The art of calligraphy is not only therapeutic; it actually stimulates the brain and helps improve focus, memory and problem-solving skills. In China, the Tang dynasty (618-907) mandated that officials practice the art of calligraphy, and the art of lettering was one of six disciplines of higher education. Today, there is scientific evidence to show that lettering improves brain function, but long before devices could measure it, the Chinese had observed the positive impact of lettering on visual-spatial aptitude. In this episode, you’ll hear Mumbai’s most sought-after calligrapher, Sanjana Chatlani of The Bombay Lettering Company talk about how the art improved her tennis game, and how it helps boost cognitive function in general. She also outlines what it takes to practice calligraphy, how to assess if you’re cut out for it, and where you can sign up for online classes so as to avail of the cognitive benefits now.

The Dancing Brain: Movements that sharpen your mind

Who doesn’t enjoy dancing. But did you know that the way you dance – the movements, the rhythm and the new steps you push yourself to try – can enhance brain power and creativity, and even help improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In this episode, you’ll meet dance psychologist Dr Peter Lovatt, who has spent twenty years working in university research labs, where he’s been studying the impact of movement on human thinking and behaviour. Peter’s expertise is in experimental cognitive psychology and his work on memory, thinking, mood, language learning, problem solving, dance and Parkinson’s disease has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals. He’s also the author of two books – The Dance Cure: The surprising secret to being smarter, stronger, happier and Dance Psychology: the science of dance and dancers. And in this episode, he talks about how different movements and dance forms impact the brain, how long you need to dance to sharpen your mind, what research has shown about the impact of dance on the symptoms of Parkinson’s and how dance can improve attention spans and even your kids’ grades.

How often have you promised yourself that you’re going to prioritise your wellness – that you’re going to get fitter or take care of your skin – and then faltered? It’s easier said than done, because, often, the goals we set are too ambitious and the changes required to achieve them are too numerous. It can all be rather overwhelming. That’s why, in this episode of Wellness Curated – the last episode of my ‘Let’s Get Physical’ season – I asked five experts to share simple one-minute rituals that will leave you feeling healthier and happier. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” said the Taoist philosopher Laozi, so begin by dedicating just one minute to yourself every day, and then I hope you’ll step it up gradually until your well-being is no longer an afterthought.

Let’s Get Physical: Not so long ago, only celebrities opted for aesthetic treatments. Botox, liposuction and dermal fillers were things that most regular people only read about in magazines with a mixture of awe and trepidation. Today, however, everyone is familiar with these procedures. It’s not uncommon for working professionals to stop by a clinic to get their Botox shots on their way to work; it’s become as ordinary as picking up a takeaway. The fact that technological developments have made these treatments more accessible is great – because issues like scars, acne and the physical after-effects of cancer treatments can sometimes destroy one’s self-esteem. But there is a downside to the fact that these treatments have become so commonplace, too. From the dangers of addiction and excessive use to the risks of having inexperienced people performing these procedures, Dr Barbara Dalbos from the incredible Sha Wellness Clinic in Spain, lays it all out in this episode.

Let’s Get Physical

Shiamak Davar, the man who has helped numerous celebrities like Shahid Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan, and Alia Bhatt find their footing, both literally and metaphorically, tells you about the ways in which he has seen dance make a difference to people’s lives. Shiamak pioneered a new wave of dance in Indian films with Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), which is come to be known as ‘Shiamak style’ in India. A powerful arrangement of movements that have come to be synonymous with Shiamak, the ‘Shiamak style’ changed the face of dance in Bollywood. Film director Vishal Bhardwaj has highlighted Shiamak’s unique indo-contemporary style in the new film, Fursat, starring Ishaan Khatter and Wamiqa Gabbi. Shiamak also runs Victory Arts Foundation, through which he extends the benefits of dance to all those who may not otherwise have been able to afford his expertise: people with economic challenges, or mental or physical disabilities. And in this episode, the incredible dance supremo tells you the many ways in which he’s seen dance heal. Listen! Get inspired! Get dancin’!

Let’s Get Physical

Although few people in relationships take the trouble to lay down the boundaries, or clearly define their relationship agreements, most people would define an affair as an occasion when a partner broke such an agreement in what they felt was a committed partnership. That could be a physical affair, at times, but people can feel just as betrayed by partners who secretly correspond with another. Expectations vary from one relationship to another and even partners in a relationship can have different expectations. An affair is, therefore, really a case of breach of trust, in one way or the other.

It’s tough, but not impossible, to get back to a healthy relationship – if that’s what partners want to do. Whether you’re the one who strayed or the one who feels betrayed, in this episode, psychosexual and relational therapist Anvita Madan-Bahel, relationship reinvention specialist Aili Seghetti and psychotherapist Cassandra de la Thea tell you how to get through this rough patch.

Let’s Get Physical 

Aches and emotions: Why heartbreak really hurts 

Most people would agree that pain is influenced by emotion to some degree, but in this episode, you’ll hear psychologist Sushma IR and psychotherapist and psychological astrologist Arya Timblo talk about how bottled-up emotions can actually cause everyday aches and pains. Remembering that you have control over your life and resisting the temptation to catastrophise – “don’t get trapped in a whirlpool of ‘what-ifs’” as Sushma IR says – can help counter this. Listen to this episode to understand how you can live a relatively pain-free life.

