KUNDALINI YOGA FOR LENT

     I was having a nice conversation with a woman who attends my Sunday yoga class and she mentioned she was considering incorporating a 40 day Kundalini Yoga meditation to mark and honour the Lenten season. I thought this was a lovely idea and thought I'd mention it to you too in case you find this idea appealing as well!

     As a child growing up in a Greek Orthodox family, I annually participated in a traditional Greek lenten period which meant dietary restrictions and fasting. I didn't quite get it at the time, but I am so grateful that I experienced that austere and devotional practice, clearly it had a profound effect on me and has made me the person I am today...
     While it is most common to associate Lent and fasting with Christian (especially Catholic) religions, it is interesting to note that there is a long tradition of spring purification in many faiths and traditions. The very name of Lent is synonymous with the season, for it comes from the Anglo-Saxon lenctene, meaning the time when the days lengthen. If you think about what’s going on in the natural world, these food deprivations make sense. This part of early spring is the most hazardous time of the year for people living close to the earth. The first bitter greens (so prominent a part of spring equinox feasts like Passover and Easter) are just emerging. Fresh eggs, also associated with these feasts, are not yet available; birds are just beginning to nest. The foodstuffs, particularly the salted and smoked meat, that were stored to carry the family through the winter may be giving out. The potatoes and apples left in the cellar are getting soft and of dubious quality. The deprivation of Lent may not be voluntary but a necessity imposed by nature.
     The 40 days of Lent are a significant period. Forty is a magical number which recurs throughout the Bible (Noah floated in his ark for 40 days and nights, the chosen people wandered in the desert for 40 years, Jonah led the citizens of Nineveh through 40 days of penance). But forty is also a "magical" number in the Kundalini Yoga tradtition where it is said that it takes 40 days to break a habit (or establish a new routine).
     But it’s not just the number of days that are significant but their conjunction with the season. In Chinese medicine, spring is the time of the liver, whose energy is change. The sap is rising in the trees, which are budding; the green stalks of crocuses and snowdrops are pushing through the frozen ground. There's an incredible shift happening which — in those parts of the world which are frozen — manifests in the spring thaw, the breaking up of the contraction of winter. Lent is the time for making auspicious changes.
     So, here is what I plan to do ~ for 40 days beginning on Ash Wednesday (by the way I find it interesting that this is the day when priests mark your forehead with a smudge of dark ash  ~ right on the third eye chakra, a place also marked with sacred ash in Hindu devotions!) ~ I'm going to commit to 40 days of Sadhana which means getting up at 5am before the sun rises and doing a Kundalini Yoga kriya and then about 1.5 hours of mantra. For more information on this devotional practice during the ambrosial hours check out this blog post I wrote last year. I also made a You Tube video called "Kriya for Morning Sadhana" which is a really lovely Kundalini Yoga class you may enjoy committing to doing for 40 days. I've also chosen a very special meditation which you might want to practice daily for Lent ~ it is called "The Seven Wave Sat Nam Meditation"
     If the idea of Fasting or Cleansing appeals to you, this could translate to a cleanse or yogic fast. 40 days is a long period of time, so you might choose to spend the first two or three weeks preparing your mind and body, do the fast or cleanse in the middle of Lent, and then spend the remaining period transitioning back to your regular eating habits. Participating in a fast or cleanse can be a powerful opportunity to work on the body, mind, and spirit simultaneously, and would be very appropriate for the Lenten season.  If you don’t feel ready or willing to take on a fast or cleanse, making a commitment to eat better (even once a day or once a week) will go a long way to your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. 

Whatever you choose to do as the days begin to lengthen as we spiral into spring ~ enjoy the journey!

DO YOGA WITH ME...in your own home!

I've posted a couple of new yoga videos on You Tube that I thought you might like to check out. You can practice with me in the comfort of your own home, anytime you want! Sat Nam

WHO ARE YOU?

