My response to Premka: White Bird in a Golden Cage, my life with Yogi Bhajan

I will address this book that I'm reading and let you guys know how I'm moving forward with this new knoweldge.

[@rcjacksonbrighton]

I studied classical Kundalini in India as I was always put off my Yogi Bhajan. Glad I followed my instincts. It makes me cringe a little when people think Kundalini yoga is basically Yogi Bhajan and his teachings because this creative energy force is not owned by anyone and you certainly don’t need to follow all these strict rules to activate or express that energy. To learn about the power of this energy and how we can work with it... we just need to educate ourselves and practice with caution and trial and error. No need for anything set in stone. Thank you for your video xxxxx

[@rcjacksonbrighton]

@ Hi Suzanne. Yes I studied in India at Shiva Tattva yoga school. They did a classical Kundalini 4 week intensive course. It was beautiful. They provided reading for us.. one of the books was Kundalini Tantra by Swami Saraswati. I can also recommend Dr. Joe Dispenza and his work and meditations as he has a modern way of approaching the same energy. There are many books written about Kundalini energy. Also Akhanda yoga school in India does a classical kundalini course :) Be aware of the "Spiritual ego" that floats around in the yoga community though. I find nearly all yoga teachers, even in India, have one. When you do come across a genuine and pure teacher that practices humility and is humble.. it's a beautiful thing. I wish you all the best. xxxxxx

[@Jamariyah]

I am a KY teacher and it was always important for me to understand the source of the teachings, I feel with this revelations, we will move forward with a much stronger foundation, as we do more research and use what is true. We are truth seekers and the truth shall prevail 🙏. Thank you for the video!

[@melifever]

I like that this is all coming out but I am surprised nobody did their research, especially teachers. There's been info on the internet for a while. We of course know a lot more today but I don't understand how this style of yoga with creepy pics of YB everywhere didn't scream CULT. It's been a reason why I have not joined in fully even though the pull is definitely there. Then there's all the weird stuff about Akal Securities. You can also consult the wacko world of YB for more stories. Oh well, I guess they were only rumors at that point? There has also been info on the dubious origins of his teachings for a while... He did a mishmash... I even wondered if as a customs officer, he maybe saw all the drugged out hippies come in and thought to cash in on their naive idealism and search for exotic spirituality.

[@melifever]

Sorry, my comment was perhaps a bit obnoxious. I wonder if one of the reasons the teachers who knew kept silent was to « protect » their students, the same way we don’t tell children everything in order to preserve their innocence.

[@christinamorales6887]

I left and got out of Kundalini Yoga and stopped teaching and practicing. I left the ashram and 3ho in 2018 and never looked back. I was also abused and it’s spiritual abuse and it’s a cult. There is a ex-Kundalini Yoga on KZbin too Mike Shreve.

[@oliviagomez9124]

Christina Morales I agree. I went through teacher training 1 and was done. It was clear as day how gross Yogi Bhajan and 3HO are.

[@deniseraqs]

Thank you Valinda. I have been struggling with separating the teachings from the man and from the experiences of all those who suffered. I just don’t know what to teach now. It’s a personal evolution as well as Kundalini Yoga evolution. Courage.

[@ValindaYoga]

Denise Leclair Yes, it’s a very difficult time for those of us who just found out. Day by Day, step by step, connect to what you DO KNOW to be true, your knowing, your experience, nothing else Sat Nam 🙏🏼💗🧘🏽‍♂️🧘🏼‍♀️

[@stuartocarroll]

It's good to hear that those putting down ky are holding on to Japji Sahib. It was true in the beginning, true throughout all time, it is true now, Says Nanak ji the truth will be forever.

[@Leita444]

Thank you. I feel your integrity and heart and really appreciate your voice in this matter. Love

[@ValindaYoga]

Leita Beita TY for watching...so difficult for us...

[@empowerleader]

Appreciate your openness and courage. Yoga was very simple practice. In last century it became very commercial and lots of stuff were made up to make money. Lots of power and sexual abuse was a part of that. Eventually everything will fall apart. Some gurus are hiding in the plain sight with their costumes and psufoscience claims. Approach yoga as another form or exercise; and the practices are done comfortably. Realize that all the human beings are equal; guru is the remover of ignorance/ darkness; that can be anybody. Be careful about the glorified gurus in costumes; they are controlling people instead of empowering them.

[@ValindaYoga]

Yes I agree, Thank you for you comment.

