Back-to-school. Back-to-the-mat

The back-to-school vibe always gets me in the mood to envision an upgrade to my lifestyle. It's a new beginning. New notebooks, new pencils, better habits. Do you feel that too?

If so, what will that look like for you? 

Is now when you really figure out how to relax? 
In this world with its informational onslaught, please make relaxation a priority.

Is now when you establish a daily meditation routine?
Look. It's not like the jury is still out on this one -- science has recorded the effects of meditation on stress, anxiety, depression, ability to concentrate, preventing heart disease, and more. 

Is now when you push to a more rigorous physical practice? 
We can all probably do more -- hold our arms up a little longer, add some frogs or some stretch pose to our daily regimen -- and feel better, younger, and more vital. 

All you need for any of the above is commitment. Think about that...

Here are a few of Yogi Bhajan's many words on commitment: 

“Commitment is knowledge within itself. You don’t commit to get the knowledge. When you commit, knowledge comes to you. If you can commit and hold on to it, there is nothing more you have to learn. When you commit, things will happen which will shift in you, change you, stop you, [tempt] you to disobey, revolt. Such opportunities will come to you. Even if you forget the truth that is the basis of you, if you continue to be committed, that’s all it takes. Commitment does not ‘begin’ anything. Commitment is the end in itself.”

While I'm on the topic of commitment, I'll also mention teacher training.This training is the ultimate upgrade to your practice because you'll understand the underpinnings of everything we do.

I remember my process in deciding to do the training. I was nervous. I was afraid to commit. My kids were little and the weekends of training were going to be a challenge for my husband. Then, there's homework and practice and classes to attend in between. Having time for all of that seemed difficult. Yet I took the leap of faith anyway. If you know me and how I feel about Kundalini Yoga, you know that I'm very happy I did. It wasn't always easy. We did have to reach out for support to help with the kids. I felt guilty sometimes being away. But nothing has ever benefitted me as much and that trickles down to my kids, big time.

Just one example of that trickling down: on a school trip, my daughter had a chance to walk across a high-wire. She was strapped to a harness and safe, but she was so scared she was shaking. I was there. It was very high up. She was determined to push through and conquer this fear. One tiny, shaky step after another. Such a thin wire. For this mom, time stood still until she made it. Once she got to the platform on the other side, she got to sail back down to the ground triumphant on a zip line. She was so thrilled and smiling so big. The first thing she said to me: "I was saying Sat Nam to myself the whole time."

Most often when I offer yogic techniques and tools to my kids, they reject them in the moment. I remind myself that it's okay. The seed is planted, and when they need it -- way up in the air, feeling vulnerable, overcoming fear -- it'll be there... It'll be there. 

If you are in or around Montclair, we are offering a Kundalini Yoga Level 1 KRI-certified training beginning in November. Click here for more information and to register.