21 Stages of Meditation: A Journey to the Self
FAQ 2017
Dates:
July29thand30th,2017
August26thand27th,2017
September30thandOctober1st,2017
TentativeSchedule:
*Saturdays:
8:00am–12:30pmClass
12:30-1:30Lunch~ProvidedbyYogaWest
1:30-6:00pmClass
Sundays:
8:00am–11:00amClass
11:00am–12:00pmLunch~ProvidedbyYogaWest
12:00-5:00pmClass
*Pleasearrive45minearlytoregister.
Where:
YogaWest,1535S.RobertsonBlvd.,LosAngeles,CA90035•(310)552-4647•
www.yogawestla.com
Contact:
Information(310)552-4647
SadaAnandKaur•[email protected]•(323)203-2224
EnrollmentCostincludes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Threeweekends(48hoursofclass)taughtbyworldclassKundaliniYogaTeacher
Trainer,GuruSingh
Sixdaysofhealthyvegetarianmealsservedduringlunch
Audiorecordingsofalllecturesandclasses
Journal
OnlineStudentForum
Community
Onceinalifetimeexperienceoftransformation
Alotofloveandsupport!
CourseBook(NotIncludedwithCourse~MaybepurchasedatYogaWest)
•
21StagesofMeditation:KundaliniYogaasTaughtbyYogiBhajanbyGurucharanSingh
Khalsa
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21 Stages of Meditation: A Journey to the Self
FAQ 2017
CourseCost:
JourneyOne
$365Pre-Registration~$405After
JourneyTwo
$365Pre-Registration~$405After
JourneyThree
$365Pre-Registration~$405After
WholeCourse~AllThreeJourneys
$995Pre-Registration~$1,215After
Payment:Cash,CheckandVisaandMastercardCreditcardsaccepted.
PaymentPlans:Therearenopaymentplanoptionsforthiscourse.
Cancellation/Withdrawals:
• AllcancellationsmustbemadeinwritingandreceivedbySadaAnandKaur
([email protected]).
• Withdrawalfromthecoursewillnotbeconsideredconfirmeduntilawrittenrequestis
received.Thedatethewrittennoticeisreceivedistheearliestdatethatthewithdrawal
willbeineffect.
• Withdrawalspriortothefirstdayofthecourse(whetheryou’reparticipatingina
journeyorthefullcourse)willbeeligibleforarefundless20%ofthecoursefee.
• Refundswillbeprocessedwithin30days.Fundswillbereimbursedintheformof
paymentreceived.
LeadTrainer
GuruSinghisacelebratedthird-generationyogi,masterspiritualteacher,author,andmusician.
InJanuary1969,GuruSinghmetYogiBhajan,aspiritualleaderfromNorthernIndiaandmaster
ofKundaliniyoga.FromthatmomentonGuruSinghhasbeenstudyingandteachingKundalini
yogaandmeditation,asciencetaughtinIndiaforoverfivethousandyears.Hehasspreadthis
ancientsciencewithpassionandapracticalfusionofEasternmysticismintoWestern
pragmatism.GuruSinghteachesconsciouslivingthroughthetoolsofhumanology,Kundalini
Yoga,meditation,andsacredsound.GuruSingh’sbooks,music,yoga/meditationclasses,blog
posts,podcasts,andhumanologylecturesupliftthousandsworldwide.Tolearnmore:
www.gurusingh.com.
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StayConnected
Asastudent,youwillbeinvitedtotheonlineYogaWestStudent-Teacherforumwherewepost
noticesaboutscheduling,classtopics,questions,inspirationsaswellasallclassaudio
recordings.Thisisaclosedcommunityusingtheweb-basedprogram/App“Basecamp.”
Everyoneisinvitedtoshare!
AbouttheCourse
The21StagesofMeditationgivesyoutoolsandexperiencestodeepenyourmeditationand
cometoaprofoundunderstandingofyourSelf.Completethreemeditativejourneystowardthe
pinnacleofcontemplativeawarenessasdefinedbyYogiBhajan:TheInfinitePulse.Students
andteachersfromallcontemplativetraditionsareinvited;instructorsandpractitionersof
KundaliniYogaastaughtbyYogiBhajan®areencouragedtoparticipate…againandagain.
Duringthiscourse,wewillengageinthreeseparatejourneys;eachjourneyiscomprisedof
sevenstages,takingyoustepbystepintoadeeperlevelofawakeningandrealization.Wewill
movethroughtherudimentaryskillsofmeditationtothedeeperlevelsofawarenessand
integrationandfinallyintoidentity,projectionandmergerintheinfinitepulseofcreation.
Why21Stages?
Therealquestioniswhydowepracticeinthefirstplace?Happiness.Byarticulatingand
describingeachofthe21StagesofMeditation,wehaveattemptedtoputintowordsthestates
ofconsciousnessthataretraversedbythosewhousethepowerofmeditationtoenhancetheir
livesthroughthepursuitofhappinessandpeaceofmind.
ThemeditationsthatguideusthroughthestagesonthejourneytoRealizationaredesignedto
followthenaturalstructureandqualitiesofeachstage.Theexperiencesofonestagesupport
theprogressinthenextstage.Youcanexploreanyofthestagesonyourownasanindividual
practice.Thebenefitofeachmeditationstandsonitsown;buttheaddedbenefitofpracticing
anentirejourneycomesfromtheintensityofthepracticewhendoneinsequence,withina
concentratedperiodoftimeandinacommunityofpractitioners.
Thegoalisclear:happiness.Thenatureofmeditationiswell-defined:refinethemindand
elevateyourawareness.Thepathisopen:deepenyourmeditationthrougheachofthe21
StagesofMeditationinordertoreachthatintangiblequalitywecallrealization.
Whocantakethisprogram?