     I am, I AM

     When we ask ourselves who we are, our habit may be to identify with our physical bodies, the jobs we have, the car we drive, and all the roles we take on in this life (wife, mother, daughter etc.) Yet none of these things are permanent - the body ages and will die, the material possessions we own will break down and rust, and the roles we play evolve and often cease to exist as well. The outer world is always changing, and therefore it is not real. Yet there is a part of us that has always been, that will never die, and will never change - this is our Higher Self - our Infinite identity that is Divine, that is God ~ and God is Love. As yogis, we train our minds to identify with this aspect of ourselves in order to live life from a place of authenticity. 

     In order to cultivate a connection to our true identity, it is important to embrace it completely and OWN it! The way to own our true identity is by refining our self concept and ALIGN WITH THE DIVINE - the real, unchanging, and sacred part of us. Everytime we use the words I AM, it is important to be conscious of what words we choose to place afterwards. All too often we use words that separate us from our creative source and our true identity. For example, "I am fat" or "I am unlovable" or "I am stupid". That which we tell ourselves becomes our reality. 

     Now is the time to practice a shift in our internal dialogue. The words I AM, which we use to define ourselves and what we are capable of, are sacred expressions for the name of God ~ which is our highest self. Lets honour ourselves and our Divine nature by retraining our minds to unify our inner and outer identities so that we can experience our unlimited potential. 

     Yogi Bhajan shared a powerful Kundalini Yoga Meditation called Meditation Into Being that will help you plant the seed of your true identity within you. SAT NAM ~ Truth is my Identity.  

CHAKRAS and THE ENERGY OF YOUR EMOTIONS

     The idea of the body and brain being completely separate is fast being replaced by a holistic model of mind, body, and spirit being intimately connected. Our bodies perfectly mirror our unconscious thought patterns and the internal stories we tell ourselves, much in the same way they mirror the quality and quantity of the food we eat. Yogis throughout the ages knew this, and created a blueprint of this complex interaction between mind, body, and spirit called the Chakra system.

     The chakras are aspects of consciousness, and they interact with the physical and energetic body through two major vehicles ~ the  endocrine and the nervous system. The chakras themselves are not physical, rather they are associated with one of the nine endocrine glands, and also with a group of nerves called a plexus. Each chakra corresponds with particular parts of the body and functions within the body controlled by that plexus or endocrine gland. In addition to representing particular parts of the physical body, the chakras represent parts of our consciousness and how we perceive reality. Our senses, perceptions, and states of awareness are divided into eight categories, and each of these categories is associated with a particular chakra.
     Emotions reside physically in our bodies and interact with our cells and tissues. This concept is even reflected in the many ways we describe some emotions and the way they make us feel physically; like when we suffer from a "broken heart" or we have "gut wrenching" grief or fear. When seen from this perspective, it makes sense then that emotions affect not only our psyches, but our bodies as well. Emotions stimulate very specific activities in the nervous system, and the nervous system has the intelligence to differentiate between positive and negative emotions. Emotions are energy in motion and proper management of this energy is the key to vitality and well being.
     Emotions colour our world with contrast and meaning.  Just as the five senses guide us to get what we need physically, our thoughts and emotions detect, describe, and guide the quality of our reality. We experience our reality through a filter of a multitude of thought and feelings. Harmonious and loving thoughts create positive and pleasant feelings, whereas dark, heavy, and negative thoughts cause depression, hatred, and generally make your life a living hell.
     Emotions are the senses of the Soul, and they reveal how things are going in our lives. They also have the ability to reconnect us with our highest purpose and give positive direction to our lives. Unfortunately, most people greatly misunderstand the powerful energy of emotions and proper purpose of feelings, and the result is COMMOTION, which causes a lot of pain for us and everyone else. Not just mental pain either, physical illness is often a manifestation of this commotion as well, and this is where using the blueprint of the chakras helps us to identify which emotions and areas of our life are blocking life force energy from moving through our being.
     The challenge is to learn the language, the code, the rules of the system of guidance and self-healing that exists within us so we can handle and thrive no matter what situation we find ourselves in. The key is to learn to master our minds, and harness the power of our minds to serve us and our highest well-being and purpose. Rather than ignoring, repressing, and reacting impulsively to our emotions, it is important to learn how to view them as guides and process them through the intellect, with full awareness of their message, purpose, and intent. It is time for a CHAKRA REVIVAL. My in-depth guide to your chakras and everything you need to harness the wisdom they possess launches this week. For more information visit http://bit.ly/2pDgkL8

What's all the fuss about CHAKRAS?

     CHAKRAS ~ it's a big buzz word these days, and for good reason. How would you feel if I told you that the power to heal your life is within you, and that your body contains an intelligent blueprint to guide you along the way? This is where the Chakras come in handy because they mirror your levels of vitality; basically each part of your spine has a chakra or centre which energy passes through. If energy is blocked or prevented from flowing through the body and these energy centres, then an illness, discomfort or disease manifests. Awesome, right? Gone are the days when you thought an illness just came out of the blue and disrupted your life. Now you can take active participation in your health and well being by tapping into the wisdom of your chakras. How? I knew you'd ask me that question, that is why I am writing two more articles on the subject right here on this blog. In case you can't wait, why not sign up for my CHAKRA REVIVAL E-Course? We go deep into what the chakras are, and how you can make the subtle, and sometimes not so subtle shifts in your life that help loving, universal life force energy to flow freely and abundantly through your body, and how Kundalini Yoga can help you along the way......

Stay tuned for my next article on the Chakras where I will explore the role our emotions have in our physical well-being.

SACRED OUTLOOK

"Feel and understand that life is nothing but a gift of God. The moment that you feel life is a gift, you will be happy." Yogi Bhajan

     A cornerstone of enlightened living is understanding that we are spiritual beings having a human experience, not the other way around. This is a huge fundamental shift in perspective because once you accept that you are already a spiritual being, the striving for perfection or improvement becomes totally unnecessary because you're already there - you are a perfect, divine, bucket load of awesomeness just waiting to be expressed. Rather than trying to be Divine, just surrender to the idea that you already are. It is a very liberating experience, to say the least. Living in this way is living life with Sacred Outlook. Every experience, every person, every aspect of life is acknowledged as sacred, worthy of respect, acceptance and gratefulness - even the really tough and shitty parts. Actually, especially those parts because those are the times when we can really flex our commitment to Truth, and live in the light of our souls. As Yogi Bhajan said "Fear, pain and hurt only come to you when you are not dealing with life in the light of your soul." The challenge is to rise up, to live life gracefully, especially in the most ungraceful of situations. That is your true strength.

     Here is a link to a powerful Kundalini Yoga Meditation that will help you to Experience the Gift of Life. Begin with 3 minutes and slowly increase the time to 31 minutes.

Life isn't about surviving - it's about thriving. Awaken to your full potential with Kundalini Yoga. Sign up for my FREE Introduction to Kundalini Yoga E-Course at http://bit.ly/2lH1akq

THE POWER OF SADHANA

     An essential aspect of a Kundalini Yoga practice is Sadhana - which is a daily spiritual practice. The sacred science of Kundalini Yoga offers us all a rare opportunity to relate to the Infinity within us - our soul, God, divinity - our true selves. Once this awareness of our true selves is developed we discover the strength in our uniqueness and have the confidence and desire to develop the special gifts we were born with. Sadhana is the time to align ourselves with the Universal Life Force behind all that is. When we are alignment with this divine force we are radiant, grateful, happy, and carefree. What an amazing way to start your day!

     Yogi Bhajan taught that the best time to do Sadhana is very early in the morning during the Amrit Vela or "ambrosial hours" - which is sometime in the 2-21/2 hours before sunrise (between 4 and 7 am). During this time, the angle of the sun's rays shining on the earth, as well as the deep peace and quiet, makes practicing Kundalini Yoga and Meditation up to 40 times more powerful than any other time of day. I will say this though - doing a Sadhana any time of day is important. Don't think that you can't practice if you don't get up this early - any time of day is good, but the amrit vela is supreme! After years of just flirting with getting up for Sadhana in the amrit vela, I can now say that my whole life has changed with a fairly regular practice. Try it and see how it feels, you won't be sorry.

