OCCUPATION
Sales Manager for a design and build firm providing shade solutions for homes and businesses.
1. HOW DID YOU DISCOVER KUNDALINI YOGA?
A few years ago I read about Kundalini Yoga on Elspeth’s blog, Now Is Wow.
2. WHAT ABOUT YOUR FIRST KUNDALINI YOGA EXPERIENCE MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTINUE WITH IT?
Elspeth was very encouraging and supportive when, upon signing up, I explained that I wasn’t sure that I was flexible enough for yoga. She explained that flexibility was not a requirement and that doing what you could do was enough. In our first class we learned how to breathe deeply and fully, (most people take quick shallow breaths), and Elspeth took us through our first kriya (series of postures), and our first meditation. I felt innocent and new and open at the beginning of the class and these were all new experiences for me. After class I felt awakened. I felt like I’d been given a gift and my whole self (body, soul, mind) was welcoming and appreciative of that gift.
At the end of the class Elspeth offered us a small deck of cards to randomly select one of. My card said: “I let go of all my limitations. I dispossess myself of all the weight associated with things, people, places, public opinion, fears and desires...I fly.” What was written on the card was reassuring and reaffirming to me. I had made a conscious choice to come to terms with negative influences (external and internal) in my life, let them go, and grow into the person I know I am on the inside. The card was encouraging, as I interpreted it to mean that I was making the right decisions and ultimately would choose what is best and right for me, in all aspects of my life: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTISING KUNDALINI YOGA?
Since September 2010.
4. WHAT ABOUT KUNDALINI YOGA MAKES YOU CHOOSE IT AS OPPOSED TO THE MANY OTHER FORMS OF YOGA?
Last year when I decided to practise yoga, I read up on the different forms and chose Kundalini Yoga because of the mental, physical, and spiritual balance it offered. Now, after ten months, I don’t see a reason to change the form of yoga. I am open to trying other forms but I feel connected to this one.
5. DO YOU KEEP UP A REGULAR PRACTICE?
I attend class once a week and between May 10th and June 8th I practiced once a day. It was an amazing month. Unfortunately, since then I’ve been less disciplined and can easily make excuses like work stress, and other extra-curricular activities. The truth of the matter is, the subtle and definitive negative effects of not practicing every day have become so apparent that I’ve realized how important Kundalini Yoga has become to me.
6. WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU EXPERIENCE?
I see myself growing and blossoming because of all that I am learning, feeling and understanding during yoga. I feel connected to my mind, body and spirit in a way I never really trusted before, and this makes me very happy and confident.
7. HAS ANYTHING ABOUT YOU OR YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED PRACTISING KUNDALINI YOGA?
When I first started practicing Kundalini Yoga after just a few weeks I noticed subtle changes: I was more focused, disciplined and creative at work. I had a more positive approach to my job as well, and less dragged down and affected by work stress. My co-workers commented that I seemed less impatient and less frazzled and annoyed when things went wrong with projects and clients.
As months passed I saw a marked change in my liming habits such as no more liming during the week, and less late hours on weekends. The choice of activity also changed, and I opted for attending more art exhibitions, movies, plays, book readings, and outdoor activities instead of making a beeline for my favourite watering hole.
My eating habits have also changed and I know that is directly related to how I’ve come to view my body. I’ve always been more or less a healthy eater but I’ve found that I have developed a particular respect for my body and my life and this has affected the food choices I now make.
Kundalini Yoga is called the yoga of awareness, and I understand why: it’s how I feel about my body, mind and spirit: more aware. I’m more aware of how all my choices affect me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECT OF KUNDALINI YOGA?
I like each aspect for different reasons: Even though some of the postures in a kriya may be difficult for me, it’s a great feeling when I push through the pain and accomplish the posture. The meditations never fail to calm, center and focus me. At the end of each session, we chant the Kundalini Yoga closing prayer and I feel what I can only describe as joy and gratitude for the connection to my own divinity.
9. HOW DO YOU GENERALLY FEEL AFTER A KUNDALINI YOGA CLASS?
Refreshed, peaceful, and calm, yet charged, energetic and happy with a heightened sense of awareness.
10. ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR ANYONE READING THIS?
There are so many little signs, methods, practices, and ways of thinking that can help people, but most don't know of them. It's a way of life that has been unlearned over the history of mankind, generation after generation. Maybe that's why so many people are lost. But I do have hope for our future. Many people are seeking truth, and yearning for 'something' they know they need even though they don't know how to find it, or what 'it' is. My humble advice to anyone who is looking for that ‘something’: Try new methods and practices until you find one which connects with you, inspires you, and brings out the best in you, and make it a part of your life.
11. HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THOU ART YOGA?
From Elspeth’s blog, Now Is Wow II, and Facebook.
12. ANY FAMOUS LAST WORDS?
The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.
