With Kundalini Yoga you can build a healthy body & keep it in shape. It will increase your vitality & train your mind to be strong and flexible in the face of stress and change, so that you can meet lifes challenges with grace.
What is Kundalini Yoga & what are the Benefits?
Kundalini Yoga is a science that was long kept secret in India since it is a very powerful form of Yoga. It was brought to the west in 1969 by a man called Yogi Bhajan, as he believed it was very much needed for the people in the west. Kundalini Yoga is more than just exercise to stimulate the body; it moves energy and gives you an energetic experience. It can be a lifestyle; eating a Yogic diet, routines on how to wake up in the morning, how to walk, talk and be in a certain way – All to help you live your daily life in a healthier, happier and more conscious way!
Kundalini is the nerve of our soul, the energy of our consciousness. Kundalini Yoga is called the Yoga of Awareness. Awareness of that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. In Kundalini Yoga we work with body, mind and soul, which help us to become more aware of our physical, mental and emotional condition - and influence them in a positive way.
Kundalini Yoga consists of simple yogic techniques that can be enjoyed by everyone, no matter age or physical ability. It is a powerful and effective technology that uses and combines postures (asanas), movement, sound current (mantra), breath (pranayam) and meditation - with the purpose of freeing energy (kundalini energy) in the lower body ( base of spine) and allow it to move upwards.
When we release (or awake) this kundalini energy, we become more conscious, more aware of our truth, our inner potential. Awakened Kundalini can release blockages in the mind, body and spirit; helping us to heal, nourish, and rejuvenate.
Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan has many benefits. It keeps you healthy, reduces stress and tension, it gives you more energy, vitality and mental clarity. It can help to prevent burnout, increase your feeling of inner joy and peace. A regular practice of Kundalini Yoga strengthens the muscles, joints and spine, removes toxins from the body, and helps the functioning of organs, glands, blood circulation, nervous system & the immune system. Yogic breathing techniques and meditation can give us peace of mind; inner calm, balance and self-confidence.
Class Structure
A typical class will last between 60 & 90 minutes, & normally follows a similar structure:
Beginnig/Tuning in the Class:
A class begins with chanting the mantra: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo (I bow to the subtle divine wisdom, the divine teacher within) three times.Tuning in with this mantra sets and calms the mind. Following this we chant the mantra: Aad Guray Nameh, Jugaad Guray Nameh, Sat Guray Nameh, Siri Guru Dayvay Nameh three times. This is a mantra used for protection.
Warm Up:
Usually there will be some warm-up for 5-15 minutes, but it is not essential & varies depending on the kriya that follows.
Kriya/ Yoga Set:
A Kriya is a sequence of posture, breath & sound intergrated together to create different effects. There are hundreds of different kriyas in kundalini yoga: Kriya for improving the functioning of a certain organ or the glandular system, Kriya for strengthening the nervous system, Kriya for releasing fears, Kriya for opening the heart chakra, and many, many more...
Deep Relaxation:
The relaxation is an important part of a class to help integrate the effects of the kriya & allow the body and mind to relax completely. Sometimes the relaxation is done after the meditation.
Meditation:
Like with the Kriyas, there are many different meditations within Kundalini Yoga & each one of them has its own effect: meditation for inner peace, increasing intuition, reducing stress, breaking addiction & many more...
Ending/Closing the Class:
A class ends by singing/chanting the Long Time Sun Shine Song to ground you after the class:
May the long time sun shine upon you, All love surround you, And the pure light within you, Guide your way on.
Sat nam (three times)
- Sat Nam is a very common mantra meaning: 'My true identity is infinity. (Sat means essence or truth, Nam means name or identity)
Kundalini Yoga is the original and most powerful of the twenty-two schools of yoga, all of which are beneficial. The Yoga Sutras (writings) say that what you can achieve in 12 years of Hatha Yoga, plus 6 years of Raj Yoga, plus 3 years of Mantra Yoga, plus 1 year of Laya Yoga CAN be accomplished in 1 single year of perfectly practiced Kundalini Yoga. :)
Meditation & Mantra
Meditation is an important part of Kundalini Yoga. So what exactly is meditation? Let’s begin with what meditation is not. Meditations is not an escape from something, it is not about creating a blank space. Meditation is a tool to “free the mind” by promoting inner peace and a sense of calm and well-being while develop intuition. It makes us become more viable, present and aware; so we control our thoughts and feelings. It is the art of breaking a habit, it is the art of letting the mind relax.
The mind is a tool to help you – don’t let it drag you down by letting it play games with you. So clean up your mind & take control of your life.
When practising meditation in Kundalini Yoga, you will experience the use of Mantra. Mantra is a sound current which tunes and controls mental vibration. It is a very powerful and efficient way of meditating. What we think is what we are, and when we chant a mantra, we control and direct our thoughts and mind towards happy thoughts and positive thinking. We chant to awaken our soul and make our heart sing! And as I mentioned before there are many different mantras with different effects & the beauty of all of them is; that even if you don’t understand the actual meaning or sounds, it is so effective it can still create a very profound change in your consciousness.
What is Sadhana?
"Sadhana is a personal process in which you bring out your best."
- Yogi Bhajan
Sadhana means a daily spiritual practise. It is a discipline of the mind and body to connect with the soul. When done early in the morning, we clear our body and mind so it is fresh for the day ahead & we can easier deal with any challenges that might come our way.
For more information on Sadhana, please klick here
See you soon in class
Sat Nam, Love & Light
Ewa ♥