We’vegottenalotofquestionsaboutwhocancome—andtheanswerisanyone!
WhatifIjuststartedtakingKundaliniYoga?
Thisprogramisagreatfoundationfordeepeningyourunderstandingofmeditationastaught
byYogiBhajan.
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WhatifIamaKundaliniYogaTeacher?
Thisprogramwilldeepenyourpracticeandprovidetheskillsyouneedtohelpyouidentify
whereyourstudentsareatandhowtotakethemfurther.
WhatifIpracticeadifferentstyleofmeditation?
Thisprogramwillbroadenthescopeofwhatyouunderstandmeditationtobeandopennew
doorsofperceptioninyourlifeandinyourpractice.
WhatifIhavebeenpracticingandteachingKundaliniYogaforyears?
Thisprogramwillreawakenyourpassionforthepracticeandprovidethegroundworkfora
newunderstandingofhowfaryouhavecomeandwhereyouwanttogo.
Whatdoyoumeanby“FirstJourney”?
Theentire21StagesofMeditationprogramconsistsof3“journeys”ormeditativeprocesses.
Eachjourneyistaughtovera2-dayprogram.
DoIhavetotakethejourneysinorder?
No.Thisprogramisdesignedtobetakenrepeatedlyasyoucontinueonyourjourneyof
meditationandcontemplation.Youmaytakethejourneysinanyorderandretakethemas
oftenasyoulike.
WhataretheThreeJourneys?
FirstJourney:TheCrystallizedSelf
Thefocusofthefirstjourneyistorecognize,experienceandcrystallizetheSelf.Theblocksareencounteredinthe
firstfourstages:upset,boredom,irritationandfrustration.Thefirstascentstartswhenwehaveasenseofour
Self,separatefromallthecommotions,emotionsandsensoryimpulses;webegintofocusandrecognizeastill
point,anucleuswithin,whichistheSelf.ItisthiscrystallizedsenseofSelfthatisneededinorderfor
consciousnesstowork.
Stage1–Upset
MeditationtoConquerUpset
Stage2–Boredom
Meditation:SeeYourHorizon
Stage3–Irritation
Meditation:EyeglassTraatik
Stage4-Frustration
Meditation:Self-HypnosistoDissolveFrustration
Stage5–Focus
Meditation:ForFocusandanAlertMind
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Stage6–Absorption
Meditation:ForAbsorptionintheCrystalBeing
Stage7–ExperienceandCrystallizetheSelf
Meditation:ToExperienceandCrystallizetheSelf
StageOne—Upset.Althoughnotexactlywhatweimaginewhenwethinkofmeditation,upsetisapartofour
humanexperienceandlearningtomanageitiskey.Here’stheillustrationandcommentaryYogiBhajangave
forStageOne—Upset:
“Negativethoughtscomeatyoulikearrows.Yourstrongpositivearclineintheaura
absorbstheenergyofthethoughtandmovesitspiralingupthroughthecentral
channelofthespinetocreatemoreawarenessabove.TheJappaofthemantracuts
eachthoughtsoitsformchangesfromnegativetopositiveanditcanbepassedonto
thecentralchannel.Inthiswayyouarestill,happyandmastertheupsetthatcomes
fromthedefensivethoughts.”–YogiBhajan
SecondJourney:TheExpressiveSelf
Inthissecondjourney,theinitialchallengeistodevelopasensitivitytotheSelf,asweengageinrelationshipsand
participateinlife.WhenwetaketheseedofourSelfandouridentityandprojectitintotheworld,itexpands.In
thissecondjourney,wecultivatethemeditativeskilltomergewithourprojectionyetstillbeabletodistillourSelf
fromthevariousrolesweplay;inthisway,thissecondjourneypreparesustomaintainourintegrityinactionand
ultimatelytofindthestillnesswithineveryaction.
Stage8–Rasa
MeditationSeriesforRasa
Stage9–Delight
Meditation:ForDelight,DestinyandCreativeFlowinLife
Stage10–Politeness
MeditationforPoliteness
Stage11–Humility
Meditation:BowingBeforetheInfiniteforHumility
Meditation:SpeakingHumblybeforetheCreativeInfinity
Meditation:BowingforHumilitytoTransferPrana
Stage12–Elevation
MeditationforElevation
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MeditationforRasasandtheInnerEye
MeditationforElevation
Stage13-GracefulEnlightenment
MeditationforGracefulEnlightenmentandStrengthofHeart
Stage14–ExpressandBeYourSelf
TheLayaYogaKundaliniMantra
Meditation:ToCleartheChannelsandRaiseKundaliniMeditationontheLayaYogaKundaliniMantra
Meditation:SankhMudraKriya
LayaMeditationtoBeamandCreate
Meditation:SukhSadhana
MeditationtoExpressYourRealSelfandDeveloptheSubtleBody
Stage13—GracefulEnlightenment—marksthebeginningoftheendofduality.Masteryofthepolaritiesbeginsat
theheart;wequitjudgingthelifewe’relivingandinstead,beginlivingfromcompassion,insightand
expansiveness.
“Thethreegunas,thethreeforcesofnature,areallbalanced.Thatopenstheheart.
Onthattheheadisfixedandsteady.YouareawareofAllandtheCrownChakra
shinesastheSixthChakracommands.”–YogiBhajan
ThirdJourney:TheTranscendentSelf
Inthisfinaljourney,werecognizeallthatweareastheformlesspresenceoftheinfiniteSelf.Weopenthe
dimensionofourTranscendentSelf.Thisjourneyrequiresustogobeyonddifferencesandsimilaritiesintoreality
andunity.ByforginganelevatedidentitywithourinfiniteSelfwithinourfiniteself,webecomespontaneous,
creativeandflexible.Weexcelinthisinfinitegameofthesoul.Love,compassionandkindnessbecomethecoreof
ourexperience.Atthepeakofthisjourneywebecomethenothingwithinthecenterofallthatis.Mysteryisnow
mastery.Thesacredspaceopensuptointuitivepresence,whichservesinnocence,loveslife,blessesall,and
praisestheInfinite,theallwithinAll.Youbecomeyou,nothingmore,nothingless.Inthisfinaljourney,webecome
realizedhumanbeings.
