Ted Steiner

Ted Steiner was involved with the Union of American Exiles in some way and was a leader in a successor organization, the Red, White and Black. The Red, White and Black made its first public appearance with the publication of the “The Alternative” newspaper in May 1970. At about the same time the Red, White and Black helped to rent the Hall at 15 Huron Street, possibly because another group had laid claim to the old UAE offices at 44 St. George Street. An effort was made to unite all the exile political organizations under one umbrella but it was only partly successful. In August 1970 The Toronto American Deserters Committee and the Red, White and Black merged to form the Committee to Aid Refugees from Militarism (CARM).

The Committee to Aid Refugees from Militarism moved into the Hall and managed its operations. In 1969 Yogi Bhajan arrived in Toronto and founded the 3HO (Happy, Healthy, Holy Organization). After spending a year in Toronto, Yogi Bhajan moved to California but the organization he founded continued to grow. In addition to the other programs offered by at the Hall, Ted Steiner began teaching classes in Kundalini Yoga. He was involved in several religious groups based on Sikh Dharma that formed in the exile community. When Mary Rauton of the Ragnarokr leather shop began attending classes in Kundalini Yoga at the Hall in February 1971, Ted Steiner of 3HO was the instructor.

Ted Steiner changed his name to Guertej Singh and continued to be of service to the American expatriate community. When the THOG theater group was formed in January 1976 Guertej Singh of 3HO was asked to be the group’s yoga teacher and spiritual advisor. He helped found the Toronto Kundalini Yoga Ashram and continues to teach at the 3HO’s school in Toronto.