Interview and Photography: Joanna Feldheim

“As a little girl, I learned how to make Masala Chai by watching my father at our family restaurant.”

Kanan Kapila knows how to make the most decadent Chai. And making Chai is just one of her many offerings.

When I first met Kanan, images of generosity, authenticity and gratitude came to me. Watery and wise, Kanan is generous with her many beautiful and unforgettable gifts— whether you are being handed an insanely delicious no-sugar cookie, expanding your yoga practice or even delivering your baby. Everything she says and does is informed by her depth of character as a Hindu American...all sprinkled with health and wellness, intuition and heart.

Her holistic approach to living embodies all of what she is and does. After a successful launch as co-founder of Jaipure Yoga, Kanan launched a new center, The Vastu Yoga, Yoga & The Practice of Wellbeing— a destination for yoga, teacher training, meditation and wellness.

I was lucky to spend an afternoon with Kanan in her kitchen as she made her chai and spoke about her life.

Q: Where were you born...when did you arrive in the States?

A: I was born in Gujarat, India and came to America when I was in the first grade. My father came to the US knowing nobody with $8 in his pocket.

Q: What was it like being an East Indian American in The U.S.?

A: As a young girl, I felt disconnected to the culture in America. Often teased and bullied at school, I longed to go back to India where my grandmother and extended family resided. I spoke my native language Gujurati fluently and then learned English while growing up here in the States. It was not until I was my freshmen year in college where I met a group of amazing friends that really embraced me, that I was able to stand proud and integrate being an East Indian American.

Q: What was your first yoga experience? Who were your influencers and how did you arrive at becoming a yoga teacher?

A: In my 20's, my best friend Reshma and I decided to try yoga. So we took our first class with a masterful Vinyasa teacher, Raji Torn. Raji was an American who chanted in Sanskrit and shared storytelling from India. We became good friends and his wife Rose became my birth doula who inspired my own path to serving other laboring women. This powerful connection with Raji led me to practice and explore more. 

Another profound awakening was during Kundalini class with Gurmukh Khalsa at her studio Golden Bridge in LA. I was pregnant at the time visiting my sister Brinda, who mentioned some buzz about people recommending Gurmukh's popular prenatal class. Gurmukh had a way of making each woman feel strong, capable and empowered. She had us sit in a circle after the practice and share who we were, which trimester and how we were feeling. Each woman I met was extraordinary— from amazing artisans and businesswomen including Cindy Crawford, Carrie Ann Moss. I never felt so happy and grounded. It was a cathartic, heart opening experience. It was then that I found my passion to teach.

I trained in prenatal Yoga with Gurmukh and then went onwards and received my E-RYT 500 with the amazing and skillful Jennifer Kohl. And most recently, I have been studying with Nevine Michaan who founded Katonah Yoga. She is pure magic!

Q: Tell us about your gorgeous new studio— The Vastu Yoga?

A: My vision for this space came from meditation, dreams and my art. The vision was about elements that exuded infinite energy. Hence, “Vastu” embodies this concept, meaning  “energy” in Sanskrit. The Vastu logo is an abstracted sunrise and sunset combined with the letter “V” which conveys energy and living life in balance— “space to illuminate.” 

The Vastu offers several notable yoga styles in a warm and welcoming space, for all levels and ages. We offer an inclusive lifestyle practice of wellbeing. There is also an emporium carrying refreshments and brands that give back to causes and support artisans from around the world such as Satya Jewelry, The Priti Collection and a local Kombucha company, Quantum, which makes the most delicious and healing Kombucha, my favorite flavor is the real Rose- It is luxurious and keeps the skin radiant. We are currently testing some organic skincare and fitness wear.

 

The Vastu just celebrated it's one year anniversary. We continue to grow and create a loving community.

 

Q: Can you talk a little about your teaching and what you personally offer? 

A: I teach Vinyasa class. We first set the intention (sankalpa) to tune inwards towards our heart, we cultivate sound through voice, inspiration, instrument, we then begin to move the body energetically while maintaining awareness throughout the arrangement of poses (asanas) created for strength, resilience, and fluidity. We focus on the breath continuously, then deeply relax and meditate thanking our lucky stars that we get to practice. Class is influenced by study and practice in Iyengar, Kundalini and Katonah Yoga. I also teach Restorative and Yin at the studio and designed a yoga program for Autistic children and adults. Currently, I am also teaching Prenatal Yoga privately...to prepare woman for labor and birth. In addition, I am truly enjoying an adjunct professor position teaching college level yoga course at Bloomfield College.