Stage15-PresenceLikeaBeacon
TattvaSiddhiMeditationforPresenceLikeaBeacon
Stage16-EverywhereRadiance
Meditation:PolishingtheRadiantBody
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21 Stages of Meditation: A Journey to the Self
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Stage17-PrayerfulStillness
Meditation:DeekshaPatraforPrayerfulStillness
Stage18–Preacher
Meditation:ChautayPadmaNirgunMantra
Stage19–Teacher
TeacherMeditation-TraatiktoSeetheEnergy
Stage20–Sage
MeditationfortheSage:SarbGyanKriya
Stage21-InfinitePulse
MeditationforInfinitePulse:SodarshanChakraKriya
Stage20--TheSage.ThisstagemarksthefinalclimbtowardtheInfinitePulse.Illusionfadesaway;thenotionthat
thereisameandayouandanitfallsaway.Thereisnoseparation.Thisisthebeginningofliberation.
“Happy.Fullaboveandbelow.Heavenandearthmingleintheheartofthesage.You
arebalance.Fruitioncomestothosewhoencounteryou.Yourprayerisreality.”—Yogi
Bhajan
WhatisKRI?
KRI(KundaliniResearchInstitute)istheofficialinternationaltrainingorganizationthat
promotestheteachingsofYogiBhajanandoverseesteachertrainingprogramsin52countries,
graduatingover3,000newKundaliniYogateachersannually.GraduatesofLevelOneearnthe
titleofKRICertifiedInstructorofKundaliniYogaastaughtbyYogiBhajan®,areregisteredwith
theInternationalKundaliniYogaTeachersAssociation(IKYTA)andfulfilltheYogaAllianceRYT
(RegisteredYogaTeacher)200-hourrequirement.TheprimaryregulatorybodyforKundalini
YogateachersisIKYTA,notYogaAlliance.
DoesKRIkeepatrackofwhichJourney/sItake?
Yes,yournamewillbesubmittedtoKRIforeitherthefullcourseorforeachJourney.
DoIreceiveacertificateofcompletionforeachJourney?
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Yes,youwillreceivealetterofcompletionfromtheleadtrainerforeachjourney,orforthefull
course.
Whataretherequirementsforthecourse?
Toreceivecreditforeachjourneyorforthefullcourse,studentsmustattendallclasshours.
Doesthe21StagesofMeditationfulfillanyKundaliniYogaTeacher
Certification?
Yes,itispartofLevelThreeTeacherCertification.ItcontributestoKRILevelThreeCertification
withinTheAquarianTeacher™TrainingProgramandqualifiesforRYThourswithYogaAlliance
andIKYTAcontinuingEducationCredits.
WhatifI’mnotenrolledinLevel3,willthecoursecountwhenandifIenrollin
thefuture?
Yes,thecoursewillcountforcredittowardsLevel3aslongasthestudenthascompletedLevel
1.21StagesofMeditationisapartoftheLevel3Certification.
Howmanyhoursofcreditisthecourse?
Thereare48hoursofclassroomtimeoversixdays.
WhatareLevel1,Level2andLevel3Certifications?
Level1TeacherTraining
TheKRILevel1AquarianTeacherTrainingProgramisa220-hourprofessionalcertification
programinKundaliniYogaastaughtbyYogiBhajan®.Aninteractivecourseinthetheory,
practice,andbasicskillsofaKundaliniYogainstructor,itincludes180hoursofclassroom
instructionand40hoursofindependentstudy:serviceprojects,a40-daymeditation,and
WhiteTantricYoga.GraduatesofLevel1earnthetitleofKRICertifiedInstructorofKundalini
YogaastaughtbyYogiBhajan®andfulfilltheYogaAllianceRYT(RegisteredYogaTeacher)200hourrequirement.
TheLevel1Trainingsetsthefoundationandintroducesthestudenttotheprinciplesand
practicesoftheself-sensoryhuman,andexploreshowKundaliniYogaandyogiclifestylecan
harmonizeandupliftthehumanexperienceandawakenyourtruepotential.
Level1atYogaWest
ThenineTeacherTrainingweekendstakeplacebeginninginOctoberandendinginMaywith
approximatelyonetrainingweekendpermonth.Theweekendsincludeyogaclasses,
experiencingkriyasandmeditations,lecturesbytheincredibletrainers,YogiBhajanvideo
classes,andsmallgroupinteractiontime.
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Alltheinformationispresentedinhighlyinteractivelearningenvironments.Youwillexplore
topicsanddiscussthemwithotherstudentsinbothsmallandlargegroups.
Inthecourse,youwillgainthetoolstohelpyourselfandothersfacethechallengesofthe
times.Youwillmeetanincrediblegroupoflike-spiritedsoulsalsointerestedindelvingmore
deeplyintotheteachingsofKundaliniYoga.And,youwillhavesupportandencouragementon
howtopracticallyimproveyourevery-daylifeusingthispowerfultechnology.
FormoreinformationpleasegotoFAQforlevel1:www.yogawestla.com/TT.html
Level2TeacherTraining
Developtheinnergrowthandpersonaldisciplineofatrulyexcellentteacher.OpentoKRILevel
1CertifiedInstructors,this300-hourcertificationprogramconsistsoffive,62-hourmodules.
GraduatesofLevel2earnthetitleofKRICertifiedPractitionerofKundaliniYogaastaughtby
YogiBhajan®andcombinedwithLevel1certification,fulfilltheYogaAllianceRYT(Registered
YogaTeacher)500-hourrequirement.
