Get the Monkey Off Your Back!
By Hayley Alexander
A Stress Busting Yoga Day was held at the ISHTA Centre in Atholl on Saturday 17th October, presented by Kundalini yoga teacher Pritam Khalsa, who gave a two hour class on Yoga Kriyas for connecting to the third and fifth chakras, which is where we hold on to most of our tension. Kriya (the Sanskrit root of the word is ‘doing’) can be explained as the spontaneous fulfilment of action through the engagement of asana that links one’s infinite self to this finite moment.
Combining pranayama with asana and mantra, the group worked together to create a harmony that resonated both externally and within, gradually allowing any stress to be released while consciously detoxifying and purifying the body-mind along with the subtle energies. The exercises work in an elegant, round-about manner to deliver a precise effect on body, mind and spirit.
A favourite amongst the Kriya techniques was the “Baboon Breath”, practised by first bouncing an imaginary ball, bringing the hands into Buddhi Mudra:(the pinky touches the thumb and the other three fingers are straight, eyes are closed); followed by making the hands into a fist and bringing the arms out to the sides, moving vigorously while breathing loudly to create a sound similar to that of a baboon.
Yogi Bhajan’s comments to this exercise: “Get this Monkey out of your mind and system. Don’t be shy . . . This will stimulate the parathyroid . . . and you will burn up your sick dreams and your memories. By playing that ball, you will be able to control the psycho-magnetic energy.”
With burning arms held straight out in front at shoulder height for seven minutes (which felt like seven hours!), the lesson concluded with the singing of Bountiful, Blissful, Beautiful allowing all those present to experience this perfect and wonderful state of being.
Thereafter everyone enjoyed cooling off outside while tucking in to a delicious buffet lunch catered by Free Foods. With all the heat created in the first-half of the day, the opening of the heavens was symbolic of all the stress being washed away.
Having satisfied the appetite, the second-half marked the time to celebrate! Led by Natalie Vlismas, the band SATYA performed a selection of their most popular Kundalini based tracks, encouraging group participation and socialisation games that made it impossible not to smile. The vibe was that of ecstasy blended with serenity to bring about a state of transcendence. Although it was only a one day workshop, there is no doubt that the effects will be long withstanding towards a greater sense of vitality, strength, love, acceptance, happiness and peace in our daily lives.
Sat Nam
Thereafter everyone enjoyed cooling off outside while tucking in to a delicious buffet lunch catered by Free Foods. With all the heat created in the first-half of the day, the opening of the heavens was symbolic of all the stress being washed away.
Yoga for Stress
Some of our day-to day stressors build our capacity, our muscles and our teeth for life. But sometimes our ’stress monster’ gets so out of hand that we don’t know who we are anymore.That becomes a great pain of life when our authentic, royal, regal and sovereign self is dethroned or left forever undiscovered.
We deserve to be rid of that deep-seated stress to be able to look with all new eyes and so handle the diversity of life.
In this class we will work with the elements and enter the stress-free zone. All levels welcome - even if you have never practiced Kundalini Yoga .
Pritam Hari Kaur Khalsa teaches Kundalini Yoga and teacher training. She has published a picture book in yoga, called the Kundalini Yoga Fan.
She shares a wealth of knowledge in natural foods and healing through her and her husbands Har Bhajan’s brand, Fruits & Roots Natural Foods.
Satya Kirtan Group
Kirtan is the art of devotional music that invites us as a sangat, a congregation, to celebrate and praise source through chantIt is the
experience of the individual elevating to a state of merger. The gathering of
the voices around us draws us into our own experience and what we share with
the group. We might have felt that we cannot sing - but we can still chant!
We explore breath and voice to awaken our expression in this class of kirtan and chant.
SATYA has been chanting and sharing for the past two years and is focussed through the musical
excellence of Natalie Vlismas/ Siri Kirtan Kaur (voice, piano) and Gidon Lazarus (guitar) and friends.
Satya Kirtan Group
What is the name of this baboon breath kryia? ( and in which book can I find it?)