Ropana Wellness

25/08/2026

Koh Lanta is a true hidden gem in Thailand as far as I am concerned. Maybe I am late to the party or just don’t know much about Thailand. What I do know is that this is my absolute favorite place I have been too so far in Southern Thailand!!!

The island is not as small as Phi Phi, but not as big as Phuket. It is the perfect in-between size that allows you to explore the entire place on a scooter in an hour or 2. The island is not completely over developed like Phuket and is home to stunning nature reserves and elephant sanctuaries. The beaches here were the best of any that we experienced in Thailand. They were clean, not crowded, free of beach chairs and full of pristine beauty with minimal people. It truly felt like we just kept discovering our own hidden beach oasis time and time again while driving around on the scooter.

Koh Lanta is developed enough to experience a fantastic selection of restaurants and villages to keep you satisfied. We actually had the best pizza in all of Asia while we were on this island. It was recommended to us by a fellow traveler from NYC that we met at a really amazing record store/ gelato/ coffee shop. They even made an infused matcha gelato that was absolutely incredible.

The place we stayed on Koh Lanta was absolutely epic, they looked like tree house capsules suspended in the air. At night it looked like we were living in an Ewok village complete with monkeys roaming the property. I could go on and on about this amazing place and highly recommend it to anyone traveling to southeast asia. This environment is perfect for a more self reflective and spiritual experience in nature! If you are looking for the perfect balance of tranquility, nature and exploration, don’t miss Koh Lanta!

21/08/2026

Transition is an inherent part of life that is impossible to avoid. Change is always happening and when we resist change we resist the natural flow of life itself. Surrendering to change and embracing new possibilities in the unknown has been my journey for the last year and a half. I am extremely grateful for all of the lessons and experiences I have had during this time. Life continues to change and I am extremely happy with my new direction of teaching and hosting events. I am extremely grateful for any and all support from every single person along the way. My life is meant to be of service and I am grateful to be able to live my life in this way.

As for this upcoming potential legal change that could result in banning products you know and love, I am ready to overcome any and all obstacles. Since there is so much uncertainty in this time, support from the community is more important than ever. Please consider sharing, commenting, liking or showing support in any way you can over the next few months so that I can keep this dream alive and continue be of service in this way.

Thank you so much again for the support along the way and I will continue to keep the dream alive each day!

Upcoming Events:

Sound Bath Upper Valley Yoga 8/22 6:30-8PM

Shamanic Drumming Upper Valley Yoga 8/28 6:00-7:00PM

FREE Mindful Nature Walk at Amity Pond Natural Area Polfret, VT 8/30 11AM-12PM

Blessings and health,

Shambu (Andrew) Switz

09/06/2026

The next update is from Phi Phi Island in Thailand about an hour and a half from Phuket by ferry.

This island is known for its dramatic limestone cliffs, clear turquoise water and epic scuba/ snorkeling. We visited here for the sole purpose of scuba diving and experiencing the incredible views/water.

I don’t get to experience scuba diving much but it is absolutely one of my favorite things to do in the world! It aligns perfectly with my meditation and pranayama (breathwork) practices. When you scuba dive there is really one main rule to keep in mind and that is controlled mindful breathing. As long as you continuously breathe slowly, everything is perfect and in harmony. The experience itself is one of being the observer because you cannot speak or hear much and you are not supposed to touch anything. So, essentially you are exploring an incredible new world as a silent observer. Really the only sound you hear is the bubbles and oxygen as you breathe all other sounds are either non existent or highly distorted.

I absolutely love the peace and quiet that I experience when underwater. The feeling of weightlessness in the body but also in the mind. Just observing, drifting, and breathing in pure presence. The awe inspiring colors and forms of so many different varieties of sea life, fish, crustaceans, kelp, coral and things I cannot even name.
It truly feels as if you are entering another realm, like what I imagine going to outer space feels like. In a way it is even more exciting than outer space because of the sheer amount of life pulsating and moving everywhere around you.

My mind becomes quiet and the stresses of life melt away as I submerse myself into the underwater alien world. A special shout out to for conquering her fears to brave the depths with me. Seeing her overcome herself was a powerful part of the experience that I am grateful to witness!

Get outside your comfort zone and experience the magic in our world 🙏🙇🕉👌🫠❤️📿👽💦

26/05/2026

One of the wildest experiences of not only this trip but my entire life was the Songkran Festival in Thailand. I had heard of it before but I had no idea we were going to be in Thailand for the festival on this trip! It was a wild synchronicity letting me know we were exactly where we were supposed to be!

Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year festival, celebrated annually from April 13 to 15. The word comes from Sanskrit, meaning “astrological passage,” marking the sun’s transition into the Aries constellation. Officially inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event, it is famous globally for transforming the entire country into the world’s largest water fight.

It was originally celebrated by only pouring water over the Buddha statues in temples, then it evolved to pouring water over the elders. Present day, it is now a full on water fight with buckets and sq**rt guns all over the country! It still has the same intention of cleansing away negative energy and blessings for good luck in the new year.

