Meet the Teacher: Adi Singh

Adi Singh is one of our senior teachers and he teaches 2 Kundalini Yoga classes at Yoga Phoenix every week: Thursday, 5:30pm - 6:45pm.

 

Adi Singh has been practicing and teaching Kundalini Yoga for over 30 years. He brings a vast knowledge of health, healing, and the physiological effects of Yoga. 

Adi Singh is a strong and solid yogi.

In this picture, Adi Singh is leading students through some yogic exercises.

 

In this video, Adi Singh is leading a meditation for the mind. 

Below is another video of Adi Singh guiding students through a meditation for the intuition. The energy of the class is incredible.

Meet the Teacher: Sukhraj Kaur

Sukhraj Kaur (Nicole Santer) teaches Kundalini Yoga: Raise Your Vibration every other Saturday, 9 am - 10:15 am.

Sukhraj Kaur is a Level 1 Certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor as taught by Yogi Bhajan. She started practicing Kundalini Yoga in 2011 and immediately found the practice to have profound experiential benefits. She knew right away that this would be her lifelong spiritual path. She has practiced different forms of meditation, Yoga and Pranayam, and states that “Kundalini Yoga combines all these wonderful tools into a complete technology that leaves me feeling deeply intuitive, graceful, powerful, protected, blissful and expansive.” Sukhraj is also a Registered Nurse and Oil Painter. She incorporates her knowledge of health and wellness with her creativity to deliver a focused, uplifting, peaceful, powerful class.

Visitors are delighted to see this beautiful painting hanging outside Yoga Phoenix. This painting is actually Sukhraj Kaur's work. 

Meet the Teacher: Sevak Singh

Sevak Singh is one of our master teachers and lead teacher trainers. He teaches Kundalini Yoga and Meditation every Wednesday, 7pm - 8:15pm. 

Sevak Singh began his yogic study in 1972 and practiced directly with Yogi Bhajan, Master of Kundalini Yoga, until his death in 2004. He has now practiced and taught Kundalini Yoga and Meditation for over 40 years. His reputation as a gifted international teacher has brought scores of students to practice and participate in his classes, workshops and trainings worldwide. The International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association (IKYTA) recently recognized Sevak for his excellence and effectiveness as an International teacher and teacher of teachers. Sevak believes everyone has the right and capacity to be happy and fulfilled, that we need to ‘lighten up’ and enlightenment follows. His website is www.SevakSingh.com. 

 

Sevak recommends the following books for students at any level of practice: Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda and The Hue-Man: In Form & Function by Dr. Hari Simran Singh Khalsa (Dr. Yogi). In addition, Sevak recommends his DVD, "Clearing Your Path to Happiness," a 120-minute Kundalini Yoga & Meditation class taught by Sevak, and his CD, "Relief & Clearing - Balance Beyond Stress," a mediation CD guided by Sevak. Both items are available for purchase at www.SevakSingh.com.

Many students frequent Sevak's Wednesday class. We appreciate his wisdom and sense of humor.

Meet the Teacher: Jaap Kaur

Jaap Kaur is one of Yoga Phoenix's master teachers and teacher trainers. She teaches TGIF- Kundalini Yoga and Gong every Friday at 5:30pm - 6:45pm. Jaap Kaur also leads the Full Hour Chakra Gong Healing (7pm - 8:30pm) on every 3rd Saturday of the month.

Jaap Kaur trained at the Master's Touch and the Japji Courses with Yogi Bhajan in 2002 and 2003.

She completed the 5-module Level 2 Kundalini Yoga teacher training (500 hours cert) and is a Kundalini Yoga Associate Teacher Trainer, progressing toward Professional Trainer.

She is IKYTA certified yoga teacher for Kundalini Yoga and Yoga Alliance Certified

Jaap Kaur enjoys sharing her experiences of vibrating and living Yogi Bhajan's teachings to bring inner knowing and peace. She understands and relates the technical reasons behind the science of Kundalini Yoga to motivate students to see themselves doing everything perfectly--angles and triangles, mudras, meditations, breath, eyes, and relaxation.

