All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark-Swami Vivekananda
Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa at Semperviva
Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa is a pioneer in yoga and the mind-body-spirit connections. Based in Los Angeles, Gurmukh teaches Kundalini yoga, meditation, and pre- and post-natal care.
Among her clientele are Cindy Crawford, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Duchovny, Courtney Love, Annette Bening, Melissa Etheridge and Rosanna Arquette. She is founder and director of the Golden Bridge Yoga Centre.
She has been featured in many magazines, including Vogue, W, InStyle, and People. Gurmukh teaches all over the world, from India to Europe and from Central America to the United States. Her kind, compassionate wisdom and counsel touch the life of everyone she meets.
10 Sacred Secrets to Success
Saturday, October 16th, 12:45pm to 3:15pm
Many people feel that to be spiritually successful they must ignore the planetary level. In the Ancient Scriptures, as taught to us by Yogi Bhajan, to be spiritually successful is to be bright, radiant and beam the Infinite Creativity throughout our lives. To be successful on the physical plane, in the world, includes creating worldly goods that we can then share with others. Sharing to help others is a large part of the success cycle. When our spiritual plane success is exemplified through the physical plane success, we are power on all levels. Join us as we discover the underlying energy of success! Discover new pearls to take home with you and apply in your lives right away. All levels welcome.
A Split Second – The Awakening Call
Saturday, October 16th, 3:30pm to 5:30pm
A student comes to a Kundalini Yoga class for the first time and his life is forever altered. In one class, you can have a Kundalini experience that will reveal possibility, destiny and an inner knowingness faster than perhaps anything else. Similar to a near death experience, it gets down to the bones so quickly, yet so safely with absolute beauty. We will take our anger to innocence as we journey through the earth slipping off the cause and effect of karma, so that we might come to realize ‘the wanting of nothing’ and that our only need is ourselves. All levels welcome.
Give Yourself New Life with Kundalini Yoga and Meditation
Sunday, October 17th, 12:30pm to 3:00pm
Conquering Our Imagined Disabilities by Opening the Heart. Experience how to make the impossible possible, by accessing the source of strength within you to become crystal clear with a calm and open heart. Through Kundalini Yoga and Meditation, we will unload our unconscious burden, unlock our minds and understand our goodness. All levels welcome.
The Meaning of Dreams
Sunday, October 17th, 3:30pm to 5:30pm
When the subconscious is not clear, it is filled with unfulfilled desires and thoughts. Our life becomes filled with dreams at night and dreams during the day. Dreams may be very entertaining, romantic, or distracting but they are never a reality. We waste a lot of our energy when in these dreamlike states. At some point the dreams even take over our reality, and we start acting out the scripts that were handed down from the subconscious. Through Kundalini Yoga and Deep Meditation we’ll gain the ability to face the underlying currents behind our dreams, bringing the energy of our soul’s purpose into the picture. Then our goals and steps in life will be more satisfying. All levels welcome.
“kindness is my religion”….the Dalai Lama
The New Golden Bridge Yoga LA
We spent a wonderful day with Gurmukh and Gurushabd in Los Angeles this week.
Here we are on a tour of the new Golden Bride Yoga LA, scheduled to open this September. Don’t worry, the current center is still running, with lots of great workshops and classes daily. We’re standing on the third floor of the center which will have three yoga rooms and a great restaurant. You can even see the Hollywood sign from up here.
We’ll be back down for the opening. Good luck to you both!
Sat Nam
Words of Wisdom From Mr Iyengar
“The demonstration of one’s spiritual realization lies in none other than how one walks among and interacts with one’s fellow human beings.”
You’re Stronger Than You Know
| “All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.” | |
 Swami Vivekananda |
Interview with Timing and Delivery
Semperviva Yoga has recently stretched its way into the epicentre of Kitsilano’s main drag opening its fifth studio at the corner West 4th Avenue and Yew Street.
So, we decided that it was about time that we pulled back the curtain and cut right to the heart of Semperviva Yoga’s reason-for-being.
To do that, we sat down with with Gloria Latham, co-founder of Semperviva Yoga, to talk about a number of things Vancouverites (and yogis), like you and me, should know, including:
1) how they got to be who they now happen to be (and why);
2) if there’s something different about how they treat their customers and the service they give them;
3) what their plans are for tomorrow, next Tuesday, and five years into the future; and
4) why people looking to do Yoga in Vancouver should be choosing Semperviva
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T&D: State your name, rank and serial number. If you don’t have one, surprise us.
GL: Gloria Latham, cofounder of Semperviva Yoga (with my husband Scott Latham) and director of Yoga Teacher Training
T&D: How (and why) did Semperviva come to be?
GL: Semperviva came out of my frustration of working as a pharmacist. I wanted to be in the health field but my job felt very disconnected from true health.
T&D: In simple terms, perhaps to someone who isn’t familiar with Yoga or the ‘West coast vibe’ at all, explain what Semperviva does (and why they do it better than the rest).
GL: Semperviva is committed to offering the best Yoga experiences possible. We provide our students with the most knowledgeable, inspiring teachers, and our studios and staff are warm and welcoming.
Semperviva Yoga provides Yoga for Every Body, all ages and all abilities. It is important to us that no one feels intimidated in starting a yoga practice and that they are able to continue to learn, grow and be challenged as their practice progresses.
T&D: Explain a typical day for you (and the staff) at Semperviva, if there is such a thing.
GL: Our first class at Semperviva starts at 7:00am; our last classes end at 9:00pm and our Yoga Teacher Trainings end even later. The days are long but the work is soooooooooooooo fulfilling.
We get to turn people onto yoga every day and this is very rewarding. We get to share in people’s success stories. We are blessed with an amazing community of students.
