Practice and Community at YWB (October 2023 Newsletter)
Photo credit: David Ohmer, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Five years ago when I turned 65 years old, I started on a self care journey after a very long hiatus from any form of exercise. I was fortunate to wander into a yoga studio, Elevate Yoga, owned by SadaNam Singh. There with the teachers’ support, guidance, and patience I not only gained strength and flexibility, but also peace of mind. During this time I was in a very stressful job and didn’t realize how stress was affecting my physical and mental health as well as home life and work life. Yoga classes gave me the ability to free and rest my mind for total relaxation. Many of the breath techniques and meditation carried over into personal and work life. In fact, co-workers noticed the difference. No matter what was happening, I could remain calm. I no longer thought I had to control or worry about outcomes. With the knowledge and techniques learned from Kundalini I would have the strength to meet whatever challenges I faced.
As a result of the pandemic, the studio was closed and did not re-open. I felt lost and grieved missing the sense of peace and fulfillment to which I had become accustomed. As studios began to re-open I tried a variety of in-person classes. Something always felt missing. While the exercise felt good, most were inconsistent in intention setting, or practicing pranayama and meditation.
Fortunately, SadaNam reached out to me and said he would be teaching Kundalini at Yoga-Well-Being. He had known Sipra for years and had tremendous respect for her personally and for her philosophy toward yoga. He encouraged me to try classes at the studio. When Yoga-Well-Being re-opened I did start taking classes. I soon realized I had found a new home! Yoga Well-being offered what I had been missing—the meaning of yoga to “yoke the mind and body”. I re-found peace of mind as well as physical release.
While every class style is different, there are commonalities. Teachers encourage use of pranayama for centering as well as during performance of postures. Every class includes a component of meditation, sometimes guided, a reading, or quiet reflection. I appreciate how every teacher reaches out to those in class (in-person or virtual) and asks, “is anything bothering you today,” and either ensures inclusion of postures or offers modifications during class to address those needs.
The sense of connection to my teachers continues to grow. I get something different and unique from each class I take. At this point I am enjoying six classes a week covering: Yin, Restorative, Flow, Mind/Body Healing, Kundalini, and Breath/Body. I appreciate how Veda is a continuous learner and brings background information and new techniques to her Yin and Restorative classes; no Yin class is the same! Kris makes every class fun and offers multiple modifications while encouraging one to “listen to your body”. Somehow she manages to give a great workout without seeming to---may feel a little “sore” next day and can’t figure out why as we didn’t do anything “difficult” in class! SadaNam will always be my Guru. He is a master Kundalini teacher known and recognized in the yoga community. Whether he is teaching Kundalini or Mind/Body/Yin, a sense of spirituality is woven into every class. His gong bath and music performance at the end of each class produce almost an indescribable sense of relaxation.
Cheryl Wolfe
I appreciate and am grateful for the sense of “community” within the yoga classes I take at Yoga-Well-being. The person on the mat next to you (in-person or virtual) is not just another student. Friendships are developed. We care for and encourage one another in our journey. As Kris always says at the end of class, “Individuals of like mind coming together to practice Yoga.”
Namaste,
Cheryl Wolfe