|
|
Sat Nam
Dear Yogis Happy May! May is a time when it feels like anything is possible, and IT IS!! We hope you enjoy this newsletter which features the real skinny on all things Kundalini plus a Meditation to help you perfect the movie script of your life!
WhooHoo Guru! we're off to Fernie BC in the heart of the Canadian Rockies for a weekend of Kundalini work- shops (Teacher Training starts there in August, more below). It's no coincidence that Teacher Trainings are proliferating in the Aquarian Age. The Universe has posted a "Help Wanted," sign in the hearts of those of you who were meant to make a difference. We always come away so inspired by all of you! We couldn't be more proud of our Syracuse Teacher Trainees who graduated last month, and we couldn't be more excited about this next group of 200/300 hour Memphis Trainees. Our Karma Crew (300 hour trainees) go out once each month and spread a little love where it's most needed. We can't wait to get back to Delta Groove Yoga this month to where Olivia Lomax has done an incredible job of creating a beautiful new space for us all to groove our practice in.
Upcoming Workshops and Events
Teacher Trainings are not only for Teachers, but for anyone who wants to deepen their practice and accelerate Spirit in blossom!
We look forward to seeing you in Memphis, Fernie, BC, and beyond! Workshops and Trainings are always full of wonderful souls inspired to deepen their own practices, and express their authentic selves. Come and share in the beautiful group energy.
Fri. May. 3rd to Sun. May. 5th, Fernie, BC Essential Yoga, : Spirit in Blossom Yoga Weekend Fri. 6 - 7:30, Sat. 9:30 - 11:30, 1:30 - 3:30, Sun. 9:30 - Noon
(200/300 Hr. Teacher Training begins in Fernie August 22nd!)
250.423.9672 / www.essentialyogastudio.com FLIER HERE!
Fri. May 10th to Sun. May 12th Memphis, TN
KUNDALINI YOGA TEACHER TRAINING, Module 2 of 200 / 300 hr. (Yoga Alliance) certification: Self-Empowerment: Contact: Olivia Lomax 901.493.1431/deltagrooveyoga [at] gmail.com 200/300 Hr. Blast Off & Blossom This Spring: Life Rx Readings by Ravi Ravi will draw upon his long experience as a Teacher and Spiritual Advisor and will provide counseling and a personal practice to help you BLAST OFF and BLOSSOM!. Each consultation consists of two 30 min. phone conversations. The first to gather information, and the second to present Ravi's "findings," and to your personal Meditation. The cost for the overall consultation is 108 dollars. Please reply to this e-mail if you're interested. (We have 6 openings for May)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 What Your Kundalini Yoga Teacher Won't Tell You!1. Once You Bite the Bait You're Hooked! Actually that's a good thing. From the very first time you say or think Sat Nam, a seed of Spirit is planted deep inside. It's a very hardy plant. Even if we ignore it, or forget to water it, it still grows. Its flowering represents our unique creativity and the celebration of Conscious- ness. That flower is destined to become the most beautiful thing on earth. Let it grow. Let it grow!
2. The Best Athletes are Not the Best Students. If you were among the last ones picked for Dodge Ball in gym class, you can still be a Kundalini Rock Star! The Universe doesn't care if you can do 50 pushups, but it is very impressed when you raise yourself up, in spite of your doubts and difficulties. Do you feel that you are the tortoise and everyone else, fast rabbits? Well, according to that famous fable, guess who won the race?
3. You've Come a Long Way to Be Here. The Sages of the Ages tell us, that in order to even be in a position to have the opportunity to practice Kundalini Yoga, a student has to have Perfect Destiny. That means on some level, in some way, maybe even in some other lifetime, you had to have done something very meritorious, Spiritually victorious, to be granted the opportunity to walk a Path with Heart. Adherence to a True Path is known as Dharma (the Eternal Way). Maybe you saw a flier on a bulletin board and went to a Kundalini class because you had nothing better to do that day. Know that there's lots more going on than meets the eye: Infinitely more! 4. Enlightenment is As Enlightenment Does. Contrary to what is depicted in so many books, "Enlightenment," is not some grand cosmic "aha," moment, in which the Universe reveals its secrets, and ecstasy flows like honey. Rather, enlightenment is the Awareness to know that we have to be account- able, breath by breath, and day by day, to our True Selves, to live on purpose with compassion and creativity. What determines enlightenment are our actions and legacy. The truly enlightened person knows that the higher one climbs, the further they have to fall.
