This is an extremely powerful mantra, designed to raise the intuition and connect you with the infinite awareness that is your higher self. The mantra silences the chattering mind and immediately creates a state of calm that allows the true self to be experienced....
Headstands are very beneficial but can be challenging, that’s why we present this modified version that utilises chairs for support. This sequence is also great for easing neck tension. If your head goes purple, don’t worry that is normal!
Working with the five elements is a great way to bring balance to all areas of your life. Earth is our sense of grounding, stability and control. Fire is our passion and energy. Air is our thoughts and imagination. Water is our flexibility and...
Our wonderful chef, Martin, brings you this simple, healthy and delicious recipe for celery and apple salad. This is a versatile salad: it makes a great accompaniment to many vegan meals.
At our center in Cambodia, it can get extremely hot. One of the things we like to do to cool down is this breathing exercise. It cools the body, and also leaves us feeling calm, relaxed and spacious. This is not just for those...
Wait a minute??? This isn’t Yoga! Yes that’s right, we invite you to try something different. Pilates is a great way to strengthen and relax muscles in the body, especially ones that you are not used to moving. It is also great for balance...
Twists are brilliant for detoxing, both the physical and emotional kind. Twisting the spine applies pressure to the digestive organs, it is like an internal massage! Twists are also great for relieving back pain and stress. As well has having a detoxing effect, this short sequence...
How do you feel after eating? Energized or exhausted? How is your relationship with food? Do you enjoy what you eat, or do you eat what you think you should be eating? Are you calm and focused while eating or are you over-stimulated by...
The sun salutation is such a famous Yoga sequence as it strengthens and lengthens the entire body in one easy-to remember routine. They may be slight variations depending on the teacher, here is our version. This is a great sequence to practice first thing...
Swara Yoga is a Tantric system designed to bring balance to the energy body. In the traditional Indian understanding, there are two channels, the Ida and Pingala corresponding to left and right sides of the body. The breath flows through these channels and often one...
In today’s world, addictions are everywhere. Alcohol, drugs, shopping, social media, sex, work and a million other things can all be used to try and take away our pain – but ultimately they only make it worse as they take us further and further...
Fire can either serve us or hurt us, it can keep us warm but if we get too close it will burn us. The prime example of this is the sun, which is in just the right position – try living on Mars! The...
This is a powerful mantra to heal yourself and others. When we feel pain, we feel very seperated from everything else. However, this seperation is an illusion, the energy of the world around is us very much present and ultimately part of us (or...
The beautiful Kobi and Nishi present this 37 minute Yoga session to lengthen and strengthen the entire body. By slowing down, we have the opportunity to practice the various poses precisely and with greater awareness, by synchronizing the movements with the breath we go...
We tend to hold a lot of emotional tension in the hips which is why working with this area can sometimes bring up challenging memories and feelings. However it is well worth it, as by bringing things up we allow them to release. More...
We need the calming, cooling and flexible nature of the water element to calm our inner fire, especially if we have had past experiences that have caused us to become rigid with anger. Kobi presents this short but powerful meditation that can be used...
Difficult past experiences can often manifest in the present and cloud our judgement, sometimes to the point where our perception of a situation is a million miles from what is actually happening. Unresolved past emotions can even lead us to recreate the same unpleasant...
The inner thigh can be a tricky area to access, but if we lengthen and strengthen here we will find many poses come much more naturally. In this short sequence Kobi demonstrates two poses that are great to practice regularly to build core strength and...
We all experience challenging, and sometimes overwhelming, emotions. Past experiences can blend with present situations and cause us to be swept up out of the preset moment and into a world of chaos. However, with practice, even these painful experiences can be transformed and...
The amazing Claire presents this grounding Yoga sequence. Forward folds and balances are great for strengthing or connection with the Earth. If we are not grounded we can be anxious and scattered, we may not be able to follow through our commitments as our...
Spiritually the heart can is our true center. While the mind often wants be the boss, it is really our heart that has the power to elevate us and allow us to love ourselves and others. By using Yoga to open the physical heart,...
Working with the abdomen has many benefits, it builds confidence, inner power and balances the water element. In this short but powerful breathing exercise, Kobi demonstrates how we can clear internal blockages and get back into the flow of life.
