David Telfer McConaghay
David is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and COLORAMA board member in his fourth year studying with Alakananda Ma at Alandi Ashram in Boulder, Colorado.
A former Division 1 athlete, David discovered yoga as a means to bring ease to an overburdened body. He stumbled upon Ayurveda while serving as residential staff at the Sivananda Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California. At age 22, he spent five months in the garden and kitchen, feeding hundreds of people and learning practical skills from an Ayurvedic chef.
This is also where David first encountered Jyotish. In the eight years since this introduction, David has collected almost 500 hours of study and earned an Associate of Arts certificate in Vedic Astrology from the American Academy of Vedic Art & Science.
In addition to extensive training (RYT-500) in the Sivananda yoga tradition, David has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the George Washington University. David brings his expansive knowledge, playful spirit and precise language to conversations with clients, peers and students alike.
A former Division 1 athlete, David discovered yoga as a means to bring ease to an overburdened body. He stumbled upon Ayurveda while serving as residential staff at the Sivananda Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California. At age 22, he spent five months in the garden and kitchen, feeding hundreds of people and learning practical skills from an Ayurvedic chef.
This is also where David first encountered Jyotish. In the eight years since this introduction, David has collected almost 500 hours of study and earned an Associate of Arts certificate in Vedic Astrology from the American Academy of Vedic Art & Science.
In addition to extensive training (RYT-500) in the Sivananda yoga tradition, David has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the George Washington University. David brings his expansive knowledge, playful spirit and precise language to conversations with clients, peers and students alike.
David's resume includes several years of sales and marketing experience in the "natural products industry" working with companies like Seventh Generation and Temple Turmeric.
After thousands of hours offering samples to Whole Foods shoppers, David learned that he loves talking to people -- be they close friends or perfect strangers -- about their lives and diets, their big important pending decisions and all the details in between. What he didn't love so much was that those heartfelt interactions were ultimately premised on a sales pitch for some packaged product.
So it was at the end of 2013 when David said goodbye to the sales team and committed himself entirely to the Vedic arts. Since then, it has been a sattvic whirlwind of learning from a diverse roster of master teachers; teaching at the Colorado School of Yoga here in Boulder and at Lotus House in Omaha, Nebraska; and putting all that knowledge into professional practice -- tentatively at first, but now with irrepressible gusto as the fruits of intensive study prove to be of profound immediate benefit to people seeking this particular type of expertise.
The cutting edge of David's enthusiasm is to investigate the overlaps between ancient Vedic ideas and the futuristic models of physics and biology proposed by pioneers like Nassim Haramein and Dr. Bruce Lipton.
The aim of such explorations is to make the esoteric accessible and applicable; to discover and share the many ways whereby accurately understanding the fundamental structures of space-time can benefit our daily actions and experience.
After thousands of hours offering samples to Whole Foods shoppers, David learned that he loves talking to people -- be they close friends or perfect strangers -- about their lives and diets, their big important pending decisions and all the details in between. What he didn't love so much was that those heartfelt interactions were ultimately premised on a sales pitch for some packaged product.
So it was at the end of 2013 when David said goodbye to the sales team and committed himself entirely to the Vedic arts. Since then, it has been a sattvic whirlwind of learning from a diverse roster of master teachers; teaching at the Colorado School of Yoga here in Boulder and at Lotus House in Omaha, Nebraska; and putting all that knowledge into professional practice -- tentatively at first, but now with irrepressible gusto as the fruits of intensive study prove to be of profound immediate benefit to people seeking this particular type of expertise.
The cutting edge of David's enthusiasm is to investigate the overlaps between ancient Vedic ideas and the futuristic models of physics and biology proposed by pioneers like Nassim Haramein and Dr. Bruce Lipton.
The aim of such explorations is to make the esoteric accessible and applicable; to discover and share the many ways whereby accurately understanding the fundamental structures of space-time can benefit our daily actions and experience.
Offerings
<<< Ayurvedic Consultations >>>
<<< Vedic Astrology Readings >>>
<<< Personalized Yoga Programs >>>
<<< Teaching and Tutoring >>>
More info at: VedaDave.com
Contact: AyurvedaDave@gmail.com
Also see: RootsOfWellnessAyurveda.com
<<< Ayurvedic Consultations >>>
<<< Vedic Astrology Readings >>>
<<< Personalized Yoga Programs >>>
<<< Teaching and Tutoring >>>
More info at: VedaDave.com
Contact: AyurvedaDave@gmail.com
Also see: RootsOfWellnessAyurveda.com
Ayurveda
As a holistic system of medicine, Ayurveda operates with the understanding that physical well-being is inextricable from a calm mind and a contented soul. In this way Ayurveda is all-inclusive, offering effective prevention or remedial measures for the full spectrum of conditions. That being said, there are specific issues Ayurveda is especially well-suited to address.
