Taranjeet Kaur

What is chanting Long Ek Ong Kars for 2.5 hours like?

September 12, 2019

This is the question I asked two weeks before I did 2.5 hours of Long Ek Ong Kars.

I asked because though I’ve been practicing Kundalini yoga several years, have done my training and am now teaching, doubt still creeps in. Doubt that I can’t do it, that my hips may give way as I birthed a baby this year, though five months on is completely different to five weeks in.

Long Ek Ong Kars are done all over the world in celebration of Yogi Bhajan’s birthday each year, I didn’t want to miss yet another year and meditating on that sound current for hours clears our subconscious mind and balances the chakras.

And you know what? It was completely fine and liberating all at the same time.

It was perfectly aligned, a bank holiday (day off for the husband, suitable childcare), I had money to use for the cab fare and change for a donation. At 4.30am I left the house for Joy Yoga in Dalston and sang out Long Ek Ong Kars!

I’m not sure if anything has cleared, it could be so subtle that my conscious mind hasn’t picked up on it. Though what I do know is that this meditation shows how much time is an illusion. As in those moments chanting, it felt like I had been there for about an hour. AN HOUR. When it was much more.

I don’t know what was more liberating, chanting or getting up early to participate in something so special and so simple at the same time.

There were a whole host of people there, all ages, a baby even joined at the end, cute.

If your thinking of doing it, next time it comes around, just do it, a leap of faith!

Long Ek Ong Kars can be practiced in morning Sadhana, starting at 3 minutes to 11, 31 and 2.5 hours. It’s fun to practice and as we chant each word we pull in the navel, our beginning, our powerhouse! Here’s an easy to follow guide.

No Comment

Blog / Yoga

40 Days of meditation for prosperity 1

August 12, 2019

There are two different Meditation’s for prosperity, I’ve completed number 1, Har Haray Haree Waheguru (Aquarian Teacher Manual).

It’s done with elbows bent by your waist, palms facing up and thumbs touching the top of the index fingers.

Har : Seed
Ha-ray: Flow or sprout
Ha-ree: Completion or bloom
Whaa-hay gu-roo: The ecstatic Infinite one

“This meditation provides guidance and the way through any block. The future is clear, without anxiety”.

I started off doing 11 minutes each morning, this is the first meditation with mantra said aloud I’ve done with baby in her cot. After a couple of days in I felt I could extend it so I did bit by bit till Day 8 where I did 31 minutes and felt so much energy in my day I didn’t want to go back on it! I did 31 minutes mostly every day though if S.Kaur woke up 13 minutes in I saw to her.

This meditation has given me an abundance of clarity, gratitude, and flexibility, you can read more in my notes below!

KRIYAS EXPLORED

Strengthening the Aura
15 Minute morning set
Nabi Kriya for prana apana
Pituitary Gland Kriya
Basic spinal energy series

HIGHLIGHTS

Finished flyers for Yoga teaching, aiming to start in Sep
I wrote a whole new set of affirmations that align and show me what I want including going swimming once a week to raise heart rate and going to a weekly Katha.
I started and I’m still writing a Kundalini Yoga online course
Baby massage finished and I’ve been going to mum and baby yoga instead
Did some playing in my journal, though not as much as would like
Husband and I have done Venus Kriyas in evenings
I planned seven one hour beginner classes.
Talking with friends and family on the phone lifted my spirits and it’s something I want to aim for each week
S.Kaur is having baby rice for breakfast!
I started writing gratitude notes in my happiness jar as I forget to in my bullet journal.
Day 19 I felt annoyed with everything, so maybe something was clearing.
I’ve dropped a lot of anxiety about needing new clothes in the warm weather, I’m ok and they’ll come.
S.Kaur had a cranial sacral massage a long nap after and is playing with her toys more now.
Waking up early has been of huge importance as I’m giving time for myself each day.

HAPPENINGS

My car got hit at the traffic lights and I’ve claimed for myself no win – no fee.
I had many days where it hit me I was now a mum. I felt like I was getting nothing done, or the wrong thing is done first, I still am.
We had many weeks where I felt like my body was drowning in humid sticky weather.

BLOG POSTS:

Kundalini Yoga FAQs
10 Ways to better manage your money
Mantra Lovin’ Sat Narayan

INSPIRED AND ENJOYING:

Martha Beck on Facebook – How to move mountains
Building a business with a baby article huff post
5 Minute Crafts – Clothes hacks for smart mums
Giver Taker concept
Prosperity Hymn by Simran and Guru Prem
13 times by Jai-Jagdesh
Grateful by Brotha James

READING:

Miracle morning for parents and families by Hal Elrod and Mike & Lindsay McCarthy it is incredible and had uplifted me greatly!!
So good they can’t ignore you by Cal Newport
Kundalini Yoga Cookbook

SHOW ME THE MONEY:

