Category: India Love

Shakti Fest 2018 Yoga and Sacred Music Festival

Joshua Tree, CA –May 10, 2018 – Shakti Fest returns for its eighth season, this year on Mother’s Day weekend – May 10 – 14 at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, in Joshua Tree, CA. Organized by Bhakti Fest, a leader in conscious festival events, Shakti Fest is a unique springtime celebration of the divine feminine spirit, described in Eastern philosophy as the ‘dynamic force which moves the universe’. The sacred yoga and music festival features world-famous yoga teachers, Kirtan music stars, wisdom workshops, sound baths, and a healing sanctuary.

 

 

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It’s divine timing that this yoga and sacred music festival is able to honor the spirit of the universal feminine to align with Mother’s Day. Shakti Fest 2018 music lineup inspires attendees to sing, dance and open their hearts. This year’s music line up inspires attendees to dance, sing, open their hearts, and includes the best Kirtan (a.k.a. mantra chanting) artists on the conscious music scene; Jai Uttal, Donna De Lory, Larissa Stowe, Govind Das & Radha, MC Yogi, Girish, Jaya Lakshmi, Prajna Vieira & the Mukti Kirtan Ensemble, Gina Sala, Vaiyasaki Das, David Newman, Fannah Fi Allah, and many more!

The entire Kirtan line-up is available at shaktifest.bhaktifest.com/kirtan/

It truly is a beautiful time to practice yoga indoors and out. With three yoga halls offering an abundance of classes over a three day period, there really is something for everyone! 2018 Shakti Fest teachers include; Shiva Rea, Mark Whitwell, Mas Vidal, Kia Miller, Georgina Meister, Cheryl Slader, Leeza Villagomez, Carmen Curtis, Hemalayaa Behl, Oleg Flow, Jennica Mills, Allison Prince and Katie Allen, Lisa Gniady, and Kristin Olson. Everyone can find their inner Shakti through energy inspiring sessions in a wide variety of yoga styles.

View the full yoga lineup at shaktifest.bhaktifest.com/yoga/

Shakti Fest Workshops cover a plethora of conscious and wellness topics including Ayurveda, breathwork, spiritual nutrition, tantric energy, Vedic astrology, Sanskrit, conscious relationships, women’s sexuality, bhakti art, and hoop dance, with internationally known speakers such as Michael Brian Baker, Mirabai Devi, Renee Baribeau, Dawn Cartwright, Zoë Kors, Jeffrey Armstrong and Dharma Devi.

For workshop details see shaktifest.bhaktifest.com/workshops/

Shakti Fest Sound Healing Experience is a must. Yogis can immerse themselves in the powerful healing energy of sound baths with practitioners of this popular sonic meditation including Eric Sedorovitz, Gabriel Logan Braun, Lynda Arnold, Shane Thunder, David West & Enrique Pedrosa, Michelle Berc, and more.

For more information on the sound healing offerings visit shaktifest.bhaktifest.com/sounddome/

There is no place like the high desert to embrace and immerse yourself in a powerful conscious experience. The historic Joshua Tree Retreat Center is the oldest and largest retreat center in the Western U.S., located on a sacred vortex site with a walking labyrinth. This setting allows for serene inner reflection and uplifting spiritual renewal. Accommodation options include cottages, retreat center spaces, camping, and RV parking, all on site. There are also great hotels within a few miles of the retreat center. Shakti Fest Eco Artisan Village offers vegetarian and vegan food vendors, yoga clothing accessories, and gear, jewelry, art and unique collectibles. The organizers have set the event on running a green event, offering free water and mindful recycling practices.

For travel information visit shaktifest.bhaktifest.com/travel-info/Shakti Fest is a vehicle for the evolution of human consciousness through heart-centered revolution dedicated to the divine feminine that dwells within all of us.

Shakti Fest is a vehicle for the evolution of human consciousness through a heart-centered revolution dedicated to the divine feminine that dwells within all of us.

See you there!

love, k

 

shaktifest

Intuitive Affirmation of the Day

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Bountiful, Blissful, Beautiful Sat Nam Fest

One of the most powerful archetypes that Yogi Bhajan shared in his lectures was the Ashtabhuja.

The Ashtabhuja is the archetype of woman as Goddess. She represents warmth, heat, energy and her body shines with a radiance like the glowing sun. She has ashta – eight, bhuja – arms.

In her seven hands she holds powerful symbols: a bow and arrow representing wisdom and awareness; the lotus which is a symbol of the feminine; a discus which is like a water wheel when it empties and spills forward creation; a scepter which when thrown is like a lightning bolt to dispel negativity or adversity; and a jar of the divine nectar of life. Her eighth hand holds a mala or prayer beads that give eight Siddhis or spiritual powers and nine Nidhis or treasures.

I was always intrigued by this Goddess of the Universe. She spoke to me and I felt her power every time I even spoke her name.

