Yoga Spiral makes its way to the top of Pikes Peak

Gusting winds and numbing cold couldn’t dim the zeal of a group of yoga enthusiasts who gathered atop Pikes Peak Wednesday to pray for world peace.

Nearly 80 Colorado Springs-area residents, bundled in winter attire, chanted, prayed, danced and formed a “yogic spiral” on the mountaintop for 15 minutes while musicians played a pulsating rhythm.

“We are sending healing energy in all directions,” said Kat Tudor, a Colorado Springs yoga teacher who organized the event. “We would like people to be more peaceful toward one another.”

After praying and chanting, participants walked single file in a spiral, which, Tudor said, creates positive energy among the walkers that radiates out to the world.

Yoga instructors in Bulgaria created the spiral in the 20th century, Tudor said. Encho Avramov, a Bulgarian who teaches yoga in Colorado the Springs, introduced her to the spiral.

Over the past year, Tudor has held two yogic spiral events in Colorado Springs to promote world peace. She said Pikes Peak was chosen as the third site because of its height, which would allow the prayers and chants for peace to emanate farther around the globe.

“This is a way to open your mind and heart to the world,” said spiral participant Marlene Brown of Colorado Springs.

It was a party atmosphere aboard the Cog Railway train transporting the group to the summit. As the train plodded its way past the pines and changing aspens to the jagged rocks above timberline, the passengers — each of whom paid $12 for the experience — chanted to Hindu-style music. Some waved prayer flags out the open windows, while others danced in the aisle. Tudor rang “peace bells” and passed out glitter, which she called fairy dust, for passengers to put on their faces.

Atop Pikes Peak, the wind chill was in the mid-20s and patches of snow dotted the terrain. But as the group prepared to create the spiral by chanting “om” — their voices growing louder and harmonies emerging — no one seemed to notice the battering wind and freezing temperature.
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