BuildingonthefoundationofLevel1,Level2TeacherTrainingisaboutpersonaltransformation
anddeepeningthecorecapacities,characterandconsciousnessofaKundaliniYogateacher.
Inthislevel,theInstructorcultivatestheyogiccapacitiesofintuition,neutralityandselfassessmentwithinthefivemirrorsofconsciousness:
• ConsciousCommunication–Upliftandpenetratethroughthepoweroftheword.
• MindandMeditation–Conquerthemindandconquertheworld.
• AuthenticRelationships–Unfoldyourtrueidentityinthematrixofconsciousrelationship.
• LifeCyclesandLifeStyles–Discovermysteryandmasterythrougheverycycleoflife.
• VitalityandStress–Cultivatethecalibertoguideyourselfandothersthroughlife’s
challenges.
Level2atYogaWest
EachyearduringthreeweekendsinFebruaryandMarch,YogaWestoffersoneoftheLevel2
modulescompletingallfivemodulesinafive-yearcycle.
ThetrainingatYogaWestiscenteredaroundthreeweekendsatthestudiowhereyou’ll
experienceacombinationof:lecturebyMasterTeachers,VideoclasseswithYogiBhajan,kriya,
meditation,andgroupdiscussioninbothlargeandsmallgroups.Youwillhavetimetoreview
informationandpracticethemeditationsandkriyasthataregiveninboththemanualand
homestudyguideaswellasonthesetofsixDVDsthatyoureceiveinthecourse.
Thecourseemphasizescarefullychosenmeditations,kriyas,andreadings.Alltheinformationis
presentedinhighlyinteractivelearningenvironments.Youwillexploretopicsanddiscussthem
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withotherstudentsinbothsmallandlargegroups.Youwillhavetheopportunitytopractice
meditationsdeeplyoveranextendedtime.Youwilltestandobservetheapplicationofthese
techniquesandattitudesinyourlife.
Pivotaltothispathofstudyisachanceforyoutoencountertheenergy,teachingandcharacter
ofYogiBhajanasdirectlyandpersonallyasyoucan.Weusevideosofhimteachingclassesand
mediationsthroughoutthecourse.
Level3Training
A1000-daycommitmenttotheprocessofRealizationthroughengagementwithspiritual
community,deepmeditationandservice.Level3challengesyoutolivethelifeyouweremeant
tolive.TheLevel3ProgramisapersonaljourneytoSelf-Realization.Init,werefineour
authenticidentityasaTeacheranddeepenouruniquerelationshiptotheSacred.
Level3focusesontheRealizationoftheteachings.DiscoverthespiritualmaturityofaTeacher
andleaderintheAquarianAge,asallfacetsoftheTeachingsofYogiBhajanpermeateevery
aspectofyourbeing.ThisisthethirdstageinthedevelopmentoftheAquarianTeacher
TrainingprogramasenvisionedbyYogiBhajan.
Teacherbasedon3Pillars:
I.
SpiritualMaturity:TodevelopanauthenticfullyintegratedpresenceasaTeacher,
achievedthroughself-reflection,spirituallifestylepracticesandpeerdialogue
support.
II.
MeditativeMind:Tocultivateandrefineone’smeditativemind,asachievedthrough
focusedapplicationofspecificKundaliniYogakriyasandmeditationpractices
individuallyandinintensivegrouppractices.
III.
SelflessService/Seva:TodevelopanongoingattitudeofSeva/SelflessService.To
alignindividualpassion,purposeanddestinytobuildandservecommunity.
ToreceiveaLevel3certificate,onewillneedtocompletetherequirementsforeachpillar.
OneoftherequirementsfortheMeditativeMindPillarwillbethecompletionofthe21Stages
ofMeditationcourse.IfyouareinterestedinpursuingLevel3,youcanfulfillthisrequirement
nowifyouhavecompletedLevel1.
WhyshouldIstudyatYogaWest?
Asthebirthplaceof3HOandthehomeofYogiBhajansince1991,YogaWestisdevotedto
servinghumanityby:
• SpreadingthescienceandtechnologyastaughtbyYogiBhajan,ofKundalini
Yoga,MeditationandHumanology.
• CreatingglobalteachersofKundaliniYoga,MeditationandHumanology.
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21 Stages of Meditation: A Journey to the Self
FAQ 2017
•
Creatingconscious,vitalcommunitiesofyogapractitioners,livingandsharinga
Healthy,Happy,Holylifestyle.
WehavebeenofferingdailyKundaliniYogaandSadhanasinceJanuary1991,aswellasTeacher
Trainingshortlythereafter.Withmasterteachersandacozyenvironment,YogaWestisa
powerfulcenterwherethesubtlebodyofYogiBhajancanbedirectlyexperienced.
Fromthemomentyouarrive,oursupportivestaff,teachersandstudentsallgenerateafeeling
ofcommunityandwelcomeyou.Beforeandafterclass,youareinvitedtoenjoya
complimentarycupofYogiTeaandrelaxinourloungewhereyoucanvisittogether,relaxand
reflect.Ourboutiqueofferseco-friendlyyogaapparel,mantra&music,dvd’s,books,healing
crystals,tea,oils,gifts,andyogaandmeditationprops.
Whetheryouarelookingtocenteryourself,calmyourmind,moveyourbody,listentoyour
spirit,challengeyourself,meltstress,growandglow,YogaWestisavibrantcommunitycenter
forteaching,learningandcelebrating.ThelegacyofYogiBhajan,thescienceofKundaliniYoga
andtheheartandsoulofthe3HO–Happy,HealthyandHoly-communityisreadytowelcome
you.
