Gurmukh (yoga teacher)
Encyclopedia
Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa is a teacher of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan and a pioneer in the field of pre-natal yoga. She is the co-founder and director of the Golden Bridge Yoga Center in Los Angeles, and the creator of two books and three DVDs.
in California
. There, she married a Ph.D. student and in 1964, gave birth to an infant with a congenital heart defect. The child, named “Shannon Danuele” died seven months later, but not before his mother had had a horrible experience with an unfeeling gynecologist, disinterested birthing team, and controlling doctor who would not release her son to her until he had undergone circumcision against her wishes.
Grief ensued, then an amicable divorce. From living in Haight Ashbury, Mary went to Big Sur
, then to Mexico
, where she hitchhiked and lived among the tribal peoples. After that, she lived for two years as a hippie on a beach in Maui
. Eventually, she was led to a Zen Buddhist zendo where she practiced silent meditation seven hours a day, with no drugs and celibate, for a year.
. They made their way to the 3HO
ashram in Tucson, Arizona, where her friend paid Mary's room and board for a month, stayed and meditated for seven days. It was here that she met Yogi Bhajan, master of Kundalini Yoga. On their first meeting, he gave Mary a new name, “Gurmukh,” meaning “one who helps thousands cross the world oceans.” He also told her she would help deliver babies. Gurmukh took the advice literally and managed through a work exchange to attend home births with a Santa Fe
obstetrician/gynecologist. Her studies trailed off however as teaching yoga became her full-time occupation.
and on her return moved to Los Angeles
, where she met the man who was to be her life partner. She and Gurushabd Singh Khalsa were married in 1982. In February 1982, Gurmukh at the age of forty-three, gave birth to their daughter, Wahe Guru Kaur, at home with the help of a midwife.
Thereafter, Gurmukh used her knowledge of Kundalini Yoga
as taught by Yogi Bhajan and her own pregnancy experiences to give classes for expectant mothers. This eventually led to a childbirth education program she was to call “The Khalsa Way”, and her own pre- and post- natal videos. She also began a sixty hour Khalsa Way Teachers Training certification course for women from around the world to take to their communities. In 2003, Gurmukh published “Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful: Exploring the Natural Power of Pregnancy and Birth with Kundalini Yoga and Meditation .”
, Gurmukh developed a celebrity clientelle. She gave private instructions to Madonna
, Courtney Love
, Gwyneth Paltrow
, David Duchovny
, Annette Bening
and Rosanna Arquette
. Eventually, with the guidance of her teacher, Gurmukh Kaur gave up the private classes with stars. In 2000, she published the popular guide “Eight Human Talents: The Yoga Way to Restore the Balance and Serenity Within You”. In 2002, Gurmukh co-founded with Gurutej Kaur, the Golden Bridge Yoga Center in Los Angeles.
Gurmukh and her husband teach classes, and offer workshops and teacher trainings at Golden Bridge and around the world.
Early years
Gurmukh was born Mary May Gibson in a small Illinois town. At age nineteen, she left her home to attend college at San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. There, she married a Ph.D. student and in 1964, gave birth to an infant with a congenital heart defect. The child, named “Shannon Danuele” died seven months later, but not before his mother had had a horrible experience with an unfeeling gynecologist, disinterested birthing team, and controlling doctor who would not release her son to her until he had undergone circumcision against her wishes.
Grief ensued, then an amicable divorce. From living in Haight Ashbury, Mary went to Big Sur
Big Sur
Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of the Central Coast of California where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. The name "Big Sur" is derived from the original Spanish-language "el sur grande", meaning "the big south", or from "el país grande del sur", "the big...
, then to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, where she hitchhiked and lived among the tribal peoples. After that, she lived for two years as a hippie on a beach in Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
. Eventually, she was led to a Zen Buddhist zendo where she practiced silent meditation seven hours a day, with no drugs and celibate, for a year.