Kobi and the wonderful Becky present this slow flow class to lengthen and strengthen the entire body. Perfect when you want a full body workout but only have a short time. Doing this type of class in the morning will set you up for...
Water can flow around any obstacle without effort, it just naturally knows the right way to go. Often we are not like this, we get stuck! By working with our water element we can learn to clear any blockages and flow in the right...
It is possible to spend an entire lifetime following the exact same patterns that we picked up in early childhood. Sure the people, places and other details will change, but the story remains the same. It is like we are dreaming, creating scenarios of...
You have heard of a “family tree”. This is actually a great way to explain the family, the roots are our ancestors spreading back through time. 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great-grandparents and so on… stretching right back to the first humans (at this...
Dhyana is the seventh limb of Patanjali’s Eight Limbed Path, and is the practice of Meditation or Contemplation. According to the Yoga Sutras, Meditation is the uninterrupted flow of concentration. In other words, meditation is the outcome of training the mind through concentration and...
Pratyahara is usually translated into ‘withdrawal of the senses,’ however, like many Sanskrit terms, the meaning is much deeper than what we see on the surface level. The term is composed of two Sanskrit words, prati and ahara. ‘Ahara’ means food, or anything we...
Prāṇāyāma is a Sanskrit word often translated into ‘breath control’— however the word itself is compiled with two words. Prana, meaning life force or energy (and is often related to as the breath); and ayāma, meaning to extend or draw out. Though I mentioned...
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Asana is translated into ‘to be seated in a position that is steady but relaxed.’ Most of the time, Asana is translated as a posture, position, or seat, and today is mostly related to the physical Hatha Yoga...
Conditioning has such a profound effect on our perception that it literally changes our reality. What we take to be fixed ideas about ourselves, our abilities and limitations are often really the results of conditioning. Part of the spiritual journey is to shake off...
This five minute breathing exercise will help you connect with the divine female energy within.
This is an extremely powerful mantra designed to connect you to your feminine energy. It is not just for the women in the group: both men and women have access to this wonderful power. The mantra involves chanting the name of 4 goddesses: Saraswati,...
In this video, our head chef Martin shares a simple, healthy, and delicious recipe for the classic Thai Baht (serves 2-4 people). Ingredients: 1 zuccuni/ courgette 1 eggplant/ aubergine 10 button mushrooms 4 cloves garlic/ 1 spoon garlic puree half red pepper half yellow...
Inversions are very powerful, but sometimes we neglect to do them in our practice. This is one of Kobi’s favourite postures, and he recommends doing it on a daily basis due to its amazingly restoritive properties. This variation of shoulder stand is great for...
If you have attended any of our morning circles you may remember this game. Grab a friend and give it a go. Counting to three may not be as easy as it seems!
Kobi has created a Yoga sequence to provide us with some much-needed grounding. Being grounded is not only about connecting with the Earth, it is also about connecting with our own bodies. In the modern world, we are often too busy planning and worrying...
Meditation can be a very powerful grounding technique. Any time we are lost in thought or struggling with powerful emotions, we can use a meditation practice to bring us back to the here and now. A regular grounding practice will bring many benefits such...
In the world of Yoga and meditation, sometimes we have a tendency to fly off into space: finding escapism through dramatic spiritual experiences. However, we should never forget our connection with mother Earth which holds us and provides us with all that we need....
All it takes is a minute to shift our mood and put us in a state of happiness and gratitude that will last for the entire day! Are you ready to jump for joy?
Working with the breath can be so rewarding, we can strengthen and purify any areas of ourselves that we need to work on. In this video Pazit will guide you through a short but powerful breathing exercise to open your heart and remove any...
Pazit delivers a powerful meditation designed to open and protect your heart. This will help you to project your love connect to other people. It will also protect your heart from any negative influences. To really love takes some courage and strength; when we...
Kobi provides a beautiful talk, drawing on the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The nature of the Universe itself is love: from the moment we are born we are provided for. Sunlight, rain, the air we breathe, the people who care for us – all of...
Ingredients 1 cup yellow split lentils 3 cups water 1 small onion 1 large carrot 5 cloves garlic 1/2 table spoon salt 1/2 table spoon pepper 1/2 table spoon cumin 1/2 table spoon curry powder 1/2 table spoon grounded corriander 1/2 table spoon oregano...