Q: Do you have a meditation practice?

Yes. I grew up praying and meditating as a daily ritual every morning and evening. It's the most profound way of staying present and connected, no matter what is happening. Meditation transcends the physical practice, creates the space to illuminate...your own self to the supreme. There are different meditations out there and can be confusing. My suggestion to my students is to just sit and tune in. 

Q: You have amazing taste and are a visual thinker. Do you have a favorite color?

A: Blue water tones, mocha, orange. I was once dispassionate about Green but now I am strongly drawn to it.

Q: Do you have another exercise you enjoy?

A: Cycling with my favorite instructor Kristin Kenny. She is currently at Flywheel in NYC. She is the real deal cycling master.  

Q: How do you bring yoga into birthing situations?

A: I have been successful serving mothers in best birth practices. The practice of movement, stillness, the transitions of breath is crucial in the laboring woman. My recent clients Thara Natalie and Jay Sean had an incredible birth story. Thara was super present, connected to every sensation and labored gracefully. The whole experience was meditative, intuitive and powerful. They have become family to me and I am grateful for every student and experience. I am hoping she writes a book one day.

Q: What is your personal practice?

A: Meditate first thing to set the intentions, then I warm up spending at least 20 minutes doing elemental surya namaskaras (sun salutations) with deliberate intentions on grounding (earth), gratitude (fire), spirit (air), flow (water) and illumination (space). Then practicing class sequencing, often inspired by the seasons and what the body needs to sustain. I also participate in Iyengar and Kundalini classes by my stellar teachers at The Vastu. 

Q: The Vastu is offering an inaugural teacher training. Tell us what's unique about it?

A: We are delighted to be offering a TVYTT this year. The training is an in-depth exploration of several modalities, bringing potency in practice and serving your purpose as a teacher or simply deepening  your practice to be a well centered practitioner. TVYTT includes notable and international teachers as guest faculty.

Q: How do you feel about The PRITI philosophy of “Giving gratitude for the knowledge we have have received in the West by investing in the East?”

A: India is a magical, spirited place with spaces big and small for every being to come together and experience the culture, foods, rituals, structures and to share their rich offerings. I believe the PRITI brand and philosophy upholds what yoga means, to be one...with nature, self, each other. Yoga begins with gratitude and the PRITI brand embraces wholeheartedly gratitude for the origin of Yoga in India— therefore supporting their precious cotton and weaving techniques from artisans.

The PRITI brand believes strongly in Ahimsa (Non-Harm) and uses Khadi, fairly traded organic cotton, undyed or azo-free dyes and eco-sustainable tree-harvested rubber. They also share the warmth with blanket donations to the homeless and support Kids of Kathmandu— supplying food and blankets to children in Nepal. Every household should have an item from PRITI. Each item is beautifully designed and intrinsically functional.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A:  A cookbook! The Indian Modern Cuisine... a fresh take on family recipes. My mother cooks simple dishes full of flavor and my father is also a fabulous cook. My family owned a restaurant in Gujurat, which my father took to passionately and named it “Milano,” meaning a place to meet in Sanskrit. 

Q: Exciting! And we are so grateful to hear your secrets for a perfect cup of Chai.
Tell me a little about making Chai and how to strike a balance of tea, milk, sweet and spice.

A: Start with organic tea leaves...I currently use a wonderful local company Yogic Chai organic black Assam loose tea. Use organic milk of choice, I prefer organic whole milk. 

Q: Can you please share the recipe?

A: I'm delighted to. 

World Class Masala Chai  

by Kanan Kapila

Ingredients

DEFINITION

Masala chai (/tʃaɪ/; Hindi: मसाला चाय, literally "mixed-spice tea" Urdu: مصالحہ چاےٴ‎ Nepali: मसलेदार चिया) is a flavoured tea beverage made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs. Originating in South Asia, the beverage has gained worldwide popularity, becoming a feature in many coffee and tea houses. In many places, there is a misconception that "chai" in itself is made with cardamom, ginger, and the other common spices. However, chai is simply the Hindi word for tea and can be prepared black, with milk, without sugar, etc.