One Hundred Days of Sudarshan Kriya!

 Yess!! Yesterday, I did Sudarshan Kriya for the 100th consecutive day. And, within these 100 days, my life has changed like never before. I'm not exaggerating here but I genuinely want to share this amazing experience. 

 We've heard enough about how life has been tough due to COVID-19! The past 4 months of lockdown have changed each of our lives in so many ways. In my case, the lockdown came along with a blessing- Blessing of the Sudarshan Kriya(SK)!! All thanks to Master Shri Shri Ravi Shankarji! 

How did it all start? 

 It was actually very random or I must call it God's Plan! During the early days of lockdown while we were all wondering about how to spend our free time, while some of my friends said they were trying to cook new recipes, some were trying dance tutorials, few others were watching new web series & alot more.One day my best friend called me & said she was joining the Art Of Living's Online Happiness Program, to which I simply said Thik Hai! Within next two days, she called me again & even as she was telling me about her experience of Sudarshan Kriya, she sounded so excited & happy. Now, this is where I felt like "wow! this seems interesting!" I googled about it & as I read more & more, I wanted to experience it myself desperately. So, I thought why not give it a try. And, that's how it all started. I immediately registered for the latest upcoming course. My mentors were amazing people! They made the entire course so much more exciting and lively even though it was online. 

 25th April 2020 was the first Sudarshan Kriya of my life & today my 101st. But the first ever experience is staying memorable, you'll know why I'm saying this once you give it a try! 

 The course ended 4 days later & our mentors had told us to keep doing the kriya for 40 consecutive days. Here came my first challenge! I'm that person who's always excited about things in the beginning but later doesn't maintain consistency. To my surprise it happened very effortlessly this time. Within first 10 days itself I had started experiencing so many good results within me that later I did not even have to push myself harder instead it happened very spontaneously as I was now curious to see what next after practicing more & more of Sudarshan Kriya. And so, the journey began! 

What is Sudarshan Kriya? 

Remember how sometimes when we are really angry or frustrated & somebody tells us to just to breath? They say it'll calm you down. Earlier I used to feel this a very silly concept. But when I observed consciously I noticed that just as our emotions change so does our breathing pattern. Clearly, our emotions do influence our breath but you know what? It also works vice-versa! Our BREATH is simply enough to control our emotions!! And, in today's chaotic world aren't we all looking for a remote control of our emotions? Sudarshan Kriya pretty much teaches you that! 

 This Kriya is a powerful breathing technique. It is done in 3 stages of different breathing patterns, rapid & slow ending into a stage of deep relaxation. It takes around half an hour to complete the Kriya which in the beginning felt like a lot but now I have to admit those 30 mins are the most awaited time of my day. 

 SK is not something you can learn simply by asking Google but the good news is that during this lockdown period, Art Of Living has now started online programs that allow us to learn this Kriya at the comfort of our home. 

Sudarshan Kriya & Brahma Muhurta! 

 I kid you not! But yes, I have been waking up at 4:30am since almost two months now. For those who don't know, let me also mention that before this I wasn't at all a morning person, in fact I was a night owl. And I always wanted to change this about me but I couldn't. Sudarshan Kriya has played a major role in changing this about me. 

 During my course, my mentor Manasi Di had mentioned about the Brahma-muhurta being the best time to practice SK (also, it can be practiced anytime during the day, not necessarily the Brahma-muhurta). Out 

of curiosity I tried waking up at Brahma-muhurta one day & that experience was even more blissful. So I woke up again the other day & then yet again the next day & that has been continued ever since then! 

 I feel it is that excitement of experiencing this blissful energy that actually gets me out of the bed every morning. And, practicing Kriya as the first thing in the morning recharges my body & leaves me feeling fresh & energetic throughout the day! 

Sudarshan Kriya & The New Saloni😁

 Now, here comes the most important part. Before that, what's important is to know that we tend to expect change to happen too quickly, drastically & when we don't see the change, we quit the activity! With my 100 days long journey, I've learnt that consistency & patience are the most integral part! Eventually it all makes sense if we don't give up! 

 Firstly, SK taught me the importance of little most ignored things in life that actually deserve our attention.Like the Breath, it happens to be the most crucial component of our life but how often do we pay special attention towards our breathing pattern? I learnt that we normally use only 30% of our lung capacity & through SK we can make use of 100% of that capacity! 

 Kriya has worked wonders on my physical, mental & spiritual levels. 

 I was a person who always caught up in emotions, mood swings, anxieties & attachments. I had anger issues too. So, many times I would react to some situation & later regret reacting in that particular way. But now I feel like I have this remote control of my emotions. Trust me, it leaves you feeling so peaceful with 0% stress & 0% disappointments. These days I don't react, I respond! 

 My sleep cycle has improved. My habit of procrastinating is almost gone now. And, nowadays, I've rarely said "Bore ho Raha hai!! " Basically with SK I've learnt how to enjoy the simplest everyday thing to its 100% & that's why I'm rarely complaining about things lately & giving my 100% in everything that I do. 

  I feel with more & more of its practice, SK is helping me clear my head of the unnecessary clutter & it is definitely training me to deal with challenging situations in a better manner. 

 It is benefiting not only to me but also others around me as it has enabled me to spread happiness & good vibes. It has improved my relationships to much greater level. 

 Also, my self doubting habit has decreased & I feel very confident & that's exactly why I could even write this blog & share it with you all. 

 Lastly, I want to take this as an opportunity to thank my mentors Gourav Sir, Manasi Maam, Hemant Sir for making my life alot easier & literally changing my approach towards life. Also, thanks to my best friend for introducing me to the Happiness Program :) I'm definitely looking forward to many many more days of Sudarshan Kriya!!