5. We've Got To Walk In the Mud Before We Walk in the LightOne can't just decide to be a "Light Being." The reason we're here is to reconcile opposites. Earth and ether. Self interest and being interested in the Self. Everyone has to go through the up and downs of this human experience. We may walk in the light in the eyes of the world, but when we get home, we still have to take out the trash. 6. Your Kundalini Has Already Risen There's no way that we could even conceive of taking the first step on the Spiritual Path unless Spirit had already begun its ascent in us. Spirit is not only in us, it's the energy of the Universe, and that energy orchestrates and mandates seeming miracles so that the Divine Drama of our Homecoming in Self can proceed.
7. Teachers Are People Too Yoga Teachers are not perfect people. That's a good thing. Perfect Teachers usually don't sustain over the long haul, because the more energy one puts into trying to "look good," very often detracts from the ongoing effort to "be good." The trick is not be be slick but authentic. Rather than trying to find fault with your yoga teacher, it is far better to become the type of Teacher you'd always hoped to find. When Yogi Bhajan said, "I want to train Teachers to be 10x better than me," he meant that literally. He was saying that he wants all of us to take the ball and run with it!
8. You Will Be Tested Sorry to have to break the news, but the honeymoon can't last forever. Usually within 4 - 7 years of starting your Kundalini Yoga practice, you will hit a wall of ego. It can take many forms, but it will all come down to your ego's strategy to subvert your inner efforts. If you create good habits now, and do a steady practice, you will have night vision during the "Dark night of the soul," and breeze right through.
9. One Day You'll Be the Teacher As in "pay it forward." At a certain point on your Path the Universe will let you know that it's time to give back, and to use your gifts to heal, uplift, and inspire. May you go forth fearlessly with an attitude of gratitude!
10. There's Not A Moment to Lose You may still be in the mindset of, 'Well maybe today I'll take Pilates, and tomorrow I'll do spinning, and maybe I'll do Kundalini Yoga on Wednesday. The fact is that K. Yoga is not just another form of exercise. In the beginning, doing a K. Yoga practice once or twice a week is great. The fact is that: 1. Kundalini Yoga does things for us which nothing else can. 2. The deep Spiritual work which Kundalini Yoga promotes is something which part of us has possibly been waiting lifetimes to begin. Every day and every breath is an opportunity to do what we came here to do: matriculate in Consciousness and leave a legacy of healing and grace. Can you hear it? Your inner alarm clock says it's time to awaken! 11. You May See Little Green Men On Your Yoga Mat Well probably not, but in the early stages of your Kundalini Yoga practice, you may see flashes of violet and brilliant blue while meditating, or any number of things. What does it all mean? It could be drug residue leaving your system. Or a sign that your higher centers are activating. It may be nothing, and it may be an unprece- dented gift of Grace. Bottom line: We need to be very discerning with regard to our process (clearing out layers of gunk) and what the process is directed towards (firing on all cylinders, the expression of Spirit in the real world). What to do? Keep meditating. What's real and true will be revealed to you in the fullness of time. True Spiritual experience needs no interpretation. It's Self- evident. When Spirit is flowing in us, everyday is a True Spiritual experience. It's up to us to keep our practice strong so that Spirit can be a constant in everything we do and are. 12. Others May Start Noticing the Positive Changes In You Before You Do Because you're so used to the same old you. As of your first Kundalini Yoga class a shift occurs and, as you move towards the Greater You (Spirit Rising), people will notice that you walk into a room differently, with more confidence and presence. That you have more energy and a kind of glow. What people start noticing is only the tip of the iceberg with regard to all of the positive changes occurring. Keep your practice strong, those compliments will snowball, and you will realize that the rumors of the New You were true!
|
 Our New DVD!!!
