Do not run from the storms that are coming, but allow them to let you find yourself.

Brrrrrr. It is quite cold up here in New England. Not to mention all of the snow storms we have been getting in the last two weeks. Actually as I write this post another foot of snow is on it's way and should be here by the full moon. It actually quite appropriate as we approach this full moon. The Full Moon for February is called many things, some call it the Hunger Moon, the Cleansing moon, the Wild Moon, and more widely know the Ice moon or the Storm Moon.
This is a time when much of the earth in the Northern Hemisphere is sleeping, when snow and ice cover the ground and storms are a plenty.

Last Month's Wolf moon was a time of letting go of the past and finding your strength to move forward. The wolf called you, with a firm voice, to cast off what no longer served you. To survive and thrive!!!

The Storm Moon, though its name may seem strong and the situations it brings up may seem quite frightful at times, calls to us with a more gentle voice as the world screams and swirls around us.

It says, "Come inside now. It is not time to stand out in the storm, but go quietly within"

This moon is a great time for taking healing you time, inward journeying and meditation. Think of it this way spring is on its way and you are preparing yourself to burst out of your shell as a beautiful flower. But, how can you do that if you do not take the time you need to prepare in your seed. If the caterpillar is forced out of it's cocoon too soon it often dies not ready for its amazing transformation. But, if it takes the time to sleep and build its strength let nature takes its course, when it is time it bursts out of the cocoon it emerges as a beautiful butterfly. 

In times when I go in and am struggling I remember the caterpillar and the imaginal cells:

A Story for Our Times
 from Anodea Judith's  book, Waking the Global Heart, p.35.  

"Within the chrysalis a miracle occurs. Tiny cells, that biologists actually call “imaginal cells,” begin to appear. These cells are wholly different from caterpillar cells, carrying different information, vibrating to a different frequency–the frequency of the emerging butterfly. At first, the caterpillar’s immune system perceives these new cells as enemies, and attacks them, much as new ideas in science, medicine, politics, and social behavior are viciously denounced by the powers now considered mainstream. But the imaginal cells are not deterred.  They continue to appear, in even greater numbers, recognizing each other, bonding together, until the new cells are numerous enough to organize into clumps. When enough cells have formed to make structures along the new organizational lines, the caterpillar’s immune system is overwhelmed. The caterpillar body then becomes a nutritious soup for the growth of the butterfly.

When the butterfly is ready to hatch, the chrysalis becomes transparent.  The need for restriction has been outgrown. Yet the struggle toward freedom has an organic timing." 

~~~~~~

So take this time and look within. I find that it helps to sit down with a piece of paper and some crayons and just let what ever I want come out. No judgement, no purpose. Just an outlet other than words. This way I can honor what I am feeling without over analyzing it. Try it this month at least once a week and see what happens. Also yourself at this time to express yourself with no judgement, no direction, just to express yourself.  

Because remember :

"I AM what I AM. And thats all right! Thats all right."

Here is a the Meditation for the storm moon to help you go within without judgement:

Meditation for the Neutral Mind:

Sit in easy pose with the spine straight. Put both hands in the lap with the palms facing up. Rest the right hand onto the left. The thumb tips may touch or not. Remove all tension from every part of the body. Sit straight by achieving a balance. Close the eyes. Imagine seeing your self sitting peacefully and full of radiance. Then gradually let your energy collect like a flow at the brow point. Let the breath regulate itself into a meditative slow, almost suspended, manner. Concentrate without effort at the point and mentally vibrate in a simple monotone, as if shopping the sound, projecting each syllable distinctly:

Wha-Hay Gu-Ru

Infinity identity from darkness to light.

Practice for 11-31 min

From The Mind p155

May you always see the light that shines from within.
Bright Blessings

PSK

Some Holiday Stress Busters: The "Art" and Yoga Edition

Jingle Bells Jingle Bells 

Presents on their way,

 Why oh why won't the meetings stop

 And when is my next payday? 

Hey!

Sound Familiar? Or maybe for you there are family requirements, friends you haven't seen in months all wanting to see you by next Tuesday, or even something simple as just too many events you are trying to attend. 

Even the most enjoyable events and people can become an added stressers if you aren't careful this holiday season. Last post we talked about some good breathing exercises to help relieve stress, but this time I wanted to look at a different way to help you keep your sanity and enjoy this holiday season.

It is called Art, Yoga and Expressing yourself!

Have you ever found that if you sit down and let out your feelings on paper you tend to feel better?
I know it can help me, so I gathered together a good holiday Kirya and Meditation to relieve some of the crazy holiday stress and then I invite you to take time after the Kriya and taking a shavasana to take some time and just let yourself create.

There are only two requirements for this activity:

1) Do Not Judge Yourself

2) Do the Best You Can With Where You Are
--------------------------------------

What you will need for this Stress Busting set:

• You (rather important don't you think?)
• A device you can keep track of time with
• A piece of paper (it doesn't have to be anything fancy)
• Something to draw with (a pen, some markers, crayons, ect.)

So without further ado lets get to the Holiday Stress Busting!!

So since this is the first time I've offered a full Kundalini Yoga set let me introduce you to how we start:

In Kundalini Yoga we begin a practice with Tuning In. 

We Chant Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo. Which means "I bow before my highest consciousness". 

It is a wonderful way to connect to your internal teacher and connects you to the golden chain of teachers who have come before. Take a few deep breaths, bring your hands to your heart center and begin. This is a wonderful video that explains the mantra:

So your tuned in Great! Lets do a few warm ups and then we can start the kriya.

Come into Easy Pose (which is a comfortable cross leg position) bring your hands to your knees and begin Sufi Grinds go at least a full minute each way before coming back to center. Inhale and exhale as you move. Remember you are your breath.

Inhale and bring your hands to your shins and begin spinal flex for another minute or so, inhaling forward and exhaling rounding the spine. Be careful to be gentle to your body in all of these exercises. Inhale to the center and exhale relax.

Now begin gentle neck roll moving with your breath spending at least a min going in each direction.

Here is a video that gives visuals for these warm ups as well as others you can add to your practice :)

Now on to the Kriya:
Please Note:  Follow all the times and not add or take anything out of a kriya when practicing it. If you need to reduce times please make sure to reduce them all equally. Also if you need to modify a pose do so!! Listen to your body and do your best to Keep Up! Even if you have to just visual the exercises, visual it perfectly and you will still receive some benefit!

KRIYA TO THROW OFF STRESS

Well done!
Now lay out on your back and relax. You deserve it and shavasana or corpse pose allows you to intergrate everything your just did. 

Here is a beautiful mantra I have used for ya'll before that I love to play softly during Shavasana:

 

Slowly come out of shavasana wiggling your toes and fingers, allowing the breath to return to your body and stretching out. When you have gently awakened roll up to a sitting position and grab your drawing impliments. 

Give yourself some time and just let what ever you feel out. Don't judge it or try to explain it. This is for you and only you so let go. I like to listen to mantra while I work on art but you can work in silence or listen to what ever you like.

When you are done set it aside and prepare yourself for meditation. This meditation is made up mostly of breath work so is a great way to build on what we talked about last time.
 

MEDITATION TO PREVENT FREAKING OUT
 
POSTURE: Sit in Easy Pose with a straight spine, and a light Neck Lock.
 
MUDRA: Interlace the fingers with the right thumb on top. Place the hands at the center of the diaphragm line, touch- ing the body.
 
EYE FOCUS: Eyes are closed.
 
BREATH: Concentrate on the breath at the tip of your nose. Notice from which nostril you are breathing. Within 3 minutes you should know. Then change it. If you are breathing primarily through your left nostril, consciously change to your right nostril. Be sure to keep your shoulders completely relaxed. Practice changing this breath back and forth for as long as you like.
 
TIME: You may work up to 31 minutes.

*KRI has a great collection of kriyas and meditations (including these two) call the Crisis Kit

To finish up make sure you sing the long time sun. I like to sing it first for myself then, for someone I love and then for the world around me. It is a beautiful way to end your practice. 

So how do you feel? Better? What is great about this practice is that you can keep doing it and the benefits only grow. 

Much love and light to you all in this holiday season!
Bright Blessings
Param Sevak Kaur (The Whole Soul Modern Girl)   

Change it's everywhere, but are you ready?

Podcast to ease anxiety and open our hearts to change:

(audio by Nirinjan kaur purchase here)

So this weekend my mom looked at me and said:
 Lets go on one of our adventures. Somewhere we haven't gone before.

See when my mom says adventure, that means we are looking to go somewhere really new and different. We are really busy people my mom and I, so these adventures are a wonderful way to break out and relax.  

The last adventure we went on though, had been almost 6 months ago and we had seen most of the areas around us; so planning this adventure was becoming a bit of a puzzle. 

I searched around for "Things to do in Boston" and "Events this Weekend in Massachusetts" but even though I did find out some random and interesting things, nothing seemed right. Where were we going to go? I didn't want to just stay home and cook, work or watch a movie, but as the morning wound on it seemed like I was becoming more and more comfortable with just chucking the whole plan. 

You see when I get frustrated I tend to just through my hands up in the air and go 

FINE Universe.  I don't need to go anywhere special or do anything I'm tired any way. 

And then proceed to pout or pretend like I didn't care to begin with.

Luckily I had given my mom a few options the day before and when I arrived back home from a long walk with the pup, she announced: Let's go to "The Butterfly Place". I wasn't sure what to expect as I had resigned myself to just staying at home and watching TV, but off we went following the GPS into the far out reaches of MA. After about 45 min up route 3 to what seemed to be the middle of no where, we arrived!!

The Butterfly Place

We got our tickets and walked through a very informative section about the life cycle of the butterfly and a collection of caterpillars from all different species. It was cool but no where near the level I was about to experience. 

We walked through this doubled door section and then Voila! It was a whole different world. 

Butterflies of all different shapes, sizes and colors where just flying around in this gorgeous garden. 

I was in awe. 

These frail creatures who have such a dramatic life cycle where so gorgeous and more importantly seemed so free, even in this confined area. 

It got me to thinking about what butterflies represent in life: Change.

In many cultures through out the world, Butterflies represent Growth, Transition, Resurrection, Expansion just to mention a few and some cultures even connect the symbol of a butterfly with our soul. Wow big stuff but when you look at these creatures it makes you stop and think doesn't it?

Change is ever present in our life. I know especially now I am on the verge of massive changes, of growth, in my life and I get really scared. To move forward can be rather scary. We know the now, it is safe and comfortable. The doubts of what if he won't want to stay with me if we move in together, what if I take that job offer and leave what I've know behind, what if my attempts at running my own business or doing what I've always dreamed of fails, what if I can't keep up in school or for me Teacher Training come fall? Lots of what ifs...

But, if a caterpillar didn't go into its chrysalis to become something completely new there would be no beautiful butterflies.

So I realized something walking around on that gorgeous and life filled path today, that sometimes we have to go into our scary chrysalis and change. But, when we come out, oh when we come out a new and glorious butterfly will greet the dawn. 

To work on bringing change into your life here is mantra and kriya to look at. Spirit voyage has a good article on change.

Mantra: Ant Na Siftee:

The 24th Pauri of Japji, written by Guru Nanak, the first guru of the Sikhs.  "Ant Na Siftee" or "Ant Na Siphatee" is a powerful mantra of change and transformation for you and your whole family. 

Ant Na Siftee Kehn na antAnt na karnai dayn na antAnt na vaykhan sunan na antAnt na jaapai kiaa man mantAnt na jaapai keetaa aakaarAnt na jaapai paaraaavaarAnt kaaran kaytay bilalaa-heTaa kay ant na paa-ay jaa-ayAyho ant na jaanai ko-iBahutaa keheeai Bahutaa ho-iVadaa saahib oochaa thaaoOochay oopar oochaa naaoAyvad oochaa hovai ko-iTis Oochay kau jaanai so-iJayvad aap jaanai aap aapNaanak nadaree karamee daat

Chant or recite these words 11 times (optimally for 40 days), or just leave playing in the environment to shift the energy of a space. 

-Mantra for Family Karma from Spirit Voyage

I love music and Gurunam Singh has a cool version you can purchase:

and here is a version of him singing the Ant Na Siftee live.

Kriya:

When facing change it is good to keep your heart open to the positive and growth that is forming around you.

Kriya to open the Heart Center

As always, listen to your body and intuition for what is right for you :)
May you accept and celebrate the change in your life emerging as the beautiful butterfly you were meant to be.
Bright Blessings,
Jenna/ Param Sevak

Mothers Day and the Heart Center

The heart of the mother is the greatest power of Infinity ever given to any finite being." -Yogi Bhajan

So wow, officially cold calling from 8-5 can really up your life. Oh I don't think I shared with ya'll that I was temping at a market research firm for the last two weeks. I met some great people though and had some rather amusing conversations, but the overwhelming feeling of exhaustion hung on everything. I was told my project was done though today and I left after lunch with a mixture of joy, sadness and worry. Joy, because it was a gorgeous day out in Boston and no work meant more free time :) Sad, because it was a bit sudden. I was expecting to leave Friday felt rushed to actually say goodbye to all the  wonderful people I met. Worried, because this meant I would not be working till possibly next Wednesday. And you all know me, I tend to worry if given the chance especially when it comes to money. But, I have been working to calm my mind and fears and am proud to say, although the worrisome thoughts are surfacing from time to time, they are not stressing me out. So I am instead breathing deeply, working to take the time to let the universe do as it will and just enjoy myself.

So in honor of mothers day we are going to look at a few things to fill you with the love of the divine Mother:

A Planting Meditation of Rebirth of yourself and hope

All you need for this is a seed. It can be any time of seed.

I walk you through this on my podcast this week so make sure to check it out!! ;)

The Adi Shakti matra

This mantra goes helps us acknowledge the divine mother, the creative force flowing all and bow with reverence at that amazing force. 

The music used in this weeks mantra is Adi Shakti by Mantra Girl