WearelocatednearPico&RobertsonjustashortwalkfromtheGuruRamDasAshramwhere
YogiBhajanfirsttaught,livedandsharedhislifewithus.HarbhajanSinghKhalsaYogiji,akaYogi
Bhajan,arrivedinLosAngelesin1968.AspartofhismissiontosharetheteachingsofKundalini
Yogaandtohelppeoplelivehealthy,happy,andholylives,hecreatedGuruRamDasAshramin
1972.ItwashereinLosAngelesthatKundaliniYogaintheWestwasborn,anditwashereat
GuruRamDasAshramthatYogiBhajanfirsttaught,lived,andsharedhislife.ToLearnMore:
http://www.gururamdasashram.org
WhatelsedoesYogaWestoffer?
EverydayatYogaWestbeginsat3:45amwithafreecommunityofferingofmorningSadhana.
Sadhanaisadailyspiritualpracticethatbringsoutthebestinyou.Tolearnmoreabout
Sadhanavisit:www.3ho.org/kundalini-yoga/sadhana
TherestofthedayisfilledwithaninvigoratingmixofKundaliniclasses,workshopsandteacher
trainingspresentedbyaninspiringmixoftalentedteacherswhosharetheKundaliniYoga
technologyfromtheirownuniqueperspective.Classesinclude:KundaliniYoga&Meditation
foralllevels,Mommy&Me(Daddiesandcaregiverswelcome!),PregnancyYoga,SatNam
Rasayan,SoundBathNights,DiscountedCommunityclasses,Women’sYoga,Celestial
Communication,Humanology,Chantingandmuchmore.
Forregularclasses,firsttimestudentspayonly$11andthenreceiveanoffertoenjoyunlimited
classesfor$25fortwenty-fiveconsecutivedays.Formoreinformationabouttheschedulego
to:www.yogawestla.com
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FAQ 2017
WheretoPark
Saturday:OnSaturdays,thebestplacetoparkisonsidestreetseastofRobertson,oracouple
ofblockswestofRobertsonintheneighborhoodwheretherearenoweekendrestrictions.Be
suretocarefullyreadthestreetsigns.Thereisnoall-dayparkingonRobertsonBlvd.Thereare
afewten-hourmetersonHorner(northofYW)andPickford(southofYW).
Sunday:MoststreetparkingisavailableonSundays.Metersarefreeandthereareno
neighborhoodrestrictionsexceptontheresidentialpartofPickford(YogaWestsideof
Robertson).
WhattoBring
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Somethingtositonthatiscomfortable(yogamat,sheepskin,pillow)
Waterorabottlethatcanberefilledforwater
Areusablecupforyogitea.Pleasebringrefillablewaterbottlesandteacups.We
endeavortokeepourcarbonfootprintlowandwetrulyappreciateyoursupport.
Notebook(onewillbeprovidedforyouforthe21StagesofMeditationCourse)
Penorpencil
Snacks–therewillalsobesnacksforsaleintheYWstore
Meditationshawl,headcovering,deeprelaxationblanket–optional
Pleaseavoidwearingscentsduringtheclassesandtrainings
CellPhones
YogaWestisacellphonefreezone.Pleasesilenceyourphonesduringclass.Thankyoufor
takingyourcallsoutside.NOtextingduringclass.
PhotographyandFilming
YogaWestmayphotographorfilmportionsofthecourseforpromotionalpurposes.Our
photographersaresensitivetothestudentexperience,andyoumayalwaysrequesttonotbe
photographedorfilmed.Audiofromtheclasseswillberecordedandmadeavailabletoyoufor
downloadonBasecamp.
Meals&Snacks
YogaWestservesadeliciousvegetarianlunchtotheclassonallsixdaysofthe21Stagesof
Meditationcourse.Allmealsincludearevegetarianandincludevegan,glutenfreeoptions.We
providefilteredwaterandteaalldayandsellsomesnacksatthecenterlikehealthbars,bean
chipsanddriedfruit.Pleasenotewedonothaveamicrowaveorotherwaytoheatfoodat
YogaWest,andthereisverylimitedrefrigeratorspacetokeepanyitemscool.
WhoisYogiBhajan?
ABiographybyYogiBhajan’sfirststudent:ShaktiParwhaKaurKhalsa
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FAQ 2017
“Itwasthesummerof1929.InthelittlevillageofKotHarkarninwhatisnowPakistanachild
wasbornwhohadagreatdestinywrittenuponhisforehead.ThemanweknowtodayasYogi
BhajanwasbornHarbhajanSinghPuri.Hisfather,KartarSingh,wasawell-knowndoctorand
healer;hismother,HarkrishanKaur,wasawomanofgreatstrengthandrighteousness.She
kepteveryoneinthevillageinlineandtreatedalltheyoungmenasiftheywereherownsons.
Hisparentsdecidedthatheshouldhavethefinesteducationavailable.Theproblemwasthat
thebestschoolavailablewasaCatholicGirls’Conventschool,sotherehewent.(Needlessto
say,thenunswereabitunnerved.)Asayoungman,HarbhajanSinghwasinthehabitof
seekingoutandvisitingeveryholypersonhecouldfind.Hestudiedthespiritualteachings,
scriptures,andtechnologiesofallthereligionsoftheworld.HelearnedKundaliniYogawith
MasterSantHazaraSinghandhebecameaMasterhimselfattheageofonlysixteen.
Ofcourse,alongwithmasteringyoga,youngHarbhajanSinghattendedhighschoolwherehe
wasastarathlete—winningtopprizesintrackevents,servedascaptainofthesoccerteam,
andplayedfieldhockey.Whiletheotherathletesrananddidtheusualphysicaltraining
exercises,HarbhajanSinghdidyoga!Itwashismasteryofyogathatgavehimthestrengthand
staminatobeaconsistentwinner.
