By Margie (Maitreyi) Wilsman

I have attended numerous Shaktipat Retreats offered by Gurudevi Nirmalananda, Online as well as On-Site.

Gurudevi is a Kundalini Master, a Shaktipat Guru. She has the mystical power to awaken the energy of Consciousness that is lying asleep within each of us.

Receiving Shaktipat from Gurudevi over more than a decade, I’ve experienced the wonders and importance of Kundalini. This cosmic power lies asleep coiled below my tailbone. When awakened, she uncoils and rises up the spine. Along the way, she clears your spine of karmic blockages stored there.

I first became aware of Kundalini when I experienced spontaneous Shaktipat during an Embodyment^® Yoga Therapy session. Kundalini was opening through my left leg, ankle, foot and hip on the tightest side of my body.

Having already experienced Kundalini, why have I taken numerous Shaktipat Retreats? I did not understand what was happening at first. When immersed in Gurudevi’s Shaktipat Retreats, I’ve received revelations that are light years beyond my initial experiences in Embodyment^® sessions.

Being in Gurudevi’s presence, meditating, listening to her talks, and chanting the Sanskrit verses of the Kundalini Stava.h were occasions for Kundalini to show up. They still are. Her arising sheds light on blockages that still need work. She continues to clear my karma on physical, emotional and mental levels.

In my first Embodyment^® experience of Kundalini, I certainly did not recognize what was happening. I did not know the clearings on my left side were due to Kundalini. She was clearing karma seeds from areas of my spine associated with my left side. Plus, I did not know that was a sign of Gurudevi’s Grace flowing in me.

Over the years, I’ve learned more about Kundalini in various ways. While at Lokananda, I purchased a hand-carved wooden murti (statue) of Kundalini that now sits on my altar. I developed a practice of honoring her daily.

I learned that the dormant Kundalini is active at every level of my being: my eyes, ears, head/brain, heart, digestion, and more. She operates in the activities of my daily life. Once awakened, I can feel how she transforms mundane life activities into mystical ones.

Experiencing Kundalini’s inner movement requires strength and proper nourishment. When I enroll in Online Shaktipat retreats, I look forward to receiving handouts of recipes for delicious, nutritious vegetarian dishes. We get to eat the food that Gurudevi eats.

After a Shaktipat Retreat, I do the homework given to us. For two weeks, I chant the Kundalini Stava.h. And my daily meditation is for Kundalini to continue to do her work.

At first, I thought Shaktipat was only about Kundalini, Gurudevi as a Kundalini Master, and the burning away of karmic blockages stored in my spine. Next, I began to understand how these entities are intertwined.

Finally, I understand the part I play in being open to the most powerful, fullest movement of Kundalini burning karmic blockages. I am opened to the flow of Gurudevi’s Grace. Bring it on!

By Agnes (Aikya) Hetherington

I was startled when I made a discovery about Gurudevi’s teachings. At first, I thought she was telling us many different things.

Yet I have realized over time that she has one single message for us. This message is vaster than the ocean, even beyond the beyond. And she is completely dedicated to helping us hear her message and know its truth experientially.

For me, the focal point of this dedication is her Swami Sunday discourse. Joining together in community with other seekers is both joyful and vital.

The long chant at the beginning propels me into a more receptive state. It shifts me from outward-focused busyness to an interior gaze. The silent pause after the chanting allows me to notice the change.

Hearing a personal story from the emcee illuminates another seeker’s journey. Hearing about their breakthroughs, large or small, encourages me on my path.

Then comes the sense of anticipation as Gurudevi begins her discourse. Will it be fiery, gentle, serious, funny, or all of the above? Sometimes I get scolded for being half-hearted with my practices. Other times I feel bathed in glory as one of the few who have chosen this path.

I can never predict whether I will even hear Gurudevi’s discourse. I might be laser focused all the way through, drinking in every word. Or I might pass in after a few minutes and miss all of it. Sometimes her words bypass my ears and mind and go straight into my heart.

Meditation afterwards is equally unpredictable. If I pass in, Kundalini pushes me into a deep forward bend, trying to release my tailbone. Other times she sends random thoughts whirling through my mind.

This is not the kind of enlightenment breakthrough that I once imagined. Yet I continue showing up for Satsangs. Why? Because Gurudevi has taught me that it is the showing up consistently that gets you there.

By Swami Satrupananda

Svaroopa^® yoga is like André the Giant — powerful and gentle, both at the same time. This is a rare combination.

I grew up watching “The Princess Bride.” Fezzik, played by André the Giant, was one of my favorite characters. Several times in the movie, he uses his strength combined with his tenderness to do what others cannot. He was so much stronger than everyone else, yet so gentle. 

Svaroopa^® yoga is also gentle. We meet your body and mind where they are. We provide support to allow the tensions to soften. The key is in the softening, not in straining or forcing. So gentleness is not only critical but also cultivated.

As you soften, the tensions in your body melt. Your aches and pains dissolve. Your digestion and immune systems improve. Your nervous system comes off red alert. Your mind expands. And this is just the tip of the iceberg of the benefits.

Svaroopa^® yoga is so powerful because it comes from a lineage of gentle, powerful masters. They utilized these techniques to their fullest extent, ultimately knowing their own Self. Their blessings and guidance infuse all our practices. 

To tap into the gentle power of Svaroopa^® yoga, get a yoga therapy session. In this one-on-one session, your therapist uses the most powerful and the gentlest tools to give you the biggest changes. In just an hour, you’ll feel better. It is guaranteed from the gentle powerful masters. Schedule a session today with one of our Ashram swamis.