Editor's Note: Kundalini yoga teacher and writer Dhanpal/Donna Quesada recently attended The 21 Stages of Meditation retreat, taught by Gurucharan Singh. Here she shares her experience trekking through the terrain of the mind.
(Editor's Note: The idea of meditation can be intimidating for yoga beginners. While yoga asanas can be physically challenging, for many people the thought of sitting in meditation can bring up a lot of concerns. Sohan Kaur shares some thoughts on meditation for yoga beginners that will encourage you to pull out your meditation cushion and give it a try!)
What do you do when your yoga teacher asks you to close your eyes in class? For many yoga beginners, closing your eyes is more challenging than it sounds. But closing your eyes in your yoga practice can bring about a huge change in your consciousness fairly quickly. In a beginner’s yoga class, you’ll often hear the teacher say, “Close your eyes and open your mind”. But what’s really going on here?
Sat Nam. Recently a dear friend of mine, Dharm Singh of Espanola, told a story about a conversation he had with Yogi Bhajan many years back.Yogi Bhajan used to say, “We’re human Beings, not human Doings.” How many of us take time out of our busy days to actually BE? Even those of us who are committed to a yoga practice often let life pass in a blur. We wake up in the morning, reach for our cup of coffee, rush around to get the kids ready for school, walk the dog, get ourselves ready for work, and so on. Our awakening hours pass in a flash, and we repeat the routine day after day. As the day goes on, we’re so busy running from one activity to the next that we barely have time to stop and take a breath. More often than not, our focus is on BECOMING or HAVING, not on BEING.
Beads of Truth Magazine interviewed GuruPrem Singh to get the story behind the songs that have emerged. Date: March 24, 1990Happy Free Music Friday from Guru Prem Singh, Simran Kaur and Spirit Voyage!
Click here to download One Vibration by Guru Prem and Simran from their new album Heal Me!
Guru Prem Singh wrote this about Heal Me:
An old fashion concept album, this entire Album: Heal Me, was done as my personal prayer for healing and redemption. Though made up of multiple songs, it is meant to be enjoyed as a complete experience, from beginning to end. When listened to in this way, the songs weave a tapestry of deep and manifold healing. It is my hope and prayer that my journey of healing is conveyed through this music and that each listener can be healed through the sound and vibration that has been created.
This album has many stories associated with the songs and the nature of the Siri Singh Sahib/Yogi Bhajan's poetry. Every song is a story; stories relating to Yogi Bhajan and my relationship with my spiritual teacher. For those of you who never met Yogi Bhajan, as well as those of you who did, you might find these stories of our creative collaborations valuable and hopefully entertaining. Blessings, GuruPrem Singh
These stories and the lyrics are on the CD in a .pdf format, please have a look.
Or to read these stories visit http://divinealignment.com/images/stories/Album%20notes.htm 
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Posted in Free Music Friday | Tagged free music friday, Guru Prem Singh, heal me, Simran Kaur
Sat Nam Fest teacher Harijiwan talks about the power of mantra in this video. Mantras, regardless of the musical style, beat, or lyrics surrounding them, can profoundly affect the consciousness of the listener or the singer. Harijiwan uses the Beatles as an example, with songs like "Across the Universe," using mantras and popular music to begin to change people's consciousness. Enjoy this great perspective on the power of mantra from Harijiwan!
Join Harijiwan and the many other fantastic Kundalini Yoga teachers at Sat Nam Fest East in Waynesboro, PA September 13-16, 2012.
The Power Of Mantra (Harijiwan) Segment #2 (Crop4) from DaVincicode on Vimeo.
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Posted in Mantra, Sat Nam Fest, Video | Tagged Harijiwan, Mantra, power of mantra, Sat Nam Fest 
Evening Prayer - Kirtan Sohila by Snatam KaurClick here to listen to Snatam Kaur on Spirit Voyage Radio with Ramdesh.
Click here to sign up for the Spirit Voyage Radio with Ramdesh podcast on Itunes.
Airdate: August 2, 2012
This fascinating podcast with prolific sacred chant artist Snatam Kaur focuses on her new album Evening Prayer, and “Kirtan Sohila,” the beautiful prayer that Sikhs all over the world recite before bed each night.
