Vāstu
And Pooja
Vāstu
is a 7,000 to 10,000-year-old Vedic science from India that focuses on aligning man-made environments with nature to open energetic channels and reinforce energetic portals. Drawing on the five elements, Vāstu is based on the principle that harmonizing the energy of a space with its corresponding natural element can help remove blockages and channel positive energy, paving the way for happiness and prosperity to manifest.
As a healing art, Vāstu has the ability to correct, redirect, and activate the potential of any room. Its influence can be seen in architectural monuments around the world, including the Greek Parthenon, the Egyptian Pyramids, and India's Taj Mahal. Engaging in a harmonious life with nature is at the core of Vāstu practice. This versatile system can be applied to any type of construction, be it a house, a specific room, an office, a commercial space, or an industrial building.
Pooja
is a ritual of adoration and worship designed to bring peace, joy, and positive energy into the world, opening people's hearts to follow a righteous path (dharma). The various elements of Pooja, such as chanting Vedic mantras, making offerings to the Divine (universe), and revering elements of nature, each serve a specific purpose to invoke and magnify positive energy. This process fosters a deeper connection with the Divine and aims to create a harmonious and peaceful environment.
When Pooja is paired with Vāstu, the sacred and the scientific converge, optimizing the flow of energy to create a harmonious and peaceful environment. The synergy of these two practices enhances a person’s spiritual and physical well-being, creating a powerful combination that supports overall harmony and health.
Sara Bengur and Sonya Bekkerman
Our personal journey with Vastu and Pooja has been deeply transformative. As longtime students of Sri Sakthi Amma Narayani, a revered spiritual teacher in South India, we have integrated Amma's teachings with the practices of Vastu and Pooja to create a holistic approach to energy management. Vastu and Pooja form a synergistic framework that nurtures the soul and enriches the spirit. By generating and channeling positive energy through these two practices, we have witnessed how universal peace and well-being are fostered, maintaining balance and harmony in all aspects of life. This is especially important for the home environment, as it becomes a sanctuary of tranquility and positive vibrations, enhancing the quality of everyday living. Moreover, Vastu supports all endeavors by aligning our living spaces with the natural flow of energy, thereby promoting success and prosperity in our personal and professional lives.
When a home is aligned with the forces of nature through the science and practice of Vāstu, the elements can be harnessed to flow in their natural direction. Earth energy is associated with the southwest, water with the northeast, fire with the southeast, air with the northwest, and open space with a dwelling’s central area. Each direction has a specific effect on a person’s life. For instance, the North and East produce ultraviolet rays, which are essential for well-being. On the other hand, the South and the West produce infrared rays and gamma rays, which are harmful to a person’s cellular structure. This can help explain why a misaligned interior can feel uncomfortable and limiting in both potential and scope.
Sara Bengur
New York City-based Sara Bengur founded her eponymous studio in 1993. A designer with an east-meets-west eye that embodies her multiculturalism, aesthetic, and spiritual quest, Sara's projects have included residential and retail interiors in New York, the Hamptons, Connecticut, Maine, Florida, Montana, and the French West Indies. Her work has been featured in prestigious titles such as Elle Décor, Galerie, Frederic, Luxe, WWD, The New York Times, and Architectural Digest. Sara is also the recipient of numerous design awards and ranks among House Beautiful’s coveted "America's Top 125 Interior Designers." Known for bringing the world home to her clients, Sara’s Color is Zen philosophy centers on creating and nurturing well-being.
Now certified in Vastu, she imbues her unique and deeply felt spiritual approach to interiors to expand awareness and enhance well-being, which has helped her clients manifest long-held dreams and desires. Attuned to the invisible and imperceptible, her refined aesthetic and sensibility serve as conduits to channel magnified energy to its fullest potential. A passionate world traveler, Sara continues to spend time in India to sit and study with Sri Sakthi Amma Narayani. Grounded in a genuine interest in the everyday details of her clients' lives, Sara’s ability to channel skills and practices has helped translate their desires into unique homes that are truly their own. A lifelong philanthropist, Sara has devoted time and resources, as well as her vision, to help improve people’s lives. From India to Turkey to the United States, her design skills and humanitarian approach continue to change people’s lives.
Sonya Bekkerman
Sonya Bekkerman felt called to visit South India in 2010, a journey she has undertaken annually for extended periods. During these visits, Sonya has had the immense privilege of studying under the tutelage of Sri Sakthi Amma Narayani and Amma's priests in Sripuram, Thiramalakodai. She has received spiritual initiation and was guided to learn a specific Sri Narayani pooja that Sri Sakthi Amma intended to bring peace to the world. Additionally, Sonya has studied mantra and Amma's wisdom teachings, and she is now performing this Sri Narayani pooja worldwide, spreading its energy of peace and harmony.
Professionally, Sonya Bekkerman is an accomplished international art consultant, advisor, curator, public speaker, teacher, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of global experience. She has held notable positions, including Deputy Chairman of Business Development at Christie's New York and Senior Vice President at Sotheby's, where she significantly developed the Russian art market. Her extensive network includes artists, collectors, and cultural professionals globally.
Sonya is president of Vidya Art Advisory and Vidya Art and Design, a website agency specializing in creating, designing, and maintaining websites for businesses, non-profits, and individuals. As Vice President of Divine Love World Charity Inc., Sonya leads content creation and fundraising efforts for Sri Sakthi Amma and Sri Narayani Peedam's humanitarian initiatives, fostering support for their mission worldwide.