Kundalini Yoga – Yoga of Awareness
“WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND WHO AND WHAT YOU ARE, YOUR RADIANCE PROJECTS INTO THE UNIVERSAL RADIENCE AND EVERYTHING AROUND YOU BECOMES CREATIVE AND FULL OF OPPORTUNITY” – Yogi Bhajan
Kundalini Yoga is called the Yoga of Awareness or sometimes the ‘mother’ of Yoga. It is a form which is thought to bring you an experience of your own soul. The most important aspect of this practice is not to be found in the postures and poses, they are the tools which lead you to the wonderful experience of the heart, the discovery of the infinite previously encapsuled in the finite.
Kundalini Yoga is well equipped to deliver the greatest benefits, especially health, in the shortest space of time, hence its popularity. A colloquial term sometimes used is “Householders” Yoga, as it fits so snugly into today’s typical lifestyle of work, home and mortgage while it tackles the undesirable stresses associated with ‘life in the fast lane’
To describe it in a more spiritual way, Kundalini Yoga could be considered an inner school of Sikhism ( a monotheistic religion), in a similar fashion of the Kabbalah being an inner school of Judaism.
Historically it was cultivated and remained a closely guarded sacred secret until 1969 when Yogi Bhagan went mainstream with it. He is also the founder of ‘3HO’ (the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organisation), the devotees often being seen in long flowing white robes and turbans, although this is definitely not mandatory.
The basic benefits of practicing this form of ‘mystical’ Yoga are many, the more basic ones are:
- Strength – Dridhata
- Steadiness – Sthirata
- Boldness – Dhairya
- Lightness of body – Laghima
- Perception – Pratyakshavta
- Isolation – Kaivalya ( in this respect meaning freedom)
Other physical benefits are a reduced pulse rate, lower blood pressure increased lung capacity, joint suppleness and so forth – key for anyone seeking yoga health benefits.
Psychological benefits which have been noted include; heightened self awareness, improvement in mood swings, sharpened concentration and a seemingly magnified depth of perception.
Biochemical benefits are also to be found – i.e., decrease in glucose, sodium and cholesterol; decrease in white blood cells with a marked increase in haemoglobin. These are very welcome processes which help the body fight back against the common toxic and debilitating lifestyles which many of us have thrust upon us.
In connection with Kundalini Yoga, many of you will of heard of the ‘Coiled Serpent”, but what is it?
Kundalini is a Sanskrit word meaning either ‘coiled up’ or ‘coiling like a snake’. The caduceus symbol
of coiling snakes is thought for instance to be an ancient symbolic representation of Kundalini physiology.
Our outside world is interpreted by a network of nerves and sensory organs. Residing within each of us is a very subtle system of channels (nadis) and centres of energy (chakras), which assist in looking after not only our physical bodies but our emotional, intellectual and spiritual being.
There are seven chakras each of which holds several spiritual qualities. It should be noted that not everyone utilises or manifests them, they can however never be destroyed.
The chakras are as follows:
- Base (Root) – Red – Modahara – Foundations, survival, independence
- Sacral – Orange – Swadishthan – New Experiences , Connections to Others
- Solar Plexus – Yellow – Nahbi – Confidence, Respect, Self-worth
Void – Surrounds the 2nd & 3rd chakras. In many traditions, it is called the “Ocean of Illusions” and needs to be crossed with the help of a spiritual guide. When Kundalini is awakened and passes through the void, the principle of mastery is established within us.
- Heart – Green – Anahat – Love, An Open Heart, Peace of Mind, Joy
- Throat – Blue – Vishuddi – Expression, Communication, Truth
- Third-Eye – Indigo – Agnaya – Perception, Clarity, Focus
- Crown – Violet – Sahasrara – Spirituality, The Universal Connection, Pure Bliss, Inner and Outer Beauty
So, as you can derive the basic concept of Kundalini is that there is a source of energy at the very base of the spine, which lies coiled like a snake. Moving through the various postures, the snake is awakened, moves up the spine and through the seven centres of consciousness (the chakras),this uncoiling both energises and ‘unblocks’ them , which leads to heightened awareness and relinquishes stress and tension.
This is a huge topic and you would do well to research in depth to find out if this particular form of Yoga resonates with you.
Remember that Kundalini awakening is not a predictable process by any means, it will vary vastly from person to person, as pointed out earlier in this brief outline, it’s all about the ‘experience’…..
It is a doorway to the infinite = a personal exploration of the unknown.