The Power of Shakti, a transformational workshop

I arrived during the first meditation of the day.  I was at the Special Yoga Centre in London, a spacious well organized
venue lathered in flyers and leaflets advertising the many faces of yoga.  Yoga for children, for adults, for richness and
other wonderful human desired states.

Shakti, for those not familiar with the spiritual culture of the Indian Continent, is the Sanscrit word for 'Life'.  Shakti is
a life force that is pertinent to human life.

Anaiya Aon Prakasha, the co-ordinator, is a small golden haired beautifully turned out person, with a very sweet smile and patient demeanor.

There were sixteen other participants, five of whom were male. Many had come to be healed, which is said to be one of the outcomes of the workshop.

At the end of the meditation, we had an explanation of the work which is based on Womb Therapy.  This is an ancient system said to be used in many past cultures to truly unite men and women, sexually and consciously. Anaiya learned this old and profound art through her relationship with Padma Aon Prakasha, her one time partner and co-author of "Womb Wisdom" (published by Destiny Books Vermont USA).

Anaiya's is a Kundalini Yoga expert, and public speaker.  Her past teachers included a Grand Master of Kundalini and U.S. guru Gangaj-ji.

The end result of this transformation workshop is to regain our sexual connectedness through threading the life force (Shakti) through the chakras into the power base of the womb in women, and the navel area known, as the 'hare', pronounced 'haa-ray', the power base in men.

The intention of the first exercise was to allow the 'shakti' into our bodies through the chakra points.  This entailed us pairing off and mounting each other at womb level.  Music was played with a an insistent loud vibratory drum pulse and we were expected to catch the rhythm as we rode our mounts, the mounts keeping pace with the pulse. It is such a strenuous exercise that one has no time to think or even feel. There are several tracks to the music. The exercise seems to go on for hours, but probably only about thirty to forty minutes.  We then changed partners and did the pulse riding again.

After a lunch break, we did another strenuous exercise, this time without partners.  This exercise seemed to work on different sections of the spinal areas.  Tough vibratory loud music again.  After a ten minute break, we partnered and were asked to put ourselves into mother and child roles.  We were replaying the act of  newly born child held  in a mother's arms.  The effect is to remember or regain the sense of peace experienced during that part of our lives.

I now realized that one of the reasons that therapy gurus very seldom describe in any detail the exercises/roleplay they require from their clients.  Instead most of the literature gives airy fairy lilting harmonious descriptions using words such as peace, joy, love, floating and so on.  And I have to say, I would have felt very uneasy if I had been given a description of the exercises in advance.

Yet these exercises were patiently followed by all without complaint or comment. The participants listened attentively to Anaiya's detailed explanations and followed her directions.  She  gave out an aura of great confidence and made everyone feel positive and strong and able.

Ending the exercises, Anaiya told us we would be transforming during the next few days.  Our voices, our body language, and lots of other changes would take place including experiencing many dreams.

In conclusion, Anaiya asked each of us to share how we felt.  All were very positive in their comments, and the ill ones shared hopes that there might be some healing.  Some were a little longwinded in their descriptions of how they felt.  Eyes shone but I did not detect many facial changes in those present, which I have often witnessed in other workshops.

For myself, I could only give one word to describe the outcome of the workshop for me.  'Quiet'.  I felt a quietness and absolutely no need for explanations or descriptions of my expectations. There was a nod from Anaiya which might have meant 'Good" or "as expected!".   A lot of those present, said they wanted to continue working with Anaiya to learn 'the Work'. There was a great feeling of goodwill and the enjoyment of group consciousness.

Yet, I wondered if there was a true reality to this workshop.  Or whether there was a tinge of Hans Christian Anderson-type Emperor's New Clothes syndrome, where the participants articulate results In line with the predicted outcomes.

In any case, I will keep a diary of my dreams and will be looking out for all the telltale changes of transformation, Anaiya told us to expect.

Lastly, I have to express surprise that I, no great exercise-lover, was able to keep up with the intensely physical bodywork that we were asked to do.  Even a very ill per son present, was able to do the exercises.

Anaiya's next Power of Shakti workshop scheduled for 30 April at the Yogalife Studios in Eastbourne. For details and other events, go to: www.pilgrimageoflove.com or www.wombwisdom.me

Author: Katharine O'Sullivan