Meet Our Teachers at Kundalini Yoga East

Jessica Banks

Spirtual Name: Sat Shakti Kaur

Profession: Nonprofit Development Director

Language: English

Hobbies: Studying the teachings of Yogi Bhajan, communing with nature, dancing, cooking

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yoga unlocks your infinite potential

Yogi Bhajan quotation you live by: "Obey, Serve, Love, Excel"

Favorite Kundalini Food: Mung beans and rice, the ultimate comfort food

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: My very first class at a local gym. My energy shifted and I realized that Kundalini Yoga provides tools not just for keeping fit physically but for living, for becoming happy, healthy, and holy.

Why I wanted to teach Kundalini Yoga: To share this powerful technology with others

What people who study with Sat Shakti Kaur say about her classes: "Sat Shakti is an attentive and caring teacher who enthusiastically challenges me to give my best effort in every class. She gracefully teaches from her heart and communicates a deep love and respect for Yogi Bhajan and his teachings. Her radiance shines and serves as an example, helping me to keep up!"

Marika Bethel

Spirtual Name: Marika

Profession: Certified Colon Therapist and Marketing Director for Kundalini Yoga East.

Language: English

Hobbies: Singing and Traveling

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: I love the depth and vast array of tools available to change any aspect of your life if you open yourself to the experience of Kundalini Yoga. Just be open!

Yogi Bhajan quotation you live by: "It isn't the life that matters, it's the courage that you bring to it!"

Favorite Kundalini Food: Fresh organic juices with onions, garlic or ginger and any green veggie.

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: At the end of yoga class one day Sat Jivan Kaur mentioned Teacher Training sign up was in place. Something in my spirit said do this, it sounded great, I wanted to learn more about the yogic postures for myself although I never had any intentions of being a teacher because of my insecurities.

Why I wanted to teach Kundalini Yoga: During the second weekend of the Teacher Training I was sitting in class and tears were rolling down my face because I realized that it would be selfish of me to gain all this knowledge and not share it with the world which was contary to the very teachings of Yogi Bhajan.

What people who study with Marika say about her classes: "Marika is so radiant, bright and upbeat I love coming to her class because I get a contact high from her energy. She teaches a potent class, nothing gets diluted, we get the whole truth of this science."

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Lino Caminha

Spiritual Name: Arjan Singh

Profession: Assistant Manager at Kundalini Yoga East, Kundalini Yoga Teacher and Teacher/Movement Consultant to Performers

Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish

Hobbies: Spending time in nature, studying human anatomy and psychology, mythology, theater and religion, being still and silent

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yoga has given me the tools and principals to live my life from my higher consciousness and honor the sacredness and power of human life.

Yogi Bhajan Quotation you live by: "You are not a human being having a spiritual experience, you are a spiritual being having a human experience."

Favorite Kundalini Food: Garlic, onions, ginger, pure water, and Yogi Tea

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: Every time I practice or teach Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan I experience the sacredness of this technology in every fiber and cell of my being, the mantra that best describes this feeling is Ang Sang Wahe Guru.

What people who study with Arjan Singh say about his classes: "Arjan Singh is devoted, sincere, and he strives for excellence and accuracy. I believe him when he says something works, because he teaches from his own experiences with the yoga sets and meditations."

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Luciana Carvalho ~ Volunteer

Spiritual Name: Agochar Kaur

Languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish

Hobbies: photography, reading, cycling, traveling, music

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: the way it uplifts people

Yogi Bhajan Quotation you live by: "Be the lighthouse"

Favorite Kundalini Food: Yogi Tea and solstice soup

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: My very first class, first Summer Solstice and the practice of Sat Nam Rasayan.

Why I want to teach Kundalini Yoga: To uplift people and spread the light of this wonderful technology.

What people who take class with Agochar say about studying with her: Agochar is a treasure. Her angelic nature and inquisitive mind add depth to her classes. It is obvious that she really practices and studies by the sincere way she shares these teachings and the respect she has for Yogi Bhajan and Kundalini Yoga East. These things alone are inspiring, and I also really love that I see her in class often and I can sit next to her as students studying together and know we walk together in a community of souls on a great spiritual path and adventure.

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Esther Charbel

Spiritual Name: Sat Tapa Kaur

Profession: Computer Aided Drafter and Designer

Languages: English and Spanish

Hobbies: Meditating and Reading

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: It is the path of the exalted self. It is a path of courage.

Yogi Bhajan quotation you live by: "Deal with everything through kindness, through compassion, through nobility, and through grace."

Favorite Kundalini Yoga Food: Mung Beans and Rice

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: I started to practice Hatha yoga to be healthy. Then I found Kundalini Yoga and I became healthy, happy, holy and aware.

Why I wanted to be a teacher of Kundalini Yoga: I wanted to serve, to share and to spread the light.

What people who study with Sat Tapa Kaur say about her classes. "Sat Tapa Kaur is overflowing with devotion. Her sweetness, kindness and impeccable teaching of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation make her classes an exceptional experience."

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Felix Gosse

Spiritual Name: Daleep Singh

Profession: Artist (Fine Art/Illustration/Graphic Design)

Language: English & Spanish*

Hobbies: Yoga, Painting, Dancing, DJing, Reading, Cooking, Smiling, Laying on the grass, Being with others

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: Its’ energy and spirit. It allows one to go beyond self imposed limitations to a place of truth where anything is possible

Yogi Bhajan quotation you live by: “Your mind is your servant, your body is your vehicle and your soul is your residence.”

Favorite Kundalini Food: Coconut Mung Bean Soup (healthy & delicious)

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: After experiencing my first Kundalini Yoga class I felt a subtle vibration at the center of my chest. Something had awakened in me, but I could not make sense of it. I was at a loss for words but knew that I needed to go deeper into Kundalini Yoga & the teachings of Yogi Bhajan.

