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Students say......................
When Lisa asked me to write an article on what the joy of yoga is for me, it allowed me the opportunity
to reflect on my history and relationship with yoga.Naturally my first thought was the length of time that i've been
invoved with yoga. I think back to how it all started....I've always been and still am open to new experiences and 12 years
ago, I read probably one of the first articles in Canada about yoga (slight exaggeration) and thought, i'd love to "try it"
( like it was a new food or something) Only problem was "WHERE?" Yoga was no where to be found in St. Catharines at the time,
except for the living room of a lovely lady named Nicoline. I found Nicoline only through much investigating and questioning,
until finally, a friend of a friend knew a friend who "did" yoga out of her home. YEH! Excitedly, niavely and unknowingly,
I started my life-long journey with yoga.
It was in Nicolines class that I met Lisa,and noticed something really special in her. I knew one day
she would be my mentor. Which brings me to a part of the joy of yoga for me, which is the community I share it with.
Having friends, a group of like minded people to share the yoga journey with, is truly a special gift. Now,
normally, I start something and move onto the next just as quickly (i'm going to have to meditate on that one) and
don't get me wrong, i've had my share of stopping and starting with yoga as well, but there's always been something
that brings me back to my mat. What stands out for me, the thing that brings me back to my mat is the "JOY" in my
body, a joy that years of aerobics and weight classes had never been able to provide. My "mat" time is a moment
in my busy life that brings me back to myself. My heart, my mind and my body become calm and open to grace, its
a time to connect to myself.
The joy of yoga or journey of yoga teaches me many things, too many to mention in this essay,
but i'll simply name a few. Yoga teaches me how to pay attention to my everyday life, to find sacred beauty, thankfulness
and pleasure in the simple things, which brings me to another lesson which is keep life simple. It also teaches
me to be mindful in everything I do, see and say. One of the greatest things yoga has taught me is to let
life in and let life out, instead of resisting, expecting. wanting, etc, and to keep seeking balance. Yoga is a journey
and as Baron Baptise has said "the prize is in the process"
Peace.... Mary
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I came into this weekend not really knowing what to expect.
I came out feeling like I was walking on a cloud, surrounded by beautiful angels.
I long for this feeling to stay and aim to do all I can to keep feeling “bountiful, blissful and beautiful”. I can’t thank you enough for this magical weekend. You are truly an inspiration.
Love, Cindy
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I am so grateful to you, Devi, for providing me with the tools to help me find my way home.
Sat Nam,
Susan
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I came wanting to heal and I leave feeling well on my way.
My heart is open and receptive. My mind is clear. The path I need to take has been opened to me. Thank You. I will see you at the concert.
Joanne
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Having never experienced Kundalini Yoga before, this was a very interesting journey for me. The Friday evening practice was the most incredible, I experienced a shocking (to
me) release that felt energizing. The chanting wake-ups were beautiful (for a
non-early riser like me). Some of the work was challenging but it felt great
to push myself. The food was wonderful, again surprising for a non-veggie girl! The
opportunity to present the labyrinth was inspiring.
Thank you Devi!
Sonya
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This weekend was an experience in release, strengthening, and living in light. It reminded me of the burdens that we women take on in this life, and the joy of healing from these burdens
within a circle of feminine strength. And heal we must, so we can walk our paths
with courage and fill the world with Shakti energy!
Sending you my love Lisa!
Sandra
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This retreat could not have been any better! Devi
did a fantastic job in the planning and organization of this extremely successful experience, even Mother Nature co-operated
with perfect weather! I feel so blessed for having Devi and the joy of her Kundalini
teachings in my life. The retreat Kundalini workshop experience is a beautiful
culmination of all the elements of Kundalini… mind, body, heart and soul. I
am so glad I attended….the bonding, kinship with so many like-minded women in such a beautiful setting was inspiring
and I cannot wait to go again! Thank you Devi, from the bottom of my now very
open heart!!
