ikyta teacher resource book

IKYTA Teacher

Resource Book

3HO IKYTA6 Narayan Ct

Espanola, NM 87532Phone: 505-629-1708

Fax: 424-731-8348E-mail: [email protected]

2011 3HO IKYTA

IKYTA Teacher Training Resource Book

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Greetings from 3HO IKYTA .......................................................................2Greetings from the Director of Training, Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Ph.D. ............................................................3Time Honored Tips for Teachers Gurmukh Kaur and Gurushabd Singh Khalsa, ......................................5

Golden Bridge, Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, USA Mehtab Singh, Yoga Yoga, Austin, Texas, USA .....................................6 Shakta Kaur and Hari Dev Singh, ..........................................................6

Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL), Chicago, IL, USA Sat Tara Singh, Mexico ...........................................................................7Eight Awesome Curricula 1) Breathe Your Way to Inner Calm: An Introductory Series

in Kundalini Yoga and Meditation .................................................8 2) Balancing the Chakras ...................................................................15 3) The Ten Bodies .................................................................................16 4) Weighty Matters ............................................................................18 5) Boost Your Immune System ..........................................................22 6) Yoga for Seasonal Change .............................................................27 7) The Power of the Mother:

A Series of Pre-Natal Yoga Classes ............................................28 8) Mastering the Tattvas: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether .........30Five Fantastic Workshops 1) Cultivate Peace Within (with sample flier) ..................................32 2) Connecting Women for Peace (with hand-out) ............................33 3) Yoga for the Artist (with hand-out) ..............................................36 4) The Lunar Woman (with hand-out) ................................................38 5) Japji Sahib: The Song of the Soul (includes hand-out) .................39ArticlesYoure in the Yoga Business Now!Your Marketing Train ...............................................................................41How to Easily Create Your Own Fliers ..................................................43Charging for Yoga Classes5 Steps to Success ...................................44Establish Yourself on the Internet .........................................................49Instructors CD Package ........................................................................52A list of musical selections that every new instructor of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan should have in their collection.

ResourcesAncient Healing Ways .............................................................................55Invincible Music ........................................................................................56Spirit Voyage ............................................................................................56 PDF Files for Five Fantastic Workshops.................................................56

Contents

IKYTA Teacher Training Resource Book IKYTA Teacher Training Resource Book

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Greetings from 3HO IKYTAGreetings from Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Ph.D.,

KRI Director of Training

Dear Level 1 Graduate,It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the

international community of Certified Instructors of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. With the completion of your 220-hours of training you are now certified by the Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) and may teach Kundalini Yoga and Meditation anywhere in the world. Most importantly, you have laid a solid foundation upon which to build a bright future as a

consciousness educator in your local community.When Yogi Bhajan envisioned the course of study that youve just complet-

ed he used the analogy of a Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. degrees to describe the stages of personal growth each of us must traverse. Completion of Level 1 is equivalent to completing your Bachelors degree. Levels 2 and 3 are your Masters and Ph.D. degrees, respectively!

KRIs desire is to produce teachers of Kundalini Yoga who will demonstrate awareness in consciousness, excellence in teaching skills and also serve as an example of depth and maturity of character. KRI supports you as part of a global community of Certified Instructors in order to:

APrepare the foundations for the shift of humanity to the Aquarian Age by applying the legacy of the teachings, the golden chain and the example of Yogi Bhajan; AServe and uplift individuals to be healthy, happy and holy; and AProvide the opportunity for each person to awaken his or her capacity, char-acter and sensitivity as a self-sensory human being who can be effectively intuitive, creative and compassionate.

My personal hope is that you continue to use this technology to continue your growth. It is not simply a collection of techniques, concepts, good ideas and inspiring beliefs that youve mastered by completing Level 1 Teacher Training. Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is all about direct experi-ence and the capacity to apply that experience to your life.

To continue your growth and as a bridge to your first Level 2 course, when-ever that may come along, I have chosen a meditation for you to practice as a 40-day sadhana immediately upon graduation from Level 1. It has two parts. Part 1: sit in any comfortable meditation pose with a straight spine. Begin

Dear Kundalini Yoga Instructors,Sat Nam and congratulations on completing KRI

Level 1 Teacher Training! This is a great first step on the path to becoming a Kundalini Yoga Teacher!

We encourage you to stay connected and participate in the 3HO Kundalini Yoga Teachers AssociationIKYTA. Here you will have the opportunity to be part of a global association/

network of Kundalini Yoga Teachers, and continue pursuing your own professional and spiritual growth and excellence as a Teacher.

IKYTA has some great benefits for Teachers, including: Marketing Toolsincluding a beautiful, professionally designed Kundalini

Yoga Brochure in which you can list your own contact information Many special discounts, including 3HO and KRI Events A new Graduation Package to help you get started as a professional

Kundalini Yoga Teacher

IKYTA offers a Continuing Education Program which meets Yoga Alliance stan-dards. We encourage all Teachers to continuing learning, learning, learning!

IKYTA has a Global Teachers Council, with representation from Kundalini Yoga Teachers all over the world. The voice of every Teacher counts, and we want the collective voice of Teachers to guide our association.

Teaching Kundalini Yoga is an incredible opportunity to serve by sharing these Sacred Teachings. In your purity as a link in the Golden Chain, many lives will be touched through your practice and your presence. May you be blessed to be guided by your highest consciousness to serve and elevate every person who comes to you seeking Kundalini Yoga and Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan.

We look forward to serving you, and to serving with you. Please feel free to com-municate with us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome to IKYTA!

In Service, Guruka KaurExecutive Director IKYTA3HO International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association


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a steady Breath of Fire for 11 minutes as you gradually survey all the cells of your body and the expansive domain of your aura. Walk the breath to every part of you and become synchronized as a unified alertness: Ang Sang Whahe Guru. Part 2: Practice the meditation on Dhartee Hai, Akhash Hai, Guru Ram Das Hai mantra as done on the Miracle Mantra Volume Two CD, available from Spirit Voyage (www.spiritvoyage.com). (On one breath chant the three parts of the mantra. First part visualize the earth and your body from the navel down with a color of grey or earthy tones; part two visualize the body from the brow point up and out to include the cosmos in a blue color like the sky; part three as you hold the other two images, spin a bright white light from the heart center out and expand that spiral to encompass everything. Become pure unbounded light. Create through your formless subtle being.) Do this for 2231 minutes as time allows. The effect is to create an intimacy between your subtle body and your action projection to manifest in your life. It will keep you aligned to your goals, speed manifestation and opportunity and develop your presence as a healing touch for all who connect with you.

So, I congratulate you for your efforts, accomplishments and heart. And, I look forward to meeting you soon in my travels around the globe as your Director of Training.

Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Ph.D.KRI Director of Training [email protected]

FaceBook: Gurucharan Khalsa

Time-Honored Tips For Teachers

3HO IKYTA asked some of our most beloved teachers what they would sug-gest new Level 1 graduates do to expand both their teaching practice and their local Kundalini Yoga community. Here is what some of them had to say:

Gurmukh Kaur and Gurushabd Singh KhalsaGolden Bridge Yoga, Los Angeles, California and New York City, New York, USA

Smile!Ask always, How may I serve you?Understand the deepest meaning of Giving.

Develop the art of non-judgment, no competition, and no comparison.Belong to the larger community, working with all that want Peace, Happiness

& Love on this planet.Be Grateful, Graceful and not pushy.Call upon the Siri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan, and all the Gurus for your guid-

ance and sustenance.Understand deeply your profound link in this Golden Chain.Listen & Hug a lot.Dont pretend to know everythingsend people to others, more qualified in

their fields, when that particular help is needed.Bow many times a day, in gratitude, for the Gift youve been given as a

Kundalini Yoga Teacher this lifetime.

Nirvair Singh KhalsaCEO, KRI (formerly of Anchorage, Alaska!)

Become Visible! On a regular basis, be sure to go where people can see

you. Go to popular stores, coffee shops, restaurants, Local Fairsany and all places where people can see you and speak to you. Your presence will remind them to come to class either as someone new or as someone that has gotten out of the habit of coming to class. Be sure to carry calling

cards and your teaching schedule to handout. Dress beautifullyjust as you would be teaching class so you can best represent your consciousness.


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Mehtab SinghYoga Yoga, Austin, Texas

Serve Yogi Tea to everyone who comes!When we first started teaching, no matter where we taught,

we always prepared and took homemade Yogi Tea made from fresh spices to every class. It was a way to serve and nurture all who came, and to give back to the students who gave to us.

Even today with over 10,000 students coming to our yoga studios every month, we make and serve fresh Yogi Tea every day. We estimate that we made and served nearly 25 tons of Yogi Tea last year.

Our teaching practice skyrocketed as soon as we helped to create 17 new Kundalini Yoga Teachers in the first year we held a teacher training course. See every student as a future teacher. We saw every student as a potential teacher and encouraged everyone to consider becoming a teacher. As they began to teach, their students found us and we kept creating more teachers.

As a teacher seeking to grow a practice, the primary vision to hold is the one given to us by our teacher, Yogi Bhajan: I have not come here to collect stu-dents but to create teachers.

Shakta Kaur Kezios and Hari Dev Singh BeckKundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL), Chicago, IL, USA

Shakta Kaur says:-Greet every new student with Welcome!-Some of the best advice I received years ago came from Gur-mukh (Golden Bridge). Shakta, she said, youve got to feed people. Soon after hearing those words we began hosting a vegetarian potluck after my Sunday morning class. Whether I am in town or not everyone knows they can come to KYL for

veggie potluck at noon on Sunday. That one meal each week has created an incredible feeling of home and community at our center. A One question I receive from beginning students is, How is Kundalini Yoga different from Hatha yoga? My answer begins with, Kundalini Yoga teaches in Kriya form and Hatha Yoga does not. Then I explain a bit about what a kriya is in Kundalini Yoga. Another fun answer is, the first requirement of Hatha Yoga is celibacy. (This always captures ones attention!) Kundalini Yoga was developed for people with jobs and families. In India were called house-holders. Kundalini Yoga is for those who are engaged in the finite world. AThree thingsinvite students in for a class; give them the experience of

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation; and encourage them to come back. After the Long Time Sunshine Song and three long Sat Nams always say thank you, announce one or two upcoming events and invite students to come back again soon!

