The science of Kundalini Yoga and meditation was developed over 50,000 years ago by rishis in India and Tibet, who systematically tested and perfected the precise movements, postures, sounds and breathing that activate different parts of the body and brain to produce specific results.
Kundalini Yoga is more than just another yoga style. It is a powerful physical, emotional, mental and physical practice that will do more to your body that just develop strength, flexibility and learn to control breathing. Many people find the mysterious name of Kundalini frightening. But there is nothing strange – it simply means the Life-Force and life consciousness of every cell of all physical life.
The word Kundalini literally means “the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved.” It is a metaphor, a poetic way of describing the flow of energy and consciousness which already exists within each one of us. The practices enable you to merge with or “yoke” with the universal Self. This merging of individual consciousness with universal consciousness creates a “divine union” called “yoga.”
Kun is the Earth, “di” and its the little pot of earth in the earth (one cell), and the bits added to the end transcribed as “lini” is the perpetual consciousness expressed as potential. This is how simple the name is. But the practice is even simpler – with its complexities coming through as you engage in Kundalini Yoga.
How Kundalini Yoga Works
The technology of Kundalini Yoga applies its science to our bodies and minds, and is aimed at spirit which has no boundaries, no discrimination. Therefore it is for everyone. It is universal and nondenominational.
Kundalini Yoga works on the body at both physical and sublte bodies. Everyone is aware of their physical body. The physical body is very dense, made of muscles, bone, joints, blood and other fibers. It can be touched, and is visible to the eyes. Most people know about the various bodily systems such as the nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system, lymphatic system and so on.
The physical sensations we feel when we move into any asana or posture are all reflected in our skeleton, joints, muscles and internal organs. As we move deeper and hold the posture, sensations change as we release tension from the muscles and increase the circulation of our lymphatic and cardiovascular systems. Each pose is designed to stimulate glands, organs or body awareness, and to quiet the mind for meditation, which awakens our subtle body, the one that is rooted deep into the unconsciuosness.
It is the unconscious mind that actually dictates our actions. It cannot reason, it simply does what you tell it to do or to think before. If you say “I’m weak, I can’t do this” – your unconsciousness will believe it and perceive you as a weak person. But if you master through it, and say “I’m strong, I can do whatever I set my mind to” – you will be amazed by what you can actually achieve.
And Kundalini Yoga will help you set the mind on the strong path uncovering trapped potential you have always had, just didn’t know it was there. All biological consciousness is chemical in nature – it is controlled by the secretion of neurons in the brain.
When we directly raise the Kundalini, or activate the base of the spine through exercises, breathing and concentration, we jump-start a whole chain of reacions, and a major change in consciousness is experienced. It may be suble and gradual. It may be spectacular. The more consistent you are in your practice – the more you feel it.
In Kundalini Yoga, navel serves as the centre for all asanas where the energy is released. When we move around the “base chakra,” we activate our central nervous system, from the base of the spine up along the central cord to the cranium of the head. Each cell of the body is full of Kundalini energy, but the fullest potential is found at the base of the spine around the navel centre, often referred to as “Base Chakra” which lies approximately 2-3 inches below the umbilicus.
A lot of attention is given to the breathing techniques, and for a very good reason. Your mind follows the breath, and your body follows the mind. So, the way you breath will dictate how you feel bringing awareness to the physical body.
For example, physiologically, when we forcefully pump the air from our navel centre, we activate the very root of our central nervous system where thousands of nerves come together. This in turn stimulates our glandular and nervous systems with the movement in the spinal fluid. The flow sparks the brain to excite the hormones and neurochemicals all responsible for making us feel more alert, awaken, and simply fulfilled with life.
Imagine what it can do to your mind! Like a breath of fresh air, alert brain brings new clarity expanding our perceptions, awakening our minds which makes us understand the reason for our actions. Awareness brings choice, choice brings freedom. This liberation intuitively gives us purpose in life and we become committed to our service. In other words, you feel really good after you do it. And who would pass on that?
Another important point in Kundalini Yoga is meditation and mental focus. It deepens your awareness of the present moment. After beginning a steady practice, you may find that this becomes an invaluable tool for centering in everyday life.
The mental focus in Kundalini Yoga , unless specified otherwise, is to fix the concentration on the “third-eye point,” midway between the brows, a centemeter above the eyebrows and a centimeter beneath the skin.
In Kundalini Yoga we strive for balance in our practice. This means that when you exercise, it is good to challenge yourself, but not to overdo it. It is always fine to shorten the duration of an exercise if your body feels like it.
There are many levels in Kundalini Yoga practice, and each one of them is unique in its own way. Athletes may need stronger more dificult postures, while beginners may start small, but with each practice the techniques are noticably improved.
This is a yoga for everyone. Kundalini This is a yoga for householders, for people who have to cope with the daily challenges and stresses of holding jobs, raising families, and managing businesses. It gives results in the shortest possible time.
You don’t have to be in perfect physical shape or believe anyting in particular. It does not require you to leave your home, become an ascetic or sit in a cave. If you can breathe and move your body, you will receive the gift of Kundalini just for an experiece – and it may be the most amazing one, it’s up to you how you take it. Kundalini Yoga is designed to give you “hands on” experience of your highest consciousness.