Here is a Yoga sequence to open and strengthen the shoulders. Working with this area is important since a lot of emotional tension is stored here – so let’s release it! Strong and flexible shoulders will help with many Asanas, so this sequence can...
This talk is about the 5 elements. Each element represents a certain aspect of ourselves: Earth, our sense of security and solidity; water, our ability to be flexible; air, our thoughts and imagination; fire, our willpower and determination; space, our connection with the world...
Welcome to the final day of the Will Power Challenge. We would like to congratulate you for getting this far! This practice is only for people who are ready to take the spiritual path seriously. If you think you can handle it, try it...
The idea of doing a handstand (or even a half handstand) can seem very challenging, maybe even impossible to people who have not practiced this before. However, in Yoga, as in daily life, it is not brute strength that is required but the correct...
Sometimes we have the best of intentions, but our doubts get the better of us: we fear that we are not good enough, or that the practice is too much for us, so we invent a million excuses. This exercise helps to overcome this...
To build a solid personal practice takes strength and stamina. This exercise will help you develop both of these by strengthening the nervous system, lungs, and heart. As we increase our will power though spiritual practices, we not only find it easier to keep...
Welcome to the “Core Dog Challenge”. Core strength is essential in Yoga. When we strengthen this area, many poses that seemed very challenging at first become quite natural. The same is true in life – if we develop our centre, we will be strong...
For a will-power boost try this powerful 5-minute breathing exercise! To develop a solid and consistent practice, we need to ignite our inner fire – and that’s exactly what this exercise is designed to do. As well as purifying the lungs, it energises the...
The four reminders are Buddhist Truths that help us to stay on the spiritual path. #1 Human Life Is Precious 2# Death Is Coming #3 Karma Is Real #Suffering is always with us. These inspire us to get out of the default way of...
The four reminders, or the four thoughts that turn the mind, are an important lessons for our everyday life. They turn the mind from constantly looking outward to finally looking within. These reminders reveal to us the true nature of reality, helping us to...
The full moon often has powerful effect on us. We may find ourselves more emotional and sensitive, or having more awareness of the things we need to let go of. It is also a great time to meditate and practice Yoga: as by working...
This 60 minute Hatha Yoga session is expired by the second Yama: Loyalty To The Truth. Sometimes we run away from the Truth… but to accept it is not so scary.
Meet yourself where you are! Often when we meet a deep negative emotion we cover it with another negative emotion. For example: when we feel anger it might cover for deep shame. Try this mediation and meet your emotions not as negative or positive,...
What are your expectation of yourself? Is it realistic to expect of ourselves to be always happy? And how do we actually creating our own suffering? The fourth reminder is inviting us to look into the basic truth of life and discover ways to...
A 20 minute Yoga sequence to open and strengthen the legs.
A quick tip on how to bring more generosity to your life.
Yoga to make you bright and focused! A powerful yet easy to do practice to work on the arc line, get ourselves free of our past Karma and be positive, focus and bright. The Arc line is the halo, it is the aura that...
In this video, Kobi talks about the third reminder in the Buddhist tradition: “Karma is real”. There is a lot of misunderstanding about Karma. It is often seen as some kind of celestial reward and punishment system: be nice to people or you will...
We can study all types of spiritual teachings, but in order to create real transformation we need to really internalize the knowledge. This comes through contemplation: asking, “how does this apply to me?” This video is about the second reminder from the Buddhist tradition:...
Our first yoga session is about bringing non-violence and compassion for your body onto the mat.
This guided meditation is a contemplation on the second reminder (that our lives will come to an end). In modern society we don’t like to talk about, or even think about, death. However, in the Buddhist tradition, awareness of death is an essential part...
In this video, Pazit shares a breathing exercise designed to both calm and energize us. This is certainly something we need in today’s world!
This is a short and simple meditation, perfect for beginners or anybody wishing to refresh their meditation practice.
instructions on the correct way to sit in meditation
Meditation is a very powerful practice which can bring so many benefits to our lives. By learning to focus the mind in meditation we bring more control, balance and peace to our everyday life. This video gives a very simply three step process for...
