My Favorite Word in Sanskrit

So far I’ve learned many beautiful Sanksrit words and  phrases,  but the original one I learned, long before I became a teacher has still remained my favorite. I’m sure you’ve heard it being tossed around at some point, in movies, or t-shirts… I even think one of the housewives on New Jersey uses it in the introduction of the show!

“Namaste”

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Namaste (/ˈnɑːməst/ nah-məs-tayHindi: [nəməsteː]  sometimes expressed as Namaskar or Namaskaram, is a customary greeting when individuals meet or depart.

The reason I love this phrase, is for what it represents.  It means “I see the light in you” or “I bow to to the divine in you.” I think it is the ultimate compliment paired with the ultimate blessing.  It has changed my view of people entirely.  What you begin to see in someone is their light, every thing else about them fades away. Age, race, appearance.. all judgement goes out the window.  For me, it has become an excellent way to understand people.  If they have a low light, or low “shining” I ask them how they are doing and I listen.  I try to understand if there is anything I can do to bring them a little more light.  Yoga has refilled my light so much it brims out of me and spills out onto others.  I can barely contain it.  I love sharing this practice with people because it’s awakened me and I feel more energy then ever before.  The best feeling on earth is seeing my students come up out of meditation, with so much light in their eyes.  It makes me emotional.  That connection and connectedness is such a powerful exchange.  A teacher when inspired and connected will receive as much joy giving yoga as a student practicing.

To all my readers: “Namaste!”

Yoga and Memories

imagesThere is  a mind-body connection in yoga.  Meaning, the body, can activate experiences in the mind. For example, our hips carry a lot of our memories and as you begin to stretch and open them up, a flood of memories can come through.
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Pigeon Pose* A very deep hip opener, excellent for unlocking memories.
     When we begin to open the body, stored energy, tension and experiences begin to unlock, in a very peaceful and pleasing way.  Even if the memory is not a good one, you are in a state of mind to process and heal.  Crying in a certain pose of yoga is a very common experience! You are unlocking suppressed feelings.
      Yesterday the memory that flashed into my mind was an extremely happy one. So powerful, it took me back to one of the happiest times in my life. Living in the South of France.  For a moment I saw the ocean and beach where I laid out, I felt the sunlight on my skin. An incredibly uplifting sensation entered my present moment. I also realized, I am that happy again!
    Recalling these memories caused an uplifting effect on my emotions. I realized, through yoga, memories begin to present themselves.
    Remembering the South of France reminded me of what I need to keep doing to stay happy.  Enjoy myself! Everyone has beautiful memories stored inside them and through yoga, it is a safe environment to access them and share in their joy again. Take those happy times from the past to the present and creating more for the future. Sad ones come too, and it is the most uplifting release, to finally set it free and not have it live dormant inside you.

22 Yoga Facts About Me

22 Yoga Facts About me

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1. I started practicing 6 years ago.
2. I hated it.
3. I was very stiff, I am a former basketball player with extremely tight hamstrings
4. I didn’t understand anything the teacher was saying
5. My ego thought the class and the teacher were “lame”
6. But then the boyfriend I had during that time said he really liked me after I did yoga.
7. I realized I felt peaceful and happy despite my original opinion.
8. I took yoga for 4 years for free outside in  a park
9.  Those sessions cleared my mind and inspired me
10. I had magical meditations
11. I would do yoga, then record music.
12. I struggled making money and worked in retail
13. I had terrible anxiety (from my teens into adulthood)
14.  I had trouble focusing
15. It grew into a very dark depression (I’m an artist)
16. I struggled at my retail job (terrible anxiety at work)
17. My nerves were fried
18. My house was a mess
14. I quit retail
15. I decided to enroll in a Yoga teacher training course
16.  For 200 hours I “hit the mat” every day facing my self
17. My anxiety cured.
18. My depression was gone.
19. I started teaching immediately to help others.
20. I enrolled in a 300 hour graduate program
21. I started this blog.
22. My album “Kingdom in the Sky” was inspired by the meditations I experienced in yoga.

A Modern Guide to An Ancient Practice

Hello and welcome to Spiritual It Girl!

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I am experiencing some truly profound life changing techniques on meditation and yoga that I would like to see every generation embrace. A lot of these techniques are to help you get the most out of your yoga or meditation practice.   Unfortunately some of this is lost in a beginners yoga class and most likely, meditation was not a class you took in school.

 

Happiness is masked by outward desires. Thanks to tv/radio/commercials/traffic/cellphones we are bombarded with messages like BUY BUY BUY, make more money, you’re too skinny, you’re too fat, you’re too old. We are repeatedly being told “You’re not anything.” Enough!

 

In addition to negative media messages bombarding us, we are tethered to our desk hunched over at the computer, face down in other technology, or constantly sitting in our cars driving, airplanes traveling etc. We are distracted and hurting ourselves, causing long term problems. If your body could speak to you, I’m pretty sure it’s first word wouldn’t be “thanks.”

 

What you will find on the blog?
  • Easy tips and guidance for a beginners Meditation practice
  • Easy tips and beginners guide to Yoga
  • A Guide to happiness and inner peace
  • Tips for eating well
  • Guided meditation links,
  • Tips for improving home life (your temple)
  • Books to read

 

Basically everything  you need to know to help get in great mental, physical and spiritual shape.

 

ABOUT KAI
When I was 7 I won the award of “Most Spirited” at gymnastics camp.  That pretty much sums it up.  Oh, in high school I was voted “Most likely to see in a new direction” and well, looky here! I am a 200 hour certified yoga teacher and currently enrolled in a 300 hour graduate course. I am also a recording artist.  You can find my albums on iTunes under “KAI ELLE”

 

Why did I create Spiritual It Girl?
What I’ve discovered is really powerful. How do I present it so that it looks not foreign, but familiar? Oh by blog of course!

 

With this knowledge you will have access to a greater power than you have ever known.  People hire me every day to bring positivity, healing and peace of mind into their lives. And not only do you start to feel better but by doing this practice one can also can into incredible shape!  I’ll give you the tools to access these mind and body opening revelations.

 

Take part in this new awakening.  The key to happy is free.  It is simple and accessible.  The only thing I ask is that you open your mind.  I am excited for our journey together!

 

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