Some of the traditions include:

Song Nam Phra: Locals visit temples to pour scented water over sacred Buddha statues, a ritual meant to wash away sins and invite good fortune.

Rod Nam Dam Hua: Young people pour scented jasmine water over the hands or feet of elders and monks as a gesture of profound respect and to receive their blessings.

Din-Sor-Pong: Celebrants apply a protective white limestone powder paste to each other’s faces to ward off evil and bless one another.

Building Sand Stupas: Temple-goers bring sand back to the local monastery grounds to build pagodas, symbolically replacing the dirt carried away on shoes throughout the year.

We had to participate in this incredible sacred cultural experience, so, we bought some water guns and wandered around. A lot of businesses shut down and just had turned the front of the business into a water gauntlet. There were even people in truck beds and on the back of scooters driving down the roads with sq**rt guns and barrels/ buckets of water. It was incredible and I feel beyond blessed to experience this spiritual festival in its home country!!!

Blessings and love everyone🙇🕉👌🙏🫠❤️📿

25/05/2026

New place, new vibes, new lessons… Thailand is a very different place from India. The country is predominantly Buddhist and you can feel a distinct difference in energy from the moment you land here. It’s no better or worse just different energy.

I am not going to lie, when we told someone in India we were going to Phuket, they made it sound like it was going to be not for us. After experiencing it for ourselves, I would say that any place is really more about what you seek out rather than the surroundings. People think of Phuket as a party spot full of drinking and all kinds of craziness. Since we don’t drink, it was a very different experience.

We had a time filled with delicious exotic fruit, amazing food, beautiful beaches and temples. There was for sure people there partying and lots of umbrellas on the beaches which were not our favorite vibes. However, there is beauty everywhere and it’s hard not to love a tropical island with amazing food! Thai people are extremely kind and welcoming. Our homestay family were a joy in and of themselves to say the least.

As for the spiritual side, there are temples even in these touristy areas that are a refuge from the chaos outside. The energy of the Buddhist temples is serene and deeply peaceful. I love the completely different style of architecture and especially the teachings of Buddhism.

Buddhism was born from Hinduism and shares some similarities while being vastly different at the same time. You can find many shrines and representations of Ganesha the elephant headed god who removes obstacles from our life path. Buddha himself was raised in the Sanatana Dharma or Vedic philosophy which is the precursor to Hinduism. Hinduism as a label didn’t exist until the late 18th century and was created by European traders. It was a catch all phrase that encompasses different schools of philosophy that are related yet different. The main reason it was used was to distinguish people from the Muslim religion which is completely different.

My interpretation is that the Buddha stripped away a lot of the dogma and hierarchy in Hinduism. He simplified and condensed the core philosophy in a new way for a new time.

25/05/2026

I thought the last post was going to be my last of my time in India, but, I had some more I was called to share. These are from Rishikesh and a journey to Vashishta Cave just north of the city right on Ma Ganga (the sacred Ganges River). In this place the water is crystal clear and clean even more so than in Rishikesh. This is where I choose to fully immerse in Ma Ganga and meditate along the shore and in the caves themselves. The atmosphere is serene and peaceful away from the hustle and bustle of Rishikesh itself. There are rafts that pass by due to the white water rafting industry, but other than that it is very shanti and a perfect place to meditate.

Vashishtha cave is an ancient, naturally formed cave nestled on the banks of the Ganges River, about 25 km from Rishikesh. Revered in Hindu mythology as the meditation site of Sage Vashishta, it remains a highly peaceful, spiritual sanctuary. According to Hindu scriptures, Sage Vashishta was the mind-born son of Lord Brahma and one of the Saptarishis (the seven ancient sages). Sages, like Vashishta were spiritual seers. They lived ascetic lives in forests, meditated deeply, and composed ancient sacred texts like the Vedas. They are highly advanced perfected beings said to have directly perceived the wisdom from the divine source of all knowledge.

The cave is roughly 60 feet deep and features a small opening that tapers inward. As you step past the entrance, it opens into a dimly lit, quiet haven. At the furthest end of the cave sits a Shivlinga where visitors pray and seek blessings.The space is intentionally maintained for silence and reflection, with mats laid out for meditation. It remains an active spiritual retreat used by monks and travelers alike.

You can’t help but feel the vibration of peace and harmony here. It does get busy at times, so, I recommend going there early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

I am beyond grateful for all those who have come before me to blaze the path of wisdom toward realization of the divine source that lies within us all. Going within is the ultimate goal and source of wisdom, we are all connected to the divine.

17/05/2026

Haridwar is one of my favorite places in India. Steeped in the blessings and sacredness of saints from time immemorial. I returned to the ashram of Anandamayi Ma, the place of her Mahasamadhi shrine. A deeply peaceful and loving atmosphere that is permeated with her divine presence. Mahasamadhi is the term in India reserved for saints and holy people who leave their body, moving into their incarnation. I feel beyond blessed to return here on another pilgrimage around this beautiful country.