What is Snatam’s life like now? She has recently moved to Santa Cruz, California, and lives near her daughter’s new preschool. The family is in transition as for the past three years they have traveled on the road as a family unit. It was time, they decided, to give the preschooler a more stable life and to have a new home space.
What is Kirtan Sohila and why did Snatam want to record it? The prayer is a combination of poems from the first, fourth and fifth Sikh gurus. Says Snatam, “Kirtan Sohila takes you into a journey of consciousness… in the words of Yogi Bhajan you are brought to the feet of God.” For the yogi, when you go to sleep it’s similar to dying; you let go of everything and get to a deep place of sleep. The prayer helps you to reach that place of neutrality.
Snatam first connected with the prayer when she was a teenager and her stepfather recited it to her every night. The poem brought comfort and peace during a tumultuous time in her family. She began reciting it in her teens and then continued until she reconnected with it as a mother. It’s now part of the nighttime ritual to recite the prayer to her daughter before bed.
Thomas Barquee, Snatam’s producer, helped her put the prayer into a form suitable for recording. They decided to include both a recitation version and a musical version (you will hear parts of both on this podcast). The musical version is composed of five different sections, each with “its own feeling, energy and journey.” Snatam-- who is a self-described perfectionist --was a little worried about recording the piece; she would often awaken in the night and go over the structure in her mind. When it came time to record, however, the music flowed naturally and gracefully. (For those who know Snatam’s work, that’s no surprise!)
Are there some key lines that especially speak to Snatam? The last line, she says, is especially meaningful, and refers to being in a state of humility and service. “Let me be the dust of the feet of the Saints” brings us to serving the spiritual, serving the saintly energy and the pure vibration, Snatam explains: It recalibrates you to that task and lets you let go of the day.
She also points out a line that speaks of the home environment and how important it is to fill our homes with chanting God’s name. If you want to connect with God the best place is in your heart and then of course in your home, Snatam says. In the Sikh tradition, the way to liberation is to chant God’s name. The power of Kirtan Sohila is that it becomes an instruction to your subconscious and your psyche. You are saying to yourself, “chant the name of the fearless God” and this message follows you throughout your day and brings peace and calm on a subconscious level. The daily repetition brings profound transformation.
Listen in as a caller to the show asks Snatam a question about releasing the vibration of the ego. Snatam says it is absolutely possible: “YES with capital letters.” But you must be really immersed in prayer and not lost in your mental patterns about business or grocery lists or previous conversations; the more you can immerse yourself in the prayer the more complete is the effect, she explains.
Join Ramdesh and Snatam on this exploratory journey into this extraordinary prayer that is recited by Sikhs around the world in the evening before sleep, as well as when an individual leaves the body. Join in as best you can; even if you don’t know the words you’ll be uplifted and amazed.
Listen to and purchase Evening Prayer on www.spiritvoyage.com
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Posted in Announcements, Interviews, Radio, Snatam Kaur | Tagged evening prayer, kirtan sohila, Snatam Kaur, Spirit Voyage Radio with Ramdesh, yoga podcast
Kathryn E. Livingston has been writing professionally on parenting issues for nearly three decades and has recently turned her pen to her new passion, Kundalini Yoga, which has changed her life. She lives in Bogota, NJ. 
"In that gong space, you are outside the earth's planetary energetic matrix, so your mind can reconfigure itself to its own divine connections rather than the earthly connections." - HarijiwanI had the honor of sitting with Harijiwan to talk to him about his experience of joining Sat Nam Fest. I had a list of questions prepared for him, all focused on the festival, but Harijiwan started talking about the gong, and I was so mesmerized by the depth of his connection to the gong and the groundbreaking work he is doing with it, that I almost forgot all of my questions. He is not only an amazing teacher, but he has an incredibly poetic way of describing things. You are in for a treat reading what he shared here.
Karan: "How did you come to start playing the Gong as a part of Simrit's band?"