Why I wanted to teach Kundalini Yoga: To inspire confidence so that all may share their unique & special gifts with the world.

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Deborah Clapp

Spiritual Name: Hari Nam Kaur

Profession: Elementary School Teacher and Kundalini Yoga Teacher

Language: English, and a bit of French, Latin, Italian and I love all dialects

Hobbies: Performance Artist (one person shows of original characters, monologues/movement/music). I love Dance, Theatre, Film, Comedy, Singing, Swimming, New York friends, Spiritual studies, Art.

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: I love the Truth of it. It transforms me and yet brings me simply to who I am and who I always was.

Yogi Bhajan quotation you live by: "Chant your spiritual name for the rest of your life and you'll be okay!" "God and me, me and God are One."

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: My first class was an epiphany! I did a White Tantric Yoga Meditation course with Yogi Bhajan, in person, and I asked him for my spiritual name, definitely a life changing moment.

Why I wanted to teach Kundalini Yoga: I wanted to share something that would really help people and serve the greater good of this world. Kundalini Yoga is a vast and deep science. When I heard Yogi Bhajan wanted to train others to be teachers every hair on my body stood up and saluted! I feel that call to be a teacher as a call of duty. I still feel the ecstacy of that call every time I teach a class.

What people who study with Hari Nam Kaur say about her classes: Hari Nam Kaur has a great sense of humor, bright blue eyes, and a quick smile. She teaches her class with excellence, grace, professionalism, caliber, expertise, and I have fun.

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Anka Itskovich

Spiritual Name: Devjeet Kaur

Profession: Fashion Stylist

Languages: English and Russian

Hobbies: Traveling and Reading

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yoga makes me grow better every day in every way.

Yogi Bhajan quote you live by: "If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all."

Favorite Kundalini Yoga Food: Yogi Tea

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: Every single time I teach. Teaching has truly become the most humbling, empowering and rewarding experience of my life and as the teachings flow through me I know that it is as close as I can come to understanding and embodying unconditional love.

Share your personal story of your about your Kundalini journey so far: I was working on a job in Los Angeles and I attended a Kundalini Yoga class with Sada Sat Singh and Kaur. Even though I had been practicing Hatha Yoga for nearly a decade I had never before experienced yoga with such power and immediacy. During the class I heard Sada Sat Kaur chant the mantras and I knew that Kundalini Yoga was the path for me. When I returned to New York Sat Jivan Singh and Kaur became my beloved and esteemed teachers and guides and Kundalini Yoga East my school and second home.

What people who study with Devjeet Kaur say about her classes: "I love Devjeet Kaur, she speaks with simplicity and honesty. She has been doing yoga for years and the depth of knowledge she bring to her teaching helps me tune in to my innermost self."

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Angad Kaur Khalsa

Profession: Manager at Kundalini Yoga East

Languages spoken: English

Hobbies: Laughing

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: Its' consciousnes, its' power, its' projection, its' totality. Yogi Bhajan.

Yogi Bhajan quote you live by: "Our whole essence is a discipline and our highest point in discipline is to be in love with others and carry them with both our head and heart."

Favorite Kudnalini Yoga Food: Mung beans and rice with Solstice hot sauce.

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: Recognizing my spiritual teacher.

What people who study with Angad Kaur say about her classes: "Angad Kaur has a beautiful speaking/singing voice and she is a serious practitioner and teacher. When she is at the front desk her boundless humor and helpfulness are beyond compare, when she teaches she taps a deep well of experiential knowledge and helps me learn at a profound level."

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Spiritual Name: Harkiret Kaur

Profession: Actuarial Analyst

Languages: English, conversational French

Hobbies: Kundalini yoga, hiking, walking, being outdoors, cooking and chanting

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: Do the work and transformation happens. It is a journey that goes deeper and deeper within… and then you begin to experience your expansion…

Yogi Bhajan quote you live by: "Keep up and you will be kept up."

Favorite Kudnalini Yoga Food: Yogi tea

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: Realizing at some point in the teacher training process, that "keep up!" is a most simple and beautiful recipe for spiritual growth

Why I wanted to teach Kundalini Yoga: To share the opportunity of Kundalini Yoga with others and to learn

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Lori Rubinfeld

Language: English

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: Its' immediacy and practicality.

Yogi Bhajan quotation you live by: "May this planet be awakened to it's dignity by your higher consciousness and grace."

Favorite Kundalini Yoga Food: Yogi Tea

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: After my very first class, which was a surprise in itself, every cell of my being knew this practice could alter my blood chemistry, and I dove in whole heartedly.

What people who study with Lori say about her classes: Lori is elegant, peaceful and she has studied the science of all yogas very intently. She hones all of this knowledge into a great class with impact and finely tuned details."

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Angelika E. Saidel

Spiritual Name: Hari Gopal Kaur

Profession: Artist and Kundalini Yoga Teacher

Languages: English, French, German

Hobbies: Sound and Dance

What I love about Kundalini Yoga: Silence, Sound, and Truth are one. Radiance and Royalty are values to live by.

Yogi Bhajan quotation you live by: "If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all."

Favorite Kundalini Yoga Food: Yogi Tea

Kundalini Epiphany Moment: My first class was in 1997, and I knew right than that this legacy felt like home and no matter what, I needed to become a teacher. The vibratory effect of the mantras are a masterpiece. Studying Sat Nam Rasayan as a healing modality is the, "Creme de la creme!"

What people who study with Hari Gopal Kaur say about her classes: "Hari Gopal Kaur is precise, enthusiastic, and authentic, she loves Kundalini Yoga and she is helping me fall in love with this technology and art too."

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