By Pritam Hari Kaur South Africa is a multi-layered society; it reveals itself by degrees if you are committed to finding it and living here for a while. The first interface is the sometimes lush, sometimes stark beauty—the impossibly rich textured mountains and outdoor experiences, the deep valleys, blue oceans, healthy sunshine, abundant fruit and vegetables, and the smiling faces. The next layer is the abject poverty of the 40% that scrape by with barely anything and how this tears your heart right open and you ask how you can live with that. The next layer might be a dance…

Sat Nam New Kundalini Yoga Teachers,  “I’m not a man, I’m not a woman, I’m not myself, I’m a teacher.” The Siri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan proclaimed this one Solstice. I don’t even remember how long ago it was because I have heard him say it so many times over the years. At first, when I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that he meant that a teacher must first consciously and honestly put aside his/her ego when acting in the capacity of a teacher. I liked it. It’s was a good rule. I now know that what…

“I’m not a man, I’m not a woman, I’m not myself, I’m a teacher.” The Siri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan proclaimed this one Solstice. I don’t even remember how long ago it was because I had heard him say it so many times over the years. At first, when I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that he meant that a teacher must first consciously and honestly put aside his/her ego when acting in the capacity of a teacher. I liked it. It’s was a good rule. I now know that what truth a person accepts and practices…

Written by Bir Kaur and Guru Surya Kaur of the Portland Kundalini Yoga Community From our Hearts to your Home: What Makes Kundalini Yoga Portland Home We may have crossed paths at a Solstice Celebration, Sat Nam Fest, or another yoga gathering. Perhaps you were passing through town and decided to join us for sadhana or a Kundalini Yoga class. We are often blessed with the warmth and light that comes when others tell us how friendly the Kundalini Yoga Portland community is. Perhaps it is the breathtaking scenery of trees within a town that tries to be a city, a short…

Celebrate Yogi Bhajan’s Birthday Anniversary Every year we celebrate Yogi Bhajan’s birthday. This is a very cozy occasion when we chant together in gratitude for all the priceless teachings he shared with us. Eleven Days of Chanting: August 15 – August 25 Eleven days of chanting Guru Guru Wahe Guru, Guru Ram Das Guru for 31 minutes each day. Call on Guru Ram Das using Yogi Bhajan’s personal mantra. Join the global spiritual community in connecting with the spirit of Yogi Bhajan, and offering thanks for all the blessings he so generously shared with us. In many communities, the chanting is hosted at different…

If you were not here in Espanola, New Mexico, for the for the Summer Solstice Celebration we definitely missed you. We had a powerful Teachers Conference under the Tantric Shelter this year. Our main teachers were Guru Singh, Shakta Kaur, Guru Dev Kaur and Guruka Kaur. This year’s focus was on Humility—one of The Eight Elements of Excellence. Teachers spoke and wrote about what they envision for themselves as a teacher. IKYTA asked people to share their thoughts on “I love to teach Kundalini Yoga because…” on a large canvas mural. People could write on this throughout their day. It…

This story began while I was seated next to my wife Jai Gopal during a Kundalini Yoga Teacher Gathering in 2005. Guru Darshan and Simrit had started the work of Langar Chile (serving our society’s least protected people out on the street) and they were looking for volunteers to help them. Personally, I had thought about similar ideas in the past, but they had always remained only that: ideas. So I began going out with them every Thursday evening. Each one of us would prepare a pot of food. When I had my first contact with this experience I was very…

Yogic Science to Break Habits & Addictive Behavior – Curriculum A Curriculum provided by SuperHealth SuperHealth is a highly specialized technology that helps people move from recovery to self-discovery.  You can learn more about SuperHealth and find more tools and information about Breaking Addictive Behaviors on their website. 1)    Welcome. Explain title of class. Tune In – Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo 2)   Do Warm-Ups 3)   The Kriya: The “4 U” kriya sets the nervous system to withstand pressures of society and challenges of times.  Do each posture for 11 minutes for 11 days without moving a muscle and this is said to…

  With beats that bounce, Natalia Safran, left, moves to hip-hop at a YogaHop in Santa Monica. The workout balances power, sweat and athleticism with deep stretches and peacefulness. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) By Amber Dance April 13, 2013 As you stretch into warrior pose and inhale and exhale, you’re not just stretching those hamstrings and lungs; you’re also doing good for your brain with a practice that can stave off or relieve problems such as stress, depression and anxiety. Yoga “gives some sense of sanity,” says Sat Bir Khalsa, a neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School in Boston. “You’re no longer washed away by the…