I opened a savings account for baby and putting a bit in each month!
Sorted out Universal Credit (UK)
I washed and combed three sheepskins to new.
Bought bright yellow, orange cushions and some embroidered ones from RosemarysHandMade on Etsy
We bought two sets of Bana for all of us, worthwhile as hard to find the right size.
I joined in Leonie Dawson’s Money manifesting online course.
I set up a few specific small savings accounts.
I became an avid shopping list writer and meal planner.
I gave three bags of old clothes and shoes to charity.
I started listening to podcast Bad with money and I AM HOOKED.
My brother told me about budgeting bank app with card Monzo and it’s going well.
Got a bra fitting for the first time! M&S are pros, worth it.
In all honesty, I calculated my net worth to be -£152 at the moment
I’ve saved us £70 a year canceling Amazon Prime (that we didn’t know we had).

DAY 40

Was an Indian wedding, we got to our destination late at night, I had 4 hours sleep before an early make–up session and I just, just managed to meditate 11 minutes! The day after (Day 41) I meditated 31 mins and it all felt whole and complete.

FINAL THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS

Instead of focusing on having enough time, I’ve been putting systems in place to get tasks done and in flexible time blocks.

Get in the car and just go – is my new motto as we drove to three programs, a Lido and the shops when undecided.

Feeling some inner peace and acceptance towards the evenings of dire TV on in the background, it could be worse, I’d truly hate it if it were programs on serial killers each evening. Also, the room has been moved around, it feels a better balance and less distraction.

I have let go and stepped into my power. Indian custom is to visit a new baby in the family, usually unannounced, this causes me to feel claustrophobic and not in control in the place I live in. People call now and I have around 5 hours – 5 days notice, it’s also useful I’ve noted to have something to go to afterward so as I’m not sitting around giving away all our time on a Friday night or weekend. When, like the other day, people give me no notice, then I carry on with some tasks and if I’m cooking dinner, then I’ll eat it too regardless.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Well, I’m still up for doing 40 days or even longer, I almost always am! Though I want to focus on my Sikhi, I can now carve out the time I have for prayers for 4 – 6 am after a few warm-ups and frogs!

No Comment

Blog / Yoga

40 days of Meditation to burn inner anger

July 1, 2019

For the last 40 days, I’ve been doing Meditation to burn inner anger and rebuild your immune system.

The directions are to :
‘Breathe strongly and powerfully with emotion. Burn your inner anger and get rid of it. Take the help of the breath to get rid of the body’s weaknesses and impurities’.

It’s said that 11 minutes a day will re-build within you a powerful immune system and after 40 days, you will be a different person.

Meditation to burn inner anger involves you placing your left hand at your heart palm down and your right arm straight up two fingers out, two curled under your thumb. You breathe in through your mouth fully and out again through the mouth. At the end, you raise both arms up breathe in and cannon breath out. There’s a great video from Carlyn Cowen I started with.

This is the first 40 days I’ve done since having a baby! I was interested again to do a meditation involving my arms. I am a long time believer, from experience, that I hold a lot of stress and tension in my arms. I find them challenging but so rewarding too. Inner anger stuck out as we all have some form of anger inside us. The first image I saw was Snatamn Kaur demonstrating it and if she’s doing it (she seems like the calmest serene woman on the planet) then I can do it too.

There is and isn’t anything, in particular, I was personally working on. Though there are some parts of my environment that annoy me heavily and I can’t change them some not at all, some not straight away. It comes from living with an extended family other than my husband and child. If there’s anything I’ve learned from this experience, it’s to be truthful about how I feel. When I hide this or am in the reactive mode it becomes undealt with and I get physical symptoms, a twitch in my neck, heavy arms and stomach ache.

Stress will always show up in the body.

Throughout the 40 days, I kept a journal, crossing off days and writing notes about my days.

Some days, when I was really still and non distracted the meditation was super powerful and it was easy to commit daily to that.

What I noticed at first was the all to familiar discomfort of a commitment only four days in. I started by only doing three warm-ups then the meditation, though twenty days in I explored short kriyas while S.Kaur slept. Also throughout this period, I felt I was able to get more honest with myself and out loud. I got tasks done that I put off for another time.

I came across this killer Yogi Bhajan quote:

‘Truth spoken in fear is a lie. It is a comment from the heart chakra. Words of truth spoken kindly is the signature of the heart chakra.’

Highlights and happenings over 40 days:

Did my life insurance policy
Emailed venues to teach yoga at in London this September and met up with one of them.
I started having cold showers every day and once again it is wonderful and a total game changer.
I also started having a green juice in the morning followed by banana porridge. These became part of my new mum morning routine.
I planned a set of classes around the Chakras to re-familiarise myself and be prepared.
I stayed at my families when they were on holiday and had two mornings of yoga and meditation in a big room, vastness, and space.
I got into the daily habit of reading the Hukumnana each morning (daily order/intention of the day).
I did podcasts on Sabbath, Living environments and Anxiety notes. You can find these on True talks with Taran.

