I have the BEST job in the world!

Rainbow Dragon game

Yes indeed, I do. And I don’t think I’m biased, because other people tell me what a great job I have. I get to have fun, play with adults who are playing at being children, share wisdom teachings that are close to my heart, co-create with wonderful people who are growing leaps and bounds, and travel to beautiful places. And come to think of it— all these beautiful experiences came together in Lake Tahoe last week.

RCY Tahoe teachers

You can probably tell how much fun we were having by the great photos. (And may I put in a plug for our awesome new Radiant Child Yoga tee shirts? I will anyway!) Our course was in the boathouse and the dock was just a doorway away. There was freedom to meander out to the beach on breaks, dangle feet over the dock while reading the RCY manual…lovely!

I love it when a group is ripe to learn about themselves for the benefit of their own spirit, and for the benefit of the children in their lives. All of the RCY groups have added tremendously to the experience of the Radiant Child Yoga training. This Tahoe group was ripe for what I had to give, and it grew me too. I could feel myself delving deeper inward and bringing out new insights that were caught by the group, held…and then returned with renewed energy and insight. As any teacher knows, that’s when it gets really good!

Lake Tahoe

Thanks to the Universal wisdom for creating Lake Tahoe nestled in the center of tall pine trees and even taller mountains, like a cosmic jewel of turquoise cupped in a circle of snow-capped ridges. A few times I thought “Am I still in the USA or have I been transported to the Alps?”

So here’s to the beauty of children, the earth, the people on it, and a special bow to the person who made the Tahoe training happen, Jodie Taylor of Full Moon Yoga. After studying with me a year or two ago, she clearly saw what she wanted to do—create teachers in Tahoe and beyond. She personally sponsored seven people in the training. This dedication and abundant vision was the groundwork of this training. No wonder it went so well!

Tahoe Fans: Shakta and Jodie

PS: Save the date…same time, same place, Spring 2014.  And I’ve convinced my husband to come along and teach a Kundalini yoga retreat with me!

How and Why to Take a Cold Shower

According to the science of yoga, youth is measured by how vibrant and healthy the glandular system is. In Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, a master who came from India in the late 1960′s, and who establish a system for living in health, happiness, and wholeness, one of the best things you can do in the morning is take a cold shower.

I often take a warm shower first to get clean and to relax muscles, then end with a 2 minute in-and-out massaging cold shower.  It gets you ready for yoga…and everything else that your day may present!

In the words of Yogi B: “When you are under the cold shower, your body will feel the cold.  But if given enough time, the blood and capillaries will open to the maximum and the body will not feel cold.  If you bring your body to that temperature where it can meet the cold by its own circulatory power, you have won the day.  You have empowered your own health and happiness.”

HOW TO TAKE A COLD SHOWER:

OIL: First massage your body with pure oil, almond is preferred for its high mineral content.  The oil will be driven into the skin through the pores while showering, and it will provide a protective coating to the skin.

SHOWER SHORTS:  Using a pair of mid-thigh or knee length underwear or shorts while in the shower will protect the femur bone in the thigh, which controls the calcium-magnesium balance in the body.  If none are available, keep the thighs from the direct hit of the water.

SHOWER:  Allow the cold water to hit your feet, bottoms and tops, and then the rest of your body, including your face, but not your whole head.  Massage as you move in and out from the cold water.  Pay special attention to the lymph nodes under the armpits to help prevent colds. Women should massage the breasts under the cold water to keep circulation strong and cancer away.  Breathe deeply or chant a mantra to keep yourself going.  Start at 30 seconds, and work up to 1 minute.  Towel dry, rubbing the skin briskly.

CAUTIONS:  Cold showers are strictly for the purposes of internal health and are not meant to replace warm showers or baths.  Those who have circulatory problems or other medical conditions should get medical advice before using hydrotherapy.  Pregnant women or women in their menstrual cycle should not take cold showers.

The Universe in Your Heart…according to the Muse

“To the one who meditates on Love, there comes a perfect peace

And all pain and sorrow depart.

Meditate upon the one who contains this universe,

Whose holy name is the whisper on the lips of the entire creation.”

These words, from the sacred text of the Sikh path, are sung into my heart by Singh Kaur, a muse who came to this earth and transported souls with her voice for twenty-five some years, and then herself departed. The album, This Universe, is a profoundly deep and poignant offering created while in the last few months of her life.