Harijiwan: "Playing the gong in my classes, I could sense there was a deeper experience to be created within the gong space. I wanted to find a singer who could stay inside the gong space so that we could do musical mantras inside that space. I looked for a long time. Then I heard Simrit's 'Hey Gobind' track and I knew there was something there.
"Hey Gobind" is on Simrit Kaur's "The Sweetest Nectar""From the first time I met Simrit, we started talking about combining the gong and her singing. The question was whether she could hold her sound without the gong overwhelming her. We started experimenting and Simrit clearly had a gift. Then I met Anthony Molina who is an incredible musician, but also a serious sound engineer and music producer. I discovered that he had an exceptional understanding of how to mic and manage the sound system with the gong without being overwhelmed by it, which is rare.
"I encouraged Simrit to try to play with Anthony and they had incredible synergy. When we merged their joined sound with the gong, it just worked. As we are now going out and playing, we are having these incredibly powerful experiences. We are exploring how the gong amplifies the mantra or musical space. Simrit is a rare singer who can stay on key and stay in her musical space inside the gong space. Every time we play together, we are exploring new depths of the gong.
"The thing is that the mantra is the goal. It is packaged in the music to entrance the listener. The gong amplifies the effect of the mantra. Our quest has been to transport the listener into a higher state of being."
Karan: "When you play with people unfamiliar with the gong, how do they react to it?"
"The musical presentations at Sat Nam Fest are all designed to open meditative spaces. Inside those meditative spaces is where the devotees have danced for ages and enjoyed." - HarijiwanHarijiwan: "People go nuts with the gong, which has always been a mystery to me, but I've come to accept it. It so personalizes how the amplified vibration moves you, that the music takes on a unique life for each person who experiences it. We are experimenting every time we play. It is really an uncharted landscape we are working in.
"One notion is that when the big bang occurred, the sound it created was the gong sound. Good gong playing sounds like the NASA recordings taken in deep space near the various planets like Jupiter and Mars, for example. In that gong space, you are outside the earth's planetary energetic matrix, so your mind can reconfigure itself to its own divine connections rather than the earthly connections. If we can get this into the musical experience, we can make energetic changes in the mind and energy of the listener. That is when people can be transformed.
Karan: "Having taught at our last Sat Nam Fest, can you tell me what your experience of the festival is?"
"Simrit is a rare singer who can stay on key and stay in her musical space inside the gong space. Every time we play together, we are exploring new depths of the gong." - HarijiwanHarijiwan: "Sat Nam Fest is part of a very historic movement. People have been longing for music festivals without the destructive drug/alcohol culture and within the space of a real yogic and meditative experience. It's the movement of the planet. Festivals are so inspiring, so much fun, and so elevating. And now we have this in a Kundalini mantra yogic culture, so people can come out with enhanced intuition, enhanced mental clarity, and vibrant health while they dance and enjoy themselves in an incredible community space. I've never seen people get this ecstatically happy and just glowing with goodness. This is the trend of the future. I am so happy to be a part of it.
"You can think of mantras as individual energetic beings. They want to participate in the global music scene just as much as anyone else does. They are looking for festivals where they can be sung and danced to and be absorbed by the audience to spread their healing vibrations.
"The musical presentations at Sat Nam Fest are all designed to open meditative spaces. Inside those meditative spaces is where the devotees have danced for ages and enjoyed. This is what Sat Nam Fest is about: opening the ecstatic devotional spaces that have been enjoyed for thousands and thousands of years by the initiates. In this change of the age, everyone has the possibility to be that advanced practitioner. I really encourage people to participate so they can experience the wonder and magic of the mantras in this musical setting."
Harijiwan plays with Simrit in concert "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Starr
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Posted in Interviews, Kirtan News, Sat Nam Fest, Video | Tagged gong, Harijiwan, Sat Nam Fest, Simrit Kaur
There is a feisty start to the week, like a fast jump out of the gate. You will hit the ground running with a pace that may feel a bit maddening if you are trying to keep things slow and subdued. Your best bet is to go with flow, which means going at a rapid pace – picking up your heels and moving forward with confidence and bravery, even if you are hanging on to some doubts with regard to where you are going exactly. Forward motion is better than no motion at all so proceed with confidence and don’t be afraid to speak your mind.