Sat Nam,
Shelly
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Ong
Namo Guru Dev Namo
The
rain is pouring down, like all the souls you send here, Coming to this earth to find healing,
Mother
Earth takes in the rain, like your heart takes my voice, Let us free each other, with our prayers, with our voice.
And
I’m Coming Home
And I’m Coming Home
And
I’m Coming Home
And
I’m Coming Home
Ong
Namo Guru Dev Namo. Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo
For
the last two years, I have sung this blessed prayer as I make my way back to my teacher, Devi Kirin Kaur’s home.
Each Tuesday and Thursday evening I claim a spot on my kundalini mat to begin anew after summer hiatus. I so look forward
to this return and reunion with the sister and brotherhood of the white pants.
This
past October we were fortunate to have our first ever kundalini retreat, and all female Khalsa Retreat at SugarRidge Yoga
and Retreat Centre. There we participated in the kundalini teachings as taught by the Master Yogi Bhajan, immersed ourselves
in the Kundalini life, commeradery, vegetarian cuisine and communed with mother nature in all her beauty. I must
say, we were spoiled by our gracious hostess with gifts from the earth’s bounty and infused with energy as she made
us the most delectable array of vegetarian delights. Our bunkies we warm, welcoming, comfortable and peaceful, there
nestled there in the trees.
Devi
Kirin is a wise, beautiful soul that radiates great energy and light. Each week she shares with us her heart, her home,
and her life’s lessons through kundalini. Devi is very supportive, with her hear t wide-open. I and
grateful to have Devi in my life, she is my lighthouse, and blessed are we to experience the gift of her radiant
light and energy. When ever the storm is rising, I look to my becon and Devi is shining always, and sooner or later,
I make my way to the shore safely without wrecking.
During
my retreat I felt my path crystallizing. I have decided to deepen my personal practice and follow Yogi Bhajan’s
infinite wisdom, to become a lighthouse for others by embracing his teachings through Kundalini Teacher Training 2009.
I
was so moved by my retreat experience, that I requested my spiritual name through 3HO upon my return. On November
18th 2008, I received my spiritual name, and was reborn, Harmanjeet Kaur. Princess/Lioness who is the
victory of God’s Heart.
Since
Kundalini has come into my life, I am prosperous beyond words. It is reflected daily in my ability to pursue my creative
passion by sewing my kundalini white pants, headwraps and soulbeads (PureJo). Thank you all for your support, blessing
and light.
Joanne
Meli wrote me when she returned from retreat, "Good friends are like stars.........You don't always see them, but you know
they are always there." I know the kundalini sisterhood (aka “sisterhood of the white pants”) is there,
like a beacon of light always.
Harmanjeet
Kaur (Joanne Morris)
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To anyone interested in investigating what yoga is all about, we are privileged to have
in our area the best yoga teacher no matter what level you happen to be. Most people have the impression that yoga is very
difficult with all the strange positions. Lisa makes it so simple. Not only does her gentle approach to yoga get you off on
the right foot but as you grow she is ready to encourage you to move on. She invests her time and shares her knowledge with
all who are willing to learn and grow physically, mentally and spiritually. Your life will be changed forever!
-Mary D
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Almost
two years ago, my Mother informed me of a couple’s Yoga class that her instructor, Lisa, was holding on Valentine’s
Day. I instantly imparted this information to my boyfriend and we decided to
take part in the class. I have been hooked on Yoga ever since.
After
taking my first Yoga class, the competitor and perfectionist in me found the discipline quite addictive. Hatha Yoga, with it’s complex balancing positions which require acute strength, concentration, and
determination, became the challenge I looked forward to confronting every week in Lisa’s Yoga classes. However, as the
months went by, I began to realize that Yoga was so much more than just getting into contorted positions, while remembering
to breath and not turn purple. The person who taught me to look beyond my ego,
and see Yoga as a lifestyle, rather than simply as a physical challenge, was my instructor Lisa.
