Prabha Sinha, founder of the Pratyush Sinha Foundation, talks about how she prioritizes mindfulness in her everyday life and shares her tips for incorporating more of it into yours. Hear her thoughts on exercise, aging, indulgences, the importance of stillness and more.
How would you describe your personal philosophy when it comes to overall wellness?
My personal philosophy and practice of overall wellness is rooted in the body, mind and heart connection. How we get there can differ, as we are all unique with different needs and preferences. For me that comes through a combination of yoga, walking, gym routines and, of course, times of reflection, silence and connection. The quiet moments snuck through the day, on the bed, cushion, outdoors or time spent with friends help bring all three into alignment.
Tell us about the work that you’ve done in founding the Pratyush Sinha Foundation (PSF). What are you most proud of about your work?
PSF for me has been a labor of love to honor my son Pratyush, whom we lost in 2011. My intention with the work has always been to empower children and adolescents with tools for emotional regulation, so they can live their life to their full potential. The external and internal challenges that we all face in the 21st century are unprecedented in human history in the absence of the fabric of the social support we had before. But we do have a rich heritage of ancient practices from all over the world, which Western science now attests to, that are being woven into our schools, homes and communities.
I don’t know if pride is the word, but it gives me great joy and peace to know that, through our work, some children and adolescents understand the value of the pause and know that they always have a choice when steering through the rollercoaster of their emotions. It is gratifying to know that children are developing self-calming and self-soothing skills.
The foundation recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary and introduced the Mindful Child Initiative. Tell us about that transition and the focus of the foundation going forward.
Mindful Child Initiative by Pratyush Sinha Foundation was adopted for the purpose of making our mission and work transparent to all, our community and stakeholders. Our mission has not changed. We will continue to provide high-quality mindfulness programs to promote the mental and emotional health of children and the adults who support them in the Lehigh Valley.
I have stepped down from the director role but continue to support Jason Sizemore and Sara Martinez, the now co-executive directors. They have been with the organization since 2017 as volunteers and then staff. They are both as committed and passionate about the work as I am. They are incorporating their unique expertise and talents to propel us onwards with vigor, through old and new initiatives.
How do you incorporate mindfulness into your everyday life?
Mindfulness to me is a constant reminder to stay present, through the ebb and flow of life. I have set reminders for myself through the day to draw me back into my body and connect to sensations, sensory awareness, breath, etc. These are times like when I am taking a sip of tea, or stopped at a red light, the sight of the rising or setting sun, etc. Listening to my body helps me tune in to my mental and emotional states and cultivate awareness.
In what ways does mindfulness support self-regulation?
Mindfulness fosters capabilities which build critical insight, compassion and connection. All this supports self-regulation.
How can one weave mindfulness into their work day?
Mindfulness comes into play in everything we do, and the same principles apply everywhere. For a meaningful, stress-free and productive work life, we need to keep our attention in the present moment, non-judgmentally, and with recognition of the common humanity and interdependence. Inserting moments of mindful awareness to what we do, every day, helps it become a habitual pattern. This builds our capacity to navigate the challenges that can come up in interactions with coworkers, deadlines, unmet expectations, etc.
Inserting moments of mindful awareness to what we do, every day, helps it become a habitual pattern.
When it comes to overall mindfulness, what role does yoga play?
Yoga is a multifaceted approach whereby we guide our awareness through the gross body into the subtle body which includes our mind. One of the classical definitions of yoga defines it as the cessation of conflicts of the mind. Mindfulness provides us with some of the tools to achieve that state of being.
Describe your morning and evening routines!
15–20 minutes of stillness are an important part of my morning and nightly routine. These minutes might just be breath practice or a body scan and especially during the tough times the recitation of a mantra.
What’s your favorite meal to make at home?
I have many because my taste buds crave variety. I like to cook simple dishes that do not take too much time. For breakfast, avocado toast or blueberry pancakes; for lunch, a simple salad with some warm roasted veggies and nuts with just some EVOO and balsamic vinegar or a homemade vegan soup; for dinner, roti (Indian homemade tortilla made with whole wheat flour), mung dal (mung beans cooked with light spices) and some vegetables stir-fried with basic spices.
What are your favorite eateries and restaurants to visit in the Lehigh Valley for a good meal? What do you order?
My favorite is Santosha, which is open only for lunch on weekdays. I like all the vegan dishes there, especially their seasonal menu. If feeling lazy, I do take out from Bamboo or Thai Avenue (vegetable dumplings, Thai red/green tofu curry) or Cumin N Eat (samosa, mixed veg korma, channa saag, naan).
What’s something that you love to indulge in?
My indulgence is retreats at Himalayan Institute (Honesdale), the Omega or Garrison Institute (NY), where my mind and body both are nourished. Locally, my food indulgence is Butterhead Kitchen.
Do you have a preferred exercise routine?
I have added strength training to my exercise regimen in the last two and a half years, as I entered the sixth decade of my life. I have done this to slow down the muscle mass loss that happens with age and to strengthen my core to help ease the pain in my back.
What’s your philosophy for wellness when it coming to aging?
Aging is the natural progression of life and I embrace fully all that comes with it. I believe that while we can’t avoid the chronological age, the psychological age rests on our attitudes and lifestyle. And that is what I focus on.
How do you stay motivated?
One day at a time.
Who is someone you look up to?
Hard for me to pick one. Buddha, Jesus Christ, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Dalai Lama.
Do you have a personal mantra that you’d like to share?
A short one: “This too shall pass.”
Published as “Living Well With” in the March 2024 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
