Currently, Leeah and I are spending about a month on the island of Maui in Hawai’i. For me, the islands of Hawai’i are some of the most magical and beautiful places on this earth that I have ever visited. Whenever I am here, I swear I can feel the waters of the great Pacific, the trade winds, the sky, the clouds and the red dirt of volcanic soils all bringing healing and balance to my body, mind and spirit. I am convinced that anyone who wants or needs healing on any level should visit this place on a regular basis.

Very few can deny that this is a time of great change. It seems like most every single area of human life and society are undergoing significant changes. Many of the institutions (religious, financial, governmental and cultural) and values that we took for granted as being the undying foundations of our society are generally going through some kind of major change.

It is January 1, 2014 and I am sitting in a weekly mansion in Kita-Ikebukuro in Tokyo, Japan. Typically, the first day of the year has been a very exciting and hopeful time for me. I love the big transition times in life, signaling the end of one period and the beginning of another. These times tend to bring such power and movement with them. It is a time to let go of old and outdated habits and beliefs and to begin to embrace whole new possibilities and outlooks.

As I travel deeper into this path of Yoga, I have realized that the greatest power of life is to be able to get as close to the pure form of any item or element as possible. It is important then to develop as strong and as intimate a connection with all aspects of your life as possible.

The two areas of yoga and health are such a beautiful combination of topics to reflect on together. Separately, the two areas of life hold such meaning and promise for all of us. They represent some of the highest expressions of what it means to be a human being. And, together, these two areas of yoga and health are truly a special blend of light and joy.