Kelly and I are long-time friends, so it was a huge treat to interview her for our Sangha Spotlight. Curiosity and an open mind are two qualities I have always appreciated in Kelly. We were on a Colorado River trip one time, and I was doing some yoga down at the shore. I turned around and saw that Kelly was doing the postures with me up on the bank! Who does that?!! She just wanted to see what it felt like to be making those movements! It turns out this rich, experiential curiosity is what brought Kelly to Kundalini Yoga after practicing Bikram & Yoga Basics, as well as Vipassana meditation. “What else is out there,” wonders Kelly, often. The question, in itself, is both prayer and intention.
Kelly was an Olympic swimmer and is an exceptionally gifted whitewater boater. It makes sense, with this level of kinesthetic sensitivity and agility, that she registered the effects of even the short, beginning “Om’s” and ending “Shanti, Shanti, Shanti’s” of a traditional Hatha Yoga class. The prevalence of chanting in Kundalini Yoga classes, as well as lengthy, interesting meditations, felt like a natural and intriguing expansion of the spiritual journey for her. Kelly and I were taking Ivana’s Friday class on Zoom together last month. Ivana announced that we would be chanting the Guru Gaitri (Godinde Mukhande) mantra. Kelly says, “Oh, cool, I have been learning this one.” Home mantra study!
Kelly lives in Flagstaff, so a lot of sangha members have only met her on ZOOM. However, she has been at the last 4 campout retreats and says that they are one of her absolute favorite aspects of our sangha. “I love the total immersion in nature. I love having all of the different teachers and teachings and the opportunities that are created by staying ‘in the space’. I really feel bonded with this community. It’s great to be with like-minded people in the community and get so much support. I really appreciate being with others on this journey.”
Kelly was most surprised and challenged by the use of imagination and visualization in the Kundalini Yoga meditations—and the breakthroughs she has experienced during them. She feels like she is opening up to her Infinite Potential, tapping into and trusting the voice inside, and also hearing a Guiding Voice at different times. Kelly is definitely getting a big kick out of her thoughts as that third minute goes by, and we are all still holding our arms up and out and in….and it’s hard….and it’s hard….and aren’t my thoughts hilarious….inhale…. suspend….
Another challenges me. Some way. Somehow.
See you at Angel of Shavano Kelly!