WhenIndiawaspartitionedin1947,hewasonly18yearsold.Itwasaterribletimeas
hundredsofthousandsofpeopleresettledandmanyfamiliesweretornapart.Eventhen,he
tookchargeandledhisfamilyandover7000peoplefromthesurroundingareastosafety.
MajoringinEconomicsatPunjabUniversity,HarbhajanSinghwonprizesinDebate,and
continuedhisathleticachievements.HeservedintheIndianArmy.Aftermilitaryservicehe
workedfortheIndianGovernment,until1968whenheresignedtoanswerthecallofhis
destinyandtravelacrosstheworldtoserveushereintheWest.
ThePunditswarnedhimandtheAstrologerssaidallthesignspointedtoagreatdealof
sufferingandhardshipifheleftIndiainSeptemberof1968—butasusual,hishigherguidance
prevailedandheflewtoCanadatotakeajobhehadbeenoffered—teachingyogaatthe
UniversityofToronto.Truetopredictions,notonlywashisluggagelostenroute,sothathe
arrivedwithnothingbuthisAirIndiacarry-onbag,butalso,themanwhohadhiredhimhad
beenkilledinanautoaccident,justafewdaysbefore.Nojob,nomoney,exceptfor$35the
CanadianGovernmentsupplied,theyogiacceptedeverythingasGod’swill.Hegotajobasa
clerkinabookstore.Heateday-olddonutssoftenedinwater,andwrappednewspapers
aroundhisthinshoestokeepoutthebrutal,coldCanadianweather.Thenhewashiredasa
nervetherapistatayogacenter.
InvitedtovisitLosAngelesforaweekend,hediscoveredtherethesoulswhoseaspirationand
longinghaddrawnhimtotheWest.HegavehisfirstpubliclectureintheUnitedStateson
January5,1969,attheEastWestCulturalCenterwherehestatedhisfirmconvictionthatitis
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thebirthrightofeveryhumanbeingtobe“Healthy,Happy,andHoly.”Theyoungpeoplehe
metwantedtoexperienceGod.Unfortunately,manyhadbeenusingdrugstoalter
consciousness.DespitethecenturiesoldtabooagainstteachingKundaliniYogapublicly,the
Yogiknewthatitwasthemosteffectivetechnologyhecouldsharewiththemtohealtheir
bodiesandtheirminds,andgivethemavalidexperience.Theycouldget“high”withoutside
effects,anditwaslegal!Theirsoulswerehungrytobeawakened.
Hetoldthemhehadn’tcometogatherstudents;hehadcometotrainteachers.InhisKundalini
YogaclasseshetoldinspiringstoriesabouttheSikhGurus,hetalkedaboutthevirtuesand
valuesthatwouldbringhappiness.Hemadepeoplelaugh,nevercriticizedanyone,andthough
hetoldthem,“Don’tloveme,lovemyteachings,”hetouchedtheheartsofeveryseeker.A
masterofcommunication,wheneverhespoke,eachpersonfelthewastalkingdirectlytohim
orher.Hiswordssankin.
Inthenextfewyearshesowedtheseedsforinstitutionsandeventsthathavemultipliedand
mushroomedworldwide,attractingthousandsofpeoplewhoembracedthe3HOwayoflife.He
said3HOwastobeafamilyofpeoplewholivednotjust“with”eachotherbut“for”eachother.
Toprovideastructurefortheteachings,the3HOFoundationwaslegallyincorporatedin
CaliforniaonJuly29,1969.YogijialsofoundedKRI,theKundaliniResearchInstitutein1971.
YogijiwenttoGurdwaraeverySunday.Manyofhisstudentswentwithhim.AdevoutSikh,Yogi
BhajannevertriedtoconvertanyonetofollowtheSikhPath.Buthisfaithanddevotion,andhis
deeploveoftheGuruwerecontagious.PeoplewantedtolearnmoreabouttheSikhreligion.
SomeofhisstudentswenttothelocalGurdwarainLosAngelesandaskedtobebaptizedas
Sikhs.TheGranthi(religiousofficial)theredidn'tknowwhattodo,becauseAmericanshad
neverdonethisbefore,sohecalledYogijiforhelp.
In1971,YogiBhajanwasbestowedthetitleofSiriSinghSahibbySantChananSinghattheAkal
Takhat[1]andwasauthorizedtoordainMinistersandperformtheAmritCeremony.[2]Through
hisefforts,SikhDharmabecameofficiallyincorporatedandrecognizedbytheUSGovernment
asaReligiononApril10,1973.
YogiBhajanencouragedhisyoungstudentstocompletetheireducationandstartcareers.But
manyofthemcouldnotgetjobsbecauseoftheirlonghairandturbans,sohesuggestedthey
starttheirownbusinesses.Nanak'sConsciousCookerywasthefirstbusinesstheystarted.Akal
Security,GoldenTemple,KhalsaInternationalIndustriesandTrades(KIIT)soonfollowedwith
alltheproductsyounowseeinstoresworldwide—likeWhaGuruChews,PeaceCereals,
SunshineOils,andYogiTea.
Thetransformationof“ChicksintoEagles”wasoneofYogiBhajan’smainstatedgoals,andin
1976hestartedthefirstKhalsaWomen’sTrainingCampinNewMexico.ThatfirstKWTClasted
for8weeks.HetaughtthatwomanistheGraceofGod,andanycountryinwhichsheisnot
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honoredandrespectedisgoingtofail.Heempoweredwomentorealizetheirownworthand
potential.Nottoleaveoutthemen,healsotaughtMen’s’courses.LongbeforeMenarefrom
Mars,WomenarefromVenusheexplainedthedifferences.
