Kundalini Yoga
Madi Simmons
21-28 June 2009
Madi Simmons
Kundalini Yoga unleashes the potential that exists in every one of us, giving us a heightened sense of wellbeing, awareness and universal consciousness. The benefits include increased energy levels, reduced levels of stress and a potential improvement in many systems of the body —heart and circulatory system, lungs and breath, concentration and co-ordination.
The teacher, Madi Simmons, is a Kundalini Yoga Teacher (Level 1) and a member of the Kundalini Yoga Teachers’ Association of Australia and New Zealand, as well as the International Kundalini Teachers’ Association. She trained with Guru Jivan Kaur Khalsa (Renee Goodman, Melbourne) who, in turn, trained directly with Yogi Bhajan, the founder of Kundalini Yoga and Kundalini Yoga Institute (USA). Madi is also a Yoga for the Special Child Practitioner, trained by Siva Kami (Sonia Sumar, USA). Her love of children, and her search for ways to help and enhance the physical and mental development of her “special” child, are what led her to yoga.
Her first week’s course in Fiji garnered the following praise from her students:
Kudos to Madi yoga retreat at the Daku Resort in Fiji. Madi was an inspirational teacher and as a kundalini yoga novice, I appreciated her clear, patient guidance during practice. Her approach throughout the retreat was creative and innovative and put everyone in the group at ease, which enhanced the experience. Madi has a beautiful spirit that extends to every aspect of her teaching and I highly recommend any retreat or class she teaches.
Rachel Bavis, California
The week long retreat was really quite fantastic. It had the wonderful quality of giving sufficient time to explore Yoga practice in a considerable degree of depth, while at the same time leaving sufficient time to enjoy the resort and the surrounding area and basically have a good time. The teacher facilitated the retreat well and was able to bring out in participants their own skills and life experience, which really added to the quality of the experience. The friendly resort staff and owner of the resort made it extra special. A great time.
Richard Williams, Melbourne
The Course
Kundalini Yoga is known as the Yoga of Awareness because it awakens the dormant energy in us. (Sanskrit: ‘kundalini’ – that which is coiled, sometimes understood as a serpent, but also as the dormant energy located at the base of our spine which can be unleashed.) It is both a physical and a meditative discipline, which harnesses the mind, the body and the spirit together as one.
The physical exercises, or asanas, stretch and tone the body, increasing fitness and flexibility. These are combined with pranyama (breath work), designed to move energy through the body, – mantra (chanting) and meditation exercises and deep relaxation.
The week’s retreat will cater for all levels. The programme is based on two daily sessions of yoga and meditation in the morning, and free afternoons.
Each day will begin with the Sadhana (early morning practice) of yoga and meditation at sunrise. After a break for breakfast and a swim or stroll, we will focus on our chakras, and explore interactive means – art, dance, circle of healing – to open and activate, tune and balance our energy centres. The session will conclude with another dynamic kundalini kriya, or set of exercises.
Afternoons and evenings are for relaxing and enjoying your surroundings, snorkelling on the reef, or for taking a local excursion and seeing the Fijian way of life. The programme includes a free massage, a visit to a local village and performance of a meke (traditional dance) and a trip to a nearby beach and lagoon. Taking time out from your usual hectic routine will allow you to gain the maximum benefit from your yoga practice.
Programme
Sun Jun 21
Arrive Nadi. Local flight to Savusavu.
6.00pm – Welcome to Daku
Mon Jun 22
5.30—7.30am – Morning sadhana
9.30—11.30am – Chakra Basics & the First (Root) chakra & Kundalini Kriya
Afternoon: Visit to Savusavu town
7.00pm – Dinner
Tue Jun 23
5.30—7.30am – Morning Sadhana
9.30—11.30am – Second Chakra (creativity)
1.00pm – Lunch
2.30am – Boat / beach outing
7.00pm – Dinner
Wed Jun 24
5.30—7.30am – Morning Sadhana
9.30—11.30am – Third (Navel) Chakra
4.00pm – Tapa making demonstration
Thur Jun 25
5.30—7.30am – Morning sadhana
9.30—11.30am – Fourth Chakra (Heart) Kundalini kriya
2.00pm – Coconut demonstration
6.30pm – Dinner at yacht club
Fri Jun 26
5.30—7.30am - Morning Sadhana
9.30—11.30am -Fifth (Throat) Chakra & Sixth (Third Eye) Chakra Kundalini Kriya
3.30—5.30pm - Village visit and meke
Sat Jun 27
5.30am – Morning Sadhana
9.30am – Seventh (crown) Chakra & Eighth (Radiance) Chakra) Kundalini Kriya
Afternoon – Free time
Sun Jun 28 – Return home
All the listed activities are part of the course and are covered by your fees. You will also receive a free half hour massage. If you want to add on extra excursions eg diving / special snorkelling trips, we are delighted to help arrange them: they will be added to your room bill.