Hari Dev Singh says: ADont think you have to know every answer to every ques-tion. Teach only what you know. You can always defer an answer by saying, Ill get back to you on that. Then do some homework. Very often your warm, loving heart will provide a safe place for students to find their own answers. AAs you prepare for class and select your kriya and medita-tion, allow your intuition to guide the process. The Uni-verse knows who is attending class and will help you pick the right kriya (if you are open to receive). Remember what Yogi Bhajan said: Students are present because they were pre-sent to you. AWhen teaching Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan stay totally within that sphere of knowledge. Do not add or mingle other systems or prac-tices. The energetic is very different. ANew students are full of questions. At some point youll probably be asked if yoga is a religion. Here are some of the phrases I use to answer that question. Lets begin with the premise that yoga pre-dates all religion. Religion is the external form of worship; yoga is the inner journey. It is important to point out there is no conflict between yoga and religion. Be sure to find your own graceful answer but be sure to prepare this little speech ahead of time. ARead a few pages of The Masters Touch or something from the Aquarian Teach-er Level 1 or Level 2 manuals just before each class. The condensed wisdom in these books always helps me deliver the teachings with the greatest impact.

Sat Tara Singh KhalsaMexico City, Mexico

Connect with community!Always rememberthe way from individual to universal consciousness goes

through collective consciousness. There are no shortcuts! Use every excuse to connect with communityand then connect some more!

Look for those spaces which have been overlooked, where nobodys gone to teach beforetheyre waiting for you!

Youre always a studentotherwise its no fun


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One of the most requested tools new Kundalini Yoga teachers ask for are sample curricula. This is although all graduates of Level 1 Teacher Training have already written two course curricula of their own! But, we understand the desire for new ideas and examples to provide both inspiration and guidance.

So, as requested, here are eight sample course curricula created and used successfully by Kundalini Yoga teachers. We hope you receive inspiration from the samples provided. If you would like to share a curriculum that you have successfully taught based upon the teachings of Yogi Bhajan, please forward it to [email protected].

Sample Curricula

BREATHE YOUR WAY TO INNER CALM: AN INTRODUCTORY SERIES IN KUNDALINI YOGA AND MEDITATION

Curriculum created by Tejwant Kaur (Teri) Hall of Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada.

E-Mail: [email protected] | Telephone: 902.687.3367Mailing Address: #690, Rte. 310, RR#4, Souris PEI Canada, C0A 2B0

IntroductionDesigned for those unfamiliar with Kundalini yogaor

yoga itselfthis series teaches many new concepts and skills about breathing and the breath. Besides learning how to breathe correctly, students experi-ence many different pranayam (breathing techniques), kriyas (sequences of postures) combined with mantra (primal sounds) and meditations specifically chosen to clear and calm the mind. The intention is for students to come away from the series with a greater understanding of their conscious and unconscious use of the breathand to never breathe backwards again!

Class NotesTiming of the individual components of a Kundalini Yoga class are indicated. Times for the kriyas include explanations of postures and/or transitions in between postures. Deep relaxation includes the time it takes to bring the class into and out of deep relaxation. Meditation time includes time for explaining the components of the meditation and the benefits/effects. Finally, at least three key skills and three key concepts are listed for each class.

Class One: A Place Of Calm5 mins.: Welcome, introduction and tune-in.

10 mins.: Simple Natural Breathing (3-Part Yogic Breath p. 90, The Aquar-ian Teacher [AT])

35 mins.: Kriya: Basic Spinal Energy Series ( p. 339 1st ed./p. 19 5th ed.)15 mins.: Deep relaxation (includes getting them into and out of relaxation)10 mins.: Meditation for a Calm Heart (p. 395 1st ed./p. 69 5th ed.)5 mins.: Long Time Sun and prayer/quoteTotal: 80 minutes (with 10 minutes wiggle room.)3 key concepts: 1) age is measured by the flexibility of the spine, to stay young, stay flexible; 2) The word kundalini means awareness and manifest-ing the hidden potential of that awareness; 3) many people report greater mental clarity after regular practice of this kriya. The word kriya means com-plete action; plus, 4) Sat means truth and Nam means Name.3 key skills/practices: 1) simple natural breathing, the navel point moves out on the inhale and in and up on the exhale, 2) Spine Flex, (inhale forward, ex-hale back), and 3) Sat Kriya: men cross the right thumb over left and women cross the left thumb over the right; 4) While inhaling, think Sat and while exhaling, think Nam.

Class Two: Tapping Into Your Sun Energy5 mins.: Intro. and tune-in.5 mins.: Simple Natural Breathing (AT, p. 90).8 mins.: Long Deep Breathing (AT, p. 92).35 mins.: Kriya: Surya Kriya (p. 352 1st ed./p. 26 5th ed.).15 mins.: Deep relaxation.10 mins.: Meditation to Open the Heart (p. 436/p. 110).5 mins.: Long Time Sun and prayer/quote.Total: 83 minutes3 key concepts: 1) Our main Kriya is named after the energy of the sunsurya. When you have a lot of sun energy you do not get cold, you are en-ergetic and enthusiastic; 2) this kriya aids in digestion and it makes the mind clear, analytic and action-oriented; 3) A kriya in Kundalini yoga is a sequence of postures, breath and sound that are integrated together; 4) Breathing solely through the right nostril draws on the energy of the Sun.3 key skills/practices: 1) focusing at the brow point, the top of the nose where the eyebrows meet; 2) Long deep breathing starts by filling the abdomen, then expanding the chest, finally breathing into the upper lobes of the lungs (underneath the clavicle); and 3) breathe through the right nostril by blocking the left nostril with the thumb of the left hand.

Nine Fantastic Curricula


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3 key concepts: 1) Long deep breathing relaxes and calms and gives capacity to manage negativity and emotions, supporting clarity, cool-headedness, and patience; 2) 11 minutes a day of eight-stroke breathing can give you enough energy to balance your (daily) consumption of (prana) life and take you out of stress. Is it possible? Do you have 11 minutes?!; 3) To avoid persistence colds and illness, it is essential to keep digestion and elimination functioning well. This kriya helps in these areas.3 key skills/practices: 1) Venus Lock: For women, place the palms facing each other, interlace the fingers with the right little finger on the bottom. Put the right thumb tip just above the base of the thumb on the webbing between the thumb and index finger of the left hand. The tip of the left thumb presses the fleshly mound at the base of the right thumb. Reverse the entire sequence of alternating the fingers for men. 2) Pumping the stomach by forcefully drawing the navel in toward the spine and then relaxing it again; and 3) Finger lock: (index finger and middle finger presses the fleshy part of the big toe, and the thumb presses the nail of the big toe).

Class Five: We Are More Than Our Physical BodyRemembering The Link Between You And The Creator.5 min.: Intro. And tune in.25 mins.: Pranayam: Basic Breath Series (p. 385 1st ed./p. 59 5th ed.).45 mins.: Kriya: Awakening to Your 10 Bodies (p. 337/ p. 12.).5 mins.: Long Time Sun and prayer/quote.Total: 80 minutes3 key concepts: 1) We have 10 bodies, not just the physical body; 2) through the simple mechanism of closing or opening one of the nostrils, we have a wide array of techniques to control our moods and energies; and 3) The Laya Yoga meditation stimulates your creativity, focuses you on the real priorities in your life and helps you sacrifice what is needed to accomplish them.3 key skills/practices: 1) Long deep breathing through one nostril; 2) Breath of Fire (pant like a dog or blow out the flame from a birthday candles just using the breath from your nostrils); and 3) raising the arms to a 60 degree angle.

Class Six: The Key To Controlling The Mind Is Controlling The Breath!5 mins.: Intro. and tune-in.20 mins.: Basic Breath Series (with reduced times).30 mins.: Kriya for Elevation (p. 343 1st ed./p. 17 5th ed.).15 mins.: Deep relaxation (including getting them into and out of relaxation).

Class Three: Inner Resistance5 mins.: Intro. and tune-in.5 mins.: Pranayam: 3-part yogic breath.10 mins.: Warm-Up: Surya Namaskar (p. 336 1st ed./p. 10 5th ed.).20 mins.: Kriya: Disease Resistance & Heart Helper (p. 354/p. 28).15 mins.: Deep relaxation.15 mins.: Meditation for Stress or Sudden Shock (p. 442/p. 116).5 mins.: Long Time Sun and prayer/quote.Total: 75 minutes (If time, dancing to Sada Sat Kaurs Adi Shakti Bhangra Mix on Mantra Masala CD).Note: The main kriya is designed to be repeated 3 times. If it is repeated twice at 3 mins each posture (12 mins. Total x 2 = 24 minutes) it can take as long as 34 minutes with explanations and transitions in between postures. If that is your choice you may not have enough time for dancing.3 key concepts: 1) this Kriya, posture 1 promotes calmness and disease resis-tance, 2) Exercise 2 stimulates the third Chakra, endurance and nerve strength, and 3) The meditation balances the left hemisphere of the brain with the base of the right hemisphere. This enable the brain to maintain its equilibrium under stress.3 key skills/practices: 1) applying mulbandh by contracting and pulling up the rectum, lifting up the sex organ and pulling in the navel point (its like stopping a bowel movement, stopping a urination and pulling the navel in and up); 2) placing the hands in Gyan Mudra (touch the pad of the thumb with the pad of the index finger); and 3) sitting in Easy Pose; ideally the shins should be one in front of each other on the floor, angled towards the floor. Sit-ting on a cushion is important to raise the hips to be higher than the knees.

