While I was in India I was exploring the possibility to spend time in Rishikesh. One of the Yoga Ashrams that caught my attention was run by Yogi Vishvketu. Unfortunately, I became sick and was unable to add Rishikesh to my list of adventures. Fortunately, Yogi Vishvketu teaches half the year in Rishikesh at his centre and the other half in Canada with his beautiful family, so I was able to participate in his Chakra Workshop this weekend at the lovely Jaya Yoga Centre. While I have taught chakra workshops many times, I also love to be a student and take class, and kundalini based exercises is something I do not always do, so I wanted to take myself out of the comfort zone. The workshop is part of a beautiful series, and this particular afternoon we focused on the Swadhistana (Sacral) and Manipurna (Navel) chakras. Swadhistana affects our desires, passion and creativity with lunar energy, while our manipurna chakra or city of jewels is linked to the energy of confidence, determination and self worth with a lot of solar energy. Much of the class included kundalini kriya work, postures, mantras, pranayama, bija (seed) sounds, visualization inspired meditation, and more.
“Men of great knowledge actually found out about the chakras – their workings, their petals, their sounds, their infinity, their co-relationship, their powers. They found that the life of a human is totally based on these chakras. They developed into a whole science. This total science gave birth to Kundalini Yoga. That is how Kundalini Yoga was born.” – Yogi Bhajan
While I was filling out information forms in the entrance of the studio, Yogi Vishvketu walked in with a big smile and joyful greeting to everyone. Upon entering the class there was lovely mantra based music playing from art of living. I sat in meditation for 30 minutes, enjoying this beautiful music. Once we began class the collective consciousness of 20 participants was flowing, and it felt wonderful. Between oscillating movements, dynamic and integrative pranayama techniques, Kundalini exercises can be very intense, bringing up emotions, and target energy flow within the chakras. Our teacher was joyful and guided us to bring the same happiness to our inhalations and exhalations. Since it is spring, many of us needed tissues to clear our nasal passage while we explored the dynamic pranayama exercises. The experience was meant to guide everyone through transformation. Yogi Vishvketu has a vast knowledge of vedas, and subtle body science, so when questions were asked at the end of class he provided very accurate and indepth responses to further everyone's interest in the subject of chakras. At the end of class when I asked Yogi Vishvketu to take a photograph, he was happy to oblige. The lovely yogini Savitri who snapped the photo initially cut out both our heads, and Yogi Vishvketu was witty and quick to point out the camera lens was focusing on the chakras we worked on today, to which we all shared in a laugh. I am very grateful to have met this wonderful teacher, Yogi Vishvketu, and a few other friendly yogis this weekend at Jaya Yoga Centre. Hari Om.
“Men of great knowledge actually found out about the chakras – their workings, their petals, their sounds, their infinity, their co-relationship, their powers. They found that the life of a human is totally based on these chakras. They developed into a whole science. This total science gave birth to Kundalini Yoga. That is how Kundalini Yoga was born.” – Yogi Bhajan
While I was filling out information forms in the entrance of the studio, Yogi Vishvketu walked in with a big smile and joyful greeting to everyone. Upon entering the class there was lovely mantra based music playing from art of living. I sat in meditation for 30 minutes, enjoying this beautiful music. Once we began class the collective consciousness of 20 participants was flowing, and it felt wonderful. Between oscillating movements, dynamic and integrative pranayama techniques, Kundalini exercises can be very intense, bringing up emotions, and target energy flow within the chakras. Our teacher was joyful and guided us to bring the same happiness to our inhalations and exhalations. Since it is spring, many of us needed tissues to clear our nasal passage while we explored the dynamic pranayama exercises. The experience was meant to guide everyone through transformation. Yogi Vishvketu has a vast knowledge of vedas, and subtle body science, so when questions were asked at the end of class he provided very accurate and indepth responses to further everyone's interest in the subject of chakras. At the end of class when I asked Yogi Vishvketu to take a photograph, he was happy to oblige. The lovely yogini Savitri who snapped the photo initially cut out both our heads, and Yogi Vishvketu was witty and quick to point out the camera lens was focusing on the chakras we worked on today, to which we all shared in a laugh. I am very grateful to have met this wonderful teacher, Yogi Vishvketu, and a few other friendly yogis this weekend at Jaya Yoga Centre. Hari Om.
