I have finished 40 days of Surya Kriya! I chose this Kriya at the start of August as the weather was getting gloomy, as in the sun was no longer warm and made an short appearance before going behind the clouds, in out in out.

Surya – sun, I wanted to cultivate the feeling of sun energy for 40 days and be energetic, expressive and enthusiastic! The brief also says it makes a person clear, analytic and action orientated. The exercises stimulate the positive panic force and kundalini energy itself. As regular sadhana practice it can build the strength of your body and the ability to focus on many tasks.

I’ve really enjoyed Surya Kriya, I think it did brighten up my morning and sometimes whole day. It’s a great ‘tidy’ kriya, as in you don’t need much space and it includes regular exercises such as Sat Kriya and Frogs. I did it along with music for a few days then decided to do without as I feel I didn’t need it. That’s a common thing now with my Sadhana, in the morning I like the quiet, it quietens my mind, I only used music for relaxation after.

The only thing I noticed by the end of my time doing this Kriya is that I missed doing more upbeat leg and arm work. As most of it is done sitting down. While doing this kriya plenty of times I’ve been told have told me how calm and laid back I seem, light hearted and like nothing can annoy or worry me (I assure you I am only human!) It did give me a great start to my day.

So 40 days has gone by, what have I got up to… here’s the pictures in summary:

Highlights of 40 Days Surya Kriya

40 Days of Surya Kriya Highlights:

*I went to a nearby Vegan Fest nearby and went to a foot massage workshop, chatted with my friend Happy over delicious Vegan cheese cake, went to a Cacao ceremony and Gong bath (interesting, combining both one after another not such a good idea).

*I started teaching Kundalini yoga at home! I’ve been really enjoying it, the whole process from idea, plan, practice, prepare the room is all new but I’m starting where I am and doing donations while training.

*I made some new friends who are Sikhi/Sikh and have been hanging out with them. One in particular helped me break through some barriers I was unsure I would ever break down, we had fun and has made me re evaluate my values and goals for this year.

* I’ve been socialising with friends and eating out more, shopping and generally having a lovely time, all my friends teach me in unique ways and I feel I can be myself fully.

* I went to a Khalsa Camp (Sikhi) in Wales and had a wonderful time! I drove 180 miles, the Severn Bridge is magnificent and I learnt a lot and connected with so many people. I have since started including more Gurbani into my morning and evening practices. I’ve posted a photo journal here.

* I have been art journaling in the mornings if only for 10 minutes a day, just to play around with paint or while watching videos and ended up finishing two pages. I also finally bought and used some paint to carry on the lotus flower on canvas.

* Someone in my family passed, and while it was sad it was coming for over a year and they were deeply unhappy and unwell. With the news my household felt much lighter, like it had just taken a big breath out and the funeral was like a family reunion that wouldn’t of come together otherwise.

Teaching Kundalini first classes

First class was Kriya for Kidneys, just my mat, an orchid, candle and music

Books Read:

* Eight Human Talents by Gurmukh – a great read through the Chakras with her personal stories and quotes mixed in, quick meditations and I did the Kriya at the end of the book while at Wilderness festival. I took the book in my handbag everywhere 7/10

* Heros, Saints and Yogis – An ok book on Sikh dharma written by Kundalini practitioners practicing Sikhi. It has some stories I had never heard of before and explains some common phrases, prayers and ceremonies which are helpful for beginners. 4/10

Top quotes I saved:

* Peace is found on the inside, where have you been looking – Byron Katie

* The meaning you put on someones action’s is what hurts you – Byron Katie

* Enthusiasm and inspiration are your authority – Guru Singh

*If you want to change you have to be willing to be uncomfortable

*Consciousness is your best friend and soul is your only strength. Project your soul – Yogi Bhajan

*Read like your hair is on fire – Patti Digh

*A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because her trust is not on the branch but on it’s own wings. Always believe in yourself.

Last few days:

1. A Change/New habit: I’m feeling lighter about love and life, I felt proactive in deleting and organising a messaging app to serve me and not feel like a slave to it, a small thing but with big change.
2. Magic: Day 39 & 40 I was helped along with the last two days by a friend on my course as she offered to do Surya Kriya in a class she was teaching as she also liked it! I am so grateful as after sadhana and a class I needed a push to do that Kriya on top as we had done so much yoga.
3. Miracle: There was no outside miracle as such but I did some inner work, self enquiry with Byron Katie (author) technique, 4 questions and a turn around and got: * As I feel love for myself it’s possible to feel and be in love and have a happy relationship with someone else. * I’m not interested in short term. I’m interested in long term sharing love, joy, fun and making a family with a future husband.

This quote was said on the last day of yoga training for September which happened to be Day 40 and we had been learning about the yogic point of view on relationships:

‘You have to do one thing first. If you do not accept your own dignity as a woman all external trappings shall mean nothing. It has nothing at all to do with any man or relationship. Once you accept your own dignity, the whole world will come to you.’ – Yogi Bhajan

Promise to myself

So what now? Well I’m not doing another 40 days coming up as I’m focusing on revision for the test coming up next month and I’m preparing to teach a class at the last training which I may offer at home too. For morning Sadhana I’m doing Nabhi Kriya for Prana Apana as I miss Nabhi Kriya though I’m not going to go a full 40 days or 90 days into it till after my training.

The kriya I’m doing now focuses on third chakra (navel) and the heart chakra, action/balance and love/compassion. I’m also doing the longer Kirtan Kriya in the evening too before bed as interestingly Sat Kriya (included in Surya Kriya) balances sexual energies and is good for males. Kirtan Kriya is balancing for women and good for memory – all just what I need right now!

‘Stop getting distracted by things that have nothing to do with your goals.’ – Marilyn Fontaine

I really like the quote above, it’s so fitting for now when I’m cramming in yoga studies as I quickly check with myself – Is this serving me at the moment in learning Kundalini yoga?

Also a funny picture I’m reminded of from the book The one thing by Gary Keller is a piece of paper he stuck in his office with the words – Until my one thing is done everything else is a distraction!

So true, I’m back to old school revision – printing out papers, highlighting words, sticking papers on the walls of my room, the bath room, kitchen, taking my notes to cafes, to dinner – everywhere.

So until then I’m taking a break from blogging and I’ll be back with a better laid out website and plans for the rest of 2017!