Yoga off the Mat

Yoga off the Mat

In 2005 at the end of another heart break and recovery from a car accident, I was at a personal cross road.  I needed a change, and I knew I would never reach my full potential unless I had a clear path to get there.   

At that point Yoga was already a big part of my life.  And it was about to get bigger.  

At the end of one class, my teacher called me up to the front of the room.  I slowly rolled up my mat and made my way over to her.  “Yes, Bibi”?

 Bibi Rahim, is has practiced Flow Yoga for over 20 years.  She teaches with her eyes closed and her classes are always full. 

“You need to take this more seriously.” She said, calmly, simply. 

I was practicing at different studios four times a week and had started meditating for a few minutes every day.  I was taken off guard by her next statement. 

“You need to teach.” 

I was more than incredulous.  “Who? Me?  But, I’m not flexible, I can’t do this posture or that posture. “ I had a long list of reasons why I couldn’t do it. 

She looked me right in the eye and said “Yoga has nothing to do with the postures.”

There was a proverbial sound of thunder and a chorus of angels singing, or so I like to think.    Something about what she said touched an nerve, and an inner knowing-ness. When I asked her years later about this conversation, she claims not to remember any part of it and I believe her.  As a teacher, you are called on to deliver messages that have nothing to do with who you are as person.  That conversation led me to Kundalini Yoga. 

Kundalini is your power house, your store house of pure potential spiritual energy.  The purpose of all yoga is to raise Kundalini energy.  Kundalini Yoga works directly with this energy source though sound, mental focus, angles of the body and meditation.  Kundalini Yoga is an ancient technology applied to the art of being human.  It is also called the Yoga of Awareness.  It is a practical and systematic method for bringing about personal transformation safely and quickly.  And lots of it can be done off the mat. 

Kundalini Yoga is for the Yogi who lives in the modern world with demands of family, work, and regular life.  How do you bring self realization to a board meeting, or an important conversation?   It can be done by using the breath, setting an intention, being in service to others and using the power with the body to create a specific effect.

Mudras are hand positions that activate different meridian points in the body.  You have likely seen pictures of people meditating with the first finger and thumb touching.  This mudra is called Gyan Mudra – for wisdom. 

Here is a simple mudra for enhanced communication from the tradition of Kundalini Yoga:

Just before your meeting, sit quietly for a few minutes to prepare.  Lengthen and deepen your breath, inhaling for a count of five and exhaling for a count of five.  Imagine the very best outcome unfolding, using your strengths and talents to uplift others.  At the same time, cover the nail of your little finger with the pad of your thumb.  After 1 minute, bring the tip of your baby finger to touch the tip of your thumb.  The baby finger represents communication.   Continue to breathe long and deep for one more minute.  Inhale deeply.  Use the power of this short technique to be at your very best in all circumstance.  To view the video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSrkIxfqWfU