I’ve never taken a yoga class before. How do I start?
There are many ways to begin the practice of Yoga. What’s important is that you take that first step. Yoga Rays is dedicated to sharing the joy and power of Yoga with the wider community. That’s why we have put so much thought and passion into providing the highest quality classes for each student. We recommend that you start with the first Sunday of each months with a 2 hr beginner’s Kundalini Yoga class with our Founder Dharamjeet Kaur, offered at a reduced community price of $11 taught by no other than our founder Dharamjeet. You will be taught the basics with compassion and clear instruction to help you enjoy and understand the powerful healing effects of this beautiful and ancient practice.
With so many choices, how do I choose which style, class or Teacher to try?
Yoga Rays precisely offers various varieties of yoga so that you can enjoy them all to see what fits for you. Yoga IS for all ages and all experience levels. Finding the style of Teacher that resonates with you and your needs is crucial to having a great experience and reaping the substantial health benefits that Yoga provides. At Yoga Rays each Teacher will teach the given theme for the week, weeks, or month , but will have creative license with their own unique interpretation, using inspiring dialoque, time tested Kriyas, Mediations, and soulful music. The best thing is to try all our outstanding teachers and pick the ones for you!
I’ve been athletic all my life, but right now I’m suffering from injuries. Can Yoga help me?
Absolutely, in general all Yoga is a therapeutic yoga! You may try Yoga for Athletes to begin. At Yoga Rays we have special sets especially for strengthening your core and back. It is vitally important that you communicate any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries to your teacher before class. That way the poses can be structured to accommodate your needs and help you heal and recover.
What Type of Yoga Shall I try?
Click on the link for definition of yoga types, and then try our 3 class intro to see what resonates with you. (click on class descriptions under schedule tab)
I need to lose weight. Can Yoga help me do this and which classes are best for weight loss?
The answer is YES! Any of our Yoga classes can help you lose weight. Kundalini Yoga specifically works to stimulate the glandular system and nervous systems, massaging your internal organs, helping to restore your intestinal and colon health naturally. All yoga stimulates the immune system to eliminate harmful toxins, stimulates the adrenals to burn more calories, as well as activates all hormones vital for detoxification, weight reduction and cellular rejuvenation. Additionally, the combination of moving through the poses and working with your breath is a great way to increase your metabolism and burn calories. And, practicing yoga will make you more conscious and mindful of when and what you are eating and how you are taking care of your body. yoga also improves your posture, flexibility and muscle tone, helping you look longer, leaner, and more Radiant!
Do I need to check in before class, make a reservation for class, or can I just show up?
Reservations are not required but some classes do fill up so we recommend that you plan to arrive ten or fifteen minutes early to secure a spot in class. We ask that all students check-in and log in on the sign-up sheet and fill out a waiver form. Please take off your shoes and turn off your cell phone or pager before entering class. Since we are just now establishing ourselves, we suggest you review the existing schedule.
Why do Kundalini Yoga Teachers wear only white and a head covering?
White is the color than encompasses all colors of the rainbow. Therefore, white allows more healing energy to pass through our clothing to our cells. We wear a head covering and a shawl to keep that Kundalini energy in, for the healing properties to maximize. Just like when we were baby’s and our heads were covered to hold in the heat. That “heat” is vital life energy. The Kundalini energy running from your tail bone up through the 26 vertebrae and out your crown Chakra, (the top of your head). Every molecule of every atom vibrates at a higher frequency when heated. Same with the Human Being. Come raise your frequency………Get your raise at Yoga Rays!
What does a Kundalini Yoga class consist of? What can I expect?
Opening inspirational message and a little about Kundalini Yoga, Kriya, Meditation, Relaxation, Pranayam, chanting, introspection, relief, joy, love, relaxation, rejuvenation, changed! This is the most soul-full of all the yoga styles.
What exactly is Kundalini Yoga?
Kundalini Yoga is a science that works on the natural flow of our Human energy located in the eight Chakras- (the customary seven and the Aura). With this flow of energy, we either sway it or it will sway us. Either we are above the energy and ride (control) it or it will ride (control) us. It works like the principles of the Law of Attraction. It is basic Quantum Physics. Kundalini is actually our creative potential before our programming of fear, doubt and anxiety imprinted. We experience our Kundalini energy when the energy of the glandular system combines with the energy of the nervous system to create such sensitivity that the totality of the brain receives signals and integrates them. That’s the basic answer. I go into it in detail at my 2 ½ Hr. Beginners’ Workshops, Experience the Healing Energy of the Chakras, and it is my privilege to educate my students in all aspects of Kundalini Yoga in all my classes. I highly welcome and encourage you to choose the 2 ½ hr Beginners’ Workshop as your first Kundalini experience to at least better empower you in making the right decision. Kundalini Yoga is an inner journey, an introspective, beautiful, and natural journey to your soul. It is a very personal experience, and therefore it is somewhat important to resonate with your “Guru”,(the one who leads you from dark to light).
Why is it said that Kundalini Yoga so much more effective than other yoga?