I went social media free Friday evenings – Saturday evenings! I felt so much more focused and now follow Cal Newport’s blog as he writes about digital minimalism (written book of the same name) and now getting into the habit of intentional social media rather than mindless default scrolling.
I tuned into how I felt and the growing annoyances, irritations instead of letting it grow into a mountain of resentment.
I recognized how great it feels to just have family time us three, so I make the most of a free house, walk in the woods, day out.
I feel less resistance and tension around household issues when it’s not your house, it’s not your rules. I change what I can (the parts of the house I can change I will and save for).

I made a new habit of opening curtains in the early morning, to be in natural light as much as possible (my mum’s house is great for this) and going for walks – daily walking really is clearing a lot.
I’ve done a lot of complaining these 40 days! Mainly to my husband, I’m recognizing what I do and don’t want and there’s nothing wrong with that. Though you can’t keep complaining, you need to be a vehicle for change!
It’s brought forward the reminder to put my practice at the forefront of life, the values I learn in Kundalini yoga are not just for the mat, they are for every moment and interaction. The same goes for Sikhi and the path I chose to live on.

I went to a SikhPA event Womens (in) equality – first time out in London on my own in two months!
S.Kaur moved from Moses basket to cot! She’s started smiling too!
I had three times where my tummy played up, felt so tight and irritated whether it be from food or stress, I was aware of it, ate light and when I felt to and spoke about my feelings towards things bothering me.
I’ve become more mindful of eating healthier food and earlier dinner time too. I’ve gone from eating at 7.30pm to 6.30pm, it means I have to get organized to cook around 5pm and save my husband’s food till later but we both feel better for it. I also bought Kundalini Yoga recipe book and there are some quick and easy gems in there.

I was reminded of the cornerstones of what’s important – Yoga, Sikhi, Creativity. Instead of being immersed in general conversation I recognized I wanted to work on side projects, learn and have deeper conversations. Something I’m experimenting with now.

I’ve listened to a lot of Guru Jagat on Youtube.
Tried out Pilates, Zumba, and Buggyfit. I also started a great baby massage class too with NCT.
I tied areas of the bedroom with S.Kaur which was both needed and fun too singing along to Snatamn Kaur!
I did a 24-hour appreciation challenge.

A Sikhnet story reminded me – no complain, no compare, no compete.
I went to a screening of documentary Mantra spontaneous date night and saw Dark Phoenix an Xmen film at baby cinema.
I made the first moves to switch from child benefit to Universal Credit (a long process).
I went out for drives with S.Kaur for the first time on my own, something I was worried about but all was fine.

I drafted some business cards and flyers for yoga business.
I went through a hand car wash for the first time, I’ve never cleaned any car I’ve owned.
I did a journal page, journaling my feelings then painting over them with acrylics.
My favorite Kriyas to do were: Pituitary Gland and Trukti Kriya.

In the last 10 days I:

Bought a new thicker yoga mat, new bras, personal development books (audio is more practical on walks) and a much-needed jet washer for the garden.
I edited my website so the focus is on yoga and classes, then my blog.
I wrote in a cafe distraction-free, guilt-free and it felt wonderful!
I recognized when with family, it can feel draining. Set boundaries and always take my own car.
Recorded dreams and did more of Byron Katie’s The Work app to deal with issues.
Started and completed Kriya A very subtle exercise, it involves a lot of shaking and journaling daily.
Saw mum and dad and did different activities – a restaurant and park visit – so refreshing!

On day 40:

I felt at first it ended badly – I spent money on a spontaneous gift that a) I didn’t get credit for and b) was not consulted about. However, it made a difference to another person and that’s what counts, also I didn’t need to go into a busy mall to get it. This day it was 33 degrees but babies aren’t really fans of sunbathing, something I love.

Though the same day I was given a bunch of skirts in my size and style for free and a cheque come through, again the name needs changing (spelling error) but it came.

The husband helped out feeding and changing S.Kaur so I could finish 40/40 days and family announced they’re moving home this year, enabling us all to sort our environments this year.

Overview and final thoughts:

I haven’t burned away inner anger so much as recognized it. Recognizing it coming in the form of complaining, comparing, striving, not letting things be, not accepting the way things are and being cold, distant, awkward and moany. There are things that I cannot change, only change how I am with them, it’s brought sitting in discomfort, the knowingness of what I want and don’t want.

Boundaries and self-respect are something to practice more of.

After all, everything is temporary and why let things take up rent in your mind when they don’t have to.

Life is a gift, don’t drift or create a rift. – YB

I like to track what I’ve done in a 40 days because it helps me stay accountable. It shows how transformative Kundalini Yoga can be in small changes, new habits and tiny but totally life-changing behaviors.

Have you done this or another 40 days meditation recently? I’d love to know or link to it in the comments below!