This video is about the first reminder which is, “The Precious Human Birth”. This reminds us of what it a blessing it is to be human. While animals are creatures of instinct, us humans have the potential for self-awareness which can be cultivated to...
Downward dog??? Again??? Yes, that’s right! There is a reason this pose is so fundamental to many types of Yoga: not only does it stretch and strengthen the entire body, but it calms and balances the mind. When we combine this with the core-strength...
This is a powerful three minute breathing exercise to conquer self-animosity and bring us into the natural state of self-acceptance.
Yoga and meditation go hand in hand, in fact Yoga can be viewed as a type of meditation. When practicing the postures, we aim to stay in the present moment, with awareness of the body and mind. This can be challenging as our minds...
In modern society, people increasingly see Yoga as a form of exercise such as going to the gym or attending an aerobics class. There may be a vague sense that bending yourself into unusual positions has some kind spiritual benefit but that often seen...
When embarking on the spiritual path, sometimes we make the mistake of separating our “ordinary” and “spiritual” lives. This is an easy mistake to make: sitting in the lotus position and chanting “OM” certainly seems a lot more spiritual than being packed into a...
You may have heard of “The Law Of Attraction”, the idea that we can attract certain things in to our lives by imagining them. Unfortunately, the Law does not have the best reputation these days as it conjures up images of naïve and greedy...
We hear a lot about the comfort zone, and why we should leave it. In today’s world, leaving the comfort zone is often associated with success in business or self-improvement. Certainly we can become more successful by being prepared to take risks, but there...
When trying to get to grips with life, there are a lot of questions we can ask – the most fundamental one simply being, “Who Am I?”. Sure you have a name, a gender, a place of origin, maybe a career, relationship-status or a...
In this video, Pazit gives 5 Tips for Self Love. On the spiritual path this really is the foundation – we need to treat ourselves gently and lovingly.
Dal is a healthy vegan classic, providing much our daily needed nutrition. This is a our flavorsome, yet easy-to prepare version. Ingredients 1 cup yellow split lentils 3 cups water 1 small onion 1 large carrot 5 cloves garlic 1/2 table spoon salt 1/2...
What is more spiritual, doing a complicated three-hour Yoga routine on the top of a mountain in Nepal, or washing the dishes in a grimy east-London apartment? It really depends on your attitude. If you wash the dishes mindfully, staying in the present moment...
When we practice meditation, generally we bring our attention to a single object (the breath, a mantra, part of the body etc.). Having only thing to focus on only one thing may sound easy, but actually it can be extremely challenging. The mind likes...
If you have ever engaged in a sustained spiritual practice like Yoga, meditation, or anything that brings you face-to- face with the contents of your mind, you may be shocked at what you have found. The untrained human mind is a very messy thing:...
There are many different styles of yoga that are practiced across the World. Some are more active, some more passive, some more focused on energetic alignment and some more focused on moving in smooth transition. Here are some of the different styles of...
The spiritual path can often feel like a never-ending Pandora’s Box; shedding layers only to find new ones to make peace with and let go of, only to realise that layer was concealing another one, which was hiding another, and so the chaos continues. ...
‘Mindfulness’ is an ancient practice extremely current at this present moment in time. With mental health conditions on the up and a declining success rate of anti-depressants, we have an increasing urgency to remedy this epidemic. In Buddhism, the intrinsic cycle of human suffering...
‘Meditation’ is a word that conjures an array of images; the yogi frozen in lotus position for innumerable hours; the Zen master capable of emptying the mind completely of thought; the meditator who dare not crack a smile during a ten-day silent retreat. While...
Here is a spiritual exercise to try: stop breathing. If you are still alive, you will have realised that this is impossible. Yogis have proudly proclaimed their ability to go without food for weeks and water for days – but as of yet, nobody...
Self-discipline, seems to be a big deal these days. Social media is full of inspirational quotes inspiring us to push ourselves harder. Books which teach motivational techniques are always among the best-sellers. Parents constantly complain that their children are not disciplined enough, and many...
Jyoti Mantra Asato ma sat gamaya Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya Mrityor ma amritam gamaya Lead me from the unreal to the real; Lead me from darkness into light; From death to immortality This is a wish that many of us have...
Fire is vital, without the sun there would be no light and no life. The element of fire is associated with transformation – whatever is consumed by the fire will be transformed into heat and, eventually, ash. The digestive process can be thought of...