The big news on Tuesday is Venus’s entrance into the emotional water sign of Cancer. Over the next six weeks or so, you can expect affairs in the love and romance department to be more emotional and sentimental than usual. Follow your intuition when it comes to love, and don’t be afraid to side-step toward the goal that you are reaching for. This is the way of the crab – indirect, subtle, quiet, but effective. Following your feelings. They will not lead you astray. Your heart knows where to go. It is generally your mind that fowls up the works.
Speaking of the mind, you can rejoice in knowing that Mercury, the planet of the mind, turns direct on Wednesday morning, suggesting that communication gets back on track and electronics will be operating more smoothly than they have been. Travel will resume to normalcy and you are now safe to make purchases of mechanical objects and sign contracts or major business deals.
Wednesday is also the day that the Moon shifts into grounded Taurus, putting the emphasis on home, security, and practical matters.
On Thursday, the desire for sensual romance and bodily pleasures is strong. Taurus enjoys the fine things in life – good food, pleasant sights and smells, and comfortable surroundings. Enjoy time at an art museum, a musical performance, or in the company of a loved one on a soft bed with clean sheets and chocolate bon bons.
Thursday is a good day for Venus Kriyas with your romantic partner. Light incense, set the stage with candles and low lighting, and take your time to experience the full effects of the exercises by allowing yourself plenty of deep relaxation time afterward. Follow up with a long chant of your favorite spiritual music and/or mantra.
Yoga and Mantras for a Whole Heart by Ramdesh Kaur and Karan KhalsaOn Friday, a veil of uncertainty and indecision plagues the morning hours, making it hard for you to be effective in the workplace, or any other place you may find yourself. It isn’t until the late afternoon (4pm EST/1pm PST) that your head gets back on track and you find your internal compass again.
This is the time that the Moon finds itself in the mental air sign of Gemini – moving and shaking through the air element, and thus jogging your mind of all the things you need to do and people you need to contact.
There is a strong social element to the day on Saturday, encouraging you to discuss plans and important issues with others, and connect with those who share the same ideas and philosophies as you do. Take advantage of this time to expand your social circle and get involved with a community group – be it a dance class, a yoga studio, or a political activist movement or campaign.
On Saturday night, a lingering influence from Jupiter helps to expand your mind and your idea of what is possible. Don’t be afraid to think big!
On Sunday, a helpful trine between Mars and the Moon helps to put your emotional drive into action. There is a desire to take your anger out on a long bike ride or your ecstatic enthusiasm out on the dance floor.
Channel emotions into creative outlets and don’t be afraid to get physical! A rigorous yoga set followed by a calming meditation helps spur creative juices and turn them into artistic works of mastery.
In the late afternoon, a lunar trine with Saturn adds a hint of discipline to the mix, helping you straighten up and get serious about a plan that you can put it into action during the weeks ahead.
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Posted in Horoscopes | Tagged kundalini yoga horoscope, venus kriyas
Japa Kaur is a musician/singer/songwriter currently living in the San Francisico Bay area of Northern California. She is also a Kundalini Yoga teacher, Astrologer, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) practicioner. Born and raised in southern Maine, she came to California to attend Stanford University where she studied Communication, Studio Art, & Music, and where she eventually found Kundalini Yoga. Japa has traveled extensively, performed for the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers and looks forward to touring with her most recent CD, The Aquarian Sadhana. http://www.spiritvoyage.com/yoga/The-Aquarian-Sadhana/Japa-Kaur/CDS-004181.aspx 
Gurmukh teaching at Sat Nam Fest West with Snatam KaurKaran: You've always been known for using the greatest music during your classes. How has the opportunity to have live music changed the experience for you as a teacher? Can you see the difference in the students?
Gurmukh: It's like night and day. It's like microwave dinners compared to fresh, live, whole, organic, real food. I enjoy everywhere I go with the musicians who go with me on my IPad; however, to have live and spontaneous music is Divine. Snatam and I don't plan what we're going to play together. We just get onto the same wavelength and sail. It's so much fun. The students feel a deeper experience.