  

Jaap Kaur's use of the gong progresses through the chakras for balancing and allows for deeper healing and integration during this meditative relaxation.

Jaap Kaur is an accomplished gong player. Many enjoy her monthly Full Hour Chakra Gong event. 

Ashana Live in Concert

Date: Sunday, November 16, 2014

Time: 6pm - 8:30pm 

Location: 2308 N Richland St, Phoenix AZ 85006

Please check our website: www.yogaphoenix.com for preregistration prices. 

Day of concert: $35

Yoga Phoenix phone number: 602-271-4480

(You can also stop by Yoga Phoenix in person to register. Cash, personal check, major credit card accepted)

 

Yoga Phoenix is honored to host Ashana's live concert this fall. Don't miss this angelic musician's live performance. This concert is also sponsored by Gluten Free Creations. 

Ashana’s concerts have been described as “ecstatic,” “profoundly healing,” and “breathtakingly beautiful!” Weaving together sacred mantra, chant, song and poetry from the world’s spiritual traditions with passionate soaring vocals and the luminous sound of crystal singing bowls, Ashana’s live events are a heart-opening flow of joyous love and crystalline healing. 

 Ashana's "River of Light Tour" features music from her latest CD, Kundalini Yoga mantras and sacred songs, with Wendy Tahara on harp and keyboards and special guest musicians.

“Ashana embodies shakti, the feminine aspect of the divine, during her incredible performances. Playing crystal bowls, while singing and dancing, she creates a true initiation in her temple, the concert. Being with her is a one-way ticket to heaven.”
- Barbara Hand Clow: Author of The Mayan Code: Time Acceleration and Awakening the World Mind

“Ashana’s music is lyrical, mystical and more a happening than a concert. She sings along with her bowls, rather than playing them, and the combination of voices opens the heart, expands the mind and bewitches the senses. Hers is a stunning voice, a radiant spirit, and a blessed soul. She defies categories: at once chant, new age, congregational, and instrumental. Beautiful, sublime, and powerful. if she is singing near you – Go!”
– Ramdesh Kaur, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Spirit Voyage Music

To learn more about Ashana or to listen to samples of her music, please visit her website: www.AshanaMusic.com. 

Below is Ashana's latest crystal bowl meditation video, "Crystalline Peace".  Enjoy and see you all at the concert! Sat Nam!

Overcoming Cold Depression: Penetrating the Silence of the Soul with Navneet Kaur

Join Yoga Phoenix this September for a special workshop, sponsored by the Guru Ram Das Center for Medicine and Humanology.

Cold Depression is our single biggest challenge as we transition into the Aquarian Age. Chronic, Unrelenting Stress… It affects vitality of spirit and leads us to behave in ways we would not otherwise. Learn what Cold Depression is, how to identify it and exactly what you need to help your yoga students, clients and yourself overcome its effects. Regain your connection to your purpose, destiny and spirit! Learn to support yourself as together we move through this time of challenge and transition!

ABOUT
Navneet Kaur Khalsa

A clinical social worker for more than 30 years, and practitioner of yoga for more than 15 years, Navneet Kaur Khalsa is a KRI certified Kundalini yoga teacher. Navneet is working in conjunction with the Guru Ram Das Center for Medicine and Humanology to develop the International Kundalini Yoga Therapy Professional Training Program launching in January 2015

Overcoming Cold Depression Workshop with Navneet Kaur

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014

Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm

$60

Location: 2308 N Richland St, Phoenix AZ, 85006

Register at www.yogaphoenix.com (Workshops and Events section) or stop by Yoga Phoenix to register in person.  

"The worst thing happening right now is ‘cold depression.’ It is a state of mind in which you are depressed, but you are not aware of it. You want to destroy everything you touch, because you don’t feel anything responds to you. What we need in our society today is compassion. That gives the power to listen with strength and tolerance." –Yogi Bhajan, 10/17/2000

Follow this link to listen to Navneet Kaur talk about cold depression in a podcast. 

Attention: 

For those who would like to attend this workshop but are not able to, Yoga Phoenix is offering a short version of the workshop on Friday, September 26, 7pm-8:30pm, for $15. 
Register on Yoga Phoenix's website under Special Events section, or pay at the door. Cash, personal checks, credit cards accepted.

