One Woman's Journey to Kundalini Yoga
One Women’s Journey to Kundalini Yoga
By Lisa Sahakian
Oct 4, 2006, 01:30

About 7 years ago in Santa Monica, California, I was introduced to the concept of Kundalini yoga.  I had no idea it would one day save my life.  Many years and several “J.O.B’s” later I found myself shoved out of corporate America for the last time.  Due to on-the-job-stress, I had a severe case of post traumatic stress disorder, acute anxiety, depression, hives, chronic kidney problems, walking pneumonia and bronchitis (to name a few). I was at the end of my rope.  I was living this life of “trying to make things happen” and nothing was working.  I became a human doing rather than a human BEING. I had exhausted myself to the point where my body actually shut down in order for me to finally stop, listen and most importantly, BREATHE!  

During that time it seemed that everywhere I looked, and every one I spoke with kept repeating the words “Kundalini Yoga.” I finally listened to the signs and I took myself to yoga studio where I began my journey of magical transformation from within.  I am now a yoga practitioner because of the tremendous healing that took place as a result of my practice.  Today, I am ailment free and living a blissful life that I once only dreamed of.  Thankfully, the permanence of impermanence (also known a change) happens no matter what we do.  We live in a Universe that is constantly changing.  Because of Kundalini yoga my entire life has changed for the better.

Kundalini yoga is considered the yoga of awareness. It is a 5,000 year old science that uses, mantra (sound), mudra (hand poses) and kryia (posture) with specific intentions for each yoga set.  There are sets specifically for weight loss, prosperity, sexuality & creativity and so many more.  At the beginning of each class we chant the mantra “Ong Name Guru Dev Namo” which simply means, “I bow to the teacher within.”  With this mantra, we are reminded that we are our own best teachers and that all answers to life’s questions are within us.  While other yoga practices are considered yoga’s of posture (a “perfect pose” is the goal), Kundalini yoga meets you where you are at – today.  I often remind my students that over time, with the use of breath, their bodies will naturally find the posture. 

As my students learn to bow to the teacher within, they eventually learn to accept themselves exactly where they are – just as I did.  In addition, as we take the practice off the yoga mat and into the world we find we can better understand and accept and appreciate the world around us.  I invite you to experience the magic of Kundalini yoga – you are guaranteed to feel results by the end of your first session.

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Lisa Sahakian teaches yoga privatle, for groups, and at hospitals.  She believes that bringing yoga to the individual is vital for our society today, and that every moment is a new opportunity to live life in its  fullest  expression.  The ability to experience and accept each moment with a balance of spontaneity and stability provides great freedom of expression.  As we learn to move freely from this space we find our authentic self and live in our natural state of grace.  Through breath, yoga, meditation, and mantra we can shift paradigms, free ourselves from thought patterns and remember the joyous state of our being - awake, aligned and alive.  Contact Lisa at: lisasahakian@earthlink.net or 323-662-3303