Think about some of the qualities of water. It is always wanting to move – rivers flow, oceans swirl with waves. If you drop a glass on the floor its contents will spill, spreading out as far as possible over your beautiful new carpet....
You may aspire to float up into the clouds and fly with the angels, and of course this would be a beautiful experience; but sometimes on the spiritual path, we need to remind ourselves of the value of being grounded. Without some grounding, whatever...
Change is inevitable, simply because nothing lasts forever. An ice-cream, a headache, a holiday, an exam – whatever it is, it will be over sooner or later. This can sometimes be difficult to accept, how can you enjoy your ice-cream when each bite is...
Ever had difficulties in a relationship? Ever had the same difficulties come up in another relationship? If you are a human being, the answer is probably “yes”, and it will probably remain “yes” if you substitute relationship with “job” or anything else. The same...
How can you use meditation to overcome addiction? As humans, the folly of addiction touches us all. We live in a world designed to facilitate addiction, from the trivial to the grave: Prescription pills for every malady, a Facebook Feed constantly generating new stories...
In the West, for many people religion has very negative connotations. This is not surprising given the history of our organised religions: we have Christians gleefully embarking on crusades to murder anybody who does not submit to their message of universal love; Jews declaring...
Tell somebody you are practising meditation and you may get a response along the lines of, “oh that’s too hard for me, I could never stop myself thinking!”. This is due to a common misconception that meditation is the process of trying not to...
Morning glory (tra kuen), is one of the most popular vegetables in Cambodia as it grows in abundance. The green stems and thin leaves have a slightly grassy flavour, quite similar to spinach. This delicious vegetable is rich in flavour and nutrition, so it’s...
At the Vagabond Temple we have a packed daily schedule of Yoga, meditation, talks and other activities. Our guests are supported by each-other and the teachers to attend as many classes as possible to make the most out of the experience. However, when leaving...
Anybody who has attempted meditation will know how difficult it can be. What seems like a simple practice, keeping the mind focused on single object, can seem almost impossible as an endless stream of thoughts and emotions pull for our attention. With practice, the...
Meditation is a beautiful spiritual practice that can bring us many benefits, although it can be very challenging. When new to meditation, rather than experiencing peace or bliss, we may find ourselves faced with the unsettling realisation that we have very little control of...
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be happy, you deserve to be happy! But have you ever wondered why lasting contentment seems so elusive? A new job, a new relationship, a new pair of shoes? Or for the more “spiritually” minded maybe watching...
Often we have quite a romantic idea about meditation. Sit down, cross your legs, close your eyes, take a deep breath and you will be immediately transported to a state of transcendent bliss: listening to the angels whisper in your ears as all your...
Stir frying is a Chinese cooking technique in which ingredients are fried in oil on a high heat, while being stirred. We’ve prepared a simple, yet delicious vegetable stir-fry recipe that includes a combination of fresh herbs and spices. Experiment with this recipe by...
Well prepared broccoli is succulent, firm and still has its’ natural bright green colour. It can be roasted in the oven or for a quick method, try pan-roasting your broccoli like we do at the temple. You’ll have flavourful broccoli that is gently infused...
Okra, winter melon and broccoli are the perfect green ingredients to form a tasty, nutritious vegetarian/ vegan meal. Combined with spices, this dish offers a sensory journey that will delight any palate. Ingredients: Serving: for 1 person 150g okra 50g winter melon 50g...
Yardlong beans or Chinese long beans as they are affectionately known, can grow up to one and a half feet long and are sold in abundance in Asia. They are similar to green beans in taste but the texture of long beans differs slightly....
The banana blossom/ flower is an edible purple flower found on the banana plant, at the end of the banana cluster. It is considered a vegetable in Southeast Asia and is prepared and tastes similar to artichokes. Add other vegetables like corn and beetroot...
Here is a well rounded 30 minute core-strengthening practice to keep the flow of health and joy going. You can hold each position for 5 breaths unless it is specified otherwise. If you have more/less than 30 minutes you can hold for shorter/longer....
Tapioca pearls come from tapioca, which is a starch extracted from the cassava root. The little pearls are made by moistening the cassava starch, passing it through a sieve and then rolling it up into little balls when it dries. The Tapioca pearls, also...
