1. Much of contemporary hatha-yoga is lacking the traditional initiation and guru-disciple relationship. Do you feel one can achieve the higher realizations of Yoga outside of this traditional mold? If yes, what makes you think so?/

I do, because our western world and my spiritual community engages in the sangha aspect of yoga, and I feel that when we come together a group to learn and share ideas and love, we create the foundations to achieve these higher spiritual realizations by ourselves and as a community. I feel so blessed to be a part of my sangha and love how they have helped me grow into the woman I've become.

2. In Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, there is a discussion of ishvara, who is said to be the teacher of all yogins. Consider what this means or what might have prompted Patanjali to put forward his particular version of theism?

I am taking the extremely lazy approach to answer this question, and say that Patanjali probably put this forward so that he could get what he felt to be his message about yoga out to the masses. When it's hot, I shouldn't be working on stuff.

3. In traditional societies, a name is considered a source of power and as being imbubed with special significance. Initiates are given a new name in recognition of their spiritual rebirth. Does your name hold any significance for you? How does it relate to your sense of identity?

I was actually jokingly given a name by my teacher, Ted Grand, when I asked him how people got names and if I could get one. However, everyone thought Karina'nanda was so beautiful it stuck, and that is what everyone calls me. It's lovely :) Karina holds significance to me as it was originally my middle name, which I legally changed to my first name when I was 18. I always felt more connected to it than the name given me, and when I made people call me Karina starting at the ripe old age of 12, I felt more empowered and more of my own person.