Like many people, the COVID-19 pandemic turned my routine upside down. Before the world changed, I was a committed Vinyasa yoga practitioner with over a decade of practice under my belt. My neighborhood yoga studio was my sanctuary, but when stay-at-home orders came into effect, I lost the rhythm of regular classes. Despite my deep love for yoga, I lacked the discipline and motivation to practice consistently at home, amidst caring for and schooling my two boys and juggling housework.
During that uncertain time, I found myself scrolling through Instagram more than usual, and I decided to curate my content towards new interests. It was there that I discovered Guru Jagat’s page. Her energy was magnetic, and her teachings drew me in. She presented Kundalini Yoga as a powerful, transformative practice—one I had heard of but never explored. Intrigued, I started listening to her lectures, finding them both sophisticated and deeply resonant. At first, I attended online classes more for the teachings than the physical practice. Kundalini Yoga, with its repetitive movements, powerful breathwork, and extended meditations, was far more challenging than the styles of yoga I was used to. Slowly but surely, I began incorporating elements of the practice into my life, starting with a simple daily meditation. That small step changed everything.
Committing to a daily meditation practice was a turning point for me. Over time, I layered other components onto my sadhana, or daily spiritual practice: mantra chanting (with the amazing Manpreet,) pranayama, and a physical yoga set. These four pillars of Kundalini practice became the foundation of my day. Having the discipline to keep up a daily practice was new for me. I would try to do my practice in the morning, but sometimes the day would get hijacked by my to-do list and I would find myself practicing after everyone including my husband had gone to bed. There were times I shortened my practice, or skipped things, because as we all know, life happens, but I always did my meditation. I didn’t miss a single day.
My life began to transform in both profound and subtle ways. My nervous system grew more resilient, helping me stay calm under pressure. My relationships improved, as I had enough energy running through me to respond calmly, rather than reacting. My mind shifted from dwelling on problems and feeling stuck, to seeking solutions and taking action. Beyond the tangible benefits, Kundalini Yoga gifted me a sense of stability in times of turmoil, the ability to see beauty in the mundane, and the levity to laugh in the face of adversity. Kundalini Yoga continues to enrich my life daily. It challenges me, centers me, and opens my heart to be in service to others. Looking back, I’m grateful for the unexpected path that brought me here—starting with the turbulence of a global pandemic and leading to a practice that brings me peace, strength, and joy. Sat Nam.
About Devi Seetal (Lisa Chancellor)
Devi Seetal is a mixed media artist from Klamath Falls, Oregon. Her work ranges from large abstract paintings to collaged portraiture, to heart collages made with various papers, all embellished with fabrics, ribbon, and gold leaf. She draws inspiration from art nouveau, tarot and metaphysics. Each work is a representation of the energetic workings behind physical manifestation.
IG @deviseetal.art.
Devi Seetal’s other passions include kundalini yoga, and teaching kids and adults alike to create art by tapping into their own unique creative voices. She has been practicing yoga for almost 20 years and was drawn into the lineage and teachings of Kundalini Yoga in 2019. Since then, she has adopted a daily practice and completed several trainings with Manpreet and Ra Ma Institute, including a summer immersion kundalini retreat with Manpreet, “Beginning Kundalini with Mandev,“ “Becoming a Healer,” and “Vocal Lab with Gurujas.”
She currently lives in Klamath Falls with her husband and two sons by a park where they like to go mountain biking. She uses her spiritual name Devi Seetal, meaning one who embodies her profound peace by connecting to her divine/angelic self, when teaching and creating art.
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