I create bespoke kundalini classes that address the astrological weather – from the day’s passing transits, to new and full moons, planetary ingresses, major aspects, eclipses and more.
Karma
What happens when the three creative passions in one’s life tap you on the shoulder and suddenly say, “Wake up! We’ve been waiting for decades for you to get with the program and join forces!” In my case, being an advanced-trained kundalini yogi and teacher, professional singer, and astrologer, it meant launching KarmaStar Yoga.
Kundalini yoga is an energy-based yin-birthed technology that addresses body, mind and spirit in every exercise. With roots in Tibetan, Raj and other ancient systems, there is a reason behind every kriya and meditation and a remedy for just about every human and spiritual condition. The mindset we strive to embody is one of compassion.
Kundalini yoga was hidden for millennia, and has been accessible to the uninitiated westerner for less than 100 years. Astrology, another ancient tradition hidden behind veils of mystery and misinformation, is dusting off the cobwebs and enjoying a renaissance. Interest in serious astrological education is exploding. The relational tug of humanity and the cosmos was well understood and codified in all the yogic traditions. Astrology was (and is) a yoga. Yoga embodies astrology.
In other words, the interplay of astrology and kundalini yoga is a match made in the heavens.
Karma
KarmaStar Classes
Karma’s classes are creatively sequenced kriyas, pranayama and mantras that are designed to address the astrology of the times – in this case—the time period you are taking the class. Karma creates bespoke kundalini classes, events and workshops that address the astrological weather – from the day’s passing transits, to new and full moons, planetary ingresses, major aspects, eclipses and more. And there’s music…
KarmaStar Music
From the clear singing of a glorious mantra, to the perfect sequencing of music to focus intention and amplify the participatory experience, to being sung to in a very loving and intimate way, the music in a KarmaStar class is interwoven to promote joy and release spiraling kundalini energy. The intention is to create Vak Shuddi, meaning a cleansing sound; the uttering of beneficial and healing sounds, such as mantra.
“ I interpret Vak Shuddi as the power of the voice, when the powerful intent is to heal and uplift. The human voice is so versatile and chameleon-like. Humans can imitate just about any animal. Animals cannot speak in sentences or imitate humans (OK, parrots are the exception 😊).
I was drawn to, and was blessed to have studied with Bobby McFerrin, who helped me recognize the universe of possibility within my own voice. I applied that to my jazz singing and then later, to sacred music. When one sings sacred western music (and jazz can be sacred too), or chants mantra, the kundalini can rise and one experiences an ecstatic , transforming state. Vak Siddhi is pure joy and engenders instantaneous (Uranian) states of enlightenment.”
Karma
What’s in a Name- KarmaStar
What’s in a Name- KarmaStar
The term and meaning of karma has, in my assessment, been highly misinterpreted and misused in the west. “It’s your karma,” and “bad karma,” are often the first phrases uttered, often with a mixture of pity and contempt, whenever someone finds themselves in the worst of circumstances — either by accident or their own making. Astrologically, karma is often associated with the planet Saturn, the bestower of hard knocks – but also hard-won rewards. When the sensationalized western sturm and drang is set apart from the ancient eastern meanings we come to understand that the essence of karma is movement and taking action. Period. Karma is not set in stone. It is ever-evolving. Life itself is a karmic act. A baby’s first breath is karma. I choose to bless that breath and that karma.
In Tibetan, the meaning of karma is “shining star,” and is often used as a given name. Thus, I call my yoga offering KarmaStar yoga, both for the meaning of the name as well as the astrological implication.
Yoga Certifications and Training
30+ years of kundalini yoga practice. Initial and advanced (500+ hours) under the tutelage of modernist compassionate kundalini yoga master and poet Ravi Singh.
Member: Mahan Kirn Khalsa teaching circle
Member, Level 2 Teacher and Partner: Evolving Kundalini (EK)
Astrology
See www.astrologykarma.com for information on Karma Martell’s professional astrology readings and background.
Member: ISAR, NCGR, OPA
AFAN professional development grant recipient.
Voice and Music
Karma Martell has performed at the Edinburgh Festival, off-Broadway, and in clubs and concert halls. As a songwriter, Karma is the recipient of several ASCAP awards and the Songwriters Guild President’s Award. Among Karma’s co-writers are Jim Cammack, Ned Ginsburg, Lesley Gore, and Garius Hill.
Karma is a proud graduate of New York City’s “Fame-d” High School of the Performing Arts, and attended Bard College on scholarship as a dual Drama-Dance major.
