| The Evolution of LAKYTN by Himat Singh, edited by Har Simran Kaur Khalsa Summer 2002 at Golden Bridge Yoga in Los Angeles, high with the exhilaration of the teachers’ training graduation ceremony, I also felt sad that I would rarely see my seventy classmates again. We had become an inspiring and supportive community since the tumultuous week after "9/11" when we first met, and throughout the new challenge of those many morning sadhanas. The following summer, at the IKYTA Teachers’ Conference in Espanola, the examples of teachers’ networks in Phoenix, AZ, and Orange County, CA, just south of Los Angeles, sparked a thought in me. I visited the Orange County Teachers' Network at Satya Kaur's invitation, and learned that Yogi Bhajan had once suggested to Kirtan Singh that he help keep the LA teachers connected. I approached Kirtan, and he responded that he'd be happy to help cultivate such a network if there were others who'd help get the ball rolling. We agreed to meet following solstice. At Solstice, I ran into Panch Nishan Kaur, whom I had had the pleasure of working for at the Japji Course the year before. She shared some tips for community building. Kirtan Singh and I met with Har Simran Kaur, our local Community Coordinator, and we planned our first event, a gathering with dinner at Kirtan Singh’s home. There, I felt awed by the presence of nearly 35 of the most inspirational and experienced teachers I had encountered in LA. As the introductions and personal updates circled the room, it was obvious the interest was there for a network. We followed up in October of 2005 with a meeting piggy-backed after the monthly Yogi Bhajan Video Class at Yoga West. Even more teachers came this time, including many beginning teachers. As they told their stories, a great degree of creativity emerged regarding how our teaching skills could be applied. A long list of the things we'd like a teachers' network to accomplish was condensed into three topics to focus on: teacher networking, community building and continuing teacher education. Our pre-winter-solstice meeting was smaller, probably due to inopportune timing, but just as spirited. In February 2006, we had our biggest event so far, at Golden Bridge. Gurmukh led a panel of longtime yoga teachers, including Guru Singh, Siddhi from Santa Barbara, and Satya Kaur from nearby West Hills, all discussing their teaching practices. About 70 teachers showed up and shared challenges and successes as INTERNATIONAL teachers. At our upcoming April 15 conference at Yoga West entitled, "Teachers 4 Teachers," we are pleased to host Gurucharan Singh, Guruka Kaur, Krishna Kaur and Mukta Kaur. Har Simran has moved on from her official position but stays enthusiastically involved with us, and we now have the blessing of Sukhmani Kaur's participation as Community Coordinator. Sukhmani has helped with many of the administrative tasks of keeping us running, and IKYTA, Yoga West, and Golden Bridge have helped connect us with their teacher populations and generously offered support. Kulwant Kaur has joined our planning meetings as well, and we are constantly seeking to include those who share or wish to augment the vision of a thriving teacher community. Orange County's Satya Kaur continues to offer her experience, support, and enthusiasm, envisioning a state-wide network of teachers working together to help each other and the communities we live in. We welcome the participation of anyone who wishes to join us, as well as the input of those who have met some of these challenges before us in other communities. Contact the new Guru Ram Das Ashram Community Coordinator, Sukhmani Kaur, at 310-201-0954. Humbly, |