Spiritual IQ Quiz: What Level Are YOU?

"Keep up and faith will follow!" --Ravi Singh

Dear Yoga Friends,

Happy Fall! In this newsletter we're featuring a Spiritual IQ quiz. It's all in fun, but we hope to give you some food for thought. Of course, one needs to clarify what it means to be
"Spiritual." Does it mean going to yoga class every day, going vegan, "following your bliss," trying to keep negative emotions in check? We've posted our thoughts in the form of the Top Ten Traits of a High Spiritual IQ (see below). We want to offer all of this with the proviso that, "Too much sun makes a desert!" The utmost quality of a Spiritual person is that they keep it real. What's great about yoga is that it grounds everything in the body, and by extension into our lives. Ultimately to be "Spiritual," means that Spirit is alive in you. By "Spirit," we don't mean a discarnate entity, we mean the energy of inspiration and self-excellence we call Kundalini, or Spirit Rising. Through whatever means, truly great people maintain this as a constant in their lives.

Spiritual IQ Quiz

Please assign a value of 1 - 5 to the following questions (keep a running total as you go), with 5 indicating that you strongly agree and 1 that you strongly disagree:

1. Spirituality and religion are (ultimately) pretty much the same thing.

2. Life as we know it is a form of "Earth School" where we come to learn lessons so that our souls can evolve.

3. If something good happens it's God's grace, something unpleasant, God's will.

4. The power of the Infinite is alive in me.

5. This world can be a brutal place.

6. Some form of pain is unavoidable.

7. My consciousness is immortal

8. Everyone shares similar problems, and sooner or later, will follow the same psychological paths of growth.

9. Addictions are often an attempt to do an end run around sadness and grief.

10. Much of my life has been spent searching for someone or something to complete me.

11. It is possible to gain more spontaneity, creativity and joy in one's life.

12. Overcoming fears is often a necessary step towards achieving true happiness.

13. It is possible to resolve past traumas without having to relive them.

14. Daily persistence re: the methods of a chosen path, is one of the fastest routes to self-realization.

15. Sometimes we have to ruffle some feathers in order to fly.

16. I believe that there is one Ultimate Truth but many paths to discovering it.

17. The world we know is only one reality among countless others.

18. There is life beyond this life.

19. Even rocks and trees have a form of consciousness.

20. I want to use my personal talents to ease suffering in this world.

21. When I am around people involved in worship or devotional practices, my heart beats faster.

Now, add up your score. If your answers add up to:

100 - 110: Ascended Master - you're a very high being wrapped in the cloak of a human body, which begs the question: "So, what are you going to do about it!"

80 - 99: Young Old Soul - you are brimming with Spiritual potential. If you are not already on a path of choice, it may be time to "lock in."

60 - 79: Philosphy Major - please study the Top Ten Traits of a High Spiritual IQu (below). Don't negate them so much as work out for yourself how they may be true.

40 - 59: Healthy Skeptic - keep a copy of this quiz, keep up with your yoga practice (or start one), and revisit this in two years. You may be surprised by your answers.

21 - 39: Grizzled Old Salt - well, it seems that you're a very down to earth person. Since everything contains its opposite, you have the potential to be a living Saint!

Special Events

Fri. Oct. 22nd - Sun. Oct. 24th - Memphis

Kundalini Yoga Boot Camp - Know your own strength! Give Yoga Memphis is becoming a focal point for Kundalini Yoga in the South. Whatever your level, you're welcome to attend these special public classes. You can also begin to accrue hours towards a Teacher Training certification, come and go for it! Contact: Olivia Lomax 901.493.1431 / olivialomax@yahoo.com / www.giveyogamemphis.com

New England Yoga Weekend - Nov. 12 - 14

(8 spaces left) We had such an AMAZING time at the Georgia Yoga retreat this past August, that we immediately got busy planning another! We weren't sure that we could find another retreat locale which would include all the nice touches: seriously comfortable rooms, private bathrooms, spacious yoga space, and startlingly fresh air of the last setting but yay we did it! Seriously, this place is amazing, it is very accessible yet a very private, woodsy area adjacent to State Forest with hiking trails, and 2 neighboring lakes. The vibe is very New Englandy, charming and rustic, and after doing loads of research and having lots of talks with the lovely sweet owners, who mentioned that the pretty Fall foliage lasts well into Nov. as well as the fabulous & fun town of Chester. Join us at the Guest House Retreat Center in CT!

