Cutting Through Depression

In September I'm teaching a 4 week series on healing depression and anxiety. I'm excited to share this series with you so you can learn how to reconnect with your emotional body and the infinity within you. This youtube video by Yogi Bhajan is a great resource that will cut through depression.
 It's name seems to come from a foreign planet or the next Star Wars movie. It's called "KUNDALINI KRIYA NM056 920528 T", but maybe it's just the name that showed up on the video camera that recorded it. Either way, it's a truly lovely and simple kriya. Yogi Bhajan also has a nice long lecture that I recommend listening to all the way through.  It's better to do it with a friend as Yogi Bhajan suggests you talk to someone towards the end of the kriya.

Param Karam Dharam Kriya

Sat Nam! Param Karam Dharam Kriya is a wonderful tool to help break blocks in you life and promote prosperity. I recommend doing it for at least 11 minutes to get in the flow of it. If you'd like more prosperity in your life you can play the Aap Sahaee Hoa mantra (Jai- Jagdeesh has a great version). I also like playing the mantra, Chattra Chakkra Vartee to invoke fearlessness. (My favorite version is by Chardi Kala Jatha). Remember to tune in with 'Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo' 3x before starting the kriya. This is a great kriya to do as a warm-up when teaching a Kundalini Yoga class.    Guru Singh explains the aspects of the kriya exquisitely in this video.

Connect with your Breath and Prevent Yourself from Freaking Out!

Have you heard the term, "You are not your emotions/thoughts?" Well, it's true! Although your emotions can give valid information,  too many people attach themselves to a emotion which can lead to a perpetual mental feedback loop of thought. This leads to obsessive thinking and unnecessary worrying. One way of cutting the feedback loop is to connect to your breath. Without your breath you can't control your mind and therefore how you respond with your emotions. We are getting into the summer months where the weather can not only heat up, but also opportunities for our emotions to become fierce like a fire. You have the option to react or consciously communicate. Rule your breath then you can rule how you communicate. This meditation can help with that!

Meditation to Prevent Freaking Out
*(From the I am a Woman - Creative, Sacred, Invincible Manual)*

This meditation will alter your energy by changing your nostril breathing. You can't get out of your body, but you can change its energy. If you are thinking something neurotic and find out that you're breathing through your right nostril, start breathing through your left nostril instead. This will change your energy from agni (fire) to sitali (cool).

If you are depressed, in a disturbed mental state, start breathing from the right nostril. In 3 minutes you will be a different person. This ability to change nostrils in breathing should be taught to your children within their first 3 years. Exercising this ability can prevent nervous breakdowns. You may work up to 31 minutes.

Sit in Easy Pose with a straight spine, and a light Neck Lock. Interlace the fingers with the right thumb on top. Interlace the hands at the center of the diaphragm line, touching the body. Eyes are closed. Concentrate on the breath at the tip of your nose. Notice from which nostril you are breathing. Within 3 minutes you should know. Then change it. If you are breathing primarily through your left nostril, consciously change to your right nostril. Be sure to keep your shoulders completely relaxed. Practice changing this breath back and forth for as long as you like. Eye Focus Closed Time: 3 minutes to 31 minutes

*This meditation retrieved from the Yogi Bhajan Library of Teachings on 6/1/2016. http://libraryofteachings.com/kriya.xqy?id=c8415933-5b7d-9922-e28e-03a1b58c612f&name=Meditation-to-Prevent-Freaking-Out

Courage

To be courageous is to befriend fear like a lover.

This lover you lost and never let go of. 

Freedom is only granted when welcomed in.

Fear makes you look twice in a dark parking lot, shiver on a cold night, and cry yourself to sleep.

Fear is the mother of anger, depression, rage, and disappointment.

It is the glue that attaches the story to the dreamer.

Yet, it is here.

Welcome it with tenderness like the untamed wild creature that is.

It's passionate thirst for the unconscious mind cut with the sword of a warrior.

The true warrior saint is so firmly planted in the earth that she can feel the

roots of the trees through her callused feet.

She can feel the heat of the core rising up her legs

through her own belly.

Yet, she is fully connected with the wisdom of the stars, the serenity of the ethers, and vastness of the cosmos.

The warrior saint is completely aware of all four directions within her and outside of her.

She see's the enemies next move before it is even thought.

Her fuel for courage is confidence.

The intertwining of confidence and courage is rarely mastered.

Many teachers will talk, few will lead by example, fewer will give their head up to save another.

I dare you to choose the door leading to the dark and cold tunnel.

For your Light is enough to be a guide to the other end.

It always was.

#Being a Conscious Being in a World of Technology

Photo from: http://www.spiritualitypostures.blogspot.com

Today I was caught up in my usual daily routine of scanning through my facebook news feed.  After witnessing a troubling series of events on facebook, followed by a very full day of simultaneous work and self contemplation, I came to the following conclusion......

