I have been grading papers this week. Earlier I came upon a passage written by a student who has also taken my Yoga class. My heart swelled with gladness as I read the description of this girl’s first experience in a Kundalini Yoga class. It touched my heart to know that the class had so touched hers. Here is a portion of the endearing note:
…
On July 8th, I attended Professor Quesada’s Yoga class at Machatz Self Defense Studio. I am not a morning person, especially when it is not a school day. Thus, I entered the studio rather grumpy. However, the lights were out, so that was a plus. I sat on the mat and we were told to sit with our legs crossed, a diamond-like pose. The tuning-in mantra was “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo,” meaning, I call on divine consciousness. It calmed me down…We began some deep breathing and gradually sped up the pace…we flexed our bodies…I couldn’t have begun my day better…Professor Quesada had us lie on our backs while she played the gong. This was my first time having this experience. It felt as if my heart was beating along with the sound. As I closed my eyes I felt as if I was in a whole different world, a world of emptiness, a world free of strain and frustration. To conclude the Yoga, we all began to sing Long Time Sun, which I found on Youtube that night and played on my laptop. It just puts a smile on my face, and the fact that we all sang along made it so much more beautiful…
Donna Quesada 
This reminds me of my first class:), pure bliss!
Hi Donna,
Back again after my hols (hope you got the postcard ok). Nice to hear that the younger generation are getting something out of yoga. Wish my first class had been like that (is that your class in the photo? They all appear to be quite young). I had discovered the benefits of (hatha)yoga on my own, just doing it from a book but the effects were a lot like your student describes. My ex suggested I try joining a class (this was 3 years ago) and I remember that I was one of the youngest in there! We have a rotating series of teachers so some classes are more physical and others more balanced with pranayama and very occaisionally dharana. No gongs though and we only do OM as a mantra. They don’t go into any depth and its rather generalised but better than nothing. I’ve kind of levelled out in terms of the blissful effects thing though. They are on summer break now so my practice is slipping somewhat (also a bit peoccupied with your chinese counterpart!).
Look forward to new posts and see you again soon:)
Hi Simon–
Yes, that is my class! And yes, I received your post card, thank you. I’m happy you had a lovely vacation and happy things seem to be going well with “my counterpart!” Thanks for sharing your early experiences with Yoga.
~Donna