it opened my mind and heart to infinite constructive opportunities. What impressed me the most about this activity is the fact that there are no limitations to how less or more involved you can be in it. The practice is as deep as you want and it ultimately teaches you a lot about valuing yourself. It helps you to gain control of your life and makes you believe that you can change and shift anything as long as you do it with good intention.

The most significant change that happened due to my involvement with this practice was that of the opening my voice chakra. With the daily practice, I began to make friends with the daily practice through the chanting and that sort of changed my connections with people.

Regularly practising Buddhist Chanting made me introspect quite a few things in my life and it was after this introspection that I realised overcoming challenges has put me in a better place than I previously was and has contributed immensely to my growth. It made me realise problems are actually good as they teach you to never give up. It made me realize challenges are good as it gives you a reason to chant and change your Karma. It didn’t just open my life, it opened my heart and soul.

For more info visit – London Ikeda Peace Centre