Class Four: Postures & Meditations To Keep You Free Of Illness And Stress!5 mins.: Intro. and tune-in.5 mins.: Pranayam: 3-part yogic breath.35 mins.: Kriya for Disease Resistance (p. 360 1st ed./p. 34 5th ed).15 mins.: Deep relaxation.15 mins.: Meditation: 8-Stroke Breath for Energy and Stress Release (p. 165,

Praana, Praanee, Praanayam).5 mins.: Long Time Sun and prayer/quote.Total: 80 minutes


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Class Eight: Chakra Focus For Calm10 mins.: Pranayman Enerizer Series (AT, p. 403/p. 77)35 mins.: Kriya: Nabhi Kriya for Prana-Apana (AT, p. 346/p. 20)15 mins.: Deep relaxation15 mins.: Meditation: Anti-Anxiety (The Art, Science & Application of

Kundalini Yoga, p. 172)5 mins.: Long Time Sun and prayer/quoteTotal: 85 minutes3 key concepts: 1) Breath awareness begins with recognizing the breath as both the gross physical breath, as well as the subtle life force of the body and mind called prana; 2) The breath and the Word are in intimate relationship; and 3) The mind follows the breath. The key to controlling the mind is in controlling the breath.3 key skills/practices: 1) Suspending the breath; 2) Mudra of hands to a position of four inches apart in front of the chest with the palms facing each other and feeling the energy flow; 3) Meditating on the flow of the breath as you relax and it settles into a normal rhythm; and 4) Front platform pose.

Class Nine: Live By The Beat Of Your Heart5 mins.: Intro. and tune-in.35 mins.: Kriya: Renew your Nervous System and Build Stamina (Reaching Me

in Me, p. 37)15 mins.: Deep relaxation20 mins.: Meditation: Kirtan Kriya (AT, p. 425/p. 99)5 mins.: Long Time Sun and prayer/quoteTotal: 80 minutes3 key concepts: 1) Kirtan kriya is one of three meditations that Yogi Bhajan mentioned would carry us through the Aquarian Age, even if all other teach-ings were lost; 2) If a persons shoulders get tight, that person feels old and lifeless; and 3) The mantra for Kirtan Kriya is chanted in the three languages of consciousnessAloud (the voice of the human), Whisper (the voice of the lover) and Silent (the voice of the divine).3 skills/practices: 1) Each finger touching the tip of the thumb in turn with a firm but gentle pressure (Mudra in Kirtan Kriya); 2) Standing up and dancing shaking the entire body to the rhythmic beat of Bangara music; and 3) Making an O of your mouth and breathing through your mouth (Cannon Breath).

10 mins.: Meditation for Perspective & Emotional Balance (p. 404/p. 78).5 mins.: Long Time Sun and prayer/quoteTotal: 85 minutes3 key concepts: 1) This kriya exercises the spine and aids in the circulation of prana to balance the chakras; 2) The meditation is excellent to do before bed to let go of the worries of the day; and 3) Sat Kriya circulates the Kundalini energy through the cycle of the chakras aids in digestion and strengthens the nervous system.3 key skills/practices: 1) Neck rolls: relaxing the jaw will relax the neck; 2) Modified Maha Mudra: The spine stays straight. There should be a straight line from the top of the head to the base of the spine; and 3) Life Nerve Stretch and Front Nerve Stretch (lead with the navel point; never with the head).

Class Seven: Let The Light Of Your Soul Shine In Your Life5 mins.: Intro. and tune-in5 mins.: Pranayam: Perspective and Emotional Balance (AT, p. 404/p. 78).35 mins.: Kriya: For a Calm and Open Heart Center Yoga for Women (Self-

Knowledge, p. 19)15 mins.: Deep relaxation10 mins.: Meditation: Tattva Balance Beyond Stress & Duality (AT, p. 406/p. 80)5 mins.: Long Time Sun and prayer/quote.Total: 75 minutes3 key concepts: 1) Alternate Nostril Breathing creates a deep sense of well-be-ing and harmony on the physical, mental, and emotional levels; 2) Alternate Nostril Breathing can help with headaches, migraines and other stress-related symptoms; and 3) Allow the light of your soul to shine in your life and you will have the joy and success that is your birthright as a human.3 key skills/practices: 1) eye focus (i.e., dhristi), fixing your eyes at the tip of the nose, 2) Mudra (i.e., hand position) of the meditation created by exert-ing pressure on the 10 points of the fingers that correlate to the zones of the brain; and 3) use the thumb of the right hand to close the right nostril, and the index finger of ring finger of the right hand to close the left nostril in what is sometimes called U Breathing.


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(Inhale deeply and hold the breath.) May I walk in the company of my own holiness and fall in love with my own soul and be bewitched with the breath of life so I can enjoy my fulfillment forever. Sat Naam. (Let the breath go.)

BALANCING THE CHAKRASThis eight-week curriculum was created by Ram Nam Kaur (Kathleen) Muniz, of Orland Park, Illinois.

E-Mail: [email protected] | Telephone: 708-724-9368

Class NotesIn this series the kriya each week focuses on one chakra beginning with the first chakra and concluding with the

eighth chakra (aura). The meditation for each of the eight classes is the same, however. It is the Seven Wave Sat Nam (AT, p. 449 1st ed./p. 123 5th ed.). The use of the same meditation in each class introduces the beginner to the benefits of practicing a meditation over time and lays a foundation for developing a daily sadhana. In these classes a very simple drawing of the loca-tion of the chakras was used to enhance a beginners ability to focus on each chakra with each wave of the meditation.

Week 1 Kriya for the 1st Chakra (The Kundalini Yoga Experience, p. )Week 2 Kriya: Refining Your Sexuality and Spirituality (Self-Knowledge, p. 25)Week 3 Nabhi Kriya for Prana-Apana (Aquarian Teacher, p. 346 1st ed./p.

20 5th ed.)Week 4 Kriya for the Neutral Mind (The Ten Light Bodies of Consciousness,

pp. 6569)Week 5 Kriya to be Creative (5th Chakra) (The Kundalini Yoga Experience, p. )Week 6 Ajna Stimulation Kriya (The Kundalini Yoga Experience, p. )Week 7 Kriya to Relieve Inner Anger (Transformations Vol. 1, p. )

Week 8 Two kriyas for the aura: Kriya to Strengthen the Aura (Aquarian Teacher, p. 349/p.23) and Kriya for Electromagnetic Frequency (Yoga for Youth and Joy, p. 12)

Class Ten: Healing YourselfBecause You Can You Know!5 mins.: Intro. and tune-in.35 mins.: Kriya: Stress Set for Adrenals & Kidneys (AT, p. 350/p. 24).15 mins.: Deep relaxation.20 mins.: Meditation: Healing with the Siri Gaitri Mantra (AT, p. 422/p. 96).5 mins.: Long Time Sun and prayer/quote.Total: 80 minutes3 key concepts: 1) Man = mind, trang = wave or projection. A mantra projects our mind to Infinity; 2) Our energy can be flowing, we can be eating well, sleeping enough, but if our adrenals fail, it is hard to keep up; and 3) glandular balance and in particular strong adrenals and kidneys are important to have that extra edge to control anger and hypoglycemia. 3 key skills/practices: 1) neck lock (Jalandhar Bandh) (no wrinkles in the back of the neck); 2) back rolls: if the lower spine is not making enough contact with the ground, try holding the back of the upper thighs and press the knees into the chest; and 3) Cat-Cow, i.e., start off slowly, then when the movement is established, you can speed up. You can go as fast as you want, as long as your head moves last.

Quotes/Prayers To Use During This SeriesLife is moment to moment, breath to breath. Life is not granted by years or by time and space. The span of life is granted by breath: such and such soul granted so many breaths.

What is old age? Old is a shallow breath. People who take deep breaths never feel old. They can be old, but they never feel old, technically speaking. Is your breath of life conscious and deep? You can absolutely not be old in energy.

More praana the body consumes (from the breath) more wealth comes. Its a simple law. People with short breath are always absolutely poor. They half breathe. They breathe only in the upper area. They do not touch the Heavens and the Earth.

The entire Universe is just one person. There are no two persons. There is one link of a breath of life, which comes from me to you, to you, to you, to you, to youIt is linked with one thing. When it is disconnected, you are gone. We are all one mala, one rosary, linked with one thread of the breath of life.

You live by breath. You can get everything from your breath of life. Now please speak to your breath. Talk to it. Pray with it. This is life relationship: you and your breath.


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(Kundalini Yoga Sadhana Guidelines, p. 59; 2nd edition, p. 115). Gong Deep Relaxation. Meditation: Healing with the Siri Gaitri Mantra (AT, p. 422).

Class Six: Eighth Body. Kriya for the Eighth Body (TLBC, NSK, pp. 127130, kriya available at www.shaktakaur.com); Gong Deep Relaxation; Meditation: Sodarshan Chakra Kriya (AT, p. 450).

Class Seven: Ninth Body. Kriya for the Ninth Body (TLBC, NSK, pp. 141145, available at www.shaktakaur.com); Gong Deep Relaxation; Medita-tion for the ChakrasAntar Naad Mudra (also called Kabadshe Meditation (Sa Ray Sa Sa) (AT, p. 412).

Class Eight: 10th Body. Kriya for the 10th Body (TLBC, NSK, pp. 155157 kriya available at www.shaktakaur.com) which includes an 11-minute Gobinda meditation; Gong Deep Relaxation; Venus Kriya Meditation: Heart Saver Gobinday, Mukunday (The Art of Making Sex Sacred, Guru Terath Kaur Khalsa, Ph.D., 1st ed., p. 72 ).

Class Nine: 11th Embodiment. KriyaWorking the Total Self (Kundalini Yoga Manual, edited by Rama Kirn Singh (currently out-of-print), pp. 3741, kriya available at www.shaktakaur.com); Gong Deep Relaxation; MeditationHealing the Physical, Mental & Spiritual Bodies (Self-Experience, p. 37) or Meditation for the 11th Body (TLBC, NSK, p. 175, meditation available at www.shaktakaur.com).

THE 10 BODIESOriginally taught in 2003 as a 90-minute class series by Shakta Kaur Kezios of Chicago, Illinois.

E-Mail: [email protected] | Telephone: 312-922-4699Web Page: www.shaktakaur.comMailing Address: Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL), 410 S. Michigan Ave., Ste. 514, Chicago, IL, 60605.