In
every class, Lisa reminds her students to “listen to your bodies,” which for myself literally meant, leave your
Ego at the door. Once I realized this lesson, my Yoga practice took on a whole
new meaning. I started listening to my body during class and I started to see
that the Asanas meant nothing without ‘proper breathing,’ ‘proper mediation,’ ‘proper relaxation,’
and ‘proper diet.’ With Lisa’s teachings and guidance, I found
myself meditating more frequently and with more ease. I also found myself equipped
to handle stressful situations after learning how to relax. My diet also took
a turn for the better as I put ‘ahimsa’ or ‘non-violence’ into practice in choosing to eat less meat,
and increase my legumes, lentils, beans, and other healthy options.
All
the changes I have made in my life while practicing Yoga have come from the spiritual guidance of my teacher. Lisa’s classes not only invigorate my body, and settle my mind, but they impart a deeper lesson that
everything in my life happens for a reason. If I could impart any advice to someone
who is thinking about taking up Yoga, it would be to find a teacher with whom you feel you have a connection. Lisa’s Yoga has connected so many people, whether it be inside the classroom, or during an eight
hour car ride to the Laurentian mountains in Quebec for the annual Sivananda Yoga Ashram. Two years ago, Yoga was just a way of exercising and relieving stress; Today, Yoga is a way of life!
OM SHANTI! - Megan D
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Several years ago I met Lisa Scandolari quite by accident, when I haphazardly enrolled in
a Yoga class to help me from becoming a complete couch potato.
What has transpired over the last seven or so years is quite amazing. Lisa has helped me,
not only to keep fit and healthy, but also to create a greater understanding of myself and others. The regular practice of
Yoga provides many benefits; through Lisa’s leadership they can be yours.
-John M.
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There is a Buddhist proverb
that says…“When the Student is ready the Teacher will come.” For me that Teacher is Lisa.
As is the way with life when we let it, we are often led to where we need to be through seemingly random meetings
or conversations, which really aren’t random at all; but are a gentle nudging from the Universe. My nudge came at a
time where if I look back now on those few years I know that if Yoga & Lisa were not in my life I honestly don’t
know how I would have made it through. And so, in the guise of “just another manicure appointment” at work, the
Universe offered up a delightful gift and I had the great pleasure of meeting our lovely and beloved Miss Mary D. To this
day I cannot remember how we ended up on the topic of Yoga, but of course we did, and not just any Yoga but Kundalini Yoga!
I remember thinking at the time how strange it was that this lovely being actually knew what Kundalini yoga was (as many do
not, but we are changing that!) AND that she had been practicing with a teacher in the area! We continued chatting as I had
a myriad of questions to ask. As the appointment came to an end Mary shared Lisa’s studio information with me and as
we parted ways; knowing that we would definitely see each other again, I remember feeling first, how grateful I was to have
met such a beautiful being and second, that my life was on the cusp of a major transformation! I saw Mary again later that
day as she had another gift for me; a small Buddha that to this day sits on a shelf at work in the place where it all began.
That was about 4
years ago. I was ready; and so the Teacher came. I attended my first Kundalini class with Lisa at the studio. From the very
first breath I was hooked. From the very first vocalization of “Ong Namo” I was home. I know that my experience
and love for Kundalini yoga did not only come from the teachings themselves but came from the way in which Lisa teaches them;
with Joy, Truth, Laughter and an open Heart. Now that I too am on a journey of sharing the beauty and strength of Kundalini
Yoga I am ever grateful for the presence of Devi Lisa in my life and ever humbled by her pure spirit and grace.
The
tapestry of life is ever flowing, changing, evolving just as we are. At times it can be tumultuous and we may experience resistance
or fear. It is in those times where we least want to be with ourselves or face our fears and tears where the practice becomes
most powerful. For me Kundalini Yoga has been a saving grace and to have such a Divine teacher in Lisa and a Sacred Space
to come “home” to each week is a Bountiful, Blissful, Beautiful gift that I will be forever thankful for.
Love
& Blessings,
Melissa*Haribir
“Not only do
you have the potential to do anything, but you must first realize this potential.”
~ Yogi Bhajan, PhD, Master of
Kundalini Yoga
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