I must say I am very impressed with the breadth and depth of the teacher training I have been receiving at Spirit Rising Yoga in Chicago.  It’s so wonderful that this great body of knowledge has been placed into a formal teaching curriculum.  Honestly this should be a college course made available through the universities.  I don’t suspect it will be long before a progressive university picks it up as such, maybe the UW will get hip to it.  It provides a subtle blend of psychology, quantum physics, aerobics, anatomy, philosophy, humanology, religion (more so reflection on religious concepts,) and yoga.    I suspect that in the future elements of this course will be rolled out across our educational system for the betterment of humanity.

I got to teach last time we had class together.  I taught Transforming the Lower Triangle into the Upper Triangle.  This kriya focuses on brining the energy from the lower centers (triangle) up to the higher centers (triangle.)  It’s actually a rather challenging, yet achievable set.  I remember taking it for a test spin several weeks ago and saying, wow this is a tough one, I can’t wait to go through it in class, thinking I’d have it taught to me.

Then it turned out that this one was mine to deliver to the class.  I was rather ill the week prior leading up to teaching.  Typically I like to rehearse a kriya for a week or so in the morning prior to teaching, in order to help it lock into my body memory, but my illness stopped me from doing this.  So instead, I was forced to mentally rehearse this in my head, over and over and over again.  At the end of the day the mental rehearsal was probably more helpful then going through the motions over and over.  I spent special attention to the transitions between the exercises in order to create a smooth experience.  I believe this came through in the class I taught.

I got some really kind and constructive feedback from my fellow yogis.  You know it’s pretty amazing this Kundalini Yoga.  While teaching a Teacher does not perform the exercises, demonstrate from time to time, yes, but not perform them.  I was pleasantly surprised to realize an affect of transforming the lower triangle into the upper while teaching a distinct sensation came to light between my third eye and crown.  It’s not that I doubted this to be possible, it’s just that I didn’t even think about this aspect of teaching before.  If you want to master something, teach it right

I am still in the middle of a 40 day Aquarian Sadhana.  I’ve felt much better since the last teacher training and this has really allowed me to deepen my practice.  Lately I’ve felt a very strong connection to the Japji portion of the Aquarian Sadhana, which helps connect to Spirit.  In fact I intend to recite Japji, or something that delivers a similar effect, every day as part of my daily practice.

Today I’ve come to the realization why I’ve been resistant to always waking up at 4 for the Aquarian Sadhana.  It’s because I know in my heart that once I do this, bang, it will become a part of my daily routine ongoing and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that yet.  Thus far I’ve been less focused on the time and more focused on getting through as many of the elements of the Full Aquarian Sadhana as possible.  This past week I’ve made it through all components all days but one.

We are supposed to keep a little Aquarian Sadhana journal of our experiences, so I thought I’d share some here.

Aquarian Sadhana Experiences 

• At this one time I was deep in a chamber, or cave of sorts.  I felt this other entity some ways away from me and there was a vacuum of sorts in between us.  Not completely understanding what or who the entity was I rehearsed a mantra of protection.  After further reflection I do not suspect I required protection, I simply need to get used to new experiences from within
• Regularly during the chanting I slip out of regular consciousness, then pop back in, not knowing if I’ve been chanting for the past X amount of time, or simply in a semi slumber, or deeply abstracted.
• One morning I heard the voice of a fellow teacher in training chanting, Sat Siri Siri Akal.
• I find that after I go through an entire Aquarian Sadhana and sit in silence for a while, there is a tremendous amount of energetic activity within my minds eye.
• Virasan is one challenging pose to maintain during the chanting part of the Aquarian Sadhana, lately I’ve found it to be extremely uncomfortable across my back and shoulders.  I guess I’ve got some blocks to push through.
• I do have the kriya for my Aquarian Sadhana memorized, which is cool.  It seems as though this portion of my practice is already well established and comes with ease
• I have a small statue of Lord Krishna is my yoga room.  This morning I had a vision of the Statue/Lord Krishna, in a slightly different position, but standing high upon a building.  I thought to myself, yes, that’s as it should be.

On another note, I’ve realized that I’ve had a regular Kundalini Yoga practice for the past 4 years now.  I can’t believe the change that has occurred in my life since I began, well I believe it now, but if you would have told me then what I know now I would have been like, yeah right what ever.

I truly love Kundalini Yoga and look forward to being a vehicle for helping others with their transformations!