These include (but are not limited to):
Psycho-emotional health is integral to any individual's overall well-being. Ayurveda provides a framework wherein all physical qualities have an energetic corollary. Therefore, an Ayurvedic consultation includes questions about family, social and work history in addition to current biomedical concerns.
Ayurvedic treatment is a collaborative process. Practitioner and patient work in tandem to identify the roots of dis-ease and adopt appropriate diet, exercise and self-care countermeasures. Herbs, oils and tinctures will be suggested according to individual circumstances. Other recommendations often include yoga asana, pranayama, essential oils, music or color therapy, as well as outside references for further treatment or self-study.
My scope of practice does not allow me to make a Western diagnosis, but I am required to suspect them and refer accordingly.
What happens in an appointment depends upon who you are. Some people show up with specific health issues for which they seek resolution. Others arrive with nothing but a general sense that something is off and they should feel better somehow. These situations are equally workable.
Just as often, consultations take the form of a coaching session focused on relationship dynamics, career options or any of the many existential burdens of being human at this stage of the world story. I particularly enjoy these conversations because it feels so good to get real about the strangeness of life on Earth right now, and because there exist many different strategies to skillfully engage and use the chaos to serve your personal evolution.
Given the inherently gentle, gradual approach of Ayurvedic treatment, it is my preference to meet with each client at least three times over the course of several months. This includes an initial intake, a followup check-in to make appropriate adjustments, and a second followup to evaluate progress and determine the best next steps.
As a holistic system of medicine, Ayurveda operates with the understanding that physical well-being is inextricable from a calm mind and a contented soul. In this way Ayurveda is all-inclusive, offering effective prevention or remedial measures for the full spectrum of conditions. That being said, there are specific issues Ayurveda is especially well-suited to address.
These include (but are not limited to):
- digestive distress
- anxiety and insomnia
- lethargy, fatigue and brain-fog
- skin conditions
- chronic pain and/or inflammation
- libido, fertility and women's health
- diabetes prevention and management
Psycho-emotional health is integral to any individual's overall well-being. Ayurveda provides a framework wherein all physical qualities have an energetic corollary. Therefore, an Ayurvedic consultation includes questions about family, social and work history in addition to current biomedical concerns.
Ayurvedic treatment is a collaborative process. Practitioner and patient work in tandem to identify the roots of dis-ease and adopt appropriate diet, exercise and self-care countermeasures. Herbs, oils and tinctures will be suggested according to individual circumstances. Other recommendations often include yoga asana, pranayama, essential oils, music or color therapy, as well as outside references for further treatment or self-study.
My scope of practice does not allow me to make a Western diagnosis, but I am required to suspect them and refer accordingly.
What happens in an appointment depends upon who you are. Some people show up with specific health issues for which they seek resolution. Others arrive with nothing but a general sense that something is off and they should feel better somehow. These situations are equally workable.
Just as often, consultations take the form of a coaching session focused on relationship dynamics, career options or any of the many existential burdens of being human at this stage of the world story. I particularly enjoy these conversations because it feels so good to get real about the strangeness of life on Earth right now, and because there exist many different strategies to skillfully engage and use the chaos to serve your personal evolution.
Given the inherently gentle, gradual approach of Ayurvedic treatment, it is my preference to meet with each client at least three times over the course of several months. This includes an initial intake, a followup check-in to make appropriate adjustments, and a second followup to evaluate progress and determine the best next steps.
Astrology
If Ayurveda is the "science of life," then Jyotish, or Vedic Astrology is the "science of light." It is the study of how spirit takes form, providing a zoomed out perspective that gives galactic context to our lives here on Earth.
The stars and planets do not cause events to happen any more than a clock causes time to pass -- they are simply the cosmic markers by which we can discern the current status of the various cycles operating within and around us. With this knowledge, we can observe, choose and act in greater alignment with nature.