Class NotesShakta used three primary sources when originally creating this curriculum: Tantric Numerology by Guruchander Singh Khalsa, D.C.; The Ten Light Bodies of Consciousness (currently out-of-print) by KRI CEO Nirvair Singh Khalsa; and The Mind by Yogi Bhajan, Ph.D. and KRI Director of Training, Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Ph.D.

Since then, Siri Atma Singh Khalsa, M.D., published Waves of Healing in 2009, which contains previously unpublished kriyas for the ten bodies along with other information that might be useful as you design your own ten bodies curriculum.

Class One: Kriya: Awakening to Your 10 Bodies (AT, pp. 337-338); Gong for Deep Relaxation; Laya Yoga Meditation at the end of Kriya.

Class Two: Kriya for the Second Body (Negative Mind) (The Ten Light Bodies of Consciousness (TLBC), Nirvair Singh Khalsa, pp. 3437, kriyas available at www.shaktkakaur.com); Gong for Deep Relaxation; Meditation for the Posi-tive Mind (third body) (The Mind, Yogi Bhajan, Ph.D., p. 154).

Class Three: Kriya for the Fourth Body (Neutral Mind) (TLBC, NSK, pp. 6569); Gong for Deep Relaxation; Pet Ardas Meditation (Mul Mantra) (KRI International Teacher Training Certification Level One, 3-Ring Binder Manual, 1998), p. 277).

Class Four: 1) Kriya for Physical and Mental Vitality (Kundalini Yoga Man-ual edited by Rama Kirn Singh (currently out-of-print), pp. 1516 (kriya available at www.shaktakaur.com) and/or in Kundalini Yoga by Shakta Kaur Khalsa, pp. 9495); Gong for Deep Relaxation; Meditation for the Physical Body (The Kundalini Yoga Experience, Guru Dharam Khalsa and Darryl OKeefe), p. 110.

Class Five: Sixth & Seventh Bodies. Kriya for Balancing the Three Psyches (Reaching Me in Me, pp. 910) and Kriya For Strengthening the Aura


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5 min. Warm-Up Kriya: Sat Kriya (Aquarian Teacher, Level 1 Instruc-tional Yoga Manual, p. 348.)28 min. Main Kriya: Conscious Rebirthing (full times), (Self Experience,

p.4). 8.5 minute Meditation included in the kriya.15 min. Deep Relaxation: 5 minutes leading students into and out of deep

relaxation, 5 minutes of the Gong, 5 minutes of playing I am the Light of the Soul (Gurudass Kaur on European Yoga Festival CD).

5 min. Closing: May the Long Time Sun; three long Sat Nams; Yogi Bhajan quote: You can never get rid of your fear, you can never get rid of your pain, doesnt matter what effort you make, until you have the guts to forgive yourself. Just forgive yourself. And/or closing prayer.

Total: 60 minutesThree key skills: 1. Baby Pose; 2. Sat Kriya; 3. Belly pumpingThree key concepts: 1. Mantra; 2. Sadhanaimportance of daily practice; 3. Kriyas are an effective series of postures designed for a purpose dont have to be perfectjust lean in the right direction and you will gain benefits!

Class 2: Climbing Out from Under the Blockages5 min. Tune In: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo and Golden Chain32 min. Kriya: To Relieve Inner Anger (Kundalini Yoga, Shakta Kaur

Khalsa, pp 106109). Full times. Ends with a 5 minute relaxation.7 min. Relaxation: continues.11 min. Meditation: Meditation to Release the Past Especially Childhood

Anger (Meditation as Medicine, Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD, pp. 182); 7 minutes of meditation not including getting them into and out of the mediation. .

5 min. Closing: May the Long Time Sun; three long Sat Nams; closing prayer.Total: 60 minutesThree key skills: 1. Self massage; 2. Celibate Pose Bends; 3. Breath of Fire (contained in Kriya).Three key concepts: 1. We are designed to feel good!; 2. Inner anger blocks your relationship with others and yourself; 3. We carry anger from child-hoodthis is as good a time as any to let it go!

Class 3: Angry? Whos Angry?5 min. Tune In: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo and Golden Chain5 min. Warm Up: Medical Meditation for the Thyroid Gland (Medita-

tion as Medicine, Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD, p.238); full times.

Weighty MattersCurriculum created by Kirinpal Kaur (Ruth Richman) of Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada.

Atmabir Kaur (Ruth) RichmanE-Mail: [email protected] | Telephone: 902-583-2674Mailing Address: RR#1 3353 Launching Road, Cardigan, PEI Canada C0A 1G0IntroductionThis curriculum is designed as six one-hour classes. Three

key concepts and three key skills taught in each class are also listed here.The intention for this six-week course was to instill the notion that there

is more to the extra weight someone might be carrying around than simply calories and the tonnage of fad diets. Many of us carry around the extra weight of unresolved issues from the past or feelings of guilt. This can create a buffet of low self-esteem, food cravings, addictions, blocked emotions, health issues and physical inflexibility, just to name a few! This series is designed to help students find, face and address some of the issues that might be weighing them down.

Students will use mantra, kriyas, meditation, breath work and relaxation to help change the messages they feed themselves. When the messages change we can feel lighter and more joyous. And when we feel more positive about ourselves watch outbecause nothing is beyond our abilities!

This series gives beginners to Kundaini yoga a set of new thoughts to say to themselves, called mantras and new ways to use their bodies in sets of exercises called kriyas.

By clearing up a variety of issues and freeing emotional blocks the intention is that ones self-esteem rises and the weight begins to fall off.Class NotesThe times listed for the kriyas include transition times in between postures. It is noted if the postures are held the recommended full time or a percentage of the full time. The times listed for all other class components, i.e., meditation, etc., include the time needed for the teacher to explain any mudra, dhristi, breath, mantra, etc.

Class One: Lets Start All Over!5 min. Introduction to teacher Tune In: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo and Golden Chain; Introduction to Weighty Matters.2 min. Warm Up: Medical Meditation for the Thyroid Gland 1 minute

each posture (Meditation as Medicine, p.238).


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13 min. Meditation: Meditation for Stress Relief and Resolving Issues from the Past (Meditation as Medicine, Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, p 223).11 minutes of the meditation plus instructions and benefits.

? min. Dance, (time permitting).5 min. Closing: May the Long Time Sun; 3 long Sat Nams and closing

quote and/or prayerTotal: 60 minutesThree key skills: 1. Slowing the breath4 breaths a minute; 2. Venus Lock; 3. Gazing at the tip of the nose eye focus.Three key concepts: 1. Mention the power of gazing at the tip of the nose.; 2. Lighter (in mind) is better!; 3. The power of slowing the breath

Class 6: Prosperity And Fulfillment4 min. Tune In: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo24 min. Kriya: Abdominal Strengthening, half times, (Sadhana Guidelines,

2nd ed., p. 134).15 min. Relaxation: 5 minutes to get into deep relaxation, 5 minutes gong,

5 minutes silence.13 min Meditation: Prosperity, Fulfillment, and Success Circling Your Psyche

(Infinity and Me, p. 60).4 min Closing: May the Long Time Sun; three long Sat Nams; closing

quote and/or prayer.Total: 60 minutesThree key skills: 1. Cobra pose (King Cobra) lifting the feet up toward the head; 2. Locust pose; 3. New mantra, Har, Haray, Haree.Three key concepts: 1. Prosperity is more than money in the bank.; 2. A strong nervous system creates a constant and direct person.; 3. Yogi Bhajan quote: You determine your worth. Nobody else can do it. Whatever worth you give yourself, that shall be.

21 min. Kriya: To be Rid of Internal Anger full times (Kundalini Yoga, Shakta Kaur Khalsa, pp 138-139)

16 min. Relaxation: 5 minutes led into deep relaxation, 5 minutes gong, 3 minutes silence and then 3 minutes to bring them out of deep relaxation

7 min. Meditation: Meditation for Trust (Kundalini Yoga, Shakta Kaur Khalsa, p 172) 6 minute meditation

6 min. Closing: May the Long Time Sun; 3 long Sat Nam; closing quote and/or prayer

Total: 60 minutesThree key skills: 1. Fighting Pose; 2. Har chanted properly; 3. Dristi (look towards upper lip in the meditation)Three key concepts: 1. Yogi Bhajan quote for the end of class: that inner anger has to come out. It has to find a way. Why dont you volunteer yourself and get it out? Why to suffer? Once your inner anger is out, all you are left with is wisdom.; 2. trust is the basis for faith, commitment, and the uplifted spirit (quote from Kundalini Yoga, p. 172); 3. The concept of the aura and the eight chakras

Class 4: House Cleaning5 min. Tune In: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo and Golden Chain4 min. Warm up: 3 rounds of Surya Namaskar26 min. Kriya: Kriya for State of Mind and Paranoia (half times), Kundalini

Yoga for Youth and Joy, pp 3940)5 min. Relaxation15 min. Meditation: Parasympathetic Rejuvenation Gong Meditation,

Aquarian Teacher (AT), p. 446)5 min. Closing: May the Long Time Sun; 3 long Sat Nam; closing prayerTotal: 60 minutesThree key skills: 1. Bridge Pose; 2. Reverse Lion Pose; 3. Yogi Sit-ups.Three key concepts: 1. Pituitary, thyroid and parathyroid glands, weight loss; 2. Jaap Sahib; 3. Kundalini Yogas effect on the parasympathetic nervous system.

Class 5: Losing The Weight Of The Past5 min. Tune In: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo and Golden Chain30 min. Kriya: Beginners Cleansing Set(Sadhana Guidelines, p 106 full times)5 min. Relaxation (included at the end of the kriya)10 min. More relaxation (total of 5 minutes led into deep relaxation, 5

minutes of the gong, 2 minutes of silence and 3 minutes to lead them out of deep relaxation.)