The day includes everything from daily maintenance and cleaning, to working with our amazing web team, to teaching Yoga Teacher Training. There is never a dull moment. We have a beautiful base of students here in Vancouver and through our programs in Greece, we are able to connect to students internationally.
T&D: We’ve seen a groundswell in the Yoga scene over the past few years, including some serious ‘swanky’ competition on the local scene. Do you have any thoughts on this?
GL: The demand for yoga is definitely growing because people understand its value as a system of complete mind body fitness. It is the perfect antidote for these stressful times.
Our focus at Semperviva is to provide the best classes possible with Vancouver’s most experienced teachers, in the most welcoming environments. This is our ongoing commitment to our community of students.
T&D: Why should people consider Semperviva as their Yoga provider?
GL: (T&D: she is now speaking in bullet point form, and we like it)
- Over 40 experienced, inspiring teachers
- Over 145 classes per week in all styles of yoga
- Five locations to choose from; passes are valid at all Semperviva locations
- Most affordable classes in town
- Friendly, knowledgeable Yoga Advisors available to guide you to the most appropriate classes for you
- Ongoing workshops to help you further your practice with the world’s most sought after teachers such as Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Mark Whitwell, Sarah Powers, Max Strom and more
- Internationally recognized as a leader in Yoga Education
- Local and international retreats
T&D: Is yoga a trend? What would your advice be to the non-Yoga masses (who have embraced phrases like ‘downward dog’ and the benefits of stretchy yoga wear) as they wrestle with this?
GL: That would make yoga the longest lasting trend in history (well over 5,000 years)!
Yoga is not something you do. It is a way of life. It starts out as something you explore in a yoga studio, on your mat but then it seeps out into your life. You will find yourself calmer and less reactive, you will sleep better, eat better and feel better than you ever have before, and you’ll be in great physical shape on top of all of that! I can’t think of one valid excuse to not start a yoga practice and keep it going for the rest of your life.
T&D: How do you focus on your customer and make them feel like they’re important to you?
GL: Our students mean everything to us. They are our entire reason for being. Being able to teach is a great gift and we will do everything we can to provide the best yoga experiences possible for our students.
We offer lots of free community events at Semperviva such as free classes on Christmas Day Class, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day. It’s a great way to bring people together, build community and make new friends.
T&D: What have some of your criticisms been (either as an owner or as a business)? What’s changed because of it?
GL: Our classes are always full. In response we keep adding more classes and have opened new locations (T&D: like the one we’re sitting in)
T&D: Part of the customer experience, we think, is getting something ‘when’ you want it and ‘how’ you want it. How does Semperviva satisfy this equation?
GL: We offer a full range of styles of yoga, throughout the day. The only day we ever close fully is New Year’s Day.
We provide a tremendous range of teaching styles in our schedule in order to accommodate all students regardless of their abilities.
T&D: Describe the best and the worst customer experience with Semperviva that you are aware of.
GL: I honestly can’t think of anything that negative (THANKFULLY). The most positive customer experience for me has been our Christmas morning class, and our Yoga Teacher Trainings. I teach a free class every year on Christmas morning and then my family and I serve breakfast to the class.
Our Yoga Teacher Trainings are such rewarding experiences. I believe that yoga training is the most empowering personal development program there is.
T&D: The new space on West 4th Avenue (former home of Coast Mountain Sports at the corner of Yew Street) is very well put together. How long had you been contemplating an expansion and how did it come about?
GL: We have always wanted a location on West 4th. Our presence in Kitsilano felt incomplete without it. My husband contacted the landlords of the building 5 years ago, and the opportunity finally opened up just before Christmas.
T&D: What’s your five year plan for Semperviva? How does the new space advance this?
GL: In five years we hope to continue to be the strongest member of the Vancouver Yoga Community, and continue to be internationally recognized as a leader in Yoga Teacher Training.
Our new space provides us with great visibility which helps increase awareness of all our studios, retreats and Yoga Teacher Training.
T&D: Who has been your role model or inspiration in life and/or business?
GL: A great inspiration for me has been Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. She is an amazing teacher, and has touched so many peoples’ lives. She works tirelessly, travelling and teaching all over the globe while still maintaining the largest yoga studio in North America, Golden Bridge Yoga, with her husband Gurushabd Khalsa.
T&D: In 30 words or less, put the following words into a cohesive sentence: chipmunk, public transit, live music, and salad bar.
GL: While riding on public transit to a great salad bar I know that plays live music, I spotted a chipmunk in a tree. (T&D: she used 23)
T&D: Finally, what would you like to know of our readers (to be answered in the comments section)? Ask away!
GL: What’s keeping you from making a commitment to a yoga practice?
…
So there you have it, Semperviva Yoga’s story and commitment to customer service in a Yoga context!
Thanks to Gloria and the Semperviva team for taking the time (and effort) to speak with us.
darren
You Are Always the Solution
“We are powerless over every other person on the planet, and we only have power over our own lives. No matter how problematic the people in your life are, you are always the solution.”….Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa
Stop worrying so much
Can’t remember where I found this but I like it.
“Good Morning, this is God. I will be handling all your problems today, I will not need your help so have a good day.”
40 Day Challenge
Our 40 Day Challenge begins with a one hour event at Kits Beach this Sunday from noon-1pm at Kits Beach – attend to learn more and to kick off your own challenge by sampling a variety of yoga styles. If you’re unable to attend this event but would like to enroll in the 40 day challenge, let us know and we will register you and send you more information. If you have any questions, please contact us at 604-739-2009 or info@semperviva.com, or see our 40 Day Challenge page at for more information.