What the world needs now is love sweet love! Green Energy of the Heart features two warm-up sets, two kriyas, a Meditation, bonus material, and the much requested Long Time Sun song! These workouts will strengthen your body, elevate your mind and emotions, and open your heart to loving yourself and the world. Living with a heart wide open calls for a strong physical body which enables us to keep our promises, as well as get more done. This is why these heart centered workouts improve posture, strengthen, & tone, increase flexibility, and include an aerobic component. These two old school kriyas via Yogi Bhajan, have never been more relevant. THIS DVD IS NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM. Today it is on sale for only $12.76
P.S. This DVD features some of our best music ever! Featured are Sada Sat Kaur, as well as new mantra tracks with Ana singing, and many surprises! Here's What People are Saying About the Green Energy DVD (source Amazon.com): "If you're like me and harbor a secret fantasy that a massage therapist could come over to your house every evening and undo the knots in your shoulders, sides and upper back, this DVD is going to make a world of difference to you."
"There were parts of this DVD which were so moving that I burst into tears. I loved their choice of music, the pacing, the exercises, and the whole new look..."
"...it has the best of all worlds, the set is clean and uncluttered, the exercises are effective and fun, but some quite challenging nonetheless,"
You can also find this DVD on
AMAZON UK If you live in Canada or an other international locale, you can buy this DVD directly from us for $15.95 plus $10 shipping. E-mail us at ravianayoga@aol.com for more info.
Downloads!!!
DId you know that our Journey thru the Chakras, and Yoga Bliss Hips DVD's are available as downloads on Amazon. Soon we'll have Solar Power and six other titles as well. Check out this link:
|
 Coffee Clarity
Good morning. I was wondering what your opinion is on caffeine. I looked in the A-Z archives figuring you would already have an article about caffeine but I didn't see anything. The reason I ask is because I was against caffeine for years until I got an office job. Now I am slightly dependent on coffee. Also, I wake up so early in the morning to have time to exercise that I struggle with energy about half the day. So I am curious what you think about it?
While we don't like to say something is all "bad," the yoga way is to shine the light of Awareness to find better alternatives. Coffee is sort of anti-yoga, in the sense that it tightens the solar plexus which, in turn, limits breath capacity and overall flexibility. And of course it increases anxiety. We also know that excess coffee consumption creates an acidic condition in the body which fosters inflammation and accelerates the aging process. If you are relying on coffee for energy sooner or later you can expect diminishing returns. Each time you rely on caffeine to bolster energy, you are whipping your adrenals to increase their output. Pretty soon there's no energy left to pay back. We suggest that you drink green tea instead, which has a little bit of caffeine, but also a healthy dose of antioxidants. A small amount of dark chocolate once in a while isn't bad either. Try the AM portion of our Am/Pm Yoga DVD with continuous Breath of Fire. That will help you rise and shine sans coffee.
Further thoughts: in a sense: coffee is a drug and drugs form dependencies. There are corporate conglomerates which have a vested interest in enabling those dependencies. It's important to look at the fine print when reading articles about the "health benefits of coffee, milk, etc..." and see who the research is being funded by. The Kundalini Yoga way is to be Aware.
Next time you feel that you need your (Fill in the Blank) fix, let "Just this one time," defer to JUST THIS ONE TIMELESSNESS. Small victories add up and minor and major miracles will begin to permeate your life.
Save energy for a rainy day and command the sun!