The cost for this whole event (2 nights accommodation, including meals) $600 (double room occupancy). Rooms are SPACIOUS, each with a private bathroom. The first yoga session will be Friday Nov. 12th at 4p.m. There will be a before bed talk and meditation on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as two yoga sessions on Saturday, as well as a yoga session on Sunday morning. The session on Sunday will end at noon.

Our last retreat sold out pretty quickly and we can only accept 35 people (there are 10 spaces left) so don't delay! To register, please call us at 212.982.5518 or e-mail us at ravianayoga@aol.com. Registration will require a non-refundable $350 deposit to hold your space. We can accept payment via credit card or paypal (ravianayoga@aol.com). Also, those who attend will accrue 15 hours towards our 200 hr. Yoga Alliance Teacher Training certification. We look forward to seeing you there!

Top Ten Traits of a High Spiritual IQ

1. The desire to apply higher values to the real world.

2. The ability to perceive reality from different perspectives

3. The willingness and ability to use personal suffering as a catalyst for personal growth.

4. An ongoing relationship, and faith in, a Higher Power or Consciousness greater than you.

5. Living a lifestyle consciously designed to cause as little harm as possible to the environment and all beings.

6. A burning desire to find answers to the big questions.

7. A tendency to take the road less traveled.

8. The desire and ability to cultivate and use your gifts to heal, uplift, and inspire.

9. The ability and willingness to commit to a Spiritual practice or path.

10. The awareness of Awareness. Cultivating a meditative mind which computes the subtle prompts of Self.

Question of the Month: Accepting Disciples

As always - thank you for being you and for all you do. I feel blessed to be touched by your spirit and your teachings. That being said - I would like to ask a question. Within the KY realm is there a formal/ritual way of asking another to accept one as a student? I know that in the Native American tradition when one asks a Spiritual Elder to take one on as a student that tobacco is passed. Sometimes, sage and cedar are also passed to the Elder. I ask this because I would like to ask you to take me on as a student. I believe that by accepting all of us into teacher training you have accepted a certain level of responsibility for us. However, I feel that perhaps there is a deeper level where one can ask on a more committed level. I can only relate this to my past experiences with the Native American Elder who watches over me - even from the Spirit World where he now is.

There is a combination of reasons why I now am asking about this. One, it feels right at this time. Two, there was something that "snapped" into place for me during those moments on the mat in front of you. Third, on Sunday morning, while driving to class, I saw a wolf standing at the side of the road. From a distance I saw a four legged and thought I best slow down as there was a dog on the side of the road. As I got closer I started thinking no, not a dog perhaps a coyote. Only later did I realize it was a wolf. He stood there by the side waiting on me. He looked at me and then ever so royally walked back into the woods.

In the Native American tradition the wolf is viewed as a teacher. I feel that the message for me is to ask the Teacher to take me on as a student. So, that is what I would like to do.

Thanks for writing and for your great work in and outside of class. Re: wanting to make a deeper commitment to us as Teachers: we are very grateful and honored by your sentiments. In the Kundalini Yoga tradition, all of us, Teachers and students, are all students of the same Infinite Teacher. There is a definite lineage in Kundalini Yoga and it consists not so much of all of our personalities but in allowing the Universe to work through us. In the Kundalini Yoga tradition, we don't believe in initiating people, or in the concept of personal gurus. We believe that, in a sense, to varying degrees, we are all Teachers to one another.There is a well known saying which exemplifies this: 'Don't worship the finger pointing at the moon.' We have been emphasizing this in our newsletters because we feel it's very important for people to empower themselves on the Spiritual path. For instance, if you bring in a consultant to help get a handle on an aspect of your business, you wouldn't hand the business over to them simply because they were helpful!

