Humans have a fundamental need to feel connections, and a deep yearning to understand our place in the big picture. We seek connections because that’s what connects us with ‘us.’ Learning about our ancestry can provide unique insight into who… Read More ›
Travel
Mixing Business and Pleasure in a Tropical Paradise: Permaculture and Conservation in the Guna Yala Islands of Panama
Fresh from a morning of paddling, strolling around palm-fringed beaches, and snorkeling on surrounding coral reef, our group of 11 sea kayakers sat under a cane shelter on the edge of a large white sand beach on an island in… Read More ›
Traveler, A Poem by Jenna Santillo
Traveler, What calls you out into the night? What wakes you from your slumber and brings you to this silent road? What greets you with each step as the weight of your wandering feet falls towards the earth, making contact with that… Read More ›
Ten Ways to Wake Up Your Nature Awareness
We live on a remarkable planet that manifests its brilliance through nature, yet modern life constantly creates barriers and distractions that numb us to this glory. Waking up one’s nature awareness is a process of sharpening all of our senses… Read More ›
Singing, The Most Affordable Drug, by Ellie Osborn
Almost every culture believes in the power of music to heal both physically and psychologically. Ancient and modern scientific research confirms these beliefs and we now can show evidence of changes in the brain when listening to Mozart or the… Read More ›
Outside Antidotes to the Winter Blues by Kara Douglas
As a yoga teacher and naturalist, one of the most important questions I ask my students every winter is, “How often are you spending time outside?” For those of us who enjoy hibernation, long winter hours of darkness aren’t so… Read More ›
Practicing Patience is for the Birds, at Cape St. Mary’s, Newfoundland
The fog at Cape St. Mary’s, Newfoundland, doesn’t so much gently roll in as it stampedes like a crowd of Black Friday shoppers through just-unlocked doors of a big box store. Like shoppers rushing and pushing their way through store… Read More ›
A Rastafarian Stair-step Through History on the Caribbean Island of Dominica
Rastaman live up. Rastaman don’t give up Keep your culture. Don’t be afraid of the vulture. Grow your dread lock. Don’t be afraid of the wolf-pack. (Bob Marley – Lyrics from the Song Rastaman Live Up) ________________________________________________________________________________ I was in… Read More ›
The Ambivalent Tourist Town of Chachapoyas, Peru – An Off the Beaten Path Travel Gem
It’s easy to fall into the trap of visiting only the most popular attractions at travel destinations. We’re bombarded by Top 10 lists in travel guides and websites, and the typical vacation has to fit within a 1 to 2-week… Read More ›
My Cup Runneth Over with Andean Condors
I think that almost every zoo I’ve ever visited has had an Andean Condor. It’s a huge and striking bird that displays well; it’s mostly black with a ruff of white feathers surrounding the base of the neck and, especially… Read More ›