Sometimes we lose sight of a gem’s value until we see its luster reflected through another’s eyes. This gem may come in the form of an old book, an antique chair, a shabby childhood teddy, or an outdated coat. It may be a forgotten poem, a dusty photo album, an intimate relationship, or even a skill. We may become so familiar with our gems that we temporarily forget how precious they really are.
How many years have you sat at the feet of the Kundalini Yoga Master, Yogi Bhajan? How many Solstices, Ladies’ Camps, Tantrics, Sat Nam Rasayan Courses, and Yoga Classes have you attended? Whether your answer is many years, a few months, or a lifetime, we all possess a jewel, the technology of a Yogic/Dharmic lifestyle, as taught by Yogi Bhajan. I have been practicing these teachings for over thirty years, and it is so much a part of me that I sometimes forget how special it is.
For the past two years, I have been in South Africa as a member of the Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training Team. In Cape Town, five and in Johannesburg, twelve trainees completed the first formal KY teacher training in Africa. Our participants were a very diverse population, consisting of Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Black, Pagan, Physically impaired (two lower legs amputated), Anglo, and every level of economic status. As KY transformed their consciousnesses, I acknowledged this technology with a new level of appreciation. Their enthusiasm gave a brighter sheen to a technology I had almost grown to take for granted.
As the trainees grew in skill and confidence, they naturally wanted to share with others what had affected their lives in such a positive way. They started reaching out to the community with Kundalini Yoga. The absolutely thrilling realization for me was that the technology of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation is for anyone. Whether a large gym class, a class of ADDH teens, a Mom’s and Baby’s class, an overweight class taught by an overweight teacher, or a one-on-one Chair Yoga class with an MS patient, yoga classes were popping up all over.
As AIDS is a huge problem in South Africa (45% of the population, mostly Black), some trainees turned their focus to this population. One teacher conducted a neighborhood class of Black kids, who became junior yoga teachers at a home for abandoned HIV+ children. Another taught a yoga, meditation, and foot massage class for caregivers working with people living with AIDS. One of our Black male teachers grew up in the largest township in South Africa, and out of his concern for the unemployment (50% of Blacks), and the high incident of crime, he started teaching yoga classes at a facility, where 14-18 year teens were waiting court dates. Some of these young men are feeling hope and choice for the first time in their lives. My point is that the possibilities of yoga populations are limitless. You don’t have to be young, skinny, or a pretzel to do Kundalini Yoga or even to teach it.
The Siri Singh Sahib has been telling us that we will be called upon to serve. The time has come. The larger community is suffering, and we have an antidote to their pain. We must come out of our cozy homes and share the the technology of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. We all have a population of people for which we have a special affinity. Reach out to them. Whether you decide to teach a class or to an individual - share a breath technique to energize, a mantra to give hope, a yoga exercise to center, a food to decongest, a tea to detox, or a healing technique to balance. We can’t afford to keep our gems to ourselves. Take them out, allowing their brillance to heal and uplift. Allow yourself to be a part of the Golden Chain of Kundalini Yoga Teachers. Now is the time.
If you need support or ideas, you can call me at 505-753-6241 or email me at [email protected].