Here are the steps to a potent Sadhana:

1. Wake up between 4 and 5 am.

2. Dring some water.

3. Use a dry brush to exfoliate the skin.

4. Rub almond or coconut oil all over your body.

5. Take a cold shower for at least 3 minutes. Keep moving the whole time, massaging your arms, back, chest, stomach, shoulders, and face. (Avoid taking a cold shower during menstruation.)

6. Dress in white clothing made of natural fibres, cover your head and sit in a clean and peaceful place.

7. Tune in with three repetitions of the Adi Mantra "Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo" (I bow to Divine Wisdome, I bow to Infinite Creative Consciousness)

8. Do a Kundalini Kriya for 25-45 minutes. You might want to do some simple warm ups before you begin. End with a deep relaxation on your back.

9. Do the Aquarain Sadhana Mantra Meditations for 62 minutes.

Adi Shakti Mantra (Long Ek Ong Kar) 7 minutes 

Wah Yantee Kar Yantee 7 minutes

Mul Mantra 7 minutes

Sat Siri Akaal 7 minutes

Rakhe Rakhan Haar 7 minutes

Wahe Guru Jio 22 minutes 

Guru Ram Das Chant 5 minutes

10. Contemplative moments/prayer.

11. End with the Long Time Sun song.

12. Have an AMAZING day!

Learn more about Kundalini Yoga when you sign up for my FREE Introduction to Kundalini Yoga E-Course at http://bit.ly/2lH1akq

THE POWER OF THE GONG

 
 If you've ever taken a Kundalini Yoga class you may have experienced the immensely powerful sound of the gong. I fell in love with the gong because it enabled me to tap into a transcendent reality and connection with a vastness beyond my finite self. I was hooked.
     The gong is a transformational tool for deep healing and rejuvenation. A Kundalini Yoga class consists of a sequence of asanas, mudras, bandhas, pranayams, and mantras which open the flow of energy to create a receptive body-mind state. The gong can then be played during savasana when the students are relaxed and in a meditative state. The gong cleanses the subconscious mind and awakens transcendent states of awareness.
     Unlike most musical instruments, the gong sound envelope is unpredictable, non-linear, and trans-spatial. The gong produces a complex synthesis of blended overtones that allow the listener to experience sound in a completely new and entirely unique and personal way. The sounds produced by the gong are so new and intricate that the human mind is unable to categorize it. The powerful sound waves of the gong suspend the thought waves of the mind, bringing the listener to a zero point that is known as shuniya - nothingness - where inner truth can be accessed. The gong is the the yogi's instrument for creating a spontaneous meditative state that only requires the listener to let go.

   

THE SEASONAL LIVING PROGRAM - Winter Edition is LIVE!

Winter Solstice is just around the corner which means WINTER IS COMING! There are so many simple (and fun) things you can do to work with the energy of winter to stay happy and healthy - and I've outlined them all in this latest e-course - the second in my series of four. Normally I'd wait until the solstice to launch it, but there are so many great ideas, recipes and homemade gift giving inspirations that I had to release it early (did I mention there are Christmas cookie recipes in there too?)
     The 3 E-Books and 5 Video You Receive include:
* A Seasonal Rejuvenation Protocol with Self Care Practices, Herb & Supplement suggestion
* 3 Hatha & 2 Kundalini Yoga Videos for Winter Warmth, Adrenals & Kidneys
* Seasonal Eatings and Dietary Suggestions for Winter
* 60+ Seasonal Recipes in a Handy Recipe Book you can print out
* Seasonal Celebration Ideas and Recipes
* Wildcrafting in Winter + Recipes
* My New Year 3 Day (Warm) Detox - a nice reboot after the indulgence of the holidays!
     This program is designed to assist you in creating harmony and balance in your life by becoming consciously connected to the earth and it's rhythms. A seasonal routine is an important cornerstone of health, year round.