In1971themantleofauthorityandresponsibilityastheonlylivingMahanTantric—Masterof
WhiteTantricYoga—waspassedtohimwhentheformerMahanTantriclefthisbody.Yogi
Bhajanpersonallyledthisgroupmeditationexperienceincitiesallovertheworlduntil1987
whenhewasabletotransfertheworkshopstovideotape.Heselectedrepresentativesto
facilitatethesecourses,whilehissubtlebodycontinuestodirectthem.
PioneerinInterreligiousdialogue,outstandingadvocateofWorldPeace,YogiBhajan
establishedthefirstinterfaithInternationalPeacePrayerDayin1985,whichnowdraws
thousandstothemountainsofNewMexicoeverysummer.InMay1994,hispamphlet,“The
SensoryMan”wascirculatedattheUnitedNations,when3HObecameanNGO.[3]
AgreatmanyofthepeoplewhohavebeenimpactedbyYogiBhajan’swisdom,knowledge,and
teachingsaresharingthetechnologyofpeace,strength,andawarenesstothewholeplanet.
HisknowledgeandhisteachingsarereachingoutthroughKundaliniYogaTeachers,through
businesses,andthroughSikhDharma.Today,thenaturalfoods,healingherbs,andteas
conceivedandformulatedbyYogiBhajanarebenefitingpeopleallovertheworld.
MaytheteachingsofYogiBhajanbeengravedonallourheartsforeverandever.”
[ExcerptsfromfromYogiBhajan’s75thBirthdayTributepresentedonAugust28,2004,in
Espanola,NewMexico,fiveweeksbeforehispassing.]
ShaktiParwhaKaurKhalsawasYogiBhajan’sfirststudent-teacherintheUnitedStates.Shehas
beenteachingKundaliniYogasince1969.AuthorofKundaliniYoga:TheFlowofEternalPower;
KundaliniPosturesandPoetry;andMarriageontheSpiritualPath:MasteringtheHighest
Yoga,sheisafrequentmovie-goerintheCityofAngels.
WhatisKundaliniYoga?
InKundaliniYogaweharnessthemental,physical,andnervousenergiesofthebodyandput
themunderthedomainofthewill,whichistheinstrumentofthesoul.Thistechnology
preciselyandconsciouslycombinesbreath,mudra,eye-focus,mantra,bodylocks,andpostures
tobalancetheglandularsystem,strengthenthenervoussystem,expandlungcapacity,and
purifytheblood.Itbringsbalancetothebody,mind,andsoul.
"InKundaliniYogathemostimportantthingisyourexperience.Itgoesrighttoyourheart.No
wordscanreplaceyourexperience.Yourmindmayacceptthewordsoritmaynot,butyour
consciousnesswillnotacceptjustwords."
-YogiBhajan,TheAquarianTeacherTrainingmanual,p.20
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KundaliniYogaisnotareligion.WhenweapplythetechnologyofKundaliniYogatoourbodies
andminds,ithastheeffectofupliftingthespirit.Itisforeveryone.Itisuniversaland
nondenominational.
KundaliniYogaisayogaforhouseholders,forpeoplewhohavetocopewiththedaily
challengesandstressesofholdingjobs,raisingfamilies,andmanagingbusinesses.Itisapath
foreveryonewhowantstheskillstocopesuccessfullywiththechallengesofourtimes.
In1969,YogiBhajanstartedteachingKundaliniYogaintheUnitedStatesinordertoprepare
humanityforthemajorchangesthatthisplanetisgoingthroughaswecrossfromthePiscean
totheAquarianAge.TheancienttechnologyofKundaliniYogagivesustheawarenessandthe
fortitudetomakethisasmoothtransition.Thelegacyoftechnicalandspiritualknowledgethat
YogiBhajanstudiedandmasteredinIndiaisthegifthebroughttotheWest.
WhathappensduringGroupSadhanaatYogaWest?
GroupSadhanaisdifferentthantraditionalKundaliniclassesinthatitis“led”not“taught.”
Whichmeansthattheteacherdoesn’tlectureorexplainmuch–simplyannouncesthe
exercises,withaminimumofdescription.
TheSadhanascheduleatYogaWestis:
3:45am–Japji(Sikhmorningprayer)Participationisoptionalbutheadcoveringis
required.
4:05am–WetuneinwiththeAdiMantra3timesandthen“AdGurehNameh”3times
andbeginexercisesfollowedbyashortrelaxation.
4:40am–Beginwakingupfromrelaxation.
4:45am–BeginMorningCall&proceedwithAquarianSadhanachants.
AttheendofSadhana,allareinvitedtoGuruRamDasAshramacrossthestreet.
WhydoKundaliniTeachersWearWhite?
YogiBhajantaughtusthatwearingallwhiteclothingexpandsourauricradiancebyatleastone
foot.Thatisagoodthing.Astrongauragivesusastrongandsolididentityandprojection,and
negativeinfluencesareautomaticallyfiltered.
Wearingwhiteisalsoanexerciseinawareness,asittakesmoreconsciousnessandcaretokeep
whiteclothesclean.HereisatasteofwhatYogijisaidaboutwearingwhite:
"Wewearwhitebecauseit'sasimplescientificfactthateverypieceofmatteror
materialhasafootandahalfaura.Everyanimalhasathreeandahalffootaura.Every
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humanhasaninefootaura.Andifwewearthecottonandwewearthewhite,this
colortherapygivesusoneextrafootofaura.”
"Weadoptedthiscolorbecauseofourbackgroundandtosupportourdevelopment.
Weaskyoutowearwhitesothatyouwillreflectwhatisoutsideandgowithin
yourself—that’swhatwhiteclothescandoforyou.”
"Whenyouaretotallydressedinwhite,theentirefacereflects,andthenitisvery
difficulttobecomeintimate.Wearingwhitedemandsthattheotherpersondealwith
youonahigherlevel,becausethatpersonhastoconcentratehimselfinorderto
advance.”