Introduction to Kundalini Yoga
In 1970, a colleague sought Mary out and told her he had had a vivid dream in which God had told him to bring her to an ashram in ArizonaArizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. They made their way to the 3HO
3HO
3HO is a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the teachings of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, founder of the group....
ashram in Tucson, Arizona, where her friend paid Mary's room and board for a month, stayed and meditated for seven days. It was here that she met Yogi Bhajan, master of Kundalini Yoga. On their first meeting, he gave Mary a new name, “Gurmukh,” meaning “one who helps thousands cross the world oceans.” He also told her she would help deliver babies. Gurmukh took the advice literally and managed through a work exchange to attend home births with a Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
obstetrician/gynecologist. Her studies trailed off however as teaching yoga became her full-time occupation.
Teaching Pregnant Mothers Yoga
In 1977, Gurmukh went on a pilgrimage to IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and on her return moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where she met the man who was to be her life partner. She and Gurushabd Singh Khalsa were married in 1982. In February 1982, Gurmukh at the age of forty-three, gave birth to their daughter, Wahe Guru Kaur, at home with the help of a midwife.
Thereafter, Gurmukh used her knowledge of Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga
Kundalini yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual discipline for developing strength, awareness, character, and consciousness. Practitioners call Kundalini yoga the yoga of awareness because it focuses primarily on practices that expand sensory awareness and intuition in order to raise individual...
as taught by Yogi Bhajan and her own pregnancy experiences to give classes for expectant mothers. This eventually led to a childbirth education program she was to call “The Khalsa Way”, and her own pre- and post- natal videos. She also began a sixty hour Khalsa Way Teachers Training certification course for women from around the world to take to their communities. In 2003, Gurmukh published “Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful: Exploring the Natural Power of Pregnancy and Birth with Kundalini Yoga and Meditation .”
Kundalini Yoga
In her life as a Kundalini Yoga teacher based in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Gurmukh developed a celebrity clientelle. She gave private instructions to Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
, Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Kate Paltrow is an American actress and singer. She made her acting debut on stage in 1990 and started appearing in films in 1991. After appearing in several films throughout the decade, Paltrow gained early notice for her work in films such as Se7en and Emma...
, David Duchovny
David Duchovny
David William Duchovny is an American actor, writer and director. He has won Golden Globe awards for his work as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files and as Hank Moody on Californication.-Early life:...
, Annette Bening
Annette Bening
Annette Carol Bening is an American actress. Bening is a four-time Oscar nominee for her roles in The Grifters, American Beauty, Being Julia and The Kids Are All Right, winning Golden Globe Awards for the latter two films...
and Rosanna Arquette
Rosanna Arquette
Rosanna Lauren Arquette is an American actress, film director, and producer.-Early life:Arquette was born in New York City, the daughter of Brenda Olivia "Mardi" , an actress, poet, theater operator, activist, acting teacher, and therapist, and Lewis Arquette, an actor and director. Her paternal...
. Eventually, with the guidance of her teacher, Gurmukh Kaur gave up the private classes with stars. In 2000, she published the popular guide “Eight Human Talents: The Yoga Way to Restore the Balance and Serenity Within You”. In 2002, Gurmukh co-founded with Gurutej Kaur, the Golden Bridge Yoga Center in Los Angeles.
Gurmukh and her husband teach classes, and offer workshops and teacher trainings at Golden Bridge and around the world.
Publications
- Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Eight Human Talents: The Yoga Way to Restore the Balance and Serenity Within You, New York, Harper Collins, 2000.
- Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful: Exploring the Natural Power of Pregnancy and Birth with Kundalini Yoga and Meditation, New York, St. Martins Griffin, 2003.
DVDs
- Prenatal Kundalini Yoga and meditation for mothers-to-be, Gaiam (2000)
- Postnatal Kundalini Yoga for new mothers, Gaiam (2000)
- Kundalini Yoga with Gurmukh, Living Arts (2004)
Articles
- Joanne Chen, "Spiritual Love," Vogue Magazine, April 1999.
- Samantha Dunn, "L.A. (Yoga) Story," Yoga Journal, July-August 1999 http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/339
- Julie Deife, "Sitting Down with Gurmukh," LA Yoga Magazine, January-February 2005 http://www.layogamagazine.com/issue15/Departments/Gurmukh.htm
- Mothering Magazine http://www.mothering.com/gurmukh-kaur-khalsa
Links
- Golden Bridge Yoga - Los Angeles http://www.goldenbridgeyoga.com
- Golden Bridge Yoga - New York http://ny.goldenbridgeyoga.com