An astrological consultation can address a wide range of issues. Similar to an Ayurvedic intake, there is always value in first determining your basic astrological constitution by examining the natal chart. The natal chart serves as a map of your individual karma in this lifetime, describing the psycho-spiritual dynamics that govern your inner experience as well as the external factors likely to apply throughout your current incarnation.
Once we've established the map, we engage the clockwork of current transits and dasha cycles to understand precisely where you are in your journey. It usually becomes very obvious why a person has chosen to seek guidance at that particular time. Common topics of exploration include major or minor life transitions, relationships, family issues, housing or career choices and creative pursuits.
The beauty of Vedic Astrology is that you do not need to believe in it: it works anyway! I rarely tell anyone something they don't already know about themselves, but it can create great relief and a sense of self-validation to have your most subtle inner knowings reflected back to you and coherently verbalized by a relative stranger.
The knowledge that there is an intricate cosmic order within which our seemingly random lives play out is a source of deep peace. I enjoy sharing this understanding with others so that they too may relax into their true nature, realize their highest inspirations, tap into their deepest motivations, and move forward with a clear vision of where they've been, who they are now and where they're going next.
Every human society throughout the history of existence has studied the stars in search of an expanded sense of meaning. I am humbled and grateful to have inherited a tiny slice of the collective knowledge acquired as a result of this search, and am honored to continue that quest with every client I encounter.
If Ayurveda is the "science of life," then Jyotish, or Vedic Astrology is the "science of light." It is the study of how spirit takes form, providing a zoomed out perspective that gives galactic context to our lives here on Earth.
The stars and planets do not cause events to happen any more than a clock causes time to pass -- they are simply the cosmic markers by which we can discern the current status of the various cycles operating within and around us. With this knowledge, we can observe, choose and act in greater alignment with nature.
An astrological consultation can address a wide range of issues. Similar to an Ayurvedic intake, there is always value in first determining your basic astrological constitution by examining the natal chart. The natal chart serves as a map of your individual karma in this lifetime, describing the psycho-spiritual dynamics that govern your inner experience as well as the external factors likely to apply throughout your current incarnation.
Once we've established the map, we engage the clockwork of current transits and dasha cycles to understand precisely where you are in your journey. It usually becomes very obvious why a person has chosen to seek guidance at that particular time. Common topics of exploration include major or minor life transitions, relationships, family issues, housing or career choices and creative pursuits.
The beauty of Vedic Astrology is that you do not need to believe in it: it works anyway! I rarely tell anyone something they don't already know about themselves, but it can create great relief and a sense of self-validation to have your most subtle inner knowings reflected back to you and coherently verbalized by a relative stranger.
The knowledge that there is an intricate cosmic order within which our seemingly random lives play out is a source of deep peace. I enjoy sharing this understanding with others so that they too may relax into their true nature, realize their highest inspirations, tap into their deepest motivations, and move forward with a clear vision of where they've been, who they are now and where they're going next.
Every human society throughout the history of existence has studied the stars in search of an expanded sense of meaning. I am humbled and grateful to have inherited a tiny slice of the collective knowledge acquired as a result of this search, and am honored to continue that quest with every client I encounter.
|
|
Yoga
Yoga is not a thing to do -- it is a way of doing things. It is a perspective, an approach, a mindset that informs every thought, word and deed.
Ideally, modern postural yoga creates a container wherein we can safely explore the limits of effort while dissolving all barriers to relaxation. The physical practice is the outward expression of our internal state, and as such, is a valuable tool for self-inquiry. Daily asana exposes the fluctuations of focus and distraction, alignment and imbalance, aggression and sluggishness. Basic awareness of these patterns is prerequisite to observing the more deeply seated psycho-emotional habits that one may want to either cultivate or resolve.
My personal approach is to promote your own intuitive movement. The structures suggested by specific poses are an invitation to tune more deeply into your embodied experience. The pose need not be performed "perfectly" in order to be of benefit. The only goal is to learn how to live more fully in your body, to move with the spontaneity of a small child, and to enjoy the process of exploration regardless of any need for "results" -- because that's what gets results!
Private yoga sessions are tailored to each individual. Some people simply need a task-master to help them hold plank pose longer than they otherwise would -- I can play that role. Others are looking to establish a steady home practice -- I would be honored to support your efforts by suggesting custom routines and advising on practical issues like how best to arrange your space.
I also have a great deal to offer those looking to engage more deeply in a spiritual practice. It is said that "asana prepares the body for pranayama; pranayama prepares the mind for meditation; meditation prepares the heart for devotion." This is a beautifully concise and accurate description of the process, but there are so many details to consider in between!