Sat Nam,

It’s been a while since I’ve last posted, my bad, I’ve been extremely busy with Teacher Training.

We had a great class recently and went through the chakras, wahoo! I actually realized I’ve been pronouncing it wrong for some time now, it’s not a blunt hit to the head, but oh well. I also need to add an 8th chakra to this blog- The Aura. Yogi Bhajan taught of the 8th chakra, which is the sum total of all the chakras/an individuals energy field.

We did several meditations associated with the chakra energy centers, and WOW were they powerful. I mean give me some more of that stuff please The group energy is fantastic, my undying appreciation goes out to my teacher training, teachers, and supporting yogis class for sharing in this experience with me. (gotta give a shout out to Yogi Bhajan and Guru Ram Das as well.)

Words carry a vibration. May this website vibrate strongly to positively effect people for change!

We’ve recently started a 40 day Sadhana. We are on day 8 I believe. My kriya is Nabhi Kriya for Prana and Apana. I am super excited to complete the 40 days, though the 2.5 hours in the morning has been challenging. I’ve actually been kind of ill the past week or so, I caught something going around the office.

It’s made it very difficult to keep a long Sadhana, but I am happy to say I’ve maintained the kriya every day. One thing that would be useful through the program is support on how to integrate it into the family life. Jamie likes to sleep

I must say that this program challenges you on all levels. It’s like a college level course that has roots on the Spiritual plane. (the tree of life comes to mind.) I could envision a beautiful scene using this imagry, including the Golden Chain teachers etc.

On tap for next week is learnings on our 10 Bodies.  That’s right, there’s more than 1.  I love this subtle, abstract, scientific stuff.  There’s no other body of knowledge like it.

I am actually teaching the class first thing too. It’s a physically challenging, yet very achievable set- Transforming the Lower Triangle into the Upper Triangle.

May the Guru flow through me on that morning.

Sat Nam.

Kundalini yoga is an excellent means of preventative maintenance for the body to fight dis-ease.

I like to view it as one component of a holsitic approach to alternative medicine.

I’ve recently contributed a post on Alternative Medicine, on Madison’s community blog Dane101.  Check it out! 

You may have noted that it has been a while since my last post about Teacher Training.  I’ve been meaning to post, but have been busy with life transition as a result of the training.  This shift implies putting my energy into the new patterns of my life and the updates here was one place I waited on until other items were in order.

I am coming into adaptation of the new energy of my life.

I’ve completed my 40 day Meditation to Conquer Self Anomosity.   It was a powerful experience to complete this.  One thing I learned about myself was that there was a part of me that truly felt, and sometimes still feels, as if I am unable to do “good enough.”  This is the self anomosity part, the meditation brought this piece of me to my waking consciousness, and in doing so I am able to move through this perspective.  I am way good enough, in fact I excel at most everything I do.

I did have an irony associated with completing this practice.  The day after the last day of the 40 day meditation I had a teacher training class.  However, the roads from here to Chicago were terrible and I was unable to make it for safety reasons.  I was really upset about not being able to be there.  I felt like I some what let the class and my teachers down, even though I knew it was for my own safety.  I became angry, you guessed it, with myself.  It was really challenging for me because the group energy provides a sense of security to assist through the transformation process we are all taking on together yet individually.  It was with some kind discussions with my wife Jamie that I was able to overcome the feelings I felt that day of disappointment with myself for not going.  At the end of the day God placed a dangerous road in front of my to get to Chicago, so that I wouldn’t go, He has His reasons for this, and mySelf must simply roll with it and accept them.

You know this group energy is interesting, just prior to Christmas was the Solstice celebration in Florida.   Severa of my fellow class mates attended along with our instructors.  I wanted to go, but it simply was not in the cards this year.  I am hopeful for next Summer Solstice.  The interesting thing is that in the days leading up to Christmas, one day I felt an enormous amount of energy running through me, as if I were doing a bunch of Kundalini Yoga, and the next I became really tired.  It seemed to me as if since a part of my group consciousness (our class) was experiencing Solstice, that in fact a part of me was experiencing it as well.  Which was very cool.  If we take this perspective and extend it to Humanity as a whole, just imagine the good we can do for one another!

I am very excited to get back to class this coming weekend!