I usually write and live a lifestyle on how to be a spiritual warrior in daily life. This means living in full authenticity in every moment. It's a tall order. I strongly feel that no matter how much yoga/meditation/self-reflection/prayer we do on a daily basis, it really is of no use if we cannot incorporate it into our daily lives. Controversial topics discussed on social media like Facebook tug on strings that have the potential to activate our emotions. Events in our internet life and physical life shed light for us to show the best and worst versions of ourselves. Then all of a sudden it is personal. When it is personal then we create beliefs, strong beliefs. Beliefs aren't bad necessarily, they just are. However, when we create beliefs we also create division. When we create division we then birth duality within ourselves and others. The mission of many people on most spiritual paths is to master the world of duality. Sometimes we notice these patterns right away and sometimes we fail miserably. I am not excluded from this cycle whatsoever. My question is, how can we stay true to our identity when we so often have these dual identities through social media? I think our personal lives are so intertwined with our lives of the internet, it's becoming more difficult to decipher when one ends and the other begins.

A Time When Life Was Simple

I recently came across a two part series TED radio (via npr.org) about this same subject matter. The episodes are called, “Screen Time Part 1” and “Screen Time Part 2”. After listening to the two hours of content I was quite inspired about what technology has done for us globally and individually. I was excited to think that I am part of a generation that knows what life was like growing up in an age before cell phones and internet. The Oregon Trail, Mario Bros., and Duck Hunt on blurry screens was the closest thing to technology/entertainment. Otherwise my screen time was limited to watching the series of family friendly tv shows called TGIF on the ABC network or Saturday morning cartoons. As an adult, it's difficult to separate myself from technology and I'm ashamed of it. Generations after me will not be able to conceptualize a life without unlimited access to ipads, cell phones, and internet. After receiving this epiphany, I was also terrified. In one of the episodes a topic on managing our dual lives (of internet and physical form) were presented. Then I realized the power of word is incredible, yet we continuously misuse it and take it for granted, even for those living a spiritual life. The internet is a wonderful tool of expression, yet it gives us a power to express ourselves in a way we normally wouldn't face to face. We rant and complain, yet share our deepest and most vulnerable experiences of growth through social media like Facebook. Social media in many ways helps us feel accepted and loved in a lonely world. It gives us the connection we desire when we feel disconnected from ourselves or the ones we care for whether we know them intimately or not. If we don't like what someone says then we simply change our privacy settings.

Would Your Grandmother Want to See Your Next Post?

Not so long ago I was at a crossroads of deciding how I was going to fully merge my spiritual life with my work life via the world of technology. Would I be ok knowing that present and future employers would most likely google my name and find this information easily? Well they did, but I was also completely open and honest about my passions for yoga and healing beforehand. As a result my employers have embraced my gifts and I am actively merging those worlds. This only could happen if I was in alignment with my identity. The same would happen if they saw my facebook posts. The question is would you want your boss, neighbor, grandmother, or child to see all the posts you put on facebook? How often do we unconsciously 'like' or share a post without seeing the full content? I think of how so many of our young ones/teens have unlimited access to facebook without supervision. I hate to see a child/teen of any age witness more violence in the world through pictures of rape, war, slavery, and any other form of inhumanity. It's not a matter of protecting our children or even ourselves from this negative energy, because we see it all the time! If you are sensitive, you probably can feel it as well without even needing to see these images. I'm not saying social media should only be used to post pictures of kittens, unicorns, fairies, and lolly-pops. The darkness of the world needs to be shared, but consciously. However, it needs to be done so with the strength of warrior. Encompassed in that strength is the grace of our word, sensitivity to others, and action without reactivity. It is a fact that not everyone will like what we share on the internet. It is our choice in how we respond, though. As a result we find ourselves in the difficult situation of choosing to tip-toe around what is ok to post on facebook or throwing caution to the wind. On another note, does it even matter?

 Finding a Better Way to Shed Light on the Darkness

Pope Francis even declared to Congress the other day the dire need for us to respect our differences and live in unity. So why can't we start on Facebook? Perhaps we can bless others, no matter how hurtful others are in their response to our rightful expression of our opinions. Often the lack of communication that occurs between one another is a lack of understanding. We get so caught up in proving that our belief is the right one, we fail to recognize the consequences of how it may hurt others. After all, it is just a facebook post. In the end this is a human matter! Social media is becoming an intertwined blessing and curse. Think of the most intimate moment of your life and ask yourself if you would want it to be shared with hundreds/thousands of others? Of course it is everyone's right to choose that. What if someone had PTSD and saw your post? What if that person is homebound with little personal/physical social support and that trauma got re-activated by seeing your post? Would you actually go out on the streets and support/protest the cause? Are you posting to feel more accepted/heard or can you call/physically meet with a friend instead? These are mere examples of how internet can create connection and separation if we are not more conscious of our dual internet lives. It's incredibly important to educate the public on the reality of life and controversial subjects. When has it gone too far and how can we as a collective whole be more aware of it, though? Before we submit our next facebook picture or post, let us ask ourselves what is the true intention for the post in the first place.