[@KaraLuciernaga]

Thank you for this, Valinda ❤ I've also been mulling all this over as various lineages (Sivananda, Iyengar, Shambhala, etc) that I have been trained in are also now coming under scrutiny for sexual, emotional, and spiritual abuse. Your words expressed precisely how I feel -I don't feel like I need to be held accountable for the sins of these almost exclusively male teachers. Me and the people I teach know that I am not a sexual predator, a manipulative narcissist, or a controlling wanna-be cult leader! Like you said, each of us internalizes the teachings & practices into our own unique being, and if our hearts are true with the real intention of helping others that is fundamentally the most important thing. Having lost faith in your teacher, and then turning it inward so that you also lose faith in yourself, your experience, or your teaching would only seems to perpetuate the cycle of abuse. 😓

[@alexandraseaman]

omg you are exactly the medicine i needed. i relate to you so much.

[@christinamorales6887]

I’m also a Clinical Herbalist and I will move into that practice. I also have over 20 years of Hatha Yoga. I stopped using my name and no more of any of it.

[@pennylane1262]

Yoga doesnt belong to anyone its a loving Divine Gift from the heart of the Goddess 💖

[@ValindaYoga]

YESSSSS!

[@summerhill_homestead]

This was super encouraging and relatable for me. Thank you. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in this.

[@ValindaYoga]

Yes! Thank you! You are not alone Sat Nam

[@christinamorales6887]

Your not.

[@Jamariyah]

I don’t see it as a sad day, I see it as a truth day of transparency and that is such a wonderful thing and this is where kundalini yoga will transform and with this transformation there will be a sacrifice made, maybe that sacrifice is yogi bhajan. Anyway I wish you the best and send you love 💓

[@ValindaYoga]

Jam Aria If you watch it to the end I said that exact thing! that it’s a happy day this was literally right after I found out and I’m already moving through it in a different place now thank you so much Sat Nam 🙏🏼💗🧘🏽‍♂️🧘🏼‍♀️

[@jasbirkaurvillaschi8019]

Hi Valinda , maybe it is time to split the scene if it doesn't serve . Maybe focussing through mul mantra will be better since it contacts with source and reminds us to occupy that space where we have no fear, no enmity, living in the now/reality than inviting some energy in from such a dark centered person. Things with a lot of the sutras/shastras of yogi is their histories are vague on dating and origins .

[@melissabraithwaite3384]

I am in Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training 1 - and it was always made clear that Yogi Bhajan created the over 8000 Kriyas and meditations that he taught to his students . Yogi Bhajan was a flawed man, he always said - follow my teachings not me, don’t love me, love my teachings , can you deny that Kundalini as taught by Yogi Bhajan is so healing. In kundalini yoga teacher training - yogi bhajan wanted us to learn that we are our own gurus. It is sad that you can’t accept the shadow part of yogi bhajan , empathize with his victims and yet still accept his teachings. You can’t take Yogi Bhajan out of your teachings - they will never come out of just you - Yogi Bhajan’s energy came to you bc he was pure in his teachings even though he was a deeply flawed man. Life is not black and white. And everything that worked for you - came from yogi bhajan - the technology- came from him. He is real - you should have been taught that he created all of the kriyas - That’s why it’s called Kundalini AS TAUGHT by YOGI BHAJAN. He was a genius and the teachings flowed through him.

[@wolvebird6234]

I have been researching for a long time, where YB got these exercises from - and I found it for example in Lu Yong (chek put the book), the Tibetan Yoga. If you watch what kind of exercises Tibetean Monks are doing in Monastries far away in the Himalayan Mountains (there are You Tube Videos), there you will see all these tipical funny and odd KY exercises. As well many of these funny and odd handmovements that are combined with Sikh Mantras are originated in Sufism or in Tantrism. He comes from the Himalayan Border Region where Pakistan, Afganistan, Tibet and India come together with many many spiritual traditions and Masters. He just mixed many things together. For sure as well Hatha Yoga.

[@blumelein]

I have so similar thoughts in my mind! Thank you for the video. From where do you " study" these things? Can you do more videos about lineage and what is from YB and what are pure ( when you have studied it). What is the book you show in video? Not Premka but the yoga book. I have similar situation than you. I teach Kundalini Yoga and really processing what to do now. My yogis said that they come to my classes because it makes them feel good, not because of YB. Thank you again for video. It really helps me. I quit my KYTT last week, this was last issue and there were many other. I really feel you, thank you for putting it in to words!! I send love to you!

[@ValindaYoga]

Sawala Loma Aljah You are so Welcome! Thanks for watching, just speaking my truth. Glad you found the book! Sat Nam 🙏🏼💗🥰🧘🏼‍♀️🧘🏽‍♂️

[@eok108]

The “scholarly” work mentioned here actually would not be considered scholarly. The author only pulled from sources in the states based on what was said and published in the community, there was no study of the lineage and roots in India. No mention of the Udasi and Nirmala schools and lineage which if studied and reviewed you can clearly see have intersectionality to what we know of as Kundalini Yoga as taught by YB. These schools and lineages were very active during the time YB lived in Punjab. Various kriyas, mantras found in KY can be found in these schools. One particular one is the asan known as Ego Eradicator. It has been practiced in the Udasi lineage for at least few hundreds years. That is just one example. There are clear similarities found with the practice of Tibetan Buddhist yogis, from the tantra lineage.