There is lots of great work ahead, I’ll be sure to keep ya posted

Sat Nam

At the Yoga Journal Conference, I attended The 8 Limbs of Yoga, the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali, as an all day intensive.  (This is a super late, post, but here it is never the less.)

It was a phenomenal session, put on by some of the worlds finest yoga instructors:

• Gary Kraftsow of the Viniyoga Institute
• Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa and Gurushabd of Golden Bridge Yoga

I really enjoyed the session because the early portion of the day did well to stimulate my mental body with the concepts that are communicated in the Yoga Sutras, while the later part of the day facilitate an actual experience on what the Sutras communicate. This was beneficial for me because I had already put some thoughts down regarding my previous thinking along the lines of the Yoga Sutras. Since the session several of my definitions have been updated based on the information that Gary bestowed upon the class.

Gary is a lineage holder of sorts, as in he received a transmission. I fully believe in and appreciate his lineage, (though I need to learn more about it,) for in the room with us was a presence that enhanced Gary’s aura. After class I chatted with him briefly and he stated that a Swami once told him what the presence, or energy was, but that he wouldn’t say. (perhaps someday I’ll gain insight into that energy.)

In follow up posts I am going to post some yoga definitions that were presented by Gary in this session, so stay tuned as they each present excellent perspective on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

8 Limbs: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali lecture notes

Gary lectured on the Yamas all the way through Pranayama. Then lead the class scientifically through a yoga set to demonstrate some of the concepts taught. I really connected with how Gary presented the yoga set, because he focused on the Science of Yoga. The set was specifically applied due to the 2 hours worth of lecture and a few other factors in order to take us through asana and pranayama.

Gary has a wealth of knowledge that he pulled from, including the root meaning of many sanskrit terms. He also noted that terms that make up Patanjali:

Pat- to fall

Anjali- to make an offering

It is said that Patanjali fell into the hands of those who were praying. He fell in the form of a Naga (Dragon) or Divine Being. He was a Naga Raja, the highest Serpent. It is said that the Lord sits comfortably on his belly while the weight of the world lies upon his head.

Enough with the legend, on with the notes. If these seem some what jumbled it is because we jumped around the topics some, with questions being asked and I am also going to be following up with a series of posts.

Through discourse Gary mentioned that there are more or less 3 types of Karma that a human has:

1. Fixed Karma, that is karma that will not change
2. Karma that is unlikely to change
3. And Karma that can change

One concept through yoga is to work on the karma that can be changed. I suspect that via a concentrated effort one can also get into releasing the karma that is not likely to be changed. How does it go, God grant me the Wisdom to change the things I can influence positively, to leave alone the things I cannot and the ability to know the difference, or something like that. Karma

Gary noted that each chapter of the Sutras is written for a disciple @ differing levels of development. (The more I study the more I find that there are indeed many differing levels of development, and that in fact understanding ones place upon the path is of key importance for helping yourSelf and then the group(s) which you are a part of.)

Here I have noted the insights I gained from the session, but for a true experience you really should sign up for a course with these teachers!

This is a scientific approach to becoming more in tuned with your Spirit.

May your Spirits Awaken

Krishan

Beginning in the new year I’ll be teaching a Spirits Awaken Morning Kundalini Yoga Class, as taught by Yogi Bhajan at the Perfect Knot Yoga Center on the near east side of Madison WI.

A morning practice is a cornerstone to growth and development.

Class canceled due to low enrollment.

Kundalini Yoga helps:

• Strengthen the nervous system
• Improve mental balance and reduce stress
• Increase flexibility and improve the circulatory system
• Expand lung capacity and strengthen the glandular system
• Eradicate emotional blocks that manifest as muscle tension
• Deepen the mind, body, spirit connection

All this before the demands of your daily life are upon you.

Beginners are most welcome to attend as well as intermediate. And if there are some advanced students out there who would like a group to practice with in the morning, then this course is for you.

It was challenging getting enough people to sign up in the morning class at this time. Check back later and I will be sure to release a new teaching schedule.

Sat Nam

Ardas Bhaee

Becoming a Living Prayer

Kundalini Yoga & Sacred Sound Workshop with Guru Raj Kaur Khalsa.

Friday November 30th.  6:00 – 8:30 PM.

Sacred Sound has been used through all time to inspire a merger of spirit and form.  Cultivating the self-sensory system with Kundalini Yoga, and using sacred sound with voice and subtle listening, we will be transported into a direct experience of our sacred self.  Vibrate the cosmos and the cosmos will clear the path.

(Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, and water bottle.)

Tai Chi Center of Chicago- 4043 N Ravenswood Avenue #228.

$45 by November 26th, $55 at the door.

This sounds like an excellent workshop

We’ve recently been assigned our first 40 day meditation as part of Teacher Training.

I randomly selected the Meditation to Conquer Self Animosity.  Upon selection I thought to myself, huh, that’s an interesting item to focus on, animosity towards myself.  I thought, now come on, I love myself, I certainly don’t have animosity for myself.

Well turns out my ego, has some animosity towards my expanding Self.  This meditation has been brining up all kinds of stuff I didn’t realize was so deeply seeded within.  Then my ego (little e) starts throwing up all kinds of road blocks to confuse me on this path.  I’ll just have to keep  up and see what the 40 days brings.

I do have to say that I love the pranayama, associated with this meditation.  One inhales through the nose, exhales through the mouth, then inhales through the mouth and exhales through the nose.  Following this breath puts the mind into a sublime state.

I’ll be sure to update ya on my experience post 40 days.

Sat Nam

Sadhana is defined as daily spiritual practice.

In my teacher training we are learning in depth about the importance of Sadhana.

There are 3 main components to the Aquarian Sadhana.

1. Jabji Sahib- works to connect the Spirit within
2. Yoga- provides exercise for the body
3. Meditation with mantra- gives the mind regular balance

And thus our daily spiritual practice, or Sadhana, connects the Spirit, Body and Mind while bringing them into balance. It provides a means to clear the subconscious daily so that we may act from the center of our being throughout the day.

Time of day is another key component to the Aquarian Sadhana, it must be performed during the Amrit Vela, in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. The angle of the Sun creates an effect on the mind which allows for deep meditation and evolutionary processes to unfold.

There is a scientific reasoning that lies behind this timing as well. The Schumann Resonance actually relates the Sun and the electromagnetic field to a human brain.

Ideally Sadhana is to be performed for 2 and a half hours. We are committing one tenth of our day to God.

Taking a cold shower is also part of a daily spiritual practice, which works to keep the body young and healthy.

While not necessary, a group Sadhana is ideal. This joins together the collective energy, so that the sum of the whole may be greater than the individual parts. Those who are able to achieve higher levels of consciousness through their Sadhana work to uplift others while in a group.

Shiva Singh says that by performing Sadhana, we are committing time to consciousness, which states that it is an important aspect of our lives and is worth developing. We are giving

I found this video of Yogi Bhajan talking about Sadhana on Sikhnet. Enjoy.

This past Saturday, we had our second teacher training class.

I am extremely grateful for the Shabad Kaur and Shiva Singh for their expertise in leading our class on this journey.

Shiva Singh plays the guitar and tuned us in with Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo as he strummed along.

Did you know that it is said, that from time to time when Shabad Kaur speaks, those with 3rd eye vision can actually see the vibration of the Words she sounds forth.

At the end of the last set, during relaxation I heard the words, “You are focusing on the what, focus on the how.”  The voice is correct, I tend to always think about… so what is going to happen once my chakras are open, the Ida and the Pingala are working in line with the Sushmuna the energies will mix the Kundalini will rise and then we have a type of enlightenment.  I was focusing on the result, the what, instead of the How.  Focus on the How and the What will take care of itself.  The how is what a teacher must understand in order to relay wisdom to a student.

We got to hear some great stories about Yogi Bhajan during class.  It would have been an honor to have meet him in person in this incarnation, but I am not too concerned.  Like Obi Wan Kenobi, he informed his students that once he passed he would become even more powerful. Yogi Bhajan is still Mahan Tantric and as such he teaches through his subtle body during all White Tantric sessions.  I suspect he teaches through his and his teachers’ subtle bodies to this day.
At the end of the class, some of our mentors joined us for a group meditation. The mentors as a group carried with them a very strong energy/radiance, it was very kind for them to offer their assistance to help us integrate into the Kundalini Yoga community.

I must say that this program brings everything up to the surface in ones life, it can be somewhat frustrating to face all your issues over a successive period of time.  However, kundalini yoga provides the means to become victorious over these issues.

My practice still remains strong, this morning I performed a full Sadhana.  While chanting Wahe Guru a strong energy vibrated powerfully up through my head.  I suppose performing a full Sadhana is an excellent means to focus on the how!

Sat Nam