Jaw Breaker
Dear Ravi and Ana, Sometimes when I am doing breath of fire or chanting I notice my jaw tightens up considerably. Any ideas what may be causing this or what I can do to ease the tension? Thank you so much for all that you do! Kind regards,
"As above, so below." The jaw area mimics the pelvic floor so it may be that you are creating tension in your pelvis by not sitting comfortably (in Easy Pose, hips should be higher than knees) and need to raise yourself up on a folded blanket or bolster. Tension in the jaw could also be a symptom of TMJ which indicates the need for a neck or cranial adjustment. TMJ is also linked to Candida, so there may be a dietary tweak which would help. The jaw area is a "Kundalini transfer point," and tightness in the jaw could indicate that part of you is holding on to something which needs to be let go of for the next stage of your Spiritual Journey to blossom. Or conversely, it could mean that a life or emotional issue
needs some attention. It might be a great time to make yourself comfortable :) and do a committed 40 day Meditation. We recommend So Darshan Chakra Kriya which you can read about under "S" on the A-Z Health Archive on www.raviana.com We also recommend the Ringing the Bells of Heaven segment on our Kundalini Yoga Flow Bootcamp DVD. Yogi Bhajan said that that set provides an amazing neck and cranial adjustment (and a whole lot more).
Those Three Little Words
Dear Ana and Ravi, I just started a new relationship and while it started off rocky, things have been calm and enjoyable lately. We both are writers so our career goals are similar, we have similar family backgrounds, and we both are free spirited and seem ready to "take on the world". I am really feeling comfortable with him now, but my initial resistance in the beginning was a bit superficial..in the sense I was not immediately attracted to him physically. That has been changing slightly, but another thing is that I feel he wants to profess his affection to me (i feel like he's ready to say those 3 words) and I don't think I can say them yet...and I'm not sure if I am even in love with him, despite how much fun we are having together. How can I get along with someone so well and not feel like I'm close to saying those words? Should I keep exploring the relationship and let it develop? Is it just that my heart is closed up? Or is it just not there at all and I just really enjoy his friendship and companionship only? I am just having trouble trying to figure out what I'm feeling.
Thanks for your help and sat nam!
Thanks for writing. For many people, "I love you," has a definite subtext. For some it means, "I appreciate that you appreciate me." For others, it's, "I need you and I want you to need me." Or, "Just checking in to see if I have to worry about you loving me back." What "I love you," really means is that "My completeness honors your completeness and our merger is so all-encompas- sing that there are no words to adequately describe it." What we suggest is that you be true to yourself and honor whatever timetable presents itself. If it comes up before you are ready, be honest. Nothing wrong with saying "I really enjoy being with you but I'm still trying to get clear on exactly what I am feeling at this stage...." Some of the most powerful relationships start out as glowing embers and evolve into a roaring flame. It may be cliche, but the ability to be friends with someone as the foundation for a relationship is a very special thing. The most important thing in a relationship is what takes place on the soul level. Ask your soul what it wants and it will give you the best advice you can imagine.
Sat Nam & Blessings!
Extreme Detox
Hi, Ana & Ravi! First I want to thank you for EVERYTHING! I love your newsletters and your DVD's. My question is regarding detoxing. I had a not-so-healthy lifestyle up until 2 yrs ago. I ate terribly, took pharmaceuticals, drank, smoke, etc. I ended up getting sick from a ton of antibiotics and had to do my own research and first I changed my diet and then started detoxing do liver flushes & colonics and stuff. I also went on a vegan diet a little over a year ago and cut out gluten/sugar/dairy 2 yrs ago. After I started the liver flushes, I started getting eczema. I didn't realize what the rashes were or why I was getting them, so I kept doing liver flushes & colonics. I did about 14 flushes over the course of a year and my last one caused the eczema to go absolutely crazy. The natural doctor I saw recently said to stop all detoxing because the eczema is my body's way of saying I'm doing to much and my body can't eliminate the toxins as fast as I"m detoxing so it is coming out my skin. I have quit doing the liver flushes and I was also eating a lot of fermented foods, which she said to stop. So I quit those and I also decided maybe if I eat some junk food it would slow doing the detoxing so I actually have ate pizza a few times and even some candy! I just don't know what the best way to go is. I'm wondering if I stick to my KY since it is so detoxifying? Or should I try easier DVD's and just avoid ones like the warrior and liver cleanse one? I really, really don't want to stop KY but I want to get rid of the eczema too. Please let me know what you think when you have time. Thank you!