The Structure of a Kundalini Yoga Class

Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan follows a certain structure because this way we can be sure to stimulate our energy safely, effectively, and gain the results/benefits that we want.This structure together with the hands-off teaching policy (Yogi Bhajan specifically instructed that we verbally correct students and never adjust students' postures by physical touch) will allow students the time and space to go within and understand their true Self. That is why Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is presented in the way that was handed down by Yogi Bhajan. We want students to have an experience of their higher Selves in a safe and sacred space, without anyone pushing his/her own agenda on the students, or forcing them into anything that they are not comfortable with.

For those who are curious and  have never taken a single Kundalini Yoga class, here are the details of a Kundalini Yoga class: 

1. Every Kundalini Yoga class begins by tuning in with Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo (Adi Mantra)

We are made of energy. To unlock the energy in our body we need the right key. The correct sound and rhythm that we create with our own voice is the key to unlock the energy inside us. The mantras given by Yogi Bhajan are the correct keys, and these mantras will for sure have a positive effect on the body and mind.

Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo is a mantra that is chanted 3-5 times at the beginning of every class. Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo can be translated as "I bow to the divine teacher within me and all around me", or "I bow/pay respect to this learning process that takes me from not knowing (my Self) to knowing (my Self)".

Chanting this mantra will vibrate the skull, stimulate the pituitary gland, and cause chemical changes in our blood stream. This helps us to relax, put our mind in a meditative state and connect us to the teacher/wisdom in us and of the past, present and future. As you can see, Kundalini Yoga is not just some physical exercises, it is a personal journey toward knowing your true Self. 

Here is a video of senior teacher, Sangeet Kaur, leading the tune-in before starting the Double Gong Healing session.

2. Warm-up

Warm-up consists of a series of short exercises. It is up to the teacher to decide the exercises for the class. Warm-up may take about 10 minutes and usually include stretches and breath work (pranayam). We should always warm up the muscles properly, open up the circulation to get energy flowing and to make sure that we don't injure ourselves.  

In this picture, master teacher, Adi Singh is leading students through some warm-up exercises.

3. Kriya

A kriya is a specific set of yogic exercises that were put together to create specific results. Yogi Bhajan left us with countless kriya sets, each for a specific purpose. For example, there are kriya for the kidneys, kriya for flexibility, to build strength and stamina, kriya to get rid of fear, kriya to get rid of anger, kriya for prosperity, for the auric field...etc. 

It is up to the teacher to select the kriya for the class. However, a properly trained Kundalini Yoga teacher will never alter the kriya and deviate from the original teaching. This way students can learn to raise their energy correctly and safely.  

 This picture above shows an example of a kriya in Kundalini Yoga. 

 Here in this photo, master teacher, Sevak Singh, is demonstrating an exercise from a kriya.

4. Relaxation

After practicing a kriya we need to lie down to let the energy settle down and to let the body adjust to the changes we experience from the kriya. Be sure to let go of all the tension in your body and let your breath become normal. Some teachers will play mantra music and some teachers play the gong during relaxation

In this video, Sadhana Kaur is playing the gong for students after a kriya.

5. Meditation

After a nice rest, our mind and body are ready for meditation. Again, it is up to the teacher to select the meditation for the class and present it exactly the way it was taught by Yogi Bhajan because the correct posture, hand position (mudra), eye focus, breath and mantra will create the specific results that we want in each meditation.

Just like the kriyas, Yogi Bhajn left behind countless meditations that work on different aspects of the Self.
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In this picture, Haritej Kaur is demonstrating a meditation for balance and clarity.

6. Ending the class with the  Long Time Sun Shine Song

Finally, at the end of the class, we bless ourselves and each other with the Long Time Sun Shine Song and long Sat Nam, completing this cleansing, uplifting, self-discovery process with beautiful energy.

Thank you for reading, we hope this article helps everyone learn about Kundalini Yoga. If you are in Phoenix, please come join us and have an experience of your true Self. Sat Nam!