Haridwar is said to be one of the places where drops of Amrita, the elixir of eternal life, fell to the ground when Garuda (the regal eagle) was carrying a container of it across the sky. It is said that dipping in the holy Ganges River here will cleanse all impurities and grant us Moksha (liberation from the cycles of birth and death). There are countless temples and ashrams including powerful shaktipeeths. These shaktipeeths are places of the divine feminine where it is said that actual body parts of Sati are enshrined. There are 51 Shaktipeeths in India all with immense divine feminine energy or Shakti. You can feel the power of these places and it is truly humbling to be able to make offerings, meditate and recite mantras here.

Rishikesh is only about 30 minutes to an hour away depending on traffic. The vibe there is very different especially now with the advent of adventure tourism including river rafting, bungee jumping and zip lines. However, there is still an undeniable spiritual vibe here with so many ashrams and yoga schools. Pilgrims and students have been coming to Rishikesh to learn yoga practices for hundreds if not thousands of years. Seekers from around the world continue to come here for this same purpose to this day. The entire city is banned from selling alcohol or meat which is unlike anywhere else I have been and adds to the sacred aura of the place. I feel beyond blessed to travel in India and beyond in my spiritual quest. The more I travel the more I realize it is truly not about the outside place but rather our inner state of being and intentions. We can practice and honor the divine anywhere anytime 🙇❤️🙏🕉

07/05/2026

Blessings and Love to everyone as the journey here in Asia continues!!

This update comes from Hampi the ancient city of India that I like to refer to as the Rome of India.

Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Karnataka, India, is a breathtaking, 41,000+ hectare open-air museum featuring ruins of the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire. Set among dramatic, boulder-strewn landscapes along the Tungabhadra River, it showcases Dravidian-style temples, palaces, and ancient markets.

This place is truly special and unlike anywhere else in the world. The energy, sights, sounds and people are all amazing! Each day brings a new adventure and reveals more of the history here.

One of the most special sites we visited was Hanuman Hill, widely known as Anjanadri Hill or Anjanadri Betta, is a sacred site near Hampi believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. It is located on the northern banks of the Tungabhadra River in the Anegondi area, part of the ancient kingdom of Kishkindha mentioned in the Ramayana.

The journey begins with a scooter ride about 50 minutes from the main center out into the rural areas surrounding Hampi. Then a climb up 575 stone steps to reach the Temple at the summit. A true pilgrimage to the birthplace of the master of devotion, Hanuman himself.

Lord Hanuman is one of the most beloved and powerful deities in Hinduism, celebrated as the ultimate symbol of devotion (bhakti), strength (shakti), and humility. He is a central figure in the epic Ramayana, where he serves as the loyal commander of the Vanara (monkey-like) army and the dedicated servant of Lord Rama. He serves as an example of selfless service and devotion to the divine.

I am inspired by Hanuman to live in service to all as different manifestations of the same one divine consciousness that is within every living being. Helping others without expectations of anything in return is central to my spiritual journey and the core practice of my daily life.

Thank you for reading and following along on my journey.

Blessings and love 🕉🙇🙏📿❤️🫠

*Hanuman is the central figure of worship for Maharaj Ji and his followers like the well known teacher *

Jai Hanuman!

04/05/2026

28/04/2026

Tiruvannamalai is a renowned sacred city known for Arunachala Mountain an emanation of Lord Shiva himself. Arunachala is a 2,669-foot (800-meter) high mountain in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India revered as a physical manifestation of Lord Shiva and the “Hill of Fire” or “Hill of Wisdom”. Considered the spiritual heart of the world, it attracts thousands for spiritual seekers, meditation, and the monthly Girivalam (circumambulation).

It is believed to be more ancient than the Himalayas and is associated with the legend of Shiva appearing as a column of light. It represents the element of Fire (Agni) in the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas (five elements).

The legend begins with a dispute between Lord Brahma (the Creator) and Lord Vishnu (the Preserver) over who was supreme. Their conflict caused chaos in the universe until Lord Shiva intervened by appearing as a massive, dazzling Jyotirlinga—a pillar of fire that seemed to have no beginning or end.

Shiva challenged the two gods to find either the top or the bottom of the column.

Vishnu took the form of a boar (Varaha) and burrowed deep into the earth to find the base. While Brahma took the form of a swan (Hamsa) and flew upward to find the summit. After failing to find the base, Vishnu returned and humbly admitted his failure, realizing the infinite nature of Shiva. Brahma also failed to find the top, but he encountered a thazhambu (screw-pine) flower falling from the pillar. He persuaded the flower to lie and say he had reached the peak.

Angered by the lie, Shiva appeared from the fire and cursed Brahma, declaring he would not have temples on earth for his worship. He also banned the thazhambu flower from being used in his worship.

To protect the world from the intense heat of his fiery form, the Devas prayed for Shiva to take a more accessible shape. Shiva agreed and cooled his infinite light into the Arunachala Hill. He declared that he would manifest on the summit every year as a sacred beacon during the Karthigai Deepam festival to remind humanity of this original light.