Buy here

You may wonder why pull from different artist every week and why they are not in traditional mantra style. That is because I found love with Mantra from artists that expressed this timeless practice in their own voice, and want to give you all that opportunity as well.

If you want a more in depth look at the mantra go on over to 3ho. This post goes a little more in detail about the mantra. 

GO here

A Cool, Easy, Organic Gift idea for mom 

"Peppermint Latte" Organic Coffee Sugar Scrub

This scrub doesn't just smell good, but also has health benefits!!

• Olive Oil/ Coconut Oil: Nourishes your skin
• Coffee- The caffeine in coffee stimulates the skin, tightening it as well
• Sugar- Naturally exfoliates
• Mint – Soothing to the mind

1/2 Cup Ground Coffee

1/2 Cup White Sugar

1/4 Cup your choice of oil (coconut, oil, almond)

1 tbsp peppermint oil (note not essential oil measurements)

1) Mix together the coffee and sugar and add the peppermint oil

2)Then take your melted oil and slowly add it into the coffee/ sugar mix

3) Make sure it is completely mixed together

Note: To make this scrub organic make sure you are using all organic ingredients

It is wicked easy but is great gift!!!!

Have a great mothers day ya'll 

Share your light, Share your love

Jenna

Breaking through Fear

Hey guys so this has been a very intense time for me as I work to reshape my life from a 9-5 job to a job that allows me to share my love with the arts with others. Sadly I have been learning the hard way that you can't man handle the universe to let you do what YOU want. I had clear visions of what I was going to do and no one could sway me.

I have found out many times over this doesn't work yet cause I am me I still try and then wonder why I run into walls or dissatisfaction? Sometimes your path or creative soul have a mind of their own and if you let go of your ego and fear, you will be delighted what amazing opportunities and joys you are invited to be a part of.

So as you can image this has been a stressful time and fear has been so prominent for me! I mean I'm having zombie apocalypse dreams again!!! Ugh: So I figured we would look and fear together this week.

Fear of the unknown 

It is easier to stay where you know, then where everything is new and unfamiliar. 

The unknown is scary and to stay in the unknown even though you hate it, is even worse.

As I told my family this week when asked how I was doing:

"I'm learning to have faith and it sucks".

I have always looked for some quick fix a system that would give me answers, take away my fear of the unknown of what I could be.  But I am realizing it is not the fear I have been dealing with, but all the mess and walls I have surrounded my fear with. I wasn't looking for a fix for my fear, but a way around my fear: a shot of happiness without the work of dealing with what I did not know and what I could be.  

Faith is a big leap to put yourself out to the world and pray you make it to the other side.

But this is what can ride you through the dark fog of the unknown. Just let go of your fear and walk in light forward.

I'm not saying it's an easy jump, the wind is strong, edges sharp can cut you and sometimes you can't see anyone on the other side. But I have found when I put my soul out to the universe and take the leap things do work out. Just often, not how I thought but they would.

When asked how to get rid of fear in a Q and A session, Yogi Bhajan responded with this:

A: Take that pen. Raise it. Drop it. That’s how. When you drop something, just drop it. There is no other way. Don’t listen to the lies of people. No kriya can help you drop it. Only you can. Just drop it.

*just a side note for those not familiar with what a Kriya is: 

The word kriya means action. It is an action that leads to a complete manifestation like a seed leads to a bloom, a thought into actuality, a desire to commitment.

In Kundalini Yoga a kriya is a series of postures, breath, and sound that work toward a specific outcome. Practicing a kriyainitiates a sequence of physical and mental changes that affect the body, mind, and spirit simultaneously. There are kriyas that support the liver, balance the glandular system, make you radiant, stimulate the pituitary, increase the flexibility of the spine, and many more. Each kriya has a different effect, but all work on all levels of your being. 

-Taken from the 3ho.org website

So take that leap, take a deep breath and jump! 

You'll be amazed and what you'll find on the other side.

Maybe you are called to start a book club in your neighborhood, knitting group at your church,  build homes, help people in third world countries, work with local charities, raise a family, make art. They are all wonderful journeys, so get out there! Have some faith  and you'd might be surprised where you end up! 

This week we have a meditation for courage from belief.net with music by:

 Nirinjan Kaur from her From Within Album 

The matra Adi Shakti:

Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Namo Namo

(I bow to the Primal Power)

Sarb Shakti, Sarb Shakti, Sarb Shakti, Namo Namo

(I bow to the all encompassing Power and Energy)

Pritham Bhagvati, Pritham Bhagvati, Pritham Bhagvati, Namo Namo

(I bow to that which God creates)

Kundalini Mata Shakti, Mata Shakti, Namo Namo

(I bow to the creative power of the Kundalini, the Divine Mother Power)

For me this is the hardest part. Letting go and giving up your will to control, but instead allow the divine around you to flow through.
I wear a bracelet I made to remind me of this:

I love my mediation jewelry ;P

Also as an added bonus, I have included 10 min Kundalini Kryia for building courage:

Love to you all this week <3 Stay tuned for more mid week yummies to nourish your belly as well as your soul!!
Jenn

Las Vegas and Love

Hey Guys so podcast 3 yeah!!!!

And not to mention that but now you can find the podcasts on iTunes!!!! Whaha….. Or you should be able to. It has been an interesting battle. Let me know if you guys can find me :)

So on to the podcast!

Vegas: 

Most of my time was spent at Viva Las Vegas preparing and then walking for MayMac Design studio. It was a blast, the hair/ makeup team were amazing and not to mention I made some awesome fun memories with the other ladies who walked:

So if you are curious this is the company Red Apple Lipstick I was talking about here it is:

Click to get to their website!!

GO CHECK THEM OUT!!!!! They have the nicest founder and CEO, who I have personally talked when i've had questions. Not to mention a large selection of colors for lips and eyes.

~

Here are the lip glosses I am talking about that are so yummy and affordable!

And yes I am getting the new Honey Badger Formula next, I have the Cabernet Kiss and Hot mess and love them.

Each Sells for $18.50 and it really lasts (I've had my bottle for over 6 months).

Mint2Be

