Kundalini Yoga
CREATING HEALTHY RIPPLES
Those of us who practice yoga today want to feel better, to relax, to maintain optimal health, to raise energy levels and vitality, to build core strength, to gain more brain clarity, to release stress and perhaps to connect with some deeper inner spiritual wisdom within us. There are several types of yoga from which to choose, however it is Kundalini Yoga that seems to fulfil all needs of the above prescribed list. Today’s scientific and medical research is now verifying the validity of yogic practices for both physical and mental well-being that the ancients developed thousands of years ago.
Current data reports that about one billion people commit to an ongoing yoga practice of some type and it remains the longest lasting spiritual practice still being embraced by human-kind. The first archaeological evidence of yoga dates back 7000 years although scholars think it may have existed for much longer. Kundalini is an ancient Sanskrit word that literally means “coiled snake.” This energy is something we are born with, but we must make an effort to “uncoil the snake,” an awaken a more vital force within us mentally, physically and spiritually.
What is Kundalini Yoga? Being a combination of several other types of yoga traditions and specific breathing techniques, kundalini yoga can be practiced by regular people of any level or age. Today’s kundalini yoga does not hold onto any strict rules or dogmas. The pure nature of the yoga has allowed each generation for thousands of years to find deep personal meaning in the practice. Kundalini Yoga incorporates a sequence of movement and stretch, specific dynamic breathing techniques, meditation, and the chanting of mantras in order to uplift and vitalize. Some consider it as a workout for the mind, body and the spirit.
Kundalini yoga focuses specifically upon bringing flexibility to the spine and encouraging the spinal fluid to flow. The spine is the “superhighway” of energy that connects the nerves, the chakras, the vital meridians and circulates these magnetic life forces throughout the body. In yogic tradition it is thought that a flexible spine brings a flexible mind. One of the more detailed functions of Kundalini yoga is to unblock our energy centers (referred to as chakras) and clean our auric energy field that surrounds us, so that we can function more fluidly thus raising our vibrational levels and attracting more of what we want into our lives – in other words we become more magnetic and evolved. It directly works on stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system which makes you completely relax and so that healing can occur in your body and trauma can be released.
So What is a typical class involve, you might ask? For first time students, there is no need to feel insecure. Kundalini yoga is very accessible as you take each posture in your own stride as you are demonstrated the posture by the teacher. There is no competition with other people or keeping up. If the posture is too strenuous, you simply stop then start again when you feel ready. There is no checking of your alignment or receiving major adjustments from the teacher. Kundalini yoga is more about generating internal energy than perfecting your outward alignment. Your body will find its own flexibility. The eyes are closed throughout most of the yoga practice. Every class is fresh and different.
In Kundalini yoga, there are hundreds of sets of repetitive movements, postures, stretching, and specific breath work with the movement. They have a wide range of benefits from aiding the digestive system, to cleaning the lymphatic system, to helping the immune system and glandular systems. The sets can help with chronic stress, depression, insomnia, addiction, hormone imbalance, hypertension and trauma. There are movements for particular organs such as the liver or kidneys; there are others to help release fear and open the heart chakra; there are techniques to cleanse the blood. The list goes on and on. The techniques can focus upon the emotional release that equates with a specific organ of the body, balancing the nervous system and bringing emotional calm. When we do this sort of cleanse, release and let go, it goes on to expand our core personhood, encouraging our vital energy to flow from the base of the spine upwards and beyond. Our consciousness is ultimately heightened. Every class is different which makes Kundalini Yoga so unique, and allows for deep inner exploration for the mind, body and spirit.
As with every type of yoga, there is always a period designated for savasana – a lying down in deep relaxation which is usually very welcome after a challenging class. Normally there is time set aside for a meditation to help calm the mind and relax, as it directly works on stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system which makes you completely relax to enable healing to occur in your body. Meditation makes you more aware, become more neutral instead of reactive to other people or situations, and it brings you to a state where you can explore the deeper workings within you, your intuition and own inner teacher.
It has been said that a well-taught Kundalini Yoga class leaves you feeling like you’ve gone to therapy, had a challenging core workout in the gym, released some pent-up emotions, used your voice to tap into a vibrational frequency, danced a bit, connected with some inner wisdom, felt refreshingly relaxed and honoured your guru within. Participating in today’s kundalini yoga class can seem so relevant, therapeutic and fresh it is as if the age-old practices were designed for 21st century living.
Kundalini yoga does not claim to be the way. It is one way. It is a tool to help people actualize their higher self and to help live their lives in a vital and authentic way. And as we all know, the world needs much more of this. It creates a powerful ripple effect.
Kundalini Yoga helps you gain a strong immune system and its vital glands, a robust nervous system, a flowing chakra system and good circulation. All of which will make you feel vital and energized.
Promotes overall better health, building more strength, flexibility, fitness, energy and vitality. With its particular types of breath work, the body is detoxified emotionally, physically and mentally.
Teaches you how to calm your mind, connect with your inner self and develop your intuition to recognize what is real and important to you. You begin to make informed confident decisions based on your highest self.
Enhances the third eye point in every yoga session, by activating the pituitary gland which releases dopamine, relaxants, endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin into your body for an overall sense of well-being and greater intuition.
Clears the subconscious mind. It helps you realise and move on from attachments that are keeping you stuck in your past: those continually repeating patterns, thoughts and mistakes.
Offers many forms of meditation. Meditation has been scientifically proven to positively change your brain and nervous system. It reduces anxiety and increases concentration, creativity and focus
Helps you to experience a more spontaneous flow of joy, happiness and overall well-being in your life.
Brings greater peace and the ability to stay calm and present in the face of storms with a developed neutral mind and staying out of drama.
Develops greater clarity of thought and clarity of mind that breaks through old mental patterns and inspires new ideas and creativity.
Expands your presence which expands your life. When we approach each day with a strong sense of individual truth, this presence is obvious to those around you and will result in new opportunities and an expanded reality. In turn, you will affect others and your world in a more positive healing empowered manner. This creates a positive ripple effect in your community.
Throughout my yoga journey these last 23 years, I began with Ashtanga yoga and then happened upon Kundalini yoga. Kundalini yoga for me was so inspiring that I went on to become a certified Kundalini yoga instructor in Rishikesh India — which is the capital of yoga in India. I have taught groups of students these last 9 years in their homes and gardens, have held public classes in Florence yoga studios and hotels and conduct private one-on-one sessions. For me, Kundalini yoga is the “superhighway” of raising vibrations and seeing major shifts happen in my students in not only physical levels, but psychological and spiritual transformation.