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13 min. Kriya: Whole times, without transitions2 min. Transitions3 min. Relaxation: Guided Relaxation12 min. Relaxation14 min. Meditation: Meditation with closing2 min. Explanation of the Mudra and Mantra5 min. Long Time Sunshine Song and Sat Nam. Asking to bring someone

to their mind, chant, and reading a Yogi Bhajan quote.Total: 56 minutes

Class 2: Keeping Disease AwayKriya: Disease and Heart Helper (Aquarian Teacher, p. 354)Meditation: Meditation for a Calm Heart (Aquarian Teacher, p. 395)3 Key Concepts: 1) Good elimination is the key for a good health. 2) The stimulation of the navel area is very important for components that help your physical and mental health. 3) Good physical health comes from a good mental health and a well functioning heart.3 Key Skills: 1) Root Lock or mulbandh (it is like stopping a bowl movement, stopping a urination, and pulling the navel in and up). 2) Gyan Mudra (pad of index finger touches pad of the thumb). 3) Suspension of the breath (holding the breath in, and, if you need more air, sip in a little bit more through the nose).

Components of Class #25 min. Tune In: Includes the Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo, connecting

with the space, theme of the class with some pointers16 min. Kriya: Whole times, without transitions1.5 min. Transitions3 min. Relaxation: Guided Relaxation15 min. Relaxation11 min. Meditation: Whole meditation2 min. Explanation of the Mudra and chant5 min. Long Time Sunshine Song and Sat Nam; Asking to bring someone

to their mind, chant, and reading a Yogi Bhajan quoteTotal: 58.5 minutes

Class 3: Strengthen Your HeartKriya: Exercises for the Heart Center (Reaching Me in Me, pp. 1718)Meditation: I am, I am (AT, P.433) (using track #4 of Sat Kartar Kaurs Flow CD).

Boost Your Immune SystemCurriculum created by Satya Prem Kaur (Mayra) Ortiz of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

E-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]: 787.509.4674 | Web page: www.pasosyoga.comMailing Address: Cond. Torres del Escorial 4008, Ave. Sur. Apt. 4301, Carolina, PR 00987

Overall ThemeThis curriculum is for anyone wanting to either stay healthy or to maintain their healthespecially those with serious health conditions. It is about how to stay healthy even with that condition. By strengthening and balancing the nervous system, the mind and the heart center, you keep the immune system in balance and thus keep disease away. This series was designed with HIV positive patients in mind.

Class NotesThree key skills and three key concepts taught to students in each days class are also listed here.

Class 1: Balance Your Three PsychesKriya: Balancing the Three Psyches (Reaching Me in Me, pp. 910).Meditation: Kirtan Kriya (Aquarian Teacher [AT], p.425).3 Key Concepts: 1) There are three psyches: the individual inner psyche, the one on your immediate environment and the one on the landscape, bigger and higher. 2) In order to be harmonious with yourself you need to balance your psyches. 3) Kundalini Yoga balances the intelligence, works on the eight centers and the 10 bodies to help you become harmonious.3 Key Skills: 1) Breath of Fire (BOF, i.e., pant like a dog and then close the mouth; continue the panting breath through your nose). 2) Cow Pose (lift head and let your pelvis tilt so that your tailbone points towards the sky). 3) Cat Pose (arch the upper back like an angry cat as you bring the chin into the chest).Quote from Yogi Bhajan at the end of Class #1: Theres a beauty in your pres-ence. Theres a beauty in your radiance. And that radiating of your psyche reaches out and communicates who you are.

Components of Class #15 min. Tune In: Includes the Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo, connecting

with the space, theme of the class with some pointers


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9 min. Kriya: Whole times, without transitions2 min. Transitions3 min. Relaxation: Guided Relaxation15 min. Relaxation11 min. Meditation: Divine Shield meditation2 min. Explanation of the Mudra and chant5 min. Long Time Sunshine Song and Sat Nam; Asking to bring someone

to their mind, chant, and read Yogi Bhajan quote and/or prayer.Total: 55 minutes

Class 5: Balancing Your EnergyKriya: Prana and Apana Balance (Aquarian Teacher, p.374).Meditation: Healing with the Siri Gaitri Mantra (Aquarian Teacher, p. 422).3 Key Concepts: 1) Prana is the subtle life force, the first unit of energy. Apana is the eliminating force of the body. 2) Most healing has to do with rearranging the prana in an appropriate way. 3) The navel point is a center of energy transformation in the body.3 Key Skills: 1) Celibate Pose (spread feet far enough apart for the hips to fit between them; use a pillow under the buttocks if needed). 2) Leg lifts (legs stay parallel to the ground) 3) 90 Leg Lifts (keep the back on the floor using Mulbandh to root yourself into the earth).Components of Class #55 min. Tune In13 min. Kriya: Prana & Apana Balance, without transitions2 min. Transitions3 min. Relaxation: Guided Relaxation15 min. Relaxation11 min. Meditation: Healing with the Siri Gaitri Mantra2 min. Explanation of the Meditation, Mantra and Mudra5 min. Long Time Sunshine Song and Sat Nam; Asking to bring someone

to their mind, chant, and reading a Yogi Bhajan quoteTotal: 56 minutes

Class 6: Become Still And Youll Overcome AnythingKriya: Strength to Sacrifice (Kundalini Yoga Sadhana Guidelines, p. 116).Meditation: Gunpati Kriya Meditation (Aquarian Teacher, p. 420).3 key Concepts: 1) In order to transcend, nerves must be strong and bal-anced. 2) When your aura or electromagnetic field is strong no negativity

3 Key Concepts: 1) When working the heart you also work the thymus gland which is responsible for a strong, functioning immune system. 2) Glands (i.e., the Endocrine System) are the guardians of your health. 3) Pranayam increases blood circulation all over your body.3 Key Skills: 1) Crow Pose 2) Cobra Pose 3) Body Drops (legs stretched out in front, hands at sides on the floor. Raise and drop the body. 3) Bow Pose.Components of Class #35 min. Tune In: Includes the Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo, connecting

with the space, theme of the class with some pointers16.5 min. Kriya: Whole times, without transitions3.5 min. Transitions6 min. Relaxation: Meditation included in kriya15 min. Relaxation11 min. Meditation: I Am, I Am meditation2 min. Explanation of the Mudra and chant5 min. Long Time Sunshine Song and Sat Nam; Asking to bring someone

to their mind, chant, and reading a Yogi Bhajan quoteTotal: 59 minutes

Class 4: Keep Disease AwayPranayam: Immune System Booster: The Inner Sun (Aquarian Teacher, p. 391)Kriya: Strengthening the Aura (Aquarian Teacher, p. 349)Meditation: The Divine Shield Meditation (Aquarian Teacher, p.418)3 Key Concepts: 1) The Aura is the electromagnetic field that surrounds the body. It is your protection, your shield from negative people, situations and illness. 2) The aura is also your projection. Your projection is an attitude of mind to approach action in a certain way. 3) All illness comes into the aura first, if you can heal yourself auricly, illness cannot penetrate your body (Aquarian Teacher, p.202).3 Key Skills: 1) Surya Mudra (touch the pad of the ring finger with the pad of the thumb). 2) Triangle pose (lift the hips so the body forms a triangle). 3) The 2nd exercise mudra (extend left arm forward parallel to the ground, palm facing to the right. Bring right arm beneath the left wrist. Right palm faces the back of the left hand. Lock the right hand fingers over the left hand fingers).Components of Class #45 min. Tune In: Includes the Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo, connecting

with the space, theme of the class with some pointers3 min. Pranayam: Immune System Booster


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Yoga For Seasonal ChangeThis curriculum was designed to ease the transition from fall into winter in the northern hemisphere. It was originally compiled and used by Shakta Kaur Kezios in 2005 as a series of eight 90-minute classes.

E-Mail: [email protected] | Telephone: 312-922-4699Web Page: www.shaktakaur.comMailing Address: Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL), 410 S. Michigan Ave., Ste. 514, Chicago, IL, 60605.

Class One: Kriya: General Maintenance (Slim & Trim, pp. 37); 31 minutes then 10 minutes deep relaxation. Meditation: Breath of Ten to Become Disease Free (Self-Experience, p. 30)

Class Two: Kriya: Immune Strengthening Workout (Inner Workout Manual, pp. 4144). Meditation: Guru Ram Das Chant

Class Three: Kriya: To Control your Domain (Saahibee Kriya) (Inner Workout Manual, pp. 1113). Meditation: The Liberated Heart for Equanimity, Stead-fastness & Immunity (KRI International Teacher Training Certification Level 1 Manual, p. 393, copyright 1998)

Class Four:: Kriya: Exercises to Create a Disease-Free Body (Reaching Me in Me, pp. 1516); the kriya includes an 8.5 minute deep relaxation. Medita-tion: Healing the Physical, Mental and Spiritual Bodies (Self-Experience, p. 37)

Class Five: Kriya: SAD and Depression (The Art, Science & Application of Kundalini Yoga, pp. 131141). Meditation: To Eliminate Negative Thoughts (Yoga for Prosperity, pp. 4849)

Class Six: Kriya: Detoxification (Self-Experience, pp. 910). Meditation: Meditation for the Sixth Chakra (Meditation as Medicine, p. 249)

Class Seven: Kriya for Disease Resistance (Keeping Up, pp. 2325). Medita-tion: Shabd Kriya (Kundalini Yoga Manual, Student Manual of Instruction as Taught by Yogi Bhajan, edited by Rama Kirn Singh, p. 50)

Class Eight: Kriya: Refresh Your Lymph System (Fountain of Youth, p. 25). Medi-tation: Healing with the Siri Gaitri Mantra (AT, p. 422 1st ed./p. 96 5th ed.)

can enter your field and provoke reaction. 3) There are many challenges and lessons in life in the midst of which you can stay strong based on the convic-tion of your consciousness.3 key Skills: 1) 1st exercise mudra (keep the fingers tightly together at chin level as you chant 2) Forward Bend (extend legs, bend forward and grab the toes, ankles or thighs keeping the back straight; it is more about bringing the heart to the thighs than about bringing the nose to the knees). 3) Gunpati Kriya uses a mudra that moves. Chant the mantra on a single breath as you press the pads of the fingertips sequentially with the thumb on each syllable).Components of Class #65 min. Tune In: Includes the Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo, connecting

with the space, theme of the class with some pointers14 min. Kriya: Strength to Sacrifice, Whole times, no transitions1.5 min Transitions15 min. Relaxation: Includes guided Relaxation13 min. Meditation: Gunpati Kriya meditation2 min. Explanation of the Meditation, Mantra and Mudra5 min. Long Time Sunshine Song and Sat Nam; Asking to bring someone

to their mind, chant, and reading a Yogi Bhajan quoteTotal: 55.5 minutes


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Class NotesThe pregnancy yoga sets from www.socalbirth.org were shared by Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa (Golden Bridge).

