25 Random Things You Never Knew About Ana!  

The transition from the Piscean Age to the Aquarian Age means we are going from "all about me," to all about WE. We are all in this together. No more secrets! 25 things lists are not only fun, they are the perfect
 vehicle for reminding each other that we're not alone!

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Belly Fat 

Good Morning, I appreciate your ideas and suggestions.  I'm currently teaching a beginning yoga class.  I have found that most people have not only challenges losing pounds, but also challenges with belly fat.  Can you suggest exercises and some lifestyle things that would help people deal with this. Thank you for your help.  

Thanks for writing and congratulations on teaching beginners Kundalini Yoga! Individual exercises to reduce "problem areas, are: Bow Pose with Breath of Fire, and the "Five Tibetans," exercises on Kundalini Yoga for Beginners & Beyond. Overall, it's best not to think in too literal terms, i.e., individual exercises for reducing "belly fat, because what's special about Kundalini Yoga's is its multi-dimensional approach. A regular Kundalini Yoga practice, reduces belly fat because:

1. In redressing stress it helps the adrenals produce less cortisol (which creates belly fat).

2. Through its work on the glands (Fat Free Yoga) helps the body achieve it's natural set point and excess fat will fall away.

3. In allowing energy and circulation into so called "problem areas," "amoring," (emotional buffering, i.e., excess fat) is reduced.

4. In working on the emotional level, people can control the tendency to "push down, emotions by overeating.

5. And of course K. Yoga does burn calories (about 450 an hour or more).

6. One's whole metabolic process is based on oxygen in and carbon dioxide out. Kundalini Yoga's liberal use of breathing speeds up the metabolic processes.

We also recommend a good amount of work on the Navel Chakra (Navel Power). When it's strong we can set an intention and stick to it more readily. It's personal power and will.

Belly fat often occurs when one's liver is overtaxed or toxic. We recommend our Yoga Cleanse DVD. Ways to help the liver are to: eat smaller portions, eat light at night, stay away from alcohol, sugar, and excess carbs. Also, when inner anger is an unresolved issue, as it is for most people, the liver is often compromised and weight gain occurs. We recommend the So Darshan Chakra Kriya Mediation which is taught on both Yoga Quick Fixes and Yoga House Call.

We hope this was helpful and that you have much success with your teaching. We wish you joy, health, and blessings!

             Upset About the Title: Fat Free Yoga

That you are teaching anything called fat-free yoga has nothing to do with the deeper teachings of yoga and perpetuates our society's continued objectification of the female body. It also supports the idea that women are somehow "wrong" if they have fat on their bodies. Yoga is a practice of ahimsa and self-acceptance and the offerings of this email are offensive to me as a practitioner and a women. Thank you.

We are sorry to hear that you found our title Fat Free Yoga offensive. That title was conceived of to address the concept of reducing, in a sort of light-hearted way. Ravi had a video called Fat Free Yoga in the 1990's.  The term "Fat Free" then, was both fad and cliche. Many people often arrive at their first yoga session with a top priority being a better butt or flatter belly. What opens our hearts as Teachers, is not what initially motivates a person, but the fact that, against all odds, they've have made the decision to do Kundalini Yoga. A student of ours' once wisely stated that he felt Kundalini Yoga is the most direct route to Spirit. So, even if a person just wants to lose a few pounds, through a Kundalini Yoga practice, they inevitably also connect with their soul and open themself to whole new worlds. It is a conscious decision on our part to brand our products in a way that will inspire people to delve into Kundalini Yoga. It has been our experience that presenting our material in an accessible way means the difference between reaching 100 people and 100,000. It is a Tantric endeavor to maintain the integrity of the teachings while making them fun and accessible to all. We wish you joy, health, and abundant blessings.   

            Question About Our Transformer DVD

thanks for sending the vids. May I ask about a couple of things from the transformer?  You mention emotional scarring from birth trauma at one point. Can you explain a little?  Also, what is arc line?  You guys take it easy. bye, now,

                    Needs to Get in Shape by June 

Greetings Ana and Ravi from Ottawa-- I know this sounds shallow, when people have so many other deep issues, but I really need your help. I have a wedding to go to in June in my home town and I have sort of let myself go. I really want to make a good showing, plus my old boyfriend is going to be there (who I still think about) and I can't let him see me like this (I've gained 30 lbs.). What can I do to look good in time??? I really, really, appreciate you guys taking the time to advise me. I have 3 of your DVD's and I work out with you two every day.

Thanks for writing. Your situation is a blessing in disguise because life challenges provide opportunities to make the types of breakthroughs we otherwise couldn't have made.  We have to start by saying that it's really not healthy to set three month deadlines for oneself with regard to getting in shape. Also, your words, "...look good in time," need to be addressed. You may be judging yourself based on an articficial, media-driven concept. We would suggest that you look good now! Crash diets and fitness programs are not based on realistic principles. That said, we think that if you apply yourself, you will be able to lose 15-20 lbs. by June. In addition to what we recommend below, if you work on your posture/alignment and aura as well, you will be looking and feeling amazing by wedding day!    

The first step is to honestly assess what lead to you, 'Letting yourself go.' Was it stress, emotional issues, depression. For successful slimming, it is imperative that we work from the outside in and inside out simultaneously. So here's what we recommend:

Start your day with a brisk 20 min. walk followed by practicing one of these DVD's in their entirety (alternate each day): 

Kundalini Yoga Cardio, Stretch, & Strengthen, Warrior Workout, 

KY Yoga Flow Bootcamp, Dance the Chakras, Navel Power 

In the late afternoon or early evening, after another brisk walk, practice one of these each day: Fat Free Yoga, Yoga Cleanse, Kundalini Yoga Transformer, Kundalini Yoga for Beginners & Beyond, Kundalini Yoga Body Electric    

More often than not, excess pounds, are a form of emotional armoring. We suggest a daily practice (after your evening yoga practice) of the Sa-Ta-Na-Ma Meditation. This one is taught on our Yoga Quick Fixes and Yoga House Call We suggest a 30 min. version of that meditation (5 min. chanting out loud, 5 min. whisper, 10 min. in silence, 5 min. whisper, 5 min. out loud) follow by 1 min. of meditating in silence. We suggest that you practice Ungali Pranayam (see below) after your morning yoga.  

For a diet on a deadline (we don't normally recommend this approach), down-size your portions or, cut them in half. Also cut out all unhealthy carbs, sugars, fried foods, and dairy products. Make sure your glycemic levels are balanced, and be sure that your diet includes many enzyme and water rich foods. In the morning consider starting your day with a large raw protein smoothie (see our A-Z Health Archive for a basic recipe). In the evening make a large salad your main meal a couple times a week. You can throw in hemp seeds for protein and some healthy fats such as avocado and olives. Chewy dulse (seaweed) is another nice nutritious addition. And measure out a modest portion of healthy dressing to top it off.  

Please keep us posted!    

                   Breath Meditation for a Sleeker You 

This powerful technique is called Ungali Pranayam and is the perfect practice to reduce in Spring.  

Sit in a meditative pose and focus at the Third Eye. Inhale in 15 successive "sniffs," and exhale in 15. On the first 15 part inhale, think SA for each of the breaths. On the 15 part exhale, think TA for each of the breaths. Then think NA on the 15 part inhale, and MA on the 15 part exhale.  

You can break the rhythm into three groups of five to keep count. Start with 3 min. of this practice and add 1 min. per day until you get to 31 min.