No Comment

Blog / Yoga

3 ways I’ve adapted morning meditation

March 15, 2019

I touched upon this in a previous post on reading Nitnem in pregnancy (Sikh daily prayers) and now I want to go into the challenge of meditation. It could be as a beginner, with a busy mind, tiredness anything at all. Mine is hormonal pregnancy related.

I love getting up to stretch and meditate, it’s free and only requires a square – rectangular space to practice in. There you just breathe, listen to your sound.

However all throughout pregnancy, I’ve hit some blocks. I can sit easily for 3 minutes and breathe, hooray mini victory! Though it doesn’t see me through my day as 15-30 minutes would. I can’t chant mantras as they send me back to sleep and literally wear me out like I’ve been mentally power walking. I can’t sit for long before I feel hungry and want to get up to organise or use the creative side of my brain.

Here’s what I’ve found works, through almost 9 months of self-practice:

Malas are a great tool! Originally I was skeptical as I saw people use them mostly for fashion. Though turning each bead with my fingers while saying a mantra such as the Mul Mantra set off the mind-body connection and I can do it – for 11 minutes!

The four-second breath also called box breath or 10-second breath with more practice works fantastically! Breathe in four counts, hold four, out four, hold four. It keeps your mind on something, counting and slows your breathing down. I usually do it in the mornings for 7 minutes, it can be done anywhere too.

Similar are techniques are: Breath in 1 2 3, exhale relax relax relax. Or Breath in 1 2 3, exhale 6 5 4 3 2 1, the exhale is extended and if you let go, it’s really soothing.

I also play 4-minute affirmations while sitting now, they are birth related and really relax my whole self, though you could find any that fits you.
Try techniques out! Do what works and show up often!

What works for you when meditation is feeling hard or a little off? I’d love to know in the comments below!

No Comment

Blog / Lifestyle

Challenge of meditation and Nitnem in Pregnancy

November 15, 2018

Since the beginning, as in 3 weeks in, when I hadn’t even confirmed my slight suspicions, everything changed with my morning routine. Throughout actually, whether it be early morning, late morning, evening, instead of calm an serene, I was fidgety, I couldn’t sit cross-legged for more than 5 minutes and I either had nausea, immense hunger or severe fatigue.

I mention in a video I did on my first trimester, that the wonders of the body telling me I needed to rest on my left side which I did, forced me to surrender to sleeping through my whole routine – yoga, Simran (meditation) and Nitnem (poetic prayers) at my meditation space.

This post is coming from a female Sikh perspective, as you will notice from the language used, though may be useful to any pregnant lady going through the same thing.

You see, ordinarily 4 months ago, I loved getting out of bed to my yoga/meditation practice. That’s the whole reason I do what do because it gives me so much enjoyment, peace, and inner strength throughout my day. I’ve always been a morning person, reveling in the quiet, feeling like the only one awake while others sleep through the sunrise, I’m up seeing its beauty.

Sikhi aside, I’m a huge encourager of people doing yoga stretches to wake up their bodies after being horizontal for the night and to sit and breathe. Long deep breathing and listening to your breath is the most wonderful way to start the day as it is naturally calming, slows you down and you get quiet and personal with yourself. Questions may arise and answers may come, your working out your intuition too. As your day gets busy, you may not even notice your breath throughout it, thankfully the time in the morning was well spent doing nothing but breathing – what a present to yourself!

There’s also a little amount of expectancy and shame that can be brought forward from either your own thoughts or people around you. Your a Sikh, Muslim, Christian why aren’t you reading your prayers? And when something goes wrong, guess what people’s first blame is on?

Well, thankfully I know myself enough to listen to my body and intuition on what is right for me right at that moment. No one else can tell you that. I’m going to get real honest on what worked and what didn’t in full knowledge that there will be other Amrithari Sikhs or orthodox religious people that will tell me I should have pressed on anyway. Waheguru.

My husband was one of those and I’m thankful now for his encouragement throughout and accountability. He listened though didn’t fully get that if I could have done an hour and a half combination of movement, meditation, and prayers I would have, I did what I could and followed the most important rule:

Forgive yourself often.

I told him and I had no idea how I would know this being only 2 months in at the time – After 120 days (when the soul enters the body of a fetus), at 4 months I will be able to do at least the Japji again and add more from there. I followed a physical feeling that Gurbani in its beauty is also power and it was as if it was too powerful for such a small being and was completely knocking me out after a few words. There is some evidence to support this as yogically when you say mantras you are touching your tongue to 84 meridian points on the roof of your mouth that stimulates the hypothalamus and makes the pineal gland radiate. That’s some inner workout!!

Also, I came into Sikhi as a happy singleton and here’s a great example of why that’s relevant here – I do what I do for enjoyment, peace, and happier life, not because a man tells me too nor out of expectation. If it doesn’t feel right I will work on why what I can do and go from there before you know it I’m back in the Sikhi swing of things.