Of course we will always be completely available to you, and we will do everything we can to make sure that you are in good hands as you progress on your path, but as Kundalini Yoga Teachers it is our goal to bring students not to us but to propel them beyond us. In that sense, we would encourage you to cultivate the willingness to deepen your practice, and to investigate events offered by the Kundalini Yoga community such as White Tantric Yoga courses, Summer & Winter Solstice gatherings, etc., as well as other styles of yoga which would inform you Kundalini practice (especially alignment based styles). You may resonate with these things to varying degrees but we feel it would benefit you greatly to get a sense of what's out there. Again we are always here to answer your questions and offer whatever guidance we can.

With love & blessings, Ana & Ravi

P.S. As far as the wolf sighting goes, we feel that those types of experiences, which occur a few times in a lifetime, are gifts of grace ceded to us by the powers that be. We would encourage you to continue to meditate on the deeper meanings of that occurence and to internalize the power which that gift granted you.

Specials of the Month

Many of our titles are on sale on Amazon.com for as low as $11.99. If your order is $25 or more you get free shipping!

Amazon.com Specials

Kundalini Yoga Transformer All-In-One Workout - 20% off
The Kundalini Yoga Meditation & Breathing DVD - 20% off
Kundalini Yoga Solar Power All-In-One Workout - 15% off

Fat Free Yoga - 20% off
Kundalini Yoga for Beginners & Beyond - 20% off
Ultimate Stretch Workout - 15% off

Kundalini Yoga DVD "Personal Shopper"

Endurance, Strength: Warrior Workout, Yoga House Call (Strong Bones & Muscle Tone), KY Cardio

Self Initiation: Yoga House Call (So Darshan Chakra Kriya),Kundalini Yoga for Beginners & Beyond

Physical Mastery: Yoga Bliss Hips, Yoga for Beginners & Beyond: Stretch, Strengthen, Be Stress Free, Ultimate Stretch Workout

Confidence, Personal Power, Focus, Will:Navel Power

Working Through Blocks: A Journey thru the Chakras

Spiritual Mastery: The Kundalini Yoga Meditation DVD

Stubborn Life Issues: Kundalini Yoga Transformer, Kundalini Yoga for Beginners & Beyond (Rise & Spine Segment)

Physical Health: Fat Free Yoga

Detoxification: Yoga Cleanse

Please note that many of our DVD's are also
available on amazon.co.uk as well as amazon.ca

Laya Yoga Meditation into Ecstasy

Sit like a perfect Yogi and focus at the brow point. Inhale in 4 short breaths thru the nose as you turn your head left, right, left, right. Then, with your face facing forward chant twice:

Wahay Guru Wahay Guru
Wahay Wahay Wahay Guru

Inhale in 4 parts and continue for 11 - 31 min.

To end, inhale deeply and meditate at the Third Eye.
Let your Third Eye become a Third Ear and move deeply into the echo of the sound.

Wahay Guru means the experience of ecstasy which brings us from the darkness of one dimensional living to the light of illumination which elevates everything we do and are to a higher plane.

Laya Yoga is the art and science of using rhythm and sound to experience subtle states of Being. This meditation, practiced and taught by the great Master, Guru Gobind Singh, will imbue you with an ongoing ecstatic outlook, so that your life can be informed by your inner excellence. It's important to remember that there is a fine line between true transcendence and escapism. Anyone can get "blissed out," as a buffer against true engagement in life, but to live a live informed by an ongoing inner experience is the hallmark of a superior person and is synonymous with living in the flow of Spirit. Practice this meditation diligently and let your life be informed by the music of a deeper sway!

Check Out These Links!

Raviana Fan Page on Facebook - Join us here for real time news. Make the Fan Page your daily destination for everything fun going on in Ana & Ravi's world.

Raviana Group Page on Facebook - The community for Kundalini Yoga enthusiasts seeking the latest on Kundalini Yoga / lifestyle! Deepen your practice here!

Be Ana's Friend On Facebook - "I love Facebook! It gives me the opportunity to connect with so many of you when I'm not teaching in a city near you."

Ana on Twitter - Be the recipient of Ana's sky blue tweets!

Our Website - Check out our tour schedule, A - Z Health Archive, More!

We wish you an exhilarating, fun, and joyful October!

beginers

All Best, Ana Brett & Ravi Singh
www.raviana.com / ravianayoga@aol.com

Disclaimer: The advice we give is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Please consult your physician before beginning any exercise program or nutritional protocol