This Stuff Really Works

You know…I’ve been practicing Kundalini Yoga for about 10 years now. (Shocking, I know!) So you would think that some of the awe and wonder of the practice might have worn off by now…but, NO! Not at all. I still find myself marveling at how much this stuff really works and how powerful and obvious the effects are in my day-to-day existence.

I was recently assigned the Pituitary Gland Series by my mentor. This is a relatively easy yoga set to stimulate the “Master” gland, which plays a major role in regulating many of the body systems and processes. From a more yogic perspective we say that the Pituitary gland is associated with the Third Eye Point. This is our energetic center of Intuition. As some of you know, I am a pretty intuitive person is certain instances or moments…but my intuition is always something I feel like I could develop or strengthen more.

I also have to admit that I’ve been assigned this kriya (set of yoga postures) before…and I would do it for a few days and then give it up. I just couldn’t get it to stick. For some reason now is the time. I am on Day 17 of a 120-day practice…and I am absolutely LOVING it! This is one of the greatest sets ever! (If you take my classes you also know I say that about a lot of sets….but they all really are that good)

I love how this set makes me feel afterwards…totally calm, focused and energized. I love the flow between the postures in this set….graceful movement from lunge, to resting to standing, down dog moves gracefully to cobra etc. But, the coolest part is how IN TUNE I am lately. After the first week of doing this set I started to feel like Angad (the owner of YogaSoul, who I do a lot of work with) and I had the same brain. It was like we were literally thinking the same thoughts…a few times I had to ask if we had actually spoken about certain topics or if I had just picked it up intuitively.

And beyond that things just started clicking right into place in my life with SO much ease….I was almost unnerved by how easily some major life shifts happened. In ONE DAY I bought a new car and applied for a new, beautiful apartment…wowzas!

And I can honestly with 100% certainty say all of this beautiful stuff is a direct result of me getting onto my mat every day and practicing this set of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan.

I know, I know I’ve been doing this forever why am I still so shocked at how well it works? I don’t know why I am still so amazed…but I hope it continues. I hope I never cease to be amazed and grateful for this perfect technology. I hope I get to continue to be overwhelmed by gratitude for the ability to sit on my mat each day, to practice yoga and meditate. I hope that the wonder of it all continues for the rest of my life.

Wahe Guru! (Which translates as Wow! The power of the universal energy, which brings me into the light of the Divine)

Nirmal

PS- Mantra Night is coming up!! Friday 10/1 6:30pm at YogaSoul…come share in my ecstasy by chanting Wahe Guru!! Click Here to Register

PPS- I am leading the Pituitary Gland Series every Saturday during early morning sadhana…4:30-6:30am, come bliss out with a FREE yoga class! Click Here for Details

Amazing Body!

Part I- Amazing Body! Part II- Women Rule!

I L-O-V-E anatomy. One of the reasons I went back to school to become a massage therapist was so I could take more anatomy classes. (I know, dorky, right?) I just think this amazing package we’ve been given to live in is so gosh-darn fascinating.

We are running a Teacher Training program at YogaSoul (Eagan, MN) and this past weekend was one of our training weekends. And on Sunday I got to teach the “Western Anatomy” portion of the course. It combined two of my favorite things, teaching and bodies…so I was happy.

When our bodies were being designed they were so beautifully put together…the nervous system and the endocrine system work elegantly together to keep all of our systems running in perfect balance. Our Respiratory and circulatory system have a harmonious relationship that keeps us moving and energized. How awesome and perfect.

Bodies certainly keep working even when we don’t take very good care of them (another cool thing, I think). But, even better, when we even take SMALL steps to take good care of our body-machine it pays us back with BIG time feel-good rewards. This is one of the reasons I practice yoga…it just makes me feel good in my own skin (and muscles and glands and…)

I am happyhappy that I got to share some of my excitement and knowledge with the beautiful teachers in training this weekend. And it is my prayer that this knowledge will make them better teachers when they get out there and start helping people.

On another note: Women Rule!

Yogi Bhajan (the Master of Kundalini Yoga) taught a TON of wonderful stuff for women. He spent weeks each summer teaching women how to become “Eagles” instead of “Chicks.” The teachings of Kundalini Yoga are so powerful and healing for everyone…and especially for women. If we re-orient the way we expect the world to be and step into our own power we realize how to make everything serve us and how to uplift everyone around us. It is SO great!

I had a lot of resistance to the Women’s Teachings when I first studied them. I didn’t think that how Yogi Bhajan described things was how it SHOULD be….or how I WANTED it to be. But the more I studied and tried applying his concepts to my life the more I surrendered….and this allows me to use the natural energy and flow of the world, rather than fight it.

I’ve been thinking for a long time about how to develop and support the community of women practicing Kundalini Yoga…so, I am very excited to announce:

The Women’s Circle: A gathering of women on a spiritual journey.

Each week we’ll meet in a small group (only 7 spots!) led by myself and my dear friend, Della, we’ll explore a spiritually based book and discuss what it means to be a woman on a spiritual path. This will be a supportive and cozy group and I hope you can join us.

You must pre-register by THIS Friday! 9/25/10

The course runs 4 Saturdays, 10/2, 10/9, 10/23 and 10/30. Cost:$54

Click Here to Register

In October we will be discussing the book: Everyday Grace by Sat Purkh Kaur.

If you’re interested in the November group sign up soon, we’ll be discussing the Eight Human Talents by Gurumkh Kaur.

Yoga-Thon-A-Rama

I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a month in New Mexico this summer. Every year in August the Kundalini Research Institute holds a month-long Teacher Training Course. This year I was invited to attend the course as a Trainer in Training (or TNT as we we’re called during the course).

Most teacher training courses happen over a 9 month period...with lots of time for introspection, reflection and processing. In the immersion format everything is SO tightly packed that there really isn’t time for all of that. I think I’ll still be absorbing and learning from this course for many months to come.

That being said I have grown immensely in my appreciation for and understanding of what it really means to be a Trainer of Kundalini Yoga Teachers. This is no small thing. I truly and honestly believe that the way we are going to change the world to a more peaceful place is by individuals becoming more peaceful within themselves. In my experience Kundalini Yoga and Meditation is the best way to create harmony, peace, happiness and love within MYself...and I see that transformation happen every time I teach a yoga class.

So, to be able to teach other people HOW to create the space for individual students to have their own transformation from darkness to light, sadness to happiness, discord to peace....is a huge responsibility. We’re talking superhero, save-the-world kind of stuff here. Whew!

I know, beyond a doubt, that this is my path in life. To love, share and expand the teachings of Yogi Bhajan...to hold a space where individuals can find their light and learn to turn on the lights of those around them....what an awesome gift.

I hope that as the weeks continue I will begin to grasp even more depth and appreciation for my month at the “mother ashram” in New Mexico...and as I do, I hope to share those insights with you. Thank you all for being a part of my journey on this path.

Sat Nam,

Nirmal