My Published Articles
Written by Meenal & Published in Print Media
National Advertising Campaign Features Local Yoga Therapist
Internationally renowned Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy introduced its new advertising campaign at the 3rd International Symposium of Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR) held at the Los Angeles Airport Marriot from March 5-8, 2009. The ad campaign prominently features photos of Ventura County-based graduate, Meenal Kelkar of Integrative InSight. According to Karen Hasskarl and Elissa Cobb, Co-Directors of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, “We chose Meenal Kelkar’s photograph to be the center of our new ad campaign because her image gives a palpable sense of what it means to be fully present to another person’s experience. This is the cornerstone of the Phoenix...
Read MoreIntegrative Wellness… A New Model For Well Being
Although it may seem we are bombarded with news, statistics and recommendations to improve our health, it is something we rarely think about until we have signs that we are not healthy … a cough … a lab test with high triglycerides, a persistent pain. I realized that I did not know what healthy felt like other than the absence of symptoms. So what’s a proactive person to do? Recently I have shifted my focus to the second half of the phrase “Health and Wellness”. I’ve heard the term often, but never really thought about what it meant and had to Google it. This is one definition that I found: wellness is the interactive process of...
Read MoreA Modern Perspective on Meditation
Meditation is frequently perceived as a mental exercise of quieting one’s thoughts … an intimidating prospect when gifted with an active mind. An increasing body of research shows that meditation is actually a full body experience: the mind quiets, breathing deepens, heart rate and blood pressure fall, neurotransmitter levels adjust toward a state of relaxation. So which really comes first, the mind quieting or the physiological changes? At the junction where yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation meet a powerful approach to meditation exists — where it does not matter whether you start with the mind or the body because the mind-body connection...
Read MoreSlowing Down- How To Stop and Smell The Roses
You’ve heard the phrase, “stop and smell the roses”, but given your hectic pace and daily worries, how often do you slow down and lose yourself in the myriad of details that comprise a rose? Gardeners, particularly those who dedicate themselves to organic methods which teach you how to pay attention to natural conditions, know how to appreciate the fruits of their labor, but most of the rest of us are lucky if we get a small whiff of fragrance or notice a blob of rich color as we rush by. We’ve all bought into the mistaken belief that the only time we can physically and mentally quiet down is during an extended vacation. Yet, a regular class in meditation, yoga,...
Read MoreGreen On The Go: A New Perspective for A New Year (2009)
The New Year. There is something about replacing our wall calendars and starting over at 1/1 that encourages us to consider “a fresh start”, “a new outlook”, or “a new commitment” in other areas of our lives. In other words, the New Year encourages us to actively consider “what exists in my life that I would like to change” … for many people, this is the one time during the year that they take a conscious break from routine to actually think about what they want to change. By contrast, people who’ve adopted a green lifestyle are already accustomed to asking “what exists in my life that I would like to...
Read MoreIntegrative InSight Celebrates 2nd Anniversary by Opening 2nd Location
Integrative InSight, a Camarillo-based provider of Meditation courses, private Meditation Coaching and private Yoga Therapy sessions is celebrating its 2nd anniversary by opening a second location in Westlake Village. The business has offered its free and paid programs at venues, such as the Camarillo Health Care District, Camarillo Ranch House, and Camarillo United Methodist Church. Meenal Kelkar, owner of Integrative InSight and Ventura County’s only Meditation Facilitator, is anticipating that her pragmatic approach to meditation will also resonate with Conejo Valley residents. “We’ve all heard the adage, ‘Practice makes perfect’. Daily life provides plenty...
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