***

I am driving in my car down empty highways lined with very early spring trees, still bare but with the tint of new life at the tips.  Driving for hours, transported into another orbit with the purity of her fluid voice, the perfection of the tones activating one chakra after another in my body….the navel, the heart, the third-eye point, and always culminating at the crown.

By the time I reach my destination, I am sure I want to organize this experience in a way that others can be transported, healed, and enlivened.  I call up Lisa, who is a muse in her own right, and I know that we should teach this together.  When I tell her about it, she is right there with me.  We both agree that the vision is not a “workshop” or “course” but an experience, a day retreat.  Lisa lives in an area of New Jersey that was hit hard by Sandy, and I know that this is a contribution to healing that I want to offer there.  We’ll offer it again, in the fall, in my home area of Northern Virginia.

***

Sitting and writing, listening again to the passionate musical compositions, the purity of the range of Singh Kaur’s voice, this is what comes out:

 Transported into the high heart

Precious becomes the life

I am immediately lifted out of the everyday,

and yet…

 sacred becomes the experience of it.

Whispered on every experience of life is the knowing

that it is All Good,

It is all holy and whole.

I love my meditation on this music.

I am grateful to have the sensitivity to feel it.

 I thank the gift that was known as Singh Kaur.

Because the arrows of my longing to understand the Oneness

have pierced my heart, I am open to understanding.

The part of me that had rejected the “sacred” as religious,

has found healing through her music.

The word “God” as something outside of me

has come into balance;

The knowing that the inner self and the outer Universe

are the same magic.

That the Universe in all its glory and wisdom

is also who we are–

One and the Same

 unknowable,

yet known in each moment.

To experience The Universe in Your Heart, come to our day retreat in Long Branch NJ, April 20, and Vienna VA, Sept. 29.  Details here or email Shakta@childrensyoga.com

Singh Kaur music: www.invinciblemusic.com

Help Creaky Joints with a Delicious Drink

If you’ve ever had a back problem so bad it took you 5 minutes to get off the couch.  Or your neck was so tight that it caused a pounding headache, or those old knees “ain’t what they used to be” when your climbing stairs….Golden Milk is for you!

The secret is what makes it golden….the wonder spice, TURMERIC.  Hint:  Save money and buy at an Asian store.

Golden Milk: Auyervedic remedy that is wonderful for the spine, lubricates the joints, helps to break up calcium deposits.  Some say it helps with cancer and diabetes too.  Here’s how to do it:

1-2 tsp. turmeric

water to cover in pan (add more if needed)

boil together to make a paste (3-5 min) then add—

8 oz. organic milk, dairy or non-dairy

1 tbsp. raw almond oil (optional)

honey to taste

Remove from heat at the boiling point and add honey.  You can also make a large amount of the boiled turmeric “paste” and keep it in the fridge for a month.  Use a big spoonful everytime you need it.

For a real treat, add unsweetened dark chocolate powder (Dagoba or Trader Joe’s has this).  Stir well while hot.  The chocolate adds antioxidants, is good for heart health…and it taste yummy.  Enjoy the Yogi’s version of Hot Chocolate!

The “No One is as Creative as Everyone” Contest

We’re moving into the branding world a bit here at Radiant Child Yoga.  No, we’re not going to start slapping the RCY Logo on every bit of everything creative that comes out of our mouths.  But we are excited about our new RCY tee shirts.  Knowing how creative and inspired Radiant Child Yoga teachers are, we decided to hold a TEE SHIRT TAG LINE CONTEST.

We want your input because, as the saying goes, “No one is as smart as everyone.” And we’ll add to that– “No one is as CREATIVE as everyone.”

Here is the deal–we want your creative input for a tag line to go with our new tee shirts. Take a look at this lonely shirt, just waiting for the right tag line.  Now envision your tag line wrapped around the logo, and get busy posting it here on the blog comments section, and on RCY FB page.

What is your tag line?  Whatever Radiant Child Yoga means to you!   It could be some phrase that you heard at your RCY training that really made a difference to you.  Or it could be something funny and clever that matches the energy of RCY.  Or it could even be a line from one of the spirit-songs on Happy or Cozy.  That part is up to you.