I have the experience and expertise to address these questions and many related concerns. More than anything, I offer the fruits of my own practice in support of yours. I am only 30 years old, but have already been a dedicated spiritual aspirant for more than 12 years. In that time I have absorbed a wide range of philosophical insights, useful thought-experiments and metaphysical understandings that make me well-equipped to meet you just exactly where you are.
We can keep it super simple, or get as weird as you might want:
It is my preference to frame all yogic recommendations in the context of your Ayurvedic constitution and Astrological circumstances. That being the case, it usually takes at least three sessions to really get to know you and get the ball rolling in the desired direction.
Here, check out this lovely video about the Sivananda yoga program by clicking on the photo below. I am featured at various intervals performing asana on the dock next to the pond at the ashram in Grass Valley.
Yoga is not a thing to do -- it is a way of doing things. It is a perspective, an approach, a mindset that informs every thought, word and deed.
Ideally, modern postural yoga creates a container wherein we can safely explore the limits of effort while dissolving all barriers to relaxation. The physical practice is the outward expression of our internal state, and as such, is a valuable tool for self-inquiry. Daily asana exposes the fluctuations of focus and distraction, alignment and imbalance, aggression and sluggishness. Basic awareness of these patterns is prerequisite to observing the more deeply seated psycho-emotional habits that one may want to either cultivate or resolve.
My personal approach is to promote your own intuitive movement. The structures suggested by specific poses are an invitation to tune more deeply into your embodied experience. The pose need not be performed "perfectly" in order to be of benefit. The only goal is to learn how to live more fully in your body, to move with the spontaneity of a small child, and to enjoy the process of exploration regardless of any need for "results" -- because that's what gets results!
Private yoga sessions are tailored to each individual. Some people simply need a task-master to help them hold plank pose longer than they otherwise would -- I can play that role. Others are looking to establish a steady home practice -- I would be honored to support your efforts by suggesting custom routines and advising on practical issues like how best to arrange your space.
I also have a great deal to offer those looking to engage more deeply in a spiritual practice. It is said that "asana prepares the body for pranayama; pranayama prepares the mind for meditation; meditation prepares the heart for devotion." This is a beautifully concise and accurate description of the process, but there are so many details to consider in between!
- What asanas should I perform and how often?
- What pranayama practices are appropriate?
- How do I meditate? or, Why am I not making any "progress" in my meditation?
- I don't want to pray to any statues or monkey-gods, so what is devotion and why does it apply to me?
- How can ancient, esoteric yoga philosophy help me live my modern day-to-day life?
I have the experience and expertise to address these questions and many related concerns. More than anything, I offer the fruits of my own practice in support of yours. I am only 30 years old, but have already been a dedicated spiritual aspirant for more than 12 years. In that time I have absorbed a wide range of philosophical insights, useful thought-experiments and metaphysical understandings that make me well-equipped to meet you just exactly where you are.
We can keep it super simple, or get as weird as you might want:
- Just getting started? Where do I begin?
- Curious about Vedanta ("the knowledge beyond which there is nothing to know")?
- Looking for practical applications of sacred geometry and quantum physics?
- What is "ascension"? Do I want that? If so, how do I accelerate the process?
- What about all the unformed questions that defy the English language?
It is my preference to frame all yogic recommendations in the context of your Ayurvedic constitution and Astrological circumstances. That being the case, it usually takes at least three sessions to really get to know you and get the ball rolling in the desired direction.
Here, check out this lovely video about the Sivananda yoga program by clicking on the photo below. I am featured at various intervals performing asana on the dock next to the pond at the ashram in Grass Valley.
Teaching
Teaching represents the culmination of all the study, training and life experience I've collected over the years. There is nothing I enjoy more than synthesizing the best of my knowledge in order to accurately transmit exciting ideas to people eager for life-changing information.
In a sense, my teaching career began in elementary school when I would help my friends figure out what the heck just happened in math class. It continued in high school as a soccer coach and writing center tutor. I was working in the writing center when it first dawned on me that a) I really enjoy teaching, and b) I seem to be good at it!
After earning a Bachelor's degree in English, I went to Guadalajara, Mexico to get a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and spent most of the next year in Bogotá, Colombia helping business professionals, artists and musicians to better understand and interact with the language.