The kriyas used in weeks 3 and 6 were modified by Yogi Bhajan for pregnan-cy. The meditations used are all standard Kundalini yoga meditations.

In addition to Conscious Pregnancy, edited by Tarn Taran Kaur Khalsa and Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful by Gurmukh, the I Am A Woman manual, edited by Sat Purkh Kaur Khalsa, is a good resource.

For more general information about yoga asanas for each trimester refer to Tools for Teaching Prenatal Yoga by Brenda K. Plakans available at www.yogajournal.com. These are 3 separate papers, one for each trimester.

Gurmukh also has a pre-natal and post-natal DVD available which is use-ful for those just beginning to teach pre-natal yoga or for students who want guidance during their home practice.

The Guidelines for Teaching Pregnancy Yoga Based on the teachings of Yogi Bhajan by Tarn Taran Kaur Khalsa provides good basic information about teacher responsibilities, what to emphasize, what restrictions to honor, how to make the classes appropriately challenging, and basic positions for pregnancy yoga. These Guidelines are attached in the Resource section of this document.

MantraThe Adi Shakti Mantra is used in every class in some way to call upon the creative feminine energy. There are many versions using different rhythms to suit a particular class. Remind students of the benefits of chanting the Adi Shakti both before and after their 120th day of pregnancy.

Guru Guru Wahe Guru Guru Ram Das Guru: there are many versions suitable for a pregnancy yoga class. Encourage the students to ask for the miracle they want in their lives as they listen to and/or chant the mantra during class.

The Divine Birth CD by Snatam Kaur includes many beautiful mantras and shabds to elevate the consciousness of the mother and unborn child. The Adi Shakti on this CD is perfect for an 11-minute meditation.

Mothers Blessing, also by Snatam, along with her mother, Prabhu Nam Kaur, has several tracks useful for a pre-natal series.

The Power Of The Mother: A Series Of Seven 60-Minute Pre-Natal Yoga Classes.

Compiled by Ram Nam Kaur (Kathleen) Muniz, Orland Park, Illinois.

E-Mail: [email protected] | Telephone: 708-724-9368Elements of a Pre-Natal Class Based Upon the Teachings of Yogi Bhajan:

1. Begin by tuning in with Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo to create a meditative space.

2. Have students take at least two deep refreshing breaths before the yoga set begins.3. Teach a pregnancy yoga set or kriya as modified by Yogi Bhajan.4. Deep relaxation on the back or left side. Note that deep relaxation should

be at least 10 minutes in a prenatal class.5. Teach a meditation.6. Have students take at least two deep refreshing breaths before closing the

class.7. Close with a favorite version of Long Time Sunshine plus three long Sat Nams.

Week 1 Kriya: Pregnancy Yoga Set #1 (www.socalbirth.org) Meditation: Leaving the Fear & Welcoming the Challenge (Bountiful,

Beautiful, Blissful, pg. 164)Week 2 Kriya: Pregnancy Yoga Set #2 (www.soccalbirth.org) Meditation: For Projection & Protection From the Heart (KRI Li-

brary of Teachings)Week 3 Kriya: Wahe Guru Kriya for Pregnancy (Conscious Pregnancy, pg. 196) Meditation: Meditation On the Divine Mother (KRI Library of Teachings)Week 4 Kriya: Pregnancy Yoga Set #3 (www.socalbirth.org) Meditation: Meditation To Conquer Pain (Conscious Pregnancy pg. 239)Week 5 Kriya: Pregnancy Yoga Set #4 (www.socalbirth.org) Meditation: Meditation To Bless the Child in the Womb (Conscious

Pregnancy pg. 223)Week 6 Kriya: Lungs, Magnetic Field & Deep Meditation (Conscious Pregnancy

pg. 202) Meditation: Bountiful Beautiful Meditation (Bountiful, Beautiful,

Blissful, pg. 30)Week 7 Kriya: Pregnancy Set to Strengthen the Pelvis (Conscious Pregnancy,

pg. 192) Meditation: Concentration and Freedom From Pain (Conscious Preg-

nancy, pg. 239)


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Class Two (Water): Ungali Pranayam (Kundalini Meditation Manual for Intermediate Students, p. 56). Warm-Up: Self-Adjustment of the Spine (I Am A Woman, pp. 192193). Main Kriya: Pittra Kriya (I Am A Woman, pp. 9091). Meditation: Healing Ring of Tantra (Aquarian Teacher Level 1 Manual, p. 421 (1st ed.)/p. 95 (2nd ed.). [This class was taught on the day of the Full Moon.]

Class Three (Fire): Ungali Pranayam (Kundalini Meditation Manual for Intermediate Students, p. 56). Kriya: Immune Strengthening Workout (Inner Workout Manual, pp. 4144). Meditation: Healing with the Siri Gaitri Mantra (Aquarian Teacher Level 1 Manual, p. 422 (1st ed.)/p. 96 (2nd ed.).

Class Four (Air): Ungali Pranayam (Kundalini Meditation Manual for Intermediate Students, p. 56). Kriya: To Open the Heart Center (Level 2 Conscious Communication Manual, pp. 188189). Meditation: For Projec-tion and Protection from the Heart (Yoga for Prosperity, pp. 5859) [Students sat back-to-back in this meditation.]

Class Five (Ether): Ungali Pranayam (Kundalini Meditation Manual for Intermediate Students, p. 56). Kriya: Kantha Padma Kriya (KRI International Teacher Training Certification Level 1 Manual [old 3-ring binder manual], pp. 409411). Meditation: The Waves of the Ganges (Meditations for the New Millennium, LA #0963).

Mastering The Five Tattvas Earth, Water, Fire, Air And Ether

This curriculum was created for a series of five morning classes taught in Rishikesh, India, at the Purnanava Ayurveda and Yoga Conference, February 1822, 2011, by Shakta Kaur Kezios of Chicago, Illinois. Each class was two hours in length.

E-Mail: [email protected] | Telephone: 312-922-4699Web Page: www.shaktakaur.com

Mailing Address : Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL), 410 S. Michigan Ave., Ste. 514, Chicago, IL, 60605.

BackgroundMastering our tattvas (earth, water, fire, air, ether) means to transcend them. Each one of us has this ability! As human beings we can re-arrange our five tattvas (aka earthly elements) and three gunas (tamas, rajas, sattva) with each and every breath. The new patterns we create will completely re-wire our brain. This allows us to invite in new experiences even as we let go of old habits which is even more important as the earth transitions from the Piscean Age to the Aquarian Age. Rather than get caught up in the stress and over-whelm of the times, we can move through the change with grace, strength and equanimity.

The mantra of the tattvas is Sa Ta Na Ma. Many of the kriyas and medita-tions chosen for this series used the mantra Sa Ta Na Ma. Ungali Pranayam, which uses the mantra Sa Ta Na Ma, was used in all five classes so that stu-dents could gain experience and claim mastery of this one practice.

The five tattvas also have five projections. Earths projection is greed; waters projection is lust; fires projection is anger; airs projection is attachment; and ethers projection is pride. We cannot remove these projections, but, we can learn to channel them positively.

Class One (Earth): Ungali Pranayam (Kundalini Meditation Manual for Intermediate Students, p. 56). Kriya: Balance of Prana and Apana (Physical Wisdom, pp. 2829). Meditation: Kirtan Kriya (Aquarian Teacher Level 1 Manual, p. 425 (1st ed.)/p. 99 (2nd ed.).


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experience the mantra. They do not need to chant while lying down in the center of the circle.] 7:55 pmLong Time Sunshine Song. Conversation with students during Yogi Tea and cookies!

Connecting Women For PeaceA 4-hour workshop designed as a fund-raiser for a non-profit organization.

1 pmIntro and Tune-InWelcome to Connecting Women for Peace! This workshop is a fund-raiser for the non-profit organization Peace X Peace (www.peacexpeace.org). Peace X (aka by) Peace is dedicated to improving the status of women around the world and to building sustainable peace. With Peace X Peaces help, women communicate directlyacross geographic, political, ethnic, linguistic and eco-nomic dividesunfiltered by their governments or the media. Women con-nect to each other via Sister Circles of women all over the world. These circles are either formal (such as a professional organization) or informal (as in family or a group of friends). The circles share information and expertise. Sometimes they even travel great distances to meet each other in person!

Yogic teachings say that living this incarnation as a male or as a female is de-signed for us to learn specific lessons. [Briefly mention the acid bath and birth for a male; birth for a female; the Arcline and aura of a woman and how it is different from that of a man.]

After a little Kundalini Yoga and Meditation, we will take a break, have some Yogi Tea and then well watch the Peace X Peace-produced documentary, Women on the Frontlines. This is an award-winning documentary narrated by actress Jessica Lange. Featured women include a former underground teacher educating women and girls in Afghanistan; Hutu and Tutsi female journalists operating a peace radio station in Burundi and key leaders in Bosnia, Argentina and the United States.

1:15 pmKriya for a Calm and Open Heart Center for Women (Self-Knowl-edge, p. 19) followed by deep relaxation with the gong. Meditation for a Calm Heart (Meditation as Medicine, Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., p. 218 also Aquarian Teacher Level 1 Manual, p. 395 (1st ed.) and p. 65 (2nd ed.).2:15 pmBreak2:30 pmWomen on the Frontlines documentary. 4 pmGather in a circle to share some of our thoughts and feelings after view-ing Women on the Frontlines. Reiterate that X percentage of their registration

Five Fantastic WorkshopsAfter sample curricula the next most asked-for tool from teachers of Kundalini Yoga comes in the form of an oft-repeated question. That question is, Do you have any workshop samples that I could use?

