Bhakti on the Eastside
Fueled by the devotional spark of Bhakti that’s being lit all over town, Cecelia Fuentes’ story of opening the monthly KALI KLUB ecstatic kirtan venue is one of synchronicities, divine grace, chance meetings, community support, commitment to selfless service and the power of devotion. She was hungry for a space larger than a Yoga studio with room to really dance during sacred chant events and excited about bringing the bhav to the Eastside. The warehouse space in the Casitas Avenue Arts Project fits 500 people with plenty of parking and comes complete with lighting, sound, stage and an event hosting team in Atwater, near Glendale and Fuentes’ home studio of Yoga Kingdom Sanctuary in Pasadena.
Kali Klub will share more than the ecstasy of kirtan, sacred music and dance events, as the lineup will be hosted as fundraisers for the charity water.org. Fuentes’ heart was touched by this organization created by a young dance and club promoter in New York who used donations from his birthday party to build wells in Africa. The proceeds from Kali Klub events will support freshwater wells in India, Fuentes’ spiritual motherland. Sneak preview night of Giving Thanks, Saturday, November 28, 7:00 P.M. with Wah! and Girish. Grand opening, Friday, December 4, 7:30 P.M. with Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe and Jai Uttal (pictured).Kali Klub, 3229 Casitas Avenue, Los Angeles. 90039. Kaliklub.com
Beverly Glen Ashtanga
Dmitriy and Lilia Kazakov teach Yoga as a devotional service at ASHTA ANGA YOGA at the Beverly Glen Community Center. Their lives also involve sharing information about healing arts, such as a raw, vegan diet (they distribute raw desserts), feng shui, crystal energy water clarification and formulas created by their teacher, Dr. Mikio Sankey, an esoteric acupuncturist.
Lilia, also an interior designer, began Ashtanga in 1995 with a teacher and students all in their sixties who practiced asana with more facility than Lilia, the youngest in the room. “In down dog, in excruciating pain, I thought, ‘If these people can do these asana at their age, how am I going to be when I reach that age in the shape I am today?’ This was a profound moment of truth.” In 2000, Lilia brought Dmitriy, an architect and artist, to a class, who took to it from the beginning as it reminded him of his youthful practice of karate and gymnastics.
On Sundays, they offer a free introduction to Ashtanga from 10 – 11:30 A.M. It includes asana (posture) adapted to the group, pranayama (breath techniques), stories and guided meditation. They also teach Tuesday and Thursdays at 7:30 P.M. and by appointment. Classes at Beverly Glen Community Center, 10409 Scenario Lane, Los Angeles, CA. Dmitriy and Lilia Kazakov, Asta Anga Yoga. (310) 441 – 7710
Kundalini Yoga for Joy
On the numerically and astrologically auspicious 09-09-09, Mahan Kirn opened TRUE KUNDALINI at the corner of Motor and National in LA. Mahan Kirn began her study of Kundalini Yoga when she was two years old and Yogi Bhajan stayed with her parents who hosted Winter Solstice celebrations. In a rebellious period, she questioned Yoga before a serious nerve condition, and doctors saying she may never walk again prompted Yogi Bhajan’s instructions to practice bound lotus; it would heal her. She became a believer in the healing benefits of Yoga, kriyas and deeper meditation practices.
After moving to LA from New York, where she had been teaching workshops around the world, the chiropractor Dr. Perry, of the International Sports Science Institute, inspired her to open the studio. True Kundalini offers thirty classes a week with a variety of teachers. These include Yoga in a warm water pool, free Thursday night (7:30 – 9:00 P.M.) Sat Nam Rasayan sessions when people can learn or receive this powerful noninvasive healing treatment utilizing meditative awareness , and Kirn’s specialty, kriyas for addressing aspects of the psyche which cause us to suffer. Through the end of this year, True Kundalini is offering new students two weeks of unlimited classes for only one dollar. True Kundalini, 3283 Motor Ave, 2nd floor, Los Angeles, 90024. (310) 467 – 0651; Truekundalini.com
By Felicia M. Tomasko, RN