Then, we’ll have some fun when ideas are posted there because everyone will vote for their fav.  This is where the “no one is as smart as everyone” idea comes in.

Naturally, whoever’s tag line is chosen gets a tee shirt, and they’ll also get a $25 gift certificate to RCY shop.  Beyond that…lots of Radiant Child Yoga teachers and friends will be wearing their idea.  Sweet!

How to Submit Your Entry:
Enter the Radiant Child® Yoga Tee Shirt Contest by clicking on the “Giveaways” tab on the Radiant Child Yoga Facebook Page, http://www.facebook.com/RadiantChildYogaProgram, and telling us your best idea for a tagline for the RCY Tee shirt. Go to that same link to vote for your favorite tagline by commenting on that post. Your entry must be written in English and must include your full first and last name. Only one entry allowed per Facebook account. For one additional entry, leave a comment on Shakta Khalsa’s blog, http://www.shaktakaurkhalsa.wordpress.com, sharing your tagline (or voting for you favorite tagline).

Comments on the blog must be in English.  Only one additional entry per person.  Valid email address required. You will increase your chance of winning by entering both on the Radiant Child® Yoga Facebook page and on the Radiant Child® Yoga blog.

Entry Deadline: Friday, April 19, 2013.

Rules of Participation:

• Must be 18 years or older with a valid e-mail address.
• International entries are accepted for this giveaway.
• Employees or family members of Radiant Child® are not eligible.
• No purchase required.
• Winner will be chosen by Radiant Child® Yoga on Apri1 21, 2013.
• The winner will get a $25 gift card to use at the Radiant Child® Yoga online store, and will receive one Radiant Child® Tee Shirt. The winner will be notified via e-mail and the mailing address will be obtained via e-mail. The winner’s name will be posted on the Radiant Child® Yoga Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/RadiantChildYogaProgram, and Shakta Khalsa’s blog, Radiant Child Yoga, http://www.shaktakaurkhalsa.wordpress.com.
• Winner will be chosen based on the number of votes/comments and the Radiant Child® Yoga team on Apri1 21, 2013.

• Prize value: retail price $25 plus RCY tee shirt.

Disclaimer: This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. The information you provided will only be used for internal purposes by Radiant Child Yoga. Your information will NOT be sold to any outside parties. Indemnification/Hold Harmless: By participating, entrants agree: (a) to the decisions of Radiant Child® Yoga, which shall be final in all respects; (b) to release, discharge, and hold harmless Radiant Child® and its respective representatives and agents from all liability, injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in and/or entry into the Contest or any Contest-related activity and for acceptance, delivery, or use of any prize; (c) that the foregoing parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guaranty, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to any prize.

Aura and Intuition Games with High Schoolers

Sharing some parts of a yoga class I did with 16-17 year olds in a school where they had been studying Hatha Yoga as part of their Health and Gym class (with a wonderful RCFY 200 hour teacher). 

This was their first time doing Kundalini yoga and these  “energy” games.  Here are a few themes and activities and their written responses.

Activity

Hand Rubbing to Feel Your Aura  

Rub hands together with the eyes closed for a minute.  Bring the hands apart about 2 feet.  Feel the energy in the hands and between them as you slowly “play with the energy” between your hand by bringing them apart and closer together until little by little the hands come together.  The entire time focus on the space between the hands.

Responses from the students:

• Your aura reflects your true mood even if you are pretending to feel something else.
• The intuition game we did with the heat in your hands was awesome.
• When we rubbed our hands together I could feel some sort of sponge block that I could press my fingers into.
• Very cool to feel the energy moving when we rubbed our hands and moved them closer together.
• Interesting to learn about the energy around everyone (aura)

Activity

Find the Feather Intuition Game:  Sitting in smaller groups with a feather in the center, do a centering meditation to access your inner “knowing” by breathing, focusing on the heart and the area between the eyebrows (the intuitive chakra called Ajna Center).  Then one person leaves the room.  Another person in the group places the feather underneath him/herself.  The person comes back and uses intuition to determine who has the feather.  The other members of the group “send” good energy to that person, visualizing a strong intuition and confidence.

Responses from the students:

• Whether we like it or not – a little logic enters our minds – and it can throw off our intuition.
• When we played the feather game it was hard not to use the thinking part of your brain.
• Our group got it right every time on the first try!
• I’ve always thought I had a strong intuition and Shakta’s activity proved that.

