The last 40 days I’ve been doing Kriya for disease resistance, accidentally we found out in my latest training weekend, but really are there any accidents?

Kriya for disease resistance I found quiet fun and energising, it has changeable times and the last two exercises really finish it off with a spark of enthusiasm. I was doing it along with tracks from the album Lightness of being by Satkirin Khalsa as they are upbreat and cheery but not too much for first thing in the morning.

Though like before, there are two postures I found out at the end to alter them and change them and got a totally different stretch and feeling from doing them. Alternate shoulder shrugs does not mean lift and drop one shoulder on the inhale then do the same for the other one on exhale. Both shoulders are in an up-down-up-down motion, like a coat hanger going up and down or a seesaw. In triangle pose it’s important to look like a triangle! To sit your feet flat on the floor, roll up your mat or blanket and you will feel a different stretch!

Things I’ve got up to in the last 40 days:

I started mid May and at the end of May I left my job to start another one, I happily accepted a few days off before starting and I went on my first night out with friends ever and had a blast dancing to live music, I went to the Saatchi gallery then a Simrit singing workshop, a local carnival with friends and ate veg patties and dough balls for the first time.

I’ve started wearing my scarf/turban almost full time now, it feels right, I feel happy and fully myself, it aligns me with practising Sikhi.

Incredible carnival outfits

I also tried a Skiing lesson and a rock climbing session where I found interesting contrast and commitment. I also went to the Great British Kundalini Festival for a day on the Water element where I did three great workshops, went salsa dancing the same night and ate pizza and went to the movies with a friend the day after – my physical body in bits!

I’ve been painting outside in my journal, in open green spaces. I bought a 365 hobby bag to hold my supplies, I set up on mandala mat and it takes me a few minutes to relax then I’m away, happily adding colour to my pages.

I finally went for a first Reiki session on a whim and it was transformative. It was more intense than I expected though I was totally at ease and they asked many deep questions around pain and past hurts that shifted my ongoing headaches and joint pain in my wrists and arms – they’ve gone. Literally I have no other explanation. It also freed a space from subtle worries and changes to life as a single person, it gave me ideas and enthusiasm to draw, though I haven’t finished one yet. Action cuts route to clarity.

40 days in a collage

The second half of my 40 days times were slower and quieter, I was settling into my new job which is going well but it took time to adjust.

On the eve of the birthday of my friend (and someone who I supported) I made my first gluten free banoffee pie, the consistency was all wrong but the taste was there, we talked about them often.

I found a link to a photo of the day Polaroid project by Jamie Livingston from 1979-1997 really interesting and in the morning followed a feeling to finally buy a Polaroid camera. I went out to the shops that I usually dread going to as the car park gets busy and I wasn’t even sure my detour was worth it, I bought a pink Instax mini Polaroid camera, after years of thinking about it, I finally had one just like that.

My friend had a tree planted on their birthday in their memory and a get together with friends and family. That evening I felt as if a heavy load had been lifted, I couldn’t explain it but everything felt much lighter. I had a sleepover with a friend (the one I go out for pizza with often) and the next day I got a new tattoo, a dandelion with the word trust, I will write about my tattoos another time.

Banoffee pie for brunch

I started two new projects on this site, the living list – where I note down things I want to do while alive, for accountability and inspiration. As well as Trust & love in Polaroids – an ongoing gallery of things I’m doing. I’m not quiet ready for an everyday project so capturing ordinary moments on film is a fun learning experience. I want to start a third project this year so watch this space.

I’m continuing to read about Non Violent Communication each morning at long last I bought Steal like an artist by Austin Kleon. I came across the quote ‘I will not be a passenger in my own life’ by Diane Ackerman and remembered it while on my drive to my rock climbing session (that was the only enlightening moment of my experience) and found a cheap copy of her book On expanded wings.

Another author kept coming to my mind, though all I could remember was that she possibly experimented with Polaroid cameras and part of her story was about her step dad living only 37 days after a terminal diagnosis. After a while searching I found I was thinking of Patti Digh, and there was one copy of her book Creative is a Verb left for over half price less at £2.50 – it is the book to kick start creativity.