Yoga is all about balance. Balance in body, balance in mind, balance in life. Hatha yoga, the yoga commonly practiced in the Western world, is comprised of “ha” (“sun” in Sanskrit) and “tha” (“moon” in Sanskrit). This balance is better known by their names...
Eggplants are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and dietary fibre but it is often ignored because of its bitter taste. The spongy texture of eggplants absorbs all the flavours of its accompanying ingredients and it is perfectly complemented by tomatoes, which gives...
Who says vegans have to give up on flavour? We’ve prepared a delicious, mildly spicy, vegan curry that combines local ingredients, which are accessible enough to prepare anywhere around the world. This specific version of this recipe is inspired by Khmer flavours as our...
I was enthusiastic to start Vagabond Temple’s 7-day detox programme because it was an opportunity to reboot my digestive system and perhaps shift my attitude towards food once and for all. After 26 hours of processed plane food and a lifetime of food angst it felt...
Drop the can, this peanut butter is fresh! Lime and coconut add a tropical twist. Serve chilled with baguette and fruit like we do here at the Temple for a great start to the day! Ingredients: peanuts coconut cream powder palm sugar pinch of...
These festive treats will bring holiday cheer to your home or party. Enjoy nature’s sweetest ingredients as they come together to delight your senses. Perfect for a New Year’s celebration! Ingredients: Serving: Makes 12 patties Patties: 1/3 cup dried coconut shreds 1/3 cup peanuts...
Sweet mango, fragrant basil and zesty lime make up this delicious traditional Asian salad. A Vagabond Temple favorite, it’s both easy to make and packed with flavor; perfect for a light and healthy lunch. We like ours with a fiery kick but f you...
Since most Cambodians are farmers, the majority of sweet treats originate in the fields. Rice, beans and bananas are combined with condensed milk, palm syrup and coconut milk for inexpensive yet indulgent flavors. Sticky rice is vegan, gluten-free and so delicious you’ll be going...
5 Days of Summer Sun, Fresh Foods, Yin Yoga & Massage “If you eat dead food, you are going to feel dead. If you eat live food, you are going to feel alive.” – Jason Vale, The Juice Master Summer is the perfect...
Two worlds collide, or rather, collaborate beautifully in this hummus recipe that gets its green color from mung bean. The Middle East and Asia bring two of their biggest players to the table. If you’re not familiar with mung bean, it’s a super-food –...
A light tzatziki recipe perfect for summer get-togethers – everyone will ask you what the secret ingredient is (fresh mint and dill!). Ingredients: Serving: For 4-5 people 1 cup tahini 2 lemons 4 cucumbers 1 branch fresh dill 1 branch fresh mint 1 cup...
No we are not talking about your bank account – this article introduces a simple, yet powerful system of medicine from ancient India, and explains how it can be used to improve your health and well-being. Before continuing, it is important to point out...
This recipe has been passed down in the Vagabond Temple family, and will be a welcome refreshment in the summer heat. Enjoy the natural sweetness of the apples, or add just a spoonful of sugar, and you’ve got a most delightful sweet treat with...
In modern society, many of us simply do not have the time to take a moment to turn inwards and check up on how we really feel. Pressures of work, family life, and other aspects of society can turn life into a “to do”...
Vagabond Temple’s famous tofu-based cheese, wrapped up in blankets of lightly fried zucchini slices. You are guaranteed to impress your guests by serving these sophisticated and healthy vegan rolls! Ingredients: Serving: 15-20 rolls 2 zucchini 200 gm tofu 100 gm dried tomatoes 2 lemons 1...
Want to know who you really are? You’re a diamond in the sky (remember the Rihanna song?) Well, you’re a human, on earth, with a body, a mind, emotions, and a personality. But these are mere materials for play. “Why am I doing this?” “What...
Don’t just put beetroot in a salad – try seasoning with fresh thyme and topping over a deliciously creamy potato soup. Coconut cream adds a subtle sweetness, rounding out this unique dish. We give you the easy recipe right here! Ingredients: Serving: For 4-5 people ...
If onions are your jam, then why not try this easy recipe for a healthy and delicious preserve? Ingredients: Serving: 1 small jar onion x 1 kg palm sugar x 1/2 kg oil x 2 tablespoons Method: Slice the onion as thin as you can and fry it with the oil...
