Shopping bag.

Having lived through some of the strangest two years that most of us will (hopefully) ever experience, moving into the New Year seems as good a time as any to redefine our priorities and integrate a new practice into our busy schedules. “It’s incredibly important in this time and age in which we get so much information, we need to upgrade our software, our internal software, and our landscape in order to not only survive through the pressurized times but to thrive, to be able to create and have fun with them and to enjoy our lives. To practice staying centered through the polarities of life is the work of Love.” When it comes to introducing a new routine, Amanda reminds us to treat ourselves kindly and not implement that usual pressure that is common with New Year resolutions. We’re reminded that these practices are personal and individual, non-goal oriented and can be as fluid as we’d prefer. “I think everyone who begins Kundalini yoga, because we come from such a linear society, wants to be good at our spiritual practice and we want to do it perfectly and we want to do it right. That is such a great healing because maybe you begin with that, until you realise that ‘Wait, I’m not present I am just doing another checklist. Meditated – check! This is an important step into dismantling the constant pressure we put on ourselves and a release into the present moment, which always holds so much beauty, through the ups and downs.’”

A soundbite that will resonate over and over again from our chat with Amanda is her emphasis on identifying the small wins and small positives in life. Through the practice and education that she’s gained over the years from Kundalini yoga, her biggest takeaway is this – “holy fuck this life is so beautiful, and not only that, within me there is such beauty. There is such energy. There is such love that colours my whole external reality. Even as I build the bridge back to myself, I still practice every day, but  I become more and more aware that it is already within me and available at all times. That doesn’t mean that life doesn’t throw me a curveball every other day, but it’s a matter of how I approach life; from Love or from fear. And my daily practice is a place I to remind me of who I am.”

Polarity is a theme that colours our discussion as we live in an increasingly divisive and divergent world. Amanda, however, views this as an opportunity for growth. We have the ability to choose our path and this is a wildly empowering feeling. “How empowering to be in the driver’s seat of your own mind, I see what is happening, I see the fullness of this experience. I see the negative and I see the positive but I’m gonna steer my mind into the positive creative direction, that’s when your whole life begins to change. I am not neglecting the hardships, the obstacles, the grief, but they are great teachers that can open our hearts tremendously when we no longer oppress them, yet I will practice my attention to continue to amplify Love.”

What is next in store for Amanda? Her Illumination Program and The Practice have allowed over 1000 men and women to experience this “tremendous personal growth and expansion” and this legacy now provides a constant feeling of humility and gratification for Amanda. “Witnessing that in so many people has been the best experience. To me it’s discovering a chamber of treasures within, finding that the fullness of your inner being is what is going to fill up your outer life.” As we venture into another year, our learnings from Amanda remind us to treat ourselves kindly and attempt to ignore the external pressures that arise around this time. We hope that this introduction to Amanda’s work will give you the tools to move brightly and positively into 2022 and beyond.

By Tori Sharp for Semaine.
Photography by Josephine Schulte.