I hope this was helpful.  If you want more detail about these activities or more ideas, check with a Radiant Child Yoga  trainer, ask on RCY FB page, or take a course in Radiant Child Yoga!

 

Healing by Allowing

Received by one of my students after the completion of the Level 3 training of Radiant Child Yoga.  The culmination of Level 3 is a process called Deep Listening.  The meditation practice of Present Moment Awareness is key in this part of the training.

Listen and be inspired by this courageous woman’s story:

Dear Shakta,

I wanted to share a very profound realization I had about “allowing” yesterday during the teacher training.

When I was 15, my grandmother and cousin were murdered in our home by a “friend’ of the family.  The murderer is still on death row.  Because of a Supreme Court ruling that overturned part of state law in place during the murderer’s sentencing, a large portion of the original trial had to be re-done in 2009.

At my dinner interview, I mentioned working through a lot of transition.  Recent events have deepened my constant uneasiness of having my “home” stolen from me by a murderer.  I’ve been struggling with this lately and trying to figure out how to return the feeling of “home”.  I’ve also been struggling to feel love at the depth I know is possible and have felt before that event.  It’s manifested recently as a feeling and vision of bits of shrapnel in my heart center, piercing me, blocking me from feeling love the way I want and know it can be experienced.  On our way home from dinner the other night, I alluded to this and you sang, ”Nothing is good or bad, thinking is what makes it so.”  I just thought to myself, “Nope, pretty sure murder is just bad.”  I thought more about it and just let it sit.

During the “Listening” activity, I sat quietly on my turn to speak and focused on connecting with my partner through silence and allowing connection, fullness, and love.  That’s when I felt my crown chakra burst into bright white light, jolting my body, almost burning my head it was so bright.  Then, I felt a shift in my heart center as if the shrapnel was dislodging… then my “speaking” turn was over.  It was profound and gave me hope and lots more to sit with.

Between class sessions yesterday, I realized that *I* didn’t murder my grandmother and cousin.  They are at peace and really didn’t suffer much.  Yes, our family lost additional time with them and our family home.  However, *I* allowed the murderer to steal my sense of security and taint my memories my beloved family and home.  So, I decided to no longer allow him that power because doing so only serves that horrible act.  I feel the strength and security of my “home” returning with the vibrant, loving memories of sharing time with my beloved family there.  I still wince a bit thinking of the losses, but I remind myself that I’m not allowing them to be taken from me again.  I also have visions now of the shrapnel simply being absorbed by love’s growth or even dissolving.  Once again, I’m just sitting with it, allowing for healing with no intent on what I think healing should look like.

There’s still a sense of loss and emptiness, but it no longer feels plagued, tarred, quarantined, or any other negative and VERY heavy sensation.  I see it as empty space where I can sculpt whatever I want now!  It’s very liberating!  There are several things I’m reminded of here:  1) Just ask for what you need, but don’t specify HOW you expect it to be delivered.  2) YOU ALLOW yourself to be victimized (even if you’re being courageous).  3) ”If you change the way you look at things, the thing you look at change.”

Thanks for another very transformative experience.  If I can move through this and be at peace with it, then what a great example it can be to others who struggle.

Talking Points for Children’s Yoga

I used these in some recent radio and TV interviews and thought I’d pass them on since those of us who are bringing yoga in schools and other institutions can use all the help we can get!

Check out this great radio interview I did recently with KISS 104 FM in Atlanta GA

Talking Points

What is the problem in the schools?

1. Not enough physical activity,
2. cutting phys ed programs, recess.
3. Fast-paced society creates stress, pressure, inability to relax or calm

How does yoga address it?

1. stretching muscles  RELIEF FROM SITTING
2. relaxation through exercise and breathing CALM
3. brain exercise breaks, ex. cross-lateral movements FOCUS
4. GET BRAIN AND BODY MOVING

Why should they do it?

1. Calm down, relax
2. Self-regulation: learn new ways of modulating their energy levels and ability to focus
3. give self-confidence, self-connection
4. feel positive!

How does it work?