Karan: Can you tell us what it's like for you as a teacher to teach with Snatam as your musical partner?
Gurmukh: It's Divine. I often get nervous or feel, Can I do it again?... unless I'm with Snatam. When I'm with her, we play off of each other; and the Creative Force comes through us doubled. When I look at her and when I hear how she and her fellow musicians take off on what I said or the rhythm of where we need to go before I even say that we're going there, that warms my heart and really heightens the experience of the Teachings.
"I often get nervous or feel, Can I do it again?... unless I'm with Snatam." - GurmukhKaran: When you spend a weekend with people in a community environment like Sat Nam Fest, eating together, singing together, dancing 
together, do you feel you get a deeper connection to them when you then get up on stage and teach?
Gurmukh: Absolutely. It's like living in a village, in a community, sharing with each other like when we lived in ashrams, and then going forward and playing. I've talked with them. I've eaten with them. We've hugged each other. There isn't any distance between the stage and all those who have come to participate.
Karan: You often read amazing writings during your classes - do you look for specific messages that you can share?
Gurmukh: I have collected a big notebook of writings over many years. I don't know what I'm going to read; however, it seems that it works out just fine. I open the notebook, and there it is; or I turn to a page, and there it is; or I remember something that would be just right, and it's there. It's very fun and spontaneous. I'm so thankful to all the poets, all those who wrote e-mails about childhood experiences, all the new mothers who sent birthing e-mails, and all who have forwarded others' e-mails. They come just in time. They're so delicious and they're so authentic.
Karan: What is your favorite thing about Sat Nam Fest?
Gurmukh: It's community, the anticipation of the classes, the evening programs, meeting old friends and new friends from all over the world. I would never want to miss it, God willing. It heightens the experience of the year and the season for me and for my family.
Gurmukh and Snatam on stage at Sat Nam Fest East 2011
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Posted in Announcements, Gurmukh, Interviews, Sat Nam Fest | Tagged Gurmukh, Sat Nam Fest, Snatam Kaur
Editor's Note: If you're new to yoga, all of the talk about chakras may be a bit confusing. What exactly are chakras, and what do they do? Akaljas Kaur shares information, kriyas, asana, and other tips for each chakra in this new series.
“Reconciling the conscious and subconscious emotions in the specific arena of each chakra will create a flow of energy and personality in which the human is consistent and not defeated, and has conscious goals.” ~Yogi Bhajan
When considering the chakras, sometimes we get caught up with where they are located in the body and if they are balanced, unbalanced, open, or closed. In reality, the chakras are not limited to exist in any one specific location of the body. The chakras are energy centers where interplay between the physical and subtle realms take place. Kundalini Yoga teaches us how they represent various parts of the physical body, our emotions, our perceptions and how we project ourselves out to the world. As vortexes of energy, the chakras from which we are operating or projecting will always change just as energy itself is always changing vibratory frequencies. Understanding the chakra system is a great tool through which we can gain deeper insight into ourselves and make sense of life. Through Kundalini Yoga, Yogi Bhajan has shared many techniques for us to work with this system and move toward higher states of consciousness.
The first chakra is called Muladhara which means root or foundation. In this particular chakra we can begin to transcend the basis of physical nature. Connecting to the earth element here, this energetic center is responsible for everything that manifests in the physical world. It is involved with material and primal survival, our health, bodies and habits. In Kundalini Yoga, the specific body parts that are related to the first chakra are the bones, feet, legs, rectum, perineum, large intestine, base of the spine, adrenal glands and immune system. The theme here is elimination, steadiness, health and stability. Through the practice of Kundalini Yoga we can build a strong connection with this energetic center and use it to help us live fully in our bodies and on this earth.