So here’s what I did, after many days and weeks of experimenting on what I could & couldn’t do:

I did pregnancy yoga sets on youtube anywhere between 10-35 minutes, I sat at my meditation floor chair (a cushion to elevate your hips will also work well) and did between 11-22 minutes of Simran meditation, the longer is my most favorite time and I tried for that though my focus was often dispersed 10 different ways or thinking about food. I didn’t always sit cross-legged either, I moved around till I found the right position, usually my legs out, it helps if you can prop your back up against a wall too.

Like I said before, long deep breathing and/or chanting is my minimum, it’s a saving grace as without it I often feel a little all over the place or my mind is scattered. It really grounds and uplifts me all the same time, so I would say to anyone, start with that as your absolute minimum. One yoga posture that’s really fantastic to open up your back and move your spine is standing cat cow you can do in 3 minutes.

I watched Sikhi stories at breakfast, Basics of Sikhi videos and Nanak Naam in my day so I could make the time spiritually productive.

Finally, after 3 months I could read Gurbani again, as predicted the morning of 16 weeks I read Japji again felt wonderful. Another time I and husband did all 5 Bani together along to a fast recording because that morning I was so determined to do it! I found a supportive article that helped Sikhnet on pregnancy and ready Bani.

I’m experimenting every day as my body clock can go out of sync through napping (they are the most wonderful naps) and other times I’m a morning person again. Recently I read Bani in bed while drinking bottles of water to rehydrate and times when I have to get up to the loo at 4.30am then usually go back to sleep only to meet with vivid nightmares, I realise I could have spent that time another way.

We’re all just pregnant works in progress, congratulations!

No Comment

Blog / Sikhi

Meditation and Martha’s mind mapping making sense of anxiety

November 21, 2017

Each morning I do some yoga stretches (although right now I’m 21/40 days in of archer pose, it’s brilliant) and then I sit down and mediate for just over 20 minutes, Sat Nam Wahe Guru. I may mediate at other times of the day though the morning is a special time, it’s quiet, I’m not rushing around getting things done or thinking of my most important tasks of the day, I’m just there, to be.

Although sometimes lately and I’m not sure if it’s because it’s colder now we’re in Winter and this has happened before but each time after meditation I am fired up. My chest is heavy and I’m practically having some sort of heart palpitation movement going on that I can go only control by breathing deeply which I’ve already failed at, for twenty minutes?

This seems a strange thing to admit, after all I am a yoga teacher now, but I’m just being honest and I wanted to share something cool I read too.

In Steering by Starlight, Martha Beck talks about being a naturally nervous person who has dealt with and still does, high anxiety. I’ve known this about her before – I can raise my hand in relation to this!

I used to think and tell people that meditation has made me feel calmer in day to day interactions and activities. It has, especially at work or with family members. It also helps me see the bigger picture, go into problem solving mode serenely and keep faith that everything is working out as it is supposed to, through everything just breathe more.

Then I read this and it made me think more deeply about meditation and yoga:

‘Scholars like Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Gregory Berns and Ellen Langer, who study human happiness, concur that we are most centred and blissful ‘in the zone’, when we’re intensely focused on something that is almost too hard or scary to do’.

Wow.

When I read that I was brought to memories of Kundalini classes that were intense, like doing three minutes of jumping jacks so enthusiastically when everyone else was dropping out that year at the Great British Kundalini festival with Gurmukh. So much of Kundalini pushes you past that limit of your ‘self seeing it as hard’ to show you your self is infinite, there is no limit, only what the mind projects or puts there, that’s the beauty of it.

It also relates to the book Feel the fear and do it anyway by Susan Jeffers.

Martha goes on to write in the book her experience of being at a brain mapping research facility, when the researchers left her alone with electrodes, she tried a few things out to really see how to bring her anxiety waves down. Firstly she tried the calm observer state she went into in meditation, did that work? – No! From that she noticed another electrical signal went up (theta waves) indicating that she was relaxed but her anxiety was still high.

This is exactly what I was talking about with my own meditation practice, with stress in my body it’s as if I bring things forward like, will I find a parking space today or my car is getting fixed again, not verbally or even thought just felt. Meditation just brings a nice big cushion in the space for those things.

Anyway so on Martha went with her experiment, meditation didn’t work so what next? She began thinking random thoughts, going through memories and looking at her brain waves. Then she noticed a pattern, her anxiety levels dropped when she remembered situations that would fill her with anxiety, such as speaking to large audiences, being in serious physical danger and so on. The more high risk situation imagined, the less anxiety her brain produced! A place beyond fear.

Think about it, when we recall something we were nervous or anxious about and we watch ourselves have accomplishment and victory, we watch ourselves get through that moment and come out fine, isn’t that wonderful? Like the times I used be petrified to drive further out as my instructor showed me a way through fear or when lost while trying to find the way to go at an airport while travelling to Prague, I wanted to cry in despair and crawl home, then walked forward and found an information booth. We went into a space where it was all possible, we felt fear or worry and did it anyway.