1. Practice in proper breathing, brings in more oxygen and energy to body
2. Practice in moving body or stretching body releases tension from muscles and sends a message to brain to release relaxing hormones, like serotonin (manufactured in drugs for ADHD, for example)

Quote from current study of yoga in schools sponsored by Kripalu Center in Lennox MA in conjunction with Harvard Medical school:

Initial results suggest that after only one semester, yoga prevents increases in stress, anxiety, and other negative mood states compared with students taking regular physical education class. The yoga students also showed improvements in stress-coping skills such as resilience, relative to controls.

Lead with your Heart…Valentine’s Day and Beyond

Walking today, recovering from intensive massage that had opened up some closed and creaky doors in my lower back and hips.  Suddenly the thought occurs to lift my chest, naturally engaging the abdominals.  Just as suddenly, the lower back and hips fall into a natural place, acting like a back and hips should act while walking.

With thanks to Joma Sipe, from his book Soul of LIght

The phrase, “Lead with your heart”, whispers out of me.  I think of the Diamond Necklace analogy that the women in one of my Radiant Child Yoga trainings used as part of their presentation.  They presented a yoga class for pre-teen girls and one of the key teachings was; “Now girls, remember you are wearing a beautiful diamond necklace.  How would you sit or stand, how would you walk while wearing this diamond necklace?”  Immediately every person in the class lifted her chest.  As a reminder, the instructor occasionally would say, “Girls…diamond necklace!”,  and everyone again would remember to lift the heart center.

Still walking, still leading with my heart, I remember the amazing new facts about the relationship between the heart and brain, learned recently from Dr. Carla Hannaford’s book, Playing in the Unified Field:

“According to neuro-anatomist, Andrew Armour, there are more nerves going from the heart to the brain, rather than the other way around.

The heart signals the brain regarding chemical levels, heart rate, pain, coherence and incoherence within the environment and even emotions.  All the neurotransmitters found in the brain are also found in the heart. The heart actually appears to have its own sensitivity to the world, and exhibits that with intelligence, to the extent that the brain energetically revolves around the heart, and not the other way around.

The heart generates an electromagnetic energy field (EMF) that is 60 times greater than the field of the brain (as measured externally by a SQUID*).  It is the largest EMF within the body system, extending 8-16 feet around the body.

People’s hearts, as powerful transmitters are constantly sending out light and electromagnetic wave fields.  The physical “antennae” able to pick up these waves is the entire body with its sensory apparatus and huge heart field.”

And now, re-reading this excerpt, the significance of leading with the heart has new meaning.  It is ACTUAL AND FACTUAL that we lead from the heart, anatomically and energetically speaking.  So much power is added to that process when we make it a conscious realization.

So girls and guys…we do have a HUGE diamond necklace that we wear all the time.  It is called our heart center.  So…remember your diamond necklace and show it off!

And stand up…walk forward…

leading with the heart…today and beyond.

Ways to experience Leading with the Heart:

Kundalini Yoga to Balance the Head and Heart:  Yoga Set with Shakta leading on You Tube

The Universe….in your Heart (course in Long Branch NJ, coming to other areas of the US, call 888-561-2126 for more info)

Playing in the Unified Field, Dr. Carla Hannaford

* SQUID: Superconducting Quantum Interference Device

Change Up

Today Osho Zen Tarot told me: “Life repeats itself mindlessly.  Unless you become mindful it will go on repeating, like a wheel.  Life is continuously changing, dying, being reborn.   All opposites play a part in this vast circular pattern.  If you cling to the edge of the wheel, you can get dizzy!  Move towards the center and relax, knowing that this too will pass.”

Osho Zen Tarot Cards

While amazing possibilities are opening up for me on outward as well as inward levels, I still  find truth in a old 60s adage:  ”Wherever you go, there you are.” Like– here’s an old re-run of tangled emotional conversation with that person,  and now I’m avoiding deeper connection that may bring conflict with this person.

“So you find out you are human!” says Self.  ”Ha!”

Clinging to the edge of the wheel with thoughts like these does make me dizzy with layered emotions and feelings of futility.  What was the key?  According to Osho, move toward the center, relax, and be mindful.  Where have I heard that before?  Oh yeah…from my Self.  And ok, rub it in….I teach this stuff.

So you find out you are human.

Relax…(sigh)…….

fall to center… (relief)….

be aware… (not the same as judgmental)….

smile… (a flash understanding of cosmic humor)…

and let the change up begin.