Makes a nice gift for yourself or for someone you love - ENJOY, and Happy Holidays :)

For more information or to enrol visit http://bit.ly/1YBqp4x

I'M A DREAMER

     I've been asked to share my dreams, how I DO my dreams.

     Sometimes it feels like all I do is yearn and wish for more than I already have. Always imagining, wanting, comparing, judging, craving...

     What is it that I want? When will I feel content and at peace with what I have? Will my whole life be a constant desire for more, bigger, better?

     These are some of the thoughts that fill my mind when I hear the word dream.

     I know I am on the path I know I am meant to be on. But the journey isn't over yet, this constant desire is my yearning to fulfill my destiny. So I am meant to dream, and to dream big.

     Now, I'm a Kundalini Yogi, so when I have "deep thoughts" or "big questions" and need a little advice or inspiration, I turn to the wisdom of Yogi Bhajan.  When it comes to destiny, this was his take on it. Basically, as we continue to become more in tune with our true selves, our soul, we make choices based on our destiny. Yogi B said that it is very inhuman to seek, to look for something and try to get it. Instead, he told us to recognize and deliver; to be still and let things come to you. To have the power to be radiant - literally in our auras - and in the charisma that comes to us when we are clear and conscious. When we recognize and project our identity, our true identity, then everything that completes that identity will naturally come to us. It is the first principle of the consciousness of abundance. This attribute is called "Presence." When we recognize our destiny and the purpose that accompanies it, we become present in a tangible and powerful way.

     Okay, so in order to fulfill my destiny rather than succumb to my fate, I must recognize and project my identity and find that Divine spark within. How do I do this? It comes from a daily spiritual practice. Through my spiritual practice I can develop my sensitivity and identify that Light within - what its qualities are, whats its purpose is. When each person identifies the Divine within themselves first, then from a sense of nobility, grace, expansiveness and love, we can reach out to build relationships with others. Not to worship or find God, but to be the being of God. To connect with the the Infinite in the finite brings peace, kindness and prosperity not only to ourselves; but to those around us as well.

  Prosperity is about getting real with yourself. It is about taking responsibility for the position you are in, identifying what you want, and how it will happen. As a creative being, offer a vibration that matches your desire rather than a vibration that matches your observation.  Project. Use the way you talk to yourself, the way you think, and the way you feel to create goodness in your life. Becoming prosperous requires taking responsibility for what is happening to you, to become more conscious, and to make decisions that will bring you closer to your goal.

  So, how do I DO my dreams? I practice Kundalini yoga. In order to manifest, I work on being present in my body and connected to the earth.  I try to BE HERE NOW. To attract and receive, I need to be HOME! It takes practice to cultivate an awareness of Self. I am learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable with how I feel sometimes. The human spiritual journey involves both raising energy to higher frequencies and integrating this higher vibration into the body, perceptions, thoughts, and daily activities. The ascent up the chakras is enlightenment. The descent from the crown chakra to the base of the spine is the path of manifestation. I am living in the material world in order to become a master of it. I am learning how to support myself with my own creativity. 

     I once heard a man say, "Follow your excitement, then you will know you are on the right path."
     The funny thing about excitement is, what happens when the initial high of the exciting choice starts to fade? My teacher Yogi Bhajan was big on commitment. In fact, Yogi Bhajan made a list called "The Seven Steps to Happiness", and commitment was the first step. When we commit to anything, it will work. Then the universe is able to support you. When you are indecisive, the universe doesn't know what to do. Commitment takes work and you have to continually reinvent yourself and your relationships in order to make it work. Commitment is a way of pulling yourself to the other side. The other side being where you want to go with your intention. Keep going until you have it. Keep up, and you will be kept up.