Symbols are a significant part of the yoga tradition and play an integral role in yoga practices. Although today many yoga practitioners overlook this aspect of yoga, we can still find traces of these symbols throughout the yoga journey. Many mystics from India have...
A colorful and flavorful vegan version of the classic North Indian dish. This recipe gets its creamy texture from coconut cream instead of ghee. Ingredients: Serving: For 4-5 people 1 kg spinach 4 potatoes 2 garlic cloves 2 fresh red chili peppers 1/2 cup...
Not your typical birthday cake, for not your average birthday. You don’t even have to eat our delicious vegan banana cake on a birthday at all. Indulge in this healthy treat that harnesses the natural sweetness of coconut, vanilla and banana, whenever you get...
So what is Yoga? An attempt to attain spiritual enlightenment through bending the body into a series of increasingly uncomfortable positions? A great way of building strength and flexibility, toning the body and losing weight? A form of meditation where moving the body through...
Do you think about the life you live? What is your purpose? Do we even have a purpose? If so how are you meant to find out what yours is? If not then what are we even doing here? What does it all mean?...
One common misconception people have regarding Buddhism, and meditation in general, is that we are supposed to stop thinking all together. It is not surprising that many of us reach this conclusion: we learn that our thinking patterns bring us suffering: that “I will...
For Alice Chan, the prospect of going without food for five days seemed impossible, if not altogether ludicrous. In this post, she explains how she fared on our Detox Cleanse Program and shares the invaluable wisdom she gained while fasting – a must-read for anyone...
If we closely watch our minds, we will find a tendency to label or categorize other people, based on our pre-existing ideas and standards. When you meet somebody for the first time what do you notice? Are they ugly or beautiful? Kind or rude?...
When black-eyed beans dream, they hope to be mixed up with coconut cream. Cooked up with anti-inflammatory garlic, anti-ageing carrots, and carotenoid-rich bell peppers and tomatoes, this hearty dish is everything a health nut could desire from their comfort food. Ingredients For 4-5 People...
Discovering the mountain Most of us don’t know how to stand properly. We spend our days walking and standing in closed shoes on hard concrete surfaces. This interferes with our ability to distribute our weight evenly across our feet. Our toes don’t have room...
Vagaballs are a delicious and totally vegan sweet snack. They’re so popular here at Vagabond Temple that we find ourselves coming back to this recipe several times a week. They’re easy to make and fun to eat, and we usually have guests queuing up...
What is energy healing? Pranic Healing is a system of energy healing that enables us to understand and tap into these laws, and into the very fabric of our existence – Universal Life Force Energy. It is an internationally renowned, non-religious, touch-free, drug-free healing therapy...
Once a non-vegan friend put his plate of scrambled eggs down next to a dish of our tofu scramble and when we turned our heads, the plate of eggs went crashing to the ground. No one saw what happened, but I think it’s safe...
Just imagine what an awful place the world would be if we were all happy the whole time. For a start it would be terrible for the economy: nobody would need to buy endless consumer products, distract themselves with TV and video games, or numb...
The benefits of meditation are widely reported, but with so many different types to choose from, and so much different information about, it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start. Also common misconceptions about meditation may prevent us from taking up any...
Yoga is a powerful spiritual system, developed over 2500 years ago to bring the mind and body into harmony and eradicate suffering. The poses we associate with modern Yoga were developed much later, as a means of preparing the body for deep meditation without...
The society we live in often places us under great strain. Many of us feel exhausted and stressed from work, with little time for our friends and families. Our bodies often ache from because due to the unnatural postures we have to adopt: working...
Potatoes spend their whole lives underground deciding how they will grow to be delicious. This dish represents their master plan, mixing a seamless blend of herbs and spices with tomatoes and onions along for the delicious ride. Floating in the background garlic comes in...
Sitting for an extended period of time, doing nothing other than focusing your breath or another object, may seem like an unusual thing to do. Many of us have limited free time, so surely it would be better to use it for something more...
We call it vegetable soup, but we might as well call it the vegan all star dish. The cast of vegetables includes carrots for healthy skin, zucchini for your long-term health, phytonutrient rich egg plant, immune system boosting garlic, nutrient and mineral rich tomatoes, and...