[@ValindaYoga]

EOK Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@rahkielsingh6028]

You have a very important post here thats being largley overlooked. Keep spreading the TRUTH 1💛

[@MatthewSweigart]

Sweet dreams are made of this Who am I to disagree? I travel the world and the seven seas Everybody's looking for something Some of them want to use you Some of them want to get used by you Some of them want to abuse you Some of them want to be abused Sweet dreams are made of this Who am I to disagree? I travel the world and the seven seas Everybody's looking for something Hold your head up, keep your head up, movin' on Hold your head up, movin' on, keep your head up, movin' on Hold your head up, movin' on, keep your head up, movin' on Hold your head up, movin' on, keep your head up

[@MatthewSweigart]

Eurhythmics speak to it!

[@cherlenekaur81]

Hi Valinda, I just wanted to share that yesterday in my KY class one of the students asked my teacher about the book written by Premka and my teacher said Premka had mentioned my teacher in one of her chapters, she did not request permission from him on writing about his personal life and she mentioned his name in the book. My teacher did not read the book but someone wanted to confirm the story about him and sent him snapshots of the chapter she wrote on him. My teacher said the info was inaccurate. I just wanted to share this bit.

[@ValindaYoga]

cherlenekaur81 TY for that! I think what’s going on now if you read the letters we got from KRI & IKYTA is that more and more stories are coming out. So I don’t know how accurate Premka’s book is with details. I wasn’t there. I do believe her and now so many other women are coming forward and telling their stories. I don’t think it’s a lie, but what I’m grappling with is if my teachers knew and also the lies of where the lineage came from....

[@absolutevibe]

Yogi Bhajan revealed a secret that now some people want to silence. There are westerners and sikhs that prefer not to spread the truth of the real power of the kundalini yoga practice. Nobody is perfect. For example it is said that Ghandi was very mean to his wife and others. If you can't see the greatness of Yogi Bhajans contribution to the world it means you are not yet ready to accept human evolution.

[@kristinefaust7150]

Have never heard anyone speak anything ill about Yogananda. So he's a good example of a pure yoga teacher.

[@ValindaYoga]

I said the same thing and someone sent me this article: www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/news/a15245/bikram-choudhury-sex-scandals-in-yoga/

[@kristinefaust7150]

@@ValindaYoga, I definitely don't believe it. I am so depressed by all of this, is there any man spiritual teacher that hasn't been accused? Next, someone will say Ghandi was a sexual abuser too. I am feeling drawn to FEMALE spiritual teachers now. It's time.

[@ValindaYoga]

@@kristinefaust7150 I hear you and here we are, I am in tears writing an email to my list right now, this is so hard. I just got a letter from KRI saying more stories are coming in now because women finally feel safe to share. A formal investigation has begun. We are the ones we've been waiting for. I'm having a meeting at my house in May for all of us, you are welcome to come.

[@dreamcatcher2175]

Gursant Singh wow. thank you for the link. I’m not sure I feel like I want to burst out laughing or screaming. at the end it shows that any man and woman is a human being. I never liked the cult about a person and I must admit I’ve always doubted the truth about YBs yoga-education. It was just a feeling. Nevertheless the teachings really helped me so much and I don’t want to miss them. Even the tuning in and out. If you have more information and revealing stories just let me know please. I can’t deny that Ghandi gave me a little shock though. And I’m disgusted.

[@jasbirkaurvillaschi8019]

@@kristinefaust7150 mahatma Ghandi was a vile human , he abandoned his wife because he was having sex with her whilst his father lay dying in the next room- of course it was her fault that she tempted him and so he didn't attend his father during his last moments , he was already known widely as a racist and he insisted on testing his celibacy not with his naked wife in his bed but his young female followers and this included his own GRAND NIECES , which he knew would destroy their social lives and family's respect in society. He refused to get his wife treatment when she got a disease which caused her massive haemmorhaging but had the immediate treatment for himself from the best european doctors.

[@IvyPlans]

@ Valinda, I missed I if you were a Kundalini Yoga Teacher or not but the teachings were supposed to have been given to him through the Golden Link, a lineage of teachers no longer in this realm. Similar to the concept of how Reiki and acupuncture were form, even the Bible; the knowledge was channeled. There is no science that can quantify this form of etheric communication; so you just have to have faith. Now to say that the teachings are made up is a stretch. Countless of people lives have been improved by the teachings and there are plenty of stories that will verify his claims for the Kriyas and Meditations. There is even scientific evidence for example, Kirtan Kriya. His character has been tarnished...possibly for ever, but the teachings are their own entity. They are validated by the countless stories of success; from the recovery of addiction, depression, illness, and many more. I understand your anger, disappointment and your desire for all or nothing from a spiritual master, but many of us teachers came to Kundalini Yoga broken and the practice made us whole again. I am forever grateful to Yogi Bhajan for this. He made huge mistakes; mistakes that I do not understand since he taught us so differently, but the totality of his existence was not just bad there was also good. Pamela's experience is unsettlingly and disturbing. I was not there so I cannot confirm what is true and what is not; but she seems to be talking her truth. This being said I hope that 3HO can accept responsibilty and make a statement because she deserves better. She has been courageous and has stuck by her story always.