These days, I am perfectly capable of leading an excellent asana class or profound pranayama / meditation session, but my true mastery arises in the realm of jnana yoga, the more academic side of things. Making dynamic use of Powerpoint and YouTube, I have crafted a collection of presentations that can be customized for any audience. Here is a sampling of classes I like to lead:
Teaching represents the culmination of all the study, training and life experience I've collected over the years. There is nothing I enjoy more than synthesizing the best of my knowledge in order to accurately transmit exciting ideas to people eager for life-changing information.
In a sense, my teaching career began in elementary school when I would help my friends figure out what the heck just happened in math class. It continued in high school as a soccer coach and writing center tutor. I was working in the writing center when it first dawned on me that a) I really enjoy teaching, and b) I seem to be good at it!
After earning a Bachelor's degree in English, I went to Guadalajara, Mexico to get a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and spent most of the next year in Bogotá, Colombia helping business professionals, artists and musicians to better understand and interact with the language.
These days, I am perfectly capable of leading an excellent asana class or profound pranayama / meditation session, but my true mastery arises in the realm of jnana yoga, the more academic side of things. Making dynamic use of Powerpoint and YouTube, I have crafted a collection of presentations that can be customized for any audience. Here is a sampling of classes I like to lead:
Ayurveda
Vedic Astrology
Yoga
Esoterica
Any of these topics can be a one-, two- or three-hour talk. We can also mix-and-match to create an interactive day or whole weekend of workshops. I particularly enjoy contributing to yoga teacher training programs, as the students tend to be most eager to absorb transformative information, and the container of a YTT supports this evolutionary instinct.
Here is what some trusted teachers have said about my presentations:
- Elements of Ayurveda: An Introduction to the Timeless Art & Science of Life
- Sacred Self-Care: Nourishing Applications of Practical Wisdom for the Modern World
- What is Hunger? An Exploration of Agni, the Universal Principle of Transformative Fire
- A Better Cleanse: Theory & Technique for Seasonal Purification & Rejuvenation
- Just Your Cup of Tea: The Subtle Anatomy of Ayurveda (Prana, Tejas & Ojas)
Vedic Astrology
- The Science of Light: Essentials of Vedic Astrology
- On Time: Revealing the Micro & Macro Cycles That Swirl Within & Around Us
- Astrology, Astronomy & Geometry: The Shapes That Shape Every Thing
- The Four Aims of Life: Dharma, Artha, Kama & Moksha
- Past Lives & Your Insatiable Desires: Illuminating the Shadow Planets Rahu & Ketu
Yoga
- Modern Vedanta: The End of Knowledge to Start the 21st Century
- Many Paths, One Peak: Exploring the Yogas of Karma, Bhakti, Raja & Jnana
- Sānskrit 101: An Introduction to the Language of the Gods
- Let It Be As It Is: Clarifications on the Nature and Function of Karma
- The Science of Saints & Siddhis: How Miracles Actually Happen
Esoterica
- How Spirit Takes Form: The Journey of Consciousness into Matter (& Back Again!)
- Space is Full! The New Physics & You
- Mastering Metaphysics: Sacred Geometry, Meditation & the Fifth Dimension
- The Shift: What on Earth is Happening!? & What to Do About It
- Lines of Light: Mapping Nodes, Nulls & Sacred Sites on the Planetary Grid
Any of these topics can be a one-, two- or three-hour talk. We can also mix-and-match to create an interactive day or whole weekend of workshops. I particularly enjoy contributing to yoga teacher training programs, as the students tend to be most eager to absorb transformative information, and the container of a YTT supports this evolutionary instinct.
Here is what some trusted teachers have said about my presentations:
|
"Dave has lifted a veil in our community
between the heart and the mind… an infinite wellspring of energy... when at Lotus House, his presence leaves waves of magic behind… the solid relationship he builds between the ordinary and the divine… students eyes brimming with stars, see their world in new cosmic light.” — Mary Clare Sweet, Owner, Lotus House of Yoga, Omaha, Nebraska “David breaks down complex concepts in a way that feels both engaging and totally digestible. His approachability and lack of a holier-than-thou attitude around lifestyle choices and inviting people to use this wisdom to activate healthy change in their lives sets him apart. He really listens, which is an incredible and essential quality in a healer and teacher.” — Gina Caputo, Founder & Director, Colorado School of Yoga, Boulder, Colorado |
Other services available by request include:
- personal tutoring in any of the above subjects
- customized content creation or editing for your website or promotional materials
|
|