Similar to times where all hell has broken loose and yourself or someone beside you is going through that situation and one of you is panicked and the other is totally calm. Like when the cash point swallows your card when in India or you lose your travel card while out and are left with nothing. Leaving one of you shouting ‘How are you SO CALM when you’re usually SO WORRIED all the time?’

This brought me forward full circle to what I was doing in meditation and how I could help myself. Firstly the words I was using give out a big clue, here’s them broken down Sat (true) Nam (name, infinity), Wahe (wow) Guru (guidance from dark to light). So as I sat down breathing and saying these words I didn’t exactly go through memories of the past (as I want to stay present at this time) but as I focus on infinity and the expansiveness of the wondrous Lord Wahe Guru who and by living in the way of, has no fear or hate and is undying. Totally infinite. Doing so I have felt light, my chest pains have lifted and I can get ‘in a blissful zone’. It’s as if my worries are handed over, to pardon the common expression, to Wahe Guru or God.

It takes stillness, practice and patience but when you next meditate, notice subtle changes when you focus on infinity and the place beyond fear. Experiment!

My little meditation area

No Comment

Blog / Yoga

40 Day Sadhana Complete – Nabhi Kriya & I AM I AM meditation

February 24, 2017

Nabhi Kriya was the first 40 days given on my Level 1 Kundalini training, the full routine actually went – read Japji Sahib in English/Gurmuki, do Nabhi Kriya then I am meditation and if there’s any more time… do the Aquarian Mantras!

I was really against Nabhi Kriya to begin with – SO much leg work! How can it be that this is our first Kriya? Anyway I grew to love it, I even missed it and dare I say it, am looking forward to when I next do it again. The reason we were given it first is it strengthens the navel point and activates the third chakra, read more and view it here.

The I am I am meditation is an interesting one too, I missed chanting in a rhythm like in previous 40 days (I even added Wahe Yantee somedays). It’s a meditation where the hand and breath move in rhythm and overall it aids in you living your whole truth and maintaining a sense of self while your awareness expands. Once again I surprised my sceptical judging mind when I realised the meditation was calming, empowering and grounding me in my day.

What I noted about and did in 40 days:

First off I had to really get into a decipline of remembering to do warm ups before starting. To stretch, move and warm up my body after waking. I did 1-2 minutes of each, usually cat cow, spinal twists and pigeon pose.
I found reading the Japji Sahib really started my day off beautifully and helped set a firm ground for my day.
I noticed not eating sugar on my course days has brought that into my everyday more, through I don’t have it much anyway and if you’ve read any of my other 40 days notes you will see I just keep repeating ‘sugar is pointless’. As it can give me headaches easily, disturb my sleep and so on.
I read A new Earth by Eckhart Tolle and it themed around yoga nicely, explaining more about the many different formations of the ego, the pain body and how being present and focusing on your breathing is powerful and life changing.
I listened to Guru Singh on Rich Roll Podcast on the power of cultivating awareness to your highest self.
I drank golden milk most nights – turmeric has many benefits.
I resonated with an article about Kundalini Yoga helping with anxiety.
I had cold showers some days (though I share a shower now so it’s not practical everyday) I read an article by Guru Jagat on people.com and started massaging the inside of my armpits with cold water each morning as it gets the spot where the three nervous systems meet and to rid toxin and stress blockages. I felt more awake and energised from doing it so I have continued on.
I went to White Tantric for the second time, this time my partner was my friend and what she said got me thinking about how I was determined to stay up and not put my arms down at all. I was strong (though sometimes tense). I want to put that energy of determination, seeing something through, sticking to a goal, with courage and commitment, overcoming obstacles with a little more lightness with things in life that are important to me and what I want to do.
A message on a Whatsapp group really spoke to me – Learning to accept with grace the things we cannot change.
As the timings are changeable in this Kriya I sometimes enthusiastically write ‘I did full Nabhi and feel great!’
I did Kriya for Self Renewal on my days off, it really does re new, if you have an hour spare, try it.
I went to my first Kundalini class locally! It was a lovely experience and I was blissed out. The teacher spoke about numerology and the meaning of 2 0 1 7, that it is the year of all or nothing. The 1 bangs on the 0 making ripples like on a gong. I like how she structured her class and continue to yoga to classes with Holly, Yoga White. Kriyas where I shake the stress out of my body release stress and make me smile.
I started watching monthly numerology forecasts with Kari Samuels.
Divine timing led me to overcome a self made obstacle when I drove to pick up a new duvet cover set at a cheap price only available in a different town.
Epsom salt baths helped sooth and relax my muscles.
I shifted another obstacle of feeling nervous at the thought of not driving with music on, when my car stero stopped working with my iPhone, I had no choice and found driving in silence is not something to dread it’s ok!
I had my first massage, on my back and calves and it was wonderful, another example of divine timing as I kept thinking about it and finally gave it the go ahead, since then the masseuse has moved to America.
I noticed the sooner I am aware of the self made barriers I put up to sooner I can take them down.
I made alter spaces in my bedroom and bought tables for an alter space in the living room which is a work in progress, at the moment it has my manuals and Japji on.
Near the end I notice the Kriya and Meditation is developing some self trust in myself, self consistency, resilience and compassion.