In the dietary fibre world, the zucchini reigns king, and is the best source of dietary fiber of all the vegetables on Earth. But this king couldn’t make a healthy vegan soup alone, so he called on his friends the potato and tomato to...
The image above is detail from the centre of the Wheel of Life, the iconic Tibetan Buddhist image which depicts the cyclical nature of the lives of all living beings. The image provides a visual representation of the entire Buddhist world-view, with concepts such...
Negative emotions are a fact of life: all of us are going to feel frightened, sad, angry, anxious, or a myriad of other painful feelings from time to time. There are many ways we can choose to deal with these emotions, some more helpful...
Some sages believe that the key to world peace lies somewhere within an irresistible pumpkin soup. Whether or not that is true, we will not hold back from this pumpkin soup recipe, which certainly is a key to culinary satisfaction. Pumpkins are a package...
Your bowl won’t believe that A) this curry exists, and B) it gets to be the vessel to hold it! With an all-star cast of garden vegetables, mixed with seasoned secrets from the Buddha’s homeland, one taste of this curry has been known to...
Like yin and yang, tofu cheese and Rachel’s matbucha complement each other on a cosmic level and belong side-by-side at your table. At Vagabond Temple, we serve both these dishes at breakfast with soft, crusty bread and fresh salad, but they’re both a great addition...
Dal is a delicious and comforting Indian dish that uses lentils as a base ingredient. Lentils are packed full of protein, making them a regular feature on any vegan grocery list. For our dal, we like to include carrots, onions, zucchini, eggplant and lots...
Yoga is about so much more than the postures we perform in classes; it is multifaceted system designed to bring our body mind into harmony, and ultimately leading us into unity with all beings. Rather than being at the mercy of our thoughts and...
Practising Yoga is about much more than the postures; the main practice goes on “off the mat” in our daily lives. Our thoughts, interactions with others, and our daily routines can all be integrated into the Yoga practice. Only this way the ultimate goal...
But where do you get your protein from? A common question asked by those interested in exploring more about the vegan diet. Green mung beans are a perfect example of protein rich food that we can use to create delicious vegan dishes with. Mung beans can...
When people think of Yoga, they are most likely to think about the postures that we see performed in Yoga classes. However Yoga, as it was originally developed in Ancient India, had much more to do with meditation than it did postures. In one...
A simple, fresh recipe to create your very own vegan spring rolls. You can change up the fillings when making this at home, using more of your favourite vegetables, marinating some tofu or even adding mango slices. Included is smooth and creamy asian inspired peanut dipping...
The human body is an incredibly sophisticated organism, capable of performing numerous complex tasks simultaneously. However, certain functions can consume such a huge amount of energy that they cause others to slow down: especially digestion of food, and the experience of strong emotions. For...
Anybody who has attempted to lose weight or lead a healthier lifestyle through dieting will know just how much of a struggle it can be. So often people try one fad diet after another, either failing to stick with it once the inevitable boredom...
In our modern society, when we experience bodily pain or discomfort such a headache or an upset stomach, we often respond by taking a tablet. While this approach certainly works in that the troubling symptoms are reduced, often the underlying cause of the problem...
Mindful and purposeful eating has many advantages for us mentally and physically. In contrast, the consequences of overeating can have severe effects on our physical and mental body. Generally we overeat because we are not dedicated to the act of eating. We watch...
Reiki is a energy healing and spiritual system that was re-discovered by Dr. Mikao Usui. The origins for the re-emergence of Reiki lie in the curiosity of one man determined to understand how the ancient healers of the various religions could physically heal their...
Cobra pose, also known as Bhujangasana, is a wonderful pose for chest-opening and spine flexibility. First, it allows for deeper breathing through the expansion of the chest, and can alleviate problems with rheumatism, arthritis, and other pain in the back. Cobra also massages the...
When we truly face the reality of our life, we realize that our life is not optimal – it is not even close to the best life we could have. Our potential is not being fulfilled. With more self-awareness in life, we come to...
Yoga can create freedom of the body and mind. It is a spiritual path that helps us to find refuge, discover our true self and experience what life really means. The most well known aspect of yoga is asana which means posture, specifically a...