It's no accident that you have gone to extremes both ways. This is a type of vicious circle, which many people find themselves in. Yoga means balance, and Kundalini is the Yoga of Awareness.The best way to detox is to do a regular Kundalini Yoga practice and live a healthy life style over the long haul. There is never a time when pizza and candy are indicated to slow down the detox process. There are vegan versions which give the same satisfaction and are much better for you. Re: "I had a not-so-healthy lifestyle up until 2 yrs ago." Two years ago is like yesterday in the realm of relative purity. It takes about 6 months of a very healthy lifestyle to undo the effects of each year of a not so healthy lifestyle, but our bodies are very resilient and they really appreciate when we do good things for them. Remember that slow and steady wins the race. We recommend doing our Yoga Cleanse and Warrior Workout, once per week) and staying away from the usual suspects (sugar, gluten, alcohol, drugs, meat, etc).Tune into your body and treat yourself well. Make conscious decisions and eat sensibly. Let healing happen organically. Overall, nurture yourself. To address eczema, do workouts like Yoga Beauty Body, Fat Free Yoga, and Solar Power which gently increase circulation and lower inflammation. |
Creating Your Future
Taught by Yogi Bhajan, June 12, 1990
'It's a poor sort of memory which only works backwards.' --Lewis Carroll
Sit with a straight spine. Close your eyes and be very still. This Meditation is best practiced on an empty stomach with only liquids taken during the day.
Part 1
Inhale through your mouth and drink the breath in a single, deep, long sip. Then close your mouth and exhale through your nose. Continue for 7-15 min.
Part 2
"Reality can only be expressed in terms of negation." --A. N. Whitehead
Inhale through your nose and hold the breath comfortably. As you hold the breath, meditate on the concept of zero in this way: "All is zero; I am zero; each thought is zero; my pain is zero; that problem is zero; that illness is zero." Meditate on all negative, emotional, mental, and physical conditions and situations. As each thing crosses the mind, bring it to zero: a single point of light, a small, insignificant non-fact. As positive things come up, do not zero them out. Exhale. Inhale, and continue this process with the breath held each time. 7-11 min. (This is a powerful form of Gyan Yoga: Not that. Not that. Not that. That!)
Part 3 'The Universe is made of language.'
Think of the thought you need the most. What quality or condition do you most desire for your complete happiness and growth? Summarize that thing in a single word like "Wisdom," "Wealth," "Health," "Relationship," "Guidance," "Knowledge," "Luck," etc. It has to be one word. Lock onto that word and thought. Visualize facets of it. Inhale and hold the breath as you beam the thought in a continuous stream. Lock onto it. Relax the breath as needed. 5-15 min.
To End: Inhale and move your shoulders, arms and spine. Then stretch your arms up, spread your fingers, and take a few deep breaths.
Comments: We've all heard the self-help maxims: "Think and grow rich." or, "You can't afford the luxury of a negative thought." Life is not quite that simple, and that's why the idea of "wishcraft," often borders on magical thinking. What's needed is access to an ENERGY source (conscious breathing), posture (a committed stand against self-defeating patterns), fierce focus, along with the receptivity to take in new information. This Meditation employs or fosters those additional steps. Even so, all that any method can do is open doors. We still have to walk through them. That takes courage and Consciousness. It also helps to realize and remember that when we get to the point where we need things to change, what came before is no longer an option. It's surprising what's possible when our backs are against the wall. Don't practice this Meditation as an end in itself, but as a declaration that now is the time and the time is now!
|
|
Ana on Twitter - Tweet! Tweet! Be the recipient of Ana's 1000 Tweets for Health and Happiness in 2013!
Our Website - Check out our tour schedule, A - Z Health Archive, More!
Ana on Linkedin - Yes we are now connecting on Linkedin. Join us there!
|
We wish you an exhilarating, fun, and joyful May!
 All Best, Ana Brett & Ravi Singh 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 |
|
|