Creativity is a verb by Patti Digh and playing with watercolours

I keep reading it in the sunshine, the other day I went to a large open space I had been driving past for months but my inner critic came in the car park may be busy, I won’t be able to park, was there a point to following a feeling. The night before I packed all my supplies, books and sunglasses and the car park was almost empty and I had a tranquil time in the sun reading and preparing artist trading cards.

Another artist that I felt inspired by these 40 days was Marina Abramovic, her film The Artist is present is incredible, her devotion, presence, mindfulness, creative vision is incredible, a strong female artist.

Other great things happening include going to a Mantra night (again, finally) and seeing a circle of spiritually curious people locally did actually exist, meeting a friend of a friend and getting Mala beads, I had wanted some for a while though couldn’t justify the price yet. I took advantage of Super Mondays at Vue and went with a friend to see Pirates of the Caribbean, having an interesting adventure, following your inner compass and the stars themes sang out.

I received an email that an older piece of art I had done (my biggest too) is going to be on the wall of a cafe as part of a local arts trail at the end of the month. This prompted me to chose a picture taken of me on my Polaroid camera and put it on to my business cards (that arrived early on Day 40!)

The picture on my new business cards

This week is a heat wave, each day I wake up it is so bright and warm I’ve been doing Sadhana outside and it feels like I’m eating breckfast in Spain.

On my weekend of yoga training I saw a dear friend that is going through health issues, he gave me a jolt of possitivity for leading Sadhana that Sunday as did a lovely new lady on our course, when someone mentions the Guru’s guiding you in your first conversation, you know your onto a good thing!

I learnt A LOT on the course and leading Sadhana too, very needed, useful and inspiring me to start teaching soon which your can do while training!

It was while on my training I met Keerat Kaur Khalsa who teaches Kundalini yoga at Huxley Gardens in London, you can find her at www.akaalyoga.co.uk I also bought a beautiful white cotton Kaftan top and yogic underwear from Ananda Kanda, you can also check out her Facebook page here.

In summary and fabulous 40 day changes:

Shifts: After Reike I realised I can be myself with or without a mould set up when I’m with a man (art to follow this thought) though I can feel vulnerable, there is always a way through. Sugar isn’t giving me headaches anymore, though I don’t really need it and to remember on my ‘detox days’ I felt most uplifted. Art, yoga and life go together, they are not separate parts of me, they make up a creative life. Miracles and blessings make room for growth.

Magic: The last week of the Kriya I got news that I was being given a sum of money, it was enough to clear the credit card debt that wasn’t that high compared to others but I felt it was dragging me down. Everyday I read my affirmations it was there, that I had cleared it completely and now I have! There is room for savings opportunities/a holiday/art and yoga investments!

Miracle: On day 40 two things I had been thinking about manifested 1. Going to a Sikh wedding and seeing what happened and 2. Doing Seva. I was thankfully able to go to Keerat’s amazing wedding, a traditional, simple Sikhi wedding with her friends and family and put myself down to get involved in Seva for Chabeel Day.

On a side note on Day 40 I also bought another Polaroid camera, the Instax 90, as though I love my pink Polaroid, the slightly more expensive Instax 90 allows you to turn off the flash (I was getting put off from taking pictures discreetly when the flash made it very obvious but wanted an arty film shot), it has self timer mode and you can attach a tripod, I have a new toy to explore! I also bought two rainbow wheel windmills to start off decorating my mums flower garden and as I was spending money here and there I didn’t follow a feeling for harem pants but soon, I will brave clothes shopping once again.

Yoga outside in the sun

For the first time the next two days I’m going to have a break from a strict 40 day pattern and start Awakening to the ten bodies on my weekend off. I will do something; Japji Sahib, some movement, a meditation probably or maybe something completely different like paint or go for a walk?

My next intentions are to turn drawing drafts to finished drawings and paint index cards and prepare to show my art! I’m also going to research insurance and possibly host a Sadhana or class at home. There is more fun, adventure, joy creativity and courage on the way – lets see what the next 40 days brings.

Sat Nam!