Let her be alive within each woman. That became my prayer. I knew Yogi Bhajan was asking each woman not to worship the Ashtabhuja, but to embody her.

My prayer on this day and forever is that as women we may embody this divine being throughout actions, words, and thoughts. And let these words of Yogi Bhajan resound in our hearts and spirit as he exalts our true power as a woman.

love, k:)

 

Kelly#3

 

 

 

 

 

Flexible Spine Equals Flexible Mind

One of the most basic goals of Kundalini Yoga is to take care of the spine. Spinal flex offers a series of exercises (a kriya) to activate, align and loosen up the spine.

Lower back pain and upper back stress are some of the most common health complaints of adults. The best way to avoid backaches is to take care of your spine on a daily basis. There are no quick fixes for back pain, but spinal flexes is an effective maintenance program.

How to Do It:

Sit in easy pose. Grab the ankles. As you inhale powerfully, flex the spine forward, keeping the shoulders relaxed and the head straight. Do not move the head up and down. Exhale and relax the spine back. Continue rhythmically with deep breaths. As you inhale feel the energy go down the spine. As you exhale feel it come back up to the third eye. Mentally bring SAT down and NAM back up the spine.

love, krishna k 🙂

Baisakhi Celebrations 2018

The Sikh community of Southern California came together for one of the largest Baisakhi celebrations at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 8th 2018 that saw nearly 25,000 people attending the festivities full of devotion and exuberance.

The Sikh Dharma of Southern California along with the Guru Ram Das Ashram and Gurudwaras from Central and Southern California participated in some way through organizing langars, prayers, chants, decorations and the (nagar kirtan) float parade of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

The kirtan started at 7 a.m., which included spiritual and devotional songs and music performances by various groups like children’s, youth and women’s Jathas, as well as Ragi Kiran Jathas. Apart from the spiritual programs, the committee also organized a bazaar which had beautiful paintings, jewelry, books, keertan CDs and indian fashion clothes for sale.

The event included an honorary ceremony during which “Spirit of Baisakhi Awards” were presented to dignitaries for their contribution towards the Sikh community. These awardees were Congresswoman Judy Chu. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Internationally renowned teacher, author and spiritual leader Bhai Sahiba Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa, “Bibiji”, the beloved wife of Yogi Bhajan.

HAPPY BAISAKHI

love, k 🙂

Mercury Retrograde Evening Wish

Mercury retrogrades are a great time to regenerate, review, reset foundations for new projects, and to investigate options.
Focus now in a big-picture way, asking for your soul’s view of your energy and path ahead.

Invite a knowing of what you can put into motion that will help you fulfill your soul’s purpose. Trust that in the asking, the universe will begin sending you the people, inspirations, and situations needed.

Remind yourself daily that you are LOVE, you are loved, and you are on purpose here in this world.

love, k

Archer Pose — Gift of Fearlessness

When I began practicing Kundalini Yoga, I came from an Ashtanga practice flowing to a set series of asanas in sequence from one to the next. At my first Kundalini class in New York, I was quite amazed when the teacher asked me to raise my arms as if about to shoot an arrow, position myself in Archer Pose and remain still. The pose seemed simple enough but after a minute or two, holding still, keeping my gaze, my knee bent and arms lifted were surprising challenges.

How could such a simple exercise pose require so much?

It’s been a long way since that first experience with Archer Pose, which is now one of my favorites. It brings forth strength and inspires self-assurance; by holding this specific pose you become aware of your own deep reservoir of inner power.

Archer Pose, according to the Kundalini Yoga teachings, promotes courage and confidence. This asana brings the gift of fearlessness you get to accept and receive.

To Practice Archer Pose: 

Stand with the feet approximately 2 – 3 feet apart. Turn the right foot so it is pointed away from the side of the body. Place the left foot at a right angle to the right foot; the toes will be pointing away from the front of the body.

A line extending back from the heel of the right foot should intersect with the arch of the left foot.

Bend the right leg forward so that the right knee is over the right toes. Stretch through the left leg, knee straight, heel pressing into the floor.

Reach forward with the right hand and bring the fingers to the palms, as if grasping a bow. As if pulling back on the bowstring, bring the left hand, fingers also curled to the palms, to the left shoulder. Both thumbs are pointed up.

Tuck the tailbone via a light Root Lock. Pull Neck Lock with the chin in, chest out.

Gaze at the tip of the right thumb and breathe deeply from the navel.

Reverse sides and repeat.

love, krishna 💜

Meditation for Trust: Meditation for Brosa

Trust is knowing you will be fine no matter what.

Meditation for Trust: Meditation for Brosa

1. Sit in easy pose.

2. Lift the arms up over the head with the right palm over the left for males and the left palm over the right for females. Thumbs are touching. The palms are down and over the crown area with the elbows slightly bent.

3. Whisper Wahe Guru with the eyes slightly open and gazing at the upper lip.

4. Meditate for 3 to 11 minutes.

love, krishna 🙂