Khalsa Women’s Training Camp in Mexico
S.S. Guru Kirn Kaur Khalsa
S.S. Hari Simran Kaur Khalsa, Espanola NM U.S.A.
S.S. Shakta Kaur Khalsa, Herndon VA U.S.A.
People usually say: "Ladies Camp in Mexico? I didn't even know they had one. But it's true. Khalsa Women's Training Camp of Mexico, in its seventh year, is shining like a brilliant diamond in the rich culture of 3HO, which has flourishing for over twenty years in Mexico.
Nestled in the warm, damp forest, Sierras of Veracruz on the Gulf Coast of Mexico, this camp has many beautiful features. Amidst the heavily fragrant, blossomed trees are wide grass lawns, meadows, bunk rooms, a large kitchen-dining room, classrooms and a beautiful all-wood dome that is home to the lovely Gurdwara. Here, over seventy women from all parts of Mexico, including teenagers and young children, found a haven for self-cleansing and repose this summer.
The program was challenging, but very relaxing, beginning each morning with a strong sadhana meditation program and an early morning Gurdwara service that no one wanted to miss for its sweetness. The women rallied after breakfast for exercise, featuring walking, dancing, and Gatka, the sword martial art highly favored by the yoga students in Mexico. The main workshop of the day began at 10:30am, and the workshop was dynamically geared to involve each woman in a personal process of change. Immediately following this, we formed small "magic circles", an intimate group process to give each woman a chance to share her feelings and get support. The unity and spirit that this kind of work brought to the camp touched our hearts. Everyone knew that lives were being changed forever.
Lunch was always excellent and, after siesta, classes were offered in numerology, yogic family values, women's studies, and Sat Nam Rasayan healing technique. Each evening was both peaceful and joyful, with activities including talent night, bonfire circle prayer and dance night.
On the last day, we went to the Pyramids of Veracruz where we prayed next to the temples of the Sun and the Moon for the upliftment of all. Parting for home on the following day was difficult--no one wanted to say goodbye. We were the only Americans at Mexico's Ladies’ Camp this year, and although we came as teachers, we realized that we would have easily been as happy to be campers. Language differences did not provide a barrier to heart-felt communication!