I finished a large canvas I had been adding for well over 6 months, I started journaling again and was enjoying my training.

Things I noticed doing Nabhi and I AM meditation 40 days:

It was a really great Kriya for digestion and gas issues.
It really toned my stomach, totally unplanned.
It’s the first time I’ve done a set with music at home. I used the upbeat Mangalan Charan of Jaap Sahib for intuitive projection by Sat Kaur Khalsa (on Spotify).
It cultivates inner and outer strength on all levels.
I have less – none driving blocks, I just go out and drive.
Felt more determined and opening up my choices of a new job.
A growing sense of self trust and trust for my journey.
A growing want to expand and find community.

A change, a shift, magic/miracle:

Day 38: I got a feeling and spoke about looking for another job without the pressure of earning more money I’d had previously, or the worry I’d leave someone I cared for unsupported, I could do it for myself. That same day my friend passed, the sun shone brightly for the first time in ages and I sat in nature trying to comprehend what had happened. For guidance and out of curiosity I searched what a yogi’s view on grief was when I read that Nabhi Kriya helped keep the navel point strong and centred, good for times of grief.
Day 39: A funeral for my friend, I cried all emotions sadness, frustration, relief, happiness. I found out grief is HARD, though all the journeys I drove that day were full of grace and the roads were magically clear.
Day 40: The third solemn day, I started to smile again, I stepped into appreciation and wrote about all the things they taught me and good times they brought. I went out for tea with my dad while I got my car MOT for the first time which I was dreading, it passed and I had the right money for minor repairs.

Nature asks no questions, it just is beautiful and calming.

No Comment

Blog / Yoga

40 Day Sadhana complete – Basic spinal energy & Chattr Chakkr Vartee

November 15, 2016

After doing 40 days of Kriya to get the energy moving and Har Har Wahe Guru in August and September, I felt a little lost of what to do next, I wanted something with movement and another mantra to chant. I set out to do this next Kriya for 90 days but by day 50 I felt my body couldn’t continue and I wasn’t connecting to the mantra, so I stopped. It’s something I haven’t done in my morning practices, stopping, but if you’ve been working your body too hard doing many yoga Kriyas – it’s always important to listen to your body.

About the Kriya and meditation:

I had hurt my foot a day previous and Basic spinal energy series is a good sitting set where the upper body is used most. It’s a series that works from the base of the spine to the top all 26 vertebrae get stimulation and all chakras have burst of energy, it’s also said to bring mental clarity. You can find the Kriya and description on pinklotus. com

Chattr Chakkr Vartee is a mantra that instills courage and fearlessness into every fibre of your being, I felt I wanted a boost of boldness and to learn this mantra fully. You can read more about the mantra for fear of change here.

What I notice through my notes:

I didn’t have time to have a cold shower like other times, so I opted for washing my face and brushing my teeth and tounge.
I reminded myself again sugar and eating late are pointless and drinking more water makes me feel better!
On my days off I enjoyed doing Sun Salutations, Kirtan Kriya, Pituary Glands Set and I am meditation.
I felt attracted to Kriyas with lots of arm work and felt a wanting to go to classes.
I listened to music Simrit- Songs of resilience and Harnam on Spotify.
I joined in a great free webinar with Jei Dev Singh.

At the end of 50 days:

I realised I was doing way too much. My chest pain was back and hormones unbalanced, adding so many Kriya’s and meditations is a sure indication that I wasn’t getting what I wanted from my morning Sadhana and something was off.
Though I found mentally I felt less anxious, negativity and nervousness just flew off me!

Also went to interviews, meals with friend, made lots of gluten and dairy free pancakes, finished small paintings, read The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, started dying my hair again after ages with natural dye and cooking more foods!

A change, a shift, magic/miracle:

I started eating more veggies and juicing them.
I went to my local Gurdwara alone for the first time to the weekly Simran, one day before my birthday!
I went to Southall with two friends I went to the Great British Kundalini Festival with back in the Summer. It was my first time at a Naagar Kirtan and there was a friendly atmosphere, many people shared their foods and I ate things for the first time, I ate A LOT and it was the best day of that year.

Southall Nagaar Kirtan Nov 2016

No Comment

Blog / Yoga

40 day Sadhana complete – Short Kriya & Har Har Wahe Guru

September 28, 2016

In August 2016 I chose to start a new 40 day Sadhana, having done Sat Kriya for 3 minutes a day previously and noticing incredible shifts . I felt I wanted to step things up after learning about and doing more Kundalini yoga at the Great British Kundalini Yoga festival 2016.

I decided upon Short Kriya to get the energy moving and chanting Har Har Wahe Guru along to Nirinjan Kaur’s recording on her album Restoring your personal power.

The idea behind these was the Kriya would move my body in the morning, I would have plenty of stretches and only took 22 minutes. Then I could do some chanting which I feel really helps to relax my mind and have it fully focused all day. Har Har Wahe Guru translation is: The creator is bliss, Great is the Guru and is balancing, grounding and expansive, you can read more on that here.

All together it added up to an hour of practice that I could fit in on a work day or a day off.

I wrote a sentence a day about my practice, something I was noticing, other Kriyas and meditations I was doing and my general routine and eating habits. (I write a lot less now in future Sadhanas but it’s a great place to start and discipline to have.)

What I notice through my notes:

I was experimenting with cold showers, I felt really rejuvenated and amazing, the days I didn’t have a sad face next to it.
It’s sounds like a very small thing but brushing my teeth before yoga, before eating, was a new concept to me and I did it each day and that refreshed my mouth from sleep after waking up.
I noticed I wanted more hydration and drank more water, to have more reasonable portions rather than a mound of cereal and that sugar was pointless. (I still have some sugar, it’s just I found it was making me sluggish on waking and giving me headaches, some items really aren’t worth the headache).
I started taking vitamins for my overall heath – Vitamin C, B and D in high doses.
Drinking hot water and lemon in the morning, after yoga, before/after breakfast is really refreshing.

At the end of 40 days:

I noticed I was taking better care of my feet! I had never done this previously and found Tee tree oil for my toenails works wonders and massaging my feet with cream too.
I was eating earlier, giving my digestive system a break in the late evening, night time.
Chanting really helped me develop better communication in conversation with others.
I went to a life drawing workshop for the first time in ages.
I finished a large painting with quotes from the book I was reading Diana as herself by Martha Beck.

A change, a shift, magic/miracle:

I drove the furthest I have ever driven on my own (down different motorway, across a roundabout shaped like a star with 6 different exits) to a yoga course. Even now looking back it was great to learn about Yoga for Autism however my biggest takeaway was getting over the block of driving somewhere far out on my own!
I decided after that course that I was going to fund my own studies from then on, no family financial help.
I was on my way to owning my truth, in everyday, in hobbies, in the value I can give myself and others.

Relaxing in the sunny weather more, eating more green foods and finishing a painting!

No Comment

Blog / Yoga

My first white tantric experience

January 31, 2016

Yesterday was my first experience of White Tantric Yoga! I went on a whim, half unsure if I could spend the money and if I was ready enough as I started my journey into Kundalini a few months ago. I did it anyway- and I’m so glad I did!

I had heard and read that white tantric was great for clearing subconscious blocks, someone even said it was like 6 months of therapy in one day. It sounded like powerful stuff, the best way finish January and propel me into the year ahead.

“Doing White Tantric Yoga is a time to befriend your soul. It is a time to easily release old life issues or heal soul lessons. It gives you a chance to transform within the grace of the group’s support.” – Spirit Voyage

I made it to the Town Hall by 8am (just a walk over the road from High Street Kensington tube station) where a group of people wearing all white and white head covers were gathered. There I happened to meet in the crowd a guy that had created a Facebook group for the event and we switched stories of our yoga journies as we’ve both been doing it for only a few months.

We went in and settled down our belongings, taking only our valuables, yoga mat and blanket to the main hall. There we sat cross legged in rows, with a partner in front of us. Sumpuran Kaur (and another who I can’t find the name of) guided us through meditations, singing, shared stories and introduced Yogi Bhajan video clips.

The theme for this year was Re new to be New, there was a lot of focus on the power of thought and oneness.

There were 6 mantras with mudra done in partners, sometimes eyes opened looking at each other times closed. Each on lasted just a little over 60 minutes- it was intense! That is compared to previous years where they lasted just 11 minutes each.

Afterwards there was a break to stretch and fruit provided. I’m very grateful for the free fruit to boost my levels and the vegetable curry for lunch was delicious too.

There were so many things I noticed during and afterwards. One is that the power of thought, will and endurance prevailed through it all. Through aching arms, sleepy eyes, distracting thoughts. I kept up through it all.

I also found that with each mantra it was as if I was finding a new way to get through the challenge ahead, whether it be focusing on being more still, listening to others singing or chanting louder myself. At time I truly felt like I was giving and receiving support from the whole room.

The last two mantras Har Har Wahe Guru and Ardas Bhaee Amar Das Guru felt like a powerful shift in my outer attention and focus and my inner self and power.
I left the town hall feeling great, full of energy and took the trains home. I finished the day with an essential oil bath, a spare portion of the vege curry and golden milk drink.

Sat Nam!

No Comment

Blog / Yoga