Yes, we do! Four of them are included here: 1) Cultivate Peace Within; 2) Connecting Women for Peace; 3) Yoga for the Artist; and 4) The Lunar Woman. In addition, the hand-outs that were used for each of these workshops are available to download at the addresses on page 56 for your use as a guide when planning your own awesome workshop!

Cultivate Peace WithinA Special 2-Hour Workshop of Kundalini Yoga, Meditation and the Gong. Conducted for clients of Gladstone Chiropractic in Chicago, Illinois, USA, September 2005

BackgroundGladstone Chiropractic held both a spring and summer series of Kundalini Yoga classes. Their Kundalini Yoga teacher wanted to spur even greater inter-est in their fall series of Kundalini Yoga classes. She asked for a workshop to be created, to appeal both to her experienced Kundalini Yoga students and for any of the many Hatha Yoga practitioners in the neighborhood who might decide to join them for the first-time.

6 pmIntro and Tune-InYour actions, words and thoughts are the key to a peaceful future both for yourself and for the world. Your soul projects into the world via your magnetic field. When that magnetic field is strong, it automatically filters out negative influences and resonates with the energy of the Infinite magnetic field.

Tonight we manifest the peace that is always at your core with Kundalini Yoga postures, deep yogic breathing, sacred syllables called mantra and the profound rest that only the gong can bring.

6:15 pmKriya: Working the Total Self (Kundalini Yoga Manual, edited by Rama Kirn Singh, pp. 3741).7:15 pmDeep relaxation with the gong.7:35 pmHealing with the Siri Gaitri Mantra (Aquarian Teacher Level 1 Manual, p. 422 (1st ed.)/p. 96 (2nd ed.). [Suggestion: Put the students in a circle for this meditation. Suggest that they may lie down in the center of the circle for however long they might want to


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ing with grandmothers who are raising orphans, women from Kenya selling beads in the U.S., groups teaching women how to get jobs [or provide] home schooling, explained Linda. As of last October, there were 351 Sister Circles in 47 countries, including Cote dIvoire, Kenya, India, Bosnia, Argentina, Brazil, Afghanistan and Iraq. The Circles are supported by 275 professional translators who help facilitate the connections.

KYL director Shakta Kaur opened the workshop by leading us in a mantra to center ourselves. We then practiced specific kundalini yoga exercises while chanting mantras to clear each of our charkas. After a deep relaxation, dur-ing which Shakta played the gong, and practicing another technique to calm the heart, we watched an award-winning documentary about Peace x Peace entitled, Peace x Peace, Women on the Frontlines.

The film featured women from Bosnia, Chile, Argentina, Burundi, New York City and other places, who described not only their personal trage-dies of war and loss, but also how they are now improving their lives. Some are developing businesses through loans that have been made available to them. (7,000 loans have been made to the women since Peace x Peace began in Janu-ary, 2002.) We saw women who were able to buy chickens, a cow or material to make gloves and, with the profits, grow their businesses and employ others. Other women are connecting with others to further their education and edu-cate their children. One message from the film is that when women become independent, they have responsibility and the power that comes with it.Here are some facts we learned from the film:DuringWorldWarI,16%ofthecasualtieswerecivilians.Now,8090%of

the war casualties are civilians, and most of them are women and children. 200,000,000girlsworldwidehavenoeducation,andtwo-thirdsofthe

people in the world who are illiterate are women.Thereare50,000,000refugees;80%arewomenandchildren.Womenconstitute14%ofthelawmakersintheworld,butintheU.S.,FranceandJapan,lessthan12%arewomen.

Some of the comments of women in the film were: Women need to be at the negotiation table; the attitude of [many men] is that peace is possible when everybody is dead.

Be peaceful in your own life. Open the door for somebody. Let someone get in front of you. Forgive others for the sake of peace. The telling of the stories connects each of us and allows for healing to take place.

Peace is the capacity to break the cycle of violencenot seeking revenge. Your own security is tied in with the security of your neighbors. Much of the

fee is going to Peace X Peace in order that they can continue their important work.4:30 pm[If time and energy allows a second kriya.] Kriya: Strengthening the Aura (Aquarian Teacher Level 1 Manual, p. 349 (1st ed.)/p. 23 (2nd ed.). [If no time for a second kriya, then allow the women to remain in their circle and choose one of the following three meditations:]

Meditation #1: Healing Ring of Tantra (Aquarian Teacher Level 1 Manual, p. 421 (1st ed.)/p. 95 (2nd ed.) [Only to be done on the days of the Full Moon, the New Moon, and the 11th day of the New Moon, with a minimum of 11 people].

Meditation #2: Mahan Jap (Linked Jap) (Aquarian Teacher Level 1 Manual, p. 430 (1st ed.)/p. 104 (2nd ed.); also found in Kundalini Meditation Man-ual for Intermediate Students, p. 48 and Transformations Vol. 2, p. 110.)

Meditation #3: Group Solidarity Meditation (Vitality & Stress Level 2 Manual, pp. 218 and 220; also, Transformations Vol. 2, p. 109)4:55 pmLong Time Sunshine Song and prayer[Suggestion: Once you schedule a local fundraising workshop be sure to no-tify the local media. The publisher of YOGAChicago magazine learned about the Connecting Women for Peace workshop, attended and was moved enough to write the article that you see here:]

Connecting Women for PeaceA Yoga Day USA EventBy Sharon Steffensen

On January 28, many yoga studios celebrated Yoga Day USA by offering workshops with benefits going to charitable organizations. Yoga Day USA is an annual nationwide celebration to raise awareness about yoga and was cre-ated in 1999 by Yoga Alliance, a non-profit organization that sets educational standards for yoga schools and teachers.

This year Kundalini in the Loop (KYL) offered a workshop, Connecting Women for Peace, as a fundraiser for Peace x Peace (Peace by Peace), a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to improving the status of women around the world and to building sustainable peace. Through the Internet, it facilitates direct online communication between women-led groups (called Circles) across the U.S. and Sister Circles around the world.

Special guest Linda Higdon, partnership development director of Peace x Peace, defined the organization as a grass-roots, global womens movement, bypassing government and media, to connect sister groups with one another. Examples of groups might be nurses against violence, yoga studios work-


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home and incorporate into your daily life. There is no need to take notes un-less you really want to. Wed prefer that you have an xperience today and read the words about what you experienced later!

Yogi Bhajan, who brought Kundalini Yoga to the west in 1968, said once that all art is worship of God. I know you must feel that way when the spark of creativity is flowing. But, what happens when you feel stuck? You might have writers block or you simply cant think of a creative way out of a sticky situation. Well, with some of the tools well share with you today, you will have several new levers to use whenever you need a boost of energy, a pat on the back or the silent whisper of inspiration to come your way, all of which allow the creative juices to flow.

Well also talk a bit about the negative tapes running around in our head from time-to-time and how to turn that negative talk into positive affirma-tions. Positive thoughts are the basis of our contentment and prosperity. And, we all want to see more prosperous, creative people in our lives and in our world. We want to be those prosperous, creative people!

2:15 pmKriya: Set for Creativity (The Kundalini Yoga Experience, Guru Dharam Singh Khalsa and Darryl OKeefe, pp. 8890) and deep relaxation with the gong. Meditation for a Calm Heart (Meditation as Medicine, Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., p. 218 also Aquarian Teacher Level 1 Manual, p. 395 (1st ed.) and p. 65 (2nd ed.)3:45 pmBreak4 pmShare with one another. Discussion about affirmations and negative thoughts4:45 pmThree Minutes to Energy, Creativity and Prosperity (Kundalini Yoga, Shakta Kaur Khalsa, pp. 130131)4:55 pmLong Time Sunshine Song

war on terror is treating the symptoms; we are not looking at the cause of the disease.

From our strength we are building another world. Organize yourselves. Anything in the world is possible because women are leading the fight for change. We can get to know each other and erase all boundaries. Nothing can work in our world unless we make peace, and the only way we can make peace is in our hearts. Recognize all of us. Lets be part of each others livesthen we can help each other. Life is a gift. Take care of it.

A woman from New York City made the point that War will continue to destroy the environment in which we live. Referring to 9/11, she suggested we pay homage to the victims by spreading love and peace and not by demanding revenge.

After the film, we sat in a circle to share our thoughts and feelings. We also remembered the women here in the U.S. who are abused and battered. We ended the workshop chanting a mantra, Wha-Hay Guru, as we held hands. Shakta Kaur translated the mantra to mean Wow, God, or the indescrib-able joy of going from the darkness to the light.

For more information about Peace x Peace, visit Peacexpeace.org. For infor-mation about Kundalini in the Loop, visit shaktakaur.com.

Yoga For The ArtistAnd Anyone Else Wanting To Awaken The Artist Within!A 3-hour workshop based upon the teachings of Yogi Bhajan[Note: This workshop was designed and conducted in September 2008 for a group of artists-in-residence at the Fine Arts Building (FAB) in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was co-taught by Meherbani Kaur (Chelsea) Schwartz and Shakta Kaur Kezios.]

2 pmIntro and Tune InUniqueness, creativity and sensitivityall are the hallmarks of great artistsand the artist within! Welcome to Yoga for the Artist. This is a special work-shop designed for creative people from all walks of life who love being that channel for the life force of the Creator! That means you!

Our session today includes some Kundalini Yoga and several meditations guaranteed to spark your creativity, deep relaxation with the gong and the chance to share with each other a little bit about ourselves, our desires as an artist, poet, writer or dancer and why we wanted to experience this class. All of what youll learn today is written down in this hand-out. It is yours to take


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Kaur taught this one-hour version of the Lunar Woman at the Punarnava Ayurveda and Yoga Conference held in Rishikesh, India, in 2008.]

Japji Sahib: The Song Of The SoulA 2-hour workshop to delve into the sacred sounds of Japji.[Note: This workshop was developed in 2006 as an introductory 2-hour course. It was later expanded to a 3-hour workshop in 2007. The hand-out provided on page 56 was used for both the 2- and 3-hour version. Copies of Japji were also provided to the students.]