"Colorscreateanuncontrollableactioninyoursubconsciousmindofinspiration,
productivityandexpansion.Colorshaveaneffectonconsciousness.Themostdifficult
thingonthisplanetistowearwhitetoptobottom;butitisalsothegreatesttherapy.If
youreallywanttotestyourself,liveinawhiteroom.Whatitdoestoyouinoneweek
willshockyou.FromoneSundaytoanotherSunday,you’llbeadifferentpersonwithout
doinganything.”
"Wewantedtodevelopaveryfast,progressive,spiritualandtechnicalmethodofallthe
colors,sowehaveadoptedtheonecolorofthesevencolors,whichiswhite.Toyou,
whiteisjustonecolor,buttomeitisthetotalbalanceofsevencolors."
Whyareheadcoveringsimportantduringmeditation?
Headcoveringsofanykindareusefulforameditativepractice.Turbansinparticularareuseful
forholdingenergyin,andforcreatingameditativefocusatthethirdeyepoint(browpoint).In
addition,theturbanprovidesanicecranialadjustment.DuringaclassofKundaliniYogaas
taughtbyYogiBhajan®,chancesaretheteacherandmanyofthestudentswillhavetheirheads
coveredwithascarf,hat,orturban.Someteacherswearaturbanorheadcoveringforthese
yogicreasonsalone.
YogiBhajantaughtusthatthehairisaliveandhasanenergyfunction.Wearetraining
ourselvestobeawareofandmasteroursubtleenergiesandsoherecommendscoveringthe
headandhairwithacottonclothorwrappedturban.
Wearingaheadcoveringenablesyoutocommandyoursixthcenter,theAjnaChakra.Covering
theheadstabilizesthecerebralmatterandthe26partsofthebrain,whichareinterlockedwith
theneurologicalsystemandelectromagneticfield.Coveringtheheadcreatesafocusofthe
functionalcircuitofthehemispheresofthebrain,andtunestheneurologicalsystem.The
wholeheadistobecovered,notjustthecrownchakra.
TurbansasTechnology
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Theskullismadeupoftinybonesthatareconstantlymovingevenifonlybymicromillimeters
andthedegreetowhichtheymoveimpactslevelsofcalmnessoranxiety.Coveringthehead
providesasenseofcontainmentandfocuswhilepracticingyogaorwhiledoingworkthat
requiresclarityofthought.
Thebenefitofwearingaturbanisthatwhenyouwrapthe5to7layersofcloth,youcoverthe
temples,whichpreventsanyvarianceormovementinthedifferentpartsoftheskull.Aturban
automaticallygivesyouacranialself-adjustment.Youcanpayforacranialadjustment,oryou
cantieaturbanforfree!
WhydosometeachersofKundaliniYogahavetwonames?
ManyteachersofKundaliniYogarequestaspiritualname.ThisisanamethatwasgivenbyYogi
Bhajan,themasterteacherofKundaliniYoga,orsinceYogiBhajan'spassing,hasbeengivenby
NirinjanKaur(amemberofYogiBhajan'sstaffwhowastrainedbyhimtogivethenames.)It
representsthehighestpurposeofthepersonwhoiscalledbythatname.Aspiritualnameis
likeapersonalmantra.Tolearnmorevisit:www.3ho.org
HowcanIgainanin-depthknowledgeofKundaliniYoga?
Thebestwaytogainanin-depthunderstandingofKundaliniYogaistoparticipateincourses
offeredthroughTeacherTraining.ThesecoursesareforseriousstudentsofKundaliniYogawho
wanttotaketheirpracticeandlearningtoadeeperlevel.TeacherTrainingcoursesprovide
transformationalandeducationalexperienceswhetheryouwanttobeayogateacherornot.
ThesecoursescoverallthebasicsofKundaliniYogaaswellasexploringsuchaslifestyle,
philosophy,spiritualdevelopment,andhumanology.
WhataresomeKundaliniproductstouseforhomepractice?
TheYogaWestboutiquehasmanyproductstoofferforyourhomepractice.Weencourageyou
tobrowseandexplorethemanybooks,cds,jewelry,andothersacredobjectsforyourhome
practice.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,feelfreetoaskforassistancefromanyYogaWeststaff.
IsKundaliniYogaavailableinotherstatesandcountries?
Yes,KundaliniYogaispracticedallovertheworld.ThereareKundaliniYogaclassesandteacher
trainingprogramsofferedthroughouttheUnitedStates,Canada,Europe,SouthAmerica,
Africa,andAsia.
TherearemanyKundaliniYogaeventsheldaroundtheworld,includingyogafestivals,training
courses,women'scamps,andotherevents.Eachyear,manyteachersandstudentsfromall
overtheworldtraveltoNewMexicoforsomeoftheseevents.
OneofthemostpopulareventsistheSummerSolsticeSadhanaCelebration,heldinbeautiful
JemezMountainsofNewMexicoeveryJune.Itisa10-dayKundaliniYogaeventinvolving
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camping,earlymorningsadhana,yogaclasses,andthreedaysofWhiteTantricYoga.Itisan
amazingandprofoundlytransformationalexperience.SummerSolsticeistheultimate
experiencefortheadvancingKundalinistudent-anditiswellworthplanningtoattend!There
isalsoaWinterSolsticeSadhanaCelebrationheldinDecemberinFloridathatisverycozyand
uplifting.
Visitwww.3HO.orgforalistingofupcomingKundaliniYogaeventsoraskyourteacherformore
information.
OtherInquiries
Pleasedon’thesitatetocalloremailwithanyadditionalquestionsyoumayhave.We’dloveto
seeyouinthetrainingandareheretosupportyouduringthispowerfultransformation.
YogaWest
310.552.4647
[email protected]
Wehopetoseeyousooninthecoursesandatthecenter!
SatNam
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