Tapa Yog Karam Kriya: Following through on your Intentions

     This kriya fell into my lap this week as I noticed I was falling into my usual mental patterns of questioning how I was going to get through Traditional Chinese Medicine School. I was worrying if it was the right choice adding another year to school to complete the TCMP degree versus getting the standard acupuncture degree this August like most of my classmates. Now I am able to catch these thought waves without letting it overwhelm me or causing a spiral into feeding demoting habits. These habits prevent me from managing my time wisely which ultimately stress me out more. It's getting better but is a learning process. We all come across a similar thought process (flight, fight (resist) or freeze) while on any journey of fulfilling an intention or commitment, especially those particularly difficult ones that are worth while yet make us question, "Why in the world am I doing this?" 

      Once I completed the kriya I noticed my mind was clear and re-directed on the path I originally sought out. I've been doing the kriya every day. The meditation has shown me what I need to do and has made me ultra aware of the habits that keep me from getting the things I need to get done. With that said, I'm ending this post now as I have a lot to do! Hope you enjoy the video!

Feeling stuck? This quick meditation can help

We all have had that moment in our day(s) where everything is fine, then in a nanosecond suddenly everything seems to suddenly be not fine. An issue comes up, and we can sometimes get caught up in a reactive type state of mind. Maybe it's a long standing issue from the past that is bothering you? Try this quick meditation to let go of the past, allow your nervous system to respond effectively instead of react, ultimately bringing you into a more neutral state of mind. This video was made by my wonderful yoga therapy teacher, Guru Dharam Singh. Enjoy.

Meditation Video: Sunia Antar Kriya to Recover Your Emotional Balance

Sat Nam. Here is short video explaining how to relieve stress and quickly get you out of patterns of negative thinking. It's a great antidote for a stressful day at work, with kids, or feeling overwhelmed with life.

Meditation Video: Fight Brain Fatigue

Here's another meditation that is great to do no matter your experience level. It's another good meditation to help with anxiety and depression while healing your navel, spleen, liver, and lymphatic system.

At the very end of the meditation the student is supposed to hold his/her fists at the chest, navel and against the rib cage. I did a slightly different version when it comes to holding the arms against the rib cage. However, you can also do it as it states in the printed format HERE.
That's the funny thing about Kundalini Yoga. Sometimes different manuals have the kriya/meditation described ever so slightly different than others. Some have more pictures than others. Either way, as teachers, we do our best to deliver the teachings most effectively and correctly according to the written kriya.  I decided to share this video anyway, because overall it is quite good and you get the benefit either way. My apologies for this minor error.

Meditation Video: Breath of Ten Meditation to Become Disease-Free

When we are experiencing anxiety, stress, or negative feelings we have often are disconnected from our emotional body, sense of purpose, and ultimately our essence. One easy way to assess and clear this is to see how connected we are to our breath. Is it shallow, deep? Are you breathing from all aspects of your body including your navel and heart? Does your breath give you a sense of spaciousness in your front, sides, and back of your rib cage?  Does your breath allow space for a still mind so intuition can come through?

This is an easily accessible meditation, especially for beginners, to help you feel more connected to your breath. It will help you feel energized yet relaxed by affecting your magnetic field.

If you want a written version of this meditation click HERE.

New Meditation Video: Healing Depression by Clearing the Arc Line

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Invictus, 8/27/16

Each of the 10 bodies have a very specific role. When they are in alignment they help us to live to our highest potential, our destiny. The 6th body (Arc Line) is often symbolized in pictures of a halo around the head. You can see it in almost any famous painting of a saint, angel, or spiritual teacher.

Women have a second Arc Line that reaches from nipple to nipple of the chest. It is in these two regions where we store past relationships and karma. 

I wanted to focus on the particular importance of a strong and clear Arc Line to deflect symptoms of depression. It's our projection of our Arc Line that creates your reality. Hence we can either create 'heaven' or 'hell' on earth depending on the strength of our Arc Line (among many other things). It's the foundation of the radiant body. So when we connect with our own radiance (joy, happiness, light) we naturally project that out into the world. If it is clear then we repel negativity easily from either our thoughts or external environment.

I'm excited to talk more about the Arc Line and how to help with symptoms of depression in my upcoming 4 week series in September.

In the meantime, here's my latest video as I teach the Meditation for the Arc Line!

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

The Power of Breath and Mantra in Kundalini Yoga

The Importance of Sadhana. How to start a 40, 90, 120, 1000 day Kundalini Yoga meditation?

Come to any class in August and bring a friend for FREE!!