[@myriamlebourg]

The golden link is another invention form Harbhajan Singh... look for paper by Philip Deslippe if you really want to know the truth. www.academia.edu/4343215/From_Maharaj_to_Mahan_Tantric_The_Construction_of_Yogi_Bhajan_s_Kundalini_Yoga

[@IvyPlans]

@@myriamlebourg : Thank you for sharing the link. I have read the Philip Deslippe paper. Based on the research paper Yogi Bhajan was influenced by the teachings of Maharaj Virsa Singh and Swami Dhirendra. It seems that Yogi Bhajan took "creative liberties" with what he learned. In addition to having creative liberties he also mixed two different spiritual disciplines. According to the paper he also did not give proper credit to the teachers Maharaj Virsa Singh and Swami Dhirendra. There are many teachers from different walks like yoga, fitness, nutrition and Qi Gong who have their own interpretation of what they have learned. No student will teach the same as their predecessor; it would be impossible, we are all different; it does not mean they are bad; but have a different take on it. I have practiced with former students of Yogi Bhajan teachings, who have done their own spin and it was not bad, I still felt good afterwards. If your intent is in the right place that is what counts. It also talks about the building of the empire; right now so many religious institutions are in dire straits. Treating a spiritual institution like a business is not a crime. It allows you to strive in the current economic environment. Yes, the credentials of Yogi Bhajan should be question and verify. As a student I did find incongrueites in the stories; I did not overthink; because I was seeing results. You are stating the tuning in is an invention but it might just have been his interpretation.

[@ValindaYoga]

The research I'm referring to: www.academia.edu/4343215/From_Maharaj_to_Mahan_Tantric_The_Construction_of_Yogi_Bhajan_s_Kundalini_Yoga

[@katarzynajaworska1835]

So he joined Yogananda, Krishnamacharya, Satyananda Saraswati, Akhandananda, Bikram, Pattabhi Jois, Sai Baba and many others...

[@ValindaYoga]

Yep all of our lineages are tainted and I never stopped teaching Hatha Yoga

[@ValindaYoga]

Update where I am 6 months later! Starts at the 12 minute mark: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpm4qmiaoJJjbKs

[@carunaroeders5236]

Yes, let it come through you! Maybe he is saying up there: 'come on guys, its the age of aquarius, let me go and be your own guru!' Don't go to deep into the whole story of the allegations. Its time to let go of victimhood too.

[@alexandraseaman]

Is it possible to join that teacher's support group? Kundalini Beyond I think you said?

[@ValindaYoga]

Alex Seaman Yes of course! Join the discussion! there are three now kundalini Yoga Teachers Beyond, Kundalini Yoga 2020 & Beyond, And for people who want to continue teaching as it is Kundalini Yoga Independents

[@christinamorales6887]

I finished my Kundalini Teacher Training Level One in NYC in 2012 at Golden Bridge with Gurmukh.

[@bomba1367]

Yes...this...

[@ValindaYoga]

Jennifer Lasek 💗🙏🏼🥰🧘🏽‍♂️🧘🏼‍♀️Onward!

[@blumelein]

I saw the book now, no need answering in that :)

[@beautychrissy5308]

Who is the scholar you mentioned? That discusses the lineage of kundalini?

[@ValindaYoga]

Beauty Chrissy here is the paper I’m referring to: www.academia.edu/4343215/From_Maharaj_to_Mahan_Tantric_The_Construction_of_Yogi_Bhajan_s_Kundalini_Yoga

[@ValindaYoga]

Here's an article I wrote about my issues with trying to do teacher trainings: www.elephantjournal.com/2019/04/thats-not-seva-thats-extortion/

[@IsabelleMonette]

Be the teacher ... be the master. Not a follower, be a flower 🌸 blossom you are beautiful. Just be YOGA ... 🙏🏻

[@deb4210]

Hi can i join the group ?

[@ValindaYoga]

Deborah Hillairet of course! There are several groups on Facebook kundalini yoga beyond 2020, kundalini yoga independents, And kundalini yoga beyond we are all navigating this together

[@positivespirit1611]

Youwerehonestandarehonest.walkingtowardssikhdharmatosearchguruistheppriorityofhumanlife.wintheheartofsupremebeing.