Kundalini Yoga is known as the “Mother of all Yoga” because its effects have been documented for over 5,000 years and is the actual origin of all yoga. Other yoga that emerged from KY throughout the years has had their own vlineage and many have been westernized to appeal to more people. Any yoga is great, so I suggest that you find your asana (comfortable seat) and practice what resonates with you. Kundalini Yoga is so effective precisely because, through the Sikh tradition it has been authentically preserved and handed down through this lineage throughout the ages, to this time and beyond. It remains the most comprehensive of all yoga, thus all the studies. (Please see the science and research section.) Yogi Bhajan, a Sikh and Master of Kundalini Yoga defied all objections and brought this sacred practice to the West in 1969. All of his lineage of Teachers are called Aquarian Teachers, and sworn to uphold the Teachings in their pure form. That is why it is very important to be taught by an authentic Aquarian Kundalini Teacher. Otherwise you may not be getting the pure form of Kundalini Yoga, if that is what you wish to experience. We no longer have to be Sikh to be Teachers, but the lineage must be from the Teachings of Yogi Bhajan. I personally am not a Sikh, but do believe and live much of the Lifestyle.
Why do people say that KY is so powerful and sometimes dangerous?
The “dangerous” part goes like this… In the past in India, Kundalini Yoga was practiced in secret by Nobility only, because they did not want the lay person to be empowered. The saying goes that when a lay person was found practicing KY, they were put to death. Ok, well thank God that passed!
The power of Kundalini Yoga lies in the actual experience. It goes right to your heart and extends your consciousness so you may have a wider horizon of grace and of knowing the truth. Ultimately you understand your existence in relationship to the universe and understand what you already are, and this brings you to the practical experience of Infinity. Once you feel your infinity, you experience life from a different vantage point, and your creative potential begins to unfold. NO words can replace that experience. Longitude and latitude are given to everybody. Altitude and attitude are given by Kundalini Yoga. When the spiral of energy rises to penetrate through all the Chakras, man knows that he is God. That’s why they say that KY is dangerous, because it takes away from man the ability to be exploited by another man. Please join me in a class with some Yogi Tea, and it would be my honor to answer all your questions. Sat Nam - Truth is your Identity!
What is the difference between Kundalini Yoga and other forms of yoga?
Thanks for your interest. To answer your question... All forms of yoga focus on stimulating and regulating the human energy that is the essence of consciousness. This energy is called the Kundalini. As it originally evolved, each student of yoga worked on all aspects of himself. He exercised the physical, disciplined the mental, and discussed the world intellectually, etc. Yoga was holistic, permeating every level of human existence. With the passage of time, the techniques became diluted and divided. As individuals catered to their different needs and personalities, they chose to emphasize and practice separate components of the total yogic system. Some preferred just exercise (Vinyasa, Hatha), ignoring mantra and meditation without breath control. Over time this lead to the recognition of 22 different schools of yoga, and growing, as individuals "tweak" their practice. Kundalini is the original form of yoga, we practice asanas to open the Chakras (energy points of the body), mudras (hand positions), mantras (using the body as a musical instrument to stimulate the Hypothalamus), and meditation to calm the mind. As Kundalini Teachers, we are sworn to hand down this beautiful and potent tradition as it was handed down to us. NOTHING is to be changed. That is precisely why Kundalini Yoga is so effective, and considered very powerful.
How often should I take yoga class?
As often as you like! Everyday is a great day to practice.
What religion is yoga?
Yoga is not a religion at all. It is a science of the breath and movement
Should I eat before class?
It is ideal to practice on an empty stomach, or at least 2 1/2 hours after eating.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes you can move easily in are best for yoga. Tank tops or T-shirts and loose, stretchy pants work best. Yoga is practiced barefoot. You can change into your clothes upon arrival.
What should I bring?
A yoga mat, or one will be provided if available, shawl or light blanket. You may also want to bring a meditation pillow and drinking water.
Why do we chant?
Chanting is not religion specific. Most yogic chants are in either Sanskrit or Gurmukhi, both ancient languages of the yogis. The shape the mouth makes and the placement of the tongue as the words are spoken actually stimulate pressure points in the mouth, bringing about a meditative state of mind by shifting energy in your brain.
What is a kriya?
A kriya is a set of specific postures (Asana) and chants to bring about a specific outcome such as increased vitality, flexibility, clarity, immune system booster, addiction therapy, opening the heart center, love, prosperity, etc. Please see “Science/Research” and “Workshops” Tab.
Comfortable clothes you can move easily in are best for yoga. Tank tops or T-shirts and loose, stretchy pants work best. Yoga is practiced barefoot. You can change into your clothes upon arrival.A yoga mat, or one will be provided if available, shawl or light blanket. You may also want to bring a meditation pillow. Chanting is not religion specific. Most yogic chants are in either Sanskrit or Gurmukhi, both ancient languages of the yogis. The shape the mouth makes and the placement of the tongue as the words are spoken actually stimulate pressure points in the mouth, bringing about a meditative state of mind by shifting energy in your brain.