Kundalini Yoga shows us how simply the emotions relate to all chakras. These emotions vary, showing shadow and light qualities depending on how connected we are to the particular chakra. When we disconnect from this energy center we might be greedy and insecure or suffer from depression. We may distrust the world and have very rigid perspectives. The reason for these shadow emotions boil down to the feeling of fear. Fearing separation, hunger, poverty, anything really are symptoms of a disconnect from the earth energy within. Operating from a place of fear is a strong sign that we have lost our relationship with the first chakra. Luckily, with a strong Kundalini Yoga practice, we can strengthen our connection to the chakras. When our relationship with the first chakra is strong, we are calm, patient, generous, loyal and we value ourselves. We feel supported and are able to support others. The first chakra gives us the foundation from which we allow our self-awareness to take root and grow.
There are many Kundalini Yoga kriyas, meditations, mantras and asana (poses) to assist us in strengthening our relationship with the first chakra so we can project those light qualities and find physical and emotional balance in this arena.
Kriya for Relaxation and Releasing Fear from Kundalini Yoga for Youth and Joy will get right down to the heart of the matter and assist in letting go of the subconscious fear we hold.
Kundalini Yoga for Youth and Joy by Yogi BhajanElimination (Apana) Exercises from Sadhana Guidelines gets deep into the intestines to help with any physical issues arising from this chakra.
Kundalini Yoga: Sadhana GuidelinesMeditation for the First Chakra from Physical Wisdom is an excellent meditation to connect you to the power and flow of energy associated with the first chakra. It also utilizes a wonderful Kundalini Yoga mantra “Humee Hum, Brahm Hum” which translates into “we are we, we are God”. Chanting this mantra fixes our identity to its true reality; that we are the spirit of God. Once we know this, we can trust in life, others and ourselves.
Physical WisdomA great resource to chant along with is Hummee Hum Brahm Hum by Gurucharan S. Khalsa & Gurusangat Singh. This CD offers a variety of versions so you can find the one you like best. If you’d prefer a simple rendition, try Mantras of the Master by Santokh Singh.
Hummee Hum Brahm Hum by Gurucharan S. Khalsa and Gurusangat Singh
Mantras of the Master by Santokh SinghThere are Kundalini Yoga postures that focus specifically on the first chakra energy. If you need a first chakra boost and you only have a few minutes, try one of these:
Crow Pose: Begin standing and bring the feet a little wider than hip width’s distance apart, turn the toes outward. Slowly lower down into a squat, hips coming all the way down by the ankles if possible. Interlace the fingers, except for the index finger and straighten the arms so the fingers point straight ahead. Focus out beyond the horizon and begin long slow deep breathing. Let the inhales move down to the base of the spine filling this area with vitality as the exhales release any tension or blockages you may feel.
Crow PoseChair Pose: Begin standing and bring feet shoulder’s width distance apart. Squat down until the thighs are parallel to the earth. Bring the hands through the inside of the legs, wrapping them around the back of the ankles and placing the palms on the tops of the feet. Keep the back straight and chin slightly tucked. Begin long deep breathing.
Fun lifestyle tips for enhancing root chakra energy: Eat more root vegetables like beets and carrots. Include ginger in your cooking or juices. Wear red clothing or red gemstones. Walk barefoot on the earth (not concrete).
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Posted in Chakras, Kundalini Yoga, Yoga | Tagged chakras, kundalini yoga, muladhara, root chakra
Akaljas Kaur Medley; M.Ed., eRYT, is a humanologist, writer, yoga conduit, great listener, and a lover of the oceans. She is certified through IKYTA and Yoga Alliance in Kundalini and Hatha Yoga. As an independent yogini she teaches Kundalini Yoga, writes, does Jyotish readings, gong sound healings and life-coaching. Kundalini Yoga is the music of her soul and she delights in sharing this amazing transformational technology with whomever is listening. Originally from the bustling metropolis of Houston, she now lives in Honolulu and is enjoying the island life. She loves to travel and is drawn to places with relaxed welcoming attitudes and a reverence for the natural energies of the environment. When she's not teaching, writing, studying the stars, breathing, meditating, laying in the sun or playing in the ocean, you can find her getting creative in the kitchen with fresh local ingredients. She firmly believes that life is deliciously precious and every moment holds potential for bliss. 
Click here to listen to Dev Suroop Kaur on Spirit Voyage Radio with Ramdesh.