(W.E.B Du Bois)
Sales Manager for a design and build firm providing shade solutions for homes and businesses.
1. HOW DID YOU DISCOVER KUNDALINI YOGA?
A few years ago I read about Kundalini Yoga on Elspeth’s blog, Now Is Wow.
2. WHAT ABOUT YOUR FIRST KUNDALINI YOGA EXPERIENCE MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTINUE WITH IT?
Elspeth was very encouraging and supportive when, upon signing up, I explained that I wasn’t sure that I was flexible enough for yoga. She explained that flexibility was not a requirement and that doing what you could do was enough. In our first class we learned how to breathe deeply and fully, (most people take quick shallow breaths), and Elspeth took us through our first kriya (series of postures), and our first meditation. I felt innocent and new and open at the beginning of the class and these were all new experiences for me. After class I felt awakened. I felt like I’d been given a gift and my whole self (body, soul, mind) was welcoming and appreciative of that gift.
At the end of the class Elspeth offered us a small deck of cards to randomly select one of. My card said: “I let go of all my limitations. I dispossess myself of all the weight associated with things, people, places, public opinion, fears and desires...I fly.” What was written on the card was reassuring and reaffirming to me. I had made a conscious choice to come to terms with negative influences (external and internal) in my life, let them go, and grow into the person I know I am on the inside. The card was encouraging, as I interpreted it to mean that I was making the right decisions and ultimately would choose what is best and right for me, in all aspects of my life: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTISING KUNDALINI YOGA?
Since September 2010.
4. WHAT ABOUT KUNDALINI YOGA MAKES YOU CHOOSE IT AS OPPOSED TO THE MANY OTHER FORMS OF YOGA?
Last year when I decided to practise yoga, I read up on the different forms and chose Kundalini Yoga because of the mental, physical, and spiritual balance it offered. Now, after ten months, I don’t see a reason to change the form of yoga. I am open to trying other forms but I feel connected to this one.
5. DO YOU KEEP UP A REGULAR PRACTICE?
I attend class once a week and between May 10th and June 8th I practiced once a day. It was an amazing month. Unfortunately, since then I’ve been less disciplined and can easily make excuses like work stress, and other extra-curricular activities. The truth of the matter is, the subtle and definitive negative effects of not practicing every day have become so apparent that I’ve realized how important Kundalini Yoga has become to me.
6. WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU EXPERIENCE?
I see myself growing and blossoming because of all that I am learning, feeling and understanding during yoga. I feel connected to my mind, body and spirit in a way I never really trusted before, and this makes me very happy and confident.
7. HAS ANYTHING ABOUT YOU OR YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED PRACTISING KUNDALINI YOGA?
When I first started practicing Kundalini Yoga after just a few weeks I noticed subtle changes: I was more focused, disciplined and creative at work. I had a more positive approach to my job as well, and less dragged down and affected by work stress. My co-workers commented that I seemed less impatient and less frazzled and annoyed when things went wrong with projects and clients.
As months passed I saw a marked change in my liming habits such as no more liming during the week, and less late hours on weekends. The choice of activity also changed, and I opted for attending more art exhibitions, movies, plays, book readings, and outdoor activities instead of making a beeline for my favourite watering hole.
My eating habits have also changed and I know that is directly related to how I’ve come to view my body. I’ve always been more or less a healthy eater but I’ve found that I have developed a particular respect for my body and my life and this has affected the food choices I now make.
Kundalini Yoga is called the yoga of awareness, and I understand why: it’s how I feel about my body, mind and spirit: more aware. I’m more aware of how all my choices affect me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECT OF KUNDALINI YOGA?
I like each aspect for different reasons: Even though some of the postures in a kriya may be difficult for me, it’s a great feeling when I push through the pain and accomplish the posture. The meditations never fail to calm, center and focus me. At the end of each session, we chant the Kundalini Yoga closing prayer and I feel what I can only describe as joy and gratitude for the connection to my own divinity.
9. HOW DO YOU GENERALLY FEEL AFTER A KUNDALINI YOGA CLASS?
Refreshed, peaceful, and calm, yet charged, energetic and happy with a heightened sense of awareness.
10. ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR ANYONE READING THIS?
There are so many little signs, methods, practices, and ways of thinking that can help people, but most don't know of them. It's a way of life that has been unlearned over the history of mankind, generation after generation. Maybe that's why so many people are lost. But I do have hope for our future. Many people are seeking truth, and yearning for 'something' they know they need even though they don't know how to find it, or what 'it' is. My humble advice to anyone who is looking for that ‘something’: Try new methods and practices until you find one which connects with you, inspires you, and brings out the best in you, and make it a part of your life.
11. HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THOU ART YOGA?
From Elspeth’s blog, Now Is Wow II, and Facebook.
12. ANY FAMOUS LAST WORDS?
The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.
(W.E.B Du Bois)
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1 comment:
Good ideas, thank you
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