Here are some suggestions on how to expand this workshop to 3-hours: Includeabreakmid-way,serveYogiTeaandaskifthereareanyquestions,

comments or observations. Havestudentspullahukam for themselves from their copy of Japji, ask

them to read the lines out loud with perhaps a comment on how they think its meaning fits into their life right now.

Addameditationusingapauri of your choice with which to end the work-shop.

EndwithagrouprecitationofJapji (supported by a different recording than the one used to open the workshop).]

6 pmIntro and Tune-InJapji contains universal teachings for anyone seeking truthlike you! It is a timeless piece of poetry, a song composed by the Indian saint, Guru Nanak, while in a state of divine union with the Infinite.

The story goes that Guru Nanak (born in 1469) went to the river to medi-tate. He was gone for three days. He emerged from the water of the river after three days and the first words he spoke were the words of Japji.

Japji will recalibrate your mind, heal your body and balance your chakras. It is naad, the essence of all sound. Naad gives you the experience of infinity within this finite body of yours. Japji is a sacred sound that resonates with your soul and transforms you.

Yogi Bhajan, who brought Kundalini Yoga to the West in 1968, taught that the unconscious is a storehouse of memory. The subconscious mind, too, is constant-ly working things out, via dreams, for example. All of the thoughts we do not use go into the subconscious. We need to regularly clear out our subconscious mind. The sound current of Japji brings balance to the mind. It sets the pattern for you to experience infinity. It is nothing less than a technology of self-transformation!

Physically, the tongue moves in a particular way when you recite Japji. It

The Lunar WomanA 3-hour workshop that teaches the essence of a woman is moon in quality.[Note: The workshop hand-out included on page 56 was developed for the Ayurveda Yoga Australia Conference held in Sydney, Australia, in April 2009. Both men and women attended this workshop.]

6 pmIntro and Tune InWelcome to The Lunar Woman. My name is Shakta Kaur and Im from Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL) based in Chicago, Illinois, USA. There are three important ideas that I hope youll take away from our time together this evening: first, a woman has 11 different moon centers. Second, she moves to a different moon center every 2 days. And, finallyaccording to the yogic scripturesa woman is 16 times stronger and more powerful than a man. (Well, we didnt really need yogis to tell us that, did we ladies?!)

Important points to cover either after tuning in or after the break:Themooncentersequencebeginswhileyouareinthewomb.Themalemooncenteronthechinhashaironit,therefore,itissteady.Mappingyourmooncenterpatternprovidesinsightsintoyouremotional

ebb and flow.Watchhowyoufeeleachdayforafewmonthspayingattentiontothegen-

eral description of the moon centers and the qualities listed in our hand-out.The11mooncentersandtheirqualities

6:30 pmKriya: Yoga set for Emotional Balance (I Am a Woman: Creative, Sacred and Invincible, p. 158) followed by deep relaxation with the gong. Meditation: Kirtan Kriya (Aquarian Teacher Level 1 Manual, p. 425 (1st ed.)/p. 99 (2nd ed.)7:30 pmBreak7:45 pmDiscussion and Q&A about the moon center sequence. Medita-tion to Balance the Moon Centers and Glandular System (A Womans Book of Yoga, Hari Kaur Khalsa and Machelle M. Seibel, M.D., pp. 6364)8:30 pmAdi Shakti Meditation (KRI International Teacher Training Certi-fication Level 1 Manual (old 3-ring binder), p. 488) 8:55 pmLong Time Sunshine Song[Suggestions: 1) To purchase a copy of The Lunar Woman Curriculum Guide-lines compiled by Hari Charn Kaur Khalsa contact Upma Kaur ([email protected]) at 3HO IKYTA. 2) To purchase your own copy of a Lunar Woman work-shop on DVD call 312-922-4699 or e-mail [email protected]. Shakta


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Articles Youre in the Yoga Business Now!

Your Marketing Trainby Shakta Kaur Kezios, Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL), Chicago, IL, USA,

[email protected].

You are ready to begin teaching Kundalini Yoga and Medi-tation and youd like plenty of new students to join your classes. But, what do you need to do to attract and build your yoga business? How much time will it take? And,

where do you start?With an entire world to influence you might be surprised that your initial

marketing activities will remarkably resemble a train just starting to move out of the station! As you know, most trains beginning their journeys move quite s_l_o_w_l_y! Your marketing train will probably chug-a-lug along with a few fits and stops until enough momentum builds up so that it can glide alongseemingly--smoothly and effortlessly.

A train typically has three types of cars--an engine, passenger cars and a caboose. Similarly, you have a marketing train of techniques from which to choose to announce your yoga business to the world. All of these techniques fit into one of three categories of activityactive, passive or database.

First, lets talk about the active things that you do to get your marketing message out into the world. These active marketing techniques are just like a trains engine. They are what drive your yoga business. Handing out your business card to everyone you meet is active. Including an offer to try the first class for half-price on the back of your business card makes it even more active.

Second, are the passenger cars. These are the more passive kinds of market-ing tools; like telling someone, I have a website. A website is almost impos-sible not to have in todays world of the internet, however, a website functions simply as a billboard unless it puts people in your classes. Offering to e-mail a special meditation to everyone who registers at your website will turn that once passive website into an active tool that could begin to drive your business.

Finally, there are the things you do to keep in touch with people. We call these activities database marketing. The database, much like the caboose of a train, is bringing up the rear by gathering information that will benefit you in the long-run. Collecting your students e-mail addresses and storing them electronically is a database activity. But, picking up the telephone and calling

stimulates the 84 meridian points on the roof of the mouth which in turn stimulates the hypothalamus which in turn stimulates the pineal gland. The pineal gland radiates and stimulates the pituitary gland.

Japji is part of the technology of shabd (to erase the ego). Even in our darkest hour, reciting Japji connects us to the greatest part of life, to the consciousness of the saint, Guru Nanak himself. The consciousness of perfection is produced. We become part of creation, full and abundant. We feel complete. We recog-nize that God speaks to us in every moment and we begin to acknowledge ev-erything in our life as an act of Gods kindness. That is the gift of Guru Nanaks Japji to the world.

We begin by listening to the sound current of Japji and following along in our booklets. 6:20 pm: Play Bani Pro 1 (approx. 20 minutes)6:45 pm: Kundalini Yoga to Balance the Head and Heart (Kundalini Yoga, Shakta Kaur Khalsa, pp. 92-93)7 pm: Deep relaxation with the gong7:15 pm: Meditation to Get Rid of Fear & Split Personalities (The Masters Touch, pp. 176177) for 37 minutes7:30 pm: Discuss effects of the pauris of Japji (see hand-out). Suggest chant-ing one pauri 11 times each day as a 40-day sadhana. Use the 25th pauri, Bahuta Karam, as an example. (Play Livtar Singhs Bahuta Karam CD, avail-able from Invicible Music).7:55 pm: Closing remarks and Long Time Sunshine Song. Serve Yogi Tea and converse with students.[Suggestion: Order free copies of Japji Sahib for everyone in this workshop by contacting [email protected] or www.sikhlink.com. Let them know how many copies youll need. Again, these copies are mailed to youcomplimentary.]


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marketing than teaching, you will know that you are in the correct place.Sitting passively in front of a computer screen spending most of your time

designing your marketing brochures, fliers and business cards is not what were talking about. If you intend on becoming a full-time yogi, half of your time will be spent teaching. The other half of your time will, of necessity, be spent on actively setting up your marketing infrastructure so that you can teach.

Eventually, you will need to set up a system that not only invites students into your classes but one that will encourage them to return again and again. You may have to think about recruiting someone to oversee some of those more passive aspects of your marketing that can no longer be handled solely by you. That is one of the first signs of recognizing that your marketing train* is on its way. While gliding along the tracks smoothly may not go without a hitch at this point, you now have momentum. And, that momentum is going to bring you closer than ever towards the creation of the yoga business of your dreams!

*Shakta Kaur gratefully acknowledge that the concept of a marketing train was taught to her by business building coach, Michael Charest, President of Business Growth Solutions, in a prosperity tele-conference series that he co-taught with GuruMeher Singh Khalsa of Los Angeles, California, USA ([email protected]). Contact Michael Charest for more information by contacting him at [email protected] or by visiting his website at www.bgsllc.com.

How to Easily Create Your Own FliersI dont know how to do that, is what new yoga teachers often say when they look at artfully designed promotional material. But, learning how to create an attractive flier to announce your yoga classes or workshops is easier than you might think. And, it is becoming necessary to learn how to do so in some of todays crowded yoga markets.

Using the Gong & Mantra sample flier provided at the addresses on page 56 as an example is a good place to start. This flier can be created two-up on a standard 8.5 X 11 sheet of paper.

To begin with, you need some Graphic Software to create interesting effects in text and photos. The industry standard is Photoshop by Adobe. You can purchase the light version called Photoshop Elements for about $90. It is a good investment with lots of tools for creative effects. In fact, we used Photoshop Elements to create the Gong & Mantra flier.

You will also need word processor software to create your fliers. A very good free package is called Open Office. It competes directly with the very expensive Microsoft Office Suite. You can download the free software at OpenOffice.org (includes word processor, spreadsheet, database, and presentation modules).

10 people in your database each week to invite them to your next class can turn your database into an active marketing tool.Ideas For Your TrainThe list below contains a sampling of marketing options available to you. Some of these options might flow quite easily, feel natural and will, obviously, work best for you right now. Other options you may need time to investigate, trying one or two of them on for size to see how you do before adding them to your permanent list of ideas for your personal marketing train.

As an exercise, indicate on a piece of paper which of these ideas you would consider Active (A), Passive (P) or Database (D) marketing techniques. Then indicate in order of priority several ideas in each category (Active, Passive or Database) that flow easily, feel natural and might work best for you right now.

F Public speaking F Workshops, Semi

ikyta teacher resource book

Documents

yoga yoga

yoga business

yoga classes5 steps

natal yoga classes

usa mehtab singh

tara singh

gurushabd singh khalsa

gurucharan singh khalsa