In the post-COVID world, where well-being is finally getting due attention, technological advances in  fitness technology – especially in the area of wearable devices and interactive apps – is helping people to take nutrition, health and daily activity more seriously. The downside is that you could be taking it a bit too seriously. Listen to our experts, nutritionist Neha Sahaya, fit-tech entrepreneur Armaan Kandhari and fitness expert, Karan Khurana talk about the pros and cons of fitness technology, the tools they love and the ones they don’t and about how you can watch out for the pitfalls and get the most out of fitness tech. Discover how innovations like sensors and wireless technology are helping the world get fitter and learn about tech that costs a packet but which will pay you huge dividends.

In the final part of our meditation series we find out how to attract abundance, happiness and joy, guided by healer, seeker and yogini Amrita Mann.

Today we are looking at the healing powers of herbs, a tradition of medicine that dates back millennia.

In this podcast, we will explore the world of herbs, with my guest Collette Ruddy, who is a Trained Nutritionist and Medical Herbalist, and who specializes in women’s health.

Our fourth instalment in our meditation series will help you remove negativity and conflicts in your relationship and fill it instead with love.

Let us hear from Amrita Mann who is a healer, seeker and yogini, and discover how to surround ourselves with Love.

Money is a form of energy and like energy it is meant to flow, in and out.

Listen to episode 3 in our meditation series – meditation for wealth.

Let’s follow Amrita Mann as she guides us…

Meditation can give us a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both our emotional well-being and our overall health.

In episode 2 of our meditation series, we’re looking at how meditation can lead to better health.

Guiding us is Amrita Mann, healer, seeker and yogini.

Through her guided meditation, she has helped people sort out a number of issues from aches and pains, poor digestion, dizziness, anxiety, chronic fatigue, auto-immune issues and more.

In this podcast, we dived deep into Psychological Astrology – discovering what it is and how it can help us understand more about our life and ourselves.

My guest, Arya Punj Timblo is a professional adult and child psychotherapist  and an experienced psychological astrologer who has been working in both these fields for the past 20 years.  She also teaches Psychological Astrology online internationally.

In this podcast we discussed how to prepare for Death and live with the dying.

Dr. Sarah Holmes is a Consultant in Palliative Medicine and Medical Director of Marie Curie Hospice Bradford, UK – who has worked extensively in end of life care.

Amrita Mann is an incredible healer.

Let’s look at how meditation can really help to clear our minds, boost concentration, energy, and sleep.

In our series on meditation,  my guest Amrita Mann will be our guide and we’ll cover key aspects in each session including Meditation for Health, Wealth, Love and Happiness.

In a world that is often uncertain and ever-changing some constants remain – Death is one of them.

So let me share with you this beautiful thought from Sadhguru, a yogi, mystic and best-selling author who has touched the lives of millions of people worldwide.

He says  “Every breath you take, you are getting closer to the grave. But every breath you take, you can also get closer to your liberation.”

An inspiring message which leads me to my guest, Sadhviji, who is a renowned spiritual leader and motivational speaker. She’ll be sharing her deep knowledge and wisdom with us as we explore the end of life, if there is a life after death, consciousness and the different ways we treat the body after death.

We are aiming to explore how to live with and alongside people with autism.

But let me start with this quote from Author and Autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin.

She has said about her autism …

“The world needs different kinds of minds to work together”

Such an interesting idea! In today’s session we discuss  attitudes and approaches to autism, and how we can all understand more so we can support those who are living with autism.

Joining us today is Jonas Torrance, author and dance movement therapist who has worked extensively with autistic children over many decades.

He is the author of the influential book ‘ Therapeutic Adventures with Autistic Children and a Private Practitioner and Supervisor registered with The Association of Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK.

Jonas will be sharing his years of experience with us and helping us to understand and support better those who are Living with Autism

Thank you for joining us Jonas….

Author, filmmaker and American bishop T D Jakes remarked that..  “If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose”.

Today we’re exploring how to build passion, purpose and the practice required to achieve  a more successful, happier and fulfilling life.

Guiding us is Bhawani Singh Shekhawat, a widely respected, well-travelled and internationally experienced leader. He has decades of experience working at the top levels in business  and currently leads the Akshaya Patra Foundation – a global leader in Food for Education.

The buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn known as the ‘father of mindfulness’ wrote in his book ‘Being Peace’, “Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment.”

The world is waking up to the huge benefits of breathwork. It can help with anxiety, sleep, stress and more! It is a wonderfully powerful tool which we will explore through the age old tradition of breathwork in yoga.

Prof. Prahlad is the Head of Yoga at Pema Wellness. He guides people globally on the important science of breathing and yogic kriyas and their impact on daily life, on physical, cognitive and coherent functions in the body. Kriyā most commonly refers to a “completed action”, technique or practice within a yoga discipline.