~~~~~

So my loves, here are images of the quotes this week.
As well as links to the music for this week.

Continuing with the theme of love/self-love this week here are the images to go with the quotes:

  

~~~~~~~

This week we heard from "Beautiful" by Sarah Brightman

you can find it on most digital retailers but here is the link to Amazon

Thanks again guys have a great week!

<3 Jenn

First Podcast!! Woot.

Click to listen to our FIRST podcast!!!!!

Hey guys so in the podcast I know there is a lot of back story about me and such but I figured this is an introduction to me and where I am coming from. So now you know or at least know a little bit more. 

In the podcast the meditation I share at the end is the Wahe Guru Wahe Jio mantra:

   Wahe Guru       Great Beyond Description is the experience of God’s Wisdom... 
     Wahe Guru       Great Beyond Description is the experience of God’s Wisdom... 
     Wahe Guru       Great Beyond Description is the experience of God’s Wisdom… 
     Wahe Jio         Great Beyond Description is the experience of God Blessing the Soul.

So there are a lot of great websites if you are curious about this mantra and or Kundalini.

The site I took this from is: http://www.sahej.com/Sadhana_Mantras.html

Also the go to site I use for anything kundalini is www.3ho.org. 

At first everything can be a bit over whelming on the site, but if are looking for a full listing of information, this place is where to go. 

The song playing during this weeks meditation is:

Laya Yoga Chant (Makyo's Tantric Dub) by Sat Kartar

from the 

Kundalini Remix: Yoga Mantras Revisited Album

You can purchase the album here.  

And make sure if you enjoyed the music please go support the artist. :)

That's all for now loves. 

<3 Jenna