     When I stop for a moment and look at my life I realize that I am already living the life of my dreams. I've married a man who loves me so much, even when I sometimes feel unworthy of his love. Together we've created the life I've always wanted. We've made two amazingly wonderful little boys - whose needs and desires we place above our own. We live on a farm growing our own food, we are healthy, we have family that love us. Wow. We are blessed. I try to remember that the attitude of gratitude is one of the most amazing tools for co-creating with Spirit. It's so important to give thanks for the blessings in life we take for granted sometimes. We can give thanks for our most heartfelt dreams before they are in our lives. This form of gratitude shows the universe that we are ready for the miracles that are on their way.

     " The attitude of gratitude is the highest way of living, and is the biggest truth, the highest truth. If you are grateful for what you have, then Mother Nature will give you more...If you do not acknowledge what you have, in gratitude, you will never have more...so be in gratitude. Make an attitude to be in gratitude, you will find the whole Universe will come to you."     Yogi Bhajan

Hey dreamers out there, how do you DO your dream?

Thanks to Debrina for inviting me to blog crawl. Why not play in the sun while you move from Dreamer to Doer or take a 10 Day Discovery Tour to rekindle your passions and breathe life back into them with Debrina Wright-Williams?

AWAKEN (your spine)

     I was a Hatha Yoga teacher for quite a few years before I discovered Kundalini Yoga. Well known Kundalini Yoga teacher Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa's book "The Eight Human Talents" had been sitting on my bookshelf for a long time before I finally sat down and read it and got blown away. In retrospect I think I needed to be at a point in my life where what she was saying made sense to where I was at emotionally and spiritually. I was ready to hear her words. To this day I still consider this book an essential addition to any yogi's reference collection.

    The most potent teaching I received from that book was how our physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being are interconnected, and how the state of each chakra (or power centres in the body) reflects the level of our health and well-being. The beauty of Kundalini Yoga is that it is a precise and powerful technology that helps to bring back balance in all of these areas. It doesn't cost anything, no need to swallow supplements or go to a therapist, it is your responsibility to commit to a regular practice and use the wisdom shared by Yogi Bhajan to heal your life.

     The kriya I filmed the other day is called "Basic Spinal Energy Series" and is one of the basic sets in Kundalini Yoga. It is fairly simple to do, and a good place to start your Kundalini Yoga practice. It is an excellent warm-up for more vigorous yoga sets and also stands alone as a set to energize the entire system.  The practice increases flexibility and vitality of the spine which allows energy to flow more freely to the organs and glands in your body.  All twenty-six vertebrae, your chakras, and energy bodies receive stimulation and a burst of energy, which makes this series a good one to do before meditation. Tune in with the Adi Mantra before you begin.

PRINT THIS KRIYA

KUNDALINI YOGA: Meditation to Overcome Self Animosity

     Kundalini Yoga is my go to practice when I feel I need to re-connect with my highest wisdom, love, strength, and beauty....which is pretty often!  Actually, I generally alternate between a Hatha Yoga practice and Kundalini Yoga so that I get the best of both worlds.  What I highly recommend is that when you find a Kundalini Yoga Meditation that really resonates with you, practice it for 40 days.  It is said that it takes that long to make or break a habit.  Maybe this will be the one for you?

MEDITATION TO OVERCOME SELF-ANIMOSITY

Self-improvement is a good starting point in one's personal development.  It takes a lot to take responsibility of an aspect of yourself and work on confronting it.  Keep in mind though that there is a fine line between self-improvement and self-acceptance.  Instead of always trying to improve yourself, practice self-acceptance.  If you cannot accept yourself, you will never be able to accept anyone else either.  Nothing anyone else does will be good enough as long as you don't see yourself as good enough. Practice compassion for yourself, and you may discover that you are already perfectly imperfect just the way you are.

Practice this Kundalini Yoga Meditation to bring your back into your birthright - into the knowledge and experience of your Divine Self.  Practice for 3-11 minutes.

Tune in with the Adi Mantra before you begin any Kundalini Yoga Meditation