Sat Nam.

Workshop in Portland October 25th: Igniting the Spiritual Warrior Within

When: Sunday, October 25th, 2015

Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm

Location: Full Lotus Yoga
827 NE Alberta Ave
Portland, OR
Cost: $20 pre-registered, $25 at the door

**Limited Space Available (16 spots).**
Pre-register by emailing: birkaurkypdx@gmail.com

Have you been afraid to take the next step in committing to yourself? Whether it be committing to deepening your daily practice, letting go of the past, taking the next step in a relationship, or manifesting your dreams into reality, one must search within and ignite his/her own spiritual warrior.

Igniting the archetypal spiritual warrior within requires one to find a balance of strength, courage, commitment, and grace through the most difficult situations all with a smile. The spiritual warrior manifests prosperity through gratitude. The fulfillment of the spiritual warrior rests in assisting in the victory of others. This cultivates the beginning of a deep inner knowing that the spiritual warrior's will is in complete alignment with the will of God.

Through the tools of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, you will be able to directly experience these qualities within yourself in this workshop. The workshop will have a special meditative and physical focus on the third chakra while balancing the entire endocrine and nervous systems. No experience is necessary and all body types are welcome. This workshop will challenge the intermediate student but is also very appropriate for beginners. Come with an open heart and a will to drop that which is preventing you from igniting your own spiritual warrior.

Upcoming Workshop In Salem, OR and Portland Community Events

I'm gearing up for the workshop I will be teaching in Salem, Oregon this Sunday! A friend recently sent me this video of what a spiritual warrior is. This video resonates the essence of a spiritual warrior. It's a perfect representation of what you can reveal about your own spiritual warrior within at the workshop. 

(Video retrieved from https://vimeo.com/55904250 on 8/13/15)

 

Upcoming Kundalini Workshop: Igniting the Spiritual Warrior Within

When: August 16, 2015
Time: 1pm-3pm
Location: IYouMeWeUs - South
4340 Commercial St. SE,
Salem, OR 97302

Cost: $20 pre-registered, $25 at the door

Register via the website here: IYouMeWeUs

Have you been afraid to take the next step in committing to yourself? Whether it be committing to deepening your daily practice, letting go of the past, taking the next step in a relationship, or manifesting your dreams into reality one must search within and ignite his/her own spiritual warrior.

Igniting the archetypal spiritual warrior within requires one to find a balance of strength, courage, commitment, and grace through the most difficult situations all with a smile. The spiritual warrior manifests prosperity through gratitude. The fulfillment of the spiritual warrior rests in assisting in the victory of others. This cultivates the beginning of a deep inner knowing that the spiritual warrior's will is in complete alignment with the will of God.

Through the tools of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, you will be able to directly experience these qualities within yourself. The class will have a special meditative and physical focus on the third chakra while balancing the entire endocrine and nervous systems. No experience is necessary and all body types are welcome. Come with an open heart and a willing to drop that which is preventing you from igniting your own spiritual warrior.


Zero Balancing Sessions offered after the workshop:

Developed by Fritz Smith, MD in the early 1970s, Zero Balancing is a powerful body-mind therapy that uses skilled touch to address the relationship between energy and structures of the body.

Zero Balancing can help relieve body aches and pain, release restrictions in movement, and provide lasting relief from emotional distress to improve overall quality of life.

Zero Balancing can also be helpful with specific goals such as relief from back pain, improving concentration or sleep, releasing unwanted stress, eliminating old behavior patterns, or boosting well-being. Zero Balancing works in conjunction with medical therapy and is not a substitute for it. A typical session is an hour long, laying on your back on a massage table, fully clothed. Those with physical limitations can be accommodated.

Two Sessions will be offered at 3:45pm and 5:00pm.
Please email birkaurkypdx@gmail.com to register
Visit www.zerobalancing.com for more information about Zero Balancing

Kundalini Yoga Portland Community Events

Community Meditation for Yogi Bhajan's Birthday (August 15-25)Every year we celebrate Yogi Bhajan’s birthday. This is a very cozy occasion when we chant together in gratitude for all the priceless teachings he shared with us.

For eleven days (August 15-25) chant Guru Guru Wahe Guru, Guru Ram Das Guru for 31 minutes each day. Call on Guru Ram Das using Yogi Bhajan’s personal mantra.

Join with others at 7pm or chant on your own. We are looking for hosts !! Please contact KYPDX  if you are willing and able to open your space and welcome yogis. Plan on having guests for about an hour. Locations of the evening chant will be posted on the calendar. Some hosts provide yogi tea or a small snack but this is not required.

Simultaneous Worldwide Guru Ram Das Chant: August 26
On Yogi Ji's birthday at exactly 3:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Savings Time our worldwide community simultaneously chants Guru Guru Wahe Guru, Guru Ram Das Guru for 11 minutes. Then we chant Long Ek Ong Kars for 2.5 hours. Held at Shakti House. Doors open at 2:45am.