Original airdate: July 14, 2011
Dev Suroop Kaur, a highly-respected Kundalini Yoga teacher and KY teacher trainer as well as a delightful and prolific musician joins Ramdesh on this podcast.
Dev Suroop describes her yoga journey: She was living in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1983 when she came across a Kundalini yoga class and began practicing. “For me, as for a lot of people, the music is what really captured my heart,” she recalls. She began her “winding journey” at that point, studying directly with Yogi Bhajan for many years. He encouraged her and gave her valuable feedback on kirtan, chanting, and Naad yoga.
Kundalini BeatThe first track you’ll hear is “Aad Gurey Nameh” from Kundalini Beat. This is a mantra of protection, Dev Suroop notes, and one way to do it is to envision the first four Sikh gurus surrounding you, with Guru Nanak in front of you. Why not try it?
Dev Suroop’s voice is stunning and her musical tastes adventuresome. She explains how she paired up with rapper PBR to learn how to chant mantra with rap rhythm and projection. Says Dev Suroop, who loves pushing edges and being creative, “It was a big, grand experiment.” It was also a success. She’s received a lot of positive feedback on Kundalini Beat. Dev Suroop shares a couple of impromptu rap chants with listeners on this fun podcast. From Kundalini Beat, you’ll also hear a rockin’ version of “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo.”
As a Kundalini yoga teacher, Dev Suroop’s specialty and passion is Naad yoga. She explains Naad yoga as the science of sound and communication. “It’s how the sound current and how we speak and how we think transform us, really create us and remake us every moment.” When we apply this to mantra, she continues, we take words that vibrate at a high frequency, and we become that frequency. “It’s a huge and satisfying arena,” Dev Suroop says.
Chants Eternal: A Master's RequestListen next to “Sat Siri Akal,” from Chants Eternal. This mantra is part of the early morning Aquarian sadhana. This particular mantra, Dev Suroop explains, reminds us that we are timeless, deathless beings. Ramdesh notes that Dev Suroop recorded this track after the passing of Yogi Bhajan and it is a beautiful honoring of her teacher.
On her album Sahej, Dev Suroop explores an entirely different direction; classical Indian Raag Kirtan. She has been studying this style for the past ten years, and says it is a very rich, lovely, and transforming technology. You’ll see what she means when you listen to “Beauty – Kahaho Milai Kit Galee (Mayro Sundar)” from Sahej.
What is the one tip or tool from Kundalini yoga that Dev Suroop finds most compelling? Listening. Sit and listen to and identify every sound around you: the flies buzzing by, a car on the road, a helicopter overhead, a child’s giggle. Dev Suroop explains that aside from breathing, the practice of deeply listening is the foundation of sound and mantra and Naad yoga; this is the foundation of communication and of so much success in life. It also helps develop your intuition.
SahejNext you’ll experience a group Kundalini Yoga meditation called “Meditation to Remove Fear of the Future.” Dev Suroop describes the mudra, which you can assume as you listen to “Dhan Dhan Raam Daas Gur” from Sahej.
The podcast closes with “Sat Nam Bangara” from Kundalini Rising. No doubt you’ll find it difficult to sit still for this one!
Join Ramdesh and Dev Suroop on this exciting adventure; with her rich and resonant voice, this amazing teacher/musician will take you to places you’ve never been before.
Click here to sign up for the Spirit Voyage Radio with Ramdesh podcast on Itunes!
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Posted in Interviews, music, Radio, Yoga Music | Tagged Dev Suroop Kaur, Spirit Voyage Radio with Ramdesh, yoga podcast Kathryn E. Livingston has been writing professionally on parenting issues for nearly three decades and has recently turned her pen to her new passion, Kundalini Yoga, which has changed her life. She lives in Bogota, NJ. 
Sat Nam Fest supporting artist Hans Christian, a beloved member of the GuruGanesha Band, shares his musical path in the video below. Come see him performing live in Waynesboro, PA September 13-16, 2012 at Sat Nam Fest!
Hans Christian's CDs!
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Posted in Announcements, Interviews, Sat Nam Fest, Video | Tagged Hans Christian, Sat Nam Fest, video 