Rukmini Walker, owner of As Kindred Spirits galleries speaks internationally on Bhakti Yoga, Bhagavad Gita, and the traditions of kirtan. She is on the planning committee for the women’s spiritual empowerment event, Sacred Circles, held for many years at the Washington National Cathedral. She is involved in interfaith dialogue as a DC board member of the United Religions Initiative, and is a co-founder of the Vaisnava-Christian dialogue.

Her business, As Kindred Spirits, aims to connect the work of the finest craftspeople with charitable and fair trade ventures, seeing beauty and truth, “As Kindred Spirits”. As Kindred Spirits represents designer jewelry, clothing, and American craft at three locations in the Washington DC Metro area: at Reagan National Airport, at Congressional Plaza in Rockville, Maryland, and at the new Annapolis Towne Centre in Annapolis, Maryland.

Before opening As Kindred Spirits, Rukmini Walker, lived and worked in yoga ashrams in the US and India for twenty-five years. She was initiated into the Bhakti Yoga tradition as a disciple of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1968. She has one son, Gauravani, and lives in Rockville, Maryland with her husband.

There is so much interest in the physical aspects of yoga these days, Rukmini’s passion is to share her knowledge of this yogic philosophy to understand some of the deeper meanings and background of the postures and yogic lifestyle. She has been studying the Bahkti Yoga traditions for over 30 years. She is deeply honored to speak on these subjects to area groups. yoga classes, and worksops.

Gauravani, of the Kirtan group As Kindred Spirits, asked his mom prior to naming his band if he could use the name of her gallery as the name of his band. “Of course!,” she said, not knowing that in the future AKS (the gallery) would have to vie for a small share of internet hits from AKS (the band). “Can’t be disturbed about these small things,” she thought. That’s the intention behind the name, As Kindred Spirits. All living beings- trees, the grass, fish, the animals, humans, the earth, even one’s own son need to be honored as our ‘kindred spirits’

Sometimes Rukmini & Gaura lead Kirtan, and yoga retreats together. Kirtan is call and response chanting from Bhakti yoga. Bahkti yoga is the yoga of love in action. It includes the aspiration to live, “In the world not of it,” or as an engaged, urban mystic. The aim to live in humility like the grass…as the grass is plural, we all live in community; each of our actions impacts us all.

If interested in a further conversations with Rukmini about your group hosting her as a speaker please contact her though our e-mail: askindredspirits3@gmail.com

Dancing in the Rain!

This was forwarded via e-mail... hopeful and fun

LIFE IS NOT HOW YOU SURVIVE THE STORM, BUT HOW YOU DANCE IN THE RAIN.... Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more: 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2.. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others.. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' 27. Always choose life. 28. Forgive everyone for everything. 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 37. Your children get only one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 42. The best is yet to come.... 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield. 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Holiday Thoughts

Holiday time again, shopping, wrapping, family traditions, food, company. We share songs we all know, foods we grew up with and hopes of happy times. The holidays are a combination of religious faith, pagan traditions and blends of the multi-cultural melting pot that is unique to this country.

Let's try to remember to have some fun and focus on the moments that make up this time so fraught with expectation. During these challenging times our gift is a slight shift of focus on what we can be and do for each other. The gifts we give are from the heart, maybe we made them, maybe they are created from the hand of an artist, maybe we are supporting our local businesses helping each other make it though.

Hope you all take some time to enjoy these moments and have them be more than just another chore to get through. Take the time to allow this to be a time to take stock of and appreciate who & what is in your lives.
Happy Holidays!

New Trunk Show Features Elizabeth Garvin

Elizabeth Garvin is being featured at all three of our locations starting October 31st thru November 15th. This is our last trunk show until next year.

Ms. Garvin says that she is inspired by architecture and industrial design and, " Design that has been reduced to its simplest form, where all unnecessary elements have been removed." As modern and reductionist as her designs are, her work maintains a classic line. She designs for real people, and her jewelry is designed to be worn. The engineering of movement is subtle not overt.

Ms. Gavin once stated that she created her jewelry for the discerning, professional woman, someone who wants a unique yet somewhat understated piece. She also uses materials to keep her pieces affordable. By using CZ's and 18K bi-metal,along with Sterling Silver, the cost of her work is quite approachable.

We hope you have the opportunity to come enjoy her work in person.

Guara Vani and As Kindred Spirits

Wendy Rukmini Walker has a son Gaura Vani that has been a musician since "before he could talk or walk" He uses the sacred art of Kirtan (the yoga of voice), a traditional call and response technique to express his musical aptitude. He and his band "As Kindred Spirits" (like mother like son!) have travelled extensively sharing this ecstatic music.

This weekend Guara will be participating in Omega Institute's 5th annual Kirtan Festival that brings together Kirtan performers from all over to "nourish our soul(s) with a rich tradition of musical prayer and meditation. Known in Sanskrit as kirtan, devotional chanting awakens a longing in the heart for the experience of inner silence, boundless love, and union with the divine. Emerging from Hindu traditions in India, kirtan is practiced by millions of people."http://www.eomega.org/omega/workshops/da149d9d52307a7a75542962885b0ebe/

Guara has participated in and created many events based on this sacred music. He and his band created a performance called "Chant for Change" that was to both celebrate, inspire, and support out the new president Barack Obama on the eve of his inauguration. He invited people to,"Lift our hearts and voices to empower ourselves, our new leaders, our city, our country and our world in this revolutionary gathering of sacred sound and movement." all within sight of the White House and Washington Monument.

If you have a chance to see and/or participate in any of his performances you should. This heartfelt and talented young man is a credit to his mom, and a gift to this world! Check out his website http://www.gauravani.com/ (PS some his music is available at our stores!)

This month's featured artist: Ayala Bar

In honor of our month long trunk show in September of Israeli jewelry artist Ayala Bar, I thought I'd provide a bit of background on her work.

For those who have seen her colorful and eclectic style the description, " Art Deco meets Middle East" will seem quite apt. Her limited edition collections use simple metals, glass beads, mineral stones and crystal rhinestones to translate her creative perceptions. One can view the influences of ancient mosaics as well as modern fashion design in her creations. She worked for over a decade in costume and interior design prior to starting her own company in 1990.

Ms. Bar likes to state that as a mature designer,she is cognizant of the trends in the fashion world, but always true to her own inner vision. Her inspiration: a rose-tinted flower peeking out of a crack in a pavement... a glint of sunlight on a rusty can... a pebble marking gentle waves in a rain shower's puddle... wherever Ayala Bar goes,her surroundings inspire her. For this creative artist, the universe is indeed in the details. Insights and ideas are collected from sights and sites that to the average person seem mundane.

Come enjoy the visual delights of this very talented international jewelry artist. In all three stores for the month of September.

New shipments in from designer Erica Zapp. "Form, Shape, and Beauty," are her watchwords. She's someone who has always been surrounded by art and craft, her parents owned an international craft and art from around the world. She studied metal smithing at SUNY New Palz in NY, and has been designing jewelry and selling it for quite a few years. Erica Zapp consistently integrates a very sleek contemporary look with an emphasis on acessable beauy. She uses Rhodium and gold plating over brass and copper to create a wide array of color and texture. She has integrated traditional stone and pearl elements with her contemporary forms creating appealling new versions of her look. Come in today to view some of her newest designs.