I was thrilled when Satkirin Khalsa chose to do her latest yoga video to a track from one of my flamenco guitar CD’s: 

You can see many other inspiring and instructional videos at Satkirin’s YouTube page. (My two flamenco guitar CD’s are free for streaming or download–Live at Don Quijote, with son Joey, and American Gypsy.)

Yoga and flamenco together is not as far-fetched as it sounds on the surface. Historians tell us that the Spanish gypsies originally emigrated from the same area in northern India where Yoga was born. You can hear it in the music, but it’s even more evident in flamenco dance. 

Dr. Satkirin Khalsa’s background is a fascinating story in its own right.  She has pursued an integrative medicine career since starting medical school at the University of New Mexico. Her interests in bridging the gap between eastern and western medicine began back in childhood when living in northern India. While there, at the age of 12, she was hospitalized and required conventional treatment for her illness. However, integrative therapies were also used, such as ayurveda and yoga, which aided the healing process.

Satkirin remained in India for 7 years for schooling. She traveled, studied yoga extensively, and encountered many amazing people, including Mother Teresa and Sir Edmond Hilary. She saw the Taj Mahal, visited various sacred and religious monuments, and hiked through beautiful forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. She also saw disease, pain and the misfortune of thousands of men, women and children.

While in India, Dr. Khalsa decided to help people through medicine. It was through her experiences in India that she understood the importance of modern medical breakthroughs, which can prevent, and cure disease, vaccines being one of them. But modern medicine also has its limitations.  The eastern teachings that emphasize healing through nutrition and movement can also cure disease but has limitations as well.

This understanding led Satkirin to pursue a medical career that could blend the best of both ‘worlds’, and apply them safely and critically.  Learn more at Satkirin’s website, Integrated Health Medicine.